10th NEWS: DHS Shuts Down, New Affordability Plan, and More Updates
***Before I get into the latest in Washington and IL-10, I did want to share some huge news – today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against President Trump and struck down many of his tariffs. This is a victory for American families who have been strapped by higher costs caused by these tariffs. You can read my statement on the Supreme Court’s decision here.***
Department of Homeland Security Shuts Down
Because President Trump and Congressional Republicans refuse to work with Democrats to address the Constitutional violations and violent assaults on American communities by ICE and CBP under DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, funding for the Department of Homeland Security ran out on January 31st. It did not have to come to this.
To be clear, no one wins in a government shutdown, especially not the American people. But ICE and CBP agents are out of control, and they must be reined in. Rather than taking hardened criminals off our streets (as they should), federal agents are targeting hardworking people and their families. Instead of making our cities safer, they are terrorizing communities and making us all less secure. Until essential reforms to ICE and CBP are set and oversight reestablished, Congress will remain at an impasse.
If the President and Secretary Noem are unwilling to take decisive action that takes masks off agents, puts body cams on them, and institutes real accountability for agents that take violent action like those who killed Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good, Democrats in Congress will.
I hope the President, Speaker Johnson, and Senator Thune will come to the negotiating table in good faith so this shutdown can come to a swift resolution. It is important the the people serving our nation in critically important agencies, including TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard, get duly paid for their work.
Lowering the Cost of Living for All Americans
I was very proud and honored to welcome House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to Illinois, and specifically the 10th Congressional District, for a listening session about the high cost-of-living and the burdens it is putting on families and entire communities. We were joined by a broad cross-section of voices in our communities, including small business owners, local elected officials, and leaders in healthcare, education, and affordable housing.
The group shared with Leader Jeffries what I hear everywhere I visit: over the past year, life has only gotten more expensive and the American Dream seems more out of reach. Despite promising to lower prices “on day one” and “end inflation,” President Trump and his allies in Congress have not only failed to lower the cost of living, the made life more expensive across the board for hardworking Americans with arbitrary tariffs and trillion-dollar cuts to healthcare.
After the event, the participants joined Leader Jeffries and me for a press conference to share some of the takeaways from our conversation. You can watch the full press conference here.
The New Democrat Coalition Affordability Agenda
The listening session followed the release last week of the New Democrat Coalition’s (New Dems) Affordability Agenda — a roadmap to a better path forward to lower everyday costs. The Affordability Agenda builds on the New Dems’ other policy framework published last year (see the full list here). The Affordability Agenda focuses on five of the most high-impact categories of costs: groceries, housing, healthcare, utilities, and family care (childcare and elder care). Our goal is to help working Americans afford a home, take care of their families, comfortably pay their monthly bills, and still have enough money left to take a vacation and save for the future. The New Dem Affordability Agenda represents bold policy ideas from some of the brightest minds in Congress, and a path forward for lawmakers to empower everyday people to reach their full economic potential. You can read more about the agenda here.
Not Just “No” – “Hell No!” to the SAVE America Act
Last week the House voted on the so-called “SAVE America Act” which will potentially disenfranchise millions of Americans, including people who changed their name after getting married or simply don’t have access to their birth certificate. That’s 80% of all married women!
This bill is nothing more than the culmination of Republicans’ ridiculous and shameful attempts to make it harder for citizens to vote. After countless recounts and independent audits, we know our elections are safe and secure. All the Republican sham effort really seeks to do is sow distrust in our election system and make it harder for people they don’t like (women, minorities, naturalized citizens) to go to the ballot box.
Let me be very clear -- voting is the right of every American citizen, and I will oppose every effort to undermine or diminish that right.
Unfortunately, though I voted against the SAVE America Act, the bill passed the House and is now waiting action in the Senate. I am hopeful that the Senate will reject it – I take some comfort in Senator Chuck Schumer’s statements that the bill is “dead on arrival.”
Keep reading for updates in Washington and around the district.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON
Welcoming College of Lake County to Washington
It was great to meet with Dr. Derrick Harden, VP of Strategy, and several Trustees from the College of Lake County to discuss how we can better prepare and equip students in the 10th District to succeed at every turn. Whether through financial aid or greater access to childcare for student-parents, we can always find ways to lift up future generations. Thank you for stopping by!
Learning more about headache disorders with AHDA
The Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy (AHDA) stopped by to chat with me about legislative initiatives impacting Americans living with migraine and other headache disorders. I was happy to sit down with AHDA, along with Northbrook resident Sarah Freedman, to discuss how we can help alleviate not just physical pain, but the toll of living with these disorders.
