Aaron Schock RSS Articles

Schock Statement on Latest Unemployment Numbers

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL), released the following statement today after the Department of Labor announced the national unemployment rate reached 10.2 percent during the month of October:

“Families in Illinois and across the country are hurting as people continue to lose their job. In February, President Obama stood in Peoria and promised that by passing the stimulus package immediately unemployment would not rise above 8 percent. However, last month, there were 190,000 job losses and unemployment reached 10.2 percent – a level of unemployment not seen since April 1983.

“Instead of focusing on legislation that will create jobs, the majority in Congress are choosing to spend their time passing a health care plan that will raise taxes, raise health care costs, add to our national debt, and hurt America’s seniors, families and small businesses. It is time those in power abandon their endless pursuit of government-run health care and begin working on bipartisan solutions that will put the American people back to work.”

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Text of Medical Rights and Reform Act

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

The text of the Medical Rights and Reform Act is now available. Please click here to read the bill.

Medical Rights and Reform Act

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

In anticipation of my Town Hall tonight at Five Points Washington, I wanted to post a short summary of the Medical Rights and Reform Act, legislation I am cosponsoring, to reform health care. Click here for a summary of the legislation to be introduced this week. The text of the bill will be posted when it is finalized.

Schock Small Business Amendments Pass the House

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) offered two amendments today to H.R. 3854, the Small Business Financing and Investment Act, which passed the House unanimously.

The first Schock amendment will require quarterly progress reports from the Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator to Congress regarding the newly overhauled Renewable Energy Capital Investment Program until such a time that the program is up and running.

“Last month, Dr. Peter Johnsen testified before my Subcommittee on the difficulty he was having in finding capital investments or loans for the further development of the crop known as Pennycress, a winter cover crop which yields potentially as much as 115 gallons of biodiesel per acre as compared to 59 gallons from traditional soy-based diesel,” said Schock. “When operating at full potential, the Renewable Energy Capital Investment Program, with its matching grant contributions, would be of great assistance to agricultural entrepreneurs like Dr. Johnsen.”

“By establishing metrics for establishing this program, we will help ensure small businesses get equal opportunity to participate in the effort to make our country become more energy efficient while also establishing new renewable fuel sources,” Schock continued.

The second amendment offered by Congressman Schock will require the SBA Administrator to pay on claims for any lender who can show they followed the prescribed training in the National Lender Training Program. If the SBA refuses to pay they must have clear and convincing evidence that the lender failed to follow such training.

“It is no secret that one of the greatest disappointments my colleagues and I on this side of the aisle had in the so-called stimulus legislation was that it did not do enough for small businesses,” said Schock. “This amendment will help small businesses by ensuring the SBA will pay out on a guarantee to any lender who can demonstrate that they followed the prescribed training under the National Lender Training Program. With this type of assurance of lender compensation for SBA guaranteed loans in default, banks across this country will be more likely to lend to small businesses; ultimately helping to loosen credit markets, get capital flowing again and put people back to work.”

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Schock Cosponsors Legislation to Protect Seniors Social Security COLA

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) announced today he will cosponsor H.R. 3677, the Save Our Seniors’ Social Security (SOS) Act, which give Social Security beneficiaries a one-time payment of $280 in 2010 in lieu of a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). This benefit would be paid for using unspent stimulus money.

“In 2010, or the first time in 35 years, Social Security Administration (SSA) has determined Social Security beneficiaries will not receive an increase in their Social Security through a COLA, said Schock. “It is imperative we provide our seniors with the resources they need during this economic downturn. We must redirect the irresponsible and reckless stimulus spending to those who need it most.”

Almost 70 percent of beneficiaries depend on Social Security for 50 percent or more of their income. Social Security is the sole source of income for 15 percent of beneficiaries.

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Schock Secures $4.3 Million for Ag Lab in Peoria

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) voted today for H.R. 2997, the Fiscal Year 2010 (FY 10) Agriculture Appropriations Act, when it passed the House by a vote of 263 to 162. This legislation provides $4.3 million for the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria.

“I am grateful for this funding which will help support important agricultural research,” said Schock. “This work ensures tomorrow’s farmers will be able to grow productive crops during both good years and bad. Additionally, these federal funds will move discoveries from the lab bench to the commercial market.” “I continue to applaud the important work being done by the scientists at the Ag. Lab and will continue to support this important Peoria resource.”

Crop Production and Food Processing, Peoria, IL: $786,000

This program supports cutting-edge research on soybeans, wheat and new crops varieties, such as pennycress. The information gleaned this program helps move new crops from the idea stage to the production stage and helps existing crops perform better under less-than-optimum conductions such as wet years and droughts.

Biotechnology Research and Development Center: $3.5 million

This funding will be used to find new market opportunities for commodity agricultural products, improve efficiency of production, develop new methods of disease control for both plant and animal commodities, and facilitate communication between the government and academic scientists and American industry.

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Hare, Schock Introduce Legislation to Improve Rural Highway Safety, Provide Uniform Standards for Manufacturers of Agricultural Machinery

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Phil Hare (D-Rock Island) and Congressman Aaron Schock (R-Peoria) today introduced the Agricultural Machinery Illumination Safety Act, legislation that would improve the safety of our rural highways and provide consistency for manufacturers of agricultural machinery.

Rural highways are a serious safety concern. Fifty-five percent of all traffic fatalities occur on rural 2-lane roads where agricultural equipment is moved from field to field during the dimly-lit periods of dawn and dusk, and proper lighting and marking can enhance visibility and increase the safety of transportation on these roads.

