U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga

Huizenga Huddle: June 20, 2024

Congressional Oversight Update: Releasing the Audio Tapes

Last week, I voted to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress. Congress has the constitutional responsibility and authority to conduct oversight of the Executive Branch. The Biden Administration’s last-minute assertion of executive privilege was waived when it rightfully released the transcript of President Biden’s interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur. Now, Congress and the American people deserve to hear the audio tapes of President Biden’s interview. While the Department of Justice has said it will not prosecute Merrick Garland, it was important for the House to hold this vote. This vote makes the position of the House of Representatives clear for both the American people as well as any potential legal challenges regarding these audio tapes.

Restoring Accountability at the FDIC

Last week, the House Financial Services Committee held a hearing to conduct oversight of the FDIC's toxic workplace culture. Chairman Gruenberg has failed to correct the unacceptable culture that has taken hold at the FDIC. You can watch my opening statement from the hearing where I make it clear that Chairman Gruenberg must put people over politics and resign immediately.

Introducing Legislation to Counter China's Expansion

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) continues to advance economic and military objectives that undermine the security of the United States.

On June 13th, I introduced H.R. 8683, the Strategic PRC Port Mapping Act, to counter this growing concern.

The legislation will provide a strategic analysis of:

Commercial, military, and dual-use capabilities of ports owned, constructed, or operated by Chinese entities
Ongoing CCP port projects, suspended projects, and canceled projects
Ports that utilize CCP-manufactured infrastructure
Ports that have been the victims of cyber-attacks originating inside or by the direction of the CCP

Expansion by the CCP into the Western Hemisphere and strategic purchasing of ports across the globe are challenges that Republicans and Democrats must confront in order to put American interests first.

For your reference, below is a map of the CCP’s growing influence over international shipping ports as reported by the Council on Foreign Relations.

Supporting Military Families, Strengthening our National Security

On Friday, the House passed H.R. 8070, the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 by a vote of 217-209. This legislation is designed to enhance our national security and military readiness with a special focus on quality of life for our military community.

Importantly, this legislation takes steps to cut inefficient programs, obsolete weapons systems, and unnecessary Pentagon bureaucracy saving taxpayers $30 billion. It also blocks the Biden Administration’s reduction in U.S. Special Forces and efforts to transfer terrorists currently housed in Guantanamo Bay to prisons in the United States.

In addition to strengthening our military readiness and capabilities, H.R. 8070 also improves housing, childcare, and the overall quality of life for the men and women serving in our Armed Forces. One of the key provisions in this area is a 19.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5% pay raise for other service members.

Additionally, this bill includes three amendments I authored to enhance our national security and counter aggressive actions taken by Russia and China.

I will continue to back policies that protect our national security interests while also supporting our service members and their families.

Meeting with Constituents in Our Nation's Capital

Last week, I met with several constituents from a variety of industries to learn more about how federal policies are directly impacting job creators and residents across Southwest Michigan.

A group representing the Home Builders Association of Michigan, including Southwest Michigan resident Aaron Hovestadt, stopped by my office to discuss the need for greater workforce development, how regulations being proposed at the federal level will further increase the cost of building a new home, and how a shortage of electric transformers is delaying projects and raising prices.

I also had the opportunity to meet Earl Cox of the Amalgamated Transit Union in Kalamazoo to discuss the role of transit in our communities and how to efficiently use taxpayer dollars to benefit Southwest Michigan.

It was a pleasure to meet with representatives from the North American Die Casting Association, including Steve Jacobson from BuhlerPrince in Holland, to discuss labor issues and the R&D tax credit. This year, the House passed both H.R. 6655, A Stronger Workforce for America Act, and H.R.7024, Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, to help address some of their concerns.

Congressional Baseball Game

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Congressional Baseball Game last week! I had a great time playing Second Base in the Republicans' 31-11 win against the Democrats. This bipartisan event raised over $2 million for charity and sold over 26,000 tickets. This is the fourth year in a row that Republicans have won this game!

Click on the video below to watch one of the plays I made at second base to end the 5th inning!

Thank you for reading this edition of the Huizenga Huddle! If you or someone you know needs help navigating a federal agency, please don’t hesitate to contact my office in either Holland or Portage!

Huizenga Huddle: June 20, 2024

And follow me on: