10th News: A Challenging Month of May
10th News: A Challenging Month of May
First, as it finally starts to feel like summer, I hope you had a good spring. It’s graduation season so I want to take a moment to congratulate everyone who completed their studies this year, whether that’s kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school, or college and graduate school. This also gives me a chance to share my family’s pride, as our oldest son Adam earned his Juris Doctor and Master of Public Policy last month.
Republican Reconciliation Bill
The biggest news from Washington last month was the House passage of the Republican bill to extend the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), as well as raise the debt ceiling, cut Medicaid and SNAP, and end climate policies implemented as part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. President Trump titled the legislation his “One Big Beautiful Bill.” In reality it’s a raw deal for hardworking American families.
Indeed, according to the Penn Wharton Budget Model (below) the bottom 40% of income earners will actually see their income decline.
Among the many problems with the bill, the House legislation makes deep cuts to Medicaid — more than $700 billion! It diminishes the safety net for millions of Americans, including seniors, children, people with disabilities, and people who cannot afford health care on their own. It restricts access to affordable health care through the Affordable Care Act exchanges, and tears SNAP (food assistance) benefits from millions of hungry families. The bill also ends many of the programs that are helping the US transition to cleaner energy.
Nonpartisan organizations have estimated that this bill will result in 16 million people losing health insurance, millions of children unnecessarily going hungry, and, if the included tax cuts are made permanent, an additional $5 trillion ($5,000,000,000,000) added to our national debt in just the next 9 years.
I worked throughout the process with my Democratic colleagues in the House to address the faults in this terrible bill. In the Ways and Means Committee, we worked through the night (18 consecutive hours) proposing amendments to make this bill less harmful for American families. One amendment I offered would give relief to families who are experiencing higher prices because of President Trump’s tariff tax, (watch here). The Yale Budget Lab has estimated Trump’s tariffs could cost the average family nearly $5,000 a year. Republicans not only voted down my amendment -- they rejected every single idea proposed by Democrats, including ideas that they have supported in the past.
Continuing their efforts to hide how bad this legislation is, House Republicans brought the bill to the Rules committee at 1:00 AM and only started public debate on the House Floor at 11:00 PM. Republicans worked hard to ensure all these proceedings happened under the cover of darkness, while most of the country was fast asleep. I spoke in opposition to the bill at about 5 AM (watch here). In the end, at around 7:00 AM, Republicans were able to pass their bill by a single vote, 215-214.
The bill still needs to work its way through the Senate and then back to the House before potentially heading to the President’s desk. The Senate consideration is expected to be just as close, so stay tuned.
Trump’s Tariffs (will they stay, or will they go?)
Last month also brought a lot of news with respect to President Trump’s on again, off again tariffs. As a refresher, on April 2nd the President announced sweeping tariffs on virtually every one of our trading partners, resulting in a stock market sell-off and spike in global interest rates. After trillions of dollars of market value were wiped out, the President announced a pause on “reciprocal” tariffs on April 9th, keeping his baseline 10% tariffs in place. In addition, the President added 145% tariffs on China, only to announce an “agreement” to begin negotiations and lowered the rates to 30% (still very high) weeks later. Those negotiations have apparently stalled.
On May 28, the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) ruled that the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) did not provide President Trump authority to issue his reciprocal tariffs and declared the reciprocal tariffs illegal. The Administration immediately filed an appeal and the next day an appellate court granted the Administration a stay. So, for now the tariffs remain in place. I expect this decision will ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court before the end of their session later this Summer.
In addition to the CIT case, the DC District court ruled against the President’s tariffs in a case brought by Learning Resources and its sister company hand2mind, headquartered in Lincolnshire. This ruling was also stayed by the district court.
