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McCaskill begins agriculture tour in St. Louis

Donald Danforth Plant Science Center president Jim Carrington gives Sen. Claire McCaskill, a tour of a laboratory at the facility in Creve Coeur.
(UPI/Bill Greenblatt)
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center president Jim Carrington gives Sen. Claire McCaskill, a tour of a laboratory at the facility in Creve Coeur.

Sen. Claire McCaskill is embarking this week on an agricultural tour of the state.

The Missouri Democrat began Monday with a stop at theDanforthPlant Science Center, a non-profit research institute, in suburban St. Louis. The center’s campus also includes the Bio Research & Development Growth Park (BRDG Park), an incubator that houses and helps develop life science startups.

After touring the facility,McCaskillsaid such research is key to the future of agriculture.

Donald Danforth Plant Science Center president Jim Carrington gives Sen. Claire McCaskill, a tour of a laboratory at the facility in Creve Coeur.
Credit (UPI/Bill Greenblatt)
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center president Jim Carrington gives Sen. Claire McCaskill, a tour of a laboratory at the facility in Creve Coeur.

"It’s been really exciting to see these companies that are growing here and realizing what this facility could mean for job creation in this state and ultimately in helping feed the world," she said.

TheDanforthPlant Science Center is internationally-known as a hub for plant research and biotech. The facility is nearing completion of a $45 million expansion that will allow it to add 100 more researchers. The three-story wing is expected to open in November.

"I think it’s important to remind people that agriculture is not just in the fields, but it is research,"McCaskillsaid, "and it’s the commercialization of research that allows for food and security and better yields and better nutrition, and that’s what’s going on here."

McCaskill will hear from farmers, ranchers and business owners as she visits 12 other sites around the state in coming days. She said she expects the emerging markets in Cuba and EPA water regulations will be among the topics discussed.

On the Iran deal

The U.S. Senate is expected to vote next month on a resolution in opposition of a deal with Iran. During the stop in St. Louis on Monday, McCaskillsaid while the deal is not perfect, it’s much better than the alternative.  

The U.S., along with Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany have agreed to lift sanctions against Iran, in exchange for Iran scaling back its nuclear activities.

Republicans have criticized the deal because it does not allow for unlimited inspection of nuclear sites and several provisions sunset in 10 to 20 years.

McCaskill said if the U.S. passes on the deal, there is no guarantee that sanctions against Iran will continue.

"Can you imagine a worse scenario than us walking away from this deal, them being less than a year away from a nuclear weapon and them getting their money?" she asked.

While both the Senate and House are expected to vote on the resolution, it’s unlikely either chamber would get the two-thirds needed to override a presidential veto.

President Obama also is working to get more Democratic support in the Senate, where 41 votes could keep the resolution from being heard.

Effort to fill VA St. Louis director position

The Veterans Affairs Health Care System in St. Louis has posted a position for a new director at least seven times.

The job pays between $120,000 to $181,000, but the senator said that isn’t enough.

"We are asking someone to run a large medical facility and paying them pennies on the dollar compared with the private sector," she said. "And they’re open to much more scrutiny than private hospitals."

McCaskillsaid she would like to see the salary increased in order to attract good candidates.

On Donald Trump

McCaskilldidn’t hold back when asked her thoughts on the Republican presidential candidates, especially Donald Trump.

"It reminds me a little of a demolition derby," she said. "You know, the people who go are a little embarrassed about it, but they can’t look away."

The Democrat said it’s important to remember Trump’s unfavorable ratings are high, while only about 25 percent of Republicans have said they would vote for him.

As forMcCaskill, she said she remains a strong supporter of Hillary Clinton’s bid for the presidency. 

Follow Maria on Twitter: @radioaltman

Copyright 2021 St. Louis Public Radio. To see more, visit St. Louis Public Radio.

Altman came to St. Louis Public Radio from Dallas where she hosted All Things Considered and reported north Texas news at KERA. Altman also spent several years in Illinois: first in Chicago where she interned at WBEZ; then as the Morning Edition host at WSIU in Carbondale; and finally in Springfield, where she earned her graduate degree and covered the legislature for Illinois Public Radio.
Maria Altman
Maria is a reporter at St. Louis Public Radio, specializing in business and economic issues. Previously, she was a newscaster during All Things Considered and has been with the station since 2004. Maria's stories have been featured nationally on NPR's Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Weekend Edition, as well as on Marketplace.
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