This week, our Local 1899 @steelworkers.bsky.social, working at Granite City Works from Granite City were in Washington to talk about what they need back home. As a dues-paying union member, I made it clear that I will always stand with them.

One of the best parts of this job is spending time meeting with the next generation of public servants. I stopped by yesterday to talk with junior staff, and the talent and vision in the room gave me real hope for our future.

Yesterday, I sat down with folks from Illinois Soy to dig into the issues that matter most to Illinois farmers — the Farm Bill, USMCA, and the state of American agriculture. These conversations are how we make sure the policies we're fighting for actually reflect what our farmers need.

ACA premiums went up 20% this year. Now insurers are proposing another 14% increase for 2027. Two straight years of double-digit hikes — and the folks feeling it hardest are middle-income Americans who lost their subsidies when the enhanced tax credits expired.

This week, I met with the Illinois FFA state officer board, who are preparing to lead the next generation of American agriculture. Investing in their success is how we make sure Illinois stays at the forefront of American farming for generations to come.

Today, my team will be traveling across Central and Southern Illinois for Mobile Office Hours! I encourage everyone to visit, bring their questions and see how we can assist with constituent services!

Our veterans deserve world-class care and that means fixing the systems behind the scenes. Outdated technology and staff shortages are slowing down disability claims, and veterans are the ones paying the price.

As a proud, dues-paying union member, I was honored to stand with the @steelworkers.bsky.social today. USW members, like those at Granite City Works, show up every day in some of the toughest jobs in America — steel mills, manufacturing floors, chemical plants.

Tomorrow my team is hitting the road and heading to Monticello, Staunton, Carlinville, Edwardsville, and Virden for our monthly mobile office hours! Stop by with your questions to learn how we can help you with constituent services!

A four-year degree shouldn’t be the only path to a good career – that’s why I hosted my third workforce summit last week, and sat down with Brian Beyers to discuss how we’re working to connect folks with good paying jobs in the trades.

It’s great to see the University of Illinois stepping up for our veterans with a new program at the Chez Veterans Center offering transitional housing, academic coaching, and career development for student veterans. This is exactly the kind of investment our veterans deserve.

Our veterans deserve world-class technology and support, but outdated systems and staff shortages are slowing down disability claims. Yesterday, I spoke about the need for solutions that listen to employees and put veterans first — not quick fixes that ignore their voices.

Yesterday I sat down with Mini Timmaraju from @reproductivefreedomforall.org to talk about what reproductive rights mean for women and families right now.

I joined @duckworth.senate.gov & @budzinski.house.gov to introduce a bill that that would expand the Gateway Arch National Park into Illinois. This measure will bring economic growth to the region, & I look forward to working with our Missouri colleagues to see this expansion become a reality.

Jim and I took the conversation on the road — literally. This week, we’re talking about my third annual workforce summit and why bringing people together across this district matters.

Year-round E15 means more demand for Illinois corn and lower gas prices for working families. It's good for farmers, good for drivers, and good for American energy. The House has done its part — I’m now calling on the Senate to follow through and get this across the finish line.

After countless delays, the ROAD to Housing Act is FINALLY law! Statement from New Dem Vice Chair for Policy @budzinski.house.gov, Housing, Infrastructure, & Transportation Working Group Chair @normajtorres.bsky.social, & Housing Task Force Chair @repemiliasykes.bsky.social.

When workers organize, they should be able to secure a fair contract without endless delays. I was so proud to see the Faster Labor Contracts Act pass the House, but there’s more work to be done. I will keep pushing to ensure every worker can bargain for better wages, benefits, and safe conditions.

Yesterday, I joined Byers & Co. to talk about my third annual workforce summit and what agribusiness means to the economy of Central Illinois. You can give it a listen here: omny.fm/shows/byers-...

As a Member of Congress, I have the incredible honor of nominating some of our brightest students to our nation’s service academies.

Today, I was proud to host my third annual Workforce Development Summit with a focus on our agricultural workforce. This year’s summit featured four panels exploring pathways into agriculture careers after high school.

Access to healthy, affordable food is the foundation for strong families and strong communities. When food assistance is cut, kids go hungry, seniors go without meals, and local food banks strain to keep up. We have a responsibility to protect the programs that keep people fed.

Yesterday, I was honored to re-visit the site of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot with @repjamesclyburn.bsky.social. As we commemorate 250 years of America, we must remember that also means being able to confront our history and do better. That’s what makes America Great.

ACA enrollment is down 13% this year because premiums have doubled in costs. 5 million people lost coverage because they can no longer afford to keep it. Restoring the tax credits Trump and Congressional Republicans cut is the least we can do to right our health care system.

Attention middle and high school students! You're invited to submit your apps to the 2026 Congressional App Challenge. Check out CongressionalAppChallenge.us for more information!

