Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02) released the following statement after voting is support of H.R. 5985, the Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act of 2019. “Our veterans deserve the best care available. This important legislation takes another significant step forward by prioritizing our veterans, strengthening oversight and accountability at the VA, and increasing resources for mental health care services, suicide preventi...
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The Defense Act keeps us safe, promotes Michigan priorities The Holland Sentinel U.S. Reps Fred Upton and Bill Huizenga May 25, 2018 at 5:06 PM America’s military is facing grave challenges on multiple fronts. From the re-emergence of competitors like Russia and China, the nuclear ambitions of North Korea and Iran, the imperative to keep the pressure on terrorist organizations like ISIS and al Qaeda, and more. Clearly, zero mistakes can be made and our military must have the tools they need to p...
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Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga released the following video statement to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.
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Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga released the following PSA encouraging West Michigan residents to take part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 28th from 10 AM – 2 PM at select locations across West Michigan. As West Michigan families, medical professionals, and law enforcement continue to confront the opioid epidemic, Saturday provides another opportunity to have an important conversation and raise awareness surrounding opioid abuse. Congressman Bill Huizenga: Here i...
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Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga released the following statement after Speaker Ryan announced he would be retiring from Congress: “I want to thank Speaker Ryan for his leadership, friendship, and dedication to the conservative movement. When Paul chaired the House Budget Committee his detailed and thoughtful analysis demonstrated to the nation why we must address the mandatory spending programs driving our debt. As Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, he laid the groundwork for the larg...
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Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02) released the following statement after voting in support of legislation to strengthen our national defense, give our troops a much needed pay raise, improve school safety, combat the opioid epidemic, expand mental health resources, and protect the Great Lakes. “It’s become clear that the budget process is broken. While this legislation is an improvement over another continuing resolution, this is not how I would prefer the federal government be funded. Th...
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Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02) released the following statement in response to Grand Valley State University President Thomas J. Haas announcing his retirement in June of 2019. “Under the leadership of Thomas J. Haas, Grand Valley State University has transformed into a nationally recognized and respected educational institution that attracts students from across the nation and around the globe. While I am sad to see President Haas announce his retirement, I look forward to working wit...
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Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga released the following statement after voting in support of the Bipartisan Budget Act. In an ever more dangerous world, it is increasingly important that we properly fund and support our men and women in uniform. For years our troops have been asked to do more with less and in that time we have seen an alarming decrease in military readiness and capabilities. Yesterday, in a conversation with Secretary Mattis, he assured me that he intends to go through with the ...
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This evening, Congressman Huizenga (MI-02) released the following statement on President Trump’s State of the Union Address: “Millions of middle class Americans are already seeing the tangible benefits from tax and regulatory reform. Bigger paychecks, better wages, stronger benefit packages, and increased retirement savings for hardworking taxpayers should be celebrated by all. Instead of jobs leaving Michigan for Mexico, American companies are investing in American workers and bringing these jo...
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After House passage of legislation to fund CHIP for six years and reopen the government, Congressman Huizenga released the following statement: This agreement is exactly the same deal that was offered last Friday but Democrats in the Senate chose to needlessly shut down the government. While I am glad CHIP has been funded for the next six years, it's time we move beyond these short term extensions, properly fund the government, and provide our men and women in uniform with the resources they nee...
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Earlier today, I introduced the Family Reunification Act. This legislation would require the federal government to reunite children that had been recently separated from their parents at the southern border. For years, partisan bickering has prevented meaningful immigration reform from being achieved. It is my hope that by reuniting children with their parents, the Family Reunification Act will build bipartisan momentum for solutions that strengthen border security and reform our outdated immigration system. You can read the text of the legislation here https://huizenga.house.gov/uploadedfiles/6.21.18.huizenga.reunification.legislation.pdf
It was great to discuss how tax reform is raising wages, creating jobs, and helping small businesses grow with Joel and Michelle from Twin Lake and NFIB small business members from across Michigan.
The Administration must end the policy of separating children from their families immediately. If the Administration is unwilling to do so, then the House should immediately pass narrowly tailored legislation to end separations. While there are divisions on other areas of immigration, there is broad bipartisan support to put an end to this inhumane policy.
What is happening at the border is heartbreaking. I'm committed to leading a bipartisan, bicameral effort to find a humane solution that ends automatic separations and keeps families together. I have reached out to both Republican and Democrat offices in search of a workable bipartisan solution.
I am encouraged by the pro-active changes being made to the legislation that addresses family separations, DACA, and border integrity being considered by the House this week. Tonight’s meeting with President Trump provides an opportunity to work toward modernizing our immigration system and providing resolution to the crisis along the southern border.
The United States is a nation of laws, but it is also a nation of compassion. It’s clear the catch and release policy implemented by the previous Administration failed to stem the tide of people entering the country illegally. While changes in policy are necessary, the notion of automatically separating families runs counter to my values as a father as well as the core values of our nation. We must find a legislative solution that balances our compassion with the fact that some individuals are exploiting loopholes in our immigration system and actively trafficking children across the border. This week the House is scheduled to address the issue of border integrity, DACA, and family separation. There is an opportunity to have a workable bipartisan solution if we can stop the partisan bickering and actually put our nation first.
