Congressman Darin LaHood, born and raised in Peoria, serves the constituents of the 18th District of Illinois. Sworn into the US House of Representatives on September 17, 2015, LaHood quickly transitioned into office after his special election win on September 10. He won re-election to serve his third full-term in Congress on November 3, 2020, defeating his opponent with 70-percent of the vote.
The 18th District spans 19 counties across central and west-central Illinois, ranging from McLean County (Bloomington-Normal) to Adams County (Quincy). LaHood serves close to 710,000 constituents.
Illinois has been in a jobs depression for almost two decades, according to data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. Illinois is home to the hardest workers I know—and I want to get the private sector working again so business can grow and hire more employees.
Our state and our nation needs a jobs revival, but the employment landscape won’t change if crippling policies do not. Washington continues to approach economic problems with the same failing answer: throw taxpayer dollars at ineffective programs. I believe it is the government’s responsibility to create an atmosphere where businesses can thrive. To get there, we need to cut overreaching regulations, eliminate burdensome mandates, and reform and simplify the tax code by closing loopholes and cutting rates. The government needs to step out of the way and let the American people drive innovation, open small businesses and expand existing businesses. That's the best way to grow the economy and create jobs. American history is testimony to that truth.
Federal spending is out of control. The national debt has doubled over the last 10 years, from $10.6 trillion to $21 trillion. Paying interest on our debt alone will consume more and more of our annual budget until we get our spending in check, let alone the power it gives to the countries that own our debt. Our debt crisis is not due to the fact that Americans are taxed too little, it is due to the fact that Washington spends too much. We have to work to slash wasteful spending and consolidate or eliminate duplicative or unnecessary programs that are riddled with waste, fraud, and abuse. As a father of three, I do not want to leave the burden of our tremendous national debt on future generations.
The 18th district is the 10th largest agriculture district in the nation. According to USDA, current Illinois agri-food exports support 60,600 jobs and are worth $8 billion. In addition, at least 20% of Illinois farmer income is attributable to agricultural exports.
In Central Illinois, our farmers work tirelessly to provide for our families in Illinois as well as our country and nations abroad. From raising livestock to growing crops such as soybeans and corn, they contribute to the lifeblood of our state and our economy.
To fully support the agriculture community, we must maintain effective programs that allow our farmers to remain globally competitive, we must reduce regulations, and we must expand opportunities for trade.
A strong national defense is crucial to a safe, free, and flourishing America. “Providing for the common defense” is one of the most important roles of our federal government. As a former Assistant U.S. Attorney and Chief Terrorism Prosecutor, I understand the grave national security threats our country faces.
We live in an age when our enemies transcend nation states—and the threat of terrorist attacks persists. Groups like ISIS continue to commit crimes against humanity and genocide. The United States must respond with a proactive strategy to defeat ISIS and keep America safe from terrorists.
I believe we must maintain a trained and ready force structure, provide our troops with the tools and resources they need to be successful, and ensure that military families are recognized for their service to our country. I am committed to making our national defense, active duty service men and women, and veterans a priority.
Transportation is the backbone of our economy. It moves people to their jobs, children to school, produce and livestock from farms to sale, products to retail, and even information to consumers. A reliable, efficient, and safe transportation network is vital for families as well as commerce. I believe it is imperative that the federal government provide local and state governments with the flexibility required to best meet the needs of very diverse states across our nation as well as long term certainty when it comes to funding so they can plan and deliver projects. I am committed to fighting for transparency, local control, and streamlined processes so projects can get done in a timely fashion while maintaining safety standards. Whether roads, bridges, railways, transit, ports, airways, or locks and dams on the Illinois and Mississippi rivers—improving new and existing infrastructure is vital for economic growth and job creation.
The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is formally accepting Member Designated Project requests from House Members for possible inclusion in this year’s surface transportation authorization legislation. Congressman Darin LaHood has recommended to the Committee that certain projects in Illinois 18th Congressional District be considered to receive funding through the Member Designated Project process. You can view this information here.
