Candidate Q&A
Why are you running?
I have proudly served my district since I was first elected in 2018 when I pledged to my constituents that I would be the most accessible, transparent, and accountable Congresswoman this community had ever seen. I am running to continue to bring resources to families across northern Illinois and ensure our shared values are reflected in Washington DC.
Ensuring access to high-quality, affordable health care remains my focus. Together, we've made great progress to lower out of pocket costs for families. For example, my legislation lowering the cost of health care coverage was signed into law and thanks to these new, low cost plans, in 2023, we saw the lowest number of uninsured Americans in US history! We also secured $35 insulin for seniors and have finally allowed Medicare to negotiate prescription drug costs.
We have more work to do to reject MAGA extremism and lower costs for working families. I’m focused on growing the middle class, making our communities safer, and defending our fundamental freedoms.
How has your district been impacted by the migrant crisis and what do you think should be done?
Immigrants have been vital to the cultural fabric and economic success of America since our nation's founding. Our policies must honor and recognize the value and dignity of all of our immigrant communities and I strongly condemn the hurtful and divisive actions of leaders like Governor Abbott in Texas, who, through the irregular transport of migrants from border communities, have sowed chaos and harmed vulnerable migrant children and families.
Our immigration system should reflect our shared American values of dignity, due process, security and humanity, and I am a proud cosponsor of the U.S. Immigration Act, comprehensive legislation that would reform our immigration process and offer a pathway to citizenship.
I remain hopeful that the ongoing bipartisan negotiations produce legislation that can receive a vote in the Congress. Our economy needs these much needed reforms, and I would proudly support legislation offering additional border security resources and stability for the many families stuck in limbo.
What do you think immigration reform in Congress should look like?
I have served on Homeland Security committees since I first came to Congress, and have used my nursing background to make our immigration system safer for vulnerable children and families in US custody. With bipartisan support, I passed legislation to address the deaths of children in federal custody along the U.S.-Mexico border. This legislation was signed into law by President Trump in 2019.
As an Appropriator, I delivered a 10% funding increase to support smart, solutions-oriented border security improvements in the FY 2023 year end funding package.
With my support, the House passed the The American Dream and Promise Act to protect Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) holders who have lived much of their lives in the United States and have made this country their home
I also voted in favor of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, bipartisan immigration legislation that modernizes and streamlines our nation’s temporary agricultural workers program to ensure local businesses have access to the experienced workers they need without the red tape and extreme financial burden of the current system.
Ultimately, the Congress is responsible for ensuring we have a safe, secure, and equitable immigration system. While the House has passed bipartisan reforms under Democratic leadership, unfortunately, the Senate has not been able to. I hope the ongoing bipartisan senate negotiations will yield legislation that can pass the House and get signed into law.
How important is bipartisanship to you and what issues have you worked on across the aisle or with people who don't uniformly share your beliefs?
Working with colleagues across the aisle has been essential to my ability to have fourteen pieces of legislation signed into office since I was first elected. These include legislation that: Makes generic insulin available more quickly to consumers; Improves maternal health care for our veterans; expands STEM scholarships for veterans; Ensures public health professionals have the resources they need to respond to medical emergencies efficiently, Supports pregnant women in the workplace, and increases funding available to support school-based mental health care.
What action, if any, do you want to see next on abortion access after the Dobbs decision?
Protecting reproductive freedom is an urgent priority. It is critical that the congress pass the Women’s Health Protection Act to establish a federal right to safe, legal abortion.
The Biden Administration must use every tool available to help women and providers in red states who are being targeted by illegal and immoral abortion restrictions. This means protecting access to medication abortion, defending providers who are targeted, and helping women in need access care.
Did Joe Biden legitimately win the 2020 presidential race?
Yes
Should the United States provide Ukraine with money in its fight against Russia?
Yes
Should the United States provide Ukraine with aid in the form of military supplies?
Yes
Should the U.S. provide Israel with money in its fight against Hamas?
Yes
Should the United States provide Israel with aid in the form of military supplies in its fight against Hamas?
Yes
Should there be a law requiring background checks on all gun sales?
Yes
Should Congress pass a federal law banning semi-automatic assault-style weapons and large-capacity magazines to help address gun violence?
Yes
