EC From DC - June 22, 2012

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Calling Congress' failure to act on a transportation bill ‘outrageous' - Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II, is urging his colleagues to act now.

"The gridlock in Washington must end, this is unconscionable. While elected officials play politics, people in Missouri's Fifth District could lose their jobs. Construction is already down, and if we do not act, small businesses and large corporations, alike, will be forced to abandon major construction projects. It is that simple," said U.S. Rep. Cleaver. "The fallout of this dysfunction will mean the death of thousands of jobs, a stall in the economic recovery and real people without the ability to pay very real bills. And there is nothing simple about that."

If legislation is not enacted by the end of this month, programs across the country will expire, putting more American jobs at risk and threatening the safety of our bridges and roads. This would spell disaster for the economy and for all of those hard-working men and women who will pay the price for these political games. 2.2 million construction and manufacturing workers are already out of work, and this showdown is taking place at what should be the peak of construction season.

Some lawmakers have endorsed the idea of extending the highway program for six-months if an agreement can't be reached. But local businessmen and women tell me that is not enough for them to continue the planning and execution of long-term projects. Or even short-term projects. Barely enough time to begin preparing pink slips.

"An extension is not the answer. It's not even a responsible short-term fix. It is another excuse for Congress not getting the job done. The Senate has already passed a bill with bipartisan support – I am calling on all House members, Democrats and Republicans, to step up and do the same," said Congressman Cleaver.

In March, the Senate overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan, two year transportation bill that would create or save 2 million jobs by investing in much-needed mass transit and bridge and road construction projects.

In early June, a bipartisan group of almost 150 mayors from around the country asked Congress to reauthorize the transportation bill, stating, "…each day that passes by without reauthorization only deepens the depth of uncertainty in infrastructure financing, forcing state and local governments across the country to postpone the construction of needed projects with adverse job consequences."

"Democrats and Republicans all use the same roads, bridges and highways. Businesses need a solid and safe infrastructure to get products where they need to be. Killing jobs at a time when the economy is making a slow, but sure, rebound is unfathomable," said Congressman Cleaver. "It just doesn't make any sense."

We can no longer kick the can down the road. Billions of dollars and millions of jobs are on the line.

Sugar Creek city officials, community leaders and the Builders Development Corporation took another huge step forward this week as they celebrated a milestone. It was my pleasure to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for two, newly-constructed homes made possible through a federal grant. The funding was provided through a Neighborhood Stabilization Program to the City of Sugar Creek. No local funds were used to participate in the program.

Using the NSP grant funding, the Builders Development Corporation was able to buy two vacant and foreclosed properties in Sugar Creek and turn them into beautiful, new homes. This program is a part of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act. I believe it is the tireless work that has taken place to continue keeping and creating jobs that makes projects like this possible. It helps transform neighborhoods, one at a time, while putting people back to work.

I have attended events like this one in Raytown and Grandview, as well as Sugar Creek. These are big changes that may not lead the news each night, but are leading the way in making our neighborhoods better and safer places to live and play.

If you'd like more information about the program you can contact: Michael Snodgrass, Executive Director of the Builders Development Corporation at msnodgrass@bdc-kc.org.

Kansas City's Convoy of Hope assisted almost 8,000 people this past week with everything from food and clothing to job assistance and community outreach at Swope Park. This was a magnificent experience and an opportunity for those throughout the area to get employment advice, locate resources and receive immediate attention for day-to-day needs. There was also a focus on women's health with more than 500 women personally taken care of by the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

I want to let you know about an effort by the Department of Labor to provide people with jobs, and those looking for them, with more information on opportunities and work-related benefits and rights. This service is also offered to retirees.

A website has been announced to distribute information on how you can access help during these very difficult financial times. It will highlight available government resources concerning unemployment, jobs, training, housing, debt and credit, family issues, health care and insurance. You can visit the website and also sign up for e-mail updates.

If you're interested please visit: www.USA.gov

The chances are extremely high that not one of the Members of the 112th Congress has ever heard of former Republican Senator of Ohio, John Sherman. This four term Senator was probably a good and honorable public servant, but as far as I have been able to determine, he did nothing legislatively or civically notable. He is remembered, however, for something attributed to him that may or may not be authentic.

Around the end of the 1870's, Sherman was quietly exploring a run for the presidency. One day, as the story goes, Sherman made a speech in his home town of Mansfield, Ohio when he told the crowd that he was home from Washington, "to mend fences." Another version says that Senator Sherman was discussing politics with a state political leader by a fence on his farm when a newspaper spotted the two politicians and asked, "What's going on?" Sherman reportedly answered, "We're mending fences." In all likelihood, Sherman actually meant fixing the wooden fences on his property. However, fence mending became an expression for repairing relationships.

We hear from pundits and politicians that "Washington is broken" and from what I have seen and heard close up, I would say that we are dangerously fractured and desperately in need of mending. Much courage is required to admit that we are a part of a broken political institution, but admitting this fact is half the battle. Wouldn't it be great if this Congress went down in history as a body of fervent fence fixers?