Rep. Cleaver Condemns Passage of Mid-Decade Redistricting by Missouri Legislature

(Kansas City, MO) - U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement after the Missouri Legislature formally passed legislation to enact mid-decade redistricting in Missouri without an updated census.

"Despite tens of thousands of Missourians taking the time to call their state lawmakers and travel to Jefferson City to voice their opposition, Republicans in the Missouri Legislature followed the marching orders dictated by power brokers in D.C. and took the unprecedented step of enacting mid-decade redistricting without an updated census.

"While I'm grateful to the lawmakers in both parties who refused to go along with this power grab, I'm deeply disappointed that Missouri's Legislature put the wishes of Washington above the voices of their own constituents and the needs of our communities. Whether it is families in Kansas City, the labor community, the business community, or the faith community, I know that the people of Missouri share in that disappointment.

"However, I want to be very clear to those who are frustrated by today's outcome: this fight is far from over. Together, in the courts and in the streets, we will continue pushing to ensure the law is upheld, justice prevails, and this unconstitutional gerrymander is defeated."

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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.