(From Fifth District Congressman Emanuel Cleaver)Over the last week, the world has watched in horror as Hamas terrorists launched an abhorrent attack on Israel, killing thousands of innocent civilians and soldiers--including more than 20 Americans--as well as kidnapping scores of individuals who are now being held as hostages and political pawns. My heart breaks for those who have lost family members or loved ones, and for those who are still awaiting news.
President Biden and lawmakers in Congress have strongly and unequivocally condemned any and all acts of violence against innocent civilians, including the despicable attack against the Israeli population.
Violence only begets more violence--and these acts of terrorism by Hamas, who in no way represent the Palestinian people, will undoubtedly lead to more pain and suffering for Israelis and Palestinians alike.
But I want to be clear: America stands shoulder-to-shoulder with our Israeli allies in their time of need. I have cosponsored a bipartisan resolution of support for Israel that was introduced by the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and I intend to support the resolution when it receives a vote on the House Floor to underscore America's longstanding and ironclad commitment to the sovereignty and security of Israel.
American leadership will be instrumental in the coming days and weeks as we assist Israel's defense of their homeland and return of innocent hostages. We must use our diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict as soon as possible, work to bring some sense of stability to a region that has been unstable for decades, and continue our efforts toward a long-term vision of a peaceful resolution and a future of security and equal opportunity for both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples through a two-state solution. The first step in that long-term process is a bipartisan package of military and humanitarian assistance from the U.S. Congress--and I will advocate to my colleagues that we should move forward with that important work as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, the House of Representatives remains paralyzed and unable to fulfill our duties for the American people due to the latest GOP-manufactured crisis. Last week, a group of far-right Republicans voted to remove Speaker McCarthy from his position as the leader of the House of Representatives. However, with the House unable to conduct any formal business until a new speaker is elected, my friends across the aisle have spent the last ten days mired in chaos and confusion as they have been unable to coalesce around another candidate for speaker--which has left us unable to legislate for the American people.
For nine months now, the world has watched as the Republican-led House of Representatives has stumbled into crisis after crisis, failing to govern in a stable, responsible way. My Democratic colleagues and I have let our Republican friends know that we are ready and willing to work with the GOP to end this latest crisis and move forward in a bipartisan fashion--which is the only path available during divided government.
But I want to be clear: America stands shoulder-to-shoulder with our Israeli allies in their time of need. I have cosponsored a bipartisan resolution of support for Israel that was introduced by the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and I intend to support the resolution when it receives a vote on the House Floor to underscore America's longstanding and ironclad commitment to the sovereignty and security of Israel.
American leadership will be instrumental in the coming days and weeks as we assist Israel's defense of their homeland and return of innocent hostages. We must use our diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict as soon as possible, work to bring some sense of stability to a region that has been unstable for decades, and continue our efforts toward a long-term vision of a peaceful resolution and a future of security and equal opportunity for both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples through a two-state solution. The first step in that long-term process is a bipartisan package of military and humanitarian assistance from the U.S. Congress--and I will advocate to my colleagues that we should move forward with that important work as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, the House of Representatives remains paralyzed and unable to fulfill our duties for the American people due to the latest GOP-manufactured crisis. Last week, a group of far-right Republicans voted to remove Speaker McCarthy from his position as the leader of the House of Representatives. However, with the House unable to conduct any formal business until a new speaker is elected, my friends across the aisle have spent the last ten days mired in chaos and confusion as they have been unable to coalesce around another candidate for speaker--which has left us unable to legislate for the American people.
For nine months now, the world has watched as the Republican-led House of Representatives has stumbled into crisis after crisis, failing to govern in a stable, responsible way. My Democratic colleagues and I have let our Republican friends know that we are ready and willing to work with the GOP to end this latest crisis and move forward in a bipartisan fashion--which is the only path available during divided government.
With government funding set to run out in just over 30 days, time is of the essence. I want you to know that I will continue pushing my colleagues across the aisle to work with Democrats so that we can deliver for Missouri families--just as Democrats did when we held the exact same-sized majority last Congress, passing historic bills like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act, Honoring Our PACT Act, Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, Respect for Marriage Act, and more.
