Joyce, Bonamici, Underwood, and Kiggans Announce Relaunch of the Congressional Nursing Caucus 

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14), Congresswoman Bonamici (OR-01), Congresswoman Underwood (IL-14), and Congresswoman Kiggans (VA-02) announced the relaunch of the Congressional Nursing Caucus. Congressman Joyce and Congresswoman Bonamici will serve as caucus co-chairs, with Congresswomen Underwood and Kiggans serving as the two vice-chairs. The Congressional Nursing Caucus is a bipartisan group of legislators dedicated to advancing policies to support the nation’s 4.2 million registered nurses. 

“As the husband of a nurse, I know firsthand that the millions of men and women working throughout the Unites States as nurses are the backbone of our nation’s healthcare system,” said Rep. Joyce. “I am incredibly proud to once again serve as the co-chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus, working alongside a strong team of bipartisan leaders who are determined to help address the challenges facing America’s nursing workforce. At a time when our country faces a nursing workforce shortage, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, legislators on both sides of the aisle must come together to advance commonsense solutions to bolster the workforce and encourage more Americans to enter this critically important profession.” 

“Our health care system needs and relies on the care and dedication of nurses,” said Rep. Suzanne Bonamici. “Nurses need our support, especially when it comes to growing the workforce. I’m pleased to co-chair the bipartisan Congressional Nursing Caucus to help elevate the voice of nurses and advance policies that lead to better health and wellness.”

“Nurses are leaders in our communities and deserve meaningful support at every stage of their education, training, and careers,” said Underwood. “As a registered nurse, I couldn’t be more excited to continue my advocacy for nurses and serve as vice chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus. We must make robust investments to grow the nursing workforce and make sure every nurse can practice to the full extent of their training and education, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to support nurses as they provide high-quality clinical care, engage in policy advocacy, and lead in their communities in Illinois and across the country,” said Rep. Underwood.

“Caring for our Greatest Generation as a primary care geriatric nurse practitioner is a true privilege,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “I’m proud to continue my work to provide patients with access to quality, affordable healthcare by leading this bipartisan caucus with Representatives Joyce, Bonamici, and Underwood. It’s a privilege to use my position in Congress to be an advocate for my fellow nurses. Supporting the more than four million Americans who make up our nation’s nursing workforce directly impacts the future health of our country. I’m excited to get to work!”

The Congressional Nursing Caucus is made up of over 40 Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle. This Congress, the Caucus will work to help address the nation’s nursing shortage, bolster the workforce pipeline, and provide nurses with the resources and tools they need to serve the millions of patients who rely upon them. As healthcare providers across professions continue to retire at record-setting rates, the leaders of the Congressional Nursing Caucus recognize the invaluable role that nurses will continue to play in ensuring Americans have access to high quality and affordable healthcare. The addition of Congresswoman Underwood and Congresswoman Kiggans as vice-chairs marks the first time that the leadership of the Caucus includes a registered nurse and former nurse respectively. 

“Thank you to the Congressional Nursing Caucus for recognizing the important role that nurses, and the nursing profession, play in providing high-quality, patient-centered care to individuals, families, and communities across the country and in every conceivable health care setting,” said ANA President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN. “The Congressional Nursing Caucus has been an important ally on Capitol Hill to both nurses and the patients they care for, helping to advance the goals of the nursing community and addressing some of the most pressing concerns of the nursing profession. We would not be nearly as successful without the leadership of the Caucus’s Co-Chairs, Congressman Dave Joyce and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, and the Vice Chairs, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood and Congresswoman Jen Kiggans. On behalf of the nation’s nurses, thank you for your leadership and support in Congress.”

“On behalf of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, I want to thank the Congressional Nursing Caucus Co-Chairs Congressman Dave Joyce and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, and the Vice Chairs, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood and Congresswoman Jen Kiggans for their leadership to ensure that the vital contributions of the nursing profession are considered by Congress,” said AANP President April N. Kapu, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, FAANP, FCCM, FAAN.  “AANP looks forward to working with the Congressional Nursing Caucus to increase access for patients and remove barriers to care.”

“Nurses are America’s most trusted profession and the Congressional Nursing Caucus offers them an important voice in Congress. I am excited to see the strong leadership team of the Congressional Nursing Caucus, including two nurses,” said Angela Mund,DNP, CRNA, President of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, “and look forward to working with them to ensure patients have access to the high quality care that nurses provide.”

“AACN applauds the return of the Congressional Nursing Caucus and their bipartisan work to address issues impacting nursing and the health of all Americans,” said Dr. Deborah Trautman, President and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. “We are delighted to see Congressman David P. Joyce (OH-14) return as co-chair and applaud his steadfast commitment to serving the public good through his strong support for nursing education. He is a true champion for our nation’s schools of nursing.”