Legislative Recap

Watch my floor speech on the bill here.

We couldn’t have kicked off Small Business Week on a higher note. On Monday night, the House UNANIMOUSLY passed my bipartisan bill with Republican Rep. Dan Meuser from Pennsylvania– the Investing in All of America Act!

Our state is home to nearly 1 million small businesses, and as I’ve traveled across West Michigan to meet with small business owners, they all tell me the same thing: access to capital is the biggest barrier to success. The Investing in All of America Act would increase access to capital for small businesses in low, middle-income, and rural small businesses and those operating in the national security sector WITHOUT costing taxpayers a dime.

I’m so glad that the House came together at this important moment to support our small business communities in West Michigan and across the country. I spoke on the House floor about this bill on Monday evening…and be sure to watch until the end. As I always say, I’m bringing “boring” back, and it’s catching on!

The theme of this week for Republicans was conservation. I wanted so badly to be able to find some common ground here. I know from experience in West Michigan that hunting, fishing, and bird-watching bring people together from all walks of life. Unfortunately, the bills introduced here do the exact opposite of conserving our wetlands, rivers, forests, and streams. You can see a full list of my votes here, but I want to highlight just one example that underscores what I’m talking about– H.R. 615 - Protecting Access for Hunters Act. This bill bars the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture from prohibiting or regulating the use of lead ammunition or tackle on federal land or water that is under the jurisdiction of such departments and made available for hunting or fishing. 

The science is clear–lead bullets and tackle have been poisoning birds and waterfowl, as well as river systems and fish. For example, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, lead ammunition presents a population- level threat to Bald and Golden Eagles. Why would we tie an agency’s hands as it's protecting our natural resources from a known pollutant, especially when there are effective and affordable alternatives READILY available? Additionally, agencies are prohibited from acting arbitrarily to ban lead tackle or bullets and must rely on the best available science and make evidence-based decisions when it comes to regulating public lands. As an avid year-round angler and bird-watcher, I voted no. I want to continue enjoying these sports with my family for generations to come.

Committee Work

Watch my remarks here.

The maritime transportation sector is crucial for America's economic and national security. I'm glad we could review the proposed FY2025 funding for the U.S. DOT Maritime Administration and the Federal Maritime Commission during this week’s House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee hearing.

Showing Up with Action

I could not be more excited to share that I was one of just 10 House Democrats and the only Democrat from Michigan to receive the Fiscal Hero Award from Fix the Debt and the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. I’m a frugal Dutch mom from West Michigan, and I know just how hard Michigan families work for their dollars. That’s why I’ve been working tirelessly to make sure that Congress spends those dollars wisely. 

It’s definitely not every day that a Democrat gets this kind of recognition, and I’m going to continue fighting for fiscally responsible policies that move our communities forward. Read more about this award here!

Sunday marked National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day. I joined Governor Whitmer and West Michigan leaders for a march in Grand Rapids to raise awareness, mourn those who we’ve lost, and recommit ourselves to creating a safer future for our Indigenous communities, friends, and neighbors.

Network180 works tirelessly to support our neighbors who struggle with mental health and substance use disorders, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. This week, I joined community leaders for the ribbon-cutting of their Behavioral Health Crisis Center! This center is a space where those experiencing emergencies can safely go to receive treatment, and is expected to serve between 6-8k West Michiganders in their first year. I am grateful for the force for good that Network180 represents in our community.

The Congressional Art Competition is one of my favorite traditions. This year, we received so many outstanding submissions from high schoolers from Michigan’s Third District, and it was so great to celebrate them at a special ceremony over the weekend. Thanks to all our talented participants and congratulations to our winners. Way to show off West Michigan's creativity!

The Medal of Merit Award recognizes young people in our communities who have gone above and beyond in the classroom and in their communities. Over the weekend, I had the honor of celebrating this year’s winners from West Michigan. I can’t wait to see how these leaders will change the world!

I love the outdoors, and I love making sure everyone can be connected to the outdoors. That's why I introduced a bill with my Republican colleague Rep. Rudy Yakym from Indiana to reauthorize the Junior Duck Stamp Program, which teaches kids how to preserve the environment while unlocking their artistic skills. We had the chance to join Ducks Unlimited’s annual dinner to talk about this bill with conservation leaders this week and how we can help more kids experience the Junior Duck Stamp Program!

Michigan is in the House! What an incredible lunch with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm this week with the New Democrat Coalition to discuss how we are working toward a clean energy future. 

This week, I had the chance to join several of my Congressional colleagues for a private tour of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in D.C. This tour through one of the darkest times in our world’s history further underscores why we must continue to stand up against the rise in antisemitism across our nation. 

85 million Americans rely on CHIP and Medicare. This affordable access is life-changing, but right now, that access is under attack. I joined Protect Our Care Michigan and healthcare advocates to talk about the need to defend access to affordable, high-quality healthcare. We can't afford to roll back the clock on this essential resource.

We’re helping Ukraine right here in West Michigan! Transmission components made by Precision AeroSpace in Grand Rapids will go in Bradley tanks in Ukraine. I’m so glad I could tour their facility to learn more about their work.

I had the pleasure of touring Consolidated Resource Imaging– a veteran-owned and operated small business in Walker! I loved learning about how the innovative imaging systems created right here in West Michigan are utilized by federal agencies for many exciting projects.

It was a privilege to welcome the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United States of America Birgitta Tazelaar to West Michigan this week! I’m proud of my Dutch heritage and honored to represent a vibrant Dutch constituency. The strength of our community is a testament to the importance of the U.S.-Netherlands relationship.

There’s still so much on the docket for us this Congress– including the FAA reauthorization, the Farm bill, and the FY2025 budget (yes–it’s time to do the budget again.). But, instead of focusing on that, Republicans have decided that they’re bringing back their bills to defend HOME APPLIANCES from non-existent attacks… Welcome to the House GOP’s America, where appliances have more protections than women.

It’s time to get to work on things ACTUALLY impacting the American people, and we can’t afford distractions. 

Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene from Georgia announced that she is going to bring up the motion to vacate Speaker Mike Johnson this week. I will vote to table that motion. Let me be clear– this is not a vote for Speaker Johnson. This is a vote to put an end to the chaos and confusion that we’ve seen from the House Republican majority over the last year and a half. That’s what West Michigan and our entire country deserve. More on that (if it comes up) later.

As always, it’s an honor to serve you, West Michigan.

Sincerely,