Congresswoman Robin Kelly has dedicated her career to public service as an advocate for Illinois families. Since being elected to serve the 2nd Congressional District in 2013, she has worked to expand economic opportunity, community wellness, and public safety across the state, championing numerous initiatives to generate job growth, reduce health disparities, and end gun violence.
Congresswoman Kelly is Vice Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee (the main policy-writing body of the House) and serves on the Health, Communications and Technology, and Consumer Protection and Commerce subcommittees. Her Energy and Commerce work is focused on expanding access to healthcare, consumer protection for American families and economic development.
The Second Congressional District is one of the most diverse regions in our nation. It is a microcosm of our country – home to not only urban and suburban communities, but rural areas as well. And it is our strong rural sector, with nearly 1,200 farms, that serves as the economic backbone of our district. Farmers in the Second Congressional District generate millions of dollars worth of corn, soybeans and wheat every year that feed our families, fuel our cars and help raise our livestock.
Ensuring we have a strong agricultural sector is vital to the overall strength of our economy. I stand for strong federal policies that support family farmers, ensuring they are able to make necessary investments to increase their productivity and meet the nutrition and energy needs of our growing population.
My agricultural priorities are:
Consumer safety and protection is vital to all citizens. It is a duty of Congress to make sure that consumer products are safe and not causing unreasonable safety hazards to consumers. As a member of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, I have worked hard to defend consumers and provide proper oversight. I am committed to creating the best regulations for consumers by:
â— Introducing Reese’s Law which requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish product safety standards surrounding button cell batteries that hold an ingestion hazard.
â— Introducing the Consumer Equity Protection Act which would create a task force within the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protection to advise the commission on matters related to equity in consumer protection.
â— Introducing the Firearm Safety Act requiring the CPSC issue safety standards for firearms and firearm components.
â— Passing the Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act, a bill that requires the FTC to report on, and increase awareness regarding, scams targeting older adults.
As I continue to fight for strong consumer protections, I will ensure that seniors, children, and every American are able to use safe products and be protected from scams. Further, I am committed to addressing the number of robocalls and unsolicited calls Americans are receiving on a daily pass. I have been proud to support legislation such as the Pallone-Thune TRACED Act to assist the Federal Communications Commission crack down on criminal robocall violations.
The strength of our education system directly impacts our nation's ability to compete in the global marketplace. Today, the next generation of great innovators, businessmen, and scientists are sitting in classrooms across the country. Prioritizing our students is the safest and smartest investment we can make as a nation. We need federal policies that ensure schools have the resources necessary to help our students succeed, to make higher education accessible to people of all backgrounds, and to ensure that our students are ready for 21st century careers.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education
Expanding STEM education is the key for America to remain a leader in innovation. Most jobs today require at least a basic understanding of technology and computer skills. I'm committed to expanding STEM education and getting our students interested in STEM fields, especially by investing in young girls' education. I have supported legislation that expands STEM education and computer science in schools. To complement my legislative history, I have included programs that encourage STEM interests into my FY2023 and FY2022 Community Project Funding requests. These funds go directly to support STEM initiatives for students and prepare them for STEM related careers.
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
In today's increasingly globalized age, we need federal education policies that prepare our students to compete with their international counterparts. According to the 2018 Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development's Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) results, our nation's academic scores lag far behind those of other countries. Our children and our nation deserve better.
I fully supported the rewrite of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), reversing the misguided No Child Left Behind Act, as a bipartisan effort to aid underfunded schools and provide support to teachers by giving states and districts a bigger voice in local education. I voted in favor of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in 2015 to ensure comprehensive education for students and adults alike.
I introduced an amendment into the ESSA to promote adult literacy and financial literacy across America. With over 100 million adults that lack proficiency in reading and millions more that struggle with basic financial literacy, I am keeping education for all age levels a top priority.
