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Newsletter: Help for Communities with Stranded Nuclear Waste

September 17, 2018
Brad's Newsletter

Last week was a productive one legislatively in Washington. A provision I first introduced to help communities dealing with stranded nuclear waste passed both chambers of Congress, and is now awaiting the President's signature. Additionally, the House passed a bipartisan bill I helped introduce to elevate the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, and the Judiciary Committee accepted an amendment I introduced to help veterans access patent protections for their intellectual property.

This evening, I am excited to be hosting our fourth ceremony (this time in Highland Park) to honor our local Vietnam-Era veterans and as part of the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the conflict. I look forward to sharing pictures from the event in next week's update.

Finally, Jews in the Tenth District and around the world observe Yom Kippur at sundown tomorrow. This annual day of atonement is the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, and I wish everyone observing the holiday a meaningful fast.

PROVISION TO HELP COMMUNITIES WITH STRANDED NUCLEAR WASTE PASSES HOUSE AND SENATE

Last week, legislative language I first introduced to help communities with stranded nuclear waste passed both the House and Senate, and now awaits President Trump's signature to become law.

The legislation requires a report by the Department of Energy on existing public and private resources and funding available for municipalities where a nuclear power plant is decommissioned, in the process of decommissioning, or plans to shut down within 3 years.

Communities like Zion have been saddled with storing our nation's stranded nuclear waste while the federal government has failed to meet its legal obligation to find a permanent repository. They deserve compensation, and this new report is a step toward connecting these communities with critically needed federal assistance. I urge President Trump to sign this legislation into law, and I will continue to work to build on this progress by advancing the STRANDED Act to finally compensate communities like Zion what they deserve.

Read coverage in the Lake County News-Sun.

HOUSE PASSES SCHNEIDER, SMITH LED BILL TO ELEVATE SPECIAL ENVOY TO MONITOR AND COMBAT ANTI-SEMITISM

Last week, the House of Representatives voted 393-2 to advance bipartisan legislation to elevate the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism at the U.S. State Department to the rank of Ambassador, and require the President to nominate a Special Envoy within 90 days of enactment. The Special Envoy position is currently vacant and has been so since the start of the Trump Administration.

It is unacceptable and irresponsible that the State Department office tasked with countering anti-Semitism remains unfilled, especially at a time of rising anti-Semitism worldwide. The overwhelming support for this bill in the House vote demonstrates Congress's bipartisan commitment to fighting the scourge of anti-Semitism globally.

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and I introduced H.R. 1911, the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Act in April 2017 with seven bipartisan colleagues.

Learn more about the bill on our website.

JUDICIARY COMMITTEE ADOPTS SCHNEIDER AMENDMENT ON VETERAN PATENTS

Last week, the House Judiciary Committee unanimously adopted an amendment I offered to help ensure veteran entrepreneurs' access to patent protections.

From the start of their military service, the men and women defending our nation continually develop a broad array of skills and leadership experience that readily translate to make them excellent entrepreneurs. When they return to civilian life, veterans deserve the opportunity to take full advantage of patents to protect their intellectual property. My amendment would help ensure veterans are not being left behind on these important protections by adding veterans to a study by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to examine the participation of women and minorities in patent protections, and to provide recommendations on how to promote their entrepreneurship and participation in the patent system.

Learn more about the America Invents Act on our website.

NEIGHBORHOOD OFFICE HOURS

This week, our constituent service representatives will be at the Cook Memorial Library in Mt. Prospect, Deerfield, and Glenview. If you need assistance with a federal issue, please come see us!

View the full schedule on our website.

WEEKLY WRAP-UP

This morning we hosted another "Bagels with Brad" breakfast open house at our District Office. Pictured above are just some of the constituents and local groups who came by to meet.

I was glad to join the Zion-Benton Times Legislative Breakfast on Saturday to update the community on new legislation that has passed both chambers of Congress and is awaiting President Trump's signature that will help identify available resources for communities storing stranded nuclear waste.

I was happy to join the start of the Santa Maria 5k Run and Walk in Mundelein last weekend.

Thanks for reading!