Manufacturing is critical to job growth, to economic mobility and prosperity for families, and to the vitality of our state and nation’s economy as a whole. Manufacturing in Illinois accounts for 14.05 percent of the total output of the state, and employs almost 10% of our workforce. Manufacturing goods exports reached $61.64 billion in 2014.
Each manufacturing job creates 3 more jobs in other sectors. 26.90 percent of manufacturing employment stemmed from exports in 2011. Small businesses comprised 90.00 percent of all exporters in Illinois.
In order to have a competitive manufacturing industry in America, government must create the terrain for the industry to thrive. Illinois must reform our workers compensation system, and I look forward to working with state legislators to do that. We need tax reform to encourage manufacturers to build domestically. There must be workforce development to fill the skill gap in order to ensure that individuals are trained to fill open manufacturing jobs. In addition, there should be a reduction in burdensome regulations that make it difficult for small businesses to survive.
We can never fully repay our veterans and their families for their incredible sacrifice. However, we can and should ensure that those who put their life on the line for our country receive the care they deserve. It is unacceptable to allow our VA facilities to provide negligent and insufficient services for our retired heroes—years of back log, sub-par care, and lethargic response rates have unfortunately characterized the treatment of our veterans throughout the United States in recent years, not to mention the fraud and abuse that was discovered in VA facilities. While progress is being made to address this issue, more work is still to be done.
In Congress, I will fight for reforms that bring transparency, accountability, and efficiency to the VA. I have established a Veterans Advisory Board, a district-wide public and private coalition that will identify, collaborate, and promote available resources and services, thus creating efficient access and delivery of these programs to the SMVFs (Service Members, Veterans, and their Families) of the 18th Congressional District. Our veterans should receive top quality treatment from the country they sacrificed everything to defend.
The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Armed Services is formally accepting Community Project Funding requests from House Members for possible inclusion in FY22 National Defense Authorization Act legislation. Each Member of Congress is allowed 10 total project submissions. Learn more about Congressman LaHood's requests here.
Families, individual patients, and their doctor should make health care decisions, not Washington bureaucrats. Health is a deeply personal and important matter—far too important to trust the federal government to run it. I support common-sense reforms that restore individual choice and control over healthcare plans.
The greatest challenge to our healthcare system is the ever-growing cost of care. Unfortunately, Obamacare did little to fix this problem. It raised taxes, added regulations, hindered job creation, and reduced patient choice.
To address the roadblocks to access affordable healthcare that existed prior to the enactment of Obamacare, we need a competitive health insurance marketplace and a patient centered healthcare system. In Congress, my priority is to repeal the damaging components of Obamacare and work towards a patient—centered efficient and effective health care system. In addition, we need to ensure adequate care for our seniors.
I support tax reforms and other economic growth mechanisms to help ensure that individuals can have jobs and the ability to afford the insurance and health care plans that best serve their unique needs. I support continued care for seniors and society’s most vulnerable and reforming America’s healthcare reality, which includes repealing the harmful policies put in place under the overreaching Obamacare system.
The United States has always been a country that welcomes those who legally come to the United States in search of freedom, democracy and opportunities to pursue the American Dream.
However, the American rule of law must be respected, especially among those who hope to live here. We need to secure our southern border and enforce our immigration laws. As a state and federal prosecutor for over a decade, I have prosecuted immigration violations, and sent violators back to their country of origin.
An integral part of America is our commitment to the safety of our citizens and opportunities for our country to flourish. In a day and age where we fight enemies that transcend the borders of nation-states, America and our government must focus on how we welcome newcomers so that we protect our country from those who seek to destroy it.
America has always been the shining “city on a hill.” While preserving the ability of those hoping to thrive within its borders to come to America and seek refuge and opportunity should be a priority, we must always balance this interest with our national safety and security in mind.
