Congressman Cleaver Applauds State and Local Funding Included in House Oversight Committee’s COVID-19 Relief Bill

(Washington, D.C.) – Last Friday, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform passed out of committee legislation that would provide states, localities, Tribes, and territories with direct funding to fight the coronavirus pandemic amid its devastating impact on state and municipal budgets. The legislation, which will now be included in the House of Representatives' new COVID-19 relief package, would send over $350 million to municipalities in the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri. The House of Representatives will vote on the new COVID-19 proposal in the coming weeks.

"Since last March, we've seen states and cities across the nation lay off over 1.3 million essential government workers and cut critical services for the American people due to the COVID-19 crisis," said Congressman Cleaver. "As states and municipalities see their budgets shrink due to lost revenue, it means fewer first responders and police officers who are there to answer the call during an emergency; fewer teachers who are able to educate and care for students; and fewer government workers who can process and administer critical services for families in need. Following months of calls for federal intervention from Governors, Mayors, Tribes, and government workers, I'm extraordinarily proud of my colleagues on the House Oversight and Reform Committee for passing legislation that would provide substantial relief, including more than $350 million to cities and counties in the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri."

According to estimates from the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, the state of Missouri would receive more than $5.3 billion in federal funding if the legislative proposal were signed into law. Municipalities in the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri would receive the following estimated funding:

• Kansas City, Missouri – More than $180,000,000;
• Jackson County – More than $137,000,000;
• Clay County – More than $49,000,000;
• Cass County – More than $21,000,000;
• Independence, Missouri – More than $19,000,000;
• Lee's Summit, Missouri – More than $9,000,000;
• Lafayette County – More than $6,000,000;
• Blue Springs, Missouri – More than $6,000,000
• Raytown, Missouri – More than $5,300,000;
• Marshall, Missouri – More than $2,389,000;
• Richmond, Missouri – More than 1,040,000;
• Odessa, Missouri – More than $961,000; and
• Lexington, Missouri – More than $838,000.

"This funding is long overdue and will be critical to distributing vaccines, administering coronavirus relief programs, keeping essential workers on payroll, and ensuring good governance as we continue the battle against COVID-19. As Congress continues its work on the latest coronavirus relief package, I will keep pushing for provisions that will lead to the quickest and most complete destruction of this deadly virus," said Congressman Cleaver. "I believe funding for state and local governments is a critical component of that effort, and I will be happy to vote for it when it comes to the House Floor. I'm hopeful the Senate will, too."

You can find a Fact Sheet on the Oversight Committee's legislation here.

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, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Security, International Development, and Monetary Policy; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Matt Helfant at 202-590-0175 or matthew.helfant@mail.house.gov A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.