Brad's Newsletter

I will be honest with you: With some of the things happening around the world this week, I've struggled tying off this newsletter issue to send to you. From the unfolding crisis in Afghanistan to the earthquake in Haiti and then yesterday's bomb scare at the Capitol, it's been hard to find the right words, or even the right tone. I hope you will forgive the late delivery of this week's update.

Dorothy was right: "There's no place like home." It was so good to be home and working in the district last week and I am looking forward to many more events throughout the month of August.

It's finally August, which means I will be working here in the district all month. I am excited to be home and looking forward to seeing people across our different communities. Over the next several weeks, I am sitting down with our local mayors and village presidents to better understand the specific issues they are focused on. I will be visiting local business and various social and civic service groups as well. And of course, with the new school year starting, I and excited to talk with students of all ages.

Better late than never, and hopefully well worth the wait, the 2020 Olympics are finally happening! These Games will likely always be remembered as the Pandemic Olympics with the year's long delay, empty stadiums and the images of too many athletes missing their chance to compete after testing positive for COVID-19. But beyond the hardships, we should focus on the stories of sportsmanship, the near superhuman discipline and perseverance and the competitors, and the honor of every athlete competing their hearts out on behalf of their country.

Last Wednesday the first round of monthly Child Tax Credit payments started hitting bank accounts. The newly refundable credit is part of the American Rescue Plan passed by Congress in March. The annual credit is $3,000 for children under 17 and $3,600 for children under 6, with half the annual credit paid in monthly installments, July through December. The second half of the credit will be claimed on individuals 2021 tax return.

I missed last week's newsletter because I was out of the country on a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) trip to Israel and Qatar (more on that below). I hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend. Before I left on my trip, I was able to join Independence Day celebrations across the district. It was wonderful to be able to see people's smiles and to mark our country's birthday and all that it means in-person.

I am back in Washington after a much too short weekend home. I hope you had a good weekend, and were able to get out a bit. As COVID-19 cases continue to fall thanks to the vaccines, it is so wonderful to be able to once again be together with neighbors and friends to celebrate life.

I hope everyone had a nice holiday weekend, and just as important, that you were not adversely affected by the recent storms. The stories and pictures from the western suburbs show the power of Mother Nature and I was relieved that no one was killed. I was also inspired by the many stories of neighbors helping neighbors. And I wasn't alone: The Daily Herald ran an editorial about how we step up for each other in times of need.