But just because the House of Representatives is unable to pass bills doesn't mean that my work has stopped for the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri. As I continue working to bring the speaker fiasco to a conclusion, below are just a couple items that I wanted to share with you.
Calling on the University of Missouri System to Restore Race-Based Scholarships
As you may recall, earlier this year, the Supreme Court gutted affirmative action programs in institutions of higher education when they handed down their decision in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc v. Harvard and v. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
In this decision, despite decades of legal precedent to the contrary, the Supreme Court held that race-based affirmative action programs in admissions processes violated the constitution. to put it kindly: I firmly disagree with the opinion.
However, the court's opinion did not prohibit colleges and universities from considering an applicant's discussion of how race affects their lives or the use of race-based scholarships. Despite this, the University of Missouri System (UM System) has taken the unnecessary step of removing these critically important factors when considering future applicants. I believe that's wrong, and I've joined Representative Cori Bush (D-MO) in calling on the UM System to restore race-based scholarships, consider the experience of race in admissions, and emphasize the recruitment of underserved communities in Missouri.
We believe that the rushed decision to exclude race-based criteria will severely endanger the opportunities of Black and Brown students and communities throughout our state, and I will continue to push the UM System to reconsider and reverse their decision. You can find my official letter with Rep. Bush and more information on our effort here.
Fighting to Designate Quindaro Townsite as a National Historic Landmark
Freedom is the foundational principle of American democracy, and the Quindaro Townsite in Eastern Kansas is an important piece of American history that tells the stories of those seeking to uphold our national commitment to liberty and freedom for all. Founded in 1857, Quindaro served as a safe haven for runaway slaves, a site on the Underground Railroad, and a port of entry into Kansas for Americans opposed to slavery.
However, the court's opinion did not prohibit colleges and universities from considering an applicant's discussion of how race affects their lives or the use of race-based scholarships. Despite this, the University of Missouri System (UM System) has taken the unnecessary step of removing these critically important factors when considering future applicants. I believe that's wrong, and I've joined Representative Cori Bush (D-MO) in calling on the UM System to restore race-based scholarships, consider the experience of race in admissions, and emphasize the recruitment of underserved communities in Missouri.
We believe that the rushed decision to exclude race-based criteria will severely endanger the opportunities of Black and Brown students and communities throughout our state, and I will continue to push the UM System to reconsider and reverse their decision. You can find my official letter with Rep. Bush and more information on our effort here.
Fighting to Designate Quindaro Townsite as a National Historic Landmark
Freedom is the foundational principle of American democracy, and the Quindaro Townsite in Eastern Kansas is an important piece of American history that tells the stories of those seeking to uphold our national commitment to liberty and freedom for all. Founded in 1857, Quindaro served as a safe haven for runaway slaves, a site on the Underground Railroad, and a port of entry into Kansas for Americans opposed to slavery.
To ensure Quindaro receives the resources and recognition it deserves, I teamed up with Representative Jake LaTurner (R-KS) and Sharice Davids (D-KS) to introduce a bipartisan bill to designate the Quindaro Townsite as a National Historic Landmark.
For years now, I have worked across the aisle to maintain the Quindaro Townsite, including helping to pass federal legislation to designate the site as a National Commemorative Site. However, we believe this site's historical significance warrants a more prominent designation on the National Register of Historic Places, given its role in shaping American political debate in the 19th century and stopping the westward spread of slavery into the Kansas Territory. For that reason, we introduced the Quindaro Townsite National Historic Landmark Act.
Find more information on our Quindaro Townsite National Historic Landmark Act and my work to maintain this historically and culturally significant site here.
Find more information on our Quindaro Townsite National Historic Landmark Act and my work to maintain this historically and culturally significant site here.
3 comments:
Who sounds more invested in America: Cleaver, who believes in democracy and the constitution, or Alford and his support of creating a more authoritarian, white nationalist government?
Not the guy that thinks affirmative action is constitutional
If it weren't for bigots like 608, there wouldn't be a need for Affirmative Action. Luckily, our constitution protects and makes an even playing field from the hatemongers who fear anyone not white and male.
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