{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"IL\" and year = 2017 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://bustos.house.gov/2017-year-review-bustos-continues-deliver-real-results-fight-illinois-working-families-give-heartland-voice-key-member-democratic-leadership/", "2017 YEAR IN REVIEW: Bustos Continues to Deliver Real Results, Fight for Illinois Working Families and Give the Heartland a Voice as a Key Member of Democratic Leadership", "2017-12-27", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Cheri Bustos", "B001286", "bustos.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "ROCK ISLAND  This past year, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) has continued her proven record of delivering real results for the hardworking families of Illinois 17th Congressional District. She has kept up her focus on economic growth, manufacturing, veterans and farmers. She has also demonstrated effective leadership in the House Democratic Caucus in her third term, while also working collaboratively across the aisle on commonsense solutions for working families.\n\nGIVING THE HEARTLAND A VOICE IN DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP\n\nAfter the 2016 election, Bustos was elected by her colleagues to serve as the Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC). As Co-Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, and as the only elected member of the House Democratic leadership team from the Midwest, Bustos has given Northwestern and Central Illinois a voice at the decision-making table and helped ensure Democrats put forth a bold economic agenda for the American people.\n\nPRESENTING AMERICANS WITH A BETTER DEAL: BETTER JOBS, BETTER WAGES AND A BETTER FUTURE\n\nBustos was one of the leaders who crafted the Democratic Partys agenda  A Better Deal for hardworking Americans  an economic plan for better jobs, better wages and a better future. Across America  especially in the Heartland  there are millions of hardworking men and women who have been left behind by outdated policies that put profits before people.\n\nThis final agenda is the result of meeting with more than 180 Democratic members of Congress, experts from across the ideological spectrum and regular Americans who felt they have been forgotten by Washington. It will boost wages, lower costs and level the economic playing field so that all Americans can get ahead, not just special interests or the wealthiest few. It will restore opportunity in part by investing in our infrastructure, apprenticeships and workforce training, which will help create 10 million good-paying, full-time jobs.\n\nPROTECTING ILLINOISANS FROM TRUMPCARE\n\nIn March, Bustos delivered the Democratic Weekly Address to highlight the many flaws with the American Health Care Act, commonly referred to as Trumpcare. This was a devastating bill that would have wiped out nearly 2 million jobs (including 60,000 in Illinois), stripped coverage from 24 million individuals, imposed an age tax on older Americans and placed nearly 700 rural hospitals at greater risk of closing their doors.\n\nBustos also started a video series called Hear from the Heartland to share the stories of everyday Illinoisans who would be badly hurt by Trumpcare. In one of these videos, she spoke with a mother whose young son, Gryphon, was born with cerebral palsy and relies on Medicaid for critical care. If Trumpcare had become law, Gryphon would have been forced to either go without care or be relegated to an expensive high risk pool and reach his lifetime limit at an early age.\n\nFIGHTING FOR A BETTER DEAL FOR THE HEARTLAND\n\nAs many as 23 million rural Americans lack access to high-speed broadband internet. This is a major problem for small towns and rural communities that struggle to compete with big cities to attract job creators and entrepreneurs. In September, Congresswoman Bustos helped introduce a plank of the Better Deal agenda focused on universal high-speed internet. Democrats are pledging to connect every American to high-speed, reliable internet by providing direct federal investments to deliver the highest quality internet access at the lowest price. Read the full A Better Deal: Universal High-Speed Internet planhere.\n\nIn November, she hosted her Fourth Annual Economic Summit, focused on regional collaboration for job creation and economic growth. This was the culmination of a series of economic roundtables that Bustos hosted throughout the year. At this event, she brought together educators, business leaders and government officials to foster relationships and develop ideas for joint efforts to create jobs and prosperity.\n\nOpioid overdoses have risen at an unprecedented rate in rural areas, and some of these communities lack the sufficient infrastructure or resources to address this unprecedented crisis. In July, Rep. Bustos introduced bipartisan legislation to help rural communities better leverage USDA Rural Development programs to combat opioid and heroin use. As we work to combat the nationwide opioid epidemic, rural America must not be left behind.\n\nEXPANDING ROLE ON KEY COMMITTEES\n\nIn the 115th Congress, Bustos expanded her role on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to include two new subcommittees  Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials and Water Resources and Environment  in addition to Aviation and Highways and Transit, of which she was also a member in the 114th Congress. With these new subcommittee assignments, Bustos continued to be a strong advocate for our regions transportation priorities and work to craft a national infrastructure strategy that helps both Illinois and America maintain its competitive edge. In April, she brought together the directors of our regions airports so that she could prioritize their concerns ahead of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization bill. Based on these discussions, Bustos wrote and included three provisions in the final bill.\n\nBustos also serves on the House Agriculture Committee, which is preparing to write the next Farm Bill. In August, during Congress District Work Period, Bustos met with farmers from across Illinois 17th District to discuss their priorities for the upcoming Farm Bill. These conversations and listening sessions led Bustos to introduce the bipartisan Farmers of Tomorrow Act, which is designed to make it easier for young farmers and veterans to purchase land. She has also helped introduce legislation to double the funding for the Market Assistance Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program, which help Illinois farmers access markets abroad. In the 2014 Farm Bill, Rep. Bustos fought to protect the crop insurance program from devastating cuts and she will continue to advocate for a robust crop insurance program in the future.\n\nFIGHTING FOR GOOD-PAYING AMERICAN MANUFACTURING JOBS BY CLOSING THE SKILLS GAP\n\nOur region has seen too many factories boarded up and jobs shipped off to places like China and Mexico. After campaigning on the promise to bring these jobs back, President Trump has yet to propose any policies or legislation to grow our manufacturing economy. Thats why the first bill Bustos introduced this Congress was the Overseas Outsourcing Accountability Act, which would require President Trump to develop a national strategy to stop outsourcing and allow Congress to measure its success through a review every two years.\n\nBustos also introduced bipartisan Buy American legislation to create jobs and improve our infrastructure. The Buy America for Drinking Water Extension Act would create jobs and grow the economy by ensuring that all iron and steel products used for projects funded by the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) are made entirely in the United States.\n\nOne of the top takeaways from Bustos economic roundtables was that educators and employers need to collaborate more to create the skilled workforce we need to grow the economy. Thats why she led members of the New Democrat Coalition in urging President Trump to invest in apprenticeship and workforce development programs.\n\nIn November, Bustos hosted Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer and Rep. Jimmy Panetta for a roundtable discussion in Peoria about the education and skills gap that prevents employers from filling open manufacturing jobs. This was part of the Whip Hoyers Make It In America listening tour.\n\nAfter visiting each of the seven community colleges in her Congressional District, Bustos heard from students and administrators about the need for more flexibility for Pell Grant awards. She reintroduced legislation to expand access to Pell Grants for students across the country, allowing them to use their scholarships year-round and enter the workforce faster and with less debt. This provision was included in the 2017 Omnibus Bill that passed the House in May and was later signed into law.\n\nBRINGING FAIRNESS TO DISASTER RELIEF DECLARATION\n\nToo often, smaller, Downstate communities in Illinois face discrimination under FEMAs disaster declaration process. Thats what we saw after a major tornado devastated the communities of Pekin, East Peoria and Washington, Illinois. Ever since then, Congresswoman Bustos has worked with Congressman Rodney Davis to bring more fairness to the disaster declaration process. This year, they passed the Disaster Declaration Improvement Act through the House of Representatives. This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency to give greater weight and consideration to the localized impact of a disaster when determining the need for federal assistance.\n\nWorking to push this important bill into law, Bustos and Davis also worked together to include the entirety of their legislation in the disaster supplemental bill that passed the House late in December.\n\nENSURING THE ROCK ISLAND ARSENALS SUCCESS FOR THE FUTURE\n\nThis year, Bustos fought to include provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act that would strengthen the Rock Island Arsenal and grow the local economy. This language came from her Army Arsenal Revitalization Act, and would require the Secretary of the Army to issue guidance on how the Department of Defense will decide which items to make at Army arsenals and which it will purchase from other sources with the goal of ensuring that arsenals have sufficient workload to keep their workforce skilled and their products affordable. Bustos also included language from her DOD Check Before You Rent Act to require the Department of Defense to certify that no usable space is available on existing military installations like the Arsenal before leasing space with rent costs exceeding $750,000 annually or purchasing new space valued at more than $750,000 total. This would help ensure that space at the Rock Island Arsenal, and other military installations, are maximized before the military leases additional space. Both of these provisions were included in the final version of the bill, which was signed by President Trump this month.\n\nHONORING OUR FALLEN HEROES  \n\nU.S. Army Sgt. Douglas J. Riney and U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Jordan S. Bastean were American heroes who embodied what it meant to live a life of courage, loyalty and selfless service. Thats why Bustos was proud to introduce legislation and marshal Illinois delegation support to rename post offices in their honor in Fairview and Pekin, respectively. The bill to rename the Fairview post office in honor of Sgt. Riney passed in November. Bustos is continuing her effort to bring the bill to rename Pekins Post Office after Lance Cpl. Bastean and is hopeful that it will move in the coming year.\n\nSPEAKING UP FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT\n\nWorkplace sexual harassment has been in the headlines in recent months, and we are in the midst of a cultural moment where this unacceptable behavior is being condemned. Bustos has been working since March to stand up for sexual harassment victims who have had their employers conduct swept under the rug by contractual forced arbitration clauses. Earlier this month, the bipartisan Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Harassment Act was introduced in both the House and Senate.\n\nBY THE NUMBERS\n\n14  Congresswoman Bustos visited all 14 counties in Illinois 17th District this year repeatedly and held several events, meetings and Supermarket Saturday visits when Congress was out of session.\n\n133  As part of her aggressive outreach strategy, Congresswoman Bustos hosted or attended 133 events in 2017 in Illinois 17th Congressional District.\n\n60  Over the course of 2017, Congresswoman Bustos has held 60 constituent meetings or discussions.\n\n1,004  Congresswoman Bustos strives to make government work for the people she serves, and her office has closed 1,004 casework requests this year  helping Illinoisans cut through red tape at the VA, IRS and other federal agencies.\n\n$663,669.55  This year, Congresswoman Bustos office has returned $663,669.55 to constituents in our District, which they recovered from the Social Security Administration, the IRS and the VA. Constituents having problems with any of these agencies are encouraged to reach out to one of our offices in Peoria, Rock Island or Rockford.\n\n20,928  Congresswoman Bustos prides herself on having a responsive and attentive constituent services operation, and her office has replied to 20,928 messages or requests this year.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://robinkelly.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-kelly-s-connected-government-act-passes-congress", "Congresswoman Kellys Connected Government Act Passes Congress", "2017-12-22", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Robin Kelly", "K000385", "robinkelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed Congresswoman Robin Kellys Connected Government Act (H.R. 2331). The bill now heads to the Presidents desk for his signature.\nQuite simply, this bill will put nearly all government services in your pocket, said Congresswoman Kelly. The legislation mandates that all updated and redesigned federal government websites be mobile-friendly.\n\"Deep urban and remote rural communities are the most affected by our governments failure to provide mobile-accessible websites. Without broadband coverage, these Americans are tied to the mobile-only Internet. Since my district includes part of the City of Chicago and more than 1,200 farms, I understand how this bill will have different, but equally positive impacts throughout urban, suburban and rural communities, said Congresswoman Kelly, top Democrat on the Oversight Committees Information Technology (IT) subcommittee.\nAccording to an Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) report, more than 40 percent of government websites are not mobile-friendly, including the application for federal student aid (FAFSA) and the launch point for bidding on government contracts. According to research conducted by Pew, one in ten Americans only access the Internet via a mobile device and 77 percent of Americans now have smartphones.\nMore and more Americans are using smartphones to access government services. We have a responsibility to keep pace with technological innovation and make it easy for citizens to engage with their government, added Congresswoman Kelly. Id like to thank Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Congressman Mark Meadows (R-NC), Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) for working with me to pass this common sense bill.\nOn November 15th, the legislation was unanimously passed by the U.S. House. It passed through the Oversight and Government Reform Committee in September. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has declared that the legislation will have no significant cost to taxpayers.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases/schneider-and-yingling-host-health-care-fair-offer-free-flu-shots-diabetes", "Schneider and Yingling to Host Health Care Fair, Offer Free Flu Shots, Diabetes Screenings", "2017-12-22", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Brad Schneider", "S001190", "schneider.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Brad Schneider, IL-10, and state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, are teaming up to host a free Health Care Fair for local residents on Sunday, Jan, 7 from noon to 3:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church located at 114 Lincoln Ave. in Round Lake.\nTheres nothing more important than the health of you and your family, said Schneider. Im glad to work with Rosalind Franklin University Health Clinics and my colleague State Representative Yingling to bring flu shots and other health services to the Round Lake area free of charge. I hope you will join us on January 7th!\nThis winter is expected to be one of the worst flu seasons on record, and it is important that we work to provide a safe and healthy community for all, Yingling said. By teaming up with Congressman Brad Schneider to help provide preventative health services at no cost to local residents, we can better help keep our communities healthy this winter and beyond.\nSchneider and Yingling are partnering with Rosalind Franklin University Health Clinics to offer the free services including flu shots, blood pressure testing and diabetes screenings.\nAttendees can also work with Yinglings staff to see if they have any unclaimed funds or assets in their name through the states iCash program. Constituent Service Representatives from Congressman Schneiders office will be on hand to help attendees with any issues involving the federal government  from Social Security and Medicare to the Veterans Administration and immig\nThe event is open to the public and all services are donated by Rosalind Franklin University Health Clinics. Assistance will be provided on a first come first serve basis or until supplies run out. Bilingual staff will also be available. For more information, please contact Yinglings office at 847-231-6262 or Schneiders office at 847-383-4870.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases/schneider-wraps-active-2017-working-illinois-tenth-district", "Schneider Wraps Up Active 2017 Working for Illinois Tenth District", "2017-12-22", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Brad Schneider", "S001190", "schneider.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In his first year back in Congress, U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (IL-10) has focused on making a difference for his district through open community outreach, aggressive constituent service, and legislating with a focus on bipartisanship.\nIts an incredible honor to work for the people of the Tenth District, and Im proud of what weve accomplished during this first year back, said Schneider. I urge Tenth District residents to continue reaching out, sharing their opinions, and attending our events. Your input guides me as I represent our shared values in Washington, and I look forward to continuing to work together in 2018.\nOutreach & Constituent Service\nSince his swearing-in in January, Schneider answered questions from constituents at 17 in-person town hall events (called Congress On Your Corners) as well as 10 telephone town halls to keep in touch while he was in Washington. Collectively, Schneider has reached a total of 35,000 constituents through these public forums.\nHelping constituents with issues involving the federal government  from Social Security and Medicare to the Veterans Administration and immigration  is another priority. In 2017, Schneider helped 818 constituents, and recovered more than $471,000 in federal dollars for individual Tenth District residents. In addition to the main district office in Lincolnshire, constituent service representatives held 127 Neighborhood Office Hour events to connect with residents directly in their communities.\nInput on pending legislation and suggestions for Congress help guide Schneiders work. Since January, his office has responded to 79,688 letters, emails, and phone calls on issues of the day. The number one topic in 2017 was health care reform.\nLegislation\nIn 2017, seven amendments offered by Schneider passed the House of Representatives on issues ranging from helping start-up business commercialize their ideas to increasing funding for entrepreneurial development to cracking down on the Iranian missile program and support for proxy groups.\nBipartisanship is a major focus for Schneider. Seventy-two percent of the legislation he cosponsored and more than half of all the bills he introduced have bipartisan support. Schneider is a member of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, which proposed a health care fix that could be supported by both parties during the Affordable Care Act repeal debate, as well as the Bipartisan Working Group, which meets weekly.\nIn the first term of the 115th Congress, Schneider introduced 19 pieces of legislation. Some highlights include:\nSECURE Firearm Storage Act  would help prevent stolen guns by requiring Federal Firearm Licensees (FFLs) to lock their stock after hours. In 2016, more than 18,000 firearms were reported stolen or lost in 2016 from FFLs. Companion legislation was introduced by Sen. Durbin.\nOpioid PACE Act  would help prevent the overprescribing of opioids by requiring the completion of continuing education requirements for prescribers of the drugs.\nDisapproval of Paris Climate Agreement Withdrawal  led resolution with 182 co-sponsors disapproving of President Trumps announcement to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement.\nNIE on Iranian Proxy Forces Act - bipartisan legislation to require a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Irans support for proxy forces.\nCommon SENSE Act  would help ensure employers notify separating employees about potential eligibility to enroll in an ACA marketplace and Medicare. Under current law, employers are only required to inform separating employees of COBRA eligibility.\nSTRANDED Act - would address the impacts of stranded nuclear waste by incentivizing economic development and providing federal assistance for communities like Zion, IL. Companion legislation was introduced by Sen. Tammy Duckworth.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases/wheeling-4th-grader-designs-congressman-schneider-s-holiday-card", "Wheeling 4th Grader Designs Congressman Schneiders Holiday Card", "2017-12-22", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Brad Schneider", "S001190", "schneider.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Today, U.S. Representative Brad Schneider announced artwork by Monika Duchoslav, a 4thgrade student at Eugene Field Elementary School was the winning design for his 2017 holiday card.\nEarlier this year, Schneider solicited greeting card designs from Tenth District elementary schools on the theme of Peace and Unity.\nPhoto Caption: Monika Duchoslav, a 4thgrade student at Eugene Field Elementary School, who designed Congressman Schneiders 2017 holiday card cover.\nThe message inside the card reads:\nWishing you a very joyous holiday season filled with the warm company of family and friends.\nMay the new year unite us all with the blessings of peace, good health and happiness.\nHappy Holidays from the Schneider family,\nBrad, Julie, Adam and Daniel", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bustos.house.gov/congresswoman-bustos-votes-provide-funding-emergency-disaster-response/", "Congresswoman Bustos votes to provide funding for emergency disaster response", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Cheri Bustos", "B001286", "bustos.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bipartisan Bustos/Davis bill to ensure small communities arent left behind by FEMA included in larger package\nWASHINGTON  Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos voted for a disaster assistance supplemental package to provide funding to places like Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico that are still recovering from recent hurricanes. Included in this supplemental is the entirety of the bipartisan Disaster Declaration Improvement Act which was authored by Reps. Bustos and Rodney Davis. Their bill permanently ensures that when a natural disaster strikes small communities, they arent unfairly denied recovery assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) because of arcane funding formulas.\nWeve seen what happens when unfair FEMA formulas disadvantaged the communities of Pekin and East Peoria and Im proud to have included the bipartisan bill Rep. Rodney Davis and I introduced to level the playing field for small communities recovering from natural disasters, Rep. Cheri Bustos said. With so much division and partisanship in Congress right now, Im pleased to have worked across the aisle to advance this commonsense solution for hardworking families across the heartland who have been affected by natural disasters.\nThis Christmas will be two years since storms caused $15 million in flood damage throughout Central and Southwestern Illinois. In the months following, Missouri would be granted public assistance, while Illinois would be denied, said Davis. I firmly believe the federal government should be there when states need help after a disaster and thats why Ive voted for every single disaster relief bill, but its time rural Illinois starts getting a fair shake as well. Year after year, my constituents have been unfairly punished by FEMAs process. This is wrong. Taxpayers in my district pay into the Disaster Relief Fund and it should be there for them when they need it. By passing this bill into law, we will help level the playing field. I appreciate Congresswoman Cheri Bustos for helping make this a bipartisan effort.\nBackground:\nBustos and Davis Disaster Declaration Improvement Act, which was included in todays Disaster Supplemental Bill, requires FEMA to give greater weight and consideration to the localized impact of a disaster when determining the need for federal assistance. Additionally, the Disaster Declaration Improvement Act requires FEMA to take into consideration the cumulative impact of multiple storms in an area.\nFEMAs Formula\nCurrently, FEMA uses a per-capita formula to determine the need for public assistance. They multiply the states population with $1.39 then use this number as a threshold for determining the states need for public assistance. Illinois compared to surrounding states:\n \nIllinois $18 million\nIndiana $9.1 million\nMissouri $8.4 million\nWisconsin $8 million\nKentucky $6.1 million\nIowa $4.3 million\n \nFEMA can also take into account damage done in a specific county but whether they take this into account and how much this will impact their decision is highly subjective. The formula used to determine this is $3.50 per capita in infrastructure damage in a county.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gutierrez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/emergency-supplemental-completely-inadequate-puerto-rico-and-guti-rrez", "Emergency Supplemental Is Completely Inadequate for Puerto Rico and Gutirrez Will Oppose", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Luis Guti\u00e9rrez", "G000535", "gutierrez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Today in the House of Representatives, the next installment of hurricane relief funding for Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands along with relief for the California wildfires, is expected to be brought to the House floor for a vote. Given that the partisan package is wholly inadequate to respond to the severity of the disaster and crisis in Puerto Rico, Rep Luis V. Gutirrez (D-IL) announced he plans to vote against the measure.\nPuerto Rico is still facing the effects of the most devastating hurricane in its history. More than three months have passed since Hurricane Maria hit and half of the island continues to live without electricity and much of the island does not have consistent access to clean water. House Republicans have introduced an emergency supplemental funding measure that would provide $81 billion dollars for recovery efforts spanning the U.S. mainland and the territories. Given that Puerto Rico alone needs an estimated $94 billion to recover from its historic devastation, the supplemental is completely inadequate. In addition, Republicans failed to designate any of the proposed funds specifically for Puerto Ricosomething that will result in Puerto Rico being shortchanged in assistance.\nGiven how the Trump Administration and the federal agencies have treated Puerto Rico in the face of this historic disaster, it is clear that the supplemental will do very little to help the Puerto Rican people recover, Rep Gutirrez said. It is completely inadequate and we cannot depend on this Administration to distribute the $81 billion in relief in a fair and equitable manner to the people of Puerto Rico. Any funding bill for hurricane relief should designate exactly what the island of Puerto Rico will receive. I dont trust President Trump or his Administration. Nowhere else in the U.S. would it be acceptable to allow citizens to live in squalor for months and months without electricity or water. We owe it to Puerto Ricans to get them what they need to rebuild the island, not insult and abandon them by tossing them paper towels.\nThe measure, which will probably be voted on today, also expands the authority of the PROMESA Oversight Board, locally called the Junta, by giving them powers over hurricane funding. The bill also fails to include cost sharing waivers that Rep. Gutirrez and others have called for and does absolutely nothing to address Puerto Ricos Medicaid crisis.\nI guess the Christmas spirit of generosity from the Republican Party only extends to the Junta de Control and billionaires and not the people of Puerto Rico, Rep. Gutirrez said. I cannot support a bill that claims to help Puerto Rico but actually shortchanges them, again.\nRep. Luis V. Gutirrez is a Member of the Judiciary Committee and the Chair of the Immigration Task Force of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gutierrez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/letter-rep-nadler-guti-rrez-says-be-prepared-react-immediately-if-trump", "In Letter to Rep. Nadler, Gutirrez Says Be Prepared To React Immediately If Trump Fires Mueller Over Christmas", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Luis Guti\u00e9rrez", "G000535", "gutierrez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Rep. Luis V. Gutirrez (D-IL) delivered a letter to Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), the newly-elected Ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, to be prepared to call the Committee back to Washington for immediate investigation and possible impeachment proceedings if the President fires Special Counsel Robert Mueller over the Christmas recess. The letter congratulates Rep. Nadler on his new position and expresses Rep. Gutirrezs concern that the President may use the absence of the Congress in Washington over the holidays to obstruct justice in matters related to Muellers investigation into Trump family, Trump campaign, and Trump White House ties to Russian meddling in U.S. elections. In his letter (pdf here:122117 Letter to Nadler re Mueller FINAL.pdf ), Rep. Gutirrez writes:\n \n\tBefore we leave for Christmas, I want to be very clear that as the Ranking Member, you should be prepared to call the Committee back to Washington if and when this President attempts to undermine Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation by removing the Special Counsel from his post during this holiday season. Every Democrat on the Judiciary Committee should be ready to launch an immediate investigation into obstruction of justice if the President takes this action over the holidays and be prepared to fight to impeach him.\n \nCongressman Gutirrez concludes:\n \n\tWhile Christmas is my most cherished holiday, we must be prepared to put the nation ahead of this sacred celebration and our own families. I hope we are not called back to Washington, but we have learned that anything is possible with this President and we will have to be ready to act swiftly.\n \nRep. Gutirrez even included his personal cell phone number in the letter so that Rep. Nadler could reach him over the holidays.\nRep. Luis V. Gutirrez is a Member of the Judiciary Committee and the Chair of the Immigration Task Force of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rush.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rush-statement-on-house-passage-of-short-term-government-funding", "Rush Statement on House Passage of Short-Term Government Funding Legislation", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Bobby Rush", "R000515", "rush.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.), today released the following statement on the passage of the Republican short-term government funding legislation (also known as the Continuing Resolution, or CR).  \n\t  \n\tFor the second day in a row, Congressional Republicans have deliberately neglected the American people. Their focus continues to be on padding the pockets of the one percent and corporations at the expense of everyday Americans. This short-term spending bill does nothing to tackle the list of critical, overdue priorities bearing down on the American people.  \n\t  \n\tThis hollow, irresponsible, and weak short-term CR leaves children at risk, does not protect DREAMers, and denies adequate funding for the resources our veterans desperately need. Congressional Republicans have abdicated the obligation of everyone in government, to fight for the least amongst us.  \n\t  \n\tDemocrats asked for and encouraged bipartisanship and Republicans refused them. In doing so, they have left many Americans facing additional uncertainty. Their careless conduct only strengthens my resolve in continuing to fight and advocate for access to health care by supporting critical funding for the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Community Health Centers (CHCs), defending DREAMers by supporting passage of the DREAM Act, and working on behalf of veterans who are facing a dire shortfall at the VA.  \n\t  \n\tI wish the same energy that Congressional Republicans put in to celebrating their tax bill was put into the basic responsibilities of governing and meeting the needs of the American people.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schakowsky.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=3605", "Schakowsky statement on the GOP funding bill", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Jan Schakowsky", "S001145", "schakowsky.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Chief Deputy Whip, released the following statement after voting No on the Republican bill to keep the government funded until January 19th:\r\n\r\n\tWith full control of the Presidency and both houses of Congress, Republicans have put their twisted priorities and inability to govern on full display.\r\n\r\n\tBack in September, the Childrens Health Insurance Program expired and President Trump announced the end of the DACA program. The health care of 9 million children and the lives of 800,000 passionate young people have been in limbo ever since. Republicans have spent the months since then working tirelessly to take away Americans health care and pass a tax bill that benefits only the wealthiest Americans and the largest corporations.\r\n\r\n\tToday, Republicans were unable and unwilling to pass a robust government funding bill. Instead they kicked the can down the road yet again  only funding the government until January 19th. A day after passing their $1.5 trillion tax scam, my Republican colleagues pushed a disaster relief bill that fails to address the needs of our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and a government funding bill that fails the American people. Their Continuing Resolution cruelly ignores Dreamers and barely scrapes together enough funds to pay for CHIP through March. Because they used funds from the Prevention and Public Health Fund, vaccination and other public health programs will suffer. These bills and this Republican Congress are a disgrace.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases/schneider-donates-frequent-flyer-miles-help-wounded-service-members-and", "Schneider Donates Frequent Flyer Miles to Help Wounded Service Members and Military Families", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Brad Schneider", "S001190", "schneider.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, U.S. Representative was pleased to donate the frequent flyer miles he earned through his congressional travel to the Hero Miles program administered by the Fisher House Foundation. This program provides round-trip airline tickets to wounded, injured, and ill service members and/or their families who are undergoing treatment at a military or VA medical center.\nThis year, Rep. Schneider donated more than 82,000 miles earned on 65 trips between Illinoiss Tenth District and Washington, DC.\nThe Fisher House Foundation and Hero Miles program plays an important role supporting our injured service members and their families, said Schneider. Easing the burden of travel during a difficult time to connect the men and women in our armed forces with their loved ones is the least we can do for those who serve us every day. This holiday season, Im proud to support the Fisher Houses work with the airline miles accrued during my official travel in 2017.