On Sunday, President Joe Biden announced he would not seek re-election to the Office of President of the United States in November. President Biden’s decision to pass the torch to the next generation demonstrates his character as a committed public servant. I am grateful for President Biden’s leadership, and I am proud of the work the country has accomplished during his tenure as president.

On Monday, I questioned now former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle about the failed assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on July 13. During my questioning of former Director Cheatle, I referenced the work of University of Chicago Professor Robert Pape, who is world-renowned for his work combating the spread of political violence. His research has found that 74 percent of Americans, including huge majorities among Democrats and Republicans, want Congress to come together to denounce political violence. My colleague Rep. Brad Wenstrup and I have teamed up to introduce a resolution condemning such political violence, and it is my hope and expectation that such a resolution would pass unanimously.

I also pressed former Director Cheatle on the details of the shooting, including the disturbing timeline and the Secret Service’s failure to pause the rally and move the former president and rally attendees from harm's way. Video footage I played during the hearing shows the shooter was seen on the roof of the building he would stage the attack from, the AGR Building, before the first shots began. The video also showed people around the building calling attention to law enforcement two minutes before the first shots were fired.

Following our hearing, I called for Director Cheatle’s resignation based on her agency’s failures and her inability to work with Congress to ensure such an attack does not happen again. On Tuesday, Director Cheatle did step down from her position. You can watch my full question line with former Director Cheatle here.

Last Wednesday, I presented $959,752 in federal funding I secured for the City of Wood Dale to update its water distribution system. By replacing its outdated water mains and improving pump stations, Wood Dale is ensuring that water pressure will be stronger, and the system will run more efficiently while wasting less water.

On Wednesday, I also presented Elgin with $959,752 in federal funding I secured to replace its lead service lines. The funding will support the city’s ongoing effort to replace its remaining 11,000 lead service lines, a goal it believes it could accomplish within the next 10 years. There is no level of lead that is safe and healthy for anyone to be drinking, and all residents of Elgin deserve to know that when they turn on their taps, the water coming into their homes is safe and clean. You can read more about Elgin’s project and the funding I secured in the Daily Herald here.

On Tuesday, I questioned three executives of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) about the costs of prescription drugs for the American people and the role of PBMs as middlemen between pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies. During my questioning, I referenced a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Interim Staff Report, a New York Times article, and a lawsuit filed by eight different state attorneys general, all of which concluded that PBMs are inflating drug prices and driving smaller and local pharmacies out of business. In fact, more than 7,000 pharmacies have closed over the past decade. The actions of PBMs are harming Americans by driving up the costs of prescription drugs and forcing closures of pharmacies as PBMs pocket massive profits. It’s time for Congress to act by taking up my bipartisan PBM Sunshine and Accountability Act, which would increase transparency around the activities of PBMs and their impact on drug prices. You can watch my full question line here.