MoveOn is Proud to Endorse Lauren Underwood for Congress!

Meet Lauren Underwood

Congresswoman Lauren Underwood represents Illinois’ 14th Congressional District, a diverse suburban, exurban, and rural area in northern Illinois. In 2018, Lauren made history as the first person of color, first woman, and first millennial to represent her district. In a historic election, she flipped IL-14 from red to blue, defeating a four-term Republican incumbent. When she was sworn into office in 2019, Lauren became the youngest Black woman to ever serve in Congress. By 2022, she was elected to House Leadership as Co-Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, focusing on messaging for the Caucus.

Leadership and Legislative Achievements

Lauren Underwood has established herself as a hardworking and effective leader for her district. She serves on the House Committee on Appropriations and is the Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee. With eighteen pieces of bipartisan legislation signed into law by both Democratic and Republican presidents, Congresswoman Underwood’s impact is undeniable. A registered nurse and public health expert, Lauren brings a unique perspective to Congress, especially in her focus on high-quality, affordable healthcare.

One of her major legislative achievements is the Healthcare Affordability Act, which was signed into law as part of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan and extended through the Inflation Reduction Act. Lauren also co-founded the Black Maternal Health Caucus, working to address maternal health disparities, especially those affecting Black mothers. Her introduction of the Momnibus bill package in 2020 alongside colleagues in the House and Senate represents her commitment to saving lives and advancing maternal health.

Background and Dedication to Public Health

Before her election to Congress, Lauren worked at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), where she helped implement the Affordable Care Act. She was later appointed by President Obama as a Senior Advisor at HHS, focusing on public health emergencies and disaster preparedness. Lauren holds a Bachelor’s in Nursing from the University of Michigan and dual Master’s degrees in Nursing and Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.