Foreign Policy for America Endorses Representative Lauren Underwood (IL-14) for Re-Election
Leading Representative endorsed by nonpartisan Foreign Policy for America Action Network
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 4, 2020
WASHINGTON D.C. - Foreign Policy for America Action Network announced today its endorsement of Representative Lauren Underwood for re-election. As Vice Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security and a member of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Representative Underwood is running to represent the people of Illinois’ 14th congressional district for a second term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Already in just her first year in Congress, Lauren Underwood has become a powerful voice on issues affecting our national security. As Vice Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security, she has brought her unique experience tackling global health challenges to address critical issues from America’s relationships with Central American countries to stopping pandemics,” said Andrew Albertson, treasurer of Foreign Policy for America Action Network. “Representative Underwood has injected new urgency and offered practical solutions on issues that affect Americans’ safety every day. That’s why we’re so proud to endorse her for re-election.”
“It is my honor to receive the endorsement of Foreign Policy for America,” said Representative Underwood. “I believe it is imperative that our foreign policy and national security priorities reflect American values. I am eager to restore our standing in the world and work collaboratively and compassionately to strengthen us at home and abroad.”
Representative Underwood is a registered nurse and before running for Congress she worked in healthcare policy, joining the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, first as a policy coordinator, then as a senior adviser to the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. While at HHS, Representative Underwood helped communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to disasters and public health emergencies, supported the federal response to domestic and international public health emergencies, and assisted with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Underwood is the first woman, the first person of color, and the first millennial to represent her community in Congress. She is also the youngest African American woman ever elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. As a first term Member of Congress serving on the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Underwood has made election security and cybersecurity top priorities. She’s also a founding member of Task Force Sentry, a bipartisan House working group dedicated to election security
Underwood is one of Foreign Policy for America Action Network’s two House endorsements announced today, along with Rep. Xochitl Torres Small (NM-02). The two join incumbent House Members already endorsed by Foreign Policy for America Action Network: Rep. Colin Allred (TX-32), Rep. Gil Cisneros (CA-39), Rep. Jason Crow (CO-06), Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Rep. Andy Kim (NJ-03), Rep. Tom Malinowski (NJ-07), Rep. Max Rose (NY-11), Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), and Rep. Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), as well as challengers Dan Feehan (MN-01), Sri Kulkarni (TX-22), and Gina Ortiz Jones (TX-23). The organization has also endorsed Senator Jeanne Shaheen, running for re-election in New Hampshire.
Foreign Policy for America is a non-profit, nonpartisan advocacy organization. We engage, connect, and support citizens to promote foreign policy that keeps Americans safe and out of conflicts, advances the prosperity of all, and is true to our country’s highest values. The Foreign Policy for America Action Network is a nonpartisan political action committee (PAC) that helps elect federal candidates who champion strong, principled American foreign policy.
Media Contact: Jessica Andrews, 480-688-4742, press@fpactionnetwork.org.