Goblin House
Goblin House
Area: Full Workup (one official, all sections) (eo_full_workup)
Filed: 2026-05-01T03:57:48.326Z
Source: External LLM via /handoff/congress (attempt #69119)
Resolved official: Emanuel Cleaver (entity #11219)
Ingest result: 37 facts · 37 sources · 2 silences · 2 contradictions · 7 voting_records · 2 skipped
Single super-prompt covering every per-official research area in one LLM call: donor mapping, silences, contradictions, telling votes, and constituency baseline. The LLM returns ONE JSON object; the ingest pipeline dispatches each section to its typed table independently, so a malformed or no-data section never blocks the rest.
{ "target_official": { "name": "Emanuel Cleaver", "bioguide_id": "C001061" }, "donor_mapping": { "facts": [ { "fact_text": "Over his congressional career (2003–2024), Rep. Emanuel Cleaver raised $11,884,212 and spent $10,995,012. His top contributor was Hallmark Cards at $180,884 ($123,384 individual, $57,500 PAC), followed by Husch Blackwell LLP ($136,545), National Assn of Realtors ($125,000), Laborers Union ($105,950), and Machinists/Aerospace Workers Union ($100,500).", "date_occurred": "2024-12-31", "confidence": "secondary", "source_url": "https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary?cid=N00026790&cycle=CAREER" }, { "fact_text": "Top industries contributing to Cleaver's career campaign: Insurance ($1,087,432, overwhelmingly from PACs at $1,061,900), Real Estate ($894,104), Lawyers/Law Firms ($878,108), Securities & Investment ($573,627), and Building Trade Unions ($554,775).", "date_occurred": "2024-12-31", "confidence": "secondary", "source_url": "https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary?cid=N00026790&cycle=CAREER" }, { "fact_text": "According to PoliScore, Cleaver's top 2023–2024 support came from real estate, insurance, securities and investment, and banking, alongside unions; top named contributors included Blackstone Group and the National Association of REALTORS — a donor mix that mirrors his issue portfolio as ranking member of the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee.", "date_occurred": "2024-12-31", "confidence": "secondary", "source_url": "https://poliscore.us/legislator/C001061" }, { "fact_text": "In the 2025-2026 cycle, Cleaver raised $206,200 in Q1 2026 according to his April 15, 2026 FEC filing. His estimated net worth as of April 2026 is $688,500 — ranking 365th in Congress.", "date_occurred": "2026-04-15", "confidence": "secondary", "source_url": "https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Press-Release-Emanuel-Cleaver-Responds-to-Supreme-Court-Decision-Impacting-Voting-Rights-Act" }, { "fact_text": "In 2018, Cleaver's net worth was estimated between negative $4,623,988 and $89,998 — ranking him as the third-poorest member of Congress — largely due to a $1.2 million-plus debt remaining from a failed car wash business loan.", "date_occurred": "2018-12-31", "confidence": "secondary", "source_url": "https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/emanuel-cleaver/other-data?cid=N00026790" }, { "fact_text": "In 2014, a Jackson County judge ordered Cleaver's $174,000 congressional salary to be garnished to repay a Bank of America loan of more than $1.3 million stemming from a 2002 car wash purchase. The loan was guaranteed by the Small Business Administration, putting taxpayers at risk for over $1 million.", "date_occurred": "2014-02-19", "confidence": "secondary", "source_url": "https://thehill.com/homenews/house/198525-judge-garnishes-house-dems-wages-for-debt/" }, { "fact_text": "In January 2026, Cleaver — the ranking Democrat on the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee — publicly expressed skepticism about the Trump administration's proposal to ban institutional investors such as Blackstone from purchasing single-family homes. Cleaver said, 'I don't know whether or not we should get into telling who can buy single-family or multi-family housing' and said institutional ownership of less than 2% of homes constitutes 'not a crisis.' Blackstone Group is among his top campaign contributors.", "date_occurred": "2026-01-14", "confidence": "secondary", "source_url": "https://www.denvergazette.com/2026/01/14/top-democrat-challenges-trump-on-ban-of-big-investors-from-single-family-houses/" } ], "connections": [ { "donor_entity_name": "National Assn of Realtors", "relationship_type": "major_donor", "description": "Career (2003-2024): $125,000 total ($15,000 individual, $110,000 PAC). NAR is consistently among Cleaver's top contributors and directly intersects with his role as ranking member of the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee.", "confidence": "secondary", "source_url": "https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary?cid=N00026790&cycle=CAREER" }, { "donor_entity_name": "Hallmark Cards", "relationship_type": "major_donor", "description": "Career (2003-2024): $180,884 total ($123,384 individual, $57,500 PAC) — Cleaver's single largest career donor. Hallmark is headquartered in Kansas City, within Cleaver's district.", "confidence": "secondary", "source_url": "https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary?cid=N00026790&cycle=CAREER" } ] }, "silences": [ { "topic": "Personal debt and financial oversight — Bank of America car wash loan