Sean Casten

Congressman, IL-06. Engineer. Former CEO. Dad. Husband. Occasional piano player.

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npub1d2fv46p6gxlnuhr5n08z6cracplpy5l54xdhp3lnhcy9nxjgxvdswefq8p

NIP-05 Address

[email protected]

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsx4yk2aqayr0e7t36fhn3dvp7uqlsj2062nxmsclemuzzenfyrxxc6s5z7e

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relay.damus.io

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npub1d2fv46p6gxlnuhr5n08z6cracplpy5l54xdhp3lnhcy9nxjgxvdswefq8p

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Last Notes

2024-07-02 14:45:39

“The President, who exercises a limited power, may err without causing great mischief in the State. Congress may decide amiss without destroying the Union, because the electoral body in which Congress originates may cause it to retract its decision by changing its members. But if the Supreme Court is ever composed of imprudent men or bad citizens, the Union may be plunged into anarchy or civil war.” - Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America, 1831

2024-07-01 15:20:36

Multiple midwest towns are currently being asked to renew a long term contract to buy power from a coal plant in downstate IL. They should reject. It is an attempt to prop up a power plant by trying to take advantage of small communities. Thread: https://www.shawlocal.com/kane-county-chronicle/2024/06/30/st-charles-considers-extending-power-contract-with-hesitation-over-coal-sustainability-concerns/

2024-06-28 17:32:57

The SCOTUS Chevron ruling is a power grab by the Judiciary, asserting that they have powers beyond those of the Legislative and Executive Branch. We have the power, under Article III to weaken their power and it's time we did so. This is how we do it: https://casten.house.gov/imo/media/doc/one-pager_restoring-judicial-separation-of-powers-act.pdf

2024-06-18 15:53:00

Glad to see FERC doing this. And an excuse for my favorite interconnection joke / truism: "Asking a regulated utility to let you interconnect to their grid is like asking a man for permission to date his wife." It's rarely about public interest... https://www.utilitydive.com/news/iso-ne-miso-pjm-spp-initial-funding-interconnection-network-upgrades-up/719077/

2024-06-13 13:50:25

Proud to live in a state that respects women’s rights. And grateful for all the health providers working to fill in gaps created by our neighboring states that don’t.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/609/159/290/939/374/original/70d351988540d2fd.png

2024-06-13 02:08:00

This is an EXTREMELY niche comment to be made by someone who hopes to be President / stay out of jail. Random words stoking libertarian fears with no internal logic. Let’s unpack:
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/606/397/220/785/412/original/4da738a0ebb2d2a8.png

2024-06-04 17:25:30

Only one of these things explains why regulated utilities aren't leading the uptake of grid enhancing technologies. As long as your regulatory model gives you guaranteed returns on capital and pass throughs of operating costs you aren't incentivized to lower consumer costs.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/559/044/821/219/605/original/819de44876bf5ded.png

2024-05-06 14:29:33

Changing the laws of Florida does not change the laws of physics. No matter what DeSantis & Co may tell you to the contrary. And when they are gone, Floridians will be left holding the bag. https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/climate-change-could-virtually-disappear-in-florida-at-least-according-to-state-law-3/

2024-04-27 22:12:23

It is decidedly unhelpful to accuse those who support and defend the state of Israel of genocide *in the same way* that it is unhelpful to accuse those who support and defend the cause of Palestinian statehood of terrorism.

2024-04-24 16:08:56

This is a say-the-quiet-part-out-loud story. Crypto generally, and tether specifically are really useful if you want to avoid international sanctions / anti-money laundering. Bad actors are saying so, quite explicitly. https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/venezuela-accelerate-cryptocurrency-shift-oil-sanctions-return-2024-04-22/

2024-04-18 17:10:32

Yesterday, Republicans on the House Financial Services committee recommended a bill to the floor that would block federal insurance regulators from monitoring climate financial risk. $38 trillion of risk. With a T. https://www.axios.com/2024/04/18/climate-change-damages-38-trillion

2024-03-18 15:34:51

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We already lack clarity on what security was provided for the $91M bond he posted in response to the E. Jean Carroll case. That is already a plenty BFD. A guy who wants your trust and wants to be President should disclose his liabilities. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/08/nyregion/trump-carroll-bond-defamation.html

2024-03-18 15:30:24

The presumptive GOP nominee for President is desperate for $464M (and counting) which he cannot personally access. That fact alone makes him a massive national security risk; any foreign adversary seeking to buy a President knows the price. https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=LkIQgg7Dg2GXrJ4iSoe3tA==
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/117/165/376/562/516/original/b2156d4d22cfaffc.png

2024-02-28 17:24:42

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There are real structural problems coming and Florida is only the tip of the spear. We know sea levels are rising because we've emitted too much CO2. We know we've emitted CO2 because of GOP denialism and a 30 year refusal to embrace clean energy. FL is in the cross-hairs.

