The Trump Administration's military actions in Venezuela have left American families stranded in the region. I joined my colleagues to demand answers from Secretary Duffy about how he will provide relief to Illinoisans impacted by flight restrictions in the Caribbean.

On my way back to DC, I had the chance to stop by the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in St. Louis. It was amazing to watch these incredible athletes compete for a spot on the world stage. Go Team USA!

🎓The @newdems.bsky.social Workforce & Education Agenda is OUT! As New Dems Vice Chair for Policy, I’m excited to unveil our comprehensive strategy to get more folks into good-paying union jobs and empower the next generation by strengthening our K-12 system.

Communities like Cahokia Heights have faced devastating flooding issues for decades, but in recent years, we’ve been able to make some progress thanks to federal investments I made my top priority. I won’t let President Trump take these critical resources away without a fight.

Illinoisans don't want more foreign wars. They want a president who's focused on the issues at home.

🚨 Huge win for our district! The House passed a bill with $27.8 million that I secured for local projects — an investment that will have a real, lasting impact on our community’s safety and well-being.

For months, I fought to bring a bill to the House floor to extend the ACA tax credits and prevent millions from losing their health insurance. Tonight, I was proud to cast my “YES” vote 🚨 and the Senate should act immediately to lower costs.

As Americans struggle with rising grocery prices and massive healthcare cost increases, the President seems more focused on “running” Venezuela. Let’s be clear: this was never about democracy — it was always about oil.

Today, the House of Representatives will vote on a bill to EXTEND the ACA tax credits for three years. This win is a direct result of Democratic pressure on Speaker Mike Johnson to save healthcare for millions of Americans.

I refuse to let big corporations rip off families who are just trying to make ends meet 🚨 Last month, I led 29 of my colleagues in calling out Dollar General and Family Dollar for secretly overcharging customers.

This is a major setback in the fight against climate change and protecting our planet. Denying reality only makes the damage worse.

The shooting that took place in Minneapolis is horrific. My heart goes out to the victim, her family, and the entire community as they endure this nightmare.

This week, the House will vote on a bill to extend the ACA enhanced premium tax credits for three years. This win is a direct result of Democratic pressure on Speaker Mike Johnson to take action to save healthcare for millions of Americans.

ICYMI: My thoughts on the Trump Administration's actions in Venezuela 👇 (1/5)

Five years ago President Trump incited a violent attack on the United States Capitol in an attempt to stop the peaceful transfer of power. Thanks to the bravery of the Capitol Police and other law enforcement, this insurrection failed.

2025 was a busy year! ✅1,000 constituent cases solved 💸$250 million brought home to IL-13 🖊️340 bills introduced & cosponsored Check out my full 2025 recap here: youtu.be/-LibM4x6VU8?...

President Trump’s immigration policies aren’t about safety – they’re about intimidation. Deploying masked agents to terrorize immigrant communities isn’t just dangerous – it’s an affront to our democratic values. I will always stand up for Illinoisans against these abuses of power.

The President has just sidestepped Congress, launched a strike on Venezuela, and deployed U.S. troops. This is an act of war. Any member of Congress who respects the Constitution should be outraged by this reckless escalation. (1/2)

Last year, my bill to codify VA’s Veterans Experience Office became law! This was a huge win that will make it easier for veterans to share their feedback with VA and for VA, in turn, to turn those insights into real change that improves trust and accessibility of their services.

My full 2025 recap is LIVE on Youtube! Click below to learn more about my work on behalf of Central and Southern Illinoisans this year:

In 2025, I have been laser-focused on standing up against President Trump as he has attacked government services, sold out working people, and targeted immigrant communities across the country. Next year, I’m keeping the pressure on. #YearInReview

One of the best parts of representing this district is helping uplift the voices of thousands of farmers. #YearInReview

I was full steam ahead this year, working to pass legislation that makes life better for Central & Southern Illinoisans. I worked across the aisle to introduce 13 bills, pass four of them out of the House, get one signed into law, and launch a new caucus focused on the Postal Service! #YearInReview

Happy Kwanzaa to all in Illinois’ 13th District! I hope this celebration of community, culture, and heritage brings you renewed purpose and joy as we enter the new year.

When Paul had issues with the USPS, he reached out to my office for assistance. I’m so glad we were able to help him out! Visit budzinski.house.gov to learn more about our constituent services.

2025 was my first year serving as Vice Chair for Policy of @newdems.bsky.social! In this role, I launched the New Dems on the Road Tour and worked with my colleagues to advance our proactive policy frameworks on a wide range of topics – from clean energy and housing to immigration and health care.

