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/congressman-cleavers-statement-kansas-city-chiefs-relocation,Congressman Cleaver’s Statement on the Kansas City Chiefs’ Relocation,2025-12-23,2025,2025-12,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 the Kansas City Chiefs announced their relocation from Missouri to Kansas. “When a major corporation leaves the city, it hurts badly but it will heal. When a major league franchise leaves the city, especially when it has become a part of the city's culture, it damages the heart. The healing of the heart will last a generation, and even then, there might be a leaking valve. “This is an extraordinarily disappointing outcome for Missourians, Chiefs fans, and taxpayers throughout western Missouri and eastern Kansas. With this announcement, I fear, comes the resumption of the economic border war between Missouri and Kansas, guaranteeing a race to the bottom that will lead to more subsidies for big businesses, paid for by fewer quality services for hardworking families and the communities we love. “My heart breaks for the generations of Chiefs fans across Missouri who have demonstrated die-hard loyalty to this franchise through the hardest of times and the greatest of moments. They have been, and will continue to be, the greatest fans in sports. “Kansas City has proven we are a major league destination, and as we move forward, we must do so together. City, County, and State officials must immediately turn their attention toward a coordinated and unified effort to retain the Royals and the benefits they bring to Kansas City and Jackson County. Our citizens deserve nothing less.” ### 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.",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cleaver-committee-leadership-advance-historic-housing-package-out,"Cleaver, Committee Leadership Advance Historic Housing Package Out of Financial Services Committee with Overwhelming Support",2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, the House Committee on Financial Services passed the Housing for the 21st Century Act with overwhelming bipartisan support. The comprehensive housing legislation introduced by Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance Ranking Member Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance Chair Mike Flood (R-NE), House Committee on Financial Services Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA), and House Committee on Financial Services Chair French Hill (R-AR), will streamline housing development and affordability by updating outdated programs, removing regulatory roadblocks, and increasing local control. The bill is now set for House consideration. “After a year of good-faith negotiations, I’m thrilled that we have successfully gathered the bipartisan support necessary to advance comprehensive and meaningful housing legislation out of the Financial Services Committee,” said Ranking Member Cleaver. “Included in this long overdue housing package are reforms that will revitalize our rural housing programs, streamline housing development in communities nationwide, and lower costs for American families who desperately need relief. I want to thank Chairman Flood, Ranking Member Waters, and Chairman Hill for their partnership in this important effort. We remain committed to working with our House and Senate colleagues to send urgently needed housing legislation to the president’s desk, ensuring more working-class families will have access to quality, affordable housing.” The Housing for the 21st Century Act includes multiple reforms introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and various colleagues, such as: HOME Reform Act: Introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Chairman Flood, the legislation is the most significant reform to the HOME program since authorization in 1990 and would increase the supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing. Rural Housing Service Program Improvements: The legislation includes sections of the Rural Housing Service Reform Act, introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Representative Zach Nunn (R-IA), representing the most significant Rural Housing Service reforms in decades. The included sections would allow for greater use of the Rural Housing Service Section 504 Home Repair Program, including expanding participation to include more low-income families, among other provisions. Choice in Affordable Housing Act: Introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY), the Choice in Affordable Housing Act is a major reform the HUD’s Section 8 program that would streamline the program and increase the number of private landlords participating in the program. Manufactured Housing Innovations: The legislation includes the Housing Supply Expansion Act of 2025, introduced by Rep. Cleaver and Rep. Rose (R-TN), which would update the federal definition of manufactured housing and allow for more efficient and cost-effective designs. Additionally, the housing package includes legislation introduce by Chairman Flood and Ranking Member Cleaver that would streamline energy efficiency and safety standards for manufactured housing. HUD Accountability Act: Introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Rep. Lawler, the HUD Accountability Act requires the Secretary of HUD to testify on an annual basis before Congress. Official text of the Housing for the 21st Century Act is available here. A one-pager for the Housing for the 21st Century Act is available here. A section-by-section of the Housing for the 21st Century 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,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/bell-leads-colleagues-demanding-answers-president-trump-rising-cost-living,Bell Leads Colleagues in Demanding Answers from President Trump on Rising Cost of Living,2025-12-12,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) led four of his colleagues in sending a letter to President Donald J. Trump urging the administration to present a real plan to address the rising cost of living facing families across the country. The lawmakers warned that working people are being forced into impossible choices while the administration continues to pursue policies that worsen household expenses. “Across the country, American families are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living. Groceries, energy, rent, childcare, and health care have all skyrocketed compared to previous years. Now, following the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, paychecks are still struggling to keep pace with the rising cost of living. Working families are being forced to make impossible choices of feeding their children or paying their bills. Millions of American families across the nation are asking the same pressing question: When will the cost of living finally become affordable again?” said the lawmakers. “Despite repeated promises to deliver a ‘Golden Age for America,’ your Administration has not presented a serious plan to lower costs for working- and middle-class families. Instead, H.R. 1 imposed the largest health care cuts in U.S. history, reduced food assistance for more than 4 million Americans who rely on nutritional programs each month, and slashed incentives to encourage alternative sources of domestic energy production. These actions increased the cost of living and lowered after-tax income for the bottom 40 percent of earners, while giving the top 20 percent of earners a $6,000 per year average tax cut.” continued the lawmakers. “American families need real solutions: increasing the affordable housing supply, reducing prescription drug and healthcare costs, expanding access to affordable childcare, stabilizing supply chains, and ensuring wages rise in line with inflation. These are the staples of a sustainable working economy. The American people deserve straight answers. We urge you to please answer the following questions by Monday, December 29, 2025… You have an obligation to work to put forth policies that reduce costs, strengthen paychecks, and restore faith that the government can work for ordinary families.” concluded the lawmakers. The letter was also signed by U.S. Representatives Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Cleo Fields (D-La.), and Johnny Olszewski (D-Md.). Read the full letter here. ###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/ranking-member-cleaver-chairman-flood-ranking-member-waters-and,"Ranking Member Cleaver, Chairman Flood, Ranking Member Waters, and Chairman Hill Release Bipartisan, Comprehensive Housing Package",2025-12-12,2025,2025-12,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), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing & Insurance, Mike Flood (R-NE), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Housing & Insurance, Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Financial Services, and French Hill (R-AR), Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services, unveiled the bipartisan Housing for the 21st Century Act. This bipartisan housing package will streamline housing development and affordability by updating outdated programs, removing regulatory roadblocks, and increasing local control. “The cost of living remains the most urgent challenge facing Americans in every region of the country, and tackling that crisis begins with bipartisan, comprehensive housing reform,” said Ranking Member Cleaver. “Over the past year, Ranking Member Waters, Chairman Flood, Chairman Hill, and I have worked with Committee members on legislation that cuts unnecessary red tape, accelerates the development of affordable housing, and reduces costs for hardworking families. I’m proud of the bipartisan package we are introducing today and look forward to working with the House and Senate to advance critical housing legislation to the president’s desk.” “As housing gets more expensive, the American Dream of homeownership is slipping away for working families,” said Chairman Flood. “This package is the product of bipartisan work in the Financial Services Committee to address some of the core issues driving up the cost of housing. I want to thank Chairman Hill, Ranking Member Waters and my counterpart on the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee Ranking Member Emanuel Cleaver for working together to produce this strong, bipartisan package. I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this legislation through the committee, move it across the House floor, and ultimately to get these critical reforms enacted into law.” “Today, I am pleased that our Committee is finally taking the lead on advancing meaningful housing legislation,” said Ranking Member Waters. “The Housing for the 21st Century Act reflects a shared recognition that our affordable housing crisis demands real solutions and coordinated effort. This is a historic moment for our Committee, and I commend Chairman Hill for his leadership and Subcommittee Chairman Flood and Ranking Member Cleaver for joining in this effort. Under previous Republican Committee Chairmen, housing has either been ignored or put on the table for dismantlement. Through our partnership on this legislation, we are showing that housing is truly a bipartisan issue and that we can all come together to bring down costs and expand access to housing for all Americans. I also appreciate the work of my Senate colleagues in passing the ROAD to Housing Act, some of which is included in the House bill. While I was disappointed ROAD was not included in the NDAA, there is clearly broad bipartisan support in both Chambers to advance housing legislation. Our legislation, the Housing for the 21st Century Act, builds on my lifelong efforts to create long-term affordability and opportunity in housing, and represents an important first step towards finally solving our housing crisis once and for all. I want to be clear, however, that today’s introduction is not a final product, as I know there are many more important, bipartisan ideas that I and other Members of the House will want to include as the bill advances. Nevertheless, when we pass the Housing for the 21st Century Act into law, we will move closer to a future where every family, no matter their income or ZIP code, has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home. I look forward to moving this bill through the Committee process and to the House floor as quickly as possible. Millions of renters, homeowners, elderly, veterans and people experiencing homelessness are counting on us to act with urgency.” “Our Committee is dedicated to finding new ways to foster a home building and buying environment where achieving the American Dream is in reach for our families across the nation,” said Chairman Hill. Our goal is to chart a path forward toward greater development capacity and a simplified regulatory framework. I’m proud to advance this package with Ranking Member Waters, Subcommittee Chair Flood, and Ranking Member Cleaver to tackle housing costs and access challenges for American homeowners and renters. We look forward to moving this bill through regular order and working with our Senate counterparts in the new year to get a bill signed into law that reflects ideas from both chambers and delivers real results for American families.” The Housing for the 21st Century Act includes multiple reforms introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and various colleagues, such as: HOME Reform Act: Introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Chairman Flood, the legislation is the most significant reform to the HOME program since authorization in 1990 and would increase the supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing. Rural Housing Service Program Improvements: The legislation includes sections of the Rural Housing Service Reform Act, introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Representative Zach Nunn (R-IA), representing the most significant Rural Housing Service reforms in decades. The included sections would allow for greater use of the Rural Housing Service Section 504 Home Repair Program, including expanding participation to include more low-income families, among other provisions. Choice in Affordable Housing Act: Introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY), the Choice in Affordable Housing Act is a major reform the HUD’s Section 8 program that would streamline the program and increase the number of private landlords participating in the program. Manufactured Housing Innovations: The legislation includes the Housing Supply Expansion Act of 2025, introduced by Rep. Cleaver and Rep. Rose (R-TN), which would update the federal definition of manufactured housing and allow for more efficient and cost-effective designs. Additionally, the housing package includes legislation introduce by Chairman Flood and Ranking Member Cleaver that would streamline energy efficiency and safety standards for manufactured housing. HUD Accountability Act: Introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Rep. Lawler, the HUD Accountability Act requires the Secretary of HUD to testify on an annual basis before Congress. Official text of the Housing for the 21st Century Act is available here. A one-pager for the Housing for the 21st Century Act is available here. A section-by-section of the Housing for the 21st Century 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,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-mciver-reintroduce-bill-protect-and-prepare-workers,"Reps. Cleaver, McIver Reintroduce Bill to Protect and Prepare Workers for Economic Impact of AI",2025-12-11,2025,2025-12,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), Co-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Tech Initiative, along with Representative LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), reintroduced the Workforce of the Future Act, legislation that would require a detailed study to grow our understanding of artificial intelligence (AI), its impact on the economy and workforce, and determine the skills necessary for workers to succeed. Additionally, the bill would provide workers, teachers, and students with the resources to develop integral skills required to participate in the workforce of the future. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Sens. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Adam Schiff (D-CA). “While there is much excitement about the potential of AI and the benefits it can bring to our communities, there is also much concern about the impacts it will have on American workers, their jobs, and their wages. It is critically important that we take steps today to prepare our nation and our workforce for the economic consequences that are rapidly approaching with the growing adoption of AI,” said Congressman Cleaver. “The Workforce of the Future Act will provide the investments necessary to ensure American workers are ready and able to capitalize on those opportunities and that nobody is left behind.” “Working people deserve innovation that expands opportunity—not eliminates it. Strengthening our understanding of how AI is impacting jobs in real time and investing directly in education makes sure Americans are not caught flat-footed as AI accelerates,” said Rep. McIver. “By prioritizing training that delivers economic gains to young people and underrepresented communities, the Workforce of the Future Act puts power back where it belongs: with the people who keep our economy running.” ""Artificial intelligence is increasingly disrupting our economy, contributing to layoffs and occupational changes,” said Senator Blunt Rochester. “Building off the work done by Senator Laphonza Butler in the last Congress, I’m proud to introduce the Workforce of the Future Act alongside Senators Hirono and Schiff and Representatives Cleaver and McIver. This bill allows us to remain proactive, protect workers who are most impacted by the technology, and supercharge the future of work by ensuring our future workforce has the skills they need to succeed. As Delaware’s former Secretary of Labor, I have spent my career ensuring people can access and maintain stable, good-paying jobs. I will maintain this commitment in the Senate as we race to confront the challenges of tomorrow.” “AI is already transforming every corner of our economy in California and across the country. That’s why it’s critical the federal government do more to evaluate how AI will impact workers, while also investing in job training programs to prevent AI-related job displacement,” said Senator Schiff. “I’m pleased to join Senators Blunt Rochester and Hirono as well as Representatives Cleaver and McIver on the Workforce of the Future Act. We must act now to gain a full understanding of the impact of AI on the workplace, so we can ensure access to good paying jobs for the American people even as technology changes how we work.” “As advanced and emerging technologies—including AI—become rapidly integrated within society, it is imperative that we prepare our workforce for these changes,” said Senator Hirono. “Specifically, we must ensure advances enabled by AI are used to strengthen, not weaken, the workforce. I am proud to introduce the Workforce of the Future Act to better prepare and equip workers with the skills necessary to adapt to AI and a rapidly-changing work environment.” Without proper guardrails, the impact AI could have on our economy is wide-ranging. According to studies from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), AI could replace nearly 12 percent of the workforce. Currently, many recent college grads report being unable to find work. This legislation addresses the most pressing concerns behind AI’s rapid advancement in our workforce while also providing resources to prepare individuals to succeed in advanced technology sectors. The Workforce of the Future Act will: Require the Secretaries of Labor, Commerce, and Educationto jointly and efficiently prepare a report analyzing AI’s impact on the economy and workforce that must identify critical information, including what industries and jobs will be most impacted, how job quality will be impacted, necessary skills for workers, and recommendations for preparing the 21st century workforce. Authorize the Department of Education to award $160 million in grants to support expanding access to emerging and advanced technology education. Grants will help support foundational and innovative STEAM learning for students who need this knowledge to participate in the 21st century workforce. Grants must leverage information and recommendations from the report and may be used for teacher training and recruiting, high-quality learning materials, reducing gaps in access for underrepresented groups, engaging industry, and providing necessary support for student success. Authorize the Department of Labor to award $90 million in grants to support workforce training for workers most impacted by AI. Grants must leverage information and recommendations from the report and support the training of workers to prevent AI-related displacement and provide immediate support and training to workers who experience job loss in AI-impacted industries. The Workforce of the Future Act is co-sponsored by Representatives Dan Goldman (D-NY), John Larson (D-CT), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC). The Workforce of the Future Act is endorsed by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Anthropic, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), Microsoft, the National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA), OpenAI, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Official text of the Workforce of the Future Act is available. 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,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/bell-secures-major-wins-and-millions-critical-funding-st-louis,Bell Secures Major Wins and Millions in Critical Funding for St. Louis,2025-12-10,2025,2025-12,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) voted YES on the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act. The bipartisan legislation specifies the annual budget and expenditures of the U.S. Department of Defense and included critical investment in the St. Louis defense workforce, a 3.8% raise for servicemembers, support for our allies abroad, and much needed oversight to hold Secretary of Defense Hegseth accountable. “While this bill is not perfect, it represents a significant and necessary step forward for our state and our nation,"" said Rep. Bell. ""Crucially, it includes critical investments and oversight that will directly benefit the St. Louis region, securing a stronger future for the people I represent and for the country as a whole. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am proud to champion the work the St. Louis region is doing everyday to support and strengthen our national security. No matter what, I will continue to fight to deliver for St. Louis and Missouri.” However, the final version of the bill was not without disappointing omissions. “Republicans, at Donald Trump’s direction, stripped out provisions protecting collective bargaining rights, expanding TRICARE coverage for IVF and fertility care, and safeguarding our efforts to ensure no military base honors Confederate traitors. I will continue fighting to restore these protections and deliver full accountability.” As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Bell was able to secure critical wins in the NDAA including: Investing in the St. Louis Workforce and Industry: Bringing home millions of dollars in programs that directly support the St. Louis defense industrial base and its skilled manufacturing workforce. Protecting and advancing next-generation defense systems built in St. Louis. Strengthening St. Louis’ rapidly growing geospatial and AI ecosystem, anchored by the new NGA West campus in North St. Louis, through expanded federal support for GEOINT, AI/ML, and cybersecurity initiatives. Reinforcing federal support for the 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, preserving readiness and regional operations. Protecting DoD civilian workforce by strengthening protections against arbitrary reductions in force. Delivering for our Servicemembers and Military Families: Providing a 3.8% pay increase for servicemembers. Securing $1.5 billion in new construction of barracks, dormitories, housing, and child development centers. Preventing the closure and downgrading of Military Treatment Facilities, including Ft. Leonard Wood Hospital. Supporting our Allies & Ensuring Accountability and Oversight on Trump/Hegseth: Fencing 25% of Secretary Hegseth’s travel budget until the Department releases all video evidence of recent Administration-directed strikes in the Caribbean. Preventing the Administration from abandoning key allies by prohibiting unauthorized troop reductions in Europe and South Korea, maintaining force levels critical to U.S. and allied security. Supporting our global Democratic allies by reauthorizing funding for crucial programs such as the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) and the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI). Rep. Bell is a member of the House Armed Services’ Committee, serving on the Strategic Forces and Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittees. ###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-applauds-missouri-housing-development-commission,Congressman Cleaver Applauds Missouri Housing Development Commission Investments in Parade Park Homes Redevelopment Project,2025-12-10,2025,2025-12,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 released the following statement after the Missouri Housing Development Commission announced additional investments in the Parade Park Homes redevelopment project. “After securing $15 million in federal funding to support the redevelopment of Parade Park, I’m thrilled that the Missouri Housing Development Commission has approved a package of federal and state support, including $6,575,000 in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), $2,400,000 in HOME funds and $32 million in tax-exempt bond authority, demonstrating significant support for affordable housing. “Whether at the federal, state, or local level, Missourians are demanding action to expand the supply of affordable housing so that we can lower costs for hardworking families. Parade Park is a perfect example of what we can accomplish when collaboration occurs between the public and private sector. “As the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing & Insurance, I will continue pushing bipartisan reforms like my HOME Reform Act to ensure more affordable housing projects like Parade Park can move forward in the months and years ahead.” Since 2022, Congressman Cleaver has worked with HUD and local officials to stabilize Parade Park and chart a path to preserve affordable housing, ensuring the property was sold by HUD to the City of Kansas City for redevelopment last year. Following the City’s conveyance of the property to Twelfth Street Heritage Corporation, a non-profit, Rep. Cleaver has strongly advocated for additional investments to support redevelopment while ensuring it remains affordable to local and longtime residents. In January of this year, Rep. Cleaver announced $15,514,225 in federal grant funding through HUD’s Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program which supports the development, rehabilitation, and acquisition of housing for low-income elderly persons. ### 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,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-raises-concerns-regarding-systemic-abuse-american,"Rep. Cleaver Raises Concerns Regarding Systemic Abuse at American Veterinary Schools, Calls for Information from Institutions",2025-12-10,2025,2025-12,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) raised concerns about allegations of systemic abuse at numerous veterinary schools across the country. In a letter to 36 veterinary medicine schools, Congressman Cleaver called on the institutions to provide information about their policies and procedures to better understand the issue and what can be done to ensure students are not being abused. Following several reports of troubling complaints, including patient care suffering due to 100-hour workweeks and students losing 15 pounds in a single month due to inadequate time to eat, Rep. Cleaver is pushing the universities to share information about what protections are in place for students, as well as how universities ensure students are not exploited for their free labor in the name of education. “I believe strongly that our higher education institutions should provide rigorous curriculums that guarantee students will receive the best education and experience possible, ensuring they are capable and qualified when they enter into the workforce,” said Congressman Cleaver. “However, just as we have taken steps to ensure colleges and universities are not taking advantage of student athletes for institutional monetary benefit, we must ensure that students at veterinary medicine schools are not being exploited. Unfortunately, with numerous allegations of abuse, it appears we have more work to do—and I’m hopeful that these institutions will provide information to address these concerns and ensure proper protections are in place.” The letter was delivered to the following universities: Auburn University; Colorado State University; Cornell University; Iowa State University; Kansas State University; Lincoln Memorial University; Long Island University; Louisiana State University; Michigan State University; Midwestern University; Mississippi State University; North Carolina State University; Oklahoma State University; Oregon State University; Purdue University; Rowan University; Texas A&M University; Texas Tech University; The Ohio State University; Tufts University; Tuskegee University; Universidad Ana G. Mendez; University of Arizona; University of California, Davis; University of Florida; University of Georgia; University of Illinois; University of Minnesota; University of Missouri-Columbia; University of Pennsylvania; University of Tennessee; University of Wisconsin-Madison; Utah State University; Virginia Tech University; Washington State University; Western University of Health Sciences. The official letter from Rep. Cleaver 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,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-rose-introduce-bipartisan-bill-lower-housing-costs,"Reps. Cleaver, Rose Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Lower Housing Costs, Increase Supply Nationwide",2025-11-25,2025,2025-11,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), Ranking Member of the Housing & Insurance Subcommittee, and John Rose (R-TN), along with Representatives Mike Flood (R-NE), Lou Correa (D-CA), Monica De La Cruz (R-TX), and Scott Peters (D-CA), introduced the Housing Supply Expansion Act of 2025. The legislation, which has broad bipartisan support, will remove a federal chassis requirement that has served to unnecessarily raise the price of manufactured housing. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Sens. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Thom Tillis (R-NC). Since 1974, federal law has required that manufactured homes include a permanently installed chassis that allows it to be moved even after installation. This has significantly reduced the ability of young and low-income families to buy their own homes. Removing the permanent-chassis requirement for manufactured homes will lower construction costs, unlock modern design flexibility, and open far more locations for quality, affordable housing. “Manufactured housing is a key component to the nation's supply of quality, safe, and affordable housing,” said Ranking Member Cleaver. “By removing an outdated requirement that manufactured homes retain a permanent chassis, we can increase design innovation, reduce costs, and provide relief to more American families and communities. I look forward to working with Representative Rose and our colleagues to see this bipartisan, common sense update passed into law.” “Manufactured housing is a great way to get more families into homes that they own,” Rep. Rose said. “Rent prices across Tennessee continue to soar because demand for housing still far exceeds supply. By striking this outdated restriction on manufactured homes, my legislation will increase supply and ultimately help bring home prices down for everyone.” “In order to get more young families on the path towards achieving the American Dream, we need more single-family homes at affordable price points. Manufactured homes are one type of product that can help fill that void in our market,” said Congressman Flood. “The Housing Supply Expansion Act updates outdated rules applying to manufactured housing, and it makes changes that will ultimately get more supply on the market. I am proud to join Congressman John Rose, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, Congressman Scott Peters, Congressman Lou Correa and Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz in introducing this very important piece of legislation."" ""Manufactured housing is one of the most affordable options on the market, but outdated regulations are keeping new designs from becoming widely available,"" Rep. Correa said. ""This legislation is a win-win, it unlocks more opportunities for affordable housing in California, without driving up costs for the government.” “Access to affordable housing is a top concern for South Texas families.,” said Rep. De La Cruz. “By updating outdated regulations and cutting red tape, the Housing Supply Expansion Act will expand housing options and open the door for innovation in manufactured housing. As Vice Chair of the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee, I am committed to ensuring families can find a home that meets their needs and achieve their dream of homeownership.” “San Diego suffers from a housing crisis that threatens prosperity; we can help remedy this by building more affordable and accessible housing,” said Rep. Peters. “The Housing Supply Expansion Act will make it easier and cheaper to build manufactured homes. This provision has already advanced through the Senate. I look forward to working with Congressman Rose to get this bill across the finish line so we can put homeownership back within reach for countless San Diegans.” Official text of the Housing Supply Expansion 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,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-leads-call-restore-displays-honoring-black-servicemembers,Rep. Cleaver Leads Call to Restore Displays Honoring Black Servicemembers at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial,2025-11-24,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) led 33 House lawmakers in urging the administration to restore displays commemorating the contributions of Black soldiers at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial that were recently removed. In a letter to the Acting Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission, the lawmakers also requested information on why the displays were removed and the process that led to the decision. “More than one million African Americans fought in WWII, most of whom served in segregated units,” the lawmakers wrote. “They were willing to die for a country that didn’t dignify them with equal opportunities, accommodations, or recognition. Among the thousands of American soldiers laid to rest in Margraten are 172 Black servicemen. “Following a months-long crusade against diversity initiatives, including attacks on the National Museum of African American History and the removal of slavery exhibits in some national parks, this action marks this administration’s latest attempt to erase not only Black history, but our shared American history,” the lawmakers continued. “As our country commemorates its veterans this month, it is troubling to see the administration erase many of their contributions,” the lawmakers concluded. In addition to calling on the ABMC to restore the displays, the lawmakers requested response to the following questions: Why were the two displays removed from the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial? Was the removal related to the administration’s anti-DEI initiatives? Does the ABMC intend to erase all exhibits acknowledging the accomplishments of Black servicemen? Does the ABMC no longer recognize the contributions made by the 960th QMSC? Are the sacrifices of the Black servicemen buried in Margraten no longer valued by the ABMC? Will the ABMC commit to putting the panels back on display? If so, when will the panels be put back on display? The letter was co-signed by Representatives Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Wesley Bell (D-MO), Shontel Brown (D-OH), Janelle Bynum (D-OR), André Carson (D-IN), Troy Carter (D-LA), Herbert Conaway (D-NJ), Danny Davis (D-IL), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Cleo Fields (D-LA), Al Green (D-TX), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Stacey Plaskett (D-VI), Mike Quigley (D-IL), David Scott (D-GA), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Marc Veasey (D-TX), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL). Official text of the letter 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,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/bell-barragan-introduce-food-assurance-and-security-act-restore-usdas-annual,"Bell, Barragán Introduce the Food Assurance and Security Act to Restore USDA’s Annual Food Access Report",2025-11-21,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) and Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.) introduced the Food Assurance and Security Act, legislation that reinstates and protects the federal government’s annual reporting on hunger and food insecurity in the United States. The bill requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in coordination with the Census Bureau, to maintain an interagency food security measurement program and publish comprehensive yearly data on household food insecurity—data that was halted under the Trump Administration after its historic cuts to SNAP. “Families across the country are struggling to put food on the table, and the last thing they need is a government trying to hide the full scope of hunger in America,” said Rep. Bell. “Restoring this report ensures we confront the real challenges people are facing instead of sweeping them under the rug.” “I am proud to co-lead this bill, which reinstates the annual food access report published by the USDA. The Trump administration ended this report right after they made the largest cuts to SNAP in history. This cannot be coincidence,” said Rep. Barragán. “Kicking hardworking Americans off SNAP means more people will be forced to go to food banks or shelters because basic groceries are too expensive. We cannot stand by and watch as the Trump Administration tries to hide the real harm of their cuts to food assistance by cancelling this report.” “Today’s introduction of the Food Assurance and Security Act comes as the Trump administration moves to erase the benchmark Household Food Security Report,” said Crystal FitzSimons, president of the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). “This report has been our roadmap to understanding who is struggling to put food on the table, and the solutions needed to ensure no one goes hungry in the world's wealthiest nation. The most recent cuts to SNAP will undoubtedly deepen hunger and hardship. Eliminating this annual data will only hide the reality of hunger, not end it. We can't let this happen, especially as families grapple with the rising costs of food, housing, health care, and other basic needs. We strongly urge Congress to pass this bill without delay.” SNAP has proven to reduce food insecurity and strengthen financial stability for young people building their futures. