Kirkwood Republican Richard Byrd chairs the House Judiciary Committee. He says Holden will probably appoint a democrat, making the division in the court 5 Democrats to 2 Republicans. The court's power makes the partisan divide important.
The bill's sponsor, Republican Richard Byrd from Kirkwood, says these steps will reduce medical malpractice insurance premiums for doctors without blocking malpractice claims.
Representative Richard Byrd, a Republican and the bill's sponsor, says the governor is pandering to his union supporters and hurting state workers and their families.
The bill has bipartisan support in the House and similar measures have been proposed in the Senate by Republican senators. Chair of the Judiciary Committee Rep. Richard Byrd, R-Kirkwood, complimented Harris on the proposed measure.
The House Judiciary Committee Chair -- Rep. Richard Byrd, R-St. Louis County -- argued that medical malpractice insurance regulation and lawsuit award limits should be considered in separate bills.