JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has vetoed a measure that would cut the weeks of unemployment benefits available to workers who lose their jobs.

Nixon’s veto Tuesday returns the bill to the Republican-controlled Legislature, where leaders have already said they plan to try to override the Democratic governor’s veto.

Republicans hold at least a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate. But the measure fell short of the 109 votes that would be needed for an override in the House when it was sent to the governor last month. It passed with just 88 votes.

The measure could reduce unemployment benefits from the current 20 weeks to as low as 13 weeks by linking the maximum number of weeks to the statewide average employment rate.