Dear Neighbors,
In the 8th district this week, I held a Congress at Your Corner at the Villa Park Summer Fest. It was nice to see so many of you and hear about what you’d like to see in Washington. I also met with neighbors at the Schaumburg and Mount Prospect Farmer’s Markets.
Additionally, some areas of our District experienced bad thunderstorms and flashed flooding. My staff has been in contact with local officials from the hardest hit areas. If you have questions about federal flood assistance, please reach out to my office.
This week in Washington, I focused on working toward a solution to the student loan interest rate hikes that will happen next Monday. If Congress does not act, student loan interest rates will jump from 3.4% to 6.8% and put an enormous burden on working families. Student loans allow working families to send their children to college and allow America to compete in a global economy. We need to be finding ways to expand access to higher education, not restrict it.
This was a monumental week for equality. The Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. I support the freedom to marry because every American deserves equal levels of access, support and love. I am happy that the court chose the right side of history in support of equality for all.
I look forward to spending the Fourth of July holiday in the district. Please remember that as you celebrate this holiday with your friends and family, there are men and women in uniform all over the world protecting our freedom. Let's keep our Veterans, Service Members and their families in mind this weekend. I wish you all a happy and safe Independence Day.
Best,
Congresswoman Duckworth