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, according to the Urban Institute, nearly 3 million young adults ages 18 to 24 are at risk of losing these benefits, as the law includes $186 billion in cuts to SNAP. Read the full bill text here. ###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cleaver-among-lawmakers-calling-trump-administration-stop-politicizing,Cleaver Among Lawmakers Calling on Trump Administration to Stop Politicizing Houses of Worship; Defend Separation of Church and State Ahead of Court Arguments,2025-11-21,2025,2025-11,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), a Methodist Minister for over 5 decades, Representative James Clyburn (D-SC), Chairman of the Democratic Faith Working Group, and Representatives Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Jared Huffman (D-CA), along with Senator Ron Wyden, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, led lawmakers in objecting to the Trump Administration’s attempts to exempt two specific organizations from the law. In a new letter to Acting Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service Scott Bessent, the lawmakers urged the Trump Administration to withdraw a proposed settlement in National Religious Broadcasters Association v. Bessent which carves out exceptions to the foundational principle of separation of church and state. For the past 70 years, a provision of the tax code known as the Johnson Amendment has insulated nonprofits, faith-based organizations and houses of worship from electoral politics. In order to qualify for 501(c)(3) status, nonprofits and houses of worship cannot engage in tax-exempt political speech. Despite widespread support for the Johnson Amendment among thousands of nonprofits and houses of worship, the Trump Administration reversed course on a lawsuit targeting the Johnson Amendment in an attempt to exempt two churches from complying with the law. “Congress has considered and rejected multiple attempts to modify the Johnson Amendment,” the lawmakers wrote. “Members have long understood the moral imperative of shielding nonprofit service organizations, including houses of worship, from electoral politics while protecting taxpayers from being compelled to subsidize political speech. Your Proposed Consent Decree is nothing more than a transparent end-run around Congress, which has consistently rejected attempts to change this 70-year-old law."" “The Proposed Consent Decree seeks to exempt two specific organizations favored by the government out of the more than 1.5 million 501(c)(3) organizations in the United States from following the law,” the lawmakers continued. They noted that the reasoning in the proposed settlement “blows the door wide open for both secular nonprofits and all other religious organizations to petition the courts for their own free pass to engage in tax-exempt electoral speech. This settlement radically reinterprets the law and creates another opening for political actors to use charitable nonprofits to anonymously funnel unlimited money into elections.” “The IRS should reject the false tension that the religious Right has tried to create between these two principles,” the lawmakers concluded. “The Religious Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses are equally essential, and they stand best when they stand together.” The letter was co-signed by Representatives Mark Pocan (D-WI), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), and André Carson (D-IN), along with Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI). The official letter 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,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-delauro-and-30-house-lawmakers-call-additional-support,"Reps. Cleaver, DeLauro, and 30 House Lawmakers Call for Additional Support to Small and Specialty Farmers",2025-11-21,2025,2025-11,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. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), along with 30 other House Democrats, called on the Trump administration to include small and specialty crop farms if the Administration moves forward with any federal effort to provide economic relief for farm losses due to President Trump’s trade wars. “This is a crisis, and it is worsening every day,” the legislators wrote. “If your Administration moves forward with plans to provide economic relief to large farmers suffering due to high input costs and lost export markets, you must not forget about small and medium-sized farms, family farms, and specialty crop farmers. These farmers are vital to local economies and are the backbone of our nation’s food supply. They provide fresh fruit and vegetables to local stores, feed our families, and power rural communities by creating jobs and supporting local businesses. The loss of even more small farms will devastate communities, restrict the food supply, and have long-term economic and food security ramifications for the United States and for the world.” The president’s trade wars have closed access to critical foreign markets that American producers depend on, lowering the value of crops like soybeans, which are Missouri’s largest commodity crop, and driving up farm bankruptcies. The value of U.S. soybean exports to China never fully recovered after the U.S. tariff war with China in President Trump’s first term, when the value of U.S. soybean exports to China plunged from $14 billion in 2016 to $3.1 billion in 2018. At the same time the soybean markets are under threat, farmers are being hit with higher input costs from Trump’s tariff war. The letter was co-signed by Representatives Alma Adams (D-NC), Gabe Amo (D-RI), Becca Balint (D-VT), Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Julia Brownley (D-CA), André Carson (D-IN), Ed Case (D-HI), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Shomari Figures (D-AL), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), Josh Harder (D-CA), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Bill Keating (D-MA), Greg Landsman (D-OH), John Larson (D-CT), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Patrick Ryan (D-NY), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Eric Sorensen (D-IL), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ). Official text of the letter 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,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/bell-booker-johnson-introduce-bill-end-forced-arbitration-race-0,"Bell, Booker, Johnson Introduce Bill to End Forced Arbitration in Race Discrimination Cases",2025-11-20,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) and Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) along with U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J) introduced the Ending Forced Arbitration of Race Discrimination Act, legislation that gives workers and consumers the ability to take race discrimination claims to court rather than being pushed into private arbitration proceedings. “People who face racial discrimination deserve their day in court. They shouldn’t be pushed into a private process that was designed to protect corporations, not workers,” said Rep. Bell. “In St. Louis, we’ve lived with the consequences of systems that keep people from speaking out and seeking fair treatment. This bill does something simple by restoring a basic right that should never have been taken away.” “Thanks to Congressional Democrats and President Biden, victims of sexual assault and harassment now have the right to sue their employer in a court of law, rather than being forced into the secretive and pro-employer arbitration process,” said Rep. Johnson. “It’s high time for Congress to give that same protection to those alleging racial discrimination. Since 2007, I have worked to eliminate the use of unfair pre-dispute arbitration clauses that force consumers, workers, and small businesses into the secretive, for-profit, and pro-corporate arbitration process where the deck is stacked against the little guy. Because everyone deserves the right to choose between court and arbitration, I am pleased to join Senator Booker and Congressman Bell on the Ending Forced Arbitration for Race Discrimination Act.” “This legislation will put an end to forced arbitration clauses and allow people who have been harassed or mistreated because of their race to have their day in court,” said Sen. Booker. “No one who has faced discrimination because of their race should lose their right to seek justice simply because they were forced to sign an arbitration agreement. This is a long-overdue change in the law that will empower workers and others to fight back against mistreatment and achieve equality.” ""Forced arbitration is a secretive and rigged system that too often allows race discrimination to continue relentlessly. This legislation would restore the rights of Americans to seek justice and public accountability when corporations and individuals engage in illegal discrimination. We thank Senator Cory Booker, Representative Hank Johnson, and Representative Wesley Bell for their steadfast leadership on this issue."" said American Association for Justice CEO Linda Lipsen. The Ending Forced Arbitration of Race Discrimination Act is supported by American Association for Justice, Advocates for Basic Legal Equality Inc, Alliance for Justice, American Association for Justice, Americans for Financial Reform, Center for Economic Justice, Center for Justice & Democracy, Consumer Action, Consumer Watchdog, Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety, DC Consumer Rights Coalition, Impact Fund, Long Term Care Community Coalition, National Association of Consumer Advocates, National Center for Law and Economic Justice, National Consumer Law Center, National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, National Employment Law Project, National Employment Lawyers Association, National Fair Housing Alliance, National Institute for Workers' Rights, National Urban League, New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, Oregon Consumer Justice, Public Citizen, Public Justice, Rise Economy, Texas Watch, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, The Sikh Coalition, Tzedek DC, and Virginia Citizens Consumer Council. Read the full bill text here. ###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-bacon-introduce-bipartisan-foster-youth-bill-rights,"Reps. Cleaver, Bacon Introduce Bipartisan Foster Youth Bill of Rights Resolution",2025-11-20,2025,2025-11,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 (D-MO) and Don Bacon (R-NE), members of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, introduced a Foster Youth Bill of Rights Resolution to help ensure foster youth nationwide 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 from state to state, with most states providing no guaranteed foster rights at all. The bipartisan resolution 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. “Every child in America deserves to feel safe and valued, and we can make no exceptions for the children in our foster care system,” said Congressman Cleaver. “As we work to provide a legal framework for guaranteed protections that should be afforded to foster youth nationwide, I’m proud to introduce the Federal Foster Youth Bill of Rights with Congressman Bacon. Together, we will keep fighting to ensure these children receive the support and stability they deserve.” “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 Foster Youth Bill of Rights affirms what every young person in foster care deserves: safety, dignity, equitable access to resources and opportunities, and a fair chance to build a bright future,” said Rebecca Louve Yao, CEO, National Foster Youth Institute. “As an organization focused on young adults transitioning out of foster care, we believe this bill strengthens the foundation they need to secure safe housing, pursue their education and careers, and enter adulthood with hope and confidence rather than uncertainty. With this legislation, Congressman Cleaver has elevated both the legal protections and lived experiences of children and young adults in care, and we are deeply grateful for his unwavering commitment to foster youth.” Due to America’s deeply fragmented foster care system and underinvestment in foster youth, children in foster care are at a significant disadvantage, with one report finding that adults aged 22-44 who have ever been in foster care were twice as likely to lack either a high school diploma or GED compared to their peers who have never been in foster care. According to the Fist Star Institute, 11 states received a “D” or “F” grade on their legal rights for foster youth. The Foster Youth Bill of Rights Resolution affirms the basic rights all foster children are entitled to, including the right: To receive an education and remain in their original school, if desired; To participate in extracurricular, cultural, and social activities appropriate to the youth’s age and developmental needs; To receive needed health services, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health services; To freedom from abuse, neglect, or corporal punishment; To be represented by, and speak to, a guardian or attorney ad litem; To adequate and healthy food, adequate clothing, and a safe and comfortable living environment; To freedom from discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or disability; To have continued contact with siblings, if desired; To regular or at least reasonable contact with their assigned caseworker or an employee of the agency responsible for their child welfare services; and To be informed of their rights. The Foster Youth Bill of Rights is endorsed by FosterClub, Child Welfare League of America, and National Foster Youth Institute. The Foster Youth Bill of Rights is cosponsored by Reps. Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Shontel Brown (D-OH), Dwight Evans (D-PA), and Gwen Moore (D-WI). Official text of the Foster Youth Bill of Rights 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,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bipartisan-housing-insurance-subcommittee-leaders-highlight-proposed,Bipartisan Housing & Insurance Subcommittee Leaders Highlight Proposed Major Reforms to Top Federal Housing Program,2025-11-19,2025,2025-11,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 (MO-05) and Mike Flood (NE-01), Ranking Member and Chairman of the Housing & Insurance Subcommittee, hosted a press conference to highlight historic reforms they have introduced in the HOME Reform Act of 2025. The legislation marks the first major reforms to the HOME program since it was first authorized in 1990, streamlining regulations to strengthen public-private partnerships to encourage the building of more housing and rental properties in efforts to bring down the cost of housing. The bipartisan bill was introduced following a stakeholder input process conducted earlier this year. Details about the legislation are available here. “From the heartland to the coasts, hardworking families continue to struggle with the high cost of housing—and it is imperative that Congress take strong, comprehensive, and bipartisan action to boost the construction of affordable housing across the country,” said Ranking Member Cleaver (D-MO). “With overwhelming support from housing stakeholders, our HOME Reform Act takes major steps toward cutting the unnecessary red tape and strengthening public-private partnerships that will incentivize the development of affordable housing in communities nationwide. I’m proud to stand with Chairman Flood as we fight to lower housing costs, and I hope that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers of Congress will join us in this important effort.” “America is in the midst of a housing shortage as families struggle to live the American dream due to the lack of millions of homes,” said Chairman Flood (R-NE). “The HOME program is a federal program that builds housing supply, but it has been weighed down by regulatory burdens that make it hard to build housing. The HOME Reform Act of 2025 will cut the red tape that has been holding this program back. Dozens of stakeholders are throwing their support behind these reforms, building momentum to tackle our nation’s housing shortage. From Columbus, Nebraska to Columbus, Ohio and beyond, the HOME Reform Act of 2025 gives local communities an unprecedented opportunity to build affordable homes and directly address the housing crisis gripping our nation. Thanks to my colleague Rep. Cleaver, and I look forward to working to pass this legislation with broad bipartisan support."" The HOME Reform Act represents the first major reform to the program since its authorization in 1990 as part of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act. The legislation provides greater flexibility for states and localities, cuts red tape, and supports the development and preservation of affordable housing. The HOME Reform Act is the result of a bipartisan effort kickstarted by Chairman Flood and Ranking Member Cleaver earlier this year to develop meaningful solutions to the housing crisis in America. In April, Congressman Cleaver and Congressman Flood released a joint request for feedback on the HOME and CDBG programs. In July, the Housing & Insurance Subcommittee held a hearing entitled, “HOME 2.0: Modern Solutions to the Housing Shortage.” What Stakeholders Are Saying: “The HOME Investment Partnerships Program is an important source of financing for affordable housing, often used in conjunction with the recently expanded Low-Income Housing Tax Credit,” said Emily Cadik, Chief Executive Officer of the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition. “We applaud Chairman Flood and Ranking Member Cleaver for working together on these commonsense, bipartisan proposals to make the HOME program more efficient and effective, at a time when there is such an urgent need to increase affordable housing supply.” “The HOME Reform Act of 2025 strengthens a vital federal program that communities use to develop and preserve supportive housing. These improvements to the HOME Investment Partnerships Program will help ensure that people with disabilities and complex health needs have access to stable, affordable homes paired with the services that support housing success. We commend Chairman Flood and Ranking Member Cleaver for their bipartisan leadership in advancing practical reforms that reduce development barriers, improve infrastructure, and expand housing options in communities across the country. CSH is proud to support this legislation and its commitment to building stronger housing systems,” said Deb De Santis, President and CEO, Corporation for Supportive Housing. “COSCDA applauds Congressman Flood and Congressman Cleaver for the introduction of the HOME Reform Act of 2025, a bill that would modernize the HOME Investment Partnerships Program and spur the development of affordable housing supply. This bipartisan bill addresses many of the barriers identified by HOME stakeholders by streamlining over-burdensome requirements and making common-sense improvements. COSCDA’s state HOME grantees urge Congress to pass this bill, marking the HOME program’s first modernization since its passage in the 1990s,” said Tess Hembree, Executive Director, Council of State Community Development Agencies (COSCDA). “HUD’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program is the largest federal housing block grant. It’s time for Congress to modernize and streamline the program as our nation is facing a record shortage of starter homes pushing homeownership out of reach for millions of families and essential workers nationwide,” said Chris Vincent, Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy at Habitat for Humanity International. “We applaud Representatives Mike Flood and Emanuel Cleaver for leading this bipartisan effort to ease regulatory burdens and strengthen the programs use and effectiveness in building more affordable homes, especially for homeownership.” “As a Network of mission-driven housing developers and lenders that use the HOME program to reduce housing costs for households all across the country, HPN applauds and supports the introduction of the bipartisan HOME Reform Act. This is common sense legislation that reduces red tape, makes the HOME program easier to use and maintains a strong focus on people in need,” said Robin Hughes, CEO, Housing Partnership Network. ""Lincoln Avenue Communities is pleased to support the HOME Reform Act of 2025. As the nation faces an unprecedented affordable housing crisis, this legislation proposes crucial changes to modernize the HOME Program and expand its impact. It creates new programmatic efficiencies that will empower local communities to help finance affordable housing where it is needed most. We urge Congress to enact this critical legislation as soon as possible,” said Thom Amdur, Senior Vice President for Policy & Impact, Lincoln Avenue Communities. “The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) applauds Representatives Cleaver and Flood for their leadership in introducing the HOME Reform Act of 2025. The HOME Program is our nation’s only federal block grant to state and local governments designed exclusively to create and preserve affordable housing for low-income households. It’s often utilized as critical gap financing for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit developments” said Matt Josephs, Senior Vice President of Policy, LISC. “The HOME Reform Act will modernize the program, making it easier to utilize, which will ultimately decrease projects costs and increase affordable housing opportunities for families.” “The Mortgage Bankers Association commends Congressmen Mike Flood (R-NE) and Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) for proposing important reforms to the HOME Act that will bring more affordable housing supply to market,” said Bill Killmer, senior vice president of legislative and political affairs at Mortgage Bankers Association. “MBA supports policies that streamline development, reduce regulatory burdens, and expand access to sustainable housing options for consumers.” “The housing undersupply crisis impacts nearly every community across our country, and there’s never been a more pressing need for decisive and bipartisan action from Congress,” said National Apartment Association (NAA) President & CEO Bob Pinnegar. “NAA applauds Reps. Mike Flood (R-Neb.-1) and Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.-5) for their steadfast leadership in introducing the HOME Reform Act. This legislation rightly places an important emphasis on reducing regulatory burdens and would ultimately help increase critically needed housing supply and ease longstanding affordability challenges for Americans nationwide.” “NAHB applauds Reps. Mike Flood (R-Neb.) and Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) for introducing bipartisan legislation that makes much needed reforms to the HOME program. The HOME Reform Act of 2025 will improve this critical block grant program designed exclusively to create affordable housing for low-income households. The legislation increases opportunities for homeownership by expanding HOME to include workforce housing and relieves regulatory burdens on home builders and housing providers to enable them to construct more attainable, affordable housing,” said Buddy Hughes, Chairman of the National Association of Home Builders. ""NAR strongly supports the HOME Reform Act and thanks Chairman Flood and Ranking Member Cleaver for their bipartisan leadership in modernizing a program that hasn't been updated in decades,"" said National Association of Realtors Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn. ""By cutting red tape and giving communities more flexibility, these reforms will unlock housing production and open doors to homeownership for more first-time buyers."" ""America’s affordable housing crisis is made worse by federal rules that slow down construction and increase costs. The National Community Development Association supports the HOME Reform Act of 2025, which simplifies regulations and gives administrators more flexibility to deliver affordable housing faster,” said Vicki Watson, Executive Director, National Community Development Association (NCDA). “The HOME program is critical to the production and preservation of affordable rental and homeownership opportunities in rural, urban, and suburban communities. It also provides states and local participating jurisdictions with much-needed flexibility to meet their unique housing needs. Chairman Flood and Ranking Member Cleaver’s HOME Reform Act makes meaningful reforms to the program that promote flexibility, streamline program requirements and regulations, and reduce barriers to entry. This proposal will reduce costs, promote affordable housing development and preservation, and support more homebuyers and renters. NHC looks forward to working with Congress to advance this legislation,” said David M. Dworkin, President and CEO of the National Housing Conference. “NMHC applauds the tremendous work that Chaiman Flood and Ranking Member Cleaver have undertaken to streamline and strengthen the HOME program. Today’s legislation will make this critical program more effective and efficient in addressing our nation's housing supply shortage and reducing the cost of housing. We look forward to working with Congress on enacting this and other legislation that will help realize our goal of ensuring that all Americans have a safe and decent place to call home at a price they can afford,” said Sharon Wilson Géno, National Multifamily Housing Council President. “The National NeighborWorks Association applauds Chairman Flood and Ranking Member Cleaver for their thoughtful, bipartisan leadership on the HOME Reform Act of 2025,” said Lou Tisler, Executive Director of National NeighborWorks Association. “This legislation will help unlock the full potential of the HOME program through much-needed streamlining and common-sense reforms. The 250 NeighborWorks-chartered organizations across the country are on the front lines of America’s housing crisis, and these reforms will enable them to use HOME resources more effectively— building more affordable supply and helping more families achieve the dream of homeownership.” “America’s housing affordability crisis has reached a breaking point, and the HOME Reform Act of 2025 rises to meet it,” said Mike Kingsella, CEO of Up for Growth. “This bill will make it easier for public and private partners to work together to build more affordable homes and ensures program funds support the infrastructure that communities, especially those long overlooked, need to meet their housing needs. With the bipartisan leadership of Chairman Flood and Ranking Member Cleaver, Congress has a clear opportunity to help communities across the country deliver affordable homes, expand pathways to ownership, and open doors of opportunity for individuals and families nationwide.” The HOME Reform Act is endorsed by Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition, American Planning Association (APA), Bipartisan Policy Center Action, Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), Council for Affordable and Rural Housing (CARH), Council of State Community Development Agencies (COSCDA), Community Opportunity Alliance, Enterprise Community Partners, Fahe, Habitat for Humanity International, Housing Partnership Network (HPN), Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Lincoln Avenue Communities, Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), National Apartment Association (NAA), National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders (NAAHL), National Association of County Community and Economic Development (NACCED), National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), National Association of Realtors (NAR), National Community Development Association (NCDA), National Community Stabilization Trust (NCST), National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA), National Housing Conference (NHC), National Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NH&RA), National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC), National NeighborWorks Association (NNA), Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future (SAHF), Up for Growth and the US Conference of Mayors. Official text of the HOME Reform 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,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleavers-statement-after-supporting-release-epstein-files,Rep. Cleaver’s Statement After Supporting Release of Epstein Files,2025-11-18,2025,2025-11,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 voting in favor of releasing the Epstein Files. Despite the Speaker’s months-long effort to block the bill from receiving a vote, the legislationmade it to the House Floor after every House Democrat and four House Republicans signed a discharge petition to force a vote. “The crimes committed by Jeffrey Epstein and his associates were disgusting, deplorable, and devastatingly damaging to dozens, if not hundreds, of young and vulnerable girls across the country. While it is deeply disappointing that the president and the Speaker of the House fought to prevent this bill from ever coming to the House floor, a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers came together to force a vote that will bring us another step closer toward providing justice to the victims and transparency to the American people. “I was proud to vote for the bill and the disclosure of the Epstein Files in the hopes that it would provide closure to the survivors. “However, this push for transparency does not end here. It is important that my colleagues in the Senate immediately pass this legislation to ensure it becomes law and the truth prevails.” ### 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,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/bell-matsui-lead-80-lawmakers-urging-president-trump-restore-funding,"Bell, Matsui Lead 80+ Lawmakers Urging President Trump to Restore Funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting",2025-11-14,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) and Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) led over 80 of their colleagues in sending a letter to President Donald J. Trump calling on his Administration to restore funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) following its elimination in the Rescissions Act of 2025. The lawmakers warn that cutting CPB funding will weaken local journalism, jeopardize public safety, and destabilize the federal appropriations process. CPB remains one of the nation’s most essential public services—connecting over 99% of Americans to emergency alerts, educational content, local culture, and trusted news. For many rural and low-income communities, public broadcasting is often the only reliable source of information. “Beyond its immediate harm to public broadcasting, the passage of this rescissions package sets a troubling precedent for the appropriations process,” wrote the lawmakers.“Retroactively clawing back funds that were already approved by Congress to serve partisan political purposes undermines the integrity of the regular, bipartisan budgeting process. This kind of maneuver could destabilize agencies, institutions, and workers who rely on a transparent, structured funding process.” “​​Protecting CPB resources remains essential not only for preserving public media but also for safeguarding the principles of transparency and accountability. We respectfully call on the administration to work collaboratively to restore services offered under CPB and ensure that public broadcasting can continue fulfilling its indispensable mission for all communities across the country” concluded the lawmakers. The letter was signed by U.S. Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-Ga.), Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Mich.), Herbert C. Conaway, Jr. (D-N.J.), Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.), Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-Mo.), Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.), John Garamendi (D-Calif.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), James P. McGovern (D-Mass.), Shomari Figures (D-Ala.), Lucy McBath (D-Ga.), Frank J. Mrvan (D-Ind.), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-Ill.), Yvette D. Clarke (D-N.Y.), Stephen F. Lynch (D-Mass.), Ed Case (D-Hawaii), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-Calif.), Robert J. Menendez (D-N.J.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr. (D-Calif.), Marc A. Veasey (D-Texas), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Nellie Pou (D-N.J.), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.), Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.), Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.), Mike Levin (D-Calif.), Gwen S. Moore (D-Wis.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Ami Bera (D-Calif.), April McClain Delaney (D-Md.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Sharice L. Davids (D-Kan.), Thomas R. Suozzi (D-N.Y.), Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Al Green (D-Texas), Delia C. Ramirez (D-Ill.), Kelly Morrison (D-Minn.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), John B. Larson (D-Conn.), Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (D-Ga.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.), Summer L. Lee (D-Pa.), George Whitesides (D-Calif.), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Jonathan L. Jackson (D-Ill.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Val Hoyle (D-Ore.), Hillary J. Scholten (D-Mich.), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.), Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.), Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.), Dave Min (D-Calif.), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), André Carson (D-Ind.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Robin L. Kelly (D-Ill.), Haley M. Stevens (D-Mich.), Cleo Fields (D-La.), and Gabe Amo (D-R.I.). The full letter can be found here. ###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-bell-celebrates-iam-district-837-boeing-contract-agreement,"STATEMENT: Bell Celebrates IAM District 837, Boeing Contract Agreement",2025-11-13,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) released the following statement after Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District 837 voted to accept Boeing’s latest offer: ""After 15 long weeks, I am glad to see IAM District 837 and Boeing reach a fair agreement that gets our highly skilled workers back on the job. I stood with these workers because the St. Louis region plays a pivotal role in our national security—thanks in large part to the men and women at Boeing who build some of the most sophisticated, technologically advanced aircraft that keep our nation safe and our military strong. These workers deserve wages and benefits that reflect the true value of their work, and this agreement is a major victory for them, their families, and the entire St. Louis region. Boeing has long been a cornerstone of our region’s economic success, and that success has always depended on the talent and dedication of its workforce. Now, the work continues to further advance our shared commitment to growth, stability, and a stronger future for our region and our country."" Congressman Wesley Bell previously urged Boeing to work with the IAM union to reach a resolution by co-leading a letter to Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg alongside a bipartisan group of Representatives. ###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-bell-votes-no-senate-amendment-hr-5371,STATEMENT: Bell Votes NO on Senate Amendment to H.R. 5371,2025-11-12,2025,2025-11,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) released the following statement following his NO vote on the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veteran Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026: “I grew up seeing what it means when families in St. Louis can’t afford to see a doctor,” said Rep. Bell. “Health care isn’t something you can put off—and neither is this fight. I couldn’t support a deal that turns its back on working families and leaves millions facing higher costs. If Congress fails to act, premiums will rise astronomically, and families across St. Louis will be forced to go without coverage. Republicans now own those consequences, and the pain that comes with them.” ###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleavers-statement-senate-spending-bill,Rep. Cleaver’s Statement on the Senate Spending Bill,2025-11-10,2025,2025-11,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 on the latest Senate spending proposal. “For months now, as Americans plead for reforms that will address our national cost-of-living crisis, Democrats have called on Republicans in control of the White House, House of Representatives, and Senate to work with Democrats in Congress to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits that lower health care costs for working-class families. However, instead of working in a bipartisan fashion to avoid a shutdown and protect the health care of the American people, Republicans chose to slash taxes for the wealthy and well-connected while making the largest cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs in history. “From the very beginning of the Republican shutdown, I have said that I cannot support legislation that raises the health care costs of hardworking families across Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District. Unfortunately, the legislation proposed in the Senate will ensure that tens of thousands of my constituents see their health care premiums skyrocket, some by more than double what they are today. That is a heartless way to govern, particularly at a time when the president is giving $40 billion-dollar bailouts to Argentina and spending hundreds of millions to build a gilded ballroom at the White House. “Therefore, I will not support the legislation if it comes to a vote in the House of Representatives.” ### 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,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/housing-insurance-ranking-member-cleaver-and-chairman-flood-introduce,Housing & Insurance Ranking Member Cleaver and Chairman Flood Introduce Bipartisan Legislation Modernizing HOME Program,2025-10-31,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Housing & Insurance Subcommittee Ranking Member Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) and Chairman Mike Flood (R-NE) introduced the HOME Reform Act of 2025, legislation that overhauls the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The bipartisan legislation will streamline regulations to strengthen public-private partnerships in efforts to encourage the building of more housing and rental properties to bring down the cost of housing. “Americans in every community are struggling to stay afloat financially due to the high cost of housing, which is limiting opportunities for families to get ahead and weighing down local economies,” said Ranking Member Cleaver. “This is a crisis that demands immediate bipartisan action to lower costs, and I’m pleased to join Chairman Flood in the effort to provide relief nationwide. By revamping and revitalizing the HOME Program—one of our greatest tools to expand the supply of affordable housing for working-class families—we can ensure that affordable housing and the American Dream of homeownership are once again attainable from the heartland to the coasts. After months of meetings and hearings with local leaders, housing stakeholders, and American families from across the country, I’m proud to introduce the Home Reform Act with Chairman Flood to lower housing costs in Missouri and beyond.” “America is in the midst of a housing crisis as families struggle to live the American dream due to the of a shortage of millions of homes,” said Chairman Flood. “The HOME program is a federal program that builds housing supply, but it has previously been weighed down by regulatory burdens that make it hard to build housing. Thanks to the insights of those who work directly with HOME, and the invaluable teamwork of my colleague Ranking Member Cleaver, I believe the HOME Reform Act of 2025 will cut the red tape that has been holding this program back. The reforms in this legislation will result in more homebuilding across the country as we work to tackle our nation’s housing shortage. From Columbus, Nebraska to Columbus, Ohio and beyond, local communities will have an unprecedented opportunity to build affordable homes and directly address the housing crisis gripping our nation. I look forward to working to pass this legislation with broad bipartisan support."" The HOME Reform Act represents the first major reform to the program since its authorization in 1990 as part of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act. The legislation provides greater flexibility for states and localities, cuts red tape, and supports the development and preservation of affordable housing. The HOME Reform Act is the result of a bipartisan effort kickstarted by Chairman Flood and Ranking Member Cleaver earlier this year to develop meaningful solutions to the housing crisis in America. In April, Congressman