{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where state = \"MO\" and year = 2021 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-applauds-appointment-joe-aull-be-missouri-state-executive", "Rep. Cleaver Applauds Appointment of Joe Aull to be Missouri State Executive Director of USDA\u2019s Farm Service Agency", "2021-12-30", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Kansas City, MO) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) applauded President Joe Biden's appointment of Joe Aull to be the Missouri State Executive Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency.\n\n\"Joe Aull is the embodiment of a true public servant for our community and our State,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"I was honored to nominate him for this important position, and I know that his experience, knowledge, and relationships across our State will be an asset for the Administration.\"\n\nJoe Aull was an educator in four different public school districts in Missouri for a total of 34 years, serving as a teacher, a coach, a middle school principal, a high school principal, and a school superintendent. Most recently he was the Superintendent of the Lexington and Marshall School Districts. In 1992, Mr. Aull received the Pearce Award as the outstanding school superintendent in the State of Missouri.\n\nAfter retiring from public education, Mr. Aull ran and was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives, where he served for a total of eight years. During his time in the House, he was the Ranking Member of the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee, and he served all eight years as a member of the House Agriculture Policy Committee. Joe and his wife of 27 years, Candee, live in Lexington, where he is currently the Mayor. They are the proud parents of four, and they also have four grandkids.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-bera-chabot-castro-and-wagner-urge-president-biden-promptly", "Reps. Bera, Chabot, Castro, and Wagner Urge President Biden to Promptly Nominate U.S. Ambassador to ASEAN", "2021-12-20", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", "wagner", "https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Representatives Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA) and Steve Chabot (R-OH), Chair and Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation, and Representatives Joaquin Castro (D-TX) and Ann Wagner (R-MO), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to promptly nominate an individual to serve as the Ambassador of the United States to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).\n\nIn the letter, the Members wrote:\n\n\"As your Administration continues to make progress on filling vacant ambassadorships, it is imperative that the United States harness the growing momentum in our relationship with Southeast Asia by naming an ambassador to ASEAN. Many of our most pressing challenges require solutions that draw on multilateral organizations like ASEAN. Naming an Ambassador will be crucial for our efforts to further cooperate with the group on our many shared priorities including countering COVID-19, strengthening trade and investment ties, enhancing regional security, and addressing environmental challenges.\"\n\nClick here or see below for the full letter.\n\nThe Honorable Joseph R. Biden\n\nPresident of the United States\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20500\n\nDear Mr. President,\n\nWe urge you to promptly name a qualified individual to serve as the Ambassador of the United States to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The ten ASEAN nations are home to more than 662 million people and have a combined GDP of $3.2 trillion. By 2050, Southeast Asia is projected to become the world's fourth largest economy. The region's economic vibrancy, strategic location, and demographic diversity all make it a critical partner for the United States. Filling this important position\u2014which has been vacant since January 2017\u2014would enhance our ability to effectively work with ASEAN to further our shared interests in the region and beyond.\n\nThe United States has long supported ASEAN's central role to promoting prosperity, peace, and stability in the Indo-Pacific. As Members of Congress committed to advancing U.S. relationship with our Southeast Asian partners, we appreciate your Administration's continued prioritization of the region and the numerous high-level visits from U.S. officials since you took office. As your Administration continues to make progress on filling vacant ambassadorships, it is imperative that the United States harness the growing momentum in our relationship with Southeast Asia by naming an ambassador to ASEAN. Many of our most pressing challenges require solutions that draw on multilateral organizations like ASEAN. Naming an Ambassador will be crucial for our efforts to further cooperate with the group on our many shared priorities including countering COVID-19, strengthening trade and investment ties, enhancing regional security, and addressing environmental challenges.\n\nIn particular, the nomination and timely confirmation of a U.S. Ambassador to ASEAN is essential given the continued crisis in Burma. With the dry season on the horizon, we are deeply concerned the military junta will further escalate the violence in attempt to crush dissent and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. We appreciate ASEAN's leadership on this pressing matter thus far and its decision to downgrade Burma's participation at the recent ASEAN Summit. Having a U.S. Ambassador to show continued support ASEAN's centrality and to engage ASEAN members as we work toward a durable political solution in Burma will be crucial moving forward.\n\nSoutheast Asia is one of the most dynamic, fastest-growing regions in the world, and ASEAN continues to be a vital partner in our shared efforts to advance regional peace, stability, and prosperity. As the first non-ASEAN country to name an Ambassador to ASEAN in 2008, the United States benefits from robust cooperation with our ASEAN friends. A confirmed U.S. Ambassador to the region would further reaffirm U.S. commitment to the region and work with regional partners to advance our shared interests.\n\nSincerely,\n\nAmi Bera, M.D.\n\nChairman\n\nSubcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation\n\nSteve Chabot\n\nRanking Member\n\nSubcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation\n\nJoaquin Castro\n\nCo-Chair\n\nCongressional Caucus on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations\n\nAnn Wagner\n\nCo-Chair\n\nCongressional Caucus on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-announces-nominations-us-military-academies-2", "Graves Announces Nominations to U.S. Military Academies", "2021-12-17", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "KANSAS CITY, MO \u2013 U.S. Representative Sam Graves (MO-06) has announced United States Military Service Academy nominations for students in Missouri\u2019s Sixth Congressional District. Each year, members of Congress are tasked with selecting qualified students from their respective districts to attend one of America\u2019s prestigious military academies.\n\n\"Every year, extraordinary students step up to serve our great nation. This year is no different,\u201d said Rep. Graves, who notified each student by phone of their nomination. \u201cThese young men are leaders in their communities and excel in the classroom. I have no doubt that they will make North Missouri proud at their service academies and beyond.\u201d\n\nThe following students from across North Missouri received nominations from Congressman Graves:\n\nIsaiah Gelman, Saint Joseph - US Merchant Marine Academy (Gelman Academy)\n\nJustin Holt, Parkville \u2013 US Air Force Academy (Park Hill South High School)\n\nDaniel Prather, Platte City \u2013 US Naval Academy (Benedictine College)\n\nThe nomination system is a very competitive process. Various military academies hold extremely selective admission standards. To help in the nomination process, Rep. Graves created an Academy Nominations Review Board. The board, made up of service academy graduates and citizens of the Sixth District, interviewed and reviewed all applicants before making final recommendations to Rep. Graves.\n\nStudents interested in being appointed to a service academy in the future can find out more information by contacting Graves\u2019 district office in Kansas City or by visiting www.graves.house.gov.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-announces-1254-billion-new-funding-roads-and", "Congressman Cleaver Announces $1.254 Billion in New Funding for Roads and Bridges Headed to Missouri Thanks to Bipartisan Infrastructure Law", "2021-12-16", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Kansas City, MO)\u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced that Missouri will soon receive more than $1.254 billion in new federal funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, otherwise known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The funding will go toward repairing and improving roads and bridges across the Show Me State, while also creating good-paying union jobs for Missouri workers. The $1.254 billion in funding is the fiscal year 2022 allocation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's five year investment in Missouri highways.\n\n\"Thanks to this historic investment from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we're going to have the opportunity to make our roads safer, repair crumbling bridges, and modernize Missouri's highway system,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"Not only will these federal dollars help to cut down on commute times, save Missourians from spending their hard-earned paychecks on costly auto repairs, and keep drivers safe as they travel through our state\u2014it's going to create countless good-paying jobs for Missouri workers. I hope our steelworkers, iron workers, cement masons, and the rest of Missouri Labor is ready to get to work because they're going to be in high demand as this federal funding makes its way to our state.\"\n\nThe Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, supported by Rep. Cleaver and signed into law by President Biden last month, will deliver nearly $7 billion to Missouri over the next five years to repair and replace roads and bridges across the state. The federal dollars will fund numerous highway programs, including:\n\nSurface Transportation Block Grant Program;\n\nHighway Safety Improvement Program;\n\nNational Highway Freight Program;\n\nCarbon Reduction Program;\n\nNational Highway Performance Program;\n\nRailway Highway Crossings Program;\n\nCongestion Mitigation & Air Quality Improvement Program;\n\nMetropolitan Planning Program; and\n\nPROTECT Formula Program.\n\nAccording to the American Society of Civil Engineers, Missouri received a C- grade on its latest infrastructure report card, with more than 2,100 bridges and over 7,500 miles of highway in poor condition. Additionally, on average, commute times have increased by 5.9% in Missouri and Missouri drivers pay $743 per year in costs due to driving on roads in need of repair. With this funding, Missouri will be able to repair old roads and bridges, construct new ones, and create good-paying union jobs while doing so.\n\n\"I was proud to vote for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law last month because I understand how transformative this funding will be for communities and families across the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"It's going to create jobs, accelerate our economic recovery, and ensure Missouri has the critical infrastructure needed to compete throughout the 21stcentury. I couldn't be more excited for this federal funding to start rolling in, and I look forward to working with state and local leaders to ensure we maximize each and every dollar spent in a way that will benefit middle-class Missourians.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-announces-kansas-city-and-jackson-county-receive-combined", "Rep. Cleaver Announces Kansas City and Jackson County to Receive Combined $50 Million for Emergency Rental Assistance", "2021-12-16", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Kansas City, MO) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced the Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) has voted to reallocate $50 million in Missouri's unspent emergency rental assistance funding to be made available to tenants in Jackson County and Kansas City.\n\n\"Since March of last year, the COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the financial struggles that millions of ordinary Americans regularly confront, and chief among them is making rent payments on time,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"As Chair of the Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance, keeping people in their homes has always been one of my top priorities, but this effort becomes increasingly important as winter weather fast approaches. Today, I'm thrilled to announce that $50 million in additional federal funding will be distributed between Kansas City and Jackson County to ensure local tenants get their hands on rental assistance money in a timely fashion that will prevent unnecessary evictions.\"\n\nLast December, Congress passed theConsolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which was supported by Congressman Cleaver and provided $25 billion in emergency rental assistance to states and municipalities to ensure families across the country remained housed during the pandemic. Kansas City expended all emergency rental assistance funding from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 earlier this year, which provided relief to approximately 3,500 households. Today, the Missouri Housing Development Commission approved the reallocation of $25 million of the state's unspent emergency rental assistance funds to Kansas City's Emergency Rental Assistance Program and $25 million to Jackson County, for a combined $50 million. The funds will help address the backlog of unprocessed rental assistance requests in the vast majority of the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri.\n\n\"By easing the backlog in applications for rent relief, these funds will help expedite the important work being done at the Kansas City Emergency Rental Assistance Center, for which I have been a constant advocate,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"I want to express my appreciation to the people at the MHDC for their willingness to reallocate this funding to communities that are in need of assistance in an effort to avoid painful, needless evictions of hardworking Missouri families. Additionally, I must recognize Speaker Pelosi and Congresswoman Maxine Waters for their unshakeable commitment to continuing rent relief programs that have helped stabilize our economy, ensured shelter for millions, and undoubtedly saved lives.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-and-davids-announce-airports-greater-kansas-city-area", "Reps. Cleaver and Davids Announce Airports in Greater Kansas City Area to Receive More than $14 Million From Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2022", "2021-12-16", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Kansas City, MO)\u2013 Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Sharice Davids (D-KS) announced that five airports across the Greater Kansas City Area will soon receive more than $14 million in formula funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for fiscal year 2022 thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, otherwise known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The funding comes as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's $25 billion investment in airport infrastructure over the next five years.\n\n\"I am thrilled to join Congresswoman Davids to announce that airports across the Greater Kansas City Area will soon begin to receive more than $14 million thanks to President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which will not only help our local airports make much-needed improvements to safety and service, but also create good-paying jobs while doing so,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"This funding marks the first-year investment of a five-year plan to modernize airport infrastructure in Missouri, Kansas, and across the country. I was proud to join Senator Blunt as the only other member of Missouri's congressional delegation to support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and I look forward to seeing more federal funding come home to the heartland in the coming months and years.\"\n\n\"The bipartisan infrastructure law is already delivering for the Kansas City region. This funding will modernize our airport infrastructure, including KCI and two airports in Johnson County, and create good-paying jobs to get it done,\" saidRepresentative Davids. \"Safe and reliable airports bring more business here to the Kansas Third, through tourism, travel, and shipping industries. I'm proud to join Congressman Cleaver and Senator Blunt in voting to bring this needed investment to our area and get Kansas City moving.\"\n\nAccording to the FAA, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will deliver:\n\n$12,802,542 to Kansas City International Airport;\n\n$763,000 to Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport;\n\n$295,000 to Lee's Summit Municipal Airport;\n\n$296,000 to New Century AirCenter\n\n$158,000 to Johnson County Executive Airport\n\nOverall, Missouri will receive nearly $50 million and Kansas will receive more than $22 million in funding for airport infrastructure in fiscal year 2022. In addition to the $14 million in formula funding, airports in the Greater Kansas City Area will have the opportunity to compete for $5 billion in grant funding from the Federal Aviation Administration Terminal Program, which was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will provide grant funding for terminal development and other landside projects.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-applauds-investment-kansas-city-based-community-development", "Rep. Cleaver Applauds Investment in Kansas City-based Community Development Financial Institutions", "2021-12-15", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Kansas City, MO) \u2013 Yesterday, Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen announced the deployment of more than $8.7 billion in investments through the Emergency Capital Investment Program (ECIP), which includes awards to Holy Rosary Credit Union and Central Bancshares of Kansas City, two Kansas City-based Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI).\n\n\"Black and Brown communities were hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and those communities have faced a considerably more difficult road to recovery since March of 2020,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"It's critical that the federal government work toward providing much-needed financial opportunity to communities that have historically faced barriers to accessing capital, which will ensure no one is left behind as our economy continues to recover from a global pandemic. I am thankful for the Administration's investment in our local CDFIs, and I will continue pushing to ensure these essential institutions get the investment they need so communities can get the relief they deserve.\"\n\nECIP makes direct investments in banks, credit unions, and holding companies that are designated as a CDFI or a Minority Depository Institution (MDI). Holy Rosary Credit Union and Central Bancshares of Kansas City will receive funding to increase lending to small businesses and low- and moderate-income consumers in underserved areas of Kansas City.\n\nECIP investments were included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, a bill that Congressman Cleaver supported last Congress.\n\nMore information on the ECIP program and announcement from Vice President Harris and Secretary Yellen are available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-webster-introduce-bill-ban-vaccine-passports-travel", "Graves, Webster Introduce Bill to Ban Vaccine Passports for Travel", "2021-12-14", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, DC - Congressman Sam Graves (R-MO) and Congressman Daniel Webster (R-FL) introduced the SAFER Travel Act, H.R. 6257, to bar federal vaccine passports and quarantine requirements for travel.\n\n\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t need a vaccine passport to get on a train, board a plane, or travel home for the holidays,\u201d said Rep. Sam Graves, Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. \u201cThis bill would put that terrible idea to bed once and for all. The vaccines have proven to be the safest and most effective tool we have against preventing COVID-19, but the federal government has no business mandating them for travel, work, or anything else. It\u2019s a personal decision and it needs to stay that way.\u201d\n\n\"President Biden, his administration and Democrats in Congress are out of control as they continue to push more mandates and restrictions on the American people,\u201d said Rep. Webster, who serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. \u201cThis is not about science or public health; this is fearmongering to maintain control and it has to stop. This bill protects the privacy and personal freedoms of American citizens to make healthcare decisions in consultation with their doctor \u2013 not because of demands by Washington politicians or bureaucrats. I will continue to work with my colleagues to defend the freedoms of the American people.\u201d\n\nH.R. 6257 would prohibit COVID-19 vaccine mandates or quarantine requirements on Americans for the purposes of travel. The science and data are clear, the vast majority of Americans have received a COVID-19 vaccine or have natural immunity from previous infection.\n\nEarlier this month, the CDC and White House officials announced additional restrictions on Americans traveling domestically and abroad were possible, including additional testing and quarantines.\n\nCongressman Graves has cosponsored legislation prohibiting President Biden\u2019s COVID-19 vaccine mandate on private businesses and those who provide Medicare and Medicaid services.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-files-legislation-block-vaccine-mandate-healthcare-workers", "Graves Files Legislation to Block Vaccine Mandate  for Healthcare Workers", "2021-12-10", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) joined 159 of his colleagues, led by Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC), to introduce a Congressional Review Act (CRA)resolution yesterday to strike down the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) vaccine mandate rule for healthcare workers.\n\n\u201cOur healthcare heroes showed up to work even in the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic,\u201d said Graves. \u201cThey put their own lives on the line to save others. The federal government shouldn\u2019t be strong-arming their employers into firing them just because they refuse to get a COVID-19 vaccine. It\u2019s wrong and I\u2019m going to do everything I can to stop these mandates. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine should be a personal choice.\u201d\n\nCongressman Graves introduced a similar resolution last month to strike down the President\u2019s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) vaccine mandate for private sector workers at companies with more than 100 employees. You can read his full statement on that effort here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-applauds-appointment-meg-mccollister-epas-regional", "Rep. Cleaver Applauds Appointment of Meg McCollister as EPA\u2019s Regional Administrator for Region 7", "2021-12-09", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Kansas City, MO) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) applauded the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) announcement that Meg McCollister will be appointed EPA Regional Administrator for Region 7, which is tasked with protecting the environment and human health in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, and nine tribal nations. A graduate of the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law, Ms. McCollister previously served as a congressional intern in Representative Emanuel Cleaver's Washington, D.C and Kansas City offices in 2007 and 2008.\n\n\"It was my honor to nominate Meg McCollister for the Regional Administrator position serving Missouri and other Region 7 states and tribal nations,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"President Biden has put a high priority on protecting our environment for future generations, and Meg's experience, expertise, and passion for environmental justice will fit perfectly with the administration's agenda. I look forward to working with Meg once again as we continue ongoing efforts to combat climate change, expand conservation efforts, transition to sustainable energy, and protect our communities from hazardous pollutants. It's a tall task, but I'm certain Meg is up to the challenge.\"\n\n\"I'm incredibly honored to be appointed as Regional Administrator for Region 7 to address environmental justice, climate change, and also build resilience for our important regional industries,\" said Meg McCollister. \"President Biden and Administrator Regan have ambitious goals for addressing the climate crisis, and I look forward to working with staff, as well as local governments and regional stakeholders, to collaborate on innovative solutions to the challenges before us.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleavers-rural-policy-director-kyle-wilkens-named-usda-rural", "Rep. Cleaver\u2019s Rural Policy Director, Kyle Wilkens, Named USDA Rural Development Missouri State Director", "2021-12-09", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Kansas City, MO) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced his long-time Rural Policy Director, Kyle Wilkens, has been appointed by President Biden to be the next U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Missouri State Director. A native of Lafayette County, Missouri, Mr. Wilkens has served on Congressman Cleaver's staff since 2012, handling issues of rural infrastructure, agriculture policy, economic development, and more. Previously, Mr. Wilkens served on the staff of Congressman Ike Skelton from 2002-2011.\n\n\"Kyle Wilkens has been an invaluable member of my staff for nearly a decade, serving the people of Missouri's Fifth Congressional District with the utmost integrity and dedication as my Rural Policy Director,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"While my staff and I will find it difficult to replace such an integral part of our congressional office, I know that his decades of experience dealing with the most pressing challenges facing rural Missourians\u2014from economic development and infrastructure to agriculture policy\u2014will allow him to flourish in his new position as Missouri's State Director of the USDA's Rural Development programs. I will be forever grateful for Kyle's incredible work over the years, and I wish him the best of luck in his new endeavor.\"\n\n\"I've been blessed to serve Lafayette County and rural communities throughout Western Missouri for nearly two decades as a congressional staffer,\" said Kyle Wilkens. \"During that time, I have been fortunate enough to work for, and learn from, men like Emanuel Cleaver and Ike Skelton\u2014leaders who have been a force for good and who demonstrate what public service should look like on a daily basis. Although I will certainly miss working with Congressman Cleaver and his staff, I'm excited about the opportunity to continue my lifelong passion of providing opportunities and improving the lives of rural Missourians in the Fifth Congressional District and beyond.\"\n\nMr. Wilkens will officially assume the position of Missouri State Director on December 13.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-votes-national-defense-authorization-act-pay-raise", "Congressman Cleaver Votes for National Defense Authorization Act, Pay Raise for Servicemembers", "2021-12-08", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Last night, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) voted in favor of S. 1605, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (NDAA). The bipartisan defense funding bill provides a pay raise and additional support to American servicemembers and their families, strengthens our national security and foreign policy apparatus, and makes critical investments in innovation and emerging technologies to ensure the U.S. maintains its position as a global leader militarily and technologically. Included in this year's NDAA are two amendments sponsored by Congressman Cleaver to enhance security operations and reduce the spread of COVID-19 among TSA workers and airline passengers and to study the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network's (FinCEN) ability to enforce the Bank Secrecy Act. With passage in the House of Representatives last night, the bill will now go to President Biden's desk to be signed into law.\n\n\"After months of good-faith, bipartisan, and bicameral negotiations, I'm pleased to see Congress come together to pass a NDAA that provides a much-needed raise to our men and women in uniform, long overdue support for military families, key investments for research and development that will allow our military to remain the envy of the world, and more,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"I'm proud to have had two amendments included in this year's NDAA\u2014one that will protect our heroic TSA workers and air travelers from the spread of COVID and another to strengthen the Bank Secrecy Act, so the U.S. has the tools needed to combat 21st century illicit financial activity in the homeland and abroad. This is by no means a perfect bill, but it is a fair compromise that will give the American public peace of mind, knowing they are protected from any potential threats that may arise in the years to come.\"\n\nRep. Cleaver introduced three amendments to the NDAA, two of which were adopted into the legislation with bipartisan support, including:\n\nThe Security Screening During COVID-19 Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Rep. Cleaver in March that would direct the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to issue and begin implementing a plan to enhance security operations during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the spread of the virus among TSA employees and airline passengers.\n\nDirecting the Treasury Department to study the efficacy of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network's (FinCEN) delegation authority in an effort to bolster enforcement of the Bank Secrecy Act, which prevents criminals from using financial institutions to hide or launder money for nefarious purposes. The amendment is a complement to the bipartisan COUNTER Act, introduced by Congressman Cleaver and signed into law last year, which provides sweeping reforms to improve the ability of the United States to protect national security and safeguard our financial systems from bad actors.\n\nAdditional provisions from the NDAA that were supported by Rep. Cleaver include:\n\nImproving the quality of life for our men and women in uniform by authorizing a 2.7 percent pay raise, increasing the allowable parental leave for primary and secondary caregivers in military families, expanding the in-home childcare pilot program, and making critical improvements to military health care, including easier access to mental health services;\n\nHistoric investments in innovation and emerging technologies to strengthen our national security, including a 36 percent increase in defense-wide basic and applied research and development, as well as significant increases in academic partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities;\n\nStrengthening our partnerships and alliances to ensure the U.S. remains a global leader and defender of democratic values in the face of a troubling rise in authoritarian states around the world;\n\nEstablishing a $15 minimum wage for Department of Defense service and construction contracts;\n\nCritical procedural changes to combat sexual assault in the military, including removing the Commander from decisions related to the prosecution of sexual assault crimes and instead creating an Office of Special Victim Prosecutor to prosecute these crimes; and\n\nProviding $500 million in relocation support for Afghan SIV holders.\n\nCongressman Cleaver also cosponsored an amendment that was adopted into the NDAA:\n\nOne provision from the Counter-Kleptocracy Act, which was co-introduced by Rep. Cleaver in September and would establish priorities of U.S. engagement at INTERPOL, identify areas for improvement in the U.S. government's response to INTERPOL abuse, and protects the U.S. judicial system from abusive INTERPOL notices.\n\n\"The safety and security of the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri is my utmost priority and responsibility as a representative in Congress,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"I'm proud of my work to garner bipartisan support for provisions that will ensure our TSA workers and airline passengers are better protected from COVID-19 and our financial system is better able to root out financial corruption and illicit actors that prey on working class Americans. As this bill heads to the President's desk, I will continue working with my colleagues in Congress to find bipartisan solutions that ensure our troops and their families have the support they need and deserve in the years ahead.