url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cbc-tech2025-co-chairs-cleaver-and-lee-lead-congressional-black-caucus,CBC TECH2025 Co-Chairs Cleaver and Lee Lead Congressional Black Caucus Members in Expressing Concerns over Widespread Tech Layoffs Disproportionately Impacting Black Americans,2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – CBC TECH2025 Co-Chairs Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05) and Barbara Lee (CA-12), along with CBC Future of Work Taskforce Co-Chairs Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-At Large), sent a letter to Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su to request information in response to recent reports highlighting the impacts of widespread layoffs within the tech industry and its disproportionate impacts on the African American community and women.

Since the beginning of the year, more than 240,000 tech workers in the US have been laid off representing a more than 50% increase over 2022. Recent findings have consistently shown that minorities and women are vastly overrepresented in industry layoffs. Increasing diversity in tech and creating a space for the Black community in this industry has been a cornerstone element of the work done by the CBC.

In addition, some tech companies have received complaints regarding violations of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, a law designed to hold employers accountable and give workers and communities notice they need to prepare for, and recover from, employer decisions that cost them their jobs. Violations of the WARN Act deny workers the time to make appropriate arrangements for a new job, and to obtain skills training or retraining needed to successfully stay and compete in the job market.

Representatives Lee and Cleaver co-chair CBC TECH2025, an initiative created by the Congressional Black Caucus to bring together the best minds in the tech, non-profit, education and public sectors to chart a path forward to increase African American inclusion at all levels of the technology industry. Through CBC tech initiatives, starting with TECH2020 and continuing with TECH2025, the CBC has highlighted the drastic lack of diversity, equity and inclusion in tech.

The lawmakers requested that Acting Secretary Su respond to the following questions:

1. Under what authorities is the Department of Labor currently monitoring tech industry layoff trends that may merit further investigation due to the disproportionate adverse impacts on African Americans and workers of color? What related enforcement actions is the Department taking?

2. Under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, covered employees are entitled to notification 60 days in advance of mass layoffs among other protections. In what ways can the Department of Labor use its authorities to work with States to improve WARN Act tracking, reporting and enforcement?

3. What does aggregate WARN Act data currently tell the Department of Labor about the characteristics of workers affected by mass tech layoffs?

4. What is the Department of Labor doing to regulatorily disincentivize questionable business practices that disproportionately harm African American workers, such as discouraging the “last in, first out” approach?

5. What additional actions is the Department of Labor considering to further encourage tech companies to audit their hiring, performance, promotion, and compensation practices to ensure equity?

6. Can the Department of Labor, in collaboration with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, share a current breakdown of current gender, racial, and ethnic demographics in the tech industry disaggregated by job category and leadership role?

7. How is the Department of Labor working with the tech industry to address the substantial harm of recent mass layoffs and prevent future damage mass layoffs may have on diversity, equity and inclusion progress in the workplace?

8. What steps has the Department of Labor taken to ensure that Supreme Court rulings in SFFA v. Harvard and SFFA v. University of North Carolina are not misinterpreted or misrepresented to arbitrarily undermine corporate DEI practices and budgets?

To read the full letter, click here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/missouri-reps-cleaver-luetkemeyer-introduce-bipartisan-bill-modernize,"Missouri Reps. Cleaver, Luetkemeyer Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Modernize Rural Housing Programs",2023-12-14,2023,2023-12,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO) announced the introduction of the Rural Housing Service Reform Act. The bipartisan bill would enable the most significant modernization of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rural housing programs in years, helping to improve programs, cut red tape, and create and preserve affordable housing opportunities. Companion legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Mike Rounds (R-SD).

“All Americans desire a safe, affordable place for their families to live. The demand for affordable and decent housing remains high in rural towns like those across Missouri, but the supply has decreased” said Congressman Cleaver. “By cutting through red tape and encouraging public and private partnerships in these communities, we can increase investment in our nation’s rural housing supply and support families in these areas - which is precisely what our legislation aims to do. As senior leaders on the Financial Services Committee who are known for reaching across the aisle to deliver bipartisan solutions that benefit our communities, I’m hopeful that Congressman Luetkemeyer and I can usher this commonsense legislation through the House of Representatives and begin the process of lowering housing costs in rural America.”

“Owning a home used to be fundamental to the American dream, but it has become incredibly difficult and less realistic for Missouri families. I thank Congressman Cleaver for his dedication to remedying this issue, and I’m proud of our bipartisan work. Together, we can address the rural housing shortage, cut through burdensome red tape, and support Missourians,” said Congressman Luetkemeyer.

“The Local Initiatives Support Corporation is proud to support the Rural Housing Services Reform Act, since we’ve seen firsthand the hardship caused by losing affordable rental housing in rural communities. U.S. Department of Agriculture financed properties are often the only affordable rental housing in small towns and house some of our nation’s most vulnerable residents,” said Caitlin Cain, Vice President of the Rural Local Initiative Support Corporation. “The resources provided under this legislation will help preserve this critical housing stock while furthering tenant protections. We applaud Representatives Cleaver and Luetkemeyer for their commitment to rural America and leadership in affordable housing preservation.”

""Rural America is diverse—with unique assets, challenges, economies, and communities. But like most of America, rural households are increasingly facing housing insecurity and high housing cost burdens, while also grappling with more severely substandard housing conditions, a far too limited supply of suitable housing, and limited access to credit. BPC Action commends Reps. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO) and Emanual Cleaver, II (D-MO) for working together to introduce the Rural Housing Service Reform Act of 2023. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will make long-overdue updates and improvements to USDA Rural Housing Service programs so they can continue to support affordable rental housing and homeownership in rural communities across the country,” said Michele Stockwell, President, BPC Action.

""This bipartisan, bicameral bill will help preserve hundreds of thousands of homes for low-income renters funded through the USDA's Section 515 program by removing outdated statutory requirements, increasing technical assistance availability, and expanding USDA staff capacity,"" said Liz Osborn, Vice President of Policy at Enterprise Community Partners. ""It will also help people across rural America and Tribal lands buy and stay in their homes, including by authorizing the USDA's successful Native CDFI Section 502 mortgage relending pilot program. Thanks to Representatives Luetkemeyer and Cleaver for pushing forward these long-overdue, common-sense changes and additions to USDA's programs to better serve low-income renters, homeowners, and affordable housing developers across rural America.""

“The Rural Housing Service programs at USDA are a powerful tool for small towns and rural places, with a suite of programs covering the spectrum from affordable rental to homeownership to capacity building. We applaud Congressman Luetkemeyer and Congressman Cleaver for their leadership in modernizing and streamlining these programs to better serve the modern rural context,” said David Lipsetz, President & CEO of the Housing Assistance Council. “This bill combines a slate of tested, commonsense improvements to the rural housing programs. These changes will help USDA to more effectively serve rural and Tribal communities and, critically, will also address the multifamily preservation crisis that currently plagues USDA’s rural multifamily programs. We look forward to supporting the RHS Reform Act as it moves forward.”

“The National Rural Housing Coalition (NRHC) is pleased to support the efforts of Reps. Luetkemeyer and Cleaver support federal rural housing programs and preserve affordable rental housing in rural America through the Rural Housing Services (RHS) Reform Act,” said Bob Rapoza, of NRHC. “There are some 400,000 units of USDA-financed rental housing in rural areas. For many rural communities, this is the only affordable housing in town. This housing is occupied by low-income households, with the majority occupied by elderly households and persons with disabilities. The RHS Reform Act ensures that the subsidies necessary to keep this housing affordable remain in place. Reps. Luetkemeyer and Cleaver deserve credit for addressing pressing rural housing preservation needs. We urge the 118th Congress to enact this important legislation.”

USDA investments in rental housing has historically been a critical source of safe, decent, and affordable housing in rural America. However, the affordability of tens of thousands of rural housing properties financed through the USDA are at risk due to prepayment or maturity of USDA-financed development loans in the coming years. In Missouri, nearly half of the residents at risk of losing affordable housing under the USDA 515 program between this year and 2030 are elderly – threatening their ability to age in place.

The Rural Housing Service Reform Act would take long overdue steps to address these concerns and modernize federal rural housing programs by:

Fixing the longstanding problem for USDA Section 515 properties that were financed decades ago and now have maturing mortgages, making it easier for non-profits to acquire these properties and ensure that rental assistance doesn’t disappear when those mortgages mature. This provision will ensure that more than 15,000 rural housing units in Missouri remain affordable in the coming years.

Updating the USDA’s outdated process of measuring incomes, bringing it in line with the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) practices.

Modernizing the USDA’s foreclosure process to eliminate red tape, better protect homeowners, and ensure USDA-owned properties remain affordable in the years to come.

Updating the rules for a home repair loan program to streamline the process to receive smaller, home repair lending.

Making long overdue investments in Information Technology so that USDA can process loans more efficiently, ensuring staff are spending more time reviewing applications and less doing paperwork.

Making permanent the USDA’s pilot program to make mortgage loans available in Native communities by partnering with local CDFIs.

The Rural Housing Service Reform Act includes a modified version of the Strategy and Investment in Rural Housing Preservation Act led by Representative Cleaver and Senator Shaheen (D-NH). The Rural Housing Service Reform Act is endorsed by Housing Assistance Council (HAC), National Housing Law Project (NHLP), National Rural Housing Coalition (NRHC), Genesis Fund, National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA), Enterprise, LISC, National NeighborWorks Association, Coastal Enterprises, Inc., National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), Bipartisan Policy Center, and D.W. Jones.

Official text of the Rural Housing Service Reform Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleavers-statement-vote-against-house-gops-baseless,"Congressman Cleaver’s Statement on Vote Against the House GOP’s Baseless, Illegitimate Impeachment Inquiry",2023-12-13,2023,2023-12,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement after voting against the House GOP’s baseless, illegitimate impeachment inquiry—which even Republicanshavedebunked and admittedthere is noevidence to support.

“As has been the theme since the very first day of the 118th Congress, today’s vote is nothing more than an effort to appease the extreme far-right of the House Republican conference and provide political cover for their inability to deliver any meaningful solutions for the American people.

“The president’s son has a troubled past, and I firmly believe every American must be held accountable in accordance with the rule of law. However, the sins of the son are not the sins of the parents, and there is absolutely no evidence to show that President Biden is guilty of anything other than being a devoted and loving father. Republican lawmakers, Republican witnesses, and Republican reports have all been very open about the fact that there is no evidence to support the impeachment of Joe Biden, despite more than a year of this tireless fishing expedition.

“This week, Speaker Johnson will send America’s Representatives home for the remainder of the year without passing supplemental funding to defend our democratic allies around the world; without passing a full-year budget; without passing a bipartisan Farm Bill; without passing a long-term FAA reauthorization; without passing meaningful legislation to address America’s housing affordability crisis; and without delivering on so many issues that impact Missouri families and those around the country.

“While I would prefer to stay in Washington to work on these pressing issues, I hope that the Speaker and my Republican colleagues will at the very least use the remainder of the year to reflect on the damage they are doing to the country by focusing on political theater and extreme partisanship rather than the needs of the families they represent.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-joins-115-house-members-request-increased-home,Congressman Cleaver Joins 115 House Members to Request Increased Home Heating Assistance Funding,2023-12-08,2023,2023-12,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – This week, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) joined 115 House lawmakers to request increased funding, totaling $1.6 billion, for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

“As you know, LIHEAP helps families who are at risk of being unable to afford to heat their homes in the winter or cool them in the summer. Last year, more than six million households across the country relied on critical assistance from the LIHEAP program,” the lawmakers wrote. “For the families who receive LIHEAP, it is a critical lifeline that prevents them from making the impossible choice between staying warm and having enough food or paying for their medications.”

In Fiscal Year 2023, the LIHEAP program distributed a total of more than $4.5 billion in home heating assistance to families across the United States, including $100 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding and an additional $1 billion from the government funding package passed in September 2022—both of which Congressman Cleaver supported. Despite the significant federal investment, LIHEAP continues to be underfunded, with just 20 percent of eligible households currently receiving assistance through the program.

Missouri was recently awarded a total of $78,456,379 in LIHEAP funding for this winter, including $76,273,776 in formula funding and an additional $2,182,603 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. To assist households seeking to determine their eligibility for LIHEAP funding, HHS recently released a tool in English, Spanish, traditional Chinese, and simplified Chinese for households to quickly determine their eligibility.

The official letter from Rep. Cleaver and other lawmakers is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleavers-statement-house-resolution-894,Rep. Cleaver’s Statement on House Resolution 894,2023-12-06,2023,2023-12,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement after voting present on House Resolution 894 last night.

“Antisemitism is abhorrent, and its horrifying rise in the United States and around the world presents a serious threat to families in my congressional district and beyond. It is an ongoing challenge that demands a bipartisan, all-of-government approach to address—which is why the Biden Administration announced the first-ever National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism in May of this year.

“The U.S. House of Representatives has already taken votes on five resolutions supporting Israel or condemning antisemitism in April, May, July, October, and just last week. It is clear that Republican House leaders are turning a serious issue into political theater, while taking no substantive action to combat antisemitism and instead further dividing an already divided nation. Therefore, I voted present in yesterday’s vote.

“If my Republican colleagues are serious about protecting Jewish Americans and combating antisemitism, rather than passing performative resolutions to score cheap political points, I believe Congress should take legislative action to implement the President’s National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism and increase funding for programs such as the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, to keep churches and other nonprofits safe. That’s something we should all be able to support.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-votes-expel-george-santos-house-representatives,Congressman Cleaver Votes to Expel George Santos from House of Representatives,2023-12-01,2023,2023-12,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) voted in favor of a resolution to expel Representative George Santos (R-NY) from the House of Representatives, which was passed with a two-thirds majority, making Rep. Santos the sixth individual ever expelled from the People’s House. Last month, Rep. Cleaver voted against expelling Congressman Santos, citing concerns about a lack of due process and the potential for such a precedent being abused in the future. However, following the release of a scathing final report from the House Ethics Committee, detailing a litany of evidence of illicit activity, Congressman Cleaver supported Santos’ removal from the House Chamber.

“It brings me no joy or pleasure in voting for the expulsion of only the sixth individual to ever be removed from the House of Representatives; Not because I support Mr. Santos or his disgraceful conduct, which I believe includes lies and crimes to obtain his seat in the most prestigious legislative body the world has ever known, but because I fear that a future Congress may use the action today to abuse this precedent in the future,” said Congressman Cleaver. “However, because his actions were so egregious, as identified by the House Ethics Committee’s final report, and the removal of any future lawmaker necessitates overwhelming bipartisan support, I felt compelled to support the expulsion resolution. It is my hope that today’s vote will remove this ridiculous distraction and allow Republicans and Democrats to focus on delivering bipartisan solutions that will tangibly benefit the constituents we were sent here to represent.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleavers-statement-passing-mayor-richard-berkley,Congressman Cleaver’s Statement on the Passing of Mayor Richard Berkley,2023-11-29,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement after the passing of former Kansas City Mayor and City Councilmember Richard Berkley.

“Today, I’ve lost a dear friend and Kansas City has lost an iconic leader.

“For 12 years as Mayor, and 10 more on the City Council, Dick Berkley offered the calm, collected, and utterly effective leadership that helped transform Kansas City into the major metropolitan area it is today.

“From the expansion of Bartle Hall to the revitalization and economic development of neighborhoods across Kansas City, the impact of Dick Berkley can be felt in every zip code of our great city. While I was proud to honor his legacy through the Berkley Riverfront, we all owe him a debt of gratitude for his lifelong devotion and public service to our community.

“There are countless things I could say to honor the memory and legacy of Mayor Berkley—the first Jewish Mayor in Kansas City’s history or his Harvard-educated business acumen to name just a few—but in this moment of bitter polarization, I’ll always remember his refusal to look at life through a partisan lens. Although he was a Republican, and I a Democrat, I cannot recall a single moment when Mayor Berkley was anything less than helpful, supportive, and committed to the progress and unity of our communities—because that was all that mattered in his eyes. I believe that is something to be treasured, and something that will be sorely missed.

“I pray for comfort for the entire Berkley family as they grieve such a monumental loss, and I pray that our community will take the lessons and legacy of Mayor Berkley to be used as a guiding light on our march toward a better future for all of Kansas City. May his memory be our blessing.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-calls-house-leaders-advance-bipartisan-incentives,Rep. Cleaver Calls on House Leaders to Advance Bipartisan Incentives for Affordable Housing Before Year’s End,2023-11-29,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, called on House Leadership and the Ways and Means Committee to advance H.R. 3238, the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, and H.R. 3940, the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act, before the House of Representatives enters into the Christmas recess period. The bipartisan legislation would incentivize the creation of affordable housing that is desperately needed in communities across the country.

In a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO), and Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-MA), Cleaver wrote:

“As you know, [the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit] is the most effective public-private federal tool for addressing our country’s shortage of affordable housing, which is why it is the most bipartisan bill in Congress with 186 cosponsors, evenly divided by Republicans and Democrats. That support, which includes 79 percent of the Ways and Means Committee, is both an indication of its efficacy, but also the incredible need for affordable rental housing nationwide.”

At the close of 2021, the United States had a shortage of 3.9 million homes due to underproduction, driving up housing costs in Kansas City and communities across the country. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, nearly one-in-four renters spend more than half of their household income on rent, forcing families to forgo other essentials such as childcare, medication, groceries, and more. Additionally, extremely low-income renters in the U.S. face a shortage of 7.3 million affordable and available rental homes, resulting in only 33 affordable and available homes for every 100 extremely low-income renter households, defined as households with incomes at or below the federal poverty guideline or 30% of the area median income.

To incentivize the construction of affordable housing and lower housing costs for renters and homeowners alike, the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act would support the financing of affordable housing by expanding and strengthening the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit—which has facilitated the creation of more than 3.7 million housing units since 1986 and proven to be one of the nation’s must successful affordable housing programs.

Experts estimate that the bipartisan bill would lead to the construction of an additional 2 million new affordable homes over the next decade by:

Increasing the amount of credits allocated to each state. The legislation would increase the number of credits available to states by 50 percent for the next two years and make the temporary 12.5 percent increase secured in 2018 permanent—which has already helped build more than 59,000 additional affordable housing units nationwide.

Increasing the number of affordable housing projects that can be built using private activity bonds. This provision would stabilize financing for workforce housing projects built using private activity bonds by decreasing the amount of private activity bonds needed to secure Housing Credit funding. As a result, projects would have to carry less debt, and more projects would be eligible to receive funding.

Improving the Housing Credit program to better serve at-risk and underserved communities. The legislation would also make improvements to the program to better serve veterans, victims of domestic violence, formerly homeless students, Native American communities, and rural Americans.

The Neighborhood Homes Investment Act would create a new federal tax credit for the development and renovation of 1-to-4 family housing in distressed urban, suburban, and rural neighborhoods. Currently, private development lacks in some urban and rural areas because the cost of purchasing and renovating homes is greater than the value of the sale price of homes. It is estimated that the creation of a tax credit that covers the cost between building or renovating a home in distressed areas and the price at which they can be sold would result in an additional 500,000 starter homes in under-resourced communities over the next decade.

Rep. Cleaver’s official letter is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-calls-bilateral-ceasefire-release-hostages-and,"Congressman Cleaver Calls for Bilateral Ceasefire, Release of Hostages, and Humanitarian Aid to Palestinian Civilians",2023-11-20,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement, calling for a bilateral ceasefire, the release of innocent hostages held by Hamas, and desperately needed humanitarian assistance for Palestinian civilians.

“Since October 7, I’ve watched in horror the devastation that Hamas terrorists have inflicted upon innocent civilians in both Israel and Gaza, my heart breaking as loved ones are held hostage and families are torn apart. From the very beginning of this conflict, I have stated that Israel has an absolute right to exist and defend its people and the more than 200 individuals that were ruthlessly ripped from their homes and taken hostage. I still believe that.”

“I have also said that the Palestinian people should not be equated with Hamas, and that the United States must use our diplomatic capabilities to de-escalate the conflict and provide humanitarian relief to Palestinian civilians as we support Israel’s efforts to defend itself, defeat Hamas, and return hostages back home. And we must do so while holding our ally to the highest standards of international conflict, as to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza to the greatest extent possible. I still believe that as well.”

“Over a month later, with each passing day, I have become even more distressed at the horrific loss of life and increasingly concerned that a protracted conflict will only further inflame an already sharp rise in Antisemitic and Islamophobic attacks in the U.S and around the world, worsen the humanitarian crisis at hand, and risk a widening conflict that will only cause more death and destruction to innocent Palestinian and Israeli civilians alike. As I said last month: Violence only begets more violence.

“Having spent decades as a faith leader, fundamentally, I believe we are all children of the world and all worthy of love and peace. The world has already seen enough death and suffering. Today, I am calling on the Biden Administration to use every diplomatic tool available to encourage an immediate, bilateral ceasefire in exchange for the release of innocent hostages and necessary sustained humanitarian aid into Gaza. My hope is that this ceasefire will enable the difficult but necessary work of a negotiated, durable agreement to move forward and provide a framework for long term peace and a two-state solution — something that I strongly support.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-introduces-legislation-ensure-humanitarian-assistance,Rep. Cleaver Introduces Legislation to Ensure Humanitarian Assistance is Accessible to Displaced Palestinians; Bill Passes Out of Financial Services Committee with Bipartisan Support,2023-11-15,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – This week, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) introduced H.R. 6367, the Armed Conflict Migration Act, to help ensure humanitarian assistance is accessible to displaced Palestinians that may temporarily flee to safety following Hamas’ terrorist attack last month. The bill would specifically direct the Treasury Secretary to use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States to direct each international financial institution, such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), to support financial assistance to countries that receive an influx of civilian, non-combatant displaced Palestinians to be used for humanitarian aid. The bill was passed by the House Financial Services Committee with bipartisan support yesterday afternoon.

“Despite the horrific conditions we are seeing in Gaza, we know that many Palestinians will choose to stay in Gaza, and they must be supported with the necessary humanitarian aid to do so,” said Congressman Cleaver. “However, there will also be some in Gaza who would like to escape what could be a prolonged and increasingly concerning conflict. The United States can and must use our influence internationally to ensure all Palestinians displaced by this conflict in any way have access to critical supplies like food, water, medicine, and other basic necessities. My legislation helps do that by directing the Treasury to advance international efforts to equip nations with the support to extend humanitarian aid to Palestinians who may seek a safe haven for the time being.”

According to the United Nations, since Israel’s war against Hamas and search for hostages began following the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack, over 1.5 million Gazans, approximately 75% of the territory's population, have been displaced from their homes. Some nations have expressed concerns about allowing in any displaced residents of Gaza, citing financial obligations as a challenge, among others.

The Armed Conflict Migration Act helps to alleviate this concern by enabling support from international financial institutions, such as the World Bank, IMF, and others, to nations that temporarily welcome people displaced from the conflict until resolved. This bill is one tool in a larger toolbox of policy that could be helpful to the Biden Administration that is looking for additional foreign policy options in a complicated region.

“We have an international responsibility to ensure innocent civilians have the protection and humanitarian relief necessary during this conflict—and the Armed Conflict Migration Act is a key piece to that end,” said Congressman Cleaver.

Official text of the Armed Conflict Migration Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-highlights-federal-home-loan-bank-review-applauds-biden,"Rep. Cleaver Highlights Federal Home Loan Bank Review, Applauds Biden Administration’s Efforts to Strengthen Housing and Community Development",2023-11-09,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) highlighted this week’s release of the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) FHLBank System at 100: Focusing on the Future report, the first comprehensive review of the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLBank) System in decades. The FHLBank system has played a key role in the nation’s housing finance system since its creation over 90 years ago.

“When I speak with families in my congressional district and across the country, I am constantly reminded about the affordable housing crisis that is weighing down families and limiting economic opportunity in communities. I’m pleased that FHFA Director Sandra Thompson and the Biden Administration are taking important steps to evaluate how the FHLBanks can increase support for affordable housing and community development and continue to serve as a stable and reliable source of liquidity for their members” said Congressman Cleaver. “For nearly a century, the FHLBank System has supported low-income housing and community development, either directly or by extending low-cost liquidity to members so they can serve their communities. However, the System itself and the realities of the mortgage market and broader financial system have evolved significantly since the FHLBank System was created in 1932. I’m pleased to see the Biden Administration’s commitment to ensuring the FHLBanks are efficient, stable, and best positioned to meet their mission — and I look forward to working with the FHFA in implementing key recommendations in the report.

The FHLBank System at 100: Focusing on the Future initiative featured robust public engagement over the course of the past year, including listening sessions and regional roundtables as well as multiple opportunities for written input from stakeholders. FHFA drew on the feedback received through this public engagement along with its own extensive analysis when preparing the report, which includes recommendations for how the FHLBank System could effectively fulfill its mission. FHFA expects the initiative to continue as a multi-year, collaborative effort with stakeholders to address the recommended actions in the report.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-reintroduces-bipartisan-legislation-plant-millions-trees,Rep. Cleaver Reintroduces Bipartisan Legislation to Plant Millions of Trees Across the Country,2023-11-09,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Doris Matsui (D-CA), John Sarbanes (D-MD), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) reintroduced The Residential Energy and Economic Savings (TREES) Act. The bipartisan legislation would create a federal grant program to support the planting of millions of trees across the country, helping to lower energy costs, increase tree canopy in underserved communities, and mitigate the effects of climate change through residential tree planting.

“As temperatures continue to rise and heat waves become increasingly frequent, particularly in urban communities like Kansas City, it is imperative that our society does more to address the impacts of climate change, combat the heat island effect, and protect our neighbors from extreme heat,” said Congressman Cleaver. “One of the best weapons in that battle is one of God’s greatest gifts to the planet—beautiful trees. I’m proud to join Rep. Matsui to introduce the TREES Act to help communities across the country plant millions more trees that have been proven to lower temperatures in our communities and reduce utility bills for everyday Americans.”

“Urban forests can be a keystone for addressing the climate crisis and air pollution, yet far too many communities across the country lack access to these critical green spaces,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “Sacramento is the City of Trees – and through the proactive efforts of local organizations and partners we are working hard to build out a more equitable urban tree canopy across our city. The benefits are clear: we can lower energy costs, reduce temperatures on our streets, improve air quality, reduce stormwater runoff, and beautify our neighborhoods – all leading to healthier and more climate resilient communities. The TREES Act incentivizes successful programs like ours and scales them to the national level. By creating a competitive federal tree-planting grant program, we can empower communities to improve green space and clean air access, reduce consumer costs, and help fight climate change – a win-win-win.”

“Planting a higher number of trees in communities nationwide will improve overall air quality, reduce cooling costs, and boost the value of property,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “I’m proud to join the introduction of the bipartisan TREES Act to direct funds to empower states and local communities to plant more trees and boost the quality of life throughout our country.”

“Trees help communities reduce energy bills, fight climate change and breathe easier,” said Congressman John Sarbanes. “However, too many people lack access to outdoor green spaces and the benefits they provide. I’m proud once again to join the reintroduction of Congresswoman Matsui’s TREES Act to help homeowners – especially in communities of color – plant more trees to improve the quality of life and bring us one step closer to a greener future for all.”

“As climate and biodiversity crises continues to threaten wildlife and communities, investing in urban green spaces and native plants is critical to creating a cleaner and cooler environment for everyone,” said Jesse Walls, Senior Director of Government Affairs at the National Audubon Society. “In addition to naturally capturing and storing carbon to help reduce emissions, these measures will also help to address heat islands that disproportionately impact underserved communities. We are glad to support this bipartisan bill that will make our towns and cities an equitable part of the climate solution.”

“Trees save lives, lower energy bills, reduce emissions, and create healthier communities for all of us,” said Joel Pannell, American Forests Vice President of Urban Forests Policy. “The bipartisan Trees Act will empower communities to provide more equitable tree canopy in residential neighborhoods, embracing the power of trees as a natural climate solution benefiting people, our environment and our economy.”

The bipartisan TREES Act would formally create a competitive grant program at the Department of Energy (DOE) to provide $50 million in federal funding to plant a minimum of 300,000 trees annually in residential neighborhoods through 2028. The grant program would be required to prioritize low-income and underserved communities as well as densely-populated areas with low tree canopy and high energy burdens.

As the planet endures the hottest year on record, reforestation is a vital component to combating extreme heat and other impacts of climate change, particularly for frontline communities in urban areas. By creating a competitive tree-planting grant program, Congress can empower local communities to increase tree canopy coverage, reduce residential energy costs, and combat extreme heat with successful tree-planting programs being scaled to the national level.

Congressman Cleaver has long supported congressional attempts to create and fund tree-planting programs across the country. In 2020, Rep. Cleaver introduced the bipartisan TREE Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives that year, to fund tree-planting programs in residential neighborhoods nationwide. Last year, Congressman Cleaver pushed to include funding for tree-planting programs in the Inflation Reduction Act—which was passed into law and provided $12 million in September to Kansas City to plant and maintain trees, expand urban green spaces, combat extreme heat and climate change, and improve local access to nature.

The TREES Act is endorsed by American Forests, American Institute of Architects, Audubon, Bipartisan Policy Center, Earthjustice, League of Conservation Voters, National Association of State Foresters, REI, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Sacramento Tree Foundation, and Sierra Club.

Official text of the TREES Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-endorses-humanitarian-pause-israel-combats-hamas-terrorists,Rep. Cleaver Endorses Humanitarian Pause as Israel Combats Hamas Terrorists,2023-11-08,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement, endorsing an immediate humanitarian pause as Israel continues to combat the terrorist organization Hamas following the worst terror attack in Israel’s history.

“Since Hamas’ attack last month, I have called on the Administration to use our diplomatic capabilities to de-escalate the conflict as soon as possible and to ensure humanitarian assistance can reach the innocent civilians in need. I know firsthand that the Biden Administration has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to stress the importance of restraint and strategic, long-term thinking as our ally responds to the worst terrorist attack in their nation’s history.

