Catching Up With Quigley: Week of March 4
Dear Friend,
I hope you've had a good week. I wanted to share some of the work I did this week while in Washington.
1. Brought Home Over $50 Million for Local Projects Around Chicago
As a member of the House Committee on Appropriations and Ranking Member of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban-Development Subcommittee, I'm proud to bring home $12,523,436 for Community Funding Projects. From renovating failing infrastructure in our parks, enhancing accessibility at YMCA housing, modernizing Metra stations, and so much more – these projects touch every corner of the fifth district. To learn more about Community Project Funding, click HERE.
This week, I also helped secure $40 million towards modernizing Chicago’s Union Station. This funding will allow expansion of the existing CUS street-level entrances, improve accessibility, and enhance the overall architecture by removing low ceilings and creating double-height spaces. I look forward to the impact these transformations will have for riders across our city, state and region.
The funding for these projects was included in the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations government funding package, which passed the House and Senate this week.
2. Secured $75 million for Chicago to Enhance Security at the Democratic Convention
I'm pleased to have led the successful effort to secure $75 million each for Chicago and Milwaukee, who are hosting the 2024 presidential nominating conventions. With this year’s Democratic National Convention happening in Chicago this August, I have been determined to ensure we have the capacity to provide law enforcement the necessary resources to do their jobs. This funding will go towards security operations surrounding these high profile events. The funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2024 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Act which passed the House and Senate this week. Now that the funding has been finalized, I am confident that Chicagoans, Milwaukeeans and Americans from across the country can safely enjoy these conventions.
3. Joined President Biden's State of the Union Address
Last night, President Joe Biden delivered his third State of the Union address. During his speech, Biden reminded the nation of his accomplishments and his plan for America's future. I am confident that under his leadership, democracy and freedom will always be shielded from the poison of extremism and authoritarian governance. Like him, I feel strongly that decisive, thoughtful, bipartisan policymaking is the best path forward for our nation and for our allies.
Rightfully so, the President touted his unprecedented economic success. From record levels of unemployment and more jobs created in three years than any of his predecessors, the President has delivered for the middle class.
At a time when politicians feel emboldened to tell women not just when to have a child, but how to have a child – the President made clear where he stands. I stand with him in the fight for people’s freedom to control their own bodies, lives and futures. Ultimately, it is imperative that Congress codify access to abortion, IVF and birth control.
As the Co-Chair of Ukraine Caucus, I was reassured by President Biden’s message on supporting democracy in Ukraine. I urge my colleagues across the aisle to appeal to the better angels of their nature and commit to additional support for Ukraine.
To read my full statement on President Biden's remarks, click HERE.
Don't forget, our office is always here to help.
You can call my DC office at (202) 225-4061 or my Chicago office at (773) 267-5926. You can also email me through my website at Quigley.house.gov/contact.
Sincerely,
Mike Quigley