{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"MI\" and year = 2013 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=365153", "Christmas Thanks and Hope for the New Year", "2013-12-24", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As we celebrate the season\u2019s holidays, I\u2019d like to take a moment to reflect on the blessings in our lives and say thank you to all those who make them a bit easier and a lot safer. In particular, I hope everyone will take a few minutes to think of the brave men and women in our armed services, especially those serving in hot spots around the globe, who help keep the peace and allow us to be safe during these troubled times. I want us to remember, too, their families, especially those living near us, who can\u2019t be with their loved ones for Christmas. It\u2019s my wish that all of us will let them know how much we appreciate the work they do to keep the home fires burning. And how grateful we are of the work these courageous service men and women do. We thank them for their work and sacrifice. I am so proud of them all. There are so many folks to thank for their work, from the cop walking the beat, to the bus driver who delivers passengers safely to their destinations,\u00a0to the teacher who opens up a new world to a child as he or she masters a new skill.\u00a0Even the barista at the coffee shop deserves an extra smile and thanks \u2013 that cup of joe may be the little extra boost that keeps you alert as you drive the family to the next Christmas gathering. Amidst all the hoopla, it can be challenging for some of us who have lost someone dear to our hearts. I can only hope that you find a moment of solace, a moment when something sparks a reminder of those earlier happy times and you can smile. Amey and I extend our best wishes to you and your loved ones and pray that the spirit of the season brings joy and happiness to your heart now and throughout the new year. May God bless us all.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=365009", "Upton: \u201cThe Health Law is Like a Jenga Game\"", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Holiday surprises have sadly become routine for the self-proclaimed \u201cmost transparent administration in history.\u201d It is not surprising that as we approach the Christmas holiday, the administration is quietly announcing yet another major change to its signature health care law. Reuters reports, \u201cThe Obama administration made a major last-minute policy shift on Thursday, saying that the change would help Americans meet a looming deadline to replace insurance plans canceled because of new standards under Obamacare reforms.\u201d  The administration knew for years that millions of Americans would lose their health care plans because of this law \u2013 already including nearly a quarter of a million people in Michigan \u2013 but the President repeated his promise of, \u201cIf you like your health care plan, you will be able to keep your health care plan, period. \u2026 No matter what.\u201d Now, just days before the already-delayed deadline to enroll in a plan for coverage beginning on January 1, the administration is attempting yet another desperate round of damage control. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, commented, \u201cThe health law is like a Jenga game \u2013 the administration keeps yanking out pieces, and ultimately nothing can keep it from collapsing. The administration knew for years that it could not keep its promise, but repeated it anyway. Now, just days before Christmas and yet another deadline, the administration is telling the millions of folks who were forced to lose plans the administration deemed \u2018substandard\u2019 that they can purchase catastrophic insurance after all. The administration keeps pulling the rug out from under Americans who are worried whether they will have health care come January 1. Sadly, we ask again, what\u2019s next?\u201d These catastrophic plans often provide less coverage than the plans that the administration has forced out of the market, and those purchasing those plans are not eligible for a subsidy. Many will still be left with more expensive bills and less coverage. This latest delay and exemption does nothing to provide relief or peace of mind to the millions of American families hurt by the President\u2019s broken promise. Upton\u2019s Keep Your Health Plan Act (H.R. 3350) would allow plans being sold on the individual market this year to be sold next year. This bill garnered broad bipartisan support, passing the House by a vote of 261 to 157, but received a veto threat from the administration. Holiday and Friday afternoon announcements have become the norm for this White House trying to bury its failures and attempted fixes. Writing in The Washington Post, Ezra Klein adds, \u201cThis puts the first crack in the individual mandate.\u201d\u00a0 With Christmas and New Year\u2019s fast approaching, #WhatsNext?", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221010455/http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364732", "Dexter Leader: A response to President Barack Obama\u2019s Affordable Care Act", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Each day I receive letters and emails from constituents who are being hurt by the President\u2019s health care law \u2014 and it\u2019s no wonder. In the first six weeks since the law was launched, 225,000 Michigan residents received notices that their health insurance plans were canceled, despite President Obama\u2019s numerous promises that \u201cif you like your health plan, you can keep it.\u201d But more than broken promises, too many people across Michigan and the country will now be paying higher premiums, losing their coverage, or be unable to see their preferred doctors because of this onerous law. Jon Shackleford from Chelsea recently contacted my office saying that the premium for his high-deductible health insurance will increase from $609 a month to $731 a month. \u201cI am extremely angry and disappointed and frustrated. The Federal Government is harming people like me. Please let your colleagues in Congress know that your constituents are suffering under this bad law and we need relief \u2014 fast,\u201d Shackleford wrote. Dexter resident Julie Boonstra also needs an immediate reprieve from the law. Five years ago, she was diagnosed with Leukemia and has since found doctors and specialists that she relies on to help her in her battle. She also relies on a daily oral chemotherapy. Fortunately, she had found a private individual health insurance plan that covers her medical expenses and treatment and allows her to see the doctors she knows and trusts. However, in October, she received a letter from her insurance provider that her plan would be dissolved and she\u2019d need to find a new one within the matter of weeks. Since then, she has spent hours trying to complete an application through the health care website, only to be thwarted by technical difficulties. Making matters worse, she has not been able to find out what plans will allow her to keep her doctors and cover her chemotherapy drugs. \u201cSo what do I do?\u201d Julie asked my office. \u201cMy life and other chemotherapy cancer patients\u2019 lives and thousands of other high risk patients depend upon a working website. Our survival should not be based upon a website. I have fought to stay alive, sold everything to keep myself alive and the one thing that I made a priority, being insured with a great plan, was just taken away from me.\u201d My heart goes out to Julie and many others like her struggling under Obamacare. Unfortunately, the only way to permanently stop all these cancellation letters is a full repeal of the President\u2019s health care law. To provide immediate relief, the House recently voted with bipartisan support for H.R. 3350, Keep Your Health Plan Act, which could allow Americans whose plans haven\u2019t already been canceled to keep their current coverage in 2014. Though not a complete fix, it\u2019s at least a start in addressing this harmful health care law. Going forward we must replace this misguided law with common sense reforms that will allow individuals to purchase insurance across state lines, permit small businesses to join together to buy group health insurance, and expand the use of health savings accounts so health issues do not also become financial issues for people in Michigan. I remain committed to fighting for Americans and providing fairness for all by working toward these common sense reforms. My hope is that the president comes to terms with the full impact of his law, and joins House efforts to keep his promise to the American people that if they like their insurance, they can keep it.\nTo read the original article at Heritage Papers, please click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364795", "Holland Sentinel: Huizenga Talks Budget, ObamaCare At West Coast Chamber Breakfast", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Bill Huizenga talks budget at early bird breakfast  \r\nThe Holland Sentinel  \r\nAndrea Goodell  \r\nDecember 16, 2013Rep. Bill Huizenga defended his vote to approve a compromise budget Monday morning. \u201cThe problem is we have a divided government and two very different, distinct visions of where the country ought to be going,\u201d he said, adding that the $1.12 trillion budget \u201csaves more than it spends.\u201d The Zeeland Republican addressed the West Coast Chamber during the annual \u201cBreakfast with Bill\u201d event at the Commons of Evergreen in Holland. Before voting on the budget, Huizenga said, he asked himself something: \u201cWhat would Ronald Reagan have done?\u201d The House budget compromise wouldn\u2019t include new direct tax increases, and it would replace the across-the-board sequester cuts with targeted ones, Huizenga told the crowd. The bill spends $23 billion less. \u201cNo, it\u2019s not enough. However that\u2019s the result of a divided government,\u201d he said. \u201c(The vote for the budget) doesn\u2019t mean I\u2019m going to compromise my principles, but I can compromise on the details.\u201d The House agreement marks the most compromise either chamber has seen in months of brinkmanship. \u201cIt will be interesting to see what happens on the Senate side, too,\u201d Huizenga said, pointing to the recent change in Senate rules, removing the filibuster. He also predicted an increase to the debt ceiling will pass when it comes up early next year, but he isn\u2019t happy about the country\u2019s spending habits. \u201cIt used to take a really long time to deficit spend a trillion bucks, now it takes about a year,\u201d Huizenga said, adding the Obama administration has been on \u201cturbo drive\u201d when it comes to spending. An audience question about immigration reform now in the Senate prompted Huizenga to say, \u201cThe fact is our system doesn\u2019t allow for our folks in the ag sector to have the workers that they need. \u2026 We\u2019re not very immigrant friendly.\u201d While it isn\u2019t realistic to deport every illegal immigrant, Huizenga said, neither does he see a pathway to citizenship adults who came here illegally. The other big fight in Washington is, of course, health care. About 225,000 Michiganders have received insurance cancellation notices and fewer than 7,000 enrolled in new, independent health insurance policies, Huizenga said. However, he admitted, \u201cI don\u2019t think anybody wants to go back to where we had been.\u201d He\u2019d rather see a bigger push toward Health Savings Accounts, a mechanism he believes will make customers more in charge of their health care. Although the dialogue has started to change in Washington, it will take an election before his colleagues can accomplish much, Huizenga said, more than hinting at a Republican-controlled Senate come November 2014. As Huizenga wrapped up his remarks, the Great Lake District of the U.S. Chamber presented him with the Spirit of Enterprise Award for his 90 percent pro-business rating. Huizenga responded by taking a picture of the award and the crowd and telling them to follow him on Twitter, @repHuizenga.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364833", "MLive - Huizenga: Budget proposal brings 'power of the purse' back to Congress", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As the U.S. Senate this week considers a bipartisan budget proposal, U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga is expressing optimism that the agreement approved by House lawmakers last week is a first step in the parties working across the aisle to rein in federal spending.Huizenga, R-Zeeland, who voted in favor of the agreement offered by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray, D-Wash., shared his thoughts on the proposal Monday in an address to the West Coast Chamber of Commerce at Evergreen Commons in Holland. He says the proposal \u201csaves more than it spends. \u201cThis agreement is a small step in the right direction,\u201d Huizenga said. \u201cWe still have huge, huge issues that we have to deal with. We have to deal with spending.\u201d  \r\n...  Huizenga believes there are opportunities to make further spending cuts, and is concerned with those lawmakers in Congress whom he calls \u201cdebt deniers.\u201d \u201cThey don\u2019t believe we have a problem. They look at $17 trillion in debt in a $15 trillion economy. Those ratios are out of whack. They don\u2019t see the urgency (of trying to control spending),\u201d he said. Read the piece in its entirety HERE", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221011148/http://amash.house.gov/press-release/amash-host-town-hall-springfield", "Amash to Host Town Hall in Springfield", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Justin Amash", "A000367", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nDecember 16, 2013\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\nCONTACT\nJordan Bush\n616.451.8383\nJordan.Bush@mail.house.gov\n\u00a0\nAmash to Host Town Hall in Springfield\nGRAND RAPIDS, Mich. \u2013 Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) today invited constituents to a town hall meeting on Tuesday, December 17, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the City of Springfield\u2019s offices.\n\u201cI look forward to answering questions about issues facing our country and the Third District of Michigan,\u201d said Amash.\nThe event is free and open to the public.\nWHO:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nRep. Justin Amash\n\u00a0\nWHAT:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nTown Hall Meeting\n\u00a0\nWHEN:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nTuesday, December 17, 2013\n12:30 p.m. \u2013 1:30 p.m.\n\u00a0\nWHERE:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nCity of Springfield\u2019s offices\n601 Avenue A\nSpringfield, Michigan 49037\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364314", "Huizenga Statement On Bipartisan Budget Agreement", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Huizenga Statement On Bipartisan Budget Agreement \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        December 12, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Tonight, Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02) released the following statement after voting in support of the bipartisan budget agreement that passed the House by a vote of 332 to 94.\"While not perfect, this budget agreement is a small step in the right direction. In addition to enacting spending cuts to both permanent and mandatory spending, this bipartisan legislation avoids the potential of a government shutdown and gets Congress back on the path of funding the government in a timely manner through the normal appropriations process.   \"Now that spending levels are agreed upon, I am hopeful Democrats and Republicans can continue to build on this bipartisan foundation and begin to tackle the long-term debt crisis facing our nation.  Long-term problems require long-term solutions, and I am prepared to make the difficult decisions that lie ahead.  We owe it to the next generation to achieve serious and substantial spending reforms that improve America's fiscal future.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364362", "Upton Votes to Break Gridlock, Pass Bipartisan Budget Agreement", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Click here to watch Upton\u2019s Floor statement on temporary SGR fix The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a bipartisan two-year budget agreement that will prevent a government shutdown in January and return the congressional budget process to regular order. Building on the earlier efforts of House Republicans, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 (H.J.Res. 59) replaces the across-the-board sequester cuts to defense and non-defense programs, while still reducing the deficit by more than $20 billion and putting the nation on the path to a balanced budget.\u00a0 The agreement includes new deficit-reduction provisions and shields Michigan families and businesses from higher taxes. Michigan Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, praised the agreement for breaking through the partisan gridlock and allowing the Congress to focus on long-term fiscal solutions, including comprehensive tax reform.\u00a0 H.J.Res. 59 passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 332 to 94 and is expected to be considered by the U.S. Senate next week. \u201cNot much is ever perfect, but this bipartisan budget agreement is a welcome step to begin the herculean task of tackling our nation\u2019s debt in a bipartisan way,\u201d said Upton.\u00a0 \u201cThe sequester was put into place to force the House and Senate to reach an agreement after years of not considering a budget. This agreement keeps feet to the fire for spending caps and allows the appropriators to do their work without a meat-axe approach.\u201d The agreement sets overall discretionary spending for the current fiscal year at $1.012 trillion and FY 2015 at $1.014, for a total of $63 billion in sequester relief. The sequester relief is fully offset by savings elsewhere in the budget. Upton spoke on the House Floor this afternoon in support of a bipartisan provision to the budget bill, which seeks to address the expiration of the current reimbursement rate for physicians treating Medicare patients. Without action, doctors would face a 20.1 percent cut in reimbursements come January 1, 2014. \u201cIt\u2019s important that seniors do not find a lump of coal in their stockings for Christmas. This fully offset package represents access to healthcare for 40 million seniors.\u00a0 It would give seniors the peace of mind of knowing that their trusted physician will be there when they need them most by securing stable payments for doctors.\u201d For nearly three years as Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman, Upton has helped lead the bipartisan effort in Congress to permanently repeal Medicare\u2019s fundamentally flawed payment model that is used to reimburse our nation\u2019s doctors. Since its enactment as part of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, the current payment system \u2013 known as the Sustainable Growth Rate or simply the SGR \u2013 has been a source of continued concern for physicians who serve Medicare beneficiaries and for the beneficiaries themselves. Earlier this year, Upton\u2019s Energy and Commerce Committee voted 51 to 0 on H.R. 2810, which would repeal the SGR and replace it with a system that promotes the highest quality of care. Today\u2019s provision provides a three-month window as Congress continues its work on a more complete, permanent solution.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364308", "Walberg Votes for Bipartisan Budget Deal", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "walberg.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \nStay up-to-date on Rep. Walberg\u2019s work on behalf of Michigan's 7th District.\n\u00a0\nPress Kit \nMembers of the media can view Rep. Walberg\u2019s biography and download an official picture.\n\u00a0\nTim in the News \nFind the latest articles about Rep. Walberg from local and national papers.\n\u00a0\nOpinion Editorial \nRead the latest opinion editorials authored by Rep. Walberg.\n\u00a0\nLatest Videos \nVideos of Rep. Walberg from the House floor and committees.\n\u00a0\nSocial Media \nFollow Rep. Walberg on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more updates.\n\u00a0\ne-Newsletter Archive \nStay up-to-date on Rep. Walberg\u2019s work in D.C. and in Michigan through the e-newsletter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walberg.house.gov/media/press-releases/walberg-votes-bipartisan-budget-deal", "Walberg Votes for Bipartisan Budget Deal", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "walberg.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Rep. Walberg released the following statement after voting in favor ofthe bipartisan budget agreement:\n\"While this deal is not perfect, it shows we can find bipartisan solutions that reduce the deficit without raising taxes. It's also important to remember this deal keeps 92% of the sequester level funding in place, a small but important step in keeping Washington committed to pursuing a path of economic security for hardworking taxpayers,\" said Rep. Walberg following the vote.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364153", "Huizenga Requests Meeting With President Obama To Discuss Health Care", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Yesterday, Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02) joined 33 of his colleagues in requesting a meeting with President Obama to discuss patient centered reforms to improve health care options for all Americans.  This effort, led by Tim Griffin of Arkansas, is in response to the President's December 3rd speech where he invited members of Congress with alternative health care reform proposals to present their ideas that \"cut costs, cover more people, and make insurance more secure.\"\"House Republicans have introduced more than 200 health care-related bills that my colleagues and I would be happy to discuss with the President,\" said Rep. Huizenga.  \"After hearing from countless frustrated constituents, there's no question our health care system needs significant reform. It is time for the President to meet with House Republicans and embrace patient centered proposals that lower costs and improve care.  Specifically, I would like to discuss my legislation that improves seniors' access to health savings accounts with the President. No party has a monopoly on good ideas. I hope the President will take this opportunity seriously.\"  In addition to requesting a meeting, the letter sent to President Obama highlights additional reforms Congressman Huizenga and his colleagues would like to explore, including:  \u2022\tMaking health insurance companies compete nationwide, across state lines. Americans should have the freedom to buy health insurance from any provider; \u2022\tGuaranteeing people with pre-existing conditions can get affordable coverage. Creating high risk pools with premium caps and expanding Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protections will ensure access to coverage; \u2022\tProviding a universal tax incentive for buying health insurance. Whether Americans buy health insurance independently or through an employer, the tax code should treat everyone equally and fairly; \u2022\tEmpowering families with tax-free Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Letting families save more for health care expenses will encourage financial stability; \u2022\tIncreasing transparency in billing so consumers know what they are paying for. In the age of the Internet, everyone can see prices and reviews of anything before buying\u2014except when it comes to health care. Informed choices are better choices; \u2022\tEnabling small businesses and other groups to pool their coverage. Letting employers partner together to get the same insurance rates as large corporations will lower costs; \u2022\tCracking down on junk lawsuits. Capping attorney fees and reforming our legal system will let doctors focus on giving patients the care they truly need and save the time and money wasted by frivolous claims; \u2022\tReducing the doctor shortage. Incentivizing primary care physicians to work in underserved areas will increase access and improve quality of care; \u2022\tGiving states flexibility to improve Medicaid through innovation. After it was freed from some federal mandates, Rhode Island increased choice and expanded access for low-income Americans while reducing costs. Other states should be able to do the same. The full text of the letter sent to President Obama by Congressman Huizenga and his colleagues is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364169", "Upton Kicks Off Debate on Gabriella Miller #KidsFirst Research Act", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Click to watch Upton\u2019s Floor remarks House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today kicked off debate on H.R. 2019, the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act. This bill would redirect wasteful spending on political conventions to important, scientific, pediatric research. H.R. 2019 was introduced by committee member Rep. Gregg Harper (R-MS) in April. Remarks as prepared:\u00a0 Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act of 2013.\u00a0 H.R. 2019, authored by my colleague Gregg Harper, is a bill that will help countless kids and families across the country.\u00a0\u00a0 The Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act would prioritize funding for the research of pediatric diseases and disorders such as cancer, autism, and Fragile X.\u00a0 It would eliminate taxpayer financing of party conventions and use these funds to expand pediatric research at the National Institutes of Health through the NIH Common Fund. This bill truly puts kids first. Gabriella Miller was a little warrior in the battle against childhood cancer. At just 10 years of age, she had courage miles beyond her years. A frying pan and walnut is all you need to understand her brave outlook on life. When she was diagnosed with brain cancer, she was told the tumor was the size of a walnut. From then on, Gabriella always travelled with her trusty frying pan, squashing countless walnuts along the way. That is the kind of courage and outlook on life that Gabriella had.\u00a0 Advancing health research for millions of young patients who suffer from rare and genetic disorders must be a priority.\u00a0 While we have made great strides in the country in finding cures and treatments, we still have a great amount of work to do.\u00a0 Included in this work is pushing research that will help uncover cures for pediatric diseases.