Press Releases
Casten Proposes Measure to Protect Ballot Access for Overseas Service Members
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) introduced the Military Voter Overseas Technical Enhancement (VOTE) Act, legislation to eliminate the bureaucratic hurdles that often hinder American servicemembers’ ability to vote while overseas on active duty. “Our service members defend our democracy abroad; they shouldn't have to fight to participate in it at home,” said Rep. Casten. “For too long, outdated absentee processes have effectively disenfranchised those in uniform. The … Continue Reading
April 22, 2026
Casten, Schakowsky Demand Trump Administration Prevent Displacement of Palestinians in West Bank
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06) and Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) led 30 House Democrats in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding the State Department engage with the Israeli government to prevent the forced displacement of Palestinian residents from the village of Khallet al-Sidra in the West Bank and to ensure displaced families can safely return and rebuild their homes. “U.S. pressure on the Israeli government has proven crucial in protecting Palestinian … Continue Reading
April 21, 2026
Casten, Schakowsky, Beyer Reintroduce Energy Consumer Protection Act to Crack Down on Market Manipulation
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), and Don Beyer (VA-08) reintroduced the Energy Consumer Protection Act, bicameral legislation aimed at strengthening federal oversight of energy markets and protecting consumers from price manipulation. The legislation would provide the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) with additional authority to ban companies from participating in electricity and natural gas markets if they are found to … Continue Reading
April 20, 2026
Casten, Castro, Van Hollen, Kaine Demand Transparency from Trump Administration on United States-Venezuela Energy Deal
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06), Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) are demanding transparency from the Trump Administration on its energy deal with Venezuela, an unprecedented attempt in seizing control of a sovereign nation’s natural resources. The members are pressing the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a full audit of this deal. The lawmakers underscored that President Trump’s … Continue Reading
April 07, 2026
Casten Statement on Trump Threat to Destroy a "Whole Civilization"
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten released the following statement: "The president’s threat to wipe out an entire civilization is dangerous, reckless, and would constitute a war crime under both domestic and international law. This rhetoric undermines U.S. credibility, endangers civilians, and places American personnel in untenable legal, moral, and mortal jeopardy. Anyone in the Trump Administration who acts on this threat and violates the law must be held accountable, … Continue Reading
April 01, 2026
Casten Introduces Bill to Ensure American Workforce Meets National Defense Needs
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) introduced the DPA Workforce and Skilled Labor Needs Act of 2026, legislation that allows available funds to be used to recruit, train, or place workers in defense-critical occupations, ensuring that U.S. businesses have the necessary resources to fulfill production needs under the Defense Production Act (DPA). “Ensuring the federal government stands ready to meet any skilled labor needs required to support the national defense of the … Continue Reading
March 20, 2026
Casten Hosts Roundtable to Highlight Sheldon Peck Homestead Historic Site
Lombard, IL — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) hosted a roundtable with historians, preservationists, and local leaders to highlight the importance of historic sites and stories that have shaped our nation’s history. The roundtable was co-hosted by Landmarks Illinois and the Lombard Historical Society and took place at the Sheldon Peck Homestead in Lombard. “The Sheldon Peck Homestead is a notable place in both American and Illinois’ history. Sheldon and Harriet Peck were not only … Continue Reading
March 18, 2026
Casten, Levin, SEEC Clean Energy Deployment Task Force Introduce the Energy Bills Relief Act
Washington, D.C. (March 18, 2026) - Today, 120 House Democrats, led by House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Clean Energy Deployment Task Force Co-Chairs U.S. Congressmen Sean Casten (IL-06) and Mike Levin (CA-49) introduced the Energy Bills Relief Act, a family- and consumer-focused approach to United States energy policy that ensures Americans have access to the most reliable and low-cost source of power available - renewable energy. “Families across America are … Continue Reading
March 11, 2026
Casten, Van Hollen Push for Answers on Venezuelan Oil Proceeds in U.S. Treasury-Run Accounts
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) pressed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for answers on the Treasury’s claimed authority over, and handling of, funds generated from the sale of Venezuelan oil. “On February 4, 2026, at a House Financial Services Committee hearing, you agreed to provide the specific statutory authority the Treasury Department is relying on to custody and exercise control over Venezuela’s sovereign assets, as well … Continue Reading
March 05, 2026
Casten Votes to End Trump’s War with Iran
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) voted for House Concurrent Resolution 38, a bipartisan War Powers Resolution to prohibit the Trump Administration’s hostilities against Iran, and released the following statement: “The president started a war without a plan, clear endgame, legal justification, or congressional authorization. American service members and innocent civilian lives have been lost because of the president’s actions. He has done everything he can to plunge the … Continue Reading
March 05, 2026
