Midwest
Vulnerable House Dem under fire for introducing only 5 bills that became law in 41 years: ‘Hasn’t done squat'
Ohio Democratic Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, who is currently running for re-election touting her record in Congress, has introduced just five bills that have become law during a span of more than four decades she has spent in office, prompting criticism from her GOP opponents.
Since taking office in 1983 representing Ohio’s 9th Congressional District in Toledo, Kaptur has introduced five bills on her own that have become law, including a joint resolution to designate 1986 as “Save for the U.S.A. Year,” the Veterans’ Home Loan Program Improvements and Property Rehabilitation Act of 1987, and the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Complex Expansion and Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act.
Kaptur, who has co-sponsored hundreds of bills, has only introduced two bills that have become law since 2005, a law dedicating a Toledo courthouse in 2008 and legislation with over 300 co-sponsors authorizing the U.S. Mint to produce coins honoring World War II veterans.
Kaptur, who has labeled herself a “champion for the Midwest in Congress” and made the case that she is focused on “delivering real results” for the people of Northwest Ohio, has made the case that her seniority in Congress is a reason to support her while campaigning over the years.
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Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio (Getty Images)
“Getting things done,” Kaptur said on a podcast recently when she was asked what her “super power” is.
During the tenure of the 117th Congress, which concluded in 2023, Kaptur was ranked by the Center for Effective Lawmaking as the 160th most effective Democrat lawmaker.
Additionally, the amount of federal grants and contracts Kaptur has brought back to her district consistently ranks among the lowest in the state, including in FY 2023 when the roughly $384 million in federal funding that came back to the 9th District was lower than any district in Ohio except for the 16th, which was eliminated at the end of 2023.
“Marcy Kaptur’s four decades in Congress can be summed up as the one guest who was invited to dinner, didn’t bring anything for the table and then overstayed their welcome,” NRCC spokesperson Mike Marinella told Fox News Digital.
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Democrat Rep. Marcy Kaptur took office in 1983. (AP Photo/Ken Blaze, File)
“Northwest Ohio needs someone who will deliver results – not just mooch off her own constituents like some unwanted guest. It’s time to kick her to the curb.”
Kaptur is expected to be involved in a tight re-election campaign as she defends her seat in a district former President Trump won by three points in 2020. The Cook Political report ranks the race as a “Lean Democrat” contest that Republicans are targeting as an opportunity to hold and improve on their slim majority in the House.
Four Republicans are facing off in a March 19 primary to determine who will face Kaptur in November. The Republican candidates are J.R. Majewski, who lost to Kaptur in 2022, state Rep. Derek Merrin, former state Rep. Craig Riedel, and real estate broker Steve Lankenau.
Each of the Republicans running in the primary took issue with Kaptur’s record when contacted for comment by Fox News Digital.
“When the voters of Northwest Ohio cast their ballot this November, their choice will be clear: continue the ineffective status quo, or elect a real leader who will deliver tangible results,” Merrin told Fox News Digital.
“Marcy Kaptur hasn’t done squat for the four decades she has served in Congress, and I look forward to bringing forth the meaningful change Northwest Ohioans have deserved for years.”
The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Majewski said he was inspired to run for her seat in part due to Kaptur’s lack of accomplishments in Congress.
“The ineffectiveness of Marcy Kaptur, one of the most biggest backbenchers on Capitol Hill, was what drove me to run for this seat – the people of Ohio’s 9th District need a representative that will fight for them, help repair the issues created by the disastrous Biden Agenda and put the needs of Americans first and I fully plan to deliver,” Majewski said.
Riedel told Fox News Digital that Kaptur is a “failed politician” who “has failed the people of Northwest Ohio.”
“She votes with Joe Biden 100% of the time,” Riedel added. “I’m not shocked to see that she has only passed 5 pieces of legislation.”
“It’s clear that Marcy Kaptur’s record is based on a lot of talk, but not much action that has benefited our communities,” Lankenau told Fox News Digital. “Our district deserves a representative who backs up the rhetoric with results, and that’s why I’m running to be the Republican nominee.”
Kaptur’s campaign and office did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital, but a spokesperson with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) pointed to the tens of millions of dollars Kaptur has brought to the district through appropriations funding and other avenues.
“Congresswoman Kaptur is a proven champion for working families in Northwest Ohio who literally saved thousands of jobs at Jeep,” DCCC spokesperson Aidan Johnson told Fox News Digital.