\nThe Fisher House Foundation helps both wounded, injured, and ill service members on approved leave travel to their homes, as well as families visit their loved ones in the armed forces while they are undergoing treatment at an authorized medical center. Partner airlines include: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, and United Airlines.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-continuing-resolution", "Statement on Continuing Resolution", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Brad Schneider", "S001190", "schneider.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10), released the below statement on his vote for the continuing resolution to fund the government until January 19, 2017:\nFunding our government is among the most fundamental constitutional duties of Congress. Sadly, the alternative to todays deeply flawed resolution was a disastrous government shutdown, which is why I voted to extend funding for 30 days. \nBut by kicking the can into the New Year, Congress has failed to act in 2017 on several critical priorities.\nIts unacceptable that families who depend on the Childrens Health Insurance Program and community health centers are now left with doubts about these programs future.\nIts inexcusable that there was no vote on the DREAM Act that would give certainty to hundreds of thousands of young people and confidence that they have a secure future in our country, their home. I am a cosponsor of the DREAM Act, have signed the discharge petition that would bring it to the floor for an immediate vote over the objections of Republican leadership, and will continue to work tirelessly to pass this long-overdue legislation. \nAnd its irresponsible to fund our government a few weeks at a time. I continue to urge my colleagues to address these challenges and pass a full 2018 funding bill to give our economy and communities the certainty they need and deserve to succeed.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-duckworth-press-metra-amtrak-freight-rail-for-update-on-positive-train-control-safety-technology", "Durbin, Duckworth Press Metra, Amtrak, Freight Rail for Update on Positive Train Control Safety Technology", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.21.17\n\t\t\t Durbin, Duckworth Press Metra, Amtrak, Freight Rail for Update on Positive Train Control Safety Technology \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTONFollowing the tragic Amtrak derailment in Washington this week that left at least three people dead and about 100 others injured, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today pressed Metra, Amtrak, and the American Association of Railroads (AAR) to provide the Illinois Delegation with an update on their ongoing efforts to implement positive train control (PTC) safety technology in Illinois by the December 31, 2018 statutory deadline. PTC is a federally mandated computerized system that prevents derailments and other accidents caused by excessive speed and increases safety for rail passengers and workers.\r\nImplementing PTC is vitally important to ensuring that Metra, Amtrak, and the freight railroads provide the highest level of safety for millions of riders and rail workers in Illinois and around the country, said Durbin and Duckworth. Despite the challenges involved, implementing PTC will save lives, and this weeks fatal Amtrak crash underscores why more must be done to ensure PTC is operational by the upcoming deadline. We stand ready to work with Metra, Amtrak, and the freight railroads to make sure more resources are available to achieve the highest level of safety for Illinois rail passengers and rail workers.\r\nThe National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has confirmed that Amtrak Train No. 501, which derailed in Washington this week, was traveling at a speed more than double the posted limit before it derailed. Given that the trains excessive speed likely played a role in its derailment, its possible that the fatal rail accident could have been avoided had PTC been in operation along those tracks.\r\nPTC safety technology integrates GPS, communications units, and a railroads centralized dispatching system. Together, these components track trains, convey operating instructions, and monitor the crews compliance. PTC will automatically stop a train if the system detects that a violation is about to occur.\r\nHowever, when the 2008 Rail Safety Improvement Act mandated PTC implementation by 2015, there was no technology capable of achieving these safety objectives for all railroads. Our nations railroads have had to develop it, facing significant costs and technological challenges along the way. In late 2015, Congress extended the December 31, 2015 PTC implementation deadline by at least three years to December 31, 2018, with the possibility for two additional years if certain requirements are met.\r\nFull text of the letter to Metra is available here. Full text of the letter to Amtrak is available here. Full text of the letter to AAR is available here.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-speaks-with-cdc-director-about-deadly-situation-at-quincy-veterans-home", "Durbin Speaks With CDC Director About Deadly Situation At Quincy Veterans' Home", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.21.17\n\t\t\t Durbin Speaks With CDC Director About Deadly Situation At Quincy Veterans' Home \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t CDC Commits to Release Latest Sample Results and Recommendations in Early January 2018\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald about the Illinois Veterans Home (IVH) Quincy and the continued outbreaks of Legionnaires disease, which have taken the lives of 13 veterans and residents over the past three years. During todays call, Dr. Fitzgerald noted that CDC staff visited IVH Quincy in early December and took samples. The laboratory results from those tests will be completed in early January and, at that time, CDC assured Durbin they will make recommendations on what next steps are appropriate for the veterans, residents, and infrastructure at IVH Quincy.\r\nWhat has taken place at the veterans home in Quincy over the past three years is nothing short of a scandal and an insult to the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to fight for our freedoms. There have been a series of unacceptable errors by Governor Rauner and his Administrationincluding a refusal to publicly disclose, in a timely manner, confirmed cases of Legionnaires at IVH Quincy and a refusal to engage with national public health agencies and experts soonerand it is time for them to stop. We need solutions, not cover-ups. Our veterans and their families deserve better, said Durbin.\r\nIn early December, Durbin and Duckworth requested the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a review of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) oversight of nursing home care across the country, including in state veterans homes such as Quincy. Today, that request was approved.\r\nLegionnaires' disease is a severe, often lethal, form of pneumonia. It's caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila found in both potable and non-potable water systems. Each year, an estimated 10,000 to 18,000 people are infected with the Legionella bacteria in the United States.\r\nRecent reporting by WBEZ revealed that Illinois public health officials delayed informing the public for nearly a week about a deadly 2015 Legionnaires disease outbreak at a state veterans home in Quincy despite knowing the facility was facing the beginning of an epidemic, according to internal emails from Gov. Bruce Rauners office. Further, WBEZ reports that the state has repeatedly provided misinformation regarding the timeline and number of confirmed cases of Legionnaires Disease. Eleven families are now suing the state for negligence.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-statement-on-government-funding-and-the-dream-act", "Durbin Statement On Government Funding and the Dream Act", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.21.17\n\t\t\t Durbin Statement On Government Funding and the Dream Act \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTONU.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement:\r\nI did not support this government funding measure because it did not include the Dream Act. Since President Trump abolished DACA three months ago, more than 13,000 Dreamers have lost that protectionat a rate of 1,000 each week. This isnt just about the Dream Act for these young peoplewe are fighting for the American dream.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-this-isnt-just-about-the-dream-act_-its-about-the-american-dream", "Durbin: This Isn't Just About The Dream Act - It's About The American Dream", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.21.17\n\t\t\t Durbin: This Isn't Just About The Dream Act - It's About The American Dream \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTONU.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) again came to the Senate floor today to call on Republican leaders in Congress to pass the bipartisan Dream Act now. More than 13,000 Dreamers have already lost their DACA status at a rate of roughly 1,000 each week. Beginning early next year, 1,000 additional young people will lose their protection from deportation each day.\r\nIn the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln was so frustrated with General McClellanhe wouldnt attack or do anything. He said, General McClellan, if youre not using your army, can I use it? said Durbin. I say to the House: if youre not going to use your Congress, can I borrow it? Can we have a debate over a real bill to solve a real problem? I think that might be a worthy thing for us to do. Across the board, 76% of the American people support what we are trying to do here. 76%. They think this is the right thing to do. When you come to know them and hear their stories, you come to the conclusion, for goodness sakes, that these are extraordinary young people. They have survived and flourished in a country that doesnt recognize them as legal. They went to our schools. They pledged allegiance to our flag and sang the national anthem and thats the country they know.\r\nDurbin spoke today about Miriam Gonzalez, the 105th Dreamer whose story he has told on the Senate floor, and who was brought to the United States from Mexico when she was six years old. She grew up in Boyle Heights, a neighborhood in Los Angeles. Miriam was an excellent student and athlete. In high school, she played on the softball and golf teams. She was a member of the bible club, chemistry club, and reading club. Miriam graduated as valedictorian of her high school. In college, Miriam did all she could to save money because she could not qualify for any federal aid due to her immigration status. She held down a job and commuted to school from her parents home using public transportationtwo hours each way, every day. Miriam excelled academically, making the Deans Honor Roll. Today, Miriam is dedicated to assisting students in low income neighborhoods and schools, much like she experienced, helping them overcome barriers to success.\r\nVideo of Durbins remarks on the Senate floor are available here.\r\nAudio of Durbins remarks on the Senate floor is available here.\r\nFootage of Durbins remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.\r\nIn July, Durbin and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced the bipartisan Dream Act, which would allow immigrant students who grew up in the United States to earn lawful permanent residence and eventually American citizenship. These young people, known as Dreamers, have lived in America since they were children, built their lives here, and are American in every way except for their immigration status.\r\nOther Dreamer stories that Durbin has shared on the Senate floor are available here.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/illinois-congressional-delegation-urges-cms-to-approve-illinoiss-1115-medicaid-waiver", "Illinois Congressional Delegation Urges CMS To Approve Illinois's 1115 Medicaid Waiver", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.21.17\n\t\t\t Illinois Congressional Delegation Urges CMS To Approve Illinois's 1115 Medicaid Waiver \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Illinoiss waiver to enhance opioid crisis response has languished under CMS review for fourteen months\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  The Illinois Congressional Delegation today pressed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma to promptly approve Illinoiss Section 1115 Medicaid Demonstration Waiver. Section 1115 Medicaid Demonstration Waivers provide states an avenue to test new approaches in Medicaid, and Illinoiss waiver would help provide more tools to address mental illness and combat the opioid epidemic. Illinoiss waiver application has been stuck at CMS review for more than fourteen months.\r\nIn order to enhance the delivery of behavioral health care to the more than three million Illinoisans who depend on Medicaid, the State of Illinois submitted a Section 1115 Medicaid Demonstration Waiver to CMS in October 2016. While Administrator Verma has personally committed to streamlining the 1115 waiver process, Illinoiss waiver has still not been approved, despite sitting at CMS for over a year. Among other new flexibilities, Illinoiss 1115 waiver would improve behavioral health services for justice-involved individuals, and would include policies from Senator Durbins Medicaid CARE Act to lift an outdated Medicaid rule that limits coverage to facilities with less than 16 beds.\r\nWe appreciate your engagement with the State of Illinois as you evaluate its 1115 waiver application. In the height of the opioid epidemicthat is killing nearly 2,000 Illinoisans each yearwe urge you to expeditiously approve Illinoiss 1115 waiver, which would give the state new tools to respond to this crisis and broader behavioral health needs, the delegation wrote.\r\nThe letter was signed by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representatives Bobby Rush (D-IL-01), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Dan Lipinski (D-IL-03), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL-04), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Peter Roskam (R-IL-06), Danny K. Davis (D-IL-07), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Mike Bost (R-IL-12), Rodney Davis (R-IL-13), Randy Hultgren (R-IL-14), John Shimkus (R-IL-15), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL-16), Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), and Darin LaHood (R-IL-18).\r\nFull text of the letter is available here and below:\r\nDecember 21, 2017\r\nDear Administrator Verma:\r\nIn order to enhance the delivery of behavioral health care to the more than three million Illinoisans who depend on Medicaid, the State of Illinois submitted a Section 1115 Medicaid Demonstration Waiver to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in October 2016. Illinoiss waiveran important initiative to address the opioid epidemic and improve mental health that has broad support within the statehas been pending at CMS for fourteen months, despite your commitment to streamlining the 1115 waiver process. We write to urge you to promptly approve the 1115 waiver that the state submitted last year.\r\nIllinoiss 1115 waiver aligns with the nationwide shift towards value-based and integrated care and is guided by an emphasis on prevention, targeting the highest service utilizers, expanding efforts to support whole-person wellness, coordinating services between providers and systems, and prioritizing the delivery of health care services in the most effective, low-cost setting. In particular, we support provisions of the waiver that help address the ongoing heroin and prescription opioid epidemic, including the furnishing of services and automatic enrollment in Medicaid for justice-involved individuals prior to release from incarceration, and expanding coverage for residential substance use disorder treatment in facilities presently inhibited by the outdated Institutions for Mental Disease (IMD) Exclusion. We also strongly support 1115 waiver provisions that promote supportive housing, employment assistance, and two-generational care for children and families who are exposed to trauma, such as witnessing violence.\r\nTo meet the needs of Illinoisans, the 1115 waiver aims to reflect CMS own stated principles: to strengthen coverage, expand access to providers, improve health outcomes, increase the efficiency and the quality of care for individuals, and remain budget neutral. We urge you to protect beneficiary access to care by quickly approving the 1115 waiver, submitted last year, under Medicaids existing structure. We also strongly urge you to work collaboratively with the state on appropriate and flexible funding strategies, including through innovative Delivery System Reform Incentive Payments and Designated State Health Program (DSHP) mechanisms. Though we are aware of CMS recent announcement regarding DSHP funding, given that the state of Illinois submitted its 1115 waiver application in October 2016fourteen months agowe expect that any recent policy changes or reinterpretations by CMS would be implemented thoughtfully with states, and not unfairly punish our constituents through added delays, funding losses, benefit reductions, or new barriers to care.\r\nWe appreciate your engagement with the State of Illinois as you evaluate its 1115 waiver application. In the height of the opioid epidemicthat is killing nearly 2,000 Illinoisans each yearwe urge you to expeditiously approve Illinoiss 1115 waiver, which would give the state new tools to respond to this crisis and broader behavioral health needs.\r\nSincerely,\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bustos.house.gov/congresswoman-bustos-statement-re-vote-washington-republicans-tax-scam/", "Congresswoman Bustos statement on re-vote of Washington Republicans Tax Scam", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Cheri Bustos", "B001286", "bustos.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) today voted against Speaker Ryans tax scam for the second time in two days.\nThe fact that the House voted on a tax scam bill that violated Congressional procedure just shows how rushed and careless this tax plan is, Congresswoman Bustos said. Lets call it what it is  a scam that will raise taxes on hardworking families, make it easier for big companies to ship their jobs overseas, and explode the national debt so Washington Republicans have an excuse to cut Social Security and Medicare. I am deeply disappointed that this partisan scam has been shoved through Congress to appease corporate special interests rather than the middle-class families I serve. I will keep fighting to repair the damage Washington Republicans have done, and will keep demanding better jobs, better wages, and a better future for all Americans.\nThe Senate parliamentarian ruled that the bill the House of Representatives passed yesterday included provisions that violated Senate rules, requiring the House to vote yet again.\nToday the bill passed by a vote of 224  201.\nFor additional background on what the Tax Scam does, click here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://foster.house.gov/media/press-releases/foster-leads-call-to-retract-order-banning-words-at-cdc", "Foster Leads Call to Retract Order Banning Words at CDC", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Bill Foster", "F000454", "foster.house.gov", "foster", "https://foster.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) urged the director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to retract any order that bans the use of particular words or phrases by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in budget requests. The letter was signed by 73 Members of Congress.\n\n\"Any directive that prohibits the CDC from using certain words and phrases in budget documents has the potential to degrade the CDC's ability to fulfill its mandate to protect public health and Congress's ability to set budget priorities and review accurate budget documents,\" Foster said. \"The work that comes out of the CDC and the rest of HHS is too important for our country's public health to censor the budget requests for critical public and global health programs. Congress needs access to the exact information contained within these budget requests and reports.\"\n\nThis week, news outlets reported that the Administration issued an order directing CDC officials to stop using words and phrases, including \"evidence-based,\" \"science-based,\" \"vulnerable,\" \"entitlement,\" \"transgender,\" \"fetus,\" and \"diversity\" from its budget requests and supporting materials.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:19:19Z"], ["https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-krishnamoorthi-oversight-committee-investigation-clinton-emails", "Congressman Krishnamoorthi On Oversight Committee Investigation Of Clinton Emails: House Republicans Would Rather Reinvestigate 5-year Old Emails Than Stop An Ongoing Threat To Our Democracy", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Raja Krishnamoorthi", "K000391", "krishnamoorthi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi of the House Oversight Committee issued the following statement in response to Oversight Chairman Trey Gowdys request to interview senior FBI officials tomorrow on their involvement with the agencys investigation of Hillary Clintons emails.\nHouse Republicans are so afraid of Special Counsel Muellers investigation that they would rather reinvestigate 5-year old emails than stop an ongoing threat to our democracy. After failing to hold a single hearing on Michael Flynn, who committed a felony while working in the White House by lying about his contacts with the Kremlin, Republicans are rushing to hold interviews about Hillary Clinton. Somehow, Congressional Republicans are more interested in relitigating a completed FBI investigation than addressing more than one hundred errors and omissions in the security application of Jared Kushner who failed to disclose his attempt to establish a secret back channel to Vladimir Putins government.\nAfter bashing Robert Mueller for a week, House Republicans are willfully neglecting the biggest counterintelligence failure since the end of the Cold War. Our adversaries couldnt have hoped for a better reaction than the ongoing attempts to end the investigation and undermine the special counsel.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lipinski.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=91&itemid=3492", "Lipinski Continues Push for Funding for Passenger Rail Safety Technology in the Wake of Amtrak Cascades Tragedy", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Daniel Lipinski", "L000563", "lipinski.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Following Mondays derailment of the Amtrak Cascades train, Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) released the following statement:  My prayers continue to be with the victims of the Amtrak Cascades train crash and their families. While it is too early to determine the exact cause of the derailment, we have learned that the train was travelling in excess of the speed limit on the section of track where the incident occurred.  As a member of the Subcommittee on Rail, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I have continuously worked to ensure the safety of our rail system, especially rail passengers.  Positive Train Control (PTC) is a lifesaving technology that can automatically slow and stop trains before accidents occur in certain situations, such as when a train is going too fast. According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, PTC is not yet operational on the Port Defiance Bypass corridor and will not be until Spring of 2018.  A problem for passenger rail agencies is that PTC is expensive and they struggle to find the money to pay for it. Locally, Metra estimates that PTC implementation will cost $350 to $400 million and will add $15 to $20 million a year to operating costs.  During consideration of the comprehensive transportation bill known as the FAST Act, I authored a provision which created a $199 million grant program for the installation of PTC on commuter railroads across the country. Earlier this year, I was able to help Metra obtain $20 million from this program. In the wake of this tragedy, I am continuing my push to provide more federal funding to passenger rail agencies for this critical safety technology.  I am hopeful that Congress will finally move forward in January with a long-awaited infrastructure bill and we can include funding that will speed the deployment of PTC and make passenger rail safer.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-statement-passage-republican-tax-reform-bill", "Quigley Statement on Passage of the Republican Tax Reform Bill", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Mike Quigley", "Q000023", "quigley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) released the following statement after the Republican tax plan passed both the House and Senate: \nToday, Republicans shamefully forced their partisan tax bill through Congress and on to the desk of President Trump. This is fantastic news if you are in the top 1 percent of earners who will receive 83 percent of the tax cuts, are a tax lawyer hired to exploit new loopholes, or are part of Trumps inner circle. But if you are a member of one of the 86 million middle-class families who will see their taxes go up in the next decade or one of the 13 million Americans that will lose healthcare coverage because of the repeal of the Affordable Care Acts individual mandate, then todays vote will be remembered as nothing more than another giveaway to the wealthiest among us on the backs of families struggling to get by.\nNow that were one step closer to adding $1.5 trillion in unpaid tax cuts to our growing deficits, Speaker Ryan has made clear his intention of slashing Medicare, Medicaid, and anti-poverty programs to address the debt crisis manufactured by this bill. While Congress has failed to uphold the Presidents promise that the wealthy will not be gaining at all with this plan, we must not allow him to break the pledge he made to protect Medicare and Medicaid.\nIve heard from my constituents, who overwhelminglyalmost unanimouslyoppose this shameful bill, just like the majority of Americans across the country. I promise them that I will hold Republicans feet to the fire and continue to urge them to abandon their anti-middle class agenda, go back to the drawing board, and work with Democrats to pass an economic plan that addressees our real economic challenges by fostering growth, creating jobs, and delivering new opportunities and resources for Americans to prosper.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://robinkelly.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/chicago-area-households-may-likely-lose-under-gop-tax-plan", "Chicago area households may likely lose under GOP tax plan", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Robin Kelly", "K000385", "robinkelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  When it comes to federal tax policy  and what is equitable  the disconnect between congressional Republicans and Democrats is so vast its hard to see how it can it can be bridged, with the Illinois delegation fitting into this national picture.\nConsider:\n No Democrats in the House and Senate support the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.\nAll Illinois Democrats in Congress  the 11 in the House and Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth in the Senate  are against this legislation. All seven Illinois House Republicans are for the measure President Donald Trump will eagerly sign into law this week.\n Republicans are pushing through Congress a sweeping tax cut bill with business America the clear winner. Corporate rates drop from 35 percent to 21 percent with other breaks for business in the legislation.\n How individuals fare depend on a lot of factors. Overall, this is not a good deal for many Illinois households, especially in the Chicago area.\nThe shave in rates, and doubling of the standard deduction, and an increase in the child tax credit and some other new breaks may not counterbalance the new $10,000 cap on deductions for state and local taxes. At present, all income and property taxes are deductible.\nIllinois residents in the northern part of the state  with higher real estate taxes and with enough going on financially to file itemized returns  may not all come out ahead.\nWhat I do understand out of the gate is that [the tax bill] is unfairly balanced to those at the top, said Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill. He represents the north suburban 10th Congressional District. Some 83 percent of the benefits goes to the top one percent.\nThe GOP measure is going to hurt a lot of Illinoisans. In the 10th District alone 140,000 people use the state and local tax deduction and are going to be impacted negatively by this tax bill, Schneider said.\nRep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill., whose 13th Congressional District takes in exurban and rural central and southwest Illinois, said three-quarters of the people in his district dont file an itemized return  and that will go up under this GOP tax bill.\nNinety to 95 percent of my constituents wont have to itemize anymore, Davis said.\nStill, I think the impact of the tax bill depends on where you live, what you make and what your individual tax situation is.\nWell put, Rep. Davis.\nRep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., whose 8th Congressional District takes in the north and northwest suburbs, said the $10,000 cap is a killer for the suburbs of Chicago. . . . I dont know they will come out ahead.\nRep. John Shimkus, R-Ill., who represents the 15th Congressional District in southern Illinois, asked about the state and local tax deduction cap said, Maybe Illinois should cut their taxes.\nThat was Shimkus taking a shot at the Illinois Democrats in Springfield who raised state income taxes this year.\nSaid Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., whose 2nd Congressional District includes part of South Side Chicago and the southern suburbs, I just cannot understand why my colleagues on the other side think this is good.\n Thats because what is not going to happen  a massive tax cut for everybody.\nLets define everybody.\nEverybody means everybody.\nTrump promised  as recently as Dec. 13  a massive tax cut for the everyday, working American families who are the backbone and the heartbeat of our country.\n On the upside: If you are a salaried worker, look for more in your paycheck starting in February. Thats because there will be less money withheld for taxes because the rates are lower.\nBut that could be just a sugar high. Be financially savvy.\nWhether your total federal taxes for tax year 2018 are lower wont be known until you file your return in April 2019.\nOr put in political terms  past the 2018 mid-term elections. But in time for Trumps bid for a second term.\nRead the originial at the Chicago Sun-Times.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://robinkelly.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressional-leaders-ask-will-microsoft-s-new-sexual-harassment-policy", "Congressional Leaders Ask: Will Microsofts New Sexual Harassment Policy Cover All Forms of Discrimination?", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Robin Kelly", "K000385", "robinkelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Today, Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL), Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) sent a letter to Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella. The letter requested clarifying information about Microsofts decision to eliminate forced arbitration in sexual harassment cases.\nIn the letter, they urge similar action be taken for all cases of workplace discrimination. They also request additional insights into Microsofts specific policies regarding discrimination. The full text of the letter is available here.\nIn regards to the policy and letter, Congresswoman Robin Kelly said, if its good for the goose [sexual harassment,] then it should be good for the gander [all forms of discrimination] too.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rush.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rush-statement-on-house-passage-of-republican-tax-bill", "Rush Statement on House Passage of Republican Tax Bill", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Bobby Rush", "R000515", "rush.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.), today released the following statement on the passage of the Republican tax bill:\nToday, with the passage of the GOP tax bill, Congressional Republicans sided with the wealthiest Americans and corporations. They intentionally left hardworking middle-class households footing the bill to enrich the wealthiest one percent.\nRepublicans promised the American people a simpler, fairer tax code. Instead, this bill is more complex, filled with new loopholes, and makes income inequality worse.\nIts a sad day to see Congressional Republicans cheering for a bill that raises taxes on tens of millions of working- and middle-class households, increases health insurance premiums, and explodes the debt by nearly $2 trillion.\nCongressional Republicans will have to defend their vote for this immoral, irresponsible, and unfair bill and explain why they stood decisively with the wealthy and well-connected. I will continue to fight for the middle-class and look forward to the day when we enact real tax reform that benefits hardworking Americans.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases/tenth-district-constituents-send-holiday-cards-military-servicemembers-help", "Tenth District Constituents Send Holiday Cards to Military Servicemembers with Help from Congressman Schneider", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Brad Schneider", "S001190", "schneider.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "This week, U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (IL-10) delivered cards and letters collected from Tenth District residents to be distributed to members of the U.S. armed forces serving overseas this holiday season.\nAs part of his Holiday Cards for Heroes Program, Rep. Schneiders office collected more than 200 cards and letters this month from constituents. Several area elementary and high school classes participated.\nThe holidays are a special time for families and friends to gather together, but many of our brave men and women in our armed forces must spend this season far from family and home, said Schneider. A personal, handwritten card is a much-appreciated way to say thank you to the Americans serving our country, offer words of encouragement, and share holiday cheer. Im glad our office could help facilitate this program to connect constituents and our service members.\nThe cards will be distributed with assistance from USO.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-is-this-the-last-chrismas-in-america-for-hundreds-of-thousands-of-young-dreamers", "Durbin: Is This The Last Chrismas In America For Hundreds Of Thousands Of Young Dreamers?", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.20.17\n\t\t\t Durbin: Is This The Last Chrismas In America For Hundreds Of Thousands Of Young Dreamers? \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTONU.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) again came to the Senate floor today to call on Congressional Republicans to pass the bipartisan Dream Act now. More than 12,000 Dreamers have already lost their DACA status at a rate of roughly 1,000 each week. Beginning early next year, 1,000 additional young people will lose their protection from deportation each day.\r\nYesterday, one of my Republican colleagues looked me in the eye and said were talking about amnesty. These are people who violated the law, said Durbin. Some of them, by his definition, violated the law when they were carried in their mothers arms to the United States at the age of two. Does that sound right? Does that sound just? Does it sound fair to say that these are people who have broken the law in America? I dont think so. We owe it to these young people to do the right thing.\r\nDurbin told the story of Karen Reyes, the 104th Dreamer he has highlighted on the floor, who was brought to the U.S. from Mexico when she was two years old. She grew up in San Antonio, Texas, where she was in girl scouts, went to summer camp with her church group, and played volleyball. Karen didnt even know she was undocumented until she was olderbut she was an excellent student and graduated with honors from high school. In 2012, Karen graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio. In 2014, Karen graduated with a Masters Degree in Deaf Education and Hearing Science. Today she works as a special education teacher in Austin, Texas.\r\nVideo of Durbins remarks on the Senate floor are available here.\r\nAudio of Durbins remarks on the Senate floor is available here.\r\nFootage of Durbins remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.