In the News
Congress Investigates Whether Administration Tried to Bolster Trump's Hurricane Dorian Claim on Alabama
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Wednesday denied news reports that he instructed his administration to rebuke weather forecasters for contradicting his claim that Hurricane Dorian was a threat to Alabama."No, I never did that. I never did that," he said in the Oval Office. "That's a whole hoax by the fake news media, when they talk about the hurricane and when they talk about Florida and when they talk about Alabama. That's just fake news. … It's a fake story." Two congressional … Continue Reading
August 26, 2019
U.S. Rep. Casten Part of Panel Aiming to Address Drug Prices
An orthopedic hand surgeon said there have been patients who lost fingers because they could not afford prescription drugs to fend off infection.Dr. Ramsey Ellis made the opening remarks Saturday at McHenry County College, where a panel gathered to discuss the "skyrocketing" prices of health care. About 70 people attended the event to talk about what drives the price of prescription medications and its "tremendous impact" on people.Ellis said the high prices result in a "loss of work" and … Continue Reading
August 21, 2019
Casten Listens to Pleas for Environmental Preservation During Town Hall at Harper College
Fracking, coal mining and climate change all illustrate the complexities of protecting the environment, U.S. Rep. Sean Casten, D-Downers Grove, said Thursday at a town hall meeting he hosted at Harper College in Palatine where environmental activists were among the attendees.Casten, a freshman congressman who serves on climate-related committees and is co-chair of the New Dems Climate Change Task Force, went over pending energy and conservation legislation and answered questions. He is up for … Continue Reading
August 08, 2019
Moderate House Dems Unveil 'Market-Based' Emissions Plan
A coalition of moderate Democrats is backing a climate plan that could draw interest from the business community for relying on carbon pricing and other market-based approaches to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.The House's New Democrat Coalition, a caucus of about 100 centrist Democrats, released its principles today for addressing climate change, which the group called "a threat to the health, national security, economic prosperity, and future of our people and planet."The 11-page document … Continue Reading
July 30, 2019
Program Showed Value of Carbon Dividend
Thanks to Rep. Sean Casten (IL-06) and Rep. Bill Foster (IL-11) for organizing a three-hour climate forum at North Central College in Naperville on July 13. Panelist Tom Skilling presented compelling evidence on the imminent danger from climate change with many effects already happening, such as record flooding and record monster storms. The problem is so daunting it can lead to a feeling of helplessness and inaction.Luckily, Sen. Dick Durbin pointed toward a solution by explaining the policy … Continue Reading
July 30, 2019
Casten Seeking Second Term After 'Awesome, Humbling' First Months in Congress
It was one of his talking points on the campaign trail last year and it hasn't gone away.Climate change is an "existential threat" to human life, 6th District U.S. Rep. Sean Casten says, and it's the problem around which he's built a career.But now, instead of addressing climate change as the head of his own business, the Downers Grove Democrat is attacking the issue as a politician representing a large swath of the West and Northwest suburbs."It is both awesome and humbling and somewhat … Continue Reading
July 25, 2019
Bipartisan Bill Aims to Boost Manufacturers’ Carbon-Cutting
New bipartisan legislation seeks to tackle a tough climate challenge: reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the U.S. industrial manufacturing sector.A group of lawmakers in both chambers introduced legislation July 25 to target climate-warming emissions in a broad swath of manufacturing industries—including the production of materials like steel, iron, cement, and petrochemicals, as well as fuels for shipping and aviation.And the effort already has the backing of major industry trade groups … Continue Reading
July 23, 2019
OTA Making A Comeback? House Dems Eye Shuttered Office To Combat Silicon Valley
Democratic members of the House are renewing a push to reopen a government office dedicated to providing expertise and analysis on new technologies, an effort made timely by efforts from both parties to rein in the power of major tech companies.And this time, the Democrats have some support from their Republican colleagues.Rep. Sean Casten of Illinois is one of several Democratic lawmakers who are looking to re-establish the Office of Technology Assessment, or OTA, which was shuttered almost … Continue Reading
July 17, 2019
House Panel Approves Bill for Companies to Report Climate Risks
A House bill that would require publicly traded companies to report on their exposure to business risks from climate change has advanced.The House Financial Services Committee approved the bill 34-25 in a July 16 vote. It is a companion to legislation that Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has pitched as part of her presidential run. Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) is sponsoring the legislation in the House.The measure (H.R. 3623), which now heads toward a House floor vote, is likely to gain more … Continue Reading
July 15, 2019
U.S. Rep. Casten Joins Hundreds In McHenry County For Human Rights Vigils
More than 100 people gathered Friday night in the Crystal Lake Target parking lot on Route 14 to peacefully protest the treatment of immigrants at the Mexican border.The activists join thousands across the country participating in "Lights for Liberty," a nationwide vigil calling for an end to detention camps. USA Today reported that more than 700 events were planned across the country. About 400 people attended a separate vigil Friday night outside the McHenry County Jail, 2200 N. Seminary … Continue Reading