Creating a healthier world with Shot@Life and United to Beat Malaria
I am always happy to see my dear friend Dr. Nashwan Al Othman. He joined colleagues with Shot@Life and United to Beat Malaria to discuss U.S. investments in global malaria and child immunization programs. The U.S. has always been a country willing to help others in need, and supporting these programs give children in countries where malaria is prevalent the chance at a happy and healthy life.
Supporting our frontline healthcare workers
Incredibly hardworking healthcare professionals are the foundation of our healthcare system. I joined the Illinois Primary Health Care Association to discuss the shortage in the healthcare workforce and how we can support and retain new and veteran healthcare workers.
Advancing economic development and opportunity for Palestinians in the West Bank
As always, I enjoyed to wide-ranging and even hopeful discussion with the Palestinian Business Committee for Peace and Reform (PBC) about advancing human, social, and economic development for the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza. We agreed that we have an unprecedented opportunity to achieve durable peace in the Middle East while recognizing the many challenges and threats to progress. I look forward to continuing our conversation when we meet next Spring.
Discussing the 3+1 Framework with the Middle Eastern Forum
I was grateful to have the opportunity to share remarks at the Middle East Forum with parliamentarians from Israel, Greece and Cyprus. Much of the focus of the conversation was on my Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act, legislation that will expand U.S. cooperation with IMEC [India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor] countries.
House Foreign Affairs Committee: Syria at a Crossroads
Syria is one of the most complex ethnic and religious mosaics on earth, and it is currently at a crossroads. There are myriad challenges the new government faces – Syria’s transition of power deserves American attention and support, but it must be conditional and enforceable. Watch my remarks during a recent Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on helping Syria’s smooth transition of power.
OUT AND ABOUT IN THE 10th
Celebrating the bright minds of the next generation
I was proud to join participants in the annual Congressional App Challenge as they showcased their most creative and cutting-edge app ideas. I was so impressed with the ingenuity of all the entrants.
Students presented an incredible range of projects, including an app that maps the safest walking and public transportation routes for college students, one that audibly describes the immediate surroundings for people who are blind, another that helps students track their carbon footprint, and an app designed to assist athletes in their sports.
Congratulations to 1st Place Stevenson High School students Akshay, Vivaan, and Monit for their app project, ConQuest, a gamified learning mobile application designed to make studying history more interactive for middle and high school students through a responsive, data-driven platform that blends gameplay mechanics with academic content.
The winning team will be invited to join me in Washington, DC to celebrate their app and this impressive achievement.
Thank you to the College of Lake County for hosting this wonderful event, and to all of the students who participated and put their ideas forward.
Valentines for Veterans
Thank you to everyone who helped make another Valentine's for Veterans a resounding success. This year, residents across the district made more than 1,000 personalized Valentine's Day cards, which were delivered to the good folks at Capt. James A. Lovell Federal Health Center in North Chicago. Thanks again to everyone who took the time to recognize and appreciate the sacrifices our brave veterans have made for this country.
Soldier Send Off
I was greatly honored to join the families and local community members as we gathered at Fort Sheridan to send off 30 Army Reserve soldiers from the 337th Military Intelligence Battalion for a year-long deployment.
We are grateful for their courage and commitment, and we stand firmly behind them and their loved ones every step of the way.
ON THE AIRWAVES
Live with Squawk Box to discuss New Dem Affordability Agenda
With costs rising and the American dream feeling further and further out of reach, New Dems are focused turning the tide. I joined CNBC’s Squawk Box to discuss the New Dem Affordability Agenda and our plan to bring down costs and ensure Americans can comfortably provide for their families and secure a future free from worry.
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.
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.
One of the most meaningful parts of my work is helping constituents navigate challenges and find real solutions. This week, we were especially grateful to hear from a constituent who wrote in to share how our casework team was able to help. Stories like this are a powerful reminder of why responsive, people-centered service matters.
IN CLOSING
Artists from Waukegan recently came together during the Waukegan Park District’s fourth-annual Black History Month event for a celebration of Black culture through music, art, and literature. Beyond community gatherings, Black History Month underscores that Black history is American history. It pushes us to recognize stories and accomplishments that traditional history has too often overlooked and to reflect on the ongoing work toward equity and inclusion. Celebrating this month fosters understanding, honors resilience, and inspires future generations by connecting past struggles and triumphs to present-day progress.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay healthy.
Sincerely,
Bradley S. Schneider
Member of Congress