2024-02-28 17:13:36

A climate denier in a state exposed to climate change can't find the politics to raise rates high enough to attract private insurers so he tried to socialize the insurance system and that's not working either. This is a big deal. https://floridapolitics.com/archives/662068-ron-desantis-claims-citizens-insurance-is-not-solvent/

2024-02-04 22:26:58

This whole article is worth the read. But "those who kick down will always kiss up" is about the most succinct description I've seen to explain the demise of the @npub179w…pmwm. https://www.salon.com/2024/02/04/how-donald-reduced-the-to-groveling-sycophants/

2024-01-13 17:11:58

I'm proud of Governor Pritzker for doing this. And cannot believe the inhumanity of Governor Abbott that made this necessary. There is no religious or moral framework I am aware of that curses the stranger in need. But that is exactly what Abbott would have us do. Thread:
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/111/749/514/151/536/463/original/383bf4903214fc3a.png

2024-01-06 16:51:53

On this third anniversary of January 6th, let's have a brief discussion about the Constitution, architecture and what we collectively have to do to make sure 1/6 never happens again. Thread:

2023-12-20 15:24:04

As I told folks at my townhall last night, there is a governing bipartisan bloc in Congress. The bloc that passed the CHIPs Act is ~the same as the one that voted not to default on our debt (or to expel Santos). It includes all Ds and ~100 Rs. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/19/us/politics/house-republicans-laws-year.html

2023-12-20 00:38:06

The Colorado Supreme Court upheld the rule of law today. But I would prefer that we didn't have a former President who engaged in insurrection against the Constitution of the United States. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/19/us/politics/trump-colorado-ballot-14th-amendment.html

2023-12-16 16:28:18

This week Mike Levin and I introduced the Clean Electricity Transmission Acceleration Act (CETAA) to debottleneck clean energy deployment and fundamentally re-think US energy policy with 74 (!) original cosponsors. Here's why we're so excited about it. Thread:

2023-10-31 14:11:05

We have to shut down those crypto networks that are being used to finance to terrorist activity. We also have to make sure that the bills that passed through the Financial Services Committee this year to make money laundering easier never see the floor. https://thehill.com/opinion/congress-blog/4284052-stopping-future-crypto-financed-terrorism/

2023-10-02 17:27:32

I have no idea how this week is going to play out for McCarthy. But I do know that every R who voted for him for Speaker and voted for the rules package he put together as a concession *knew* they were putting the wingnuts in charge.

2023-09-19 23:10:35

The theme of the last 3 weeks we've been in session has been sitting around while no votes of substance come to the floor - as we inch ever closer to a shut down. It's not just a failure of leadership. It's offensive. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/09/19/house-republicans-spending-vote/

2023-09-07 19:42:33

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@npub1ddp…2tax I'm the guy who flipped Henry Hyde's old seat in part by being unabashedly 100% pro choice. So color me more optimistic that voters do care, and will turn out on this issue. :)

2023-08-15 19:09:00

As a wise colleague of mine once said "religion is what political people talk about when they don't want to talk about ethics."
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/110/894/732/681/027/240/original/f989a2f98be76280.png

2023-08-14 16:27:57

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Single senators are allowed to block judges in their own state, and they are afraid to eliminate that rule because of so many other dumb rules that all reek of Tubervillism.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/110/888/436/704/162/996/original/89fe54ad22ddb06c.png

2023-08-14 16:27:31

Much as I respect and many individual Senators, it is hard to support a body that sets it's own rules to consistently frustrate not only the will of the majority of the American people, but also the will of the majority of the Senate. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/08/14/white-house-steps-up-judicial-confirmation-efforts-after-slowdown/

2023-08-09 03:49:44

Democracy wins in Ohio. Here's to a day in the (hopefully) not too distant future when rooting for democracy doesn't feel so partisan.
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2023/08/08/ohio-issue-1-special-electionresults-voters-decide-tuesday-on-august-8-ballot-issue/70487461007/

2023-08-08 19:08:19

The Senate could choose to embrace democracy. Or they could continue to preserve a process that gives one rando small state Senator the right to block public will and national security just because they like to see their name on billboards.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/110/855/093/289/851/953/original/5a05ac39cf6fc782.png

