Representative Darin LaHood claims to advocate for Illinois' farmers, workers and families, but his votes are making life unaffordable across the 16th district. Whether it's a vote for continuing the Iran War and raising your fuel prices or a vote to slash Medicaid and close your hospital, he's taking money out of your pocket.
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Darin LaHood has called Medicaid an “important social safety net.” He also voted for the 2025 law that made major changes to the program, including new work requirements and eligibility rules. Federal estimates project substantially lower Medicaid spending and millions more people without health insurance as a result of the law. LaHood argues the changes protect coverage for vulnerable populations while targeting benefits to those he believes should qualify.
Sources
- https://www.rockfordnewsfirst.com/2025/07/03/trumps-big-beautiful-bill-may-threaten-rural-hospitals-northern-illinois/
- https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/state/2025/07/09/cuts-to-medicaid-could-lead-to-9-illinois-hospitals-closing/84497471007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=false&gca-epti=z113209p001550c001550e008500v113209&gca-ft=88&gca-ds=sophi
LaHood voted for the House Republican FY2018 budget, which proposed roughly $473 billion less in Medicare spending over ten years compared with the existing baseline. That budget resolution did not itself cut an individual senior's Medicare benefits; it established congressional spending priorities and called for changes intended to reduce projected Medicare spending. For voters concerned about Medicare's future, that vote is part of LaHood's record.
LaHood has warned repeatedly about Washington borrowing money and leaving the consequences to future generations. In 2025, he supported the Republican reconciliation legislation that became law and extended tax cuts while changing spending across numerous federal programs. CBO subsequently projected that the legislation would increase federal deficits by trillions of dollars over the following decade. The vote provides a concrete record voters can compare with LaHood's longstanding warnings about federal debt.
The Honoring our PACT Act was designed to expand health care and disability benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances during their military service. When H.R. 3967 came before the House on March 3, 2022, Darin LaHood voted NO. It passed anyway, 256–174, with 34 Republicans joining every voting Democrat in support.
In 2021, LaHood said, “We need infrastructure,” and called federal action “long overdue,” specifically citing its importance to farmers, businesses and residents. When the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act reached the House for final passage, LaHood voted against it.
Darin LaHood has said the conflict involving Iran has “gone on too long.” During 2026, however, he opposed congressional War Powers measures that would have directed the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran. LaHood's votes to continue the war are putting American troops at risk and raising prices.
Darin LaHood has repeatedly cosponsored the Life at Conception Act, legislation extending legal protection from the moment of fertilization. The legislation contains no exception for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest. LaHood has backed versions of the proposal across multiple sessions of Congress.
Darin LaHood has not held an in-person town hall in the 16th District for nearly a decade despite thousands of calls, letters and formal petitions demanding one. He is simply uninterested in hearing disagreement from constituents he purports to represent.
Darin LaHood voted NO on H.J.Res. 72, which would have ended the national emergency Trump used to justify tariffs on many Canadian imports. The emergency was declared in February 2025 and provided the basis for tariffs on many imports outside the USMCA. LaHood voted against ending that emergency declaration.
Darin LaHood voted YES on H.R. 1 in July 2025. Energy-cost analysis cited in the campaign research projects that the legislation could raise Illinois household electricity costs by about $180 per year by 2035. Campaign research also identifies more than $150,000 in contributions from Illinois utility PACs.
Sources
- https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025190
- https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/business/money-report/how-much-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-could-raise-electricity-costs-in-every-u-s-state-over-the-next-10-years/3867538
- https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vzvse7EtRY51HEWxhvNiqDq2AsPuFtCU/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107653072441020945047&rtpof=true&sd=true
Darin LaHood voted NO on H.R. 7688, the Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act. The bill would have prohibited excessive gas prices during an emergency and given the FTC authority to penalize oil companies for price gouging. Campaign research also identifies more than $120,000 in contributions from oil and gas PACs.
Darin LaHood voted NO on the Inflation Reduction Act. The law allows Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices, caps insulin costs at $35 per month for Medicare patients, and requires rebates when drugmakers increase prices faster than inflation. Campaign research also identifies nearly $1 million in contributions from pharmaceutical PACs.
Darin LaHood voted NO on H.R. 1834, a bill to extend Affordable Care Act premium subsidies and help families avoid higher health insurance premiums. Campaign research also identifies more than $350,000 in contributions from health insurance PACs.