Media

WASHINGTON – This week, Representative Lauren Underwood (IL-14) unveiled House Democrats' new framework for a five-year, $760 billion investment that would create an estimated 10 million jobs addressing some of the country's most urgent infrastructure needs, from the massive maintenance backlog, to designing safer streets, to putting the U.S. on a path toward zero carbon pollution from the transportation sector and increasing resiliency.

WASHINGTON—Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) announced that she will welcome Karen Battaglia, a nurse from Antioch, as her guest to the President's State of the Union address. Underwood selected Battaglia because of her service and dedication to providing care for underserved and vulnerable people in her community. In addition to being a nurse, Battaglia has a preexisting condition and is at risk of losing quality, affordable health care if the Trump Administration is successful in its efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

WASHINGTON— Today, legislation backed by Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) to strengthen the financial security of Illinois families passed the House of Representatives. The Comprehensive Credit Reporting Enhancement, Disclosure, Innovation, and Transparency (CREDIT) Act (H.R. 3621) makes much-needed reforms to the credit reporting system. By increasing accountability and transparency of credit reports and scores, H.R.

WASHINGTON— Today, Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Vice Chair of the Homeland Security Committee, and John Katko (NY-24) introduced new bipartisan legislation to help protect communities from domestic terrorist threats. The Safe Communities Act would help target resources to rural and suburban communities, which have historically experienced funding gaps, to ensure that first responders, schools, nonprofits, and houses of worship can protect themselves against terrorist attacks.

WASHINGTON— Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) wrote the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Under Secretary for Benefits Paul Lawrence requesting additional information on the level of training Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) contractors receive for suicide prevention. Currently, VA contracted examiners are required to complete a "general competency" training package within 180 days of joining the VA, including just one single module dedicated to suicide prevention.