Congress - 13th District Candidate

Questions & Answers

What is the importance of the US Congress to your constituents in Champaign County?

In Champaign county, the federal government plays many important roles in regards to food assistance, education, health care and communication, to name a few.

• 8.7% of households in Champaign receive SNAP funding (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) This is a federally funded program to provide food to those in need and is part of the Farm Bill. Our Congressional representative should be fighting to support SNAP and keep food on the tables of families who need this kind of support.
• 37.9% of those employed are employed in educational services and health care and social assistance.
• Education: Federal support, federally backed loans and the role Congress plays in the federal tax structure are particularly relevant in a town built around a land grant institution, such as Champaign-Urbana. We saw justifiable outrage from students and faculty at UIUC during the recent tax bill debate when Rodney Davis voted for a bill that would have disallowed individuals from writing off student loan interest, imposed a “graduate student tax” and gotten rid of tuition waivers for employees of public universities.
• Health care: Over 39,000 individuals in Champaign County receive Medicaid and over 19,000 of those are children. Over 29,000 individuals receive Medicare. Federal funding plays a key role in ensuring this vulnerable population has access to quality medical care.

Why are you qualified to be in the US Congress?

I have a lifetime of work, right here in the 13th district, that demonstrates my pride in central Illinois and commitment to our issues. Whether it’s advocating for local children’s hospitals or co-founding a group dedicated to electing more women to public office--I put words into action. This commitment is reflected in my fundraising, with over 80% of funds raised have been donated by Illinoisans and over 60% of contributions are in the form of donations $100 or less.

I am qualified to represent the 13th district in Congress because I’m a proud, deeply rooted lifelong resident, student, voter, taxpayer, daughter, wife, mother, self-employed entrepreneur and devoted community member of the 13th District.

My whole life is wrapped up in the people from our communities and district. There is no candidate who will fight harder to make sure our voices are represented in Washington D.C..

What is a key policy difference between you and your Primary Opponent[s]?

There are many policy differences. As I’ve traveled over 23,000 miles around the 13th District since July 5th, I’ve heard so many time from voters how much they appreciate that I talk about specific policy ideas instead of speaking in platitudes.

• Education: I will promote policies that advocate for partnerships between high schools and trade unions to encourage movement toward apprenticeships and trade jobs; and encourage two-year and four-year colleges to expand income share agreement programs so students pay for tuition costs through jobs secured post-college.
• Infrastructure: In addition to modernizing roads and bridges--we need to upgrade the electrical grid, the waterways, broadband connection and underground water pipes because this will bring jobs home to our district, boost our local economies, connect our communities, and improve our water and land.
• Small business: I will promote a tax code that helps small businesses with cash-flow by simplifying the tax code and lowering rates as well as promoting expansion of broadband connection so entrepreneurs in rural communities can compete effectively.
• Healthcare: I believe healthcare is a right, not a privilege. As we move towards universal coverage and care, I believe we have to stabilize the ACA so people don’t lose the protections that we have in place. We also need to address the unnecessarily high prescription drug prices by allowing Medicare to negotiate them down.
• Gun Violence: I am against the newly passed, Davis co-sponsored federal law regarding concealed-carry as it lowers Illinois standards. In addition to promoting universal background checks, I will push for policies that address gun violence in our communities as a public health issue.The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is currently not permitted, by law, to conduct these studies, but they are and will be absolutely necessary to analyze data, identify root causes and determine actionable steps if we are to see actual change in gun violence.

Is there anything else you would like to say to an undecided voter in Champaign County?

In response to a President and administration who regularly launch attacks on women, minority communities, immigrants, LGBTQ, Obamacare, workers’ rights and the middle-class, voters in the 13th District stand ready to work for change. We deserve a member of Congress who will stand against the divisive rhetoric coming from President Trump, not defend and enable his inexcusable behavior like our current representative.We deserve a representative who has a history of commitment to our district and will advocate for all of us with pride and passion.

In emails, I typically sign off with, “We’re all in the this together” because that’s what I truly believe. Let’s do this together. Let’s make change happen.

Betsy Londrigan has signed the CUI Constituent Communication Pledge

Find out more about the CUI Constituent Communication Pledge: here.