Press Releases
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
January 24, 2025
Casten Invites Community to Create Valentines for Veterans
Downers Grove, IL — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) announced his office’s 2025 Valentines for Veterans program and encourages local students and community members to craft homemade valentines for veterans and overseas service members. “We owe an enormous gratitude to our veterans and active-duty service members,” said Congressman Casten. “These valentines - handcrafted by community members - are a great way to show appreciation for their selfless service to our country.” Cards may be … Continue Reading
January 23, 2025
Casten, Durbin, Van Hollen, DeLauro Release Statement on Trump’s Rescission of Biden’s West Bank Sanctions
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (D-Ill.), U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) released the following statement regarding President Trump’s Rescission of President Biden’s Executive Order authorizing sanctions against any individual or entity involved in threatening peace, security, and stability in the West Bank. The lawmakers previously led an effort joined by over 80 members of Congress to urge … Continue Reading
January 22, 2025
Casten Introduces Two Bills to Bolster Electric Grid Reliability and Affordability in the Face of Extreme Weather
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) introduced the Reinforcing the Grid Against Extreme Weather Act and the Responsive Energy Demand Unlocks Clean Energy (REDUCE) Act. The bills will bolster the affordability and reliability of electricity in the face of booming demand and the growing challenges of climate change, cyber-attacks, and other threats. Under the Reinforcing the Grid Against Extreme Weather Act of 2025, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will … Continue Reading
January 21, 2025
Casten: Trump Puts Energy Producers Over American Consumers
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement regarding President Donald Trump’s executive orders that will raise energy prices for American consumers: “The president’s day-one actions prioritized the wants of energy producers over the needs of American energy consumers. With yesterday’s executive orders, fossil fuel companies that can’t compete with clean and affordable energy purely on their merits will see a boost in their profits at the expense … Continue Reading
January 16, 2025
Casten, Whitehouse Urge Fannie and Freddie to Address Climate Risk for Home Mortgages
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) sent letters to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac questioning the Enterprises on how they assess and manage climate-related risks for the home mortgage loans they purchase and hold. “The U.S. mortgage market faces severe challenges due to climate-related factors, including underinsurance, increasingly unaffordable or unavailable insurance, the over-representation of under-capitalized insurers in high-risk … Continue Reading
January 15, 2025
Casten Urges EIA to Modernize Energy Reporting Standards
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) led four colleagues in a letter to the Administrator of the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) urging the agency to modernize its methods for reporting energy metrics to reflect the realities of our rapidly evolving energy system. “Because of the way the EIA quantifies the US energy system, there are clear data issues, and this problem is only worsening as we decarbonize,” the lawmakers wrote. “The EIA is a critical tool for … Continue Reading
January 15, 2025
Casten Statement on Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement regarding the hostage release and ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas announced by President Joe Biden: “I applaud the news that an agreement has been reached to return the hostages held captive by Hamas, put a stop to the tragic bloodshed in Gaza, and ensure humanitarian aid can reach Palestinian civilians. This is a critical step towards achieving lasting, durable peace in the region. “What … Continue Reading
January 14, 2025
Casten Reintroduces Trio of Bills to Combat Emissions, Global Warming
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) reintroduced three bills aimed at reducing harmful emissions that lead to global warming: the End Oil and Gas Tax Subsidies Act, the LNG Public Interest Determination Act, and the Exported Carbon Emissions Report Act. The End Oil and Gas Tax Subsidies Act, introduced by Reps. Casten, Don Beyer (VA- 08), and Mike Levin (CA-49), would eliminate nearly a dozen of the most egregious tax breaks enjoyed by the oil and gas … Continue Reading
January 14, 2025
Casten, Merkley, Reed, Huffman, Barragán, McClellan, Grijalva: LNG Exports Are Not in Public Interest
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Jack Reed (D-RI) and U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Nanette Barragán (D-CA-44), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), and Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-07) today led a bicameral letter urging the Department of Energy (DOE) to use its recent findings when determining the public interest of pending liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. “American households are already struggling with energy prices, which … Continue Reading
January 13, 2025
Casten Announces $114M in Federal Funding for Illinois Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Downers Grove, IL — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten has announced Illinois will soon benefit from more than $114 million in federal investments to increase access to electric vehicle charging stations throughout the state. The funding was awarded through the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program, authorized by the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus will be awarded over $14 million for community charging stations, and the Illinois … Continue Reading
January 13, 2025
Casten Statement on Not Attending Trump’s Inauguration
Washington, D.C — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement regarding his decision not to attend the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump: “I have great respect for the office of the President of the United States. In my time serving in Congress during his first administration, I found President-elect Trump consistently failed to recognize that all of us who are in elected office succeed only to the extent that we hand our position off to our successor in … Continue Reading
January 10, 2025
Casten Statement on Voting Against the Laken Riley Act
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement after voting against H.R. 29, the Laken Riley Act: “First and foremost, I’m heartbroken by the tragic murder of Laken Riley. Second, I firmly believe in, support, and have long advocated for reasonable reforms to our immigration system. Third, it is already law that undocumented immigrants who are convicted of a felony are subject to deportation. That is a good law and one that should be enforced. “The … Continue Reading