Cleaver and Congressman Flood released a joint request for feedback on the HOME and CDBG programs. In July, the Housing & Insurance Subcommittee held a hearing entitled, “HOME 2.0: Modern Solutions to the Housing Shortage.” The HOME Reform Act is endorsed by Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition, American Planning Association (APA), Bipartisan Policy Center Action, Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), Council for Affordable and Rural Housing (CARH), Council of State Community Development Agencies (COSCDA), Community Opportunity Alliance, Enterprise Community Partners, Fahe, Habitat for Humanity International, Housing Partnership Network (HPN), Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Lincoln Avenue Communities, Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), National Apartment Association (NAA), National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders (NAAHL), National Association of County Community and Economic Development (NACCED), National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), National Association of Realtors (NAR), National Community Development Association (NCDA), National Community Stabilization Trust (NCST), National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA), National Housing Conference (NHC), National Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NH&RA), National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC), National NeighborWorks Association (NNA), Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future (SAHF), Up for Growth and the US Conference of Mayors. Official text of the HOME Reform Act is available here. A detailed section-by-section of the HOME Reform 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,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cleaver-pressley-warren-warnock-introduce-innovation-fund-act-bring,"Cleaver, Pressley, Warren, Warnock Introduce Innovation Fund Act to Bring Down Housing Costs by Incentivizing Communities to Build Housing",2025-10-30,2025,2025-10,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 (D-MO), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), along with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, and Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA), introduced the Innovation Fund Act to establish a program to reward communities that are taking innovative steps to increase housing supply. The bill creates a competitive pot of highly flexible funding for communities that are building more housing, which can be used to improve community infrastructure, build housing, and supplement water and sewer grants. The bill is included in the landmark bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act, which recently passed the Senate in the FY2026 NDAA. The Innovation Fund Act: Will award competitive grants to cities, counties, other units of local government or Indian tribes that have demonstrated an objective improvement in housing supply. Requires applicants to describe how they are currently facilitating the expansion of their housing supply. Will prioritize eligible entities that demonstrate the use of innovative policies, interventions, or programs to increase housing supply. Allows eligible entities to use the funds to carry out CDBG eligible activities, as matching funds for water and sewer grants, and for initiatives that facilitate the expansion of the supply of attainable housing and supplement initiatives the eligible entity has carried out. Official bill text 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,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/president-trump-illegally-terminates-renewable-energy-initiative,"As President Trump Illegally Terminates Renewable Energy Initiative, Including $156 Million Investment in Missouri, Reps. Cleaver and Fletcher Lead Effort Demanding Administration Reverse Decision",2025-10-28,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX) led 100 of their Democratic colleagues in sending a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin, urging the Trump administration to restore the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) Solar for All program. The Solar for All program is a $7 billion investment to help working families lower their electricity bills, strengthen local economies, and build a more resilient future. Missouri was designated to receive $156 million in federal funding to deliver solar and battery storage to thousands of low-income and working-class households across the Show Me State, saving families hundreds of dollars in energy costs annually. “We write to express our strong opposition to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) termination of the Solar for All program and rescission of lawfully obligated funding,” the lawmakers wrote. “This action is a clear violation of the law and must be rectified immediately. “States and nonprofit grant recipients have already spent years applying for these grants and developing solar programs in alignment with the goals and guidelines set forth by the program,” the lawmakers wrote. “Grant recipients have already invested millions of dollars in workforce development and community partnerships. EPA’s illegal termination of these grants is fostering economic uncertainty and sending a signal that the Federal government is an unreliable partner as we work to deliver real results for the American people. ""The American people will bear the brunt of EPA’s actions,” the lawmakers continued. ""Claims about saving taxpayer dollars ring false for the working families dealing with skyrocketing energy costs. Recission of these grants will rob families of energy savings, will result in job losses, and will halt the expected economic benefits communities were counting on. These reckless actions will weaken our electric grid at a time when reliability and resilience are more critical than ever.” On August 7, the Trump administration announced it would terminate the Solar for All program and take back federal funds that had already been awarded to grant recipients, including Missouri. The letter comes after several lawsuits were filed by states, non-profits, and local governments against the EPA over the cancellation of the Solar for All program. The official letter from lawmakers 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,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/bell-bacon-introduce-bipartisan-resolution-establish-national-day-deployed,"Bell, Bacon Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Establish a National Day of the Deployed",2025-10-27,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—U.S. Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.) introduced a bipartisan resolution to designate October 26 as a day of recognition honoring all U.S. service members currently deployed overseas and the families who support them at home. The observance would formally recognize the sacrifices made by deployed servicemembers who serve far from home, often in harm’s way, as well as their loved ones who shoulder the burden of separation and uncertainty in their absence. “Behind every service-member serving abroad is a family that serves alongside them,” said Rep. Bell. “Everyday, our men and women in uniform risk their lives to defend our freedoms and democracy. A national day of recognition for their service and for their families is a simple but meaningful way to say thank you—to acknowledge their courage, commitment, and sacrifice, and to remind the country that freedom requires service, both seen and unseen.” “The American men and women who are deployed around the globe to protect and defend our national interests are the front lines of defense for our democracy,” said Rep. Bacon. “I gladly served and deployed for my country. The all-volunteer force underpins everything we hold sacred as a nation, and the fact that they and their families sacrifice so much for our freedoms is a testament to their dedication. This recognition of the ‘Day of the Deployed’ is the least we can do for them.” Read the full bill here. ###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-calls-department-energy-reinstate-furloughed-nuclear,Rep. Cleaver Calls on Department of Energy to Reinstate Furloughed Nuclear Employees,2025-10-27,2025,2025-10,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 he joined 26 House Democrats in condemning the Department of Energy’s decision to furlough nearly 80% of the National Nuclear Security Administration federal workforce, which has never happened before despite multiple government shutdowns throughout the agency’s 25-year history. In a letter to Energy Secretary Chris Wright, the lawmakers demanded information on the national security implications of the decision and called on the Secretary to immediately rescind the furloughs. “We write to express our deep concern about the furlough of nearly 80% of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) federal workforce,” wrote the lawmakers. “Furloughing the vast majority of the agency’s personnel is not only an unprecedented step, it is deeply harmful to U.S. national security. While the Republicans’ government shutdown continues, we are also troubled that this announcement appears to be politically motivated rather than the result of careful deliberations amidst a funding shortfall.” “From maintaining and modernizing our nuclear weapons stockpile, to overseeing the Navy’s nuclear propulsion, and managing nuclear nonproliferation programs, the United States is safer because of the dedicated public servants at NNSA, who have already been under attack by this Administration,” the lawmakers continued. “These federal employees play a critical oversight role in ensuring that the work required to maintain nuclear security is carried out in accordance with longstanding policy and the law. Undermining the agency’s workforce at such a challenging time for U.S. global leadership diminishes our credible deterrence, emboldens our international adversaries, and makes the world a more dangerous place.” “While Republicans have failed to use their governing mandate to keep the government open, we implore you to ensure that national security is not sacrificed as a consequence of their inaction. We urgently demand that you rescind this furlough notice and return NNSA employees to the important job of ensuring our nuclear stockpile is safe, secure, and reliable,” the lawmakers concluded. On October 20, Secretary Wright held a press conference announcing that the Department of Energy would be furloughing 1,400 direct-hire federal employees, leaving only 375 on the job nationwide. NNSA oversees sixteen facilities throughout the United States, including the Kansas City National Security Campus in Kansas City, Missouri. Additionally, the impact of these furloughs are rippling, with reports that roughly 1,600 additional union workers could be soon furloughed at the Kansas City campus as well. Since the United States no longer conducts full-scale nuclear tests, stockpile scientists at the NNSS obtain data from breakthrough experiments, engineering audits and analysis, high-tech computer simulations, and world-class diagnostic measurement systems to keep warheads reliable, safe, and secure. As the nuclear arsenal is now more than 50 years old, such experiments are imperative to understand and predict how these aging devices will perform if deployed. Secretary Wright’s announcement on October 20 calls into question the safety and security of the sensitive material at the Kansas City National Security Campus, other NNSA facilities, and the reliability of our nuclear arsenal. The official letter from lawmakers 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,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-joins-house-democrats-urging-usda-take-immediate-action,Rep. Cleaver Joins House Democrats in Urging USDA to Take Immediate Action to Fund SNAP,2025-10-24,2025,2025-10,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) joined Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (D-CT) and 212 other House Democrats in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins, urging the agency to use contingency reserve dollars to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the government shutdown. With no resolution to a bipartisan path forward to reopen the government, SNAP funding is set to lapse on November 1st, putting 42 million children and families at risk of experiencing hunger, including more than 655,000 in Missouri. There is enough in the SNAP contingency reserve to cover nearly two-thirds of the amount needed for a full month of benefits. As such, the Members also advocate for the agency to use statutory transfer authority or any other legal means to supplement shortfalls the contingency reserve cannot cover. “Now more than ever, millions of families across the country depend upon the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to make ends meet. For far too many veterans, seniors, and children, SNAP benefits are the difference between having food or not,” wrote the lawmakers. “Now, due to the government shutdown, they are facing crippling levels of uncertainty about whether they will be able to afford food next month. A potential lapse in benefits would be felt by Americans of all ages and affect every corner and congressional district in the country.” “We urge USDA to use these funds for November SNAP benefits and issue clear guidance to states on how to navigate benefit issuance. Additionally, while the contingency reserve will not cover November benefits in full, we urge USDA to use its statutory transfer authority or any other legal authority at its disposal to supplement these dollars and fully fund November benefits. There are clear steps the administration can and must take immediately to ensure that millions of families across the country can put food on their table in November. Choosing not to ensure SNAP benefits reach those in need this November would be a gross dereliction of your responsibilities to the American people,” the lawmakers concluded. In July, Rep. Cleaver voted against the president’s Big Ugly Bill, which made the largest cut to SNAP in American history. This week, Congressman Cleaver also co-sponsored the Feed Our Families Act, which would provide appropriations for carrying out federal food assistance programs like SNAP during the first 90 days of a federal shutdown. The official letter from lawmakers 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,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/bell-tokuda-horsford-lead-colleagues-urging-pentagon-reverse-discriminatory,"Bell, Tokuda, Horsford Lead Colleagues in Urging Pentagon to Reverse Discriminatory Shaving Waiver Policy",2025-10-23,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—U.S. Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), and Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) led 39 of their colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth condemning the Department of Defense’s decision to administratively separate service members with long-term medical shaving waivers. The lawmakers warned that the policy will disproportionately harm Black service members, undermine troop morale, and needlessly reduce military readiness. Medical shaving waivers are granted to protect service members with conditions such as pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB)—a chronic skin condition that disproportionately affects Black men—from physical harm caused by shaving. Studies show that between 45 and 83 percent of Black service members experience PFB, compared to much lower rates among other populations. ""We write to you regarding your recent announcement that service members with medical shaving waivers lasting longer than one year will be processed for administrative separation and may be involuntarily separated from the Armed Forces. This decision is unjust, discriminatory in impact, and corrosive to both the readiness and morale of our Armed Forces,"" wrote the lawmakers. ""Unfortunately, this policy does not increase troop readiness or make our Armed Forces a more effective, leaner, and more lethal military. In fact, forcing high-performing members with PFB to separate will decrease troop morale and will result in the loss of experienced members of our Armed Forces, including those in critical skill fields who are impossible to replace in the near term, which, unlike shaving waivers, would decrease the capacity of the military to meet its missions. This is a significant loss of talent, training, and taxpayer investment. Worse, it sends the damaging message that troops are disposable when their medical needs do not conform to your narrow and rigid rules,"" continued the lawmakers. ""We urge you to immediately suspend implementation of this policy and develop a fairer, more just standard that effectively supports members with chronic medical conditions and religious exemptions while maintaining unit readiness,"" concluded the lawmakers. Signers of the letter include Donald Beyer (D-Va.), Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.), André Carson (D-Ind.), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Gilbert Cisneros (D-Calif.), Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Christopher Deluzio (D-Pa.), Sarah Elfreth (D-Md.), John Garamendi (D-Calif.), Daniel Goldman (D-N.Y.), Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.), James McGovern (D-Mass.), Dave Min (D-Calif.), Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Eleanor Norton (D-D.C.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Emily Randall (D-Wash.), Bradley Schneider (D-Ill.), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.), Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.), Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.), Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), Marc Veasey (D-Texas), Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.), Eugene Vindman (D-Va.), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), and George Whitesides (D-Calif.). Read the full text of the letter here. ###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/bell-introduces-fema-operations-continuity-act-protect-disaster-relief-during,Bell Introduces FEMA Operations Continuity Act to Protect Disaster Relief During Government Shutdowns,2025-10-21,2025,2025-10,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) introduced the FEMA Operations Continuity Act of 2025 to ensure that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can continue delivering disaster relief, recovery, and mitigation assistance during a lapse in government funding. This bill would authorize FEMA to maintain essential operations funded through the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF)—including individual and public assistance programs—so families and communities impacted by natural disasters are not left behind during a government shutdown. “This spring, the St. Louis region was hit by devastating tornadoes, and we couldn’t have afforded to wait for assistance any longer than we did. Families rebuilding their lives after a disaster should never have to wait for Congress to get its act together before receiving life-saving help,” said Rep. Bell. “This bill guarantees that FEMA’s essential work continues uninterrupted during a government shutdown—because protecting human life and property should never be subject to drama in Washington.” The legislation would further prohibit the diversion or withholding of DRF funds during a lapse in appropriations and explicitly classifies FEMA’s disaster response activities as essential functions under the Anti-Deficiency Act, exempting them from shutdown restrictions. Read the bill text here. ###",1,2026-03-31T05:33:41Z,2026-03-31T05:34:51Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cleaver-36-house-democrats-urge-administration-end-tariff-fueled,"Cleaver, 36 House Democrats Urge Administration to End Tariff-Fueled Economic Assault on Soybean Farmers",2025-10-17,2025,2025-10,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) and Sean Casten, along with 35 other House Democrats, called on the president to end the reckless tariff policies that are devastating American soybean farmers across the country. In a letter to the president, the lawmakers highlighted the significant negative economic impact of his tariffs on soybean farmers and urged the president to immediately terminate them before more harm is done. Soybeans are Missouri’s largest commodity crop, with over five million acres dedicated to soybeans each year, providing $2.5 billion in economic value. In addition to levying harmful tariffs, the administration also shut down a major soybean research project earlier this year. “Soybeans are the backbone of American agriculture, contributing over $31 billion to the U.S. economy during the 2023-2024 crop year. In 2024, China purchased more than half of all U.S. soybean exports, amounting to $12.6 billion,” the lawmakers wrote. “However, in response to the tariffs you imposed earlier this year, China levied retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports and has halted all U.S. soybean purchases since May. As a result, American farmers are at risk of becoming collateral damage in your trade war.” The United States’ largest soybean trading partner has not purchased soybeans since May due to President Trump’s tariffs and has instead chosen to buy soybeans from Brazil and Argentina. At the same time, President Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently announced that the Administration would provide $20 billion in taxpayer money to bail out Argentina, which further endangers the U.S. soybean industry by providing financial support to a leading American competitor. These actions threaten the long-term access to foreign markets for U.S. producers. The value of U.S. soybean exports to China never fully recovered after the U.S. tariff war with China in President Trump’s first term, when the value of U.S. soybean exports to China plunged from $14 billion in 2016 to $3.1 billion in 2018. At the same time the soybean markets are under threat, farmers are being hit with higher input costs from Trump’s tariff war. In addition to Reps. Cleaver and Casten, the letter was signed by Reps. Alma Adams (D-NC), Shontel Brown (D-OH), André Carson (D-IN), Troy Carter (D-LA), Jim Clyburn (D-SC), Angie Craig (D-MN), Danny Davis (D-IL), Cleo Fields (D-LA), Bill Foster (D-TN), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Jonathan Jackson (D-NC), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Greg Landsman (D-OH), Sarah McBride (D-DE), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI), Morgan McGarvey (D-KY), Kelly Morrison (D-MN), Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), Eric Swalwell (D-MA), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Lauren Underwood (D-IL), and Marc Veasey (D-TX). The official letter from lawmakers 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,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-calls-administration-renew-grant-funding-head-start,Congressman Cleaver Calls on Administration to Renew Grant Funding for Head Start Programs in Western Missouri,2025-10-16,2025,2025-10,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) called on the administration to immediately renew grant funding obligated for Head Start programs in Jackson, Clay, and Platte counties in western Missouri. While Head Start programs have operated as normal during the federal shutdown, the grant recipient, Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), has not yet received the necessary Notice of Award to continue grant funding after October 31. The Health and Human Services Department (HHS), which oversees Head Start, has also experienced numerous staffing cuts since the start of the year, as well as a recent effort to fire almost 1,000 employees at HHS, including almost 50 at the Administration of Children and Families. “I am writing today regarding the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), a current grant recipient and administrator of funds for the Head Start program in the 5th Congressional District. I have serious and urgent concern regarding the lapse in the Notification of Award for the upcoming program period,” Congressman Cleaver wrote. “Without this notice, MARC cannot incur any expenses for Head Start after October 31, unless there is certainty of reimbursement.” “This means that over 2300 children enrolled in Head Start programs in the three-county area will be without funding and services on November 1. It also jeopardizes staff retention, family engagement and the developmental support that is provided to children enrolled in Head Start programs,” Congressman Cleaver continued. “I am respectfully requesting clarification on the status of Notification of Award and any available guidance for MARC regarding next steps in the grant award notification process. I greatly appreciate your attention to this matter and your continued support of early childhood programs that serve some of the 5th Congressional District’s most vulnerable residents,” Congressman Cleaver concluded. In Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, Head Start serves more than 2,300 children and employs 500 people. The program also enables the employment of parents by providing free/low-cost childcare, prenatal care for expecting mothers, and in-home services. Among Kansas City’s Head Start parents, 1,351 are employed, 169 are in training programs, and 168 are enrolled in school. Earlier this year, Congressman Cleaver condemned the proposed cuts to the Head Start program and called on the administration to protect Head Start funding, which has served nearly 40 million children since its start in 1965. The official letter from Congressman Cleaver 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,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-joins-bipartisan-call-urging-trump-administration-follow,Rep. Cleaver Joins Bipartisan Call Urging Trump Administration to Follow Law on Back Pay for Furloughed Federal Workers,2025-10-15,2025,2025-10,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) joined U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), along with U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and 163 other lawmakers, in urging Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to follow the law—which president Trump signed in 2019—that requires furloughed federal employees to receive back pay during a government shutdown. Despite this explicit law, President Trump and Director Vought have continued to bully and target our dedicated federal workforce, including by threatening to illegally withhold back pay after the shutdown ends. In a bipartisan letter to Director Vought, the lawmakers underscore that the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, which was passed and signed into law during the last shutdown under President Trump, is clear that all federal employees, whether they are excepted or furloughed, are entitled to back pay after a government shutdown ends. There are more than 30,000 federal workers that reside in Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District. “During the 2018-2019 shutdown, we worked with President Trump to enact the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act (GEFTA) of 2019, the intent of which is clear – federal employees are entitled to retroactive pay in the event of a government shutdown. We applauded President Trump for signing this bipartisan bill into law,” the members wrote. “The law is clear: all impacted government employees, regardless of excepted or furloughed status, are entitled to back pay after a government shutdown ends, which is consistent with the guidance currently provided by federal agencies, including the Office of Personnel Management (OPM),” the members wrote. “OPM’s shutdown guidance from September 2025 still states that furloughed federal workers will be provided back pay once the government reopens.” The members continued, “The decision by OMB to remove critical guidance on federal employee back pay is causing unnecessary stress for the federal workforce comprised of nearly 2.2 million employees.” “We request you immediately clarify and update the Frequently Asked Questions During a Lapse in Appropriations Document and other relevant materials to affirm that furloughed employees will receive back pay, as is required by law,” the members concluded. In addition to Cleaver, Kaine, Murkowski, Beyer, and Hoyer, the letter is cosigned by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). It is also cosigned by U.S. Representatives Alma Adams (D-NC-12), Gabe Amo (D-RI-01), Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-04), Becca Balint (D-VT-AL), Wesley Bell (D-MO-01), Ami Bera (D-CA-06), Sanford Bishop (D-GA-02), Shontel Brown (D-OH-11), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Janelle Bynum (D-OR-05), André Carson (D-IN-07), Greg Casar (D-TX-35), Ed Case (D-HI-01), Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20), Judy Chu (D-CA-28), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09), Jim Costa (D-CA-21), Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), Diana DeGette (D-CO-01), Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10), Maxine Dexter (D-OR-03), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37), Sarah Elfreth (D-MD-03), Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16), Dwight Evans (D-PA-03), Shomari Figures (D-AL-02), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX-07), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Lois Frankel (D-FL-22), John Garamendi (D-CA-08), Jesús García (D-IL-04), Robert Garcia (D-CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29), Dan Goldman (D-NY-10), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA-34), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH-02), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Jahana Hayes (D-CT-05), Pablo Hernández (D-PR-01), Steven Horsford (D-NV-04), Val Hoyle (D-OR-4), Glenn Ivey (D-MD-04), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Hank Johnson (D-GA-04), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37), Bill Keating (D-MA-09), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Greg Landsman (D-OH-01), John Larson (D-CT-01), Summer Lee (D-PA-12), Susie Lee (D-NV-03), Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM-03), Mike Levin (D-CA-49), Ted Lieu (D-CA-36), Stephen Lynch (D-MA-08), Doris Matsui (D-CA-07), Lucy McBath (D-GA-06), Sarah McBride (D-DE-AL), April McClain Delaney (D-MD-06), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), James McGovern (D-MA-02), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10), Robert Menendez (D-NJ-08), Grace Meng (D-NY-06), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-07), Dave Min (D-CA-47), Gwen Moore (D-WI-04), Joe Morelle (D-NY-25), Seth Moulton (D-MA-06), Frank Mrvan (D-IN-01), Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15), Jerry Nadler (D-NY-12), Joe Neguse (D-CO-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14), Johnny Olszewski (D-MD-02), Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05), Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06), Chris Pappas (D-NH-01), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-07), Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Emily Randall (D-WA-06), Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08), Luz Rivas (D-CA-29), Deborah Ross (D-NC-02), Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25), Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03), Bobby Scott (D-VA-03), Terri Sewell (D-AL-07), Brad Sherman (D-CA-32), Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), Adam Smith (D-WA-09), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10), Tom Suozzi (D-NY-03), Eric Swalwell (D-CA-14), Emilia Sykes (D-OH-13), Mark Takano (D-CA-39), Mike Thompson (D-CA-04), Dina Titus (D-NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02), Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15), Derek Tran (D-CA-45), Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), Juan Vargas (D-CA-52), Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-07), Eugene Vindman (D-VA-07), James Walkinshaw (D-VA-11), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), Nikema Williams (D-GA-05), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24). The official letter from lawmakers 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,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleavers-statement-senate-passage-bipartisan-road-housing-act,Rep. Cleaver’s Statement on Senate Passage of bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act,2025-10-10,2025,2025-10,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), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, released the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act as part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes legislation sponsored by Rep. Cleaver. “American families are struggling with the rising cost of housing, healthcare, groceries, utilities, education, and other everyday expenses. However, rent and mortgage costs remain the largest single expense for American households, and a growing number of Americans are burdened by unsustainably high housing costs, with far too many sacrificing necessities, accepting affordable but substandard housing, or entering homelessness. “I applaud Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren, Chairman Tim Scott, and the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, for working with the Senate to pass the bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act, which will improve housing affordability and boost housing supply. The package includes several bills I have co-written with my Senate colleagues, including key legislation to improve USDA rural housing programs, revitalize HUD housing programs, and incentivize state and local zoning reforms – all of which are necessary to lower housing costs for Missouri families. “Americans want a Congress that cooperates, solves problems, and improves their lives. That means fighting when we must but also working together where we can. Housing is not a Democratic or Republican issue, or a rural or urban issue, as all Americans need a home. Young Americans still long for the American Dream of upward mobility through homeownership. As Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, I will work with my colleagues to ensure much needed and long overdue housing legislation is passed into law during this Congress.” 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,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-shares-resources-federal-workers-faqs-missourians,"Congressman Cleaver Shares Resources for Federal Workers, FAQs for Missourians Harmed by Latest Republican Shutdown",2025-10-06,2025,2025-10,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. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) shared a webpage with resources to assist federal workers and contractors impacted by the latest Republican shutdown, including the more than 30,000 that reside in Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District. The shutdown comes following President Trump and Republicans’ failure to negotiate a bipartisan funding bill that would keep the government running and prevent Missourians from seeing their health care premiums skyrocket. The webpage also includes Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for constituents inquiring about how the federal shutdown will impact the services they rely on. “It is deeply frustrating that President Trump and Republicans in control of the House and Senate have once again failed to keep the government open and running for the American people, which not only harms the federal workers who are being furloughed in Missouri and all over the country, but also undermines essential services that seniors and families depend on,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Even worse, as Americans face the consequences of the latest Republican shutdown dragging into its second week, the president has been on the golf course and House Republicans are spending another week on vacation instead of in Washington. “As I continue working to pass a bipartisan budget bill that resumes government operations, returns public servants to work, and prevents a massive rise in healthcare costs for Missourians in my congressional district, I wanted to provide my constituents with some resources that can be of assistance to them in this difficult time.” The Federal Shutdown Resource Page 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,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleavers-statement-latest-republican-shutdown,Rep. Cleaver’s Statement on Latest Republican Shutdown,2025-10-01,2025,2025-10,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 the federal government officially shut down for the first time since the last Trump administration. “With Republicans in control of the House of Representatives, Senate, and White House, I am deeply disappointed that my colleagues across the aisle have failed to do their job of keeping the government open and services running for hardworking families. “If Congress does not extend Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits now, hundreds of thousands of people will lose their health care and millions more will see their costs skyrocket. Despite weeks of calls for a bipartisan compromise that would prevent a harmful shutdown and address the looming healthcare crisis, my Republican colleagues refused to negotiate a bipartisan spending bill to fund the federal government and ensure health care premiums do not more than double for millions of Americans. Instead, they attempted to jam a partisan spending bill through Congress and then went on vacation as federal appropriations ran out. “I have always said that democracy demands compromise. It is time for my friends across the aisle to come back to Washington, negotiate in good faith, and find a bipartisan solution that will end this unnecessary and harmful shutdown before more damage is done.” ### 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,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/bell-carbajal-bacon-introduce-bipartisan-baltic-security-assessment-act,"Bell, Carbajal, Bacon Introduce Bipartisan Baltic Security Assessment Act to Strengthen National Security and Support NATO Allies",2025-09-23,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), and Don Bacon (R-Neb.), introduced the Baltic Security Assessment Act of 2025, a bipartisan measure to ensure the United States maintains a clear, comprehensive understanding of the threats facing Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania from hostile actors, including Russia, China, Iran, Belarus, and North Korea. Under the legislation, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, will be required to deliver a detailed report to Congress within 180 days assessing emerging military, cyber, hybrid, and political threats to the Baltic nations. The report will also identify opportunities to strengthen U.S.–Baltic defense cooperation, reinforce the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) collective defense posture, bolster cybersecurity infrastructure, and enhance democratic resilience in the region. “Putin’s unprovoked war on Ukraine is a stark reminder that our Baltic allies are on the frontlines of the fight for freedom and democracy,” said Rep. Bell. “The Baltic Security Assessment Act will give the United States a clear picture of the threats facing Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, and strengthen our ability to support them. This bipartisan bill reinforces NATO’s collective defense and ensures we stand united against those who seek to undermine freedom.” “The Baltic nations have witnessed firsthand the reality of Soviet oppression and today stand as beacons of democracy in the face of increasing threats from Russia and its allies. I'm grateful to co-lead the Baltic Security Assessment Act of 2025, which strengthens our commitment to our steadfast allies Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania,” said Rep. Bacon, co-chair of the House Baltic Caucus. “This bipartisan legislation will improve our understanding of emerging military, cyber, and hybrid threats to the Baltic states through a comprehensive assessment, while reaffirming America's unwavering support for these vital NATO partners.” “Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine has underscored the urgent need to stand firmly with our Baltic allies,” said Rep. Carbajal, co-chair of the House Baltic Caucus. “The Baltic Security Assessment Act reinforces our Baltic alliances, bolsters regional stability, and advances our shared security goals.” ""The Baltic states continue to lead by example through committing over 5% of GDP toward defense, hosting U.S. forces, and deepening integration with NATO allies. The Baltic Security Assessment Act is timely legislation that will strengthen the U.S.