Press Releases
Casten Blasts Trump’s Stoppage of the National Climate Assessment
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement regarding reports that the Trump Administration has effectively halted the National Climate Assessment (NCA), a congressionally mandated report on the impacts of climate change on the United States: “The president can attempt to change the laws of the United States, but he cannot change the laws of physics. Climate change is real. It is impacting our health, economy, and national security. It is fueling … Continue Reading
April 30, 2025
Casten, 22 House Democrats Highlight Economic Turmoil Caused by Trump’s Immigration Policies
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) led 22 House Democrats in a letter to President Donald Trump highlighting how his immigration policies have increased the cost of living for Americans. The letter demands that the president reverse course or risk further economic turmoil. “As President, you are tasked with improving the economy and growing the middle class,” the lawmakers wrote. “However, you have exacerbated Americans’ economic distress during your first 100 days in … Continue Reading
April 23, 2025
Casten, Moore, Beyer, Hayes Demand Department of Education Restore Office for Civil Rights
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Don Beyer (VA-08), and Jahana Hayes (CT-05) led 39 House Democrats in a letter to Department of Education (DOE) Secretary Linda McMahon demanding DOE immediately restore shuttered Office for Civil Rights (OCR) hubs and fulfill its statutory civil rights mandate. “While slashing the Department’s workforce has impacted every aspect of the Department’s role, OCR was particularly hard hit,” the lawmakers wrote. “At … Continue Reading
April 23, 2025
Casten Statement on Senator Durbin’s Retirement
Downers Grove, Illinois — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement regarding Senator Dick Durbin’s announcement that he will not seek re-election: “Senator Dick Durbin’s career of public service is a gold standard for anyone who holds or aspires to hold public office. He has been a model and a mentor. A model in his actions, where he has always led with intellect and humility. And a mentor to all of us learning how to do the job he has done so well. “When I … Continue Reading
April 22, 2025
ON EARTH DAY, CASTEN, SCHATZ INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS THE COSTS AND FINANCIAL RISKS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Sean Casten (D-IL-06) and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) introduced the Climate Change Financial Risk Act, legislation that directs the Federal Reserve to conduct stress tests on large financial institutions to measure their resilience to climate-related financial risks. “Risk is risk—we should not be treating some risks different from others just because they’re hard to quantify. Federal regulators are legally obligated to ensure a stable and … Continue Reading
April 09, 2025
Casten Statement on Republican Resolution to Cut Medicaid
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement regarding the Republican budget resolution: “The Republican budget resolution serves only to cut Medicaid and veterans' health care. No one can vote for this legislation in good conscience and claim otherwise, which is why I will vote … Continue Reading
April 09, 2025
Casten, Stevens File Discharge Petition to End Musk’s Access to Taxpayer Data
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06) and Haley Stevens (MI-11) filed a discharge petition to start the process to force a vote on the Taxpayer Data Protection Act, House Democrats’ landmark legislation to ensure US private citizens’ data is not subject to reckless and unlawful interference from people like Elon Musk. “Elon Musk has no business accessing American taxpayers’ private data,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “Congress has the tools to serve as a check on this … Continue Reading
April 03, 2025
Casten, Stauber Introduce Bipartisan Bills to Improve Access to Health Care for Aviators
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressmen Sean Casten (D-IL-06) and Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) introduced two bipartisan bills to improve access to health care for pilots and air traffic controllers. “Pilots and air traffic controllers should not be unfairly penalized for seeking health care by a system that perpetuates a culture of silence,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “I’m proud to introduce these bipartisan bills to help bolster the availability of mental health care for aviators, require the FAA to … Continue Reading
March 27, 2025
Casten, Bennet Reintroduce Bill to Encourage Energy Efficiency in Homes
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL-06) and Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) reintroduced the Getting Renewable and Energy Efficient Neighborhoods (GREEN) Appraisals Act, legislation to encourage energy-efficient and clean energy features to be considered as part of the residential home buying and appraisal process. The GREEN Appraisals Act helps home appraisals accurately reflect the value of renewable and energy-efficient features of a property. In addition, the legislation … Continue Reading
March 26, 2025
Casten Calls for Resignations of Vance, Hegseth, Waltz, Rubio, Gabbard, Ratcliffe, Others
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement regarding the stunning breach of American national security led by key members of the Trump Administration: “We are now seeing the consequences of what happens when inexperienced and unqualified individuals are put in charge of our national security. Starting an unsecured group chat on potentially unsecured personal devices to discuss strategy and timing of a US military operation is in itself a scandal. … Continue Reading
March 19, 2025
Casten Introduces New CO2 Cap-And-Trade Bill
