10th News: Back from Israel

I missed last week's newsletter because I was out of the country on a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) trip to Israel and Qatar (more on that below). I hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend. Before I left on my trip, I was able to join Independence Day celebrations across the district. It was wonderful to be able to see people's smiles and to mark our country's birthday and all that it means in-person.

I actually had an "extended" July 4th. During our visit to Israel, we attended an Independence Day reception at the new U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem with new Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. The next night the Embassy hosted a second reception with members of the Palestinian community. Both events were a strong reminder of the power of what the U.S. means to the world, and the responsibility we have to protect this uniquely American experiment in democracy.

Our trip last week was the first post-pandemic Congressional Delegation trip anywhere around the world, and I was proud to be a part of it. The ten member, bipartisan delegation was led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Gregory Meeks, as well as Middle East Subcommittee Chair Ted Deutch. We met with leaders of the Israeli, Palestinian and Qatari governments, U.S. military leadership, and civil society leaders. The discussions covered a broad range of topics, including our special relationship with Israel, Israeli-Palestinian relations, efforts to rebuild Gaza while ensuring no funds get diverted by Hamas, preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon and addressing Iran's other nefarious activities, building upon last year's Abraham Accords, and status of civil society and human rights.

Before the July 4th recess, we had a busy few weeks in Washington. Perhaps of most significance, the House passed the INVEST in America Act, the 5-year Surface Transportation Authorization bill. This legislation is a critical step towards the larger infrastructure investment our country desperately needs. The American Rescue Plan passed in March, as well as President Biden's American Jobs Plan and American Families plan all include elements of a rebuilt and reimagined post-Covid, 21st Century infrastructure necessary to ensure our nation's bright future . I am proud that all five of my local transportation priorities were included in the INVEST in America Act as passed.

In addition, the House voted to establish a select commission to investigate the events that led up to and enabled the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol.

Keep reading for information about what's been happening in Washington and around the district.

Around the Tenth

Celebrating the Mundelein Heritage Museum Grand Reopening

On July 3 I had the honor of attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Mundelein Heritage Museum. After closing in 2018, the museum re-opened recently with new exhibits on early pioneers, iconic Mundelein businesses, military displays from WWI and WWII, and Mundelein railroad history. I was particularly moved by the remarks of Mayor Steve Lentz on the importance of community and embracing the incredible diversity of our nation.

Advocating for Local Infrastructure Needs

I recently joined Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor and Water Department Supervisor Antonio Dominguez, as well as Public Works Director Mike Hewitt, for a tour of the Waukegan Water Plant. Last year, Waukegan spent $9 million to renovate the city's water plant. These renovations doubled water production capacity, allowing Waukegan to help get water to neighboring communities.

Although the plant has expanded, $5 million more in renovations still need to be completed. We must pass President Biden's American Jobs Plan so that we can help local communities like Waukegan rebuild their infrastructure.

Visiting the YWCA Community Resource Fair

It was great to see Mano a Mano Family Resource Center, Consul General of Guatemala Billy Adolfo José Muñoz Miranda, and Consul General of El Salvador Federico Guerrero at the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago community resource fair in Gurnee!

Meeting with Gurnee Mayor Tom Hood

I had a great conversation with newly-elected Gurnee Mayor Tom Hood to talk about bipartisanship and his priorities for Gurnee. I look forward to working together on behalf of our community.

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 12 weeks from submission to receipt, regular processing 18 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.

What's Happening in Washington

Working to Address the Harmful Effects of Ethylene Oxide

I recently led a bipartisan letter with my colleagues on the Congressional Ethylene Oxide Task Force urging the EPA to establish consistent standards for protecting communities from the harmful effects of ethylene oxide (EtO).

Since 2018, the EPA has had an inconsistent approach to how it assisted communities facing EtO emissions. We have been calling on the EPA to exercise the same due diligence in the communities we represent, and to keep public health at the forefront of the agency's EtO rulemaking. We asked for a meeting with EPA Administrator Michael Regan to discuss our priorities and the EPA's ongoing work to protect communities from EtO.View the letter here.

Advancing Community Project Requests and Local Transportation Projects

Community Projects Included in First Round of Funding Process

I was pleased that all four of my Homeland Security-related Member Designated Projects (MDP) submissions made it through the first round of funding in the appropriations process. These projects include the Zion Stormwater Project, the Lake County Emergency Operations Center, the Dady Slough Flood Storage and Wetland Enhancement Project and the North Chicago Storm Sewer.

The four projects are critically important community investments that will make Tenth District residents safer and better equip local infrastructure to stand up to climate change. I am grateful that the Appropriations Committee included these local projects for consideration in their Homeland Security fiscal year budget. I will continue to work to advocate for each of these projects as the legislation moves through Congress and is updated.