Higher Education
Today, as more and more jobs require advanced degrees and training, access to higher education is becoming a necessity. Yet, the cost of higher education has grown astronomically in the past few decades, burdening millions of students and their families with significant debt while making college inaccessible to countless more. In fact, student loan debt is the second largest type of debt in America, greater than credit card debt and exceeded only by mortgage debt. I strongly support federal policies that increase college affordability, and promote student loan refinancing, and lowering of student loan interest rates.
I have introduced legislation to fund higher education workforce training programs specifically designed to help students obtain higher degrees. On top of this, I have fought for grant funding supporting job training programs. I fully support initiatives to improve our schools and increase opportunities to pursue higher education.
Women and Girls' Education
Expanding opportunities for women and girls in education is a pressing matter for our nation. It is long past time we recognize the setbacks women and girls have faced in seeking education and begin to pave the way forward. During my time in office, I have worked to represent the unique experiences young women and girls face in their education and fight to give them the resources they need to succeed.
I am devoted to supporting the education of Black women and girls, as well. I serve as co-chair of the Caucus of Black Women and Girls, where I work to increase visibility of the specific difficulties Black girls face in education and improve the resources provided. I have created legislation that increases grant funding for Black students and created task forces to examine the experiences of Black women and girls and assess how to best improve educational outcomes.
We are experiencing a climate crisis. Changing weather and natural disasters have created challenges for Illinoisans throughout the state. Addressing climate change and moving toward clean, sustainable energy sources is one of the most pressing issues facing our country.
As a Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I have the opportunity to shape legislation affecting clean air, climate change, safe drinking water, renewable energy, and hazardous waste. In Chicago, many low-income communities, primarily communities of color, have experienced environmental racism contributing to higher rates of asthma, heart attacks, neurological issues, cancers, and shorter life expectancy.
I was proud to support the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which included critical investments in Illinois to address some of these challenges. This bill provided $1.7 billion over five years to improve water infrastructure across the state and ensure that clean, safe drinking water is a right in all communities. Illinois will receive $4 billion to improve access to public transportation, $27 million to prepare our infrastructure against natural disasters, and $149 million to support the expansion of electric vehicle charging networks. These investments will allow Illinois to address climate change and move toward more sustainable energy sources for years to come, but more work remains in Congress to ensure future generations are inheriting a world that is environmentally sound.
My environmental and energy priorities are:
Our district is no stranger to the gun violence epidemic. In 2021, 797 lives were claimed by gun violence in Chicago, and 174 in the Second Congressional District. This does not count the many wounded and injured or the communities that are left traumatized. Too many of our families have been affected by senseless gun violence.
This issue permeates every corner of American life and I am committed to finding common-sense solutions that will keep Americans safe. In 2018, I published an update to the Kelly Report on Gun Violence in America, an in-depth Congressional analysis of the gun violence epidemic in America. I will continue supporting common-sense legislation to reduce the threat of gun violence.
Gun Violence Prevention Progress
The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is a step in the right direction. This is our first significant gun violence prevention progress in the past 30 years. I will continue fighting for further progress.
I am thrilled that this legislation includes my work to prevent gun trafficking. This law will help keep illegal guns off our streets and make our communities safer by prohibiting interstate gun trafficking and straw purchasing. More than 60 percent of guns used in crimes in Chicago are trafficked from out of state. Additionally, gun violence is a threat to our public health, and communities across America. This bill makes investments of $250 million in community violence intervention programs and expands mental health and supportive services in schools.
Gun Violence Prevention legislation I’m working on:
H.R.881 - To require the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service to submit to Congress an annual report on the effects of gun violence on public health
I cosponsored H.R.6639, the Protect Children Through Safe Gun Ownership Act. This act requires adequate supervision before a juvenile can possess a firearm, to require the safe storage of firearms, and for other purposes.
Requesting Support
I submitted funding requests for important community projects to the House Committee on Appropriations that would invest in gun violence prevention. I have also requested a $750 million investment in community violence intervention funding.
