The Dispute Index

Nikki Budzinski

Portrait of Nikki Budzinski
U.S. House of RepresentativesSourcePublic domain (U.S. federal government)Original image retained.

Democratic U.S. Representative for Illinois's 13th congressional district since 2023. She worked for labor unions for most of her career and was chief of staff to the director of the Office of Management and Budget in 2021.

Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Illinois's 13th Congressional District (2026)
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What we have documented

We have documented 3 statements by Nikki Budzinski, in 2 cases. Each statement below gives the quotation, its original source and a link to the full case.

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Statements by Nikki Budzinski

Portrait of Nikki Budzinski

Nikki Budzinski

Role at the time: U.S. Representative, Illinois 13th district

Condemned

Statement summary

Nikki Budzinski voted Yea on H.Con.Res. 93, the House resolution directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.

“On Agreeing to the Resolution: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.”
Read the official statement (opens in a new tab)U.S. House Roll Call Vote 307: H.Con.Res. 93, Iran War Powers Resolution (agreed to, 220-204)
Why we used this label

A yea vote supported directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran, opposing continued U.S. involvement in the war without congressional authorization.

Read statementFull case: Do they support the war in Iran?
Portrait of Nikki Budzinski

Nikki Budzinski

Role at the time: U.S. Representative for Illinois at the statement date.

Condemned

Statement summary

Budzinski opposes further military action and urges diplomacy, saying the briefing did not establish a clear justification for risking troops.

“That’s why I voted to reassert Congress’s authority and make it clear — no more military action in Iran.”
Read the official statement (opens in a new tab)Budzinski calls for no more military action in IranComplete original statement; date-only timestamp represented at noon UTC
Why we used this label

Relative to U.S. military involvement in the 2026 Iran war, Budzinski opposes further military action and urges diplomacy, saying the briefing did not establish a clear justification for risking troops.

Read statementFull case: Do they support the war in Iran?
Portrait of Nikki Budzinski

Nikki Budzinski

Role at the time: U.S. representative from Illinois and member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, at a committee hearing with Secretary Collins

Condemned

Statement summary

At a May 2025 committee hearing, Budzinski tells Secretary Collins that collective bargaining helps VA employees and veterans, and that by endorsing the executive order stripping VA employees of their labor rights he devalues their work.

“Almost four in five VA employees are members of unions and collective bargaining rights give them a process to address their concerns in the workplace and ensure sound working conditions. I believe this helps both the employee and the veteran being served. Mr. Secretary, when you endorse President Trump's executive order stripping VA employees of their labor rights, I believe you devalue their work.”
Read the original text (opens in a new tab)Official record of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing on the VA budget request for fiscal years 2026 and 2027Serial No. 119-21; remarks of Rep. Nikki Budzinski
Why we used this label

The reference point is the Department of Veterans Affairs' exclusion from collective bargaining under Executive Order 14251, its termination of most of its union contracts on August 6, 2025, and its later treatment of the AFGE master agreement as expired in October 2026. Speaking months before the terminations, Budzinski says that endorsing the order's removal of VA employees' labor rights devalues their work, which condemns the exclusion.

Read statementFull case: VA ends most union contracts, then treats AFGE's as expired; Collins cites veterans' care and unions call it retaliation

A participant is a subject of the case. A speaker has a statement documented in it. A commentator has an opinion or editorial documented in it.

Case

Do they support the war in Iran?

Relationship to this case: Speaker

An issue tracker recording where members of Congress and 2026 midterm candidates stand on the unauthorized Iran war, based on their votes on war-powers resolutions, campaign statements, and public remarks.

Iran WarU.S. PoliticsUpdated

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