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Huizenga, Correa, Walberg Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Mental Health Outcomes, Prevent Veteran Suicide

Wed, 13 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Congressman Lou Correa (D-CA) introduced the Veterans Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act, bipartisan legislation aimed at improving mental health outcomes for veterans and helping reduce veteran suicide rates by expanding access to evidence-based suicide prevention care. The legislation seeks to increase the number of Community Care Network providers who complete evidence-based suicide prevention training administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs while also creating a publicly available preferred provider list to help veterans identify providers who best meet their needs.

Under current law, providers in local communities outside the VA healthcare system may participate in the Veterans Health Administration Community Care Network without completing VA-administered suicide prevention training. The Veterans Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act encourages greater participation in that training and improves transparency for veterans seeking care options in their communities. Joining Representatives Huizenga and Correa as original cosponsors are Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI), Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY), and Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ).

“When our servicemembers come home at the end of their service, our responsibility to them does not end,” said Congressman Huizenga. “Too many veterans continue to struggle with invisible wounds after returning home, and they deserve access to the highest quality mental health care available, wherever they receive it. This bipartisan legislation will help connect veterans with providers who have completed evidence-based suicide prevention training and improve transparency for veterans and families seeking care.”

“All gave some, and some made the ultimate sacrifice. Our veterans were willing to give their lives to defend American freedom and democracy. It is now our moral duty to provide them with the highest-quality mental health care,” said Congressman Correa. “I joined Representative Bill Huizenga in introducing the Veteran Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act because veterans face a high risk of suicide. Not all wounds are visible, and we need to make sure that medical care is available to meet their needs. It is the least we can do to thank veterans for their sacrifice.”

“Our nation’s veterans have sacrificed so much for our freedoms, yet too many of these brave men and women struggle in silence,” said Congressman Walberg. “I am proud to join Representatives Huizenga and Correa on this bipartisan legislation, which will equip providers with the proper training to deliver high-quality mental health care to America's veterans so that we can honor these heroes’ service with the care, dignity, and compassion they so rightfully deserve.”

"Expanding suicide prevention training for Community Care Network providers connects veterans with better-informed care, said Congressman Mike Lawler. “This also inspires greater confidence in our veterans that their providers are prepared to recognize warning signs and respond with the support they need. Our veterans are more than deserving of access to providers who understand the unique challenges they face after serving our country,”

According to the VA’s 2025 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, 6,398 veterans died by suicide in 2023, an average of 17.5 veterans per day. The report also found that 61% of veterans who died by suicide in 2023 had not received VA healthcare services in the year prior to their death.

The Veterans Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act is supported by organizations including the American Legion Department of Michigan and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

“The Department of Michigan American Legion supports efforts to reduce veteran suicides. The Veterans Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act is one step in the direction of lowering veteran suicides by providing the proper training to those that provide care for veterans in the community.” Tim Poxson, American Legion Department of Michigan

Huizenga Votes to Lower Costs for Southwest Michigan Families and Farmers

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) released the following statement after voting in support of a five-year farm bill. Specifically, this legislation reduces input costs, strengthens risk management tools, and expands food processing capacity, all while investing in the rural infrastructure that supports Southwest Michigan’s economy and agricultural community.

Importantly, this legislation includes provisions from Huizenga’s bipartisan Protecting America’s Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers Act, which will strengthen and expand the Tree Assistance Program to better protect growers when severe weather, disease, or other losses threaten long-term production.

“This farm bill will help lower costs for the farmers who grow our food and the American families they help feed,” said Congressman Huizenga. “For years, family farms and specialty crop growers across Michigan have faced challenges that threatened their livelihood. This legislation delivers relief by giving farmers the certainty they deserve as well as the tools to cut costs, expand local processing, and strengthen domestic supply chains from the ground up. At the end of the day, this legislation will lower prices at the grocery store, help farmers thrive, and make life more affordable and healthy for families across Southwest Michigan.”

