U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga applauded the ruling by a Florida federal judge that the requirement in the health care law passed last year that every American must buy government-sanctioned health insurance or face a fine is unconstitutional. In his ruling, the judge struck down the entire law, saying it was not “severable,” or that the entire law was deemed unconstitutional because one part of the law was found to be.
Huizenga said: “This ruling confirms the questions many Americans have about this law are legitimate. It confirms the law overstepped the boundaries of what Congress can and cannot mandate, and that the House was right in voting to repeal it earlier this year. It’s my hope that in light of today’s ruling, the Senate will also follow suit and repeal the law. We must let the Committees in the House continue to diligently work to bring replacement legislation to the Floor, as an open and transparent legislative process dictates, so we can reach commonsense health care reforms that will actually lower costs and help American families, and restore certainty to small businesses so they can focus on creating jobs.”
Michigan is one of 26 states that participated in the Florida lawsuit.
This morning I joined a packed house at the Wyoming Kentwood Chamber for a legislative update on improving and funding the VA, rebuilding infrastructure across the Great Lakes, and reforming Dodd-Frank in a bipartisan manner. Additionally, I discussed how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is delivering positive results for small businesses, middle class families, and hardworking individuals across West Michigan. Thank you for the opportunity to speak!
This morning I visited the Outdoor Discovery Center to see first hand how the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) is helping restore wetlands, reduce flooding, and stop harmful runoff from flowing into rivers, Lake Macatawa, and Lake Michigan.
More positive news for West Michigan’s economy! It’s wonderful to see innovative manufacturers continue to expand and/or choose West Michigan as the place to invest, grow, and create good-paying jobs!
This afternoon, the House passed bipartisan legislation to improve care for our veterans and strengthen the Great Lakes economy by ensuring that harbors in Grand Haven, Ludington, Holland and other across the Great Lakes are properly dredged. These are among the first set of legislative funding priorities that have passed Congress and are now headed to the President’s Desk to be signed into law. You can read my full statement on the Conference Report to accompany H.R. 5895, the Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (VA) Appropriations Act below.
Today West Michigan says farewell to one of the people who helped shape our community into the incredible place it is today. Thank you for all that you have done for West Michigan Rich and while your legacy will live on, know that your leadership and friendship will be deeply missed. Rest well Rich.
