Lauren Underwood

Lauren Underwood is an American politician and registered nurse currently serving as a U.S. Representative for Illinois's 14th congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, Underwood has been in office since 2019 and is recognized for her focus on healthcare policy, particularly in relation to the Affordable Care Act. She has made history as the youngest Black woman to serve in Congress and has held various leadership roles within the House, including her position as co-chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee.

Early life and career

Lauren Underwood was born on October 4, 1986, in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. At the age of three, she moved with her family to Naperville, Illinois, where she grew up and attended Neuqua Valley High School, graduating in 2004. Underwood's early experiences, including her diagnosis of supraventricular tachycardia at eight years old, significantly influenced her perspective on health policy and healthcare access. This personal health challenge shaped her commitment to advocating for healthcare rights and informed her later professional endeavors.

Underwood's involvement in community service began early; from 2003 to 2004, she served on the City of Naperville's Fair Housing Advisory Commission. She pursued higher education at the University of Michigan, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2008. During her time at the university, she took a course on nursing politics that profoundly impacted her career trajectory, steering her toward healthcare policy. Additionally, she became a member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha.

Following her undergraduate studies, Underwood continued her education at Johns Hopkins University, where she obtained both a Master of Science in Nursing and a Master of Public Health in 2009. Her academic background laid the foundation for her career in healthcare and policy. In 2014, Underwood joined the Obama administration as a senior advisor at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), where she played a role in implementing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. After her tenure at HHS, she worked as the senior director of strategy and regulatory affairs at Next Level Health starting in 2017. In addition, she served as an adjunct instructor at the Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies, further contributing to the field of nursing education.

House tenure

Underwood announced her candidacy for the United States House of Representatives in August 2017, seeking to represent Illinois's 14th congressional district. Her campaign platform emphasized the importance of improving the Affordable Care Act, expanding job opportunities, enhancing infrastructure, and advocating for paid family leave. In the Democratic primary held on March 20, 2018, Underwood secured her position as the nominee by winning 57% of the vote against six other candidates.

In the general election, Underwood faced incumbent Republican Randy Hultgren. A key issue in the campaign was Hultgren's support for the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, which Underwood opposed vehemently, citing her personal experiences with a pre-existing condition. The election concluded on November 6, 2018, with Underwood defeating Hultgren, thereby becoming the youngest Black woman to serve in Congress.

Underwood was reelected in subsequent elections, including a competitive race in 2020 against state senator Jim Oberweis, where she was declared the winner nine days after the election. In 2022, she won reelection with 54% of the vote, even as the district underwent significant redistricting. Most recently, in 2024, Underwood successfully ran for reelection against Republican Jim Marter, securing 55% of the vote.

Legislative focus and committees

Throughout her tenure in the House of Representatives, Underwood has maintained a strong focus on healthcare issues, particularly those related to the Affordable Care Act and access to healthcare for all Americans. During the Trump administration, she voted in alignment with the president's stated position approximately 6.5% of the time, while her voting record aligned with President Biden's position 100% during the 117th Congress, according to analyses by FiveThirtyEight.

Underwood has been active in crafting legislation, with a total of 14 of her bills signed into law by both Presidents Trump and Biden. Notably, in her first term, she authored four bills that received presidential approval. Her legislative efforts reflect her commitment to addressing healthcare disparities and improving public health policy.

In addition to her legislative work, Underwood has taken on leadership roles within the House. In 2022, she was elected co-chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, marking a significant milestone as the first Black woman to hold an elected Democratic leadership position since Shirley Chisholm in the 1970s. This role has allowed her to influence party strategy and communication on key issues.

Underwood's advocacy extends beyond healthcare; she has also addressed issues related to immigration and humanitarian concerns. During a budget hearing in 2019, she spoke out on the treatment of migrants in U.S. Border Patrol custody, emphasizing the need for Congress to address security and humanitarian issues effectively.

Overall, Lauren Underwood's career reflects her dedication to public service, healthcare advocacy, and community engagement. As she continues her tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, she remains a prominent figure in discussions surrounding health policy and social justice.