Nikki Budzinski

Budzinski Celebrates House Passage of Permanent Year-Round E15

Position: Congresswoman Budzinski supports passage of H.R. 1346 to eliminate restrictions on year-round E15 fuel sales, arguing the measure will benefit farmers, energy producers, consumers, and domestic energy production.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) released the following statement following the passage of H.R. 1346, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, of which Budzinski is a Democratic lead. The bill would eliminate an outdated regulation restricting year-round sales of E15 and would ultimately expand consumer fuel choices, strengthen domestic energy production, and provide greater certainty for agricultural producers. The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration. “For years, I’ve championed permanent, year-round E15 as a win for American farmers, energy producers, and consumers. At a time when farmers are under pressure and families are feeling the strain of high gas prices, this legislation delivers much needed relief,” said Budzinski. “Today’s bipartisan action shows what’s possible when we put American energy, rural communities, and working families first. I’m proud to have helped lead this effort and urge the Senate to quickly pass this bill and get relief to the American people.” Rep. Budzinski has been a leading House Democrat advocating for year-round nationwide E15 sales since being elected to Congress. She engaged in debate on the House Floor earlier today where she outlined the importance of passage of the bill. After introduction of the bill, in March 2024, she joined Reps. Adrian Smith, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and Mark Pocan in a letter urging House leadership to pass a legislative solution allowing permanent year-round E15 sales. Later that year, the policy was included in the year-end Continuing Resolution before being removed during final negotiations. Budzinski then led Democratic colleagues in requesting seats on the Rural Domestic Energy Council and testified before the House Rules Committee urging leadership to immediately bring the negotiated agreement to the House floor. In April, Budzinski also co-led an amendment to include the negotiated E15 language in the 2026 Farm Bill. Although Speaker Johnson pledged separate votes on both the Farm Bill and E15 policy, only the Farm Bill ultimately received a vote. Today, the Congresswoman was proud to join nearly 100 House Democrats in standing up for new market access for growers and lower gas prices for consumers. Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), joined by Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03), Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11), and Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), gathered outside the U.S. Capitol to urge their colleagues to support legislation allowing the year-round sale of fuel blended with 15% ethanol, commonly known as E15. A vote is scheduled for Wednesday in the U.S. House […] SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced the winners of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for Illinois’ 13th Congressional District. This year’s overall winner is Charlotte Lin of University Laboratory High School for her piece, “Liminal.” To watch a video of the Congresswoman’s announcement and to view the winning artwork, click HERE. “The artistic talent and creativity of students across […] EDWARDSVILLE, IL — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) convened her bipartisan Agriculture Advisory Council at the National Corn to Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.  The Congresswoman answered questions on needed improvements to the Farm Bill, upcoming USDA reorganization, protecting funding for agricultural research institutions, support for farmers facing tariff and export market issues and how Congress […]

Budzinski and Bipartisan Lawmakers Demand Permanent Year-Round E15

Position: Rep. Budzinski and bipartisan colleagues urge passage of H.R. 1346 to eliminate federal restrictions on year-round E15 fuel sales, arguing the measure would expand consumer choice, strengthen domestic energy production, and provide certainty for fuel retailers and agricultural producers.

Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), joined by Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03), Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11), and Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), gathered outside the U.S. Capitol to urge their colleagues to support legislation allowing the year-round sale of fuel blended with 15% ethanol, commonly known as E15. A vote is scheduled for Wednesday in the U.S. House of Representatives on H.R. 1346, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, a bill co-led by Rep. Budzinski which would eliminate an outdated regulation restricting year-round sales of E15. If passed and signed into law, the measure would expand consumer fuel choices, strengthen domestic energy production, and provide greater certainty for fuel retailers and agricultural producers. Rep. Budzinski is a leader among House Democrats in fighting for passage. In March 2024, Budzinski and Reps. Adrian Smith (NE-03), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), and Mark Pocan (WI-02) sent a letter to House Leadership requesting a legislative solution to allow the voluntary sale of E15 year-round nationwide. In December 2024, a provision codifying the year-round nationwide sale of E15 was included in the year-end Continuing Resolution, but was then stripped out at the behest of Elon Musk. Budzinski remained engaged in discussions in 2025, which culminated in a bipartisan agreement to be included in the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations package. Ultimately, House Republican leadership decided to drop the policy from the funding bill and instead establish a Rural Energy Dominance Council, promising a vote no later than February 25. Budzinski led five of her Democratic colleagues in a letter to Speaker Johnson requesting that they be named to the Council as key bipartisan champions of the policy, but the Speaker declined and opted to move forward with a partisan task force. She also testified at an emergency hearing at the House Rules Committee, imploring leaders to bring the negotiated agreement up for a vote before the full House immediately. In April, during the House’s consideration of the 2026 Farm Bill, Budzinski was a co-lead on an amendment to include the negotiated language into the Farm Bill. Speaker Johnson then separated the E15 effort from the Farm Bill, promising a full House vote on each policy. The Farm Bill passed, but he never called the E15 effort up for a vote. To watch the full press conference with the members' remarks, click HERE. Congresswoman Budzinski’s remarks as prepared for delivery are available below: Good morning, everyone, and thank you all for being here today. First, I want to thank my Republican colleagues, Representatives Smith and Fischbach, for their leadership and partnership on this issue. As well as my Democratic colleagues who can’t be here today, including Representatives Sharice Davids, Kristen McDonald Rivet, Eric Sorensen, Greg Landsman, and Ranking Member Angie Craig. Thank you to the National Corn Growers Association for bringing all of us together around a cause that should unite every one of us – regardless of party or geography. Because this is bigger than politics. This is about American farmers. It’s about American consumers. It’s about American energy. And it’s about whether Congress is finally ready to provide the certainty our rural communities have been asking for – for far too long. When I first came to Congress in 2023, I made a promise to the people I represent – especially farmers – that I would always look for opportunities to work across the aisle and find common ground. I’ve worked hard to keep that promise. And nowhere has bipartisan cooperation made more sense than on E15. E15 is one of those rare issues where everybody wins. American farmers win because it creates strong and stable markets for homegrown corn. American consumers win because E15 helps lower prices at the pump. Our economy wins because E15 supports jobs and investment in rural America. That’s why this issue is deeply personal to me. I represent one of the leading corn-producing regions in the United States. I’ve sat down with family farmers, ethanol producers, and small business owners across Central and Southern Illinois who all understand the same thing: Year-round E15 works. It works for producers and it works for consumers. Yet despite years of support, years of advocacy, and years of evidence proving its benefits, we are still relying on temporary waivers and short-term fixes to keep E15 available during the summer months. Those waivers may get us through another season, but they do not provide certainty. Farmers cannot plan their future around temporary decisions. Producers cannot invest with confidence when policy changes year to year. And consumers should not lose access to a cheaper fuel option simply because Washington refuses to finish the job. We’ve been close before. In fact, it feels like every year we get right to the goal line – and every year politics, delay, or dysfunction gets in the way. Well, today we are here to say: enough. Enough excuses. Enough kicking the can down the road. The time for permanent, nationwide, year-round E15 is now. The evidence is staggering. Earlier this year, USDA projected U.S. corn production for the 2025–2026 marketing year at a record-breaking 17 billion bushels. At the very same time, USDA warned that supply is outpacing demand. Our farmers are under growing economic pressure, and without stronger domestic markets, many producers are heading toward a crisis. Farmers are facing rising costs, shrinking margins, and growing unpredictability – not because they are failing, but because the system is failing them. And while our producers are struggling, American families are being squeezed. Especially at the gas pump. Right now, the average price of gas nationwide is around $4.50 a gallon. Families need relief. And year-round E15 is the solution. That opportunity does not come around often. So we should seize it. That is why today I am calling on my colleagues – Republicans and Democrats alike – to come together and finally pass permanent, year-round E15 nationwide. Let’s deliver certainty for our growers. Let’s deliver lower costs for consumers. Let’s strengthen American energy independence. And let’s show the American people that Congress is still capable of coming together to solve real problems. WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) released the following statement following the passage of H.R. 1346, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, of which Budzinski is a Democratic lead. The bill would eliminate an outdated regulation restricting year-round sales of E15 and would ultimately expand consumer fuel choices, strengthen domestic energy production, and provide greater […] SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced the winners of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for Illinois’ 13th Congressional District. This year’s overall winner is Charlotte Lin of University Laboratory High School for her piece, “Liminal.” To watch a video of the Congresswoman’s announcement and to view the winning artwork, click HERE. “The artistic talent and creativity of students across […] EDWARDSVILLE, IL — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) convened her bipartisan Agriculture Advisory Council at the National Corn to Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.  The Congresswoman answered questions on needed improvements to the Farm Bill, upcoming USDA reorganization, protecting funding for agricultural research institutions, support for farmers facing tariff and export market issues and how Congress […]