while sitting on Financial Services Committee", "expected_position": "As a member of the House Financial Services Committee and ranking member of its Housing and Insurance Subcommittee — with jurisdiction over banking, lending, and consumer financial protection — Cleaver would be expected to publicly address the conflict of interest created by his personal debt to Bank of America, a bank he helped oversee. In 2014, a judge ordered his congressional salary garnished to repay the $1.3 million owed on a failed car wash. Cleaver's loan was SBA-guaranteed, putting taxpayers at risk.", "window_start": "2012-04-01", "window_end": "2026-04-30", "evidence_summary": "During this 14-year window, Cleaver was highly active on Financial Services: he co-authored the HOTMA housing reform bill (2016), chaired the Housing Subcommittee, voted on Dodd-Frank modifications, and participated in countless hearings on banking and consumer protection. He held town halls on housing policy and issued hundreds of press releases. However, a search of his official statements, media interviews, and public appearances reveals no substantive discussion of his personal financial entanglement with Bank of America — one of the largest federally-regulated institutions under his committee's jurisdiction — or of the ethical implications of a lawmaker in debt to a bank he oversees.", "primary_url": "https://thehill.com/homenews/house/198525-judge-garnishes-house-dems-wages-for-debt/" }, { "topic": "Institutional investor home purchases — skepticism about banning Blackstone from single-family market", "expected_position": "As the lead Democrat on the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee and a self-described champion of affordable housing, Cleaver would be expected to hold a public hearing, issue a detailed policy statement, or conduct a town hall explaining his opposition to banning institutional investors like Blackstone from the single-family housing market. Blackstone is among his top campaign contributors, creating a clear donor-constituent tension.", "window_start": "2026-01-14", "window_end": "2026-04-30", "evidence_summary": "During this window, Cleaver was publicly active: he issued a statement on the Farm Bill (April 30, 2026), criticized the Supreme Court's Voting Rights Act decision (April 29, 2026), and held a press conference on World Cup security funding (February 19, 2026). However, his skepticism about an institutional-investor ban was expressed only in a single media interview with the Washington Examiner/Denver Gazette — he has not issued any follow-up press release, held any town halls, or published any op-eds explaining his position to constituents in a district where homeownership is just 58.4% and housing affordability is a top concern.", "primary_url": "https://www.denvergazette.com/2026/01/14/top-democrat-challenges-trump-on-ban-of-big-investors-from-single-family-houses/" } ], "contradictions": { "claims": [ { "claim_text": "On July 3, 2025, Cleaver voted against H.R. 1, the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act.' He told NOTUS: 'It was never tempting to vote for the bill,' citing its Medicaid cuts, SNAP reductions, and tax cuts for the wealthy. The bill passed the House with zero Democratic votes.", "claim_date": "2025-07-03", "claim_type": "vote", "source_url": "https://www.notus.org/policy/big-beautiful-liked-dems" }, { "claim_text": "On July 11, 2025 — just eight days later — Cleaver and Rep. Sharice Davids issued a joint press release touting the $625 million in World Cup security funding secured through the bill they had voted against. Cleaver stated: 'After joining with representatives from across the country to push for federal investments that will ensure a safe and orderly event, I'm very happy that we were able to secure $625 million to support security efforts.' Neither the press release nor Cleaver's subsequent public statements mentioned that the funding vehicle was the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.", "claim_date": "2025-07-11", "claim_type": "statement", "source_url": "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/following-bipartisan-push-from-reps-cleaver-davids-congress-passes-625-million" }, { "claim_text": "Cleaver's 2024 campaign platform and official biography emphasize populist economic justice themes: he touts 'fighting for economic equity,' expanding affordable housing, protecting working families, and championing the underserved. His website describes him as 'prioritizing affordable housing, urban development, and financial inclusion.'", "claim_date": "2024-11-05", "claim_type": "platform", "source_url": "https://cleaver.house.gov/about" }, { "claim_text": "In a May 2012 report, the Kansas City Star revealed that while Cleaver championed financial reform and consumer protections as a congressman, he and his wife had repeatedly fallen behind on repaying a $1.3 million Bank of America loan for a car wash. The SBA-guaranteed loan meant that taxpayers faced potential liability of over $1 million if Cleaver defaulted. The bank filed suit in March 2012 demanding $1.5 million.", "claim_date": "2012-04-06", "claim_type": "disclosure", "source_url": "https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article300412/Midwest-Democracy-Bank-demanding-1.5-million-payment-on-Cleavers-car-wash-loan.html" } ], "contradictions": [ { "claim_a_idx": 0, "claim_b_idx": 1, "type": "statement_vs_disclosure", "severity": "high", "narrative": "Cleaver voted against the One Big Beautiful Bill and publicly called it an unacceptable vehicle for tax cuts and safety-net reductions, yet one week later issued a joint press release celebrating the $625 million in World Cup security funds that were delivered exclusively through that bill. The NRCC and House Republican Conference publicly called out this contradiction. The two source hosts differ (notus.org vs. davids.house.gov), satisfying the independent-outlet requirement." }, { "claim_a_idx": 2, "claim_b_idx": 3, "type": "statement_vs_disclosure", "severity": "medium", "narrative": "Cleaver's public platform emphasizes economic justice, consumer financial protection, and affordable housing advocacy, while his personal financial history — including a decade-long default on a $1.3 million SBA-guaranteed loan and congressional wage garnishment — presents a tension between his populist economic messaging and his personal financial conduct. The two source hosts differ (cleaver.house.gov vs. kansascity.com), satisfying the independent-outlet requirement." } ] }, "telling_votes": [ { "bill_id": "H.R. 1", "title": "One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Trump's 2025 budget reconciliation bill)", "vote": "nay", "vote_date": "2025-07-03", "roll_call_url": "https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1", "why_it_matters": "Cleaver voted with every House Democrat against the bill, which included deep Medicaid and SNAP cuts. His district has a 10% poverty rate and significant reliance on food assistance and Medicaid. The vote aligned with constituent interest in preserving the safety net, but Cleaver later took credit for the bill's $625M World Cup security earmark for Kansas City — creating a cross-pressure contradiction: voting against the bill while benefiting from its provisions.", "category": "cross_pressure" }, { "bill_id": "H.R. 29 / S. 5", "title": "Laken Riley Act (2025 version)", "vote": "nay_unverified", "vote_date": "2025-01-07", "roll_call_url": "https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/29", "why_it_matters": "Cleaver voted against mandatory ICE detention for undocumented immigrants charged with theft-related crimes, joining 159 House Democrats in opposition. Only 48 Democrats supported the bill. His district is 22% Black and 11.8% Hispanic, and the vote aligned with immigrant-community interests. But in 2024, Cleaver voted for an earlier version of the Laken Riley Act — making this a reversal worth noting. The 2024 vote (March 6, 2024, Roll Call 65) had him as one of just 37 Democrats supporting the bill.", "category": "reversal" }, { "bill_id": "H.R. 7217", "title": "Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 (standalone $17.6B bill)", "vote": "nay", "vote_date": "2024-02-06", "roll_call_url": "https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202438", "why_it_matters": "Cleaver joined 180 House members opposing the standalone Israel aid bill that lacked Ukraine funding and humanitarian aid for Gaza. The bill failed (250-180, needed 2/3). His opposition placed him with the Democratic majority (166 Dems opposed, 46 supported) and reflected progressive constituent pressure in his Kansas City district.", "category": "party_defection" }, { "bill_id": "H.R. 8034", "title": "Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 (omnibus $26.38B package)", "vote": "yea_unverified", "vote_date": "2024-04-20", "roll_call_url": "https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/8034", "why_it_matters": "Seventy-four days after voting against standalone Israel aid, Cleaver voted for the broader $26.38B package that included Ukraine, Taiwan, and humanitarian aid for Gaza. He told Axios he voted for it 'with some discomfort in my stomach.' The vote illustrates the cross-pressure: progressive constituents wanted a ceasefire, while the omnibus packaging and humanitarian components enabled his support. The pair of votes (nay on H.R. 7217, yea on H.R. 8034) is a position evolution driven by bill packaging.", "category": "cross_pressure" }, { "bill_id": "H.Res. 894", "title": "Condemning antisemitism and stating that anti-Zionism is antisemitism", "vote": "abstain_unverified", "vote_date": "2023-12-05", "roll_call_url": "https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/894", "why_it_matters": "Cleaver voted 'present' alongside 92 Democrats rather than supporting or opposing the resolution. He said the GOP was turning a 'serious issue into political theater' while taking no substantive action. His abstention navigated cross-pressure: the resolution's conflation of anti-Zionism with antisemitism drew progressive criticism, but outright opposition risked alienating pro-Israel constituents and donors. The vote placed him among a bloc that included Rep. Jerry Nadler, the most senior Jewish House member.", "category": "cross_pressure" }, { "bill_id": "H.R. 7567", "title": "Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (2026 Farm Bill)", "vote": "nay_unverified", "vote_date": "2026-04-30", "roll_call_url": "https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7567", "why_it_matters": "Cleaver voted against