Media Center

As a Syrian-born Muslim and Chicago area-raised activist, 23-year-old Alaa Basatneh has risked her life to help others living in war-torn Syria, and yet, here at home, has endured looks of disgust and verbal attacks like "[Bleep] you, go back to your country!" and "You are a [bleep]ing Muslim terrorist."

Joining us now on POTUS, Representative Mike Quigley, he’s a Democrat from Illinois’ fifth congressional district and he tweets at @RepMikeQuigley. Congressman, thank you for being here today.

Rep. Quigley spoke to his colleagues on the House floor about Chicago Blackhawks legend Cliff Koroll and his accomplishments in the Chicago community.

Local, state and federal officials held a press conference focused on LGBT Chicagoans and the Affordable Care Act ( ACA ) Jan. 5 at the Howard Brown Health Center. Among the speakers were David Ernesto Munar ( president and CEO of Howard Brown Health ), U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley ( vice-chair of the Congressional LGBT Caucus ), Kathleen Falk ( region V director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ), Ald. Tom Tunney and Molly Malone, who recently received assistance from Howard Brown in getting ACA coverage.

In any legislation as wide ranging as the recently passed $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill, there will always be a need for compromise. I chose to support the omnibus because it will provide much needed federal funding for my constituents in Illinois’ Fifth District, especially in the areas of transportation, public safety, and environmental protections. However, I am extremely disappointed in the so-called “pro-life protections” of the omnibus that some in Congress have touted, including slashing UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, by seven percent, or $2.5 million.