Missouri Senate likely to pass new congressional map Friday

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KFVS) – Before the end of the week, Missouri could have a new congressional map.

The map being discussed in a special legislative session would likely send one more Republican to Washington, D.C. in Congressman Emanuel Cleaver’s place. The call for the special session includes redrawing the districts that decide who represents Missourians in the U.S. House of Representatives. Lawmakers are also planning to take up bills on the state’s initiative petition process, the process that allows citizens to amend the state constitution.

“Initiative petition” is the process that allows Missourians to amend their state’s constitution. Right now, questions put on the ballot by citizens only need a simple majority to pass. This proposal would make it so that they need a statewide majority and a majority in all eight congressional districts. The change gives rural districts more power.

Currently, Missouri sends two Democrats and six Republicans to Washington, D.C. The new map is said to split up the Kansas City area, currently represented by Congressman Emanuel Cleaver. The split aims to create seven districts likely to vote Republican and only one likely to vote Democratic.

Cleaver was in Jefferson City, Thursday to speak with a Missouri Senate committee. He warned lawmakers of the dangers in the redistricting trend happening in states across the country.

“I’m gonna warn all of us that if you fight fire with fire long enough, all you’re gonna have left is ashes,” Cleaver said.

There were hours of testimony in a Thursday committee hearing, but none of it was in favor of redistricting. Even so, Republicans push forward the bill they say will improve Missouri’s representation on the national level.

“We can sit here and give all the political theater that we want, the question is, ‘Are we actually representing the constituency of Missouri with our congressional delegation?’” said Republican Sen. Rick Brattin from Lee’s Summit.

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