Budzinski Convenes Agriculture Advisory Council Amid Rising Costs

Position: Congresswoman Budzinski supports passing a stronger Farm Bill, year-round E15 fuel sales, increased agricultural research funding, and measures to address rising fertilizer costs and tariff impacts on farmers.

EDWARDSVILLE, IL — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) convened her bipartisan Agriculture Advisory Council at the National Corn to Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The Congresswoman answered questions on needed improvements to the Farm Bill, upcoming USDA reorganization, protecting funding for agricultural research institutions, support for farmers facing tariff and export market issues and how Congress is working to address fertilizer costs. “I convened my Agriculture Advisory Council to hear directly from producers about the challenges they’re facing,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “We had a candid conversation about the realities on the ground, like rising fertilizer prices, the fight to protect conservation dollars, and the importance of investing in agricultural research. We also discussed what can be done to better support our farmers, such as passing year round E15 and a stronger Farm Bill. I remain committed to ensuring the work we do in Congress reflects the needs of our growers at home.” The Agriculture Advisory Council is composed of stakeholders from across Illinois’ 13th Congressional District, including family farmers, faculty from the University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University, Richland Community College, and Lincoln Land Community College, as well as representatives from leading commodity organizations such as the Illinois Corn Growers Association, Illinois Soybean Association, and Illinois Pork Producers Association. The council also includes leadership from the Illinois Department of Agriculture and members of the Illinois General Assembly. WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) released the following statement following the passage of H.R. 1346, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, of which Budzinski is a Democratic lead. The bill would eliminate an outdated regulation restricting year-round sales of E15 and would ultimately expand consumer fuel choices, strengthen domestic energy production, and provide greater […] Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), joined by Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03), Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11), and Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), gathered outside the U.S. Capitol to urge their colleagues to support legislation allowing the year-round sale of fuel blended with 15% ethanol, commonly known as E15. A vote is scheduled for Wednesday in the U.S. House […] SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced the winners of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for Illinois’ 13th Congressional District. This year’s overall winner is Charlotte Lin of University Laboratory High School for her piece, “Liminal.” To watch a video of the Congresswoman’s announcement and to view the winning artwork, click HERE. “The artistic talent and creativity of students across […]

CHAMPAIGN: Budzinski Hosts Roundtable With Immigration Groups and Local Leaders

Position: Congresswoman Budzinski convened a roundtable with immigration advocacy organizations and local leaders to discuss immigration enforcement and detention conditions. She is advocating for reforms to ICE and CBP operations, including mandatory in-person medical evaluations, stronger sanitation standards, and unannounced inspections in detention facilities, and has cosponsored the Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in ICE and CBP Custody Act.

