Press Releases
Rep Casten: American Rescue Plan Relief for Restaurants Available
Downers Grove, IL – Today, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) announced that restaurants in Illinois will be able to apply for direct relief through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund beginning Monday, May 3, at 12:00 p.m. ET. Applicants can register on the U.S. Small Business Administration application portal beginning Friday, April 30 at 9:00 a.m. ET. The $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund was created by the American Rescue Plan that Rep. Casten helped pass last month. … Continue Reading
April 28, 2021
Casten Announces Virtual Guest of Honor to Presidential Address
Downers Grove, IL - Rep. Sean Casten announced today that Stephanie Certain Matz, of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois, as his virtual Guest of Honor to President Biden's Joint Address to Congress this evening. Thanks to House Democrats, President Biden, and our public health workers' tireless commitment to vaccine distribution, Matz received her vaccine and hugged her children and grandchildren for the first time in over a year. Tonight's Joint Address, President Biden's first speech to a Joint … Continue Reading
April 22, 2021
Casten Statement on Trump Administration’s Failure to Monitor ETO
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Sean Casten issued the following statement in response to the recent report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of the Inspector General that political officials in the Trump administration blocked communications and sharing of information on ethylene oxide (EtO) monitoring in Illinois.Casten said, "The news that the EPA withheld information from us and from the public raises significant concerns. We will not tolerate the politicization of … Continue Reading
April 22, 2021
Casten Statement on Passage of Washington, D.C. Admission Act
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Sean Casten released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 51, the Washington D.C. Admission Act. "D.C. residents pay more in federal taxes per capita than any other state. I was proud to co-sponsor H.R. 51, to admit D.C. as the 51st state because 712,000 D.C. residents being denied a voice in Congress is an affront to our nation's democratic principles. The United States is the only democratic country that denies both voting representation in the … Continue Reading
April 22, 2021
Casten, Bush, Crow, and Jayapal Lead Broad Coalition of Nearly 100 House Democrats in Calling for an Immediate End to the Filibuster to Address Climate Crisis, Gun Violence, Racial Injustice, Voter Suppression
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06), Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01), Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06), Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), and nearly 100 House Democrats sent a letter urging Senate Democrats to end the filibuster so that Congress can deliver on the promises made to the voters who gave Democrats control of the U.S. House, Senate, and Presidency.Casten hosted a press conference this morning with Reps. Bush, Crow, and Jayapal at the Capitol, where he … Continue Reading
April 21, 2021
Rep. Casten Statement on NO BAN Act and Access to Counsel Act
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Sean Casten released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 1573, the Access to Counsel Act, and H.R. 1333, the NO BAN Act."Today, the House passed two important bills that protect the rights of immigrants coming to the United States. "When someone who is seeking legal entry into the United States is mistreated by Customs and Border Patrol, they have a right to communicate with legal counsel. I proudly co-sponsored the Access to Counsel Act to ensure this … Continue Reading
April 21, 2021
GOP Witness Confirms That U.S. Government Should Not Subsidize Mature Industry after Congressman Grills Her on $650 Billion Annual Oil and Gas Tax Subsidies
Washington, D.C. - During this week's Select Committee on the Climate Crisis hearing Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) questioned GOP witness Heather Reams on the harmful, market distorting tax subsidies provided to the failing oil and gas industries—a problem which he recently introduced new legislation to solve. These subsidies cost taxpayers $650 billion a year, and President Biden has also sought to end them through the American Jobs Plan.During his questioning, Rep. Casten quoted an excerpt … Continue Reading
April 20, 2021
Casten Statement on Derek Chauvin Guilty Verdict
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) today issued the following statement after a verdict was reached in the trial of Derek Chauvin. Casten said, "For Americans who watched for the 9 minutes and 29 seconds as George Floyd was murdered, this trial wasn't so much a question of guilt as it was a test of the American justice system. Today, our justice system prevailed, but in so many instances, it continues to fail Black and brown Americans. "While I hope that today's verdict … Continue Reading
April 20, 2021
Casten, Heinrich Announce Bicameral Bill To Recharge Electric Transmission Planning
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL) and Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced the Interregional Transmission Planning Improvement Act of 2021 to help bolster the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) interregional transmission planning process. The bill, first introduced by Senator Heinrich in 2019, directs FERC to explicitly consider multiple benefits: economic, reliability, operational, public policy, and environmental, including reductions in carbon emissions. … Continue Reading
April 16, 2021
Rep. Casten Announces Funeral Assistance for Illinoisans Who've Lost Loved Ones to COVID-19
Downers Grove, IL - Rep. Sean Casten announced today that FEMA has begun accepting applications for funeral assistance for Illinoisans who've lost loved ones to COVID-19. Casten helped pass the funeral assistance program as part of the American Rescue Plan. "No amount of money can heal the loss of a loved one, but this grant program can ease the financial stress of Illinoisans who've suffered so much from COVID-19," said Casten.Illinoisans who paid for funeral expenses after January 20, 2020, … Continue Reading
