As the village law standstill plays itself out, legislation concerning illegal immigration hangs in the balance. And earlier this afternoon, Gov. Matt Blunt warned that he would call legislators back for a special session if an immigration bill isn’t passed.

“Now is not the time to back away from our efforts to fight illegal immigration in our state,” Blunt said in a news release.

Sen. Jack Goodman, R-Mt. Vernon, is using a bill that bleary-eyed senators labored over for nine hours last night as a bargaining chip to get the House to agree to repeal the controversial “village law.”

The immigration bill is in Goodman’s committee. A hearing on the bill has been postponed twice today. Another is scheduled for when the Senate breaks for the day.

Fearing a special session in an election year when there are campaigns to work on, the Senate brought up a narrowly tailored bill prohibiting public benefits for illegal immigrants.

“We’ve got some issues getting a comprehensive immigration bill out of the Capitol,” said Sen. Luann Ridgeway, R-Smithville. “If it gets hung up, then we have nothing if we don’t go forward with” the public benefits bill.

Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, said he agrees with the bill’s premise, but wants to make minor changes to pass the best bill possible.

“If we’re gonna do this, we’re gonna do it right,” he said.

Any changes would have to go back to the House for approval. And today, the House isn’t on the best of terms with its companion chamber.