Press Releases

Washington, DC (July 11, 2013) — Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement on the passage of the Republican-led Farm Bill:

"Today the House passed the Republican-led Farm Bill, over my strong objection. The bill completely eliminates Title IV, which covers nutrition programs, most notably the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly called Food Stamps. SNAP provides temporary assistance to prevent hunger.

"Hunger exists in every district in America. One in eight households in my district is food insecure — meaning those families sometimes go hungry. Nationwide, food insecurity is even higher.

Washington, DC (July 10, 2013) — Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement on HHS awarding grants to Illinois community health centers:

Today, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced $150 million in grants to help community health centers enroll uninsured Americans in new health coverage plans offered under Obamacare. Illinois health centers will receive $6,161,944.

Washington, DC (July 10, 2013) — Rep. Jan Schakowsky spoke on her amendment to the House Energy and Water Appropriation Bill:

Washington, DC (July 5, 2013) — Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement after receiving the Woman of Impact award:

"I am honored and humbled to receive the Woman of Impact award from the National Organization for Women (NOW). NOW gives a voice to women all over the country and empowers us to fight for equal pay, economic justice and control over our own bodies. When women unite together, we make our voices heard, and we saw this when Congress reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act, expanding protections for women and their families who are victims of domestic violence.

Washington, DC (July 4, 2013) — Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement celebrating Independence Day:

"On Independence Day, we are reminded of the ties that bind us together as Americans. On this date 237 years ago, men and women from all walks of life banded together around the principle that we are all created equal and are endowed with the unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Washington, DC (July 1, 2013) — Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement on the doubling of student loan rates:

"Interest rates for federal student loans doubled today and I am disappointed that Republicans refused to keep college affordable for students and middle class families by not extending the 3.4% interest rate. With the already high cost of college and the fragile state of our economy, it is unacceptable that Congress would burden students with more debt. These higher interest rates are an economic handicap, preventing our students from buying their first home or starting a family.

Washington, DC (June 27, 2013) — Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement on the Senate passage of immigration bill:

"I am pleased that the Senate passed a bipartisan immigration bill today and brought our nation one step closer to immigration reform. Today's vote is a major step toward fixing our broken immigration system and keeping families together. This victory is a tribute to the courageous grassroots advocates and determined leaders, like my Senator Dick Durbin, who helped craft this bipartisan legislation.

Mr. Speaker, like many of my colleagues, I am hearing from constituents who are looking but unable to find jobs, and who are now faced with cuts to their Federal unemployment insurance (UI) benefits because of the sequester.

These are people like Janice in Chicago, who last month wrote me, "Yesterday, I received an email from the Illinois Department of Employment Security stating that starting in June and through the month of September, my unemployment benefits will be reduced by 16.8% because of the budget sequester."