U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga

Huizenga Huddle: April 12, 2023

Telephone Town Hall Recap

Thank you to everyone who joined our telephone town hall conversation on March 27th. During the call, I took a variety of questions on topics including the ongoing debt ceiling negotiations, care for our veterans, the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, gun violence, and the China-owned battery plant that has been proposed to be built here in Michigan.

During the conversation, I also asked constituents to share what they viewed as the most important issue facing our nation. Out of the five categories in the poll, border security ranked as the top issue. The poll results are available below.

If you weren't able to join the first telephone town hall, you can sign up for the next one here.

Unleashing American Energy, Lowering Prices, & Strengthening Our Economy

On March 30th, the House passed H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act. This bill will strengthen our economy and lower prices for Michiganders by unleashing American energy, modernizing our sorely outdated permitting process, and increasing domestic production of critical minerals. As a result, hardworking individuals, families, and small businesses across Southwest Michigan will benefit from lower prices, less regulatory red tape, and renewed economic opportunity.

Importantly, H.R. 1 recognizes a critical fact that the road to American Energy Independence will never go through the Great Lakes. This legislation protects our drinking water and Lakeshore economy by reaffirming the Great Lakes are off limits to drilling. The Lower Energy Costs Act will strengthen American manufacturing, lower energy prices, and protect our Great Lakes.

Getting Results: Canada Increases Funding to Protect the Great Lakes

On March 8th, I led a bipartisan letter to President Biden with Congressman Brian Higgins (D-NY) calling on Canada to increase it's funding to protect the Great Lakes. You can read the letter here.

Congress has authorized $425 million in funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in FY24. Conversely, between 2017 and 2022, Canada only spent $33 million on the Great Lakes with a $6.6 million dollar annual commitment moving forward.

On March 23rd, during a House Foreign Affairs Hearing, I directly asked Secretary of State Anthony Blinken if President Biden would address Canadian funding for the Great Lakes during his trip to Ottawa.

I am happy to report that Secretary Blinken confirmed that President Biden would bring this up. You can watch the video of our exchange below.

The following day, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Canada would increase its spending to approximately $300 million over the next decade to protect the Great Lakes.

As the Republican Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force, I have made it a top priority to build bipartisan support for strengthening and protecting the Great Lakes.

I am proud to have led this bipartisan request for increased funding from Canada with Congressman Higgins and I am glad our Canadian friends answered our call. The United States and Canada have a shared responsibility to protect the Great Lakes. This announcement will help us protect drinking water as well as the ecology and the economy across the Great Lakes.

Parents Bill of Rights Passes House

In order for students to reach their full potential, parents must have a seat at the table. That is why on March 24th, House Republicans passed the Parents Bill of Rights.

No one knows the needs of a child better than the parent. The Parents Bill of Rights Act empowers parents and legal guardians to work with school officials to achieve the best outcome possible for their children.

To learn more about this important legislation you can read my column here.

Conducting Oversight into the Collapse of Silicon Valley Bank

On March 29th, I questioned regulators from the Federal Reserve, FDIC, and Department of Treasury about the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank.

Although some of my colleagues will blame a lack of regulation, the truth is, Silicon Valley Bank failed because bank leadership and supervisors failed to mitigate obvious risks, such as the impact of rising interest rates.

Regulators in both Washington, D.C. and California missed obvious signs that Silicon Valley Bank’s business model was flawed and failed to act in a timely manner.

While I continue to have confidence in our banking system, Congress must provide oversight and hold those responsible, accountable. You can watch my exchange with these federal regulators below.

President Biden's Misguided Veto

Congress voted to repeal this ESG regulation because it does not have the best interest of those saving for their future at heart. President Biden's decision to veto this measure makes it more difficult for Americans to save for retirement. The fiduciary focus must be maximizing return for pensions, 401(k)s, and other investments.

Frankly, this action by President Biden puts pensions in a more vulnerable spot. You can watch my interview on Fox Business about the veto by clicking on the picture below.

Congressional Art Competition

The Congressional Art Competition is a wonderful opportunity for high school students across Southwest Michigan to showcase and develop their artistic ability.

The deadline for this year's competition is right around the corner. All art must be dropped off in Holland by Monday, April 17th, at 5 PM.

There will be a special art drop off event in the Long Lake Room at the Portage District Library this Thursday, April 13th from 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM.

For more details about the Congressional Art Competition please click here.

Connecting with Future Leaders

On March 30th, I had the opportunity to meet with students and teachers from Battle Creek Academy. The group was visiting Washington to learn more about history and sing in several choir performances! I had a great time chatting with the students as well as answering questions about what it was like to serve Southwest Michigan in Congress.

To mark the importance of National Reading Month, last month I joined second grade students at Endeavor Charter Academy in Springfield. Education is the great equalizer. As parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles, we must work to make sure children not learn to read, but have access to a quality education.

National Reading Month - Endeavor Academy

Thank you for reading this issue 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. My staff and I are more than happy to assist you.

Huizenga Huddle: April 12, 2023

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