After Missouri Senate Democrats staged a record-setting filibuster of nearly 39 hours to block an anti-LGBT initiative, the GOP majority finally stepped in to force a vote on the discriminatory measure, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Republicans used a parliamentary maneuver, known as the previous question, to end the blockade, which had put a national focus on a GOP-sponsored measure to shield clergy, wedding vendors and religious organizations from penalties if they oppose same-sex marriage. [...]
But that decision likely will cause problems for Republicans moving forward. Last year, Republican senators used the previous question to shut down an eight hour filibuster by the Democrats and force a vote on "right to work" in the last week of session. In turn, Democrats shut down debate on everything else.
Wednesday's previous question is only the 16th time the Senate has shut down debate since 1970 and it was used with eight weeks left in session. If the Democrats use the same tactic as last year in response, it could spell trouble for everything from voter id to anti-abortion measures to the 2017 budget.
The epic filibuster was a heartening display of principled legislating at its best, with a handful of Democrats tag-teaming to block a measure that would put LGBT rights to popular vote later this year. The Republican-led Missouri Senate finally gave preliminary approval to the measure with a 23-9 vote, but it still requires a final vote along with House approval before being sent to referendum.