\r\nIn July, Durbin and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced the bipartisan Dream Act, which would allow immigrant students who grew up in the United States to earn lawful permanent residence and eventually American citizenship. These young people, known as Dreamers, have lived in America since they were children, built their lives here, and are American in every way except for their immigration status.\r\nOther Dreamer stories that Durbin has shared on the Senate floor are available here.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-statement-on-devos-decision-to-slash-student-loan-relief-for-defrauded-students", "Durbin Statement on DeVos Decision to Slash Student Loan Relief For Defrauded Students", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.20.17\n\t\t\t Durbin Statement on DeVos Decision to Slash Student Loan Relief For Defrauded Students \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Education and Secretary Betsy DeVos announced a new discharge process for borrower defense to repayment (BDR) claims that will lead to only partial debt relief for students who have been defrauded by predatory for-profit colleges and universities. Under the Obama Administration, complete student loan forgiveness was granted.\r\nSo let me get this straight: Secretary DeVos protects poor performing for-profit schools from being held accountable under the Gainful Employment Rule, but she's going to punish defrauded student borrowers? This is an outrage.\r\nThe Department has already approved full relief for thousands of students  granting partial relief going forward will only create more hardship for these student victims of fraud. I call on the Department to reverse this decision and continue providing full relief to these students.\r\nFollowing the collapse of for-profit giants Corinthian Colleges and ITT Technical Institute, thousands of students were left with a useless education and massive amounts of debt, leading many to apply to the federal government for relief from their student loans. Under the Borrower Defense to Repayment provision of the Higher Education Act, the Department of Education has the legal authority to provide defrauded students with complete, immediate, and automatic relief from their federal student loans.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bustos.house.gov/congresswoman-bustos-hails-passage-bipartisan-legislation-house-representatives/", "Congresswoman Bustos hails passage of bipartisan legislation in the House of Representatives", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Cheri Bustos", "B001286", "bustos.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bustos is a cosponsor of both the RAISE Family Caregivers Act and the STEM Research and Education Effectiveness and Transparency Act\nWASHINGTON, DC  Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) today hailed the House of Representatives passage of two bipartisan bills that she supported. The RAISE Family Caregivers Act and the STEM Research and Education Effectiveness and Transparency Act both passed with strong bipartisan support tonight.\nIt is more important than ever that Congress devote itself to commonsense solutions, Congresswoman Bustos said. When so many of our friends and neighbors with disabled family members spend their time and energy as caregivers, its our responsibility to step up and make sure they have the support they need. Women are historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and I am proud to support responsible efforts to prepare the next generation of leaders in these fields. While we took two important steps forward tonight, I am deeply concerned that Washington Republicans intend to pass a tax scam tomorrow that will raise taxes on millions of middle-class families to give the ultra-wealthy another tax break.\nThe RAISE Family Caregivers Actrequires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop, maintain and update a strategy to recognize and support family caregivers. The bill brings representatives from the private and public sectors, such as family caregivers; older adults and persons with disabilities; veterans; providers of health care and long-term services and supports (LTSS); employers; state and local officials; and others together to advise and make recommendations regarding this new strategy. The advisory council meetings will be open to the public, and there will be opportunities for public input. The strategy will identify recommended actions that communities, providers, government, and others are taking and may take to recognize and support family caregivers, including with respect to:\n \nPromoting greater adoption of person- and family-centered care in all health and LTSS settings, with the person and the family caregiver (as appropriate) at the center of care teams;\nAssessment and service planning (including care transitions and coordination) involving care recipients and family caregivers;\nInformation, education, training supports, referral, and care coordination;\nRespite options;\nFinancial security and workplace issues.\n \nThe bill is endorsed by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).\nThe STEM Research and Education Effectiveness and Transparency Act requires a report and recommendations to Congress from the National Science Foundation (NSF) on the effectiveness of NSF research and education programs aimed at broadening the participation of women and other historically underrepresented individuals in STEM education and careers.\nIt also requires standardized data collection (demographics, award type, outcome, etc.) and reporting for federal science agencies issuing research grants.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bustos.house.gov/congresswoman-bustos-votes-washington-republicans-tax-scam/", "Congresswoman Bustos votes against Washington Republicans Tax Scam", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Cheri Bustos", "B001286", "bustos.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Job-Killing Tax Bill will raise taxes on 86 million middle-class households, raise health care expenses, increase national debt by $2.2 trillion and make it easier for big corporations to ship jobs overseas\n\nAll to give windfall tax breaks to corporate special interests and the ultra-wealthy\nWASHINGTON Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos voted against Speaker Ryans tax scam. The non-partisan Tax Policy Center showed that this legislation will raise taxes on 86 million middle-class households while giving 83% of the benefits to the wealthiest 1% in our country. Additionally, by undermining the Affordable Care Act, this bill will lead to 13 million Americans losing their health insurance, increasing out-of-pocket expenses and premiums for working families while endangering those with pre-existing conditions. This shell game sticks our next generation with the bill for an estimated $2.2 trillion in new federal debt while providing new tax incentives for companies to ship good-paying American jobs overseas.\nThe bill passed by a vote of 227  203.\nBustos, who spoke on the floor of the House earlier today, issued the following statement:\nThe very first bill I introduced in this Congress called on President Trump to develop a comprehensive plan to end the outsourcing of American jobs. Instead, today Speaker Ryan delivered a gut punch to millions of hardworking families who are already struggling by raising their taxes and making it easier for big companies to ship their jobs overseas. \nAt the beginning of this debate, I said I would be open to working on tax reform, but only if we put hardworking families first, but thats not what this bill does. Over the last several months, Ive heard from hundreds of men and women across rural America who are sick of getting a raw deal from Washington and frankly they are scared about how theyll afford to pay their bills after this tax scam becomes law. On factory floors, in grocery store aisles and at kitchen tables across the heartland, families are going to have to figure out how to make ends meet after Washington Republicans raise their taxes, increase their health care expenses and raise the national debt by trillions of dollars to pay for tax breaks for billionaires and corporate special interests.\nThis is a defining moment in our nations history and we, as Democrats, will stay united and continue fighting to undo the damage Washington Republicans caused today. Together we will stand up and demand a Better Deal for the American people rooted in creating better jobs, ensuring better wages and delivering a better future for all of our families.\nBackground:\nThe GOP Tax Scam will raise taxes on millions of middle class households in order to hand deficit-exploding giveaways to the wealthiest and corporations shipping jobs overseas. An analysis of the Conference Report on the GOP Tax Scam by the non-partisan Tax Policy Center, released yesterday, found the Republican legislation will raise taxes on a staggering 86 million middle class households across America.\nBoth the House and Senate GOP Tax Scams were very bad bills, but this Conference Report is even worse. The non-partisan Tax Policy Center found that the Conference Report gives 83 percent of the tax cuts to the wealthiest 1 percent  a figure even higher than for both the House and Senate bills.\nThe Conference Report on the GOP Tax Scam shows that Republicans are dead-set on raising taxes on middle class families across America: \n \nRaises Taxes on 86 Million Middle Class Families  86 million hard-working middle class families across a tax hike under this Republican legislation.\nGives 83 Percent of the Tax Cuts to the Wealthiest 1 Percent, Explodes Deficit  the GOP slashes taxes for the wealthiest and corporations, while sticking our children with the bill for exploding debt.\nGives New Tax Break to Corporations Shipping American Jobs Overseas  eliminating jobs, and driving down American wages & salaries.\nDemocrats Are Fighting for A Better Deal  Democrats want real, bipartisan tax reform that puts the middle class first with A Better Deal: Better Jobs, Better Wages, Better Future.\nPuts Farm Programs and Medicare at Risk  By violating Pay as you go rules with this deficit busting bill, several programs that support our agricultural economy and Medicaid will likely face automatic cuts.\n \nThis bill also will increase deficits by $2.2 trillion, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Yet, Speaker Ryan has announced that the GOP will focus on cutting Medicare and Medicaid spending in 2018, citing the need to reduce large deficits! \n \nAs the Washington Post reports, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan said Wednesday [December 6] that congressional Republicans will aim next year to reduce spending on both health care and anti-poverty programs, citing the need to reduce Americas deficit.  Ryan said, during an appearance on Ross Kaminskys talk radio show, Frankly, its the health care entitlements that are the big drivers of our debt.\n \nThe final GOP Tax Scam legislation is yet another GOP attack on health care, particularly on those Americans with pre-existing conditions: \n\n \nThe premium increase will result in Americans with pre-existing conditions losing access to affordable coverage.\n \n\nThe final GOP Tax Scam legislation also slashes the state and local tax deduction for families, but allows corporations to keep it: \n \nThe GOP Tax Scam slashes the highly popular state and local tax (SALT) deduction by limiting the total deduction for state and local taxes (including property, income and sales taxes) to $10,000.\n \n\n \nMillions of Americans live in counties where the average SALT deduction is currently worth double, triple, or even quadruple the legislations proposed cap of $10,000. Losing the full SALT deduction would impose enormous new costs on these families.\n \n\n \nThe deduction is based on the simple notion that people should not be taxed on money that is going towards paying their state and local taxes. Taxation of this money amounts to double taxation, which is wrong and unfair. The state and local tax deduction is so common-sense that it has been part of the U.S. tax code ever since it was established in 1913.\n \n\n \nThe Coalition Against Double Taxation strongly opposes the final GOP Tax Scam bill, stating, The substantial cut in the SALT deduction will raise taxes for homeowners in many states, drive down property values, and threaten funding for infrastructure and vital public services.  Independent, non-partisan analysis has shown that the minor modification [of the Senate provisions eliminating the SALT deduction] made by the conferees would provide little relief for middle-class taxpayers.  For instance, in California, the current average SALT deduction under present law is more than $23,000, exposing $13,000 to double taxation.\n \n\n \nThe groups that belong to the Coalition Against Double Taxation and strongly oppose this slashing of the SALT deduction include International Association of Fire Fighters, National Sheriffs Association, National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, National Governors Association, National Association of Counties, and U.S. Conference of Mayors.\n \n\nFinally, here are several additional ways the disastrous GOP Tax Scam legislation will damage our economy. \n \nAdds $2.2 Trillion to the Deficit for Giveaways Targeted at Wealthiest and Corporations: Adds $2.2 trillion to the deficit in the first ten years for tax cuts flowing overwhelmingly to the wealthy and corporations.\n \n\n \nShows Republican Priorities by Making Corporate Tax Cuts Permanent, While Making Individual Tax Cuts Temporary: Increases taxes on millions of middle-class Americans to pay for permanent tax cuts for corporations  while making the few individual tax breaks temporary.\n \n\n \nSlashes The Top Rate, Benefiting Only the Wealthiest Americans: Provides huge tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans, including lowering the top individual tax rate from 39.6 percent to 37 percent, after many Republicans bragged they werent going to.\n \n\n \nProvides Windfall for Wealthy with Lower Tax Rate for High-Income Pass-Through Business Owners: Provides a windfall for the wealthy by lowering the tax rate for high-income pass-through business owners like Donald Trump, who himself owns more than 500 pass-throughs.\n \n\n \nSlashes Taxes for Wealthiest 0.2% of Estates: Doubles the estate tax exemption, providing a large tax cut for the heirs of the wealthiest 0.2 percent of estates.\n \n\n \nScales Back Tax Benefit of Buying A New Home: Scales back the tax benefit of buying a new home by lowering the cap on the mortgage interest deduction from $1 million to $750,000. In higher cost areas, this will lower home values and impose burdens on new homeowners.\n \n\nA wide range of organizations have also spoken out against the GOPs Tax Scam Bill:\nAARP: We remain deeply concerned by the negative effect the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will have on the nations ability to fund critical priorities. The tax legislation will increase the deficit by approximately $1.5 trillion over the next ten years, and an unknown amount beyond 2027. The large increase in the deficit will inevitably lead to calls for greater spending cuts, which are likely to include dramatic cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and other important programs serving older Americans. Such sweeping cuts would be detrimental to an already vulnerable population. [Letter, 12/18/17]\nAASA, The School Superintendents Association, Association of Educational Service Agencies, Association of School Business Officials, National Rural Education Advocacy Consortium, and National Rural Education Association: The comprehensive tax bill includes provisions that undermine the strength of our nations public school systems and compromises the ability of these systems to adequately and effectively provide educational opportunities and services to the students they serve. [Letter, 12/15/17]\nAFSCME: This unfair tax bill tilts the tax system against working families, weakens health care coverage, encourages corporations to send jobs overseas, and will lead to cuts to vital public services. AFSCME strongly opposes this tax bill. [Letter, 12/18/17]\nAlliance for Retired Americans: I am writing to urge you to oppose H.R. 1, a bill that will reduce taxes for corporations and wealthy Americans while harming seniors and middle class Americans. This fiscally irresponsible legislation will not be fully-paid for and will balloon the deficit by $1.5 trillion over 10 years. [Letter, 12/18/17]\nAmerican Thoratic Society: The ATS is alarmed that the bill, as currently written, will increase the number of uninsured Americans, increase health insurance cost for insured Americans and result in spending cuts to the Medicare program. [Letter, 12/15/17]\nCommunications Workers of America: The conference report on H.R. 1 is clearly designed as a massive wealth transfer from working families to the wealthiest Americans. The overwhelming majority of the benefits of this bill would go to the richest 1% of Americans, while tens of millions of working families would see little to no benefit, or even face tax increases. Even worse, the bill causes 13 million people to lose their health insurance, while also jeopardizing future funding for Medicare and Medicaid. [Letter, 12/18/17]\nThe FACT Coalition: This bill would create significant new tax incentives to move U.S. jobs, profits, and operations overseas, while exploding the deficit. The bills complicated structure also creates multiple new loopholes to allow for expanded tax avoidance by large, multinational companies at the expense of small businesses and wholly domestic companies. [Letter, 12/18/17]\nFood Policy Action: [The GOP Tax Scam] largely reduces taxes for the wealthiest households and corporations, while raising taxes on millions of low- and moderate-income American families and food producers. According to estimates by the Joint Committee on Taxation, the revenue generated by economic growth as a result of this bill would fall far short of offsetting its price tag. The resulting decrease in federal revenues will increase pressure for further cuts to discretionary, non-defense programs, such as food and agriculture programs for the most vulnerable. [Letter, 12/19/17]\nInternational Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers: The GOP tax plan would bestow enormous tax cuts to U.S. multinational corporations that outsource production and American jobsAny real tax reform plan should eliminate outsourcing incentives in order to encourage investment in domestic manufacturing, production, and employment. Instead, the GOP plan does the opposite, and it is working families who will pay the price as their jobs move overseas. [Letter, 12/18/17]\nNational Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare: The conference agreement on the tax bill will trigger an immediate $25 billion cut in Medicare spending and will inevitably lead to the unraveling of working and middle-class programs to pay for massive tax cuts for the very wealthy and profitable corporations. [Letter, 12/18/17]\nNational Education Association: [The GOP Tax Scam] permanently slashes taxes on corporations and pass-through businesses. At the same time, it lowers the top tax rate for the wealthiest individuals and increases taxes on some working families. It will also add $1 trillion to the nations deficit The budget resolution that helped pave the way for this bill previews the next phase: calls to cut the growing deficit by slashing services that help our most vulnerable citizens, including Medicaid, Medicare, education, and more. [Letter, 12/18/17]\nNational Farmers Union: We are greatly concerned over the negative impact this bill could have on farming and ranching families, rural residents and our countrys fiscal condition Our farmer and rancher members are seriously concerned with the CBOs assessment as it relates to PAYGO and sequestration. Lastly, individual rate changes disproportionately benefit high income earners. NFU policy supports simplifying the tax code, and creating a more progressive tax structure. H.R. 1 does neither. [Letter, 12/18/17]\nTwenty leading environmental & natural resources organizations, including Sierra Club, Wilderness Society, Nature Conservancy, Earth Justice, Clean Water Action: The GOP leaderships plan packages this tax legislation with unrelated, controversial legislation that would open up the iconic Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling. This legislation would irreversibly damage one of Americas greatest wild places and is only being included in a desperate attempt to secure enough votes in the Senate for tax cuts for corporations and the wealthiest Americans. [Letter, 12/18/17]\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bustos.house.gov/video-congresswoman-bustos-slams-congressional-republicans-tax-scam-job-killer-will-help-send-jobs-overseas/", "VIDEO: Congresswoman Bustos Slams Congressional Republicans Tax Scam as a Job-Killer that will Help Send Jobs Overseas", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Cheri Bustos", "B001286", "bustos.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sure, this bill will create jobs  it will create them over in China and Mexico and Malaysia.\nWASHINGTON Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos took to the floor of the House to call out Washington Republicans tax scam as a job-killer that will help big corporations move jobs overseas.\nIt is expected that the final Republican tax plan will pass both the House and Senate today.\nBelow is the text of her remarks:\nMr. Speaker,\nSince Donald Trump became the leader of the Republican Party, they said they would start standing up for Americas workers.\nThere were promises to stop outsourcing and bring millions of manufacturing jobs back home.\nBut the two big items on Paul Ryans agenda have been cutting your healthcare, and a tax scam that is a direct attack on Americas middle-class.\nIt raises taxes on 86 million middle-class households.\nIt hands 83 percent of its benefits to the wealthiest one percent.\nAnd perhaps worst of all, its a job killer that will help big corporations move jobs overseas.\nThey claim it does the opposite, but why are they trying to ram this thing through so fast?\nBecause they know that in the fine print are new loopholes that make it easier for companies to shift our work out of America and pay less taxes.\nSure, this bill will create jobs  it will create them over in China and Mexico and Malaysia.\nMr. Speaker, this tax scam is a huge broken promise.\nWe can do better.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://foster.house.gov/media/press-releases/foster-statement-on-gop-tax-plan", "Foster Statement on GOP Tax Plan", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Bill Foster", "F000454", "foster.house.gov", "foster", "https://foster.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC - I opposed the Republican Tax Plan, because it is a massive Christmas gift to large corporations and wealthy campaign donors that is paid with more than $1 trillion in new debt that our children must repay in the future. Hardworking Illinois families will be hit especially hard, a cruel blow on top of the $40 billion that Illinois already loses every year because our state pays far more in federal taxes than we receive back in federal spending. Tellingly, the few temporary scraps it provides for the middle class disappear over time, while the tax breaks for corporations and wealthy families increase over time and become permanent. This plan is the very definition of a scam \u2013 something that looks good at first but leaves hardworking middle class families and their children holding the bag.\n\nRepublicans also failed spectacularly to deliver on their promise to simplify the tax code. With new loopholes for large corporations and wealthy campaign donors and their children, this tax bill will make our tax system so complicated that it will require an additional 500 page book in our tax code. Finally, this plan was concocted in secret and passed without hearings or public input, and it clearly shows the danger of having Trump and the Republicans in control of all of the levers of power in Washington.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:19:19Z"], ["https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-krishnamoorthi-passage-gop-tax-plan-house-republican-egos-just", "Congressman Krishnamoorthi On House Passage Of GOP Tax Plan: House Republican Egos Just Wrote A Check The Middle Class Shouldnt Have To Cash", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Raja Krishnamoorthi", "K000391", "krishnamoorthi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi issued the following statement in response to todays passage of the GOP tax bill.\nHouse Republican egos just wrote a check the middle class shouldnt have to cash. The tax bill Republicans just jammed through would add nearly $1.5 trillion to the national debt while raising taxes on working families, and destabilizing our health care system by leaving 13 million more Americans without insurance  including 2 million who currently have employer-provided coverage. This legislation is a ticking tax bomb: millions of middle-class families could see their taxes increase over the next decade as state and local tax deductions and other middle-class provisions get dramatically scaled back. Health insurance premiums will jump by 10 percent per year, and massive additional debt will be piled on the backs of our children and future generations.\nWorking families and small businesses are the heart of our country, and House Republicans just passed legislation that brings them nothing but tax increases, higher insurance premiums, and massive debt.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lipinski.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=91&itemid=3488", "Lipinski Votes Against Republican Tax Bill That Fails to Prioritize the Middle Class", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Daniel Lipinski", "L000563", "lipinski.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) released the following statement today:  I voted against the Republican tax bill today because it prioritizes corporations and the wealthy over the middle class, sunsets individual tax cuts while making corporate cuts permanent, punishes local taxpayers by capping deductions for property and income taxes, fails to fix the trust fund that pays for roads and public transit, and adds more to a federal debt that is already out of control. I have been speaking for years with colleagues from both sides of the aisle about how important it is for the future of the middle class that we pass transformative tax reform. Unfortunately, this bill fails the middle class badly.  Corporations will see the top corporate income tax rate fall from 35% to 21%, with only a limited portion of the cut offset through closing corporate tax breaks. Furthermore, most of the benefits for corporations are permanent, while everyone else will see what little help they get expire. As that expiration date approaches, middle-class families will have their ability to pay their bills or provide a better life for their loved ones yet again become a political bargaining chip.  The cap on the amount of local property and income taxes that can be deducted from federal taxes will also hurt many families in our area. In addition, Republicans appear to have added a last-minute tax break for millionaire real estate investors into the legislation. Since the final version of this bill was rushed for a vote, there are bound to be even more loopholes or mistakes added to our tax code.  Finally, Republicans said all along that their tax plan would not add to our debt, which is $20 trillion and rising. They promised economic growth would pay for the tax cuts. But every analysis done on this bill shows that it will add over $1 trillion more, plus interest, to our debt over 10 years. This is not something we should pass on to the next generation.  With the middle class continuing to struggle even as the stock market soars, Republicans claimed this bill would prioritize middle-class Americans and give them a big boost. But while this bill spends a lot of money and may further fuel the stock market, it is another example of how Washington fails the middle class and leaves them behind.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://robinkelly.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/what-we-want-black-women-are-setting-their-policy-agenda-for-2018", "What We Want: Black Women Are Setting Their Policy Agenda For 2018", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Robin Kelly", "K000385", "robinkelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Niya Kenny had never visited Capitol Hill until last week, yet the millennial found a welcoming space of sisterhood in whichto share her story during a Congressional roundtable focused on Black women and girls.\nLeading from the Black: How Black Women Lead Even When Ignored, was hosted by the year-old Congressional Caucus on Black Women & Girls in tandem with the Democratic Womens Working Group. The packed Dec. 13 event, open to the public, drew a multigenerational crowd, who had the ear ofAfrican American womenlawmakers during the listening session.\nAmong the guests was 20-year-old Kenny, who gained national attention following a widely publicized police incident back in 2015 at a Columbia, South Carolina high school.\nOn the viral video, a White deputy was shown yanking a Black student from her desk and tossing the teen across the room following a classroom dispute with a teacher. Kenny protested the officers aggressive manner towards her classmateand filmedthe drama on her cell phoneas it unfolded. She was arrested soon-after.\nI sat in handcuffs for an hour and was taken to an adult jail, the young woman tearfully told the attendees oftheforum.\nKenny and her classmate were both charged under South Carolina'sdisturbing schools law which criminalizes such behavior as loitering or acting obnoxious. In 2016, the ACLU filed a federal lawsuit (Kenny is the lead plaintiff) related to the statute, which has reportedly impacted thousands of Black youth in the state, some in elementary school.\nIn March, a federal judge dismissed the case, but lawyers are appealing.\nKenny left school and later earned her G.E.D. While the charges were dropped, theres lingering trauma even as she rebuilds her life. Im thinking about going to college, maybe an HBCU, she told ESSENCE, but sometimes just the thought of being back in a classroom scares me.\nRep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), who co-chairs the Black Women & Girls caucus with Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY) and Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL), said they convened the event to hearsuch stories and take steps toaddressthe issues behind them.\nBlack women have long been on the forefront of change and progress in this country, said Watson Coleman. Sadly, we are so often left on the sidelines of critical discussions and policymaking that disparately impacts us and the communities we support.\nThe wide-ranging dialogue  moderated byDr. KimberlCrenshaw, a law professor and executive director of the African American Policy Forum in New York  explored a range oftopics. Theyran the gamut from Black womens health care access, to the #MeToo Movement around sexual harassment and the history of assaults on Black womens bodies dating back to slavery.\nThe panel included several legal minds: Barbara Arnwine, attorney and president of theTransformative Justice Coalition; Tanya Clay House, an attorney and consultant who formerly served in the U.S. Department of Education; and Ifeoma Ike, attorney and a co-founder of the #SheWoke Committee, whose advocacy helped lead to the creation of the caucus on Black women and girls. Rounding out the group of experts were activists and advocates: Janaye Ingram, who oversaw logistics for the Womens March, and Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever, Editor-in-Chief of Black Women in the U.S. 2017, a report released in tandem with the Black Women's Roundtable.\nThere was alsodiscussion of the keyrole that African American women voters played in Democrats winning a U.S. Senate seat in Alabama this month,and the importance of carving out a collective policy agenda for the midterms and 2020 presidential election.\nTo that end, Rev. Leah Daughtry (who served as CEO of the 2016 DNC Convention Committee) told those assembledabout plans for the inauguralPower Rising Summit, a Black womens conclaveslated for February 2018 in Atlanta. Its time for us to have our own convention, she said. \nThe event closed with theotherlawmakers present  among them,Reps.Barbara Lee (D-CA),Gwen Moore (D-WI),Sheila Jackson Lee (TX),Terri Sewell (D-AL),Brenda Lawrence (D-MI) andLisa Blunt Rochester (DE)vowing with the caucusto commit themselves to minimizing and eliminating barriers for Black women and girls.\nIm already thinking about future legislation, said Congresswoman Jackson Lee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://robinkelly.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-robin-kelly-speaks-out-against-gop-tax-scam", "Congresswoman Robin Kelly Speaks Out Against GOP Tax Scam", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Robin Kelly", "K000385", "robinkelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Today, Congresswoman Robin Kelly spoke on the House Floor opposing the GOPs Tax Scam, which will raise taxes on middle class families.\nKelly laid out the reality of the bill saying, its a tax scam that will force hardworking Illinois moms and dads to pay the bill for tax giveaways to the rich and well-connected.\nCongresswoman Kelly noted the unpopularity of the GOPs tax bill stating, Mr. Speaker, the American people know its a scam. A new poll from Monmouth University found that half of all Americans believe this GOP Tax Scam will raise their taxes.\nIn closing, she asked her colleagues to vote no on the bill. She pledged, I will never vote to raise my constituents taxes just to pay for massive tax giveaways to major corporations and a handful of super wealthy families.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schakowsky.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=3603", "Merkley, Schakowsky Join Calls for New Election in Honduras", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Jan Schakowsky", "S001145", "schakowsky.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Chief Deputy Whip and member of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, and Oregons Senator Jeff Merkley, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following joint statement regarding the situation in Honduras:\r\n\r\n\tWe are deeply concerned by the widespread irregularities documented by outside election observers in Honduras November 26 presidential election. It is striking that the Organization of American States (OAS) has stated it cannot certify the election results, and that it has called for a new election.\r\n\r\n\tWe join OAS officials in calling for a new election, one that must be free, fair and transparent. We continue to support the peaceful protests of the Honduran people and urge Honduran security forces to refrain from violence and respect the peoples right to make their voices heard.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schakowsky.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=3604", "Schakowsky statement on House Passage of the GOP Tax Scam", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Jan Schakowsky", "S001145", "schakowsky.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Chief Deputy Whip and member of the House Budget Committee, released the following statement after House Republicans passed their tax bill, known commonly as the GOP Tax Scam:\r\n\r\n\tWith loud cheers and smug smiles on their faces, Republicans in the House just passed one of the most disastrous bills that I have seen come before Congress since I arrived here. And thats saying something. While crafting this bill, Republicans ignored the interest of the American people, the counsel of experts, and plain common sense. Instead, they listened only to the siren song of their corporate special interest donors.\r\n\r\n\tShame on Republicans for supporting this monstrosity. There is no excuse for voting in favor of a bill that gives 83% of its benefits to the top 1% while ripping health care away from 13 million people, robbing $25 billion from Medicare, and raising taxes on 86 million middle class families. The Republican bill makes life even better for millionaires, billionaires, and corporate special interests at the expense of everyone else. Americans will remember this bold-faced betrayal.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-tax-bill-vote", "Statement on Tax Bill Vote", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Brad Schneider", "S001190", "schneider.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10), released the below statement following his vote against the conference report on H.R.1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:\nI cannot support this legislation that raises taxes on my constituents, undermines health care coverage for millions, and irresponsibly adds $1.5 trillion to our childrens debt burden.