10th News: COP27 and The Beginning of Lame Duck
After Members spent the past six weeks in our home districts, the House was back in session this week. We were joined in the Capitol by the more than 70 new Members-Elect who won their election last week. Their presence brings a certain kind of energy to this place, and a fair bit of intrigue as Democrats and Republicans select their leaders for the 118th Congress.
Our history books are replete with many great Americans who answered the call to serve our nation and left an indelible stamp on our country. Today, we honor Speaker Nancy Pelosi as one of the true giants and thank her for her historic leadership and for all she has done in her decades of public service. She leaves an incredible legacy and has played an instrumental role improving the lives of all Americans in every corner of our nation.
Post-election buzz aside, the House and Senate have much to do before the end of the year. Atop the list is completing funding for the fiscal year 2023, which should have been finished in September if not for delays by the Senate. We must also agree on the National Defense Authorization Act, which will give raises to our military and stand up for American values both at home and abroad. The Senate is working on passing the marriage equality bill we passed in the House over the summer.
Before returning to D.C. this week, I had the privilege of attending COP27, the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, in Sharm el Sheik, Egypt. I was part of a bipartisan delegation visiting the conference to learn more about global efforts to tackle climate change. We had meetings with leaders from around the world and a wonderful roundtable breakfast with Chief Sustainability Officers from many of the leading corporations at the forefront of driving to net zero carbon emissions. We also had a chance to visit a demonstration power plant that uses blended hydrogen with natural gas to produce electricity with significantly reduced emissions.
In almost all my conversations, I was excited to highlight my efforts on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Many of the people we spoke with commended the United States for the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and its $360+ billion investment in addressing climate change—including support for SAF.
Another highlight of our trip was attending President Biden’s speech to the Conference. You can read the President’s remarks here.
Please keep reading for more information about what is happening in Washington and at home.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
Still Open: Brad’s Bookworms
There is still time to participate in our sixth annual Brad's Bookworms program. I love reading, and Brad's Bookworms is a chance to share that passion with young students in kindergarten through 5th grade. We challenge students to read ten books by December 12th to explore new worlds and expand their minds through reading. Those who meet the challenge will be recognized and invited to a ceremony early next year.
To learn more about the program and how to sign up, please click here.
Now Open: Congressional Intern Positions
Our Lincolnshire office is accepting applications for internships. On a day-to-day basis, district interns help with writing letters, district-based projects and may help with constituent casework. If you are motivated and passionate about helping your community apply today here.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON
Renaming Grayslake Post Office for Fallen Afghanistan Army Specialist Joey Dimock
On Monday, the House passed my legislation to rename the Grayslake Post Office the "Army Specialist Joseph 'Joey' W. Dimock II Post Office Building" in honor of Joey Dimock, an Army Specialist who died in 2010. After the bill passed, I gave Joey's mother, Ellen, a call to share the news of the bill.
Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund Act
I was proud to reintroduce the Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund Act in honor of Veterans Day. The legislation would create a convenient “check-off box” on annual tax returns for taxpayers to voluntarily choose to donate any portion of their tax refund to support programs to prevent and end veteran homelessness. It’s unacceptable that over 33,000 of our veterans who bravely served to keep our country—our home—safe are forced to sleep on the streets, without a home to call their own, on any given night in America.
We owe service members, veterans, and their families not just our gratitude, but our commitment to ensure that we always have their backs as they always had ours. Empowering Americans with a convenient way to donate a portion of their tax refund to support homeless veterans is a small, commonsense step to make it easier to give back to those who have sacrificed so much for our country.
You can read the full text of the Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund Act here.
The PAST Act
This week the House passed an animal welfare bill that addresses the practice of soring horses. Soring is the practice of inflicting intentional pain on a horse so they produce higher gaits. I am proud to cosponsor the PAST Act to address the issue by expanding soring regulation and enforcement at horse shows, exhibitions, sales, and auctions, including establishing a new system for inspecting horses for soring. In addition, the bill increases penalties for violations.
You can read the full text of the legislation here.
Lymphedema Treatment Act
The House also passed Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky’s Lymphedema Treatment Act. This bill would provide Medicare coverage for items that help treat lymphedema compression. The covered entities would include standard and custom-fitted gradient compression garments and other approved things prescribed by a physician or other specified healthcare professional to treat lymphedema.
You can read the full text of the bill here.
Speak Out Act
In addition, the House passed the Speak Out Act, which would prohibit the enforcement of nondisclosure or nondisparagement agreements that limit a person's ability to report or discuss alleged sexual assault or sexual harassment. Advocates for this bill argue that the threat of legal action under an employment NDA disincentivizes victims from reporting incidents of sexual assault and harassment, allowing perpetrators to continue abuse and often forcing victims to leave their occupation or turn down opportunities for advancement. This bill has already passed the Senate by unanimous consent.
You can read the full text of the bill here.
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY
Please visit my website to find resources for the following services, and more:
- Affordable Internet Connectivity Program
- Smart 9-1-1
- 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 9-8-8 for Veterans
- Maternal Mental Health Hotline
- Uniting for Ukraine
- Unincorporated Residents Eligible for Flood Insurance Premium Discounts
- Ride Lake County
CONTACT MY OFFICE
As always, I want to hear from you. Please email me on my website or call my DC office at (202) 225-4835 if you’d like to share your thoughts on any matter. And if you need help with a federal agency, fill out a Privacy Release Form or call my Lincolnshire office at (847) 383-4870 so my casework team can assist you.
IN CLOSING –
Tuesday morning, our district saw its first measurable snowfall of the season. Whether you couldn’t wait for this movement or were dreading it, it’s difficult to argue with the beauty of it once it blankets the ground and the branches of the trees.
As the snowy, and cold Chicago winter continues to take over, I hope you and your loved ones stay warm. Please, don’t forget that if you or someone you know is facing difficulty keeping up with heating costs this winter, Congress has helped pass $208 million to help Illinois lower heating costs. To see if you’re eligible, click here.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay healthy.
Sincerely,
Bradley S. Schneider
Member of Congress