The cause was Senate Bill 303, which would align Missouri with 40 other states that legally allow the practice of midwifery, or home birthing.  Missouri is the only state where practicing midwifery is a felony.

"We're bringing Missouri in line with the other 30 or so states that have a state registration or license law," Sen. John Loudon, of Chesterfield, said.

However, some senators voiced concerns regarding the bill. Loudon identified one particular colleague whom he felt was in the way of his legislation.

"Senator Graham has squarely put himself in front of my most important bill, and if he stays there the only choice I have is to get in front of his most important bills," he said.

This is the second year Columbia Senator Chuck Graham has opposed a bill legalizing the practice of midwifery.

"The way the bill is written, it really doesn't have any safety requirements that are in it," Graham said. "I can't even find out who is providing training and certification, any course work. None of that has been available."

Graham responded to Louden's threat to interfere with his bills with his own threats.

"If Senator Loudon wants to threaten my legislation, that's fine," Graham said. "I've figured out lots of ways to get around folks around here. He's got a lot more legislation on the calendar than I do, so I think it would be a real mistake to get in a tit-for-tat battle with me on that issue."

Loudon ended the filibuster by removing his bill from the floor and placing it on the Senate's informal calendar, meaning it can be brought up at any point in the future. Several Senate members voiced their displeasure on spending five hours on one bill when they could have been working on the already large workload left for the little more than a month in session.