{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"MO\" and year = 2018 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-opposes-president-trump-s-announcement-of-new", "Congressman Cleaver Opposes President Trumps Announcement of New Restrictions on SNAP", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, D.C. ) - Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II opposes President Trump's proposal to change key components of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides assistance to families to help put food on the table. The Administration is now proposing to implement, through executive action, additional work requirements for some applicants and restrictions to SNAP.\nHouse Republican leaders sought to secure these same changes to SNAP as part of the farm bill. But it didn't work. Congress just passed a revised farm bill without these damaging provisions to SNAP. Now the President wants to ignore the law passed by Congress and implement these restrictions with the swipe of a pen, said Congressman Cleaver.\nSNAP is the nation's nutrition assistance safety net, providing billions of dollars in food benefits to people across the country.\nIn Missouri, in 2016, SNAP reached a little over 800,000 residents--more than 10% of the population, according to the USDA profile.\nThose affected would be SNAP participants ages 18 through 49 who are not raising minor children in their homes. The people, whom the rule change would affect, are among the poorest of the poor, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data show. Only 18 percent of SNAP recipients had gross income above the poverty line, while 40 percent had income at or below half the poverty line, according to the USDA.\nA longstanding, harsh provision of SNAP law already limits these 18-through-49-year-olds to just three months of SNAP benefits (in months that they're not employed at least 20 hours a week) out of every three years. If you can't find a 20-hour-a-week job, you're cut off SNAP.\nParticipation in a work or training program counts toward fulfilling this requirement, but states aren't required to provide work or training slots to these individuals  and most states don't. In addition, searching for a job does not count toward meeting the requirement.\nThe proposed changes also would restrict a critical provision that lets states seek waivers of this three-month cut-off in areas where jobs are scarce. From the provision's enactment in 1996 until now, Democratic and Republican administrations alike have operated under a common set of rules in considering and granting waivers from the three-month cut-off. Now, the Trump Administration is seeking to severely restrict the ability of states to apply for a waiver  an alternative that's certain to increase hunger and destitution.\nMost working-age adults on SNAP who can work, already do so. Unfortunately, low-paying jobs with unreliable hours and little to no benefits are all too common.We should be doing more to help these families, not throw them to the wind. These provisions will force people out of a program that was put in place to help them when they need a helping hand, said Congressman Cleaver.\nThe President should be trying to help with policies such as better job training and employment programs and a higher minimum wage instead of denying people, who are already struggling, basic food and nutritional needs, said Congressman Cleaver.\nEmanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and also a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Heather Frierson at 816-842-4545 or Heather.Frierson@mail.house.gov A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lacyclay.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-congressman-wm-lacy-clay-d-missouri-regarding-passage-first", "STATEMENT BY CONGRESSMAN WM. LACY CLAY (D) MISSOURI REGARDING PASSAGE OF THE \u201cFIRST STEP ACT OF 2018\u201d", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "William Clay", "C001049", "lacyclay.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "NOTE: The following, in its entirety, is a first-person statement by Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri.\nToday's historic vote is a long-overdue down payment on fixing America's broken criminal justice system. The First Step Act of 2018, which I was proud to cosponsor, strikes a blow against racially-biased sentencing inequality, especially for the thousands of Black and Latino federal inmates who were victimized by outrageous sentencing disparities between convictions for possession and distribution of crack and powder cocaine.\nOur bill also begins the process of curbing America's over-incarceration epidemic by easing mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent federal crimes. And it will provide many federal inmates the opportunity to earn a second chance by using training and good behavior to shorten their incarceration. The First Step Act also reduces the three-strike penalty to 25 years from life in prison. \nAmerica has a mass incarceration problem. If we want a safer country and a fairer criminal justice system, we need to prioritize diversion, rehabilitation and education while making second chances possible for more inmates.\nThe massive bipartisan support for the First Step Act in both the House and the Senate shows that Congress still has the capacity to act together for the good of the American people. We have much more work to do, but this historic bill is a significant First Step towards equal justice for all, instead of just for some.\n\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-s-statement-on-the-federal-school-safety-commission", "Congressman Cleavers Statement on the Federal School Safety Commission Report", "2018-12-19", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, D.C.) - Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II condemns the recently released Federal School Safety Commission Report. The Trump administration's report is a NRA-backed proposal which recommends arming teachers instead of focusing on making schools safer.\nThe report ignores a common denominator of all of the tragic school shootings our country has suffered, and that is, easy access to assault style firearms designed for war, said Congressman Cleaver.\nIn 2017, there were nearly 40,000 gun deaths in the United States, the highest total in decades.\nPutting guns in the hands of teachers is not an effective strategy and could easily lead to more senseless shootings in our schools,  said Congressman Cleaver.\nThe report is a missed opportunity to expand the use of evidence-based, comprehensive approaches to preventing violence in schools and building stronger relationships between students, educators, and the community. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), anti-bullying programs, mental health support are some of the many proven strategies to deescalate situations and help students before the get to the point of wanting to harm themselves or others.\nThe Commission also recommends full rescission of the Obama administration's 2014 school discipline guidance, which assists school districts in eliminating disparities in how Black students, boys, and students with disabilities are disciplined compared to their classmates.\nThe Trump Administration's School Safety Commission Report is not only a missed opportunity to ensure every student is both safe and supported in the classroom, but it is also a blatant affront to communities of color. Its suggestion that federal civil rights enforcement  and not the prevalence of firearms  is to blame for school shootings is baseless and wrong, said Congressional Black Caucus Chair, Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-LA).\nWe must do more to stop discrimination in our schools. This report will only cause further criminalization of students of color for non-criminal or minor offenses, said Congressman Cleaver.\nThe Department of Education's school safety report can be found here.\nEmanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and also a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Heather Frierson at 816-842-4545 or Heather.Frierson@mail.house.gov A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/video/view/claires-goodbye-message", "Claire's Goodbye Message", "2018-12-14", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/video/view/mccaskill-delivers-farewell-speech-on-senate-floor", "McCaskill Delivers Farewell Speech on Senate Floor", "2018-12-14", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-delivers-farewell-speech-on-senate-floor", "McCaskill Delivers Farewell Speech on Senate Floor", "2018-12-13", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill Delivers Farewell Speech on Senate Floor \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, December 13, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today delivered her farewell speech on the Senate floor. Her remarks as delivered:\r\nIt probably won't surprise my colleagues to know that I don't like much the idea of a farewell speech. I haven't spent a great deal of time contemplating it over the years I've been here. I'm not a big fan of the concept. But I want to respect the tradition, especially since I've witnessed so many Senate traditions crumble over the last 12 years. So I will do my best to get through this without breaking up.\r\nA traditional farewell speech in the United States Senate is full of accomplishments and thanks. I'm gonna skip half of that. I'm extremely proud of my body of work over 34 years of public service, but it is for others to judge, and I won't dwell on it today other than to say it is a long list and a tangible demonstration of the value of hard work.\r\nThe wonderful Barbara Bush said, Never lose sight of the fact that the most important yardstick of your success will be how you treat other peopleyour family, your friends, and coworkers, and even strangers you meet along the way.\r\nSo Rather than talk about what I've done, I want to speak a few moments about my familyand I have three different families I want to talk about today. My actual family. My family I like to call Missourior Missourah, we argue about it a lot. And my family here in the Senate.\r\nFirst my actual family. Because they are the most important.\r\nIn the words of author Andre Maurois, Without a family, man, alone in the world, trembles with the cold.\r\nI have been very warm my whole life. I have not trembled in the cold, because I've always had my family.\r\nMy parents taught me that caring about the community around us was noble and good, and that holding public office was an honorable endeavor, even though my parents were largely spectators and supporters, and not candidates or office holders. They just caredand they wanted me to care too.\r\nAnd at the risk of going down too many family stories, it may explain a lot that my dad fell in love with my mom when he saw her smoking a cigar and belting out Won't you come home Bill Bailey at a party. And that my mother made me say, Trick or treat, and vote for JFK, when I was 7. And that my father insisted that I not only learn the rules of football, but that I also learn to tell a good joke and to learn to laugh at myself.\r\nMy siblings, my two sisters, my brother. They simply have been the port in every storm.\r\nMy children, we have a large blended family of many of children and grandchildren that is close and loving. I adore them all. But I need to specifically mention my three children: Austin, Maddie, and Lily. Because they were there from the beginning. Infants in car seats going to political events, toddlers sitting sometimes not so quietly as I gave a speech, and then amazing troopers in the almost decade of my career when I was a single working Mom, hauling them all over the state on campaigns.\r\nThey now have forgiven me for the missed recitals, and the missed field trips, and the fact that I couldn't be the homeroom mom. Today they have grown into amazing strong adults who make me very proud.\r\nAnd yee howdy those grandchildren! I have 11, going on 12. I can't wait until they're all old enough to yell at them what my mom used to say to us when we were dawdling and too slow in getting to the car, Last one in is a Republican.\r\nAnd my husband, Joseph. How lucky I am to have him as my best friend. We were married 16 years ago, after I was well in to my political career and after he had achieved great success in business. He is proud and supportive of me alwaysbut he certainly didn't bargain for the incredibly unfair treatment we got at his expense because of his business success.\r\nLet the record of the Senate now say what my Republican colleagues did not during my campaigns. Thank you Joseph for your integrity, your honesty, your generosity, and your heartwhich has always directed you to do good as you do well.\r\nAnd then there's my Missouri family. I love my state. All of it! Every corner of iteven the parts that aren't very crazy about me. My honor to work for Missourians has been immense, and I'm incredibly grateful to them for the opportunity I've had to get up every day and work my heart out in an interesting, challenging career of public service. And so lucky to have made many, many good friends along the way. I'm excited that I will now have more time for them.\r\nDavid Stier said, Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten. And that's how I feel about Missouri. That's why my office has tried very hard to help every individual who has come to us for helpevery veteran who has needed assistance, every senior caught in Social Security red tape. No matter who they were, or where they lived, or what their politics were.\r\nAnd my staff family. Mr. President I ask unanimous consent that my staff's names be entered into the record.\r\nMy staff, here and in Missouri, in this job, my previous jobs, and many, many campaigns.\r\nRichard Bach said it best, The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. They have been my rock, my compass, my inspiration, and my coach. The best and the brightest, looking not for money or fame, but just to make a difference.\r\nTo my Senate staff here today and watchingand all the staffs of my offices, of the prosecutor's office, the Auditor's office, county legislature, state legislatureI respect each of you immensely. As you go forth in the world, remember the McCaskill office motto, they could cite it for you right now if I ask them, If you work hard, you can do well. But if you're having fun, you'll do great.\r\nWe were happy, and it made a difference.\r\nGeorge Bernard Shaw said, A happy family is but an earlier heaven. Working with my staff was heaven.\r\nAnd finally, to all of my fellow Senators, and all the many people who work here in the Senate. I'd be lying if I didn't say I was worried about this place. It just doesn't work as well as it used to. The Senate has been so enjoyable for me, but I must admit it puts the fun in dysfunction.\r\nPeter Morgan, an author, said, No family is complete without an embarrassing uncle. We have too many embarrassing uncles in the United States Senate. Lots of embarrassing stuff.\r\nThe United States Senate is no longer the world's greatest deliberative body. And everyone needs to quit saying it until we recover from this period of polarization and the fear of the political consequences of tough votes.\r\nWriting legislation behind closed doors, giant omnibus bills that most don't know what's in them, K Street lobbyists knowing about the tax bill managers package before even Senators. That's today's Senate. And no amendments.\r\nSolving the toughest problems will not happen without tough votes. We can talk about the toughest problems. We can visit about them, we can argue about them, we can campaign on them. But we're not going to solve them without tough votes. It will not happen.\r\nMy first year in the Senate was 2007. We voted on 306 amendments in 2007. This year, as of yesterday, we voted on 36. That's a remarkable difference. Something is broken, and if we don't have the strength to look in the mirror and fix it, the American people are gonna grow more and more cynicaland they might do something crazy like elect a reality TV star President. I'm not kidding. That's one of the reasons this has happened.\r\nPower has been dangerously centralized in the Senate. We like to say, Oh, we can't change the rules, we'll be just like the House. We kind of are like the House, guys. We kind of are. A few people are writing the legislation, a few people are making the decisions.\r\nWe have to throw off the shackles of careful, open the doors of debate, reclaim the power of members and committeesand most of all realize that looking the other way and hoping that everything will work out later is a foolish idea. And for gosh sakes, debate and vote on amendments.\r\nBut with all the problems I've outlined, know that I love this place and you. Almost all of you!\r\nYou have filled my life with interesting work and unforgettable memories. We have argued, we have sang, we have fought, we have cried, and we have laughed. Together. Just like family. You are family, and I will miss you terribly.\r\nDesmond Tutu, a very wise man, said, God's dream is that you and I, and all of us, will realize that we are family, that we are made for togetherness, for goodness, and for compassion.\r\nThank you very much. I yield the floor.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-votes-in-favor-of-the-2018-farm-bill", "Congressman Cleaver Votes In Favor of the 2018 Farm Bill", "2018-12-12", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, D.C.)  Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II today voted in favor of the Conference Report to accompany H.R. 2, commonly referred to as the 2018 Farm Bill. Following months of bipartisan negotiations between House and Senate conferees, Congressman Cleaver was proud to help pass a comprehensive Farm Bill that maintains funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), helps producers weather the current trade war, expands rural broadband infrastructure, and provides more certainty to farmers during a volatile farm economy.\nFor over 80 years Democrats and Republicans from the most urban of cities and the most rural of towns have come together to pass a Farm Bill that provides stability to American farmers and a safety net for those who are struggling to put food on the table, said Congressman Cleaver. While negotiations were tough, it's refreshing to see Congress work together in a bipartisan fashion to get something done that will be beneficial to the state and country.\nThe bipartisan Farm Bill will reauthorize SNAP through 2023 with no cuts to benefits and no additional work requirements, a key to Congressman Cleaver's support for the bill. Additionally, through administrative modifications to SNAP, this bill will provide $1 billion in savings that will be reinvested into nutrition assistance programs.\nOne of my main concerns with the House version of this year's Farm Bill has always been the harmful restrictions to the nutrition assistance programs. I am very pleased to say that this bill not only protects SNAP recipients with no cuts to benefits and nobody kicked off the program, but, also, provides $1 billion in savings through administrative adjustments, said Congressman Cleaver.\nAnother critical component to the Farm Bill is its protection for American producers as they withstand the harmful trade war. Contained in the bill are provisions that would omit detrimental changes to foreign food aid programs and combine and establish mandatory funding for important programs to promote U.S. agricultural exports. Soybean producers have been affected particularly negatively by the trade issue with China. The Farm Bill fully funds the Foreign Market Development Program and the Market Access Program which helps soybean associations work with the USDA to develop and trade with emerging markets.\nOur farmers have taken a beating over the past year thanks to this nonsensical trade war. I'm happy provisions were included to support American producers while we weather out the current trade storm, said Congressman Cleaver.\nHere are a few other provisions Congressman Cleaver would like to highlight from the 2018 Farm Bill:\nOn research:\n Provides $40M in mandatory funding for scholarships at 1890 land-grant universities\n\tStrengthens mental health resources within the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network\n\tProvides permanent mandatory funding for the Organic Research and Extension Initiative at $50 million per year by FY23\n\tProvides $10 million in mandatory funding for research into issues facing urban/indoor ag production\n\tProvides $185 million in mandatory funding for the Foundation for Future Food and Agriculture Research\n On rural development:\n Authorizes $350 million per year for new broadband infrastructure\n\tCombats the opioid epidemic with authorized funds\n\tHelps struggling rural hospitals to gain better financial footing\n On dairy:\n Creates Dairy Margin Coverage to offer more coverage for lower cost when dairy farmers need it most\n\tProvides a partial refund or credit for Margin Protection Program premiums paid between 2014-2017\n Additionally, pork producers will be relieved to know that the Farm Bill authorizes USDA funds for a Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccine bank for the National Animal Health Laboratory Network. This will provide for disease surveillance and diagnostic support as well as the ability for states to prepare for any foreign animal disease outbreak.\nThe relationship between America's urban and rural regions is a symbiotic one; we thrive when we work together. I'm proud to support a bipartisan Farm Bill that protects the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and funds programs critical to our nations agricultural producers.\n\n\nEmanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and also a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Heather Frierson at 816-842-4545 or Heather.Frierson@mail.house.gov A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is availablehere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-announces-new-grant-for-the-buck-o-neil-bridge", "Congressman Cleaver Announces New Grant for the Buck ONeil Bridge", "2018-12-06", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, D.C.)  Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II is pleased to announce that the Buck O'Neil bridge located in Kansas City, Missouri has received a Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Grant in the amount of $25 million.\nThe grant will go towards replacement of the Buck O'Neil Bridge which carries US 169 over the Missouri River in Kansas City. This project includes a wider bridge span, separated facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists, connector ramps including a direct connection between US 169 and Interstate 35, and approaching roadway.\nThis is great news for a bridge that is in desperate need of replacement. This will ease the concern of drivers who use the bridge daily and open doors for new economic opportunities in my district, said Congressman Cleaver.\nThe Buck O'Neil bridge first opened in 1956 as the Broadway Bridge. It was renamed in 2016 after the great Kansas City Monarch player, John Buck O'Neil. Today over 45,000 vehicles a day cross the bridge between downtown Kansas City and surrounding communities.\nThe Missouri Department of Transportation applied for the BUILD grant.\nFor the last several years, Congressman Cleaver worked with other members the Missouri Congressional Delegation, MODOT, and the city to find a solution that would allow for replacement of the bridge, rather than repairs only. Last year, Congressman Cleaver wrote to the Secretary of Transportation to support a TIGER grant application that would allow funding to replace the bridge.\nI'm glad we could all work together to make this happen. The bridge is an example of what we can accomplish when we focus on the betterment of our communities, said Congressman Cleaver.\nEmanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and also a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Heather Frierson at 816-842-4545 or Heather.Frierson@mail.house.gov A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-calls-for-federal-facial-recognition-technology", "Congressman Cleaver Calls For Federal Facial Recognition Technology Testing Standards", "2018-11-27", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, D.C.)  Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II sent a letter today to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), encouraging NIST to endorse industry standards and ethical best practices for the independent testing of demographic-based biases in facial recognition technology. NIST is a non-regulatory agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.\nIn the letter to Dr. Walter Copan, NIST Director and U.S. Undersecretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology, Congressman Cleaver wrote:\nFacial recognition is a powerful tool that is permeating American life, and yet, the propensity of the technology to misidentify individuals, particularly in regard to variances in skin-type and gender, is well-documented, said Congressman Cleaver. The potential for illegal discrimination and/or unfair practices resulting from such bias continues to concern lawmakers.\nCongressman Cleaver has been a prominent voice in growing calls for diversity and regulatory reform in the rapidly-expanding tech industry:\n In August 2018, Congressman Cleaver called on the Department of Justice to investigate law enforcement's use of facial recognition technologies.\n In August 2018, following a year-long investigation into FinTech small business lending practices, Congressman Cleaver announced his findings and called for the implementations of industry-wide practices to prevent discriminatory lending.\n In May 2018, Congressman Cleaver sent a letter to Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos, inquiring about the company's Rekognition technology.\n In May 2018, with the support of Congresswomen Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Robin Kelly (D-IL), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Congressman Cleaver wrote a letter to Amazon expressing frustration at the company's refusal to institute a Rooney Rule that would improve the board's racial diversity.\n In February 2018, Congressman Cleaver urged cryptocurrency companies to do more in efforts to prevent extremists from using cryptocurrency to fund campaigns of hate and violence.\n In November 2017, along with Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, Congressman Cleaver demanded the Internet Associationa trade association representing tech behemoths like Amazon, Facebook, and Googleaddress gender and racial biases among its members.\n In October 2017, in conjunction with Congresswomen Bonnie Watson Coleman, Congressman Cleaver penned a letter to Facebook Chief Operating Officer, Sheryl Sandberg, and Twitter CEO, Jack Dorsey, encouraging them to take immediate action to combat the racially divisive content on their platforms.\nAs technology and the tech industry as a whole continue to evolve, it is imperative that standards are created to ensure that technology is being used responsibly and without the potential for discrimination. I look forward to the opportunity to work with NIST on formulating these recommended guidelines, said Congressman Cleaver.\nRead the full letter here.\nEmanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and also a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Heather Frierson at 816-842-4545 or Heather.Frierson@mail.house.gov A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/ec-from-dc/around-the-district-0", "Around the District", "2018-11-16", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "I wanted to take this week's EC from DC to say thanks for the opportunity to meet with many of you this month while Congress is in recess.  \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tI've had the pleasure of meeting with business and charitable organizations, students and educators, and just meeting with constituents in the Fifth District.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIt was truly an honor to speak to young men at Metropolitan Community College for the Am I My Brother's Keeper Conference. The purpose was to empower high school minority men from across the district to build each other up and be a part of the organization.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tI have no doubt that these young men will make their mark on the world.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tI spent some time this week, speaking with experts about Missouri's risk and recovery efforts should a disaster occur in our state. We discussed many topics related to climate change and natural disasters at the annual Community Recovery and Resilience Leadership Forum in Kansas City. We've all witnessed mother nature's wrath of recent. We should be even more concerned about preparation and prevention.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tI had the chance to visit with business leaders in the northland at the Clay County Economic Development Council discussing opportunities for affordable housing and business development. It was also great to meet with Governor Parson at this event.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for the opportunity to catch up with friends and colleagues at the annual Northland Neighborhoods, Inc. Annual Awards Banquet.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tI also spent time with the Chambers of Commerce from several municipalities in my district. Thank you, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Blue Springs, Grain Valley and Oak Grove Chambers. What an honor to attend Kansas City Metro's Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon. I am immensely grateful to the brave men and women who work so hard to keep our community safe.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWarmly,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmanuel Cleaver, II Member of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-introduces-congressional-gold-medal-legislation-to", "Congressman Cleaver Introduces Congressional Gold Medal Legislation to Honor Civil Rights Legend,  Reverend James Lawson", "2018-11-14", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, D.C.)  Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II along with Congressmen Ro Khanna, John Lewis, and James Clyburn, introduced legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to civil rights icon Reverend James Lawson. Rev. Lawson will be celebrating his 90th birthday this year. Rev. Lawson is recognized as one of the most consequential leaders of the civil rights movement.\nHe spent three years in India as a missionary and studied Mahatma Gandhi's strategy of nonviolent struggle before returning to the United States to become a leader in the Civil Rights movement. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called Lawson the leading theorist and strategist of nonviolence in the world.\nRev. Lawson trained activists and launched the Nashville sit-ins to challenge segregation in downtown stores. He also helped develop the strategy for the Freedom Riders who rode buses in southern states to challenge segregated seating on public buses.\nRev. James Lawson is one of the most influential African Americans in the 20th century. His non-violent stance influenced the direction of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. His fingerprints can be found on every major civil rights victory. I can't think of anyone more deserving of this honor, said Congressman Cleaver.\nIt is my great honor to sponsor this legislation to recognize the invaluable contributions that Reverend Lawson made, and continues to make, towards civil rights and social justice in this country. The lessons he brought from Gandhi's nonviolent movement not only strengthened the Civil Rights movement here in America but demonstrated the interconnected nature of the struggles of oppressed people around the world. The teachings of Lawson and Gandhi must continue to guide the work of social justice advocates today, said Congressman Khanna. I will work to ensure that we pass this much deserved recognition to one of our country's great champions for justice, Reverend James Lawson.