Underwood Votes to Pass Federal Government Funding Bill to Help Families in Northern Illinois
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) voted to pass a package of six government funding bills, which focus on helping families and communities in northern Illinois. The transformative investments in the bill would serve the 14th District by lowering the cost of living, creating good-paying American jobs, supporting veterans and military families, and empowering small businesses.
“From day one, I have fought to bring the voices of the 14th District to Congress and worked hard to make sure the community’s priorities are reflected in federal funding bills,” said Underwood. “This bill serves the needs of my community by lowering costs, creating jobs, and investing in clean energy solutions. I look forward to seeing the direct impact they will have in northern Illinois.”
Investing in infrastructure is especially important for Illinois, where the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the state an overall grade of a C- on its 2022 Infrastructure Report Card. The appropriations bill follows in the footsteps of the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law by rebuilding crumbling infrastructure and creating jobs through funding for the Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development and related agencies. This isn’t the first time Underwood has brought federal funding to the 14th District to improve infrastructure. In 2021, Underwood advocated for the Village of Plainfield to receive federal funding for a street extension project, and the project is currently underway to improve public safety and reduce congestion.
Underwood continued her work to support farmers and rural communities in Huntley, Minooka, and so many other communities by passing the appropriations bill, which expands broadband access and strengthens rural housing loans and assistance. The bill also included a provision based on Underwood’s Farmers Fighting Climate Change Act, which promotes agricultural practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration. The impact of climate change on agriculture is a reality that Illinois farmers are already experiencing firsthand.
Underwood recognizes that climate change is an emergency that will increase extreme heat, worsen storms, exacerbate flooding, and impact residents’ health in northern Illinois. She is committed to tackling the climate crisis because it demands urgent action. The appropriations bill creates good-paying clean energy jobs and rebuilds water infrastructure in its funding for the Department of Energy, the Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation, and related agencies.
The legislation helps small business owners and middle-class families, a top priority for Underwood, who understands that small businesses are the backbone of the 14th District.The bill also secures our democracy and elections through grants that help states improve their election infrastructure.
The appropriations bill supports infrastructure on tribal lands and ensures access to safe drinking water through funding for the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Indian Health Services. As a member of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Underwood recognizes that this legislation upholds our commitments to veterans and their families through funding for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies. Funding includes critical provisions championed by Underwood to strengthen mental health care services for veterans and prevent veteran suicide, as well as investments to implement Underwood’s bipartisan Protecting Moms Who Served Act, which was signed into law by President Biden last year and addresses risk factors facing veterans during and after their pregnancies.
A detailed summary of the funding package is available here.
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