\nThis bill was not designed to help working families in Illinois, and in fact, eighty-three percent of the tax benefit goes to just the top one percent of earners. \nWhile those at the top reap the benefits, many middle-class families in my district will be saddled with higher taxes through the restriction of the state and local tax deduction, and higher health care premiums through the undercutting of the Affordable Care Act.\nThe $1.5 trillion cost of this bill will be added to our already unsustainable national debt, and later cynically used to justify cuts to Medicare, Social Security, and other vital safety net programs that Americans depend on.\nWe need to modernize our tax code, but this bill is a missed opportunity for which we will be paying the price for years to come. While this plan moves us in the wrong direction, I nevertheless remain willing to work across the aisle to achieve bipartisan, responsible reform. \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-continues-to-press-republican-congress-to-pass-the-dream-act-now", "Durbin Continues to press Republican Congress to pass the Dream Act Now", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.19.17\n\t\t\t Durbin Continues to press Republican Congress to pass the Dream Act Now \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTONMore than three months after the Trump Administration ended the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) again came to the Senate floor to call on Republican leaders in Congress to pass the bipartisan Dream Act now. More than 12,000 Dreamers have already lost their DACA status at a rate of roughly 1,000 each week. Beginning early next year, 1,000 additional young people will lose their protection from deportation each day.\r\nDuring his speech, Durbin shared the story of one Dreamer  Maria Rocha, who was only three years old when her family brought her to the United States from Mexico. After graduating from the University of Texas at San Antonio, Maria was accepted into Teach for America. Currently, she teaches third grade in her home town of San Antonio. Nationwide, there are 20,000 DACA recipients who are teachers. With Teach for America alone, 190 DACA teachers and alumni are currently teaching 10,000 students across 11 states  one third of them in Texas.\r\nWithout DACA, Maria would not be able to work and could be deported immediately. But when asked what would happen to her without DACA, Maria only thinks of her students. She says: how are (my students) going to take it? Whats going to happen to them? Thats what scares me, said Durbin. In a few weeks, Congress is going to face the reality of this DACA provision by President Trump coming into full effect. Lets come together and legislate, Democrats and Republicans. Lets solve this problem. Thats why we were elected  not to collect a paycheck and build a pension, but to solve the problems facing America. This one is real. It is timely. It is now. For Maria Rocha, for 780,000 other young people, theyre counting on us to do something. Lets not come up with excuses. Lets come up with answers.\r\nVideo of Durbins remarks on the Senate floor are available here.\r\nAudio of Durbins remarks on the Senate floor is available here.\r\nFootage of Durbins remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.\r\nMaria was an excellent student who graduated from high school 12th in her class. She also played varsity soccer, and was recognized as the San Antonio Scholar Athlete of the Week during her junior year. At the same time, Maria worked to support herself and her family. She was then accepted to the University of Texas at San Antonio. While enrolled as a full-time student, Maria juggled three jobs, as a housekeeper, babysitter, and personal assistant, in order to pay a total of about $40,000 out-of-pocket. Due to her immigration status, Maria was not eligible for financial aid.\r\nIn May 2012, Maria graduated with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. After her graduation, she was accepted into Teach for America, which places high-achieving college graduates in low-income schools. Today, Maria continues her career as a teacher. She teaches third grade in her home town of San Antonio, Texas. At the same time, she is pursuing a graduate degree in education.\r\nIn July, Durbin and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced the bipartisan Dream Act, which would allow immigrant students who grew up in the United States to earn lawful permanent residence and eventually American citizenship. These young people, known as Dreamers, have lived in America since they were children, built their lives here, and are American in every way except for their immigration status.\r\nOther Dreamer stories that Durbin has shared on the Senate floor are available here.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-to-devos-where-are-gainful-employment-debt-to-earnings-rates", "Durbin to DeVos: Where are gainful employment debt-to-earnings rates?", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.19.17\n\t\t\t Durbin to DeVos: Where are gainful employment debt-to-earnings rates? \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Department obligated under Gainful Employment Rule to release second round of data\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today pressed the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and Secretary Betsy DeVos on its development and future public release of the second round of debt-to-earnings rates under the Gainful Employment (GE) Rule. The Gainful Employment Rule, which has been in effect since July 1, 2015, uses debt-to-earnings rates to determine which career education programs meet the statutory requirement that they prepare their students for gainful employment. Programs that consistently saddle students with too much debt compared to the earnings they can expect after completing the program lose eligibility to receive Title IV federal financial aid.\r\nIn June, the U.S. Department of Education announced a year-long delay of the deadline by which schools must make disclosures to students under the GE rule. It also delayed a deadline for schools to submit appeals.\r\nDespite your decisions  currently being challenged in court by state Attorneys General  to delay the processes by which schools appeal the first round of data and make disclosures to students about failing programs and to rewrite the rule, the Department is obligated under the current rule, which remains in effect, to develop and publish the second round of debt-to-earnings rates, wrote Durbin in a letter to Secretary DeVos.\r\nOn January 9, 2017, the Department of Education published the first round of program debt-to-earnings rates under the Gainful Employment Rule. More than 800 programs  98 percent of which are at for-profit colleges  had failing debt-to-earnings rates. Another 1,239 programs were on the brink of failing. Collectively, these programs enroll hundreds of thousands of students  putting them and millions of taxpayer dollars at risk.\r\nIn August, in a response to questions submitted by Durbin as part of the Senate Appropriations Committee's consideration of the fiscal year 2018 Department of Education budget proposal, Secretary DeVos revealed that the Department had made no progress toward generating 2017 debt-to-earnings data and had \"no timetable\" to do so.\r\nFull text of the letter is available here and below:\r\nDecember 19, 2017\r\nDear Secretary DeVos:\r\nI write today to seek an update from the Department of Education (the Department) on its development and future public release of the second round of debt-to-earnings rates under the Gainful Employment Rule.\r\nUnder the Higher Education Act, career education programs are required to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation. The Gainful Employment Rule, which has been in effect since July 1, 2015, uses debt-to-earnings rates to determine which career education programs are meeting that requirement. Programs that consistently saddle students with too much debt compared to the earnings they can expect after completing the program lose eligibility to receive Title IV federal financial aid.\r\nOn January 9, 2017, the Department published the first round of program debt-to-earnings rates under the Gainful Employment Rule. More than 800 programs  98 percent of which are at for-profit colleges  had failing debt-to-earnings rates. Another 1,239 programs were on the brink of failing. Collectively, these programs enroll hundreds of thousands of students  putting them and millions of taxpayer dollars at risk.\r\nDespite your decisions  currently being challenged in court by state Attorneys General  to delay the processes by which schools appeal the first round of data and make disclosures to students about failing programs and to rewrite the rule, the Department is obligated under the current rule, which remains in effect, to develop and publish the second round of debt-to-earnings rates.\r\nEarlier this year, I asked you in writing about the Departments progress in developing these new debt-to-earnings rates. In August you responded that the Department had made no progress toward generating the new rates and had no timetable to do so. Just weeks ago, during a meeting of the panel tasked with rewriting the Gainful Employment Rule, a Department official announced that the Department will, in fact, fulfill its obligation to release the second round of debt-to-earnings rates under the current rule.\r\nGiven this announcement and the rapidly approaching one year anniversary of the first debt-to-earnings release, I request an update on the Departments progress. Specifically, has the Department compiled draft completers lists and provided those to schools? When does the Department expect to release the second round of debt-to-earnings rates?\r\nI look forward to your prompt response. Thank you.\r\nSincerely,\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/wake-massive-atlanta-airport-power-outage-congressman-raja-krishnamoorthi", "In The Wake Of Massive Atlanta Airport Power Outage, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi Requests Mayor Emanuel Order An Assessment Of The Repercussions Of An OHare Power Outage", "2017-12-18", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Raja Krishnamoorthi", "K000391", "krishnamoorthi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi wrote to Mayor Rahm Emanuel this morning regarding the potential consequences of a power outage at OHare International in response to the massive travel disruption caused by a power outage at Atlantas Hartsfield-Jackson International airport. The Congressman made this request so that the citys analysis could be used to aid Congress in preventing future disruptions like Atlantas and evaluating backup systems. The text of Congressman Krishnamoorthis letter to Mayor Emanuel follows and a signed copy is viewable here.\n\nDecember 18, 2017\nThe Honorable Mayor Rahm Emanuel\nCity of Chicago\n121 N. LaSalle Street, 5th Floor\nChicago, IL 60602\n\nDear Mayor Emanuel:\nOn December 17, a power outage at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport caused massive disruptions to travelers in Atlanta and nationwide. Flight operations at the airport were suspended, more than one thousand flights have been delayed or cancelled, and tens of thousands of passengers had their holiday travel disrupted. The delays will ripple for days as passengers are rebooked, planes are repositioned, and flight crews reassigned.\nThis is not the first time this year that a power outage had global effects on air travel. In May, a power outage at a British Airways facility effectively shut down Londons Heathrow airport with similar effects for both flights and passengers.\nI am very concerned that a similar incident at OHare International Airport would be even more disruptive. OHare is a hub for two global airlines, and tens of thousands of passengers connect through OHare to their final destinations every day. A 9-hour ground stop at OHare could have global consequences and cause severe disruptions for both passengers and cargo operations.\nTo help Congress understand the issue and find ways to prevent such disruptions from happening again, I respectfully request that the City of Chicago and the Chicago Department of Aviation perform and make public an analysis of what would happen to both flights and travelers should OHare lose power. In addition, I ask that the City of Chicago and the Chicago Department of Aviation provide information regarding the backup systems in place now at O'Hare to prevent such a power outage and how such a system will be expanded to accommodate the OHare Modernization Program.\nOHares position in domestic and global aviation is too important to leave anything to chance. I will be sending a similar letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and will work with my congressional colleagues to increase federal oversight and resources for critical aviation systems.\n\nSincerely,\nRaja Krishnamoorthi\nMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lipinski.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=91&itemid=3486", "Lipinski Leads Bipartisan Effort to Include Healthcare and DACA Fixes in This Week's Government Funding Bill", "2017-12-18", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Daniel Lipinski", "L000563", "lipinski.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) released the following statement today:  This week as Congress works on legislation to fund the government, I am working with my colleagues to include a bipartisan compromise developed by the Problem Solvers Caucus that would lower healthcare costs, and potentially include another Problem Solvers plan that would protect DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients and increase border security. I have been deeply involved in developing both of these commonsense compromises through negotiations in the caucus, which consists of 24 Democrats and 24 Republicans.  In early August, the Problem Solvers Caucus released a plan that would lower the cost of premiums for health insurance plans in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by guaranteeing cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments, adding a reinsurance fund, and making other changes. In October, President Trump officially announced he was going to stop the CSR payments, adding about 20% to the increase in premiums for ACA benchmark plans in 2018.  The Problem Solvers plan would turn this around for 2019 and the resinsurance fund would mean an additional 10% decrease in premiums. Overall, the Problem Solvers plan would bring down costs, stabilize ACA markets, and help small businesses. This plan and a similar one are being discussed for possible inclusion in the funding bill this week, and I am hopeful we will be able to include it.  The President announced in September that in six months he would be ending DACA, which provides temporary protection from removal  as well as work authorization  to immigrants who were brought to the United States as children. After House Democratic Leader Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Schumer announced later that month that they had made a deal with the President to protect DACA recipients in exchange for increased border security  not including a wall  the Problem Solvers Caucus began working on legislation that would implement that agreement.  Most Americans agree that these immigrants should be given a pathway to citizenship and more should be done to protect our border. I am on the task force negotiating that agreement and we are close to having legislative language ready for approval by the Problem Solvers Caucus. I am hopeful that this can be wrapped up in the coming days and be included in the funding bill later this week.  Passage of both of these commonsense, bipartisan agreements would be a break from business as usual in Washington and good for our nation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-announces-fifth-district-winner-congressional-app-challenge", "Quigley Announces Fifth District Winner of the Congressional App Challenge", "2017-12-18", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Mike Quigley", "Q000023", "quigley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "CHICAGO  This weekend, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) announced Ava Hollis, a freshman at York High School, as the winner of the Congressional App Challenge for Illinois Fifth Congressional District. Avas app, React, aims to help connect people to nearby EpiPens, inhalers, and other medical supplies and services when first aid can be administered before paramedics are able to respond.\nAvas app is the perfect example of how young Americans are embracing technology and STEM education to solve real world problems, said Rep. Quigley. While our emergency responders are committed to arriving on the scene as quickly as possible, there are times when first aid can and should be administered before they arrive. React is a life-saving tool that provides residents with the opportunity to help one another quickly in times of medical emergencies. Im very proud of Avas creativity and innovation and pleased that she is representing Illinois Fifth District in the Congressional App Challenge.\nI have always been passionate about helping people, and I felt that something needed to be created to help after many sad emergency situations have occurred in both my town and across the nation, said Ava Hollis. Out of every tragedy comes an opportunity for change, and I had an idea to create something that could connect people in need to nearby first aid that could arrive in a matter of minutes. I felt that technology could best represent my idea, so I set off to code simple elements (GPS, user group chat) that would allow people to quickly find their location and send for local help. My final product was an app that can be used in a variety of settings to provide people with easy access to EpiPens, inhalers, and other medical supplies. I appreciate the opportunities the Congressional App Challenge has provided me with, and I would like to continue making more first aid/medical apps.\nWhile Ava is still three years away from graduating high school, she plans channel her passion for helping people towards a career in neurosurgery or plastic surgery.\nTheCongressionalApp Challengeis designed to engage student creativity and encourage their participation in STEM education fields. High school students from across Illinois Fifth Congressional District were encouraged to create and exhibit their software applications for mobile, tablet, or computer devices on a platform of their choice. The Challenge is intended to highlight the value of computer science and STEM education and encourage students to engage in these fields. By encouraging and recognizing our nations young programming talent, Congress hopes to shine a light on the growing importance of these skills.\nAva came up with the idea for her app, React, after a young girl in her community died of an allergic reaction. The ambulance taking her to the hospital did not have an EpiPen and she passed away before reaching the hospital. The app allows users to get their precise location and send a text to other users with their medical need. This would increase the likelihood of first aid being administered if emergency services are delayed. Designed to assist citizens of her hometown, Elmhurst, Ava hopes her app could expand to provide services to people who are outdoors and away from home.\nRep. Quigley with 2017 winner, Ava Hollis.\nOne of the judges who reviewed this years submissions, Abby Ross, is the co-founder of education technology company ThinkCerca. The opportunity for students to participate in app development for the city is a true demonstration of civic engagement in the 21st Century, said Abby Ross. Upon judging the applications, I was astounded and inspired by the creativity of innovation and the demonstrated understanding of issues that impact our community. Providing STEM-centered opportunities like this challenge for our students is a critical way for our city to develop future talent of innovators.\nThe second judge, Lauren Haynes, is the Associate Director of the Center for Data Science & Public Policy at the University of Chicago. \"It's very exciting to see students getting involved in technology to address problems they see in the community - to have seen a specific need, taken a thoughtful approach as to how to solve the problem, and then built the skills and the tools to address that problem, said Lauren Haynes.\nThis years runner up was a submission by Anton Outkine and Christian Sparks of Northside College Prep School. Their app, myCTA, provides an easy way to view the CTAs schedule, bus stops, and train stops. Their goal is to reach commuters and enable them to better plan their trips and make commuting more efficient.\nRep. Quigley is a member of theNew Democrat Coalition, a group of congressional lawmakers that promotes policies that harness American ingenuity, innovation and entrepreneurship to grow our economy. In May, he re-introduced the bipartisan Stopping Trained in America Ph.D.s from Leaving the Economy (STAPLE) Act, which helps foreign-born individuals who have earned an American Ph.D. in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) continue to stay and work in the United States, helping us maintain our position as a global innovation leader.Over the summer, Rep. Quigley celebrated Startup Day Across America by visiting mHub, a Chicago incubator for forward-thinking startups, and learned how entrepreneurs are driving the citys innovative spirit and strengthening the local economy.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases/schneider-announce-tenth-district-winner-congressional-app-challenge", "Schneider to Announce Tenth District Winner of Congressional App Challenge", "2017-12-18", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Brad Schneider", "S001190", "schneider.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) will announce the winner of Illinoiss Tenth Districts Congressional App Challenge at a ceremony in Vernon Hills this Wednesday, December 20. Participating high school students will showcase and demonstrate their apps at the event.\nNow in its third year, the Congressional App Challenge is an annual nationwide competition that encourages students to learn and use science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills by coding their own application or app for any digital device.\nTenth District submissions were judged by Robert Sompolski, Dean of Mathematics, Engineering and Computer Science at Oakton Community College and Amy Torf, Executive Director, Noggin Builders.\nThe Congressional App Challenge was open to all high school students who either live or attend school in the Tenth District, regardless of skill level. Students could choose to participate individually or as part of a team of up to 4 students.\nMore information about the Congressional App Challenge is available online.\nNote: Due to a schedule change by the House of Representatives, Congressman Schneider will be in Washington, DC for votes on the day of this event.\nWHO:  \n\tStudents and teams participating in the Congressional App Challenge, friends and family\nWHAT:  \n\tTenth District Congressional App Challenge Award Ceremony\nWHEN:  \n\tWednesday, December 20, 2017  \n\t4:00-5:00pm\nWHERE:  \n\tVernon Area Public Library  \n\t300 Olde Half Day Rd, Lincolnshire, IL 60069", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-blasts-trump-administration-for-reported-list-of-seven-forbidden-words", "Durbin Blasts Trump Administration for Reported List of Seven Forbidden Words", "2017-12-18", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.18.17\n\t\t\t Durbin Blasts Trump Administration for Reported List of Seven Forbidden Words \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTONFollowing a Washington Post report that the Trump Administration is prohibiting officials and staff at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from using a list of seven commonly accepted words and phrases, U.S. Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today pressed CDC Director Brenda Fitzgerald to provide immediate clarification and a commitment that the agencys critical activities are not being compromised by extreme political ideology.\r\nImposing a gag order on our nations top public health agency to advance a radical right-wing agenda is shocking and embarrassing, said Durbin.\r\nThe reportedly banned terms include: vulnerable, entitlement, diversity, transgender, fetus, evidence-based, and science-based.\r\nIn his letter, Durbin outlines three questions regarding whether or not CDC officials and staff had been banned or discouragedby anyone in the Trump Administrationfrom using the seven specific words and phrases in the Fiscal Year 2019 budget documents and requests a response by January 5, 2018. He also requests a briefing during the month of January, in order to better understand what ill-advised directives are being foisted upon our nations premier public health agency by officials within the Trump Administration.\r\nFull text of the letter is available here and below:\r\nDecember 18, 2017\r\nThe Honorable Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D.\r\nDirector\r\nCenters for Disease Control and Prevention\r\n1600 Clifton Road\r\nAtlanta, GA 30333\r\nDear Director Fitzgerald:\r\nIt has been reported that the Trump Administration is prohibiting officials and staff at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from using a list of seven commonly accepted words and phrases. Banning medical experts and staff from employing the appropriate terminology to carry out the CDCs missioneffectively imposing a gag order on our nations top public health agency in order to advance a radical right-wing agendawould be a shocking and worrisome development. I write to seek immediate clarification and a commitment that the agencys critical activities are not being compromised by extreme political ideology.\r\nAccording to a December 15 Washington Post reportwhich relied on accounts by CDC staff present at the banned words conversationpolicy analysts at the CDC have been prohibited by senior leadership in the Trump Administration from using a list of seven words or phrases in upcoming budget and supporting materials. The reportedly banned terms include: vulnerable, entitlement, diversity, transgender, fetus, evidence-based, and science-based. If true, this is appalling and would jeopardize the CDCs national and global standing in health protection and promotion.\r\nWhat is even more troubling is that these reports appear to follow a deeply concerning trend from this Administration, whereby other agencies and departments have reportedly been directed to either censor language to fit hyper-partisan agendas or even deny basic, universally accepted science. While different Administrations may have different priorities and opinions, it is unacceptable for different Administrations to impose draconian gag orders on public health scientists, researchers, and experts in order to undermine evidence- or science-based facts.\r\nThe CDCs national and global leadership is too important to vacate for distorted and repressive political objectives. Therefore, by January 5, 2018, I request answers to the following questions:\r\n \r\nHave CDC officials and staff been banned or discouragedby anyone in the Trump Administrationfrom using any words or phrases in the Fiscal Year 2019 budget documents, including: vulnerable, entitlement, diversity, transgender, fetus, evidence-based, and science-based? If so, who imposed this gag order and what was the justification provided, if any?\r\nDid anyone within the Trump Administration provide written documentation to the CDC, outlining or clarifying the parameters of the gag order? If so, please provide copies of those documents in your response letter.\r\nAs Director of the CDC, do you believe it makes sense for the following words or phrases to be banned from use at the CDC: vulnerable, entitlement, diversity, transgender, fetus, evidence-based, and science-based?\r\n \r\nIn addition to receiving answers to these questions by January 5, I also request a staff briefing during the month of January, in order to meet the word police dictating terms to our nations premier public health agency.\r\nSincerely,\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-raja-krishnamoorthi-responds-letter-trump-transition-team-its", "Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi Responds To Letter From Trump Transition Team On Its Emails In The Possession Of Special Counsel Mueller", "2017-12-17", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Raja Krishnamoorthi", "K000391", "krishnamoorthi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "SCHAUMBURG, IL  Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi of the House Oversight Committee released the following statement in response to a letter from President Trumps transition team to the Oversight Committee which argues that the General Services Administration should have refused to comply with Special Counsel Robert Muellers formal requests to produce documents and communications from the Trump Transition Team:\nOur Committee has direct jurisdiction over the Presidential Transition Act, and theres nothing in the act that supports withholding documents from a criminal investigation. As a former Special Assistant Attorney General in Illinois anti-corruption unit, I cant imagine any situation where our office would abandon legally-obtained documents to the subject of an investigation.\nThe President and his attorneys have repeatedly claimed an interest in helping Muellers investigation. The Presidents transition team trying to withhold documents relevant to a criminal investigation is an odd way of cooperating.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-raja-krishnamoorthi-president-s-comments-flynn-pardon-even-richard", "Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi On Presidents Comments On Flynn Pardon: Even Richard Nixon Never Publicly Dangled The Possibility Of Pardons For Witnesses Against Him", "2017-12-16", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Raja Krishnamoorthi", "K000391", "krishnamoorthi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "SCHAUMBURG, IL  Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi released the following statement in response to President Trump's comments on his consideration of pardoning Michael Flynn:\nEven Richard Nixon never publicly dangled the possibility of pardons for witnesses against him, but thats exactly what President Trump did yesterday with his comments on Michael Flynn.\nAs part of his agreement with Special Counsel Muellers investigation, Michael Flynn is already a cooperating witness. While we dont know the precise details of his cooperation, there have been a number of reports on the Special Counsel looking into the Presidents potential efforts to obstruct justice, including through firing former FBI Director Comey after he purportedly refused the Presidents request of letting Flynn go.\nThe President's touting of a potential pardon to an adverse witness approaches obstruction of justice. Unfortunately, this latest action adds to the growing list of actions that merit serious investigation.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-krishnamoorthi-republican-tax-bill-if-i-ever-wrote-bill-bad-i", "Congressman Krishnamoorthi On Republican Tax Plan: If I Ever Wrote a Bill This Bad, I Wouldnt Want Anyone to Read it Either", "2017-12-15", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Raja Krishnamoorthi", "K000391", "krishnamoorthi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "SCHAUMBURG, IL  Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi released the following statement on the final version of the Republican tax bill:\nTheyre releasing this bill on a Friday so no one will read it and I can understand why: if I ever wrote a bill this bad, I wouldnt want anyone to read it either. Its clear that the more people know about this bill, the less they like it, which is why it should be no surprise that they are trying to ram this through Congress with as little public debate as possible.\nMitch McConnell and Paul Ryan are combining a giant tax hike on the middle-class with the stealth repeal of a pillar of the Affordable Care Act. This bill would raise taxes on millions of working and middle-class families while cutting them for Republican special interest donors. The Republican leaderships proposal would throw our health care system into disarray by leaving 13 million more people without health care while driving everyone elses premiums up by 10 percent. As if these policies werent bad enough, they would also cut billions from Medicare while exploding the deficit by nearly $2 trillion.\nThe Republican leadership is so desperate to pass this bill, they havent bothered asking whether they should. This is public policy of the worst kind. I will be voting against this bill, and I strongly urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do the same. We must all put country over party and kill this bill.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-leads-press-conference-illinois-election-officials-remaining", "Quigley Leads Press Conference with Illinois Election Officials on Remaining Hacking Threats & Ways to Strengthen Election Infrastructure", "2017-12-15", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Mike Quigley", "Q000023", "quigley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "CHICAGO  Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), who serves as a Member on the House Intelligence Committee, led a press conference with Illinois election officials on the need to harden our defenses against election hacking. Rep. Quigley was joined by the Illinois State Board of Elections, Cook County Clerks Office, the DuPage County Election Commission, and the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners. Click here to watch the press conference in its entirety.\nThere is no doubt in my mind that the Russians will be back in future attempts to undermine our democracy and influence our elections, said Rep. Quigley. In order to safeguard our democratic process, we must harden our defenses and invest in election infrastructure updates that are long overdue. I am pleased that Illinois has taken necessary steps to implement initial security enhancements, but too many other states have not done enough to update systems, establish contingency plans, or provide clear guidance for election officials in case of another hack. We must address this from every anglefrom funding and resources to cybersecurity personnelin order to protect our democratic institutions from future attacks in the 2018 midterms, the 2020 presidential election, and beyond.\nEarlier this year, the American people learned that Russian targeted 39 state election systems, including Illinois, in the lead-up to the 2016 elections. In Illinois, Russian hackers gained access to the states voter database, which contains sensitive information such as names, dates of birth, drivers licenses, and partial social security numbers for 15 million people. Fortunately, the hackers failed to alter or delete any of the compromised information and theres no evidence that Russia tampered with the vote counting process.\nClick here to watch the video.\nProtecting the integrity of our multiple elections systems is necessary, its achievable, and it will be expensive, but the protection of the vote  a foundational institution of this country  is vital, said Cook County Clerk David Orr. Our security challenge is to ensure no attack exceeds our ability to detect and recover  whether that means restoring lost data or even recounting ballots to establish election results that are true and trusted.\nAn estimated 42 states continue to use outdated voting machines susceptible to cyberintrusions and system crashes. Many of these voting machines, which can be more than a decade old, are not equipped to handle modern-day cybersecurity software. Additionally, 13 states continue to use voting machines that fail to produce a paper ballot or record.\nThe Election Landscape has changed. With this change come new challenges to face head on, said Joseph H. Sobecki, Executive Director, DuPage County Election Commission. I am optimistic that with the cooperation of Election Authorities, assistance of our elected officials, and consultation with our technology experts, we will be able to develop standards and guidelines of best practices that, whether you live in southern Illinois, Chicago, or the suburbs, will be uniform throughout the State. It is also my hope that once this roadmap is complete, DuPage and other Election Authorities will receive the required funding to make attaining this goal a reality.\nOften when we think of critical infrastructure, we think of financial networks, power grids and interstates. But our election systems should rank just as high, if not higher, given that the integrity of our elections is the very foundation for our entire government, said Jim Allen, spokesman, Chicago Board of Election Commissioners. We look to Homeland Security to provide growing levels of resources for all election agencies  rural, suburban and urban  as we seek to continue to defend our elections from outside attackers.