Press Releases

“I was a strong supporter and cosponsor of H.R. 647, the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014. Unfortunately, when H.R. 647 was brought to the House floor, it added new provisions to fund its $2 billion, 10-year cost through provisions that I could not support – specifically, cuts in Medicare and Social Security. I was urged by organizations like AARP and physician groups like the AMA to reject this approach, and I agree with them that it is a dangerous precedent to set.

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement regarding her vote on H.R. 3979, the FY2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

“I voted against final passage of the NDAA this afternoon, although I supported several important components of the legislation. This bill received one hour of debate in the House of Representatives – inadequate when we consider that the legislation authorizes funding for military operations around the world. Our soldiers, their families, and the American people deserve careful consideration of our military footprint.

WASHINGTON, DC – “Today is a great day for hard working Chicagoans. Mayor Rahm Emanuel and a vast majority of the City Council passed an ordinance that will raise the minimum wage for all Chicagoans to $13 an hour by 2019.

In addition, this measure gives tipped workers in Chicago a long-needed raise. Currently, tipped workers across Illinois only get a minimum wage of $4.95 an hour – in Chicago that will increase to $5.45 by July 2015 and $5.95 by July 2016.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Reps. Jan Schakowsky, Luis Gutierrez, and Mike Quigley sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy in support of the Agency’s consideration of a stronger standard for ground-level ozone (smog) pollution. Smog pollution poses serious risks to public health, including asthma. Children, the elderly, and those who work outdoors are most vulnerable to its impacts.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today a Grand Jury in St. Louis County has decided not to indict Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown. Rep. Jan Schakowsky issued the following statement on this decision:

“I am very disappointed that the Grand Jury decided not to indict Officer Darren Wilson for this summer’s shooting death of Michael Brown. Like many Americans, I am frustrated by a lack of accountability for this tragedy.

An indictment in this case would have prompted a trial in which all aspects of Michael Brown’s death would be carefully weighed and considered, and justice could have been served.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement upon word of an extension of the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 countries (United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom, and France, plus Germany):

“I am disappointed that the parties to the Joint Plan of Action nuclear negotiations were unable to reach an agreement by today’s deadline, but I support the decision to continue these talks until July 1, 2015. I will work with my colleagues to see that nothing is done to impede the negotiations as they continue.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement in response to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel’s announcement that he will resign from his position:

“I thank Chuck Hagel for his long service to our country – as a Vietnam veteran, a Congressional staffer, a deputy administrator of the Veterans Administration, a United States Senator, and the Secretary of Defense.

CHICAGO – “I praise President Obama for his bold announcement on immigration this evening. I’m very grateful that he has decided to use his legal authority to protect families in my district and around the country who want nothing more than to keep their families together and work hard to achieve the American dream.