Missouri senate passes religious objections measure after nearly 40 hour filibuster
A nearly 40 hour long filibuster at the state capitol over a religious objections proposal is now over.
This morning SJR 39 passed out of Missouri’s Senate in a 23-9 vote.
The Missouri Senate filibustered the proposed amendment for 39.5 hours, making it one of the longest filibusters in the Missouri state legislature.
Senators that participated in the filibuster that started at 4:15 Monday afternoon included Democrats Sen. Joseph Keaveny, Sen. Kiki Curls, Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, Sen. Jill Schupp, Sen. Scott Sifton, Sen. Gina Walsh, Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal and Sen. Jason Holsman. The only Republican to vote against SJR 39 is Sen. Rob Schaaf.
The vote comes after the Republican sponsor of a Missouri religious objections proposal has distributed a new version of a measure that would allow protections if businesses deny services related to same-sex marriage.
The measure would prohibit government penalties against business owners and individuals who cite a “sincere religious belief” while declining to provide services involving “expressional or artistic creation” for same-sex weddings.
The proposed new version of the measure specifies that businesses are protected if services are denied for a wedding or close before or after a reception. It also cites florists and photographers as examples.
The measure also would shield clergy and worship places that decline to participate in such weddings.
The measure still needs a second vote of approval to move to the House.
If SJR 39 passes out of the House of Representatives, Missourians will be voting in an upcoming election on whether or not businesses should be allowed to refuse services to same-sex couples based on religious beliefs.