Here’s the important thing to consider: tariffs are a tax on American consumers and a disproportionate burden on both small businesses and lower income families that spend most, if not all, of their monthly income on basic necessities. Raising the cost of everything from groceries, clothing, school supplies and hardware are making life harder, not easier, for working families. And the tariffs are hurting our economy as a whole. In fact, the latest economic forecasts are predicting slower growth for the global economy, and especially the US — the current projection for 2025 is down to 1.6% growth, compared to projections of 2.6% less than a year ago. And the forecasters are clear in blaming Trump’s tariffs for the change. (OECD Economic Outlook)
Growing Antisemitism Leads to Acts of Terrorism
Two recent violent antisemitic attacks have shaken the country. On May 21, just blocks from the Capitol, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim were murdered in cold blood as they left a gathering of young diplomats focused on bridge building and seeking peace. Then on this past Sunday, in Boulder, Colorado, people participating in a walk calling for the release of hostages held by Hamas for more than 600 days were attacked by an individual with a makeshift flamethrower and Molotov cocktails. Twelve people were injured, two critically. One of the individuals attacked is a Holocaust survivor. The attacker has said he spent more than a year planning the attack and “wanted to kill all Zionists.”
Both of these attacks are being appropriately investigated as acts of terrorism. In both cases, the attackers chanted “Free Palestine.” Ironically, both of the events targeted were peaceful and promoting the end of the war in Gaza. The attackers clearly didn’t select their victims because of what they were saying, but rather simply because they were Jewish, or at least thought to be Jewish.
Irrespective of which side one is on relative to conflicts around the world—in Gaza, or Ukraine, or Sudan, or anywhere else—violence is never acceptable and must be unequivocally condemned. Good people cannot allow these actions to be normalized, and the perpetrators must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
The war in Gaza is a tragedy and a humanitarian crisis. We all want the hostages released and the war to end. From the start, I have been outspoken seeking the release of all the hostages. I have also worked consistently to push for humanitarian aid to get into and throughout Gaza, most recently leading a letter to President Trump last month. And I will be traveling to the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE and Israel) this month to seek pathways towards peace and security for the entire region.
At the same time, I will continue to call out, confront and fight antisemitism whenever and wherever it raises its head. We cannot allow antisemitism, or any other hatred, to fester lest it eat away at the soul of our nation. You can watch my remarks at the Capitol Jewish Museum the day after the attack here.
OUT AND ABOUT IN THE TENTH
Marking Memorial Day
Continuing tradition, I was honored to join the annual College of Lake County Memorial Day Ceremony remembering all the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation and in defense of the freedoms we hold dear. This year we read the names of all the Illinoisans who lost their lives in service to the nation since 2001.
Patching Ceremony
After the Memorial Day ceremony, I had the distinct honor to give three new soldiers their unit patches upon completion of their basic training. Congratulations to Annabel Bergman, 770th Medical Company, Zoe Hubka, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment, and Eric Villalobos, A Battery, 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery Regiment.
Young Israel of Northbrook
I joined Young Israel of Northbrook for an important conversation on antisemitism and what more needs to be done to keep Jewish students safe on college campuses. Institutions of higher education should be a safe space for learning, and no one deserves to be harassed because of their religion or identity.
Town Hall in Northbrook
We had a robust and wonderful conversation at our recent Town Hall in Northbrook! I always appreciate the opportunity to hear directly from constituents and share what I am doing in Congress to advocate for their priorities and values. While not everyone agrees on everything, I am always impressed by the shared respect and consideration people bring to these discussions.
2025 Congressional Art Competition Ceremony
It’s always a joy to celebrate our student artists at one of my favorite events of the year—the 44th Annual Congressional Art Competition. Congratulations to all who participated—and a special shoutout to this year’s winner, Jessenia Solis from Waukegan High School! Her piece, “Distortion,” will hang in the U.S. Capitol for the next year.
Supporting Our Veterans with Isabella Parra
Great to meet with my friend Isabella Parra, Miss Iroquois, to discuss her community service initiative “Beyond the Battlefield” and her upcoming advocacy in D.C. on behalf of veterans. Grateful for her commitment to service and for lifting up legislation that supports those who served.
Celebrating North Suburban Legal Aid in Libertyville
It was wonderful to be at North Suburban Legal Aid’s big event in Libertyville. It was inspiring to see such a strong turnout from a community that understands the vital work NSLA does every day—providing free legal services to those in need, including survivors of domestic violence, immigrants, and vulnerable tenants.
Helping Feed America by Planting Corn with Lake County Farm Bureau
I joined my friend Tom Doolittle and the Lake County Farm Bureau to help with the spring planting. I love being in the fields and am also always excited to see how technology is helping farmers increase their yields and stay competitive. This is especially important now as the current tariffs are creating uncertainty for Illinois farmers. It is important that we secure global market access for U.S. agricultural products to ensure our farmers can continue to thrive.
Catching up with Mayor Scott Gartner from Antioch
I had a great time catching up with Antioch Mayor Scott Gartner to talk about the village’s main priorities for Congress and local upcoming plans.
Stopping by Waukegan to Have Lunch with Captain Yargosz
Did you know that our very own Naval Station Great Lakes is the nation’s primary training facility for the U.S. Navy? I stopped by Big Ed’s in Waukegan to grab lunch with Captain Yargosz, the Commanding Officer of the station, to hear the latest updates and discuss how we can improve the facilities for our future sailors.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON
Honoring Holocaust Remembrance Day in the Capitol
Every year it is an honor to bring a Holocaust Remembrance Day event to Capitol Hill, and ensure we never forget the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust and the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution.
Improving our Counterterrorism Networks
The safety of our nation and our allies—from foreign threats, domestic adversaries, and lone actors—must be paramount. In a recent hearing by the Middle East and North Africa subcommittee in the Foreign Affairs Committee we examined current vulnerabilities, explored opportunities for greater interagency coordination, and discussed how evolving threats demand smarter, faster, and more resilient national security networks. You can watch the hearing here.
Gun Violence Prevention Task Force
I’m a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force where we develop solutions that address and reduce gun violence in our communities. We recently had a thoughtful discussion about the policies that can prevent gun violence in communities and the threat of cuts to Community Violence Intervention Programs proposed by the Trump Administration.
Rallying Against the Republicans’ Raw Deal for America
I joined Families Over Billionaires to call out the Republican Tax Bill for what it really is – another way for Republicans to line the pockets of Trump’s closest family and friends while making you foot the bill.
Interview with NBC News about the Republican Tax Bill
I spoke with Ryan Nobles on NBC News NOW ahead of the vote on the Republican tax bill that will strip health care from 14 million & make the largest cut to food assistance ever – all while saddling our kids with $5 trillion in debt. You can watch that interview here.
Breaking Down the GOP Tax Bill on CNBC
After a 17-hour, marathon mark-up of the Republican tax package in the House Ways and Means Committee, I joined CNBC’s Squawk Box to discuss the consequences of the big, bad bill for American families. Watch my interview here.
Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing with Secretary Marco Rubio
Lost in the chaos surrounding the Republican tax bill was a hearing with Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Unfortunately, Secretary Rubio was only willing to stay long enough to allow half the members of the committee to ask questions. Even though the Secretary didn’t think it’s important to hear from the committee, I took a moment to record my reflections on the questions I sent to him in writing. (I will let you know when I receive a response.)
Roundtable with Transatlantic Friends of Israel
I hosted a roundtable with Members of Congress and senior European lawmakers from Sweden, Belgium, Latvia, Bulgaria, Austria, Lithuania, Croatia, Poland and the Czech Republic. We reflected on the horrors of October 7, the threat posed by Iran and Russia, and the importance of standing together as democracies.
Celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month
As the United States faces a disturbing rise in antisemitism — from threats to synagogues and the harassment of Jewish students, to the dangerous rhetoric echoing from Trump administration officials — it is more important than ever to remind our Jewish communities of their strength and resilience.
