(Washington, DC)—Today, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II announced that he was chosen by House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC) to serve as a Regional Whip for the 110th Congress.  In this leadership role, Rep. Cleaver will help Clyburn and the rest of the House Leadership to gather support for the Democratic agenda; legislation that meets the needs of the American people. 

“I am excited and honored to work in this new role in the majority to help bring change to Washington. Just this week, we have already begun to make great strides in moving the people’s agenda forward.  We passed a broadly-supported ethics reform package to restore the trust of the American people in Congress and bring a more civil tone to the halls of the Capitol.  On Tuesday, we worked to strengthen security for Americans at home and abroad with legislation to implement the 9/11 Commission recommendations.  On Wednesday, we finally passed an increase in the federal minimum wage for the first time in a decade.  Yesterday, we addressed an issue near to the people of the Kansas City area, the expansion of stem cell research and today voted to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices,” said Cleaver, “and that’s just the first week.”

The term “whip” is derived from the British Parliament which adopted the term from the fox-hunting position “whipper-in,” the rider who kept the fox hounds gathered together behind their mission.  “It’s a bit more like herding cats,” said Cleaver, “but I have spent time building strong personal relationships here, which I think will help my District and my “herding” abilities as a member of the whip team.” The whip’s job in Congress is to gather support for legislation when it comes to the floor for a vote.

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.