Missouri senators have approved legislation to require a private company to review the state's welfare rolls.
Senators passed the bill 30-0 Wednesday. It needs another House vote before it could go to Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon.
Under the measure, the state would hire a company to check people's eligibility for programs such as food stamps. That company would flag questionable cases for state employees to investigate.
Supporters say it's aimed at eliminating waste and fraud.
Another provision to create a committee on public assistance in the state has met pushback from House Democrats.
They say a committee isn't needed to research poverty and that money appropriated for that should instead go to directly help low-income residents.
