MADISON, Wis., June 21 (UPI) -- With six Republican state legislators in Wisconsin facing recalls, state party leaders said they might introduce a bill that would make recalls harder.

Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald, joined by two other Republicans in an interview Monday with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, said the spate of recalls has switched the state legislature into "campaign mode."


"I have never been a fan of recalls on either side of the aisle -- especially for a vote," Fitzgerald said.

Three Democrats face recalls. The recall efforts began after the tumultuous battle over Gov. Scott Walker's legislation stripping public employee unions of most collective bargaining rights. The bill eventually passed.

Democrats and organized labor spearheaded recall petitions against six GOP state senators, accusing Republicans of violating state law to rush the legislation through the assembly.

Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, a Democrat, said he would not expect any bill making recalls more difficult to pass.

"From a political standpoint, it looks like politicians trying to avoid accountability," Barca said.

Walker, at an appearance in Washington, said he believes Wisconsin voters want to move on and view the recall drives as a distraction.