Missouri Senate Majority Leader Suggests Expulsion of GOP Senator

Tensions escalate as Freedom Caucus obstructs routine work to push for constitutional amendment

Missouri Senate Majority Leader Cindy O’Laughlin has suggested the expulsion of Sen. Bill Eigel, a member of the Freedom Caucus and a Republican candidate for governor, due to his obstruction of the chamber’s work.
The Freedom Caucus has been using procedural tactics to slow routine work in an attempt to force more rapid consideration of a proposed constitutional amendment that would make it harder to pass citizen-led ballot initiatives.
Earlier this week, Senate Republican leaders stripped four Freedom Caucus members, including Eigel, of their committee chairmanships and prime parking spots.
Eigel has responded defiantly to these actions, stating that he will not bow to anyone and challenging O’Laughlin to explain her statement on the Senate floor.
Governor Mike Parson has expressed frustration at the internal Republican spat, which has prevented Senate approval of his appointments to state departments, university governing boards and the state highways commission.