Casten, Castro Propose Measure to Investigate Trump’s Questionable Handling of Venezuelan Oil Money
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressmen Sean Casten (IL-06) and Joaquin Castro (TX-20) introduced the Venezuela Oil Proceeds Transparency Act, legislation that directs the non-partisan Government Accountability Office to conduct an independent audit of the Trump Administration’s handling of hundreds of millions of dollars in Venezuelan oil funds concealed in offshore bank accounts. The Trump Administration funneled $500 million in proceeds from its first sale of Venezuelan oil through a bank … Continue Reading
February 28, 2026
Casten Statement on US Military Action in Iran
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement on US military action in Iran: “Iran’s regime is repressive and destabilizing. Its proxies sow chaos across the region. No one disputes that Iran presents serious challenges. Its support for proxy militias, regional interference, and hostility toward its neighbors undermines peace in the Middle East. The United States would welcome a more peaceful and responsible partner in the region.“But that does not … Continue Reading
February 26, 2026
Casten Introduces Bill to Incentivize Utilities to Lower Costs for Ratepayers, Lower Emissions
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) introduced the Shared Utility Rewards for Grid Efficiency (SURGE) Act, legislation to lower bills for American energy consumers by realigning transmission utility incentives with customer cost savings and rewarding improvements in grid efficiency. “One of the most impactful things we can do to lower costs for American consumers is to give utility companies an incentive to save their customers money and lower emissions at the same time,” … Continue Reading
February 23, 2026
Casten Introduces the Ceasefire Compliance Act to Bolster Accountability and Oversight of U.S. Weapons in Gaza and the West Bank
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) introduced the Ceasefire Compliance Act, legislation that would ban the use of US-origin weapons in Gaza and the West Bank if Israel violates the October 10, 2025, ceasefire agreement and 20-point plan, annexes the West Bank, or fails to combat settler violence against Palestinians. The bill creates an end-use monitoring group and congressional oversight mechanisms to enforce this ban while exempting defensive missile systems such as Iron … Continue Reading
February 22, 2026
Casten Will Not Attend 2026 State of the Union
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) announced that he will not attend the 2026 State of the Union and released the following statement: “My respect for the office of the President of the United States cannot abide the disrespect that Donald Trump shows to that office every day. As such, while I will watch the State of the Union elsewhere, I will not attend in person, as I am not interested in being used as a prop for his … Continue Reading
February 20, 2026
Casten Thanks Veterans with Valentines Throughout IL-06
Oak Lawn, IL — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) recently delivered valentines to veterans at Johnson-Phelps VFW Post #5220 in Oak Lawn. “I am honored to organize my Valentines for Veterans card drive every year,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “It is amazing to see the creativity and generosity of our community. We are forever indebted to the sacrifices our veterans have made for our country, and these cards are a small way to thank them.” In recent weeks, Rep. Casten’s office has collected over … Continue Reading
February 20, 2026
Casten Introduces Two Bills to Provide Insights Needed to Improve Energy Efficiency, Lower Energy Bills
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) introduced the Powering Productivity Act and the Energy - Modernizing EIA Tracking and Reporting to Increase Consistency (Energy METRIC) Act, a pair of bills designed to improve transparency, planning, and decision-making in the U.S. energy system. Together, the bills modernize how the federal government measures energy use and productivity, providing the data needed to lower costs, strengthen competitiveness, and plan responsibly for … Continue Reading
February 04, 2026
Casten, Smith Introduce Bill to Mitigate Climate Risk in US Financial System
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Sean Casten (D-IL-06) and Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced the Addressing Climate Financial Risk Act, legislation to improve the ability of federal regulators to understand and mitigate risks from climate change within our financial system. Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of wildfires, flooding, droughts, and other natural disasters and extreme weather events. The damage and risks generated by these events - in addition to … Continue Reading
February 03, 2026
Casten Opposes Funding Bill Due To Lack of ICE Reforms
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) voted against H.R. 7148, Consolidated Appropriations Act 2026, and released the following statement: “I voted against the funding package considered by the House today because it failed to include guardrails to prevent the further murder of Americans, ensure due process, or address the catastrophic failures by Kristi Noem and the Department of Homeland Security. “This is not a vote I take lightly. I hold sacred Congress’s constitutional … Continue Reading
January 28, 2026
Casten, 12 House Dems Warn Oil Companies of Legal and Civil Risks of Venezuela Markets
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) led 12 House Democrats in warning 21 major oil and oilfield services companies of the legal and financial risks posed by any transaction or investment that relies on the Trump Administration’s asserted authority to control Venezuelan oil assets. The letters were addressed to companies that either attended a January 9 meeting at the White House or have reportedly been in touch with the Trump Administration. The lawmakers cite Congress’s … Continue Reading