Newsletter: Remembering 9/11, Tariff Tour, Election Security
Seventeen years ago today, 19 attackers struck the heart of our nation, killing nearly 3,000 Americans. Every year, we pause to remember those who died in New York, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon, and to honor the brave first responders who selflessly rushed into danger to save others. And we reflect on the countless people who have served in the years since, in ways known and unknown, to protect our nation. We will never forget their sacrifice and will forever honor their memory.
I would also like to wish everyone in the Tenth District celebrating Rosh Hashanah a very sweet and healthy New Year.
A lot has happened since my last update. Just before Labor Day, I visited several Tenth District businesses affected by tariffs to better understand the impact of President Trump's trade policies. We also held our 27th Congress on Your Corner in North Chicago. Back in Washington, DC last week, the Illinois delegation was briefed on our state's election security efforts by the Department of Homeland Security, following a bipartisan request that I led. I also introduced new legislation to help close the revolving door between Administration officials and corporate lobbying.
Please also read on for information about our upcoming commemoration ceremony for Vietnam-era Veterans on September 17th in Highland Park. If you are a veteran, there's still time to register!
UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF TARIFFS
President Trump's erratic trade policies, including abrupt tweets of new tariffs or exemptions, are hurting American workers and making it harder for American businesses to compete. In August, I had the opportunity to visit eight businesses in our district to better understand the impact of tariffs.
While each business was distinct, they all shared a common message: tariffs are creating uncertainty, raising the cost of doing business, and making it harder to hire and expand. These concerns were true across the businesses I visited – from a large manufacturer in Wheeling that saw a 30-40% increase in the price of domestic steel to an educational toy and game company in Vernon Hills that had to redesign upcoming products to eliminate inputs under tariffs.
We certainly must hold bad actors who take advantage of trade rules accountable, but President Trump's tariffs on our allies are not working for the American people.
It's time to instead strategically engage with our trade partners, end the misguided trade war, and instead enact sensible, enforceable trade agreements that support American workers, American businesses, American intellectual property, and our environment.
Watch me speak on the House floor about our tariff tour here.
BIPARTISAN FOCUS ON ILLINOIS ELECTION SECURITY
In July, Robert Mueller issued indictments for twelve Russian military officers, accusing them of trying to interfere with the 2016 election. As the Chicago Tribune reported at the time (include link to article), Illinois's elections board believes Illinois was mentioned in that indictment. Following the indictment, I led a letter, joined all 18 members of the Illinois House delegation, requesting an update on actions taken by the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security (DHS) to better secure Illinois's elections. On Friday morning we had a classified briefing from the DHS.
Securing our elections is not a Democratic or Republican issue. We must continue to work together to ensure every American's has confidence in the integrity of their vote and faith in the honest outcome of the election. I appreciated the update from the Department of Homeland Security and their coordination with our state officials in Illinois. I know our state and local election officials take the threat of foreign interference seriously and are working diligently to strengthen our election infrastructure.
I shared more of my thoughts after the meeting in a Facebook video. Watch it now!
PROMOTING ETHICS IN PUBLIC SERVICE
Last week, I introduced new legislation to help stop the revolving door between corporate lobbyists and the agencies that oversee their industries. The Ethics in Public Service Act would reverse changes in the Trump Administration Ethics Pledge that now allow former appointees to communicate with the agency where they worked, and that permit former lobbyists to join an executive agency that they lobbied within the previous two years.
Restoring the ethics standards of the previous administration is a commonsense step to promote transparency and accountability. Our democracy will function more effectively and the American people will be better served by a stronger firewall between public service and corporate lobbying.
Learn more about the legislation on our website.
VIETNAM VETERANS COMMEMORATION – Monday, September 17
I am pleased to again host an event in Highland Park on Monday, September 17, 2018 to honor the veterans of the Vietnam War as part of the congressionally-authorized "United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration."
At the event, official Vietnam War 50th Commemoration pins, certificates, and proclamations will be distributed to veterans. Recipients must RSVP on our website and submit a DD214 to demonstrate eligibility. If you do not have a DD214 copy, our office can help you obtain one. The commemoration items may be presented to veterans posthumously if the family completes an application on their loved one's behalf.
Learn more and RSVP on our website.
NEIGHBORHOOD OFFICE HOURS
This week, our constituent service representatives will be at the Cook Memorial Library in Grayslake, Des Plaines, Waukegan, Zion, Highland Park, and Glencoe. If you need assistance with a federal issue, please come see us!
View the full schedule on our website.
CONSTITUENT SERVICE SPOTLIGHT: GRANTS AND HELPING VETERANS
Last week, our office announced nearly $1 million in new federal grants to support fire departments across the district. We are available to help with the federal grant application process for your organization – please contact us at (847) 383-4870.
Additionally, our constituent service team was proud to help a Northbrook veteran recover more than $22,000 from the Veterans Affairs Department that had been withheld due to an error.
WEEKLY WRAP-UP
I welcomed Lake Forest Country Day School students to the Capitol. Despite the heat, they had some great questions!
Great conversations at our most recent #CongressonYourCorner town hall last weekend in North Chicago.
When a spouse is deployed overseas, the entire family shares the burden. I'm glad to highlight the good work of USO and help fill a few care packages to support the wives and husbands of our service members.
The GOP and Administration's latest #ACA sabotage effort is a lawsuit that would strike down pre-existing condition protections on more than 130 million Americans. It's time to put the destructive political games behind us and work together toward bipartisan solutions that would improve health care for the American people. #ProtectOurCare
I joined visiting constituents from Immigration Voice to discuss my support for H.R.392, the Fairness for High Skilled Immigrant Act.
Thanks for reading!