Press Office | Senator Edgar Villanueva (D-IL)

[Dak]

Press Office of Edgar Villanueva

Democratic Senator for Illinois Since 2014

 

 

A Practical Voice for the Prairie State

 

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The Internal Team

Chief of Staff: Jesus Belmonte

Communications Director: Cathy Federico

Social Media Director: Ashley Harlow

Press Secretary: Talia Root

Legislative Director: Candelario Cruz

Constituent Outreach Director: Penelope Jimenez

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OFFICE LOCATIONS

SPRINGFIELD | BLOOMINGTON | CARBONDALE | EDWARDSVILLE | CHICAGO

 

Edited April 1 by Dak

[Dak]

Office of U.S. Senator Edgar Villanueva

Cathy Federico, Communications Director

Talia Root, Press Secretary

Q4, 2016

 

Villanueva Introduces Bills to Promote Equality, Environmental Protection, and Food Security

For Immediate Release

 

PRESS RELEASE #001 | BLOOMINGTON, IL - Today, Illinois Senator Villanueva unveiled a comprehensive legislative package aimed at advancing equality for all Americans, protecting our nation's vital ecosystems, and ensuring food security for vulnerable populations.

 

The package includes three key pieces of legislation:

Equality Act: This landmark legislation seeks to ensure equal protection under the law for LGBTQ+ individuals by prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in areas such as employment, housing, education, public accommodations, and more. By amending existing civil rights laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected characteristics, the Equality Act aims to promote fairness, dignity, and equal opportunity for all Americans.

 

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"The Equality Act will ensure that all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, are treated equally under the law. This groundbreaking legislation will prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, education, public accommodations, and much more. This bill will finally provide vital protections for LGBTQIA+ individuals who may face discrimination and prejudice in various aspects of their lives simply because of who they identify as. This bill will close significant legal gaps by explictly including sexual orientation and gender identity as protected characteristics in existing civil rights laws. This is a bold step forward, but it is one that is long overdue for a historically marginalized and underrepresented group in American society." - Senator Villanueva

 

Mississippi River Delta Restoration and Resilience Act: Recognizing the urgent environmental challenges facing the Mississippi River Delta, a vital ecosystem for our nation and a critical economic resource for Illinois and the surrounding region, this legislation provides critical funding and support for research, restoration, and resilience efforts in the delta region. By addressing issues such as erosion, land loss, and environmental degradation, the bill aims to protect the delta's ecological integrity and ensure its long-term sustainability for future generations.

 

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"The economic contribution that the Mississippi River has on our national economy is crucial. Over 60 percent of our nation's grain export and 22 percent of our petroleum and petroleum industries depend on the river system. The Mighty Mississippi is a vital economic asset to the United States that contributes billions of dollars to the economy each year. It is incumbent that we take measures to restore the Delta system and make it more resilient to the elements and human interference." - Senator Villanueva

 

Protect SNAP Act of 2017: This bill aims to prevent changes to regulations governing waivers under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps. It prohibits the issuance or enforcement of any rule, regulation, proposed rule, policy directive, or guideline that supersedes or modifies certain subsections of title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations as in effect on January 1, 2017. This legislation is crucial for protecting food security for vulnerable populations and ensuring access to nutrition assistance programs.

 

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"The Protect SNAP Act of 2017 will safeguard access to nutrition assistance for vulnerable populations across our nation. We have a moral obligation to ensure that all Americans have access to nutritious food, regardless of their socioeconomic status. If children go hungry, they cannot properly learn. If adults go hungry, they cannot properly work. SNAP plays a vital role in addressing this food insecurity and provides a lifeline for millions of individuals and families facing hardship. This bill prevents changes to regulations governing waivers under SNAP, ensuring that those in need continue to receive the assistance they rely on to put food on the table. This bill upholds our commitment to compassion, dignity, and social justice for all Americans." - Senator Villanueva

 

"I am proud to introduce these important pieces of legislation that address pressing issues of equality, environmental protection, and food security," commented Villanueva when asked about these pieces of legislation. "These bills reflect our commitment to advancing justice and equality under the law, safeguarding our natural resources, and ensuring that no American goes hungry."

 

Senator Villanueva urges his colleagues in the Senate to support these critical bills and take decisive action to advance equality, protect our planet, and ensure food security for all Americans.

 

Edited April 1 by Dak