Congressman Cleaver Talks Israel, Santos, Housing & Local Legacy

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This is likely the last major newsletter update of the year and there's a ton to cover . . . We edited out a few links to even more writing but kept the basics of the message. Readers can subscribe to the e-mail blast in full at the Congressman's website. 

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EC From DC: Israel Update, My Thoughts on George Santos, Fighting to Lower Housing Costs, and the Passing of Mayor Berkley

Hello Neighbor,

Last week, following the Thanksgiving Recess Period, Congress returned to Washington to continue our work on behalf of the American people. Unfortunately, as has been the case since the GOP took control of the House of Representatives this past January, the People's House was much more focused on partisan politics and political theater than it was on delivering bipartisan solutions that will provide tangible benefits to our communities--something House Democrats were able to achieve last Congress, with bills like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act, Honoring Our PACT Act, Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, Respect for Marriage Act, and more.
 
Despite the lack of seriousness coming from some of my colleagues across the aisle, leading to one of the least productive Congresses ever, the United States is facing an extraordinarily serious moment in history, with Putin continuing his despicable invasion of Ukraine, Israel working to return innocent hostages and remove Hamas from power in Gaza, and America's economy continuing to recover from the global pandemic. Therefore, I will not relent in my efforts to pass bipartisan legislation that will lower costs for hardworking families, create good-paying jobs for Missouri workers, support our democratic allies, and protect American democracy for future generations.
 
Today, I want to provide a brief update on some of my work on each of these fronts. Without further ado, let's get to it.

Update on the War Between Israel and Hamas
 
For more than forty years, I have been publicly supportive of Israel's right to not only exist but defend its right to exist--and nothing has changed since the beginning of that relationship. On October 7, Hamas, which has conducted many anti-Israel attacks since the 1990s and has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States, launched a ferocious and bloody assault on Israel and innocent civilians therein. I quickly condemned that abhorrent attack, while also calling for American diplomacy to assist in efforts to return hostages that were ruthlessly ripped from their homes and work to de-escalate the conflict as soon as possible. Predictably and understandably, just as any other nation would do, Israel has since worked to eliminate Hamas' leadership, remove their grip on power in Gaza, and degrade their military capabilities to prevent any future threat from the terrorist organization.
 
On October 25, I joined 411 other members of the U.S. House of Representatives in declaring solidarity with Israel and pledging security assistance--which is still being negotiated in the U.S. Senate.
 
In meetings I have had since, in Kansas City and in D.C., with both Palestinian and Israeli groups, I have explained that I recognize Hamas does not represent all Palestinian people, and that the United States must do everything possible to provide humanitarian relief to the innocent Palestinians that wanted no part of this conflict. I have also stated publicly that I would not sign on to a House Resolution calling for a ceasefire, something that I stand by today. I explained that the United States Congress cannot vote a ceasefire into existence, and I will not give my constituents the false hope that we can. I believe a durable ceasefire is a worthy goal that the Biden Administration is working toward--but it also requires two willing participants, and Hamas' stated mission of eradicating Israel and their history of unilaterally breaking ceasefires, as they did on October 7th, makes such a possibility extraordinarily difficult. Not to mention neither the United States nor Israel would directly enter into negotiations with a terrorist organization, which is why the Biden Administration has been facilitating discussions through the nation of Qatar.
 
However, we can never give up on the prospect of peace or on those being held hostage, which is why before Thanksgiving, I called for a bilateral ceasefire in exchange for the release of innocent hostages and the allowance of desperately needed humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians--and I was relieved when such an agreement was announced, with more than 100 of the approximately 240 hostages held by Hamas released over a weeklong cessation of hostilities. It was my hope that the release of hostages, a surge of humanitarian relief into Gaza, and guns falling silent would allow for broader discussions on a long-term, durable peace agreement. Unfortunately, Hamas' refusal to release all of their hostages and their decision to launch rockets into Israel derailed such an opportunity.

Although I am bitterly disappointed that the conflict has resumed, as I believe that violence only begets more violence, I know President Biden is working every day to secure hostages, protect Palestinian and Israeli civilians, and achieve a durable peace. In fact, I praise his Administration for securing the temporary ceasefire, freeing of innocent hostages that are now home, and providing aid into Gaza--but the Administration's work is far from over. My position today is the same as that of the President and my long-time friend, Steny Hoyer, who said it best: "So long as Hamas maintains its operational capacity, its oppression of innocent Palestinians in Gaza and its genocidal campaign against Jews and the State of Israel will continue. We have a duty to help stop them."

