10th News: Another Big Win for America

As you may know, I made a quick, one-day trip to Washington last week to vote for the Inflation Reduction Act. This historic legislation is the largest ever investment in our nation's history to tackle climate change. It will lower the cost of health care by allowing Medicare to negotiate pricing on some of our most expensive prescription drugs and capping the out-of-pocket cost of insulin. It will bring down the cost of energy in the short run by expanding production here in the U.S. and lower costs and reduce green house gas emissions in the long run by advancing renewable energy technologies. And, it will responsibly reduce our deficit by $300 billion. Taken together, these transformative investments will improve the lives of all Americans.

I am also proud to share that several initiatives I have long championed are included in this bill, including a provision to decarbonize the aviation industry to fight climate change and another to lower prescription drug costs for low-income Medicare beneficiaries.

Watch my floor remarks before we passed the bill Friday here. You can read the entire bill here.

The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act was the latest in a summer full of major wins that Congress has been able to score for America. Last month, we passed and sent to President Biden for his signature the CHIPS and Science Act that will ensure the United States retains and strengthens our technological and innovative competitive edge. After some unfortunate political games in the Senate, we also passed the Honoring Our PACT Act to provide veterans critical health benefits and other support they need and deserve. And in June, we passed, for the first time in nearly 30 years, gun safety legislation: the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

Prior to passing these major legislative actions we passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Act and the American Rescue plan last year.

Americans who have been crushed by inflation and high health care costs deserve relief, and it's time they get it. I am proud of the work, time, and care my colleagues have dedicated to making this long-overdue investment a reality for Americans.

Other than my trip to DC on Friday, I have been enjoying my time traveling around the district. Last week, I met with local realtors in Lincolnshire to talk about the challenges and opportunities they see in the current economic environment. I visited the UMMA Center in Waukegan to learn about the services they are providing our community. I joined Illinois Federation of Indian Associations at Daley Plaza in Chicago to mark the 75th anniversary of India's independence.

In addition to these visits, I've continued to host town halls, both in person and virtually. Last Thursday, actually from my office in Washington, we held our third Telephone Town Hall meeting. Then, I was in Northbrook on Saturday and Fox Lake on Tuesday, to answer constituents' questions. I've really enjoyed the chance to hear from so many people at these gatherings and have been really impressed by the engagement and insightful questions raised. We have two more Congress on Your Corner town halls scheduled, tonight in Grayslake and September 7 in Beach Park. Please join us if you can.

Keep reading to learn more about what's happening in the district and Washington.

AROUND THE DISTRICT

Let's Talk Real Estate

Last week, I joined Illinois Realtors for a Let's Talk Real Estate event in Lincolnshire. We discussed the bipartisan action we can take in Washington to help improve our communities. Other topics we touched on included the Highland Park tragedy, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the State and Local Tax (SALT) Deduction.

I look forward to keeping folks updated on what we can do in Washington to help address the housing needs in our district. Thank you to Matt Silver of CORCORAN Urban Real Estate for organizing the event.

Urban Muslim Minority Association (UMMA) Facility Tour

Last Wednesday, I had the privilege of touring UMMA's Waukegan facility with Executive Director Robert Montgomery. I saw firsthand how they are working to improve the community. Since opening in 2004, UMMA has hosted food pantries, adult education classes, workforce development programs, and affordable housing programs. UMMA's mission is to serve anyone looking to improve their life, regardless of race, ethnicity, or religion. Thank you to UMMA for welcoming me to their facility.

Indian Independence Day

It was a great honor to join the Federation of Indian Associations at Daley Plaza on Monday. The association organized a flag raising to mark the 75th anniversary of India's independence.

Congress on Your Corner Town Halls in Northbrook and Fox Lake

Northbrook Congress on Your Corner

Fox Lake Congress on Your Corner

I hosted a Congress on Your Corner Town Hall on Saturday in Northbrook and Tuesday in Fox Lake, where we discussed the Inflation Reduction Act, gun violence, Social Security, and Ukraine. It was an honor to see everyone in attendance and discuss the issues impacting our district and nation. A special thanks to both the Northbrook Public Library and the Fox Lake Parks and Recreation for so hosting us. If you missed Saturday's Town Hall, you can watch Northbrook here and Fox Lake here.

More Town Halls Coming Soon

I will be hosting several more town halls soon, including one tonight, Thursday, August 18th, in Grayslake and another on Wednesday, September 7th, in Beach Park. I hope you can join me. Check my events page for the latest information on my events and registration.

Telephone Town Hall

I hosted the third Telephone Town Hall of the summer from my office in D.C. on Thursday the 11th, the night before we passed the Inflation Reduction Act. Grateful for the folks who joined the call to discuss the bill and other issues in our community. If you would like to be included in future telephone town halls, please fill out the form found here.

If you missed last week's call, you can hear it here.

Bike the Tenth

It's not too late to register for the Bike the 10th this Sunday at Old School Forest Preserve. Join me for a bike ride along the Des Plaines River from Old School Forest Preserve to Independence Grove. At the end of our ride, I'll hold a legislative update for everyone in attendance. It'll be a great chance to enjoy the last few nice summer days. Click here to register and get more information.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON

Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

You may have heard many things about the Inflation Reduction Act from many different sources. It is a big legislative package with a lot of information to digest. I encourage everyone to learn as much as they can about the bill and how it will affect you and your community. I've linked some articles with general information about the bill below.

