{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"IL\" and year = 2020 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://kinzinger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402565", "Kinzinger Touts Big Wins for the American People in Year-End COVID Relief Package", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Adam Kinzinger", "K000378", "kinzinger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "After voting in favor of the year-end stimulus package, H.R. 133  Consolidated Appropriations Act, Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) released the following statement.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Washington, DC  After voting in favor of the year-end stimulus package, H.R. 133  Consolidated Appropriations Act, Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) released the following statement touting the many wins included for the American people: \r\nOnce again, the American people have been caught in the middle of a political standoff. Still, I'm glad to see so many Republican priorities included in this funding package, and relieved that our Democrat colleagues finally decided to negotiate in good faith on a COVID-19 relief package that we could get passed through Congress and on to the President's desk. \r\nDespite this package being long overdue, I was proud to vote in its favor because of the many provisions that will positively impact the American people facing the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding measure includes many bipartisan wins that take important steps to help provide COVID-19 relief through funding for vaccines, PPP loans, unemployment insurance, and $13 billion to support the agriculture sector, among other provisions.  \r\n\r\nThe package also includes spending bills that will protect our energy sector, our environment, our national security and cyber defenses, and our consumers. Several of my own bills have been included in this package like measures increase energy efficiency in the public and private sectors, and provisions to secure our telecom and information networks and their supply chains from foreign threats. The funding package also expands the telehealth grant program authorized under the CARES Act, ends the egregious practice of surprise billing, and funds community health centers (CHCs), and includes many other reforms to protect patients and taxpayers.  \r\n\r\nA few of the different legislations sponsored by Congressman Kinzinger that has been included in the year-end H.R. 133 funding package, as provisions and/or adopted language, can be found listed below:  \r\n\r\nH.R. 1430, the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Support Act  \r\n\r\n- This legislation would reauthorize an existing program that encourages the use of energy efficient technologies by generating electricity and capturing heat (that would otherwise be wasted) to provide useful thermal energy. More can be found here.\r\nH.R. 2044, the Smart Building Acceleration Act  \r\n\r\n- This bill assists in the building sector of adopting smart building technology to increase energy efficiency by requiring the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a Federal Smart Building Program. Full text of the legislation can be found here.\r\nH.R. 1420, the Energy Efficient Government Technology Act  \r\n\r\n- This bill sets forth the requirements to increase energy efficiency of information technologies and data centers within the federal government. More on this can be found here.\r\nH.R. 8000, the Ensuring Network Security Act  \r\n\r\n- This legislation amends the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act to expand eligibility from providers with 2 million customers to those providers with up to 10 million customers. The Congressman's statement on this bill's inclusion can be found here. \r\nH.R. 3079, the Energy Savings Through Public-Private Partnerships Act  \r\n\r\n- The bill requires federal facilities to implement energy and water efficient measures. More on this legislation can be found here. \r\nFollowing its passage in the House, the Senate moved to consider the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which passed 92 to 6. The full text of the bill, which expands 5,593 pages, can be found online here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bost.house.gov/2020/12/bost-votes-covid-19-relief-bill", "BOST VOTES FOR COVID-19 RELIEF BILL", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Mike Bost", "B001295", "bost.house.gov", "bost", "https://bost.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today voted in support of end-of-year government funding and COVID-19 relief legislation to provide working Americans, small businesses, and frontline workers relief from the COVID-19 pandemic. The bipartisan and bicameral bill includes funding for the Paycheck Protection Program, vaccine and testing funding, and $600 direct payments for adults and dependents.\n\n\u201cHad Speaker Pelosi put the needs of the American public above her own partisan agenda, we could have saved countless jobs and businesses months ago,\u201d said Bost. \u201cWhile it shouldn\u2019t have taken until the 11th hour, I am thankful that help is on the way. Hardworking Southern Illinois families, healthcare and frontline workers, and small businesses, through no fault of their own, have been devastated by COVID-19 shutdowns. This legislation will provide desperately needed relief to millions of Americans this holiday season and, combined with the successes of Operation Warp Speed, gives us hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel.\u201d\n\nImportant Provisions in the Bipartisan-Bicameral Omnibus & COVID Relief Deal\n\nMakes updates to the Paycheck Protection Program to allow businesses to apply for a second PPP loan, allow churches and faith-based organizations to apply for loans, and allow businesses to utilize PPP funds in addition to standard business tax deductions\n\nIncludes $20 billion of funding to ensure Americans can receive the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost to them, $8 billion for vaccine distribution, and $20 billion for continued testing efforts.\n\n$600 stimulus checks for adults and dependents\n\nExtends unemployment benefits by an additional $300 per week for 10 weeks\n\n$10 billion for childcare centers and $82 billion for schools to help them safely reopen for in-person learning\n\n$13 billion for farmers and producers impacted by COVID-19, including funding for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program\n\n$7 billion for broadband funding\n\n$4 billion for substance abuse programs\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:42:23Z"], ["https://bost.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bost-votes-covid-19-relief-bill", "BOST VOTES FOR COVID-19 RELIEF BILL", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Mike Bost", "B001295", "bost.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today voted in support of end-of-year government funding and COVID-19 relief legislationto provide working Americans, small businesses, and frontline workers relief from the COVID-19 pandemic. The bipartisan and bicameral bill includes funding for the Paycheck Protection Program, vaccine and testing funding, and $600 direct payments for adults and dependents.\nHad Speaker Pelosi put the needs of the American public above her own partisan agenda, we could have saved countless jobs and businesses months ago, said Bost. While it shouldn't have taken until the 11th hour, I am thankful that help is on the way. Hardworking Southern Illinois families, healthcare and frontline workers, and small businesses, through no fault of their own, have been devastated by COVID-19 shutdowns. This legislation will provide desperately needed relief to millions of Americans this holiday season and, combined with the successes of Operation Warp Speed, gives us hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel.\nImportant Provisions in the Bipartisan-Bicameral Omnibus & COVID Relief Deal\n Makes updates to the Paycheck Protection Program to allow businesses to apply for a second PPP loan, allow churches and faith-based organizations to apply for loans, and allow businesses to utilize PPP funds in addition to standard business tax deductions\n\tIncludes $20 billion of funding to ensure Americans can receive the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost to them, $8 billion for vaccine distribution, and $20 billion for continued testing efforts.\n\t$600 stimulus checks for adults and dependents\n\tExtends unemployment benefits by an additional $300 per week for 10 weeks\n\t$10 billion for childcare centers and $82 billion for schools to help them safely reopen for in-person learning\n\t$13 billion for farmers and producers impacted by COVID-19, including funding for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program\n\t$7 billion for broadband funding\n\t$4 billion for substance abuse programs\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/2020/12/rep-lahood-supports-covid-19-relief-bill", "Rep. LaHood Supports COVID-19 Relief Bill", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", "lahood", "https://lahood.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) voted this evening in favor of the Bipartisan-Bicameral Omnibus and COVID Relief Bill. The bill includes approximately $900 billion in COVID-19 aid. After the vote, Rep. LaHood released the following statement:\n\n\"As I traveled across the 18th Congressional District of Illinois in recent months, I heard from businesses on the brink of shutting down for good because of Governor Pritzker's state-mandated closures, workers who still cannot access Illinois' unemployment system, and health care workers who need additional support to care for COVID-19 patients. This bipartisan agreement includes important provisions to extend the Paycheck Protection Program, expand vaccine distribution, reopen our schools, and increase rural broadband access. No compromise is perfect, but this bipartisan bill will provide critical support to families, workers, small businesses, and our frontline health care heroes in Illinois.\n\n\"I continue to hold real concerns about the massive amount of deficit spending we are piling up and Congress' yearly inability to work in regular order to fund our government. While Congress needs to act to provide COVID-19 relief, if we continue this spending pattern unchecked, the burden left on our children and their children will be unbearable.\n\n\"As we head into the new year, the health and economic impact of COVID-19 will continue to present our nation with serious challenges. This bill will provide important relief to those in need and resources to support key programs in Illinois. It is essential that the Governor, the General Assembly, and local elected officials in Illinois also work swiftly to allow businesses to safely reopen, get our kids back in the classroom, and alleviate the issues so many of my constituents continue to have with Illinois' unemployment system.\"\n\nBipartisan-Bicameral Omnibus & COVID Relief Deal\n\nKey COVID-19 provisions in the legislation include:\n\nExtends the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and adds deductibility for PPP expenses\n\nGives businesses experiencing severe revenue reductions an opportunity to apply for a second draw PPP loan\n\n$20 billion for purchase of vaccines that will make the vaccine available at no charge for anyone who needs it\n\n$8 billion for vaccine distribution\n\n$20 billion to assist states with testing\n\n$600 for both adults and dependents with safeguards to prohibit illegal aliens from receiving payment\n\n$82 billion in funding for schools and universities to assist with reopening for in-person learning\n\n$300 million to build out rural broadband\n\n$250 million for telehealth\n\n$13 billion to support our farmers and agriculture industry\n\nKey provisions that Rep. LaHood introduced or advocated for:\n\nPaycheck Protection Program deductibility, which Rep. LaHood called for earlier this month\n\nCERTS Act - $2 billion included in CERTS funding for the moto-coach industry, which Rep. LaHood is the lead sponsor\n\nH.R. 5952 - SNF Hemophilia Access Act, which Rep. LaHood is the lead sponsor\n\n$15 billion in funding for the Payroll Support Program for airlines, which will support 18th District airports\n\nAllows FSA/DCFSA users to rollover unused dollars into 2021, which Rep. LaHood called for in May\n\nEnds surprise medical billing, by taking patients out of the middle with no government rate setting and giving true and honest cost estimate for patients three days prior to scheduled procedure, which are key priorities for Ways and Means Republicans\n\nImproves support for unique rural health care needs suggested by the Rural and Underserved Task Force, of which Rep. LaHood is a member\n\nIncludes responsible reforms to what are commonly known as \u201ctax extenders,\u201d including making the Craft Beverage and Short Line Rail tax credits permanent.\n\nAllocates\n\n$55 million for airport control towers, which will benefit needed airport tower upgrades at 18th District airports\n\nH.R. 7947 - Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act, which provides temporary additional funding to support older foster youth, kin caregivers, at-risk families, state courts, adoptive families, and foster care prevention services, and allows older youth to remain in foster care during the pandemic.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:42:23Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lahood-supports-covid-19-relief-bill", "Rep. LaHood Supports COVID-19 Relief Bill", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) voted this evening in favor of the Bipartisan-Bicameral Omnibus and COVID Relief Bill. The bill includes approximately $900 billion in COVID-19 aid. After the vote, Rep. LaHood released the following statement:\n\"As I traveled across the 18th Congressional District of Illinois in recent months, I heard from businesses on the brink of shutting down for good because of Governor Pritzker's state-mandated closures, workers who still cannot access Illinois' unemployment system, and health care workers who need additional support to care for COVID-19 patients. This bipartisan agreement includes important provisions to extend the Paycheck Protection Program, expand vaccine distribution, reopen our schools, and increase rural broadband access. No compromise is perfect, but this bipartisan bill will provide critical support to families, workers, small businesses, and our frontline health care heroes in Illinois.\n\"I continue to hold real concerns about the massive amount of deficitspending we are piling up and Congress' yearly inability to work in regular order to fund our government. While Congress needs to act to provide COVID-19 relief, if we continue this spending pattern unchecked, the burden left on our children and their children will be unbearable.\n\"As we head into the new year, the health and economic impact of COVID-19 will continue to present our nation with serious challenges. This bill will provide important relief to those in need and resources to support key programs in Illinois. It is essential that the Governor, the General Assembly, and local elected officials in Illinois also work swiftly to allow businesses to safely reopen, get our kids back in the classroom, and alleviate the issues so many of my constituentscontinue to have with Illinois' unemployment system.\"\nBipartisan-Bicameral Omnibus & COVID Relief Deal\nKey COVID-19 provisions in the legislation include:\n Extends the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and adds deductibility for PPP expenses\n\t\tGives businesses experiencing severe revenue reductions an opportunity to apply for a second draw PPP loan\n\t\t\n\t$20 billion for purchase of vaccines that will make the vaccine available at no charge for anyone who needs it\n\t$8 billion for vaccine distribution\n\t$20 billion to assist states with testing\n\t$600 for both adults and dependents with safeguards to prohibit illegal aliens from receiving payment\n\t$82 billion in funding for schools and universities to assist with reopening for in-person learning\n\t$300 million to build out rural broadband\n\t$250 million for telehealth\n\t$13 billion to support our farmers and agriculture industry\n Key provisions that Rep. LaHood introduced or advocated for:\n Paycheck Protection Program deductibility, which Rep. LaHoodcalled for earlier this month\n\tCERTS Act- $2 billion included in CERTS funding for the moto-coach industry, which Rep. LaHood is the lead sponsor\n\tH.R. 5952 - SNF Hemophilia Access Act, which Rep. LaHood is the lead sponsor\n\t$15 billion in funding for the Payroll Support Program for airlines, which will support 18th District airports\n\tAllows FSA/DCFSA users to rollover unused dollars into 2021, which Rep. LaHoodcalled for in May\n\tEnds surprise medical billing, bytaking patients out of the middle with no government rate setting and giving true and honest cost estimate for patients three days prior to scheduled procedure, which are key priorities for Ways and Means Republicans\n\tImproves support for unique rural health care needs suggested by the Rural and Underserved Task Force, of which Rep. LaHood is a member\n\tIncludes responsible reforms to what are commonly known as tax extenders, including making the Craft Beverage and Short Line Rail tax credits permanent.\n\t\tAllocates\n\t$55 million for airport control towers, which will benefit needed airport tower upgrades at 18th District airports\n\tH.R. 7947 - Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act, which provides temporary additional funding to support older foster youth, kin caregivers, at-risk families, state courts, adoptive families, and foster care prevention services, and allows older youth to remain in foster care during the pandemic.\n For additional information on key items included in this legislation and COVID-19 relief, visit the Ways and Means Republicans websiteHERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403948", "Rep. Davis Votes in Support of Additional COVID-19 Relief, Government Funding Legislation", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Rodney Davis", "D000619", "rodneydavis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) voted in support of additional COVID-19 relief and government funding legislation. The legislation included an extension of PPP and pandemic unemployment benefits, funding for vaccine production and distribution, and other legislative priorities of Rep. Davis'.\r\n\r\nI'm glad that Speaker Pelosi finally relented on her multi-trillion-dollar liberal wish list and agreed to support bipartisan, targeted COVID-19 relief, said Rep. Davis. While I wish Congressional leaders could've come to an agreement on liability protections and additional support for local governments, this legislation provides vitally-needed support for small businesses, workers forced out of a job due to government orders, farmers, and many others who have been hurt by this pandemic. It also provides huge support for production and distribution of coronavirus vaccines, which will help us return to normal next year. In the weeks and months ahead, Congress must provide thorough oversight of these programs to ensure that they function as intended and provide Americans the support they need to get through these challenging times.\r\n\r\nAlso included in the legislation were several provisions requested by Rep. Davis, including a 5-year extension of his student loan repayment plan and funding for the study required by law to have the 1908 Springfield Race Riot Site added as a unit of the National Park System.\r\n\r\nI'm proud that legislation voted on tonight included several provisions we have been working on for years, continued Rep. Davis. A five-year extension of our Employer Participation in Repayment Act' will continue a public-private partnership to lower student debt responsibly. Our plan protects taxpayers while providing meaningful, tax-free student debt relief for workers. That should be the approach to tackle our nation's student debt crisis.\r\n\r\nThis legislation also includes funding for the study required by law to have the 1908 Springfield Race Riot Site added as a Unit of the National Park System. This funding is a critical step towards giving the Site the recognition it deserves and ensuring that future generations of Americans will never forget about the innocent lives that were lost.\r\n\r\nThe COVID-19 relief legislation:\r\n \r\n    Extends the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and adds deductibility for PPP expenses\r\n    \r\n        Gives businesses experiencing severe revenue reductions an opportunity to apply for a second draw PPP loan\r\n        Includes 501(c)(6) organizations but excludes unions from eligibility\r\n        $15 billion in funding for entertainment venues, movie theaters, and museums that are experiencing significant revenue loss\r\n        Codifies federal rules that ensure churches and faith-based organizations are eligible for PPP loans\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Reopening America\r\n    \r\n        $20 billion for purchase of vaccines that will make the vaccine available at no charge for anyone who needs it\r\n        $8 billion for vaccine distribution\r\n        $20 billion to assist states with testing\r\n        $20 billion distribution from existing provider relief fund\r\n    \r\n    \r\n \r\n \r\n    Stimulus checks -- $600 for both adults and dependents\r\n    Temporarily extends a number of unemployment programs created by CARES Act that expire Dec. 31, 2020\r\n    \r\n        Provide unemployed individuals an additional $300 per week for 10 weeks from December 26, 2020-March 14, 2021\r\n        Extends and phases-out PUA, which is a temporary federal program covering self-employed and gig workers, to March 14 (after which no new applicants) through April 5, 2021\r\n    \r\n    \r\n \r\n \r\n    $10 billion for grants to childcare centers to help providers safely reopen\r\n    $4 billion for substance abuse  significant progress made over past several years on opioid addiction has been reversed because of impact of COVID lockdowns\r\n    $82 billion in funding for schools and universities to assist with reopening for in-person learning that also includes $2.75 billion in designated funds for private K through 12 education\r\n    $25 billion in temporary and targeted rental assistance for individuals who lost their source of income during the pandemic\r\n    \r\n        Extends the eviction moratorium until January 31, 2021\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    $7 billion in broadband funding that includes\r\n    \r\n        Nearly $2 billion to replace foreign manufactured broadband equipment that poses national security threats\r\n        $300 million to build out rural broadband\r\n        $250 million for telehealth\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    $45 billion for transportation, including\r\n    \r\n        $16 billion for another round of airline employee and contractor payroll support\r\n        $14 billion for transit\r\n        $10 billion for highways\r\n        $2 billion for intercity buses\r\n        $2 billion for airports\r\n        $1 billion for Amtrak\r\n    \r\n    \r\n \r\n \r\n    Increases SNAP benefits by 15% for six months, but does not expand eligibility, and requires the Secretary to issue a report on redemption rate and unexpended balances\r\n \r\n \r\n    Provides funding for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, a program that serves over 700,000 older Americans monthly\r\n    $13 billion to support our farmers and agriculture sector\r\n \r\n \r\n    \r\n        Enhances assistance under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to support specialty crop, non-specialty crop, livestock, dairy, and poultry producers\r\n        Gives discretionary authority to the Secretary to support producers of biofuels, producers of organics or value-added products, and timber harvesting and hauling businesses\r\n        Additional funding is directed to programs that support local producers and new and beginning farmers, dairy producers, dairy processors via reimbursement for donated dairy products, fisheries, textile mills, agricultural research, small and medium size meat processors, and to state departments of agriculture for farm stress programs\r\n    \r\n \r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://kinzinger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402563", "Kinzinger Fighting for Nuclear Energy Communities", "2020-12-18", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Adam Kinzinger", "K000378", "kinzinger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "This week, Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) introduced legislation that would establish an emissions avoidance program for certain nuclear reactors and authorize funding for nuclear closure communities.'\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Washington, DC  This week, Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) introduced legislation that would establish an emissions avoidance program for certain nuclear reactors and authorize funding for nuclear closure communities.' The Preserving Existing Nuclear Energy Generation Act is the House companion to a bipartisan effort by the Senate (S. 4897), and is increasingly important to communities like those in Illinois' 16th Congressional District, where nuclear generating stations are at continued risk of closure. \r\nFollowing introduction of the H.R. 9015 legislation with his colleague Congressman Mike Doyle (D-PA), Congressman Kinzinger released this statement:  \r\n\r\nThe greatest source of zero-emission bulk power in this country is slowly dying on the vine. In Illinois, 11 operating nuclear reactors  including eight in the 16th District  provide 88% of the state's emission-free electricity. But a combination of factors, including misguided fears about nuclear power, have hampered the political will to ensure this revolutionary technology continues to power our neighborhoods, schools, and communities.  \r\n\r\nI believe in a State's right to determine its own energy portfolio. But what I'm seeing is massive public support across Illinois for nuclear being met with political gridlock in Springfield. So now, it's time for a federal solution.  \r\n\r\nThe Preserving Existing Nuclear Energy Generation Act is designed to help save nuclear plants that are on the chopping block--including Byron and Dresden here in our backyard--by providing financial credits through an Emissions Avoidance Program. It also seeks to soften the blow to local communities who suffer the most near-term damage from the closure of these plants by providing resources to help shore up immediate budgetary impacts of local governments so that we can preserve essential municipal services and promote economic development.  \r\n\r\nI want to thank Senators Barrasso and Whitehouse for leading the way on things in the Senate, and greatly appreciate my colleague Congressman Doyle for once again partnering with me in support of nuclear power. This bill is only a first step, and I look forward to continuing our conversations on nuclear so that we may act quickly and decisively in the 117th Congress.  \r\n\r\nThe full text of the bill, H.R. 9015  the Preserving Existing Nuclear Energy Generation Act, can be found here and attached. The Senate companion bill, S. 4897  the American Nuclear Infrastructure Act of 2020, can be found here. In addition to the bipartisan Congressional support, these provisions have received strong support from multiple organizations.\r\nRELATED: \r\nOP-ED: Peoria Journal Star  Kinzinger: Saving our nuclear fleet starts in Springfield  \r\n\r\nKinzinger Statement on Byron, Dresden Plant Closures  \r\n\r\nVIDEO: Kinzinger Addressing the Issues of Clean Energy, Now and for the Future  \r\n\r\nThe Ripon Advance  Kinzinger praises federal nuclear rule change proposal", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403946", "House Passes Rep. Davis\u2019 Bipartisan Legislation to Help State and Local Governments Prepare for Severe Weather and Catastrophic Events", "2020-12-18", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Rodney Davis", "D000619", "rodneydavis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan disaster mitigation legislation - S. 3418, the Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Act - to help state and local governments prepare for or rebuild from severe weather or catastrophic events. S. 3418 is the Senate counterpart to legislation introduced by U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) and Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) in the House - H.R. 3779, the Resilience Revolving Loan Fund Act introduced in July of 2019.\r\n\r\nSevere weather and catastrophic events cause great strain on local economies and municipal budgets in cities and towns in Illinois like Grafton and many others across the country, said Rep. Davis. Our bipartisan bill will give state and local governments the tools they need to prepare for emergency disasters before they happen. This will protect local economies and taxpayers alike. I'd like to thank Rep. Craig for our partnership on this issue in the House and all of the advocates who helped get this critical legislation passed. I look forward to the president swiftly signing this legislation into law so we can be prepared before the next time disaster strikes.\r\n\r\nIn recent years, cities and towns in the Second District have experienced some of the most devastating flood seasons in recent memory  threatening Minnesotans' homes, doing severe damage to public property and costing our local communities millions of dollars in recovery efforts, said Rep. Craig. I am incredibly proud that our bill  which will soon be signed into law by President Trump  will allow cities like Red Wing, Jordan and Hastings to invest in resilient infrastructure that will not only protect their communities, but also save countless taxpayer dollars in the years to come.\r\n\r\nRepresentative Angie Craig of Minnesota and my Representative Rodney Davis of Illinois have championed our proposal for passage of the Resilience Revolving Loan Fund from the beginning and they continue to do so today. Protecting our communities from the increasing disasters we are facing is about leveraging the possible $12 we get back from every dollar spent on mitigation, and we're doing that along the entire Mississippi River, explainedMayor Rick Eberlin of Grafton, Illinois.\r\n\r\nWe congratulate Rep. Angie Craig (MN), Rep. Rodney Davis (IL), Rep. Cedric Richmond (LA), Senator Ron Johnson (WI), and Senator Gary Peters (MI) for their championship of this cause. Mayors up and down the Mississippi River throughout the ten-state corridor led on this legislation at the local level. With our region sustaining the largest and longest floor in US history through 2019 followed by the pandemic, we urge the President to sign this new and innovative solution to our impacts as soon as possible,urged Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative Co-Chair, Sharon Weston Broome, Mayor of Baton Rouge, LA.\r\n\r\nToday, the House of Representatives prioritized legislation that supports resilient infrastructure by passing the bipartisan Resilience Revolving Loan Fund bill, the STORM Act, said Tom Smith, Executive Director, American Society of Civil Engineers. ASCE has been proud to partner with bill sponsors Congresswoman Angie Craig and Congressman Rodney Davis to support this legislation, which will help mitigate disasters and record-breaking floods that have occurred along the Mississippi River. The Resilience Revolving Loan Fund is an important step towards improving resilience and planning for communities across the country. We urge President Trump to quickly sign this critical legislation into law so communities can get the resources they need to prepare, adapt and mitigate, and to quickly recover from the next catastrophic storm.\r\n\r\nCongratulations to Reps. Craig and Davis for their leadership on House passage of the STORM Act, said Chuck Chaitovitz, vice president, environmental affairs and sustainability at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Building smart, modern resilient infrastructure is among the top priorities for the business community. We join with our partners at MRCTI and ASCE in calling on the president to sign the bill in short order.\r\n\r\nThe legislation would create a low-interest loan program for Illinois and other states to fund mitigation projects that reduce the risks and costs of natural disasters or catastrophic events. Loans would be available for projects that minimize the costs and risks associated with wildfires, earthquakes, floods, storm surges and other events deemed catastrophic by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The program will not only reduce the financial burden of recovery on local governments  but allow communities to invest in resilient infrastructure that can withstand severe weather events and natural disasters.\r\n\r\nThe bill is now headed to the President's desk to be signed into law.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/2020/12/rep-lahood-announces-congressional-app-challenge-winner-illinois-18th-0", "Rep. LaHood Announces Congressional App Challenge Winner for Illinois\u2019 18th Congressional District", "2020-12-17", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", "lahood", "https://lahood.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) announced today that Nehal Tangudu, a senior at Normal Community High School, has won the Congressional App Challenge for the 18th Congressional District of Illinois in 2020. Nehal's project, the \"Timeline of the Universe\" was completed while taking classes from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.\n\n\u201cI am pleased to announce that Nehal Tangudu from Normal Community High School has won this year\u2019s Congressional App Challenge for the 18th District of Illinois,\u201d stated Rep. LaHood. \u201cNot only did Nehal display exceptional coding and technical skills in his application, but Nehal's innovative design in the Timeline of the Universe went above and beyond expectations.\"\n\n\u201cThis year\u2019s Challenge brought a variety of applicants from across central and west-central Illinois, and it was the most competitive competition we\u2019ve had over the last four years. The Congressional App Challenge always presents an exciting opportunity for students to showcase their talent in the innovative technology field. Computer science and STEM education are critical to our nation\u2019s long-term success, and I will continue to promote the importance of these programs through this Challenge and in Congress.\u201d\n\nTimeline for the Universe\n\nApp Name: Timeline for the Universe\n\nSchool: Normal Community High School\n\nOverview: The app gives an in depth timeline our earth's history, providing educational information about the world's evolution\n\nYou can view his submission here", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:42:23Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lahood-announces-congressional-app-challenge-winner-illinois-18th-0", "Rep. LaHood Announces Congressional App Challenge Winner for Illinois 18th Congressional District", "2020-12-17", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18)announced today that Nehal Tangudu, a senior at Normal Community High School, has won the Congressional App Challenge for the 18th Congressional District of Illinois in 2020. Nehal's project, the \"Timeline of the Universe\" was completed while taking classes from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.\nI am pleased to announce that Nehal Tangudu from Normal Community High School has won this year's Congressional App Challenge for the 18th District of Illinois,stated Rep. LaHood.Not only did Nehal display exceptional coding and technical skills in hi application, but Nehal's innovative design in the Timeline of the Universe went above and beyond expectations.\" This year's Challenge brought a variety of applicants from across central and west-central Illinois, and it was the most competitive competition we've had over the last four years. The Congressional App Challenge always presents an exciting opportunity for students to showcase their talent in the innovative technology field. Computer science and STEM education are critical to our nation's long-term success, and I will continue to promote the importance of these programs through this Challenge and in Congress.\nTimeline for the Universe\n App Name:Timeline for the Universe\n\tSchool: Normal Community High School\n\tOverview: The app gives an in depth timeline our earth's history, providing educational information about the world's evolution\n\tYou can view his submissionhere\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403944", "Davis Announces Service Academy Nominees for Class of 2025", "2020-12-17", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Rodney Davis", "D000619", "rodneydavis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) today announced that he has nominated 16 local students for admittance to the U.S. Service Academies for the Class of 2025. The nominations for these students were made following an application and interview process. Final determination on admission is made by the individual academies.