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Updates from Washington
President Biden Signs Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
On July 11th, President Biden signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. So many survivors, leaders and families of victims worked through their own grief and trauma to make this possible. Passing this bill was a positive step towards protecting families from gun violence, but it won't be our last.
This long-overdue legislation will keep guns out of our communities and save lives. I’m honored that my work to stop gun trafficking, which plagues not only Chicago, but cities across the country, was included in this legislation. There is more work ahead of us, but this is progress.
My Bill to Increase Clinical Trial Diversity
Receives Subcommittee Hearing
On June 29th, the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee held a hearing on my NIH Clinical Trial Diversity Act. This bipartisan legislation builds upon the National Institutes of Health’s current policies to enhance the inclusion of women, racially and ethnically diverse individuals and people across the lifespan in all NIH-funded trials.
The hearing was an exciting step forward for my bipartisan NIH Clinical Trial Diversity Act. This legislation will help ensure that the people who are diagnosed and disproportionately dying from certain illnesses and diseases are included in clinical trials from the earliest phases. Including underrepresented communities in these trials is critical in finding successful treatments and cures for all Americans and for the United States’ scientific leadership.
Active Shooter Alert Act
On July 13th I voted YES on the Active Shooter Alert Act to give local police departments the ability to send out AMBER Alert-like messages during active shooter incidents. The bill would create an alert system similar to the one used to find missing children and allow local law enforcement the ability to notify residents about the threat of an active shooter. I cosponsored this bill because it will help keep Illinoisans safer during these life-threatening events.
Honoring our PACT Act
On July 13th, the House passed the Honoring our PACT Act and it will now go to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature. This bill is the most comprehensive legislation to date to treat toxic exposure as a cost of war and expands access to healthcare for millions of veterans exposed to toxic substances during their time in service – ensuring we finally make good on our country’s promise to toxic-exposed veterans. It is the only bill that will address the long-term health effects that millions of veterans – from Vietnam to Afghanistan – have lived with for years.
Updates from District
Press Conference with Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot
On July 5th, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and I held a press conference with gun violence prevention advocates to underscore the lifesaving impact the recently-passed Bipartisan Safer Communities Act will have on Chicago. Mayor Lightfoot and I also called for Congress to bring forward further gun violence prevention legislation.
It’s clear that Chicagoland and communities across the country need immediate investments in community violence intervention and the stricter gun trafficking enforcement, expanded background checks and red flag laws that the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act will bring. However, the gun violence seen in Chicago and in Highland Park these last few weeks show us that this legislation will not be enough. This cannot be the end of our work.
Rep. Omar's Gun Violence Prevention and Abortion Rights Town Hall
It was a pleasure to join Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s (MN-05) Gun Violence Prevention and Abortion Rights Town Hall. The town hall discussed the Supreme Court, how to fight back against the attack on abortion rights and gun violence prevention. The town hall also included local elected officials and activists as we continue to fight to end the gun violence epidemic plaguing our country.
Constituent Success Story
It is an honor to serve the people of Illinois’ Second Congressional District. It makes me so proud when constituents contact my office to thank my staff and I for the work we’ve done.
"Congresswoman Robin Kelly and her staff are doing an excellent job. I contacted Congresswoman Kelly's office regarding my concern about the Postal Service and not receiving my IRS refund. Rep. Kelly's staff got back to me within a week to let me know everything was done. The next week, I got an answer from IRS and the following week my check was deposited into my account. I started to receive my mail seven days a week after that. Just want to thank everyone for a great job"
- Betty from Chicago, IL
Has my staff helped you deal with a federal agency? If so, I’d really like to hear from you! Please take a few minutes to fill out my Constituent Testimonial Form. If you’d like to read more positive stories from my office, please visit my Constituent Success Stories page.
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