Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski is currently serving her second term representing Illinois’ 13th district. The Democratic-leaning district stretches across Central Illinois from Champaign-Urbana through Decatur, Springfield, and the Metro East near St. Louis.
Budzinski has been holding roundtables and speaking with constituents across the district about a wide range of issues. She sat down with Brian Mackey of Illinois Public Media’s The 21st Show to speak about cuts to food aid and health care. Budzinski also defended her position on Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and criticized the Trump administration’s threat to send the National Guard to Chicago.
Interview Highlights
On the impact of cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
“I think that it is still to be determined exactly all of how this is going to trickle down to the States, but we know in Central Illinois, well over 25,000 families benefit from SNAP every day … SNAP provides a little bit of assistance to ensure that children don’t go to school hungry. And I think as one of the richest countries in the world, we shouldn’t be okay with that. And so I think these SNAP cuts are no doubt going to have significant impacts in on families, on seniors, seniors living on fixed incomes.”
On Trump’s threat to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago to combat crime
“We know that local law enforcement right now is under-resourced and understaffed, and so [Community Oriented Policing Services] grants can be something that helps support that. I’ll tell you, who has zeroed out cop grants is President Donald Trump. If he wants to really address crime, which is what he’s trying to suggest he’s doing by utilizing the National Guard, there are better ways to do it, which I would argue is supporting local law enforcement.”
On the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Israel’s military campaign in the region
“I have taken steps to use my office to say we need to be flooding humanitarian aid into Gaza. I have been critical of Netanyahu. I think he is using this war to his own self service and leading to the needless deaths of a lot of innocent civilian life. And I … also signed on with some of my colleagues to urge the administration to specifically prioritize baby formula for children … I think there are very valid questions to be asked about additional, you know, weapons to Israel. I do believe that Israel has a right to defend itself, and I do support that. They are the only democracy within the Middle East.”
On responding to dissatisfaction among Democratic voters
“I’m frustrated, and very frightened, and annoyed, and angry at this administration, but I think we can do things, and I continue to do things. Speaking out at rallies, speaking out at protests, showing up. I know people are critical of signing on to letters and legislation when we’re in the minority. We know very well that we don’t have an administration that listens to many of us with a D after our names, but it is important to be on the record as far as where we stand and where we’re trying to fight back, and I’ve done that on a whole host of issues … it is hard in the minority. It is hard with an administration that doesn’t always like to follow the rule of law in the decisions that they’re making. And so I’m doing everything I can, and I’m not going to stop.”