Congressman Cleaver’s Statement on Vote Against GOP’s Extremely Partisan Continuing Resolution

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement after voting against House Republicans’ extremely partisan Continuing Resolution (CR) that would cut nearly $23 billion in veterans’ benefits, slash funding for healthcare and affordable housing, and enable DOGE to continue cutting essential services and public servants without congressional input. 

“As inflation reaccelerates, the stock market falters, layoffs continue to rise, and consumer sentiment drops, congressional Republicans are still refusing to work with Democrats to help fix the mess they have created, walking away from bipartisan budget negotiations in an effort to force another partisan CR down the throats of the American people. 

“Nothing would make me happier than a fair compromise to fully fund the government in a way that meets the needs of the American people, but I cannot in good conscience vote for partisan legislation that will be used to gut veterans’ benefits, slash funding for healthcare programs and affordable housing, and enable the richest man in the world to continue dismantling services and firing hardworking Missourians in my congressional district without input from the Congress. That’s precisely what this CR would do. 

“Republicans control the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. Knowing that they need sixty votes in the Senate to pass any bill, they still chose to exclude Democrats from this process entirely. While I still hope a shutdown can be avoided, the buck stops with the President and the party in power. It is my hope they will come back to the negotiating table and avoid another completely unnecessary economic calamity.”

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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.