“Today, the Biden Administration joined other members of the G7 in calling for urgent action to save lives and provide humanitarian support for civilians in need, including food, water, medical care, shelter, and access for humanitarian workers. Additionally, the G7 countries also called for a humanitarian pause and corridors to facilitate urgently needed assistance—which I wholeheartedly support.”

“There is nothing I want more than an immediate cessation of hostilities to protect innocent Palestinian and Israeli citizens alike, and I support the Administration's ongoing diplomatic efforts to achieve that goal as we speak.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-kamlager-dove-introduce-legislation-guarantee-minimum-wage,"Reps. Cleaver, Kamlager-Dove Introduce Legislation to Guarantee Minimum Wage to Incarcerated Workers",2023-11-08,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) introduced legislation that would guarantee incarcerated workers nationwide receive the federal minimum wage for their labor. The Fair Wages for Incarcerated Workers Act would officially mandate that all incarcerated workers receive the federal minimum wage while working in correctional facilities, eliminate certain wage deductions, and ensure that incarcerated people can still fulfill important legal and financial obligations. The Fair Wages for Incarcerated Workers Act was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ).

“Every worker in America should be entitled to compensation commensurate with their labor and expertise—including those who are working within correctional facilities,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Tragically, because of a loophole in the 13th amendment, the vast majority of incarcerated workers are forced to work tirelessly for mere cents on the dollar, limiting their earning potential and inflicting additional economic distress on families of the incarcerated. To end the inhumane exploitation of incarcerated labor, Congress must establish and enforce a federal minimum wage for workers in correctional facilities nationwide—which is why I’m proud to introduce the Fair Wages for Incarcerated Workers Act with Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove and Senator Booker.”

“Like all workers, we must ensure fair wages for incarcerated individuals,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “It is unjust that prison workers are forced to work for mere pennies due to a racist and antiquated loophole in our Constitution. To right this wrong, I joined Congressman Cleaver and Senator Booker to reform the FLSA to more accurately reflect the financial needs of those in our federal prison system and pay them the fair wages they have earned. We cannot expect incarcerated individuals to be rehabilitated during their sentence if they aren’t able to afford the bare necessities they need to survive. This legislation centers humanity and puts us on a path toward holistic rehabilitation.”

“The current state of prison labor in America is inhumane and unacceptable,” said Senator Booker. “Of the 1.2 million people incarcerated in our nation’s state and federal prisons, nearly 65% of them work, often without fair labor standards and for little to no pay. This legislation would bring urgently needed reform by ensuring people who are incarcerated are paid the federal minimum wage for their work.”

“The Prison Policy Initiative is excited to see legislation proposed that will bring us closer to treating people who work while incarcerated equitably. Higher prison wages are essential both to fairly compensate people who are incarcerated for their often backbreaking work, and to give them the financial stability they need to succeed after release. All people who work deserve to be fully compensated for their labor and to be protected by the full force of America’s worker protection laws,” said Sarah Staudt, Policy and Advocacy Director at Prison Policy Initiative.

“For too long, our public prison system and private industry alike have exploited this invisible population of workers for profit. Their labor and their struggles are largely hidden away from both the public consciousness and from the coverage of our nation’s basic, fundamental labor laws. This bill would take an important step by extending some small but meaningful justice to incarcerated worker – the right to earn at least the minimum wage for their work and to be covered by the FLSA’s protections, like the vast majority of other workers in the U.S.,” said Samantha Sanders, Director of Government Affairs & Advocacy, Economic Policy Institute.

“NELP commends Rep. Cleaver for introducing this important legislation. That we force incarcerated workers to labor for often pennies and dimes per hour is an atrocity in our society. It’s nothing short of modern-day slavery and it is long past time that we ended this barbaric practice,” said Rebecca Dixon, President and CEO of the National Employment Law Project.

“Safer Foundation applauds Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) and Rep. Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), as well as Senate companion legislation sponsor, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), for introducing the Fair Wages for Incarcerated Workers Act. The bill would ensure that incarcerated workers are paid the federal minimum wage and would eliminate certain wage deductions. Prison labor is rooted in long-standing inequities for incarcerated individuals, who are disproportionately Black and Brown people. This bill would increase racial justice by ensuring fair wages for incarcerated people who are working the same jobs for companies that workers in communities do, except that incarcerated people often are paid pennies on the dollar for their work. Payment of fair wages for labor should be ensured for people no matter where their work is completed, and outdated employment and wage policies rooted in racism should be immediately repealed,” said Victor Dickson, President & CEO of Safer Foundation.

“Tzedek Association is proud to endorse this important bill. This reinforced what we all already know: encouraging incarcerated individuals to be productive, to work and to train for work is the number one factor that will reduce their risk of G-d forbid re-offending once released. Furthermore, these funds will go to help support their children and spouses, who are innocent and so often suffer the most because of the incarceration. Keeping their children fed is not just humane, it reduces their risk of committing crime to support themselves and their families,” said Rabbi Moshe Margaretten, President of Tzedek Association.

The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution formally abolished slavery, “except as a punishment for crime,” which has enabled the exploitation of incarcerated individuals in correctional facilities across the country. The Fair Wages for Incarcerated Workers Act is an important step towards closing this loophole and would provide additional protections for incarcerated Americans by:

Establishing a federal minimum wage of $7.25 for incarcerated workers nationwide;

Extending protections guaranteed by the Fair Labor Standards Act to all incarcerated workers; and

Eliminating certain wage deductions to ensure that incarcerated workers will no longer have their income preemptively taken away to cover the cost of court-imposed fees, board, and lodging.

The Fair Wages for Incarcerated Workers Act is the latest bill introduced by Rep. Cleaver this year focused on reducing recidivism and strengthening protections for incarcerated Americans. Other bills introduced by Rep. Cleaver include:

The Prison Libraries Act to expand library resources in U.S. state and territory correctional facilities;

The Transportation for Reentry Act to provide free public transportation for up to one year to recently released individuals;

The Reentry Resource Guide Act to support state efforts to maintain a digital resource center for individuals ready for reentry into society;

The Combating Workplace Discrimination in Correctional Facilities Act to strengthen protections for incarcerated workers from discrimination and civil rights violations; and

The Ensuring Work Opportunities in Correctional Facilities Act to support occupational training programs and educational opportunities in U.S. correctional facilities.

The Fair Wages for Incarcerated Workers Act is officially endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union, Brennan Center for Justice, Center for Law and Social Policy, Economic Policy Institute, Human Rights Watch, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, National Employment Law Project, Prison Policy Initiative, Safer Foundation, Tzedek Association, and Vera Institute of Justice.

The Fair Wages for Incarcerated Workers Act is cosponsored by Reps. Cori Bush (D-MO), Danny Davis (D-IL), Chuy García (D-IL), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ).

Official text of the Fair Wages for Incarcerated Workers Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-announces-78-million-missouri-help-individuals-and-families,Rep. Cleaver Announces $78 Million for Missouri to Help Individuals and Families Lower Energy Costs This Winter,2023-10-25,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced that Missouri was awarded $78 million in funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The funding will go toward helping low-income individuals and families pay for home heating costs this winter, cover unpaid utility bills, and make cost-effective energy repairs to lower heating and cooling bills.

The federal funding announced today is a combination of an additional $2.5 billion appropriated by Congress for LIHEAP to address rising energy costs, as well as an additional $100 million appropriated for 2024 from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, both of which Congressman Cleaver proudly supported.

“Despite Congressional Republicans’ best effort to cut funding for this critical program that serves millions of American households each year, I am proud to announce that additional investments from President Biden and Democrats in Congress will allow this program’s services to reach additional households seeking relief and assistance in lowering costs on heating, cooling, and weatherization,” said Congressman Cleaver. “This $78 million in funding will play a vital role in lowering the number of Missourians experiencing energy-related hardships and ensures vulnerable families are able to stay safe and warm in their homes throughout the upcoming winter months. That’s a substantial win in my book, and I’m proud to have supported the legislation that made this funding possible.”

Missourians interested in applying for energy assistance can visit energyhelp.us or call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) hotline toll-free at: 1-866-674-6327. They can also find additional information and the application for LIHEAP assistance here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-davids-announce-kansas-city-has-been-selected-regional,"Reps. Cleaver, Davids Announce Kansas City Has Been Selected as Regional Tech Hub, Opening Door to Massive Federal Grant",2023-10-23,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Sharice Davids (D-KS) announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) has designated the greater Kansas City region as a Regional Technology and Innovation Hub (Tech Hub), one of 31 inaugural Tech Hubs in regions across the country that show potential for rapid growth in key technology sectors. The Tech Hubs program, created under the bipartisan Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act, seeks to ensure that industries of the future—and their quality jobs—are created, grow, and remain in the United States. Designated Tech Hubs are now eligible to apply for the next phase of the Tech Hubs Program that will invest between $40-$75 million.

“With world-class institutions and forward-thinking organizations like BioNexus KC, Kansas City has long been a national leader in healthcare innovation, biomedical research, and biomanufacturing—and today’s announcement is a recognition that the work we’re doing in the region has been noticed at the highest levels of the federal government,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Thanks to this designation, BioNexus KC and organizations throughout the region will have an opportunity to receive up to $75 million in federal funding, attract additional philanthropic and private investment, and expand the development of cutting-edge medicines and life-saving vaccines. And we can do all of that while creating quality jobs and boosting the regional economy.”

""The KC BioHub's designation as a Regional Tech Hub holds immense potential for the Kansas City region and Kansas as a whole. It will help companies, organizations, and academic institutions forge better partnerships to advance cutting-edge research. Critically, this prestigious designation will also create good-paying jobs and ensure the technology of the future is developed in Kansas, not overseas. The local economic growth and new discoveries, particularly in medication development, that we'll see over the coming decade cannot be overstated, and I'm glad to have worked in a bipartisan manner to bring these investments home,"" said Representative Sharice Davids.

“Tech Hubs designation validates our intentional focus on collaboration and innovation in the KC region and builds upon our strong foundation of excellence in life sciences over the past two decades,” said Dennis Ridenour, President and CEO of BioNexus KC. “With our robust ecosystem, assets, and inclusive approach, the KC region is poised for long-term growth in technology innovation. Along with strengthening our economy, Tech Hubs designation will accelerate our mission to be a global leader in biomanufacturing. Thank you to our 60+ partner organizations that contributed to our regional application, including our civic, community, and congressional leaders who gave their full support. Not only are we home to successful sports teams with an innate ability to host world-class events, but now we’re nationally recognized for our work in life sciences and biomanufacturing.”

“Innovation, cutting-edge research, and creativity can be found in every community across America. Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, the Tech Hubs program is seizing that potential and investing in regional consortia that will boost U.S. manufacturing, create more good-paying jobs and bolster U.S. global competitiveness,” said Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves. “The phase 1 designees and grant recipients reflect the diverse technological industries growing here at home and are symbols of American innovation and opportunity. The Tech Hubs program will provide them tools and resources to drive economic growth across the nation, which Americans will feel for generations to come.”

The Kansas City Inclusive Biologics and Biomanufacturing Tech Hub (KC BioHub), a consortium led by BioNexus KC, will increase domestic production of life-saving vaccines and other preventative technologies by strengthening innovation in animal and human vaccine development. With the largest concentration of animal health and nutrition companies in the world, this Tech Hub will leverage the region’s biotechnology assets and existing vaccine manufacturing facilities, research institutions, and startup ecosystem to enable the U.S. to capture a greater market share of human vaccine development.

KC BioHub was one of 31 Tech Hubs selected from more than 370 applications from regional consortia that include industry, academia, state and local governments, economic development organizations, and labor and workforce partners. The Tech Hubs span regions across 32 states and Puerto Rico and represent a cross section of urban and rural regions.

Last year, Reps. Cleaver and Davids supported the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, which aims to bring supply chains back to the United States, encourage innovation, strengthen American manufacturing, and secure the nation’s economic and national security in the decades to come. In August, Reps. Cleaver and Davids called on Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to support the selection of Kansas City as a Tech Hub.

Additional information on designation of Kansas City as a Tech Hub is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleavers-statement-hamas-terrorist-attacks-against-israel,Rep. Cleaver’s Statement on Hamas’ Terrorist Attacks Against Israel,2023-10-10,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement as Israel continues to defend itself against the terrorist attacks launched by Hamas.

“Over the last few days, the world has watched in horror as Hamas terrorists launched an abhorrent attack on Israel, killing hundreds of innocent Israeli civilians and soldiers—including at least 14 Americans—as well as kidnapping scores of individuals who are now being held as hostages and political pawns. My heart breaks for those who have lost family members or loved ones, and for those who are still awaiting news.

“First and foremost, America unequivocally condemns any and all acts of violence against innocent civilians, including this despicable attack against the Israeli population. Violence only begets more violence—and these acts of terrorism by Hamas, who in no way represent the Palestinian people, will undoubtedly lead to more pain and suffering for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

“Secondly, America stands shoulder-to-shoulder with our Israeli allies. I have cosponsored a bipartisan resolution of support for Israel that was introduced by the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and I intend to support the resolution when it receives a vote on the House Floor to underscore America’s longstanding and ironclad commitment to the sovereignty and security of Israel.

“American leadership will be instrumental in the coming days and weeks as we assist Israel’s defense of their homeland and return of innocent hostages, use our diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict as soon as possible, work to bring some sense of stability to a region that has been unstable for decades, and continue to aim towards the long term vision of a peaceful resolution and a future of security and equal opportunity for both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples through a two-state solution. The first step in that long-term process is a bipartisan package of military and humanitarian assistance from the U.S. Congress—and I hope that we can move that forward as soon as possible.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-bush-call-um-system-restore-race-based-scholarships-and,"Reps. Cleaver, Bush Call on UM System to Restore Race-Based Scholarships and Emphasize Recruitment of Underserved Communities",2023-10-05,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Cori Bush (D-MO) called on the University of Missouri System (UM System) to reverse their recent decisions following the Supreme Court’s disastrous ruling undermining affirmative action in June. In a letter to Dr. Mun Y. Choi, President of the UM System, the lawmakers specifically called on the President to restore race-based scholarships, consider the experience of race in admissions, and emphasize recruitment to underserved communities—all of which are still allowable under the Supreme Court’s Students for Fair Admission Inc (SFFA) v. Harvard and v. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill decision.

“We believe that a rushed decision to exclude race-based criteria would endanger the futures of Black and Brown students in Missouri who will bear the brunt of decades of discrimination and unequal access to higher education,” the lawmakers wrote. “As duly elected Members of Congress representing over 1.5 million Missourians, we implore you to restore race-based scholarships, consider the experience of race in admissions, and emphasize recruitment to underserved communities.

The lawmakers continued: “The Court severely limited the ability of higher education institutions to consider an applicant’s race alone. However, the opinion does not prohibit universities from considering an applicant’s discussion of how race affects their lives. The University of Missouri System can and should consider the ways that a student’s lived experience would benefit their contributions to campus and how it can impact their ability to access higher education in the first place. Again, the Court did not restrict the use of race-based scholarships or financial aid. When we lose talented applicants and graduates, we risk driving residents out of Missouri and into other areas that can provide more stable opportunities.”

The Missouri Representatives also requested a response to several pressing questions about the UM System’s decision-making and policies moving forward, including:

How is the UM System accounting for centuries of racial segregation and discrimination in higher education?

Why did the UM System decide to eliminate race-based scholarships when the Supreme Court decision made no mention of scholarship considerations?

Will admissions and/or scholarship awards based on legacy status be eliminated as well?

What other lived experiences will the UM System consider instead of race when evaluating student’s applications?

How will the System expand its recruitment efforts to underrepresented student populations?

How will the UM System invest in the success of its students of color so that their graduation rates can match those of their white counterparts?

The official letter from Reps. Cleaver and Bush is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleavers-statement-vote-oust-kevin-mccarthy-speakership,Rep. Cleaver’s Statement on Vote to Oust Kevin McCarthy From Speakership,2023-10-03,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement after voting in favor of the motion to remove Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“When Democrats had an identical majority in the House of Representatives just one year ago, Speaker Pelosi reached across the aisle to pass historic legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act, Honoring Our PACT Act, Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, Respect for Marriage Act, National Defense Authorization Act, and so much more—because the American people sent us to Washington to deliver real results for our communities.

“However, since the opening of the 118th Congress, Kevin McCarthy has actively opposed bipartisanship in the People’s House, fomented chaos and crises by kowtowing to the most extreme members of his caucus, and failed to follow through on the most basic of bipartisan agreements time and time again.

“The American people deserve leaders that will put families before political theater and partisan brinksmanship—which is something Speaker McCarthy has proven incapable of doing. I could not in good conscience support such an individual for the esteemed position of Speaker.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-laturner-davids-introduce-bipartisan-bill-designate,"Reps. Cleaver, LaTurner, Davids Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Designate Quindaro Townsite as National Historic Landmark",2023-10-03,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Jake LaTurner (R-KS), and Sharice Davids (D-KS) introduced the Quindaro Townsite National Historic Landmark Act—bipartisan legislation to designate the Quindaro Townsite in Kansas City, Kansas as a National Historic Landmark.

The Quindaro Townsite National Historic Landmark Act gives the Secretary of the Interior additional flexibility to provide technical and financial assistance to local entities to preserve the site and provide educational content about the Landmark to the public.

“Freedom is the foundational principle of American democracy, and the Quindaro Townsite is an important piece of regional history that tells the stories of those seeking to uphold our national commitment to liberty and freedom for all,” said Congressman Cleaver. “For years now, I’ve proudly worked across the aisle to ensure this site receives the recognition and appreciation it rightfully deserves. I’m proud to join Reps. LaTurner and Davids to introduce the Quindaro Townsite National Historic Landmark Act as we continue our efforts to preserve the cultural keystone of Quindaro in Eastern Kansas.”

“Quindaro is a vital part of our nation's history and served as a beacon of hope and freedom for Americans fighting to end slavery in the mid-19th century,"" said Rep. LaTurner. ""I'm proud to introduce this legislation with my colleagues and stand with the dozens of volunteers who have been fighting for decades to ensure the Quindaro Townsite receives the recognition and appreciation it deserves from our federal government.”

""I'm proud to join my colleagues, Representatives Cleaver and LaTurner, as well as community leaders across Kansas, to help the Quindaro Townsite receive the recognition and care it deserves. Quindaro is a significant part of Kansas' history in the fight for freedom and equality, but for too long, our community has lacked the proper investments needed to preserve this important site. A National Historic Landmark designation will build on the bipartisan effort I led in 2019 to establish Quindaro as a National Commemorative Site and help protect its history, keeping its stories alive for generations to come,” said Rep. Davids.

“As the Mayor of Kansas City, Kansas it is of great importance to champion the significance the Quindaro Ruins plays highlighting the plight of African Americans through a network officially called the *Underground Railroad*. This dynamic gateway from slavery to freedom was facilitated in Wyandotte County Kansas with the assistance of Abolitionists, Wyandotte Indians, and freed African American slaves. This diverse group highlights the common denominator of a diversity of Americans helping other Americans realize the self-evident truths; that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. In the awesome community of Wyandotte County Kansas City Kansas we are extremely excited and grateful for the impending consideration taken by our National Congressional Leaders to take the steps necessary to elevate the Quindaro Ruins with an enhanced designation that can personify what it means for all Americans to truly be part of a United States of America continuously evolving into that perfect union for all those that champion what it means to be an American,"" said KCK Mayor Tyrone Garner. ""As Mayor, I respectfully urge passage of the legislation before you, and thank you in advance for your consideration in this matter of great historic importance, not just to the Great State of Kansas but to our Great Nation.""

""Quindaro townsite is deeply emblematic of our proud, complicated heritage and a crucial chapter of our shared history as Kansans and Americans. This bill will help ensure Quindaro’s story endures for generations to come,"" said Lucinda Adams, Executive Director of Freedom's Frontier.

The Quindaro Townsite was founded in 1857 as a port of entry into Kansas on the Missouri River for people opposed to slavery during the Bleeding Kansas conflict and served as a site on the Underground Railroad. In 2019, Congressman Cleaver helped pass federal legislation to designate the Quindaro Townsite as a National Commemorative Site. However, the site's historical significance warrants a more prominent designation on the National Register of Historic Places, given its role in shaping American political debate in the 19th century and stopping the westward spread of slavery into the Kansas Territory.

Official text of the Quindaro Townsite National Historic Landmark Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleavers-statement-voting-avert-government-shutdown,Congressman Cleaver’s Statement on Voting to Avert a Government Shutdown,2023-09-30,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement after voting to support bipartisan legislation that would continue to fund the federal government at current levels, provide much-needed disaster relief to devastated communities, and avert another reckless Republican shutdown.

“For weeks now, the Speaker and the House GOP have wasted precious time and resources waging a political civil war, when their focus should have been on funding the government and meeting the needs of the American people. And after all the chaos and political theater, we ended up exactly where Democrats wanted from the very beginning: a bipartisan compromise that avoids a completely unnecessary and harmful government shutdown.

“Today’s bipartisan legislation ensures that servicemembers and federal workers will receive their hard-earned paychecks; that devastated communities will receive desperately needed disaster relief; that mothers and children will continue to receive nutrition assistance; that food, rail and road inspections will continue to be conducted to protect our communities; and that so many other vital services that Missouri families depend on will continue unabated.

“However, while I am relieved that the Speaker finally allowed for a bipartisan solution to another Republican-manufactured crisis, I am frustrated that a handful of extremists have prevented the overwhelming majority of lawmakers in upholding our commitment to supporting Ukraine in their fight for freedom. Although existing funding for Ukraine will continue, I am committed to working across the aisle to pass additional security assistance to those bravely resisting Putin’s evil invasion.

“As the House of Representatives takes the next 45 days to pass additional appropriations legislation through regular order, I hope that responsible Republicans will take the lessons learned today and apply them moving forward. Rather than attempting to pass poison-pilled, extremely partisan bills that have no chance of being signed into law in an effort to appease far-right extremists, Republicans should work with Democrats to pass bipartisan solutions that will create good-paying jobs, lower costs for families, and strengthen our national security.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-receives-congressional-partnership-award-housing-and,Rep. Cleaver Receives Congressional Partnership Award for Housing and Community Development Work in Congress,2023-09-26,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – This month, the Council of State and Community Development Agencies (COSCDA) recognized U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) with their first-ever Congressional Partnership Award for his commitment to federal housing and community development programs. The award comes in recognition of Congressman Cleaver’s efforts to promote economic development in underserved communities across the country such as through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and CDBG-Disaster Recovery programs.

“Given my childhood residence was a two-bedroom shack and seven years in public housing, this award is one of the most consequential recognitions of my political career,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Affordable housing is the key to unlocking resilient and inclusive community development, which is why I’ve worked tirelessly to strengthen programs like CDBG, the HOME program, and the Housing Trust Fund that support investments in low-cost housing all across the nation.”

“On behalf of COSCDA, we extend our sincere appreciation to Congressman Cleaver for his leadership and commitment to federal community development programs,” said Deborah Johnson, COSCDA President and Director of Maine’s Office of Community Development. “He has gone above and beyond to advance federal investments responsive to local infrastructure, housing, and related needs. We are especially grateful for the continued engagement on enhancements to CDBG promoting increased flexibility, streamlined administration, and more expedient assistance for underserved populations and disaster survivors.”

Founded in 1974, COSCDA is a national association that brings together state and federal leaders on housing, homelessness, community development, and disaster recovery. The COSCDA Congressional Partnership Award recognizes members of Congress for their outstanding contributions to federal programs benefiting state and local actions in community development. COSCDA established the award in 2023 to honor congressional champions of HUD Community Planning and Development (HUD-CPD) programs.

Congressman Cleaver currently serves as Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance. Last year, Cleaver successfully passed his bill to stimulate economic development in underserved communities though the House of Representatives. In May, Cleaver introduced a bipartisan bill that would increase federal funding for projects supported by the CDBG program. In July, Cleaver introduced the bipartisan Choice in Affordable Housing Act to expand access to low-cost housing for low-income families.

“As the Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, I am committed to using my influence in Congress to support the revitalization of underserved communities in my congressional district, including by providing local leaders with the federal resources and flexibility necessary to lower housing costs and drive economic development,” said Congressman Cleaver. “I’m honored to receive the Congressional Partnership Award in recognition of my efforts, and I will continue working with COSCDA and local leaders to further these goals.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-announces-12-million-investment-inflation-reduction-act,Rep. Cleaver Announces $12 Million Investment From Inflation Reduction Act to Expand Access to Trees and Green Spaces in Kansas City,2023-09-18,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Forest Service is awarding $12 million in federal grant funding to Kansas City to plant and maintain trees, expand urban green spaces, combat extreme heat and climate change, and improve local access to nature. Kansas City was one of only 385 recipients selected by the Forest Service to receive a federal grant from the Urban and Community Forestry Program—which received $1.5 billion from the Cleaver-supported Inflation Reduction Act.

“As we saw in Kansas City this summer, rising temperatures and increasingly frequent heat waves are having a harmful, sometimes lethal, impact on communities throughout the metro area, particularly in low-income and minority neighborhoods,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Thanks to this federal funding from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which I was proud to support in Congress, the city now has an opportunity to substantially increase tree cover that will combat the urban heat island effect, boost equitable access to green spaces, and help mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis—all while creating good-paying jobs and strengthening our forestry workforce.”

Studies show that trees in communities are associated with improved physical and mental health, lower average temperatures during extreme heat, increased food security, and new economic opportunities. The Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Program is the only program in the federal government dedicated to enhancing and expanding the nation’s urban forest resources. The program aims to support entities working to increase equitable access to trees and nature, as well as the benefits they provide for cooling city streets, improving air quality, and promoting public health and safety. 100 percent of this funding will flow to disadvantaged communities as identified by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool.

Congressman Cleaver has been a long-time supporter of investments to expand urban tree canopies and plant trees in cities across the country, including in the negotiations surrounding the Inflation Reduction Act—the largest investment in climate action in American history. In 2020, Rep. Cleaver introduced and helped pass the bipartisan TREE Act out of the House of Representatives that would have planted millions of trees throughout the nation. In 2021, Cleaver co-introduced the bipartisan Trees for Residential Energy and Economic Savings (TREES) Act to help homeowners lower energy costs, increase tree canopy in underserved communities and mitigate the effects of climate change through residential tree planting.

Additional information about the grant funding and the Urban and Community Forestry Program is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-kim-introduce-buds-resolution-bolster-bipartisan,"Reps. Cleaver, Kim Introduce BUDS Resolution to Bolster Bipartisan Collaboration in Congress",2023-08-31,2023,2023-08,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Young Kim (R-CA), along with Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-WA), William Timmons (R-SC), Dean Phillips (D-MN), and Mike Carey (R-OH), introduced the Building Unity through Dual Sponsors (BUDS) Resolution to bolster bipartisan collaboration in Congress. While current rules of the House of Representatives only allow for one lawmaker to serve as a sponsor of legislation, the BUDS Resolution would formally change the rules of the House of Representatives to authorize two Members of the chamber to serve as joint sponsors of a bill, resolution, or joint resolution if they are from opposing political parties.

“As a member of the recent Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, one of my highest priorities was finding ways to strengthen bipartisan collaboration among the people’s representatives—because that is what the American people want to see from their elected officials,” said Congressman Cleaver. “This simple yet important resolution, taken from our work on the Modernization Committee, would not only foster bipartisan partnerships in the People’s House—which leads to better governance for the American people—but it will also help the public better understand which lawmakers are truly committed to working across the aisle for the betterment of their communities. I want to thank Representative Kim for co-leading this bipartisan resolution, and I look forward to working with her, our co-sponsors and endorsing organizations to facilitate more cooperation in Congress.”

“Bipartisanship isn’t a bad word – it's more important than ever. Congress must be able to come together and find common ground to get things done for the American people,” said Rep. Kim. “Since day one, I have fought to break through the partisan gridlock, bring some commonsense to Washington, and get things done. The BUDS Act reflects this commitment and aims to encourage more bipartisanship and ensure we focus on delivering results for our constituents over petty infighting. I am proud to introduce this commonsense bill with Rep. Cleaver and am hopeful we can get this across the finish line.”

“In my neck of the woods, we know that when folks sit down and work together, we can achieve great things,” said Rep. Kilmer. “The BUDS Resolution isn’t just about modernizing congressional rules – it’s about modernizing our mindset and creating an environment where bipartisanship isn’t the exception but the rule. By allowing dual sponsorship of legislation across party lines, we’re not just talking about bipartisanship – we’re structuring it into the very fabric of how Congress operates.”

“Bipartisanship is happening all the time in Congress. One thing we can do to show the American people we are working together is implementing dual sponsorships. This change will promote more bipartisan policy solutions and help modernize the legislative process,” said Rep. William Timmons (SC-04).

“I’m on a mission to inspire a new era of collaboration in Congress,” Congressman Phillips said. “As other political leaders focus on division, my staff and I will always pursue common ground for the common good. Pleased to join likeminded colleagues in paving the way for bipartisanship.”

“Working across the aisle to deliver real results for my constituents is my biggest priority in Congress,” said Congressman Carey. “This legislation will make it easier to identify bipartisan measures and build support for their passage.”

“There is much more bipartisan collaboration in Congress than Americans see on the news, but it flies under the radar partly because there is no way for members to share equal credit for working together. This resolution from Rep. Cleaver (D-MO) and Rep. Kim (R-CA) fixes that by amending House rules to allow bills to have two sponsors, provided that each is from a different political party. With this change, it will be much clearer to constituents when their representatives put divisive politics aside to achieve bipartisan legislative wins. Bipartisan co-sponsorship was a key recommendation from the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress and this resolution will make it a reality,” said Michael Thorning, Director of Structural Democracy, Bipartisan Policy Center.

