Press Releases
Casten, Gluesenkamp Perez, Connolly Introduce Bill to Support Access to Lower-Priced Generic Drugs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday, U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (IL-06) along with Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) and Gerry Connolly (VA-11), introduced the Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act of 2023, a bill to support access to lower-priced generic prescription drugs. To limit competition and reap above-market profits longer, name-brand drug manufacturers use “Pay-for-Delay” patent settlements that pay generic manufacturers to stay out of the market. These tactics can hurt consumers, … Continue Reading
November 01, 2023
Casten, Frankel Introduce Bill to Protect K-12 Students From Sexual Harassment and Assault
Washington, D.C (November 1, 2023) - Today, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) and Democratic Women's Caucus Chair Lois Frankel (FL-22) introduced the Stop Sexual Harassment in K-12 Act to combat sexual harassment, assault, and sex-based discrimination occurring in K-12 schools by creating clear standards and related funding streams for schools to uphold their students' Title IX rights. There is a gap in resources to address sexual abuse, violence, and discrimination facing K-12 … Continue Reading
October 27, 2023
Casten Calls for Humanitarian Pause in Gaza and Release of Hostages
Washington, D.C. — Today, U. S. Congressman Sean Casten released the following statement calling for a humanitarian pause in Gaza to allow for aid to be provided to civilians and for hostages to be released: “On October 7th, Hamas launched the deadliest attack on Israeli civilians in the country’s history. The three weeks since the attack have been heartbreaking. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, thousands more have been injured, and over 200 civilians have been taken as hostages. … Continue Reading
October 25, 2023
Casten Statement on Election of Insurrectionist Speaker Mike Johnson
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL) released the following statement regarding the election of Mike Johnson (R-LA) as Speaker of the House of Representatives: “Today is a sad day for any American concerned about protecting the sanctity of our democracy and preserving the rights of women to have autonomy over their own bodies. “On January 6th, after watching a mob storm the United States Capitol, a majority of the House Republican Conference tried to finish the job. … Continue Reading
October 24, 2023
Casten Announces $176,702,627 for Illinois to Help Households with Home Energy Costs
Washington, D.C. (Tuesday, October 24th) - Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) announced that Illinois was awarded $176,702,627 in funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Administered through the Administration for Children and Families’ Office of Community Services at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this funding will help individuals and families with low incomes pay their home heating costs this winter, and with cooling bills in the … Continue Reading
October 18, 2023
Casten, Warren, Marshall, 100+ Lawmakers Ask Biden Administration to Address Crypto-Financed Terrorism after Reports of Hamas Raising Millions in Crypto to Fund Operations
Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Sean Casten (D-Ill.) and U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) led 102 lawmakers in a bipartisan letter to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Brian Nelson, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at the Department of the Treasury (Treasury), raising grave concerns about reports that in the months leading up to their brutal October 7th terrorist attack on Israel, Hamas and … Continue Reading
October 13, 2023
Casten Celebrates $1 Billion in Funding for Illinois-Based Midwest Hydrogen Hub
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement regarding the Department of Energy announcement of $1 billion in funding for a Midwest Hydrogen Hub: “The $1 billion funding to be received by the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen is a great step in clean energy innovation and decarbonizing our economy,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “I was proud to vote to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and allocate this funding to the Department of … Continue Reading
October 07, 2023
Casten Statement on Attacks on Israel
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten has released the following statement regarding the recent attack on Israel: “I am heartbroken to see the devastating news this morning and unequivocally condemn the attacks on Israel by Hamas during the Jewish holiday of Shemini Atzeret. My heart is with all of the victims and their loved ones. America stands with Israel and supports its right to defend itself. "Terrorism may produce temporary acquiescence. Extremists may realize short-term … Continue Reading
October 03, 2023
Casten Statement on Motion to Oust McCarthy as Speaker
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement ahead of an expected vote on a Motion to Vacate the Speaker’s Chair: “I will not vote for, nor support anyone for Speaker who puts themselves above our democracy. Who voted to overturn the last election. Who chose to put extremists in control of the House agenda. “There is not a single member of the House Republican Conference who passes those tests. My vote today will reflect that fact.” # # … Continue Reading
September 30, 2023
Casten Statement on Continuing Resolution to Fund the Government
“After months of working to avoid a government shutdown and prevent House Republicans from enacting extreme spending cuts to vital programs, I’m relieved to have joined House Democrats in passing a continuing resolution that accomplishes that goal and keeps the government funded at current levels for 45 days. “A shutdown would have had a disastrous impact on Illinois. Over 28,000 troops in our state would have been forced to serve without pay. 167,903 Illinois women and children would have … Continue Reading
