JEFFERSON CITY — U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell on Wednesday ripped Gov. Mike Kehoe’s decision to hold a legislative special session with the sole purpose of eliminating the boundaries of the Kansas City-area congressional seat held by fellow Black Democrat U.S. Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver.

If a proposed new Missouri congressional district map becomes law, it will likely face legal challenges. The new map is designed to put seven Republicans in the U.S. House from Missouri instead of six, and reduce the two Democratic seats to one.

The legislation comes at the direct command of President Donald Trump, who wants to better position Republicans to maintain control of the House during next year’s midterm elections.

“This is the new Republican playbook: bend the knee to a failed president, tear down anythi

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