Lauren Underwood

Ms. UNDERWOOD

Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, the NIH IMPROVE Act. This bipartisan bill, co-led by Congressman Fitzpatrick, will provide consistent funding for research on maternal mortality. The United States has the highest pregnancy-related death rate of any high-income country, and Black women are dying at the highest rate of all. The crisis is only getting worse. Over the past two decades, maternal mortality rates have more than doubled, and disparities have worsened. What is both frustrating and promising is that over 80 percent of these deaths are preventable. That is why in 2019 I worked with NIH to start the IMPROVE initiative, which stands for Implementing a Maternal health and PRegnancy Outcomes Vision for Everyone. Through IMPROVE, we are making smart investments in evidence-based solutions that save moms' lives and advance birth equity. Over the past 7 years, IMPROVE has invested more than $200 million in lifesaving research that will help end our Nation's maternal health crisis. These investments have already been made all across the country, from Utah to Alabama, Mississippi to Pennsylvania, and to my home State of Illinois. It is already allowing more moms to survive and thrive, and my bill will ensure that this funding keeps flowing to the communities that need it the most. The NIH IMPROVE Act is one of the 14 bills that make up the momnibus, a comprehensive package of evidence-based, data-driven bills that address every driver of maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities in the United States. I know all my colleagues agree that no mom should feel fear or uncertainty about her pregnancy. So, today, I urge them to pass the NIH IMPROVE Act. After that, we are going to keep it going until the entire momnibus is signed into law. Together, we can end this crisis and keep moms alive. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Guthrie and Mr. Pallone for their support for this legislation.

Ms. UNDERWOOD

Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, the Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act. Serving veterans is one of the greatest privileges we have as Members of Congress, and we must do everything that we can to ensure not only that they receive the benefits that they have earned through their service and sacrifice, but also that they can access those benefits with the dignity that they deserve. That is why I am so proud to lead the bipartisan Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act with Congresswoman Ashley Hinson. As a nurse, I have seen firsthand the benefits of breastfeeding for moms and babies. My bill will ensure that every VA medical center contains a clean, private space specifically designed for nursing and pumping. Our veterans and their families have given so much in service to our country, and they deserve the same level of support and respect when they seek care. For VA medical centers to meet the needs of young families, caregivers, and our hardworking VA employees, they need to be equipped with proper facilities. In the VA medical centers that lack a dedicated lactation space, moms are forced to use unsanitary places like bathrooms or struggle to find a private corner. That is unacceptable. Our veterans deserve better. That is why we must pass the Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act now.

Ms. UNDERWOOD

Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a victory for Illinois farmers. This week, I was proud to vote for the bipartisan Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which will allow for the sale of E15 ethanol fuel year-round. Expanding access to E15 is a win-win. It provides our farmers with stable markets, and it lowers costs at the pump for families across the country. I grew up in northern Illinois where I love being surrounded by the gorgeous corn and soybean fields. Now, as the proud Representative for the 14th District, I am so glad I got to help pass this historic legislation for our farmers. Now, we need the Senate to act fast and get this bill across the finish line.

Ms. UNDERWOOD

Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, like other Members of the Committee on Appropriations, I missed a vote because I was participating in a markup of the FY2027 Financial Services and General Government bill. Had I been present, I would have voted Nay on Roll Call No. 130.