I was proud to join my Democratic colleagues in celebrating the joy, contributions, and enduring spirit of Jewish American Heritage Month.
My Meetings in the Capitol
- I had the honor of hosting Her Excellency Hanène Tajouri Bessassi, Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia, for a meaningful discussion on developing the partnership between the United States and Tunisia.
- The Chinese Ambassador to the United States joined me for a productive conversation about the importance of maintaining open lines of communication between the United States and the People’s Republic of China.
- I also met with Doron Perez whose son, Daniel Perez, was tragically murdered by Hamas during the October 7th attacks. Mr. Perez and I spoke about the importance of bringing every hostage home, the challenges Israelis continue to face, and how we can support families like his.
- I had an insightful meeting with Paul Thompson, the CEO of KinderCare, about the childcare affordability crisis and the Promoting Affordable Childcare for Everyone Act, will help ease that crisis.
- I had the opportunity to hear from Genentech about the treatments currently being used to address cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, and obesity.
COMING UP IN IL-10
As I work to represent your interests in Washington, D.C., I want to hear directly from you about the issues that are impacting you right now. I will host another town hall on Saturday, June 7th, at 10:30 AM in Libertyville. While the event is already sold out, you can still sign up for the waitlist. You can also follow me on Facebook and YouTube, where the town hall will be livestreamed. I look forward to hearing your questions and giving you updates about all that's happening in Washington, D.C.
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY
Please visit my website to find resources available for everything from saving money on your internet bill to locating your local food bank, and various help lines. Already this year, my team has helped save constituents $3,546,912!
And, as always, I’m happy to meet constituents in my Lincolnshire office to share ideas, discuss legislation, or catch up on what’s happening in our community. If you want to schedule a meeting with me, you can do so here.
IN CLOSING
I was very sad to learn over the long weekend that a titan of the House of Representatives, Charles B. Rangel, passed away. Leader Hakeem Jeffries wrote a fitting statement honoring the barrier-breaking life of Congressman Rangel. I thought I’d share his beautiful words with you:
Today, New York City and the nation mourn a giant with the passing of Congressman Charles B. Rangel. Known as the Lion of Lenox Avenue, and to me as a friend and mentor, Chairman Rangel was truly one-of-a-kind. He was a patriot, hero, statesman, leader, trailblazer, change agent and champion for justice who made his beloved Harlem, the City of New York and the United States of America a better place for all.
Mr. Rangel’s matchless career began in the Korean War, where his brave and courageous actions in battle earned him a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He brought the same spirit to his time as a federal prosecutor, where he stood up for the rule of law and held the powerful to account.
In Congress, Mr. Rangel broke barriers as the first African American to Chair the Ways and Means Committee. As the author of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, he helped facilitate the development of millions of affordable housing units across the nation. In 1987, the “Rangel Amendment” denied foreign tax credits to U.S. companies investing in South Africa and was instrumental in dismantling apartheid. He was clear-eyed about his responsibility to look out for the least, the lost and the left-behind and made it his life’s work to deliver on their behalf.
Myself and countless others stand on his broad shoulders because of his transformational approach to political empowerment. From serving as a founding Member of the Congressional Black Caucus to establishing the historic Rangel Program to ensure the Foreign Service reflects the great diversity of our country, Mr. Rangel’s impact can be seen and felt through the generations of new leaders in all levels of government.
There are many who will attempt to imitate, but the great Charlie Rangel will never be replicated. Whether in the United States Army, the federal courtroom, the halls of Congress or the streets of Harlem, Congressman Rangel led a life of public service that is second to none. The prayers of a grateful nation are with his family and the legions who loved this iconic leader. May Charles B. Rangel forever Rest in Power.
May Charles Rangel’s memory be a blessing to us all.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay healthy.
Sincerely,
Bradley S. Schneider
Member of Congress