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. 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.
2026 MidtermsSolid SeatD+35Stable$455K raised
Robin Kelly
Representative · Illinois · Democrat
Robin Kelly
House Floor
Recent comments in the House
Even though it is entirely preventable, tooth decay remains the most prevalent chronic disease among children and adults in this country. Right now, millions of Americans live in communities with a severe shortage of dental health professionals. This means that kids are forced to grow up with untreated tooth decay, impacting their ability to eat, play, and learn. It means that adults are skipping care until a simple cavity becomes an infection and an infection becomes an emergency room visit.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today because, as we all know, there is a gun violence epidemic in our country. It is a public health crisis. Yet, our President is actively making this crisis worse. I don't know if the Congresswoman realized this, but 10 years ago yesterday, Katherine Clark, the late, great John Lewis, John Larson, David Cicilline, and myself led the sit-in on the floor because we could not get any movement to deal with gun violence prevention. I am proud to say the Democrats all participated in that sit-in that lasted almost 24 hours.
Biography
Robin Kelly began her career as a social worker, focusing on improving community health and safety in Illinois. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Illinois’s 2nd District in 2013, she has prioritized gun violence prevention, public health, and economic development. Kelly authored the Gun Violence Research Act and serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where she advances legislation to expand healthcare access. Through persistent advocacy and collaboration, she works to address her constituents’ needs and promote safer, healthier communities across her district.
Education
- Ph.D. in Political Science, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL2004
- M.A. in Counseling, Bradley University, Peoria, IL1982
- B.A. in Psychology, Bradley University, Peoria, IL1977
Professional History
U.S. Representative
2013-PresentRepresenting Illinois's 2nd district
Chief Administrative Officer, Cook County
2010–12Chief of Staff, Illinois State treasurer
2007–10Community Affairs Director, Village of Matteson
1992–2006Member, Illinois House of Representatives
2003–07Counselor
Policy Focus
Health42%
Crime and Law Enforcement20%
Commerce13%
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues5%
Notable Legislation
Key legislative actions from Robin Kelly's record in Congress.
Gun Violence Research Funding
Led efforts to restore federal funding for CDC research on gun violence prevention.
Health Equity Advocacy
Authored the Health Equity and Accountability Act to address health disparities among minority communities.
Telehealth Expansion
Supported legislation expanding telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Small Business Support
Secured federal resources to assist minority-owned small businesses during economic recovery efforts.
Committee Assignments
View details →- House Committee on Energy and Commerce
Rep. Robin Kelly FAQ
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