WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a last minute effort to keep wasteful spending out of the farm bill, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today challenged the inclusion of an “air dropped” earmark and forced a vote on whether that earmark should remain in the bill using a procedural tactic allowed under new ethics rules.  The earmark in question was added during farm bill negotiations between the House of Representatives and the Senate, bypassing scrutiny during committee and floor debates.  Despite her efforts, McCaskill’s objection was overruled by a vote of 62-34, just shy of the votes necessary to strip the earmark from the bill.    

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today sent letters to nineteen federal government departments and agencies expressing concern over programs under their jurisdiction which have been designated as high risk by the Government Accountability Office (GAO).  In total, 28 programs have received this designation, including those under the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense.  Many of them have been on the list for 10 years with reports of the same problems.  In her letters, McCaskill asks the head of each agency to explain what actions they are taking to address those issues identified by GAO to ensure they are not labeled high risk again next year. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the night of April 12, 1945, as Harry Truman walked through the Capitol, a phone rang in the “Board of Education” room, the hideaway office of his old friend Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn. Vice President Truman had recessed the Senate early that day and was headed to have a drink and talk shop with Rayburn and his other congressional buddies. However, when Truman arrived, he was handed the phone and the president’s press secretary instructed him to come to the White House immediately.  There he would be informed that Roosevelt had died.  Later that evening, he took the oath of office, becoming the 33rd President of the United States. (Read More)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today announced the passage of two key provisions aimed at increasing government accountability in defense department contracting and acquisitions.  The language was added as amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which the Senate Armed Services Committee passed late Wednesday, and authorizes spending and policy for the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2009.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill joined Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) today to introduce comprehensive legislation to improve credit card billing, marketing, and disclosure practices.  The Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act (the C.A.R.D. Act) is aimed at stopping credit card practices that drag consumers into staggering amounts of debt, and too often harm, rather than help, the ability of American families to move up the economic ladder. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate late yesterday unanimously approved legislation that will improve efficiency and accountability within the federal government by strengthening the nation’s system of inspectors general (IG).  The Inspector General Reform Act of 2007 (S. 2324) – introduced by Senators Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) – will build upon the strong tradition of inspectors general by guaranteeing that qualified individuals are appointed as IGs, that they remain independent of pressure or influence from the government agencies they investigate, and all IG reports and audits are easily accessible to the public.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – When your parents or grandparents were just starting out they proudly worked hard, saved-up and bought a home. But today, they are older, money sometimes is tight and they have become a prime targets for aggressive and misleading marketing tactics, including recent mailers to Missouri seniors promoting reverse mortgages, a so-called "new government program."

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Late yesterday in a letter to Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill called for the “loss of the privilege of command, if not the privilege of continued uniformed service,” for Air Force officers who were involved in awarding a $50 million contract based on undue command influence and command improprieties, according to the Washington Post. Based on the story, McCaskill also questioned in the letter Air Force Chief of Staff General “Buzz” Moseley’s assignment of blame for the scandal, which he appears to assign to junior contracting officers and not the General officers who appear to have bullied them using undue command influence.