2023-08-06 16:31:32

It’s past time to stop pretending that the @npub179w…pmwm has good ones left, or is simply beholden to their voters. At this point, living on earth and voting for them is no different than having your head in the guillotine and voting for Robespierre.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/04/climate/republicans-climate-project2025.html

2023-08-02 18:14:24

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This is a direct follow up to this news from last week, and would remind all to share information with us if your work is threatened or targeted by He Who Shall Not Be Named. https://mastodon.social/@SeanCasten/110808948014435856

2023-08-02 18:13:25

Grateful for the hard work and dedication of my colleagues
Lori Trahan and Adam Schiff as we continue to fight for decency, tolerance and transparency - and against bullies. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/02/democrats-press-musk-on-hostile-stance-toward-independent-research.html

2023-08-01 23:56:38

What I know about today's indictment is that the promise of equal protection under the law is the bedrock of our stability. Take it away and all that matters is proximity to the powerful. The US remains exceptional only so long as we remain committed to its defense.

2023-07-20 17:07:54

Every leaked conversation between McCarthy and Trump makes me sing the old Gang Starr song. “How many times I told ya? Play your position small soldier.”
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/110/747/034/027/377/668/original/96be11c08e41777c.png

2023-07-18 18:16:58

Republicans are no longer denying gravity, now support investment in anti-gravity shoes so they can get puff coverage from crappy local journalist. https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-republicans-trillion-trees-01e455acce4397c0376e82bfa18b72c2?utm_medium=email

2023-07-15 02:11:06

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8. I could go on, but review what this means. First - and I can’t believe we need to say this - the MAJORITY of Americans are (a) women (b) racial minorities and/or (c) LGBTQ+. The NDAA is effectively telling all of them to pound sand. Consider what this does for recruitment.

2023-07-15 02:10:37

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7f. Requires a study to determine if vaccines actually help cure COVID. This is BATS**T CRAZYTOWN. WE ARE ACTUALLY STILL DEBATING WHETHER VACCINES WORK. Millions of Americans died and now they aren’t. But the death cult of the @npub179w…pmwm wants more blood.

2023-07-15 02:10:15

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7e. Said that if you disobeyed a direct order from your commanding officer and refused to get a COVID vaccine you cannot be subject to disciplinary action. This is f***ing insane. How the hell do you run a military if you can disobey orders?

2023-07-15 02:09:56

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7d. Show of hands now: who here picked their gender or their sexuality? I didn’t. But they added an amendment that said if your gender identity doesn’t match your genitals you can’t get the care you need to be your best and truest self.

2023-07-15 02:09:36

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7c. Said that the military should no longer seek to ensure diversity and inclusion in the ranks.

2023-07-15 02:09:18

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7b. Said that there is nothing in the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution that is, in any way racist. I leave you to discuss what the now non-racist 3/5ths clause means.

2023-07-15 02:08:59

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7a. Said that if you choose to serve our country and you are (a) a woman, (b) find yourself in need of abortion care and (c) deployed on a base in a state that has decided you are not worthy of equal protection in the wake of Dobbs you are not allowed to travel for an abortion.

2023-07-15 02:08:40

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7. The @HouseGOP@twitter voted OVERWHELMINGLY in favor of amendments to the NDAA that - among other things…

2023-07-15 02:08:16

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6. They won first because KM put the crazies in positions of power. But second because none of the “moderate” Republicans had the courage to stay the hell out of KrazyTown.

2023-07-15 02:07:52

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5. We can have our political debates about any number of issues but it is generally understood that when Americans are willing to sacrifice their lives to defend us, it’s time to check the crazies at the door. But today, the crazies won.

2023-07-15 02:07:32

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4. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is the bill that funds all of our military operations. It is typically bipartisan and is about as serious as Congress gets. What weapons of war we fund, which allies we share them with, how we recruit. National security is a BFD.

2023-07-15 02:07:14

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3. But that’s not really new news. Everyone, R & D knows who he is. As one of my R colleagues said to me during his 15-vote effort to become speaker “none of us fear or respect him.” What today was about was - per MLK - the silence of our friends.

2023-07-15 02:06:53

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2. His cowardice and fragility led him to let the most wing-nutted members of his caucus set the agenda. (A fun floor conversation yesterday was watching him talk to Chip Roy in the well and we were joking how proud KM must be to have access to Republican leadership.)

2023-07-15 02:06:24

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1. You know what I think of Kevin McCarthy. To recap, he is a shriveled husk of a intellectually-limited, emotionally-stunted boy who is incapable of leadership or patriotism who only got his job because no one else in his caucus had his combination of stupidity and ambition.

