Budzinski, Nikki

Nikki Budzinski represents Illinois's 13th congressional district and serves as ranking member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Technology Modernization Subcommittee. As ranking member of the minority party, she leads Democratic opposition and priorities within this subcommittee, which oversees the Department of Veterans Affairs' information technology infrastructure and modernization efforts. This position gives her significant influence over how the VA develops and implements digital systems that serve millions of veterans.

Budzinski brings substantial experience in labor advocacy and government operations to her committee work. She spent most of her career as a trade unionist, holding leadership roles at major unions including the Laborers' International Union of North America, the International Association of Fire Fighters, and the United Food and Commercial Workers, where she served as national political director. Before her 2022 election to Congress, she worked in the Biden administration as chief of staff to the director of the Office of Management and Budget, where she helped establish the OMB's Made in America division. She also served as senior advisor to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and chaired the state's Broadband Advisory Council, giving her direct experience with technology access and modernization initiatives.

Since entering Congress in 2023, Budzinski has focused on veterans' issues and agricultural policy. She has sponsored legislation including the Veteran DATA Act and the SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act of 2025, demonstrating commitment to improving veterans' services and data transparency. Her committee assignments span agriculture and veterans' affairs, reflecting her district's needs and her background in both labor advocacy and government modernization. As ranking member, she shapes the subcommittee's oversight agenda and legislative priorities regarding VA technology systems.