Congressman Cleaver’s Statement on the Mass Shooting in Kansas City

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement after a mass shooting during Kansas City’s Super Bowl Parade.

“As my office continues to get more information about the tragedy in Kansas City, I want to offer my condolences to the families of those killed today, and my gratitude to the law enforcement officers and first responders that rushed into the line of fire to prevent an even worse atrocity.

“Normally, I pray for the families of victims of mass shootings because there is nothing more tragic than having a loved one’s life cut short due to gun violence. Tonight, I will certainly do the same for the members of my community, like so many other communities, that were impacted by the horrors of firearms.

“However, the last thing we need is prayer without purpose or thoughts without action, which have become far too commonplace in the halls of power.

“So, to those who offer thoughts while taking money from the gun lobby: please keep them to yourself.

“To those who offer prayers without action: we don’t need them.

“Kansas City is an incredibly strong community that will weather this storm together—but for those who’d like to help, I beg you to join me in taking action. Tonight, tomorrow, and the day after, for however long it takes, because we need Congress to ACT to end these senseless shootings. But that won’t happen if Congress is controlled by the gun lobby.”

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Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.