Starting off on a lighter note! The Congressional Women’s Softball game was this week – an annual fundraiser for the Young Survival Coalition, a charity that supports women under 40 who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. It’s a bipartisan game where Republican and Democratic Members of Congress come together to play the press! While we didn’t win the trophy this year, we had a great time and raised over $600K for a good cause. We’ll get ‘em next year! Thanks to all who tuned in!

This was a legislation-heavy week as we considered and debated the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). I’m proud of my vote for our troops, and for the future success of our military. For more information on my full vote, you can check out my video after the vote on the House steps here. In short, while Republicans had the opportunity to present a strong bipartisan bill (similar to the one that passed out of committee) to ensure the safety and strength of our U.S. military, instead, this week, the majority in Congress hijacked this bill as a method to wage their latest culture war–preventing women in service from accessing the healthcare they need, undermining any diversity efforts in our military (even resorting to deeply harmful and racist language in debate– you can read that story here). 

This is not the work of advancing the freedoms upon which this country was founded. This is the agenda of an extremist majority attempting to impose their minority view on the rest of us, and I won’t stand for it. I voted no. 

I came to Congress to be bipartisan and to get things done, but not to be bipartisan at any cost. I won’t ever compromise on the values of our democracy, or the safety, security, sovereignty of our country. The people of West Michigan elected me because they trust me to know when to compromise, and to know when to take a stand against harmful policies. That’s what I did this week. After this bill fails in the Senate, I look forward to voting on a serious NDAA that will ensure the strength of our military for generations to come. America deserves nothing less.

When we have to deal with frustratingly ineffective governance in Washington, I try and counter the negativity with positive efforts back home in West Michigan. This week, Team Scholten was able to do just that. We obtained posthumous medals of honor for the 96-year-old mother of a fallen veteran who died in combat in Vietnam. A decades long battle won for this woman, thanks to Team Scholten (shout out to the incredible case work of my amazing District Representative Brad Stek!). I look forward to presenting her the award in a ceremony later this summer!

While not on the floor, I signed on as a co-sponsor to H.R. 2870, the Raise the Age Act of 2023, which would raise the age to purchase a semi-automatic rifle from 18 years old to 21 years old; the One Stop Shop for Small Business Compliance Act, which requires the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman to create a website compiling small entity compliance guides and contact information for individuals who can assist small entities with each guide; and a resolution condemning the illegal abduction of children from Ukraine to the Russian Federation. I am grateful for all of the calls and letters that my office receives from West Michiganders sharing their priorities – your correspondence keeps me updated and accountable to you.