\nAs a founding Member of SNCC, I'm pleased to add my voice of support for this long overdue Congressional recognition of the many contributions and accomplishments of Reverend James Lawson in the struggle against oppression and segregation in America. His impact has been felt around the world, and I urge my colleagues in Congress to pass this legislation without delay, said Rep. Clyburn.\nA text of the resolution can be found here.\nEmanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and also a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Heather Frierson at 816-842-4545 or Heather.Frierson@mail.house.gov A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-statement-on-election-night", "McCaskill Statement on Election Night", "2018-11-08", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill Statement on Election Night \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, November 8, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSo I wanted to come down obviously and say a few words about what's happened today and how the future is brighter than we all think it right now. It is.\r\nWe had some good results tonight. The Democrats took the House of Representatives. We have Governors that are Democrats now in both Illinois and Kansasso there were some bright spots.\r\nObviously we fell short and that's disappointing. And not for me, but what I feel the most pain about tonight are all of the people who, for the first times, many of them in their lives said, I'm going to do more than just sit on the couch and cuss the TV. I'm going to show up, I'm going to work hard.\r\nAnd for the thousands of people who volunteered on this campaignand there were literally thousands and thousands and thousands of youI am so grateful and I want you to keep that fire burning because there is justice around the corner.\r\nI want to thank an amazing campaign staff that did a tremendous job. We ran the strongest campaign in the country.\r\nI want to thank my family. My family has had to put up with a lot, especially this guy. Little did he know when he fell in love with me what he had in store for him. He said, I'm not really sure I want to be married to a politician. I said, Oh, it'll be fine.\r\nHe really has had to endure, especially in this campaignyou don't even know how nasty they were. It was terrible what they tried to do to him, and then look at this. These are my siblings and my children and my stepchildren and a small part of my grandchildrenmany of them are too young to be up this late. So how can I look up to the future and be anything but blessed, right?\r\nBut I want to save my biggest thanks to the people of Missouri. The people of Missouri allowed me, beginning when I was 28 years old to serve the public, to serve them, to be a public servant. And for decades I have been blessed to get up every day and work in a challenging and interesting job, trying to make things better in people's lives.\r\nIt has been such an honor and Ithis state drives me crazy but I love every corner of it. I really do. I mean I even love the reddest of the red countiesand there were a lot of them tonight. Because the people of the state are down to earth and they are kind and they are, well they are like family to me, and so I feel like we've run a lot of elections together, Missouri and me. My record ends at 222, not a bad record. And so many times the experts said we couldn't win and because of the people of Missouri we did.\r\nSo I want to thank from the bottom of my heart. And also I want to wish Josh Hawley well. I called him and congratulated him, but I really want to thank the people of Missouri for giving me the opportunity to serve for as long as I have. I feel good about that service. I think I have made a difference in key moments in key ways.\r\nAnd you know, believe it or not I know my mouth gets me in trouble a lot, right? But believe it or not I've really had to be kind of careful. Not anymore.\r\nI will be out there fighting with you, I am not going away. I love this state, I will continue to serve. I look forward, in this audience tonight there are candidates that will stand for election in this state and winand I look forward to helping you, helping nurture the next generation of leaders for the values that we care about.\r\nAnd for now it's goodnight but it's not goodbye. I love you guys to death. Thank you so very much for all you have done. Thank you. Thank you.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-calls-on-missouri-ag-hawley-to-drop-lawsuit-harming", "Congressman Cleaver Calls on Missouri AG Hawley to Drop Lawsuit Harming Pre-existing Conditions Protections", "2018-11-02", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, D.C.)  Today Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II and Congressman Lacy Clay (MO-01) sent a letter to Missouri Attorney, General Josh Hawley, urging him to end his support for the Trump Administration lawsuit to end protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions.\nThe letter can be found here.\nPrior to the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, health insurance companies could openly discriminate against consumers based on pre-existing conditions by charging more or denying coverage altogether. The ACA addressed this issue by including critical protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions, explicitly banning insurance companies from charging higher premiums or refusing coverage.\nIn September of 2017, the Trump Administration and 20 Attorneys Generalincluding the Attorney General of Missouri Josh Hawleyinitiated a lawsuit that would nullify these protections. Recently, however, President Trump, Attorney General Hawley, and other prominent Republicans have vocalized their support for the very same protections.\nI find it very interesting that many of the same individuals who have signed on to a lawsuit intended to nullify protections for pre-existing conditions are simultaneously touting their support for the exact protections they are working to end. I'm simply requesting the Attorney General follow his own example. If you believe health insurance companies should not be allowed to discriminate against Americans with pre-existing conditions, the best way to show it is by fighting this lawsuit, not by walking it down the aisle.\nAccording to the Department of Health and Human Services, as many as 133 million Americans under the age of 65 have a pre-existing health condition. Conservative estimates show that more than one million Missourians could be affected if protections for pre-existing conditions were extinguished, most notably, the 467,500 individuals with non-group insurance coverage.\nSeventy-five percent of Americans support protections for pre-existing conditions. This is an issue that will affect more than a million Missourians and tens of thousands of constituents in my congressional district. These people deserve to know exactly where their Attorney General stands on such a critical issue.\nEmanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and also a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Heather Frierson at 816-842-4545 or Heather.Frierson@mail.house.gov A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/breaking-mccaskill-report-shows-missouri-patients-in-versailles-milan-and-sedalia-pay-up-to-7x-more-for-common-brand-name-drugs-than-residents-of-versailles-france-milan-italy-and-sedalia-canada", "BREAKING: McCaskill Report Shows Missouri Patients in Versailles, Milan, and Sedalia Pay up to 7x More for Common Brand-Name Drugs than Residents of Versailles, France; Milan, Italy; and Sedalia, Canada", "2018-10-30", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BREAKING: McCaskill Report Shows Missouri Patients in Versailles, Milan, and Sedalia Pay up to 7x More for Common Brand-Name Drugs than Residents of Versailles, France; Milan, Italy; and Sedalia, Canada \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator's report conducts comparison of prescription drug prices in Show-Me State to foreign countries    Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Minority releases report following Trump proposal to base certain Medicare drug payments on prices in other countries \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, October 30, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, today released her latest report in her ongoing investigation into dramatic increases in prescription drug prices. The report found that, on average, Missourians pay up to 591% more than their foreign counterparts for some of the most commonly prescribed brand-name drugs in the Medicare Part D program.\r\nThe reportcomes on the heelsof President Trump's proposal that Medicare base certain drug payments on the prices paid in other industrialized countries.\r\nThe bottom line is that when it comes to prescription drug prices, Missourians are taking it on the chin, and it's not fair, McCaskill said. There's simply no reason that the cost of a drug in Versailles, Missouri, should be 7 times higher than in Versailles, France.\r\n\r\nREAD THE REPORT:Manufactured Crisis: How Drugs Can Cost 7x More in Versailles, Missouri than in Versailles, France\r\n\r\nThe report comparedprices for the 20 most commonly prescribed brand-name drugs in the Medicare Part D program to official regulatory prices and pricing information from certified pharmacies for the same drugs in Canada, France, and Italy. In the United States in 2016, per capita spending on prescription drugs ranged from 52% to 198% higher than in 25 other industrialized countries. For Missourians, prices are on average anywhere from 166% to 591% higher than prices charged to their foreign counterparts in the three countries.\r\n\r\nThe report's key findings include:\r\n\r\n \r\nOn average, Missourians pay anywhere from 166% to 591% more than their foreign counterparts in Canada, France, and Italy for 13 of the 20 most commonly prescribed brand-name drugs in the Medicare Part D program.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nPatients in Versailles, France, pay $76.79 for the popular blood thinner Xarelto, while residents of Versailles, Missouri, pay $530.74591% more than their French counterparts.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nPatients in Milan, Italy, pay $91.47 for the diabetes medication Januvia, while residents of Milan, Missouri, pay $418.82358% more than their Italian counterparts.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nPatients in Sedalia, Canada, pay $199.75 for Lyrica, a prescription drug developed to treat nerve and muscle pain, while residents of Sedalia, Missouri, pay $681.25241% more than their Canadian counterparts.\r\n \r\n\r\nAs the top Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, McCaskill has made investigating rising prescription drug costs a top priority. In March, McCaskill released abombshell reportwhich found that the prices of several of the most popular brand-name drugs in the Medicare Part D program skyrocketed between 2012 and 2017, increasing at almost ten times the annual average rate of inflation in this period. In August,another McCaskill reportshowed that drug prices directly negotiated by the government could save the Medicare Part D program $2.8 billion in a single year on the 20 most commonly prescribed brand-name drugs alone. During McCaskill's time as the top Democrat on the Senate Special Committee on Aging, she joined Republican Committee Chairman Susan Collins to launch anin-depth investigation into prescription drug price increases.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill has also tackled rising healthcare and prescription drug costs in the Senate with legislation. Earlier this month, President Trumpsigned into lawherbipartisan legislationto prohibit pharmacy gag clauses that lead to consumers needlessly overpaying for prescriptions. McCaskill introduced legislation earlier this year toend taxpayer subsidiespharmaceutical companies receive for the billions of dollars they spend on prescription drug advertising each year, which currently is fully tax-deductible. Additionally, McCaskill'sbipartisan legislationto increase competition for generic drugs and help lower prescription costs was also signed into law by President Trump.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-demands-answers-on-online-group-trading-suggestive-photos-of-female-servicemembers-spouses", "McCaskill Demands Answers on Online Group Trading Suggestive Photos of Female Servicemembers, Spouses", "2018-10-26", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill Demands Answers on Online Group Trading Suggestive Photos of Female Servicemembers, Spouses \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator continues fight to protect members of the military and their families from exploitation \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFriday, October 26, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, the top-ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, called on a Pentagon watchdog to investigate a website containing suggestive photos of women who are current servicemembers or spouses of current servicemembers.\r\n\r\nThe exploitation of our brave women in uniform is repugnant, and the targeting of our servicemembers' spouses is just as appalling, said McCaskill, a former sex crimes prosecutor. There needs to be a thorough investigation of this website, and if wrongdoing is found, the perpetrators should be brought to justice.\r\n\r\nA researcher with Vietnam Veterans of America, who hasuncovered around 100 questionable Facebook pagestargeting military personnel and veterans on a variety of issues, identified a number of pages linking to a website titled HotMilitaryGirls[dot]com and alerted McCaskill to the issue. The website serves as a messaging board to trade suggestive photos of women who appear to be current servicemembers or spouses of current servicemembers. While the website is currently operated from Montreal, Canada, account names, emblems, and clothing evident in a majority of photos link them to the U.S. military.\r\n\r\nIt has come to my attention that foreign entities may be using websites and Facebook pages to potentially exploit servicemembers, veterans, and their families, McCaskill wrote in a letter to the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General. Many of the women pictured are easily identifiable; their consent to be photographed and have the photos posted online is not evident and therefore cannot be guaranteed.  I respectfully request that you evaluate whether there are exploitation concerns or violations of law, military regulations, or policies, associated with these sites and, if warranted, undertake a thorough investigation.\r\n\r\nA former sex crimes prosecutor, McCaskill has long been an advocate for victims of sexual violence in the military. Earlier this year, shecalled for the Department of Veterans Affairsto better assist veteran survivors of sexual assault and ensure they receive the benefits they're owed. In February, McCaskill'sbipartisan bill to improve sexual violence data collectionat several federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, cleared a key committee hurdle. Her bipartisanfix to military law to better guard against revenge pornby making such conduct a standard offense across the military, became law last year. McCaskillbacked theAbolish Human Trafficking Act,which strengthens and extends key programs that support victims of human trafficking and provides resources to federal, state, and local law enforcement officials. That bill enhances and expands theJustice for Victims of Trafficking Act, which the Senate passed unanimously in 2015 with aMcCaskill-backed amendmentthat closed a loophole enabling sex offenders convicted under the Uniform Military Code of Justice to evade registering as sex offenders.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill was also a key leader in the fight to shut down Backpage.com, a website that knowingly facilitated criminal sex trafficking of vulnerable women and young girls and covered up evidence of these crimes in order to increase its own profits. She led a nearly two-year Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations bipartisan inquiry with Republican Senator Rob Portman of Ohio,which culminatedin a report entitled Backpage.com's Knowing Facilitation of Online Sex Trafficking. McCaskill and Portman's investigation led to the Senate's 96-0 passage of a resolution authorizing a lawsuit against the companythe first such action in 20 yearsafter the company refused to turn over documents responsive to the Senators' requests. That historic lawsuit also led to theSupreme Court's denialof Backpage's request to stay the U.S. District Court's order to comply with the Senate's subpoena. Earlier this year, McCaskill championed ananti-trafficking billsigned into law by President Trump,resultingina major disruptionin the online marketplace for sex trafficking.\r\n\r\nRead McCaskill's letterHERE.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-statement-on-president-trumps-drug-pricing-announcement", "McCaskill Statement on President Trump\u2019s Drug Pricing Announcement", "2018-10-25", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill Statement on President Trump's Drug Pricing Announcement \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator: I agree with the President that prescription drug prices are too high, and that we need all hands on deck in our effort to bring down costs' \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, October 25, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, who has led the fight in Congress for lower prescriptiondrugprices, issued the following statement on President Donald Trump'sdrugpricingannouncement today:\r\n\r\nI agree with the President that prescriptiondrugpricesare too high, and that we need all hands on deck in our effort to bring down costs. It's unconscionable to me that Medicare is prohibited from negotiating bulk discounts ondrugs, and that taxpayers are subsidizing prescriptiondrugads flooding our TVs. I've long fought to end Big Pharma's vise-grip on Washingtonincluding passing bipartisan laws to end pharmacy gag clauses and increase competition for genericdrugsand look forward to working with the President in this continued fight.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill has made reducing thepriceof prescriptiondrugsa top priority in the Senate. Working across the aisle, McCaskill helped pass several bipartisan proposals into law to help lower costs for Missourians, including endingpharmacy gag clauses, allowing the sale of certain types ofhearing aids over the counter, and toincrease competition for genericdrugsand help lower prescription costs. Additionally, McCaskill introduced legislation earlier this year toend taxpayer subsidiespharmaceutical companies receive for the billions of dollars they spend on prescriptiondrugadvertising each year, which currently is fully tax-deductible.\r\n\r\nAs part of heryears-long effortto investigate dramatic prescriptiondrugpriceincreases, McCaskill released reports this year which showed thatdrugpricesdirectly negotiated by the governmentcould save the Medicare Part D program $2.8 billion in a single year on the 20 most commonly prescribed brand-namedrugsalone, and that thepricesof many of the most popular brand-namedrugsincreased atnearly ten times the cost of inflationfrom 2012 to 2017.\r\n\r\nVisitmccaskill.senate.gov/healthcareto learn more about McCaskill's fight to improve healthcare for Missourians.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/president-trump-signs-opioids-package-into-law-includes-mccaskill-priorities-to-curb-illegal-flow-of-fentanyl-address-opioid-epidemic", "President Trump Signs Opioids Package into Law, Includes McCaskill Priorities to Curb Illegal Flow of Fentanyl, Address Opioid Epidemic", "2018-10-24", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "President Trump Signs Opioids Package into Law, Includes McCaskill Priorities to Curb Illegal Flow of Fentanyl, Address Opioid Epidemic \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator's proposals aimed at cracking down on shipments of fentanyl, bringing down overprescriptions, and providing oversight and accountability to Medicare programs \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, October 24, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON Continuing her work to deliver results for Missourians, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today applauded President Trump signing into law a bipartisan opioids package that includes many of her provisions aimed at addressing the opioid epidemic.\r\n\r\nCracking down on illegal shipments of fentanyl that are flooding our streets, reducing overdoses, and preventing prescription shoppersthese are all things that will save lives in Missouriand this effort is further proof that when we work together across the aisle, we can get real results, McCaskill said. And while this is a step in the right direction, there's so much more work to be done, so I'll be keeping up the fight for all the Missouri families and communities that have been torn apart by this epidemic.\r\n\r\nIncluded in the legislation was theMcCaskill-backed bipartisanSTOP Act of 2018, which has earned the support of President Trump, that would crack down on the illegal shipment of fentanyl into the country. Additional McCaskill-backedproposalsincluded in the legislation would seek to decrease overprescriptions of opioids in Medicare, authorize additional overdose prevention grants to strengthen local prescription drug monitoring programs, and encourage greater use of prescribing guidelines. The legislation would also expand training and resources for first responders, and provide better tools for doctors working to prevent and treat opioid misuse in pregnant women.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill also launched an investigation into opioid manufacturers last yearthe most comprehensive Congressional investigation into the crisis to datewhen sherequested informationrelated to sales and marketing materials, internal addiction studies, details on compliance with government settlements and donations to third party advocacy groups from major opioid manufacturers. Later, sheexpanded her investigation, requesting documents and information from opioid manufacturers Mallinckrodt, Endo, Teva, and Allergan, while a request to McKesson Corporation, AmerisourceBergen Corporation, and Cardinal Health, Inc., focused on their distribution of opioid products.\r\n\r\nIn September of last year, McCaskillannounced the first round of findings, detailing systemic manipulation of the prior authorization process by Insys Therapeutics. Earlier this year in February, McCaskill's investigation released another round of findings,exposing the financial tiesbetween opioid manufacturers and third party groups, who often lobbied for pro-opioid policies after receiving contributions from pharmaceutical companies. In July, McCaskillreleased another reportas part of her investigation into opioid manufacturers and distributors, documenting how the Big Three pharmaceutical distribution companies together shipped around 1.6 billion dosage units of opioid products to Missouri alone between 2012 and 2017. Last week,McCaskill released her fourth round of findings, which detail Insys' aggressive use of compensation programs to boost sales for its fentanyl product Subsys.\r\n\r\nVisitmccaskill.senate.gov/opioid-investigationto learn more about McCaskill's investigation.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/cracking-down-on-methamphetamine-smuggling-is-focus-of-mccaskill-request", "Cracking Down on Methamphetamine Smuggling is Focus of McCaskill Request", "2018-10-23", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Cracking Down on Methamphetamine Smuggling is Focus of McCaskill Request \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator continues push for resources to stop flow of illegal drugs across the border \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, October 23, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, the top-ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, requested information from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on its efforts to stop methamphetamine from flowing into the United States and what resources may be necessary for CBP to tackle this threat. McCaskill previouslysought detailson the interception of opioid shipments to the U.S., which resulted in two reports detailing dramatic increases in seizures of illicit fentanylat ports of entryandwithin U.S. borders.\r\n\r\nSecuring our border is a necessary piece of any strategy to keep Missourians safe, McCaskill said. I've worked with the Administration to crack down on shipments of illicit fentanyl before, and I'm going to take the same bipartisan approach to stop the flow of methamphetamine that's harming Missouri communities.\r\n\r\nBetween 2014 and 2015, there was a30 percent increasein the number of Americans dying from a methamphetamine overdose. The Drug Enforcement Agency found that most methamphetamine consumed in the United States is produced in Mexico and smuggled across the Southern border. In addition, Mexican-produced methamphetamine is more potent and less expensive than domestically manufactured methamphetamine.\r\n\r\nIn a letter to CBP Commissioner Kevin McAleenan, McCaskill wrote, While the opioid crisis continues to plague American communities, recent reports suggest that across the country, and in in my home state of Missouri, the abuse of methamphetamine is on the rise.  Given the demands that the opioid epidemic continues to place on CBP personnel, I want to ensure that CBP has adequate resources to meet both the opioid epidemic and the growing threat of methamphetamine.\r\n\r\nAs the top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, McCaskill has made tackling the smuggling of illegal drugs a top priority. Last month, the Senate passed a bill that included aMcCaskill-backed provisionto crack down on the illegal shipment of fentanyl into the country. Earlier this year, President Trumpsigned into lawa McCaskill-backed bill that arms CBP with additional chemical screening devices to help detect illegal opioids. Last year, McCaskill's bill to reauthorize the Department of Homeland Security's program thattargets transnational criminal organizationson the border and at U.S. ports in order to combat drug and weapons trafficking and other crimes was approved by the Committee. She alsotoured the U.S.-Mexico borderto learn more about what CBP needs to increase border security.\r\n\r\nRead McCaskill's letter to CBPHERE.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/preventing-return-of-earmarks-is-goal-of-bipartisan-mccaskill-flake-push", "Preventing Return of Earmarks is Goal of Bipartisan McCaskill, Flake Push", "2018-10-22", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Preventing Return of Earmarks is Goal of Bipartisan McCaskill, Flake Push \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Amid Members of Congress actively plotting to revive earmarks,' Senators call on leadership to pass bipartisan legislation making earmark ban permanent \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMonday, October 22, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Continuing their bipartisan push to permanently ban the practice of earmarking in Congress, U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill and Jeff Flake led a bipartisan effort in calling on Senate leadership to push back on efforts to reinstate the practice and instead pass their bipartisan legislation to make permanent the temporary moratorium on congressional earmarks that has been in effect since 2010.\r\nMcCaskill and Flake were joined in their effort by Senators Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Mike Lee of Utah, Ben Sasse of Nebraska, Rob Portman of Ohio, Joni Ernst of Iowa, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Paul of Kentucky, and Ted Cruz of Texas.\r\nWhile the moratorium continues as a rule of the Democratic and Republican caucuses, members of both parties in both chambers of Congress are actively plotting to revive earmarks, but by some other name, wrote the Senators in a letter to Senate leadership. Although proponents claim the process can be cleaned-up by simply adding more transparency, history has demonstrated earmarking is inherently corrupt.\r\nThe Senators continued in their letter, writing, The pay-to-play nature of earmarks encourages the worst behavior and no amount of transparency can fix the inherent unfairness in the earmark process, which favors those with the resources to hire a politically-connected lobbyist rather than those with the greatest need or merit.\r\nMcCaskill and Flake's bipartisan Earmark Elimination Act would create a point of order against any provision contained within a bill that matches the definition of an earmark. An earmark is defined as any congressionally directed spending item, tax benefit, or tariff benefit targeted to a specific recipient or group of beneficiaries. This point of order would only apply to the earmark, not the entire bill. If the point of order is raised, the earmark would be stricken unless a two-thirds vote of the Senate waived the earmark point of order.\r\nEarlier this year, McCaskill and Flake held a press conference announcing their legislation titled Pork: Eat it, Don't Spend it, in which the Senators focused on recent hearings in the House of Representatives to explore lifting Congress' self-imposed, temporary ban on the practice of earmarking.\r\nFull text of letter HERE.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/mccaskill-how-insys-pushed-opioid-sales", "McCaskill: How Insys pushed opioid sales", "2018-10-18", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill: How Insys pushed opioid sales \r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                Thursday, October 18, 2018\r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n            \r\n                  \r\n                    By:\r\n                    Sam Baker\r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n            Anew reportreleased by Sen. Claire McCaskill reveals how Insys, a pharmaceutical company, aggressively pushed its fentanyl product, Subsys, to increase the number and strength of prescriptions written for it.\r\nDetails,via Caitlin:\r\n \r\nThe model Insys used following the drug's approval in 2012 is strikingly similar to the one Purdue Pharma used, beginning in the 1990s, to market OxyContin.\r\nIt featured speaker programs in which doctors, paid by Insys, spoke with colleagues about the drug.\r\nSales representatives had large financial incentives to sell as much of the drug as possible via prescriptions, and higher dosages of the drug led to higher bonuses.\r\n \r\nBetween the lines:One illuminating email included in the report summarizes what appears to have been the mindset: What drives us all? COMPENSATION,\" the national director of sales wrote to district sales managers in 2013.\r\n \r\nThe strategy was effective: Subsys prescribers tended to write more scripts and generate more revenue than other fentanyl prescribers.\r\n \r\nWhy it matters:While the new Insys CEO has called the company's previous actions \"unacceptable,\" there's clearly been a pattern when it comes to marketing opioids.\r\n \r\n\"Just as Insys adopted and expanded methods Purdue pioneered, the next pharmaceutical company moving rapidly to establish market share in a crowded field may look to Insys as a model,\" the report says.