EC From DC - June 1, 2012

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We must make more money available to fight floods and finish repairs in Missouri's Fifth District – and that is exactly the message I conveyed this week to Members of Congress. As we all know, thousands of people living along the Missouri River, experienced a flood of historic proportions and catastrophic damages last year. Yet still today, they are dealing with delays, waiting for repairs, and living in fear of future flooding. Enough is enough. I want to get them the help they need – now.

Total repair costs from the flood are estimated to reach $2 billion. Raging flood waters breached levees, damaged farmland and devastated homes, farms and businesses. This amendment cuts through the red tape on supplemental appropriations from Congress and transfers funding from other accounts.

The amendment I offered, which passed with a voice vote, increases flood assistance by $3M and decreases funding elsewhere to make more dollars available in the Corps' Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies Account. The amendment is to the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2013.

People of Missouri's Fifth District are tired of waiting and they shouldn't have to wait any longer. We all know that emergencies will continue to occur and it is incumbent upon us to give those responding to these catastrophic events the tools they need to get the job done – and done now.

If you'd like to see the entire speech given on the House floor, click on the video below:

A final note – this week the Flood Insurance Act was extended for two months so coverage will not lapse.

I was honored to spend Memorial Day weekend with veterans and family members of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. At the Liberty Memorial and the National World War I Museum it was moving to see the faces of those who have given so much.

Presenting the Gold Star Mothers with a flag inside a shadow box is an experience I will never forget. That support organization, formed many decades ago, has continued throughout all major conflicts in this country. The emotion was so real and so full of love. It is important to remember all of those who have served and gone before us – and all of those who continue to serve today.

We are very fortunate to have the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial. It is a place that inspires reflection, a lot of good conversation and a chance to experience WWI in a way that is not found anywhere else in the country. As you know I continue to work for national and international recognition of the Liberty Memorial, and all of the World War I veterans it honors.

The Mobile Office was out and about again this week. One stop was at the Mid-Continent Public Library in Grandview. It is a pleasure to be able to visit with constituents throughout the geographically large Fifth District. This week staffers were able to answer questions and open casework concerning Veterans issues and Social Security, as well as connect several constituents with federal services they did not know were available. Please see a schedule of upcoming stops for the Mobile Office below.

June 6^th – Mid-Continent Public Library Raytown Branch, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, 6131 Raytown Road, Raytown

June 13^th – Mid-Continent Public Library South Independence Branch, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, 13700 E 35th Street, Independence

June 20^th - Mid-Continent Public Library Red Bridge Branch, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, 11140 Locust, Kansas City

June 27^th – Mid-Continent Public Library Lee's Summit Branch, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, 150 NW Oldham Parkway, Lee's Summit

Beginning June 2nd the Historic Manheim Park Neighborhood Association, inside the Green Impact Zone, will start NeighborWorks Week with the Neighborhood Housing Services and the United Way. There will be a massive grass mowing event and clean up on Saturday, June 2nd at 4200 Tracy Avenue starting at 8:00 am. The area around Bancroft School will get a cleaning, as well. As you know, we are working closely with Brad Pitt's Make It Right Foundation as well as many other local partners to completely renovate the building into top quality living units.

I always enjoy joining my friends at Comcast to talk about the latest issues in Washington. Please click on the below link to hear the latest on the Violence Against Women Act and why I believe it became a victim of pathological partisanship in DC. Also for the latest on the Nation Defense Authorization Act and why I think we need to be very careful with this extremely important issue.

The taping for the below segment took place at the amazing Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. A place, as you know, that is very near and dear to my heart. Please click on the link below to hear more about the budget battle in Washington, why I support a balanced and bipartisan budget, and under the current framework who stands to lose big and who doesn't.

Also this week I was proud to host a Faith Leaders Summit in conjunction with the Conference of National Black Churches.

At the event Attorney General Eric Holder announced that he will defend the Voting Rights Act. Many states have passed voter ID laws and that is something that has me very concerned. I will fight to make sure those most impacted by these laws and proposed laws, like the elderly, urban and low-income African Americans and other minorities, are not denied their right or ability to vote.

Please click on the video below to view the Summit in its entirety.

Legislation Considered

Senate Amendment to H.R. 5740 - the National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act

Suspension – Passed by Voice Vote

H.R. 5651 – Food and Drug Administration Reform Act of 2012, as amended (Rep. Upton – Energy and Commerce)

Passed by 387-5 – Congressman Cleaver voted YES

H.R. 5854 - Military Construction, VA Appropriations Bill for FY2013 (Rep. Culberson – Appropriations)

Passed by 407-12 – Congressman Cleaver voted YES

H.R. 5325 - FY 2013 Energy & Water Appropriations Bill

Amendments

• Congressman Cleaver Amendment – Passed by voice vote