2023-07-15 02:05:30

Today, @HouseGOP@twitter voted to absolve soldiers who disobeyed a direct order from their commanding officer. And for homophobia, sexism and racism in our military. They are an embarrassment to our nation. And I am furious. Buckle up:

2023-07-11 15:00:24

Permafrost is melting, the southeast is sweltering, VT/NY is flooding, wildfire smoke is keeping folks indoors from Chicago to DC and the @HouseGOP@twitter is still denying climate change. I'm sick of waiting for these clowns to act like they deserve our respect. https://rollcall.com/2023/07/11/republicans-take-aim-at-climate-funds-in-spending-bills/

2023-07-11 14:59:35

The @HouseGOP@twitter agenda is completely untethered to facts. They will destroy democracy before they will stand up to Donald Trump (or admit that their agenda is deeply unpopular in a world where everyone has equal access to the ballot box). https://rollcall.com/2023/07/10/republicans-unveil-election-bill-in-georgia-the-heart-of-the-fight/

2023-06-12 19:03:15

The @HouseGOP@twitter is asking all their members to remind the public this week that they want to make it easier for people to shoot your kid at school.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/110/532/320/941/626/173/original/b297b3a9b6faa322.png

2023-05-26 15:41:23

This is a remarkably bad decision for physical reasons. And is one of too many lately where SCOTUS sees itself as not only superior to two other co-equal branches, but superior to the laws of physics. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/25/us/supreme-court-epa-water-pollution.html?campaign_id=9&emc=edit_nn_20230526&instance_id=93532&nl=the-morning&regi_id=122734672&segment_id=133967&te=1&user_id=17978ecbe44c54cae59016cc6d44ec19

2023-05-23 17:47:51

We are on a path to blow up not only the US economy but also the global economy for no reason other than a crisis of leadership in the @HouseGOP@twitter. It is going to take all the leadership the White House and Senate can muster to get through. Let's review how we got here:

2023-05-16 22:19:37

Well, it's police week in Washington, which means that the @npub179w…pmwm is telling all their members to amplify the message that "we will always proudly stand with law enforcement." Let's unpack that. Thread:
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/110/380/210/175/338/222/original/2912b04a28438c2b.png

2023-05-12 21:42:00

The entire debate around LNG exports is, in microcosm, a function of the fact that the US has always had a totally schizophrenic energy policy. Faced with a choice between consumer and extractor interest, we frame one as the other and do both badly. https://www.eenews.net/articles/lng-is-surging-can-ferc-reviews-keep-up/

2023-05-12 21:39:47

Americas fossil fuel boosters continue to fight against free market capitalism. And the collateral damage is the communities they are saddling with fewer options. It’s offensive. https://www.indianaenvironmentalreporter.org/posts/indiana-utah-ags-lead-multi-state-effort-to-block-investment-firm-reauthorization-on-voting-securities-ownership?utm_medium=email

2023-05-03 16:33:13

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We will need thoughtful waivers to meet rising demand for clean energy as we rebuild a US manufacturing sector. And that's a good thing! It is precisely BECAUSE of our ambition to grow domestic content that we need time to build and grow more US capacity.

2023-05-03 16:32:59

Thank you to my Senate colleagues for calling this out. There is no conflict between supporting US manufacturing and supporting a vibrant solar industry. But decades of deindustrialization cannot be reversed in a week. https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/3984428-exclusive-nine-senate-democrats-say-solar-tariff-resolution-would-be-devastating-blow-to-solar-industry/?utm_medium=email

2023-05-01 15:37:15

This is not surprising but shocking nonetheless. Certain TV stations and political leaders are lying to people to make them scared. Then they buy guns, then they shoot people.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/110/293/693/876/434/381/original/ee327da3195f0810.png
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/110/293/694/607/874/906/original/94aae46fb5380895.png

2023-04-29 21:30:39

This is worth the read. It is long past time for Congress to assert more authority over the Court, not by going beyond the Constitution but by using the authority granted to us by the Constitution. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/28/opinion/john-roberts-clarence-thomas-supreme-court.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

2023-04-17 23:33:25

The #[0] continues to be the only political party in America where antisemitism is neither disqualifying nor even politically embarrassing. As my friend Steve Sheffey says, you can't say "Never Again" and tolerate this. https://www.mediamatters.org/diversity-discrimination/rep-paul-gosar-promotes-pro-hitler-and-holocaust-denying-site-after-it

2023-03-26 16:15:53

This is an amazing chart from the International Monetary Fund. If we stopped subsidizing fossil fuels, we would come very close to meeting our international climate targets. You can support capitalism or the fossil industry, but not both.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/110/090/003/219/166/476/original/03ae13b4b4500d92.png