Legislative Corner

There were two big bills on the floor this week.

The first bill was the impeachment of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. We have an actual immigration crisis in our country that has been decades in the making, and a politically motivated impeachment would do nothing to fix it. We already have a bipartisan solution– the Dignity Act– that Speaker Johnson could put on the floor TODAY. Instead of focusing on real solutions, he’s choosing chaos over progress. I voted no.

The second big bill this week was Speaker Johnson’s “national security” package, which was unilaterally put forward outside of the bipartisan and bicameral agreements that congressional leaders have worked on for months. The bill would have provided $17B in aid to Israel – but it failed to include much-needed humanitarian aid for innocent civilians who are suffering in Gaza. It did not include essential support for Ukraine, which continues to wage its war against the spread of authoritarianism. And it did not include a critical border security package that is essential to addressing the immigration crisis at our southern border.

I support Israel’s right to exist and its right to defend itself after the horrific terrorist attacks committed by Hamas on October 7th– and there is strong bipartisan support for our democratic ally – but this was a messaging bill by Speaker Johnson that abandoned long-standing bipartisan negotiations. Speaker Johnson knew this bill would fail. I voted no. Read my full statement here.

You can track the rest of my votes here.

Along with my votes this week, I cosponsored bipartisan legislation that would reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) to help preserve our environment for generations to come. I also cosponsored Rep. Debbie Dingell’s bill, the No PFAS in Cosmetics Act, which would ban the use of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances– or “forever chemicals”– in cosmetics.

I put pen to paper on two letters this week as well – one to EPA Administrator Michael Regan urging the EPA to ensure that the Lead and Copper Rule is improved and that recorded widespread violations and underreporting of violations are taken seriously so we can make sure everyone has access to the healthy, clean water they deserve – and the other to the Treasury Department requesting the agency promote regulations that help boost domestic solar manufacturing.

Committees & Updates

Watch my remarks in the T&I Aviation Subcommittee here.

Last month's horrific incident involving the Boeing 737 MAX plane made it abundantly clear that we need to be doing more to protect passengers. This week, FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker came before the T&I Aviation Subcommittee to talk about the incident and the state of aviation safety. I asked the Administrator how the agency is responding and what more can be done to ensure EVERY plane is safe to fly.

Watch my remarks in the Small Business Committee here.

This week in the Small Business Committee, we had an important hearing on the Small Business Administration (SBA)’s small business size standards. I asked our witnesses how we can clarify size standards to help *actual* small businesses compete in the marketplace AND I threw in a shout-out to our recently departed UM football Coach Jim Harbaugh… check it out!

It was an honor to welcome Governor Whitmer to Burton Elementary this week as she highlighted her universal Pre-K proposal! We know that access to early childhood education is proven to set kids up for success. This plan will change lives and help support the next generation of Michiganders! Proud to be working together at the local, state, and federal levels to build brighter futures.

Watch my Special Order Hour remarks here.

As the chaos continues both at the southern border and in Congress, I’m continuing to push for bipartisan solutions to our country’s immigration crisis. I spoke on the House floor this week reflecting on my recent trip to the border and calling on Congress to pass the Dignity Act – the only bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill in Congress.

Michigan’s Department of Transportation (MDOT) is fixing the damn roads and helping Michiganders get where they need to go! I connected with MDOT leaders to discuss how we can work together to improve our state’s infrastructure.

Building a strong and resilient West Michigan means investing in the next generation. I sat down with Grand Rapids Community College administrators this week to learn more about their important investments, initiatives, and programs that set their students up for long-term success in their fields. Thanks for stopping by!

Next week, we will take up several energy-focused bills on the House floor. I’m excited to share that I’ll be introducing an amendment next week that will be critical in our efforts to make clean water accessible to all. Stay tuned for more details! 

On Thursday, I’ll be the Ranking Member on a Small Business Committee Contracting and Infrastructure Subcommittee hearing examining the barriers small businesses face in the contracting space. We may even get to hear from one of West Michigan’s small business leaders… more on that soon!

Also, House Republicans COULD bring up the impeachment vote against Secretary Mayorkas again. Wasn’t a good use of time this week, and certainly won’t be a good use of time next week.

ICYMI