CHAMPAIGN, IL — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) convened her third roundtable discussion with local leaders and immigration nonprofit and advocacy organizations. The conversation focused on immigration enforcement activity across Central and Southern Illinois and how elected officials, community organizations, and local leaders can work together to better support affected residents. “Today was an important opportunity to come together as a community and learn how we can protect our immigrant neighbors. We heard powerful stories from people directly impacted, from organizations doing this work every day, and from local leaders ready to take action,” said Budzinski. “We also discussed the harsh realities inside detention centers across the country and the reforms I’m pushing for – mandatory in-person medical evaluations, stronger sanitation standards, unannounced inspections, and more – to ensure people are treated with dignity.” The conversation included representatives from the following organizations: Ashrei Foundation, Community Legal Access Workshops, Congolese Community of Champaign County, Hoyleton Youth & Family Services, Immigrant Services CU, Immigration Action Committee for League of Women Voters, Immigration Legal Clinic from Western Illinois Dreamers, Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services, Migrant & Immigrant Community Action Project (MICA), New American Welcome Center at the University YMCA, The Immigration Project, and The Refugee Center. Budzinski has continued to advocate for common-sense reforms to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations. Most recently, she became a cosponsor of the Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in ICE and CBP Custody Act, legislation aimed at strengthening oversight and improving conditions for individuals held in federal immigration custody. WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) released the following statement following the passage of H.R. 1346, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, of which Budzinski is a Democratic lead. The bill would eliminate an outdated regulation restricting year-round sales of E15 and would ultimately expand consumer fuel choices, strengthen domestic energy production, and provide greater […] Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), joined by Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03), Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11), and Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), gathered outside the U.S. Capitol to urge their colleagues to support legislation allowing the year-round sale of fuel blended with 15% ethanol, commonly known as E15. A vote is scheduled for Wednesday in the U.S. House […] SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced the winners of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for Illinois’ 13th Congressional District. This year’s overall winner is Charlotte Lin of University Laboratory High School for her piece, “Liminal.” To watch a video of the Congresswoman’s announcement and to view the winning artwork, click HERE. “The artistic talent and creativity of students across […]

Budzinski Sends Letter to Speaker Johnson, Demands House Pass PREDICT Act

Position: Congresswoman Budzinski urges the House Speaker to bring the PREDICT Act to a floor vote immediately. The bill would prohibit members of Congress, their families, senior staff, and federal officials from wagering on prediction markets, citing concerns that officials with access to non-public information should not profit from inside knowledge.

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) sent a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson urging him to bring her bill, the PREDICT Act, to the House Floor as soon as possible. Just hours ago, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution banning sitting United States Senators, officers, and staff from wagering on prediction markets. “Earlier today, the Senate took a serious and necessary step toward holding politicians to a higher standard – and the House must follow suit. Both Republicans and Democrats agree – members of Congress should not use their public service for personal gain. My bill – the first bipartisan legislation of its kind – would make that law, with real transparency and accountability measures to back it up,” said Budzinski. "The Senate has read the room. Now I urge the Speaker to do the same. Pass this bill." To read the letter, see below or click here. I write today as a co-lead of the bipartisan H.R. 8076, the Preventing Real-time Exploitation and Deceptive Insider Congressional Trading (PREDICT) Act. Given the urgency of this matter, I urge you to bring this critical legislation to the House Floor for a vote immediately upon our return from the District Work Period. The United States Senate unanimously passed a resolution to prohibit U.S. Senators and their staff from wagering on prediction markets. It also expresses the sense of the Senate that the House of Representatives, executive branch, and judicial branch should establish similar restrictions. It is time for the House to lead and ensure a uniform standard of integrity across the federal government. The PREDICT Act provides a common sense solution to a growing ethical risk to our institution. This bipartisan legislation would prohibit Members of Congress, their spouses and dependents, senior staff, and other top federal officials from placing wagers on policy- or politically-related outcomes on prediction market platforms. The officials covered under this prohibition oftentimes have access to material non-public and classified information that can directly shift these markets. Allowing federal officials in positions of public trust to capitalize their inside knowledge for personal gain undermines the public’s confidence in our democratic institutions. Public service should never be a vehicle for personal financial gain. As such, I urge you to bring H.R. 8076, the PREDICT Act, to the Floor as soon as the House returns from the District Work Period. WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) released the following statement following the passage of H.R. 1346, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, of which Budzinski is a Democratic lead. The bill would eliminate an outdated regulation restricting year-round sales of E15 and would ultimately expand consumer fuel choices, strengthen domestic energy production, and provide greater […] Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), joined by Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03), Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11), and Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), gathered outside the U.S. Capitol to urge their colleagues to support legislation allowing the year-round sale of fuel blended with 15% ethanol, commonly known as E15. A vote is scheduled for Wednesday in the U.S. House […] SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced the winners of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for Illinois’ 13th Congressional District. This year’s overall winner is Charlotte Lin of University Laboratory High School for her piece, “Liminal.” To watch a video of the Congresswoman’s announcement and to view the winning artwork, click HERE. “The artistic talent and creativity of students across […]