Voting to Expel Representative George Santos

Throughout my time in the House of Representatives, I've worked with countless lawmakers who genuinely want to make a difference in the lives of their constituents and the communities that elected them to Congress. While I know this may not be a popular opinion, I truly believe that most lawmakers are good and decent people who want to deliver for those they represent, even if they disagree on the best policy to do so. But I must also admit that there are certainly a few bad apples who do their best to spoil the whole bunch--which is one reason why Congress consistently receives low approval ratings from the American people.

Tragically, instead of focusing on passing legislation that would benefit families in Missouri, the House of Representatives was forced to take time last week to remove a lawmaker whose disgraceful conduct broke the public's trust.

Last week, following a scathing bipartisan report from the House Ethics Committee that confirmed numerous allegations of fraud, illicit activity, and financial misconduct, the House of Representatives took the extreme step of expelling Representative George Santos (R-NY) from the People's House. I want you to know that voting to expel a lawmaker from the House of Representatives--which has only been done six times in the history of the United States--brought me no joy or pleasure, because I know that it only further damages the institution and the American people's faith in their representatives and our democracy.

However, Mr. Santos' conduct was so egregious and despicable that I felt compelled to support his expulsion. It is my hope that his expulsion will remove this unnecessary distraction from the People's House and allow Democrats and Republicans to come together to deliver bipartisan solutions that will benefit families in Missouri's Fifth Congressional District.
 

Calling on House Leaders to Advance Bipartisan Bills to Lower Housing Costs Before Year's End

As the Ranking Member on the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, I have heard from countless families in Missouri and all across the country who continue to struggle with the rising costs of housing. Whether you are a renter or looking to buy a house of your own, America's lack of housing supply has driven up costs in communities all over, hindering economic opportunity for families in Kansas City and beyond. While I certainly believe Congress should provide federal investments to support the creation of affordable housing, there are other actions Congress can take to incentivize construction--and I'm calling on Congressional Leaders to take those steps immediately.

Last week, I pressed Speaker Mike Johnson, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith, and Ranking Member Mike Neal to advance multiple bipartisan bills that would help stimulate the creation of affordable housing, including by strengthening the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which has facilitated the creation of more than 3.7 million housing units since 1986. The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act--the most bipartisan bill in Congress, with 186 cosponsors, evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats--would support the financing of affordable housing by expanding and strengthening the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. Experts estimate that such steps would lead to the construction of an additional 2 million new, affordable homes over the next decade--and would demonstrate to the American people that Congress is serious about lowering housing costs.

Additionally, I called on House Leaders to allow a vote on the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act, which would create a new federal tax credit for the development and renovation of family housing in distressed urban, suburban, and rural neighborhoods. Again, this bill enjoys overwhelming bipartisan support, and experts estimate its passage would result in an additional 500,000 starter homes in under-resourced communities over the next decade.

Although government is divided at the moment, we cannot simply give up on legislating for the American people. Democracy demands compromise, and lawmakers have a responsibility to push for progress on behalf of our communities, even if only incremental. There are bipartisan bills that can help to increase our housing supply nationwide, which will lower housing costs for hardworking families. I'll continue to advocate for such legislation moving forward.
 

Kansas City Loses an Iconic Leader with the Passing of Mayor Richard Berkley

Last week, I lost a dear friend and Kansas City lost an iconic leader with the passing of Mayor Richard Berkley. For 12 years as Mayor, and 10 more on the City Council, Dick Berkley offered the calm, collected, and utterly effective leadership that helped transform Kansas City into the major metropolitan area it is today.

From expanding Bartle Hall to the revitalization and economic development of neighborhoods across Kansas City, the impact of Dick Berkley can be felt in every zip code of our great city. While I was proud to honor his legacy through the Berkley Riverfront, we all owe him a debt of gratitude for his lifelong devotion and public service to our community.

There are countless things I could say to honor the memory and legacy of Mayor Berkley--the first Jewish Mayor in Kansas City's history or his Harvard-educated business acumen to name just a few--but in this moment of bitter polarization, I'll always remember his refusal to look at life through a partisan lens. Although he was a Republican, and I a Democrat, I cannot recall a single moment when Mayor Berkley was anything less than helpful, supportive, and committed to the progress and unity of our communities--because that was all that mattered in his eyes. I believe that is something to be treasured, and something that will be sorely missed.

I pray for comfort for the entire Berkley family as they grieve such a monumental loss, and I pray that our community will take the lessons and legacy of Mayor Berkley to be used as a guiding light on our march toward a better future for all of Kansas City. May his memory be our blessing.

Sincerely,

Emanuel Cleaver, II
Member of Congress

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