\u00a0 In order for clinical trials and other advancements to meet their full potential, adequate resources must be directed to pediatric research.\u00a0 The legislation is an example of how much can be accomplished by ending wasteful spending and redirecting those funds toward national priorities like pediatric research.\u00a0\u00a0 This effort will also help families like the Kennedys in Mattawan, Michigan.\u00a0 Eric and Sarah Kennedy have two delightful young daughters, Brooke and Brielle, who have the rare disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy. These two angels, who are fighting SMA with the same vigor and sunny outlook exhibited by Gabriella, are decorated little generals in the effort to boost research for rare diseases and serve as an inspiration for all. The sad reality is it is often difficult to conduct research into rare diseases due to the small number of individuals with the disease.\u00a0 But, we are working to change that, and provide families with greater hope for a cure or advances in treatment. H.R. 2019 has over 150 co-sponsors and is supported by a long list of patient advocacy groups including Autism Speaks, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and FightSMA.\u00a0\u00a0 I wholeheartedly agree with the bill\u2019s Democrat Sponsor, Mr. Welch who recently asked, \u201cCan we just put the battle axes down for a while and take a step forward?\u201d He thinks we can. And I do too. To the Millers who are with us today, thank you for sharing your daughter.\u00a0 Although we wish Gabriella was here with us today, her message to this body rings true, \u201cStop talking and start doing.\u201d\u00a0 Gabriella, we heard you loud and clear. And today, we will put kids first.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364187", "Walberg Votes for Pediatric Research", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "walberg.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \nStay up-to-date on Rep. Walberg\u2019s work on behalf of Michigan's 7th District.\n\u00a0\nPress Kit \nMembers of the media can view Rep. Walberg\u2019s biography and download an official picture.\n\u00a0\nTim in the News \nFind the latest articles about Rep. Walberg from local and national papers.\n\u00a0\nOpinion Editorial \nRead the latest opinion editorials authored by Rep. Walberg.\n\u00a0\nLatest Videos \nVideos of Rep. Walberg from the House floor and committees.\n\u00a0\nSocial Media \nFollow Rep. Walberg on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more updates.\n\u00a0\ne-Newsletter Archive \nStay up-to-date on Rep. Walberg\u2019s work in D.C. and in Michigan through the e-newsletter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walberg.house.gov/media/press-releases/walberg-votes-pediatric-research", "Walberg Votes for Pediatric Research", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "walberg.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. Today, Rep Walberg voted in favor of H.R. 2019, the Kids First Research Act, which provides targeted and coordinated pediatric research funding through the National Institutes of Health while terminating taxpayer funding for political party nominating conventions.\n\"Redirecting money from political conventions to children's research is another example of how Washington should invest hardworking taxpayer dollars more effectively. Pediatric research has made great strides in improving the lives of children, and this much needed boost will help them make even more headway in developing cures for autism, cancer and other diseases. This bipartisan legislation and the research that will come from it gives hope to children and their families,\" said Rep. Walberg following the vote.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364029", "Walberg Votes to Extend Important Veterans Programs", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "walberg.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \nStay up-to-date on Rep. Walberg\u2019s work on behalf of Michigan's 7th District.\n\u00a0\nPress Kit \nMembers of the media can view Rep. Walberg\u2019s biography and download an official picture.\n\u00a0\nTim in the News \nFind the latest articles about Rep. Walberg from local and national papers.\n\u00a0\nOpinion Editorial \nRead the latest opinion editorials authored by Rep. Walberg.\n\u00a0\nLatest Videos \nVideos of Rep. Walberg from the House floor and committees.\n\u00a0\nSocial Media \nFollow Rep. Walberg on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more updates.\n\u00a0\ne-Newsletter Archive \nStay up-to-date on Rep. Walberg\u2019s work in D.C. and in Michigan through the e-newsletter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walberg.house.gov/media/press-releases/walberg-votes-extend-important-veterans-programs", "Walberg Votes to Extend Important Veterans Programs", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "walberg.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.- Today, Rep. Walberg voted for bipartisan legislation that extends authority for the Department of Veterans Affairs to run a number of important programs, including treatment for mentally ill and homeless veterans, housing assistance for homeless veterans, and assistance for disabled veterans to compete in the paralympic programs.\n\"Our commitment to men and women in the Armed Forces must continue after they return home, and that includes helping them transition back into civilian life. This legislation will ensure that veterans will continue to have opportunities for housing and mental health treatment services, in addition to rehabilitation and stress release through sports and other physical activities. I am proud to support these important programs,\" said Rep. Walberg following the vote.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363794", "Huizenga Leads Effort To Boost Jobs, Economy In Michigan and Great Lakes Region", "2013-12-09", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bit by bit isn\u2019t good for dredge  \r\nGreat Lakes freighters account for 103,000 jobs and have an economic impact of $20 billion per year in America.  \r\nGrand Haven Tribune - Editorial - \u00a0Dec. 6, 2013That's a lot of jobs, and money. Freight traffic via ships in the Great Lakes also powers other jobs, such as the local power plant that requires loads of coal from the hulking ships. But for years now the federal government has not properly funded dredging efforts on the Great Lakes. This is partially evidenced by the fact that most freighters can only use about 90 percent of their capacity, less in some ports. That's an efficiency and cost problem that has a negative ripple effect on our communities. There's a push at the federal level for more dredging dollars and greater emphasis placed on the importance of our Great Lakes. We all need to support our lawmakers who are at the front of this effort. These lawmakers include our very own Congressman Bill Huizenga. He and others sent a letter last week to the Water Resources Reform and Development Act Conference Committee, encouraging the committee to make the Great Lakes a priority in final legislation that could provide the funding necessary to adequately dredge harbors. Let\u2019s hope Huizenga and his fellow lawmakers have the pull necessary to make it happen for our community and others that depend on open water channels. After all, a win for dredging and the Great Lakes is also a win for our local economy.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221010506/http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363698", "Adrian Daily Telegram: Tecumseh cancer patient\u2019s insurance canceled; ACA won\u2019t give her a subsidy", "2013-12-06", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Adrian Daily Telegram: Tecumseh cancer patient\u2019s insurance canceled; ACA won\u2019t give her a subsidy \n   \n    \n       \n      \n  \n    \n      f \n      t \n      #\n      e\n      \n      \n    \n    \n      \n        Washington,\n        Dec 6, 2013\n      \n       \n    \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n    \n      \n      \n       \u201cIf you like your health plan, you can keep it\u201d has been President Obama\u2019s promise to the American people for the last four years. But recently he attempted to apologize to those who are losing health insurance because of the law. While I\u2019m glad the president is starting to see the truth, the American people need more than just apologies. They need solutions.  Rosann, a 29-year-old woman from Tecumseh, has been battling sarcoma cancer for more than a year. In that time she has undergone chemotherapy once and radiation twice. Because of her disease and treatments, she can\u2019t work full time, but through a part-time job as a substitute teacher at a local preschool she pays her health care bills and student loans.  That\u2019s until she received a notice that she will lose her current health care because of President Obama\u2019s health care law, and have to pay $225 more a month. She also can\u2019t receive a subsidy because she currently lives with her family and it\u2019s based on household income, not the fact that she has been paying her own bills.  \u201cI just thought that you should know about how this law is affecting hard working people who pay their bills,\u201d Ann Konz, Rosann\u2019s mother told our office. \u201cHer healthcare should be based on her income, not ours.\u201d  Despite these frustrations Rosann often tells her family, \u201cWe\u2019ll just go with it and God will take care of us.\u201d  Rosann doesn\u2019t need an apology or special treatment. She just wants to be able to keep her insurance, along with 225,000 people across Michigan who have lost their coverage in the last seven weeks alone.  To provide immediate relief to individuals like Rosann, the U.S. House recently voted with strong bipartisan support of H.R. 3350, the Keep Your Health Plan Act, which would allow Americans whose plans haven\u2019t already been canceled to keep their current coverage in 2014. It\u2019s at least a start in addressing this destabilizing health care law, but it\u2019s important to remember that the only way to permanently stop all these cancellation letters is a full repeal of the president\u2019s health care law.  In order to get America\u2019s health care back on track and reduce costs, we must implement common sense reforms that will allow individuals to purchase insurance across state lines, to permit small businesses to join together to buy group health insurance, and to expand the use of health savings accounts so no health issue becomes a financial issue too.  Americans were not told the truth by the president about being able to keep the insurance that they like and has worked well for them. I remain committed to fighting for Americans and providing fairness for all by working towards implementing common sense reforms. My hope is the president finally begins working with us towards real health care solutions \u2014 and keeps his promise to the American people.\u00a0\u00a0\n To read the original article at Adrian Daily Telegram, please click here. \n    \n  \n  \n  \n    \n      f \n      t \n      #\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363628", "Upton Comments on Passing of Nelson Mandela", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, issued the following statement on the passing of anti-apartheid leader and former South African President Nelson Mandela.\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\u201cNelson Mandela\u2019s courageous leadership in the face of hatred and social injustice brought new life and new government to the oppressed people of South Africa. His words and actions will continue to inspire, strengthen, and bring hope to future generations,\u201d said Upton, who had the honor of personally meeting Mr. Mandela during the South African leader\u2019s address before a joint session of the United States Congress. \u201cHe was a transformational figure on the world stage, but also a public servant of great humility.\u00a0 We would be well-served by having more leaders follow his example.\u201d \u201cNelson Mandela\u2019s powerful message of freedom, peace, and tolerance could not be confined by prison walls.\u00a0 His spirit and legacy live on, bringing moral courage to those who face adversity and love to a world longing to heal.\u201d \u201cOur prayers are with his family and the people of South Africa.\u201d \r\nUpton cosponsored legislation awarding Mr. Mandela the Congressional Gold Medal in 1998, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363464", "Upton Subcommittee Examines Health Law\u2019s Impact on Michigan Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries", "2013-12-04", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, took part in today\u2019s Health Subcommittee hearing that examined how the President\u2019s health care law will impact the Medicare Advantage program and what its 14 million beneficiaries should expect in the coming year.  The health care law made over $700 billion in reductions to the Medicare program \u2013 including over $300 billion in direct and indirect reductions to the Medicare Advantage program alone \u2013 in order to fund the new entitlement. These cuts will begin to be fully realized in the next year, and seniors and disabled Americans who rely on Medicare Advantage will soon suffer the consequences. In 2012, more than 436,000 people from Michigan were enrolled in Medicare Advantage. \u201cEvery day we hear from people in Michigan and across the country who are losing their current coverage and facing increased costs because of the health care law,\u201d said Upton. \u201cToday we turned our focus to the nation\u2019s seniors and disabled who could be affected by the changes in the law. The empty promises have real consequences for countless Americans who like their existing coverage and expect Washington to do no harm.\u201d\r\nToday\u2019s hearing underscored recent revelations that the President\u2019s promises that you could keep your doctor and you could keep your health care plan will not hold true. According to a report by the Kaiser Family Foundation, more than half a million beneficiaries may lose their existing Medicare Advantage plan next year, which would force these seniors and disabled Americans to switch their current plan or return to a traditional fee-for-service plan. More than 105,000 beneficiaries enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan in 2013 will not be able to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan at all in 2014. \u201cThere has been much speculation about the impact of the ACA cuts to MA plans,\u201d stated former Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Director Douglas Holtz-Eakin in his prepared testimony for today\u2019s hearing. \u201cThe common threads running through analyses of the MA landscape in 2014 are (1) fewer plan choices, (2) higher costs to beneficiaries, (3) foregone benefits, and (4) tighter provider networks.\u201d\r\nThere are several types of MA plans, including Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), Private Fee-For-Services (FFS) Plans, and Special Needs Plans (SNPs) MA plan coverage includes traditional FFS Medicare services (Part A and B benefits), and, for most plans, prescription drug coverage (Part D benefit) is included as well.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363187", "Huizenga Leads Bipartisan Letter To Support Great Lakes, Boost Economic Activity", "2013-12-03", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Last week, Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02), Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (NY-25), and a bipartisan coalition of 32 of their colleagues sent a letter to the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) Conference Committee thanking them for advancing legislation that will improve water infrastructure across America and encouraging them to make the Great Lakes a priority in the final legislation:\"While the House passed version of WRRDA is a significant step in the right direction, I believe it is important to remind the Conference Committee that the Great Lakes Navigation System (GLNS) is the backbone of our nation's manufacturing and agricultural economies, supporting 145 million tons of commodities annually. For too long, harbors across the Great Lakes have not been dredged to their authorized width and depth, while 50% of the funds paid into the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund have been spent on projects unrelated to maintaining our nation's ports and harbors.  \"WRRDA creates the opportunity to implement policies that will help clear the 18 million cubic yards of sediment that currently clog ports and waterways throughout the Great Lakes. By classifying the entire GLNS as a unified body, focusing resources on the Great Lakes, and instructing harbor maintenance funding to be in line with revenues collected into the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, Congress can ensure the Great Lakes not only maintain their economic impact, but allow for economic expansion that will make the region even stronger.\" Congressman Huizenga's letter to the WRRDA Conference Committee is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363295", "Upton Joins Bipartisan Group Calling on House-Senate Negotiators to Support Great Lakes Infrastructure", "2013-12-03", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A longtime advocate for Lake Michigan harbors, Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, has joined a bipartisan coalition of 34 Great Lakes Representatives in sending a letter to the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) Conference Committee. In the letter led by West Michigan Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, and Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-NY, the coalition thanked House and Senate conferees for their work to advance legislation to improve the nation\u2019s navigation infrastructure and called on the conference committee leaders to make the Great Lakes a national priority.\u201cOur Great Lakes harbors and waterways play a vital role in supporting job creation, economic growth and competitiveness here in Southwest Michigan and in communities across the nation,\u201d said Upton. \u201cKeeping our Great Lakes system open and operational must remain a national priority and I strongly encourage House and Senate negotiators build upon the progress made here in the House to support it.\u201d  On October 23, 2013, Upton joined an overwhelming majority of his House colleagues in passing the House version of WRRDA (H.R. 3080), which authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out its mission to develop, maintain, and support our nation\u2019s ports and waterways infrastructure needs as well as support effective environmental restoration and flood protection. The bipartisan House WRRDA bill notably includes an important provision from legislation cosponsored by Upton \u2013 the Great Lakes System Sustainability Act (H.R. 2273) \u2013 which designates the entire Great Lakes Navigation System (GLNS) as a single, unified system for budgetary purposes. Rather than forcing Great Lakes harbors to compete for funding like coastal ports, this important provision recognizes the economic benefits of their interdependence and will help ensure future funding. Click HERE to view the coalition\u2019s full letter to the WRRDA Conference Committee.\u00a0 The text of the letter follows below. November 25, 2013 Dear Chairmen Shuster and Boxer and Ranking Members Rahall and Vitter: Thank you for your efforts on the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), and in particular for advancing provisions that will improve our nation\u2019s navigation infrastructure.\u00a0  Both the Senate and House versions of the water resources legislation make important advances to better fund harbor maintenance throughout our nation.\u00a0 We urge you to retain language that would direct harbor maintenance funding to be more in line with the revenues collected for this purpose in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF).\u00a0 Only about half of the collections for harbor maintenance are currently expended for that purpose, and we urge you to retain and strengthen language in the final conference report so that funds collected to improve our navigation infrastructure are fully used for that purpose.\u00a0 Many of us cosponsored the RAMP Act (H.R.335) as a way to achieve this goal and we thank you for advancing the objectives of that legislation.\u00a0 We ask that the final conference report include a funding target of 100% of HMTF revenues that is not tied to other civil works funding levels. As Great Lakes Representatives, we write to call particular attention to the Great Lakes Navigation System, which is the backbone of our nation\u2019s manufacturing, industrial, building, and agricultural economies.\u00a0  Each year, about 145 million tons of commodities are carried through the Great Lakes Navigation System.\u00a0 The materials transported include fuel that powers homes and businesses, limestone and cement to construct roads and bridges, iron ore to produce steel, chemicals and other raw materials for manufacturers, and agricultural products to feed our nation and the world.\u00a0 This mode of transport has both economic and environmental advantages compared to alternative transportation options, and supports about 130,000 jobs in the U.S. and generates over $18 billion in revenues.\u00a0  Despite the benefits the Great Lakes Navigation System provides, inadequate funding and maintenance has resulted in a tremendous backlog of dredging projects that have forced vessels to light load, grounded vessels, impeded safe navigation, and closed harbors and threatened other harbors with closure.\u00a0 To further exacerbate the problem, the water levels of a number of the Great Lakes have reached record lows in the last few years. The impacts of the lack of dredging and other required maintenance, including lock improvements, breakwater repairs, and construction of dredged material disposal facilities, have economic consequences that hinder economic growth.\u00a0  In order to restore the functionality of the Great Lakes Navigation System, we urge conferees to include our priorities listed below in the final conference report.\u00a0 We list our requests in order of importance. 1.\u00a0 Dedicated harbor maintenance funding for the Great Lakes Navigation System (GLNS):\u00a0 The Senate bill prioritizes 20 percent of harbor maintenance funding in excess of FY2012 levels for the GLNS.\u00a0 However, the House bill sets funding aside for certain purposes using total harbor maintenance funding, and not spending above a threshold figure.\u00a0 Because it is not yet clear how these different approaches will be resolved, we request the conference agreement include bill language requiring that at least 15 percent of all annual HMTF appropriations be provided for GLNS operations and maintenance to address the numerous needs we outlined above. 2.\u00a0 Authorization of the GLNS:\u00a0 Both the Senate and House bills recognize the Great Lakes harbors, ports and other navigation features as being part of a single navigation system.\u00a0 In the House bill, Section 202(b) explicitly authorizes the GLNS as a single system, and we ask that this language be retained in the conference report. 3.\u00a0 Expanded Uses of HMTF:\u00a0 Both the Senate and House bills expand the use of HMTF for a variety of uses, including dredging berths, disposal of contaminated sediments, and rebates for certain types of ports. As you work towards a conference agreement, it is important that other already-authorized components of our waterway system are not unintentionally neglected, including the Great Lakes.\u00a0 The GLNS has a backlog of $200 million in dredging projects, seriously aging breakwaters and locks in need of repair, and a lack of dredged material disposal facilities.\u00a0 In prioritizing uses of the HMTF, it is critical that funding first be provided for currently authorized uses, such as maintaining navigation projects at their constructed depths and widths, especially in the Great Lakes. Thank you for your consideration of these requests.\u00a0 We look forward to working with you to advance a final water resources conference report that improves the nation\u2019s water resources, including the Great Lakes.  Sincerely, cc: Members of the WRRDA Conference Committee", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mikerogers.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363119", "Rogers Speaks at Latson Road Interchange Ribbon Cutting", "2013-12-02", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Mike Rogers", "R000572", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Oct 25, 2017\n         | Washington Times  \n  \n        Ignored by the \u201cinside the Beltway\u201d media has been the heroic efforts of Rep. Mike Rogers, Alabama Republican, as he struggles against the \u201ccorporate\u201d Air Force to establish a separate Space Corps service.\r\n\r\nOpposing Mr. Rogers, the secretary of the Air Force says a separate space service isn\u2019t needed and that the regular Air Force can do whatever is necessary to fulfill the military space mission.\r\n\r\nThis is a huge load of some of Washington D.C.\u2019s finest political trash.\r\n\n      \n\n  \n    May 18, 2017\n         | The Hill  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Apr 4, 2017\n         | Space News  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Mar 8, 2017\n         | PBS  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Mar 8, 2017\n         | AL.com  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Jan 26, 2017\n         | Fox News  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Jan 11, 2017\n         | Real Clear Defense  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Sep 26, 2016\n         | Space News  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Jun 27, 2016\n         | Yellowhammer News  \n  \n        \n Pages", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221010552/http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363172", "Jackson Cit Pat: Families don't want apologies, they just want their health care back", "2013-12-02", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "President Obama has frequently promised that if you like your health-care plan, you can keep it. But ask the more than 3.5 million Americans who have lost their health insurance in the last six weeks alone just how true that pledge is.\nAs the president\u2019s health-care law has taken effect, the president could no longer deny the negative impacts of his signature law and offered an apology to those losing their health insurance despite \u201cassurances\u201d from him. \nFamilies like Dawn and Vern Buchbinder from Grass Lake don\u2019t want any more apologies. They just want their health care back. \nFor 20 years, the Buchbinders have successfully purchased their own health insurance that best suited their needs and those of their three daughters.