-Baltic security relationship and promote a shared understanding of regional capability goals. The Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) strongly encourages Members of Congress to co-sponsor this important legislation,"" said the Joint Baltic American National Committee. Last week, three Russian military jets violated Estonia's airspace for 12 minutes, the latest in a series of military actions by Russia that have provoked NATO members. This follows the 20 Russian drones fired into Poland’s airspace during the evening of September 9. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have been NATO members since 2004 and have played an active role in the alliance’s collective defense. The Baltic nations have been on the frontlines of countering Russian aggression, particularly since Moscow’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The bill underscores the United States’ commitment to ensuring these allies have the resources, intelligence, and cooperation needed to defend themselves and the transatlantic alliance. Rep. Bell is a member of the bipartisan House Baltic Caucus. Reps. Carbajal and Bacon serve as Caucus’ co-chairs. Read the full bill text here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-senator-durbin-introduce-spur-housing-act-increase-housing,"Rep. Cleaver, Senator Durbin Introduce the SPUR Housing Act to Increase Housing Supply and Economic Development",2025-09-19,2025,2025-09,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), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) jointly announced the introduction of the Sparking Production of Urban and Rural (SPUR) Housing Act. The SPUR Housing Act establishes a fund to increase the capacity of emerging developers – those with limited development experience and limited resources – who are undertaking affordable housing and community development projects. The funds are made available through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the form of competitive grants for nonprofit housing organizations and community development financial institutions (CDFIs) providing financing, capacity-building training, and technical assistance to eligible emerging developers. “The road to lowering housing costs for the American people begins with the increase in construction of affordable housing,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Emerging developers, including many minority developers who have faced historical barriers to entry, need access to the tools and resources necessary to build affordable housing in their communities. By providing these developers with the support to pursue projects in rural and urban communities alike, we can create good-paying jobs, increase our national housing supply, and drive down prices for hardworking families. I’m proud to introduce the SPUR Housing Act with Senator Durbin as we fight to lower housing costs for communities in the heartland and all across this great nation.” “Despite there being more than 112,000 real estate development companies in the United States, only one percent are owned by Black and Latino developers. This great divide is spurred by unequal access to capital for minority developers, who often are competing against generational wealth. Many of these developers are subjected to onerous equity and experience requirements that make it nearly impossible for them to secure financial backing for their projects. The SPUR Housing Act levels the development playing field and gives Black and Latino developers the resources and experience they need to build and grow their own companies,” said Senator Durbin. ""The communities we serve at Cinnaire — rural and urban alike — share an urgent need for increased affordable housing options,"" said Chris Neary, Senior Vice President for Policy, Research and Advocacy at Cinnaire. ""The Sparking Production of Urban and Rural (SPUR) Housing Act would tap into the unlocked potential of these communities to create the affordable homeownership and rental opportunities they need to thrive. We applaud Congressman Cleaver for introducing this legislation to address the housing crisis."" “The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) applauds Representative Cleaver for introducing the Sparking Production of Urban and Rural (SPUR) Housing Act. Our experience has shown us that emerging real estate developers need more access to training, technical assistance, and flexible financial capital to scale their affordable housing and real estate development work, especially in underserved communities,” said Geoff Jolley, Executive Director at LISC Greater Kansas City. “The SPUR Housing Act will provide the resources necessary to build their capacity, which will create desperately needed housing, spurring jobs, economic development, and broader neighborhood revitalization.” “As a nationally recognized leader bridging commercial real estate, community and civic partnerships, I commend Congressman Cleaver’s leadership on the SPUR Housing Act,” said Kimberly Brown, Managing Partner at Housing Impact Partners. “My work has shown that when emerging developers have access to capital and supportive policy, they create housing and economic opportunities that organically strengthen our historically underestimated communities.” The SPUR Housing Act would establish an emerging developer fund to: Expand Financing Tools for Affordable Housing and Community Development Projects – Through predevelopment loans, loan loss reserves, grants, risk sharing, credit enhancements, and capitalized loan funds, SPUR Housing Act funds expand access to capital. Increase Access to Capacity-Building Training and Technical Assistance – Nonprofit housing organizations and CDFIs can use SPUR Housing Act funds to provide real estate development capacity building and ongoing technical assistance. Emerging developers face a range of barriers to entry and growth including limited access to financing, challenges navigating regulatory and bureaucratic hurdles, and a lack of experience. The SPUR Housing Act aims to address these concerns by helping newer developers access the important financial and technical resources needed to catalyze revitalization and economic growth. Importantly, this legislation builds upon state and local models proven successful in supporting emerging developers addressing the housing and economic development needs of their communities. Official text of the SPUR Housing 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,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-votes-against-partisan-budget-bill-continues-republican,Rep. Cleaver Votes Against Partisan Budget Bill that Continues Republican Assault on Americans’ Healthcare and Includes Cuts to Previously Agreed Upon Programs,2025-09-19,2025,2025-09,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 against the partisan Continuing Resolution (CR) that continues the Republican assault on Americans’ healthcare and includes cuts to the previously negotiated bipartisan budget. “Republicans in the House of Representatives are following the orders of President Trump and refusing to negotiate a bipartisan budget with Democrats, choosing instead to jam a partisan CR through Congress that will continue their decimation of Americans’ healthcare, as well as cuts to important programs that were previously negotiated on a bipartisan basis. “The number one thing I hear from families in Missouri is the rising cost of healthcare and housing. I cannot in good conscience support a partisan budget bill that will cause my constituents in Missouri to see their healthcare costs skyrocket—which is precisely what this legislation would do. Moreover, as the administration continues to cut programs that were funded on a bipartisan basis, any budget bill must include safeguards that prevent more partisan cuts after a deal is struck. “Democracy demands compromise. If Republicans in Congress want the votes of Democratic lawmakers, they cannot cut us out of the process completely. Before they force another harmful shutdown, my colleagues across the aisle must come back to the negotiating table and work with Democrats to craft a bipartisan budget bill that addresses the unsustainable rise in healthcare costs and the needs of our communities.” ### 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,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleavers-statement-charlie-kirk-resolution,Rep. Cleaver’s Statement on Charlie Kirk Resolution,2025-09-19,2025,2025-09,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 on the Charlie Kirk Resolution. “As John Donne said in his famous poem, ‘any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind.’ “I reject and resent the savagery of the man who killed Charlie Kirk. When we resort to violence as a means of expressing opposition to another’s politics, we are actually downgrading our own. I condemn political violence in all forms and from all perpetrators, including the heinous murder of Mr. Kirk. “Mr. Kirk’s statements about African American women and other Black people demands me to reject his racial insensitivity. Therefore, because I fundamentally disagreed with many of Mr. Kirk’s views, I voted against today’s resolution on the grounds that it lionized a legacy I cannot support.” ### 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,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/bell-calls-new-postage-stamp-honor-late-congressman-william-lacy-clay-sr,Bell Calls for New Postage Stamp to Honor the Late Congressman William Lacy Clay Sr.,2025-09-18,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—Today, Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) introduced the William Lacy Clay Sr. Memorial Stamp Act to create a commemorative postage stamp in honor of the late William Lacy Clay Sr. “William Lacy Clay Sr. was a giant—not just for St. Louis, not just for Missouri, but for the entire country,” said Congressman Bell. “He spent more than three decades in Congress fighting for civil rights, for working people, and for those too often left out or unheard. His legacy lives on in the movement he helped build, the Black lawmakers he helped lift up, and the community he never stopped serving. A commemorative stamp is a small but lasting way to honor his enormous impact—and to remind future generations of the values he stood for.” William Lacy “Bill” Clay Sr., the first African-American elected to Congress from Missouri, represented St. Louis in the U.S. House for more than three decades. A former civil rights activist and union organizer, he championed the rights of poor and working-class Americans, fought discrimination, and helped found the Congressional Black Caucus. Known for his unwavering commitment to principle, Clay left an indelible mark on labor rights, education, and civil rights legislation. He retired in 2001 and was succeeded by his son, Congressman William Lacy Clay Jr., continuing a family legacy of public service. Read the full bill text here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-condemns-passage-mid-decade-redistricting-missouri,Rep. Cleaver Condemns Passage of Mid-Decade Redistricting by Missouri Legislature,2025-09-12,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Kansas City, MO) – U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement after the Missouri Legislature formally passed legislation to enact mid-decade redistricting in Missouri without an updated census. “Despite tens of thousands of Missourians taking the time to call their state lawmakers and travel to Jefferson City to voice their opposition, Republicans in the Missouri Legislature followed the marching orders dictated by power brokers in D.C. and took the unprecedented step of enacting mid-decade redistricting without an updated census. “While I’m grateful to the lawmakers in both parties who refused to go along with this power grab, I’m deeply disappointed that Missouri’s Legislature put the wishes of Washington above the voices of their own constituents and the needs of our communities. Whether it is families in Kansas City, the labor community, the business community, or the faith community, I know that the people of Missouri share in that disappointment. “However, I want to be very clear to those who are frustrated by today’s outcome: this fight is far from over. Together, in the courts and in the streets, we will continue pushing to ensure the law is upheld, justice prevails, and this unconstitutional gerrymander is defeated.” ### 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,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/bell-colleagues-lead-bipartisan-gateway-partnership-act,"Bell, Colleagues Lead Bipartisan Gateway Partnership Act",2025-09-11,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) and Ann Wagner (R-Mo.) introduced the bipartisan Gateway Partnership Act of 2025, legislation that would allow the National Park Service to work directly with the Gateway Arch Park Foundation to host private events in Park buildings — turning underused public space into an economic and cultural engine for the city. “The Arch is one of the most iconic places in America — and it’s ours,” said Congressman Bell. “For generations it has been where we welcome visitors, celebrate our history, and show off the heart of St. Louis. This bill helps us make better use of the space — not just to host events, but to keep driving energy, investment, and life into downtown. I am proud to introduce this commonsense bipartisan bill which will foster regional growth for St. Louis.” The Gateway Arch Park Foundation — which led the $380 million CityArchRiver Project that transformed Gateway Arch National Park— has supported numerous successful events at the Arch grounds. Demand for access to these revitalized spaces continues to grow. This legislation gives the Foundation a formal role in coordinating private event use in partnership with the National Park Service, including at the Gateway Arch Visitor Center and the Old Courthouse. “We’ve proven that events at Gateway Arch National Park create positive impact for Downtown St. Louis and our entire region. This legislation will make hosting private events much easier going forward,” said Ryan McClure, executive director of Gateway Arch Park Foundation.“Each gathering brings new visitors and economic activity to St. Louis, in an iconic setting that undeniably represents our city to the entire world. We are incredibly grateful to Representatives Bell, Wagner and Budzinski and Sen. Eric Schmitt for their support for this initiative.” Read the full bill here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-graves-introduce-bipartisan-resolution-designate-0,"Reps. Cleaver, Graves Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Designate September as National Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Month",2025-09-11,2025,2025-09,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) and Sam Graves (R-MO) introduced a resolution to designate September as ""National Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Month”, hoping to raise awareness and understanding of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) while calling for additional research to develop new treatments and ultimately a cure. Congressman Cleaver previously introduced the bipartisan resolution last year with fellow Missouri lawmaker Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO). “With roughly 600,000 Americans impacted by PKD across the United States, and roughly fifty percent of those impacted experiencing kidney failure by age sixty, it is imperative that we take action to combat this vicious disease,” said Congressman Cleaver. “I’m proud to join my friend Rep. Graves to introduce a resolution that will designate the entire month of September as National Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Month in the hopes of bringing attention and spurring additional research that can help find new treatments that will save lives.” “Polycystic kidney disease affects many Americans, but isn’t often talked about,"" said Congressman Graves. “With additional research, we will be able to develop new treatments to help those diagnosed with PKD live a better, longer life, and hopefully a cure. I’m proud to join Rep. Cleaver to bring attention and awareness for all who are living with this devastating disease."" PKD is one of the most prevalent genetic kidney disorders in the United States, affecting approximately 600,000 Americans nationwide. With very few treatments and no cure for PKD, the disease is one of the four leading causes of kidney failures in the United States, with nearly fifty percent of individuals with PKD experiencing kidney failure by the age of 60. This month, Congressman Cleaver was awarded the 2024 Congressional Champion of the Year Award by the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation for his leadership in PKD awareness and support for research and development of new PKD treatments. Official text of the resolution 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,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-bell-votes-no-fy26-national-defense-authorization-act,STATEMENT: Bell Votes NO on FY26 National Defense Authorization Act,2025-09-10,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— Today, U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) released the following statement after voting NO on the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act: “As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, we have spent the past nine months working on a bipartisan national defense bill that increases pay for our service members, strengthens defense acquisition, and safeguards our national security. However, the version of the bill on the floor did not include any meaningful Democratic amendments that address urgent threats to our security and to the integrity of our armed forces. House Republicans are ignoring the serious abuses being done by the Trump Administration: deploying the military for domestic law enforcement, claiming unchecked power to define threats and launch military action, and politicizing the armed forces by dismissing qualified leaders who served with honor. It strips away inspectors general charged with rooting out waste and misconduct, sidelines senior military lawyers who uphold justice, and removes top experts in areas like cyber defense—all because they were deemed not loyal enough to Trump. Such actions weaken oversight, degrade readiness, and jeopardize our security. Instead of advancing the bipartisan bill that left committee with overwhelming support—House Republicans have kneeled to Trump and turned a bipartisan bill into one that is filled with culture war filled topics. For those reasons, I voted NO.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/bell-thanedar-lawler-introduce-bipartisan-988-day-resolution,"Bell, Thanedar, Lawler Introduce Bipartisan 988 Day Resolution",2025-09-09,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—Yesterday, U.S. Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.), Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.), and Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) introduced the bipartisan 988 day resolution to raise awareness of the lifesaving role of the suicide & crisis lifeline. A companion resolution has been introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and John Kennedy (R-La.). The House’s 988 Day resolution is part of a broader legislative package highlighting the importance of suicide prevention. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline was launched nationwide in July 2022 to provide an easy-to-remember number for people experiencing suicidal thoughts, mental health challenges, or substance use crises. The hotline has serviced the most vulnerable communities including veterans, LGBTQI+ youth, and non english speaking individuals. By dialing 988, people are connected to trained crisis counselors who provide free and confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Since its launch, millions of calls, texts, and chats have been answered, making 988 a cornerstone of America’s mental health safety net. “988 has already saved lives, but too many people still don’t know it’s there when they need it,” said Congressman Wesley Bell. “In Missouri and across the country, families are carrying the weight of losing loved ones to suicide. Setting aside a day to lift up 988 is about making sure that in the darkest moments, people know they have somewhere to turn.” “In 1996, I lost my first wife to mental health struggles. That loss left my family devastated in ways words cannot capture,” said Congressman Thanedar. “It’s why I have made mental health a top priority during my time in Congress. This resolution honors the lifesaving work of 988 and calls for greater outreach so high-risk communities know support is always within reach.” “In the Hudson Valley, like so many communities across the country, families have been devastated by suicide, from young people in our schools to veterans who served our nation. This resolution isn’t just symbolic; it’s about acknowledging the pain too many families have endured, raising awareness, and strengthening access to mental health support so no one feels they have to suffer in silence. Our neighbors deserve to know they are not alone, and that help is always within reach,” said Congressman Mike Lawler. “Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for our nation’s children and young adults, yet the stigma surrounding mental health keeps too many people from getting the help they need,” said Senator Booker. “The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 free support across the United States for anyone struggling. I’m proud to stand alongside my colleagues to introduce this bipartisan resolution that recognizes suicide as a public health crisis, raises awareness about the 988 hotline, and recognizes our shared commitment to passing legislation to improve mental health and reduce suicide rates across America.” “In the middle of a historic mental health crisis, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has proven to be a lifesaver for Americans who need help. I’m proud to join Senator Booker in recognizing the seriousness of America’s suicide epidemic and the important work being done to prevent these tragedies.” said Senator John Kennedy. The 988 resolution is supported by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, American National Association of Social Workers, The Jed Foundation. “Since its launch in 2022, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has connected millions of people and their loved ones with compassionate support during moments of suicidal crisis or mental health or emotional distress. We applaud Rep. Bell, Rep. Thanedar, Rep. Lawler, Sen. Booker, and Sen. Kennedy for introducing a resolution to designate September 8, 2025, as ‘988 Day’—an annual day of action to raise awareness of the 988 Lifeline and underscore the critical importance of mental health and suicide prevention,” said Laurel Stine, J.D., M.A., Executive Vice President and Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “Research shows that most people who call 988 are more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful after speaking with a trained crisis counselor. Elevating awareness of 988 is essential to ensuring more individuals in crisis know where to turn for help.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/bell-ansari-introduce-healthy-servicemembers-act-protect-military-families,"Bell, Ansari Introduce Healthy Servicemembers Act to Protect Military Families from Unsafe Housing",2025-09-04,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—Today, Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) and Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.) introduced the Healthy Servicemembers Act, which directs the Secretary of Defense to screen and register service members and their families who develop medical conditions resulting from living in unsafe military housing. The bill requires military treatment facilities to screen eligible individuals for health conditions linked to substandard housing, establish a registry to track affected individuals and related health issues, and launch a public information campaign to raise awareness about the registry and available resources. “Too many military families have had their health put on the line because of unsafe housing. That’s unacceptable,” said Congressman Wesley Bell. “If you serve this country, you ought to know your home is safe and that if problems do arise, they’ll be taken seriously."" This bill makes sure the Department of Defense steps up and takes responsibility for the people who sacrifice for us every day. “Our servicemembers sacrifice so much to keep our nation safe and the last thing that they should ever struggle with is unsafe military housing that puts their literal health at risk. Our bill would help ensure a quicker response to health problems caused by unsafe housing, raise awareness, and make sure servicemembers and their families get the protections they deserve.” said Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari. Read the full text of the bill here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/following-push-reps-cleaver-and-davids-freedoms-frontier-national,"Following Push from Reps. Cleaver and Davids, Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area Secures Federal Funding Passed by Congress",2025-09-04,2025,2025-09,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Kansas City, MO) – Following a call from U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Sharice Davids (D-KS) to restore federal funding obligated to Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area (FFNHA), the FFNHA received its full federal funding for 2025 that had been frozen by the Department of Interior earlier this year. The announcement comes just weeks before the end of the federal fiscal year, when funds would have otherwise expired, ensuring uninterrupted support for local history projects, educational programs, and community partnerships across western Missouri and eastern Kansas. “Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area plays a prominent role across the region in working with local partners to preserve our history and promote economic development that is vital to our communities,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Despite a regrettable delay, I’m pleased that Freedom’s Frontier has secured the funding provided by Congress and will now be capable of continuing their mission to tell our story to visitors from around the world while boosting economic activity.” “Freedom’s Frontier is more than a collection of historic sites — it’s a living story of who we are in the region. I’m glad we were able to secure this critical funding so that local partners can keep preserving our history, educating the next generation, and boosting our regional economy. This is what happens when communities speak up and we work together to get things done,” said Representative Sharice Davids. “Because of the dedication and advocacy of our friends and partners across the region, we are now able to continue our core mission of promoting tourism and economic development in rural Kansas and Missouri,” said Lucinda Adams, executive director of FFNHA. “Your calls and conversations with your representatives mattered. We are deeply grateful.” Despite being signed into law in March, federal funding for NHAs — including the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area (FFNHA) in western Missouri and eastern Kansas — had been frozen for nearly six months. As a result, local sites struggled to keep staff employed, preserve historic landmarks, and continue educational programs that serve thousands of visitors and students each year. NHAs are public-private partnerships that highlight culturally significant regions across the U.S., from Civil War battlefields to Indigenous heritage sites. Each federal dollar invested generates over $5 in private and local support. Without this timely funding, programs grind to a halt and community-driven preservation work suffers. Established in 2006, the FFNHA is one of 55 National Heritage Areas throughout the United States. FFNHA tells the stories and builds awareness of western Missouri and eastern Kansas’ past, present, and future, including stories of American settlement of the western frontier, Bleeding Kansas and the Civil War, Brown v. Board of Education, and significant figures in our nation’s history such as President Harry Truman, Amelia Earhart, and the Native tribes of the Great Plains. The FFNHA supports and promotes roughly 323 partners, including historic sites, museums, historical societies, libraries, and other cultural-heritage tourism destinations in 41 counties across the Missouri-Kansas border. Some notable FFNHA partners in the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri include the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Truman Presidential Library, American Jazz Museum, the National WWI Museum and Memorial, and more. Some notable FFNHA partners in the Third Congressional District of Kansas include Old Quindaro Museum, John Brown Museum, Kansas City Area Historic Trails Association, Kaw Point Park, Louisburg Historical Society, and more. 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,2026-04-06T19:10:29Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-bell-slams-missouri-special-session-redistrict,Statement: Bell Slams Missouri Special Session to Redistrict,2025-08-29,2025,2025-08,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"“The Governor's special session is about power. Trump has the lowest approval rating in modern history, and Republicans know they can’t win fairly so they're cheating. They’re trying to erase Congressman Cleaver’s seat, erase voters, and erase accountability. This is the new Republican playbook: bend the knee to a failed president, tear down anything that gets in their way, and cling to power by silencing voices they can’t beat at the ballot box. It’s not politics as usual anymore. It’s a raw fight between democracy and tyranny. Congressman Cleaver is my friend and my ally. And I’ll stand with him—and with every Missourian whose voice they’re trying to silence—because this isn’t just about one district. It’s about whether we’re still a country where the people choose their leaders, or a country where politicians choose their voters. Republicans are willing to sell out their integrity to keep a weak man happy. That’s the choice they’ve made. And history will remember them for siding with tyranny.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:57:50Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleavers-statement-condemning-special-session-begin-mid,Congressman Cleaver’s Statement Condemning Special Session to Begin Mid-Decade Redistricting Without a New Census,2025-08-29,2025,2025-08,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) released the following statement after Governor Mike Kehoe announced a special session to redraw Missouri’s congressional map mid-decade, an unprecedented step taken at the direction of the president. “I have had the privilege and distinct honor of serving the people of Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District. I have always understood one truth: this seat does not belong to me. It belongs to the people. And today, that truth is under assault. “President Trump’s unprecedented directive to redraw our maps in the middle of the decade and without an updated census is not an act of democracy – it is an unconstitutional attack against it. This attempt to gerrymander Missouri will not simply change district lines, it will silence voices. It will deny representation. It will tell the people of Missouri that their lawmakers no longer wish to earn their vote, that elections are predetermined by the power brokers in Washington, and that politicians – not the people – will decide the outcome. “Roughly 40% of Missourians cast their ballots for Democratic candidates last year, and they deserve representation in the People’s House just as much as our Republican neighbors. Yet, in attempting to dismantle the Fifth District, state lawmakers would be working to drown out Missouri voices in favor of a single man a thousand miles away. It is my sincere hope that they will not give in to this short-sighted and irresponsible demand. “But let us be clear: Should this effort move forward, we will not concede. “I will not surrender the voices of the people who entrusted me to fight for them. The people of the Fifth District and I will fight relentlessly to ensure Missouri never becomes an antidemocratic state, where politicians choose their voters instead of voters choosing their representatives. In the courts and at the ballot box, we will demand that the rule of law is upheld, our voices are heard, and democracy prevails. “Our nation has endured wars, depressions, and great struggles for civil rights. And through it all, the principle that every vote counts has carried us forward. That principle is bigger than me, this seat, or any president looking to rig the rules for personal gain. “This is the line we must not let them cross. This is the continuation of our unrelenting struggle for justice. I will fight with every ounce of strength I have to defend democracy – and practice prudence in the best interest of my constituents, Missouri, and the country we love.” ### 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,2026-04-07T14:57:50Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-joins-lawmakers-demanding-trump-administration-release-300,Rep. Cleaver Joins Lawmakers in Demanding Trump Administration Release $300 Million in CDC Grant Funding,2025-08-20,2025,2025-08,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Kansas City, MO) - U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) has joined a number of House Democrats in demanding the Trump administration release nearly $300 million in congressionally obligated funds for core public health programs. In a letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Susan Monarez, Rep. Cleaver, Congressman Timothy Kennedy (D-NY), and other House Democrats underline the impact this action has on state and local health departments and public health organizations in communities across the country. “As you know, the CDC is responsible for executing the federal government’s response for disease prevention and improved public health outcomes through scientific research,” the lawmakers wrote. “Through annual discretionary and mandatory appropriations, CDC funding critical research and development initiatives for disease surveillance, cancer prevention, health education, and public emergency readiness, among others. Many of these funding streams go directly to state, local, territorial, and tribal governments as well as external stakeholders with CDC’s shared goals.” “These federal funds have been congressionally obligated and are depended upon by the local health departments that execute lifesaving initiatives,” the lawmakers continued. “Funding delays directly harm our constituents who depend on these services, particularly in rural and underserved communities.” “As Members of Congress, we have constituents and local organizations impacted by these irresponsible funding freezes and have received urgent outreach expressing deep concern about the impact of this administration’s actions. Without reliable, regular, and renewed public health investments from the federal government, this administration risks undoing decades of advancements in disease prevention. We demand that OMB immediately release obligated CDC funds and continue much-needed investments in our communities,” the lawmakers concluded. The official letter from lawmakers 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,2026-04-07T14:57:50Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-nunn-introduce-bipartisan-bill-modernize-usda-programs-and,"Reps. Cleaver, Nunn Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Modernize USDA Programs and Preserve Affordable Housing in Rural Communities",2025-08-14,2025,2025-08,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. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05) and Zach Nunn (IA-03) introduced the bipartisan Rural Housing Service Reform Act to preserve affordable housing, improve program oversight, and expand access to safe homes for families, seniors, and workers in rural communities across the country. “Every American deserves a safe, stable and affordable place to call home, regardless of their ZIP code,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Tragically, as communities struggle to build more housing and rural housing programs are unable to keep up with demand, residents in rural Missouri and beyond are struggling to stay afloat. Congress must take action to lower costs by cutting through unnecessary red tape and modernizing existing housing programs to maximize efficiency and draw more private investment—which is precisely what the bipartisan Rural Housing Service Reform Act will do. I’m proud to introduce this legislation with Congressman Nunn as we seek to make housing more affordable for hardworking families.” “More and more Iowans are watching the dream of homeownership slip out of reach,” said Rep. Nunn. “Too many programs meant to help are outdated, buried in red tape, and no longer work for the families they were created to serve. This bipartisan bill cuts through that bureaucracy to protect affordable housing, speed up repairs, and modernize USDA’s tools—so rural families, seniors, and workers can build their future right here in Iowa."" More than 40 percent of Missourians spend over a third of their income on rent, while rural communities face worsening shortages as aging USDA-financed properties leave the program when mortgages mature. Outdated USDA systems, slow processing times, and limited oversight have only compounded these challenges—leaving families with fewer options and raising the risk of displacement. “As our nation continues to grapple with a housing shortage and affordability crisis, BPC Action commends Reps. Zach Nunn (R-IA) and Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) for their bipartisan leadership in introducing the Rural Housing Service Reform Act,” said Michele Stockwell, President of Bipartisan Policy Center Action (BPC Action). “This legislation reforms and strengthens USDA's housing programs so they can continue to meet the needs of rural households while expanding access to homeownership opportunities.” “The Council for Affordable and Rural Housing (CARH) applauds the efforts of Representatives Zach Nunn and Emanuel Cleaver as they introduce legislation which would, if passed by Congress, be instrumental in preserving the affordable multifamily housing stock in many rural communities throughout the country,” said Colleen Fisher, Executive Director of the Council for Affordable and Rural Housing (CARH). “The legislation would provide owners with tools they currently do not have and at the same time assure residents that they will continue to have an affordable place to call home. Provisions in the bill will allow the Rural Housing Service to more effectively address the housing needs of both the providers and residents who live in this vital housing. Again, CARH appreciates the efforts of Representatives Nunn and Cleaver, and we look forward to working with both members on passage of this important rural housing legislation in both the House and Senate and then to the President for signature. ""The Rural Housing Service Reform Act is a testament to commonsense, bipartisan collaboration in Congress,"" said David Lipsetz, President & CEO of the Housing Assistance Council. ""This important legislation would modernize USDA's flagship single-family housing programs, provide new tools to help preserve their critical stock of rural multifamily properties, and allow for sorely needed technology and staffing modernizations at USDA. We are so appreciative for the leadership of Rep. Nunn and Rep. Cleaver on these issues, and we applaud the deep commitment that all of the bill's champions have shown to preserving and improving the rural housing programs at USDA."" “NLIHC is proud to support the bipartisan Rural Housing Service Reform Act, which would make much-needed, common-sense improvements to USDA Rural Housing Service programs to ensure they better meet the affordable housing needs of rural communities,” said Renee Willis, President and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition. “Rural areas have some of the most pressing – and most challenging – affordable housing needs, and I applaud Representatives Cleaver and Nunn for leading this bill.” “Preserving existing rural rental housing for seniors and families, improving housing opportunities for Native Americans, updating policies and procedures on rural home repair funds, and investing USDA administrative resources and IT needs are vital improvements to the Housing Act and will pave the way for better housing in America’s small towns and farming communities,” said Bob Rapoza, Executive Secretary of the National Rural Housing Coalition. “Reps. Nunn and Cleaver deserve credit for crafting all into the Rural Housing Services Reform Act. We are pleased to support this legislation and thank Reps. Nunn and Cleaver for their leadership.” “There’s nothing more important than where you call home. But for too many Americans in small towns and rural communities, rising costs are making it harder to make ends meet,” said Bill Sweeney, Senior Vice President, AARP Government Affairs. “The Rural Housing Service Reform Act is long-overdue legislation to address the housing crisis in rural America, where one in five residents is 65 or older. By preserving affordability, expanding access to credit, and modernizing USDA programs, this bill would ensure older Americans can age with dignity in the communities they call home.” “The Local Initiatives Support Corporation is proud to support the Rural Housing Service Reform Act, since we’ve seen firsthand the hardship caused by losing affordable rental housing in rural communities. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) financed properties are often the only affordable rental housing in small towns and house some of our nation’s most vulnerable residents,” said Nadia Villagràn, Vice President of the Rural Local Initiative Support Corporation. “This legislation will help preserve this critical housing stock while also improving USDA’s single-family housing repair and lending programs. We applaud Representatives Cleaver and Nunn for their commitment to rural America and leadership in improving USDA’s affordable housing programs.” “USDA’s rural housing service programs have been a lifeline for millions of families in rural communities across the country. The Rural Housing Service Reform Act of 2025 modernizes existing housing programs, improves processing for home loan applications, and supports existing homeowners to address critical health and safety hazards,” said Chris Vincent, Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy at Habitat for Humanity International. “We applaud Representatives Cleaver and Nunn for leading this bipartisan effort to strengthen rural housing programs and ensure that they continue to serve the people and communities that depend on them.” “The Mortgage Bankers Association applauds the introduction of the Rural Housing Service Reform Act,” said Bill Killmer, Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs, Mortgage Bankers Association. “This legislation takes meaningful steps to preserve and expand affordable housing options in rural communities, while also providing long-term stability for rental assistance. MBA supports policies that increase housing opportunities for rural families, and we look forward to working with Congress to see this important bill enacted — particularly its provisions that improve financing options for accessory dwelling units and loan assumptions."" “With housing costs rising across the country, rural renters and homeowners face unique risks from outdated laws. This bill offers common sense, bipartisan solutions to keep residents housed and prevent the loss of already-limited affordable housing in rural communities. The bill also makes important investments in USDA programs to ensure that the Rural Housing Service is well equipped to serve Americans,” said Liz Osborn, Vice President of Policy at Enterprise Community Partners. “We commend Representatives Nunn and Cleaver for their work to safeguard and expand housing in rural communities."" ""A safe, stable home is the foundation of a good life, but far too many of our neighbors are priced out of homeownership, said Lance Henning, Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity CEO. “The affordable housing crisis confronting our nation is felt in our small towns as much as it is in any big city. All efforts that help make homeownership more accessible are a step in the right direction."" Key provisions of the Rural Housing Service Reform Act include: The creation of a permanent program to preserve USDA-financed affordable rental housing by enabling nonprofits to acquire properties and keep rental assistance after loans mature Modernize USDA technology and staffing to speed up applications, improve oversight, and prevent fraud in the system Expand home repair grants and financing to help rural families maintain and grow their homes Support rural childcare by allowing loan guarantees for homes with in-home daycare facilities Require annual reporting and Government Accountability Office (GAO) audits to ensure transparency and protect taxpayer investments The Rural Housing Service Reform Act has earned broad support from leading housing organizations, including Habitat for Humanity International, Habitat for Humanity Iowa, National Rural Housing Coalition, National Housing Law Project, Council for Affordable and Rural Housing, Bipartisan Policy Center Action, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Housing Assistance Council, Enterprise Community Partners, Mortgage Bankers Association, Council of State Community Development Agencies, National Association of Counties, and AARP. The Senate version of the Rural Housing Service Reform Act, led by Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Mike Rounds (R-SD), recently advanced through the Senate Banking Committee as part of a broader housing package. The overall package is sponsored by Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-SC) and Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). Official text of the Rural Housing Service Reform 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,2026-04-07T14:57:50Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-joins-university-health-local-health-centers-and,"Congressman Cleaver Joins University Health, Local Health Centers, and Rural Partners for Roundtable on Medicaid",2025-08-12,2025,2025-08,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) joined leaders from University Health, local Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and rural healthcare partners for a roundtable discussion on the impact of Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill, specifically, the impact of the largest cut to Medicaid in history on the region’s healthcare providers and the patient populations they serve. “If you aren’t deeply concerned about the GOP’s Big Ugly Law and the drastic cuts it makes to Medicaid, you should be,” said Congressman Cleaver. “These cuts threaten essential funding that our local hospitals, health centers, and rural health providers rely on to serve our most vulnerable neighbors, ensuring Missouri families will see less access to care and higher costs in the years ahead. Slashing Medicaid not only jeopardizes access to vital services for countless patients in Missouri’s Fifth District and throughout the state – it undermines the stability of the entire healthcare system. I will always stand up to protect these critical services that families depend on and reject policies that put politics ahead of people’s health and wellbeing.” University Health President and CEO Charlie Shields said, “We sincerely appreciate the Congressman’s interest in Medicaid and how changes could impact people in our area. At University Health, approximately half of our patients are currently on Medicaid. It is our commitment to provide the very best guidance through any changes that might occur, making sure our patients know we’re right here with them ready to simplify the process and provide quality care every step of the way.” According to independent estimates, Republicans’ Big Ugly Law will kick 17 million Americans off their health insurance and make premiums, deductibles, and copays soar for millions more. The bill cuts more than $1 trillion from healthcare, including the largest cut to Medicaid in history and could cause a $500 billion cut to Medicare. According to one analysis, more than 50,000 people will die annually because of these cuts. In Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, 159,359 Missourians on Medicaid are at risk of losing their health care under the Republican budget plan, including 79,000 children and 15,000 seniors over the age of 65. Moreover, slashing federal funding for Medicaid would leave Missouri with the hard choice of whose coverage and benefits to cut. With few options for how to fill the budget hole left by proposed cuts to Medicaid funding, states will consider cuts to coverage and benefits, leaving more people uninsured and underinsured. Federal law requires states to cover certain groups of people, while others are optional. With less federal funding for Medicaid, Missouri policymakers may consider cutting coverage for groups like: Certain children with disabilities such as children under age 19 who are disabled and living at home. Elderly and disabled adults such as those who are institutionalized or eligible for home and community-based services. Individuals who need breast or cervical cancer treatment and do not have other treatment coverage. Postpartum moms whose pregnancies ended in the prior 12 months. Adults with disabilities, chronic health conditions, and behavioral health care needs. Missouri also may consider reducing income eligibility levels for mandatory eligibility groups, such as children, pregnant women, and parents/caretakers. Additionally, cutting federal funding for Medicaid would close health care providers’ doors and reduce the overall quality of services. With more people uninsured and underinsured, providers will experience an increase in uncompensated care. Making matters worse, states are very likely to further cut Medicaid provider rates as another way to make up for the loss in federal funding. This would have devastating impacts on Missouri hospitals who received nearly $2.6 billion in Medicaid payments in 2023, including $1 billion in Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) and other supplemental payments to offset uncompensated care for Medicaid patients and the uninsured. Community health centers will also bear the brunt of Republican budget cuts to Medicaid – nearly 49% of Missouri community health centers’ revenue came from Medicaid in 2023 and serve patient populations made up of nearly 53% Medicaid recipients. According to the House Committee on the Budget, the Big Ugly Law will rip healthcare away from an estimated 265,298 Missourians, leave Missourians covered under the Affordable Care Act with an average premium increase of $710, and put four rural hospitals across the state as risk of closure due to Medicaid cuts. “With this harmful bill now law, our communities face real and immediate threats to the safety net that so many depend on. Cutting Medicaid funding to provide more handouts to the wealthiest members in our community isn’t just bad policy – it’s a direct attack on the health and dignity of the people we serve. We must come together to mitigate this damage and keep fighting for healthcare that works for everyone,” said Congressman Cleaver. 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,2026-04-07T14:57:50Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-williams-introduce-legislation-protect-voting-rights,"Reps. Cleaver, Williams Introduce Legislation to Protect Voting Rights of Unhoused Americans",2025-08-07,2025,2025-08,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) This week, marking the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act and as part of a legislative package to protect the voting rights of all Americans, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and Nikema Williams (D-GA), along with Reps. Terri Sewell (D-AL), Julie Johnson (D-TX), Marc Veasey (D-TX), Robert “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), and Kevin Mullin (D-CA), introduced legislation to protect the voting rights of unhoused individuals. The Unhoused Voter Opportunity Through Elections (VOTE) Act provides legal protections and minimum standards for accessibility to voting for unhoused Americans, in addition to providing resources for efforts to expand access to the ballot for unhoused people. “In the United States of America, every citizen has a right to make their voice heard in our democracy—and there must be no exceptions for those who are temporarily unhoused,” said Congressman Cleaver. “As the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, I’m proud to join with Congresswoman Williams in introducing the Unhoused VOTE Act to ensure that every American, including those who are struggling with housing instability, are able to cast a vote in our elections.” “As we mark the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, we are unfortunately facing the same struggle for voting rights. The tactics of voter suppression may look different, but the intent remains the same,” said Congresswoman Williams. “Congressman John Lewis taught us that every generation has an obligation to move our country one step forward. My legislative package takes a major step to ensuring everyone can practice their fundamental right to vote. In the face of Jim Crow 2.0 and intentionally racist gerrymandering, we urgently need comprehensive national standards to protect voting rights for everyone—no matter your ZIP Code, no matter your bank account.” 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 unhouse 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 to vote in elections; and Providing grant funding to expand access to voting for unhoused individuals. The Unhoused VOTE Act is co-sponsored by Reps. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ), Shontel Brown (D-OH), André Carson (D-IN), Sean Casten (D-IL), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Christopher Deluzio (D-PA), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Sarah Elfreth (D-MD), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Cleo Fields (D-LA), Shomari Figures (D-AL), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL), Al Green (D-TX), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Henry “Hank” Johnson (D-GA), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), John Larson (D-CT), Summer Lee (D-PA), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Emilia Sykes (D-OH), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Paul Tonko (D-NY). The Unhoused VOTE Act is endorsed by Southern Poverty Law Center, The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause, National Housing Law Project, League of Women Voters, ACLU, End Citizens United, Demos, Democracy Defenders Action, National Alliance to End Homelessness, Voto Latino, Public Citizen, National Council of Jewish Women, Faith in Public Life Action, NextGen America, National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC), GALEO Impact Fund, Coalition for the People's Agenda, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, RepresentUs, MoveOn, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda, Interfaith Alliance, Spread the Vote, People Power United, The Workers Circle, Climate Hawks Vote, Center for Common Ground, Return My Vote, Georgia Equality, CAIR-Georgia, Indivisible Georgia Coalition, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice, The Sikh Coalition, Field Team 6, Union for Reform Judaism, and Avondale ACTion. Official text of the Unhoused VOTE 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,2026-04-07T14:57:50Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-celebrates-groundbreaking-largest-infrastructure,Congressman Cleaver Celebrates Groundbreaking of Largest Infrastructure Project in Grandview’s History,2025-08-04,2025,2025-08,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 (D-MO) joined city leaders and community members to break ground on the largest infrastructure investment in Grandview’s history: a $24 million revitalization of nearly five miles of Blue Ridge Boulevard. The project is set to improve safety, accessibility, and economic opportunity along one of the city’s most vital corridors. Congressman Cleaver helped secure $4.6 million in federal Community Project Funding to support the multi-phase initiative, which includes roadway resurfacing, new sidewalks, lane expansion, ADA-compliant intersections, a multi-use path, and beautification enhancements designed to attract new investment and strengthen local businesses. “This is more than a groundbreaking – it’s a gamechanger,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Revitalizing Blue Ridge Boulevard means safer roads, stronger local businesses, and a brighter future for Grandview and south Kansas City. I was proud to secure $4.6 million in federal funding to help make this vision a reality, and I look forward to seeing the transformation take shape for the families and businesses who call this corridor home.” “This project has been a long time coming,” said Grandview Mayor Leonard Jones. “Securing these funds ensures the City is doing what we do best, and that’s leveraging taxpayer dollars so they get more for their money. Congressman Cleaver continues to work for the people of Grandview and the region who use the Blue Ridge Corridor.” The Blue Ridge Boulevard revitalization project connects two ends of Kansas City and is the main commercial corridor for the City of Grandview. The $4.6 million in Community Project Funding was one of fifteen projects Congressman Cleaver championed in Congress in 2022, securing nearly $39,250,000 in federal funding for Fiscal Year 2023 that directly benefits constituents in Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District. Photos from today’s event can be found 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,2026-04-07T14:57:50Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-returns-urban-neighborhood-initiatives-community,Congressman Cleaver Returns to Urban Neighborhood Initiative’s Community Project Funding Site to Celebrate Progress on Transformative Housing Project,2025-07-28,2025,2025-07,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 (D-MO) returned to the site of the Urban Neighborhood Initiative’s (UNI) major redevelopment project in the heart of Kansas City, marking a powerful moment of progress since helping secure $4 million in Community Project Funding for the project. The visit is the Congressman’s first since the ceremonial groundbreaking last fall and comes as UNI moves forward with the development of 100 new single-family homes – part of a broader strategy to strengthen neighborhoods, create generational opportunity, and reverse decades of divestment. “Today is a reminder that real progress takes vision, partnership, and persistence,” said Congressman Cleaver. “When UNI broke ground last fall, they laid more than concrete – they laid the foundation for hope, stability, and opportunity. Now, as these homes begin to rise, so does the promise of a stronger, more connected community where deserving families can plant roots and build a future with dignity. This moment affirms what can be accomplished when we invest in housing as a foundation for opportunity, equity, and long-term community well-being.” “This initiative reflects UNI’s deep commitment to restoring neighborhoods through intentional investment and opportunity,” said Dr. Jamee Rodgers, President and CEO of the Urban Neighborhood Initiative. “The return of Congressman Cleaver underscores the power of collaborative leadership. These new homes are more than structures; they are symbols of stability, hope, and long overdue progress for families in our urban core. We are honored to lead this work on behalf of the community we serve.” UNI’s pilot program, in partnership with Driven Development, will provide 100 affordable homes to families in underserved communities under a financing structure that promotes resident wealth accumulation through ultimate homeownership. The $4 million in Community Project Funding was one of fifteen projects Congressman Cleaver championed in Congress in 2022, securing nearly $39,250,000 in federal funding for Fiscal Year 2023 that directly benefits constituents in Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District. Photos from yesterday’s visit can be found 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,2026-04-07T14:40:33Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/bell-introduces-st-louis-reca-readjustment-act-expand-radiation-compensation,Bell Introduces St. Louis RECA Readjustment Act to Expand Radiation Compensation to Overlooked Communities,2025-07-24,2025,2025-07,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) introduced the St. Louis RECA Readjustment Act, legislation that expands the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to include two additional St. Louis ZIP codes—63106 and 63107—long impacted by the lasting consequences of radioactive contamination from the Manhattan Project. “While I was glad to see recent RECA legislation passed into law, people in ZIP codes 63106 and 63107 also deserve equal recognition and justice,” said Rep. Bell. “These families have endured decades of health crises, economic struggles, and profound neglect stemming from radioactive contamination. This bill ensures that their voices won't be ignored any longer and that they, too, receive the relief and acknowledgment they rightfully deserve.” Currently, compensation is only offered to limited zip codes in the St. Louis region, but Rep. Bell’s new bill extends relief to residents of ZIP codes 63106 and 63107—areas deeply impacted yet persistently overlooked by federal assistance programs. The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act was established to provide restitution to those harmed by radiation exposure from U.S. nuclear programs, including the historic Manhattan Project. Bell’s bill ensures no ZIP codes are left behind, especially those that have been traditionally underserved by the Federal government. Read the full bill text here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:40:33Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-kamlager-dove-and-senator-schiff-request-update-epa,"Reps. Cleaver, Kamlager-Dove, and Senator Schiff Request Update on EPA Actions to Mitigate Climate Risks at Toxic Superfund Sites Nationwide",2025-07-23,2025,2025-07,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. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), along with Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), led a congressional inquiry calling for an updated report on actions the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can take to mitigate climate risks at Superfund sites across the country. In a letter to Comptroller General Gene Dodaro at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the lawmakers are also requesting information on the impact of recent federal funding and workforce cuts at the agency. “Given the multitude of policy and administrative changes at the EPA since the beginning of the year, we would like GAO to reexamine the current and future impacts of climate change on Superfund sites,” the lawmakers continued. “We encourage GAO to include any recommendations to continue addressing the growing risks at Superfund sites.” “We also request that the report consider the impacts of recent funding and federal workforce cuts to the EPA. Although it is currently unclear how many employees have been placed on administrative leave, fired, reassigned, or have taken the Trump Administration’s deferred resignation program, there is no doubt that this reduction in force will impact EPA headquarters and regional offices’ ability to properly monitor and support Superfund sites,” the lawmakers concluded. 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. Furthermore, recent extreme climate events, including Hurricane Helene in 2024 and the fires in California earlier this year, have been more frequent and severe. In 2022, scientists from the EPA’s Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling (CEMM) found that out of 1330 Superfund sites in the US, over three hundred are in danger of flooding. 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. In 2023, Reps. Cleaver and Kamlager-Dove 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. The official letter from lawmakers 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,2026-04-07T14:40:33Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-wesley-bells-job-fair,Congressman Wesley Bell's Job Fair,2025-07-21,2025,2025-07,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"I’m inviting you to join me at my Job Fair on Thursday, July 31st! It’ll be from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the Millennium Student Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. I’m hosting this event to connect folks with real job opportunities. Come dressed to impress and bring a few copies of your resume—some employers may be hiring on the spot. Please click here to learn more and RSVP now – space may be limited. Image",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:40:33Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-introduces-legislation-require-epa-publish,Congressman Cleaver Introduces Legislation to Require EPA to Publish Independent Study When Proposing Updated Water Fluoridation Guidance,2025-07-21,2025,2025-07,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) introduced the Protect Our Treatment for Enamel, Erosion, and Tooth Health (TEETH) Act. The legislation would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to consult and publish a rapid response evidence review by independent and nonpartisan experts at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) when proposing new water fluoridation guidance, safeguarding public health from politicization. “When making policy decisions that impact the health and safety of Americans across the country, not to mention the expenses that come with a potential rise in additional dental care, it is essential that the federal government utilize nonpartisan, independent experts who are following the most rigorous scientific protocols to obtain their information,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Unfortunately, as we’ve seen with the undermining of life-saving vaccines under the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), we’re witnessing the politicization of public health, and we cannot allow this infection to spread in the same way that cavities can. That’s why I’m proud to introduce the Protect Our TEETH Act to ensure the EPA is using the best evidence available when updating public health guidance regarding fluoridation. “As the nation’s leading voice for oral health, the American Dental Association commends Rep. Cleaver for introducing the ‘Protect Our Treatment for Enamel, Erosion, and Tooth Health’ (or TEETH Act). This critical legislation will help ensure policy decisions around fluoride are driven by clear evidence, scientific rigor, and generally accepted data,” said Dr. Brett Kessler, D.D.S., President of the American Dental Association. “By leveraging the expertise of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, considered the gold standard for reviewing complex scientific issues, it will reinforce the integrity of our public health criteria and ensure that fluoride recommendations remain rooted in the best available evidence. It can reliably dispel misinformation on community water fluoridation programs throughout the country, which reduces tooth decay by 25 percent in the population. We urge every member of Congress to cosponsor this impactful legislation.” Since 1945, fluoridated community water systems have protected millions of Americans from tooth decay, with 72.7% of the American population utilizing them in 2020. Fluoride continues to be a low-cost solution to common dental conditions. In fact, the CDC estimates that fluoridated water reduces cavities by about 25% in children and adults. With the estimated return on investment being $20 for every $1 spent, water fluoridation saves the U.S. an estimated $6 billion annually on dental care. Communities served by fluoridated water save an average of $32 per person a year by avoiding treatment for cavities. The Protect Our TEETH Act is endorsed by the American Dental Association. The Protect Our TEETH Act is cosponsored by Reps. Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Cleo Fields (D-LA), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Wesley Bell (D-MO), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Don Davis (D-NC), Emilia Sykes (D-OH), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC). Official text of the Protect Our TEETH 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,2026-04-07T14:40:33Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-rep-bell-passing-honorable-william-bill-lacy-clay-sr,STATEMENT: Rep. Bell on the Passing of the Honorable William “Bill” Lacy Clay Sr.,2025-07-17,2025,2025-07,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— Today, U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) released the following statement on the passing of the Honorable William “Bill” Lacy Clay Sr. “William Lacy Clay Sr. was a giant—not just for St. Louis, not just for Missouri, but for our entire country. His passing, only a few months after his wife Carol Ann Johnson Clay, is a profound loss for all of us who loved them, learned from them, and were lifted by their example. For over three decades, he carried the voices of working people, Black families, union members, and the unheard into the halls of power, and he made sure they echoed there. Before he ever held office, he was already in the fight for civil rights. And once he got there, he never let up. Bill Clay knew this work isn’t about ego or headlines—it’s about staying rooted in principle, even when it's hard. He said, “We have no permanent friends, no permanent enemies, just permanent interests,” and he meant it. That’s how he served. Mr. Clay believed politics was about purpose. That belief shaped the Congressional Black Caucus, of which he was a founding member. It shaped the fight to protect workers, expand access to education, and help fix a democracy that too often forgets the people at the bottom. And it shaped generations of public servants, including his son, my friend and predecessor, Lacy Clay Jr., who carries forward his great legacy every day. I counted Mr. Clay as a grand mentor, as a trailblazer, and as a dear friend. But more than that, I carry his example with me every time I walk onto the House Floor. His courage. His fire. His commitment to justice. We have lost one of the fiercest champions our city and country have ever known. He once said, “I didn’t come here to stay forever.” Maybe that was the only thing he ever got wrong. Because his legacy will be felt in these halls for as long as they stand. My heart is with his family, with Lacy, and with every person whose life was better because Bill Clay chose to serve."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:40:33Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-joins-lawmakers-demanding-trump-administration-release-7,Rep. Cleaver Joins Lawmakers in Demanding Trump Administration Release $7 Billion in Education Funding,2025-07-14,2025,2025-07,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) has joined 150 House Democrats in demanding the Trump administration release nearly $7 billion in congressionally-mandated federal funding dedicated to education-related programs nationwide, including after school programs, teacher training, and adult education. In a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, Rep. Cleaver, House Committee on Education and Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), and 149 other House Democrats underline the impact this action is having on local schools, students, and teachers in communities across the country. “We write to request more information about your decision to illegally withhold nearly $7 billion dollars of funding for K-12 schools and adult education from states and local school districts around the country and to insist that this funding be immediately released,” the lawmakers wrote. “Without these funds, schools are facing difficult and unnecessary decisions on programs for students and teachers.” “This unnecessary delay of education funding, which accounts for at least 10 percent of federal K-12 funding in every state, is alarming parents, local elected officials, and education agencies,” the lawmakers continued. “It is disrupting school and district planning, jeopardizing the education of millions of students, and is already resulting in layoffs as well as program delays and cancellations.” “There is no legitimate reason why any review of these programs should prevent the Administration from fulfilling its responsibility to the American people on time. No more excuses – follow the law and release the funding meant for our schools, teachers, and families,” the lawmakers concluded. The illegally withheld funding represents at least 10% of federal K-12 funding in every state. Missouri’s schools are unable to access nearly $84 million in federal funding because of the Trump Administration’s actions, including $1.3 million from Lee’s Summit R-7 School District and nearly $5 million from Kansas City Public Schools. The failure to release this funding on time is disrupting school and district planning, jeopardizing the education of millions of students, and could result in layoffs, program delays, and cancellations for students and their families. The official letter from lawmakers 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,2026-04-07T14:40:33Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/following-bipartisan-push-reps-cleaver-davids-congress-passes-625,"Following Bipartisan Push from Reps. Cleaver & Davids, Congress Passes $625 Million for World Cup Security",2025-07-11,2025,2025-07,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Kansas City, MO) – Following a months-long bipartisan push to secure federal funding to strengthen security services at host cities during the 2026 World Cup, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05) and Sharice Davids (KS-03) announced today that Congress has passed $625 million to support safety and security efforts during the event. “The 2026 World Cup is an opportunity to showcase Kansas City on the world stage, demonstrating our status as a welcoming, beautiful, and first-rate city to hundreds of thousands of people from around the globe. However, with this temporary swell in population, it is imperative that we also increase security services for the safety of visitors and residents alike, which is no small task for an event this large,” said Congressman Cleaver. “After joining with representatives from across the country to push for federal investments that will ensure a safe and orderly event, I’m very happy that we were able to secure $625 million to support security efforts in the 11 host cities, including Kansas City.” “Hosting the World Cup is an incredible opportunity for Kansas City — not just to welcome the world, but to show the world who we are. With hundreds of thousands of visitors expected, ensuring public safety must be a top priority. I’ve been proud to work with Congressman Cleaver and a bipartisan group of colleagues to advocate for these much-needed resources, and I’ll keep working to make sure Kansas City is ready to shine on the global stage,” said Representative Sharice Davids. Kansas City will host six matches, as well as a minimum of eight teams, during the FIFA 2026 World Cup. According to estimates, Kansas City is expected to welcome 650,000 visitors during the month-long event. Over the past year, Representatives Cleaver and Davids, Co-Chair of the Congressional FIFA World Cup 2026 Caucus, have worked across party lines to build support for federal investments in World Cup host cities. Last September, the lawmakers called on the Biden administration to establish a White House Task Force on Global Sporting Events to oversee preparation for events like the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics. In December, Cleaver and Davids joined a bipartisan coalition to call on Congress to provide $625 million to support security efforts during the 2026 World Cup. In April, led by Rep. Davids, the lawmakers again called on the Trump administration to provide $625 million in federal funding to strengthen security services at World Cup host cities. ### 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,2026-04-07T14:40:33Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-announces-35-million-bipartisan-infrastructure-law,Congressman Cleaver Announces $3.5 Million Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Grant Awarded to Kansas City,2025-07-09,2025,2025-07,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) announced the City of Kansas City has been awarded a $3.5 million federal grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to clean up brownfield sites within the city. The federal funding, which Cleaver helped secure through his support for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, will invest in Kansas City’s Brownfields Supplemental Revolving Loan Fund, which provides loans and subgrants to remediate and redevelop projects at brownfield sites throughout Kansas City. “From investments in new roads and bridges to funding that enables the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfield sites like the Hardesty Federal Complex, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to fuel a remarkable economic comeback in Kansas City,” said Congressman Cleaver. “While we’ve come a long way since the dark days of the global pandemic, thanks in part to investments like this, there is still so much work that can be done to boost economic development in underserved communities across the metro area – and this funding will help support those efforts. I’m proud to have helped secure this $3.5 million for Kansas City, and I’ll continue fighting every day to bring more investments that support Missouri workers and small businesses back to the Fifth Congressional District.” Specifically, this funding will assist in re-capitalizing Kansas City’s Revolving Loan Fund from which the City can make loans and subgrants to clean up brownfield sites, ensuring more projects can be funded. Thanks to the historic $1.5 billion boost from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA’s Brownfields program is helping more communities than ever before begin to address the economic, social, and environmental challenges caused by brownfields and stimulate economic opportunity and environmental revitalization in historically overburdened communities. Since passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Kansas City has received more than $18.5 million in brownfields grants, supporting over a dozen remediation projects across the city. In 2022, Rep. Cleaver announced $5.5 million in federal brownfields grants awarded to Kansas City, supporting the cleanup of the Hardesty Federal Complex Buildings. Last September, Congressman Cleaver joined EPA Region 7 to announce $4.5 million in federal brownfields grants for Kansas City’s Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund. This May, Congressman Cleaver announced a $4 million brownfields grant to clean up 47 vacant parcels known as the Washington Wheatley Vacant Lots Site, as well as the former Benson Manufacturing Company Site.