From Congressman Mike Bost’s office

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congress passed a bipartisan proposal introduced by U.S. Representatives Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) and  fellow Illinois Congressman Brad Schneider (D-Deerfield) to help schools acquire and install panic buttons for alerting law enforcement to incidents of classroom violence.  Introduced in January, Bost and Schneider’s legislation was incorporated into H.R. 4909, the STOP School Violence Act, a broader package aimed at addressing school safety, which passed the House today by a vote of 407-10.

“As a former first responder, I know response time is vitally important during emergency situations,” said Bost. “We have panic buttons in banks, office buildings, and retail locations, there is no reason we shouldn’t have them at our schools to protect our children. I’m proud the House passed this bipartisan, commonsense proposal I worked on with Representative Schneider to protect our kids.”

“Representative Bost’s work on the STOP School Violence Act improved this legislation and will help make our communities safer,” said Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy. “By including his SOS Act in the final bill that passed the House today, schools will have critical resources to improve safety and put them in more direct and discreet contact with local law enforcement in an emergency. Mike deserves a lot of credit for his work to make American schools safer.”

“We have a responsibility to protect our children and young people where they learn,” said Schneider. “I am proud of the bipartisan support Congressman Bost and I have built together for the Securing Our Schools Act, and am very pleased this commonsense idea has now passed the House. This should be just the start of our work here in Congress on solutions to reduce gun violence and improve student safety, and I look forward to building on this progress in the days ahead.”

Bost and Schneider’s bill, titled the Securing Our Schools Act, has over 50 bipartisan cosponsors, including Illinois Reps. Rodney Davis (R-IL), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL).  It also has the support of the National Sheriffs’ Association and the National Education Association.

Press Release from McDonald’s Corporate Office 

Rollout complete in approximately 3,500 restaurants in Atlanta, Charlotte, Memphis, Miami, Nashville, Orlando, Raleigh and Salt Lake City, concluding with the rest of participating U.S. restaurants by May

Also Unveils A New Fresh Beef Signature Crafted Recipe Soon to Join Menu

OAK BROOK, Ill.,  – Today, McDonald’s USA announced that fresh beef, cooked right when ordered, in all Quarter Pounder and Signature Crafted Recipe burgers is now available across approximately 3,500 restaurants in select markets and is on track for rollout to all participating restaurants in the contiguous U.S. by early May*.

The move to fresh beef quarter-pound burgers is the latest in McDonald’s food journey to build a better McDonald’s. It’s also one of the latest customer-led initiatives in the U.S. that builds on several other recent milestones, including All Day Breakfast, committing to only sourcing cage-free eggs by 2025 in the U.S. and serving chicken not treated with antibiotics important to human medicine**.

“The switch to fresh beef quarter-pound burgers is the most significant change to our system and restaurant operations since All Day Breakfast,” said McDonald’s USA President Chris Kempczinski. “Over the past two years, we have been listening to our customers and evolving our business to build a better McDonald’s. We are proud to bring our customers a hotter and juicier quarter-pound burger at the speed and convenience they expect from us.”

In March 2017, McDonald’s USA announced the switch to fresh beef, cooked right when ordered, quarter-pound burgers as a part of a broader commitment to bring customers more craveable and delicious food offerings. The 100% fresh beef quarter-pound burgers are now available in approximately 3,500 restaurants across a number of markets including:

Over the next month, the company will be rapidly completing the transition to fresh beef quarter-pound burgers, cooked right when ordered, in additional markets, including Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and more, with full rollout to participating restaurants by early May.

The test markets in Dallas and Tulsa found customers love the hotter and juicier*** fresh beef quarter-pound burgers – the company saw a 90 percent customer satisfaction from customers who order the burgers, and 90 percent intent to repurchase.

All McDonald’s fresh beef quarter-pound burgers use 100 percent beef with absolutely no fillers, additives or preservatives. Quarter-pound burgers include the Quarter Pounder, Quarter Pounder with Cheese, Double Quarter Pounder and Signature Crafted Recipe burgers.

New Signature Crafted Recipe Sandwich

McDonald’s continues to innovate its Signature Crafted Recipes sandwiches, which feature premium ingredients and unique flavor combinations. Next month, McDonald’s will introduce another flavorful, premium sandwich – Garlic White Cheddar. This Signature Crafted Recipe sandwich is made with a fresh beef, quarter-pound burger or chicken (Buttermilk Crispy Chicken or Artisan Grilled Chicken) and will be available at participating U.S. restaurants.

• Garlic White Cheddar: A mouthwatering, savory combination of creamy garlic aioli and crispy garlic chips piled up with a juicy tomato slice, crisp iceberg lettuce and real white cheddar cheese. Freshly prepared on a fresh beef quarter-pound burger or your choice of chicken (Buttermilk Crispy Chicken or Artisan Grilled Chicken) on a toasted Artisan Roll.

Other new Signature Crafted Recipes sandwiches are also expected to debut later this year.

* Not available in Alaska, Hawaii or US Territories.

** Farmers still use ionophores, a class of antibiotics that are not prescribed to people, to keep chickens healthy. 

*** Compared to prior ¼ lb. beef patty.