Ms. UNDERWOOD

Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, last week, we marked the 10th Annual Black Maternal Health Week, a week of action, engagement, and advocacy with the goal of ending our Nation's maternal health crisis and the disparities that disproportionately impact Black women. Moms across America are demanding a comprehensive solution to this crisis. While it affects moms from every community, of every demographic, we know that there are significant inequities across racial and ethnic lines. Black women die from pregnancy-related complications at three to four times the rate of their White counterparts, a disparity that exists across income brackets and education levels. Personal losses and staggering statistics like these are why 7 years ago, I cofounded the Black Maternal Health Caucus with my sister and colleague, Congresswoman Alma Adams. Today, the Black Maternal Health Caucus is one of the largest bipartisan caucuses on Capitol Hill. Our flagship legislation, which I am proud to lead along with Congresswoman Adams, is the momnibus, a comprehensive package of 14 evidence-based bills designed to address every clinical and nonclinical factor leading to preventable maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities in the United States. This legislation is designed to solve America's maternal health crisis and end the disproportionate risks faced by Black women. This is not a Band-Aid. This is the solution, and Congress must pass it now. Over the last 7 years, we have made incredible progress on maternal health and moving the priorities in the momnibus forward. We have gotten hundreds of millions of dollars signed into law to fund lifesaving research on maternal health and to support the organizations nationwide who are putting that knowledge to use on the front lines of the crisis. We have even passed the first momnibus bill into law, the Protecting Moms Who Served Act, which helps our veterans receive the quality maternal care that they deserve. Yes, these are meaningful steps forward, but our work is not done. Moms are dying every single day, and it is time for us to come together and deliver a comprehensive solution because our moms deserve better: Moms like Dr. Janell Green Smith, a nurse-midwife, a DNP, a professor, and maternal health advocate who we tragically lost in January to childbirth complications days after delivering her daughter, Eden. She deserved better. Moms like Mercedes Wells, who survived giving birth by the side of the road minutes after being turned away from a hospital while in active labor in December. She deserved better. Moms like Kiara Jones, who was ignored while she sat in active labor, crying out and doubled over in pain in a hospital waiting room. She deserved better. To end this crisis once and for all and to ensure that all moms have access to the respectful and competent care they deserve, we must pass the whole momnibus: the comprehensive solution to address maternal mortality in America. This is a fight that we cannot lose. Black Maternal Health Week is a reminder that every mom of every background has a right to a safe pregnancy and postpartum period. Bringing new life into the world should be a time of celebration, not fear, not grief. This year's Black Maternal Healthcare Week theme, Rooted in Justice & Joy, reflects the incredible resilience of the moms, families, and advocates who are working every day to make that vision a reality for women across the country. As we have the Congressional Black Caucus recognizing Black Maternal Health Week through this Special Order hour, I am so pleased that we have the opportunity as a Congress to celebrate the progress we have made together. However, we also must rededicate ourselves to doing the work.

Ms. UNDERWOOD

Ms. UNDERWOOD. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Virginia for yielding me time. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 6020, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14855 South Van Dyke Road in Plainfield, Illinois, as the Staff Sergeant Jose Duenez Jr. Post Office Building. Staff Sergeant Jose Duenez, Jr., was born on April 8, 1999, and raised in Joliet, Illinois, in my district. By the time he graduated from Joliet Central High School in 2017, he already knew that he wanted to serve his country in uniform. As soon as he finished high school, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he served his country with honor and bravery for 7 years as an M1 Abrams tank system maintainer. Staff Sergeant Duenez' Army service included three overseas deployments: Poland in 2019, Germany in 2022, and Lithuania in 2025. He was promoted five times over the course of his Army service, ultimately reaching the rank of staff sergeant in November 2020. During his service, he was recognized with two Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, one Certificate of Achievement, two Army Good Conduct Medals, and a National Defense Service Medal. In addition to his passion for service, Staff Sergeant Duenez also loved fishing and spending time with his family. Tragically, on March 31, 2025, Staff Sergeant Duenez and three other U.S. soldiers were killed during an Army training exercise in Lithuania. His record of exemplary service to his country is something that my constituents can all take pride in. That is why I introduced this bill to commemorate his sacrifice and establish a lasting reminder of his legacy. We know that Staff Sergeant Duenez will never be forgotten by his wife, Karen; his son, Jose Duenez III; his mother, Leticia; his father, Jose; his five sisters; his 18 beloved nieces and nephews; or by the countless friends and neighbors in our community who knew and loved him. This bill will ensure that the Illinoisans who were not fortunate enough to know him in life can still come to know him in spirit through the legacy he leaves behind and the impact he has had on our community. Staff Sergeant Duenez was an extraordinary American who served his country with strength and resilience. This bill ensures that the Plainfield, Illinois, post office will bear his name as a reminder of his contributions not only to our country but to his community and family as a father, husband, brother, and son. I am grateful to Senator Duckworth for partnering with me on this effort and to all of my colleagues in the Illinois delegation for their support in honoring the life and legacy of Staff Sergeant Duenez. Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Ms. UNDERWOOD

Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits and to put an end to the Republican healthcare crisis. This Republican majority wasted all of 2025 by refusing to extend the tax credits in time to prevent the premium hikes that families across the country are facing right now. Costs are outrageous. House Democrats had to use a discharge petition to force them to do the right thing and finally hold this vote. We have heard a lot of confusing lies from the majority today. Mr. Speaker, the truth is that the ACA tax credits from my legislation work. They are incredibly popular, yet Republicans chose to let them expire on December 31. Today, we have a chance to fix their mistake, lower costs, and protect care for millions of Americans. I urge a ``yes'' vote. I thank Leader Jeffries, Mr. Neal, Speaker Pelosi, and Brandon Casey for working with me on this.

Ms. UNDERWOOD

Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because, in just 2 weeks, the Affordable Care Act tax credits that help millions of Americans afford their premiums will expire, and this Republican healthcare bill does absolutely nothing to keep costs from surging. In fact, every House Democrat has signed a discharge petition for my bill to extend these tax credits for 3 years, and now four Republicans have signed on, as well. For this reason, at the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to recommit this bill back to committee. If the House rules permitted, I would have offered the motion with an important amendment to this bill. My amendment would extend the enhanced premium tax credits for 3 years to do what this Republican bill fails to do and help American families afford their healthcare. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to include in the Record the text of this amendment immediately prior to the motion to recommit.

Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in voting for the motion to recommit.

Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. UNDERWOOD

Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because in just 3 weeks, the Affordable Care Act tax credits that helped millions of Americans afford their premiums will expire. These tax credits have been a lifeline for families and small businesses across the country. They have allowed people to see their providers, to fill their prescriptions, and to get the procedures that they need. These tax credits are enormously popular because they work. Our uninsured rate is lower than ever. That is why Democrats have been fighting for months to extend these successful tax credits and prevent healthcare costs from skyrocketing. Every House Democrat has signed onto a discharge petition to extend these tax credits for 3 years. If we defeat the previous question, we can vote on that extension today, but if Republicans let these tax credits expire, premiums will soar. Healthcare will be out of reach for tens of millions of Americans. Families will be forced to go uninsured or make incredibly tough choices just to make ends meet. This is life or death for people. Healthcare should be a right for everyone, not an unaffordable luxury for the wealthy. Mr. Speaker, I urge my Republican colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question and to join us in extending these tax credits today.

Ms. UNDERWOOD

Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because what happened in Illinois during Operation Midway Blitz can never happen again. The last time this Chamber convened before House Republicans took an 8-week vacation was September 19. This is the first chance that I have had to address the House about the outrageous abuses of power our community has endured for the past 2 months. Under Kristi Noem's so-called leadership, Department of Homeland Security agents have terrorized my district. Their reckless and incompetent methods have traumatized families and endangered entire neighborhoods. No community in America should live under siege by the Federal Government as mine has. Federal immigration officers and National Guard personnel, weaponized and politicized by the Trump administration, swept into my district with no communication, no coordination, no transparency, no accountability, and no regard for public safety. They came barging into our towns, ignored our laws, and trampled on our civil and human rights. In Aurora, a Federal agent pepper-sprayed a constituent of mine directly in the face from inches away while she was standing completely still with her hands at her sides, unarmed. Elsewhere in my district, we heard reports that Federal officers used an elementary school as a staging area, positioning armed tactical teams on school grounds in full view of children. Parents are afraid to leave their homes after hearing about neighbors abducted by masked agents while walking their kids to school, leaving the children unattended by the side of the road. Workers fear going to their jobs. Our economy is suffering. Local businesses have seen foot traffic collapse. Despite the Trump administration's claims of targeting ``the worst of the worst,'' their immigration enforcement operations have been a chaotic mess, sweeping up U.S. citizens, legal immigrants, and people with no criminal record. I was horrified when Federal agents rappelled down from helicopters to a Chicago apartment complex in the middle of the night, smashed windows and doors, threw flash-bang grenades, dragged children from their beds, and zip-tied and detained U.S. citizens for hours. Yet, after all that, Federal prosecutors have not filed criminal charges against anyone detained that night. In a recent court filing, DHS listed 614 people arrested as part of Operation Midway Blitz, and only 16 of them have criminal histories of any kind. That is 2.6 percent. The other 598 people have no criminal record. What is happening in Illinois is called racial profiling. Greg Bovino, the Border Patrol agent who led Operation Midway Blitz, literally told a reporter that agents arrest people based on ``how they look.'' Masked officers are violently targeting people, including U.S. citizens, because their brown skin and their black hair make them seem suspicious. This is a complete failure. Our Founding Fathers warned us about this type of government overreach after seeing how a desperate King's troops could trample on our unalienable right to liberty. Yet, as we approach our Nation's 250th birthday, we are confronting a similar tyranny. That is not all. Many of those arrests have essentially disappeared. Members of Congress could not get basic information from DHS about where they took our constituents. During the Republican shutdown, DHS leadership chose to furlough the liaisons that we rely on to locate detainees and resolve urgent casework. When a constituent reached out because her husband was denied access to medical care in a detention facility, my office's emails bounced back and our calls went unanswered. Weeks later, I am still waiting for a response. However, the shutdown didn't stop DHS agents from harassing citizens and using force on peaceful protesters, because the administration deemed those violent tactics essential. That was not an accident. That was a policy choice. I say to my fellow Americans, this is not what legitimate law enforcement looks like. Operation Midway Blitz disregarded Illinois State laws, Federal laws, and the U.S. Constitution. Due process, a foundational constitutional right for all people in this country, went out the window. Local police and officials were kept in the dark. People were snatched off the streets seemingly at random. Many of my constituents felt like they were being hunted because of the language that they speak or the color of their skin, simply because they needed to run an errand at the hardware store or walk their kids to school. This is not about public safety. When the President has the power to terrorize American communities for his political purposes, it makes us all less safe. It makes us all less free. The people of Illinois deserve answers, and Americans deserve better.

