Press Releases
Casten Helps Secure Over $900,000 for Energy Startups in the Midwest
Downers Grove, IL — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten announced that the Midwest Regional Innovation Partnership, a project by Clean Energy Trust, Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University, mHUB, and Spark Innovation Center, was selected for an award of over $900,000 from the Energy Program for Innovation Clusters (EPIC). The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Technology Transitions (OTT)."Having begun my clean energy career in the … Continue Reading
June 07, 2021
Casten Infrastructure Projects Worth $14.7 Million Selected to Move Forward
Downers Grove, Illinois - Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten announced he secured $14.7 million in transportation infrastructure funding projects for Illinois' 6th Congressional district. These specific Member Designated Project (MDP) projects were selected by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to be included in their 5-year federal surface transportation legislation, the INVEST in America Act. This legislation now heads to markup."I'm proud to announce $14.7 million in … Continue Reading
May 28, 2021
Casten Pushes Secretary of Energy Granholm to Do What’s Scientifically Necessary to Protect Americans Against Climate Crisis
Washington, DC – U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) questioned Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm during today's Science, Space, and Technology hearing on Science and Energy Research at the U.S. Department of Energy. In his questioning, Casten reiterated the importance that policies included in the President's American Jobs Plan meet the ambitious and necessary emissions reduction goals the Administration has issued. Casten asked Granholm if the President's plans were ambitious … Continue Reading
May 28, 2021
Reps. Casten, Foster Hold Press Conference with Students and Faculty from Local Colleges Receiving Funding Under the American Rescue Plan
Downers Grove, IL – Today U.S. Congressmen Sean Casten (IL-06) and Bill Foster (IL-11) held a press conference alongside students and faculty from local colleges and universities who will receive emergency funding under the American Rescue Plan to help them cope with the severe financial fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. At least half of the funding each institution receives will be distributed in the form of emergency grants to students who are facing hunger, homelessness, and other … Continue Reading
May 27, 2021
Casten Grills Megabank CEOs on Fossil Fuel Investments
Washington, DC – U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) questioned bank CEOs from Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and JP Morgan Chase during the House Financial Services Committee Hearing entitled, "Holding Megabanks Accountable: An Update on Banking Practices, Programs, and Policies." All six banks that appeared before today's hearing have pledged to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, aligning their financing with a core goal of the Paris … Continue Reading
May 27, 2021
CASTEN, SCHATZ REINTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO ENSURE U.S. FINANCIAL SYSTEM IS PREPARED FOR CLIMATE CHANGE
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced the Climate Change Financial Risk Act of 2021. The legislation will direct the Federal Reserve ("Fed") to conduct stress tests on large financial institutions to measure their resilience to climate-related financial risks.Climate change poses a grave and imminent threat to the stability of our financial system. It is essential that our regulators establish parameters so that our financial … Continue Reading
May 21, 2021
Rep. Casten Recognizes Local 5th Grade Class for Dedication to Science, State Rock Election
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) addressed the House to honor the dedication to science of Jennifer Lauermann and her 5th grade class at Pleasantville Middle School in Burr Ridge, Illinois. Ms. Lauermann's class spent this past year studying rocks. They met with geologists and other scientists throughout Illinois, but discovered that Illinois did not have a state rock. In an effort to officially choose a state rock, they conducted an election between Sandstone, … Continue Reading
May 21, 2021
Casten Applauds President Biden for Executive Order to Address Climate Risk
Washington, DC - Today U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement after President Biden announced an Executive Order directing federal agencies to analyze and mitigate the risk climate change poses to the economy. Casten said, "As someone who's fought tirelessly for federal action on climate risk since I've been in Congress, I am thrilled to see President Biden take action to ensure that the right rules are in place to properly analyze and mitigate climate risks, … Continue Reading
May 20, 2021
Financial Regulators confirm that Climate Risk Warrants Action
Washington, DC – U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) questioned Vice Chairman of Supervision, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Randal Quarles and Acting Comptroller of the Currency, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu on what action is being taken to address climate risk within the financial system during today's House Financial Services Committee Hearing on Oversight of Prudential Regulators. Responding to a comment made earlier in the hearing by … Continue Reading
May 19, 2021
Casten joins 138 House Democrats in Calling for Biden to Take Decisive Action to Immediately End the Violence in Israel and Gaza
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten joined 138 House Democrats in a letter to President Biden calling for him and his Administration to boldly lead and take decisive action to immediately end the violence in Israel and Gaza. A copy of the signed letter can be found below and linked here. Letter Text: Dear President Biden, As members of Congress who care deeply about the security and freedom of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples, we call on you and your Administration to … Continue Reading
May 18, 2021
Casten Appointed to Serve as Vice Chair of FSC Subcommittee on Investor Protection, Entrepreneurship, and Capital Markets
