Rep. Cleaver’s Statement on Latest Republican Shutdown

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement after the federal government officially shut down for the first time since the last Trump administration. 

“With Republicans in control of the House of Representatives, Senate, and White House, I am deeply disappointed that my colleagues across the aisle have failed to do their job of keeping the government open and services running for hardworking families. 

“If Congress does not extend Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits now, hundreds of thousands of people will lose their health care and millions more will see their costs skyrocket. Despite weeks of calls for a bipartisan compromise that would prevent a harmful shutdown and address the looming healthcare crisis, my Republican colleagues refused to negotiate a bipartisan spending bill to fund the federal government and ensure health care premiums do not more than double for millions of Americans. Instead, they attempted to jam a partisan spending bill through Congress and then went on vacation as federal appropriations ran out. 

“I have always said that democracy demands compromise. It is time for my friends across the aisle to come back to Washington, negotiate in good faith, and find a bipartisan solution that will end this unnecessary and harmful shutdown before more damage is done.”

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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.