url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/most-have-a-positive-outlook-on-st-josephs-business-climate,Most have a positive outlook on St. Joseph's business climate,2015-12-29,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Most have a positive outlook on St. Joseph's business climate Tuesday, December 29, 2015 By: Alan Van Zandt As the year 2015 comes to an end, it's time to look back at the last 12 months at some of the stories that affected us most. The KQ2 news staff have compiled a list of the five biggest stories of the year. Here's Number 4 on our list: An Optimistic Local Business Economic Outlook It's a scene repeated dozens of times this past year: a ribbon cutting sponsored by the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce as another business puts its support behind the local economy. ""We're really looking forward to this opportunity. It seems to be a really good fit for Daily's Premium Meats,"" said David Eaheart earlier this year, as his company began groundbreaking on its new facility in south St. Joseph. In 2015, St. Joseph was named as the 4th strongest farming and agribusiness region in the country. That level was reached in part thanks to companies like Boeringer-Ingleheim, which in the past year announced a major facility upgrade and expansion in the city. That drew the attention of Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill, who recently toured the site. ""They have chosen St. Joe area for this major facility and expansion. I'm here to learn about the challenges they face in the global economy,"" she said. With a stronger climate for business, it also helped out retail. The long dormant Tuscany Village project got back off the ground with the promise of more shops for the area. ""I couldn't believe it when they brought up that it was 2005 when Tuscuny Village first approached the city,"" said City Council Member Donna Jean Boyer after a city council meeting where project developers got the go-ahead to re-start their project. East Hills Mall, under new ownership, showed increased sales as it celebrated it's 50th anniversary. ""To see over the years the growth and development to go along with the changing needs of the community has been amazing,"" said owner Erica Feingold. Even downtown St. Joseph showed signs of coming to life. A plan years in the making to shape downtown as an arts and entertainment district started to take shape, with visible signs of activity. SOT: Teresa Fankhauser, Allied Arts Association: ""We wanted to add to the renaissance that is happening in downtown with so many shops and businesses coming in,"" said Teresa Fankauser, executive director of the Allied Arts Association. ""We wanted to be a part of that and help with bringing new people into the area."" Downtown revitalization efforts were further boosted when Mosaic Life Care also announced a $20 million plan to renovate the German-American building downtown and eventually move 200 employees to that location. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-statement-on-missouri-flooding-december-2015,McCaskill Statement on Missouri Flooding,2015-12-29,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McCaskill Statement on Missouri Flooding Tuesday, December 29, 2015 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today released the following statement on the historic flooding affecting Missouri: I'm praying for the safety of all Missourians, and those in affected communities should please pay close attention to guidance from local officials and first responders. I stand ready to assist with any request for federal disaster resources to help get our families and businesses quickly back on their feet. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/this-parent-trap-involves-71-billion-of-federal-education-debt,This parent trap involves $71 billion of federal education debt,2015-12-28,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"The U.S. government is sitting on a growing pile of debt backed by little more than parental love. That's because parents can borrow tens of thousands of dollars a year for their kids' college education without showing they can pay it back. About 3 million parents have $71 billion in loans, contributing to more than $1.2 trillion in federal education debt. As of May 2014, half of the balance was in deferment, racking up interest at annual rates as high as 7.9 percent. ""It's deeply problematic that the federal government is making relatively high-interest loans without thinking about, much less checking, whether the people they're lending to will be crippled by this debt,"" said Toby Merrill, a Harvard Law School lecturer who has counseled defaulted parents through the school's Project on Predatory Student Lending. ""We're impoverishing the less-privileged population who are aging. That's a terrible policy."" The U.S. Education Department, which administers the parent PLUS loan program, doesn't regularly provide performance data, even though taxpayers will have to foot the bill for any unpaid debt. The last time the agency released default rates for parent loans, in 2014 for the group that deferred payment until their kids left school and began repaying in 2010, the rate was 5.1 percent, up from 1.8 percent four years earlier. It has projected that loans originated in 2014 will default over their lifetime at a rate of 10.2 percent. In August and October, the department deniedFreedom of Information Actrequests by Bloomberg News seeking parent default and deferment numbers by college, saying it ""has yet to complete its analysis"" by institution. The agency provides default data annually, broken out by school, for most student borrowers. Those rates help determine which schools can continue to access the loan program. ""We can't fix problems in the student-loan programs if researchers, policymakers and consumers don't have access to the information they need,"" Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, said in an emailed response to questions. Sen.Lamar Alexander, the Tennessee Republican who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, plans to look at ways to improve the disclosure of loan information in forthcoming legislation, according to a spokeswoman. Denise Horn, an Education Department spokeswoman, said the government is committed to keeping college accessible and affordable, while helping families make informed choices about borrowing, including parent loans. ""As part of those efforts, the department offers loan counseling to all PLUS loan applicants to empower parents with additional details on their loans,"" Horn said in an email. ""We believe this is an important component to ensuring borrowers are aware of and understand their repayment obligations."" Maria Correa, a 63-year-old secretary and breast-cancer survivor, is one of those parents being crushed by debt. Correa, who moved to Chicago from Manila in 1982, began borrowing from the government in 2009 to help send her daughter toDePaul University, a private college in Chicago. She took out $120,000 in parent PLUS loans over four years, in addition to the $27,000 her daughter borrowed from the government. Parents like Correa can borrow the entire cost of a child's college education -- in some cases more than $50,000 a year -- without having to provide income data. The government requires only that they don't have ""adverse credit"" for two years, a duration reduced from five years by the Education Department last year. Applicants can have loan balances of $2,100 that are delinquent 90 days or more, are in collection or charged off and still qualify for a PLUS loan. ""It was so easy to get the loan,"" Correa said over lunch at a Macy's store in downtown Chicago, near the office where she has worked for the past 27 years. ""I tried my best to help out with my daughter's needs."" Correa's family budget ""spiraled down,"" she said, after her husband, Marc, now 68, suffered a stroke in 2010 that left him paralyzed on his right side and permanently disabled. He previously was employed by a restaurant group at Chicago's O'Hare Airport repairing equipment. Now his Social Security checks mostly go to pay for medication, Correa said. Correa deferred repayment while her daughter was in college, as a law passed by Congress in 2008 allowed her to do. Now she's in the second year of a maximum three-year hardship deferment. Meanwhile interest has been accruing on her 7.9 percent loans, swelling her debt to almost $170,000. ""Every day it's on my mind,"" said Correa, who lost her house in 2012 because she couldn't afford the monthly mortgage payments of more than $2,000. ""How am I going to pay it?"" Correa, who moved with her husband to their daughter's home in Bolingbrook, a Chicago suburb, said she plans to use the third year of her hardship deferral and then enter a 25-year repayment plan that will lower her monthly bill to about $1,500 based on her current balance, instead of $2,000. If she makes every payment, she would be at least 90 when the debt is paid off. ""I don't know if I will default,"" said Correa. ""I don't know when I'll retire."" Correa's daughter, who requested that her first name not be used, majored in journalism and public relations at DePaul, graduating in 2013. She works for a nonprofit organization in Chicago and said she pays about $400 a month on her loan. DePaul, the largest Catholic university in the United States, cautions parents and students to borrow only what is prudent, Jon Boeckenstedt, associate vice president of enrollment and marketing, said in an email. ""We cannot control how much a parent borrows on a PLUS loan for an undergraduate,"" he said. Parents can borrow to cover tuition, room, board and books, minus grants or loans the student receives. PLUS loans also carry an origination fee of 4.3 percent. The current interest rate is 6.8 percent, and it was almost 8 percent from July 2006 to June 2013. ""When money comes from the government, a trusted source, parents do have good reason to borrow,"" said Merrill, the Harvard lecturer. ""But the problem is their income is not going to change based on their kids' education."" Parents aren't eligible for most programs that offer reduced payments for struggling student borrowers based on income. For older borrowers like Correa, the burden can be onerous. About 17 percent of parent loans held by borrowers 65 to 74 were in default in 2013, according to Education Department data provided for a 2014 Government Accountability Office report. Older borrowers who default on education debt can have Social Security payments garnished. The practice is of such concern to Sens. Warren andClaire McCaskill, a Missouri Democrat, that they asked the GAO in April to study the impact. Congress doesn't require data on parent loans to be reported annually by school, the same way it is for student borrowers. While the Obama administration has pushed for transparency by publishing data about cumulative loans and repayment rates for student borrowers, it doesn't apply to parents. The Education Department, which said last year it would release performance measures for parent PLUS loans ""where appropriate,"" hasn't made such information available. ""It's dangerous that the program is opaque about its likely future losses,"" said Deborah Lucas, a former chief economist for theCongressional Budget Officeand now a professor of finance at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. ""That's a situation that really needs to change given the magnitude of the potential losses in this program.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/river-letter-just-the-facts-,River letter: Just the facts,2015-12-26,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"River letter: Just the facts Saturday, December 26, 2015 Someone in the federal bureaucracy may take offense, but our regional congressional delegation simply spoke the truth in a letter delivered in recent days to an assistant secretary of the U.S. Army. Twenty lawmakers including Northwest Missouri Rep. Sam Graves and Missouri Sens. Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill took the occasion to remind Assistant Secretary Jo-Ellen Darcy that her oversight of civil works must extend to protecting all Missouri River stakeholders, not just two species of birds. The officials were restrained in their language but direct in stating the threat they see from a new initiative of the Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designed to restore the habitats of the least tern and the piping plover. It has come to our attention that the Corps and FWS have presented a list of proposed alternative recovery actions (that) call for significant changes to the operation of the mainstem reservoir system (of the Missouri River) including alterations to the spring pulse, addition of a fall pulse, and addition of a low summer flow. These actions could threaten water supply for municipal use and agricultural irrigation, create difficulties for controlling flood risks, eliminate the navigation season, and reduce recreational opportunities. In short, revising the Master Manual (which governs management of the river) to adhere exclusively to a single purpose would be to the detriment of the other authorized purposes. The representatives and senators speak with a voice of reason when they note the interest to explore alternatives to current strategies for boosting populations of the two bird species. But they add that such an agenda should be guided by the best available science, should seek to minimize risk to stakeholders, and should be constrained by the guidelines set out in the current Master Manual. That document, by the way, last was subject to a full-scale revision following what the lawmakers said was a 17-year process that cost $30 million. Then, in 2006, it was revised to balance the eight congressionally authorized purposes for management of the river and in line with Fish and Wildlifes scientific findings about river wildlife. We concur with our representatives in Washington that the Corps and FWS should be governed by existing polices and not be allowed to pursue a disruptive single-issue agenda that almost certainly would have negative impacts on downstream landowners, businesses and communities. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-urges-fcc-chair-to-help-close-rural-digital-divide,Congressman Cleaver Urges FCC Chair to Help Close Rural Digital Divide and Prioritize Broadband Access for Rural Residents,2015-12-21,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congressman Cleaver sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler, urging him to structure the upcoming Connect America Fund Phase II reverse auction for broadband access so that funding is made available on a priority basis for fiber to the home networks.Approximately $400 million infunding for broadband in the State of Missouri will be awarded to broadband providers in a reverse auction that is expected to take place in 2016. There is a rural digital divide in our country and the gap should not be narrowed with satellite or unlicensed fixed-wireless networks, said Congressman Cleaver. This is a once in a decade opportunity for Missouri to bring ultra-fast fiber to rural residents, especially in areas where large private companies have declined their right of first refusal to accept model-based support. Satellite or fixed-wireless access will not meet the needs of our rural residents, either now or in the future. Broadband services that are available in rural areas are not reasonably comparable to those offered in urban areas. Roughly 10% of the rural population in the country has wireline upload speeds of 10 Mbps or greater, as compared with 53% in the urban areas. Many of Missouris Electric Cooperatives are ready to fill this digital divide with future-proof fiber optic networks that will increase rural download speeds so businesses can thrive and compete. Five Missouri Electric Cooperatives are actively deploying fiber to the home (FTTH) networks today, proving this is possible in rural areas. More cooperatives are expressing interest in deploying broadband, and accessing the CAF auction funds. Missouri Electric Cooperatives together own over 15,000 miles of fiber optic networks and have the technical and financial qualifications to bring broadband to all rural areas in Missouri. Giving Missouri a chance to lead the country with FTTH networks will ensure the viability of communities through education, access to government services, job opportunities, and business attraction. Rural Missouris future economic growth potential depends on this auction being structured correctly.The FCC has a chance to be forward thinking and help to bridge the digital divide in rural areas of Missouri with fiber optic networks. Missouris rural fiber networks will be the example for how the rest of the country can narrow the digital divide fairly. Full text of the Congressmans letter is available here. Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouris 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.A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is availablehere. For more information please contact John Jones john.h.jones@mail.house.gov or(202) 225-4535.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-secures-225-million-for-body-cameras-in-omnibus,Congressman Cleaver Secures $22.5 Million for Body Cameras in Omnibus,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Cleaver is pleased to announce that the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, more commonly referred to as the omnibus spending bill, includes $22.5 million for police body cameras. In January, Congressman Cleaver wrote a letter to President Obama urging him to promote funding for body cameras as a result of the continual unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, and alleged police misconduct across the country. Full text of that letter is available here. This inclusion of funding comes on the heels of H. Res. 295, passed by the House in June, of which Congressman Cleaver was an original cosponsor. H. Res. 295 expresses the sense of Congress in support of local law enforcement agencies and their continued work to serve our communities, specifically supporting their use of body worn cameras. These body cameras serve to promote transparency to protect both citizens and officers. From the death of Michael Brown last year in Ferguson, to the tragic murder of Walter Scott in North Charleston, South Carolina, and the death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore this spring, now more than ever, the public has called for reform and accountability, said Congressman Cleaver. Body cameras will serve to increase transparency. Both the police and the public benefit when the police have the best tools and training to fulfill their mission. Body cameras are one part of a much broader solution in police reform. Congressman Cleaver has made policing reform a core goal in the 114th Congress, and he is pleased that bipartisan leaders have realized the importance of encouraging police officers to utilize body cameras as they work to keep our communities safe and promote accountability. ### Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouris 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.A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is availablehere. For more information please contact John Jones john.h.jones@mail.house.gov or(202) 225-4535.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lacyclay.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/clay-backs-omnibus-spending-bill-keep-federal-government-open-thru,"Clay Backs Omnibus Spending Bill to Keep Federal Government Open Thru September 2016,",2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,William Clay,C001049,lacyclay.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 18, 2015 MEDIA CONTACT: STEVEN ENGELHARDT (314) 504-4029 Clay Backs Bipartisan Omnibus Spending Bill to Keep Federal Government Open Thru September 2016 Funding Package Sustains Boeing Fighter Programs, Extends Earned Income Tax Credit for Lower-income Families, Increases NIH Funding for Lifesaving Research, Invests in Public Safety WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri issued this first-person statement today after the U.S. House voted to approve a $1.1 trillion omnibus spending and tax credits bill, averting another Republican government shutdown and making key federal investments in jobs, healthcare, education, public safety, renewable energy and helping lower-income families. === This compromise bill advances many of my key priorities, including federal support for skilled manufacturing; lifesaving medical research; hiring more police officers and transforming how they protect our communities; advancing renewable energy and extending the earned income tax credit which helps lift 24 million lower-income working families out of poverty. The funding package also includes $1 billion to build seven EA-18G Growlers and five F-18E/F Super Hornets preserving 2,000 skilled manufacturing jobs at Boeing's St. Louis County facility. I'm also pleased that the bill increases funding for the National Institutes of Health which annually provides hundreds of millions of dollars to support life-saving research at Washington University Medical Center and Saint Louis University Medical Center. That research not only creates hundreds of jobs, it is critical to advancing the fight against cancer, HIV/AIDs, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's and other serious illnesses. The package also includes grant funding via the Justice Department that could help the City of St. Louis and other local law enforcement agencies hire additional police officers and invest in body cameras which have been proven to reduce crime, curb the use of excessive force and reduce complaints against local police.Overall, the Omnibus bill is a major victory for working families.Other Highlights of the Omnibus Spending Agreement Renewable Energy: Provides a major boost to renewable energy by extending the wind Production Tax Credit for five years (through 2019), and extending the solar Investment Tax Credit for five years (through 2021), while phasing both credits down somewhat over time. Extending the solar tax credit is estimated to create 61,000 jobs in 2017 alone. It is also estimated that the wind industry will grow to over 100,000 jobs over four years with the renewed wind tax credit. Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy R&D: Provides an 8 percent increase over 2015 for R&D activities in the pursuit of new clean energy and energy efficiency technologies. Overall Education:The bill restores the $2.5 billion cut in education that the GOP had proposed and also makes critical additional investments of $1.4 billion above 2015, in such areas as Title I that serves 24 million at-risk students. Early Learning: Investing in Head Start produces results and this bill invests nearly $400 million more than the House GOP bill and nearly $600 million more than 2015 in this vital initiative. The bill also provides $250 million for Preschool Development Grants, assisting 18 states across the country. Medical Research: Medical research at NIH has been underfunded for the last several years. This bill provides $900 million more than the House GOP bill and $2 billion more than 2015 for this life-saving research. Infrastructure:The popular TIGER grants are being used across the country to repair infrastructure and contribute to economic growth. The House GOP bill had slashed TIGER grants by 80 percent, killing jobs, but this bill restores the funding to the 2015 level of $500 million. Law Enforcement:The bill provides $187 million for COPS hiring grants, $7 million above the 2015 level and $187 million above the House GOP bill, which had eliminated the hiring grants. The bill also provides $80 million for the Community Policing Initiative, including $22.5 million for body-worn cameras and $15 million for Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation grants, an increase over the House bill. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-votes-against-package-of-spending-bills-and-tax-giveaways,McCaskill Votes Against Package of Spending Bills & Tax Giveaways,2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McCaskill Votes Against Package of Spending Bills & Tax Giveaways Senator: Nearly $2 trillion package is a fiscally irresponsible step too far Friday, December 18, 2015 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, a former Missouri State Auditor, today voted against a nearly $2 trillion package of spending bills and tax giveaways, citing its extension of giveaways for the wealthy and special interests, and the fact that it is not fully paid formeaning it will add significantly to the national debt. McCaskill released the following statement: This package is one fiscally irresponsible step too far. It includes important provisions for programs I support, like a boost to the E/A-18 Growler and F/A-18 Super Hornets production lines in St. Louis. But the bulk of this package is just a series of huge, expensive tax giveaways to the wealthy and special interestsnot paid forthat will add significantly to our national debt and hamper our ability to achieve my goal of a simpler, fairer tax code. One year ago this week, McCaskill voted against a $1 trillion omnibus spending bill, after secretive, last-minute additions to the bill changed election rules to allow for huge financial donations from wealthy contributors to political parties and committees. Visit mccaskill.senate.gov/accountability to learn more about McCaskill's fight to strengthen accountability. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/this-week-mccaskill-shines-missourispotlight-on-lees-summit,"This Week, McCaskill Shines #MissouriSpotlight on Lee’s Summit",2015-12-18,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"This Week, McCaskill Shines #MissouriSpotlight on Lees Summit Senator highlights Missouri town as part of her weekly Twitter series Friday, December 18, 2015 WASHINGTON This week, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is shining the #MissouriSpotlight on the city of Lees Summit as part of her weekly effort on Twitter to bring awareness to the many vibrant & eclectic towns and cities the Show Me State has to offer. Using her @McCaskillOffice account and the hashtag #MissouriSpotlight, McCaskill sent out a series of tweets today highlighting the citys history, tourism and unique facts. The #MissouriSpotlight tweets included: Todays #MissouriSpotlight is headed to another town known for holiday celebrations - @CityofLS (photo: LS Facebook) A suburb of Kansas City, @CityofLS is home to over 93k ppl, making it #MOs 6th largest city. http://www.lstourism.com/ #MissouriSpotlight Originally named Town of Strother, @CityofLS changed its name to honor Dr. Pleasant Lea, misspelling Lea w/ two es. #MissouriSpotlight .@CityofLS has a vast railroad history & summit comes from LS being the highest point on the railroad b/w KC & STL. #MissouriSpotlight Founded in the 1840s, the @CityofLS honors its rich history w/ an award-winning @downtownls. http://downtownls.org/ #MissouriSpotlight W/ 40 shops & restaurants, @downtownls is full of holiday spirit - even Santa will stop there tomorrow (12/19) at 3pm! #MissouriSpotlight Near @downtownls, visit Christmas in the Park an enchanting drive-thru winter wonderland. http://www.jacksongov.org/parkscalendar/ #MissouriSpotlight 300,000 lights & 175 animated figures, Christmas in the Park is a gift from Jackson County thru Dec. 31 #MissouriSpotlight #VisitMO 20 mi east of @CityofLS on highway 50, @PowellGardens has a host of holiday activities: http://www.powellgardens.org/holidays#.VnQ8T_krKUk #MissouriSpotlight #VisitMO And b/c the fun doesnt stop there in @CityofLS, take a trip back in time to Missouri Town 1855: http://www.jacksongov.org/missouritown/ #MissouriSpotlight .@CityofLS has much to offer residents & visitors yr round - consistently ranked a top city. Thanks for joining #MissouriSpotlight! #VisitMO Visit twitter.com/McCaskillOffice to retweet or favorite todays #MissouriSpotlight tweets. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/collins-mccaskill-statement-on-arrest-of-martin-shkreli-on-securities-fraud-charges,"Collins, McCaskill Statement on Arrest of Martin Shkreli on Securities Fraud Charges",2015-12-17,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Collins, McCaskill Statement on Arrest of Martin Shkreli on Securities Fraud Charges Thursday, December 17, 2015 WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) today issued the following statement after the arrest of Martin Shkreli this morning by federal agents on securities fraud charges. Todays development with Martin Shkreli will not affect the Senate Aging Committees bipartisan investigation into the sudden, aggressive price spikes of some decades-old drugs, which is not limited to one person or one company. As we have said from the beginning, these price spikes have raised questions that are critically important to the American publicand we will continue our investigation until weve found answers to those questions. Last month, Senators Collins and McCaskill announced a bipartisan Senate investigation into pharmaceutical drug pricing requesting documents and information from four pharmaceutical companies, including Shkrelis Turing Pharmaceuticals. We are proceeding with our investigation into the practices of the four pharmaceutical companies: Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Turing Pharmaceuticals, Retrophin Inc, and Rodelis Therapeutics. That announcement was followed last week by the first in a series of hearing on this issue. That hearing provided insight into the causes of these sudden, aggressive price hikes on decades old drugs and the effect these egregious price increases have on patients access to medication. The Special Committee on Aging, led by Chairman Collins and Ranking Member McCaskill, promotes discussions and conducts investigations on areas of special interest to older Americans. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-calls-on-dol-and-fda-to-investigate-reports-of,Congressman Cleaver Calls on DOL and FDA to Investigate Reports of Retailers Selling Shrimp Peeled by Slaves in Thailand,2015-12-16,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congressman Cleaver (MO-05) sent a letter to Secretary of Labor Tom Perez and Acting Commissioner of Food and Drugs Dr. Stephen Ostroff, calling on them to investigate slave-peeled shrimp in Thailand, which is entering the United States food supply. Recent reports from the United Nations, the European Union, the US State Department, and international labor organizations have all detailed the repugnant use of slave labor in the Thai shrimp processing industry. A detailed report released by the Associated Press this week revealed particularly illustrative and gruesome testimony of former slave workers: human trafficking, forced labor, debt bondages, filthy sub-human working conditions, child endangerment, unlivable wages, and even death. I am deeply concerned for the welfare of adult and children shrimp peelers in Thailand, who are forced to work in one of the most abhorrent slavery schemes of the 21st century, said Congressman Cleaver, The list of human rights violations is both extensive and foul. While human trafficking and forced labor are not unique to Thailand, the reports concerning the shrimp peeling industry in Thailand are impossible to ignore. And what is perhaps most troubling is the alleged involvement of United States corporations in the operation. United States Customs records show that Thai shrimp imported from slavery tainted supply lines has made its way into United States restaurants, universities, hospitals, pet stores, and some of the United States largest retailers. While some American companies such as Nestle have cut ties with Thai processors associated with slavery, others have admitted to a lack of awareness. Although international actors have begun to take steps to address the injustices, Congressman Cleaver believes that there is much more that the United States can do. I respectfully request that the FDA and DOL launch full investigations into US companies doing business with Thai shrimp processors known to be associated with slavery, continued Congressman Cleaver, and implement the administrative actions that are available to punish companies that associate themselves with slave labor. In order to compensate for the State Departments inability to institute an outright ban on importing shrimp processed by forced labor, other agencies can and must increase transparency and accountability in the Thai Shrimp distribution chain. This year our country celebrated the 150th Anniversary of the passage of the 13th Amendment; an amendment formally abolishing slavery in the United States, stated Congressman Cleaver.Although the horrors of slavery in our country are generations prior, there are those in Thailand who will wake up tomorrow to experience this nightmare for themselves. We cannot abolish slavery from our own front yard only to see similar crimes against humanity supported in the yard of our neighbors. Full text of the Congressmans letter is available here. Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouris 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.A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is availablehere. For more information please contact John Jones john.h.jones@mail.house.gov or(202) 225-4535.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/fast-designed-to-speed-permit-process-for-businesses,FAST designed to speed permit process for businesses,2015-12-15,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"FAST designed to speed permit process for businesses Tuesday, December 15, 2015 By: Jack Miles Washington Sen.Claire McCaskill, D-Missouri, worked in bipartisan accord with Sen.Rob Portman, R-Ohio, to pass a law that cuts red tape responsible for stifling major developments in Missouri and nationally, state and national leaders said. The new Federal Permitting Improvement Act fixes a broken permitting process,Bruce Josten, U.S. Chamber of Commerce executive vice president for government affairs, said. The new streamlining law (will) speed up the review and the approval of permitting for significant infrastructure, and manufacturing products, across the country, Josten said. All of which has the potential for investment, development and growth for our economy. There really is no excuse for a bureaucratic nightmare when we are trying to invest in infrastructure in this country, and it has gotten to the point that it was impossible for large projects to move in a timely basis, which means they cost more money, and we all pay for that ultimately that price tag is passed along, McCaskill said. Bill Kovacs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce senior vice president for environment, technology and regulatory affairs, explained the value of passing FAST, the first major amendment of the 1969 environmental review process. Its literally brilliant in its simplicity putting time frames in a management structure around an extraordinarily complex environmental review process, he said. This is the first time its applied to both public and private infrastructure projects costing over $200 million. Projects include energy pipelines, aviation, manufacturing and broadband. This is literally across the entire economy, Kovacs said. The past permit process that could take a decade or more hampered interest in development, he said. The mechanics are simple, Kovacs said: A director coordinates the process, a projects inventory is created, a schedule is set for each project, the executive assures time frames are met, the dispute resolution process is quick, the public will know what occurs at every step and those who want to sue regarding a project have two years versus the present six. Reducing the lawsuit time frame is important, he said. That is a huge, huge improvement, because right now you can go four, five, six, 10, 15 years on a project and then, if someones going to sue you, they have an additional six years, putting tremendous uncertainty on the project, Kovacs said. The World Bank ranks the United States a low 41st worldwide in Dealing with Construction Permits. Daniel Mehan, president and chief executive officer of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the bill marks progress. This means a real breath of fresh air for infrastructure around the country, Mehan said, adding Missouri is known for having infrastructure that is key to the nation. Weve got a cross-section of pipelines, roads, rails with the second-, third-largest rail hubs in the country and sixth-longest highway system. McCaskill added the states river system to infrastructure mix because waterways are used to move goods through locks and dams to markets a vital point important on the east side of the state where the Mississippi River drains into the Gulf of Mexico. The west side of the state also stands to benefit from easing federal permitting regulations. If you look at anything big that has to be built, whether its at Whiteman or whether its in Kansas City, anything that would reach that initial investment of $200 million, this is going to apply, she said. Bruce Josten, U.S. Chamber of Commerce executive vice president for government affairs, said a few years ago a chamber study and found 351 permit-delayed infrastructure projects had a combined investment value of about $750 billion. They were being held up by environmental organizations suing, he said. Josten said McCaskill worked tirelessly to move the bill through the committee process to reach the point of passage. To win approval, the bill had to get through questions raised by the environmental, labor and business communities, and the White House. The bill received support from groups including the U.S. and Missouri chambers of commerce, Associated General Contractors of Missouri, American Soybean Association and Obama, who signed the measure into law. The Sierra Club is among groups that opposed FAST, stating in March, The legislation would also undercut public participation and environmental review, making it far more difficult for the public to raise legitimate concerns about thousands of federal projects that could potentially have significant environmental, public health, economic and other impacts. It would also greatly restrict the publics access to the courts to block unwise, wasteful, or environmentally damaging projects. Senator McCaskills personal leadership and her efforts to shepherd this through in a bipartisan way made it all possible, to be blunt, Josten said. She and her staff have been there and involved on this issue from the beginning with us. She led the legislation in the last Congress and she led it in this Congress. Bipartisanship helps the nation, McCaskill said. Its possible that we could do more of this in Washington if everyone would stop standing on opposite sides of the room yelling at each other and try to figure out more ways that we can embrace common sense and do something like this, she said. I believe this will save everyone a lot of money and a lot of hassle. Josten said the U.S. Chamber supports people who work together for the common good. We have been leading an effort to try and identify/recruit candidates (who) want to come to Washington to govern responsibly, not come to Washington to simply blow everything up, he said. The challenge for the American public that I think at times is attracted to rhetoric that is fury We need to stop and move away from divisive rhetoric. By definition, this town operates when you have bipartisan approaches and compromise. Compromise is baked into the entire system, and when you have divided government, which is what we have right now youre going to have to have people like Senator McCaskill and like Senator Portman that reach across the aisle. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-secures-bronze-star-medal-for-st-louis-world-war-ii-veteran,McCaskill Secures Bronze Star Medal for St. Louis World War II Veteran,2015-12-14,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McCaskill Secures Bronze Star Medal for St. Louis World War II Veteran Senator advocated for veteran to receive award 60 years after combat Monday, December 14, 2015 ST. LOUIS U.S. Senator Claire McCaskills office today hosted a Bronze Star Medal ceremony honoring World War II veteran Vernon C. Crecelius, who was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster for his military service. Our veterans past and present have done the critical work of safeguarding our nations freedoms, said McCaskill, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the daughter of a World War II veteran. Each and every veteran deserves proper recognition for their brave and honorable service. One of the best parts of my job is to ensure we recognize and spotlighthowever long it takes the contributions of brave individuals like Mr. Crecelius. Vernon C. Crecelius, a veteran of the 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, served in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) in Normandy and Northern France. For his service in World War II, he was authorized a Bronze Star Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster signifying an additional Bronze Star Medal before his honorable discharge in 1945. Unfortunately, Mr. Crecelius never received the additional award of the Oak Leaf Cluster device. After McCaskills office submitted the necessary documentation, the U.S. Army confirmed Mr. Crecelius entitlement to the long-delayed award. The medal was presented by Brigadier General Gregory Champagne, Assistant Adjutant General for Air, Missouri National Guard. Senator McCaskill has previously helped Missouri veterans and their families secure overdue combat awards, including Vietnam veteranPatrick Howe, Korean war veteranDencil Francis, Vietnam veteranWalter Sitzwohl, and Korean war veteran Reverend Leo Hardin. Visitwww.mccaskill.senate.gov/veteransto learn more about McCaskills fight for military veterans. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/editorial-women-in-the-military-break-the-penultimate-barrier,Editorial: Women in the military break the penultimate barrier,2015-12-13,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Editorial: Women in the military break the penultimate barrier Sunday, December 13, 2015 By: Editorial Board The U.S. militaryis now an equal opportunity employer. Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced thatall military jobswill be open to women, even dangerous combat roles from which they were previously blocked. Theyll be allowed to drive tanks, fire mortars and lead infantry soldiers into combat, Mr. Carter said at a Pentagon news conference announcing the decision Dec. 2. Theyll be able to serve as Army Rangers and Green Berets, Navy SEALs, Marine Corps infantry, Air Force parajumpers and everything else that was previously open only to men. This change which comes nearly 70 years after the U.S. military racially integrated is long overdue. For too long, women have been kept from many combat roles and other duties simply because they were women, not because they couldnt do the job. The limitations never kept women out of harms way, of course. More than 160 women have died and more than 1,000 have been injured serving in the U.S. military in Iraq and Afghanistan. But the policy did hold women back when it came to climbing the ranks. Combat experience is an important factor in career advancement in the military. The policyheld the military back, as well, as Mr. Carter made clear. To succeed in our mission of national defense, we cannot afford to cut ourselves off from half the countrys talents and skills, he said. We have to take full advantage of every individual who can meet our standards. The emphasis on meeting standards by Mr. Carter was intentional. President Barack Obama also stressed military standards. As commander-in-chief, I know that this change, like others before it, will make our military even stronger, he said. Our armed forces will draw on an even wider pool of talent. Women who can meet the high standards required will have new opportunities to serve. Make no mistake: Women can meet those standards. The three women who graduated from the Armys grueling Ranger School at Fort Benning, Ga., are proof of that. U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., an Army helicopter pilot injured in Iraq in 2004, was pleased with Mr. Carters announcement. I didnt lose my legs in a bar fight, she said. Of course women can serve in combat. The decision followed a lengthy assessment by the military ordered by then-Defense Secretary Leon Panetta in 2013 when he overturned a 1994 Pentagon rule barring women from combat units. After that assessment, only the Marine Corps sought exemptions to keep women from serving in some roles. Mr. Carter denied that request. Chairman of the JointChiefs Gen. Joseph Dunford, a Marine who argued for keeping women out of some combat roles, was noticeably absent during Mr. Carters announcement. There have always been those who object when barriers fall, yet those barriers do, and must, continue to fall. The military will adapt. And, as Mr. Obama said, it will be stronger for it. But this decision opens up another issue that Americans need to consider: selective service. Though no American has been drafted into military service since the end of the Vietnam War, young men in the United States continue to be required by law to register for selective service when they turn 18 while young women are not. When that requirement was challenged as discriminatory decades ago, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of a male-only draft, based substantially on the fact that women were excluded from combat roles by statute and military policy. APentagon analysispublished recently without comment noted that Mr. Carters decision further alters the factual backdrop of that ruling. Sen. Claire McCaskill,D-Mo., agrees. Theres all kinds of ways women can serve, and theres all kinds of ways men can serve, she said. And if, in fact, we were at a point where we were having a draft again, I would think both would and should serve. The Selective Service Act is being challenged again. On Dec. 8, the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals heard a case brought by the National Coalition for Men. The policy may change before any lawsuit is settled, though. Shortly after Mr. Carters announcement, aWhite House spokesmansaid a policy shift was under discussion, though Mr. Obama has not made his own views known. Its long past time for the United States to rethink forcing its citizens to register for a potential draft. Considerable evidence suggests that the nation is better served by an all-volunteer military though had there been an active draft, it might have focused more national attention on the long-running wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. If selective service registration is going to remain a requirement, then it should not be a discriminatory one. The existing rationale for excluding women from this requirement no longer holds up. It would require an act of Congress to add women to the draft. Congress should act. This editorial was commissioned from freelance editorialists and edited by the Post-Dispatch editorial board Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/mccaskill-donates-10k-for-sexual-harassment-resources,McCaskill donates $10K for sexual harassment resources,2015-12-11,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McCaskill donates $10K for sexual harassment resources Friday, December 11, 2015 By: Summer Ballentine Missouris U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill said Thursday that she donated $10,000 to an advocacy group to help interns facing sexual harassment, an issue that drew national attention to the state Legislature after the resignations this year of two lawmakers accused of inappropriate behavior with interns. The donation provides seed money for a panel of Missouri college and university representatives collaborating on how to best assist interns, said Matthew Huffman, program development specialist with the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. He said the panel will consider interns at the Capitol and in other roles. Former state Sen. Paul LeVota, D-Independence, stepped down in August following allegations that he sexually harassed interns, which he deniedOne interns claims launched a Senate investigation and led another to come forward with similar claims. McCaskill and other top state Democrats such as Gov. Jay Nixon publicly questioned LeVotas ability to serve in response. Former Republican House Speaker John Diehl also left the chamber in disarray on the last day of session in May after admitting to exchanging sexually charged text messages with a Capitol intern. McCaskill, who said she dealt with sexual harassment when she interned at the state Legislature, applauded lawmakers recent efforts to address the culture in Jefferson City. Changes include newly mandated annual sexual harassment training for House members and staff. But McCaskill for months also has called for ways for interns to find help outside the Capitol, such as a hotline. The biggest issue facing someone who is being harassed in a situation where someone has a lot more power than you have is, Where can I go to find out what I should do? McCaskill said. Huffman said representatives from nine public and private colleges and universities - including the University of Central Missouri, which the intern who reported being harassed by LeVota attended - are part of the new panel. Members include intern coordinators, counseling directors and college investigators of possible violations of Title IX, a federal law that prohibits sexual discrimination in education. Huffman said members will look for services that are already available and identify ways to best connect interns with help and information about sexual harassment. Ongoing prevention education, Huffman said, is necessary because students face different challenges when they get ready to join the workforce. The information you get as a freshman is going to be very different from when youre a junior and a senior, Huffman said. Huffman said the hope is to come up with a plan by April 2016. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/missouri-and-us-chambers-of-commerce-join-mccaskill-to-tout-her-bipartisan-plan-recently-signed-into-law-to-boost-job-opportunities-streamline-permitting,"Missouri and U.S. Chambers of Commerce Join McCaskill to Tout Her Bipartisan Plan Recently Signed Into Law to Boost Job Opportunities, Streamline Permitting",2015-12-11,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Missouri and U.S. Chambers of Commerce Join McCaskill to Tout Her Bipartisan Plan Recently Signed Into Law to Boost Job Opportunities, Streamline Permitting Senators bipartisan plan to reform federal permitting was included in long-term Highway bill Friday, December 11, 2015 WASHINGTON Representatives from the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce today joined U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill to discuss bipartisan legislation by McCaskillrecently signed into lawthat will boost job and business opportunities by reforming federal permitting. Senator McCaskill, thanks so much for your leadership on this issueit means a real breath of fresh air for infrastructure around the country, said Daniel Mehan, President and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, on a media conference call. Missouri is keen on infrastructure with our location in the center of the countryweve got a cross-section of pipelines, roads, railswith the second, third largest rail hubs in the country and sixth largest highway system. But this means that infrastructure development will be simplified, itll be expedited, and with the focused management itll help in a great way employ a lot of Missourians congratulations on a unique display of bipartisanship in the federal government. Its important for us to recognize and appreciate the efforts led by Senator McCaskill and Senator Portman, and for the audience on the phone to know that Senator McCaskills effort and her personal leadership to shepherd this through in a bipartisan way made it all possible, to be blunt, said Bruce Josten, Executive Vice President for Government Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Senator McCaskill in fact worked tirelessly to keep this legislation on point and moving forward, through committees, and eventually as part of the highway bill which was just signed into law by the President the new streamlining law passed last week will coordinate and speed up the review and approval of permitting for significant infrastructure and manufacturing products across the country, all of which are essential for investment, development, and growth of our economy. Josten added: This town operates when you have bipartisan approaches and compromise when you have divided government by definition, youre going to have to have people like Senator McCaskill and like Senator Portman that reach across the aisle and work an issue together and ultimately jump together to move it forward. No question about it. Im really thrilled to be able to thank Senator McCaskill for years for continuous leadership to get the Federal Permitting Improvement Act passed, said Bill Kovacs, Senior Vice President for Environment, Technology & Regulatory Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Whats significant about the legislation is that its literally brilliant in its simplicity. This is something I think we like to major in, in my state, and thats common sense, said McCaskill, a former Missouri State Auditor. There really is no excuse for a bureaucratic nightmare when we are trying to invest in infrastructure in this country. And it has gotten to the point that it was impossible for large projects to move in a timely basis, which means they cost more money, and we all pay for that I think its possible that we could do more [like this legislation] in Washington if everyone would stop standing on opposite sides of the room yelling at each other and try to figure out more ways that we can embrace common sense. The long-term highway bill signed into law last week, includes provisions of the Federal Permitting Improvement Act, which McCaskill introduced more than two years ago along with Republican Senator Rob Portman of Ohio, that would streamline and speed up the federal permitting process for the largest and most complex projects, right now laden with an uncoordinated federal review process. Businesses looking to undertake large infrastructure projects are currently subject to a massive bureaucratic process involving up to a dozen agencies and approvals, and even after approval, litigation can stall projects for years. The World Bank has ranked the United States 41st in the world in Dealing with Construction Permits, a metric that measures how easy it is to actually build something. McCaskills bipartisan plan was backed by a number of groups including : Missouri Chamber of Commerce U.S. Chamber of Commerce American Soybean Association Missouri Realtors Associated General Contractors of Missouri North American Equipment Dealers Association Columbia Chamber of Commerce Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield St. Louis Regional Chamber Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce Visit mccaskill.senate.gov/jobs to learn more about McCaskills fight to boost job opportunities for Missouri. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/video/view/mccaskill-facts-underlying-this-hearing-are-so-egregious-its-hard-not-to-get-emotional-about-it,"McCaskill: ‘Facts Underlying This Hearing Are So Egregious, It’s Hard Not to Get Emotional About It’",2015-12-11,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today helped lead the first in a series of hearings on dramatic drug price increasesoften on older, off-patent drugsafter the acquisition or merger of pharmaceutical companies. The hearing, entitled Sudden Price Spikes in Off-Patent Drugs: Perspectives from the Front Lines explored the causes of these sudden, aggressive price hikes on off-patent drugs and the effect these egregious price increases have on patients access to medication.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/blunt-a-no-on-education-reform-mccaskill-gets-chamber-praise-for-construction-bill,Blunt a 'no' on education reform; McCaskill gets Chamber praise for construction bill,2015-12-10,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Blunt a 'no' on education reform; McCaskill gets Chamber praise for construction bill Thursday, December 10, 2015 By: Chuck Raasch WASHINGTON Sen. Roy Blunt was one of 12 Senate Republicans to oppose an overhaul of federal elementary and secondary education programs that President Barack Obama signed into law Thursday. Obama hailed it as a necessary repeal of the No Child Left Behind act that gives states more flexibility in testing and boosts efforts in crucial areas, such as pre-school. But Blunt, R-Mo., said he opposed the bill because it still left ""too much Washington-down impact on elementary and secondary education."" The vote continued a trendin which Blunt has voted with a minority of Republicans against Obama-supported measures. The senator told the Post-Dispatch it was in keeping with his conservative philosophy, but his votes in 2015 have thrust him from the middle of the GOP pack to one of the most likely Republican senators to oppose Obama. The passage of the education bill was part of a year-end flurry of action involving St. Louis-area or Missouri members of Congress. Congress still must approve a budget which, among other things, will determine future construction of EA-18 aircraft at a Boeing facility in St. Louis, one of the most-watched federal spending items for the region. St. Louis-area members' staffs are confident that the budget will continue funding for the aircraft. Other items of note as Congress prepares for a holiday recess: On Thursday, Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Harrisonville, chair of the House Armed Services Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, and Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, chair of the overall committee, released areport alleging that there were political considerationsbehind the 2014 release of five Taliban prisoners from Guantanamo Bay in exchange for Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who disappeared from his Army post and was captured by the Taliban. Committee Republicans also say the exchange was illegal. The findings of this report should give each of us pause,"" Hartzler said. ""Most disturbing to me are the calculated decisions and plans to mislead Congress and the American people as to the details and necessity of this transfer. After a review of the detainees at Guantanamo, ordered by President Obama, the Taliban 5 were included in a group of 48 detainees deemed too dangerous to transfer. Despite this, they were transferred. Committee Democrats described the report as ""an unbalanced, partisan, and needless attempt to justify a pre-determined position."" National and Missouri Chamber of Commerce officials held a press conference Thursday to praise Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., for co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation that was signed into law last week that they say will greatly reduce the time it takes to build major construction and repair projects, like that necessary for the I-70 corridor. McCaskill and Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, co-sponsored a transportation bill provision that will now streamline environmental and other permitting processes for major projects. Chamber officials said it would have a major, positive effect on construction of big projects in the U.S. Bruce Josten, executive vice president for government affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said American infrastructure projects ""simply cannot be built because of a broken permitting process. New streamlining law passed last week will coordinate and it will speed up the review and the approval or permitting for significant infrastructure and manufacturing products across the country."" He said that McCaskill ""led the legislation in the last Congress and she led it in this Congress."" Josten and Daniel Mehan, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that projects that take 18-24 months to get permitted in other industrialized nations now routinely take a dozen years in the U.S. They predicted that the McCaskill-Portman law will now allow a much faster construction permitting period, saving money and and attracting investors that have been putting their money into faster-built mega-projects overseas. Both the Chamber officials and McCaskill said they hoped the legislation would be a blueprint for more bipartisan economic growth work between moderate Democrats and Republicans. ""Sometimes it is not about what team you play in but what work you are trying to do,""McCaskill said. Another streamlining effort, this one sponsored by Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-St. Elizabeth, passed the House Financial Services Committee this week and now is up for consideration by the full House. Luetkemeyer said his legislation is the first attempt in a long time to reform Housing and Urban Development and Department of Agriculture Housing programs. The bill would give state and local housing agencies and private owners more flexibility in complying with federal housing objectives, limit the time people with too much income to qualify for a program can stay in public-financed housing, and give special attention to homeless veterans and children who become too old for foster care. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/mccaskill-backs-missouri-sex-harassment-initiative,McCaskill backs Missouri sex harassment initiative,2015-12-10,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McCaskill backs Missouri sex harassment initiative Thursday, December 10, 2015 By: Deirdre Shesgreen WASHINGTON Sen. Claire McCaskill said Thursday she has donated $10,000 to the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence to fund a new initiativefor interns who have been sexually harassed in their jobs. McCaskill made the contribution after two interns working at the State Capitol this year reported unwanted advances from legislators allegations that McCaskill said reminded her of her own run-ins when she was an intern in Jefferson City.McCaskill, D-Mo., said she hopes the Missouri coalition will set up ahotline and other resources for young peoplein Missouri who face such situations. The biggest issue facing someone who is being harassed in a situation where someone has a lot more power than you have is figuring out where to turn, McCaskill said. The hotline would allow any intern anywhere in the state to call and get good information about what options they have (and) what the laws are. Matthew Huffman, a program development specialist at the Missouri coalition, said few universities have procedures for helping students who face sexual harassment while serving in college-related internships. Its a gap that no one had thought to cover yet, he said. The coalition is using the McCaskill donation to figure out how to fill that gap. Huffmansaid they are consideringcreating a hotline or a web portal, which would have information about students' rights and links to crisis counseling and other support services. ""We'relooking at a comprehensive way to develop a resource that students can access easily,"" he said. McCaskill said she made the contribution last week from her personal funds. She had promised to get more involved in the sexual harassment issue after speaking this summer withAlissa Hembree, the University of Central Missouri student who accused then-state Sen. Paul LeVota of sexually harassing her while she was interning in Jefferson City. McCaskill and intern to team up against sexual harassment LeVota denied the allegations but resigned, saying he did not want his family to deal with the false accusations and character assignation. LeVota's resignation came in the wake of another scandal involving former Republican state House Speaker John Diehl, who resigned after admitting he exchanged sexually suggestive text messages with a different Capitol intern. The twin allegations have sparked reforms in Jefferson City, with Missouri House members and staff now required to undergo annual sexual harassment training, among other changes. McCaskill applauded those steps. But she said its vital that interns have access to counseling and other resources. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/mccaskill-business-leaders-laud-permit-streamlining,"McCaskill, business leaders laud permit streamlining",2015-12-10,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McCaskill, business leaders laud permit streamlining Thursday, December 10, 2015 By: Ken Newton Big infrastructure projects can suffer big delays in the federal permitting process, and bigger costs follow. Higher-ups of some of the nations top business groups joined a Missouri senator on Thursday to celebrate a cutting of red tape for getting permits on major construction work. Provisions of the Federal Permitting Improvement Act got included in the long-term Highway Bill signed into law last week. U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, a Democrat, and Sen. Rob Portman, an Ohio Republican, worked for years to move the measure to passage. McCaskill and the business leaders agreed that the permitting environment for projects larger than $200 million work involving pipelines, aviation, energy and broadband Internet, among others had become too unwieldy and time-consuming. There is no excuse for a bureaucratic nightmare when we are trying to invest in infrastructure in this country, the senator said during a conference call. It had gotten to the point that it was impossible for large projects to move in a timely basis, which means it costs more money. We all pay for that, even the private projects. Bill Kovacs, a senior vice president for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, called the measure the first major reform to the environmental review process since it was created in 1969. In addition, he said, Its a really simple solution to an extraordinarily complex problem. Kovacs said the law puts somebody in charge of projects, creates an inventory of the work and sets a schedule for review completion. The lead agency in permitting coordinates with other agencies, and a requirement calls for concurrent review of project steps rather than sequential reviews. Further, he said, the law allows for equivalent state documents to be used in the review process, avoiding duplication and wasted time, and establishes a hastened procedure for resolving disputes. McCaskill said her favorite feature in the bill was creation of a project dashboard, which allows the public to keep track of the status of work and makes it difficult for people to duck responsibility for delays. This is something I think we like to major in, in my state, and thats common sense, she said. Dan Mehan, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, called the streamlined permitting process a real breath of fresh air for infrastructure and said it would lead to more jobs for Americans. This means that infrastructure development will be simplified, it will be expedited and with the focused management of it ... it will help in a great way employ a lot of Missourians, he said on the conference call. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/mccaskill-donates-10000-to-set-up-legislative-intern-hotline,"McCaskill donates $10,000 to set up legislative intern hotline",2015-12-10,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McCaskill donates $10,000 to set up legislative intern hotline Thursday, December 10, 2015 By: Chuck Raasch WASHINGTON Sen. Claire McCaskill said Thursday she has donated $10,000 of her own money to establish a hotline for Missouri legislative interns who may have been harassed. McCaskill said she made the donation last week to the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. Former House Speaker John Diehl, R-Town and Country, resigned in May when sexually charged text messages he exchanged with a 19-year-old intern from Missouri Southern State University became public. Sen. Paul LeVota, D-Independence, later resigned after a sexual harassment claim by a University of Central Missouri intern was partly substantiated in a university investigation. LeVota denied the allegations. In response, Missouri House Speaker Todd Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, proposed an intern policy putting outside counsel in charge of investigating sexual harassment claims and require House members to participate in ethics and conduct training. McCaskill said the hotline ""would allow any intern anywhere in the state to get good information about what options they have and what the laws are. ""Really, it would be just an additional resource. I applaud the actions the general assembly is taking to address the problems they have there. But I do think (after) speaking to the young women that bravely came forward this past year, and drawing from my own experience when I was an intern many, many years ago, is that the biggest issue facing someone who is being harassed in a situation where someone has a lot more power than you have is, 'where can I go to find out what I should do?' That is what this hotline would be for."" Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/mccaskill-donates-10000-to-start-missouri-capitol-intern-hotline,"McCaskill donates $10,000 to start Missouri capitol intern hotline",2015-12-10,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McCaskill donates $10,000 to start Missouri capitol intern hotline Thursday, December 10, 2015 By: Alisa Nelson Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri) has made a personal donation of $10,000 to help set up a hotline for state capitol interns to report harassment and misconduct issues. McCaskill said she made the donation last week to the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. The hotline would allow any intern anywhere in the state to call and get good information about what options they have, what the laws are, said McCaskill. McCaskill speaks openly about being sexually harassed while interning at the capitol in the 1970s. The biggest issue facing someone who is being harassed in a situation where someone has a lot more power than you have is, where can I go to find out what I should do? That is what this hotline would be for, said McCaskill. A group of Missouri lawmakers began work in May to form recommendations for an intern policy and an updated sexual harassment policy amid scandals involving interns. McCaskill reviewed the proposals, saying a hotline for capitol interns to call for help should be added. The House of Representatives adopted in November the policies which include making more people in the House mandated reporters people who have to report any instance of harassment or violations of the policy they know of. The protocol also involves training of staff, interns, and lawmakers regarding sexual harassment and inappropriate relationships. Former House Speaker John Diehl, Jr. (R-Town and Country) admitted to swapping sexually suggestive texts with a college intern and resigned in May. Former Senator Paul LeVota (D-Independence) resigned this year after he was accused of sexual harassment and misconduct involving interns. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/mccaskill-teams-up-with-business-to-ease-regulatory-hurdles,McCaskill teams up with business to ease regulatory hurdles,2015-12-10,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McCaskill teams up with business to ease regulatory hurdles Thursday, December 10, 2015 By: Deirdre Shesgreen WASHINGTON Sen. Claire McCaskill has been working hand-in-glove with lobbyists at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on legislation to streamline the federal permitting system. Its an unusual alliance on a sleepy issue. But McCaskill and chamber officials said Thursday the measure now signed into law will pave the way for major new infrastructure investments in Missouri and across the country. It means a real breath of fresh air for infrastructure around the country, Daniel Mehan, president of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said during a conference call Thursday with McCaskill and U.S. chamber officials in Washington. And Missouri is keen on infrastructure, with our location in the center of the country weve got a cross-section of pipelines, roads, rails. Under the current system, private businesses and local governments undertaking major capital projects whether erecting a wind farm, building broadband networks or installing a pipeline often face a gauntlet of bureaucratic hurdles in Washington to securing the necessary permits. Multiple federal agencies will conduct duplicative reviews, requiring reams of paperwork and allowing for myriad objections. The process can often drag on as long as 10 years, with the outcome uncertain until the very end. Its gotten to the point that it was impossible for large projects to move on a timely basis, which costs money and we all pay for that, McCaskill said. There really is no excuse for a bureaucratic nightmare when we are trying to invest in infrastructure in this country. Astudy commissioned bythe U.S. Chamber of Commerce identified 351 energy-related projects, including several in Missouri, which suffered lengthy delays because of snags in the federal permitting process. McCaskills proposal, which applies to projects with an initial investment of at least $200 million, was included in the five-year highway bill passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama last week. The measure will: create a public, online dashboard where citizens and business executives alike can track progress on required approvals by various federal agencies; designate a single lead agency to set a permitting timetable for each major project, in coordination with other agencies; reduce the statute of limitations on certain environmental lawsuits from six years to two years. It puts time frames and a management structure around an extraordinarily complex process, said Bill Kovacs, an energy and technology lobbyist at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Its brilliant in its simplicity. During Thursdays call, Kovacs and the chambers top lobbyist, Bruce Josten, gushed over McCaskills work on the proposal. She co-authored the bill with Republican Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio. McCaskills personal leadership and her efforts to shepherd this through made it all possible, to be blunt, Josten told reporters, going on to praise McCaskill for working tirelessly to keep this legislation on point and moving forward. Those were remarkable comments from a powerful business lobby that usually bankrolls GOP candidates and blasts Democrats including McCaskill in her 2012 re-election campaign. Claire McCaskills Washington agenda of a more government-centered society will kill jobs, declared one chamber-funded ad that aired in the 2012 contest. McCaskills close work with chamber lobbyists on the permitting bill was a turnabout for her as well. She has long portrayed herself as the rare politician willing to take on big business and special interests. Both Josten and McCaskill said their partnership was a breakthrough in an era when firebrand conservatives have blocked one bipartisan compromise after another. Josten said the chamber has revamped its electoral focus to boosting candidates who want to come to Washington to govern responsibly, not come to Washington to simply blow everything up. McCaskill said Congress could accomplish many other common sense compromisesif everyone would stop standing on opposite sides of the room yelling at each other."" But with the 2016 elections around the corner, that seems unlikely. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/the-senate-just-got-closer-to-figuring-out-how-to-stop-people-like-martin-shkreli-aka-mr-wu-tang-from-hiking-drug-prices,"The Senate just got closer to figuring out how to stop people like Martin Shkreli, aka 'Mr. Wu-Tang,' from hiking drug prices",2015-12-10,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"The Senate just got closer to figuring out how to stop people like Martin Shkreli, aka 'Mr. Wu-Tang,' from hiking drug prices Thursday, December 10, 2015 By: Lydia Ramsey The drug-pricing debate has officially kicked off in the Senate's hearing rooms. On Wednesday, members of the Special Committee on Aging heard health experts speak out sharply against price gouging in which companies acquire older drugs with no generic competition and suddenly raise their price. Notably missing from the panel of witnesses which focused mainly on actions by Valeant and Turing Pharmaceuticals were the companies that have done so. Martin Shkreli, the CEO of Turing, said in atweet Wednesdaythat while he had not been called on, he ""would have loved to insult Congress."" Even without his presence, inside jokes weren't hard to come by. For her part, Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri) referred to Shkreli as ""Mr. Wu-Tang""; other senators referred to CEOs who've price gouged as ""hedge fund folks."" Hearing from those affected by Shkreli's price hikes At the hearing, Dr. David Kimberlin, who specializes in pediatric infectious disease at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, spoke of a situation in September, around the time Daraprim's price went up after Turing bought the rights to the drug, in which he found barriers to getting the drug because the monthly cost for four tablets suddenly spiked to $3,000 from $54. Because babies infected with toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can be deadly in infants and in adults with weakened immune systems, have to take Daraprim for a full year, increasing dosage along the way, that cost was suddenly prohibitive for some of his patients. Kimberlin also told the committee that he had heard of at least 30 cases in 21 states in which doctors and patients had trouble accessing Daraprim, though he didn't specify whether these cases had occurred after Turingslightly revised its pricing strategy. The hearing boiled down to two solutions to the market failure that happens when there's no generic competition for off-patent drugs that are used by relatively few patients. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-backed-plan-to-address-va-workforce-shortages-clears-key-committee,McCaskill-backed Plan to Address VA Workforce Shortages Clears Key Committee,2015-12-10,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McCaskill-backed Plan to Address VA Workforce Shortages Clears Key Committee Provision follows bipartisan efforts to have permanent director installed at St. Louis VA Thursday, December 10, 2015 WASHINGTON A provision backed by U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill to address personnel challenges in the Veterans Administrationissues that have particularly plagued the St. Louis region where the VA has struggled to install a permanent medical directorthis week cleared a key hurdle as it advanced through the Veterans Affairs Committee. The VA has to do a better job of attracting and retaining well-qualified leaders to serve as medical center directors, said McCaskill, a senior member of the Armed Services Committee and the daughter of a World War II veteran This commonsense legislation will help us do that in St. Louis and across the country, and Im glad this proposal thatll better address the VAs personnel challenges continues to advance. The provision was originally part of the bipartisan Delivering Opportunities for Care and Services for Veterans Act, which builds on the reforms enacted into law last year through the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act, and would address some of the critical personnel issues and workforce shortages at the VA by building a pipeline of qualified medical professionals into the VA health system, eliminating red tape that hinders reform and impacts care, and creating initiatives to better leverage the VA workforce. The bill garnered the support of groups including: the American Legion, American Mental Health Counselors Association, AMVETS, Blinded Veterans Association, Disabled American Veterans, Military Officers Association of America, National Guard Association of the United States, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the Veterans Affairs Physician Assistant Association, among others. McCaskill, along with fellow Missouri Senator Roy Blunt, earlier this year wrote to VA Secretary Robert McDonald, urging the installation of a permanent medical director at the St. Louis VA, which has been vacant for years. The VAs response to the Senators detailed numerous personnel challenges at the agencyincluding six times the VA failed to secure a permanent director, including two of those six instances in which no qualified applicant even applied for the position. McCaskill has repeatedly called on the Administration to fill vacant watchdog positions, and called on President Obama earlier this year to specifically fill the vacant VA Inspector General position. The Administrations nominee Michael Missal remains unconfirmed. Visit mccaskill.senate.gov/veterans to learn more about McCaskills fight for military veterans. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/claire-mccaskill-blasts-mr-wu-tang-martin-shkreli-over-drug-pricing,Claire McCaskill Blasts 'Mr. Wu-Tang' Martin Shkreli Over Drug Pricing,2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Claire McCaskill Blasts 'Mr. Wu-Tang' Martin Shkreli Over Drug Pricing Wednesday, December 9, 2015 By: Zachary Tracer During a Wednesday Senate hearing on drug prices, Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill took aimat Turing Pharmaceuticals AG founder Martin Shkreli's spending habits. I noticed in the morning paper, this is the same guy who thought it was a great idea to pay millions of dollars for the only existing album of the Wu-Tang Clan, McCaskill said at the hearing. Shkreli earlier this yearpaid $2 millionto buy the sole copy of an album by the legendary rap group, Bloomberg Businessweek reported Wednesday. McCaskill, who referred to Shkreli as Mr. Wu-Tang, made her comments at a hearing of the Senate Special Committee on Aging. While Shkreli wasn't in attendance, McCaskill and panel witnesses criticized both him and Turing Pharmaceuticals AG. In August, Turing acquired the rights to a decades-old medicine that's used to treat infections that can happen in HIV and cancer patients, and babies with vulnerable immune systems. The company immediately raised the price to$750 a pill, from $13.50, prompting outrage. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/congress-may-take-on-high-drug-prices-next-year,Congress may take on high drug prices next year,2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Congress may take on high drug prices next year Wednesday, December 9, 2015 By: Robert King A high-profile Republican senator wants to include potential Food and Drug Administration reforms intended to lower drug prices within a larger legislative package next year. ""There is clearly a greater role for the FDA here,"" said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, chairwoman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, which held the first bipartisan Senate hearing on high generic drug prices Wednesday. But which FDA reform package is another question, as Collins didn't say it would be part of the Senate's efforts to draft its own version of the 21stCentury Cures Act. That bill passed the House earlier this year and contains new money for medical research and reforms to get drugs to market much faster. ""We are looking at the House-passed bill, but we are also looking more broadly than that,"" she said. She said any reforms targeting prices hopefully would be part of a larger package next year, which means it probably would not be included in efforts in 2017 to reauthorize user fees for medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Collins sits on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which is drafting the Senate version of the cures act. Collins and several senators at the hearing said they liked a potential solution: a new pathway that would allow the FDA to approve certain generic drugs within six months, much faster than the current time frame of more than a year. The pathway would be used selectively and to directly combat a spate of high-profile cases of drug prices that have skyrocketed. Normally, generic drugs are low-cost alternatives that hit the market after the patent for a brand name drug expires, but several companies have acquired decades-old drugs and raised the prices. Most notoriously is Turing Pharmaceuticals, which raised the price of an anti-parasite treatment by 5,000 percent from $13.50 a pill to $750 last summer. The reason that could happen is lack of competition. Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri, the committee's top Democrat, said such a pathway would give companies such as Turing ""a small window to skim the cream, so to speak, and rip people off."" The pathway wouldn't be for all generic drugs. ""The priority review would be triggered if there were little or no price competition for that generic drug,"" Gerard Anderson, professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said at the hearing. He added that an agency besides the FDA should do the economic evaluation, since the FDA doesn't traditionally take into account prices when making its drug-approval decisions. The next hearing in the Senate committee's investigation could delve deeper into possible solutions the FDA could implement. Collins said the committee ultimately intends to call for testimony from CEOs of Turing, Valeant and other companies that have raised prices such as Retrophin and Rodelis. However, she did not give a timeframe for such a hearing or whether the committee would need to issue subpoenas. ""It is too premature to talk about that,"" she told reporters. A frequent target at the hearing was Turing CEO Martin Shkreli, who McCaskill referred to as ""Mr. Wu-Tang."" McCaskill was referring to Shkreli's recent $2 million purchase of a secret album of the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan. Shkreli caused more controversy when he said during a recent Forbes healthcare summit that he would raise the price of the anti-parasite drug Daraprim even more. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/doctors-hospitals-condemn-out-of-control-drug-prices-as-senate-investigation-begins,"Doctors, hospitals condemn out-of-control drug prices as Senate investigation begins",2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Doctors, hospitals condemn out-of-control drug prices as Senate investigation begins Wednesday, December 9, 2015 By: Carolyn Johnson A Senate investigation of drug-price spikes at four companies kicked off Wednesdaywith specialists from all corners of the health-care system testifying that they're powerless to manage the out-of-control prescription costs. The hearing launches the Special Committee on Aging's investigation into the soaring prices of old drugs, including the recentovernight price hike of Daraprimfrom $18 to $750. Doctors and policy experts offereda slew of proposed policy solutions, such as expediting applications for generic drugs to increasecompetition and requiring companies to revealhow much drugs really cost. But the testimony to the committee in advance of the hearing underlined a stark fact about the current system, too: Doctors, companies that manage prescription drug benefits, hospitals, and health care policy experts alike feel fairly powerless to control high drug prices -- because theyare allowed. For instance, a pediatrician from the University of Alabama at Birmingham testified that an infant needed a treatment that had increased from $54 a month to $3,000 a month, causing the pharmacist to scramble for a solution. A kidney transplant patient in Baltimore began experiencing hallucinations asher medical team triedto obtain a drug once easily available. ""This is a life-threatening infection, your company has restricted access to the drug, and youre not open on the weekend? Are you kidding me? Were paying so much for this drug. Why cant you stay open on the weekend?"" said Annie Antar, a clinical fellow in infectious diseases at Johns Hopkins Hospital on the team that treated the Baltimore woman in an interview. ""I felt like I was in a third-world country, I felt like I was in a Soviet country. This isnt how American medical systems work."" There's more than enough public and political outrage to go around on the drug price issue: The investigation comes on the heels of a recent Senate investigation into the pricing of an $84,000 hepatitis C treatment, and at a time when presidential candidates on both sides of the aisle have denounced excessive price-gouging by the pharmaceutical industry. But Martin Shkreli, the notorious pharmaceutical executive who leads Turing Pharmaceuticals, one of the companies under investigation, said it most simply at aForbes Healthcare Summit last week. Asked if he could rewind back the past few months, before he became Wall Street's most hated villain,Shkreli said he would have done one thing differently: ""I probably would have raised the price higher."" High prices for old drugs areoften portrayed as outrageous, maddening and immoral. In prepared remarks for the hearing, Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) said that Shkreli's move -- a 5,500 percent increase in a 62-year-old drug -- ""shocks the conscience."" But as the testimony and Shkreli's frank remarks just a week ago show, they are frustrating largely because they isn't exactly anything wrong with them. ""No one wants to say it, no one's proud of it, but this is a capitalist society, a capitalist system, and capitalist rules, and my investors expect me to maximize profits not to minimize them or go to half, but to 100 percent of the profit curve,"" Shkreli said at the summit. A recurrent theme at the hearing, led by Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and McCaskill was that competition had dried up, resulting in a broken system that allowed some older drug prices to spiral out of control in ways that called for government to intervene. When competition breaks down - where there is a market failure, as may be the case here - the discipline that keeps prices in check and protects consumers can disappear, Collins said. Gerard Anderson, director of the Center for Hospital Finance and Management at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health urged greater scrutiny of mergers and acquisitions that reduce competition in the generic industry. He suggested a fast-track review of applications for generic drugs when there is no competition. He also described possible solutions to the practice of ""marketing the spread:"" when the sticker price of a drug is set very high, and then undisclosed rebates are negotiated with the pharmacy. That secretive process, he said, leads insurers to overpayfor drugs because they're basing what they pay on the sticker price and not on the real price the pharmacy pays. If everyone knew the real price of the drug, transparency could be a powerful tool toward containing spending. ""We have to figure out a way to either have more competition, or to control the prices where there is no competition,"" Anderson said in an interview. Mark Merritt, the president of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, the trade group that represents pharmacy benefit managers, arguedin prepared testimony that price controls or even limits on the amount of costs that patients pay could be harmful. Limiting what patients pay may seem to benefit sick people, he argued, but it actually opens the door for greater price increases as the system continues to shoulder the brunt of the costs, through increased premiums. Erin Fox, director of the Drug Information Service at University of Utah Health Care described the effect of a single price increase on her institution. The price increases of Nitropress and Isuprel, two heart drugs acquired by Valeant Pharmaceuticals this year, would lead to nearly $2 million more in spending if the hospital continued to use the same amount of each drug as the previous year. ""Our physicians are extraordinarily frustrated by having to make decisions about whether to use these critically important but extremely expensive medications in emergency situations, especially when they have been using these drugs for years,"" Fox said. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/overnight-defense-pentagon-chief-argues-against-ground-force-in-isis-fight,Overnight Defense: Pentagon chief argues against ground force in ISIS fight,2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Overnight Defense: Pentagon chief argues against ground force in ISIS fight Wednesday, December 9, 2015 By: Rebecca Kheel PENTAGON WARNS AGAINST 'APOCALYPTIC WAR':Also at the Senate committee hearing, Pentagon leaderscriticized proposalsto fight the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) that they say would fuel the terrorist group's recruitment abilities. ""It's clear from ISIL's strategy that their objective is to cause us to engage in what they believe is an apocalyptic war with the west,"" said Gen. Paul Selva, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, using an alternate acronym for ISIS. ""And anything that we do to feed that particular frame of thinking counters our national security, and we have to be very careful about how we prosecute a campaign that appears to be an indiscriminate attempt to attack ISIL and the population that surrounds it."" Selva was responding to Sen. Claire McCaskill's (D-Mo.) criticism during the hearing of presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz's (R-Texas) call to ""carpet bomb"" ISIS. ""We will carpet bomb them into oblivion,"" Cruz said last weekend in Iowa. ""I don't know if sand can glow in the dark, but we're going to find out."" McCaskill slammed Cruz's comments, saying that carpet bombing Iraq or Syria would kill numerous innocent women and children, prompting some to side with ISIS. ""If we did an indiscriminate carpet bombing of a major area and killed thousands of women and children, would you assume that would have some impact on their ability to recruit misguided barbarians like this couple that took out more than a dozen innocent people last week?"" she said, referring to the couple suspected of carrying out last week's shooting in San Bernardino, Calif. ""I would have to assume it would put their recruiting on steroids."" Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/price-hiking-drug-companies-put-lives-in-the-balance-us-lawmakers-hear,"Price-hiking drug companies put 'lives in the balance', US lawmakers hear",2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Price-hiking drug companies put 'lives in the balance', US lawmakers hear Wednesday, December 9, 2015 By: Joanna Walters Specialty pharmaceutical companies that acquire certain drugs then spike the prices egregiously were compared to loan sharks and warned they were putting patients lives in the balance at a congressional hearing on Wednesday. Drug companies such as Turing and Valeant, which have beenunder firefor months because of the soaring prices of lifesaving medications they made, were accused of being driven simply by greed, by congressional leaders in Washington on Wednesday afternoon. Turings founder and chief executive, Martin Shkreli, was singled out by name for his cocky public defiance over recent price hikes and briefly mocked after it emerged earlier in the day that he hadpaid a reported $2mto buy a one-off Wu-Tang Clan rap album. Republican senator Susan Collins, of Maine, told the hearing that the new breed of drug entrepreneurs who focus on acquisitions and profits at the expense of research and healthy marketplace competition looked more like hedge funds than pharmaceutical businesses. These companies are to ethical pharmaceutical companies as a loan shark is to a bank, Collins said. The bipartisan Senate special committee on ageing, led by Collins and Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill, of Missouri, listed four companies as deserving of criticism and scrutiny Turing, Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Rodelis Therapeutics and Retrophin, the company Shkreli ran before he founded Turing. Collins said the hearing was called to investigate the sudden and dramatic price increases that occur after companies buy the rights to certain older, niche drugs that are no longer protected by patents but have no significant generic competitors. Each of these companies has hiked the prices by 20, 30 or 40 times the prior price, at times putting these medicines out of reach for the patients and the doctors who treat them and bearing in mind that they did not bear the research costs of developing these drugs, said Collins. I certainly intend to call the CEOs of the four firms that we are focused on thus far, Collins said, adding that the committees findings may also be incorporated into an Food and Drug Administration reform bill next year. Shkreli became engulfed in a furore in September after it was revealed that he increased the price of Daraprim overnight from $13.50 per pill to $750 per pill, after buying the rights to it in August 2015, and also made it harder for doctors and pharmacies to get hold of it. Collins cited a hospital in North Carolina that was treating children for the dangerous infectious disease toxoplasmosis and had to seek out an alternative drug that had not been appropriately tested because the standard drug to treat the illness was Daraprim. After loudprotestsover the price hike, including from presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, who also warned she would crack down on the practice if she wins the White House, Shkrelitoldthe Guardian he would drop the price of the drug then laterrenegedon that pledge. But Turing was only one player in the strengtheningstormover prescription drug prices that are relatively obscure but lifesaving for certain illnesses, which has now prompted the Senate to investigate. One goal is to understand why such companies can impose egregious price increases on off-patent drugs that theyve acquired. Our system relies on competition to keep prices in check and there has been a market failure, said Collins. McCaskill told the committe hearing: My main challenge today will be keeping my temper. Where companies had a de facto monopoly on drugs that patients rely on, tactics have quickly turned to price-gouging, she said. They can try to hide the truth but if this is just greed we have a duty to find out how to protect patients, she said. Health experts giving evidence at the hearing talked about how sudden price hikes had affected patients in their care. Dr Erin Fox, director of drug information services at the University of Utah health care system, based in Salt Lake City, said that the hospitals in her jurisdiction had been forced to restrict the availability of two drugs supplied by the firm Valeant that are designed for use during the emergency treatment of cardiac arrest. The drugs, Isuprel and Nitropress, had normally been carried on all the crash carts that doctors wheel around the hospital to rush to a code call or alert of a cardiac arrest, she said. In 2013, she told the committee, the hospital would pay $50 each for a dose of either drug. After the drugs were acquired by another firm in 2014, the price increased to $215 per dose of Nitropress and $440 per dose of Isuprel. Then, after being acquired by Valeant in 2015, Nitropress jumped to $660 a dose and Isuprel to $2,700, she said. She said that nothing appeared to have changed about the drug itself and that Valeant did not manufacture it but simply put its label on the bottle. When Fox worked out that the two drugs would cost the healthcare system almost $2m a year, the hospital stopped routinely carrying them on the crash carts and kept them locked up, which caused some delay in treatment and frustration to her staff, she said. Valeant Pharmaceuticals International switched priorities away from research and development and into aggressive acquisitions and extracting value from its drug rights after former McKinsey & Co executive Michael Pearson became chief executive in 2008. Canadian Business magazine recentlynamedPearson CEO of the Year 2015, noting that the acquisitive company he cannily built had swiftly made its investors and himself very rich. At the Senate committee hearing on Wednesday, Dr David Kimberlin, a leading US pediatric infectious diseases specialist based at the University of Alabama, said that he had had a problem getting hold of Daraprim since Turing acquired the drug and changed the way it is distributed. Kimberlin said he experienced problems accessing the drug in the liquid form that babies need. This has directly put the lives of patients with this severe infection at risk. Babies lives literally hang in the balance here, Kimberlin said. He said his healthcare system had seen the cost of a typical course of what he termed pyrimethamine, the medicine in the branded drug Daraprim, for adults rise from $1,200 to $69,000 under Turings ownership, with some serious cases costing no less than $500,000, having cost $8,500 before, he said. Its appropriate that the Senate take up this issue, he said. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/senate-panel-focuses-on-toll-of-valeant-turing-drug-price-spikes,"Senate panel focuses on toll of Valeant, Turing drug price spikes",2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senate panel focuses on toll of Valeant, Turing drug price spikes Wednesday, December 9, 2015 By: Sarah N. Lynch and Bill Berkrot A pediatric doctor in Alabama had to scramble to find a less expensive supply of a lifesaving drug to treat an infant who was suffering from a parasitic infection. In Utah, a hospital has been forced to change the way it stocks a drug critical to treating heart patients after the cost skyrocketed from $440 to $2,700 a vial. These are two of the stories a U.S. Senate panel heard on Wednesday at a hearing to explore why certain off-patent prescription medicines sold by companies like Valeant Pharmaceuticals and Turing Pharmaceuticals have shot up after they acquired the rights to the drugs. The committee also mentioned dramatic price hikes by Rodelis Therapeutics and Retrophin Inc. The Senate's Special Committee on Aging announced last month it was launching an investigation into drug pricing and the role mergers and acquisitions may be playing in price hikes. The committee is reviewing price increases for two Valeant heart drugs, Isuprel and Nitropress, and Turing's price increase on Daraprim, used to treat toxoplasmosis, a serious disease that affects AIDS patients and pregnant women and their babies. Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri, the panel's ranking Democrat, said there is a difference between rewarding innovation and price gouging, noting that the older drugs in question were not developed by the companies selling them. ""If this is just greed, we have a duty to figure out how to protect patients who need these medicines,"" she said. Drug pricing has come under wider scrutiny in the last few months, not only from U.S. lawmakers, but also from U.S. prosecutors and Democratic presidential candidates. A different congressional committee is investigating the high U.S. prices of innovative new branded medicines as well. Valeant is facing probes from U.S. prosecutors over prices, distribution and prescription assistance programs, while Turing is under investigation by the New York state attorney general for antitrust concerns. The increased scrutiny over high U.S. drug prices has also taken a toll on the industry's stocks. ""Let the word go out to investors ... we're paying attention to this practice,"" McCaskill said. Wednesday is the first in what is expected to be a series of hearings on drug price spikes that will pick up again in 2016. ""I certainly intend to call the CEOs of the four firms that we are focused on thus far,"" said Committee Chairwoman Senator Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, adding that the committee's findings may also be incorporated into an FDA reform bill next year. Valeant said it was cooperating with the committee, including providing requested documents. ""Valeant markets more than 200 prescription drugs ... so broad conclusions about the company's pricing cannot be drawn from any one drug or set of drugs,"" spokeswoman Laurie Little said in an emailed statement. McCaskill said Senate research found that ""dramatic price hikes are seemingly business as usual for Valeant."" Collins added that ""the companies we're investigating look more like hedge funds than they do traditional pharmaceutical companies,"" and called the price hikes egregious and offensive. Nancy Retzlaff, the chief commercial officer for Turing Pharmaceuticals, said Wednesday that ""no patient will be denied access to Daraprim."" ""Currently more than 60 percent of Daraprim is provided to patients at a $1 per prescription or less and our assistance programs,"" she added. Wednesday's hearing featured medical professionals who testified about the impact of price increases on important older generic medicines. Erin Fox, a director at the University of Utah Health Care, said the hospital is struggling to cope with Valeant's price increases. ""If we continued to purchase the same amount of each drug, it would cost our organization just over $1.6 million more for isoproterenol and approximately $290,000 more for nitroprusside compared to what we paid the previous year,"" Fox said, using the chemical names of the Valeant heart drugs. Dr. David Kimberlin of the University of Alabama, Birmingham, who treats infants that have contracted toxoplasmosis from their mothers, said a course of Daraprim treatment for a baby had been about $1,200. Since the Turing price hike it is ""no less than $69,000."" He said a liquid formulation needed for babies had become difficult to obtain due to Turing distribution practices. ""Babies' lives literally hang in the balance here,"" he told the committee. (additional reporting by Bill Berkrot) Read more at Reutershttp://www.reuters.com/article/senate-drugs-hearing-idUSL1N13Y2E620151209#H5mgl8SwFMGghbCK.99 Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/senators-condemn-big-price-increases-for-drugs,Senators Condemn Big Price Increases for Drugs,2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senators Condemn Big Price Increases for Drugs Wednesday, December 9, 2015 By: Andrew Pollack Senators from both parties on Wednesday denounced huge overnight price increases for decades-old drugs that have been made by some pharmaceutical companies lately, calling them unconscionable and detrimental to patients. These companies are to ethical pharmaceutical companies as a loan shark is to a bank, said Senator Susan Collins, Republican of Maine, quoting an unnamed industry specialist with whom she had spoken. She discussed the matter at a hearing of the Senates Special Committee on Aging, which she leads. The hearing focused on two companies in particular, Turing Pharmaceuticals, which acquired an old drug for a parasitic infection and raised the price to $750 a pill from $13.50, andValeant Pharmaceuticals International, which has sharply increased the prices of various drugs it has acquired, including two used by hospitals to treat serious heart conditions. The chief executives of these companies were not at the hearing, but that did not stop them from being criticized. Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri, the ranking Democrat on the committee, mockedMartin Shkreli, the chief executive of Turing, by calling him Mr. Wu-Tang. That was a reference to the news that Mr. Shkreli, 32, a former hedge fund manager, was revealed asthe mystery buyerof the only known copy of a new album by Wu-Tang Clan. Most of the hearing, which was described as the first in a series, was devoted to looking at the impact of the sudden price increases on doctors, patients and hospitals. Erin R. Fox, director of the drug information service at University of Utah Health Care, said that the price of Isuprel, a heart drug acquired by Valeant early this year, was now $2,700 a vial compared with $440 before the acquisition and $50 two years ago. The hospital system would have had to spend $1.6 million extra a year just on that drug, she said, unless it curtailed it use. So Isuprel was removed from the crash carts that are used in emergencies, Ms. Fox said, though it is still available from the pharmacy if doctors really need it. Our physicians are incredibly frustrated that they have to think twice about using the drug, she said. Dr. David Kimberlin, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, recounted a case in which a baby needed Daraprim, the drug acquired by Turing, which increased its price to $750 a pill. Daraprim, acquired in August, treats toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can cause blindness and brain damage. Since Daraprim is a pill, it had to be turned into a liquid form that a baby could swallow. But the compounding pharmacy the hospital relied on to do that could not obtain the drug because of new restrictions Turing had placed on distribution. The huge price increase, which would bring the cost of a yearlong course of treatment for a baby to more than $69,000 from $1,200, was also a deterrent. Babies lives literally hang in the balance here, Dr. Kimberlin said. He said that infectious disease societies had surveyed members and found more than 30 cases in which people had trouble obtaining Daraprim promptly. In a statement, Turing said it was committed to developing innovative therapies and was making sure that no patient was denied access to Daraprim. Valeant said in a statement that broad conclusions about the companys pricing cannot be drawn from any one drug and that most hospitals use small amounts of Isuprel, limiting any impact of price increases. Ms. Fox and others who testified said that companies like Turing and Valeant were able to increase prices so rapidly because of a lack of competition in the market for generic drugs, which stemmed in part from consolidation in that industry. The lack of competition plus manufacturing problems have led to shortages and price increases for antibiotics, anesthetics and some other drugs that are more widely used than Daraprim and Isuprel. Various suggestions were made for dealing with the issue. Gerard Anderson, a professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said the Food and Drug Administration should expedite approval of generic drugs for economic reasons. Daraprim and Isuprel have no patent protection but there are no generic competitors either, because the market was small until the big price hikes. If a generic company wanted to enter now, it could take two to three years to get F.D.A. approval. But if that time could be reduced to six months, it would provide a deterrent to huge price hikes, he said. Express Scripts, the largest pharmacy benefit manager, is encouraging use of an alternative to Daraprim that is made by a compounding pharmacy and sells for about $1 a pill. But witnesses at the hearing were reluctant to recommend more use of compounding to save money because such drugs are not approved by the F.D.A. and have had safety issues in the past. Compounding should not be a blanket, one-size-fits-all solution, said Ms. Fox of the University of Utah. Mark Merritt, chief of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, which represents pharmacy benefit managers, called for a watch list of drugs with no generic competition that would be vulnerable to huge price increases. He said there were about 200 such drugs. The hedge funds have these lists, the government may as well too, he said. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/senators-slam-pharma-ceo-for-drug-pricing-wu-tang-clan-album-buy,"Senators slam pharma CEO for drug pricing, Wu Tang Clan album buy",2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senators slam pharma CEO for drug pricing, Wu Tang Clan album buy Wednesday, December 9, 2015 By: Sarah Ferris A pair of top senators lashed out Wednesday against several now-infamous drug company CEOs, including Martin Shkreli, who have been accused of price-gouging on potentially life-saving treatments. My biggest challenge today is to not lose my temper, Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) said. The facts underlying this hearing are so egregious but its hard not to get emotional about it. McCaskill, who co-led the Senates first hearing on drug pricing this year, directed most of her attacks against Shkreli, the 32-year-old hedge fund manager-turned-CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals. This is the same guy who thought it was a great idea to pay millions of dollars for the only existing album of the Wu Tang Clan, she said, to sneers throughout the room, referring to areport on Wednesdaythat Shkreli shelled out $2 million for the only copy of ""Once Upon a Time in Shaolin,"" the most expensive album ever sold. Shkreli, repeatedly dubbed the most hated man in America, has been under fire from congressional committees as well as presidential candidates from both parties. Donald Trump recently trashed him as a spoiled brat, and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) redirected the CEOs campaign contribution to charity. Shkreli, meanwhile, has basked in the attention further inflaming his critics on Twitter after deciding to live-stream his every move for 24 straight hours. McCaskill said she has been repeatedly shunted in her investigation of Turing, which came under fire after reports that it raised the costs of a decades-old anti-parasitic drug from $13.50 to $750 per bill. Valeant refused to answer my questions and instead downplayed my concerns, she said, raising her voice. As she turned to the witness panel of mostly medical experts and doctors, McCaskill thanked her co-chair of the committee Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) because she calms me down. Collins, in her slow, even tone, also blasted the companies for creating excuses to raise their prices without explanation. Some of the companies that have been the focus of our investigation look more like hedge funds than they do pharmaceutical companies, Collins said. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/steep-drug-price-hikes-harm-patients-experts-testify,"Steep drug price hikes harm patients, experts testify",2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Steep drug price hikes harm patients, experts testify Wednesday, December 9, 2015 By: Kevin McCoy Steep price hikes forsome off-patent drugs harmpatients by restricting access to potentiallife-saving medications, health care and health insuranceexperts testifiedat a congressionalhearing Wednesday. Responding to outrage from doctors and patients, theSenate Special Committee on Agingspotlighted supply problems that occur when government-authorizedpatents on medicationsexpire and the drug rights are sold to new pharmaceutical companiesthat raise prices by as much as 6000%. Committee members raised the prospect of addingnew pricing rules to the federal government's existing drug oversight system. ""That balance we have struck never anticipated companies acquiring off-patent drugs and then jacking up their prices to enormous heights, and do so, as one executive essentially put it, 'because I can,'"" said committee chairwoman Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. ""But that is exactly what we have seen in recent months."" Spiraling costsfor two heart drugs owned by drugmaker Valeant Pharmacueticals International increased the Cleveland Clinic's total drug budget by $8.6 million, hearing testimony showed. North Carolina doctors treating a babyfor toxoplasmosiswere unable to get the Daraprim medication that targets the parasitic disease because Turing Pharmaceuticals had raised the price 40 times beyondits original cost. The doctors instead had to usean alternative medication. Erin Fox, director of the drug information service atthe University ofUtah Health System, testified that a price hike from $440 to $2,700forced her to keep a Valeant heartdrug locked up afterremoving it from medicationcarts where it previously had been available. The hearing also focused on similar price hikes for drugs owned by Rodelis Therapeutics and Retrophin for treating hepatitis C and other illnesses. The off-patent drugs in many cases faceno generic versions that could provide market competition, and serve relatively small patient groups. Additionally, the new owners didn't spend millions of dollars to research and developthe medications. ""Valeant markets more than 200 prescription drugs and hundreds more non-prescription products, so broad conclusions about the companys pricing can not be drawn from any one drug or set of drugs,"" said Laurie Little a vice-president ofthe Canada-based drugmaker. ""We set prices based on a number of factors, including the cost of the development or acquisition of a drug, the availability of substitutes or generics, and the benefits it offers versus alternative treatments that might be more costly."" Although Valeant said it offered patient aidprograms to ease the painof price hikes, Fox said her calls to Valeant about the costs met with the same response: ""Talk to your distributor."" Nancy Retzlaff, Turing's chief commercial officer, said the New York City-based firm iscommitted to patient access"" and to developing therapies""for rare and neglected diseases."" Pledging that no patient would be deniedaccess toDaraprimshe said more than 60%of the drug's output ""is provided to patients at a $1 per prescription or less."" However, pharmacy benefit management giant Express Scripts this month said it would work with a compounding pharmacy to provide Daraprim to all patients for $1 per treatment. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., the committee's ranking minority member, said the committee's continuinginvestigation had found a pharmaceutical industry ""market failure."" ""And when there's a market failure, the government has a role in addressing it,"" said McCaskill. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/this-is-what-happens-when-cheap-drugs-get-wildly-expensive,This Is What Happens When Cheap Drugs Get Wildly Expensive,2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"This Is What Happens When Cheap Drugs Get Wildly Expensive Wednesday, December 9, 2015 By: Laura Lorenzetti Drug prices for some older, off-patent medications have skyrocketed this year. Valeant PharmaceuticalssVRX2.96%heart drugs Isuprel and Nitropresssaw their prices increase by 525% and 212%, respectively. The price for Turing PharmaceuticalsDaraprim jumped over 5,000%, and Rodelis briefly raised the price of a newly acquired off-patent tuberculosis drug by more than 2,000% before returning the drug to its original non-profit owner. Drugs that once cost dollars per dose now cost hundreds or even thousands per pill, and the effect on hospitals, doctors, and patients has been acute. Health care leaders on the front-lines, including a doctor and hospital pharmacy director,addressed a U.S. Senate committeeWednesday, recounting how these unexpected price increases have led to shortages for those treatments and worse outcomes for patients. Erin Fox, the director of the Drug Information Service at University of Utah Health Care, said that doctors at her hospital have reduced access to Isuprel, a drug used on cardiac arrest patients. Utah Health Care went from paying $440 a pill for Ispurel last year to nearly $2,700 today. At that increase and at current consumption rates for the hospital, Isuprel would have inflated the health systems drug budget by over $1.6 million. That was unsustainable, leading Utah Health Care to seek ways to reduce the impact on its bottom line. We removed Isuprel from about 100 crash carts, where essential medications are available during an emergency, said Fox. Physicians reported that this isnt the first medicine they use, but it could be critical when heart rate is extremely low. The medicine is now stocked in backup boxes and in smaller supply to keep costs in check. Its treated the same way as if there were a shortage for the drug, Fox said. Cardiac arrest patients at Utah Health Care at least maintain access to Isuprel, even in spite of the higher cost. The same isnt true for David Kimberlins pediatric patients suffering from toxoplasmosis. Kimberlin, co-director of the Pediatric Infectious Disease division at the University of Alabama Birmingham, recounted a patient that couldnt access the medicine she desperately needed to treat her soon-to-be child. The necessary treatment, Daraprim, now costs nearly $750 a pill, up from $13.50 as of this summer. A 12-month course of treatment for a newborn would now cost $69,000. Before the price boost, it would have been just $1,200. But, Daraprims price was simply the first barrier. Kimberlin sought a prescription for the patient in August only to find that the outpatient community pharmacy the hospital typically used could no longer get the drug. Its now only available through Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy, which lacked the expertise needed to properly prepare the medicine for an infant, said Kimberlin. We were facing a situation where we might not be able to acquire the drug in a form that could be taken by a baby, he said. Fortunately, the story has a happy endingbut not a solution. The community pharmacy had a small supply on their shelves from before the price increase and was able to bridge the gap. These testimonies captured Senators attention during the Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing, led by Senators Claire McCaskill and Susan Collins. The testimonies pinpointed a key problem thats led to this breakdown: off-patent drugs lack the necessary competition to keep prices in check. Central to the issue of generic drugs is competition, said Gerard Anderson, the director of the Center for Hospital Finance and Management at Johns Hopkins. Every time a company enters the market, price goes down by 20% to 25%. The problem is that over the past five to 10 years, the competitive market for generic drugs has started to fall apart. Generic drug makers have been increasingly consolidating, including Teva Pharmaceuticals $40 billion purchase of Allergans generics unit, which has shrunk competition, edged up prices and increased shortages on many drugs, Anderson said. Turing is only the tip of the iceberg, he said. Many other generic companies are doing the same thingtheir price increases are just not quite as egregious. For example, the widely-used antibiotic doxycycline hyclate went from about 4 cents a pill to nearly $3.70. Cholesterol medication pravastatin sodium jumped from $27 to $196 for a year-long supply. Overall,27% of the most-widely used generic drugssaw price increases in 2013, according to the AARP Public Policy Institute. So what about solutions? Anderson proposed that lawmakers consider expedited reviews for generic medicines where there is no competition, and Mark Merritt, director of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, recommended that the Food and Drug Administration keep a list of all drugs that are off patent and dont yet have generic or other brand substitutes. Companies should know theyre on a watch list, said Merritt. They should know that theres going to be a lot of scrutiny on this. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/combo-of-mccaskill-provisions-included-in-largest-education-overhaul-since-2001,Combo of McCaskill Provisions Included in Largest Education Overhaul Since 2001,2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Combo of McCaskill Provisions Included in Largest Education Overhaul Since 2001 Senator successfully includes proposals supporting military families by allowing teachers to transfer credentials across state linesimprove health education with a focus on safe relationships, consent Wednesday, December 9, 2015 WASHINGTON This weeks advancement of the nations largest education overhaul since 2001 includes a combo of provisions by U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill including legislation to support military spouses by letting teachers transfer credentials across state lines, and a plan to improve health education with a focus on safe relationships and consent. This legislation is a truly bipartisan victory thatll have a real and lasting benefit for Missouris students, educators, and local communities, said McCaskill, a graduate of Hickman High School in Columbia, Mo. Today weve made real strides to enhance and improve our kids education by lightening the load of licensing requirements that make it difficult for teachersespecially military spousesto continue in their field when they move across state lines, and by improving student health education with a focus on consent and safety to prevent domestic and sexual assault. The Every Student Succeeds Act gives communities the flexibility to develop their own plans to improve the quality of their schools. The rewrite of the previously dubbed No Child Left Behind Actenjoys wide bipartisan support and passed the House of Representatives by a 359-64 vote and the Senate by a 85-12 vote. It is also supported by a wide variety of stakeholders including the National Education Association, the American Federation of Teachers, and National Schools Boards Association. The measures successfully included by McCaskill and included in the Every Student Succeeds Act include: Improving Teacher Mobility: This provision supports military spouses, among others, by improving teacher licensing mobility, equipping educators with methods to transfer their credentials across state lines, and providing state and local education agencies greater access to qualified teacher candidates from across the country. The plan earned the endorsement of the National Military Family Association, American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association, and Teach for America. Currently, state licensure systems for teachers vary widely in the level of rigor and the number of requirements, so most statesincluding Missourido not readily accept out of state credentials from teachers who want to relocate. The resulting lack of mobility in the teaching profession is increasingly at odds with the needs of todays modern workforce, deterring exceptional prospective teachers from entering the field and driving highly effective teachers out of the classroom when they must move across state lines. The enormous costs and administrative burdens of the many different state licensure requirementsthere are nearly 600 different teacher licensure exams in use todaydeter teachers from filling jobs where they are most needed. Todays bill gives states the ability to create a standard process to make it easier for teachers to transfer professional licenses or certifications between states. Teaching Safe Relationships: Key provisions of McCaskills Teach Safe Relationships Act were also including in the education bill. The planalso sponsored by Senator Tim Kaine of Virginiaimproves health education in public secondary schools by focusing on preventing sexual assault, domestic, and dating violence. Currently, there is no federal requirement that sex education courses cover topics such as sexual assault prevention and discussions about safe relationships. McCaskill, along with a bipartisan group of Senators, has also introduced the Campus Accountability and Safety Act, to take aim at sexual assaults on college and university campuses by protecting and empowering students, and strengthening accountability and transparency for institutionsincluding establishing stiff penalties for non-compliance with the legislations new standards for training, data and best practices. The legislation is informed by feedback McCaskill heard when she traveled across Missouri last fall, speaking with students, administrators, advocates, and law enforcement from nearly 50 colleges and universities. Visit mccaskill.senate.gov/education to read highlights of McCaskills work to improve education. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-challenges-extreme-rhetoric-from-armed-services-members-on-us-strategy-to-defeat-islamic-state,McCaskill Challenges Extreme Rhetoric from Armed Services Members on U.S. Strategy to Defeat Islamic State,2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McCaskill Challenges Extreme Rhetoric from Armed Services Members on U.S. Strategy to Defeat Islamic State At Armed Services Committee hearing, Senator questions top Pentagon leaders on U.S. strategy to degrade and destroy the Islamic States forces, resources Wednesday, December 9, 2015 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today challenged the extreme rhetoric of a Republican member of the Armed Services Committee at a hearing on U.S. efforts to destroy the self-declared Islamic State by questioning the effectiveness of carpet-bombingwith the potential to aid enemy recruitment effortsrather than strategic, surgical strikes to take out the groups top leaders and resources. Senator Cruz has said, We will utterly destroy ISIS. We will carpet-bomb them into oblivion. I dont know if sand can glow in the dark, but were going to find out, said McCaskill, a senior member of the Armed Services Committee. How many women and children would be involved if we carpet-bombed the areas where ISIS is currently a stronghold? What are we talking about in terms of lives lost of women and children in those areas? Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter responded, That is of course not our approach, and we are very effective from the air. Were able to be effective while minimizing collateral damage. McCaskill continued, If we did an indiscriminate carpet-bombing of a major area and killed thousands of women and children, would you assume that would have some impact on their ability to recruit misguided barbarians like this couple that took out more than a dozen innocent people last week? I would have to assume it would put their recruiting on steroids And isnt the biggest danger to the homeland the ability of this extreme jihad viewpoint being transferred to Americans who then become radicalized and do what these people did in San Bernardino? Isnt that the biggest threat to our homeland? Gen. Paul Selva, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, responded: Its clear from ISILs strategy that their objective is for us to engage in what they believe is an apocalyptic war with the West. And anything we do to feed that particular frame of thinking counters our national security, and we have to be very careful about how we prosecute a campaign that appears to be an indiscriminate attempt to attack ISIL and the population that surrounds it What I would say categorically is the process you described as your hypothetical question is not the way that we apply force in combat. It isn't now nor will it ever be. McCaskill recently quizzed the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, General John Campbell, on U.S. efforts to combat Islamic State forces in the region, as well as root out corruption and potential waste of taxpayer dollars in Afghanistan. McCaskill also recently raised concerns about the effectiveness of U.S. efforts to train and equip Syrian rebels to combat the threat of the self-declared Islamic State amid reports that the program has failed to meet its training goals. She also discussed recent reports that a group of intelligence officials has come forward to document claims that senior military officials may have manipulated intelligence reports for the appearance of increased progress in the United States military campaign against ISIS. Visit mccaskill.senate.gov/defense to learn more about McCaskills fight to protect our national security. