Representative Hillary Scholten

Good luck to West Michigan's 2024 Olympians!

Dear Neighbor –

USA! USA! USA! Did you watch the opening ceremonies on Friday? I love the modern technology that allowed me and my family to put it on hold until we were all together later in the evening to watch it together. We were all SO PROUD to see Team USA come rolling down the Seine in their big, crowded boat full of our beautiful array of athletes. A special shout out to West Michigan’s own Devin Booker (Grandville High School, USA Basketball) and Aaron Cummings (Grand Haven High School, USA Rugby). Let’s go win!

The Week in Review

I was in Washington, DC this past week for a very uneventful week. I can’t tell you how much I wish I had better, more optimistic news about the work we did in Washington, but the reality is that the Republican Majority just cannot get organized as a conference even to bring the most basic bills to the floor.

Votes on the Floor

We literally passed a law last year to tell us that we must continue to fund the government at 2023 levels and that we can’t introduce radical policy riders in our funding bills. So that the American people can enjoy predictability and dependability in our funding levels. And yet, time and time again, Republicans bring these illegal funding bills knowing full well they will not pass, in order to send a message to their base. That’s not what we’re here to do. We’re here to legislate. After failing to get a rule on one of their funding bills – and pulling it – they put a different bill up which is destined for failure in the Senate.

House Republicans continued their grandstanding by keeping us in Washington, DC for a full extra day simply to vote on an empty resolution to condemn Vice President Kamala Harris as a failed “Border Czar.” I have seen some things in my time in Congress, but this kind of brazen politicking from the People’s House was a new low.

We have a very serious problem at our Southern Border, one that needs serious legislative solutions. I’m a proud cosponsor of a bipartisan bill that will help secure the border, and I supported a border security supplemental bill earlier this year that would have sent nearly 1500 agents to the border to help prevent human trafficking and incredibly dangerous drug trafficking along our Southern border. Republicans in the House axed that resolution after Donald Trump told them to -– preferring to talk about border failures as opposed to coming up with solutions. I voted no to this do-nothing resolution.

As a member of the water resources subcommittee, I was proud to help secure passage of the bipartisan 2024 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA24), which includes critical funding for West Michigan’s harbors. The bipartisan bill includes major wins for MI-03, including a directive that the Army Corps of Engineers prioritize small harbors – like those in Muskegon and Grand Haven – for projects and funding.

Committee Work

I had two Small Business Committee hearings this week. The first was a joint session of my Government Contracting subcommittee and Veteran’s Affairs where we talked about the state of veteran-owned businesses. I was so pleased to have West Michigan’s own Jon Tellier from JetCo talk about his incredible Service Disabled Veteran Owned consulting business which is helping businesses in West Michigan access critical federal contracts to start and grow their own businesses.

I also waived on to a special session of the Small Business Committee on Oversight Subcommittee where Republicans were attempting to thwart the Small Business Administration’s attempt to comply with the Voting Rights Act, with a particular emphasis on preventing any SBA operation in Michigan from giving information about voter registration (which is required of all federal agencies under the VRA). I will always stand up for Michiganders’ right to have their voice heard at the ballot box

Showing up with Action

Congresswoman Scholten and GVSU Student Leaders

We welcomed two very promising and talented West Michigan women to Washington to talk about what’s working – and what’s not – in higher education. I can’t say enough about what GVSU is doing to equip the next generation.

Congresswoman Scholten with Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribal Council

I was also so proud to sit down and talk with the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribal Council to discuss my bill to officially recognize West Michigan’s native nations and ensure access to key federal resources.

Congresswoman Scholten at the John Ball Zoo

Congresswoman Scholten, Wesley, and James at the John Ball Zoo

We got a special behind-the-scenes tour of John Ball Zoo this week, and of course, I had to take two very special guests along with me. For generations, this zoo has taught West Michiganders about the animal kingdom. I’m so excited to see the zoo expand to include an even bigger and more expansive aquarium facility in the near future.

The Week in Preview

While I’m disappointed that my Republican colleagues in charge could not get organized enough to bring our critical funding bills to the floor for next week, I am NEVER disappointed to spend more time in West Michigan. We quickly filled the unexpected time at home with some additional visits around the district.

Don’t forget – it’s Coast Guard week! The festival officially kicked off this week and I’m so excited to spend some additional time on the Lakeshore honoring our Coasties this week. I’m so pleased that the Admiral of the Coast Guard and my ranking member on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee have accepted my invitation to join me at the festival.

ICYMI

We talked about our awesome West Michiganders at the Olympics, but you can get a read on all the INCREDIBLE athletes from Michigan participating here.
And, here’s a great story about a West Michigan man with a very unique connection to the Paris games of a DIFFERENT ‘24 (1924).
Wildfire smoke is affecting West Michigan. Here is how you can prepare yourselves and your loved ones (including your furry family members).
The ingenuity of Michigan workers has the Gordie Howe Int'l Bridge one step closer to completion! 259,000 Michigan jobs depend on trade and investment with Canada, including our truckers, and the bridge's completion will allow for an even deeper partnership with our ally to the north.

It's an honor to serve you, West Michigan.

HJS