Media

WASHINGTON—On the first day new, lower premium prices are available on HealthCare.gov due to the American Rescue Plan, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) encouraged Illinois families to review new savings available to them. The new coverage options have been made available because Underwood's Health Care Affordability Act was included in the American Rescue Plan to lower out-of-pocket health care premium costs by making premium tax credits for Health Insurance Marketplace plans more generous and available to more Americans.

WASHINGTON— This week, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) supported the passage of the American Dream and Promise Act (H.R. 6) in the House of Representatives. The American Dream and Promise Act provides relief to our nation's Dreamers, as well as to many Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) holders. The bill also includes protections for "documented Dreamers"—people who came to the U.S.

WASHINGTON— Today, Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14) supported the passage of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, bipartisan immigration legislation that modernizes and streamlines the H-2A program to ensure Illinois businesses and farmers have access to the experienced workers they need without the red tape and extreme financial burden of the current system. The H-2A program allows business owners to apply for temporary visas for foreign workers to fill short-term seasonal jobs when American workers are not available.

WASHINGTON— Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) advocated for the passage of her bipartisan legislation, the Protecting Moms Who Served Act, during a House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health hearing. The Protecting Moms Who Served Act would help women veterans by comprehensively studying the unique maternal health risks facing pregnant and postpartum veterans and by supporting VA maternity care coordination programs. During the hearing, Underwood questioned Dr.

WASHINGTON– Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) supported the passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization (H.R. 1620) a bipartisan, robust, long-term VAWA reauthorization in the House. The legislation would reauthorize funding for five years and make vital improvements to address gaps in current law, based on extensive consultation with victim service providers, law enforcement, and other experts.

WASHINGTON— Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)'s bipartisan legislation to strengthen child abuse protections passed the House of Representatives as a part of the Stronger Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment (Stronger CAPTA) Act. The Stronger CAPTA Act would help states address the recent rise in child abuse and neglect by providing strategic funding to build networks of prevention services designed to strengthen families and to improve the quality of child protective services.

WASHINGTON— Yesterday, Representative Lauren Underwood (IL-14) urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to prioritize supporting the COVID-19 vaccination rollout across the nation, including in northern Illinois. During the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, Underwood questioned Bob Fenton, Senior Official Performing the Duties of FEMA Administrator, on FEMA's plans to use resources included in the American Rescue Plan to accelerate COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as on the agency's work to increase vaccine access to people in rural and suburban communities.

WASHINGTON— In a letter sent Friday, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) urged the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to permanently expand full practice authority to Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) at Department of Veterans of Affairs (VA) Facilities. In 2016, the VA granted some Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) and, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the VA temporarily granted full practice authority to CRNAs.