Will County Gazette

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood  (D-Crystal Lake) is drawing fire from the NRCC for accepting campaign donations from Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), whose platform the NRCC calls "socialist." 

NRCC spokeswoman Courtney Parella had harsh words for Underwood, saying, “Lauren Underwood will support her party’s socialist agenda to try and keep her seat, regardless of how Democrats’ policies are crushing Illinois voters.”

Jayapal recently held a virtual fundraising event to benefit five Democratic legislators, including Underwood, who represents Illinois' 14th Congressional District, according to Bloomberg Government. The fundraiser brought in more than $300,000. Jayapal heads a “Medicare for All” political action committee in support of her legislation, H.R. 1976. Jayapal is also the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

The NRCC is using the event and the collaboration between the two to tie Underwood to the far left wing of the Democratic party. According to govtrack.us, Underwood's voting record puts her firmly in the middle of the pack when it comes to the Democratic party. Govtrack ranks Jayapal on the far left. 

In a press release about the fundraiser, the NRCC called Jayapal's agenda 'socialist' and noted, "Underwood is going to have to pay the piper."

Jayapal is featured on Bernie Sanders' website, which notes, "Pramila Jayapal is the lead sponsor of Medicare for All in the House, and together we recently proposed emergency legislation to provide universal health coverage during this pandemic."

Underwood defeated Jim Oberweis for the 14th District seat in 2020 by only 1%. She first won election in 2018 against Republican Randy Hultgren.

Underwood is up for reelection this year. Republican challengers running in the 14th District include Scott Gryder, Michael Koolidge, and Susan Starrett. The primary election is on June 28, and the general election will take place Nov. 8.