Standing Up For Southwest Michigan Farmers

After gathering input from farmers and growers across the 4th District, on July 19th,  I introduced the Protecting America’s Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers Act with Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA).

Our bipartisan bill will reform the USDA's critical Tree Assistance Program (TAP) making it more effective, flexible, and easier to use whether Southwest Michigan farmers grow apples, blueberries, cherries, Christmas trees, grapes, peaches, or another specialty crop.

At the end of July, I had the opportunity to tour True Blue Farms in Grand Junction. There I saw first-hand their incredible blueberry operation and had the opportunity to discuss the impact of the Protecting America’s Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers Act on Michigan agriculture and family farmers.  To learn more about this important legislation click here. 

Strengthening Our National Security

On July 26th, the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed my legislation by a vote of 46-0 to strengthen our security partnership with Australia and counter China.

H.R. 4619 would allow the sale of up to two conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered Virginia Class Submarines to Australia. This strategic partnership will create a new level of maritime interoperability in the face of growing Chinese Communist Party influence. To learn more about this important legislation, please watch my remarks prior to the vote in committee.

Additionally, I am proud to report the House-passed version of the National Defense Authorization Act included three amendments that I put forward. Below is a description of each amendment and what it will help achieve. 

• Huizenga Amendment #125: requires a study by the Secretary of Defense on alternative vessel design for improved operations and shock impact mitigation on special operations personnel health and fatigue. This amendment provides an opportunity to strengthen Michigan manufacturing and enhance the role Michigan’s 4^th Congressional District can play in supporting our troops.

• Huizenga Amendment #126: expresses the sense of Congress that NATO member states should commit to providing, at a minimum, 2% of its GDP to defense. The 2% threshold was pledged in 2014. As of 2022, only 7 of the 31 NATO member states met their obligation with the United States contributing over 3% of its GDP. This bipartisan amendment is designed to strengthen NATO by getting our allies to pay their obligated share.

• Huizenga Amendment #127: requires a report to Congress on military activities of the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China in the Arctic Region. Recently, the Artic has seen an uptick in activity from both the Russians and now the Chinese Communist Party. This amendment is designed to refocus the effort with our strategic partners and allies to prevent expansion of both China and Russia in the region.

Investing in Southwest Michigan

On Friday, I had the honor of joining local leaders, employees, and community members at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new state-of-the-art Whirlpool Technology Center in St. Joe. 

There is intense competition for large scale investment, such as this $60 million project, and I am glad this industry leader chose to invest here in Southwest Michigan. The new facility will be home to a workforce of approximately 500 employees. 

The Michigan Minute

• Kellogg Community College ranked No. 1 community college in Michigan

• Study says this is Michigan’s most popular state park

• Navy veteran celebrates 102nd birthday surrounded by large, loving family

• Allegan County has already set the record for passports

• 12-year old magician ventriloquist comedian from Paw Paw makes ‘AGT’ Live 

• Mattawan Middle School secures prestigious national distinction award

• 2023 Lakeshore Innovator of the Year helping homeowners

• See inside Western Michigan University’s new $99M student center

• US Military finally searching for service plane 70 years after it crashed