U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga

The Huizenga Huddle: June 14, 2021

President Biden's Out of Control Budget

On the Friday before Memorial Day, President Biden released a budget that doesn't balance, runs $1.3 trillion deficits annually, and mortgages our children and grandchildren's future for liberal policy objectives. This is despite the fact that the President's "budget" includes the largest tax increase ($3 trillion) as a share of the economy in the last 50 years.

While many media outlets are not discussing this point, the Biden Budget also allows the lower and middle class tax cuts that I supported in 2017 to expire. This tax hike violates President Biden's promise not to raise taxes on middle class individuals and families in West Michigan.

Meanwhile, President Biden also fails to properly address border security and our national defense with his radical proposal. In fact, when inflation is taken into consideration, Joe Biden's vision for America includes less funding for border security and national defense.

Lastly, President Biden's budget embraces and permits taxpayer funding for abortion. For decades, there has been bipartisan agreement that prevented tax dollars from paying for abortion services. President Biden has sadly turned his back on the unborn after supporting these protections for over 30 years.

Below is a comparison between the Republican Study Committee budget and President Biden's irresponsible and unsustainable spending proposal.

Expanded Unemployment & Labor Shortage in Michigan

On May 17th, I joined my Michigan Republican colleagues in sending a letter to Governor Whitmer requesting that she end the $300 in enhanced unemployment benefits. The letter specifically noted that "participation in the emergency federal increase in unemployment compensation benefits is exacerbating the labor supply shortage and hindering our economic recovery."

Whether it is Allegan, Kent, Lake, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Ottawa, or Mason County, where I was last week, these enhanced federal unemployment benefits are creating a disincentive and contributing to workforce shortages across multiple sectors.

With a record setting 9.3 million jobs currently available across the nation, according to the latest numbers out this week, why is the federal government paying people to stay home?

A Celebration of Service

In May, I had the opportunity to thank a West Michigan leader in education on the floor of Congress. Tom Tenbrink recently retired from Jenison Public Schools after 34 years of service, including 18 years as the superintendent.

Thank you for your leadership, dedication, and commitment not only to the students, but to the Jenison Community, and all of West Michigan, Tom. I hope you enjoy retirement knowing that Jenison and Georgetown Township would not be the place it is today without your leadership.

Combating Anti-Semitism

On June 4th, I announced my support for the Preventing Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes Act. This legislation would require the Department of Justice (DOJ) to designate staff responsible for handling the expedited review of anti-Semitic hate crimes and reports for the next three years.

The targeting of individuals because of their religious beliefs goes against the freedoms enshrined and protected in the Constitution. The uptick in violence against Jewish Americans is appalling and completely unacceptable. The rhetoric coming out of Washington pertaining to Israel and Jewish Americans has real world consequences. I hope Congress can come together to reject anti-Semitism.

Meeting with Local Law Enforcement

Last week, I had the opportunity to sit down with members of the Wyoming Department of Public Safety to have a wide-ranging discussion on the issues impacting Wyoming and the officers who serve the community. After the meeting, I had the chance to run some of the officer training simulations. These conversations and scenarios definitely helped reinforce my understanding that there is no such thing as a routine traffic stop or routine call.

Honoring the Fallen

Last month, during Police Week, I laid a wreath at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, DC to commemorate and honor our fallen police and law enforcement officers from Michigan.

We must never forget the challenges law enforcement officials face on a daily basis. My prayers continue to go out to the families of those who were killed in the line of duty while serving our communities.

Uncovering the Origins of COVID-19

It has been approximately 18 months since COVID-19 emerged from China, and House Democrats have not held a single hearing on the origins of COVID-19 despite House Republicans asking numerous times for congressional resources to investigate and examine claims that the pandemic started in a Chinese lab, and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) covered it up.

On May 28th, I joined over 200 of my colleagues in calling on Speaker Pelosi to join the Republican investigation into the origins of COVID-19 and make it a bipartisan inquiry.

Every American family that lost someone deserves answers about the origin of this terrible virus, and House Democrats’ ongoing refusal to allocate investigative resources to get those answers is an affront to them. Read the full letter to Nancy Pelosi here.

The Michigan Minute

Fremont family holds record for 10 brothers serving in military
Grand Haven named "Best Beach Town on a Lake" by Parents Magazine
West Ottawa Student wins 2021 Congressional Art Competition
Manufacturer investing $60 million, creating 250 jobs in Kentwood
Cyber attacks are a threat to West Michigan, our nation says Huizenga
Study: Michigan experiencing slowest recovery in America
On the Air Waves: Huizenga talks budget, big tech, covid-19, and more
Lansing Update: Michigan National Guard eligible to receive reimbursement
$5 million investment in Holland Charter Township to create 109 jobs
Huizenga to lead US-Canada Legislative Group

The Huizenga Huddle: June 14, 2021

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