Press Releases
Reps. Casten, Wild, Fitzpatrick Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Safe Interactions Act to Improve Interactions Between Law Enforcement and People with Disabilities
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL-06) re-introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Safe Interactions Act alongside Congresswoman Susan Wild (D-PA-07) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) to improve interactions between law enforcement officers and people with disabilities and mental health needs. This bill provides grant funding to create partnerships between non-profit disability organizations and law enforcement agencies to administer enhanced training programs … Continue Reading
May 18, 2023
Casten Introduces Bipartisan COVER Act to Boost Soil Health and Align Crop Insurance with Risk Mitigation Practices
Washington, D.C (Thursday, May 18th) - Today, U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06), Elissa Slotkin (MI-07), and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Conservation Opportunity and Voluntary Environment Resilience Program (COVER) Act with original co-sponsor Representative Mike Bost (IL-12). This bill will provide a $5/acre crop insurance discount to farmers who plant cover crops to incentivize this important soil health practice, building on the federal Pandemic … Continue Reading
May 10, 2023
SEEC Clean Energy Deployment Task Force Co-Chairs Sean Casten and Mike Levin Statement on Biden Permitting Reform Priorities
Washington, D.C. — Today, the Co-Chairs of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Clean Energy Deployment Task Force, Reps. Sean Casten (IL) and Mike Levin (CA) released the following statement regarding the Biden-Harris Administration’s recently announced priorities for permitting reform: “We are pleased the White House's vision on permitting reform matches many of our proposals in the draft of our Clean Electricity and Transmission Acceleration … Continue Reading
May 10, 2023
Sustainable Investment Caucus Statement on Oversight ESG Hearing
Washington, D.C. — Today, 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 the Committee on Oversight and Accountability hearing entitled “ESG Part I: An Examination of Environmental, Social, and Governance Practices with Attorneys General”: “We are disappointed, but not surprised by Republicans' latest attack against free-market principles. … Continue Reading
May 01, 2023
Casten, Spanberger Introduce Legislation to Combat Use of Dangerous Gun Modifications
Washington, D.C. (Monday, May 1st) - Today, Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) and Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) 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 devices that … Continue Reading
April 27, 2023
SEEC Clean Energy Deployment Task Force Co-Chairs Sean Casten and Mike Levin release discussion draft of transmission permitting reform legislation
Washington D.C. – Today, the Co-Chairs of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Clean Energy Deployment Task Force, Reps. Sean Casten (IL) and Mike Levin (CA), released a discussion draft of the Clean Electricity and Transmission Acceleration (CETA) Act. This bill aims to be a holistic approach at addressing the bottlenecks that exist in deploying clean energy and electricity transmission at the speed necessary to address the climate crisis, while also ensuring … Continue Reading
April 18, 2023
Casten Questions Gensler on Financial Risks Posed by Climate Change to US Housing Market
Casten Questions Gensler on Financial Risks Posed by Climate Change to US Housing Market Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) questioned SEC Chairman Gary Gensler during a House Financial Services Committee hearing about the financial risk posed by climate change to the United States housing market. “There was a report from Nature Climate Change recently that said that real estate in the United States is estimated to be overvalued by $121 … Continue Reading
April 18, 2023
Casten Announces Selections for FY2024 Community Project Funding, Would Bring More Than $30 Million in Funding to Address Chicagoland Priorities
Downers Grove, IL (April 17th, 2023) – Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) today announced his Community Projects for Fiscal Year 2024, which could bring a total of$30,420,455 in federal funding to our Chicagoland community. The 15 projects requested by Rep. Casten will improve emergency services, build out EV charging stations, create safe recreation facilities for children experiencing homelessness, provide clean drinking water, fund job readiness programming for teens, and more. The … Continue Reading
April 17, 2023
Casten, Underwood Introduce Legislation to Provide Tax Relief for Illinois Families Hurt by SALT Deduction Cap
WASHINGTON – Ahead of Tax Day, Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06) and Lauren Underwood (IL-14) introduced legislation to provide tax relief to Illinois families unfairly harmed by changes to the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction. The Republican tax law enacted in 2017 disproportionately hurt northern Illinoisans by capping the SALT deduction at $10,000, which prevents taxpayers from deducting the full amount of their state and local taxes on their federal tax returns. SALT taxes … Continue Reading
March 31, 2023
Casten Named Vice Ranking Member of Science, Space, and Technology Committee
(Washington, DC) —This week, the Minority of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology moved to confirm Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) as Vice Ranking Member of the Committee. “The Science, Space, and Technology Committee is leading the way on American innovation, research, and scientific achievement,” said Vice Ranking Member Sean Casten. "I’m honored to be named Vice Ranking Member of this committee and look forward to working with Ranking Member … Continue Reading