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-the-facts-underlying-this-hearing-are-so-egregious-its-hard-not-to-get-emotional-about-it,"McCaskill: ‘The Facts Underlying This Hearing Are So Egregious, It’s Hard Not to Get Emotional About It’",2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McCaskill: The Facts Underlying This Hearing Are So Egregious, Its Hard Not to Get Emotional About It Senator tackles price spikes in Rx drugs in first bipartisan Senate hearing on the issue in years Wednesday, December 9, 2015 Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today helped lead the first in a series of hearings on dramatic drug price increasesoften on older, off-patent drugsafter the acquisition or merger of pharmaceutical companies. The hearing, entitled Sudden Price Spikes in Off-Patent Drugs: Perspectives from the Front Lines explored the causes of these sudden, aggressive price hikes on off-patent drugs and the effect these egregious price increases have on patients access to medication. My biggest challenge today is to not lose my temperthe facts underlying this hearing are so egregious its hard not to get emotional about it, McCaskill said. Its imperative that we find out if our system is being taken advantage of by companies or individuals that seek deep profits while contributing little or nothing to advances in medical treatment. In recent years, prescription drug prices in the U.S. have steadily increased, making drugs unaffordable to many Americans, particularly those on a fixed income as many seniors are. In 2014 alone, drug spending increased by 13.1%, the largest annual increase since 2003. Witnesses for the hearing included: Dr. Gerard Anderson, Professor, Health Policy and Management, Medicine, and International Health, Johns Hopkins University; Dr. Erin Fox, Director, Drug Information Service, University of Utah Health Care and Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Utah College of Pharmacy, Dept. of Pharmacotherapy; Dr. David Kimberlin, Professor and Vice Chair for Clinical and Translational Research; Co-Director, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham; and Mr. Mark Merritt, President & Chief Executive Officer, Pharmaceutical Care Management Association. As part of the committees investigation, McCaskill has requested documents and information from four pharmaceutical companies: Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Turing Pharmaceuticals, Retrophin Inc, and Rodelis Therapeutics. Each request focuses on drugs that have seen recent and significant spikes in price. McCaskill will hold subsequent hearings on the issue of prescription drug pricing in the following months, including taking a deeper look at the four companies. Seniors account for 13 percent of the population but account for 34 percent of the all prescription medication used. More than 40 percent of seniors take five or more prescription drugs per day. The Special Committee on Aging, led by Chairman Collins and Ranking Member McCaskill, promotes discussions and conducts investigations on areas of special interest to older Americans. Visit mccaskill.senate.gov/consumers to learn more about McCaskills fight to strengthen protections for American consumers. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/video/view/mccaskill-challenges-extreme-rhetoric-from-armed-services-members-on-us-strategy-to-defeat-isis,McCaskill Challenges Extreme Rhetoric from Armed Services Members on U.S. Strategy to Defeat ISIS,2015-12-09,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today challenged the extreme rhetoric of a Republican member of the Armed Services Committee at a hearing on U.S. efforts to destroy the self-declared Islamic State by questioning the effectiveness of carpet-bombingwith the potential to aid enemy recruitment effortsrather than strategic, surgical strikes to take out the groups top leaders and resources.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-demands-a-vote-on-legislation-to-prevent-suspected,Congressman Cleaver Demands a Vote on Legislation to Prevent Suspected Terrorists From Purchasing Guns and Explosives,2015-12-08,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congressman Cleaver took action to force a vote on commonsense, life-saving legislation to keep guns and explosives out of the hands of terrorists. After House Republicans voted three times last week to block the House from debating H.R. 1076, Republican Congressman Peter Kings Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act, Congressman Cleaver signed a discharge petition that would bring this critical legislation immediately up for a vote.The bill would close the dangerous loophole that allows suspected terrorists on the FBIs Terrorist Watchlist to legally buy deadly weapons. The refusal to close the loophole that lets suspected terrorists legally buy guns is unconscionable and indefensible, said Congressman Cleaver. As Members of Congress, our first responsibility is to protect and defend the American people and that is why we must take urgent and commonsense action to keep deadly firearms and explosives out of the hands of terrorists. According to a report by the Government Accountability Office, since 2004, more than 2,000 suspects on the FBIs Terrorist Watchlist have successfully purchased weapons in the United States. More than 90 percent of all suspected terrorists who attempted to purchase guns in the last 11 years walked away with the weapon they wanted, with just 190 rejected despite their ominous histories. In the aftermath of the horrific attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, we must continue to strengthen our efforts to protect the American people, continued Congressman Cleaver. Our first priority should be to close the exceedingly dangerous terrorist gun loophole and ensure that no suspected terrorist can walk into a gun store and legally purchase a deadly weapon. Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouris 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.A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is availablehere. For more information please contact John Jones john.h.jones@mail.house.gov or(202) 225-4535.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-urges-missourians-to-remain-vigilant-against-so,Congressman Cleaver Urges Missourians to Remain Vigilant Against So-Called Government Grant Scams,2015-12-07,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II announced his intention to bring awareness to criminal government grant scams that prey on vulnerable Americans. Government grant scams have been around for years and continue to exist partly because many people lack experience with grant systems and procedures. In a common government grant scam a caller will 1) claim to be from a legitimate sounding organization that often does not exist such as the Federal Grant Association 2) tell their potential victims that they qualify for government grant money and 3) will request either a bank account number, or that the potential victim sends a payment in order to process the grant. A criminal may also publish an advertisement in local papers, or magazines in order to solicit additional victims. Make no mistake, these free money grant schemes are undeniably scams. Congressman Cleaver urges the public to protect sensitive personal information at all times, especially around the holiday season when scam activity appears to increase. If you believe you may be the victim of a government grant scam, or any other related scam, please report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission at 1-866-653-4261 or toll-free at 1-877-FTC-HELP. The Federal Trade Commission is aware of government grant scams and has urged the public to not pay any money to receive free government grants. Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouris 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.A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is availablehere. For more information please contact John Jones john.h.jones@mail.house.gov or(202) 225-4535.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-hosts-tele-townhall-to-discuss-skyrocketing-costs-of,Congressman Cleaver Hosts Tele Townhall to Discuss Skyrocketing Costs of Prescription Drugs,2015-12-04,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05) hosted a tele townhall, calling upwards of 50,000 of his constituents, to discuss the rising costs of prescription drugs in this country. He firmly believes that prescription drugs need to be made available and affordable to all people. As a result of the Affordable Care Act, over 9.4 million seniors and people with disabilities have saved over $15 billion on prescription drugs, an average savings of $1,598 per senior. Currently, the rising cost of prescription drug constitute the fastest growing sector of health care costs in our country, which is burdening our budget and the pocketbooks of millions of seniors and families across America. Joining Congressman Cleaver on the call was K.J. Hertz from AARP, who helped answer constituents questions. Mr. Hertz represents AARP and promotes its priorities before Congress and the Administration on a variety of health and aging policy issues including Medicaid, issues affecting the Medicare-Medicaid dual-eligible population, the Older Americans Act, and prescription drug and medical device issues. Recently, Pfizer and Allergen, two of the largest prescription drug companies in the country, announced their merger. Congressman Cleaver, along with the millions of senior citizens in this country, is apprehensive over how this merger will affect the cost of prescription drugs. Congressman Cleaver pledges to remain vigilant and will continue to work to make prescription drugs more affordable and accessible for our nations seniors. Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouris 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.A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is availablehere. For more information please contact John Jones john.h.jones@mail.house.gov or(202) 225-4535.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/missouri-needs-matching-funds-to-maximize-benefits-of-transportation-plan,Missouri needs matching funds to maximize benefits of transportation plan,2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Missouri needs matching funds to maximize benefits of transportation plan Thursday, December 3, 2015 By: Jim Howard Even with Congress backing a $305 billion transportation bill, Missouri could lose out if state lawmakers dont find matching funds to maximize the opportunity being presented in the five-year bill a first since 2005.U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., told reporters in a conference call Wednesday morning that shes been in conversation with MoDot officials about the need to find matching funds. We have been a state that has benefited because we have lots of roads and the formulas have benefited Missouri. That will go away and we will be getting less than we paid in if Missouri doesnt have its matching share. The federal government spends roughly $50 billion annually on transportation projects, with the federal gas tax covering about $34 billion, leaving an annual deficit of $16 billion. The deficit is made up of several components. Just as in Jefferson City, lawmakers in Washington have refused to increase the federal gas tax for years. It has remained at 18.4 cents a gallon since the early 1990s - only a few years after the Interstate Highway system was declared complete. The static tax rate has to contend with an aging highway system, more fuel efficient vehicles, and lawmakers dipping into those funds to cover other federal spending. The highway proposal is being advanced in the form of an authorization bill, not an appropriations bill - meaning it provides the permission for spending, but does not include the money or an itemized list of projects to be funded. That will come later when lawmakers consider the omnibus spending plan needed to pass by the end of next week. For lawmakers pushing a variety of proposals, getting their language into the authorization bill as a ""provision"" is a critical first step toward directing federal spending to priorities they support. The highway plan officially re-authorizes the federal gas tax and includes more than $73 billion in so-called pay-fors from six primary sources, according to documents from theCongressional Budget Office and the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation. $53.3 billion by capping the Federal Reserve surplus account - meant to cover certain losses $6.9 billion by reducing dividends paid to banks that park funds in the Federal Reserve Bank $6.2 billion in sales from the strategic petroleum reserve $5.1 billion from increased custom user fees $2.4 billion by hiring private debt collectors to help collect federal taxes $395 million by revoking or denying passports for Americans with unpaid taxes Republican Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., says the five-year plan gives states, including Missouri, a better opportunity to figure out what they can do to maximize their own resources to make the most of that highway bill. Speaking to reporters in a conference call Wednesday morning, Blunt said that while I dont know that our state would want to look at the gas tax, but if they do look at the gas tax, the fact the gas tax wasnt increased at the federal level makes it easier to do that. Blunt also says with the growing number of fuel efficient vehicles including, hybrids, all-electric cars and other technologies that may come along, five years from now the mix of vehicles on the road is going to be substantially different than it is now and lawmakers will have to figure out a fair way of charging those people who use the highway system. The bridges of Missouri Along with its road, rail and river transportation systems, Missouri has thousands of bridges that are either structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. One provision in the plan, co-sponsored by Blunt and U.S. Sen.Bob Casey, D-Pa., would protect a dedicated revenue stream for so-called off-system bridges. The language was first included in the previous highway bill to help fund needed repairs and upgrades. MoDot Bridge Engineer, Dennis Heckman says that includes about 13,000 county and city owned bridges - slightly more than half of all the bridges in Missouri. Of those bridges, Heckman says about 2,300 are structurally deficient, meaning they are in need of repairs. Another 1,700 are structurally sound, but functionally obsolete, which in most cases means they are considered too narrow for the traffic they now serve. Of the 10,000 bridges owned by the state of Missouri, about 1,200 are structurally deficient with another 1,000 considered functionally obsolete, according to Heckman. Federal law requires states to inspect all of the bridges within their borders, even those not owned by the state, and failure to do so, could cost the state some of its federal funding. Heckman says state inspectors look at all of the bridges about once every two years. What other area states are doing While lawmakers in Jefferson City have not increased the states fuel tax in about 15 years, lawmakers in Iowa approved a 10-cent-a-gallon gasoline and diesel tax increase earlier this year, estimated to provide $215 million annually for city, county and state roads, according to local reports. In a bill signing ceremony, Republican Gov. Terry Brandstad said the measure showed how bipartisan cooperation on a difficult issue made Iowa stand out as a state where we work together and get things done He also praised the law as being good for the states economy. Beginning next month, drivers in Nebraska will start paying a phased-in gas tax increase to raise an estimated $75 million annually to fund road projects there. Starting Jan. 1, for each of the next three years, the states gas tax will increase by 1.5 cents a gallon. In boosting the tax, lawmakers overrode first-term Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts veto. In Arkansas, a working group for Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson is expected to finalize several funding plans later this month to increase funding for highways. One plan reportedly would raise the motor fuels tax by 15 cents a gallon over three years to generate $300 million for state, county and city transportation projects. In Illinois, The Quad City Times reported in February, that documents it obtained showed one plan under consideration would boost the states motor fuel tax by 13 cents a gallon to generate an estimated $1.8 billion in road and maintenance projects. However, nothing has happened on any proposal to restructure the states motor fuel tax as Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and the states Democratic legislative leaders have been at a stalemate over Illinois budget f Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/postal-reform-bill-earns-bipartisan-support-in-congress,Postal Reform Bill Earns Bipartisan Support in Congress,2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Postal Reform Bill Earns Bipartisan Support in Congress Thursday, December 3, 2015 By: Eric Katz The latest push to overhaul the U.S. Postal Service appears to be gaining momentum, as lawmakers from both parties have thrown their support behind a recently introduced legislative reform measure. Two Republicans, Sens. Jerry Moran, Kan., and Roy Blunt, Mo., have signed on as cosponsors on the 2015 Improving Postal Operations, Service and Transparency (iPost) Act, which was authored by Democratic Sen. Tom Carper, Del. Also endorsing the legislation on Wednesday was one of Carpers Democratic colleagues, Sen. Claire McCaskill, Mo. Carper-- who has introduced postal reform legislation in three consecutive sessions of Congress --initially put the bill forwardon his own, with aides saying he wanted to get the language of the bill out there and let all voices weigh in. That was in contrast with his prior postal reform effort, in which the then chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee introduced the 2013 Postal Reform Act with the backing of his ranking member, Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla. Carper held roundtables and meetings with stakeholders -- including other lawmakers, postal unions, large mailers and the agency itself -- throughout 2015 in an attempt to include issues important to each group. Carpers previous efforts have fallen short as various parochial interests proved too strong and disparate to reach a consensus. The senator stressed the interests of lawmakers representing rural areas and states, whose support largely eluded him in the 113th Congress. To protect taxpayers from the costs of a truly bankrupt postal service, Congress must act to put the agency on a path toward solvency, Moran said. These reforms offer a serious policy framework to return the Postal Service to economic stability and preserve postal services across the country. McCaskill, who voted in favor of Carpers bill in committee last year, said the bill would help modernize the U.S. institution. Ensuring the Postal Service endures through the 21st century is critical for everyone from the modern entrepreneur to the grandchild placing a card in the mailbox, and Im proud to help lead this bipartisan effort to sustain it, McCaskill said. Blunt, her Missouri colleague, said constituents from the pairs home state have made clear they depend on a strong and efficient USPS. The bill -- which would reform retiree health care and its funding, develop new revenue streams; and provide more data on the agencys performance in rural areas,among other changes-- has yet to receive any hearings or votes in committee. Carper aides have said the language as introduced represented only a first draft, and the senator was open to changing the bill. The postal advocate receivedcriticismin the last Congress for his insular strategy to crafting his reform bill. This time around, Carper is promising to take an inclusive approach as the bill moves forward. Whether we come from rural, urban, or suburban communities, my colleagues and I all agree that now is the time to act on comprehensive legislation that will stabilize and modernize the U.S. Postal Service, Carper said. I look forward to continuing to work with Sens. Moran, McCaskilland Blunt, our colleagues in the House and the Senate, Postal Service leadership and employees, stakeholdersand postal customers to refine this legislation and ensure the Postal Service thrives long into the future. For its part, USPS has said there were some elements of Carpers bill it supported, though as a whole it hadmany concernswith the legislation. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-protect-homeland-by-preventing-suspected-terrorists-from-legally-buying-firearms-and-explosives,McCaskill: Protect Homeland by Preventing Suspected Terrorists from Legally Buying Firearms & Explosives,2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McCaskill: Protect Homeland by Preventing Suspected Terrorists from Legally Buying Firearms & Explosives Senior member of Homeland Security and Armed Services Committees backs amendments to expand background checks for gun sales, and close loopholes that let suspected terrorists legally buy weapons Thursday, December 3, 2015 WASHINGTON Following yesterdays mass shooting in California, and as the U.S. Senate debates how to better protect America from potential terrorist attacks, Senator Claire McCaskilla former prosecutortoday announced her support for proposals to strengthen background checks for gun sales, and close loopholes that allow suspected terrorists to legally purchase weapons and firearms. If were serious about protecting our communities and our homeland against the kind of savage attacks we have seen in recent months, then that effort has to include better background checks, and preventing suspected terrorists from legally getting their hands on firearms and explosives, said McCaskill, a senior member of the Senate Homeland Security and Armed Services Committees. Why on earth would we let a suspected terrorist legally buy an assault weapon? An overwhelming majority of AmericansRepublicans and Democratswant these loopholes closed, because they know that will mean better protection for their communities from gun violence, and better protection for our country from terrorist attack. Current law allows guns, including high-capacity guns and assault weapons, to be sold over the internet and at gun shows without any background checks at all.Stores and other Federal Firearms License holders, by contrast, are required to perform background checks on nearly all sales. Current federal law also prohibits nine categories of individuals from purchasing or owning firearmsbut those categories do not include suspected terrorists, who can currently legally purchase firearms in the United States. This loophole allows suspected terrorist to swiftly pass a background check and obtain a dangerous weapon. The Washington Post reports that between 2004 and 2014, more than 2,000 terror suspects legally purchased guns in the United States. As the newspaper reports: Membership in a terrorist organization does not prohibit a person from possessing firearms or explosives under current federal law, the Government Accountability Office concluded in 2010. The law prohibits felons, fugitives, drug addicts and domestic abusers from purchasing a firearm in the U.S. But individuals on the FBI's consolidated terrorist watchlist typically placed there when there is reasonable suspicion that they are a known or suspected terroristcan freely purchase handguns or assault-style rifles. The proposals supported by McCaskill today would address these security lapses by strengthening background checks for gun sales, and would prevent those on terrorist watch lists from purchasing weapons and firearms. Recent national polling has showed that more than half of Americans want tougher laws on gun sales. Among gun owners themselves, 85 percent approve of universal background checks, according to recent polling. McCaskill joined a bipartisan majority of Senators last year in voting to support similar legislation expanding background checks for gun sales as part of the bipartisan Manchin-Toomey background check proposal by Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Republican Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania. This background check legislation, which is overwhelmingly supported by the American public, did not receive the 60 votes needed to pass. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-raises-concerns-on-combat-stress-for-drone-pilots-use-of-civilian-contractors,"McCaskill Raises Concerns on Combat Stress for Drone Pilots, Use of Civilian Contractors",2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McCaskill Raises Concerns on Combat Stress for Drone Pilots, Use of Civilian Contractors Senator addresses consequences for pilots deployed on station at Whiteman Air Force Base, questions effectiveness, efficiency of using civilian contractor support for mission Thursday, December 3, 2015 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today raised concerns to former top Pentagon officials on the consequences of combat stress for drone pilots operating from bases on U.S. soil, and whether the use of civilian contractors to relieve pressure on these pilots is effective or efficient. I am aware of the pressures that have been put on the Air Force as it relates to drone operators because of the incredibly capable unit that we have in Missouri at Whiteman, said McCaskill, a senior member of the Armed Services Committee and the daughter of a World War II veteran. And I know that the Air Force is working on this problem, but it seems to me this is something that we didnt see coming, because now Ive learned that the Air Force is actually considering using contractors in order to ease the burden on these drone operators. And writ large, I think the issue of contractors versus active military is something that we are struggling with in our military. Certainly we all acknowledge theres a role for contractors, hopefully contracts that have been well-scoped and competed, and that are cost-plus, and that are overseen with capability and competence as opposed to what we saw when I first arrived in Washington in connection with what we were spending in Iraq. McCaskill continued, asking former Air Force Secretary Michael Donley: Are you comfortable that we are at a position that we are hiring contractors to do the drone work, which in fact are war fighters? The reason theyre under such stress right now is that theyre being asked to target and kill the enemy during the day and going home to dinner with their families [at night]. It is a new kind of war fighting, and it just appears that we werent really ready to support these war fighters. And Im uncomfortable that the answer is to hire civilians. Secretary Donley responded: Your point is well taken that the force has been tremendously stressed. I am uncomfortable with having civilian contractors performing military missions. That doesnt sound right to me. Last spring McCaskill visited the 20th Reconnaissance Squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and wrote to the Air Force to address the unique stresses felt by Airmen deployed on stationflying combat missions against enemy forces and immediately going home to their families after a long shift with no adequate way to decompress. It is unprecedented in warfare for our men and women to fly combat missions, engage and kill our enemies, and a short while later go home to their families, McCaskill wrote in the letter. A [Remotely Piloted Aircraft] pilot could be sitting down to a meal with his or her family less than two hours after killing Islamic State or Taliban fighters on the other side of the world. They could be playing with their children shortly after witnessing up close and in graphic detail the effects of a 500-pound bomb or Hellfire missile on a soft target. I am not sure we fully understand the consequences this has for our men and women in uniform, or on their families. McCaskill also recently met with Brig. Gen Paul Tibbets IV, Commander of the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, to discuss the bases critical role in the nations defense, and upcoming military construction projects. Visit mccaskill.senate.gov/defense to learn more about McCaskills fight to protect our national security. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/video/view/mccaskill-raises-concerns-on-combat-stress-for-drone-pilots-use-of-civilian-contractors,"McCaskill Raises Concerns on Combat Stress for Drone Pilots, Use of Civilian Contractors",2015-12-03,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today raised concerns to former top Pentagon officials on the consequences of combat stress for drone pilots operating from bases on U.S. soil, and whether the use of civilian contractors to relieve pressure on these pilots is effective or efficient.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/blunt-mccaskill-provisions-included-in-highway-funding-bill,"Blunt, McCaskill provisions included in highway funding bill",2015-12-02,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Blunt, McCaskill provisions included in highway funding bill Wednesday, December 2, 2015 By: Jim Howard If you drive a rental car, travel by rail, or need to turn on the AC on a hot summer day, you will be affected by provisions Missouris two U.S. senators have worked to get into a highway funding bill, likely to win congressional approval in the next few days. The provisions are included in a massive $305 billion, five-year highway plan that critics say includes budget gimmicks. Some funding would come from places other than gas taxes and other funds directly linked to transportation. Republican Roy Blunt and Democrat Claire McCaskill teamed up to co-sponsor The Grid Reliability Act, aimed at ensuring power utilities dont run afoul of environmental regulations when operating under orders from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to improve power grid reliability, especially at times of peak demand for electricity. The two first introduced the measure in the spring. At the time, Blunt called it an issue of basic fairness. It is completely unacceptable that utility providers in Missouri and across the nation are forced to violate the law and face costly lawsuits for simply doing their job, Blunt said at the time. McCaskill echoed Blunts concern for fairness. The government has created an inherent conflict by forcing electricity providers to take action and then punishing them for taking that action. The measure protects utilities from citizen lawsuits or environmental fines when the government orders utilities to provide grid reliability. Another McCaskill-sponsored measure included in the package would streamline an often cumbersome federal permitting process for major projects. The Permitting Improvement Act, has been a two-year effort of McCaskill and U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio. The two reintroduced the measure last spring with backing from a wide array of business, industry, union, and trade associations including the U.S. and Missouri Chambers of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, Missouri Realtors, Associated General Contractors of Missouri and others. In explaining the need for the bill, McCaskill said the measure will sharply cut red tape in government to better promote economic opportunities and boost jobs in our state. Another provision in the package would require rental car companies to address open safety recall issues before renting vehicles to consumers. When consumers and families drive a rental car off the lot, they should be able to do so with the confidence that the car is safe to drive, said McCaskill at the time her bill was introduced. The measure had the backing of manufacturers including Honda and GM, the rental car industry and safety advocates. Two provisions supported by Blunt address issues of concern to the rail industry. One would promote more competition in passenger rail service by creating a state-supported route commission. The commission would be charged with encouraging greater collaboration among those using state-supported rail routes while also pushing non-federal participation in some parts of Amtraks system. As for roadway issues, one Blunt-backed measure protects funding for so-called off-system bridges, such as county owned bridges. Another helps lessen delays for special vehicles needed for emergency infrastructure repairs. Many states require special permits for oversized vehicles or trailers. The measure would streamline that process when such vehicles are needed in emergencies. If approved, this would be the first long-term highway funding bill since 2005. Since then Congress has passed nearly three dozen short-term measures designed simply to keep money flowing to the states for necessary repairs and maintenance. The motor fuel tax has not been increased since the early 1990s when the nations Interstate highway system, backed by then President Dwight Eisenhower, was declared completed. This legislation would also renew the Export-Import Bank through September 2019. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/tentative-highway-bill-has-st-louis-area-imprint,Tentative highway bill has St. Louis-area imprint,2015-12-02,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Tentative highway bill has St. Louis-area imprint Wednesday, December 2, 2015 By: Chuck Raasch WASHINGTON The long-term transportation bill that is projected to pass Congress later this week includes several provisions by St. Louis-area members, a few of which have little to do with highways. Among them is re-authorization of the Export-Import bank, whose charter expired earlier this year, and whose future has been the subject of intense lobbying and ideological debate. Its reauthorization was pushed by Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., and supported by the St. Louis-area delegation. Supporters said the bank helps area exporters, like Boeing, finance trade deals against competition that has the backing of foreign governments. Opponents, including much of the House Republican leadership, called it unnecessary corporate welfare for big companies like Boeing. The overall bill also repeals a controversial measure of a five-week-old budget agreement that would cut federal spending on crop insurance. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, was among those voting against that budget agreement while citing the crop-insurance cuts. He said the new highway bill unveiled Tuesday ""reverses short-sighted cuts to crop insurance programs and reauthorizes the Export-Import bank,"" which ""are both important provisions... in the agricultural and manufacturing industries."" Terms of the 1,300-page agreement were being released Tuesday, but reportedly include about $281 billion over five years for transportation construction and repair projects. A short-term highway bill expires Friday. Some opposition to the way the bill will be paid for - the federal 18.4-cent per gallon tax will not be raised - has already emerged. Among the proposals reported to be in the package include tapping excess Federal Reserve funds and diverting revenue from customs fees on airlines and cruise passengers into transportation. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said the way the bill will be financed is ""not necessarily ideal"" but that it showed that Congress can get things done. If passed, the measure will have several provisions pushed by St. Louis-area members, including: A measure by Sens. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., and Roy Blunt, R-Mo., aimed at improving power-grid reliability and protect utilities from conflicting environmental regulations. A rental-car safety provision co-sponsored by McCaskill that would prevent cars under recall from being rented to customers until they are repaired. Blunt language designed to set aside more funding for county-owned bridges, which his office says constitute about 52 percent of Missouri's bridges. Blunt says about 30 percent of these non-federal bridges in Missouri are structurally deficient or obsolete. A provision pushed by McCaskill and Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, that would streamline federal permitting for construction projects. The two senators have been pushing a bipartisan bill aimed at doing this for about two years. A financial services bill aimed at streamlining federal securities filing requirements for companies with less than $75 million publicly traded stocks. It was sponsored by Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Ballwin, who says it will allow smaller companies to save money while expanding by allowing them to more quickly access capital. It unanimously passed the House earlier this year but had not yet been considered by the Senate, and is part of a securities-related section in the proposed highway bill. Amendments co-sponsored by Reps. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, that would allow independent welders who drive to work sites be exempt from federal weight requirements if their vehicles weigh less than 15,000 pounds, and that would clarify the type of freight that auto haulers can carry on return trips after they drop off their cars at dealerships. A grant program for states, pushed by Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., to create a national policy to improve the performance of freight hauling. Illinois has the second-largest rail network with almost 10,000 miles of track, and 7,737 public crossings, his office said. A Blunt-sponsored provision directing the Department of Transportation to study delays caused by differing state permitting requirements for special vehicles necessary for emergency infrastructure response. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/after-unexplained-delay-fda-finally-takes-action-to-prevent-sale-of-dietary-ingredient-that-fda-and-independent-scientists-had-previously-determined-wasnt-a-dietary-ingredient,"After Unexplained Delay, FDA Finally Takes Action to Prevent Sale of ‘Dietary Ingredient’ That FDA and Independent Scientists Had Previously Determined Wasn’t a Dietary Ingredient",2015-12-02,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"After Unexplained Delay, FDA Finally Takes Action to Prevent Sale of Dietary Ingredient That FDA and Independent Scientists Had Previously Determined Wasnt a Dietary Ingredient McCaskill: Weve got to do a better job of taking action to protect American consumers Wednesday, December 2, 2015 WASHINGTON Two months after U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take action to prevent the improper sale of the highly synthesized ingredient picamilon, the FDA announced today that it is sending warning letters to five dietary supplement manufacturers regarding the substances sale. Picamilon, which is widely available across the United States, should not have been categorized as a dietary supplement, and has been classified as a prescription drug in other countries for several years. Faced with the FDAs failure to act, McCaskill reached out directly to retailers, asking them to voluntarily remove products containing picamilon from their shelvesa request that many retailers acted upon. I am glad that the FDA is finally taking steps to remove this substance from virtual and online shelvesbut the old saying better late than never certainly applies here, McCaskill said. Its hard to understand how it took this long to send a handful of letters to prevent the sale of an ingredient that the FDA determined months ago was not a dietary ingredient. This entire episode is an illustration of how regulatory safeguards that are in place to protect American consumers are falling dramatically short. The Oregon Attorney General recently filed a complaint against General Nutrition Corporation (GNC) alleging that GNC knowingly sold products containing picamilon and other substances that were not appropriate for inclusion in dietary supplements. In connection with the Oregon Attorney Generals investigation, the FDA submitted an affidavit stating that picamilon is not a dietary ingredient. A recent report reviewing products containing picamilon revealed that products on U.S. shelves routinely contain prescription-level doses of this ingredient. But because this ingredient is being sold as a dietary supplement and not a prescription drug it has not undergone the same level of scrutiny to understand its potential side effects or drug interactions. Earlier this year, McCaskilla former State Auditor and courtroom prosecutorsent letters to 15 retailers inquiring about their policies concerning dietary supplements and what they do to prevent the sale of harmful or fraudulently marketed products in their stores and on their websites and shows. This inquiry was in response to the discovery of products such as Brain Armor, which has since been removed from the Amazon website, that made false claims about their ability to enhance memory and treat dementia. Recently, McCaskill twice wrote FDA Acting Administrator Stephen Ostroff to request that the FDA take appropriate action to suspend sales of any supplement containing picamilon, a product that FDA has determined is not a dietary ingredient. As past Chairman of the Senates Consumer Protection Subcommittee, McCaskill has also examined misleading and false claims made by makers of weight-loss products. Visit mccaskill.senate.gov/consumers to learn more about McCaskills fight to strengthen protections for American consumers. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-targets-potential-bloat-in-pentagon-workforce-bureaucracy,McCaskill Targets Potential Bloat in Pentagon Workforce Bureaucracy,2015-12-02,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McCaskill Targets Potential Bloat in Pentagon Workforce Bureaucracy Senator questions Defense Department officials on efficiency, effectiveness of multiple layers of civilian personnel Wednesday, December 2, 2015 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today questioned former top Pentagon officials on the effects on the Department of potential bloat in its senior civilian workforceand whether multiple layers of bureaucracy may be harming the Departments ability to operate efficiently. I want to talk a little bit about what we have come to refer in this committee in our last several hearings as the deputy deputy dog syndrome, said McCaskill, a senior member of the Armed Services Committee and daughter of a World War II veteran. That is, in the civilian force, the springing up like mushrooms at a certain time of year a new deputy to the deputy to the deputy. And wheres that coming from? Why is there this seem-to-be growth of people with titles? Is it just the need for titles in terms of how youre viewed within the civilian workforce at the Pentagon? Is there really a need for all these many, many layers of personnel that seemingly have some kind ofauthority over somewhere else? Has this thing gotten too layered? McCaskill, a longtime advocate of eliminating waste and inefficiencies in the federal government, recently reintroduced a bipartisan bill to eliminate the National Technical Information Service, an outdated agency that has lost more than $1 million in taxpayer money per year over 10 years trying to sell government reports that are mostly available online for free. McCaskill has also joined a bipartisan group of Senators to introduce the Taxpayers Right To Know Act, to increase transparency and accountability in government by making public the costs and details of every federal program, so taxpayers can better know how their tax dollars are being spent. She has also questioned effectiveness of taxpayer-funded performance-based bonuses currently being awarded to highly paid Senior Executive Service employees. Visit mccaskill.senate.gov/defense to learn more about McCaskills fight to protect our national security. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lacyclay.