Consumer Protection
As the holiday shopping season begins, we must ensure that toys bring joy, not injury. For 37 years, Illinois PIRG Education Fund has released the Trouble in Toyland report, which has helped shape toy safety regulations since the 1980s. Last week, I attended a press conference at Lurie Children’s Hospital to discuss the findings of the report. Thankfully, since the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act became law 14 years ago, the number of dangerous toys has decreased.
I recently became aware of two alarming and hateful acts in my district. The first incident occurred late last week in the Devonshire neighborhood of Skokie when numerous ‘We Stand with Israel’ signs were vandalized and shredded apart. The second display occurred at a rally in Evanston on Saturday where the antisemitic Hamas flag was flaunted. I wholeheartedly condemn these actions.
It is great to be back in the 9th Congressional District after Congress successfully passed a continuing resolution to keep our government funded until December 20, 2024. The bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 341-82. I am glad Democrats and Republicans were able to reach a bipartisan agreement to put the needs of everyday Americans first, and I am hoping we will be able to reach another bipartisan agreement at the end of the year to avert a government shutdown.
This week, I provide some updates on the Debt Ceiling vote and the work on the Build Back Better bill. I also discuss President Biden's visit to the Chicago area, and some related COVID-19 updates. This week I introduced some legislation, including the Safer Beauty Bill Package and the INFORM Consumer Act.
Last week, President Biden announced he is pardoning all Americans who have been convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal law. The executive order will benefit 6,500 people with federal convictions. The criminalization of marijuana and this nation's failed ‘War on Drugs' has devastated our communities of color. People of color are four times more likely to be arrested on cannabis charges – and are often targeted for longer prison sentences.
One week ago, Hamas launched a horrific attack against Israel, committing unspeakable terrorism and inflicting the deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust. As a Jew, this is extremely painful and personal for me. We must all stand united and unequivocally condemn the vicious attack carried out by Hamas.
This week, I talk about the vote on the debt ceiling. I also talk about my hearing in the #SubConsumer subcommittee on supply chain and manufacturing issues we are seeing. This week, I introduced a bill dealing with social media platforms and the harms their algorithms may cause.
Here's my weekly video update for my constituents. I address President Trump's COVID diagnosis, the latest Coronavirus numbers, votes by the House to condemn QAnon and the forced sterilization of women in ICE custody, and other updates.
In my weekly video update, I discuss the latest on the Build Back Better Act, talk about a bill we introduced this week about gig economy workers, and some other updates.
In this week's update, I talk about the latest on Coronavirus numbers and the ongoing relief package negotiations. And remind everyone to get out and vote!