House and Senate negotiators have failed to reach an agreement on a congressional redistricting map before today’s self-imposed deadline.
Republican House leaders had wanted a compromise map ready to pass before Easter Weekend, in order to have time to override a potential veto from Democratic Governor Jay Nixon during the regular session.
But both sides remain far apart on how much of Jefferson and St. Charles counties will be placed in which districts. Scott Rupp (R, Wentzville) sponsors the Senate compromise map.
“I don’t even know what the stumbling blocks are anymore," Rupp told reporters. "We gave in areas, but it was just one of those (situations)…I don’t think the other chamber wanted to come to an agreement.”
Both sides showed up at the redistricting committee meeting around 7:00 p.m. last night with what they called “compromise maps,” except that neither side would accept the other’s map. And after several hours of back-and-forth, the Senate formally adjourned until Tuesday.
State Representative John Diehl (R, Town and Country) sponsors the House map.
“(I) think the Senate (last night) was kind of a rudderless ship, and I don’t think they were very interested in trying to reach a compromise with the House on the maps," Diehl said.
The Senate's adjournment makes it nearly impossible to override any veto before the session ends next month. Lawmakers would then have to wait until September to attempt an override.
The Missouri House is scheduled to convene today. Diehl says they may bring back the House map by stripping the Senate map from House Bill 193, then sending the House map back to the Senate.
