Lauren Underwood — Democrat Candidate for U.S. House in Illinois, 2026

Representative Lauren Underwood supports comprehensive immigration reform and a pathway to citizenship, believing the system must honor the value and dignity of immigrant communities. She voted for the American Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. Underwood has also worked to advance federal funding for border security and passed legislation to prevent child deaths at the U.S.-Mexico border.

““Let’s be clear about why we are here. Republicans have allowed ICE and Border Patrol to operate out of control, abuse their authority, trample civil rights, break the law, violate the Constitution, and kill U.S. citizens—all while lying to the public about actions we can plainly see with our own eyes. [...] Mr. Phillips, I’m not going to waste our time today asking you why this decision was made—I think we all know why. My constituents see what’s happening here. They paid their federal taxes, but now that they need help to rebuild, FEMA tells them they’re on their own. That’s not a result of a funding lapse. That’s a policy choice. It’s a policy choice that reflects a pattern of governance that treats some missions and some communities as expendable. Apparently the Trump administration has enough money for immigration agents to rappel down from helicopters to raid an apartment building on Chicago’s South Side – resulting in zero criminal charges – but not to address flooding when heavy rain overwhelmed the sewer system a few miles away. [...] And under Kristi Noem’s failed leadership, it’s not just disaster response that’s getting shortchanged in order to pay for the secret police terrorizing American communities. Cybersecurity. Transportation security. Maritime safety. Our nation’s most valuable resources and secrets. All being sold out by the Trump administration. Meanwhile, agencies like Border Patrol and ICE—whose actions are opposed by 63 percent of American voters—got a blank check in the Big Ugly Bill last summer, and now my Republican colleagues want to give them another one with no strings attached. So spare us the fiction of Republican concern about paying federal employees or sustaining critical services. This is not about resources. This is about choices.” - Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Department of Homeland Security hearing, February 12, 2026.”

Representative Lauren Underwood prioritizes ensuring access to high-quality, affordable healthcare and eliminating cost barriers, stating that healthcare is a human right. She introduced legislation, the Health Care Affordability Act, to extend advance premium tax credits for three years to prevent cost increases and expand coverage. Underwood urged colleagues to vote yes on this legislation to provide families with affordable healthcare. She also supports women's rights to the full range of reproductive health services, including access to safe, legal, and affordable abortions.

““Republicans cannot continue to ignore the health care crisis that they’ve created. These popular tax credits will expire in just 42 days, and the cost increases that millions of Americans have been getting notices of will become reality,” said Rep. Underwood.“Health care is a human right, and House Democrats will not give up this fight. A three-year extension of these tax credits will give families peace of mind and certainty that their coverage will remain affordable and within reach. We are out of time, and Congress must pass this legislation immediately.” (Rep. Lauren Underwood, Press Release: "Underwood Introduces New Legislation to Prevent Health Care Cost Increase, Extend Tax Credits for Three Years", Underwood.house.gov)”

Lauren Underwood has a strong pro-environment voting record, evidenced by a 99% lifetime score and a 100% score in 2025 from the League of Conservation Voters. She voted against the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act and the Don’t Mess With My Home Appliances Act in February 2026. She also introduced environmental justice amendments, stating a desire for a Congress that prioritizes community health over companies.

“I introduced environmental justice amendments to protect our communities. We deserve a Congress that works for us, not companies making us sick. (Lauren Underwood, Instagram, undated)”

Representative Lauren Underwood voted to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act and the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act to protect abortion access nationwide. She also voted against the Pregnant Students' Rights Act. Underwood states her commitment to ensuring women are not criminalized for healthcare and providers are not prosecuted, affirming women's rights to make their own health choices. She is an endorsed candidate by Reproductive Freedom for All.

“Six Supreme Court justices, who are completely out of step with the American people, ripped away Americans’ reproductive rights. We won’t go back. I’m fighting for a reality where women aren’t criminalized for getting health care and providers aren’t prosecuted for doing their jobs,” said Underwood. “Republican lawmakers across the country are trying to ban abortion — often without exception. My Democratic colleagues and I voted to pass this legislation to reinstate a federal right to abortion and guarantee that Americans can’t be prosecuted for seeking care in states where abortion remains legal.” - Lauren Underwood, underwood.house.gov, July 15, 2022”

Congresswoman Lauren Underwood has voiced strong opposition to the policies of federal agencies like ICE and Border Patrol, accusing them of abusing authority, trampling civil rights, and violating the Constitution. She argues against providing these agencies with funding without safeguards for accountability and transparency. Additionally, she has expressed concerns that the Trump administration compromised national security assets, including cybersecurity, transportation, and maritime safety, which she believes are critical for national safety.

“Lauren Underwood: 'Let’s be clear about why we are here. Republicans have allowed ICE and Border Patrol to operate out of control, abuse their authority, trample civil rights, break the law, violate the Constitution, and kill U.S. citizens—all while lying to the public about actions we can plainly see with our own eyes. [...] Cybersecurity. Transportation security. Maritime safety. Our nation’s most valuable resources and secrets. All being sold out by the Trump administration. [...] So, if my Republican colleagues were serious about keeping the American people safe, we’d be discussing how to protect citizens from their own government. [...] It seems the White House would rather shut down agencies like FEMA during historic winter storms than accept the bare minimum of accountability and transparency for ICE and Border Patrol, so here we are.' (Underwood Delivers Remarks at Department of Homeland Security Hearing on Potential Impacts of a DHS Shutdown, February 12, 2026)”

Lauren Underwood opposes cuts to education funding. She voted against the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations funding bill, citing that it cuts programs for training doctors and nurses. She also opposes the Department of Education’s proposed rule to reclassify advanced nursing programs, arguing it will make education more expensive for nursing professionals and raise healthcare costs. She secured over $10 million in Community Project Funding for FY2026, which includes career training.

“Every day, nurses in communities around our country are doing critically important work to support the health and well-being of our families. We’re providing excellent clinical care, conducting important research, and carrying out critical public health initiatives. We are dedicated professionals, and this uninformed, shortsighted proposal is a slap in the face,” said Rep. Underwood. “This rule will make it more difficult and vastly more expensive for nurses to become advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and nurse educators. It will put an even greater strain on our already overloaded health care system, raise costs for everyone, and put public health at risk." (Rep. Lauren Underwood, Press Release, February 5, 2026)”

Lauren Underwood voted to pass the Protecting Our Kids Act in 2022, a package of gun violence prevention bills. She stated that her action was to ensure everyone deserves to feel safe and to reduce the country's gun violence crisis. The Giffords organization has endorsed her for the U.S. House of Representatives. She also opposed fiscal year 2026 funding cuts that would affect experts studying gun violence in schools.

“"In 2019, five of our neighbors left their homes to go to work at the Henry Pratt Company and never returned because of an unspeakable act of gun violence — a senseless tragedy for their families and our community. And now, just three years later, I am continuing to hear from my constituents who are heartbroken over the countless mass shootings in this country and fearful that their community could experience the same tragedy that took place in Aurora,"said Underwood. "Whether it's at school, work, a concert, a place of worship, or their own home, everyone deserves to feel safe. I took action to reduce our country's horrific gun violence crisis by voting to pass the Protecting Our Kids Act."”