SE Kansas City News

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, who represents Missouri’s 5th district in the U.S. Congress, used his social media platform on July 16, 2025, to criticize recent Republican legislative actions and highlight issues ranging from energy costs to healthcare and food waste.

In a post from the morning of July 16, Cleaver addressed rising energy prices, stating: "As Republicans do the bidding of Big Oil and slash investments in clean energy projects that help lower costs, energy prices are expected to increase on hardworking families across the country—and Missouri is at the very top of the list." He suggested that policy changes could disproportionately affect Missouri residents.

Later that day, Cleaver commented on changes to healthcare tax credits: "In 2021, Democrats passed enhanced tax credits to lower healthcare costs for millions of Americans. Republicans just got rid of those tax credits in their Big Ugly Bill—which will result in higher insurance costs on more than 22 million people." This statement reflects ongoing partisan debate over healthcare affordability and access.

Cleaver also condemned large-scale food destruction in another post: "The cruelty of incinerating 500 tons of food that could feed millions of children around the world is truly unconscionable."

Emanuel Cleaver has served as the U.S. Representative for Missouri's 5th District since 2005, following Karen McCarthy. Born in Waxahachie, Texas in 1944 and currently residing in Kansas City, Cleaver graduated from Prairie View A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1972.