\r\n \r\n            \r\n             \r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/as-tariffs-on-chinese-products-pile-on-mccaskill-stands-up-for-missouri-businesses-asking-wheres-the-relief", "As Tariffs on Chinese Products Pile On, McCaskill Stands Up for Missouri Businesses Asking, Where\u2019s the Relief?", "2018-10-18", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As Tariffs on Chinese Products Pile On, McCaskill Stands Up for Missouri Businesses Asking, Where's the Relief? \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator highlights Missouri businesses harmed by $200 billion tariffs on Chinese goods \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, October 18, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON Following the latest round of $200 billion in tariffs on goods from China, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill highlighted seven Missouri companies that have been harmed in calling for the Administration to provide relief from increased costs through tariff exclusions. Currently, there is no process for Missouri businesses to apply for relief through a tariff exemption to the most recent round of $200 billion in tariffs on Chinese goods.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill highlights concerns from Missouri businesses harmed by the latest round of tariffs, including:Albaugh of St. Joseph,Anji Mountain of Maryland Heights,Cap America of Fredericktown,Lowe Boats of Lebanon,Midland Radio Corporation of Kansas City,Midwest Gloves & Gear of Chillicothe, andReal Wood Floors of West Plains.\r\n\r\nThe goods subject to tariffs include thousands of ordinary imports purchased every day by businesses and consumers in Missouri, wrote McCaskill to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer. Without an exclusion process, [the office of the U.S. Trade Representative] is causing severe damage without providing any opportunity to mitigate the unnecessary economic harm.\r\n\r\nHighlighting that the Administration implemented a tariff exemption process for businesses on the first and second round of tariffs on Chinese goods, but has failed to do the same on the latest round, McCaskill's letter continues, This same situation was true for the List One and List Two, which made up the first $50 billion in imports targeted for tariffs. It remains true for the most recent $200 billion in imports.\r\n\r\nMcCaskillspoke out on the implementation of the latest $200 billion in tariffson Chinese goods, saying, This trade war has already cost Missouri jobs and hurt our farmers and ranchersI don't understand why we'd dramatically escalate it.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill has been a strong advocate on behalf of Missouri businesses and workers in the face of the ongoing trade war. McCaskill worked across the aisle tobring greater Congressional oversightto tariff decisions and thetariff exclusion process, and recentlyquestioned the Administration's managementof the tariff exclusion process, citing concerns from Missouri companies that they received insufficient guidance when applying for exclusions from steel and aluminum tariffs.\r\n\r\nLast month, McCaskillsent a letterto the Secretary of Commerce torelay the concernsof Missouri manufacturing and agriculture leaders raised during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee roundtable that shechaired in St. Louis. In June, McCaskilltoured Mid Continent Nail Corporation, the largest U.S. producer of steel nails, which was forced to reduce its workforce by more than 30 percent and may be forced to close its Poplar Bluff operations while it waits for the Department of Commerce to decide on a tariff exclusion requestbecause of soaring costs and canceled sales resulting fromthetariffs that the Administration placed on the wire that the company uses to produce nails.\r\n\r\nFull text of letterHERE.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/inside-the-drug-company-accused-of-putting-profit-over-patients", "Inside the drug company accused of putting profit over patients", "2018-10-17", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Inside the drug company accused of putting profit over patients \r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                Wednesday, October 17, 2018\r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n            \r\n                  \r\n                    By:\r\n                    Lester Holt\r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n            An NBC News investigation reveals the disturbing tactics the company used to promote a powerful opioid drug. Sen. Claire McCaskill uncovered documents promising big bonuses to its sales team and paying doctors for speeches.\r\nWatch the VIDEO.\r\n            \r\n             \r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/breaking-mccaskill-report-gives-inside-look-at-insys-therapeutics-strategic-use-of-compensation-for-prescribers-sales-representatives-to-drive-up-fentanyl-sales", "BREAKING: McCaskill Report Gives Inside Look at Insys Therapeutics\u2019 Strategic Use of Compensation for Prescribers, Sales Representatives to Drive Up Fentanyl Sales", "2018-10-17", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, the top-ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, today released the latest report of her wide-ranging investigation into opioid manufacturers and distributors. Fueling an Epidemic: Inside the Insys Strategy for Boosting Fentanyl Salesdocuments Insys Therapeutics' strategyfor driving up the volume and strength of prescriptions for its fentanyl drug Subsys.\r\n\r\nREAD THE REPORT:Fueling an Epidemic: Inside the Insys Strategy for Boosting Fentanyl Sales\r\n\r\nMcCaskill's report details Insys' aggressive use of speakers programsin which the company paid physicians to discuss Subsys with colleaguesand compensation programsin which sales representatives were rewarded for aggressively pushing prescribers to give patients high-dosage prescriptions and punished for generating insufficient revenueto boost sales for Subsys. Uniting these efforts, as an Insys national sales director wrote in October 2013, was a simple idea: What drives us all? COMPENSATION.\r\n\r\nInsys took an anything-goes approach to push sales higher and distorted the doctor-patient relationship with outside compensation, just so pharmaceutical executives could line their pocketsit's disgusting, McCaskill said. How does it serve the public interest to allow a pharmaceutical company to tie sales incentives to the dosage strength of a highly addictive and potentially deadly drug? It's unethical, it's immoral, and it should be illegal.\r\n\r\nTo compile the report, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee minority staff reviewed 1.6 million pages of internal Insys documents provided in response to aMcCaskill requestmade last year. These documents include internal company reports, presentations, and communications that give an inside look at Insys' strategy to boost sales for its fentanyl product.\r\n\r\nThe report's key findings include:\r\n\r\nInsys established sales and marketing practices that formed the core of its approach to boosting Subsys sales: speakers programs in which the company paid physicians to discuss Subsys with colleagues, bonus structures for sales representatives that rewarded high-dosage prescriptions, accountability for representatives who failed to generate sufficient scripts, and the leveraging of personal relationships between physicians and representatives.\r\n\r\nExecutives reminded representatives that strong Subsys dosages yielded higher bonus payouts, and managers encouraged representatives to hold the customer accountable when physicians and nurses failed to sustain or increase Subsys prescriptionsin part by leveraging personal relationships with these prescribers.\r\n\r\nInsys executives emphasized the importance of owning a physicianmeaning that sales representatives should tightly monitor and control prescribing behavioras well as the return on investment the company expected from speakers programs.Company managers similarly referred to Subsys patients as representing annuities for sales representatives.\r\n\r\nThe company knew that its speakers programs suffered from serious deficiencies. A report by an outside consultant found that compliance issues with these programs included an absence of safety content, no clear disclosure of Insys sponsorship, and in at least one case, a guest list that indicated the program lacked a true educational purpose.\r\n\r\n[S]o long as both sales representatives and prescribers have strong financial incentives to boost prescriptions, simple greed will continue to distort the patient-physician relationship. As a result, this report represents a warning to policymakers seeking to prevent actors in the pharmaceutical industry from fueling the next public health crisis, the report states.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill's report also examines the cases of Heather Alfonso, a nurse practitioner from Connecticut, and Dr. Steven Simon, a physician practicing near Kansas City, Mo., both of whom exhibited high Subsys prescribing and received substantial payments from Insys. Alfonso was charged in 2015 with receiving kickbacks in connection with Subsys prescriptions under Medicare Part D and received approximately $83,000 for prescribing Subsys for her patients. Simon, a doctor based in Kansas, at one time ranked as the eighth-highest paid Subsys speaker in the United States, receiving over $230,000 from Insys between 2013 and 2016, andreportedlyprescribed more Subsys to people on Medicare Part D than any other Kansas practitioner.\r\n\r\nMcCaskillissued a previous reporton Insys Therapeutics last year, which detailed systemic manipulation of the prior authorization process by Insys to boost approvals for its highly addictive fentanyl drug Subsys, even for inappropriate, off-label uses. McCaskill's broader investigation into opioid manufacturersthe most comprehensive Congressional investigation into the crisis to datebegan early last year when sherequested informationrelated to sales and marketing materials, internal addiction studies, details on compliance with government settlements and donations to third party advocacy groups from major opioid manufacturers. Later, sheexpanded her investigation, requesting documents and information from opioid manufacturers Mallinckrodt, Endo, Teva, and Allergan, while a request to McKesson Corporation, AmerisourceBergen Corporation, and Cardinal Health, Inc., focused on their distribution of opioid products.\r\n\r\nEarlier this year in February, McCaskill's investigation released itssecond round of findings,exposing the financial ties between opioid manufacturers and third party groups, who often lobbied for pro-opioid policies after receiving contributions from pharmaceutical companies. In the wake of these discoveries, McCaskillintroduced a billin June to increase transparency and make sure opioid manufacturers report contributions to third party groups, which totaled almost $9 million between 2012 and 2017 for the companies and groups profiled in the February 2018 report. In July, McCaskillreleased another reportas part of her investigation into opioid manufacturers, documenting how the Big Three pharmaceutical distribution companies together shipped around 1.6 billion dosage units of opioid products to Missouri alone between 2012 and 2017 and how their legally required suspicious order reporting for Missouri orders between 2012 and 2017 varied widely.\r\n\r\nVisitwww.mccaskill.senate.gov/opioid-investigationto learn more about McCaskill's investigation.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-statement-on-national-cybersecurity-awareness-month", "McCaskill Statement on National Cybersecurity Awareness Month", "2018-10-17", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill Statement on National Cybersecurity Awareness Month \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator continues longstanding work to address cybersecurity threats \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, October 16, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskillissued the following statement regarding National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which is ongoing for the month of October:\r\n\r\nLife in America is rapidly becoming more and more digitally connected, so when it comes to fighting for and protecting Missourians, an important part of my job as Senator is making sure we're tackling cyber threats. I'm committed to working in a bipartisan way with members of Congress, the Administration, and other stakeholders to find solutions to the cybersecurity challenges facing our nation. I'm proud to join efforts this monthand every monthto bring attention to this very important issue, and I stand ready to work with anyone to keep Missourians safe.\r\n\r\nAs the top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, McCaskill has long pushed for Congressional action to address the nation's vulnerability to cybersecurity threats. Earlier this month, the Senate passed aMcCaskill-backed measureto strengthen and enhance the Department of Homeland Security's role in protecting the country's cybersecurity by creating the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency within the Department, a change the Department of Homeland Security resoundingly supports. Last month, herbipartisan billto safeguard against supply chain security threats advanced in the Senate.\r\n\r\nIn August, a McCaskill-backed bill that addressescybersecurity threats to small businesseswas signed into law by President Trump. In June, shevoted to confirmthe Administration's pick for the top cybersecurity official at the Department of Homeland Security. The Senate approved another McCaskill-backed bill in April that wouldstrengthen cybersecurity at the Department ofHomelandSecurity.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/protecting-personal-information-of-military-and-foreign-service-officers-is-aim-of-mccaskill-backed-bipartisan-proposal", "Protecting Personal Information of Military and Foreign Service Officers is Aim of McCaskill-backed Bipartisan Proposal", "2018-10-17", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Protecting Personal Information of Military and Foreign Service Officers is Aim of McCaskill-backed Bipartisan Proposal \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator supports bipartisan plan to protect Americans who make international moves from identity theft and fraud \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, October 17, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON Continuing her fight to support military servicemembers and public servants stationed around the world, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is backing a bipartisan proposal to protect the personal information of those who make international moves with their household goods from identity theft and fraud.Under current law, sensitive personal information, such as names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and passport numbers, are potentially at risk when Americans move overseas,including military servicemembers and foreign service officers moving in service of their country.\r\n\r\nOur servicemembers and public servants often make the sacrifice of being stationed abroad to protect and defend our country, and ensuring their privacy is protected should be a top priority, said McCaskill, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. This commonsense solution is an important step toward securing the personal information of our troops and State Department personnelgiving them the peace of mind that they and their families' identities will be safe and secure as they answer the call to serve anywhere in the world.\r\n\r\nThe McCaskill-backedMoving Americans Privacy Protection Actwill help protect the personally identifiable information of those who make international moves with their household goods by requiring U.S. Customs and Border Protection to take additional steps to secure individuals' personally identifiable information. Military servicemembers and foreign service officers are disproportionately at risk of having their information exposed given their rate of moving overseas. In recent years, the personal information of relocating individuals has been accidentally released, resulting in identity theft, credit card fraud, and unwanted solicitations.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill, a strong advocate for military families, passedbipartisan legislationin the Senate to address lead poisonings and dangerous lead levels in housing on U.S. Army installations in the aftermath of a recentreportwhich highlighted the issue. Additionally, McCaskill recently joined with Senate colleagues and military and veteran service organizations calling on the Trump Administration toabandon a proposalthat would weaken oversight measures that help protect military servicemembers and their families from predatory lending practices.\r\n\r\nVisitmccaskill.senate.gov/defenseto learn more about McCaskill's fight to strengthen national security.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/minute-with-mccaskill-real-results-in-the-middle", "Minute with McCaskill: Real results in the middle", "2018-10-16", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Minute with McCaskill: Real results in the middle \r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                Tuesday, October 16, 2018\r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n            \r\n                  \r\n                    By:\r\n                    Claire McCaskill\r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n            \r\nWatching the news, you'd think Washington is in one big, perpetual standoffRepublicans on one side, Democrats on the other, and a whole bunch of nothing getting done. While the cameras don't like pointing the lens towards the middle, that's where I've been day in and day out, working hard throughout my time in D.C., solving tough problems and making sure Missourians are heard.\r\n\r\n\r\nI've witnessed the Washington dysfunction you always hear about in the news firsthand, but I've never succumbed to the chaos. I've been more focused on the harder job of reaching across the aisle, making compromises, and working with my colleagues to actually get things done on behalf of Missourians. Instead of focusing on what divides us, I find issues big and small that Republicans and Democrats are willing to work on togetherand we've gotten results.\r\n\r\n\r\nOne of the areas I'm proud to have found common ground and achieved real change is addressing issues that plague our healthcare system. When Republican Senator Susan Collins and I learned that pharmacy gag clauses were prohibiting pharmacists from telling customers that they could pay less for their prescription if they pay out of pocket, we teamed up and got to work. And we passed legislation to finally end this egregious, expensive practice and help save Missourians money on their prescriptions.\r\n\r\n\r\nThat's the same approach I've taken in addressing serious issues in the air ambulance industry. After a life-threatening accident, Missouri families who need an air ambulance rescue can be stuck with tens of thousands of dollars in billsand that's after their insurance has paid the claim. To put an end to this unfair practice, I teamed up with a Republican colleague to demand answers from the federal government, put pressure on insurers and air ambulance providers, introduced legislation with a companion Republican proposal in the House of Representatives, and worked with my colleagues to make sure we moved the needle to bring more oversight and accountability to an industry that has seemed to operate without either.\r\n\r\n\r\nBy focusing on the issues, being willing to listen, negotiate, and work together, we've brought bipartisan reforms to the air ambulance industry. Oversight, accountability, and critical consumer protections are now lawreal results for real issues facing Missourians.\r\n\r\n\r\nThat's why I'm so hopeful about the work that's being done on the bipartisan Senate healthcare transparency working group I'm a part of, a team of three Republicans and three Democrats. We recently released draft legislation to bring an end to the practice known as balance billing, which leaves far too many Americans with unaffordable medical bills when their providers are out-of-network.\r\n\r\n\r\nFighting unfair practices and making healthcare affordable shouldn't be partisan issues, and I'll continue to make sure that's the case. While the nightly news is sure to keep cameras on the extremes, I'll be where I've always been, smack dab in the middlewhere we get real results for Missouri.\r\n\r\n\r\nU.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is the senior senator from Missouri.\r\n\r\n\r\n            \r\n             \r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/overland-park-doctor-was-a-model-for-opioid-firm-under-indictment-senate-report-says", "Overland Park doctor was a model for opioid firm under indictment, Senate report says", "2018-10-16", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Overland Park doctor was a model for opioid firm under indictment, Senate report says \r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                Tuesday, October 16, 2018\r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n            \r\n                  \r\n                    By:\r\n                    Andy Marso\r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n            Internal emails from an opioid manufacturer under federal indictment for an alleged kickback scheme show that company executives held Overland Park doctor Steven Simon as one of their models for their sales force.\r\nThe emails are included ina report released Tuesday by U.S. Senate committee staffersand provide new details about Simon's relationship with Insys Therapeutics. The Arizona company's former leaders face charges they used a physician speaker program to pay doctors for prescribing their fentanyl product Subsys, a highly concentrated opioid sprayed under the tongue.\r\nAn April 2013 email from Insys vice president of sales Alec Burlakoff listed Simon among the company's Top 25 Subsys prescribers nationwide.\r\nThese are our top performing customers, Burlakoff wrote. There are the clinicians that make us tick.' Although I know it is imperative to continuously create new prescribers for Subsys, I am still positive that the greatest opportunity for bonus dollars remain with the big' doctors whom (sic) are already sold on Subsys.\r\nSimon's attorney, James Wyrsch, said Simon wasn't part of any kickback scheme.\r\nWyrsch said Simon did some speaker training for Insys, but he had experience in prescribing quick-acting fentanyl long before the company developed Subsys, and he offered his patients a choice of painkillers.\r\nHe didn't ever prescribe anything pursuant to any incentives, Wyrsch said.\r\nThe Senate report is the latest in a series of investigations into the opioid industry by U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, a Missouri Democrat, and her staff on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.\r\nSince 2017, The Star has reported much of the Senate report's information on Simon  including that he was one of thetop-paid Subsys speakersin the country from 2013-2015 and also the drug's top prescriber in Kansas within the Medicare Part D program.\r\nBut the Senate report shows that he was involved with Insys in other ways too, starting just a few months after Subsys was approved by the Food and Drug Administration.\r\nA March 2012 Insys email schedules him and 11 other clinicians for In-Person Consultant Meetings at JW Marriott Camelback, a luxury resort hotel and spa in Scottsdale, Ariz. A November 2012 email places him among 59 people invited to be part of a Strategic Planning Ad(visory) Board.\r\nAn October 2013 email lists Simon as a member of an Insys Pain Practice Steering Committee and a potential recruit for a Pain Oral Solution Practice Committee.\r\nSimon has not been charged criminally. ButFBI agents seized patient recordslast year from the clinic where he used to work, and four former patients and their families havefiled civil suits against himclaiming harm from aggressive Subsys prescribing.\r\nFederal officials revealed in May that the Insys sales rep who worked with Simon, Torgny Andersson,was among several whistleblowerswho had been helping with their criminal investigation for years.\r\nThe Senate report includes an email from May 2013 in which Burlakoff complained about doctors who prescribe quick-acting opioids other than Subsys, characterizing them as missed opportunities for the sales staff.\r\nThe email told them that they need to own those doctors within their sales territory and that anything less than 50 percent Subsys market share for rapid-onset opioids was unacceptable. Simon, according to Insys emails, was at more than 80 percent at the time.\r\nBurlakoff is among the former Insys executivesindicted for their rolesin the alleged kickback scheme. They've pleaded not guilty, and their case is being heard in federal court in Boston.\r\nInsys' new leaders have said the company has undergone a complete culture change, and they agreed to a$150 million civil settlementwith the U.S. Department of Justice in August.\r\nBut the Senate report expresses concern that the next pharmaceutical company moving rapidly to establish market share in a crowded field may look to Insys as a model.\r\nAnd so long as both sales representatives and prescribers have strong financial incentives to boost prescriptions, simple greed will continue to distort the patient-physician relationship. As a result, this report represents a warning to policymakers seeking to prevent actors in the pharmaceutical industry from fueling the next public health crisis.\r\n            \r\n             \r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/new-federal-law-requires-airports-to-provide-spaces-for-nursing-mothers", "New federal law requires airports to provide spaces for nursing mothers", "2018-10-15", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "New federal law requires airports to provide spaces for nursing mothers \r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                Monday, October 15, 2018\r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n            ST. LOUIS, MO  A new federal law is requiring airports across the US to provide spaces for nursing mothers. All large and medium-size airports must have lactation rooms for breastfeeding mothers to nurse or pump by October of 2020.\r\nThe lactation spaces must not be in a bathroom and need to be shielded from public view. They must also have a place to sit, an electric outlet and a flat surface as well as be accessible for those with disabilities.\r\nThe rule also requires airports to have baby-changing tables in both men`s and women`s restrooms in each terminal. The bill was pushed by US Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth and co-sponsored by Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill.\r\n            \r\n             \r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/new-rules-require-private-breastfeeding-areas-at-lambert-other-airports", "New rules require private breastfeeding areas at Lambert, other airports", "2018-10-15", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "New rules require private breastfeeding areas at Lambert, other airports \r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                Monday, October 15, 2018\r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n            \r\n                  \r\n                    By:\r\n                    Mark Schlinkmann\r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n            \r\nLAMBERT AIRPORT  A new federal law requires St. Louis Lambert International Airport and many other airports to provide private areas reserved for breastfeeding mothers.\r\n\r\n\r\nThe measure, pushed since 2015 by Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill. with bipartisan support, was incorporated into reauthorization legislation for the Federal Aviation Administration passed by Congress and signed into law earlier this month.\r\n\r\n\r\nA news release from Duckworth said the measure requires all large- and medium-sized airports to set up clean, accessible rooms in every terminal for nursing mothers.\r\n\r\n\r\nThe measure also sets up a federal grant program to help pay for such renovations. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., was among the co-sponsors.\r\n\r\n\r\nJeff Lea, a spokesman for Lambert, said officials there are aware of the new law and will work to understand the specifics and \"comply with them to provide comfortable, private spaces\" for nursing mothers.\r\n\r\n\r\nA timetable has yet to be determined.\r\n\r\n            \r\n             \r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/amid-hurricane-michael-response-senate-confirms-fema-official-with-mccaskills-support", "Amid Hurricane Michael Response, Senate Confirms FEMA Official with McCaskill\u2019s Support", "2018-10-15", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Amid Hurricane Michael Response, Senate Confirms FEMA Official with McCaskill's Support \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator has supported all 13 of President Trump's nominees for the Department of Homeland Security \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMonday, October 15, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, the top-ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, joined the Senate in confirming the President's pick for a key role at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Peter T. Gaynor was confirmed Thursday as Deputy Administrator of the agency. Since President Trump assumed office, McCaskill has voted to confirm every Department of Homeland Security nominee including three senior FEMA officials.\r\n\r\nWe need all hands on deck amid another devastating hurricane season, so Mr. Gaynor's confirmation could not have come at a more crucial time, McCaskill said. I stand ready to continue working with my colleagues in Congress and the Administration to ensure that our emergency preparedness and response efforts keep Americans out of harm's way.\r\n\r\nNow that he has been confirmed by the Senate, Gaynor will serve as second-in-command at FEMA and will support Administrator Brock Long in managing the agency's various disaster assistance programs. He joins FEMA amid the ongoing response to Hurricanes Michael and Florence in the southeastern United States and as communities in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands continue to recovery from an unprecedented hurricane season in 2017.\r\n\r\nThroughout her time in the Senate, McCaskill has fought for Missouri families affected by disasters. This summer, McCaskilllaunched a drought resource pageto aid Missouri's farmers and ranchers affected by the most intense drought conditions in the state since 2012. She alsocalled for answersfrom FEMA following reports that Lake of the Ozarks residents living outside an established flood zone received notices instructing them to buy flood insurance. And McCaskill continues to work to get federal assistance for disaster-stricken communities throughout the state, including communities affected by historic spring 2017 flooding and the 2011 Joplin tornado, the deadliest tornado to strike the United States in over 60 years.\r\n\r\nAs the top Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, McCaskill has also worked to hold FEMA accountable for its disaster response efforts more broadly. In August, McCaskillcalled outthe agency for its use of noncompetitive contracts in the wake of the destructive 2017 hurricane season.In April, McCaskill released abombshell reportthat revealed significant failures by FEMA in its contracting process for emergency tarps and sheeting during last year's hurricane season, including insufficient use of prepositioned contracts. The Senator alsofoundin February that bid documents for a cancelled $156 million contract that was supposed to provide 30 million meals to Puerto Rico contained multiple misrepresentations, including apparent extensive plagiarism.