Catching Up With Quigley: Week of November 11
Dear Friend,
I know that many of you have been navigating a range of emotions over the past few weeks. Whether you've felt moments of excitement or waves of sadness, I want to assure you that my commitment to working on your behalf remains stronger than ever.
1. Reaffirmed My Commitment to Working for You
I remain steadfast in my dedication to standing up against extremists who use their power to line their own pockets, rather than working to improve the lives of the American people. Now more than ever before, elected officials and concerned citizens alike must come together in a shared effort to protect our most vulnerable communities from future attacks.
While I am not alone in my concerns about the future, I also believe that despair is not an option. This is the moment to roll up our sleeves and take action. With Congress back in session, I will dedicate each moment of my time to fighting on your behalf. That means working to lower costs, making our communities safer, protecting reproductive freedom, fixing our immigration system, and above all, defending our democracy from those who seek to undermine it. Below is a brief overview of some of the progress I've made this week in service of the people of our great district.
2. Voted to Pass the Social Security Fairness Act
On Tuesday, I voted to pass the Social Security Fairness Act, H.R. 82. This bill aims to eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Introduced in 1983, these provisions unjustly reduce or eliminate Social Security benefits for millions of hardworking American firefighters holding second jobs to support their families, police officers pursuing new careers after retiring, teachers taking on summer work to cover expenses, and public employees who later transitioned to the private sector. For those impacted by the WEP, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that eliminating it would increase their monthly benefits by an average of $360 per month in December 2025. They also estimate that eliminating the GPO would increase monthly benefits by an average of $700 for 380,000 impacted spouses and $1,190 for 390,000 surviving spouses. I am hopeful that this bill will swiftly pass the Senate and be signed into law by President Biden.
3. Honored our Veterans
On Veterans Day this Monday, I took time to reflect on the service and sacrifices of our nation's veterans, reaffirming my ongoing commitment to supporting those who have served in uniform both during their service and after they return home. Click HERE for my thoughts on this important celebration.
Throughout the 118th Congress, I have been honored to champion key legislation that strengthens our support for veterans, including the Honoring Our PACT Act and the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act. In March, I proudly backed a funding bill that allocated $121.011 billion to the Department of Veterans Affairs, ensuring the VA can continue to provide top-tier care and services for 9.1 million veterans. Additionally, the bill directed $3.9 billion to administer critical benefits, such as disability compensation, to 6.6 million veterans and their survivors. Looking ahead, I remain committed to fighting for our veterans ensuring they receive not only the care and benefits they deserve but also the respect and recognition for their service that they have earned.
Do you want to stay informed on my work in Congress? Sign up for text messages by texting "QUIGLEY" to (773) 200-2854.
If you need help with a passport renewal, student loans, or getting in touch with a federal agency, our office may be able to assist you. 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