“Fostering a legislative process that encourages bipartisanship and collaboration helps lay the foundation for effective governance and sustainable progress for the American people,” said Taylor J. Swift, senior policy advisor for Demand Progress. “This legislation will substantively help increase the incentives and reduce challenges for lawmakers to work across the aisle from the very beginning.”

“The Modernization Committee was right to pass a recommendation encouraging the House to allow bipartisan bills to have two lead sponsors. Addressing the nation’s significant governance challenges will require lawmakers to work together on bipartisan legislation. I applaud Representative Cleaver and Kim for sponsoring legislation to enact this recommendation,” said Dan Lips, Head of Policy, Foundation for American Innovation.

“We thank Rep. Cleaver for recognizing the need for legislation that encourages greater bipartisanship in Congress. The [Joint Sponsorship legislation] is a step in the right direction to incentivize Members of Congress to work with their partners across the aisle to propose bold policy solutions on behalf of the American people,” said Elise Wirkus, Legislative Director at Issue One.

The BUDS Resolution is endorsed by Bipartisan Policy Center Action, Demand Progress, Foundation for American Innovation, and Issue One.

Official text of the BUDS Resolution is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:30:18Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-williams-allred-veasey-scott-introduce-legislation-protect,"Reps. Cleaver, Williams, Allred, Veasey, Scott Introduce Legislation to Protect Voting Rights of Unhoused Americans",2023-08-29,2023,2023-08,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, following the sixtieth anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, announced the introduction of the Unhoused Voter Opportunity Through Elections Act (Unhoused VOTE Act) in the House of Representatives. Congressman Cleaver, along with Representatives Nikema Williams (D-GA), Colin Allred (D-TX), Bobby Scott (D-VA), and Marc Veasey (D-TX), introduced the legislation this month to protect voting rights and remove barriers that prevent unhoused individuals from registering and voting in federal elections.

“Every citizen of this great nation deserves the right to make their voice heard in our democracy—and there should be no exception for Americans that are temporarily unhoused or who choose to live in nontraditional housing,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Whether or not someone has fallen on hard times financially should not determine that individual’s ability to participate in elections, and the Unhoused VOTE Act will help to ensure that is no longer the case for Americans facing housing instability. As someone who has spent their life advocating for the expansion and protection of voting rights for all Americans, I’m proud to introduce this long overdue legislation with Rep. Williams and fellow Democrats in the House of Representatives.”

“Your housing status shouldn’t determine your ability to vote. That’s why I worked with Congressman Cleaver to include the Unhoused VOTE Act in my voting rights legislative package. Our bill takes an important step to ensuring everyone has free and fair access to the ballot box–no matter your ZIP Code, no matter your housing status,” said Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05), co-chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus and the Task Force for Strengthening Democracy.

Specifically, the Unhoused VOTE Act would protect voting rights for unhoused Americans by:

Formally establishing in law that no state may deny an individual the right to vote because they do not have a traditional home—an idea that was first put forth by Congressman John Lewis through the Voting Rights of Homeless Citizens Act;

Setting federal standards and formal protections for voting rights of unhoused people, such as:

Ensuring voting dropboxes are deployed in accessible locations;

Requiring shelters be eligible to be used as a place of residence when registering to vote;

Ensuring that people can use an unsheltered street location in order to vote;

Requiring that an ID issued by a criminal justice entity is eligible for use as voter ID;

Requiring outreach and resources be made available online and to relevant stakeholders; and more.

Conducting a study on the voting rights of unhoused Americans to determine the extent to which unhoused people are able or unable to register and vote in elections; and

Providing grant funding to expand access to voting for unhoused individuals.

The Unhoused VOTE Act is co-sponsored by Reps. Becca Balint (D-VT), Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Shontel Brown (D-OH), AndréCarson (D-IN), Troy Carter (D-LA), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Al Green (D-TX), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), Wiley Nickel (D-NC), Donald Payne (D-NJ), Katie Porter (D-CA), Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), and Juan Vargas (D-CA).

The Unhoused VOTE Act is endorsed by Campaign Legal Center, National Coalition for the Homeless, National Alliance to End Homelessness, National Low Income Housing Coalition, Southern Poverty Law Center, National Housing Law Project, American Civil Liberties Union, Public Citizen, ECU/LAV, Common Cause, Demand Progress, National Domestic Workers Alliance, Care in Action, Voto Latino, National Council of Jewish Women, Southern Coalition for Social Justice, Fair Fight Action, Black Voters Matter Fund, People For the American Way, MoveOn, National Council of Negro Women, National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), and more.

Official text of the Unhoused VOTE Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:30:18Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-and-missouri-state-senator-greg-razer-highlight-impact,Rep. Cleaver and Missouri State Senator Greg Razer Highlight Impact of Federal and State Funding for Mattie Rhodes Center,2023-08-23,2023,2023-08,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05) and Missouri State Senator Greg Razer (District 07) hosted a check presentation and press conference to highlight the $1,259,000 in Community Project Funding the Congressman was able to secure for the Mattie Rhodes Cultural Center, as well as the $500,000 from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery – Revenue Replacement Fund that Senator Razer secured for the organization.

The $1,259,000 in Community Project Funding for the Mattie Rhodes Cultural Center was one of ten projects Congressman Cleaver championed and successfully secured funding for in FY22. Now in its second century of community service in Kansas City’s Westside community, Mattie Rhodes Center serves more than 15,000 individuals annually. The $1,259,000 in Community Project Funding secured by Rep. Cleaver for the Mattie Rhodes Cultural Center will help answer the demand for a multi-purpose space that will make Mattie Rhodes Center more accessible, operate more sustainably, and enhance education, therapy, and arts programming for low-income families, while celebrating the cultural contributions of Kansas City’s growing Hispanic population. The $500,000 in State funding secured by Senator Razer for Mattie Rhodes is dedicated to individual and family well-being through social services, behavioral health counseling and the arts.

“Our work in Washington and in Jefferson City should have a positive impact on the folks we serve back at home – and these federally and state appropriated investments secured by Senator Razer and myself demonstrate our commitment to just that,” said Congressman Cleaver. “I am thrilled that these investments will go towards supporting the invaluable services Mattie Rhodes has readily available for the communities we serve and the individuals and families that utilize them.”

""I appreciate Congressman Cleaver and the Biden Administration for making real investments in Missouri to help area families, especially children,"" said Senator Razer. ""I believe the people of Missouri are worth investing in, and I am glad the Kansas City region has a partner in Congress who not only shares our values but works every day to bring these investments home.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:30:18Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-applauds-76-million-investment-missouri-expand-rural,Rep. Cleaver Applauds $76 Million Investment in Missouri to Expand Rural Broadband from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,2023-08-22,2023,2023-08,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement that Missouri will receive $76,000,000 in federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, otherwise known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to expand high-speed internet in rural communities across the state. Through the ReConnect Program, which is designed to support the most difficult broadband projects in the country and received increased investments through President Biden’s infrastructure law, the funding will connect thousands of rural residents, farmers, and business owners to reliable broadband. Congressman Cleaver was the only Representative from Missouri to support President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has already allocated more than $4.1 billion in infrastructure funding for the Show Me State.

“There is nothing that America can’t accomplish when we put partisanship aside and focus on the needs of American people—and there’s no greater example of that than President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which continues to deliver for Missourians all over our great state,” said Congressman Cleaver. “As another $76 million heads to Missouri to provide high-speed internet to rural communities, not only will this unlock greater economic opportunity in underserved communities that are too often overlooked, but it will create a lot of quality jobs in the process. That’s something I think every Missourian can get behind, and that’s why I was proud to support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”

“Keeping the people of rural America connected with reliable, high-speed internet brings new and innovative ideas to the rest of our country and creates good-paying jobs along the way,” Secretary Vilsack said. “Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are connecting rural communities to a global marketplace. These investments will support economic growth and prosperity for generations to come.”

Today’s high-speed internet investments are part of the fourth funding round of the ReConnect Program. Applicants to ReConnect Program funding must serve a rural area that lacks access to service at speeds of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 20 Mbps upload. Applicants must also commit to building facilities capable of providing high-speed internet service with speeds of 100 Mbps (download and upload) to every location in the proposed service area. Additionally, to ensure that rural households that need internet service can afford it, all awardees will be required to apply to participate in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP offers a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service to qualifying low-income households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal Lands.

A full list of projects from today’s announcement is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:30:18Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-attends-official-ribbon-cutting-raytown-chamber-commerce,Rep. Cleaver Attends Official Ribbon Cutting for Raytown Chamber of Commerce Building Remodel,2023-08-17,2023,2023-08,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Kansas City, MO) – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05) joined Raytown Mayor Mike McDonough, Raytown Chamber of Commerce Building Foundation President Vicki Turnbow, and members of the Raytown Chamber of Commerce for the official ribbon cutting for the remodeled Raytown Chamber of Commerce building following long overdue renovations and improvements to the facility. The Raytown Chamber of Commerce Building Foundation was the recipient of $200,000 in Community Project Funding secured by Rep. Cleaver to help facilitate the renovation of the entire 33-year-old Raytown Chamber of Commerce building, including necessary ADA accessibility improvements at the entrance and interior.

“One of my highest priorities as a Representative is delivering federal dollars back to Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District to invest in our community, workers, and the small businesses who help make our local economies thrive,” said Congressman Cleaver. “I am thrilled to have been able to secure $200,000 for the Raytown Chamber of Commerce’s building remodel project, which will increase economic development by making this pillar of the community more accessible to businesses and entrepreneurs throughout Raytown.”

“The Raytown Chamber of Commerce Building Foundation is grateful for the Community Project Funding we received for our building remodel and accessibility project,” said Vick Turnbow, President Raytown Chamber of Commerce Building Foundation. “We promised Congressman Cleaver we would be good stewards of the funding, and I feel we are. Our capital campaign began in March of 2020 and with all the donations and grants, this project became a reality. We invite you to stop by and see the building, it is truly beautiful and one the community of Raytown can be proud of for years to come.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:30:18Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-announces-51-million-awarded-missouri-support-local,Congressman Cleaver Announces $5.1 Million Awarded to Missouri to  Support Local Conservation and Recreation Efforts,2023-07-24,2023,2023-07,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced that the Department of Interior has awarded Missouri $5,152,442 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to support local conservation and recreation projects across the state. At no cost to taxpayers, the LWCF, which is administered by the National Park Service, supports increased public access to and protection for federal public lands and waters—including national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and recreation areas—and provides matching grants to Tribal, state, and local governments to support the acquisition and development of land for public parks and other outdoor recreation sites.

“As a longtime and strongtime supporter of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, I’m proud to announce Missouri will receive more than $5 million to support conservation and recreation projects across the Show Me State,” said Congressman Cleaver. “God has blessed our great nation with some of the most majestic landscapes and waterways on the planet, and future generations of Americans deserve to enjoy these magnificent lands as we have been fortunate enough to do. With this funding, more Missourians will have the opportunity to relish all that the great outdoors have to offer for years to come. Moving forward, as we continue working to combat the climate crisis, I won’t stop working in Washington to ensure Congress is funding federal conservation efforts with the urgency our environment and communities deserve.”

“The Land and Water Conservation Fund helps further President Biden’s commitment to investing in America’s lands and waters, expanding access to the outdoors, and safeguarding the environment,” said Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. “These grants, matched primarily by state and local governments, will inspire collaborative conservation and improves equitable access to the outdoors for all.”

Along with this year’s LWCF distribution, the National Park Service is releasing an update to the LWCF Manual that directs states to work more closely with Tribes and underserved communities during the development of their Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plans, a requirement for eligibility to receive LWCF funds. It also prioritizes the creation of parks in underserved communities.

In 2020, Congressman Cleaver joined a bipartisan cohort of lawmakers calling on Congress to make funding for the LWCF permanent, ensuring federal investments in conservation and recreation projects would not be at risk in annual spending negotiations. The LWCF was made permanent in a bill Congressman Cleaver supported later that year.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:18:03Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-applauds-usdas-designation-kansas-city-urban-agricultural,Rep. Cleaver Applauds USDA’s Designation of Kansas City as Urban Agricultural Hub,2023-07-21,2023,2023-07,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) applauds the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement of Kansas City as an Urban Agricultural Hub, paving the way for a USDA established Urban Service Center in Kansas City to meet the needs of urban agricultural producers—including farmers, livestock producers, and gardeners—through funding, education, outreach, and technical assistance.

Leveraging $40 million in American Rescue Plan funds, the USDA established 17 pilot Urban Service Areas to offer farm loans, conservation, disaster assistance, and risk management programs to urban producers. Building on the success of the first 17 pilot Urban Agricultural Hubs, today’s announcement expands the USDA’s Urban County Committees to ten additional cities, including Kansas City.

“This incredible opportunity, thanks to the Biden-Harris administration, demonstrates a commitment to fostering new economic prospects for folks right here in our community,” said Congressman Cleaver. “USDA’s designation of Kansas City as an urban agricultural hub is a critical component of fulfilling the entire SAMPLE Corridor project I announced last year. For the SAMPLE Corridor and urban producers, this designation opens doors to new ways of tackling sustainability and strengthening food systems right here in our own backyard.”

“The announcement from USDA Secretary Vilsack brings new and exciting opportunities for Kansas City urban agriculture,” said Missouri State Conservationist, Scott Edwards. “The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can now begin planning to open an Urban Service Center with urban conservationist committed to working with farms of all sizes in Kansas City.”

The USDA’s official announcement can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:18:03Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-supports-house-passage-bill-reauthorize-faa-strengthen,"Rep. Cleaver Supports House Passage of Bill to Reauthorize the FAA, Strengthen Aviation Workforce, Protect Airline Consumers",2023-07-20,2023,2023-07,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) voted in favor of the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for five years. The bipartisan bill will maintain America’s gold standard of leadership in safety and aerospace innovation, strengthen and diversify the U.S. aviation workforce, improve consumer protections and accessibility, and make groundbreaking investments in sustainability and resiliency.

“Since the Wright Brothers first took flight more than a century ago, America has led the world when it comes to aviation safety and innovation—and the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act will continue that legacy for years to come,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Not only does this bill provide investments that will help create good-paying jobs and strengthen our aviation workforce in Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, but it also takes steps to protect consumers by ensuring families can sit together at no cost and travelers are reimbursed if a flight is delayed or cancelled. I was proud to support this bipartisan bill, and I encourage my colleagues in the Senate send it to the President’s desk.”

The Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act will uphold public safety and maintain American leadership in aviation by:

Maintaining America’s gold standard in aviation safety, ensuring that America’s aviation system remains the safest in the world by expanding ground surveillance at airports to help prevent runway incursions, updating evacuation standards for commercial planes, and creating a task force on preventing assaults against flight crews.

Strengthening and diversifying the U.S. aviation workforce by tripling the FAA’s workforce development funding to $45 million a year, expanding our talent pipeline of pilots, maintenance technicians, and aviation manufacturing workers, and funding efforts to recruit and retain people from underrepresented communities in the aviation industry.

Expanding Consumer Protections and Accessibility by requiring airlines to pay for reimbursements for hotels and meal costs if there are mass cancellations and delays, allowing young families to sit together at no extra cost, and directing airlines to create a roadmap to reduce damage to wheelchairs and improve airline personnel training to better assist these passengers.

Promoting Environmental Sustainability and Resilience to accelerate the green energy transition by investing for the first time in federal airport funding for airport environmental and noise programs—which will help equip airports to continue serving communities amid the impacts of climate change.

Official text of the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:18:03Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-introduces-bill-provide-free-public-transportation,Congressman Cleaver Introduces Bill to Provide Free Public Transportation to Individuals Recently Released from Prison,2023-07-19,2023,2023-07,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver II (D-MO) continued his legislative effort to reduce recidivism by introducing a bill to provide free public transportation for up to one year to recently released individuals. The Transportation for Reentry Act would enact a reentry service program that provides an additional $40 million to the Federal Public Transportation Program to provide transportation services to recently released individuals, ensuring they can access the community resources and services necessary to facilitate successful reintegration into society.

“Consistent access to transportation, particularly public transportation, is essential for individuals recently released from incarceration and seeking to reintegrate into their community successfully,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Whether it is helping folks commute to a quality job, secure affordable housing, comply with release conditions, or access other critical community services, the Transportation for Reentry Act will give formerly incarcerated individuals greater stability as they seek to stand independently.”

“Many people returning home don’t have access to a car and are faced with immediate transit costs before they can even begin to earn an income. I would know as I experienced this when I came home 11 years ago,” said Carmen Garcia, Executive Director of Root & Rebound. “The Transportation for Reentry Act recognizes this struggle and provides free access to transportation that is absolutely necessary to reentry success. Root & Rebound is proud to support this important piece of legislation and thank Congressman Cleaver for sponsoring it.”

“As a leading advocate for restoring the human dignity of currently and formerly incarcerated people, I want to thank U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II for introducing the Transportation for Reentry Act. It represents a significant stride forward in addressing formerly incarcerated people’s critical challenges as they strive to rebuild their lives after incarceration. Promoting free transportation to formerly incarcerated people, the Transportation for Reentry Act will revolutionize how individuals travel to find employment, education, and housing while sustaining public safety. It will also ensure that all citizens, regardless of their inability to pay, can enjoy freedom of movement and access to opportunities,” said Norris Henderson, Founder and Executive Director, Voice of the Experienced (VOTE).

Approximately610,000 individuals are released from federal and state prisons each year. Upon release, these individuals must have access to reliable, affordable, and adequate transportation, which helps to ensure they can maintain gainful employment, comply with their release conditions, attend appointments, obtain affordable housing, and access other community resources necessary for successful reentry. Unfortunately, many individuals cannot afford to own their vehicle or regularly use public transportation, undermining the stability needed to avoid food insecurity, homelessness, or re-incarceration.

To address this challenge, the Transportation for Reentry Act will :

Increase funding for the Federal Public Transportation Program by $40 million in Fiscal Years 2024 through 2026 to provide the necessary funding to carry out the public transportation reentry service;

Maintain eligibility requirements for receiving financial assistance under 49 USC 5307 or 5311 to carry out the transportation service;

Delegate public transit authorities with the power to create localized systems for helping returning citizens enroll in the program; instruct transportation staff on the operation of reentry service; track and maintain records of service usage and the number of individuals registered; and submit data to the National Transit Database;

Task the Department of Transportation with reimbursing participating transit authorities for direct and indirect costs; coordinating with local transit authorities to provide technical assistance where applicable; marketing the service to ensure that incarcerated and returning populations are aware of the service; and summarizing the data that local transit authorities report in a report to Congress.

Direct the U.S. Government Accountability Office to evaluate the program when it concludes, detailing the implementation, effectiveness, and improvements that can be made to the program.

Congressman Cleaver has introduced several bills aimed at reducing recidivism and supporting incarcerated individuals in recent months, including:

The Prison Libraries Actto expand library resources in U.S. state and territory correctional facilities;

The Reentry Resource Guide Act to support state efforts to maintain a digital resource center for individuals ready for reentry;

The Combating Workplace Discrimination in Correctional Facilities Act to strengthen protections for incarcerated workers from discrimination and civil rights violations; and

The Ensuring Work Opportunities in Correctional Facilities Act to support occupational training programs and educational opportunities in U.S. correctional facilities;

The Transportation for Reentry Act is endorsed by the Vera Institute of Justice, Prison Policy Initiative, Root and Rebound, Voice of the Experienced (VOTE), Formerly Incarcerated, Convicted People and Families Movement, and Forward Justice.

The Transportation for Reentry Act is cosponsored by Representatives Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), André Carson (D-IN), Troy Carter (D-LA), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Frederica Wilson (D-FL), and Glenn Ivey (D-MD).

Official text of the Transportation for Reentry Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:18:03Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleavers-statement-after-voting-against-maga-fied-national-defense,Rep. Cleaver’s Statement After Voting Against MAGA-fied National Defense Authorization Act,2023-07-14,2023,2023-07,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement after voting against the National Defense Authorization Act that was MAGA-fied following moderate Republicans bowing to the demands of ultraconservatives in the House of Representatives.

“By inserting culturally divisive and harmful provisions into this NDAA—such as preventing servicewomen from accessing critical healthcare and defunding programs that combat extremism and racism within our armed forces—MAGA Republicans have chosen to politicize our military and undermine our national security. That is something I cannot support.

“Rather than simply voting on the bill that passed out of the Armed Services Committee with near-unanimous support, by a vote of 58-1, Speaker McCarthy and moderate Republicans have once again allowed MAGA extremists to hijack essential legislation that upholds America’s national security and supports our men and women in uniform. Not only are they blocking the appointments of vital military leaders in the Senate over an attempt to restrict women servicemembers’ healthcare decisions, but they are now fighting to eliminate attempts by military leadership to ensure our military is a cohesive institution that reflects the diversity of America—which will only hurt recruitment efforts that are already insufficient.

“For more than six decades, Congress has passed an NDAA with overwhelming bipartisan support, because our troops and national security have always been above petty politics and partisan games. While extremists in the Republican Caucus in the House have demonstrated that there is no part of basic governance they will not try to politicize, I hope and expect that Senate Democrats and ten responsible Senate Republicans will come together to pass a commonsense defense bill that gives our troops a well-deserved pay raise, invests in military families, and provides additional funding to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom.

“When that occurs, I look forward to supporting the bill.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:18:03Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-senator-warner-introduce-legislation-help-first-time-first,"Rep. Cleaver, Senator Warner Introduce Legislation to Help First-Time, First-Generation Homebuyers Narrow the Wealth Gap",2023-07-13,2023,2023-07,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA), along with Representatives Nikema Williams (D-GA), Al Green (D-TX), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), and Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), and Tim Kaine (D-VA), introduced bicameral legislation to help first-time, first-generation homebuyers accelerate wealth building through homeownership. By offering new homeowners a 20-year mortgage for roughly the same monthly payment as a traditional 30-year loan, the Low-Income First-Time (LIFT) Homebuyers Act will allow individuals traditionally underrepresented in the housing market to grow equity twice as fast.

“It’s about time Congress took bold steps to support the American dream of homeownership for working class families that for too long have been left behind, which will not only allow more hardworking Americans to build generational wealth but also help close the racial wealth gap,” said Rep. Cleaver. “The LIFT Act builds upon President Biden’s economic agenda that focuses on building our economy from the bottom up and middle out, allowing more families to qualify for homeownership and build equity and stability in their home at an accelerated rate. As the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, I’m proud to introduce this legislation with Senator Warner and his colleagues in the Senate, as we seek to ensure every American has an opportunity to share in the prosperity of this great nation.”

“Homeownership is one of the key ways Americans build capital and wealth. Unfortunately, racism and systemic discrimination in our housing laws have put this opportunity out of reach for far too many families of color,” said Sen. Warner. “The LIFT Act will help narrow the racial wealth gap by allowing qualified home buyers to build equity – and wealth – at twice the rate of a conventional 30-year mortgage.”

“Owning a home opens doors to opportunity. I’m relatively new to the journey, and already the security of homeownership has laid the foundation to build generational wealth for my seven-year-old son, Carter. The LIFT Act brings the dream of homeownership within reach for more families, pushing us one step closer to making the promise of America attainable for everyone. I’m proud to work with Representative Cleaver on legislation that continues our work to close the racial wealth gap and build an economy that works for the people,” said Congresswoman Nikema Williams.

The LIFT Homebuyers Act would establish a program at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, to sponsor low fixed-rate 20-year mortgages for first-time, first-generation homebuyers who have incomes equal to or less than 120 percent of their area median income. Treasury would subsidize the interest rate and origination fees associated with these 20-year mortgages so that the monthly payment would be in line with a 30-year Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured mortgage.

For example: A first time homebuyer of modest means who purchases a property for $210,000 is likely to put down $10,000 and take out a $200,000 mortgage. In today’s market, a lender would offer this borrower a 6.5% 30 year FHA insured mortgage, for which the borrower would pay an annual 0.55% FHA insurance fee and a 1.75% up-front insurance fee, which would be folded into the mortgage. The borrower would have a monthly payment of $1,377. Under the LIFT program, the lender would instead offer this homebuyer a 5.5% 20-year FHA insured mortgage, which would include an up-front 4.00% FHA fee that would be folded into the loan and no annual FHA premium. The borrower would have a monthly payment of $1,430. By paying roughly the equivalent monthly payment, a borrower with a LIFT loan would build equity more than twice as fast.

By allowing borrowers to build equity through their homes at twice the rate of a comparable 30-year loan without meaningfully increasing the monthly payment, LIFT will improve the power of homeownership for millions of families. Coupled with well-targeted down-payment assistance, the LIFT program will make meaningful progress in closing the racial wealth gap, expanding and greatly strengthening the wealth-building benefits of homeownership in communities too long left behind by our existing financial structures.

“The LIFT Act would be a groundbreaking new approach to help close the nation’s significant and troubling shortfall in homeownership among people of color and the associated substantial wealth racial gap. Focusing eligibility on first-time, first-generation homebuyers would target this assistance to families and individuals most in need of assistance while also narrowing racial homeownership gaps. And the use of subsidies to make a 20-year mortgage as affordable as a 30-year loan puts homebuyers on a path to rapidly accumulate home equity while also making homeownership less risky. The proposed approach is also highly cost effective by leveraging federal subsidies to enable homeowners to build wealth over time more quickly and effectively,” said Chris Herbert, Managing Director, Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.

“Homeownership is the best way to build wealth, especially for lower and moderate income households and families of color, and LIFT supercharges that wealth-building. By helping homeowners get a 20-year mortgage with a lower monthly payment consistent with a 30-year mortgage, LIFT preserves affordability and supports homeownership, but also allows homeowners to rapidly accumulate equity in their homes. LIFT is among the most effective ways policymakers have to address the nation’s pernicious problem of large and widening economic disparities,” said Mark Zandi, Chief Economist, Moody’s Analytics.

Official text of the LIFT Homebuyers Act is available here.

A summary of the LIFT Homebuyers Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:18:03Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-chavez-deremer-introduce-bipartisan-bill-expand-access,"Reps. Cleaver, Chavez-DeRemer Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Access to Affordable Housing, Remove Bureaucratic Barriers Within Housing Voucher Program",2023-07-13,2023,2023-07,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – This week, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR) re-introduced the Choice in Affordable Housing Act to expand access to affordable housing for American families. The bipartisan bill removes burdensome bureaucratic regulations from the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) and incentivizes greater landlord participation by allowing higher numbers of vouchers to be used across more neighborhoods. This means greater opportunities for lower-income Americans and better partnerships between the public and private sector.

“The greatest threat to our economic recovery is the housing affordability crisis that is holding back hardworking families in communities across the country,” said Congressman Cleaver. “To ensure working-class families have access to affordable housing options, it is imperative that Congress work to remove burdensome barriers within the Housing Choice Voucher Program that limit landlord participation and where vouchers can be utilized. The Choice in Affordable Housing Act will implement long overdue reforms to the HCV program to increase the number of landlords offering units in the private rental market, while also providing low-income families greater access to housing options in higher-opportunity areas. That’s a win for everyone involved, and I’ll keep working with Rep. Chavez-DeRemer until our bipartisan bill is signed into law.”

“Oregon’s housing shortage and homelessness crisis demand bipartisan solutions. I’m honored to join Congressman Cleaver on this effort to cut red tape and incentivize landlords to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher Program. By making much-needed improvements to the HCV program, including using more targeted data to determine rent standards and reducing bureaucratic delays, our Choice and Affordable Housing Act would help low-income families access safe housing at an affordable price. I look forward to working on getting this bipartisan bill across the finish line to expand opportunity for families in Oregon and across the country,” Chavez-DeRemer said.

The Housing Choice Voucher Program at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) helps more than 5 million low-income Americans afford safe and decent housing in the private retail market. More than two-thirds of the 2.3 million households currently participating in the Housing Choice Voucher Program are headed by a person of color, and the program is especially important for the elderly and those with disabilities.

Unfortunately, landlord participation in the Housing Choice Voucher Program is declining, with an average of 10,000 housing providers having left the program each year between 2010 and 2016. HUD has found that rent payment standards, administrative hurdles, and misperceptions of the Housing Choice Voucher Program have caused uncertainty in rental housing operations and deterred landlords from participating in the program. This is especially tragic as Studies have shown that children who were able to utilize housing vouchers in high-opportunity neighborhoods that have low poverty rates and access to quality schools increased their lifetime income by more than $200,000.

The Choice in Affordable Housing Act would make several necessary reforms to the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program to expand affordable housing options These include:

Creating the Herschel Lashkowitz Housing Partnership Fund. Named after the longtime Fargo mayor and staunch advocate for public-private housing partnerships, the fund would be used to recruit, train, and incentivize landlord participation in the program. These would involve greater protections against tenant damages, financial incentives to partner with the federal government, and resources for public housing authorities with dedicated landlord liaisons.

Setting rents fairly with better data. The current subsidy for HUD’S HCV is generally determined by a broad formula that considers rent prices over an entire metropolitan area. This leads to less accurate subsidies and higher costs for families. The bill requires HUD to select additional metropolitan areas to use the more granular Small Area Fair Market Rents to set standards based on ZIP codes.

Reduce delays for inspections. Units in buildings financed by other federal housing programs, such as the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, the HOME Investment Partnership program, or assisted by the Rural Housing Service would meet the voucher inspection if the unit has been inspected in the past year. New landlords could also request a pre-inspection from a public housing authority prior to selecting a voucher-holding tenant to help reduce unnecessary delay.

Modernize HUD’s evaluation of public housing agencies. The bill requires HUD to reform and modernize its annual evaluation of PHAs to include ways to promote more positive interactions with landlords and support voucher families who want access to neighborhoods with greater opportunity. The bill also requires HUD to report to Congress annually on the effects of the bill.

