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Congressman Krishnamoorthi speaks on the dangerous impacts President Trump’s federal funding freeze could have on Illinoisans. (Click the image above to watch the full segment on NBC5 Chicago.)
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On Monday night, President Donald Trump announced an unprecedented order unconstitutionally freezing trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans that Congress already approved, creating uncertainty and administrative chaos by cutting off funding for our firefighters, police officers, hospitals, and seniors and raising costs on working families. President Trump’s decision to freeze federal funding was unnecessary, cruel, and irresponsible. While I’m relieved to see that the parts of the executive order have been rescinded, the chaos and uncertainty the Trump administration created with this order will continue as White House officials argue that some of the freezes remain in place. No president has the authority to unilaterally pause federal funding that has already been allocated by Congress. I am committed to working with my colleagues in Congress, as well as with local organizations that depend on federal funding, to ensure all funds are properly allocated as required by law.
My staff and I are continuing to identify the impacts of President Trump’s executive orders on our communities. If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact my office by calling (847) 413-1959, emailing me at [email protected], or sending a message through my website at https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/contact/email.
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Congressman Krishnamoorthi speaks at Del-Kar Drugs on the cost of prescription drugs and how PBMs use their power to push local and independent pharmacies out of the market. (Click the image above to watch the full segment on ABC7 Chicago.)
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On Wednesday, I held a press conference at Del-Kar Drugs, a local pharmacy in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago, calling out pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) for marking up the cost of prescription drugs by as much as 1000 percent while working to drive small and independent pharmacies off the market. More than 2,000 local and independent pharmacies closed in 2024 alone, robbing communities of trusted institutions like Del-Kar Drugs for their medication. As a result of these closures, 73 percent of Illinois counties are now classified as pharmacy deserts, meaning there are no pharmacies within 10 miles.
In theory, PBMs are supposed to navigate the relationship between drug makers, insurance companies, and pharmacies to help keep prices down. In reality, PBMs use their leverage to force drug companies to pay them rebates on medications, padding their own profits while increasing the likelihood that unaffiliated pharmacies can't afford to supply patients with the medications they need. Since rebate amounts are proportional to the costs of prescription drugs, PBMs have created a system that incentivizes drug companies and themselves to drive up the prices of undiscounted prescriptions.
The new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) interim staff report I discussed during my press conference clearly shows that PBMs are raking in enormous profits at the expense of patients and small businesses. The time for PBM reform is long overdue, and Congress should use this report to finally enact change that puts patients first.
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Congressman Krishnamoorthi during a tour of the Chicago Quantum Exchange at the University of Chicago. (Click the image above to watch the ABC7 segment on his visit.)
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On Tuesday, I toured the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE) at the University of Chicago and participated in a roundtable discussion with local, state, and business leaders on how best to build on the future of quantum technology in Illinois. With strategic competitors like the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) racing to catch up with American innovation, federal investments in cutting edge technology like quantum computing is more critical than ever to maintaining our strategic and security edge. But there are also enormous opportunities for economic growth as of right now, only 1 out of every 3 quantum computing jobs is filled, and the industry expects to create 200,000 more.
With our educational and research institutions, Illinois is positioned to lead the country, as well as the world, in groundbreaking research and innovation. Illinois has the opportunity to secure a disproportionate share of the job which may be created, and it’s crucial that we continue fostering partnerships to strengthen our quantum workforce and build a future-focused economy that sets the global standard.
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Congressman Krishnamoorthi meets with former Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon and Southern Illinois University law students following his lecture on public service.
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On Monday, I was honored to participate in the Hiram H. Lesar Distinguished Lecture Series at Southern Illinois University’s Simmons Law School in Carbondale. I firmly believe there is no greater calling than public service, and it was an honor to discuss my background and how it has shaped my approach to policymaking. Advocating for the rights of others—whether in the courtroom or the halls of power—is one of the most meaningful ways to ensure future generations have even greater opportunities to thrive than we did. Meeting so many talented and dedicated students was inspiring, and I am confident the future of our state and its legal system is in talented, dedicated hands.
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The best way to stay up to date on these issues beyond our newsletter is through my social media accounts, which I update multiple times each day. You can follow my Twitter (X) here, my Facebook page here, my Instagram here, and my Threads here. Thank you for staying engaged in our community.
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