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) introduced the Tradeable Energy Performance Standards (TEPS) Act, legislation to eliminate the net emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from power plants and large industrial thermal energy users by 2048 in the most economically-efficient way possible. “Carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and large industrial users of thermal energy make up nearly 40% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “I spent 16 years … Continue Reading
March 18, 2025
Casten Announced as Vice Ranking Member of House Financial Services Committee
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, announced Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL), as the Vice Ranking Member on the Committee. “I am pleased to announce that Congressman Sean Casten will serve as Vice Ranking Member on the House Financial Services Committee for the 119thCongress. For many years, Committee Democrats have benefited greatly from Congressman Casten’s extensive expertise and unwavering commitment to … Continue Reading
March 18, 2025
Casten, 109 House Democrats Demand GAO Track Federal Fund Disbursement Delays
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Sean Casten led 109 House Democrats in a letter to Comptroller General Gene Dodaro of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) demanding the GAO develop and maintain a database to systematically track delays in disbursing appropriated and obligated funds to American communities. “The freezing of IRA and IIJA funds has already had immediate and measurable consequences, jeopardizing national and state climate initiatives and harming communities that rely … Continue Reading
March 17, 2025
Casten, Klobuchar, Johnson, Peters Introduce Bill to Combat Use of Dangerous Gun Modifications
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (D-IL-06) and Hank Johnson (D-GA-04), and Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Gary Peters (D-MI), introduced legislation to combat the increased use and proliferation of dangerous gun conversion devices. The Preventing Illegal Weapons Trafficking Act would help tackle the ongoing gun violence epidemic by requiring federal law enforcement to coordinate efforts to prevent the importation and trafficking of ‘auto-sears’—illegal gun modification … Continue Reading
March 13, 2025
Casten, Foushee Lead 100 Members in Letter to EPA Administrator Opposing Proposed Cuts to EPA
WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06) and Valerie Foushee (NC-04) led 100 House Democrats in a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin opposing the drastic proposed cuts to staffing and funding at the agency, and called for an immediate reversal of any planned cuts at the EPA. “The EPA is not just a regulatory body; it is a frontline defender of public health, environmental safety, and economic stability,” wrote the lawmakers. … Continue Reading
March 11, 2025
Casten Statement on Republican Government Funding Cuts
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement regarding the House Republican appropriations resolution passed by the House today: “While I am eager to vote for a government funding bill that keeps the government open through the end of the fiscal year and protects Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, the continuing resolution passed by the House today does nothing of the sort. Instead, it harmfully slashes federal funding for veterans, seniors, … Continue Reading
March 10, 2025
Casten, Schakowsky, Nadler, 72 House Democrats Demand DOJ Enforce FACE Act, Protect Women’s Health Clinics
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), and Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) led 72 House Democrats in a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi demanding the Department of Justice (DOJ) fully enforce the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act and ensure women and health care providers are not threatened, harassed, or abused while trying to enter reproductive health care facilities. “Limiting the Justice Department from enforcing bipartisan law will … Continue Reading
March 06, 2025
Casten Reintroduces Bill to Require Chief Risk Officer at Big Banks
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) introduced the Chief Risk Officer Enforcement and Accountability Act, legislation to require large banks to employ a Chief Risk Officer and increase notification requirements and public transparency when the position becomes vacant. “We have seen time and again - like at Silicon Valley Bank - that it is a mistake for big banks to operate without a Chief Risk Officer for prolonged periods,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “Failing to employ and … Continue Reading
March 04, 2025
Casten Will Not Attend Trump Address to Congress
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) announced he would not attend President Donald Trump’s Address to a Joint Session of Congress and released the following statement: “While I have great respect for the office of the President of the United States, I have no respect for the man who currently occupies it. The president has consistently violated our constitution, our laws, and the integrity of our institutions. He incited a violent insurrection to overthrow … Continue Reading
February 27, 2025
Casten, Lee Reintroduce Bill to Index Pell Grant to Inflation
Washington, D.C. — Today, Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06) and Susie Lee (NV-03) reintroduced the Pell Grant Sustainability Act to help students access the resources they need to attend college by indexing the Pell Grant to inflation. “The Pell Grant has made major inroads in helping Americans of all backgrounds earn their degrees,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “But this success cannot be sustained if the value of these grants continues to diminish as costs rise. I’m proud to introduce the Pell … Continue Reading