Robin L. Kelly
Representative for Illinois · Democratic · United States
“To our contractors and skilled tradespeople who are rebuilding what the storm tried to take, to the road crews continuing the work of clearing debris block by block, and to our first responders and emergency management teams who showed up when we needed them most, I thank them so much.”
House of Representatives3 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Congressman Jackson, my next-door neighbor for yielding. Mr. Speaker, since day one, this President and his administration have waged war on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Let's be clear: DEI means all of us. Diversity strengthens our communities, our economy, our businesses, and our future.”
House of Representatives2 September 2026Source ↗
“Black women are more likely to be denied a mortgage as a home buyer, more likely to die giving birth, or buy a gun, and we still just earn 69 cents to a man's dollar. This isn't about ending wokeness. This is about erasing hard-won progress and locking people out of opportunity because of who they are.”
House of Representatives2 September 2026Source ↗
“Dental health is often an indication of overall health, which is why we must address the barriers to these services and ensure that everyone has access to reliable care. The more we can address early diagnosis, intervention, and preventative dental treatments, the better off our patients and our healthcare system will be.”
House of Representatives20 July 2026Source ↗
“Over the last 13 years, I have watched him earn every single step of his journey, working his way up to legislative assistant, legislative director, and, ultimately, a great chief of staff. Today, he is still a young man, but he also is a devoted husband and a proud dad. He has truly grown up in this office.”
House of Representatives20 July 2026Source ↗
“He helped me build a wonderful, dedicated staff, kept a sharp eye on our budget, and made sure our core mission of serving the people of Illinois' Second District was always top of mind. He kept us focused, organized, and grounded. I wish Matt nothing but the absolute best in his new endeavors.”
House of Representatives20 July 2026Source ↗
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“To our contractors and skilled tradespeople who are rebuilding what the storm tried to take, to the road crews continuing the work of clearing debris block by block, and to our first responders and emergency management teams who showed up when we needed them most, I thank them so much. While touring the district during the storm recovery, I saw firsthand the community spirit of towns throughout my district: neighbors checking on neighbors and showing up for one another. That is exactly why I sent FEMA a letter demanding that they treat Illinois families the same way they treated Indiana families. It was one storm in two States. The response should look the same. ____________________”
House of Representatives3 September 2026Source ↗
“Black women are more likely to be denied a mortgage as a home buyer, more likely to die giving birth, or buy a gun, and we still just earn 69 cents to a man's dollar. This isn't about ending wokeness. This is about erasing hard-won progress and locking people out of opportunity because of who they are. I always tell people, do not get weary because that is exactly what he wants you to do. You can't go in your house and close the door. We have to continue to fight this nonsense. We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, and I, for one, will never give up in the fight for a better future.”
House of Representatives2 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Congressman Jackson, my next-door neighbor for yielding. Mr. Speaker, since day one, this President and his administration have waged war on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Let's be clear: DEI means all of us. Diversity strengthens our communities, our economy, our businesses, and our future. DEI means helping people of every background overcome barriers in their way. Systemic racism has deep roots in this country, poisoning healthcare, housing, and opportunities for generations. It is our job to finally pull those roots up. Trump is trying to erase Black history, gut programs that benefit us, and target anything that says DEI. He is threatening to undo all the progress we have made toward economic equality.”
House of Representatives2 September 2026Source ↗
“He helped me build a wonderful, dedicated staff, kept a sharp eye on our budget, and made sure our core mission of serving the people of Illinois' Second District was always top of mind. He kept us focused, organized, and grounded. I wish Matt nothing but the absolute best in his new endeavors. The organization he is joining is incredibly lucky to have him, but let me be clear: Just because he is moving on doesn't mean he is off the hook because once you are Team Kelly, you are always Team Kelly. I thank Matt for everything. ____________________”
House of Representatives20 July 2026Source ↗
“Over the last 13 years, I have watched him earn every single step of his journey, working his way up to legislative assistant, legislative director, and, ultimately, a great chief of staff. Today, he is still a young man, but he also is a devoted husband and a proud dad. He has truly grown up in this office. I always tease Matt that he was basically born in the Capitol. He knows every single nook, cranny, and historical detail of the building. One of his favorite traditions was sending our new interns on legendary Capitol scavenger hunts, ensuring that they didn't just work here but they truly learned about the history and unique aspects of life on the Hill. As my chief of staff, Matt has been an exceptional leader.”
House of Representatives20 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank my chief of staff, Matt McMurray, for his service to my office and the Second Congressional District of Illinois. Matt has been with me since day one. When we first met back in 2013, he was a very young man, fresh out of college, starting out as my staff assistant and deputy scheduler.”
House of Representatives20 July 2026Source ↗
“As one of a handful of dentists in Congress, I thank him for his expertise and partnership on such an important effort. I have been proud to work with my colleagues on oral health issues since 2013. I am glad to see bipartisan support on such a critical issue. Mr. Speaker, let's act now to ensure every American in need has access to quality dental health services.”
House of Representatives20 July 2026Source ↗
“Dental health is often an indication of overall health, which is why we must address the barriers to these services and ensure that everyone has access to reliable care. The more we can address early diagnosis, intervention, and preventative dental treatments, the better off our patients and our healthcare system will be. The Action for Dental Health Act reauthorizes vital funds to grow the oral health workforce, support oral health education, and establish dental homes. Passing this bill is a major step forward. By supporting local organizations and strengthening existing resources, we will expand oral healthcare in underserved communities, reducing dental disease and preventing costly emergency room visits. I thank my colleague Congressman Mike Simpson of Idaho for his work on this bill.”
House of Representatives20 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I hereby remove my name as cosponsor of H. Res. 353.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“These programs are meant to help women, veterans, Black people, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and, frankly, all of us. In the middle of our country's maternal mortality crisis, Trump and DOGE fired the people dedicated to finding and implementing solutions mothers desperately need. Only three government data sources report maternal deaths in the U.S., and they are all in dire risk with the current reorganization plans at HHS. These cuts to Medicaid and our country's healthcare infrastructure are simply cruel and will leave all Americans' health in limbo. I refuse to go backward. I am determined to continue to march forward arm in arm with my CBC colleagues and allies to fight for our healthcare. {time} 2000”
House of Representatives28 April 2025Source ↗
“I have heard from another mother whose entire family relies on Medicaid for lifesaving care. As House Republicans attack Medicaid, Elon Musk and his unqualified team at DOGE have slashed 20,000 jobs at the Department of Health and Human Services. Their staff cuts and restructuring have targeted the Offices of Minority Health at CMS and SAMHSA. How can we honor Minority Health Month if the institutions dedicated to closing health disparities are being eliminated? For over a decade in Congress, I have worked with CDC, HRSA, and NIH to reduce pregnancy-related deaths. I have introduced legislation to help diversify clinical trials so medical breakthroughs can reach the patients who need treatment the most. President Trump's agenda, however, is determined to drag us backward. He has declared an end to so-called woke research and programs.”
House of Representatives28 April 2025Source ↗
“Even now, I stand firm amid attacks against public health. House Republicans want to slash Medicaid by $880 billion. Their budget is an attack against millions of Americans who depend on Medicaid for healthcare. Over 300,000 of my constituents are at risk of losing healthcare if House Republicans get their way. More constituents stand to see their health premiums increase by over $1,000. Again, it is more than just the numbers. I heard from parents who won't be able to provide the lifesaving medication and treatment their son needs. If they can't afford healthcare for their son, they will first sell their home. If that doesn't work, they actually talked about giving up custody of their son to the State. I heard from a mom whose son has autism and is terrified for his future if he doesn't have healthcare and specialized education.”
House of Representatives28 April 2025Source ↗
“Black people die from gun violence at 2.7 times the rate of White people. While guns have been the leading cause of death for all children and teenagers since 2020, guns have been the leading cause of death for Black children since 2006. These statistics are horrifying, but we cannot forget the faces and stories behind the numbers. When I was first elected to Congress, a constituent called me and said her friend's daughter-in-law died in child labor. That baby had to grow up without a mother. It is because of her and her baby that I continue to fight for Black mothers and maternal health. I have heard countless stories from parents who have turned their pain into purpose after losing a child to gun violence, determined not to let another family go through the same grief. I continue to fight to end gun violence because of these families.”
House of Representatives28 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Minority Health Awareness Month. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, Congressman Clyburn and Congresswoman McClellan, for holding this Special Order hour to bring attention to our country's health disparities. As chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, I am familiar with the adverse statistics that face Black and Brown communities. Black women are three times more likely to die due to pregnancy- related causes than White women. Black people are about twice as likely to die from diabetes than White people. On the South Side of Chicago, which I represent, Black people are expected to die 11 years earlier than White people living on the North Side, and sometimes it is higher than that. Let us not forget gun violence, a public health crisis and emergency in our country.”
House of Representatives28 April 2025Source ↗
“It does not matter if you are Democrat, Republican, or Independent. This partisan funding bill proves it. Republicans are giving Donald Trump the green light to do as he wishes, and we all know that he does not have the American people in mind. I, alongside House Democrats, have also been at the negotiation table, but we will never negotiate away veterans' benefits, healthcare, or people's Social Security. I refuse to betray my constituents. Please stand up, speak out, and make your voices heard.”
House of Representatives11 March 2025Source ↗
“Madam Speaker, I rise today in defiance of the House Republicans' partisan funding bill. Democrats pulled up a seat for Republican leadership at the negotiating table to discuss a bipartisan solution, but Republicans walked away. What did Republicans propose instead? A blank check to Donald Trump and Elon Musk to take money away from you and spend as they will.”
House of Representatives11 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today because, just 2 days ago, my Republican colleagues jammed through a budget plan that puts the 0.1 percent above hardworking Americans. The Republican budget would give $4.5 trillion to CEOs and big corporations. Who pays for the tax cuts? American families just trying to make ends meet. The Republican budget cuts at least $880 billion from Medicaid.”
House of Representatives27 February 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, 2 weeks ago, President Trump was sworn into office. He won the popular vote and the electoral college. I didn't like the results, but I accepted them. For the past 4 years, I have heard my colleagues on the other side of the aisle passionately defend Article I of the Constitution. Not anymore. I heard them speak about the importance of Congress' power of the purse. Not anymore.”
House of Representatives6 February 2025Source ↗