WKTV Staff
Jan. 25, 2017
As the new Congress began work late last week, U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI), whose district includes much of the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, issued statements both praising the inauguration of Donald J. Trump as the 45th President of the United States and voicing his continued support of limits on federal abortion funding.
“Millions of Americans, including the majority of West Michigan, voted to change the direction of our nation and we have already begun to see the results,” Rep. Huizenga said in supplied material on Jan. 20. “I look forward to working with President Trump and Vice President (Mike) Pence to strengthen our economy, end the ‘Washington knows best’ mentality, and make it easier for hardworking families and small businesses across West Michigan to succeed.”
Then, on Jan. 24, Rep. Huizenga voted in support of H.R. 7, The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2017.
The act “is an incredibly important step in the fight to defend the unborn while also protecting taxpayers,” he said in supplied material. “This significant legislation extends the Hyde Amendment to all federal programs, while also prohibiting the use of ObamaCare subsidies to purchase plans that include abortion coverage. We must defend those who cannot defend themselves. Taxpayer dollars should not be used to end the life of unborn children.”
On Jan. 25, the representative also spoke on the house floor on “defense of the unborn, the upcoming March for Life, and how Congress must do more to prevent late-term abortions.”
“I commend President Trump for making one of his very first actions protecting unborn children around the world by preventing U.S. taxpayer dollars through foreign aid from being used to fund groups that promote abortion under the guise of ‘family planning,” he said.
Sen. Peters opposes President’s cabinet selections, supports TPP withdrawal
U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees, on Jan. 24, released a statement in opposition to former Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil Rex Tillerson’s nomination to be Secretary of State.
“I am extremely disappointed that President Trump chose Rex Tillerson — an individual with extensive ties to business and political leaders in Russia — as his Secretary of State nominee,” Sen. Peters said in supplied material. “While Mr. Tillerson may have received Russia’s Order of Friendship award from Vladimir Putin, make no mistake: Russia is no friend to the United States.
“Additionally, I am concerned about Mr. Tillerson’s failure to fully recognize the extent of climate change as a top national security threat that must be addressed through American leadership on the world stage. For these reasons, I cannot support Mr. Tillerson’s nomination to be Secretary of State.”
Also on Jan. 24, Sen. Peters addressed his opposition to the nomination of Michigan’s Betsy DeVos to serve as Secretary of the Department of Education.
“We need a Secretary of Education who is dedicated to improving access to quality public education based on sound evidence and ensuring the proper implementation of federal laws designed to protect and help all our children,” he said in supplied material. “That is why I am deeply troubled by President Trump’s nomination of Betsy DeVos of Michigan to serve as Secretary of Education.
“Mrs. DeVos’ resume contains no experience in public education at any level, not as a teacher, not as an administrator, not as a student or parent, not as a school board member and not even as a borrower of public loans for college. … Her only experience in education is her work lobbying for the transfer of taxpayer money to private schools and the rapid expansion of charter schools without sufficient accountability to parents and students. … I cannot, and will not, support Betsy DeVos’ nomination.”
Sen. Peters on Jan. 23, also voted against the nomination of U.S. Representative Mike Pompeo to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Sen. Peters did, however, voice support for the President’s action to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific partnership.
“I have long opposed the TPP because it fails to address unfair labor practices and foreign currency manipulation that puts our American manufacturers and automakers at a competitive disadvantage, and I’m pleased the President took this step to withdraw from the agreement,” he said in supplied material.
Senators Stabenow, Peters voice concern over EPA spending freeze impact on Flint
U.S. senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Gary Peters, and U.S. Congressman Dan Kildee, on Jan 24, sent a letter to President Trump asking him not to jeopardize much-needed federal funding for Flint following his directive to halt all Environmental Protection Agency grants and agreements. The lawmakers asked the President whether his decision applies to the funding Congress passed with strong, bipartisan support to help address the City of Flint’s drinking water crisis.
“We write to request clarity on a reported freeze imposed on all new Environmental Protection Agency grants and contracts, and in particular, to inquire as to whether this decision applies to the funding Congress approved with strong bipartisan support to help address the City of Flint’s drinking water crisis,” the lawmakers wrote, in supplied material.
