JEFFERSON CITY—Lloyd Smith, Executive Director of the Missouri Republican Party, issued the following statement regarding Claire McCaskill’s vote in favor of the Democrats’ health care bill:

“This morning, Missourians woke up to find that Sen. Claire McCaskill cast the deciding vote in favor of the Democrats’ trillion dollar health care bill—a bill that was written in secret and voted on in the dead of night.

“Hundreds of millions of dollars in earmarks used to bribe Senators in states like Nebraska, Vermont, and Louisiana are buried in the McCaskill-backed bill.  But Missouri will receive no such benefits—instead, Missourians will face increased premiums, Medicare cuts, and tax increases.

“Once again, Claire McCaskill has proven that her claims of fiscal responsibility are nothing more than a mirage.  She has made it obvious that her loyalty rests with Barack Obama instead of the Missourians who are overwhelmingly opposed to this legislation.”