In the wake of reports that she improperly billed taxpayers for purely political travel on her private airplane and failed to pay more than $300,000 in personal property taxes on that same aircraft, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) has repeatedly claimed that neither she nor her family personally profited from her taxpayer-funded travel.

Notably, just weeks ago McCaskill said “[t]he key is if public dollars are involved it needs to be transparent.” But despite vocally demanding transparency of others – and despite acknowledging that she and her husband are “a team” and “share everything” – the Kansas City Star reports today that McCaskill still refuses to prove her claim to Missourians by simply releasing her and her husband’s tax returns for their shell companies associated with the plane. 

Instead, as the Star reports, McCaskill contends that “subjecting herself to that level of scrutiny would expose her to all kinds of accusations” – leading the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) to once again ask: what is Claire McCaskill hiding?

The NRSC again called on McCaskill today to stop the hypocrisy and let Missourians see for themselves whether she or her husband profited from billing taxpayers for travel on their private plane – by simply releasing their tax returns from their shell companies associated with the aircraft, including Delaware-based Timesaver, LLC. 

“What is Senator McCaskill hiding that she’s so worried about ‘scrutiny’ and ‘accusations’ if, as she claims, there is nothing improper with her Delaware-based shell company?” asked NRSC spokesman Chris Bond. “McCaskill has spent a lot of time and energy demanding transparency of others – so why won’t she simply live up to her own standards and release these records, so Missourians can see for themselves whether she and her husband profited from her taxpayer-funded travel on their private plane? Her continued failure to do so raises a very simple question – what exactly is Claire McCaskill hiding?”

Background Information:

McCaskill Has Vocally Demanded Transparency Of Others:

During Sunshine Week In 2009, McCaskill’s Office Noted The Senator’s “Focus On Government Transparency And Accountability.” “When U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill arrived in Washington, she looked at the federal government with the keen eye of an auditor and the logical persistence of a prosecutor. This unique perspective drove her focus on government transparency and accountability and has shaped her work in the U.S. Senate ever since.” (Senator Claire McCaskill, “Shining A Light On Open Government: McCaskill Watches Out For Government Watchdogs,” Press Release, 3/18/09)

“As The Country Celebrates Sunshine Week, A Week Dedicated To Highlighting The Need For Government Transparency, McCaskill Will Emphasize Her Commitment To Making Government More Open And Accessible Through A Series Of Factsheets On Specific Issues Related To Accountability.” (Senator Claire McCaskill, “Shining A Light On Open Government: McCaskill Watches Out For Government Watchdogs,” Press Release, 3/18/09)

When Speaking Against Secret Holds, McCaskill Said “Openness And Transparency Are What This Country Deserves.” “‘The secret holds are a courtesy granted to senators at the expense of our democracy. And our democracy is only as strong as the faith the American people have in it,’ McCaskill said during today’s hearing. She continued ‘If we can do away with the secret hold then I think maybe we’ll be striking the note that America is looking for – that we can, on a bipartisan basis, say there are certain traditions here that maybe aren’t such a good idea and that openness and transparency are what this country deserves.’” (Senator Claire McCaskill, “McCaskill: The American People Deserve Transparency,” Press Release, 6/23/10)

On Earmarks: “There Is Always More That Can Be Done To Make Government Spending More Transparent, Fair And Honest, And Claire Is Committed To Making The System Work Better For Missourians.” (Senator Claire McCaskill Website, www.mccaskill.senate.gov, Accessed 4/11/11)

On Transparency: “Public Scrutiny Of The Federal Government Is One Of The Best Ways To Ensure Elected Officials Are Making Choices In The Best Interest Of The Taxpayer. Claire Has Worked Hard To Make It Easier For The Press And The Public To Follow The Money Trail With Increased Transparency And Accountability.” (Senator Claire McCaskill Website, www.mccaskill.senate.gov, Accessed 4/11/11)

McCaskill’s Airplane Billing and Tax Scandal Has Exposed Her To Charges Of Hypocrisy:

“Sen. Claire McCaskill Has Been Aggressive In Promoting Oversight And Transparency For Congressional Travel, Introducing A Reform Bill That Cracks Down On Overseas Travel For Lawmakers. But When It Comes To Her Own Domestic Flights, The Missouri Democrat Has Enjoyed Friendly Skies . . . .” (Scott Wong and John Bresnahan, “McCaskill To Return $88K To Treasury,” Politico, 3/9/11)

The Controversy Around McCaskill’s Plane “Undercut Her Image As A Transparent, Crusading Reformer.” “The questions around McCaskill’s flights are likely to be an issue in McCaskill’s re-election campaign next year in a difficult state for Democrats, and they undercut her image as a transparent, crusading reformer — who pushed for, among other things, a new post overseeing Senatorial expenses.” (Ben Smith, “Exclusive: McCaskill Billed, Repaid Taxpayers For Political Flights,” Politico’s Ben Smith Blog, www.politico.com, Posted 3/10/11) 

“Senator Claire McCaskill Of Missouri Has A Problem. . . . This Business With The Private Plane Doesn’t Do Wonders For Her Long-Cultivated Image As A Crusader For Transparency.” (Alexander Eichler, “National Journal: Why Planegate Is Especially Embarrassing For McCaskill,” National Journal, 03/21/2011)

Despite Saying That She And Her Husband Are “A Team” and “Share Everything,” They Have Repeatedly Refused To Release His Tax Returns:

“‘My husband and I are a team,’ she said. ‘We are married, and we share everything — assets, children and a house. The money I’ve loaned to my campaign is my money. My family is supportive of my efforts. Some have implied that the assets of my family don’t belong to me. That notion is pretty archaic.’” (Terry Ganey, “McCaskill Campaigns Hard, Stresses Her Qualifications For State’s Top Job,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 7/18/04) 

“Since 2004, When McCaskill Made A Failed A Bid For Governor, The GOP Has Called For Shepard To Release His Tax Returns. He Has Declined To Do So. McCaskill Has Released Her Own Tax Returns.” (Jo Mannies, “McCaskill Selling Plane After Acknowledging Unpaid Property Taxes,” St. Louis Beacon, 3/21/11)

During The 2006 Senate Campaign, McCaskill Released Her Tax Returns, But Her Husband, Who Files Separately, Did Not Release His Returns. “Talent noted he had released his family’s income tax returns something done at the request of The Associated Press earlier this year but McCaskill had not made public the tax returns of her businessman husband, who files separately. She did release her own tax returns.” (David A. Lieb “Talent Attacks McCaskill On Personal Taxes,” The Associated Press, 10/17/06)