Press Releases
Casten, Davis, and Spanberger Lead Bill to Protect Struggling Student Loan Borrowers
Washington, D.C. - Today U.S. Representatives Sean Casten, Danny K. Davis, and Abigail Spanberger championed legislation to protect student loan borrowers experiencing financial hardship by stopping an onerous practice known as capitalization after a deferment or forbearance. The End Capitalization for Struggling Borrowers Act is included in the Democratic College Affordability Act to lower the cost of college and reauthorize the Higher Education Act. Capitalization is an accounting rule which … Continue Reading
October 11, 2019
Representatives Casten, Lee Introduce Pell Grant Sustainability Act
Downers Grove, IL. - Today, U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06) and Susie Lee (NV-03) introduced the Pell Grant Sustainability Act. The bill would make sure that Federal resources for college students keep up with current costs by indexing Pell Grants to inflation. From 2009 to 2018, the value of discretionary Pell Grants stayed flat while inflation rose 17% and college tuition went even higher. The maximum Pell Grant now covers the smallest share of college cost ever, just 28% compared … Continue Reading
October 04, 2019
Casten, Shalala, King Introduce the Stop College Closures Act of 2019
Downers Grove, IL - Today, U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06), Donna Shalala (FL-27), and Peter King (NY-02) introduced the Stop College Closures Act of 2019, bipartisan legislation that would require accrediting agencies for institutions of higher education do more to prevent and protect students from falling victim to sudden school closures."It is nothing short of devastating to students when their college closes. After pouring time and money into their education, they're left with a … Continue Reading
September 30, 2019
Casten Statement on Sterigenics Decision to Close
Downers Grove, IL - Today U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement after Sterigenics announced they will close the Willowbrook facility:Casten said, "Illinoisans should have confidence that the air they are breathing is safe. Unfortunately, the actions of Sterigenics made it impossible for those who live and work in Willowbrook and the surrounding communities to have that peace of mind. For that reason, I support Sterigenics' decision to close their Willowbrook … Continue Reading
September 30, 2019
Representatives Casten, Tonko, Quigley Introduce the Preserve Science in Policymaking Act
Downers Grove, IL. - Last week, Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06), Paul Tonko (NY-20), and Mike Quigley (IL-05) introduced the Preserve Science in Policymaking Act of 2019. The bill would prevent the President from unilaterally dissolving Federal Advisory Committees - groups of scientists and academics that advise the executive branch on how to make their regulations evidence-based - without the approval of apolitical civil servants and a public notice and comment period. The bill comes in … Continue Reading
September 26, 2019
Representatives Casten, Haaland, Garcia, Krishnamoorthi Introduce Bill to Help College Students Finish Their Degrees
Washington, D.C. - Today, Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06), Deb Haaland (NM-01), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), and Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) introduced H.R. 4502, the Giving Relief and Dollars to Undergraduates for Adequate Time for Education Act (GRADUATE Act). The bill would eliminate the restriction that students can only take out subsidized student loans over three years for an Associate's Degree or six years for a Bachelor's Degree, while maintaining the overall cap on borrowing to prevent … Continue Reading
September 24, 2019
Casten Doubles Down on Need for Impeachment Inquiry After Troubling Details About Trump’s Conversation with Ukrainian President Emerge
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement after evidence emerges about President Trump's troublesome communications with the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as, Speaker Nancy Pelosi's announcement to pursue a formal impeachment inquiry into the President of the United States.Casten said, "In June, I called for an impeachment inquiry into the President of the United States. My determination that an inquiry is necessary has only … Continue Reading
September 23, 2019
Casten, Booker, Gillibrand, and Kennedy Introduce Legislation Banning Inequitable Calculations of Civil Damages
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06), along with U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), as well as, U.S. Representative Joe Kennedy III (MA-04), introduced legislation that prohibits the consideration of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or actual or perceived sexual orientation when calculating damages in civil lawsuits. The Fair Calculations in Civil Damages Act prevents courts from determining that the victim of a crime should be … Continue Reading
September 19, 2019
Casten Releases Statement on the Passing of Dr. Emily Clyburn
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement mourning the death of Dr. Emily Clyburn, wife of House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (SC-06).Casten said, "I have learned a lot from Rep. Clyburn in my brief time as a Member of Congress, but probably the most important thing I have learned is the inestimable value of a solid partner - someone who puts their morals first, who makes quiet and generous personal sacrifices, who stands by you, but never … Continue Reading
September 18, 2019
Casten, New Democrat Coalition Release Priorities for U.S. Climate Policy
U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) along with The New Democrat Coalition (NDC), led by Chair Derek Kilmer, NDC Vice Chair Scott Peters, and the NDC Climate Change Task Force Co-Chairs Reps. Don Beyer, Elaine Luria, and Susan Wild, released policy principles and endorsed legislation to combat climate change. In doing so, the NDC seeks to address the climate challenge with the urgency the crisis demands and to embrace the notion that the U.S., through its powerful economy and culture of … Continue Reading
September 10, 2019
