Honoring Southwest Michigan Veterans
On Saturday, I had the honor of recognizing and thanking hundreds of men and women who served our nation during the Veterans Day event at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta. After the ceremony, I enjoyed meeting with and listening to veterans about their experiences while serving our nation as well as their thoughts on ways the Department of Veterans Affairs can improve care options. |
Later that afternoon, I headed to the Polish Hall in Battle Creek for the Calhoun County Red, White, and Blue Veterans Day Dinner. I spoke with veterans one-on-one and in small groups about the legislation I am supporting to improve veteran care, issues they are having with the VA, and the overall direction of our nation.
I appreciated the opportunity to spend time with those who served our nation and their families. I also want to say thank you to all the volunteers (pictured below) as well as those who made this wonderful event possible. |
Holding Iran Accountable For Financing Terrorism
I am happy to report, yesterday, the House Financial Services Committee passed my legislation - the No U.S. Financing for Iran Act - by a vote of 34 to 12 with 7 Democrats joining 27 Republicans in support of this measure.
Iran is the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. They routinely finance the atrocities committed by organizations such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Palestine Islamic Jihad.
I reintroduced this legislation last month after Hamas committed its brutal assault on Israel. The No U.S. Financing for Iran Act will cut off the Iranian Government from accessing the U.S. financial system. This will greatly hamper Iran's ability to fund and support terrorism.
I was glad to see this measure to hold Iran accountable pass out of committee with bipartisan support. To learn more about this legislation, I encourage you to watch my remarks during yesterday's committee mark up. |
Growing Support For A Bipartisan Fiscal Commission
Last week, Senators Manchin and Romney introduced a Senate companion, or Senate version, of the Fiscal Commission Act that I introduced on September 28th.
The legislation would create a bicameral fiscal commission tasked with finding and proposing legislative solutions to stabilize and decrease the national debt, which now exceeds $33.6 trillion—more than double what it was just ten years ago.
On Tuesday morning, I joined WOOD Radio to discuss the growing bicameral and bipartisan momentum to address our national debt and improve our fiscal trajectory. |
Joining Senators Manchin and Romney as cosponsors are Senators Todd Young (R-IN), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), John Cornyn (R-TX), Mark Warner (D-VA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).
On the House side of the equation, the Fiscal Commission Act is now cosponsored by 10 Republicans and 10 Democrats. To learn more about this important legislation click here. |
Breaking Down President Biden's $100 Billion + Funding Request
In October, President Biden sent a supplemental funding request to Congress for approximately $106.5 billion in additional spending. This request included $61.4 billion for Ukraine and $14.3 billion for Israel among a host of additional spending projects.
With our nation over $33 trillion in debt, deficit spending becoming even more costly due to higher interest rates, and considering both the size and variety of programs included in the President's request, I wanted to hear directly from residents of the 4th District on this important matter.
Two weeks ago, I sent out a survey that asked: Do you believe Congress should hold a separate vote on each issue included in President Biden’s request? Here are the results from that survey. |
Thank you for everyone who participated in the survey. I too believe that each measure should have a stand alone vote. On November 2nd, I supported and the House passed, $14.3 billion in emergency aid for Israel that includes funding for the procurement of key technologies like the Iron Dome. Unfortunately, the Senate has yet to address emergency funding for Israel. |
Censuring Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib
On November 7th, I voted to censure Representative Tlaib. The censure resolution, introduced by Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA), passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 234-188 with 22 Democrats joining 212 Republicans.
Previously, on November 2nd, I voted in favor of a motion to table a resolution to censure Rep. Tlaib introduced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA). This censure resolution was deeply flawed and made both legally and factually inaccurate claims, including the assertion of an “insurrection” taking place at the United States Capitol Complex on October 18, 2023. I was a direct witness to the protest and in fact had to move the location of a local media interview because of it.
Let me be clear, the attack on innocent civilians by Hamas was an act of terrorism that claimed the lives of Israelis and Americans alike. Representative Tlaib used her position in Congress to spread antisemitic falsehoods as well as echo and embrace statements that support genocide. This is entirely unacceptable and unbecoming of a Member of Congress. I joined a bipartisan majority of the House in taking the necessary and responsible action to censure Representative Tlaib.
I wish Representative Tlaib would take this rebuke to heart and begin working to end Hamas’ bloodshed, instead of defending it. |
Serving West Michigan
On October 28th, I had the pleasure of joining constituents to celebrate the retirement of Pastor Socheth Na. Thank you Pastor Na for your incredible service in Holland and mentorship to members of the Cambodian community across West Michigan! |
On October 30th, I joined business leaders in Kalamazoo to discuss economic development across Southwest Michigan, my work on the Bipartisan Fiscal Forum to address our national debt, and the dire need for the Biden Administration to address our nation’s southern border. The House passed HR 2 - the strongest border security measure to pass a chamber of Congress in the modern era - back in May. It’s time for the Senate to vote. |
Later that day, I also met with Portage Mayor Patricia Randall, City Manager Pat McGinnis, and long-time public servant Mike Quinn at my office in Portage. We discussed issues surrounding drinking water, federal grants, and a host of topics impacting the city of Portage. |
On Friday evening, I was honored to join members of the Burmese Community at the Burma Center in Springfield. There, I discussed how I am working to create a first ever bipartisan Burma Caucus in the House of Representatives. |
Thank you for reading this edition of the Huddle! If you or someone you know need assistance with a federal agency, please reach out to my office! |
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