By Annabeth Miller, ShowMe Times Editor

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The clock may be ticking, but leaders in the Missouri Senate say they will continue work on crafting a “fair and equitable” congressional redistricting map.”

Senate leaders on Friday said that developing a new redistricting map was a “priority” and that they would meet the May 13 deadline.

Crafting a map that is fair and equitable to Missouri citizens when it comes to their representation in the United States Congress is a priority, said Missouri Senate leaders today in Jefferson City.

In the wee morning hours Friday, negotiations between leaders of the Missouri Senate and House of Representatives came to an end. The issue will stand "as is" at least until Tuesday when members return to Jefferson City after the Easter weekend. Members from both chambers worked for more than seven hours Friday night in closed-door negotiations.

The General Assembly is constitutionally charged to redraw Missouri’s Congressional Districts based on the most recent U.S. Census data.

According to U.S. Census date, Missouri must lose a congressional seat – shifting from nine representatives in the U.S. House of Repsentatives to just eight.

“It is especially difficult this year, but the process is extremely important as it will likely be the basis for Missouri’s congressional district make-up for the next 30 years,” said Senate Leader Rob Mayer, R-Dexter.

Mayer said he believes that senators can develop a congressional map that can be approved by both the Missouri Senate and House of Representatives by the May 13 deadline.

“It is imperative we complete our Constitutional duty and adopt a map both members of the Senate and House of Representatives agree is the best in representing the interests of Missourians,” Mayer said.

Senators noted they had hoped to finish by a self-imposed deadline of Friday, April 22. Differences in the House and Senate map versions are currently before a conference committee.

Sen. Scott T. Rupp, R-Wentzville, is chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting and said the map should reflect the best interests of Missourians and not currently elected members of Congress.

“A member of Congress’ opinion has no more weight than that of any Missourian,” said Rupp. “We must remember we are elected to represent the people of Missouri and not their Congressmen and women.”

"At some point I think the Senate will get serious about negotiating the map and trying to resolve the differences between the two maps," said Rep. John Diehl, R-St. Louis, who chairs the House redistricting committee. Rupp noted negotiations will resume next week.

The House and Senate versions of the map are similar in several issues, but differ in a few key areas, Shifting the state down in the congressional representation has brought about conflict in rural areas and the state’s urban areas – particularily the Kansas City area as well as St. Charles, St. Louis and Jefferson County.

The Constitution provides lawmakers until the end of the legislative session (6 p.m., May 13) to adopt a new map. The House Friday amended Senate Bill 68 by attaching a House compromise map. That bill would next return to the Senate for consideration. If the Legislature does not complete the task, the issue would move to the courts to be decided.