Honoring a Kalamazoo County Veteran
Honoring a Kalamazoo County Veteran
On Tuesday, I had the privilege of recognizing Michael Fry of Fulton as the Veteran of the Month for April. Michael Fry enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served from 2005 to 2018 as a Signals Intelligence Analyst, a Special Intelligence Systems Communicator, and a Persian‑Farsi Crypto‑Linguist. Following his military career, Michael became a Criminal Intelligence Analyst with the Michigan State Police and is now with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety. Michael Fry’s life of service is a testament to the Marine Corps motto of Semper Fidelis — Always Faithful. His leadership, integrity, and devotion to his fellow veterans inspire us all, and it is my privilege to honor him for his extraordinary service to our country and community.
Strengthening Election Integrity
I sat down with Hillsdale County Clerk Abe Dane to discuss efforts to strengthen our election security. Only U.S. citizens should be voting in U.S. elections. However, states, like Michigan, continue to discover noncitizens on their voter rolls. To bolster our election security and restore public trust, I recently voted for the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship when registering to vote, improve the ability of states to remove noncitizens from voter rolls, and require voter ID. The SAVE America Act will keep foreign interference out of our elections, strengthen our election integrity, and restore public trust in our federal elections.
Delivering No Tax on Tips
I recently had the opportunity to visit Trackside Eatery and Pub in Albion to discuss how we are delivering historic tax relief for hardworking Americans and small businesses. Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts, tipped workers could save an estimated $1,300 a year, allowing them to pocket more of their hard-earned money. Over 3.5 million tipped taxpayers have already benefited from this new tax relief. This historic legislation also empowers small businesses like Trackside Eatery and Pub by making the small business tax deduction permanent, allowing small businesses to reinvest in their employees, their operations, and their communities.
Expanding Access to Career and Technical Education
I enjoyed touring C&S Machine in Niles and learning more about their operations, producing components for aerospace and defense. As Chair of the Education and Workforce Committee, I helped pass a provision within the Working Families Tax Cuts that expands Pell Grant eligibility for individuals enrolling in high-quality, short-term career and technical education programs. This will provide more opportunities for aspiring workers to enter the workforce with the skills needed for in-demand jobs.
Hearing from You
I recently held community gatherings in Michiana and Morenci to provide an update on my legislative efforts and to hear about the issues that matter most to you. During the gatherings, we discussed my efforts to provide tax relief for hardworking American families and obtain critical federal funding for infrastructure improvements. In July, Congress passed the Working Families Tax Cuts, which will provide an additional $91 billion in refunds this tax season and will increase take-home pay for a typical Michigan family by up to $11,700. I also voted in favor of legislation to fund several projects in Michigan’s 5th District, including funding for the Village of Michiana, which will replace the aging cast-iron water main and ensure the residents who depend on this water delivery system have access to safe, reliable water.