Gun Violence Prevention
I believe that we have a responsibility to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and other dangerous individuals, and I will always speak out in favor of common-sense gun violence prevention legislation. Gun violence is a pervasive problem in the United States. I often hear from constituents living in the 9th District who feel the impacts of this violence firsthand. They are seeking solutions to the senseless violence that tears families apart each and every day in Chicago and in communities across the country. Far too often, we witness terrifying and heartbreaking shootings in our schools and communities. Our children should not be forced to live in a country where, on average, 91 people are killed with guns daily. And where seven of them are children and teens. Children in the United States are 13 times more likely to be killed by gun violence than children in other industrialized countries. That is absolutely unacceptable, and it is clear that we need to take action. I will keep working to pass real gun safety legislation that protects our children and our communities.
More on Gun Violence Prevention
As always, I had a great week back in the 9th Congressional District! Not only was I able to host a wonderful Seder dinner for my friends and family, but I also had a fantastic time out and about in our community. Some highlights include speaking with students at Mosaic School of Fine Arts in Rogers Park and Crystal Lake High School, touring Xylem, the largest employer in Morton Grove, and visiting Clearbrook West, a non-profit organization that supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in McHenry County.
Gun violence is one of the most serious public health threats we face. In fact, gun violence recently surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of death for American children. Future generations are counting on us to stop this horrific epidemic.
Last Congress, after nearly 30 years of inaction, Congress was able to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which closed gun law loopholes and implemented new gun violence prevention policies. But our work is far from over - we need universal background checks, safe storage laws, and an assault weapons ban.
In recent years, Americans have become increasingly concerned that their data is being exploited and abused. These concerns are warranted because weak laws have allowed Big Tech to invade people’s privacy. The very narrow TikTok bill we voted on last week, which Republicans rushed to the floor for a vote under the guise of protecting our national security, fails to ensure that all tech companies and data brokers are taking the steps necessary to protect Americans’ privacy and data.
Happy New Year! I hope your 2024 is off to a great start. Here in Washington, it is a new year, but we are seeing the same chaos from House Republicans. The far-right members of the Republican Party are angry that Speaker Mike Johnson has agreed to a deal with Democrats that will hopefully avert a partial shutdown of the government at the end of the week.
In all my years as a Member of Congress, I have never experienced a year quite like this. From Kevin McCarthy's rise and fall from the speakership to averting two government shutdowns which would have had disastrous consequences for everyday Americans, the past year was historic and unprecedented to say the least.
Despite holding 724 votes this year, only 27 pieces of legislation were signed into law, the lowest tally since the Great Depression. House Republicans’ inability to govern was on full display.
I am sorry that I am not writing to you with better news, but Congress remains at a standstill. We are now only 10 days away from the September 30th deadline to pass our federal funding bills. House Republicans continue to make extreme demands and are still plotting a government shutdown unless they can inflict their radical agenda on the American people. Extreme MAGA Republicans have done nothing to make life better or more affordable for everyday Americans.
After a fantastic district work period filled with constituent meetings and site visits, I am back in Washington, D.C. where we are working to pass federal funding bills by September 30th in order to avoid a government shutdown. But, right now, Congress is at a standstill. House Republicans have reneged on their budget agreement with the White House - the agreement they reached after holding our economy hostage and threatening to default on the debt. And now they want to further slash domestic spending levels and endanger critical services for the American people.
We need commonsense gun safety legislation to address America’s gun violence epidemic. Last week, I joined Vice President Kamala Harris, Moms Demand Action, and other gun safety advocates at Everytown for Gun Safety’s annual conference to demand greater action on gun control. Gun safety laws are vital to saving lives in our community and nationwide, and I am so thankful to the advocates in my district who are helping lead the charge. The conference took place the same day that Illinois’ Supreme Court upheld our ban on the sale of assault weapons. I am proud of my home state.
On Friday, the Supreme Court granted the Department of Justice’s emergency stay application in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA, preventing a lower court decision from going into effect that would have put women’s health at risk and undermined FDA’s medical judgment. For now, Mifepristone, which is used in 54% of all abortions, remains safe, legal, and available. But let me make it clear – the battle is not over. I will continue to fight and advocate for bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom.
For the first time since 1996, the Democratic National Convention is set to take place in Chicago! Reports show that the 2024 convention is expected to provide a well-needed $150 million boost to our economy. The eyes of the world will be watching, and I cannot wait to show off our magnificent city.