During the 2022 redistricting process, the 18th congressional district was eliminated as Illinois lost a seat in the apportionment process. After new district boundaries were adopted, LaHood opted to run in the 16th congressional district.[3]
LaHood was appointed to the Illinois Senate on February 27, 2011, at age 42.[9] He took office on March 1, the day after Dale Risinger retired.[10] When appointed, LaHood announced he would run for election to a full term in 2012, which he won, running unopposed.[9][11]
On July 7, 2015, LaHood defeated Mike Flynn 69%–28%, in the Republican primary for Illinois's 18th congressional district, replacing Aaron Schock. He defeated Democratic nominee Rob Mellon in the September 10 special general election[12] by a large margin.[13] He was sworn in by House Speaker John Boehner on September 17, 2015.[14]
On May 25, 2016, LaHood introduced legislation through the Science, Space, and Technology Committee that approved the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Modernization Act of 2016. The NITRD Program was originally authorized by the High Performance Computing Act of 1991. NITRD is the federal government's primary research portfolio on transformative high-end computing, high-speed networking, high capacity systems software, cybersecurity, and related advanced information technologies.[17]
LaHood drew criticism from constituents for declining to hold an open town hall during the February 2017 recess.[18] Constituents from across the 18th congressional district gathered in Bloomington Normal and Jacksonville to request a town hall to discuss a variety of issues, including access to health care, immigration laws, and freedom of the press.[19][20][21] LaHood spoke to the demonstrators outside the Farm Bureau building in Peoria who had come to push for a town hall, saying: "We live in a democracy. People may not always agree with me and that's why I have to go before voters like I did in November. I was fortunate to receive 72 percent of the vote in that election. But this is part of the process."[22]
During the 116th Congress (2019-2020), LaHood cosponsored the Great American Outdoors Act H.R.1957,[27] establishing the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund for priority deferred maintenance projects on federal lands managed by the National Park Service, the Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Bureau of Indian Education. In FY2021-FY2025, the fund will accrue up to $1.9 billion per year from revenues on federal lands and waters received from oil, gas, coal, or alternative or renewable energy development.
LaHood believes that humans "play a role" regarding climate change and that there is "no doubt about that." Despite this, he has a 0% lifetime rating from the League of Conservation Voters, indicating consistent votes against environmental causes.
Health care
LaHood opposes "able-bodied working men" from accessing Medicaid. He supports full repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Of single-payer healthcare, LaHood has said he would consider a bill if it was "fiscally sound" and benefited his constituents.[29]
Net neutrality
LaHood opposes net neutrality and believes that revoking it has "zero effect" on privacy or data collection.[29]
Economic issues
LaHood supports tax reform, specifically of corporate loopholes. In April 2017, he said he would not vote for a tax cut bill unless it was "revenue neutral" so it would not add to the deficit.[29] In December, LaHood voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which, according to the Congressional Budget Office, will add $1.414 trillion to the national debt.[25][30]
LaHood supports immigration reform, including shortening the time that it takes for people to legally enter the United States. He is "100 percent supportive" of increasing the number of people allowed to immigrate to the U.S.[29]
Cannabis
LaHood has an "F" rating from NORML for his voting history regarding cannabis-related causes.[32] He opposes the legalization of marijuana, even for medicinal purposes. LaHood opposes veterans having access to medical marijuana if recommended by their Veterans Health Administration doctor and if it is legal for medicinal purposes in their state of residence. He believes the legalization of medical marijuana increases its illegal use and abuse by teenagers and that it is addictive.[33]
On January 6, 2021, a mob of Trump supporters entered the U.S. Capitol Building while Congress was debating the Electoral College certification. LaHood and his staff were among those kept under police lockdown for over four hours. That evening, LaHood voted to certify Biden as the 46th President-elect.[38]
Electoral history
Peoria County, Illinois State's Attorney General Election, 2008[39]