Emanuel Cleaver: “Last evening I received a phone call from a friend from my congressional district who now lives here in the District. We…”

“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.”