Furthermore, there is a lack of consistency regarding lighting and marking requirements for agricultural machinery. Currently there is no federal standard for such requirements, and state laws that apply vary widely, often representing outdated technology.

The Agricultural Machinery Illumination Safety Act will codify minimum lighting and marking standards for farm equipment. These standards will be set by the American Society of Agriculture and Biological Engineers. Additionally, the legislation will grant the Secretary of Transportation the authority to improve these minimum standards as technology improves.

“By enacting this legislation, we can make our rural roads safer while providing predictability to the farm equipment industry, a key manufacturing base in west-central Illinois,” Hare said. “In addition, since this bill only applies to new equipment, farmers will not have to spend any additional money retrofitting their current fleet.”

“This legislation will improve the safety of our rural roads by ensuring the lights and markings on new machinery is standardized and has been scientifically proven as effective in warning other drivers,” Schock said. “This standardization provides the added benefit of establishing much-needed clarity to our equipment manufacturers.”

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers, National Association of Manufacturers, and North American Equipment Dealers Association all support this legislation.

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Schock Hails Supreme Court’s Decision to Hear Chicago Gun Case

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) issued the following statement after the United States Supreme Court announced its decision to hear the Second Amendment case of McDonald v. Chicago. The case focuses on the ban on possessing handguns in the City of Chicago.

“The right to keep and bear arms is not location specific, we need to ensure law-abiding citizens all across the county have access to this important right,” said Schock. “Throughout my career, I have been a strong supporter of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. During my time as a State Representative I had the privilege of sponsoring a number of pro second amendment bills, including those which would grant the citizens of Illinois the option to carry a concealed firearm. As a Member of Congress, I intend to be just as vigilant in guarding the constitutional rights of gun owners.”

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Schock Secures $24.15 Million for Illinois

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) voted today for the Conference Report on H.R. 3183 , the Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Development Act, when it passed the House by a vote of 308 to 114. This legislation includes $24.15 million for Illinois, including funding for pennycress development, Illinois and Mississippi River projects, and the Illinois Community College Sustainability Network.

“Pennycress-based biodiesel is a new and exciting opportunity for Midwest farmers and an excellent example of government and industry working together to address our energy challenges,” said Schock. “This appropriation is a move towards ensuring that Illinois drivers can fuel their vehicles with diesel produced in their own backyard.”

Additionally, Congressman Schock secured funding for U.S. Army Corps of Engineer Programs on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Specifically, he secured funding for the Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program, funding to design the modernization of the locks on these rivers (officially called the Upper Mississippi River—Illinois Waterway System) and the Upper Mississippi River Comprehensive Plan. In April, Schock spearheaded a letter signed by 10 of his colleagues to Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Peter Visclosky and Ranking Member Rodney Frelinghuysen to request $20 million for environmental restoration and $45 million for lock modernization.

“By funding for these important ecosystem, lock modernization and flood control projects Congress will provide for simultaneous improves in the ecological and economic health of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers while also protecting riverside communities from devastating flooding,” said Schock.

Schock’s FY 10 Energy and Water Appropriations:

• UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER RESTORATION: $16,470,000
Funding will be used for the construction, design and evaluation of environmental restoration projects, along the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will also use the funding to conduct long-term resource monitoring and a Public Involvement program.
• ILLINOIS RIVER BASIN RESTORATION: $336,000
Funding will be used to continue the design and planning of critical ecosystem restoration projects along the Illinois River.
• EMIQUON FLOODPLAIN RESTORATION: The funding would be used to restore the Illinois River floodplain to its natural state within the Thompson Drainage and Levee District.
• SPUNKY BOTTOMS RESTORATION:
This funding will provide for a fish passage structure through a levee, thereby allow fish to move between bottomland lakes and the Illinois River.
• PEORIA RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT: $45,000
Goal of the project is to enhance aquatic habitat in Peoria Lake by dredging approx. 200 acres and constructing three islands.
• DEMONSTRATION PLANT FOR BIODIESEL FROM LOW-IMPACT CROPS: $500,000
Fund construction of a biodiesel plant using pennycress as a feedstock, this crop contains twice the oil content as soybeans, enabling this project to make more oil from fewer acres. Additionally, pennycress is a winter crop; allowing producers to insert pennycress into their crop rotation.
• UPPER MISS RIVER COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: $269,000
Funding will be used to complete plans for a comprehensive flood control system along the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.
• UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER—ILLINOIS WW SYSTEM: $6,276,000
The funding will be used to continue Pre-Construction Engineering and Design for new locks along the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.
• ILLINOIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE SUSTAINABILITY NETWORK $250,000
The Illinois Community College Sustainability Network (ICCSN) strengthens Illinois community colleges’ capacity to promote and provide energy education and sustainable practices across Illinois.

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Schock Welcomes Cass County Veterans to Washington

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT

On Wednesday, Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) welcomed a group of World War II veterans from Cass County to Washington, D.C. Beardstown’s VFW Post 1239, made a one-day trip to visit the World War II Memorial, Iwo Jima, Vietnam War, Korean War Memorials and to lay a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery. They ranged from ages 84 to 97.

“I believe that we owe no greater a debt than that owed to those who have fought to preserve our freedom,” said Schock. “I was proud to welcome these Veterans to Washington, D.C. and to show them the World War II Memorial, which honors those who served.”

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