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Congressman Bill Foster

@repbillfoster.bsky.social
40K followers 262 following 805 posts

Scientist. Businessman. Proud to represent the 11th Congressional District of Illinois. linktr.ee/fosterIL11

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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
REMINDER: The deadline for the 2026 Congressional App Challenge is October 26! Middle and high school students in Illinois’ 11th District can compete by designing and submitting an innovative app. For more information, visit: foster.house.gov/app-challenge.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
“Morally binding” agreements like this aren’t going to cut it when AI agents continuously code better versions of themselves that could evade human oversight. Congress must get off the sidelines and pass meaningful, technically feasible AI guardrails.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Reminder: I’m hosting a Job and Career Fair this Thursday, October 1! For more information and to register, visit foster.house.gov/jobs.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
As someone who built a manufacturing business right here in the Midwest, I’m always pleased to meet with local manufacturers like Augie and his team at Aurora Defense Group! I’ll continue working in Congress to support small businesses as they navigate tariffs and rising costs.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
He had the opportunity to make progress with China this week on global AI cooperation, but he is more interested in protecting Big Tech billionaires than safeguarding Americans from potentially dangerous technology.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
AI is advancing at a concerning pace, and Congress needs to act. Meanwhile, President Trump wants to sit on his hands and "leave it exactly where it is."
washingtonpost.com
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/09/25/trump-rejects-demands-ai-rules-while-xi-calls-human-control/
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
There is important work to be done in Washington, but Speaker Johnson sent everyone home until after the election. I've joined my colleagues in calling on Johnson to bring Members of Congress back to Washington so we can get to work on AI.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Trump's attacks on science will have negative impacts on our country for years to come. Cutting research and judging grants based on political priorities, not scientific merit, is causing the U.S. to bleed our top talent. www.ft.com/content/848b...
ft.com
https://www.ft.com/content/848b9daf-6fc0-436d-8d9e-45e7bcab9676?syn-25a6b1a6=1
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Wishing a meaningful Yom Kippur and an easy fast to those observing in Illinois.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Trump's ban on certain outlets covering the White House is an attack on the First Amendment and the free press. It is the right and responsibility of the press to cover the president and hold the nation’s highest office accountable—no matter who is in office. apnews.com/article/trum...
apnews.com
https://apnews.com/article/trump-ban-ms-now-media-cnn-politico-72f9acf68244ca70e9078d9d3661c722
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
JOB SEEKERS & EMPLOYERS: I'm hosting a Job & Career Fair on Thursday, October 1 at Waubonsee Community College! If you're looking for a job or an employer looking to set up a booth, visit foster.house.gov/jobs to register. Questions? Call (630) 585-7672.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
NEW: The FUTURES Act passed the House with an overwhelming, bipartisan majority. Agentic AI is bringing new threats to our financial system, possibly intensifying bank runs and other cybersecurity risks. Financial agencies must continuously assess their tech so Congress can protect consumers.
fedscoop.com
House passes bill to give financial agencies a technology boost
The FUTURES Act aims to close “talent gaps, procurement barriers, or technological blind spots” at the federal financial regulators, the bill’s Republican co-sponsor says.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Speaker Johnson canceled votes AGAIN, sending Congress home until November 9.  At a critical time for our country when AI companies are asking to be regulated, the Speaker has decided Congress should go home and do nothing. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
House speaker calls early recess before midterms amid AI regulation frenzy
Mike Johnson cancels votes on Thursday, meaning House members will avoid voting on impeaching Pete Hegseth
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
My colleagues and I on the Science Committee sat down with representatives from OpenAI, Anthropic, Hugging Face, and METR to discuss rogue hacking incidents by AI agents. Congress must move with urgency to address risks posed by rogue AI. We cannot stay on the sidelines of this issue any longer.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Software-only solutions will not be enough to protect against AI risks. Air gapping, similar to what they use in nuclear weapons security, should be used to secure high-level research and ensure advanced AI doesn't get into the wrong hands.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
One of the biggest risks with AI is recursive self-improvement—where AI agents continuously code better versions of themselves that could evade human oversight. I spoke to ABC News Live about one of the technically feasible ways Congress can address this.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
For years now, Speaker Johnson has kept Congress on the sidelines while AI rapidly shapes our future. Americans deserve a Speaker like @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social who understands the urgency of the moment.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
International cooperation on AI is essential. The Trump Administration must reverse course and begin talks with China on AI safeguards.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Wishing a happy new year and a meaningful Rosh Hashanah to the Jewish community in Illinois and around the world. May the year ahead be filled with peace, joy, and new beginnings!
