Congressman Cleaver's Remarks on the State of the Union
I am excited to be in Washington to witness for the second time the State of the Union. This is a uniquely American event --- required in the genius of the Constitution --- not as spectacle, but as an act of reverence. "He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient." Our founders wanted the Chief Executive to come and report to the people…and so tonight I am honored to take part in this amazing American tradition.
With me tonight is my father, Lucky, and wife Dianne. The floor of the Congress is a long way from the dirt floor of my first home. I am proud to have my dad here with me.
Tonight the President has been optimistic, and rightly so. In my 30 years of work as a minister and in public service, I have never ceased to be awestruck by the spirit and optimism of the American people.
I am optimistic in the American people, but I cannot be optimistic at the expense of reality. Tonight we face serious challenges, and those challenges require serious bipartisan solutions.
America is stronger when our communities are stronger.
The President is committed to making tax cuts for the richest one percent permanent. That plan will make local program cuts permanent --- programs important to all Americans.
There are trade offs for being so generous to those who are so wealthy. Every dollar that is given to millionaires is a dollar that will be cut in our communities.
Since the last time the President reported on the State of the Union he has cut Community Development Block Grants by 20 percent. These cuts have a direct affect on our communities. The Community Development Block Grant program allows local government the ability to fund programs most important to building community. Housing stock, pre-school programs, health care Initiatives, homeless assistance programs were all funded by this money prior to the cuts.
As a former mayor I have a great deal of sympathy for those trying to build our community while the federal government is stripping the tools they need.
Last year Kansas City’s murder rate hit record levels, the President has cut funding to the COPS program by 86 percent. That means less money to hire more police. In fact, the President has proposed to eliminate the program all together this year. Without the COPS program, Kansas City will have to cut the number of police on the street --- just when we need them most.
It is hard to talk about homeland security when our neighborhoods are not secure.
The President has proposed tax cuts for those who have made it --- aid cuts for those just starting out.
Last fall I held a Town Hall meeting at UMKC to talk to students about federal aid cuts. The students were rightfully upset. They are doing exactly what our community needs them to do---they are going to college to become, teachers, doctors, nurses, social workers, businessmen and women of the future.
They are doing their part-but our government is not doing its part. Not everyone can afford college and it is getting more expensive every year.
These students are not looking for a hand out. This is an investment in our community's future.
The President is cutting assistance to those who need help paying their home heating bills, while giving assistance big oil companies.
In a time when our students are struggling to compete in a global economy, we are cutting programs that help them get through school.
While talking about homeland security, we are cutting the number of police officers on the street.
The reality does not match the rhetoric.
We cannot just keep talking about out important priorities --- we have to actually make them a priority.
The first step to addressing the issues facing the American people is to talk to each other. I am glad the President mentioned civility in his speech. The tone of Washington is something I have been working to change since I arrived. If the President is serious about changing the mean-spirited atmosphere of Washington he will find a friend in me.