A companion bill to the Choice in Affordable Housing Act has been introduced in the Senate by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and is endorsed by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Housing Law Project, Habitat for Humanity International, National Association of Realtors, National Association of Home Builders, RESULTS Education Fund, Enterprise Community Partners, Mobility Works, National Association of Residential Property Managers, National Leased Housing Association, Institute of Real Estate Management, National Rental Home Council, the Poverty & Race Research Action Council, the Bipartisan Policy Center, the National Multifamily Housing Council, the National Apartment Association, and the Council for Affordable and Rural Housing.

Official text of the Choice in Affordable Housing Act is available here.

Here is what outside groups are saying about the Choice in Affordable Housing Act:

""NAA proudly supports the bipartisan Choice in Affordable Housing Act, a balanced and responsible bill that helps address operational and programmatic challenges with the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. As the single most important tool in addressing immediate affordability challenges, the reforms within this bill will help increase housing provider participation and improve access to needed housing supports for countless low- and moderate-income American families. On behalf of NAA’s 95,000 members, we sincerely thank Reps. Emmanuel Cleaver and Lori Chavez-DeRemer for your leadership on this critical, bipartisan issue,"" said NAA President and CEO Bob Pinnegar.

“NMHC and our members have long supported the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program and believe it to be one of the most effective means of addressing our nation’s affordable housing needs, supporting mixed-income communities and improving housing opportunity and availability throughout the country,” said Sharon Wilson Géno, NMHC President. “The reasonable reforms included in the Choice in Affordable Housing Act will improve the program for both residents and housing providers and increase private housing provider participation, which are a good first step toward increasing opportunity for millions of American families and help them find homes.”

“HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher program has proven highly effective in reducing overcrowding, minimizing homelessness and housing instability, and enhancing economic opportunity. BPC Action applauds Reps. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) and Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR) for introducing the Choice in Affordable Housing Act. This bipartisan legislation will help reduce housing instability by removing barriers that complicate and deter landlord participation in the HCV program. It also advances a key priority of BPC’s J. Ronald Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy—enhancing federal housing assistance to low-income families so that every family, regardless of wealth or background, can live in a decent, safe, and affordable home,” said Michele Stockwell, Executive Director, BPC Action.

“Habitat for Humanity International, through the Cost of Home campaign, supports the full housing continuum. This includes policy efforts that expand resources which allow mobility for families with vouchers to access affordable homes in neighborhoods with access to jobs, education, transportation, and health care opportunities. The Choice in Affordable Housing Act would take practical steps to help families do just that and we are excited to support this bipartisan legislation,” said Chris Vincent, Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy, Habitat for Humanity International.

""The National Association of REALTORS® applauds Representatives Cleaver and Chavez-DeRemer for introducing the Choice in Affordable Housing Act. Millions of Americans utilize housing choice vouchers (HCVs), making them a vital component to the housing ecosystem. The opportunity for a family to rent quality, safe housing in high-opportunity areas is the first step toward becoming a homeowner and building intergenerational wealth. The Choice in Affordable Housing Act provides necessary resources to public housing authorities that will promote sustainable participation from housing providers in the HCV program for years to come,” said 2023 NAR President Kenny Parcell.

“NAHB strongly supports the bipartisan Choice in Affordable Housing Act, legislation that would help ease the nation’s housing affordability crisis for households most in need by providing additional resources to attract and retain housing providers in the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV). The HCV is a vital tool to help low-income families, the elderly and the disabled to afford decent and safe housing in the private market. This bill would increase landlord participation and improve housing choices for families seeking affordable housing,” said Alicia Huey, Chairman of National Association of Home Builders.

“Member companies of the National Rental Home Council have long been committed to providing access to quality, affordably-priced housing for all Americans. NRHC applauds Representatives Cleaver and Chavez-DeRemer for their leadership in this critical area, and we are proud to support their efforts to advance the Choice in Affordable Housing Act,” said David Howard, CEO, National Rental Home Council.

“Affordable, safe housing is a human right—one on which we are falling alarmingly short. The bipartisan Choice in Affordable Housing Act makes critical updates to the Housing Choice Voucher Program that will grow landlord participation in the program. Increasing landlord participation will unlock subsidy dollars for struggling tenants who face skyrocketing rents that outpace wages. This legislation will expand options for landlords and renters alike, moving us closer to safe, stable housing for all,” said Dr Joanne Carter, Executive Director of RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund.

“The National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) applauds the bipartisan leadership of Rep. Cleaver and Rep. Chavez-DeRemer for the introducing the Choice in Affordable Housing Act. NAHMA knows the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is a proven tool to alleviate poverty, homelessness, and housing insecurity, while expanding access to opportunity and upward mobility for families. NAHMA strongly supports the Choice in Affordable Housing Act, as the legislation represents meaningful action to expand access to the HCV program to provide housing options and opportunity to the millions in need across our nation,” said Larry Keys Jr, Vice President of Government Affairs, NAHMA.

“We strongly support the Choice in Affordable Housing Act which authorizes additional resources to attract and retain landlords in the Housing Choice Voucher program. Permitting voucher administrators to provide signing bonuses to landlords in low poverty areas, helping with security deposits and reducing inspection delays while ensuring neighborhood specific rents is a practical strategy which we believe will yield the desired results,” said Denise B. Muha, Executive Director of National Leased Housing Association.

“We applaud Congressman Cleaver and Congresswoman Chavez-DeRemer for their leadership on this important issue. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program plays an important role in helping to deconcentrate poverty and afford more families an opportunity to live in neighborhoods of their choice. This legislation is an important first step in addressing legitimate concerns raised by housing providers in a way that makes the program stronger for both housing providers and tenants,” said Gail Phillips, CEO of National Association of Residential Property Managers.

“IREM stands in support of the Choice in Affordable Housing Act,” says 2023 IREM President Renee Savage, CPM®, CCIM. “Landlord participation in this important measure brings many benefits that address the housing affordability crisis by facilitating rental assistance and housing options for those who need it most.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:18:03Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-introduces-bill-ensure-incarcerated-individuals-have,Rep. Cleaver Introduces Bill to Ensure Incarcerated Individuals Have Greater Access to Support Services When Returning to Their Communities,2023-06-30,2023,2023-06,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – This week, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) introduced legislation to reduce recidivism by ensuring incarcerated individuals have greater access to support services once they’re ready for reentry into the community. The Reentry Resource Guide Act would authorize a $24,000,000 federal grant program to assist states in developing, expanding, and maintaining a digital community resource guide that details information and contacts of statewide resources and organizations dedicated to assisting recently incarcerated individuals.

“Once an incarcerated individual has paid their debt to society and is ready to reenter their community, it is imperative that they have access to resources and support services that can help them find gainful employment, affordable housing, and other essentials that will provide stability as they transition,” said Congressman Cleaver. “My Reentry Resource Guide Act is a first-of-its-kind effort that enables states to consolidate information on statewide resources and organizations dedicated to reducing recidivism through an online database that is accessible to soon-to-be and recently released individuals. Not only will this lead to greater rates of successful reintegration into communities, but it will also enhance public safety and lower carceral costs for taxpayers.”

Over 600,000 individuals are released from federal and state prisons annually. Successful reintegration by these individuals hinges in part on their knowledge of available resources within their respective communities and where to access them. An informational resource that connects returning citizens to health, behavioral, and social service agencies that can assist in meeting their transitional and reentry needs is critically important.

To ensure incarcerated individuals are better prepared for successful reintegration, the Reentry Resource Guide Act will authorize a competitive federal grant program for states to:

Create, develop, expand, and maintain a comprehensive statewide digital resource guide, including housing and employment services, educational services, social services, health and wellness centers, legal services, and counseling organizations.

Collaborate with correctional facilities to ensure that incarcerated individuals know how and where to access the resource.

Submit an annual report to the U.S. Attorney General for evaluation of implementation and impact of the program on the reduction of recidivism and overall successful Reentry.

Official text of the Reentry Resource Guide Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:08:25Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-highlights-local-impact-400000-community-project-funding,"Rep. Cleaver Highlights Local Impact of $400,000 in Community Project Funding for SAVE, Inc., PRIDE Haven",2023-06-28,2023,2023-06,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05) hosted a check presentation and press conference to highlight the $400,000 in Community Project Funding he was able to secure for SAVE, Inc and PRIDE Haven. PRIDE Haven helps ensure homeless LGBTQI+ transition-aged youth, aged 18-24, can access safe, welcoming, and accepting drop-in and overnight shelter. Individuals served find a welcoming, supportive environment as well as case management, connection to community resources, shower and laundry facilities, computer access, a safe place to sleep, and healthy meals. SAVE Inc. serves an average of 120 individuals each year, and in 2022 PRIDE Haven was at capacity with a waiting list.The funding secured by Rep. Cleaver will go to support SAVE Inc.’s operations at PRIDE Haven, ensuring more individuals have access to the vital services they provide to the Kansas City community.

PRIDE Haven is one of fifteen projects Congressman Cleaver championedin Congress, securing nearly $40 million in federal funding in Fiscal Year 2023 that will directly benefit residents of the Fifth Congressional District.

“Our community is characterized by its compassion and acceptance of all individuals,” said Congressman Cleaver. “LGBTQI+ youth in the Fifth District ought to know that they are valued members of our community, and even when they fall on hard times, we will be there to support them in their time of need. As hostility toward the LGBTQI+ community rises in Missouri, PRIDE Haven is place that not only provides overnight shelter for youth in distress, but also arranges other support services that help individuals get back on their feet and become contributing members of the community. It brings me great joy to have secured this federal funding so that SAVE, Inc. can continue to carry out its important mission and touch the lives of young Kansas Citians relying on the organization’s vital services.”

Photos from the press conference are available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:08:25Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-davids-announce-14880000-federal-transportation-funding,"Reps. Cleaver, Davids Announce $14,880,000 in Federal Transportation Funding for KCATA",2023-06-26,2023,2023-06,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05) and Sharice Davids (KS-03) hosted a press conference to announce that $14,880,000 in federal funding has been awarded to the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Buses and Bus Facilities Program, KCATA will receive $10,380,000 for renovation and upgrades to KCATA’s bus storage and battery electric vehicle charging facility. Additionally, KCATA will also receive a $4,500,000 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability & Equity (RAISE) grant to evaluate an east-west, high-capacity transit connection and complete street enhancements between the University of Kansas Health System and Rock Island Corridor/Truman Sports Complex. Together, these grants continue to build upon the SAMPLE Corridor, announced by Cleaver, Davids, and local leaders last year.

“These are crucial investments for the SAMPLE Corridor, which are only going to attract even more federal dollars to the region as we continue to showcase the benefits of sustainable transportation in Kansas City,” said Congressman Cleaver. “I am incredibly thrilled to see these federal investments being made to support the SAMPLE Corridor and KCATA’s commitment to creating more efficient, cleaner, sustainable service – and I am proud to have supported the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that made these awards possible for our community. As I’ve said before, the SAMPLE Corridor promises to be not only be a local success in Missouri’s Fifth District of Missouri, but a sample of how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law can cultivate sustainability and equity for the entire region. This is just the latest step in that process, and I look forward to future announcements as President Biden’s infrastructure bill continues to enhance critical infrastructure and support job growth in communities like Kansas City.”

""Better, safer, and more reliable transit systems benefit our economy and environment because folks use them to get to work and school, access health care, and more,” said Davids. “The bipartisan infrastructure law continues to provide concrete, climate-friendly investments in our community’s transportation needs. I was glad to work with Congressman Cleaver and KCATA, as well as other state and local leaders, to secure these funds and improve the quality of life for folks in the Kansas Third.”

“This is outstanding news for the region, and progress as promised,” said Frank White III, KCATA CEO. “Thank you to Representatives Cleaver and Davids and the entire Congressional delegation. These funds will go a long way toward modernizing KCATA’s facilities, resulting in greater efficiencies and sustainability.”

The Buses and Bus Facilities Program provides federal funding for transit agencies to buy and rehabilitate buses and vans and build and modernize bus facilities. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides nearly $2 billion through FY 2026 for the program. For FY 2023, approximately $473.1 million grants were available under this program.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:08:25Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-senator-booker-reintroduce-legislation-bring-transparency,"Rep. Cleaver, Senator Booker Reintroduce Legislation to Bring Transparency to College and University Endowments, Ensure Equal Opportunity for Diverse Asset Managers",2023-06-22,2023,2023-06,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced the Endowment Transparency Act to bring transparency and accountability to college and university endowment funds across the country. With college and university endowment assets collectively totaling more than $807 billion, the Endowment Transparency Act would require higher education institutions to report how much of their endowment fund is managed by diverse-owned firms, helping to shine light on endowment managers and whether institutions are providing equal opportunity to diverse-owned firms.

“Right now, diverse-owned asset management firms oversee only 1.4% of the $82 trillion asset management industry – which is as offensive as it is embarrassing for our nation,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Congress must take steps to ensure this enormously influential industry is providing equal opportunity to the countless qualified, high-performing firms headed by women and minority managers that have been historically shut out, and I believe the Endowment Transparency Act is a perfectly logical place to start. I’m thankful that Senator Booker has partnered with me in this critically important effort, as we seek to not only ensure colleges and universities are upholding their commitments to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of their institutions, but also to strengthen diversity within the asset management industry as a whole.”

""Creating opportunities for women and people of color in the financial sector is critical to address the stark racial divide in the industry. Institutional investors like colleges and universities, who are stewards of taxpayer dollars, play a key role in the solution,” said Senator Booker. “The Endowment Transparency Act will require publicly subsidized higher education institutions to report and share their data to address potential biases in the selection of asset managers overseeing their massive endowments, offering greater economic opportunity and success for all.”

""Thank you to Senator Booker and Congressman Cleaver for their leadership in drawing attention to the underutilization of talented women and people of color in the management of universities’ endowments. It remains incredible to the Diverse Asset Managers Initiative that it requires federal legislation to get universities to say whether and how they work with women and Black, Latino or Asian Americans, but sadly that is where we are,” said Robert Raben, Executive Director, Diverse Asset Managers Initiative.

“NASP applauds the leadership of Congressman Cleaver in reintroducing the Endowment Transparency Act. Given the positive financial performance of several of the endowments of these major Colleges and Universities, there is no better time than now to see the contributions that diverse financial services are providing and what future opportunities they can continue to provide for sustained growth,” said Ronald C. Parker, President and CEO, National Association of Securities Professionals.

“For our country to maximize innovation and progress, economic opportunity must be accessible to all communities,” said Patrick Armstrong, Director of Tech Policy at the Kapor Center. “Women and people of color manage only a small fraction of funds in the asset management industry (1.4% of $82 trillion, according to the Knight Foundation report) – and this has direct consequences for where we see investment. When more diverse people direct the flow of capital, our research shows more diverse companies get backed. Thanks to the leadership of Sen. Booker and Rep. Cleaver, the Endowment Transparency Act will foster greater accountability for endowments and lay essential groundwork for a more equitable and high-performing U.S. economy. Newer data demonstrates that stronger financial returns come from funds working to solve big problems and close gaps of access for low-income communities, and these are challenges that diverse entrepreneurs are often motivated to fix.”

In 2020, Reps. Cleaver and Joseph P. Kennedy, III surveyed the 25 colleges and universities with the largest endowments about their utilization of diverse-owned asset management firms. Every institution, except for the University of Notre Dame, provided at least some level of information on the data and practices used to ensure diversity and inclusion for the asset managers overseeing their endowment funds. While some institutions, such as the University of California, tracked and disclosed investments with women- and minority-owned firms, others did not appear to have ever adopted policies or practices to address potential biases in the selection of asset managers. Following the inquiry, Cleaver and Kennedy released a report revealing their findings and ten recommendations that colleges and universities should adopt nationwide.

In a similar inquiry of endowments done by the Knight Foundation last year, only 16 of the 50 colleges and universities surveyed elected to disclose the percent of endowment assets managed by diverse-owned firms.

Considering college and university endowments are subsidized by the federal government via tax exemptions in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)3, as well as with the federal government’s interest in remedying the legacy of exclusion in the financial services industry, Rep. Cleaver and Senator Booker have reintroduced the Endowment Transparency Act to ensure institutions are providing data to policymakers. The legislation would provide public transparency and accountability for diversity and inclusion in the management of more than $807 billion in assets from higher education endowments by:

Amending the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require information about investments with women- and minority-owned firms to be included in other data annually collected from colleges and universities;

Requiring the Minority Business Development Agency to publish a report, to be updated every two years, recommending legislative changes and best practices for substantially increasing the use of women- and minority-owned firms in higher education investment and bond transactions; and

Authorizing a conference, every two years, which shall convene institutions of higher education and investment advisors, firms, and consultants to develop professional networks and increase the visibility of business opportunities.

The Endowment Transparency Act is endorsed by the Diverse Asset Managers Initiative, National Association of Securities Professionals, National Urban League, Kapor Center, New America Alliance, U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., and Garcia Hamilton Associates, the largest Hispanic-owned firm in the country.

Official text of the Endowment Transparency Act is available here.

A fact sheet on the Endowment Transparency Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:08:25Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-espaillat-trone-lead-bicameral-action-urging-due-process,"Reps. Cleaver, Espaillat, Trone Lead Bicameral Action Urging Due Process for Unjustly Deported Individuals",2023-06-21,2023,2023-06,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, DC) – This week, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), David Trone (MD-06), and Senator Cory Booker (NJ) led colleagues in a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging DHS to conduct a centralized and more streamlined process for reviewing petitions from individuals who were unjustly or wrongfully deported from the United States. In doing so, DHS would give these individuals a more meaningful chance to come home and reunite with their loved ones and communities.

“This is an issue that impacts every community throughout the country, and I am proud to co-lead this effort with my colleagues,” said Congressman Cleaver. “In Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, I have witnessed the impact these deportations have on family units and the entire community, and I can confidently say that justice for those who were wrongly deported and wish to reunite with their loved ones and their communities is paramount to the preservation of human and civil rights. I will continue fighting for DHS to create a new, centralized unit to review claims of wrongful deportation to give these individuals a better chance to reunite with their families and communities.”

“As members of Congress committed to a fair and just U.S. immigration system, we write to respectfully suggest that you take a much-needed step to offer persons who are unjustly deported from the United States a meaningful chance to come home and reunite with their loved ones and communities. Specifically, we ask you to consider using your authority as Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary to establish a centralized unit within DHS that is dedicated to reviewing requests to return submitted by those who were subject to wrongful and/or unjust removals from the United States,” stated the Members.

“Our current immigration laws have important procedures that allow individuals to make their case for a return to the U.S. after their deportation—especially when U.S. laws change or when new evidence comes to light. As you know, these processes can include a deported person filing a petition for review, a motion to reopen their case, or even applying for lawful status while abroad after they have been deported. In practice, each of these mechanisms are ineffective and insufficient due to the current decentralized review process and the associated lengthy wait times. Instead, a single, central unit within DHS is urgently needed to ensure that people unjustly separated from their families and loved ones by deportation receive a meaningful review of their requests to return to the U.S. under the existing legal remedies afforded by Congress,” they continued.

“Accordingly, we encourage you to exercise your legal authority to establish this central unit to give the unjustly deported a meaningful chance to come home,” the Members concluded.

The congressional effort builds on the momentum created by the National Immigrant Justice Center’s “Chance to Come Home” movement, which sheds light on the traumatic experiences of individuals who have been torn from their families and unjustly deported from the United States.

“Current immigration law includes mechanisms intended to give unjustly deported people a chance to make a case for return to the United States, but in practice those mechanisms are ineffective & futile,” said Nayna Gupta, Associate Director of Policy and lawyer at the National Immigrant Justice Center. “A central process like the one championed in this letter would give people with decades of life in the U.S. who were torn from their loved ones & livelihoods by prior administrations at least a chance to come home. This is about making the law do what it was intended to do.”

Joining Reps. Cleaver, Espaillat, Trone and Senator Cory Booker in cosponsoring the letter were Reps. Alma Adams (NC-12), Nanette Barragán (C-44), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Earl Blumenaur (OR-03), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), André Carson (IN-07), Greg Casar (TX-35), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Judy Chu (CA-28), Yvette Clark (NY-09), J. Correa (CA-46), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Jesús García (IL-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Al Green (TX-09), Raul Grijalva (AZ-07), Glenn Ivey (MD-04)), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Henry Johnson (GA-04), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Barbara Lee (CA-12), James McGovern (MA-02), Grace Ming (NY-06), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Grace Napolitano (CA-31), Eleanor Norton (DC), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Donald Payne (NJ-10), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Janice Schakowsky (IL-09), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Norma Torres (CA-35), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Nydia Velázque (NY-07), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Frederica Wilson (FL-24), Senators Tammy Duckworth (IL), Mazie Hirono (HI), Edward J. Markey (MA), Robert Menendez (NJ), Patty Murray (WA), Alex Padilla (CA), Bernard Sanders (VT), Elizabeth Warren (MA), Ron Wyden (OR)

The official letter from the Members is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:15:57Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-participates-foster-youth-shadow-day-capitol-hill,Congressman Cleaver Participates in Foster Youth Shadow Day on Capitol Hill,2023-06-14,2023,2023-06,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), member of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, participated in the National Foster Youth Institute’s Foster Youth Shadow Day, giving Micaih Lloyd from Wilmington, Delaware, an opportunity to shadow the Congressman for a day on Capitol Hill. Micaih was joined by 30 other foster youth and alumni from across the country traveling to Washington, D.C. to accompany members of Congress to work, receiving a behind-the-scenes look at a day in the life of a United States Representative.

Young individuals in the foster care system face unique challenges and vulnerabilities as they navigate the transition into adulthood without the support of a stable family environment. By listening to their lived experiences, lawmakers gain invaluable insight that can better inform and shape policies impacting foster children, ultimately leading to more effective support and better outcomes for these youth.

“I was honored to welcome Micaih into my office for a day as we continue to advocate for reforms and additional investments in America’s foster care system,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Right now, there are more than 407,000 kids in foster care, and it is incumbent on leaders in Congress to ensure our nation is providing a pathway to success and equal opportunity to all of America’s children, including those in foster care. As I continue to push my colleagues to support a federal Foster Youth Bill of Rights, I want to thank Micaih for coming to the citadel of our democracy to advocate on behalf of his fellow foster family. Together, we are committed to the fulfilling the promise of foster children by guaranteeing a safe, supportive, and permanent place to call home.”

Micaih was born in Wilmington, Delaware. Beginning at the age of six, he remembers how challenging it was having to constantly pack up belongings in a bookbag and “start over” at the next place he was going to call home. Constantly moving from state to state and city to city, he still remembers all the emotions that arose from having to constantly be on the move. It was difficult for him to create long lasting bonds with friends and family members. However, that did not stop Micaih from trying his hardest to create good and loving memories with those he cared for.

As someone who is big on networking and building connections, as a Congressional Foster Youth Delegate, he looks forward to connecting with other leaders and advocates. He also wants to continue learning what it takes to become a more impactful and efficient leader. While working alongside the National Foster Youth Institute, he looks forward to creating change to help bring more resources, stability, and motivation to youth who are currently in the foster care system and for those who have aged out.

Today, Rep. Cleaver introduced the first-ever Foster Youth Bill of Rights Resolution with Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE). The bipartisan resolution aims to raise awareness of the existing rights that some states guarantee to foster youth, highlighting ten separate rights that should be afforded to foster youth nationwide.

Photos of Congressman Cleaver and Micaih are available here and here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:15:57Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-bacon-introduce-first-ever-federal-foster-youth-bill,"Reps. Cleaver, Bacon Introduce First-Ever Federal Foster Youth Bill of Rights Resolution",2023-06-14,2023,2023-06,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Don Bacon (R-NE), members of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, introduced the first-ever federal Foster Youth Bill of Rights Resolution, helping to ensure foster youth across America are informed about their rights while in foster care. While fifteen states and Puerto Rico have enacted their own Foster Youth Bill of Rights, foster youth rights vary across the country, with most states providing no guaranteed foster rights at all. The resolution introduced by Reps. Cleaver and Bacon is an effort to raise awareness for the existing rights that some states guarantee to foster youth, highlighting ten separate rights that should be afforded to foster youth nationwide.

“In its current form, America’s foster care system is highly fragmented and subject to widening degrees of differences depending on which state a child resides. However, no matter where a child comes from, there are some rights that ought to be fundamental to every kid in the foster care system—and that’s why I’m proud to introduce the first-ever federal Foster Youth Bill of Rights with Congressman Bacon in the House of Representatives,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Whether it is the right to receive a quality education or the right to receive needed health services, there are some rights that must be guaranteed by the federal government to ensure the success of foster youth across the country. I believe our bipartisan Foster Youth Bill of Rights is a critical step toward enshrining these essential protections into law, and we’ll continue working with our colleagues in Congress to guarantee these rights are afforded to foster kids across the country, not just those in Missouri or a select few other states.”

“As a foster to adopt parent I know foster youth are an at-risk population through no fault of their own, and it is our responsibility to not only protect them, but to help them get the best outcome possible,” said Rep. Bacon. “The creation of a Foster Youth Bill of Rights will empower them to effectively advocate for themselves and provide another layer of protections.”

""The most important responsibility of parents, families, and communities, in partnership with child and family serving systems, is to prevent child abuse and maltreatment. When children must be separated from their families due to abuse, neglect, or parental incapacity, we must protect children and strengthen families to facilitate a fast and safe return. We must also ensure that children remain connected to their birth families if possible or with kinship, adoptive, or foster families so that they can benefit from lifelong connections,"" said Christine James-Brown, President and CEO of the Child Welfare League of America. ""CWLA is pleased to endorse the Foster Youth Bill of Rights Resolution and applauds Representatives Cleaver and Bacon in this effort to ensure that families, individuals, communities, organizations, and systems protect children from abuse and neglect, and provide an array of supports and services that help children, youth, and their families to accomplish developmental tasks, develop protective factors, and strengthen coping strategies.""

""We express our gratitude for the leadership of Congressman Cleaver and Congressman Bacon in highlighting the ongoing importance of foster youth being informed about their rights while in foster care. More than a decade ago, current and former foster youth recognized that knowledge of their rights can safeguard them against vulnerabilities they face in the foster care system. In response, Congress took bipartisan action by enacting the federal requirement as part of the Preventing Sex Trafficking & Strengthening Families Act. However, despite these provisions, FosterClub has discovered that the majority of foster youth still lack awareness of their rights. It is crucial that further measures are taken to ensure that ALL foster youth are knowledgeable about their rights and empowered to advocate for them while in foster care. This resolution represents a significant step towards achieving that objective,"" said Celeste Bodner, Executive Director of FosterClub.

“Helping transition-age foster youth find success is an important part of what we do at Youth Villages, working in 23 states and the District of Columbia. We have the largest program in the country helping these resilient and capable young people. We believe that all foster youth should have the right to be actively involved in what happens to them, be aware of all their rights and be allowed to identify and reach for the goals they choose. Youth Villages commends Congressman Cleaver and Congressman Bacon for supporting these principles with the introduction of the Foster Youth Bill of Rights Resolution. While many of the states that we serve have Bills of Rights for foster youth, federal legislation can ensure the rights of young people in all states are protected, ensuring that every human service agency do all they can to empower foster youth as they transition to successful adulthood,” said Patrick Lawler, CEO of Youth Villages.

Due to America’s deeply fragmented foster care system and underinvestment in foster youth, children in foster care are at a significant disadvantage, with only 50% of foster youth graduating high school and only 54% of insured foster youth receiving mental health care after experiencing a depressive episode.

To combat these disparities and strengthen America’s foster care system, the Foster Youth Bill of Rights Resolution expresses Congress’s belief that every foster youth should have the:

Right to receive an education and remain in their original school, if desired;

Right to participate in extracurricular, cultural, and social activities;

Right to receive needed health services, including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, and mental health services;

Right to freedom from abuse, neglect, or corporal punishment;

Right to be represented by, and speak to, a guardian or attorney ad litem;

Right to adequate and healthy food, adequate clothing, and a safe and comfortable living environment;

Right to freedom from discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or disability;

Right to have continued contact with siblings, if desired;

Right to regular or at least reasonable contact with their assigned case worker or an employee of the agency responsible for their child welfare services; and the

Right to be informed of their rights.

The Foster Youth Bill of Rights Resolution is endorsed by the National Foster Youth Institute, Child Welfare League of America, Human Rights for Kids, SchoolHouse Connection, FosterClub, MENTOR National, Youth Villages, and FosterAdopt Connect.

The Foster Youth Bill of Rights Resolution is cosponsored by Reps. Shontel Brown (D-OH), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Troy Carter (D-LA), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Chuck Edwards (R- NC), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Al Green (D-TX), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), French Hill (R-AR), Erin Houchin (R-IN), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Donald Payne (D-NJ), Katie Porter (D-CA), Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Terri Sewell (D-AL).

Official text of the Foster Youth Bill of Rights Resolution is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:15:57Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-announces-2-million-grant-port-authority-kansas-city-help,Rep. Cleaver Announces $2 Million Grant for Port Authority of Kansas City to Help Reduce Train-Vehicle Collisions and Blocked Rail Crossings,2023-06-08,2023,2023-06,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced the Port Authority of Kansas City has been awarded a $2,000,000 grant from the first-ever round of funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s new Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program. Rep. Cleaver helped secure funding for the grant program with his support for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, otherwise known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“As Kansas City continues to develop, far too many of our railroad crossings are now outdated and inconvenient for local residents and small businesses—which not only can lead to frustrating delays for those who are blocked at these crossings, but also to some of the highest rates of railroad derailments in the country,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Port Authority of Kansas City will receive $2 million in federal funding to begin the process of eliminating out-of-date rail crossings at the Berkley Riverfront, helping to reconnect residents with the ongoing revitalization efforts in the area and boost economic activity. I was proud to support President Biden’s signature infrastructure bill because I knew it would provide concrete improvements to the lives of Missouri residents—and this is just the latest example of that happening in Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District.”

