Emanuel Cleaver: I'm committed to ensuring government works for the American people- not just the powerful

(From Fifth District Congressman Emanuel Cleaver)

It's been a busy few weeks in Congress. I'm back in Washington, D.C. this week to continue the fight against the Trump Administration's reckless cuts to everything from veterans' benefits to Social Security services, I wanted to take a moment to update you on the work I've been doing to stand up for Missouri families, workers, and communities. 

Whether it's protecting local farmers, defending vital healthcare programs, standing with local postal workers to protect the Postal Service, or pushing back against extreme GOP budget proposals, I'm committed to ensuring government works for the American people - not just the powerful.

Read on for more details on my latest work, and as always, I'll keep working to make sure your voices are heard in the People's House.

Voting Against the GOP's Extremely Partisan, Dangerous Continuing Resolution

Earlier this month, after walking away from bipartisan budget negotiations, House Republicans brought forward yet another partisan, short-term continuing resolution (CR) that fails to address the real challenges facing working-class families in Missouri's Fifth Congressional District and around the country. 

Rather than working with Democrats to find a fair compromise that meets the needs of our respective communities, the extremely partisan CR enabled the gutting of veterans' benefits, the slashing of federal funding dedicated to healthcare and affordable housing, and the dismantling of federal services and the firing of public servants.

Not to mention, this CR comes as Republicans in Congress are currently working on another proposal that rips away healthcare from low-income families, slashes food assistance for those struggling to make ends meet, and guts programs that help our communities thrive. These proposals are an attack on the very people Congress should be fighting for. Meanwhile, the ultimate goal is to provide tax breaks to billionaires who are already doing unfathomably well.

I want you to know that I voted no on the partisan CR, and I am opposed to the reckless plan that would force extreme cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs that millions of Americans rely on - especially the 159,359 Missourians in MO-05 on Medicaid and the 87,000 Missourians in MO-05 who depend on SNAP.

I believe we need a budget that reflects our values: one that invests in families, strengthens healthcare, supports economic opportunity, and ensures every American has a fair shot and pays their fair share--not one that ends essential services for Missouri families to fund tax cuts for the exorbitantly wealthy. As Republicans continue working through their reconciliation proposal, I'll keep fighting against these extreme cuts and working toward a budget that puts people first.

Fighting to Protect Medicaid

This past week, I joined advocates, healthcare providers, and my Democratic colleagues across the country for Medicaid Day of Action to stand against the devastating cuts proposed by the dangerous House Republican budget I mentioned above. Medicaid is a lifeline for millions of Americans, providing critical healthcare access to children, seniors, people with disabilities, and working families. The reckless Republican attempt to cut roughly $800 billion from Medicaid would put lives in danger and rural hospitals at risk of closure, and I'm fighting to stop them.

As part of this effort, I visited a local dialysis center to hear firsthand how Medicaid supports patients with chronic illnesses like kidney disease. For many, Medicaid ensures access to life-saving treatments that would otherwise be out of reach. Cutting this funding isn't just a budgetary decision - it's a matter of life and death for people in our community.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the Republican-led budget cannot meet its fiscal target without significant cuts to Medicaid, which would impact Missourians relying on life-saving dialysis treatment by:

Changing Medicaid coverage or work requirements for eligibility

Threatening the ability of dialysis providers to continue to provide care as a result of consolidation, closure, or reduction in medical staff

Limiting or eliminating transportation to life-sustaining treatment

Eliminating services through the Home and Community Based Care program

Reducing access to care with fewer patients receiving early intervention

Increasing mortality rates, reversing gains and leading to more deaths among dialysis patients

Creating greater financial burden for patients

It's simple - Medicaid is a critical safety net for individuals with kidney disease, cancer, and other chronic illnesses. Efforts to reduce or eradicate Medicaid will restrict efforts towards early detection and management of illnesses and increase health-associated risks. Long-term cuts to Medicaid will harm early intervention and continuity of care for patients with chronic illnesses, impacting those most vulnerable and leading to greater costs for the overall healthcare system.

President Trump said he will "love and cherish" Medicare and Medicaid. House Speaker Mike Johnson vowed that Republicans will not cut Medicaid or Medicare to pay for their tax cuts. Well, they lied.

President Trump endorsed, and House Republicans passed, their "big beautiful bill" that requires deep, damaging cuts to Medicaid. But House Democrats will not merely stand by. Just as we successfully defended the Affordable Care Act during Trump's first term, my Democratic colleagues and I will keep pushing to protect and strengthen Medicaid, because no one should have to choose between their health and making ends meet.

Find more information about my work to protect Medicaid here.

Standing Up for Children, Farmers, and Food Security

Access to nutritious food should never be a partisan issue - but the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced the cancellation of key programs that help feed children, support local farmers, and strengthen food banks. That's why I joined my colleagues in sending a letter to the USDA, strongly condemning this harmful decision and demanding answers.