Key provisions in the House-passed farm bill include:

Lowers grocery costs & improves health outcomes by focusing on nutrition science and access to healthier foods
Invests in rural America—broadband, water, and infrastructure to lower the costs of local farm, small business, and household utility bills
Modernizes risk management for specialty crop producers
Backs specialty crops with $1B+ for research, competitiveness, and pest/disease research
Cuts input costs by advancing precision agriculture
Expands food processing capacity to strengthen supply chains
Strengthens domestic sourcing to support American agriculture
Protects U.S. farmland with CFIUS review for buyers tied to China, Russia, Iran, North Korea

Huizenga Introduces Legislation to Stop China and Russia from Stealing American AI Models

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) announced the introduction of H.R. 8283, the Deterring American AI Model Theft Act. Companies such as OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic have all indicated publicly that they have faced “distillation” attacks from State-backed Chinese AI companies. These attacks systematically extract and steal critical data, such as model weights, architectures, and other technical characteristics, that foreign adversaries use to build their own AI models for cheap while bypassing compute restrictions. Distillation attacks are the latest avenue of Chinese economic coercion and theft of U.S. intellectual property and poses a direct threat to the national security of the United States and the economic competitiveness of U.S. companies.

The Deterring American AI Model Theft Act addresses this problem by authorizing discretionary sanctions, creating a name and shame list of AI thieves, and approving a pathway for the U.S. State Department to interphase with private industry to share best practices and study attacks to strengthen defense.

“Model extraction attacks are the latest frontier of Chinese economic coercion and theft of US intellectual property,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “American AI models are demonstrating transformative cyber capabilities, and it is critical we prevent China from stealing these technological advancements. I am proud to champion the Deterring American AI Model Theft Act to advance the third pillar of the Trump Administration’s AI Action Plan. We must be more proactive in stopping the circumvention of US export controls by foreign adversaries.”

“American AI leadership rests on two pillars: the ingenuity of our innovators and the resolve, including of our government, to safeguard what our innovators build from those who seek to steal it. The Deterring American AI Model Theft Act of 2026 establishes a clear—and sorely needed—framework to identify foreign actors extracting American models, hold them accountable through existing authorities, and strengthen coordination between innovators and government. We commend Representative Huizenga for introducing it and urge the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) to advance it.” - Meredith Potter, Executive Director, American Security Fund

Distillation, when carried out with the approval of the AI model owner, is a legitimate and valuable tool for research and innovation. This bill protects such activity by disentangling it from illicit “model extraction attacks.”

Huizenga Announces Federal Affordable Housing Funding for Battle Creek, Benton Harbor, Holland, Jenison, Kalamazoo, and Portage

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) announced that communities across Southwest Michigan will receive federal funding from the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations legislation. Specifically, the communities of Battle Creek, Benton Harbor, Holland, Jenison, Kalamazoo, and Portage will receive federal funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). CDBG provides annual grants on a formula basis to states, cities, and counties to develop viable urban communities by improving housing and providing a better living environment. Additionally, CDBG expands economic opportunity, principally for low- and moderate-income residents.

“These investments will help improve housing affordability and housing availability for lower- and middle-income families across Southwest Michigan,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “I am glad to see the Department of Housing and Urban Development, under the leadership of Secretary Turner, continue to prioritize both quality of life as well as improved housing options for Michiganders.”

The communities of Battle Creek and Kalamazoo will also receive federal funding through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program. The HOME Investment Partnerships Program provides formula grants to states and localities - often in partnership with local nonprofit groups - to fund a wide range of activities including building, buying, and/or rehabilitating affordable housing for rent or homeownership or providing direct rental assistance to low-income people. HOME is the largest federal block grant to state and local governments designed exclusively to create affordable housing for low-income households.

CDBG Funding Recipients

Battle Creek – $1,172,453

Benton Harbor – $388,678

Georgetown Charter Township – $245,163

Holland – $347,365

Kalamazoo – $1,611,363

Portage – $208,331

HOME Funding Recipients

Battle Creek – $238,167.87

Kalamazoo – $491,270.56

The State of Michigan also received a direct allocation totaling $33,947,877 for CBDG and $15,561,558.40 for HOME. This funding is on top of the funding distributed to municipalities across Michigan. Municipalities and counties that received direct federal funding include:

Battle Creek, Bay City, Benton Harbor, Canton Township, Clinton Township, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Detroit, East Lansing, Farmington Hills, Flint, Genesee County, Georgetown Charter Township, Grand Rapids, Holland, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent County, Lansing, Lincoln Park, Livonia, Macomb County, Midland, Monroe, Muskegon, Muskegon Heights, Niles, Norton Shores, Oakland County, Pontiac, Portage, Port Huron, Redford, Roseville, Royal Oak, Saginaw, St Clair Shores, Southfield, Sterling Heights, Taylor, Traverse City, Warren, Washtenaw County, Waterford Township, Wayne County, Westland, and Wyoming.