“Our goal is to make Berkley Riverfront accessible to all. Eliminating dangerous barriers to one of Kansas City’s emerging destinations is key to the riverfront’s growth and success. More than one-thousand residents call the riverfront their home, and many more citizens visit the riverfront daily for recreation and relaxation. The Kansas City Current is building the first stadium for a women’s sports team, a boutique hotel will open in less than a year with a beer garden right behind it. We are grateful and excited to be able to continue our efforts to reconnect our community in a way that is safe and beneficial for citizens, visitors and our railroads,” said Jon Stephens, President & CEO of Port KC.

The $2,000,000 RCE grant will support planning and development to eliminate three at-grade crossings on Lydia Avenue. These crossings are the only at-grade crossings on Lydia Avenue and have no sidewalk or bicycle right-of-way. By eliminating the at-grade crossings, the Port Authority of Kansas City would improve mobility and connectivity for local residents in the area. Given the Berkley Riverfront area’s revitalization through the development of commercial event facilities, green spaces, and recreational opportunities, grade crossing upgrades will also be critical to the future development of the area. The Port Authority of Kansas City is providing a 20 percent non-Federal match in funding.

Over each of the next four years, additional RCE Program funding will be made available annually, and communities are encouraged to apply. Project selections for other grant programs in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, representing billions of dollars in infrastructure investments, which will improve freight rail safety and efficiency, strengthen supply chains, and expand the passenger rail network will be announced in the coming months.

Find more information about the infrastructure investments in Missouri from the Cleaver-supported Bipartisan Infrastructure Law here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:08:25Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-applauds-biden-administrations-latest-action-address-racial,Rep. Cleaver Applauds Biden Administration’s Latest Action to Address Racial Bias in Home Valuations During National Homeownership Month,2023-06-06,2023,2023-06,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, during National Homeownership Month, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) applauded President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia Fudge, White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden, and the Interagency Task Force on Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity (PAVE Task Force) for their recently announced actions to address bias in home valuations. Using Rep. Cleaver’s Real Estate Valuation Fairness and Improvement Act as a foundation for the initiative, the PAVE Task Force is the first-ever interagency effort to combat discrimination in the home appraisal process. Last week, the PAVE Task Force announced it was taking meaningful steps to deliver on the PAVE Action Plan, including preventing algorithmic bias in home valuation, empowering consumers to take action against appraisal bias, increasing transparency and leveraging federal data to inform policy, breaking down barriers to entry into the appraisal profession, and more.

“When we first began discussing an interagency task force on appraisals, not even I believed it would be as effective and impactful as it has already been in just two short years since its inception. But, thanks to the leadership of President Bidenand the members of the PAVE Taskforce, Americans are already seeing concrete, meaningful action to combat the deeply troublesome disparities in the home appraisal process—which will ensure that every American who buys a home has the same opportunity to build generational wealth through the American dream of homeownership,” said Congressman Cleaver. “This is a major victory for all Americans including those who have been historically harmed by racial bias in the appraisal process.”

President Biden announced the creation of the PAVE Task Force, the first-ever interagency effort to root out racial and ethnic bias in the home appraisal process, on the centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre in 2021. Last year, the PAVE Task Force released the PAVE Action Plan, which was the most wide-ranging set of commitments ever announced to advance equity in the home appraisal process. Last week, the Biden Administration announced a set of critical actions they are taking to deliver on the PAVE Action Plan.

As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance, Rep. Cleaver introduced the Real Estate Valuation Fairness and Improvement Act in April 2021, citing unacceptable disparities in America’s residential and commercial real estate appraisal industry. Since then, Cleaver has worked with the Administration to create the PAVE Task Force and implement the PAVE Action Plan. Cleaver plans to re-introduce an updated version of the Real Estate Valuation Fairness and Improvement Act with Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) in the coming weeks to codify the important work being done to address disparities in the home appraisal industry.

More details on the actions announced this week are available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:08:25Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cleaver-davids-seek-answers-dramatic-delays-passport-applications,"Cleaver, Davids Seek Answers to Dramatic Delays in Passport Applications",2023-06-01,2023,2023-06,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Kansas City, MO) – Today, in a letter to U.S. Department of State (DOS) Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Rita Bitter, Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05) and Sharice Davids (KS-03) urged the DOS to provide answers for the dramatic delays in processing passport applications. In recent months, both offices have received a growing number of messages from constituents experiencing delays in requesting a passport.

“Over the past few months, our offices on both sides of the state line have been inundated with requests from constituents experiencing delays in new or renewed passport applications. Today, we write to request an explanation of the root cause of these delays and an updated timeline for when folks in our districts should expect processing rates to return to pre-pandemic levels,” Cleaver and Davids wrote.

“We understand that high demand has put enormous pressure on the agency’s ability to process applications more efficiently. But with demand remaining high, actions must be taken to improve wait times and solve processing issues,” Cleaver and Davids continued.

Current passport application requests have increased by 40 percent when compared to last year, and it can take up to four months for the requests to be processed. The DOS previously launched an online passport renewal pilot program to expedite the process, but on March 8, 2023, it shut down after experiencing systematic roadblocks. Also, Cleaver and Davids supported the National Defense Authorization Act of 2023, which required a study of areas throughout the United States with a high demand for passports, but where in-person offices are many miles away. In the letter, they asked for an update on this review.

The official letter from Cleaver and Davids is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:08:25Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-votes-support-bipartisan-budget-agreement-avoid-disastrous,"Rep. Cleaver Votes to Support Bipartisan Budget Agreement, Avoid Disastrous Default",2023-05-31,2023,2023-05,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) voted in favor of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, otherwise known as the Bipartisan Budget Agreement, to pay America’s bills, protect Missouri families from the catastrophic consequences of default, and ensure our economic recovery from the global pandemic can continue unabated. The legislation will now go to the U.S. Senate, where it is expected to pass and then signed into law by President Biden, officially ending the Republican-manufactured default crisis.

“This is my second serving of a satan sandwich, and it’s not much better than my first. In fact, it is difficult to put into words how angry and frustrated I am that House Republicans manufactured this default crisis by openly taking Missouri families, workers, and our national economy hostage in one of the saddest displays of legislative extortion I’ve ever seen. It’s disrespectful to the constituents and communities we represent; it trivializes the real issues facing American families today; and it does lasting damage to our democracy and standing on the world stage” said Congressman Cleaver. “While I condemn the process the GOP took to arrive at this deal, it doesn’t change the fact that with Republicans in charge of the House of Representatives, a compromise on the federal budget was inevitable—and this is a compromise I am willing to support in order to protect families in my congressional district from a Republican-manufactured economic catastrophe.”

The Fiscal Responsibility Act protects everyday Americans and our national economy by:

Preventing a Devastating Default that would have triggered an immediate recession, cost millions of jobs, devastated retirement accounts, and reversed the economic progress made over the past two years, including achieving the lowest unemployment rate in five decades;

Protecting Americans’ Health Care and Retirements by preventing Republican cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act, ensuring health insurance and social security checks for tens of millions of Americans;

Fully Funding Veterans’ Medical Care, including mandatory funding for the recently passed PACT Act’s toxic exposure fund;

Defending Democrats’ Economic Agenda, ensuring key legislative accomplishments are protected from the GOP’s chopping block—including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, CHIPS and Science Act, PACT Act, clean energy investments, corporate minimum tax, and Medicare’s ability to negotiate for lower drug prices.

Locking in Two-Year Debt Limit Suspension and Budget Deal, which removes the default detonator from Republican hands, is consistent with recent bipartisan budget agreements, and rejects the 10-year spending caps proposed by House Republicans;

Rejecting Extreme Cuts to Essential Federal Programs by locking in funding levels that President Biden and Congressional Democrats secured for 2023, following two years of substantial investments in public education, child care, social services, and public health;

Rejecting Work Requirements for Medicaid and Adding New Exemptions for SNAP, exempting veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and former foster youth through age 24 for the nutrition assistance program. While the bill also includes new SNAP work requirements for adults aged 50-54 without dependents—something Rep. Cleaver strongly opposes—the provision is phased in over time and sunset after 10 years. When accounting for the new beneficiaries, SNAP will receive an increase in funding;

Supporting Continued Investments in a Clean Energy Future by protecting the Inflation Reduction Act’s historic climate provisions and investments in environmental justice, accelerating our transition to a clean energy economy, and maintaining environmental protections;

Protecting Student Debt Relief, keeping in place the President’s plan to provide student debt relief for hardworking borrowers—most of whom make less than $75,000 per year;

Protecting Key Public Health Funding that will help prepare for future pandemics and possible COVID-19 surges—including $5 billion to accelerate the development of Next Gen vaccines.

“The Fiscal Responsibility Act prevents a disastrous default that would have killed millions of jobs; protects funding for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the ACA; protects President Biden’s signature legislative accomplishments like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, and CHIPS Act; increases funding for SNAP while beating back extreme cuts to other critical federal programs; and it puts our nation on a stronger financial trajectory moving forward,” said Congressman Cleaver. “While I don’t agree with everything in the bill, I understand that democracy demands compromise—and this is a compromise that will benefit the people of Missouri’s Fifth District. However, once this bill is signed into law, the President must turn his focus toward eliminating the mechanism that enables the annual food fight over paying the nation’s bills. Whether it is through the Congress or the courts, we must get rid of the disastrous debt ceiling.”

A section-by-section analysis of the Fiscal Responsibility Act is available here.

Official text of the Fiscal Responsibility Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-reintroduces-legislation-combat-youth-suicide-during,Rep. Cleaver Reintroduces Legislation to Combat Youth Suicide During National Mental Health Awareness Month,2023-05-25,2023,2023-05,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – This week, during National Mental Health Awareness Month, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) reintroduced the Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act to combat youth suicide in schools across the country. Named in honor of Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas, two students from the Kansas City region who tragically fell victim to suicide, the bipartisan bill would provide schools, teachers, administrators, and students nationwide with evidence-informed suicide prevention strategies, trainings, and tools to assist at-risk youth who are struggling with their mental health.

“Four out of every five teens who attempt suicide give clear warning sings beforehand, but not enough Americans know the signs to look for when it comes to children who are at-risk. We simply must do more as a nation to identify children who are struggling with their mental health and provide them the support they need,” said Congressman Cleaver. “We all have a role to play in addressing this growing crisis—and the first step is ensuring that everyone is equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to act if they know someone is in crisis. In memory of Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas, who were taken from our community far too soon, I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill to ensure students can get the support they need, and schools have the resources to keep our kids safe and heathy.”

“Our first priority is to make sure our kids are OK, and unfortunately, many are not; they’re facing unprecedented levels of trauma and anxiety, and tragically, more and more are taking their own lives. As educators, school staff, counselors and nurses, we often work directly with parents and caregivers when a child is struggling, and as trusted figures in our students’ lives, we must have the tools to help them when they come to us. Creating safe and welcoming school environments where students feel nurtured and supported is a critical piece of meeting their social and emotional needs and treating mental health issues before they become crises. Rep. Cleaver’s efforts to create a grant program that would ensure educators and school staff have the tools and training they need to step in when they notice a student struggling will go a long way in helping us care for the whole child, so they are ready to learn and do well in the world,” said Randi Weingarten, American Federation of Teachers President.

“Suicide continues to be the second leading cause of death for young people in the U.S. At least 80 percent of students show warning signs before attempting suicide -- this means these tragedies are preventable. The Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act will help ensure that students know the signs of suicide and how to get help for themselves or others,” said Mark Barden co-founder and CEO of the Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund and father of Daniel who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. “This legislation will empower youth, teachers, and school staff to help save young lives.”

“Suicide is among the leading causes of death for children and young adults ages 10-24. AFSP is proud to support the Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Protection Act to promote students’ mental health and help prevent suicides,” said Laurel Stine, J.D., M.A., Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “This bill will provide schools, teachers, and students with more mental health resources to support training, dispel stigmas, and help save lives. It will also ensure that school personnel have tools to respond quickly and efficiently when their students need help. AFSP applauds Rep. Cleaver on introducing this critical legislation, and urges swift passage this year.”

""As an organization dedicated to the development and well-being of our students, NASSP is proud to support the Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act,” said NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe. “Our most recent national survey found that 74% of students needed help with their mental or emotional health in the past year, and this bill responds to that urgent need to equip our schools with the tools to identify and support those struggling with mental health issues. There is no higher priority for school leaders than the safety and wellbeing of students, and we commend Representative Cleaver and all the members of Congress who are championing this legislation.”

""The most important responsibility of parents, families, and communities, in partnership with child and family serving systems, is to prevent child abuse and maltreatment. When children must be separated from their families due to abuse, neglect, or parental incapacity, we must protect children and strengthen families to facilitate a fast and safe return. We must also ensure that children remain connected to their birth families if possible or with kinship, adoptive, or foster families so that they can benefit from lifelong connections,"" said Christine James-Brown, President and CEO of the Child Welfare League of America. ""CWLA is pleased to endorse the Foster Youth Bill of Rights Resolution and applauds Representative Cleaver in this effort to ensure that families, individuals, communities, organizations, and systems protect children from abuse and neglect, and provide an array of supports and services that help children, youth, and their families to accomplish developmental tasks, develop protective factors, and strengthen coping strategies.""

According 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. According to 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.

The Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act would recognize the severity of youth suicide and authorize Garret Lee Smith grants to be used for training school personnel in elementary and secondary schools, as well as students in secondary schools, in youth suicide awareness and prevention tools.

Specifically, the Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act would amend the Public Health Service Act to:

Authorize funding to states to be used for emotional well-being, mental health, and suicide awareness and prevention training for all school personnel, including auxiliary staff in elementary and secondary schools;

Authorize funding to states for training secondary school students to help equip them with the tools they need for awareness of the warning signs and proper resources to report signs to the appropriate staff;

Allocate no less than 15 percent of grants to be used specifically for training, with an emphasis on cultural competency each school year in elementary and secondary schools; and

Increase annual funding to $48 million to cover the costs of training.

The Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act is cosponsored by Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Shontel Brown (D-OH), Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), Troy Carter (D-LA), Sean Casten (D-WI), Judy Chu (D-CA), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Don Davis (D-NC), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Chuy García (D-IL), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Donald Payne (D-NJ), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Mark Takano (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) Susan Wild (D-PA), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL).

The Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act is endorsed by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), Sandy Hook Promise, and National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Official text of the Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-kamlager-dove-introduce-bill-combat-workplace,"Reps. Cleaver, Kamlager-Dove Introduce Bill to Combat Workplace Discrimination in Correctional Facilities",2023-05-22,2023,2023-05,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) introduced the Combating Workplace Discrimination in Correctional Facilities Act to strengthen protections for incarcerated workers from discrimination and civil rights violations. The bill would help prevent the exploitation of incarcerated people by explicitly prohibiting discrimination and retaliation against incarcerated workers or individuals who choose not to work while incarcerated. Companion legislation was introduced by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) earlier this year.

“Just because an individual enters a correctional facility does not mean that their civil rights should be left behind when they step on the grounds. However, as so many formerly and currently incarcerated individuals will tell you, that is exactly what happens for many people in these facilities, as they are either forced to labor under horrific conditions or punished for refusing to do so,” said Congressman Cleaver. “The Combating Workplace Discrimination in Correctional Facilities Act takes long overdue, critical steps to protect incarcerated workers from discriminatory or retaliatory actions, and I’m proud to introduce this legislation with Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove and Senator Booker.”

“It is unfathomable that prison workers are exploited due to a loophole in the 13th Amendment,” said Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove. “I am proud to stand alongside fellow criminal justice advocates, Rep. Cleaver and Sen. Booker, as we work to address this relic of slavery and provide dignity to the work that incarcerated workers are forced into. The Combating Workplace Discrimination in Correctional Facilities Act would provide greater protections for prison labor by preventing discriminatory punishments, prohibiting mandatory work, and amending Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include correctional facilities under workplace discrimination protections. I look forward to a future where for-profit companies are prevented from abusing our criminal justice system, and I will continue to fight in Congress to make sure our system is truly just.”

“No individual should be subjected to exploitation or retaliation while incarcerated,” said Senator Booker. “This legislation is an important step toward bringing about meaningful change in our prison and labor systems by prohibiting mandatory labor, addressing retaliatory actions, and ensuring compliance with existing civil rights laws. I commend Representatives Cleaver and Kamlager-Dove for their work on this important cause and for introducing this bill in the House.""

The Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits slavery “except as a punishment for crime.” This language has enabled the proliferation of a prison system of exploitative, unpaid, and extremely low-paid labor in jails and prisons across the country. Individuals incarcerated in the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) who are “physically and mentally able to work” are required to work in an inmate work program. If incarcerated people refuse to work, BOP officers are authorized to carry out a designated list of disciplinary sanctions against them. In state and local correctional facilities, many incarcerated people who refuse to work also face retaliation, often in the form of disciplinary segregation, loss of earned time, or loss of access to food and hygiene products.

To protect against retaliatory and discriminatory actions toward incarcerated workers, the Combating Workplace Discrimination in Correctional Facilities Act would:

Prohibit the requirement of people in BOP facilities to work;

End the requirement that incarcerated individuals exhaust all administrative remedies before bringing a civil rights lawsuit under federal law;

Prohibit retaliation against an incarcerated person by any officer of a correctional facility for refusal to work;

Remove “refusing to work” from the list of BOP inmate behaviors justifying sanctions, including disciplinary segregation, monetary fines, loss of earned time, and delayed parole;

Include correctional facilities as covered employers and incarcerated workers as covered employees under the Civil Rights Act of 1964;

Require correctional facilities to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act, including notice provisions, policy implementation and training, and annual reports to the Attorney General.

The Combating Workplace Discrimination in Correctional Facilities Act is cosponsored by Reps. Hank Johnson (D-GA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), & Bennie Thompson (D-MS).

The Combating Workplace Discrimination in Correctional Facilities Act is endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union, Brennan Center for Justice, Economic Policy Institute, Human Rights Watch, Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights, National Employment Law Project, Safer Foundation, and Vera Institute of Justice.

Official text of the Combating Workplace Discrimination in Correctional Facilities Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-bipartisan-group-lawmakers-introduce-yimby-act-tackle,"Rep. Cleaver, Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Introduce YIMBY Act to Tackle Housing Crisis and Lower Costs",2023-05-18,2023,2023-05,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Amid a growing housing crisis, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Mike Flood (R-NE), and Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) have introduced the Yes In My Backyard (YIMBY) Act, legislation to help overcome barriers to increasing home construction, including outdated zoning, slow permitting, and discriminatory land use policies. U.S. Senators Todd Young (IN) and Brian Schatz (HI) introduced identical legislation in the U.S. Senate.

“If we’re going to move the nation forward and out of the current housing affordability crisis that is burdening Americans across the country, then we must break down barriers and build more affordable housing in every region of the country. It’s that simple,” said Rep. Cleaver. “By cutting through bureaucratic red tape that works against working families, the YIMBY Act takes long overdue steps that will help rebuild our nation’s housing stock in communities all over—which will help lower costs and ensure more Americans have an opportunity to achieve the American Dream. As Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing & Insurance, I applaud Congressman Kilmer for his work to lower costs and keep families housed, and I’m proud to be an original cosponsor of the bipartisan, bicameral YIMBY Act.”

“Our nation had challenges with housing before the pandemic – and those challenges have only grown since then. We need more workforce housing, more senior housing, more homeless housing, and more affordable housing. We need more housing units, period,” said Rep. Kilmer. “That’s why I’m leading bipartisan legislation in the House to help communities in our region and across the country reduce barriers to construction and build more homes that folks can afford.”

“Affordable housing is a top issue for many communities across the country,” said Rep. Flood. “The Yes in My Backyard Act will help boost America’s housing supply and strengthen the Community Development Block Grant program, which has served our country well for many years. It’s an honor to help lead this bipartisan effort to keep housing costs down for working American families.”

“People across Colorado know all too well how drastic the housing crisis is in our country. We simply cannot keep up with the demand for affordable housing for our workers, seniors, or low and middle-income families,” said Rep. Pettersen. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with my colleagues to encourage local governments to work together to address policies that may be affecting affordability and build more housing to help those who need it the most.”

“Discriminatory local zoning and land use policies drive up housing costs in communities across America,” said Sen. Young. “These policies exacerbate the housing affordability crisis and stifle the ability of Americans to move to areas of opportunity. My legislation will require cities, towns, and rural areas across America to face this reality under a new level of transparency and encourage them to cut these harmful regulations.”

“In order to reverse anti-housing policies, we need to know where they are in place and how they hurt communities,” said Sen. Schatz. “Our bill will provide HUD and the public with more transparency on policies that are stopping much-needed housing from being built.”

“Hard-working Americans deserve a real solution to housing affordability challenges, like the bi-partisan YIMBY Act,” said Bob Pinnegar, CEO & President, National Apartment Association. “The National Apartment Association is proud to support this important bill, which will help ease our nation's affordability crisis and spur construction of much-needed affordable and market based housing. Sens. Young (R-Ind.) and Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Reps. Kilmer (D-WA-06) and Flood (R-NE-01) have demonstrated tremendous leadership on this issue and their hard work will help expand affordable housing options in communities nationwide.”

“Despite a decade of economic growth, more Americans are cost burdened than ever before, and millions are experiencing houselessness and housing instability. A key driver of this crisis is that the nation is missing millions of homes, with nation falling 3.8 million homes short of meeting housing needs as of 2019,” said Mike Kingsella, CEO, Up for Growth Action. “The YIMBY Act, led by Representatives Derek Kilmer and Mike Flood, offers a thoughtful approach. It promotes policy transparency and encourages pro-housing initiatives, while respecting the need for flexibility and avoiding rigid mandates. This Act paces the way for affordable, equitable, and sustainable communities. Up for Growth Action urges Congress to endorse the YIMBY Act saying ‘yes’ to housing.”

Recent research underscores the urgency of the situation: America's housing production fell 7.3 million homes short between 2000 and 2015, causing household budgets to skyrocket, according to the Millions of Missing Homes Report. Research from Up for Growth identified housing as the leading factor contributing to the rise in household budgets over the past 15 years. Addressing the nation's housing crisis is a complex challenge, but this legislation acknowledges that restrictive zoning and land use policies are part of the problem.

The YIMBY Act, in response to this issue, ensures that recipients of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program report on policies that could potentially impact housing affordability. The Act requires these recipients to monitor and report on the progress of certain land use policies promoting housing production. This includes the introduction of high-density single-family and multifamily zoning, modifications to height limitations, and efforts to both encourage and reduce minimum lot sizes.

The CDBG program annually awards grants to states and local governments with the aim of developing communities by providing decent housing and expanding economic opportunities. Recognizing the vital role of CDBG funds in local development, the bill aims to foster collaboration between local governments and CDBG practitioners. The ultimate goal is to address the severe housing underproduction issue and enhance the lives of families and individuals affected by the lack of affordable housing.

The YIMBY Act is endorsed by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), American Planning Association (APA), Americans for Prosperity, Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA), Family Promise, Grounded Solutions Network, Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), Housing Advisory Group (HAG), Leading Builders of America, LOCUS: Responsible Real Estate Developers and Investors, Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, National Apartment Association (NAA), National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), National Association of REALTORS (NAR), National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM), National Community Stabilization Trust (NCST), National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA), National Housing Conference (NHC), National Leased Housing Association (NLHA), National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC), National NeighborWorks Association, Prosperity Now, R Street Institute, ReFrame Foundation, Smart Growth America (SGA), The Real Estate Roundtable (RER), Up for Growth Action, YIMBY Action.

Official text of the YIMBY Act is available here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-kamlager-dove-introduce-legislation-strengthen-workplace,"Reps. Cleaver, Kamlager-Dove Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Workplace Safety Standards for Incarcerated Workers",2023-05-12,2023,2023-05,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) introduced the Correctional Facilities Occupational Safety and Health Act to enhance workplace safety standards and ensure protections for incarcerated workers in federal, state, and local correctional facilities. Companion legislation was introduced by U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) earlier this year.

“Whether they are working in Congress or in a correctional facility, every worker in America deserves to have the peace of mind in knowing that they are safe in their workplace—but that often isn’t the case for those who are incarcerated,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Sadly, incarcerated Americans are not afforded the same labor protections that have become commonplace in nearly every other workplace. I believe that’s wrong, and today I’m proud to partner with Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove and Senator Booker to introduce the Correctional Facilities Occupational Safety and Health Act in the House of Representatives to rectify this deeply unfair and damaging oversight in America’s labor laws.”

“I’m glad to join Rep. Cleaver and Sen. Booker to introduce this bicameral legislation that ensures protections for incarcerated workers,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “It is unfathomable that prison workers continue to be exploited and put in dangerous conditions with little to no training. The Correctional Facilities Occupational Safety and Health Act will increase accountability for our prison system and provide safer and more humane work conditions for the prison workforce. I will always fight to improve the quality of life for our prisoners and be an advocate for criminal justice reform.”

“Dignity and safety are fundamental rights that should be extended to all workers, including those who are incarcerated,” said Senator Booker. “This bill takes an important step towards ending the unjust labor exploitation of incarcerated workers by extending to them the same workplace safety standards and labor protections enjoyed by workers in nearly every other workplace. I applaud Representatives Cleaver and Kamlager-Dove for their leadership in introducing this legislation in the House, and I remain committed to fighting for the rights and protections of all workers, without exception.”

“For too long, our laws have allowed prisons and jails across the country to exploit the labor of incarcerated people, all while paying them pennies per hour and denying them basic workplace protections,” said Jennifer Turner, ACLU human rights researcher who authored a June 2022 ACLU report on prison labor. “It’s high time we correct these injustices and treat workers because of nonexistent workplace safety guarantees for workers in prisons and jails. This bill would finally recognize these workers as employees under the Occupational Safety and Health Act and ensure they are not forced to work in hazardous conditions without training and precautions.”

To ensure correctional facilities are providing safe and sanitary workplaces for incarcerated workers, the Correctional Facilities Occupational Safety and Health Act would:

Amend the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act to explicitly include correctional facilities operated by state and local governments as employers and incarcerated workers as employees;

Require states with state occupational safety and health plans to include incarcerated workers and require correctional facilities to issue regular reports to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) on labor conditions and any potential violations of workplace safety laws;

Require the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to apply the occupational safety and health programs for BOP employees to incarcerated workers and require annual reports; and

Create a grant program for state and local governments to amend their occupational health and safety plans to cover incarcerated workers and to support enforcement.

The Correctional Facilities Occupational Safety and Health Act comes on the heels of separate legislation Rep. Cleaver has introduced in recent weeks to reduce recidivism, increase educational and job training opportunities, and end unfair and exploitative labor practices in correctional facilities nationwide.

The Correctional Facilities Occupational Safety and Health Act is endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Brennan Center for Justice, Center for Law & Social Policy, Economic Policy Institute, Human Rights Watch, Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights, National Employment Law Project, Safer Foundation, Tzedek Association, and Vera Institute of Justice.

The Correctional Facilities Occupational Safety and Health Act is co-sponsored by Representatives Shontel Brown (D-OH), Troy Carter (D-LA), Chuy García (D-IL), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).

Official text of the Correctional Facilities Occupational Safety and Health Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cleaver-salazar-booker-introduce-bipartisan-bill-revitalize,"Cleaver, Salazar, Booker Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Revitalize Economically Distressed Shopping Centers, Boost Community Development",2023-05-11,2023,2023-05,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), along with U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), introduced the Grayfield Redevelopment and Economic Advancement Through Effective Repurposing (GREATER) Revitalization of Shopping Centers Act to help communities across the country revitalize dilapidated shopping centers and boost economic development. The bipartisan bill would incentivize public and private investment in the redevelopment of economically distressed shopping centers by providing federal grant subsidies in conjunction with the Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program—which provides Community Development Block Grant recipients with access to low-cost, flexible financing for economic development, housing, and infrastructure projects.

“As more and more Americans do their shopping online instead of in shopping centers, communities across the country have watched as their local malls devolve from major economic hubs into large, dilapidated buildings. But what some may see as an eyesore today, I believe can be an enormous opportunity for tomorrow,” said Congressman Cleaver. “With the GREATER Revitalization of Shopping Centers Act, local governments will have an opportunity to utilize public-private partnerships to unlock the additional investments needed to redevelop these economically distressed areas in a way that will stimulate economic activity and strengthen job creation. As a former Mayor, I’ve seen firsthand the power the Section 108 program can have on community development, and I’m proud to partner with Senator Booker and Representative Salazar in an effort to ensure more communities can benefit.”

“Community redevelopment is critical to grow our economy and provide more affordable housing opportunities,” said Rep. Salazar. “My vision for Miami focuses on bringing prosperity and dignity to all our communities. This bill expands on this vital work by taking older, unused shopping centers and establishing incentives to build vibrant new developments in their place.”

“This bill is a critical step towards revitalizing abandoned and underutilized shopping malls, fostering economic growth, and creating job opportunities in communities across our nation,” said Senator Booker. “With this bipartisan, bicameral legislation, we can empower local governments to invest in transformative redevelopment projects that drive economic prosperity and benefit underserved communities. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation that will leverage the potential of these spaces to be vibrant, resilient communities for all.”

With analysts projecting 25 percent of malls in America will close within five years, communities across the country have moved to redevelop abandoned and underutilized shopping centers into affordable housing, new businesses, and other economic development projects. However, without federal funding and flexible financing, underserved communities have struggled to revitalize these former hubs of economic activity.