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) was appointed as the Vice-Chair of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Investor Protection, Entrepreneurship, and Capital Markets.Casten said, "I'm honored to serve as the Vice-Chair of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Investor Protection, Entrepreneurship, and Capital Markets, where I'll continue to fight for investor protections, equitable access to capital, and market integrity. Let's get to work."The House … Continue Reading
May 18, 2021
Rep. Casten Votes to Strengthen Defenses Against Hate Crimes, Protect AAPI Communities
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) voted to pass S. 937, the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, landmark legislation that strengthens the nation's defenses against hate crimes committed against Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. This bipartisan bill, which will help combat the growing and grave crisis of anti-AAPI discrimination, violence and bigotry stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, will now go to President Biden's desk to be signed into law. "After … Continue Reading
May 13, 2021
Casten Highlights How Illinois Will Soon Receive State and Local Recovery Funds from the American Rescue Plan
Downers Grove, IL — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten proudly highlights the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds that the U.S. Department of Treasury is releasing to Illinois as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. These funds will provide vital resources for Illinois families and communities."The coronavirus pandemic has devastated families and communities across the nation in so many different ways," said Casten. "After months of meeting with state & local … Continue Reading
May 13, 2021
Rep.Casten Statement on Escalating Violence Between Israelis and Palestinians
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Sean Casten released the following statement on the escalating violence between Israelis and Palestinians:"The escalating violence between Israel and Palestinian forces has reached a boiling point--resulting in the death of at least 15 Israelis and 65 Palestinians, including 16 children, and injuring at least 330 more. Israelis are entitled to live in peace and security. Palestinians are entitled to fundamental human rights and dignity. These rocket attacks by Hamas on … Continue Reading
May 12, 2021
Casten, Warren, ‘Climate Risk Disclosure Act’ Passes House Financial Services Committee
Washington, DC – The House Financial Services Committee today voted to approve the Climate Risk Disclosure Act of 2021. The bill, introduced by U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06), would reduce the chances of environmental and financial catastrophe by requiring public companies to disclose more information about their exposure to climate-related risks. By increasing market transparency, this bill will empower investors to appropriately assess climate-related risks and help the market … Continue Reading
May 12, 2021
Casten, Underwood, Foster Release Video Urging Illinois Families to File Taxes Before May 17 to Get Their Advance Child Tax Credit Payments As Soon As Possible
Washington, DC – U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06), Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14), and Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) released a video today urging all Illinois families to file taxes before May 17th, 2021 in order to access the Child Tax Credit and begin receiving advance payments as soon as July 1st. The best way to ensure eligible families receive their payments is to file a 2020 tax return– even if they don't have earnings to report or don't normally file – … Continue Reading
May 11, 2021
Rep. Casten Announces $29 Million for Local Colleges, Universities, and Students
WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Sean Casten announced more than $29 million in emergency funding for colleges, universities, and students in Illinois' 6th Congressional District under the American Rescue Plan. The funding will help local institutions cope with the severe financial fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and continue serving their students safely. At least half of the funding each institution receives will be distributed in the form of emergency cash assistance grants to students who are … Continue Reading
May 10, 2021
CASTEN URGES ILLINOIS FAMILIES TO FILE TAXES BEFORE MAY 17 TO GET THEIR ADVANCE CHILD TAX CREDIT PAYMENTS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
As part of the American Rescue Plan Casten helped pass, families will begin receiving monthly payments of up to $300 per child beginning as soon as July. Casten says the best way to ensure eligible families receive their payments is to file a 2020 tax return – even if they don't have earnings to report or don't normally file – because the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) needs information from tax returns in order to calculate and issue advance monthly payments. The child tax … Continue Reading
May 06, 2021
Casten pushes SEC Chairman Gary Gensler to update regulation to protect investors
Washington, DC - U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) questioned Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler during the third House Committee on Financial Services ?Committee (FSC) hearing on Gamestop, digital platforms, and retail investors. In his questioning, Casten raised the inherent conflict of interest built into Robinhood's business model-of prioritizing the profit from payment for order flow and providing the best execution of trades for their customer while purporting … Continue Reading
May 06, 2021
U.S. Reps. Casten, Newman join author Adam Jentleson in a Town Hall Event on Eliminating the Filibuster:
Downers Grove, IL - On Wednesday, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) and Congresswoman Marie Newman (IL-03) joined Adam Jentleson, Deputy Chief of Staff to former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and author of "Kill Switch: The Rise of the Modern Senate," hosted a live town hall event to discuss the history of the filibuster and why it must be eliminated as part of an ‘End the Filibuster Week of Action' led by Casten and Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01), Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06), and … Continue Reading