Budzinski and Pappas Lead 101 House Democrats in Letter to President Trump on Vote-by-Mail Executive Order

Position: The signatories oppose an executive order that would limit vote-by-mail by requiring the Postal Service to cross-reference voter eligibility lists, arguing it violates the Postal Service's statutory independence, creates operational burdens, and suppresses voting access. They call for the order's rescission and expansion of mail-in voting instead.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) led 101 Members of Congress in a letter to President Trump raising serious concerns about his Executive Order that would effectively limit vote-by-mail. The Order, signed on March 31, directs the Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Social Security Administration and state governments, to compile lists of U.S. citizens eligible to vote in each state and requires the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to deliver ballots only to voters whose names appear on those lists. The members write, “Oversight of the Postal Service lies with the Postal Board of Governors, the Postal Regulatory Commission, and Congress – not the President of the United States. As such, we demand that you rescind Executive Order 14399 immediately and instead focus on expanding access to mail-in voting, rather than using the Postal Service to suppress Americans’ right to vote.” In addition, the lawmakers raised concerns about the feasibility of the order and the negative consequences it could have for postal employees, as well as the timeliness of already slow mail delivery. They continued, “This mandate places the Postal Service and its dedicated workforce – who already work tirelessly to ensure daily mail delivery – in the untenable position of cross-referencing tens of millions of ballots within a remarkably narrow timeframe leading up to an election. This would cause extreme delays of all types of mail, including election ballots, medicine, bills, and paychecks, negatively impacting the lives and livelihoods of Americans who rely on the Postal Service while also disenfranchising millions.” The full text of the letter is HERE and below: We write to express our deep concerns regarding the legality and operational challenges surrounding Executive Order 14399, entitled “Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections,” that you signed on March 31, 2026. The independence of the U.S. Postal Service (Postal Service) is codified in statute by the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970, which removed the Postal Service from the President’s Cabinet and put it under the purview of an independent Board of Governors. Executive Order 14399 directly undermines that law and poses a significant threat to the millions of citizens who depend on mail-in ballots to participate in the democratic process of voting. Furthermore, it establishes a dangerous precedent for political interference in the operations of the United States Postal Service. Oversight of the Postal Service lies with the Postal Board of Governors, the Postal Regulatory Commission, and Congress – not the President of the United States. As such, we demand that you rescind Executive Order 14399 immediately and instead focus on expanding access to mail-in voting, rather than using the Postal Service to suppress Americans’ right to vote. For more than a century, the Postal Service has been tasked with delivering mail-in ballots for Americans who are unable to vote in person. This includes active duty servicemen and women, sick and disabled Americans, and those who must travel for work. In 2024, the Postal Service delivered more than 48 million ballots, accounting for nearly 31 percent of all American voters in the 2024 general election. Among these ballots, over 99 percent were delivered on-time by the Postal Service–a testament to the hard work and dedication of the over 600,000 Postal Service employees across the country. To put simply, voting by mail is a safe and effective way to cast a ballot and has been for over a century. Your executive order serves as a radical attempt to suppress millions of Americans from being able to vote. It is exceedingly clear that this order is unconstitutional. Article I, Section 4, Clause 1 of the United States Constitution clearly states that the “manner” of holding elections for Senators and Representatives is determined by the states or Congress. The Constitution and multiple court rulings put it in stark terms: the President does not have the authority to issue an executive order that attempts to undermine the ability of states to run their own elections. In addition to its illegality, this executive order is unworkable. This executive order seeks to utilize the Postal Service to selectively and arbitrarily withdraw specific ballots from the mail stream. Under this order, Postal Service employees would be instructed to crosscheck and potentially remove election mail that is already in circulation based on lists provided to the Postal Service by the Department of Homeland Security and state governments. Specifically, in Section 3(iii) of the order, the Postal Service is directed to “not transmit mail-in or absentee ballots from any individual unless those individuals have been enrolled on a State-specific list.” This mandate places the Postal Service and its dedicated workforce–who already work tirelessly to ensure daily mail delivery–in the untenable position of cross-referencing tens of millions of ballots within a remarkably narrow timeframe leading up to an election. This would cause extreme delays of all types of mail, including election ballots, medicine, bills, and paychecks, negatively impacting the lives and livelihoods of Americans who rely on the Postal Service while also disenfranchising millions. We demand your written commitment that you will refrain from any future actions to undermine the Postal Service’s critical role as an independent agency of the federal government, and that you rescind this illegal and reckless executive order. Thank you for your time and attention to this important matter. WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) questioned Michael Selig, Chairman of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, during a House Agriculture Committee hearing. She pressed for clarity on how the agency is regulating prediction markets and cryptocurrency, and whether it has the resources needed to keep pace with rapidly evolving financial markets. In March, Congresswoman Budzinski and Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03) […] DECATUR, IL — Yesterday, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) visited the Empowerment Opportunity Center in Decatur to tour the facility and discuss the services they provide to the community, including childcare, energy assistance, support for seniors, and the Empower Pantry.  During her visit, the Congresswoman toured the facility, spent time with children in the childcare center, and sat down with the leadership […] SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Lincoln Land Community College, and the Illinois Trucking Association announced a $76,500 U.S. Department of Transportation grant to support Lincoln Land Community College’s commercial motor vehicle operator training program. The program specifically provides commercial driver’s license (CDL) training for veterans, and the USDOT funding secured by Budzinski will support education for at least 17 new students. […]

