Congresswoman Lauren Underwood Secures Federal Resources for Key Priorities in Illinois' 14th Congressional District

Strategic Insights -

Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) has announced the successful passage of federal resources for key priorities of the Fourteenth District of Illinois in the first House appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2021, H.R. 7608. This legislation package includes support for COVID-19 economic recovery, ethylene oxide monitoring, and Underwood's ACE Veterans Act to expand veterans' access to a full year's supply of contraception.

Key Takeaways:

  • The House appropriations bill, H.R. 7608, includes funding for COVID-19 economic recovery, ethylene oxide monitoring, and Underwood's ACE Veterans Act to expand veterans' access to a full year's supply of contraception.
  • The bill provides $3.212 billion for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a $40.8 million increase over last year's enacted level, to promote medical product and food safety.
  • Congresswoman Underwood's bill, the Lower Insulin Costs Now Act, was signed into law by the President in December, ensuring FDA can continue to bring new, lower-cost generic insulin products to market.
  • The bill provides $2.5 billion for Global Health Program and $7.8 million in support to programs to assist homeless veterans in the Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program.
  • The bill directs VA to provide a report on maternal mortality among women veterans and invests $2.64 billion for programs to improve maternal and child health and fight infectious diseases around the world.
  • The bill provides $120 million to support the Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act Teams and $660 million in funding to support the Department of Veterans Affairs Women Veterans Health Care Program.
  • The bill supports language and international exchange programs at Northern Illinois University by providing $741.7 million for the Department of State's Education and Cultural Exchange Programs.
  • The bill includes funding for infrastructure and education programs, including $15.17 billion in water infrastructure and $1.45 billion for rural water and waste program loans.

Statistics:

  • $3.212 billion allocated for FDA
  • $2.5 billion allocated for Global Health Program
  • $7.8 million allocated for homeless veteran programs
  • $120 million allocated for Veterans Health Administration Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act Teams
  • $660 million allocated for Women Veterans Health Care Program
  • $741.7 million allocated for Education and Cultural Exchange Programs
  • $15.17 billion allocated for water infrastructure
  • $1.45 billion allocated for rural water and waste program loans
  • $524 million allocated for vaccine development partnership

Sources:

  • Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) July 27, 2020 Press Release
  • H.R. 7608, First House Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2021