As students head back to class across Southwest Michigan, Congress has also returned to session in Washington to continue working on government funding.
Yesterday, the House passed the Energy & Water Appropriations Bill. This bill included several provisions I have advocated for regarding the health of the Great Lakes, water infrastructure improvements through the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, and the protection of the Great Lakes from Asian carp at Brandon Road.
With the end of the fiscal year approaching at the end of this month, it is my hope Congress can find a constructive path forward to keep the government funded and open. |
Upcoming Service Academy Night
Next Thursday, my office will be hosting an informational meeting for students who are interested in attending one of our nation's prestigious Service Academies.
The event will take place at the Otsego VFW and run from 6:00 PM until 7:30 PM. Representatives from West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy will be on hand to answer questions from students, parents, and grandparents. Information regarding the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy will also be available. My staff will also be on hand to answer questions about how the nomination process works.
The 4th District has a tremendous track record of sending our best and brightest to our Service Academies. If you or someone in your family is interested in attending, please see the additional details below. |
Delivering Results for Southwest Michigan
Serving the people of Southwest Michigan and helping them get results from the federal government is one of the most humbling and rewarding parts of being a Member of Congress. Over the August District Work Period, Team Huizenga and I rolled up our sleeves and got to work! Below are the results of our efforts to ensure the government is working for Southwest Michigan taxpayers and not against them! |
Enhancing American Influence Through Sports Diplomacy
Last week, I announced the introduction of the bipartisan American Decade of Sports Act. Over the next 10 years, the United States will be the center of the sporting world by hosting several major international competitions, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, the 2031 Men’s and 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup, and the 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. These games present a once-in-a-generation opportunity to enhance U.S. soft power and leadership on the world stage.
The American Decade of Sports Act ensures the United States is well positioned to capitalize on this unique opportunity by ensuring the State Department is readily equipped to implement strategic planning and has the proper staffing to do so. I am proud to champion this bipartisan effort with Representatives Meeks, McCaul, and Ranking Member Kamlager-Dove. Click here to learn more about this bipartisan bill! |
August Recap: Connecting with Constituents Across Southwest Michigan
On August 19th, I joined VA Deputy Secretary Paul Lawrence at American Legion Post 257 in Battle Creek for a wide ranging conversation about the progress being made at the VA to improve services, reduce the backlog, and make sure our veterans are receiving the best care possible.
On August 8th, the VA announced a record setting 2,517,519 ratings claims had been processed this fiscal year. The VA has refocused its efforts on serving our veterans. These actions have helped reduce the benefits backlog by 37% since President Trump was inaugurated. This is incredible news considering we saw the backlog increase by 24% under the Biden Administration.
While more work must be done, it is very encouraging to see more positive outcomes for our veterans! |
On August 11th, I met with residents and staff at City View in the Square. This co-op provides low-income seniors with an affordable housing option in Kalamazoo. It was great to tour and discuss the upcoming renovations as well as my bipartisan fiscal commission legislation, protecting social security, and affordable housing with members of the City View in the Square Community! |
On August 26th, we had a great discussion on how the One Big Beautiful Bill helps seniors, families, and small business by lowering taxes in Saugatuck. During the evening, I talked about education policy, my work leading the bipartisan fiscal forum, foreign policy, and more! Thank you to Americans for Prosperity for hosting this event! |
On the evening of August 20th, I also participated in a telephone town hall hosted by Americans for Prosperity. During the call, I discussed my efforts to help make everyday life more affordable, the American Dream, and how the One Big Beautiful Bill will help families, small businesses, and farmers across Southwest Michigan. Thank you to everyone who joined the conversation! |
On August 27th, I met with local blueberry growers just outside of South Haven. We had a great conversation about my bipartisan Tree Assistance Program Legislation, labor costs, and the overall blueberry harvest! Meetings like this help inform me about the successes and challenges local specialty crop growers and farmers are facing. Thank you to everyone who joined! |
Checking in Across Southwest Michigan
Over the August District Work Period, I also visited and toured several locations and facilities across Southwest Michigan. The visits pictured below are a sample of some of the stops I made over the last few weeks.
Recently, I had the opportunity to tour the Palisades Nuclear Plant in Covert. It was incredible to see the technology being used to bring Palisades back online. This effort will provide power to 800,000 homes with carbon-free energy while creating hundreds of good-paying jobs right here in Southwest Michigan. News Channel 3 joined me for the tour, and you can watch their coverage of the visit below. |
Last month, I also stopped by the Air Zoo in Portage. While there, I saw firsthand the ongoing restoration efforts surrounding the last remaining WWII Douglas SBD-1 Dauntless Aircraft. The restoration was in its final year when the funding for it was abruptly cancelled. My team and I got involved to support the Air Zoo and get the grant funding reinstated. It will be great to have this piece of American history preserved and displayed in Kalamazoo County! |
Nelis’ Dutch Village recently dedicated the new Alexandra Plein! It was great to see so many members of the Holland Community attend the ribbon cutting and wish Harry Nelis Jr. a Happy 91st Birthday! |
It was great to tour Kalamazoo Valley Gleaners to see how our community is working to help combat starvation across the globe. Instead of food going to waste, Kalamazoo Valley Gleaners takes local produce that would not be sold in a grocery store because of how it looks and turns it into meals to help relief organizations. Thank you to Jim and his team, area farmers, and all the volunteers that help make this possible! |
I had a great discussion with the employees and leadership team at Metal Flow Corporation in Holland about how the One Big Beautiful Bill will help boost manufacturing and put more money in the pockets of middle-class families here in Michigan and across the United States! |
Thank you for reading this edition of the Huddle! If you or someone you know needs assistance with a federal agency, please don't hesitate to contact my office in Holland, my office in Portage, or on the web at Huizenga.House.Gov. |
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