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
My Chip Security Act would require advanced AI chips to include hardware that allows us to track where they are and how they are being used. Congress should pass this legislation as a first step toward implementing technically feasible safeguards against the risks posed by advanced AI.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
We must never forget that day—and we must remain committed to providing essential care and support for Americans still living with the effects of the attack.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Today, on the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, we remember the thousands of lives lost, and honor the survivors, first responders, service members, and families whose lives were forever changed.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
When scientific fact consistently proves the Trump Administration wrong, they resort to calling it "partisan." Scientific journals are critical to our nation's scientific enterprise. The DOJ's letters attempting to intimidate and silence them damage our nation's ability to lead around the world.
aip.org
DOJ Official Queried a Dozen Journals on 'Partisan' Views in 2025
The Justice Department fulfilled the public records request for the letters just as their author departed the agency.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
The first useful step is our Chip Security Act, currently included in the Senate NDAA.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Moreover, the internet itself must be hardened against penetration by self-propagating AI agents: no more untraceable access to high-end AI computing facilities, and no anonymous fund aggregation or payments.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Any continuing work on adversarial superhuman intelligence must rely on the physical containment methods used for nuclear security: including air gap isolation, data diodes, and a two-person rule for data exfiltration.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Anyone who has read METR's Technical Report on the OpenAI/Hugging Face incident will understand that software-only controls will not be sufficient to contain superhuman AI.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
I recently joined FHLB Chicago to tour Taylor Place Apartments, an affordable housing development in McHenry. If we want to lower housing costs, we need to meet demand and keep building more affordable housing options like this one. Check out my visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZxi...
youtube.com
Congressman Bill Foster Tours Affordable Housing Development in McHenry, IL
Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) joined FHLBank Chicago, the Housing Opportunity Development Corporation, McHenry County Officials, and local housing leaders in McHenry, Illinois, for a discussion on…
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
It's been a year since the beginning of Operation Midway Blitz, and excessive use of force by ICE agents is rampant. My Illinois colleagues and I are demanding an investigation into the agents who have been terrorizing our communities and for them to face real accountability.
chicago.suntimes.com
Illinois Dems seek DHS probe of federal agents for excessive force during Midway Blitz
The delegation wants the Homeland Security inspector general to investigate incidents involving 21 named federal agents.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Meanwhile, the vast majority of the people detained during the height of the operation had no prior criminal convictions. Families torn apart by Trump's abuses of power deserve justice—and I remain committed to seeking it in Congress.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
One year ago today, Trump launched Operation Midway Blitz and ICE agents descended upon Illinois. Our neighbors—their businesses, schools, and places of worship—have all felt the impact as agents continue to terrorize our community.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
The contributions of the labor movement to this country are immeasurable. This Labor Day, I'm proud to recognize the workers whose skill, dedication, and contributions keep our communities and economy moving.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Hard-working Americans should get to relax and enjoy Labor Day Weekend, but soaring gas and diesel prices from Trump's war in Iran are causing added stress for families. Gas is over $4 a gallon, nearly a dollar higher than last year. Diesel is close to $6 a gallon, $2 up from last year.
shawlocal.com
Labor Day weekend gas prices up nearly $1 per gallon from a year ago; Diesel up nearly $2
Those planning to take one last summer road trip over the Labor Day weekend can expect to pay more than $4 a gallon in gas, nearly a dollar higher than last year
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
NEW: Republicans' 'One Big Beautiful Bill' could cost Illinois hospitals as much as $4 billion over the coming years. Hospitals across the state—especially ones that serve low-income areas—may be forced to cut staff, reduce services, or close altogether. capitolnewsillinois.com/news/illinoi...
