U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga

The Huizenga Huddle: February 9, 2024

Special Counsel Robert Hur's Report

Yesterday, the Justice Department released a report from Special Counsel Robert Hur that details the findings of the investigation into President Joe Biden’s mishandling of classified documents. While the findings detail that Joe Biden willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his vice presidency, Hur doesn’t believe prosecutors could convince a jury that President Biden held a “mental state of willfulness” that a serious felony requires.

After the Department of Justice issued the report, I released the following statement.

Protecting & Strengthening the Great Lakes

For millions of Americans, the Great Lakes serve as a vital source of economic activity, recreation, and drinking water. For us in Michigan, the Great Lakes are a way of life.

As a Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force, I have worked to build bipartisan support in Congress to make the Great Lakes a national priority.

This week that work took another step forward with the introduction of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Act of 2024.

The GLRI is the leading federal program designed to clean up legacy pollution, restore habitats, and combat invasive species across the Great Lakes Basin. This program has helped revitalize communities leading to a resurgence of economic activity in once heavily polluted areas while also revitalizing ecological habitats.

This bipartisan legislation would increase federal funding for these precious resources from $475 million to $500 million starting in FY 2026 and continuing through FY 2031.

On Wednesday, I joined WOOD TV8 to discuss the importance of strengthening both the ecology and the economy of the Great Lakes as well as the leading role the GLRI plays in achieving this. You can watch the interview below and read more about this important legislation here.

Funding for Palisades Nuclear Power Plant

On January 30th, Bloomberg reported that the Biden Administration is preparing to lend $1.5 billion to restart Holtec’s Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Covert. The report indicates funding will be made available as soon as this month.

This is a very promising development. In December, I led a bipartisan letter to the Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in support of this historic project because it will enhance our energy security, generate clean energy, and create good-paying jobs in Southwest Michigan.

I believe nuclear energy must be part of the conversation as we work to restore American energy independence and ensure families across Southwest Michigan have access to safe, affordable, and reliable energy.

You can watch WOOD TV8's coverage of this story below.

Tax Relief to Boost Local Job Creation & Help Michigan Families

On January 31st, I voted in favor of the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act. It passed the House with a strong vote of 357-70.

This bipartisan bill will deliver meaningful relief for families and small businesses who are still reeling from high prices caused by inflation. By increasing the value of the child tax credit and eliminating the penalty that existed for larger families, this legislation will help keep more money in the pockets of parents in Southwest Michigan and across the nation.

Additionally, this legislation restores full research and development (R&D) expensing, increased expensing for small businesses, and interest deductibility. Innovative job creators across Southwest Michigan have specifically contacted me about the importance of these pro-growth provisions.

I will continue working to institute reforms that are simple, fair, and do not overly burden hardworking families.

Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act - Michigan

Advocating for MQ-1C Gray Eagle Mission to be Stationed in Battle Creek

On January 26th, I led a bipartisan letter to Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth requesting that Battle Creek Air National Guard Base be the home for any future Army National Guard MQ-1C Gray Eagle Platform.

In the letter, my fellow Members from Michigan’s Congressional Delegation and I detail how the base’s current mission experience and critical understanding of unmanned mission platforms – in addition to the 10,003-foot runway, proximity to Fort Custer, a new advanced air mobility hub, and recent investments by local and state authorities – make Battle Creek a top tier location for the future mission. From world-class training grounds to a well-established military community, Michigan is well poised to take on a greater role and contribute to our national security and defense.

In the letter, I also invited Secretary Wormuth to visit Battle Creek to see first-hand the work being done by the incredible men and women serving there.

Before the letter was sent, I sat down with WWMT Channel 3 to preview the announcement. You can watch the interview below.

Nominations to the U.S. Service Academies

As a member of Congress, I have the great honor of nominating future Southwest Michigan leaders to our nation’s Service Academies. This year, I announced 10 nominees from the Fourth District for the class of 2028.

These students will be considered for appointment to one or more of our nation’s Service Academies: the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY.

Making the decision to pursue an appointment to a Service Academy is not one that comes lightly, and I applaud these incredibly talented individuals for following their passion. I have the utmost confidence that these students will represent Southwest Michigan with distinction and believe they deserve the highest recognition for their dedication and desire to serve our nation.

To learn more about the Service Academy Nomination process, please visit my website.

First-Ever Bipartisan Congressional Burma Caucus

On February 1st, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) and I announced the establishment of the first-ever Congressional Caucus on Burma. Launching this caucus on the third anniversary of the military coup was intended to act as a tremendous show of support for the bravery and determination of the Burmese people in their struggle against the military junta. This caucus will serve as an important conduit for Burmese Communities across the United States and will look for ways to support human rights and democratic representation for the People of Burma.

To learn more about the Congressional Caucus on Burma, click here.

Thank you for reading the latest edition of the Huddle. If you have questions, need assistance navigating a federal agency, or would like to share a comment, please don't hesitate to reach out to my office!

The Huizenga Huddle: February 9, 2024

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