we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity this year to fix our Nation's neglected infrastructure

Expanding Metra mass transit services to the Chicago suburbs in Kendall County is one of the top priorities for economic opportunity.

Continuing to put off maintenance of our existing infrastructure isn't just dangerous, it is way too expensive for our constituents and our Government.

The average Illinois driver pays over $600 per year in costs incurred by driving on roads in need of repair.

What are you all doing to address this?

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.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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

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

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

expanding WIC is a big priority for me.

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

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.

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

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

We know that farmers are key to improving the sustainability and the resilience of our region, and many are already delivering solutions with real impact in our efforts to address climate change.

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

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

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

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

I would like to learn more about why this timeline is so drawn out.

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…

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

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