Senate approves new congressional map

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Intro:	The Missouri Senate is joining the House in a plan that would eliminate Democratic U.S. Representative Russ Carnahan's congressional district.
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Wrap: The Senate approved a new congressional map despite protest within the Republican party to reconsider.

The Senate voted on the changes Wednesday with less than a dozen senators on the floor.

Republican Senator Bill Stouffer is one of several rural legislators who opposes the map.

He was also one of several senators who failed to show up in time for the vote.

Stouffer admitts it was his fault he wasn't present to speak out against the plan.

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Description: I know that this is big boy politics and I got caught with my britches down, and that's the way it goes.

This redistricting plan would reduce the number of Missouri's congressional districts from nine to eight.

The House will choose to approve, reject or conference about the bill next.

From the state Capitol, I'm Danielle McCarthy.

Intro:	The Senate is going along with the House in a plan that would eliminate a St. Louis city congressional district.
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Wrap: Despite a super majority, it took Senators hours to get to a vote over changes made to a new congressional map.

The Senate adopted the changes made to the redistricting plan before any senators arrived to speak out against it.

Senate Redistricting Committe Chairman Scott Rupp acknowledged the dissastisfaction among some of his own Republican party members.

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Description: I really don't think there's agreement on the House map. I don't think there's agreement on the Senate map. And I don't think there'll ever be really an agreement with everyone singing kumbaya.

The Senate and House each had their own versions of a new congressional map.

The House will choose to approve, reject or conference about the bill next.

From the state Capitol, I'm Danielle McCarthy.

Intro:	The Missouri Senate went along with the House's approach to elimante a St. Louis city congressional district.
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Wrap:Fractures among Republicans delayed a Senate vote to approve a new congressional map Wednesday.

Opposition to the new map stemmed from several Senators' regional disputes.

Republican Senator Scott Rupp is the Senate Redistricting Committee Chairman.

He says the new congressional map has enough support to override a potential veto if the bill reaches the governor's desk.

Actuality:	RUPP9.WAV
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Description: When push comes to shove and it comes down to this, this is what we're gonna pass to get a veto. Those members have all said "Yes, we will be there."

The House will choose to approve, reject or conference about the bill next.

The bill reduces the number of Missouri's congressional districts from nine to eight.

From the state Capitol, I'm Danielle McCarthy.