KS, MO congressmen talk pending shutdown

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - A 'warm conversation' in Kansas City stood in stark contrast to partisan attacks in Washington as congressmen Kevin Yoder (R-KS) and Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) weighed in.

Citing his affinity for Animal Planet, Cleaver offered a metaphor for congress. "Bees can't sting and make honey," he said. "They have to make a choice...there's a lot of stinging going on. Legislation is the honey and there's no honey being made."

Yoder agreed while both talked about ways to spur the economy from investing in infrastructure to providing long-term tax rates to insure stability for small businesses.

But more pressing to both, getting back to Washington to find some way to prevent a government shut down, the third threat in six months. With FEMA funding at risk, set to run out as early as Wednesday, recovery in Joplin and Northwest Missouri would be halted until congress appropriates more money.

The tornado and flood-ravaged portions of Missouri are among several spots hit hard this year by nature and stretching FEMA dollars beyond thin.