Missouri Congressmen Get to Work on Spending Package

The U.S. House is scheduled to work today on a 3.5-trillion-dollar spending package crafted by Vermont Democratic U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders. The Democrats’ plan would invest in paid leave, childcare, pre-K learning, community colleges, among several other things. Southeast Missouri Republican Congressman Jason Smith says he is leading the fight against the plan. Smith says the bill would add 17-trillion-dollars to the country’s debt.

Kansas City-area Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, a Democrat, backs the legislation and says it is needed to create millions of good-paying jobs and help Missouri communities.