Missouri’s Senate majority leader said doubts from multiple senators as well as a shortened workweek due to a snowstorm were two of the reasons the Senate ultimately failed to approve the appointment of Don Kauerauf as director of the Department of Health and Senior Services.

On this episode of Politically Speaking, Sen. Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, spoke about the failed appointment, along with how he feels the 2022 legislative session has gone so far, one month in.

Here are some of the things Rowden also talked about on the show:

• The legislature’s progress on congressional redistricting. It’s been over two weeks since the House passed a proposed map. Discussion on the map on the Senate side is ongoing, but Rowden believes it will likely be taken up next week.
• The legislature’s slower-than-normal start. With both redistricting and eventually an emergency supplemental budget to consider, Rowden thinks after these issues are tackled, the Senate workload will begin to pick up.
• The state of Senate relationships. Though a divide between some of the seven members of the conservative caucus and Senate leadership is still apparent, Rowden would like to see things not taken so personally.

Rowden was first elected to the Senate in 2016, after serving two terms in the House. He represents the 19th District, which includes Boone and Cooper counties.

Follow Sarah Kellogg on Twitter: @sarahkkellogg
Follow Caleb Rowden on Twitter: @CalebRowden