Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of D-Day in Normandy
Last week, I traveled to Normandy with a Congressional Delegation to honor the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. It was a great honor to represent Southwest Michigan and our nation. Standing on the hallowed ground of Utah Beach was extremely humbling and gave me an entirely new perspective.
While there, I took a moment to provide a brief update on my experience and thank all the incredible heroes who changed the world. You can watch the video below. |
Supporting Our Veterans and Military Families
Before the bipartisan delegation left for Normandy, the House passed, and I voted for, H.R. 8580, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025.
This legislation fully funds health care and benefits for veterans. Notably, it makes significant improvements to dental care and provides more resources for mental health care and toxic exposure care. Critically, this measure ensures that the VA’s toll-free suicide hotline provides immediate assistance from a trained professional to help veterans who call prior to or during a crisis.
Additionally, this bill enhances the quality of life for our men and women in uniform by making much-needed improvements to housing and childcare for military families while ensuring our military focuses on national security. Lastly, by prohibiting the use of funds to promote or advance critical race theory as well as the implementation or enforcement of the Biden Administration’s executive orders on diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Department of Defense can focus on protecting the security of our nation and its citizens. |
President Biden's Open Border Policies
According to the Department of Homeland Security, over 9 million individuals have illegally entered the United States since President Biden took office.
In my most recent Southwest Michigan Survey, I asked "Do you believe President Biden's open border policies are having a negative impact on our nation?" Here are the results. |
Just a few weeks after I sent out the survey, President Biden seemingly acknowledged the problem, yet issued a too-little-too-late, blatantly political, election-year Executive Order on immigration.
President Biden’s open-border policies created the crisis along our southern border. This announcement by President Biden is nothing more than a political stunt in an election year. House Republicans have consistently voted to restore border integrity, end the Biden Administration’s catch-and-release policies, and reinstate the Remain in Mexico Policy.
As your voice in Congress, I have gone a step further by introducing H.R. 8209, the Migrant Flight Accountability Act, which exposes the Biden Administration’s abuse of the parole system and the costs associated with allowing hundreds of thousands of otherwise inadmissible individuals entry into the United States. You can learn more about this legislation here. |
Fighting For SW Michigan Farmers
Michigan’s Fourth Congressional District is home to the world’s hardest-working agricultural producers. It’s not just in spirit either. Specialty crop operations are extremely labor-intensive with nearly 40% of total cash expenses spent on just labor. Our local agricultural industry drives our regional economy, feeds families throughout our nation, and is recognized across the globe. Sadly, too many family farms in Michigan and across the nation are on the brink due to soaring input costs.
Washington should be working with our farmers to lower costs, not raise them. This is why I am proud to lead the effort to lower costs and help family farms as well as the larger agricultural community.
Last month, I sent a letter with 119 of my colleagues to House Appropriations leaders requesting an H-2A visa guestworker wage freeze in the upcoming appropriations legislation.
For farmers and ranchers who use H-2A, the skyrocketing AEWR will only compound inflated input costs like energy and fertilizer, other guest worker expenses like transportation and housing, and burdens from several impending federal regulations and fees. A temporary wage freeze is a reasonable way to alleviate this financial burden and give our farmers a chance to compete, stay in business, and help put food on the table for millions of Americans. |
CBDC Anti-Surveillance Act
Congress did not give the Federal Reserve the authority to create a Central Bank Digital Currency, nor should it. On May 23rd, I joined 215 of my colleagues in passing the CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act to stop that from happening. Prior to the vote on this legislation, I spoke on the House floor explaining why the Federal Reserve should not take this action. |
Renaming the Battle Creek Post Office in Honor of Sojourner Truth
Recently, I announced the introduction of H.R. 8405, legislation to rename the Battle Creek Post Office located at 90 McCamly Street South as the “Sojourner Truth Post Office.”
This is an important way to honor the life, legacy, and impact of Sojourner Truth. Designating the Sojourner Truth Post Office in Battle Creek also highlights the significant role the community played in the abolition movement and our nation’s history.
The decision to rename the post office is supported by the descendants of Sojourner Truth as well as local organizations such as Kellogg Community College and Battle Creek Unlimited. This bill is the companion legislation to U.S. Senate Bill 3851 that was introduced by Senator Gary Peters (D-MI). Every Michigan member of the U.S. House of Representatives has signed on as a cosponsor of H.R. 8405. |
Technology in the Classroom
It was great to meet with students at West Elementary in Holland before the end of the school year to discuss new technologies in education. The students took the time to learn about new devices available for learning and spoke to me about those that would benefit some of their peers. Thank you to all of the students for talking with me and sharing your thoughts. I hope you have a great summer! |
Strengthening Learning Opportunities
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Countryside Academy building in Benton Harbor! The new facility is located at the Meadowbrook campus and will provide nineteen Young Five through Fifth Grade classrooms as well as the K-12 cafeteria where breakfast and lunch will be prepared and served to all students on-site. The previous main campus, located right next door, will become home to Sixth through Twelfth Grade classrooms.
Congratulations on this new school that will help facilitate even greater learning for students! |
Constituent Spotlight
Recently, I had the opportunity to meet with constituents in my Portage office about the challenges in Afghanistan both prior to and after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. We spoke at length about what their lives were like in Afghanistan and their personal experiences immigrating to the United States. It was a pleasure to speak to them and learn more about their experiences. |
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! |
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