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-welcomes-president-biden-kansas-city", "Congressman Cleaver Welcomes President Biden to Kansas City", "2021-12-08", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Kansas City, MO) - U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) will join President Joe Biden on Air Force One as he travels to Kansas City this afternoon to discuss the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684). The President will deliver remarks on how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law delivers for Missourians by rebuilding roads and bridges, upgrading public transit, replacing water infrastructure, expanding access to broadband, and creating good-paying union jobs. Congressman Cleaver was the only Missouri House Member to vote in favor of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which will provide approximately $9 billion to Missouri.\n\n\"I look forward to listening to the President's remarks on how this once-in-a-generation investment will rebuild Missouri's infrastructure and transportation systems,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"I believe Kansas City and the broader Midwest are the perfect venues to emphasize the benefits hardworking families are going to see from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It's the working class who will benefit from safer roads, cleaner drinking water, better broadband, and, of course, good paying-jobs\u2014and that's why I was so proud to support the bill.\"\n\nMissouri is set to receive approximately $9 billion to fix roads and bridges, remove lead pipes in schools and public buildings, expand broadband for rural and urban Missourians, begin the process of implementing a statewide network of electric vehicle charging stations, and more. Just last week, Congressman Cleaver announced Missouri will receive more than $147 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2022 to improve water infrastructure across the state. Missouri's Fifth Congressional District will also be eligible to compete for tens of millions of additional federal dollars through a wide variety of competitive grant programs.\n\nThe President will deliver his remarks at the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA), whose public transit system is expanding its electric bus fleet and has been fare-free since March 2020. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is set to help enable a transition toward sustainable public transit across the country.\n\nCongressman Cleaver will return to Washington on Air Force One with the President following the visit.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-initiatives-included-national-defense-authorization-act", "Wagner Initiatives Included in National Defense Authorization Act", "2021-12-08", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", "wagner", "https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Ann Wagner, Chair of the House Suburban Caucus, released the following statement after she voted in support of the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act:\n\n\"This year's National Defense Authorization Act fully supports the men and women of our armed forces at a critical time in our nation's history. Our adversaries continue to increase their global influence, and we must be ready to defend against states like China, Russia, and Iran who are provoking instability worldwide. Our troops and their families sacrifice a great deal to keep our country safe and our freedoms strong, and the NDAA provides them the necessary resources, including a large pay increase, to stay fully prepared to fight back against our enemies at a moment's notice.\n\n\"The NDAA is a win for America and a win for Missouri. It includes funding for 12 Super Hornet planes made here in St. Louis, supporting thousands of jobs on which our community relies. I worked to make sure these Super Hornets were included in the final bill, and I am pleased to report I also included several other initiatives in this vital legislation that will promote our national defense and advance American ingenuity and values.\"\n\nWagner Initiatives Included:\n\nH.R. 1083 - Southeast Asia Strategy Act\n\nDirects the United States to strengthen its relationship with critical partners in Southeast Asia by developing a coherent and clearly communicated regional strategy that addresses all aspects of the relationship, from trade and humanitarian goals to diplomatic and security arrangements\n\nBurma Amendment", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-successfully-pushes-stripping-red-flag-law-provisions-fy2022-ndaa", "Graves Successfully Pushes for Stripping Red Flag Law Provisions from FY2022 NDAA", "2021-12-07", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) released the following statement after successfully pushing conferees to strip Red Flag law provisions from the FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).\n\n\u201cRed flag laws have no business being in the National Defense Authorization Act. This bill is supposed to be about funding our military and supporting our troops, not stripping law-abiding military members of their Second Amendment rights without so much as a hearing. I\u2019m glad we were able to get this poison pill stripped from this extremely important legislation.\u201d\n\nIn September, Graves joined 158 Republicans in demanding conferees strip a red flag law provision included in the FY22 NDAA. You can view their letter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-votes-annual-defense-bill", "Graves Votes for Annual Defense Bill", "2021-12-07", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) released the following statement after voting in favor of the FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation now moves to the Senate for further consideration.\n\n\u201cThis is a good bill. It gives our troops a much-deserved pay raise, fully funds our military, prohibits servicemembers from being dishonorably discharged for refusing a COVID-19 vaccine, and finally holds the Biden Administration accountable for their failed withdrawal from Afghanistan. I am proud to support this year\u2019s defense bill and even more proud that it supports the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe.\u201d\n\nAn earlier draft of the FY22 NDAA included a \u201cred flag\u201d provision that would have stripped some members of the military of their Second Amendment Rights without due process. Congressman Graves joined dozens of his colleagues in demanding the language be removed from the bill in September. The language was not included in the final bill.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-announces-more-147-million-funding-missouri", "Congressman Cleaver Announces More Than $147 Million in Funding To Missouri From Bipartisan Infrastructure Law To Improve Water Infrastructure, Remove Lead Pipes", "2021-12-03", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced Missouri will receive more than $147 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2022 to improve water infrastructure across the state. The funding will be provided through the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) State Revolving Fund (SRF) and will go toward removing lead pipes, upgrading aging drinking water and wastewater systems, and funding local water projects throughout Missouri.\n\n\"I'm ecstatic to announce this historic $147 million in funding to improve water infrastructure in the Fifth Congressional District and across the state of Missouri,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"Not only will this funding help to ensure our children, grandchildren, and communities as a whole have safe, clean drinking water, but it's going to create a lot of good-paying jobs while doing it. I'm proud to have helped provide this long overdue investment to remove lead pipes and modernize our state's drinking water systems, and as we begin to receive the funding, I look forward to working with the state to ensure the needs of the Fifth Congressional District are met\"\n\nAccording to the National Resources Defense Council, Missouri has the sixth-most lead service lines in the nation and the fourth-most lead service lines per 100,000 people. The $147,152,000 in funding is Missouri's first-year allocation of the EPA's five year investment of $44 billion in State SRF funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and will help to remove lead service lines from schools, households, and public buildings throughout the state.\n\nIn a letter from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan to state governors yesterday, the EPA encouraged states to maximize the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to address disproportionate environmental burdens in historically underserved communities across the country. The Biden administration encouraged states to use the funding with a focus on:\n\nTargeting resources to disadvantaged communities;\n\nMaking rapid progress on lead-free water for all; and\n\nTackling forever chemicals like perfluoroalkyl, polyfluoroalkyl, and other emerging contaminants.\n\n\"No child should be faced with brain damage due to lead contamination and no family should be worried about getting cancer from PFAS-contaminated water in the United States in 2021,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"Sadly, that is still a reality. This funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will provide communities across the state of Missouri with the comfort of knowing they are drinking safe, clean, and uncontaminated water.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleavers-statement-exoneration-kevin-strickland", "Rep. Cleaver\u2019s Statement on Exoneration of Kevin Strickland", "2021-11-23", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Kansas City, MO)\u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement after Kevin Strickland was exonerated by a judge in Missouri.\n\n\"After one of the longest wrongful convictions in U.S. history, I welcome the exoneration and release of Kevin Strickland today. And I know the people of Kansas City do, too.\n\n\"I want to thank Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, the Midwest Innocence Project, and the countless advocates who fought tirelessly for this outcome\u2014the right outcome\u2014for years now despite efforts from some to keep an evidently innocent man in prison.\n\n\"Although no one can return the 43 years that were stolen from Mr. Strickland by a broken legal system, today's decision is a reminder that, together, we can create the reform necessary to right the wrongs of the past and implement a criminal justice system that works for all Americans.\n\n\"I'm committed to creating that change in Congress, and I hope all of my colleagues will join me in that endeavor.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-representatives-passes-build-back-better-act-rep-cleavers-support", "House of Representatives Passes Build Back Better Act with Rep. Cleaver\u2019s Support", "2021-11-19", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) voted in favor of H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act, which will invest $1.75 trillion over ten years to meet the urgent needs of Missourians and families across the country. As the global pandemic continues to cause increased costs for child care, health care, housing, and other essential items, the Build Back Better Act will deliver transformative investments that will create millions of good-paying jobs, cut taxes for the middle-class, and lower costs for Missouri families\u2014all without raising taxes on Americans making less than $400,000 or adding to the federal deficit by making sure the ultra-wealthy and corporations pay their fair share in taxes.\n\n\"The Build Back Better Act is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to level the playing field for middle-class families in Missouri and throughout the United States of America,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"For far too long, trickle-down economics has allowed the rich and powerful to accumulate wealth and influence at an exponential rate, while working families have struggled to stay afloat, let alone climb the ladder financially. By making sure billionaires and millionaires as well as Fortune 500 companies pay their fair share, we can provide a historic tax cut to middle class workers, invest in affordable child care for working families, implement universal pre-K for our children, bring down prescription drug costs for seniors, expand Medicare benefits to cover hearing care, and create affordable housing for communities throughout our state. That's a no-brainer to me, and that's why I'm excited to send this truly historic legislation one step closer to President Biden's desk.\"\n\nPassed by Democrats in the House of Representatives, the Build Back Better Act will deliver transformative investments that meet the needs of Missouri families in the wake of a global pandemic, ensuring that all can share in the benefits of a growing economy as the country continues to recover economically. According to a newly released study from the White House, the Build Back Better Act would:\n\nProvide affordable child care to Missouri families by enabling the state to provide child care for approximately 380,000 children (ages 0-5) per year from families earning under 2.5 times the state median income. The bill would guarantee these families pay no more than 7% of their income on high-quality child care.\n\nImplement universal, free preschool for every 3- and 4-year-old in Missouri. Currently, only 14% of 3- and 4-year-olds in Missouri have access to publicly-funded pre-K, while the average cost in the state is $8,600 per year for those who can't access publicly-funded preschool. The Build Back Better Act would enable more than 115,000 additional Missouri children to access free, high-quality pre-K, which would strengthen outcomes for children and our workforce in the years to come.\n\nCut taxes for the middle-class by extending the expanded Child Tax Credit, which was passed in the American Rescue Plan in March and resulted in the largest one-year reduction in child poverty in American history. The bill would also provide a tax cut of up to $1,500 for 338,000 Missouri workers by extending the American Rescue Plan's expanded Earned Income Tax Credit.\n\nEnsure Corporations and the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share by establishing a minimum 15% tax on all U.S. corporations earning more than $1 billion per year in profits, ensuring companies pay a minimum 15% tax on profits earned overseas, and provides a new surtax on the wealthiest Americans\u2014those making over $10 million per year. The bill also provides a 1% surcharge on stock buybacks, which are frequently used by corporate executives to enrich themselves rather than invest in their workers or grow their business.\n\nLower prescription drug costs by allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, capping insulin prices at $35 per month, and guaranteeing that seniors never pay more than $2,000 per year for their drugs under Medicare Part D. Currently, Medicare is not allowed to negotiate drug prices and there is no cap on how much seniors and people with disabilities pay for drugs, as millions pay more than $6,000 per year in cost-sharing.\n\nExpand affordable health care by closing the Medicaid gap, expanding Medicare benefits to include hearing care, and reducing costs for insurance purchased through the ACA. Under the Build Back Better Act, 97,000 uninsured Missourians will gain coverage and 133,000 will on average save hundreds of dollars per year. The bill also provides investments to make home health care for elderly parents or loved ones with disabilities more affordable and accessible.\n\nMake the largest investment to combat climate change in history, which will set the United States on a path to reduce 50-52% of greenhouse gas emissions below 2005 levels by 2030, create millions of good-paying green jobs, grow domestic manufacturing, and protect our communities from extreme weather events like floods or tornadoes.\n\nAdminister the single largest investment in affordable housing in American history, helping to create more housing and reduce housing costs for Missourians in urban and rural areas, which will allow more Missourians to achieve the American Dream and become a homeowner.\n\nAddress the needs of rural America by investing tens of billions of dollars in rural job-promoting projects, giving critical debt relief for farmers and ranchers in need, providing substantial funding to support rural fire departments, and promoting agricultural research and development.\n\nMake generational investments in higher education, workforce training, and nutrition assistance.\n\n\"In conjunction with the bipartisan infrastructure deal, the Build Back Better Act will create millions of good-paying jobs, provide a strong foundation for increased economic growth, and ensure our communities and workers can compete and succeed in the 21st Century\u2014and not a single American making less than $400,000 will have to pay a penny more in taxes,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"I'm proud to join my fellow Democrats in passing this visionary economic plan, and I look forward to all of the benefits it will bring to Missouri families, workers, and businesses alike.\"\n\nThe Build Back Better Act will now go to the U.S. Senate for consideration.\n\nThe full fact sheet with the Build Back Better Act's benefits for Missouri is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-votes-against-bidens-massive-spending-spree", "Graves Votes Against Biden\u2019s Massive Spending Spree", "2021-11-19", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) released the following statement after voting against President Biden\u2019s massive tax and spending plan:\n\n\u201cThis hyper-partisan, radical legislation comes at the absolute worst time. Inflation just hit a three-decade high, Missouri gas prices are soaring at 74% above last year, home heating costs are skyrocketing, and grocery bills are out of control. Instead of prioritizing our country\u2019s most urgent concerns like the supply chain crisis or unchecked inflation, Speaker Pelosi doubled down on taxing, spending and expanding government at an unprecedented rate. It is now up to the Senate to stop this madness and say enough is enough.\u201d\n\nEstimates show H.R. 5376 is expected to cost more than double the $1.75 trillion cost claimed by President Biden and Speaker Pelosi when ignoring their budget gimmicks. The President\u2019s massive spending plan would raise taxes on American businesses by $800 billion. According to analysis by the nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation, one-third of these corporate tax hikes will ultimately be paid by the middle class, breaking President Biden\u2019s promise not to raise taxes on working Americans.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-statement-multi-trillion-dollar-reconciliation-bill", "Wagner Statement on Multi-Trillion Dollar Reconciliation Bill", "2021-11-19", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", "wagner", "https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Chair of the House Suburban Caucus, released the following statement after she voted against House Democrats' multi-trillion dollar reconciliation bill:\n\n\"I speak with families in my district each day, and the facts are that prices on everything Missourians buy, from milk, to a gallon of gas, to a new television, have skyrocketed because of Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi's reckless government spending, leading to massive supply chain and labor shortages that are crippling small businesses and hurting families across the country. When families in St. Louis can't find a turkey for Thanksgiving, a Christmas present for their kids, when the new sofa they ordered in June won't arrive till 2022, and when the line to check out at Target is an hour long because of labor shortages, the last thing they want is trillions in new government spending for cradle to grave government control of every facet of their lives. Today's latest Democrat spending spree will do nothing to solve the economic crises affecting American families and businesses, and will only lead to higher inflation and increased shortages of everyday goods.\n\n\"Instead of enacting commonsense, bipartisan policies to combat these issues, Democrats chose to pass a multi-trillion dollar progressive package of Green New Deal policies that will increase costs for middle-class families, perpetuate labor shortages, weaken our nation's borders, give massive tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires, and even opens the door to taxpayer funded abortion. Instead of helping Main Street America, Democrats in Congress have shown how completely out of touch they are with the key issues facing Missourians, and have relinquished power to the most radical progressives in their party.\n\n\"I will keep up the fight to lower costs for Missouri families, help reduce labor shortages and get people back to work, and fight against partisan policies that will only serve to further inflame the numerous crises stoked by President Biden and the Democrats.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-files-legislation-block-biden-vaccine-mandate", "Graves Files Legislation to Block Biden Vaccine Mandate", "2021-11-17", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sam Graves joined his colleagues, led by Rep. Fred Keller (R-PA), in introducing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution today to shut down President Biden\u2019s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) vaccine mandate rule.\n\n\"American families are already struggling to get by in Joe Biden\u2019s America. The President\u2019s vaccine mandate is only going to make the labor shortage and supply chain crisis worse,\u201d said Graves. \u201cIt\u2019s going to drive prices through the roof\u2014something American families can\u2019t afford right now. We have to shut it down it before it shuts down the American economy.\u201d\n\nYou can read the full text of the resolution here.\n\nCongressman Graves pushed back after President Biden announced his vaccine mandate for most American workers, stating \u201cNo American should have to choose between getting a COVID-19 vaccine and putting food on the table.\" You can read that statement here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-announces-raise-grant-replace-grand-river-railroad-bridge-near", "Graves Announces RAISE Grant to Replace Grand River Railroad Bridge Near Brunswick", "2021-11-16", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sam Graves, (MO-06), Ranking Member for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, announced that the Grand River Bridge Resiliency Project has received a RAISE Transportation Discretionary Grant. The RAISE Grant program was previously called the BUILD Grant program before being renamed earlier this year. This funding was approved by Congress last year and signed into law by President Trump.\n\nThe $17,250,000 RAISE Grant will fund the replacement of the Grand River Railroad Bridge west of Brunswick, Missouri. The bridge failed in October 2019 when struck by debris during flooding.\n\n\u201cThis new bridge is a big deal for Brunswick and the entire region,\u201d Graves said. \u201cIt\u2019s going to ensure continued railroad access to the port west of Brunswick, the largest multimodal facility on the Missouri River. That\u2019s even more important with the recent Marine Highway Project designation to initiate container-on-barge shipping on the Missouri River to Brunswick.\"\n\n\u201cEver since the Grand River Railroad bridge west of Brunswick was damaged by the Flood of 2019, getting this replaced has been a huge priority. I want to thank the Chariton County Commission, Governor Mike Parson, MoDOT and everyone who was relentless in their effort to secure this funding.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-attends-signing-ceremony-infrastructure-investment-and-jobs", "Rep. Cleaver Attends Signing Ceremony for Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act", "2021-11-15", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) attended the White House signing ceremony of H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which was officially signed into law by President Biden. The transformative bipartisan infrastructure bill will bring approximately $9 billion to Missouri to upgrade critical infrastructure across the state, including roads, bridges, drinking water systems, rural broadband, ports, airports, electric grids, public transit, and more. Additionally, the bill marks the largest investment in America's critical infrastructure in nearly a century, will create an estimated 2 million jobs per year, and is estimated to increase economic growth over the next decade.\n\n\"After years of empty promises and fruitless \u2018Infrastructure Weeks,' I was proud to stand with President Biden today to let the world know that the United States of America is ready to build back better than ever with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"While this is only the first step in implementing President Biden's economic agenda, it is a giant step for workers and families in my congressional district, who will see the economic and public benefits of thousands of good-paying jobs, safer roads, cleaner drinking water, universal access to broadband and so much more. I'm thankful for the President's remarkable effort in securing the largest investment in our national infrastructure in nearly a century, and for showing the American people that when we work together, we can still accomplish great things that benefit communities in every part of our blessed nation.\"\n\nAccording to estimates from the White House, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will help Missouri:\n\nRepair and rebuild our roads and bridges by providing $6.5 billion over five years for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $484 million for bridge replacement and repairs;\n\nDeliver clean drinking water and remove lead pipes by providing $866 million over five years to replace every lead pipe in the state and improve drinking water and wastewater infrastructure;\n\nImprove public transit with sustainable transportation options by providing $674 million over five years to update and upgrade public transit;\n\nUpgrade our airports and ports by providing $246 million over five years for airport and port infrastructure;\n\nConnect every Missourian to reliable internet by investing a minimum of $100 million to expand broadband coverage for the 15% of Missouri households who do not have an internet subscription, including 5% of Missourians who live in areas with no broadband infrastructure at all;\n\nTransition to electric vehicles by providing $99 million over five years to build a state-wide network of electric vehicle chargers;\n\nStrengthen our infrastructure to handle extreme weather and cyber-attacks by providing $21 million over five years to prepare Missouri's infrastructure to better withstand extreme weather events, which have cost the state roughly $20 billion in damages since 2010. It will also provide $19 million for cybersecurity improvements to protect the state's infrastructure from increasingly common cyber-attacks.\n\nThe Fifth Congressional District of Missouri will also be eligible to compete for tens of millions more federal dollars through a wide variety of competitive grant programs that will help electrify school buses and other government vehicle fleets; build bridges that are economically significant; fund major projects that deliver significant economic benefits; create electric vehicle charging stations; enhance grid flexibility and resiliency; connect households to clean drinking water infrastructure; and more.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-announces-expanded-child-tax-credit-delivered-388-million", "Rep. Cleaver Announces Expanded Child Tax Credit Delivered $38.8 Million in Tax Cuts to Families in Missouri\u2019s 5th District in October", "2021-11-12", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Kansas City, MO) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced a new report from the Joint Economic Committee estimating that roughly 83,000 Child Tax Credit advance payments were sent to families in the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri in October. A total of $38.8 million in tax cuts were sent back to the bank accounts of hardworking families in the Fifth District thanks to the expanded Child Tax Credit passed into law through the Cleaver-supported American Rescue Plan in March.\n\n\"As we continue to gather data on the impact of the expanded Child Tax Credit, it's clear as day that this historic tax cut is having a monumentally positive impact on families in the Fifth Congressional District,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"Because of the American Rescue Plan's expansion of the Child Tax Credit, more families in my congressional district are able to afford essential items like groceries, clothes, gas, school supplies, and more. Not only does that help families stay afloat financially, but it stimulates local economies throughout Missouri, helping to create jobs and support small businesses. That's why I'm fighting to make this tax cut permanent through the Build Back Better Act, and I won't stop fighting until that happens.\"\n\nStatewide, households in Missouri received approximately $296 million in Child Tax Credit payments in October, with the average payment per household being $449. The next round of Child Tax Credit payments is expected to start hitting bank accounts on Monday, November 15th.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-celebrates-unveiling-negro-leagues-baseball", "Congressman Cleaver Celebrates Unveiling of Negro Leagues Baseball Centennial Commemorative Coins", "2021-11-10", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Kansas City, MO) \u2013 Today, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the United States Mint held a ceremony to unveil the designs of the Negro Leagues commemorative coins that will be minted in 2022. After a concerted bipartisan effort, The Negro Leagues Commemorative Coin Act, a bill introduced by United States Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), was signed into law in 2020. The bipartisan bill directed the Department of Treasury to mint three separate coins of varying denominations to commemorate the centennial of the establishment of the Negro Leagues, which was founded in Kansas City in 1920.\n\n\"I am proud to have passed the Negro Leagues Commemorative Coin Act with my colleagues to honor the legends of the Negro Leagues and help raise funds for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"This is a significant effort in preserving and honoring the rich history of the Negro Leagues. Not only will this honor the legends of the Negro Leagues, but it also ensures that the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum will continue to be a pillar of the community so that future generations can learn about the players, the history of the Negro Leagues, and their significance to the civil rights movement in America.\"\n\nThe coin comes at no cost to taxpayers, and the U.S. Treasury will be reimbursed for the costs of issuing the coins. After the U.S. Treasury has recouped all of its costs for designing and minting the coins, additional funds raised will be distributed to the National Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, which was founded in 1990 in Kansas City.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-scott-introduce-legislation-provide-financial-support-military", "Wagner, Scott Introduce Legislation to Provide Financial Support to Military Members", "2021-11-10", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", "wagner", "https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Chair of the House Suburban Caucus, and Congressman David Scott (D-GA) released the following statement after they introduced the Financial Readiness of America's Servicemembers Act\n\n\"The Financial Readiness of America's Servicemembers Act of 2021 is important legislation that will improve and enhance financial training and the accessibility of such training for military servicemembers and their spouses,\" said Congresswoman Ann Wagner. \"Military families sacrifice so much for us, and we must ensure they have every tool they need to provide for their financial security and that of their family. This bill is especially important this week as we recognize the sacrifices veterans have made for us on Veterans Day, and I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to help our veterans however I am able.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-announces-more-75-million-help-missouri-families-cover", "Rep. Cleaver Announces More than $75 Million to Help Missouri Families Cover Energy Costs This Winter", "2021-11-09", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Kansas City, MO) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced more than $75 million will go to helping hardworking Missouri families with energy costs this winter through the Department of Health and Human Services' Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). As American families continue to deal with the impacts of the global pandemic, LIHEAP will be able to use the funding to help more than 120,000 Missouri households stay warm this winter, cover utility costs, and pay for energy repairs. These funds are in addition to the nearly $104 million Missouri families received in May from the American Rescue Plan to help cover energy costs during the summer months.