I’m proud to have earned an A from Defend The Vote Action Fund for my record of fighting corruption, protecting voting rights, and standing up for the voice and vote of Illinoisans. The costs of corruption are real—from higher prices to access to health care to public safety.

Too many women navigate perimenopause and menopause without the information or support they deserve. Next week, we’re changing that. I’m partnering with @ltgovstratton.illinois.gov for Illinois Menopause Awareness Week — bringing free webinars with doctors and specialists to women across Illinois.

Consumer prices are up 3.5% over the past year. Food at the grocery store is up 2.7%. Everyday items families rely on — are seeing the sharpest price increases, driven directly by tariff costs being passed on to consumers.

Inflation on many everyday items was entirely due to tariffs, NY Fed says

Tariffs added 2.9 percentage points to inflation in 67 categories of goods by February 2026, researchers at the New York Federal Reserve found.

cnbc.com

The U.S. trade deficit hit $105.6 billion in August — the highest level in 17 months.This administration promised that tariffs would fix this — but it’s only made it worse. We deserve a real strategy to stop the squeeze on families in Central and Southern Illinois.

U.S. Trade Deficit Hits 17-Month High Despite Trump’s Tariffs (Gift Article)

Imports and the trade deficit have ballooned in recent months, defying the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce it through tariffs.

nytimes.com

5.2 million Americans have lost SNAP benefits since the Big Ugly Law passed. SNAP enrollment is at its lowest level since 2019, and some states are considering leaving the program entirely because they can't afford the new cost Congressional Republicans are shifting onto them.

Millions of Americans are losing SNAP benefits: "It feels as though people are being punished"

More than 5 million Americans have lost food-stamp benefits since 2025. "I have to prove that I'm sick," one SNAP recipient said.

cbsnews.com

Last year, I led 30 House members demanding answers from Dollar General and Family Dollar about overcharging customers at the register and it's happening at a time when families are already stretched thin. You shouldn't have to fact-check every receipt.

Happy World Teachers' Day to the educators across Central and Southern Illinois who show up every single day for their students. Teaching is one of the most important jobs there is — and it deserves to be treated that way. Thank you. 🍎

This week is Mental Illness Awareness Week. I'll keep fighting to expand access to mental health care, reduce barriers to treatment, and make sure our communities have the resources they need. And to anyone who's struggling right now: you are not alone, and help is available.

Every day, we lose an estimated 22 veterans to suicide. That is not a statistic we can accept. If you or a veteran you know is struggling, call or text 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line.

Training focuses on suicide prevention for veterans and families

A Louisville suicide prevention training taught veterans advocates how safe storage talks can help reduce firearm-related suicide deaths in Kentucky.

spectrumnews1.com

Diesel prices hit $6.51 a gallon last week. Illinois farmers are already absorbing higher fuel costs, higher input costs, and a trade war that's closed off export markets. This administration has had every tool available to help and keeps choosing not to use them. That's unacceptable.

Why Have Diesel Prices Soared, and What Can Be Done to Bring Them Down?

Wars in the Middle East and Ukraine have blocked shipments from regions that normally supply almost a third of the world’s diesel exports.

wsj.com

Last week, I joined @americanprogress.bsky.social to discuss clean industrial policy and what it actually takes to build a clean energy economy that works for working people. For Central Illinois — with our manufacturing base — getting this right matters.

Building a Clean Industrial Future: Policy Lessons From Climate Week NYC

Global policy leaders offer recommendations for a clean energy agenda that drives economic growth, creates good jobs, lowers household costs, and strengthens energy security.

americanprogress.org

I had a great conversation on Agri-Pulse Newsmakers about two things that are weighing heavily on Illinois farmers right now: the Farm Bill extension has expired, and the cost of farming has risen dramatically since the last Farm Bill was signed in 2018.

Agri-Pulse Newsmakers: Rising Farm Costs and Expired Farm Policy: Letlow and Budzinski on What Comes Next

This week on Agri-Pulse Newsmakers, host Tammi Arender talks with U.S. Representatives Julia Letlow and Nikki Budzinski about the challenges facing agriculture, especially now as the current extension...

agri-pulse.com

No working family in Illinois should have to choose between groceries and the bills. Yesterday, SNAP cuts from the Big Ugly Law are in effect. Five million Americans — including more than a million children — have already lost benefits.