September 26, 2023
Casten to McCarthy: Your Failures Take Nutrition Assistance From 7 Million Women and Children
Washington, D.C. (Tuesday, September 26th, 2023) - Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) took to the floor of the House of Representatives to call out Speaker Kevin McCarthy on his failure to keep his word and his appeasement of far-right members in Congress. Casten said the following: “Earlier this year, Speaker McCarthy stood in the Oval Office with the President of the United States and negotiated a deal to raise the debt limit and fund the government. Instead of keeping his end of … Continue Reading
September 26, 2023
Casten Calls on Speaker McCarthy to Honor Deal and Prevent a Shutdown
Washington, D.C. (Tuesday, September 26th, 2023) - Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06), made the following statement on government funding: “Earlier this year, Speaker McCarthy met with President Biden and negotiated a deal to raise the debt limit and fund the government,” said Congressman Casten. “Now, Speaker McCarthy is going back on his word to appease the far-right members of the House Republican Conference. “We have five days to avoid a shutdown that would put jobs, national … Continue Reading
September 21, 2023
Casten, Huffman Call for Safeguards for Carbon Capture Technologies
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressmen Sean Casten (IL-06) and Jared Huffman (CA-02) sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging his administration to ensure strong safeguards are in place for the use of carbon capture utilization and sequestration and hydrogen technology. “While we have a range of views regarding carbon capture utilization and sequestration (CCUS) and hydrogen technology, we agree that infrastructure for these technologies should be deployed only with the highest … Continue Reading
September 19, 2023
Casten Calls for Stronger Taxpayer Protections in CHIPS Funding
Washington D.C. (September 19th, 2023) - Today during the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology hearing entitled Chips on the Table: A one year review of the CHIPS and Science Act, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) questioned U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo on the strength of taxpayer protections in disbursement of CHIPS funds. Watch the full questioning here. ??“CHIPS funds should not create windfalls for companies that receive them,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “I have … Continue Reading
September 15, 2023
Casten, The Morton Arboretum Announce $15 Million in Funding For Urban Forestry Initiatives
Washington, D.C. (September 15th, 2023) — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) announced he has helped secure $15 million in federal funding for The Morton Arboretum in DuPage County. This funding is provided by the Inflation Reduction Act, which Congressman Casten worked to pass one year ago, and is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s nationwide Urban and Community Forestry Program meant to expand access to trees and green spaces in communities and neighborhoods. The Morton … Continue Reading
September 14, 2023
Casten Calls for Re-Implementation of Child Tax Credit to Address Rising Child Poverty
Washington, D.C. — Following the release of data by the U.S. Census Bureau indicating a rise in child poverty, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) has issued the following statement calling on Congress to reinstate the Child Tax Credit: “When I fought to include the expanded Child Tax Credit in the American Rescue Plan in 2021, I did so with a singular goal in mind: to reduce child poverty in the United States. I’m incredibly proud of the fact that child poverty declined in 2021, but we have … Continue Reading
September 14, 2023
Sustainable Investment Caucus Statement on Education and Workforce Committee Markup of Anti-ESG Bills
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 Education and Workforce Committee markup on anti-ESG legislation: “We are once again disappointed, but not surprised, by House Republicans' ongoing attacks on investor freedom and the free market. Today’s Education and Workforce Committee markup makes it clear that House Republicans believe that … Continue Reading
September 08, 2023
Casten, Burchett Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Teachers Afford Classroom Supplies
Washington, D.C. (September 8th, 2023) - Today, Representatives Sean Casten (D-IL-06) and Tim Burchett (R-TN-02) introduced the bipartisan Educators Expense Deduction Modernization Act of 2023. This bill would increase the amount educators are able to deduct on qualified out-of-pocket classroom expenses on their annual tax return from $250 to $1,000 and keep it indexed to inflation to ensure the deduction keeps pace with rising costs. Earlier this week, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) … Continue Reading
August 16, 2023
Casten Celebrates Anniversary of IRA, Calls for Permitting and Transmission Reform
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) has released the following statement celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act being signed into law: “Since President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law one year ago today, we’ve seen tremendous benefit through our community. In the 6th District, the IRA has saved over 4,300 Medicare beneficiaries who use insulin an average of $490 annually. For the 21,000 6th District residents … Continue Reading
August 14, 2023
Casten Questions PayPal Over Launch of New Stablecoin
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) sent a letter to PayPal following the announcement of their new stablecoin, PayPal USD. In the letter, Rep. Casten asks questions seeking clarification on how PayPal and Paxos intend to issue the stablecoin while avoiding the mistakes of previous failed stablecoins, prioritizing consumer protections, and safeguarding our financial system. With more than 430 million customers, Paypal is the largest financial institution to announce … Continue Reading