Press Releases
Casten, Kelly Introduce Bill to End Flow of Illegal Guns into Illinois
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06) and Robin Kelly (IL-02) introduced the Gun Trafficker Detection Act to help end the flow of illegal guns into Illinois by requiring gun owners to report if their gun is lost or stolen within 24 hours. “Illinoisans deserve to be safe and protected against gun violence,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “While Illinois has strong gun safety laws, they are often undermined by the insufficient laws of neighboring states. This allows gun … Continue Reading
February 21, 2025
Casten, Lee Introduce Legislation to Establish No-Cost, Optional Federal Photo IDs
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06) and Summer Lee (PA-12) introduced the IDs for an Inclusive Democracy Act, legislation to empower Americans to obtain a free and optional federal photo identification card. “Over one in ten Americans lack any form of government-issued identification,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “That’s tens of millions of Americans who are unable to get a job, open a bank account, or visit urgent care - all of which require an ID. This legislation … Continue Reading
February 19, 2025
Casten Statement on Trump’s Power Grab Over FERC, SEC, Independent Agencies
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement regarding President Donald Trump’s executive order to strip federal agencies, such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), of their independence: “The president’s latest unlawful and unconstitutional executive order is a move straight out of the Project 2025 playbook that serves no other purpose than to bend independent agencies to his personal … Continue Reading
February 14, 2025
Casten Delivers Valentines to Local Veterans at VA Hospital
Hines, IL — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) delivered valentines to veterans at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital. “As the son and grandson of veterans, I hold in highest regard those who have put their lives on the line to defend our country,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “We owe veterans a tremendous amount of gratitude, and delivering these valentines is the least we can do to show our appreciation. I thank them for their service and thank the members of our community who sent in … Continue Reading
February 13, 2025
Casten, Sherman Lead 144 House Democrats Urging Trump to Retract Gaza Statements
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressmen Sean Casten (IL-06) and Brad Sherman (CA-32) led 144 House Democrats in urging President Donald Trump to retract his statements that the civilian Palestinian population of the Gaza strip should be permanently relocated and the United States should take control of the region. “Now more than ever, the United States must play a constructive role in the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” the lawmakers wrote. “That is why we are alarmed that an … Continue Reading
February 13, 2025
Casten, 25 House Dems Urge DOE to Maintain Loan Program Office Obligations
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten led 25 Members of Congress in a letter to Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright reminding DOE that it is not only illegal for the DOE’s Loan Program Office (LPO) to cancel loans it has issued, but would also hurt American economic competitiveness and innovation. “The stakes in the continuation of the LPO could not be higher. Today, China dominates the booming global market for new energy technologies, thanks to years of … Continue Reading
February 13, 2025
Casten, Matsui Reintroduce Bill to Incentivize Efficient Vehicle Purchases
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) and Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) reintroduced the Vehicle Energy Performance Act (VEPA) to incentivize consumers to purchase new vehicles with better-than-average energy performance. “Roughly one-quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions from the United States come from the transportation sector, especially cars and trucks,” said Rep. Casten. “It’s more important than ever to incentivize vehicles that not only help reduce … Continue Reading
February 12, 2025
Sustainable Investment Caucus Statement on Climate Disclosure Rule
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressmen Sean Casten (IL-06) and Juan Vargas (CA-52), co-chairs of the Congressional Sustainable Investment Caucus, released the following statement regarding Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Acting Chairman Mark Uyeda’s decision to suspend the SEC’s efforts to defend its climate risk disclosure rule from legal challenges: “Acting Chairman Uyeda’s decision to suspend the Securities and Exchange Commission’s defense of its climate disclosure rule puts … Continue Reading
February 12, 2025
Casten, Salazar Propose Bipartisan Bill to Bolster Sustainable Apparel Industry
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL-06) and Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27) introduced bipartisan legislation to revolutionize the way consumers learn about the environmental impact of the clothes they purchase. Under the Voluntary Sustainable Apparel Labeling Act, apparel manufacturers can ask the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), on a voluntary basis, for the ability to place a label on an item of apparel that contains EPA-verified information relating to … Continue Reading
February 11, 2025
Casten, Durbin Lead Illinois Democratic Delegation to Protect Regional EPA Workers
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Sean Casten (D-IL-06) and U.S. Senator Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) led the Illinois Democratic Congressional Delegation in a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin urging him to reconsider reported plans to terminate probationary EPA employees. “We are deeply concerned about the negative impacts such terminations—done across the board without consideration for positional need or programmatic impact—would have on … Continue Reading