\nA few weeks ago they received a letter from their current health-insurance provider saying it can no longer offer them the same plan with a $375 per month premium because it doesn\u2019t meet the mandates required under Obamacare. The cheapest plan they offered instead would cost $633 per month. \n\u201cI am offended with the explanation I have been hearing that I need to be protected from the \u2018cut rate, sub-level health insurance plan\u2019 that I've been purchasing all these years,\u201d Dawn recently told my office. \u201cWe know what we need and want to be able to choose it if we so desire. We weren't hurting anyone, why can't we be left alone?\u201d\nAs the administration\u2019s promises are proven false, Americans are realizing the real dangers and consequences behind a government takeover of our health-care system.\nIn the House, my colleagues and I understand this and recently voted with strong bipartisan support to provide immediate relief to families like the Buchbinders, by passing H.R. 3350, the Keep your Health Plan Act, which would allow Americans whose plans haven\u2019t already been canceled to keep their current coverage in 2014. \nIt\u2019s at least a start in addressing this destabilizing health-care law but it\u2019s important to remember that the only way to permanently stop all these cancellation letters is a full repeal.\nFamilies across Michigan are struggling to pay their bills and pay for their children\u2019s future. It\u2019s not fair they\u2019re being forced to pay more for health insurance because of this harmful law. \nDawn and her family, along with 225,000 other people across Michigan that are losing their health care aren\u2019t looking for special treatment; they just want to be able to keep their health insurance at a price they can afford. \nAmericans were not told the truth by the president about being able to keep the insurance that they like and has worked well for them. \nI remain committed to fighting for Americans and providing fairness for all by working toward implementing common sense reforms like allowing individuals to purchase insurance across state lines and permitting small businesses to group together to access the same rates typically reserved for large employers. \nMy hope is the president joins these efforts \u2013 and keeps his promises to the American people. \n- Dawn and Vern Buchbinder from Grass Lake contributed to this article. \u200bTo read the original article at Cit Pat, please click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363070", "Upton Thankful as Pediatric Research, Meningitis/Drug Safety Bills Signed into Law", "2013-11-27", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, applauded the President today for signing two important public health bills that had been previously advanced by Upton\u2019s committee with strong bipartisan support.\u201cThis Thanksgiving, we offer families in Michigan and across the country a little more hope with these critical public health bills now law,\u201d said Upton. With an average of one in eight children born prematurely, the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act (S.252) seeks to strengthen the ongoing effort to track, prevent, and treat prematurity to ensure children have a healthy start and a productive future. Upton sponsored the original PREEMIE Act that was signed into law in December 2006. The bipartisan legislation also provides for the creation of the National Pediatric Research Network to facilitate research to help children with rare and genetic diseases. The House passed similar stand-alone legislation, H.R. 225, to create the network in February. \u201cAlthough our bipartisan effort to boost pediatric care began several years ago, the delays never deterred our commitment to getting it done. Seeing the PREEMIE Act package of reforms across the finish line and now law is something we can all be thankful for this year. This law will especially have a direct and profound impact on the lives of families like the Kennedys in Mattawan, whose daughters Brooke and Brielle are battling the rare disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy. It is often difficult to conduct research into rare diseases due to the small number of people affected. But today, with great thanks to Brooke and Brielle for serving as an inspiration, we create a new research network to provide families like the Kennedys with greater hope for a cure and advances in treatment.\u201d The President also signed Upton\u2019s Drug Quality and Security Act (H.R. 3024), a breakthrough agreement to improve drug safety in the wake of the deadly 2012 meningitis outbreak. By all accounts, Michigan has been hardest hit by the outbreak with 264 cases and 19 fatalities, including 3 deaths from Upton\u2019s own district. Upton\u2019s committee has led a thorough investigation into the recent outbreak to ensure such a public health catastrophe never happens again.  \u201cWith the President\u2019s signature today, this bipartisan law will help prevent future crises like last year\u2019s deadly fungal meningitis outbreak while also establishing a unified framework for maintaining safety throughout the drug supply chain. Across the nation, Americans going to their doctor\u2019s office or pharmacy will now have the confidence that their drugs are safe. From bipartisan oversight to drafting and approving legislation, we were able to reach a compromise to protect the drug supply and also remove regulatory roadblocks, creating an environment conducive to job creation. I am thankful for the cooperation of my colleagues in both the House and the Senate, on both sides of the aisle, for their efforts in this achievement.\u201d H.R. 3024 also strengthens the prescription drug supply chain in order to protect American families against counterfeit drugs as well as eliminates needless government red tape that harms Michigan employers like Perrigo and Pfizer.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221010557/http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363219", "Hillsdale Daily News: Walberg visits Hartzell Veneer", "2013-11-26", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "By Andy Barrand\nHILLSDALE \u2014 Only five months after making the move from Arkansas, Hartzell Veneer Products in Hillsdale is up and running in full production mode.\nWhile in the are Monday, Congressman Tim Walberg took the opportunity to speak to the employees at Hartzell Veneer after taking a short tour of the facility. Also on hand to welcome the company to Hillsdale were members of the Hillsdale City Council, Mayor Scott Sessions and State Rep. Ken Kurtz.\n\"We are delighted to be here,\" Walberg said. \"It's always an exciting opportunity when we can get back into the district and walk through manufacturing facilities.\n\"It is those manufacturing facilities that are the heart and soul of the district,\" he added.\nBefore Walberg met with employees and guests, Hillsdale City Manager Linda Brown and Economic Development Director Mary Wolfram welcomed the facility to the city. In doing so they presented the company with a certificate that can be used to buy a lot in Three Meadows Subdivision for $1.\nThe incentive is given to manufacturers that locate in Hillsdale County.\nHartzell Veneer currently has 31 employees, six of which transferred to the area from Arkansas. The manufacturing facility is currently in the process of building a 35,000-square foot expansion.\nOnce that expansion is complete, estimated to be sometime in 2014, the staff will double in size.\nThe facility makes veneer facings for cabinets, doors and other wood products.\nWalberg said he was amazed by the process that goes into making the facings. He said he appreciated the quality and workmanship that was going into the products being made at the facility.\nWalberg took questions from employees of the facility. One question asked focused on healthcare.\nWalberg said he doesn't support the current plan. He is in support of letting health insurance companies compete for business across state lines.\n\"Hopefully people come together and say no, this isn't for us,\" he said. To read the original article at Hillsdale Daily News, please click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221014156/http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363216", "Jackson Cit Pat: U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg works to name Jackson post office after fallen officer James Bonneau", "2013-11-26", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "JACKSON, MI \u2013 U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg introduced a House Resolution that would honor a Jackson police officer who died on duty in 2010. \nWalberg, R-Tipton, has proposed the United States Post Office downtown Jackson, be designated as the \u201cOfficer James Bonneau Memorial Post Office.\u201d \n\"The Jackson community witnessed Officer James Bonneau's bravery and selflessness in 2010 when he gave his life in the line of duty,\" Walberg said in a statement. \"It\u2019s a fitting tribute to ensure his sacrifice is remembered in our community.\u201d\nWhile Jackson Police Chief Matthew Heins said the department is honored by Walberg\u2019s gesture, personally he has \u201cmixed feelings.\u201d\n\u201cWe are honored....but unfortunately he (Bonneau) had to die in the line of duty to receive the recognition,\u201d Heins said. \nIn 2011, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow presented Bonneau\u2019s parents, Marc and Amy Bonneau, with the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery.\nJust after midnight on March 9, 2010, Bonneau was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance. He was 26.\nThe resolution has been referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. \nIn addition, state Reps. Earl Poleski and Mike Shirkey introduced a bill last year to name the new West Avenue bridge in memory of Bonneau. \nPoleski did not know Bonneau, but said it would be appropriate to name a bridge in his honor, as recognition of his sacrifice.\nPoleski said the legislation was passed by the Michigan House and now sits with the Senate Transportation Committee.  To read the original article at Cit Pat, please click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362930", "Upton Recognized with Medicare Access Champion Award", "2013-11-25", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In honor of his work on behalf of people around the United States who have cancer and whose treatments are covered under Medicare Part B, U.S. Rep. Fred Upton on Monday was awarded the 2013 Medicare Access Champion Award for his outstanding leadership on behalf of cancer patients and seniors. The award was presented by the American Life Sciences Innovation Council.Upton, who is also chairman of the House Energy and Energy Committee, said he was pleased to be recognized for his actions on behalf of an important group of cancer patients. \u201cIf it wasn\u2019t for these community based physicians who keep their doors open for Southwest Michigan cancer patients, it\u2019d be a sorry situation,\u201d Upton said. \u201cThe continuation of Part B means patients can have access to the most affordable and accessible treatment close to home.\u201d The award was presented by a group of representatives from health-related firms: Vickie Martin of Senior Services of Southwest Michigan, Dr. Lynn Gray of the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians, and Jean Maile of Southwest Michigan Hospice.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221010601/http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363218", "Hillsdale Daily News: Walberg gets bill signed into law helping contracted workers", "2013-11-25", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "By Matt Durr\nWASHINGTON \u2014 There isn't much that Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Tipton) and President Barack Obama agree on these days, but the two were able to agree Thursday on a bipartisan bill which Obama signed into law. The Streamlining Claims Processing for Federal Contractor Employees Act was introduced by Walberg and Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) to help shift responsibility for wage adjustments for federally-contracted workers.\nThe two congressmen serve on the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections where Walberg is the chairman and wrote the bill in an effort to streamline the process in which contracted workers get paid.\n\"I want to thank the president for his support of this commonsense, bipartisan proposal,\" Walberg said in a press release. \"By working together we\u2019ve provided greater efficiency within the federal government. Just as important, we\u2019ve helped ensure workers employed by federal contractors receive the pay they\u2019ve earned in a more timely manner. I hope we can build on this success and discuss additional reforms that will serve the best interests of the nation\u2019s workers and taxpayers.\"\nUnder the Davis-Bacon Act, federally-contracted workers are required to be paid a \"local prevailing wage,\" on any government project. They are also to be paid time and a half for work done after working 40 hours in a week. However the claims for those wages were handled through the Government Accountability Office, while the Department of Labor (DOL) enforced the law.\nWith the passing of this new law, the DOL will handle all claims and it should help make the process smoother for workers trying to get their compensation. The bill was first introduced by Walberg in July and passed by the House in September. The Senate passed the bill earlier this month, and Obama signed it into law Thursday.\n\"I am pleased to see that President Obama has signed this commonsense bill that improves efficiency and streamlines the claims process for workers,\" Courtney said. \"Once enacted, this law will enable federal workers to get the pay that is owed to them in a timely fashion. I want to thank Chairman Walberg for his efforts on this issue, and I look forward to finding additional common ground to enhance protections for America\u2019s workers.\" To read the original article at Hillsdale.net, please click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362769", "Huizenga and Amash To Hold Joint \"Academy Night\" For West Michigan High School Students", "2013-11-22", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On Monday November 25th, Rep. Bill Huizenga (MI-02) and Rep. Justin Amash (MI-03) will hold a joint \"Academy Night\" for Second and Third District high school students interested in learning more about the U.S. service academies.  The event will take place at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids.  Officials from the United States Military Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Merchant Marine Academy, and the United States Coast Guard Academy will provide information about the academies and the application process. Students typically begin the admissions process in the spring of their junior year of high school. Who: Rep. Bill Huizenga, Rep. Justin Amash, Officials from the U.S. service academies What: Academy Night When: Monday, November 25, 2013 from 7- 9 p.m. Where: Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum - 303 Pearl St. NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504 More information about the application process and nominations can be found at: /constituentservices/serviceacademynominations.htm http://amash.house.gov/serving-you/military-academy-nominations", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362672", "Upton Applauds State of Michigan for Allowing Health Insurers to Reinstate Canceled Plans", "2013-11-22", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, praised today\u2019s action by the State of Michigan to help provide relief for the approximately 225,000 Michiganders who have been notified that they will lose their current health plan because of the Affordable Care Act. As of November 2, only 27,000 people nationwide have signed up for a new health insurance plan using HealthCare.gov \u2013 1,329 of those people are from Michigan. The state\u2019s decision will allow health insurers to reinstate the canceled policies.\u201cOver the past several weeks, we have heard from hundreds of folks in Southwest Michigan who took the President at his word, but are now losing their current policies and are facing higher premiums and deductibles,\u201d said Upton. \u201cLast week, the House passed my bipartisan Keep Your Health Plan Act to help provide relief for folks here in Michigan and millions like them across the country. I applaud Gov. Snyder for his leadership and work to allow the same freedom and flexibility here in Michigan.\u201d On Nov. 15, 2013, the House of Representatives passed Upton\u2019s bipartisan Keep Your Health Plan Act (H.R. 3350) by a vote of 261 to 157. Upton\u2019s bill would allow health care plans currently available on the individual market to continue to be offered next year \u2013 expanding choices and beginning to provide peace of mind to the millions of Americans who were promised by the President that if they liked their health plan, they could keep it.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362464", "Bill to Help Children with Rare Diseases Like the Kennedy Girls of Mattawan Now One Step Closer to Becoming Law", "2013-11-21", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, joined House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, as the Speaker signed S. 252, the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act, bringing the important bill one step closer to enactment. The bipartisan legislation also provides for the creation of the National Pediatric Research Network to facilitate research to help children with rare and genetic diseases. The House passed similar stand-alone legislation, H.R. 225, to create the network in February. Speaker Boehner also signed H.R. 3024, the Drug Quality and Security Act, a breakthrough bipartisan, bicameral agreement introduced by Upton to improve drug safety in the wake of the deadly 2012 meningitis outbreak. By all accounts, Michigan has been hardest hit by the outbreak with 264 cases and 19 fatalities, including 3 deaths from Upton\u2019s own district. Upton\u2019s committee has led a thorough investigation into the recent outbreak to ensure such a public health catastrophe never happens again. The bill also strengthens the prescription drug supply chain in order to protect American families against counterfeit drugs as well as eliminates needless government red tape that harms Michigan employers like Perrigo and Pfizer.\u00a0 Both bills will soon head to the President\u2019s desk to be signed into law. Upton commented, \u201cAt long last we are nearing the finish line, and we will soon have a network in place to help families like the Kennedys in Mattawan, Michigan, and their two young daughters who have the rare disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy. These two little angels, Brooke and Brielle, are little warriors in the effort to boost research for rare diseases and serve as an inspiration for all.\u201d  \u200b\u200b\u200bIN CASE YOU MISSED IT ...\u200b November 14, 2013\nMattawan's Kennedy sisters help inspire House bill funding research into rare genetic diseases\n\u00a0  \nMATTAWAN, MI \u2013 The medical struggles of two sisters from Mattawan helped inspire a bill funding research for rare diseases that passed the House by unanimous consent this week.\nBrooke and Brielle Kennedy were born with type II spinal muscular atrophy. Their battle was chronicled in a 2012 Kalamazoo Gazette story.  \n\u00a0  \nThe six-year-old and four-year-old have exceeded doctors' prognoses, but SMA is a terminal, degenerative disease.  \n\u00a0  \n\"SMA is the leading genetic killer of infants and young children. It is a terminal, degenerative progressive disease that results in the loss of nerves in the spinal cord and the weakness of the muscles connected with those nerves,\" according to brookeandbrielle.com, a website set up by Sarah Kennedy, the girls' mother. \"SMA impacts the ability to walk, stand, sit, eat, breathe and even swallow.\"  \n\u00a0  \nU.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, introduced the National Pediatric Research Network Act of 2013, which passed Tuesday as part of the Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who Deliver Infants Early (PREEMIE) Reauthorization Act. Upton sponsored the original PREEMIE act, which became law in 2006.  \n\u00a0  \nThe act supports research into rare and genetic diseases afflicting children, including SMA, by allowing the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to fund pediatric research consortium. Earlier this year, the measure passed the House as a stand-alone bill.  \n\u00a0  \n\"This legislation will have a dramatic and life-changing effect on so many families who have suffered for so many years,\" said Sarah Kennedy in a statement.  \n\u00a0  \nUpton said he met the Kennedys a few years ago, when they brought to his attention to a similar bill written to help fund rare diseases affecting children. Upton said he was charmed by the girls and keeps a picture of them in his Kalamazoo office.  \n\u00a0  \n\"These girls are incredible. The first time I met Brielle and Brooke, they told me their names were Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. They're not letting their disabilities define them. But because spinal muscular atrophy is relatively rare, there hasn't been a lot of funding for it,\" said Upton in an email.  \n\u00a0  \nThe bill will now move to the Senate as part of a package of health-related bills, S. 252. A previous version passed twice during the 112th Congress, once as a stand-alone bill and once as part of a larger piece of legislation. Neither version passed the Senate.  \n\u00a0  \n\"The sad reality is it is often difficult to conduct research into rare diseases due to the small number of individuals with the disease,\" he said. \"We are working to change that and provide families with greater hope for a cure or advances in treatment.\"\nRead the entire story online here.\nWatch Upton\u2019s November 12, 2013, floor statement that highlights the Kennedy family here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362594", "Upton Speaks with Southwest Michigan Residents Impacted by the Health Care Law via Google Hangout", "2013-11-21", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Click HERE to watch the video chat House Energy and Commerce Chairman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, this afternoon hosted a video conference call via Google Hangout with individuals from Southwest Michigan who will lose their current health plan because of the Affordable Care Act. Upton was joined by U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Illinois, who is a member of Upton\u2019s committee. Upton has heard from countless people from across Southwest Michigan who like their current health plan, but are now losing it because of the health care law. Today\u2019s Google Hangout provided an innovative platform for some of those folks to publicly share their stories. \u201cThe stories shared by Mary and Tim echo those I have heard again and again from families throughout Southwest Michigan. It is important that their voices are heard,\u201d said Upton. \u201cThese folks are among the nearly quarter of a million people in Michigan who took the President at his word, but are now finding the dreaded cancellation notices in their mailboxes. \u201cHealth care should be about providing relief and certainty at a time when people need it most. The President\u2019s health care law has done anything but that.\u201d One of the participants was Mary Swanson, a realtor from Kalamazoo. She and her husband are both self-employed and purchase their own health insurance. \u201cWe received our cancellation notice the first week of October, much to our shock after having heard that we were going to be able to keep our plans that we were very happy with,\u201d said Swanson.  Their current plan costs $920 per month and has a maximum combined deductible of $4,000. Swanson says that because of the Affordable Care Act, their monthly premium will jump to $1,300 to $1,500, and their deductible will increase to $6,000 a piece. Now they have to figure out how they will pay for the thousands of dollars of additional health costs each year. Another participant was Tim Brown, a small business owner from Portage. Like Swanson, Brown and his spouse have recently received notice that their current plan is being cancelled, despite the President\u2019s repeated promises to the contrary. Also like Swanson, the alternative plans they are now considering also have significantly higher costs and cover services he does not want. \u201cSo now the government is saying that you have to buy a product, and you have to buy a product that you otherwise would not have purchased,\u201d said Brown. \u201cNow you want to know why there\u2019s a little bit of outrage?\u201d Brown also expressed his frustration with the further confusion that has been caused by the President\u2019s announcement of another administrative \u201cfix\u201d to the law a week ago.  \u201cHere I have a deadline of December 31st and Blue Cross has just said \u2018we cannot comment on any impact the President\u2019s comments may have made.\u2019 Are we going in limbo now?\u201d During the call, Upton highlighted his Keep Your Health Plan Act\u00a0(H.R. 3350), which passed the House with bipartisan support last Friday. Upton\u2019s bill would allow health care plans currently available on the individual market to continue to be offered next year \u2013 expanding choices and beginning to provide peace of mind to the millions of Americans who were promised by the President that if they liked their health plan, they could keep it. Folks from Southwest Michigan can become a \u201cCitizen Cosponsor\u201d of Upton\u2019s Keep Your Health Plan Act by visiting: https://www.cosponsor.gov/#details/hr3350-113", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walberg.house.gov/media/press-releases/president-signs-bipartisan-bill-increase-efficiency-under-davis-bacon-act", "President Signs Bipartisan Bill to Increase Efficiency Under Davis-Bacon Act", "2013-11-21", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "walberg.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "President Signs Bipartisan Bill to Increase Efficiency Under Davis-Bacon Act\n                        \n  \n                \n    \n      \n  \n    \n  \n      \n  \n  \n    WASHINGTON, D.C. Today President Obama signed into law theStreamlining Claims Processing for Federal Contractor Employees Act(H.R. 2747). Introduced by Subcommittee on Workforce Protections Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Ranking Member Joe Courtney (D-CT), the bill moves responsibility for wage claims adjustments for federally-contracted workers from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to the Department of Labor.