The GREATER Revitalization of Shopping Centers Act would create a federal grant subsidy program, providing $100 million over the next two years, to partner with the Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program—which is designed to encourage the public and private sectors to work in consultation to invest in the redevelopment of underserved communities. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has found that for every $1 of Section 108 funding invested in a project, localities have secured an average of $4.62 in additional investment in a local project. By creating a grant subsidy program to partner with the Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program, local governments will have a greater ability to access the capital needed to redevelop underutilized or abandoned shopping centers, driving increased economic growth and providing additional job opportunities in communities across the country.

Specifically, the GREATER Revitalization of Shopping Centers Act would:

Authorize $50 million per year in Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025 for grant subsidies in conjunction with Section 108 loans;

Prioritize projects which promote transit-oriented development, the reclaiming and re-use of grayfields, development of affordable housing, and removal of existing grayfield infrastructure;

Prioritize grant applications which reflect extensive community engagement, benefit lower-income, underserved communities, and include substantial local match commitments;

Help malls that are 30% or less occupied or have two vacant anchor stores and occupy 20 acres or more and have no less than 40 individual storefronts in the mall; and

Permit the use of funds to obtain technical assistance from local qualified service providers regarding how to leverage Section 108 and grant subsidy funds with other assistance, such as the New Markets Tax Credits program and other State assistance, tax credits, and incentives.

The GREATER Revitalization of Shopping Centers Act is endorsed by the National Development Council, ICSC, National Community Development Association, Council of State Community Development Agencies, National League of Cities, National Association of Counties, and National Association of Realtors.

A fact sheet of the GREATER Revitalization of Shopping Centers Act is available here.

Official text of the GREATER Revitalization of Shopping Centers Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/honor-teacher-appreciation-week-reps-cleaver-graves-introduce,"In Honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, Reps. Cleaver, Graves Introduce Resolution Celebrating America’s Teachers",2023-05-08,2023,2023-05,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, in honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Sam Graves (R-MO) introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives to recognize America’s teachers and the invaluable impact they have on students and communities across the country. The bipartisan resolution underscores the important role that teachers play in preparing kids to be productive, responsible, and successful citizens, and encourages every American to demonstrate appreciation for the teachers in their life.

“National Teacher Appreciation Week is a time for all Americans to come together and give thanks to the teachers that have left an indelible impact on their life or the lives of their children,” said Congressman Cleaver. “While I have been blessed to have had numerous teachers that positively helped shape the course of my life, Mrs. Alma Holland was the one who taught me the power of words and how they can inspire change, igniting a lifelong passion for language and public speaking. In honor of Mrs. Holland, the remarkable teachers of Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, and every teacher across the United States, I’m proud to introduce a bipartisan resolution recognizing the service and sacrifice of America’s educators—and I call on every American to take some time this week to give thanks and show their appreciation for a teacher in their life.”

“America’s teachers go above and beyond to educate the next generation,” said Congressman Graves. “They work tirelessly—often through breaks, weekends, and weeknights—to prepare our children to achieve great things in life. None of us—myself included—would be where we are today without the work of dedicated educators. It doesn’t matter where you live or where you were raised, every American has a story about how a teacher changed their life. I’m forever grateful to the dedicated educators who made a difference in my life, my children’s lives, and are making a difference in the lives of my grandchildren today. Thank you to all of America’s teachers for their service to our communities and families. May we always remember how important they are—during Teacher Appreciation Week and every other week of the year.”

Congressman Cleaver has been an ardent supporter of Missouri teachers and public education in the United States, consistently voting to increase funding for public schools and teacher pay. In February, Congressman Cleaver co-introduced the American Teacher Act, which would provide federal grants that incentivize states to establish a statewide K-12 teacher salary requirement of at least $60,000, ensuring the average Missouri teacher would receive an almost $9,000 raise.

The bipartisan resolution is cosponsored by Representatives Mark Alford (R-MO), Becca Balint (D-VT), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Troy Carter (D-LA), Ed Case (D-HI), Judy Chu (D-CA), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Jason Crow (D-CO), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Hank Johnson (D-GA), David Joyce (R-OH), Bill Keating (D-MA), John Larson (D-CT), Susie Lee (D-NV), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Ann McLane Kuster (D-NH), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Joseph Morelle (D-IN), Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Donald Payne (D-NJ), Katie Porter (D-CA), Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Darren Soto (D-FL), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Paul Tonko (D-NY), David Trone (D-MD), David Valadao (R-CA), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).

Official text of the resolution from Reps. Cleaver and Graves is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-garcia-call-nlrb-investigation-allegations-unfair-labor,"Reps. Cleaver, Garcia Call for NLRB Investigation into Allegations of Unfair Labor Practices at Local Apple Retail Stores",2023-05-04,2023,2023-05,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) called on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to investigate allegations of unfair labor practices at Apple Retail stores in Kansas City and Houston, following reports that retail workers were fired and faced intimidation on the job for exercising their right to collectively organize.

In a letter to National Labor Relations Board General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo, Reps. Cleaver and Garcia wrote:

“As you are aware, under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), employees are guaranteed the right to organize and bargain collectively free from interference, intimidation, and coercion from their employers. The NLRB already found Apple infringed upon worker rights earlier this year, and we are concerned about this recurring patten. We respectfully request the NLRB thoroughly investigate these serious allegations.”

In March, it was reported that five workers in Kansas City, Missouri were fired by Apple in retaliation for union activity and several Apple workers in Houston, Texas were unlawfully interrogated and disciplined for supporting organizing efforts. According to allegations by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), Apple illegally fired and intimidated the workers for exercising their right to collectively bargain, citing minor offenses such as typos in worker time sheets as an excuse to curtail ongoing efforts to organize a union at local Apple Retail stores. Moreover, the allegations charge that Apple forced some of the fired workers to sign a “Release of All Claims” in exchange for a severance package despite the NLRB ruling earlier this year that such practices were illegal.

“Any allegation that the largest corporation in the world is using its institutional power to silence and stamp out workers’ God-given right to collectively bargain for fairer wages, better benefits, and increased workplace safety is extremely disconcerting—but allegations of retaliation from numerous workers of the same retail store should be investigated with the seriousness this situation deserves,” said Congressman Cleaver. “I don’t care if the offender is Apple or Applejacks, if any business attempts to stifle workers’ right to organize in Kansas City, then they’re going to hear from me about it. I look forward to a swift and thorough investigation from the National Labor Relations Board as we seek to ensure no business, no matter how large or small, can infringe on the rights of American workers.""

“No matter your home address or company of employment, workers have the right to organize, collectively bargain, and safely work free from hazards, harassment or intimidation. Large tech companies may think they are above the law, but thorough investigations from the National Labor Relations Board may prove otherwise,” said Rep. Garcia.

The official letter from Reps. Cleaver and Garcia is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cleaver-ross-pocan-sykes-introduce-legislation-end-prison,"Cleaver, Ross, Pocan, Sykes Introduce Legislation to End Prison Gerrymandering",2023-04-26,2023,2023-04,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Mark Pocan (D-WI), and Emilia Sykes (D-OH) introduced the End Prison Gerrymandering Act. This legislation will help ensure equal representation for all by requiring the Census Bureau to count incarcerated people at their last place of residence rather than the prison in which they are held at the time of the Census.

Many states have facedcriticism for redistricting processes that use prison gerrymandering to give disproportionate representation to rural, conservative voters at the expense of voters in urban areas and communities of color. The lawmakers are introducing this legislation ahead of what many experts predict will be a partisan redistricting process in both North Carolina and Ohio.

“The practice of prison gerrymandering is un-democratic, unjust, and unbelievably unfair to communities across the country, allowing partisan politicians to manipulate the balance of power in a way that does not reflect the will of the people they represent,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Not even the longest-serving incarcerated individuals would claim their correctional facility to be home; however, unscrupulous lawmakers have historically used prison gerrymandering to gain a political advantage without giving a second thought to how it impacts our collective democracy. I’m proud to join Representative Ross in introducing the End Prison Gerrymandering Act, which takes a commonsense approach to ending this shameful practice and ensuring equal representation for every community throughout the nation.”

“North Carolina has a long history of manipulating voters’ places of residence to produce maps that benefit the party in power, including through prison gerrymandering,” said Congresswoman Ross. “This unjust practice dilutes the voices of voters of color and makes it easier for politicians to draw non-competitive districts for themselves and their political allies. Now more than ever, we need maps that are fair and ensure every voter can participate fully in our democracy. I’m proud to lead colleagues from across the country in introducing legislation that will end prison gerrymandering at the federal level.”

“Nearly no one would consider the facility in which they’re incarcerated home,” said Congressman Pocan. “The current Prison Gerrymandering practice is wrong, giving undue power to certain regions of the country and to elected officials who do not value their concerns. We must end this practice and count people from where they came and most likely will return to once their sentence is finished. I thank Congresswoman Ross for her leadership on this issue.”

“All Americans have a constitutional right to equal representation in their government,” said Congresswoman Sykes. “That’s why I am proud to co-sponsor the End Prison Gerrymandering Act, which will ensure incarcerated people are fairly counted in the places they call home, in communities where they have ties, family, and friends. This legislation will allow fair and accurate representation for all communities—rural, urban, and suburban— to create a stronger, more representative democracy.”

""State and local leaders — both Republican and Democrat, rural and urban — have been clear: the data provided by the Census Bureau for redistricting is unusable because it counts people in prisons and jails in the wrong place,” said Aleks Kajstura, Legal Director, Prison Policy Initiative. “With roughly half the country now living in an area that has addressed prison gerrymandering, it is time for the Bureau to catch up with their needs by finally counting incarcerated people at their homes.""

Every ten years when the Census is conducted, incarcerated people are counted as residents of the towns where they are imprisoned rather than the places they call home. This practice skews the population count and interferes with equal representation in virtually every state—using mass incarceration to reduce the population count in urban areas, where most prisoners are from, and inflating the populations of rural areas, where most prisons are located. And, as many incarcerated people are barred from voting, this practice creates a gross inequity in representation.

Official text of the End Prison Gerrymandering Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:44:29Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-votes-against-default-america-act,Rep. Cleaver Votes Against the Default on America Act,2023-04-26,2023,2023-04,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) voted against Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s Default on America Act, a legislative ransom note that includes extreme policy demands from House Republicans in exchange for fulfilling Congress’s obligation to pay America’s debt, maintaining the full faith and credit of the United States, and protecting our national economy. This radical legislation presents Americans with a terrible choice: either MAGA Republicans will wreck our national economy or inflict unnecessarily cruel cuts that hurt children, veterans, students, and everyday Missourians.

“I’ve seen a lot of childish, reckless, and irresponsible things happen in Washington during my time in Congress, but the decision by nearly the entire House Republican Caucus to hold our economy hostage in an effort to force millions of Americans to go hungry, hundreds of thousands to lose health care, and thousands of first responders to be laid off is truly astonishing,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Just a few short years ago, Republicans had no issue whatsoever raising the debt ceiling on three separate occasions while President Trump was signing a $2 trillion tax cut that overwhelmingly benefitted the wealthy and giant corporations and accumulating 25% of our country’s national debt in one single term. The only difference today is that a Democrat is in the Oval Office who has created 12.5 million jobs, achieved the lowest unemployment rate in five decades, and taken steps to ensure the top 1% and big businesses are paying their fair share.”

With their refusal to act immediately to prevent a default, House Republicans are threatening an economic disaster that will devastate children, students, veterans, and hardworking families. In Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, a Republican default on the national debt would:

Kill 7,800 jobs as unemployment doubles;

Threaten the retirement savings of 94,400 people near retirement;

Put Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans Affairs health benefits at risk for 232,000 Missourians; and

Jeopardize Social Security payments for 93,000 families.

Sadly, Speaker McCarthy’s Default on America Act is an unacceptable alternative. In Missouri, the extreme MAGA Republican scheme would:

Threaten access to food assistance for 12,000 people between the ages of 50-55;

Eliminate preschool and child care for at least 5,500 children;

Increase housing costs for at least 10,600 people;

Make college more expensive for at least 101,400 students;

Eliminate at least 5 air traffic control towers; and

Cut at least 140 rail safety inspection days;

President Biden and House Democrats have already cut the federal deficit by historic levels, and President Biden’s proposed budget reduces deficits by $3 trillion more over the next 10 years while investing in America—lowering costs by making child care, health care, and housing more affordable, supporting better schools, and strengthening our infrastructure.

“The Default on America Act is bad for the country, bad for Missouri, and the most dangerous, unnecessary game of political brinksmanship that I’ve seen since Republicans tried this same trick in 2011, leading to the first downgrading of our national credit in history,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Tragically, Speaker McCarthy is leading the country down a disastrous path—all in the name of the same failed trickle-down economics that have left working class Missourians behind for decades now. MAGA Republicans will not be rewarded for holding our economy hostage, and I hope they come to their senses before something truly calamitous occurs.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:44:29Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-jackson-lee-and-brown-introduce-bill-advance-reintegration,"Reps. Cleaver, Jackson Lee, and Brown Introduce Bill to Advance Reintegration Efforts, Reduce Recidivism, and Increase Educational Opportunities for Incarcerated Individuals",2023-04-25,2023,2023-04,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), and Shontel Brown (D-OH) introduced the Prison Libraries Act to expand library resources in U.S. state and territory correctional facilities to advance reintegration efforts, reduce recidivism, and increase educational opportunities for incarcerated citizens. This bill will authorize $60,000,000 over six years for state prisons to build capacity amongst their populations by providing library services and resources. The bill is currently supported by 25 co-sponsors and endorsed by 17 organizations from across the country.

""Libraries play an essential role in our communities. By providing books, informational and research materials, and specialized programming, libraries embody opportunity and access for all. This is why it is so critically important that everything libraries offer is made available within correctional facilities for incarcerated individuals,"" said Congressman Cleaver. ""It is no secret that reintegration into communities, heightened by the lack of education or job training opportunities, is one of the biggest barriers incarcerated citizens face upon release. The Prison Libraries Act addresses a facet of this issue by providing funding opportunities to increase library access and resources within state prisons.""

“I am pleased to join my colleagues, Representative Emanuel Cleaver and Representative Shontel Brown, on the introduction of this important piece of legislation, the Prison Libraries Act. Every jail and prison should invest in having robust libraries and educational resources. It has long been proven that providing education in jails and prisons improves rehabilitative outcomes, reduces recidivism rates, and ultimately improves public safety and reduces incarceration costs. We must all acknowledge and accept that education is a fundamental human right to which we are all entitled to, and it is one that should be protected and uplifted in every community and in every environment. According to the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, also called the Nelson Mandela Rules, ‘every prison shall have a library for the use of all categories of prisoners, adequately stocked with both recreational and instructional books, and prisoners shall be encouraged to make full use of it.’ It is time we heed the wise and noble words of guidance and instruction; it is time we rethink and restore humanity for everyone within our community. Those returning from jail or prison should be better, not worse off when coming home,” said Rep. Jackson Lee.

“Everyone deserves access to the invaluable resources provided by our nation’s libraries,” said Rep. Brown. “The Prison Libraries Act works to ensure that incarcerated community members have access to learning and development opportunities available to communities across the country. Expanding access to these resources is important for full, successful reintegration and a key to reducing recidivism and enhancing educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals.”

“By providing the freedom to learn and explore life beyond the confines of prison walls, the Prison Libraries Act gets to the heart of libraries’ mission: equitable access to information for everyone,” said Lessa Kanani’opua Pelayo-Lozado, American Library Association President. “Like libraries in every context, prison libraries make a world of difference through the critical services they offer beyond books. Funding provided by the Prison Libraries Act would expand educational services and improve prospects for those incarcerated members of our communities, who are often afforded the least opportunity – and perhaps the greatest need – in society.”

“Free access to ideas, information, and literature not only enlivens intellects and perspectives amid confining environments, but prepares individuals that are currently incarcerated for eventual re-entry,” said Nadine Farid Johnson, Managing Director of PEN America Washington and Free Expression Programs. “We applaud Representative Cleaver’s bill, which would spur a long-overdue revival of libraries in our nation’s carceral system.”

""I once spent three years in prison without being able to walk into a library. I worked 40 hours a month for 23 cents an hour just to have a new book,” said Reginald Dwayne Betts, Founder & CEO of Freedom Reads. “I know what libraries give and know they are central to the joy and hope and possibilities held within a book. This bill is a reminder of how central that is to our world.""

Within the prison community, libraries offer escapism and a means for personal development through learning and acquiring new trades and skills that can be applied upon release. Ultimately, prison libraries are an innovative tool for rehabilitation and re-entry.

Over 600,000 individuals are released from federal and state prisons each year. Upon release, these individuals often struggle to reintegrate into their communities. This struggle is exacerbated by prisons often offering incarcerated individuals little to no educational or job training opportunities. The lack of such resourceful opportunities affects formerly incarcerated individuals' ability to find gainful employment once released and increases the likelihood of recidivism. Libraries are one of the most powerful and transformative resources against recidivism, but they tend to be substantially underutilized, scarce, insufficiently funded, and inadequately equipped with learning, training, information, and communication materials and technologies in American jails and prisons.

The Prison Libraries Act would authorize a competitive grant program for state and U.S. territory prisons to:

Offer adequate library services, including education and job training, digital literacy, career readiness programming, and computer and internet access, among other services, for free;

Invest in acquiring updated materials and equipment that reflect the prison population's interests, identities, abilities, and languages;

Expand the infrastructure of prison libraries;

Hire well-trained and qualified staff to manage libraries, their resources, and services; and

Build a collaborative relationship with respective local public libraries.

The Prison Libraries Act is endorsed by the American Library Association (ALA), NAACP, Vera Institute of Justice, PEN America, Freedom Reads, Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE), Missouri Prison Books, Missouri Humanities, Wisconsin Books to Prisoners, Books to Prisoners Seattle, Prison Library Project at Claremont Forum, Books Through Bars Philadelphia, Prison Book Program, Prisoners Literature Project, D.C. Books to Prisons, Sacramento Public Library, and Friends & Foundation of the San Francisco Public Library.

Official text of the Prison Libraries Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:44:29Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-introduces-bill-support-job-training-programs-educational,"Rep. Cleaver Introduces Bill to Support Job Training Programs, Educational Opportunities in U.S. Correctional Facilities",2023-04-18,2023,2023-04,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) introduced the Ensuring Work Opportunities in Correctional Facilities Act to support occupational training programs and educational opportunities in U.S. correctional facilities in an effort to reduce recidivism and help incarcerated citizens better prepare to successfully re-enter society. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) earlier this year.

“An essential component to reducing recidivism is expanding opportunity for job training and education programs in correctional facilities across the country, ensuring incarcerated individuals can develop skills and experience that will help them find gainful employment and succeed when they return to their communities,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Simply focusing on punishment, rather than rehabilitation, will only further the failed policies that have led to mass incarceration in America. By building on the First Step Act, and strengthening occupational education programs nationwide, we can chart a different course that leads to safer communities and better outcomes for all—and that’s why I’m joining Senator Booker in introducing the Ensuring Work Opportunities in Correctional Facilities Act.”

“U.S. correctional facilities must prioritize the goal of rehabilitation and help incarcerated individuals develop skills and experience that will help them successfully reintegrate into their communities,” said Senator Booker. “The Ensuring Work Opportunities in Correctional Facilities Act will expand job and educational trainings for these individuals and will help build safer, more productive communities for all. I am grateful to Representative Cleaver for introducing this important legislation in the House.”

In 2018, Congress passed the First Step Act, which authorized $75,000,000 annually for the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to invest in recidivism reduction efforts, including vocational training programs. Additionally, the First Step Act authorized federal grant funding to states and municipalities to improve academic and vocational education programs and occupational training in correctional facilities nationwide. However, this funding is set to end after 2023.

In addition to occupational education and training programs, there are nearly 50 programs throughout the country authorized by the Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program (PIECP), which allows incarcerated workers to work for private companies that are required to pay prevailing wages. While these jobs are highly coveted by incarcerated workers, there is a statutory limit that caps the number of programs at 50.

To strengthen occupational education and training programs already in place, and to support the creation of additional programs, the Ensuring Work Opportunities in Correction Facilities Act would:

Increase annual funding for state and local grant programs authorized by the First Step Act and extend grant funding from Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 through 2029 to strengthen academic programs, career training for re-entry, and vocational programs;

Authorize additional funding for the BOP Occupational Education Programs (OEP), which focus on job training for incarcerated individuals, providing an additional $210,000,000 in total for FY 2024 through 2029 for occupational training and education programs within BOP;

Double the number of programs authorized through the PIECP from 50 to 100, allowing for more incarcerated workers to gain professional, private-sector job experience while also receiving prevailing wages for their work; and

Double the annual funding for re-entry demonstration grants to state, local, and tribal adult and juvenile offender reentry projects, from $35,000,000 to $70,000,000.

The Ensuring Work Opportunities in Correctional Facilities Act is endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union, Brennan Center for Justice, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, National Employment Law Project, and Safer Foundation.

Official text of the Ensuring Work Opportunities in Correctional Facilities Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:44:29Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleavers-statement-shooting-ralph-yarl,Rep. Cleaver’s Statement on the Shooting of Ralph Yarl,2023-04-17,2023,2023-04,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement on the shooting of Ralph Yarl in North Kansas City.

“By all accounts, Ralph Yarl is a bright, hard-working, responsible young man, who loves his family and performing in the Staley High School marching band. Last week, like countless other older brothers have done before him, Mr. Yarl was simply trying to retrieve his younger siblings and ensure they got home safely. Tragically, Mr. Yarl was nearly killed in the process.

“I am incredibly thankful that Mr. Yarl is alive and recovering—but there is not a child in the world that deserves to be shot for ringing the wrong doorbell. While I pray for the healing of Mr. Yarl and his family, I am anxiously awaiting a swift, thorough, and comprehensive investigation into the shooting by local authorities.

“However, I want to be very clear that Ralph Yarl should be safe and at home with his family right now. I can think of no justification for shooting a child multiple times for ringing the wrong doorbell—and we as a society ought to think very carefully about whether or not that is the world we want to live in.

“In this moment, it is imperative that we allow local law enforcement to investigate all the facts of the shooting. We must ensure that justice is served and the law is upheld. Mr. Yarl and our communities in Kansas City deserve nothing less.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:44:29Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-calls-governor-parson-protect-funding-missouri-libraries,Rep. Cleaver Calls on Governor Parson to Protect Funding for Missouri Libraries,2023-04-13,2023,2023-04,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) called on Missouri Governor Mike Parson to protect state funding for public libraries in Missouri, following the Missouri House of Representatives’ attempt to defund local libraries across the state.

In a letter to Governor Parson, Rep. Cleaver wrote:

“Libraries are an essential part of our state’s infrastructure, providing valuable services to citizens and communities that cannot easily be replicated by private companies, nonprofits, or local governments. In addition to providing access to books, libraries offer free internet access, technology training, job search resources, and a range of educational and cultural programs. I implore you to consider the significantly positive impact that libraries have on our state and citizens and work against any attempt at defunding these institutions.”

Recently, the Missouri House of Representatives passed a budget that removed all state funding for local libraries after the Missouri Library Association (MLA) and the Missouri Association of School Librarians lawfully sued to strike down a draconian law passed last year that imposed a sweeping ban on certain books in school libraries. Despite complaints from some lawmakers that Missouri shouldn’t “subsidize” the MLA’s legal action, no state funding is being provided for the lawsuit, as the Missouri chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union is providing legal services for free. Moreover, no state aid is being used to fund MLA’s work. Although the Missouri State Senate would also have to approve any effort to defund local libraries throughout the state, Cleaver is calling on Governor Parson to use his authorities as Governor to protect library funding should they be needed.

In total, the effort by the Missouri House of Representatives would eliminate $4.5 million in state funding to hundreds of local libraries located in every county in Missouri. Additionally, such a decision could imperil federal funding for public libraries throughout the state, which totaled $3.4 million last year. As Congressman Cleaver notes in his letter, such a move would disproportionately impact underserved and rural communities because such communities are particularly dependent on state funding for local libraries, which provide essential services like internet access, educational programs, and job search resources.

“I urge you to ensure the protection of our state’s library budget and safeguard funding for these incredibly important institutions. Our state’s citizens and communities deserve access to information and resources that libraries provide, and we should do everything in our power to make sure these essential services continue to be available to all Missourians,” Rep. Cleaver concluded.

The official letter from Rep. Cleaver to Governor Parson is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:44:29Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-announces-87-million-multiple-community-development,Rep. Cleaver Announces $8.7 Million for Multiple Community Development Financial Institutions in Kansas City,2023-04-12,2023,2023-04,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced that the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) has awarded more than $8.7 million in grants to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) in Kansas City, including AltCap, the Central Bank of Kansas City, and Holy Rosary Credit Union. The $8.7 million investment will help strengthen the ability of CDFIs in Kansas City to serve low- and moderate-income communities that are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and catalyze a more prosperous future moving forward. The federal funding was authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021—a bill that Rep. Cleaver was proud to support.

“As a former Mayor and current Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, I understand the importance and impact of CDFIs in Kansas City and throughout the United States very well,” said Congressman Cleaver. “CDFIs are instrumental in providing the financing and support necessary to revitalize underserved communities and are more essential than ever in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m thrilled to announce that the Biden Administration has awarded AltCap, the Central Bank of Kansas City, and the Holy Rosary Credit Union with nearly $9 million to help build back stronger than ever before—and I look forward to working with them every step of the way.”

Through the CDFI Equitable Recovery Program (CDFI ERP), the Biden Administration is awarding over $1.73 billion in grants to 603 CDFIs across the country. The CDFI ERP is designed to:

Provide funding to certified CDFIs to expand lending, grant making and investment activities in low- to moderate-income communities and to borrowers with significant unmet capital and financial services needs that have experienced disproportionate economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Catalyze growth in the financial and organizational capacity of CDFIs for the purpose of carrying out equitable recovery activities.

The CDFI ERP grant funds may be used to support lending related to small businesses and microenterprises, community facilities, affordable housing, commercial real estate, and intermediary lending to non-profits and CDFIs. The funds can also be used for financial services, development services to support borrowers and operational support for the CDFI grant recipient.

“Far too often, when an economic crisis occurs, underserved communities that are most in need of assistance are left behind and forgotten,” said Congressman Cleaver. “By providing this desperately needed grant funding to CDFIs across the country, the Biden administration is making clear their commitment to a strong, equitable recovery for communities in every corner of the country. I’m proud to have played a role in making this funding possible, and I will continue to be a strong advocate for CDFIs for as long as I’m in Washington.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:44:29Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/following-extreme-abortion-decision-texas-congressman-cleaver-continues,"Following Extreme Abortion Decision in Texas, Congressman Cleaver Continues Fight to Protect Reproductive Freedoms",2023-04-11,2023,2023-04,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – This week, following the radical decision by a lone Texas judge in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) joined Representatives Pat Ryan (D-NY) and Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), along with 48 other House Democrats, to co-introduce the Protecting Reproductive Freedom Act. The legislation would reaffirm that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), not a single federal judge in Texas, has clear and pre-emptive authority to regulate abortion medication. The Protecting Reproductive Freedom Act would also protect the ability of doctors to prescribe medication abortion via telehealth for patients across the country.

Last week, Congressman Cleaver also joined dozens of House Democrats in calling on President Biden and the Biden Administration to use all legal authority to preserve the FDA’s approval of mifepristone and other critical medications approved by the FDA.

“In their rush to criminalize women’s reproductive care in every state in the country, MAGA Republicans and the ideological extremists they have put on the federal bench are trampling over the rule of law in a way that will have wide-ranging impacts for all kinds of medications—not just mifepristone. Throwing out the science and decades of data and legal precedent to enforce your ideological agenda is dangerous, destructive, and down-right un-democratic,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Congress must take action to stop this radical judicial overreach and defend the rights of women across the country—and we can start by passing the Protecting Reproductive Freedom Act and Women’s Health Protection Act as soon as Congress returns to session.”

According to an analysis from the Guttmacher Institute, medication abortion now accounts for more than half of all abortions in the United States, with the process often involving a two-dose regimen of mifepristone and misoprostol. While mifepristone was deemed safe and approved by the FDA more than two decades ago, a federal judge in Texas issued a preliminary ruling last week that invalidated the FDA’s approval of the medication, citing ludicrous claims that the FDA failed to adequately consider risks associated with the medication. However, studieshaveshown that mifepristone is safer than other medications like Tylenol, penicillin, and a wide-array of other drugs approved by the FDA.

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and five decades of legal precedent in the Dobbs decision, Congressman Cleaver has strongly supported federal protections for abortion and women’s reproductive care. Last year, Rep. Cleaver was an original cosponsor and helped pass the Women’s Health Protection Act and the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act through the House of Representatives. The Women’s Health Protection Act 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. The Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act would ensure no person acting under state law can prevent, impede, restrict, or otherwise retaliate against a person travelling across state lines to obtain a lawful abortion.

The Protecting Reproductive Freedom Act is endorsed by Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America.

Official text of the Protecting Reproductive Freedom Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:44:29Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-calls-governor-parson-strengthen-missouris-education-system,Rep. Cleaver Calls on Governor Parson to Strengthen Missouri’s Education System by Boosting Teacher Pay,2023-04-10,2023,2023-04,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) called on Missouri Governor Mike Parson to strengthen Missouri’s education system and support student learning by boosting teacher salaries. Of the five benchmark categories for teacher pay provided by the National Education Association—which includes starting salary, top bachelor’s salary, starting master’s salary, and top salary—Missouri is currently ranked dead last among all states in all but two categories, where Missouri ranks next to last.

In a letter to Governor Parson, Rep. Cleaver wrote:

“Education is one of the core foundations that supports the success and growth of our country. Well-educated students result in a prepared workforce, improved social and economic conditions, and engaged citizens. However, to maximize the potential of Missouri students and guarantee a robust education, we must make it a priority to ensure teachers across the state are adequately compensated.”

