Congressman Bill Huizenga (HIGH-zen-guh) represents Michigan's 2nd Congressional District which stretches from Kentwood to the lakeshore and up the coast of Lake Michigan from Holland to Ludington. Huizenga was first elected to Congress in 2010 and is currently serving in his sixth term.
As a member of the prestigious House Financial Services Committee, Huizenga has focused on removing government-imposed barriers to private sector job creation and increasing transparency across the federal government. Because of his steadfast leadership, Congressman Huizenga has been selected to serve as Ranking Member on the Investor Protection, Entrepreneurship, and Capital Markets Subcommittee for the 117th Congress.
Agriculture is an important job creator and a major contributor to the U.S. economy, and particularly in West Michigan. In fact, Michigan’s food and agriculture industry contributes $101.2 billion annually to the state’s economy and employs nearly a quarter of the state’s workforce. The agricultural diversity in the 2nd Congressional District is second only to California. In fact, the Second District leads Michigan not only in market value, but also in livestock, poultry, pork, fruit, nursery, greenhouse, and floriculture production.
It is important for Congress to provide an environment in which agricultural producers can flourish and remain competitive domestically, and abroad. As Congress debates the various agricultural issues, Congressman Huizenga is focused on trade, labor, and regulation and its impact on Michigan’s agricultural businesses.
Families across the nation understand what it means to make tough choices each day about what they can and cannot afford. As a small business owner, Congressman Huizenga understands this principle is one of the most basic tenets of business as well. Elected officials should not be allowed to simply pass on making these tough decisions and should be held to the same standard as American taxpayers and small business job creators.
However, today our nation is in the red by more than $27,000,000,000,000 - and yes, there are 12 zeroes in one trillion dollars. Our nation’s long-term deficit and current national debt level is both unfathomable and unsustainable. We simply must change the trajectory of spending in Washington. In the short-term, Congress can begin immediately by enacting sensible cost-cutting measures and eliminating wasteful and duplicative federal programs. In order to prevent crippling deficits and debt over the long-term, federal entitlement programs must be reformed in a way that protects current beneficiaries and allows current workers to enjoy a safe and stable retirement. We must restore fiscal sanity.
As a matter of principle, taxpayers have the right to a federal government that does not grow beyond their ability to pay for it and the right to expect a balanced federal budget. Additionally, Congress must create an atmosphere that fosters job growth. Simply put, the private sector, not the public sector, creates prosperity. We don’t need more government or a bigger one. We just need our government to focus on accountability, fiscal responsibility, and oversight. A balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution would help achieve this objective and is something Congressman Huizenga strongly supports.
Many states, including Michigan, require a balanced budget. There is no reason the federal government cannot achieve the same. This common-sense measure would force Congress to eliminate unnecessary and wasteful spending and make the decisions necessary to balance the budget and eliminate the federal deficit.
Congressman Huizenga supports an approach to education that re-establishes local control. Our teachers, school administrators, parents and neighbors are the best qualified to make decisions regarding the education of our children. They know the names of our children and what they need to succeed, not bureaucrats in Washington who try a one-size fits all approach.
For too long, the federal approach to education has been layering mandate after mandate upon states and schools.
This is why Congress recently passed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). This law aims to remove the bureaucracy handed down to states from Washington by granting states the flexibility they need to spend more of their own money on priorities that will best help students achieve academic excellence.
While it is important to reduce the achievement gap and hold schools responsible for failing to adequately educate their students, key reforms must be balanced with increased educational options. When a school is not the best fit for a child, parents should have the flexibility to choose the school that best meets their child’s needs. In the same way, schools should have the ability to use innovation to improve their educational programs, without burdensome federal interference.
The protection and restoration of our Great Lakes is one of Congressman Huizenga's top priorities in Congress.
In West Michigan, the Great Lakes are directly linked to our way of life. As the Republican co-chair of the Congressional Great Lakes Task Force, Congressman Huizenga has been on the forefront of the efforts to enhance the environmental health of the Great Lakes while also ensuring the full economic potential of the Great Lakes region is realized.