My team helped Lisa and her nephew get back $394,000 that the federal government owed them in long-delayed Social Security back payments. Her story is a special one and I’m so honored our team was able to step in when she needed it most.

The strain on family budgets is real — gas, utilities, groceries, healthcare. A new analysis shows those costs add up to more than $2,000 per household this year alone. www.americanprogressaction.org/article/how-...

ICYMI: I wrote an op-ed with @RepDustyJohnson urging the Senate to pass Year-round E15. It’s a win-win for America. It lowers prices at the pump, expands markets for our farmers, and brings much-needed certainty to the farm economy.

Affordability remains a top concern for American families and President Trump's financial disclosure shows he earned $1.4 billion from crypto ventures in 2025 alone — while everyday costs squeeze families. www.nytimes.com/2026/06/30/u...

Ninety-one years ago, the National Labor Relations Act became law, guaranteeing workers the right to organize and collectively bargain for better pay, stronger benefits, and safer workplaces.

ATTENTION IL-13 🚨 As temperatures continue to rise this weekend, let's make sure we’re staying cool. Remember to stay hydrated, avoid direct sun and check on your neighbors. See here for a cooling center near you! www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboa...

Year-round E15 is a win-win for America. It lowers prices at the pump, expands markets for our farmers, and brings much-needed certainty to the farm economy.

July is Disability Pride Month, when we celebrate the disabled community and recognize their countless contributions to our nation! Let’s keep working together to build a more inclusive world.

Yesterday, I was honored to be recognized by the Disabled American Veterans as a 2026 House Legislator of the Year. I was also extraordinarily proud to have Omar — my Senior Legislative Assistant – receive a Special Recognition Award honoring House staff.

As families prepare for summer gatherings, many are feeling the strain of higher food costs. Prices for everyday staples — from fresh produce to cookout favorites — continue to rise, making it harder for households to stretch their grocery budgets.

On July 2, 1964, the Civil Rights Act was signed into law, banning racial segregation in public places and racial discrimination. As we celebrate 62 years of this landmark legislation, we should continue to work together to advance equality and justice for all.

We should be honoring veterans’ service — not cutting their benefits. The Take Care of America's Veterans Act raises costs, reduces care, and shifts resources away from the VA. I’m standing with our veterans and against this bill.

It’s common sense. The President, Vice President, Congress, senior staff and military officials should be BANNED from placing bets on political events or policy outcomes. Our bipartisan bill does exactly that.

The 14th Amendment is a cornerstone of civil rights in the United States — including the guarantee of birthright citizenship. Today, the Supreme Court upheld what we already knew: the President does not have the authority to change it.

Families are working hard, but the basics keep getting more expensive. Middle class households are feeling squeezed by rising grocery prices, shrinking value, and unpredictable costs. We need to focus on what families actually feel at the checkout line and lower everyday costs for American families.

Applications are open for Fall 2026 internships in our D.C. and district offices! If you're an undergraduate student or recent grad with ties to Illinois, this is your chance to get real experience in how Congress works. The deadline to apply is July 29th.

ICYMI: I spoke at the 29th Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Expo last week to talk about bringing down energy costs for Americans. As co-lead of the new House Democratic Gas and Utility Affordability Working Group, I'm committed to delivering the relief Americans need.

ICYMI: I asked USDA Under Secretary Fordyce on two issues that matter to farmers in IL-13 — updating base acres to reflect what farmers are actually growing today and making sure crop insurance is working for the people paying into it.

Not even a year after Trump signed the largest healthcare cuts in US history, more than 5 million Americans have already lost their coverage. And it's only going to get worse. This is what we fought against — and why we're not done fighting. www.commondreams.org/news/5-milli...

Too many working families are watching homeownership slip further out of reach. This housing bill would change that and bring much needed relief by lowering costs, expanding access, and investing in communities. x.com/Acyn/status/...

ICYMI: I joined the SEEC Institute Climate Solutions Summit last week to moderate a discussion on the future of agriculture and participate in a permitting reform panel. Forums like this are how we stay connected to real solutions and the people building them.

Support to our farmers should better reflect the choices farmers are making now, not decades ago. A mandatory base acre update would save taxpayers billions of dollars. This is the definition of common-sense policy.

This year, we celebrate 100 years of Route 66. It isn't just a road — it's a symbol of what happens when we invest in connecting people and communities.

Congratulations to Charlotte Lin — this year's Congressional Art Competition winner. I was excited to welcome her and her family to the U.S. Capitol, where her art will be displayed for the next year. Congratulations, Charlotte. 🎨

Inflation hit 4.1% in May. Inflation is now at a three-year high, driven by the war in Iran and its impact on energy prices. Working families deserve better than a shrug of dismissal from their president. apnews.com/article/cons...