According to the National Education Association, teachers with a bachelor’s degree currently receive a minimum starting salary of just $25,000 in Missouri, and teachers with a master’s degree receive a minimum starting salary of just $33,000. Missouri’s $51,557 average teacher salary currently ranks 47th in the nation. Due to ongoing teacher shortages in communities across Missouri, caused in part by low pay, 25% of Missouri school districts now have a four-day school week, limiting learning opportunities and support for working families. A 2021 survey found that over half of Missouri teachers said they consider leaving the profession often or very often, with low salaries being a common complaint.

In February, Congressman Cleaver co-introduced the American Teacher Act, which would provide federal grants to incentivize states to establish a statewide K-12 teacher salary requirement of at least $60,000, ensuring the average Missouri teacher would receive an almost $9,000 raise. As Cleaver pushes Congress to invest in America’s teachers, he is also encouraging Governor Parson to use some of Missouri’s record budget surplus to increase teacher pay, which will help strengthen Missouri’s pipeline of qualified educators, address teacher shortages, and boost economic activity throughout the state.

“Our teachers must earn a dignified salary for their invaluable work caring for and teaching Missouri children. As elected Missouri officials, we must lead the way in supporting the professionals that train and prepare our future generations,” Congressman Cleaver concluded.

The official letter from Rep. Cleaver to Governor Parson is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:44:29Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleavers-statement-indictment-donald-trump,Rep. Cleaver’s Statement on the Indictment of Donald Trump,2023-03-31,2023,2023-03,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement after Donald Trump was formally indicted by a grand jury in New York.

“The keystone to our democracy and the freedoms we cherish so dearly is the rule of law, administered equally to all people, no matter their position or personal attributes.

“While I do not personally like Mr. Trump or agree with his politics, there is no jubilation here. This is a sad day for all Americans, as this is the first time a former president has been indicted in over 240 years of our Republic.

“No matter how much one may like or dislike former President Donald Trump, he is innocent of all charges until convicted by a jury of his peers. I encourage all Americans to allow the legal process to play out peacefully and according to the rule of law.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:30:02Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-correa-lead-effort-address-unjust-deportations-return,"Reps. Cleaver, Correa Lead Effort to Address Unjust Deportations, Return Unlawfully Deported Individuals",2023-03-31,2023,2023-03,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and J. Luis Correa (D-CA) led a cohort of 34 House Democrats calling on Congress to establish an independent, centralized unit within the Department of Homeland Security to review cases of unjust deportation. With current policies unworkable and impractical, the lawmakers are urging Congress to implement a streamlined process in the Department of Homeland Security to consider requests from individuals who have been unjustly deported and seeking to return to the United States to be reunited with family and loved ones.

“America should be a land where justice and human rights are paramount—but our immigration system as it currently stands fails to uphold these values, and nowhere is that more clear than in the process to rectify unjust deportations,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Right now, there are families across the country who are struggling to get by because an integral piece of their household was unjustly deported and there is no practical way for them to receive relief from DHS and reunite with their loved ones. Congress has a moral obligation to streamline the review process and provide justice to these individuals, who are important, contributing members of their community, and we won’t stop fighting until that happens.”

“We have a duty to ensure that our nation’s immigration system is fair and just and it is clear that today, this is not the case—especially to rectify unjust deportations,” said Rep. Correa. “Unjust deportations regularly tear immigrant families apart and put them in financial jeopardy, and today, there is no way for them to receive the relief they rightfully deserve. That’s why we’re urging our colleagues to deliver the funding DHS would need to rectify the harm done to these families, and deliver them the justice they well-deserve.”

“Although current law includes mechanisms for deported individuals to return home, in practice, these processes almost never work. Unjustly deported people—many of whom have lived for decades in the United States, served our country, raised generations of family, or served as community leaders—deserve a meaningful chance to come home to reunite with their loved ones. The National Immigration Justice Center stands alongside members of Congress as they ask the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that our immigration laws provide an effective and accessible remedy for grave injustices generated by the immigration detention and deportation system,” said Nayna Gupta, Associate Director of Policy, National Immigration Justice Center.

According to a report from the National Immigration Justice Center, between 2011 and 2013, half a million children in the U.S. experienced the apprehension, detention, and deportation of at least one parent, with over 46,000 mothers and fathers of American children being removed in just the first six months of 2011.

In a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security Appropriations, Cleaver and Correa are calling on Congress to include a provision in the Fiscal Year 2024 DHS appropriations bill that would expand upon language included in the Joint Explanatory Statement to the FY2023 DHS appropriations bill, instructing DHS and its component agencies to create a central unit within DHS to facilitate the return of unlawfully deported individuals.

The letter from Cleaver and Correa was co-signed by Reps. Nanette Díaz Barragán (D-CA), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Cori Bush (D-MO), Andre Carson (D-IN), Greg Casar (D-CA), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Danny Davis (D-IL), Diana Degette (D-CO), Chuy García (D-IL) Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Hank Johnson, Jr. (D-GA), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Grace Napolitano (D- CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Nikema Williams (D-GA), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL).

The letter from Cleaver and Correa was officially endorsed by the National Immigration Justice Center.

The official letter from Cleaver and Correa is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:30:02Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-and-waters-advocate-reforms-additional-investments-rural,"Reps. Cleaver and Waters Advocate for Reforms, Additional Investments in Rural Housing Programs",2023-03-28,2023,2023-03,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and Maxine Waters, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Financial Services, called for increased investments and critical reforms in federal rural housing programs to provide support to rural residents in Missouri and across the country. In a letter signed by 30 House Democrats, Cleaver and Waters are asking Congress to provide robust federal funding and implement needed fixes to the Rural Development Voucher Program, the Section 521 Rental Assistance Program, and other programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Housing Service.

In the letter to the Chairwoman and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Appropriations, Cleaver and Waters wrote:

“As you consider the fiscal year (FY) 2024 appropriations bill for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, we urge you to provide relief for thousands of rural residents who may otherwise face significant rent increases or displacement.”

The USDA supports affordable rental housing options by making direct loans to developers to finance housing projects for farm labor, as well as low-income, elderly and disabled individuals in rural communities. As part of this program, USDA also provides rental assistance (RA) to tenants, capping their rent contribution at 30 percent of their income. However, as property owners pay off those loans in full, they are no longer required to offer affordable rental rates – and at the same time, tenants living in those properties are no longer eligible for USDA’s Rental Assistance. Nationally, nearly 400,000 households, often elderly and low-income, live in 14,000 properties backed by these USDA multifamily loans, with an average household income of $13,000. However, new construction in these USDA programs has been largely non-existent for more than a decade, and at the current pace nearly all existing loans will have matured by 2050. As those loans mature or are prepaid, rural Americans are left with fewer and fewer affordable rental options.

To protect rural renters and the supply of rental housing in rural communities, Cleaver and Waters are calling on Congress to:

Provide additional funding and extend eligibility for the Rural Development Voucher Program to help the RVDP meet increased demand and ensure all residents of Section 514 and 515 properties remain eligible for the RVDP when mortgage loans for properties mature.

Increase federal investments to preserve affordable rental housing in rural communities by strengthening the Multifamily Preservation & Revitalization Demonstration program and providing more than $300 million for the Section 514, 515, and 516 programs.

Fully fund the Section 521 Rental Assistance program, which was is designed to keep rents affordable for low-income rural tenants and was expanded through the American Rescue Plan to assist an additional 27,000 households in more than 3,700 properties.

The official letter from Ranking Members Cleaver and Waters is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:30:02Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-and-graves-welcome-investigation-kansas-city-mail-delivery,"Reps. Cleaver and Graves Welcome Investigation into Kansas City Mail Delivery Challenges, Reiterate Need for Postmaster General to Hear from Missourians",2023-03-23,2023,2023-03,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Sam Graves (R-MO) welcomed news from the United States Postal Service (USPS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) that they will commence an audit of delayed mail and delivery operations in the Northland and Kansas City area.

“After months of mail delivery delays and substandard service for Kansas Citians, I’m pleased the USPS Office of the Inspector General has heard our complaints and is taking action—but more will be needed before I’m satisfied my constituents have been taken care of,” said Congressman Cleaver. “I’m thankful to the workers of the USPS and Office of Inspector General for initiating an audit into the challenges in maintaining the congressionally mandated six days per week mail service for the Kansas City area; however, until concrete action is taken to actually address these challenges, I believe Postmaster General DeJoy should still hear directly from Missourians to understand how his leadership has created unnecessary difficulties for families and small businesses in the heartland.”

“I’m glad the Postal Service finally decided to wake up and investigate what’s causing these delivery issues, but this must result in action,” Congressman Graves said. “The people of Kansas City and the Northland have been dealing with these delays for months on end. This can’t just be an investigation with a report—there needs to be a plan to fix these issues. The leadership of the United States Postal Service needs to understand just what they’ve been putting Missourians through and any investigation must take into account the voices of Missourians who have been affected by these delays.”

The announcement that the USPS OIG will conduct an audit of delayed mail and delivery operations in the Northland and the Kansas City area follows Reps. Cleaver and Graves’ letter to USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy this week, demanding the Postmaster General come to Kansas City, listen to the concerns of area residents, deliver a plan to fix mail delivery issues, and fulfill the USPS’s legal obligation to deliver mail 6 days per week.

The Congressmen also sent an October 11, 2022 letter to Postmaster General DeJoy, expressing concerns about the agency’s failure to fulfill their Congressionally mandated duty to provide six-day mail delivery. In December, the Postal Service responded by complaining about low unemployment rates in the Kansas City area and encouraging residents to apply to work at the Postal Service, without offering any plan for the agency to fulfill their Congressional mandate to provide reliable six-day mail delivery.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:30:02Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-and-graves-demand-postmaster-general-listen-missourians,Reps. Cleaver and Graves Demand Postmaster General Listen to Missourians on Poor Mail Service,2023-03-21,2023,2023-03,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Sam Graves (R-MO) wrote United States Postmaster General Louis DeJoy requesting the Postmaster General personally host a listening session in Kansas City to hear complaints directly from area residents about the Postal Service’s failure to provide reliable mail delivery six days per week as required by the Postal Service Reform Act and lay out a plan for the agency to address these deficiencies.

“A stable, consistent, and responsive Postal Service is not a Republican or Democratic issue—it’s an essential function of government that hardworking families rely on and have come to expect over the past two centuries,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Unfortunately, under the leadership of Postmaster General DeJoy, we’ve seen this beloved institution quickly devolve into a sad display of constant delays, infrequent deliveries, and endless excuses. I hope that the Postmaster General will accept this opportunity to hear directly from the people of Kansas City, and work with Congressman Graves and myself to ensure the USPS is meeting the needs of Missouri families.”

“The US Postal Service is one of the few functions the federal government should do—and should do well, but they aren’t,” Graves said. “The Postal Service has completely abandoned their legal responsibility to provide reliable 6 day mail delivery to Missourians in the greater Kansas City area. Worse still, they’ve offered empty excuses and failed to deliver any real plan to fix this mess. We’re inviting Postmaster General DeJoy to Kansas City to hear the struggles of our constituents firsthand and lay out a clear plan for the agency to live up to its promise.”

This letter follows an October 11, 2022 letter sent by Reps. Cleaver and Graves to Postmaster General DeJoy, expressing concerns about the agency’s failure to fulfill their Congressionally mandated duty to provide six-day mail delivery. In December, the Postal Service responded by complaining about low unemployment rates in the Kansas City area and encouraging residents to apply to work at the Postal Service, without offering any plan for the agency to fulfill their Congressional mandate to provide reliable six-day mail delivery.

The official letter from Reps. Cleaver and Graves is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:30:02Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-graves-davids-mace-re-introduce-bipartisan-bill-honor,"Reps. Cleaver, Graves, Davids, Mace Re-Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Honor the ‘Hello Girls’ with the Congressional Gold Medal",2023-03-16,2023,2023-03,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, during Women’s History Month, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Sam Graves (R-MO), Sharice Davids (D-KS), and Nancy Mace (R-SC) introduced H.R. 1572, a bipartisan bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress, to more than 220 American women who served as essential telephone operators with the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War I. Known as the “Hello Girls,” the women were the first female soldiers to be officially deployed to a combat zone in American history and were instrumental in the allied war effort throughout WWI. Companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Senators Jon Tester (D-MT), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).

“When our allies and armed forces where in desperate need of modern communication capabilities during World War I, the Hello Girls answered the call to defend freedom abroad. Yet, for nearly six decades, these brave women were denied their rightful recognition as soldiers and earned benefits as veterans. Today, on behalf of a grateful nation, I’m proud to join a bipartisan, bicameral band of lawmakers to introduce legislation that would finally honor these heroic women with a Congressional Gold Medal for their service to the American people during a time of grave uncertainty,” said Congressman Cleaver. “As we celebrate the tremendous contributions of women during Women’s History Month, I can think of few Americans who are more deserving of this honor bestowed by Congress, and I hope by awarding these patriots the Congressional Gold Medal, more Americans will know the story of the Hello Girls.”

“The Hello Girls took a military oath and risked their lives to protect our nation by leading critical efforts on the front lines that helped our allied forces win the war,” said Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Tester. “That’s why I’m proud we’re continuing our bipartisan push to honor these extraordinary women who were denied veteran status for far too long. They blazed a new path for women on the front lines, and the Congressional Gold Medal will honor their service and fight for recognition as veterans.”

“The Signal Corps Female Telephone Operators Unit, more commonly known as the Hello Girls, provided a crucial link to American troops fighting on the front lines of World War I,” said Congressman Graves. “When General John J. Pershing realized communication breakdowns were hampering the war effort, he knew the Army needed experienced telephone operators. These brave young women answered the call and served with honor and distinction. Yet, their service went unrecognized for decades until they were finally recognized as veterans in 1977. Now, I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing legislation to award the Hello Girls with the Congressional Gold Medal.”

“The Hello Girls were essential members of our military operations in World War I, working faster and more accurately than their male counterparts to keep communications open. Unfortunately, they did not receive the recognition or status they earned as some of our nation’s first women veterans for many years. I’m glad to join my colleagues today in putting credit where it’s due for the Hello Girls and their record of outstanding service to our nation,” said Representative Sharice Davids.

“Congress and the President tasked the World War I Centennial Commission to recommend appropriate ways to honor those who served and sacrificed in World War I.” said the Chairman of the Commission, Terry Hamby. “The Commission unanimously recommended the award of a Congressional Gold Medal for the heroic women, known as the “Hello Girls”. They were the first female soldiers in the US Army to work in a combat zone as part of the AEF Signal Corp. They operated the battlefield communication system between the French and US Army Commanders on the Western Front. The Hello Girls took the oath as soldiers, were given uniforms, but because of social prejudices were denied the status of ‘veteran’ after the war. Finally, after almost 50 years, and when most of the Hello Girls had passed away, Congress passed a bill in 1977 recognizing them as veterans.”

“America’s first women soldiers sailed home from the empty and now quiet battlefields of France in a week,” said Dr. Elizabeth Cobbs, Ph.D., author of the Hello Girls: America’s First Women Soldiers. “They fought seventy years for the Victory Medals granted every man at their side. Now is our chance to show appreciation for the first women to wear the nation’s dog-tags.”

Formally known as the Signal Corps Female Telephone Operators, the Hello Girls 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. With telecommunication in battle still relatively new at the time, General Pershing was looking for experienced individuals that could improve communication on the front lines. As the telephone operator field was dominated by women at the time, General Pershing made the decision to form the specialized unit comprised solely of women for the first time in American history. 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.

The Hello Girls Congressional Gold Medal Act is endorsed by the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission, AMVETS, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, National World War I Museum and Memorial, Foundation for the Commemoration of the World Wars, Women in Military Service for America Foundation, Military Women’s Memorial, and the Fort Gordon Historical Museum Society.

Official text of the Hello Girls Congressional Gold Medal Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:30:02Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-kamlager-dove-introduce-bill-protect-communities-superfund,"Reps. Cleaver, Kamlager-Dove Introduce Bill to Protect Communities From Superfund Sites Vulnerable to Climate Change",2023-03-08,2023,2023-03,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) introduced legislation to protect communities from toxic waste at Superfund sites that are vulnerable to natural disasters and the effects of climate change. The Preparing Superfund for Climate Change Act would enhance protections for communities close to Superfund sites by requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to account for climate change in their plans for managing Superfund sites—which are polluted locations that contain hazardous toxic waste and other contaminants harmful to public health.

“Americans would be shocked to learn just how many Superfund sites across the country are vulnerable to natural disasters that are becoming more frequent and more damaging due to the effects of climate change—putting entire communities at risk of exposure to the toxic waste from these sites. We have recently seen in East Palestine what happens when the government doesn’t implement safety standards necessary to protect our communities from hazardous chemicals and contaminants. Superfund sites likewise play a sometimes understated but pivotal role in protecting our communities from exposure to hazardous contaminants as well, and I hope that we will learn from past mistakes to ensure rigorous requirements are being implemented on the front end to avert environmental and public health tragedies,” said Congressman Cleaver.

""The ongoing climate crisis and increasing rate of natural disasters threaten the stability of Superfund sites, posing a serious health risk to communities and their surrounding environments,” Rep. Kamlager-Dove said. “The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has already recognized the vulnerability of these sites that will only be exacerbated by the flood and fires we see more and more of day by day. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must consider the implications of climate change as they plan clean-up efforts at these sites, or we could face catastrophic consequences.”

In 2019, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report concluding Superfund sites throughout the United States are severely underprepared to weather the exacerbating threat of climate change, risking calamity for surrounding communities that would be impacted by a potential breach. In the report, the GAO found that hundreds of Superfund sites across the nation face risks from flooding, storm surge, rise in sea level, and wildfires. For instance, in 2017, Hurricane Harvey caused flooding at 13 Superfund sites as well as breaches at two others. In 2018, a California wildfire burned through the Iron Mountain Mine site, causing pipes to catch fire with the potential to lead to an explosion that would have released dangerous chemicals into the neighboring communities.

There are currently 39 Superfund sites in Missouri and 3 in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Twenty of these sites were deemed currently ""vulnerable"" to climate change by the GAO.

The Preparing Superfund For Climate Change Act would take steps to install precautions at Superfund sites and protect communities by:

Requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to incorporate the potential threat to human health and the environment associated with local natural disasters and hazards due to climate change into any plans to clean-up a Superfund site; and

Requiring that local natural disasters and extreme weather hazards, including any projected exacerbation or change in those disasters and hazards due to climate change, be taken into account in the periodic review of whether a clean-up plan is adequately protective.

The Preparing Superfund for Climate Change Act is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Nanette Díaz Barragán (D-CA), Shontel Brown (D-OH), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Jill Tokuda (D-HI).

Official text of the Preparing Superfund for Climate Change Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:30:02Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-recognizes-national-civic-learning-week-legislation,Rep. Cleaver Recognizes National Civic Learning Week with Legislation to Strengthen Civics Education in Schools,2023-03-07,2023,2023-03,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, in recognition of the first-ever National Civic Learning Week, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) introduced legislation to substantially bolster civics education in schools across the country. Cleaver’s Civics Learning Act of 2023 would reaffirm Congress’ commitment to strengthening American democracy by ensuring schools have the resources needed to provide a proper, robust education in civics and our constitutional system of government to students in every community.

“It may be cliché, but it can’t be overstated: a well-informed citizenry is essential to a thriving democracy. It is absolutely vital that we as a nation do better to ensure our young people are receiving a robust education in their rights, responsibilities, and requisites as citizens of the greatest democracy known to history, and my Civics Learning Act is an important step in that effort,” said Congressman Cleaver. “As we celebrate the first-ever National Civic Learning Week, I hope that my colleagues in Congress will join with me to strengthen the democracy we love so dearly by passing this legislation and increasing funding for civics education in schools across the country.”

According to a recent study by Annenberg Public Policy Center, less than half of Americans can name all three branches of government in the United States, while 25 percent were unable to name any branches at all. Moreover, less than one quarter of eighth graders performed at or above a proficient level on the National Assessment of Education Progress Civics Exam, demonstrating a need to bolster civics education in schools. While there are numerous reasons that contribute to America’s decline in civic understanding, a 2018 report from the Brown Center on Education Policy found that social studies teachers are some of the least supported teachers in schools.

Rep. Cleaver’s Civics Learning Act of 2023 would help to bolster civics education in Missouri and across the country by:

Supporting investments in innovative and evidence-based civics learning and teaching programs by amending the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to increase funding by $70 million for civics education.

Funding elementary, middle, and high school programs to ensure a lasting foundation of civic knowledge accumulated through years of education.

Prioritizing funding for high-need schools, underserved populations, and low-access areas such as rural and inner-city communities, where civics education scores are lower than average.

The Civics Learning Act of 2023 is endorsed by the National Council for History Education, The Civics Center, The Andrew Goodman Foundation, and Street Law, Inc.

The Civics Learning Act of 2023 is cosponsored by Representatives Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Shontel Brown (D-OH), Cori Bush (D-MO), André Carson (D-IN), Sean Casten (D-IL), Kathy Castor (D-FL), David Cicilline (D-RI), Suzan Delbene (D-WA), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Dan Kildee (D-MI), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Annie Kuster (D-NH), John Larson (D-CT), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Grace Meng (D-NY), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Dina Titus (D-NV), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Nikema Williams (D-GA), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL).

Official text of the Civics Learning Act of 2023 is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:30:02Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-joins-rep-cohen-introduce-bipartisan-legislation,Congressman Cleaver Joins Rep. Cohen to Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Fund Federal Cerebral Palsy Research,2023-03-02,2023,2023-03,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Yesterday, on the first day of Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) joined Reps. Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) to re-introduce the Cerebral Palsy Research Program Authorization Act. The bipartisan legislation would create a cerebral palsy (CP) research program headed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and install the first-ever dedicated source of federal funding for CP research. CP is currently the most common life-long physical disability in America, impacting approximately one out of 345 children and an estimated one million people in the United States. Yet, despiteefforts from Reps. Cleaver and Cohen, there has never been a federal research program focused on the disability.

“As we kick off Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, I’m proud to stand with my friend, Rep. Steve Cohen, to introduce bipartisan legislation that would finally provide federal funding to research the most common life-long physical disability impacting Americans today—cerebral palsy,” said Congressman Cleaver. “By installing a federal research program dedicated to this disorder, not only can we make progress in advancing treatments and diagnostic practices, but we can also provide hope to the millions of patients, families, and friends who are faced with this condition. It’s time to raise the standard of care for Americans with cerebral palsy, and the Cerebral Palsy Research Program Act is an essential step toward that goal.”

“Although cerebral palsy affects one out of every 345 children, it is the most prevalent disability that has no designated federal funding for research,” said Congressman Cohen. “No dedicated federal funding for cerebral palsy means there are fewer treatment options, less prevention, less education, and a lack of standards of care across lifespans. There is not currently a reliable system to count how many people in the United States have cerebral palsy, so the estimates on cerebral palsy prevalence are just that – estimates. The Cerebral Palsy Research Program Act addresses these critical oversights.”

The Cerebral Palsy Research Program Authorization Act would direct the CDC to establish a research program to support research on the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation, health care costs, and societal costs of CP and track the number of people diagnosed with CP in the United States.

Last year, Reps. Cleaver and Cohen delivered a letter to the House Appropriations Committee calling on the committee to include funding for CP research in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget. As the Fiscal Year 2024 budget negotiations get underway, Congressman Cleaver will continue to call for CP research funding and support.

Official text of the Cerebral Palsy Research Program Authorization Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:30:02Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-co-introduces-pro-act-support-missouri-workers,Rep. Cleaver Co-Introduces PRO Act to Support Missouri Workers,2023-03-01,2023,2023-03,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) joined a bipartisan cohort of Representatives and Senators to introduce H.R. 20, the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. The comprehensive bipartisan proposal would strengthen protections that safeguard American workers’ right to come together and bargain for fairer wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces. Congressman Cleaver has been a cosponsor and strong supporter of the PRO Act since it was first introduced in 2019 during the 116th Congress. The proposal was passed by the House of Representatives with bipartisan support in the 116th and 117th Congress when Democrats controlled the chamber.

“American workers are the heartbeat of our national economy, keeping goods moving and businesses running strong. Yet rather than letting hardworking Americans join in the rewards of record-breaking profits, giant corporations continue to utilize their growing power and influence to undermine workers’ rights in Missouri and all across the United States. It is imperative that Congress take steps to protect workers and close the growing gap in income inequality, and that’s why I’m proud to join a bicameral, bipartisan group of lawmakers to introduce the PRO Act,” said Congressman Cleaver.

While large corporations and the wealthy continue to capture the rewards of a growing economy, working families and middle-class Americans are being left behind. According to the Economic Policy Institute, from 1979 to 2020, annual wages for the bottom 90 percent of households increased just 26 percent, while average incomes for the wealthiest 1 percent increased more than 160 percent.

Labor unions are a critical component to addressing income inequality, growing a strong middle class, and ensuring workers are being rewarded for their production. According to another study from the Economic Policy Institute, union members earn on average 10 percent more than those with similar education, occupation, and experience in a non-union workplace. Moreover, public support for labor unions has increased drastically in recent years, with 71 percent of Americans approving of labor unions, according to a 2022 Gallup poll. However, due to ""right to work"" laws and decades of anti-union attacks, union membership fell to a new low of 10.1 percent last year.

To safeguard workers’ right to collectively bargain for fairer wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces, the PRO Act protects the fundamental right to join a union by:

Empowering workers to exercise their right to organize by giving workers the power to override ""right to work"" laws that prevent unions from collecting dues, enhancing workers' right to support boycotts, strikes, or other acts of solidarity, and ensuring access to justice for workers who suffer retaliation for exercising their rights.

Holding employers accountable for violating workers' rights by authorizing substantial penalties for businesses and executives that choose to violate workers' rights, closing loopholes that corporations use to erode workers' rights, and requiring employers to be transparent with their workers.

Securing free, fair, and safe union elections by preventing employers from interfering in union elections, allowing workers to hold union elections in a safe environment, and facilitating timely first contracts between companies and newly certified unions.

Official text of the PRO Act is available here.

A Fact Sheet on the PRO Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:30:02Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-announces-16-million-grant-strengthen-kansas-citys,"Rep. Cleaver Announces $1.6 Million Grant to Strengthen Kansas City’s Preparedness, Combat Threats of Terrorism",2023-02-28,2023,2023-02,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced that the City of Kansas City has been awarded $1,645,333 in federal grant funding from the Department of Homeland Security’s Urban Area Security Initiative program. The grant funding will be utilized to address the unique planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercise needs of Kansas City, and to assist the city in building an enhanced and sustainable capacity to prevent, protect against, prepare for, and respond to acts of terrorism.

“As the Representative of Missouri’s Fifth District, my highest priority is the safety and security of the residents within my congressional district, and I’m thrilled to announce that $1.6 million is coming to Kansas City to strengthen preparedness and increase protections for our communities against any potential threat of terrorism,” said Congressman Cleaver. “After years of pushing to have Kansas City included in the Urban Area Security Initiative program, I’m pleased Kansas City will once again receive these additional resources to train, equip, and prepare local law enforcement to keep Kansas Citians safe.”

Additionally, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) and the KC Streetcar were made eligible to apply for Transit Security Grant Program funding, which provides $93 million to the nation’s public transportation agencies serving regions designated for the Urban Area Security Initiative program for enhancement of security measures at essential transit infrastructure. Funding recipients selected for the Transit Security Grant Program will be announced later this year.

The state of Missouri will also receive an additional $4,847,500 from the State Homeland Security Program to support the implementation of statewide security strategies, as well as $2,550,000 from the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to strengthen target hardening and other physical security enhancements to nonprofit organizations that are at a higher risk of a terrorist or other extremist attack.

“As Kansas City continues to grow and develop into the economic heart of the heartland, it’s important that we ensure our constituents, communities, and critical infrastructure have protections in place to thwart any threat,” said Congressman Cleaver. “With $1.6 million in security funding for Kansas City, as well as more than $7 million for Missouri as a whole, we are taking another important step toward bolstering public safety throughout the region, and I’m thankful to the Biden administration for making it possible.”

Additional information on the Department of Homeland Security’s preparedness grant programs and the funding for Kansas City and Missouri is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:18:08Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-presents-check-thank-you-walt-disney-inc-highlights-local,"Rep. Cleaver Presents Check to Thank You Walt Disney, Inc., Highlights Local Impact of $2 Million in Community Project Funding for the KC IMAGINE Project",2023-02-24,2023,2023-02,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Kansas City, MO) – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) hosted a press conference and check presentation to highlight the $2 million in Community Project Funding he secured for Thank You Walt Disney, Inc. and the KC IMAGINE Project. The funding will be used to restore the historic Laugh-O-Gram Studio for members of the public, strengthen professional development programs, and provide enrichment for the surrounding neighborhood.

The facility will become a center for digital media training, job creation, and entrepreneurship serving low-income Missourians in the immediate community and the Kansas City metro. Thank You Walt Disney, Inc.’s KC IMAGINE Project is one of fifteen community projects Congressman Cleaver championed and was able to secure nearly $40 million in federal funding for that will directly benefit residents of the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri.

“I am as happy as a Mahomes at Disney the day after a Chiefs Super Bowl win to have secured this federal funding for the rehabilitation of the historic Laugh-O-Gram Studio,” said Congressman Cleaver. “The efforts of Thank You Walt Disney, Inc. to preserve and restore this landmark to its glory for future generations of innovators and entrepreneurs makes a clear statement that Kansas City isn’t some Mickey Mouse town, but a city of great historical significance, at the forefront of innovation and community.”

“The cornerstone of the Laugh-O-Gram Studio project supports all the rest of a building,” said Butch Rigby, Thank You Walt Disney, Inc. founder. “This federal funding is the cornerstone to additional streams of funding and the restoration of the studio building.”

