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First filibuster of the year over stem cell research

Senators were in session until the wee hours this morning.
Senators were in session until the wee hours this morning.

By Marshall Griffin, KWMU

Jefferson City, MO – Divisions over the stem cell issue triggered the year's first filibuster in Jefferson City. It began Thursday morning around 10:30, and ended at 3:24 this (Friday) morning.

Republican Senator Matt Bartle, of Lee's Summit, conducted the filibuster in order to block the nomination of Warren Erdman to the University of Missouri System Board of Curators.

Erdman is a supporter of stem cell research, while Bartle is helping lead the move to repeal Amendment Two, which allows stem cell research in Missouri.

During his filibuster, Bartle talked about a wide variety of topics that had nothing to do with the issue at hand, noting at one point that "in Denver, they have this incredible Bass Pro Shop." Bartle also talked about as ski trips, parenting, how to cook steak, and even ingrown toenails.

But just a few minutes shy of 17 hours, an exhausted Bartle finally sat down, and the Senate approved Erdman's nomination to the Board of Curators.

A few Democrats helped Bartle keep his filibuster.

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