14th Congressioal District Update

From Former Quigley Supporter:

14th Congressional District Update 7/9/19

Answered Prayer:  Underwood Introduces First Bipartisan Legislation with Republican Co-sponsor

When I attended Congresswoman Lauren Underwood’s re-election announcement in Woodstock on June 29, in my analysis of the event, I said the following, as posted on McHenry County Blog on June 30:

“I genuinely prayed for Congresswoman Underwood prior to her taking the stage and after she took the stage, praying she would really rise to the occasion. 

My prayers were not answered.  

Congresswoman Underwood missed a golden opportunity when kicking off her re-election campaign to really set herself apart from all of the partisanship in Washington. 

Given what happened and how she voted on the House floor on Thursday, she had a real story to tell, to really set her apart from both Republicans and Democrats alike.   

She didn’t, and decided to play it safe.  

Underwood should have discussed the real bipartisanship she applied and supported for the formal passage of the Senate-amended H.R. 3401, the appropriations bill for emergency funding for the southern border.”

Upon reading yesterday’s press release from Underwood’s congressional staff, it was revealed to me that my prayers for Underwood were actually answered concerning her embracing real bipartisanship. 

She did rise to the occasion, just not in the venue I thought she would:

The legislation, H.R. 3526, sponsored by Underwood currently has one co-sponsor, Congressman John Katko (R, NY).  

This is the first time Underwood has sponsored legislation with a Republican co-sponsor. 

Praise God, Underwood is embracing genuine bipartisanship with this legislation. 

My prayers for her were answered. 

Underwood has turned-a-corner towards maturity as a member of Congress and through cooperation, instead of partisanship, she is proposing sensible legislation that has a real chance of passing and becoming law.

Congressman Katko, who serves with Underwood on the House Homeland Security Committee, represents an upstate New York district.  He is also a member of the House Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan group of moderates whose Democratic members, along with the Blue Dog Coalition, successfully convinced House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to support the Senate-amended H.R. 3401. 

The House passed H.R. 3401 on June 27 by a 305-102 vote with Underwood and all but 7 Republicans voting for its passage, and the legislation was signed into law on July 1 by President Trump. 

Underwood’s bipartisan legislation, H.R. 3526, was introduced on the same day as the final House vote on H.R. 3401.

In Underwood’s press release, Katko said about the proposed legislation:

John Katko

“The United States must stay vigilant in its efforts to mitigate threats posed by overseas terror cells.

Our dedicated homeland security professionals have critical sources of information at their disposal.

This bipartisan measure gives Customs and Border Protection Agency personnel those resources and improves the ability to share information with federal, state, local and international partners — keeping our nation safe each and every day,” 

Underwood said the following:

Loren Underwood

“As Vice Chair of the Homeland Security Committee, I’m determined to keep Americans safe and strengthen our national security. With the Counter Terrorist Network Act, law enforcement will have the resources needed to continue developing effective programs that help intercept threats to our country,” 

Upon reading this press release, and Katko’s quote about “…improves the ability to share information…”, reminded me of an earlier FBI Counterterrorism project post 9/11 about data sharing across multiple large information systems, and the write-up in Crain’s Chicago Business from 2004, which included:

Three years ago, the FBI hired…to design and build the Investigative Data Warehouse, a mammoth job that’s still under way.  Any counterterrorism successes so far are classified. 

But, says FBI project manager Jeff Scudder, ‘Let’s say management has been very, very happy with what’s been accomplished and excited about what we can do with it in the future’ “

While many years have passed since the 2004 project completion, hopefully, there are some components that earlier implementation that could be reapplied and reused in today’s information sharing should Underwood’s and Katko’s legislation become law, especially since it was a Chicagoland company that developed and implemented the FBI’s Counterterrorism project.

H.R. 3526 is currently assigned to the House Homeland Security Committee, where both Underwood and Katko serve.

McHenry County Blog Link:  http://159.89.184.83/2019/06/30/congressional-update

H.R. 3526 Link:  https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/3526

Underwood Press Release H.R. 3526:  https://underwood.house.gov/media/press-releases/underwood-introduces-counter-terrorist-network-act

Crain’s Chicago Business 2004 Article:  https://www.chicagobusiness.com/node/722781

Continued Fallout from Final House Passage of Senate Amended H.R. 3401 — Pelosi vs. Ocasio-Cortez

Congresswoman Underwood is not caught in the crossfire that has erupted with the final passage of H.R. 3401 on June 27.  The “feud” between Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House progressives, where Underwood and all but 7 Republicans sided with the Speaker continues as several articles documented, including this excerpt from Slate:

SlateExcerpt.jpg

Slate Link:  https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/07/pelosi-aoc-house-democrats-border-funding.html

Newsweek Link:  https://www.newsweek.com/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-quotes-nancy-pelosi-after-being-accused-insulting-house-speaker-we-1448175

James Marter Publishes New Videos for Congressional Campaign

Candidate James Marter has begun publishing new videos on his YouTube page, including video highlights of his campaign at the Crystal Lake Independence Day parade on Sunday, as well as a testimonial of his support for President Trump.

MarterYouTube.jpg

YouTube Marter’s Support President Trump Link:  https://youtu.be/LGlusPOX9cw

Underwood Emerging Beyond Her Health Care Policy Expert NicheI

In her first half-year in Congress, Lauren Underwood has emerged from the single-dimension candidate who won last fall as a health care expert and adapting to be a congresswoman representing the 14th district on a variety of issues. 

Her adapting is going to make her formidable in next year’s election, as well as her growing campaign war chest of campaign contributions.