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/clays-promise-zone-summit-will-help-coordinate-communitys-new-leverage,Clay's Promise Zone Summit Will Help Coordinate Community's New Leverage to Win Federal Grant Funding,2015-12-01,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,William Clay,C001049,lacyclay.house.gov,,,legacy,"MEDIA CONTACT: STEVEN ENGELHARDT (314) 504-4029 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, 12.1.15 Clay's Promise Zone Summit Will Help Coordinate Community's New Leverage to Win Federal Grant Funding Senior Reps from Federal Agencies to Interact with Local Elected Officials, Nonprofit Leaders ST.LOUIS- The public is invited to join Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri at a special Promise Zone summit that he will be hosting this Friday, December 4th, at Harris-Stowe State University's Emerson Physical Education and Performing Arts Center at 9:00 a.m. CST. Acting on a request from Congressman Clay and the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, in April, President Obama designated a portion of the 1stcongressional district as one of only six urban Promise Zones that will receive preferential treatment for competitive federal grant applications. The highly-coveted Promise Zone designation offers a potential windfall for the most economically distressed parts of our region if we take full advantage of it, said the Congressman. My summit will help local elected officials and community service providers learn how to leverage this powerful new tool to win maximum federal grant funding. I invite everyone to come by to learn more about this unprecedented opportunity. Local elected officials, leading nonprofit organizations and citizens from both St. Louis City and County will hear first-hand from federal officials about how the St. Louis community can leverage the new Promise Zone designation to win federal funding from 12 different federal departments who offer competitive grants via 35 different programs. The Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, (which administers the Promise Zone program), as well as senior executives from the Departments of Justice, Labor, Treasury, HHS, Transportation, Education, Commerce, the SBA, the NEA are expected to attend. For more information, please call Congressman Clay's office at (314) 669-9393 St. Louis Promise Zone Initiative A COLLABORATIVE AND INFORMATIONAL EVENT BETWEEN FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL AGENCIES THAT WILL PROVIDE INSIGHT INTO FEDERAL GRANT PROGRAMS AND CONNECT MUNICIPALITIES, COMMUNITIES, AND ORGANIZATIONS TO AVAILABLE RESOURCES. ________________ Friday, December 4, 20159:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Harris Stowe State University Emerson Physical Education & Performing Arts Center 3026 Laclede Ave., St. Louis, MO 63103________________ Promise Zones' federal partners include the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Commerce, Corporation for National and Community Service, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Labor, National Endowment for the Arts, Small Business Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/key-provisions-of-kaines-teach-safe-relationships-act-and-cte-bills-included-in-final-education-bill,Key provisions of Kaine's Teach Safe Relationships Act and CTE bills included in final education bill,2015-12-01,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Key provisions of Kaine's Teach Safe Relationships Act and CTE bills included in final education bill Tuesday, December 1, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. Following Mondays announcement of the final conference report on the Every Student Succeeds Act to replace No Child Left Behind, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine welcomed the bills inclusion of key provisions he authored to help prevent sexual assault and strengthen career and technical education in schools across the country, according to a written statement. For the first time, elementary and secondary schools will be allowed to use Title IV education funding specifically for instruction and training on safe relationship behavior among students, the statement says. Numerous CTE provisions Kaine authored were also included in the bill including amendments to expand career counseling, modernize high schools with work-based learning opportunities and designate CTE as a part of a well-rounded education along with traditional subjects including English, math and science. This final compromise bill will help ensure access to high-quality education for all students and take steps to close the achievement gaps that persist in our education system, Kaine said in the statement. My provisions to improve access to K-12 career and technical education programs will help students build skills that prepare them for in-demand career industries ranging from computer coding to welding. Im very pleased that the conference committee recognized the importance of teaching safe relationship behavior to help prevent sexual assault and dating violence. ""I had hoped that the final conference bill would require that public high school health education courses address this important public safety issue which disproportionately affects 16-24 year old young adults. Instead, the conference report allows schools to use federal Title IV monies to instruct students about consent, coercion, healthy relationships and where to seek help to stop sexual assault. I will keep working with students, educators and my colleagues to make sure that young people get this information at the time when it would be most helpful. Below is a full list of provisions authored by Kaine that were included in the bill: Teaching safe relationship behavior Instruction and training on safe relationship behavior among students is included as an allowable use of funds under the Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants in Title IV. Kaine introduced the Teach Safe Relationships Act in February of 2015 following a discussion with University of Virginia student advocates who recommended improved K-12 education as one method to prevent campus sexual assault. Career counseling Includes career and guidance counseling programs as well as training on local workforce needs and various options for postsecondary and career pathways as an allowable use of funds under the Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants in Title IV. Kaine introduced the Career Ready Act in February 2015 with Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) that would help ensure students are ready for postsecondary education and the workforce by encouraging states to implement career guidance programs in schools and keep track of career readiness factors implemented in school districts. CTE integration and professional development Adds a new allowable use of funds to Title II of ESSA to allow states to develop strategies for integrating academic and career and technical education content and supporting professional development for CTE teachers. Adding CTE as a core academic subject Includes career and technical education in the definition of a well-rounded education along with traditional academic subjects like math and English. Career readiness indicators Encourages states to use more career readiness indicators in their accountability system and state report cards, so states will have the opportunity to recognize schools that are successfully preparing students for postsecondary education and the workforce through tools like technical skills and college credits. These provisions build on Kaines Career Ready Act. CTE teachers - Allows Title II professional development funds to be used for career and technical educators to help improve the quality of CTE courses. Early childhood education - Authorizes the Preschool Development Grant program which will provide competitive grants to support states to improve and expand access to high-quality early childhood programs. The program will be administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services jointly with the U.S. Department of Education. Kaine introduced the Providing Resources Early for Kids (PRE-K) Act in January 2015 to create a similar federal-state partnership to improve state preschool programs and expand current programs to serve more children in need. Kaine has been a long-time champion of access to quality early learning programs. As Governor, he expanded the Virginia Preschool Initiative by increasing Pre-K enrollment by 40 percent in the Commonwealth. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-scores-legislative-hat-trick-in-highway-bill,McCaskill Scores Legislative Hat-Trick in Highway Bill,2015-12-01,2015,2015-12,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McCaskill Scores Legislative Hat-Trick in Highway Bill Senator successfully includes her bipartisan bills to boost jobs by streamlining permitting, protect consumers by barring rental of recalled vehicles, strengthen energy grid Tuesday, December 1, 2015 WASHINGTON An agreement reached to pass a long-term U.S. highway bill has been shaped by a hat-trick of legislative accomplishments by U.S. Senator Claire McCaskillafter todays announcement that it will include McCaskill provisions to boost jobs by streamlining the permitting process, protect consumers by barring the rental of recalled vehicles, and improve the reliability of our energy grid by easing regulations. Its hard to get anything done in Washington these days, which is why these wins for Missouri are all the more important, said McCaskill, a former Missouri State Auditor and former Chairman of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection. Weve scored victories today for Missouri jobs, businesses, and consumersfolks Ill never stop fighting forand for our countrys energy future, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this long-term bill across the finish line. The long-term highway bill will include the following McCaskill provisions: Federal Permitting Reform: McCaskills bipartisan plan to boost job opportunities by streamlining the federal permitting process, which is currently bogged down by red tape and uncertainty hindering investment and job-creation. The provision has the support of a number of Missouri groups including the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, Missouri Realtors, and the Missouri Soybean Association. Rental Car Safety: McCaskills provision requiring that rental cars subject to an open safety recall be grounded and repaired before they are rented to consumers. The legislation is supported by the rental car industry, auto safety groups, and General Motors. Grid Reliability: Bipartisan legislation by McCaskill provides more certainty for power grid reliability by protecting utilities from potentially conflicting statutespreventing a situation in which a utility is penalized for running a power plant in violation of environmental regulations when the utility has been ordered by the Department of Energy to run a plant for reliability purposes. The long-term highway bill includes provisions of the Federal Permitting Improvement Act, which McCaskill has introduced along with Republican Senator Rob Portman of Ohio, that would streamline and speed up the federal permitting process for the largest and most complex projects, right now laden with an uncoordinated federal review process. Businesses looking to undertake large infrastructure projects are currently subject to a massive bureaucratic process involving up to a dozen agencies and approvals, and even after approval, litigation can stall projects for years. The World Bank has ranked the United States 41st in the world in Dealing with Construction Permits, a metric that measures how easy it is to actually build something. The highway bill also includes provisions based on the Raechel and Jacqueline Houck Safe Rental Car Act, authored by McCaskill along with Senator Chuck Schumer of New York and Barbara Boxer of California, requiring that rental cars subject to an open safety recall be grounded and repaired before they are rented to consumers. The legislation is supported by the rental car industry, auto safety groups, and General Motors. The highway bills inclusion of the Grid Reliability Act means the adoption of provisions to help utilities comply with grid reliability, and ease conflicting environmental regulations and statutes. Visit mccaskill.senate.gov/jobs to learn more about McCaskills fight to boost job opportunities for Missouri. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/women-veterans-of-southwest-missouri-receive-permanent-charter,Women Veterans of Southwest Missouri receive permanent charter,2015-11-29,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Women Veterans of Southwest Missouri receive permanent charter Sunday, November 29, 2015 On Nov. 7, Women Veterans of Southwest Missouri, American Legion Post 1214, held its permanent charter ceremony and installation of officers at Northview Center, Springfield. In existence less than one year, the post has grown to 52 members, making it the second largest all-female post in the state of Missouri. Members range in age from 18 to 92. Entertainment was provided by the 135th Army Band; Republic High School Air Force JROTC cadets presented the colors. The presentation of the permanent charter was made by Tom Goodin, past commander, Department of Missouri. The initiation of members and installation of officers was performed by George Scarborough, commander, Department of Missouri. Post officers include: commander Dawn Whitaker, 2nd vice commander Lisa Searles, adjutant Shellie Jones, finance officer Nancy Fazzino, chaplain Brenda Bendon, historian Gayla Atkins, service officer Holly Anthony, and sergeant of arms Jan Lile. Proclamations and letters of congratulations were presented by State Representative Lynn Morris, along with representatives from the offices of Senator Roy Blunt, Senator Claire McCaskill, Congressman Billy Long and Mayor Bob Stephens. The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nations largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans. In addition to Springfield, female Veteran American Legion posts exist in St. Louis, Kansas City, St. Robert and Columbia. These female Legionnaires come together each month to further the principles of the American Legion Americanism, veterans, children and youth and national security. For more information about the post, call 417-882-2557 or emailALpost1214@yahoo.com. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/truman-state-sororities-among-many-opposing-safe-campus-act,"Truman State sororities among many opposing ""Safe Campus Act""",2015-11-27,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Truman State sororities among many opposing ""Safe Campus Act"" Friday, November 27, 2015 By: Geoffery Woehlk KIRKSVILLE, Mo. After losing support from dozens of local and national chaptersincluding at Truman State University in Kirksvillethe National Panhellenic Conference announced last week that it had reversed its position in favor of the Safe Campus Act, a Congressional bill that would set up more stringent standards for sexual assault reporting. The NPC, which is the national umbrella organization for 26 sororities across the country representing more than 4 million collegiate women, had faced significant pressure from its member groups after throwing its lobbying support behind the legislation. Last month, sororities began to break with their national representatives on the bill. Of particular concern, they said, were sections of the bill that would prevent sexual assault survivors from reporting incidents without immediately involving police, and raising the burden of proof for colleges and universities to be able to take action in any reported cases. Right now, higher education institutions use a ""preponderance of evidence"" standard rather than the ""beyond a reasonable doubt"" model required in a judicial proceeding. ""The process of seeing results is a lot faster because there's a significantly lesser burden of proof that the university usually needs to take action,"" said Truman State Women's Resource Center Director Danielle Fritz. The Safe Campus Act stands in stark contrast to a bill sponsored by Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill which does not force students to initiate legal proceedings in order to report a sexual assault. Instead, The Safe Campus Act was intended to provide more protection for students accused of sexual assaults, but Fritz says that's the biggest problem facing institutions right now. ""You're statistically more likely, as a young woman in particular, to be sexually assaulted on a college campus than anywhere else or at any other point in life,"" Fritz told KTVO. ""It is more dangerous for young women to come to college in the United States than it is to just be out in the world."" As for The Safe Campus Act, before the NPC reversed course, Truman's Greek organizations came together in opposition to their national group's endorsement of the bill. ""It's forcing students to go through a much longer, more difficult, potentially traumatic process than they might be willing to endure,"" Fritz said. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/victory-for-military-dogs-returning-to-the-us-can-now-be-adopted-by-handlers,Victory for military dogs returning to the U.S. can now be adopted by handlers,2015-11-26,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Victory for military dogs returning to the U.S. can now be adopted by handlers Thursday, November 26, 2015 In Washington, D.C., President Obama signed a bipartisan bill into law on Wednesday for the 2016National Defense Authorization Act(NDAA) mandating military workingdogsto be returned to United States soil upon retirement, and""that their human handlers and their families to whom these dogs mean more than anyone else will be given first right of adoption,""stated a press release from theAmerican Humane Association. The bill was introduced to the House of Representatives and the Senate by Congressman Frank LoBiondo and Senator Claire McCaskill. The passage of the bill will ensure that the""four-legged veterans will finally have their chance to come home and live a comfortable quiet life, hopefully with a handler they deployed with or a fellow veteran,""stated Lance Corporal Jeff DeYoung, USMC (Ret.) who was reunited with his Military War Dog Cena with the help ofAmerican Humane Association.""The language in the NDAA is about healing, healing veterans and their families. These dogs have so much love to giveit's time we show some in return.""It is estimated that each military dog saves the lives of between 150-200 servicemen and women by detecting IEDs and hidden weapons caches. Prior to the passage of the NDAA,military dogswere not guaranteed to be transported back to the United States and many dogs became ineligible for adoption. Over the past year, the American Humane Association privately funded 21 military working and contract working dogs home and helped reunite them with their handlers.""The language in the NDAA is about healing, healing veterans and their families. These dogs have so much love to giveit's time we show some in return."" As thousands of our nation's veterans return home and are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress, reuniting handlers and war dogs (who themselves can suffer from PTS) help both heal.""These heroes have served their country with valor, and saved the lives of our servicemen and women while risking their own,""said John Payne, chairman of the board for American Humane Association.""It is essential that we step up and care for these warriors who did and continue to do so much for us and all those who served alongside them. We owe them a debt of gratitude."" Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lacyclay.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/clay-praises-missouri-supreme-courts-reversal-reggie-clemons-wrongful,Clay Praises Missouri Supreme Court's Reversal of Reggie Clemons' Wrongful Murder Convictions,2015-11-24,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,William Clay,C001049,lacyclay.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 24, 2015 MEDIA CONTACT: STEVEN ENGELHARDT (314) 504-4029 Clay Praises Missouri Supreme Court's Reversal of Reggie Clemons' Wrongful Murder Convictions Says Ruling is a Victory for Justice, Constitutional Rights WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri issued this first-person statement today after the Missouri Supreme Court threw out the first degree murder convictions of Reginald Clemons who had been sentenced to death for two murders on the Chain of Rocks Bridge in 1991. Today, the Missouri Supreme Court corrected a grave injustice. This is a victory not just for Reggie and his family, but for the constitution and the rights that it guarantees to every American. I have been advocating to save Reggie Clemons' life for years and to have his convictionsreversed. Today's ruling powerfully affirms my essential arguments regarding his casepolice cannot be allowed to beat a confession out of a suspect, and prosecutors cannot be allowed to suppress evidence. I also want to commend Court Special Master retired Judge Michael Manners for his diligent review of the facts which resulted in today's remarkable victory for justice. I offer my thanks and appreciation to the Missouri Supreme Court for their continuing efforts to restore trust in our judicial system by honestly addressing the many disparities that still prevent us from achieving equal justice under the law for all. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/i-team-how-colleges-are-preventing-sex-assault-on-campus,I-Team: How colleges are preventing sex assault on campus,2015-11-24,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"I-Team: How colleges are preventing sex assault on campus Tuesday, November 24, 2015 By: Crystal Britt Right now, there's a renewed push to hold schools accountable, and make sure they're properly reporting sexual assaults on campus. More than 100 colleges across the country are under investigation for not reporting these crimes to the federal government as required by law. The Heartland News I-Team dug into the records of our three main universities, SIU, Murray State, and Southeast Missouri State and found no red flags. Our schools arereporting assaults properly. So, we decided to show you what those schools are doing to support victims, educate studentsand prevent those assaults from happening. We begin at Southeast Missouri State University. ""The truth is you can do everything right your entire life, and still become a victim,"" said Brittany Talley-Coordinator, Campus Violence Prevention Program. Talley serves as a counselor and advocate to students on the Cape Girardeaucampus. Talleys job is to educate and help victims through perhaps the worst time of their lives. ""I think there's a lot of movement behind supporting victims of sexual assault more than there ever has been in the past,"" said Talley. But, are victims truly being heard? We found very few cases from the past few years at Southeast made it to the prosecutor's office. ""There's a lot of shame associated with this, so people are afraid to talk about it,"" said Talley. She saidstudents are encouraged to report the assault to police, but aren't pressured to do so. ""It's about empowering the students to make their own decisions,"" said Talley. ""We know that especially in college about 90 percent of the time the victim knows the person who assaulted them."" On the campus of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, every student, every faculty member, and every employee must go through training on how to identify and report sexual assault on campus. ""I didn't know that it could not be my fault,"" said Kelly Meloy. ""I just thought oh, like this had happened and I need to get over it."" Kelly Meloy is a student at SIU. She went through that emotion, and so many others after she was sexually assaulted by an acquaintance her freshman year. She puts a face to a frightening statistic, 1 in 5 women will be a victim of sexual assault in college. ""I'm a survivor myself and working with this hits very close to home,"" saidsophomoreKelly Meloy. Still recovering from her own sexual assault,Meloy is also dedicated to helping others. As a resident assistant, she's gone through an added layer of training to help identify students in need. ""There is that, I don't want to get them in trouble, said Meloy.We're friends, I'm friends with them, because a lot of sexual assaults are acquaintance rape.And so, they don't want to get them in trouble but at the same time, they're hurting."" Meloy saideducation is huge, and she admits not really knowing what consent was, and wasn't, before her own assault. Then she joined the university's ""It's on Us""task force which is part of a national campaign to prevent sexual assaults before they happen. ""It's On Us"" works to change the mindset of college students and to make it clear, no unwanted sexual advance is ever ok. ""On the 'It's on Us' task force, it's very easy to connect with survivors and talk to them, said Meloy.They're in the same position as I was and I am just depending on what part of the process they're in. If they want to report, if they don't.It's definitely they're choice."" On the Murray State University campusthe focus is on consent, and making sure there are noblurred lines. ""They have a right to be heard, they have a right to be afforded whatever resources we have,"" said Camisha Duffy. Camisha Duffy is the Title IX coordinator at Murray State. Title IX goes beyond athletics. It's also there to make sure students get the help they need if they're a victim of sexual assault. ""We want to be the institution where individuals can come forward and say 'hey, this is what I'm struggling with I need help,'"" said Duffy. They're required by law to accommodate these students, whether that's helping them move to a different residence hall, or making sure their grades don't slip. Camisha Duffy believes we're seeing more reports of sexual assault than ever before. ""An increase in reporting is a win, not a loss,"" said Duffy. However, she saidthere's still a long way to go. There's still a stigma, and plenty of fear. In fact, through our research we found on almost every sexual assault report over the past three years at Murray ended with the case being closed and the victim declining prosecution. ""These incidents are usually so traumatic that what the next step is isn't always the first thing that comes to mind,"" said Duffy. So, who's holding all school accountable? Right now there's a bi-partisan group of lawmakers pushing for new legislation to crack down on universities trying to bury those assault numbers. U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri saidit's time for more transparency and accountability. She even questions the current form of reporting through what's known as the Clery Act. She wonders how many parents even know it exists,and offers her own suggestion. ""Frankly the Clery data doesn't really tell an accurate story of what's going on on campus, said Senator McCaskill. So a climate survey where the students are required every couple of years to say do you believe your campus is safe, do you believe there's an effort being made to keep it safe, do you know where you could go for service if you were assaulted.That's how I think we can really make a difference."" Senator McCaskill hopes to see legislative movement on the Campus Accountability and Safety Act by the end of this year, if not by the first of next year. In the meantime, there are links and information belowon how to accessour colleges' most recent federal reports so you can see the numbers for yourselves. There's also some great information to share with your children to help keep them safe on campus. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/mccaskill-demands-answers-on-usaid-compliance-with-defense-bill,McCaskill demands answers on USAID compliance with defense bill,2015-11-24,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McCaskill demands answers on USAID compliance with defense bill Tuesday, November 24, 2015 By: Rebecca Kheel Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) is demanding to know why the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) didnt comply with a provision in a defense bill, leading to suspension of contractor being reversed. The purpose of Section 861, like the other wartime contracting provisions whose inclusion I won in the [National Defense Authorization Act], was to give agencies like USAID additional tools to hold contractors responsible, not to give contractors a way to avoid accountability, McCaskill wrote in a letter Tuesday to Alfonso Lendhardt, acting director of USAID. Any delay in complying with the requirements of the NDAA risks leaving taxpayer dollars vulnerable to waste, fraud and abuse. In January, USAID suspended one of its largest nonprofit contractors, International Relief and Development (IRD), amid allegations of misconduct in performance and management of taxpayer money, according toThe Washington Post. IRD sued, and USAID reversed the suspension. The reversal was done in part because USAID acknowledged its contract suspension officer also headed its acquisition office, which was prohibited by a provision in the 2013 NDAA. In August, a federal judge ruled that USAID needed go further than the reversal and also fairly consider IRD for new awards and retract the findings the suspension was based on. In her letter, McCaskill asked for a briefing as soon as possible on USAIDs compliance with the 2013 NDAA's provision now. She also wrote that she wants to know what IRDs responsibility has been since the suspension was reversed. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-continues-fight-for-resources-for-veterans-family-members-affected-by-exposure-to-toxic-substances,"McCaskill Continues Fight for Resources for Veterans, Family Members Affected by Exposure to Toxic Substances",2015-11-24,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McCaskill Continues Fight for Resources for Veterans, Family Members Affected by Exposure to Toxic Substances McCaskill-backed bill instructs VA to centralize research and care for descendants of servicemembers dealing with negative health effects Tuesday, November 24, 2015 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill has added her support to a bipartisan bill that would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to designate an existing medical facility to be a national center for research on the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions in the decedents of servicemembers who were exposed to toxic substances during their service. The Toxic Exposure Research Act also instructs the Department of Defense to provide the VA with all records that might help in making determinations about health conditions that result from exposure to toxic substances and their multi-generational effects. The Department of Defense is also instructed to declassify documentsother than those that would threaten national securityrelated to any known incident in which members of the Armed Forces were harmed by exposure to a toxic substance. The sacrifice our servicemembers whove been exposed to toxic chemicals made doesnt end with them. As we have seen in our courageous Vietnam Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange, it can affect their children as well, said McCaskill, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. We cant deal with these cases in a haphazard mannerthis legislation will ensure the research is centralized and these records arent scattered at facilities around the country. The bill directs the VA to work with other government agencies to conduct a national outreach and education campaign to servicemembers and their families in order to communicate information on incidents of exposure to toxic substances. McCaskill has repeatedly raised questions on World War II-era experiments that exposed U.S. servicemembers to mustard gas, and directly questioned Secretary of Defense Ash Carter about the issue in June. McCaskill has asked all servicemembers who were exposed to mustard gas by these experiments to contact her office so that she and her staff can individually advocate for them as they pursue compensation for their injuries from the VA. Visit mccaskill.senate.gov/veterans to read highlights of McCaskills fight for military veterans. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/suspension-of-contractor-overturned-after-usaid-failed-to-comply-with-mccaskills-wartime-contracting-reformssenator-demands-answers,Suspension of Contractor Overturned After USAID Failed to Comply with McCaskill’s Wartime Contracting Reforms—Senator Demands Answers,2015-11-24,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Suspension of Contractor Overturned After USAID Failed to Comply with McCaskills Wartime Contracting ReformsSenator Demands Answers McCaskill, who waged a six-year battle to implement most extensive wartime contracting reforms since WWII, questions lack of compliance, contractor accountability Tuesday, November 24, 2015 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is today demanding answers from the U.S. Agency for International Development after a federal judge overturned the suspension of an agency contractor after the agency failed to comply with McCaskills wartime contracting reforms. USAID had suspended the contractor, International Relief and Development, following media reports of lavish management salaries and a review of misconduct. The suspension was overturned after it was found that USAIDs suspension process failed to comply with McCaskills wartime contracting reformsthe most expansive reforms to wartime contracting practices since World War II. The purpose of Section 861, like the other wartime contracting provisions whose inclusion I won in the NDAA, was to give agencies like USAID additional tools to hold contractors responsible, not to give contractors a way to avoid accountability, wrote McCaskill, the top-ranking Democrat on the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, to the Acting USAID Administrator. Any delay in complying with the requirements of the NDAA risks leaving taxpayer dollars vulnerable to waste, fraud and abuse. During her first term in the Senate, McCaskill, a former Missouri State Auditor, waged a successful six-year battle to rein in wasteful wartime contracting practices in Iraq and Afghanistan, ultimately passing into law the most expansive reforms to wartime contracting practices since World War IIto overhaul how federal contracts are awarded and monitored during military contingencies. The legislation, which was spurred by a report identifying up to $60 billion in contracting waste in Iraq and Afghanistan, grew out of her campaign promise to continue then-Senator Harry Trumans legacy of guarding taxpayer dollars from waste, fraud, and abuse of power. McCaskill has also led a successful effort to end hundreds of millions in taxpayer spending on unsustainable overseas projects, bring those resources home, and increase accountability for the remaining projects. Last years annual defense bill included McCaskills plan to prohibit taxpayer funding from use by the Afghanistan Infrastructure Fund, and to prohibit unsustainable projects that cannot be overseen by American personnel. Full text of the letter follows: November 24, 2015 Ambassador Alfonso E. Lendhardt Acting Administrator, USAID 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20004 Dear Ambassador Lendhardt: On August 3, 2015, a federal judge ordered USAID to nullify and vacate its suspension of contractor International Relief and Development (IRD) and to retract all findings on which the suspension was based. As you know, USAID had suspended the nonprofit on January 26, 2015, following media reports of lavish management salaries and USAIDs own review of IRD misconduct. Despite these findings, IRDs suspension was overturned in part because USAIDs suspension process failed to comply with Section 861 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 (NDAA). The purpose of Section 861, like the other wartime contracting provisions whose inclusion I won in the NDAA, was to give agencies like USAID additional tools to hold contractors responsible, not to give contractors a way to avoid accountability. Any delay in complying with the requirements of the NDAA risks leaving taxpayer dollars vulnerable to waste, fraud and abuse. I request that USAID provide a briefing to my staff both about the agencys current compliance with Section 861 of the NDAA and any review of IRDs present responsibility since the suspension. I ask that you provide this briefing as soon as possible, but no later than December 15, 2015. I appreciate your assistance. Please contact Jackson Eaton with the Subcommittee with any questions. Sincerely, Claire McCaskill Ranking Member Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Visit mccaskill.senate.gov/accountability to read more about McCaskills fight for stronger accountability in Washington. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lacyclay.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/missouri-delegation-urges-nga-director-consider-national-security,Missouri Delegation Urges NGA Director to Consider National Security Response Advantage of Proposed Northside Site,2015-11-23,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,William Clay,C001049,lacyclay.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 23, 2015 MEDIA CONTACT: STEVEN ENGELHARDT (314) 504-4029 Missouri's U.S. House Delegation Urges NGA Director to Consider National Security Response Advantage of Proposed Northside Site Clay Says Proximity for Vast Majority of Critical Staffers and Easier Access Gives Northside Site a Significant National Security Advantage WASHINGTON, DC- All eight members of Missouri's U.S. House delegation have sent an urgent letter to National Geospatial Intelligence Agency Director Robert Cardillo stressing the national security response advantage of locating the new NGA-West Headquarters in North St. Louis. In their bipartisan letter, the Members noted that 70% of current NGA-West employees reside on the Missouri side of the Mississippi River. As was the case after the recent ISIS attacks in Paris, when an act of terrorism or other national security threat occurs, some NGA employees routinely report back to duty immediately, at all hours. Besides the overwhelming economic benefits confirmed by the recent draft Environmental Impact Statement, the easy proximity for the vast majority of critical staffers and much easier access means that the proposed Northside site also offers NGA-West a significant national security response advantage when compared to a potential site in O'Fallon, Illinois. The congressional delegation letter notes: We are all well aware of the importance of homeland security and the critical role that your agency plays in that process. We also believe that response time is imperative when it comes to thwarting and diffusing actual and/orpotential threats. As nearly 70 percent of NGA's current 3,200employees are based inMissouri, it is a vital security interest to have employees close and available to stand at the ready in the event of terroristic efforts. As the commute to St. Clair County is an average of 31.8miles further ,theagency could lose valuable response time in a crisis. Please see the Executive Summary of the Draft Environmental Impact Study(DEIS) on the final page which finds,""that an average roundtrip commute would increase from 26.4miles to 58.2miles based on current workforce zipcodes."" As members of Congress, theanticipated delay for employees is verydisconcerting. Any lost time has the potential to increase lost lives. The North St. Louis City Site has unsurpassed accessibility in close proximity to four interstate highways, I-70, l-55 ,I-64and I-44, as well as many arterial roads in the Cityof St .Louis for employees to access in times of crisis. The St. Clair County Site is only accessible byI-64, with little to no arterial road or alternate access to the site. In a national emergency, if I-64 is blocked or clogged with traffic, NGA employees have absolutely no way to timely reach their offices and perform the essential national security work they do best.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/editorial-mccaskill-helps-battle-military-wastefulness,Editorial: McCaskill helps battle military wastefulness,2015-11-21,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Editorial: McCaskill helps battle military wastefulness Saturday, November 21, 2015 With social programs such as the Warrensburg Senior Center being forced to rely more on volunteers, and with less money to help people in need across the country because there is no money, heads should roll over a report of military wastefulness that carries the stench of outright thievery. The military spent nearly $43 million of taxpayers money about 8,000 percent more than estimated on an alternative fuel station in Afghanistan that had no practical application in the first place. Few Afghans can use a compressed gas station, USA Today reported, because the cost to convert a car to compressed gas is about $700 and the average annual income in Afghanistan is $690. At most, the station should have cost about $500,000 the same amount spent to build a similar station in Pakistan, Sen.Claire McCaskillsaid. There are few things in this job that literally make my jaw drop, McCaskill, an Armed Services Committee senior member, stated. But of all the examples of wasteful projects in Iraq and Afghanistan that the Pentagon began prior to our wartime contracting reforms, this genuinely shocked me. Its hard to imagine a more outrageous waste of money than building an alternative fuel station in a war-torn country that costs 8,000 percent more than it should, and is too dangerous for a watchdog to verify whether it is even operational. Perhaps equally outrageous; however, is that the Pentagon has apparently shirked its responsibility to fully account for the taxpayer money thats been wasted, an unacceptable lack of transparency that Ill be thoroughly investigating. At this point, McCaskill stated, she can not get paperwork accounting for the spending, which adds to the troubling aspect of the situation, since she is on the Armed Services Committee. The situation begs the question: Why is the military stalling on answers to a simple accounting question from Missouris former state auditor? Certain segments of society screamed when a southern California beach bum used food stamps to buy lobster in 2013. There have been calls, including by Missouri Rep.Rick Brattin, to make the lives of food stamp recipients even more severe by forbidding them to use the money to buy cookies, chips, energy drinks, soft drinks, seafood or steak. Knowing the few dollars a person might use to make bad food choices can raise such calls for food justice, the militarys travesty involving $43 million should bring out the hounds of Congress to begin investigations. The situation regarding military spending waste is not isolated. The F-35, which some want to use to replace the A-10s, is by many considered overpriced and under-performing, with CNN reporting in July that the high-tech jets are a staggering $200 billion over budget and three years behind schedule. Canada is so concerned about the F-35 that the country is considering pulling out of a plan to buy 65 of the aircraft, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. That over budget money could support education, health care and the poor, but instead is gone and the F-35 still does not perform to everyones satisfaction. Overpaying for spare parts, buying duplicative equipment, and accepting massive cost overruns on major weapons programs has become business as usual at the Pentagon. One of the biggest drivers of this waste, fraud and abuse is that the Pentagon cannot pass a simple audit, nearly 20 years after Congress required that it do so, Huffington Post stated Nov. 13. McCaskill, a former Missouri state auditor, is right to try to make the military accountable for spending. The rest of Congress should follow that lead. The American military needs the best equipment plus the best training to remain the best at doing the vital job of preserving freedom, but nothing in that equation requires looking the other way when Americans see waste; indeed, there should be a laser-like intensity when looking at all government spending. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/4-missouri-lawmakers-want-corps-not-epa-to-handle-remediation-at-troubled-landfill,"4 Missouri lawmakers want Corps, not EPA, to handle remediation at troubled landfill",2015-11-20,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"4 Missouri lawmakers want Corps, not EPA, to handle remediation at troubled landfill Friday, November 20, 2015 By: Jim Salter ST. LOUIS Four members of Missouri's congressional delegation on Thursday called for the Army Corps of Engineers to take over remediation of the West Lake Landfill site in St. Louis County, saying the Environmental Protection Agency is moving too slowly in addressing concerns about nuclear contamination. Sens. Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill and Reps. Ann Wagner and William Lacy Clay introduced legislation to transfer remediation authority and put the site in the Corps' Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program. Blunt and Wagner are Republicans; McCaskill and Clay are Democrats. Residents who live near West Lake have grown frustrated with delays in remediating the site. Transferring cleanup oversight to the Corps ""will help move the process forward and finally give these families the peace of mind they deserve,"" Blunt said in a statement. McCaskill said the change would be a ""concrete, positive step forward in a process that's been stagnant for far too long."" An EPA spokesman declined comment on the bill but said the agency is making ""significant progress"" at West Lake. Spokesman Curtis Carey said the agency will announce a decision for remediation of the contaminated soil by the end of 2016. West Lake, in the town of Bridgeton, was contaminated 40 years ago after a contractor for a uranium processing company illegally dumped waste there. It was declared a Superfund site in 1990. In 2008, the EPA announced a plan to cover the landfill with a cap of rock, clay and soil. The agency decided to reconsider after opposition to that plan, but seven years later, no new plan has been announced. Republic Services opposes the change. The company's vice president, Russ Knocke, said it ""would add more delays to a decision and permanent solution"" for West Lake. ""Going back to the drawing board on investigation and design work on a site with decades of data and study is not the answer,"" Knocke said. ""It would be a setback for a community that's tired of waiting."" But Ed Smith of the Missouri Coalition for the Environment supported the switch to Corps oversight, saying the public ""has lost confidence in the EPA's ability to grasp the magnitude of the problem."" The lawmakers said the new bill would not remove West Lake from EPA's Superfund list. Adding to the concern is an underground fire burning no more than 1,200 feet away in the adjacent Bridgeton Landfill. The owner of both landfills, Republic Services, has spent millions to build interceptor walls and install other safeguards to ensure that the fire does not make it to the nuclear waste. The company insists there is no risk. The cause of the fire is unknown. It has been burning for years, creating an odor that prompted Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster to sue Republic Services in 2013. The case is scheduled for trial in March. The nuclear waste was illegally dumped in 1973 and includes material that dates back to the Manhattan Project, which created the first atomic bomb in the 1940s. No reports of illness have been linked to the nuclear waste. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/mccaskill-backpagecom-ceo-faces-possible-senate-contempt-proceeding,McCaskill: Backpage.com CEO faces possible Senate contempt proceeding,2015-11-20,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"The National Center for Missing and Exploited Childrensays 71 percent of the child sex trafficking reports it receives involve ads posted to the website Backpage.com. U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., says that was the case four months ago when a 15-year-old girl walked into St. Louis Cardinal Glennon Childrens Hospital asking for help: Along with four other girls, between the ages of 12 and 18, she had been sold for sex at truck stops across Missouri, Florida, Texas and New Mexico for almost two months. McCaskill added that the young girl was lucky to be alive, noting that the police report said another girl traveling with her during those two months had died. McCaskill told theSenate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigationsthat, like the majority of children who are sold for sex in the United States today, this young girl was trafficked using Backpage.com. The committee has been trying for months to get information from officials at theBackpage.comwebsite about its policies on the placement, review and editing of such advertisements under its Adult Services heading. Committee Chairman Rob Portman, R-Ohio, says that, to date, the company has refused to cooperate with committee investigators and has refused even to search for requested documents. Making the case The subcommittee had planned to conduct Thursdays hearing with two separate panels of witnesses. The first included Yiota Souras, senior vice president and general counsel for The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. She was joined by Darwin Roberts, deputy attorney general from Washington State. Washington enacted the first state-level legislation criminalizing human trafficking in the U.S. and has since approved several additional laws to combat human trafficking. At the conclusion of the first panels hour and a half of testimony, Portman excused the witnesses. Their name tags were replaced with one for Carl Ferrer, CEO of Backpage.com LLC. Portman then convened the second panel and called for Ferrer to come forward. Silence. The witness chair sat empty. Audience members quietly looked around the room. Ferrer did not appear. None of this came as a surprise to Portman or McCaskill. Rather, the two were methodically establishing an official record for the committees next legal steps. After several minutes, Portman explained in careful detail how the committee considered Ferrers refusal to appear to be a clear act of contempt and how the committee had communicated with both Ferrer and the companys attorney about the subpoena sent to Ferrer. The committee had advised them that it would not accept logistical issues as a reason for Ferrers absence. Nonetheless, Portman said, on Monday, the companys attorney said that Ferrer would not attend the hearing and that,even if he were to attend, he would exercise his constitutional right against self-incrimination. Silence OK, but appearance required Portman acknowledged individuals' rights not to answer questions, but he said no one has the right to ignore to a congressional subpoena, adding that the committee would consider asking the Department of Justice to pursue contempt proceedings against Ferrer. As the ranking Democrat on the committee and a former sex crimes prosecutor, McCaskill echoed Portmans comments, pledging that, while the committee would proceed carefully, it would not be deterred in pursing its investigation and legal options against Ferrer. The laws of this country should apply to everyone, and we should take all steps necessary to make sure that we fulfill our obligations under the law,""McCaskill said, noting that underthe law, the Senate is entitled to ask witnesses to appear before it and for them to answer questions and provide information. I think its important that we be steadfast in our resolve to get the information that we need in order to make sure that the public policy in this country is effective when it comes to children being victims, said McCaskill. This isnt an exercise in having a hearing, this is an exercise in making sure that we have done everything in the law to protect children.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lacyclay.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/clay-wagner-blunt-mccaskill-demand-action-west-lake-landfill,"Clay, Wagner, Blunt, McCaskill Demand Action on West Lake Landfill",2015-11-19,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,William Clay,C001049,lacyclay.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 19, 2015 MEDIA CONTACT: STEVEN ENGELHARDT (314) 504-4029 Clay, Wagner, Blunt, McCaskill Demand Action on West Lake Landfill For Immediate Release November 19, 2015 WASHINGTON, DC- Today, members of the Missouri congressional delegation, including Senators Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill, and Representatives Ann Wagner and Wm. Lacy Clay, introduced legislation to transfer remediation authority over the West Lake landfill from the Environmental Protection Agency to the Army Corps of Engineers, putting the site in the Corps' Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP). Clay commented, Over a year ago, I called for the transfer of West Lake to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers FUSRAP program. This new bipartisan legislation will bring us closer to achieving that goal.This is a 70-year old problem and the federal government has a duty to finally do the right thing.I am totally committed to removing all the nuclear waste from West Lake landfill. It just makes no sense to allow radioactive waste to remain buried in an unlined landfill, near residential neighborhoods, schools, a hospital, the airport and the Missouri River. It's time to clean up West Lake landfill."" The EPA's unacceptable delay in implementing a solution for the West Lake landfill has destroyed its credibility and it is time to change course, said Blunt. The Corps has the knowledge, experience, and confidence of the families living near the site. Transferring clean up efforts to its control will help move the process forward and finally give these families the peace of mind they deserve.No parent should have to raise their child in an environment where they fear for their health and safety. McCaskill added, The needs of this community are our top concern. We've heard loud and clear that they want the West Lake site transferred to the Army Corps of Engineers' program that oversees all other sites in St. Louis containing this World War II era nuclear waste. This legislation is not a silver bullet, and will take far longer than we'd like to resolve the many issues surrounding this site, but this is a concrete, positive step forward in a process that's been stagnant for far too long. The bill introduced today wouldnot alter the current liability of potentially responsible parties at the site nor itsdesignation as a Superfund site. The measure represents the latest step in the delegation's effort to utilize the Corps' expertise to expedite remediation at the West Lake site. In July, Blunt, McCaskill, Wagner, and Clay sent a letterto Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz asking the Department of Energy to re-evaluate whether West Lake qualified for inclusion in the Corps' FUSRAP in light of new information regarding the source of radioactive waste at the site. My constituents in the St. Louis region deserve a government where officials work proactively on their behalf, rather than kicking the can down the road with recurring delays and deflections, said Wagner. The Formerly Utilized Site Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have an excellent track record, broad support in the community and the expertise to handle a site as complicated as the Westlake Landfill. I believe that this legislation is a crucial step in our efforts to reach a permanent solution for the people of Missouri."" On February 28, 2014, the members also sent a letterto the EPA asking the agency to contract directly with the Corps to handle remediation efforts through FUSRAP, citing the Corps' expertise in this area, and the local community's faith in the Corps' FUSRAP mission. In March of 2014, the agencies announcedan agreement to work together to build a fire break at the West Lake landfill. -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/editorial-everyone-pays-with-drug-price-gouging,Editorial: Everyone pays with drug price-gouging,2015-11-19,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Editorial: Everyone pays with drug price-gouging Thursday, November 19, 2015 By: Editorial Board It is unconscionable sometimes even deadly for pharmaceutical companies to jack up the costs of life-saving drugs just because they can. But, absent meaningful reform of federal regulations, its clear that some drug makers likeTuring Pharmaceuticals, which boosted the price of a treatment for parasitic infections from $13.50 a tablet to $750 overnight will continue to put profits over patients lives. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., isleadingthe charge against such price-gouging. We need to get to the bottom of why were seeing huge spikes in drug prices that seemingly have no relationship to research and development costs, said Ms. McCaskill, announcing a bipartisan Senate investigation into drug pricing. Ms. McCaskill is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Special Committee on Aging, which has subpoenaed documents from four pharmaceutical companies that have significantly increased prices on drugs in recent months. They have also asked for the CEO of Turing and other pharmaceutical companies to appear at a hearing on Dec. 9. This scrutinyis absolutely necessary, some might even say critical. Pharmaceutical companies often justify outlandish prices by pointing to high research and development costs but Turing didnt invent Daraprim, the treatment for life-threatening parasitic infections so that point is moot in this case. The company acquired the rights to sell the drug, and then immediately boosted the price. This is not, unfortunately, an isolated case. In fact, there is evidence that buying up the rights to old drugs and radically increasing their prices has become a favored business strategy. Valeant Pharmaceuticals purchased the rights to two heart drugs, Isuprel and Nitropress, then promptly and dramatically raised the costs for both. Even somegeneric drugsare seeing enormous price hikes: coxycycline, an antibiotic thats been around for decades, went from $20 a bottle to $1,849. Such unjustifiedincreases can put needed medications out of the reach of some patients and can blow holes in state and federal health care budgets. Health insurance companies, not ordinarily the subject of much sympathy, also bear the brunt of this kind of price gouging, and you can bet they will pass a good chunk of the cost onto customers. A new wave of expensive specialty drugs, like recently approved treatments for hepatitis C and a new class of cholesterol medication, will only add to concerns about rising costs. An analysis by Avalere Health paid for by a health insurance industry group found that 10 new breakthrough therapies could cost state and federal governments $50 billion over the next 10 years, with private insurance companies facing similar costs. Pharmaceuticals can save lives and dramatically improve the treatment of serious illnesses, but unrestrained prices can bankrupt patients and cripple state and federal health care budgets. Drug companiesneed to be able to recoup legitimate research and development expenses and make reasonable profits, but Congress must find ways to end the kind of irrational price-gouging exemplified by the Daraprim situation. Democratic presidential candidatesHillary ClintonandBernie Sandershave offered proposals to bring down prescription drug costs. Ms. Clintons proposal would force drug companies to invest more in research and development, and allow greater use of generics. That is not the way the market is supposed to work. That is bad actors making a fortune off of peoples misfortune, said Ms. Clinton. Pharmaceutical companies can charge astronomical fees, far beyond anything it would take to recoup their investment. Mr. Sanders plan would empower Medicare to negotiate drug prices a long overdue step. The proposal would also allow consumers to order cheaper drugs from Canada and require drug companies to disclose the prices they charge in other countries. Steps must be taken to end pricing abuses. Ms. Clinton is correct: This is not how the market is supposed to work. If pharmaceutical companies insist on abusing the free market, then regulatory reform is clearly necessary. This editorial was commissioned from freelance editorialists and edited by the Post-Dispatch editorial board. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/forcing-colleges-to-involve-police-in-sexual-assault-investigations,Forcing Colleges to Involve Police in Sexual-Assault Investigations?,2015-11-19,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Forcing Colleges to Involve Police in Sexual-Assault Investigations? Thursday, November 19, 2015 By: Tyler Bishop Prospects for a bill that would limit the ability of colleges to investigate claims of sexual violence dimmed this week as umbrella organizations for fraternities and sororities became the latest groups to cut ties with the legislation. Despite months of effort and hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on lobbying over the last few months, the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) and the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) withdrew support from the Safe Campus Act. If passed, it would prevent colleges and universities from investigating such claims unless the victim also reports the incident to law enforcement. In separate statements, the groups recognized that the most important aspect of the battle against campus sexual assault is unityand the Safe Campus Act sharply divided its supporters from nearly every major advocacy group. If there was a mandatory requirement to report to law enforcement, few survivors would report. And fewer would get the support they need on campus, Katie Hanna, a board member with the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, told me when Ioriginally reported on the legislationseeking to address the issue. The NPC and NIC, along with the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), were among the bills most notable backers. FIRE maintains its support, claiming that without law-enforcement involvement, schools have too much power and often deprive students of due-process protections. But the Democratic Senators Claire McCaskill and Kirstin Gillibrandwhove introduced their own campus sexual-violence billhailed the NPC and NICs decision to pull back from the Safe Campus Act as a major victory: We want to commend these groupswho are critical voices in this national dialoguefor reexamining their approach to helping curb sexual assaults on our college campuses. The congressional landscape on the issue of campus rape can get very confusing very fast. As a quick recap: The Safe Campus Act, which was introduced by three Republican representatives in the House, seeks to better align the campus-adjudication process with the standards applied in the criminal-justice system by doing away with the preponderance-of-evidence threshold that the federal government currently directs schools to adopt, and allowing both parties to hire lawyers to be present during hearings and have access to all evidence being used. Because of criticism for its law-enforcement mandate, the bill has been quickly hemorrhaging support over the last month. The Fair Campus Actis almost identical to the Safe Campus Act and continues to have the support of the Greek organizations; the key difference with this bill is that it excludes the law-enforcement mandate. It was introduced in the House by Pete Sessions, a Republican from Texas. The Campus SaVE Actis a law, backed overwhelmingly by Democrats, that was passed as part of the 2013 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act and fully went into effect this year. It requires all schools to offer prevention and awareness programs, publish specific data about dating- and sexual-violence claims, and adopt some minimum standards for campus judicial proceedings. Many colleges around the country were already in compliance with the requirements now codified by the law, but it is forcing those lagging behind to catch up. The Campus Accountability and Safety Actis McCaskill and Gillibrands Senate bill and would require colleges to adhere to a uniform process for disciplinary proceedings, work more closely with local law enforcement, and strengthen training requirements for on-campus response personnel. Over a third of the Senate now co-sponsors the bill, which McCaskill and Gillibrand introduced along with a cohort of bipartisan senators. The legislation has garnered the support of some of the leading national advocacy groups, includingRAINNandSAFER, though the Greek organizations havent taken a position on it. If the names of the bills on the table dont speak for themselves, its clear that legislators share the ultimate goal of making campuses safe and fair for students. As it stands, however, the problem lies in getting advocates, university leaders, law enforcement, and Congress on the same page amid a complicated, ongoing debate that involves questions about rights of the accused, how to best support survivors, and holding colleges accountable. Ultimately, the reality is that national legislationwhile effective in forcing schools to take steps towards recognizing and addressing issueswont be a cure-all to a problem that originates between peers on campuses far removed from the halls of Capitol Hill. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/mccaskill-committee-threatens-criminal-contempt-of-backpagecom,McCaskill committee threatens criminal contempt of Backpage.com,2015-11-19,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McCaskill committee threatens criminal contempt of Backpage.com Thursday, November 19, 2015 By: Chuck Raasch WASHINGTON A Senate investigating committee investigating sex trafficking on the Internet may recommend criminal contempt charges against a website where the majority of online advertising for sex appears. The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, whose ranking member is Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., had subpoenaed Carl Ferrer, CEO of Backpage.com, to appear on Thursday. Ferrer did not show up, and McCaskill and Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, chair of the subcommittee, threatened the rare action. If Backpage thinks they are going to go quietly in the night, they are sadly mistaken, McCaskill said. The contretemps also stem from Backpages refusal to turn over documents subpoenaed by the committee that show how the group screens for age in order to prevent underage children from being trafficked for sex. An attorney for the website said Thursday that Backpage believed the issues raised by the investigative committee, including suspected sex trafficking of minors, should be handled by the courts. Portman said it had been at least 20 years since the Senate had considered contempt proceedings against a witness for failing to cooperate. Normally, that involves civil contempt, he said, but he and McCaskill said they considered Backpages lack of cooperation and the subject matter serious enough to ask the Justice Department to bring criminal contempt charges. Portman said that decision would be made within a few days. Liz McDougall, an attorney for Backpage, issued a statement saying that her client and the senators fundamentally disagree about the limits on governments authority to investigate a First Amendment-protected entity like Backpage.com. McDougall also accused the committee of political theatrics that confused Backpage.coms request to have this matter decided by a proper judicial court with an attempt to evade the issues. This is not the case. She invoked former Sen. Joe McCarthy, R-Wis., saying that the committee that was home to the darkest era of abusing congressional power to conduct public hearings should welcome a legal solution. In the hearing, McCaskill told the story of a 15-year-old girl who walked into Cardinal Glennon Childrens Hospital in St. Louis to ask for help. McCaskill said the girl told authorities that she and four other girls, ages 12-18, had been sold for sex at truck stops across Missouri, Florida, Texas and New Mexico for almost two months, and that she had been trafficked using Backpage.com. Throughout the subcommittees investigation, we have received information indicating that Backpage has built a hugely successful business in part by posting advertisements of children and other victims of human trafficking on its website, McCaskill said. The websites First Amendment defense claims, she said, fall apart upon allegations that the site edits some ads in order to disguise the age of minors being advertised for sex. The bottom line is if they are in any way facilitating the selling of children they are guilty of a crime, McCaskill said after the hearing. We know they are editing, we know that they are giving the folks that are supposed to be checking these ads instructions on what to do and what not to do, and we would know a lot more if they didnt stonewall every investigation that has occurred. Dallas-based Backpage was sold in 2014 to a Dutch company for an undisclosed amount. Ferrer stayed on as CEO. The Dallas Business Journal described it then as having 160 employees and a presence in 88 countries, and witnesses at Thursdays hearings estimated its annual revenue as at least $130 million, much of it from the sex trade. Backpage actually is the first place that (the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children) searches when we have a missing child case, said Yiota Souras, the organizations general counsel. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/mccaskill-panel-threatens-criminal-action-against-ceo-of-sex-ad-website,McCaskill panel threatens criminal action against CEO of sex-ad website,2015-11-19,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McCaskill panel threatens criminal action against CEO of sex-ad website Thursday, November 19, 2015 By: Deirdre Shesgreen WASHINGTON A Senate investigation into child sex traffickingled by Sens. Rob Portman of Ohio and Claire McCaskill of Missouri took a dramatic turn Thursday,when the two lawmakers charged the CEO of a major sex advertising website with flouting a congressional subpoenaand suggested they would push for criminal proceedings against him. Portman charged that the website, Backpage.com, sits at the center of this online black market for sex trafficking, including the sale of minors for sex. More than 400 cases of child sex trafficking across 47 states have been linked to the website including at least six inMissouriin the past three years, according to the Senate probe and McCaskill's office.Portman and McCaskill opened theprobe seven months ago, throughtheir roles on the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs' investigatory subcommittee. Portman is the chairman, and McCaskill is the ranking Democrat. At their first hearing Thursday,Portman and McCaskill saidthey had also uncovered evidence the websites employees might be editing ads before they go online possibly to hide evidence of an illegal service or transaction. The edits could include, for example, deleting a photograph or a word that indicated someone offering escort services was under 18. ""We have received information indicating that Backpage has built a hugely successful business in part by posting advertisements of children and other victims of human trafficking on its website,"" McCaskill said.McCaskill began her remarks with the story of a 15-year-old girl who escapedfromtwo St. Louis-area sextraffickers, after they used Backpage.com to sell her and other girls online. Victim of trafficking, 15, said girl died in her arms Officials fromBackpage.com did not respond to messages left at company headquarters in Dallas. And in a tense moment at Thursdays hearing, there was dead silence in the room when Portman called the firms CEO, Carl Ferrer, to testify. Ferrer did not appear, despite being subpoenaed. Portman said Ferrers attorneys informed the committee on Wednesday that the CEO was on an international business trip and would not be able to attend. But Portman said Ferrer's refusal to appear was ""a clear act of contempt. Calling Ferrers move truly extraordinary, Portman said he and McCaskill would consider referring his action to the Justice Department for criminal contempt charges. If Backpage thinks theyre going to go quietly into the night, they are sadly mistaken, said McCaskill. The hearing put a spotlight on the growing problem of human trafficking in Missouri and across the country,and Backpages role in this shadowy arena. Human trafficking selling labor or sexual services of minors or coerced adults has flourished with the advent of the Internet, which provides anonymity to traffickers and customers. And child sex trafficking is particularly horrific, with reports of children as young as 11 being sold into virtual slavery. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, there has been an 846 percent increase in reports of suspected child sex trafficking the past five years, a spike the center says is directly correlated to the increased use of the Internet to sell children for sex. More than half of sex-trafficking victims in the United States are 17 years old or younger, according to the Justice Department. State task force to tackle human trafficking At Thursdays hearing, Yiota Souras, general counsel for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, said that so far this year, 1,800 missing child cases reported to her organization have involved possible child sex trafficking. She and others said Backpage.com is the biggest player in what has become a lucrative industry. Because there are so many child sex trafficking ads on Backpage, our staff search Backpage first when a missing child is at risk of being trafficked, she told the committee. The center says 71% of the child sex trafficking reports it receives involve ads posted on Backpage. Souras recounted one heart-wrenching instance in which the mother of a missing 16-year-old girl saw an ad on Backpage.com of her daughter selling escort services. The mother wrote to Backpage.com employees, begging them to take the ad down. She is being pimped out by her old boyfriend, the mother wrote, according to Souras. For Gods sake, she is only sixteen. The company refused, Souras said, adding that her group has raised these issues with Backpage officials for years, to no avail. The company, for example, has refused to require basic validationsuch as an email or phone number for customers wanting to post ads for ""escort"" services. They also dont store computer and other identifyingdata fromits advertisingcustomers, even though such information could help law enforcement track traffickers. Backpage has more stringent rules to sell a pet or a motorcycle or a boat than for its escort services, Souras said. Portman and McCaskill quietly launched their sex trafficking investigation earlier this year, andThursday was their first public hearing on the matter. The panel is examining the broader problem of sex trafficking on the Internet, but for now, their fire is aimed squarelyat Backpage and its CEO. At Thursday's hearing, lawmakers and witnesses said the company was aggressively fighting lawsuits and other efforts that would uncover how much the company is doing to combat the use of its site for child sex trafficking and how much money it makes off ads that are linked to such criminal activity. McCaskill said the subcommittee obtained information showing Backpages revenue for 2014 was $135 million and the firm is expected to bring in more than $153 million this year. But its not clear how much of that money flows from its escort and adult-services ads. She also said the website's procedures seem to involve leaving ads up even if employees suspect they might involve sex trafficking. Oneguidance from Backpage managers included this direction, according to McCaskill:""If in doubt about underage,the process for now should be to accept the ad."" Lawmakers on the panel discussed steps Congress could take to crack down on Backpage, such as updating the Communications Decency Act thatregulates porn on the Internet. But the next step is likely to be either civil or criminal contempt proceedings against Backpage executives. In an interview, Portman said he and McCaskill planned to meet soon to discuss possiblecontempt proceedings. The full homeland security committee would have to approve a contemptresolution, followed by the full Senate. If approved, that could trigger a federal prosecution. He could have come. He could have plead the 5th, Portman said of Ferrer and his right not to make self-incriminating statements. That he did not, Portman added, is evidence of willful defiance of the Senates process. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/proposed-law-would-strip-epa-of-authority-over-nuclear-waste-at-west-lake-landfill,Proposed law would strip EPA of authority over nuclear waste at West Lake Landfill,2015-11-19,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Proposed law would strip EPA of authority over nuclear waste at West Lake Landfill Thursday, November 19, 2015 By: Blythe Bernhard After 25 years of failing to clean up the radioactive West Lake Landfill in Bridgeton, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency should be fired from the job, according to Missouris congressional leaders. Federal legislation introduced Thursday by senators Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill and representatives Ann Wagner and William Lacy Clay would transfer oversight of the landfill from the EPA to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which handles the cleanup of other nuclear waste sites around St. Louis. The EPAs unacceptable delay in implementing a solution for the West Lake landfill has destroyed its credibility and it is time to change course, said Blunt in a statement. The move could prove to be a hollow victory for the landfills neighbors who have pushed the government to make the switch. Representatives for the Army Corps have previously said the agency does not have the money to cover the upfront cost of cleanup at West Lake. Rene Poche, a spokesman for the corps, said in an interview Thursday that well do what Congress directs us to do. The two agencies handle the funding of toxic sites differently. The EPA generally gets money from responsible parties before the cleanup starts, and the Army Corps usually gets reimbursed after finishing the work. Russ Knocke, spokesman for the landfills owner Republic Services, said in a statement that Republic opposed a transfer of control to the corps because it would add more delays to a decision and permanent solution for West Lake. ... Going back to the drawing board on investigation and design work on a site with decades of data and study is not the answer. It would be a setback for a community thats tired of waiting. Area residents said they trusted the corps to move more quickly to remove the waste and prevent the spread of a fire that has smoldered underneath the adjacent Bridgeton Landfill for the last five years. The corps does consult with the EPA on some issues at the site including plans for a firebreak to prevent the spread of the underground fire. In recent months, the EPA has pledged to have a cleanup plan proposal by the end of 2016. The corps handles the ongoing cleanup of other radioactive waste sites around St. Louis, including Coldwater Creek in north St. Louis County. The waste includes the byproducts of the Mallinckrodt chemical companys uranium processing through the governments atomic bomb program in World War II. The government stored the waste near the airport, where it contaminated the creek that runs from St. Ann to the Missouri River. After the government sold the waste, a private contractor hauled thousands of tons to West Lake in the 1970s. The responsibility for cleanup landed under the EPAs Superfund toxic site program in 1990 because the government was not considered the primary source of the landfills contamination. A 2008 plan for putting a soil cap over West Lake was rejected by the community, and the EPA has said a revised solution will announced by the end of next year. The corps is responsible for the ongoing cleanup of the airport sites and Coldwater Creek, which has been linked to radioactive materials found in some backyards and parks in Hazelwood. This week, the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry announced it would study the high rates of cancers in North County and a potential connection to exposure to the creek. Missouri health officials had asked for federal assistance after a state report in 2014 report showed high rates of leukemia, and breast, colon and other cancers in the areas surrounding the creek. Starting next year, the federal scientists will evaluate the health effects of living near the contaminated creek. Current and former residents have taken their own surveys and found unusual numbers and types of diseases, including 48 cases of rare appendix cancers in the area. Theyre listening, said Jenell Wright, who grew up in Florissant. They are going to carefully review and assess the situation that we feel has occurred to our health because of being located near nuclear weapons waste for decades that we didnt even know about. Were hopeful they will have ideas and recommendations that can help the people whove been affected. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/sen-mccaskill-conducts-hearing-on-sex-trafficking-investigation,Sen. McCaskill conducts hearing on sex trafficking investigation,2015-11-19,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Sen. McCaskill conducts hearing on sex trafficking investigation Thursday, November 19, 2015 By: Chinmay Vaidya WASHINGTON- Senators Claire McCaskill and Rob Portman held a hearing Thursday on its sex trafficking investigation of Backpage.com, an online advertisement site. The investigation looked into Backpage.com's adult services advertising pages. Yiota Souras, senior vice president of the National Center for Exploited and Missing Children (NCEMC), testified 71 percent of child sex trafficking reports submitted to the NCEMC tipline relate to Backpage.com. Souras cited several Backpage.com business practices inconsistent with the center's standards. ""Backpage does not consistently or uniformly take down ads from its site when the ad is reported for potential child sex trafficking,"" Souras said. ""Backpage does not appear to search and does not report ads linked by a name, photograph, email address, telephone number or credit card to a previously reported child sex trafficking ad."" Deputy Attorney General Darwin Roberts said, although Backpage isn't the only site with adult services advertising, the business appears to be the leader in that space. ""Although there are many websites that host escort/prostitution advertising, Backpage.com appears to play an especially significant role in the sector,"" Roberts said. ""According to various media reports, Backpage.com became a market leader for adult services-type advertisements in the wake of Craigslists 2009 decision to end its adult services advertising."" McCaskill said Backpage has not shown any effort in preventing sex trafficking because it has built a strong business on the ads. ""We have received information indicating that Backpage a hugely successful business, in part by posting advertisements of children and other victims of human trafficking on its website,"" McCaskill said. ""Despite knowing that its website has hosted advertisements of children being sold for sex, Backpage has apparently signaled to its moderators that those ads should remain on the site."" The National Human Trafficking Resource Center said there were 290 calls regarding human trafficking and 55 cases of human trafficking reported in Missouri in 2014. The NHTRC said 39 of the 55 cases were related to sex trafficking and nine were related to labor trafficking. Nanette Ward of the Central Missouri Stop Human Trafficking Coalition said the hearing is one step in the right direction to stopping human trafficking. ""It's important that we continue educate young children on the dangers of human trafficking and understand that the demand for these services is still there,"" Ward said. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/senators-weigh-criminal-contempt-charge-after-ceo-skips-hearing,Senators weigh criminal contempt charge after CEO skips hearing,2015-11-19,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senators weigh criminal contempt charge after CEO skips hearing Thursday, November 19, 2015 By: David McCabe Senators investigating child sex trafficking lambasted the chief executive of a controversial classified ads website for failing to show up at a Thursday hearing, despite being subject to a subpoena. The senators also opened the door to asking the Justice Department to examine the case for a possible charge of criminal contempt of Congress. Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) are leading the investigation through the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committees Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. Portman said that in early October, the committee called Backpage.com CEO Carl Ferrer to testify. Backpage is a classifieds site that many say acts as a platform for traffickers to advertise. Ferrers lawyers told the committee the day before the hearing that the executive would be out of the country and that, were he to testify, he would likely demur from answering questions because of his fifth amendment right to avoid self-incrimination. We had hoped Mr. Ferrer would be here, but he has refused to come, Portman said at the beginning of the hearing. Calling Ferrers decision not to testify a clear act of contempt, Portman said it may justify a referral to the Department of Justice for criminal contempt. We will be careful and cautious about using the procedures available to us but we will use them to insure that this effort is robust and informed and that ultimately the result is that more children and more families feel the comfort that their government is doing everything under the law to protect them, McCaskill said. The decision of whether to refer the issue to the Justice Department would be made in the coming days, Portman said. A contempt finding would require the approval of the full committee and the Senate, USA Todayreported. The lawmakers also took issue with Backpages apparent decision not to hand over subpoenaed documents. The senators said the documents had to do with the way the site moderates postings, which it says mitigates the risk that objectionable content will appear online. Backpages top lawyer has described its moderation process as the key tool for disrupting and eventually ending human trafficking via the worldwide web, Portman said in an opening statement. But Backpage has refused to turn over documents about this key moderation process that it touts as well as other relevant aspects of its business. Defiance of a congressional subpoena is rare, and its serious, he said. Portman also said that the committee had found evidence to suggest the site's employees were editing some ads before they went online a practice he said ""likely served to concealed the illegality of the underlying transaction."" He pointed to that finding as a reason why it was necessary to hear from the company directly. Backpage has drawn the ire of human trafficking advocates who say it allows traffickers to advertise on the site. The company does not store the kind of data that could be used to track criminals using the platform,according to USA Today, and doesnt have strict requirements for people posting ads for escort services on the site. The website says it is committed to combating trafficking by regulating the ads that appear on the site. It did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the hearing on Thursday. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/highlighting-impact-on-missouri-mccaskill-targets-sex-trafficking-and-demands-answers-from-backpagecom-in-bipartisan-investigative-hearing,"Highlighting Impact on Missouri, McCaskill Targets Sex Trafficking & Demands Answers from Backpage.com in Bipartisan Investigative Hearing",2015-11-19,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Highlighting Impact on Missouri, McCaskill Targets Sex Trafficking & Demands Answers from Backpage.com in Bipartisan Investigative Hearing Top-ranking Democrat on Senates leading investigative panel, McCaskill uses hearing to examine how businesses facilitate criminal sex trafficking, including trafficking of children Thursday, November 19, 2015 WASHINGTON The story of a 15-year-old girl rescued from sex traffickers in St. Louis, Mo. was highlighted today by U.S. Senator Claire McCaskilla former sex crimes prosecutor who used a bipartisan Senate hearing to target sex trafficking, particularly trafficking of children, and demand answers from the website Backpage.com. Four months ago, a 15-year-old girl walked into Cardinal Glennon Childrens Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, and asked for help, recounted McCaskill, the top-ranking Democrat on the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. Along with four other girls between the ages of 12 and 18, she had been sold for sex at truck stops across Missouri, Florida, Texas, and New Mexico for almost two months. She was lucky to be alive. According to her police report, another girl traveling with her during those months had died in her arms. The 15-year-old girl who walked into Cardinal Glennon, like the majority of children who are sold for sex in the United States today, was trafficked using Backpage.com. McCaskill and her colleagues heard testimony from Darwin Roberts, Deputy Attorney General of the State of Washington, and Yiota Souras, General Counsel of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, who told the Senators: Every year, thousands of children from across the United States are trafficked, sold for sex [and] repeatedly raped. Carl Ferrer, Chief Executive Officer of Backpage.com, failed to obey a subpoena compelling his attendance at todays hearing, a failure which Republican Senator Rob Portmanthe panels Chairman who today said that sex trafficking of children was one of the great human rights causes of our centurycalled truly extraordinary. I know how dedicated the Chairman is to this issue, McCaskill said. I know how dedicated I am to this issue, I know how dedicated Senator [Heidi] Heitkamp [of North Dakota] is to this issueif Backpage thinks theyre going to go quietly into the night, they are sadly mistaken the laws in this country should apply to everyone under the law, the Senate is entitled to ask witnesses to appear before it, and for them to answer questions its important that we be steadfast in our resolve. Deputy Attorney General Roberts underscored the legitimacy of the panels investigation, saying that without understanding whats going on, we cant understand if theyre putting in sufficient effort to solve the problem Backpage consistently cites their own efforts while at the same time, they litigate vigorously against lawsuits to hold them accountable. Portman cited the option of pursuing contempt proceedings against Ferreran option the Senate has not invoked in more than 20 years. McCaskill also used the hearing to cite information showing that despite knowing that its website has hosted advertisements of children being sold for sex, Backpage.com has apparently signaled to its moderators that those ads should remain on the site. The employee responsible for moderation [on Backpage.com] issued clarifications regarding the banned words, said McCaskill. He instructed that moderators should no longer delete ads that use young or misspellings of young. Those deletions were capturing too much volume, he explained, because there are too many legitimate uses of the word to warrant a removal every time IF IN DOUBT ABOUT UNDERAGE: the process for now should be to accept the ad ONLY DELETE IF YOU REALLY VERY SURE PERSON IS UNDERAGE McCaskill is the top-ranking Democrat on the subcommitteewhich was formerly the Truman Committee. It is the Senates most powerful body for investigations and oversight and includes broad subpoena power. Relying on her experience as a courtroom prosecutor, McCaskill led the successful effort to reform the military justice system to curb sexual assaults in the U.S. military, and is helping lead a bipartisan effort to curb sexual violence on college and university campuses. Visit mccaskill.senate.gov/violence to see more about McCaskills work to curb domestic and sexual violence. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/missouri-members-demand-action-on-west-lake-landfill,Missouri Members Demand Action on West Lake Landfill,2015-11-19,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Missouri Members Demand Action on West Lake Landfill Thursday, November 19, 2015 WASHINGTON, DC - Today, members of the Missouri congressional delegation, including Senators Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill, and Representatives Ann Wagner and Wm. Lacy Clay, introduced legislation to transfer remediation authority over the West Lake landfill from the Environmental Protection Agency to the Army Corps of Engineers, putting the site in the Corps Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP). The EPAs unacceptable delay in implementing a solution for the West Lake landfill has destroyed its credibility and it is time to change course, said Blunt. The Corps has the knowledge, experience, and confidence of the families living near the site. Transferring clean up efforts to its control will help move the process forward and finally give these families the peace of mind they deserve. No parent should have to raise their child in an environment where they fear for their health and safety. McCaskill added, The needs of this community are our top concern. Weve heard loud and clear that they want the West Lake site transferred to the Army Corps of Engineers program that oversees all other sites in St. Louis containing this World War II era nuclear waste. This legislation is not a silver bullet, and will take far longer than wed like to resolve the many issues surrounding this site, but this is a concrete, positive step forward in a process thats been stagnant for far too long. The bill introduced today wouldnot alter the current liability of potentially responsible parties at the site nor itsdesignation as a Superfund site. The measure represents the latest step in the delegations effort to utilize the Corps expertise to expedite remediation at the West Lake site. In July, Blunt, McCaskill, Wagner, and Clay sent a letter to Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz asking the Department of Energy to re-evaluate whether West Lake qualified for inclusion in the Corps FUSRAP in light of new information regarding the source of radioactive waste at the site. My constituents in the St. Louis region deserve a government where officials work proactively on their behalf, rather than kicking the can down the road with recurring delays and deflections, said Wagner. The Formerly Utilized Site Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have an excellent track record, broad support in the community and the expertise to handle a site as complicated as the Westlake Landfill. I believe that this legislation is a crucial step in our efforts to reach a permanent solution for the people of Missouri."" Clay added, Over a year ago, I called for the transfer of West Lake to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers FUSRAP program. This new bipartisan legislation will bring us closer to achieving that goal. This is a 70-year old problem and the federal government has a duty to finally do the right thing. I am totally committed to removing all the nuclear waste from West Lake landfill. It just makes no sense to allow radioactive waste to remain buried in an unlined landfill, near residential neighborhoods, schools, a hospital, the airport and the Missouri River. Its time to clean up West Lake landfill."" On February 28, 2014, the members also sent a letter to the EPA asking the agency to contract directly with the Corps to handle remediation efforts through FUSRAP, citing the Corps expertise in this area, and the local communitys faith in the Corps FUSRAP mission. In March of 2014, the agencies announced an agreement to work together to build a fire break at the West Lake landfill. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/video/view/mccaskill-targets-sex-trafficking-and-demands-answers-from-backpagecom,McCaskill Targets Sex Trafficking and Demands Answers from Backpage.com,2015-11-19,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"The story of a 15-year-old girl rescued from sex traffickers in St. Louis, Mo. was highlighted today by U.S. Senator Claire McCaskilla former sex crimes prosecutor who used a bipartisan Senate hearing to target sex trafficking, particularly trafficking of children, and demand answers from the website Backpage.com.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/senate-women-strike-up-friendships-with-bipartisan-bowling,Senate Women Strike Up Friendships With Bipartisan Bowling,2015-11-18,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senate Women Strike Up Friendships With Bipartisan Bowling Wednesday, November 18, 2015 By: Bridget Bowman Hurling a heavy ball and hearing the crash of of the impact as you hit your target could be cathartic after a long workday, but it can also be a lot of fun. The women of the Senate took part in some bipartisan bowling at the White House Tuesday night, hoping to strikeup more camaraderie. And, by all accounts, there were plenty of laughs to spare. I havent bowled in more than 20 years! Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, toldSen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., as the two greeted each other at the top of the escalator in the Senate basement Wednesday morning. After a few laughs, they parted in opposite directions. Heitkamp organized the excursion to thebowling alley in the basement of the White House as part of the womens quarterly bipartisan meetings. A different senator is tasked with hosting each event, and Heitkamps turn was Tuesday, so she decided to do something a little different. I wanted to plan a fun dinner, and what could be more American than bowling with bowling shirts included? Heitkamp said in a statement to HOH. Some of the women were better bowlers than others I wont name names but everyone couldnt stop smiling all night. Thats the kind of bipartisan camaraderie we need in the Senate. Heitkamp also organized custom bowling shirts for the participants, blue for the Democrats and red for the Republicans. Each senator also had a nickname on their shirt. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., was dubbed theEx-Im Queen, a nod to her support for the Export-Import Bank, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., was labeledNext Door Amy. Democratic Wisconsinite Tammy Baldwin was deemed Cheesehead Baldwin. I always look forward to the bipartisan womens get-togethers. Typically we go and have dinner together, Baldwin told HOH. This was fun to do something a little different. And Ireally think it is very productive for the smooth working of the Senate. We didnt really keep score, Baldwin said, noting the senators bowled for one another if someone wasnt ready when it was their turn. We were just having fun, she added. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., tweeted a picture of the smiling senators, which showed 15of the 20 female senators attended: 10Democrats and five Republicans. At one point Tuesday night, the hashtag bipartisanbowlingattheWH was trending in D.C. The dean of the femalesenators, Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, D-Md., who hosted a power workshop for the women during new member orientation, went straight to the point when asked about the bipartisan bowling event. We had a lot of fun, she said. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/democrat-seeks-review-of-federal-oversight-of-colleges,Democrat Seeks Review of Federal Oversight of Colleges,2015-11-17,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Democrat Seeks Review of Federal Oversight of Colleges Tuesday, November 17, 2015 The top Democrat on a Senate investigatory panel is calling on Congresss investigative arm to look into how the U.S. Department of Education oversees colleges and universities. Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri on Mondaysent a letterasking the Government Accountability Office to review how the Education Department green-lights colleges to participate in federal student aid programs as well as how effectively department regulators uncover problems with colleges. McCaskill, who is the ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security Committees Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, asked the GAO to examine the rigor of the departments approval process for colleges and the extent to which the department relies on accreditors and states to oversee and monitor problems. Her letter comes several weeks after she and Senator Rob Portman of Ohio, the Republican chair of the investigatory subcommittee,requested a trove of information from accrediting agenciesas part of an inquiry into the role accreditors play in assessing the quality and financial health of postsecondary institutions. The GAO last yearissued a reportthat recommended the Education Department step up its oversight of colleges and accrediting agencies. It found, among other things, that national accreditors were no more likely to sanction poor-performing colleges than they were those with strong student outcomes. The Education Department has a staff of 232 employees who are charged with overseeing and monitoring colleges, according to a Septemberreportby the departments inspector general. That report found that department regulators in some cases were not properly conducting audits of colleges. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/fraternity-and-sorority-organizations-back-off-sexual-assault-bill-after-mccaskill-protests,Fraternity and sorority organizations back off sexual assault bill after McCaskill protests,2015-11-17,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Fraternity and sorority organizations back off sexual assault bill after McCaskill protests Tuesday, November 17, 2015 By: Chuck Raasch WASHINGTON Last month, Sen. Claire McCaskill wrote letters to national fraternity and sorority organizations and three fraternities on the University of Missouri campus to protest their support of a bill on campus sexual assaults that the senator opposes. This month, those organizations withdrew their backing, the latest example of the complex and highly charged debate over campus sexual assaults. McCaskill, D-Mo., and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., are co-sponsors of their own bill that attempts to clarify and standardize procedures campuses should use when allegations of sexual assault are made. The Campus Accountability and Safety Act focuses on ways to encourage victims to step forward and provide them support in that process. The rival bill by Rep. Matt Salmon, R-Ariz., the Safe Campus Act, would require that allegations of sexual assault be handled by local police before campus discipline proceedings could proceed. Salmon has touted the measure as a guarantee of legal due process for alleged victims and perpetrators. But McCaskill and Gillibrand argued in letters in October to the organizations that Salmons bill would discourage victims from stepping forward. McCaskill also wrote three fraternities at the University of Missouri raising questions about their national organizations support of the Salmon bill. After listening to our member fraternities and partners, the NIC is withdrawing its support of the Safe Campus Act, said a statement on the website of the North-American Intrafraternity Conference, which represents more than 70 fraternities. The ultimate goal of campus reform is to provide a safer environment for students to further their education. Our member organizations and NPC leadership have listened to the groundswell of concern among our members and are refocusing our legislative agenda, the National Panhellenic Conference, which represents 26 sororities, said in a statement on its website. To that end, NPC is withdrawing its support of the Safe Campus Act. In addition, representatives for the national offices of Kappa Alpha Order, Alpha Tau Omega and Sigma Nu also said they had withdrawn their support for the Salmon bill. McCaskill wrote the University of Missouri chapters of all three in late October. McCaskill and Gillibrand issued a joint statement commending the fraternity and sorority organizations for backing away, saying Salmons bill would have tied schools hands, and would have undermined safety for survivors which these groups have now recognized is not the way to combat these crimes. A spokesman for Salmon did not return calls seeking comment. McCaskill and Gillibrands legislation has had a hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee, and it may be inserted in broader education or spending bills. But so far, the groups have not endorsed the McCaskill-Gillibrand legislation. The North-American Intrafraternity Conference said it would support any legislation that followed seven guidelines to protect alleged victims while ensuring due process for the accused. The organization said it could support another rival bill, the Fair Campus Act, which is similar to Salmons but omits the language about local law enforcement that McCaskill and Gillibrand objected to. One of the seven principles laid out by the NIC would ensure due process rights for organizations to prohibit pre-emptive group suspension of student organizations. The president of the University of Virginiasuspended all fraternities and sororitiesafter a 2014 Rolling Stone article alleged a gang rape had occurred in a fraternity.Demonstrations were aimed at the fraternity named in the story.But the story later unraveled andwas later judged to be the false product of shoddy journalism in an independent review. Localpolice said they found no substantive basis to the allegations. Phi Kappa Psi has sued Rolling Stone for $25 million, alleging that innocent brothers were besieged in their residence, physically threatened, protested against and vilified by unknown assailants, fellow students and the university community. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/justice-dept-brings-federal-charges-in-investigation-into-dietary-supplement-deception,Justice Dept. brings federal charges in investigation into dietary supplement deception,2015-11-17,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Justice Dept. brings federal charges in investigation into dietary supplement deception Tuesday, November 17, 2015 By: Eric Tucker WASHINGTON (AP) A Dallas company that had been ordered to recall a dietary supplement pill because of links to liver damage has been indicted along with several of its executives on charges that they intentionally misbranded their products and deceived consumers, the Justice Department announced Tuesday. The indictment accuses USPlabs LLC of importing chemicals from China and then lying about the nature and source of those ingredients through misleading marketing labels, part of a pattern of deception that prosecutors say was designed to put products on store shelves regardless of safety risk and to satisfy consumer demand for its lucrative business. ""They falsified labeling and marketing materials to convince consumers, who prized natural ingredients, to buy their products,"" said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin Mizer, head of the Justice Department's civil division. ""All of these people regulators, retailers and consumers trusted that the defendants were telling the truth about their products. All of these people were deceived."" The allegations cover the company's past troubles with the Food and Drug Administration, which in 2013 directed the firm to cease production of a weight loss and muscle-building supplement after the product was linked to liver damage and several users needed liver transplants to save their lives. The company promised the FDA that it would stop distributing the supplement, known as OxyElite Pro, but instead engaged in a ""surreptitious, all-hands-on-deck effort to sell as much OxyElite Pro as it could as quickly as possible,"" according to the Justice Department. The indictment also charges four company executives and a consultant as well as S.K. Laboratories, Inc., an Anaheim, California firm that prosecutors say was responsible for manufacturing many products for USPlabs, and one of its executives. Four of the six individuals who were charged were arrested Tuesday, and the two others were expected to turn themselves in. Online court records didn't list attorneys for any of the defendants. Publicly listed phone numbers for the indicted individuals could not immediately be located. The indictment was announced as part of a yearlong nationwide sweep against makers and marketers of dietary supplements that the Justice Department said has resulted in criminal or civil cases against 117 people and entities. The multi-billion-dollar dietary supplement industry in recent years has come under scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators, who have expressed concerned that companies are skirting rules meant to stop them from marketing their products for specific diseases and conditions. In June, for instance, Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri sent a letter to more than a dozen companies asking executives to explain how they vet dietary supplements and weed out products making false claims. Mizer, of the Justice Department, said that while ""not every label lies about what is contained in the bottle,"" consumers nonetheless need to be careful about what products they use. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/safe-campus-act-continues-to-lose-support,Safe Campus Act Continues To Lose Support,2015-11-17,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Safe Campus Act Continues To Lose Support Tuesday, November 17, 2015 By: Tyler Kingkade Three fraternities that have lobbied in support of controversial campus rape legislation-- Alpha Tau Omega, Sigma Nu and Kappa Alpha Order -- are withdrawing their support following a wave of opposition to the bill. In recent days, the biggest supporters of the Safe Campus Act have changed course and announced they will no longer support a bill fiercely protested by sexual assault survivors and their advocates. One co-sponsor has pulled his support, while more higher education organizations have come forward in opposition to the bill. The Safe Campus Act isuniversally deridedby groups working with sexual assault survivors-- 220 of whichsigned a letterin opposition to it -- often with a focus on the bill's requirement for rape victims to report their assaults to police before colleges can look into the cases. Sexual assault and battery would be the only form of student misconduct subject to this restriction;other illegal behavior such as theft and physical assault would not. The three fraternitieswere part of a$210,000 lobbying effort, along with Greek life umbrella groups the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) and National Panhellenic Conference, pushing for the Safe Campus Act. Lateon Friday,the NIC and NPC announced theywould yank their support for the legislationafter several sororities started distancing themselvesfrom the lobbying effort. Over the weekend, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities issued alegislative analysisexplaining why it opposes the bill, noting it is ""deeply troubled"" by the restrictions blocking colleges from fully responding to sexual assault reports. The International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators and NASPA: Student Affairs Professionals in Higher Education have also recently joined the lengthy list of organizations opposing the Safe Campus Act.Campus safety groups have not endorsed the bill. Rep. Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.) introduced theSafe Campus Actin the U.S. House in late July, with Texas Republicans Pete Sessions and Kay Granger as co-sponsors.Rep. Brenda Lawrence(D-Mich.) signed on as a co-sponsor in September. Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) had his name attached to the bill for about a month, but quietly withdrew his co-sponsorship on Nov. 5. ""While Rep. Garamendi originally felt that the bill could help streamline and standardize adjudications, a further review of the language left him deeply concerned about certain provisions in the bill,"" said Donald Lathbury, a spokesman for the congressman. ""The bill requires that victims report allegations to the police and await the results of a criminal investigation before internal disciplinary proceedings can move forward. This might go against the will of some victims, and result in lengthy delays of justice for others."" Sessions also sponsors theFair Campus Act, a bill that is similar to the Safe Campus Act but does not impose limits on when a college can investigate a sexual assault as a violation of the school's code of conduct. The legislation would allow students to be represented by attorneys in hearings and allow schools to use more stringent burdens of proof to find accused students guilty. The fraternity groups said they plan to put their support behind the Fair Campus Act now. ""ATO arrived at the decision to withdraw support [for the Safe Campus Act] after internal discussions with ATO members, the NIC, and fellow NIC-member fraternities,""Wynn Smiley, CEO of the national Alpha Tau Omega office, told HuffPost. ""ATO, along with the NIC, supports the Fair Campus Act, which will provide a safer environment for all students to further their education."" Sigma Nu national executive director Brad Beacham said in an email that his fraternity ""supports the decision made recently by the NIC and NPC to focus their support on the Fair Campus Act and to withdraw support of the Safe Campus Act."" Kappa Alpha Order did not return a request for comment. Sens. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who are lead co-sponsors of another campus safety bill, issued a statement saying they look forward to working with the fraternity and sorority groups that have withdrawn support for the Safe Campus Act. Thesenators had publicly criticizedthe fraternity lobbying effort andwritten to the heads of the organizations. ""We want to commend these groups -- who are critical voices in this national dialogue -- for reexamining their approach to helping curb sexual assaults on our college campuses,"" McCaskill and Gillibrand said in a statement. The senators' Campus Accountability and Safety Act wouldreform how colleges are obligatedto handle sexual assault cases. That bill has the support of a number of rape victim advocacy organizations, as well as some higher education groups, andhas 34 co-sponsors. Three presidential candidates, Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), are backing the McCaskill-Gillibrand bill. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-statement-on-civil-criminal-actions-in-dietary-supplement-industry,"McCaskill Statement on Civil, Criminal Actions in Dietary Supplement Industry",2015-11-17,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McCaskill Statement on Civil, Criminal Actions in Dietary Supplement Industry Senator: Dietary supplement industry continues to resemble the Wild West Tuesday, November 17, 2015 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, who is currently investigating dietary supplements making illegal claims related to memory and mental health, released the following statement today after the Department of Justice, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced enforcement actions against several manufacturers of dietary supplements. Im glad to see enforcement actions taking place against companies that knowingly endanger or mislead American consumers. But, the bottom line is that a lack of consistent oversight makes the dietary supplement industry resemble the Wild Westand until the government makes this a real priority we will continue to see shelves stocked with products that could potentially harm American families. Earlier this year, McCaskilla former State Auditor and courtroom prosecutorsent letters to 15 retailers inquiring about their policies concerning dietary supplements and what they do to prevent the sale of harmful or fraudulently marketed products in their stores and on their websites and shows. This inquiry was in response to the discovery of products such as Brain Armor, which was recently removed from the Amazon website, that made false claims about their ability to enhance memory and treat dementia. Last month, McCaskill twice wrote FDA Acting Administrator Stephen Ostroff to request that the FDA take appropriate action to suspend sales of any supplement containing picamilon, a product that FDA has determined is not a dietary ingredient. McCaskill also asked for any documents submitted to the FDA as a part of the New Dietary Ingredient notification process that confirm the ingredients safety, and for any cases in which picamilon had caused adverse events in consumers. After the FDA failed to respond, McCaskill asked retailers to voluntarily remove products containing picamilon from their shelvesan action that many took. As past Chairman of the Senates Consumer Protection Subcommittee, McCaskill has also examined misleading and false claims made by makers of weight-loss products. Visit mccaskill.senate.gov/consumers to learn more about McCaskills fight to strengthen protections for American consumers. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/national-greek-organizations-drop-support-for-bill-opposed-by-mccaskill,National 'Greek' organizations drop support for bill opposed by McCaskill,2015-11-16,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"National 'Greek' organizations drop support for bill opposed by McCaskill Monday, November 16, 2015 By: Jim Howard For those old enough to remember the classicSchoolhouse Rock lesson on how a bill becomes a law,advancing legislation on Capitol Hill might seem relatively simple. Whats missing from that animated civics lesson is the hardball reality of Washington, where lawmakers not only work to advance their own bills, but also try to kill opposing measures that could undermine their legislative objectives. U.S. Sens. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N,Y., the chief co-sponsors of theCampus Accountability and Safety Act, appear to have stopped a competing proposal to their own legislation designed to curb sexual assaults on college campuses. Late Friday, theNorth American Interfraternity Conferenceand theNational Panhellenic Conference, two umbrella organizations for fraternities and sororities, issued a statement saying they were withdrawing their support from the rivalSafe Campus Act. The groups said they were responding to a groundswell of concern from their members and as a result were refocusing their legislative agenda. The move comes after the two senators launched an attack a few weeks ago on the groups support for the Safe Campus Act, labeling the bill as misguided, in a conference call with reporters from across the U.S. The lawmakers argued the bill would make it harder for schools to protect students by imposing burdensome legal restrictions on investigations of sexual assaults not required for other crimes. After talking with reporters, the senators continued their assault by sending letters to the two organizations and several individual fraternities and sororities highlighting the opposing measures alleged deficiencies. At the time, McCaskill hit the organizations where it mattered most, by appealing to their membership. I would be furious if I were a member of a sorority and my dues were going toward this effort. The statement by the groups followed an announcement by eight sororities last week that they would not support the bill, according toa report by the Huffington Post. McCaskill says that while the two organizations have not announced their support for her bill, shes optimistic they eventually will. I think our overall goals are the same and Ive found in the past that when your goals are the same, you can usually work out your differences. McCaskill told St. Louis Public Radio this weekend, that the lawmakers had a great sit-down with leaders from the two organizations to discuss their concerns about the Safe Campus Act and to answer questions about their own bill. We left that meeting optimistic that wed be able to join forces and work together. McCaskill says she and Gillibrand want to work on some language in their bill to address concerns raised by the two groups. While they havent formally endorsed our legislation, them rejecting the other approach is a major step forward for our legislation. The senators say they expect their bill will either pass on its own or be folded into a larger bill concerning higher education before the end of the year. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-gillibrand-commend-fraternity-sorority-groups-that-have-withdrawn-support-for-bill-that-undermine-campus-sexual-assault-efforts,"McCaskill, Gillibrand Commend Fraternity, Sorority Groups that have Withdrawn Support for Bill that Undermine Campus Sexual Assault Efforts",2015-11-16,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McCaskill, Gillibrand Commend Fraternity, Sorority Groups that have Withdrawn Support for Bill that Undermine Campus Sexual Assault Efforts Senators, sponsors of the Campus Accountability and Safety Act, successfully urged national fraternity and sorority organizations to drop support for legislation that would weaken schools ability to punish sexual assaults on campus Monday, November 16, 2015 WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill of Missouri and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York today released the following statement after the national fraternity and sorority associations announced their withdrawal of supportat the Senators urgingof legislation that would undermine and weaken the authority of colleges and universities to adjudicate incidents of sexual assault on their campuses: We want to commend these groupswho are critical voices in this national dialoguefor reexamining their approach to helping curb sexual assaults on our college campuses. The House bill in question would have tied schools hands, and would have undermined safety for survivorswhich these groups have now recognized is not the way to combat these crimes. Were looking forward to working with the North American Interfraternity Conference and the National Panhellenic Conference to achieve our shared goals, and get our bipartisan legislation to protect and empower students and hold perpetrators accountable, across the finish line in Congress. The Senators recently wrote to the national fraternity and sorority groups, including the National Panhellenic Conference and the North American Interfraternity Conference, urging them to drop their support for a bill by Congressman Matt Salmon that would tie the hands of schools in addressing sexual violencedramatically weakening their ability to adjudicate allegations of sexual assault on their campuseswhile leaving other crimes such as theft and physical assault fully in schools control and purview. That legislation, which is opposed by every major victims advocacy group, would require victims of sexual assault to report the offense to criminal authorities and wait for the criminal investigation to be completed for the campus disciplinary process to permanently remove perpetrators from campus. Criminal investigations can take months or years, if they proceed at all, and many victims do not feel comfortable going to the police; the bill would force them to go through the criminal justice process against their will before the campus can take action against a perpetrator. The bill, which has thus far lacked the support for introduction in the Senate, imposes this unique standard of reporting to the police upon victims of sexual assault victims alonewhile continuing to allow victims of physical assault or robbery to access the campus administrative process without a police report. McCaskill and Gillibrand have led a bipartisan coalition of Senators in advancing the Campus Accountability and Safety Actbipartisan legislation to combat sexual assault on college and university campuses by protecting and empowering students, strengthening accountability and transparency for institutions, and holding perpetrators accountable. The senators legislation, is now cosponsored by more than one-third of the Senate. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/fda-silent-as-missouri-senator-acts-to-strike-picamilon-from-shelves,FDA Silent as Missouri Senator Acts to Strike Picamilon From Shelves,2015-11-15,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"FDA Silent as Missouri Senator Acts to Strike Picamilon From Shelves Sunday, November 15, 2015 Citing frustration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) failure to respond, Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) has taken a hands-on approach to the controversy over picamilonthat it does not fit the definition of a dietary ingredientand directly addressed 10 major retailers to stop selling dietary supplements with the substance. In letters sent Nov. 9 to the CEOs at Amazon, The Vitamin Shoppe, CVS, Wal-Mart, Google, Vitamin World, Walgreens, Target, eBay and General Nutrition Corporation (GNC), McCaskill asked for retailers to voluntarily remove picamilon products from their shelves, given that the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 requires for dietary supplements to only contain dietary ingredients. FDA, however, has yet to issue a recall or publically address the issue of whether picamilon is approved for sale as an ingredient in dietary supplements. The FDAs stance on picamilon, uncovered in an affidavit byCara Welch, acting deputy director of the FDAs Division of Dietary Supplement Programs, is that it is not a dietary ingredient because it fails to fit any of the definition categoriesas a vitamin, mineral, herb or botanical, amino acid, dietary substance for use by man to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake, or a concentrate, metabolite, constituent, extract or combination of the above. Picamilon is a neurotransmitter, formed by synthetically combining niacin with GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). Though niacin, as a vitamin, and GABA, as an amino acid, are independently recognized as dietary ingredients, the synthesized picamolin is considered a different chemical entity. Theappropriateness of this communicationhas been called into question. FDAs declaration was made for the Oregon Attorney GeneralsOct. 22 suit against GNC,alleging the company knowingly misrepresented products as lawful dietary supplements when they contained picamilon or BMPEA, which are unlawful for failing to meet the official definition of dietary ingredient. Steve Mister, president and CEO of the Council for Responsible Nutrition, criticized the FDAs move in a letter, stating this sets a dangerous precedent regarding the cooperation between FDA and state law enforcement on matters of federal law not previously noticed to the industry. Several retailers, such as The Vitamin Shoppe, ceased sale of products containing picamolin prior to McCaskills letter. GNC stated in an Oct. 23 news release that it stopped selling products with BMPEA and picamilon,immediately upon learning indirectly, rather than from notice directed at GNC, that FDA did not view BMPEA and picamilon as legal dietary ingredients. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/lawmakers-candidates-target-high-drug-prices,"Lawmakers, Candidates Target High Drug Prices",2015-11-15,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Lawmakers, Candidates Target High Drug Prices Sunday, November 15, 2015 By: Stephanie Armour WASHINGTONLawmakers and the Obama administration are ratcheting up efforts to target pharmaceutical companies over high-priced drugs, a sign that legislators are trying to bridge partisan differences to tackle a key driver of rising health care costs. Some specialty drugs can now run $100,000 or more a year, and the issue has been amplified by several high-profile cases in which makers boosted prices dramatically and rapidly. The Health and Human Services Department is considering new steps to protect consumers, while lawmakers are launching a task force to probe the issue and presidential candidates from both parties are criticizing drug makers. The attention reflects a growing agreement among lawmakers that they need to respond to the escalating prices. The pharmaceutical industrywhich sells about $374 billion in prescription drugs a year in the U.S., much of that paid for by Medicare and Medicaidis going on the defensive as it faces an intensifying political backlash. Industry officials say there is a mistaken belief that drug prices are driving up health-care costs. They say spending on retail prescriptions has stayed steady at about 10% of health-care spending. Moreover, drug makers say, discounts and rebates mean patients dont pay the full price, and that the public discussion undervalues the benefit to patients of the drugs while overestimating the cost. The administration and Congress, drug makers argue, should focus on insurers that design health plans that make consumers pay their deductible before drug coverage kicks in. Its new for patients, and thats been a big shock to them, said Robert Zirkelbach, a spokesman for Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA. But the insurance industry blames rising drug prices for higher insurance rates. Were all bearing drug makers excessive pricing, and the increases are a direct reflection of those cost pressures, said Marilyn Tavenner, chief executive of Americans Health Insurance Plans, which represents about 1,300 companies. HHS is considering ways to help consumers better afford high-priced drugs, said officials with knowledge of the conversations. The agency will hold a day-long forum Friday on the issue and has invited employers, insurers, consumers and drug makers, among others. One approach could borrow from policies already adopted by Californias health-insurance exchange that restrict how much insurers can charge consumers for specialty drugs. Moreover, about a dozen states have enacted or are considering laws that cap the monthly costs of the high-priced drugs. I would hope theyre looking at what California has done, said Peter Lee, executive director of Covered California, the state exchange. Right now its the wild west out there. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Nov. 5 sent letters to the heads of several drug manufacturers about expensive treatments for hepatitis C. The letter sought information on pricing arrangements and ways to keep prices sustainable for recipients of Medicaid, the state-federal insurance program for low-income Americans. Both political parties see drug prices as an issue that resonates with voters. In an October survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 77% of Americans said making sure high-cost medications for chronic conditions are affordable should be a top health care priority for Congress and the president. So far, some of the efforts are bipartisan, though the parties have sparred in the House over approaches. On Capitol Hill, Sens. Claire McCaskill (D., Mo.) and Susan Collins (R., Maine) said their Senate Special Committee on Aging will tentatively hold a Dec. 9 hearing on the topic. House Democrats on Nov. 3 announced the creation of a drug-pricing task force to explore the roots of the increases and possible ways the government can negotiate lower costs. They blamed Republicans for blocking their efforts to hold hearings or probe price boosts by some companies. The first thing we should do is figure out whats going on, and no one should resist putting sunlight on this issue, said Rep. Xavier Becerra, (D., Calif.). If you look at the cost of health care, more and more its being driven by things such as prescription drugs. It highlights thats something wrong with the system. While Republicans generally have been reluctant to take on drug makers, which are major donors, some are exploring the issue of prices. Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R., Utah), chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, has had conversations about pricing with Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland, the committees top Democrat. Industry officials say drug prices are a reason why premiums and deductibles are going up for many people who buy policies on the federal health-insurance exchange. Consumers will find that at least 80% of low-priced bronze plans and more than half of middle-tier silver plans will have higher out-of-pocket costs in 2016, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of federal data covering more than 30 states that use the federal exchange. A major driver of the costs is hepatitis C drugs such as Gilead Sciences Inc. s Harvoni and Sovaldi, whose $1,000-a-pill price last year helped spark what has become a major political issue. Presidential candidates have been tapping into the public concern. Democrat Hillary Clintons health plan would limit consumers monthly out-of-pocket costs for medications. Both she and rival Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) would allow Medicare, the federal health plan for the elderly and disabled, to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices. That bargaining isnt currently allowed by federal law, a restriction Senate Democrats are seeking to lift through legislation. Among Republicans, candidate Donald Trump called the head of a pharmaceutical company a spoiled brat for raising the cost of one drug. Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) has advocated for an overhaul of the Food and Drug Administration and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has talked about the need for more rapid approval of new drugs. There are two main areas lawmakers may target. The first, and hardest, is fixing the root issues that lead to higher prices. Among them are drugs that remain on patent without generic equivalents, and the expense of creating newer biological-based drugs vs. traditional chemical-based ones. The second challenge is how to soften the financial impact on consumers. Insurance carriers are requiring policyholders to pay more out of pocket for certain expensive drugs. Consumer advocates say such benefit plans discriminate against consumers with health issues such as HIV or hepatitis C. Carriers are deliberating discouraging consumers who are costlier to insure by denying them affordable access to care, they say. The insurers arent falling all over themselves to attract people who need specialty drugs, said Gary Claxton, a vice president at the Kaiser Family Foundation. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/national-fraternity-sorority-groups-withdraw-support-for-safe-campus-act,"National Fraternity, Sorority Groups Withdraw Support For Safe Campus Act",2015-11-13,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"National Fraternity, Sorority Groups Withdraw Support For Safe Campus Act Friday, November 13, 2015 By: Tyler Kingkade The North American Interfraternity Conference and National Panhellenic Conference withdrew their support late Friday night from the Safe Campus Act, a controversial campus rape bill. NIC and NPC, umbrella groups representing fraternities sororities, respectively, backed out of supporting the Safe Campus Act aftereight sororities went public this weekto say they would not support the bill.Sens. Kirstin Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.)had criticized NIC in recent weeks for supporting the legislation, which they said would make campuses less safe. The Safe Campus Act, presented in the House,would prohibit colleges from investigating sexual assault cases as violations of the student code of conduct, unless alleged victims also reported the incidents to police. Sexual assault and battery would be the only form of behavior subject to this requirement -- other illegal acts like physical assault or theft would not face similar rules. ""After listening to our member fraternities and partners, the NIC is withdrawing its support of the Safe Campus Act,"" NICsaid in a statement. ""The ultimate goal of campus reform is to provide a safer environment for students to further their education."" The Safe Campus Act isuniformly opposedby rape victims'advocacy groups. It's also opposed by a group started by thefamilies of victimsin the Virginia Tech massacre, and severalhigher education trade organizations. The Clery Center,started by the family of a studentwho was raped and murdered in her dorm, which helped push for the nation's first campus safety law, also opposes the bill. The NIC and NPC spent more than $200,000lobbying for the most controversial provisionsin the Safe Campus Actthroughout 2015. They played a key role in pushing for the legislation. NPC'sstatementsaid it would double down the Fair Campus Act, similar legislation that would allow studentsto hire lawyersto represent them in student misconduct hearings. Fair Campus would not block colleges from investigating sexual assault cases unless at the request of law enforcement. Several provisions of the Fair Campus Act are important to NIC, the fraternity group said, specifically regarding preserving Title IX single sex exemptions for Greek life organizations, ensuring more due process for student organizations, and barring ""individual university officials from playing multiple roles in conduct investigations or hearings."" Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/this-week-mccaskill-shines-missourispotlight-on-trenton,"This Week, McCaskill Shines #MissouriSpotlight on Trenton",2015-11-13,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"This Week, McCaskill Shines #MissouriSpotlight on Trenton Senator highlights Missouri town as part of her weekly Twitter series Friday, November 13, 2015 WASHINGTON This week, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is shining the #MissouriSpotlight on the city of Trenton as part of her weekly effort on Twitter to bring awareness to the many vibrant & eclectic towns and cities the Show Me State has to offer. Using her @McCaskillOffice account and the hashtag #MissouriSpotlight, McCaskill sent out a series of tweets today highlighting the citys history, tourism and unique facts. The #MissouriSpotlight tweets included: Today's #MissouriSpotlight is taking you to northern #MO & the city of Trenton, the county seat of Grundy County. Home to over 6,000 Missourians, Trenton's economic base is made up of industry, education, agriculture & retail trade. #MissouriSpotlight First settled in 1834, Trenton was known as Lomax Store because of the notable J.S. Lomax General Store #MissouriSpotlight After being known as Lomax Store, Trenton was renamed Bluff Grove, then renamed again in 1842 in honor of Trenton, NJ. #MissouriSpotlight The city of Trenton won a battle w/ Tindall, #MO in order to become the county seat of Grundy http://www.grundycountymo.com/index.php #MissouriSpotlight In 1915, Arthur M. Hyde moved to Trenton. He would later become Governor & Secretary of Agriculture under Pres. Hoover. #MissouriSpotlight Yank Lawson, a jazz trumpeter known for Dixieland & swing music was born in Trenton. http://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/21/obituaries/yank-lawson-84-trumpeter-with-prominent-jazz-bands.html #MissouriSpotlight Trenton is home to North Central Missouri College, named 1 of the best community colleges of 2015 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/smartassetcom/the-best-community-colleg_b_8351040.html #MissouriSpotlight We hope you enjoyed learning more about Trenton a city located just 96 miles NE of Kansas City. #MissouriSpotlight Visit twitter.com/McCaskillOffice to retweet or favorite todays #MissouriSpotlight tweets. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/alpha-phi-becomes-first-sorority-to-say-it-doesnt-support-safe-campus-act,Alpha Phi Becomes First Sorority To Say It Doesn't Support Safe Campus Act,2015-11-12,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Alpha Phi Becomes First Sorority To Say It Doesn't Support Safe Campus Act The sorority makes clear that parts of the controversial bill raise serious concerns. Thursday, November 12, 2015 By: Tyler Kingkade The Alpha Phi sorority on Thursday became the first national sorority to break rank with the National Panhellenic Conference by saying it doesn't support a controversial campus sexual assault bill. The statement, obtained by The Huffington Post, was issued by Alpha Phi's national office ""at the request of many of our members and chapters."" It explains that ""Alpha Phi has not endorsed this legislation and has not committed to any financial support"" and takes issue with several aspects of the Safe Campus Act. The Safe Campus Act wasproposed in Congress in late Julyfollowinglobbying by NPC and several national fraternity groups. The legislation would block colleges from investigating sexual assault cases unless the alleged victim also reports to law enforcement, and in those cases, the school couldn't fully adjudicate until a criminal investigation concludes. No other form of misconduct would face this sort of requirement. ""We believe our sisters who are survivors should have choices in how, when and to whom they go to for support or to report the crime,"" Alpha Phi said in the statement. ""They should have their own voice and the support and encouragement they need to move forward including reporting as they choose to."" Linda Kahangi, Alpha Phi's executive director, clarified to HuffPost that Alpha Phi would not say it outright ""opposes"" the bill, but rather that each individual chapter ""should have their own voice."" ""Many of our members -- both collegians and alumnae -- had expressed concern that NPCs endorsement of these two bills implied that Alpha Phi had endorsed them. We wanted to clarify to them that we had not,"" Kahangi said. Colleges are obligated under the federal gender equity law Title IX to respond to reports of sexual harassment and assault on campus. Currently,colleges are able to punish a student they believe to have committed sexual assault as a violation of the school's code of conduct -- regardless of whether police are investigating. In 1902, Alpha Phi called the original meeting that brought several sororities together to form the NPC, and is one of the largest and oldest member organizations. It is the third-largest sorority in the country. NPC did not immediately respond to request for comment. Last month, theLambda Chi Alpha fraternity left the North American Interfraternity Conference, which, like the NPC, has lobbied heavily in favor of the Safe Campus Act. The fraternity cited""internal squabbling"" and ""counterproductive tactics"" as the reasons for its departure. When asked whether Lambda Chi Alpha's decision had to do with lobbying in support of the controversial legislation, a spokesman said the organization opposes ""all lobbying efforts."" Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), both former sorority members who have proposed their own legislation to reform the way colleges handle campus sexual assault,recently criticized the NPC for backingthe Safe Campus Act. Both senators had planned to reach out to national sorority representatives to discuss the problems with the bill. Gillibrand told HuffPost on Thursday she believes the Safe Campus Act would make colleges ""less safe"" and suspects more Greek organizations may follow Alpha Phi's lead. ""When sororities, fraternities and their members learn the negative consequences this proposal would have for student safety on campuses across the country, I think you will see more national organizations back away from it,"" Gillibrand said. ""I'm happy to see Alpha Phi become the first sorority not to support a bill that would weaken schools ability to adjudicate sexual assault on their campuses and undermine safety for survivors,"" McCaskill told HuffPost. ""Last week I urged the national sorority and fraternity groups to drop their support for that legislation, and Im hopeful this opposition sends a clear message that their sororities do not support it."" NPC and a group of fraternity organizations have collectively spent more than $200,000lobbying in supportof the Safe Campus Act.The bill isuniversally opposedby rape victims' advocacy groups. Read the entire statement from Alpha Phi below: Dear Sisters, We are writing at the request of many of our members and chapters to clarify Alpha Phis position on the 2015 Safe Campus and Fair Campus Acts which have been endorsed by the National Panhellenic Conference. Alpha Phi has not endorsed this legislation and has not committed to any financial support. We believe in our principle of Watchcare that provides for unconditional support of our sisters at all times, including those who are survivors of sexual assault. We accept any social consequences that may be implied by others as we stand beside our sisters and support them if they choose to report the crime. We believe our sisters who are survivors should have choices in how, when and to whom they go to for support or to report the crime. They should have their own voice and the support and encouragement they need to move forward including reporting as they choose to. We believe universities should remain accountable for the safety of their campuses, and should continue to raise the bar to ensure that they report and respond to crimes and keep students safe. Their ability to do so should not be diminished. We believe that each of our chapters and our members should have their own voice and should work with their communities to fight sexual assault. Alpha Phi members are strong women and leaders who can and will make a difference. We believe in our members. We believe in Alpha Phi. Loyally,The Alpha Phi International Executive Board and Executive Office Staff This story has been updated to include more information from Linda Kahangi about Alpha Phi's position on the bill and comments from Sens. Gillibrand and McCaskill. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/claire-mccaskill-cruel-and-unusual-service,Claire McCaskill: Cruel and unusual service,2015-11-12,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Claire McCaskill: Cruel and unusual service Thursday, November 12, 2015 In1944,Rollins Edwardswas a 22-year-old Army recruit serving atCamp Claibornein Louisiana. While World War II raged in theaters across the world, the Pentagon was using the chemical weapon mustard gas on its own soldiers in secret experiments, both abroad and at home. Without an explanation of what mustard gas was, Edwards was directed by his superiors to repeatedly expose his entire body to the toxic gas. The tests also divided service members by race, with Rollins recently tellingNational Public Radio, They said we were being tested to see what effect these gases would have on black skins. Edwardssuffered severe burnsand other debilitating, life-long injuries. He was offered no specific follow-up care in the aftermath of the experiments and was sworn to secrecy after threats from superior officers. Edwards was not alone 60,000 service memberswere subjected to these experiments. At leastseveral thousand menreceived the same type of full-body exposure as Edwards. The United Statesdeclassified the experimentsin 1993, letting the public know for the first time what these soldiers endured. And Congressinstructed the Department of Veterans Affairsto identify and locate the victims of the experiments and inform them that they were eligible for compensation. Edwards filed for his benefits in 1993. He finally received the compensation due to him in December 1999. But many other service members who faced the horror of these experiments, have beenconfronted bybureaucratic inaction and incompetence instead. The VAmade only minimal attemptsto contact these individuals and, more troublingly, often denied their claims of harm. The horrible reality is that its too late for the vast majority of these service members most of these men who served and fought bravely for our country are no longer alive. But some are alive, and many have received nothing in the aftermath of the terrible and seemingly pointless sacrifice they were forced to endure more than 70 years ago. My staff and I have met with officials from the VA and the Pentagon to try to understand why so few of these men have received any kind of care or compensation. Following those meetings, I asked for documents from the VA and a database of service records from the Pentagon so that I could better understand where our government had fallen short and how we could reach out to the men that still need our help. Shockingly, both the VA and the Pentagon have been largely unresponsive. As I told Defense Secretary Ash Carter at a recent hearing, I dont understand why this is so hard. Why is everyone not opening up these records and doing everything we can to get the word to these people? Mustard Gas Experiment Participant Information Form | U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri Ill keep bringing pressure to bear on both agencies to provide this critical information. But in the meantime, we must act. Using every publicly available list of victims we could find, Ive instructed my staff to reach out, one-by-one, to each service member to open casework files for them and advocate with the VA to get them the benefits theyve earned through their sacrifice. Im also encouraging any service member who was a part of these experiments or their loved ones to go to a web page Ive set up (mccaskill.senate.gov/mustard-gas-tests) and answer some basic questions so that we can advocate on their behalf. More than 70 years ago, some of our bravest Americans were subjected to horrific experiments against their will, and their government has all but turned its back on them. Its time we collectively commit to honoring their sacrifice before its too late. U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill is a senior member of theSenate Armed Services Committeeand the daughter of a World War II veteran. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/mccaskill-puts-out-national-appeal-for-wwii-mustard-gas-victims,McCaskill puts out national appeal for WWII mustard gas victims,2015-11-12,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McCaskill puts out national appeal for WWII mustard gas victims Thursday, November 12, 2015 By: Chuck Raasch WASHINGTON Sen. Claire McCaskill is putting out a nationwide appeal to find World War II veterans who may have been exposed to mustard-gas experiments during World War II. It came in apre-Veterans Day opinion in USA Today.McCaskill, D-Mo., asked readers who think they were exposed or know someone who may be to respond to mccaskill.senate.gov/mustard-gas-tests. She estimates that about 60,000 service members were subject to these experiments, and that ""several thousand"" had full-body exposure. Records on the experiments were unsealed more than 20 years ago, but McCaskill and other critics have said the federal government has lagged in locating and compensating victims. McCaskill complained that Pentagon and the Department of Veterans Affairs have been""largely unresponsive""to her inquiries. Defense Secretary Ash Carter promised more cooperation in a hearing last week, and VA Secretary Robert McDonald, in a speech at the National Press Club last Friday, also promised to do more. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/missouri-elected-democrats-praise-middleton-as-choice-for-interim-um-system-president,Missouri elected Democrats praise Middleton as choice for interim UM System president,2015-11-12,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Missouri elected Democrats praise Middleton as choice for interim UM System president Thursday, November 12, 2015 By: Mike Lear The University of Missouri Board of Curators choice for an interim president for the UM System is being praised by the states elected Democrats. Mike Middleton has been named the interim UM System President. (photo courtesy of the University of Missouri) Governor Jay Nixon calls Mike Middleton, an accomplished and widely-respected leader who is deeply committed to the university and its students. Nixon wrote, With interim leadership in place, I urge the Board of Curators to select a permanent president through a process that is thoughtful, transparent, inclusive, and efficient. I look forward to working with President Middleton and his permanent successor to continue to improve higher education for the benefit of all Missouri students. U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill notes Middleton, has been in significant leadership positions at the University for more than 30 years, and is something that we all know and trust. The University also said Hank Foley will begin serving as Chancellor immediately. McCaskill writes, Combined with the perspective that Hank Foley brings in terms of innovation and research, these changes represent real leadership with the vision to move the University forward, and should come with the support of leaders across Missouri to help make that happen. Now is the time for everyone in the University community to come together and support this strong leadership team. Attorney General Chris Koster also applauded the selection of Middleton. I have known Mike for twenty-five years, from his days teaching me criminal procedure in law school through his service as deputy chancellor emeritus of the Columbia campus, wrote Koster. His decades of leadership and familiarity with the University and its student body make him an outstanding choice to guide the institution through this period. Middleton was announced this afternoon as the UM Systems interim president. He will serve in that role until a permanent replacement for Tim Wolfe is found. Wolfe resigned Monday in response to criticism over the handling of incidents of racism on campus, and after calls for his resignation by students, state lawmakers, and the MU football team. That included a hunger strike by one student who said his strike would end with Wolfes resignation or his own death. Middleton came to MU as a law processor in 1985 and retired as deputy chancellor August 31 after serving 17 years in that role. He had been serving in a part-time capacity at the university, directing efforts to improve inclusion, diversity, and equity within campus activities. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/national-sorority-alpha-phi-refuses-to-back-republicans-safe-campus-act,National sorority Alpha Phi refuses to back Republicans’ Safe Campus Act,2015-11-12,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"National sorority Alpha Phi refuses to back Republicans Safe Campus Act The bill would prohibit colleges from acting on reports of rape until a student makes a report to police and is a rival option to an earlier Democratic bill Thursday, November 12, 2015 By: Molly Redden Alpha Phi has become the first national sorority torefuse to back a controversial new bill, the Safe Campus Act, intended to combat sexual assault on campus. The move comes as sexual assault survivors groups are clashing with the national umbrella organizations that advocate for fraternities and sororities over competing measures to tackle campus rape currently in Congress. Most major fraternity and sorority groups, including the National Panhellenic Conference, support the Safe Campus Act. But 200 rape survivor groups have denounced this act and called on fraternities and sororities college mens and womens social societies named after Greek letters to voice their opposition. On Thursday, Alpha Phi became the first major sorority to raise concerns. The Safe Campus Act proposed by three Republican representatives, Pete Sessions and Kay Granger of Texas, and Matt Salmon of Arizona would prohibit colleges from acting on reports of rape until the student bringing the complaint made a report to law enforcement. Critics say the bill would hamper efforts to immediately safeguard students who have been victims of assault. Sexual assault victims, critics add, are oftentoo afraid or traumatizedto involve the police in what can be a lengthy and invasive criminal investigation. Without expressing outright opposition to the Safe Campus Act, Alpha Phi echoed these concerns. We believe our sisters who are survivors should have choices in how, when and to whom they go to for support or to report the crime, Alpha Phi said in a letterseenby the Huffington Post. They should have their own voice and the support and encouragement they need to move forward including reporting as they choose to. We believe universities should remain accountable for the safety of their campuses, and should continue to raise the bar to ensure that they report and respond to crimes and keep students safe. Their ability to do so should not be diminished, the letter continued. Alpha Phi has not endorsed this legislation and has not committed to any financial support. Most major survivors groups, such as the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, support an earlier bill, theCampus Accountability and Safety Act, proposed last year by Democratic senators Claire McCaskill of Missouri and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. The Republican representatives proposed the Safe Campus Act this summer as a rival option. McCaskill and Gillibrands Campus Accountability and Safety Act would require sexual assault training for campus officials, standardized investigation and punishment, and increased resources for victims of assault. The bill would also stiffen fines for colleges found to violate the federal requirement for reporting sexual crimes. It is expected to appear before Congress as part of the education budget this fall. In recent weeks, McCaskill and Gillibrand panned the Campus Safety Act and encouraged dues-paying sorority and fraternity chapters to oppose the legislation, which is at a much earlier legislative stage than their own bill. I would be very upset if I were a young woman in a sorority today, McCaskill said. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-new-university-of-missouri-leadership-brings-decades-of-service-and-dedication,McCaskill: New University of Missouri Leadership Brings Decades of Service and Dedication,2015-11-12,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McCaskill: New University of Missouri Leadership Brings Decades of Service and Dedication As Mike Middleton and Hank Foley take new roles, McCaskill urges Mizzou community to come together and support this strong leadership team Thursday, November 12, 2015 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, a graduate of the University of Missouri, today released the following statement as the University announced that Mike Middleton was named as interim President of the University system, and that Hank Foley will begin his new post as interim Chancellor immediately: Mike Middleton has been in significant leadership positions at the University for more than 30 years, and is someone that we all know and trust. Combined with the perspective that Hank Foley brings in terms of innovation and research, these changes represent real leadership with the vision to move the University forward, and should come with the support of leaders across Missouri to help make that happen. Now is the time for everyone in the University community to come together and support this strong leadership team. Mike Middleton has been a member of the Mizzou community for decades, graduating from the University and joining the law faculty in 1985. Before returning to Mizzous law faculty, he served in several federal positions in Washington D.C. focused on civil rights issues, including working as a trial attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, Associate General Counsel of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commissions (EEOC) trial division and then director of the St. Louis district EEOC office. According to the University, beginning in 1997 he served as the Interim Vice Provost for Minority Affairs and Faculty Development for the University of Missouri. In 1998 he accepted the position of Deputy Chancellor. Hank Foley is beginning his new job after service as Senior Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies. According to the University, in that role, he led the systems strategic planning efforts, provided systemwide leadership in academic programs, promoted economic development and entrepreneurship, as well as advanced research collaborations. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/fda-charged-with-dragging-its-feet-on-pulling-soviet-made-supplement,FDA charged with dragging its feet on pulling Soviet-made supplement,2015-11-11,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"FDA charged with dragging its feet on pulling Soviet-made supplement Wednesday, November 11, 2015 By: Robert King The Food and Drug Administration is being accused of ignoring calls to pull dietary supplements containing an unapproved ingredient from shelves. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., accused the agency of ignoring her requests to pull any supplements with picamilon, a synthetic drug made by the Soviets to combat a slew of ailments from depression to migraines. The criticism comes in the midst of growing questions about how supplements are regulated. ""So we're at a point of relying on businesses to voluntarily take responsible steps to ensure public safety,"" she said. ""It's embarrassing that it's come to this."" The FDA said that it will respond to McCaskill. It told the Washington Examiner that the agency prioritizes enforcement actions ""based on available resources and the level of safety concern identified. The agency faces the challenge of having limited resources to monitor the marketplace for potentially harmful dietary supplements."" Last month, the agency said in a legal filing that picamilon was not a dietary ingredient and therefore couldn't be used in supplements. McCaskill wrote in her letter that she asked the agency late last month to review the ingredient and remove it from store shelves if it is not a proper dietary ingredient. A dietary ingredient has to contain one or a combination of substances such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, an extract, amino acid or enzymes or tissues from organs or glands, according to the FDA's website. There is an exception if the ingredient was sold in a supplement before October 1994, when the federal law went into effect. The FDA does not approve a supplement before it hits the market but can pull it from store shelves if it believes the product is unsafe or doesn't meet federal regulations for labeling or manufacturing. It is this step that McCaskill believes the agency is not doing enough on. Picamilon is a synthetic drug that has been prescribed in Europe for decades. It is not approved in the U.S. But the drug has been used in supplements, and its use was only discovered in a lawsuit filed last month by Oregon against GNC. Oregon charged that the supplement and vitamin retailer was pushing supplements that contained illegal ingredients. One such ingredient was picamilon, which the FDA said in an affidavit was not a dietary ingredient, McCaskill said. Dietary supplement regulation operates in a bit of a gray area. Unlike drugs, the FDA is prohibited under federal law from reviewing a supplement before it hits the market. The agency can pull a supplement from shelves, but only after it has enough evidence that the supplement is unsafe. The supplement industry said that the agency is letting the states take the lead on the use of picamilon, when it in fact has the authority to act. The industry wants to ensure a uniform approach to the use of the supplement. The FDA's affidavit was dated Sept. 28, but the agency ""has yet to use its enforcement power to restrict the ingredient,"" according to the Natural Products Association, a supplement trade group. ""It is concerning to us that the FDA is delegating its responsibilities to the states instead of using its own enforcement authority,"" CEO Dan Fabricant said. ""If the FDA finds an ingredient to violate the law, then it should take immediate administrative action, not use taxpayer dollars to fund a state priority."" Over the past year, the supplement industry has been beset by scandals of dietary supplements that had ingredients that weren't on the label. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman pulled supplements from Walmart, Target and GNC shelves after testing revealed they didn't contain the ingredients on the label. GNC pushed back and proved to Schneiderman's office that its supplements had the ingredients it purported on the label. Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-opens-senate-investigation-into-rx-drug-pricing-announces-intention-to-hold-hearings,"McCaskill Opens Senate Investigation into Rx Drug Pricing, Announces Intention to Hold Hearings",2015-11-11,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McCaskill Opens Senate Investigation into Rx Drug Pricing, Announces Intention to Hold Hearings Senator requests documents from four pharmaceutical companies concerning business acquisitions and drug pricing policies Wednesday, November 4, 2015 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today announced a bipartisan Senate investigation into pharmaceutical drug pricing. The announcement follows a series of media reports detailing dramatic drug price increasesoften on older, off-patent drugsafter the acquisition or merger of pharmaceutical companies. Some of the recent actions weve seen in the pharmaceutical industrywith corporate acquisitions followed by dramatic increases in the prices of pre-existing drugshave looked like little more than price gouging, said McCaskill, former Missouri State Auditor and courtroom prosecutor. We need to get to the bottom of why were seeing huge spikes in drug prices that seemingly have no relationship to research and development costs. Im proud to help lead this bipartisan investigation so that we can find some answers the public wants and deserves. McCaskill and Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), who together lead the Senate Special Committee on Aging, have requested documents and information from four pharmaceutical companies: Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Turing Pharmaceuticals, Retrophin Inc, and Rodelis Therapeutics. Each request focuses on drugs that have seen recent and significant spikes in price. We seek your cooperation with this investigation so that the Committee may better understand drug pricing and related regulatory and public policy concerns. In particular, the Committee wishes to learn more about Turing Pharmaceuticals recent acquisition of the rights to sell Daraprim, a drug used to treat and prevent infections, from Impax Laboratories and Turings subsequent decision to increase the price of Daraprim from $13.50 to $750 [per tablet], reads the Senators letter to Turing Pharmaceuticals CEO Martin Shkreli. McCaskills investigation will include an examination of: Substantial price increases on recently acquired off-patent drugs Mergers and acquisitions within the pharmaceutical industry that have sometimes led to dramatic increases in off-patent drug prices; and The Food and Drug Administrations role in the drug approval process for generic drugs, the agencys distribution protocols, and, if necessary, its off-label regulatory regime. The Senate Special Committee on Aging has tentatively scheduled an initial hearing on this issue for December 9, 2015, and will hold subsequent hearings, as needed, in the following months. Seniors account for 13 percent of the population but account for 34 percent of the all prescription medication used. More than 40 percent of seniors take five or more prescription drugs per day. The letter to Valeant Pharmaceuticals is available on the committees website HERE. The letter to Turing Pharmaceuticals is available HERE. The letter to Retrophin, Inc. is available HERE. The letter to Rodelis Therapeutics is available HERE. The Special Committee on Aging, led by Chairman Collins and Ranking Member McCaskill, promotes discussions and conducts investigations on areas of special interest to older Americans. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/bill-to-improve-affordable-care-act-for-pregnant-women-earns-mccaskills-support,Bill to Improve Affordable Care Act for Pregnant Women Earns McCaskill’s Support,2015-11-10,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Bill to Improve Affordable Care Act for Pregnant Women Earns McCaskills Support Legislation designates special enrollment period, more health care options for pregnant women Tuesday, November 10, 2015 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today announced her support for legislation to improve the Affordable Care Act by expanding health care options to pregnant women to best fit their familys needs. The Healthy Maternity and Obstetric Medicine Act, or Healthy MOM Act, creates a special enrollment period for pregnant women, enabling them to purchase health insurance throughout the year by adding pregnancy as a qualifying life event. Anyone whos had a child knows pregnancy is quite a life event, and one that can change a familys health care needs in sometimes unpredictable ways, McCaskill said. This is a commonsense fix to our health care law to ensure womenespecially those with a child on the wayhave access to health insurance options that work best for them. Currently, the only people deemed eligible to purchase or change their health insurance during a special enrollment period are those who have experienced a qualifying life event such as getting married, giving birth, or adopting a child.However the Affordable Care Act currently does not include pregnancy as a qualifying life event. The Healthy MOM Act would add pregnancy to the list of qualifying life events. McCaskill has supported a number of bipartisan bills to continue improvements to the health care law, including legislation to boost small businesses by giving states flexibility in determining size of small group markets, and has been a vocal supporter of the Affordable Care Act as well as the need to expand Medicaid in Missouri. In early 2015, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office announced that the Affordable Care Actwhich has now been upheld twice by a conservative Supreme Courtwill cost taxpayers substantially less than previously estimated. According to the Associated Press: Underlining a change across the nation, nearly 9 out of 10 adults now have health insurance in an extensive study that also found that the share of adults who lack insurance dropped to 11.9 percent for the first three months of [2015], the lowest level since that survey began its tracking As a result of the law, far fewer families are struggling to pay their medical bills. The law has so far resulted in tens of thousands of fewer preventable patient deaths in hospitals. Most Americans enrolled in Affordable Care Act health coverage report being satisfied with their plans. And contrary to opponents early claims about the economic effects of the law, job growth has continued and the national deficit has continued to decline after the law was implemented. Visit mccaskill.senate.gov/healthcare for more information on the Affordable Care Act. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-asks-retailers-to-voluntarily-pull-dietary-supplement-from-shelves-after-fda-fails-to-lift-a-finger,McCaskill Asks Retailers to Voluntarily Pull Dietary Supplement from Shelves After FDA Fails to ‘Lift a Finger’,2015-11-10,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,Claire McCaskill,M001170,www.mccaskill.senate.gov,,,legacy,"McCaskill Asks Retailers to Voluntarily Pull Dietary Supplement from Shelves After FDA Fails to Lift a Finger Senator: Its embarrassing that its come to this Tuesday, November 10, 2015 WASHINGTON After weeks of inaction by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill has called on ten retailers to voluntarily remove any dietary supplements containing picamilona substance independent studies and the FDA have all agreed does not occur in nature. Picamilon, an ingredient found in many dietary supplements in the United States, is currently classified as a prescription drug in several other countries. Independent scientists and the FDA agree that picamilon is not a dietary ingredient, but the FDAthe agency tasked with ensuring the safety of the things we consumehasnt lifted a finger to inform the public or taken any action to remove it from shelves, McCaskill said. So were at the point of relying on businesses to voluntarily take responsible steps to ensure public safety. Its embarrassing that its come to this. Last month, McCaskill twice wrote FDA Acting Administrator Stephen Ostroff to request that the FDA take appropriate action to suspend sales of any supplement containing picamilon. McCaskill also asked for any documents submitted to the FDA as a part of the New Dietary Ingredient notification process that confirm the ingredients safety, and for any cases in which picamilon had caused adverse events in consumers. In October, I requested that the FDA take appropriate steps to determine whether picamilon is appropriate for sale, and to remove it from store shelves if it is not. Despite my repeated requests, the FDA has failed to produce any response to my inquiry and remains silent on whether products containing picamilon should be recalled or removed from sale in dietary supplementsI request that you voluntarily remove any and all products containing picamilon that you may carry from your stores and from your website, McCaskills letter to retailers reads. The Oregon Attorney General recently filed a complaint against General Nutrition Corporation (GNC) alleging that GNC knowingly sold products containing picamilon and other substances that were not appropriate for inclusion in dietary supplements. In connection with the Oregon Attorney Generals investigation, the FDA submitted an affidavit stating that picamilon is not a dietary ingredient. A recent report reviewing products containing picamilon revealed that products on U.S. shelves routinely contain prescription-level doses of this ingredient. But because this ingredient is being sold as a dietary supplement and not a prescription drug it has not undergone the same level of scrutiny to understand its potential side effects or drug interactions. Earlier this year, McCaskill sent letters to 15 retailers inquiring about their policies concerning dietary supplements and what they do to prevent the sale of harmful or fraudulently marketed products in their stores and on their websites and shows. This inquiry was in response to the discovery of products like Brain Armor, which was recently removed from the Amazon website, that make false claims about their ability to enhance memory and treat dementia. As past Chairman of the Senates Consumer Protection Subcommittee, McCaskill held a hearing examining misleading and false claims made by makers of weight-loss products. A copy of McCaskills letters to retailers is available online HERE. Visit mccaskill.senate.gov/consumers to learn more about McCaskills fight to strengthen protections for American consumers. ### Print Email Tweet",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://lacyclay.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/clay-condemns-racist-incidents-um-columbia-campus-expresses-solidarity,"Clay Condemns Racist Incidents at UM-Columbia Campus, Expresses Solidarity With Concerned Student 1950 Protesters",2015-11-09,2015,2015-11,Democrat,House,MO,William Clay,C001049,lacyclay.house.gov,,,legacy,"Clay Condemns Racist Incidents at UM-Columbia Campus, Expresses Solidarity With Concerned Student 1950 Protestors Presses University of Missouri System President Wolfeto Transform Atmosphere of Intolerance to Culture of Inclusion FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 9, 2015 MEDIA CONTACT: STEVEN ENGELHARDT (314) 504-4029 WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri issued this first-person statement after speaking with Mr. Timothy Wolfe, President of the University of Missouri System and former MU Deputy Chancellor Michael Middleton, regarding the repeated incidents of racial intolerance at Mizzou, the current student protests, and the ongoing hunger strike by Mr. Jonathan Butler, a graduate student at the MU-Columbia campus Over the last 24-hours, I have had urgent conversations with Mr. Timothy Wolfe, President of the University of Missouri System and former MU Deputy Chancellor Michael Middleton in which I expressed my grave concerns regarding the repeated incidents of racial and religious intolerance at Mizzou. I also expressed my solidarity with the Concerned Student 1950 protestors and my serious concern for the health and well-being of Mr. Jonathan Butler, a graduate student who is engaged in an on-going hunger strike. My senior staff has also reached out to Mr. Butler's family, and while I stand in solidarity with him and I applaud his personal courage, I implore him to not allow this protest to cause permanent damage to his health. I have been a champion for higher education and the University of Missouri System for more than three decades, first as a state legislator and then as a Member of Congress. I also authored Missouri's landmark Hate Crimes statute which outlaws the hateful and outrageous acts of bigotry that have brought great pain to the UM-Columbia campus. The fight for racial equality and real inclusion, including at our state's flagship public university is a long-termstrugglethat will require the Board of Curators, university leadership, faculty and students to honestly address the painful history of racism at the UM-Columbia campus and take all necessary steps to make every student feel safe, welcome and appreciated. Mizzou belongs to all of us, and we need to work together to transform an atmosphere of intolerance into a culture of inclusion."" -30-",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z