10th News: Trying to Avoid a Shutdown
I returned to Washington yesterday after observing the Yom Kippur holiday at home on Monday. Being home for the weekend, I was also able to visit the district with stops in North Chicago, Wheeling, Grayslake, and Antioch. My conversations this weekend, and throughout the month, have mostly centered on my efforts to prevent a reckless, unnecessary government shutdown at midnight, September 30.
What’s Behind the Shutdown Threat
The bottom line is that Speaker Kevin McCarthy continues to refuse to work with the majority of Republicans in the House, as well as most Democrats, to honor the deal he made with President Biden in May. That agreement, codified in the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (FRA), laid out the budget totals for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 and required the House and the Senate to proceed with funding the government in a methodical, efficient process, in theory, the FRA was designed to ensure the threat of a government shutdown would not be on the table. The bill passed the House with 149 Republicans and 165 Democrats voting for it.
In other words, we would not be in this situation if not for Speaker McCarthy, who immediately caved to the most extreme members of his Conference and by walking away from the deal he made. Compounding the troubles and having broken his earlier promises, he cannot even garner enough support among the 221 Republican Members to pass the partisan funding bills.
If the government shuts down, per Axios: “key programs will grind to a halt, and the federal workforce won’t get paid on time.” Federal employees will all go unpaid until the government reopens, and that includes healthcare workers at the VA at Lovell, air traffic controllers at O’Hare, and instructors at Naval Station Great Lakes. We can’t let that happen.
Is There a Path Forward?
While there is not enough time before Saturday's midnight deadline to develop and pass the 12 appropriations bills necessary to fund the government for the next twelve months, the Speaker could easily bring forward a temporary funding bill to keep the government operating without interruption and buy time to work with the Senate on full-year funding legislation. That approach would have immediate bipartisan support.
But therein lies the problem for the Speaker. If Mr. McCarthy works with Democrats on a responsible solution to this manufactured crisis, the extremists in his party will seek to remove him as Speaker. Yet, with a Democratic majority in the Senate and a Democratic President in the White House, there is no solution that isn't bipartisan, requiring give and take on both sides. Kevin McCarthy effectively has to decide between serving the country and doing the job he was elected to do or siding with the people who refuse to compromise on anything—and who he said want to 'Burn the Whole Place Down.'
Breaking the Log Jam
Last week, I led a letter to the Speaker, joined by all 97 of my colleagues in the New Democrat Coalition (New Dems), urging him to pass legislation similar to the current bipartisan Senate Appropriations bills. These bills protect our nation's priorities and align with the agreement made during the debt limit crisis. Most importantly, these bills stand in stark contrast to the hyper-partisan House bills McCarthy has yet to pass, which include unnecessary "culture war" poison pills that mean they have no chance of becoming law in a divided Congress.
In addition to my work with the New Dems, I have worked closely with my colleagues in the Problem Solvers Caucus' Appropriations and Debt and Deficit Working Group to draft a bipartisan framework to prevent a shutdown. Our proposal is to pass a temporary funding bill through January 11 of next year to give time for all sides to work together for a comprehensive funding solution in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act. It would also include funding for additional disaster relief, border security, and Ukraine.
Importantly, the Problem Solvers proposal also includes recommendations for changes to the budgeting and appropriations process and the creation of a fiscal commission to help Congress address the nation's growing deficits and debt.
I don't know if either the New Dems or the Problem Solvers will succeed this week, but I do know we need to do everything we can to make sure the People's House works for the people and that the federal government continues to operate without disruption.
Please keep reading to learn more about happenings in Washington and here at home.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON
House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee Hearing on Iran’s Nuclear Program
The Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia held a hearing on “Iran’s Escalating Threats and U.S. Policy Towards Iran’s Malign Activities.” The U.S. and our allies must make sure Iran never has a nuclear weapon, utilizing all means and methods available. You can watch my full remarks here.
Ways and Means Hearing on Trade
The Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade hosted a hearing on the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program, a program that helps developing countries through targeted trade policies. The GSP program is our country’s oldest trade program, originally established in 1974. It not only supports American interests around the world, it is a program that has key benefits for many American small businesses.
The GSP program authorization expired at the end of 2020 and needs new Congressional action. At the hearing, it was clear the program has broad bipartisan support, with many good ideas shared for making GSP even stronger in the future. I look forward to working with your colleagues on both sides of the aisle to move legislation forward.
And you can watch my remarks at the hearing here.
Marking the Third Anniversary of the Abraham Accords
In Congress, I collaborated with the Atlantic Council, the Jeffrey M. Talpins Foundation, and the Wilson Center to host a program in the Capitol as part of the N7 Initiative. The event, titled Three Years On The Regional Impact and Future of the Abraham Accords, included experts with a focus on security, trade, and people-to-people engagement. Fellow House members, Administration officials, thought leaders, and the Ambassadors to the U.S. from Bahrain, U.A.E, and Israel joined us.
You can watch my opening remarks and my panel conversation with Ambassador Michael Herzog and former Ambassador Daniel Shapiro here.
Earlier the same day, I was honored to welcome a delegation of young people from the Abraham Accords nations as part of an Israel-Is Delegation. We were joined by a bipartisan group of Representatives who, despite incredibly busy schedules, all stayed for the full hour to hear and better understand the perspectives of these future leaders.
Family Business Caucus
I was proud to welcome family businesses from across the country who gathered in the Capitol to discuss the importance of family-owned enterprises to our communities and nation. The event included a moderated round table discussion involving business owners and other experts.
A special thanks is due to my fellow bipartisan Family Business Caucus co-chairs, Jodey Arrington and Henry Cuellar of Texas and Claudia Tenney of New York.
Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Roundtable
I also shared opening remarks with Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware and Rep. Michelle Steel of California at a roundtable event celebrating the Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act. Rep. Steel and I introduced the legislation in the House, while Sen. Carper and Sen. Tom Tillis of North Carolina did the same in the Senate. The legislation authorizes the President to negotiate with trading partners to ensure critical medical supplies get to patients in the U.S. and around the world in time.
Information Technology Industry Council Roundtable
I was invited to be the guest speaker for the Information Technology Industry Council. The main discussion topics were tax and trade (key jurisdictions of the Ways and Means Committee). We spent quite a bit of time talking about the importance of innovation for keeping the U.S. economy strong well into the future and the need to update the Research and Development Tax Credit to better support American innovators.
Illinois Manufacturers Association
Last Congress, we passed major legislation that supports manufacturing including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS Act. The Illinois Manufacturers Association held a meeting last week where we discussed, with Illinois manufacturing leaders, how the federal government can continue supporting their businesses and employees.
Kraft Heinz
It was wonderful to meet with officials from Kraft Heinz, including Robert Scott, the new head of research and development. We, of course, talked about Mac & Cheese, but more importantly, we talked about the vital importance of innovation to the future of Kraft Heinz and the need for more people with the interests and training to lead the company into the future. I mentioned our STEAM Scholars program and other work we are doing in Congress and at home to increase interest in science and tech careers.
Employee-Owned S Corporations of America (ESCA)
The Employee Owners of National Van Lines and Amsted Industries met with me to discuss legislation aimed at promoting and expanding employee ownership. I appreciate them sharing their thoughts with me.
Tameka Wilson of Youth Build
My dear friend Tameka Wilson, executive director of Youth Build Lake County, dropped by the office to say hello. Youth Build Lake County is an incredible organization helping local young people gain the skills and confidence to build a better future for themselves and their community.
Israel Pro-Democracy Movement Leaders
I was fortunate to make time to hear from some Israeli leaders active in the protests against the proposed judicial reforms being advance in the Knesset. I appreciated their willingness to share their perspectives on issues that are of paramount importance to the future of the Jewish state and the U.S. / Israel relationship.
Fresh Produce Association
I met with members of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) to discuss the Farm Bill, labor, nutrition, and food safety. Legislation such as the Farm Bill is crucial to helping American farmers succeed in their work, and I appreciate the IFPA for bringing their concerns to me.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
Coalicion Latinos Unidos de Lake County (CLULC)
Last week I was honored to join the Coalicion Latinos Unidos de Lake County (CLULC) for their annual Scholarship Breakfast celebrating the students receiving the 2023 CLULC Scholarship. These remarkable students have made their families and community incredibly proud. I’m eager to see them attain incredible new heights.
Faith on the Fairway — Golf Outing Supporting North Chicago Students
This past weekend, I helped kick off the 3rd Annual Faith on the Fairway Golf outing. Hosted by Faith Lutheran Church in Lake Forest, in conjunction with the North Chicago Public Education Foundation, the event supports the Warhawk Lancers Futures Scholarship Fund for North Chicago graduates attending College of Lake County.
Wheeling All You Can Eat Community Pancake Breakfast
It was fun to visit with neighbors of all ages at the Wheeling Fire Station for their annual pancake breakfast. The pancakes were top-notch, but though it was advertised as “all you can eat,” I decided to stop at a hearty three-stack!
Brew Across America
I really enjoyed my visit to the Goose Island Tap Room, where, as part of the Brew Across America Congressional Brewing Competition, I worked with their team to craft my own special brew. I asked my friend, Rep. Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, to be my brew partner in competition with other bipartisan pairs. The official “taste test” is October 25th, and I hope to be able to report that ours was the winning recipe.
CBS Chicago
Before stopping by Goose Island, I met with CBS Chicago Station President and Manager Jennifer Lyons and her team to talk about issues important to delivering the news. More than most of us realize we depend on local news, especially local TV news, to know what important things are happening in our backyard. I was also fortunate to be joined by Julie, whose childhood dream was to be a news anchor. (It’s never too late to pursue your dreams.)
11th Annual Suicide Awareness Walk
Suicide has touched almost everyone in one way or another. The Lake County Suicide Prevention Task Force has been long working to reduce the incidence of suicide in Lake County by making more people aware of resources and seeking to reduce the stigma of seeking help. This year’s walk featured Alice Fritch, who bravely shared the story of her grandson Jackson, who died earlier this year. I hope you will take a few minutes to hear her powerful words here.
Antioch Wine Walk
At Antioch Wine Walk with Mayor Scott Gartner
Lastly, this weekend I was in Antioch for their 2023 Fall Wine Walk. The weather was absolutely beautiful for hundreds of people to stroll down Main Street and other blocks visiting local restaurants and stores while tasting a wide variety of wines.
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.
Look Before You Book
If you plan to travel internationally, remember to check the expiration date on your passport before you book your trip. It is taking much longer than normal to renew a passport, so make sure to plan ahead.
If you need help expediting a passport, please call my district office at 847-383-4870.
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.
In Closing—
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I want to share this graphic from the Alliance for Entrepreneurial Equity. In the graphic, you’ll find some impressive facts; for example, did you know that 1-in-4 new businesses are Hispanic-owned, and Hispanic-owned companies employ 2.9 million people? That’s impressive, and I believe it speaks to the incredible opportunities this country of ours offers to those who want to succeed.
This Hispanic Heritage Month, let us renew our commitment to honoring the invaluable ways Latinos have contributed to America. We must work towards a strong, more inclusive, and prosperous society for all.
Stay strong, stay safe, stay healthy.
Sincerely,
Bradley S. Schneider
Member of Congress