Congressman Cleaver’s Statement on Voting to Avert a Government Shutdown

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement after voting to support bipartisan legislation that would continue to fund the federal government at current levels, provide much-needed disaster relief to devastated communities, and avert another reckless Republican shutdown.

“For weeks now, the Speaker and the House GOP have wasted precious time and resources waging a political civil war, when their focus should have been on funding the government and meeting the needs of the American people. And after all the chaos and political theater, we ended up exactly where Democrats wanted from the very beginning: a bipartisan compromise that avoids a completely unnecessary and harmful government shutdown.

“Today’s bipartisan legislation ensures that servicemembers and federal workers will receive their hard-earned paychecks; that devastated communities will receive desperately needed disaster relief; that mothers and children will continue to receive nutrition assistance; that food, rail and road inspections will continue to be conducted to protect our communities; and that so many other vital services that Missouri families depend on will continue unabated.

“However, while I am relieved that the Speaker finally allowed for a bipartisan solution to another Republican-manufactured crisis, I am frustrated that a handful of extremists have prevented the overwhelming majority of lawmakers in upholding our commitment to supporting Ukraine in their fight for freedom. Although existing funding for Ukraine will continue, I am committed to working across the aisle to pass additional security assistance to those bravely resisting Putin’s evil invasion.

“As the House of Representatives takes the next 45 days to pass additional appropriations legislation through regular order, I hope that responsible Republicans will take the lessons learned today and apply them moving forward. Rather than attempting to pass poison-pilled, extremely partisan bills that have no chance of being signed into law in an effort to appease far-right extremists, Republicans should work with Democrats to pass bipartisan solutions that will create good-paying jobs, lower costs for families, and strengthen our national security.”

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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.