Newsletter: Putting Military Preparedness First

February 13, 2018

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Dear Friend,

Last week, Congress finally moved beyond the damaging reliance on short-term, stopgap spending measures that unnecessarily burden our military and federal agencies. I voted for the bipartisan budget deal because it would avert another government shutdown and, at least for now, end the self-defeating cycle of repeated temporary spending bills.

The Senate compromise was far from a perfect bill. While I am pleased the agreement addresses critical priorities including funding community health centers, efforts to counter the opioid epidemic, children's health insurance, and our military, it also continues to significantly add to our deficits and pass the burden on to future generations. We have to come together – House and Senate, Democrats and Republicans - to fund our government in a more fiscally responsible way.

With this funding battle behind us, it is now essential we build on these first steps of bipartisanship to address another critical issue on which there is broad consensus across party lines – urgently protecting the DREAMers in our communities. I was part of a bipartisan group last week to urge Speaker Ryan to follow the lead of the Senate and allow an open process and vote on this legislation as soon as possible.

Please read on for more updates from a busy week both in Washington and at home, as well as an invitation to this Saturday's Congress on Your Corner event in Mt. Prospect!

PUTTING MILITARY PREPAREDNESS FIRST

Last week news outlets reported President Trump has ordered the Defense Department to look into planning a large-scale military parade. I have serious concerns about the cost, diversion of resources, and effect on readiness of a large-scale parade seemingly conceived only to please the whims of the President.

In my view, the best way to honor our men and women in uniform is by supplying the training, equipment, and support they need to succeed on the battlefield and get them back home safely. Last week, I introduced the Preparedness Before Parades Act which would require the Secretary of Defense to certify to Congress that any parade for the President, including the diversion of personnel/equipment and the financial cost, will not negatively affect the military readiness or budgetary needs of the Armed Forces.

CONGRESS ON YOUR CORNER IN MT. PROSPECT

I'm looking forward to our next Congress on Your Corner this Saturday in Mt. Prospect. I hope to see you there!

Saturday, February 17, 2018
12:00 – 1:00pm
River Trails Middle School
1000 N. Wolf Rd., Mt. Prospect, IL 60056

BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO STOP ASIAN CARP

The Tenth District is home to the largest stretch of Lake Michigan in Illinois, and preserving the Great Lakes is integral to our local economy, environment, and quality of life. As a very aggressive invasive species, Asian carp have the potential to devastate our Lakes.

Last week, I led a bipartisan group calling on the Appropriations Committee to include language in any FY18 funding agreement to keep the project upgrading the dam and lock system at Brandon Road on track. This site represents our best opportunity to stop the destructive spread of Asian carp.

Read the letter online.

PREVENTING DOMESTIC TERRORISM

A recent FBI-DHS joint intelligence bulletin found white supremacist organizations were responsible for "49 homicides in 26 attacks from 2000 to 2016 … more than any other domestic extremist movement."

As this vile and dangerous extremist ideology grows in strength, we need to take steps to protect Americans from the threat. Last week I introduced the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act to help the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) coordinate on monitoring these terrorist organizations and better equip them to prevent acts of violence. This is companion legislation to a bill first introduced in the Senate by Sen. Dick Durbin.