SE Kansas City News

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a U.S. Congressman representing Missouri’s 5th district since 2005, posted a series of statements on November 6, 2025, addressing recent government actions related to federal programs and the ongoing government shutdown.

In his first post at 19:08 UTC, Cleaver criticized recent legislative moves by Republican lawmakers: "This summer, Republicans made the largest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in history while providing trillions in tax breaks to their billionaire donors. Now, they’ve shut the government down to eliminate tax credits that help working-class families afford health care."

Later that evening at 20:07 UTC, Cleaver addressed concerns about compensation for federal employees affected by the shutdown: "Federal workers are entitled to backpay following a government shutdown, period. Any attempt to withhold this pay from federal workers would be illegal and morally reprehensible."

At 21:36 UTC, he commented on judicial intervention in food assistance during the shutdown: "It’s shocking that it takes a court order to force the administration to feed hungry children, seniors, and veterans—but I’m thankful that a court is forcing this action. Now, Republicans should end their vacation and negotiate a bipartisan bill to reopen government and lower"

Cleaver has served in Congress since replacing Karen McCarthy in 2005. He was born in Waxahachie, Texas in 1944 and currently resides in Kansas City. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Prairie View A&M University in 1972.