Jobs, Economy, and Small Business
“Economic security and opportunity are at the heart of my agenda in Congress. Whether it’s protecting access to health care, investing in local infrastructure, supporting our small business community, or improving our schools and universities, ensuring people in our district have the tools they need to live fulfilling lives is my highest priority.”
Congresswoman Underwood’s legislative agenda is centered on economic security and opportunity for the working families of the 14th District. She demonstrates this commitment by championing legislation to undo the damage done by the 2017 Republican tax law, specifically by allowing middle class taxpayers to avoid double taxation by deducting the amounts paid for state and local taxes (SALT) against their federal taxable income.
Congresswoman Underwood supports a broad approach to job creation and introduced legislation that would reduce health insurance premiums for people who purchase health care on their own, providing more people the flexibility to start their own businesses. She advocates for strategic investments in local transportation infrastructure, from highways to Metra commuter rail, to make the 14th a more convenient place to live and to stimulate job growth.
Congresswoman Underwood also champions legislation to increase federal funding for biomedical and scientific research, which supports Illinois’ Technology and Research Corridor and tens of thousands of high-paying 21st Century jobs in our communities.
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More on Jobs, Economy, and Small Business
WASHINGTON— This week, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) joined two bipartisan efforts calling for Congress to restore the tax deductibility of forgiven Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for small businesses. Recent guidance from the IRS does not allow businesses to deduct expenses covered by a PPP loan from their federal taxes, violating congressional intent under the CARES Act and creating an undue burden on many of the nation’s small businesses.
WASHINGTON— Yesterday, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) supported the House passage of bipartisan legislation to protect pregnant workers. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (H.R. 2694) guarantees basic protections for pregnant workers by establishing a clear-cut right to reasonable accommodations, so they can continue working without jeopardizing their pregnancy.
WASHINGTON— Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) led a congressional effort pushing Robinhood, a financial services company that offers an investment trading app, to take immediate action to improve user information and safety. The letter follows the unspeakably tragic death by suicide of Naperville resident Alexander Kearns, a Robinhood user. News reports have indicated that Kearns was shown misleading information by the app, suggesting that he had a negative “cash” balance of $730,000.
WASHINGTON— Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) supported the passage of bipartisan legislation to improve the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and support small businesses impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (H.R. 7010) would make critical improvements to the PPP’s loan forgiveness process to ensure vulnerable small businesses are able to access and make full use of the program.
WEST CHICAGO— Yesterday, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) continued her work to support Illinois small businesses impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In a virtual meeting with the Illinois District Director for the Small Business Administration (SBA) Robert “Bo” Steiner, Underwood and Steiner provided an update on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Additionally, Underwood provided meeting participants with the opportunity to ask questions and hear directly from the SBA.
WASHINGTON— Today, Representative Lauren Underwood (IL-14) supported the passage of bipartisan legislation to help Illinois families impacted by the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides economic assistance to families, small businesses, and health systems. Ahead of the passage of this bill, Underwood sought input from northern Illinois small business owners, public health officials, and families to ensure the needs of the 14th District were included in the Congressional relief packages.
Washington – Today, Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14) announced that Illinois small businesses suffering economic injury as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) are now able to access low-interest federal loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Underwood championed the expanded loans in the House-passed Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act.
WASHINGTON – Today Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14) publicly released her ‘Phase III’ coronavirus aid priorities to help the Fourteenth District of Illinois during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the economic impact. The priorities Underwood is pushing for include medical supplies and testing, grants and loans for small businesses, and resources for Illinois health systems including equipment for health care providers and public health officials. The full list can be found attached and below.
WASHINGTON— Today, Representative Lauren Underwood (IL-14) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that Tax Day will be moved to July 15 from April 15 due to the coronavirus outbreak.
WASHINGTON – Today, members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation sent a letter to Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Jovita Carranza supporting Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s request for a SBA Economic Injury Declaration for Illinois amid the coronavirus pandemic. As of this week, more than 100 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Illinois, and Governor Pritzker has ordered the closure of all dine-in restaurants and bars, and prohibited gatherings of 50 people or more.