\n\n\"LIHEAP has proven to be one of the most effective programs within the federal government\u2014helping working class families keep the heat on during the winter and the air conditioning flowing in the summer,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"I've been a strong supporter of LIHEAP since arriving in Washington, and I was proud to support a substantial investment in the program through the American Rescue Plan earlier this year. This additional $75 million will give hundreds of thousands of families throughout Missouri the opportunity to receive assistance in paying utility bills and keep the heat on during the upcoming winter months. I highly encourage families in the Fifth Congressional District to reach out to my office or the Missouri Department of Social Services to see if they qualify for the program.\"\n\nFamilies in the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri who need assistance can contact Rep. Cleaver's office, call the Missouri Department of Social Services at (573) 751-3178, or apply online here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-supports-administrations-announcement-workforce", "Congressman Cleaver Supports Administration\u2019s Announcement of Workforce Vaccination Policies", "2021-11-05", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Kansas City, MO) \u2013 Yesterday, the Biden-Harris administration announced the details of two major workforce vaccination policies. Thanks to the administration's focus on increasing vaccination rates to combat the pandemic, 70 percent of adults in the United States are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19\u2014up from less than one percent in January. The two new policies impacting the Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) at the Department of Health and Human Services are intended to drive up vaccination rates, strengthen our economic recovery, and accelerate the end of the pandemic.\n\n\"Workforce vaccination policies have proven unequivocally to significantly increase vaccination rates\u2014which will save lives, protect workers, strengthen our economy, and accelerate our return to normalcy,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"Making sure workplaces are safe for their employees is a responsibility that President Biden has taken seriously since day one, and requiring vaccinations among healthcare workers is a common-sense solution to keeping everyone out of harm's way \u2013 medical staff and patients alike. I support the administration's decision and encourage everyone to get their safe, free, and effective vaccine today.\"\n\nFor OSHA, the policy:\n\nEstablishes a requirement for employers with 100 or more employees to ensure workers are fully vaccinated or test for COVID-19 at least weekly;\n\nRequires these employers to provide paid-time for employees to get vaccinated; and\n\nEnsures face masks are worn by unvaccinated individuals in the workplace.\n\nOSHA has a strong 50-year record of requiring employers to take common-sense actions to prevent workers from getting sick or injured on the job. This rule will cover 84 million American workers.\n\nFor CMS, the policy:\n\nRequires healthcare workers at facilities participating in Medicare and Medicaid to be fully vaccinated.\n\nThe rule applies to more than 17 million workers at approximately 76,000 health care facilities, including hospitals and long-term facilities.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-votes-bipartisan-infrastructure-deal-including-more", "Congressman Cleaver Votes for Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, Including More than $9 Billion to Modernize Missouri Infrastructure", "2021-11-05", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) voted in favor of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, otherwise known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal. The legislation was passed in the House of Representatives with bipartisan support by a vote of 228-206. Included in the landmark legislation is more than $9 billion for the state of Missouri to upgrade roads, bridges, public transit, electric vehicle infrastructure, water infrastructure, airports, ports, broadband access, weatherization, cyber security, and more. The $1.2 trillion investment to modernize our national infrastructure also includes billions of dollars in competitive grant programs to help localities transition to clean energy manufacturing, zero-emission transit, electrified school buses, and a more resilient electric grid\u2014all of which is a critical first step in combating the climate crisis.\n\n\"If you had told me at this time last year that President Biden would be able to corral Democrats and Republicans in Congress to come together and pass a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package\u2014something that has been discussed for years now but never realized\u2014I would have offered to drive you to the nearest mental health professional,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"The passage of this landmark legislation is truly historic and a credit to the ability of President Biden to bring Congress and the American people together. With this long-overdue investment in our national infrastructure, we're going to replace all of our nation's lead pipes, ensure every American has access to reliable internet, modernize our public transit systems, take critical steps to address the climate crisis, and rebuild our crumbling roads and bridges\u2014all while creating millions of good-paying union jobs and accelerating our economic recovery. This is a major win for the country, and I'm proud to have helped pass this transformative piece of legislation.\"\n\nAccording to the American Society of Civil Engineers, Missouri was given a C- on its most recent infrastructure report card, with 2,190 bridges and over 7,576 miles of highway in poor condition. On average, each driver in Missouri pays $743 per year in costs due to driving on roads in need of repair, and Missourians who take public transportation spend an extra 79.6% of their time commuting, including non-White households, who are 10 times more likely to commute via public transportation. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will help save Missourians time and money by implementing new and improved roads, bridges, and transportation systems.\n\nAccording to estimates from the White House, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will help Missouri:\n\nRepair and rebuild our roads and bridges by providing $6.5 billion over five years for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $484 million for bridge replacement and repairs;\n\nDeliver clean drinking water and remove lead pipes by providing $866 million over five years to replace every lead pipe in the state and improve drinking water and wastewater infrastructure;\n\nImprove public transit with sustainable transportation options by providing $674 million over five years to update and upgrade public transit;\n\nUpgrade our airports and ports by providing $246 million over five years for airport and port infrastructure;\n\nConnect every Missourian to reliable internet by investing a minimum of $100 million to expand broadband coverage for the 15% of Missouri households who do not have an internet subscription, including 5% of Missourians who live in areas with no broadband infrastructure at all;\n\nTransition to electric vehicles by providing $99 million over five years to build a state-wide network of electric vehicle chargers;\n\nStrengthen our infrastructure to handle extreme weather and cyber-attacks by providing $21 million over five years to prepare Missouri's infrastructure to better withstand extreme weather events, which have cost the state roughly $20 billion in damages since 2010. It will also provide $19 million for cybersecurity improvements to protect the state's infrastructure from increasingly common cyber-attacks.\n\nThe Fifth Congressional District of Missouri will also be eligible to compete for tens of millions more federal dollars through a wide variety of competitive grant programs that will help electrify school buses and other government vehicle fleets; build bridges that are economically significant; fund major projects that deliver significant economic benefits; create electric vehicle charging stations; enhance grid flexibility and resiliency; connect households to clean drinking water infrastructure; and more.\n\n\"The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is giant step forward for the state of Missouri and the Fifth Congressional District,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"Not only will this generational infrastructure bill prepare our nation to compete and continue to dominate in the 21st century, but it will also create good-paying jobs that will strengthen the middle-class and our economy as a whole. I look forward to working with local stakeholders to take advantage of the numerous opportunities this legislation will bring to carry out critical projects and build our congressional district back better than ever before.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-graves-bill-expand-internet-access", "House Passes Graves Bill to Expand Internet Access", "2021-11-05", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 House Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Sam Graves issued the following statement after his legislation, the Eliminating Barriers to Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility (E-BRIDGE) Act passed the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support on Thursday. The E-BRIDGE Act will now head to the Senate for further consideration.\n\n\u201cThe E-BRIDGE Act cuts through red tape to enable communities to use existing federal funds to complete last mile internet infrastructure projects. It doesn\u2019t create any new federal programs. It just updates the Economic Development Act guidelines to allow communities to use those funds for the most powerful economic development tool we have\u2014building internet infrastructure. This is big news for Missourians who still lack access to reliable high-speed internet and I look forward to the Senate taking up and passing this commonsense legislation.\u201d\n\nThe Eliminating Barriers to Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility (E-BRIDGE) Act removes hurdles for broadband projects under EDA grants, including difficult last-mile efforts that often delay rural broadband deployment. It also ensures that local communities can partner with the private sector in carrying out broadband projects and gives communities more flexibility in complying with their funding match requirements. Click here to read the bill.\n\nBy helping to increase the reach of broadband to rural and economically distressed communities, the E-BRIDGE Act will help:\n\nAttract new businesses and support current businesses in distressed regions of the country,\n\nStrengthen healthcare systems and delivery of medical care to vulnerable populations,\n\nLay the groundwork for economic recovery in these areas, and\n\nBetter prepare these communities for future disasters or epidemics.\n\nThe E-BRIDGE Act helps accomplish these goals because it:\n\nEliminates barriers to investments in broadband in distressed communities, making them eligible for EDA grants.\n\nClarifies that eligible recipients may include public-private partnerships and consortiums to leverage private sector expertise in project development.\n\nProvides flexibility in the procurement process to account for limited availability of broadband services in distressed communities.\n\nProvides flexibility on accounting for in-kind methods to meet non-federal cost share.\n\nThe Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management have jurisdiction over the programs of the EDA and its economic development programs.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-introduces-bill-stop-payments-illegal-immigrants", "Graves Introduces Bill to Stop Payments to Illegal Immigrants", "2021-11-04", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Graves joined 146 of his Republican colleagues in introducing the Illegal Immigrant Payoff Prohibition Act to ban the Biden Administration from making settlement payments to illegal immigrants for claims arising from their illegal entry. The legislation comes on the heels of a bombshell Wall Street Journal expos\u00e9 that revealed the Biden Administration was mulling over making $450,000 payments to some illegal immigrants. Yesterday, President Biden denied they payments were even being considered, but today a White House spokesperson said the President is \u201cperfectly comfortable\u201d with the payments.\n\n\u201cThis bill will put this bad idea to bed once and for all,\u201d Graves said. \u201cWe shouldn\u2019t be rewarding illegal immigrants for breaking the law and we certainly shouldn\u2019t be handing them half-million-dollar payments. That\u2019s a slap in the face to working American families and the fallen heroes who have fought and died to protect this country.\u201d\n\nFor reference, the median household income in the United States is just $68,703, meaning it would take the average American family more than 6 and a half years to earn the $450,000 the Biden Administration is considering paying some illegal immigrants. That payment amount is also $50,000 more than a servicemember\u2019s next of kin receives under the Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program when a servicemember is killed in action. It could also surpass the payments to made to some families of 9/11 victims.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-pushes-back-biden-vaccine-mandates", "Graves Pushes Back on Biden Vaccine Mandates", "2021-11-04", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Following the Biden Administration's announcement of sweeping COVID-19 vaccine mandates for American workers and businesses, Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) released the following statement:\n\n\"No American should have to choose between getting a COVID-19 vaccine and putting food on the table. It\u2019s a personal decision, not a politician\u2019s decision. The President is trying to strong-arm American companies into firing essential workers who risked their lives working through the darkest days of the pandemic. That's not right.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-announces-52-million-grant-improve-electric-vehicle", "Congressman Cleaver Announces $5.2 Million Grant to Improve Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure, Reduce Vehicle Emissions in Kansas City", "2021-11-03", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Kansas City, MO) \u2013 This week, the U.S. Department of Energy announced selections for the Low Greenhouse Gas funding opportunity, which will award $171 million to fund 20 research, development, and demonstration projects aimed at accelerating the expansion of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and creating solutions to reduce emissions from on- and off-road vehicles. U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) is proud to announce that the Metropolitan Energy Center (MEC), a nonprofit dedicated to creating resource efficiency, environmental health, and economic vitality in the Kansas City region, has been selected to receive more than $5.2 million to work with community partners to expand EV charging stations in Kansas City.\n\n\"The people of Kansas City and I are committed to making our city the heartland's hub for green innovation and clean energy, and this grant funding to support implementation of electric vehicle infrastructure throughout the metro area is another significant step toward making that a reality,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"Not only will this allow us to cut emissions in our effort to combat climate change, but it will help lower costs for Missouri families as we continue to build back better from the pandemic. I am thankful to the Department of Energy and Secretary Granholm for their investment in the people of the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri, and I look forward to strengthening our partnership as we continue to transition toward sustainable infrastructure.\"\n\n\"As America's solutions department, DOE is working with manufacturers and industry partners to reimagine vehicle transportation across the country to achieve our climate goals\u2014from lowering carbon emissions to increasing efficiency and affordability,\" said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. \"This investment and the innovations that come from it will help shape our clean energy future and strengthen domestic manufacturing that support good-paying careers for hardworking Americans.\"\n\nMEC's project will work to lower emissions by bringing local stakeholders together and leading the effort to expand EV charging infrastructure, which will help facilitate and accelerate the transition to electric vehicles in Kansas City.\n\nMore information on the Low Greenhouse Gas funding opportunity and MEC's grant funding is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-biden-needs-step-supply-chain-crisis", "Graves: Biden Needs to \u201cStep Up\u201d on Supply Chain Crisis", "2021-11-03", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - Republican Members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held a roundtable today with stakeholders from various points in the supply chain. The discussion provided Members with insights about the ongoing issues and challenges facing the private sector in dealing with the supply chain crisis.\n\nOn the heels of President Biden\u2019s recent public pressuring of the private sector to \u201cstep up\u201d and address the supply chain crisis, T&I Republicans wanted to hear directly from supply chain industries about what policies and actions could further help or harm their ability to move products more efficiently across the supply chain.\n\n\u201cThe President\u2019s demand for the private sector to \u2018step up\u2019 is insulting if this Administration doesn\u2019t do the same and ensure that it isn\u2019t supporting and implementing policies that are actually making matters worse,\u201d T&I Committee Ranking Member Sam Graves (MO-06) said.\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s discussion with stakeholders highlighted a number of ongoing and difficult issues for us to consider, but I would again say to the President: \u2018you step up.\u2019 Stop pursuing the numerous burdensome regulations, policies, and spending priorities that are exacerbating this supply chain crisis.\u201d\n\nImage\n\nAmong the issues that T&I Republicans discussed with stakeholders today:\n\nVaccine mandates that are making it harder to hire and retain workers.\n\nOverextended unemployment benefits that are discouraging people from going back to work.\n\nInflationary spending that is driving up operations costs.\n\nOpposition to domestic energy production that is increasing our energy costs.\n\nInfrastructure policies that emphasize social and environmental justice rather than prioritizing actual improvements to our infrastructure or addressing supply chain issues.\n\nPort infrastructure funding in pending legislation that focuses on electrification and decarbonization \u2013 not real capacity or efficiency improvements.\n\nState and local laws and regulations that are creating additional hurdles to the movement of interstate commerce.\n\nImage\n\nThe roundtable was well attended by Committee Republicans. Ranking Member Graves was joined by Reps. Brian Babin (R-TX), Troy Balderson (R-OH), Mike Bost (R-IL), Tim Burchett (R-TN), Rick Crawford (R-AR), Garret Graves (R-LA), Bob Gibbs (R-OH), Michael Guest (R-MS), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Nancy Mace (R-SC), Thomas Massie (R-KY), Troy Nehls (R-TX), Scott Perry (R-PA), David Rouzer (R-NC), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Michelle Steel (R-CA), Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), Randy Weber (R-TX), Daniel Webster (R-FL), and Bruce Westerman (R-AR).\n\nFull list of stakeholders at the roundtable:\n\nJohn Butler, President and CEO, World Shipping Council\n\nLauren Brand, President, National Association of Waterfront Employers\n\nBrooke Appleton, Vice President of Public Policy, National Corn Growers Association\n\nJonathan \u201cJon\u201d Gold, Vice President, Supply Chain and Customs Policy, National Retail Federation\n\nBill Sullivan, Executive Vice President for Advocacy, American Trucking Associations\n\nChris Burroughs, Vice President of Government Affairs, Transportation Intermediaries Association\n\nFred Miller, Asst. General Counsel and Government Affairs Liaison, Association of American Railroads\n\nImage\n\nBrooke Appleton is a native of Stanberry, Missouri and is the Vice President of Public Policy for the National Corn Growers Association. You can access more photos from the roundtable here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleavers-statement-passing-representative-dennis-moore", "Rep. Cleaver\u2019s Statement on the Passing of Representative Dennis Moore", "2021-11-02", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Kansas City, MO) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement after the passing of former Representative Dennis Moore.\n\n\"Dennis Moore was a dear friend and the epitome of a class act. From serving in the U.S. Army to serving in the Congress, Representative Moore was a selfless public servant to his core\u2014and we all should be grateful for his lifelong, dedicated service to Kansas and the Kansas City region.\n\n\"Having been fortunate enough to have served with Representative Moore on the Financial Services Committee for ten years, I can tell you firsthand he treated every individual he met with the respect and dignity all human beings deserve, regardless of status or political ideology. His sharp wit, strong principles, and passion for the people of Kansas were obvious to anyone who met him, and his willingness to work with anyone who would listen to solve the issues facing his constituents should be an example to everyone serving in Congress today.\n\n\"Even after his Alzheimer's diagnosis, Dennis never stopped advocating for his community, making sure every time we crossed paths I knew exactly what he\u2014and the people of Kansas\u2014were thinking when it came to policy and responsible governing. My thoughts and prayers are with Stephene and the entire Moore family as they grieve such a tremendous loss. May he rest in eternal peace and may his memory be a blessing.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-announces-15-million-economic-development-grants-missouris", "Rep. Cleaver Announces $1.5 Million in Economic Development Grants for Missouri\u2019s Fifth Congressional District", "2021-10-29", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Kansas City, MO) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) was pleased to announce the Department of Commerce has awarded three entities in the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri with $500,000 economic development grants as part of the first phase of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge program. Funded by the American Rescue Plan, which Rep. Cleaver supported in March, the Build Back Better Regional Challenge grants will support local projects to help communities throughout the congressional district recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and grow local economies that are resilient to future economic shocks. Additionally, the entities receiving grants will be given an opportunity to apply for further funding when phase 2 of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge commences.\n\n\"The historic American Rescue Plan continues to provide support to businesses and communities throughout Missouri and my congressional district\u2014which is precisely what I envisioned when supporting the bill earlier this year,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"Not only will this grant funding play a critical role in strengthening local economies from the ground up and the middle out, but it will help to insulate our communities from any future economic downturns like we experienced last year. I want to congratulate the city of Kansas City, the Mid-America Regional Council, and Thank You Walt Disney on receiving this substantial investment from the Commerce Department, and I look forward to working with each of them as we continue the critical effort to build our economy back better from the global pandemic.\"\n\nEntities receiving the $500,000 Build Back Better Regional Challenge grants include:\n\nCity of Kansas City to strengthen the Made in Kansas City Initiative, which supports small scale manufacturing in historically under-invested communities in Kansas City to drive neighborhood revitalization and quality job creation.\n\nMid-America Regional Council (MARC) Community Services Corporation to accelerate equitable growth in the biologics industry sector for the Greater Kansas City Area.\n\nThank You Walt Disney, Inc. to build on KC Imagine, which brings together area leaders from education, business, and civic organizations to prepare local talent to serve in the region's digital media industry.\n\nMore information on the Department of Commerce's Build Back Better Regional Challenge program is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-condemns-administrations-plan-pay-illegal-immigrants-450000", "Graves Condemns Administration's Plan to Pay Illegal Immigrants $450,000", "2021-10-29", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) joined 43 of his Republican colleagues in writing U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, and Attorney General Merrick Garland condemning the Administration\u2019s plan to offer $450,000 payments to some illegal immigrants for \u201clasting psychological drama\u201d they encountered while illegally entering our country. For perspective, the median household income in America is less than 1/6th of that amount at $68,703. The maximum insurance payment available to the next of kin of a servicemember killed in action is just $400,000.\n\n\u201cThese half-million-dollar payments are a slap in the face to our fallen heroes and hardworking American families.\u201d Graves said. \u201cWe shouldn\u2019t be rewarding illegal immigrants who break the law and encouraging more illegal immigration in the midst of a record-setting border crisis. I\u2019m calling on the Administration to immediately drop this terrible plan.\u201d\n\nRead the full letter.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-re-introduces-legislation-ensure-safe-housing-situations", "Wagner Re-introduces Legislation to Ensure Safe Housing Situations for Domestic Violence Survivors", "2021-10-28", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", "wagner", "https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO-02) and Congressman Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ-01), members of the Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence, re-introduced the Help End Abusive Living Situations (HEALS) Act, legislation to assist survivors of domestic violence to rapidly secure safe housing situations.\n\n\"Survivors of intimate partner violence, stalking, and sexual assault often face volatile situations where they find themselves without a stable or safe place to live,\" said Rep. Wagner. \"Without safe housing options, victims can fall back into the cycle of violence they are desperately trying to escape. Many victims are also without a support network while they work to rebuild their lives, and these housing resources can give them the support they need to break the cycle of abuse. This legislation will help provide a vital lifeline to victims as they fight for independence and safety.\"\n\n\"As a former law enforcement officer, some of the very first calls I responded to involved domestic violence. I've seen firsthand the damage this uniquely heinous kind of violence can do to families and to survivors.\" said Rep. O'Halleran. \"The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously exacerbated domestic violence incidents and shelters have struggled to keep up. Now more than ever, we must ensure survivors have access to safe housing options. No person experiencing DV should be forced to stay in a dangerous situation because they do not have housing elsewhere. This bill will empower those seeking to leave abusive situations and aid them in doing so.\"\n\nThe HEALS Act directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to prioritize funding for transitional housing, rapid re-housing, and permanent supportive housing for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The legislation also establishes standards in evaluating current resources available to survivors and instructs HUD to research and identify new housing options that may be viable for survivors of domestic violence.\n\nSupport for HEALS:\n\nThe HEALS Act is endorsed by the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence and the National Network to End Domestic Violence.\n\n\"On behalf of the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, we would like to thank you for leadership in introducing the Help End Abusive Living Environments (HEALS) Act. This Act will undoubtedly help survivors to secure safe housing, which as you know, is a vital component of a survivor's pathway to healing. The HEALS Act will eliminate barriers survivors often face in securing and maintaining housing. This is crucial and positive progress on a very important issue, and survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Arizona will greatly benefit from this legislation.\" \u2013 Jenna Panas, Chief Executive Officer of the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence\n\n\"Housing is safety for survivors. It is essential that our government designate resources to provide survivor-centered housing so that all survivors can find safety when fleeing danger.\" \u2013 Monica McLaughlin, Director of Public Policy at the National Network to End Domestic Violence", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-introduces-legislation-combat-youth-suicide", "Rep. Cleaver Introduces Legislation to Combat Youth Suicide", "2021-10-27", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), member of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, introduced the Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act. Named in honor of Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas, two students from the Kansas City region who were tragically victims of suicide, the bipartisan legislation aims to combat youth suicide by providing schools, teachers, and students nationwide with evidence-informed suicide prevention strategies and tools to assist at-risk youth.\n\n\"There is nothing more tragic than a child who feels so alone and in pain that they fall victim to suicide, yet, sadly, suicide remains the second-leading cause of death for America's youth,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"From all accounts, Gemesha Thomas and Cady Housh were beloved by their friends and family and valued members of their communities. Painfully, because our elementary and secondary schools are severely under-equipped with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to care for children dealing with mental health challenges, they were taken from us far too soon. With this bill, in memory of Cady and Gemesha, Congress can provide the funding and expertise necessary to ensure that every child has access to the mental health resources needed to overcome trauma, anxiety, or depression. Additionally, we can help teachers and students understand the signs and clues that suggest someone may be contemplating suicide, so that they can intervene and get kids the help they need in a moment of crisis. I think that is a cause worthy of Congress's consideration, and I hope my colleagues will too.\"\n\n\"Our students are facing unprecedented trauma and anxiety, and tragically, more and more are taking their own lives. As educators, school staff, counselors and nurses, we see first-hand when a child is struggling, and know creating safe and welcoming school environments is a critical piece of meeting kids' social and emotional needs, and treating mental health issues before they become crises. Rep. Cleaver's bill to help educators access the tools they need to do just that, providing grants for early intervention and suicide prevention training so educators and school staff can recognize signs of distress and step in. It also expands the list of at-risk student populations and broadens the range of mental health services available to students, so our most vulnerable kids\u2014particularly our LGBTQ youth\u2014know they can get help at school not just for math and reading, but for emotional wellbeing too,\" said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers.\n\n\"American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) commends Representative Cleaver for leading legislation to help reduce youth suicide,\" said Laurel Stine, J.D., M.A., Senior Vice President for Public Policy, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. \"The Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act increases access to suicide prevention training resources in elementary and secondary schools. Youth suicide can be prevented through early detection of at-risk students who may be in crisis or struggling with their mental health and connecting those students and their families to resources and treatment services.