JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri Republicans on Thursday forged ahead with a plan to flip one of two Missouri congressional seats held by Democrats, brushing aside protests from residents, colleagues and the congressman in their crosshairs.

Speaking at a Senate committee hearing, the plan's sponsor, Rep. Dirk Deaton, R-Seneca, repeated the line that got the plan through the House.

“I do just believe it is a better map for the state of Missouri, which is why I’m supporting it,” he said.

The redrawn map passed along party lines with a 6-2 vote, sending the new boundaries to the full Senate for final approval.

The move marked yet another step in an effort to elect seven Republicans to the state's eight seats in the U.S. House next year to hold the GOP's majority there and support President Donal

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