Press Releases

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA) announced the introduction of the GRUB Act. This bipartisan legislation will retroactively provide an estimated $43 per day in reimbursement for members of the National Guard who answered the call to serve and were deployed to our nation’s capital. This number is line with criteria for a proportional meal rate for both service members as well as civilian employees. The GRUB Act is in direct response to a wave of constituent calls, media reports, and stories from the service members themselves about the undercooked and unsafe food provided to the Michigan National Guard.

“It is clear there has been a serious issue with food being supplied to members of the Michigan National Guard deployed to the U.S. Capitol,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02). “Our men and women answered the call to serve, leaving behind their loved ones and their jobs. They deserve to be provided a safe meal while serving on duty. The GRUB Act helps right this wrong by providing a per diem for each day our men and women were serving in our nation’s capital and by reimbursing them for meals they paid for out of their own pocket.”

"What message does it send to all of the troops stationed around the world when the people guarding the Capitol are fed maggot-infested dinners? It says Congress doesn't have your back. Congress should pass this bill and make sure this never happens again at any post in the world,” Rep. Seth Moulton (MA-06) said.

Joining Congressmen Huizenga and Moulton in sponsoring the GRUB Act are U.S. Representatives: Jackie Walorksi (R-IN), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Yvette Herrell (R-NM), Dan Kildee (D-MI), Randy Weber (R-TX), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Peter Meijer (R-MI), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Lisa McClain (R-MI), John Moolenaar (R-MI), Madison Cawthorn (R-NC), Louie Gohmert (R-TX), and Greg Steube (R-FL).

Timeline:

After receiving a call from a constituent with family deployed to the Capitol, Congressman Huizenga’s Office reaches out to the National Guard. This leads to Congressman Huizenga eating with the Michigan National Guard on February 25^th.

Despite assurances from the Guard that food quality would improve, more West Michigan constituents contact Rep. Huizenga raising concerns over food quality and safety. Congressman Huizenga then leads the Michigan Congressional Delegation in calling for a new food provider as well as for a per diem to be issued on March 2^nd.

The number of concerning reports continue to rise as do a growing number of media reports. Huizenga leads a bipartisan effort garnering support from 38 members of Congress calling for retroactive per diems to be issued due to unsafe food on March 4^th.

Congressman Huizenga organizes the bipartisan “food drop” for the Michigan National Guard with the Michigan State Society and members of Michigan’s Congressional Delegation on March 10^th.

March 11^th, Congressman Huizenga introduces the bipartisan GRUB Act to support members of the Michigan Guard as well as Guardsmen and Guardswomen who have been deployed to the capitol region from states across the nation.