Education is paramount to the well-being of America. Few issues have as great an impact on our future generations as access to education—it contributes to our economy’s success in the global marketplace, provides the foundation for the next generation, and instills the values of our society into the minds of our children. In order to have a strong education policy, we must have a competitive and diverse K-12 education system with meaningful options to meet the needs of a diverse population of students and families. I support giving families the freedom to choose the very best education for their children, with access to education including public and private schools, charter schools and homeschools. Every student should have a shot at success, and I will work to protect these opportunities for our families and students.
It is unmistakable that higher education needs reform in America. With the price tag for a college degree continuing to climb, youth are saddled with staggering debt at the outset of their life. Ensuring that students and parents have the resources and flexibility they need to make smart choices about their education based on each individual's unique financial situation is critical. In our rapidly changing world, it is critical that we restore fiscal stability in Washington to ensure that our tremendous debt will not be left to future generations. We must reform the tax code and implement policies that spur our economy to ensure that young Americans continue to have access to a high quality education and high paying jobs.
I strongly support the Second Amendment and in Congress I will fight to defend the hunters, sportsmen, and firearm owners of Central and West Central Illinois. Our constitution is explicit—law abiding citizens have a right to keep and bear arms. In fact, I am an Illinois Firearm Owner Identification (FOID) card owner myself.
While I support efforts to enforce our current laws and reduce violent crime of any sort, we must isolate and address the root causes – such as ensuring adequate mental health care for those who need it most.
As a strong practicing Catholic and father of three boys with my wife, I am proud and honored to be pro-life. Our government exists in order to preserve “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” I firmly believe that we must stand up and protect the sanctity of life from the moment of conception on. I will continue to serve as a proud and active advocate in Congress for protecting life and preserving the rights of the unborn.
Trade is of paramount importance to the economy of the 18th Congressional district. Free trade strengthens our economy by expanding investment opportunities, opening new markets to domestic industries, and creating jobs.
Since 1950, international trade has grown to account for over a quarter of economic growth. Today, trade supports more than 38 million American jobs across the United States, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. 1,700,000 jobs are dependent on trade in Illinois, according to Trade Benefits America. While 4% of U.S. exports come from large companies, small businesses are responsible for the remaining 96%.
International trade is essential to the health of major industries in Central Illinois, such as manufacturing and agriculture. Central Illinois is home to terrific companies – Caterpillar, John Deere, ADM, and many other medium and small companies who rely on robust global trade to remain competitive. One in three manufacturing jobs depends on exports and one in three acres on American farms is planted for export purposes. U.S. agriculture is 2.5 times more reliant on trade than the overall economy.
In order to continue to facilitate trade that benefits American workers, I believe it is essential to strengthen dialogue with our trade partners, to have clear agreements, and enforceable free and fair trade laws.
Illinois has been in a jobs depression for almost two decades, according to data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. Illinois is home to the hardest workers I know—and I want to get the private sector working again so business can grow and hire more employees.
Federal spending is out of control. President Obama is on track to nearly double the national debt, from $10.6 trillion to a projected $20 trillion debt by the time he leaves office. Paying interest on our debt alone will consume more and more of our annual budget until we get our spending in check, let alone the power it gives to the countries that own our debt.
To fully support the agriculture community, we must maintain effective programs that allow our farmers to remain globally competitive, we must reduce regulations, and we must expand opportunities for trade.
A strong national defense is crucial to a safe, free, and flourishing America. "Providing for the common defense" is one of the most important roles of our federal government. As a former Assistant U.S. Attorney and Chief Terrorism Prosecutor, I understand the grave national security threats our country faces.
Transportation is the backbone of our economy. It moves people to their jobs, children to school, produce and livestock from farms to sale, products to retail, and even information to consumers. A reliable, efficient, and safe transportation network is vital for families as well as commerce.
We can never fully repay our veterans and their families for their incredible sacrifice. However, we can and should ensure that those who put their life on the line for our country receive the care they deserve.
Families, individual patients, and their doctor should make health care decisions, not Washington bureaucrats. Health is a deeply personal and important matter—far too important to trust the federal government to run it. I support common sense reforms that restore individual choice and control over healthcare plans.