Lawmakers’ methods reveal questionable motives

by J Scott Christianson, Columbia Daily Tribune Columnist

Toward the end of the session of the Missouri General Assembly, Republican senators relied on a particular parliamentary procedure to put an end to filibusters and get their bills moved through the Senate before the session ended. Referred to as “calling the previous question,” cloture or even “the nuclear option,” this particular motion is used to close all debate on a bill and force the Senate to immediately vote on the issue.