Rep. Cleaver Hosts Listening Session with Federal Workers and Local Labor Unions Impacted by the Trump Administration’s Assault on the Federal Workforce
(Washington, D.C.) – Yesterday, in an effort to hear directly from those impacted, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) hosted a listening session with federal workers and local labor unions from Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District to discuss the Trump Administration’s assault on the federal workforce and actions by President Trump and Elon Musk to undermine federal agencies and labor protections for civil servants.
“Civil servants are the backbone of our democracy. They keep our communities safe, our economy strong, and our government accountable,” said Congressman Cleaver. “As the Trump Administration fights to weaken worker protections and diminish the services provided by federal agencies, threatening job security for many of our neighbors, it’s more important than ever to stand up for those who dedicate their careers to public service. Which is why I hosted last night’s listening session – to hear directly from those impacted, ensure their voices are at the center of the fight to defend the integrity of their work, and safeguard their ability to serve the public, free from political interference.”
More than 40,000 federal workers reside in Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, with approximately 80,000 federal workers across the Kansas City region. Recent reports have suggested that more than 20,000 federal employees nationwide have opted in and accepted the offer, but the Administration has not disclosed further details.
Earlier this week, Rep. Cleaver joined a cohort of 50 House Democrats to demand information regarding the impact of the Trump Administration’s “deferred resignation” proposal, including what protections were included for workers who accepted. In the letter to the Acting Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel and Management (OPM), the lawmakers called for a full breakdown of workers who have accepted the offer, the contracts that have been signed to better understand workers’ rights and benefits, and relayed concerns about how it will negatively impact government services.
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.