The USDA recently announced its decision to cancel two programs that help bolster local and regional food supply chains by purchasing food from American farmers and providing fresh, nutritious meals to local schools and food banks.

These programs provided dedicated demand for local farmers' products, helping to create local and regional infrastructure to get fruits and vegetables to schools, food banks, and childcare centers. Locally in the Kansas City region, these agreements supported the KC Food Hub farmer cooperative and brought healthy foods to the Blue Springs School District and the Lee's Summit School District. Through these cooperative agreements, Missouri participants were scheduled to receive over $19 million in 2025, which was originally announced last fall. Because Missouri farmers made planting decisions based on last year's announcement, many are now left hanging by the Trump Administration.

I recently met with Harvesters and eight of their partner agencies working at the frontlines of hunger prevention in MO-05 and throughout the region, to hear firsthand what's at stake when it comes to defunding critical food programs. The ugly truth is that for many, federally funded foods programs like local purchasing agreements, SNAP, and the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) are lifelines for local farmers and crucial to keeping food on the table for families. Cutting these programs is not only shortsighted - it's cruel.

At a time when food insecurity remains a major challenge for too many communities, we should be expanding support, not slashing it. I'll keep fighting to protect these programs and ensure no child, family, or farmer is left behind. Find more information about my work to protect nutrition programs and USDA funding here.

Fighting for Affordable Housing

Housing affordability is one of the most urgent challenges facing families across the country. Too many people - whether they're young professionals, working parents, or retirees - are struggling to find a safe, affordable place to call home. That's why I've been working hard to advance solutions that lower housing costs, increase supply, and expand access to rental assistance.

This month, alongside Senators Elizabeth Warren and Raphael Warnock, I introduced the comprehensive American Housing and Economic Mobility Act to tackle the housing crisis head-on. This bicameral legislation would leverage federal funding to build nearly three million new housing units, bring down rents by 10 percent for American families, and create incentives for local governments to eliminate unnecessary land use restrictions that drive up costs. This legislation takes a multi-pronged approach to reducing costs, increasing the availability of affordable homes, and ensuring that working families, seniors, and those on fixed incomes aren't priced out of their communities. This bill lays the foundation for a more stable and fair housing market.

I've also been working across the aisle to deliver real results. I recently introduced the Choice Affordable Housing Act, a bipartisan bill with Representative Mike Lawler to expand access to the federal government's largest rental assistance program. This legislation would make it easier to access Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) - often referred to as Section 8 vouchers - making the program more efficient and accessible, ensuring that more eligible households can get the support they need. Housing security shouldn't be a partisan issue, and I'm proud to work with colleagues from both sides of the aisle to address this crisis in a meaningful way.

Lastly, as co-chair of the Congressional Public Housing Caucus, I led a group of lawmakers in opposing efforts by the Trump Administration and Elon Musk to eliminate Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) initiatives, programs, and personnel essential to public housing. Access to public housing reduces housing instability among the most vulnerable American families, and, by reducing the financial burden of rent, allows families to use limited income for essential needs like food and healthcare that contribute to greater stability. In some cases, public housing programs are also linked with additional support services such as job training and substance abuse treatment that help residents become more stable and productive. That's why I called on the HUD Secretary to provide a detailed analysis demonstrating how funding and personnel cuts will impact communities nationwide.

I'll keep pushing for bold, commonsense solutions that ensure every American has access to safe, affordable housing.

Protecting the Postal Service and Defending Democracy

In recent weeks, I joined 159 of my colleagues in condemning any attempt by the Trump Administration to privatize the United States Postal Service (USPS). The USPS isn't just a mail carrier - it's a vital service for millions of Americans, ensuring small businesses can thrive, seniors can receive their medications on time, and rural communities can stay connected. Any effort to privatize this essential service would threaten jobs, raise costs, and put corporate profits ahead of the American people. As I always have, I will continue fighting to keep the Postal Service public, accessible, and strong.

That's why I also introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Deliver for Democracy Act, to help local news overcome persistent issues with the Postal Service. This bill would incentivize reliable services from the USPS and limit excessive rate increases on local periodicals. In recent years, USPS has raised rates for periodicals under the guise of increased efficiency and improved service, but the changes have not addressed persistent postal delays.

Because I understand the essential service it provides, I was proud to stand alongside postal workers, union leaders, and everyday Americans at a rally to defend one of our country's most vital institutions. Under the Trump Administration, we've seen relentless attacks on the USPS - cuts to service, delays in mail delivery, and harmful policies that threaten jobs and the ability of millions to receive essential mail, from bills to prescription medications. Together, we stood up for a Postal Service that works for the people - not corporate interests or political agendas.