\n\"I want to thank the president for his support of this commonsense, bipartisan proposal,\"said Chairman Walberg. \"By working together we've provided greater efficiency within the federal government. Just as important, we've helped ensure workers employed by federal contractors receive the pay they've earned in a more timely manner. I hope we can build on this success and discuss additional reforms that will serve the best interests of the nation's workers and taxpayers.\"\n\"I am pleased to see that President Obama has signed this commonsense bill that improves efficiency and streamlines the claims process for workers,\"Rep. Courtney said. \"Once enacted, this law will enable federal workers to get the pay that is owed to them in a timely fashion. I want to thank Chairman Walberg for his efforts on this issue, and I look forward to finding additional common ground to enhance protections for America's workers.\"\nUnder theDavis-Bacon Act, federally contracted workers must be paid the \"local prevailing wage\" on government projects. TheContract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act(CWHSSA) requires federal contractors to pay workers one and one half times their basic rate of pay for hours worked in excess of 40 hours. While the Department of Labor enforces these laws, GAO has long been responsible for processing claims of workers who did not receive the appropriate wage. Since it no longer provides this service in other areas of the federal government, GAO has requested this authority be moved to the appropriate enforcement agency.\nTheStreamlining Claims Processing for Federal Contractor Employees Acttransfers this responsibility to the Department of Labor, which oversees other aspects of theDavis-Bacon Actand theCWHSSA.\nTo read full text of H.R. 2747, clickhere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walberg.house.gov/media/press-releases/walberg-questions-cdc-study-motorcycle-use", "Walberg Questions CDC Study on Motorcycle Use", "2013-11-21", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "walberg.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Walberg sent a letter to the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) demanding answers concerning an October 23 CDC report that aims to discourage motorcycle use while ignoring the positive economic benefits for motorcycle riding.\n\"As an avid and experienced motorcycle rider, I believe government should be in the business of promoting the recreational, economic and environmental benefits of responsible motorcycle riding  not discouraging it,\" stated Rep. Walberg in the letter. \"During difficult fiscal times, the American people would be better served by your continued efforts to address widespread societal health matters such as virus prevention, cancer and heart disease.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20131128075645/http://amash.house.gov:80/press-release/amash-and-huizenga-host-academy-night", "Amash and Huizenga to Host Academy Night", "2013-11-21", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Justin Amash", "A000367", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nNovember 21, 2013 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\nCONTACT\nHayley Alexander (Amash)\n202.225.3838\nhayley.alexander@mail.house.gov\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nBrian Patrick (Huizenga)\n202.225.4401\nbrian.patrick@mail.house.gov\n\u00a0\nAmash and Huizenga to Host Academy Night\nGRAND RAPIDS, Mich. \u2013 Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) and Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.) announced Academy Night for Second District and Third District high school students interested in learning more about the U.S. service academies. Academy Night is scheduled for Monday, November 25, at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids.\nOfficials from the United States Military Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Merchant Marine Academy, and the United States Coast Guard Academy will provide information about the academies and the application process.\nStudents typically begin the admissions process in the spring of their junior year of high school. More information about nominations can be found at:\nhttp://amash.house.gov/serving-you/military-academy-nominations\nhttp://huizenga.house.gov/constituentservices/serviceacademynominations.htm\nWHO:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nRep. Justin Amash and Rep. Bill Huizenga\nOfficials from the U.S. service academies\n\u00a0\nWHAT:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nAcademy Night\n\u00a0\nWHEN:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nMonday, November 25, 2013\n7\u20139 p.m.\n\u00a0\nWHERE:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nGerald R. Ford Presidential Museum\n303 Pearl St. NW\nGrand Rapids, MI 49504\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20131210213715/http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362617", "President Signs Bipartisan Bill to Increase Efficiency Under Davis-Bacon Act", "2013-11-21", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "President Signs Bipartisan Bill to Increase Efficiency Under Davis-Bacon Act\n  \n    \n      \n      \n  \n    \n      \n        Washington,\n        Nov 21\n      \n       | \n       comments\n    \n    \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n      \n    \n  \n    \n      \n      \n      \nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013\u00a0Today President Obama signed into law the\u00a0Streamlining Claims Processing for Federal Contractor Employees Act\u00a0(H.R. 2747). Introduced by Subcommittee on Workforce Protections Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Ranking Member Joe Courtney (D-CT), the bill moves responsibility for wage claims adjustments for federally-contracted workers from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to the Department of Labor.\u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cI want to thank the president for his support of this commonsense, bipartisan proposal,\u201d\u00a0said Chairman Walberg. \u201cBy working together we\u2019ve provided greater efficiency within the federal government. Just as important, we\u2019ve helped ensure workers employed by federal contractors receive the pay they\u2019ve earned in a more timely manner. I hope we can build on this success and discuss additional reforms that will serve the best interests of the nation\u2019s workers and taxpayers.\u201d\u00a0\n\u201cI am pleased to see that President Obama has signed this commonsense bill that improves efficiency and streamlines the claims process for workers,\u201d\u00a0Rep. Courtney said. \u201cOnce enacted, this law will enable federal workers to get the pay that is owed to them in a timely fashion. I want to thank Chairman Walberg for his efforts on this issue, and I look forward to finding additional common ground to enhance protections for America\u2019s workers.\u201d\nUnder the\u00a0Davis-Bacon Act, federally contracted workers must be paid the \u201clocal prevailing wage\u201d on government projects. The\u00a0Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act\u00a0(CWHSSA) requires federal contractors to pay workers one and one half times their basic rate of pay for hours worked in excess of 40 hours. While the Department of Labor enforces these laws, GAO has long been responsible for processing claims of workers who did not receive the appropriate wage. Since it no longer provides this service in other areas of the federal government, GAO has requested this authority be moved to the appropriate enforcement agency.\u00a0\nThe\u00a0Streamlining Claims Processing for Federal Contractor Employees Act\u00a0transfers this responsibility to the Department of Labor, which oversees other aspects of the\u00a0Davis-Bacon Act\u00a0and the\u00a0CWHSSA.\u00a0\u00a0\nTo read full text of H.R. 2747, click\u00a0here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20131211070411/http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362493", "Walberg Questions CDC Study on Motorcycle Use", "2013-11-21", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Walberg sent a letter to the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) demanding answers concerning an October 23 CDC report that aims to discourage motorcycle use while ignoring the positive economic benefits for motorcycle riding.\n\u201cAs an avid and experienced motorcycle rider, I believe government should be in the business of promoting the recreational, economic and environmental benefits of responsible motorcycle riding \u2013 not discouraging it,\u201d stated Rep. Walberg in the letter. \u201cDuring difficult fiscal times, the American people would be better served by your continued efforts to address widespread societal health matters such as virus prevention, cancer and heart disease.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362129", "Huizenga Announces Town Hall Meeting In Muskegon Heights on Friday", "2013-11-19", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Huizenga Announces Town Hall Meeting In Muskegon Heights on Friday   \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        November 19, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02) announced he will be holding a town hall meeting at the MATS Administration Office and Louis A. McMurray Conference Center on Friday at 3 PM.\u00a0Residents of the community are encouraged to attend and participate in a discussion with Congressman Huizenga on issues impacting Muskegon Heights, Muskegon County, and West Michigan.  \r\n\u00a0  \r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Who: Congressman Bill Huizenga\u00a0  \r\n\u00a0  \r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0What: Town Hall Meeting\u00a0  \r\n\u00a0  \r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Where: MATS Administration Office and Louis A. McMurray Conference Center, located at 2624 Sixth St. in Muskegon Heights\u00a0  \r\n\u00a0  \r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When: Friday, November 22 at 3:00 PM   \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362327", "Monroe Evening News: Walberg Shares Life in Washington with Students", "2013-11-19", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "walberg.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \nStay up-to-date on Rep. Walberg\u2019s work on behalf of Michigan's 7th District.\n\u00a0\nPress Kit \nMembers of the media can view Rep. Walberg\u2019s biography and download an official picture.\n\u00a0\nTim in the News \nFind the latest articles about Rep. Walberg from local and national papers.\n\u00a0\nOpinion Editorial \nRead the latest opinion editorials authored by Rep. Walberg.\n\u00a0\nLatest Videos \nVideos of Rep. Walberg from the House floor and committees.\n\u00a0\nSocial Media \nFollow Rep. Walberg on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more updates.\n\u00a0\ne-Newsletter Archive \nStay up-to-date on Rep. Walberg\u2019s work in D.C. and in Michigan through the e-newsletter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=361997", "Senate Passes Upton\u2019s Bipartisan Meningitis, Drug Safety Bill", "2013-11-18", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The U.S. Senate today approved bipartisan legislation introduced by Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, to improve drug safety and help prevent a future public health crisis like the 2012 deadly fungal meningitis outbreak tied to the New England Compounding Center (NECC). H.R. 3204, the Drug Quality and Security Act, is the result of a thorough investigation led by Upton\u2019s Committee into the cause of the recent public health catastrophe, which has infected 751 individuals and left 64 dead nationwide. By all accounts, Michigan families have been hardest hit by the contamination, totaling 264 cases and 19 deaths, including 3 fatalities from Upton\u2019s own district.The House passed Upton\u2019s bill by voice vote on September 28, 2013. H.R. 3204 is expected to be signed into law by President Obama in the near future. \u201cTo the dozens of families who have lost loved ones and to the hundreds who are still suffering today, with this bill we say \u2018never again.\u2019 I applaud the Senate\u2019s passage of this breakthrough bipartisan legislation and am pleased we are now just one step away from this bill being signed into law to prevent a future public health crisis like last year\u2019s deadly fungal meningitis outbreak,\u201d said Upton.  \u201cAmericans receiving medical treatments must have the peace of mind that their drugs are safe. With this bill we are fortifying the drug supply chain while also cutting needless regulatory red tape that is harming Michigan businesses like Perrigo and Pfizer, creating an environment conducive to growth and job creation.\u201d The first title of H.R. 3204 will protect traditional pharmacies and clarify laws related to human drug compounding in response to the nationwide meningitis outbreak. The bill will clarify the Food and Drug Administration\u2019s (FDA) authority over the compounding of human drugs while requiring the agency to engage and coordinate with states to ensure the safety of compounded drugs. The second portion of H.R. 3204 will strengthen the prescription drug supply chain in order to protect American families against counterfeit drugs while eliminating needless government red tape that harms U.S. jobs. The bill will help prevent increases in drug prices, avoid additional drug shortages, and eliminate hundreds of millions of dollars worth of duplicative government regulations that impact Michigan employers like Perrigo and Pfizer. The complete text of the bill is online here. A fact sheet of the bill is online here. Letters of support can be found online here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20131211074416/http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=361841", "Monroe Evening News: U.S. needs all-the-above energy policy", "2013-11-17", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "From transportation to job creation, an abundant supply of energy is critical to the health of our economy, especially in Monroe County where DTE Energy and CMS Energy employ more than 600 people combined. But uncertainty about high energy costs is making it harder for Michigan\u2019s businesses to grow and for families to live within their budget. If we want to see a return to stable energy prices and increased job growth, we need to step away from the president\u2019s expansive regulatory agenda and instead get serious about implementing an all-of-theabove energy plan.  This year certainly has seen its share of troubling proposed energy regulations for manufacturing states such as Michigan. In June, the president issued a memorandum directing the Environmental Protection Agency to further regulate existing fossil fuel-fired power plants. Just three months later, the EPA announced proposed greenhouse gas standards for new fossil fuel-fired power plants despite the fact that U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide emissions are at the lowest level since 1994 and almost 40 percent of all electricity nationwide is produced by coal.  In a state that has more than 30 coal-fired plants, the Obama administration\u2019s and EPA\u2019s decision to target these type of plants hits too close to home. If we walk away from coal as a significant component of our energy portfolio, we will inevitably lose manufacturing and energyrelated jobs that have long relied on this affordable energy source.  That\u2019s why I have continued to work with my colleagues in Congress in support of an all-of-the above energy plan that recognizes our nation\u2019s ample supply of natural resources. America is a nation abundant in natural gas, coal and oil. We use about one-fifth of the world\u2019s oil supply but only produce about 50 percent of what we use.  The Alaskan National Petroleum Reserve alone contains more than 2.7 billion barrels of oil and more than 114 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. New practices allow energy producers to more easily extract these resources from the ground while doing it cheaper, safer and with less disruption to the landscape.  However, we also need to enact common-sense policies to enable the use of these resources and allow us to maximize their potential and impact. That\u2019s why I have continued to fight for approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline and increased offshore energy production. Keystone XL alone is estimated to create tens of thousands of jobs, and in spite of ever-increasing support from Democrats and unions, the president has blocked every one of our bipartisan efforts to see it completed.  Meanwhile, legislation that would require the administration to move forward with offshore energy production in areas containing the greatest amount of oil and natural gas resources remains stuck in the Senate.  It\u2019s also important to support market-based strategies that encourage alternative-energy sources such as wind, solar, cellulosic ethanol, biodiesel, hydrogen and other clean alternatives, in addition to promoting conservation. Nuclear energy is also a viable part of our energy portfolio and remains an important component of increasing our energy production. Right now, the 104 nuclear reactors in America provide us with 20 percent of the nation\u2019s electricity and 73 percent of our carbon-free electricity even though no new nuclear reactors have been built since 1978.  My main focus in the House is to create jobs, and communities such as Monroe understand how vital affordable energy production is to helping grow and foster a healthy economy. The president and Senate need to listen and work with their colleagues in the House in a good faith, bipartisan effort to allow for an all-of-the-above energy policy that meets Michigan\u2019s needs. To read more at Monroe Evening News, please click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=361739", "House Passes Upton\u2019s Bipartisan #KeepYourHealthPlan Act", "2013-11-15", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, applauded today\u2019s House passage of his bipartisan Keep Your Health Plan Act (H.R. 3350). The House of Representatives approved the Keep Your Heath Plan Act by a vote of 261 to 157. This bipartisan legislation would allow health care plans currently available on the individual market to continue to be offered next year, expanding choices and beginning to provide peace of mind to the millions of Americans who have been left to worry in the wake of the President\u2019s broken promise. Under the Keep Your Health Plan Act all Americans would have added flexibility around their health coverage enrollment options without facing a penalty under the health care law. The White House has threatened to veto this bill, saying, \u201cCongress should work with the administration to improve the law and move forward,\u201d just hours after working \u201caround\u201d Congress and announcing another administrative \u201cfix.\u201d\u00a0 \u201cFor the last three years, the President repeated his promise to the American people that if they like their current health care plan, they can keep it \u2013 period. Millions of Americans, including nearly a quarter of a million folks in Michigan, took the President at his word and are now unexpectedly receiving cancellation notices,\u201d said Upton.  \u201cSadly for many Americans, it\u2019s cancellations today and sticker shock tomorrow. Today, with bipartisan support, the House stood up and gave a voice to those folks receiving cancellation notices and passed the Keep Your Health Plan Act. It\u2019s a start, and much more work remains. Let\u2019s keep the promise.\u201d Upton has heard from countless people from across Southwest Michigan who are losing their plans because of the Affordable Care Act. Speaking from the House floor before today\u2019s vote, Upton highlighted the plight of one family from Bangor, Michigan, who will lose their current plan because of the health care law. \u201cThis bill is to help provide peace of mind to folks like the farmer in Bangor, Michigan, who just found out, after purchasing his family\u2019s insurance for the last 30 years, that he will be able to keep their plan no more. And the sticker shock will be unbearable as their premiums double and their deductible jumps nearly three thousand bucks.\u201d Watch Upton\u2019s remarks from the House floor here. More background on the Keep Your Health Plan Act is online here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=361677", "Rep. Walberg Votes for the Keep Your Health Plan Act", "2013-11-15", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "walberg.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \nStay up-to-date on Rep. Walberg\u2019s work on behalf of Michigan's 7th District.\n\u00a0\nPress Kit \nMembers of the media can view Rep. Walberg\u2019s biography and download an official picture.\n\u00a0\nTim in the News \nFind the latest articles about Rep. Walberg from local and national papers.\n\u00a0\nOpinion Editorial \nRead the latest opinion editorials authored by Rep. Walberg.\n\u00a0\nLatest Videos \nVideos of Rep. Walberg from the House floor and committees.\n\u00a0\nSocial Media \nFollow Rep. Walberg on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more updates.\n\u00a0\ne-Newsletter Archive \nStay up-to-date on Rep. Walberg\u2019s work in D.C. and in Michigan through the e-newsletter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walberg.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-walberg-votes-keep-your-health-plan-act", "Rep. Walberg Votes for the Keep Your Health Plan Act", "2013-11-15", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "walberg.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - Today Rep. Walberg voted in favor or H.R. 3350, the Keep Your Health Plan Act, that could allow Americans to keep their current health care coverage in 2014. \n\"Millions of people across the nation, including 225,000 people in Michigan, have received cancellation notices. The Keep Your Health Plan Act is a straight forward, one-page bill that could provide immediate relief to many people across Michigan and the nation. However, it's important to remember that the only way stop all of these cancelation letters is by fully repealing Obamacare and I remain committed to providing relief to the hardworking families who are already dealing with the difficult consequences of this law,\" said Rep. Walberg following the vote.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=361550", "Huizenga Discusses West Michigan's \"ObamaCare Experience\" On The House Floor", "2013-11-14", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "This afternoon, Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02) took to the House floor to discuss the impact of ObamaCare on Michigan and share what he has heard from constituents on how the law is impacting families and individuals across West Michigan. \r\n\r\nRemarks: At least 225,000 residents of Michigan have, or will shortly receive, letters informing them that their currently held health insurance policies will be canceled because of ObamaCare.  To put this number in context - more people in Michigan have had their private health care plans canceled due to ObamaCare than have even \"selected\" a private plan nationwide on HealthCare.gov.  Adding insult to injury, the dismal enrollment number announced by the Administration does not represent an accurate depiction of the \"ObamaCare Experience.\"  Whether it's Nancy from Grant, Barbara from Walker, Terry from Grandville or David from Twin Lake, my constituents all seem to be sharing the same experience: frustration, followed by exasperation, rounded out with higher costs they cannot afford.  We hear you, and I am here for you. The reality of the \"ObamaCare Experience\" is a website that is difficult to navigate - when it actually works - coupled with policy options that result in higher health care costs for Michigan consumers. I applaud my friend and colleague Fred Upton who is going to be leading the charge to provide a legislative solution to this problem tomorrow.  I hope our friends across the aisle will be able to provide that same relief to their constituents and I hope they join me in doing so.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=361553", "Huizenga's Bipartisan Legislation To Streamline Regulation, Protect Jobs, & Boost Investment Passes Committee Unanimously", "2013-11-14", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Huizenga's Bipartisan Legislation To Streamline Regulation, Protect Jobs, & Boost Investment Passes Committee Unanimously \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        November 14, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      This evening, the House Financial Services Committee unanimously passed Congressman Bill Huizenga's bipartisan legislation H.R. 2274 - The Small Business Mergers, Acquisitions, Sales, and Brokerage Simplification Act by a vote of 57 to 0.  This legislation will remove regulatory roadblocks threatening jobs, economic growth, and future investment while allowing for the smooth sale and transfer of both small and mid-sized businesses.\"I am glad to see the Financial Services Committee act in such a strong bipartisan manner to pass H.R. 2274. As baby boomers retire, it is estimated that $10 trillion worth of privately-owned, main street businesses will be sold or closed. We don't want these businesses closing and causing their employees to lose their jobs.\u00a0 The current one-size-fits-all regulatory structure fails to differentiate between the sale of a small privately held business and securities of a publicly traded company. H.R. 2274 recognizes this important difference and establishes a streamlined approach that allows for the sale of small and mid-size businesses while maintaining the necessary safeguards, protecting jobs, and allowing for continued economic growth.