This week, the House passed numerous bills to unleash domestic energy production and lower energy costs for Michigan families. After years of the Biden administration imposing burdensome regulations and limiting our energy potential, House Republicans have started to reverse course. On Thursday, we passed the Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act, which would lift restrictions on the import and export of liquified natural gas, and the REFINER Act, which would help us increase our refining capacity. By promoting American energy dominance, we can lower utility and energy bills and make life more affordable for Michiganders.
Students, families, and small businesses rely on internet connectivity each day, and we can’t allow rural America to get left behind in today’s digital age. On Tuesday, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology advanced my legislation, the Brownfields Broadband Deployment Act, as part of a larger package. This critical legislation will remove unnecessary barriers to building broadband projects, accelerating the development of infrastructure and helping close the digital divide. We should not allow red tape to prevent Americans from accessing the connectivity they need to work, learn, innovate, and thrive.
Empowering Veterans
We owe our deepest gratitude to those who have served our nation and safeguarded the freedoms we all hold so dear. To better support the men and women who have dedicated their lives to defending this country, I voted for and the House passed the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Act. This commonsense legislation directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to raise certain veteran and survivor benefits consistent with Social Security cost-of-living adjustments. We must ensure that these heroes receive the benefits they have so rightfully earned. If you or someone you know needs assistance with benefits from the VA, then please contact my office at (517) 780-9075 or visit my website.
On Tuesday, the Education and Workforce Committee held a hearing on how we can harness innovation in higher education to expand opportunity, improve student outcomes, and make college more affordable. Nearly 42 million Americans have attended college but left without earning a credential. This reality demands new technologies, new models, and a new mindset to ensure higher education truly meets the needs of students and families. I enjoyed hearing from President Jeffrey Docking of Adrian College about the course-sharing system they use to better meet demand. This week, the Education Department also announced six interagency agreements that will allow them to partner with other federal agencies on the management of federal education programs. This move puts students before bureaucracy by right-sizing the Department of Education.
As an avid rider myself, I am proud to advocate on behalf of the motorcycling community. Unfortunately, a 2024 policy change has penalized motorcyclists who try to enter our National Parks using the America the Beautiful annual pass. On Thursday, the House Committee on Natural Resources, which I serve on, passed my bill, the America the Beautiful Motorcycle Fairness Act, to restore parity and ensure that riders can continue to enjoy the open roads of our national parks. During the committee's markup, we also advanced vital legislation like the SPEED Act to streamline the permitting process and accelerate the deployment of critical energy projects.