The Great Lakes account for approximately 90% of the nation’s fresh surface water, serve as the primary source of drinking water for 48 million people, and create the foundation for $6 trillion in economic in activity here in the United States and Canada.
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) is a bipartisan program that works to protect and strengthen the ecology and the economy of the Great Lakes. Here in Michigan, the GLRI has played a vital role in combating the spread of invasive species, accelerating the cleanup of legacy pollution, limiting harmful algal blooms, and restoring wetlands and habitats.
Here in West Michigan we have seen the success of the GLRI in the restoration of the areas surrounding Lake Macatawa in Ottawa County, the delisting of White Lake as an environmental area of concern in Muskegon County, and the clean up of legacy pollution that has contaminated Muskegon Lake in Muskegon County.
Congressman Huizenga has continued to lead the bipartisan effort to fully fund the GLRI and make the preservation and protection of the Great Lakes a national priority. For a more complete list of restoration, prevention, and rehabilitation projects supported by the GLRI click here.
Invasive Species and Asian Carp
The introduction of non-native species to the Great Lakes is currently one of the greatest economic and environmental threats to the region. In building a better defense for the Great Lakes against new invasive species, we must vigorously employ the most effective tools available, while anticipating improved techniques derived from additional research and application.
Today, we remain particularly vulnerable to the migration of Asian carp, which are a non-indigenous, invasive species that have the potential to severely impact the Great Lakes.
Preventing Asian Carp and other invasive species from infiltrating the Great Lakes ecosystem and devastating our lakes, rivers, and streams is one of Congressman Huizenga's highest priorities. The threat Asian carp pose to the Great Lakes both ecologically and economically is clear and any threat to the Great Lakes must be met with every tool and tactic we can employ. That is why Congressman Huizenga is working with his Great Lakes colleagues in a bipartisan manner to ensure the preservation of this invaluable ecosystem.
America’s entrepreneurial spirit is as old as the country itself, and is foundational to our unique experiment in democracy. Even the words of our Constitution were penned with the same fearless ambition, courage through adversity, and bold dreams that small business owners have embodied for over 240 years.
Today, American small businesses are the backbone our economy, accounting for nearly 90% of all companies and half of the working population. In recent years, however, the entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses has been under attack by burdensome regulations, which increases costs, slows growth, and eliminates opportunities.
Congressman Huizenga knows firsthand what it takes to operate a small business, and continues to fight on behalf of small businesses across the country. As a member of the House Financial Services Committee, which has jurisdiction over issues pertaining to banking, housing, insurance, monetary policy, and international finance, Congressman Huizenga adds his life experience as a small business leader to legislative decision-making.
Congressman Huizenga serves on two subcommittees for the 117th Congress. He is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Investor Protection, Entrepreneurship, and Capital Markets. Congressman Huizenga assists in minority leadership, spearheading efforts regarding all aspects of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) operations, activities, and initiatives to ensure that it fulfills its congressional mandate to protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation.
Congressman Huizenga also serves on the Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance, which handles matters related to public, affordable, and rural housing, community development projects, and sponsored insurance programs, including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
This is Congressman Huizenga’s sixth term on the Financial Services Committee. Previous memberships include Chair of the Monetary Policy and Trade Subcommittee, the Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit Subcommittee, International Monetary Policy and Trade Subcommittee, and Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology Subcommittee.
The United States must adopt a long-term, multifaceted approach to address the current status of energy prices. We cannot allow the federal government to pick winners and losers when it comes to various forms of energy, and Congress can prevent this by enacting an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy. A comprehensive energy package that increases energy independence and job creation encourages the development of alternative and renewable energy sources and promotes greater efficiencies and conservation for a cleaner environment. This approach would ensure that we are providing energy solutions without placing America at a competitive disadvantage with the rest of the world.
Access to affordable health care is out of reach for too many people. Congressman Huizenga believes that Obamacare has failed the American people and our economy. That is why he is working with his colleagues in Congress to enact meaningful legislation that will provide patients' rights to choose the coverage that best suits their needs.
Congressman Huizenga believes there is a better way to reduce costs and increase access to health care for all Americans. This includes curbing costly junk lawsuits, encouraging the use of health savings accounts, and empowering small business and states to use innovative means to reduce health care costs for you and your family.
