Media

WASHINGTON— Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) joined members of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs to address wait times for veterans seeking care at VA facilities. In her remarks, Underwood highlighted a recent survey of 14^th District veterans in which she learned the vast majority of respondents are satisfied with the quality of care at local VA facilities. Despite hearing many local success stories, wait times remain a serious concern for veterans seeking care across the nation.

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14), led a bipartisan letter with members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue following the release of a confusing and potentially inaccurate National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Acreage report in June. In the letter, members expressed that the report erodes confidence between farmers and the USDA, and took away opportunities for farmers to make it through another tough year.

WASHINGTON— Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) introduced the Climate and Health Protection Act (H.R. 3819) to reinstate the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Climate and Health Program. Until last year, the CDC's Climate and Health Program was the agency's only office dedicated to helping state and local governments prepare for the public health consequences of climate change.

WASHINGTON— Today, the Committee on Homeland Security unanimously passed legislation introduced by Vice Chair Lauren Underwood (IL-14) to address deficiencies and improve medical screening procedures at the U.S.-Mexico border. Underwood's legislation works to comprehensively improve the quality of care at the border by creating set standards and timelines for medical screening to include medical history, current medical complaints, current medications, and more.

WASHINGTON— Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) joined the bipartisan H.J. Res. 72 to overturn harmful U.S. Treasury Department regulations aimed at restricting Americans from deducting charitable contributions from their federal taxes. On June 13th, the Treasury Department issued final regulations barring municipalities across the country from establishing trusts that would accept payments from taxpayers to satisfy state and local tax liabilities.

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswomen Alma Adams (NC -12) and Lauren Underwood (IL-14), founders and co-chairs of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, convened 32 of the leading organizations working to address the Black maternal health crisis for the Caucus' first-ever stakeholder summit.

The summit served as a listening session for Members of the Black Maternal Health Caucus to hear insights from a diverse group of stakeholders on their advocacy efforts and their recommendations for the Caucus.

WASHINGTON— Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) voted in support of passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020. The bill authorizes $733 billion for the Department of Defense (DOD) and the defense-related activities of the Department of Energy, as well as Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO). The FY 2020 NDAA eliminates wasteful spending, promotes a more inclusive military, and solidifies Congress's oversight role over defense programs.

WASHINGTON—Today Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) introduced the Caring for Women Veterans Act (H.R. 3636) to ensure women veterans receive quality health care from VA facilities. The bill directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit an annual report to Congress on gender-specific care available at VA facilities, which will provide an informed and sustainable roadmap to providing high quality, accessible care for women veterans.