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:40:33Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-bell-votes-no-disastrous-reconciliation-bill,STATEMENT: Bell Votes NO on Disastrous Reconciliation Bill,2025-07-03,2025,2025-07,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—Today, Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) released the following statement after voting NO on the Republicans' “Big Beautiful Bill”. “What happened on the House floor today will go down as one of the darkest votes in modern American history. This bill wasn’t about cutting waste, balancing budgets, or fiscal responsibility. It was about taking from the poor to give even more to the rich. This is the result of a political movement that has spent decades pushing one message: gut programs like Medicaid and Medicare, slash food assistance, and strip basic dignity from working people, just to hand billionaires and big corporations another tax break. In Missouri alone, over 260,000 people will lose their health care. Nationwide, 17 million Americans will be cut off. Children will fall through the cracks. Seniors will lose the care they rely on. Families already stretched to the limit will be left to fend for themselves. And what do we get in return? A bill that adds trillions to the national debt, hands more power to the already powerful, and tells struggling families to keep waiting their turn. The truth is, most people still don’t realize how devastating this will be. But they will. And by then, the damage will already be done. So shame on every Republican who voted for this bill. You have failed your constituents and you have failed the American people. I didn’t run for Congress to help the powerful get more power. I came here to fight for the people I grew up with. For working folks. For St. Louis families who are always asked to sacrifice while the rich keep taking. I will keep fighting, because they matter. And this country ought to act like it.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T14:40:33Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleavers-statement-vote-against-republicans-big-ugly-bill,Congressman Cleaver’s Statement on Vote Against Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill,2025-07-03,2025,2025-07,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 against Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill, which betrays working families by making the largest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in history to fund more tax breaks that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthiest Americans, while adding trillions to the national debt. “Despite Democratic warnings about electing a billionaire with a long history of failed businesses and a reputation for stiffing workers, the American people re-elected Donald Trump under the guise that he would protect programs like Medicaid and fight for hardworking families and forgotten communities. With the passage of President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill, those lofty promises will go unfulfilled and American families will experience the largest transfer of wealth from the working-class to the exorbitantly wealthy in American history—a travesty that could take decades to undo. “According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, nonpartisaneconomists, and even a handful of courageous Republicans willing to speak the truth, the Big Ugly Bill makes the largest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in the history of these vital programs. It will rip healthcare away from 17 million Americans, including 265,000 in Missouri, take food assistance away from five million families, and eliminate access to school meals for 18 million children. “For those who do not lose access to these programs, it will send energy prices and healthcare costs soaring, as it makes massive cuts to critical investments in clean energy and the Affordable Care Act. For our kids and grandkids, it will saddle them with at least another three trillion dollars in additional debt. And it enacts all of these painful and pitiful policies to provide more tax breaks to the wealthiest families in our communities, ensuring the widening chasm in income inequality accelerates to a dangerous degree. “At a time when American families are struggling with the cost of living, it is morally reprehensible and supremely sinful to take from the poor to give more handouts to the richest among us—but that is precisely what President Trump and Republicans have chosen to do. As Democrats in Congress continue the fight to rollback these deeply regressive policies so that we can invest in communities and lower costs for hardworking families in the years to come, this betrayal will not be forgotten by the American people.” According to independent estimates, Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill will: Kick 17 million Americans off their health insurance and make premiums, deductibles, and copays soar for millions more: The bill cuts more than $1 trillion from healthcare, including the largest cut to Medicaid in history, and could cause a $500 billion cut to Medicare. According to one analysis, more than 50,000 people will die annually because of these cuts. Cut staff and close hospitals and nursing homes in communities nationwide: As many as 300 hospitals, especially those in rural areas, will have to cut services and staff – if not close completely. One in four nursing homes are estimated to close. Make largest cut to nutritional assistance in history: The bill cuts SNAP by 20 percent, while forcing states to cover more of SNAP’s cost – which could lead to dozens of states eliminating SNAP entirely. Red tape requirements will cause 5 million people to lose food assistance and put roughly 18 million kids at risk of losing school breakfast and lunch. Increase energy costs: With devastating cuts to clean energy, families will pay an average of $400 more per year in energy costs nationwide. Seniors and low-income people will also have an even harder time getting assistance to pay their energy bills. Kill more than a million jobs: Data show that massive cuts to clean energy will cost more than 840,000 jobs in just the next five years and an additional 790,000 jobs over the next ten years. Weaken our public schools and make higher education more expensive: The bill creates a permanent, unlimited tax credit for private school vouchers that undermine our public schools, while attacking protections for student borrowers and cutting Pell grants for working class students. Add more than $3.3 trillion to the national debt: This does not include an additional estimated $700 billion in interest payments expected over the next ten years. The bill will cause our debt to rise to as much as 128% of our GDP by 2034, threatening to bankrupt our country and mortgaging our children’s futures. Overwhelmingly benefit the wealthiest 1% of Americans: The bill gives almost a trillion dollars in tax cuts to the top 1% of households, transferring money from the poorest Americans to the wealthiest. People making over $1 million will have an average tax cut of at least $80,000 a year while the bottom 20% of families will see their taxes rise. According to the House Committee on the Budget, the Big Ugly Bill will have the following impact on Missouri’s 5th Congressional District: Rip healthcare away from Missouri families and raise healthcare costs: An estimated 265,298 Missourians will lose health insurance, and Missourians covered under the Affordable Care Act will see an average increase of $710 in premiums. Four rural hospitals across the state will be at risk of closing due to Medicaid cuts. Raise food costs: At least 58,000 Missourians are at risk of lose some or all food assistance. Kill manufacturing jobs and raise energy costs: 37,000 manufacturing and energy jobs in Missouri will be eliminated. Missourians will see an $800 average yearly increase in energy bills due to cuts to clean energy. Increase the cost of higher education: 66,960 students in Missouri could have their Pell grants cut or eliminated entirely. ### 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,2026-04-07T14:40:33Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/bell-wagner-turner-auchincloss-introduce-legislation-advance-stability-bosnia,"Bell, Wagner, Turner, Auchincloss Introduce Legislation to Advance Stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina",2025-06-26,2025,2025-06,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.), along with U.S. Representatives Ann Wagner (R-Mo.), Mike Turner (R-Ohio), and Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.), released the following statement after they introduced the Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act. This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide. “Peace doesn’t keep itself. When bad actors try to undermine democracy and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the U.S. has to act,” said Rep. Bell. “This bill is about holding those individuals accountable and standing firm behind the Dayton Peace Agreement. We can’t afford to look the other way while corruption and division threaten hard-won peace.” “The largest Bosnian community outside of Bosnia is centered here in the St. Louis area, and for years I have worked closely with them to advance our shared goal of a unified and peaceful Bosnia and Herzegovina. We condemn Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik’s flagrant disregard for the law, and it is critical we put a stop to his destabilizing actions in the region that have gotten worse by the week,” said Rep. Wagner. “My Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act will sanction criminals like Dodik and others like him who seek to tear apart the institutions that safeguard Bosnia’s fragile peace. The new Axis of Evil that is China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea is cheering on bad actors like Dodik, and it is critical to global stability we stop this evil in its tracks to send a message that the world will not stand for corrupt secessionists like him gaining another foothold.” “The Dayton Peace Accords ended one of the bloodiest conflicts in Europe’s history and laid the foundation for lasting peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords, we are reminded of our constant commitment to the fragile security situation established and our duty to make it a lasting and stable peace,” said Rep. Turner. “The United States will continue to stand with the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina to protect their sovereignty, support democratic institutions, and ensure that the hard-won peace of Dayton is never undone.” ""Support for the Dayton Peace Agreement is strong and bipartisan in Congress. Bad actors like Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik must not shred the institutional sinews of a peaceful and prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Rep. Auchincloss. “America must not retreat from our work in Balkans, or else Russia will fill the void."" Background: The Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act mandates sanctions on foreign persons who undermine the Dayton Peace Agreement or otherwise threaten the stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Similar legislation introduced by Rep. Wagner passed the House in 2022 and 2024. In the post-war climate of the 1990s, thousands of Bosnian refugees resettled in the St. Louis region. Today they are an integral part of the local St. Louis community, and with families and loved ones remaining in the Balkan region, are deeply concerned about the stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Read the full bill text here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-co-sponsors-war-powers-resolutions-prohibit-us,Congressman Cleaver Co-Sponsors War Powers Resolutions to Prohibit U.S. Involvement in Iran,2025-06-25,2025,2025-06,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) co-sponsored two War Powers Resolutions to prohibit American involvement in Iran, following President Trump’s unilateral, unconstitutional, and dangerous decision to use U.S. Armed Forces to strike Iran directly. The first resolution, introduced by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA), would prohibit the U.S. Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The second resolution, introduced by the Democratic Ranking Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, House Armed Services Committee, and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, would order the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran absent a Congressional authorization, while preserving the ability for U.S. Armed Forces to defend the U.S. and its partners and allies from imminent attack. “For far too long and on a bipartisan basis, the Congress has ceded its Article I power to declare war, eliminating an essential check on the Executive Branch and giving one individual far too much power to drag the nation into protracted military conflicts,” said Congressman Cleaver. “While we all agree that Iran can never be allowed to procure a nuclear weapon, it is also critical that Congress leave no doubt that the president is not allowed to unilaterally begin a war with Iran, or any other country, without the approval of the People’s representatives. Both of these resolutions make clear that the president does not have this authority and ensure that the U.S. will not enter yet another costly conflict in the Middle East unless granted explicit approval from Congress.” 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,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/bell-statement-us-strikes-iranian-nuclear-facilities,"Bell, Statement on U.S. Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Facilities",2025-06-22,2025,2025-06,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) released the following statement: ""I’m grateful that no American service members were harmed in this strike, and proud of the skill and bravery of the Missouri-based airmen and airwomen who carried out their mission. Our troops always deserve our respect, no matter who is president. I never for a second doubted our military’s ability to strike its targets. But taking out facilities is the easy part. It’s what comes next that’s hard—and we’ve seen how this story goes. Launching airstrikes without consulting Congress, without a clear strategy, and without providing transparency to the American people is not an acceptable path forward. I am also extremely worried that the massive risk of escalation will further put our service members at risk. If we desire peace in the region, we can never allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon. It would be incredibly naive to believe that if Iran obtained a nuclear weapon that they would not use it. But the Administration has an obligation to brief Congress and outline their objectives for the timing of this action. We cannot be dragged into another war in the Middle East by those who have learned nothing from the last two decades. I’ve talked with many people across St. Louis—families, veterans, workers—and they deserve answers. And our troops, especially those from right here in Missouri, deserve better than being sent into harm’s way without a clear mission or long-term plan."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleavers-statement-president-trumps-unconstitutional,Congressman Cleaver’s Statement on President Trump’s Unconstitutional Bombing of Three Sites in Iran,2025-06-22,2025,2025-06,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) released the following statement on the bombing of three sites in Iran. “President Trump’s bombing of 3 sites in Iran was unconstitutional; only Congress can declare war. “I remain hopeful that Iran’s nuclear capabilities have been seriously weakened or destroyed. However, I’m concerned that Trump’s actions threaten to trap the U.S. in an escalating conflict. “Recently both Democratic and Republican presidencies have felt comfortable in overstepping their article 2 constitutional authorities. This is a power grab. “Any further military action must first be voted on by Congress.” ### 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,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-harshbarger-introduce-bipartisan-bill-expand-paramedicine,"Reps. Cleaver, Harshbarger Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Paramedicine Services Nationwide",2025-06-17,2025,2025-06,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) have introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen and expand paramedicine services in rural communities across the country. The Community Paramedicine Act of 2025 (CPA) would expand the scope of rural health grants to include mobile integrated health and community paramedicine grantees, enabling Americans in rural communities to receive centralized, mobile, and preventative care through local paramedics, an increasingly popular initiative in healthcare known as Community Paramedicine. “Across Missouri, rural communities are struggling to access quality healthcare that is both affordable and convenient, with far too many Missourians having to travel long distances to get the care they need, which can often be as costly as it is frustrating for families,” said Congressman Cleaver. “This challenge requires innovative solutions that help bring physicians directly to the people—and that’s precisely what community paramedicine seeks to do. I’m proud to introduce the Community Paramedicine Act with Congresswoman Harshbarger to expand this popular and growing practice to more communities, so Missouri families can get the care they deserve at lower costs and right at their door.” “Mobile Integrated Healthcare-Community Paramedicine is a smart, innovative solution that delivers the right care at the right time — especially for patients with chronic conditions or in rural and underserved areas,” said Rep. Harshbarger. “As co-chair of the Congressional Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus, I’m proud to help introduce this budget-neutral bill, which will empower our emergency medical services professionals and firefighters to build these community programs for reducing unnecessary emergency room visits, improving health outcomes, and potentially saving billions in healthcare costs.” “Early medical intervention can save the health care system billions by addressing time-critical issues and preventing costly emergency care and hospitalizations,” said Chief Chris Way, President of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians. “Mobile Integrated Healthcare-Community Paramedicine (MIH-CP) is an innovative way for EMTs and Paramedics to provide patient-centered mobile care outside the hospital to lower health care costs and improve patient outcomes. MIH-CP helps to address the gaps in patient care and prevent acute exacerbations of illness, instead of waiting to provide medical care until patients need 911 response. NAEMT applauds Representative Diana Harshberger (R-TN) and Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) for introducing the Community Paramedicine Act, which would provide funding opportunities for EMS agencies across the nation to provide evidence-based, cost-saving, and innovative ways for EMTs and Paramedics to provide patient-centered care outside of the hospital and improve patients’ health status, in collaboration with other health care professionals and providers. We ask Congress to pass this bill and help create, maintain, and sustain MIH-CP programs across our country.” For some patients – including those who are uninsured, underinsured, homebound, medically fragile, or live in rural areas – their access to care relies primarily on 9-1-1, EMTs, and the hospital emergency room. Over 57 million Americans must travel a lengthy distance to reach their nearest physician, with rural Americans experiencing the most travel time, as only 11% of physicians work in rural settings. With a demand for physician services that outpaces available appointments, many residents are currently left medically underserved. Community Paramedicine combats this by improving care accessibility for underserved communities and bringing health care to Americans’ doorsteps. Community Paramedicine programs can provide check-ups, health education, preventative care, and transportation. These services improve patient access to diagnostic testing, specialized service referrals, and transportation to medical appointments. Moreover, studies have shown that Community Paramedicine programs can save thousands of dollars per year per patient by helping people lead healthier lives and decreasing healthcare emergencies. For example, Community Paramedicine visits can help a person living with heart failure, asthma, COPD, or diabetes avoid acute emergencies. A study in eastern Massachusetts showed that their Community Paramedicine model saved over $1,900 per case and nearly $6 million in a year. The Community Paramedicine Act of 2025 would expand the scope of rural health grants authorized under Sec. 330A of the Public Health Services Act to include mobile integrated health and community paramedicine grantees. As of now, Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grants, Rural Health Network Development Grants, and Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Grants share the authorization under Sec. 330A. None of these, however, address community paramedicine. The Community Paramedicine Act of 2025 would add a fourth grant program to the existing authorization. The legislation budget neutral and does not authorize any new spending. The Community Paramedicine Act of 2025 is endorsed by the American Ambulance Association (AAA), National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Rural Health Association, Mid-America Regional Council Emergency Rescue (MERCER), Missouri Ambulance Association, Missouri Emergency Medical Services Association, Kansas Emergency Medical Services Association, Tennessee Association of EMS Providers. Official text of the Community Paramedicine Act of 2025 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,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/bell-graves-introduce-bipartisan-tutor-act-block-foreign-adversaries-pentagon,"Bell, Graves Introduce Bipartisan TUTOR Act to Block Foreign Adversaries from Pentagon Tutoring Contracts",2025-06-16,2025,2025-06,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— U.S. Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) and Sam Graves (R-Mo.) introduced the TUTOR Act, bipartisan legislation to prohibit the Department of Defense from contracting with online tutoring companies owned or controlled by foreign adversaries. The Turning Untrusted Tutoring Origins Away from Resources Act of 2025, or TUTOR Act, would amend current law to prohibit the Department of Defense from contracting with any tutoring service owned or controlled by a ""country of concern"" — including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. ""Military families deserve high-quality educational support without the risk of foreign surveillance or political interference,"" said Congressman Bell. ""There’s no reason the Pentagon should be writing checks to companies controlled by hostile regimes. This bill is about protecting our national security and our students at the same time."" “Our service members dedicate their lives to protecting us from foreign threats, so why would we educate their children using tutoring services owned by Iran, North Korea, Russia, or China?” said Congressman Graves. “It makes absolutely no sense and we need to put a stop to it. I’m proud to join with Congressman Bell to introduce the Tutor Act, which ensures these foreign threats have no role in educating the children of our servicemembers.” The bill comes in response to growing concerns that hostile foreign governments are using access to American students and military families for surveillance, propaganda, or influence operations. The legislation would apply to both current and future DoD contracts with foreign-owned companies providing online tutoring services. Read the full bill here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-davids-demand-answers-lack-funding-freedoms-frontier,"Reps. Cleaver, Davids Demand Answers on Lack of Funding for Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area",2025-06-16,2025,2025-06,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Sharice Davids (D-KS) have called on the Trump Administration to immediately release long-overdue funding for National Heritage Areas (NHAs), which preserve local history, create jobs, and drive tourism across the country. Despite being signed into law in March, federal funding for NHAs — including the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area (FFNHA) in western Missouri and eastern Kansas — still hasn’t been delivered. As a result, local sites are struggling to keep staff employed, preserve historic landmarks, and continue educational programs that serve thousands of visitors and students each year. “NHAs contribute billions to the U.S. economy annually and support hundreds of thousands of jobs, leveraging each dollar of federal funding into more than $5 of nonfederal resources,” the lawmakers wrote. “For example, FFNHA provided 61 percent of its FY24 income from nonfederal sources. Our nation’s 62 NHAs provide an excellent and sustainable model of economic development at little cost to the federal government. This delay in funding is causing significant strain on our NHAs – many of which rely on small staffs and robust volunteer networks; annual NPS appropriations are critical to attracting private donations, planning grants and historic preservation efforts, and executing educational opportunities.” “We respectfully request that you quickly provide us with a timeline as to when FY25 appropriations for NHAs will be processed and work to execute these funding awards as soon as possible,” the lawmakers concluded. NHAs are public-private partnerships that highlight culturally significant regions across the U.S., from Civil War battlefields to Indigenous heritage sites. Each federal dollar invested generates over $5 in private and local support. Without this timely funding, programs grind to a halt and community-driven preservation work suffers. Established in 2006, the FFNHA is one of 55 National Heritage Areas throughout the United States. FFNHA tells the stories and builds awareness of western Missouri and eastern Kansas’ past, present, and future, including stories of American settlement of the western frontier, Bleeding Kansas and the Civil War, Brown v. Board of Education, and significant figures in our nation’s history such as President Harry Truman, Amelia Earhart, and the Native tribes of the Great Plains. The FFNHA supports and promotes roughly 323 partners, including historic sites, museums, historical societies, libraries, and other cultural-heritage tourism destinations in 41 counties across the Missouri-Kansas border. Some notable FFNHA partners in the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri include the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Truman Presidential Library, American Jazz Museum, the National WWI Museum and Memorial, and more. Some notable FFNHA partners in the Third Congressional District of Kansas include Old Quindaro Museum, John Brown Museum, Kansas City Area Historic Trails Association, Kaw Point Park, Louisburg Historical Society, and more. The official letter from Reps. Cleaver and Davids 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,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-bell-statement-israeli-strikes-iran,Rep. Bell Statement on Israeli Strikes on Iran,2025-06-13,2025,2025-06,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— Today, U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) released the following statement: “Iran having a nuclear weapon would be catastrophic for the United States, Israel, and our regional allies. It would also very likely result in a larger conflict. The Iranian regime is a leading state sponsor of terrorism, has attacked U.S. service members in the past, and has been quite clear about its intentions toward the U.S. and Israel. If Iran were to possess nuclear weapons, it would be naive to believe they would not use them. Israel is well within its rights to take those threats seriously. But war carries an enormous cost in lives lost, families shattered, and consequences we can’t always predict or control. Diplomacy isn’t weakness; it’s the hard work of trying to prevent catastrophe. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am very concerned about protecting our service members stationed in the region and will do everything in my power to support their safety.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleavers-statement-escalating-conflict-middle-east,Congressman Cleaver’s Statement on the Escalating Conflict in the Middle East,2025-06-13,2025,2025-06,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) released the following statement on the escalating conflict in the Middle East. “I am closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East following Israel’s decision to strike Iran’s military leadership and nuclear capabilities. “My highest priority remains the safety of American citizens and servicemembers in the region. While the president’s decision in his first term to withdraw from the JCPOA has led to this extraordinarily alarming moment and made diplomacy substantially more difficult, it is imperative that the Trump administration focus on de-escalation before U.S. armed forces are dragged into another lengthy and lethal quagmire. “I continue to support Israel's right to exist and their right to defend themselves. I urge the leadership of both nations to de-escalate and come to the negotiating table to end this conflict before it spirals out of control.” ### 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,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-votes-against-republican-rescission-package-cuts,Congressman Cleaver Votes Against Republican Rescission Package that Cuts Foreign Aid and Public Broadcasting,2025-06-12,2025,2025-06,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) voted against the House GOP recissions package that would recklessly cut $9.4 billion from the federal budget that was previously approved on a bipartisan basis. In addition to foreign aid cuts, which are already having deadly consequences and undermining U.S. support around the world, the bill defunds America’s public broadcasting, including NPR and PBS, threatening vital sources of nonpartisan news, educational programming, and emergency services for all Americans. “Whether it’s ripping healthcare away from 16 million Americans, taking food off the table of millions more, or now defunding vital public broadcasters that millions of our fellow Americans rely on like PBS and NPR, my House Republican colleagues have made clear that nothing is off the table when it comes to budget cuts that will help pay for more tax breaks that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthiest among us,” said Congressman Cleaver. “While I was hopeful that just a handful of my colleagues across the aisle would block this short-sighted and dangerous decision, it will fall upon the Senate to protect these services for the American people.” Earlie this week, Congressman Cleaver fought to protect funding for America’s public broadcasting by introducing an amendment to remove a provision within the Republican rescission package that would eliminate federal funding for these vital institutions. Unfortunately, the amendment was not adopted, and the cuts remained in the package passed today. Congressman Cleaver has been a longtime supporter of America’s public broadcasting, pushing back on the Trump administration’s effort to undermine these vital services. In March, Cleaver joined a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers to call for continued funding for public broadcasting following reports the FCC had opened a frivolous investigation into NPR and PBS and signaled interest in defunding the outlets. In May, the Congressman again joined a cohort of lawmakers to call on the Committee on Appropriations to maintain funding for CPB programs. 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,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-lynch-meeks-torres-introduce-choice-neighborhoods,"Reps. Cleaver, Lynch, Meeks, Torres Introduce Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Act",2025-06-12,2025,2025-06,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Co-Chairs of the Congressional Public Housing Caucus Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), and Ritchie Torres (D-NY) reintroduced the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Act. The legislation would permanently authorize and expand the Choice Neighborhoods Program. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) have introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate. The Choice Neighborhoods Program is a transformative grant program within the Department of Housing and Urban Development that converts severely distressed neighborhoods into high-quality, mixed-use community developments. Established in 2010, the program has provided $1.8 billion in competitive grants to localities and community organizations for comprehensive neighborhood redevelopment across dozens of distressed communities. In a recent HUD report, researchers found that in the neighborhoods studied, every dollar of Choice funding leveraged an additional $7.34 toward housing redevelopment. “As American families struggle with our national housing affordability crisis, we need an all-hands-on deck approach to promote the development of affordable housing and rejuvenation of public housing all over the country,” said Congressman Cleaver. “The Choice Neighborhood Program has proven to be the kind of transformative tool we need in this effort, catalyzing public and private investment in underserved areas that enables the revitalization of entire communities. Not only does this program expand the construction of affordable housing options, but it opens the door for working class families to access new opportunities and climb the economic ladder. I’m proud to introduce the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Act with Senators Blunt Rochester and Van Hollen, along with Reps. Lynch, Meeks, and Torres, as we seek to permanently reauthorize this vital work and strengthen the program in the process.” “The Choice Neighborhoods Program leverages public and private investment to expand affordable housing and revitalize entire communities. It's exactly the sort of solution we should be supporting to solve the housing crisis,"" said Congressman Gregory W. Meeks. ""It’s a proven model that not only improves housing but also uplifts neighborhoods, businesses, and the families who live there. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Act.” “The housing crisis in America demands bold, comprehensive solutions and the Choice Neighborhoods Program delivers just that,” said Rep. Torres. “It empowers communities to rebuild from within, transforming public housing and surrounding neighborhoods into engines of opportunity. By permanently authorizing this program, we’re aiming make a long-term investment in housing, equity, and economic mobility. I’m proud to join Rep. Cleaver and my colleagues in advancing this legislation to ensure that every community, especially the most underserved, can share in America’s promise of opportunity.” “As the United States faces a severe affordable housing shortage, the Choice Neighborhoods program is a proven tool that can reinvigorate our most distressed neighborhoods and unlock their future success,” said Senator Blunt Rochester, member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. “By catalyzing public and private investment, this program has successfully contributed to the preservation of affordable housing and created over 21,000 new housing units across 52 communities in America, including in my hometown of Wilmington. Making this program permanent not only ensures these transformative investments continue, but it also gives us yet another tool in our toolbox to address the housing affordability crisis in Delaware and across the country. I’m grateful to Senator Van Hollen and Congressman Cleaver for joining me in leading this effort, and I’m hopeful we can work together in both chambers to get this bill passed” “As communities struggle to keep up with the demand for affordable housing, we must accelerate our efforts to redevelop and revitalize underserved neighborhoods. This legislation will help build on the success of the Choice Neighborhoods Program – unlocking additional public and private investment to create greater access to housing, and ultimately opportunity, across the country,” said Senator Van Hollen. ""As a recent HUD Choice Neighborhoods Implementation grant recipient, our experience with the program has been extremely positive,” said Logan Herring, CEO of The WRK Group. “Choice funding has accelerated our neighborhood plan significantly, with 250 new mixed income homes in or beginning construction just two years after the award. In addition, we've been able to leverage over $150 million in additional funding with this grant and the HUD staff has been professional, responsive, and knowledgeable - great to work with. We enthusiastically support this bill to continue and expand the Choice program.” ""The Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI) revitalizes distressed public housing and nearby areas through community-driven redevelopment,” said Mark Thiele, CEO of NAHRO. “By focusing on housing, people, and neighborhoods, it makes communities safer and more vibrant, creating opportunities without displacing residents. Continued support for CNI is essential to creating lasting positive change in communities nationwide. NAHRO proudly endorses the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Act of 2025. This act will help transform areas of extreme poverty into sustainable, mixed-income neighborhoods by redeveloping distressed housing and investing in communities."" “PHADA supports the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Act of 2025,” said Tim Kaiser, executive director of Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA). “Permanently authorizing the Choice Neighborhoods program—which leverages public and private funding to revitalize public housing developments and their surrounding neighborhoods—will ensure this program remains a vital tool to address the capital needs backlog. PHADA remains committed to advocating for robust funding and resources for public housing programs, including Choice Neighborhoods.” This legislation has been endorsed by the American Planning Association; Catholic Charities USA; Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity; Delaware State Housing Authority; Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County; Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC); National Association of REALTORS; National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials; National Center for Healthy Housing; NeighborGood Partners; Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA); REACH Riverside Development Corporation; Sussex County Habitat for Humanity; UnidosUS; Wilmington Housing Authority; Wilmington Neighborhood Conservancy Land Bank; and YWCA Delaware. Official text of the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Act is available here. A one-pager of the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Act is available here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-kim-reintroduce-buds-resolution-bolster-bipartisan,"Reps. Cleaver, Kim Reintroduce BUDS Resolution to Bolster Bipartisan Collaboration in Congress",2025-06-11,2025,2025-06,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 Young Kim (R-CA), along with Representatives Scott Peters (D-CA), William Timmons (R-SC), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), and Mike Carey (R-OH), reintroduced 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. “In these deeply polarizing times, it is important that lawmakers help bridge the divides in our nation by focusing on bipartisan solutions that will benefit hardworking families in every community across the country,” said Congressman Cleaver. “As a member of the former Modernization Committee, I’ve seen firsthand that bipartisanship is still possible if we foster the environment that enables it to grow. That’s why I’m proud to join my friend Rep. Kim in reintroducing the BUDS Resolution to incentivize more cross-party collaboration in the House of Representatives.” “Bipartisanship isn’t a bad word. In fact, it’s more important than ever to find common ground to improve the lives of the American people and move this country forward. That’s why I’m proud of my record and to be ranked the most effective federal lawmaker from the state of California,” said Congresswoman Kim. “I