SE Kansas City News

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, who has represented Missouri’s 5th district in the U.S. Congress since 2005, used his social media platform on November 7, 2025, to criticize both Republican lawmakers and the presidential administration over ongoing political disputes and economic policies.

In a post published at 15:08 UTC on November 7, Cleaver addressed the prolonged government shutdown, stating: "The Republican shutdown has dragged on for 38 days. Democrats remain ready to sit down with Republicans to reopen government and lower costs. But Republicans are still on their month-long vacation and refuse to come to the table and negotiate."

Later that day, at 16:15 UTC, Cleaver commented on statements from the president regarding economic conditions in the United States. He wrote: "The president is either lying or completely out of touch with reality. Either way, it’s not helpful to American families that are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of everything from groceries to health care. That's why Democrats are fighting to end the tariffs and"

In a third post at 17:14 UTC, Cleaver criticized federal spending priorities by contrasting international aid with domestic needs: "The administration can give a $40 billion handout to Argentina, but they refuse to use available funding to feed hungry American families. The people deserve better than an administration that weaponizes hunger for political gain."

Cleaver’s remarks come amid heightened tensions in Washington over a government shutdown that has lasted more than five weeks. Disagreements between congressional Republicans and Democrats have stalled negotiations aimed at reopening federal agencies.

Emanuel Cleaver has been a member of Congress since succeeding Karen McCarthy in 2005. He was born in Waxahachie, Texas in 1944 and currently resides in Kansas City. Cleaver graduated from Prairie View A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1972.