United States Congress

Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are threatened by an encroaching non-native species of fish referred to as Asian carp.  Reports of an Asian carp found above the electronic barrier in the Chicago Area Waterway System as well as evidence of environmental DNA in Lake Erie confirm the immediate threat faced by the Great Lakes from this invasive species. The introduction of this invasive species would have a destructive effect on the entire Great Lakes ecosystem and would inflict severe harm to this treasured natural resource. 

I am an original cosponsor of H.R.1135, Defending Our Great Lakes Act, which gives federal agencies broad authority to take immediate actions and institute long-term measures to stop the spread of Asian carp into the Great Lakes.  In addition, in order to protect the overall health of the Great Lakes, I’ve also joined my colleague Rep. Candice Miller and introduced H.R.3120, the Great Lakes Assurance Program Verification Act, to encourage states throughout the Great Lakes Basin to develop voluntary agricultural assurance programs to promote conservation and minimize agricultural pollution risks. 

United States Postal Service
Having lived in a rural community for over 30 years, I understand the important role post offices play in rural communities.  In recent years, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has experienced significant financial challenges and is in dire need of reform. The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has purview over USPS and the Committee has held several hearings during my tenure examining possible reforms.  I look forward to continuing the work of the Committee with my colleagues in advancing reform that ensures a solvent postal system and avoids a taxpayer bailout.

In November 2013, I was honored to introduce a resolution to rename a Jackson post office as the "Officer James Bonneau Memorial Post Office Building." Officer James Bonneau was killed in the line of duty in 2010 while responding to a domestic disturbance. The President signed the legislation into law on December 16, 2014.  In May 2015, I joined Officer Bonneau’s parents and members of the Jackson Police Department for the official dedication and to remember Officer Bonneau’s sacrifice.

Raising Awareness and Responding to Problems in our Community
Human trafficking affects millions of people around the world, and is a serious problem at home in Michigan.  One of the challenges in combating human trafficking is properly identifying and serving victims. During my time in Congress I have supported legislation, held public forums, and met with the Michigan State Police, victim rights advocates, and county prosecutors, to hear their experiences and learn what additional tools are needed to better assist them in addressing this issue.  To learn more about my actions to combat this scourge on our society, please visit the human trafficking webpage.  

Additionally, there has been an increasing presence of heroin and opioid abuse in Michigan which has sadly led to numerous overdoses and deaths. As a member of The Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, I’ve been working with my colleagues to foster awareness, develop best practices, and promote collaboration to address problems associated with heroin addiction. In April 2016, I introduced H.R. 5142, Jessie’s Law, a bill to ensure doctors have access to the information they need so they can safely treat their patients and prevent unknowingly prescribing powerful opioid medications to those struggling with addiction.  In June 2015, I spoke on the House floor in support of funding for funding for local and state law enforcement to tackle issues like heroin and other abused substances. I also questioned the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy in December 2015 about the agency’s efforts to address this growing crisis.

While local and state partners are on the front lines for addressing this epidemic, the federal government must also do its part.  To that end, I am a cosponsor of H.R.2805, which would create a federal task force to develop strategies to fight heroin and opioid abuse.  Furthermore, in July 2015, the House passed H.R.1725, which provides states grant funding to fight growing prescription drug abuse, and in November 2015, Congress approved S. 799, which addresses the rise of prenatal opioid abuse and infants suffering from opioid withdrawal.   S. 799 has since been signed into law, P.L. 114-91.

This growing epidemic will take the work of citizens, treatment providers, law enforcement, and elected officials at every level and please know I will continue to push in the House to address this matter.

When it comes to protecting the health of Michiganders, we in Congress have a duty to ensure federal, state, and local governments are effectively communicating and disseminating information to the public. On February 5, 2016, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing to examine the federal administration of the Safe Drinking Water Act in the city of Flint. The Flint water crisis is not a natural disaster—it's a human disaster, brought on by failures of humans and failures of government at all levels. It never should have happened. During the hearing, I spoke about the failure of government at every level and the need to get answers, accountability, and make things right for the people of Flint. Additionally, I am a cosponsor of the Safe Drinking Water Act Improved Compliance Awareness Act, which will strengthen requirements on the EPA to notify the public when concentrations of lead exceed federal standards.