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| The Huizenga Huddle: September 24, 2015 |
Fall is officially upon us, which means tailgates, apple cider, and all things pumpkin spice! Unfortunately, this also means that another Michigan summer has come to an end. Over the month of August, I had the privilege of traveling across West Michigan to meet with constituents, tour numerous job creating manufacturers, and hear directly from you.
Here are just a few of the visits I made across the Second District in August: In Muskegon, I held a town hall forum at Tanglewood Park. In Walker, I toured Michigan Paving and Materials. In Baldwin, I had the honor of presenting Michigan veterans with their service medals. In Holland, I met with the leadership, instructors, and founder of Escape Ministries. And in Ludington, I led a “Pizza & Policy” discussion and toured Ludington Pumped Storage.
With Congress back in session, there are many serious topics being considered and debated. Here is where I stand regarding the Iranian Nuclear Agreement and defunding Planned Parenthood.
The President's Iran Agreement Is Dangerous
On September 11th, I voted to reject President Obama's Nuclear "Deal" with Iran. Prior to my vote, I posted a short video detailing why I believe this agreement endangers the lives of millions of people across the globe and that this is not the leadership needed to keep America and our allies safe. You can watch the video here.
The following day, I wrote an op-ed further describing my opposition to this agreement, which was published in the Holland Sentinel, the Ludington Daily News, and the Grand Rapids Press. We should not be providing over $100 billion in sanction relief to the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. You can read more about my thoughts on the President's dangerous "deal" with Iran here.
Defunding Planned Parenthood & Protecting the Unborn
This past Friday, I voted to eliminate federal funding for Planned Parenthood and redirect that funding to federally qualified health centers and rural clinics for one year. In Michigan, there are 20 qualified health clinics for every Planned Parenthood location. Instead of allowing taxpayers to subsidize abortion providers, let’s eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood. We can invest those dollars in federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to ensure women receive high quality medical care and protect the life of the unborn. For more information on the House investigation into Planned Parenthood, click here.
The House floor isn't the only place I am working hard for West Michigan. This month, there have been several significant events taking place across the state of Michigan that have the potential to impact our community and beyond.
Providing For Our Nation's Defense Here at Home
At the start of September, I joined members of the Michigan Congressional Delegation for the first ever Congressional tour of Michigan's military installations. The tour lasted two days and included visits to Selfridge, TACOM Command, Camp Grayling, and Fort Custer. Our men and women serving on these bases not only defend our nation but play a critical role in supporting missions happening across the globe.
Fort Custer is being considered as a future operations site for both missile defense and cyber security. Both of these missions would allow Michigan to play an even greater role in defending our nation and highlight Fort Custer's strategic importance. I support both of these endeavors and will keep you apprised of any status updates.
Welcoming New American Citizens
On Monday, I had the honor of joining 80 people from 34 countries as they took the oath of citizenship at the Kent District Library in Kentwood. Seeing the joy on the faces of the new citizens was truly inspiring. It was incredible to share and celebrate this life-changing moment. Click here to see pictures from the naturalization ceremony.
The Michigan Minute
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