Any reforms Congress passes must also include protections for patients with pre-existing conditions. That is why Congressman Huizenga helped introduce the Pre-Existing Conditions Protection Act. This legislation aims to achieve three important goals for patients: guaranteed access to coverage, a prohibition on pre-existing condition benefit exclusions, and a ban on premium rating based on health status.
Congressman Huizenga understands the need to readily support and supply our military and intelligence officials with the tools that they need to achieve success in keeping the United States secure. As new threats emerge, our armed forces must have the tools they need to respond.
Congressman Huizenga believes the United States needs to strongly support our allies in regions where threats exist or may emerge. We must also continue to support democratic movements in countries where leaders have used the elimination of basic human rights and oppression as a means to govern.
For decades, Washington’s spending problem led to a tax code that hurt American families, small businesses, and our nation's economy. In December of 2017, Congress passed and the president signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This bill creates a simpler and fairer code for all Americans. It creates and keeps jobs here at home while giving small business owners the flexibility they need to grow. Most importantly, this plan allows you to keep more of your hard-earned paycheck.
With passage of this law, America can once again be the world leader in job creation and economic growth, and we can rebuild our middle class by making sure those high-paying jobs are created right here at home instead of in foreign countries. Since passage of this bill, numerous companies across West Michigan and around the country have announced bonuses, pay raises, new hiring, and more investments in the American economy.
Equally important is the size, scope, and efficiency of our regulatory structure. As a small business owner, Congressman Huizenga understands that poorly constructed and outdated regulations can weigh on job creators. Which is why he continues his work to reform and modernize our regulatory structure to help create an environment where both job creators and workers can thrive instead of being held back by their government.
Long before Representative Huizenga had the honor and privilege to serve as West Michigan’s voice in Congress, he made a commitment to always promote a culture that respects life. Every child deserves the right to make their impact on this world.
As a member of the bipartisan pro-life caucus, Congressman Huizenga has remained steadfast in his defense of the unborn by working to prevent taxpayer dollars from being used to fund abortions; promote quality care centers over abortion facilities; and advocate against gruesome, late-term abortions.
Congressman Huizenga's commitment to life has not wavered. He has continued to be a tireless voice for unborn children and work to ensure that these precious lives are protected. Rep. Huizenga has consistently supported legislation to end federal funding for Planned Parenthood, prevent taxpayer dollars from being used to pay for abortion services, and protect lives through legislation such as the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.
When tax reform came before the House in late 2017, Congressman Huizenga was one of leading voices calling for the restoration of the Adoption Tax Credit. West Michigan has a strong history of opening its doors to children in need of a forever home. If a loving family wants to welcome a child into their home, the federal government should encourage the removal of financial barriers to adoption.
Social Security is not sustainable without significant reform. Future benefits cannot be paid under current taxation levels. There are a limited number of options for addressing this actuarial time bomb. We can increase the retirement age, raise tax rates, or increase the cap on earnings subject to taxes. The sooner that adjustments are made, the smaller the adjustments need to be. Keep in mind that younger workers already don’t believe Social Security will provide for them.
The government has to honor its promises to protect retirees and those nearing retirement age. A long-term fix to Social Security should include the option of a personal retirement account that younger workers can count on as their own individual asset. Congressman Huizenga supports making Social Security workable for all generations.
As the son of a disabled WWII veteran, protecting and providing for America's veterans is one of Congressman Huizenga's top priorities. That is why he has voted to expand treatment options for veterans by making it easier for them to see their own doctor; improve educational opportunities for veterans through the Forever GI Bill; hold bureaucrats at the VA accountable, so our veterans receive the care they deserve; make the transition from active duty to civilian life smoother by expanding training opportunities for our men and women in uniform when they come home.
While many improvements have been made, including in the areas of mental health and suicide prevention, more work must be done to help our veterans. Congressman Huizenga strives to ensure that the men and women who have served, are serving, or will serve in the U.S. military are afforded the respect that they deserve and the benefits and services that they have earned. It is because of their selfless sacrifices that the freedoms we enjoy as Americans are possible.