Securing House-Passage of Local Transportation Priorities

I was also happy that all of my member-designated project submissions passed the House this week as part of the INVEST in America Act. The INVEST in America Act will strengthen the middle class in Illinois and the nation by creating thousands of good-paying jobs, as well as rebuild our crumbling infrastructure to handle the effects of climate change. I will continue to advocate for these community investments as the legislation moves forward through Congress.

Understanding What Happened on January 6th

I proudly voted alongside my colleagues to establish a select committee to investigate the insurrection on January 6th. The Select Committee will be essential to history's understanding of what took place on January 6 and protecting the future of our Republic. My hope is that the Committee will be committed to the sober and relentless pursuit of the truth so that such a crisis never happens again. Watch my floor speech advocating for the commission here.

Ensuring Fair Housing Practices for LGBTQ+ Individuals

No American should face discrimination finding a home because of who they are or who they love. Yet, the majority of states still have no laws prohibiting housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

That's why I led a long overdue bipartisan bill to extend federal protections to ensure all LGBTQ individuals and same-sex couples can access housing without prejudice. I am also pleased that these important housing protections were incorporated into the Equality Act, and I look forward to voting on this anti-discrimination package soon.

Fighting to Reinstate the Full SALT Deduction

We have the responsibility to stand up for our families, our small businesses, and our communities. We need a fair tax system with the full SALT tax deduction. Watch my speech during a special debate this week about restoring the full SALT deduction here.

Combatting the Gun Violence Epidemic

I helped introduce legislation to prohibit the online distribution of blueprints and instructions that allow for the three-dimensional printing of firearms. Because 3D printing allows individuals to make firearms out of plastic, these guns may be able to evade detection by metal detectors at security checkpoints, increasing the risk that a firearm will be used to perpetrate violence on an airplane or in another area where people congregate. The increasing availability of 3D printers means unlicensed individuals, including felons, domestic abusers, and other dangerous individuals, could obtain a firearm by manufacturing it themselves.

If plans for homemade plastic guns are readily available on the internet, with just a few clicks individuals could avoid a background check and build a deadly firearm undetectable by security systems. These 3D-printed guns are a threat to the safety of our nation and communities, and I'm thankful to my colleagues in the Senate and House for working to keep these blueprints from being posted online.

Apply Today for the Congressional App Challenge

In less than a generation, apps have come to touch every aspect of our lives. The Congressional App Challenge is an opportunity for Tenth District students to demonstrate and develop their STEM skills by designing their own app and presenting their work on a national stage. I look forward to seeing the remarkable apps that this year's students create. View the application and learn more on my website.

Resources

COVID-19 Rental Assistance

Illinois Tenant Rental Payment Program Now Open

The Illinois Housing Development Authority has now opened applications for the Illinois Rental Payment Program for tenants. Applications are due at midnight on Sunday, July 18. Applicants may be eligible for up to 15 months of assistance. Learn more and apply now on the IHDA website.

Apply for Lake County COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program

Lake County renters who face financial hardship related to COVID-19 can now apply for the new Lake County Federal Emergency Rental Assistance (FERA) Program, which provides help for individuals paying rent and/or utility bills.

To qualify for help, residents must: pay rent in Lake County, have a COVID-related financial hardship, be at risk of homelessness or housing instability, meet income guidelines based on household size, and provide appropriate documentation. More information and the application can be found here.

Mortgage Help for FHA-insured Borrowers



The Federal Housing Administration launched a COVID-19 mortgage forbearance program to help those struggling to pay their mortgage. If you are one of the many FHA-insured borrowers in communities across the country having difficulty paying your mortgage due to the pandemic, visit the HUD website to learn more.

Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation Applications Now Open

Mixed earners, or those who earn money both through self-employment income and traditional W2 employment, can now apply for unemployment compensation. Eligible MEUC recipients will receive an additional $100 per week on top of their normal unemployment insurance benefits. View the application and learn more here.

In Closing

Last week I read that the U.S. leads the world in terms of global reopening after COVID-19. This is an incredible milestone that we could not have achieved without the help of the American Rescue Plan.

While it has been a long road to get to where we are today, I am eternally grateful to all the heroes who helped us navigate the pandemic and who worked tirelessly to bring the vaccines to fruition.

As we enter into July and the midway point of 2021, we are in a much different place as a country than we were at the beginning of 2021. Our economy is growing back, we've vaccinated almost 160 million people nationwide, our businesses are reopening, and our kids are going back to in-person school this fall.

But there are still many people not yet vaccinated while at the same time the new Delta variant of the SARS-Cov-2 virus is rapidly spreading around the world, including here in the U.S. We still have to remain vigilant and continue monitoring the spread of the Delta variant.

But as we move through the rest of the summer, I am grateful to all of our frontline heroes and the Tenth District community for helping us get through this pandemic together.

Onward,

Bradley S. Schneider
Member of Congress