\nAs Ranking Member of the Financial Services & General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, Rep. Quigley introduced an appropriations amendment to preserve and fund the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), which House Republicans proposed to eliminate. He has also cosponsored the Protecting the American Process for Election Results (PAPER) Act to provide assistance to states allowing them to strengthen the cybersecurity defenses of their election systems. As an active member of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Quigley is working to investigate Russias interference in the 2016 election and prevent future intrusions.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-joins-resolution-to-restore-fccs-net-neutrality-rules", "Durbin Joins Resolution to Restore FCC's Net Neutrality Rules", "2017-12-15", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.15.17\n\t\t\t Durbin Joins Resolution to Restore FCC's Net Neutrality Rules \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTONFollowing the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) vote to dismantle net neutrality protections, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) and 14 other Senators to announce their plan to introduce a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution that would undo yesterdays action by the FCC and restore the 2015 net neutrality rules.\r\nYesterday, the FCC walked away from its statutory duties and effectively eliminated its oversight over high-speed internet access. Once adopted, this proposal will permit providers to freely block, slow down, or manipulate a consumers access to the internet as long as it discloses those practices  no matter how anti-consumer they might be, said Durbin. The FCC has turned its back on consumers, and I stand ready to fight this radical and reckless plan on behalf of the future of the free and open internet.\r\nYesterday, the FCC approved an item that guts the 2015 Open Internet Order, which the D.C. Circuit Court upheld in 2016. The Open Internet Order prohibited internet service providers from setting up internet fast and slow lanes and ensured they could not block or slow down internet traffic.\r\nThe resolution of disapproval would rescind FCC Chairman Ajit Pais item and fully restore the Open Internet Order. CRA resolutions allow Congress to overturn regulatory actions at federal agencies with a simple majority vote in both chambers. In accordance with the Congressional Review Act, the Senators will formally introduce the resolution once the rule is submitted to both houses of Congress and published in the federal register.\r\nOther Senators co-sponsoring the CRA resolution include Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Richard Blumenthal (DCT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Gary Peters (D-MI), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Jack Reed (D-RI).\r\nEarlier this week, Durbin and Duckworth urged FCC Chairman Pai to abandon his plan to repeal the agencys net neutrality rules.\r\nA copy of the CRA is available here.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-raja-krishnamoorthi-introduces-protecting-students-worthless", "Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi Introduces The Protecting Students From Worthless Degrees Act To Prevent Taxpayer Funds From Going To Predatory And Valueless Programs", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Raja Krishnamoorthi", "K000391", "krishnamoorthi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi today introduced the Protecting Students from Worthless Degrees Act, which would shield students and taxpayers funds from predatory and valueless higher education programs. As education costs and student debt continue to mount, so has the need to ensure that students and taxpayers receive a worthwhile return on their investment in their career.\n\u201cA good education is the foundation for building a career and a middle-class life, but too many students are completing training programs only to learn too late and after too much debt, that their programs failed to meet the standards necessary to help them start their career,\u201d said Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi.\u00a0\nThe Protecting Students from Worthless Degree Act would require that all higher education programs meet any federal or state accreditation and licensing requirements necessary for graduates to enter their intended occupation. Institutions failing to properly prepare their students by meeting these requirements would no longer be eligible for federal student financial assistance, including Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, or G.I. Bill benefits. Congressman Krishnamoorthi is proud to have worked on this legislation with his co-lead Congressman Mark Takano, as well as Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon who introduced a previous version of the bill in the 114th\u00a0Congress and will be introducing the Senate companion in the current Congress.\n\u201cThis is a travesty for both students and taxpayers,\u201d Krishnamoorthi added.\u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m introducing the Protecting Students from Worthless Degrees Act to hold institutions accountable by ensuring that taxpayer dollars only go to programs that fulfill their promise of preparing students for a career. Education is the most important investment we can make in our country\u2019s future, and it is imperative we ensure the resources of students and taxpayers do not go to predatory and valueless programs.\u201d\nThe text of the bill is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-introduces-bipartisan-transparency-bill-make-congressional", "Quigley Introduces Bipartisan Transparency Bill to Make Congressional Reports Easily Accessible to the Public", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Mike Quigley", "Q000023", "quigley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 This week, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), co-founder and co-chair of the Transparency Caucus, re-introduced the Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports Act (ACMRA) to improve the public and congressional staff\u2019s access to reports mandated by Congress through the establishment of a searchable central repository. A bipartisan Senate companion bill is being led by Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).\n\u201cWith an abundance of innovative, 21st century technology, it\u2019s not too much to ask the federal government to make already published reports\u2014paid for by taxpayers\u2014easily accessible to the public,\u201d said Rep. Quigley. \u201cThese reports, which span every issue area with in-depth, expert analysis, would provide valuable information to congressional staffers, students, journalists, businesses, and anyone else who wants to learn more about the policies that impact their lives. A more open and user-friendly data system will help Americans be better informed and help them hold elected officials accountable for the actions they take on constituents\u2019 behalf.\u201d\nEach year, Congress receives thousands of reports from federal agencies but does not compile them in a central location. Currently, these reports are maintained by the Clerk of the House in a comprehensive list that runs over 320 pages, instead of in an easily searchable system. \u00a0The Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports Act would establish a central repository accessible to congressional staffs and the general public. With this library of all non-confidential agency reports in one place, staffers would be able to maximize their time and energy to better inform lawmakers and the public would have information at their disposal for research purposes and to hold elected officials and the government accountable. This bill would ensure the government\u2019s business is done in a transparent manner.\nBipartisan co-sponsors include Reps. Rodney Davis (R-IL), Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), Dave Brat (R-VA), Jim Cooper (D-TN), Darren Soto (D-FL), and Krysten Sinema (D-AZ). The bill is also endorsed by 38 organizations across the political spectrum. A list of the organizations and a link to their letter of support can be read in full here.\nAs the co-founder and co-chair of the\u00a0Congressional Transparency Caucus, Rep. Quigley has been committed to expanding public access to government information and enforcing accountability. This year, he introduced the\u00a0COVFEFE Act\u00a0to require presidential social media postings be classified at presidential records and the\u00a0MAR-A-LAGO Act\u00a0to require disclosure of visitor logs at the White House and other Trump properties where official government business is conducted. Last month, Rep. Quigley re-introduced the Transparency in Government Act to increase access, accountability, and transparency at every branch of the federal government with a focus on federal spending, financial disclosure requirements, and improve judicial transparency.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schakowsky.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=3601", "Schakowsky Statement on Net Neutrality Ruling", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Jan Schakowsky", "S001145", "schakowsky.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Chief Deputy Whip and Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee\u2019s Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee, issued the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission voted on partisan lines to dismantle net neutrality:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cFCC Chairman Ajit Pai\u2019s attack on net neutrality cedes control of the Internet to powerful broadband providers at the expense of small businesses and consumers. It fits right in line with the Republican agenda to favor the wealthiest corporations while eliminating protections for the rest of us.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cUnder the FCC\u2019s order today, broadband providers will be allowed to control consumers\u2019 access to content. They will be allowed to charge content providers to make websites load faster or slower. Small businesses may not be able to compete online if they now have to pay every broadband provider across the country in order for their website to work as well as a big corporate competitor\u2019s. And in a chilling attack on free speech, broadband providers could also block content altogether.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cEnding the free and open Internet is an anti-democratic, anti-consumer move that Ajit Pai, Donald Trump, and their corporate cronies thought they could sneak past the American people. They were wrong. The FCC received millions of public comments. Just in the last two weeks, I have received hundreds of calls and thousands of emails from constituents asking me to keep up the fight to save net neutrality. This fight isn\u2019t over. As net neutrality supporters challenge the FCC\u2019s action in court, my House colleagues and I will be introducing legislation to reinstate net neutrality protections. We will keep fighting to keep the Internet free, open, and democratic.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gutierrez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/122-people-lose-daca-every-so-congress-cannot-wait-pass-dream-act", "122 People Lose DACA Every Day, So Congress Cannot Wait To Pass The DREAM Act", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Luis Guti\u00e9rrez", "G000535", "gutierrez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Rep. Luis V. Guti\u00e9rrez (D-IL) delivered a speech on the House floor this morning calling for a vote on the DREAM Act (HR 3440), which would allow immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children to apply for permanent legal status.\u00a0 His speech focused on the 122 DACA recipients (those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) who lose their status every day \u2013 and will continue to lose their status until the program shuts down completely in March.\u00a0 To emphasize his point, the Congressman had a poster with the message \u201c122 #DREAMACTNOW\u201d and the Congressman, like many DREAM Act supporters in Congress, is wearing a matching orange button.\u00a0 However, he was asked to remove the button before his remarks began.\n[The Congressman was also briefly misidentified by the Presiding Officer, who incorrectly recognized \u201cthe gentleman from Alabama\u201d to speak.\u00a0 To which, the Congressman retorted, \u201cToday, I\u2019d like to be from Alabama today, but I\u2019m not.]\nIn his speech, the Rep. Guti\u00e9rrez stressed the urgency of the moment, saying:\n \n\tWe cannot wait until March.\u00a0 The DREAM Act and the protections of the DACA program are not light switches we can turn on and off.\u00a0 Every day we delay passage of the DREAM Act, another 122 DACA recipients lose their status.\u00a0 They go from being documented to being undocumented, and their worlds are turned upside down.\u00a0 And it is not just their lives, but also the lives of American citizens who love them, who employ them, who rely on them.\n \nAnd he noted that \u201cAs of today, more than 12,000 have lost their DACA status.\u201d\nHe then told the story of Mayron, Saul and Brittany, three DACA recipients whose DACA status has already expired or will expire by the end of next week when the Congress is slated to adjourn for the holidays.\u00a0 Mayron from Washington State is an entrepreneur, Saul in California wants to be a teacher, and Brittany is a child care provider to a family with a special needs child who lost her status last week.\n \n\tMost Americans don\u2019t understand why taking legal status away from a childcare provider who is employed and cherished by her employers will create law and order.\u00a0 How does creating more undocumented immigrants help?\u00a0 It does not make America great.\u00a0 It does not strengthen security or the economy.\u00a0 I don\u2019t even think it benefits the Republican Party politically to send this young American woman away.\u00a0 But it is up to Republicans and Democrats to stand up for Brittany, Saul, and Mayron.\n \nThe Congressman concluded:\n \n\tDemocrats must be clear that we value the contributions of these young people and will not allow their stories to be ignored.\u00a0 And Republicans\u2014even the brave ones who have said they are for solving the plight of the DACA kids\u2014must do more than write a letter or whisper quietly in the halls that they hope something happens.\u00a0 It is up to us, right now.\u00a0 And I am not leaving and I am not shutting up until we do.\n \nCongressman Gutierrez is among those who have indicated that he will not support short-term spending measures or other \u201cmust-pass\u201d legislation this year unless there is a clear path forward towards adoption of the DREAM Act.\nA video of the Congressman\u2019s speech is here: https://youtu.be/xDzIApgTTck\nRep. Luis V. Guti\u00e9rrez is a Member of the Judiciary Committee and the Chair of the Immigration Task Force of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.\u00a0\u00a0\nREMARKS (As Prepared for Delivery)\nDecember 13, 2017\n \n\tEvery day, 122 people with DACA lose their protection from deportation.\u00a0 They lose their government-issued identification that allowed them to stay in this country and work legally.\n\tDACA is the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that the President ended in September and which will completely expire in March, but let\u2019s be clear \u2013 people do not have until March.\u00a0 People are already losing their DACA coverage on a daily basis.\n\tSo when reporters and politicians say that Congress can stall until March to enact the DREAM Act, they are flat wrong.\n\tWe cannot wait until March.\u00a0 The DREAM Act and the protections of the DACA program are not light switches we can turn on and off.\u00a0 Every day we delay passage of the DREAM Act, another 122 DACA recipients lose their status.\u00a0 They go from being documented to being undocumented, and their worlds are turned upside down.\u00a0 And it is not just their lives, but also the lives of American citizens who love them, who employ them, who rely on them.\n\tYoung DREAMers came forward and reported to the Department of Homeland Security and paid their own money for a criminal background check by the FBI.\u00a0 In fact, many of them have successfully submitted their paperwork and biometrics three times.\u00a0 They paid all of this processing\u2014the paperwork, the background checks, the fingerprints\u2014with their own money.\n\tBy definition they arrived in the United States as children, and by definition, they all arrived at least 10 years ago because to be eligible for DACA, you had to have been in the country a full year and a half before President Obama took office.\n\tAnd there are 800,000 of them.\u00a0 800,000 young Americans who have been playing by the rules, doing everything their government asked them to do, and who have been living productive lives in communities in every state for years.\n\tAs of today, more than 12,000 have lost their DACA status.\n\tLet me tell you about just a few of them.\n\tMayron owns three businesses.\u00a0 He lives in Washington State and has lived in the U.S. since he was 11 years old.\u00a0 His DACA expires on December 22, the day that the CR is set to expire and the day we are all supposed to return to our families for the Christmas holiday and New Year\u2019s.\n\tHe submitted his DACA renewal well before the application deadline that was arbitrarily set in October.\u00a0 But he made a mistake.\u00a0 His check was for $465, not $495, and so he will be deportable as of December 22.\u00a0 His entire life is in the United States, and yet, if Republicans and the President have their way, he will be sent to Honduras. And his three businesses?\u00a0 Who knows what will happen to them.\n\tAnother DACA recipient named Saul is from California and thanks to the security and stability provided by DACA, he has pursued a career in education.\u00a0\n\tI was a teacher and I know that the monetary rewards are few, but the rewards for your soul are many \u2013 and the rewards to our society of having dedicated teachers are priceless.\u00a0\n\tBut without DACA and without the DREAM Act, Saul has no future in teaching and we may squander the passion he would bring to a classroom.\u00a0 His DACA expires on December 29 and this is anything but a Merry Christmas for him as Congress drags its feet.\u00a0\n\tAnd finally, there is Brittany in New York.\u00a0 She is a child care provider who works with infant twins \u2013 one of whom has a severe health condition.\u00a0 Her employers are now scrambling because Brittany\u2019s DACA expired last Thursday and she has no clear legal path forward.\u00a0 The family said \u201cwe are devastated at the thought that she may not be able to work in this country and know we won\u2019t find another care giver who is as reliable, nurturing, and unshakable as Brittany.\u201d\n\tMost Americans don\u2019t understand why taking legal status away from a childcare provider who is employed and cherished by her employers will create law and order.\u00a0 How does creating more undocumented immigrants help?\u00a0 It does not make America great.\u00a0 It does not strengthen security or the economy.\u00a0 I don\u2019t even think it benefits the Republican Party politically to send this young American woman away.\n\tBut it is up to Republicans and Democrats to stand up for Brittany, Saul, and Mayron.\u00a0\n\tDemocrats must be clear that we value the contributions of these young people and will not allow their stories to be ignored.\u00a0\n\tAnd Republicans\u2014even the brave ones who have said they are for solving the plight of the DACA kids\u2014must do more than write a letter or whisper quietly in the halls that they hope something happens.\n\tIt is up to us, right now.\u00a0 And I am not leaving and I am not shutting up until we do.\n \n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gutierrez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/guti-rrez-rosenstein-i-would-ask-you-about-sexual-assault-president", "Gutirrez to Rosenstein: I Would Like To Ask You About Sexual Assault By The President Of The United States", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Luis Guti\u00e9rrez", "G000535", "gutierrez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Rep. Luis V. Guti\u00e9rrez (D-IL) used his question and answer period during today\u2019s House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to ask about sexual assault allegations against the President of the United States.\u00a0 The Congressman said: \"I believe these women. In fact, I would say without hesitation whenever it is a case of his word against her word, I generally give her word a lot more weight.\u201d He continued: \"And when the \u2018him\u2019 in question is Donald Trump, there really should be no further discussion because, as everybody regardless of their political affiliations or partisanship can clearly see, we have a man in the presidency who has a very difficult relationship with the truth. In this case we have women who were made to feel powerless and insignificant, who at great personal cost and risk, have come forward.\u00a0 And I believe them.\u00a0 I do.\" Using the words of some of the women who have come forward and the words of the President corroborating some of the accusations, the Congressman asked America\u2019s number two law-enforcement official about the President\u2019s groping and other unwanted advances: The Congressman did not get much of an answer from the Deputy Attorney General. Rep. Luis V. Guti\u00e9rrez is a Member of the Judiciary Committee and the Chair of the Immigration Task Force of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.\u00a0\n\tI would like to ask you about sexual assault by the President of the United States.\n\tOver the past few days \u2013 echoing previous allegations made against the President in the past several years \u2013 at least 16 women have come forward to say that the President of the United States felt them up, kissed them without permission, put his hand under their clothing without permission, groped them, touched their genitalia, walked into dressing rooms unannounced to see them naked and made other unwanted sexual advances that are clear violations of law.\u00a0\n\tNow, I believe these women.\u00a0 In fact, I would say without hesitation whenever it is a case of his word against her word, I generally give her word a lot more weight.\n\tAnd when the \u201chim\u201d in question is Donald Trump, there really should be no further discussion because, as everybody regardless of their political affiliations or partisanship can clearly see, we have a man in the presidency who has a very difficult relationship with the truth.\u00a0\n\tIn this case we have women who were made to feel powerless and insignificant, who at great personal cost and risk, have come forward.\u00a0\n\tAnd I believe them.\u00a0 I do.\n\tJust as I believe the women who came forward to accuse Senator Al Franken.\n\tAnd it goes no farther than this Committee which has two empty chairs today because two senior Members resigned because women came forward and made credible claims.\n\tAnd others on this dais right now are among the additional Members of this body who are accused \u2013 credibly accused \u2013 of misconduct.\n\tRight now, with the number two person in the Justice Department before our Committee and sworn to tell the truth I think it is important to get your opinion on whether there are grounds for a criminal investigation or an ethics investigation against the President of the United States.\u00a0\n\tFor example, Rachel Crooks is one of the 16 women that we know of who have come forward.\u00a0 She said that President Trump, before he was President, \u201ckissed me directly on the mouth.\u00a0 It was so inappropriate he thought I was so insignificant that he could do that.\u201d\n\tJill Harth, another one of the 16 women, said, \u201cHe groped me, he absolutely groped me.\u00a0 And he just slipped his hand there touching my private parts.\u201d\n\tNow those are just two examples of unwelcome sexual advances.\n\tWere he on a subway or in a restaurant, would not either or both of those incidents be enough to get him arrested, in your experience as the number 2 most important law-enforcement officer in the United States?\n\tBut before you answer that, how about in these cases?\n\tKristen Anderson, in an interview said: \u201cThe person on my right who unbeknownst to me at that time was Donald Trump, put their hand up my skirt he did touch my vagina through my underwear.\u201d\n\tAnd Cassandra Searles said: \u201cHe continually grabbed my ass and invited me to his hotel room.\u201d\n\tThese are very serious allegations of crimes committed by the President, are they not?\n\tBut before you answer, I think it is important to point out that these stories are corroborated by one of the most important witnesses of all, the President himself.\n\tHe told TV host Billy Bush when he was mic\u2019ed up for an interview with Access Hollywood.\n\t\u201cI just start kissing them. It\u2019s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don\u2019t even wait. And when you\u2019re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything.\n\tHe continued \u201cGrab \u2019em by the\u2026 [pussy]. You can do anything.\u201d\n\tSamantha Holvey said on national television that when she was a contestant in a beauty pageant, Trump would come back unannounced in the dressing room.\n\tAnd she tells her story and once again, we have audio tape of the President corroborating this account when he told Howard Stern\n\t\"Well, I'll tell you the funniest is that before a show, I'll go backstage and everyone's getting dressed, and everything else, and you know, no men are anywhere, and I'm allowed to go in because I'm the owner.\u201d And he went on to say \u201c\"the chicks will be almost naked.\"\n\tMr. Rosenstein, I see you as a law enforcement officer and I value your opinion on these matters.\u00a0 Would it be appropriate for you to investigate these and other allegations of assault and unwanted sexual advances?\n\tAre we helping to delegitimize sexual assault if we say, oh, well, the American people voted, the people of Alabama voted, even with Members of this Committee campaigning on behalf of the Alabama Senate nominee and the President, do we on this committee \u2013 the Judiciary Committee \u2013 bear responsibility for allowing these actions to go unnoticed, uninvestigated, unchallenged because they are uncomfortable?\u00a0\n\tWhat does that do from a law enforcement standpoint when people get away with assault with no consequences or with in fact, job advancement and accolades.\u00a0 Do you see that as having a long term effect?", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-joins-democratic-colleagues-sending-letter-fcc-urging-delay-net", "Quigley Joins Democratic Colleagues in Sending Letter to FCC Urging a Delay in Net Neutrality Vote", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Mike Quigley", "Q000023", "quigley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), joined 117 of his Democratic colleagues in sending the below letter to FCC Commissioners urging them not to vote on FCC Chairman Ajit Pai\u2019s \u201cRestoring Internet Freedom Order\u201d to repeal Net Neutrality. Chairman Pai recently released this proposed regulation and announced that it would be voted on at the FCC\u2019s December 14 meeting.\n\u201cPresident Trump\u2019s FCC plan to repeal Net Neutrality would harm free speech, stall entrepreneurship, and deal a major blow to our economic competitiveness and all American consumers,\u201d said Rep. Quigley. \u201cEqual access to all online content is a cornerstone of the Internet, and I strongly oppose Chairman Pai\u2019s efforts to weaken protections. The FCC\u2019s proposed plan would reduce competition, stifle innovation, and charge customers more for less; and the vote must not move forward.\u201d\n\u00a0\nDecember 13, 2017\nThe Honorable Ajit V. Pai\nChairman\nFederal Communications Commission\n445 12th Street S.W.\nWashington, D.C. 20554\nDear Chairman Pai:\nWe write to you today regarding the \u201cRestoring Internet Freedom\u201d item, WC Docket No. 17-108, on the Federal Communication Commission\u2019s December Open Meeting Agenda. We urge you to delay consideration of this item and remove it from the December agenda.\nThank you for your attention to this important request.\nSincerely,\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-leads-letter-urging-house-leadership-not-restrict-gun-violence", "Quigley Leads Letter Urging House Leadership Not to Restrict Gun Violence Research in Appropriations Package", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Mike Quigley", "Q000023", "quigley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, sent a letter to House leadership urging them to oppose language in the final FY18 appropriations package that would restrict the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal agencies from conducting research about gun violence. The letter was signed by 121 Members of Congress, including other leaders Reps. Price (NC-04), Kelly (IL-02), Murphy (FL-07), DeLauro (CT-03), and Lowey (NY-17). You can find the full letter text here.\n\u201cAlthough Members of Congress may disagree about how best to respond to the high incidence of gun violence, we should all be able to agree that our response should be informed by sound scientific evidence,\u201d reads the letter.\n\u201cThere is absolutely no reason to restrict the CDC from studying the rampant gun violence epidemic that devastates communities across the country, including in my hometown of Chicago,\u201d said Rep. Quigley. \u201cConducting research about this issue is an easy\u2014and obvious\u2014first step to equip us with a deeper understanding of the actions we can take and policies we can enact to save lives. I\u2019m proud to join my colleagues in urging Republican leadership to break with the status quo, encourage scientific research, and elevate the debate on gun violence prevention.\u201d\nIn addition to protecting public health and safety through prevention of disease, the CDC has also historically conducted other non-disease related research to prevent injury or illness such as drowning prevention, intimate partner violence, and motor vehicle injuries. Since 1996, however, riders such as the \u201cDickey Amendment\u201d have been attached to annual appropriations bills that prevent the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or other agencies from conducting high-quality, peer-reviewed research about gun violence.\nLast month, Rep. Quigley re-introduced a bipartisan bill that would alert state and local law enforcement when criminals break the law attempting to acquire a gun. By strengthening partnerships between law enforcement officials at every level, the bill would create an additional layer of protection to ensure weapons stay out of the hands of the wrong people. Rep. Quigley also recently introduced new legislation that would require the Department of Justice to study the correlation between domestic violence and mass shootings.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schakowsky.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=3600", "Schakowsky introduces the PEER Act", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Jan Schakowsky", "S001145", "schakowsky.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Chief Deputy Whip and member of the House Budget Committee, introduced the Prioritizing Energy-Efficient Renewables (PEER) Act. This bill would permanently extend the Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit (PTC) and end special tax breaks for polluting fossil fuels.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cClimate change is real, it is alarming, and it demands bold action now. We must fight the climate crisis on all fronts, which is why today I\u2019m introducing the PEER Act, a bill that demands our tax code prioritize clean renewable energy over dirty fossil fuels.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cMy bill would make tax credits for wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, and marine power permanent. At the same time, it would put an end to tax breaks that benefit the polluting oil and gas industries. Investing in green energy allows our communities to breathe cleaner air and American families to breathe a sigh of relief. A growing renewable energy sector will mean thousands of new jobs and billions of dollars in growth for our economy.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cHouse Republicans are rushing to pass a tax scam that reduces investment in renewables and keeps special tax breaks for oil and gas companies. My colleagues and I are pushing for a tax code that protects middle-class families, our planet, and future generations of Americans.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe PEER Act has been cosponsored by Reps. Cartwright, Grijalva, Gutierrez, Huffman, Kennedy, Khanna, Lee, Loebsack, Lofgren, McCollum, McNerney Nadler, Norton, Pocan, Polis, Speier, Takano, Vel\u00e1zquez, and Quigley. It has been endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Sierra Club, Environment America, and the Union of Concerned Scientists.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases/bipartisan-schneider-amendment-help-prevent-iranian-human-rights-abuses-passes", "Bipartisan Schneider Amendment to Help Prevent Iranian Human Rights Abuses Passes House of Representatives", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Brad Schneider", "S001190", "schneider.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed an amendment by Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) to prevent human rights abuses by the Iranian regime. The\u00a0 bipartisan amendment was co-led by Congressman Ted Poe (TX-02).\n\u201cWe should be using every tool in our toolbox to make clear to Iran that its human rights abuses are unacceptable and hold the regime accountable,\u201d said Schneider. \u201cMy amendment would help ensure that funds held by senior Iranian leaders do not contribute to human rights abuses and that U.S. sanctions are best positioned to improve the human rights situation in Iran. I thank my colleagues for their bipartisan support of this amendment.\u201d\nThe Schneider Amendment modifies H.R. 1638, the Iranian Leadership Asset Transparency Act, which shines a light on assets held by top Iranian officials, including the Supreme Leader, Members of the Council of Guardians, Members of the Expediency Council and the high-ranking military leaders. The bill requires the Secretary of the Treasury to report to Congress information on the assets held by senior Iranian leaders, as well as offer recommendations to improve U.S. sanctions to prevent these assets and funding from being used by Iranian officials to further develop Iran\u2019s ballistic missile program. The Schneider Amendment expands this requirement to include Iran\u2019s human rights abuses.\nIn his remarks on the House floor, Schneider cited Iran\u2019s persecution of religious minorities, arbitrary and unlawful killings, limits on freedom of speech, media censorship, electoral tampering, attacks on homosexuality, and unjust detention of Americans and other foreigners as examples of human rights abuses.\nThe Schneider Amendment passed by voice vote. H.R. 1638 passed by a vote of 289-135.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-schneider-hold-congress-your-corner-glenview-saturday", "Rep. Schneider to Hold Congress on Your Corner in Glenview on Saturday", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Brad Schneider", "S001190", "schneider.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) will host a \u201cCongress on Your Corner\u201d event to answer questions from constituents and brief attendees on his work in Washington this Saturday at 10:00am. The event will be held at the Village Hall in Glenview, IL and is open to the public.\nWHO:\u00a0  \n\tRep. Brad Schneider and constituents of Illinois\u2019s Tenth District\nWHAT:\u00a0  \n\t\u201cCongress on Your Corner\u201d to meet constituents and answer questions\nWHEN:\u00a0  \n\tSaturday, December 16  \n\t10:00am \u2013 11:00am\nWHERE:  \n\tGlenview Village Hall \u2013 Council Chambers  \n\t2500 E Lake Ave, Glenview, IL 60026", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-duckworth-to-roskam-shimkus-put-middle-income-illinoisans-ahead-of-large-corporations-as-tax-bill-conferees", "Durbin, Duckworth to Roskam, Shimkus: Put Middle-Income Illinoisans Ahead of Large Corporations as Tax Bill Conferees", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.13.17\n\t\t\t Durbin, Duckworth to Roskam, Shimkus: Put Middle-Income Illinoisans Ahead of Large Corporations as Tax Bill Conferees \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today urged U.S. Representatives Peter Roskam (R-IL-06) and John Shimkus (R-IL-15) \u2013 the two members representing Illinois selected to serve on the conference committee tasked with resolving differences between the House and Senate versions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act \u2013 to reconsider their support for the harmful policies contained in the House version of the Republican Tax Plan and to use their roles as conferee to advocate for positive changes to the bill that would provide much needed relief for middle-income Illinoisans instead of prioritizing the needs of large corporations and the wealthy one-percent over those of working families, students, and veterans in our state and across the country.