Casten Calls for Secretary Wilbur Ross’ Resignation After Threatening to Fire NOAA Officials
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement demanding Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross' resignation after the New York Times reported that Secretary Ross threatened to fire National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) officials when they contradicted President Trump's claim that Hurricane Dorian could impact Alabama.Casten said, "Secretary Ross should step down immediately. People across this country depend on accurate, factual … Continue Reading
August 22, 2019
Casten, Kelly Conduct First Non-Partisan Congressional Maternal Health Field Inquiry in Chicago
Chicago, IL. - This week, U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06) and Robin Kelly (IL-02) convened a non-partisan Congressional Maternal Health Field Inquiry, in collaboration with Advocate Children's Hospital, to shine an urgent light on the rising rate of American mothers dying from pregnancy and childbirth. The inquiry's findings will contribute to larger federal reporting and fact-finding efforts to craft a national response to America's shocking and growing maternal morality rate.The … Continue Reading
August 15, 2019
Casten Statement on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Decision to Bar Members of Congress from Entering Israel
Downers Grove, IL - U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement in response to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to deny Representatives Rashida Tlaib (MI-13) and Ilhan Omar (MN-5) entry into Israel. Last week, Casten traveled to Israel with other Members of Congress to meet with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.Casten said, "Last week, I had the privilege to travel to Israel with several dozen of my colleagues. We met with political leaders, soldiers and … Continue Reading
August 14, 2019
Casten, Castor, and Other Climate Experts Propose Climate Solutions at House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis’ Chicago Roundtable
Chicago, IL - Today, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) was joined by House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis Chair Kathy Castor (FL-14), and several Chicago area climate experts to discuss how the broad effects of climate change are impacting the Sixth District of Illinois, Chicago, and the Great Lakes region of the country.During the roundtable, the panelists discussed the increasing frequency and intensity of flooding, extreme temperatures, changes to the Great Lakes, and how the … Continue Reading
August 07, 2019
Casten and New Democrat Coalition Climate Change Task Force Release Principles for U.S. Climate Policy
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Representative and New Democrat Coalition (NDC) Climate Change Task Force Co-Chair Sean Casten (IL-06), along with NDC Chair Derek Kilmer (WA-06), NDC Vice Chair Scott Peters (CA-52), and the other Co-Chairs of the NDC Climate Change Task Force, Reps. Don Beyer (VA-08), Elaine Luria (VA-02), and Susan Wild (PA-07), released policy principles to combat climate change with the seriousness and urgency this crisis demands. In doing so, the NDC Climate Change Task Force … Continue Reading
August 05, 2019
Casten Statement on Shootings in El Paso and Dayton
Downers Grove, IL. - U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement after the deadly shootings in Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas. Casten said, "My heart breaks for the victims in El Paso and Dayton and the families of those lost. Within 24 hours, 31 Americans are dead because of easy access to deadly guns. Empty thoughts and prayers are not enough, we must act. Gun violence is a national emergency that continues to plague our nation and demands immediate … Continue Reading
August 02, 2019
Casten Discusses Small Business Priorities with 6th District Community Members
Carpentersville, IL. - Today, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) spoke at a breakfast meeting of the Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce in Carpentersville. During the breakfast, Casten highlighted his work in Congress and spoke about his outlook on issues facing the small business community in Illinois' 6th District, as well as listening to the concerns of community members to better inform his work on small business-related policy.Congressman Casten with Kane County Business … Continue Reading
July 25, 2019
Casten Delivers Climate Policy Proposals to House Energy and Commerce Committee
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) testified before the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce on his proposals and ideas to combat climate change and urged the Committee to pass key legislation he introduced, including his Promoting Grid Storage Act of 2019. The bipartisan legislation, introduced with U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), would boost research and development of cutting-edge technologies to increase energy storage capabilities for America's electric grid … Continue Reading
July 25, 2019
New Bipartisan, Bicameral Proposal Targets Industrial Emissions for Reduction
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06), Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Mike Braun (R-IN), along with U.S. Representatives David McKinley (R-WV), Aumua Amata (R-AS-At Large), and Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), today introduced the bipartisan Clean Industrial Technology Act (CITA) to unleash innovation that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from industrial sources and make American companies more … Continue Reading
July 24, 2019
Casten Statement on Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Testimony Before House Judiciary And Intelligence Committees
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement on Special Counsel Robert Mueller's testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives' Judiciary and Intelligence Committees: Casten said, "Robert Mueller's testimony today affirmed what we already knew to be true, there is no question that Russia purposely meddled in the 2016 elections and continues to attempt to influence future elections. It is also clear that the President attempted on … Continue Reading