Reps. Cleaver & Davids Push to Save Thousands of KC-Area Jobs at Federal Agency Amid Potential Layoffs

(Washington, D.C.) – United States Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05) and Sharice Davids (KS-03) continue the push to save Kansas City area jobs after news broke in May of potential layoffs for 1,000 contract workers at the National Benefits Center due to coronavirus-related revenue shortfalls, which would be among the largest mass layoffs in the Kansas City area. Should the Agency fail to receive critically-needed funding, over 1,000 additional federal employees in the region could be laid off as well. As the representatives fight for federal funding, they are calling on the U.S. Citizens and Immigration Services (USCIS) to put forward a plan demonstrating these jobs will remain should funding be secured.

"44 million Americans have filed jobless claims in the last 3 months, and the Greater Kansas City Area has not been spared of the financial pain growing throughout the country," said Congressman Cleaver. "We cannot allow thousands Kansas Citians to unnecessarily lose good-paying jobs amongst this economic backdrop. As Congresswoman Davids and I continue working within Congress to find funding and keep these workers employed, it's important that the USCIS put forward a plan that shows unequivocally their intention to maintain these jobs for the foreseeable future. With a satisfactory plan in place, I'm hopeful we can convince Congress to supply the funding these workers desperately need."

"At a time when so many Kansans have lost their job security and are facing enormous financial strain, Congress must do everything we can to prevent what would be massive and devastating layoffs at a major employer in the Kansas City area. I'm committed to working with Congressman Cleaver, as well as congressional leaders and the committees of jurisdiction, to protect these vital jobs and the livelihoods of families across the region," said Rep. Davids.

Cleaver and Davids have been in discussion with congressional leadership and the committees of jurisdiction since the news became public in mid-May as they advocate for emergency funding for USCIS, which oversees the National Benefits Center and the National Records Center, in order to protect jobs at the agency.

The National Benefits Center and National Records Center have offices in Lee's Summit and Overland Park.

You can find the official letter from Reps. Cleaver and Davids to the USCIS 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 National Security, International Development, and Monetary Policy; 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. For more information, please contact Matt Helfant at 202-590-0175 or Matthew.Helfant@mail.house.gov A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.