SWMissourian

Yea

CS

Nay

Yea

Madam President, 

I do not believe that a wealth tax is viable. It seems to me that it will likely be mired in constitutional questions and litigation almost immediately from its passage. That jeopardizes the funding mechanism for much of this legislation and could very well endanger its overall goals even should the tax be found to be within the authority of the federal government. Furthermore, a wealth tax, even if executed properly, could lead to unprecedented capital flight from our shores, exacerbating economic hardship by slowing down growth or even causing contractions as capital is moved overseas. 
 

That being said, I am sympathetic to the wish to reduce wealth inequality. I recognize the need for this Congress to stop spending money that we are not raising. Therefore, Madam President, I offer the following amendment. 
 

Strike the text of Title III, Subtitle E and replace it with the following: 

Subtitle E 

(a) The estate tax is restored to 2009 parameters, with the exemption being returned to $3.5 million (or $7 million for couples) and the tax rate to 45 percent. 

(b) The step-up (or stepped-up) basis on capital gains taxes as related to inherited assets is hereby eliminated. Henceforth, heirs shall pay taxes on the taxable basis of the decedent who acquired the asset instead of the basis of the asset at death. 
 

I yield. 

Nay

Andrew Clarke Supports Paid Family Leave

WASHINGTON, D.C. - US Senator Andrew Clarke (D-MO) announced his support of Paid Family Leave, which would support working families by providing up to 12 weeks of paid family leave for existing purposes under the Family and Medical Leave Act, including caring for a new child or a seriously ill family member, along with other purposes. 
 

“Paid family leave is a key policy we can use to support young families, parents and their children, at a time when many who are of family-forming age are finding it difficult to start one,” Senator Clarke said in a statement. “I am ardently pro-family. It is the bedrock of our society, and it is where most people find their greatest joy and meaning in life. It is a key part of the American Dream, and that is why I support making it accessible to everyone.” 
 

Senate Democrats have proposed the Investing in Families Act, which would provide for paid family leave through a new office in the Social Security Administration, though it does not endanger the solvency of Social Security, which is financed separately.
 

“I think that every young man or woman should have the options they need to start, support, and grow their families. Right now, many workers are fortunate enough to have that option, but unfortunately, millions of young folks still aren’t. We shouldn’t be in a position, as a country, where we tell an aspiring mother and father that they can’t start a family because we need them busy in the office instead. That’s a recipe for self-destruction down the line, as well as for misery in the here and now,” Senator Clarke said.
 

Senator Clarke looks forward to the amendment and debate process in the Senate, looking to perfect the bill and get it to a state where it can reach the President’s desk. This is an opportunity, he believes, for Republicans to put their votes where their mouths are and support the pro-family agenda. 
 

“I know many Republicans claim to be pro-family. I know many Republican voters who truly are. They know and understand the importance of the nuclear family. I think this is a wonderful opportunity for the GOP to put action behind those values.”  

Nay

Senator Clarke Stands for Disaster Relief for Texas

WASHINGTON, D.C. - US Senator Andrew Clarke (D-MO) voted in support of increasing disaster relief to Texas in the wake of devastating flooding and damage in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. This comes after some Republicans proposed to cut FEMA funding as part of the bill responding to the disaster. 

“I absolutely stand in support of substantial aid to Texas as they work to overcome this terrible disaster. Hurricane Harvey was a storm for the record books in all the worst ways. While we don’t see many hurricanes up here, we see plenty of strong storms that bring damaging winds, hail, flooding, and tornadoes. Missourians know what a bad storm looks like and the kind of work that needs to be done to rebuild. We’ve benefitted from aid before, and I am happy to help Texans recover with federal aid as well,” he said in a statement. 
 

Some Republicans, led by Senators Gary Scott Freeman (R-SC) and Kimberly Atkins (R-AZ), proposed an alternative relief bill that included provisions to reduce FEMA funding by 20%. This earned a sharp rebuke from Senator Clarke. 
 

“They can hide behind all the word-lawyering they want, but the fact is that their response to a disaster striking Texas was to defund FEMA precisely when the agency is needed the most,” Senator Clarke stated. “It’s a ridiculous, inadequate proposal that I’m happy to see is being passed over by the Senator in favor of much broader assistance.” 

Nay

Nay on all

Nay

Yea

Nay

Yea

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us tonight. It's an honor to be here among like-minded individuals who believe in the core values that make our party strong and resilient.

As a Democrat, I believe it is our utmost duty to look out for the Everyman, the middle class, the working families of this country. We believe in fighting for worker power and the rights of consumers, uplifting everyday people and securing the American Dream. In the midst of the chaos we've seen from our counterparts across the aisle, I stand before you with a sense of determination and optimism for what we can achieve together.

We find ourselves in a time of great uncertainty, where promises are made but often not kept. The Republican Party has seen its fair share of turmoil this year, with some members claiming to be champions for workers while their actions tell a different story. We cannot afford to be swayed by empty rhetoric or false promises. We need real, tangible solutions that make a difference in the lives of everyday Americans.

Throughout my time in the Senate, I have worked tirelessly to promote labor rights and strengthen unions. I believe that every worker deserves a fair wage, safe working conditions, and the opportunity to thrive. That's why I've been an advocate for raising the minimum wage and strengthening worker power through their unions to ensure that hardworking individuals can support themselves and their families without living in poverty.

