Last evening I received a phone call from a friend from my congressional district who now lives here in the District. We spoke extensively, but painfully, about the pitiful action taken in this body yesterday. We denied unemployment benefits to American citizens who, through no fault of their own, became victims of the worst recession in U.S. history. They lost their jobs. This, for me, was a very, very low point. The Senate has failed to approve summer jobs for youth, as well as emergency TANF relief, temporary assistance for families in need. Mr. Speaker, when I came to the Congress, I didn't sign up to make a mess but to make a difference. We are damaging the lives of men and women and, painfully, it is for political reasons. I went home last night ashamed of being in this body. ____________________
On the recordJune 30, 2010
Source
govinfo.govShare & report
More from Emanuel Cleaver
Jan 13, 2021
It would be an error to suppose that men and women can be courageous every day. It would be unfair to anticipate that I or any Member of this body could be a lion every day. No one is expected to be a lion day after day after day. But on…
Sep 14, 2017
I regrettably missed votes on Thursday, September 14, 2017. I had intended to vote ``yes'' on rollcall vote 516, ``no'' on vote 517, ``no'' on vote 518, ``no'' on vote 519, ``yes'' on vote 520, ``yes'' on vote 521, ``yes'' on vote 522…
Oct 22, 2019
I thank the chairwoman for her work in this area, and for allowing those of us who are interested in this legislation to play a major role. As many of my colleagues are aware, national security is one of the most pressing matters facing…





