Earlier this week, the USS Abraham Lincoln returned to San Diego after an extraordinary 286 days at sea, one of the longest carrier deployments since the Vietnam War. To every service member returning home, and to the families who never stopped watching the calendar: welcome home, and thank you.

ICYMI: The Milburn family of Springfield just got life-changing news. Their daughter Lottie, who has Sanfilippo syndrome type A, is approved to receive Fayuvi — the first-ever FDA-approved treatment for this disease. My office was proud to advocate alongside this family.

Everyone deserves access to the care and resources they need to thrive, and that means continuing to fight for mental health services that are affordable, accessible, and available to all.

On World Mental Health Day, we recommit to building communities where asking for help is met with compassion and support, not judgment.

We need a government that puts regular people first, holds powerful interests accountable, and protects our democracy. I’m grateful for this recognition and will keep working to ensure our democracy works for everyone

I’m proud to have earned an A from Defend The Vote Action Fund for my record of fighting corruption, protecting voting rights, and standing up for the voice and vote of Illinoisans. The costs of corruption are real—from higher prices to access to health care to public safety.

Consumer prices are up 3.5% over the past year. Food at the grocery store is up 2.7%. Everyday items families rely on — are seeing the sharpest price increases, driven directly by tariff costs being passed on to consumers.

The U.S. trade deficit hit $105.6 billion in August — the highest level in 17 months.This administration promised that tariffs would fix this — but it’s only made it worse. We deserve a real strategy to stop the squeeze on families in Central and Southern Illinois.

5.2 million Americans have lost SNAP benefits since the Big Ugly Law passed. SNAP enrollment is at its lowest level since 2019, and some states are considering leaving the program entirely because they can't afford the new cost Congressional Republicans are shifting onto them.

Last year, I led 30 House members demanding answers from Dollar General and Family Dollar about overcharging customers at the register and it's happening at a time when families are already stretched thin. You shouldn't have to fact-check every receipt.

Happy World Teachers' Day to the educators across Central and Southern Illinois who show up every single day for their students. Teaching is one of the most important jobs there is — and it deserves to be treated that way. Thank you. 🍎

This week is Mental Illness Awareness Week. I'll keep fighting to expand access to mental health care, reduce barriers to treatment, and make sure our communities have the resources they need. And to anyone who's struggling right now: you are not alone, and help is available.

Every day, we lose an estimated 22 veterans to suicide. That is not a statistic we can accept. If you or a veteran you know is struggling, call or text 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line.

Diesel prices hit $6.51 a gallon last week. Illinois farmers are already absorbing higher fuel costs, higher input costs, and a trade war that's closed off export markets. This administration has had every tool available to help and keeps choosing not to use them. That's unacceptable.

I had a great conversation on Agri-Pulse Newsmakers about two things that are weighing heavily on Illinois farmers right now: the Farm Bill extension has expired, and the cost of farming has risen dramatically since the last Farm Bill was signed in 2018.

No working family in Illinois should have to choose between groceries and the bills. Yesterday, SNAP cuts from the Big Ugly Law are in effect. Five million Americans — including more than a million children — have already lost benefits.