hope the BUDS Act can encourage more collaboration in Congress that will advance more impactful policy solutions.” “The BUDS Act will encourage members to reach across the aisle and find bipartisan solutions to the toughest challenges facing Americans,” said Fix Congress Caucus Co-Chair, Rep. Scott Peters. “We know that great ideas often come from collaboration, and by simply allowing dual sponsorship, Congress will generate a lot more of those ideas and modernize an outdated system. At a time of hyper-partisanship and record low congressional approvals, we should be doing everything we can to boost bipartisanship and Americans’ trust in the legislature.” “In today’s hyper-partisan environment, the BUDS Act represents a refreshing and necessary modernization of how Congress operates. By empowering lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to serve as joint sponsors, we are structurally reinforcing our commitment to collaboration—something the American people overwhelmingly support. As a co-lead on this resolution, I am proud to stand alongside colleagues to send a clear message: delivering results for our constituents means working together, not working apart,” said Rep. Timmons. “We need to rebuild a politics of the common good, where actual bipartisan progress is possible to meet our most serious challenges.” said Rep. Mullin. “That’s exactly what the BUDS Resolution is about—modernizing our Congressional rules so we can value cooperation over conflict. The American people are tired of dysfunction. They want to see their representatives working together to solve real problems. The BUDS Resolution is a practical step toward that goal, and I’m proud to support it.” “Delivering for my constituents is my biggest priority in Congress, and that often stems from bipartisan cooperation. For that reason, I re-launched and serve as Co-Chair of the Civility and Respect Caucus in the House,” Rep. Carey said. “This legislation will make it easier to identify bipartisan measures and build support for their passage. That means real results for our constituents, and I am proud to support it.” “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,” saidMichele Stockwell, President of Bipartisan Policy Center Action ""We commend Representative Cleaver for recognizing the need for legislation that fosters greater bipartisanship in Congress. At a time when public trust in Congress is at historic lows, the Joint Sponsorship legislation charts a path toward consensus by encouraging cross-party collaboration — helping ensure that Congress fulfills its Article I responsibilities on behalf of the American people,"" said Jamie Neikrie, Legislative Director of Issue One “This is an obvious solution to a needless hurdle blocking genuine bipartisanship in Congress,” said Demand Progress Executive Director Sean Vitka. “This relatively simple, commonsense rule change would go a long way towards helping lawmakers showcase needed policy solutions with broad political support from the get-go. We thank Reps. Cleaver and Kim for introducing this resolution and modeling the kind of bipartisanship that the American people deserve.” ""Tackling our nation’s pressing fiscal and governance challenges demands both bipartisan cooperation on fact-finding oversight and legislation. I commend Representatives Cleaver and Kim for working across the aisle and sponsoring this important resolution,"" said Dan Lips, Senior Fellow of the Foundation for American Innovation ""Congress runs on collaboration and the BUDS resolution facilitates collaboration among members of all political stripes,"" said Daniel Schuman, Executive Director of the American Governance Institute. The legislation is also cosponsored by Representatives Kathy Castor (D-FL), James Moylan (R-GU), Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Mike Quigley (D-IL), and Don Bacon (R-NE). The BUDS Resolution is endorsed by the American Governance Institute, Bipartisan Policy Center Action, Demand Progress, Foundation for American Innovation, and Issue One. Official text of the BUDS Resolution 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,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-joins-effort-protect-funding-npr-pbs-and-americas-public,"Rep. Cleaver Joins Effort to Protect Funding for NPR, PBS, and America’s Public Broadcasting",2025-06-10,2025,2025-06,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) joined with Representatives Dan Goldman (D-NY), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Dina Titus (D-NV), Doris Matsui (D-CA), John Larson (D-CT), and April McClain Delaney (D-MD) to protect federal funding for NPR, PBS, and America’s public broadcasting. Together, the legislators introduced an amendment to remove a provision within the Republican rescission package that would eliminate federal funding for these vital institutions, which were included in the unlawful cuts made by DOGE. The package is expected to receive a vote in the House of Representatives later this week. “At a time when families are struggling to keep up with the cost of living, my Republican colleagues are not focused on lowering costs for hardworking families; instead, they’re working to eliminate funding for public broadcasting services that provide vital information to communities across the country,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Respectfully, I don’t know a single person who voted to kill Sesame Street, but I do know families across my congressional district who rely on the services provided by outlets like NPR and PBS during times of crisis. When Republicans in the past tried to gut funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Mr. Rogers himself stepped up to convince Congress to maintain this funding. I’ve always supported investments in our public broadcasters, and I’m hopeful my colleagues across the aisle will come to their senses and listen to the wise words of Fred Rogers before they do long-term damage to these American institutions and the Americans they serve.” The letter comes as the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress continue to attack public journalism’s editorial independence and crack down on public broadcasting nationwide. Last month, the administration issued an unlawful Executive Order directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to cease all funding for NPR and PBS, which support local TV and radio news outlets across the country. CPB-funded public media reaches nearly 99.7% percent of the American population, and its funding supports over 1,500 public television and radio stations across the country, supporting approximately 20,000 local jobs. Congressman Cleaver has been a longtime supporter of America’s public broadcasting, pushing back on the Trump administration’s effort to undermine these vital services. In March, Cleaver joined a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers to call for continued funding for public broadcasting following reports the FCC had opened a frivolous investigation into NPR and PBS and signaled interest in defunding the outlets. In May, the Congressman again joined a cohort of lawmakers to call on the Committee on Appropriations to maintain funding for CPB programs. 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,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-horsford-introduce-bill-advancing-minority-and-women,"Reps. Cleaver, Horsford Introduce Bill Advancing Minority and Women Ownership of Broadcast TV, Radio",2025-06-10,2025,2025-06,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 (D-MO) and Steven Horsford (D-NV) introduced The Broadcast VOICES (Varied Ownership Incentives for Community Expanded Service) Act, legislation to reestablish the Federal Communications Commission’s Minority Tax Certificate Program (MTCP). From 1978 to 1995, the MTCP provided a tax incentive to those who sold their majority interest in a broadcast station to diverse individuals, increasing diverse ownership in broadcast stations by more than 550 percent. “Kansas City is proud to be home of the oldest Black-owned radio broadcast company in the United States, serving as a prime example of the quality and community connection that comes with minority-owned media outlets,” Rep. Cleaver said. “I’m honored to introduce the Broadcast VOICES Act with my friend Congressman Horsford, which will ensure opportunities are provided to more women- and minority-owned broadcasters who uplift the voices of communities that are far too often overlooked.” “Diverse ownership in broadcasting helps amplify voices, viewpoints and perspectives that our society has historically silenced,” Rep. Horsford said. “The Minority Tax Certificate Program’s nearly twenty-year success record diversifying broadcast ownership speaks for itself – not just in effective tax incentives, but also in creating economic opportunities and empowering disadvantaged communities. I’m proud to partner with Rep. Cleaver on the Broadcast VOICES Act to make sure America’s airwaves reflect the diversity of our people.” Data from 2021 shows that less than 6 percent full power commercial broadcast television stations in the United States are owned by women and less than 4 percent are minority-owned. Moreover, data also shows approximately 9 percent of FM broadcast radio stations are owned by women, while less than three percent are owned by minorities. The Broadcast VOICES Act would: Reestablish a Minority Tax Certificate Program. Establish a tax credit for broadcast owners who donate their stations to train individuals new in the management and operation of broadcast stations, equal to the fair market value of the station. Require annual reports from the Federal Communications Commission on: Ways to increase minority and/or women-controlled broadcast stations; Whether to expand the tax certificate program to other commission-regulated entities; Whether there is a nexus between diversity of ownership and diversity of the viewpoints broadcast by stations; Annual sales for which certificates have been issued. 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,2026-04-07T01:08:28Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/bell-bacon-lead-bipartisan-letter-denouncing-inflammatory-content-social-media,"Bell, Bacon Lead Bipartisan Letter Denouncing Inflammatory Content on Social Media Following Antisemitic Attacks",2025-06-06,2025,2025-06,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— Today, U.S. Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.) led a letter with 41 bipartisan lawmakers in urging major social media companies to take immediate action against the rise of hate speech and incitement to violence on their platforms following two recent antisemitic attacks. The letter follows recent antisemitic attacks—one in Washington, D.C., and another in Boulder, Colorado—that drew national attention not only for their brutality, but for the wave of hate filled online commentary that followed. Social media platforms were quickly flooded with posts and comments glorifying the violence, spreading antisemitic conspiracy theories, and praising the alleged attacker. The letter was also endorsed by the ADL (Anti-Defamation League) and the American Jewish Committee (AJC). “For far too long, social media platforms have allowed harmful messages, hashtags, and conspiracy theories to fester and proliferate online, targeting different communities. Following Meta’s decision earlier this year to roll back its trust and safety policies, one estimate noted this could lead to individuals encountering at least 277 million more instances of hate speech and other harmful content each year on its platforms. Since these changes, on Facebook alone, Jewish Members of Congress have experienced a fivefold increase of antisemitic harassment on the platform,” wrote the lawmakers. “Failing to meaningfully curb hate speech, including antisemitic mis- and disinformation, and allowing antisemitic incitement to violence has real-world impacts, as unfortunately was the case in Washington, D.C. on May 21, 2025. In the aftermath of this horrific attack, we have already seen what appears to be a skyrocketing number of antisemitic conspiracy theories accusing the attack of being a “false flag” operation — an abhorrent narrative scapegoating Jews for being targeted by acts of hatred and terrorism, falsely claiming the attack was staged by Israel or the Jewish community for sympathy or to entangle the United States in Middle Eastern conflicts,” continued the lawmakers. “This is not merely a matter of policy enforcement but one of public safety and national security. We regard the unchecked spread of pro-terror content, extremist symbolism, and incitement to violence as a direct threat to U.S. national security and public safety. The murders of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky are a stark and tragic reminder of the urgent need for reforms to ensure that any form of support for terrorism and incitement to violence are effectively identified and removed from your platforms without hesitation. It is critical that social media companies do not allow coded praise of violence or hate speech to flourish unchecked, as this only encourages others to engage in similar acts,” concluded the letter. “Over the past two weeks, the Jewish community has endured horrific and unconscionable acts of antisemitic violence in both Washington, D.C. and Boulder,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director. “Let’s be clear: words have consequences. When antisemitic rhetoric is normalized, tolerated, or amplified, it fuels an environment where violence against Jews becomes normalized. We’ve seen this play out across digital platforms like Meta, TikTok and X, where hate too often has gone unchecked. We’re grateful to Reps. Bell and Bacon for leading this important bipartisan effort to ensure these platforms are not being used to incite real-world violence.” ""Over the past few months, the worst fears of the American Jewish community have become a tragic reality. Two people were assassinated in our nation’s capital - gunned down after leaving an American Jewish Committee (AJC) event at a Jewish museum. In the streets of Boulder, Colorado, multiple people were injured, some lit on fire, at an event focused on the most basic of human rights - freedom from captivity. Immediately after, celebration of these attacks occurred on all major social media platforms. We must acknowledge that antisemitic and anti-Zionist language is dangerous, and when left unchecked, can be deadly. Social media companies have an obligation to do more to prevent dangerous content from proliferating online. AJC appreciates Representatives Wesley Bell (D-MO) and Don Bacon (R-NE) for leading the charge in creating greater transparency in how social media companies are handling rampant antisemitism on their platforms,"" said Ted Deutch, CEO of American Jewish Committee. The letter was also signed by Representatives Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.), Gilbert Cisneros (D-Calif.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Donald Davis (D-N.C.), Cleo Fields (D-La.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.), Laura Gillen (D-N.Y.), Daniel Goldman (D-N.Y.), Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), Donald Norcross (D-N.J.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Chris Pappas (D-N.H.), Bradley Schneider (D-Ill.), Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.), Haley Stevens (D-Mich.), Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.), Thomas Suozzi (D-N.Y.), Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.), Marc Veasey (D-Texas), Eugene Vindman (D-Va.), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), Nikema Williams (D-Ga.), and Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.). Read the full letter HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:34:38Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-joins-199-lawmakers-bipartisan-effort-save-job-corps,Rep. Cleaver Joins 199 Lawmakers in Bipartisan Effort to Save Job Corps,2025-06-06,2025,2025-06,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) joined Congressmen Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA), Brett Guthrie (R-KY), and nearly 200 other congressional lawmakers in urging the Department of Labor to continue the Job Corps program. In a letter to Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Cleaver and the bipartisan cohort of lawmakers highlighted the benefits of the program and reiterated its importance to young workers and small businesses across the nation. “Nearly 20,000 young people utilize Job Corps to learn skills for in-demand vocational and technical job training,” the lawmakers wrote. “Job Corps is one of the few national programs that specifically targets the 16-24-year-old population that is neither working, nor in school, and provides them with a direct pathway into employment openings in industries such as manufacturing and shipbuilding. The program also connects these young Americans with apprenticeships, higher education opportunities, or the military.” “As companies continue to onshore and invest in the men and women of our country, a steady stream of skilled laborers will be required to meet the growing workforce demand,” the lawmakers continued. “The Job Corps program is uniquely positioned to fill that role and provide these hardworking young Americans with the vocational and technical job training that will set them and our country up for success.” “There is no one more capable than the American worker when given a chance at success. We urge you to support our request so that local Job Corps Centers can continue connecting young Americans with careers and opportunities available to them. We are confident that, in collaboration with the Administration and Job Corps Centers in our communities, we can strengthen this program, continuing to develop a highly skilled and competitive labor force,” the lawmakers concluded. On May 29, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a notice that it will begin a phased pause in operations at contractor-operated Job Corps centers across the country. Job Corps is a national program with over 120 centers nationwide. Job Corps offers at-risk youth varied academic opportunities and career pathways in business and industry. Congressman Cleaver has been a longtime supporter of Job Corps and the benefits it provides to young workers across Missouri, requesting Congress to provide adequate funding for the program and Job Corp Centers throughout the Show Me State. The official letter from lawmakers 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,2026-04-06T18:34:38Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-lawler-reintroduce-bipartisan-hud-legislation-ensure,"Reps. Cleaver, Lawler Reintroduce Bipartisan HUD Legislation to Ensure Annual Oversight",2025-06-05,2025,2025-06,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 (MO-05) and Mike Lawler (NY-17) reintroduced the HUD Accountability Act of 2025, a bipartisan measure that would require the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to testify before Congress on an annual basis. The bill aims to strengthen transparency and ensure HUD leadership is held accountable amid an ongoing housing affordability crisis. “Whether a Republican or Democratic administration, it is imperative that the people’s representatives have an opportunity to provide oversight of the Executive Branch on behalf of the public, which includes bringing Cabinet officials before Congress to explain their policymaking actions and motivations,” said Congressman Cleaver. “I was proud to support this bipartisan legislation last Congress, and I’m happy to reintroduce it with Congressman Lawler as we seek to lower housing costs and ensure transparency for the American people.” “With families in New York and across the country being crushed by skyrocketing housing costs, Congress needs to take this crisis seriously, and that starts with oversight,” said Congressman Lawler. “In the past, there have been long gaps between appearances by the HUD Secretary before the Financial Services Committee. That lack of regular oversight isn’t acceptable. Our bill simply ensures that the Secretary provides annual testimony on the Department’s programs, finances, and priorities. Last Congress, I hosted the first congressional field hearing in Rockland County in years to hear directly from constituents about how high housing costs are affecting their lives. Whether it’s addressing the workforce housing crunch or improving HUD oversight, I’m focused on bringing greater transparency and accountability to programs meant to serve the American people.” The HUD Accountability Act, which passed committee last Congress with bipartisan backing, would require the HUD Secretary to testify annually for five years before the House Financial Services Committee and the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. The legislation outlines key areas for testimony, including: Progress in addressing the affordable housing and homelessness crises The condition and performance of HUD programs, including public housing Oversight efforts to combat waste, fraud, and abuse The financial status of FHA’s mortgage insurance funds The capacity of the Department to deliver on its statutory mission Official text of the HUD Accountability Act of 2025 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,2026-04-06T18:34:38Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/bell-introduces-legislation-collect-data-interactions-between-law-enforcement,Bell Introduces Legislation to Collect Data on Interactions Between Law Enforcement and People with Mental Illness,2025-05-29,2025,2025-05,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) introduced the Public Safety and Mental Health Reporting Act, legislation aimed at increasing transparency and improving public safety through comprehensive data collection on interactions between law enforcement officers and individuals with mental illness. This introduction comes during Mental Health Awareness Month, underscoring the urgent need to better understand and address how mental health intersects with public safety. ""Every day, our communities see the crucial intersection of mental health and law enforcement,"" said Rep. Bell. ""Without comprehensive data, we cannot effectively address these encounters and ensure the safety and well-being of all involved. This legislation is about transparency, accountability, and better-informed policies to protect both citizens and officers."" The Public Safety and Mental Health Reporting Act directs the Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to acquire annual data on law enforcement interactions with individuals experiencing mental illness. It establishes a path forward for evidence based qualitative data collection, which will be used strictly for research and statistical analysis, safeguarding individual privacy. Additionally, the bill mandates the annual publication of this data summary, making the information readily accessible to Congress and the public to promote accountability and foster evidence-based solutions. Bell has been a consistent advocate for public safety reform. In April, Bell introduced his groundbreaking Justice Forward Agenda, a bold two-part initiative aimed at transforming the criminal legal system by shifting away from punishment and incarceration and toward community-based alternatives that promote prevention, stability, and public safety. Read the full bill text here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-awarded-2025-shirley-chisholm-award-housing,Congressman Cleaver Awarded 2025 Shirley Chisholm Award for Housing by National Urban League,2025-05-28,2025,2025-05,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver has been awarded the 2025 Shirley Chisholm Award for Housing by the National Urban League, given to a lawmaker whose commitment and work has expanded access to fair and affordable housing in the United States. In a ceremony this month, Cleaver accepted the prestigious award from National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial at the organization’s 2025 Empowerment Summit in Washington, DC. The National Urban League is the nation’s largest historic civil rights and urban advocacy organization. “Since my first days on the City Council in Kansas City, my strongest passion and highest priority has been the work to expand housing opportunity for everyday families,” said Congressman Cleaver. “I understand what it means to live in a shack with no electricity or running water, and I know firsthand the challenges that come with America’s underinvestment in housing that is truly accessible and affordable, which is why I’ve spent my career working to protect and strengthen housing programs that serve low- and middle-income families of all backgrounds. To receive this award, named in honor of the great civil rights champion Shirley Chisholm, is extraordinarily meaningful to me. Just as her work helped pave the way for families like mine to rise out of poverty, I hope the work I’ve done in Kansas City and Washington will continue to change the trajectory of families who are every bit as deserving of the American dream.” Since coming to Washington, Congressman Cleaver has fought tirelessly to bring housing investments to Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District and passed multiple bipartisan overhauls of America’s federal housing programs. The Global Financial Crisis of 2008 destroyed trillions in home equity and over half the wealth of the African American households in the United States. As a new member on the House Financial Services Committee, Congressman Cleaver was instrumental in national recovery efforts through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, including the creation of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which helped stabilize the housing market in Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, and the Green Impact Zone, which targeted more than $125 million of federal investment into the urban core in Kansas City, MO. Following the crisis, Congressman Cleaver worked on the passage of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which included, but was not limited to, the creation of the Consumer Protection Financial Bureau (CFPB), tasked with protecting consumers from unfair, deceptive, or abusive financial practices, including predatory mortgage lending. In the 115th Congress, Cleaver was elected by his colleagues to serve as the head Democrat on the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance. As Ranking Member, Cleaver teamed up with then-Chairman Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO) to co-author the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA), which introduced a massive set of changes and reforms to federal housing programs. The most sweeping housing bill in 20 years, HOTMA was passed with unanimous support by Congress and was signed into law by President Obama. The following Congress, Rep. Cleaver introduced the Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Demonstration Act with Congressman Sean Duffy (R-WI) to help low-income families who rely on housing vouchers to move out of poverty and into neighborhoods with better opportunities. The legislation was passed with bipartisan support by Congress and signed into law by President Trump. In the 117th Congress, Cleaver was elected by his colleagues to serve as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance during the COVID-19 eviction and foreclosure crisis. In that capacity, Chairman Cleaver helped lead the effort to pass legislation providing federal funds to address housing and homelessness including the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which represented the largest single-year investment in preventing and ending homelessness in U.S. history. Through ARPA and other appropriations, Cleaver helped secure more than $46.6 billion in emergency rental assistance and more than $10 billion for the Homeowner Assistance Fund to ensure that families could remain safely housed. Cleaver also helped secure more than $5 billion in homelessness funds through ARPA which included, for the first time in the nation’s history, Emergency Housing Vouchers for families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Cleaver’s Stabilizing Rural Homeowners During COVID Act, which provided desperately needed assistance to families living in US Department of Agriculture-supported housing was also signed into law. Cleaver also worked with the Biden Administration on key initiatives of the Administration to expand access to fair and affordable housing. In April 2021, Cleaver introduced the Real Estate Valuation Fairness and Improvement Act to address bias in home valuations. Cleaver’s legislation served as the framework for the Biden Administration’s Interagency Task Force on Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity (PAVE Task Force), the first-ever interagency effort to combat discrimination in the home appraisal process. In 2022, the Task Force released the PAVE Action Plan, and the Biden Administration announced the most wide-ranging actions ever taken to advance equity in the home appraisal process. Cleaver also invited several members of the Biden Administration to Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District to discuss housing and other federal investments, including discussions related to Parade Park Homes. Since 2022, Cleaver has worked with US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Fudge, HUD Acting Secretary Todman, HUD officials, and local officials to stabilize the property and chart a path forward to ensure the health of residents and the community. Earlier this year, Congressman Cleaver successfully secured $15.5 million in federal grant funding to support the rehabilitation of Parade Park Home, the oldest Black-owned housing cooperative in the nation, with more than 500 affordable housing units in the heart of the 18th & Vine Jazz District. Last Congress, Cleaver invited Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Sandra Thompson to Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District for a convening between the FHFA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, tenant advocates, and community leaders for in-depth discussions on issues impacting tenants in federally backed properties. Following the convening, the FHFA accepted Cleaver’s call to adopt the first-ever tenant protections for renters in multifamily properties with Enterprise-backed mortgages. Participants also heard reports of unacceptable living conditions at Independence Towers and shortly thereafter, Cleaver secured $1,350,000 from Fannie Mae to address desperately needed repairs at the apartment complex. Cleaver has received several awards for his work on housing, including reception of the inaugural Terwilliger Bipartisanship in Housing Award from the Bipartisan Policy Center last year. The award recognized Cleaver’s long-standing leadership and bipartisan work on housing, including on bipartisan legislation such as the Choice in Affordable Housing Act and the Rural Housing Service Reform Act. The 2025 Shirley Chisholm Award for Housing is further recognition of Cleaver’s commitment and longstanding work. “In my view, access to affordable housing has the potential to open doors and unlock opportunities that allow entire families to climb the economic ladder—just like it did for mine,” said Congressman Cleaver. “I’m proud of the work I’ve done on this issue since my first days on the City Council, and I look forward to continuing this work on behalf of Missouri families in the years to come.” 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,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/bell-members-missouri-delegation-call-swift-approval-governor-kehoes-federal,"Bell, Members of the Missouri Delegation Call for Swift Approval of Governor Kehoe’s Federal Disaster Declaration",2025-05-27,2025,2025-05,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— Today, Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) and five Representatives of the Missouri Delegation, along with both Missouri Senators, led a bipartisan letter to President Trump urging immediate approval of Governor Mike Kehoe’s request for a major disaster declaration following the deadly and destructive storms that struck the St. Louis region on May 16. “On May 16, 2025, devastating storms swept across the Midwest, triggering catastrophic flooding and tornadoes that claimed at least 28 lives—26 of them in Missouri and Kentucky. In St. Louis alone, at least five individuals were killed, dozens were hospitalized, and more than 5,000 structures were damaged, with losses estimated to exceed $1 billion. These storms come on the heels of damaging weather events in March and April, further compounding the challenges facing communities already working to rebuild,” wrote the lawmakers. “The State of Missouri has been working closely with local governments to coordinate emergency shelter, debris removal, infrastructure assessments, and other critical response efforts. A major disaster declaration would unlock vital federal assistance to support these operations, including Public Assistance for emergency protective measures and infrastructure repair, Individual Assistance for displaced and impacted residents, and Hazard Mitigation assistance to help reduce the risk of future disasters. These resources are essential to stabilizing affected communities and safeguarding public health and safety,” continued the lawmakers. “Given the scale of devastation and the urgent need for federal assistance, we respectfully request swift approval of Missouri’s disaster declaration. We appreciate your attention to this matter and stand ready to support efforts to ensure resources reach those who need them most.” concluded the lawmakers. A major disaster declaration is a critical tool for unlocking federal assistance in the wake of extreme weather events. It allows communities to access Public Assistance for emergency work and infrastructure repair, Individual Assistance for families who have lost their homes or belongings, and Hazard Mitigation funds to help reduce future disaster risks. Without this designation, hard-hit areas like St. Louis face a longer, more expensive road to recovery—with local governments and residents shouldering the burden alone. The letter was also signed by Representatives Ann Wagner (R-Mo.), Robert F. Onder, Jr. (R-Mo.), Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-Mo.), Jason Smith (R-Mo.), Mark Alford (R-Mo.), and Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Eric S. Schmitt (R-Mo.).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-ranking-member-waters-fsc-committee-democrats-introduce,"Rep. Cleaver, Ranking Member Waters, FSC Committee Democrats Introduce the Stop TRUMP in Crypto Act",2025-05-27,2025,2025-05,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA), the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, and Committee Democrats have introduced H.R. 3573, the Stop Trading, Retention, and Unfair Market Payoffs in Crypto Act of 2025 or the Stop TRUMP in Crypto Act of 2025. The landmark legislation would prevent the President, Vice President, Members of Congress, and their immediate families from inappropriately profiting from cryptocurrencies. “Whether accepting a $400 million jet as a personal gift or selling access to the White House through his various crypto schemes, President Trump’s ongoing and brazen corruption should have every American deeply concerned and demanding accountability,” said Congressman Cleaver. “As Democrats in Congress seek to uphold the rule of law and ensure the president is not selling out the American people, I’m proud to cosponsor Ranking Member Waters’ proposal to prevent any president, regardless of political party, from using cryptocurrencies to personally profit while in office.” “Donald Trump is preparing to dine with the top donors of his memecoin who’ve made him, and his family, richer. Meanwhile, American families are getting poorer and growing increasingly anxious under his failed leadership. Nowhere is Trump’s blatant disregard and disrespect for the rule of law more apparent than in the way he has exploited the office of the Presidency to promote shady, fraudulent crypto ventures that hold no real value, and serve no true purpose other than to pad his pockets,” said Ranking Member Waters. “Trump’s crypto con is not just a scam to target investors. It’s also a dangerous backdoor for selling influence over American policies to the highest foreign bidder. For all we know, Russia, China, or even North Korea could be buying Trump’s crypto to secure favors from the White House. That’s why I’ve introduced the ‘Stop TRUMP in Crypto Act.’ This bill will stop Trump’s brazen crypto corruption and prevent any President, Vice President, Members of Congress, or their immediate families from exploiting crypto in this way. Enough is enough. Congress can no longer ignore the biggest scam and abuse of power in American history. I know my Republican colleagues fear Trump, but I urge them to stand with me and my Democratic colleagues to pass this bill and send a clear message that the White House is not a platform for personal profit.” “President Trump’s disrespect for the rule of law is breathtaking. Never in American history has a sitting president so blatantly violated ethics laws and openly pushed an agenda for his own financial gain. President Trump and his family are exploiting the presidency to line their pockets through their personal crypto scam, World Liberty Financial. These corrupt actions, along with the volatile and risky nature of crypto, will have devastating consequences on Americans’ financial lives, and Congress cannot allow it to continue,” said Congressman Stephen Lynch, Ranking Member on the Digital Assets Subcommittee. “Trump’s crypto schemes are a shameless abuse of power,” said Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez. “His $TRUMP coin has brought in over $350 million for him, while regular investors lost billions. Add to that the $MELANIA coin and the Trump-backed stablecoin tied to foreign interests, and you have a pattern of massive conflicts of interest that threaten both investors and national security. I’m proud to join Ranking Member Maxine Waters in cosponsoring legislation to end this kind of corruption once and for all.” “The wealth of nations is reliant on one thing more than any other: whether the nation has an honest government. But, Trump and his family through their crypto coins have put the credibility of the United States up for sale to the highest bidder,” said Congressman Brad Sherman. “I am pleased to join Ranking Member Waters on this bill to prevent the President, Vice President, Members of Congress, and their families from using crypto to create a culture of corruption and sell out our country.” “President Trump’s second presidency has brought corruption in this country to new heights. Nothing illustrates this more than President Trump’s meme coin. This bill is absolutely vital to ensure that future public servants and their families do not repeat President Trump’s ignominious example. I am proud to join Ranking Member Waters as an original cosponsor of this legislation, and I thank her for her leadership,” said Congressman Al Green. “Trump’s meme coin has allowed him to use his position to further enrich himself—a blatant conflict of interest. Even worse, he's allowing top buyers, including foreign nationals, to purchase special access to the presidency via this cryptocurrency,"" said Congressman Bill Foster. ""This legislation is a commonsense measure to prevent this level of corruption from reaching our nation's highest office or the halls of Congress ever again."" “Just four months into his second term, President Trump has made hundreds of millions in cryptocurrency ventures by shamelessly abusing the Presidency,"" said Congresswoman Joyce Beatty. ""I’m proud to join Ranking Member Waters in this critical bill that will establish strict guardrails to prevent crypto-related corruption at the highest levels of the federal government and put a stop to President Trump's digital assets scams that pad his own pockets at the expense of hardworking American families.” “The brazen lawlessness and corruption of the Trump Administration is staggering. It is completely unacceptable that shady business owners, corporations, or foreign actors can pour millions of dollars into a venture financially benefiting the President. We cannot allow public officials to use their positions to enrich themselves. I am proud to join Representative Waters in halting this crypto-fueled corruption,” said Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib. ""In just a few months, Donald Trump has turned the highest office in the land into the tackiest, most shameless grift of our lifetimes—peddling crypto scams while everyday Americans struggle to put food on the table. The mission is clear: Trump and his family get richer. You get poorer. That’s the whole plan—and it needs to stop. No American should ever have to wonder if the President is working for them or just for himself. I’m proud to join Ranking Member Waters to lead one of the most common-sense bills of the year—one that cracks down on Trump’s addiction to corruption and stops this crypto gateway drug from infecting the halls of Congress,” said Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia. Specifically, the Stop TRUMP in Crypto Act of 2025 would prevent the President, Vice President, Members of Congress, and their immediate families from: Owning a proportion of a digital asset that would allow them to unilaterally make changes to the digital asset; Serving as an officer, director, or owner of a digital asset issuer; Issuing, sponsoring, promoting, or receiving compensation for the sale, marketing, or mining of digital assets; or Trading digital assets while in office, if the covered individual has material non-public information about digital assets. The legislation was introduced just hours before President Trump hosted an exclusive memecoin dinner at his luxury golf resort, in which attendees have spent millions of dollars to secure a seat. In the 24 hours leading up to the event, the value of Trump’s personal cryptocurrency, $TRUMP, surged—further highlighting concerns of corruption. Since returning to office, President Trump has used the power of the presidency to shamelessly promote and profit from a series of crypto ventures tied to himself and his family. This includes his personal $TRUMP memecoin which reportedly inflated his wealth by over $350 million while defrauding investors of billions; his wife, Melania Trump’s $MELANIA memecoin, linked to insider profits nearing $100 million; and the launch of a Trump-backed stablecoin, USD1 – through his family’s crypto company, World Liberty Financial – which has raised concerns regarding foreign deals and their potential impact on national security. Moreover, Trump’s sons, Eric and Donald Trump Jr., recently launched a Bitcoin company while Trump ordered the Treasury to create a Bitcoin Reserve – all moves that appear designed to boost the value of assets held by Trump and his allies, using taxpayer dollars. Official text of the Stop TRUMP in Crypto Act of 2025 is available here. A fact sheet of the Stop TRUMP in Crypto Act of 2025 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,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-rep-bell-votes-no-shameful-republican-tax-bill,Statement: Rep Bell Votes NO on Shameful Republican Tax Bill,2025-05-22,2025,2025-05,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— Today, Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) released the following statement following his vote against the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”: “The shameful bill Republicans just rammed through in the dead of night hands a massive tax break to the richest Americans, while folks in St. Louis are stuck holding the bill. It guts Medicaid, cutting nearly $600 million from Missouri’s health system and putting coverage for 33,000 of our neighbors in St. Louis at risk. It also slashes SNAP, making it harder for needy families to put food on the table. We are called to serve. To fight for working class families. To protect the vulnerable. To govern with a conscience. This bill fails every one of those tests. I voted no.” According to nonpartisan estimates, the Republican tax plan would add more than $4 trillion to the national debt over the next decade while significantly cutting funding for programs like Medicaid and SNAP. The Joint Economic Committee projects that roughly 13.7 million Americans would lose their health insurance under the proposed changes—more than 33,000 of them in Missouri’s First District. At the same time, the plan would extend tax cuts that disproportionately benefit the highest earners, with the top 0.1% receiving average annual tax breaks exceeding $300,000.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-announces-4-million-brownfields-grant-has-been,Congressman Cleaver Announces $4 Million Brownfields Grant Has Been Awarded to Kansas City,2025-05-22,2025,2025-05,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 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded the City of Kansas City a $4 million Brownfields Cleanup Grant. The federal funding will be used to clean up 47 vacant parcels known as the Washington Wheatley Vacant Lots site on Agnes Avenue, Walrond Avenue, East 19th Street, and East 20th Street, as well as the former Benson Manufacturing Company Site, located at the intersection of East 18th Street and Agnes Avenue. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invested more than $1.5 billion through EPA’s highly successful Brownfields Program, which included a major increase in EPA Brownfield Grant funding, enabling local communities to clean up, redevelop, and reinvent areas previously contaminated by toxic substances,” said Congressman Cleaver. “I’m pleased to see this highly successful program continue to support the public health and economic development of neighborhoods like Washington-Wheatley in Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, and I’ll continue pushing for bipartisan solutions that benefit Missouri families like this one moving forward.” EPA’s Brownfields program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.9 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. To date, brownfields investments leveraged over $42 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. Over the years, the relatively small investment of federal funding was able to leverage over 220,500 jobs from both public and private sources. The Washington Wheatley Vacant Lots were used primarily as residential properties since 1936 and are contaminated with PCBs, semi-volatile organic contaminants (SVOCs), and heavy metals. Operations at the former Benson Manufacturing Company site included the production of fabricated brass, aluminum, and other metal alloys used in aircraft parts, light fixtures, architectural ornamentation, appliances, and aluminum barrels for breweries. Over time, the site also housed a lumber mill, a coal and ice company, a furniture manufacturer, a printing company, a limousine service, and various other commercial businesses. It is contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), petroleum, and heavy metals. Grant funds also will be used to conduct 16 public meetings. Additionally, the City of Kansas City Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) has been selected to receive $2 million because it has a high-performing RLF program with significantly depleted funds. The RLF program has successfully made loans or subgrants leading to 11 cleanup projects that are either completed or in progress. Projects highlighted for use of the funding include the Parade Park Homes Redevelopment site—which Congressman Cleaver has strongly supported—and the Unity Campus. 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,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-cleaver-votes-against-gop-budget-rips-healthcare-and-food,Rep. Cleaver Votes Against GOP Budget That Rips Healthcare and Food Assistance from Working Class Families to Fund Tax Cuts for the Wealthy,2025-05-22,2025,2025-05,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 against the Republican budget proposal that would rip healthcare away from nearly 14 million Americans, take food assistance away from millions more through cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and explode the national deficit by approximately $3.8 trillion to expand tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the legislation takes from the poorest Americans to give another tax break that overwhelmingly benefits the wealthiest in the nation. “Today, my Republican colleagues in the House of Representatives passed one of the most reckless and fiscally irresponsible bills that I have ever seen in my time in Congress, guaranteeing a massive redistribution of wealth from the poorest families to the wealthiest one percent, while exploding our national deficit by more than $3 trillion,” said Congressman Cleaver. “At a time when income inequality is at historic levels and working class families are pleading for relief, congressional Republicans are making the largest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in American history, ripping healthcare and food assistance away from vulnerable families, to give another tax break that lines the pockets of billionaires like Elon Musk and Donald Trump. It is a moral monstrosity that will have devastating repercussions in the years to come if the Senate does not take action to stop it.” According to estimates, the resolution would increase inflation, with the average American household’s purchasing power falling by $300-$1,250 over the next five years. That does not include the average loss of $2,800 for the average American due to the president’s previously announced costly tariff plans. The Treasury Department found that the extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would give an average annual tax cut of $32,118 for those in the top 1 percent and an average annual tax cut of $314,266 for those in the top 0.1 percent. When adding additional tax breaks included in the Republican budget proposal, the Penn Wharton Budget Model finds an average benefit of $44,365 for those in the top 1 percent and an average benefit of $389,290 for those in the top 0.1 percent. Nearly half the net benefit of extending the law would go to the top 5 percent of households, or those making more than $450,000 per year. Meanwhile, according to the Penn Wharton Budget Model, the bottom 40% of households will actually see lower after-tax income if the legislation becomes law, as they only receive a miniscule tax cut while losing access to programs like Medicaid, SNAP, school meals, and more, as well as facing higher costs due to inflationary effects. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Republican budget passed by House Republicans would result in the largest Medicaid cuts in American history—which would be particularly devastating to Missouri. According to several analyses, the Republican budget proposal will: Rip healthcare away from approximately 27,817 Missourians in the Fifth Congressional District, including 13,017 Missourians on Medicaid and 14,800 Missourians receiving coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Across the state, nearly 212,000 Missourians will lose health coverage through Medicaid and the ACA. Take food assistance away from approximately 18,000 households in the Fifth Congressional District, with more than 150,000 households losing assistance from the SNAP program across the entire state. Increase healthcare costs for Missourians who receive coverage through the ACA, blowing a $710 annual hole in the budget of the 49,000 Missourians who receive health coverage under the ACA. Increase the cost of higher education for 12,625 students in Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District who receive Pell grants, which make college more affordable for working class families. “Despite promises to protect Medicaid, lower costs, and fight for working class families across the country, the Republican budget betrayal is the same trickle-down economics that has failed the American people for decades, only on steroids,” said Congressman Cleaver. “It is my hope that sanity will prevail in the Senate, where my colleagues can still block this legislation from harming the most vulnerable members of our community. As it moves closer to the finish line, I will continue speaking out and standing up for those who may not be able to donate to political campaigns but still deserve access to affordable healthcare and nutrition assistance no less.” 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,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-bell-demands-answers-cuts-national-weather-service-following-deadly,Rep. Bell Demands Answers on Cuts to National Weather Service Following Deadly Midwest Storms,2025-05-21,2025,2025-05,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) led a letter, signed by U.S. Representatives Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.), Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.), and Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.), to Secretary Howard Lutnick of the Department of Commerce and Acting Administrator Laura Grimm of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), expressing deep concern over recent staffing and funding reductions to the National Weather Service (NWS) and their impact on public safety following this weekend’s deadly tornado outbreak. The letter comes in the wake of severe storms that tore through the Midwest, leaving at least 28 people dead—including five in St. Louis—and damaging or destroying over 5,000 structures across the region. Preliminary estimates place the cost of damage in excess of $1 billion. “We cannot afford to further weaken our national weather response infrastructure. As the frequency and severity of storms increase, the capacity to issue accurate and timely warnings becomes even more critical to saving lives.” said Rep. Bell. The letter raises alarm over decisions made by the Trump Administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) that have led to staffing shortages and operational gaps at NWS field offices nationwide. These reductions have been linked to delays in issuing warnings and forecasts, jeopardizing emergency preparedness and response efforts. In the letter, Congressman Bell and his colleagues request a response by June 20, 2025, to the following questions: Did the Trump Administration’s funding and staffing cuts to NOAA and the NWS directly impact the reporting and tracking of the recent storms? In response to these storms, what immediate steps is NOAA taking to ensure that NWS field offices are properly resourced and staffed? Following the March 20, 2025 ruling requiring the reinstatement of tens of thousands of federal employees, how many NWS employees have been rehired? While the Department of Commerce initially announced the rehiring of several hundred employees, no recent update has been provided. How are the previous staffing and budget cuts continuing to affect the NWS’s ability to deliver technical assistance and operational support nationwide? The full text of the letter can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-rep-bell-releases-statement-following-devastating-st-louis-storms,STATEMENT: Rep. Bell Releases Statement Following Devastating St. Louis Storms,2025-05-17,2025,2025-05,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— Today, Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) released the following statement in response to deadly storms that devastated the St. Louis region: “Yesterday’s storms hit St. Louis hard—at least five lives have been lost, homes torn apart, roads blocked, and thousands still without power. I’m heartbroken for the families who lost loved ones. For the folks waking up to damage they can’t afford to fix. For the people still waiting on the lights to come back on. This is a heavy moment for our region, and we’re feeling it together. I want to thank our first responders, utility workers, and neighbors who jumped into action to help. My team has been in touch with local officials, state and federal partners, and we’re ready to do everything we can to support the response and the recovery. This can’t just be about picking up the pieces—we’ve got to make our infrastructure stronger, invest in resilience, and make sure our communities are better prepared for the next time. To everyone hurting right now: you’re not alone. We're in this together, we’ll clean up together, and we’ll fight together to make sure St. Louis comes back stronger than ever.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-wesley-bell-statement-passing-former-senator-christopher-kit-bond,Congressman Wesley Bell Statement on the Passing of Former Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond,2025-05-13,2025,2025-05,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— Today, Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) released the following statement in response to the passing of former Missouri Governor and U.S. Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond: “Kit Bond served Missouri with dedication—as Governor, Senator, and public servant for decades. His commitment to our state was unwavering. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleavers-statement-passing-former-missouri-governor-and,Congressman Cleaver’s Statement on the Passing of Former Missouri Governor and Senator Christopher S. “Kit” Bond,2025-05-13,2025,2025-05,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) released the following statement after the passing of former Missouri Governor and Senator Christopher S. “Kit” Bond. “Kit Bond was a superb statesman, an exemplary public servant, and a dear friend to myself and Missourians across the Show Me State. From his time as State Auditor to his stewardship of Missouri as Governor, and eventually as Missouri’s Senator in Washington, Kit was the kind of elected official that every Missourian could be proud to call their representative; I know I was. “Having come from the small town of Mexico, Missouri, Kit would go on to graduate top of his class in law school and use his brilliant legal mind to clerk for the Chief Judge on the Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. He was the epitome of the American Dream and what is possible through hard work and perseverance. While he could have stayed in Washington, D.C. to pursue a lucrative career in law, his love for Missouri and passion for public service were a magnetic force that brought him back home. “As a City Councilman and then Mayor, I had the privilege of working with Governor-turned-Senator Bond on numerous projects to the benefit of Kansas City and those who reside in our community. From the Charles E. Whittaker Federal Courthouse to the National World War I Museum and Memorial, as well as the redevelopment of 18th & Vine and the construction of the Christopher S. Bond Bridge, one cannot walk around our community without experiencing the important work of Kit Bond – and every Kansas Citian should be grateful for his willingness to seek common ground and work across the aisle to make each of them possible.” “With time, our professional relationship grew into a profound friendship that I will cherish forever. It is with deep sadness that I say farewell to a true friend, and I extend my deepest condolences to the entire Bond family as they grieve this colossal loss. May every Missourian take a moment to give thanks to this Missouri hero, and may his memory be a blessing to all.” ### 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,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kansas-city-lawmakers-support-national-historic-landmark-designation,Kansas City Lawmakers Support National Historic Landmark Designation of Quindaro Townsite,2025-05-13,2025,2025-05,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Derek Schmidt (R-KS), and Sharice Davids (D-KS) have called on the National Park Service to designate the Quindaro Townsite in Wyandotte County as a National Historic Landmark. The Kansas City, Kansas site served as a critical entry point for anti-slavery settlers and a sanctuary for those escaping bondage via the Underground Railroad prior to and during the U.S. Civil War. “The Quindaro Townsite is a vital piece of U.S. history that demonstrates our national commitment to liberty and self-determination, which ought to be celebrated and shared with future generations,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Just as I was proud to introduce the bipartisan Quindaro Townsite National Historic Landmark Act with Reps. Schmidt and Davids, I’m once again honored to advocate for the designation of Quindaro as a National Historic Landmark, preserving this important chapter in America’s story until the end of time.” “Quindaro is a meaningful part of our region, state, and country’s history,” Congressman Schmidt said. “Recognizing the site as a National Historic Landmark will provide the designation necessary to properly preserve the legacy of this important historical site. I’m proud to lead my fellow Kansas City area lawmakers in this effort.” “Quindaro is a powerful part of Kansas’ history in the fight for freedom and equality, but for too long, local preservation efforts of this important site have lacked much-needed resources,” Representative Davids said. “I’m proud to work with Representatives Schmidt and Cleaver to ensure this site receives the recognition and protection it deserves through a National Historic Landmark designation.” Founded in 1857, Quindaro emerged as a beacon for Free-State advocates during the turbulent “Bleeding Kansas” era. Strategically located along the Missouri River, it served as a critical entry point for anti-slavery settlers and a sanctuary for those escaping bondage via the Underground Railroad. The town’s establishment was a collaborative effort among the Wyandot Nation, New England abolitionists, and African American settlers, exemplifying a unique and harmonious multicultural alliance during a period marked by division and conflict. Beyond its pivotal role in the anti-slavery movement, Quindaro became a nucleus for post-Civil War African American advancement. The establishment of the Quindaro Freedman’s School, later known as Western University, marked a significant milestone as the first Black school west of the Mississippi River. Institutions like Douglass Hospital further underscored the town’s commitment to education and healthcare within the African American community. Archaeological excavations have unveiled a wealth of artifacts, offering invaluable insights into the daily lives of Quindaro’s diverse inhabitants. The site’s preserved foundations and structures provide a tangible connection to this rich history. Recognized on the National Register of Historic Places since 2002, Quindaro’s significance has been further acknowledged through its designation as a National Commemorative Site in 2019. In 2023, the lawmakers introduced the Quindaro Townsite National Historic Landmark Act to designate the Quindaro Townsite as a National Historic Landmark. The official letter from lawmakers 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,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-cleaver-local-federal-employees-hold-press-conference,"Congressman Cleaver, Local Federal Employees Hold Press Conference Condemning Cuts to Federal Workforce",2025-05-10,2025,2025-05,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) held a press conference with local employees from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Missouri National Education Association (MNEA), National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) to highlight the impact of the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s cuts to the federal workforce. More than 30,000 federal workers are employed in Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, with one economist estimating the region could lose 6,000 good-paying federal jobs, which could wipe out thousands of other jobs in the process. “The Trump administration and Elon Musk have treated our federal workforce like a disposable expense, rather than the backbone of a functioning democracy,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Slashing jobs, hollowing out agencies, and undermining public service isn’t reform – it’s sabotage. I’m proud to stand with the unions representing the men and women who keep this country running. Today’s gathering is a line in the sand. We’re standing with the workers who’ve been silenced, sidelined, and scapegoated – and we won’t let billionaires hollow out public service under the guise of efficiency without a fight.” The basics: Where do federal employees work? Federal employees work in every congressional district in the country. In fact, 80 percent of the 2.3 million federal civilian employees work outside the D.C. region. As a result, mass firings have the potential to not only affect government services, but also to disrupt local economies. What departments employ the most federal employees? Eight departments each employ over 100,000 civilian employees. They are the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Homeland Security, Department of the Army, Department of the Navy, Department of the Air Force, Department of Justice, Department of Treasury, and other Department of Defense employees not included in the branches of the military. Employees at these agencies account for almost 75 percent of the federal civilian workforce, not including U.S. Postal Service workers. How much money is spent on federal employees? Approximately 4 percent of all federal spending is compensation for civilian employees. In fiscal year 2022, the federal government spent $6.3 trillion in total outlays but only $271 billion was from compensation to civilian employees. For comparison, the gross tax gap from taxes the wealthy owe but refuse to pay is approximately $696 billion, or 2.5 times more than all compensation to civilian employees. Total civilian employee compensation is dwarfed by the amounts that wealthy tax cheats don’t pay in taxes. Moreover, as Congressional Republicans enable DOGE cuts in communities across the country, they are currently working to pass a $4.5 trillion tax cut that overwhelmingly benefits the top 5% of Americans. 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,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-wesley-bell-announces-nearly-5-million-federal-funding-st-louis-lambert,Rep. Wesley Bell Announces Nearly $5 Million in Federal Funding for St. Louis Lambert International Airport,2025-05-08,2025,2025-05,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— Today, Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) announced that the City of St. Louis has been awarded $4,902,750 through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) program. This funding will support the design phase of a new public-use deicing pad and containment facility at St. Louis Lambert International Airport. This investment marks a major step forward in modernizing critical infrastructure at Lambert, boosting the airport’s operational efficiency during winter months and strengthening environmental protections around deicing procedures. “This is a smart investment in St. Louis—one that makes our airport safer, more resilient, and more efficient,” said Congressman Bell. “It’s about keeping flights on schedule, protecting our environment, and making sure Lambert remains a competitive hub for travelers and businesses alike. I’m proud to help bring these federal dollars home.” “This project will help us keep planes moving during winter weather, allowing St. Louisans to stay connected to the world, whether they’re traveling for business or leisure,” said St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer. “I am grateful to Congressman Bell for his leadership in making this happen. This is the kind of federal collaboration necessary for St. Louis and the region to move forward.” The new deicing pad will span more than 1.4 million square feet and help reduce delays caused by winter weather, while ensuring that runoff from deicing chemicals is properly contained and treated. This award covers the initial design phase of the project, laying the foundation for future construction. The funding is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Airport Infrastructure Grants program. Signed into law by President Biden in 2021, it supports critical upgrades to airport terminals, runways, and other aviation facilities across the country. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases/bell-kaptur-quigley-johnson-send-letter-opposing-ed-martin-nomination-over,"Bell, Kaptur, Quigley, Johnson Send Letter Opposing Ed Martin Nomination Over Russian Media Ties",2025-05-06,2025,2025-05,Democrat,House,MO,Wesley Bell,B001324,bell.house.gov,bell,https://bell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— Today, Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), along with Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), led a letter to President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi raising serious concerns over the potential nomination of Ed Martin to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. The letter cites Martin’s extensive history of appearances on Russian state-funded media outlets RT and Sputnik—over 150 times in recent years—as cause for alarm given the sensitive nature of the role. The lawmakers argue that Martin’s public statements on these platforms, many of which were not disclosed, have often echoed Kremlin propaganda and undermined U.S. national security interests, particularly regarding Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. “Mr. Martin’s public contributions to Russian-backed platforms are deeply troubling to consider when considering how these views may reflect his stance toward critical issues related to Ukraine and national security. The downplaying of Russian aggression and interference in Ukraine he has espoused on Russian media raises concerns about his ability to uphold U.S. interests, particularly at a time when Russia's invasion of Ukraine has escalated tensions globally. Additionally, his denying evidence of a Russian military buildup near Ukraine’s borders and suggesting that it was the U.S., not the Assad Regime, who “engineered” the deadly 2017 Syrian chemical weapons attack. His appearances have included promoting narratives that align with Russian propaganda over U.S. policy positions and our national interests,” said the lawmakers. “Crucially, Mr. Martin did not fully disclose his extensive involvement with RT and Sputnik as required on his Senate Judiciary Committee questionnaire. This failure in transparency regarding his associations with Russian-backed media outlets calls into question his judgment and commitment to serving the interests of the United States. The U.S. government has consistently recognized RT and Sputnik as propaganda and intelligence tools of the Russian state, and his refusal to disclose his participation raises serious doubts about his loyalty to American values,” continued the lawmakers. “Given the gravity of these concerns, we urge you to conduct a thorough review of Mr. Martin’s past statements, associations, and overall fitness for the role of U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. The appointment of an individual with such questionable allegiances could have serious repercussions for both U.S. foreign policy and the integrity of our legal system,” concluded the lawmakers.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cleaver-graves-introduce-resolution-honoring-americas-teachers,"Cleaver, Graves Introduce Resolution Honoring America’s Teachers",2025-05-06,2025,2025-05,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) - 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 the dedication and lasting impact of America’s teachers. This bipartisan resolution highlights the important role that teachers play in shaping the next generation to become productive, responsible, and successful citizens, and encourages every American to show appreciation for the teachers in their life. “America’s teachers play an invaluable role in shaping our children, and the future of the country, into the resilient, intelligent, and morally virtuous individuals we expect them to become,” said Congressman Cleaver. “During Teacher Appreciation Week, I’m proud to join my friend Sam Graves in introducing this bipartisan resolution to formally recognize the important work educators do in Missouri and all across this great nation. On behalf of the communities we represent and from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your service.” “Our dedicated teachers go above and beyond to ensure that our children have the best possible education,” said Congressman Graves. “They show up every day to help students succeed, learn, and grow. I’ve been lucky to learn from great teachers throughout my life, and I’ve seen the same impact on my kids and grandkids. Thank you to all of America’s teachers. During Teacher Appreciation Week and every week, we thank the educators who shape our communities and help prepare our children for a successful future.” Congressman Cleaver has been a strong supporter of public education and American teachers. In 2023, Congressman Cleaver co-introduced the American Teacher Act to incentivize states to establish a K-12 teacher salary requirement of at least $60,000. Additionally, Rep. Cleaver previously called on Governor Parson to strengthen Missouri’s education system by boosting teacher pay. In March, following President Trump’s illegal executive order to dismantle the Department of Education, Cleaver hosted Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, in Kansas City to meet with local educators in Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District to discuss the impact of potential cuts to public education. The bipartisan resolution is cosponsored by Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN), Ed Case (D-HI), and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR). Official text of the resolution from Reps. Cleaver and Graves 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,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cleaver-waters-lead-call-protect-rural-housing-funding-congress,"Cleaver, Waters, Lead Call to Protect Rural Housing Funding in Congress",2025-05-05,2025,2025-05,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – As Congress begins the appropriations process to determine funding levels for federal programs, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and Maxine Waters (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Financial Services, are leading dozens of lawmakers in a call to protect federal funding for rural housing programs under the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In a letter to House Committee on Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK), Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris (R-MD), and Subcommittee Ranking Member Sanford Bishop (D-GA), the lawmakers are calling on Congress to provide robust funding to the Rural Development Voucher Program, Housing Rehabilitation and Preservation, and the Section 521 Rental Assistance Program. “Rural America is home to nearly 70 million people, or 20% of the U.S. population, who like the rest of the country are struggling with an aging housing stock, undersupply challenges, rising rents, and worsening homelessness,” the lawmakers wrote. “Federally funded housing programs through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are often some of the only sources of affordable housing solutions in rural areas. Unfortunately, it has been reported that USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and the Trump Administration have plans to significantly cut staffing within the agency by at least 30%.” “However, as Democrats and Republicans alike have pointed out over the years, USDA’s role in addressing the unique housing needs of rural America cannot be overstated,” the lawmakers continued. “To address the growing housing needs in rural America, we urge you to consider the funding and programmatic requests for USDA’s Rural Housing Service (RHS), as outlined in this letter.” Specific funding and policy requests supported by the lawmakers include: Providing Robust Funding and Targeted Reforms to the Rural Development Voucher Program (RDVP), including language that supports full funding for Rural Development Voucher renewals in FY 2026 and extends eligibility for RDVP to Section 514 and 515 properties when mortgage loans for those properties mature. Providing Robust Funding for Housing Rehabilitation and Preservation, including a request to maintain USDA’s Rural Housing Service’s continued authority to decouple Section 521 RA from Section 515 loans to support the rehabilitation and preservation of affordable multifamily housing in rural communities. Additionally, the lawmakers request that Congress provide $200 million for the Section 515 program, $75 million for the Section 514 program, $35 million for the Section 516 Farm Labor Housing Grant program, and $1 billion for the Multifamily Preservation & Revitalization Demonstration Program to invest in the rehabilitation of aging rural properties. Fully Fund the Section 521 Rental Assistance Program, including the renewal of assistance to all cost-burdened low-income families who currently rely on this assistance to remain stably housed. The official letter from Cleaver, Waters, and other lawmakers 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,2026-04-07T00:49:36Z https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-casten-lead-call-transparency-climate-risks-federal,"Reps. Cleaver, Casten Lead Call for Transparency on Climate Risks to Federal Mortgage Programs",2025-05-02,2025,2025-05,Democrat,House,MO,Emanuel Cleaver,C001061,cleaver.house.gov,cleaver,https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"(Washington, D.C.) – This week, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and Sean Casten (D-IL) led 14 House Democrats to call on Congress to direct the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to conduct a study of climate-related risks to its loan guarantee programs. In a letter to Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Chairman Steve Womack (R-AR) and Ranking Member Jim Clyburn (D-SC), the lawmakers argued a study was necessary to understand the full impact of climate disasters on the federal housing finance ecosystem and loan performance. “The Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) mortgage financing programs enable billions of dollars of capital to support the purchase, refinance, construction, and rehabilitation of single- and multi-family housing and assisted housing across the United States,” the lawmakers wrote. “However, due to the increasing frequency and severity of weather disasters caused by climate change, homeowners may find it challenging to make mortgage payments, which could lead to defaulting on FHA-insured loans.” “Given the FHA’s prominent role in the mortgage market, we respectfully request that the Subcommittee include the following report language,” the lawmakers continued. “This effort is crucial to understanding the impact of climate disaster broadly on the housing finance ecosystem and loan performance, specifically delinquency and default.” In 2024, 27 climate disaster events in the U.S. resulted in nearly $185 billion in total damages. If homeowners cannot bear the costs of climate disasters and are unable to make payments on mortgages or other loans, these resulting defaults could push losses into different parts of the financial system, which could shift the risk to lenders – or, in the case of FHA-insured mortgages, to the federal government and American taxpayers – triggering shocks to the broader financial system. Given these risks, the lawmakers are calling for a study and report on the impacts of climate change on the performance of loans insured under the Federal Housing Administration’s Mutual Mortgage Insurance (MMI) and General Insurance and Special Risk Insurance (GI/SRI) Funds, including the potential for reduced recoveries and higher loss severities on defaulted loans due to the impacts of climate change. Additionally, the lawmakers would like HUD to identify regions of the country where FHA-insured mortgages are most exposed to climate-related risks. The letter was co-signed by Representatives Cleo Fields (D-LA), Nikema Williams (D-GA), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), André Carson (D-IN), George Whitesides (D-CA), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Sam Liccardo (D-CA), Dave Min (D-CA), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), and Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ). The official letter from lawmakers 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,2026-04-06T18:20:29Z