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-applauds-passage-of-water-infrastructure-bill", "Congressman Cleaver Applauds Passage of Water Infrastructure Bill", "2018-10-12", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, D.C.)  Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II applauds the congressional passage of S.3021, America's Water Infrastructure Act, commonly referred to as WRDA. This bill would give the Army Corps of Engineers the authorization to begin navigation, flood control, storm damage and other water infrastructure projects across the country. The U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the bill, H.R. 8, by a vote of 408-2 on June 6, 2018. House and Senate committee leaders negotiated a compromise bill, which became S. 3021. Now the bill will go to the President for his signature.\nThis is an effort that spans several years in the making. I've worked with my Republican colleagues to make sure that language was included to ensure smooth coordination of the two major parts of our local Kansas City Levees project. I'm glad we could work together to support this project and make sure several Kansas City areas are protected from flooding , said Congressman Cleaver.\nThe bi-partisan bill would include several important elements:\n Extend annual authorizations for dam and levee safety activities through fiscal 2023.\n Authorizes $110 million a year for watercraft inspections in the Columbia, Missouri, Colorado, South Platte, and Arizona river basins to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species into those watersheds.\n Authorize $75 million to the Corps to conduct a 10-year pilot program to award single contracts for multiple hurricane and storm damage reduction projects in an area.\n Authorize $125 million to be used in each of fiscal 2020 and 2021 for state public water system supervision programs.\n Establishes a task force on stormwater infrastructure funding.\n Authorizes $225 million in Fiscal Year 2019 and in 2020 for grants to states for projects to prevent combined sewer overflows and address stormwater.\nCongressman Cleaver has been an advocate for improving flood control projects in the Kansas City area under WRDA for many years. With recent appropriations and the WRDA bill, several flood control projects in the Kansas City area will have enough funding to be completed.\n Turkey Creek Basin is fully funded and expected completion is in 2020.\n Dodson Industrial District (Blue River Basin) is fully funded and will be completed in summer of 2020. This project will provide 500-year flood protection for 1,500 people and $380 Million in property for local businesses.\n Swope Park Industrial Area was fully funded this year and will be completed in 2022. The new bridge over the levee will provide safe passage for over 400 people who work in the area.\n Kansas City Levees was fully funded with the supplemental appropriations package earlier this year. This legislation would be the second WRDA measure to be enacted under the process established by the 2014 Water Resources Reform and Development Act.\nEmanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and also a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Heather Frierson at 816-842-4545 or Heather.Frierson@mail.house.gov A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/claire-mccaskill-investigates-department-of-agriculture-staffing-issues", "Claire McCaskill investigates Department of Agriculture staffing issues", "2018-10-12", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Claire McCaskill investigates Department of Agriculture staffing issues \r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                Friday, October 12, 2018\r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n            United States Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri has called for answers regarding insufficient staffing levels at US Department of Agriculture offices in Missouri.\r\nMcCaskill wrote to Natural Resources Conservation Service Acting Chief Leonard Jordan saying failure to hire and retain full-time staff during hard times puts producers and natural resources at risk. She added that Missouri producers deserve reliable access to USDA employees and their technical expertise.\r\nMcCaskill also wrote to Farm Service Agency Administrator Richard Fordyce to tell him her office received information raising concerns about staffing levels at Missouri FSA offices. She noted that the staffing levels have the potential to undermine the delivery of FSA's services to state farmers and ranchers.\r\nFarmers and producers rely on USDA resources to assist in navigating federal programs and receiving technical assistance. McCaskill's office reports access to those resources is important as farmers and ranchers face the ongoing trade war and work to recover from this summer's drought.\r\n            \r\n             \r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/president-signs-legislation-lifting-gag-order-on-pharmacists", "President Signs Legislation Lifting Gag Order on Pharmacists", "2018-10-12", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "President Signs Legislation Lifting Gag Order on Pharmacists \r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                Friday, October 12, 2018\r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n            Your pharmacist may help you save money on prescription medication. President Donald Trump has signed into law a bill that lifts pharmacy gag orders. The previous rules prohibited pharmacists from telling customers when paying out of pocket would be cheaper than using insurance to pay for medication. The legislation lifting the gag orders was sponsored by Senator Claire McCaskill. It's estimated that customers overpaid for medication 23% of the time.\r\n            \r\n             \r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/as-st-louis-va-rises-in-quality-rankings-mccaskill-praises-improvements", "As St. Louis VA Rises in Quality Rankings, McCaskill Praises Improvements", "2018-10-12", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As St. Louis VA Rises in Quality Rankings, McCaskill Praises Improvements \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t St. Louis region improved to 3-Star rating, jumps 54 spots in annual VA rankings;  Senator: This report rings true to what we've been hearing firsthand from Missouri veteransbut that doesn't mean our work is done' \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFriday, October 12, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, a longtime advocate for improving conditions and quality of care at the St. Louis VA facilities, praisedratingsrecentlyreleasedby the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that rank the St. Louis VA Health Care System one of the most improved facilities in the countryimproving to a 3-Star rating and moving up 54 spots in the rankings. This improvement tracks with what has been reported by Missouri veterans that have participated in McCaskill's annual confidential veterans secret shopper' program.\r\n\r\nThis report rings true to what we've been hearing firsthand from Missouri veterans, that for the past couple of years there's been critical improvements at the St. Louis VA facilitiesbut that doesn't mean our work is done, said McCaskill, the daughter of a World War II veteran. I'm proud of all those at the St. Louis VA who've worked hard to help turn things around and ensure the care provided to our veterans is top-notch and to the standards they deserve, and I'll keep working hard to achieve that goal with them.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill has been a longtime advocate for ensuring veterans receive the healthcare and benefits they've earned and deserve. McCaskill, who helped lead bipartisan efforts to have apermanent director installedat the St. Louis VA Health Care System,launched a veteran secret shopper program, known as the Veterans' Customer Satisfaction Program (VCSP), in 2011 amid reports of problems with medical care at John Cochran VA Medical Center in St. Louis.\r\n\r\nWhen she began her veterans survey seven years ago, confidence in St. Louis VA facilities was low and satisfaction levels demonstrated several areas in need of improvement.This year's report,releasedin May, continued the positive trend from the past four reporting cycles, showing consistent and steady improvement in many areas, including cleanliness and wait times at the St. Louis VA facilities.\r\n\r\nContinuing her work fighting for Missouri's veterans, McCaskill supported theVA Mission Act, which was signed into law earlier this year. Last August, PresidentTrumpsignedMcCaskill'sArla Harrell Actnamed after a 90-year-old Missouri veteran who was intentionally exposed to mustard gas during World War II. Since then, nearly $2 million in previously denied claims wereawardedto World War II veterans who had been intentionally exposed to mustard gas.\r\n\r\nVeterans can visitmccaskill.senate.gov/vcspto offer confidential feedback on their Missouri VA experiences.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/-mccaskill-sounds-alarm-on-lack-of-transparency-for-missouri-companies-applying-for-tariff-exclusions", "McCaskill Sounds Alarm on Lack of Transparency for Missouri Companies Applying for Tariff Exclusions", "2018-10-11", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill Sounds Alarm on Lack of Transparency for Missouri Companies Applying for Tariff Exclusions \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator continues to advocate for Missouri businesses hurt by trade war \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, October 11, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, the top-ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, recently questioned the Administration's management of the tariff exclusion process, citing concerns from Missouri companies that they received insufficient guidance when applying for exclusions from steel and aluminum tariffs.\r\nMissouri businesses just want to understand the rules of the road when it comes to getting relief from this trade war that's harming their businessesbut I'm hearing from them over and over that they're frustrated with the process, McCaskill said. Our manufacturers can outcompete anyone, but right now they're just not getting the level playing field they need to do it.\r\nCurrently, if Customs and Border Protection (CBP) cannot validate a company's request for a tariff exclusion based on the information contained in the company's application, the request is denied without contacting the company to clarify the product details or assisting the requester to correct an identified error in the application. The Administration reports that they've rejected nearly 30 percent of tariff exclusion requests for errors in the application, but Missouri companies have said that they've received no meaningful feedback on what those errors were or how to correct them.\r\nIn her letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, McCaskill wrote, [The Department of Commerce] and [Customs and Border Protection] have failed to provide adequate guidance at the beginning of the process and failed to provide meaningful feedback and assistance to companies seeking exclusions from the steel and aluminum tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Act of 1964.  I respectfully request that Commerce and Customs and Border Protection work together to find a way to provide additional information and direct assistance to requesters who have been denied an exclusion request as a result of an error in their product description or [Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States] code.\r\nMcCaskill has been a strong advocate on behalf of Missouri businesses and workers in the face of the ongoing trade war. Last month, McCaskillsent a letterto the Secretary of Commerce torelay the concernsof Missouri manufacturing and agriculture leaders raised during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee roundtable that shechaired in St. Louis. She also voiced concern with thelatest $200 billion in tariffsand highlighted thenegative impact of potential automobile tariffson Missouri workers at a Senate hearing.\r\nIn June, McCaskilltoured Mid Continent Nail Corporation, the largest U.S. producer of steel nails, which was forced to reduce its workforce by more than 30 percent and may be forced to close its Poplar Bluff operations while it waits for the Department of Commerce to decide on a tariff exclusion requestbecause of soaring costs and canceled sales resulting fromthetariffs that the Administration placed on the wire that the company uses to produce nails.She hascalled on the Administrationto end the trade war, and is working across the aisle tobring greater Congressional oversightto tariff decisions and thetariff exclusion process.\r\nRead McCaskill's letter to Commerce Secretary Ross and Homeland Security Secretary NielsenHERE.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/bipartisan-mccaskill-cassidy-proposal-would-bring-transparency-to-payments-from-opioid-manufacturers-to-patient-and-consumer-advocacy-groups", "Bipartisan McCaskill, Cassidy Proposal Would Bring Transparency to Payments from Opioid Manufacturers to Patient & Consumer Advocacy Groups", "2018-10-11", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bipartisan McCaskill, Cassidy Proposal Would Bring Transparency to Payments from Opioid Manufacturers to Patient & Consumer Advocacy Groups \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator's bipartisan legislation follows McCaskill report that showed millions in payments between opioid manufacturers and advocacy groups \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, October 11, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill joined with Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. of Louisiana to introduce the bipartisanOpioid Advocacy Transparency Act, which would require opioid manufacturers to disclose payments made to patient and consumer organizations involved in opioid-related advocacysimilar to existing disclosure requirements governing payments to physicians.\r\n\r\nThe bipartisan legislation follows a McCaskillreportreleasedearlier this year which showed the connection between opioid manufacturers and advocacy organizations and found that certain major opioid manufacturers paid 14 patient advocacy groups and professional societies nearly $9 million from 2012 to 2017.\r\n\r\nWhat we've found is these third-party advocacy groups that appear to be working for patients are often funded by opioid manufacturers, which begs the question, who are they really advocating for? McCaskill asked. Opioid manufacturers certainly have the right to donate to these groups, but just like we've increased transparency on payments to doctors, folks ought to know who's funding the efforts of these advocacy groups as well.\r\n\r\nIf doctors and patients are given educational material about pain medicine, doctors and patients should know who is paying to provide the information, said Dr. Cassidy.\r\n\r\nIn 2016, approximately 115 people in the United States died every day from an opioid-related drug overdose, amounting to more than 42,000 fatalities in a single year.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill has long been an advocate for increased transparency in government and in healthcare spending. Earlier this year, McCaskill introduced thePatient Advocacy Transparency Actwhich would require transparency regarding payments from pharmaceutical manufacturers to patient advocacy groups, professional societies, and other groups by applying existing reporting requirements under thePhysician Payments Sunshine Actto contributions to these organizations. Additionally, McCaskillreleasedan investigative reportthat showed that drug prices directly negotiated by the government could save the Medicare Part D program $2.8 billion in a single year on the 20 most commonly prescribed brand-name drugs alone.\r\n\r\nContinuing their bipartisan work to make healthcare transparent and affordable, McCaskilland Cassidyreleaseda draft bipartisan planlast month to help protect patients from surprise medical bills, which comes their work as part of the Senatehealthcare price transparency working group.\r\n\r\nVisitmccaskill.senate.gov/healthcareto learn more about McCaskill's fight to improve healthcare for Missourians.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/ensuring-access-to-services-for-missouri-farmers-is-focus-of-mccaskill-inquiry", "Ensuring Access to Services for Missouri Farmers is Focus of McCaskill Inquiry", "2018-10-11", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ensuring Access to Services for Missouri Farmers is Focus of McCaskill Inquiry \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator pushes agency leaders for answers on staffing levels in Missouri in the face of trade war, drought aftermath \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, October 11, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON Continuing her advocacy for Missouri's farmers and agriculture producers, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill called on the Trump Administration to provide answers regarding insufficient staffing levels at U.S. Department of Agriculture officesacross Missouri.\r\n\r\nFailure to hire and retain full time staff during these hard times puts producers and our natural resources at risk, wrote McCaskill to the Natural Resource Conservation Service's Acting Chief Leonard Jordan. Missouri producers deserve reliable access to USDA employees and their technical expertise.\r\n\r\nIn a similar letter to Farm Service Agency Administrator Richard Fordyce, McCaskill wrote, My office has received anecdotal information raising concerns about staffing levels at Missouri FSA offices that have the potential to undermine delivery of FSA's services to Missouri farmers and ranchers.\r\n\r\nFarmers and producers in Missouri rely on Department of Agriculture resources to assist in navigating federal programs and receiving technical assistance. Access to these resources is especially important as Missouri farmers and ranchersface the ongoingtrade war and work to recover from the drought this summer. \r\n\r\nMcCaskill has been a strong advocate on behalf of Missouri farmers and ranchers in the face of the ongoing trade war. Last month, McCaskill sent aletterto the Secretary of Commerce to relay theconcernsof Missouri manufacturing and agriculture leaders raised during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee roundtable that shechaired in St. Louis. McCaskill recentlysaid of the latest $200 billion in tariffs, This trade war has already cost Missouri jobs and hurt our farmers and ranchersI don't understand why we'd dramatically escalate it.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill has consistently fought to ensure Missouri's farmers and ranchers have the resources they need to succeed. McCaskill also voted in support of theSenate's bipartisan Farm Billandlaunchedadrought resource pageto aid Missouri's farmers and ranchers affected by intense drought conditions this summer. McCaskill also worked with fellow Missouri Senator Roy Blunt to requestdrought assistancefrom the U.S. Department of Agriculture to release additional acreage for haying and grazing.\r\n\r\nFull text of McCaskill's letter to the Natural Resource Conservation ServiceHERE, and to the Farm Service AgencyHERE.\r\n\r\nVisitmccaskill.senate.gov/ruralto learn more about McCaskill's fight to protect rural Missouri.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskills-bipartisan-friendly-airports-for-mothers-act-passes-congress-making-travel-easier-on-nursing-mothers", "McCaskill\u2019s Bipartisan Friendly Airports for Mothers Act Passes Congress, Making Travel Easier on Nursing Mothers", "2018-10-11", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill's Bipartisan Friendly Airports for Mothers Act Passes Congress, Making Travel Easier on Nursing Mothers \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator's effort will ensure nursing mothers have clean, private accommodations while traveling \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, October 11, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill's bipartisan proposal requiring largeand medium-sized airports to provide clean, private accommodations fornursingmothers passed both chambers of Congress and now heads to the President's desk for signature.\r\n\r\nNew mothers have their hands full as it is, and the last thing they should be worrying about is how and where to feed their newborn while traveling, McCaskill said. This commonsense plan will make these hectic and stressful travel experiences a little more convenient for moms on the move.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill'sFriendly Airports for Mothers Actpassed both chambers of Congress this week as part of theFederal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act. McCaskillintroducedthe legislation, with Republican Senator Deb Fischer of Nebraska and Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, to ensure that within two years, all largeand mediumhub airports in the United States, including Kansas City International and St. Louis Lambert International airports, provide a private space that is accessible to persons with disabilities in each terminal for mothers to express breastmilk.According to a 2014 survey, only 8 of 100 airports in the U.S. offered suitablenursingaccommodations.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill, a longtime advocate for mothers, recently backed abipartisan effortto improve data collection related to maternal health and mortality by authorizing grant funding promoting research and development on the issue. This spring, she also backed a bipartisanproposalthat would improve maternity care access in underserved communities throughout Missouri by identifying and encouraging maternal health professionals to practice in underserved areas.\r\n\r\nVisitmccaskill.senate.gov/healthcareto learn more about McCaskill's fight to improve healthcare for Missourians.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/video/view/kctv-two-major-new-mccaskill-healthcare-bills-to-save-you-money-signed-by-president", "KCTV: Two Major New McCaskill Healthcare Bills to \"Save You Money\" Signed by President", "2018-10-11", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/video/view/kode-bill-signed-into-law-prevents-patients-from-spending-more-on-prescriptions-than-they-need-to", "KODE: Bill Signed into Law Prevents Patients from Spending More on Prescriptions Than They Need to", "2018-10-11", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/video/view/kolr-mccaskill-bills-to-end-gag-orders-for-pharmacists-signed-into-law", "KOLR: McCaskill Bills to End \"Gag Orders\" for Pharmacists Signed into Law", "2018-10-11", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/video/view/kspr-president-signs-mccaskill-bills-to-allow-pharmacists-to-tell-you-cheapest-price-for-drugs", "KSPR: President Signs McCaskill Bills to Allow Pharmacists to Tell You Cheapest Price for Drugs", "2018-10-11", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-votes-to-prevent-expansion-of-junk-healthcare-plans-that-can-exclude-preexisting-conditions-raise-costs-for-seniors", "McCaskill Votes to Prevent Expansion of \u2018Junk\u2019 Healthcare Plans that Can Exclude Preexisting Conditions, Raise Costs for Seniors", "2018-10-10", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill Votes to Prevent Expansion of Junk' Healthcare Plans that Can Exclude Preexisting Conditions, Raise Costs for Seniors \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Short-term junk' plans threaten access to quality, affordable care for Missouriansespecially those with preexisting conditions \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, October 10, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON Continuing her work to protect the millions of Missourians with preexisting conditions, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today voted to repeal a new Administration rule that expands previously limited short-term junk health insurance plans from 3 to 12 months, or beyond. These bare-bones plans allow insurance companies to eliminate coverage of preexisting conditions and to raise prices for older Missourians.\r\n\r\nThis partisan rule extending these plans opens the door for insurance companies to return to the days of discriminating against Missourians with preexisting conditions and charging seniors even moreand we can't go back there, McCaskill said. Missourians know that actions speak louder than words, and these Republican actions to sabotage the healthcare Missourians rely onrather than both sides working together to lower costs and preserve the critical consumer protections I've fought forhave been loud and clear.\r\n\r\nThe Administration's short-term plans rule expanded the three month limited-duration insurance plans intended to fill temporary gaps in coverage to 12 month plans or beyond, creating a permanent market for these bare-bones plans that can exclude basic health benefits including hospitalization, prescription drugs, maternity care, substance abuse treatment, and allow insurance companies to skirt the requirement that they cover preexisting conditions. An overwhelming majority of healthcare groups and patient and consumer advocatesopposedthis expansion, citing the grave harm it could do to sick patients.\r\n\r\nMaintaining protections for people with preexisting conditions has been a top priority for McCaskill in the Senate. At a recentSenate hearingfocused on problems in the healthcare system, McCaskill called out continued attempts by the Trump Administration, Republican congressional leadership, and Republican Attorneys General to roll back protections for people with preexisting conditions and raise health insurance costs for millions of Missourians. Continuing those efforts,McCaskillled a group of colleaguesin announcing a proposal to defend the constitutionality of preexisting condition protections against the Republican lawsuit.\r\n\r\nAt a Senate hearing in June, McCaskillcriticized Republican effortsto undermine protections on preexisting conditions and raise health insurance costs for millions of Missourians. At the hearing, McCaskill entered into the recorda2010 documentthat outlined more than 400 preexisting conditions that health insurance companies used to deny coverage to individuals beforerules were put in place protecting individuals with preexisting conditions.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill has also fought against rising healthcare and prescription drug costs since joining the Senate. McCaskill's bipartisan proposals to prohibit pharmaceutical gag clauses, which led patients to overpay for their medications,recently passed Congressand is expected to be signed into law this week. Earlier this year, shereleased an investigative reportthat showed that drug prices directly negotiated by the government could save the Medicare Part D program $2.8 billion in a single year on the 20 most commonly prescribed brand-name drugs alone.\r\n\r\nVisitmccaskill.senate.gov/healthcareto learn more about McCaskill's fight to improve healthcare for Missourians.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/no-more-pharmacy-gag-clauses-as-two-more-mccaskill-bills-signed-into-law-by-president-trump", "No More Pharmacy \u2018Gag Clauses\u2019 as Two More McCaskill Bills Signed into Law by President Trump", "2018-10-10", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "No More Pharmacy Gag Clauses' as Two More McCaskill Bills Signed into Law by President Trump \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator's bipartisan bills to prohibit pharmacy gag clauses will prevent Missourians from paying more than necessary for their prescriptions \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, October 10, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Pharmacy gag clauses that can prevent pharmacists from telling customers that they could pay less for their prescription if they pay out of pocket are now prohibited after President Donald Trump today signed into law two bipartisan pieces of legislation from U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill that end the practice.\r\nEarlier this year, I heard from a woman who was shocked when she found out she could get her mother's prescription for less if she paid out of pocket than through insuranceand was even more upset her pharmacist was prohibited from telling her that was possible, said McCaskill, referencing an exchange from her healthcare roundtable earlier this year in St. Louis. After months of hard, bipartisan work including support from the President, I'm proud to report back to her and so many other Missourians struggling to pay for their prescriptions, that pharmacy gag clauses are finally a thing of the past. Click HERE to watch a video from McCaskill on her work to end gag clauses.\r\nLast month, the Congress passed McCaskill'sPatient Right to Know Drug Prices Act,which prohibits gag clauses in individual market and group-based insurance plans, as well as companion legislation, the Know the Lowest Price Act, to prohibit gag clauses in Medicare Part D. Combined, these actions will give Missourians wide-ranging protections from this practice. McCaskill, along with Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine and Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan,led the pushto prohibit this practice.\r\nMany customers have no idea that they could pay less for their prescription if they pay out of pocket rather than using their insurance at the pharmacy counter, because pharmacists can be prohibited from telling their customers that a prescription to treat diabetes or high blood pressure may cost only $8 out of pocket instead of $20 through insurance coverage.One 2018reportfound that customers overpaid for prescription drugs at the pharmacy counter 23% of the time.\r\nMcCaskill has made tackling rising healthcare and prescription drug costs a top priority in the Senate.McCaskill recentlyreleased an investigative reportthat showed that drug prices directly negotiated by the government could save the Medicare Part D program $2.8 billion in a single year on the 20 most commonly prescribed brand-name drugs alone.Bipartisan legislation backed by McCaskill to allow the sale of certain types of hearing aids over the counterincreasing access and lowering costs for Missouri's seniorswas signed into law last year. Additionally, during her time as the top Democrat on the Senate Special Committee on Aging, McCaskill joined Senator Collins to launch anin-depth investigation into prescription drug price increases, and last year, President Trump signed into law the Senators'bipartisan legislationto increase competition for generic drugs and help lower prescription costs.\r\nVisitmccaskill.senate.gov/healthcareto learn more about McCaskill's fight to improve healthcare for Missourians.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/video/view/no-more-pharmacy-gag-clauses-as-two-more-mccaskill-bills-signed-into-law-by-president-trump", "No More Pharmacy \u2018Gag Clauses\u2019 as Two More McCaskill Bills Signed into Law by President Trump", "2018-10-10", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/video/view/no-more-pharmacy-gag-clauses-as-two-more-mccaskill-bills-signed-into-law-by-president-trump-2018-10-10", "No More Pharmacy \u2018Gag Clauses\u2019 as Two More McCaskill Bills Signed into Law by President Trump", "2018-10-10", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-statement-on-the-deployment-of-missouri-task-force-1-to-florida", "McCaskill Statement on the Deployment of Missouri Task Force 1 to Florida", "2018-10-09", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill Statement on the Deployment of Missouri Task Force 1 to Florida \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, October 9, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, the top Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, issued the following statement after thedeploymentof Missouri Task Force 1 to Florida to assist with the response to Hurricane Michael:\r\nWhen Missouri's first responders hear a call to action, they always answer it selflessly to keep their fellow Americans safeand this time is no different, as Task Force 1 heads to Florida just 10 days after returning from North Carolina. I'll be keeping those affected by Hurricane Michael and the brave Missourians of Task Force 1 in my thoughts in the days ahead.