Embattled lawmaker heads to SXSW
Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Ill.), coming off several weeks of damaging stories highlighting his spending habits, is heading to the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival this weekend to discuss millennial issues.
Schock will appear alongside fellow 33-year-old Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) Sunday on a panel titled “Millennials: The Unstoppable Force” at the festival, which typically attracts big crowds in Austin, Texas.
Net Neutrality, unemployment, criminal justice reform and hurdles to technological innovation are among the topics to be discussed surrounding millennials in the U.S., typically defined as those ages 18-34.
{mosads}“Millennials care less about party labels and blind partisanship, and care more about getting things done,” Gabbard said in a statement.
“Whether it’s jobs, healthcare, or criminal justice, our generation is interested in solving issues — and we’re excited to engage in a discussion with members of both parties on the policies that set us up for the best future possible,” Evan Feinberg, president of the nonprofit Generation Opportunity who will moderate the panel, said in a statement. Press secretary Rebecca Coffman will also be on the panel.
Schock, the first member of Congress born in the 1980s, has tapped social media to cultivate a following. His Instagram has also shown him meandering around exotic places including Argentina and Waikiki, and meeting people such as Pope Francis, real estate mogul Donald Trump and singer Ariana Grande.
The Peoria congressman has kept a relatively low profile in recent weeks after a slew of damaging stories questioned his lavish tastes, use of taxpayer funds and exotic trips. What started with questions about his unusual “Downton Abbey”-inspired office decorations last month has quickly snowballed to include more serious allegations.
Last week, Schock said he had reached a “point of reflection” and would change his habits.
At least one other lawmaker, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a likely 2016 presidential contender, will also be at SXSW.
Dan Pfeiffer, a former senior adviser to President Obama who recently left the White House, is slated to speak early next week on a panel on “Breaking the News in the Age of Snapchat.”
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