Given her committee assignments and her proposed legislation, she has been developing into a policy expert not only on health care, but on veterans’ issues, counterterrorism, social media and election protection. 

At the end of June, articles were published across the country where Underwood and 6 other House freshmen have formed a “Task Force Sentry”, to craft legislation to prevent foreign interference in U.S. elections. 

According to published reports, this task force Underwood has participated in has been meeting over the past 2 months. 

Given it consists of 6 Democrats and 1 Republican, it is considered a “bipartisan” task force. 

Given the news coverage of the elections task force by local press outlets across the country, Underwood’s participation is opening up yet another avenue for fundraising.

Underwood’s record is still her weak spot heading into 2020, including her support of the Equality Act, her opposition to the Hyde Amendment and her legislation on raising the state and local taxes deduction caps. 

Underwood has wisely stayed out of House Speaker Pelosi’s public feud with House progressives and avoided the congressional pay raise proposal by not stating any opinion on it. 

Republicans still have a very uphill climb in their efforts to unseat Underwood next year. 

Their soon-to-be-published campaign fundraising reports will soon show how ready they are right now to challenge Underwood next year.

The Hill Task Force Sentry Link:  https://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/450938-freshman-dems-form-bipartisan-task-force-to-address-election-system


Comments

14th Congressioal District Update — 11 Comments

  1. Another comprehensive eye opener article regarding Lauren Underwood.

    Former Quigley Supporter writes:

    “Underwood’s record is still her weak spot heading into 2020, including her support of the Equality Act, her opposition to the Hyde Amendment and her legislation on raising the state and local taxes deduction caps”

    Clearly, Underwood does not work for the people she represents.

  2. I believe Quigley’s post, is what the Head Shrinkers call Stockholm Syndrome.

  3. This will be the b===ch’s undoing, her full embrace of degeneracy:

    These strong voices are on
    Lauren Underwood’s team—and
    more are joining every day.
    Spread the word.
    President Barack Obama
    Vice President Joe Biden
    Senator Dick Durbin
    Senator Elizabeth Warren
    Senator Kamala Harris
    Senator Tammy Duckworth
    Congresswoman Robin Kelly
    Congressman Seth Moulton
    314 ACTION
    AFL-CIO ILLINOIS
    AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
    AMERICAN NURSES ASSOCIATION
    THE ARENA
    CHICAGO SUN TIMES
    THE COLLECTIVE
    CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS
    CONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC CAUCUS
    DAILY HERALD
    EMILY’S LIST
    END CITIZENS UNITED
    FEMINIST MAJORITY
    GIFFORDS
    HIGHER HEIGHTS FOR AMERICA
    HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN
    ILLINOIS EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
    ILLINOIS FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
    LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS
    LOCAL 881 UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS
    MCHENRY COUNTY BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL
    MOVE ON
    NAPERVILLE WOMEN’S MARCH ACTION
    NARAL PRO-CHOICE AMERICA
    NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF WOMEN
    OFF THE SIDELINES
    OPPORTUNITY FIRST
    PEOPLE FOR THE AMERICAN WAY
    PL+ US ACTION
    PLANNED PARENTHOOD
    PROJECT 100
    THE RESURGENT LEFT
    SIERRA CLUB
    #VOTEPROCHOICE
    WE CAN LEAD CHANGE
    WIN BACK YOUR STATE
    WOMEN UNDER FORTY

    Source: https://www.underwoodforcongress.com/endorsements

  4. Underwood is P-O-I-S-O-N for Illinois and America.

    A more vile person can hardly be imagined.

    OOOPs, I forgot about Casten, Obamy and Angel.

  5. Wow… the vitriol for a black women representing McHenry County sure is something.

  6. UNDERWOODNOW” WRITES AS SHE TALKS ABOUT AJ FREUND:” only when a white kid is involved do the media and politicos jump on the wagon for reform”

    A racist who hates white people.

    Now, we all know the true character of Jack Franks. He has no character! Jack supports the likes ofLauren Underwood and Carlos Acosta.

  7. Once again, prove that random anonymous blog commenter is Lauren Underwood.

    Otherwise stop lying.

  8. Alabama, it was written on this blog by UnderwoodNow. I don’t have to prove anything.

    You are attempting to defend that statement which makes you look really unethical. Normal people, would not be defending that statement. But you are, because you are attempting to do damage control for Lauren Underwood. News Flash! The damage as been done and it can’t be undone.

    UNDERWOODNOW” WRITES AS SHE TALKS ABOUT AJ FREUND:

    ” only when a white kid is involved do the media and politicos jump on the wagon for reform”

    A racist, who hates white people.

    THE PEOPLE SHOULD BE OUTRAGED!

    Wake up, the eyes of the world are upon McHenry County because of the AJ Freund case. People from all over the world are watching and advocating for reform and change in Illinois. However, our politicians like Jack Franks, and Lauren Underwood shunned the people at the parade attempting to create reform and awareness because of the AJ Freund Case. The people should not let this go. The people should demonstrate their dissatisfaction at the polls on election day. Jack Franks and Lauren Underwood should not be allowed to continue to be representatives of the people, especially when they can’t even acknowledge the tragic death of five year old AJ Freund who has captivated the world! Actions speak louder than words and the actions of Jack Franks and Lauren Under have spoken loud and clear!

  9. I’m not defending any statement, and you know it.

    I’m simply pointing out that some random anonymous blog commenter doesn’t actually have anything to do with Lauren Underwood, despite your best efforts to pretend otherwise.

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