Access to affordable and high-quality health care is one of the most important and challenging issues facing Illinois families. The health inequities laid bare by COVID-19 have shown that lack of access to health care can have devastating outcomes. In Congress, I'm working to ensure that racial and ethnically diverse communities, as well rural and urban communities, have access to affordable health care because health care is a human right.
I have the honor of serving on the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee – Congress' main policy writing institution for healthcare legislation – and I chair the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust – where I use that platform to raise the alarm on key health equity issues and convene stakeholders to propose solutions. These roles place me at the nexus of legislative efforts to ensure quality, affordable healthcare for all Illinoisans.
My top healthcare priorities are:
â— Addressing health inequities in our communities,
â— protecting a woman's right to abortions, and making her own health care choices,
â— addressing the maternal mortality and morbidity crisis,
â— diversifying clinical trials,
â— expanding access to dental care,
â— increasing diversity within the ranks of health care providers,
â— fostering innovation at the intersection of technology, health care and telemedicine, and
â— protecting Medicare and Medicaid for future generations.
Improving our nation's health requires a dedicated, and holistic advancement of access to quality and affordable health care, as well as a strong focus on promoting physical and mental health, nutrition and preventative strategies and treatment including increased access to oral health care and healthcare innovation.
Since 2017, I have been leading the charge in Congress to end the maternal mortality crisis, which has a disproportionate impact on Black and Indigenous people. I have been championing the MOMMA’s Act and will continue to push for this bill to pass into law, which would expand Medicaid postpartum coverage, address implicit bias and racism in health care settings, standardize maternal mortality and morbidity data collection across states and disseminate best shared practices and emergency protocols to prevent maternal mortality and morbidity.
We must also address the root causes of gun violence and begin treating it as the public health crisis it is. In April 2022, I introduced the Health Equity and Accountability Act which directly addresses the intersections of health inequities through race, ethnicity, immigration status, and numerous other social factors such as gun violence and mental health. Gun violence is a threat to our public health, and expanding access to, and quality of, mental health care services will help reduce the threat of gun violence and gun suicides.
While access to care and systemic innovation are important, it is necessary to recognize that a host of social, economic and environmental factors contribute significantly to an individual's health outcomes. That's why I am pushing for policies that benefit the overall well-being of our communities, in addition to advancing legislation that reduces barriers to accessing care.
America is a nation of immigrants; it always has been and always will be. I’m proud of my heritage, including ancestors from Cameroon, Ireland and Ukraine.
While our nation has a proud immigrant heritage, our current immigration system is not working. President Obama sought to improve our immigration system by implementing the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in 2012. Today, I support the American Dream and Promise Act which would grant DACA recipients, or DREAMers, permanent resident status. DREAMers arrived in the United States as children and have known no other country as home. I fully support all DREAMers.
I also support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants that contribute to our economy and society everyday. This is why I support the U.S. Citizenship Act which creates a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants under a new status, called the Lawful Prospective Immigrant Status. This new status allows immigrants to live and work in the United States, travel and be readmitted, and secure important documents like social security cards. After 5 years as a Lawful Prospective Immigrant, people are eligible for lawful permanent residence status if they pass the necessary background checks and pay their taxes. This bill also provides a path to citizenship for DACA recipients and additional protections for LGBTQ+ partners of US citizens and Lawful Prospective Immigrants. Finally, this act would eliminate the one-year deadline for filing asylum and provide funding to reduce asylum application backlogs. The U.S. Citizenship Act provides for comprehensive and desperately-needed reforms to our immigration system.
Additional immigration bills that I support include:
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted every corner of the American economy. Many businesses closed, unemployment reached a level not seen since before World War II, and supply chains were disrupted. Women,especially women of color, were driven from the workforce at higher rates than we have seen in decades. Fortunately, due to Congressional action in passion the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan, the impact was lessened and the economy began growing again. We must continue to do even more to put our nation back on the right track, and ensure our economic growth is sustainable for generations to come.
