114th Congress
Washington, DC—Today, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) introduced a bipartisan amendment aimed at closing the Payer State gap. Every year, hundreds of billions of dollars is transferred out of states that pay more in federal taxes than they receive back in federal spending – "Payer States" – into states that receive much more federal spending than they pay in taxes – "Taker States."
Elwood, IL - The first federally approved monument honoring lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) veterans was dedicated Memorial Day, Monday, May 25 at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois.
With flags representing all branches of service, along with the rainbow flag for the LGBT community, the monument was unveiled to applause.
Washington, DC—Today, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) spoke on the house floor to honor the memory of Marine Cpl. Sara A. Medina of Aurora who lost her life while on a relief mission in Nepal.
Video of Foster's speech is available here.
Text of Foster's remarks is below:
Today it is with great sorrow that I rise to mark the loss of one of Aurora's brightest lights.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bill Foster introduced the Closing the Digital Divide for Students Act, legislation that would help ensure more students have the opportunity to succeed in school by providing basic Internet access for low-income families.
Text of the legislation is available here.
Washington, DC—Today, the United States House of Representatives passed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act introduced by Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11). The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2016 tasks the Missile Defense Agency with developing a concept for a space-based missile defense system. Foster's amendment would require a report on the cost of this project.
Foster spoke about the amendment on the House floor. Video is available here.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bill Foster voted for H.R. 1191, the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015. The legislation, which passed 400-25, would give Members of Congress 60 days to review a finalized nuclear deal with Iran and prevent the President from lifting any economic sanctions imposed by Congress against Iran during that review.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bill Foster voted against H.R. 36, Republican legislation that would restrict Women's access to health care and ban abortion after 20 weeks with no meaningful exemption to protect the health of the mother.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) voted against H.R. 2029, FY 2016 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, & Related Agencies Appropriations. This Republican bill was opposed by major veterans organizations including the VFW, DAV, American Legion and others because it fails to fund the VA at adequate levels. The bill would cut the funding requested by the VA by over $1.4 billion, including a $690 million cut to veterans' medical care.