Newsletter: Fighting to End Family Separation
First, I hope all the Dads in the community had a wonderful Father's Day. Thank you for all you do to love, support, and encourage our daughters and sons of every generation.
It was not lost on me that on the same weekend we celebrate parents, the Trump Administration continued its cruel, immoral and abhorrent border policy separating children from their parents after unauthorized entry into the country. Separating families is a betrayal of American values and this shameful practice needs to end immediately. That's why today I'm co-sponsoring the Keep Families Together Act to prevent family separation at the border. To be absolutely clear, the Trump Administration alone made the choice to implement this policy and create this crisis. And the President has the power to end it today. In the meantime, I'm working with colleagues to force a stop to these separations via legislation.
Do you have thoughts on this policy you'd like to share? Send me a message via our website.
In other news, last week the House made progress on a number of bills targeted to ending the opioid epidemic, and we held our second "Bike the Tenth."
ADDRESSING THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC
Each day, 115 Americans lose their lives to opioid overdose, a devastating national crisis that does not discriminate by geography, age, education, income, or race. This week, Congress took action to address the epidemic of opioid abuse that has claimed too many lives in our communities. Among the bills passed out of the House are three that I've supported to help create more opioid recovery centers, increase the care options available from the emergency room to overdose survivors, and update our laws to confront the growing problem of synthetic opioids. This is just a first step, and in the days ahead I hope we can build on this week's bipartisan progress to provide the resources we need to turn the tide.
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Watch my speech on the House floor about this legislation by clicking the above image.
BIKE THE TENTH
This weekend we held our second "Bike the Tenth" ride. I enjoyed the opportunity to hear from constituents while exploring the bike paths in our community. The group rode from "Base to Fort" starting at Naval Station Great Lakes in North Chicago and riding through Lake Bluff, Lake Forest and Fort Sheridan before turning around in Highwood. Fitting this weekend's heat, we stopped for ice cream at Sweet Pea's, one of my favorite cycling destination in the district. Thanks to all who rode with us and shared their thoughts on the environment, tariffs, immigration, and more.
Read coverage of our event in Roll Call
UPCOMING CONGRESS ON YOUR CORNER IN FOX LAKE
Please join me this Saturday, June 23 for our next Congress on Your Corner in Fox Lake. I'm looking forward to hearing from you and answering your questions! No RSVP is necessary.
Saturday, June 23 | 10:00am – 11:00am
Lakefront Park Building
71 Nippersink Blvd., Fox Lake, IL 60020
CONSTITUENT CASEWORK SUCCESS – HELP WITH DISABILITY BENEFITS
Diane's husband suffered a massive stroke in 2015, losing the ability to work, walk, and even talk. Despite this hardship, their application for Social Security Disability Insurance was initially denied. They were forced to put bills on credit cards and were facing eviction from their landlord. I'm so glad that Diane reached out to my office so we could work to resolve her husband's case and get their family the back benefits they were owed. If you have an issue with the Social Security Administration – big or small – our team of constituent service representatives can help. Get in touch at (847) 383-4870. #IL10ConstituentCasework
NEIGHBORHOOD OFFICE HOURS
Our office also hosts frequent Neighborhood Office Hours for constituents to more easily meet with caseworkers and staff to discuss any federal issues that they may have and learn more about services our office can provide. This week, our team will be in Mundelein, Mt. Prospect, Highwood, and Glenview.
Check out the full schedule on our website and come meet with us when we're in your community!
WEEKLY WRAP-UP
Last week, I joined C-SPAN to discuss President Trump's summit with North Korea's Kim Jong-Un in Singapore. Watch here.
I met with the Academy of Doctors of Audiology last Wednesday during our weekly "Bagels with Brad" constituent open house. You can join us this Wednesday, June 20 at 9:00am in our DC office. Call (202) 225-4835 to RSVP.
I was glad to help spread awareness that June is Men's Health Month. Learn more about health issues and how to prevent disease at http://www.menshealthmonth.org
It was great talking with everyone on our telephone town hall last Tuesday. We had 4,200 constituents on the line.
Please continue to stay in touch and share your thoughts, either by calling our DC office at (202) 225-4835 or emailing via our website.
Thanks for reading!