\r\nEarlier this year, McCaskillcommendedMissouri Task Force 1 when the team was deployed to North Carolina to assist with Hurricane Florence response efforts.\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/trump-administration-approval-of-year-round-ethanol-allowance-in-gasoline-will-be-great-news-for-missouri-ethanol-producersmccaskill", "Trump Administration Approval of Year-Round Ethanol Allowance in Gasoline will be \u2018great news for Missouri ethanol producers\u2019\u2014McCaskill", "2018-10-09", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Trump Administration Approval of Year-Round Ethanol Allowance in Gasoline will be great news for Missouri ethanol producers'McCaskill \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator applauds announcement that Administration will announce year-round sales of E15 ethanol blend \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, October 9, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, a longtime advocate for Missouri's biodiesel industry, today praised the Trump Administration's expected approval of year-round sales of E15 ethanol blend in gasoline, a move she has pushed for in the Senate.\r\nThis announcement is great news for Missouri's biofuels producers and will be a big boon to jobs in our state, said McCaskill, who has pushed for year-round ethanol sales in the Senate. With Missouri's ethanol industry as one of our most powerful economic engines, I'm thrilled our farmers, producers, and businesses stand to benefit from this move.\r\nMcCaskill is a cosponsor of the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would allow for year-round E15 ethanol blend sales, and recently joined a bipartisan call for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make E15 available year round.\r\nIn August, McCaskill joined a bipartisan effort in calling on the EPA to increase biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuel volumes in a new proposed rule on the Renewable Fuel Standard. McCaskill and the bipartisan group of Senators are pushing for the EPA to increase biodiesel and biofuel volumes to further diversify the nation's fuel supply while improving energy security. These changes would support Missouri'sbiodiesel and biofuel manufactures, creating jobs and strengthening economies.\r\nLast year, McCaskill, who has long advocated increased ethanol allowance in gasoline, joined a bipartisan group of Senators in urging the Trump Administration to continue increasing the Renewable Volume Obligations for biomass-based diesel. The bipartisan effort focuses on encouraging continued development of the biodiesel industry, to increase jobs, spur economic growth and lead to more energy security.\r\nProtecting Missouri's biodiesel industry has been a top priority for McCaskill in the Senate. Earlier this year, McCaskill once againjoined a group of Senatorsin urging the Trump administration to oppose any changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard that would harm Missouri's agriculture and biodiesel producers. In November 2017, McCaskilltestified before the International Trade Commissionon behalf of Missouri's biodiesel companies, standing up against unfair foreign trade practices that harmed biodiesel workers and producers.\r\nVisitmccaskill.senate.gov/energyto learn more about McCaskill's work bolstering energy security.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/video/view/kmbc-mccaskill-in-kc-to-check-in-on-jackson-county-drug-court-one-of-her-first-projects", "KMBC: McCaskill in KC to Check In On Jackson County Drug Court, One of Her First Projects", "2018-10-09", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/video/view/kolr-mccaskill-proposed-bill-passes-both-houses-aims-to-prevent-drone-threats", "KOLR: McCaskill Proposed-Bill Passes Both Houses, Aims to Prevent Drone Threats", "2018-10-09", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/video/view/kozl-mccaskill-honors-drug-court-class-in-jackson-county-a-program-she-founded-25-years-ago", "KOZL: McCaskill Honors Drug Court Class in Jackson County, A Program She Founded 25 Years Ago", "2018-10-09", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/video/view/ktvi-mccaskills-air-ambulance-consumer-protection-act-heading-to-presidents-desk", "KTVI: McCaskill's Air Ambulance Consumer Protection Act Heading to President's Desk", "2018-10-09", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/video/view/kytv-mccaskill-consumer-protection-provisions-in-air-ambulance-industry-bill-pass-senate", "KYTV: McCaskill Consumer Protection Provisions in Air Ambulance Industry Bill Pass Senate", "2018-10-09", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/video/view/wdaf-jackson-county-celebrates-150th-graduation-ceremony-mccaskill-celebrates-program-she-launched", "WDAF: Jackson County Celebrates 150th Graduation Ceremony, McCaskill Celebrates Program She Launched", "2018-10-09", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-honors-150th-jackson-county-drug-court-class-addresses-program-she-founded-25-years-ago-as-prosecutor", "McCaskill Honors 150th Jackson County Drug Court Class, Addresses Program She Founded 25 Years Ago as Prosecutor", "2018-10-08", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill Honors 150th Jackson County Drug Court Class, Addresses Program She Founded 25 Years Ago as Prosecutor \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t After founding Jackson County's Drug Court 25 years ago, Senator delivered remarks for 150th graduating class \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMonday, October 8, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tKANSAS CITY  U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, a former Jackson County Prosecutor, delivered remarks today honoring the Jackson County Drug Court's 150th graduating class. The special ceremony marked the court's 25th anniversary and was hosted by current Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.\r\nI'll never forget the faces of not only the graduates, but the police officers too, during one of my first drug court graduationsand the pride and sense of accomplishment they feltthat's when I knew this was going to work, McCaskill said. In the 25 years and 150 graduations since, the Jackson County Drug Court continues to serve as a model for others around the state and countryand I'm proud to see such strong, bipartisan support from all levels of government to keep building on these successes to help those who need it most. Congratulations to all the graduates, their families, and all those who helped support their journey.\r\nMcCaskill created one of the first drug courts in the country while serving as Jackson County Prosecutor in the early 1990s, which showed success in providing treatment rather than incarceration for people in recovery from addiction facing non-violent drug offenses. Continuing that work in the Senate, McCaskill in 2012helped launch a veterans drug court in Jackson County.\r\nToday, nearly 3,500 drug courts exist across the country, with 164 in Missouri. Jackson County's drug court has had nearly 3,000 graduates since McCaskill started it 25 years ago.\r\nMcCaskill has been a strong advocate fighting for those who battle against addiction. Last year, shelaunchedan investigation into opioid manufacturersthe most comprehensive Congressional investigation into the crisis to date. As part of that investigation, McCaskill recentlyissueda report that showed 1.6 billion doses of opioids moved into Missouri between 2012 and 2017.\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/lowering-healthcare-costs-and-premiums-is-goal-of-new-mccaskill-bill", "Lowering Healthcare Costs and Premiums is Goal of New McCaskill Bill", "2018-10-04", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Lowering Healthcare Costs and Premiums is Goal of New McCaskill Bill \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t By capping out-of-network costs for individual health insurance plans, proposal would lead to lower costs and premiums \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, October 4, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is backing new legislation to combat escalating healthcare costs and lower premiums for Missourians in the individual health insurance market by capping out-of-network costs.\r\n\r\nI'm determined to find any and every avenue possible to lower healthcare costs for Missouriansand this proposal is an important piece of that effort, McCaskill said. By expanding consumer protections in the individual market, this proposal would make significant strides in lowering costs and premiums for Missourians.\r\n\r\nTheReducing Costs for Out-of-Network Services Act of 2018, of which McCaskill is an original cosponsor, would cap the amount that hospitals and physicians could charge uninsured patients and out-of-network patients who have individual market coverage. These protections are similar to safeguards that Medicare Advantage beneficiaries have already benefitted from for years, which have proven successful in holding down costs.\r\n\r\nContinuing her work to bring down medical costs for Missourians, McCaskill recently released a draftbipartisan planto help protect patients from surprise medical bills, which is intended to jumpstart discussions in Congress about how to best stop the use of balance billinga practice where healthcare providers bill patients the difference between what insurance companies pay and what healthcare providers charge, which can be staggering amounts especially if the provider is outside of the insurance company's network.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill has made tackling rising healthcare costs in Missouri a top priority. Congressrecently passedbipartisanproposalsby McCaskill to put an end to pharmacy gag clauses that can prohibit pharmacists from telling customers that they could pay less for their prescription if they pay out of pocket. Additionally, following McCaskill's work to strengthen oversight of air ambulance service and address the trend of consumers being saddled with a growing share of costs,Congress passed several of her provisionsto improve consumer protection and bring greater oversight to the air ambulance industry.\r\n\r\nVisitmccaskill.senate.gov/healthcareto learn more about McCaskill's fight to improve healthcare for Missourians.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/senate-passes-mccaskill-backed-bipartisan-proposal-to-strengthen-cybersecurity-coordination-efforts", "Senate Passes McCaskill-backed Bipartisan Proposal to Strengthen Cybersecurity Coordination Efforts", "2018-10-04", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senate Passes McCaskill-backed Bipartisan Proposal to Strengthen Cybersecurity Coordination Efforts \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator's work has support of Republican colleagues, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, October 4, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON The Senate passed a key measure backed by U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, the top-ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, that would boost cybersecurity coordination efforts at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). She worked with Republican Committee Chairman Ron Johnson on the proposal, and the measure isstrongly endorsedby DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to cybersecurity, we need an all hands on deck approach that includes Congress, the Administration, state and local governments, and the private sector, said McCaskill, who also serves on the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Cybersecurity. This much needed measure breaks down another barrier to cybersecurity coordination by renaming and reorganizing the cyber division in the Department of Homeland Security so it can operate efficiently and effectively to secure our systems. I'm proud that my Republican colleagues, the Administration, and I were able to find common ground and advance this proposal that will help keep Missourians safe.\r\n\r\nUnder the current system, when state and local governments or private sector actors need assistance with cybersecurity or infrastructure security from DHS, they should contact the non-descriptively named National Protection and Programs Directorate for help. The new McCaskill-backed measure would rename the directorate the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), making clear that CISA is responsible for election security, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure assistance, which will improve the agency's ability to conduct outreach to stakeholders. The proposal would also reorganize the office to better position it to address these emerging threats.\r\n\r\nNow that the bill has been approved by the Senate, it heads to the House of Representatives for a vote before going to the President's desk.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill has long supported Congressional action to address the nation's vulnerability to 21stcentury national security threats both at home and abroad. Last week, herbipartisan billto safeguard against supply chain security threats advanced in the Senate. In August, a McCaskill-backed bill that addressescybersecurity threats to small businesseswas signed into law by President Trump. In June, shevoted to confirmthe Administration's pick for the top cybersecurity official at the Department of Homeland Security. The Senate approved a McCaskill-backed bill in April tostrengthen cybersecurity at the Department ofHomelandSecurity.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/at-senate-hearing-mccaskill-urges-postal-nominee-to-prioritize-reliable-service-for-missourians-in-rural-communities", "At Senate Hearing, McCaskill Urges Postal Nominee to Prioritize Reliable Service for Missourians in Rural Communities", "2018-10-03", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "At Senate Hearing, McCaskill Urges Postal Nominee to Prioritize Reliable Service for Missourians in Rural Communities \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator highlights reliable mail service as key to keeping next generation in rural communities \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, October 3, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON At a Senate hearing today to consider a nomination for the Postal Regulatory Commission, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill pressed the nominee to prioritize reliable mail delivery for Missourians living in rural communities. McCaskill serves as the top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which has jurisdiction over the United States Postal Service.\r\n\r\nI'm really worried aboutthe quality of rural mail service, McCaskill said. I hear from people all the time in Missouri about the increasing service delays, and the key to rural Missouri in terms of them keeping people in their communitieskeeping the next generation in their communitiesis in fact reliable mail service, because many of them are starting small businesses. The one-two partnership that is essential for rural Missouri is high speed broadband combined with reliable mail service. That is where you can start businesses and allow businesses to thriveno matter where you liveif you have those two ingredients.\r\n\r\nThe hearing was held to consider Michael Kubayanda to be a Commissioner on the Postal Regulatory Commission and Steven Dillingham to be Director of the Census.\r\n\r\nClickHEREto watch McCaskill's statement during the hearing.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill has long worked to improve postal service and hold the agency accountable, particular for Missourians in rural communities. Last month, she announced that following her advocacy, the Postal Service hadsuccessfully fixed a quirkin which some Missouri residents had Iowa and Arkansas mailing addresses, causing unnecessary problems for the affected Missourians. She alsoled a bipartisan groupof 41 Senate colleagues in a resolution making clear Congress' opposition to privatizing the Postal Service. Earlier this year, shesent a letterto the Administration's Postal Task Force, urging it to prioritize reliable access in rural communities and improved delivery times.\r\n\r\nMcCaskillcalled for postal reformsafter a Postal Service Inspector General report found that mismanagement led to up to two billion pieces of delayed mail. She called for answers from the Postmaster General followingreports from Missouri postal managersthat their staffing needs have been disregarded. McCaskill also joined a bipartisan group of Senators to introduce acomprehensive postal reform billthat will put the Postal Service on firm financial footing, improve performance in rural communities, and allow for the development of new products and services. She is widely credited with havingwaged a successful campaignover several years to save rural post offices in Missouri and maintain delivery standards.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/heading-to-presidents-desk-mccaskill-provisions-to-bring-greater-oversight-to-air-ambulance-industry", "Heading to President\u2019s Desk: McCaskill Provisions to Bring Greater Oversight to Air Ambulance Industry", "2018-10-03", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Heading to President's Desk: McCaskill Provisions to Bring Greater Oversight to Air Ambulance Industry \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator's proposals to improve consumer protections passed Congress with wide bipartisan support \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, October 3, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill's provisions to improve consumer protection and bring greater oversight to the air ambulance industry have passed both chambers of Congress and now head to the President's desk for signature.\r\n\r\nThis is an important step to bring greater accountability and oversight to the air ambulance industry, whose practices have often left patients with tens of thousands of dollars of debt, McCaskill said. While this might not solve every problem within the air ambulance industry, it's a bipartisan measure that will provide us with critical information and better empower consumers, bringing us closer to a solutionI'm not afraid to compromise to make real progress.\r\n\r\nKey provisions of McCaskill'sAir Ambulance Consumer Protection Actwere included in theFederal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act,which passed Congress with wide bipartisan support. The provisions would require air ambulance operators to include the complaint hotline and website for the U.S. Department of Transportation on all bills sent to consumers; establish an Advisory Committee on Air Ambulance and Patient Billing to make recommendations related to air ambulance practices, including how to protect consumers from balance billing; and require the Secretary of Transportation to create a plan for conducting oversight of the air ambulance industry and provide guidance to states on how to refer air ambulance complaints to the U.S. Department of Transportation.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill had previouslycalled for answersfrom health insurers and air ambulance providers andintroduced legislationthat would bring more accountability to the industry. Continuing her work to strengthen oversight of air ambulance service and address the trend of consumers being saddled with a growing share of costs, McCaskill and Republican Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippicalled on the U.S. Department of Transportationto explain how it oversees air ambulance service.\r\n\r\nVisitmccaskill.senate.gov/healthcareto learn more about McCaskill's fight to improve healthcare for Missourians.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskills-bipartisan-bill-to-protect-against-drone-threats-passes-congress", "McCaskill\u2019s Bipartisan Bill to Protect Against Drone Threats Passes Congress", "2018-10-03", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill's Bipartisan Bill to Protect Against Drone Threats Passes Congress \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator's proposal to modernize drone policy moves on to President's desk \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, October 3, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON Both chambers of Congress have now passedlegislation that includes abipartisan provisionby U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, the top-ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, that would grant government agencies the necessary authorities to protect against drone threats. The bill now heads to the President's desk for his signature.\r\n\r\nWe've seen rapid advances in drone technology, but government policy in this area simply hasn't kept pace, McCaskill said. I'm glad we were able to work in a bipartisan way to get this bill done, and I'm going to keep working across the aisle to protect Missouri families and communities from national security threats.\r\n\r\nThePreventing Emerging Threats Actof 2018passed the Senate this week as part of theFederal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act. The bill, which the House of Representatives passed last week, empowers the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to protect buildings and assets when there is an unacceptable security risk to public safety posed by an unmanned aircraft. The bill also requires DHS to conduct several assessments to evaluate emerging threats that drones may pose to state or private critical infrastructure entities and domestic airports.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill teamed up with Republican Chairman Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Republican Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota, and Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota to introduce the bill earlier this year. Last month, McCaskill's billearned the supportof the National Football League (NFL) at a Senate hearing.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill has long supported Congressional action to address the nation's vulnerability to 21stcentury national security threats both at home and abroad. Last week, herbipartisan billto safeguard against supply chain security threats advanced in the Senate. In June, shevoted to confirmthe Administration's pick for the top cybersecurity official at the Department of Homeland Security. The Senate approved a McCaskill-backed bill in April tostrengthen cybersecurity at the Department ofHomelandSecurity. McCaskill also led a bipartisan effort to strengthen and enhance the Department of Homeland Security's role in protecting the country's cybersecurity by creating the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency within the Department, a change the Department of Homeland Security resoundingly supports. Last month, a McCaskill-backed bill that addressescybersecurity threats to small businesseswas signed into law by President Trump.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lacyclay.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/clay-says-854-billion-federal-spending-package-includes-increased", "Clay Says $854 Billion Federal Spending Package Includes Increased Funding For Key Congressional Black Caucus Priorities", "2018-10-02", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "William Clay", "C001049", "lacyclay.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "NOTE: The following, in its entirety, is a first-person\nstatement by Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri\nWASHINGTON, DC  \nCongressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri praised the just-signed $854 billion omnibus spending package that will fully fund many functions of the federal government through Fiscal Year 2019 and also includes some key spending priorities to address critical issues championed by the Congressional Black Caucus.\nWe were able to reverse some of President Trump's most damaging budget proposals that would have inflicted real damage on urban communities and minorities across this country, said Mr. Clay. I'm especially pleased that we were able to win $282 million for Historically Black Colleges and Universities; $10.1 billion for Project Head Start; $3.7 billion for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program; $1.7 billion for Job Corps; and $39.1 billion to fund life-saving research at the National Institutes of Health.The spending agreement fully funds the departments of Defense, Labor, Education and Health & Human Services.\n\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/investigation-requested-by-mccaskill-finds-missouris-lack-of-medicaid-expansion-key-factor-in-closure-of-rural-hospitals", "Investigation Requested by McCaskill Finds Missouri\u2019s Lack of Medicaid Expansion Key Factor in Closure of Rural Hospitals", "2018-10-02", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Investigation Requested by McCaskill Finds Missouri's Lack of Medicaid Expansion Key Factor in Closure of Rural Hospitals \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator: Jefferson City refused to act, and we've since lost vital access to four hospitals' \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, October 2, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON An investigation into the challenges facing rural hospitals done by the government's top watchdog at therequestof U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill found that the lack of Medicaid expansion was a key factor in the financial stability of rural hospitals.\r\n\r\nSince 2010, Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center in Kennett, SoutheastHEALTH Center of Reynolds County, Parkland Health Center-Weber Road in Farmington, and Sac-Osage Hospital in Osceola have closed due to financial struggles. Over two million Missouri residents rely on rural hospitals, and 41 percent of the state's hospitals are in rural areas.\r\n\r\nThis report confirms what I've heard from Missouri's medical health experts for yearsthat without expansion of Medicaid, our rural hospitals would struggle to survive, McCaskill said. I've worked across the aisle and fought to expand healthcare access for Missourians, but Jefferson City refused to act, and we've since lost vital access to four hospitals.\r\n\r\nThereportby the Government Accountability Office,which McCaskill requested last year, states, Medicaid expansion was associated with improved hospital financial performance and substantially lower likelihood of closure, especially in rural markets and counties with large numbers of uninsured adults before Medicaid expansion.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill has been a longtime advocate for improving access to quality healthcare in rural communities. McCaskillsupported a bipartisan proposalto improve Missourians' access to care by expandingtelehealth services in Medicare,andbacked a proposalthat would increase the number of doctors in rural Missouri.McCaskillcosponsored theResident Physician Shortage Reduction Actto loosen caps on the number of Medicare-backed graduate medical training slots and increase the number of Medicare-backed medical residents.\r\n\r\nAdditionally,McCaskillintroducedthe bipartisanHospital Payment Fairness Actthat would repeal a provision of theAffordable Care Actthat causes states, including Missouri, to subsidize high wages at hospitals through Medicare reimbursement rates.\r\n\r\nVisitmccaskill.senate.gov/ruralto learn more about McCaskill's fight to protect rural Missouri.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-sends-letter-to-congressional-leaders-in-support-of", "Congressman Cleaver Sends Letter to Congressional Leaders in Support of the Biodiesel Tax Credit Extension", "2018-10-01", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, D.C.)  Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II joined over 45 House members in sending a letter to Speaker Paul Ryan, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer supporting an extension of the biodiesel tax credit this year.\nThe letter can be found here.\nThe Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, which passed in February, retroactively extended the biodiesel tax incentive for 2017, but left it expired for 2018 and beyond. Biodiesel is a critical product for the State of Missouri. The biodiesel tax credit would allow producers of biodiesel to claim a tax credit of $1.00 per gallon. Biodiesel in the U.S. is usually derived from soybean oil and can be used in diesel engines without modification. Soybean growers, producers and suppliers provide thousands of family jobs, and on average, the biofuel industry creates over 6,600 jobs each year in Missouri. (See statistics here from the Missouri Dept. of Economic Development) \nCongressman Cleaver is a strong supporter of the biodiesel tax incentive because the Fifth District is home to a primary biodiesel plant, The Paseo Cargill Energy, LLC in Kansas City, Missouri. Missouri is the home of the National Biodiesel Board. Family farms, land values and even local government tax rolls have increased in value as a result of the biodiesel industry.\nSoybean prices have been decimated by the administration's trade war with China. As a result, soybean prices have been falling since July of this year and will not likely recover in time for harvest. These low prices will leave many small farms in the red.\nA multi-year extension of the biodiesel tax incentive needs to be passed without delay. This is not the time to potentially handcuff our farmers from another viable market. We need to bring back some certainty when it comes to buying and selling grain from our foreign partners, said Congressman Cleaver.\nIt is incredibly difficult for farmers and biodiesel refiners to plan for the future with this current trade war.\"\nEmanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and also a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Heather Frierson at 816-842-4545 or Heather.Frierson@mail.house.gov A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is availablehere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/following-mccaskill-oversight-administration-increases-transparency-on-federal-healthcare-enforcement", "Following McCaskill Oversight, Administration Increases Transparency on Federal Healthcare Enforcement", "2018-10-01", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Following McCaskill Oversight, Administration Increases Transparency on Federal Healthcare Enforcement \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Information on enforcement actions by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General against healthcare providers or other entities misusing taxpayer funds now publicly available in response to Senator's request \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMonday, October 1, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON Followinga requestfrom U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General recently announced that it had implemented plans to increase transparency on its previous enforcement actions. McCaskill asked for this change earlier this year when a Government Accountability Officereport, also requested by McCaskill, showed that there was no public record of compliance agreements with healthcare providers or other entities that engaged in waste, fraud, or abuse of federal healthcare dollars after they expire.