Civil and Human Rights
Our government is founded on the belief that individuals have a number of "inalienable rights" enshrined in the Constitution. I believe that the protection of those rights is a fundamental obligation for each member of Congress, and I take that duty very seriously. It is important that we work to end discrimination and human rights abuses wherever they occur.
In my work in the House of Representatives, where I was previously a member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and Vice Chair of the Human Rights Commission, I do my best to make sure a proper balance between security and liberty is maintained, and that government's reach into our private lives is kept to a minimum.
More on Civil and Human Rights
This week, I talk about the reparations bill, H.R. 40, the latest on the American Rescue Plan, and the situation in Texas this past week.
EVANSTON - Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, released the following statement regarding the acquittal of Senator Leila de Lima in one of three false charges filed against her by the Government of the Philippines:
EVANSTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Energy and Commerce Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, was joined by Congressman Adriano Espaillat and Congressman Mike Quigley in asking Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to immediately end three programs that create unnecessary burdens on local law enforcement. These controversial programs places unnecessary burdens on state and local law enforcement budgets and personnel. Local law enforcement leaders have opposed programs and attempts to make state and local departments extensions of federal enforcement efforts.
EVANSTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip, Chair of the Energy and Commerce Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, and Founding member of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, reintroduced the Innovative Maternal Payment And Coverage To (IMPACT To) Save Moms Act. This bill is one of several included in the historic and newly reintroduced "Momnibus" package of legislation to address the Black maternal health crisis in the United States.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip, Chair of Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, and a member of the House Energy and Commerce Racial Disparities Working Group, issued the following statement in recognition of Black History Month:
"As we celebrate Black History Month, we give special attention to the numerous contributions of the Black community to the Chicagoland area, our country, and the world. Chicago, which itself was founded by a Black man, Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, has a long, rich history from being the birthplace of Chicago blues and will be the home the Presidential Library of our nation's first Black President.
WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and a senior member of the House Budget Committee, released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed S. Con. Res. 5, a budget resolution that lays the groundwork for passing President Biden's American Rescue Plan:
WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, announced the introduction of a package of legislation to address serious problems that have emerged during the COVID-19 crisis.
"This bipartisan, bicameral package addresses serious challenges revealed by this pandemic. The issues addressed range from the protection of nursing home residents and staff; to ensuring the privacy of patient data; and confronting scammers who have taken advantage," said Schakowsky. "I look forward to working with my colleagues and our leadership to see these solutions put into law."
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, issued the following statement following the House of Representatives voting to remove Marjorie Taylor Greene from her House Committee assignments:
"Today I voted to strip a violence-promoting QAnon adherent, 9/11 denier, anti-Semitic, Islamophobic Member of Congress from her Committee posts.
"I cast this vote on behalf of my constituents and parents everywhere who are retraumatized by the words and actions of a woman who claimed the Sandy Hook Elementary School and Parkland High School shootings were staged.
This morning, I paid my respects to Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who was killed during the violent insurrection in our U.S. Capitol building on January 6, 2021.
EVANSTON - Today, Represenatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Mark Takano (D-CA), and Jesus "Chuy" Garcia (D-IL), introduced the COVID-19 Justice and Accountability ACt. As the Biden-Harris Administration seeks to undo the harm caused by the previous Administration and get this pandemic under control, Congress must take the necessary step to provide statutory protections to all those impacted by this virus. Without a private right to action under the CARES Act and federal relief legislation, the courtroom doors will be closed to those who need access most.