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=361557", "Upton Responds to President\u2019s Unilateral Health Care \u2018Fix\u2019", "2013-11-14", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, released the following statement in response to President Obama\u2019s announcement today of another administrative \u201cfix\u201d to his health care law:\u201cFor the last six weeks, the White House stood idly by as cancellation notices flooded the mailboxes of millions of Americans \u2013 including 225,000 Michiganders \u2013 who took the president at his word that they could keep their health plans. Now, one day after getting an earful from panicked House and Senate Democrats, the president is bypassing Congress and taking matters into his own hands. \u201cOur main priority should be helping the American people. Today\u2019s abrupt pivot comes after the White House has spent the last week attacking our thoughtful approach to begin to give peace of mind to those folks worried about losing their affordable health care. \u201cIf the president were sincere in his apology and serious about keeping his promise to the American people, he would work with Congress on bipartisan proposals like the Keep Your Health Plan Act. \u201cImplementation of this law has been disastrous, leaving worried Americans without the health care plans they had, with skyrocketing premiums, and limited access to doctors. Tomorrow, as we vote on the Keep Your Health Plan Act, we call on the president to work with Congress, not around us.\u201d The House of Representatives will vote on H.R. 3350, the Keep Your Health Plan Act, on Friday. This bill would allow insurance companies to offer health care plans currently available on the individual market today going into next year. Americans would have the choice to enroll in those plans without facing a penalty under the health care law. More information about the one-page bill is online here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=361561", "VIDEO: Upton Speaks to Importance of #KeepYourHealthPlan Act", "2013-11-14", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Click here to watch Fred\u2019s floor remarks\r\n  \r\nToday, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, urged members of the House of Representatives to pass H.R. 3350, the Keep Your Health Plan Act. The bipartisan legislation would allow plans currently available on the individual market to be offered next year. This would provide Americans the opportunity to enroll in these policies in 2014 without penalty. In his remarks, Upton highlighted a family of three from Bangor, Michigan, who have lost their insurance as a result of the Affordable Care Act and now face an increased premium and deductible. The text of Upton\u2019s remarks follow: For the last three years the President personally promised that if they like their current health plan, that they could keep it \u201cno matter what.\u201d Period. But cancellation notices are now arriving in millions of mailboxes across the country. And in the great state of Michigan, some 225,000 folks will see their plans terminated because of this law. That\u2019s twice the total number of people who have even selected a plan nationwide. Now I\u2019ve heard from countless families back home who took the president at his word. They\u2019re upset \u2013 yes they are \u2013 and worried how they\u2019re going to make ends meet. A self-employed family of three in Bangor, Michigan, has purchased their own insurance for more than 30 years. Their Blue Cross Blue Shield plan was working well, had no deductible, and a $750 monthly premium. To replace it, their premium is going to nearly double to $1,393 and their deductible will jump to $2,800. In their own words, they told us, they have been \u2018thrown under the bus.\u2019\u00a0 Sadly, they are not alone. Tomorrow we will vote on the \u201cKeep Your Health Plan Act,\u201d a straightforward, one-page bill that says if you like your current coverage, you ought to be able to keep it. Let\u2019s keep that promise.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=361568", "Walberg Introduces Legislation to Help New Veterans", "2013-11-14", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "walberg.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \nStay up-to-date on Rep. Walberg\u2019s work on behalf of Michigan's 7th District.\n\u00a0\nPress Kit \nMembers of the media can view Rep. Walberg\u2019s biography and download an official picture.\n\u00a0\nTim in the News \nFind the latest articles about Rep. Walberg from local and national papers.\n\u00a0\nOpinion Editorial \nRead the latest opinion editorials authored by Rep. Walberg.\n\u00a0\nLatest Videos \nVideos of Rep. Walberg from the House floor and committees.\n\u00a0\nSocial Media \nFollow Rep. Walberg on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more updates.\n\u00a0\ne-Newsletter Archive \nStay up-to-date on Rep. Walberg\u2019s work in D.C. and in Michigan through the e-newsletter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walberg.house.gov/media/press-releases/walberg-introduces-legislation-help-new-veterans", "Walberg Introduces Legislation to Help New Veterans", "2013-11-14", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "walberg.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Tim Walberg introduced H.R. 3493, the Servicemembers Transition Improvement Act, which would assist members of the Armed Forces transitioning into civilian life by requiring the Department of Defense to provide the contact information for separating service members to state veterans affairs departments. H.R. 3493 is a companion bill to legislation recently introduced by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA).\n\"Caring for our men and women in uniform does not end when they leave military service. By strengthening the connection between new veterans and state and county veterans service organizations, this legislation will help veterans get the benefits they need and have earned,\" said Rep. Walberg.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=361367", "Upton Attends White House Signing of Epi-Pen Bill", "2013-11-13", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, was part of a bipartisan group of congressional leaders present at the White House today for the signing of H.R. 2094, the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act, into law. As Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Upton has been a leading advocate of this legislation, which supports our nation\u2019s schools as they work to ensure they have the capability to treat severe allergic reactions.\u201cWhen a student has an emergency reaction, every second counts as a life hangs in the balance,\u201d said Upton. \u201cThis legislation is about saving lives and giving parents and teachers alike the peace of mind in knowing that if something does happen that there will be someone onsite and ready to act.\u201d Acting last week by appointment as House Speaker pro tempore, Upton signed H.R. 2094, certifying the House\u2019s approval of the bill and thereby allowing it to advance to the President\u2019s desk to be signed into law. The bill passed the House of Representatives on July 30 after being unanimously approved by Upton\u2019s Energy and Commerce Committee. The legislation has been widely praised by advocates of children with severe allergic reactions, including Food Allergic Families & Friends (FAFF) of Southwest Michigan, which has more than 50 member-families in the region. \u201cWe are thrilled with this lifesaving legislation, which helps schools access emergency medicine for severe allergic reactions, when every second counts,\u201d said Sarah Swallow Beuker of Portage, Michigan, founder and moderator of FAFF. \u201cWe hope Michigan will adopt a law as urged by this Act, helping the many children who will experience their first severe allergic reaction at school and helping prevent the allergy-related deaths that occur each year in schools.\u201d  Coauthored by Congressman Phil Roe (R-TN) and Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), H.R. 2094 will provide an incentive for states to allow schools to maintain an emergency supply of epinephrine auto-injectors and permit trained school personnel to administer a non-student specific epinephrine shot in case of an emergency. The legislation also requires states to review their own civil liability protection laws to ensure there is adequate protection for school personnel authorized to aid students.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=361033", "Huizenga Honors Veterans At Grand Valley State University", "2013-11-12", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Huizenga Honors Veterans At Grand Valley State University \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        November 12, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      On Monday, Congressman Huizenga was involved in multiple ceremonies to honor the brave men and women who served our nation. In the morning, Congressman Huizenga attended the dedication of the Student Veterans' Lounge at Grand Valley State University. The lounge will be available for veterans to meet, study, and share their experiences from their time in the military. \u00a0Following the dedication, Grand Valley President Thomas J. Haas announced GVSU will begin offering in-state tuition to veterans no matter where they have established residency. \u00a0\n  \n\n\n  \nAt the event, Congressman Huizenga applauded GVSU's commitment to active duty military and veterans adding, \"we want our veterans coming to Michigan and staying in Michigan.\" \u00a0 24 Hour News 8 also covered both the dedication and the tuition announcement. Watch their newscast of the events in the video below:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=361055", "Huizenga Holds Medals Ceremony To Honor West Michigan Veterans", "2013-11-12", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "After participating in the dedication of new a Student Veterans' Lounge at Grand Valley State University, Congressman Huizenga hosted a medals ceremony where he presented veterans and surviving family members with the medals earned during the veterans' time of service in the military. \u00a0Medals where awarded to Major Larry Smith of Zeeland, as well as to the families of Staff Sergeant Irving Kangas and Sergeant First Class Edward Rumsey. \u00a0The event took place at the\u00a0American Legion's Charles Conklin Michigan Post #28 on S Harbor Drive in Grand Haven.\u00a0 Pictures of the event can be found by clicking here. \u00a0Below are the medals and awards bestowed upon each service member as well as WZZM's coverage of the ceremony. Recipients and Awards Presented:  \n\nKorean & Vietnam Veteran: Major Larry Smith of Zeeland, U.S. Army.\nAwards:\u00a0Bronze Star Medal, \u00a0Air Medal & Numeral 3, Army Commendation Medal & Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal & Bronze Star Attachment (Single), Korean Service Medal & Bronze Star Attachment (Double), Vietnam Service Medal & Bronze Star Attachment (Single), Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon w/Device (1960), Expert Badge & Carbine Bar & Rifle Bar\n   \nWWII Veteran: Staff Sergeant Irving Kangas (Deceased), formerly of Holland, U.S. Army.\u00a0Accepting on his behalf: His daughter Janet Kangas-Lankheet\nAwards:\u00a0Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 1 silver service star, World War II Victory Medal, Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII, Expert Badge with Machine Gun Bar with Rifle Bar with Submachine Gun Bar\nVietnam Veteran: Sergeant First Class Edward Rumsey (Deceased), formerly of Montague, U.S. Army.\u00a0Accepting on his behalf: His wife Martha Rumsey\nAwards:\u00a0Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, 4th Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 1 silver service star, Combat Infantryman Badge with Driver \"W\" Bar, Expert Badge with Machine Gun Bar, Marksman Badge with Pistol Bar", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=361122", "Upton, House Approve Landmark Children\u2019s Health Research Bill", "2013-11-12", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Energy and Commerce Chairman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives this evening in strong support of bipartisan legislation to strengthen health care for the nation\u2019s children and families. The Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who Deliver Infants Early (PREEMIE) Reauthorization Act, S.252, continues and strengthens federal research and programs related to preterm birth. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated half million babies are born premature each year in the United States. Upton sponsored the original PREEMIE Act, which was signed into law in December 2006. As amended by the House, today\u2019s legislation includes the National Pediatric Research Network Act of 2013, H.R. 225, which allows the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to fund pediatric research consortium that are formed from cooperating institutions to promote greater research efficiency and collaboration. Upton has met on numerous occasions with Southwest Michigan families concerning this important legislation to support children with rare and genetic diseases. H.R. 225 was approved by Upton\u2019s Committee with unanimous consent and passed the House on February 4, 2013, as a stand-alone bill. \u201cThis legislation seeks to help Michigan children and their families with unmet health needs, including those battling rare and genetic diseases,\u201d said Upton. \u201cThis effort will help families like the Kennedys in Mattawan. Eric and Sarah Kennedy have two delightful young daughters, Brooke and Brielle, who have the rare disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy. These two little angels, who are also affectionately known as Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, are two little warriors in the effort to boost research for rare diseases and serve as an inspiration for all.\u201d  \u201cThe sad reality is it is often difficult to conduct research into rare diseases due to the small number of individuals with the disease.\u00a0 But today, we are working to change that, and provide families with greater hope for a cure or advances in treatment.\u201d  The House passed S. 252 as amended this evening by unanimous consent. Upton is hopeful that the Senate will quickly act to pass this vital legislation to ensure it reaches the President\u2019s desk.  \u201cOn behalf of my family and our daughters, Brielle and Brooke, and on behalf of FightSMA \u2013 an organization that has labored hard to advocate for spinal muscular atrophy research \u2013 and on behalf of the thousands of children fighting this crippling and terrifying disease, I want to thank Congressman Fred Upton for his hard work in advancing the National Pediatric Research Network Act,\u201d said Sarah Kennedy in response to this evening\u2019s House action.  \u201cThis legislation will have a dramatic and life-changing effect on so many families who have suffered for so many years. Congressman Upton's advocacy breathes hope into the lives of every child fighting a rare disease.\u201d\r\nThis evening, the House also approved S. 330, the HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act, which allows research to fully evaluate the safety and efficacy of organ transplantation between individuals with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). In 1988, Congress banned the transplantation\u00a0 of HIV-infected organs. Today, HIV treatments have extended and improved the lives of individuals with HIV, increasing the need for organ donations. Upton\u2019s Committee passed the House companion bill to this legislation, H.R. 698, on July 16, 2013, by unanimous consent.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=361223", "Hillsdale Daily News: Officials Pay Tribute to Vets", "2013-11-12", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "walberg.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \nStay up-to-date on Rep. Walberg\u2019s work on behalf of Michigan's 7th District.\n\u00a0\nPress Kit \nMembers of the media can view Rep. Walberg\u2019s biography and download an official picture.\n\u00a0\nTim in the News \nFind the latest articles about Rep. Walberg from local and national papers.\n\u00a0\nOpinion Editorial \nRead the latest opinion editorials authored by Rep. Walberg.\n\u00a0\nLatest Videos \nVideos of Rep. Walberg from the House floor and committees.\n\u00a0\nSocial Media \nFollow Rep. Walberg on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more updates.\n\u00a0\ne-Newsletter Archive \nStay up-to-date on Rep. Walberg\u2019s work in D.C. and in Michigan through the e-newsletter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=360927", "Huizenga: The admiration we show our servicemen and women should last year-round", "2013-11-11", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02) release the following statement to commemorate Veterans Day:\"This Veterans Day, I hope you will join me in thanking the brave men and women who have put their lives on the line in service to our nation.  As the son of a veteran, I understand the continued commitment and conviction our veterans across West Michigan demonstrate to both our communities and our country after they have completed their military service.  \"Let's also take a moment today to thank the men and women currently serving in uniform across the globe, show gratitude to the military families who are working to make ends meet while their loved ones are away, and pay tribute to America's fallen heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice.   \"While Veterans Day is listed on the calendar as November 11th, the admiration we show our servicemen and women should last year-round.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=360931", "Support our Troops and Veterans with Holiday Mail for Heroes", "2013-11-11", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "This Veterans Day, Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, is encouraging folks in Southwest Michigan to share some holiday cheer with service members, veterans, and their families by participating in Holiday Mail for Heroes.\u00a0\"It\u2019s such a simple thing to sign a card to let our brave men and women in the service \u2013 and their families \u2013 know we appreciate their work. And yet it means so much,\u201d said Upton. \u201cI hope everyone will take a moment to participate in this program.\u201d The American Red Cross is in its seventh year of making sure personalized holiday cards of appreciation are sent to service members and their families. Upton is again facilitating the operation by accepting cards meant for the troops and their families at his constituent service offices in Kalamazoo and St. Joseph. Cards dropped off at the offices by December 4 will be forwarded to the Holiday Mail for Heroes program. Cards can be mailed to the offices or dropped off. \u201cLet our troops know how much their dedication is valued by the American people,\u201d Upton urged. \u201cThe holiday season is one of the best times to acknowledge their work.\u201d The Holiday Mail for Heroes program is an extension of the Red Cross\u2019 work with more than 2 million services members and 24 million veterans each year. It provides a \"touch of home\" for veterans, military families and active duty service members in hospitals, military installations and other locations around the world.\u00a0 The American Red Cross has asked card senders keep in mind a few guidelines:\u00a0\u00a0 Do: * Include a heartfelt message and signature.  \r\n* Use generic salutations such as \u201cDear Service Member.\u201d   \r\n* Bundle large quantities of cards in large mailing envelopes or flat rate postal shipping boxes. Envelopes are not necessary for the cards. Don't: * Send letters, packages or monetary gifts \u2013 only cards are accepted.  \r\n* Include personal information such as home or email addresses on the cards.  \r\n* Include inserts of any kind; these items will be removed during the reviewing process.  \r\n* Use cards with glitter or use loose glitter -- \u00a0it can aggravate health issues of ill and injured service members. Holiday cards sent directly must arrive by December 6 to:\u00a0 Holiday Mail for Heroes  \r\nP.O. Box 5456  \r\nCapitol Heights, MD 20791-5456 Upton is collecting cards at his district offices located at: Kalamazoo District Office  \r\n157 South Kalamazoo Mall  \r\nSuite 180  \r\nKalamazoo, MI 49007  \r\n269-385-0039 St. Joseph / Benton Harbor District Office  \r\n800 Centre  \r\n800 Ship Street  \r\nSt. Joseph, MI 49085  \r\n269-982-1986 For additional information and card requirements, please visit: http://www.redcross.org/news/article/Red-Cross-Kicks-Off-Holiday-Mail-for-Heroes-Campaign  Or http://www.redcross.org/support/get-involved/holiday-mail-for-heroes", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20131202185242/http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=360914", "Jackson Cit Pat: We must remain committed to caring for members of Armed Forces after they return home", "2013-11-11", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "During a recent visit to Walter Reed National Medical Center, I met 24-year-old Sgt. Christopher Hemwall from Monroe as he underwent rehabilitation. In March 2011, he was shot three times in an ambush while serving in Afghanistan\u2019s Kandahar Province. \nEventually, Sgt. Hemwall\u2019s right leg had to be amputated below the knee after an experimental treatment failed. \nYet, in spite of these hardships, he remains committed to serving our country again after his rehab. As a nation, we must remain committed to caring for Sgt. Hemwall and all our nation\u2019s brave servicemen and women. \nThe dedication of soldiers like Sgt. Hemwall to our nation makes recent reports of reckless spending at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) even more egregious. \nOn October 30, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform looked into the July and August 2011 human resource employee training conferences, which took place in Orlando and included mismanagement of funds, unethical behavior, and cost taxpayers more than $6 million. \nDuring the hearing I had the opportunity to ask the current VA Assistant Secretary for Human Resources why conference planners were not concerned about establishing and staying within a budget, and I expressed my concerns over wasteful spending that included $50,000 alone on a parody video and $98,000 for promotional items including water bottles, fitness walking kits and hand sanitizers. \nConference planners also traveled to Dallas and Nashville looking for the right city to hold their event while they enjoyed helicopter rides, spa treatment and shows. \nMeanwhile, the overnight conferences to train human resource staff included DJ\u2019s, karaoke and game nights. All this while 700,000 veterans benefit claims are pending and more than half of that number will wait over 125 days for their case to be resolved. This is unacceptable. \nWith thousands of new Veterans returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan \u2013 many proudly coming home to Michigan\u2019s 7th District - I am dedicated to providing our heroes with the highest quality medical care and resources as they transition into the job market in addition to conducting oversight over the VA and rooting out wasteful practices. \nLast Congress, I co-sponsored, the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act, to help address veteran unemployment, which the President signed into law. In May, the House advanced H.R 1412, the Improving Job Opportunities for Veterans Act, which would expands existing job training programs for our returning veterans. \nMost recently, I helped pass a bipartisan group package of bills to assist our nation\u2019s Veterans, including legislation to address the disability claim backlog at the VA, improve vocational and educational opportunities, and help vulnerable disabled Veterans maintain housing.\nAs your representative in Washington, I\u2019m dedicated to upholding our nation\u2019s commitments to Veterans every day. \nVeterans benefits are deserved and earned through service and sacrifice. After all, less than 1 percent of the population currently defends our great country and its important that both Republicans and Democrats strive to give those men and women the tools they need to be successful when they come home. \nIt is the right and honorable thing to do and Congress must continue to fulfill their responsibility to do so. To read the original article at Jackson Cit Pat, please click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=360980", "THE HERALD-PALLADIUM: Upton advances federal EpiPen rules", "2013-11-09", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "By Louise WregeEpiPens save lives, and U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, wants to make it easier for schools to have them on hand in case of emergencies. On Wednesday, as the House Speaker pro tempore, Upton signed the \"School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act,\" which allows schools to have EpiPens on hand. Epinephrine can be used to stop the deadly swelling of the throat and tongue when someone has an anaphylactic reaction, which can be caused by allergies to items such as peanuts. He said the U.S. House passed the act in July. The U.S. Senate approved the bipartisan legislation last week. Upton said President Barack Obama is expected to sign the bill into law next week. Upton said he knows from personal experience how deadly an anaphylactic reaction can be. \"I can remember back in 1980, a family that I was close to here in our district lost their son. He was in the high school band and tragically had a candy bar during halftime for a little energy boost. And died literally on the field. It was a real tragedy,\" Upton said. He said the family has since moved out of state. \"These things happen and its a tragedy that one never escapes from. Had they had an EpiPen there, perhaps he would have lived,\" he said. He said schools are not required to have EpiPens. But with nearly 6 million children in the United States having food allergies, he said that averages to about two students with allergies in every classroom. And once the anaphylactic reaction happens, he said minutes matter. Read the full article HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=360917", "Coldwater Daily Reporter: Rep Walberg Recognizes Hillsdale\u2019s Cobra Motorcycle", "2013-11-09", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "walberg.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \nStay up-to-date on Rep. Walberg\u2019s work on behalf of Michigan's 7th District.\n\u00a0\nPress Kit \nMembers of the media can view Rep. Walberg\u2019s biography and download an official picture.\n\u00a0\nTim in the News \nFind the latest articles about Rep. Walberg from local and national papers.\n\u00a0\nOpinion Editorial \nRead the latest opinion editorials authored by Rep. Walberg.\n\u00a0\nLatest Videos \nVideos of Rep. Walberg from the House floor and committees.\n\u00a0\nSocial Media \nFollow Rep. Walberg on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more updates.\n\u00a0\ne-Newsletter Archive \nStay up-to-date on Rep. Walberg\u2019s work in D.C. and in Michigan through the e-newsletter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=360669", "Become a Citizen Cosponsor of Upton\u2019s \"Keep Your Health Plan Act\"", "2013-11-08", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "One of the key promises of Obamacare was that if you liked your health insurance plan, you could keep it. \u201cNo matter what.