April 15, 2021
Casten Votes No on Three Seditionist Led Bills
Washington DC - U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL) today voted no on three seditionist-led bills. Although Casten is in general supportive of the content of these bills, he cannot in good conscience vote in support of legislation introduced by those who attempted to overthrow the results of the 2020 election and helped incite the deadly January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. While there were 17 suspensions total on the floor this week, Casten voted no on the following three bills:H.R. 1762 - … Continue Reading
April 15, 2021
Casten Questions Climate Experts on the Devastating Economic Costs of Climate Inaction after Report that 8 counties in the US Accounted for 50% of all Flood Insurance
Washington, D.C. – During today's Select Committee on the Climate Crisis hearing Congressman Sean Casten questioned leading climate experts on the devastating economic cost of climate inaction. Through his questioning, Rep. Casten highlighted the threat to the U.S. economy as projections show that climate change will put communities underwater. Currently in the United States, 40% of Americans live in coastal areas where sea level plays a role in flooding, shoreline erosion, and hazards … Continue Reading
April 15, 2021
Rep. Casten Votes to Secure Equal Pay for Women, Help Close Gender Wage Gap
Washington, DC - Rep. Casten voted to pass H.R. 7, the Paycheck Fairness Act, landmark legislation that will help close the gender wage gap by strengthening equal pay protections for women. The bill would create more effective remedies for women who are not being paid equal pay for equal work, including requiring employers to prove that pay disparities exist for legitimate, job-related reasons, new tools for the Department of Labor to enforce pay equity and protections against retaliation for … Continue Reading
April 15, 2021
Casten, Warren, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill Requiring Public Companies to Disclose Climate-Related Risks
Bill Text | One-Pager (PDF) Washington, DC - United States Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) today introduced the Climate Risk Disclosure Act of 2021 which 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 accelerate the … Continue Reading
April 14, 2021
New Fact Sheet Highlights Illinois’ Urgent Infrastructure Needs, How the American Jobs Plan Will Help
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Sean Casten highlighted a new fact sheet from the White House which outlines the urgent imperative to address critical infrastructure needs across Illinois. The fact sheet details the number of bridges and miles of road in each state in poor condition, the percentage of households without access to broadband, the billions of dollars required for water infrastructure, and more. These pressing needs underscore the importance of the American Jobs Plan, which will … Continue Reading
April 12, 2021
Casten Nominates Distinguished 98-year-old Argonne Scientist for Presidential Medal of Freedom
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Sean Casten (D-IL) was joined by Reps. Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Bill Foster (D-IL), French Hill (R-AR), and Jerry McNerney (D-CA) in nominating distinguished Illinois scientist, Dr. Dieter M. Gruen for the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Casten previously nominated Dr. Dieter Gruen on November 21st, 2019, Gruen's 97th birthday and invited him to the 2020 State of the Union Address.Dr. Gruen, now 98-years-old, immigrated to the United States from Nazi Germany … Continue Reading
April 09, 2021
American Rescue Plan Listening Tour: Casten Hears from Local Leaders in Education, Health Care, Emergency Response, Business and Social Services
Downers Grove, IL — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) visited public school officials, first responders, social service providers, and small business leaders to talk about pandemic hardship and how the American Rescue Plan will help them and the communities they serve. "From young mothers forced to choose between taking care of their children or paying the bills to teachers, students, and workers on the frontlines of this pandemic, Illinoisans have faced unprecedented adversity and … Continue Reading
April 08, 2021
CASTEN ANNOUNCES OPENING OF SHUTTERED VENUE OPERATORS GRANT PROGRAM TO SUPPORT LOCAL JOBS
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Sean Casten (IL-6) announced that more help is here for local businesses and jobs as the Small Business Administration's Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program will begin accepting applications on Thursday, April 8th, 2021. Casten helped secure additional funding for the program as part of the American Rescue Plan's support for small businesses. The program includes a total of over $16 billion in grants for shuttered venues. Local venue operators can … Continue Reading
April 08, 2021
Casten, Underwood Introduce Legislation to Provide Tax Relief for Illinois Families Hurt by SALT Deduction Cap
WASHINGTON—Today, 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. The SALT Fairness for Working Families Act would help affected taxpayers by increasing the current SALT deduction cap, eliminating the marriage … Continue Reading
April 07, 2021
Illinoisans on Social Security to Receive $1,400 Payments Beginning this Week
Downers Grove, IL — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) announced that many Social Security recipients and others who have not yet received their Economic Impact Payments of up to $1,400 from the American Rescue Plan should expect to see electronic payments hit their bank accounts or be loaded onto their Direct Express Cards beginning today. Today's latest round of electronic payments applies specifically to those who receive Social Security retirement, survivor or disability (SSDI), … Continue Reading