VIDEO: Budzinski Questions CFTC Chairman, Highlights Need to Pass PREDICT Act

Position: Congresswoman Budzinski advocates for passage of the PREDICT Act, bipartisan legislation that would ban senior government officials from trading in prediction markets using nonpublic information and impose civil penalties and profit disgorgement for violations.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) questioned Michael Selig, Chairman of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, during a House Agriculture Committee hearing. She pressed for clarity on how the agency is regulating prediction markets and cryptocurrency, and whether it has the resources needed to keep pace with rapidly evolving financial markets. In March, Congresswoman Budzinski and Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03) introduced the PREDICT Act, the first bipartisan legislation of its kind to ban senior government officials from participating in insider prediction market trading. Violations of the PREDICT Act would result in a civil penalty equal to 10 percent of the value of the prohibited transaction, as well as full disgorgement of any profits earned, to be paid into the U.S. Treasury. The Congresswoman’s opening remarks can be found below. Her full remarks and questioning can be found HERE. Thank you for being here, Chairman Selig. Right now, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission is really in the spotlight because of the role it plays in new and emerging markets—especially prediction markets. At their core, prediction markets can look pretty harmless. People are trading on questions like what song will be number one, or who the next James Bond will be. But that is not where it stops. These markets are also being used to trade on real-world events—government decisions, geopolitical conflicts, even military action. And that is where prediction markets start to raise serious concerns for me. Earlier this year, an article crossed my desk that made that risk very real. Hours before the United States carried out airstrikes on Iran, a group of newly created accounts on Polymarket placed significant bets that those strikes would happen. Six wallets—funded within 24 hours—bet “yes.” And when the strikes happened, they walked away with about $1.2 million in profit. That looks like someone knew what was about to happen—or at the very least, traded like they did. And it is not just a one off event. We are seeing repeated patterns of well-timed, highly profitable bets tied to sensitive global events. That should concern every single one of us. I think the question is pretty simple: how did they know? That’s why I introduced the bipartisan PREDICT Act—to make sure senior government officials – including Members of Congress, senior staff, and Executive and Judiciary branch officials – cannot participate in prediction markets using nonpublic information they gained through their jobs. This bill is straightforward. If you are entrusted with sensitive government information, you cannot turn around and profit off of it. Because there is a clear difference between making an educated guess on what can happen and insider trading. Public servants should not be profiting off privileged information that is entrusted to them by the American people. If we do not draw a clear line here, we are leaving the door wide open to corruption. So Chairman Selig, I want to thank you again for being here today to talk about this important topic, and I look forward to working together to stop insider trading in prediction markets. To hear her line of questioning and Chairman Selig's responses, click HERE. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) led 101 Members of Congress in a letter to President Trump raising serious concerns about his Executive Order that would effectively limit vote-by-mail. The Order, signed on March 31, directs the Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Social Security Administration and state governments, to compile […] DECATUR, IL — Yesterday, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) visited the Empowerment Opportunity Center in Decatur to tour the facility and discuss the services they provide to the community, including childcare, energy assistance, support for seniors, and the Empower Pantry.  During her visit, the Congresswoman toured the facility, spent time with children in the childcare center, and sat down with the leadership […] SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Lincoln Land Community College, and the Illinois Trucking Association announced a $76,500 U.S. Department of Transportation grant to support Lincoln Land Community College’s commercial motor vehicle operator training program. The program specifically provides commercial driver’s license (CDL) training for veterans, and the USDOT funding secured by Budzinski will support education for at least 17 new students. […]

