Press Releases
Casten Statement on Continuing Resolution to Fund the Government
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) has released the following statement regarding the continuing resolution passed by the House to keep the government open: “Keeping our government open and functioning is the most basic responsibility of Congress. A government shutdown would have disastrous consequences for Illinois. Troops would be forced to serve without pay, single mothers and children would have lost access to nutrition benefits, travelers would see delays at … Continue Reading
September 24, 2024
Casten, Matsui Introduce Legislation to Incentivize Efficient Vehicle Purchases
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) and Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) introduced the Vehicle Energy Performance Act (VEPA) to incentivize the purchase of new vehicles with better-than-average energy performance. “This legislation is a win-win for consumers hoping to save money at the gas pump and help the environment at the same time,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “As vehicle emissions continue to contribute to global warming, it’s more important than ever to … Continue Reading
September 19, 2024
Casten Statement on Anti-ESG House Votes
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement regarding this week’s votes on anti-ESG legislation: “On the verge of a government shutdown, House Republicans wasted time this week forcing votes on bills that, if enacted, would fundamentally weaken the foundation of America’s free markets and limit Americans’ freedom to make their own investment decisions without interference from the government,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “These bills … Continue Reading
September 19, 2024
Casten, Chavez-DeRemer Introduce Legislation to Improve Access to Mental Health Care for Aviators
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL-06) and Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR-05) introduced the bipartisan Mental Health in Aviation Act, legislation to eliminate barriers to mental health care for aviators. “Pilots and air traffic controllers should not be unfairly penalized for seeking mental health care by a system that perpetuates a culture of silence,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “The Mental Health in Aviation Act bolsters mental health care access for aviators … Continue Reading
September 12, 2024
Casten Introduces Legislation Requiring the EPA to Report Emissions Caused by US Fossil Fuel Exports
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) introduced the Exported Carbon Emissions Report Act, legislation to require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regularly publish a summary for each of the previous ten years of total emissions of carbon dioxide and methane related to United States fossil fuel exports. “When we talk about the carbon footprint of the United States, we rarely have the full picture,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “The Exported Carbon Emissions … Continue Reading
September 03, 2024
CASTEN, DURBIN, DUCKWORTH, MAYOR JOHNSON, MEMBERS OF ILLINOIS DELEGATION ANNOUNCE $15 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR EV CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE IN CHICAGO
CHICAGO - U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL-6), Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-9), Danny Davis (D-IL-1), Robin Kelley (D-IL-2), Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-IL-4), and Delia Ramirez (D-IL-3) today announced $15,000,000 in federal funding coming to Chicago through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for Charge Up Chicago! Chicago Community Resources and Charging … Continue Reading
August 20, 2024
Casten Introduces Legislation to Safeguard Electric Grid from Extreme Weather
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten introduced the Reinforcing the Grid Against Extreme Weather Act of 2024, legislation to bolster electric power grid reliability against increasing and intensifying extreme weather events. “The Reinforcing the Grid Against Extreme Weather Act of 2024 unlocks the vast supply of domestic US clean energy sources, increases the reliability of our electric grid, and helps cut down on the number of blackouts caused by heat waves, severe storms, and … Continue Reading
August 16, 2024
Casten, Whitehouse, Schatz, Vargas File Amicus Brief Backing SEC’s Climate Risk Disclosure Rule
Washington, DC - U.S. Representative Sean Casten (D-IL), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), and Representative Juan Vargas (D-CA) filed an amicus curiae —or “friend of the court”—brief in Iowa v. SEC, a case at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit. The members’ brief urges the court to dismiss petitioners’ claim that the SEC lacks the authority to compel climate risk disclosure. Congress directed the SEC to require firms to disclose information … Continue Reading
August 12, 2024
Casten, Waters, Whitehouse Call on State Insurance Commissioners to Share Updates on Efforts to Address Urgent Climate-Related Insurance Risks
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL), Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Budget, sent a letter to Andrew Mais, President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). In the letter, the lawmakers urge NAIC to provide an update on the implementation of the critical recommendations made last year by the Treasury … Continue Reading
August 05, 2024
Casten, Curtis Urge OMB to Harmonize Methane Detection Rulemakings at Federal Agencies
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressmen Sean Casten (D-IL-06) and John Curtis (R-UT-03) sent a letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Shalanda Young urging OMB to harmonize the oil-and-gas methane reduction rulemakings currently underway at various federal agencies and to provide for an efficient process of approving innovative advanced technologies for detecting methane emissions. Methane, the primary constituent of natural gas, is a powerful global warming pollutant, with … Continue Reading