You can read the text of the bill here.

Articles:

• NPR,What the Inflation Reduction Act does and doesn't do about rising prices
• Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget,What's In the Inflation Reduction Act?
• Congressional Budget Office,Estimated Budgetary Effects of H.R. 5376, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

RESOURCES TO HELP YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY

Affordable Internet Connectivity Program

You could save money on your internet bill thanks to a new program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to lower internet costs. The Affordable Connectivity Program provides eligible households up to $30/month off their internet bills, as well as a one-time $100 discount off a laptop, tablet, or computer.

You may be eligible for this program if you meet one of these requirements.

• Your household income is 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or less ($55,500 for a family of four).
• Your household is eligible, regardless of income, if at least one person in the household participates in:
  • Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
  • SNAP
  • WIC
  • SSI
  • Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch or Breakfast
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance

To apply, visit GetInternet.gov to apply or to print out a mail-in application, calling 877-384-2575, or contacting a participating internet service provider.

Smart 9-1-1

Smart 911 is a voluntary opt-in emergency alert service. It provides information to 9-1-1 dispatchers if you call them from your phone. Information shared with dispatchers would include address, medical conditions, and emergency contacts.

Those who opt in will receive a notification to update their Safety Profile every 6 months. Keeping your information updated is important to ensure first responders always have your most current details.

For more information or to register for Smart911, visit the smart911 website.

9-8-8 Suicide And Crisis Lifeline is Live

After becoming law with bipartisan support in 2020, we now have a new nationwide number to call for suicide prevention, mental health, and substance use crises: 9-8-8. You can call or text to be connected to trained crisis counselors who can help you or someone you know.

How will 9-8-8 and 9-1-1 work together?

Law enforcement officers agree that they're often not best equipped to respond to a mental health emergency. In most cases, a call to 9-8-8 doesn't involve law enforcement. If available, a mobile crisis team may be dispatched to help an individual in need of further support.

9-8-8 for Veterans

Are you a veteran in crisis or concerned about one? You're not alone — the Veterans Crisis Line is here for you. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to call 9-8-8 for free and confidential support through the Veterans Crisis Line, 24/7, 365 days a year.

Maternal Mental Health Hotline

The Health Resources and Services Administration has launched a new National Maternal Mental Health Hotline. This new service provides 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy.

Callers can expect to receive:

• Phone or text access to professional counselors
• Real-time support and information
• Response within a few minutes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Resources
• Referrals to local and telehealth providers and support groups
• Culturally sensitive support
• Counselors who speak English and Spanish
• Interpreter services in 60 languages

For additional information, visit the HRSA website.

Uniting for Ukraine

Applications are open for a new streamlined process for Ukrainians seeking asylum in the United States. This represents a key step toward fulfilling the President's commitment to welcome Ukrainians fleeing Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Uniting for Ukraine builds on the robust humanitarian assistance the U.S. government is providing as we complement the generosity of countries throughout Europe that are hosting millions of Ukrainian citizens and others who have been displaced. You can learn more here.

Unincorporated Residents Eligible for Flood Insurance Premium Discounts

If you live in unincorporated Lake County, you may be eligible for up to $297 in savings per year on flood insurance policies. Through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Community Rating System (CRS) program, residents within unincorporated Lake County – who meet certain requirements – are eligible for up to 20 percent savings on flood insurance premiums.

Contact your insurance agent for coverage information, pricing, and CRS flood insurance discount information. You can also visit Lake County's flood coverage website for more information.

Introducing Ride Lake County!

Lake County, Pace Suburban Bus, and the Lake County Coordinated Transportation Services Committee (LCCTSC) came together with members of the community to launch Ride Lake County, a borderless, countywide paratransit service that provides transportation to anywhere in Lake County for seniors ages 60+ and people with disabilities.

For additional information about Ride Lake County, visit their website.

LONG WAITS FOR PASSPORTS: Look Before You Book

As more and more people get vaccinated, travel is starting to pick back up again. My office has received a major uptick in calls asking to expedite passport renewals lately. If you plan to travel internationally, remember to check the expiration date on your passport before you book your trip. It is taking much longer than normal to renew a passport, so make sure to plan ahead.

Check the passport website to get an idea of processing time -- expedited processing is now taking 5-7 weeks from submission to receipt, with regular processing taking 8-11 weeks.

At this point, expedited exceptions are only being made in case of emergency travel. In other words, apply now for that passport you will need for the trip you might take over Winter Break. Passports last for 5 or 10 years depending on what age you were issued your first passport.

IN CLOSING –

Last year at the Lake Forest Days parade, I met a young student, Sydney Kirages, who shared with me her passion for Civil War history. Sydney later arranged a formal meeting with me in my office to talk about her work with the American Battle Field Trust, which seeks to preserve the battlefields of the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and War of 1812.

So, you can imagine how excited I was after our Northbrook Congress on Your Corner when Sydney presented me with an autographed copy of the book she just authored and published, Stories with Pop Pop Women in Disguise – The Civil War. It tells the story of the women who fought in the Civil War—disguised as men. It also pays tribute to her grandparents, in particular her grandfather. One hundred percent of all the profits from Sydney's new book, will go towards the American Battlefield Trust. I'm glad to celebrate Sydney's success in publishing this book and helping preserve the stories that shaped our great nation.

Wishing you a joyful week ahead,

Bradley S. Schneider

Member of Congress