But our work doesn't stop there. We must also prioritize consumer protection and hold corporations accountable for their actions. I've taken on pharmaceutical companies that engage in anti-competitive practices, driving up prices and putting essential medications out of reach for too many Americans. We cannot stand idly by while greed takes precedence over the well-being of our citizens. Senate Democrats have led the way by passing legislation to further deal with Big Pharma’s greed by instituting price negotiation, keeping corporate executives from stripping the shirt off sick people’s back for an easy extra buck. 

At the same time, we recognize the challenges posed by automation and the changing landscape of work. That's why I've spearheaded legislation to invest in alternatives for workers threatened by automation, ensuring that they have the training and support they need to transition to new opportunities. Democrats believe in a future that works for all Americans, not just the top percentiles. 

My friends, we are at a pivotal moment in our nation's history. The choices we make today will shape the future for generations to come. We must continue to fight for a government that is responsive to the needs of its people, that prioritizes fairness and equality, and that works tirelessly to build a brighter tomorrow.

I am proud of what we have accomplished thus far, but our work is far from over. With your support, we can continue to make progress on the issues that matter most to hardworking Americans. Together, we can build a stronger, more prosperous nation for all.

Thank you for your dedication, your passion, and your unwavering commitment to our shared values. Let's roll up our sleeves and get to work. The future is ours to shape, and I am confident that together, we will make it brighter than ever before. Thank you.

Nay on all

Name: Andrew Clarke (D-MO)

Media/Outlet: CNN

Topic: Prescription Drug Price Negotiation 

• Martin Shkreli is heading to prison, but believe it or not, it isn’t for the despicable price gouging he engaged in, sucking desperate families dry like a leech for a drug that was previously sold by just a few bucks. But the lessons we learned from his greed and the continued greed of Big Pharma can't be ignored. 
• Big Pharma jacks up the price of insulin just to pad their bottom lines—even though it’s required part of daily life for millions of Americans. They can’t just choose to not have it. They also flooded communities across the country with opiates, committing at best gross negligence and irresponsibility in the pursuit of profit. 
• Senate Democrats previously passed the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act, requiring Medicare to negotiate with drug manufacturers on behalf of all Medicare beneficiaries on the cost of Part D-covered drugs. This is an enormous step towards accountability and fairness in the pharmaceutical industry. We sent a message—we won’t tolerate gouging the people for all they’re worth anymore. Unfortunately, House Republicans have just sat on the bill. 
• We have a similar amendment now, after cooperation between Democrats and Senator Van Horn of Kentucky. This language establishes a Medical Affordability Commission to do similar negotiation from within the FDA. It also works to mandate greater price transparency in the medical system, something all Americans will benefit from. I’m hopeful that this will pass the Senate, and I know that if it gets to the President, he will sign it into law. But the question remains: even with some support among Senate Republicans, will it be blocked in the House, just like last time?

Name: Andrew Clarke (D-MO)

Media/Outlet: CNN

Topic: Apprenticeships and Jobs Training Act in Senate

• Democrats continue our tradition of being the party of the working class by pushing legislation that will expand opportunity for folks looking for jobs without a college education. 
• College isn’t right for everyone. There are also millions of jobs that require a little more training and education after high school but don’t require four or more years in full-time school. We are working to expand opportunity by better connecting those jobs and the people who can fill them. These are good jobs that will support millions of young families in communities from the country to the city. 
• Don’t believe the narrative from proven liars like Senator Stewart and Roy. The fact is that they are not fighting for the working class. The amendment they proposed was an enormous giveaway to wealthy oil executives. Don’t get me wrong—I believe in harnessing all of America’s energy sources to benefit our people. But don’t tell me that to do it, we have to provide further massive subsidies to corporations as if they need more incentive to get oil out of the ground. Don’t tell me that we have to play favorites with specific jobs instead of cutting taxes for all working folks. Don’t tell me we have to be irresponsible with our budgeting or that we have to run interference on good bills simply because they aren’t “perfect” to fight for working people. That’s what they’re saying; they’d rather that nothing pass so that they can blame whoever they think is in their way—Democrat or Republican. 
• The bottom line is that from the Investing in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act to our efforts to raise the minimum wage to this new bill to expand working opportunities for those who choose a different route than college, we are still the party who believes in raising up middle America. 

Yea

Yea

Yea

Present

Yea

Name: Andrew Clarke (D-MO)

Media/Outlet: MSNBC

Topic: Affordable Drugs and Healthcare

• The way our healthcare system is structured is still unfair to consumers, especially those who are chronic sufferers or are a part of marginalized communities. For instance, there are many anti-competitive practices that big pharma companies engage in to drive up the prices for their products, even if they are life-saving products that people can't afford because of the high costs. One way they do this is to use their legal and capital power to prevent or delay the introduction of generic versions of their drugs to the markets. We've all seen how much cheaper generic products can be on the shelves than their name brand counterparts--often, despite being the same quality-wise.
• Senate Democrats led on this by passing my bill to ban such practices. It is now on the President's desk, and I fully expect him to sign it. We believe in free and fair markets; we stand up for the 'little guy' when we put a stop to unfair, dishonest business practices that, in this case, are likely costing lives. That's what our party is about.
• Right now, House Republicans are sitting on a bill that overwhelmingly passed the Senate with bipartisan support; that bill would allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices to lower costs for the government and consumers, giving a fair price to everyone so no one is being screwed over. I mean, when you look at the price of insulin and absolute ghouls like Martin Shkreli, it is hard to argue that this isn't necessary. But House Republicans still refuse to act. The people have spoken, and the overwhelming margin it received in the Senate should be proof at where the momentum is. They must pass it so we can get it to the President's Desk and get it signed into law.