February 11, 2025
Casten, Smith Question Fed, FDIC Over Withdrawal from NGFS
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL-06) and U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) led 18 Democratic Members of Congress in questioning the Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) over their recent decision to exit the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS). “Withdrawing from the NGFS puts our prudential regulators further behind and out of step with actions being taken by our global counterparts,” the lawmakers wrote. “The U.S. must … Continue Reading
February 07, 2025
Casten, Burchett Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Ease Tax Burden on Teachers
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (D-IL-06) and Tim Burchett (R-TN-02) introduced the bipartisan Educators Expense Deduction Modernization Act of 2025, legislation that would ease the tax burden on teachers by increasing the amount educators are able to deduct on qualified out-of-pocket classroom expenses on their annual tax return from $250 to $1,000. The increase would also be indexed to inflation. “Educators are the backbone of American society,” said Congressman … Continue Reading
February 06, 2025
Casten Leads 154 Democrats Demanding Answers on Musk Treasury Access
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten led 154 House Democrats in a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressing concern regarding Elon Musk and his allies’ access to the federal government’s payments system, which also includes sensitive personal data of U.S. citizens, and demanding answers as to the extent of Musk’s access. A copy of the letter can be found here. “This system is responsible for delivering trillions in Social Security and Medicare benefits, tax refunds, … Continue Reading
February 06, 2025
Casten, Stevens Lead Landmark House Democrats’ Bill to Protect Taxpayer Data From Elon Musk
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06) and Haley Stevens (MI-11) were joined by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar to introduce the Taxpayer Data Protection Act, landmark legislation to ensure US private citizens’ data is not subject to reckless and unlawful interference. “Elon Musk has no business accessing the personal data of private US citizens,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “What does Mr. Musk want … Continue Reading
February 05, 2025
Casten Statement on Trump’s Proposal to Move Palestinians Out of Gaza
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (D-IL-06) released the following statement in response to President Trump’s proposal to move Palestinians out of Gaza: “President Trump's support of forcibly relocating 2 million Gazans is sickening, dangerous, and would violate international law. Instead of working to ensure the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is successfully implemented and the remaining hostages in Gaza are brought home, the President's proposal of ethnic … Continue Reading
February 04, 2025
Casten, Meng Reintroduce Bill to Expand Access to Menstrual Products
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) and Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06) reintroduced the Period PROUD (Providing Resources to Our Underserved and Disadvantaged) Act to expand accessibility to menstrual products for those with limited access. The Period PROUD Act would provide funding through the Social Services Block Grant program to remove cost barriers to menstrual products and educate school officials on how to best communicate with students in need of these … Continue Reading
January 31, 2025
Casten Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Climate Action Under Trump Administration
Lisle, IL — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) convened Illinois stakeholders, leaders, and advocates for a roundtable discussion on how a federal funding freeze impacts climate action, as well as what needs to be done to protect the Inflation Reduction Act and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act from the Trump Administration. “It is no secret that the Trump Administration prioritizes the wants of energy producers over the needs of American energy consumers,” said Rep. Casten. “A … Continue Reading
January 29, 2025
Casten, Brownley Reintroduce Legislation to Educate Consumers on Carbon Footprint of Food
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) and Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) reintroduced the Voluntary Food Climate Labeling Act, legislation to revolutionize how consumers learn about the climate impact of the food they purchase. Under the legislation, food producers, manufacturers, and retailers will work with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop and voluntarily place on food products a label containing EPA-verified information relating to the carbon … Continue Reading
January 28, 2025
Casten Proposes Legislation to Help Limit US Methane Emissions
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) reintroduced the Methane Emissions Mitigation Research and Development Act to establish a program for the research, development and demonstration of technologies and methods that would detect and mitigate emissions. “Cutting methane emissions is one of the most effective ways we have to fight climate change,” said Rep. Casten. “This bill will advance innovation in the detection and mitigation of methane emissions and get us on … Continue Reading
January 24, 2025
Casten Statement on Reports of ICE at a Chicago School
Downers Grove, IL — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement regarding reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials attempted to enter a Chicago-area school: “There is absolutely no reason that ICE should attempt to enter elementary schools. To send federal agents to a school is traumatizing for ALL children. Schools are places where children can learn, grow, and build a community. When ICE arrives, a child does not know if they are there for … Continue Reading