\r\n\u201cAs you consider your responsibilities as a conferee, we encourage you to reconsider your support for the harmful policies contained in the House Republican plan and urge you to use your role as conferee to stand up for the middle-income families in Illinois and across the country who would be harmed if the policies outlined in the House and Senate bills become law,\u201d wrote Durbin and Duckworth in letters to Reps. Roskam and Shimkus. \u00a0\r\nBoth the House and Senate Republican tax plans would fund tax cuts for the largest corporations and wealthiest one-percent by raising taxes on millions of middle-income households nationwide, eliminating vital deductions used by working families, and jeopardizing funding for vital programs for low-and middle-income Illinoisans by adding more than $1.4 trillion to the national deficit.\u00a0\r\nThree weeks ago, Durbin and Duckworth pressed the Republican members of the Illinois congressional delegation to reconsider their support for the House Republican tax plan and the harmful policies within the bill.\u00a0\r\nLast month, Durbin and Duckworth sent Gov. Rauner a letter outlining their concerns with one of the central components of the Republican tax plans, the elimination of the state and local tax deduction, and requested his feedback on how eliminating the deduction would impact Illinois families and Illinois\u2019 economy.\u00a0 That letter has gone unanswered.\u00a0\r\nFull text of the letter to Rep. Roskam is available here.\u00a0 Full text of the letter to Rep. Shimkus is available here.\u00a0\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-reed-press-dod-to-release-contracts-between-for-profit-colleges-and-military-installations", "Durbin, Reed Press DoD to Release Contracts between For-Profit Colleges & Military Installations", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.13.17\n\t\t\t Durbin, Reed Press DoD to Release Contracts between For-Profit Colleges & Military Installations \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Report Found that University of Phoenix Received Special Treatment in Exchange for Spending $250,000 Over Three Years to Sponsor 89 Events at Fort Campbell\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON\u2014Following a Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR) investigation published in September 2017 revealing a contract between the University of Phoenix and Fort Campbell, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Jack Reed (D-RI) requested copies of all currently effective and expired contracts between Department of Defense (DoD) military installations and for-profit colleges going back to Calendar Year 2012.\r\nIn their report, CIR found that the University of Phoenix paid Fort Campbell $250,000 over a three year period to sponsor 89 events on the base.\u00a0 The contract revealed that in exchange for its sponsorship of events, Fort Campbell permitted the University of Phoenix to hang signs and banners at the event, be listed in all advertising related to the event, and staff an information booth at the event.\u00a0 In addition, the contract allowed the University of Phoenix special access outside of events including placing promotional materials in high-traffic areas of the base and in welcome packets to incoming service members.\u00a0 This troubling arrangement runs counter to Executive Order 13607, which remains in effect and sought to prevent paid recruitment of service members and veterans by colleges on military installations.\u00a0\r\n\u201cGiven what has been revealed in this single contract, we are deeply concerned about the extent to which Fort Campbell and other military installations may have entered into similar contracts with the University of Phoenix and other for-profit colleges.\u00a0 As such, we request copies of all contracts signed between military installations and for-profit colleges going back to Calendar Year 2012,\u201d wrote Durbin and Reed in a letter to Department of Defense Secretary James Mattis.\u00a0\u00a0\r\nWhile for-profit colleges prey on all types of students, a loophole in federal law makes service members and veterans particularly lucrative targets.\u00a0 The current federal 90/10 rule is a provision in the law that bars for-profit colleges and universities from deriving more than 90 percent of their revenue from the U.S. Department of Education\u2019s federal student aid programs.\u00a0 The other 10 percent needs to come from sources other than the federal government.\u00a0 The purpose of this rule is to ensure that schools are not counting on taxpayer dollars as their sole source of revenue.\r\nBecause of the way the law is written, veterans\u2019 and active duty service members\u2019 federal education benefits \u2013 such as G.I. bill education benefits and the Department of Defense\u2019s Tuition Assistance funds \u2013 do not currently count toward the 90 percent.\u00a0 As a result, for-profit educational institutions aggressively recruit and enroll veterans, service members, and their families as a way to comply with the 90/10 rule.\r\nRecently, Durbin and Reed introduced the Protecting Our Students and Taxpayers (POST) Act, which would prohibit for-profit colleges and universities from receiving more than 85 percent of their revenue from the federal government and change the calculation of federal revenue to include all federal funds, including Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill and Department of Defense Tuition Assistance benefits.\u00a0\r\nAccording to data released last year by the U.S. Department of Education \u2013 in response to a request by Durbin, Reed, and 18 other Democratic Senators \u2013 because of the loophole, 193 institutions, including some of the largest recipients of GI Bill benefits, received more than 90 percent of their revenue from federal taxpayers \u2013 nearly $8 billion cumulatively.\u00a0 Further, more than 563 institutions received more than 85 percent of their revenue from federal taxpayers \u2013 $12.6 billion cumulatively.\r\nFull text of the letter is available here and below:\r\nDecember 13, 2017\r\nThe Honorable James Mattis\r\nSecretary\r\nDepartment of Defense\r\n1000 Defense Pentagon\r\nWashington, DC 20301\r\nDear Secretary Mattis:\r\nWe write today to request copies of all currently effective and expired contracts between Department of Defense (DoD) military installations and for-profit colleges going back to Calendar Year 2012.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\r\nFor-profit colleges have a well-documented record of using unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices to lure students, including service members and veterans, into enrolling in their programs.\u00a0 Company executives and shareholders reap the profits while students are left with more debt than they can ever repay and an education that employers consider worthless.\u00a0 In recent years, nearly every major for-profit college has been investigated or sued by state and federal agencies for predatory practices, including Ashford University, Kaplan University, and University of Phoenix \u2013 three of the top for-profit recipients of DoD Tuition Assistance (TA) funds.\r\nWhile for-profit colleges prey on all types of students, a loophole in federal law makes service members and veterans particularly lucrative targets.\u00a0 As you know, the federal 90/10 Rule states that for-profit colleges must receive at least 10 percent of their revenue from non-federal sources.\u00a0 It was meant to keep for-profit schools, which in general rely much more heavily on federal dollars than traditional schools, from being completely dependent on federal taxpayers to keep their doors open.\u00a0 Unfortunately, current law counts DoD TA funds and Department of Veterans Affairs Post 9/11 GI Bill funds as non-federal revenue.\u00a0 This means that by enrolling enough service members and veterans who qualify for these funds, for-profit colleges can receive 100 percent of their revenue from federal taxpayers while still complying with the law.\u00a0\r\nAs a result, access to military bases and service members has become a key objective of for-profit colleges.\u00a0 In 2015, the Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR) published an article detailing the University of Phoenix\u2019s tactic of paying military installations across the country millions to sponsor concerts, parties, dances, and other events on base to achieve that objective.[1]\u00a0\r\nIn a follow-up investigation published in September 2017, CIR uncovered a contract between the University of Phoenix and Fort Campbell which laid bare the company\u2019s true financial motivations for spending $250,000 over a three year period to sponsor 89 events on the base. [2]\u00a0 The contract revealed that in exchange for its sponsorship of events, Fort Campbell permitted the University of Phoenix to hang signs and banners at the event, be listed in all advertising related to the event, and staff an information booth at the event.\u00a0 In addition, the contract allows the University of Phoenix special access outside of events including placing promotional materials in high-traffic areas of the base and in welcome packets to incoming service members.\u00a0 As Will Hubbard, vice president of Student Veterans of America, told CIR, \u201cthe special access outlined in the Fort Campbell contract would make it look to service members as though the military were endorsing the for-profit college.\u201d\r\nThis troubling arrangement runs counter to Executive Order 13607, which remains in effect and sought to prevent predatory recruitment of service members and veterans by colleges on military installations.\u00a0 Given what has been revealed in this single contract, we are deeply concerned about the extent to which Fort Campbell and other military installations may have entered into similar contracts with the University of Phoenix and other for-profit colleges.\u00a0 As such, we request copies of all contracts signed between military installations and for-profit colleges going back to Calendar Year 2012.\u00a0\r\nThank you for your assistance in this matter.\u00a0 We look forward to continuing to work with you to prevent our service men and women from being exploited by for-profit colleges.\r\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bustos.house.gov/video-congresswoman-bustos-slams-congressional-republicans-tax-scam-attack-middle-class/", "VIDEO: Congresswoman Bustos Slams Congressional Republicans Tax Scam as an Attack on the Middle-Class", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Cheri Bustos", "B001286", "bustos.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bustos lays out the GOP\u2019s three step plan to move from a tax scam to cuts in Social Security and Medicare\nWASHINGTON\u00a0\u2013 Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos spoke on the House floor to highlight the many ways Washington Republicans\u2019 tax scam bill harms America\u2019s working families. In her remarks, Bustos highlights the three steps they are taking to move from a tax bill to cutting Medicare and Social Security.\nBelow is the text of her remarks:\n\u00a0\nYou\u2019ve been hearing a lot about this tax plan, but really it\u2019s a tax scam.\nIt\u2019s not a mistake that Congressional Republicans are going after hardworking middle-class families, in fact, it is an intentional attack against them.\nLet me explain briefly.\nThey have laid out a simple three step process \u2013 here they are.\nStep one: Pass a tax scam that they know will raise taxes on millions of middle-class families in order to give tax cuts to corporate special interests and billionaires.\nThat alone will saddle our children with more than a trillion dollars in new debt.\nStep two: Flip out about this new debt.\nStep three: Then demand cuts to Social Security and Medicare.\nFor months, Congressional Republicans have denied that this is what they are doing.\nWell, let me tell you what happened last week.\nSpeaker Ryan, and I quote, said this, word for word: \u201cWe\u2019re going to have to get back next year at entitlement reform, which is how you tackle the debt and the deficit.\u201d\nHe says that \u201centitlements\u201d are what he\u2019s going to go after.\nWell you know what entitlements are? Medicare and Social Security.\nI urge my colleagues to reject this tax scam.\nInstead, let\u2019s offer a Better Deal to the American public.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-krishnamoorthi-election-doug-jones-majority-leader-mcconnell-must", "Congressman Krishnamoorthi On The Election Of Doug Jones: Majority Leader McConnell Must Not Be Allowed To Treat Senator-Elect Jones The Way He Treated Judge Merrick Garland", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Raja Krishnamoorthi", "K000391", "krishnamoorthi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi released the following statement in response to Doug Jones\u2019 election to the US Senate:\n\u201cI\u2019m heartened to see that the voters of Alabama, a state which helped give birth to the Civil Rights Movement, have rejected Roy Moore\u2019s America and the politics of division. I want to congratulate Senator-Elect Jones and to say unequivocally: Majority Leader McConnell must not be allowed to treat Senator-Elect Jones the way he treated Judge Merrick Garland. The people of Alabama must be heard and they must have their senator.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lipinski.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=91&itemid=3476", "Lipinski Honors 2017 Senior Citizens of the Year", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Daniel Lipinski", "L000563", "lipinski.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) announced the winners of the 2017 Senior Citizen of the Year Award during a special program yesterday in Hickory Hills.\u00a0 The winners were chosen based on their contributions to their communities in the Third Congressional District.  \u201cThese individuals demonstrate on a daily basis the outstanding spirit and commitment that exists in all of our communities,\u201d Rep. Lipinski said.\u00a0 \u201cI am honored to recognize these seniors who have selflessly donated their time and energy to causes and pursuits that teach all of us the value of service.\u201d  The 2017 Senior Citizen of the Year Award winners are: Phyllis Adams, Palos Park; Art Arellano, Romeoville; Adrian Mary Charnick, Riverside; Dr. Vernon Crawley, Orland Park; John Devona, Western Springs; Raymond Hodson, Justice; Jerry Hoenig, Palos Hills; Edward McLaughlin, Chicago; Patricia Pastore, Lockport; Toni Piccirillo, Chicago; Grace Pluhar, Oak Lawn; Russell Pluhar, Oak Lawn; and Cynthia Salvino of Cicero.  To be eligible for this award, a senior must be nominated by the leader of an organization or an official from their community.\u00a0 Only a select few are chosen to receive this honor.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lipinski.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=91&itemid=3479", "Lipinski Leads Effort to Oppose Tax Bill Provision That Would Raise Taxes Substantially on Graduate Students and Hurt Our Economic Future", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Daniel Lipinski", "L000563", "lipinski.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) is leading a bipartisan group of 42 colleagues in opposing a provision in the House version of the tax bill that would result in a significant tax increase on graduate students.\u00a0 The current bill would eliminate the exclusion of \u201cqualified tuition reductions\u201d from taxable income.\u00a0 The effect would be to tax the value of tuition waivers that graduate students receive in exchange for serving as teaching or research assistants during their course of study.\u00a0 Tuition waivers are money that students never see, and by including it in their taxable income, some could see their tax bills double or worse.\u00a0  \u201cThe United States is one of the most innovative countries in the world thanks in no small part to our top-notch graduate education system,\u201d said Rep. Lipinski in a letter to House and Senate Leaders.\u00a0 \u201cAmerican graduate students go on to become top scientists, engineers, researchers, and leaders that generate many of the innovations that drive our economy.\u00a0 The effect of this bill would be to make graduate school unaffordable for thousands of students, lowering the research output of our universities and starving us of our next generation of professors and scientists.\u201d  The value of a tuition waiver can be significant.\u00a0 For example, graduate school tuition at Duke University is typically over $50,000 per year.\u00a0 Adding this amount to a student\u2019s taxable income would have serious tax consequences.\u00a0 With 55% of graduate students nationwide earning an adjusted gross income of $20,000 or less, and 87% earning $50,000 or less, they cannot afford a major increase in their tax burden.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schakowsky.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=3599", "Schakowsky Calls on FCC to Delay Net Neutrality Vote", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Jan Schakowsky", "S001145", "schakowsky.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Ranking Member of the Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai requesting Thursday\u2019s scheduled vote to undo net neutrality protections be delayed. She specifically refuted Chairman Pai\u2019s statements that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) could step in to protect net neutrality if the FCC vote goes through. Her letter explains,\r\n\r\n\t\u201cUnlike the FCC, which is able to create rules of the road for broadband providers, the FTC\u2019s hands are tied when it comes to rulemaking.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tShe further details how the FTC\u2019s limited authority and technical expertise would leave businesses and consumers less protected:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cIt could take years for the Commission to investigate a complaint and obtain an order for, say, discriminating against a rival company. In the meantime, competition will suffer and consumers will lose out.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tShe also highlights the potential of a case in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (FTC v. AT&T Mobility) to block the FTC from enforcing net neutrality violations against most broadband providers:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cInstead of simply shifting oversight and enforcement from the FCC to the FTC as you suggest, the Draft Order could thrust broadband providers into a regulatory blackhole \u2013 not subject to any federal oversight at all and leaving consumers unprotected.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tShe concludes, \u201cRushing forward with your Draft Order at this time, without considering the relevant facts, is not prudent decision-making. If the so-called \u2018Restoring Internet Freedom\u2019 item is passed, the ability to protect the open Internet will be severely diminished if not eliminated altogether.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe full text of the letter is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-duckworth-call-on-fcc-to-abandon-plan-to-repeal-net-neutrality-rules", "Durbin, Duckworth Call on FCC to Abandon Plan to Repeal Net Neutrality Rules", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.12.17\n\t\t\t Durbin, Duckworth Call on FCC to Abandon Plan to Repeal Net Neutrality Rules \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today sent a letter urging Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai to abandon his plan to repeal the agency\u2019s net neutrality rules, which would give internet providers the ability to freely block or slow down consumers\u2019 access to the internet.\u00a0\r\nThe senators\u2019 letter comes ahead of a Thursday vote by the FCC to dismantle the net neutrality protections.\r\n\u201cYour plan gives a broadband provider the ability to significantly alter their subscribers\u2019 internet experience,\u201d the lawmakers wrote.\u00a0 \u201cOnce adopted, this proposal will permit that provider to freely block, slow down or manipulate a consumer\u2019s access to the internet as long as it discloses those practices \u2013 no matter how anti-consumer \u2013 somewhere within mounds of legalese in a new \u2018net neutrality\u2019 policy.\u00a0 \u2026It is a stunning regulatory overreach.\u201d\r\nThe letter was led by U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), and signed by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Gary C. Peters (D-MI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Jon Tester (D-MT), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Angus S. King, Jr. (I-ME), Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Robert P. Casey (D-PA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-OR), Patrick J. Leahy (D-VT), Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tom Udall (D-NM), Margaret Wood Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Al Franken\u00a0 (D-MN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD),Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Cory A. Booker\u00a0 (D-NJ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ).\r\nText of the letter is below.\u00a0 To view a pdf of the letter, click here.\r\nDecember 12, 2017\r\nThe Honorable Ajit Pai\r\nChairman\r\nFederal Communications Commission\r\n445 12th St., SW\r\nWashington, DC 20554\r\nDear Chairman Pai:\r\nWe write to urge you to abandon your reckless plan to radically alter the free and open internet as we know it.\u00a0 Your proposed action will amount to the largest abdication of the Federal Communications Commission\u2019s (FCC\u2019s) statutory responsibilities in history.\r\nAt its inception, Congress delegated to the FCC the primary responsibility to protect consumers and the public interest with respect to the nation\u2019s communications networks.\u00a0 With your current proposal, you have now decided to throw overboard those long-standing responsibilities \u2013 and consumers with them.\u00a0 In short, you are walking away from your statutory duties and effectively eliminating FCC oversight over high-speed internet access.\r\nYour plan gives a broadband provider the ability to significantly alter their subscribers\u2019 internet experience.\u00a0 Once adopted, this proposal will permit that provider to freely block, slow down or manipulate a consumer\u2019s access to the internet as long as it discloses those practices \u2013 no matter how anti-consumer \u2013 somewhere within mounds of legalese in a new \u201cnet neutrality\u201d policy.\r\nYour proposal also makes sure that no other state or local government can fill this gaping consumer protection void by preempting them from adopting their own open internet consumer protections.\u00a0 It is not enough for the FCC to turn its back on consumers.\u00a0 You willfully plan to tie the states\u2019 hands to prevent them from protecting their own residents.\u00a0 It is a stunning regulatory overreach.\r\nUnderlying your plan is the false notion that your action will return the internet to the supposed halcyon days of \u201clight touch\u201d regulation in the past.\u00a0 This notion \u2013 that the way the agency approached internet access in the 1990s and early 2000s is the perfect approach today \u2013 ignores the very different role that the internet plays in 2017.\u00a0 Over the past 20 years, internet communications have become widely adopted and relied on by American homes and businesses.\u00a0 Yet, your plan ignores the central and critical role that access to a free and open internet plays in Americans\u2019 lives and the role that the nation\u2019s expert communications agency should play with respect to the networks underlying that access.\u00a0 Moreover, your assertion that your plan returns internet access to the way it was before is not correct.\u00a0 Even under the Bush-era FCC, the agency adopted open internet principles and held out the threat of regulatory action to combat harmful activity.\u00a0 Your plan eradicates even that backstop and leaves Americans without a regulatory safety net.\r\nThe future of the internet hangs in the balance.\u00a0 The FCC\u2019s responsibilities over the nation\u2019s communications networks remain, and are more crucial than ever, as the internet has become fundamental to every aspect of our society.\u00a0 On behalf of our constituents \u2013 and future generations of Americans \u2013 we urge you to abandon this radical and reckless plan to turn the FCC\u2019s back on consumers and the future of the free and open internet.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-harris-legislation-to-prevent-discharge-of-non-citizen-military-personnel-signed-into-law", "Durbin-Harris Legislation to Prevent Discharge of Non-Citizen Military Personnel Signed Into Law", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.12.17\n\t\t\t Durbin-Harris Legislation to Prevent Discharge of Non-Citizen Military Personnel Signed Into Law \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON\u2014Legislation by U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), vice chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and U.S. Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) to retain military personnel in the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) program until their background screenings are completed was signed into law today by the President as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).\u00a0\r\n\u201cWhen the military can\u2019t find American citizens with the skills it needs to help defend our country, they turn to the MAVNI program,\u201d said Durbin. \u201cThese patriotic women and men prepared to lay down their lives for our country will now be permitted to remain in the military while waiting for their background checks to clear. With all the threats facing the United States today, we simply cannot afford to lose these brave men and women because of a technicality.\u201d\r\n\u201cThis an important step for the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect people they will never meet and who will never know their names,\u201d said Harris. \u201cThis legislation will help ensure that they can continue to serve and not fall victim to a slow bureaucratic process. Immigrants have built this country, and these patriots represent the best of our nation.\u201d\r\nThe MAVNI program allows immigrants with skills deemed vital to the national interest to enlist in the Armed Forces.\u00a0Cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), the amendment allows MAVNI recruits to remain in the Armed Forces for an additional year while the Department of Defense completes their background checks and security screenings. Under current law, recruits are automatically separated from the Armed Forces after 730 days if they have not yet completed basic training\u2014\u2013 which no MAVNI recruit can do until they pass the extensive security screening.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/following-completion-of-epa-evaluation-durbin-urges-army-corps-to-move-forward-with-bubbly-creek-restoration", "Following Completion of EPA Evaluation, Durbin Urges Army Corps to Move Forward with Bubbly Creek Restoration", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.12.17\n\t\t\t Following Completion of EPA Evaluation, Durbin Urges Army Corps to Move Forward with Bubbly Creek Restoration \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today pressed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) to move forward with the restoration of the South Fork of the South Branch of the Chicago River \u2013 known as \u201cBubbly Creek\u201d \u2013 in the most expedited manner possible now that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) completed its evaluation of the Creek and removed the site from its Superfund program.\r\n\u201cThe Army Corps restoration project will provide much-needed revitalization to an area with a history of industrial pollution.\u00a0 It will also help move our region closer to the vision articulated by local leaders to bring our community rivers that are inviting, productive and living,\u201d wrote Durbin in a letter to EPA Director Scott Pruitt and Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Doug Lamont.\u00a0 \u201cI encourage you to work together to see that the Corps restoration can begin as soon as possible by finalizing the Chief's Report and submitting it to Congress for authorization and funding.\u201d\r\nA 2015 report in the Chicago Tribune found that plans for a $15.4 million restoration of \u201cBubbly Creek\u201d stalled after the EPA discovered contaminated sediment near the site and began conducting a cleanup.\u00a0 Following that report and discussion with local community leaders, Durbin sent a letter to the Corps asking that they suspend rather than cancel their plans for restoration.\r\nIn response to the Corps stalled restoration, Durbin and Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) urged both agencies to work together to expedite the restoration of \u201cBubbly Creek.\u201d\u00a0 In addition, Durbin had several meetings with the Corps and EPA on this issue, where he reiterated the importance of moving forward with the restoration project.\r\nFull text of the letter is available here and below:\r\nDear Administrator Pruitt and Acting Assistant Secretary Lamont:\r\nI write to urge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to move forward with the restoration of the South Fork of the South Branch of the Chicago River (known as ' Bubbly Creek') in the most expedited manner possible.\r\nA major obstacle to the revitalization of the Bubbly Creek was removed when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) completed its evaluation of the Creek and removed the site from its Superfund program.\u00a0 The Corps has spent several years studying the restoration of Bubbly Creek, has dedicated funding to the project, and should now be free to complete the final action necessary before Congress authorizes the start of the restoration project.\r\nBubbly Creek was contaminated years ago by the nearby stockyards, but a more immediate contamination is another reason why a full restoration of the site needs to begin now.\u00a0 In October, an oil spill near Bubbly Creek killed and injured wildlife along a 1.5-mile section of the waterway.\u00a0 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and EPA have completed their clean-up activities and restoration work can now begin.\u00a0\r\nHistorical contamination and recent environmental incidents should bring urgency to the Army Corps expediting the remaining bureaucratic steps to start the environmental restoration of the area.\u00a0\u00a0 Congress authorized the Army Corps to study this area over a decade ago, and the restoration project resulting from that work has the strong support of the City of Chicago, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, and the surrounding community.\r\nThe Army Corps restoration project will provide much-needed revitalization to an area with a history of industrial pollution.\u00a0 It will also help move our region closer to the vision articulated by local leaders to bring our community rivers that are inviting, productive and living.\u00a0\r\nI encourage you to work together to see that the Corps restoration can begin as soon as possible by finalizing the Chief's Report and submitting it to Congress for authorization and funding.\r\nPlease give this request your immediate attention and I look forward to hearing from you.\r\nSincerely,\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-urges-residents-to-get-covered-before-aca-enrollment-deadline-on-friday", "Durbin Urges Residents to Get Covered Before ACA Enrollment Deadline on Friday", "2017-12-10", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.10.17\n\t\t\t Durbin Urges Residents to Get Covered Before ACA Enrollment Deadline on Friday \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSPRINGFIELD \u2013 U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged those who are uninsured to take action before the December 15th deadline in order to get health care coverage that begins in January. Despite uncertainty in Congress and efforts from President Trump to undermine the Affordable Care Act (ACA), millions have signed up so far this year. About 350,000 people in Illinois purchase their health insurance in the individual market and nearly 300,000 of them are eligible for tax credits that help keep their premiums below $100 a month. People in Illinois can call (Get Covered Illinois: 866-311-1119), go online (www.Healthcare.gov), or get in-person help to sign up for health insurance that will cover them next year.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cDespite the efforts of President Trump and the frenzy in Washington over health care, I want to make it clear that health insurance under the ACA is open for business. This Friday, December 15, is the deadline for open enrollment in individual market health insurance plans. Don\u2019t wait until the last minute\u2014get covered today,\u201d Durbin said. \r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cAfter spending months repeatedly trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Republicans in Congress passed a sweeping tax measure that could cause 13 million Americans to lose their health insurance and increase premiums by hundreds of dollars. Instead of voting on another partisan repeal bill, Congress should be focused on pressing health issues like reauthorizing the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nPresident Trump and his Administration have spent the last year sabotaging the ACA\u2014including cutting the open enrollment period in half, ending advertising that encourages and informs people about how to sign up for insurance, signing an Executive Order directing federal agencies not to enforce the law, ending subsidies that help people afford their co-payments and deductibles, and slashing funding for organizations that help enroll people in health plans.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe recent tax bill passed in the Senate repeals the ACA\u2019s individual mandate and slashes Medicare and Medicaid to pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. The Republican tax legislation is opposed by every major medical, provider, and patient organization, including hospitals, AARP, American Medical Association, and the American Heart, Lung, and Diabetes Associations.\r\n\u00a0\r\nOver two months ago, Congress failed to extend funding for the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) before the program\u2019s funding expired on October 1. First created in 1997, CHIP is a bipartisan program that ensures 9 million children nationwide have access to health care, including 325,000 in Illinois. The program benefits children whose parents earn too much for Medicaid, but not enough to afford other coverage. If Congress doesn\u2019t act, CHIP will run out of funding next year.\r\n\u00a0\r\nMore than 20 million uninsured Americans have gained health coverage under the ACA \u2013 including one million in Illinois \u2013 bringing our nation\u2019s uninsured rate below 10 percent for the first time in history. Thanks to the ACA, insurers can no longer deny coverage due to a pre-existing condition, discriminate based on gender or health status, or impose annual or lifetime caps on benefits. Insurers must now cover important health care: maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance abuse treatment, and hospitalizations. The ACA also expanded Medicaid to cover millions of newly eligible Americans\u2014650,000 in Illinois\u2014and provided enhanced federal funds to help pay for the expansion population.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-krishnamoorthi-report-president-trump-donald-trump-jr-and-other", "Congressman Krishnamoorthi Reacts To Report That President Trump, Donald Trump Jr., And Other Trump Organization Officials Were Secretly Offered WikiLeaks Documents", "2017-12-08", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Raja Krishnamoorthi", "K000391", "krishnamoorthi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi released the following statement in response to reports that an email offered\u00a0the President, his son, and other Trump Organization officials \u201ca decryption key and website address for hacked WikiLeaks documents\u201d in September 2016:\n\u201cIt\u2019s disturbing that the President and his top advisors not only failed to inform the FBI that they were offered access to what was likely illegally obtained material, but then they repeatedly denied that they\u2019d ever been offered it for over a year. There\u2019s no ambiguity on this fact: when your campaign is offered illegally obtained information, you go to the FBI. It\u2019s that simple.\nThis revelation is all the more disturbing because it was not a one-off event of contact between the Trump campaign and WikiLeaks. This email predated Donald Trump Jr.\u2019s private correspondence with WikiLeaks during the fall of 2016 as it continued to release illegally-obtained information and encouraged President Trump to highlight some of their releases, as the President subsequently did.