10th News: There is no Place Like Home

March 17, 2023

Greetings on what is a beautiful day in Chicago. I am actually home this week, the first full week I will be in the district without traveling at least one day since October. I am so excited to be home for a bit and looking forward to traveling across our district, meeting with neighbors, and hearing your stories.

In what has been a busy week for news, I want to take a moment to highlight President Biden’s announcement yesterday of an Executive Order moving the nation closer to universal background checks, helping improve the effectiveness of “red flag” laws and supporting law enforcement efforts keeping our communities safe from potential shooters. As you know, working to reduce gun violence in our nation has been a priority since I first came to Congress. I was proud to help introduce the Bipartisan Universal Background Checks Act of 2019 and help pass the House bill in the 116th and 117th Congresses. Last year I also helped lead the effort to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and the Assault Weapons Ban in the House. While only the Safer Communities Act has been fully enacted, I will continue to do all I can to bring common sense gun safety legislation forward. We can preserve the 2nd Amendment and better protect our children and neighbors, whether at school, work, worshiping together, or simply gathering in their homes.

In other important news, last week, I was appointed to again serve on the House Foreign Affairs Committee for the 118th Congress. This will be my fourth term on the committee, and I look forward to playing a key role in advancing U.S. interests around the world, and building our partnerships across the globe to enhance our national security and prosperity. The work of the House Foreign Affairs Committee will be central to our nation’s efforts, and the stakes could not be higher.

Keep reading for more information about happenings here at home and in Washington.

AROUND THE DISTRICT

Keshet Shares Their Strategy for The Future

Last Monday, before heading to Washington, I met with Keshet CEO Jen Phillips in our Lincolnshire office. Keshet works to promote community, inclusion, and access for children, teens, and adults with special needs and disabilities in the Chicago area. Jen is leading the way to guarantee that our communities are for everyone.

Reducing Gun Violence in Illinois

I had a great conversation with Lauren Harper and Sara Kniznik on how the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is protecting Illinois from gun violence.

Congressional Art Competition

Applications for this year's Congressional Art Competition are now open! High school students can submit any form of artwork that adheres to this year's theme, "America the Beautiful." Winners will have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

To learn more click here.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON

Addressing the Debt Ceiling

On Friday, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen testified before the Ways and Means Committee. I asked Secretary Yellen for her message to Illinois taxpayers about the consequences of failing to address the debt ceiling. Her answer was "economic and financial catastrophe." We must meet our obligations to uphold our nation’s credibility and financial stability. You can watch the full committee hearing by clicking here.

US Leadership in the Middle East

After rejoining the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday, I had a hearing Thursday with Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. The focus was the success and opportunities for expansion of the Abraham Accords. Ambassador Daniel Shapiro, Robert Greenway, and General Joseph Votel (retired) spoke about the important impacts the Accords have already had in the region and some of the challenges we face near term. I stressed the necessity for coordinated defense and security across the region. You can watch the hearing here.

Celebrating Great Lakes Day

The Great Lakes are one of our nation’s greatest national treasures, an essential source of clean drinking water for our families, and an important part of our local economy. So, on Great Lakes Day, I met with the mayors of communities on the Great Lakes to discuss their priorities and how we can act in Congress to preserve this precious resource.

Jewish on Campus

Grateful to have met with Julia Jassey, CEO of Jewish on Campus, an organization fighting antisemitism and advocating for Jewish students on campus. I'm proud to stand against hatred and discrimination. Thank you for the work you do.

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, various help lines, and even help Ukrainians refugees fleeing the war.

CONSTITUENT SUCCESS STORIES

I want to share with you another constituent casework success story. Navigating the federal agency bureaucracy can be challenging, but my excellent casework team in Lincolnshire is ready to help you. 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.

CONSTITUENT SUCCESS STORIES

In Closing—

I am excited to welcome to our team Quinn Fisher, who is taking over responsibilities for managing my schedule when I am in the district. Quinn is originally from Lincoln Park and is a graduate of Lawrence University, where he was captain of the basketball team. Not surprising, he is a big NBA fan and enjoys and HBO’s Succession. I hope you have the chance to say hello to Quinn soon, whether when connecting with our office or at one of our events around town.

Wishing you and yours a good week.
Sincerely,

Bradley S. Schneider
Member of Congress