By Crystal Reed
Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski is a native of downstate Illinois and U.S. Representative for Illinois’ 13th Congressional District.
After graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Budzinski joined the labor movement where she fought to get firefighters, grocery workers and meatpackers better wages, benefits and workplace safety protections, she said.
She worked for the governor of Illinois, where she led negotiations to raise Illinois’ minimum wage to $15 an hour and chaired the Broadband Advisory Board to expand internet access to rural communities. She also worked at the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, where she helped implement the American Rescue Plan and establish the Made in America Office.
Budzinski joined the U.S. Congress in 2023. She serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. She serves as a vice-chair of the Congressional Labor Caucus. She’s also a member of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition where she founded the Climate Jobs Task Force.
Budzinski has been ranked as one of the most bipartisan members of the House of Representatives by the Common Ground Committee for her work across the party aisle.
IFT: You serve on the House Committee on Agriculture. What are some of the issues that the committee is looking at and how do you hope to solve or help with those issues?
BUDZINSKI: We’re now in our second farm bill extension. Normally, it gets reauthorized every five years, but no new bill was passed in 2023 when it was supposed to be or in 2024 during the first extension period.
We can’t keep kicking the can down the road. Our farmers need a strong safety net, more investment in ag research to protect our national security, and policies that support the future of American agriculture. The Agriculture Committee has always been one of the most bipartisan in Congress, and I’m ready to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this done. It’s time to pass a bipartisan bill that will ensure our farmers have what they need for success.
IFT: Why did you want to be a part of the House Committee on Agriculture? Do you come from an agricultural background?
BUDZINSKI: I wanted to join the committee because my district has some of our nation’s most productive farmland. In fact, I have nearly 3,000 family farms in my district. These farms are the backbone of our state’s economy and our rural communities. I wanted to ensure family farmers in central and southern Illinois finally had a seat at the table in Washington. It’s critical that their voice is heard.
IFT: What are some of the main concerns of your constituents?
BUDZINSKI: In Congress, my priority is revitalizing rural America by championing policies that support our farmers, strengthen our agricultural economy and promote sustainability. I’m committed to expanding biofuel initiatives, protecting essential farm safety nets like crop insurance and ensuring young and beginning farmers have the resources they need to thrive.
Additionally, I advocate for maintaining critical nutrition programs and investing in key conservation efforts. Just this month, I reintroduced legislation to secure the year-round sale of E15, reinforcing our commitment to cleaner energy and rural prosperity.
IFT: When it comes to the farm bill, what are some of the parts your constituents are wanting you to advocate for or add?
BUDZINSKI: Last Congress, while working on the proposed House Farm Bill, my top priorities included expanding loan access for new and beginning farmers, increasing research funding through my America Grows Act, and authorizing USDA grants to support competitive biomanufacturing. These investments are critical to strengthening our agricultural future.
Additionally, I pushed for a farm bill that serves all regions and commodities fairly. I had serious concerns about how some proposed investments disproportionately favored certain commodities over others — especially those not grown in Illinois. Moving forward, I remain committed to advocating for policies that support our corn and soybean farmers, ensuring they get the resources they need to succeed.
