Working For You Update: Strengthening Voting Rights

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Across the country, we've seen states impose burdensome restrictions intended to suppress voting, and the Administration spread troubling falsehoods about widespread fraud. Instead, I believe we should be working to ensure every American has a fair and full opportunity to exercise their right to vote, which is why last week I introduced legislation to improve procedures around absentee voting.

Read on for more information about this new bill as well as an update on the community response to severe flooding.

STRENGTHENING VOTING RIGHTS

Last week, I introduced legislation to improve absentee voting for individuals serving in the armed forces and citizens living abroad. Under current law, acquiring an absentee ballot can present challenges for service members who frequently move from one location to another and U.S. citizens overseas, including diplomats, foreign service professionals, and students studying abroad.

The Help Our Service Members and Citizens Abroad Vote Act would hold States accountable to ensure absentee ballots are delivered on time and are counted in elections. We should be working to ensure every American has a fair and full opportunity to vote, and in particular the brave men and women serving in our armed forces.

Not coincidentally, the bill was introduced to coincide with the inaugural meeting of the Trump Administration's Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity. This panel was created to investigate President Trump's baseless allegations of widespread voting fraud in the 2016 presidential election, and I have serious concerns this Commission could be used to suppress voting.

More information on this legislation is available here.

PROMOTING INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT

Earlier this month, you may have read the disappointing news that a team of young women from Afghanistan were denied visas to attend a robotics competition in the United States. In response to the initial visa denial, I joined a letter with a number of my colleagues urging Secretary of State Tillerson to overturn this decision and allow the teammates into the country. I am glad to say they received their visas and not only competed, but also won the silver medal in their group.

It was such an honor to meet these inspiring young women in person when they visited the Capitol last week, after their competition with other teams from around the world. Our global leadership is stronger when we engage in diplomacy and promote educational opportunities for all young people.

Read more about their story here

RESPONDING TO FLOODING

The record-setting floods in Northern Illinois have been devastating to many of our neighbors and friends. Throughout this crisis, my team and I have been in close coordination with local officials and all we can to help our communities deal with the immediate impact and longer term clean-up.

Earlier in the week, I used my time on the floor to recognize the first responders, dedicated government workers, and volunteers that are helping our communities respond and recover from the severe flooding. Click the above image to watch the video.

The entire Illinois delegation is united in our efforts to help our communities recover and rebuild from this disaster. If you've been affected, visit our website for more information and resources.

NEIGHBORHOOD OFFICE HOURS

Our office 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. We're here to help if you have issues with Medicare, Social Security, the Veterans Administration, immigration and more.

This week, we'll be in Wheeling and Highland Park. Check out the full schedule on our website and come meet with us when we're in your community!

WEEKLY WRAP-UP

Answering questions from constituents at our most recent Congress On Your Corner event in Highland Park – this is our 12th forum so far this year.

Supporting the work of Furthering the Lives of our Youth at their cookout in Foss Park, North Chicago.

Continuing our Brad At Your Business series visiting with the team at Intelligent Medical Objects (IMO) in Northbrook to learn how they're using technology to improve medical documentation.

Discussing improving incentives for physicians to work in rural settings in order to address the health care shortage during a meeting of the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy, and Trade on which I serve as Ranking Member. Read more about this hearing here.

As always, 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!

Sincerely,

Brad Schneider
Member of Congress