July 15, 2019
Representatives Host Climate Change Forum
Climate Change ForumIt was a full house at the Climate Change Forum, hosted by Representatives Bill Foster, Sean Casten, and Dick Durbin at North Central College.The discussion focused on the effect climate change has on the weather like melting glaciers, rising sea levels and the increased power of hurricanes."This is real stuff. 50 percent of all of the carbon dioxide that we have ever emitted into the atmosphere as a species, in the entire time that are species has been on the earth has … Continue Reading
July 09, 2019
Casten, Foster, Skilling Hold Climate Change Forum In Naperville
NAPERVILLE, IL — Representatives Bill Foster and Sean Casten be in Naperville on July 13 to host a forum on climate change. The forum will also include input from WGN meteorologist Tom Skilling, climate scientist Doug Sisterson, and other experts.The climate change forum is open to the public and will explore the state of climate change, its effect on the environment, and measures that can help to prevent it. Those who attend will be able to ask questions and share feedback with speakers, … Continue Reading
July 01, 2019
U.S. Rep. Sean Casten Discusses Federal Legislation Friday In Algonquin
U.S. Rep. Sean Casten met with constituents of the 6th Congressional District in Algonquin on Friday to go over federal legislation and take questions.Casten, a freshman Democrat from Downers Grove, said the reality of the job is much different than what constituents are seeing in the headlines.He commented on a number of bills the House has passed on issues such as prescription drugs, civil liberties and preventing the exit of the Paris Climate Accords.But with a Republican majority in the … Continue Reading
June 25, 2019
Rep. Casten Calls On Trump Admin To Protect Migrant Kids
The conditions that many migrant children have been facing in border detention facilities are hard to imagine.Late yesterday, hundreds of children were moved out of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol facility in Clint, Texas.Congressman Sean Casten of Illinois's 6th Congressional District in the western suburbs joins the Morning Shift from Washington, D.C., to discuss that and more.What concerns you most about what we've seen at the facility in Clint, Texas?Rep. Casten: The stories are … Continue Reading
June 24, 2019
Congressmen Bill Foster and Sean Casten Host LGBTQ Panel
Congressman Bill Foster and Congressman Sean Casten hosted a panel discussion on issues faced by the LGBTQ community."We're part way along a difficult and continuing path in this country. That things are better in the suburbs, things are not perfect. And that it's never going to be easy for someone struggling with their gender identity and they deserve support from the community and not being pushed aside or ridiculed," said Congressman Foster.LGBTQ YouthAbout 40 Naperville residents attended … Continue Reading
June 21, 2019
Casten Tackles High Cost Of Diabetes Medication
WHEATON - The rising cost of diabetes drugs has put a strain on patients, their families and the federal government as it provides diabetes medications to more than 43 million Medicare beneficiaries, according to a U.S. House Oversight and Reform Committee.Speaking to a crowd of nearly 50 people gathered at the DuPage County Health Department June 14, U.S. Rep. Sean Casten, D-Downers Grove, said legislation was pending to address drug companies' unfair price hikes.The Forcing Limits on Abusive … Continue Reading
June 21, 2019
Illinois Democrats Reps. Sean Casten, Jan Schakowsky call for Trump impeachment inquiry
WASHINGTON — Freshman Rep. Sean Casten, an Illinois Democrat who flipped a suburban Chicago congressional district in 2018, told the Chicago Sun-Times on Wednesday he backs launching an impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump."I am in favor of initiating an impeachment inquiry," Casten said in an interview in his Cannon House building office.Casten is among the 44 House Democrats facing the toughest GOP challenges in 2020, according to a "frontline" list compiled by the Democratic … Continue Reading
May 17, 2019
Illinois Democrats are split on the Green New Deal. But they all want a piece of the pie when it comes to climate change.
Rep. Sean Casten is laser-focused on carbon emissions. Sen. Tammy Duckworth announced a new push for environmental justice. Sen. Dick Durbin embraced the Paris climate accord at a student climate change rally in Federal Plaza. Rep. Jan Schakowsky joined others at a recent Loop rally criticizing the Trump administration's plan to slash the Environmental Protection Agency budget. Even Rep. Dan Lipinski, considered one of the most centrist Democrats in the House, is working on a bill that would … Continue Reading
May 16, 2019
The House passes a climate bill for the first time in a freaking decade
On Thursday, the newly Democratic House came out swinging by passing a climate bill for the first time in … let me just check my notes here … a decade. Better late than never?The Climate Action Now Act (H.R. 9) passed through the legislative chamber mostly along party lines, with a few Republican exceptions. The bill is aimed at reaffirming American commitment to the Paris Agreement, a global climate accord that President Trump unceremoniously tried to ditch six months into his presidency.The … Continue Reading
May 01, 2019
U.S. Rep. Sean Casten talks to St. Charles Chamber members about first 100 days in office
ST. CHARLES - U.S. Rep. Sean Casten, D-Downers Grove, said he is proud of what he and his fellow lawmakers have been able to accomplish since taking office.Casten took office in January after beating incumbent Peter Roskam, R-Wheaton, in November's midterm election."I've run for one elected office in my entire life and I won, so if you want advice on how to get to office, I'm batting a thousand," Casten said, in talking to St. Charles Chamber of Commerce members April 26 at the Baker Community … Continue Reading