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Nikki Budzinski's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Democratic for U.S. House (IL) - District 13

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Issue Positions

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2024.

  • "I have been horrified by the attacks on women’s reproductive rights that we have seen across the country in recent years, in Texas and other states. Not since before Roe v. Wade has a woman’s right to choose been under such existential attacks, as opponents of choice look to pass more and more restrictive laws that strip us of our rights." (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "If the Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade this year, IL will remain a safe haven across the midwest to provide access to abortion care. I am proud of our state for standing up and ensuring everyone has access to the healthcare they need." (twitter.com)
  • "Last June, the Supreme Court issued its ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overturning Roe v. Wade, abandoning 49 years of precedent, and eliminating the constitutional right to choose for the 6.5 million women here in Illinois and 177 million women nationally. Upon this decision, the surrounding states such as Missouri banned abortion, making Illinois a safe-haven for women’s reproductive health. Given the extreme restrictions enacted after the Court’s ruling and Republicans’ desire to enact a national ban, Deering needs to answer questions like why she was "thrilled" about the Dobbs decision." (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "After the Court’s ruling rescinding Roe v. Wade, Regan announced she was ‘thrilled’ by the decision. I’m appalled by this, and believe that a woman’s choice to have an abortion is between a woman and her doctor – politicans have no place in that room. I will stand up for reproductive rights of women in my district and stand up against national abortion bans and other restrictive measures. Regan is out of step with the views of the district. The majority of the people in Central and Southern Illinois support a woman’s right to choose as do the majority of Americans. In Congress, I will fight to codify Roe v. Wade." (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • ".@Regan4Congress said she wants seniors to "sacrifice" their hard-earned benefits and is open to cutting social security and Medicare. In Congress, I will oppose any cuts to the Social Security and Medicare seniors have paid into and earned." (twitter.com)
  • "I want to go to Congress to fight for legislation that will make working families’ lives better. Expanding Medicare to cover dental, vision, and hearing will make a massive impact on the lives of older Illinoisians. #NikkiforCongress" (twitter.com)
  • "I'm proud to stand with the Alliance for Retired Americans, seniors, workers, and everyone that will be harmed if @Regan4Congress gets her way and we make cuts to social security and Medicare. We need to elect someone that fight to protect social security." (twitter.com)
  • "We can’t afford to elect someone like Regan Deering that will cut social security. In Congress, I will oppose any cuts to social security and Medicare seniors have paid into and earned." (twitter.com)
  • "Raise the tax rate for households earning more than $400,000 per year to help fund investments in education, health care, infrastructure, and the environment." (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "Repeal the Trump tax cuts that benefit the super-rich over working people" (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "When Republicans in Congress—or the White House—talk about tax reform, they usually are talking about cutting taxes for the rich and corporations, not the rest of us. The vast majority of the Trump tax cuts went to those who needed it the least, while low- and middle-income households got left behind. We need real tax reform that rewards work, not wealth, and puts money in the middle and working’ classes pockets." (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "Raise the tax rate for households earning more than $400,000 per year to help fund investments in education, health care, infrastructure, and the environment." (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "Repeal the Trump tax cuts that benefit the super-rich over working people" (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "When Republicans in Congress—or the White House—talk about tax reform, they usually are talking about cutting taxes for the rich and corporations, not the rest of us. The vast majority of the Trump tax cuts went to those who needed it the least, while low- and middle-income households got left behind. We need real tax reform that rewards work, not wealth, and puts money in the middle and working’ classes pockets." (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "Get dark money out of politics by requiring disclosures for all large-dollar donations. Crack down on super PACs by overturning the Citizens United Supreme Court decision." (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "In Congress, I will be a voice for fair and free elections, fighting to expand voting rights, make it easier to vote, reduce the influence of big money in our elections, and create an electoral system that serves everyone, not just a few." (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "We cannot fix Congress without fixing our elections. Attacks on voting rights and access to the ballot box have become widespread in recent years. Meanwhile, the flood of money unleashed by the Citizens United Supreme Court decision a decade ago has corrupted our elections and drowned out the voices of ordinary Americans." (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "Illinois’s recently passed landmark criminal justice reform legislation is a definitive step in the right direction, with important provisions on bail reform, sentencing guidelines, and policing, including a ban on chokeholds and body camera mandate for officers. However, we need more action