JEFFERSON CITY • Debate stretched late into Tuesday night on a bill that would require public employees to give annual consent for money to be taken out of their paychecks for union dues.

Republicans have backed so-called "paycheck protection" bills for years, saying that union members should have a greater say in how their dues are spent. But Democrats and some union friendly Republicans have opposed the measures, saying they are unnecessary and are a veiled attack on unions.

Debate started soon after 4 p.m. and lasted until about 11:30 p.m. The final vote was 23 to 7 — enough to override a potential veto from Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon. The House version on Feb. 18 earned 110 votes, one more than the necessary 109 to override a veto.

But even if the bill is vetoed, it's not clear if Republicans will have enough support to override. Republican Sen. Gary Romine, who voted against a controversial right-to-work bill last year and is up for reelection, was absent for the vote. Sen. Paul Wieland, another pro-union Republican, voted "no."

And in an unexplained move, Democratic Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal of University City voted for the bill. She declined to comment after the vote.