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10th News: Back to Normal

June 17, 2021
Brad's Newsletter

This week, the House is in session and so I am in Washington, DC. Among the matters we are considering, the House voted yesterday on legislation to hold corporations accountable for their decisions regarding equity, justice and public health. Today we will also take up Rep. Barbara Lee's legislation to repeal the 2002 Authorization of Military Force (AUMF) in Iraq, of which I am a cosponsor.

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Marking a grim milestone, on Monday we observed a moment of silence on the Capitol steps in memory of the now more than 600,000 American who have lost their lives to the COVID-19 pandemic. The past 16+ months have been unlike anything any of us have previously experienced. For all of us, we endured dark days. For those who got sick, and especially those who lost loved ones, the pandemic leaves us permanently changed.

The good news is that we have experienced a dramatic decrease in COVID-19 cases. With the help provided by President Biden's American Rescue Plan, today more than 50% of Americans are now fully vaccinated, businesses are open and our kids will hopefully have a memorable summer before returning to fully opened schools. Still, many more people need to be vaccinated if we are going to hold on to the progress we have achieved.

Lastly, I want to wish everyone a very happy Father's Day and a happy Juneteenth (our newest federal holiday!)

Keep reading for more information on what's happening in Washington and around the district.

REDUCING CHILD POVERTY

IRS to Start Distributing Child Tax Credit Payments in July

The IRS will begin sending out monthly Child Tax Credit (CTC) payments next month. The American Rescue Plan increased the CTC through the end of 2021 to $3000 per child ages 6 – 17 and $3600 per child age 6 and under. It is predicted that this action will cut in half the number of American children living in poverty.

The IRS has started sending letters to more than 36 million American families who, based on tax returns filed with the agency, may be eligible to receive monthly Child Tax Credit payments. You do not have to do anything to receive a CTC payment if you have already filed your 2020 taxes.

Learn more on the IRS website.

NEW: How To Register for a CTC Payment As a Non-Filer

If you are not required to file a 2020 tax return, you can still register to receive a Child Tax Credit using this tool here.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON

Fighting for Zion and Other Communities with Stranded Nuclear Waste

As the nation seeks a permanent solution for storage of the country's nuclear waste, we have a moral responsibility to help communities such as Zion, IL that have been left with tons of stranded spent nuclear fuel. I continue to push Congress to take action to provide direct assistance to these communities, which is why last week I reintroduced the STRANDED Act to provide funding to places like Zion that are already dealing with stranded nuclear waste, as well as assistance for communities dealing with the recent closure of a nuclear power plant and the looming prospect of left behind waste. The STRANDED Act would also provide tax incentives to promote homeownership as well as fund research on how to spur development in these communities.

This is an important step forward for nuclear-affected communities striving to move past the legacy of their decommissioned plants, boost their local economies and create a brighter future for residents.

Fighting Against Climate Change

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When I got married, my wife and I looked to the future and thought about having a family. We now have two sons, today 28 and 26. We still look to the future and hope that our sons will have the chance to raise a family. That is in doubt because we face a climate crisis.

The climate crisis is the most pressing threat to our children's and grandchildren's future. We must take urgent action now. Watch my full speech on the House floor here.

Transportation Projects Included in First Round of Funding Process

Our district recently received good news that the Member Designated Project (MDP) priorities I submitted on behalf of local communities were included in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's surface transportation funding bill, the INVEST in America Act. I am pleased that the Transportation Committee has recognized these local transportation projects as worthy investments for their funding bill. I will continue to work to advocate for each of these projects as the legislation moves through Congress and is updated.

The INVEST in America Act, as introduced, included funding that will help build North Chicago Pace Route Access, Zion's 27th Street Resurfacing, Lake County's Patriot Path, Metra's Zero Emission Vehicle Pilot, and IL-21's Milwaukee Ave improvements.

Standing Up Against Dangerous Rhetoric

Our elected officials, and especially members of Congress, have a great responsibility to carefully measure our words and be as precise as possible when we communicate. That's why last month I called for censure of Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene for her comparison of our national response to the pandemic to the Holocaust. It's also why I felt it was important to call for clarification when Representative Ilhan Omar's social media post suggested a false equivalency between the United States and Israel.