DECATUR: Budzinski Visits Empowerment Opportunity Center

Position: Congresswoman Budzinski opposes proposed cuts to LIHEAP and Community Service Block Grants in the President's budget, arguing these programs are critical to supporting vulnerable populations including seniors and families with children. She advocates for full federal funding of LIHEAP, CSBG, and Head Start programs rather than prioritizing tax cuts for high earners.

DECATUR, IL — Yesterday, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) visited the Empowerment Opportunity Center in Decatur to tour the facility and discuss the services they provide to the community, including childcare, energy assistance, support for seniors, and the Empower Pantry. During her visit, the Congresswoman toured the facility, spent time with children in the childcare center, and sat down with the leadership team and Board Chairman. "I had the privilege of visiting the Empowerment Opportunity Center in Decatur and seeing firsthand the incredible work they do for our community. The President’s recently released budget will gut LIHEAP and Community Service Block Grants, critical to the services this center provides and right when our neighbors need them most. We should never choose tax cuts for the wealthy over funding that will fully support Head Start programs or prevent seniors from running their air conditioning in the height of summer. I'm proud to stand with the Empowerment Opportunity Center, and I'll keep fighting in Congress to protect the federal programs that power their vital work,” said Budzinski. "It was a privilege to host Congresswoman Budzinski at the Empowerment Opportunity Center. We were thrilled to share how her hard work in D.C. makes a difference in the lives of Macon County residents, especially through our Head Start, Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP), and Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) programs,” said Tara Murray, Executive Director of Empowerment Opportunity Center. Since coming to Congress, Budzinski has been an active and vocal supporter of the LIHEAP initiative. As part of the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations process, she urged the House Appropriations Committee to provide full funding and federal staffing for LIHEAP, $800 million for the Community Services Block Grant, and $14.27 billion for Head Start. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) led 101 Members of Congress in a letter to President Trump raising serious concerns about his Executive Order that would effectively limit vote-by-mail. The Order, signed on March 31, directs the Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Social Security Administration and state governments, to compile […] WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) questioned Michael Selig, Chairman of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, during a House Agriculture Committee hearing. She pressed for clarity on how the agency is regulating prediction markets and cryptocurrency, and whether it has the resources needed to keep pace with rapidly evolving financial markets. In March, Congresswoman Budzinski and Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03) […] SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Lincoln Land Community College, and the Illinois Trucking Association announced a $76,500 U.S. Department of Transportation grant to support Lincoln Land Community College’s commercial motor vehicle operator training program. The program specifically provides commercial driver’s license (CDL) training for veterans, and the USDOT funding secured by Budzinski will support education for at least 17 new students. […]

SPRINGFIELD: Budzinski Announces Federal Investment to Address Truck Driver Shortage, Expand Veteran Job Opportunities

