Visiting the White House

Visiting the White House

I recently had the honor of visiting the White House to meet with President Trump, where we discussed recent work to secure our borders and lower costs for hardworking Americans.  As Chair of the Education and Workforce Committee, I have been working closely with the President and his Administration on efforts to empower parents, crack down on fraud, and grow our economy. Last year, I was proud to help usher through the House my committee's portion of the Working Families Tax Cuts, which saved taxpayers over $284 billion while simplifying loan repayment and streamlining student loan options. I've also worked with the President on efforts to crack down on fraud in federal child care assistance and federal student aid programs by passing legislation to strengthen oversight and safeguard taxpayer dollars. I look forward to continuing to work with President Trump to lower costs, create economic growth, and usher in America's golden age.

Addressing Community Needs in Branch County

I recently had the opportunity to tour the Bronson Wastewater Treatment plant and see the progress being made on improvements to the facility. Each year, I work with community leaders to secure federal funding for community needs across the district. As a result of these efforts, the City of Bronson received almost $2 million in funding for critical improvements to the Wastewater Treatment Plant that I voted for as part of the appropriations process. As the project advances to the next phase, it was great to see how this funding is helping upgrade the facility's aging infrastructure, guaranteeing the safety and reliability of the system for residents.

Unleashing American Manufacturing in Berrien County

Local businesses are the backbone of the American economy, and I remain committed to advancing innovative legislative solutions that enable them to thrive. I enjoyed visiting Edgewater Automation in honor of its 25th anniversary and contributions to our community, including the launch of Edgewater Manufacturing in Buchanan in 2014. To provide relief for small businesses and help them grow, last year I voted for the Working Families Tax Cuts. Provisions in the bill provided targeted support, including the permanent institution of the small business standard deduction and full expensing for research and development (R&D) initiatives, equipment, and structural upgrades made to manufacturing plants. This pro-growth legislation provides financial relief that enables businesses to invest more money in their operations and employees, generating additional job opportunities and driving $150 billion in annual long-term economic growth.

Addressing Security Concerns in Dowagiac

Foreign humanoid robot technology, like the China-based AGIBOT components that Hyperscale Data in Dowagiac is planning on using, could pose significant risks to U.S. companies, infrastructure, and our national security. On Tuesday, I sent a letter to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick urging the Department of Commerce to take any necessary actions to keep the U.S. safe from these foreign technologies. While the Federal Communications Commission has issued a ban on the import of new foreign-made humanoid robots, we must ensure that existing foreign-made robots cannot pose a threat to our national security. I'm also a proud cosponsor of the GUARD Act, which would require scrutiny of robots made by China and other foreign adversaries and would prohibit the importation of robots determined to be a national security threat to the United States. 

Visiting Local Communities

I enjoyed attending the annual Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast hosted by the Bronson Fire Department, where I met with community members to share my work on lowering costs for hardworking Michiganders. Last year, I voted for the Working Families Tax Cuts, historic legislation that prevented a 27% tax hike for Michigan families. Additionally, the bill included critical provisions like no tax on tips, overtime, and Social Security, which help put more money back in the pockets of American families. I had a great time speaking with constituents from Bronson, and I look forward to future visits.