“This building, designed by Kansas City architect Nelle Peters, is of tremendous importance to the history of the Walk Disney Company and the entire Hollywood animation industry,” said Disney Historian and President of Thank You Walt Disney, Inc. “With Congressman Cleaver’s help, it will become a major asset to not only the Troost community, but the Kansas City community at large.”

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:18:08Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-davids-collect-philly-cheesesteaks-white-house-press,"Reps. Cleaver, Davids Collect Philly Cheesesteaks from White House Press Secretary Following Chiefs Super Bowl Victory",2023-02-24,2023,2023-02,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Sharice Davids (D-KS) traveled to the White House to collect their winnings following a successful Super Bowl wager with White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. Last week, Cleaver and Davids bet some Kansas City barbecue that the Chiefs would win Super Bowl LVII after Jean-Pierre claimed that the Eagles were destined to be champions. The White House Press Secretary held up her end of the bargain by providing the lawmakers Philly cheesesteaks following the Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory on Sunday.

“I’m grateful to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre for being a good sport and providing this quintessential Philadelphia cuisine after the Chiefs won their second Super Bowl in four years,” said Congressman Cleaver. “While nothing tastes better than Kansas City barbecue or the sweet taste of victory, I have to admit that the cheesesteaks were delectable. I hope that the Press Secretary will learn from this experience and understand that you just don’t bet against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. If not, I look forward to seeing her at the same time and place next year!”

“I was always confident Kansas City was going to come out on top at this year’s Super Bowl, and it was great celebrating that win with a Philly cheesesteak from White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre,” said Rep. Davids. “I appreciate her sportsmanship and the comradery our communities have built the past few weeks. Now, I’m curious what hometown food Rep. Cleaver and I will be eating next year when our team wins Super Bowl 58.”

Photos from the event are available here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:18:08Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-announces-resolution-honoring-chiefs-super-bowl,"Congressman Cleaver Announces Resolution Honoring Chiefs Super Bowl Victory with Reps. Davids, Graves, Alford",2023-02-16,2023,2023-02,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Sam Graves (R-MO), Sharice Davids (D-KS), and Mark Alford (R-MO) announced a bipartisan resolution honoring the Kansas City Chiefs’ victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. The resolution congratulates the entire Chiefs organization on their comeback win led by Head Coach Andy Reid, Super Bowl MVP and League MVP Patrick Mahomes, and the rest of the Kansas City football team. The lawmakers plan to introduce the resolution in the House of Representatives tomorrow during a pro forma session.

“The 2022-2023 Kansas City Chiefs were so great that their story can’t be contained to the NFL record books alone. It must also be told in the People’s books in the House of Representatives, and our resolution is going to ensure that generations to come will know about this historic team,” said Congressman Cleaver. “From the ownership to the players and personnel, the Kansas City Chiefs are a world-class organization and an envy to other sports cities. With a Hall of Fame coach, quarterback, tight end, defensive tackle, and on down the line, this could be considered one of the greatest football teams ever assembled—and I can’t wait to watch them run it back next year!”

“Congratulations to the Chiefs on a hard-fought and well-deserved victory, effectively putting all the naysayers in their place. Let’s go Chiefs!” said Congressman Graves.

“The pride that our community has in this team and this season is worth recognizing—and there’s no question that the two Super Bowl wins in four years deserves to be celebrated,” saidRep. Sharice Davids. “I can’t wait to run it back next year and continue to make history. Let’s go Kansas City!”

“I’m proud to recognize the hard work of our Kansas City Chiefs for a resounding victory in Super Bowl 57,” said Rep. Alford. “Chiefs Nation are world champions once again, congratulations!”

Additional cosponsors of the resolution include Representatives Jason Smith (R-MO), Ron Estes (R-KS), and Tracey Mann (R-KS).

Official text of the resolution is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:18:08Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-makes-friendly-super-bowl-wager-rep-evans,Congressman Cleaver Makes Friendly Super Bowl Wager with Rep. Evans,2023-02-09,2023,2023-02,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) made a friendly wager with Philadelphia Representative Dwight Evans (D-PA) on the outcome of Super Bowl LVII. When the Kansas City Chiefs win, Rep. Evans will provide some famous Philly cheesesteaks. If a miracle were to occur and the Eagles come away victorious, Rep. Cleaver will provide some of Kansas City’s finest barbecue from Gates BBQ.

“I’m always happy to share some of Kansas City’s world-class barbecue with friends, but Congressman Evans is going to have to wait until 2024 at the earliest to get some of that magical cuisine, because there is just no way the Chiefs are going to lose this weekend,” said Congressman Cleaver. “While I admit it will be a difficult matchup, Kansas City has the better coach, the better quarterback, and the better Kelce—and because of that, we’re going to bring the Lombardi Trophy back home to Chiefs Kingdom where it belongs. When that happens, I look forward to another parade with the people of Kansas City and some delicious Philly cheesesteaks from one of Philadelphia’s finest Representatives!”

“I’m happy to collaborate with my friend from Kansas City on fighting Republicans’ proposed 30 percent national sales tax on your cheesesteaks or barbecue, and to co-sponsor his Good Deed Act to help fight the problem of deed fraud in both of our districts,” said Rep. Evans. “But I think he’s going to be delivering some Kansas City barbecue to my office after the Eagles win again!”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:18:08Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-co-introduces-assault-weapons-ban-bill-house,Rep. Cleaver Co-Introduces Assault Weapons Ban Bill in the House of Representatives,2023-02-09,2023,2023-02,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – With the conclusion of National Gun Violence Survivors Week, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) today announced he has joined House Democrats in co-introducing H.R. 698, the Assault Weapons Ban Act, to protect communities throughout Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District from mass shootings and cut down on gun violence across the nation. The bill, sponsored by Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) and co-sponsored by 199 Democratic members of the House of Representatives, would ban the sale, import, manufacture, or transfer of certain semi-automatic weapons.

“Mass shootings have devastated far too many communities for far too long—and it’s time that Congress listened to the will of the American people and removed weapons of war from our streets. In the first month of 2023 alone, the U.S. saw more than 50 mass shootings, with over 60 killed and hundreds wounded. And the weapon of choice in the vast majority of these shootings is an assault weapon,” said Congressman Cleaver. “As Gun Violence Survivors Week comes to a close, we must not only recognize those tragically impacted by gun violence, but we must pledge to honor these survivors and the lives lost by passing legislation to ban assault rifles and make our communities safer. Legislation like this was passed before with remarkable results. We can and must find the courage to do it again.”

Congressman Cleaver has been a strong supporter of commonsense gun safety reform during his time in Congress. With the 118th Congress barely one month underway, Rep. Cleaver has already co-sponsored the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act, Keep Americans Safe Act, Ethan’s Law, and other gun safety legislation. During the 117th Congress, Rep. Cleaver joined Democrats in the House of Representatives to help pass the Assault Weapons Ban Act to protect Missouri communities from mass shootings that have devastated communities like Sandy Hook, Uvalde, Las Vegas, El Paso, Parkland, Orlando, and countless others. Unfortunately, the bill was blocked from passage in the U.S. Senate by Senate Republicans.

“For years now, we’ve seen state legislatures controlled by the MAGA GOP undermine gun safety reforms with tragic results. Nowhere else in the western world is there a gun violence epidemic like the one we have in America—because nowhere else makes it as easy to access weapons of war,” said Congressman Cleaver. “We cannot sit idly by as our communities continue to be devastated by gun violence.”

Official text of the Assault Weapons Ban Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:18:08Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-co-introduces-legislation-support-missouri-teachers,"Rep. Cleaver Co-Introduces Legislation to Support Missouri Teachers, Increase Minimum Salary to $60,000",2023-02-08,2023,2023-02,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) joined Representatives Frederica Wilson (D-FL), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), and other lawmakers to introduce the American Teacher Act in support of America’s educators. The legislation would provide federal grants to incentivize states to establish a statewide K-12 teacher salary requirement of at least $60,000.

“For far too long, Missouri teachers have been overworked, underpaid, and underappreciated for the essential service they provide to every student and community in our state,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Our educators play an unparalleled role in shaping our children’s lives, and they are the key to unlocking the massive potential of America’s next generation of leaders. I’m proud to join my colleagues in the House of Representatives to introduce the American Teacher Act so that we can give Missouri teachers the pay raise they have earned and maintain a pipeline of quality, capable teachers. Supporting our children’s education—and the teachers who make that possible—should be a bipartisan effort, and I look forward to working with my Republican colleagues to get this legislation passed by Congress.”

Missouri’s $51,557 average teacher salary currently ranks 47th in the country, with the average starting salary for Missouri teachers coming in at just above $33,000, which ranks 50th in the nation. A recent survey found that over half of Missouri teachers said they consider leaving the profession often or very often, with low salaries being a common complaint. Because of ongoing teacher shortages in communities throughout Missouri, due in part to low salaries, 25% of the state’s school districts now have a four-day week.

The American Teacher Act would address teacher shortages and increase teacher salaries by authorizing federal funding to support:

Federal grants for the purpose of enacting and enforcing state legislation that establishes a statewide teacher salary requirement of $60,000, with 15% allocated to states and 85% to local educational agencies;

A cost-of-living adjustment to ensure that minimum teacher salary keeps pace with inflation;

A maintenance-of-effort provision to ensure states and districts do not replace currently committed allocations with federal funding;

A part-time teacher provision that adjusts required minimum salary proportional to workload;

A funding device that supports states and districts in closing the gap between current starting salaries and the $60,000 minimum over the course of 4 years;

Investments in a national campaign to expand awareness of the value of teaching and recruit secondary and college students to a career in teaching.

“We as a nation have failed our educators for far too long—but we can change course with the American Teacher Act. I’m proud to co-introduce this impactful and critically important legislation to not only support Missouri teachers, but to ensure the children of our state can receive the highest quality education possible,” said Congressman Cleaver. “My Democratic colleagues and I will always advocate the needs of our students and teachers, and I’m hopeful that we can find some bipartisan agreement that will increase teacher pay and strengthen our pipeline of educators for years to come.”

Official text of the American Teacher Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:18:08Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-sponsors-legislation-preserve-black-history-amid-attacks,Rep. Cleaver Sponsors Legislation to Preserve Black History Amid Attacks from MAGA Republicans,2023-02-02,2023,2023-02,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) stood with Representatives Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Kwesi Mfume (D-MD), Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Steven Horsford (D-NV), and other lawmakers in front of the U.S. Capitol to unveil legislation that would protect and preserve Black history in America’s classrooms. The effort from the CBC comes after new attacks in states across the country to banbooks and removeBlack history from school curriculums.

“As MAGA Republicans in state capitols across the country work to ban books and enact legislation that erases the struggles, achievements, and contributions of Black Americans in textbooks and classrooms, it is incumbent on Congress to ensure the full history of our great nation is being taught to the next generation of leaders,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Black history is American history, and it must be preserved and presented in its entirety so that future generations can learn from the past and chart a brighter future. As we celebrate the beauty of our rich history during Black History Month, I’m proud to join my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus as a cosponsor of the African American History Act, the National Council on African American History and Culture Act, and the Black History is American History Act to preserve Black history in America’s classrooms.”

The African American History Act was introduced by Rep. Bowman and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and would invest $10 million over five years in the National Museum of African American History and Culture to support African American history education programs that are voluntarily available for students, parents, and educators.

The Black History is American History Act was introduced by Rep. Beatty and would mandate the inclusion of Black history as a required component of the American History and Civics Academies’ competitive grants administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Additionally, the bill would promote the use of resources offered by the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The National Council on African American History and Culture Act was introduced by Rep Mfume and Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and would create a 12-person National Council on African American History and Culture to educate, preserve, and celebrate Black history and culture. The Council would do this by advising the National Endowment for the Humanities on how they can best amplify the work of Black creators, strengthen teaching and learning in schools to ensure Black history and culture is recognized, and provide critical resources dedicated to preserving Black history.

“It is impossible to tell the full, true history of the United States of America without discussing the painful and powerful history of Black Americans. The banning of books and suppression of knowledge is un-American and disturbingly dangerous. Our story deserves to be told in the classroom, and I will do everything in my power to ensure it is,” said Congressman Cleaver.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:18:08Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-appointed-financial-services-committee-elected-ranking,"Rep. Cleaver Appointed to Financial Services Committee, Elected as Ranking Member of Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance",2023-02-01,2023,2023-02,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced he has been appointed to serve on the House Committee on Financial Services for a tenth term and was elected by committee Democrats to serve as the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance. Additionally, Congressman Cleaver will serve on the Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets. All committee assignments are subject to final approval by the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.

“Having spent the first seven years of my life in a two-room shack with no indoor plumbing or electricity, and then another three years in public housing, it’s difficult to express how important the issue of housing is to me personally, and I am grateful that my committee colleagues have entrusted me with the immense responsibility of once again leading the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance for the Democratic Caucus and delivering for our communities,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Our first priority must be to lower housing costs for hardworking families, so that every American has a safe, stable and affordable place to rest their head at night. As the House Committee on Financial Services gets to work, I am committed to working with my Republican colleagues to meet the needs of my constituents in the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri and Americans across the country.”

Last Congress, As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance, Rep. Cleaver helped usher several legislative proposals through his subcommittee, including historic housing provisions from the Build Back Better Act—which were passed by the House of Representatives. Additionally, Chairman Cleaver’s Stabilizing Rural Homeowners During COVID Act was included in the American Rescue Plan Act and signed into law by President Biden, providing millions in relief to rural homeowners participating in the USDA’s Direct Home Loan and Housing Repair Loan programs.

Chairman Cleaver also partnered with the Biden administration on key executive actions, including the administration’s work to reduce mortgage fees for first-time homebuyers and those with low or moderate incomes, helping to bring down interest rates and expanding opportunities for affordable homeownership. The Biden administration also used Chairman Cleaver’s Real Estate Valuation Fairness and Improvement Act as a foundation for their Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity (PAVE) Interagency Task Force, a historic initiative to combat disparities in home appraisals.

Rep. Cleaver also has a history of working with Republicans on bipartisan legislation in the Housing Subcommittee. As Ranking Member in 2016, Cleaver co-wrote and helped pass the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act, one of the most significant bipartisan housing bills in recent history.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:18:08Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-announces-278-million-federal-transit-funding-headed-kansas,Rep. Cleaver Announces $27.8 Million in Federal Transit Funding Headed to Kansas City Thanks to Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,2023-01-30,2023,2023-01,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced that Kansas City will receive $27,810,226 in federal transit funding in Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) to expand access to public transportation, repair and replace buses and other transportation vehicles, support workforce development initiatives, and more. The federal funding comes as a portion of Missouri’s $142,692,830 in FY23 federal transit funding. The federal funding comes largely from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, otherwise known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Congressman Cleaver was proud to support.

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver for hardworking Missourians, with another $142 million in transit funding heading back to the Show Me State, including nearly $28 million for Kansas City. Because of this funding, our communities have an opportunity to expand transportation options, improve public transit operations, strengthen workforce development initiatives, and continue our transition toward more sustainable transit,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Thanks to funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’re going to see more electric buses and less congestion on Kansas City streets—all while creating good-paying jobs for Missouri workers and increasing opportunities for families. As this funding makes its way to the City, I look forward to working with the Mayor, City Council, and KCATA on this once in a lifetime opportunity to modernize Kansas City’s transportation system in an efficient, sustainable way.”

In addition to the federal funding slated for Missouri and Kansas City, the Federal Transit Administration has made nearly $1.7 billion available in grant funding to support state and local efforts to modernize aging transit fleets with low- and no-emission buses, renovate and construct bus facilities, and support workforce development. Congressman Cleaver has been a tirelessadvocate for modernizing Kansas City’s bus fleet with new electric vehicles.

More information on federal transit funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law headed to Missouri and Kansas City is available here and here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:08:17Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleavers-statement-appalling-murder-tyre-nichols,Congressman Cleaver’s Statement on the Appalling Murder of Tyre Nichols,2023-01-28,2023,2023-01,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement after video was released of the murder of Tyre Nichols by five Memphis police officers.

“My heart is broken for the family and friends of Tyre Nichols following his murder by five Memphis police officers. First and foremost, I wish to extend my prayers and sympathies to all who knew Mr. Nichols, who was a loved and vital component of his community, and whose life was stolen by one of the most egregious cases of police brutality I have seen in my life. I pray that his memory will be a blessing and a comfort through this extraordinarily difficult time.

“Any death inflicted by law enforcement is a tragedy, but the murder of Mr. Nichols is especially appalling, incredibly infuriating, and something that no family should ever have to endure. It is a horrific reminder of the deadly consequences that arise when some in law enforcement feel they are immune to accountability and above the law.

“I support the arrest and charging of each of these officers, whose egregious conduct and criminal behavior undoubtedly caused the death of this young man. However, a full and extensive investigation must continue to understand why these individuals felt free to conduct themselves in such a despicable manner and so we can take steps to root out such behavior from law enforcement in Memphis and other communities across the country.

“At the same time, Congress must come together and make reforms to our justice system that ensure accountability, dignity, and equality under the law—and that should start with the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:08:17Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-davids-make-friendly-wager-afc-championship-game-rep,"Reps. Cleaver, Davids Make Friendly Wager on AFC Championship Game with Rep. Landsman",2023-01-26,2023,2023-01,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Yesterday, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05) and Sharice Davids (KS-03) made a friendly wager with Cincinnati area Representative Greg Landsman (OH-01) on the outcome of the AFC Championship Game this weekend. When the Kansas City Chiefs win, Rep. Landsman will provide Cincinnati’s beloved Skyline chili. Should the Cincinnati Bengals get lucky and somehow find a way to victory, Reps. Cleaver and Davids will provide some of Kansas City’s finest barbecue.

“As a cosponsor of the Big Cat Public Safety Act that passed into law last Congress, I believe fervently in protecting all kinds of majestic Big Cats—but this weekend I’m making an exception for the Bengals,” said Rep. Cleaver. “Even with a sprained ankle, I’m so confident Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs will win against Joe Burrow and the Bengals that I’m willing to bet some of Kansas City’s world-class barbecue on the matchup. When the Chiefs inevitably march on to the Super Bowl, I look forward to enjoying the victory with some of Cincinnati’s famous Skyline chili.”

“Kansas City has the best team, the best fans, and the best BBQ—something Rep. Landsman is about to learn,” said Rep. Davids. “I appreciate his confidence but it takes more than confidence to win a Super Bowl. We would know!”

“I’m feeling very good about Joey B and our Cincinnati Bengals as they take on the Chiefs for what we hope is a fourth straight win,” said Rep. Landsman. “I’m feeling so good, in fact, that I’m looking forward to my Kansas City colleagues – Representatives Emanuel Cleaver and Sharice Davids – donning the orange and black around the halls of the U.S. Capitol while I enjoy some of Kansas City’s finest barbecue next week. Who Dey!”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:08:17Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-announces-additional-16-million-emergency-rental-assistance,Rep. Cleaver Announces Additional $1.6 Million in Emergency Rental Assistance Headed to Kansas City,2023-01-25,2023,2023-01,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced that the U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury) will allocate an additional $1,644,394 in Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds to the City of Kansas City, MO to assist renters facing financial hardship and prevent evictions. The funding—provided by the American Rescue Plan Act, which Cleaver supported—was originally allocated to the State of Missouri but was reallocated by Treasury after it went unused. Treasury prioritizes the reallocation of state funds to local grantees within a state that have a demonstrated need and have shown success in getting rental assistance into the hands of families facing urgent crisis.

“President Biden’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program continues to provide much needed relief to renters in Kansas City, helping families maintain financial stability and stay in their homes,” said Congressman Cleaver. “While we’ve seen remarkable progress in our economic recovery from the global pandemic, it’s clear that there is still a need to provide assistance to the most financially vulnerable Americans, particularly in underserved communities. As this funding finally makes its way to my constituents in the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri, I want to recognize the City for their tireless effort to get this funding into the hands of Missourians who need it most. I look forward to our continued collaboration in expanding access to affordable housing and keeping Kansas Citians housed.”

According to Treasury, the Department continues to reallocate Emergency Rental Assistance funds that may have otherwise gone unused, deploying funds to areas with high demonstrated need and creating incentives for communities to expeditiously connect households with the federal aid. Studies have shown that the distribution of Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds has gone to low-income and/or traditionally underserved renters of color.

More information on Treasury’s reallocation of Emergency Rental Assistance Program funding is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:08:17Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-applauds-president-biden-proposed-fair-housing-rule,Rep. Cleaver Applauds President Biden for Proposed Fair Housing Rule Combatting Systemic Racism and Inequity in Housing,2023-01-20,2023,2023-01,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) applauded the Biden Administration’s announcement that it has taken critical steps to strengthen the 1968 Fair Housing Act. In addition to prohibiting discrimination, the Fair Housing Act requires HUD and other federal agencies that administer programs related to housing and urban development to administer their programs in a way that affirmatively furthers fair housing. The Biden Administration released a proposed “Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing” rule seeking to further improve a 2015 affirmatively furthering fair housing rule issued by the Obama Administration that was suspended and replaced by the Trump Administration in 2018. Once finalized, states, counties, and other municipalities that receive federal funding would be required to take affirmative steps to address historical patterns of residential segregation, provide equitable access to affordable housing, and foster more inclusive communities – or risk losing federal funds.

“Following the former President’s efforts to gut regulations that protect against segregation and discrimination in housing, I’m thrilled to see President Biden take this essential step to strengthen the Fair Housing Act and ensure equity and economic opportunity in every neighborhood across America,” said Congressman Cleaver. “By taking this bold action to root out long-held, systemic inequity in America’s housing sector, President Biden and HUD Secretary Fudge are making clear that they will stand up and fight for all families throughout the nation. While this is but one step toward true justice in housing, it is an important step forward that will enable additional action in the months and years ahead.”

According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), under the proposed rule, program participants would submit an Equity Plan to HUD for review every five years. The plan, which is required to be developed after substantial community engagement, would contain the municipality’s analysis of fair housing challenges facing their communities, goals to be worked toward, and strategies to meet those goals and address issues the community has raised. Additionally, program participants would be required to conduct and submit annual progress evaluations that identify progress toward or any modifications necessary to meet each goal in the Equity Plan. The proposed rule also includes provisions that allow the public to file complaints with HUD if program participants fail to adhere to their stated commitments as well as other provisions that ensure HUD can hold program participants accountable if they fail to comply with this rule.

A fact sheet from HUD about the proposed Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:08:17Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-davids-call-biden-administration-improve-accuracy,"Reps. Cleaver, Davids Call on Biden Administration to Improve Accuracy of Broadband Maps, Ensure Every Community Receives Fair Share of Infrastructure Funding",2023-01-18,2023,2023-01,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Kansas City, MO) – U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05) and Sharice Davids (KS-03) are calling on the Biden Administration to ensure the accuracy of the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) national broadband maps—which help determine the total amount of broadband funding communities receive from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, otherwise known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and other federal programs. In a letter, Cleaver and Davids urged the FCC and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to correct significant flaws in draft maps and improve communication, technical assistance, and administrative processes to ensure the Kansas City metropolitan area receives its fair share of the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding.

The Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technology Availability (DATA) Act required the FCC to collect granular service availability data from wired, fixed wireless, and satellite broadband providers to create service maps that will be used when making new broadband funding awards. The FCC was mandated to create a process for consumers, state, local, and tribal governments, and other groups to challenge FCC maps with their own data. The FCCs draft maps were released in November 2022 and drew national concern about the accuracy of information submitted by broadband providers and the short timeline given to communities to challenge submitted data. By law, the NTIA is required to use the FCC’s new maps to distribute BEAD funding based on the number of unserved locations in each state. This month, the Mid America Regional Council wrote (LINK) the Administration detailing concerns that FCC data from the region included street and housing files with numerous errors and concerns that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) may have overstated the presence of their broadband infrastructure and its availability to census blocks.

In a letter to the FCC and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) last week, Reps. Cleaver and Davids wrote:

“In the Kansas City metropolitan area, broadband is instrumental in supporting economic development, enabling distance learning, allowing clinical services though telehealth, supporting the operations of our first responders, providing underserved constituents and communities with greater opportunity, among so many other important uses….We are confident that we share the goals of the Administration in striving to gather the best possible data, distribute federal funding as equitably as possible, and to see all American communities have access to high quality broadband service.”

The lawmakers continued:

“However, in the process of Congress and the Administration making a nation-changing investment in broadband, sacrificing accuracy for speed would undermine the important goals of our historic effort. If the Administration finds it impossible to delay the timeline as it currently stands, we urge the FCC and NTIA to utilize all available means of communication, technical assistance, and administrative authority to ensure every community receives their fair share of BEAD funding in this complex process. This includes sharing additional documentation submitted by broadband providers to assess the extent to which a provider may be inflating services.”

Rep. Cleaver has been an ardent advocate for closing the digital divide and expanding broadband access throughout the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri. In 2019, Rep. Cleaver hosted FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks for a local discussion on closing the rural-urban digital divide. Rep. Cleaver helped secure $7.5 million in federal funding to expand broadband in Saline County in 2020. In 2021, in addition to supporting the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—which established the $42.5 billion BEAD program and has already provided $100 million to expand broadband access in Missouri—Reps. Cleaver and Jamal Bowman (D-NY) introduced the Broadband Justice Act to expand affordable broadband access to millions of families living in subsidized housing.

The official letter from Reps. Cleaver and Davids is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:08:17Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-joins-bipartisan-cohort-re-introduce-trust-congress-act-ban,"Rep. Cleaver Joins Bipartisan Cohort to Re-introduce TRUST in Congress Act, Ban Members of Congress from Trading Individual Stocks",2023-01-12,2023,2023-01,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) joined Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Chip Roy (R-TX), and 34 additional lawmakers in re-introducing the Transparent Representation Upholding Service and Trust (TRUST) in Congress Act. The bipartisan legislation would require Members of Congress, as well as their spouses and dependent children, to put certain investment assets into a qualified blind trust during their entire tenure in Congress, effectively banning them from trading individual stocks.

“Even the perception that lawmakers are utilizing their office to get rich in the stock market undermines our democratic institutions and the public’s faith in Congress—which is already an ongoing challenge,” said Congressman Cleaver. “While I believe that the vast majority of Members of Congress are good and decent people who came to Washington to serve their communities, I believe the bipartisan TRUST in Congress Act is a commonsense bill that will help to reinstall confidence in this institution. The American people should know with certainty that their Representatives are making decisions based on what’s best for their constituents, not their stock portfolios. With the TRUST in Congress Act, they will.”

By establishing this new firewall between lawmakers and their investments, the TRUST in Congress Act would ensure Members of Congress are unable to use their position of power to unethically inform their investment decisions, influence the value of their existing investments, or contribute to greater distrust between the American people and their elected officials. Rep. Cleaver previously cosponsored the TRUST in Congress Act during the 117th Congress.

Specifically, the TRUST in Congress Act would:

Require all Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children to put certain investment assets into a qualified blind trust within 90 days after the enactment of the bill. Members would be able to remove assets from the blind trust 180 days after leaving Congress;

Require all Members to either certify to the Clerk of the House of Representatives or the Secretary of the Senate that they have established a blind trust to include covered investments or certify to the Clerk or the Secretary that they do not own any covered investments. The status of these certifications would then be made publicly available; and

Define covered investments as: a security, commodity, future, or any comparable economic interest acquired through synthetic means such as the use of a derivative.

Official text of the TRUST in Congress Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:08:17Z
https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-demands-action-stonegate-meadows-apartments-following,"Rep. Cleaver Demands Action From Stonegate Meadows Apartments Following Reports of Unsafe Living Conditions, Highlights Resources for Tenants in Need of Assistance",2023-01-10,2023,2023-01,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Kansas City, MO) – This week, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) demanded further action from Stonegate Meadows Apartments after a series of reports about substandard living conditions in the apartment complex, including mice and roach infestations, water leaks, lack of heat and hot water, and more. In a letter to the owner of the property, Rep. Cleaver called for management to repair all units that have been reported and to resolve all health and safety issues that have yet to be identified.

In the letter to Stonegate Meadows Apartments, Rep. Cleaver wrote:

“The information I am receiving from the public and from local inspection data is unacceptable. Less than one year ago, a fire at your complex led to the hospitalization of 15 individuals. I was shocked to read new allegations in local media about a lack of functioning fire detectors at the property. No Missourian deserves to live in unsafe or substandard housing, and it appears Stonegate Meadows has fallen far short of its obligations.”

“I strongly encourage Stonegate Meadows to work with tenants, tenant advocates, and local officials in expediently resolving health and safety issues, whether or not those are identified through tenant complaints. It is my expectation that maintenance and repairs currently being conducted at the property go above the minimum standards set by Federal and local regulation,” Rep.Cleaver continued.

Before a fire at the Stonegate Meadows apartments last year that sent 15 individuals to the hospital, residents had complained that living conditions at the complex were substandard. Eight months after the fire, the complex still had not made repairs to fire alarms, according to reports from residents, in addition to complaints of other unacceptable living conditions.

In addition to reminding the property manager of their legal obligations in accordance with federal and local law, Rep. Cleaver also encourages residents of Stonegate Meadows, as well as any other housing complex, to know their rights and the resources available to them. Kansas City renters concerned about health and safety conditions in their place of residence can report issues to the City’s Healthy Homes Rental Inspection Program by calling 816-513-6464 or walking into their office located at 2400 Troost Ave, Suite 3600.

“Every Kansas Citian has the right to a safe, stable, and healthy home environment, and it’s important that people understand they have resources available to them if their landlord fails to maintain a certain standard of living conditions,” said Rep. Cleaver. “As I continue to work with federal and local officials to ensure that property owners are upholding their legal obligations to their tenants, I encourage any resident to reach out to the Healthy Homes Rental Inspection Program if they have any immediate concerns or complaints to report.”

The official letter from Rep. Cleaver to Stonegate Meadows Apartments is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:08:17Z