Advancing strong and sustainable economic development legislation is my top priority. To that end, my economic agenda has four key elements:
Investing in our Economic Future through Education
There is no greater investment that can be made than in the future of our children. I support strong investments in our national education system that promotes college affordability, teaches financial literacy, and invests in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. These are the fields that will drive the 21st Century economy. It is crucial that students from all backgrounds are financially literate, and equipped with the necessary skills the market demands to ensure success in the modern economy.
Similarly, I support initiatives that provide workers with the education and retraining they need to succeed in the modern workforce. Anyone who wants to work should have the resources to sharpen their skills and embark on a new career. Career education and retraining play a major role in helping job seekers expand their skill base. That is why I introduced legislation that promotes federal assistance for work-training programs in the 2nd District. Additionally, I have drafted legislation and secured funding for youth employment opportunities. Supporting youth employment, especially for disconnected youth, helps to prepare the next generation for the workforce.
Real economic growth supports everyone, not just the wealthy few. I support policies that promote an economy that lifts up traditionally underserved communities. Specifically, I support:
Our nation’s immigration system is broken. Passing immigration reform that supports a sensible path to citizenship, and attracts the best and brightest to the United States to build a diverse domestic workforce is essential to our long-term growth. I have continually supported legislation that protects the needs of immigrant workers and welcomes them into the American workforce.
Homeownership is a key to building family wealth, but it has become increasingly difficult for working-class Americans to buy a home. I support programs that work to keep people in their homes and avoid foreclosure, as well as programs that support first-time homeownership. Essential to these efforts is ensuring that mortgage and housing finance documents are clear and understandable, and mortgage lenders do not take on excessive risk or extend credit to those who cannot afford it.
Additionally, I am committed to supporting homeownership in marginalized communities. In Congress, I have secured funding for underprivileged or traditionally underserved areas in Illinois 2nd District and will continue to fight for equitable housing opportunities.
As our veterans return to civilian life, soldiers face too many hurdles joining the civilian workforce. Our veterans deserve more when they return from overseas, and should have every opportunity to obtain a good job. That is why I hold job fairs featuring employers that have veteran hiring preferences and help connect veterans with job opportunities. The men and women who serve our country are highly trained with unique skill sets and leadership abilities that are attractive to employers. I support expanding federal programs that help veterans find employment and that assist them in transitioning back into civilian life.
International trade is essential to success in our global economy. Trade creates jobs, and creates new customers for Illinois businesses. However, trade policies must be fair and need to be in the best interest of American workers, farmers, and consumers. Trade agreements cannot create a race to the bottom, and cause jobs to be sent overseas. I support a trade agenda that ensures jobs stay in the United States, workers are paid and treated fairly, and that the environment is protected.
Investing in Our Nation’s Economic Lifeblood: Family Farms and Transportation Infrastructure
The Second Congressional District is home to over 1,200 farms which grow corn, soybeans, and wheat that feed our families, fuel our cars, and raise our livestock. We rely on farmers for everything that we do. I endorse strong federal policies that support family farmers and ensure they are able to make the investments they need to increase their productivity and meet the nutrition and energy needs of the growing U.S. economy.
Just as essential to our national economy is strong transportation infrastructure. Unfortunately, our nation’s locks and dams, bridges, tunnels, and roadways are in desperate need of repair. I have championed infrastructure investments in Illinois, which will attract the much-needed jobs and new businesses that will boost the local Second District economy, as well as finding a long-term and sustainable solution to funding and repairing our nation’s crumbling transportation infrastructure. I was proud to support the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which made billions in investments into Illinois infrastructure.
Promoting an Economy that Encourages Business Growth and Investment
In order to grow our economy, we must create a legislative and regulatory environment that encourages business investments, while ensuring American workers’ health and safety, as well as the environment, are protected.
