Rep. Cleaver Votes to Avert Government Shutdown, Provide $22 Million to Lower Energy Costs for Missouri Families, Support Ukraine

September 30, 2022
Press Release

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) voted in favor of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 6833, the Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, to avert a government shutdown and fund the federal government through December 16. The legislation also provides emergency funding to lower energy costs for working families, supplemental funding to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom, and disaster relief for communities impacted by wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters.

“Although I never enjoy voting for a continuing resolution, I know that the American people would enjoy a government shutdown significantly less,” said Congressman Cleaver. “As Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate continue to negotiate a year-long appropriations package, I believe passing this legislation to keep the government open and essential services up-and-running is the right decision. In addition to more than $12 billion in supplemental funding to assist Ukraine’s fight to defend their democracy, this funding bill provides another $22 million to help lower energy costs for hardworking families in Missouri who are struggling due to Putin’s despicable invasion and its impact on energy prices around the world.”

The Continuing Resolution advances a number of key priorities for the American people, including:

  • $12.3 billion to assist the fight for freedom and democracy in Ukraine, including new security, economic, and humanitarian assistance;
  • Bolstering funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), including roughly $22 million for Missouri, which will help working families pay for higher energy bills caused in part by Putin’s invasion of Ukraine;
  • Disaster relief for New Mexico, Puerto Rico, Florida, Alaska, and other communities across the United States that have been impacted by hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and other natural disasters;
  • Additional Resources to respond to the respond to the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, an emergency that poses a dire threat to the health and well-being of countless Mississippi families;and
  • Five-year reauthorization of FDA user fees, ensuring no interruption to the FDA’s life-saving work reviewing and approving new prescription drugs coming to market.

Official text of the Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act is available here.

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; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus.