In January 2007, Sen. Bartle surprised many with a 17-hour filibuster against an appointee to the University of Missouri's Board of Curators. Bartle, a Christian conservative, was concerned about the appointee's views on stem-cell research.
In January 2007, Senator Bartle held a prolonged speech opposing the appointment of someone to the University of Missouri's Board of Curators. He, a Christian conservative, objected to the nominee's stance on stem cell research.