\r\n\r\nHealthcare is the number one issue for many Missourians, who are worried about how they're going to afford a visit to the doctor's office or emergency room, said McCaskill, the top-ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Taxpayers deserve to know when healthcare providers have essentially been repeat offenders or prior offenders, and this transparency will help achieve that goal.\r\n\r\nThe Government Accountability Office report requested by McCaskill analyzed the Department of Health and Human Services' use of corporate integrity agreements, which the agency can impose on healthcare providers or other entities that have violated federal law or regulations in their delivery of health services or products that were paid for by the federal government. These integrity agreements allow the agency's Office of Inspector General to enact penalties and/or monitor the providers as they continue to deliver health services. However, when these agreements expired, there was no public record of themdenying government agencies, state governments, or individuals access to enforcement histories for healthcare providers or vendors.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill has long been an advocate for increased transparency in government and in healthcare spending. Last week, McCaskillreleased a draft bipartisan planto help protect patients from surprise medical bills, which comes from the bipartisan Senatehealthcare price transparency working group, of which McCaskill is a member. Last month, shereleased an investigative reportthat showed that drug prices directly negotiated by the government could save the Medicare Part D program $2.8 billion in a single year on the 20 most commonly prescribed brand-name drugs alone. As part of her investigation into opioid manufacturers and distributorsthe most comprehensive Congressional investigation into the crisis to dateMcCaskillexposed the financial tiesbetween opioid manufacturers and third party groups, who often lobbied for pro-opioid policies after receiving contributions from pharmaceutical companies. In the wake of these discoveries, McCaskillintroduced a billin June to increase transparency and ensure opioid manufacturers report contributions to third party groups, which totaled almost $9 million between 2012 and 2017 for the companies and groups profiled in the February 2018 report.\r\n\r\nRead HHS OIG's letter to McCaskill announcing this changeHERE.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/video/view/ktvo-post-office-in-macon-1-step-closer-to-being-named-after-homeland-veteran-arla-harrell", "KTVO: Post Office in Macon 1 Step Closer to Being Named After Homeland Veteran Arla Harrell", "2018-10-01", "2018", "2018-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-backed-bill-to-help-solve-civil-rights-cold-cases-advances-in-the-senate", "McCaskill-backed Bill to Help Solve Civil Rights Cold Cases Advances in the Senate", "2018-09-28", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill-backed Bill to Help Solve Civil Rights Cold Cases Advances in the Senate \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator continues work to get closure for the families and communities who have been victims of these racially-motivated murders' \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFriday, September 28, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committeewhere U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill serves as the top-ranking Democratrecently approved McCaskill-backedlegislationthat would require the review, declassification, and release of government records related to unsolved criminal civil rights cases. The legislationwhich builds on the2016 law McCaskill championedthat renewed congressional support for efforts to investigate and prosecute unsolved racially-motivated murdersnow awaits a vote in the full Senate.\r\n\r\nThis bill is a step in the right direction when it comes to getting closure for the families and communities who have been victims of these racially-motivated murders, said McCaskill, a former Jackson County Prosecutor. Granting public access to this collection of records brings us closer to attaining justice in these cases that have remained unsolved for far too long.\r\n\r\nTheCivil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018would require the National Archives and Records Administration to establish a collection of cold case records about unsolved criminal civil rights cases that government offices must publicly disclose in the collection without redaction or withholding. The bill would also establish an independent agency to facilitate the review, transmission, and public disclosure of government records related to these unsolved cases. Currently, due to unnecessary classification or issues with the implementation of theFreedom of Information Act, the information related to these cold cases is often highly redacted or unavailable to the public, including journalists, historians, private investigators, local law enforcement, and others who can help investigate these unsolved crimes.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill haslong pushed to help bring justice to unsolved civil rightscases. In 2008, McCaskill was a leader in efforts to pass theEmmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act, whichprovided a means to investigate and prosecute racially-motivated murders that occurred on or before December 31, 1969. The legislation established offices within the Department of Justice and FBI to investigate and prosecute murders from the civil rights era, and authorized $10 million annually for investigations and $2 million for grants to states in order to support this work.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill was also a leader in efforts to pass the 2016bipartisan renewalof the 2008Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act. The bill's renewal continued the allocation of funds to the Department of Justice and FBI offices and provided for the investigation of all racially-motivated murders, despite date of occurrence. McCaskillworked closelywith civil rights advocate Alvin Sykes of Kansas City to advance the 2016 renewal, which was ultimately signed into law.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-hosts-small-business-summit-in-st-louis-focuses-on-securing-federal-opportunities-for-missourians", "McCaskill Hosts Small Business Summit in St. Louis, Focuses on Securing Federal Opportunities for Missourians", "2018-09-28", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill Hosts Small Business Summit in St. Louis, Focuses on Securing Federal Opportunities for Missourians \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator hosted government agencies and local organizations to connect Missouri small businesses, discuss federal procurement opportunities \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFriday, September 28, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill hosted a small business summit today in St. Louis focused on helping Missouri's small businesses learn about federal procurement opportunities, including those related to the Next National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency West project. Government agencies and local organizations discussed current opportunities, best practices, application processes, as well as customer and community trends.\r\n\r\nMissouri's small businesses are essential to our economyand I'm so impressed with the talent, drive, and passion of those who joined us today. McCaskill said. Far too often, contracting with the federal government can seem impossible or too difficult for small businesses, which is why today's summit to help connect them with new opportunities with the federal government was so important.\r\n\r\nAccording to U.S. Small Business Administration data, small businesses in Missouri make up99.4 percentof all Missouri businesses. The state has 523,459 small businesses, employing over one million workers.\r\n\r\nExpanding small business opportunities, cutting red tape, and creating good-paying jobs for Missourians have been top priorities for McCaskill in the Senate. Last year, McCaskill backed a bill that wouldassist small businessesfacing excessive or unfair regulatory actions. She has been astrong advocatefor requiring American tax dollars used for infrastructure funding be used to buy American and hire American.\r\n\r\nVisitmccaskill.senate.gov/jobsto learn more about McCaskill's work to expand job and business opportunities for Missourians.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lacyclay.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-congressman-wm-lacy-clay-d-missouri-regarding-epa-0", "STATEMENT BY  CONGRESSMAN WM. LACY CLAY (D) MISSOURI REGARDING EPA ANNOUNCEMENT OF FINAL REVISED RECORD OF DECISION FOR WEST LAKE LANDFILL SUPERFUND SITE IN BRIDGETON, MISSOURI", "2018-09-27", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "William Clay", "C001049", "lacyclay.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "NOTE: The following, in its entirety, is a first-person\nstatement by Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri\n\nWASHINGTON, DC  As the first Member of Congress to call for the removal of nuclear waste from West Lake landfill, today's final announcement by the EPA of a cleanup is a huge victory for our long-suffering community and it is a giant step towards long-delayed environmental justice.\n\nAs I have said from the beginning, this nuclear waste, which dates back to the Manhattan Project, is a 76-year old problem. The United States government created this waste and we have a responsibility to clean it up.\n\nI especially want to salute the courage and sacrifice of Just Moms STL, the Missouri Coalition for the Environment and the many citizen environmental advocates whose dogged determination and faith have led us to this landmark decision that will keep our community safe.\n\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/-mccaskill-statement-on-epa-plan-to-address-west-lake", "McCaskill Statement on EPA Plan to Address West Lake", "2018-09-27", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill Statement on EPA Plan to Address West Lake \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator: Most important thing is a safe, permanent solution that has the support of the local families \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, September 27, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill issued the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) announced record of decision for the West Lake Landfill:\r\n\r\nWhat's always been the most important issue to me is making sure we have a safe, permanent solution that has the support of the local families in this community. That's why I took the EPA to task for not having previously taken the input from the community seriously. I am currently examining the details of the final proposal but at first glance this appears to be a significant step forward in achieving that goal.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill has been alongtime advocatefor the families in the community surrounding West Lake. Following the EPA's remediation proposal announced earlier this year, McCaskillstated, After years of pushing EPA, I'm pleased this is finally moving in the right direction.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill and fellow Missouri Senator Roy Bluntintroduced legislationwhichpassed the U.S. Senateand was supported by the local communityto transfer remediation authority over the West Lake landfill from the Environmental Protection Agency to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, putting the site in the Corps' Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP).\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-applauds-innovative-st-louis-workforce-as-boeing-st-louis-wins-t-x-jet-building-contract", "McCaskill Applauds Innovative St. Louis Workforce as Boeing St. Louis Wins T-X Jet Building Contract", "2018-09-27", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill Applauds Innovative St. Louis Workforce as Boeing St. Louis Wins T-X Jet Building Contract \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Award will support 1,800 jobs in the region;  Senator: These workers are keeping St. Louis at the cutting edge of technology \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, September 27, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill congratulated Boeing and their St. Louis workforce today for winning a United States Air Force contract to construct Boeing's T-X Advanced Pilot Training System, which includes 350 aircraft and ground-based training and support. Boeing estimates the award will generate and sustain more than 1,800 direct and indirect jobs in the St. Louis region.\r\nBoeing's successful bid for the T-X contract demonstrates the superior skill and work ethic of St. Louisans, said McCaskill, a senior member of the Armed Services Committee. I'm proud of their commitment to producing the best in cutting edge technologyensuring our Air Force is prepared and ready for every challenge that lies ahead.\r\nLast year, McCaskill joined federal and state elected officials for Boeing's announcement that it would build the T-X Advanced Pilot Training System in St. Louis if awarded the contract. The Boeing T-X is part of a complete advanced pilot training system and includes state-of-the-art ground-based training and a maintenance-friendly design for long-term supportability. The T-X jet includes a flexible and reconfigurable cockpit to allow a maximum range of training options, and a fighter-like design and performance.\r\nMcCaskill has consistently supported the work of Boeing St. Louis and the quality of its workforce of more than 14,000 Missourians, including praising the F/A-18 Super Hornet and the Navy MQ-25, which are both built in St. Louis, as reliable, cost-effective apparatuses of American air power. The annual defense bill, which McCaskillhelped shapeand wassigned into law last month, includedauthorization for full fundingfor Super Hornets through Fiscal Year 2021. Earlier this year, McCaskilljoinedfederal and state elected officials for the Boeing Service Life Modification grand openinga new program that will extend the life of the Navy's Super Hornet Fleet.\r\nVisitmccaskill.senate.gov/defenseto learn more about McCaskill's work to strengthen American national security.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/video/view/kolr-mccaskill-talks-negative-impact-of-potential-new-tariffs-in-our-state", "KOLR: McCaskill Talks Negative Impact of Potential New Tariffs in Our State", "2018-09-27", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/video/view/wgem-rural-missouri-residents-headache-over-mccaskill-says-postal-quirk-now-fixed", "WGEM: Rural Missouri Residents Headache Over, McCaskill Says Postal Quirk Now Fixed", "2018-09-27", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/-mccaskill-voices-concerns-over-potential-new-tariffs-on-cars", "McCaskill Voices Concerns Over Potential New Tariffs on Cars", "2018-09-26", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill Voices Concerns Over Potential New Tariffs on Cars \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Missouri is home to more than 150,000 jobs associated with automobile manufacturing;  Senator has been fierce advocate on behalf of Missourians hurt by ongoing trade war \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, September 26, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON At a Senate hearing today on the impact of potential new tariffs on automobiles, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill highlighted the critical role automobile manufacturing plays in Missouri and the negative impact those tariffs would have on Missouri workers.\r\n\r\nWe are a major auto hub in Missouri  167,000 is the estimate of workers we have in Missouri associated with the manufacturing of automobilesso it is a big deal to my state how we handle this, said McCaskill at a Senate Finance Committee hearing today. So far, these tariffs are impacting farmers in my state, workers in my state, and consumers in my stateall negatively.\r\n\r\nClickHEREto watch McCaskill's statement during the hearing.\r\n\r\nPresident Trump and the Administration have begun the process to potentially impose tariffs on the automobile industry, citing national security concerns. Missouri is home to thousands of automobile manufacturing jobs at factories across the state which built more than 750,000 vehicles in 2017 alone, including a Ford manufacturing plant in Claycomo and a GM manufacturing plant in Wentzville.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill has been a strong advocate on behalf of Missouri businesses and workers in the face of the ongoing trade war. Last week, McCaskill sent aletterto the Secretary of Commerce to relay theconcernsof Missouri manufacturing and agriculture leaders raised during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee roundtable that shechaired in St. Louis. Earlier this week, McCaskillsaid of the latest $200 billion in tariffs, This trade war has already cost Missouri jobs and hurt our farmers and ranchersI don't understand why we'd dramatically escalate it.\r\n\r\nIn June, McCaskilltoured Mid Continent Nail Corporation, the largest U.S. producer of steel nails, which was forced to reduce its workforce by more than 30percent and may be forced to close its Poplar Bluff operations while it waits for the Department of Commerce to decide on a tariff exclusion requestbecause ofsoaring costs and canceled sales resulting fromthe tariffs that the Administration placed on the wire that the company uses to produce nails. Additionally, McCaskill hascalled on the Administrationto end the trade war, and is working across the aisle tobring greater Congressional oversightto tariff decisions and thetariff exclusion process.\r\n\r\nVisitmccaskill.senate.gov/jobsto learn more about McCaskill's fight to boost job opportunities in Missouri.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/house-passes-two-mccaskill-bills-to-eliminate-pharmacy-gag-clauses-bipartisan-proposals-head-to-presidents-desk", "House Passes Two McCaskill Bills to Eliminate Pharmacy \u2018Gag Clauses,\u2019 Bipartisan Proposals Head to President\u2019s Desk", "2018-09-26", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Passes Two McCaskill Bills to Eliminate Pharmacy Gag Clauses,' Bipartisan Proposals Head to President's Desk \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator's bipartisan proposals will prevent Missourians from paying more than needed on prescription drugs \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, September 26, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Following Senate passage of U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill's bipartisan proposals to put an end to pharmacy gag clauses that can sometimes prohibit pharmacists from telling customers that they could pay less for their prescription if they pay out of pocket, the U.S. House of Representatives passed both pieces of legislation Tuesday, sending the bills to the President's desk for signature.\r\nThis bipartisan effort will help lower out of pocket costs for Missourians, and I'm proud it's on the way to be signed into law, McCaskill said. With prescription drug costs skyrocketing out of control, we need to be doing all that we can to lower costs in every way possible, and this is an important step in that fight.\r\nBoth chambers of Congress have now passed McCaskill'sPatient Right to Know Drug Prices Act, which prohibits gag clauses in individual market and group-based insurance plans, and the Know the Lowest Price Act, which prohibits gag clauses in Medicare Part D. When signed into law by the President, both bills will give Missourians wide-ranging protections from this practice.\r\nContinuing her work to bring down medical costs for Missourians, McCaskill released a draft bipartisan plan last week to help protect patients from surprise medical bills. The draft bill comes from the bipartisan Senate healthcare price transparency working group, of which McCaskill is a member, and is intended to jumpstart discussions in Congress about how to best stop the use of balance billinga practice where healthcare providers bill patients the difference between what insurance companies pay and what healthcare providers chargewhich can be staggering amounts, especially if the provider is outside of the insurance company's network.\r\nMcCaskill has made tackling rising healthcare and prescription drug costs a top priority in the Senate.Last month, shereleased an investigative reportthat showed that drug prices directly negotiated by the government could save the Medicare Part D program $2.8 billion in a single year on the 20 most commonly prescribed brand-name drugs alone.During her time as the top Democrat on the Senate Special Committee on Aging, McCaskill joined Republican Chairman Susan Collins to launch anin-depth investigation into prescription drug price increases, and last year, President Trump signed into law the Senators'bipartisan legislationto increase competition for generic drugs and help lower prescription costs.\r\nVisit mccaskill.senate.gov/healthcare to learn more about McCaskill's fight to improve healthcare for Missourians.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-bill-to-rename-macon-post-office-in-honor-of-missouri-veteran-arla-harrell-clears-key-committee-hurdle", "McCaskill Bill to Rename Macon Post Office in Honor of Missouri Veteran Arla Harrell Clears Key Committee Hurdle", "2018-09-26", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill Bill to Rename Macon Post Office in Honor of Missouri Veteran Arla Harrell Clears Key Committee Hurdle \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator's bill to honor Missouri WWII veteran intentionally exposed to mustard gas moves one step closer to becoming law \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, September 26, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill'sbill to namea Missouri post office in honor of Arla Harrella Missouri World War II veteran intentionally exposed to mustard gas by the U.S. militarywas approved by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee today. McCaskill serves as the top-ranking Democrat on the Committee, which has jurisdiction over the U.S. Postal Service.\r\n\r\nI'm glad to see this bill honoring Arla's service to this country get one step closer to becoming law, said McCaskill, the daughter of a World War II veteran. I fought for years to give Arla the chance to hear his government say it believed him, and I'm going to keep working to get this bill across the finish line.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill'sbillwould rename the U.S. Postal Service office located in Macon, Mo. as the Arla W. Harrell Post Office. Mr. Harrell lived in Macon before he passed away earlier this year. Now that McCaskill's bill has been approved by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, it awaits a vote in the full Senate.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill's previous advocacy on behalf of World War II veterans intentionally exposed to mustard gas by the U.S. military led toPresident Trump signing McCaskill'sArla Harrell Actinto law, which has already resulted in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) granting nearly $2 million in benefits to those World War II veterans.\r\n\r\nFollowing an McCaskill'sinvestigative reportthat demonstrated the VA was denying roughly 90 percent of mustard gas claims between 2005 and 2015, McCaskill battled what shecalleda decades-long record of ineptitude and failure at the VA, enlisted the support ofRepublican and Democratic colleagues, andrallied veterans service organizationsin support of her bill. Shesuccessfully pressured President Trump's first VA SecretaryDavid Shulkin in support of the legislation andmet with President Trump's second VA SecretaryRobert Wilkie during his confirmation process to secure his commitment to swift implementation of theArla Harrell Act.\r\n\r\nVisitmccaskill.senate.gov/veteransto learn more about McCaskill's fight for military veterans.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskills-bipartisan-bill-to-safeguard-against-supply-chain-security-threats-advances-in-the-senate", "McCaskill\u2019s Bipartisan Bill to Safeguard Against Supply Chain Security Threats Advances in the Senate", "2018-09-26", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill's Bipartisan Bill to Safeguard Against Supply Chain Security Threats Advances in the Senate \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator continues to work across the aisle on measures to protect against threats to national security \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, September 26, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committeewhere U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill serves as the top-ranking Democrattoday advanced McCaskill'sbipartisan billwith Republican Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma that would ensure government agencies consider the supply chain risks to national security and the public interest when buying information and communications technology (ICT). The legislation would establish a Council to equip the government with the policies and processes for sharing information and evaluating supply chain risks earlier in the purchasing process, and also provide the government with critical authorities to mitigate threats when they are discovered.\r\n\r\nSupply chain security of information and communications technology has been a growing concern for the government for years, and came to prominence when the Department of Homeland Security issued a directive for all civilian agencies to remove Moscow-based Kaspersky Lab products from government systems in September 2017. This bill addresses a significant failure of information sharing that exists between the Intelligence Community, which has better insight into these threats, and the rest of the government.\r\n\r\nThe bill we passed out of committee today enables our government to take long overdue steps to safeguard our systems from ICT supply chain risksit's the product of true bipartisan compromise with my fellow Senate colleagues and the Administration, McCaskill said. I've said time and time again that I'll work with anyone regardless of party to keep Missourians safe, and I'm going to keep doing that to get this bill across the finish line.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill's bipartisanFederal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act (FASCSA) of 2018would create a government-wide approach to addressing the problem of supply chain security in federal acquisitions of ICT by establishing a Federal Acquisition Security Council to develop the policies and processes for agencies to use. The legislation would bridge the information gap between the Intelligence Community, the Department of Defense, and the rest of the government on technology vulnerabilities and characteristics that could jeopardize our national security.The compromise language also provides government-wide and agency-specific authorities to mitigate supply chain security risks and includes an important judicial review mechanism.\r\n\r\nIn July, the Trump Administration submitted alegislative proposalto Congress that takes a similar approach to addressing supply chain security risks as McCaskill's FASCSA, whichdrew praisefrom McCaskill. At a hearing earlier this month, two cybersecurity companies alsooffered supportfor FASCSA.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill has long supported action to address the nation's vulnerability to cyberattacks. Earlier this year, shevoted to supportPresident Trump's nominee for the top cybersecurity official in the Department of Homeland Security. In April, the Senate approved a McCaskill-backed bill tostrengthen cybersecurity at the Department ofHomelandSecurity. She led a bipartisan effort to reinforce and enhance the Department ofHomelandSecurity's role in protecting the country's cybersecurity by creating the Cybersecurity and InfrastructureSecurityAgency within the Department, a change the Department ofHomelandSecurityresoundingly supports. Last month, a McCaskill-backed bill that addressescybersecurity threats to small businesseswas signed into law by President Trump. Following the Office of Personnel Management data breach, which compromised the personal information of at least 21.5 million individuals, McCaskill and a group of bipartisan Senators introduced language that was signed into law increasing the Department ofHomelandSecurity's ability toprotect federal civilian networksfrom cyberattacks.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/video/view/mccaskill-voices-concerns-over-potential-new-tariffs-on-cars", "McCaskill Voices Concerns Over Potential New Tariffs on Cars", "2018-09-26", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Missouri is home to more than 150,000 jobs associated with automobile manufacturing; Senator has been fierce advocate on behalf of Missourians hurt by ongoing trade war", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-continues-fight-against-use-of-dark-money-in-politics", "McCaskill Continues Fight Against Use of Dark Money in Politics", "2018-09-25", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill Continues Fight Against Use of Dark Money in Politics \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator continues fight to bring more transparency to campaign finance by moving to repeal rule allowing unlimited, anonymous donations \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, September 25, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Continuing her fight against dark money in politics, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is backing an effort that will overturn a rule allowing special interests to conceal their donors.\r\nUnlimited, anonymous political spending isn't helping Missourians or making our democracy strongerit's distorting our politics and it needs to end, McCaskill said. Political groups shouldn't be able to hide who's funding them and overturning this rule will reestablish some much-needed transparency.\r\nThe McCaskill-backed plan would overturn the U.S. Treasury Department's controversial new rule that allows certain dark money and tax-exempt non-profit organizations that engage in political activity to hide their donors. Overturning the rule would require special interest groups to disclose their major donors' identities to the IRS, bringing transparency to campaign funding.\r\nThis July, McCaskill pushed to require dark-money political action committees to disclose major donors to bring more transparency to political advertisements. McCaskill has also backed a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's Citizens United v. FECa ruling that struck down large parts of federal campaign finance law and opened the door to large donations to political campaigns by American and foreign-owned corporations, among others.\r\nA fierce advocate for transparency in politics and government, McCaskill cited concerns over dark money in her decision to oppose the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-seeks-additional-answers-on-afghanistan-contractor-that-left-taxpayers-on-the-hook-for-luxury-cars", "McCaskill Seeks Additional Answers on Afghanistan Contractor that Left Taxpayers on the Hook for Luxury Cars", "2018-09-25", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill Seeks Additional Answers on Afghanistan Contractor that Left Taxpayers on the Hook for Luxury Cars \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator continues oversight of contractor that billed over $50 million in questionable costs    \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, September 25, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, today requested additional information on costs incurred by New Century Consulting (NCC)a contractor that McCaskill's previous efforts revealed had left taxpayers on the hook for over $50 million in questionable costs, including seven luxury vehicles and exorbitant salaries for significant others of corporate executives.\r\n\r\nGiven the problems we've seen with this contractor, we need to keep pushing for information, said McCaskill, a former Missouri State Auditor. Tens of millions of taxpayers' hard-earned dollars were wasted by this company, and I plan to continue seeking answers to ensure this behavior has ended.\r\n\r\nIn a letter, McCaskill requestedthe Defense Contract Audit Agency's (DCAA) second audit into NCC. The first audit by DCAA sparked aMcCaskill investigationthat culminated in abombshell reportdetailing the Pentagon's systemic mismanagement of the Legacy Program, a project to provide counterinsurgency intelligence experts to mentor and train Afghan National Security Forces. The new DCAA audit looks at costs incurred by NCC for Fiscal Year 2014 through Fiscal Year 2016 under the Afghanistan Source Operations Management Program (ASOM), the successor to the Legacy Program.\r\n\r\nBoth audits were conducted in part becauseMcCaskill had previouslydemanded answersfrom the Pentagon following an earlier audit by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) that revealed millions of dollars in questionable costs. The Legacy Program's primary contractor Imperatis, now insolvent, previously drew fire from McCaskill on multiple occasions,including in 2012 when avideo surfacedof Imperatis personnel intoxicatedin what former employees called a pattern of inappropriate behavior.In 2016,Imperatisdefaulted on a major IT contractthat had been awarded after McCaskill repeatedly raised concerns.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill is a leading voice in the Senate for saving taxpayer dollars through contracting reform and oversight. McCaskillwaged a successful six-year effortto crack down on waste, fraud, and abuse in wartime contracting. Earlier this year, McCaskillcalled for answersafter a report found rampant waste in a now-shuttered Defense Department program that obligated over $675 million to assist with Afghanistan economic projects. She alsopressed the Pentagonthis year when another report identified at least $536 million in questionable contracting costs in Afghanistan.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill has successfullyexpandedprotectionsfor whistleblowerswhohelp identify waste, fraud, and abuseof government contractors, subcontractors, and others who the federal government directly or indirectly hires through bipartisan bills that have been signed into law.\r\n\r\nRead McCaskill's letterHERE.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-delivers-speech-at-the-christening-of-the-uss-0", "Congressman Cleaver Delivers Speech at the Christening of the USS Kansas City", "2018-09-24", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Mobile, Alabama) - Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II delivered his speech for the christening of the USS Kansas City, LCS 22, today in a special ceremony today in Mobile, Alabama.\nThe LCS 22 can support modular weapons, sensor systems and a variety of manned and unmanned vehicles to capture and sustain littoral maritime supremacy. Kansas City is the eleventh of 17 Independence-variant LCS Austal USA has under contract with the U.S. Navy.\nThe ship's sponsor, Mrs. Tracy Davidson, wife of Admiral Philip S. Davidson, USN, Commander, United States Indo-Pacific Command, headlined the group of officials, naval guests, civic leaders, community members, and Austal USA employees who attended the ceremony beneath the hull of the ship in Austal USA's final assembly bay. A native of Missouri with a degree from Southern Methodist University, Tracy is an active Navy spouse who has volunteered with family readiness groups, been an Ombudsman, served on support group boards, and mentored the Command Leadership Class.\nBelow are Congressman Cleaver's remarks:\n\"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for the privilege to address you all today. It is a great honor to be here at such a historic event. Thank you to Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer, Admiral Davidson and your wife Tracy for your leadership in making today's events possible and for inviting me to partake. There are very few moments in one's life to participate in or become a witness to history in real time. This is one of those moments, and I appreciate this wonderful opportunity. This fine ship, named after Kansas City, the largest city in Missouri and located euphemistically at the junction of jazz and boulevard of BBQ, will soon transfer into the water with a symbolic gesture of good luck and safe travels...with a bottle broken over the bow. The USS Kansas City, without a doubt, will carry with it many stories and journeys that only a few are privileged to make. I am proud that the Navy chose Kansas City, a city I represented during the 90's as its Mayor and now as its Member in Congress, to hold the title of this Littoral Combat Ship. \nKansas City shares a unique history with the Navy. There is one story in particular that comes to mind regarding the Darby Steel Corporation in the Kansas City West Bottoms. In the 1940's and 50's, Darby produced LCT'sthe Landing Crafts for Tanks. \nDuring World War II, these LCT's were used in various missions and invasions across the globe. History states, the skilled craftsmen and womenmostly women at that timewould build a ship a day and then float them more than a thousand miles along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers until they reached the Gulf of Mexico. It was the biggest shipyard operation in the entire Midwest region. As told by two news reporters, Haskell and Fowler, in one moving story, the company built about 60 of these vessels in Kansas City and Leavenworth for the Navy during World War II, however, the ships were relegated to the docks because the water was too low to sail them down-river. The Navy needed those vessels, and right away, so they found a dam at Ft. Peckfar up the way in Montana, and ordered the water released from the dam. The water was released, but by the time it traveled all the way to Missouri, it only increased the water level by one inch. But by God's grace, days later, clouds rolled over Kansas City and torrential rains came. The river rose four feet overnight. Days later, Operation Overlord was given the green light, and, On June 6, D-Day was upon us! Those same midwestern barges, built in Kansas City, Missouri, were sent to the beaches of Normandy for the most consequential invasion in American history. That was history in the moment. \nTo think where the USS Kansas City might end up in history is exciting. The reconfigurability of the ship makes it a force multiplier in any environment for the Navy. Perhaps this vessel will be crucial in search and rescue operations or a critical link in security operations. Perhaps it will be used to build partnerships with other nations by entering previously inaccessible, shallow-water foreign ports. What the future holds for this ship, is anyone's guess. What I do know, without a doubt, is that the brave men and women, who took an oath to uphold the constitution and protect you and I and the liberty we hold so dear, are the true heroes and protagonists of this story. They are the ones who will be making history. They are the ones who will serve on this ship and who will make all of us from around the nation, but especially those of us from Kansas City proud as it sails with our city's name. \nAs you know, this is not the only vessel named in honor of the Show Me State. The USS Missouri, also known as the Mighty Mo, serves as a marker in history. It was the last battleship commissioned by the United States and is remembered to this day as the site where Japan formally surrendered, ending World War II. In fact, over 30 ships have been named after the state of Missouriits cities, places, and peopleincluding one of my personal inspirations, President Harry S. Truman. \nAs I close, I want to convey that this ship will sail with the support of the entire city. Any sailor who steps aboard the USS Kansas City will find themselves an honorary Kansas Citian and a constituent of mine. Go therefore, USS Kansas City and make your mark, assume your place in history. Be proud of your accomplishments and make the most of your failures. As President Truman through his wit and wisdom once said, Men make history. History does not make the man. \nThank you and God Bless.\" \n\nEmanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and also a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Heather Frierson at 816-842-4545 or Heather.Frierson@mail.house.gov A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/as-trade-war-escalates-with-200-billion-in-new-tariffs-mccaskill-continues-fighting-for-missouri-business-and-agriculture", "As Trade War Escalates with $200 Billion in New Tariffs, McCaskill Continues Fighting for Missouri Business and Agriculture", "2018-09-24", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON Continuing her fight for Missouri businesses and agriculture producers in the face of the ongoing trade war that has cost Missourians jobs, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill issued the following statementvoicing concern over a new round of tariffs on another $200 billion in imports from China that went into effect today:\r\n\r\nThis trade war has already cost Missouri jobs and hurt our farmers and ranchersI don't understand why we'd dramatically escalate it. I'm worried about Missouri's families and concerned that if we don't reverse course the negative effects on Missouri's economy could continue for years.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill has been a strong advocate on behalf of Missouri businesses and workers, sending aletterlast week to the Secretary of Commerce to relay theconcernsof Missourian manufacturing and agricultural leaders raised during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee roundtable chaired by the Senator.\r\n\r\nIn June, McCaskilltoured Mid Continent Nail Corporation, the largest U.S. producer of steel nails, which was forced to reduce its workforce by more than 30percent and may be forced to close its Poplar Bluff operations while it waits for the Department of Commerce to decide on a tariff exclusion requestbecause ofsoaring costs and canceled sales resulting fromthe tariffs that the Administration placed on the wire that the company uses to produce nails.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill hascalled on the Administrationto end the trade war, and is working across the aisle tobring greater Congressional oversightto tariff decisions. She has also conductedongoing,bipartisanoversightof the Administration's trade policies. Additionally, McCaskill sent a set ofbipartisan requeststo investigate the tariff exclusion process.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/supporting-minority-serving-institutions-goal-of-mccaskill-backed-effort", "Supporting Minority-Serving Institutions Goal of McCaskill-backed Effort", "2018-09-24", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Supporting Minority-Serving Institutions Goal of McCaskill-backed Effort \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator joins push to expand funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other institutions for minority students \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMonday, September 24, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON Continuing her work for Missouri's students, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is supporting an effort to permanently extend and increase mandatory funding levels for minority-serving institutions, like Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).\r\n\r\nMissouri's HBCUs are cornerstones in our state, with long histories of providing a world-class educationpreparing students with the knowledge and skills needed for the future, McCaskill said. It's critical we support these institutions with the resources they need to continue growing, bolstering their strong traditions of academic excellence, community-service, and leadership.\r\n\r\nTheStrengthening Minority-Serving Institutions Actwill help ensure the continued growth and success of HBCUs and minority-serving institutions of higher education by increasing mandatory funding levels from $255 million to $300 million. Most of this funding is set to expire in Fiscal Year 2019, although some funding expired in Fiscal Year 2014, placing financially troubled schools at-risk.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill has been a strong advocate for Missouri's HBCUs during her time in the Senate. Earlier this year, McCaskill joined abipartisan pushcalling for funding in support of HBCUsincluding Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis and Lincoln University of Missouri in Jefferson Cityin upcoming government funding debates. Last year, McCaskillspoke out againstSecretary of Education Betsy DeVos' inaccuratestatementthat, HBCUs are real pioneers when it comes to school choiceciting their true founding as the only higher education option for black students in the Jim Crow south.\r\n\r\nVisitmccaskill.senate.gov/educationto read highlights of McCaskill's work to improve education.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-calls-on-administration-to-protect-students-hold-predatory-training-programs-accountable", "McCaskill Calls on Administration to Protect Students, Hold Predatory Training Programs Accountable", "2018-09-21", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill Calls on Administration to Protect Students, Hold Predatory Training Programs Accountable \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator pushes Secretary DeVos to preserve key gainful employment' rule \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFriday, September 21, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Continuing her work fighting for Missouri's students, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is calling on the Department of Education to preserve the gainful employment rule that holds predatory career training programs accountable and protects students from unmanageable debts and degrees that offer little to no employment opportunities.\r\nThe Department's proposal will weaken higher education accountability at a time when more and more students are taking out substantial levels of student debt but are unable to find good-paying jobs to pay back their loans, wrote McCaskill and a group of Senators to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. Career training programs that cannot fulfill their promises to offer students a meaningful path to economic advancement must be held accountable and should not be rewarded with continued taxpayer support.\r\nMcCaskill is pushing for the Department of Education to abandon its proposal rescinding the gainful employment rule, as the provision is an essential protection that holds predatory career training programs accountable when they fail to give students upfront information about their debt and employment prospects after graduation. Secretary DeVos has delayed implementing the gainful employment rule and its critical protections three consecutive times, and her effort to completely dismantle the rule will leave Missouri students vulnerable to predatory career training programs.\r\nMcCaskill has fought during her time in the Senate to tackle issues of college affordability and accessibility, particularly student loan debt and holding for-profit colleges and universities accountable when they defraud or cheat students. Earlier this month, McCaskill joined an effort calling on the Department of Education to abandon its proposed rule change that would deny students who were cheated or defrauded by predatory for-profit colleges the relief they are entitled to under the law.\r\nMcCaskill has also fought to protect veterans from predatory, for-profit universities. She has continuallypushed to endthe so-called 90/10 rule by closing a loophole allowing for-profit colleges to count educational benefits for service members and veterans outside the 90 percent cap on federal financial aid, causing some schools to aggressively recruit service members and veterans and profit from benefits owed to them.\r\nFull text of letter HERE.\r\nVisitmccaskill.senate.gov/educationto learn more about McCaskill's work to improve education.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/stopping-surprise-medical-bills-goal-of-bipartisan-mccaskill-effort", "Stopping Surprise Medical Bills Goal of Bipartisan McCaskill Effort", "2018-09-20", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Stopping Surprise Medical Bills Goal of Bipartisan McCaskill Effort \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator's bipartisan effort seeks to end unfair medical billing practices, stop use of balance billing \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, September 20, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Continuing her work to bring down medical costs for Missourians, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill released a draft bipartisan plan to help protect patients from surprise medical bills. The draft bill comes from the bipartisan Senate healthcare price transparency working group, which McCaskill is a member of, and is intended to jumpstart discussions in Congress about how to best stop the use of balance billinga practice where healthcare providers bill patients the difference between what insurance companies pay and what healthcare providers charge, which can be staggering amounts especially if the provider is outside of the insurance company's network.\r\nWhen Missouri families are facing a medical emergency, the last thing they should be worrying about is if the emergency room is in network or if they'll get stuck with a massive bill after the fact, McCaskill said. I'm committed to finding real solutions to help lower the costs of healthcare facing Missourians, and this bipartisan proposal is an important first step towards tackling a tough and costly issue.\r\nThe bipartisan discussion draft of the Protecting Patients from Surprise Medical Bills Act would curb surprise medical bills by: ensuring patients are not forced to pay exorbitant prices for out-of-network emergency services; requiring providers inform patients of higher prices for out-of-network, non-emergency services before administering treatment; and prohibiting out-of-network providers from excessively billing patients in an in-network facility.                                          \r\nSurprise medical bills can be financially devastating to families following an emergency, leaving patients with burdensome debt. Recent examples of patients receiving surprise medical bills include a patient who received a bill of nearly $109,000 for care after a heart attack, and a patient who received a bill for $17,850 for a urine test.\r\nMcCaskill has made tackling rising healthcare costs in Missouri a top priority. The Senate recently passed bipartisan proposals by McCaskill to put an end to pharmacy gag clauses that can prohibit pharmacists from telling customers that they could pay less for their prescription if they pay out of pocket. Additionally, McCaskill led a bipartisan call for aggressive federal oversight of the air ambulance industry to bring down costs for patients, andintroduced legislationthat would bring more accountability to the industry. McCaskill also sought answers from Envision Healthcare and following reports of skyrocketing costs at emergency rooms run by its subsidiary EmCare Holdings, Inc. which manages more than ten hospitals in Missouri.\r\nVisitmccaskill.senate.gov/healthcareto learn more about McCaskill's fight to improve healthcare for Missourians.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/strengthening-social-security-benefits-for-surviving-spouses-goal-of-mccaskill-backed-plan", "Strengthening Social Security Benefits for Surviving Spouses Goal of McCaskill-Backed Plan", "2018-09-20", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Strengthening Social Security Benefits for Surviving Spouses Goal of McCaskill-Backed Plan \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator backs plan to end unfair restrictions on Social Security benefits for widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThursday, September 20, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is backing an effort to strengthen Social Security benefits for widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses by ending arbitrary restrictions that limit benefits to those that often needthem the mostwhich would lead to more than one million Americans receiving increased benefits.\r\n\r\nSocial Security is founded on the principle that we take care of the most vulnerable in our society, but what we're seeing is that far too often when a loved one passes away, their surviving spouse is being forgotten and left behind, McCaskill said. It's unacceptable that widows caring for children and those with disabilities face the highest poverty rates among all Social Security recipientsand this bill would help this vulnerable population.\r\n\r\nCurrently, poverty rates among widows and widowers caring for children and widows and widowers with disabilities are among the highest of all Social Security recipients, and the poverty rate of widows and widowers receiving Social Security benefits is nearly twice as high as that of retired workers. The McCaskill-backed legislation would end certain arbitrary benefit provisions, allowing widows and widowers, as well as surviving divorced spouses to: receive 100% of the survivor benefits they are entitled to regardless of age; increase the value of their survivor benefits beyond current arbitrary caps; receive child in-care benefits until children are age 18 or 19; and receive more information from the federal government about the benefits for which they are eligible.\r\n\r\nProtecting Social Security benefits and advocating for the program's recipients have been top priorities for McCaskill throughout her tenure in the Senate. McCaskill isbacking a proposalto address the challenges facing women as they plan for retirement, including expanding pension protections for spouses and creating financial literacy programs.McCaskillalsosupported a changethat would modify the cost of living adjustment used to determine the annual increase in Social Security benefits to better reflect the expenses seniors face, including out-of-pocket medical expenses, and last month, introducedlegislationto prevent seniors from being pushed into poverty due to garnishments on Social Security benefits from student loan debts.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, McCaskill backed the bipartisanSocial Security Fairness Actthat would repeal provisions in law that reduce Social Security payouts for individuals who paid into Social Security, yet are also eligible for pension benefits from public sector jobs outside the Social Security system.\r\n\r\nVisitmccaskill.senate.gov/seniorsto learn more about McCaskill's work for Missouri's seniors.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/citing-concerns-on-dark-money-mccaskill-to-oppose-nomination-of-judge-kavanaugh-to-supreme-court", "Citing Concerns on Dark Money, McCaskill to Oppose Nomination of Judge Kavanaugh to Supreme Court", "2018-09-19", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Citing Concerns on Dark Money, McCaskill to Oppose Nomination of Judge Kavanaugh to Supreme Court \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator: Judge's position on anonymous, dark moneyincluding from foreign interestswas key to decision to vote no' \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, September 19, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill released the following statement on the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court:\r\nI have been thorough in examining Judge Kavanaugh's record. And while the recent allegations against him are troubling and deserve a thorough and fair examination by the Senate Judiciary Committee, my decision is not based on those allegations but rather on his positions on several key issues, most importantly the avalanche of dark, anonymous money that is crushing our democracy.\r\nHe has revealed his bias against limits on campaign donations which places him completely out of the mainstream of this nation. He wrote, And I have heard very few people say that limits on contributions to candidates are unconstitutional although I for one tend to think those limits have some constitutional problems.'1\r\nGoing even further, Judge Kavanaugh will give free reign to anonymous donors and foreign governments through their citizens to spend money to interfere and influence our elections with so-called issue ads.' These issue ads' are now flooding the airways in this nation to directly influence election outcomes, drowning the concept of individuals having the strongest voice in our democracy. Judge Kavanaugh has clearly said that there should be literally no restrictions on these ads. He has called restrictions on these dark money issue ads blatantly unconstitutional.'2 And in a court opinion, he went out of his way to say that foreign nationals weren't restricted from creating or contributing to these adseven when that wasn't the issue before the court.3 A Russian company that has been indicted for election interference is currently using Judge Kavanaugh's opinion to argue for their innocence.4\r\nWhile I am also uncomfortable about his view on Presidential power as it relates to the rule of law, and his position that corporations are people, it is his allegiance to the position that unlimited donations and dark anonymous money, from even foreign interests, should be allowed to swamp the voices of individuals that has been the determining factor in my decision to vote no on his nomination.\r\nMcCaskill has voted in support of more than two-thirds of President Trump's judicial nominations since he took office in January 2017.\r\n\r\nReferences:\r\n1. E-mail from Brett M. Kavanaugh to Helgard C. Walker (March 6, 2002)\r\n2. E-mail from Brett M. Kavanaugh to Helgard C. Walker (March 6, 2002).\r\n3. Bluman v. FEC, 800 F. Supp. 2d 281 (2011).\r\n4. Concord Management's Motion to Dismiss (July 16, 2018).\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/following-st-louis-roundtable-mccaskill-shares-concerns-from-missouri-manufacturing-and-agriculture-leaders-on-trade-war-with-secretary-of-commerce", "Following St. Louis Roundtable, McCaskill Shares Concerns from Missouri Manufacturing and Agriculture Leaders on Trade War with Secretary of Commerce", "2018-09-19", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Following St. Louis Roundtable, McCaskill Shares Concerns from Missouri Manufacturing and Agriculture Leaders on Trade War with Secretary of Commerce \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t As trade war rages on, Senator continues advocating for Missouri businesses, jobs, and communities \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWednesday, September 19, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON Following aroundtable discussionin St. Louis where Missouri manufacturers and agriculture leaders spoke about the harmful effectsofthe Administration's trade policies, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today relayed their concerns to the Department of Commerce. The field roundtable was held by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee as part of its ongoing, bipartisan oversight of the tariffs and moderated by McCaskill, the panel's top Democrat.\r\n\r\nThe testimony of every single one of the roundtable participants was clear as dayMissouri businesses are hurting from these reckless and chaotic trade policies, McCaskill said. We're already losing jobs in Missouri, and I'm worried we'll lose more if we don't reverse course.\r\n\r\nCiting statements from the participants of her August roundtable, McCaskill described how the Administration's trade policies were impacting Missouri's economy in a letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. McCaskill emphasized how the tariffs lead to job loss, increased prices, and advantages for foreign competitors. She also expressed concern with the broken exclusion process for Missouri manufacturers, and highlighted the challenges for Missouri farmers trying to plan in an uncertain business environment.\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is that the trade war is harming Missouri's businesses and these harms could be lasting, McCaskill wrote in the letter. For those companies seeking relief through the exclusion process, the opaque and slow decision-making process is resulting in immediate and lasting economic harm on Missouri businesses, workers, consumers, and communities.  For other businesses, their entire industry is suffering economic setbacks after decades of investment and hard work in building overseas supply chains and markets.\r\n\r\nThe Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where McCaskill serves as the top Democrat, has conducted ongoing, bipartisan oversight of the Administration's trade policies. In addition to the St. Louisroundtable, McCaskill joined Republican Chairman Ron Johnson of Wisconsin in May todemand detailsfrom the Department of Commerce on why it decided to impose tariffs on aluminum and steel imports that could harm Missouri businesses. In June, the two Senators alsosent a bipartisan letterto the White House Council of Economic Advisers asking for details on its economic analysis that the Administration's tariffs could be detrimental to economic growth. Last month, the Senators sent aset of bipartisan lettersto investigate the tariff exclusion process.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill has been a strong advocate on behalf of Missouri businesses and workersand in Junetoured Mid Continent Nail Corporation, the largest U.S. producer of steel nails, which was forced to reduce its workforce by more than 30 percent and may be forced to close its Poplar Bluff operations while it waits for the Department of Commerce to decide on a tariff exclusion requestbecause of soaring costs and canceled sales resulting fromthetariffs that the Administration placed on the wire that the company uses to produce nails.She hascalled on the Administrationto end the trade war, and is working across the aisle tobring greater Congressional oversightto tariff decisions.\r\n\r\nRead McCaskill's letter to the Department of CommerceHERE.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lacyclay.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-congressman-wm-lacy-clay-d-missouri-urging-united-states", "STATEMENT BY  CONGRESSMAN WM. LACY CLAY (D) MISSOURI URGING UNITED STATES SENATE TO TAKE NO FURTHER ACTION  ON THE NOMINATION OF DC CIRCUIT JUDGE BRETT KAVANAUGH TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT UNTIL ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT ARE FULLY INVESTIGATED", "2018-09-18", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "William Clay", "C001049", "lacyclay.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "NOTE: The following, in its entirety, is a first-person\nstatement by Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri\nWASHINGTON, DC  I am extremely troubled by serious questions of character and conduct raised by Professor Christine Blasey Ford against Judge Brett Kavanaugh regarding an alleged sexual assault.\nShe deserves to be heard, as does the Judge's response to her disturbing allegations.\nThe question is not when this alleged sexual assault happened, or when Professor Ford found the courage to disclose it.\nThe real question for all of us who love and respect the women in our lives is why would we doubt her veracity given the terrible price that she will now pay for speaking out in public?\nThe Senate should take no further action on this life-time appointment until all avenues of investigation into this allegation, including an FBI investigation, are concluded.