\r\nAs a Member of Congress, I have the privilege of nominating these accomplished young men and women to our nation's service academies,said Davis.The honor of attending a service academy comes with an obligation and commitment to serve in the military upon graduation, so I applaud these students for their decision to serve and wish them the best of luck.\r\nAcademy Nominations:\r\nSimon Beazly, Decatur, attends Mt. Zion High School and is the son of Randel Beazly and Simone Demirjian-Beazly. He was nominated to the Military Academy (West Point).\r\nJackson Budwell, Glen Carbon, attends Edwardsville High School and is the son of Richard and Heather Budwell. He was nominated to the Military (West Point), Air Force, and Naval Academies.\r\nMichael Graham, Bloomington, attends the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School (MAPS) and is the son of Kevin Graham and Nora Lembke. He was nominated to the Military Academy (West Point).\r\nAlexa Harris, Edwardsville, attends Edwardsville High School and is the daughter of Robert and Penny Harris. She was nominated to the Air Force Academy.\r\nJoshua Harris, Edwardsville, attended Edwardsville High School and is the son of Tony and Kelly Harris. He was nominated to the Naval Academy.\r\nRobert Hooten, Decatur, attends MacArthur High School and is the son of Aaron and Sierra Hooten. He was nominated to the Air Force and Naval Academies.\r\nConner Husted, Clinton, attends Clinton High School and is the son of Donald and Jessica Husted. He was nominated to the Naval Academy.\r\nGrant Matarelli, Edwardsville, attends Edwardsville High School and is the son of Kevin and Julie Matarelli. He was nominated to the Air Force Academy.\r\nAustin Payne, Glen Carbon, attends Edwardsville High School and is the son of Eric Payne and Casey Taylor. He was nominated to the Naval Academy.\r\nJaclene Pranada, Savoy, attends Central High School and is the daughter of Raymond and Willie Pranada. She was nominated to the Air Force Academy.\r\nAndrew Rudolph, Monticello, attends Monticello High School and is the son of Thomas and Heather Rudolph. He was nominated to the Naval and Military (West Point) Academies.\r\nJohn Schmidt Jr., Girard, attends North Mac High School and is the son of John and Joyce Schmidt. He was nominated to the Naval Academy.\r\nReagan Skaggs, Decatur, IL/Burke, VA, attends Lake Braddock Secondary School and is the son of Michael and Robin Skaggs. She was nominated to the Air Force and Naval Academies.\r\nMitchell Steinkuehler, Edwardsville, attends Edwardsville High School and is the son of Frederick and Jane Steinkuehler. He was nominated to the Naval Academy.\r\nBenjamin Thompson, Taylorville, attends Taylorville High School and is the son of Matthew Thompson and Jeana (Steven) Lomprez. He was nominated to the Air Force Academy.\r\nKeely West, Virden, attended Lincoln's Challenge Academy and is the daughter of Steven and Kimberly West. She was nominated to the Military Academy (West Point).\r\nBackground:\r\nMembers of Congress are asked to nominate candidates to the U.S. Service Academies each year, and the number of vacancies for each congressional district is determined by law. Candidates can be considered for openings at the U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, Co.), U.S. Merchant Marines Academy (Kings Point, N.Y.), U.S. Military Academy (West Point, N.Y.) and the U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis, Md.).\r\nService academies offer fully funded four-year scholarships to young U.S. citizens who qualify by age and academics, who demonstrate desirable leadership qualities, and who have the wherewithal to strive for excellence in all their endeavors. A four-year education at one of the service academies has an estimated value of approximately $300,000.\r\n For more information or to obtain an application packet for next year's nominations, contact Congressman Davis' Normal office at (309) 252-8834 or visit his website.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bost.house.gov/2020/12/house-approves-bost-veterans-provisions", "HOUSE APPROVES BOST VETERANS PROVISIONS", "2020-12-16", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Mike Bost", "B001295", "bost.house.gov", "bost", "https://bost.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvements Act. The legislation includes several bills that Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12), the incoming lead Republican on the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee, introduced to improve benefits and services for veterans and their families.\n\n\u201cOur nation\u2019s military members have risked all in defense of our nation and our freedoms,\u201d said Bost. \u201cThey should not be met with bureaucratic red tape when they return home. I\u2019m proud to have introduced several provisions that were included in this package that will help ensure that servicemembers and veterans receive the benefits they have earned.\u201d\n\n[[{\"fid\":\"65993\",\"view_mode\":\"full\",\"fields\":{\"format\":\"full\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"Bost VA Bill 12.16.20\"},\"link_text\":null,\"type\":\"media\",\"field_deltas\":{\"1\":{\"format\":\"full\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"Bost VA Bill 12.16.20\"}},\"attributes\":{\"alt\":\"Bost VA Bill 12.16.20\",\"class\":\"media-element file-full\",\"data-delta\":\"1\"}}]]\n\nBost speaks on the House Floor in support of the legislative package. Click here to watch.\n\nBost Provisions Included\n\nH.R. 7287 \u2013 Allows specialty care providers to conduct disability exams across state lines\n\nH.R. 6013 \u2013 Reforms the Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance (S-DVI) program to ensure that veterans can receive life insurance coverage through the VA, even if they had been previously denied coverage by private insurance providers\n\nH.R. 5245 \u2013 Includes a provision that Bost introduced to allow veterans to remove a dependent via the eBenefits website\n\nH.R. 7445 \u2013 Expands eligibility for the VA Home Loan Guarantee Program to members of the National Guard and Reserve who have been activated by governors in response to COVID-19, recent civil disturbances, and natural disasters\n\nH.R. 7105 \u2013 Expands VA services for homeless veterans during the coronavirus pandemic\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:42:23Z"], ["https://bost.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-approves-bost-veterans-provisions", "HOUSE APPROVES BOST VETERANS PROVISIONS", "2020-12-16", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Mike Bost", "B001295", "bost.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvements Act. The legislation includes several bills that Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12), the incoming lead Republican on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, introduced to improve benefits and services for veterans and their families. Our nation's military members have risked all in defense of our nation and our freedoms, said Bost. They should not be met with bureaucratic red tape when they return home. I'm proud to have introduced several provisions that were included in this package that will help ensure that servicemembers and veterans receive the benefits they have earned.\n    \n\tBost speaks on the House Floor in support of the legislative package. Click here to watch.  \n\t\nBost Provisions Included\n H.R. 7287  Allows specialty care providers to conduct disability exams across state lines\n\tH.R. 6013  Reforms the Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance (S-DVI) program to ensure that veterans can receive life insurance coverage through the VA, even if they had been previously denied coverage by private insurance providers\n\tH.R. 5245  Includes a provision that Bost introduced to allow veterans to remove a dependent via the eBenefits website\n\tH.R. 7445  Expands eligibility for the VA Home Loan Guarantee Program to members of the National Guard and Reserve who have been activated by governors in response to COVID-19, recent civil disturbances, and natural disasters\n\tH.R. 7105  Expands VA services for homeless veterans during the coronavirus pandemic\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://kinzinger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402561", "Kinzinger Statement on Attack By Russian Hackers", "2020-12-15", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Adam Kinzinger", "K000378", "kinzinger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) released the following statement in response to reports of a highly sophisticated attack by Russian hackers on several U.S. government agencies and many U.S. companies.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Washington, DC  Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) released the following statement in response to reports of a highly sophisticated attack by Russian hackers on several U.S. government agencies and many U.S. companies:\r\nI was shocked and dismayed that initial reports already seem to indicate this Russian offensive operation may be one of the most damaging in the history of our Republic. The compromised technology at issue is used by our military, our civilian agencies, our intelligence community, and most of the Fortune 500.  \r\n\r\nIn the wake of this devastating attack, where do we go from here? First and foremost, the company at the center of this disaster must produce an effective and reliable software patch to neutralize the ongoing threats. Thankfully, they have indicated they will have one today.  \r\n\r\nThe President must also relinquish his dangerous and foolish veto threat relating to the National Defense Authorization Act, a bill which provides enhanced cyber protections and capabilities to secure our nation. Further, the Speaker and President-Elect must commit to working hand-in-hand with Congressional Republicans to mitigate threats to technology supply chains; and we can start by taking up any of the hundreds of recommendations included in the Report produced by the House China Task Force, on which I served.  \r\n\r\nBeyond that, we must conduct a nation-wide assessment of the public and private sector systems which were compromised, as we cannot repair our networks and our national security posture without one. And finally, we must resolve to exact justice and retribution upon the Russians for these crimes, as well as any others engaging in these attacks against the United States.  \r\n\r\nWhen it comes to the pervasive threats posed by Russia, China, Iran, and others, we truly have no other choice than to come together as one nation again. The division and bickering in America has become a clear and present danger to our collective security. While we point fingers and cast blame, our enemies are taking advantage. The most powerful weapon, the largest measure of security we could produce right now, is some semblance of unity and recognition in one another that we are Americans above all else. I pray that we find our path forward soon so that we may stop moving backward.  \r\n\r\n\r\nRELATED:  \r\n\r\nOP-ED: Washington Examiner  The 5th Domain: Cyber defense needed in the 21st Century  \r\n\r\nWCSJ News  Kinzinger Network Security Bill Signed Into Law  \r\n\r\nKinzinger Leads Provisions in China Task Force Report", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://shimkus.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/shimkus-salutes-life-of-lawrence-county-legend-cunningham", "Shimkus Salutes Life of Lawrence County Legend Cunningham", "2020-12-14", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "John Shimkus", "S000364", "shimkus.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15)entered a statement into the permanent Congressional Record remembering the extraordinary life of Lawrence County's Roscoe D. Cunningham, who passed away November 28.  \n\t  \n\t\"Roscoe proved to be a strong community leader, dedicating his life to bettering his community in Lawrence County. He was considered one of the county's most vocal advocates,\" Shimkus said.\n\"Lawrence County will surely miss him.\" The full entry in the Congressional Record can be found HERE.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://kinzinger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402555", "Kinzinger, C\u00e1rdenas, Eshoo, Burgess Introduce Legislation to Encourage Investment in Clean Aviation Technology", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Adam Kinzinger", "K000378", "kinzinger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "This week, Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and three of his House colleagues introduced the ATVM Modernization Act. \r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      WASHINGTON, DC This week, Representatives Adam Kinzinger (R-IL-16), Tony Crdenas (D-CA-29), Anna Eshoo (D-CA-18), and Michael Burgess, M.D. (R-TX-26) introduced the ATVM Modernization Act. This legislation would incentivize clean, environmentally friendly aviation technology development by expanding eligibility under the Department of Energy's Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) loan program to include American-made, energy-efficient aircraft. The United States leads the world in research, development, and innovation, but continues to be a net importer of advanced technology products,said Rep. Kinzinger. The Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) program is designed to steer American innovation and ingenuity into real-world manufacturing capabilities, thereby creating jobs and benefiting the environment. While the program has shown success in the past by fueling the advanced automobile manufacturing sectors, it still has billions of dollars in loan authority. It's time to put that money to good use for the next wave of advanced transportation technologies, including those in aviationand that's what our bill aims to do.\r\nClimate change is a very real existential threat to our national security and economy, said Rep. Crdenas. We must curb our dependence on dirty fossil fuels and invest in cleaner, efficient technology so that we reduce our carbon footprint. As more and more people rely on air travel, the contribution of aircrafts to global gas emissions will increase at a commensurate rate which is why we must incentivize companies to invest in energy efficient technology. My commonsense bipartisan bill will encourage development of cleaner, fuel-efficient aircrafts.\r\nThe federal government played a critical role in bringing electric vehicle manufacturing to the U.S., and the ATVM Modernization Act will build on this record of success by fostering innovation in clean aviation technology, Rep. Eshoo said. This legislation creates a win for our economy and our environment by supporting advanced manufacturing jobs, reducing carbon emissions, and continuing American leadership in clean energy innovation and the aviation sector.\r\nAmericans are gravitating towards clean energy technologies. It is important that Congress provides sensible and thoughtful solutions to ensure continued innovation. This legislation will help foster electric vehicle startups, including electric airplanes, by providing them the resources they need to get off the ground. This same loan program can be attributed for the success of electric automobiles and will expand to other modes of transportation. I hope others will join in supporting this bipartisan cause. Ultimately it is the marketplace that will determine the value of new technologies, said Rep. Burgess, M.D.\r\nAccording to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), aircrafts contribute 12 percent of U.S. transportation emissions, and account for three percent of the nation's total greenhouse gas production. Globally, aviation produced 2.4 percent of total CO2 emissions in 2018. Aviation is one of the fastest-growing sources of the greenhouse gas emissions driving global climate change.  \r\n\r\nThis bill has been endorsed by: Joby Aviation, Beta Technologies, Kitty Hawk Corporation, Urban Air Mobility Division of Hyundai Motor Group, Uber Technologies, Rolls-Royce North America, Inc.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403939", "Central Illinois Leaders Applaud Davis\u2019 Legislation to Commemorate Route 66\u2019s Upcoming Centennial", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Rodney Davis", "D000619", "rodneydavis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On Tuesday, legislation sponsored by U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Route 66 passed the U.S. House. TheRoute66Centennial Commission Actwill establish a centennial commission in preparation for the 100thanniversary ofRoute66, which begins in Chicago and continues through six other states before ending on the Pacific Coast in California. U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) were also sponsors of the legislation.\r\n\r\nCentral Illinois leaders and Route 66 advocates applauded the passage of the legislation.\r\n\r\n\"Illinois leads the way on Route 66 and I am so pleased to have the Federal government on board with planning for the centennial of the greatest road in the world,\" said Illinois State Representative Tim Butler. \"2026, which will also be the 250th anniversary of our Nation, will bring tremendous interest from around the world to explore the Mother Road. We look forward to welcoming people as they begin--or maybe end--their Route 66 experience in Illinois.\"\r\n\r\nRoute 66 plays an important factor in Litchfield's economy. Due to Route 66, Litchfield has multiple national name brand hotels, an abundance of restaurants, prominent tourist attractions, and an international Route 66 reputation. Route 66 is the most famous road in the world and has become synonymous with the freedom associated with traveling the open road in the United States of America. It is important to develop a National Route 66 Centennial Commission to celebrate this historic road, generate continued income in Route 66 communities, and preserve Route 66 for future generations. - Steve Dougherty, Mayor of the City of Litchfield\r\n\r\nU.S. Route 66 or better known as the Mother Road, was one of the original highways in the U.S. Highway System. The highway, which became one of the most famous roads in the United States, originally ran from Chicago through Illinois across the country, ending in Santa Monica, California, covering a total of 2,448 miles. The road is recognized in popular culture throughout the world from past hit songs and television series. Today, travelers from around the globe explore the open road discovering new experiences through past and present life of today's small business owners. As we embark on the 100thanniversary of Route 66 the Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau supports the creation of the Centennial Commission as a turning point for further preservation, community and tourism development efforts for future generations to learn of the road's history. - Cory Jobe, President & CEO Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau\r\n\r\nOur family restaurant sits along historic Route 66 in Springfield, and the tourism and economic activity along Route 66 is vital to supporting small businesses like ours. It's important that we celebrate this major milestone in the life of Route 66 because it will generate tourism and support the small towns and mom and pop shops along this historic highway. I'd like to thank Congressman Davis and our senators for leading on this issue in Congress and getting this done. Their work will help preserve the life and culture along Route 66.\r\n\r\nThe commission created by theRoute66Centennial Commission Actwould be made up of representatives from each of the eightRoute66states and would recommend activities to commemorate the 100thanniversary in 2026. TheRoute66Ahead Partnership supports this legislation.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403943", "Davis, LaHood Announce $125,000 Drug-Free Communities Grant to BN Parents", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Rodney Davis", "D000619", "rodneydavis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Representatives Rodney Davis (IL-13) and Darin LaHood (IL-18) today announced that theBN Parentsorganization facilitated by Chestnut Health Systems, Inc. is the recipient of a Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program grant through the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). The continuing grant award is for the amount of $125,000.\r\n\r\nSubstance abuse is a public health problem across the country, including right here in central Illinois, but fortunately the great staff and volunteers at groups like BN Parents are successfully working to change that, said Rep. Davis. It's great to see BN parents and similar groups receive these grant funds so they can continue their mission and promote healthier communities.\r\n\r\nBN Parents does great work in the community to deliver an anti-drug and anti-alcohol message to students in Bloomington-Normal, said Rep. LaHood. I am grateful to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy for awarding these funds, which will enable BN Parents to continue providing important resources to students in central Illinois.\r\n\r\nInvestment in prevention is an investment in our future  and under the Trump Administration, that investment is at an all-time high, ONDCP Director Jim Carroll stated. The record support for the DFC program announced by the White House this year will help the people of Bloomington-Normal, promote the evidence-based messages that have been proven to lower illicit substance use among our Nation's youth.\r\n\r\nBN Parents is a community coalition with a mission of reducing substance use through parent-teen communication on the issue. Additional information can be found atwww.BNParents.org. The DFC Program was developed to support communities as they mobilize individuals and organizations to prevent youth substance use, based on the premise that local problems need local solutions. At a time when the addiction crisis continues to affect communities across the country, DFC-funded coalitions work to reduce the prevalence of past 30-day use for alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and prescription drugs.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bost.house.gov/2020/12/bost-announces-78-million-metro-east-health-center-grant", "BOST ANNOUNCES $7.8 MILLION METRO EAST HEALTH CENTER GRANT", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Mike Bost", "B001295", "bost.house.gov", "bost", "https://bost.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today announced that the Department of Health and Human Services has awarded a $7.8 million grant to SIHF Healthcare in Sauget through their Health Center Cluster funding program. These discretionary funds will be used for general health center operations.\n\n\u201cNow more than ever, healthcare providers like SIHF Healthcare are working around the clock to keep their communities safe and healthy,\u201d said Bost. \u201cThis grant will provide SIHF with critical resources to continue their work to provide quality care for patients.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:42:23Z"], ["https://bost.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bost-announces-78-million-metro-east-health-center-grant", "BOST ANNOUNCES $7.8 MILLION METRO EAST HEALTH CENTER GRANT", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Mike Bost", "B001295", "bost.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today announced that the Department of Health and Human Services has awarded a $7.8 million grant to SIHF Healthcare in Sauget through their Health Center Cluster funding program. These discretionary funds will be used for general health center operations.\n\nNow more than ever, healthcare providers like SIHF Healthcare are working around the clock to keep their communities safe and healthy, said Bost. This grant will provide SIHF with critical resources to continue their work to provide quality care for patients.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://kinzinger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402560", "Kinzinger, Kaptur Introduce Bipartisan Transatlantic Telecommunications Security Act", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Adam Kinzinger", "K000378", "kinzinger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Legislation authorizes U.S. Development Finance Corporation to provide financing for cross-border 5G telecommunications infrastructure development to enhance transatlantic security in the face of malign influence.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Washington, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), released the following statement after they introduced the bipartisan Transatlantic Telecommunications Security Act, legislation to authorize the U.S. Development Finance Corporation to provide financing for 5G telecommunications infrastructure development to our European allies and partners. The legislation seeks to increase resilience in countries in the region whose infrastructure deficit from the Soviet-era makes them especially vulnerable to malign Chinese influence, including among nations in the Three Seas Initiative. Additionally, this bill directs the Secretary of State and other relevant agency heads to prioritize diplomacy and project support for European allies and partners to develop 5G markets that are inclusive, transparent, economically viable, socially sustainable, and compliant with international law. Finally, this legislation ensures the United States is leading with our European allies to develop international 5G standards that favor democratic institutions, not further authoritarianism spread by China. \r\nI thank Congressman Kinzinger for joining me in introducing this important, bipartisan legislation today, said Rep. Kaptur. The United States and our allies are facing increasing threats from state-linked companies in China as they seek to infiltrate and undermine democratic institutions. These companies pose an especially dire risk as our European allies and partners work to build out their 5G infrastructure. 5G networks will serve as the backbone of transatlantic telecommunications infrastructure for years to come, fostering greater development of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence. With those advances come immense national security and economic implications. That is why it is critical that these networks be kept safe from malign foreign influence. This legislation will help our European allies and partners finance 5G infrastructure development through the U.S. Development Finance Corporation, which will provide a viable, transparent alternative to insecure telecommunication equipment and service providers.  \r\n\r\nI am glad to introduce the Transatlantic Telecommunications Security Act with my colleague Representative Kaptur. This legislation, which is modeled off our European Energy and Security Diversification Act, would offer American assistance and innovation to help central and eastern European countries push back on the infiltration of Chinese technology into their critical networks, said Congressman Kinzinger. With the growing threat coming from Communist China, we must ensure that our allies are protected from their malign influence. Doing so not only protects our shared communications, but helps defend the freedom of speech, press, and religion across the continent.  \r\n\r\nFollowing unanimous House passage of the H.Res. 672 supporting the Three Seas Initiative and the enactment of the bipartisan European Energy Security and Diversification Act, this bill is the critically needed, next step for Congress to secure our transatlantic allies and partners from malign influence.  \r\n\r\nOriginal cosponsors of this legislation include: Reps. Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Ed Case (D-HI), Chris Stewart (R-UT), Joseph D. Morelle (D-NY), and Jim Costa (D-CA).   \r\n\r\nBill text can be found online here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403935", "Davis Reaffirms His Support for the Hyde Amendment and Opposition to Taxpayer-Funded Abortion", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Rodney Davis", "D000619", "rodneydavis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) issued the following statement reaffirming his support for the Hyde Amendment and opposition to taxpayer-funded abortion:\r\n\r\nAs a pro-life lawmaker, I've supported the bipartisan Hyde Amendment since coming to Congress. It has been vital to protecting the First Amendment and conscience rights of pro-life Americans and also taxpayers who don't think their hard-earned tax dollars should fund abortion. House Democrats' attempts to expand taxpayer-funded abortion are wrong and out of step with most Americans' views on this issue. I will continue to advocate for life and the Hyde Amendment's continued inclusion in government funding legislation.\r\n\r\nThe Hyde Amendment, first enacted in 1976 and named after former Republican Congressman Henry Hyde of Illinois, barred the use of federal taxpayer dollars funding abortions, except in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother. The Hyde Amendment has received bipartisan support since its inception.\r\n\r\nYesterday, the House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, held a hearing on the Hyde Amendment. Some House Democrats are seeking to repeal the Hyde Amendment and allow for taxpayer funding of elective abortions. Public opinion polling in recent years has shown that a majority of Americans supports the Hyde Amendment and opposes public funding of abortion.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403937", "Davis-Introduced Bipartisan Colorectal Cancer Screening Legislation Passes House", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Rodney Davis", "D000619", "rodneydavis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 1570, the bipartisan Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act of 2019. U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) is an original co-sponsor of the legislation. Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-N.J.) is the lead sponsor of the legislation.\r\n\r\nFighting cancer and reducing its incidence is personal to me,said Rep. Davis.21 years ago, my wife was diagnosed and treated for colon cancer. It's a genetic form of cancer, Lynch syndrome, that could affect our kids, and we're fortunate that she was able to receive treatment that saved her life. Colorectal cancer is the 2ndleading cause of cancer death among men and women combined in the U.S., and those deaths are preventable.\r\n\r\nThat's why I was proud to team up with my colleague, Rep. Payne, and so many others to unanimously pass this bipartisan legislation. Our bill ensures Medicare beneficiaries aren't charged for colonoscopies that discover polyps or any subsequent colorectal cancer screenings. We need to do everything we can to lower barriers for individuals to receive these cancer screenings because that will save lives. Our bill does just that.\r\n\r\nI have wanted to pass this bill since I lost my father, Congressman Donald M. Payne, Sr., to the deadly disease in 2012,said Congressman Payne, Jr.My bill would give doctors more freedom to treat and remove cancerous growths when they find them and improve the health and safety of millions of Americans at risk for colorectal cancer. I want to thank Chairman Frank Pallone for helping me get this bill to the House floor and my House colleagues for passing it today.\r\n\r\n\"Fight Colorectal Cancer is thrilled to see the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act pass the U.S. House of Representatives again with such strong bipartisansupport. We are so grateful to all the sponsors of this legislation who have continued to be relentless champions for the colorectal cancer community. COVID-19 has had a significant impact on colorectal cancer screening and policies such as this are key to ensuring that patients have access to life-saving cancer screening.\"- Anjee Davis, President, Fight Colorectal Cancer\r\n\r\nHigh costs discourage individuals from receiving life-saving cancer screenings. Currently, Medicare beneficiaries are able to receive colorectal cancer screenings, but if cancerous polyps are discovered during those screenings, Medicare beneficiaries can be charged for the testing of those polyps. Costs associated with those cancer screenings deters individuals from receiving the screenings. H.R. 1570 would waive the costs for subsequent testing from the initial screening.\r\n\r\nThe legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bost.house.gov/2020/12/house-approves-bost-waterways-infrastructure-provisions", "HOUSE APPROVES BOST WATERWAYS INFRASTRUCTURE PROVISIONS", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Mike Bost", "B001295", "bost.house.gov", "bost", "https://bost.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which will help strengthen America\u2019s ports, locks, dams, and water infrastructure. The bill, which now advances to President Trump\u2019s desk for his signature, includes several provisions introduced by U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) to improve certain water infrastructure projects across Southern Illinois.\n\n\u201cEvery year, 575 million tons of cargo pass through our inland ports and waterways, including several in Southern Illinois,\u201d said Bost. \u201cThese projects are vitally important to our local and national economies. I\u2019m pleased that the Water Resources Development Act includes several provisions I introduced to strengthen Southern Illinois\u2019 water infrastructure from Wood River to Cairo and points in between.\u201d\n\nBost provisions in WRDA include:\n\nIncreasing federal funding authorization to help carry out six miles of sewer separation projects in Belleville and Wood River. This project will reduce sewage backup, disruptions to traffic, and other health and economic consequences resulting from overflows and untreated sewage;\n\nCreating a program for the United States Army Corps of Engineers to make repairs and improvements to Army Corps-constructed flood pumping stations, such as those in Cairo, Illinois;\n\nPermitting local levee districts to make additional in-kind contributions toward achieving a positive Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) in cases where the Corps determines that the cost of repair to a breached non-federal levee exceeds its flood prevention benefits.\n\nIncreasing the federal costs share for construction of inland waterways projects, such as locks and dams.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:42:23Z"], ["https://bost.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-approves-bost-waterways-infrastructure-provisions", "HOUSE APPROVES BOST WATERWAYS INFRASTRUCTURE PROVISIONS", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Mike Bost", "B001295", "bost.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which will help strengthen America's ports, locks, dams, and water infrastructure. The bill, which now advances to President Trump's desk for his signature, includes several provisions introduced by U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) to improve certain water infrastructure projects across Southern Illinois.\n\nEvery year, 575 million tons of cargo pass through our inland ports and waterways, including several in Southern Illinois, said Bost. These projects are vitally important to our local and national economies. I'm pleased that the Water Resources Development Act includes several provisions I introduced to strengthen Southern Illinois' water infrastructure from Wood River to Cairo and points in between.\n\nBost provisions in WRDA include:\n Increasing federal funding authorization to help carry out six miles of sewer separation projects in Belleville and Wood River. This project will reduce sewage backup, disruptions to traffic, and other health and economic consequences resulting from overflows and untreated sewage;\n\tCreating a program for the United States Army Corps of Engineers to make repairs and improvements to Army Corps-constructed flood pumping stations, such as those in Cairo, Illinois;\n\tPermitting local levee districts to make additional in-kind contributions toward achieving a positive Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) in cases where the Corps determines that the cost of repair to a breached non-federal levee exceeds its flood prevention benefits.\n\tIncreasing the federal costs share for construction of inland waterways projects, such as locks and dams.