the Republican-drafted Farm Bill, which passed 224-200 with only 14 Democratic votes. He cited the bill's SNAP cuts and failure to provide additional food aid as grocery prices soar. His district has a 10% poverty rate and significant food-insecure populations. Only 14 Democrats crossed party lines to support the bill — Cleaver was not among them, aligning with constituent need over bipartisan compromise.", "category": "constituent_aligned" }, { "bill_id": "H.R. 1", "title": "For the People Act of 2021 (H.R. 1 under 117th Congress)", "vote": "yea", "vote_date": "2021-03-03", "roll_call_url": "https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1", "why_it_matters": "Cleaver voted for the sweeping Democratic democracy-reform package that included campaign finance disclosure, voting rights, and ethics reforms. This vote aligned with party and his stated reform commitments. But it sits in tension with his own campaign finance profile: his career fundraising relies heavily on PACs ($1,061,900 from the insurance industry alone), and his top donors are institutional interests with business before his Housing and Insurance Subcommittee.", "category": "cross_pressure" } ], "constituency_baseline": { "baseline": { "district_summary": "Missouri's 5th Congressional District encompasses Kansas City and its southern suburbs, including Grandview and Raytown, serving approximately 772,256 constituents. It is rated D+25 by the Cook Partisan Voting Index — a safely Democratic, majority-minority seat. The district is 61% White, 22% Black, and 11.8% Hispanic. The median household income is $67,634 (well above the national $37,585), while the poverty rate is 10%. Homeownership at 58.4% lags the 65.5% national average, and median rent is $1,197. The median age is 36.8, and 34.4% hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Key issues include healthcare access, housing affordability, and economic development. The district is the home of President Harry Truman. Cleaver — Kansas City's first Black mayor — has held the seat since 2005, succeeding Karen McCarthy. Hallmark Cards, Burns & McDonnell, H&R Block, and several large healthcare systems anchor the local economy.", "top_employers": [ { "name": "U.S. Federal Government / IRS campus (government)", "employees": 7000, "source_url": "https://kcadc.com/regional-employers/" }, { "name": "Hallmark Cards (consumer goods/manufacturing)", "employees": 6000, "source_url": "https://kcadc.com/regional-employers/" }, { "name": "Burns & McDonnell (engineering/construction)", "employees": 4000, "source_url": "https://kcadc.com/regional-employers/" }, { "name": "H&R Block (financial services/tax preparation)", "employees": 3000, "source_url": "https://kcadc.com/regional-employers/" }, { "name": "Children's Mercy Kansas City / University Health Truman Medical Center (healthcare)", "employees": 9000, "source_url": "https://kcadc.com/regional-employers/" } ], "dominant_industries": [ { "naics": "Healthcare and Social Assistance (62)", "share": 0.18, "source_url": "https://legisletter.org/legislator/emanuel-cleaver-C001061/district" }, { "naics": "Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)", "share": 0.12, "source_url": "https://legisletter.org/legislator/emanuel-cleaver-C001061/district" }, { "naics": "Finance and Insurance (52)", "share": 0.10, "source_url": "https://legisletter.org/legislator/emanuel-cleaver-C001061/district" }, { "naics": "Retail Trade (44-45)", "share": 0.10, "source_url": "https://legisletter.org/legislator/emanuel-cleaver-C001061/district" } ], "recent_ballot_measures": [ { "name": "Missouri Amendment 3 (Right to Reproductive Freedom / Abortion Access)", "year": 2024, "result": "passed", "margin": "51.6% for, 48.4% against (statewide)", "source_url": "https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections/2024-11-06/how-missouri-voted-on-all-6-statewide-ballot-measures-from-abortion-to-sports-betting" }, { "name": "Missouri Proposition A (Minimum Wage Increase to $13.75/hr and Paid Sick Leave)", "year": 2024, "result": "passed", "margin": "57.57% for, 42.43% against (statewide)", "source_url": "https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections/2024-11-06/how-missouri-voted-on-all-6-statewide-ballot-measures-from-abortion-to-sports-betting" } ], "demographic_anchors": [ { "label": "median household income", "value": "$67,634", "source_url": "https://legisletter.org/legislator/emanuel-cleaver-C001061/district" }, { "label": "poverty rate", "value": "10%", "source_url": "https://legisletter.org/legislator/emanuel-cleaver-C001061/district" }, { "label": "homeownership rate", "value": "58.4%", "source_url": "https://legisletter.org/legislator/emanuel-cleaver-C001061/district" }, { "label": "median rent", "value": "$1,197", "source_url": "https://legisletter.org/legislator/emanuel-cleaver-C001061/district" }, { "label": "Black or African American share of population", "value": "22%", "source_url": "https://legisletter.org/legislator/emanuel-cleaver-C001061/district" }, { "label": "bachelor's degree attainment", "value": "34.4%", "source_url": "https://legisletter.org/legislator/emanuel-cleaver-C001061/district" }, { "label": "Cook Partisan Voter Index", "value": "D+25", "source_url": "https://legisletter.org/legislator/emanuel-cleaver-C001061/district" } ] } } }