\nThat investigation should be allowed to proceed without obstruction or concern for any artificial confirmation timeline that has nothing to do with justice, but everything to do with the midterm elections.\n\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/bipartisan-senators-unveil-proposal-to-crack-down-on-surprise-medical-bills", "Bipartisan senators unveil proposal to crack down on surprise medical bills", "2018-09-18", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bipartisan senators unveil proposal to crack down on surprise medical bills \r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                Tuesday, September 18, 2018\r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n            \r\n                  \r\n                    By:\r\n                    Peter Sullivan\r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n            A bipartisan group of senators is unveiling adraft measureto crack down on surprise medical bills, which they say have plagued patients with massive unexpected charges for care.\r\nThe measure would prevent a health care provider that is outside of a patient's insurance network from charging additional costs for emergency services to patients beyond the amount usually allowed under their insurance plan.\r\nThe insurer, not the patient, would have to pay additional charges, which are limited under the proposal.\r\nThe bill targets situations like one that receiveda flood of nationalattentionlast month, when NPR and Kaiser Health News reported on a high school teacher who was charged $109,000 by the hospital that cared for his heart attack, even after his insurance had already paid $56,000.\r\nSen.Bill Cassidy(R-La.), a sponsor of the bill, said the measure would mean patients don't get this surprise billing which is basically uncapped by anything but a sense of shame.\r\nSens.Tom Carper(D-Del.),Todd Young(R-Ind.),Claire McCaskill(D-Mo.),Michael Bennet(D-Colo.) andChuck Grassley(R-Iowa) are also supporting the measure. Those lawmakers are part of a working group on health care price transparency that says it plans to put forward additional legislation as well.\r\nI think this is common ground in the health care debate, Cassidy said.\r\nNo American should have to file bankruptcy or fall into poverty as a result of a serious ailment or unexpected medical emergency, Carper said in a statement. The Affordable Care Act made great progress in reducing rates of medical bankruptcies, and this bipartisan discussion draft will build on that progress by protecting patients from surprise medical bills after they are treated in emergency situations or receive care from an out-of-network provider.\r\nThe bill would also require health care providers to give written notification to patients who receive emergency care at an out-of-network facility before they receive any follow-up nonemergency care. That move is intended to warn patients before they are subject to additional costs at an out-of-network hospital.\r\nPatients also could not be charged more for care from out-of-network doctors at an in-network hospital. That situation sometimes arises even when patients go to a hospital that is in their network, if some doctors within that hospital, for example an anesthesiologist, charge larger amounts as if they are out-of-network.\r\nCassidy said lawmakers will now work to refine their discussion draft before formally introducing a bill. He said he does not plan to push for consideration of the bill until the beginning of the next Congress, in January.\r\n            \r\n             \r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/the-health-202-senate-passage-of-gag-clause-ban-is-just-a-tiny-step-to-lowering-drug-prices", "The Health 202: Senate passage of 'gag clause' ban is just a tiny step to lowering drug prices", "2018-09-18", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Health 202: Senate passage of 'gag clause' ban is just a tiny step to lowering drug prices \r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                Tuesday, September 18, 2018\r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\r\n            \r\n            \r\n                  \r\n                    By:\r\n                    Paulina Firozi\r\n                \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                \r\n                \r\n                \r\n            Lowering the price of prescription drugs is a popular talking point for both sides of the aisle, and a mantra for President Trump.\r\nThe Senate last night took a step in that direction by voting to eliminate \"gag clauses\" that pharmacists say prevent them from disclosing when there's a cheaper way to buy prescription drugs. The move allows lawmakers to claim a significant win when they go before voters in the November elections, but it's less clear how much it would move the needle in the complicated effort to lower drug prices.\r\nHours before theSenate vote,the issue received a major boost when President Trump tweeted about it,criticizing\"gag clauses\" and calling on senators to support banning them:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Senate passedon a vote of 98 to 2 thePatients Right to Know Drug Prices Act, a bipartisan bill Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine)introducedin March along with Sens. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Debbie Stabenow(D-Mich.) that will block insurers or PBMs from prohibiting pharmacies from informing customers of any difference between their insurance co-pay and the cash price a prescription drug. The legislation also saysthat pharmacies cannot be penalized if they do share that information with customers.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSens. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.)opposed the effort.\r\nPrior to the final vote, the upper chamber defeated,11 to 89, an amendment, sponsored by Lee, that would have only applied the gag rule ban to some plans that are regulated at the federal level.\r\nLee's amendment would have had states take the lead onbanning gag clauses. As of last month, at least 25 states hadenacted their own lawsaddressing gag provisions,according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.\r\n\"Some have suggested that this state action and increased attention to the cost of prescription drugs has more or less solved this problem and greatly limited the use of gag clauses already,\" Leesaid in a news releaseabout his amendment.\r\n\"However, even if gag clauses are still in use, we must recognize that it is not the role of the federal government to regulate entities under the jurisdiction of the states. However well-intentioned, when Congress oversteps its authority like this, we usually end up doing more harm than good.\"\r\n\r\nIt's unclear how much of a difference the move will make in lowering drug prices, anyway.\r\nSome industry experts say lifting gag clauses is just a small step togetting Americanslower prices for their medicine because, while it increases transparency, it doesn't address the underlying issue of actual drug costs.\r\nThis is an important but incremental step, said Lauren Blair, spokeswoman for the Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing. This is certainly progress but there's a lot more work to be done, both in the transparency bucket specifically, and broadly in the larger effort to tackle drug prices. And again, transparency is not enough to tackle outrageous drug prices.\r\nBlair added transparency should be paired with additional efforts to address prescription prices, such as allowing for opportunities to increase competition in the drug marketplace to create more affordable options.\r\n\r\nGag clausesareprovisionsburied in the fine print of contracts that pharmacy benefit managers (??PBMs) have with pharmacists. The provisions prevent many pharmacists from telling customers when the cash price for a medicine may be less expensive than their insurance co-pay unless the customers directly ask.\r\nAsimilar measure to ban the practice passed theHouse Energy and Commerce Committee last week.\r\nIn a statement to The Health 202, bill sponsor Rep. Earl L. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) applauded the passage of the Senate's version and urged a full House vote soon on his bill.\r\n\"As a pharmacist for more than 30 years, gag clauses prohibited me from telling my patients about a better option for them many times,\" he said. \"I know how important it is for patients that we end this unfair practice and I am thankful my colleagues in the Senate realize the critical need as well.\"\r\nLifting the ban was part of the White Houseblueprint on lowering drug prices. In May, whenannouncing the plan, President Trump called PBMsdishonest, double-dealing middleman, and singled out gag rules, calling them a \"total rip-off,\" and said he wanted to eliminate them.\r\nIf the legislation makes it to Trump's desk, it's just one narrow slice of a massive undertaking to lower the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs.\r\nLawmakers mayhopepassing the bill will give them bragging rights on the campaign trail. Butmost Americans are cynical about any real change emerging from this or anyother proposed policy changes.In a July pollfrom Politico-Harvard, 81 percent favored eliminating the gag clause clauses,but only 42 percent believed it would result in lower drug prices.\r\nMoreover, 57 percent didn'tbelieve Trump'splan wouldmake a difference in what their family pays for prescription drugs, while 22 percent thoughtthey wouldspend less on their medicinesand 13 percent believedthey wouldspend more.\r\nBlair said the bill's passage is heartening because it shows Republicans and Democrats, as well as the White House, are \"rallying behind the issue.\"\r\n\"Not everybody will agree on every solution, but everyone is acknowledging there's a problem,\" she said. \"This is a prime example of the fact that people are getting on the same page on the solution... Billslike this make it clear, it doesn't matter what side of the aisle you're on, we need to advance solutions.\"\r\n            \r\n             \r\n            \r\n            \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-rallies-senate-colleagues-in-bipartisan-effort-to-oppose-privatization-of-the-postal-service", "McCaskill Rallies Senate Colleagues in Bipartisan Effort to Oppose Privatization of the Postal Service", "2018-09-18", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill Rallies Senate Colleagues in Bipartisan Effort to Oppose Privatization of the Postal Service \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator: privatization effort would harm communities in rural Missouri \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, September 18, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today introduced a bipartisan resolution that would make clear Congress' opposition to privatizing the United States Postal Service (USPS). McCaskill's effort was joined by 27 of her colleagues after a recent Administration proposal included postal privatization.\r\n\r\nLocal post offices are the backbones of our rural communitieseven more so now as small businesses rely on the Postal Service for the ability to participate in online business, McCaskill said.The incentives simply aren't there for private companies to take mail that last mile for people living in rural communities, and I'm going to fight tooth and nail to ensure that every Missourianwhether in a small town or big cityhas access to the critical services the Postal Service provides.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill serves as the top Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which has jurisdiction over USPS. At arecent Committee hearing, she highlighted the negative impact of postal privatization on rural communities.\r\n\r\nJoined by a bipartisan group of colleagues, McCaskill notes in her resolution that the United States Postal Service serves the needs of 157,000,000 business and residential customers not less than 6 days a week, maintains an affordable and universal network, and connects the rural, suburban, and urban communities of the United States and the privatization of the United States Postal Service would result in higher prices and reduced services for the customers of the United States Postal Service, especially in rural communities.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill has long worked to improve postal service and hold USPS accountable, particularly for Missourians in rural communities. Earlier this year, shesent a letterto the Administration's Postal Task Force, urging it to prioritize reliable access in rural communities and improved delivery times. McCaskill has beenfighting to fix a bizarre quirkin which some Missouri residents have Iowa and Arkansas mailing addresses, causing unnecessary problems for the affected Missourians. Shecalled for postal reformsafter a Postal Service Inspector General report found that mismanagement led to up to two billion pieces of delayed mail.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill has also called for answers from the Postmaster General followingreports from Missouri postal managersthat their staffing needs have been disregarded. She joined a bipartisan group of Senators to introduce acomprehensive postal reform billthat will put the Postal Service on firm financial footing, improve performance in rural communities, and allow for the development of new products and services. McCaskill is widely credited with havingwaged a successful campaignover several years to save rural post offices in Missouri and maintain delivery standards.\r\n\r\nRead the full text of McCaskill's resolutionHERE.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/protecting-expanding-womens-retirement-security-goal-of-mccaskill-backed-effort", "Protecting, Expanding Women\u2019s Retirement Security Goal of McCaskill-backed Effort", "2018-09-18", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Protecting, Expanding Women's Retirement Security Goal of McCaskill-backed Effort \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Women are 80 percent more likely to face poverty in retirement \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, September 18, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is backing a proposal to address the challenges facing women as they plan for retirement, including expanding pension protections for spouses and creating financial literacy programs. Currently, women are 80 percent more likely than men to face poverty in retirement.\r\nI've witnessed firsthand the challenges women face in the workforceand it comes as no surprise that they continue into retirement, McCaskill said. This proposal ensures they'll have access to the fair, stable retirement they deserve.\r\nThe McCaskill-backed legislation would address some of the challenges that disproportionately affect women by: strengthening consumer protections to safeguard retirement savings; improving access to retirement savings plans for long-term andpart-time workers; helping increase women's financial literacy; and giving support to low-income women and survivors of domestic abuse seeking the retirement benefits they are entitled to following a divorce.\r\nMcCaskill has been a longtime advocate for women's economic advancement, consistently supporting the Paycheck Fairness Act, which helps close the pay gap by empowering women to negotiate for equal pay, closing loopholes courts have created in the law, creating strong incentives for employers to obey the laws, and strengthening federal outreach and enforcement efforts.\r\n\r\nProtecting Social Security benefits and advocating for the program's recipients have also been priorities for McCaskill in the Senate. McCaskill backed the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act that would repeal provisions in law that reduce Social Security payouts for individuals who paid into Social Security, yet are also eligible for pension benefits from public sector jobs outside the Social Security system.\r\nVisitmccaskill.senate.gov/seniorsto learn more about McCaskill's fight for Missouri's seniors.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/senate-passes-opioids-package-includes-mccaskill-priorities-as-she-continues-fight-for-missourians", "Senate Passes Opioids Package, Includes McCaskill Priorities as She Continues Fight for Missourians", "2018-09-18", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senate Passes Opioids Package, Includes McCaskill Priorities as She Continues Fight for Missourians \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator's proposals aimed at cracking down on shipments of fentanyl, bringing down overprescriptions, and providing oversight and accountability to Medicare programs \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTuesday, September 18, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON Continuing her work to battle the opioid epidemic in Missouri and across the country, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill successfully included key priorities into legislation aimed at addressing the opioid epidemic which passed the U.S. Senate by a 99-1 vote Monday night.\r\n\r\nThis is a great example of how we can work together towards common goalsto curb the flow of fentanyl into our communities, cut down on overprescriptions, and support our doctors and first responders who are on the front lines of this epidemicthese commonsense, bipartisan proposals will make a real difference, McCaskill said. So this is a big step forward in our fight against the opioid epidemic that will help save lives in Missouri and across the country.\r\n\r\nIncluded in the legislation was the McCaskill-backed bipartisanSTOP Act of 2018, which has earned the support of President Trump, that would crack down on the illegal shipment of fentanyl into the country. Additional McCaskill-backedproposalsincluded in the legislation would seek to decrease overprescriptions of opioids in Medicare, authorize additional overdose prevention grants to strengthen local prescription drug monitoring programs, and encourage greater use of prescribing guidelines. The legislation would also expand training and resources for first responders, and provide better tools for doctors working to prevent and treat opioid misuse in pregnant women.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill also launched an investigation into opioid manufacturers last yearthe most comprehensive Congressional investigation into the crisis to datewhen sherequested informationrelated to sales and marketing materials, internal addiction studies, details on compliance with government settlements and donations to third party advocacy groups from major opioid manufacturers. Later, sheexpanded her investigation, requesting documents and information from opioid manufacturers Mallinckrodt, Endo, Teva, and Allergan, while a request to McKesson Corporation, AmerisourceBergen Corporation, and Cardinal Health, Inc., focused on their distribution of opioid products.\r\n\r\nIn September of last year, McCaskillannounced the first round of findings, detailing systemic manipulation of the prior authorization process by Insys Therapeutics. Earlier this year in February, McCaskill's investigation released another round of findings,exposing the financial tiesbetween opioid manufacturers and third party groups, who often lobbied for pro-opioid policies after receiving contributions from pharmaceutical companies. In July, McCaskillreleased another reportas part of her investigation into opioid manufacturers, documenting how the Big Three pharmaceutical distribution companies together shipped around 1.6 billion dosage units of opioid products to Missouri alone between 2012 and 2017.\r\n\r\nVisitmccaskill.senate.gov/opioid-investigationto learn more about McCaskill's investigation.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/video/view/kqtv-mccaskill-cosponsors-senate-opioids-package", "KQTV: McCaskill Cosponsors Senate Opioids Package", "2018-09-18", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/video/view/wdaf-senator-mccaskill-filing-resolution-to-rename-post-office-after-wwii-veteran-arla-harrell", "WDAF: Senator McCaskill Filing Resolution to Rename Post Office After WWII Veteran Arla Harrell", "2018-09-18", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/ec-from-dc/the-need-for-affordable-housing-and-the-ongoing-rental-affordability-crisis", "The Need for Affordable Housing and the Ongoing Rental Affordability Crisis", "2018-09-17", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "This week I attended a Financial Services Committee hearing in Washington, D.C focused on ways to improve access to affordable housing in the multifamily market.\nThe need for more affordable housing continues to be a top priority of mine. Though it has been a decade since the housing crisis of 2008, and our economy has greatly improved since that time, many families, especially those in minority communities were never fully able to recover wealth that was lost during the financial crisis. Demand for rental units vastly increased in the years following the recession, and the availability of affordable rental units has not kept pace. Rental prices have also been increasing at a much faster rate than wage growth. Additionally, millennial adults, burdened with high student loans and limited job opportunities, have put off home-ownership to stay in the rental market. These factors have resulted in a growing rental affordability crisis.\nThis should be a major focus of legislators. If you don't have a place to live, then everything else is in jeopardy. You cannot hold a job without an address. You lose income. You lose stability.\nAccording to the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, a growing number of moderate-income and fully-employed renter households are cost-burdened, spending at least 30 percent of their income on rent and other housing costs. Recently, the National Low-Income Housing Coalition found that there is no state, metropolitan area, or county where a worker earning federal minimum wage can afford a two-bedroom rental home at fair market rent by working a standard 40 hour week.\nThis is a challenge that not only exists in our urban areas but also in our rural communities. In the rural part of my district there hasn't been a new multifamily housing development in years. The demand is there but the development has yet to come.\nWe must address the needs of the millions of Americans who continue to struggle with housing. It is a priority for me and worth undertaking until resolved.\n(A link to the Financial Services Committee hearing can be found here.) \nWarmly,\nEmanuel Cleaver, II\nMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-gets-results-senate-passes-bipartisan-legislation-to-put-an-end-to-pharmacy-gag-clauses", "McCaskill Gets Results: Senate Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Put an End to Pharmacy \u2018Gag Clauses\u2019", "2018-09-17", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill Gets Results: Senate Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Put an End to Pharmacy Gag Clauses' \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senate passage follows President Trump tweet in support of legislation;  Senate has now passed two of McCaskill's bipartisan proposals to prohibit egregious practice that can lead to Missourians paying more than needed for prescription drugs \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMonday, September 17, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON Continuing her work to deliver results for Missourians and bring down costs for prescription drugs, the U.S. Senate has now passed the second of two bipartisan proposals by U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill to put an end to pharmacy gag clauses that can sometimes prohibit pharmacists from telling customers that they could pay less for their prescription if they pay out of pocketa measure which received the backing ofPresident Trumpearlier today. Both pieces of legislation are now with the House of Representatives for consideration.\r\n\r\nThe Senate passed McCaskill'sPatient Right to Know Drug Prices Actwhich prohibits gag clauses in individual market and group-based insurance plans by a 98-2 vote Monday evening. Coupled with the Senate'spassage of a McCaskill billearlier this month to prohibit gag clauses in Medicare Part D, these actions would give Missourians wide-ranging protections from this practice.\r\n\r\nThe data shows that in 2013 alone, there was $135 million paid by Americans more than they should've, said McCaskill in a speech on the Senate floor Monday evening. Sometimes commonsense needs to scoot all the ideology out of this place, and we need to just look at the bare bones issue of how to save people money on prescription drugsand that's what this bill will accomplish.  So I am thrilled that we're going to have a chance to get this done.\r\n\r\nOne 2018reportfound that customers overpaid for prescription drugs at the pharmacy counter 23% of the time. McCaskill, along with Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine and Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan,led the pushto prohibit this practice.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill has made tackling rising healthcare and prescription drug costs a top priority in the Senate.Last month, shereleased an investigative reportthat showed that drug prices directly negotiated by the government could save the Medicare Part D program $2.8 billion in a single year on the 20 most commonly prescribed brand-name drugs alone.During her time as the top Democrat on the Senate Special Committee on Aging, McCaskill joined Republican Chairman Susan Collins to launch anin-depth investigation into prescription drug price increases, and last year, President Trump signed into law the Senators'bipartisan legislationto increase competition for generic drugs and help lower prescription costs.\r\n\r\nVisitmccaskill.senate.gov/healthcareto learn more about McCaskill's fight to improve healthcare for Missourians.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-introduces-bill-to-rename-macon-post-office-in-honor-of-missouri-veteran-arla-harrell", "McCaskill Introduces Bill to Rename Macon Post Office in Honor of Missouri Veteran Arla Harrell", "2018-09-17", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill Introduces Bill to Rename Macon Post Office in Honor of Missouri Veteran Arla Harrell \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Since passage of Senator's Arla Harrell Act, nearly $2 million in benefits have been awarded to WWII servicemembers intentionally exposed to mustard gas \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMonday, September 17, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, the daughter of a World War II veteran, today announced a new bill that would honor Arla Harrella Missouri World War II veteran intentionally exposed to mustard gasby naming a Missouri post office for him. This proposal comes on the heels of new data from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that shows that the agency has granted nearly $2 million in benefits to World War II veterans intentionally exposed to mustard gas since McCaskill'stwo-year battleon behalf of those servicemembers resulted in President Trump signing McCaskill'sArla Harrell Actinto law last year.\r\n\r\nI hope this is another way we can remind Missourians for generations to come of the sacrifices Arla made for our country, said McCaskill, the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which has jurisdiction over the U.S. Postal Service. I was honored for the chance to tell Arla his government believed him and to get justice for him and his family before he passed, and I'm proud to take this additional step to honor his service.\r\n\r\nMcCaskill's new bill would rename the U.S. Postal Service office located in Macon, Mo. as the Arla W. Harrell Post Office. Mr. Harrell lived in Macon before he passed away earlier this year.\r\n\r\nAninvestigative reportby McCaskill demonstrated that the VA was denying roughly 90 percent of mustard gas claims between 2005 and 2015. During World War II, thousands of U.S. servicemen were exposed to mustard agents through secret U.S. military experiments. By the end of the war, 60,000 servicemen had been human subjects in the military's chemical defense research program, with an estimated 4,000 of them receiving high levels of exposure to mustard agents. For decades, these servicemen were under explicit orders not to discuss their toxic exposure with their doctors or even their families. The U.S. military did not fully acknowledge its role in the testing program until the last of the experiments was declassified in 1975. The military did not lift the oath of secrecy until the early 1990s.\r\n\r\nFollowing her investigative report, McCaskill battled what shecalleda decades-long record of ineptitude and failure at the VA, enlisted the support ofRepublican and Democratic colleagues, andrallied veterans service organizationsin support of her bill. Shesuccessfully pressured President Trump's first VA SecretaryDavid Shulkin in support of the legislation andmet with President Trump's second VA SecretaryRobert Wilkie during his confirmation process to secure his commitment to swift implementation of theArla Harrell Act.\r\n\r\nVisitmccaskill.senate.gov/veteransto learn more about McCaskill's fight for military veterans.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-statement-on-judge-kavanaugh", "McCaskill Statement on Judge Kavanaugh", "2018-09-17", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McCaskill Statement on Judge Kavanaugh \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMonday, September 17, 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill released the following statement on the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaughto the Supreme Court:\r\nI am deeply troubled by these allegations. They should be examined thoroughly and fairly by the Judiciary Committee without any artificial timeline.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/video/view/mccaskill-gets-results-senate-passes-bipartisan-legislation-to-put-an-end-to-pharmacy-gag-clauses", "McCaskill Gets Results: Senate Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Put an End to Pharmacy \u2018Gag Clauses\u2019", "2018-09-17", "2018", "2018-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Claire McCaskill", "M001170", "www.mccaskill.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 751, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Democrat", "p1": "MO", "p2": "2018"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MO&year=2018", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 751, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MO&year=2018", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MO&year=2018", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 751, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MO&year=2018&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MO&year=2018", "results": [{"value": "MO", "label": "MO", "count": 751, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2018", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MO&year=2018", "results": [{"value": "2018", "label": "2018", "count": 751, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MO", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2018-09-17,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Emccaskill~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fvideo~2Fview~2Fmccaskill-gets-results-senate-passes-bipartisan-legislation-to-put-an-end-to-pharmacy-gag-clauses", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MO&year=2018&_next=2018-09-17%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Emccaskill~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fvideo~2Fview~2Fmccaskill-gets-results-senate-passes-bipartisan-legislation-to-put-an-end-to-pharmacy-gag-clauses&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 176.70856113545597, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}