\u201d But as NBC News now reports, \u201cmillions of Americans are getting\u2026cancellation letters for their health insurance under Obamacare.\u201d\u00a0 While the administration sticks to its broken promises, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, has introduced the Keep Your Health Plan Act to provide peace of mind to Americans across the country who are currently receiving insurance termination notices. The House of Representatives will vote on Upton\u2019s bill next week.Upton is encouraging folks in Southwest Michigan to make their voices heard by becoming a Citizen Cosponsor of H.R. 3350, the Keep Your Health Plan Act. Cosponsor.gov is an innovative platform that brings the American people into the legislative process. Users log in via Facebook and can show their support for issues they care about by becoming a \u201cCitizen Cosponsor\u201d of that bill. Citizen Cosponsors are then updated on the status of their bills as they move through the various stages of the legislative process.\u00a0 The Keep Your Health Plan Act, would allow health insurance plans currently available on the individual market to be offered next year. Additionally, the bill would allow Americans the choice to continue enrolling in those plans without being penalized under the individual mandate.\u00a0 Become a Citizen Cosponsor of H.R. 3350, Keep Your Health Plan Act here.\u00a0 Facing hardships as a result of the health law? Share your story here. Follow the conversation on Twitter using the hashtags #KeepYourHealthPlan, #KeepThePromise, and #FairnessForAll.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=360584", "MLive: Huizenga Talks Job Creation, Mergers & Acquisitions Legislation at ADAC in Muskegon", "2013-11-07", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Huizenga bill on mergers and acquisitions highlighted at businesses' Muskegon meeting\nMLive Muskegon -\u00a0Stephen Kloosterman -\u00a0November 07, 2013 at 10:39 AMBusiness leaders gathered in Muskegon Wednesday and talked up legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga. \u00a0House Resolution 2274 would simplify government regulation of brokers who specialize in mergers and acquisitions of privately owned, small- to medium-size companies, according to Huizenga.  \n... Huizenga testified about H.R. 2274 Oct. 23 in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Markets Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee. \"It's been estimated at 10 trillion-with-a-T, dollars of privately-owned, Main Street, mom-and-pop-type businesses will be sold or closed as baby boomers retire. We don't want them closed, we want them sold so they can continue,\" Huizenga said.  \"We must streamline and simplify the regulatory structure so small- and mid-sized businesses are able to safely, efficiently and effectively sell their companies while preserving and protecting jobs at these companies.\"  \n... Read the rest of the article on MLive's website HERE", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=360646", "House to Consider Upton\u2019s Keep Your Health Plan Act Next Week", "2013-11-07", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The House of Representatives will consider H.R. 3350, the Keep Your Health Plan Act, next week. The Keep Your Health Plan Act was introduced by Energy and Commerce Chairman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, and has been cosponsored by more than 130 members. The bill would allow health plans currently available on the individual market to continue next year, providing Americans the opportunity to continue to enroll in those plans without penalty under the health care law.\u00a0\u201cFolks in Michigan and across the country have been told that, despite the President\u2019s oft-repeated promise, they are losing their health care plans and access to their doctors because of the health care law,\u201d said Upton. \u201cThe anxiety directly caused by the law\u2019s broken promises is flatly wrong, and this bill serves to ease those concerns and provide choices to the American people. Health care should be about providing peace of mind \u2013 this bill does just that.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 The House is expected to vote on the bill on Friday, November 15.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20131202183528/http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=360616", "WLNS- TV: Frustrated Residents Share Thoughts With Congressman", "2013-11-07", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "CHARLOTTE, Mich. (WLNS) - On Thursday morning Congressman Tim Walberg hosted a town hall meeting in Charlotte. \nAnd dozens of community members showed up to express their frustrations. \nGovernment spending and the possible loss of insurance policies were the biggest issues discussed at the meeting. \nThough Walberg promised to take concerns back to the house, veterans and retirees say they just want him to stand firm in his promise and represent them. \nI'm retired on limited income and we're struggling now. And we just got to quit the spending,\" said Owen Whitkopf, retired.\n\"We have reduced the deficit expenditure for this year down to $630 billion. That doesn't sound good but it's at least better than the $1.3, $1.7, $1.8 and $1.5, trillion of the previous 5 years. So we have to continue moving in that direction get the spending under control. And allow the freedom and opportunity for American citizens,\" said Tim Walberg, US Rep, Michigan's 7th Congressional District.\nWalberg heads to Washington D.C. to meet with the house next week. To read the original article at WLNS-TV, please click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=360495", "Bill to Help Children Suffering from Severe Allergic Reactions Heads to President\u2019s Desk", "2013-11-06", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Nearly 6 million children in the United States have food allergies \u2013 that is roughly two students in every classroom. Anaphylaxis, a serious form of allergic reaction, can be fatal in a matter of minutes. In the event of an allergic reaction, epinephrine can be used to stop deadly swelling of the throat and tongue that occurs in an anaphylactic reaction, but time is of the essence.House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, praised the advancement of H.R. 2094, the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act, which supports our nation\u2019s schools as they work to ensure they have the capability to treat severe allergic reactions.  \u201cWhen the difference between life and death comes down to a matter of minutes, ensuring our schools have the emergency resources they need on site is crucial,\u201d said Upton. \u201cIt is still haunting that long-time family friends tragically lost their son at a school event in Southwest Michigan due to an allergic reaction. There was no EpiPen and despite heroic efforts he died. This incentive for schools will indeed save countless lives.\u201d  \u201cA child having a serious allergic reaction in the classroom is a parent and teacher\u2019s worst nightmare, and unfortunately it is a problem that has become all too common. I applaud the Senate for following the House in getting this bill across the finish line and to the President\u2019s desk. This bipartisan bill goes a long way to keep our classrooms safe and saving untold young lives in the process.\u201d H.R. 2094 passed the House of Representatives on July 30 after being unanimously approved by Upton\u2019s Energy and Commerce Committee. The Senate followed the House\u2019s lead by approving the bipartisan legislation last week. Today, by appointment as House Speaker pro tempore, Upton signed H.R. 2094, certifying the House\u2019s approval of the bill and thereby allowing it to advance to the President\u2019s desk to be signed into law.  The legislation has been widely praised by advocates of children with severe allergic reactions, including Food Allergic Families & Friends (FAFF) of Southwest Michigan, which has more than 50 member-families in the region. \u201cWe are thrilled with this lifesaving legislation, which helps schools access emergency medicine for severe allergic reactions, when every second counts,\u201d said Sarah Swallow Beuker of Portage, Michigan, founder and moderator of FAFF. \u201cWe hope Michigan will adopt a law as urged by this Act, helping the many children who will experience their first severe allergic reaction at school and helping prevent the allergy-related deaths that occur each year in schools.\u201d\u00a0  Coauthored by Congressman Phil Roe (R-TN) and Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), H.R. 2094 will provide an incentive for states to allow schools to maintain an emergency supply of epinephrine auto-injectors and permit trained school personnel to administer a non-student specific epinephrine shot in case of an emergency. The legislation also requires states to review their own civil liability protection laws to ensure there is adequate protection for school personnel authorized to aid students. The President is expected to sign H.R. 2094 into law as early as next week.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mikerogers.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=360358", "Detroit News: As Obamacare implodes, what's the GOP alternative?", "2013-11-05", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Mike Rogers", "R000572", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Oct 25, 2017\n         | Washington Times  \n  \n        Ignored by the \u201cinside the Beltway\u201d media has been the heroic efforts of Rep. Mike Rogers, Alabama Republican, as he struggles against the \u201ccorporate\u201d Air Force to establish a separate Space Corps service.\r\n\r\nOpposing Mr. Rogers, the secretary of the Air Force says a separate space service isn\u2019t needed and that the regular Air Force can do whatever is necessary to fulfill the military space mission.\r\n\r\nThis is a huge load of some of Washington D.C.\u2019s finest political trash.\r\n\n      \n\n  \n    May 18, 2017\n         | The Hill  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Apr 4, 2017\n         | Space News  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Mar 8, 2017\n         | PBS  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Mar 8, 2017\n         | AL.com  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Jan 26, 2017\n         | Fox News  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Jan 11, 2017\n         | Real Clear Defense  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Sep 26, 2016\n         | Space News  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Jun 27, 2016\n         | Yellowhammer News  \n  \n        \n Pages", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mikerogers.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=360360", "Oakland Press: Michigan Rep. Mike Rogers on Detroit, Snowden and Obamacare", "2013-11-05", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Mike Rogers", "R000572", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Oct 25, 2017\n         | Washington Times  \n  \n        Ignored by the \u201cinside the Beltway\u201d media has been the heroic efforts of Rep. Mike Rogers, Alabama Republican, as he struggles against the \u201ccorporate\u201d Air Force to establish a separate Space Corps service.\r\n\r\nOpposing Mr. Rogers, the secretary of the Air Force says a separate space service isn\u2019t needed and that the regular Air Force can do whatever is necessary to fulfill the military space mission.\r\n\r\nThis is a huge load of some of Washington D.C.\u2019s finest political trash.\r\n\n      \n\n  \n    May 18, 2017\n         | The Hill  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Apr 4, 2017\n         | Space News  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Mar 8, 2017\n         | PBS  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Mar 8, 2017\n         | AL.com  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Jan 26, 2017\n         | Fox News  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Jan 11, 2017\n         | Real Clear Defense  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Sep 26, 2016\n         | Space News  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Jun 27, 2016\n         | Yellowhammer News  \n  \n        \n Pages", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20131202190651/http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=360453", "The Hill: Senate passes bill allowing DOL to pay federal contractors prevailing wages", "2013-11-05", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "The Senate passed a House bill Tuesday that would transfer some responsibility from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to the Department of Labor.\nRep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) introduced the Streamlining Claims Processing for Federal Contractor Employees Act, H.R. 2747, which transfers authority from the GAO to the Department of Labor (DOL) to pay federal wage adjustment claims under the Davis-Bacon Act.\nDavis-Bacon requires federal contractors to be paid prevailing wages in their local area, a policy many Republicans oppose. But both parties agreed that DOL should be in charge of payments to workers who are not paid a prevailing wage, instead of the GAO.\nThe House passed the bill on a 396-10 vote in September. \nThe bill now heads to President Obama\u2019s desk for his signature before becoming law.\nThe Senate passed the bill through a unanimous consent agreement before adjourning for the evening. Several military nominations were confirmed the same way.\nThe Senate is expected to continue work on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) for the rest of the week.\nTo read the original article at the Hill.com, please click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221003004/http://mikerogers.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=360363", "CBS News: Obamacare website security tests never finished before launch", "2013-11-05", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Mike Rogers", "R000572", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "A CBS News analysis finds key tests to ensure the security and privacy of customer information on troubled Obamacare website fell behind schedule.\nA deadline for final security plans was delayed three times over the summer, and final top-to-bottom security tests never were finished before the launch.\nAll of that is adding to concerns about the safety of personal information on the site.\nTechnology experts say this website did not go through proper security testing before it went live on October 1 -- and they've shared with CBS News several flaws that could expose personal information. Now we're starting to see real-like examples of what can go wrong.\nWith critics openly mocking the Obama administration about problems with HealthCare.gov, officials insist on one thing: at least the website is safe. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said, \"Consumers can trust that their information is protected by stringent security standards.\"\nSouth Carolina attorney Thomas Dougall is not so sure. He said: \"My information is out there, and I want it deleted from their website.\"\nDougall and his wife signed up on the website in October, but over the weekend got a disturbing call about a man in North Carolina who also registered, and was shocked to get the Dougalls' eligibility letters, including their names and home address.\n\"It's just a system that we've continually been told was secure and now I've found out it's not secure,\" Dougall said.\nA spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed: \"An incident involving the personal information of one consumer was reported...and we took immediate steps. We identified a piece of software code that needed to be fixed and that fix is now in place.\"\nBut other problems are not fixed. Software experts tell CBS News they have identified multiple security issues, including with user names and passwords.\nWe gave one technology expert the real HealthCare.gov user name of a CBS employee. Within seconds, he identified the specific security questions she selected to reset her password.\nShawn Henry, president of the cyber security firm Crowdstrike Services and the former assistant director of the FBI's Cyber Division, said: \"If somebody's got the ability to look at the source code and be able to reverse engineer that and identify what somebody's personal questions are, that should be of concern.\"\nOn \"CBS This Morning,\" CBS News correspondent Jan Crawford reported House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., tells her this is just one more reason the website should be taken down and tested for security vulnerabilities --and Democrats are also making that point -- concerns that will likely be raised when Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius testifies again before Congress on Wednesday.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=360171", "USA TODAY: Let people keep their coverage", "2013-11-04", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\"If you like your health care plan, you'll be able to keep your health care plan, period. No one will take it away, no matter what.\" This promise from President Obama has been pervasive and unequivocal.Yet I am hearing from countless concerned constituents in Michigan who are losing their coverage. They are joined by millions of Americans who took the president at his word and are now receiving insurance termination notices and alternatives that are often much more expensive. Making matters worse, the administration has known that many health plans would be forced to end under Affordable Care Act requirements, but the president repeated his promise even into late September. The \"Keep Your Health Plan Act\" is a simple, sensible solution that would allow health plans being offered today to continue into next year. Particularly as consumers struggle with the error-prone online enrollment process, the Keep Your Health Plan Act is a voluntary escape hatch that would give added flexibility for Americans who truly want to keep the plan they have. Implementation of the president's health care law has generated confusion and concern. That's not what health reform should be about. Americans deserve to know that in times of need, they will have the coverage and care that they want, need and can afford. That is why the law's broken promises matter. \"We'll lower premiums by up to $2,500 for a typical family per year\" has been replaced with premium increases as high as 400%. Administration officials insisted the law would be ready Oct. 1, but a month later the website still does not work and has questionable security. Investigating this law's implementation is about accountability, transparency and fairness. To those who say the Affordable Care Act is the law of the land, I concur; that is why it needs the same scrutiny we give other programs that affect American citizens and consume taxpayer dollars. Despite continued policy differences, I hope we can find common ground on keeping the promises the president made. Passing the Keep Your Health Plan Act with bipartisan support would do just that. Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., is chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Click here to read the column online Click here to read a copy of H.R. 3350, the Keep Your Health Plan Act", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20131115154843/http://amash.house.gov:80/press-release/amash-host-town-hall-byron-township", "Amash to Host Town Hall in Byron Township", "2013-11-04", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Justin Amash", "A000367", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nNovember 4, 2013\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\nCONTACT\nJordan Bush\n616.451.8383\nJordan.Bush@mail.house.gov\n\u00a0\nAmash to Host Town Hall in Byron Township\nGRAND RAPIDS, Mich. \u2013 Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) today invited constituents to a town hall meeting on Wednesday, November 6, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Byron Township\u2019s offices.\n\u201cI look forward to answering questions about issues facing our country and the Third District of Michigan,\u201d said Amash.\nThe event and parking are free. The town hall is open to the public and the media.\nWHO:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nRep. Justin Amash\n\u00a0\nWHAT:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nTown Hall Meeting\n\u00a0\nWHEN:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nWednesday, November 6, 2013\n6 p.m. \u2013 7 p.m.\n\u00a0\nWHERE:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nByron Township\u2019s offices\n8085 Byron Center Ave.\nByron Center, Michigan 49315\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=359888", "WZZM: 26-year-old's insurance canceled because of ObamaCare", "2013-10-31", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\u2022\tJordan was offered different options but they were triple the cost and they offered care he didn't need.\u2022\t\"I'm really going from a independent financial individual to someone who needs help from the government to pay for insurance.\"  \r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n26-year-old's insurance canceled because of ACA  \r\nWZZM   \r\nOct 30, 2013 6:48 PMGRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) -- As the U.S. House Committee continues its Affordable Care Act hearings, millions of Americans are finding out that their current insurance plans are being canceled. Jordan Cloud, 26, is one of them. He was happy with his insurance. \"It was affordable to me at this stage of my life,\" says Jordan. Jordan works a part time job and attends Grand Rapids Community College. He felt like he was being responsible by getting insurance and paying for it on his own. \"The insurance was the Blue Cross Young Adult, it was a really good plan. Then, I got something in the mail that said it was going to be cancelled and I had to switch plans.\" Jordan was offered different options but they were triple the cost and they offered care he didn't need. \"I'm really going from a independent financial individual to someone who needs help from the government to pay for insurance.\" Jordan logged onto healthcare.gov but ran into problems right away. He took pictures of the error messages. \"I first tried to log-on and for several hours, it said I had not registered my email, password did not work.\" The Obama Administration has promised to fix the site but like many, Jordan is frustrated by the process and has given up. He continues to look for a private plan that is affordable and fits his needs.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=359974", "Washington Times Highlights Bipartisan Support In Efforts To Reform Dodd-Frank", "2013-10-31", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Reforming the reform  \r\nA rollback of Dodd-Frank is overdue, and very difficult  \r\nThe Washington Times - Editorial - October 31, 2013The Republican plan takes aim at the most outrageous and indefensible policies concealed within the 850 pages of the legislation, which was written in the dark. With 14,000 pages of implementing regulations, the law has created a nightmare for businesses that have to make plans based on what it all means. The result has been a universal feeling of uncertainty about the future, according to the Business Roundtable\u2019s regular surveys of chief executives. Uncertain executives are cautious, holding back on hiring and investment, which has kept the economy stalled. Instead of holding big banks accountable for the financial meltdown, Dodd-Frank is an excuse to expand government and strengthen Washington\u2019s grip on the private sector. The newly created Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, for example, gives jobs to a thousand cronies and wastes half-a-billion dollars duplicating the efforts of the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.  \r\n... Earlier this year, the House voted 321 to 62 to repeal a new administration rule imposing \u201cterm limits\u201d for outside auditors of a company\u2019s financial statements. The rule isn\u2019t part of Dodd-Frank, but it shares the theme of empowering bureaucrats to damage the private sector. Other measures have cleared the House Financial Services Committee and await a floor vote. Rep. Bill Huizenga of Michigan is going after Dodd-Frank\u2019s mandate that companies compute the average employee\u2019s salary for comparison to what the CEO makes. It\u2019s the sort of gimmick dreamed up by someone with no idea of the effort involved to create a statistic that is only useful to class-warfare warriors attacking capitalism. Rep. Robert Hurt of Virginia wants to exempt private equity and growth capital funds from Dodd-Frank\u2019s registration requirements. These funds had nothing to do with the financial crisis, so imposing a layer of red tape on them increases costs without providing any benefit in market stability. Despite the broad, cross-party support for most of these pending proposals, it\u2019s not clear whether they\u2019ll be able to get past Harry Reid and the Senate. ...\u00a0 Read the rest of the piece over at the Washington Times' website HERE", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20131111144914/http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=359977", "Jackson Cit Pat: Tim Walberg says Washington needs to do a better job of promoting policies to boost job creation", "2013-10-31", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "The recently released Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) September employment report certainly wasn\u2019t worth the wait. Delayed because of the government shutdown, September\u2019s jobs report disappointed as our economy added just 148,000 jobs, fewer than the previous month\u2019s and slower than the average pace of growth within the last year. Perhaps more telling, 136,000 fewer Americans participated in the labor force, keeping the labor force participation rate at its lowest level since the 1970\u2019s at 63.2%. That\u2019s in addition to the 11 million who are unemployed and actively searching for work. While these dismal numbers may look like the new normal, Americans deserve better.\nWashington needs to do a better job of promoting policies to boost job creation. Rather than looking to big government solutions that only grow the bureaucracy, we should look to those with the best track record at creating the most jobs \u2013 small businesses. Not only do they employ about half of people working in the private sector, but their knack for innovation, tendency to promote healthy competition and drive to succeed keeps our economy afloat. Unfortunately, many of them have only been frustrated in recent years by the federal government\u2019s unaffordable health care law, overwhelming regulations and a complicated tax code.\u00a0 \nWe also need to help job seekers. Many Michiganders have trouble finding work because they can\u2019t cut through the bureaucratic red tape that keeps them from accessing the specific job training they need for the industries that have jobs available. Earlier this year, the House passed the Supporting Knowledge and Investing in Lifelong Skills (SKILLS) Act to eliminate or consolidate proven ineffective job training programs, while also removing roadblocks that keep job seekers from getting the training they need in careers such as design manufacturing, engineering, technology, construction and healthcare.\u00a0With better education and the right training, we could see more jobs fulfilled in Michigan and across the nation. \nSound investment in infrastructure is another important component in helping our economy recover. In late October the House passed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) to authorize ports and waterway infrastructure projects. Our nation\u2019s waterways are vital to a healthy economy and job creation and this reauthorization makes necessary reforms to streamline the approval of important infrastructure projects while promoting American competitiveness and fiscal responsibility. It passed the House with strong bipartisan support, by a vote of 417-3, proving that it is possible for Washington to come together to enact common sense reforms that save money and boost our economy. \nIt\u2019s not complicated.\u00a0 If we want to better prepare job seekers to fill those jobs, we must equip them with the skills they need and make sure they\u2019re not being held back by federal red tape. And if we want to know how to foster a healthy economy we must keep talking to the 28 million small businesses and focus on real solutions that strengthen the economy like simplifying the tax code and reducing the regulatory burden. We need the President and Senate to listen and work with the House in a good faith, bipartisan effort to allow for significant job creation and recovery.  To read the original article at Jackson Cit Pat, please click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=357129", "WOOD TV 8: West Michigan Residents Learn They Cannot Keep Their Insurance", "2013-10-30", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\u2022\tDerby said she was surprised to get the notification from BCBS. \"It's like, 'Oh, yeah, I got this insurance. Should be good to go.' Never saw this coming. Never,\" she said.\u2022\tFor years, President Barack Obama and his administration said those who had and liked their insurance would be able to keep it. \"He did say that,\" Derby said. \"I remember that. I don't know what happened that we can't keep it.\" \u2022\tDerby currently pays close to $400 per month for insurance with a $5,000 deductible for herself and her 7-year-old daughter. A new policy from BCBS could cost her less per month, but her deducible would double, and she received a quote on a comparable policy from Priority Health that was more than $650 per month. \r\n\r\nObamacare insurance switch 'not fair'  \r\nMany still can't access HealthCare.gov  \r\nWOOD TV 8 - Tom Hillen  \r\nWednesday, October 30, 2013, 6:31 AM EDT FRUITPORT TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - As many as 2 million Americans will likely lose their current health care plans because they do not meet certain requirements of the Affordable Care Act -- more commonly known as Obamacare -- according to NBC News. One of those Americans is Fruitport Township resident and mother Jackie Derby. Derby currently has a plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield, but that plan is being canceled come the end of the year. \"I have until December 15. If I'm not in a plan -- whether it be Blue Cross, Priority or Etna -- I have no coverage January 1. Due to heath conditions, that's not an option for me,\" Derby said. Derby said she was surprised to get the notification from BCBS. \"It's like, 'Oh, yeah, I got this insurance. Should be good to go.' Never saw this coming. Never,\" she said. Derby currently pays close to $400 per month for insurance with a $5,000 deductible for herself and her 7-year-old daughter. A new policy from BCBS could cost her less per month, but her deducible would double, and she received a quote on a comparable policy from Priority Health that was more than $650 per month. \"I thought I was going to see a better rate, and I'm not seeing that right now,\" Derby said. Derby has been told she qualifies for a subsidy through the Affordable Care Act that would bring down the cost of her premium. But in order to figure out how much that would be, she has to be able to log into HealthCare.gov, which she has been trying to do for a month. When Derby tried Tuesday, the website was once again down. \"No system is perfect, but this is unacceptable,\" she said. \"You can't do anything. I can't see rates. I can't see what am I going to be doing.\" Derby said she feels lost. \"I still don't' know what I'm going to do,\" she said. The spottiness of the website has been the subject of a congressional hearing. During that hearing Monday, the Medicare chief apologized for the problems and promised they would be fixed. But Derby said she doesn't understand why she has to change plans in the first place. For years, President Barack Obama and his administration said those who had and liked their insurance would be able to keep it. \"He did say that,\" Derby said. \"I remember that. I don't know what happened that we can't keep it.\" She also said she does have a message to those who represent her, from the president to her senators and representative. \"You need to get it fixed,\" she said. \"This isn't fair. We're going to be penalized for inaction on your part. I've done everything that was told to me to do. Log on, create a profile, and now I can't get on. And it's [a working website] coming, it's coming.  Well, when? You've got to make changes. Peoples' lives and their livelihoods are at stake.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=359837", "Huizenga Honors Grandville Mayor Jim Buck For His Historic Leadership in West Michigan", "2013-10-30", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02) honored Grandville Mayor Jim Buck on the House floor for his commitment, dedication, and service to West Michigan:  \r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  \r\nRemarks:I rise today to say thank you to a friend of mine, Mayor James R. Buck, who has dedicated 45 years of service to the City of Grandville in the Second District and has served the last 29 years as mayor.  Mayor Buck has been recognized countless times for his leadership and commitment to West Michigan. Most recently he received the Michigan Municipal League's Michael A. Guido Leadership and Public Service Award.   In addition to his role as Mayor, Jim serves as the Chairman of the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council, which plays a leading role in fostering public and private cooperation to enhance the quality of life in West Michigan.  Under the steady leadership of Mayor Buck, Grandville has grown and thrived. Grandville would not be the city it is today without Jim and his impact will be felt forever and recognized by all. I want to personally thank my friend, Jim Buck, for his dedication and service to our community.   Your long days and hard hours have put Grandville on the map as a destination to do business, visit, and most importantly live. Mayor Buck, thank you for what you have done not only for Grandville, not only for West Michigan, but for all of Michigan and our country.   Enjoy the time off. Thanks Jim.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=359852", "Upton\u2019s Committee Hears from HHS Secretary Sebelius on Botched Health Care Rollout", "2013-10-30", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The House Energy and\r\nCommerce Committee, chaired by Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today\r\nheard from Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on the health\r\ncare rollout. The hearing,\r\nentitled \u201cPPACA Implementation Failures: Answers from HHS,\u201d focused on the\r\nfailures and issues surrounding the implementation of the Affordable Care Act\u2019s\r\nhealth insurance exchanges. Last Thursday, Upton\u2019s committee heard from several\r\nof the health care law\u2019s top contractors.Click here\r\nto watch Upton\u2019s opening statement.Click here\r\nfor more information on today\u2019s hearing.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=356922", "NBC News: Obama Administration Knew Millions Could Not Keep Their Insurance", "2013-10-29", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Four sources deeply involved in the Affordable Care Act tell NBC NEWS that 50 to 75 percent of the 14 million consumers who buy their insurance individually can expect to receive a \u201ccancellation\u201d letter or the equivalent over the next year because their existing policies don\u2019t meet the standards mandated by the new health care law. One expert predicts that number could reach as high as 80 percent. And all say that many of those forced to buy pricier new policies will experience \u201csticker shock.\u201d\u00a0\r\n \r\n \r\n    Buried in Obamacare regulations from July 2010 is an estimate that because of normal turnover in the individual insurance market, \u201c40 to 67 percent\u201d of customers will not be able to keep their policy. And because many policies will have been changed since the key date, \u201cthe percentage of individual market policies losing grandfather status in a given year exceeds the 40 to 67 percent range.\u201d  That means the administration knew that more than 40 to 67 percent of those in the individual market would not be able to keep their plans, even if they liked them.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Richard Helgren, a Lansing, Mich., retiree, said he was \u201cirate\u201d when he received a letter informing him that his wife Amy's $559 a month health plan was being changed because of the law. The plan the insurer offered raised his deductible from $0 to $2,500, and the company gave him 17 days to decide. The higher costs spooked him and his wife, who have painstakingly planned for their retirement years. \"Every dollar we didn't plan for erodes our standard of living,\" Helgren said.  Ultimately, though Helgren opted not to shop through the ACA exchanges, he was able to apply for a good plan with a slightly lower premium through an insurance agent.  He said he never believed President Obama\u2019s promise that people would be able to keep their current plans. \"I heard him only about a thousand times,\" he said. \"I didn't believe him when he said it though because there was just no way that was going to happen. They wrote the regulations so strictly that none of the old polices can grandfather.\"\u00a0\r\n \r\n  \r\nObama Admin. Knew Millions Could Not Keep Their Insurance\r\nNBC News  \r\nLisa Myers and Hannah Rappleye\u00a0  \r\nOctober 28, 2013President Obama repeatedly assured Americans that after the Affordable Care Act became law, people who liked their health insurance would be able to keep it. But millions of Americans are getting or are about to get cancellation letters for their health insurance under Obamacare, say experts, and the Obama administration has known that for at least three years. Four sources deeply involved in the Affordable Care Act tell NBC NEWS that 50 to 75 percent of the 14 million consumers who buy their insurance individually can expect to receive a \u201ccancellation\u201d letter or the equivalent over the next year because their existing policies don\u2019t meet the standards mandated by the new health care law. One expert predicts that number could reach as high as 80 percent. And all say that many of those forced to buy pricier new policies will experience \u201csticker shock.\u201d  None of this should come as a shock to the Obama administration. The law states that policies in effect as of March 23, 2010 will be \u201cgrandfathered,\u201d meaning consumers can keep those policies even though they don\u2019t meet requirements of the new health care law. But the Department of Health and Human Services then wrote regulations that narrowed that provision, by saying that if any part of a policy was significantly changed since that date -- the deductible, co-pay, or benefits, for example -- the policy would not be grandfathered. Buried in Obamacare regulations from July 2010 is an estimate that because of normal turnover in the individual insurance market, \u201c40 to 67 percent\u201d of customers will not be able to keep their policy. And because many policies will have been changed since the key date, \u201cthe percentage of individual market policies losing grandfather status in a given year exceeds the 40 to 67 percent range.\u201d  That means the administration knew that more than 40 to 67 percent of those in the individual market would not be able to keep their plans, even if they liked them. \u201cThis says that when they made the promise, they knew half the people in this market outright couldn\u2019t keep what they had and then they wrote the rules so that others couldn\u2019t make it either,\u201d said  Robert Laszewski, of Health Policy and Strategy Associates, a consultant who works for health industry firms. Laszewski estimates that 80 percent of those in the individual market will not be able to keep their current policies and will have to buy insurance that meets requirements of the new law, which generally requires a richer package of benefits than most policies today. The White House does not dispute that many in the individual market will lose their current coverage, but argues they will be offered better coverage in its place, and that many will get tax subsidies that would offset any increased costs. \u201cOne of the main goals of the law is to ensure that people have insurance they can rely on \u2013 that doesn\u2019t discriminate or charge more based on pre-existing conditions.  The consumers who are getting notices are in plans that do not provide all these protections \u2013 but in the vast majority of cases, those same insurers will automatically shift their enrollees to a plan that provides new consumer protections and, for nearly half of individual market enrollees, discounts through premium tax credits,\u201d said White House spokesperson Jessica Santillo. Individual insurance plans with low premiums often lack basic benefits, such as prescription drug coverage, or carry high deductibles and out-of-pocket costs. The Affordable Care Act requires all companies to offer more benefits, such as mental health care, and also bars companies from denying coverage for preexisting conditions. Today, White House spokesman Jay Carney was asked about the president\u2019s promise that consumers would be able to keep their health care. \u201cWhat the president said and what everybody said all along is that there are going to be changes brought about by the Affordable Care Act to create minimum standards of coverage, minimum services that every insurance plan has to provide,\u201d Carney said. \u201cSo it's true that there are existing healthcare plans on the individual market that don't meet those minimum standards and therefore do not qualify for the Affordable Care Act.\u201d Heather Goldwater, 38, of South Carolina, says that she received a letter from her insurer saying the company would no longer offer her plan, but hasn't yet received a follow-up letter with a comparable option. Other experts said that most consumers in the individual market will not be able to keep their policies. Nancy Thompson, senior vice president of CBIZ Benefits, which helps companies manage their employee benefits, says numbers in this market are hard to pin down, but that data from states and carriers suggests \u201canywhere from 50 to 75 percent\u201d of individual policy holders will get cancellation letters. Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger, who chairs the health committee of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, says that estimate is \u201cprobably about right.\u201d She added that a few states are asking insurance companies to cancel and replace policies, rather than just amend them, to avoid confusion. A spokesman for America\u2019s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), an insurance trade association, also said the 50 to 75 percent estimate was consistent with the range they are hearing.  \r\nThose getting the cancellation letters are often shocked and unhappy. George Schwab, 62, of North Carolina, said he was \"perfectly happy\" with his plan from Blue Cross Blue Shield, which also insured his wife for a $228 monthly premium. But this past September, he was surprised to receive a letter saying his policy was no longer available. The \"comparable\" plan the insurance company offered him carried a $1,208 monthly premium and a $5,500 deductible. And the best option he\u2019s found on the exchange so far offered a 415 percent jump in premium, to $948 a month. \"The deductible is less,\" he said, \"But the plan doesn't meet my needs. Its unaffordable.\" \"I'm sitting here looking at this, thinking we ought to just pay the fine and just get insurance when we're sick,\" Schwab added. \"Everybody's worried about whether the website works or not, but that's fixable. That's just the tip of the iceberg. This stuff isn't fixable.\" Heather Goldwater, 38, of South Carolina, is raising a new baby while running her own PR firm. She said she received a letter last July from Cigna, her insurance company, that said the company would no longer offer her individual plan, and promised to send a letter by October offering a comparable option. So far, she hasn't received anything. \"I'm completely overwhelmed with a six-month-old and a business,\u201d said Goldwater. \u201cThe last thing I can do is spend hours poring over a website that isn't working, trying to wrap my head around this entire health care overhaul.\" Goldwater said she supports the new law and is grateful for provisions helping folks like her with pre-existing conditions, but she worries she won\u2019t be able to afford the new insurance, which is expected to cost more because it has more benefits. \"I'm jealous of people who have really good health insurance,\" she said. \"It's people like me who are stuck in the middle who are going to get screwed.\" Richard Helgren, a Lansing, Mich., retiree, said he was \u201cirate\u201d when he received a letter informing him that his wife Amy's $559 a month health plan was being changed because of the law. The plan the insurer offered raised his deductible from $0 to $2,500, and the company gave him 17 days to decide. The higher costs spooked him and his wife, who have painstakingly planned for their retirement years. \"Every dollar we didn't plan for erodes our standard of living,\" Helgren said. Ulltimately, though Helgren opted not to shop through the ACA exchanges, he was able to apply for a good plan with a slightly lower premium through an insurance agent. He said he never believed President Obama\u2019s promise that people would be able to keep their current plans. \"I heard him only about a thousand times,\" he said. \"I didn't believe him when he said it though because there was just no way that was going to happen. They wrote the regulations so strictly that none of the old polices can grandfather.\"  For months, Laszewski has warned that some consumers will face sticker shock. He recently got his own notice that he and his wife cannot keep their current policy, which he described as one of the best, so-called \"Cadillac\" plans offered for 2013.  Now, he said, the best comparable plan he found for 2014 has a smaller doctor network, larger out-of-pocket costs, and a 66 percent premium increase.  \u201cMr. President, I like the coverage I have,\" Laszweski said. \"It is the best health insurance policy you can buy.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=356929", "CBS News: More than 2 million people getting booted from existing health insurance plans", "2013-10-29", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(CBS News) CBS News has learned more than two million Americans have been told they cannot renew their current insurance policies -- more than triple the number of people said to be buying insurance under the new Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare.There have been estimates about hundreds of thousands of people losing coverage, CBS News' Jan Crawford reported on \"CBS This Morning.\" CBS News has reached out to insurance companies across the country to determine some of the real numbers -- and this is just the tip of the iceberg, Crawford said. The people who are opening the letters are shocked to learn they can't keep their insurance policies despite President Obama's assurances to the contrary. The White House is on the defensive trying to explain it, after Mr. Obama repeatedly said, \"If you like your doctor or health care plan, you can keep it.\" White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said, \"What the president said and what everybody said all along is that there are going to be changes brought about by the Affordable Care Act to create minimum standards of coverage.\" It's an unexpected reality of Obamacare being told through anecdotes in local papers and on social media. But the hard numbers reveal the evidence is far more than anecdotal. CBS News has confirmed with insurance companies across the country that more than two million people are getting notices they no longer can keep their existing plans. In California, there are 279,000; in Michigan, 140,000; Florida, 300,000; and in New Jersey, 800,000. And those numbers are certain to go even higher. Some companies who tell CBS News they've sent letters won't say how many. Industry experts like Larry Levitt, of the Kaiser Family Foundation, say the insurance companies have no choice. \"What we're seeing now is reality coming into play,\" he said.  Obamacare forces them to drop many of their plans that don't meet the law's 10 minimum standards, including maternity care, emergency visits, mental health treatment and even pediatric dental care. That means consumers have to sign on to new plans even if they don't want or need the more generous coverage. Industry experts say about half the people getting the letters will pay more -- and half will pay less, thanks to taxpayer subsidies. Levitt said, \"The winners outnumber the losers here, but because of all the website problems, it's hard to find out who the winners are because they don't even know it themselves.\" And for the people who've gotten the letters, the broken website is a real problem, Crawford added on \"CTM.\" They don't know what to do. They don't know if they get subsidies. And then there are others getting the letters who have very good insurance but are being told they can't keep it. Industry experts CBS News talked to say for everyone, the best bet is to just call their insurance companies to get the information. Watch Jan Crawford's full report above.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=357010", "Huizenga: What is President Obama actually paying attention to?", "2013-10-29", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Huizenga: What is President Obama actually paying attention to? \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        October 29, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Today, on Michigan's Big Show with Michael Patrick Shiels, Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02) questioned the \"duck and cover\" strategy being employed by the White House to insulate President Obama. If the President is truly \"unaware\" of all of the problems within his Administration, what is President Obama actually paying attention to?\u00a0\r\n(Click the picture above to listen to the interview)\r\n  \r\n\r\nCongressman Huizenga: When you have the President of the United States turning to 'plausible deniability' all of the time - I was unaware what was going to happen with health care.  I was unaware of what was happening with Fast & Furious, or Benghazi, or the phone taps on our allies.  What are you paying attention to?  Basketball scores and brackets? Other than that, what are you paying attention to?", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20131112111410/http://amash.house.gov/press-release/congressmen-write-landmark-surveillance-reform", "Congressmen Write Landmark Surveillance Reform", "2013-10-29", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Justin Amash", "A000367", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nOctober 29, 2013\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\nCONTACT\nWill Adams\n(202) 225-3849\nwill.adams@mail.house.gov\n\u00a0\nCongressmen Write Landmark Surveillance Reform\nAmash, Bipartisan Coalition Introduce Comprehensive Bill to Rein in NSA Snooping\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI) and a bipartisan coalition of congressmen this morning introduced comprehensive legislation to rein in the federal government\u2019s unconstitutional surveillance of Americans.\nThe USA FREEDOM Act, H.R. 3361, reforms parts of the USA PATRIOT Act that have been used to surveil Americans\u2019 telephone records and Internet activity, according to recent leaks.\u00a0 Amash joined Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), and more than 70 cosponsors in the House. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) introduced the companion bill in the Senate.\n\u201cThe days of unfettered spying on the American people are numbered. This is the bill the public has been waiting for. We now have legislation that ceases the government\u2019s unconstitutional surveillance. I am confident that Americans and their representatives will rally behind it,\u201d said Amash.\nAmash continued, \u201cI am thrilled to join senior colleagues on the Judiciary Committee such as Subcommittee Chairman Sensenbrenner and Ranking Member Conyers in introducing the bill.\u00a0 Leading members on the committee of jurisdiction and a diverse group of more than 70 congressmen have signed on as original cosponsors. We have strong momentum.\u201d\nThe comprehensive bill reforms several provisions in the Patriot Act that reportedly have been used to commit privacy abuses. First, the bill ends the government\u2019s blanket collection of Americans\u2019 records. Second, it increases the transparency of government surveillance. It ends the era of secret law by requiring FISA court opinions to be made available to all congressmen and summaries of the opinions to be made publicly available. Gag orders on telecommunications companies are modified so that the companies can make more information about government surveillance available to customers. Third, the bill increases privacy protections. It installs a Special Advocate to argue on behalf of Americans\u2019 privacy before the FISA court, and the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board receives subpoena power to perform its duties.