Press Releases
Casten Statement on Preventing a Government Shutdown
Washington, D.C.— Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL) voted for the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5305, a Continuing Resolution to keep the government open through December 3rd, 2021 and released the following statement: "The bottom line here is we have to keep our government open," said Rep. Sean Casten. "While I'm relieved we have passed the continuing resolution to avoid a Republican-led shutdown and ensure vital services for seniors and veterans continue uninterrupted, Americans need … Continue Reading
September 30, 2021
Yellen, Casten Agree Debt Ceiling Should be Eliminated
Washington DC — Today, during a House Financial Service Committee Hearing on Oversight of Treasury Department's and Federal Reserve's Pandemic Response, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (D-IL) asked Secretary Yellen about eliminating the debt ceiling and the systemic risk climate change poses to the financial system—and questioned Powell on the country's low workforce participation. In response to Casten's question on addressing the debt ceiling and avoiding default, Secretary … Continue Reading
September 28, 2021
Casten and Witness Agree: “Misinformation is Killing People”
Washington DC – Today, during a hearing on the Disinformation Blackbox held by the Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (D-IL) questioned misinformation experts Laura Edelson, Co-Director of Cybersecurity for Democracy at New York University, as well as Dr. Alan Mislove and Dr. Kevin Leicht on the catastrophic repercussions of misinformation and disinformation social media platforms and their ongoing efforts to … Continue Reading
September 24, 2021
Rep. Casten Votes to Defend Reproductive Health Rights Against Dangerous Assaults, Enshrine Roe v. Wade Protections into Law
Washington, DC - U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06), who represents the district formerly held by Henry Hyde, today voted to defend women's constitutional right to reproductive health care with H.R. 3755, the Women's Health Protection Act, a bill he cosponsored. Amid a dangerous assault on women's basic health freedoms from state houses across the country to the U.S. Supreme Court, this landmark legislation, which Casten cosponsored, enshrines into law the vital protections of Roe v. … Continue Reading
September 24, 2021
Casten’s Clean Energy Amendment Passes as Part of House NDAA
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) voted to pass H.R. 4350, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022, which authorizes the appropriations of funds for the Department of Defense (DoD). Casten secured the inclusion of his clean energy amendment in the final bill. Casten's amendment would require new construction of DoD buildings larger than 5,000 gross square feet to be zero emissions by 2035. It would also require a report on the status … Continue Reading
September 23, 2021
Casten, Duckworth Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Educational Support Professionals Access Benefits Through FMLA
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) reintroduced the bipartisan ESP Family Leave Act, which would update the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to help more educational support professionals (ESP) at schools—teacher's assistants, custodians and maintenance staff, among others—access its benefits without the risk of losing their job. "The COVID-19 pandemic has made even clearer what we already knew: Workers need access to … Continue Reading
September 22, 2021
FERCing 9 to 5: Casten Delivers Dolly Parton Inspired Speech Concluding Hot FERC Summer Climate Campaign
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten concluded his Hot FERC Summer campaign with a Dolly Parton-inspired speech by Casten titled "FERCin' 9 to 5." In July, Rep. Casten declared the start of "Hot FERC Summer" with speeches inspired by Megan Thee Stallion's "Hot Girl Summer" and later Fergie's Fergalicious--leading his colleagues in a viral campaign to raise public awareness of FERC's crucial role in transitioning to a clean energy economy and urge President Biden to … Continue Reading
September 21, 2021
Rep. Casten Votes to Keep the Government Open, Deliver Emergency Relief, Prevent Catastrophic Default
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL) voted for critical legislation that would keep the federal government open, secure emergency funding to help communities devastated by natural disasters and help resettle Afghan refugees fleeing persecution, and prevent the federal government from defaulting on their payments. This bill is essential to ensuring that the government can continue to deliver essential services that families depend on, while also preventing a … Continue Reading
September 15, 2021
Rep. Casten Statement in Support of Teachers and Student Facing Intimidation from Anti-Mask Protestors
Washington, D.C.— Today, U.S. Representative Sean Casten released the following statement in support of students and teachers facing intimidation from anti-mask protestors:"I am so grateful for all our educators and public health officials who got us through a very difficult COVID year, managing transitions between in-person, hybrid and remote learning as we fought to curtail the spread of the virus before a vaccine was available. Sadly, their efforts continue to be politicized by that small … Continue Reading
September 14, 2021
Rep. Casten Visits Benedictine University to discuss direct relief for local students under American Rescue Plan
Lisle, IL – U.S. Congressman Sean Casten visited Benedictine University to meet with University President Charles Gregory and Benedictine staff and students to discuss how they've successfully used federal funding from the American Rescue Plan to help students cope with the severe financial fallout from COVID-19 pandemic. Click the image below to view the video recorded by Benedictine students and Congressman Casten or click here. The visit was planned after the university … Continue Reading
September 11, 2021
Rep. Casten Statement on the 20th Anniversary of September 11th
