WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Energy and Commerce Committee, chaired by U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, on Wednesday advanced landmark, bipartisan legislation that will reform our nation’s mental health system by a unanimous 53-0 vote. H.R. 2646, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, was introduced by U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Penn, in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., tragedy. It was advanced by the Subcommittee on Health in November. “This bill will make a real difference for countl... Read more

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, on Monday joined House Speaker Paul D. Ryan and U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Illinois, for a signing ceremony for the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act. The landmark piece of legislation, advanced in the House by a 403-12 vote and unanimously in the Senate, marks the first update to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) since 1976. It improves chemical safety by clearing up the hodgepodge of state rules, reduces risks for consumers, a... Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, released the following statement regarding the tragedy in Orlando: “Sunday’s horrific attack in Orlando is a tragic reminder that we have much work to do not only against the very real threat of radical Islamic terror, but also against reprehensible hatred that simply has no place in America. This appears to have been a toxic combination of ISIS, hatred, discrimination, and pure terror. As we gather more information about what exactly happen... Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today joined his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives in unanimously approving bipartisan legislation that will enhance pipeline safety, clarify safety oversight efforts, and provide greater regulatory certainty. The PIPES Act of 2016 reauthorizes the federal pipeline safety program within Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) for four years and requires the agency to update safety regulations, increase tra... Read more

ST. JOSEPH, MI – U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today released the following statement on the news that boxing legend and former Berrien County resident, Muhammad Ali passed away overnight: “Muhammad Ali was indeed The Greatest and his impact and legacy will be felt for generations and beyond. His strength and bravery in the boxing ring and with his battle with Parkinson’s Disease is a testament to the human spirit. Years ago when we were organizing the bipartisan effort to double the fundi... Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today joined Michigan colleagues Dan Benishek, Mike Bishop, John Conyers, Bill Huizenga, Brenda Lawrence, John Moolenaar, Dave Trott, and Tim Walberg, in writing a letter to eight Great Lakes region governors. The letter strongly urges the governors to vote against a proposal by the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Regional Body to allow Waukesha, Wisconsin, to divert 8.2 million gallons of water per day from the Great La... Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted last night to advance H.R. 4909, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017. The legislation was passed by a bipartisan vote of 277-147. “Working in a bipartisan fashion, and an open process on the House Floor, we were able to advance meaningful legislation that will give our troops a pay raise, fund their training, and block the government from... Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, recently received the 2016 “Medicare Advantage Champion” Award from the Coalition for Medicare Choices, a national grassroots organization of 2 million Americans working to protect Medicare Advantage. The award recognizes Upton’s commitment to protecting Medicare Advantage for the millions of older Americans and people with disabilities who depend on its coverage. “I’m proud to continue supporting our seniors and those with disabilities who ... Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, joined his colleagues in the House of Representatives this week in advancing 18 bipartisan pieces of legislation related to the ongoing opioid and heroin epidemic sweeping through Southwest Michigan and the entire country. “Abuse of prescription pain-killers and heroin has impacted every community – here in Southwest Michigan and across the country. As I’ve met with families throughout our corner of the state, it’s clear that this is an epid... Read more

KALAMAZOO, MI – U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, issued the following statement after learning of the death of Anna Whitten, of Kalamazoo, on Friday. Whitten was a long-time member Kalamazoo Community College Board of Directors, for whom one of the downtown Kalamazoo campus buildings is named. She was also an advisory committee member with the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, and had worked with numerous local organizations championing issues of education, civil rights, health care, and those incarce... Read more