This Weekend

Memorial Day Weekend

As we head into a Memorial Day weekend that is unlike any other in recent memory, it’s important that we remember the sacrifices that so many heroic men and women have made for our country. Throughout American history, the bravery displayed time and time again by our servicemembers has preserved our freedom. May the memories of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice always live on in hearts.

President Trump Visits Michigan

This week, President Trump came to the Rawsonville Ford Plant to support our dedicated front line workers in the fight against COVID-19. Like many Michigan manufacturers, Ford has stepped up by retooling to produce ventilators and other equipment experiencing unprecedented demand. Along with the help from the private sector, Michigan has received unprecedented funding, and support procuring supplies from the federal government.

Through federal and private sector collaboration, Michigan has received:

• 10+ million N95 masks
• 10.9 million surgical and procedural masks
• Battelle Critical Care Decontamination System capable of decontaminating 80,000 N95 masks daily
• 4.9 million surgical gowns
• 426 million medical gloves
• 674,000 eye and face shields
• 285 cases of Remdesivir (40 vials per case)

Economic Impact Payments

So far, over 4 million Michiganders have received a total of over $7 billion.

If you have not received a payment, and believe you’re eligible, the IRS has established a hotline to help provide additional assistance for taxpayers with questions about their Economic Impact Payments. That number is 800-919-9835.

If you have unusual circumstances, which may have caused an error in processing the payment, or if you have received notice from the IRS on the website or in a letter that you should have received payment, or if a deceased relative has received payment, please call my office at 517-780-9075.

Paycheck Protection Program

More than 114,000 small businesses in Michigan have received economic relief through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), including many places in our community.

The Small Business Administration and Department of Treasury have recently released the PPP Loan Forgiveness Application and instructions. 

SBA will also soon issue regulations and guidance to further assist borrowers as they complete their applications, and to provide lenders with guidance on their responsibilities.

Click here to view the application and instructions. As always, please reach out to my Jackson District Office at 517-780-9075, if you are having issues with the application.

Rejecting Partisan Games

Late last week, I voted against Speaker Pelosi’s 1,800-page spending bill with a $3 trillion price tag, which was only introduced a few days prior to the vote. Up to this point, the House-passed Coronavirus response legislation has been overwhelmingly bipartisan in nature. H.R. 6800 is far from it.

It was crafted by Democratic leadership behind closed doors with no input from Republicans. It includes a laundry list of long-standing liberal policies that are unrelated to the COVID-19 challenges facing our communities. And it has zero chance of passing the Senate or getting signed into law by the President. In addition, before authorizing further spending, we should first make sure all the CARES Act resources are fully distributed so we can gauge the impact of previous response bills. Click here to read my statement on the vote.

I also voted against Speaker Pelosi’s partisan proxy voting proposal that undermines the constitutional responsibilities and deliberative process of the House of Representatives. Changing centuries-old rules without bipartisan consensus is concerning, and so is the top-down push to weaken the voice of the people and their elected representatives.

Just like Americans across the country, the House can resume its legislative work in a safe manner with proper precautions. I remain committed to getting the job done on behalf of my constituents.