Dear Neighbors–

I hope you’re weathering the storm ok! Winter has arrived in Michigan! I couldn’t do this big job without my awesome team–and that includes my Home Team. I have to give a major shoutout to my husband Jesse for handling the snow days this week! Being a Congressional family doesn’t automatically come with built-in childcare. We manage these disruptions like snow days and sicknesses just like everyone else. Being the first mom in history to represent West Michigan in Congress means I’m keenly dialed into the needs of working parents. That’s why I’m a champion of affordable childcare for all!

The week in review:

Legislative Corner

The Big Bill on the floor this week was another measure to try and kill electric vehicle (EV) development. I understand why the transition to electric vehicles is controversial and some people don’t yet want an EV. I will not force EVs on anyone. But, the rest of the world is changing, and Republicans need to understand that there are many, many Americans who want the U.S. to remain competitive in the EV marketplace. As the rest of the world transitions away from harmful fossil fuels, they don’t want to get left behind. That’s especially true in Michigan. Michigan put the world on wheels, and we’re going to keep it moving forward for the next iteration of transport.

S.J.Res. 38 would have eliminated the gradual onramp for EV battery makers to use 70% American parts and components, forcing an immediate “Buy American” provision that is unattainable, thus halting operations here in the U.S. and ceding the development of EV technology to other countries altogether. So much for American competitiveness. I voted no to keep American companies competitive and to continue to offer vehicle choice.

You can track the rest of my votes here.

I also co-sponsored five bills this week, including the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act to waive wait times for patients to get them the care they need as soon as possible. I also co-sponsored the Freedom Riders Congressional Gold Medal Act to present Congressional Gold Medals to the Freedom Riders for their fight for equity in interstate travel.

Committees & Updates

Watch my remarks in the Small Business Committee here.

We had a critical hearing in the House Small Business Committee this week about crime and its impact on small businesses across the country. You can have the best business model in the world, an exceptional product to sell, and an exceptional marketing strategy–but if your customers are too scared to come to your store, restaurant, or venue–it doesn’t matter. Getting crime under control (especially in urban main streets) is essential to a thriving small business economy. 

What better way to celebrate Wolverine Day than two Michiganders talking about energy innovation? I had a very productive meeting with the former Governor, now Secretary Granholm, about energy priorities for West Michigan.

I also led a briefing with the U.S. Coast Guard leadership team this week on Operation Fouled Anchor–the Coast Guard’s tragic coverup of decades of sexual abuse at the Coast Guard Academy. I was reassured by the new leadership’s response that they are taking every possible step to make sure that this abuse doesn’t happen again, but more needs to be done. I look forward to Congress being a partner in creating an environment of safety and respect for all who serve.

I’m continuing to monitor and oversee the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board’s response to ongoing issues with the Boeing 737 Max. We’ve had success in securing key witnesses for a critical oversight hearing which will be announced soon. We simply must ensure safe air travel for all Americans.

The week in preview:

Next week, we’re looking forward to celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the district. I’ll have updates on our celebration in next week’s newsletter, but one of the things I did this week to honor the holiday was sign onto a letter with my colleagues to request that the White House extend an invitation for the living members of the 1957-59 Tennessee Tigers (now Tennessee State) men’s basketball team to receive the recognition and long overdue celebration for being the first historically Black institution to win a collegiate national championship in 1957 and then again in ‘58 & ‘59. These men used their notoriety to help energize the civil rights movement, and deserve so much honor and praise.

You may remember last year that Congress passed a two-step continuing resolution to keep the government open. Those continuing resolutions were temporary – simply a stopgap measure to buy Congressional leadership time to work out a permanent budget deal for the upcoming fiscal year – and our deadline is January 19th to avoid a potential government shutdown.

Speaker Johnson recently reached a deal with Senate leadership about spending levels for this fiscal year. As of this afternoon, that deal is still on. My hope is that, despite pressures from extremists in his party, Speaker Johnson upholds the agreement and sends the spending deal to the floor for a vote to avoid a government shutdown. A government shutdown would be devastating for families across West Michigan, for our economy, and for our troops who would have to work without pay.

Right now, one of the only things on the floor set for next week, just days before the government shuts down, is a vote to hold Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress. Safe to say that Republicans don’t have their eye on the ball here.

As we wait to hear about our full vote schedule, here are a few of the things I’ll be focused on this next week in Congress:

• Passing a budget or continuing resolution ahead of our January 19 funding deadline.
• Continuing my efforts to push to restore the fountain in front of the Ford Museum.
• Organizing a Bipartisan Women’s Caucus briefing on the use of artificial intelligence in breast cancer research.

ICYMI

In case you missed it, here are several important items for MI-03:

• A record 20 MILLION people have enrolled in health insurance through the ACA! Open enrollment ends January 16th. Find a plan that fits you and your health needs here.
• I was so proud to announce that the Grand Rapids Public Museum will receive $500k through a federal grant from the National Endowment for Humanities! This will help make sure the museum can continue educating the public about the history of West Michigan for years to come.

As always, it’s an honor to serve you, West Michigan.

Sincerely,

Hillary Scholten
Member of Congress