Congressional Work

When you think of singular national leaders, U. S. Representative Bobby L. Rush is a unique voice in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Since his election on November 3, 1992, to the U.S. Congress, representing the First Congressional District of Illinois, his political effectiveness has been recognized by the Democratic leadership, his congressional colleagues and most importantly, by his congressional constituents.

This is Congressman Rush's ninth term in the U.S. Congress.

U.S. Rep. Rush is chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection. He also serves on the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet. Congressman Rush is also a co-chairman of the Congressional Biotech Caucus.

Throughout his Congressional career, Congressman Rush's leadership has been recognized and rewarded. As a freshman lawmaker, the Democratic leadership appointed Rush to serve as part of the whip organization, a position he still holds. He was also elected class president for two terms by his Democratic colleagues in the class of 1992.

Congressman Rush has taken the lead on a wide range of issues affecting the First Congressional District of Illinois and the nation. In the 108th Congress, Rep. Rush authored the bill, H.R. 846, which provides for research on and services for individuals with postpartum depression and psychosis. The bill was named for Chicago-native, Mrs. Melanie Blocker-Stokes. A significant milestone was made on September 29, 2004, when a congressional hearing was held to hear expert testimony as well as a personal account of postpartum depression by the mother of Blocker-Stokes.

On August 9, 2004, Congress passed Rep. Rush's bill to redesignate two facilities of the U.S. Postal Service in the First Congressional District as the "James E. Worsham Post Office" and the "James E. Worsham Carrier Annex Building," respectively.

On November 12, 1999, President Clinton signed Cong. Rush's bill, the Nursing Relief for Disadvantaged Areas Act of '99, into Public Law. The law, temporarily addressed the nursing shortage by providing non immigrant visas for qualified foreign nurses, in the Englewood area of Chicago.

On October 17, 2000, Congress passed the Urban Asthma Reduction Act, 1999. This bill incorporated parts of Cong. Rush's original bill into the Children's Health Act of 2000, which eventually became Public Law No: 106-310. This law amends the Preventive Health & Health Services Block Grant program and includes an integrated approach to vermin management.

Early in his first term, Cong. Rush enjoyed unparalleled success when President Clinton signed into law "The Community Development and Regulatory Act," a landmark community banking bill that was based largely on a plan Rush first introduced in the U.S. Congress.

Always keeping his constituents' issues in mind, Congressman Rush initiated the Chicago Partnership for the Earned Income Tax Credit, an on-going program designed to help thousands of low-income, working Chicagoans receive federal tax credits.

Cong. Rush has brought close to $2 billion of federal funding to the First Congressional District of Illinois since his election. Recently, he announced a $1 million federal grant from the U.S. Office of Naval Research. This grant will help to develop easier and faster ways to assess the presence of chemical and biological agents. It was awarded to the Illinois Institute of Technology. This new research grant will be key to a stronger homeland security and to the safety of U.S. troops all over the world.

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