August 02, 2024
Casten, Yakym Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Aviation Medication Transparency
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressmen Sean Casten (D-IL-06) and Rudy Yakym (R-IN-02) introduced the bipartisan Aviation Medication Transparency Act, legislation to require the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) to publish and regularly update a list of approved medications for aviators. Currently, the FAA provides Aviation Medical Examiners with specific guidance on medications that are safe for aviators and those that necessitate grounding for various periods. However, this crucial … Continue Reading
July 25, 2024
Casten Leads 50 Lawmakers in Questioning Bank of America Financing of Gun Makers
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) led 50 lawmakers in a letter to Bank of America asking questions to seek clarification regarding their recent decision to rescind their ban on financing assault-style gun manufacturers. “The strong positions by Bank of America in 2018 likely saved lives,” the lawmakers wrote. “Your retreat in recent years strikes us as situational ethics. Perhaps you fear the political risk of alienating certain politicians. We would suggest that pales … Continue Reading
July 23, 2024
Casten Statement on Netanyahu Address to Congress
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) has released the following statement regarding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress: “This February, I traveled to Israel and the West Bank and saw first-hand the remnants of the violence of the October 7th terrorist attacks. I spoke directly with families of those taken hostage and toured a Kibbutz that was attacked, as well as the site of the Nova massacre. I heard from Israelis who were deeply offended that Prime … Continue Reading
July 12, 2024
Casten, Salazar Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Bolster Sustainable Apparel Industry
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL-06) and Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27) introduced the bipartisan Voluntary Sustainable Apparel Labeling Act, legislation to revolutionize the way consumers learn about the environmental impact of the clothes they purchase. Under the legislation, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will work with apparel manufacturers to develop a voluntary apparel sustainability label to place on products that will contain EPA-verified … Continue Reading
July 10, 2024
Casten, Schakowsky, Nadler Urge DOJ to Address Violence at Abortion Clinics
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), and Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) led 51 colleagues in a letter urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to fully enforce the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act and protect safe access to reproductive health care facilities. “It is concerning that, despite the alarming increase in violence and threats directed toward patients and providers, we are not seeing commensurate enforcement of one of the … Continue Reading
July 01, 2024
Casten Statement on SCOTUS Trump Immunity Decision
Downers Grove, IL — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) has released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s decision in Trump v. United States: “Today’s decision from the Supreme Court makes a mockery of our Constitutional promise of equal treatment under the rule of law. The court today protected the rights of the powerful at the expense of the powerless. They said affirmatively that the President of the United States is above the law provided that they, in their infinite wisdom, … Continue Reading
July 01, 2024
Casten, Warren, Foster, Jayapal to Commerce: No CHIPS Funding for Stock Buyback Subsidies
Text of Letter (PDF) Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Sean Casten (D-Ill.), Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Representatives Bill Foster (D-Ill.) and Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) wrote to the Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, urging the Department of Commerce (Commerce) to use its full statutory authority to ensure taxpayer dollars from the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) Act does not directly or indirectly fund stock buybacks and other shareholder … Continue Reading
June 28, 2024
Casten Statement on Chevron Decision
Washington, D,C. - Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the 1984 decision in Chevron v. National Resources Defense Council: “Today we received yet another anti-majoritarian decision that is detrimental to our federal agencies, particularly the ones doing important work to combat the climate crisis,” said Congressman Casten. “The Court consistently fails to fulfill the will of the American people. This decision … Continue Reading
June 27, 2024
Casten, DeLauro, 50+ Members Urge Blinken, World Bank to Address Economic Crisis in the West Bank
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) led over 50 colleagues in letters to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and World Bank President Ajay Banga urging them to address the severe economic situation in the West Bank. A copy of the letter sent to Sec. Blinken, signed by 56 Members of Congress, can be found HERE. A copy of the letter sent to World Bank President Banga, signed by 53 Members of Congress, can be found HERE. In … Continue Reading
June 26, 2024
Reps. Casten and Feenstra Lead Bipartisan Letter in Support of SOO Green
Washington, DC. — U.S. Congressmen Sean Casten (IL-06) and Randy Feenstra (IA-04) led a bipartisan group of members from the Illinois and Iowa Congressional delegations in a letter of support for the SOO Green HVDC Link, a proposed underground high-voltage transmission line to connect MISO (Mid-Continent Independent System Operator) and PJM (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland), the two largest electricity markets in the country. In addition to Reps. Casten and Feenstra, the letter was signed … Continue Reading