Media

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.

WASHINGTON— Today, in a Homeland Security Committee Hearing, Vice Chair of the Committee Representative Lauren Underwood (IL-14) questioned top officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on the need for an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system across all DHS components. Dr. Alexander L. Eastman, Senior Medical Officer for the Department of Homeland Security, stated that EHRs will allow DHS medical officials to effectively document the medical care being provided and ensure that DHS can measure, assess, and learn lessons for future medical care at the border.

WASHINGTON— Today, Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) introduced new legislation to help more Americans access the care they need. The Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act (H.R. 5575) would require private insurance plans to cover three annual primary care visits and three annual outpatient mental health or outpatient substance use disorder treatment visits without charging a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible-related fee. Approximately one in four Americans skip necessary medical care because of costs.

WASHINGTON— For the first time in more than two decades, legislation championed by Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) to commit federal investments to study gun violence was signed into law. The legislation passed as a part of the bipartisan appropriations package for Fiscal Year 2020 and was signed into law by the President on December 20, 2019. The bill provides $12.5 million to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and $12.5 million to the National Institutes of Health for firearm injury and mortality prevention research.

WASHINGTON— Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) announced that her efforts to extend the biodiesel tax credit to support Illinois's rural economy were successful. The Underwood-backed legislation to extend the biodiesel tax credit through 2022 and retroactively apply the credit for 2018 passed as a part of the appropriations package for Fiscal Year 2020 and was signed into law by the President on December 20, 2019.