March 30, 2023
Casten, Kelly Introduce Bill to Reduce Gun Trafficking in Illinois
Washington, D.C. (March 30th, 2023) — Today, U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06) and Robin Kelly (IL-02) introduced the Gun Trafficker Detection Act to require gun owners to report if their gun is lost or stolen within 48 hours. While Illinois has taken steps in its state government to prevent gun violence, these efforts are often undermined by weak gun laws in neighboring states like Indiana and Wisconsin. In Illinois in 2019, guns trafficked … Continue Reading
March 28, 2023
Casten to GOP: Be Honest About Whose Interests You’re Looking Out For
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) took to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to explain how H.R. 1 – the GOP’s energy package – prioritizes the interests of fossil fuel companies over the interests of American families. “There are real challenges facing US energy consumers,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “We’ve got an aging grid, we need new transmission to connect renewables to load, we have a growth in … Continue Reading
March 27, 2023
Casten Statement on GOP Energy Package
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement regarding H.R. 1, the Republican energy bill, which is expected to be considered by the House of Representatives this week: “If you’re looking to pass legislation that prioritizes energy producers and raises the cost of energy, H.R. 1 accomplishes that goal,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “On the other hand, if you’re more concerned with helping American families who … Continue Reading
March 23, 2023
Casten Introduces 'People Over Petroleum Act' to Give $500 Cash to Americans Paid for by Repealing $6 Billion of Tax Subsidies for Fossil Fuel
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Mike Levin (CA-49), and Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) introduced the ‘People Over Petroleum Act' to deliver Americans a $500 direct cash rebate paid for by eliminating 11 of the most egregious tax subsidies flowing to fossil fuel companies. Last year, fossil fuel giants doubled their profits to $219 billion while American consumers struggled to pay heating bills and fill up their gas tanks. … Continue Reading
March 23, 2023
Casten, Lee Introduce Pell Grant Sustainability Act to Ensure Federal Aid Keeps Up with Inflation
March 23rd, 2022 (Washington, D.C.) - Today, Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) and Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) introduced the Pell Grant Sustainability Act to help students access the resources they need to attend college by indexing the Pell Grant to inflation. This vital step will ensure the Pell Grant’s value keeps pace with the rising costs associated with attending college. Pell Grants make it possible for more than 6 million Americans annually to attend college. However, … Continue Reading
March 04, 2023
Casten Statement on Oath Keeper-Led IL Sheriff’s Event
Downers Grove, IL — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement regarding the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association event to support Illinois Sheriffs who refuse to enforce the state's assault weapons ban. The meeting featured former Arizona Sheriff Richard Mack, who served on the board of the Oath Keepers, a far-right organization whose leaders have been convicted of violently opposing the US government. “Public … Continue Reading
March 01, 2023
Casten Applauds CHIPS Taxpayer Protections
Washington, D.C. — The United States Department of Commerce has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity for Commercial Fabrication Facilities that includes taxpayer protections advocated for by U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06). “CHIPS funds should not create windfalls for companies that receive them,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “I have long urged the Department of Commerce to use its full authority to prevent CHIPS recipients from misusing taxpayer dollars by … Continue Reading
February 28, 2023
Casten: House Republicans Voted Against the Free Market and Investor Freedom
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06), co-chair of the Congressional Sustainable Investment Caucus, released the following statement regarding the passage of H.J. Res. 30, legislation which repeals a Department of Labor rule allowing fiduciaries to consider ESG factors in investment decisions: “House Republicans just unanimously voted in favor of stripping investors of their freedom to make their own investment decisions,” said Rep. Sean Casten. … Continue Reading
February 28, 2023
Casten Joins Bipartisan, Bicameral Labor Leaders to Introduce Bill to Protect Workers’ Right to Organize
Washington, DC (February 28th, 2023) – Today, Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) joined a bipartisan group of House and Senate Members to introduce the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act of 2023 (H.R. 20), a comprehensive proposal to protect workers’ right to come together and bargain for higher wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces. Large corporations and the wealthy continue to capture the rewards of a growing economy while working families … Continue Reading
February 27, 2023
Sustainable Investment Caucus Statement on Republican’s Congressional Review Act Resolution to Repeal the Department of Labor’s Rulemaking
Washington, D.C. — Today, the Congressional Sustainable Investment Caucus released the following statement on H.J. Resolution 30, which repeals a Department of Labor rule allowing fiduciaries to consider ESG factors in investment decisions: “We strongly oppose Republican efforts to overturn the Biden Administration’s rulemaking that gives retirement plan fiduciaries the option to consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors when they select retirement … Continue Reading