\nAs these deeply concerning revelations continue, it is vital that we continue to protect the integrity of Special Counsel\u2019s investigation, even as findings like this demonstrate the impact of Congressional investigators.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://robinkelly.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-robin-kelly-awarded-abraham-lincoln-award-by-the-illinois", "Congresswoman Robin Kelly Awarded Abraham Lincoln Award by the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence", "2017-12-08", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Robin Kelly", "K000385", "robinkelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Matteson, IL \u2013 This week, Congresswoman Robin Kelly was awarded the prestigious Abraham Lincoln Award by the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence (ICHV.)\n\u201cI\u2019m deeply humbled and honored by this recognition from the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence. Every day, this remarkable organization is working hard to save lives and prevent violence,\u201d said Congresswoman Robin Kelly.\nICHV is the nation\u2019s oldest and largest statewide organization working to prevent the devastation caused by firearms. Founded in 1975, ICHV uses a multi-pronged approach to educate, raise public awareness, and build coalitions to create change and stop gun violence.\n\u201cWe are thrilled to honor Congresswoman Robin Kelly with our Abraham Lincoln Award.\u00a0 Robin is truly a hero to the gun violence prevention movement,\u201d said Colleen Daley, ICHV\u2019s Executive Director. \u201cShe is not afraid to stand up to the NRA and tell her colleagues in Washington that \u201cthoughts and prayers\u201d are not enough. Her unwavering commitment to this issue has changed the conversation around gun violence.\u201d\nSince her election to Congress, Congresswoman Kelly has been a fierce advocate for gun safety legislation. She has authored several bills to reduce gun violence and create jobs, especially for at-risk young people. Additionally, she helped lead last year\u2019s historic House Gun Violence Sit-In, following the tragedy at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, FL.\nCongresswoman Kelly was honored along with former political aide to President Obama, Ken Bennett. She added, \u201cI\u2019d also like to congratulation my friend and a true fighter for lifesaving common sense, Ken Bennett, on his Community Empowerment Award. Thank you Ken for all of your work.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schakowsky.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=3598", "Schakowsky, DeGette respond to Republicans launching yet another witch hunt", "2017-12-08", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Jan Schakowsky", "S001145", "schakowsky.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Rep. Jan Schakowksy, Ranking Member of the Republican now dissolved Select Panel, and Diana DeGette, Co-Chair of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, released the following statement after media reported that the Department of Justice sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee inquiring about the Committee\u2019s report on fetal tissue:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe Select Panel to Attack Women\u2019s Health was created by Republicans to investigate spurious claims supported only by doctored footage created by a man currently facing criminal charges. After spending 15 long months and $1.59 million in taxpayer funds investigating David Daleiden\u2019s lies, this ideological witch hunt came up empty. There was zero evidence that Planned Parenthood acted in violation of the law that prohibits selling fetal tissue. The Panel accomplished nothing except for wasting hard-earned taxpayer dollars and derailing critical medical research.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cNow, with the same flagrant disregard for the truth, the Trump Administration is continuing its dangerous ideological crusade to end women\u2019s access to health services and abortion. We cannot allow these politically-driven assaults to continue if we care about women\u2019s health, the public\u2019s health, scientific progress, or the facts.\u00a0 It is time to stop the attacks.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://foster.house.gov/media/press-releases/foster-statement-on-vote-against-continuing-resolution", "Foster Statement on Vote Against Continuing Resolution", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Bill Foster", "F000454", "foster.house.gov", "foster", "https://foster.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC - This resolution is yet another last minute stopgap measure that fails to provide solutions that hardworking Americans need from the people who represent them. We still have a long list of priorities to resolve. Congress has not voted on the DREAM Act to allow individuals who were brought to the United States through no fault of their own to stay in the country. We need to provide funding to combat the opioid and heroin crisis, and we need to stabilize health care marketplaces so that premiums do not skyrocket. We also need an immediate reauthorization of Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funding for the millions of children who rely on the program for health insurance, including nearly 326,000 children in Illinois. I am disappointed we did not use the last two months of the previous continuing resolution to find solutions to these issues and represent the interests of hardworking Americans. Rather than engaging in serious bipartisan discussions, Republicans worked behind closed doors on their tax plan that would harm the middle class and pass on debt to the next generation, and they tried yet again to repeal the Affordable Care Act, a move that would take away health care from millions of Americans. The public deserves better.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:19:19Z"], ["https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-krishnamoorthi-chairman-gowdy-wrong-refusing-meet-whistleblower", "Congressman Krishnamoorthi: Chairman Gowdy Is Wrong in Refusing To Meet With Whistleblower On Flynn Plan To Build Russian Nuclear Reactors In The Middle East", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Raja Krishnamoorthi", "K000391", "krishnamoorthi.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi issued the following statement in response to Oversight\u00a0Committee\u00a0Chairman Gowdy\u2019s refusal to meet with a whistleblower who came forward with information on former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn\u2019s purported use of his former position to help launch Russian nuclear deal in the Middle East:\n\u201cChairman Gowdy\u2019s curt refusal to Ranking Member Cummings\u2019 request is a sad chapter for the Oversight Committee. Our charge is to, at \u2018any time\u2019 investigate \u2018any matter\u2019 and we have primary jurisdiction over whistleblower protections. Meeting with a whistleblower with knowledge of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn\u2019s attempts to lift sanctions to help launch a Russian nuclear venture in the Middle East is within our committee\u2019s purview and its responsibility. By refusing to meet with a whistleblower, the Chairman is neglecting a vital duty to the American people.\nSpecial Counsel Mueller has removed any impediment to the Committee proceeding with its investigation, and failing to move forward will only have a chilling effect on future whistleblowers.\u00a0 The Committee website even has a page (oversight.house.gov/whistle) that allows people to alert Chairman Gowdy to fraud and abuse in your agency or other organization.\u2019 Given the Chairman\u2019s actions, I wonder how many whistleblowers will hesitate to come forward in the future.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lipinski.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=91&itemid=3474", "Lipinski Names Local Student Winner of Congressional App Challenge", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Daniel Lipinski", "L000563", "lipinski.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) is proud to announce that Lyons Township High School Senior Scott Turro is the Third District\u2019s winner of this year\u2019s Congressional App Challenge.\u00a0 The Countryside resident\u2019s app, \u201cWater Ring Game,\u201d cleverly reproduces a classic childhood toy in the form of a mobile device app.  \u201cThe app submissions we received varied significantly, and all were great demonstrations of the students\u2019 creativity and skill,\u201d said Rep. Lipinski.\u00a0 \u201cScott\u2019s app stood out for the sophistication of the code and the STEM skills he demonstrated.\u00a0 I want to congratulate him and thank his family and his teacher, Natalie Carlson, for their support.\u00a0 All of the students who submitted apps to this year\u2019s competition did great work.\u201d  Scott worked hard to program realistic movements into the rings, mimicking how plastic rings move through water and bounce off walls.\u00a0 To do this, he developed algorithms that drew on his physics and math skills.\u00a0 The result is a realistic reproduction that even responds to the user shaking the phone.\u00a0  A video featuring Scott\u2019s app will be played throughout the year on a screen in the U.S. Capitol, and he will receive credits for free web hosting services and an invitation to a special coding-related event next year in Washington, D.C.  A panel of experts, including John\u00a0McDonnell from\u00a0Infogix, Inc., Catherine\u00a0Greenspon from Project Infinite Green, and Steven McGee from The Learning Partnership, judged the apps.  \u201cI was very impressed with the quality of the submissions,\u201d said McGee.\u00a0 \u201cEach of the students identified an interesting problem to address and their apps represented a great first step at providing solutions.\u201d\u00a0  The runners-up are Amos Alonzo Stagg High School student Monica Para, who entered an app called \u201cEsteemBeam,\u201d and Whitney Young Magnet School student Gabriel Laniewski, who entered an app called \u201cLocker Buddy.\u201d\u00a0  The Congressional App Challenge began in 2015 as a way to inspire students from every corner of the country to explore STEM, coding, and computer science through hands-on practice.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://robinkelly.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kelly-cbc-chair-introduce-legislation-to-restore-government-s-ability-to", "Kelly, CBC Chair Introduce Legislation to Restore Governments Ability to Study Gun Violence", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Robin Kelly", "K000385", "robinkelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), vice chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, and Congressman Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA-02), chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, introduced the Gun Violence Research Act. The legislation would:\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0Amend the Dickey Amendment, which prohibits the use of funding at the Department of Health and Human Services to advocate gun control, to clarify that funds may be used to study gun violence, particularly as it relates to mental health;\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0Mandate an annual Surgeon General report on the impact of gun violence on America\u2019s public health; and\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0Require a report from the Office of Minority Health examining the impact of gun violence on public health in communities of color.\n\u201cFor decades, the Dickey Amendment has silenced lifesaving research and suppressed the policy dialogue around common sense laws that can save American lives,\u201d said Congresswoman Kelly. \u201cIt\u2019s time to let the science and research speak for itself so policymakers can enact the best policies to protect public safety and American families.\u201d\n\u201cThere have been more mass shootings in the United States in 2017 than days, not to mention the tens of thousands of families that are impacted by gun violence every year,\u201d Chairman Richmond said. \u201cCongress needs to put policy over politics and restore the federal government\u2019s ability to fully study the scope of gun violence in our country, including any correlations between gun violence incidents and mental health issues.\u201d\nGun violence is a leading cause of death for African Americans ages 1-44. While African Americans comprise approximately 13 percent of the U.S. population, they experience nearly 24 percent of all firearm deaths and more than 54 percent of all firearm homicides.\nThe author of the Dickey Amendment, former Congressman Jay Dickey (R-AR) has expressed regret about the rider and its long-term policy impacts.\n\u201cThe Dickey Amendment has created a chilling affect across government when it comes to studying gun violence and funding gun violence research,\u201d Chairman Richmond added. \u201cHow many more incidents like Sutherland Springs, Las Vegas, Charleston and others must occur before we concede that the status quo has left us with no other moral option but to affirmatively address gun violence head on? Even today, eight days before the fifth anniversary of the Newtown shooting, it is clear that Republicans still don\u2019t understand this as they push to create a race to the bottom across the nation for concealed-carry laws.\u201d\n\u201cEven the author of the Dickey Amendment now opposes it. After more than twenty years, it\u2019s time to amend it,\u201d added Congresswoman Kelly.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schakowsky.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=3595", "Schakowsky Announces Winner of 2017 Congressional App Challenge", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Jan Schakowsky", "S001145", "schakowsky.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee\u2019s Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee, announced the winner of the 2017 Congressional App Challenge competition for the 9th Congressional District of Illinois.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI am pleased to announce that John Dattilo, a Mount Prospect resident and Junior at John Hersey High School has been named the winner in this year\u2019s competition. Congratulations John!\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe app that John developed, DiaLog, provides innovative and efficient solutions to help people living with diabetes manage and track their disease. I was very excited to see this young man use his knowledge and skills to address a problem affects thousands of my constituents and millions around the world. I am excited to see what John goes on to do next.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe Congressional App Challenge is a great opportunity for young people to develop their programming skills, and I was excited to see participation from students at several 9th Congressional District schools this year. I want to thank the students who took the time to submit an app and the faculty and staff who encouraged participation.\u00a0 I look forward to seeing even more submissions next year.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\r\n\r\n\tJohn\u2019s winning submission was an application that he created called \u201cDiaLog.\u201d\u00a0 The app is designed to assist individuals diagnosed with diabetes as they treat and manage the disease by helping them track blood sugar levels and calculate insulin dosages to match meals at restaurants or at home.\u00a0 If you\u2019d like to see a demonstration of John\u2019s submission, you can view it here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schakowsky.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=3597", "Schakowsky statement on the Republican Continuing Resolution", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Jan Schakowsky", "S001145", "schakowsky.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Chief Deputy Whip and a member of the House Budget Committee, released the following statement after voting \u2018no\u2019 on the Republican Continuing Resolution that came before the House today:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe short-term spending bill that passed the House today was a disgrace. It fails to reauthorize health care for the 9 million kids who rely on the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program, fails to resolve the uncertainty and fear that President Trump created for DREAMers, and it fails to provide the amount of disaster relief that would be necessary to truly rebuild Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cInstead of using their full control of the federal government to move an agenda that improves the lives of working men and women \u2013 or even to guarantee that kids get health care and that hard-working young people aren\u2019t deported \u2013 Republicans have spent their time finding more and more creative ways to improve the lot of millionaires, billionaires, and corporate special interests. Even in this cruel pursuit, they have been ineffective, bringing us once again to the brink of a government shutdown just to kick the can two weeks down the road. Republicans have the wrong priorities and are incapable of governing. It truly is shameful to watch.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-cassidy-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-support-leading-rehab-facilities", "Durbin, Cassidy Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Support Leading Rehab Facilities", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.07.17\n\t\t\t Durbin, Cassidy Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Support Leading Rehab Facilities \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) today introduced bipartisan legislation to support rehabilitation facilities that lead the nation in research, serve the highest need patients, and provide the most medical training to students.\u00a0 U.S. Representatives Pete Olson (R-TX-22) and Gene Green (D-TX-29) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives today.\u00a0\r\n\u201cFacilities like the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago are leading the nation in bringing doctors and top researchers together to provide the highest quality care for patients with complex conditions.\u00a0 This bill would help provide sustainable funding so that the most innovative institutions in the nation can continue to drive the field in research, treat complex patients, and educate the next generation of researchers and medical professionals,\u201d said Durbin.\r\n\u201cThis is about giving hope to people who have suffered brain injury, nerve damage, or other complex conditions,\u201d said Cassidy.\u00a0 \u201cThis bill will support the doctors and researchers who are providing the best evidence based treatments and help them share their knowledge with others so that more patients return to wholeness.\u201d\r\nIn the United States, there are more than 1,100 Medicare-certified inpatient rehabilitation facilities.\u00a0 Among these facilities are a small group of rehabilitation institutions that drive the future of rehabilitation care and medicine, as well as patient recovery.\u00a0 This unique category of inpatient rehabilitation institutions conduct innovative research to advance the field of rehabilitation care, and treat the most complex conditions, such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, childhood disease, burns, and wartime injuries.\u00a0 All of them are also not-for-profit or government-owned and serve a high volume of Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries.\u00a0\r\nSpecifically, the Preserving Rehabilitation Innovation Centers Act:\r\n \r\nDefines \u201cRehabilitation Innovation Center\u201d as a rehabilitation facility that provides care for patients with highly complex conditions, conducts multidisciplinary rehabilitation research, and sees a high number of Medicare beneficiaries.\r\n \r\n \r\nCalls on the independent Medicare Payment Advisory Committee to conduct a study on the adequacy of current payment rates for Rehabilitation Innovation Centers.\u00a0 As our federal health care system moves away from the fee-for-service payment model toward more value-based care, the study directed by this legislation will inform how Rehabilitation Innovation Centers should be reimbursed.\r\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-continues-to-press-republican-congress-to-pass-the-dream-act-by-the-end-of-the-year", "Durbin Continues To Press Republican Congress To Pass The Dream Act By The End Of The Year", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.07.17\n\t\t\t Durbin Continues To Press Republican Congress To Pass The Dream Act By The End Of The Year \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Marks 100th Dreamer Story That Durbin Has Told On The Senate Floor\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON\u2014Three months after the Trump Administration\u2019s September 5th announcement that it will rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) again came to the Senate floor to call on Republican leaders in Congress to pass the bipartisan Dream Act before the end of the year.\u00a0 More than 11,000 Dreamers have already lost their DACA status, and beginning early next year, 1,000 additional young people will lose their protection from deportation each day.\r\nDuring his speech, Durbin shared the story of one Dreamer \u2013 Kyungmin Cho, who was just seven years old when his family brought him from Seoul, South Korea to the United States.\u00a0 Last year, Kyungmin enlisted in the army, through the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest program, known as MAVNI, and is now waiting to ship off to basic training.\u00a0 Kyungmin is the 100th Dreamer whose story Durbin has told on the Senate floor over the years.\u00a0 Other Dreamer stories are available here.\r\n\u201cWill we be a stronger country if we lose this kind of courage and this kind of commitment of a young man willing to risk his life for a country that does not legally recognize him as part of its population?\u201d asked Durbin.\u00a0 \u201cWe shouldn\u2019t do to this young man and to the thousands of others who count on us the unacceptable and walk away from our responsibility. \u00a0Now is the time \u2013 before the end of the year \u2013 to let this young man know that when he\u2019s called to serve our country, and proudly do so, we have done everything we can to clear his path.\u201d\u00a0\r\nVideo of Durbin\u2019s remarks on the Senate floor are available here.\r\nAudio of Durbin\u2019s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.\r\nFootage of Durbin\u2019s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.\u00a0\r\nKyungmin grew up in Palisades Park, New Jersey.\u00a0 From a young age, he excelled in his studies and was active in his community.\u00a0 In high school, he took multiple Advanced Placement courses, was Vice President of the National Honor Society, and President of his class.\u00a0 In high school, Kyungmin was also a member of the math and science academy, and a member of the Varsity track and field team.\u00a0 He was also a volunteer at his church, where he taught summer school.\u00a0 At the same time, he was working over 40 hours a week at a restaurant to help support his family.\r\nKyungmin is now a student at Temple University\u2019s Fox School of Business.\u00a0 He is studying accounting in the honors program.\u00a0 He continues to work two restaurant jobs for nearly 40 hours a week to support his family.\u00a0 Last year, Kyungmin enlisted in the army, through the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest program, known as MAVNI.\u00a0 The MAVNI program allows immigrants with skills that are \u201cvital to the national interest\u201d to enlist in the Armed Forces.\u00a0 More than 900 DACA recipients with these critical skills have joined the military through MAVNI.\u00a0 Kyungmin, along with many other Dreamers, is now waiting to ship off to basic training.\u00a0 He continues his undergraduate studies and is working full time while waiting for his chance to serve the country he loves.\r\nIn July, Durbin and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced the bipartisan Dream Act, which would allow immigrant students who grew up in the United States to earn lawful permanent residence and eventually American citizenship. These young people, known as Dreamers, have lived in America since they were children, built their lives here, and are American in every way except for their immigration status.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bustos.house.gov/standing-gretchen-carlson-congresswoman-bustos-senator-gillibrand-colleagues-announce-bipartisan-legislation-help-prevent-sexual-harassment-workplace-void-forced-arbitration-agre/", "Standing with Gretchen Carlson, Congresswoman Bustos, Senator Gillibrand and Colleagues Announce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Prevent Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, Void Forced Arbitration Agreements that Prevent Sexual Harassment Survivors from Ge", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Cheri Bustos", "B001286", "bustos.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bipartisan legislation, cosponsored by Bustos, Jones, Jayapal and Stefanik, would invalidate forced arbitration, bring sexual harassment and discrimination claims out of secret settlement process and into the light of day to help eliminate institutionalized protections for abusers\nWashington, DC \u2013Congresswoman Cheri Bustos and US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today stood with former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson and a bipartisan group of Members of Congress to announce legislation to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. The Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Harassment Act of 2017 would void forced arbitration agreements that prevent sexual harassment survivors from getting the justice they deserve. Carlson, who previously hosted \u201cFox & Friends,\u201d left the network after enduring years of sexual harassment by powerful men who used forced arbitration to institutionalize protections for sexual harassers and prevent survivors from discussing their cases and taking them to trial.\nToday, an estimated 60 million Americans are subject to forced arbitration clauses. The bipartisan, bicameral bill that Gillibrand, Bustos, and Carlson announced would void forced arbitration agreements and allow survivors of sexual harassment or discrimination to seek justice, discuss their cases publicly, and eliminate institutional protection for harassers. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Kamala Harris (D-CA), and U.S. Representatives Walter Jones (R-NC), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) are cosponsors of Bustos and Gillibrand\u2019s legislation.\n\u201cIf we truly want to end sexual harassment in the workplace, we need to eliminate the institutionalized protections that have allowed this unacceptable behavior to continue for too long,\u201d Congresswoman Bustos said. \u201cWhether it\u2019s on factory floors, in office buildings or retail businesses, 60 million Americans have signed away their right to seek real justice and most don\u2019t realize it until they try to get help. Our legislation is very straightforward and simple \u2013 if you have been subjected to sexual harassment or discrimination in the workplace, we think you \u2013 not the employer \u2013 should have the right to choose to go to court. While there are a lot of good companies that take sexual harassment seriously and work to prevent it, this legislation will help root out bad actors by preventing them from sweeping this problem under the rug.\u201d\n\u201cWhen a company has a forced arbitration policy, it means that if a worker is sexually harassed or sexually assaulted in the workplace, they are not allowed to go to court over it; instead, they have to go into a secret meeting with their employer and try to work out some kind of deal that really only protects the predator. They are forbidden from talking about what happened, and then they are expected to keep doing their job as if nothing happened to them. No worker should have to put up with such an unfair system,\u201d said Senator Gillibrand. \u201cI am proud to lead this bipartisan legislation to finally get rid of forced arbitration for sexual harassment and sexual assault in the workplace, and I urge all of my colleagues to join our effort, take this problem seriously, and support this important bipartisan bill.\u201d\n\u201cForced arbitration is a harasser\u2019s best friend,\u201d said Gretchen Carlson. \u201cIt keeps harassment complaints and settlements secret. It allows harassers to stay in their jobs, even as victims are pushed out or fired. It silences other victims who may have stepped forward if they\u2019d known. It\u2019s time we as a nation \u2013 together \u2013 in bipartisan fashion give a voice back to victims.\u201d\n\u201cIt is only fair and right that victims have the legal option to pursue charges if harassed in the workplace,\u201d said Congressman Jones. \u201cIt is time we give them their day in court.\u201d\n\u201cMandatory arbitration silences victims. It limits opportunity, protects powerful men and breaks the leadership ladders that we work so hard to build to help marginalized people succeed, in all industries and all political parties. Through this legislation, we are taking the first steps toward changing this deep-seated culture of sexism and silencing,\u201d said Rep. Jayapal. \u201cThe bravery of the victims who have come forward cannot go unnoticed. For them\u2014and for all people who experience harassment\u2014we must act on this moment and end the mandatory arbitration process.\u201d\n\u201cStory after story continues to come forward detailing shocking realities about the pervasiveness of workplace sexual harassment,\u201d said Congresswoman Stefanik. \u201cI share the outrage of Americans across our nation at these revelations and commend the brave men and women who have stepped forward to shine a light on this epidemic.\u00a0 This bill will help protect victims by giving them the opportunity to come forward publicly and have their stories heard. And by shedding light on these crimes and their perpetrators, this bill will also help prevent these disgusting crimes from ever taking place. As policy makers, it\u2019s time for us to join together and put an end to sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace.\u201d\n\u201cAs a condition of employment, Uber required me to sign a mandatory arbitration agreement that prohibited me from ever being able to take them to court,\u201d said Susan Fowler, who took on Uber for sexual harassment in the workplace. \u201cWhile I worked there, I experienced and witnessed sexual harassment and gender discrimination, as did many of my coworkers.\u00a0 The culture of harassment and discrimination was systemic at Uber, and was kept hidden from the public because Uber\u2019s use of mandatory arbitration forced employees to keep silent about their mistreatment. In order to bring public attention to Uber\u2019s toxic culture and force it to change, I had to risk my career, my reputation, and the personal safety of myself and my family by becoming a public whistleblower.\u00a0\u00a0Ending mandatory arbitration is the single most important thing that we can do to end sexual harassment and gender discrimination in the workplace. The Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Harassment Act will prevent companies like Uber from forcing their employees into secretive, private arbitration in the cases of sexual harassment and gender discrimination in the workplace. It will give a voice to victims of harassment and discrimination who have been silenced, allowing them to hold abusive workplaces publicly accountable for their actions.\u201d\nForced arbitration clauses prevent survivors of sexual harassment from discussing the nature or basis of their complaint. If an employee\u2019s contract or employee handbook includes a forced arbitration clause, the employee is likely to have signed away his or her right to a jury trial whether or not they are aware of the clause. Employees are far more likely to win cases that go to trial than cases that go through the arbitration process.\nA copy of the bill text can be found here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://foster.house.gov/media/press-releases/foster-statement-on-sexual-harassment-in-congress", "Foster Statement on Sexual Harassment in Congress", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Bill Foster", "F000454", "foster.house.gov", "foster", "https://foster.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC - I absolutely condemn sexual assault and sexual harassment. No one should have to work in a professional environment where this kind of behavior is condoned. Whether it's the disgusting and disturbing events in Alabama or the events with Senator Franken, Congressman Conyers, and President Trump, any type of this behavior is unacceptable. Anyone engaging in sexual harassment or assault must be held accountable, and I think Senator Franken and Congressman Kihuen should step down. It's clear that the U.S. House system for handling sexual harassment complaints is broken, and we need to find a better way to handle these complaints. No office should use taxpayer money for settlements in these cases nor should they operate in secret. Both parties should come together and make sure that anyone who experiences sexual harassment in an office has a clear and transparent path to report the behavior without fear of professional or personal retribution.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:19:19Z"], ["https://gutierrez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/floor-speech-rep-guti-rrez-calls-dream-act-vote-now", "In Floor Speech, Rep. Gutirrez Calls For DREAM Act Vote Now", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Luis Guti\u00e9rrez", "G000535", "gutierrez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Rep. Luis V. Guti\u00e9rrez (D-IL) delivered a speech on the House floor this morning calling for a vote on the DREAM Act (HR 3440), which would allow immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children to apply for permanent legal status.\u00a0 Later today, the Congressman will speak at a massive rally in Upper Senate Park to advocates who are gathering to send the same message: Pass the DREAM Act now.\u00a0 Yesterday, 34 House Republicans wrote Speaker of the House Paul Ryan to ask him to allow a vote on legislation to protect DREAMers and those with DACA before the end of the year.\u00a0 Rep. Guti\u00e9rrez says \u201cYou take the 34 Republicans that wrote the Speaker and add them to 194 of my Democrats and you are comfortably in the majority and the DREAM Act passes.\u201d\u00a0 Before the end of this week, a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government past the midnight deadline for funding on Friday will be voted on and Rep. Guti\u00e9rrez and others are calling for the inclusion of the DREAM Act on this must-pass legislation, because DREAMers with DACA are already losing their protection from deportation. \u201cEvery day that Congress does not pass the DREAM Act, 122 DACA recipients lose their protection from deportation,\u201d the Congressman said in his floor speech.\u00a0 He went on to compare the unpopularity of the recent Republican tax proposal (supported by just 29% of the American people in a Gallup poll released yesterday) and the DREAM Act, supported by 86% of the American people in a recent Fox News poll \u2013 and 63% of Trump voters \u2013 and the Congressman had a chart to show the vast differences in popularity of the two proposals. Yet, as the Congressman said about the DREAM Act, \u201c[H] here is a proposal supported by an overwhelming number of people; an overwhelming number of Republicans; and an overwhelming percentage of people who voted for Donald Trump and we cannot get a vote.\u201d With regard to the news that short-term CRs are in the works to kick the decisions on the DREAM Act until next year, the Congressman said: He urged the Speaker to allow a vote on the DREAM Act as an \u201cact of charity in the Christmas spirit\u201d to those Republicans who are anxious to vote against the DREAM Act, despite its popularity. Rep. Luis V. Guti\u00e9rrez is a Member of the Judiciary Committee and the Chair of the Immigration Task Force of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.\u00a0\n\tEvery day that Congress does not pass the DREAM Act, 122 DACA recipients lose their protection from deportation.\n\tThat\u2019s 122 every day \u2013 young people who arrived in the U.S. as children, have gone through multiple background checks and have lived in the U.S. for a minimum of 10 years.\n\tEvery week that passes nearly 1,000 DACA recipients lose their protection from deportation.\n\tBy Christmas, the number of DACA recipients who will have lost protection will reach 13,492.\u00a0\n\tBut now we are hearing that we may have a short-term CR or a series of CRs and that the whole budget and funding debate might get kicked down the road to next year, when all 800,000 young immigrants who signed up for DACA will begin losing their status on a rolling basis.