Jan's Plans & Pans - December 4, 2022

Dear John xxxxxx,

This past week, the House Democratic Caucus held leadership elections for the 118th Congress. I would like to congratulate Minority Leader-designate Hakeem Jeffries, Whip-designate Katherine Clark, and Chairman-designate Pete Aguilar. I have the utmost confidence in our new leaders, who truly epitomize the great diversity of our nation. I know they will be able to guide our caucus when we fight for the issues that matter most to working families, including, access to health and reproductive care, a clean and healthy environment, protecting our democracy, and an economy that puts people over profits. I once again would like to thank Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer for their steadfast leadership and friendship. I look forward to continuing our work together in the 118th Congress.

Care infrastructure is infrastructure. You cannot have a strong country and economy if people do not have adequate care for their children and elders. Home and community-based services grant people the quality long-term care they need in the comfort of their own communities. I participated in a care roundtable with Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) to discuss ways in which the federal government can support the wide array of care programs and caregivers that provide invaluable support to families across Illinois. We must start paying a livable wage to caregivers, who are predominately women of color, and we must value unpaid family caregivers by offering compensation in acknowledgment of their contribution to society.

A well-funded Social Security Administration (SSA) is critical to the health and well-being of Americans. The operating budget of the SSA has decreased by 14% since 2010. This past week, I led 69 of my colleagues in a letter to House appropriators in support of increased funding for the SSA to improve customer service. We must ensure the SSA has the funds they need so Americans can receive the benefits they've earned. Cuts to both staffing and benefits mean less for our seniors.

If you need any assistance from a federal agency, whether it be a Social Security problem, an immigration case, or a postal issue, just to name a few, my office is here to help. Head to my website for further assistance and information.

Have a great week!

Sincerely,

Schakowsky Highlights Bipartisan Consumer Protection Bills on FOX News

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