“In the last year alone, she has secured almost $14 million for a new battery assembly plant in Toledo, $20 million for new roads and bridges, nearly $11 million for the Napoleon, Defiance, and Western Railway, and more than $16 million for Toledo-area solar companies. Despite all this, Republicans are trying to smear her record because they have nothing of their own to run on.”
Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) — A big step for the Bears, but there’s still a long way to go for the team to commit to staying in Illinois.
The Illinois House passed a bill last night that could give tax breaks on a new stadium.
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With the Illinois House passed the so-called “mega-project” bill – now on its way to the Senate, most people ABC7 spoke with Thursday in Arlington Heights said they hope this means the Chicago Bears will get to remain the pride and joy of Illinois.
“We’ve been working on this for a few years and this is the first sign that we’re going to get to a finish line here in Arlington Heights,” Ernie Rose with Touchdown Arlington said. “I think there’s a growing sense of optimism that there’s something that will be built.”
A lot of excitement in Arlington Heights following the passing of the “mega-project” bill.
“Definitely a step in the right direction,” Cheryl Kolasa, who lives in Arlington Heights, said. “We have been waiting for this and going to all kind of meetings and hopefully it’s coming.”
People who live in Arlington Heights said they hope this means the Bears are one step closer toward moving to their village.
“You will not be able to get a ticket to the Bears game if they come to Arlington Heights for years because the support will be so phenomenal,” Gary Aspelian, who lives in Arlington Heights, said.
Still, the team said there’s more work to be done as far as infrastructure funding, saying in a statement, “We welcome the progress made on the House’s version of the mega project bill; however, additional amendments are necessary to make the Arlington Heights site feasible for our stadium project,”
Ernie Rose with Touchdown Arlington, said “All we’ve asked all along is to get an infrastructure in place that allows our residents, through our village board, to negotiate between the Bears. And this Bill provides us the framework for that.”
The Bears have owned the former home of the Arlington Race Track for more than three years now with plans to build a multibillion dollar stadium.
Under the mega-project bill, the Bears wouldn’t have to pay traditional property taxes.
Instead, they’d work out a deal with local leaders to make what’s called a “payment in lieu of taxes” or PILOT.
Then, by law, about half of that money would go back into property tax relief for homeowners.
“The only thing that would kind of be up in the air for me is the commute that affects my drive,” Bianca Garcia, who works in Arlington Heights, said. “I know some people are really excited so I’m like it would be really cool, the train is right there, and it’s hard getting in from Soldier Field.”
“Many, many residents are OK with it,” Kolasa said. “They’re on board with it. We’re excited. Some people you’re never gonna make them happy. They were like oh the traffic and the taxes and all that. I feel it’s only going to make it even better. Just bring people and money to the area.”
Governor JB Pritzker’s Office said this marks an important first step, saying, “Governor Pritzker has been clear and consistent for years that the Bears should remain in Illinois, and that any legislation needs to protect taxpayers.”
Arlington Heights released a statement saying they are encouraged and will continue working with the Bears and state legislators.
“I’m truly encouraged by yesterday’s progress and optimistic that we can maintain this momentum as the Bill moves through the legislative approval process,” said Mayor Jim Tinaglia. “Our belief that this property offers immense potential for the Chicago Bears, the region, and the State of Illinois, has never wavered. Now that the Bill passed the House, we’re one step closer to working towards a world class site concept that is a win for our community, the team, and the region as a whole.”
If Illinois lawmakers can’t come up with a deal the Bears like, Indiana lawmakers already passed their own legislation to entice the team across state lines, as well, which is still very much in play.
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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Thousands of firefighters from around the world are in downtown Indianapolis for one of the world’s largest fire and rescue training events.
The 99th Fire Department Instructors Conference started Monday and runs through Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center.
This is the 32nd year the FDIC has been held in the Circle City, and over 38,000 firefighters are in town for the event.
The conference includes hands-on fire and EMS training scenarios, classroom sessions, workshops, guest speakers, and 900 exhibitors.
“We’re uniquely positioned where we do 138 hands-on training sessions. That means the students get on the buses, they go out to fire academies, they go out to structures through our network of 350+ instructors,” Chief David Rhodes, editor-in-chief of “Fire Engineering,” told News 8.
Rhodes says conventions like FDIC help take firefighters to the next level in training situations.
“They not only get to learn to do it, but they get to do it. Whether it’s going into a fire, whether it’s searching a building, or cutting someone out of a car.”
Click here to learn more about FDIC International.
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