\n\tMr. Speaker, with Republicans in control of the House, Senate and White House, I am pretty sure you will not need my vote to pass these must-pass bills to secure the integrity of the nation.\u00a0\n\tSo I will vote against any short-term CR because I assume you have the votes to govern as you see fit, no matter how much I and other Democrats disagree with your priorities on women, on children\u2019s health insurance, the environment, or the DREAMers.\n\tNow, if Republicans decide they do need help from Democrats to carry out the most basic functions of government, they know where to find us\u2026and we are more than willing to help, if what we are voting on meets minimal standards of the priorities of the American people.\n\tFor me and a lot of my colleagues, that means a vote on the DREAM Act right now, this year.\u00a0\n\tThe votes are here, the legislation is here, the American people are already in support, so Mr. Speaker, at some point, Republican leadership should just get out of the way and let America vote.\n\tThat is what leadership, compromise, and bipartisanship look like.\n\tNow, we certainly know what it doesn\u2019t look like.\n\tIn the middle of the night last weekend, Republicans voted to give a tax cut to the richest Americans.\u00a0 They dressed it up as a tax cut for everyone, but we all know this is an obscene tax cut for the obscenely wealthy.\n\tNot a single Democrat in either House supported it and this chart explains part of the reason why.\u00a0 It is tremendously unpopular with the American people as the small slice in red on this chart shows us.\n\tAccording to Gallup yesterday, just 29% of Americans support the Republican tax cut for billionaires and multinational companies.\n\tThat is what partisanship looks like.\u00a0\n\tSo what does bipartisanship look like?\u00a0 It looks like the DREAM Act.\n\tOverall, 86% of Americans support the DREAM Act, a bill to legalize the immigration status of immigrants who arrived in the United States as children.\u00a0 86%!!!\u00a0 That\u2019s the big slice of red on the chart.\n\tAnd that number comes from a Fox News poll, just in case you think I was using a partisan poll where they put their thumb on the scale to show things in my favor.\n\tAnd 63% of Trump voters back citizenship for DREAMers.\u00a0\n\tSo here is a proposal supported by an overwhelming number of people; an overwhelming number of Republicans; and an overwhelming percentage of people who voted for Donald Trump and we cannot get a vote.\n\tYesterday, 34 Republicans in this body wrote to the Speaker asking him to please allow a vote on something to protect DREAMers and those with DACA.\u00a0 Clearly all 34 know how to read this chart.\n\tThey want to do something that is both politically popular and the right thing to do from a moral standpoint.\n\tThe reason Republican leaders will not allow a vote on the DREAM Act \u2013 or at least are acting like they won\u2019t \u2013 is because they know it will pass.\u00a0\n\tYou take the 34 Republicans that wrote the Speaker and add them to 194 of my Democrats and you are comfortably in the majority and the DREAM Act passes.\u00a0\n\tAnd for all of those Republicans who oppose the DREAM Act, they get a Christmas present!\u00a0 They get to vote against it.\u00a0 What better way to associate yourself with the comments of your President, on Mexicans, on Muslims on everything else, than to vote against the DREAM Act?\n\tSo Mr. Speaker, I urge you to let your members vote against the DREAM Act as an act of charity in the Christmas spirit.\n\tRepublicans will get what most of them want: an opportunity to send a message to their base voters by voting on something the rest of us agree on \u2013 just like the tax bill \u2013 but this time, with passage of the DREAM Act, at least the majority of the American people will get something out of it too.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lipinski.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=91&itemid=3472", "Lipinski to Vote No on Bill That Undermines Individual State Concealed Carry Laws", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Daniel Lipinski", "L000563", "lipinski.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) released the following statement today:  \u201cInstead of acting on commonsense bills that actually help make us safer, Republican leadership is bringing the dangerous Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 (H.R. 38) to the House floor for a vote.\u00a0 If signed into law, this bill would undermine the firearms safety, training, and licensing requirements of Illinois.\u00a0 I promise to stand with law enforcement personnel from across the state and country in opposition to this bill.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lipinski.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=91&itemid=3473", "Lipinski Statement on Impeachment Resolution", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Daniel Lipinski", "L000563", "lipinski.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) released the following statement today:  \u201cToday, Rep. Al Green offered a Resolution of Impeachment of the President.\u00a0 I joined with House\u00a0Democratic leadership and 2/3rds of the House Democratic Caucus in voting\u00a0to table the resolution.\u00a0  \u201cMoving forward with \u200ethis resolution at this time would have undermined the investigations of the Trump Administration currently taking place, and could prevent a complete account of critical information the investigations already have or may uncover.\u00a0  \u201cLike many, I am concerned about the legality of some of the President\u2019s actions and have found many of his comments offensive, but now is not the time to consider articles of impeachment.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://quigley.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/quigley-statement-passage-concealed-carry-reciprocity-act", "Quigley Statement on Passage of the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Mike Quigley", "Q000023", "quigley.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), who serves as a Member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, released the following statement after Republicans in the House passed the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (H.R. 38) to force states with strong concealed carry laws to honor concealed carry permits from states with weaker laws.\n\u201cLegislation like this is beyond tone-deaf; it is dangerous and deplorable,\u201d said Rep. Quigley. \u201cInstead of working to expand universal background checks or crack down on firearm trafficking, House Republicans have decided to undermine the states with strong, common-sense gun laws that protect and promote public safety. In wake of the numerous tragedies we have faced recently as a result of gun violence, we should be strengthening our gun laws\u2014not weakening them. Unfortunately, this vote represents another opportunity for House Republicans to appease the NRA, rather than protect the American people we were elected to represent.\u201d\nThe Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act would overrides state concealed carry laws without setting a national standard, leaving the states with the weakest gun laws to have the most influence. This means that states with stricter laws on carrying a gun in public would be forced to allow residents from states that do not require a permit to carry a concealed gun to be able to travel within its borders, despite it being against that state\u2019s law. In addition, the bill endangers public safety through mandating where people can carry guns, increasing the possibility of guns in places like bars, schools, places of worship, and athletic events. While the NRA has vigorously pushed for this bill\u2019s passage, it has been opposed by numerous law enforcement and public safety organizations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, American Federation of Teachers, Everytown for Gun Safety, Law Enforcement Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence, and National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence\nAs a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Quigley has\u00a0called on Congress to stand up to the gun lobby in America. Last week, he introduced bipartisan legislation to establish an alert system that would alert state and local law enforcement when criminals break the law attempting to acquire a gun. Rep. Quigley has also co-authored a\u00a0bipartisan background check bill\u00a0that expands the existing background check system to cover all commercial firearm sales and introduced legislation\u00a0requiring the Attorney General to conduct a study and provide a report to Congress on possible links between mass shooters and a history of domestic violence.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://robinkelly.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-kelly-s-statement-on-impeachment-vote", "Congresswoman Kellys Statement on Impeachment Vote", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Robin Kelly", "K000385", "robinkelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congresswoman Robin Kelly released this statement concerning her vote opposing the tabling of H. Res. 646, a privileged resolution to impeach President Donald Trump:\n\u201cMy vote today was a vote for government transparency and decency.\nI regularly hear from constituents about the President\u2019s comments, tweets, actions and behavior and their comments are always negative. Many families are rightfully embarrassed and outraged by his consistently un-presidential behavior and remarks.\nEven before President Trump took office, serious concerns had been raised about his behavior and actions, especially in regards to Russia\u2019s interference in our election and sowing division amongst Americans.\nDespite these concerns, which have been voiced by leaders of both parties and America\u2019s intelligence community, Congress has refused to act. Instead the Republican majority has ignored nearly every call for investigation and oversight.\nAs a member of the House\u2019s investigative committee, we\u2019ve not held one hearing examining the President\u2019s actions and behavior. This is simply unacceptable.\nI will continue pressuring Chairman Gowdy and Speaker Ryan to let Congress, especially the Oversight and Government Reform, do its job.\nThe American people deserve answers and it\u2019s our job to get them.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://robinkelly.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-robin-kelly-i-m-heartbroken-for-families-who-will-have", "Congresswoman Robin Kelly: Im heartbroken for families who will have loved ones taken from them because of this bad bill.", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Robin Kelly", "K000385", "robinkelly.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congresswoman Robin Kelly, vice chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, released this statement on the passage of so-called \u201cConcealed Carry Reciprocity Act (H.R. 38):\u201d\n\u201cI\u2019m deeply disappointed that my colleagues would support a bill that will dramatically increase the number of Americans taken from their families and communities by gun violence.\nMy disappointment is massively overwhelmed by my sadness. I know this bill will mean more funerals, more empty seats at the dinner table and more mothers burying their children. I\u2019m sad for every family who has had a loved one taken and I\u2019m heartbroken for families who will have loved ones taken because of this bill.\nAs disappointed and sad as I am, I\u2019m not surprised. This vote continues the Republican majority\u2019s blind obedience to the NRA\u2019s \u2018guns everywhere, rules nowhere\u2019 agenda that has blocked every common sense gun safety legislation proposed in Congress.\nThis bill isn\u2019t just a threat to public safety, it will also put law enforcement officers\u2019 lives at greater risk.\nI come from a law enforcement family. My uncles, cousins and nephews wear the blue everyday so I understand the worry that comes with having a loved one serving and protecting their community.\nThe fears of that late night call or knock on the door from the police chaplain is real and happens far too often to too many families. If H.R. 38 becomes law, more families will get those dreaded calls and visits.\nAt least eight major law enforcement organizations have announced their opposition to this legislation saying the bill will \u2018create unacceptable risks to our nation\u2019s 900,000 police officers and the public at large.\u2019\nI\u2019m committed to fighting this bill and preventing its final passage. However, fighting the passage of bad bills isn\u2019t enough. It\u2019s time for Congress to get out from under the NRA\u2019s checkbook and act to save lives.\u201d\nNotes: Last week, Congresswoman Kelly took to the House floor to oppose H.R. 38, as it was considered by the House Judiciary Committee. The Congresswoman highlighted law enforcements' strong opposition to the bill and read into the Congressional Record the names of law enforcement officers killed by gun violence.\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nThis speech continues Congresswoman Kelly\u2019s pledge to read the names of 5,950 gun violence victims into the Congressional Record, one names for every dollar Speaker Paul Ryan took from the NRA during the 2016 cycle. To date, she has read 250 names into the Congressional Record.\nShe promised to continue reading names until Speaker Ryan finally allows a vote on bipartisan, broadly support legislation that will save American lives.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schakowsky.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=3594", "Schakowsky statement on President Trump's announcement on Jerusalem", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Jan Schakowsky", "S001145", "schakowsky.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Chief Deputy Whip, released the following statement after President Trump announced his decision to relocate the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem:\r\n\r\n\t\"President Trump\u2019s announcement today ignores reality and the consequences of an action that breaks with long-time U.S. policy held by both Republican and Democratic Administrations. Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, but taking this step outside of the framework of a final status agreement derails the peace process, jeopardizes our ability to help broker an agreement, and creates the likelihood of more violence in the region.\u00a0 There is reason that virtually all of our allies have urged us not to take this step. I continue to believe that the only path to sustainable peace is a two-state solution that allows Israelis and Palestinians to live side-by-side with economic prosperity and security. President Trump\u2019s action has made that much more difficult to achieve.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-schneider-hold-congress-your-corner-grayslake-saturday-0", "Rep. Schneider to Hold Congress on Your Corner in Grayslake on Saturday", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Brad Schneider", "S001190", "schneider.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) will host a \u201cCongress on Your Corner\u201d event to answer questions from constituents and brief attendees on his work in Washington this Saturday at 10:00am. The event will be held at the Village Hall in Grayslake, IL and is open to the public.\n\u00a0\nThis is Congressman Schneider\u2019s 16th town hall-style \u201cCongress on Your Corner\u201d event of 2017.\n\u00a0\nWHO:\u00a0\nRep. Brad Schneider and constituents of Illinois\u2019s Tenth District\n\u00a0\nWHAT:\u00a0\n\u201cCongress on Your Corner\u201d to meet constituents and answer questions\n\u00a0\nWHEN:\u00a0\nSaturday, December 9\n10:00am \u2013 11:00am\n\u00a0\nWHERE:\nGrayslake Village Hall \u2013 Council Chambers\n10 Seymour Ave, Grayslake, IL, 60030", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-schneider-host-bipartisan-small-business-committee-hearing-illinois-tenth", "Rep. Schneider to Host Bipartisan Small Business Committee Hearing in Illinois Tenth District", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Brad Schneider", "S001190", "schneider.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL) invited constituents to join him, Congressman Rod Blum (R-IA), and local small business owners at a bipartisan field hearing on \"Bridging the Entrepreneurial Gap.\"\nThe U.S. Small Business Committee is holding this hearing in Deerfield, IL, to hear first-hand from local entrepreneurs to learn about the current challenges to entrepreneurship that small business owners face and how Congress can help them overcome these barriers.\nCreating an environment where businesses can succeed and create jobs is a priority for Schneider.\nThis hearing is free and open to the public. Learn more and RSVP here.\nWHO:\u00a0  \n\tRep. Brad Schneider (D-IL)  \n\tRep. Rod Blum (R-IA)  \n\tSteven Whittington, Founder and CEO, LifeWorking Enterprise, LLC  \n\tMeg Barnhart, Founder and Co-Creator, The Zen of Slow Cooking  \n\tDavid Boris, Owner, Hel\u2019s Kitchen Catering  \n\tCheryl Besenjak, Partner, Grow Well Farms, LLC\nWHAT:\u00a0  \n\tHouse Small Business Committee Field Hearing on \u201cBridging the Entrepreneurial Gap: Addressing Barriers to Small Business Formation and Growth\u201d\nWHEN:\u00a0  \n\tMonday, December 11, 2017  \n\t9:30am \u2013 10:30am\nWHERE:  \n\tDeerfield Village Hall, Room 209  \n\t850 Waukegan Rd, Deerfield, IL 60015\nRSVP:  Learn more and RSVP here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-us-recognition-jerusalem-israel-s-capital", "Statement on U.S. Recognition of Jerusalem as Israels Capital", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Brad Schneider", "S001190", "schneider.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the below statement:\n\u201cJerusalem is the capital of Israel. It has been the eternal capital of the Jewish people for more than three thousand years, and since 1948 the capital of the Jewish state. These are facts that cannot be denied.\u00a0\n\u201cToday\u2019s announcement does not and should not change the United States\u2019 commitment to pursuing a real and sustainable peace in the region. Only through direct, bilateral negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians will a\u00a0lasting peace and viable two-state solution be achieved with\u00a0two peoples living side-by-side in peace, security and prosperity.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-passing-the-dream-act-by-the-end-of-the-year-is-a-matter-of-justice-and-fairness", "Durbin: Passing The Dream Act By The End Of The Year Is a Matter Of Justice And Fairness", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.06.17\n\t\t\t Durbin: Passing The Dream Act By The End Of The Year Is a Matter Of Justice And Fairness \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON\u2014Three months after the Trump Administration\u2019s September 5th announcement that it will rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) again came to the Senate floor to call on Republican leaders in Congress to pass the bipartisan Dream Act before the end of the year.\u00a0 More than 10,000 Dreamers have already lost their DACA status, and beginning early next year, 1,000 additional young people will lose this protection each day.\r\nDuring his speech, Durbin shared the story of one Dreamer \u2013 Yuriana Aguilar, who was five years old when her family brought her to the United States from Mexico.\u00a0 She is a research scientist specializing in cardiac health at Rush Medical Center in Chicago.\u00a0 Yuriana is the 99th Dreamer whose story Durbin has told on the Senate floor over the years.\u00a0 Other Dreamer stories are available here.\r\n\u201cDon\u2019t we want someone like Yuriana to stay in this country?\u00a0 Of course we do!\u00a0 She\u2019s a pretty determined young woman, and her determination does not only mean she has an opportunity for a great life, it\u2019s the opportunity to make the lives of so many of us better,\u201d said Durbin.\u00a0 \u201cIf we make the Dream Act the law of the land, young people like Yuriana can prove to work their way into legal status, work their way into citizenship, and become a valuable part of America\u2019s future.\u00a0 Let\u2019s roll up our sleeves and do what we were sent to do, solve problems, pass laws, make sure that we set the stage for America to be a better nation in years to come.\u201d\u00a0\r\nVideo of Durbin\u2019s remarks on the Senate floor are available here.\r\nAudio of Durbin\u2019s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.\r\nFootage of Durbin\u2019s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.\r\nYuriana Aguilar grew up near Fresno, California and she was an excellent student.\u00a0 She was in the top one percent of her high-school class and graduated as the valedictorian.\u00a0 She was a member of her high school\u2019s JROTC (Junior Reserves Officers\u2019 Training Corps) unit.\u00a0 And she volunteered at retirement homes and with a group called Tree Fresno, which plants trees and builds playgrounds in the community.\u00a0 Yuriana was accepted to, and attended University of California Merced, where she majored in Biological Sciences.\u00a0 She made the Dean\u2019s List every semester, and was on the Chancellor\u2019s Honors List.\u00a0\u00a0 She conducted research in marine biology, as well as atherosclerosis - the build-up of fat, cholesterol, and other substances in arteries.\u00a0 And she continued her community service. Yuriana volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club, with a local hospital, and with her church\u2019s Sunday School program.\u00a0\u00a0\r\nCurrently, Yuriana is a postdoctoral fellow and instructor in the Rush Medical College Department of Physiology & Biophysics.\u00a0 She examines cardiac functioning on the cellular level.\u00a0 Yuriana\u2019s studying proteins that regulate calcium signaling, which is critical for contraction and electrical functions in the heart.\u00a0 Seeing how this process works in a normal heart can help her detect differences in an unhealthy one.\u00a0 Yuriana has a work permit thanks to DACA, but it will expire in one year if DACA ends.\r\nIn July, Durbin and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced the bipartisan Dream Act, which would allow immigrant students who grew up in the United States to earn lawful permanent residence and eventually American citizenship. These young people, known as Dreamers, have lived in America since they were children, built their lives here, and are American in every way except for their immigration status.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n   \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lipinski.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=91&itemid=3470", "Lipinski Joins Fight for Commonsense Bill to Alert Law Enforcement When a Criminal Attempts to Purchase a Firearm", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Daniel Lipinski", "L000563", "lipinski.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) released the following statement today:  \u201cWhile the scourge of gun violence continues to plague our nation, there are numerous commonsense measures that we could implement to combat this violence.\u00a0 We should all agree that we want to keep firearms out of the hands of people who are not legally allowed to purchase them.\u00a0 That is why I am joining colleagues from both sides of the aisle in cosponsoring the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Denial Notification Act (H.R. 4471).\u00a0 This bill would create a system to alert state and local law enforcement when an individual legally prohibited from purchasing a gun attempts to buy one.  \u201cWe trust the police in our communities to help keep us safe.\u00a0 We should all be able to get behind legislation that lets them know when felons, domestic abusers, and the mentally ill are prevented by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System from purchasing a gun.\u00a0 We need to give law enforcement the tools they need to intervene before a dangerous person acquires a weapon and commits a violent crime.\u00a0  \u201cIn order to build bipartisan support for this bill, the authors \u2013 Reps. Quigley (D-IL) and Meehan (R-PA) \u2013 are requiring Democrats who want to co-sponsor the legislation to bring a Republican co-sponsor onboard.\u00a0 I reached out across the aisle to my colleagues Reps. Lance (NJ) and Fitzpatrick (PA) to urge them to cosponsor this bill.\u00a0 They subsequently signed on to the legislation.\u00a0 I will continue to work to garner additional support so that we can finally start getting some commonsense legislation passed to curb gun violence.\u00a0  \u201cOther bills I\u2019m supporting would establish a committee on gun violence prevention (H.Res. 367), eliminate policy prohibiting the Health and Human Services department from researching causes of gun violence (H.R. 1478, Gun Violence Research Act), make firearms trafficking a federal crime and impose stronger penalties on straw purchasers of guns (H.R. 1475, Gun Trafficking Prevention Act), ban bump stocks and similar devices (H.R. 3947, Automatic Gunfire Prevention Act), and reauthorize and strengthen the criminal background check system and subject gun show, internet, and classified ad sales to the background check system (H.R. 4240, Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act).  \u201cI understand these changes are not going to solve all our problems related to this life-and-death issue, but these necessary steps are long overdue.\u00a0 After what we have witnessed as a nation in recent years, we can\u2019t afford to just keep doing nothing.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schakowsky.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=3596", "Progressive Caucus Leaders Condemn Post-Election Repression in Honduras, Urge Full Recount and Suspension of U.S. Military Aid", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Jan Schakowsky", "S001145", "schakowsky.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.- Today, Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Ra\u00fal M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI), and CPC Vice Chairs Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), reacted to the political crisis in Honduras resulting from Sunday\u2019s disputed presidential election results:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cAs tens of thousands of Hondurans continue to take to the streets to express disapproval over their government\u2019s deeply flawed electoral process, we wish to extend our solidarity and sympathies to the families of slain Hondurans like 19-year-old Kimberly Fonseca, who was shot in the head by Honduran military police when they opened fire on nonviolent demonstrators. We add our voices to Honduran civil society groups demanding that Honduran government end its use of state-sponsored violence, martial law, and restrictions on media freedoms.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe United States should not tolerate President Juan Orlando Hern\u00e1ndez\u2019s moves to increase his grip on power in response to public outrage over what is widely seen as a stolen election. We are more committed now than ever to see Congress pass the Berta C\u00e1ceres Human Rights in Honduras Act to immediately suspend U.S. arming and training of the Honduran military and police until human rights defenders are protected and security forces are prosecuted for flagrant human rights violations.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cGiven the Honduran electoral authorities\u2019 lack of transparency as well as credible and widespread accusations of irregularities, which led the Organization of American States to express doubts over the results, the United States should not recognize the outcome of the election until a full recount is carried out at every polling place with international supervision and with the participation of all political parties. The chaos and violence that resulted from Honduras\u2019s 2009 coup d\u2019\u00e9tat should serve as a lesson: this time, the U.S. government must unequivocally stand with Hondurans\u2019 right to democracy and free expression. America must not tolerate autocratic and anti-democratic behavior by our allies.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://schneider.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-schneider-announces-holiday-cards-heroes-program", "Rep. Schneider Announces Holiday Cards for Heroes Program", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Brad Schneider", "S001190", "schneider.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (IL-10), launched the \u201cHoliday Cards for Heroes\u201d program for the 2017 holiday season.\nTenth District constituents are invited to drop off holiday cards for military servicemembers at Congressman Schneider\u2019s District Office in Lincolnshire, starting today through Friday, December 15, 2017. Holiday cards placed in envelopes should not be sealed closed.\n\u201cThe holidays are a special time for families and friends to gather together, but many of our brave men and women in our armed forces must spend this season far from family and home,\u201d said Schneider. \u201cA personal, handwritten card is a much-appreciated way to say thank you to the Americans serving our country, offer words of encouragement, and share holiday cheer. I\u2019m glad our office can help facilitate this program to connect constituents and our service members.\u201d\nCongressman Schneider\u2019s district office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00am \u2013 5:00pm at 111 Barclay Blvd, Suite 200, Lincolnshire, IL 60069.\nConstituents can also deliver cards during any upcoming Neighborhood Office Hour event. Check the schedule here.\nPlease call (847) 383-4870 with any questions.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-duckworth-call-on-president-trump-to-swiftly-nominate-head-of-consumer-watchdog-who-will-put-main-street-ahead-of-wall-street", "Durbin, Duckworth Call On President Trump To Swiftly Nominate Head Of Consumer Watchdog Who Will Put Main Street Ahead Of Wall Street", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "IL", "Richard Durbin", "D000563", "www.durbin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.05.17\n\t\t\t Durbin, Duckworth Call On President Trump To Swiftly Nominate Head Of Consumer Watchdog Who Will Put Main Street Ahead Of Wall Street \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) ) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) sent a letter to President Donald Trump calling on him to follow the law and swiftly nominate a permanent director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) who will put working families ahead of Wall Street.\r\nIn their letter, the Senators cited the CFPB\u2019s \u201caggressive enforcement and supervision,\u201d which has resulted in $12 billion in relief to 29 million American consumers who were cheated by financial companies.\r\nThe Senators also expressed serious concerns with the White House installing Budget Director Mick Mulvaney as part-time acting director on November 24th , despite clear language in the Dodd-Frank law stating that the Deputy Director, Leandra English, \u2018shall\u2019 run the agency in the \u2018absence or unavailability\u2019 of the director. Mulvaney has a clear record opposing the CFPB and has sought to abolish it.\r\n\u201cAssigning leadership of the CFPB to someone who already has a full-time job reporting to the White House and who does not believe in the CFPB\u2019s mission jeopardizes the agency\u2019s independence and effectiveness,\u201d wrote the senators. \u201cWe urge you to nominate a CFPB Director who will bring to the job both bipartisan support and a track record of being tough on Wall Street. Following the Dodd-Frank succession provision and nominating a Director who will fight for consumers allows the CFPB to continue its work without political interference.\u201d\r\nThe letter was also signed by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Gary Peters (D-MI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Tom Udall (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI),\u00a0 Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Al Franken (D-MN), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Jon Tester (D-MT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bob Casey (D-PA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Kirsten Gillibrand (-NY), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tom Carper (D-DE), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Kamala Harris (D-CA), and Bill Nelson (D-FL).\r\nThe full text of the letter is below and available here.\r\nDecember 4, 2017\r\nThe Honorable Donald J. Trump\r\nPresident\r\nThe White House\r\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW\r\nWashington, D.C. 20500\r\nDear President Trump,\r\nAfter the 2008 financial crisis wiped out trillions of dollars of wealth and the jobs of millions of Americans, Congress passed important financial reforms and created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), an independent watchdog to protect people from financial scams.[1]\r\nThrough aggressive enforcement and supervision, CFPB actions have resulted in $12 billion in relief for more than 29 million American consumers who were cheated by financial companies.[2] The CFPB has taken almost 200 enforcement actions: against mortgage schemes that rip off struggling borrowers, against predatory financial firms that set up shop next to military bases to target servicemembers, against scam for-profit schools that take advantage of veterans\u2019 benefits, and against companies that train their employees to trap consumers in debt.[3]\r\nThese are the enforcement results that the National Fraternal Order of Police and a bipartisan group of state attorneys general expected when they endorsed Rich Cordray\u2019s nomination and said he would be \u201can effective partner in combating fraud and other illegal schemes[.]\u201d[4]\r\nHis nomination passed the Senate with 66 votes, including 12 Republicans.[5]\r\nIn a 2016 campaign speech, you said \u201c\u2026[T]his election is a choice between taking our government back from the special interests, or surrendering our last scrap of independence to their total and complete control.\u201d[6] Polling shows that the vast majority of Americans agree that the CFPB has been doing great work holding special interests accountable. 74% of Americans -- Republicans and Democrats -- approve of the CFPB\u2019s mission and 55% of Republicans who voted for you believe that the CFPB should be left alone to do its work or even be given expanded authority to do more.[7]\r\nAssigning leadership of the CFPB to someone who already has a full-time job reporting to the White House and who does not believe in the CFPB\u2019s mission jeopardizes the agency\u2019s independence and effectiveness. We urge you to nominate a CFPB Director who will bring to the job both bipartisan support and a track record of being tough on big banks and other financial firms that rip off consumers. Following the Dodd-Frank succession provision and nominating a Director who will fight for consumers allows the CFPB to continue its work without political interference.\r\nPlease stand up for American military servicemembers and veterans, students, seniors and workers.\r\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 2024, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Democrat", "p1": "IL", "p2": "2017"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=IL&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 2024, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=IL&year=2017", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=IL&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 2024, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=IL&year=2017&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=IL&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "IL", "label": "IL", "count": 2024, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2017", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=IL&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "2017", "label": "2017", "count": 2024, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=IL", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2017-12-05,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Edurbin~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnewsroom~2Fpress-releases~2Fdurbin-duckworth-call-on-president-trump-to-swiftly-nominate-head-of-consumer-watchdog-who-will-put-main-street-ahead-of-wall-street", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=IL&year=2017&_next=2017-12-05%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Edurbin~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnewsroom~2Fpress-releases~2Fdurbin-duckworth-call-on-president-trump-to-swiftly-nominate-head-of-consumer-watchdog-who-will-put-main-street-ahead-of-wall-street&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 352.4150149896741, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}