I’m working to attract more businesses to the Second District by creating and supporting policies and programs that draw highly-skilled jobs and major employers to our region. In order for our community to thrive, we need a local economy and skilled workforce that can meet the demands of the global community.
As the daughter and granddaughter of small business owners, I know the challenges entrepreneurs face in starting up and expanding their businesses, which have only grown in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Small business is the engine that drives our economy, and I’m committed to empowering our local entrepreneurs to start new businesses that create the jobs our communities need to grow and succeed. I have secured relief funds to elevate small businesses that suffered from COVID-19 and help establishments stay open.
While we've made significant progress on equality for our LGBTQ+ Americans, work remains to ensure true and lasting equality for this community and all American families.
In Congress, I'm committed to advancing legislation that ensures all Americans can live their American Dream, regardless of who they are or who they love. My priorities include:
Important Legislation
I am proud to have cosponsored the Equality Act, a signature Civil Rights legislation, which prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in public accommodation area. This bill passed the House in 2021, and it is my hope it will be signed into law to codify protection for LGBTQ+ people around the nation. I have also supported the Respect for Marriage Act, which would enshrine marriage equality rights into law.
I have introduced legislation centered around pursuing more equitable healthcare for the LGBTQ+ community. Our healthcare system has failed people in the LGBTQ+ community for far too long, and I am committed to ensuring people receive quality healthcare regardless of their sexual orientation.
LGBTQ+ Task Force
In order to maintain a dialogue with Chicagoland's diverse LGBTQ+ community, I established an LGBTQ+ Task Force. The Task Force meets biannually with me and other special guests to discuss key policy issues impacting the community. For more information on the Task Force or to inquire about joining the Task Force, please contact my District Director at the Matteson Office at (708) 679-0078.
In today's global economy, maintaining strong relationships with foreign nations is essential to our national economy and security. Our foreign policy approach must increase trade, promote economic growth, and advance democratic principles while protecting the health, safety, labor and environmental rights of all nations.
I am proud to serve on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. Through this committee, I will continue to work with my colleagues to advance the interests of the United States at home and abroad.
One of my key priorities in Congress is to advance cybersecurity standards to protect our government from cyberattacks. I championed the Internet of Things Cybersecurity Improvement Act which established minimum cybersecurity standards for government purchased devices. This bill ensured the government purchases secure devices and closes existing vulnerabilities to protect our national security and the personal information of American families.
Protecting the hard-working men and women who serve on the front lines of America's foreign policy and defense efforts is a responsibility I take seriously. America's global standing and security directly affect every one of us. I'm committed to ensuring that our military and diplomatic servants have the best resources available to strengthen America's relationships with our international partners, defend our nation's core values, and promote the rights of people across the world.
When our nation was founded, I would not have been able to vote or serve in Congress as a Black woman. In the years since our founding, we've come a long way toward ensuring gender equality for all Americans. However, true and lasting equality remains elusive. Women are still paid less for doing the same job as men; women-owned businesses have reduced access to capital, and transgender women still face discrimination and barriers to success. The Equal Rights Amendment has still not been enshrined in the Constitution and politicians are still trying to tell women what healthcare they can and cannot receive.
Black women, marginalized women, low-income women, and rural women will bear the brunt of overturning Roe v. Wade. The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn an established constitutional right is an attack on the personal freedom and bodily autonomy of every single person living in the United States. I am already working with my colleagues to determine how we can legislatively protect the right to abortion, the right to privacy, and protect women’s healthcare. This is not the end.
As a co-chair of the Congressional Caucus for Black Women and Girls, I continue to advocate and fight for Black women and girls in our country. The Caucus has authored the first-ever Report on Black Women and Girls to examine the issues facing Black women and girls and suggest policy solutions. I have introduced the bipartisan Protect Black Women and Girls Act, which would establish an Interagency Task Force to examine the conditions and experiences of Black women and girls in the United States. There is so much more we need to do.
