Rep. Cleaver’s Statement After Supporting Continuing Resolution to Prevent Harmful, Unnecessary Government Shutdown

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement after voting in favor of a Continuing Resolution (CR) to extend government funding and prevent another harmful, unnecessary government shutdown.

“Funding the federal government is one of the most basic, fundamental responsibilities of Congress. However, for the fourth time in little over a year, House Republicans brought the nation to the brink of a completely unnecessary government shutdown, choosing chaos and partisan politics over stability and good governance. While I’m pleased that cooler heads have prevailed once again, this is no way to govern the most powerful nation on the planet, and I am alarmed by the number of Republican legislators that voted against keeping the government open.

“A government shutdown would undermine our economic recovery when families are finally finding their footing, ensure millions of workers don’t receive paychecks, and deny tens of millions of Americans the critical government services they rely on every day. While I strongly disagree with funding the government through continuing resolutions, rather than a full-year bipartisan budget, I believe even more strongly that a government shutdown serves no one other than the most extreme politicians.

“In a democracy, and particularly with divided government, no one gets everything they want in a negotiation. It is imperative that lawmakers of good faith seek common ground, accept compromise, and pass a full-year budget for the good of the nation. I’m thankful that congressional leaders have announced an agreement on the majority of government funding legislation, and I will continue to push lawmakers across the political spectrum to support a bipartisan budget that meets the needs of our communities.”

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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.