at the federal level" (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "Reform sentencing and bail regulations to be fairer. Stop over-policing minor, non-violent offenses that contribute to mass incarceration while doing nothing to improve community safety. In Congress, I will work toward finding bipartisan solutions to addressing violence in our communities big and small, and will push for smart reforms to our criminal justice system." (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "Target resources toward getting illegal guns off our streets and out of the hands of criminals. Invest in smart, community-based policing techniques that improve trust in our police forces while reducing crime and making us all safer. Address mental health issues that can contribute to violence and crime." (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "My grandfathers served our country in World War II as a member of the Navy and instilled in me a deep respect for all of those who have enlisted in the Armed Forces and put their lives on the line. But while we revere the service of so many young men and women in uniform, too often our government lets them down when they move on from active-duty service or retire. Our veterans deserve better. Quite simply, we cannot ask for such a huge sacrifice from so many of our best and brightest young people if we aren’t willing to fully support and invest in their lives after the military. That means providing world-class health care and rehabilitation services; it means creating continuing education and skills training opportunities; it means providing housing assistance for those in need." (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "Saluting the strength, resilience and sacrifice of military families during #MilitaryFamilyAppreciationMonth. Thank you for providing the unwavering support our brave servicemembers need as they fight to protect our country everyday." (twitter.com)
  • Voted against HR 4365 "Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024" (None)
  • "The #CHIPSandScienceAct was signed 1 year ago today & communities across the country are already benefiting from:💵Good-paying jobs📉Easing Inflation🔬Research & Innovation" (twitter.com)
  • "The Inflation Reduction Act invested nearly $20 billion to drive critical conservation efforts & support our family farmers. Today, I led a letter with @chelliepingree, @RepJimCosta & every member of @HouseAgDems urging committee leadership to keep those funds where they belong." (twitter.com)
  • "#FairHousing means ensuring that everyone, no matter who they are, has access to safe, decent, and affordable housing where they can thrive. 🏠" (twitter.com)
  • "Expand the Housing Choice Voucher program so that more low-income families can access rental assistance and obtain stable long-term housing solutions. Invest in the Housing Trust Fund in order to increase the supply of affordable housing nationwide and in Illinois" (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "In Congress, I will advocate for real solutions to the housing challenges facing low- and middle-income families that have only been made worse by the pandemic." (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "The housing affordability crisis has touched communities big and small across Illinois and across the nation. While the moratorium on evictions and billions of dollars in federal rental assistance aid helped keep countless families in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, it did little to solve the long-standing issues of housing instability and affordability. Today, millions of households continue to pay more than half of their income in rent, and more than ten million households are not caught up on their rent, with people of color disproportionately affected." (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "Inflation Reduction Act 🤝 342,000 IL Seniors saving money on life-saving drugs" (twitter.com)
  • "The Inflation Reduction Act invested nearly $20 billion to drive critical conservation efforts & support our family farmers. Today, I led a letter with @chelliepingree, @RepJimCosta & every member of @HouseAgDems urging committee leadership to keep those funds where they belong." (twitter.com)
  • "Today, I joined my colleagues across the aisle to pass legislation focusing the federal government on reducing costs for consumers. We need to be taking inflation into account in every decision made at the White House and in our federal agencies." (twitter.com)
  • "Find student debt relief solutions, including by limiting interest rates for borrowers and expanding public service loan forgiveness and income-driven repayment plans" (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "🚨 Student loan payments restart on October 1st. More than 40 million Americans will resume student debt payments this October 1st. Make sure you make a plan to resume payments by visiting (StudentAid.Gov)
  • "In Congress, I will be a voice for fair and free elections, fighting to expand voting rights, make it easier to vote, reduce the influence of big money in our elections, and create an electoral system that serves everyone, not just a few." (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "Making It Easier to Vote: Restore and modernize the Voting Rights Act. Improve access to the polls by expanding early voting and mail-in/absentee voting. Enact automatic voter registration" (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "Our politics is broken. Washington has become increasingly polarized, leading to less bipartisanship and more gridlock and inaction. Too many of our political leaders no longer feel beholden to the citizens they are supposed to be representing in Congress, voting instead for special interests and putting party and power before people. Republicans in some states, rather than lose elections, are trying to weaken people’s right to vote and change the rules so they can stay in power even if they lose." (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "From the water we drink to the air we breathe and the parks we recreate