As Congress continues working to ensure equal rights, my priorities are:
America's seniors have spent a lifetime paying into Social Security, saving for their retirement, and preparing for their golden years. They deserve to be able to collect on all of their hard work. That's why I'm working hard to ensure that Social Security is preserved not only for current retirees, but for generations of seniors to come.
I am also committed to ensuring that older Americans have access to the best health care possible, so that they can enjoy the best quality of life, well into their senior years. As Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus' Health Braintrust, improving senior health is one of my top priorities. Additionally, I was honored with the 2018 Impact Award from the Center for Disability and Elder Law based on advocacy for the rights of low-income seniors and people with disabilities. I am committed to helping seniors in the Second District, and across the nation by:
As the daughter and granddaughter of small business owners, I know firsthand how small business ownership can help a family achieve the American Dream.
Small businesses and independent contractors are critical to the strength of the American economy. Creating an economic environment for small businesses to succeed is top of mind in Congress. I am committed to ensuring that small business owners from all backgrounds have the opportunity to grow and thrive in Illinois.
My top priorities for small businesses include:
I proudly supported the American Rescue Plan, a groundbreaking relief fund to elevate Americans and small businesses that suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic. This included the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, helping over 4,000 restaurants, bars, and other food establishments in Illinois stay open during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Affordable healthcare is a top priority for many small business owners and employees. Because of this, I fought to protect the Affordable Care Act that provides small business owners with access to affordable health care and provide tax credits for small business owners that offer employee health insurance coverage.
I understand the importance of hearing firsthand the concerns of small business owners and independent contractors. This is why I established a Small Business Advisory Council to help keep me and my staff informed about the issues small businesses face everyday. I also host roundtables and meetings with small business owners in the Second District to ensure my office can continue to be a resource for small businesses as they grow and contribute to our local community.
Technology and telecommunications are rapidly changing our world. From the new changes in social media to the emerging concerns of data privacy, the future of technology is here. We need federal policies that guarantee technology is regulated and can be used as a tool for all Americans to succeed.
As the Vice Chair on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and a member of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, I have both the benefits and dangers of technology top of mind.
In Congress, I am committed to promoting technology policies that are in the best interest of all Illinoisans. My top priorities include:
Important Legislation
I have secured funding for the 2nd district of Illinois to support technology upgrades in schools and career training programs. This funding provides crucial support to students and technology improvements for various workforce needs.
I introduced important legislation to provide local law enforcement with support to purchase gunfire detection technology. I am committed to using technology as a positive instrument in our society and workforce while protecting important civil liberties.
We owe it to the men and women who wear our country's uniform to ensure that they – and their families – receive the benefits and respect they've earned for their service. Illinois has more than 500,000 veterans, and my goal is to ensure none of them are left behind.
Every veteran deserves access to quality, affordable medical care. This includes having access to the best VA hospitals, mental health services, and clinics. It is also important to give veterans choice in where they are able to receive their care, particularly in rural communities. Further, I have consistently supported legislation to expand disability benefits, make the VA review process more efficient, and establish a presumption of service connection for veterans exposed to toxic airborne hazards and burn pits.
The men and women who serve this country and their spouses are highly trained, have unique talents, and extraordinary leadership skills to offer employers. I support expanding VA programs that help veterans find employment and transition back into civilian life. Every veteran in the Second District who wants to work should be able to work. I’ve consistently supported legislation that expands employment opportunities for veterans, and have hosted job fairs featuring employers that have veteran hiring preferences.
Too many of our heroes are struggling with mental health and substance abuse challenges stemming from their service. When these challenges are left unaddressed, veterans are at an increased risk to die by suicide. I am committed to increasing resources for transitioning service members to ensure they are able to receive quality mental health care and support following their separation. Providing proactive outreach to new veterans is one of the most effective methods to preventing veteran suicide.
Those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending our country deserve our eternal gratitude. We must honor their memories by ensuring that their families are cared for and that their sacrifices are never forgotten.
My priorities for veterans include: