Congressman Aaron Schock shuttles between Peoria and Washington DC on a nearly weekly basis. Whether he is traveling his 18th Congressional District of nearly 200 towns and 750,000 constituents or finding legislative solutions on Capitol Hill, he is actively working on issues important to Central Illinois and helping those he has pledged to serve.
From constituent casework to helping veterans and inspiring and encouraging youth, Schock balances many priorities that come with what he calls the “honor of serving” as a U.S. Congressman.
As part of his efforts to give back to those who have served the nation, Schock is the master building sponsor for the first ever Habitat for Humanity of Greater Peoria Veteran build home. The “Master Builder” sponsorship level assumes all the financial responsibility of the building project – this for Sergeant Brian and Julie Wood, along with their three children. The build begins next year.
“This Habitat home is a small token from myself and a very grateful community for what the Wood family has done for all of us,” Schock said.
This past August, the third-term Congressman with U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, hosted a Central Illinois Veterans Employment and Resources Fair at Schock’s alma mater Bradley University. The unique event paired veterans with more than 80 of the area’s top employers and organizations and highlighted available veterans resources.
And in September, Schock presented Benny Percy, retired United States Air Force (1977 to 1981), with four medals in recognition of his military service. The recognition came more than three decades after Percy’s discharge because of the highly classified nature of his acts of merit.
Schock, who was sworn into Congress in 2009 after serving two terms in the Illinois House of Representatives, has introduced, co-sponsored, or supported numerous bills to help veterans and military families. He was instrumental in cutting through bureaucratic red tape to get approval for the new Bob Michel Outpatient VA Clinic in Peoria. “We owe no greater a debt than that owed to those who have fought to preserve our freedom,” he said.
From veterans to children, the seasoned lawmaker is encouraging students to continue their learning throughout the year with a program he began as a state legislator in 2005 that since has reached more than 100,000. Schock’s Summer Reading Program challenges kids to pursue reading during their summer break. This year, 400 students throughout central Illinois completed the program and will be treated to a Schock-sponsored fun literacy event in October to celebrate.
Each of the five years he served in Congress, Schock has hosted a youth leadership summit averaging 500 students annually to prepare leaders of tomorrow. The full day program highlights some top-tier individuals, athletes and coaches, beauty queens and business owners who have faced personal adversity and challenges and become successful.
Legislation and work in D.C. is another top component of the job. Top priorities for Schock, who sits on the powerful House Ways and Means chief tax-writing committee, are reflective of needs in his district including transportation infrastructure investments, education, agriculture and economic growth.
The House in 2012 passed, and the President signed into law, a bill that funds the nation’s roads, rails, bridges, and infrastructure through September 2014. “A long-term highway bill is important not only for Illinois, but for moving commerce throughout the country to incentivize employers to locate here and for domestic job creation,” Schock said, noting he led a bipartisan letter to President Obama urging support that was signed by over 110 of his House colleagues.
Schock has been a strong advocate for pennycress – a domestic crop he says is “good for energy security, the environment and the economy.” During deon the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act (FARM Bill), the House approved – with strong bipartisan support — Schock’s amendment to make the emerging crop one of the highest research and development priorities for the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency.
Helping lead the effort, Schock said comprehensive tax reform that is simpler and fair would provide tax relief for the middle class. “This is about making the code more fair for taxpayers, enhancing job and wage prospects for American workers that will lead to a more robust economic recovery,” he said.
Schock’s latest initiative is launching the Congressional Future Caucus that focuses on the future in a bipartisan way.
Launched with Tulsi Gabbard, a freshman Democrat from Hawaii who is also 32 years old, the mission of the Future Caucus is to foster a bipartisan community of members of Congress dedicated to pragmatic, innovative leadership on future-oriented issues facing the country.
“This will serve as a new platform to engage with young people across the country on critical policy issues,” Schock said.