SE Kansas City News

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a U.S. Congressman representing Missouri’s 5th district since 2005, has recently highlighted legislative efforts and expressed concerns about free speech in a series of posts on his official social media account.

On September 19, 2025, Cleaver discussed the objectives of new legislation aimed at addressing housing challenges across the country. He stated, "By providing emerging 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. That’s what our bill will do." In another post on the same day, he emphasized the importance of increasing affordable housing construction: "The road to lowering housing costs for the American people begins with the increase in construction of affordable housing. That’s why I’m proud to introduce the SPUR Housing Act with @SenatorDurbin."

Later that day, Cleaver addressed issues related to freedom of speech and government accountability. He wrote, "There is a reason the founders put the First Amendment first—because without the right to free speech, all other freedoms can rapidly be revoked. We cannot allow this administration to turn the United States into a banana republic by silencing critics."

Cleaver was born in Waxahachie, Texas in 1944 and currently resides in Kansas City. He graduated from Prairie View A&M University in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science degree.