\n \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://kinzinger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402554", "Kinzinger, Malinowski Hong Kong Freedom Bill Passes House", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Adam Kinzinger", "K000378", "kinzinger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The House passed the Hong Kong People's Freedom and Choice Act of 2020, bipartisan legislation introduced by Congressmen Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Tom Malinowski (D-NJ).\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      WASHINGTON, DC  This week, the House passed the Hong Kong People's Freedom and Choice Act of 2020, bipartisan legislation introduced by Congressmen Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Tom Malinowski (D-NJ). The measure would protect Hong Kongers facing persecution under the Chinese government's tightening grip of repression and provide refuge in the United States to Hong Kongers targeted for exercising their democratic freedoms. \r\nThe legislation reflects the strong international consensus that the crackdown inHong Kongby Beijing violates the rights of the territory's residents and the treaty commitments of the People's Republic of China. In response to these dramatic setbacks, theHong KongPeople's Freedom and Choice Act of 2020would ensure that the United States government: \r\n \r\n    Provides temporary refuge toHong Kongers already in the US who fear persecution if forced to return; \r\n    Expedites processing of refugee applications forHong Kongers fleeing persecution; \r\n    Continues to treatHong Kongers as distinct from mainland Chinadespite the elimination of some autonomy for trade purposes; and \r\n    Develops a strategy with allies to coordinate international efforts to provide refuge toHong Kong's residents fleeing persecution. \r\n \r\nThe United States will always stand for freedom, and throughout our history, we have looked out for those who seek a free and just society. When it comes to the people of Hong Kong, we know how brutal and oppressive the Chinese Communist Party has been and continues to be, said Congressman Kinzinger. I'm proud to see our legislation pass the House today, reaffirming our commitment to being the beacon of hope for freedom-seeking people around the world. I'm proud to know what we stand for is being put into action, helping Hong Kongers flee Communist persecution. This is an important step to make sure innocent men, women, and children do not need to live in fear under the heavy hand of the Chinese Communist Party.  \r\n\r\nWelcoming Hong Kongers to the United States is more than a humanitarian gesture  it's a message to the Chinese government that if you crush Hong Kong, you may lose the very people who most contribute to its vitality, said Congressman Malinowski. It's about fighting a closed and fearful system with the openness and self-confidence of ours.  \r\n\r\nHKDC applauds the House of Representatives for advancing the bipartisan Hong Kong People's Freedom and Choice Act of 2020 and thanks Rep. Malinowski and Rep. Kinzinger for leading this urgent and tangible measure. Freedom-loving Hong Kongers need help and protection now. The threat activists face is real as illustrated by the harsh sentences against protest leaders Joshua Wong, Agnes Chow and Ivan Lam just last week and the ongoing case of the 12 Hong Kongers who attempted to escape to Taiwan on a boat due to their protest-related charges. Hong Kong has become the global frontline between the free world and Communist China. The US must live up to our values and be a refuge for those fleeing oppression while keeping pressure on those in power to liberate Hong Kong once again. We are all Hong Kongers now, said Samuel Chu, Managing Director, HKDC (Hong Kong Democracy Council).  \r\n\r\nThe full text of the bill can be found attached.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/2020/12/lahood-votes-improve-infrastructure-resources-illinois-waterways-0", "LaHood Votes to Improve Infrastructure Resources for Illinois Waterways", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", "lahood", "https://lahood.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Darin LaHood (R-IL) voted in support of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020, which will provide critical support for Illinois locks and dams and waterways, provide rural communities additional resources in addressing flood risk needs, and strengthen Illinois\u2019 agriculture competitive advantage in the global economy.\n\n\"In central and west-central Illinois, which is uniquely positioned between the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, our communities rely heavily on water infrastructure resources for economic development,\" said Rep. LaHood. \"It is critical that we continue to invest in infrastructure that allows farmers and manufacturers in the 18th District to move their commodities around the globe. This bipartisan bill includes important provisions to boost federal support for inland waterways projects and strengthen flood plans in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. I am proud to once again support this essential piece of legislation for Illinois.\"\n\nRep. LaHood advocated for a provision in this year's WRDA which adjusts the federal cost-share of inland waterway projects. This provision will ensure that the Army Corps of Engineers construction projects are completed on-time and on-budget, including the anticipated 2023 Illinois Waterway lock and dam rehabilitation projects.\n\nBackground:\n\nWRDA 2020 is bipartisan legislation that includes projects of national, regional, and local significance that help strengthen the Nation\u2019s global competitiveness, grow the economy, move goods throughout the country and abroad, protect communities, and create jobs. WRDA authorizes projects to improve ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation, flood and storm protection, and other pieces of water resources infrastructure, as well as programs and policy reforms related to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Program.\n\nSpecifically, these projects and investments in water resource infrastructure are initiated and carried out at the local level but provide valuable benefits regionally and nationally. Key reforms included in WRDA 2020 streamline flood risk reduction projects provide local communities the tools to build their infrastructure back faster and more resilient after disasters and take care of rural communities by providing additional support and resources in addressing flood risk needs.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:42:23Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lahood-votes-improve-infrastructure-resources-illinois-waterways-0", "LaHood Votes to Improve Infrastructure Resources for Illinois Waterways", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.Congressman Darin LaHood (R-IL) voted in support of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020, which will provide critical support for Illinois locks and dams and waterways, provide rural communities additional resources in addressing flood risk needs, and strengthen Illinois' agriculture competitive advantage in the global economy.\n\"In central and west-central Illinois, which is uniquely positioned between the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, our communities rely heavily on water infrastructure resources for economic development,\"said Rep. LaHood.\"It is critical that we continue to invest in infrastructure that allows farmers and manufacturers in the 18th District to move their commodities around the globe. This bipartisan bill includes important provisions to boost federal support for inland waterways projects and strengthen flood plans in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. I am proud to once again support this essential piece of legislation for Illinois.\"\nRep. LaHood advocated for a provision in this year's WRDA which adjusts the federal cost-share of inland waterway projects. This provision will ensure that the Army Corps of Engineers construction projects are completed on-time and on-budget, including the anticipated 2023 Illinois Waterway lock and dam rehabilitation projects.\nBackground:\nWRDA 2020 is bipartisan legislation that includes projects of national, regional, and local significance that help strengthen the Nation's global competitiveness, grow the economy, move goods throughout the country and abroad, protect communities, and create jobs. WRDA authorizes projects to improve ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation, flood and storm protection, and other pieces of water resources infrastructure, as well as programs and policy reforms related to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Program. Specifically, these projects and investments in water resource infrastructure are initiated and carried out at the local level but provide valuable benefits regionally and nationally. Key reforms included in WRDA 2020 streamline flood risk reduction projects provide local communities the tools to build their infrastructure back faster and more resilient after disasters and take care of rural communities by providing additional support and resources in addressing flood risk needs.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403932", "Davis Announces 2020 Congressional App Challenge Winner During National #CSEdWeek", "2020-12-07", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Rodney Davis", "D000619", "rodneydavis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) today, the first day of national Computer Science Education Week, announced the winner for the 2020 Congressional App Challenge (CAC) in the 13th District of Illinois. The winner is Trevin Vanhook, a student at Normal West High School, for his app called \"The Funzone.\" The app demonstration and summary can be found below.\r\nInnovation and technology are driving forces of our economy, said Davis. This competition promotes awareness of the vast opportunities that await those who explore an education and career in the STEM field. Congratulations to Trevin and all of this year's participants for their impressive submissions.\r\nJudges for the CAC were individuals from the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) at the University of Illinois and potential users of the students' apps. Apps were scored on three criteria: concept of the app, design of the app, and demonstration of coding/programming skills.\r\nThe CAC encourages high school students to learn how to code by creating their own applications. The 2020 competition had over 6,000 students participate with original apps submitted from over 300 Congressional districts across 47 states & territories.\r\nThe winner from each district get:\r\n1. Winning app eligible to be featured in the Capitol Building\r\n2. Winning app eligible to be put on http://House.gov (10 million visitors per year)\r\n3. $75 Southwest Airlines gift card\r\n4. Winners invited to #HouseOfCode Virtual Reception\r\n App Demonstration Video:\r\nApp Summary: \"My app is a horror thriller game, where at first your put into a situation where everything is nice and friendly, but quickly find out this isn't how the game is. It quickly glitches out and puts you into a foggy maze intentionally, where there are different monsters that can follow you around, pass around the maze, and some are unique and smart enough to trick you or act as something harmless where you wouldn't expect them to, or just jump out of the fog and scare you. The purpose of the game is to travel through the maze and find clues in the maze, and will overall allow you to make up the code that lets you open a door via a keycode numpad, which randomly generates the code you need to put in at the start of the game. But yeah that's pretty much what the app does and the whole point of the app is to give the user a scare and entertain the user by giving them a thrill.\"\r\n Related: Davis Announces 2020 Congressional App Challenge for Middle and High School Students", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bost.house.gov/2020/12/bost-elected-top-republican-veterans-affairs-committee", "BOST ELECTED TOP REPUBLICAN ON VETERANS\u2019 AFFAIRS COMMITTEE", "2020-12-03", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Mike Bost", "B001295", "bost.house.gov", "bost", "https://bost.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) has been elected by his House Republican colleagues to serve as the lead Republican on the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee, tasked with setting the party\u2019s agenda on veterans issues and leading oversight efforts of the administration. Should Republicans gain the majority in Congress in the next election, Bost would be in line to become the chairman of the full committee.\n\n\u201cAs a Marine and the father of a Marine, I can think of no greater honor than fighting for America\u2019s veterans as the lead Republican on the House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee. I am grateful for the trust of my Republican colleagues and excited to follow in the footsteps of great leaders like Jeff Miller and Phil Roe,\u201d said Bost. \u201cWe will work to implement an aggressive, pro-veteran agenda that builds upon the successes of the MISSION Act, appeals reform, and combatting veterans\u2019 suicide. Our veterans have borne the battle in defense of our freedoms, and I view it as my mission to ensure they receive the care and services they deserve.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur nation\u2019s veterans have served their nation with distinction and courage, and they deserve leaders in Washington who will strive to meet their level of dedication,\u201d said House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). \u201cMike has served his country as a Marine, and his community as a firefighter - I have no doubt that as Ranking Member of the Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee, he will continue to lead from the front by addressing the unique challenges facing our veterans. He has a results-proven track record, which includes passing the Veterans Appeals and Modernization Act of 2017, which streamlined the appeals process, and helped to decrease the appeals backlog by 80%. I am confident Mike will be an ally to our veterans and serve as the strong leader they need who will commit to looking out for their best interests.\u201d\n\n\u201cI congratulate my colleague and good friend, Rep. Bost, on being chosen by the Republican conference to serve as Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs for the 117th Congress,\u201d said Dr. Phil Roe (R-TN), the retiring top Republican on the committee. \u201cAs a Marine veteran, Mike brings vital first-hand experience and understanding to the table and has been a fighting force for our fellow brothers and sisters in arms since joining the Committee. I have no doubt that he will continue to serve our nation\u2019s veterans well and build on the many bipartisan accomplishments we have already made on their behalf. It has been a great honor to lead this Committee and I am proud to pass the torch to the gentleman from Illinois.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:42:23Z"], ["https://bost.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bost-elected-top-republican-veterans-affairs-committee", "BOST ELECTED TOP REPUBLICAN ON VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE", "2020-12-03", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Mike Bost", "B001295", "bost.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) has been elected by his House Republican colleagues to serve as the lead Republican on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, tasked with setting the party's agenda on veterans issues and leading oversight efforts of the administration. Should Republicans gain the majority in Congress in the next election, Bost would be in line to become the chairman of the full committee.\nAs a Marine and the father of a Marine, I can think of no greater honor than fighting for America's veterans as the lead Republican on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee. I am grateful for the trust of my Republican colleagues and excited to follow in the footsteps of great leaders like Jeff Miller and Phil Roe, said Bost. We will work to implement an aggressive, pro-veteran agenda that builds upon the successes of the MISSION Act, appeals reform, and combatting veterans' suicide. Our veterans have borne the battle in defense of our freedoms, and I view it as my mission to ensure they receive the care and services they deserve.\nOur nation's veterans have served their nation with distinction and courage, and they deserve leaders in Washington who will strive to meet their level of dedication, said House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). Mike has served his country as a Marine, and his community as a firefighter - I have no doubt that as Ranking Member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, he will continue to lead from the front by addressing the unique challenges facing our veterans. He has a results-proven track record, which includes passing the Veterans Appeals and Modernization Act of 2017, which streamlined the appeals process, and helped to decrease the appeals backlog by 80%. I am confident Mike will be an ally to our veterans and serve as the strong leader they need who will commit to looking out for their best interests. \nI congratulate my colleague and good friend, Rep. Bost, on being chosen by the Republican conference to serve as Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs for the 117th Congress, said Dr. Phil Roe (R-TN), the retiring top Republican on the committee. As a Marine veteran, Mike brings vital first-hand experience and understanding to the table and has been a fighting force for our fellow brothers and sisters in arms since joining the Committee. I have no doubt that he will continue to serve our nation's veterans well and build on the many bipartisan accomplishments we have already made on their behalf. It has been a great honor to lead this Committee and I am proud to pass the torch to the gentleman from Illinois.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403931", "Council of Graduate Schools Names Rodney Davis \u201cCongressional Champion\u201d For Continued Support of Graduate Education", "2020-12-02", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Rodney Davis", "D000619", "rodneydavis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) recognized Representative Rodney Davis (IL-13) and Representative Annie Kuster (NH-02) with their inaugural Congressional Champion Award during CGS's 60th Anniversary Annual Meeting, held virtually December 2-4. Granted to two bipartisan members of Congress, the award acknowledges the remarkable contributions each has made toward advancing graduate education in the federal arena. We are extremely grateful for Congressman Davis' and Congresswoman Kuster's ongoing support for graduate students, said Suzanne T. Ortega, CGS president. Each demonstrates a commitment to increasing access to graduate education, which benefits individuals from communities across the country and ensures we have a workforce armed with the knowledge and skills to ignite innovation and find solutions to today's challenges.\r\n\r\nRepresentative Davis has fought tirelessly to preserve and expand certain tax provisions so that individuals and employers can utilize them toward academic pursuits. He has introduced and is an original cosponsor of several bills that support this endeavor, including championing legislation that would expand employer-provided educational assistance to include payments of qualified education loans. Additionally, Congressman Davis has lent his support to international students and the Optional Practical Training program, elevating their contributions to the U.S. at a time when the pandemic has created challenges for international graduate student recruitment and retention.\r\n\r\nI'm proud to represent the campuses of 8 universities and colleges and 5 community colleges in Congress, said Representative Rodney Davis. Graduate education and students help our communities grow culturally and economically and are vital to our nation's success. In this Congress, we've supported international students bringing their talents to America and enacted innovative programs to make college more affordable and reduce student debt, but we have more work to do. I'm honored to receive this award from the Council of Graduate Schools because supporting higher education has always been a top priority of mine since coming to Congress. I'd like to thank the Council for all of their great work, and I look forward to continuing our bipartisan collaboration to support graduate education and students across the country.\r\n\r\nRepresentative Kuster led the introduction of the Expanding Access to Graduate Education Act (H.R. 3334), which would provide former Pell Grant recipients the opportunity to apply remaining semesters of Pell Grant support not exhausted during their undergraduate education towards their first post-baccalaureate degree. True to the spirit of the Pell Grant program, this legislation would help ensure that qualified, low-income students would have a better chance of pursuing graduate education. We applaud Representative Kuster who worked to introduce the bill alongside her colleagues from both sides of the aisle.\r\n\r\nIn order to succeed in the 21stcentury, the United States needs a highly-educated and skilled workforce,said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. TheExpanding Access to Graduate Education Actwill open the doors of graduate education to more Americans and provide opportunities for them to get ahead. I will continue my efforts to ensure every American can access the education and job training and they need to thrive in the 21stcentury economy. I'mhonored to receive this award alongside my colleague, Congressman Rodney Davis, and look forward to collaborating with him on this important issue moving forward.\r\n\r\nCGS, and its membership of nearly 500 institutions of higher education across the United States and Canada, thank Representatives Kuster and Davis for their advocacy and look forward to working with them and their staff in the 117th Congress.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\r\nThe Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) is an organization of approximately 500 institutions of higher education in the United States and Canada engaged in graduate education, research, and the preparation of candidates for advanced degrees. The organization's mission is to improve and advance graduate education, which it accomplishes through advocacy in the federal policy arena, research, and the development and dissemination of best practices.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://kinzinger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402547", "Congressman Kinzinger on La Salle Veteran Home Deaths", "2020-11-30", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Adam Kinzinger", "K000378", "kinzinger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) released the following statement on the COVID-19 outbreak at the La Salle Veterans Home.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Washington, DC  U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) released the following statement on the COVID-19 outbreak at the La Salle Veterans Home: \r\nI remain deeply concerned about the coronavirus outbreak at the La Salle Veterans Home and fully support an investigation into what happened here. We need to secure these facilities and get to the bottom of this crisis immediately.  \r\n\r\nAfter learning of the outbreak at the beginning of November, my office set up briefings with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and then received a readout from their site visit with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) on November 13, 2020. Now, after an alarming rise in confirmed cases and number of deaths, Governor Pritzker has finally ordered the Inspector General to investigate the facility. While I support the Governor's call to investigate this matter, a report in four to six months will not help these veterans and their families now when they need it most.  \r\n\r\nThe people of Illinois deserve action and answers. Why doesn't the Pritzker Administration have a team on the ground now? What is the Governor going to do today to help my constituents at the La Salle Veterans Home and their families? How did the Pritzker Administration fail so egregiously to ensure our facilities were following the rules strictly so as to avoid the outcomes we saw in New York City and Seattle? The failures here are entirely unacceptable. And without question, our most vulnerable population deserves better than this.  \r\n\r\nI want to thank State Senator Sue Rezin and the State House Members for their commitment to finding out the truth and making sure we have full transparency and accountability in this matter. My office and I will continue to offer our support to the veterans in our community and will work with the VA to navigate this devastating crisis.  \r\n\r\n\r\nRELATED:  \r\n\r\nKinzinger Statement on Outbreak at LaSalle Veterans Home  \r\n\r\nWLPO  Kinzinger speaks out on Veterans Home outbreak Country Herald  Congressman Kinzinger addresses outbreak at LaSalle Veterans Home", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403929", "Davis Statement on the Passing of Larry Willis, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO", "2020-11-30", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Rodney Davis", "D000619", "rodneydavis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Davis Statement on the Passing of Larry Willis, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, D.C.,\r\n        November 30, 2020\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n      \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) released the following statement on the passing of Larry Willis, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, which represents dozens of member unions in the transportation industry:\r\n\r\nLarry's passing is such a terrible loss for Capitol Hill and the labor and transportation communities. I got to know Larry over the years serving on the Transportation & Infrastructure committee in the House and recently as ranking member of the Highways & Transit subcommittee this Congress.\r\n\r\nLarry was always a strong advocate for his members. Most recently, I saw his advocacy first-hand as he fought to protect the health of his members by ensuring they had access to PPE during the pandemic. As a pro-Davis-Bacon Republican, I always appreciated Larry's insight on those issues and other policy areas affecting the men and women of labor.\r\n\r\nLarry was truly a great guy, and I can't imagine what his family must be going through during this difficult time. Shannon, our kids, and I send our condolences to Larry's family as they mourn his loss.\r\n\r\n###\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://shimkus.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lithuanian-leaders-thank-local-congressman", "Lithuanian Leaders Thank Local Congressman", "2020-11-30", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "John Shimkus", "S000364", "shimkus.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Lithuania's Seimas unanimously adopted a resolution last week honoring retiring Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15). John Shimkus was one of the most active congressmen in persuading the U.S. Congress to liberalize trade in liquefied natural gas and approve NATO's defense plans for the Baltic States, in countering Russia's aggression against Ukraine, in proclaiming and regularly commemorating Black Ribbon Day at the U.S. Congress, in fighting against the Kremlin's hostile propaganda and disinformation, in establishing the American-Lithuanian Business Council, and launching a host of other initiatives of support to the Baltic States, the resolution from the European nation's legislature read. Introduced by more than 20 Lithuanian lawmakers from different political parties, the resolution also noted the congressman's Lithuanian heritage as well as his service as a U.S. Army Officer in Europe during the Cold War. Successfully advocating for NATO expansion to include the Baltic States has been one of my proudest achievements as a Member of Congress, Shimkus said. Growing that defensive alliance, and supporting the former Soviet states' ability to look to the West for freedom, prosperity, and security remains in the best interest of both Europe and the United States. I thank my friends in the Seimas for this great honor and for their friendship over many years. Shimkus announced his retirement from Congress last summer after serving 23 years in the House of Representatives.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/media-center/e-newsletters/day-thanks", "A day of thanks", "2020-11-26", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On the fourth Thursday of November, Americans from all backgrounds gather with loved ones to celebrate Thanksgiving. While Thanksgiving takes on a different meaning and form this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it's important that we join together in spirit to share in our collective thanks for the opportunities and relationships we enjoy. Now, more than ever, we should remind ourselves that we cannot take these blessings for granted. As we prepare for our Thanksgiving meal this afternoon, I am thankful for my three sons, McKay, Lucas, and Teddy, my loving wife Kristen, and our home in central and west-central Illinois. I am especially grateful for my family's good health this year, the health care professionals working hard to fight COVID-19, the essential workers, and the brave men and women serving in our military overseas so that we can enjoy the comforts of living in the greatest country in the world. While we are all blessed with a wonderful community, it is important during this season of thanks to not forget those who are less fortunate. This year has been a challenge for so many across Illinois, and those of us who are able should take time during the holiday season to return our blessings and find a way to give back to those in need. While we may not be able to gather with friends to play football or gather with everyone in our extended family in person, please take a moment to stop and reflect on what you are thankful for today. We are all blessed to live in a country that allows each of us the freedom to chart our own path and to live out the American dream. For that, we should all be thankful. I hope you all have a blessed Thanksgiving and remain healthy and safe!\nSincerly,\nDarin LaHood", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://kinzinger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402553", "Kinzinger and Moulton Demand Answers on Iraq and Afghanistan Drawdown", "2020-11-20", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Adam Kinzinger", "K000378", "kinzinger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Representatives, veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, are co-chairs of the Congressional Iraq Caucus.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      WASHINGTON, DC This week, the Co-chairs of the Congressional Iraq Caucus, Representatives  Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Seth Moulton(D-MA) demanded answers from Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the recently announced plans to drastically cut the number of diplomatic and military personnel currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.\r\nThe text of the letter is below:  \r\n\r\nNovember 17, 2020  \r\n\r\nThe Honorable Mike Pompeo\r\nSecretary of State\r\nU.S. Department of State\r\n2201 C Street N.W.\r\nWashington, D.C. 20520\r\n\r\nThe Honorable Christopher C. Miller\r\nActing Secretary of Defense\r\nDepartment of Defense\r\n1400 Defense Pentagon\r\nWashington, D.C. 22202\r\n\r\nDear Secretary Pompeo and Acting Secretary Miller,\r\nAs Members of Congress who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, we write to express our grave concern over the reports and subsequent announcement that the United States plans to significantly draw down our diplomatic and military personnel from the Republic of Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.  \r\n\r\nWe support all efforts to protect United States diplomatic and military personnel overseas. However, we have serious reservations about any withdrawal of U.S. service members and embassy personnel without a clear plan to counter the multitude of security challenges we face in the region, including the Islamic State (ISIS) and al-Qaeda. There must be a well-structured transition of operational control to Iraqi and Afghani security forces.  \r\n\r\nCongress has a critical role in providing oversight of the military and promoting our diplomatic relations. With this in mind, we request that you respond to the following questions:  \r\n\r\n \r\n    How would the announced drawdown of U.S. troops and diplomats in Iraq affect the domestic situation in the country? Please provide details and a timeline on your current review.\r\n    How would the announced reduction in U.S. troops and diplomats from the current level affect the threat of terror attacks originating from  or enabled by groups in  Iraq? \r\n    How would the announced reduction in U.S. troops and diplomats from the current level affect the threat of terror attacks originating from  or enabled by groups in  Afghanistan? \r\n    What risks does the announced reduction in U.S. troops and diplomats from the current level impose on the counterterrorism missions against al Qaeda and ISIS? \r\n    What effects would a further U.S. troop reduction have on NATO Member forces' ability to operate in Afghanistan? \r\n    How will the announced reduction in U.S. troops factor into the Taliban's decision-making regarding its future relationship with al Qaeda?\r\n    How will the announced reduction in U.S. troops from the current level affect the broader calculus of both the Taliban and the Government of Afghanistan amidst ongoing negotiations?\r\n    How would the announced reduction in U.S. troops from the current level affect the possibility of a future increase in U.S. troops in the region?\r\n    What impact will the announced reduction of U.S. troops from the current level have on attacks on coalition forces by Afghanistan forces typically referred to as green-on-blue attacks?\r\n \r\nWe believe that there is strong bipartisan support from Congress and the Administration for both Iraq and Afghanistan. Any premature drawdown without thoughtful consideration of the real-world conditions on the ground would be ill-advised. Additionally, we continue to be concerned by the growing ISIS activity in Afghanistan and Iran's influence in Iraq. Intelligence shows that both issues are destabilizing factors in a critical region, and minimizing our military and diplomatic footprint allows malign forces to fill the vacuum we create.  \r\n\r\nThank you for your attention to this timely issue. We stand ready to work with you to strengthen our national security and protect our troops, and we look forward to your response to this letter.  \r\n\r\n\r\nSincerely,\r\n  \r\nSeth Moulton  \r\n\r\nMember of Congress \r\n\r\nAdam Kinzinger \r\nMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/2020/11/lahood-leads-effort-revive-hospitality-and-tourism-industries", "LaHood Leads Effort to Revive Hospitality and Tourism Industries", "2020-11-20", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", "lahood", "https://lahood.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2014Representatives Darin LaHood (IL-18), Steven Horsford (NV-04), and Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) today introduced the bipartisan Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act to revitalize the tourism and hospitality industries, which have been severely impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.\n\nA companion to the U.S. Senate legislation introduced by Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Keven Cramer (R-N.D.), the Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act will provide comprehensive relief for the convention, entertainment, hospitality, and travel industries and their workers by creating new recovery incentives and enhancing the employee retention tax credit until frequent travel and tourism safely resumes.\n\n\u201cThe COVID-19 pandemic and state-mandated closures continue to wreak havoc on communities and industries across Illinois\u2019 18th district, especially our hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors,\u201d said Rep. LaHood. \u201cCongress cannot sit on the sidelines any longer while businesses continue to struggle. This bipartisan bill will give these disproportionally affected businesses the support they need to recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe hospitality, travel and tourism industries employ nearly 30 percent of Southern Nevada\u2019s workers and are the lifeblood of our state\u2019s economy. These sectors face unprecedented hardships amid the COVID-19 pandemic and have made every effort to keep their employees and customers safe as they fight to stay in business,\u201d said Congressman Horsford. \u201cI\u2019m proud to introduce the Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act to give them and their workers a fighting chance as we navigate these challenging times.