capitolnewsillinois.com
Illinois hospitals to lose billions through Medicaid policy change, study finds
Illinois hospitals could lose billions in Medicaid funding under new federal limits, putting vulnerable facilities at risk.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Service Academy Day is tomorrow! RSVP here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com
2026 Fall Service Academy Day Information Forum
Saturday, September 5, 2026 11:30 AM–1:30 PM St. Charles Public Library Huntley Community Room 1 S 6th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Congress has an oversight responsibility, and I am committed to finding out why the Trump Administration abruptly halted this project in the first place.
detroitnews.com
Trump administration lifts stop-work order on invasive carp barrier
The order had halted construction on a state-federal project in Joliet, Illinois, meant to block invasive carp from reaching the Great Lakes.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Trump’s stop work order put our waterways and the Great Lakes ecosystem at risk. Thanks to pushback from my colleagues and me, along with leaders across the region, the project will now resume.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
I fought for years to advance the Brandon Road project and secured an amendment raising the federal cost share to 90% in order to keep invasive carp out of the Great Lakes.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
President Trump has a dangerous pattern of not enforcing laws passed by Congress—which is required of him by law. This discredits the United States on a global level, endangering the dominance of the U.S. dollar and the economic advantage it gives us.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Thank you to everyone who joined my telephone town hall last night! It's always a pleasure to talk directly with consitutents and hear about their concerns. If you couldn't make it, you can listen to the full recording on YouTube: youtu.be/nGaJK_2TH3Q
youtu.be
Rep. Foster Telephone Town Hall - August 31, 2026
Rep. Bill Foster held a telephone town hall live from his office in Washington, DC to answer questions from constituents and discuss his work in Congress.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
TONIGHT! If you didn't RSVP, you can still catch the livestream on Facebook at 6:30pm CT. www.facebook.com/CongressmanB...
facebook.com
Facebook
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Join me TOMORROW at 10:30 AM at the Prisco Community Center for America 250: Celebrating Science & Innovation! RSVP here: www.eventbrite.com/e/america-25...
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Meanwhile, American service members have lost their lives, prices are soaring at home, and taxpayers are on the hook for tens of billions in war costs — with no clear strategic objective and no end in sight.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
The same Iranian regime remains in power. It could still have much of its nuclear program intact, and we no longer have the same ability to see what Iran is doing or verify what nuclear material it has.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Today marks six months of Trump’s war in Iran. Remember when he called it a “short-term excursion”?
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Calling all high school students! Join me at the St. Charles Public Library in the Huntley Community Room on Saturday, September 5th, to learn more about ROTC and attending our nation's service academies. To attend, RSVP here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
The Trump Administration is jamming data centers into communities that do not want them. And now, the EPA is moving to cut communities out of the process by eliminating a rule requiring public input before states approve air pollution permits for data centers. Hear my take on @heartlandsignal.com.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
REMINDER: The 2026 Congressional App Challenge is open! Middle and high school students in Illinois’ 11th District can compete by designing and submitting an innovative app by October 26th, 2026. For more information, visit: foster.house.gov/app-challenge.
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Imposing new tariffs on Canada and starting a trade war with one of our closest allies will make everyday items even more expensive. Republicans and Democrats in Congress agree this is bad policy. We voted to rescind Trump's initial tariffs on Canada back in February—we should do it again.
cnn.com
Trump threatens 50% tariffs on Canadian cars. Here’s what else he’s targeting | CNN Business
President Donald Trump threatened to double tariffs on Canadian cars on Monday, the latest sign that the United States and Canada are barreling toward a deeper trade war after last-ditch efforts to…
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Congressman Bill Foster @repbillfoster.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Trump himself votes by mail, but he wants to make it harder for you to do the same. For Republicans, the fewer people who vote this November, the better their chances. While this SCOTUS ruling doesn’t strike down mail-in voting, it does allow Trump to continue his assault on our elections.
apnews.com
Supreme Court sides with Trump administration on mail voting restrictions ahead of midterms
The Supreme Court’s conservative majority didn’t decide the legality of Trump’s order, instead ruling that states who sued did not have the legal right to challenge it.
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