Claire has been a champion of consumer rights throughout her term in the Senate. As a member of the Consumer Protection Subcommittee of the Senate Commerce Committee, Claire has worked to see that products are kept safe and industry practices are not abusive to customers. Drawing on the experiences of her family members and constituents, Claire is working hard to help protect consumers from predatory marketing and lending practices from the reverse mortgage industry to credit card companies.

As recovery efforts continue, Claire knows that Missourians across the state are worried about jobs, pensions and the rising costs of living. Missouri has lost far too many good-paying jobs as a result of the economic crisis, and Claire is working to stabilize the economy, provide relief for working families and pave the way for economic growth. For instance, she has fought for the first increase in the minimum wage in 10 years, increased lending for small businesses and supported legislation that will help initiate investments in science research and education to keep our economy competitive in the future.

As a product of the Missouri public school system and graduate of the University of Missouri - Columbia, Claire is committed to fighting for Missouri's schools. She understands a strong educational system is necessary to keep Missouri's economy healthy and competitive. Claire is passionate about providing our public schools the resources they need and ensuring higher education is affordable for all Missourians.

Claire believes the growing national debt is a huge danger to our children's future. If left unchecked, it will weaken the economy and give too much influence to foreign creditors. She thinks the federal government needs to eliminate wasteful spending and return to the sound fiscal practices that produced budget surpluses in the 1990s.

After eight years in office as Missouri's State Auditor, Claire came to the Senate with extensive experience targeting government waste and mismanagement and an eye to root out waste, fraud and abuse at the federal level. Since her arrival in 2007, Claire has worked to bring Harry Truman's no-nonsense style of government back to Washington, D.C. and root out unnecessary spending. She has taken on irresponsible Congressional earmarking practices, war profiteering and waste in federal contracting.

The United States spends more money per person on healthcare than any other country in the world. Hardworking Americans have been facing skyrocketing premiums year after year; businesses who are trying to provide employees health coverage are watching their costs eat into their profitability, and the federal government faces a debt crisis associated with its commitment to Medicare and Medicaid. Claire was not willing to stand by while these spiraling costs challenge individual Americans, jeopardize the competitiveness of American businesses and run up unacceptable U.S. debt. She joined a supermajority of Senators to pass healthcare reform that will ensure Missourians have access to world-class, personalized heathcare and will work to rein in out-of-control costs.

With more than 12 million illegal immigrants already residing within the U.S. and an additional 500,000 crossing our borders each year, it's clear our current immigration system is broken and the status quo is unacceptable. America is a nation founded by immigrants, but it's also a nation founded upon the rule of law, and Claire believes it is imperative we respect both of these traditions.

Claire believes a broad strategy of investment in clean, renewable energy technologies and efficiency programs will help providers develop clean energy projects to secure America's energy independence - something our country needs. Claire will continue to work towards expanding the reach of these technologies; finding new, cleaner, more efficient ways of producing home-grown energy; and helping Missourians across the state cope with rising energy costs.

America's agricultural and food supply is a vital part of our economic productivity and growth. From corn and wheat to dairy and pork, Missouri is a leading producer of a diverse range of agricultural goods.

Claire is a lifelong Missourian whose family worked at a feed mill, so she understands that agriculture is more than a primary driver of Missouri's economy; it is a part of the state's cultural fabric.

Since being elected to the Senate, Claire has sought to advance the interests of Missouri farmers and farm communities by advocating for common-sense food safety measures, competitive agricultural markets and investments in the research and development of biofuel technology.

As a member of both the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee (HSGAC), Claire believes in a cohesive and thoughtful approach to the security of our nation and supporting the mission of our men and women in uniform. Now more than ever, Claire believes American leadership in the world is critical to helping ensure peace, democracy and human rights. This is particularly true in the face of complex challenges in fighting terrorism and transnational threats, ensuring success in Iraq and Afghanistan and crafting a strong, forward-leaning foreign policy.

As the daughter of a World War II veteran, Claire believes America has a moral responsibility to keep its promises to those who have sacrificed to protect our country. While much remains to be done to ensure that all those who have served receive the benefits and care they have earned, since arriving in Washington, D.C. Claire has championed a number of measures to improve quality of life for America's military heroes.