Dear MI-03 Neighbors:

It’s so wonderful to be back in beautiful West Michigan this week. Marching in the Fourth of July parades was a real highlight–it was so wonderful to see so many familiar faces and be reminded of the beautiful diversity of this district. It’s such an honor to serve!

Here’s a look back at what we’ve been up to, and what’s in store next week in Washington (PREVIEW–it’s time for the Congressional Softball game and my boys are getting me ready!)

Week in Review

This week, we marked the end of Pride Month with an important gathering of elected officials at the local, state, and federal level to discuss the state of the law for LGBTQ individuals. 

Here in Michigan, we’ve made incredible strides in advancing equality for our LGBTQ residents–but Friday was a painful reminder that those rights can still be taken away at the federal level, in this case, the U.S. Supreme Court. 

Regardless of your views on LGBTQ issues–the Supreme Court’s decision in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis marks a profound departure from precedent and brings the United States into uncharted legal territory in two key, and disturbing respects. First, it marks the first time the Supreme Court has sanctioned discrimination against a protected class. What, or who, is next? Second – and this is a truly unsettling aspect of the case – the matter was decided on a hypothetical scenario not actual facts. One of the foundations of legal justiciability (whether a case is ready and able to be reviewed by a court, and acted upon) is that it involves an actual case and controversy. You don’t have to be an attorney to understand that it would be utter chaos if people are allowed to bring a legal claim based on a made up fear of something that might, but has not yet, happened. And so much of the discrimination and bigotry in our country has been and continues to be fueled by fears of those who are different from us, and not based in facts or reality. These two factors combine to bring us into a very unsettling place in terms of our civil liberties and freedoms. It was a hard and heavy day.

But, as I love to say, you can’t wring your hands and roll up your sleeves at the same time. I’m more resolved than ever to work for freedom and justice for all.  With that joy and celebration for the promise of freedom America holds for all, we took to the parade routes on the Fourth of July! It was wonderful to celebrate with all of our neighbors. Thanks to all who joined!

This week Team Scholten was also hard at work addressing environmental issues in the district. We had the immense privilege of hosting the top official at the Environmental Protection Agency, Administrator Michael Regan. Together, we visited a home in Grand Rapids that was having its lead service line replaced with a brand new copper line, while Mom and daughter looked on with emotion over the ability to FINALLY have clean water running into their home. In Michigan we know how devastating lead contamination can be, and the horrors of Flint will never leave our minds. As a mom, a lawmaker (and an infrastructure nerd), I can’t tell you how moving it was to witness the mobilization of our tax dollars at work right back here in the district–for the health and safety of our community, and this family. This is what I’ll continue to work for, for all of us, in Congress.

I also had the opportunity to sit down with the Regional Administrator for the EPA, Debra Shore,  and Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss to talk about our ongoing efforts to restore the rapids and the Grand River Restoration Project, and air pollution issues over Lake Michigan in Muskegon, among many other issues. 

I always make myself available to our local media–to answer tough questions and be accountable to our constituents. This week, I sat down with Fox17 and had a great conversation about teacher pay and immigration reform among other things! You can read more here. 

While I was back home, our DC team was hard at work preparing for a busy July–taking meetings and preparing for our votes and committee hearings. I can’t say enough about this awesome team–I’m always so prepared and ready to lead for West Michigan thanks to their research, careful thought, and hard work! 

Week Ahead

Next week is shaping up to be an important one in Washington!

I’ll play in my first Congressional Women’s Softball Game, where bipartisan Members of Congress will join together to ‘beat the press,’ all while raising money for Young Survivor Coalition, a breast cancer organization. I’m also looking forward to hearing from the late Congressman John Lewis’ former staff at a Faith and Politics lunch, an important gathering of congressional leaders to talk about the role our faith plays in our work serving the American people.

My Small Business Committee will hold a hearing on investigations of pandemic fraud, including misused Paycheck Protection Program funds. While federal dollars provided a bridge to many small businesses during the pandemic, it’s important that we ensure federal dollars are not being misused and claw back funds that should not have been given out. I’ll share more on this hearing next week.

We’ll hold an important vote on the National Defense Authorization Act next week as well, which is a sprawling package that supports our military members, their families, and ensures our armed forces have the resources they need to defend our nation and its values. I’m looking forward to supporting those who serve our country through the biggest pay raise troops have received in two decades, and much more.

Don’t forget to check in our social media accounts during the week for even more information and updates, including our Featured Grant for funding Fridays and other photos.

With a gratitude for your engagement,

Hillary Scholten
Member of Congress