Peter H. Bell: “I come from Missouri, and the people I represent have serious concerns. They are worried about paying for healthcare.…”

“I come from Missouri, and the people I represent have serious concerns. They are worried about paying for healthcare. They are worried about the cost of food and affordable housing or raising families with some measure of security. What they are not worried about is a mid-decade power grab in Jefferson City, but that is exactly what is happening. This isn't about fair representation. It is about politicians trying to lock in their power by carving up Kansas City and silencing voices they do not want to hear. These include voices like Congressman Cleaver, a man of integrity, who has served this Chamber, our State, and our country with dignity and distinction for decades. No one asked for this, not the stakeholders, not the business community, and, most importantly, not the people of Missouri. Let's not mince words. This is cheating. It is cowardice. If we allow it, we are telling Missourians that their voices don't matter. Our democracy doesn't belong to partisan mapmakers. It belongs to the people.”