\u201d\n\n\u201cIf we don\u2019t pass an economic relief package soon, our economy, including our local hospitality industry, will be severely damaged for years to come. The tax credits provided in our Hospitality and Commerce Jobs Recovery Act would provide much-needed revenue to those businesses so that they can preserve jobs and come back stronger than ever,\u201d said Congressman Panetta. \u201cThis type of legislation is vital to protect the 22,000 travel and tourism employees who call the Central Coast home.\u201d\n\n\u201cTravel is by far the industry hardest hit by the ongoing fallout of the pandemic\u2014accounting for 42 percent of all jobs lost in the U.S. since the start of the pandemic,\u201d said Tori Emerson Barnes, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy at the U.S. Travel Association. \u201cWithout recovery measures like this bill, the industry is expected to take at least 5 years to recover to pre-pandemic levels of employment and economic activity. By targeting tax incentives on the areas that need the most help\u2014including in the meetings and events and entertainment sectors\u2014the Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act will provide a significant boost to rebuilding travel jobs, helping to ensure the millions of Americans that rely on travel for income can get the financial stability they need. We thank Representatives Horsford, LaHood, and Panetta for taking a bold stand on behalf of America\u2019s travel workforce.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe bipartisan Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act, introduced thanks to the continued leadership by Representatives Horsford and LaHood, is exactly what the hotel industry needs to help recover, bring back jobs, and reignite a continued investment in the communities they serve. The pandemic has all but decimated the hotel industry, with business and leisure travel grinding to a near halt and occupancy rates hitting record lows. Our data shows that 7 in 10 hoteliers won\u2019t make it another six months without further federal assistance given the current drop in projected travel demand. That will have a ripple effect throughout our communities for years to come,\u201d said Chip Rogers, president and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. \u201cNow, with the new surge in COVID-19 cases, we expect fewer Americans to travel this holiday season and we are incredibly worried about the coming months and what the drop in demand will mean for the industry and the millions of employees we have been unable to bring back. Our industry\u2019s priorities have always focused on retaining and rehiring our workforce, and the tax incentives provided in this bill will alleviate some of the strain felt by the hospitality industry during this crisis and allow us, and the broader economy, to move towards recovery.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe applaud Reps. LaHood and Horsford for their commitment to job recovery especially in the hospitality and commerce sectors,\u201d said Peter Pantuso, president & CEO of the American Bus Association. \u201cFew industries have been hit harder by the COVID-19 pandemic as millions of people find themselves furloughed or unemployed, and the economy is losing hundreds of billions of dollars because people are not traveling right now. The men and women who rely on travel and tourism need help from Congress and they need it now.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nThe COVID-19 pandemic presents a tremendous challenge to both public health and the economy, and no industry in the U.S. has been more severely impacted than the travel and hospitality sector. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in travel and tourism has fallen by 23.9% across the nation this year.\n\nThe Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act would address the significant challenges facing the tourism and hospitality industries as the U.S. continues to work toward recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act would:\n\nSupport the convention and trade show industries by establishing a tax credit for the cost of attending or hosting a convention, business meeting, or trade show in the United States between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2023.\n\nMake improvements to the Employee Retention Tax Credit.\n\nRestore the Entertainment Business Expense Deduction.\n\nSupport the restaurant industry by establishing a tax credit for restaurants or food service businesses, covering any cost associated with reopening or increasing service at an establishment forced to close down or reduce operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic\u2014including any renovation, remediation, testing, or labor cost needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Credit would be effective between the date of enactment and December 31, 2022.\n\nProvide a modest tax credit for qualified travel expenses for many Americans.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:39:51Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lahood-leads-effort-revive-hospitality-and-tourism-industries", "LaHood Leads Effort to Revive Hospitality and Tourism Industries", "2020-11-20", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.Representatives Darin LaHood (IL-18), Steven Horsford (NV-04), and Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) today introduced the bipartisan Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act to revitalize the tourism and hospitality industries, which have been severely impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.\nA companion to the U.S. Senate legislation introduced by Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Keven Cramer (R-N.D.), the Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act will provide comprehensive relief for the convention, entertainment, hospitality, and travel industries and their workers by creating new recovery incentives and enhancing the employee retention tax credit until frequent travel and tourism safely resumes.\nThe COVID-19 pandemic and state-mandated closures continue to wreak havoc on communities and industries across Illinois' 18th district, especially our hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors, said Rep. LaHood. Congress cannot sit on the sidelines any longer while businesses continue to struggle. This bipartisan bill will give these disproportionally affected businesses the support they need to recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.\nThe hospitality, travel and tourism industries employ nearly 30 percent of Southern Nevada's workers and are the lifeblood of our state's economy. These sectors face unprecedented hardships amid the COVID-19 pandemic and have made every effort to keep their employees and customers safe as they fight to stay in business, said Congressman Horsford. I'm proud to introduce the Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act to give them and their workers a fighting chance as we navigate these challenging times.\nIf we don't pass an economic relief package soon, our economy, including our local hospitality industry, will be severely damaged for years to come. The tax credits provided in our Hospitality and Commerce Jobs Recovery Act would provide much-needed revenue to those businesses so that they can preserve jobs and come back stronger than ever, said Congressman Panetta. This type of legislation is vital to protect the 22,000 travel and tourism employees who call the Central Coast home.\nTravel is by far the industry hardest hit by the ongoing fallout of the pandemicaccounting for 42 percent of all jobs lost in the U.S. since the start of the pandemic, said Tori Emerson Barnes, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy at the U.S. Travel Association. Without recovery measures like this bill, the industry is expected to take at least 5 years to recover to pre-pandemic levels of employment and economic activity. By targeting tax incentives on the areas that need the most helpincluding in the meetings and events and entertainment sectorsthe Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act will provide a significant boost to rebuilding travel jobs, helping to ensure the millions of Americans that rely on travel for income can get the financial stability they need. We thank Representatives Horsford, LaHood, and Panetta for taking a bold stand on behalf of America's travel workforce.\nThe bipartisan Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act, introduced thanks to the continued leadership by Representatives Horsford and LaHood, is exactly what the hotel industry needs to help recover, bring back jobs, and reignite a continued investment in the communities they serve. The pandemic has all but decimated the hotel industry, with business and leisure travel grinding to a near halt and occupancy rates hitting record lows. Our data shows that 7 in 10 hoteliers won't make it another six months without further federal assistance given the current drop in projected travel demand. That will have a ripple effect throughout our communities for years to come, saidChip Rogers, president and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association.Now, with the new surge in COVID-19 cases, we expect fewer Americans to travel this holiday season and we are incredibly worried about the coming months and what the drop in demand will mean for the industry and the millions of employees we have been unable to bring back. Our industry's priorities have always focused on retaining and rehiring our workforce, and the tax incentives provided in this bill will alleviate some of the strain felt by the hospitality industry during this crisis and allow us, and the broader economy, to move towards recovery.\nWe applaud Reps. LaHood and Horsford for their commitment to job recovery especially in the hospitality and commerce sectors, said Peter Pantuso, president & CEO of the American Bus Association. Few industries have been hit harder by the COVID-19 pandemic as millions of people find themselves furloughed or unemployed, and the economy is losing hundreds of billions of dollars because people are not traveling right now. The men and women who rely on travel and tourism need help from Congress and they need it now.\nBackground:\nThe COVID-19 pandemic presents a tremendous challenge to both public health and the economy, and no industry in the U.S. has been more severely impacted than the travel and hospitality sector. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in travel and tourism has fallen by 23.9% across the nation this year.\nThe Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act would address the significant challenges facing the tourism and hospitality industries as the U.S. continues to work toward recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act would:\n Support the convention and trade show industries by establishing a tax credit for the cost of attending or hosting a convention, business meeting, or trade show in the United States between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2023.\n\tMake improvements to the Employee Retention Tax Credit.\n\tRestore the Entertainment Business Expense Deduction.\n\tSupport the restaurant industry by establishing a tax credit for restaurants or food service businesses, covering any cost associated with reopening or increasing service at an establishment forced to close down or reduce operations due to the COVID-19 pandemicincluding any renovation, remediation, testing, or labor cost needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Credit would be effective between the date of enactment and December 31, 2022.\n\tProvide a modest tax credit for qualified travel expenses for many Americans.\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403927", "Davis Votes to Expand Apprenticeship Programs", "2020-11-20", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Rodney Davis", "D000619", "rodneydavis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) today voted in support of H.R. 8294, the National Apprenticeship Act of 2020, which seeks to create nearly 1 million additional apprenticeship opportunities over the next five years.\r\n\r\nRegistered Apprenticeships are a successful, proven federal workforce training program that creates new, good-paying jobs, said Rep. Davis. That is why I proudly voted in support of the National Apprenticeship Act. This bipartisan legislation will create nearly 1 million new apprenticeships over the coming years and will offer out-of-work Americans new job opportunities in this struggling economy. We should be doing everything we can to get our economy going again, and that starts by building on what works and enacting job-creating policies.\r\n\r\n\"We applaud and thank Congressman Davis for his support in strengthening our nation's vital network of apprenticeship programs,\" said Sean Stott, Director of Governmental Affairs for the Midwest Region of the Laborers' International Union. \"His support for the National Apprenticeship Act is another example of Rep. Davis's continued commitment to creating not only good-paying jobs, but good-paying construction careers.\"\r\n\r\nWith tens of millions of jobless workers relying on unemployment benefits each week, our nation is in dire need of new investments to help people get back to work. Millions of Americans have received unemployment benefits during this pandemic. Recent research estimates that more than 7 million of the jobs losses during this pandemic will be permanent.\r\n\r\nRegistered Apprenticeships (RAs)  which provide workers with paid, on-the-job training  are the nation's most successful federal workforce training program. Expanding access to apprenticeship opportunities will connect workers with stable, good-paying jobs and accelerate our economic recovery. According to the Department of Labor, 94 percent of people who complete RAs are employed upon completion, earning an average starting wage of more than $70,000 annually. Investments in apprenticeships not only pay off for workers and employers, they also benefit taxpayers.\r\n\r\nThe National Apprenticeship Act of 2020 would yield $10.6 billion in net benefits to U.S. taxpayers in the form of increased tax revenue and decreased spending on public-assistance programs and unemployment insurance. The legislation would invest more than $3.5 billion to create nearly 1 million new apprenticeship opportunities over the next five years.\r\n\r\nThe proposal expands apprenticeship opportunities by:\r\n \r\n    Establishing a $400 million grant program to support the expansion of apprenticeship opportunities, including pre-apprenticeships and youth apprenticeships, which will increase $100 million annually to reach $800 million by 2025.\r\n    Codifying and streamlining standards for Registered Apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs to make it easier for both apprentices and employers to participate in high-quality apprenticeships.\r\n    Codifying the Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship and directing the office to convene industry leaders, labor organizations, educators, and others to expand apprenticeships into new occupations and sectors.\r\n \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://kinzinger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402545", "House Passes Bipartisan Ruppersberger-Kinzinger Bill to Reduce the Cycle of Violence in America", "2020-11-19", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Adam Kinzinger", "K000378", "kinzinger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "This week, the House passed H.R. 5855, the Bipartisan Solution to Cyclical Violence Act, which was sponsored by Congressmen Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD).\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Washington, DC  This week, the House passed H.R. 5855, the Bipartisan Solution to Cyclical Violence Act, which provides $10 million in federal grants to hospitals that want to expand or create programs for patients who are recovering from injuries as a result of violent crime. The bipartisan legislation sponsored by Congressmen Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) addresses the revolving door of violent crime in communities across America by expanding hospital-based intervention programs. \r\nMental health issues are spiking across the country, and unfortunately, so are acts of violence. And the victims are often caught in a vicious cycle of violence. But by supporting victims with the resources and education to pursue a different path, we can stop the cycle of violence and give people hope for a better tomorrow,saidCongressman Kinzinger.Right now, it's important we work together to help and heal those who are struggling. The Bipartisan Solution to Cyclical Violence Act is a perfect example of how we can join forces and enact policies that will have a real and lasting impact in our communities. I want to thank my colleague Congressman Ruppersberger for working with me on this important legislation and am glad to see it moving forward today.  \r\n\r\nOne of the leading risk factors for violent injury is prior injury,Congressman Ruppersbergersaid. If we can help victims of violent injury before they become repeat victims or even perpetrators themselves, we end the cycle and net a cost savings to the American taxpayer. This bill is also critical to our efforts to shift social work away from police and first responders, and back to the experts in mental health, substance abuse, homelessness, unemployment and other areas that often afflict victims of violent crime.  \r\n\r\nH.R. 5855 requires the Secretary of the Health and Human Services to select existing and aspiring violence prevention programs from across the country to receive federal grants for expanding services or studying effectiveness. At the end of a 3-year pilot, each hospital will report its findings back to the federal government. Awards will range from $250,000 to $500,000. \r\nDuring bill debate, Congressman Kinzinger spoke on the House Floor in support of his bipartisan legislation, citing the successes of the program in helping victims break the vicious cycle of violence that plagues them and giving them hope for the future. The Congressman's entire floor speech can be found on his YouTube page here. The Bipartisan Solution to Cyclical Violence Act was first introduced in 2019 with endorsements by the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the American College of Surgeons, the Society of Trauma Nurses, the National Association of School Resource Officers, the National League of Cities, the National Network of Hospital-based Violence Intervention Programs, the National District Attorneys Association, and Cure Violence. The list has since grown to now include the American Hospital Association, American College of Emergency Physicians, and local elected officials.  \r\n\r\nFollowing the bill's passage in the House this week, the measure will now go to the Senate for further consideration.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403925", "Davis Statement on Indictment of Top Madigan Confidant and ComEd Officials for Corruption, Bribery Charges", "2020-11-19", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Rodney Davis", "D000619", "rodneydavis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Davis Statement on Indictment of Top Madigan Confidant and ComEd Officials for Corruption, Bribery Charges \r\n   \r\n    \r\n      Rodney Davis again calls on Madigan to resign and urges Gov. Pritzker, Illinois Democrats to call for Madigan's immediate resignation from public office \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, D.C.,\r\n        November 19, 2020\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n      \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) released the following statement after the U.S. Attorney of the Northern District of Illinois announced an indictment of top Madigan confidant Mike McClain and three ComEd officials for corruption charges:\r\n\r\nThis corruption indictment is further proof that Speaker Mike Madigan is the most corrupt politician in Illinois history. He must resign from public office immediately. With the help of Madigan-enablers like Governor J.B. Pritzker and other Illinois Democrats, the Speaker has turned state government into his own corrupt enterprise, designed to benefit himself and his political machine at the expense of taxpayers. It's time for the governor and others to stop protecting Madigan and call for his immediate resignation from public office. Their refusal to stand up and speak out should concern the people of Illinois.\r\n###  \r\n\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://kinzinger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402539", "Kinzinger, Kaptur Resolution Supporting Three Seas Initiative Unanimously Passes House", "2020-11-18", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Adam Kinzinger", "K000378", "kinzinger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Representatives Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) released the following statements after the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed their bipartisan resolution in support of the Three Seas Initiative.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Washington, D.C. Today, Representatives Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) andMarcy Kaptur (D-OH) released the following statements after the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed their bipartisan resolution in support of the Three Seas Initiative (3SI), a strategic partnership of twelve Central and Eastern European nations with the shared goal to foster energy, digital, and transportation infrastructure independence and resilience through collective financing of new infrastructure projects, increasing connectivity between the Adriatic, Baltic, and Black Seas, and countering Russian and Chinese malign influence.\r\nAs a strong advocate for the independence and security of Europe's energy markets, I'm proud to see our Three Seas resolution pass the House today. While Russia hopes to hold our European allies hostage with their Nord Stream 2 pipeline, the Three Seas Initiative seeks to counter their malign influence. The collaboration between Eastern European countries will help strengthen their regional interconnectivity to secure the energy markets of our most important partners, said Representative Kinzinger. This ambitious initiative has impressively received bipartisan support, transatlantic support, and overwhelming support from the Administration. I want to thank my colleague Representative Kaptur for her unwavering dedication to the transatlantic partnership and I look forward to working with our allies to build upon this important legislation.\r\nI am thrilled our resolution in support of the Three Seas Initiative has unanimously passed the House, said Representative Kaptur. This resolution expresses robust support for the Three Seas Initiative to accelerate the development of cross border infrastructure in Central and Eastern Europe. This effort signifies robust Congressional support for the transatlantic alliance and is a key step to complete the vision of a Europe that is undivided, prosperous, secure, and free from Russian and Chinese malign influence. I look forward to working with the incoming Biden Administration to continue to strengthen the Three Seas Initiative. I thank my colleague Congressman Adam Kinzinger for his partnership in shepherding this resolution through the House. I am also grateful to Majority Leader Hoyer, Chairman Engel, Ranking Member McCaul, and Congressman Keating for their commitment to strengthen the transatlantic alliance.  \r\n\r\nThree Seas Initiative membership includes: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. The resolution includes 43 bipartisan cosponsors, signifying the robust bipartisan support in the Congress for the transatlantic alliance. Bill text can be foundhere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://kinzinger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402538", "Kinzinger Statement on Withdrawal of U.S. Troops from Middle East", "2020-11-16", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Adam Kinzinger", "K000378", "kinzinger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) released the following statement on the President's announcement regarding plans to withdrawal U.S. troops from Iraq and Afghanistan:\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      WASHINGTON, DC  Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) released the following statement on the President's announcement regarding plans to withdrawal U.S. troops from Iraq and Afghanistan: \r\nOur mission in Afghanistan is to bring freedom to millions of people against the threat of Islamic Jihadists and extremists. For President Trump to announce his plan to remove troops from Afghanistan goes against the recommendations of Pentagon officials and contradicts what he said in 2016 about fighting terrorism. This is what then-President Obama did in Iraq and it was also a grave mistake.\r\nAnnouncing the withdrawal of American troops tells our enemies that we have an end date and it leaves the troops we have in place even more vulnerable. Until conditions on the ground meet the realities in Afghanistan, withdrawing our troops will only embolden our enemies to plot attacks against the United States and our allies.\r\nOur presence in Afghanistan is part of a continued effort to prevent this place from becoming a haven for terrorism again. To falter here is to empower the extremists and put our safety at risk. I urge President Trump to reconsider and change course on this decision.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://kinzinger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402537", "Kinzinger Statement on Outbreak at LaSalle Veteran Home", "2020-11-07", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Adam Kinzinger", "K000378", "kinzinger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) released a statement after learning of the COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans Home.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      CHANNAHON, IL  Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) released the following statement after learning of the COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans Home:\r\nI'm deeply concerned about the coronavirus cases at the LaSalle Veterans Home and will keep the residents and employees in my prayers for a full and speedy recovery. As we see the uptick of COVID-19 cases across Illinois and the country, it is paramount that we do all that we can to mitigate risks, especially when it comes to our most vulnerable population. My office will continue to support our VA community as we navigate this crisis together.  \r\n\r\nFor updated information on the coronavirus cases, please visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) websitehere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://shimkus.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/trump-administration-invests-over-14-million-in-bond-coles-and-shelby", "Trump Administration Invests Over $14 Million in Bond, Coles, and Shelby Counties for Water Infrastructure Projects", "2020-10-28", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "John Shimkus", "S000364", "shimkus.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Maryville, Illinois  Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15) today announced the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded more than $14 million to improve rural water and wastewater infrastructure in Greenville, Ashmore,Sigel, Cumberland, and Claremont.\n\"Federal investments like this are critical in rural communities where the capital costs of major infrastructure projects would be all but impossible to finance through other means, Shimkus said. I applaud Greenville, Ashemore, and the EJ Water Cooperative on their successful loan applications.\"\nThrough USDA, Greenville will receive a low-interest $14.2 million loan to build a new water treatment plant. The city's existing plant was built in 1969 and has reached the end of its useful life.\n\"The needed new Water Treatment Plant will provide the benefits of operating efficiencies and increased water production capability for current residents, businesses, and industries, Greenville Mayor Alan Gaffner said. With the new Water Treatment Plant., Greenville is well-positioned for growth into the future.\" \"We thank Congressman Shimkus for his support of the Rural Development Loan, Gaffner added. These types of programs prioritize and address the needs of rural communities. Jobs, economic development, and community life all have a relationship to a safe and high-quality water system.\"\nShimkus also announced the Coles County Village of Ashemore will receive a low-interest loan of $320,000 to replace 10,631 linear feet of water main, service meters, fire hydrants, and related infrastructure. The EJ Water Cooperative will likewise receive a $180,000 low-interest loan to construct 49 miles of water main to serve residents ofSigel, Cumberland, and Claremont Townships in Shelby County.\nAll three projects are being funded through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program at USDA. This week the Trump Administration announced a total of $891 million in grants through the program to help complete 220 projects in 43 states.\n\"Upgrading water infrastructure provides a path to economic growth and protects the health and safety of people who live and work in rural areas, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand said. Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Perdue, USDA continues to be a strong partner to rural communities, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bost.house.gov/2020/10/bost-veterans-bill-signed-law", "BOST VETERANS BILL SIGNED INTO LAW", "2020-10-23", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Mike Bost", "B001295", "bost.house.gov", "bost", "https://bost.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12), the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, today announced that President Trump has signed the Veterans\u2019 Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act (H.R. 6168) into law. This bipartisan bill, introduced by Bost and Representative Elaine Luria (D-VA), will ensure our nation\u2019s veterans receive the same annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) as Social Security Recipients. The bill would increase the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities beginning December 1, 2020.\n\n\u201cNow more than ever, it is critical that the men and women who have served our nation receive the benefits they have earned,\u201d said Bost. \u201cMany veterans and their families depend on these benefits to pay for necessities like food and medicine. I\u2019m proud to have helped introduce this bipartisan bill and I am grateful that the President took this important step to provide an important cost-of-living adjustment for our veterans and their dependents.\u201d\n\nThe Veterans\u2019 Compensation COLA Act would provide a cost-of-living increase for disability compensation; compensation for dependents; clothing allowance; dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving spouses; and, dependency and indemnity compensation to children paid of our wounded warriors and their families for injuries they suffered while serving our nation in uniform. This increase would begin December 1, 2020.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:34:36Z"], ["https://bost.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bost-veterans-bill-signed-law", "BOST VETERANS BILL SIGNED INTO LAW", "2020-10-23", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Mike Bost", "B001295", "bost.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12), the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, today announced that President Trump has signed the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act (H.R. 6168) into law. This bipartisan bill, introduced by Bost and Representative Elaine Luria (D-VA), will ensure our nation's veterans receive the same annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) as Social Security Recipients. The bill would increase the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities beginning December 1, 2020. Now more than ever, it is critical that the men and women who have served our nation receive the benefits they have earned, said Bost. Many veterans and their families depend on these benefits to pay for necessities like food and medicine. I'm proud to have helped introduce this bipartisan bill and I am grateful that the President took this important step to provide an important cost-of-living adjustment for our veterans and their dependents. The Veterans' Compensation COLA Act would provide a cost-of-living increase for disability compensation; compensation for dependents; clothing allowance; dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving spouses; and, dependency and indemnity compensation to children paid of our wounded warriors and their families for injuries they suffered while serving our nation in uniform. This increase would begin December 1, 2020.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://kinzinger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402531", "McCaul, Engel, Keating, Kinzinger on EU and UK Sanctioning Russian Operative Yevgeniy Prigozhin", "2020-10-16", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Adam Kinzinger", "K000378", "kinzinger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Today, Republican Leader Michael T. McCaul and Chairman Eliot L. Engel of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Chairman William R. Keating and Ranking Member Adam Kinzinger of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, Energy, and the Environment released the following statement on the decisions by the European Union and United Kingdom to impose sanctions on notorious Putin crony Yevgeniy Prigozhin. In March, the lawmakers sent a bipartisan letter urging Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United States, to use the full economic toolkit at the EU's disposal to push back on Prigozhin and his associates.\r\nWe welcome the European Union and United Kingdom's decisionsto join the United States in sanctioning Russian operative YevgeniyPrigozhin. From supporting the Kremlin's efforts to meddle inAmericanand European elections to propping up dictatorstostokingdeadly conflictsaround the world,Prigozhin'snefarious activities knowno borders. Today's announcement sends a clear message that the US and our European allies will stand together in ensuring the Putin regime and its cronies,includingPrigozhin, are held accountable.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/2020/10/rep-lahood-unveils-military-service-academy-virtual-program", "Rep. LaHood Unveils Military Service Academy Virtual Program", "2020-10-14", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", "lahood", "https://lahood.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "PEORIA, IL \u2013 Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) today unveiled a Military Service Academy Virtual Program on his website. Since joining Congress, Rep. LaHood has held annual Military Service Academy Programs in person for high school students interested in receiving a nomination to one of the United States Military Service Academies. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the normal Military Service Academy Programs have been moved into an online program.\n\nThe website, which can be viewed here, provides students, parents, and guidance counselors the opportunity to learn more about the individual institutions and the requirements for admission to each academy. Service academies offer fully-funded, four-year education that is estimated at a value of $300,000.\n\n\u201cEach year, it is inspiring to meet with so many young men and women looking for the opportunity to attend one of our prestigious military academies and who are passionate about serving our country. Service Academy Programs provide a great first step for prospective cadets to learn about and prepare for the interview and application process, including the requirements for Congressional nomination. While we cannot have our normal Service Academy Program this year, I look forward to meeting the next group of young leaders ready to build upon the strong tradition of representation the 18th District currently holds throughout our military academies,\u201d said Rep. LaHood.