Congressman Cleaver and Congresswoman Capito to Sit Together for the State of the Union

In the spirit of civility, Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) will sit together during the State of the Union. Capito and Cleaver cofounded the Congressional Civility Caucus in 2005.

“In an increasingly caustic Congressional climate, we have to begin to be our better selves before we ask more of others. Our nation needs a Congress that can and will work together on the problems facing us all. In our work as co-chairs of the Civility Caucus, Congresswoman Capito and I have gone from fellow Members to fond friends, and I hope soon other Members can say the same,” stated Congressman Cleaver.

“We know that we’ll probably have very different views about what the President proposes in his address, but that doesn’t mean we can’t show some civility and respect. This country deserves a civil, productive conversation about how we can get our economy back on track,” stated Congresswoman Capito.

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, Belton, Raymore and Peculiar, Missouri. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee. Congressman Cleaver also serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus and Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.