Press Releases

Washington, D.C.—On the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, an important turning point in the fight for civil rights, Congressman Bill Foster spoke at Aurora University and released the following statement:

“Fifty years ago, Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke of his dream of freedom and equality throughout the country. As we mark that important moment in history and honor those who have fought for justice and equality, we must continue the fight to realize that dream.

Like many, I was deeply disappointed by the Supreme Court’s ruling last month in Shelby County v. Holder. By invalidating Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act, the Court did great damage to an act that was, along with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, one of the greatest legislative achievements of the civil rights era. My colleague, the Honorable John Lewis, said in a statement following the decision that the Court had “stuck a dagger into the heart of the Voting Rights Act…”

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) announced a mobile Fab Lab will be coming to Aurora and Joliet. The Fab Lab is a state-of-the-art fabrication laboratory in which children and adults can invent, design and manufacture products ranging from tools to artwork to robot parts. The Fab Lab will be in Aurora August 5-7 and will be open to the public from 10:00 AM to 5:00PM. The Fab Lab will be in Joliet August 12-14, additional details will be released next week.

Washington, D.C.—Today, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) and Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-21) introduced the Protecting Immigrants from Legal Exploitation Act to shield immigrants from fraudulent and unethical legal representation. The legislation outlines specific penalties for “notarios” who intentionally mislead immigrants by providing fraudulent services. It also provides immigrants with the opportunity to resubmit application materials completed by fraudulent attorneys.

WASHINGTON—U.S. Representatives Brad Schneider (IL-10), Tammy Duckworth (IL-08) and Bill Foster (IL-11) voted in favor of the Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act (HR 1911), a bipartisan compromise that reverses the July 1 doubling of student loan interest rates from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent.

Washington, D.C.—Recently, a letter signed by Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) calling for examination and reform of the National Security Agency’s operations was delivered to President Obama. Foster joined 153 colleagues in the House of Representatives in signing the letter which strongly urged the President to work with Congress to consider modifications and amendments to existing law.