Rep. Cleaver’s Statement on House Resolution 894

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement after voting present on House Resolution 894 last night.

“Antisemitism is abhorrent, and its horrifying rise in the United States and around the world presents a serious threat to families in my congressional district and beyond. It is an ongoing challenge that demands a bipartisan, all-of-government approach to address—which is why the Biden Administration announced the first-ever National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism in May of this year.

“The U.S. House of Representatives has already taken votes on five resolutions supporting Israel or condemning antisemitism in April, May, July, October, and just last week. It is clear that Republican House leaders are turning a serious issue into political theater, while taking no substantive action to combat antisemitism and instead further dividing an already divided nation. Therefore, I voted present in yesterday’s vote.

“If my Republican colleagues are serious about protecting Jewish Americans and combating antisemitism, rather than passing performative resolutions to score cheap political points, I believe Congress should take legislative action to implement the President’s National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism and increase funding for programs such as the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, to keep churches and other nonprofits safe. That’s something we should all be able to support.”

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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.