McCaskill statement on the State of the Union address

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today released the following statement on President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address:

“After a year of exhausting political divisions, I hope the President is serious when he says that he wants to begin bridging these divides. I’ve always said that I will work with the President when it’s right for Missouri – and while I disagree with some of what he said tonight, some of the goals he outlined are ones I’m eager to work with him on. These include paid family leave, curbing the opioid epidemic, and tackling prescription drug prices – something on which I’m a willing partner, and where I believe my bipartisan work with Senator Susan Collins would be a strong starting point.”

McCaskill stated at many of her 50 public town halls across Missouri in 2017 that “My job is not to fight the President—my job is to fight for Missouri. I won’t wake up thinking of how to pick a fight with the President—I wake up thinking of how to fight for my state. When it’s right for Missouri, I’m perfectly willing to work with President Trump. And I’m also willing to stand up to him when it’s not.”

McCaskill introduced or helped shape 18 bills that President Trump has signed into law, including the Arla Harrell Act to win benefits for servicemen who were intentionally exposed to chemical weapons during World War II, legislation allowing the sale of lower cost over-the-counter hearing aids, and a defense bill that retains Missouri’s leadership in America’s national defense. She has voted to confirm more than half of the President’s cabinet, including all of his Homeland Security nominees.

McCaskill has worked across the aisle to achieve concrete results for Missouri—teaming up with Republican Senator Susan Collins to confront the high cost of prescription drugs, working with Republican Senator Rob Portman on efforts to combat sex trafficking and hold the website Backpage accountable, and partnering with Republican Senator Pat Roberts to protect Missouri and the homeland from the threat of agro-terrorism. She’s launched a wide-ranging investigation into opioid manufacturers, and stood up to policies and proposals that would harm Missouri—pushing back on the proposed slashing of anti-terrorism funding, deep cuts to schools in rural communities, or efforts to roll back trade agreements that would have a negative impact on Missouri agriculture. And as head of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, McCaskill continues to conduct aggressive oversight, as she has over previous Administrations.