As expected, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon (D) vetoed the Republican state legislature's redistricting map Saturday, setting up a high-stakes showdown over the issue with just two weeks left in the statehouse session.
Nixon said the map — which would essentially eliminate the St. Louis-based 3rd congressional district held by Rep. Russ Carnahan (D) — did "not adequately protect the interests of all Missourians."
The Missouri Constitution requires a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate to override a veto. The redistricting bill, which was sent to the governor's desk earlier this week, passed overwhelmingly in the Missouri Senate. It was approved by the House 96-55, a comfortable margin but 13 votes shy of the total that would be needed to override Nixon's veto.
If the legislature cannot pass a redistricting plan, the courts could be left to draw the new legislative map.
"I am hopeful that in the next two weeks the Legislature can produce a map that will reflect a better representation for all regions of the state, and deliver it to my desk," Nixon said in a statement.
2010 U.S. Census figures left Missouri with one less Congressional seat. The state's delegation will drop to eight representatives following the 2012 election.
Rep. Bill Cassidy has his blood drawn by Alesha Barbour during a free hepatitis screening in the Rayburn House Office Building hosted by the Congressional Viral Hepatitis Caucus to recognize "National Viral Hepatitis Testing Day."
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