Instead of importing oil from OPEC and other foreign countries, we should be supporting an all-of-the-above energy agenda that encourages American energy production, lower energy costs – from gasoline to electricity – for folks and their families, and yes, looks to renewable solutions as part of our larger energy infrastructure. You can watch my remarks from the hearing HERE and read my letter that I helped send to the Department of Energy last week on rising energy costs HERE.

CURES 2.0 UPDATE

Last week, I had noted that my Colorado colleague Diana DeGette and I were expecting to introduce our Cures 2.0 legislation – which will continue to expedite the development and approval of lifesaving cures and devices – ASAP. That timeline had to be pushed to next week as we are still waiting on Legislative Counsel to hammer out the last few kinks. Stay tuned next week for more information on this front.

HEALTH SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING

On Wednesday, I also participated in a Health Subcommittee hearing, which you can watch HERE, on a number of public health priorities – particularly for women, children, and families. I spoke about efforts to protect public health and replace lead lines in Benton Harbor and nationwide. As I made clear, clean water is not a luxury. It’s a basic necessity. Replacing lead lines is not a partisan issue and I would hope that Republicans and Democrats could work together to resolve this issue facing our communities.

Earlier this week, my staff met with Governor Whitmer and Benton Harbor city officials as I was heading to D.C. for votes. I helped secure $5.6 million last October for lead pipe replacement in Benton Harbor which is now being deployed. You’ll remember that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill that I helped write with my Problem Solvers Caucus colleagues provides some $15 billion for lead pipe replacement across the country – including in Southwest Michigan. Unfortunately, we still have not had the opportunity to vote on this package that is exclusively dedicated to physical infrastructure reforms which passed the Senate 69 to 30 in August.

I also voiced my support for the Protecting Access to Lifesaving Screenings (PALS) Act, which is a bipartisan bill to preserve coverage for routine breast cancer screenings for women in their 40s. A cancer diagnosis is devastating for patients and their families. Each year, more than 280,000 women tragically get the news that they have breast cancer. Fortunately, we know that early detection and regular check-ups can help catch cancer in its earliest stages and truly save lives. The PALS Act will do just that by providing wives, mothers, sisters, grandmothers, and women nationwide access to lifesaving mammograms and the peace of mind that comes with regular and comprehensive screenings. I am proud to support this important, bipartisan legislation for every woman who has fought and won the battle against breast cancer.

LETTER TO HOUSE LEADERSHIP ON GLOBAL SEMICONDUCTOR SHORTAGE

On Thursday, I led a letter to House leadership with my Michigan colleague Debbie Dingell and 38 of our colleagues – including many in the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus (PSC) – to fully fund the Creating Helpful Incentives for the Production of Semiconductors (CHIPS) for America Act, including some $2 billion for semiconductor chips used by Michigan’s auto industry. It’s clear that the ongoing semiconductor shortage is hurting the automotive industry, American workers, and our nation’s competitiveness by the hour. We need to do everything we can to lower costs for hardworking folks, but without the needed chips to assemble cars and trucks, prices particularly for new and used cars will continue to remain sky-high. You can read our full letter HERE and the PSC’s statement of support HERE.

ADDRESSING OUR SUPPLY CHAIN BOTTLENECKS

The Problem Solvers Caucus has encouraged and I am a cosponsor of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act which will really go a long way to alleviate the numerous supply chain bottlenecks we’re seeing at ports across the country – particularly in Los Angeles and Long Beach, CA. American businesses continue to face difficulties in securing fair and reliable ocean transportation for their goods – like ag products and consumer goods – due to a real imbalance in the availability and efficiency of ocean streamliners. This legislation waives any fees that are currently being applied to American truckers and ports for delays that are caused by the ocean carriers themselves. It also ensures that American exports do not face barriers to entry in foreign markets. You can read more HERE.

STRENGTHENING THE REMAIN IN MEXICO POLICY

Today, I signed on to a discharge petition to force a vote on the House floor to continue the successful “Remain in Mexico” policy. If a majority of the House signs the petition, it must be considered on the House Floor bypassing committee action. This policy – which was implemented under the last administration and will be reinstated imminently by the Biden Administration – is an important “tool in the toolbox” to secure the border and really address the surge in migrants we’ve seen the last several months. To date, some 1.7 million migrants have been apprehended at the border. We cannot continue to allow this crisis – created by the current administration – to go unchecked. Border security is national security, and I will always vote to support the rule of law in our country.

FIGHTING THE IRS TAX SURVEILLANCE PROPOSAL

Yesterday, I joined 201 of my Republican colleagues in sending a letter to Treasury Secretary Yellen citing our real concerns with the proposed IRS tax surveillance plan. The IRS doesn’t need an additional $80 billion to monitor folks’ bank accounts. Taxpayers and small financial institutions like local banks and credit unions should not be subjected to this headache, which will raise costs on their customers. It’s a real violation of privacy, a clear example of government overreach, and should not be included in the Democrats’ partisan $3.5 trillion reconciliation package. Period. You can read the full letter HERE.

A NIGHT OF BIPARTISAN CAMARADERIE AND GOOD BEER

Wednesday, Anheuser Busch hosted its 4th Brew Across America beer competition to promote bipartisanship in Congress. I teamed up with my California colleague Tony Cardenas to brew our “LA Vida Lager” – and we won! The bottom line is when Republicans and Democrats work together – whether that’s brewing beer or passing good, bipartisan legislation – the American people win. And we don’t just talk the talk, we also walk the walk. On Wednesday, the House passed a good number of bipartisan bills to promote domestic manufacturing, strengthen or Strategic National Stockpile, and help states combat the opioid epidemic. That’s exactly what we need more of in D.C.

SURGING COVID-19 CASES WORLDWIDE

On a closing note, I read reports that Moscow is heading back into lockdown amid rising cases of COVID. With hospital beds nearly full and a reported 1,028 deaths on Wednesday, the Russian government is sounding the alarm for folks to get vaccinated as only 30% of the population has received a full regimen of the vaccine. You can read more HERE. This is a sobering reminder that – even some 5,000 miles away – unvaccinated folks worldwide are falling seriously ill. If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, please talk to your doctor. You can find vaccination appointments and locations in Michigan HERE.

Also, in case you missed it, the CDC approved yesterday booster shots for the Moderna and J&J vaccines. This is great news as we really try to put this pandemic in the rearview mirror. You can read more HERE.

Stay tuned for next week’s report and have a safe and enjoyable weekend.

All the best,

Fred 

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