Lauren Underwood

Democrat Representative of Illinois's 14th district

Representative
Illinois, district 14
January 3, 2019 - January 3, 2021
Representative
Illinois, district 14
January 3, 2021 - January 3, 2023
Representative
Illinois, district 14
January 3, 2023 - January 3, 2025

202-225-2976

@RepUnderwood

underwood.house.gov

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Congresses Served

House Terms

October 4, 1986 (38 years old)

Birthday

American politician and registered nurse
Grew up in Naperville, Illinois
Holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Michigan and two master’s degrees from Johns Hopkins University
Began her career as a policy professional in the Obama administration in 2014, later working as a senior advisor at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2018, defeating a Republican incumbent
Became the youngest Black woman to serve in Congress upon her swearing-in
Elected a co-chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee in 2022, becoming the first black woman to have an elected Democratic leadership position since Shirley Chisholm in the 1970s
Focuses on health care disparities, especially related to maternal health outcomes
Diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia at eight years old, influencing her views on health policy
Worked on the City of Naperville’s Fair Housing Advisory Commission during high school
Became a senior advisor at HHS in 2014, working on the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Served as Senior Director of Strategy and Regulatory Affairs at Next Level Health and as an adjunct instructor at Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies before entering politics
Ran for Congress with a platform focused on improving the Affordable Care Act, expanding job opportunities, infrastructure improvements, and paid family leave
Defeated incumbent Republican Randy Hultgren in 2018 after he voted to repeal the ACA, which she opposed due to its impact on individuals with preexisting conditions
Re-elected in 2020 and 2022, with her district’s lines dramatically adjusted following redistricting in 2022
During Donald Trump’s presidency, voted in line with Trump’s stated position 6.5% of the time and with President Joe Biden’s stated position 100% of the time in the 117th Congress
Authored four bills signed into law by Trump
Listed in the Time 100 Next in 2019
Made remarks at a Department of Homeland Security budget hearing in 2019 about the treatment of migrants in custody, causing controversy
Holds committee assignments in the Committee on Appropriations, including the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, and the Subcommittee on Homeland Security
Member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the Black Maternal Health Caucus