(Washington, DC)—Thursday afternoon Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II joined colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), led by its Chairwoman, Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-MI), in a White House meeting with the President. At the meeting, Members discussed the escalation of the war in Iraq, Hurricane Katrina recovery effort, and the President’s 2008 budget.
 
Congresswoman Kilpatrick said after the meeting, “The meeting with the President was a good one. This conversation was a good start toward establishing open and ongoing dialogue with the Administration. We look forward to future discussions as a way to bridge the divide and address the needs of America’s families.”
 
The Caucus expressed its opposition to the troop escalation in Iraq directly to the President and urged him to bring the conflict to a safe and sane conclusion.
 
“Next week I will return to New Orleans to hold hearings on one of our nation’s most pressing domestic issues, addressing the needs of the more than 250,000 families still displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. We cannot continue to ignore the rebuilding that needs to take place at home. We must provide funding to help families rebuild their homes, schools, health centers, police and fire departments, roads and bridges, and lives,” said Cleaver.
 
“This is a crisis for those who are living it, and I am proud that the CBC continues to try to keep our nation focused on the devastation. It is difficult, but meetings like this with the President and the hearings next week help, I hope. The folks on the Gulf Coast certainly continue to need all the help they can get.”
 
Finally, the CBC reviewed its deep concerns about the President’s 2008 budget with him. The President recommends the reduction or elimination of over 140 programs that are vital to the health and well-being of American families. The cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, and first responder assistance must be reversed. With the announcement this week of lay-offs at Chrysler, the auto industry is planning to eliminate nearly 90,000 jobs in the next year and yet, the President’s budget drastically reduces funding for retraining and education.
 
“I did not expect much to come of the meeting, and was not disappointed,” said Cleaver, “However, it is always an honor to express views directly to the President of the United States. Perhaps it made a little bit of a difference.”

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, Belton, Raymore and Peculiar, Missouri. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee.