Report from Ukraine

Visiting Ukraine

Late last week, I accepted an invitation from Ukrainian leaders to become just the third member of congress to visit the country and hear firsthand reports from those living through Russia's unprovoked war. Along with Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN), originally from Ukraine, we visited Lviv, Kyiv, Odesa, and the Bucha region. Throughout the trip we met with current and former members of parliament, mayors, councilmembers, and key officials in President Zelenskyy's Administration. We also met with the citizens and rank-and-file soldiers who are living an unfathomable reality daily. 

While in Odesa, we met with survivors of a strike on a residential complex, tragically taking numerous innocent lives. One survivor was a husband who had left to get groceries and returned to see the devastation that took lives of his wife, mother-in-law, and young daughter. You can only imagine the grief he felt.

In terms of communicating needs, the trip provided valuable information and on-the-ground perspective. As Rep. Spartz and I returned, we sent a letter to the Department of State and Department of Defense regarding improvements to the upcoming diplomatic redeployments to Ukraine. As Congress returned to session this week, I took to the House floor to share this firsthand experience. Later in the week, I spoke during debate on Senator Cornyn's (R-TX) Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act, which passed the House on Thursday by an overwhelming 417-10 vote. The bottom-line is Ukrainians are not asking us to fight their war, they just need the tools to defend themselves and they want greater transparency and oversight of the aid that the world has generously given. 

Questioning Energy Secretary Granholm

We're all experiencing the skyrocketing energy prices, and I continue to hear from constituents struggling with these extra costs in their monthly budget. In an Energy subcommittee hearing Wednesday, I had the chance to press Secretary Granholm about the importance of Line 5 to Michigan’s economy and energy security. The fact that she refused to answer it, on multiple occasions, is concerning. It tells a troubling story about the Biden administration’s misguided priorities when the Energy Secretary is unable to take a stand for energy.

Supporting Paul Whelan 

On Wednesday, the House unanimously passed H.Res.336, a bipartisan resolution calling on the Russian government to release Michigan native Paul Whelan. While Vladimir Putin wages his barbaric war in Ukraine, we cannot forget American citizens like Paul. While we were overjoyed another fellow Marine, Trevor Reed, was released this week, our hearts still break for the Whelan family and we will redouble our efforts to ensure Paul comes back home to Michigan.

Securing the Border

The crisis at our southern border has continued to escalate with no end in sight. 42 people on the FBI’s terror watchlist have been apprehended at the border since the influx, and this number fails to include those who have evaded capture. Recently, I signed a letter demanding that DHS Secretary Mayorkas respond for the Biden administration’s ineffective border control and apparent disregard for U.S. immigration laws. My concern with Secretary Mayorkas only increased after his testimony on Capitol Hill this week, including his "Disinformation Governance Board." It is imperative that the administration does more to ensure that American citizens remain protected and our southern border is secure. If Secretary Mayorkas is unwilling to fulfill his duties, he should resign.

Welcoming Students from Jackson

This week, I had the pleasure of welcoming students from R.W. Kidder Middle School in Jackson to the Capitol Building. Capitol tours have reopened in a limited capacity and while I continue to advocate for a full reopening, I am so joyful that engaged students like these get to learn about our government up close. We had an engaging conversation on everything from civic engagement to the legislative process.