Huizenga Announces Nearly $14.5 Million Investment in Battle Creek VA

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) announced the Battle Creek VA Medical Center will be receiving $14,497,160 to modernize, repair, and improve buildings on its campus as part of the Veterans Health Administration’s Non-Recurring Maintenance (NRM) Program. In January, the Trump Administration announced the largest NRM allocation ever at $4.8 billion. The NRM program funds one-time maintenance projects for facilities, equipment or infrastructure that are not part of routine, recurring maintenance. These projects include significant maintenance, replacements or upgrades needed to maintain operational capability and advance health care delivery.

Specifically, the Battle Creek VA Medical Center will be receiving funding that enhances HVAC systems, improves overall building safety, replaces elevators in multiple buildings across the campus, and installs two additional sump pumps.

“I am glad to see these important investments being made to improve infrastructure, safety, and care at the Battle Creek VA,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “Our veterans deserve the best care available and that can’t happen unless we invest and make improvements to the facilities where our veterans receive care.”

“Under President Trump, VA is putting Veterans first, and this historic investment underscores that fact,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “Improved facilities, equipment and infrastructure mean better care for Veterans, and these funds will enable VA to achieve that goal.”

UNANIMOUS: Bipartisan Huizenga Legislation to Curb AI Chip Smuggling Passes Committee

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed bipartisan legislation, H.R. 3447, the Chip Security Act, introduced by Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI). This legislation passed by a unanimous vote of 42-0.

The Chip Security Act requires advanced chip manufacturers to implement technical security measures to detect and prevent smuggling to unauthorized countries and end-users. This legislation responds to ongoing reports of AI chips being smuggled into China, where they are used to power state-controlled AI projects. Despite current export controls, smuggling networks and front companies continue to move U.S.-made chips into restricted countries.

Last week, the Department of Justice filed charges against three individuals for conspiring to violate US national security lase by smuggling billions of dollars of advanced AI chips to China. Additionally, last fall, the Department of Justice announced it has indicted three Chinese nationals for smuggling high-tech chips to China via third party countries like Thailand and Malaysia.

“The Chip Security Act enhances protections on AI chip exports by scaling up best security practices and encouraging innovative technologies,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga, Chairman of House Foreign Affairs South and Central Asia Subcommittee. “This bill directly supports the Trump Administration’s AI action plan recommendations and benefits from both administration technical assistance and industry feedback.”

“If we're going to export advanced AI chips, we need confidence that they don’t end up in the hands of the Chinese military,” said House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast. “We’re continuously talking about Chinese espionage, Chinese theft, and Chinese diversion over and over again. We can’t allow this to happen.”

“America has the best semiconductors in the world and we must defend our advantage over China, which is actively working to break the law and smuggle American chips. The Chip Security Act will make it harder to steal from us, and it will protect American jobs and industry. This legislation also advances President Trump’s AI Action Plan by implementing location verification and denying our adversaries access to compute power. Thank you to Chairman Mast, Congressman Huizenga, and the House Foreign Affairs Committee for advancing this legislation,” said China Select Committee Chairman John Moolenaar.

The Chip Security Act is led in the Senate by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR).

Find out more information about the Chip Security Act, here.

VIDEO: Huizenga Confirms Funding for Harbor Towers in Benton Harbor, Discusses Homelessness in Kalamazoo with HUD Secretary Turner

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Yesterday, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Vice Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, secured a commitment from Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner that Harbor Towers in Benton Harbor is on track to receive much needed federal funding for renovations in March.

In 2024, Huizenga called on the Biden Administration to meet its commitment to residents of Harbor Towers regarding both standard of living as well as overall safety. Huizenga has consistently fought for the residents of Harbor Towers after touring the property with Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Mohammad.

Additionally, Congressman Huizenga thanked Secretary Turner for talking to Kalamazoo Mayor David Anderson on challenges facing the community pertaining to homelessness and invited the Secretary to visit Southwest Michigan. Video of Congressman Huizenga and Secretary Turner’s conversation as well as a transcript of the dialogue in available below.

On Securing Funding for Harbor Towers

Congressman Bill Huizenga: Secretary Turner, good to see you again, and I appreciate your attendance here today. And first I want to say thank you for speaking with me last week on the phone and, and about our shared priorities and especially state of low-income housing in my district. And I also appreciate your staff who took the time for a call with the Mayor of Kalamazoo, David Anderson and an organization called Integrated Services of Kalamazoo to discuss homelessness and homeless projects and programs that we have.

Back specifically though, I do also want to highlight a project in Benton Harbor, Michigan in my district, it's called Harbor Towers dating back to 2011. Residents have been complaining about the conditions that they have experienced there, including no heat, hot water, security concerns. In 2024, I visited the property myself with Mayor Marcus Muhammad to bring attention to a housing development that has long been neglected.

We got the ball rolling then and it's my understanding that the funding for this project is set to close in March of this year. And I just want to get your commitment that you are going to work with me and the fine folks there to see that project through.

Secretary Scott Turner: Yes sir, Congressman, thank you. You know, we are more than willing to work with you in your office to make sure that the people that are living there are living in the best conditions possible and that we are stewarding well over taxpayer dollars and carrying out HUD's missions.

Huizenga: And both of those things can happen.

Secretary Turner: Yes.

Huizenga: We can be both a steward and provide proper housing for those folks. And that is, it's an important component of this. So, I appreciate your support and I know the residents of Harbor Towers will be very, very glad to hear that that much needed funding has been secured.

And lastly, I'd love to invite you to the fourth district. It's one of the most beautiful districts that you'll ever see. I don't care what my other colleagues say. But I do highly recommend sometime in the spring, maybe the summer Benton Harbor is right on the shores of Lake Michigan. Love to get you there. Love to get you to Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, Cereal City USA, where we can take a look at a few of those projects that are in the district.

Turner: Sure.

Huizenga: I look forward to working hopefully with your schedule on that. And there's lot of folks that get support in Michigan, but I think it's important that you come to Southwest Michigan to see some of those challenges that we have.

On HUD Oversight of Local Housing Authorities

Huizenga: Something you and I have discussed in the past, and I know you touched on in your testimony, and I believe the Chair brought up in his opening statement. But I wanted to give you an opportunity to expand on your, on the work HUD is doing to hold local housing authorities accountable. So, could you please expand on that work?

Secretary Turner: Sure. Thank you. You know, we came in a lot during the Biden Administration. A blind eye had been turned to transparency and accountability in our public housing authorities. We have 3,800 public housing authorities around our country, urban and rural, and we came in with the idea and the intention to hold public housing authorities accountable for those that live inside of public housing authorities, the living conditions inside of public housing authorities.

And so, we've been working with Department of Homeland Security and other federal agency partners to make sure that those that are living inside of HUD funded properties are indeed American citizens, that they are upholding the living conditions that they're supposed to be upholding for our people that live inside of those public housing should be safe housing.

And so, we have a task force. We announced a new hotline that people can call if there's nefarious activity going on in our public housing authorities. 1-800-347-3735 is a number that people can call to our hotline with the Office of Inspector General. There's drug trafficking, there's sex trafficking, there's domestic violence. There's all kind of things that are going on criminally inside of housing authorities, and I'm not willing to turn the blind eye to that anymore. But we need to protect our women, our children, and our families to be safe in housing authority.

So, I unapologetically want to say we're going to root out crime and come for those who are doing criminal and nefarious activity. Because we will not stand for that any longer, sir.

Huizenga: Amen. Thank you for that. The folks that they're supposed to be serving deserve that.

Huizenga Leads Bipartisan Bill to Redesignate Temporary Protected Status for Burma

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia and Co-Chair of the Congressional Burma Caucus, introduced bipartisan legislation to redesignate Burma for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). On November 25^th, 2025, the Trump Administration terminated the designation of Burma for TPS, concluding that Burma no longer meets the designation criteria. This termination is effective on January 26, 2026.

“The Department of Homeland Security’s decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Burma deeply misconstrues the reality of the situation on the ground,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “The most recent junta-run sham election should be viewed as a rigged farce and nothing more. The United States must recognize that the junta cannot possibly meet the standard of holding a free and fair election while they murder innocent Burmese civilians who disagree with them. Forcing Burmese who have legally taken refuge in the United States to return to an ongoing civil war is antithetical to the purpose of TPS. As Co-chair of the Congressional Burma Caucus, I am proud to champion this legislative effort and call on the Trump Administration to reverse their misguided decision.”

This bill was co-led by Reps. Ami Bera (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN), Co-Chair of the Congressional Burma Caucus, and Rep. Tim Kennedy (D-NY).

“Extending TPS for Burmese nationals is a matter of basic humanity and common sense,” said Rep. Ami Bera. “Thousands of individuals who fled violence and repression in Burma are taking refuge in the United States. They are raising families, contributing to our economy, and strengthening our communities. Forcing them to return to a country still gripped by war and instability would put their lives at risk. The United States must continue to stand with the Burmese people and ensure that those taking refuge in our nation can remain until peace and stability returns to Burma.”

“It is inhumane to send people back to Burma as the junta continues to kill people,” said House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory Meeks. “Once again, the Administration’s rationale for ending TPS is inconsistent with reality – Burma is not safe. Congress must step in to ensure that we’re not sending men, women, and children back to be faced with imprisonment, torture, and death.”

“The Administration’s decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Burmese citizens is a death sentence for those being forced to return to an ongoing armed conflict and genocide,” said Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove. “The United States has a moral obligation to protect people fleeing violence, deprivation, and persecution. That responsibility is precisely why the TPS program was created. I am proud to join Rep. Huizenga in introducing this crucial legislation to reinstate TPS for Burma.”

“Since the end of World War II, the people of Burma have endured escalating humanitarian crises resulting from its ongoing civil war. Hundreds of thousands of Burmese fled their country to find safe haven here in the United States and have since put down roots; starting businesses, raising families, and becoming integral parts of our communities, including in Minnesota’s Fourth District. Ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for these individuals puts them in serious danger – this bipartisan legislation corrects this mistake and redesignates Burma for TPS so that these individuals can remain safely in the United States.” – Congressional Burma Caucus Co-Chair Betty McCollum

“Western New Yorkers know firsthand that our communities are stronger when we support families, especially those who are fleeing violence and working hard to build their lives in America,” said Rep. Tim Kennedy. “Stripping temporary protected status from our Burmese neighbors and sending them back to a wartorn country leaves a void in the communities they’ve strengthened, the workplaces they sustain, and the local economies they help grow, and it betrays our values. I am proud to co-lead this critical legislation to reverse the administration’s decision and do the right thing by redesignating TPS for Burma.”

Background

Temporary Protected Status was originally created by Congress in 1990. Under current law, the Secretary of Homeland Security can designate a country for TPS for certain periods if the country meets one or more of the following conditions, subject to periodic review:

(1) ongoing armed conflict (2) environmental disaster; or (3) extraordinary and temporary conditions in a foreign state that prevent its nationals from safely returning, unless the Secretary finds that allowing its nationals to temporarily stay in the United States is against the U.S. national interest.

On November 19, 2025, Congressman Huizenga hosted a joint subcommittee hearing titled “No Exit Strategy: Burma’s Endless Crisis and America’s Limited Options,” where Huizenga discussed the horrors on the ground and the junta’s attempts to host a sham election. You can view his remarks here.

The 3% Resolution: Huizenga, Peters, Smucker, Quigley Introduce Bipartisan Budget Deficit Reduction Measure

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Yesterday, Bipartisan Fiscal Forum (BFF) Co-Chairs Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Scott Peters (D-CA), in addition to Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), and Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL), led the BFF Steering Committee to introduce the bipartisan House Resolution (H.Res.981) establishing a clear fiscal goal: reducing the federal budget deficit to 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) or lower. Known as the “3% Resolution,” this measure proves growing bipartisan agreement that Congress must adopt a concrete, achievable target to begin restoring fiscal discipline and confronting the nation’s escalating debt crisis.