In the first days and weeks of the Trump Administration, many of you reached out to my office seeking answers and expressing your fears. This year, I held two town halls, two telephone town halls, and 18 roundtables to hear directly from you and to share how I’m fighting for our communities.

Merry Christmas to all celebrating in Central and Southern Illinois!

In 2025, I brought home $250 million to support important local projects and organizations in Central and Southern Illinois – including $90.8 million in disaster aid and $157 to complete the Springfield Rail Improvements Project! #YearInReview

Yesterday was our last Ag Advisory Council meeting of 2025! I had a great conversation with local farmers and ag leaders about how they’re being impacted by President Trump’s trade war and the importance of expanding markets for our growers and producers.

My team worked around the clock this year, helping folks in #IL13! In 2025, we resolved more than 1,000 cases and returned more than $2.2 million to constituents from the federal government – a record in my 3 years in office! #YearInReview

I’m excited to announce I’ve secured $1 million in federal funding for Harristown, IL, to replace its aging water service lines. This project will help lower water loss numbers and ensure that every Harristown resident can access safe and reliable water!

Last week, I led seniors from across the district to write letters advocating for the Older Americans Act! We had folks from Swansea, Springfield, and Champaign who came together to share their stories and stand up for the programs our seniors rely on to stay independent and age with dignity.

ICYMI: I sent a letter to Dollar General and Family Dollar calling them out for deceiving and overcharging customers. At a time when prices are already way too high, I’m not going to let big corporations take advantage of working families.

For 60 years, the Older Americans Act has provided seniors with the support they need to age safely at home. Today, I brought together folks from across the district to write letters and advocate for Congress to reauthorize this law so that it meets the needs of seniors today.

A recent Guardian report EXPOSED dollar stores for quietly overcharging customers. Lowering costs is my top priority – which is why I just sent a Congressional oversight letter to hold them accountable and demand better for working people.

Farming operations have changed a lot over time, but our loan rules haven’t kept up. I’m introducing a bill with Congressman Mike Bost to modernize USDA loan rules and give Illinois farmers the freedom to set up their land in the way that works best for them.

It was great to meet with Ai-jen Poo, founder of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, this week! We talked about how we can work together to support affordable child care and home care for working people to ensure they can get to school, go to work and contribute to a strong American economy.

TODAY: Catch my team in your community for our monthly mobile office hours! They’ll be available to answer all your questions about constituent services and navigating federal agencies.

Secretary Collins just announced plans to slash up to 35,000 health care positions from VA – including doctors and nurses. This is a complete betrayal of the heroes who served our nation.

Are you running into roadblocks with a federal agency? Visit mobile office hours tomorrow to learn how my team can help! Details below:

This is HUGE. We just reached the number of signatures we need to force a vote to extend the ACA tax credits for three years. With just 14 days until these subsidies expire, Speaker Johnson should bring our bill to the floor IMMEDIATELY.

The cost of life-saving prescription meds are way too high. One of the culprits? PBMs. I’m proud to reintroduce the Pharmacists Fight Back Act – a bipartisan bill to rein in these predatory drug middlemen and lower prices for Americans.

Secretary Collins needs to take action to address VA’s failure to pay education benefits on time for more than 75,000 veterans and their families and stop hiding the truth from Congress. I joined @repmarktakano.bsky.social, @repchrispappas.bsky.social, and @blumenthal.senate.gov to demand answers.

Happy Hanukkah to everyone celebrating in IL–13 and around the world! May these eight nights be filled with peace, light, and joy.

The Trump administration just announced plans to eliminate 35,000 healthcare positions at the Veterans Health Administration – yet another betrayal of America’s heroes. VHA is already stretched thin, and these cuts will only worsen wait times and jeopardize the quality of care.

Last week, House Democrats successfully forced a vote to pass a bill overturning Trump’s ban on unions for federal employees. When we stand together, we win.

As @newdems.bsky.social Vice Chair for Policy and a member of @democrats-veterans.house.gov, I’m excited to announce our new Agenda to Support Our Veterans! This framework will support our mission to ensure every veteran receives the care and benefits they’ve earned.

Everyone deserves to know that the air they breathe and the water they drink is safe. I teamed up with @durbin.senate.gov and @duckworth.senate.gov to demand EPA do more active air and water quality monitoring so we can better protect the health of Metro East communities.

I just voted to pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act – a bipartisan bill to repeal a Trump executive order and restore union rights to a million federal workers. We’re standing up against the President’s anti-worker agenda.