Press Releases

Washington, DC (March 6, 2013) — Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement on introducing the Health Insurance Rate Review Act:

Rep. Jan Schakowsky today introduced the Health Insurance Rate Review Act of 2013 to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to block or modify unreasonable health insurance rate increases in states where insurance regulators lack the authority to do so. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

Washington, DC (March 5, 2013) — Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement on passing of Dawn Clark Netsch:

Washington, D.C. (March 4, 2013) Rep. Jan Schakowsky submitted the following Extension of Remarks into the Congressional Record to commemorate Casimir Pulaski Day:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Casimir Pulaski Day. I believe it is important that each year we celebrate and retell the story of this great Polish-American hero of the 18th century, and no one does it better than Illinois with our state holiday. But it is not just the story of one man. It is also true that when we celebrate the memory of Casimir Pulaski, we honor great principles and values that are just as true today.

Washington, DC (March 1, 2013) — Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement on Women's History Month:

"Today marks the beginning of Women's History Month. Through the month of March, we celebrate the accomplishments and courage of women all over the world. American women have made significant progress through the years, from access to safe and legal abortions, to ending discrimination in health insurance, to women serving as leaders in Congress, businesses, the military and in their communities.

Washington, DC (February 28, 2013) —Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2013, in the House of Representatives and the Senate. House co-sponsors include Reps. George Miller (CA-11), Sam Farr (CA-20), Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Chellie Pingree (ME-01). Senate co-sponsors include Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

Washington, DC (February 28, 2013) — Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement on the House passing the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization:

"Today we celebrate a major victory for all those who want to end violence against women. With unanimous Democratic support, the House was able to pass the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, despite the continued opposition by a majority of Republican House members. This bill, which is now on its way to President Obama for his signature, will build upon the past successes of VAWA and extend critical protections to immigrant, LGBT, and Native American women.

Washington, DC (February 26, 2013) — Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement after speaking on the House floor today about the sequester, the across-the-board spending cuts that will take effect at the end of the week:

"Unless we act, at the end of this week, across-the-board, automatic spending cuts will go into effect that will cost hundreds of thousands of jobs, slow our economic growth, and affect the public and private sectors in ways that hurt the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with my colleagues two documents that outline both the dangerous impact of sequestration cuts and how we could replace them in a way that helps, not hurts, the American people.

The report, "Protecting Our Nation from Bad Federal Budget Choices," from the Coalition on Human Needs, includes these key facts about the sequester's impact:

• 600,000 children and mothers will lose nutritional aid under WIC (the Women, Infants, and Children program).

• 125,000 low-income families will lose rental housing vouchers.

• 70,000 children will be denied Head Start.

• 4 million fewer Meals on Wheels meals served to seniors.