\"\n\n\"The Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act is legislation that is critically important to the Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and same-gender loving (LGBTQ+/SGL) community,\" said Victoria Kirby York, the Deputy Executive Director of the National Black Justice coalition. \"The Trevor Project reports that 21% of Black LGBTQ youth attempted suicide in the past. And, according to the Ring the Alarm Report we co-produced with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the suicide death rate among Black youth is increasing faster than any other racial/ethnic group. Black LGBTQ+/SGL youth live at the intersection of marginalized and often excluded identities, which compounds the mental health struggles they experience. Supporting the Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act is the next step in NBJC's partnership with members of the Congressional Black Caucus in addressing the issue of youth suicide. This bill would provide the support our youth desperately needs by expanding the list of at-risk populations to include minority and LGBTQ+ students and fund training for elementary and secondary school staff in mental health and suicide prevention. I think of Nigel Shelby, a Black gay 15-year-old who died by suicide due to homophobic bullying at school, whose school offered him no support even when they knew he was struggling. We must prevent other children from experiencing the same fate. The National Black Justice Coalition supports the passage of The Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act, and we encourage those who care about the lives of Black people and the LGBTQ+/SGL community to vote yes on the bill.\"\n\n\"Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people, and LGBTQ young people face significantly increased risk. This legislation will help equip school staff and students with the tools necessary to assist students in crisis and prevent suicide,\" said Preston Mitchum (he/him), Director of Advocacy & Government Affairs for The Trevor Project. \"The Trevor Project's research demonstrates that learning about suicide prevention in school is associated with lower rates of attempting suicide among LGBTQ students, as well as increased preparedness to help a friend who was struggling with suicidal thoughts.\"\n\nAccording to the Jason Foundation, suicide is the second leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 10 and 24, and each day, there are an average of over 3,703 suicide attempts by young people grades 9-12. From the same data, roughly 18.8% of high school students have seriously contemplated suicide, and four out of five individuals considering suicide give some sign of their intentions, either verbally or behaviorally.\n\nTo combat these troubling statistics, the Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act would:\n\nAuthorize grant funding to states to be used for training all school personnel, including auxiliary staff, in elementary and secondary schools in youth suicide awareness and prevention.\n\nAuthorize grant funding to states to be used for training secondary school students (with an opt-out option) to help equip them with the knowledge needed to identify the warning signs of mental distress and the resources available to report signs to appropriate staff.\n\nAllocate no less than 15% of grants to be used specifically for evidence-informed training, with an emphasis on cultural competency, each school year in elementary and secondary schools.\n\nThe Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act is cosponsored by Reps. Sharice Davids (D-KS), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Steven Cohen (D-TN), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Lou Correa (D-CA), Jason Crow (D-CO), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Bobby Rush (D-IL), Karen Bass (D-CA), Seth Moulton (D-MA) and Alma Adams (D-NC).\n\nThe Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act is endorsed by the American Federation of Teachers, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, National Association of School Psychologists, Jason Foundation, The Trevor Project, National Association of Secondary School Principals, Sandy Hook Promise, and National Black Justice Coalition.\n\nOfficial text of the Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-bills-fix-fema-approved-transportation-committee", "Graves' Bills to Fix FEMA Approved in Transportation Committee", "2021-10-27", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Bipartisan bills to address red tape and enable the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to better prepare for and respond to disasters cleared the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure today.\n\nIntroduced by Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06), Ranking Member of the Transportation Committee, the Small Project Efficient and Effective Disaster (SPEED) Recovery Act and the Resilient AMERICA Act, both passed the Committee unanimously.\n\n\u201cThese bills will go a long way towards enabling FEMA to simply do a better job. We rely on them to both help our communities prepare for possible disasters and get back on their feet when they occur,\u201d Graves said. \u201cCutting the bureaucratic red tape at FEMA while strengthening the programs they utilize to help prevent and recover from disasters will improve recovery efforts, save lives, and limit the severity of damage when disaster strikes.\u201d\n\nThe SPEED Recovery Act was introduced last week to help small communities recover from disasters more quickly by allowing more small recovery projects to proceed under simplified procedures\u2014giving communities more control and more tools to rebuild and recover. It would raise the threshold for what qualifies as a \u201csmall project\u201d in order to expedite recovery efforts.\n\nClick here to read the SPEED Recovery Act.\n\nYesterday, Graves cosponsored the Resilient AMERICA Act, which would strengthen FEMA\u2019s Hazard Mitigation and Pre-Disaster Mitigation programs. The bill would capture unspent funds from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for predisaster mitigation, which ensures that these expiring and unspent funds will still help our communities prepare for and mitigate against disasters. The bill would also more than double the funding stream dedicated to FEMA\u2019s Pre-Disaster Mitigation program and extend eligibility for the program to include private non-profits (PNPs), which ultimately will reduce the impact and damage from a disaster. It will also pilot a program to assist individuals in mitigation measures for their homes.\n\nClickhere to read the Resilient AMERICA Act.\n\nGraves introduced both bipartisan bills along with Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Peter DeFazio (D-OR); Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee Ranking Member Daniel Webster (R-FL); and Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee Chair Dina Titus (D-NV).\n\nClick here to view Graves\u2019 remarks during the Transportation Committee hearing.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-sponsors-legislation-protect-social-security", "Congressman Cleaver Sponsors Legislation to Protect Social Security, Increase Benefits for Seniors and Disabled Americans", "2021-10-26", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) joined House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chair John B. Larson (D-CT), along with nearly 200 members of the House of Representatives, to introduce Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust. The legislation would increase Social Security benefits for seniors, protect benefits from a potential 20% cut in 2034, and is paid for by making millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share in taxes.\n\n\"Social Security is a bedrock program for millions of seniors and disabled Americans throughout the United States, and I'm proud to join my colleagues in the House of Representatives to introduce legislation that will ensure it remains that way for generations to come,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"This proposal will strengthen Social Security's financial future and give seniors a desperately needed boost to their benefits, ensuring that no one has to choose between paying for groceries or life-saving medications. I'm proud to join Chairman Larson to introduce this pivotal piece of legislation, and I look forward to the day I see it signed into law.\"\n\n\"Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust combines the best of the previous year's Social Security 2100 Act with President Biden's proposals to expand benefits and strengthen Social Security. The pandemic has only underscored what we already knew and has exacerbated systemic inequities \u2013 current benefits are not enough! 5 million seniors are living in poverty due to longstanding discrimination in the labor force that affects mostly people of color and women. These are our mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, and neighbors. For too long, Congress has forsaken its duty to enhance benefits. It's time that we act now,\" said House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman John B. Larson.\n\n\"In America, millions of Social Security beneficiaries are having to make the choice between food and medicine on a daily basis. This is unacceptable in the richest and greatest country in the world,\" said Robert Roach, Jr., President of the Alliance for Retired Americans. \"Black American, Hispanic American and Asian American Social Security beneficiaries were disproportionately affected during the pandemic, exacerbating that inequality. A recent poll indicated that our nation's seniors voted in the last election with the hope and expectation of seeing improvements to the Social Security benefits they have earned. Voters will remember this when they vote. The Alliance of Retired Americans 100% supports Representative Larson's bill, \u2018Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust.'\"\n\n\"Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) is pleased to support the Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust, which would make significant improvements in the Social Security benefits that millions of veterans with disabilities and their families rely on,\" said Shaun Castle, Deputy Executive Director. \"As a veterans service organization representing veterans with significant disabilities, PVA is keenly aware of the critical role Social Security plays in the lives of our members and their families and we urge swift action on this critical legislation.\"\n\n\"AFGE is proud to endorse the Social Security 2100 Sacred Trust Act and the many ways it both strengthens the program and expands benefits. We are particularly supportive of the bill's repeal of the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision which unfairly reduce earned benefits of public employees and their surviving spouses,\" said Everett Kelley, National President, American Federation of Government Employees.\n\nSpecifically, Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust would:\n\nProvide a benefit bump for current and new beneficiaries that is equivalent to roughly 2% of the average benefit;\n\nProtect against inflation by improving the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) formula to better reflect the costs incurred by seniors through adoption of a CPI-E formula, helping seniors who spend a greater portion of their income on health care and other necessities;\n\nProtect low-income workers by setting the new minimum benefit at 25% above the poverty line and tying it to wage levels to ensure the minimum benefit does not fall behind;\n\nEnsure millionaires and billionaires pay the same rate as everyone else by applying the payroll tax to wages above $400,000, which would only affect the top 0.4% of wage earners; and\n\nExtend the depletion date to 2038 and avoid the 20% cut to benefits that is estimated to occur 2034.\n\nSocial Security 2100: A Sacred Trust is endorsed by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, Social Security Works, Alliance for Retired Americans, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), NAACP, AFGE, National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, National Organization for Women, Strengthen Social Security Coalition, Leadership Council of Aging Organizations, and more.\n\nOfficial text of Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-applauds-usdas-115-billion-investment-expand-rural", "Rep. Cleaver Applauds USDA\u2019s $1.15 Billion Investment to Expand Rural Broadband", "2021-10-25", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) is highlighting and applauding the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) announcement that it will provide up to $1.15 billion through the ReConnect Program to help rural Americans access high-speed internet. The funding will allow for a significant expansion of broadband access in rural communities in Missouri and other states throughout the country. Congressman Cleaver has long been a supporter of the ReConnect Program\u2014which was given an additional $100 million in funding through the Cleaver-approved CARES Act and is typically funded through the annual Agriculture appropriations legislation. Additionally, with Cleaver's support, the ReConnect program provided $7.5 million for rural broadband expansion in Saline County last year.\n\n\"If we're going to truly build back better, then closing the digital divide and investing in rural America have to be major priorities for this administration and the United States Congress,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"That's something I have strongly advocated for since coming to Congress, and I'm happy to see President Biden taking the steps needed to support our rural communities. With this funding, more Missouri kids will have the ability to do their homework on high-speed internet, more seniors will have access to tele-health services, and more small businesses will be able to compete in the 21st century economy. That's a major win for my constituents in Marshall, Sweet Springs, Odessa, Richmond, Lexington, and all throughout the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri\u2014and I look forward to working with these communities to ensure they get the funding they need and deserve.\"\n\nThe USDA announced that it will begin accepting applications for the $1.15 billion in loans and grants on November 24th.\n\nMore information on the USDA's announcement is available here.\n\nMore information on the ReConnect Program and how to apply is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-wagner-legislation-protect-seniors-and-vulnerable-adults", "House Passes Wagner Legislation to Protect Seniors and Vulnerable Adults From Financial Exploitation", "2021-10-25", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", "wagner", "https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Vice Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, released the following statement after her Financial Exploitation Prevention Act passed the United States House of Representatives:\n\n\"Financial exploitation of seniors and other vulnerable adults is a serious and growing problem. As more investors age into retirement, the risk of financial exploitation for elderly households only increases. I thank my colleagues for supporting my legislation that will provide our potentially vulnerable investors with an important layer of protection to help make sure that they receive the hard-earned savings that they have built up over the years. The Financial Exploitation Prevention Act is needed to provide certainty to protect our seniors, and I hope the Senate takes swift action to pass this important legislation.\"\n\nThe Financial Exploitation Prevention Act would give the financial industry better tools to address suspected financial exploitation and abuse of seniors and those with mental and physical disabilities. First, the bill requires the Securities and Exchange Commission to report to Congress on recommendations for legislative and regulatory changes on how to combat financial exploitation of seniors and vulnerable adults. Second, the bill permits a registered open-end investment company or transfer agent for that company, including mutual funds, to better protect seniors by delaying the redemption period of any redeemable security if it was reasonably believed that such redemption was requested through the financial exploitation of a security holder who is a senior or an individual unable to protect their own interests.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-calls-investigation-onlyfans-sexual-abuse", "Wagner Calls for Investigation into OnlyFans, Sexual Abuse", "2021-10-22", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", "wagner", "https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Vice Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, sent a letter to Himamauli Das, Acting Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), calling for an investigation into the financial agreements made by OnlyFans. An excerpt from this letter is below.\n\n\"As public officials, we must do everything in our power to ensure children and vulnerable individuals are protected from harm and sexual exploitation. In 2021, the website OnlyFans.com (OnlyFans) has been linked to multiple severe crimes committed against women and children. The financial sector plays an integral role in combatting human trafficking and other criminal activity.\n\n\"As Vice Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, I request that FinCEN, together with appropriate federal regulators, conduct an immediate and thorough investigation of the agreements made between OnlyFans and its financial partners, specifically focusing on the \u2018assurances' that preceded OnlyFans' decision to continue allowing the sale of sexually explicit content.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-votes-favor-accountability-january-6th", "Congressman Cleaver Votes in Favor of Accountability For January 6th", "2021-10-21", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted on a bipartisan basis to hold Stephen K. Bannon in criminal contempt for defying a congressional subpoena to appear before the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol.\n\n\"January 6th was one of the most disgraceful days in the history of our great nation\u2014and the American people deserve a full account of what occurred, who was responsible, and how we can prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again. That's what the Select Committee is tasked with, and why I voted to support their efforts to get to the bottom of what transpired on that awful day.\n\n\"In the United States of America, no individual is above the law. Not me; not the President; and not Mr. Bannon. Those who aided the insurrection must, and will, be held accountable for their actions. Today's bipartisan vote in the House of Representatives was a critical step to ensure that occurs.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-demands-biden-drop-socialist-polices-will-worsen-supply-chain-crisis", "Graves Demands Biden Drop Socialist Polices that Will Worsen Supply Chain Crisis", "2021-10-21", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - House Republicans, led by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO) and Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-AR), urged President Biden to immediately reconsider radical partisan policies that are making already growing U.S. supply chain issues significantly worse.\n\nIn a letter to the President, Graves, Westerman, and their colleagues \u2013 160 House Republican Members of Congress in total \u2013 asked him to \u201ccall on your Congressional allies to halt discussions on a budget reconciliation bill that aims to reshape the social fabric of this country and instead work on real infrastructure solutions that focus on moving goods and people safely and efficiently throughout our great country and around the world.\u201d\n\nGraves said this letter was necessary to make it clear that Republicans won\u2019t sit by while supply chain issues get worse and the Administration\u2019s priority policies exacerbate the problem.\n\n\u201cMultiple factors have contributed to the Nation\u2019s supply chain crisis, but one factor that is being overlooked is how the collection of harmful policies being pushed by the President and his party is making matters worse \u2013 not better,\u201d Graves said. \u201cPolicies that encourage unemployment and worker shortages, multi-trillion-dollar spending sprees that lead to an inflationary tax increase on Americans, new regulations and prohibitions that drive up the cost of everything including energy, focusing infrastructure programs on socialist ideals rather than actual solutions to infrastructure problems \u2013 all of these policies are causing further breakdowns in the supply chain. The President is telling the private sector to \u2018step up\u2019 and fix these issues, but the President needs to lead by example, step up himself, and reevaluate his agenda that is making this supply chain crisis worse.\u201d\n\n\u201cFrom one self-imposed crisis to another, the Biden administration has proven time and again that it prioritizes special interest groups and partisan wish lists over the needs of everyday Americans,\u201d Westerman said. \u201cThe cascading disasters we\u2019re seeing unfold across our supply chain are just the latest in a series of issues caused by President Biden\u2019s inflationary spending and stifling overregulation. People are being paid more to stay home than they would make going back to work, and businesses across the nation cannot find employees to man essential operations, from operating trucks to unloading cargo containers. Burdensome regulations on our domestic producers are also driving up energy prices for families and small businesses. The upcoming holiday season will only exacerbate this crisis and continue driving up the price of everything from food to fuel. It\u2019s time for this administration to look in the mirror and see how their policies are decimating our economy.\u201d\n\nRead the full letter from Republicans to the President here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-introduces-bill-help-small-communities-cut-through-red-tape-fema", "Graves Introduces Bill to Help Small Communities Cut Through Red Tape at FEMA", "2021-10-20", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sam Graves (R-MO) introduced the Small Project Efficient and Effective Disaster (SPEED) Recovery Act to help small communities recover from disasters more quickly by allowing more small recovery projects to proceed under simplified procedures\u2014giving communities more control and more tools to rebuild and recover.\n\n\u201cBy far, most disaster recovery projects in the United States are relatively small, and there\u2019s no need to force individuals trying to recover and rebuild to navigate the same procedures as larger, more complex projects,\u201d said Graves. \u201cThe SPEED Recovery Act cuts red tape for smaller projects and will speed recovery in many of our communities, especially rural communities, that have been hit by disasters.\u201d\n\nThe SPEED Recovery Act is also supported by the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), and the Big City Emergency Managers (BCEM). In a joint statement of support, the groups said, \u201cThis type of modernization to disaster response and recovery programs will allow us as emergency managers to more swiftly move projects for disaster survivors and expedite the road toward recovery. As we work individually and with one another to build resilience nationwide, tools such as the SPEED Recovery Act will simplify and streamline FEMA programs when survivors need them most.\u201d\n\nGraves introduced the bipartisan bill along with along with Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Peter DeFazio (D-OR); Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee Ranking Member Daniel Webster (R-FL); and Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee Chair Dina Titus (D-NV).\n\nBackground Information\n\nHistorically, the number of disaster projects that qualified as small projects with simplified procedures accounted for 95% of such projects. However, because the threshold for a \u201csmall project\u201d has not kept pace with inflation and modern construction costs, a much larger percentage of projects (nearly 25% of all recovery projects) now fall outside of the scope of a \u201csmall project.\u201d This has added unnecessary paperwork and burdens for both communities and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).\n\nThe SPEED Recovery Act will give communities more control in the rebuilding process for smaller projects, and it will once again ensure that approximately 95% of projects qualify as \u201csmall projects.\u201d Notably, while \u201csmall projects\u201d constitute a large percentage of total projects, they only represent about 10% of federal disaster funding costs, and the bill\u2019s proposed adjustment represents minimal risk to the taxpayer. FEMA will then be able to focus more of its staff and time on addressing larger, more complex projects.\n\nThe simplified procedures for small projects were established over three decades ago, but the cost threshold in law for what qualifies as a \u201csmall project\u201d has only been updated once since then. This bill will update the threshold to $1 million and allow small rural communities to recover more efficiently from a disaster.\n\nThe Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management have jurisdiction over the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and federal disaster programs.\n\nClick here to read the bill.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/research-finds-build-back-better-act-could-save-missouri-families", "Research Finds Build Back Better Act Could Save Missouri Families Thousands of Dollars in Childcare Costs Every Year", "2021-10-19", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) highlighted a new analysis released by the House Committee on Education and Labor, which found that the Build Back Better Act could save Missouri families thousands of dollars in childcare costs each year. The Committee's report found that the typical Missouri family of four with one infant in full-time center-based childcare would save approximately $8,080 each year if the Build Back Better Act were enacted. The study also found that the typical Missouri family of four with one infant and one child in full-time center-based childcare would save approximately $14,900 per year.\n\n\"As our economy continues to recover from a devastating global pandemic, it's becoming clearer by the day that Missouri families, and women in particular, are struggling to return to the workforce due to exorbitant childcare costs,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"With the Build Back Better Act, we have an opportunity to provide Missouri mothers and fathers with affordable options that will ensure no family pays more than 7 percent of their income on childcare. Not only will that support our small businesses by enabling parents to return to work, but it will free up thousands of dollars that working families can spend on other essential items like groceries, rent, utilities, school supplies, and more. That's a win-win in my book\u2014and why I'm fighting to ensure investments in affordable childcare remain in the President's Build Back Better agenda.\"\n\nAs it currently stands, the Build Back Better Act guarantees that no Missouri family would pay more than 7 percent of their income on childcare. Families making 100 percent of the State Median Income or less\u2014which is roughly $85,000 for a family of four in Missouri\u2014would pay no more than 2 percent of their income on childcare.\n\nThe House Committee on Education and Labor's full state-by-state analysis is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-introduces-bill-stop-irs-spying-americans", "Graves Introduces Bill to Stop IRS from Spying on Americans", "2021-10-19", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) joined 90 of his Republican colleagues to introduce the Prohibiting IRS Financial Surveillance Act which would ban the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from implementing any new individual account reporting requirements for banks and other financial institutions. Missourians have raised concerns that the reporting requirements proposed under President Biden\u2019s \u201cBuild Back Better Plan\u201d would violate their privacy and questioned the ability of the IRS to protect private banking information given the agency\u2019s poor track record.\n\n\u201cThis IRS surveillance scheme would scoop up virtually every American\u2019s private banking information,\u201d said Graves. \u201cThat isn\u2019t by mistake, it\u2019s by design. This isn\u2019t about catching wealthy tax cheats, it\u2019s about collecting massive troves of financial information on every American family. It\u2019s wrong and I\u2019m going to do everything I can to stop it.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Biden Administration has proposed requiring banks and other financial institutions to provide the IRS details on their customers and data for accounts with annual deposits or withdrawals worth more than $600.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-wagner-and-bera-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-counter-beijings", "Reps. Wagner and Bera Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Counter Beijing\u2019s Economic Coercion", "2021-10-18", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", "wagner", "https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Representatives Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA) and Ann Wagner (R-MO) today introduced the Countering China Economic Coercion Act with a bipartisan group of leaders to establish the first-ever interagency task force to respond to the People's Republic of China's growing economic coercion against governments, businesses, organizations, and individuals.\n\n\"We have seen the People's Republic of China (PRC) Government increasingly use nefarious and coercive economic practices to punish countries, private entities, and organizations for pursuing policies that Beijing deems counter to its interests,\" said Representative Bera, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation. \"As China continues to threaten our partners in the Indo-Pacific and our own national security and economic well-being with its coercive measures, the U.S. government needs to better understand Beijing's tactics. The bipartisan Countering China Economic Coercion Act will create an interagency taskforce to streamline U.S. tools and mechanisms for deterring and addressing Beijing's economic coercion and expand cooperation with the private sector as well as U.S. allies and partners on this important matter. The legislation will raise awareness of the scale and scope of the PRC's coercive economic measures and strengthen our collective ability to hold China accountable.\"\n\n\"The People's Republic of China's heavy-handed and predatory economic policies harm our partners and undermine American interests well beyond the Indo-Pacific region. Our efforts to respond to PRC economic coercion must be strategic, measured, and proactive,\" said Representative Wagner. \"I am proud to join Representative Bera in introducing this bipartisan bill to ensure that the United States is working in a coordinated and comprehensive way to combat China's economic bullying.\"\n\nThe People's Republic of China has used coercive economic practices against key U.S. partners and allies over the past decade. In 2010, the PRC halted shipments of rare earth elements to Japan during a standoff over a clash between the Japan Coast Guard and a Chinese fishing vessel in disputed waters in the East China Sea. Following South Korea's 2016 decision to join the United States in deploying a U.S. missile defense system to defend against North Korean missile threats, the PRC restricted South Korean entertainment and other cultural exports, banned the sale of certain South Korean household products, and restricted tourism between the two countries. After the government of Australia called for an independent inquiry into the origins of COVID-19 in 2020, the PRC retaliated by imposing tariffs on Australian wine and barley exports.\n\nThe Countering China Economic Coercion Act requires the President to establish a \"Countering Economic Coercion Task Force\" chaired by a National Security Council member selected by the President and composed of Assistant Secretary-level principles from relevant U.S. Departments and agencies. The Primary duties of the Task Force includes: developing and implementing a U.S. strategy to respond to the PRC's economic coercion; monitoring and evaluating costs of the PRC's economic coercion and impact on U.S. national interests; facilitating coordination across agencies and information-sharing with private sector and U.S. allies and partners; and publishing and routinely updating a public list of cases of economic coercion from the PRC.\n\nIn addition, the legislation establishes an annual reporting requirement that includes, among other things: a review of economic coercion tools the PRC could employ in the future, a review of the economic and diplomatic tools the U.S. employs or could employ to respond to China's economic coercion, and an assessment of areas where U.S. allies and partners are vulnerable to Beijing's economic coercion.