U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga

Huizenga Huddle: May 16, 2023

Live from Blossomtime

This weekend, I joined the communities of Benton Harbor and St. Joe for their Blossomtime Festival. Prior to the Grande Floral Parade, I provided Southwest Michigan with an update via Facebook Live on legislation addressed by the House last week to secure the border and help recover fraudulent unemployment checks.

During the video, I also touched on how I am leading a bipartisan effort to stop the Biden Administration from imposing a massive fee increase on Michigan farmers. You can watch the video below.

Securing the Border

With the passage of the Secure the Border Act last week, the Republican-led House has delivered a tangible solution to help resolve the crisis along our nation’s southern border.

By increasing manpower, utilizing technology, and building physical barriers, the Secure the Border Act helps uphold law and order, curb the influx of illegal crossings and deadly drugs, and protect unaccompanied children from human trafficking. Sadly, communities across Southwest Michigan have seen first-hand the deadly cost of failing to properly secure our border.

Record border crossings brought on by the elimination of Title 42 elevate the need to regain operational control of our border to combat human trafficking as well as stop fentanyl and other deadly drugs from poisoning our communities.

The Secure the Border Act is a powerful step in the right direction. I hope President Biden and his Administration change course and join House Republicans in prioritizing border security.

President Biden Needs to Come to the Table

On April 26th, my Republican colleagues and I, passed the Limit, Save, Grow Act to address the debt limit and rein in Washington’s out of control spending.

This responsible measure reduces federal spending by $4.8 trillion over the next 10 years and caps future spending growth at 1%.

I believe President Biden needs to come to the table and negotiate. He has done so in the past and I believe that in divided government, this is how we best move the country forward.

Sadly, roughly three weeks have passed since House Republicans acted and neither President Biden nor Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have put forward a counter proposal. In fact, Senator Schumer hasn't brought any debt ceiling measure up for a vote in the Senate.

Thus far, House Republicans are the only lever of government to actually pass a measure to address the debt ceiling. Instead of lying about the House passed bill regarding Social Security, the VA, and other matters, I believe President Biden needs to come to the table and negotiate. He has done so in the past and I believe that, in divided government, this is how we best move the country forward.

Read my recent op-ed about the Limit, Save, Grow Act here. I also recently appeared on Scripps News to discuss the debt limit and the need to address Washington's out of control spending. You can watch that interview below.

Standing Up For Michigan Farmers

This month, I have met and spoken with farmers in Berrien, Ottawa, and Van Buren Counties to discuss issues impacting Michigan agriculture.

Specifically, I addressed the massive guest labor fee increase that has been proposed by the Biden Administration and how I am leading a bipartisan effort to stop it.

The rule, which has been proposed by the Department of Homeland Security, would more than double the cost of the H-2A petition fee for named workers from $460 to $1,090 – and hike it for unnamed workers from $460 to $530.

Additionally, the Biden Administration’s rule would create a new $600 per petition “Asylum Program Fee” on various other work visas, including H-2A and H-2B, to directly finance our nation’s broken asylum program.

These increases are on top of soaring prices for fuel, fertilizer, and other input costs. This is simply unaffordable for Michigan farmers. Additionally, these massive fees will result in some farmers leaving agriculture all together and higher food prices for consumers at the grocery store. Read my bipartisan letter to the Biden Administration here.

Strengthening SW Michigan Small Business Startups

I am happy to report on April 27th, my legislation, the Accredited Investor Definition Review Act passed the House Financial Services Committee by a vote of 41-2.

The current definition the Securities and Exchange Commission uses to identify an accredited investors is outdated.

Today, that definition is solely based on wealth. I deeply believe that you shouldn't have to be a millionaire to be an accredited investor.

The ability to participate in a private offering should not be limited to individuals that pass some type of federal government assets test.

Instead, the ability to participate should be expanded to include all individuals that demonstrate they have a sufficient understanding of the offering and the risks involved.

My legislation would help start up small businesses in Battle Creek, Benton Harbor, Holland, Kalamazoo, St. Joe and communities across the 4th District by increasing their ability to access investment capital.

To learn more about my effort to help Southwest Michigan residents and communities across the nation grow small businesses and improve access to our capital markets, watch the video below.

Protecting Michigan Groundwater

On May 5th, I joined Congressman Dan Kildee (D-Flint) in relaunching the bipartisan PFAS Task Force. Combating the challenges created by PFAS contamination along the Lakeshore and across Southwest Michigan is an issue where policymakers must work together to put forward tangible bipartisan solutions.

The goal of this Task Force is to protect communities from the effects of these harmful chemicals by:

Promoting effective bipartisan legislation to address PFAS contamination.
Holding informational events to educate other Members of Congress and their staff about the threats posed by PFAS chemicals.
Meeting with congressional leadership, committee chairs and ranking members to ensure PFAS is adequately and more urgently addressed.
Securing federal funding for research on the lasting impact of PFAS as well as remediation efforts to clean up PFAS contamination.

I will continue to work with my colleagues to protect both our drinking water as well as the Great Lakes ecosystem from these harmful chemicals.

Big Picture: We Need to Think Differently About Artificial Intelligence

On May 4th, I joined The Evening Edit on Fox Business to discuss the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and some of the challenges this poses for society as well as the need for policymakers to address concerns on the front end of development.

You can watch the conversation about how we must be forward-thinking on AI by clicking the image below.

Remembering A Lakeshore Legend

On Thursday, it was with a heavy heart that I spoke on the floor to honor the memory of the late Mike Smith. Mike was a retired United States Coast Guard Commander who went on to serve as the long-time director of the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival. Mike had a significant impact on the Lakeshore, and he will be deeply missed. You can watch my remarks in the video below.

Honoring Those Who Serve and Protect Our Community

Last week, my office honored members of law enforcement who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty by laying a wreath at the National Police Memorial in Washington, D.C.

This week, as we celebrate Police Week, I want to thank the men and women of law enforcement serving our community and working tirelessly to keep the Lakeshore and Southwest Michigan safe.

Thank you for reading this edition of the Huddle. If you or someone you know needs help navigating a federal agency, please don't hesitate to call my office in Holland. I am hopeful to make an announcement about the new office in Portage opening soon! Stay tuned for more details in the next few weeks!

Huizenga Huddle: May 16, 2023

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