@MyKitchenTable: Wednesday, June 3, 2020 Dear Friend: After all the very serious news the last ten days, I thought this Knute Rockne’s quote might provide a little levity..."I won’t know why we lost the game until my barber tells me on Monday." Listening to Michael Patrick Shiels this morning on WSJM, it was noted that Michigan is the only state that has not either opened up its barber shops/salons or set a date for them to open. GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy asked me on our conference call today if... Read more

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, issued the following statement: “We know that Kalamazoo and the people of this extraordinary community have a proud, wonderful history of diversity in every respect, which I’ve always viewed as a strength. We should heed the advice of George Floyd’s brother to end the chaos and to respond to this latest case of police brutality in a constructive way. Accountability is the key ingredient for us all to be judged on our actions. We must respect... Read more

May 29, 2020 @MyKitchenTable: Friday, May 29, 2020 Dear Friend: We’ve had some pretty tough news the last week or so. The 100,000 U.S. death threshold was crossed this week; dams burst and evacuated some 10,000 Michiganders from their homes; Minneapolis; and - on the personal side - my congressional staff had our second immediate family member die from COVID-19. Add the chaos of lost economic opportunity to such real hardships for so many innocent victims as we miss the companionship and love o... Read more

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Fred Upton (R-MI) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI), along with leadership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, asked questions about safety concerns and non-compliance of the Edenville Dam before it breached and caused catastrophic damage throughout downstream communities. Dingell and Upton wrote to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which revoked Boyce Hydro Power’s license in September 2018. The lawmakers also wrote to the Michigan Dep... Read more

June 1, 2020 @MyKitchenTable: Monday, June 1, 2020 Dear Friend: As the events from Minneapolis have consumed much of our nation’s thoughts and energies, it is this quote from Mahatma Gandhi that truly underscores today’s charge: “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." I participated in the peaceful protest Sunday afternoon in Benton Harbor with Mayor Marcus Muhammad and a number of Benton Harbor elected officials. Accountability is the key ingredient for us all... Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) and House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC) today announced the introduction of the “Rural Broadband Acceleration Act,” bipartisan legislation that directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to fund shovel-ready, high-speed internet projects immediately, so consumers can access broadband within a year. Roughly one in four rural households cannot connect to the internet, and it is often too slow and too expensive for the households who d... Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today voted for and the U.S. House passed the bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, of which Upton was an original co-sponsor. The bill passed 417-1. This bipartisan legislation extends loan forgiveness beyond the original 8-week timeline, eliminate restrictions limiting non-payroll expenses to 25% of loan proceeds, extends the 2-year limit on loan repayment, ensure full access to payroll tax deferment, and expand the rehir... Read more

@MyKitchenTable: Thursday, May 28, 2020 Dear Friend: The day never quit. I was very glad for the “mute” button because I was on multiple conference calls at the same time! Today’s KT report coming to you from D.C., where we just passed our bipartisan bill to improve the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Remember this program provided a real lifeline to our small businesses, without a doubt. If you’re a small business and you allocated 75% of the loan money that you received for employees’ salar... Read more

@MyKitchenTable: Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Dear Friend: Today’s constituent pics/videos certainly mark the start of summer. As most of us hunkered down for a different Memorial Day without large community parades and distinguished cemetery events, this solo “Taps” coming from Paw Paw certainly is relevant and marks the national 3 PM playing of Taps yesterday. Click here to watch his video. Also, Ken from St. Joseph highlights a beautiful flower in his neighborhood. If you would like to submit a phot... Read more

@MyKitchenTable: Wednesday, May 27, 2020 Dear Friend: Back in Washington today for votes this week, including on our bipartisan bill to improve the PPP, which should pass and extend the lifeline to our small businesses. More tomorrow. Today’s quote from Henry David Thoreau is for all of the recent 2020 graduates, like the one from Otsego in today’s KT photo: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." An Otsego neighborhood held a socially distanced parade ... Read more