President Biden's Address to the Nation

Despite campaigning on a platform of unity, President Biden has put forward a tax and spend agenda the likes of which we have never seen with virtually no Republican input. With the annual federal budget coming in at roughly $4.4 trillion, President Biden has proposed nearly $6 trillion in new spending in the first 100 days of his Administration. This eye-popping spending spree adds up to $17,951.46 for every man, woman, and child in America.

Instead of governing as a unifier like he promised, President Biden has put forward a highly partisan agenda that increases federal spending by a whopping 35% while threatening to eliminate an estimated 1 million jobs through his proposed tax increases.

Rather than appease the progressive wing of his base, President Biden could help more American families by adopting a targeted approach that focuses on bipartisan solutions to strengthen our economy, secure our border, and repair our infrastructure in West Michigan and communities across the nation.

Senator Tim Scott delivered an inspirational and powerful response that focused on the value of hard work, America's future, and meaningful solutions to the challenges we face. If you didn't have the opportunity to see Senator Scott's response, please take a moment to watch it below. 

Latest Video Update from Washington

Recently, I have been providing video updates live on Facebook so you can hear directly from me on the issues being addressed in Congress. Last week, I discussed the crisis at the border, the unconstitutional push by Speaker Pelosi and Democrats in the House to make Washington DC a state, and the double standards of my Democrat colleagues regarding the behavior of Congresswoman Maxine Waters.

To get notified about these updates as they happen, make sure to "like" or "follow" my Facebook page. To watch my latest update, click the picture below.

The Maximum Pressure Act

Last week, I cosponsored the Maximum Pressure Act to hold Iran accountable. Iran remains the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism and the regime has proven time and again that it cannot be trusted.

Sanctions have proven to have a significant impact on changing the behavior of Iranian officials and the Maximum Pressure Act would be the strongest application of sanctions to date. This legislation would also restore the balance of power by requiring any agreement the Biden Administration reaches with Iran to be ratified by the Senate. 

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about Iran, the Maximum Pressure Act, and challenges facing our nation from across the globe.

President Biden’s decision to try and reconstitute the failed Obama era Iranian Nuclear Agreement is an abdication of leadership that will put Iran on the doorstep of a nuclear breakout.  

A nuclearized Iran not only poses a significant threat to the stability of the Middle East and U.S. Allies across the region, but it also dramatically increases the probability of terrorists attaining a nuclear device.

Standing for Life and Defending the Unborn

Taxpayer dollars designed to help small businesses keep the lights on and keep paychecks flowing to employees during a pandemic should not be used to extinguish the lives of innocent children.

This week, I cosponsored the Abortion Providers Loan Elimination (APLE) Act. This legislation would recoup $80 million in taxpayer funding illegally obtained by Planned Parenthood through the Paycheck Protection Program. 

Additionally, the APLE Act would prevent abortion providers from receiving any potential taxpayer funding through the Paycheck Protection Program while also requiring an investigation into how Planned Parenthood was able to access funding in the first place. I am proud to be the first member of Congress from Michigan to support this important legislation. You can learn more about the APLE Act here. 

Earlier this month, I signed the discharge petition to force a vote on H.R. 619, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. Speaker Pelosi continues to block this important legislation from moving to the floor for a vote.

This life-saving legislation would require health care practitioners who are present at a live birth during an attempted abortion to exercise the same degree of skill and care to preserve the life and health of the child. It also requires the immediate transportation and admittance of the child to a hospital. Lastly, this legislation includes penalties for medical professionals who choose to not follow the law. 

If we get 218 signatures in support of the petition, we can secure a vote on H.R. 619. I am proud to support this bipartisan bill to save innocent and precious lives!

Protecting, Preserving, and Strengthening the Great Lakes

The Great Lakes continue to be an area where Congress demonstrates strong bipartisan cooperation. As a Republican Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Task Force, part of my job is fostering these bipartisan relationships.

Working alongside Representatives Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), and Dave Joyce (R-OH) we sent a letter, signed by 32 members of the Great Lakes region, to the Biden Administration that outlined what we believe are four key areas  to preserving and strengthening both the economy as well as the ecology of the Great Lakes. 

These priorities include: Funding for Brandon Road to stop Asian carp, funding for a coastal resiliency study to help mitigate erosion damage, funding to restore and modernize the Soo Locks, and funding to support fishery and habitat restoration efforts.  You can learn more about these bipartisan Great Lakes priorities here. 

The Michigan Minute

• Huizenga rejects Democrat efforts to pack the Supreme Court

• Hudsonville girls earn first basketball state championship

• Owner of Marge's Donut Den in Wyoming receives community service award

• Woodward Inc. expanding operations in Zeeland

• Muskegon businesses team up to give away meals, gifts to local mothers

• Huizenga presents Purple Heart to American Legion Post 28 in Grand Haven

• Ludington named one of America’s best high schools for fifth straight year

• Huizenga, Upton call for investigation over squash, cucumber trade practices