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-pushes-social-security-administration-reopen-offices", "Graves Pushes Social Security Administration to Reopen Offices", "2021-10-15", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sam Graves joined 50 of his colleagues this week in urging the Social Security Administration to reopen their Field Offices across the country. The letter calls on Acting Social Security Administration Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi and American Federation of Government Employees President Everett Kelley to develop a plan to reopen the more than 1,500 Social Security field offices that are currently closed to the public. Many of those offices have been closed since March of last year.\n\n\u201cFor decades, American\u2019s seniors have relied on Social Security field offices being open to get access to the benefits they\u2019ve earned,\u201d said Graves. \u201cMany seniors either don\u2019t use or don\u2019t have access to reliable internet. Getting someone on the phone is often difficult, with long wait times. We have all the tools to reopen these offices safely. We need to get it done. I want every senior to know that my office is open and if they\u2019re having trouble getting the benefits they\u2019ve earned from the Social Security Administration, we\u2019re here to help.\u201d\n\nThe letter also notes concerns that \u201cthe continued closure of SSA\u2019s field offices will result in further delays in processing critical benefits and other services, on top of the already existing benefits backlog.\u201d\n\nCongressman Graves\u2019 Kansas City District Office is open to walk-ins Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The St. Joseph and Hannibal District offices are open to walk-ins by appointment. Congressman Graves also has staff that is available to meet with constituents throughout the district.\n\nYou can see the full text of the letter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/national-farmers-day-rep-cleaver-gives-thanks-missouri-farmers-and", "On National Farmers Day, Rep. Cleaver Gives Thanks to Missouri Farmers and Ranchers, Applauds USDA Actions to Provide Relief", "2021-10-12", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 On National Farmers Day, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement giving thanks to farmers and ranchers across the state of Missouri. Additionally, Rep. Cleaver is highlighting recent actions taken by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to deliver more opportunities and fairer prices for farmers, strengthen the food supply chain, promote competition, and provide relief to small producers, processors, distributors, and farmers markets impacted by COVID-19.\n\n\"The men and women who work their backs off to keep food on the table of American families are owed an enormous debt of gratitude for their service to the nation,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"On National Farmers Day, I want to express my sincere appreciation for the farmers and ranchers across the state of Missouri for all that they do to keep families fed and our nation strong. Their work ethic, selflessness, and dedication to others are a shining example of what makes America great, and I will continue doing everything I can in the halls of Congress to ensure they have the support and freedom needed to do what they know and love.\"\n\nLast week, as part of the Administration's efforts to address the food supply chain challenges that have been exacerbated by the pandemic, the USDA announced plans for another $100 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act\u2014which Rep. Cleaver supported in March. The funding will be used to leverage hundreds of millions of dollars more in lending to expand meat and poultry processing capacity and finance other food supply chain infrastructure that will help to deliver more opportunities and fairer prices for farmers. This funding is in addition to the $500 million announced in July by USDA out of the American Rescue Plan to support new competitive grants in the meat and poultry processing markets. More information and specific details on when to apply and eligibility standards are available here.\n\nAdditionally, the USDA announced last week the opening of the new Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant Program\u2014which will provide assistance to small businesses in eligible commodity areas, including specialty crop producers, distributors, processors, and farmers markets. Eligible small businesses and nonprofits will be able to apply for a grant to cover COVID-19-related expenses incurred between January 27, 2020 and December 31, 2021. Grants will cover expenses such as personal protective equipment, retrofitting facilities for workers and consumer safety, medical costs, and more. The minimum funding request is $1,500 and the maximum funding request is $20,000.\n\nIndividuals can find more information on the PRS Grant Program here. Rep. Cleaver highly encourages individuals to reach out to his Higginsville District Office if they are in need of assistance when applying for these grants.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-encourages-eligible-families-apply-now-summer", "Congressman Cleaver Encourages Eligible Families to Apply Now for Summer Pandemic EBT for the 2021-2022 School Year", "2021-10-01", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Kansas City, MO) \u2013 Today, United States Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) encourages eligible families to apply for the Summer Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program. Students who are approved for free or reduced-price meals for the 2021-2022 school year can apply for a one-time $375 Summer P-EBT benefit. Applications should be submitted electronically or mailed to DSS, and must be postmarked by October 9, or submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on October 10. Applications submitted during this time will only be reviewed for the one-time Summer P-EBT benefit.\n\n\"As the American Rescue Plan continues to deliver for children and families in Missouri and across the country, I couldn't be prouder to have helped pass this transformative legislation,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"With schools shutting down to slow the spread of the coronavirus, parents have been faced with a number of unexpected challenges, including larger grocery bills. For families that benefit from free and reduced lunch programs, school closures have forced some parents to make the impossible decision of putting food on the table or keeping a roof over their head. However, with the help of the Summer Pandemic-EBT program, low-income families that have been impacted by school closures will receive additional money to make sure that no child goes hungry. Defeating this pandemic requires a multifaceted approach, and this expansion of EBT benefits is an important part of a robust public health strategy. I encourage all Missourians in Fifth Congressional District to check their eligibility and fill our their application before the October 10 deadline.\"\n\nThe application is available online in English and Espa\u00f1ol.\n\nThe completed and signed application must be postmarked by October 9 or submitted electronically by 11:59 PM on October 10, 2021. Options for returning the application:\n\nElectronically via email to:\n\nFSD.MOPEBT@dss.mo.gov\n\nMailed to:\n\nFamily Support Division\n\n615 E. 13th Street,\n\nKansas City, MO 64106", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-bush-urge-governor-parson-spare-ernest-johnsons-life", "Reps. Cleaver, Bush Urge Governor Parson to Spare Ernest Johnson\u2019s Life", "2021-10-01", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Cori Bush (D-MO) sent Missouri Governor Michael L. Parson a plea to stay the execution of Ernest Lee Johnson. The first execution in Missouri since May 2020, the Members are urging the Governor to recognize the cruelty and unconstitutionality of executing an intellectually disabled man, and grant him the humanity that everyone in Missouri deserves.\n\n\"Mr. Johnson's execution would be a grave act of injustice,\" the Members wrote. \"Mr. Johnson \u2018meets all statutory and clinical definitions' of intellectual disability. The Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution prohibits executing intellectually disabled people. As members of the U.S. House of Representatives, we urge you not to act in contravention to our Constitution. You must not execute Mr. Johnson. In addition, killing those who lack the intellectual ability to conform their behavior to the law is morally and legally unconscionable.\"\n\n\"Furthermore,\" the lawmakers continued, \"Johnson was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2008 and underwent brain tissue removal, according to court records. Scare tissue from the removal will likely cause him painful seizures after he is injected with pentobarbital, a seizure-inducing medication. For all of these reasons, we are staunch in our belief that Mr. Johnson should be granted clemency because he \u2013 like any person \u2013 is worthy of retribution and care.\"\n\nCongressman Cleaver has been a strong advocate for abolishing the death penalty and for clemency reform, supporting legislation that would prohibit the use of the death penalty at the federal level and requiring re-sentencing of those currently on death row. Most recently, in September, Cleaver joined Rep. Bush in requesting that Biden commute the sentences of those individuals released during the COVID-19 pandemic.\n\n\"I want to be clear that we are by no means minimizing the horrific acts perpetrated by Mr. Johnson more than 25 years ago, and I believe he deserves to be held accountable for the crimes he committed,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"However, in the United States of America, it is legally and morally unacceptable to execute an individual who is intellectually disabled. For that reason, I urge the Governor to uphold the Constitution of the United States and mercifully reduce the sentence of Ernest Johnson to life in prison without the possibility of parole.\"\n\nThe official text of the letter is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-votes-avert-government-shutdown", "Rep. Cleaver Votes to Avert a Government Shutdown", "2021-09-30", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) voted in favor of a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the federal government through December 3, 2021. The CR, passed today by the House of Representatives and the Senate, will keep the government open and avert a government shutdown that would have begun at midnight. Additionally, the CR will deliver $28.6 billion in desperately needed relief for communities that have been devasted by recent natural disasters, including Hurricane Ida, wildfires, and flooding. The bill also provides $6.3 billion in funding to help resettle our Afghan allies that were evacuated out of the country.\n\n\"A government shutdown in the middle of a pandemic would be catastrophic for American families and a devastating blow to our economic recovery,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"By passing this CR and funding the government into December, we give Congress the time needed to pass our appropriations bills through regular order and prevent hundreds of thousands of government workers from being furloughed, millions of veterans and seniors from losing services they rely on, and an unnecessary setback for the American economy. While I'm still furious that Republicans in Congress are holding the full faith and credit of the United States hostage by filibustering a raise to the debt ceiling, I'm relieved to have averted at least one completely needless congressional crisis.\"\n\nThe CR will now go to President Biden's desk, where he is expected to sign the legislation immediately.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-demands-red-flag-provisions-be-stripped-fy2022-ndaa", "Graves Demands Red Flag Provisions be Stripped from FY2022 NDAA", "2021-09-29", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) joined Republican colleagues to ask conferees to strip a Red Flag law provision from the FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The members sent a letter to the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees expressing grave concern over Sec. 529 of H.R. 4350, which would grant military courts the authority to strip servicemembers of their Second Amendment rights without due process and without the servicemember being present in court to defend themselves.\n\n\u201cEvery single day, brave American servicemembers serve in harm\u2019s way to defend our nation, our way of life, and the very constitutional rights that Sec. 529 would erode,\u201d the members wrote. \u201cThis dangerous provision must be excluded from the final package.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe NDAA is supposed to be about supporting our troops and giving them the tools we need to keep our country safe,\u201d said Graves. \u201cIt\u2019s unconscionable that liberals would try to sneak a provision into this critical legislation to unconstitutionally strip servicemembers of their Second Amendment rights. This provision must be removed from the final bill, just like it was last year. I am strongly opposed to red flag laws and will continue fighting to protect the Second Amendment rights of our servicemembers and all Americans.\u201d\n\nYou can view the letter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-demands-data-temp-workers-big-tech", "Congressman Cleaver Demands Data on Temp Workers in Big Tech", "2021-09-24", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 This week, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) delivered a congressional inquiry to 24 Big Tech companies, including Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft, demanding a variety of data on their usage of temporary workers.\n\nIn a letter to the Chief Executive Officer of each company, Congressman Cleaver wrote:\n\n\"According to a recent report from Temp Worker Justice and the National Employment Law Project, temporary workers face many injustices, including unequal pay for equal work, false promises of permanent employment, the abridgement of union rights, sexual harassment, discrimination, and reduced or non-existent benefits. Temporary workers account for 40 to 50 percent of the workforce at many technology firms, yet Congress has been provided with limited information about their employment. To better inform Congress and the constituents we represent, I seek additional information regarding your company's practices in employing temporary workers.\"\n\nIn their report from last month, Temp Worker Justice and the National Employment Law Project found that \"Temp and other subcontracted workers in the tech industry are a second-class workforce comprised disproportionately of people of color who do much of the same work as permanent, direct-hire employees but for less pay, worse benefits, no job security, and a high likelihood of discriminatory or other illegal treatment.\" Congressman Cleaver's inquiry is an effort to provide Congress with specific data on Big Tech's utilization of temporary workers, and to determine if congressional action is needed to address shortfalls in protections for these workers who play a pivotal role in the American economy.\n\nCongressman Cleaver has long been an advocate in Congress for temporary workers, introducing the Restoring Worker Power Act with Representative Joe Kennedy III in the 116th Congress, which would comprehensively overhaul federal protections for temporary workers and ensure they are given equal pay. Cleaver was also an original cosponsor of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which would expand a variety of labor protections related to employees' rights to organize and collectively bargain.\n\nThe letter from Cleaver was delivered to the CEOs of Activision Blizzard, Adobe, Amazon, Apple, Arrow Electronics, Cisco, Dell Technologies, Electronic Arts, Facebook, Fiserv, Google, Hewlett Packard (HPQ), Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), IBM, Intel, LinkedIn, McAfee, Microsoft, Oracle, Splunk, SAP, Tesla, Verizon, and Xerox.\n\nThe official letter from Congressman Cleaver is available\n\n.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-votes-protect-reproductive-health-freedom-enshrine", "Congressman Cleaver Votes to Protect Reproductive Health Freedom, Enshrine Roe v. Wade into Law", "2021-09-24", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) voted in favor of H.R. 3755, the Women's Health Protection Act (WHPA), to defend women's constitutional right to reproductive health care. With state legislatures around the country and the U.S. Supreme Court continuing a dangerous assault on women's basic reproductive health freedoms, the WHPA would codify the protections of Roe v. Wade into law and secure the right to reproductive care for all women across the United States, regardless of where they live.\n\n\"Today, I was proud to stand with my colleagues to unequivocally announce that the House of Representatives supports a woman's right to choose,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"We must not allow radical lawmakers in various states across the country, including Missouri, to turn back the clock nearly fifty years on reproductive rights by installing draconian laws that defy the will of the American people and decades of Supreme Court precedent. A woman's constitutional right to reproductive freedom should not depend on their ZIP code, and with the Women's Health Protection Act, it won't.\"\n\nSince July, 90 measures restricting reproductive rights have been enacted in various states across the country, marking the worst year for women's health rights since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. Earlier this year, the state of Texas enacted SB 8, which is now the most extreme abortion law in effect in the United States, outlawing nearly all abortions after six weeks, with no exceptions for rape and incest, while also creating a frightening vigilante system that enables private citizens to sue health care providers or anyone else they believe has helped a woman get an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. Despite this law flagrantly violating the constitutional protections afforded under the Roe v. Wade decision, the Supreme Court shamefully allowed the law to go into effect.\n\nThe WHPA would codify the constitutional right to abortion care that has already been the law of the land for nearly half a century. It would establish the federal statutory right for health care providers to offer abortion care and the federal right for patients to obtain that care, free from state restrictions.\n\n\"When it comes to reproductive health care, decision-making should always remain private between a patient and their doctor\u2014not deputized citizens,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"Passing the Women's Health Protection Act is a critical step toward creating a nation where every American is free to make the best health care decision for themselves and their families, and that's why I was proud to support this legislation.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-votes-pass-national-defense-authorization-act", "Rep. Cleaver Votes to Pass the National Defense Authorization Act", "2021-09-24", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Last night, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) voted in favor of H.R. 4350, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (NDAA). The bipartisan bill provides a pay raise and additional support to our troops and their families, strengthens our national security and foreign policy apparatus, and makes key investments in innovation and emerging technologies to ensure the U.S. remains a leader around the globe. Included in this year's NDAA are three amendments sponsored by Rep. Cleaver to enhance security operations to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among TSA workers and airline passengers; to study the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network's (FinCEN) ability to enforce the Bank Secrecy Act; and to bolster relations with western Europe and honor the life and legacy of Representative Alcee Hastings by creating the Alcee L. Hastings Leadership Institute for Inclusive Transatlantic Engagement.\n\n\"I've never seen an NDAA that was perfect\u2014and that includes the one I voted for last night,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"However, I also understand that democracy demands compromise, and the proposal passed by the House of Representatives today is the result of a fair negotiation that provides a well-earned pay raise and additional support to our troops, critical funding for innovation and R&D, and other investments that strengthen America's relationships with allies around the world. With this bipartisan legislation, the House of Representatives is sending the message that our men and women in uniform and our national security are more important than petty politics\u2014and that's the way it ought to be\"\n\nSome key provisions supported by Rep. Cleaver in the NDAA include:\n\nImproving the quality of life for our men and women in uniform by authorizing a 2.7 percent pay raise, increasing the allowable parental leave for primary and secondary caregivers in military families, expanding the in-home childcare pilot program, and making critical improvements to military health care, including easier access to mental health services;\n\nHistoric investments in innovation and emerging technologies to strengthen our national security, including a 36 percent increase in defense-wide basic and applied research and development, as well as significant increases in academic partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities;\n\nStrengthening our partnerships and alliances to ensure the U.S. remains a global leader and defender of democratic values in the face of a troubling rise in authoritarian states around the world;\n\nEstablishing a $15 minimum wage for Department of Defense service and construction contracts;\n\nCritical procedural changes to combat sexual assault in the military, including removing the Commander from decisions related to the prosecution of sexual assault crimes and instead creating an Office of Special victim Prosecutor to prosecute these crimes; and\n\nProviding $500 million in relocation support for Afghan SIV holders.\n\nRep. Cleaver introduced three amendments to the NDAA, all of which were adopted into the legislation with bipartisan support. The amendments include:\n\nThe Security Screening During COVID-19 Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Rep. Cleaver in March that would direct the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to issue and begin implementing a plan to enhance security operations during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the spread of the virus among TSA employees and airline passengers.\n\nThe creation of the Alcee L. Hastings Leadership Institute for Inclusive Transatlantic Engagement (LIITE) to honor the life and legacy of Representative Alcee Hastings, who tragically passed away earlier this year, and strengthen relations with our western European allies. LIITE builds upon Rep. Hastings' efforts over the past decade to bolster waning relations with western Europe by supporting leadership and knowledge exchanges that will help in countering extremism, hate crimes, and other security challenges impacting racial, ethnic, religious, and other communities on both sides of the Atlantic.\n\nDirecting the Treasury Department to study the efficacy of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network's (FinCEN) delegation authority in an effort to bolster enforcement of the Bank Secrecy Act, which prevents criminals from using financial institutions to hide or launder money for nefarious purposes. The amendment is a complement to the bipartisan COUNTER Act, introduced by Congressman Cleaver and signed into law last year, which provides sweeping reforms to improve the ability of the United States to protect national security and safeguard our financial systems from bad actors.\n\nCongressman Cleaver also cosponsored several amendments that were adopted into the NDAA, including:\n\nTwo provisions from the Counter-Kleptocracy Act, which was co-introduced by Rep. Cleaver earlier this month and would implement an array of updates to our national security and foreign policy apparatus to help confront and combat the rise in autocracy around the world by making it more difficult for corrupt kleptocrats to participate in the global financial system;\n\nHiring, Retaining, and Increasing African American and other nontraditional apprentice populations by requiring the Secretary of Defense to ensure that all contractors and subcontractors for military construction projects have a plan in place to do just that; and\n\nRescinding the Medal of Honor From 20 Individuals Who Perpetrated the Wounded Knee Massacre, which killed hundreds of unarmed Lakota women, children, and men on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.\n\n\"I believe our greatest responsibility as members of Congress is to protect and defend the American public from threats domestically and abroad,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"From increasing security measures to protect our invaluable TSA workers from COVID-19 to combating kleptocracy and corruption in the global financial system, I am extraordinarily proud that I was able to get multiple amendments that will protect American citizens adopted into this year's NDAA. As the NDAA makes its way to the President's desk, I will continue to work with my colleagues in a bipartisan way to ensure the safety and well-being of the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri and the American people.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-applauds-passage-fy22-ndaa-super-hornet-funding-and-other", "Wagner Applauds Passage of FY22 NDAA, Super Hornet Funding, and Other Legislative Priorities", "2021-09-23", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", "wagner", "https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Chair of the House Suburban Caucus, released the following statement after she voted in support of the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):\n\n\"This $778 billion bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act advances the critical needs of our military so our servicemen and women are fully equipped to keep our nation secure and safe. This legislation supports our troops who put their lives at risk to defend our freedoms and helps bolster our national defense at a time when global bad actors, including China, Russia, and Iran, are working to take advantage of instability in the wake of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.\n\n\"Included in this legislation is funding for 12 Super Hornets, planes that are made here in St. Louis and support thousands of local jobs. These critically important aircraft have been part of the fabric of our community for decades, but plans to cut funding for this program put manufacturing jobs in our region at risk. I fought to ensure these Super Hornets would remain in the NDAA and am proud to work with local advocates to ensure they continue to be built here in Missouri.\n\n\"The NDAA also included a number of my initiatives that will support victims of human trafficking, combat global human rights abuses, and protect women and children who are particularly at risk of violence.\"\n\nWagner Initiatives Included\n\nSoutheast Asia Strategy Act\n\nDirects the United States to develop a coherent and clearly communicated regional strategy that addresses all aspects of the relationship, from trade and humanitarian goals to diplomatic and security arrangements\n\nCentral American Women and Children Protection Act\n\nAuthorizes the United States to enter into bilateral agreements with Central American countries to end violence against women and children\n\nTrafficking Victims Housing Act\n\nRequires an assessment of barriers to fair housing and discrimination against survivors of trafficking who are members of a protected class under the Fair Housing Act\n\nEgypt Human Rights Amendment\n\nRequires a report on incidents of arbitrary detention, violence, and harassment of American citizens by the government of Egypt\n\nBurma Amendment", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-votes-avert-government-shutdown-raise-debt-ceiling-and", "Rep. Cleaver Votes to Avert Government Shutdown, Raise Debt Ceiling, and Provide Funding for Disaster Relief and Afghan Evacuees", "2021-09-22", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Last night, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) voted in favor a H.R. 5305, the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act. The pivotal piece of legislation would fund the federal government through December 3, 2021 and includes two emergency supplemental funding bills that provide $28.6 billion in relief for recent natural disasters\u2014including Hurricane Ida, wildfires, severe droughts and more\u2014and $6.3 billion to support Afghan evacuees in American facilities and in foreign countries. The bill also includes provisions to suspend the debt limit through December 2022 to protect the full faith and credit of the United States by ensuring the federal government can fulfill the financial obligations it has already made.\n\n\"At a time when COVID-19 is taking the lives of 2,000 Americans every day, millions more are still searching for work, and communities across the country are rebuilding from natural disasters, Congress cannot allow for a government shutdown or a default of the United States,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"Political brinksmanship and cheap political points will not help families who have been decimated by hurricanes, flooding, or wildfires. As representatives, we have a responsibility to our constituents to put their needs before our politics, and while this bill is certainly not perfect, I was proud to support today's legislation to ensure the federal government can continue to combat the COVID pandemic, keep programs running that working class Americans rely on, and support those who have been devastated by climate-exacerbated natural disasters.\"\n\nCongress has a deadline of September 30 to fund the federal government, with a failure to do so resulting in a government shutdown. Additionally, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has previously stated that the federal government will be unable to pay its bills by mid- to late October if Congress fails to raise the debt ceiling. According to a study from Moody's Analytics, failure to raise the debt ceiling would cost the U.S. economy up to 6 million jobs, erase up to $15 trillion in household wealth, raise the unemployment rate to roughly 9 percent, and immediately pull the American economy into a recession.\n\n\"My Republican colleagues, with the help of Democrats in Congress, voted to raise the debt ceiling three times under the Trump administration, who added nearly $8 trillion to the national debt\u2014$2 trillion of which was a tax giveaway to the wealthiest Americans and giant corporations, passed through the reconciliation process with zero input from Democrats,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"A vote against raising the debt ceiling is a vote to withhold pay for our men and women in uniform, desperately needed benefits for our veterans, and social security for millions of seniors. This is a shared responsibility that has garnered bipartisan support for decades, and I sincerely hope that my friends across the aisle won't play politics with the lives and livelihoods of the American people by withholding support to raise the debt ceiling.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-votes-against-raising-debt-limit", "Graves Votes Against Raising Debt Limit", "2021-09-21", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) released the following statement after voting against legislation to raise the federal debt limit.\n\n\u201cAmerican families actually have to balance their budgets\u2014something folks in Washington seem to have forgotten how to do. Our national debt is a national disgrace and I refuse to lift the debt limit just so Speaker Pelosi can ram through her $3.5 trillion tax and spend plan that will hammer America\u2019s middle class. We simply cannot afford to saddle our children and grandchildren with mountains of debt to finance her socialist agenda.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/liberals-block-graves-bill-end-border-crisis", "Liberals Block Graves Bill to End Border Crisis", "2021-09-21", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, liberals blocked taking up the Border Security for America Act of 2021, which Congressman Graves helped introduce in July. Their obstruction comes as America is facing an unprecedented crisis at our southern border where more than 1.2 million people have illegally crossed into the United States this year.\n\n\u201cThe crisis at our Southern border has reached a breaking point and Speaker Pelosi\u2019s downright refusal to end this crisis is unconscionable,\u201d said Graves. \u201cWe need to be supporting our Border Patrol officers, giving them more tools to do their jobs, and finishing the wall. That\u2019s the only way we can end this crisis.