10th News: Sustainable Air Travel
Did you know air travel accounts for almost 2.5% of global greenhouse gas (ghg) emissions? Developing and deploying “sustainable aviation fuel” (SAF) could reduce ghg emissions by more than 50%. To help promote development of SAF, I and my team have been working on legislation for almost three years to create tax incentives to promote production of SAF. We achieved a major step forward when a version of our Sustainable Skies Act was included in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and signed into law by President Biden on August 16. In total, the IRA represents the largest investment to date in tackling climate change, and inclusion of the Sustainable Skies Act will help reach the IRA’s goal to cut carbon emissions by 40% by 2030. I am proud that our bill is a significant part of this initiative.
Our success developing and passing this legislation was only possible because we spent time and energy building a broad-based coalition that included airlines such as United, aircraft manufacturers like Boeing, and fuel blenders like LanzaJet here in the 10th District, as well as labor and environmental groups. We collaborated with colleagues in the House, especially Dan Kildee of Michigan and Julia Brownley of California, and Senators like Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Ron Wyden of Oregon. And we worked closely with the Administration throughout the process. This work not only helped pass the current bill but laid a solid foundation for future work.
This past Tuesday I had the great honor of speaking at the Eco-Skies Alliance Summit hosted by United Airlines and attended by leading companies working to reduce emissions from air travel. I shared the stage with United Airlines President Brett Hart and talked about our work to pass the Sustainable Skies Act and where we hope to go in the future.
My team and I could not have crafted this legislation without the contributions of Illinois-based companies, such as United and Lanza Jet, and climate change champions, who came together to support the Sustainable Skies Act. This legislation is a testament to the great work we can get done when government, industry, and environmental advocates work together to shape a cleaner future. I hope that the passage of this legislation will serve as a model for public and private collaboration to find real solutions.
It was also a treat to see Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo who also spoke at the Summit. We had the chance to talk about the importance of promoting SAF and working with government agencies and industry to promote sustainable air travel.
Please keep reading for more information about what is happening in Washington and at home.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
Waukegan History Museum Groundbreaking Ceremony
Despite the chilly weather, an enthusiastic crowd gathered outside of the Carnegie Library building in Waukegan on Tuesday to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Waukegan History Museum. Restoring the Carnegie Library and creating a museum dedicated to Waukegan’s rich heritage has been a goal of the Park District and Waukegan Historical Society since 2007. I’m proud that my office was able to help secure $3,000,000 in federal funding to support this community project to help expand and rehabilitate the building.
I hope this museum will help the residents of Waukegan build a deeper connection to their city’s history and revitalize the local economy.
Night Of 1,000 Jack-O’-Lanterns
You can’t have fall without jack-o’-lanterns. I spent a wonderful Sunday evening celebrating my son Daniel’s birthday at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s night of 1,000 Jack-O’-Lanterns. The Chicago Botanic Garden never fails to impress with its variety of family events throughout the year. I hope you and your loved ones can enjoy one of the many fall events in the district this year.
Congress on Your Corner: Buffalo Grove
On Saturday, I hosted our 11th Congress on Your Corner Town Hall of 2022 in Buffalo Grove. Thanks to all who came out, asked questions, and contributed to a wonderful conversation. I’m proud to represent a district where we respect and help foster dialogue among all of us, honoring the different viewpoints we may hold.
Congregation Beth Judea Holocaust Remembrance Garden Dedication
I was honored to join Congregation Beth Judea's Holocaust Remembrance Garden Dedication ceremony last Sunday. Thanks to the generosity of Ira and Bonnie Sender and the congregation's men's club, the garden has become a beautiful, quiet, contemplative area featuring an eternal flame.
North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic
I held a productive meeting with the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic on Monday this week. We discussed the many challenges immigrants and refugees are confronting and how Congress could support the legal rights of immigrants and asylum seekers.
Veterans Day Breakfast 2022 on November 10th
Our appreciation for those who served is more than they could ever know. I’m excited that my office is hosting a breakfast to honor all the veterans in the 10th district on Veterans Day. The breakfast is free and open to all veterans throughout our community. My staff will be on hand to assist veterans with any issues they may be experiencing with federal agencies, including the VA. Veterans can also expect to be connected to additional community resources. To register for the event, please click here.
Additional information:
Location: College of Lake County (RSVP for exact room location).
Time: 9:00 am – 10:30 am
Questions? Contact Congressman Schneider's office at Laura.hoyne@mail.house.gov or (847)-383-4870.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON
Urging Social Media Companies to Respond to Violent Threats on Their Platforms
Last week, I, along with Representatives Tony Gonzales (R-TX-23) who represents Uvalde and Brian Higgins (D-NY-26) who represents Buffalo, led a bipartisan group of 13 Members of Congress on a letter to social media companies asking them to explain how they moderate and flag harmful content on their platforms that could indicate intentions to commit acts of violence.
As of October 15th, 2022, there have been more than 540 mass shootings in the United States, including the shootings in our three districts.
As a society, we must do everything we can to keep our communities safe. After every tragedy, we learn about the shooters and often find warning signs that, if acted upon sooner, could have saved innocent lives. That’s why this bipartisan group of representatives is imploring social media companies to be transparent about the steps they take to moderate and flag violent threats on their platforms.
Our letter requests answers to specific questions regarding content moderation practices and procedures for handling troubling content flagged by users from representatives at YouTube, Twitter, Meta, Discord, Tik Tok, Yubo App, Snap, and Twitch.
You can read the full text of the letter here.
Human Rights Campaign's Congressional Scorecard
I was honored to again earn a 100% on Human Rights Campaign's Congressional Scorecard. No one should face discrimination for who they are or who they love, and we must never stop working toward that goal. You can check out the complete scorecard here.
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY
Please visit my website at schneider.house.gov/local-resources 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 –
Last week, I introduced you to my Chief of Staff, Casey O’Shea. This week, I would like to introduce you to my Staff Assistant, Avinash “Avi” Maniam, and my Director of Operations and Legislative Aide, Daniela “Dany” Altamirano-Crosby. Avi and Dany play essential roles in helping my DC office run smoothly. Avi is responsible for booking Capitol tours for constituents, answering phone calls, overseeing the intern program, and assisting other staff members and me with various administrative duties.
Dany is responsible for coordinating my schedule and liaising with other Members of Congress, the White House, and other government offices to make sure I can make the most of my time every day and best serve my constituents. Additionally, she is also a Legislative Aide who supports my work on immigration and environmental justice issues.
I’m incredibly grateful for all the important work Dany and Avi do to help me serve you. If you ever stop by my office in DC, they’ll be the first two smiling faces to greet you.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay healthy.
Sincerely,
Bradley S. Schneider
Member of Congress