JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri residents are done voting. But the state lawmakers they elected still had some votes to cast.
The newly elected and returning members of the Missouri House met Wednesday in Jefferson City to elect their own party leaders for the 2013 legislative session. Senators are to meet Thursday to elect their party leadership.
Republicans chose John Diehl (deel), of Town and Country, as House majority leader. The majority leader is responsible for deciding which bills are brought up for debate and when legislation should be set aside.
Jason Smith, of Salem, is the Republican nominee for House speaker pro tem. He and Speaker Tim Jones will face election for those positions by the full House in January.
Republicans and Democrats from each chamber meet in closed-door sessions to decide their leadership.