What Happened to the Senate?

When I was sworn in as the state senator for the 7th Senatorial District in January, I would never have thought this would be the kind of update I’d be providing in mid-September. It is difficult to put into words what I am feeling following the events of this week, as we were called into a second extra session of the year and watched the once legendary decorum of the Missouri Senate devolve into chaos. 

Before I get into the details, I want to say thank you to the thousands of people who came to the Capitol this week to stand up for Kansas City and peacefully protest the actions being taken. Your presence was inspiring and helped give us the drive to do whatever we could to protect your voices both in Jefferson City and in Washington D.C. 

The governor’s call for the extraordinary session tasked the Legislature to adopt a new congressional district map that split up the current 5th district that encompasses almost all of Kansas City and diminishes the state’s initiative petition (IP) process. Redistricting the congressional maps, a request from the President of the United States who is looking to shore up a conservative majority in next year’s mid-term elections. Changing IP, a long-time goal of those who have found themselves on the losing side of the voters’ recent decisions regarding reproductive rights, the legalization of marijuana, right to work laws and employment benefits like a livable minimum wage and guaranteed sick leave. 

While I am appalled by the attempt to change IP laws, as one of the many senators from the Kansas City area whose districts will be most impacted by the proposed redistricting, I want to focus this column on that issue. The new map separates the Kansas City area into three congressional districts that also include multiple rural and historically conservative communities. Instead of allowing Kansas City to be represented in the U.S. House of Representatives as one community with its own issues and needs, the representatives elected to represent these citizens will have to often ignore those needs because they will also have to fight for their constituents who live nowhere near the metro area. Instead of voters choosing their representatives, politicians are choosing their voters.

This simply makes no sense. The people of Kansas City deserve a voice in Washington D.C., and those citizens should not be silenced simply because their desires go against the current administration and majority. 

My colleagues and I came to Jefferson City this week prepared to use every legislative method available to combat this proposal, even though we knew an unfavorable outcome was likely inevitable.  Part of being a member of the Senate, one of the reasons I wanted to be a member of the upper chamber, is the ability to take part in vigorous but fair debate on the issues that will impact our constituents. This was always an option for members of the majority and minority alike. 

Unfortunately, it seems to me the majority caucus came to Jefferson City prepared to figuratively burn the Senate to the ground in an effort to speedily pass this extremely controversial legislation. As the Senate was gaveled in for the 2nd Extraordinary Session of the 103rd General Assembly, the rules were changed on us. The new rules proposed by the President Pro Tem changed the order of business and limited opportunities not only for debate on the bills we received from the Missouri House of Representatives that were part of the call by the governor but took away the option to propose other legislation or expanding the call of the extra session. 

Once again, in my opinion, it seems clear that these actions are designed specifically to take away the voices of the representatives who were sent to Jefferson City by their constituents. Citizens are being silenced and debate is being shut down simply because they do not agree with the majority. 

With one hand tied behind our back and the idea of open, fair debate a distant memory, there was little we could do to prevent the votes on the new district map or IP reform. Both issues passed the Senate. House Bill 1 will become law with the governor’s signature. However, lawsuits  have already been filed to challenge this map, and I expect more will be filed now that it has officially passed the Legislature. House Joint Resolution 3 will now go before the voters either next November or in an earlier election decided by the governor. 

The pride I felt in January when I joined this esteemed body is now replaced with anger, remorse and fear. Anger at those who are willing to cast aside the needs of the people of the state to protect tyrannical leadership from afar. Remorse that the Senate no longer prides itself on decorum, fairness and civility. Fear that the values that once guided government and the discourse in politics this country was founded on are gone. 

Contact Me

I always appreciate hearing your comments, opinions and concerns. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at 573-751-6607. You may write me at Patty Lewis, Missouri Senate, State Capitol, Rm 425, Jefferson City, MO 65101, send an email to Patty.Lewis@senate.mo.gov or visit www.senate.mo.gov/Lewis.