JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – As tensions mount in the early weeks of Missouri’s legislative session, one state lawmaker recently tossed around the idea of a “duel” to settle conflicts.
A proposal made rounds in the Senate earlier this week on paper, raising that possibility, though it was not officially filed as a house resolution.
A group of Missouri Senate Democrats first shared a photo of the paper proposal on Wednesday via X (formerly Twitter). Sen. Nick Schroer (R-St. Charles County) has his name listed on the proposal.
Schroer’s office confirmed with FOX 2 that he was linked to the proposal, though he considers it a “draft rule change” that was distributed to members of the Senate “but not offered” and “never filed.”
According to the language of the paper proposal, senators could agree to engage in a duel if “a senator’s honor is impugned by another senator to the point that it is beyond repair and in order for the offended senator to gain satisfaction.”
The proposal also stated that an “offended senator shall send a written challenge to the offending senator” and those involved would agree to a “choice of weapons.” It also called for duels to take place “at the hour of high noon.”
Schroer’s office responds
One spokesperson from Schroer’s office sent FOX 2 this statement on the drafted rule change:
“Senator Schroer is deeply committed to restoring a sense of honor in the Missouri Senate. While the idea of a duel may have been suggested in a metaphorical sense, the core message is about fostering respect and reminding members that the words used in a debate may have real consequences.
It is evident to new members of the Senate that the success of priority legislation is currently dependent on personalities, and old wounds are preventing this important language from becoming law. Until personal disputes find resolution and true leaders step forward to be the first to put aside personal feelings for the betterment of Missouri, we will continue to suggest ways to find a resolution.”
Recently at the Capitol…
The Missouri Senate’s top leader stripped four state senators of committee assignments earlier this week, all of whom had ties to a new hard-right faction known as the Freedom Caucus. The senators also had their parking spots removed from the Capitol’s basement garage
In recent weeks, the group has been linked to fillibusters and heated arguments. Members of the Freedom Caucus say they’re tired of waiting to debate legislation that changes GOP priorities, like the initiative petition process and education reform.
Caleb Rowden, Senate President Pro Tem, claims the group has “chosen to use the Missouri Senate as a place to try and salvage their languishing statewide campaigns and intentionally destroy the institution in an effort to claim the game is rigged against them.”
The gridlock in the Senate is holding up the approval of dozens of the governor’s appointments to various boards and commissions, including the director of the Department of Health and Senior Services and the Department of Social Services.
