10th News: A Historic Vote in Congress (though not in a good way)
I want to begin by wishing everyone a Happy New Year! May 2023 by filled with health, happiness, and prosperity for our communities, our state and our country.
I will confess that I had anticipated sending you an upbeat note this week, highlighting some of the many successes of the 117th Congress and full of optimism for the new 118th Congress. Sadly for our country, I am writing to you with the 118th Congress effectively held hostage by a not-so-small collection of 20 rogue Republican Representatives-elect. As of this writing, after eight roll call votes, the House has not yet selected a speaker—the first responsibility assigned the new Congress. Until we do, no House business can not proceed with any business. No bills can be introduced. No committees formed.
With each of the eight roll calls, I have voted with pride for my friend Hakeem Jeffries, a proven leader who is unafraid to work across the aisle on behalf of all Americans. Every day, indeed, every hour that Republicans spend failing to search for compromise is time lost working for the American people. I remain committed to working with all my colleagues—Democrat and Republican—to serve you at home and in Congress.
Lastly, in this abbreviated “newsletter”, I want to let you know that my District Office in Lincolnshire remains open, and my team is at the ready, as always, to help all the constituents in the 10th District. If you need assistance with a federal agency, or any matter related to our federal government, please don’t hesitate to call us at (847) 383-4870.
I look forward to sending a much more robust, and for me fulfilling newsletter as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Bradley S. Schneider
Member of Congress
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON
Bipartisan Funding Bill
The last big story of the 117th Congress was the passage of the omnibus. Just before the holiday break, I voted for the 2023 Omnibus Funding Bill, which keeps the federal government open and running through the 2023 fiscal year.
Aside from keeping the government open, the omnibus includes funding to protect children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP and language to reform the Electoral Count Act. The bill also secures a $21 billion increase for veterans’ health care – including supporting the V.A. as it implements the landmark PACT Act.
Other provisions included in the funding that I have championed include:
- Two provisions of SECURE 2.0 on auto portability and the special needs trust. Schneider led both provisions.
- A section to avoid the telehealth cliff. The section extends through Calendar Year 2024 with the flexibility to exempt telehealth services from the deductible in high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) that can be paired with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Schneider led the effort to extend this flexibility.
- The Innovative Technologies Impacted by COVID-19 Act (H.R. 9559), introduced by Schneider, extends the transitional pass-through payment status on specific medical devices set to expire December 31, 2022, for a year starting on January 1, 2023.
- Language to rename the Grayslake Post Office for Fallen Afghanistan Army Specialist Joey Dimock. In November, the House passed Schneider’s standalone bill.
- Funding for Nuclear Closure Communities to help areas like Zion that shoulder the legacy of stranded nuclear waste.
- Significant funding to protect the Great Lakes, support the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and enhance federal protections against invasive species like Asian Carp.
- Federal research funding on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) through the Departments of Defense, Transportation, and Energy to help scale up the SAF industry and incorporate SAF into federal flight operations.
- Legislation contains funding for the U.S. Capitol Complex to create a dedicated interfaith prayer space for staff and the public for prayer and meditation. Rep. Schneider led a letter requesting this space be established; currently, there is an interfaith space for use by Members of Congress and Senators, but there is no such space for the public within the U.S. Capitol Complex.
I am also proud to share that all 15 of the Tenth District’s Community Project Funding (CPF) submissions were included in the legislation. These projects include:
- Waukegan Water Works Improvement Project
- Wheeling School District Federally Qualified Health Center
- Community Partners for Affordable Housing’s (CPAH) Lake County Affordable Housing Development in Libertyville
- Josselyn Center Mental Health Expansion
- North Chicago Economic Redevelopment at Sheridan Crossing
- Cedar Lake Road Realignment and Downtown Round Lake Improvement Project
- Lake County Gun Violence Prevention Initiative
- Lake Bluff Downtown Flood Mitigation Project
- Nicasa Round Lake Behavioral Health and Telehealth Center
- Lake County Early Learning Center in North Chicago
- Zero Emissions Pace Bus Fleet
- PADS Lake County Homeless Shelter
- Beach Park Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Project
- Chain O’Lakes Economic Development in Fox Lake
- Waukegan to College Onsite School Expansion
The passage and signing of this omnibus bill reflected the values and priorities of this 117th Congress. Now across Illinois will be started, generating economic growth, improving access to mental health services, reducing flooding, and enhancing public safety. You can read the full announcement of this bill here.
President Zelensky in Washington
On Wednesday, December 21st, President Zelenskyy gave a speech to Congress, fully demonstrating Ukraine’s deep and heroic resolve against Russian aggression. Ukraine is fighting for its independence and for democracy. The Ukrainian people will win. America will always stand behind them. If you missed his remarks, you can watch them here.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
Funding Progress in the 10th District
As mentioned, the 2023 fiscal year omnibus included funding for all 15 Community Funding Projects I submitted. These projects will generate economic growth, improve access to mental health services, reduce flooding, and enhance community safety. For an excellent in-depth and local look at how these projects will impact our community, I encourage you to read the Lake County News Sun’s piece here.
Now Open: Congressional Intern Positions in my Lincolnshire Office
Our Lincolnshire office is accepting applications for internships. On a day-to-day basis, district interns help write letters, complete district-based projects, and support my casework team in assisting constituents. If you are a student or recent graduate who is motivated and passionate about helping your community, please apply 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 –
Before I close this newsletter I want to share with you an article from the Daily Herald highlighting the personal impact the Restoration of the Carnegie Library in Waukegan is having on our community. The library closed in 1965 and has sat vacant since then. Fortunately, after much work and planning, the Waukegan Park District broke ground on a project to turn the library into the city's history museum in 2021. I'm proud to have helped secure $3 million in federal funding to support this project that will strengthen the local economy and educate future generations on Waukegan's history.