Rep. Omar quickly released a clarification following my statement urging her to do so. And on Monday, Rep. Greene publicly apologized for her remarks following a visit to the United States Holocaust Memorial and Museum.

Read more here about Rep. Omar's remarks and here about Rep. Greene's statement.

Recognizing Israel's New Coalition Government

On Sunday I congratulated Israel, and Israelis, on the formation of a government after four elections. We look forward to maintaining and growing our countries' special relationship, as well as pursuing new opportunities for collaboration and advancement.

It's worth noting the broad coalition that makes up the new government, including different perspectives and different faiths. It is quite remarkable that for the first time, Arab Members of Knesset will be part of the government. From across the political spectrum, all the parties share a vision for a better future for their country and its citizens. May the new government find success in lifting up the lives and creating pathways for peace for its people and for the region.

AROUND THE TENTH

Talking Caregiving with Elroy Reed on Urban Town Hall

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Last week I joined Elroy Reed on Urban Town Hall to talk about caregiving and the importance of investing in American families. While the economy is growing faster than at any time in the last 40 years thanks to the American Rescue Plan, far too many people are still out of work. That's why President Biden put forward to the American Families Plan together with the American Jobs Plan. Investing in caregiving is critical in getting our economy moving again. Watch our full conversation here.

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I also joined a moderated conversation hosted by Allstate for agents from around the country with Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-TX), my colleague from the Problem Solvers Caucus. We had a great discussion about bipartisanship and the need to rebuild our nation's crumbling infrastructure.

RESOURCES FOR OUR DISTRICT

Getting Vaccines to Home-Bound Medicare Beneficiaries

President Biden recently announced more funding for administering in-home COVID-19 vaccinations to the estimated 1.5 million Medicare beneficiaries who have difficulty leaving their homes or who are otherwise hard to reach. With these funds, Medicare is now incentivizing providers and will pay $35 per dose administered in a beneficiary's home. To find a vaccine, visit vaccines.gov, call the national vaccine hotline at 1-800-232-0233 or check out my website.

If You're Planning on Traveling Internationally Soon, Remember to Check Your Passport Expiration

As more and more people get vaccinated, travel is starting to pick back up again. My office has received an 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 go. Passports last for 5 or 10 years depending on what age you were issued your first passport. It can take 6-8 weeks to renew a passport, so make sure to plan ahead.

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.

Low-Income Households Can Now Apply for the Emergency Broadband Benefit

The Emergency Broadband Benefit helps struggling families with the cost of Internet service. If you are enrolled in Medicaid or SNAP benefits, have lost a job or seen your income reduced in the last year, or make 135% below the federal poverty level, you may qualify to receive $50/month for your broadband service.

Apply now and learn more about eligibility requirements on the FCC website.

Small Business Community Resources

The Illinois Small Business Development Center is offering training programs through TAD (Training Assessment and Development) and BizHub through funding from the CARES Act passed last year.

  • BizHub: BizHub offers Q&A with local entrepreneurs and experts, access to a network for small businesses, a startup knowledge center, and opportunities to share your startup story or get tips from other small businesses.
  • TAD: CLC offers TAD, an affordable cloud-based integrated system, to employers of any size in Lake County. TAD is a high-quality, results-oriented training designed for any-size organization. They offer training and workshops on a variety of topics including business writing, communication, ESL, leadership, and more.

FEMA Providing COVID-19 Funeral Assistance

Beginning today, FEMA will start accepting applications for financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020 for deaths related to COVID-19. The assistance is limited to a maximum financial amount of $9,000 per funeral and a maximum of $35,500 per application. Please find more information at FEMA's COVID-19 Funeral Assistance website or call 844-684-6333 for help.

IN CLOSING

A lot is happening in D.C. these days, and it can be hard to figure out what Members of Congress still share in common. I want to take this space to reaffirm that I believe that the United States is an exceptional country. Not perfect, but exceptional. From our nation's founding we have sought to live by the principles expounded in our founding documents — constantly seeking "to form a more perfect union." I love my country and hold her to a high standard. Ultimately, I am confident that my colleagues in the House still believe in those words and will work with me to jointly tackle our challenges, lift up our nation and ensure we give a bright future to future generations.


Onward,
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Bradley S. Schneider
Member of Congress