\u201d\n\nThe Border Security for America Act of 2021:\n\nSupports Federal Law Enforcement Officers Tasked with Security Our Border\n\nDirects the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure all personnel who serve on the frontlines of the border are equipped with proper communication devices to maximize the safety of DHS officers and agents\n\nDirects DHS to hire and train additional Border Patrol Agents, CBP Officers, K-9 units and handlers, tunnel detection officers, and agriculture specialists and to maintain a strong active-duty presence at all ports of entry\n\nEnhances Border Security Technology\n\nDirects DHS to deploy the most practical and effective technology available along the international borders such as Advanced Unattended Surveillance Sensors and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles\n\nRequires DHS to assess technology needs, identify capability gaps, and analyze security risks at all ports of entry and submit to Congress a strategic five-year technology investment plan\n\nFinishes the Wall\n\nDirects the DHS Secretary to resume all activities related to the construction of the border barrier system. This includes constructing a barrier wall system along the southern border, expending all border wall funds as appropriated by Congress, and honoring all agreements executed in writing between DHS and private citizens, State, local, and Tribal governments, and other stakeholders\n\nYou can see the full text of the Border Security for America Act of 2021.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-blunt-announce-legislation-honor-ulysses-s-grant", "Wagner, Blunt Announce Legislation to Honor Ulysses S. Grant", "2021-09-17", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", "wagner", "https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "St. Louis, MO \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Chair of the House Suburban Caucus, and Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) announced their bicameral Ulysses S. Grant Bicentennial Recognition Act. The legislation requests President Biden to posthumously promote Grant to General of the Armies of the United States, the highest rank in the US Army.\n\nRep. Ann Wagner: \"At a time when our nation was the most divided it has ever been, Ulysses S. Grant not only answered the call of duty, but also helped recruit volunteers to protect our union. He rose through the ranks of the Army with incredible speed due to his tenacity, grit, and unwavering resolve to keep our nation united. The brave soldiers under his command achieved numerous victories and suffered painful defeats; but Grant kept marching and kept fighting, because he knew failure was not an option. Without Grant's leadership and perseverance, the very fabric of our nation may have been lost.\"\n\nSen. Roy Blunt: \"I'm proud to join Congresswoman Ann Wagner in this effort to honor Ulysses S. Grant and his efforts to preserve and defend our Union. Despite the personal setbacks he faced in his life, when Grant was called to serve he did so with courage, integrity, and determination that led his troops \u2013 and our nation \u2013 to victory. As we approach the bicentennial of Grant's birth early next year, this is a fitting moment to reflect on his fight for a more perfect Union, and honor his legacy and the legacy of all of the service members who have fought for this nation and the values we stand for.\"\n\nThe Grant Monument Association and the Ulysses S. Grant Association: \"General Ulysses S. Grant was the principal author of Union victory during the Civil War. His achievements on the battlefield ensured the very survival of our nation amid the greatest threat it had ever faced. Many historians rightfully regard him as not only the most capable and accomplished general in American history, but also one of the great military commanders in world history. So it is only fitting that, as was done for George Washington during the nation's bicentennial in 1976, General Grant posthumously be accorded the army's highest rank\u2014and there is no better time to do so than during the Grant bicentennial in 2022. The Ulysses S. Grant Association and Grant Monument Association offer our deepest thanks to Representative Ann Wagner and Senator Roy Blunt for introducing the Ulysses S. Grant Bicentennial Recognition Act as a much needed recognition of an important historical anniversary. We urge the House and Senate to pass this legislation, and President Joe Biden to make the requested appointment, in time for Grant's 200th birthday on April 27, 2022.\"\n\nThen-Colonel Grant first received word of his promotion to Brigadier General from a posting in the Daily Missouri Democrat newspaper in 1861. According to biographer Ron Chernow, this marked a pivotal moment in Grant's life; prior to this promotion, Grant had largely experienced challenges, setbacks and outright failures in his professional life. From that moment on, Grant's integrity and leadership propelled him to commander of the Union Army, and ultimately leader of the nation as our 18th president.\n\nThe grade of General of the Armies of the United States was first established by Congress in 1799 as the highest rank in the U.S. Army. However, then-President John Adams refused to appoint anyone to the position because the U.S. was not at war. The grade was dissolved in 1802, when Congress passed the Military Peace Establishment Act without reference to the grade. In 1866, Congress established the grade of \"General of the Army of the United States\" as the highest rank in the U.S. Army, and Grant was immediately appointed to the position. In 1919, Congress authorized the president to appoint John Pershing to the grade of \"General of the Armies of the United States\" for his role in commanding military forces during World War I. Significant confusion arose between the previously established \"General of the Army\" (the position Grant held) and \"General of the Armies\" (the position created in 1799, then re-established in 1919). In 1976, Congress clarified that \"General of the Armies of the United States\" is the highest rank in the U.S. Army when it posthumously promoted George Washington to the grade in honor of the nation's bicentennial. The Ulysses S. Grant Bicentennial Recognition Act would promote Grant to the same rank as George Washington.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-leads-opposition-speaker-pelosis-35-trillion-spending-spree", "Graves Leads Opposition to Speaker Pelosi\u2019s $3.5 Trillion Spending Spree in Transportation Committee", "2021-09-14", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 House Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Sam Graves (MO-06) led opposition during today\u2019s markup of Speaker Pelosi\u2019s $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation spending spree.\n\n\u201cThis $3.5 trillion spending spree is a slap in the face of the American people. With multiple crises facing America today such as the disaster in Afghanistan and unconstitutional mandates from the Biden Administration, the last thing we should be doing is wasting time deciding how to waste money we don\u2019t have anyway,\u201d said Graves. \u201cThis massive tax and spend plan will only fuel further inflation, taxing working class Americans who are struggling to get by right now, and pile on more debt, taxing our kids and grandkids in the future. We don\u2019t need more spending, more taxation, and more inflation. We need to pump the brakes on this reckless spending spree and get back to doing the peoples\u2019 work.\u201d\n\nYou can watch Ranking Member Graves opening statement here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleavers-statement-20th-anniversary-911-terror-attacks", "Congressman Cleaver\u2019s Statement on the 20th Anniversary of the 9/11 Terror Attacks", "2021-09-11", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Kansas City, MO) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement on the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.\n\n\"September 11, 2001 is a day that has been seared into my memory, and I will carry those memories with me for the rest of my life. On that fateful day, the world watched in horror as terrorists hijacked multiple passenger aircraft and flew them into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and, thanks to the courage of the heroic passengers on Flight 93, missed the U.S. Capitol. The despicable, senseless, and hate-fueled attacks stole the lives of nearly 3,000 innocent Americans, including more than 400 first responders who selflessly ran toward danger in a moment when their fellow citizens needed them most. It was a previously unfathomable tragedy that couldn't help but break one's heart.\n\n\"I\u2014like many others\u2014will never forget the shocking images we witnessed on that day. They delivered a striking blow to the aura of invincibility our nation had grown accustomed to, demonstrating how powerful hate can be when put into action and illustrating the absolute worst in humanity.\n\n\"However, in that day, and the days the followed, we also witnessed the kind of courage that can only be found during such a disaster. We watched the American public pull together like few other moments in our nation's history. We put differences aside and united as one people, resolved to defend the values of freedom and liberty that are sacred to every American.\n\n\"It is difficult to believe that twenty years have passed since the tragedy of September 11, 2001. On the twentieth anniversary, I will spend my time praying for the families who lost a loved one\u2014on that day or in the years that followed. It is my hope that all Americans will take some time to honor the souls that were taken from us on that day. For they may be gone, but we must never allow them to be forgotten.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-introduces-bill-reauthorize-freedoms-frontier", "Congressman Cleaver Introduces Bill to Reauthorize Freedom\u2019s Frontier National Heritage Area", "2021-09-09", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) introduced the Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area Reauthorization Act, which would reauthorize the Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area (FFNHA) for another 15 years. Established in 2006, the FFNHA is one of 55 National Heritage Areas throughout the United States and focuses on generating economic activity and increasing tourism in Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas by promoting and raising awareness of the region's history.\n\n\"Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area has proven to be an invaluable economic, cultural, and academic asset to the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"By partnering with historical sites, museums, libraries, and other entities to tell the full story of Missouri and Kansas' inspirational, exciting, difficult, and remarkable history, Freedom's Frontier helps to educate the next generation while creating jobs and generating economic development in Kansas City and towns throughout our region. Reauthorizing the Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area is a common sense decision that will strengthen our two states for years to come, and that's why I'm proud to lead our bipartisan coalition in introducing this important piece of legislation.\"\n\n\"As the former Missouri Director of Tourism, ensuring our state's historical sites, museums, libraries and other tourist destinations are maintained and available to visitors is always a priority for me in Congress,\" said Congressman Luetkemeyer. \"By preserving places like Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area, we are safeguarding Missouri's rich history, creating jobs, and supporting our local economies.\"\n\n\"Freedom's Frontier has a 15-year track record of bringing tourists to museums and historical sites, which boosts local economies and brings new dollars to our western Missouri and eastern Kansas towns and cities,\" said Freedom's Frontier Executive Director Jim Ogle. \"The reauthorization of our organization means we will continue to attract heritage tourists who want to explore the border war that helped ignite the Civil War, follow the underground railroad, and learn about the Negro Leagues. We know these tourists will visit hotels, restaurants and other venues to boost our states' economic development\u2014and our reauthorization means we'll be able to continue to return $5 to the area for every $1 invested in our program. We appreciate the leadership of Representatives Cleaver, Hartzler, and Luetkemeyer for introducing this bipartisan legislation, and we look forward to it becoming law so that we may continue serving communities throughout the region.\"\n\nU.S. Representatives Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO) and Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) are original cosponsors of the Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area Reauthorization Act.\n\nOfficial text of the Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area Reauthorization Act is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-calls-state-department-protect-afghan-child-refugees-sexual", "Wagner Calls On State Department to Protect Afghan Child Refugees From Sexual Exploitation", "2021-09-08", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", "wagner", "https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Vice Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement regarding recent reports of alleged forced marriage and sexual abuse of Afghan child refugees.\n\n\"It is our responsibility to ensure that every single child under the care of the United States government is protected from sexual exploitation and human trafficking, and the State Department must take all necessary action to protect these vulnerable girls. The Associated Press published a report stating that United States officials have \u2018identified numerous incidents' of suspected forced marriage among Afghan girls and older male refugees. The report outlines many concerns among U.S. officials that Afghan girls have been forced into marriage and are being held in the United States. It has also been reported that these young girls have suffered rape and sexual abuse by the men they were forced to marry in order to flee the Taliban.\n\n\"The horror these young girls are enduring is absolutely unacceptable and illegal. I am calling on the State Department to fully account for the number of children under U.S. care that are suspected victims of forced marriage or sexual assault. Secretary Blinken must provide this accounting during his testimony before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs this Monday, September 13th, 2021.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-statement-tragic-death-lance-corporal-jared-schmitz", "Wagner Statement on the Tragic Death of Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz", "2021-08-28", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", "wagner", "https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement on the tragic death of Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz:\n\n\"Giving one's life in service to your country will never ease the pain felt by parents who just lost their son defending freedom in a faraway land.\n\n\"Sadly, Wentzville native Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz was one of the brave Marines who was killed in the terrorist attack in Kabul yesterday while working to ensure the safety of those trying to leave Afghanistan. He was just 20 years old and I am so incredibly proud of his dedication, his resolve, and his patriotism. When I spoke to his father this morning, I told him that Jared's legacy will endure here in Missouri and across the United States.\n\n\"On just his first deployment, Jared stepped up to serve, putting his life on the line to save others and help get American families and Afghan allies out of harm's way. Tragically, Jared paid the ultimate sacrifice. May Jared rest in peace, and may the prayers of all Missourians comfort the Schmitz family, their community and their friends in this time of sorrow.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-statement-loss-life-afghanistan", "Wagner Statement on Loss of Life in Afghanistan", "2021-08-27", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", "wagner", "https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Vice Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement on the loss of life in Afghanistan.\n\n\"I am both heartbroken and incensed by the deaths of our U.S. servicemembers in Afghanistan. Their bravery knows no bounds. They knew how dangerous it could be on the ground in Kabul, and they put their lives on the line to rescue innocents from the Taliban and help save fellow Americans. Their sacrifices will not be forgotten and we will hold President Biden and his Administration accountable. I continue to pray for their families, all those killed and injured in the terrorist attacks, and for those who are still in Afghanistan.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-asks-biden-administration-extend-its-brief-public-comment-period", "Graves Asks Biden Administration to Extend Its Brief Public Comment Period & Meetings on Waters of the United States", "2021-08-26", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO), along with Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member David Rouzer (R-NC), today requested that the Biden Administration provide the public and the numerous impacted stakeholders a reasonable amount of time to provide input into the Administration\u2019s plans to rewrite the federal rule defining \u201cWaters of the United States\u201d (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act.\n\nThe Graves and Rouzer letter to the heads of the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers notes that the brief public comment period and the few public meetings that had all been scheduled to conclude within a month are insufficient to allow meaningful input to the process from the many Americans, farmers, businesses, communities, and others that will be regulated by the agencies.\n\nIn their letter, Graves and Rouzer state, \u201cThe Agencies\u2019 decision to revise the definition of WOTUS (the \u2018Notice\u2019), and consequently to forgo the long-awaited clarity provided by the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, will have broad implications for farmers, homeowners, private property owners, manufacturers, small businesses, water districts, and local governments. Given the adverse impacts previously seen with overly broad interpretations, such as the flawed Obama Administration WOTUS rule, it is essential the Agencies administer a comprehensive process to solicit public feedback on the scope of the Clean Water Act jurisdiction when initiating a new rulemaking process\u2026.\n\n\u201cThe decision to host meetings within such a short timeframe on a wide range of topics is indicative of a rushed, insincere notice-and-comment process by this Administration. A mere single month of public meetings is a woefully insufficient amount of time to collect meaningful input on a regulation that will have a profound, long-term impact on the everyday lives of American farmers, businesses, families, and our environment.\n\n\u201cWe urge the Agencies to extend their public meeting schedule to ensure substantial public feedback and stakeholder input is collected. Therefore, we request the Agencies to provide a 60-day extension of the current 30-day comment period to provide stakeholders with adequate time to develop and submit written recommendations on the definition and implementation of a revised WOTUS rule, as has been offered by previous administrations\u2026.\n\n\u201cWe urge the Agencies to implement a robust operation to effectively collect meaningful stakeholder outreach, as public input from stakeholders who will be most affected is crucial to any transparent rulemaking process. The Agencies need to then incorporate this feedback into the proposed and final rulemaking and provide detailed explanations and rationales as to how stakeholder concerns will be addressed.\u201d\n\nThe Administration announced the public comment period and meetings in the Federal Register on August 4, 2021. The several announced public meetings were all scheduled within 30 days from the notice and were to occur only in an online setting, with no opportunities for business owners, landowners, farmers local officials, and other stakeholders to participate in discussions in-person. In addition to an extension of the public comment period, Graves and Rouzer also requested that additional public meetings be held. Click here to read the full letter from the Committee Republican leaders.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-statement-attacks-kabul-airport", "Graves Statement on Attacks on Kabul Airport", "2021-08-26", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sam Graves (R-MO) released the following statement after receiving news that U.S. service members were killed in attacks on Karzai International Airport in Kabul Afghanistan this morning.\n\n\u201cMy heart breaks for these fallen heroes, their families, and their fellow service members still fighting for their lives at the airport in Kabul. They\u2019ve shown immense courage and compassion in the face of impossible odds. They never should have been put in this position in the first place. The President must immediately implement a plan to secure the airport and protect the lives of U.S. troops, American citizens, and our allies.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-missouri-delegation-call-femas-emergency-approval", "Congressman Cleaver, Missouri Delegation Call For FEMA\u2019s Emergency Approval of Major Disaster Declaration Following Severe Storms", "2021-08-24", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.)\u2013 Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Sam Graves (R-MO), Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Jason Smith (R-MO), Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), Ann Wagner (R-MO), and Billy Long (R-MO), along with U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Josh Hawley (R-MO), called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to approve Governor Mike Parson's recent request for a Major Disaster Declaration following severe storms and flooding throughout the state of Missouri, including in Ray and Saline counties.\n\nIn a letter to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, the lawmakers wrote:\n\n\"Damage assessments have brought to light the severity and magnitude of this storm system's impact on individuals and public infrastructure. Tragically, there have been two confirmed deaths as a result of these storms and associated flooding. Joint PDAs have estimated just over $10 million in damage to public infrastructure and emergency response costs, with nearly $7.3 million in damage to roads and bridges alone.\"\n\nWe appreciate your service in leading the nation's disaster recovery efforts, as well as FEMA's speedy response in initiating the joint PDA process. We request FEMA's due consideration to Governor Parson's request for a Major Disaster Declaration, and hope that FEMA will continue to work closely with state officials as this process moves forward,\" the lawmakers continued.\n\nThe official letter from lawmakers is available\n\nDocument\n\n.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleavers-statement-house-passage-35-trillion-budget", "Congressman Cleaver\u2019s Statement on House Passage of $3.5 Trillion Budget Resolution", "2021-08-24", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.)\u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the $3.5 trillion budget resolution, which allows for the budget reconciliation process to begin.\n\n\"Today, the House of Representatives took another important step toward enacting President Biden's economic agenda\u2014where working class families come first, giant corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share, and our nation begins the critical transition toward a resilient 21st century economy.\n\n\"Following the worst pandemic in a century, which shed light on many of the inequities that have persisted in the United States for far too long, the American people are clamoring for Congress and the Biden administration to make good on the promises to Build Back Better. In conjunction with the bipartisan infrastructure deal, the budget resolution will do just that. It will help to create millions of good-paying union jobs, provide paid family leave for working class families in Missouri, extend the expanded Child Tax Credit to support our children's future, strengthen our workforce by implementing universal pre-K and two years of free community college, combat the climate crisis by transitioning to renewable technologies, and invest heavily to create more affordable housing in communities throughout the country. All without raising taxes on Americans making less than $400,000.\n\n\"There are still many conversations and plenty of debates that will need to occur in the coming months as Congress formally draws up this historic piece of legislation, but I am confident that Democrats will meet this once-in-a-generation moment and the needs of the American people. I was proud to support moving forward with the reconciliation process, and I will continue fighting to ensure that the priorities of the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri are included in the final bill.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-votes-against-35-trillion-spending-spree", "Graves Votes Against $3.5 Trillion Spending Spree", "2021-08-24", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sam Graves (R-MO) released the following statement after voting against S.Con.Res. 14, which paves the way for liberals to ram through their $3.5 trillion spending spree without any Republican support.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019ve got a crisis in Afghanistan, a crisis at the border, an inflation crisis right here at home, and this bill does nothing to fix any of that,\u201d said Graves. \u201cIt\u2019s just another step in the wrong direction, granting amnesty to illegal immigrants and further fueling the inflation crisis that\u2019s suffocating America\u2019s middle class. We need a real plan to end these crises, not a massive, spending spree that will shoulder our children and our children\u2019s children with crippling debt and expand the federal government to a level we\u2019ve never seen before.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-slams-pelosi-sanders-budget", "Wagner Slams Pelosi-Sanders Budget", "2021-08-24", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", "wagner", "https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Chair of the House Suburban Caucus, released the following statement on S. Con. Res 14, the Bernie Sanders $3.5 trillion Tax and Spend Plan:\n\n\"As American families struggle with skyrocketing inflation, Nancy Pelosi is obsessed with jamming through Bernie Sanders's $3.5 trillion socialist spending spree, a reckless action that will make everyday life even more expensive. As our nation recovers from the pandemic, we need responsible, commonsense leadership to rebuild our economy and stabilize our communities, not socialist spending that seeks to tear down hardworking families. Instead of working on behalf of those in need, Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden are working hand-in-glove with Bernie Sanders to deliver amnesty to illegal immigrants and raise taxes on working families and businesses. This plan will tax employers at one of the world's highest rates and give government even more control over your healthcare.\n\n\"This wildly foolish budget pushes $17 trillion in new debt onto our children and grandchildren. Joe Biden has presided over a dangerous level of inflation, and this legislation is poised to drive up prices across the board, making sure that your paycheck is worth even less at a time you need it most.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-ann-wagner-sends-letter-vp-harris-assure-southeast-asian", "Congresswoman Ann Wagner Sends Letter To VP Harris To Assure Southeast Asian Allies Of U.S. Support", "2021-08-20", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", "wagner", "https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Vice Ranking Member Ann Wagner (R-MO), Co-Chair of the ASEAN Caucus, sent a letter to Vice President Kamala Harris regarding the Vice President's upcoming trip to Singapore and Vietnam. This letter calls on Vice President Harris to assure our allies in Southeast Asia of America's commitment to support them against Chinese aggression.\n\nExcerpt: \"With the recent catastrophic collapse of Afghanistan and evacuation of U.S. military forces, we must unequivocally assure our allies in Southeast Asia of our nation's firm and unwavering commitment to ensuring their security and providing the resources and intelligence necessary to repel Chinese aggression. It is my sincere hope that you are able to communicate this assurance in no uncertain terms.\"\n\nBackground\n\nThe Chinese Communist Party continues to aggressively expand its power and malign influence throughout the Indo-Pacific, and the U.S. has never articulated a comprehensive strategy for the region. In April 2021, the House unanimously passed Congresswoman Wagner's Southeast Asia Strategy Act, which requires the State Department to develop and submit to Congress a coherent regional strategy that addresses trade, humanitarian initiatives, diplomatic partnerships, and security arrangements.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-announces-lambert-airport-receive-nearly-15-million-aip-grants", "Wagner Announces Lambert Airport To Receive Nearly $15 million in AIP Grants", "2021-08-19", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", "wagner", "https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Chair of the House Suburban Caucus, released the following statement announcing nearly $15 million in Airport Improvement Program grants for St. Louis Lambert International Airport:\n\n\"I am pleased to announce Lambert Airport will receive nearly $15 million in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant funding. This funding will go towards important infrastructure improvements, including runway reconstruction, so Lambert can continue to provide St. Louis and our entire region with high-quality, effective service during all our travels. In addition to infrastructure improvements, these grants will also provide a needed boost to our local economy and support jobs here in St. Louis. I look forward to working with our local elected and airport officials to make sure these AIP grants are put to use quickly and efficiently.\"\n\nThe $14,640,200 in Airport Improvement Program funding will be matched by $4,880,066 in local funding.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-foreign-affairs-republicans-call-biden-continue-evacuation", "Wagner, Foreign Affairs Republicans Call on Biden to Continue Evacuation in Afghanistan until All Americans, Afghan Partners Safely out of the Country", "2021-08-17", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", "wagner", "https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 House Foreign Affairs Committee Vice Ranking Member Ann Wagner (R-MO), Lead Republican Michael McCaul (R-TX), Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia and Nonproliferation Lead Republican Steve Chabot (R-OH) and all committee Republicans are calling on President Biden to commit to continuing evacuation flights out of Kabul until all American citizens and all of our Afghan partners are safely out of the country. Their call comes in the wake of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's refusal to make that commitment when asked three times at today's White House briefing.\n\n\"For months, we have consistently urged President Biden and his administration to develop and implement a plan to evacuate our Afghan partners, to secure the U.S. embassy and keep Americans in the country safe, and to manage the impending humanitarian crisis. He ignored us. We are facing this shameful moment in our history because of President Biden's failed leadership. Full stop. It is reprehensible that National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and President Joe Biden are now refusing \u2013 repeatedly \u2013 to commit to continuing the evacuation of American citizens and our Afghan partners until they are all safely out of the country. We demand President Biden immediately and publicly commit to continuing evacuations for as long as it takes to get all Americans and Afghan allies to safety. Refusing to do so will only serve to further damage U.S. credibility as a partner moving forward. \"\n\nThe following House Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans joined Reps. Wagner, McCaul and Chabot in releasing this statement:\n\nRep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ)\n\nRep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)\n\nRep. Scott Perry (R-PA)\n\nRep. Darrell Issa (R-CA)\n\nRep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL)\n\nRep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY)\n\nRep. Ann Wagner (R-MO)\n\nRep. Brian Mast (R-FL)\n\nRep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)\n\nRep. Ken Buck (R-CO)\n\nRep. Tim Burchett (R-TN)\n\nRep. Mark Green (R-TN)\n\nRep. Andy Barr (R-KY)\n\nRep. Greg Steube (R-FL)\n\nRep. Dan Meuser (R-PA)\n\nRep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY)\n\nRep. August Pfluger (R-TX)\n\nRep. Peter Meijer (R-MI)\n\nRep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY)\n\nRep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX)\n\nRep. Young Kim (R-CA)\n\nRep. Maria Salazar (R-FL)", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleavers-statement-afghanistan", "Congressman Cleaver\u2019s Statement on Afghanistan", "2021-08-16", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Kansas City, MO)\u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement on the situation in Afghanistan.