Lauren Ashley Underwood (born October 4, 1986)^[1] is an American politician and registered nurse who is a U.S. representative from Illinois’s 14th congressional district as a member of the Democratic Party. Her district, once represented by former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, includes the outer western suburbs of Chicago, including DeKalb, Joliet, Oswego, Ottawa, and Yorkville.

Underwood grew up in Naperville, Illinois. She graduated with a degree in nursing from the University of Michigan and two master’s degrees from Johns Hopkins University. She began her career as a policy professional in the Obama administration in 2014, later working as a senior advisor at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

In 2018, Underwood was elected to the United States House of Representatives, defeating Republican incumbent Randy Hultgren. Upon her swearing in, she became the youngest Black woman to serve in Congress.^[2] In 2022, she was elected a co-chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, making her the first black woman to have an elected Democratic leadership position since Shirley Chisholm in the 1970s.^[3]

A major focus for her in Congress has been on health care disparities, particularly as they relate to maternal health outcomes.^[4]

Underwood was born on October 4, 1986, in Mayfield Heights, Ohio.^[5] At age three, she moved with her family to Naperville, Illinois, where she grew up and attended Neuqua Valley High School, graduating in 2004. She began as a Girl Scout in kindergarten and is a lifetime member.^[6] At eight years old, Underwood was diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia, a pre-existing condition that later shaped her views on health policy.^[7]

From 2003 to 2004, she worked on the City of Naperville’s Fair Housing Advisory Commission.^[8] She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Michigan in 2008. At Michigan, Underwood took a course on nursing politics that she has said “changed her life” and influenced her to enter healthcare policy.^[8][9] Also at Michigan, she joined the National Pan-Hellenic Council sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha.^[10] She received her Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University in 2009.^[8]

In 2014, Underwood became a senior advisor at the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), where she worked to implement the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.^[11][12][13]

Beginning in 2017, Underwood was the Senior Director of Strategy and Regulatory Affairs at Next Level Health.^[14] She also served as an adjunct instructor at the Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies.^[15]

In August 2017, Underwood announced her candidacy for the United States House of Representatives in Illinois’s 14th congressional district.^[15] Her platform focused on improving the Affordable Care Act, expanding job opportunities, infrastructure improvements, and paid family leave.^[11] She won the March 20 Democratic primary with 57% of the vote against six opponents.^[16]

In the general election, Underwood faced incumbent Republican Randy Hultgren. In a public debate, Underwood, who has a heart condition, said that she had decided to run for the seat because Hultgren voted to repeal the ACA. Hultgren voted in favor of the Republican American Health Care Act, which passed the House in 2017 but not the Senate, and would have repealed and replaced the ACA.

Underwood said the repeal-and-replace bill would have taken away the right of “individuals like me with preexisting conditions to have affordable coverage” and that people like her would either be denied coverage or charged more. Hultgren said the bill would have protected such people because although it would have allowed states to charge people with preexisting conditions more, they would be eligible for subsidies.^[17]

Underwood said that health care is “a human right” and that single-payer/universal coverage/Medicare for all was “a great goal” but would have to wait until we have good answers to the questions about costs.^[18] Hultgren ran TV ads stating that Underwood supports a single-payer plan.^[19]

Former President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden endorsed Underwood. In the November 6 election,^[20] she defeated Hultgren with 52.5% of the vote.^[21]

Underwood was reelected over state senator Jim Oberweis, in the ninth-closest race of the House 2020 election cycle.^[22] Following early returns, Oberweis claimed victory prior to the official declaration as to the winner.^[23] Nine days following voting, on November 12, the Associated Press called the election for Underwood.^[24] Oberweis unsuccessfully challenged the result.^[25]

Underwood ran for reelection in 2022 in the 14th district after its lines were dramatically adjusted following redistricting.^[26] She won the election with 54% of the vote.^[27]

During the presidency of Donald Trump, Underwood voted in line with Trump’s stated position 6.5% of the time.^[28] Underwood voted with President Joe Biden‘s stated position 100% of the time in the 117th Congress, according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis.^[29]

In her first term, Underwood wrote four bills that Trump signed into law.^[30]

In 2019, Underwood was listed in the Time 100 Next. Her entry was written by U.S. Senator Cory Booker.^[31]

At a Department of Homeland Security budget hearing in 2019, Underwood remarked on treatment of migrants in United States Border Patrol custody. She said “Congress has been more than willing to provide the resources and work with you to address the security and humanitarian concerns but at this point, with five kids that have died, 5,000 separated from their families – I feel like, and the evidence is really clear, that this is intentional.” Underwood further said “It’s a policy choice being made on purpose by this administration, and it’s cruel and inhumane.” The remarks caused controversy at the hearing, and were stricken from the record.^[32]

In the 118th Congress, Underwood was elected co-chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, along with Veronica Escobar and Dean Phillips.^[33]

For the 118th Congress:^[34]

• Committee on Appropriations
  • Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Homeland Security

• Congressional Black Caucus^[35]
• Black Maternal Health Caucus^[36]

• List of African-American United States representatives
• Women in the United States House of Representatives

• Congresswoman Lauren Underwood official U.S. House website
• Campaign website

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
• Profile at Vote Smart
• Appearances on C-SPAN