Changes to SNAP benefits begin Oct. 1 for millions of Americans: What to know

Major changes are coming on Oct. 1 for the tens of millions of Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for food assistance.

abcnews.com

Real, lasting permitting reform doesn’t happen without labor at the table. Securing the support of @weareliuna.bsky.social and General President Booker is a critical piece of getting a package like this across the finish line and guaranteeing that working men and women share in the benefits.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I am standing with survivors as we push for a future free from violence, fear, and abuse. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home, relationships, and community. Free, confidential help is available at thehotline.org or call 800-799-SAFE.

Only 29,000 jobs were added in September, unemployment ticked up to 4.2%, and wages grew at just 3% — well below inflation. Workers are falling further behind, and families in Central and Southern Illinois are feeling it every time they fill up the tank or go to the grocery store.

Live Updates: Job Growth Cools and Unemployment Ticks Higher

nytimes.com

Rural voters believed in Make America Healthy Again. Now nearly half say they don't have enough doctors nearby. Healthcare costs are their top concerns. Rural communities in Central Illinois know exactly what this feels like.

Rural MAHA followers say Trump hasn't improved health of their communities, an AP-KFF poll finds

A new AP-KFF poll finds that the Make America Healthy Again movement has a substantial following among rural voters, but most don't think President Donald Trump's healthcare policies have benefited th...

apnews.com

I was honored to sit down with the Chicago Tribune to discuss my vision for working families. They need lower gas prices, affordable healthcare, good-paying jobs, and leaders who show up for them. Read More:

John T. Shaw: US Rep. Nikki Budzinski believes centrist workhorses can prevail over far-left show horses

Centrists may not claim to usher in new eras in American economic and political life, but they are working to solve problems.

chicagotribune.com

Iowa is "ground zero" for a farm crisis and it's spreading. Tariffs are driving up costs and killing export markets. Illinois farmers know this too. This is what tariffs and the Iran war have done to American agriculture.

"Brace for losing everything": Farm crisis fears grip GOP in Iowa

Trump's policies have cause severe financial problems for farmers. Iowa is especially vulnerable.

axios.com

It was great to meet with Collinsville CUSD 10 Superintendent Dr. Mark Skertich to talk about workforce development and the exciting expansion of the Collinsville Area Vocational Center.

The Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 established a tradition that has held for nearly half a century — pairing support for farmers with SNAP as we know it today, the largest nutrition assistance program for families. The two have gone together because our farmers feed our country.

Want to spend a semester working for Central and Southern Illinois? Spring 2027 internship applications are now open for our district offices. Gain real experience in public service, constituent work, and policy. Apply today!

Last week, I spent time in Decatur with faith leaders, educators, and community organizations to talk about our young people. What they need, what's standing in their way, and how we build something better for them right here at home.

The University of Illinois Extension just launched a new Center for Food Systems, Nutrition Security, and Health Integration right here in our district. The goal is to connect farmers and communities with research that puts healthy food in the hands of people who need it.

U of I Extension announces new center focused on food, nutrition, health

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A center focused on nutrition research and health is coming to the University of Illinois campus. It’s called the Center for Food Systems, Nutrition Security an…

wcia.com

ICYMI: Last week I joined Champaign County Health Care Consumers for a fireside chat on the issues hitting Central Illinois families hardest right now — Medicaid cuts, SNAP reductions, ACA cancellations, and Social Security. Watch here:

Rep. Budzinski Fireside Chat with Champaign County Health Care Consumers

YouTube video by Rep. Nikki Budzinski

youtu.be

Today is Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day - a day to recognize and honor families of fallen military service members. The gold star symbolizes the supreme sacrifice a service member made while serving our nation.

Today is National Public Lands Day, where communities across the country will celebrate National Public Lands Day by enjoying the great outdoors and giving back to our shared natural resources.

A federal judge just ordered the White House to restore press access to CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. Good — they never should have been removed in the first place. Banning journalists because the President doesn't like their coverage is unconstitutional. A free press is non-negotiable.

CNN, MS NOW and Politico Return to White House After Fight Over Access

nytimes.com

It was a beautiful afternoon at Delight Flower Farm in Champaign yesterday with farmers, conservationists, and advocates from the Illinois Stewardship Alliance and American Farmland Trust. Maggie Taylor built this farm from a backyard operation into a thriving, sustainable business.

Another massive recall — 167,000 pounds of pork, beef, and goat products with fake USDA inspection labels. Americans should be able to trust that the food they buy is safe. That trust requires a fully staffed, fully funded USDA food safety system — not one hollowed out by cuts and firings.

More than 167,000 pounds of meat with false inspection labels recalled nationwide | CNN

More than 167,000 pounds of meat are being recalled across the United States after being produced without proper federal inspection, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

cnn.com