Rep. Cleaver, MO Congressional Delegation Call on President Trump to Support Disaster Declaration in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

KANSAS CITY, Missouri, March 26 -- Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Missouri, issued the following news release:

United States Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), along with the entire Missouri congressional delegation, sent a letter urging President Trump to support Missouri's disaster declaration request, so the state may adequately respond to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The disaster declaration must be approved before the state can access critically important federal funding.

"In many Missouri communities, efforts to prevent and mitigate the spread of the virus are constrained by inadequate access to resources, including personal protective equipment. Businesses have been adversely affected by this virus, leaving workers and business owners without income. Multiple sectors of industry and state and local governments lack the capacity to counteract the negative economic impacts caused by the virus. Access to federal resources may better equip Missouri communities to appropriately respond to this public health emergency. We respectfully request your prompt action to ensure that our communities receive the immediate support needed to respond to this unprecedented disaster."

"Missouri's case level may be low, but the economic impact of coronavirus has been significant to communities across the state," said Congressman Cleaver. "I'm hopeful the President will immediately approve the disaster declaration so that we can bring immediate relief to Missouri families, while preparing for the what is yet to come."

Governor Parson has requested Individual Assistance for Disaster Unemployment Assistance and the Crisis Counseling Program, Public Assistance for Debris Removal and Emergency Protective Measures, as well as Hazard Mitigation.

You can read the official letter here (https://cleaver.house.gov/sites/cleaver.house.gov/files/COVID%2019%20MO%20Disaster%20Declaration%20Delegation%20Letter%20of%20Support.pdf).

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, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Security, International Development, and Monetary Policy; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Matthew Helfant at 202-225-4535 or [email protected] A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here (https://cleaver.house.gov/sites/cleaver.house.gov/files/featured_image/Official%20Photo%202018%20%232.jpg).