U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver representing Missouri's 5th Congressional District | Official U.S. House headshot
U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver representing Missouri's 5th Congressional District | Official U.S. House headshot
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a U.S. Congressman representing Missouri’s 5th district since 2005, has criticized Republican lawmakers for their handling of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter). The tweets allege that Republicans are refusing to use emergency funding to continue SNAP benefits and accuses them of making political choices that impact vulnerable Americans.
On October 31, 2025, Cleaver stated: "As Republicans claim they cannot legally use emergency funding to continue SNAP benefits, a federal judge tells them they are breaking the law by refusing to use the funds. As Democrats have said: this is a choice—and they are choosing to starve Americans for political purposes."
Later that day, he posted another message questioning assumptions about the sufficiency of current SNAP benefit amounts and criticizing public officials who mock recipients: "Imagine being so out of touch you think $350 a month buys a stocked pantry. In Trump’s economy?! SNAP keeps the 53,099 households in LA-03, 54% of which have children, from starving. What’s destroying this country isn’t people using food stamps, it’s people in power mocking them" (October 31, 2025).
In a subsequent post on November 3, Cleaver accused former President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers of politicizing hunger during government negotiations: "Instead of negotiating with Democrats to reopen the government and lower health care costs, Donald Trump and Republicans are weaponizing hunger by unnecessarily cutting off SNAP benefits to kids, families, and seniors. It’s sick and wrong."
Cleaver's remarks come amid ongoing debates over federal nutrition assistance programs and their funding during periods of government gridlock. He has served in Congress since replacing Karen McCarthy in 2005 and currently resides in Kansas City. Born in Waxahachie, Texas in 1944 and holding a BS from Prairie View A&M University since 1972, Cleaver continues to advocate for policies impacting low-income families.
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