Ms. UNDERWOOD

Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to attend a vote today. However, had I been present, I would have voted ``Nay'' on roll call No. 270, H.R. 4922, DC CRIMES Act of 2025.

Ms. UNDERWOOD

Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bipartisan bill, the Baby Changing on Board Act. This is a simple, commonsense bill, and it is long overdue. Every parent deserves the basic dignity of a clean, safe space to change their baby's diaper, no matter how they travel. Right now, many long-distance trains can go for hours without a single stop. Families riding Amtrak shouldn't have to change their babies on the floor of a train car or in unsafe, unsanitary conditions. It is simply unacceptable, and it is avoidable. Mr. Speaker, my bill ensures that every new Amtrak train includes a baby-changing table in at least one restroom per car, including ADA- compliant restrooms, because, let's be real, babies don't wait for layovers when they need to be changed. Mr. Speaker, I will paint the picture: You are holding your baby in one arm, a diaper bag in the other, and probably some other stuff, too. You make your way to the restroom with your kids and your bags, only to realize there is no changing table. What are you supposed to do? This is not a hypothetical. Millions of Americans ride Amtrak every year, so those trains should work for everyone, including families with young kids. Yet, on many of those trains, parents, usually moms, are forced to make an impossible choice: change their child on a dirty floor or seat, or just sit there and hope for the best. Mr. Speaker, I have heard from families and parents in my northern Illinois community who rely on Amtrak, and they are tired of getting stuck in this impossible position on trains that don't have safe facilities for the littlest riders. Since this is a safety issue for these children, it is a public health issue. Frankly, it is about dignity. These parents aren't asking for luxury. They are asking for a clean, flat surface and some basic respect. Mr. Speaker, we all know diaper changes are not optional, which is why safe baby-changing stations shouldn't be optional, either. The Baby Changing on Board Act is about building a country where every family has what they need to thrive. That starts with recognizing that caregiving matters, parenting matters, and infrastructure should actually support it. This bill will not solve every challenge that parents face, but it is a meaningful step toward a more family-friendly future. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support of this bill. In particular, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Van Drew) for working to introduce it with me. I urge everyone in this Chamber to vote ``yes.'' Let's make changing a diaper on a train a little less gross and a lot more humane.

Ms. UNDERWOOD

Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak out on behalf of millions of Americans who are about to have their healthcare torn away from them. Republicans have been working through the night to hand Donald Trump a massive tax cut to all those billionaires who were in the front row of his inauguration. It seems that nothing is off-limits. Everything is on the table to get that done, including meals for hungry families, working families' healthcare, and the incredible gains that we have made to get more families affordable coverage. Today, Republicans blocked my amendment to lower healthcare costs, refusing to accept a proposal that Donald Trump's own pollster said is the most popular way to make care more affordable. The Medicaid and nutrition cuts that they are pushing will be devastating. Hospitals and nursing homes will close, and they will not come back. Kids will go hungry. Millions will lose their healthcare, and more people will die. We will not stop fighting for the American people to have access to high-quality, affordable healthcare. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question.

Ms. UNDERWOOD

Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my constituent Sergeant Jose Duenez, Jr. Sergeant Duenez was described by his family as someone who always wanted to protect people. He enlisted right after high school and served with his whole heart. His family said: ``It is like it was in him to be a hero,'' and that is exactly what he was, an extraordinary hero. As we mourn this devastating loss, our community in Joliet stands with Sergeant Duenez' family: his wife, Kai; their 1-year-old son, Junior; and with all the loved ones of the four soldiers who lost their lives in Lithuania last month. Let us never forget their strength and resilience. Let us draw inspiration from their courage and selflessness. Let us thank them always for their service.

Ms. UNDERWOOD

Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I voted incorrectly today. However, if I had voted as I intended, I would have voted ``YEA'' on Roll Call No. 492, the passage of H.R. 5349.

Ms. UNDERWOOD

Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote today on Roll Call No. 426. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 426.

Ms. UNDERWOOD

Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I missed the vote on the Democratic Motion to Recommit H.R. 7637, as I was en route from the Appropriations Committee Markup of the FY 2025 Energy and Water, and Related Agencies bill. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 340. Stated against:

Ms. UNDERWOOD

Ms. UNDERWOOD. Madam Chair, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case), a member of the Appropriations Committee.

Ms. UNDERWOOD. Madam Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Ramirez).

Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition.

Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Chair, I rise as the designee of the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), and I move to strike the last word.

Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Magaziner).