Right-to-work fight grinds Missouri Legislature to a standstill

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri’s legislature has ground to a halt with just two days remaining in its session because of animosity over legislation limiting union powers.

The Senate quit for the day Thursday after less than an hour in session, when minority party Democrats made it clear they would continue to filibuster all action because of their displeasure over right-to-work legislation.

The House also suspended its normal work Thursday morning, citing the standstill in the Senate.

On Tuesday evening, Senate Republicans used a rare procedural motion to cut off debate and force a vote on the bill barring union fees from being a condition of employment. House Republicans voted Wednesday to send the bill to Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon.

Lawmakers face a 6 p.m. Friday deadline to pass bills.

This story was originally published May 14, 2015 at 12:46 PM with the headline "Right-to-work fight grinds Missouri Legislature to a standstill."