Showing up with action

I started the week with a sit-down with Mayor Ken Johnson in Muskegon and two local students to talk about the most important issues facing young people. It was truly heartbreaking to hear them talk about violence in their schools and communities as a number one area of concern. I’m all action when it comes to eradicating gun violence in our communities. Even as we face setbacks like this week’s Supreme Court decision reversing the bump stock ban. I’ll never stop working for a safer community for us all.

I also joined WWSJ community voices for a conversation with Reverend Tarence Lauchie about my faith, being the first woman and mother to represent our community in Congress, and my work for you in Washington. At a time when Christian nationalism is on the rise, it’s so important to me to make myself available to the community to answer questions and be transparent about my work.

Our BIG news this week was our announcement regarding a $500K planning grant coming to Muskegon Heights to help redevelop the Main Street. The vibrant community in Muskegon Heights has been paying their taxes for YEARS, but has not received its fair share of those federal dollars coming back home. I’m working to change that. There’s so much opportunity and potential in this beautiful Lakeshore community. We’re also fighting for additional federal resources to implement this plan once the development stage is complete.

Legislative Work

The BIG BILL on the floor was the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) — a yearly renewal of our defense priorities. While we can typically count on the NDAA as a reliably pragmatic bill, this is the second year in a row that Republicans have taken a very good, patriotic bill that passed unanimously out of committee and blew it up with an extremist social agenda. Our troops deserve so much better. Read my full statement here.

I also joined a letter led by Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI) to Secretary Jennifer Granholm regarding BorgWarner’s intention to invest more than $120 million to convert two 50-year-old internal combustion engine (ICE)-focused manufacturing plants to the production of new electric vehicle thermal management technologies. This would bring jobs back to Michigan, and I’m glad to work with my Michigan colleagues to support these efforts.

Committee Work

We had a T&I hearing this week on the US Coast Guard budget. I checked in on the use of nearly 20 million dollars allocated for a new Great Lakes Ice Breaker (GLIB). It’s essential — for the economy and national security — that we have the resources at the ready to keep our marine superhighways open and accessible year-round. Watch here.

Unfortunately, instead of further follow-up on the lack of progress in the GLIB program, I also had to ask critical questions about the safety of our service members following yet another story revealing coverups of sexual assault and mishandling of those cases at the Coast Guard, first revealed in an investigation called operation fouled anchor. The safety and security of our service members is essential for our mission-readiness. I’m always here to get answers and ask tough questions for our Coasties. Watch here.

Constituent Corner

Some of the most important legislative work that I do is meeting with constituents when they come to Washington to talk to me about their issues and how they want me to respond here in Washington. 

I had a number of constituent meetings this week (check out our social media for a full rundown of who came to town), but the most impactful was the Manni family. The Manni family’s 5-year-old son, Locklynd was diagnosed at just 2 months old with Type 1 Spinal Muscular Atrophy. It’s a rare and devastating disease that affects motor nerve cells in the spinal cord and inhibits muscle development. But thanks to early detection and intervention, Locklynd is thriving — and, I might add — funny and smart as a whip. 

Locklynd is getting world-class care at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital back home, but came to Washington to talk to me about the need to continue to advocate for funding for research, and to continue to make the medicine he receives affordable and accessible for all. Locklynd — I heard you loud and clear, buddy! I’m on it!

The Week in Preview

We’ve got a great week ahead in the district and I can’t wait to connect with you as we celebrate the Juneteenth holiday and visit some incredible Black-owned businesses across the district.

Just for Fun

This week was the Congressional Baseball game for charity—Republicans v. Democrats. Here’s what I have to say about our dear Democrats’ performance—God gave us our abilities above the neck! We lost to the Republicans 31-11. That’s correct (in a baseball game). Better luck next year, team! We raised over 2 million for various local charities, including the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington.

ICYMI

• More on the federal dollars coming to reinvigorate Muskegon Heights here!
• The Kent County Health Department put out its new Community Health Needs Assessment – housing is the top need among our neighbors. Check out more on this report here.
• Check out what’s next for Chinook Pier in Grand Haven – proposals for what’s to come here!

I’ll be getting a little break to celebrate two amazing dads in my life this weekend—my own dad, whose wisdom, faith, and HUMOR are a gift to all who know him. 

And, my dear Jesse, the incredible dad to our boys. This challenging, chaotic, and sometimes stressful political life would not be possible without his steady, calm, and helpful partnership. Our boys are so lucky to have him as their role model into their teen years. Love that guy!

Happy Father’s Day to all the awesome dads of MI-03!

HJS