U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood said Illinois’ mail-in voting system should proceed without disruption ahead of the midterm election, despite efforts by the Trump administration to impose new restrictions. During a Peoria visit, the Republican also urged President Donald Trump to prioritize affordability, energy costs and inflation over what he called political distractions.
Key takeaways
LaHood’s comments covered election security, federal spending and the economy:
- Illinois mail-in ballots are expected to be sent beginning Sept. 24.
- LaHood supports voter identification and citizenship requirements.
- He criticized blanket tariffs and called for lower energy and health care costs.
- He said data-center projects should be decided transparently by local communities.
- He called the $40 trillion federal debt unsustainable and proposed a bipartisan commission.
Mail-in voting expected to continue normally
LaHood said he does not expect the administration’s efforts to restrict mail-in voting to create major problems in Illinois before the midterms. He said election officials and voters should remain attentive, but he sees no immediate reason for concern.
The congressman supports the SAVE America Act, which would require voters to provide identification and proof of citizenship while also reviewing mail-in ballot procedures. He described those measures as safeguards against potential irregularities.
Illinois officials plan to continue sending mail-in ballots on schedule. LaHood said changes so close to the election could be difficult, making monitoring and election administration especially important.
Lawmakers should avoid another shutdown
LaHood defended his vote for a continuing resolution that funds the federal government through Dec. 11. He said Congress has a responsibility to keep the government operating and argued that another shutdown would be damaging.
He also said lawmakers from both parties share responsibility for the nation’s long-term fiscal problems. With federal debt recently surpassing $40 trillion, LaHood proposed a commission made up of congressional and executive-branch officials to develop deficit-reduction recommendations for Congress to consider.
Affordability remains a priority
LaHood said the administration should concentrate on lowering gas prices, reducing inflation and improving health care affordability. He criticized broad, across-the-board tariffs, saying tariffs can be useful when narrowly targeted but may raise costs when applied across the economy.
He also acknowledged that the conflict involving Iran has increased the cost of energy, fuel and fertilizer. While he said U.S. actions could make the region safer, he argued that the consequences require a negotiated path toward ending the conflict.
Local control for data centers
LaHood said communities, rather than the federal government, should decide whether to approve data-center projects. He called for full disclosure of a facility’s expected water and electricity use, as well as information about its operations.
The congressman said data centers have produced positive results in some parts of his largely rural district but have created problems elsewhere. He added that energy costs associated with such facilities must be addressed alongside broader efforts to lower household expenses and inflation.