Federal Prison Industries (FPI), also known as UNICOR, is a government-owned corporation that employs federal prisoners to manufacture products and perform services to fulfill contracts that are sold to executive agencies and departments across the federal government. Examples of these products and services include: military equipment, clothing and textiles, office furniture, electronics, fleet and industrial products, recycling services, call centers, and help desk support. Federal Prison Industries operates 83 factories in federal prisons across the country with sales totaling approximately $472 million in the last year alone.
Under the current system, if FPI wants a contract from the federal government, it gets it. More often than not FPI is given a contract, not because other companies do not produce the product or service requested, but because it receives preferential treatment when it provides services to the federal government. This process takes jobs away from hardworking men and women that are currently employed by the private sector, has a negative impact on economic growth, and does not guarantee the highest quality product or best use of taxpayer dollars.
To remedy this, in March of 2015, Congressman Huizenga introduced H.R. 1699, a comprehensive and bipartisan approach to reforming FPI known as the Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act. This legislation eliminates FPI's no-bid contract status, allowing small businesses to compete with this government-owned goliath. With millions of Americans out of work and small businesses manufacturing still struggling to keep the lights on in many areas across the country, it makes no sense for the federal government to be using prison labor to limit our nation's job creators from bidding on contracts. This bill ensures the federal government's priority is to preserve market access for small businesses and create jobs for hardworking men and women. Additionally, H.R. 1699 requires FPI to submit a detailed analysis of the impact to the private sector before entering into new product markets and would prevent FPI from selling products commercially or internationally where the only customer could be the federal government.
In March of 2016, Congressman Huizenga introduced a more targeted approach to reforming FPI called The Small Business Protection Act of 2016. Specifically, this legislation addresses four key issues:
In August of 2016, it was widely reported that FPI endangered the lives of U.S. troops by manufacturing defective military helmets. In all, 126,000 helmets were recalled, costing taxpayers over $19 million dollars. This recall demonstrates the danger FPI poses. Making matters worse, a Department of Justice Inspector General report found that FPI employees instructed inmates to make unsafe modifications to the helmets and falsify documents showing the faulty helmets met the required safety specifications. To read more about these findings click here.
Whether we like it or not, the United States is the world's only superpower and a beacon of freedom to those under the thumb of dictators and tyrants. With that position we have the responsibility to help solve the world's disruptive conflicts and advance the cause of human liberty. As we have seen from events in Egypt, Libya, Iran and a host of other countries, repression is not a form of government and people living under such brutal regimes yearn for freedom and democracy. Our leadership and support to these movements can make a difference in promoting peace and prosperity.
The Middle East in particular has faced many challenges and struggles, not the least of which is the search for lasting peace between Israel and Palestine. I am a firm believer that any lasting peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinian people must be achieved by the two parties and not dictated by a third party, even the United States. As a leader with a strategic interest in the region, we certainly have a role to play. However, I do not believe that includes dictating the terms of any peace agreement between the two parties.
Assistance to foreign countries from the United States is not a right, but we cannot ignore hunger, poverty and disease, and we have a stake in the development of democratic and peaceful governments. To the extent that foreign aid and assistance programs are effective in alleviating suffering and promoting positive transformations, we should be willing to provide resources. Foreign aid is an essential tool in achieving our long-term foreign policy objectives and protecting our national security.
Canada and America, and especially Michigan, share a special trade relationship. Canada is America’s largest trading partner, and of the 50 states, Michigan is the leader in trade with our neighbor to the north. I believe it is important to continue a strong working relationship with Canada, not only on trade but on other regional issues as well. The Great Lakes are a natural treasure we share and have a responsibility to protect. I will fight to protect our lakes from the Asian carp.
America’s current tax system is a nightmare to maneuver which hampers investment, taxes death and overly-burdens small businesses. I fully support much-needed comprehensive tax reform and will strongly advocate for measures that will simplify the existing complicated tax code, as well as allow American families to keep more of their hard-earned money.
In addition, Congress must work to permanently extend the tax relief granted to all Americans in 2001 and 2003. Permanently extending current tax rates will not only provide the certainty small and large businesses desperately need in order to create jobs, but will also prove critical for long-term, sustainable growth for the U.S. economy.