LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have once again rejected an effort to open their committee leadership votes to public scrutiny.

Senators voted down a proposed rule Monday that would have required them to disclose their votes when electing committee leaders and a speaker. Senators vote publicly on bills and amendments, but choose legislative leaders using a secret ballot.

Sen. Bill Kintner of Papillion introduced the measure as he has in past years, arguing that lawmakers should be transparent and accountable to constituents.

But Democrats and some moderate Republicans counter that the proposal is an attempt to impose party discipline in the officially nonpartisan Legislature by making it harder for majority Republicans to break from their party. Kintner is a Republican.