Agriculture and Food

Small businesses are the engine of economic growth here in Southwest Michigan. As a third-generation small business owner myself, I understand the challenges local job creators are facing in today’s economy. Last week, the House passed several bills to strengthen small businesses and improve economic opportunity in Berrien and Van Buren Counties as well as communities around the… Read more »

Recently, our national debt crossed a stunning $34,000,000,000,000.  While some “debt deniers” in Washington seek to ignore the threat this massive number poses, it is undeniable that seniors, our children, grandchildren, and future generations of Americans will be impacted in the absence of solutions.   Last fiscal year, interest payments on the debt alone totaled a whopping… Read more »

Last week, the House Financial Services Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, which I chair, held a hearing to discuss how the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) proposed climate disclosure rule would hurt farmers and small business owners while raising prices on consumers. I was honored to have my constituent, Bill Schultz, Vice President of Schultz Fruitridge Farms located… Read more »

Some of the finest agricultural products in the world come from the hardworking farmers, ranchers, and growers here in Southwest Michigan. However, bad federal policy and a farm labor crisis is raising costs on the farm producers that grow the food you eat, making your grocery bills more expensive. Family farms across the 4th Congressional District are facing an uphill battle due to cost… Read more »

Today, House Financial Services Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) held a hearing to discuss how the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) proposed climate rule would hurt farmers and small business owners while raising prices on consumers. Testifying before the committee was Bill Schultz, Vice President of Schultz Fruitridge Farms located in… Read more »

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) was joined by 74 of his colleagues on a bipartisan letter to House and Senate appropriations leaders requesting an H-2A visa guestworker wage freeze in an upcoming spending package. The “Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR),” or the required wage that farm employers must pay H-2A workers more than doubled since 2005, making agricultural labor and its… Read more »

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) announced the introduction of the Grant Reform and NIH Transparency (GRANT) Act. The GRANT Act requires the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish and maintain a Database of Denials for each research proposal that is denied a grant or other award Nearly 83% of NIH’s $48 billion budget goes to fund research through its grant program. This… Read more »

Lately, there has been so much focus on rancor in Washington. This holiday season, I thought I would try something different. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I wanted to share with you some of the people I am thankful to serve with in Congress who work tirelessly to make America the best that it can be. I am thankful to serve with… Rep. Young Kim (R-CA), a fellow member of the Financial… Read more »

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) released the following statement after the House Rules Committee advanced his amendment for consideration before the full U.S. House of Representatives. The Huizenga Amendment blocks any funding for the Biden Administration’s proposal to impose a $600 per petition “Asylum Program Fee” on employers. The Biden Administration’s new fee would… Read more »

Our local economy is unique. It is driven by tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing. It is rare for an area to have all three staples of economic activity in one spot, and Southwest Michigan is fortunate to have them. I am proud to serve as Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Task Force, where I play a leading role in protecting the ecology and strengthening the economy of the Great Lakes.… Read more »