With the federal deficit hovering around 6% of GDP in Fiscal Year 2025, national debt at historic levels, and other warning signs flashing across the economy, the 3% Resolution boldly calls out these facts and outlines a straightforward, no-nonsense framework for action to put the nation on a more sustainable fiscal path and protect future generations from severe economic consequences.

You can read the text here. The 3% Resolution is also cosponsored by the entire BFF Steering Committee: Reps. Ed Case (D-HI); Steve Womack (R-AR); Jimmy Panetta (D-CA); Erin Houchin (R-IN); Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA); Blake Moore (R-UT); Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA); Dusty Johnson (R-SD); Jared Golden (D-ME); Ron Estes (R-KS), as well as House Budget Chairman and BFF Co-Chair Emeritus Jodey Arrington (R-TX).

“The 3% Resolution demonstrates that Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle recognize not only the unsustainable trajectory of our national debt, but the urgency in which it needs to be addressed as well,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Fiscal Forum. “This resolution sets a fiscal benchmark and emphasizes a disciplined budget process. Adopting this measure will help prioritize federal spending today while protecting the financial wellbeing of the next generation of Americans. This is not an aspirational target; it is the minimum standard necessary to preserve America’s long-term economic security.”

"Our country borrows nearly $2 trillion every year just to pay our expenses. As government borrowing grows, there will be less money available in the system to help San Diegans afford homes, invest in their businesses, or take out loans. We cannot let bad fiscal policy crowd out working families. In order to get America's fiscal house in order, we need to clearly define what success looks like. If we reduce our annual borrowing to 3 percent of the total size of our economy, we will set a goal and benchmark we can look at every year to evaluate: are we doing better or worse than last year? I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this resolution and make clear Congress is serious about getting our economy back on track," said Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA), Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Fiscal Forum.

“We are on an unsustainable fiscal path, and the window to change course before risking a sovereign debt crisis is rapidly closing. But this challenge is still solvable—and setting a realistic fiscal target that has bipartisan buy-in is critical towards putting our nation back on stable footing,” said Congressman Smucker (R-PA). “This resolution builds on ongoing efforts in Congress to address the national debt by establishing a bipartisan benchmark for responsible fiscal governance. Reducing our budget deficit to 3 percent of GDP or less is an achievable goal that, if reached, would have a great impact on stabilizing our debt and growing our economy. Our debt is the greatest long-term threat to our nation, and fixing our fiscal trajectory is essential to securing America’s economy for generations to come.”

“Years of reckless budgeting have brought the national debt to an unsustainable level. If left unchecked, interest on the debt will crowd out spending on defense, health care, and every other government service,” said Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL). “We must establish aggressive, realistic goals like a 3 percent deficit-to-GDP ratio to reign in our nation’s debt and ensure future generations are not handed a fiscal crisis.”

In addition to the entire BFF Steering Committee cosponsoring the legislation, the 3% Resolution gained significant support right out of the gate.

This resolution is a first step toward fixing our fiscal trajectory and will help build bipartisan consensus in favor of a sustainable budget framework. A fiscal goal should be aggressive enough to help fix the problem but realistic enough to be achievable, which is exactly what this resolution encourages. I am hopeful that this resolution will serve as a catalyst toward reducing deficits and I commend Representatives Huizenga (R-MI), Peters (D-CA), Smucker (R-PA) and Quigley (D-IL) for introducing it. Policymakers should get to work on putting in place the necessary policies to get the national debt on a downward sustainable path, taking no options off the table. — Maya MacGuineas, President, Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget

Reining in the deficit is essential for protecting taxpayers and preserving economic opportunity. This bipartisan resolution by Reps. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Scott Peters (D-CA) establishing a 3 percent deficit-to-GDP goal over five years provides a meaningful benchmark for getting our fiscal house in order. The best way to meet this target is for Congress to pursue thoughtful, long-term spending reforms and tax policies that encourage investment, work, and innovation. The resolution also gives the Congressional Budget Office an important role in assessing how major legislation would affect progress toward meeting these deficit-reduction goals, helping to keep lawmakers on track. — Demian Brady, Vice President of Research, National Taxpayers Union Foundation