\n\n\"I am watching the news out of Afghanistan closely and remain extremely concerned about the situation on the ground. While the Taliban continue their brutal assault on the country, I will continue to work with administration officials to ensure U.S. personnel and our Afghan allies are safely evacuated.\n\n\"There will be plenty of time to discuss what went wrong, what we could have done differently, and our nation's decades-long failed foreign policy in Afghanistan and the Middle East. However, in this critical moment, we must focus all of our efforts and energy on evacuating American citizens, diplomats, and other officials, as well as the Afghans and the families of those who courageously served at our side.\n\n\"Nothing is more important than extracting the innocent individuals who remain in harm's way, and I call on President Biden to use every tool at his disposal to ensure that happens.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-statement-situation-afghanistan", "Graves Statement on Situation in Afghanistan", "2021-08-15", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) released the following statement regarding the crisis unfolding in Afghanistan:\n\n\u201cThe President\u2019s surrender of Afghanistan to the Taliban will have serious consequences for generations to come. These are the same people that aided, abetted, and harbored the Al-Qaeda terrorists responsible for the September 11th attacks. Now, they\u2019ve released thousands of terrorists held at Bagram Air Base\u2014including senior Al Qaeda operatives. I have grave concerns that this Administration\u2019s failure to learn from history will doom us all to relive it. The President must immediately lay out a clear, concise, and effective strategy to ensure that Afghanistan does not once again become a training ground and safe haven for terrorists. My thoughts and prayers are with our troops and diplomatic personnel caught in this crisis and with the Afghani people who will undoubtedly suffer greatly under the renewed Taliban regime.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-announces-293-million-sent-missouri-families-july-thanks", "Rep. Cleaver Announces $293 Million Sent to Missouri Families in July Thanks to Expanded Child Tax Credit", "2021-08-12", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Kansas City, MO) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced a new study from the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) showing the expanded Child Tax Credit delivered more than $293 million to Missouri families in July. The historic tax cut for working families\u2014included in the American Rescue Plan supported by Congressman Cleaver\u2014benefited more than 1.1 million children in the Show-Me state with families receiving an average payment of $444.\n\n\"At a time when tens of thousands of Missouri families are still struggling to pay rent and keep food on the table, the expanded Child Tax Credit has put more money into their bank account to afford the essentials,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"Not only does this give our children a greater opportunity to succeed, but it helps to stimulate local economies and sustain small businesses throughout our state. I was proud to support this historic tax cut for working class families, and I will do everything possible to ensure it becomes permanent.\"\n\nAccording to the JEC's study, the expanded Child Tax Credit generated $18.6 billion in economic activity in local economies nationwide, including more than $366 million in Missouri, which contributed to job growth and supported small businesses. The next round of payments to Missouri families will begin to be distributed tomorrow, with monthly payments continuing through 2021.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-opens-application-process-service-academy-nominations", "Graves Opens Application Process for Service Academy Nominations", "2021-08-12", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sam Graves (R-MO) announced that he is currently accepting applications from North Missouri students interested in attending the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy, or U.S. Naval Academy.\n\n\u201cOur nation\u2019s service academies are some of the most selective and prestigious institutions in the world,\u201d said Graves. \u201cEach year I have the distinct honor of nominating several outstanding young men and women from North Missouri to attend the five service academies. It\u2019s a tough and competitive process, but I encourage every student who is interested in attending one of these incredible service academies to apply.\u201d\n\nIndividuals interested in applying for a service academy nomination can do so by contacting Congressman Graves\u2019 Kansas City District Office at 816-792-3976 after opening an application with their desired service academy. To be eligible to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy, or U.S. Naval Academy, you must:\n\n\u00b7 Be at least 17 years old, but not have passed the 23rd birthday. (25 for the Merchant Marine Academy).\n\n\u00b7 Be a U.S. Citizen, and a permanent resident of Missouri.\n\n\u00b7 Be unmarried, not pregnant, and have no legal obligation to support children or other dependents.\n\n\u00b7 Meet the medical, physical, and academic requirements of the Academy\n\n\u00b7 Be of good moral character\n\n\u00b7 Have a valid Social Security Number\n\nThe deadline for applications for the nomination process is 5:00 pm, October 15th, 2021.\n\nThe U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy, and U.S. Naval Academy all have extremely high admissions standards and the nomination process is very competitive. Applicants are evaluated and interviewed by the Academy Nomination Review Board comprised of service academy graduates and citizens of Missouri\u2019s 6th Congressional District before final recommendations are made to Congressman Graves.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-urges-city-kansas-city-quickly-disburse-emergency", "Congressman Cleaver Urges the City of Kansas City to Quickly Disburse Emergency Rental Assistance Funds", "2021-08-11", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Kansas City, MO) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) joined the Kansas City Council's Finance, Governance, and Public Safety Committee and testified in support of a proposed plan to bolster access to, and disbursement of, necessary emergency rental assistance (ERA) funds to Kansas Citians seeking assistance.\n\n\"While I am pleased that President Biden extended the eviction moratorium \u2013 preventing countless individuals and families from losing their homes \u2013 we must continue to work hard to ensure the remaining $17 million in emergency rental assistance is accessible to those who seek it,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"Keeping people in their homes remains a shared responsibility of all levels of government, which is why I am proud to join Councilwoman Kathryn Shields and Councilwoman Melissa Robinson in urging the City to increase public access to emergency rental assistance funds and mitigate the bureaucratic barriers preventing this substantial federal funding from expeditiously reaching the hands of those in need.\"\n\nThe proposed plan supported by Congressman Cleaver would:\n\nCreate a call center to follow up with approximately 7,000 applicants that applied for the first round of ERA I - $14 million in total, disbursing the remaining $6 million from the first round of funding.\n\nCreate a physical processing or intake center focused on disbursing the second round of ERA II funding - $11 million in total, focusing on completing the processing of any remaining applicants from the first round of funding and then re-opening the portal to allow new applicants to apply, creating a one-stop-shop for applicants to receive assistance.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-senator-menendez-introduce-affordable-housing", "Congressman Cleaver, Senator Menendez Introduce Affordable Housing Legislation to Revitalize Underserved Neighborhoods", "2021-08-10", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Chair of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance, announced the introduction of the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Act of 2021. The legislation supports locally driven strategies to revitalize underserved neighborhoods by making permanent the Choice Neighborhoods grant program at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.\n\n\"Affordable housing is the mother's milk of economic prosperity\u2014and the Choice Neighborhoods program has demonstrated how federal funding, in conjunction with private investment, for affordable and public housing can uplift underserved communities throughout the nation. The vision of Choice Neighborhoods is to bring together the public sector, private sector, and community leaders to revitalize not only distressed housing, but also transform the surrounding neighborhood,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"By strengthening and making permanent this extraordinarily successful federal program, Congress has an opportunity to lift up neighborhoods that have been neglected for far too long. I'm proud to introduce this important piece of legislation with Senator Menendez, and I look forward to working with him as it makes its way through the legislative process.\"\n\n\"The Choice Neighborhood Initiative Act of 2021 will bolster a successful federal program to revitalize distressed neighborhoods and address communities' affordable housing needs and challenges,\" said Sen. Menendez. \"Despite Choice Neighborhood's record of success and broad support, Congress has never fully authorized the program. This legislation would make the Choice Neighborhoods program permanent, providing the resources our local communities need to leverage private investment, build on their strengths, and improve the lives of residents.\"\n\nThe Choice Neighborhoods program leverages public and private resources to transform underserved neighborhoods with distressed public or HUD-assisted housing into mixed-income communities with improved access to jobs, high-quality public schools, and public transportation. Choice Neighborhoods projects leveraged seven dollars of private investment for every dollar in federal spending from 2010-2015, bringing in almost $3.7 billion in additional funding to revitalize distressed neighborhoods. In 2016, HUD executed a $30 million Choice Neighborhoods grant in Missouri's 5th District utilizing nearly 30 community partners to support the revitalization of the Paseo Gateway area.\n\nSpecifically, the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Act of 2021 would:\n\nAuthorize $1 billion for HUD's Choice Neighborhoods program for Fiscal Year 2022 and such sums as may be necessary in each subsequent fiscal year;\n\nStrengthen program requirements relating to eligible applications, community involvement, and the temporary relocation of public and assisted housing residents.\n\n\"The Choice Neighborhoods Initiative has proven to be a catalytic and transformative program that revitalizes communities through quality affordable housing options and a holistic, people-centered approach,\" said Geoff Jolley, Executive Director of Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Greater Kansas City. \"I commend Congressman Cleaver and Senator Menendez for their vision and leadership in proposing a permanent framework for this successful program.\"\n\n\"Mattie Rhodes Center has seen a dramatic impact in the neighborhoods and families we serve. The development of new housing through Choice funding has been able to revitalize corners of the community that were previously blighted and lacked true investment. In addition, the innovative model of multi-family housing implemented has brought together a myriad of socioeconomic diversity living side by side, fostering growth and unity. The initial idea behind Choice funding was to stimulate additional investment within the area, creating healthy, safe communities for generations of families who call this part of the city home, and Mattie Rhodes looks forward to continued infrastructure investment coming soon to Independence Ave and Paseo Blvd,\" said John Fierro, President and CEO of the Mattie Rhodes Center.\n\nOriginal cosponsors of the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Act of 2021 include Representatives Dwight Evans (D-PA), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD), and Diana DeGette (D-CO).\n\nOfficial text of the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Act of 2021 is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-re-introduces-bipartisan-bill-awarding-congressional-gold", "Rep. Cleaver Re-Introduces Bipartisan Bill Awarding Congressional Gold Medal to the \u201cHello Girls\u201d of WWI", "2021-08-10", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced the introduction of H.R. 4949, a bipartisan bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal\u2014the highest civilian award bestowed by Congress\u2014to over 220 American women who served as telephone operators with the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War I. The \"Hello Girls\" were the first female soldiers to be deployed to a combat zone and were instrumental in the war effort in France throughout WWI. Their efforts to connect American and French forces on the front lines of battle by helping to translate and communicate command orders were an integral component to the eventual victory for the Allied Powers.\n\n\"I am once again proud to introduce this legislation to award the Hello Girls the Congressional Gold Medal\u2014an honor that is long overdue and certainly fitting for these American heroes,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"During a period when the women of our nation weren't afforded the right to vote, these patriots dropped everything to support our country in its time of need. Not only did they answer the call to service, but they also demonstrated the work ethic, proficiency, and selflessness needed to help the Allied Powers win the Great War. The pivotal role of the \"Hello Girls\" cannot be overlooked, which is why I am asking Congress to recognize their service with the highest honor awarded by this distinguished body.\"\n\n\"In World War I, 223 heroic young women answered the call of General Pershing for volunteers. The \"Hello Girls\" as they were known had to be skilled, professional switchboard operators proficient in both French and English. These patriots dropped everything and shipped out to Europe and the frontlines where they quickly and accurately handled the millions of military communications that helped win the war. The \"Hello Girls\" were the first female soldiers deployed to a combat zone. They risked everything for their country, and many stayed behind to help complete demobilization before returning home where they were often overlooked. Clearly, the Centennial is the time that we remember their patriotism and sacrifice. The World War I Centennial Commission, created by Congress to make recommendations to Congress and the President, recommends the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the service of the \"Hello Girls,\" said Terry Hamby, Chairman of the World War I Centennial Commission.\n\nFormally known as the Signal Corps Female Telephone Operators, the Hello Girls as they were nicknamed were recruited by General John J. Pershing in 1917 as the first group of women to hold non-medical positions in the U.S. Army. As telecommunication in battle was still relatively new at the time, General Pershing was looking for experienced individuals that could improve communication on the front lines. With the telephone operator field dominated by women, General Pershing made the decision to form the specialized unit comprised solely of women. It was required that the women be bilingual in both French and English so that they could effectively communicate and coordinate with French and American forces. By the end of the war, the Hello Girls had connected over 26 million calls in support of the war effort, and even continued to serve in Europe to organize the return of American forces following the armistice.\n\nCongressman Cleaver has been an ardent supporter of honoring veterans of WWI, passing legislation establishing the WWI Centennial Commission (WWICC) in 2012, securing funding for the commission on multiple occasions, passing legislation to award the Medal of Honor to minority servicemembers, passing legislation to designate the Liberty Memorial of Kansas City as the National World War I Museum and Memorial and creating the National World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C., and passing legislation to mint a World War I American Veterans Centennial Commemorative Coin.\n\nThe bipartisan legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Cindy Axne (D-IA), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Joe Courtney (D-CT), and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY).\n\nCompanion legislation was introduced by U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) in the Senate and is cosponsored by Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Bob Casey (D-PA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Tim Scott (R-SC), Angus King (I-ME), Gary Peters (D-MI), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Susan Collins (R-ME), Alex Padilla (D-CA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM).\n\nOfficial text of the bill is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-ann-wagner-leads-bipartisan-coalition-calling-doj", "Congresswoman Ann Wagner Leads Bipartisan Coalition Calling for DOJ to Investigate OnlyFans for Child Exploitation", "2021-08-10", "2021", "2021-08", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", "wagner", "https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Chair of the House Suburban Caucus, led a letter with 101 of her Republican and Democratic colleagues to the United States Department of Justice. This letter calls on Attorney General Merrick Garland to conduct an investigation into the website OnlyFans.com, focusing on the prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) on the website and the specific actions OnlyFans takes to ensure minors are protected from exploitation. The presence of CSAM on OnlyFans is undeniable and it appears OnlyFans does not have adequate safeguards or protocols in place to notify the proper authorities when CSAM is found on the website.\n\nThe Members said: \"With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing our kids to spend more time isolated and online, it is our responsibility to ensure children are protected from bad actors operating via the internet. Of particular concern is the website OnlyFans.com, which has become a major marketplace for buying and selling Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) in the United States, as well as soliciting sexual activity with minors. We write today to call your attention to potentially illegal activity, including child sexual exploitation, that this website is facilitating. We request the U.S. Department of Justice investigate the content sold on OnlyFans.com, as well as the policies, or lack thereof, that OnlyFans employs to report instances of CSAM or child exploitation on their platform.\"\n\n\"With the rise in child sexual abuse material online, the U.S. Department of Justice should investigate the growing number of reports by law enforcement and child safety organizations that minors are being sold on OnlyFans. Instances of sex trafficking and image-based abuse through OnlyFans are also coming to light. Like the other major companies in the commercial sex industry \u2013 Pornhub, XVideos, XHamster \u2013 OnlyFans preys and profits from abuse and exploitation of vulnerable people, and potential criminality must be investigated,\" said Dawn Hawkins, CEO of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE).\n\n\"Online platforms profiting from user content subscriptions must be aware of the inherent risks this model presents to children without appropriate safeguards in place. Children and user safety should not be an afterthought, but a priority of online platforms from launch to current day. Online platforms must utilize sound business practices to help assure they are doing everything possible to prevent child sexual exploitation on their site. Content subscription platforms should prioritize children and user safety as much as they value their bottom line.\" said the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)\n\n\"The alarming increase of child sexual abuse material and human trafficking being promoted on the OnlyFans.com platform requires immediate attention by the U.S. Department of Justice, state and local law enforcement, and payment providers whose products are being used to purchase troubling content on this platform\" said Lena Walther, Co-Founder of Awareness is Prevention. \"I commend congressional leaders from both parties for encouraging greater scrutiny of OnlyFans.com through this letter and strongly urge a thorough investigation at the highest level of law enforcement,\" she continued.\n\nThe full letter is below, and you can see the complete list of Members here.\n\nThe Honorable Merrick B. Garland\n\nAttorney General\n\nU.S. Department of Justice\n\n950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW\n\nWashington, DC 20530\n\nAttorney General Garland,\n\nWith the COVID-19 pandemic forcing our kids to spend more time isolated and online, it is our responsibility to ensure children are protected from bad actors operating via the internet. Of particular concern is the website OnlyFans.com, which has become a major marketplace for buying and selling Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) in the United States, as well as soliciting sexual activity with minors. We write today to call your attention to potentially illegal activity, including child sexual exploitation, that this website is facilitating. We request the U.S. Department of Justice investigate the content sold on OnlyFans.com, as well as the policies, or lack thereof, that OnlyFans employs to report instances of CSAM or child exploitation on their platform.\n\nThe presence of CSAM on OnlyFans is undeniable. Over the past two years, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has seen a continuously increasing amount of CSAM and child exploitation on OnlyFans. In 2019, NCMEC indicated it was aware of 10 cases involving missing children associated with content sold on OnlyFans. In 2021, NCMEC has identified at least 80 cases in which missing children were linked with OnlyFans content. Moreover, in 2021, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) named OnlyFans one of the top contributors to online sexual exploitation in the United States.\n\nIt appears OnlyFans does not have adequate mechanisms in place to notify the proper authorities when CSAM is found on the website. Earlier this year, law enforcement in Florida's Miami-Dade County arrested two adults for human trafficking, possession of a sexual performance by a child, and promoting the sexual performance by a child. According to law enforcement officials, these arrests were only made possible when a friend of the underage girl saw videos of the victim being exploited on OnlyFans and notified the authorities. With more than 220 million monthly visitors on OnlyFans, the pervasiveness of CSAM on this website, as well as any business practices used to shield such content from scrutiny, must be investigated.\n\nBased on the concerns outlined in this letter, we request that the Department of Justice utilize its authority and resources to conduct a robust investigation into OnlyFans focused on:\n\nThe prevalence of CSAM on OnlyFans, and what measures, or lack thereof, OnlyFans employs to prevent, reduce, and respond to CSAM on its platform.\n\nThe prevalence of missing or abducted children linked to content on OnlyFans, and the measures, or lack thereof, OnlyFans employs to report such instances to law enforcement.\n\nThe use of direct messaging on OnlyFans to solicit prostitution, and the extent to which minors are solicited for prostitution or other services related to sexual activity.\n\nWe appreciate your consideration and look forward to hearing from you.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-leads-call-require-vaccination-or-regular-testing", "Congressman Cleaver Leads Call to Require Vaccination or Regular Testing For Members of Congress, Capitol Employees", "2021-08-04", "2021", "2021-08", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 This week, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) led a coalition of 19 members of the House of Representatives calling on the Attending Physician of the U.S. Congress, Rear Admiral Dr. Brian P. Monahan, to consider a vaccine requirement for Members of Congress and employees within the Capitol complex. Citing the safety of the vaccines, the elevated risk to vulnerable staffers, and the danger of spreading a deadly virus to districts across the country, the lawmakers are asking Dr. Monahan to require Members and staff of the U.S. Capitol Complex to either get vaccinated against COVID-19 or adhere to twice-per-week testing for the virus.\n\n\"We write to you today to express our belief that the U.S. Congress should be considering a vaccine requirement for Members and staff of the U.S. Capitol complex or, at minimum, twice per week testing for those who are unable to verify positive vaccination,\" the lawmakers wrote.\n\n\"We know that your recommendations regarding the health and safety of the U.S. Capitol are free from partisan calculations and grounded in science, which is why we ask you to follow the science and require vaccination. The unfortunate politicization of COVID-19 and our life-saving vaccines has already caused our nation immeasurable loss and incalculable pain. To forego the common-sense decision to require vaccination or frequent testing in the halls of Congress due to partisan pressure would call into question the objectivity of how we make health and safety decisions for this institution\u2014and risk Members bringing a deadly virus back to their district,\" the lawmakers continued.\n\nThe lawmakers' request comes amid a surge of the Delta variant of COVID-19, which has caused a significant uptick in cases and hospitalizations in nearly every state in America over the past month. The request also follows President Biden's announcement last week that federal workers would be required to get vaccinated or adhere to regular testing\u2014an action that has been taken by several state and local governments, businesses, universities, and other entities.\n\nThe letter was signed by Representatives David Price (NC-04), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Sean Casten (IL-06), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11), John Larson (CT-01), Grace Napolitano (CA-32), Bill Foster (IL-11), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), David Cicilline (RI-01), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Al Green (TX-09), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Donald Beyer Jr. (VA-08), and Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (MP).\n\nYou can find the official letter from lawmakers here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:11:17Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-plays-key-role-committees-passage-bipartisan", "Congressman Cleaver Plays Key Role in Committee\u2019s Passage of Bipartisan Recommendations to Modernize Congress", "2021-07-29", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress (Select Committee), voted to pass the Select Committee's first package of recommendations of the 117th Congress, which aims to make the House of Representatives a more efficient and effective institution for the people of Missouri's Fifth Congressional District.\n\n\"Talk to any Member of Congress and they will tell you that they have lost highly capable, extremely qualified staffers to the private sector because congressional salaries and benefits simply can't compete,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"They will also tell you that the faces they see walking the halls of Congress don't adequately represent the American public at large, leaving critical voices and life experiences out of congressional conversations. Since joining the Select Committee to Modernize Congress, I've worked diligently on a bipartisan basis to demonstrate ways in which we can strengthen the workforce that helps Congress run so that we can competently address the wide array of complex challenges facing our nation. With the recommendations passed today, I'm confident we can provide greater opportunity to capable, diverse, and patriotic candidates who will ensure Congress can function at the highest level possible.\"\n\nSince being tapped to serve on the Select Committee in 2019, Congressman Cleaver has participated in fact-finding hearings aimed at increasing staff diversity, improving staff benefits, and increasing congressional accessibility to ensure Congress is an institution that all Americans can engage with. Additionally, the set of recommendations passed by the Select Committee will help Congress retain a strong workforce, yielding a more effective institution to better serve the American people.\n\nSome key recommendations supported by Congressman Cleaver include:\n\nUpdating and Aligning Staff Benefits to Increase Retention: The House should establish and maintain a \"Task Force on the House Workforce,\" led by the Chief Administrative Officer and comprised of other House offices to make ongoing policy recommendations on updating staff benefits.\n\nTuition Assistance: The House should expand the Student Loan Repayment Program to include tuition assistance similar to offerings made by the private sector and other federal agencies.\n\nReal Time Payroll Information: The House should create a searchable database of anonymized average staff compensation information, by position, using available information on staff salaries and payroll data.\n\nAssistance for Contract Employees: Where feasible, the House should work with contractors to ensure they provide Capitol campus employees assistance services comparable to those offered by the House through the Office of Employee Assistance.\n\nCollecting Demographic Data: The Chief Administrative Officer should provide access to industry-leading talent acquisition software to assist House offices in managing their recruitment and hiring process.\n\nSupporting the Office of Employee Assistance: The Office of Employee Assistance should seek to retain a diverse workforce, offer access to bilingual services, and retain staff capable of providing various forms of trauma services.\n\nCommittee Internship Stipends: Committees should be provided a program allowance, separate from their budget, for compensation of interns.\n\nAssessing Intern Cost of Living: The Chief Administrative Officer should provide information to congressional offices on the cost of living for interns to help inform intern stipend levels.\n\nRemote Internships: The House should study the feasibility of permanently allowing remote internships.\n\nThe full package of recommendations from the Select Committee is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-votes-government-funding-bills-invest-american-families", "Rep. Cleaver Votes for Government Funding Bills That Invest in American Families, Provide $14.4 Million for Projects in Missouri\u2019s Fifth Congressional District", "2021-07-29", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) voted in favor of H.R. 4502, a package of seven government funding bills passed by the House of Representatives that will benefit the health and financial security of American families, create good-paying jobs, rebuild critical infrastructure, ensure our children succeed in the classroom, and advance justice and opportunity for all Americans. Additionally, the package of appropriations bills includes more than $14.4 million secured by Congressman Cleaver for multiple projects in the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri.\n\n\"As our nation continues to recover from the worst public health crisis in a century, I was proud to approve this package of funding bills that will support working class Missouri families, make critical investments in communities throughout my congressional district, and help us emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"I believe that the government budget reflects our values as a nation\u2014and this package demonstrates that Democrats in Congress are focused on opportunity, prosperity, and justice for American families of every background and in every zip code.