Lauren Underwood

Farmers in my northern Illinois community are on the front lines of climate change, and in recent years, they faced unprecedented flooding and some very, very difficult planting seasons.

The biofuel market is absolutely critical for farmers in my district and the economy of Illinois.

What are you all doing to address this?

I look forward to continuing the dialogue on how we can support the rural healthcare needs.

We also appreciate what the committee has recently given us, the emergency Rural Healthcare Grant funding...

We often hear from them about workforce shortages inside the rural areas, lack of training and capacity...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

We are seeking full funding for WIC, and we are going to do everything we can to bring more eligible mothers, infants, and children to this program because we know it works in improving their basic nutrition and health.

I am pleased to see that participation among eligible Black and LatinX families is higher than average.

The Black maternal mortality crisis is worsening, and we must do more.

Now, I want to change, shift a little bit and bring your attention to a bipartisan bill that I introduced with Congressman Gallagher this week, the Farmers Fighting Climate Change Act.

I do just want to note that the stillborn and infant mortality and infant health issues are incredibly important, but so is what is happening to our moms and the fact that mothers continue to die at three to four times--Black mothers…

Expanding WIC is a big priority for me.

The produce boxes are a great step. And there is obviously a deep level of need that likely requires greater support.

The Farmers to Families Food Box Program was not without its flaws, but the food it provided has been a lifeline for families in my community.

The Farmers to Families Food Box Program has been invaluable for distributing fresh, nutritious, ready-to-load food to our neighbors.

But we are going to be all right? We are going to make it, working together, right, to deliver?

As we rebuild our communities we have an opportunity to make investments in our local food system.

In my district in northern Illinois, there are many communities that exist at the intersection of rural and suburban.

I want to do everything that I can to make sure that farmers in my district get a fair shake.

I have no speakers, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

I have no more speakers, and I am prepared to close after the gentleman from Pennsylvania closes. I reserve the balance of my time.

I remain concerned about the damage that has already been done.

During the pandemic, a well-functioning Postal Service is more important than ever for holding a safe and accessible election this fall.

No one should be forced to choose between protecting their health and exercising their Constitutional right.