Sangamon Sun

Rep. Nikki Budzinski, a member of the U.S. Congress representing Illinois' 13th district since 2023, has voiced her concerns over recent developments affecting public health and community welfare through a series of tweets. These statements address various issues ranging from reproductive healthcare to environmental health impacts in specific counties.

On January 22, 2025, Rep. Budzinski commented on the removal of a government website by the Trump administration that contained critical information about prenatal care, cancer screenings, birth control, and other reproductive health services. She expressed concern that "The Trump administration just took down a government website with information about prenatal care, cancer screenings, birth control and other reproductive health care. Making it more difficult to access these services puts lives at risk."

The following day, January 23, 2025, she addressed long-standing health issues faced by residents in St. Clair and Madison County due to uranium production at Dow Chemical Company facilities. She advocated for reauthorizing RECA (Radiation Exposure Compensation Act) and expanding its eligibility criteria: "For decades, folks in St. Clair and Madison County have faced serious health problems because of uranium production at the Dow Chemical Company. It's time to reauthorize RECA and expand eligibility to ensure these communities have the federal assistance they need and deserve."

Later that day on January 23rd, Rep. Budzinski also expressed her concern over the closure of Planned Parenthood facilities which provide essential healthcare services beyond abortion care: "I’m deeply concerned about the impact this closure will have on my constituents. Planned Parenthood provides essential healthcare—far beyond abortion care—to countless women. We must ensure they have the resources to continue supporting women during these uncertain times."