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:34:36Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lahood-unveils-military-service-academy-virtual-program", "Rep. LaHood Unveils Military Service Academy Virtual Program", "2020-10-14", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PEORIA, IL  Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) today unveiled a Military Service Academy Virtual Program on his website. Since joining Congress, Rep. LaHood has held annual Military Service Academy Programs in person for high school students interested in receiving a nomination to one of the United States Military Service Academies. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the normal Military Service Academy Programs have been moved into an online program.\nThe website, which can be viewed here, provides students, parents, and guidance counselors the opportunity to learn more about the individual institutions and the requirements for admission to each academy. Service academies offer fully-funded, four-year education that is estimated at a value of $300,000.\nEach year, it is inspiring to meet with so many young men and women looking for the opportunity to attend one of our prestigious military academies and who are passionate about serving our country. Service Academy Programs provide a great first step for prospective cadets to learn about and prepare for the interview and application process, including the requirements for Congressional nomination. While we cannot have our normal Service Academy Program this year, I look forward to meeting the next group of young leaders ready to build upon the strong tradition of representation the 18th District currently holds throughout our military academies, said Rep. LaHood.\nFor students or parents interested in learning more about Service Academy Nominations, please contact Mike Gilmore atmichael.gilmore@mail.house.gov. All media requests should be directed to John Rauber at john.rauber@mail.house.gov.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403922", "Davis Urges Fix to Ensure International Students Can Study In-Person", "2020-10-13", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Rodney Davis", "D000619", "rodneydavis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Last week, U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-Ill.)senta letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Chad Wolf and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Senior Official Tony Pham urging them toestablishprotocoltoensure international studentspreviously approved and setto attend universities in-personwho have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are able to do so without disruption. A common-sense fix to quickly update student records in the ICEStudent and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database is necessary, and critical so that students, teachers and faculty have the certainty they need to ensure academic success.\r\n\r\nFrom Rep. Davis' letter:\r\n\r\nI write to urge the Department's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to provide full and fair consideration to quickly remove a potential barrier facing international transfer students who wish to begin their university studies in person in the spring.\r\n\r\nInternational students contribute to the knowledge, research and cultural diversity of the universities in my district, while also creating jobs and economic growth. According to data from NAFSA: Association of International Educators, international students contribute over $540 million to Illinois' 13th congressional district, and support over 7,500 jobs. The district includes the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) which, with over 11,000 international students, is one of the top destinations for international students in the country.\r\n\r\nAs in previous years, a number of the international students who committed to attend universities for the 2020-21 academic year were already inside the United States and requested to transfer from their current school. As you know, SEVP closely tracks holders of F-1 student visas through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database. Accordingly, those students' SEVIS records were transferred to their new universities so that they could begin a new program of study. However, some of these students left the U.S. before the school year began and ended up not returning to the U.S. for the new academic year, either by choice or because they were unable to travel due to the pandemic. In some cases, they opted to begin their program online overseas, while others chose to defer their studies to a future semester.\r\n\r\nUniversities are required to keep SEVIS records up to date but they are unable to make changes in these cases as the records cannot be registered because the students are not currently in the U.S. and have not reported to school. SEVIS also does not permit Designated School Officials to defer the start dates of transfer students. Unless the records are updated in the coming days  within 60 days of when the students' program began  they will terminate automatically. That will result in the students being flagged for having violated their status, potentially preventing\r\nthem from getting new entry visas or entering the US in the future to begin their studies in person.\r\n\r\nUnless SEVP takes immediate action to allow these records to be activated or deferred, over 250 students at UIUC alone may be impacted, and potentially tens of thousands more at universities across the country. Accordingly, I urge your full and fair consideration of taking swift action to find a solution that ensures those students' records do not automatically terminate, and that universities do not face additional difficulty enrolling international students in the spring. I look forward to your response.\r\n\r\nYou can find a copy of Rep. Davis' letter here.\r\n\r\nIn July, Rep. Davis led a group of lawmakers in opposing now-reversed ICE guidance that threatened the legal status of international students who conduct their higher education studies remotely rather than in-person. You can find a copy of that letter here. You can find a press release announcing that letter here.\r\n\r\nRep. Davis has spoken on the House floor in support of international students and the contributions they make to our country. You can find Davis' 2019 floor remarks here. In June, he signed a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Chad Wolf regarding the Optional Practical Training program for international students. You can find a copy of that letter here.\r\n\r\nRep. Davis represents the campuses of 8 universities and colleges and 5 community colleges, including:\r\n University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign\r\n Illinois State University\r\n Illinois Wesleyan University\r\n Millikin University\r\n University of Illinois at Springfield\r\n Southern Illinois University Edwardsville\r\n Blackburn College\r\n Principia College\r\n Heartland Community College\r\n Parkland College\r\n Richland Community College\r\n Lincoln Land Community College\r\n Lewis and Clark Community College\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bost.house.gov/2020/10/bost-gives-update-covid-19-diagnosis", "BOST GIVES UPDATE ON COVID-19 DIAGNOSIS", "2020-10-12", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Mike Bost", "B001295", "bost.house.gov", "bost", "https://bost.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "CARBONDALE, IL \u2013 U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today gave an update on his condition after testing positive for COVID-19. Click here or on the image below to watch.\n\n[[{\"fid\":\"65971\",\"view_mode\":\"full\",\"fields\":{\"format\":\"full\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"Bost COVID update\"},\"link_text\":null,\"type\":\"media\",\"field_deltas\":{\"1\":{\"format\":\"full\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"Bost COVID update\"}},\"attributes\":{\"alt\":\"Bost COVID update\",\"style\":\"height: 283px; width: 500px;\",\"class\":\"media-element file-full\",\"data-delta\":\"1\"}}]]\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:34:36Z"], ["https://bost.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bost-gives-update-covid-19-diagnosis", "BOST GIVES UPDATE ON COVID-19 DIAGNOSIS", "2020-10-12", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Mike Bost", "B001295", "bost.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "1440 Longworth House Office Building\nWashington, DC 20515\n  Phone: (202) 225-5661\n\tFax: (202) 225-0285\n            \n                  \n              \n          \n  \n  \nO'Fallon, IL 62269\n  Phone: (618) 622-0766\n\tFax: (618) 622-0774\n            \n                  \n              \n          \n  \n  \n300 East Main Street\nHunter Building-Suite 4\nCarbondale, IL 62901\n  Phone: (618) 457-5787\n\tFax: (618) 457-2990", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/2020/10/lahood-request-corn-belt-port-designation-illinois-approved-army-corps", "LaHood Request for Corn Belt Port Designation in Illinois Approved by Army Corps of Engineers", "2020-10-12", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", "lahood", "https://lahood.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) announced on Monday that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approved the creation of the three Port Statistical Areas (PSAs) in the Heart of the Corn Belt, which includes key ports in Illinois and Iowa.\n\nThe Corps will collectively designate the Mississippi River Ports of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois (MRPEIWI), the Mid-America Port and the Illinois Waterways Ports and Terminals as the Corn Belt Port Statistical Areas. Approval of the statistical area designations will make it easier for the ports to attract business and investment, grow the local economy and create new jobs.\n\n\"Federal approval of the Corn Belt Ports is great news for our rural communities in central and west-central Illinois. Access to inland waterways is critical to the economic viability of our communities and allows small businesses, farmers and manufacturers to export commodities around the world,\u201d said Congressman Darin LaHood. \u201cEstablishing the Corn Belt Ports as a statistical area in western Illinois and eastern Iowa will facilitate greater regional coordination that will raise the region\u2019s global profile and bolster economic development. I am proud that this bipartisan effort will strengthen economic opportunities along waterways in the Tri-State Region.\"\n\n\u201cI want to thank the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for reviewing our request and quickly granting it,\u201d Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. \u201cThis designation from the Corps will mean an economic boost for Iowa, especially in Dubuque and Jackson Counties.\u201d\n\n\"These port designations are historic for our region,\u201d Congresswoman Cheri Bustos said. \u201cThis recognition from the Army Corps of Engineers will make clear to everyone what we in Northwest and Central Illinois already know: just how critical our inland waterways are to the nation\u2019s economy. I was proud to join my colleagues in urging the Corps to make these designations, and I am pleased with the Corps\u2019 decision, which will make the region even more competitive and drive our local economy moving forward.\"\n\n\"I am happy to see the approval for the creation of these three new Port Statistical Areas, including the Mississippi River Ports of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois,\u201d Congressman Dave Loebsack said. \u201cThis PSA designation recognizes Iowa\u2019s strength in inland waterway commerce and raises the profile and competitiveness of our riverfront counties, and the entire Tri-State region. I am proud to have worked with so many different partners to help secure this approval and bring the economic development and infrastructure investment that will help Iowa grow.\"\n\nIn September, Representatives Darin LaHood (R-IL), Abby Finkenauer, Cheri Bustos (D-IL), and Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA)?sent a bipartisan letter?to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers asking for expedited approval of a local request to improve economic opportunity at Illinois and Iowa ports along the Mississippi River.\n\nBackground on?Mississippi River Ports of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois?(MRPEIWI):\n\nThe purpose of creating a Mississippi River Ports of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois (MRPEIWI) Port Statistical Area is to highlight the importance of the region in transporting goods. If approved, the Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center (WCSC) would report data for the MRPEIWI and demonstrate that it ranks in the top 100?ports in the United States, by tonnage moved.\n\nThis recognition would improve awareness of the importance of MRPEIWI and promote usage of the Mississippi River for shipping goods. This would also raise awareness of the importance of investing in inland waterway infrastructure.\n\nThe proposed MRPEIWI consists of existing ports and terminals along the Mississippi River between Iowa and Illinois from river mile 361.5 in Keokuk, Iowa to river mile 580 in Dubuque, Iowa. MRPEIWI would encompass 50 existing Iowa barge terminals, and about 20 existing barge terminals in Illinois.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:34:36Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lahood-request-corn-belt-port-designation-illinois-approved-army-corps", "LaHood Request for Corn Belt Port Designation in Illinois Approved by Army Corps of Engineers", "2020-10-12", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) announced on Monday thatthe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hasapprovedthe creation of the three Port Statistical Areas (PSAs) in the Heart of the Corn Belt, which includes key ports in Illinois and Iowa.\nTheCorpswillcollectively designate the Mississippi River Ports of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois (MRPEIWI), the Mid-America Port and the Illinois Waterways Ports and Terminals as the Corn Belt Port Statistical Areas.Approval of the statistical area designations willmake it easier for the ports to attract business and investment, grow the local economy and create new jobs.\n\"Federal approval of the Corn Belt Ports is great news for our rural communities in central and west-central Illinois. Access to inland waterways is critical to the economic viability of our communities and allows small businesses, farmers and manufacturers to export commodities around the world,said Congressman Darin LaHood.Establishing the Corn Belt Ports as a statistical area in western Illinois and eastern Iowa will facilitate greater regional coordination that will raise the region's global profile and bolster economic development. I am proud that this bipartisan effort will strengthen economic opportunities along waterways in the Tri-State Region.\"\nI wantto thankthe U.S. Army CorpsofEngineers for reviewing our request and quickly granting it,Congresswoman AbbyFinkenauer said.Thisdesignation from the Corps will mean an economic boost for Iowa, especially in Dubuque and Jackson Counties.\n\"These port designations are historic for our region, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos said. This recognition from the Army Corps of Engineers will make clear to everyone what we in Northwest and Central Illinois already know: just how critical our inland waterways are to the nation's economy. I was proud to join my colleagues in urging the Corps to make these designations, and I am pleased with the Corps' decision, which will make the region even more competitive and drive our local economy moving forward.\"\n\"I am happy to see the approval for the creation of these three new Port Statistical Areas, including the Mississippi River Ports of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, Congressman Dave Loebsack said. This PSA designation recognizes Iowa's strength in inland waterway commerce and raises the profile and competitiveness of our riverfront counties, and the entire Tri-State region. I am proud to have worked with so many different partners to help secure this approval and bring the economic development and infrastructure investment that will help Iowa grow.\"\nIn September,Representatives Darin LaHood (R-IL), Abby Finkenauer,Cheri Bustos (D-IL),and CongressmanDave Loebsack (D-IA)sent a bipartisan letterto the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers asking for expedited approval of a local request to improve economic opportunity at Illinois and Iowa ports along the Mississippi River.\nBackground onMississippi River Ports of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois(MRPEIWI):\nThe purpose of creating a Mississippi River Ports of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois (MRPEIWI) Port Statistical Area is to highlight the importance of the region in transporting goods. If approved, the Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center (WCSC) would report data for the MRPEIWI and demonstrate that it ranks in the top 100ports in the United States, by tonnage moved.\nThis recognition would improve awareness of the importance of MRPEIWI and promote usage of the Mississippi River for shipping goods. This would also raise awareness of the importance of investing in inland waterway infrastructure.\nThe proposed MRPEIWI consists of existing ports and terminals along the Mississippi River between Iowa and Illinois from river mile 361.5 in Keokuk, Iowa to river mile 580 in Dubuque, Iowa. MRPEIWI would encompass 50 existing Iowa barge terminals, and about 20 existing barge terminals in Illinois.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bost.house.gov/2020/10/bost-statement-positive-covid-19-test", "BOST STATEMENT ON POSITIVE COVID-19 TEST", "2020-10-09", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Mike Bost", "B001295", "bost.house.gov", "bost", "https://bost.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "CARBONDALE, IL \u2013 U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) released the following statement after receiving a positive COVID-19 test result on Thursday evening:\n\n\"I learned last night that I have tested positive for COVID-19. Despite taking my temperature regularly and having no evidence of a fever, I experienced a mild cough and a rapid loss of both taste and smell and recognized it was important to get tested immediately.\n\n\"My staff and I have consulted with Congress' Office of the Attending Physician for additional guidance and any staff I've been in close contact with will quarantine until receiving their own test results. We are also beginning the process of reaching out to any constituents I've met with in recent days.\n\n\"I am postponing my public event schedule but will continue conducting virtual meetings as I isolate at home. We are taking this situation seriously and will continue to serve the people of Southern Illinois while doing our best to ensure their health and safety. I will provide additional updates in the days ahead and am anxious to get back to work as soon as I make a full recovery.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:34:36Z"], ["https://bost.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bost-statement-positive-covid-19-test", "BOST STATEMENT ON POSITIVE COVID-19 TEST", "2020-10-09", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Mike Bost", "B001295", "bost.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "CARBONDALE, IL  U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) released the following statement after receiving a positive COVID-19 test result on Thursday evening: \"I learned last night that I have tested positive for COVID-19. Despite taking my temperature regularly and having no evidence of a fever, I experienced a mild cough and a rapid loss of both taste and smell and recognized it was important to get tested immediately. \"My staff and I have consulted with Congress' Office of the Attending Physician for additional guidance and any staff I've been in close contact with will quarantine until receiving their own test results. We are also beginning the process of reaching out to any constituents I've met with in recent days. \"I am postponing my public event schedule but will continue conducting virtual meetings as I isolate at home. We are taking this situation seriously and will continue to serve the people of Southern Illinois while doing our best to ensure their health and safety. I will provide additional updates in the days ahead and am anxious to get back to work as soon as I make a full recovery.\"  \n\t\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bost.house.gov/2020/10/bost-bill-help-veterans-exposed-toxins", "BOST BILL TO HELP VETERANS EXPOSED TO TOXINS", "2020-10-08", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Mike Bost", "B001295", "bost.house.gov", "bost", "https://bost.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) recently introduced H.R. 8506, the Toxic Exposure in the American Military (TEAM) Act to improve access to care and benefits for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances in the military. The bill will allow them to enroll in the VA healthcare system, create a process for the VA to establish a presumption of service connection for benefits, and advance scientific research into the effects of toxic exposure.\n\n\u201cOur nation\u2019s veterans shouldn\u2019t be met with a wall of bureaucratic red tape when they seek medical care for injuries sustained during their service,\u201d said Bost. \u201cWhile symptoms of burn pit exposure may lay dormant years after a veteran returns home, we still have a duty to ensure they receive the highest quality care and benefits. This vitally important legislation will allow these veterans to access the care and benefits they need as well as advance scientific research so that we can better understand the impact on future generations of servicemembers who may have been exposed to these toxic chemicals. This legislation also creates a pathway for the Department to follow in the future when the Secretary must decide whether to create a presumption for compensation benefits, so that Congress and the VA can act swiftly and get veterans what they deserve.\u201d\n\nFor more information about the Toxic Exposure in the American Military (TEAM) Act, click here. Senator Thom Tillis also introduced a companion bill in the Senate, S. 4393.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:34:36Z"], ["https://bost.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bost-bill-help-veterans-exposed-toxins", "BOST BILL TO HELP VETERANS EXPOSED TO TOXINS", "2020-10-08", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Mike Bost", "B001295", "bost.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) recently introduced H.R. 8506, the Toxic Exposure in the American Military (TEAM) Act to improve access to care and benefits for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances in the military. The bill will allow them to enroll in the VA healthcare system, create a process for the VA to establish a presumption of service connection for benefits, and advance scientific research into the effects of toxic exposure.\n\nOur nation's veterans shouldn't be met with a wall of bureaucratic red tape when they seek medical care for injuries sustained during their service, said Bost. While symptoms of burn pit exposure may lay dormant years after a veteran returns home, we still have a duty to ensure they receive the highest quality care and benefits. This vitally important legislation will allow these veterans to access the care and benefits they need as well as advance scientific research so that we can better understand the impact on future generations of servicemembers who may have been exposed to these toxic chemicals. This legislation also creates a pathway for the Department to follow in the future when the Secretary must decide whether to create a presumption for compensation benefits, so that Congress and the VA can act swiftly and get veterans what they deserve.\n\nFor more information about the Toxic Exposure in the American Military (TEAM) Act, click here. Senator Thom Tillis also introduced a companion bill in the Senate, S. 4393.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/2020/10/statement-rep-lahood-covid-19-relief-negotiations", "Statement from Rep. LaHood on COVID-19 Relief Negotiations", "2020-10-08", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", "lahood", "https://lahood.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "PEORIA \u2013 Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) released the following statement on additional COVID-19 relief.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s unacceptable that Speaker Pelosi recessed the U.S. House of Representatives until the middle of November, while businesses, workers, and families in Illinois continue to struggle because of the COVID-19 pandemic and state-mandated closures. Every day that I am home traveling the 18th District, I hear from businesses that will close and workers that will not have jobs to return to, resulting in rural and smaller communities being decimated if Congress does not act.\n\n\u201cToday, I\u2019m calling on Congress to return to session immediately and on Democrats to work in a meaningful, bipartisan way to provide support to the many in our communities that need immediate relief. This includes passing my bipartisan CERTS Act, which will provide relief to the motor coach industry, passing my bipartisan Clean Start Back to Work Tax Credit Act, which will help businesses cover the increased costs of cleaning and opening safely, extending the 45B tax credit to the salon industry, which will provide parity with restaurants and an immediate cash infusion to these small businesses, and extending the Paycheck Protection Program, among other priorities. Illinoisans cannot wait while politicians in Washington continue to play politics with this pandemic.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:34:36Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-rep-lahood-covid-19-relief-negotiations", "Statement from Rep. LaHood on COVID-19 Relief Negotiations", "2020-10-08", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PEORIA  Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) released the following statement on additional COVID-19 relief.\nIt's unacceptable that Speaker Pelosi recessed the U.S. House of Representatives until the middle of November, while businesses, workers, and families in Illinois continue to struggle because of the COVID-19 pandemic and state-mandated closures. Every day that I am home traveling the 18th District, I hear from businesses that will close and workers that will not have jobs to return to, resulting in rural and smaller communities being decimated if Congress does not act.\nToday, I'm calling on Congress to return to session immediately and on Democrats to work in a meaningful, bipartisan way to provide support to the many in our communities that need immediate relief. This includes passing my bipartisan CERTS Act, which will provide relief to the motor coach industry, passing my bipartisan Clean Start Back to Work Tax Credit Act, which will help businesses cover the increased costs of cleaning and opening safely, extending the 45B tax credit to the salon industry, which will provide paritywith restaurants and an immediate cash infusion to these small businesses, and extending the Paycheck Protection Program, among other priorities. Illinoisans cannot wait while politicians in Washington continue to play politics with this pandemic.\nBackground:  CERTS Act  Clean Start Back to Work Tax Credit  45B Tax Credit", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403920", "Davis Announces USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants", "2020-10-07", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Rodney Davis", "D000619", "rodneydavis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Recipients include Blackburn College, HSHS St. John's Hospital, Jersey Community Hospital, ROE #17, and Taylorville Schools\r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\nU.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development office has awarded a total of $3,718,599 Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants to five educational and medical institutions in Illinois' 13th Congressional District. Recipients include Blackburn College, HSHS St. John's Hospital, Jersey Community Hospital, Regional Office of Education #17, and Taylorville Community Unit School District #3. Details on these grants can be found below.\r\n\"I have worked continuously since taking office to expand access to broadband for our rural communities, especially schools and hospitals,\" said Davis. \"These grants we're announcing today go hand-in-hand with those efforts by now using much of the broadband that is in place and putting it to good use. This funding will go a long way in these rural communities to expand distance learning and telemedicine. Amidst the Coronavirus pandemic with many students learning from home and patients opting for telemedicine visits these awards are very timely and necessary.\"\r\nIncreasing access to telemedicine and distance learning is critical to building healthier and more resilient rural communities, said USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue. Paired with our monumental effort to expand high-speed broadband access in rural America, these investments will help rural health care centers and education institutions reach more rural residents with essential services and opportunities. Under the leadership of President Trump, USDA is committed to being a strong partner to rural communities because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives. \r\nBlackburn College, Carlinville: $915,194\r\nThis Rural Development investment will be used to enable Blackburn College, along with 12 other school districts in rural Macoupin and Montgomery counties in Illinois, to complete a distance learning project. The project will expand educational opportunities, increase the availability of Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) learning opportunities, increase dual credit courses, and provide teacher professional development. Additionally, equipment that enables interactive video conferencing will be deployed at all sites. The project will serve 3,697 students in sixth through 12th grade. This distance learning project will be within two Opportunity Zones; one in Gillespie, Ill., and one in Hillsboro, Ill.\r\nHSHS St. John's Hospital, Springfield: $977,429\r\nThis Rural Development investment will be used to fund a distance learning and telemedicine project that will help address the problems of rural health professional shortages, including opioid and substance use disorder (OUD/SUD) medical assisted treatment (MAT)-waivered providers, educators, clinicians and behavioral health specialists. The project will also address the problems of a lack of patient access to acute hospital (critical and emergency department) and non-acute (outpatient) clinical care.\r\nJersey Community Hospital, Jerseyville: $357,070\r\nThis Rural Development investment will assist Jersey Community Hospital District with the purchase of new telemedicine equipment with simulcast and licensing. Jersey Community Hospital will establish a telemedicine program for pediatric patients in the Emergency Department and high-risk pregnancies.\r\nRegional Office of Education #17, Bloomington: $608,944\r\nThis Rural Development investment will be used to establish synchronous distance learning among rural high schools. The network will utilize interactive video conferencing equipment, thus allowing them to share resources, classes (including Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM)), and professional development using distance learning. The project will improve issues related to faculty retention and student access to educational services relevant to college and career goals.\r\nTaylorville Community Unit School District #3, Taylorville: $859,962\r\n\r\nThis Rural Development investment will be used to help the Taylorville School District provide interactive videoconferencing distance learning classrooms to 14 rural schools across central Illinois, connecting them to the Rural Illinois Shared Education Network. Through this project, districts will share Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) classes and labs, electives, low-density classes, dual credit courses, and nine Advance Placement (AP) courses. The expansion will also add additional classroom space for Chestnut Health so they can meet increasing demand for opioid and substance abuse educational opportunities.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://kinzinger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402528", "Kinzinger, Malinowski Legislation to Protect the People of Hong Kong Moves Forward in Committee", "2020-10-05", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Adam Kinzinger", "K000378", "kinzinger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Last week, Congressmen Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) applauded the passage of their legislation, the Hong Kong People's Freedom and Choice Act of 2020, out from the House Foreign Affairs Committee with unanimous, bipartisan support.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Washington, DC -Last week, Congressmen Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) applauded the passage of their legislation, the Hong Kong People's Freedom and Choice Act of 2020, out from the House Foreign Affairs Committee with unanimous, bipartisan support. The bill would protect Hong Kongers facing persecution under the Chinese government's tightening grip of repression by providing refuge for the people of Hong Kong who are wrongfully targeted for fighting for their democratic freedoms.Additional original cosponsors of the bill include Congressmen Dean Phillips (D-MN) and Van Taylor (R-TX).\r\nThe legislation reflects the strong international consensus that the crackdown in Hong Kong by Beijing violates the rights of the territory's residents and the treaty commitments of the People's Republic of China. In response to these dramatic setbacks, theHong Kong People's Freedom and Choice Act of 2020would ensure that the United States government:\r\n \r\n    Provides temporary refuge to Hong Kongers already in the US that fear persecution if they returned\r\n    Expedites processing of refugee applications for Hong Kongers fleeing persecution, not subject to the administration's low cap on overall refugee admissions\r\n    Continues to treat Hong Kongers as distinct from mainland Chinadespite the elimination of some autonomy for trade purposes\r\n    Develops a strategy with allies to coordinate international efforts to provide refuge to Hong Kong's residents fleeing persecution\r\n \r\nThe United States will always stand for freedom, a truly foreign concept to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).After enacting their National Security Law in Hong Kong, the CCP once again showed us that they have no interest in being a global partner. They have no interest in recognizing human rights, as they flat out ignore international agreements and suffocate the freedoms of millions,said Representative Kinzinger. Our legislation, H.R. 8428, offers protections for those wrongfully detained in Hong Kong and shows our strong support for the oppressed. I'm glad to see our bill move forward today, and look forward to it being brought before the People's House.\r\nIn a matter of weeks this summer, the Chinese government stripped Hong Kong's residents of their long-established rights to free speech and assembly, violating its treaty commitments to the world,saidRepresentative Malinowski.This bill would allow Hong Kongers fleeing persecution to find refuge and their freedoms intact in the United States and many other like-minded countries. And America's gain would be China's loss.\"\r\nWith the passage of the National Security Law, China has continued to undermine Hong Kong's autonomy and restrict the freedoms of its residents. We cannot stand by as China continues to stand against freedom of speech, association, assembly, and the press,said Representative Phillips.This bipartisan bill, H.R.8428, offers protections for Hong Kongers who are fleeing oppression or persecution from the Chinese and Hong Kong governments to be considered for refugee status in the United States. I am proud to see it pass out of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and I urge my colleagues to take up this important measure on the House Floor. I will continue to join bipartisan groups of my colleagues in standing up to China and injustices across the globe.