\"\n\nH.R. 4502 incorporates Community Project Funding secured by Rep. Cleaver for multiple projects throughout the Fifth District, including:\n\n$3,000,000 for the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) to help provide affordable housing production in low-income neighborhoods, as well as homeownership education, down payment assistance, and minor home repair;\n\n$2,800,000 million to build the MLK Park Pedestrian Bridge at Brush Creek to connect communities, schools, and affordable housing along the north and south banks of Brush Creek;\n\n$2,000,000 for Truman Medical Center to create a state-of-the-art substance use treatment center in the heart of Kansas City's UMKC Health Sciences District;\n\n$2,000,000 for the Health Care Coalition of Rural Missouri to improve services in Lexington, Missouri and Buckner, Missouri;\n\n$2,000,000 for Missouri Valley College to build a new 17,000 square foot Health Professions Building to house the Nursing Program and ultimately other health care profession programs;\n\n$1,259,000 to build a 4,400 sq. ft. Mattie Rhodes Cultural Center to answer the demand for a multi-purpose space that meets the needs of a growing and evolving Westside community in Kansas City;\n\n$1,000,000 for the demolition and abatement of the former Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall, Missouri, so the property can be transformed into 56 safe, affordable workforce housing units for families;\n\n$200,000 to renovate the 33-year-old Raytown Chamber of Commerce Building and add necessary ADA accessibility at the entrance and interior; and\n\n$147,000 for the City of Slater to develop new well field protection measures to assure businesses and residents of northeast Saline County with an uninterrupted supply of portable water during periods of seasonal flooding.\n\n\"With the passage of this funding package, we are one step closer to receiving much needed federal funding for critical projects throughout the Fifth District,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"Whether it is providing additional affordable housing in Marshall, a state-of-the-art substance treatment center in the heart of Kansas City, or a brand new MLK Pedestrian Bridge at Brush Creek, these projects will help create good-paying jobs and strengthen communities that have been hard-hit over the past year. I'm proud of the work we were able to do to get this funding in the final package, and I will continue working overtime to ensure it is signed into law by President Biden.\"\n\nAdditionally, H.R. 4502 will:\n\nSupport the health and financial security of working families by increasing access to health care, funding for key nutrition initiatives such as SNAP, WIC and child nutrition, and funding for rural development, including broadband, rental and other housing initiatives;\n\nInvest in infrastructure projects that will create tens of thousands of good-paying American jobs by rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure, including airports, highways, transit, rail, and port systems;\n\nPropel America into the future by setting us on the course for a clean, affordable, and secure energy future by investing over $14 billion in clean energy and science, which will create tens of thousands of good-paying green jobs;\n\nHelp our children succeed in the classroom by ensuring that K-12 educational institutions have the resources they need to perform, including robust investments in Title I and Special Education, investing in Pell Grants and other financial assistance that ensure students' success is not limited by income or zip code, and providing funding for Minority-Serving Institutions, including HBCUs, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities;\n\nHonor our responsibility to American veterans through substantial investments in veterans' health care, including women's health care and mental health, combating veterans' homelessness, creating economic opportunities, and rebuilding military infrastructure; and\n\nStrengthen the CDC and other health agencies through more robust funding of CDC public health programs to prevent and prepare for potential pandemics and other health crises. It also invests heavily in NIH biomedical research to pursue scientific breakthroughs for diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and cancer. Additionally, it strongly supports the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and other public health resources that focus on substance abuse, mental health, HIV/AIDS and maternal and child health.\n\n\"This appropriations package is an assortment of investments that put people first and guarantee our nation is able to build back better than ever before,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"While no funding bill is perfect, this is a bill that I am extraordinarily proud to support because of its deliberate focus on American families, jobs, and opportunities for future growth. As it heads to the Senate, I will continue fighting to ensure the needs of Western Missourians are met.\"\n\nA detailed summary of all funding in the appropriations package is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-votes-against-pelosis-massive-spending-spree", "Graves Votes Against Pelosi's Massive Spending Spree", "2021-07-29", "2021", "2021-07", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Sam Graves (R-MO) released the following statement after voting against Speaker Pelosi\u2019s nearly $700 billion omnibus spending spree.\n\n\u201cThis massive omnibus spending bill doesn\u2019t just waste billions of taxpayer dollars, it\u2019s built on a framework that cuts national defense spending below inflation,\u201d said Graves. \u201cWorse still, it redirects those funds needed to keep America safe to career bureaucrats at regulatory agencies like the EPA and IRS so they can harass Americans and issue even more pointless regulations that hold our economy back. We need less government spending and fewer regulations. Sadly, these bills do just the opposite.\u201d\n\nOne of the spending measures advanced by Speaker Pelosi this week increases the budget of the IRS by 14 percent, increases the budget of the EPA by 23 percent, and even increases the budget of the White House by 39 percent.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-announces-more-43-million-american-rescue-plan", "Congressman Cleaver Announces More Than $43 Million From the American Rescue Plan Approved for Local Venues in Missouri\u2019s Fifth Congressional District", "2021-07-28", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced that 46 venues in the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri will receive more than $43.5 million in Shuttered Venue Operators Grants (SVOG). Congressman Cleaver was an ardent advocate of federal relief for live entertainment venues and voted to establish the SVOG program\u2014which provides support to hard-hit businesses in the music and entertainment sector that were forced to close due to the pandemic\u2014with his support for the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act and the American Rescue Plan Act.\n\n\"The American Rescue Plan continues to provide substantial, desperately needed relief to businesses in the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"Live entertainment venues play a pivotal role in local economies throughout Western Missouri, which is why I have been fighting tooth and nail to get these businesses the relief they need and deserve. I'm hopeful this $43 million will help each of these venues climb out of the hole the pandemic created and ensure the communities they serve can continue to build back better.\"\n\nThe SVOG program was established through the bipartisan Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, which Congressman Cleaver supported. Congressman Cleaver helped secure additional relief funding for the SVOG program through the American Rescue Plan Act in March, totaling over $16 billion in grants for shuttered venues in order to keep businesses afloat and workers on payroll.\n\nWhile the SVOG program was initially troubled by technical difficulties, Congressman Cleaver took swift action to address the challenges businesses were experiencing by joining over 200 bipartisan Members of Congress in calling for the Small Business Administration to expedite the release of funds. Since that time, the SBA has approved nearly 10,000 grants, including more than 180 in Missouri.\n\nThe full list of SVOG awards is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/graves-e-bridge-act-passes-house-transportation-and-infrastructure-committee", "Graves' E-BRIDGE Act Passes House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee", "2021-07-28", "2021", "2021-07", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 House Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Sam Graves issued the following statement after his legislation, the Eliminating Barriers to Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility (E-BRIDGE) Act passed the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee with bipartisan support. The E-BRIDGE Act will now head to the full House for further consideration.\n\n\u201cThis is a big step forward for Missourians without access to reliable high-speed broadband internet,\u201d said Graves. \u201cThe E-BRIDGE Act breaks down barriers in existing federal grant programs to unlock more funding to get last-mile internet infrastructure projects completed. It doesn\u2019t matter how old you are or where you live, Americans of all walks of life use the internet for everything from precision agriculture, to telemedicine, to school work. It\u2019s critical that we get folks plugged in and I\u2019m grateful my colleagues on both sides of the aisle came together to get this common sense legislation passed out of committee.\u201d\n\nThe Eliminating Barriers to Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility (E-BRIDGE) Act removes hurdles for broadband projects under EDA grants, including difficult last-mile efforts that often delay rural broadband deployment. It also ensures that local communities can partner with the private sector in carrying out broadband projects and gives communities more flexibility in complying with their funding match requirements. Click here to read the bill.\n\nBy helping to increase the reach of broadband to rural and economically distressed communities, the E-BRIDGE Act will help:\n\nAttract new businesses and support current businesses in distressed regions of the country,\n\nStrengthen healthcare systems and delivery of medical care to vulnerable populations,\n\nLay the groundwork for economic recovery in these areas, and\n\nBetter prepare these communities for future disasters or epidemics.\n\nThe E-BRIDGE Act helps accomplish these goals because it:\n\nEliminates barriers to investments in broadband in distressed communities, making them eligible for EDA grants.\n\nClarifies that eligible recipients may include public-private partnerships and consortiums to leverage private sector expertise in project development.\n\nProvides flexibility in the procurement process to account for limited availability of broadband services in distressed communities.\n\nClarifies that funds can be combined with other federal resources.\n\nProvides flexibility on accounting for in-kind methods to meet non-federal cost share.\n\nThe Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management have jurisdiction over the programs of the EDA and its economic development programs.\n\nWhat They Are Saying:\n\n\u201cBroadband access has been a lifeline during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the past year has shown us just how important it is to get everyone connected. On behalf of NTCA\u2019s members, I want to thank Ranking Member Graves for his demonstrated interest in advancing connectivity through the E-BRIDGE Act. We particularly appreciate this bill\u2019s emphasis on targeting efforts to areas most in need of broadband access and coordinating between various federal programs seeking to help promote such access.\u201d \u2013 Shirley Bloomfield, CEO, NTCA\u2013The Rural Broadband Association\n\n\u201cBroadband is critical for farmers, ranchers and rural communities. With 17% of rural Americans still without reliable broadband, the digital divide restricts access to essential education, healthcare and business resources as well as limits farmers\u2019 capacity to use the latest technology to meet sustainability goals. Farm Bureau appreciates Representatives Sam Graves and Michael Guest for introducing the Eliminating Barriers to Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility Act, a bill that would expand access to broadband by allowing distressed communities to utilize Economic Development Administration grants for broadband deployment.\u201d \u2013 Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation\n\n\u201cThe E-BRIDGE legislation will help support access to high-speed broadband connectivity throughout rural regions. These resources will allow for greater economic resiliency across the country and will help facilitate rural prosperity.\u201d \u2013 Joe McKinney, Executive Director, National Association of Development Organizations (NADO). Read the full letter of support from NADO.\n\n\u201cOne way to boost productivity and bridge gaps in equity is through investing in digital infrastructure. The App Association supports Eliminating Barriers to Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility (E-BRIDGE) Act (H.R. 3193/S. 1695) because this legislation would ensure that economic development organizations, in public-private partnerships or through consortia, can use Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant funds to support broadband deployment.\u201d \u2013Morgan W. Reed, President, ACT | The App Association. Read the full letter of support from ACT.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases/missouri-congressional-delegation-members-introduce-resolution-celebrating", "Missouri Congressional Delegation Members Introduce Resolution Celebrating State\u2019s Bicentennial", "2021-07-27", "2021", "2021-07", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Sam Graves", "G000546", "graves.house.gov", "graves", "https://graves.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Missouri Senators Roy Blunt and Josh Hawley, along with Missouri Representatives Sam Graves, Jason Smith, Vicky Hartzler, Billy Long, Ann Wagner, and Blaine Luetkemeyer, announced that they have introduced a resolution celebrating August 10, 2021, as Missouri\u2019s bicentennial.\n\n\u201cMissourians are tough, no-nonsense doers,\u201d said Graves. \u201cThis is the Show Me State and for 200 years we\u2019ve been showing folks how to get things done. Icons like Mark Twain, Gen. John J. Pershing, and Walt Disney have embodied that spirit, but so too have the everyday heroes\u2014the firefighters, farmers, police officers, nurses, doctors, small business owners, teachers, and others who have built this state and this country. I\u2019m incredibly proud to be a sixth-generation Missouri farmer. I\u2019m deeply humbled to take part in this celebration of Missouri\u2019s rich history and the recognition of all those that have shed blood, sweat, and tears to get to this day.\u201d\n\n\u201cYou can\u2019t talk about American history without talking about Missouri history,\u201d said Blunt. \u201cFrom literary giants like Mark Twain and Maya Angelou to political leaders like Harry S. Truman, sports greats like Buck O\u2019Neil and Satchel Paige, and innovators like George Washington Carver and Walt Disney, Missourians have shaped who we are and where we are today. It\u2019s a place where you can live history in places like Ste. Genevieve or the Gateway Arch, or explore national treasures like the Ozarks and Mark Twain National Forest. I\u2019m incredibly proud to represent Missouri in the United States Senate and to join my colleagues in recognizing the state\u2019s bicentennial.\u201d\n\n\u201c200 years ago, Missouri entered the Union as the 24th state. Since then, Missourians have contributed to every aspect of American life; fully embodying the American spirit and making our nation a better place,\u201d said Hawley. \u201cI\u2019m proud to call Missouri home and I\u2019m even more proud to represent hardworking Missourians every day. I invite everyone to join me in celebrating Missouri\u2019s upcoming bicentennial.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs we celebrate our 200th year as a state, I\u2019m proud of the Missourians who have left their mark on our state and am looking forward to the remarkable accomplishments from the next generation of trailblazers from the \u2018Show-Me\u2019 State,\u201d said Smith. \u201cHard work and sense of community are why some of the greatest Americans this world has ever known came from Missouri.\u201d\n\n\u201cFrom our state\u2019s rich history as the \u2018Gateway to the West\u2019 to today\u2019s status as a premiere life sciences research hub, two centuries of Missouri\u2019s existence has brought with it prosperity and greatness as America\u2019s 24th state,\u201d said Hartzler. \u201cThe Show Me State\u2019s bicentennial is a testament to its great people who have contributed to our nation like George Washington Carver, Harry Truman, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Mark Twain, General John J. Pershing, Edwin Hubble, Walt Disney, and millions of hardworking Missouri individuals who have lived, raised families, and made life better for their friends and neighbors. Missouri\u2019s people, Heartland values, and ideals are the essence of America\u2019s greatness and are worth celebrating. I am proud to commemorate 200 years of its founding and look forward to many more great years to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis year marks the 200th anniversary of Missouri becoming the 24th state in the Union,\" said Long. \u201cThe Show Me State is a great place to live, work and raise a family. We're rich in natural resources and our citizens are known for their work ethic. Our people have always been diverse in culture and resilient in nature. Missourians are patriots and have a strong love of their country and its people. I was born and raised in Missouri and you would have to 'Show-Me' a better state to live in. It is a great honor to be a part of recognizing Missouri\u2019s bicentennial in Congress.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am incredibly grateful to have grown up and raised my family here in the Show Me State,\u201d said Wagner. \u201cThe strong Midwestern work ethic and heartland values, historic landmarks such as the Gateway Arch, and championship-winning teams like the Cardinals and the Blues all represent the best of our state and our country. Our greater St. Louis region especially embodies our history as the Gateway to the West, marking our major role in U.S. expansion. Civil rights leaders and explorers all passed through our region here in St. Louis and we know future generations will make history like they did. Missourians take great pride in our state, and we do so because Missouri has so much to offer the nation, including a robust business community, an incredible agricultural sector and a rich history from which we all continue to learn. This year\u2019s bicentennial is a time to celebrate our significant contributions to American culture and recognize how much Missouri has and will always give to our great nation.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor 200 years, Missourians have raised families, farmed land, built businesses and made major contributions to American history and society,\u201d said Luetkemeyer. \u201cMy family has been fortunate to call Missouri home for six generations and representing this state continues to be the honor of my lifetime. I\u2019m so pleased to celebrate the Bicentennial of the Show Me State and look forward to many more years of Missouri excellence and prosperity.\u201d\n\nCongress and President James Monroe approved statehood and entry into the Union for the Missouri Territory on August 10, 1821, making Missouri the nation\u2019s 24th state and the \u201cGateway to the West.\u201d The resolution celebrates notable Missourians and recognizes Missouri\u2019s significant contributions to science, entertainment, technology, sports, and agriculture.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/missouri-congressional-delegation-members-introduce-resolution", "Missouri Congressional Delegation Members Introduce Resolution Celebrating State\u2019s Bicentennial", "2021-07-27", "2021", "2021-07", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", "wagner", "https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Missouri Representative Ann Wagner, along with Senators Roy Blunt and Josh Hawley and Missouri Representatives Jason Smith, Sam Graves, Vicky Hartzler, Billy Long, and Blaine Luetkemeyer, announced that they have introduced a resolution celebrating August 10, 2021, as Missouri's bicentennial.\n\n\"I am incredibly grateful to have grown up and raised my family here in the Show Me State,\" said Wagner. \"The strong Midwestern work ethic and heartland values, historic landmarks such as the Gateway Arch, and championship-winning teams like the Cardinals and the Blues all represent the best of our state and our country. Our greater St. Louis region especially embodies our history as the Gateway to the West, marking our major role in U.S. expansion. Civil rights leaders and explorers all passed through our region here in St. Louis and we know future generations will make history like they did. Missourians take great pride in our state, and we do so because Missouri has so much to offer the nation, including a robust business community, an incredible agricultural sector and a rich history from which we all continue to learn. This year's bicentennial is a time to celebrate our significant contributions to American culture and recognize how much Missouri has and will always give to our great nation.\"\n\n\"You can't talk about American history without talking about Missouri history,\" said Blunt. \"From literary giants like Mark Twain and Maya Angelou to political leaders like Harry S. Truman, sports greats like Buck O'Neil and Satchel Paige, and innovators like George Washington Carver and Walt Disney, Missourians have shaped who we are and where we are today. It's a place where you can live history in places like Ste. Genevieve or the Gateway Arch, or explore national treasures like the Ozarks and Mark Twain National Forest. I'm incredibly proud to represent Missouri in the United States Senate and to join my colleagues in recognizing the state's bicentennial.\"\n\n\"200 years ago, Missouri entered the Union as the 24th state. Since then, Missourians have contributed to every aspect of American life; fully embodying the American spirit and making our nation a better place,\" said Hawley. \"I'm proud to call Missouri home and I'm even more proud to represent hardworking Missourians every day. I invite everyone to join me in celebrating Missouri's upcoming bicentennial.\"\n\n\"As we celebrate our 200th year as a state, I'm proud of the Missourians who have left their mark on our state and am looking forward to the remarkable accomplishments from the next generation of trailblazers from the \u2018Show-Me' State,\" said Smith. \"Hard work and sense of community are why some of the greatest Americans this world has ever known came from Missouri.\"\n\n\"Missourians are tough, no-nonsense doers,\" said Graves. \"This is the Show Me State and for 200 years we've been showing folks how to get things done. Icons like Mark Twain, Gen. John J. Pershing, and Walt Disney have embodied that spirit, but so too have the everyday heroes\u2014the firefighters, farmers, police officers, nurses, doctors, small business owners, teachers, and others who have built this state and this country.\n\n\"From our state's rich history as the \u2018Gateway to the West' to today's status as a premiere life sciences research hub, two centuries of Missouri's existence has brought with it prosperity and greatness as America's 24th state,\" said Hartzler. \"The Show Me State's bicentennial is a testament to its great people who have contributed to our nation like George Washington Carver, Harry Truman, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Mark Twain, General John J. Pershing, Edwin Hubble, Walt Disney, and millions of hardworking Missouri individuals who have lived, raised families, and made life better for their friends and neighbors. Missouri's people, Heartland values, and ideals are the essence of America's greatness and are worth celebrating. I am proud to commemorate 200 years of its founding and look forward to many more great years to come.\"\n\n\"This year marks the 200th anniversary of Missouri becoming the 24th state in the Union,\" said Long. \"The Show Me State is a great place to live, work and raise a family. We're rich in natural resources and our citizens are known for their work ethic. Our people have always been diverse in culture and resilient in nature. Missourians are patriots and have a strong love of their country and its people. I was born and raised in Missouri and you would have to 'Show-Me' a better state to live in. It is a great honor to be a part of recognizing Missouri's bicentennial in Congress.\"\n\n\"For 200 years, Missourians have raised families, farmed land, built businesses and made major contributions to American history and society,\" said Luetkemeyer. \"My family has been fortunate to call Missouri home for six generations and representing this state continues to be the honor of my lifetime. I'm so pleased to celebrate the Bicentennial of the Show Me State and look forward to many more years of Missouri excellence and prosperity.\"\n\nCongress and President James Monroe approved statehood and entry into the Union for the Missouri Territory on August 10, 1821, making Missouri the nation's 24th state and the \"Gateway to the West.\" The resolution celebrates notable Missourians and recognizes Missouri's significant contributions to science, entertainment, technology, sports, and agriculture.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-leads-bipartisan-letter-urging-inclusion-anti-trafficking", "Wagner Leads Bipartisan Letter Urging Inclusion of Anti-Trafficking Legislation in Future Trade Agreements", "2021-07-23", "2021", "2021-07", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", "wagner", "https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 This week Representative Ann Wagner (MO-02) and Representatives Joyce Beatty (OH-03), David Valadao (CA-21), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Austin Scott (GA-08), Vicky Hartzler (MO-04), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Randy Weber (TX-14), John Katko (NY-24), Chris Stewart (UT-02), and Blake Moore (UT-01) sent a letter to United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai. The letter calls for the U.S. Trade Representative to include the \"Wagner Language\" in future trade agreements to help protect victims of human trafficking. The Wagner Language ensures partner nations are allowed to enact domestic laws that empower victims of human trafficking and hold websites accountable for facilitating the sex trade.\n\nThe members wrote: \"We recognize the ongoing debate regarding Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, both in and outside the context of trade agreements. In addition to the concerns expressed to you by the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, we urge you to ensure that, if Section 230 language is included in future trade agreements, these agreements also incorporate the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement's (USMCA' s) \"Wagner Language\" to prevent online human trafficking and online child exploitation.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wagner-voca-fix-legislation-signed-law", "Wagner VOCA Fix Legislation Signed Into Law", "2021-07-22", "2021", "2021-07", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", "wagner", "https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement after President Joe Biden signed into law her VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act:\n\n\"I am extremely happy to announce the President signed into law my VOCA Fix Act today. This is incredible news for victims of traumatic crimes like sexual assault, human trafficking, and child abuse, and sends a strong message to survivors that we will always be in their corner fighting for them. Now we must continue working closely with victim service organizations to ensure they have the resources necessary to help survivors find justice and rebuild their lives.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleavers-bill-protect-tsa-workers-and-airline-passengers-passes", "Rep. Cleaver\u2019s Bill to Protect TSA Workers and Airline Passengers Passes House of Representatives", "2021-07-20", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "House", "MO", "Emanuel Cleaver", "C001061", "cleaver.house.gov", "cleaver", "https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "(Washington, D.C.) \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) voted in favor of H.R. 1877, the Security Screening During COVID-19 Act, which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 319-105. The legislation, which was introduced by Representative Cleaver, directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to issue and implement a plan to enhance security operations during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the spread of the virus among TSA employees and airline passengers.\n\n\"TSA workers provide safety and assurance to the American people. It's time that we do the same for the workers of airport security,\" said Congressman Cleaver. \"As the Delta variant continues to spread across the nation, and we see record breaking airline travel across the country, now is the time to act to enhance best practices and measures to protect travelers and TSA workers who are reopening our economy. This bipartisan legislation opens doors for the TSA to enact proactive steps as they see fit to make impactful procedures regarding COVID-19.\"\n\nSpecifically, the Security Screening During COVID-19 Act would:\n\nDirect the TSA Administrator to coordinate with HHS and the CDC to develop an actionable plan that identifies best practices among foreign governments, airports, and air carriers regarding COVID-19\n\nCall on the TSA Administrator to identify specific operational changes that TSA can make to further reduce the spread of the coronavirus at our nation's checkpoints.\n\nAuthorize the TSA to consult with stakeholders and the TSA workforce when developing the plan.\n\nDirect the Comptroller General to issue a report on the plan one year after it is issued and implementation has begun.\n\n\"Although progress has been made in the vaccination process, we must remember to protect our neighbors in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic,\" said Congressmen Cleaver. \"In order to combat the virus, it is crucial to protect the nation's workers and those who protect and serve. This legislation will finally put into action the foundation to not only improve safe travel but also strengthen working conditions for TSA and other airport employees.\"\n\nYou can find the official text of the Screening During COVID-19 Act\n\n.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"], ["https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/senate-passes-wagner-legislation-support-victims-traumatic-crimes", "Senate Passes Wagner Legislation to Support Victims of Traumatic Crimes", "2021-07-20", "2021", "2021-07", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Ann Wagner", "W000812", "wagner.house.gov", "wagner", "https://wagner.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement after the United States Senate passed the VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act, her legislation that will prevent catastrophic cuts to already diminished federal grants supporting services for victims of serious crimes.\n\n\"VOCA funding is absolutely essential to survivor recovery. We are at risk of a devastating funding crisis for victims if the VOCA Fix Act is not signed into law and I thank my colleagues in the Senate for finally passing this important legislation. I call on President Biden to sign it into law without delay so victims can have confidence we have their backs as they work to find justice and we hold violent perpetrators accountable.\"\n\nThis legislation now goes to President Biden for his signature.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 196, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"state\" = :p0 and \"year\" = :p1 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "MO", "p1": "2021"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=MO&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 113, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MO&year=2021&party=Republican", "selected": false}, {"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 83, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MO&year=2021&party=Democrat", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=MO&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 194, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MO&year=2021&chamber=House", "selected": false}, {"value": "Senate", "label": "Senate", "count": 2, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MO&year=2021&chamber=Senate", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=MO&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "MO", "label": "MO", "count": 196, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2021", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=MO&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "2021", "label": "2021", "count": 196, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MO", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2021-07-20,https~3A~2F~2Fwagner~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fsenate-passes-wagner-legislation-support-victims-traumatic-crimes", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MO&year=2021&_next=2021-07-20%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwagner~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fsenate-passes-wagner-legislation-support-victims-traumatic-crimes&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 192.28014000691473, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}