Congressman Cleaver Released the Following Statement on President Trump’s Tuesday Evening Address
(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement regarding President Trump's address to the nation regarding security on our southern border and the continued government shutdown.
"The President would have you to believe that we are at war on our southern border in the same vein as the War on Terror after 9/11. Most of the people trying to get into America through the southern border are seeking asylum from poverty and war and just want a better life for themselves and their families. There are issues that Congress needs to address to improve our immigration system but there is no war or national emergency on our southern border. The Department of Homeland Security's own reports state that most terrorists attempt to enter the U.S. through airports. The President will do what he wants to incite fear, but the truth is Trump's wall is a 5th century answer to a 21st century challenge. It is wasteful. The President touts the success of walls around the world, but students of history will note that physical walls ultimately fail. Physical barriers will always fall to human ingenuity and force of will. What the Trump Administration and Congress should do – after reopening the government – is properly fund visa processing centers to more quickly vet applicants; provide more resources for well-trained personnel at the Customs and Border Patrol, the Coast Guard, TSA, and immigration courts; and implement new technology systems to assist federal agencies. While the President continues to negotiate with Congress about the ill-advised border wall, it is irresponsible of him to hold government agencies hostage. He needs to end the government shutdown now."
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO)
Fifth District of Missouri
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, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and also a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Heather Frierson at 816-842-4545 or Heather.Frierson@mail.house.gov A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.