\r\nHKDC applauds the House Foreign Affairs Committee for advancing the bipartisan Hong Kong People's Freedom and Choice Act of 2020 and thanks Rep. Malinowski and Rep. Kinzinger for leading this critical measure. The threat activists face is real as illustrated by the recent case of the 12 Hong Kongers who attempted to escape to Taiwan on a boat due to their protest-related charges. Hong Kong has become the global frontline between the free world and Communist China. The US must live up to our values and be a refuge for those fleeing oppression while keeping pressure on those in power to liberate Hong Kong once again. We are all Hong Kongers now.said Samuel Chu, Managing Director, HKDC (Hong Kong Democracy Council)\r\nIn July, Beijing forced through new National Security Legislation that many feared would be used to stifle free speech and association in Hong Kong. Theworst predictionshave come true in subsequent months as the new law has provided cover to undermine peaceful assembly, free speech, and democratic processes:\r\n \r\n    Four student leaderswere arrestedover social media posts the government claimed were \"secessionist\"\r\n    Twelve pro-democracy candidates were disqualified from the September Legislative Council elections, and the elections were eventuallydelayed for a full year\r\n    Protest slogans like Liberate Hong Kong; Revolution of our times have been banned\r\n    Hong Kong police issued arrest warrants for six overseas activists, including a US citizen, Samuel Chu, HKDC's managing director\r\n    Hong Kong policearrested Jimmy Lai, owner of Apple Daily, the largest opposition newspaper, and other media executives and journalists, and 200 police raided the Apple Daily newsroom\r\n    12 HK protesters were detained by Chinese Coast Guard while attempting to escape to Taiwan via boat (whereabouts and status still unknown)\r\n \r\nThe bill is also cosponsored by Representatives  Joaquin Castro (TX), Brad Sherman (CA), Ted Yoho (FL), Albio Sires (NJ), Rodney Davis (IL), David Cicilline (RI), Joe Wilson (SC), Ted Deutch (FL), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA), Gerald Connolly (VA), Tom Suozzi (NY), Jamie Raskin (MD), Alan Lowenthal (CA), Jim McGovern (MA), Katie Porter (CA),Bobby Rush (IL).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/2020/10/lahood-lebanon-resolution-passes-house-foreign-affairs-committee", "LaHood Lebanon Resolution Passes House Foreign Affairs Committee", "2020-10-02", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", "lahood", "https://lahood.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously passed Congressman Darin LaHood\u2019s resolution, H.Res. 1077. The bipartisan resolution expresses the sense of Congress for the support of the ongoing U.S.- Lebanon relationship. Specifically, the resolution supports U.S. goals for combatting government corruption, executing needed structural reforms, and the important role of the Lebanese Armed Forces. The resolution opposes the growing influence and role of Hezbollah in Lebanon, particularly as the country works to respond and recover from the August 4th explosion.\n\nCongressman LaHood, as Co-Chair of the U.S.-Lebanon Friendship Caucus, recently led a bipartisan effort to advocate for humanitarian aid to Lebanon in response to the blast in Beirut.\n\n\u201cI am pleased that the House Foreign Affairs Committee moved this week to unanimously pass my bill to support the U.S.-Lebanon relationship, making way for a vote before the full House of Representatives,\u201d said Rep. LaHood. \u201cNow more than ever, American support for the Lebanese people is vital. My resolution reaffirms our country\u2019s commitment to the people of Lebanon and to peace in the region. A strong, independent, and sovereign Lebanon can help provide stability in the Middle East, and I will continue to work with my colleagues to support a productive and sustainable U.S.-Lebanon relationship.\u201d\n\nSince the resolution was introduced before the August explosion, the resolution was amended during the House Foreign Affairs Committee markup to include recognition of the tragic explosion at the Port of Beirut and recognize that the US stands with the people of Lebanon in providing support for humanitarian assistance and recovery.\n\nFull text of the original legislation can be read here.\n\nH.Res. 1077 is a House Resolution that expresses the sense of Congress on the continued importance of the U.S.-Lebanon relationship. The resolution expresses U.S. support for:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:34:36Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lahood-lebanon-resolution-passes-house-foreign-affairs-committee", "LaHood Lebanon Resolution Passes House Foreign Affairs Committee", "2020-10-02", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  The House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously passed Congressman Darin LaHood's resolution, H.Res. 1077. The bipartisan resolution expresses the sense of Congress for the support of the ongoing U.S.- Lebanon relationship. Specifically, the resolution supports U.S. goals for combatting government corruption, executing needed structural reforms, and the important role of the Lebanese Armed Forces. The resolution opposes the growing influence and role of Hezbollah in Lebanon, particularly as the country works to respond and recover from the August 4th explosion.\nCongressman LaHood, as Co-Chair of the U.S.-Lebanon Friendship Caucus, recently led a bipartisan effort to advocate for humanitarian aid to Lebanon in response to the blast in Beirut.\nI am pleased that the House Foreign Affairs Committee moved this week to unanimously pass my bill to support the U.S.-Lebanon relationship, making way for a vote before the full House of Representatives, said Rep. LaHood. Now more than ever, American support for the Lebanese people is vital. My resolution reaffirms our country's commitment to the people of Lebanon and to peace in the region. A strong, independent, and sovereign Lebanon can help provide stability in the Middle East, and I will continue to work with my colleagues to support a productive and sustainable U.S.-Lebanon relationship.\nSince the resolution was introduced before the August explosion, the resolution was amended during the House Foreign Affairs Committee markup to include recognition of the tragic explosion at the Port of Beirut and recognize that the US stands with the people of Lebanon in providing support for humanitarian assistance and recovery.\nFull text of the original legislation can be readhere.\nH.Res. 1077 is a House Resolution that expresses the sense of Congress on the continued importance of the U.S.-Lebanon relationship. The resolution expresses U.S. support for:\n The Lebanese people after the tragic explosion in the Port of Beirut\n\tContinued to support for humanitarian assistance from the US and international community through vetted NGOs\n\tSovereignty, security, and independence of Lebanon as a U.S. ally\n\tThe Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) through continued U.S. military training and military equipment\n\tThe role and presence of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon\n\tU.S. institutions in Lebanon, including programs like American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) and U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI)\n\tStrong opposition to Hezbollah influence in Lebanon\n\tStrong opposition to corruption in the Lebanese political elite and public sector", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://kinzinger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402515", "House Members Introduce Belarus Democracy and Human Rights Act", "2020-10-01", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Adam Kinzinger", "K000378", "kinzinger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  In response to the Alexander Lukashenka regime's violent crackdown and political repression following the fraudulent August 9, 2020 election, Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Chairman Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), Ranking Member Michael McCaul (R-TX) Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (R-OH), Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), and Congressman William Keating (D-MA) introduced theBelarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2020. The Act would provide for the promotion of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Belarus as well as support the aspirations of the Belarusian people to preserve the independence and sovereignty of their country in the face of the threat posed by Vladimir Putin's Russia.The world is recognizing what the strugglingbut courageouspeople of Belarus have been saying loud and clear since August 9 with their massive rallies: the recent election was fraudulent, and has no credibility with anyone save Lukashenka, and perhaps Russia, said Rep. Smith, who noted H.R. 8438 updates and reauthorizes his previous legislation enacted in 2004, 2006 and 2011 to advance and promote democracy and human rights in Belarus. This bipartisan bill renews sanctions on Belarusian Government officials who have obstructed the country's democratic transition. It gives much-needed support to the besieged Belarusian media, and to the IT sector. Some of the unlikely heroes of this struggle are Belarusian hackers, who have cracked Lukashenko's firewall, and have been able to broadcast truthful accounts to the Belarusian people of the news of the day. This bill also commissions several much-needed fact-finding efforts to get a better picture of the situation on the ground. The Belarusian people are fighting to preserve the independence and sovereignty of their country in the face of the threat posed by Vladimir Putin's Russia.\r\nForeign Affairs Committee Chairman Engel said, Lukashenka has demonstrated time and time again that he is a brutal dictator interested only in the preservation of his own interests and maintaining his grip on power  no matter the cost. We continue to stand with the peaceful protestors in Belarus, who have turned out in historic numbers demanding a freer, more democratic nation and a free and fair election. With this legislation, the United States Congress once again sends the bipartisan message that the United States will not tolerate Lukashenka's brutality and illegitimate claims to power. The will of the Belarusian people must be respected, and I am proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to send that message to Lukashenka, the people of Belarus, and the Russian dictator next door.\r\nWe stand with the historic numbers of peaceful Belarusian protesters that continue to flood the streets to demand a more democratic country. Their voices must be heard and the Belarusian authorities using violence, arbitrary detentions and repression in an attempt to stifle their calls to chart their own future must be held accountable, said House Foreign Affairs Committee Republican Leader Rep. McCaul. This Act sends an unmistakable message to the Belarusian dictator and his supporters in the Kremlin that the United States will neither accept Lukashenka's illegitimate rule nor allow Belarus' sovereignty to be handed over to Russia against the will of the Belarusian people.  \r\n\r\nRep. Kaptur said, As a longtime supporter of liberty in Central and Eastern Europe, I am pleased to co-lead this bill to demonstrate resolute bipartisan support for the Belarusian people against the tyranny of the Lukashenko regime. This measure will provide for robust sanctions against human rights offenders, and hopefully pave a path toward new elections and peaceful transitions of power. I stand ready to work with my colleagues to boost U.S. assistance for Belarusian civil society through upcoming spending bills.\"  \r\n\r\nRep. Kinzinger said, I'm proud to cosponsor this bipartisan legislation that formally condemns the fraudulent August election in Belarus and shows strong U.S. support for the sovereignty of the Belarusian people. We stand with the freedom-loving people around the world, especially those who are oppressed. Our legislation calls for the crackdown on peaceful demonstrators to end, for all those who have been unjustly detained to be released, and for a transparent and fair electoral process. With foreign assistance parameters and coordination with our European partners, our efforts here can help ensure the voices of the Belarusian people will be heard.\r\nRep. Keating said, I'm proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to affirm our continued support for Belarusians working tirelessly towards democracy, said Congressman Bill Keating, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, Energy, and the Environment. Their asks are simple. Belarusians want a government that is accountable to the people, that adheres to the rule of law, that respects their human rights, and that conducts itself in accordance with not just European, but global standards and norms. We must pass this legislation to show the Belarusian people that we hear their calls for democracy and justice, and that America stands beside them.  \r\n\r\n  \r\nBelarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2020:\r\n \r\n    Reauthorizes the 2004 Belarus Democracy Act for the third time following the fraudulent August 9, 2020 election and the Lukashenka regime's violent crackdown on the peaceful protests;\r\n    States that it is U.S. policy to \r\n    \r\n        reject the fraudulent August 9, 2020 Belarusian presidential election;\r\n        refuse to recognize Lukashenka as the legitimately elected leader of Belarus; \r\n        call for a new presidential election in Belarus that complies with OSCE standards; \r\n        continue to call for the immediate release of all political prisoners in Belarus, including U.S. citizen Vitali Shkliarov and leading opposition figure Maryia Kalesnikava; \r\n        refuse to recognize any incorporation of Belarus into a so-called Union State that is under the control of Russia;\r\n    \r\n    Expands the list of Belarusian authorities who may be subject to U.S. sanctions beyond the country's senior leadership and security services to include those directly responsible for the crackdown on independent media; \r\n    Further strengthens the current human rights sanctions regime on Belarus to include Russian individuals complicit in the political repression in Belarus and the crackdown on independent media;\r\n    Authorizes U.S. assistance to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Belarus and calls on the Administration to reevaluate and increase U.S. assistance to Belarus in light of the current political crisis;\r\n    Calls on the President to provide the United States Agency for Global Media with a surge capacity for its programs and activities in Belarus;\r\n    Requires a U.S. strategy to promote expanded broadcasting, internet freedom and access to information in Belarus;\r\n    Calls on the United States to continue to coordinate with the European Union, its member states, the United Kingdom and Canada to support the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people and to deter Russia's attempts to undermine Belarus' sovereignty and independence; and\r\n    Requires the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence, to submit two reports to Congress on Russia's efforts to undermine Belarus' sovereignty and independence and the assets owned by Lukashenka. \r\n \r\nIt is anticipated that the Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2020 will be marked up by the House Foreign Affairs Committee tomorrow, which would then allow the bill to move to the floor for a possible vote by the full House of Representatives.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://kinzinger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402516", "Kinzinger Statement on Pelosi's Coronavirus Bill", "2020-10-01", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Adam Kinzinger", "K000378", "kinzinger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) released the following statement on his vote against Speaker Pelosi's $2.2 trillion legislative amendment on H.R. 925 and the need for bipartisanship.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Washington, DC  Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) released the following statement on his vote against Speaker Pelosi's $2.2 trillion legislative amendment on H.R. 925 and the need for bipartisanship:\r\nThe coronavirus pandemic should not be partisan, the lives impacted should not be used as tools in an election bid, and the recovery efforts by Congress should not be made political. But here we are again.\r\nYesterday, Speaker Pelosi brought forth the HEROES Act 2.0 with a list of non-COVID related provisions and excessive demands for more government spending in areas that are not related to the COVID crisis. It is our duty to come together and address the urgent needs of those directly impacted by the pandemiclike the unemployed, those that are vulnerable to the virus, our front-line workers in our hospitals and grocery stores, the airline industry that is days away from having to cut thousands of jobs, and our schools that are trying to figure out how to safely reopenjust to name a few. \r\nThis 2,152 page bill was not a good-faith attempt to find common-sense solutions by the Speaker. This revision' was just a tool for Democrats to use as they head into the electionit's not a real effort to help the American people. And it's sad.  \r\n\r\nIt's sad because the American people are the ones who will suffer. Congress has already been able to work together on pandemic reliefwe've done it multiple times now. We put our issues aside, compromised on several areas of disagreement, and did what was necessary to bring relief to the country. Speaker Pelosi knows she could have worked with Republicans to get the next bill through to the President's desk, but blatantly chose to play politics instead. \r\nTonight, I'm disappointed, and I'm sure I'm not alone in that. I will continue to urge this institution to remember its responsibility, to remember the reason we were elected to serve the American people in Congress, and to remember what truly matters at the end of the day. Playing politics will not save lives, and I certainly hope the Speaker realizes that now and finds the courage to do the right thing, by working in good faithtogether.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/2020/10/lahood-davis-announce-4331426-grant-award-illinois-state-university", "LaHood, Davis Announce $4,331,426 Grant Award to Illinois State University", "2020-10-01", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", "lahood", "https://lahood.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressmen Darin LaHood (IL-18) and Rodney Davis (IL-13) announced today that the U.S. Department of Education awarded Illinois State University (ISU) a $4,331,426 grant to prepare, develop, and enhance the skills of educators. The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Education\u2019s Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) Renewal program.\n\n\u201cIllinois State University is an exceptional university that provides a great education to residents across our state and around the globe,\u201d said Rep. LaHood. \u201cThe federal funding awarded to ISU will support important programs to provide evidence-based training to professors and educators. I applaud the Trump Administration for recognizing the outstanding work being done at ISU and providing federal funding to support their mission.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m the proud parent of three Illinois State University students. I know first-hand the high quality education ISU provides to its student body,\u201d said Rep. Davis. \u201cThat great education is thanks in large part to the educators who work at the University. This federal grant will provide ISU educators additional tools and training to help them continue their outstanding work.\u201d\n\n\u201cSEED grant funding is vitally important to the work of Illinois State University\u2019s Center for the Study of Education Policy,\u201d said President Larry Dietz. \u201cThrough the Center\u2019s TEAM Lead program, the grant provides support to four Regional Offices of Education across the state and over 80 schools, in which the University is proud to engage in partnerships to enhance the leadership effectiveness of school administrators.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nSEED Renewal Program\n\nThe purpose of the SEED program is to increase the number of highly effective educators by supporting the implementation of Evidence-Based practices that prepare, develop, or enhance the skills of educators. These grants will allow eligible applicants to develop, expand, and evaluate practices that can serve as models to be sustained and disseminated. The SEED program also encourages the use of rigorous evidence in selecting and implementing interventions to support educators\u2019 development across the continuum of their careers.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:34:36Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lahood-davis-announce-4331426-grant-award-illinois-state-university", "LaHood, Davis Announce $4,331,426 Grant Award to Illinois State University", "2020-10-01", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressmen Darin LaHood (IL-18) and Rodney Davis (IL-13) announced today that the U.S. Department of Education awarded Illinois State University (ISU) a $4,331,426 grant to prepare, develop, and enhance the skills of educators. The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Education's Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) Renewal program.\nIllinois State University is an exceptional university that provides a great education to residents across our state and around the globe, said Rep. LaHood. The federal funding awarded to ISU will support important programs to provide evidence-based training to professors and educators. I applaud the Trump Administration for recognizing the outstanding work being done at ISU and providing federal funding to support their mission.\nI'm the proud parent of three Illinois State University students. I know first-hand the high quality education ISU provides to its student body, said Rep. Davis. That great education is thanks in large part to the educators who work at the University. This federal grant will provide ISU educators additional tools and training to help them continue their outstanding work.\nSEED grant funding is vitally important tothe work ofIllinois State University'sCenter for the Study of Education Policy, said President Larry Dietz. Through the Center's TEAM Lead program, thegrant provides support to four Regional Offices of Education across the state and over 80 schools, in which the University is proud to engage in partnerships to enhance the leadership effectiveness of schooladministrators.\nBackground:\nSEED Renewal Program\n The purpose of the SEED program is to increase the number of highly effective educators by supporting the implementation of Evidence-Based practices that prepare, develop, or enhance the skills of educators. These grants will allow eligible applicants to develop, expand, and evaluate practices that can serve as models to be sustained and disseminated. The SEED program also encourages the use of rigorous evidence in selecting and implementing interventionsto support educators' development across the continuum of their careers.\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403916", "Davis, LaHood Announce $4,331,426 Grant Award to Illinois State University", "2020-10-01", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Rodney Davis", "D000619", "rodneydavis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rodney Davis (IL-13) and Congressmen Darin LaHood (IL-18) announced today that the U.S. Department of Education awarded Illinois State University (ISU) a $4,331,426 grant to prepare, develop, and enhance the skills of educators. The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Education's Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) Renewal program.\r\nI'm the proud parent of three Illinois State University students. I know first-hand the high quality education ISU provides to its student body,said Rep. Davis.That great education is thanks in large part to the educators who work at the University. This federal grant will provide ISU educators additional tools and training to help them continue their outstanding work. Illinois State University is an exceptional university that provides a great education to residents across our state and around the globe, said Rep. LaHood. The federal funding awarded to ISU will support important programs to provide evidence-based training to professors and educators. I applaud the Trump Administration for recognizing the outstanding work being done at ISU and providing federal funding to support their mission.\r\nSEED grant funding is vitally important tothe work ofIllinois State University'sCenter for the Study of Education Policy, said President Larry Dietz. Through the Center's TEAM Lead program, thegrant provides support to four Regional Offices of Education across the state and over 80 schools, in which the University is proud to engage in partnerships to enhance the leadership effectiveness of schooladministrators.\r\nBackground:\r\nSEED Renewal Program\r\n \r\n    The purpose of the SEED program is to increase the number of highly effective educators by supporting the implementation of Evidence-Based practices that prepare, develop, or enhance the skills of educators. These grants will allow eligible applicants to develop, expand, and evaluate practices that can serve as models to be sustained and disseminated. The SEED program also encourages the use of rigorous evidence in selecting and implementing interventionsto support educators' development across the continuum of their careers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403919", "Davis Introduces Legislation to Waive State and Local Share of Federally-Funded Highway Projects", "2020-10-01", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Rodney Davis", "D000619", "rodneydavis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) today introduced the Highway Relief Act, which empowers the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to fund up to 100% of federally-funded highway projects in Fiscal Years 2021 and 2022, waiving the state and local share of these projects.\r\n\r\nThe COVID-19 pandemic has put great financial strain on state government budgets, including state departments of transportation, said Rep. Davis. My legislation will protect and create new construction jobs and provide a much-needed cash infusion to ensure state highway projects continue as planned. This is just one of many ways the federal government can assist state DOTs. I'd like to thank Congressional leaders for including a one-year extension of surface transportation reauthorization in the CR, but as we negotiate and debate another comprehensive COVID-19 relief package, we must absolutely include additional relief for state DOTs so we can continue to make investments in our nation's infrastructure.\r\n\r\nWhile having Congress provide much-needed direct federal funding to state departments of transportation is AASHTO's top priority in any COVID relief bill, the ability to utilize 100 percent federal share for transportation projects is a critical policy provision to help manage state transportation revenues hit hard by the pandemic. - Jim Tymon, Executive Director, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)\r\n\r\nThe COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact state DOT budgets as vehicle miles travelled are down, resulting in less motor fuel tax revenue. When state revenues are down, the state's ability to make their state match to federally funded projects could be jeopardized.\r\n\r\nTo ensure continued state transportation project implementation, this bill would provide the U.S. Secretary of Transportation discretionary authority to increase the federal cost share for federal-aid highway projects to 100 percent, for FY21-22. This authority will assist state DOTs to continue their transportation programming while preserving and increasing jobs. Specifically, this bill provides the Secretary of Transportation discretionary authority to increase the federal cost-share of projects under title 23, United States Code, to 100 percent for federal-aid highway projects for FY21-22.\r\n\r\nYou can find the text of Rep. Davis' bill here.\r\n\r\nH.R. 7248, The Surface Transportation Advanced through Reform, Technology, and Efficient Review Act, orSTARTER Act,isT&IRepublicans' commonsense five-year surface transportation reauthorization billto allow states and non-federal partners to more efficiently plan, expedite, and undertake important infrastructure projects, provide safer and more efficient movement of goods and people, and address infrastructure needs of communities of all sizes. TheSTARTER Actis the House Republican alternative to the Speaker's partisan My Way or the Highway bill, which passed the House but was DOA in the Senate.\r\n\r\nTheSTARTER Actfocuses on key Republican principles for infrastructure: allowing for greaterstate flexibility, streamlining the project review and delivery process, prioritizing core programs, incorporating innovative developments in technology, ensuring equity for rural infrastructure needs, and addressing the long-term sustainability of the Highway Trust Fund.\r\n\r\nIn August, House Republican Leader McCarthy incorporated theSTARTER Actas a key component of the Commitment to America and House Republicans' promise to rebuild the greatest economy in America's history. The House Republican Conference will continue to champion the priorities of theSTARTER Act, including through the Highway Relief Act, which focuses on one key aspect of that broader legislation.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bost.house.gov/2020/9/bost-statement-planned-closure-baldwin-plant", "BOST STATEMENT ON PLANNED CLOSURE OF BALDWIN PLANT", "2020-09-30", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Mike Bost", "B001295", "bost.house.gov", "bost", "https://bost.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) released the following statement after Vistra announced the planned closure of four Illinois power plants by 2025, including the plant in Baldwin:\n\n\u201cVistra\u2019s decision to close its Baldwin plant by 2025 is deeply disappointing and will have a crushing impact on 130 Southern Illinois families. We must have an all-of-the-above approach to fulfilling America\u2019s energy needs, and these good-paying Randolph County coal jobs were a big part of that. I\u2019m afraid that, if the liberal Green New Dealers get their way, we will continue to see communities across this country negatively affected by their far-left, anti-coal agenda.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:28:51Z"], ["https://bost.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bost-statement-planned-closure-baldwin-plant", "BOST STATEMENT ON PLANNED CLOSURE OF BALDWIN PLANT", "2020-09-30", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Mike Bost", "B001295", "bost.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) released the following statement after Vistra announced the planned closure of four Illinois power plants by 2025, including the plant in Baldwin: Vistra's decision to close its Baldwin plant by 2025 is deeply disappointing and will have a crushing impact on 130 Southern Illinois families. We must have an all-of-the-above approach to fulfilling America's energy needs, and these good-paying Randolph County coal jobs were a big part of that.I'm afraid that, if the liberal Green New Dealers get their way, we will continue to see communities across this country negatively affected by their far-left, anti-coal agenda.\n\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://kinzinger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402512", "Kinzinger Leads Provisions in China Task Force Report", "2020-09-30", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Adam Kinzinger", "K000378", "kinzinger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, after months of work, the House-led China Task Force (CTF) unveiled its final, comprehensive report on the threats by China and solutions to addressing the vulnerabilities America faces.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      WASHINGTON, DC  Today, after months of work, the House-led China Task Force (CTF) unveiled its final, comprehensive report on the threats by China and solutions to addressing the vulnerabilities America faces. As a leading member on the task force, chairing two of the six task force pillars, Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) had several of his own provisions included in the final report, which includes more than 400 recommendations after engaging with more than 130 leaders.\r\nWhile the task force was intended to be bipartisan, Democrats in the House chose not to participate. Still, two-thirds of the bills included in the report are bipartisan and one-third of the bills have previously passed either the House or Senate. Of note, the report includes action items that would counter America's reliance on China by calling for the United States to work towards a bilateral free-trade agreement with Taiwan, instituting a foreign investment blacklist of foreign countries of concern (like the People's Republic of China) to require heightened scrutiny, ensuring Chinese companies are held to the same financial disclosure standards as American companies listed on the U.S. stock exchanges, and limiting the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) from investing in certain Chinese companies. \r\nThe report also covers issues that threaten the fabric of our nation, like issues of human rights violations, by calling on the Administration to evaluate whether the crimes against humanity in Xinjiang committed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) amount to genocide and by providing a safe harbor for Hong Kong refugees. This latter provision is one that Congressman Kinzinger championed through his legislation, the Hong Kong's People Freedom and Choice Act. \r\nThis report is a comprehensive look at the CCP and the long-term threat America faces every day from technology attacks to supply-chain shortcomings to stolen intellectual property (IP). An overview of the China Task Force can be found in the attached PDF while the entire report can be found here, and the Congressman's full statement on today's release is below:\r\n\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\nAs Congressman Kinzinger notes, the work of the CTF will continue, and for the Congressman's part, he is currently crafting another piece of legislation that would provide incentives to American companies operating in countries with concentrated supply chains, like the PRC, to move their manufacturing to the United States or other countries in the Western Hemisphere. Additionally, the legislation would establish within the Department of Commerce the Office of Manufacturing Resilience to incentivize flexible and convertible manufacturing here in the United States.  \r\n\r\nThe Congressman's bill, the MADE in the Americas Act, would also require the President to prioritize and expedite Free Trade Agreements between the United States and Latin American markets. By strengthening the supply chains, lowering our risk to market distribution, and fostering trade between likeminded nations, the United States could secure the global economy for our children and grandchildren, and this is a major priority for the Congressman.  \r\n\r\n\r\nRELATED ITEMS:  \r\n\r\nWalden, Kinzinger Statement on China Task Force Report  \r\n\r\nOP-ED: Medium  Pushing Back on China Requires BOLD ActionNOW!  \r\n\r\nKinzinger Selected to Serve on China Task Force  \r\n\r\nOP-ED: Roll Call  Communist China puts our technology and safety at risk every day [with Rep. John Joyce (R-PA)]  \r\n\r\nKinzinger Legislation Demands Transparency from China  \r\n\r\nRockford Register Star  LETTER: Kinzinger is leading on China  \r\n\r\n\r\nKINZINGER LED-PROVISIONS IN CTF REPORT:  \r\n\r\nH.R. 6208, the Protecting American Space Assets Act  \r\n\r\nH.R. 6942, the Internet Application Integrity and Disclosure Act\r\nH.R. 7360, the Wireless Resiliency and Flexible Investment Act\r\nH.R. 7406, the Nuclear Licensing Efficiency Act \r\n H.R. 7428, the Hong Kong's People Freedom and Choice Act", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/2020/9/rep-lahood-china-task-force-final-report", "LaHood, China Task Force Members Unveil Final Report", "2020-09-30", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", "lahood", "https://lahood.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) today joined House Republican Leadership and fellow members of the China Task Force to unveil their final legislative report. The China Task Force was launched back in May of this year to assess the growing threats posed by China, advance policies that strengthen America\u2019s supply chains and economy, and expand opportunity for Illinois agriculture.\n\nSince then, the task force has met with 125 key stakeholders, including policy experts, business leaders, other Members of Congress, and current and former administration officials from both sides of the aisle. The report includes more than 400 recommendations. Of those, 180 are legislative recommendations, of which 64 percent are bipartisan and one-third have already passed either the House or the Senate.\n\n\u201cChina represents an ever-evolving challenge for the United States, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and as technology and our economies modernize into the digital age. Since May, the China Task Force has worked tirelessly to develop and promote legislative solutions to confront those challenges. As the sole member from the Ways and Means Committee on the China Task Force, I worked extensively to include policy measures that bolster America\u2019s standing in the global economy, strengthen our relationship with our allies, reform the WTO, and advance our trade agenda, particularly for our farmers and manufacturers in Illinois. This comprehensive report outlines a roadmap to strengthen American competitiveness. I was proud to help develop the China Task Force report, and I will continue to advance these solutions in Congress,\u201d said Congressman Darin LaHood.\n\nCongressman Kevin Brady (R-TX), the top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, added, \u201cChina is the greatest economic and security threat we face, and Republicans are committed to bolstering America\u2019s economy so that current and future generations are prepared for the challenges ahead. As this report lays out, we can use our tax and trade tools to position America as a force for good in the world while creating jobs here at home.\n\n\u201cWays and Means Republicans, led by Rep. Darin LaHood, have worked well with the Task Force to develop recommendations aimed at enhancing our competitiveness through smart tax incentives that will make America medically independent and establishing pro-growth tax policies that will bring back home more research, development, and manufacturing.\n\n\u201cIn addition, we have developed a series of bipartisan substantive trade recommendations that will discipline China\u2019s unfair trade practices, strengthen relationships with our allies and establish U.S. standards worldwide, and reform the WTO and enhance its ability to capture Chinese economic aggression.\n\n\u201cDarin\u2019s leadership on the Task Force paves the way for a safer and more prosperous future for our children and grandchildren. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and with the Administration to implement these concrete and consequential recommendations.\u201d\n\nYou can read the full report HERE. The executive summary of the report can be read HERE.\n\nAs a member of the Economics and Energy Pillar and the Competitiveness Pillar on the China Task Force, Rep. LaHood focused on advancing policies that strengthen American competitiveness and support farmers and manufacturers in the Midwest. The report includes over 400 recommendations. Some highlights of the recommendations are below:\n\nPassage of Rep. LaHood\u2019s Bringing Back Americans Jobs Through Intellectual Property Repatriation Act.\n\nPursuing trade policies that deter and protect against IP theft, and provide more protections for American companies operating abroad.\n\nConsideration of legislation regarding securing America\u2019s supply chain, prioritizing national security and critical medical supplies, including targeted tax incentives to accelerate research and development (R&D).\n\nBetter securing our medical and national security supply chains by providing aggressive, smart, and targeted tax incentives to accelerate our R&D and production of crucial medicines, medical supplies, ingredients, tests, and vaccines.\n\nIncreasing coordination and funding for STEM education to create a more capable, skilled workforce.\n\nStrengthening the Development Finance Corporation, Export Import Bank and other government efforts to more robustly counter the Chinese Communist Party\u2019s (CCP\u2019s) Belt and Road Initiative and debt-trap diplomacy.\n\nCalls on the Administration to evaluate whether China\u2019s actions in Xinjiang.\n\nCalls for providing a safe harbor for Hong Kong refugees.\n\nEnsures Chinese companies are held to the same financial disclosure standards as American companies listed on the US stock exchanges.\n\nContains a comprehensive list of the military investment and activities needed to maintain our superiority over the CCP\u2019s military.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:28:51Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lahood-china-task-force-final-report", "LaHood, China Task Force Members Unveil Final Report", "2020-09-30", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) today joined House Republican Leadership and fellow members of the China Task Force to unveil their final legislative report. The China Task Force was launched back in May of this year to assess the growing threats posed by China, advance policies that strengthen America's supply chains and economy, and expand opportunity for Illinois agriculture.\nSince then, the task force has met with 125 key stakeholders, includingpolicyexperts, business leaders, other Members of Congress, and current and former administration officials from both sides of the aisle. The report includes more than 400 recommendations. Of those, 180 are legislative recommendations, of which 64 percent are bipartisan and one-third have already passed either the House or the Senate.\nChina represents an ever-evolving challenge for the United States, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and as technology and our economies modernize into the digital age. Since May, the China Task Force has worked tirelessly to develop and promote legislative solutions to confront those challenges. As the sole member from the Ways and Means Committee on the China Task Force, I worked extensively to include policy measures that bolster America's standing in the global economy, strengthen our relationship with our allies, reform the WTO, and advance our trade agenda, particularly for our farmers and manufacturers in Illinois. This comprehensive report outlines a roadmap to strengthen American competitiveness. I was proud to help develop the China Task Force report, and I will continue to advance these solutions in Congress, said Congressman Darin LaHood.\nCongressman Kevin Brady (R-TX), the top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, added, China is the greatest economic and security threat we face, and Republicans are committed to bolstering America's economy so that current and future generations are prepared for the challenges ahead. As this report lays out, we can use our tax and trade tools to position America as a force for good in the world while creating jobs here at home.\nWays and Means Republicans,led by Rep. Darin LaHood,have worked well with the Task Force to develop recommendations aimed at enhancing our competitiveness through smart tax incentives that will make America medically independent and establishing pro-growth tax policies that will bring back home more research, development, and manufacturing.\nIn addition, we have developed a series of bipartisan substantive trade recommendations that will discipline China's unfair trade practices, strengthen relationships with our allies and establish U.S. standards worldwide, and reform the WTO and enhance its ability to capture Chinese economic aggression.\nDarin's leadership on the Task Force paves the way for a safer and more prosperous future for our children and grandchildren.I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and with the Administration to implement these concrete and consequential recommendations.\nYou can read the full report HERE. The executive summary of the report can be read HERE.\nAs a member of the Economics and Energy Pillar and the Competitiveness Pillar on the China Task Force, Rep. LaHood focused on advancing policies that strengthen American competitiveness and support farmers and manufacturers in the Midwest. The report includes over 400 recommendations. Some highlights of the recommendations are below:\n Passage of Rep. LaHood's Bringing Back Americans Jobs Through Intellectual Property Repatriation Act.\n\tPursuing trade policies that deter and protect against IP theft, and provide more protections for American companies operating abroad.\n\tConsideration of legislation regarding securing America's supply chain, prioritizing national security and critical medical supplies, including targeted tax incentives to accelerate research and development (R&D).\n\tBetter securing our medical and national security supply chains by providing aggressive, smart, and targeted tax incentives to accelerate our R&D and production of crucial medicines, medical supplies, ingredients, tests, and vaccines.\n\tIncreasing coordination and funding for STEM education to create a more capable, skilled workforce.\n\tStrengthening the Development Finance Corporation, Export Import Bank and other government efforts to more robustly counter the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP's) Belt and Road Initiative and debt-trap diplomacy.\n\tCalls on the Administration to evaluate whether China's actions in Xinjiang.\n\tCalls for providing a safe harbor for Hong Kong refugees.\n\tEnsures Chinese companies are held to the same financial disclosure standards as American companies listed on the US stock exchanges.\n Contains a comprehensive list of the military investment and activities needed to maintain our superiority over the CCP's military.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lahood-china-task-force-members-release-final-report-wednesday", "LaHood, China Task Force Members Unveil Final Report", "2020-09-30", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) today joined House Republican Leadership and fellow members of the China Task Force to unveil their final legislative report. The China Task Force was launched back in May of this year to assess the growing threats posed by China, advance policies that strengthen America's supply chains and economy, and expand opportunity for Illinois agriculture.\nSince then, the task force has met with 125 key stakeholders, includingpolicyexperts, business leaders, other Members of Congress, and current and former administration officials from both sides of the aisle. The report includes more than 400 recommendations. Of those, 180 are legislative recommendations, of which 64 percent are bipartisan and one-third have already passed either the House or the Senate.\nChina represents an ever-evolving challenge for the United States, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and as technology and our economies modernize into the digital age. Since May, the China Task Force has worked tirelessly to develop and promote legislative solutions to confront those challenges. As the sole member from the Ways and Means Committee on the China Task Force, I worked extensively to include policy measures that bolster America's standing in the global economy, strengthen our relationship with our allies, reform the WTO, and advance our trade agenda, particularly for our farmers and manufacturers in Illinois. This comprehensive report outlines a roadmap to strengthen American competitiveness. I was proud to help develop the China Task Force report, and I will continue to advance these solutions in Congress, said Congressman Darin LaHood.\nCongressman Kevin Brady (R-TX), the top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, added, China is the greatest economic and security threat we face, and Republicans are committed to bolstering America's economy so that current and future generations are prepared for the challenges ahead. As this report lays out, we can use our tax and trade tools to position America as a force for good in the world while creating jobs here at home.\nWays and Means Republicans,led by Rep. Darin LaHood,have worked well with the Task Force to develop recommendations aimed at enhancing our competitiveness through smart tax incentives that will make America medically independent and establishing pro-growth tax policies that will bring back home more research, development, and manufacturing.\nIn addition, we have developed a series of bipartisan substantive trade recommendations that will discipline China's unfair trade practices, strengthen relationships with our allies and establish U.S. standards worldwide, and reform the WTO and enhance its ability to capture Chinese economic aggression.\nDarin's leadership on the Task Force paves the way for a safer and more prosperous future for our children and grandchildren.I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and with the Administration to implement these concrete and consequential recommendations.\nYou can read the full report HERE. The executive summary of the report can be read HERE.\nAs a member of the Economics and Energy Pillar and the Competitiveness Pillar on the China Task Force, Rep. LaHood focused on advancing policies that strengthen American competitiveness and support farmers and manufacturers in the Midwest. The report includes over 400 recommendations. Some highlights of the recommendations are below:\n Passage of Rep. LaHood's Bringing Back Americans Jobs Through Intellectual Property Repatriation Act.\n\tPursuing trade policies that deter and protect against IP theft, and provide more protections for American companies operating abroad.\n\tConsideration of legislation regarding securing America's supply chain, prioritizing national security and critical medical supplies, including targeted tax incentives to accelerate research and development (R&D).\n\tBetter securing our medical and national security supply chains by providing aggressive, smart, and targeted tax incentives to accelerate our R&D and production of crucial medicines, medical supplies, ingredients, tests, and vaccines.\n\tIncreasing coordination and funding for STEM education to create a more capable, skilled workforce.\n\tStrengthening the Development Finance Corporation, Export Import Bank and other government efforts to more robustly counter the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP's) Belt and Road Initiative and debt-trap diplomacy.\n\tCalls on the Administration to evaluate whether China's actions in Xinjiang.\n\tCalls for providing a safe harbor for Hong Kong refugees.\n\tEnsures Chinese companies are held to the same financial disclosure standards as American companies listed on the US stock exchanges.\n Contains a comprehensive list of the military investment and activities needed to maintain our superiority over the CCP's military.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bost.house.gov/2020/9/bost-announces-12-million-marion-department-labor-grant", "BOST ANNOUNCES $1.2 MILLION MARION DEPARTMENT OF LABOR GRANT", "2020-09-29", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Mike Bost", "B001295", "bost.house.gov", "bost", "https://bost.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today announced the Department of Labor has awarded nearly $1.2 million to the Management, Training, and Consulting Corp. in Marion. This grant is part of the Workplace Opportunities for Rural Communities (WORC) grant initiative in partnership with the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) to grow rural economies and provide employment opportunities for workers.\n\n\u201cRural parts of our country are home to some of the hardest workers, yet they often do not have access to the same resources as their counterparts in urban and suburban areas,\u201d said Bost. \u201cThis grant program will bring new job opportunities to Southern Illinois, help prepare our workforce, and grow our local economy.\u201d\n\nThe Management, Training, and Consulting Corp. was one of 27 WORC grant recipients. Grantees will work with industry and community partners to promote new, sustainable job opportunities and long-term economic vitality through grant activities that address the specific needs of businesses and workers in their communities.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:28:51Z"], ["https://bost.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bost-announces-12-million-marion-department-labor-grant", "BOST ANNOUNCES $1.2 MILLION MARION DEPARTMENT OF LABOR GRANT", "2020-09-29", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Mike Bost", "B001295", "bost.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today announced the Department of Labor has awarded nearly $1.2 million to the Management, Training, and Consulting Corp. in Marion. This grant is part of the Workplace Opportunities for Rural Communities (WORC) grant initiative in partnership with the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) to grow rural economies and provide employment opportunities for workers. Rural parts of our country are home to some of the hardest workers, yet they often do not have access to the same resources as their counterparts in urban and suburban areas, said Bost. This grant program will bring new job opportunities to Southern Illinois, help prepare our workforce, and grow our local economy. The Management, Training, and Consulting Corp. was one of 27 WORC grant recipients. Grantees will work with industry and community partners to promote new, sustainable job opportunities and long-term economic vitality through grant activities that address the specific needs of businesses and workers in their communities.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403914", "Davis Statement on Planned Retirement of Vistra\u2019s Kincaid Power Plant", "2020-09-29", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Rodney Davis", "D000619", "rodneydavis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Vistra announced the planned retirement of four power plants in Illinois, including the Kincaid Power Plant, which employs approximately 115 union workers. U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) issued the following statement in response to Vistra's retirement announcement:\r\n\r\nI'm deeply disappointed in Vistra's plan to retire their Kincaid plant, which employs 115 of our friends and neighbors. The Kincaid plant has created good-paying union jobs and reliable, baseload power for households and manufacturers in Illinois and states in the Mid-Atlantic region for decades. Because the plant is a significant employer and generator of local tax revenue in Christian County, our hometowns, schools, and other public bodies will be negatively affected by this closure. Our Congressional office stands ready to support the workers and communities impacted.\r\n\r\nI have always been an advocate for an all-of-the-above energy portfolio, but I am becoming increasingly concerned about the planned nuclear, coal, and gas plant closures across Illinois in the coming years. Our state cannot continue to be a leading net electricity exporter if this trend continues. Additional plant closures will put thousands of good-paying union jobs and reliable, affordable power at risk. I'm committed to making sure American energy policy supports a diverse, reliable, and affordable array of baseload energy sources. American families need certainty that when they flip a switch, they will have access to low-cost, reliable electricity. We can't let America's energy future look like California brownouts and blackouts, but the Green New Deal and other far-fetched, left-wing environmental proposals are moving us closer to that sad reality.\r\n\r\nBy year-end 2025 or sooner, Vistra plans to retire the:\r\n \r\n    Joppa Power Plant, Joppa, IL (MISO) - 1,002 MW (coal); 239 MW (gas); approx. 115 employees; operational since 1953\r\n    Baldwin Power Plant, Baldwin, IL (MISO) - 1,185 MW (coal); approx. 130 employees; operational since 1970\r\n \r\nAnd by year-end 2027 or sooner, Vistra plans to retire the:\r\n \r\n    Kincaid Power Plant, Kincaid, IL (PJM) - 1,108 MW (coal); approx., 115 employees; operational since 1967\r\n    Newton Power Plant, Newton, IL (MISO) - 615 MW (coal); approx., 80 employees; operation since 1977\r\n \r\nAccording to Vistra, the following regulatory factors are contributing to the announced retirement schedule:\r\n \r\n    U.S. EPA's Revised Coal Combustion Residual Rule\r\n    U.S. EPA's Revised Effluent Limitation Guidelines\r\n    U.S. EPA's Affordable Clean Energy Rule (greenhouse gas rule)\r\n \r\nVistra also cites the following economic factors affecting Vistra's fleet of power plants:\r\n \r\n    Systemic failure of MISO capacity market to provide Illinois-based power plants with adequate revenue;\r\n    Declining natural gas prices, which generally set the price of electricity;\r\n    Subsidies for specific fuel types (nuclear and renewable) make coal generation less competitive;\r\n    Overbuilding of new assets in PJM and MISO continues to put downward pressure on prices; and\r\n    Uncertainties regarding FERC action related to the PJM Capacity Market.\r\n \r\nVistra's latest retirement announcement follows their 2019 announcement to retire four power plants in Coffeen, Canton (Duck Creek), Havana, and Hennepin, Illinois. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bost.house.gov/2020/9/bost-announces-14-million-army-contract-granite-city-company", "BOST ANNOUNCES $14 MILLION ARMY CONTRACT FOR GRANITE CITY COMPANY", "2020-09-28", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Mike Bost", "B001295", "bost.house.gov", "bost", "https://bost.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today announced that the Department of the Army has awarded a $14 million contract to Supplied Industrial Solutions in Granite City. The contract provides structural, stability, process, mechanical, and electrical modifications to seven pump stations along the Amourdale Levee Unit in Kansas City, Kansas.\n\n\u201cAt a time when Southern Illinois businesses are struggling because of the COVID-19 shutdown, this contract announcement is welcome news,\u201d said Bost. \u201cWith this funding, Supplied Industrial Solutions will be able to secure jobs in the Metro East while helping protect communities outside our region from potential weather-related threats.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:28:51Z"], ["https://bost.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bost-announces-14-million-army-contract-granite-city-company", "BOST ANNOUNCES $14 MILLION ARMY CONTRACT FOR GRANITE CITY COMPANY", "2020-09-28", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Mike Bost", "B001295", "bost.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today announced that the Department of the Army has awarded a $14 million contract to Supplied Industrial Solutions in Granite City. The contract provides structural, stability, process, mechanical, and electrical modifications to seven pump stations along the Amourdale Levee Unit in Kansas City, Kansas. At a time when Southern Illinois businesses are struggling because of the COVID-19 shutdown, this contract announcement is welcome news, said Bost. With this funding, Supplied Industrial Solutions will be able to secure jobs in the Metro East while helping protect communities outside our region from potential weather-related threats.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/2020/9/icymi-lahood-op-ed-federal-aid-states-should-protect-taxpayers-encourage", "ICYMI: LaHood Op-ed: Federal aid to states should protect taxpayers, encourage reforms", "2020-09-28", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", "lahood", "https://lahood.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) authored an op-ed last week in the Chicago Tribune highlighting the Taxpayer Protection Act, legislation he introduced to protect taxpayers and encourage reform in states, like Illinois.\n\nOriginally published by the Chicago Tribune: Federal aid to states should protect taxpayers, encourage reforms\n\nBy Congressmen Darin LaHood (IL-18) and Adam Schuster\n\nIn a letter to Illinois\u2019 members of Congress, Gov. J.B. Pritzker asks Congress to rally for more help, warning of doom and threatening schoolchildren if the federal government doesn\u2019t prop up our financially broken state. Five months after Democrats in the state petitioned members of Congress for more than $41 billion in federal bailouts, the nation\u2019s richest governor has picked up the cry.\n\nPritzker acknowledges, \u201cI have never pretended local and state governments don\u2019t need new solutions.\u201d\n\nBut rarely do we see Pritzker or the lawmakers in charge in Springfield look at their own behaviors to figure out how to secure Illinois\u2019 financial position and guarantee funding for core services people here depend on.\n\nThere\u2019s a lot of head-scratching in Congress when people consider Illinois \u2014 and sending more federal dollars its way. Why should federal taxpayers bail out Illinois\u2019 pension system, which was circling the drainpipe for decades before COVID-19 hit? Why should we prop up a bloated state budget, which Illinois politicians haven\u2019t worked to balance in 20 years?\n\nAnother federal aid package looms but has failed to materialize as both sides sit on the extremes, with one camp favoring $1 trillion in unrestricted funds to state and big-city governments and the other questioning whether to bail out bad actors at all.\n\nThe best answer sits somewhere in the middle, leaving open the option of providing aid while ensuring reforms so feckless states don\u2019t throw good money after bad actors.\n\nThe Taxpayer Protection Act, being filed Thursday in Congress, guarantees any future state and local government aid must flow to the services people depend upon, not be squandered on debt and pension spending that don\u2019t support an economic recovery or a lifeline for those who need it. This legislation creates the Taxpayer Protection Program and allows for federal aid to flow to states, localities, tribal governments and territories. It also limits the amount of money they can receive to actual experienced revenue losses.\n\nTo protect taxpayers from financial mismanagement, this legislation structures federal aid to states as forgivable loans contingent on sound pension funds, truly balanced budgets and rainy-day fund protections.\n\nMany states meet these best practices already. Thirty-nine states have truly balanced budget requirements. Forty-two states had sufficient rainy day funds before COVID (about 5% of budget saved). Forty-one had pension funding ratios above 60% in 2018, which can serve as a proxy for sound funds.\n\nAll pension systems should be built on sound funding plans with benefit structures that help protect taxpayers from risk. The Taxpayer Protection Program also requires mandatory benefit reform in states where pension systems cannot be fully funded in fewer than 25 years without increasing taxpayer costs, or else TPP loans must be repaid at an interest rate commensurate with each state\u2019s credit rating. It prohibits federal funds from being used for pensions or other debt service.\n\nIllinois, which hasn\u2019t had a truly balanced budget in two decades, is a case study for the Taxpayer Protection Program. It makes federal aid contingent upon true balanced budget requirements and realistic accounting, ensuring state lawmakers cannot hide deficits with accounting gimmicks or rack up excessive operating debt.\n\nSome states have been able to weather the current economic downturn because of responsible planning. Going into the downturn, Arizona had a rainy day fund and budget surplus worth a combined $1.7 billion, enough to absorb a 15% revenue shortfall without making cuts. By comparison, Illinois\u2019 rainy day fund was worth about $1.19 million in March, which could fund state government for about 15 minutes. The Taxpayer Protection Program places restrictions on when lawmakers can make withdrawals from rainy day funds and procedures for making automatic deposits during growth years.\n\nThere are legitimate calls for state and local government aid, and then there\u2019s Illinois.\n\nIllinois\u2019 spending on pensions has grown by over 500% in the past two decades while spending on social services for the poor has dropped by one-third. Requests to throw more money into that black hole cannot solve the problem, but real reform can.\n\nWe can\u2019t support a system that prioritizes spending on debt and pensions over people.\n\nThat\u2019s why we stand behind a plan that ensures a rescue for systems that truly need it, while it protects taxpayers in mismanaged states and the nation from those willing to sink them under the same failed status quo.\n\nThese policies are common sense to responsible adults: Don\u2019t spend more than you earn; save for a rainy day and for old age. They can carry us beyond a recovery and on to a better future in Illinois.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:28:51Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-lahood-op-ed-federal-aid-states-should-protect-taxpayers-encourage", "ICYMI: LaHood Op-ed: Federal aid to states should protect taxpayers, encourage reforms", "2020-09-28", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) authored an op-ed last week in the Chicago Tribune highlighting the Taxpayer Protection Act, legislation he introduced to protect taxpayers and encourage reform in states, like Illinois.\nOriginally published by the Chicago Tribune: Federal aid to states should protect taxpayers, encourage reforms  By Congressmen Darin LaHood (IL-18) and Adam Schuster\nIn aletter to Illinois' members of Congress, Gov. J.B. Pritzker asks Congress to rally for more help, warning of doom and threatening schoolchildren if the federal government doesn't prop up our financially broken state. Five months after Democrats in the state petitioned members of Congress formore than $41 billionin federal bailouts, the nation's richest governor has picked up the cry.\nPritzker acknowledges, I have never pretended local and state governments don't need new solutions.\nBut rarely do we see Pritzker or the lawmakers in charge in Springfield look at their own behaviors to figure out how to secure Illinois' financial position and guarantee funding for core services people here depend on. \nThere's a lot of head-scratching in Congress when people consider Illinois  and sending more federal dollars its way. Why should federal taxpayers bail out Illinois' pension system,which was circling the drainpipe for decades before COVID-19 hit? Why should we prop up a bloated state budget, which Illinois politicians haven't worked to balance in 20 years?\nAnother federal aid package looms but has failed to materialize as both sides sit on the extremes, with one camp favoring $1 trillion in unrestricted funds to state and big-city governments and the other questioning whether to bail out bad actors at all.\nThe best answer sits somewhere in the middle, leaving open the option of providing aid while ensuring reforms so feckless states don't throw good money after bad actors.\nThe Taxpayer Protection Act, being filed Thursday in Congress, guarantees any future state and local government aid must flow to the services people depend upon, not be squandered on debt and pension spending that don't support an economic recovery or a lifeline for those who need it. This legislation creates the Taxpayer Protection Program and allows for federal aid to flow to states, localities, tribal governments and territories. It also limits the amount of money they can receive to actual experienced revenue losses.\nTo protect taxpayers from financial mismanagement, this legislation structures federal aid to states as forgivable loans contingent on sound pension funds, truly balanced budgets and rainy-day fund protections.\nMany states meet these best practices already. Thirty-nine states have truly balanced budget requirements. Forty-two states had sufficient rainy day funds before COVID (about 5% of budget saved). Forty-one had pension funding ratios above 60% in 2018, which can serve as a proxy for sound funds.\nAll pension systems should be built on sound funding plans with benefit structures that help protect taxpayers from risk. The Taxpayer Protection Program also requires mandatory benefit reform in states where pension systems cannot be fully funded in fewer than 25 years without increasing taxpayer costs, or else TPP loans must be repaid at an interest rate commensurate with each state's credit rating. It prohibits federal funds from being used for pensions or other debt service.\nIllinois, whichhasn't had a truly balanced budget in two decades, is a case study for the Taxpayer Protection Program. It makes federal aid contingent upon true balanced budget requirements and realistic accounting, ensuring state lawmakers cannot hide deficits with accounting gimmicks or rack up excessive operating debt.\nSome states have been able to weather the current economic downturn because of responsible planning. Going into the downturn, Arizona had a rainy day fund and budget surplus worth a combined$1.7 billion, enough to absorb a 15% revenue shortfallwithout making cuts. By comparison, Illinois' rainy day fund was worth about$1.19 millionin March, which could fund state government for about 15 minutes. The Taxpayer Protection Program places restrictions on when lawmakers can make withdrawals from rainy day funds and procedures for making automatic deposits during growth years.\nThere are legitimate calls for state and local government aid, and then there's Illinois.\nIllinois' spending on pensions has grown byover 500% in the past two decadeswhile spending on social services for the poor has dropped by one-third. Requests to throw more money into that black hole cannot solve the problem, but real reform can.\nWe can't support a system that prioritizes spending on debt and pensions over people.\nThat's why we stand behind a plan that ensures a rescue for systems that truly need it, while it protects taxpayers in mismanaged states and the nation from those willing to sink them under the same failed status quo.\nThese policies are common sense to responsible adults: Don't spend more than you earn; save for a rainy day and for old age. They can carry us beyond a recovery and on to a better future in Illinois.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403912", "Davis Donates Convalescent Plasma, Encourages Individuals Who Have Recovered from COVID-19 to Donate", "2020-09-28", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Rodney Davis", "D000619", "rodneydavis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) donated Convalescent Plasma atCentral Illinois Community Blood Center in Springfield and encourages those who have recovered from COVID-19 to also consider making a plasma donation.  \r\n\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\nU.S. Rep. Rodney Davis donates Convalescent Plasma at Central Illinois Community Blood Center in Springfield, IL on Monday, September 28th, 2020.\r\n\r\nThe plasma donating process at Central Illinois Community Blood Center in Springfield was quick and easy, said Rep. Davis. I encourage anyone who has recovered from COVID-19 and meets the donation criteria to consider making a convalescent plasma donation as soon as possible because it helps our medical researchers learn more about COVID-19, while also helping to treat symptomatic individuals who are suffering from this virus.\r\nCentral Illinois Community Blood Center is encouraging those who have recovered from COVID-19 to reach out to the center to schedule a Convalescent plasma donation,\" said Jim Watts, Manager, Donor Relations, Central Illinois Community Blood Center. \"Convalescent plasma donations contain antibodies to the COVID-19 virus and are used in the treatment of patients currently hospitalized with a COVID-19 infection. Potential donors who can provide documentation of a laboratory-confirmed positive test for COVID-19 and meet other health and safety criteria are scheduled for CCP donations at a nearby Donor Center or mobile blood drive. Individual donors and care providers may refer themselves or their patients via the referral form available atwww.bloodcenter.orgor by calling (833) 610-1025. For additional information, potential donors or physicians may send inquiries topatientservices@mvrbc.org.\r\nDavis tested positive for COVID-19 on August 5 and has since recovered.\r\nConvalescent plasma donations contain antibodies to the COVID-19 virus and are used in the treatment of patients currently hospitalized with a COVID-19 infection. Potential donors who can provide documentation of a laboratory-confirmed positive test for COVID-19 and meet other health and safety criteria are scheduled for CCP donations at a nearby Donor Center or mobile blood drive.\r\nCentral Illinois Community Blood Center (CICBC) began working with donors who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection in April 2020, as the first donors who had recovered from a COVID-19 infection became eligible to donate. CICBC is now in its sixth month of collecting COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma, or CCP, and patient need for COVID-19 antibodies remains strong.\r\nThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration permits collection and use of COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma as an investigational treatment for COVID-19. Research into the effectiveness of this treatment continues at a national level.