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement on the 20th anniversary of September 11th. "On the 20th Anniversary of the September 11th attacks, we pause to reflect on the nearly 3,000 Americans who lost their lives on that tragic day. Together, we mourn their loss and honor their memories. "Looking back on that terrible morning, we must remember the extraordinary selflessness and heroism of the first responders who ran, without hesitation, … Continue Reading
September 10, 2021
ADVISORY: Monday @ 5:45pm ET: Senate Majority Leader Schumer, Congressional Climate Champions, and Climate Groups Rally For Climate Action Outside the U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C -- On Monday, September 13, at 5:45 p.m. ET Senate Majority Leader Schumer will join Congressional Democrats and the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), Climate Power, and the Climate Action Campaign rally together outside the U.S. Capitol to highlight the urgent need to pass the Build Back Better Act with ambitious investments in America's clean energy future. After a summer of extreme weather events that have impacted the majority of Americans, President Biden toured New … Continue Reading
September 10, 2021
Casten, Kelly, Deutch Reintroduce Bill to Reduce Gun Trafficking as 2021 Projected to be the Deadliest Year of Gun Violence in Decades
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06), Robin Kelly (IL-02), and Ted Deutch (FL-22) introduced the Gun Trafficker Detection Act which would require gun owners to report if their gun is lost or stolen within 48 hours. As 2021 is set to be the deadliest year of gun violence in decades, efforts by states like Illinois to prevent gun violence are often undermined by weak gun laws in neighboring states like Indiana. Over 5,500 illegally possessed guns were … Continue Reading
September 09, 2021
Casten Secures Science Investments for Argonne, Fermilab, EPA Climate Research in SST Committee Markup of the Reconciliation Package
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman secured investments for the 6th District community and national climate research as part of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology markup of the Build Back Better reconciliation package."Congress has not only a responsibility to prioritize climate at the scale science demands, but has an opportunity to invest in the research and development needed to maintain American competitiveness globally while creating jobs and growing our economy, " … Continue Reading
September 09, 2021
Casten Applauds Biden’s Announced Plans to Nominate 5th Commissioner to FERC, Following Congressman’s Viral Hot FERC Summer Campaign
WASHINGTON, D.C. - President Biden today announced his intent to nominate Willie Phillips, Chairman of the District of Columbia Public Service Commission, to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). This comes on the heels of Congressman Sean Casten's (D-IL) "Hot FERC Summer" campaign, which celebrates FERC's pivotal role in achieving our country's clean energy goals and to highlight the opportunity for President Biden to name a 5th commissioner, creating a majority on the Commission … Continue Reading
September 01, 2021
Casten Statement on Texas Abortion Ban
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL) released the following statement on the Texas abortion ban: "Texas' radical anti-abortion law is a devastating, horrific and blatant violation of the rights of all birthing people — and a full-scale assault on patients and health care providers that ripped away access to safe, comprehensive medical care for millions overnight. "Texas is not alone. In 2021, Republican lawmakers in 16 states have enacted over 83 new abortion … Continue Reading
August 31, 2021
Casten Implores Dems to Fight Hard for Climate Provisions As Reconciliation Negotiations Continue Amid Crisis in Gulf Coast
US. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL-06) released the following statement on the devastation caused by Hurricane Ida and Congress' obligation to included investment in scientifically necessary climate action in any infrastructure bill to prevent future catastrophes:Rep. Casten said, "Like COVID, the climate crisis is a threat multiplier that we're all experiencing in real time. The sooner we take action, the more lives, businesses, and homes we can save. But the longer we wait, the more it will … Continue Reading
August 27, 2021
Casten Statement on SEC Announcement Requesting Public Input on Gamification of Online Trading Apps
Downers Grove, IL -- U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL-06) released the following statement in response to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)'s announcement requesting information and public comment on matters related to the use of digital engagement practices by broker-dealers & investment advisers. "Today's SEC announcement to request public input on the gamification of online trading apps signals that Chairman Gensler is serious about protecting young, inexperienced … Continue Reading
August 27, 2021
Reps. Casten, García Tour Frida Kahlo Exhibit, Ride Metra, Meet with Local Leaders
Downers Grove, Illinois — U.S. Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García (D-IL) joined U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL) in IL-06 for a day of events ahead of Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins September 15. The tour focused on community investment, inclusion, recognition of the Chicagoland Latino community. Rep. Casten and Rep. García began the day with a tour of the Frida Kahlo Exhibit at the College of DuPage, highlighting the strong cultural contributions and presence of the Hispanic … Continue Reading
August 26, 2021
Rep. Casten Statement on the Kabul Airport Attacks
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman released the following statement on the attacks on Kabul Airport:"I am heartbroken by the news out of Kabul, where deadly explosions continue to be reported. We are indebted to our servicemembers for their work. My thoughts are with the American service members, civilians, Afghans, and their families impacted by these horrific attacks. The US must do everything in its power to scale up evacuation efforts and help those seeking refuge. My staff and I … Continue Reading