Dear friend, 

I hope you and your loved ones are well. 

Every day, I hear from constituents about the financial stress they experience as a result of rising prices. I understand the concern and frustration these costs create – no family should have to worry about how they will put food on the table or fill up their tank. In Washington, DC, my colleagues and I have been fighting to control inflation and lower costs for our community.  

The United States is a capitalist country. Our government is not in the business of manufacturing products, nor should we be. If someone spends their own time and money to build products they believe will be in demand, then they deserve a fair profit for their foresight if their estimate proves correct.  

However, when businesses collude to raise prices, or they become so concentrated that they can charge monopolistic prices, but do not use those profits to increase production capacity that will eventually lower prices, then we have learned through centuries of experience that government must step in. 
 
Currently, exorbitant and unfair shipping fees charged by international ocean shipping companies are increasing costs for consumers on the shelves, for American small businesses waiting for key supplies, and for American farmers selling food to the world. The Ocean Shipping Reform Act, which I voted for in the House of Representatives and was recently signed into law by President Biden, will crack down on these outrageous fees, lowering costs for Illinois families. 
 
As Americans face high gas prices at the pump, oil and gas companies are celebrating record profits and prioritizing stock buybacks and shareholder dividends instead of increasing production and lowering costs for their customers. To hold Big Oil accountable, I recently voted for the Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act. This legislation would put an end to price gouging, penalize market manipulators, and bring more transparency to the oil and gas market. 
 
Additionally, I was proud to help pass the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act, a package of bills that would help to bring down the rising prices in the grocery aisle and at the gas pump. By lowering fertilizer costs for America’s farmers and reducing anti-competitive practices by meatpacking conglomerates, this legislation would lower grocery prices for Illinois families. This bill would also expand access to lower-cost E-15 Gasoline and tap the power of American farmers, helping to break the grip of foreign autocrats currently weaponizing the price of oil and gas.  
 
Unfortunately, some of these common sense solutions – including the Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act and Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act – have been blocked by Senate Republicans. As your Member of Congress, I will continue to fight to lower costs for hardworking families. As always, my office is here to work for you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us by using any of the numbers listed below. 

Sincerely,

Bill Foster
Member of Congress