Growing up on the shores of Lake Michigan has instilled in me a deep appreciation for the beauty of our wildlife and natural resources. I spent springs and summers swimming in the lake, autumn hiking trails around Southwest Michigan, and winters building snow forts and playing pick-up hockey on frozen ponds. Anyone who grew up in Michigan, or in the Great Lakes region, can probably relate to these idyllic pastimes. That is why protecting and preserving our Great Lakes for future generations to e... Read more

ST. JOSEPH, MI – Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today formally announced the addition of Mike Ryan to his St. Joseph/Benton Harbor District Office as District Representative/Project Coordinator. “I am pleased that Mike Ryan decided to join our team,” said Upton, who is also chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “He brings a wealth of knowledge that will help us assist folks in Southwest Michigan in working with the federal government. I firmly believe this, and making sure ... Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to advance S. 1356, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA Conference Report that previously had passed the House and Senate was adjusted to match the spending levels set forth in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 but retains the policies as passed by Congress. “The NDAA was a bipartisan process from the start and I’m glad to see it moving f... Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today released the following statement on the passage of the highway bill, a multi-year surface transportation bill that reauthorizes and reforms federal highway, transit, and highway safety programs. The legislation was advanced by the House by a strong 363-64 bipartisan vote. “Anyone who has ever driven on our Michigan roads knows we need to make long-term, strategic investments in our crumbling infrastructure,” said Upton. “The innovati... Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, signed on as a cosponsor of bipartisan legislation, H.R. 223, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2015, which will help protect the Great Lakes by authorizing the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for Fiscal Year 2016-Fiscal Year 2020 at $300 million annually. The initiative focuses on projects for the Great Lakes restoration, including the remediation of toxic substances, the prevention a... Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today released the following statement following the election of Congressman Paul D. Ryan, R-Wisconsin, to the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives. “We will have a steady hand at the tiller with the selection of Paul Ryan to lead the people’s House today,” said Upton, who chairs the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. “I appreciate Paul’s commitment to advancing solutions in a thoughtful and deliberate way and know we w... Read more

The National Defense Authorization Act is part of Congress’ most basic and sacred duties, providing for a common defense as outlined under the U.S. Constitution. This year’s NDAA is the product of consistent bipartisan cooperation. House and Senate leaders, both Republicans and Democrats, put politics aside to do what is best for our troops, their families and our military’s best interest. The legislation was advanced in both chambers with bipartisan votes of 270-156 and 70-27, respectively, in ... Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, joined the majority of his colleagues on the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy in advancing S. 611, Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Act. The legislation advanced by a voice vote and will now move to the full Energy and Commerce Committee for consideration. “Many smaller and rural communities across Southwest Michigan face significant challenges in replacing, maintaining, an... Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today joined the majority of his House colleagues in advancing H.R. 1314, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. The legislation was advanced by a bipartisan vote of 266-167. “It’s been a long and winding road to get here and the process certainly wasn’t perfect, but the bipartisan deal we got done today is good for our seniors, military, taxpayers, and economy,” said Upton. “It contains meaningful reforms to our entitlement system and will pr... Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today joined the majority of his House colleagues in voting to advance H.R. 597 – To Reauthorize the Export-Import Bank of the United States. The bipartisan legislation was advanced by a vote of 313-118. “Reauthorizing the Export-Import bank with real reforms will help create jobs, boost our economy, and reduce the deficit,” said Upton. “The bank is an investment for Southwest Michigan and communities across the country. There is no doubt ... Read more