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Lincoln Land Community College, and the Illinois Trucking Association announced a $76,500 U.S. Department of Transportation grant to support Lincoln Land Community College’s commercial motor vehicle operator training program. The program specifically provides commercial driver’s license (CDL) training for veterans, and the USDOT funding secured by Budzinski will support education for at least 17 new students. “When we don’t have enough drivers, goods take longer to reach store shelves, supply chains become less reliable, and costs rise for businesses and families alike. This program is a powerful opportunity to address that shortage while connecting our veterans to good-paying, in-demand jobs,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “I was proud to work with Lincoln Land Community College and the Illinois Trucking Association to secure this funding, and I look forward to continuing our partnership.” “In the Workforce Institute at Lincoln Land Community College, our goal is to build accessible, affordable, quality pathways so people can get in, get trained and get a job,” said Dr. Charlotte Warren, LLCC President. “Truck driver training is a critical part of that mission, and partnerships like this help us serve student veterans, respond to employer needs and strengthen our communities.” “This investment in CDL training is a win for Central Illinois and a win for our veterans,” said Matthew Hart, Executive Director of the Illinois Trucking Association. “The trucking industry continues to face a driver shortage, and programs like this help build a skilled, safety-focused workforce while opening the door to stable, good-paying careers. ITA is proud to support Lincoln Land Community College, and we thank Congresswoman Budzinski for her efforts to grow the next generation of professional drivers.” The grant comes specifically from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training (CMVOST) Program that provides funding for enhanced operator training in the safe use of commercial motor vehicles. This award will help address veteran unemployment and the ongoing nationwide trucker shortage. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) led 101 Members of Congress in a letter to President Trump raising serious concerns about his Executive Order that would effectively limit vote-by-mail. The Order, signed on March 31, directs the Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Social Security Administration and state governments, to compile […] WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) questioned Michael Selig, Chairman of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, during a House Agriculture Committee hearing. She pressed for clarity on how the agency is regulating prediction markets and cryptocurrency, and whether it has the resources needed to keep pace with rapidly evolving financial markets. In March, Congresswoman Budzinski and Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03) […] DECATUR, IL — Yesterday, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) visited the Empowerment Opportunity Center in Decatur to tour the facility and discuss the services they provide to the community, including childcare, energy assistance, support for seniors, and the Empower Pantry.  During her visit, the Congresswoman toured the facility, spent time with children in the childcare center, and sat down with the leadership […]

Budzinski Statement on Vote-By-Mail Executive Order

Position: Congresswoman Budzinski opposes President Trump's Executive Order 14399, which restricts mail-in voting by requiring DHS and SSA to compile citizenship verification lists and limiting USPS ballot delivery. She argues the order is unconstitutional, undermines reliable voting practices, and calls for courts to block it.

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) released the following statement on President Trump’s Executive Order 14399, titled “Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections.” The order directs the Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Social Security Administration, to compile lists of U.S. citizens eligible to vote in each state and requires the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to deliver ballots only to voters whose names appear on those lists. “President Trump’s latest executive order to restrict mail-in voting is a direct assault on Americans’ right to access the ballot box. “It’s not only unconstitutional – it also ignores more than 150 years of safe, reliable voting by mail. In 2024, over 99% of mail-in ballots were delivered and counted successfully, thanks to Postal Service workers across the country. Any policy that slows down or blocks valid ballots puts people’s votes at risk. “I am hopeful the courts will swiftly block this unlawful order. The USPS must remain free from political intervention and empowered to carry out its sacred mission: delivering every ballot, on time and without interference, for every American who chooses to vote by mail.” Congresswoman Budzinski has been a staunch advocate of improved mail service, while strongly opposing efforts toward privatization and proposals that would reduce service reliability and speed for rural communities. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) led 101 Members of Congress in a letter to President Trump raising serious concerns about his Executive Order that would effectively limit vote-by-mail. The Order, signed on March 31, directs the Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Social Security Administration and state governments, to compile […] WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) questioned Michael Selig, Chairman of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, during a House Agriculture Committee hearing. She pressed for clarity on how the agency is regulating prediction markets and cryptocurrency, and whether it has the resources needed to keep pace with rapidly evolving financial markets. In March, Congresswoman Budzinski and Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03) […] DECATUR, IL — Yesterday, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) visited the Empowerment Opportunity Center in Decatur to tour the facility and discuss the services they provide to the community, including childcare, energy assistance, support for seniors, and the Empower Pantry.  During her visit, the Congresswoman toured the facility, spent time with children in the childcare center, and sat down with the leadership […]