Congressman Cleaver Condemns President Trump’s Unconstitutional Order to Pause Federal Grants, Loans, and Assistance

(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement condemning President Trump’s unconstitutional executive order to pause all federal grants, loans, and assistance nationwide.

“President Trump’s unconstitutional order to pause all federal grants, loans, and financial assistance is causing mass confusion and chaos in communities nationwide, including right here in Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District. This blatantly unlawful action threatens to freeze federal loans to local small businesses, prevent nonprofits from receiving federal investments that enable critical services for our communities, pause disaster relief funding, and so much more. 

“If allowed to go forward, it will increase costs on Missouri families on everything from energy, groceries, housing, school lunch programs, childcare, and healthcare—all while undermining the rule of law and attempting to usurp Congress’s power of the purse.

“This is an extraordinarily dangerous moment for our democracy and the Constitution, and it is imperative that the courts immediately reject these illegal and costly actions.”

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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.