116th Congress

WASHINGTON— Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) spoke before the Ways and Means Committee to advocate for middle class families by promoting her legislation to provide tax relief to middle-class families who face new tax burdens under the 2017 Republican tax law. In March, Underwood introduced H.R.

WASHINGTON— Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) wrote to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Purdue expressing concerns over recent reports of USDA officials hiding or evading publication of research on the effects of climate change on agriculture.

WASHINGTON— Today, Congresswomen Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and Alma Adams (NC-12) released the following statements after multiple priorities of the Black Maternal Health Caucus passed the House of Representatives, including key investments for research aimed at reducing and improving maternal health disparities. The legislation passed as part of the Fiscal Year 2020 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations.

WASHINGTON— Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) delivered a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives in support of her legislation which prevents federal money from being spent on censoring existing public information about climate change. In the past two years, other federal agencies have removed or obscured valuable scientific resources, and we must ensure our farming communities do not lose access to information specific to agriculture. In her remarks, Underwood stated that deleting existing references to climate change from U.S.

WASHINGTON – Today, the entire Illinois Congressional Delegation sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai and the four FCC Commissioners urging the FCC to improve the nation's broadband maps by reforming the mapping process for broadband services. The members noted that currently the mapping process lacks detail, accuracy, and granularity, meaning many underserved areas, including many rural communities in Illinois, could go without critical funding to improve broadband services.

MINOOKA—In a press conference today on health care affordability, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) discussed her plan to make health care more affordable and reduce premium costs for approximately 20 million Americans. Kaylee Heap, a mother from Minooka who runs Heap's Giant Pumpkin Farm with her husband, shared how her family has been affected by the high cost of health care.

WASHINGTON—On June 5, the final planting date for corn in Illinois as determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) pressed Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue on the Administration's efforts to address obstacles facing farming communities like those in the 14th District of Illinois. In a letter, Underwood highlighted that challenges caused by market uncertainty are being compounded by historic planting delays this year due to extreme weather and waterlogged soil.

WASHINGTON—Yesterday, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) spoke before the Ways and Means Committee to push for her legislation to make health care more affordable and reduce premium costs for consumers who purchase plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace. The Health Care Affordability Act (H.R. 1868) would expand eligibility for premium tax credits beyond 400 percent of the federal poverty line, and would increase the size of the tax credit for all income brackets.