10th News: A New Year and a New Congress
10th News: A New Year and a New Congress
Happy New Year! Despite the winter cold, I hope you had a wonderful holiday season with family and friends and are off to a great start in 2025. I was lucky to spend a few quiet days with my family and am feeling refreshed and rejuvenated as we kick off the year.
Join my Telephone Town Hall On January 14
Before I recap what has been happening on Capitol Hill the first days of the 119th Congress, I wanted to first let you know that I will be hosting my first Telephone Town Hall of the year on Tuesday, January 14. This call is a chance to talk about what Congress has accomplished over the past two years and what I expect to come in the next two. I look forward to answering questions from constituents during the call. If you would like to join the call, please sign up at schneider.house.gov/live.
119th Congress is Sworn In
At noon on January 3rd, the House of Representatives gathered to elect a Speaker and then swear in the Members of the 119th Congress. In Congress's past, Speaker elections have typically been ceremonial, low-drama affairs—at least until two years ago. In 2023, however, it took 15 rounds over 5 days to elect Kevin McCarthy Speaker, a position that he would hold for less than nine months.
Given the Republicans currently hold the narrowest majority in our lifetime, I was ready for a similarly chaotic experience going into this year’s Speaker vote. Mike Johnson, who became Speaker in October 2023, could only afford to lose 2 Republican votes if he hoped to keep the Speaker’s gavel. Tom Massie of Kentucky had already declared his opposition to Speaker Johnson, so any other Republican could send the House into multiple ballots once again.
As the Reading Clerk called out the name of each Representative, several Republicans – all members of the House Freedom Caucus – did not vote during the initial roll call. More important, three voted for someone other than Speaker Johnson. It looked like we were headed towards a repeat of 2023. But after several discussions on and off the House Floor, and a call from President-elect Trump, two of the three “no” votes switched their votes and the Freedom Caucus holdouts also fell in line. Speaker Johnson is again Speaker and the 119th Congress was duly sworn in.
Even though Democrats are in the minority this Congress, I was proud to cast my Speaker vote for Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. And while Republicans continue to hold the majority in Congress, I am hopeful that with such a narrow majority, they will look for opportunities to work with Democrats on the issues we know all our constituents care about – like bringing down prices, expanding economic opportunity, and keeping communities safe.
Certification of the 2024 Presidential Election
January 6, 2024
On Monday, as it has done 58 times before (with the singular exception of four years ago), Congress efficiently and peacefully certified the election of Donald J. Trump as the 47 President of the United States of America.
As I made my way to the Capitol on Monday, I couldn’t help but think about the last time Congress certified the election. I recalled sitting in the House chamber on January 6, 2021 when a violent mob seeking to overturn the election overwhelmed the Capitol Police protecting the building and stormed inside. I remembered how the officers inside the House Chamber told us to take cover in the gallery as they valiantly fought to secure us from the insurrectionists pounding on the doors. And remember the pride I felt when I returned to the chamber later that night to join my fellow Representatives in completing our Constitution duties.
I will never forget the events of that horrific day. I am forever grateful for the heroism and sacrifice of all the brave officers who put their lives on the line—not just to protect the safety of all of us in the Capitol, but to protect our American democracy. Many officers were severely injured that day, and some later died. Countless carry the scars of their struggle--visible and invisible--to this day. We must always remember their valor and honor their sacrifice that day.
You can read my full statement on my reflections on January 6th here. I also shared some thoughts on the day with ABC 7 News.
Social Security Fairness Act Signed Into Law
As President Biden finishes the final weeks of his presidency, he signed into law one of the most important policies for Social Security beneficiaries that has been enacted in decades – the Social Security Fairness Act.
The Social Security Fairness Act repeals two provisions – the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) – which have previously reduced the Social Security benefits received by workers, including teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other state and local public servants, who receive a pension. Now, with this bill signed into law, millions of people impacted by the WEP and GPO will finally receive their full earned benefits.
I was proud to sponsor and to vote for this legislation and am pleased that those who have worked hard and paid into Social Security throughout their lifetimes will at last see the full benefits that they are owed.
The Social Security Administration is now working on how to implement this legislation and when beneficiaries can expect to see an increase reflected in their benefits. If you have any questions about how this may affect you, please don’t hesitate to call my district office at 847-383-4870.
Committee Update
Ways and Means Committee Room
I am excited to share that I will again serve on the powerful and important House Ways and Means Committee – the oldest committee in the House. I will continue my service on both the Tax and Trade subcommittees where I expect to be very busy based on what President-elect Trump says are his priorities. The President-elect has indicated that he wants to extend the tax policies passed in 2017, as well as pursue aggressive, across the board tariffs. Both issues are in the purview of Ways and Means and the subcommittees I sit on. You will hear more from me over the course of the year on how these policies are being debated here on Capitol Hill and in my committee.
Greeting New Members of Congress
I was excited to welcome the new Democratic members to Capitol Hill as they got settled into their offices. As Chair of the New Democrat Coalition, a group of 110 moderate Democrats that I was elected to lead in November, I will have the opportunity to work directly with all of these first-term members of Congress. They all have incredible stories to tell about their districts and I know they will work to be excellent Representatives to their communities.
Honoring the Life of President Carter
Jimmy Carter lies in state in the Capitol Rotunda
President Jimmy Carter died on December 29, 2024 at the age of 100. He was a true American patriot. He served our nation as a Naval officer and President and then, with his beloved wife Rosalynn, went on to serve the nation and the world in deed and by example for 44 more years.
President Carter laid in state in the Capitol Rotunda this past week and was remembered at a beautiful ceremony that I was honored to attend at the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday. President Carter’s grandsons spoke at the funeral, and President Biden presented a fitting eulogy that recalled the benevolent, selfless, graceful spirit that characterized Jimmy Carter throughout his life.
We can all learn from Jimmy Carter’s devoted, unselfish, and compassionate leadership. May his memory forever be a blessing.
COMING UP IN IL-10
2025 Tax Filing Season Townhall
Tax season is upon us and it’s time to get prepared to file your taxes. Join my team and staff from the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS), for an informational session on the 2025 Tax Filing Season and important IRS updates. TAS staff will provide updates and answer questions you may have. This event is available virtually.
Click here to register for the event.
IN CLOSING
Follow me on Bluesky!
As we start a new year, I also am starting a new social channel. Social media is where most Americans say they get their news and so I know it’s crucial that I speak to where constituents where they are – often on their phones! You can now follow me on Bluesky at https://bsky.app/profile/repschneider.bsky.social. I will still be posting updates on Facebook, X, and Instagram – and of course in this newsletter!
Happy New Year!
Stay strong, stay safe, stay healthy.