\r\nCCP donors must be fully recovered from their COVID-19 infection and must meet all standard eligibility criteria for blood donation. Plasma will only be collected from donors with laboratory-confirmed tests, preferably with a test called PCR, showing the donor had a COVID-19 infection. Donors must be at least 28 days from the last date they had respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath) or fever. Qualified donors are scheduled for appointments at a nearby Donor Center or mobile blood drive.\r\n You can find a press release from CICBC on Convalescent Plasma donations here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/2020/9/lahood-statement-nomination-amy-coney-barrett-supreme-court", "LaHood Statement on the Nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court", "2020-09-26", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", "lahood", "https://lahood.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) released the following statement after President Donald Trump nominated Amy Coney Barrett to be the next Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court.\n\n\u201cJudge Amy Coney Barrett is an outstanding selection to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court and reaffirms that our Constitution will be strongly and properly upheld in the nation\u2019s highest court. Americans elected President Trump in part to nominate men and women to the federal judiciary that apply the law fairly and protect the rights guaranteed by the Constitution, not activist judges that legislate from the bench. Judge Barrett\u2019s midwestern common-sense and record as a circuit judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit exhibits a deep intellectual understanding of the law and commitment to the Constitution. I hope the Senate acts quickly to confirm her and I have every confidence that Judge Barrett will continue to serve our nation faithfully on the Supreme Court.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:28:51Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lahood-statement-nomination-amy-coney-barrett-supreme-court", "LaHood Statement on the Nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court", "2020-09-26", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) released the following statement after President Donald Trump nominated Amy Coney Barrett to be the next Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court.\nJudge Amy Coney Barrett is an outstanding selection to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court and reaffirms that our Constitution will be strongly and properly upheld in the nation's highest court. Americans elected President Trump in part to nominate men and women to the federal judiciary that apply the law fairly and protect the rights guaranteed by the Constitution, not activist judges that legislate from the bench. Judge Barrett's midwestern common-sense and record as a circuit judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit exhibits a deep intellectual understanding of the law and commitment to the Constitution. I hope the Senate acts quickly to confirm her and I have every confidence thatJudge Barrett will continue to serve our nation faithfully on the Supreme Court.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/2020/9/lahood-announces-federal-grant-funding-midwest-youth-service-s", "LaHood Announces Federal Grant Funding for Midwest Youth Service\u2019s in Jacksonville", "2020-09-25", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", "lahood", "https://lahood.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded the Midwest Youth Service\u2019s in Jacksonville a $125,000 grant to support community-based programs that help youth and restore families in Morgan County.\n\n\u201cMidwest Youth Services in Jacksonville does incredible work to support youth in Morgan County, helping divert at risk young people from juvenile justice systems and providing tools and resources for these individuals and their families,\u201d said Rep. LaHood. \u201cI was proud to advocate to the Department of Health and Human Services for this funding and am grateful that it will help the community. I applaud HHS and the Trump Administration for their efforts to support critical programs in Jacksonville.\u201d\n\nIn May, Congressman LaHood wrote a letter of support on behalf of Midwest Youth Services for their grant application. You can read that HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nMidwest Youth Service\u2019s in Jacksonville, Illinois mission is to divert youth from juvenile justice systems and child welfare systems while helping to strengthen and restore families. The Basic Center Program (BCP) helps create and strengthen community-based programs that meet the immediate needs of runaway and homeless youth under 18 years old. In addition, BCP tries to reunite young people with their families or locate appropriate alternative placements.\n\nThe funding will help provide:\n\nUp to 21 days of shelter\n\nFood, clothing and medical care\n\nIndividual, group and family counseling\n\nCrisis Intervention\n\nRecreation programs\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:28:51Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lahood-announces-federal-grant-funding-midwest-youth-service-s", "LaHood Announces Federal Grant Funding for Midwest Youth Services in Jacksonville", "2020-09-25", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded the Midwest Youth Service's in Jacksonville a $125,000 grant to support community-based programs that help youth and restore families in Morgan County.\nMidwest Youth Services in Jacksonville does incredible work to support youth in Morgan County, helping divert at risk young people from juvenile justice systems and providing tools and resources for these individuals and their families, said Rep. LaHood. I was proud to advocate to the Department of Health and Human Services for this funding and am grateful that it will help the community. I applaud HHS and the Trump Administration for their efforts to support critical programs in Jacksonville.\nIn May, Congressman LaHood wrote a letter of support on behalf of Midwest Youth Services for their grant application. You can read that HERE.\nBackground:\nMidwest Youth Service's in Jacksonville, Illinois mission is to divert youth from juvenile justice systems and child welfare systems while helping to strengthen and restore families. TheBasic Center Program (BCP)helps create and strengthen community-based programs that meet the immediate needs of runaway and homeless youth under 18 years old. In addition, BCP tries to reunite young people with their families or locate appropriate alternative placements.\nThe funding will help provide:\n Up to 21 days ofshelter\n\tFood, clothing and medical care\n\tIndividual, group and family counseling\n\tCrisis Intervention\n\tRecreation programs\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://shimkus.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/shimkus-remembers-former-shelbyville-veterans-advocate", "Shimkus Remembers Former Shelbyville Veterans Advocate", "2020-09-25", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "John Shimkus", "S000364", "shimkus.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15) entered a statement into the permanent Congressional Record to pay tribute to longtime Shelbyville resident Jack Schurman, who died September 13 at the Mississippi State Veterans Home in Collins, MS. Schurman spent almost a decade as the chairman of the congressman's Veterans Advisory Committee before declining health led to his move to Mississippi.\n\"He would direct a number of veterans to my office for casework assistance, several of whom he had to use his well-known persistence to convince they could trust a government representative, Shimkus noted.\n\"Even after leaving the state, he continued advocating for his fellow veterans in Illinois, staying in contact with my office from long distance.\"\nThe full entry in the Congressional Record can be found HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/2020/9/lahood-introduces-legislation-protect-taxpayers-federal-aid-states", "LaHood Introduces Legislation to Protect Taxpayers for Federal Aid to States", "2020-09-24", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", "lahood", "https://lahood.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Darin LaHood (R-IL) today introduced the Taxpayer Protection Act of 2020, which would establish the Taxpayer Protection Program in the U.S. Department of Treasury, to provide forgivable loans to State, territory, Tribal, and local governments to support budget shortfalls caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, while protecting taxpayers from fiscal mismanagement engaged in by state like Illinois. States, metropolitan cities, and larger counties must have sound pension funds to receive forgiveness and must also have truly balanced budgets and enough rainy-day funds by June 30, 2022, to receive forgiveness.\n\nLoans which are not forgiven must be repaid in quarterly payments beginning on June 30, 2022. Interest rates shall be set by the Secretary of the Treasury based on the credit strength of the recipient, using the same pricing as the Municipal Lending Facility of the Federal Reserve. Loans will be automatically forgiven for local governments with populations of less than 250,000 and counties with populations of less than 500,000.\n\n\u201cThrough no fault of their own, state and local governments face significant challenges because of the COVID-19 pandemic and Congress has an obligation to support those in need. This pandemic did not create Illinois\u2019 financial mess; however, it emphasized the long-term challenges that Illinois and other states face for failing to implement sound budget policy,\u201d said Rep. LaHood. \u201cFor decades, politicians in Springfield have kicked the can down the road on addressing Illinois\u2019 fiscal crisis, exploding the state's $140 billion in unfunded pension liability and piling up these problems on the backs of hardworking taxpayers. Illinois shouldn\u2019t get a blank check to bail out decades of failing to do what most responsible adults can: spend less than you earn and save for a rainy day. The Taxpayer Protection Act will ensure American taxpayers aren\u2019t on the hook for financial problems they did not create, help those in need, and can help chart a path for a better future in Illinois.\u201d\n\n\u201cIllinois\u2019 decades of disregard for basic fiscal responsibility stands as the best single argument against state bailouts without strings attached. The Taxpayer Protection Act responsibly offers states some relief, making federal aid contingent upon best budgeting practices and the promise that lawmakers cannot rack up more debt at the expense of taxpayers who are already struggling to recover from the COVID-19 downturn. With Illinois\u2019 pension spending growing 500% in the past two decades while social services spending suffers, it\u2019s time we support a system that prioritizes people over irresponsible spending,\u201d said Adam Schuster, Senior Director of Budget and Tax Research at the Illinois Policy Institute.\n\nFull text of the legislation can be read HERE. A two-page outline of the legislation can be read HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nUses, limitations and transparency requirements:\n\nFunds may be used to cover revenue losses caused by business interruptions, unemployment, or other economic hardship directly caused by the COVID-19 pandemic\n\nFunds may be used for essential government service expenditures, including infrastructure and general operating expenses\n\nFunds may NOT be used for the service of any debt obligation or unfunded retirement liabilities\n\nRecipients must maintain a website and within 30 days of each expenditure of TPP funds post the purpose, date, and recipient of the funds. TPP funds must be accounted for separately from all other revenue sources.\n\nDefining conditions for forgiveness:\n\nSound pensions: Means a recipient has a contribution schedule in place allowing for 100% funding of projected pension liabilities over no more than 25 years, using generally accepted actuarial principles as defined by the Secretary of Treasury. A recipient which does not have sound pension funds at the time of application must reduce liabilities to the amount that can be fully funded, without any increase in employer (i.e. taxpayer) costs.\n\nTruly balanced budgets: States must have a constitutional or statutory requirement for end of year balance and may not carry a deficit from year to year. Revenue for the purposes of this requirement is limited to actual monies coming in and cannot include borrowing proceeds or transfers from other government accounts.\n\nSufficient rainy-day funds: States must have a target to maintain between 5-10% of annual revenues in a reserve fund when the economy is not in a recession and make automatic annual deposits to achieve this level of funding. States must have protections preventing the use of emergency savings for non-emergency purposes, such as a supermajority requirement to withdraw from rainy-day funds or another at least as effective limitation.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:28:51Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lahood-introduces-legislation-protect-taxpayers-federal-aid-states", "LaHood Introduces Legislation to Protect Taxpayers for Federal Aid to States", "2020-09-24", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Darin LaHood (R-IL) today introduced the Taxpayer Protection Act of 2020, which would establish the Taxpayer Protection Program in the U.S. Department of Treasury, to provide forgivable loans to State, territory, Tribal, and local governments to support budget shortfalls caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, while protecting taxpayers from fiscal mismanagement engaged in by state like Illinois. States, metropolitan cities, and larger counties must have sound pension funds to receive forgiveness and must also have truly balanced budgets and enough rainy-day funds by June 30, 2022, to receive forgiveness.\nLoans which are not forgiven must be repaid in quarterly payments beginning on June 30, 2022. Interest rates shall be set by the Secretary of the Treasury based on the credit strength of the recipient, using the same pricing as the Municipal Lending Facility of the Federal Reserve. Loans will be automatically forgiven for local governments with populations of less than 250,000 and counties with populations of less than 500,000.\nThrough no fault of their own, state and local governments face significant challenges because of the COVID-19 pandemic and Congress has an obligation to support those in need. This pandemic did not create Illinois' financial mess; however, it emphasized the long-term challenges that Illinois and other states face for failing to implement sound budget policy, said Rep. LaHood. For decades, politicians in Springfield have kicked the can down the road on addressing Illinois' fiscal crisis, exploding the state's $140 billion in unfunded pension liability and piling up these problems on the backs of hardworking taxpayers. Illinois shouldn't get a blank check to bail out decades of failing to do what most responsible adults can: spend less than you earn and save for a rainy day. The Taxpayer Protection Act will ensure American taxpayers aren't on the hook for financial problems they did not create, help those in need, and can help chart a path for a better future in Illinois.\nIllinois' decades of disregard for basic fiscal responsibility stands as the best single argument against state bailouts without strings attached. The Taxpayer Protection Act responsibly offers states some relief, making federal aid contingent upon best budgeting practices and the promise that lawmakers cannot rack up more debt at the expense of taxpayers who are already struggling to recover from the COVID-19 downturn. With Illinois' pension spending growing 500% in the past two decades while social services spending suffers, it's time we support a system that prioritizes people over irresponsible spending, said Adam Schuster, Senior Director of Budget and Tax Research at the Illinois Policy Institute.\nFull text of the legislation can be read HERE. A two-page outline of the legislation can be read HERE.\nBackground:\nUses, limitations and transparency requirements:\n Funds may be used to cover revenue losses caused by business interruptions, unemployment, or other economic hardship directly caused by the COVID-19 pandemic\n\tFunds may be used for essential government service expenditures, including infrastructure and general operating expenses\n\tFunds may NOT be used for the service of any debt obligation or unfunded retirement liabilities\n\tRecipients must maintain a website and within 30 days of each expenditure of TPP funds post the purpose, date, and recipient of the funds. TPP funds must be accounted for separately from all other revenue sources.\n Defining conditions for forgiveness:\n Sound pensions: Means a recipient has a contribution schedule in place allowing for 100% funding of projected pension liabilities over no more than 25 years, using generally accepted actuarial principles as defined by the Secretary of Treasury. A recipient which does not have sound pension funds at the time of application must reduce liabilities to the amount that can be fully funded, without any increase in employer (i.e. taxpayer) costs.\n\tTruly balanced budgets: States must have a constitutional or statutory requirement for end of year balance and may not carry a deficit from year to year. Revenue for the purposes of this requirement is limited to actual monies coming in and cannot include borrowing proceeds or transfers from other government accounts.\n\tSufficient rainy-day funds: States must have a target to maintain between 5-10% of annual revenues in a reserve fund when the economy is not in a recession and make automatic annual deposits to achieve this level of funding. States must have protections preventing the use of emergency savings for non-emergency purposes, such as a supermajority requirement to withdraw from rainy-day funds or another at least as effective limitation.\n \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403910", "Davis Co-Sponsors Bipartisan Legislation to Allow Student Athletes to Capitalize Off Their Own Name, Image, and Likeness", "2020-09-24", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Rodney Davis", "D000619", "rodneydavis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) is co-sponsoring The Student Athlete Level Playing Field Act. The bill grants student athletes the right to capitalize off their own name, image, and likeness (NIL) while including important guardrails for the recruitment process and leveling the national playing field by pre-empting the patchwork of state laws that have been signed into law or are pending in state legislatures. U.S. Rep. and former NFL and Ohio State wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) and Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) introduced the legislation today.\r\n\r\nI believe it's a matter of fairness that college athletes should be able to earn income off their own name, image, and likeness, said Rep. Davis. They put in a lot of time, training, and effort to be a part of our nation's college athletic system and deserve to be compensated for their work. That's why I'm co-sponsoring the bipartisan Student Athlete Level Playing Field Act.' Our legislation would pre-empt state laws on this issue and create one national standard for NIL policies governing student athletes. Student athletes should be entitled to earn a living off their hard work just like every other American.\r\n\r\nI am proud to introduce bipartisan legislation with Rep. Cleaver today that delivers meaningful reforms and will make a difference in the lives of student athletes of all levels of competition across the country,said Rep. Gonzalez.This bill has strong bipartisan support, highlighting that Congress can find a way to reach a bipartisan agreement on this important issue. I look forward to working with my colleagues to keep the momentum going and continuing our bipartisan work to provide NIL rights to student athletes and improve the college athletics system that Americans across the country know and love.\r\n\r\nI want to be unequivocally clear: This is a civil rights issue,said Rep. Cleaver.For far too long college athletes across the countrymany of whom are people of colorhave been denied the basic right to control their name, image and likeness. What we wanted to do from the outset was come to a bipartisan consensus that puts forth a national framework that gives college athletes the same rights every other American in the country is already afforded. That's exactly what this bill will do, and I'm proud we were able to put it together in a bipartisan way. As we know from our football days, it takes teamwork to make the dream work, and I want to thank Congressman Gonzalez for his willingness to put student-athletes first and work across the aisle in a way that will undoubtedly change lives for the better.\r\n\r\nThe Student Athlete Level Playing Field Act:\r\n \r\n    Grants student athletes the right to capitalize off their own name, image and likeness and engage in agent contracts  The bill prohibits universities, the NCAA, or conferences from restricting student athletes from entering into NIL or agent contracts unless a contract falls into a category that could harm the reputation of a student athlete, such as tobacco or alcohol. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with enforcing this provision, and student athletes can file a complaint with the FTC if they believe their rights are infringed upon.\r\n    Establishes one federal standard  The bill pre-empts any existing or prospective state law on NIL, creating one federal standard and a level playing field for college athletics.\r\n    Provides Congressional oversight The bill establishes a commission appointed by Congress and made up of a variety of NIL stakeholders, including student athletes. The commission is tasked with continuing to study the logistics of NIL as it is rolled out and providing legislative recommendations to Congress about ways the process could be improved.\r\n    Ensures student athletes are not considered employees of universities  The bill makes clear that universities should not compensate student athletes for the use of their NIL or allow a student's NIL earning ability to affect their scholarship or financial aid status.\r\n    Protects the recruitment process  The bill amends The Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act (SPARTA) to include a definition of boosters, and details actions taken by boosters in the recruiting process that would be penalized through FTC enforcement.\r\n \r\nRead the full bill texthereor see a one-page policy outlinehere.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://bost.house.gov/2020/9/house-passes-bost-provision-veterans-bill", "HOUSE PASSES BOST PROVISION IN VETERANS BILL", "2020-09-23", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Mike Bost", "B001295", "bost.house.gov", "bost", "https://bost.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The U.S. House of Representatives today passed H.R. 5245, the SHIELD for Veterans Act, which includes a provision introduced by Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) requiring the VA to allow veterans to remove dependents using its eBenefits portal. This will help ensure veterans do not have a debt to the VA because they were overpaid for dependent benefits.\n\n\u201cOur nation\u2019s veterans risked all for this country,\u201d said Bost. \u201cThey should not be penalized for inefficiencies on the part of the VA. If you can add a dependent through the VA\u2019s online system, then it only makes sense that you can remove one online as well. I\u2019m pleased that the House passed this common-sense bill that will help save veterans\u2019 time, money, and the headache that comes with dealing with this inefficient system.\u201d\n\nCurrently, veterans are required to notify the VA either via phone or mail that they need to remove a dependent from their benefits; however, they are allowed to use the eBenefits portal to add a dependent to their benefits.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:28:51Z"], ["https://bost.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-bost-provision-veterans-bill", "HOUSE PASSES BOST PROVISION IN VETERANS BILL", "2020-09-23", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Mike Bost", "B001295", "bost.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. House of Representatives today passed H.R. 5245, the SHIELD for Veterans Act, which includes a provision introduced by Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) requiring the VA to allow veterans to remove dependents using its eBenefits portal. This will help ensure veterans do not have a debt to the VA because they were overpaid for dependent benefits. Our nation's veterans risked all for this country, said Bost. They should not be penalized for inefficiencies on the part of the VA. If you can add a dependent through the VA's online system, then it only makes sense that you can remove one online as well. I'm pleased that the House passed this common-sense bill that will help save veterans' time, money, and the headache that comes with dealing with this inefficient system. Currently, veterans are required to notify the VA either via phone or mail that they need to remove a dependent from their benefits; however, they are allowed to use the eBenefits portal to add a dependent to their benefits.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/2020/9/lahood-announces-justice-assistance-grant-award-quincy", "LaHood Announces Justice Assistance Grant Award for Quincy", "2020-09-23", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", "lahood", "https://lahood.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "QUINCY, IL \u2013 Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) announced today that the U.S. Justice Department awarded the City of Quincy a $15,639 grant award to support local law enforcement. The award was provided through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.\n\n\u201cLaw enforcement do incredible work to protect and serve residents in Quincy and Adams County,\u201d said Rep. LaHood. \u201cThis important funding from the Department of Justice will help support critical law enforcement training programs and provide resources Quincy law enforcement officials need. I am proud to support the Byrne JAG Program and applaud the Trump Administration in their efforts to support law enforcement in west-central Illinois.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn Quincy, we have excellent law enforcement officials that work tirelessly to keep our community safe,\u201d added Quincy Mayor Kyle Moore. \u201cInvesting in our local law enforcement will provide important resources to our community to keep residents safe and police prepared. I want to thank Congressman LaHood for his efforts to support law enforcement in our community and look forward to our continued work together.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:28:51Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/2020/9/lahood-announces-usda-funding-sangamon-county-rural-development", "LaHood Announces USDA Funding for Sangamon County Rural Development", "2020-09-23", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", "lahood", "https://lahood.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) today announced that the Village of Riverton and the United Regional Water Cooperative both received federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support waste-water treatment system updates and construction of a water treatment plant in Sangamon County. The Village of Riverton received a $2,407,000 loan and the United Regional Water Cooperative received a $1,770,000 loan and a $1,430,000 grant.\n\n\u201cThis investment in our water infrastructure will ensure that Sangamon County residents have access to clean water improving public health and strengthening economic development,\u201d said Rep. LaHood. \u201cThis important funding will provide support to continue work on wastewater management systems in Sangamon County. I applaud Secretary Sonny Perdue and the Trump Administration for their support of central Illinois and our rural communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Village of Riverton would like to thank Congressman Darin Lahood and the staff with the USDA Rural Loan Department in Jacksonville, Il, for their support and help navigating through the loan process. These funds will help us improve our sewer system along with adding new lines for the development of new businesses in the Village of Riverton. These projects would not be possible without the support of Congressman Lahood and his staff,\u201d added Village of Riverton President/Mayor Tom Rader.\n\n\u201cUpgrading the infrastructure that delivers safe drinking water and modern wastewater management facilities will improve public health and drive economic development in our small towns and cities,\u201d Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand said. \u201cUnder the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is a strong partner with rural communities, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Village of Riverton\u2014Loan of $2,407,000\n\nThis Rural Development investment will be used to provide waste-water treatment system updates for the Village of Riverton. The existing system has reached its useful life and no longer meets utility system standards. Improvements include installation of new pipes, construction of a gravity sewer and a lift station for the new Overpass Business Park, existing lift station upgrades (grinder pump), and replacement of 3rd Street gravity sewer. Improvements will alleviate health and sanitary concerns and will better serve approximately 3,455 users located in Sangamon Count.\n\nUnited Regional Water Cooperative\u2014Loan of $1,770,000 and a grant of $1,430,000", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:28:51Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lahood-announces-justice-assistance-grant-award-quincy", "LaHood Announces Justice Assistance Grant Award for Quincy", "2020-09-23", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "QUINCY, IL  Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) announced today that the U.S. Justice Department awarded the City of Quincy a $15,639 grant award to support local law enforcement. The award was provided through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. \nLaw enforcement do incredible work to protect and serve residents in Quincy and Adams County, said Rep. LaHood. This important funding from the Department of Justice will help support critical law enforcement training programs and provide resources Quincy law enforcement officials need. I am proud to support the Byrne JAG Program and applaud the Trump Administration in their efforts to support law enforcement in west-central Illinois.\nIn Quincy, we have excellent law enforcement officials that work tirelessly to keep our community safe, added Quincy Mayor Kyle Moore. Investing in our local law enforcement will provide important resources to our community to keep residents safe and police prepared. I want to thank Congressman LaHood for his efforts to support law enforcement in our community and look forward to our continued work together.\nBackground:  The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program allows states and units of local government, including tribes, to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own state and local needs and conditions. Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice, including for any one or more of the following program areas: 1) law enforcement programs; 2) prosecution and court programs; 3) prevention and education programs; 4) corrections and community corrections programs; 5) drug treatment and enforcement programs; 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and 7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation) and 8) mental health programs and related law enforcement and corrections programs.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lahood.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/lahood-announces-usda-funding-sangamon-county-rural-development", "LaHood Announces USDA Funding for Sangamon County Rural Development", "2020-09-23", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IL", "Darin LaHood", "L000585", "lahood.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) today announced that the Village of Riverton and the United Regional Water Cooperative both received federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support waste-water treatment system updates and construction of a water treatment plant in Sangamon County. The Village of Riverton received a $2,407,000 loan and the United Regional Water Cooperative received a $1,770,000 loan and a $1,430,000 grant.\nThis investment in our water infrastructure will ensure that Sangamon County residents have access to clean water improving public health and strengthening economic development, said Rep. LaHood. This important funding will provide support to continue work on wastewater management systems in Sangamon County. I applaud Secretary Sonny Perdue and the Trump Administration for their support of central Illinois and our rural communities.\nThe Village of Riverton would like to thank Congressman Darin Lahood and the staff with the USDA Rural Loan Department in Jacksonville, Il, for their support and help navigating through the loan process. These funds will help us improve our sewer system along with adding new lines for the development of new businesses in the Village of Riverton. These projects would not be possible without the support of Congressman Lahood and his staff, added Village of Riverton President/Mayor Tom Rader.\nUpgrading the infrastructure that delivers safe drinking water and modern wastewater management facilities will improve public health and drive economic development in our small towns and cities, Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand said. Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is a strong partner with rural communities, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.\nBackground:\nThe Village of RivertonLoan of $2,407,000\n This Rural Development investment will be used to provide waste-water treatment system updates for the Village of Riverton. The existing system has reached its useful life and no longer meets utility system standards. Improvements include installation of new pipes, construction of a gravity sewer and a lift station for the new Overpass Business Park, existing lift station upgrades (grinder pump), and replacement of 3rd Street gravity sewer. Improvements will alleviate health and sanitary concerns and will better serve approximately 3,455 users located in Sangamon Count.\n United Regional Water CooperativeLoan of $1,770,000 and a grant of $1,430,000\n This Rural Development investment will be used to provide additional financing for the construction of the water treatment plant. The project is modest in size, design and cost. The project will correct health issues that currently exists for the proposed service area and will bring drinking water to acceptable standards for the users.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 687, "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": "Republican", "p1": "IL", "p2": "2020"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=IL&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 687, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=IL&year=2020", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=IL&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 649, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=IL&year=2020&chamber=House", "selected": false}, {"value": "Senate", "label": "Senate", "count": 38, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=IL&year=2020&chamber=Senate", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=IL&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "IL", "label": "IL", "count": 687, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&year=2020", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=IL&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "2020", "label": "2020", "count": 687, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=IL", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2020-09-23,https~3A~2F~2Flahood~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Flahood-announces-usda-funding-sangamon-county-rural-development", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=IL&year=2020&_next=2020-09-23%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Flahood~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Flahood-announces-usda-funding-sangamon-county-rural-development&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 373.30472422763705, "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"}