After almost 40 hours, Republicans used a rare maneuver to end the filibuster.
The 39-hour filibuster that began Monday afternoon in Missouri has ended.
The extended debate surrounded Senate Joint Resolution 39 (SJR 39). Presented by Senator Bob Onder, SJR 39 will place discriminatory language into the state’s constitution. It aims to protect religious groups and businesses from being fined for refusing services to same-sex couples.
The proposal would prevent penalties “on a religious organization on the basis that the organization believes or acts by a sincere religious belief concerning marriage between two persons of the same sex”.
SJR 39 adopted broad language in the second half stating, “the state shall not impose a penalty on an individual who declines either to be a participant in a marriage or wedding ceremony or to provide goods or services of expressional or artistic creation for such a marriage or ceremony or an ensuing celebration thereof, because of a sincere religious belief concerning marriage between two persons of the same sex.”
Onder has argued that the bill doesn’t promote discrimination. He said, “We are fighting for fairness and the right for people to freely live out their faith while not infringing on the rights of others.”
Executive director of a Missouri-based LGBT advocacy organization, Steph Perkins, said, “Both sides care about religious freedom, and that’s why we’re happy it’s already protected under the 1st Amendment of the Constitution.”
The Missouri Democrats have yet to respond to the obstruction.