The United States is adding debt faster than ever due to a fundamental, structural imbalance between spending and revenue in our budget. This bipartisan resolution not only recognizes the urgency of taking action on fiscal solutions, it outlines a critically important budget process for setting a meaningful fiscal target that would put us on a much stronger and more sustainable path for the future. — Brett Loper, Executive Director, Peterson Solutions Fund

The House is right to rally around a 3 percent deficit target. It isn’t a moonshot; it’s the minimum viable level of protection a modern economy needs to avoid drifting into a debt crisis. Getting back under 3 percent isn’t fiscal heroism but merely the price of keeping optionality, stability, and control in our own hands. Still, in an environment where leadership continues to duck the issue, we congratulate Reps. Huizenga, Peters, Smucker, and Quigley and thank them for their leadership. — William Glass, Policy Director, Millennial Debt Foundation

The nation’s large and growing debt hurts everyday Americans — driving up costs for families and weighing down future growth. By rallying around a 3%-of-GDP deficit target, Representatives Peters, Huizenga, Smucker, and Quigley are charting a bipartisan path toward a brighter economic future. BPC Action urges Congress to get serious about our unsustainable debt and adopt this goal. — Michele Stockwell, President, BPC Action

Only Congress can fix federal finances. That’s why it’s good to see an emerging new framework from Representatives Huizenga, Peters, Smucker, and Quigley: reduce the deficit to 3 percent of GDP through an effective congressional budget process with credible backstops. Building consensus on the goals can open the door to serious conversations about how to get there. — Kurt Couchman, Senior Fellow in Fiscal Policy, Americans for Prosperity

Huizenga Nominates 14 Students from Allegan, Gobles, Holland, Hudsonville, Kalamazoo, Mattawan, Portage, St. Joe, and Wayland to U.S. Service Academies

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) announced the nomination of 14 students to U.S. Service Academies for the class of 2030. These students will be considered for appointment to one or more of our nation’s Service Academies, which include: 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.

“It is an honor to put forward these outstanding students from Southwest Michigan for consideration to attend one of our nation’s prestigious Service Academies,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “Their pursuit of an appointment demonstrates discipline, purpose, and a deep sense of responsibility to something greater than themselves. I am confident these individuals possess the character and leadership necessary to serve with distinction and to proudly represent Southwest Michigan and the United States of America. Their commitment to excellence and their willingness to serve our nation is something we should all recognize and celebrate.”

Nominations are based on an interview with an academy advisory board that considers academic success, extracurricular accomplishments, and demonstrated leadership. Further information on requirements for nomination and the application process is available on Congressman Huizenga’s website.

A nomination does not guarantee admission to a Service Academy. Before an academy may offer an appointment, it must receive a nomination from an authorized nominating source, such as a Member of Congress. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a nomination.

Congressman Huizenga has nominated the following students for the Class of 2030.

United States Air Force Academy

Ashton Brown – Holland Christian High School

Ava Ulberg – Mattawan High School, Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Brooks Massing – Black River Public Schools, Western Michigan University

Charlotte Markoski – Wayland Union High School

Deacon Sidebotham – Wayland Union High School

Henry Freestone – Loy Norrix High School

Landon Thomas – Arizona State University (remote), St. Joseph, MI

United States Naval Academy

Ava Ulberg – Mattawan High School, Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Gavin McCain – Mattawan High School

Henry Freestone - Loy Norrix High School

United States Military Academy at West Point

Aiden Beam – Gobles High School

Ashton Brown - Holland Christian High School

Deacon Sidebotham - Wayland Union High School

Eliza DeLaet – Allegan High School

Henry Freestone - Loy Norrix High School

Jonah Weber – Portage Northern High School

Levi Wilcox – Hudsonville High School

Rowan Hagenbuch – Comstock High School, Western Michigan University

United States Merchant Marine Academy

Parker Josephs – De La Salle Collegiate High School