SE Kansas City News

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, currently serving in the U.S. Congress representing Missouri’s 5th district, shared his concerns on social media regarding the recent Republican budget proposal and its implications for American citizens. Born in Waxahachie, Texas, Cleaver has been a congressional representative since 2005.

On May 21, 2025, Rep. Cleaver expressed his disapproval of the Republican budget plan by stating "The Republican budget betrayal is very simple: It takes from the poorest Americans to give another handout to the richest among us. It’s morally reprehensible."

Later that day, he highlighted the broader impact of this proposal with a quote stating “The actual impact would likely hit a far broader range of Americans, including some of the most vulnerable people the GOP has promised repeatedly to protect” and further noted “They include children, people with disabilities and senior citizens.”

In a subsequent tweet on May 21st, Rep. Cleaver discussed how current economic policies under President Trump are affecting local communities by asserting that "As President Trump’s tariff taxes continue to raise costs on everyday goods, local food banks are already struggling to keep food on the shelves." He criticized Congressional Republicans' efforts to cut significant funding from food assistance programs by adding "It won’t help that Congressional Republicans are trying to cut $300 billion from America’s food assistance programs to pay for more"

Emanuel Cleaver resides in Kansas City and graduated from Prairie View A&M University in 1972.