By Liz Crampton and Danny Nguyen
STEEL DISTRICTS: Illinois Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski has joined other House colleagues from steel-producing districts in a letter to President Donald Trump, saying they are willing to work with him to secure investments in domestic manufacturing and steelmaking.
They also supported the tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, which they say helps “counter the influence of bad actors in the global market, incentivize the use of American-made materials and promote fair trade.” Still, they underscored concerns with these tariffs on Canada and other close trading partners.
The tariffs have drawn scrutiny from economists who say they will squeeze the wallets of Americans.
Subtle message: “While your administration should be applauded for wanting to pursue policies to protect domestic steelmaking,” their letter reads, “it is confusing that the United States would target one of our closest trade partners, Canada, with whom we have balanced trade in manufactured goods and with whom trade boosts economic growth on both sides of our northern border. United States-Canada trade stands in sharp contrast to, say, United States trade with China.”
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— Trump defends his education overhaul with a shield of GOP governors — and kids, by POLITICO’s Megan Messerly and Juan Perez Jr.
Here are some early Illinois reactions:
Gov. JB Pritzker blasted the decision, saying, “Eliminating the Department of Education will likely have harsh and immediate impacts on Illinois’ students. It will harm students and their families in rural communities who rely on federal funding to keep their schools open. It will remove supports students with disabilities and special needs rely upon. And low-income students who depend on Pell Grants to earn their college degrees will be forced to drop out.”
Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, a Democrat, called Trump’s move “a blatant overreach of executive authority.”
Congresswoman Mary Miller, a Republican, applauded the administration’s cuts, saying, “Now, our country has the opportunity to expand educational freedom, increase opportunities for families and unlock our full potential.”