in, preserving and protecting our environment is among our most essential tasks to ensuring a high-quality, healthy life—for ourselves, our children, and future generations. At the same time, climate change remains an existential threat to all of us, and to our ability to maintain our way of life. But it is also a challenge that comes with the opportunity to reimagine what our economy, our energy systems, and our environment can and should look like." (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "Here in Illinois, I was part of building a coalition of workers to transition our economy to clean energy. We worked to find solutions to questions about how best to invest in clean energy and what strategies to use to achieve zero carbon emissions. The answers to those questions will shape not just our environment, but our economy for generations to come. As we transition to clean, renewable energy like wind and solar instead of fossil fuels, we need to do so in a way that also creates good-paying, union jobs and doesn’t leave people behind—particularly those who live in communities where environmental injustice has exposed people of color to air pollution and PFAs. Let’s make America a leader in clean energy, creating jobs and reducing our dependence on foreign energy from unstable regimes around the world." (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "Invest in solar, onshore and offshore wind, and other forms of renewable energy to quickly transition the country off of fossil fuels" (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "Provide more funding and resources for clean air and clean water in our communities and strengthen federal air and water protections" (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "Protect public lands from oil drilling and environmental degradation and parks and open spaces from overdevelopment and contamination" (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "I was saddened to learn of the fatal shooting in Champaign this weekend. My thoughts are with the victim, his family, and the community impacted this morning. We must come together to address the epidemic of gun violence in Central Illinois." (twitter.com)
  • "Safe storage. Background checks. Mental Health resources. These are a few common sense measures that would save lives and help #EndGunViolence. During National Gun Violence Awareness Month, I’m focused on finding a path forward to save lives." (twitter.com)
  • "Allow Medicare to negotiate for prescription drug prices so seniors can afford the medications they need. Expand Medicare coverage to include more services, including dental, hearing, and vision. Introduce a public option to keep insurers honest on price hikes. In Congress, I will put people first—not Big Pharma and insurance companies—by working to get more people more affordable health care." (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "I also support strengthening Medicare and making it work for the nearly 2 million Illinois seniors who depend on it for care. We should find ways to expand Medicare coverage to include dental, hearing, and vision; while also pursuing strategies to make overall care more affordable, such as by allowing Medicare to negotiate for prescription drug prices, lowering the costs for the federal government and seniors alike. Additionally, I believe we need to work toward preventative measures more widely to stave off another pandemic." (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "Unfortunately, too many Illinois families still don’t have access to the affordable, high-quality health insurance that my sister’s family depended on for the health of their family. Despite significant gains under the Affordable Care Act, over 800,000 Illinoisians remain uninsured today. That is unacceptable." (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "When I was first starting my business, the ability to easily access health care through the ACA was essential in providing the flexibility and stability I needed to get off the ground, but not everyone is so lucky. We need to make health care both more affordable and more accessible for everyone. That is why I support a public option, so we can move our society forward and ensure that everyone—regardless of where they live or work, or how much they earn—can access the care they need." (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "As we celebrate the new year, we also celebrate insulin prices being CAPPED at $35 a month for seniors on Medicare effective January 1st! Let’s expand that cost savings to every American." (twitter.com)
  • "In Congress, I will fight to cap the cost of insulin at $35 for all, not just Medicare beneficiaries. This is a lifesaving drug that costs very little to produce" (twitter.com)
  • "Prescription drug prices are outrageously high, and working families often bear the brunt of that cost. In Congress, I’ll support common-sense ideas like allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices that will have an impact today. #NikkiforCongress" (twitter.com)
  • "Seniors like Pat Carpenter know that medicare negotiating the cost of prescription drugs is common sense - it’ll make an impact for her and thousands more in Central and Southern Illinois." (twitter.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "Create a pathway to citizenship for DREAMers, farmworkers, and immigrants covered by Temporary Protected Status (TPS)" (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "Protect workers from workplace raids that unfairly target undocumented immigrants while ignoring the problem of employer abuses" (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • "Work toward creating pathway to citizenship for the millions of undocumented immigrants already live here and pay taxes" (nikkiforcongress.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Voted in favor of HR 7520 "Protecting Americans' Data from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7521 "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act" (justfacts.votesmart.org)

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