SE Kansas City News

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, who represents Missouri’s 5th district in the U.S. Congress, recently used his social media platform to criticize both foreign and domestic policy decisions, focusing on U.S. relations with Russia and Republican-led legislative efforts.

On August 16, 2025, Cleaver posted: "Rolling out a literal red carpet for a dictator that has committed numerous war crimes & other atrocities is a moral stain on America that will not wash off easy. It also does nothing to incentivize peace. In fact, it encourages Putin to continue his bloodthirsty invasion of a". This statement comes amid ongoing international debate about diplomatic engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Two days later, on August 18, 2025, Cleaver criticized recent Republican legislation in another post: "Republicans’ Big Ugly Law isn’t just bad policy – it’s an intentional blow to working families, affordable health care, the safety net millions depend on, and our freedoms. This is the time where fight or flight gives us no options. The President and Republicans chose cruelty".

Later that same day, he questioned proposed cuts to major federal programs: "Why are Donald Trump and House Republicans cutting Medicaid and Medicare by hundreds of billions? The answer is simple: They are taking away our hard-earned benefits so they can hand out tax breaks to their billionaire GOP donors."

Cleaver has served in Congress since 2005 after succeeding Karen McCarthy as representative for Missouri's 5th district. He was born in Waxahachie, Texas in 1944 and currently resides in Kansas City. Cleaver earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Prairie View A&M University in 1972.