\nIntroduction of the Freedom Act marks a major acceleration in the movement to reform government surveillance. The Amash-Conyers amendment, which was substantively incorporated into the Freedom Act, failed narrowly on a 205-217 vote in July. Eight of the Freedom Act\u2019s original cosponsors voted against Amash-Conyers. Sensenbrenner and Leahy are the primary authors of the Patriot Act, which the Freedom Act reforms.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221003147/http://mikerogers.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=357009", "CNN Money: Security hole found in Obamacare website", "2013-10-29", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Mike Rogers", "R000572", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Until the Department of Health fixed the security hole last week, anyone could easily reset your\u00a0Healthcare.gov\u00a0password without your knowledge and potentially hijack your account.\nThe glitch was discovered last week by\u00a0Ben Simo, a software tester in Arizona. Simo found that gaining access to people's accounts was frighteningly simple.\u00a0\nYou could have:\n \n    guessed an existing user name, and the website would have confirmed it exists.\n    claimed you forgot your password, and the site would have reset it.\n    viewed the site's unencrypted source code in any browser to find the password reset code.\n    plugged in the user name and reset code, and the website would have displayed a person's three security questions (your oldest niece's first name, name of favorite pet, date of wedding anniversary, etc.).\n    answered the security questions wrong, and the website would have spit out the account owner's email address -- again, unencrypted.\n \nArmed with the account holder's email address, a person with malicious intent could easily track down their target on social media, where they'd likely discover the answers to those security questions.\nIt wouldn't have even taken a skilled hacker. Anyone with bad intentions -- and a minimal understanding of how to read a website's code -- could have figured it out. While such an attack might not have yielded your Social Security number or health information, it would have exposed your address and phone number.\nBy Friday, that dent in security was gone. But security consultants say it's disconcerting that such a privacy concern remained unaddressed for more than three weeks after the federal government launched the\u00a0Obamacare website\u00a0Oct. 1.\nThe Department of Health and Human Services, which is rolling out the health care overhaul, confirmed the flaws existed. After being contacted for this story, the department said changes were made that would prevent outsiders from seeing someone's password reset code.\n\"We have taken great care to ensure that people's usernames and information are kept secure,\" said health spokeswoman Joanne Peters.\nSimo tried to report the defect as soon as he found it, but the Obamacare hotline operator referred him to law enforcement -- which was neither helpful nor relevant. While attempting to retrace Simo's steps on Friday, CNNMoney found that some of the issues had been fixed -- but not all.\nStill, Simo fears that a savvy hacker could find other holes and Obamacare applicants' data will be compromised on a mass scale.\n\"This seems really sloppy,\" Simo said. \"Either the developers were incompetent and did not know how to do the basic things to protect user information, or the development was so fractured that the individuals building the system didn't understand how they fit into the bigger picture.\"\nThe flaw wasn't mentioned at last week's congressional hearing, when\u00a0government contractors\u00a0CGI Federal and Quality Software Services Inc. testified about their responsibilities in the project. But another point was made by Congressman Mike Rogers, R-Mich.: companies keep\u00a0patching up the website's holes, and adding thousands of new lines of computer code, exposing the entire system to unforeseen security problems.\nCyberattacks on Obamacare exchange websites are already underway. At least one state, Connecticut, has seen outsiders attempt to gain \"irregular\" access, according to Jim Wadleigh, chief information officer of\u00a0Access Health CT.\nCongress' inquiries continued Tuesday, when the Ways and Means Committee posed questions about the site's glitches and security to Marilyn Tavenner, head of the health department's Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.\nThe security hole is just the latest in a\u00a0series of mishaps\u00a0for the Obamacare website's launch. In the first weeks, system errors prevented people from signing up to the newly launched insurance exchanges. Over the past weekend, a government contractor's network failure again left users unable to apply.\nMonday brought the latest worrisome disclosure: that the entire Obamacare website operates on a single computer server in Virginia -- without any backup, according to Congressman Rogers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=356768", "Crain's Detroit: Michiganders Forced To Contend With Higher Costs Due To ObamaCare", "2013-10-28", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\u2022\tSoutheast Michigan's health insurers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Priority Health, HealthPlus and Health Alliance Plan, have told customers that rate increases next year are driven by a combination of regular medical cost trends along with new taxes, coverage of pre-existing conditions, regulations and additional benefits required under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. While an estimated 10 percent to 20 percent of policyholders will receive lower premiums next year, insurance agents and health insurance executives confirm that a majority of clients and customers will pay a larger increase in premiums in 2014 than they have in recent years.\u2022\tSome customers have been offered early renewal options for 2014 to lock in plans from 2013 that in some cases are priced only slightly higher.  But thousands of other customers have had their current policies canceled -- told by insurers their plans are not compliant with Obamacare for 2014. \u2022\tSmall businesses and individuals in Michigan have complained long and hard the past several weeks to health insurers, agents and state insurance regulators over health insurance renewal quotes they have received for 2014 that range from under 10 percent to up to 75 percent or more.  \u2022\tSteve Miller, account executive with Grand Rapids-based Mills Benefits Group, said small groups of all sizes are paying more. Less than 10 percent of his groups have received lower rates, he said. \"The overall average is higher this year, and the dollar amount of increase is much higher for all groups,\" Miller said.  Health insurance rates rising \r\nAmong reasons cited: Cost trends, new required benefits  \r\nCrain\u2019s Detroit Business    \r\nJay Greene    \r\nOctober 27, 2013 Small businesses and individuals in Michigan have complained long and hard the past several weeks to health insurers, agents and state insurance regulators over health insurance renewal quotes they have received for 2014 that range from under 10 percent to up to 75 percent or more.  Southeast Michigan's health insurers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Priority Health, HealthPlus and Health Alliance Plan, have told customers that rate increases next year are driven by a combination of regular medical cost trends along with new taxes, coverage of pre-existing conditions, regulations and additional benefits required under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. While an estimated 10 percent to 20 percent of policyholders will receive lower premiums next year, insurance agents and health insurance executives confirm that a majority of clients and customers will pay a larger increase in premiums in 2014 than they have in recent years.  Over the past three years, average employer health insurance costs for midsize employers have ranged from 6 percent to 8 percent, according to Troy-based McGraw Wentworth's Mid-Market Group Benefits Survey. Read the rest over at Crain's Detroit HERE", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=356887", "Upton to Introduce Keep Your Health Plan Act", "2013-10-28", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, is to introduce legislation this evening to protect the many Americans whose health plans are being cancelled because of the health law. \u00a0President Obama repeatedly\u00a0promised,\u201c If you like your health care plan, you\u2019ll be able to keep your health care plan, period. No one will take it away, no matter what.\u201d Unfortunately, many Americans from\u00a0coast to coast\u00a0are all too familiar with the consequences of the president\u2019s broken promise, already receiving health plan termination notices in the mail. The\u00a0Keep Your Health Plan Act\u00a0will ensure that insurance plans available today in the individual market can continue to exist which would allow Americans who want to keep their current health coverage to do so.\u201cDespite the president\u2019s repeated promise of \u2018if you like your plan, you can keep it,\u2019 many Americans are now learning the sad reality that their current plan will no longer exist beginning\u00a0on January 1.\u00a0Instead they are forced to purchase health care that they cannot afford through a system that does not even work, and that\u2019s just not fair,\u201d said Upton, who is also chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. \u201cThis legislation is about providing folks the peace of mind that they will be allowed to keep their current coverage if they so choose.\u201d The bill would allow health care plans available today on the individual market to continue to be offered so Americans have the option to keep what they have if they like it. The bill also ensures that Americans maintaining their health care plan would not face a penalty under the Affordable Care Act.| Read the draft bill online\u00a0here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walberg.house.gov/media/press-releases/walberg-helps-pass-bipartisan-veterans-bills", "Walberg Helps Pass Bipartisan Veterans Bills", "2013-10-28", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "walberg.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - Rep. Walberg voted today in support of several pieces of legislation to assist our nation's veterans. Among the bipartisan pieces of legislation passed are bills that address the disability claim backlog at the Department of Veterans Affairs, improve vocational and educational opportunities for veterans, and help vulnerable disabled veterans maintain housing.\n\"I was proud to support a host of veterans-focused bills today which demonstrate our nation's continued bipartisan commitment to the men and women who have put their lives on the line for our country. From efforts to bring transparency and accountability to the unacceptable claims backlog at the VA, to legislation that provides additional education and vocational assistance for our veterans, these bills are a step in the right direction for our veterans and their families,\" said Rep. Walberg following the votes. \nBackground on bills: \n H.R. 2189 creates a task force to examine and make recommendations on ways to fix the disability claim backlog at the Department of Veterans Affairs.\n  H.R. 3304 authorizes and asks the President to award the Medal of Honor to certain veterans\n  H.R. 1742, Vulnerable Veterans Housing Reform Act, exempts severely disabled veterans from having to prove that home-aid benefits are being spent on their care before meeting income eligibility requirements for public housing.\n  H.R. 2481 creates the Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration to manage programs that provide economic assistance to veterans, their dependents and survivors. \n  H.R. 1405 requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include an appeal form in any notice of decision denying a benefit claim, and increase local and state government access to veterans' records to expedite claims.\n  H.R. 2011, Veterans Advisory Committee on Education Improvement Act, expands the veterans represented in the Veterans Affairs education and training programs.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20131110133109/http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=356879", "Walberg Helps Pass Bipartisan Veterans Bills", "2013-10-28", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - Rep. Walberg voted today in support of several pieces of legislation to assist our nation\u2019s veterans.\u00a0 Among the bipartisan pieces of legislation passed are bills that address the disability claim backlog at the Department of Veterans Affairs, improve vocational and educational opportunities for veterans, and help vulnerable disabled veterans maintain housing.\n\u201cI was proud to support a host of veterans-focused bills today which demonstrate our nation\u2019s continued bipartisan commitment to the men and women who have put their lives on the line for our country. \u00a0From efforts to bring transparency and accountability to the unacceptable claims backlog at the VA, to legislation that provides additional education and vocational assistance for our veterans, these bills are a step in the right direction for our veterans and their families,\u201d said Rep. Walberg following the votes. \nBackground on bills: \n \n    H.R. 2189 creates a task force to examine and make recommendations on ways to fix the disability claim backlog at the Department of Veterans Affairs.\n \n \n    H.R. 3304 authorizes and asks the President to award the Medal of Honor to certain veterans\n \n \n    H.R. 1742, Vulnerable Veterans Housing Reform Act, exempts severely disabled veterans from having to prove that home-aid benefits are being spent on their care before meeting income eligibility requirements for public housing.\n \n \n    \u00a0H.R. 2481 creates the Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration to manage programs that provide economic assistance to veterans, their dependents and survivors. \n \n \n    H.R. 1405 requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include an appeal form in any notice of decision denying a benefit claim, and increase local and state government access to veterans\u2019 records to expedite claims.\n \n \n    H.R. 2011, Veterans Advisory Committee on Education Improvement Act, expands the veterans represented in the Veterans Affairs education and training programs.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=356808", "Upton Delivers the Weekly Republican Address", "2013-10-26", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In the Weekly Republican Address, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, highlighted efforts to provide fairness for all Americans under the President\u2019s health care law, and get to the bottom of what went wrong with its rollout. The committee will hear from Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Wednesday, October 30 and Upton notes that \"the bipartisan chorus has been growing ... to delay the penalty that Americans would face for being unable to purchase insurance through this broken system.\u201d\u00a0 The committee last week heard from four of the health care law's top contractors in an effort to understand what led to the botched rollout of the health law, who is responsible, and when or if the groups involved recognized the challenges that lay ahead. Concluding his address, Upton asks Americans facing hardships from the President\u2019s broken promises to visit gop.gov/YourStory to share their experiences. Chairman Upton\u2019s full remarks below: Hey there. I\u2019m Michigan Representative Fred Upton, Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.\r\nOur panel has been active in crafting solutions to improve health care for the American people, as well as conducting thoughtful oversight of the president\u2019s health care law.\r\n\u00a0\r\nOver the last year, we have become all too familiar with the troubled rollout of the law with its broken promises, missed deadlines, delays, special waivers, and now website crashes.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThis week, in this committee room, four of the lead contractors responsible for the troubled healthcare.gov website testified about what went wrong.\r\n\u00a0\r\nNext week, we will hear directly from Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.\u00a0 Despite hundreds of millions of taxpayers dollars invested, the website still does not work for most.\r\n\u00a0\r\nAt a time when we can do everything from ordering a pizza, flowers, or airline tickets, or banking and paying bills, they expect the same reliable service from healthcare.gov \u2013 and it\u2019s still not ready for primetime.\r\n\u00a0\r\nOver the months leading up to the October 1 launch, top administration officials and lead contractors appeared before this committee, looked us in the eye, and assured us repeatedly that everything was \u201con track.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nExcept that it wasn\u2019t, as we now know all too well.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe broken healthcare.gov website has captured the nation\u2019s attention, but this is more than a website problem.\u00a0 We are also concerned about what happens next.\r\n\u00a0\r\nWill enrollment glitches become provider payment glitches?\r\n\u00a0\r\nWill patients show up at their doctor\u2019s office or hospital only to be told they aren\u2019t in the system?\r\n\u00a0\r\nAnd is the personal information Americans provide as part of the enrollment process safe from cyber hackers and identity theft.\r\n\u00a0\r\nOversight is not about blame \u2013 it is about accountability\u2026 transparency. And it\u2019s about fairness for the American public.\r\n\u00a0\r\nIn a few short months, families across the country will be subject to penalties under the law\u2019s individual mandate.\r\n\u00a0\r\nHow can the administration punish innocent Americans by forcing them to buy a product many cannot afford, from a system that does not work?\r\n\u00a0\r\nAnd what about the promises that health care costs would go down, and that Americans could keep their health plans if they liked them, \u201cNo matter what?\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe reality in communities across America is that premiums are going higher \u2013 for some, as much as 400 percent higher.\r\n\u00a0\r\nAnd millions of Americans are receiving unwelcome notices that their plans are being terminated. Believe it or not, more people are receiving cancellation notices in just three states than are applying in all 50 states.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThis is not what health reform promised.\r\n\u00a0\r\nIn the past few days, the bipartisan chorus has been growing to delay the individual mandate, to delay the penalty that Americans would face for being unable to purchase insurance through this broken system.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThis is good news.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe business mandate was delayed, and it\u2019s only fair that individuals and families receive the same treatment.\r\n\u00a0\r\nLikewise, we should look for bipartisan solutions to allow Americans to keep their current insurance.\r\n\u00a0\r\nAfter all, that was President Obama\u2019s solemn promise during the health care debate.\r\n\u00a0\r\nWe will continue working toward patient-centered reforms that keep costs down for folks, all the while improving quality of care. This is a matter of fairness for all.\r\n\u00a0\r\nIf you are facing hardships as a result of the law, we want to hear from you. Please go to http://gop.gov/YourStory to share your experience.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThank you.\u00a0 And God Bless.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=356301", "Huizenga discusses the economic impact of H.R. 2274", "2013-10-24", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Huizenga discusses the economic impact of H.R. 2274  \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        October 24, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      During a Capital Markets Subcommittee hearing on October 23rd, Congressman Huizenga spoke about the need to address the regulatory hurdles currently in place preventing the smooth transfer of small to mid-size businesses. Rep Huizenga also touches on how these regulatory roadblocks are threatening jobs currently in existence while also jeopardizing future economic growth and investment. Watch the video below:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=356099", "CBS News: \"Serious Pricing Problems\" with HealthCare.gov", "2013-10-23", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, on \"CBS This Morning,\" CBS News' Jan Crawford reported on major pricing problems with healthcare.gov that are misleading consumers about the actual cost of insurance. Below is the video of the news segment as well as some of the key facts from the story.\u2022\tThe administration announced it would provide a new \"shop and browse\" feature Sunday, but it's not giving consumers the real picture. In some cases, people could end up paying double of what they see on the website, CBS News' Jan Crawford reported Wednesday on \"CBS This Morning.\" \u2022\tIndustry analysts, such as Jonathan Wu, point to how the website lumps people only into two broad categories: \"49 or under\" and \"50 or older.\" Wu said it's \"incredibly misleading for people that are trying to get a sense of what they're paying.\" Prices for everyone in the 49-or-under group are based on what a 27-year-old would pay. In the 50-or-older group, prices are based on what a 50-year-old would pay. \u2022\tThe numbers for older Americans are even more striking. A 62-year-old in Charlotte looking for the same basic plan would get a price estimate on the government website of $394. The actual price is $634.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=356231", "Huizenga: WRRDA Is A Step In The Right Direction For Michigan", "2013-10-23", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tonight, Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02) released the following statement after H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), passed the House by a vote of 417 to 3.\"I am glad to see WRRDA included provisions of the legislation I authored with Rep. Candice Miller and Dr. Dan Benishek that directly impact West Michigan and the Great Lakes Region.  In addition to making significant and necessary cuts to bureaucratic red tape, this bipartisan measure will improve the dredging of harbors across the Great Lakes, help shorten the dredging backlog, and boost economic activity for both recreational and commercial harbors. \"WRRDA classifies the entire Great Lakes Navigation System as a unified body and instructs the Army Corps to count the 160 million tons of cargo shipped throughout the various ports in the Great Lakes Region as a single entity rather than forcing all 140 harbors to compete against one another. By classifying the Great Lakes like other major shipping waterways, harbors spanning from the St. Lawrence River Basin to Lake Michigan will be able to compete for funds needed to alleviate the over $200 million dredging backlog throughout the Great Lakes.  \"It is estimated that 18 million cubic yards of sediment clogs ports and waterways throughout the Great Lakes. This has reduced the amount of cargo shipped by 500,000 tons over the course of the navigation season. To put this number into perspective, a standard dump truck holds around 15 cubic yards of material, so 18 million cubic yards of sediment would fill the equivalent of 1.2 million standard dump trucks. That number of dump trucks would span a distance greater than the distance between Muskegon, Michigan and Beijing, China.\" \"Lastly, H.R. 3280 takes an important step toward ensuring the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund is used for its intended purpose by requiring 80% of the monies collected by the fund to actually go to U.S. Army Corps operation and maintenance of our harbors by fiscal year 2020.  More must be done to ensure these dollars are used as they are intended and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the future to make sure that happens.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mikerogers.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=356261", "Washington Post: U.S. businesses are in an unfair fight against cyberthreats", "2013-10-23", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Mike Rogers", "R000572", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Oct 25, 2017\n         | Washington Times  \n  \n        Ignored by the \u201cinside the Beltway\u201d media has been the heroic efforts of Rep. Mike Rogers, Alabama Republican, as he struggles against the \u201ccorporate\u201d Air Force to establish a separate Space Corps service.\r\n\r\nOpposing Mr. Rogers, the secretary of the Air Force says a separate space service isn\u2019t needed and that the regular Air Force can do whatever is necessary to fulfill the military space mission.\r\n\r\nThis is a huge load of some of Washington D.C.\u2019s finest political trash.\r\n\n      \n\n  \n    May 18, 2017\n         | The Hill  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Apr 4, 2017\n         | Space News  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Mar 8, 2017\n         | PBS  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Mar 8, 2017\n         | AL.com  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Jan 26, 2017\n         | Fox News  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Jan 11, 2017\n         | Real Clear Defense  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Sep 26, 2016\n         | Space News  \n  \n        \n\n  \n    Jun 27, 2016\n         | Yellowhammer News  \n  \n        \n Pages", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=356234", "Upton, House Support Bipartisan Bill to Promote Great Lakes Harbors", "2013-10-23", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "By an overwhelming vote of 417 to 3, the House of Representatives this evening passed comprehensive legislation to modernize the nation\u2019s water transportation infrastructure. A longtime advocate for Lake Michigan harbors, Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, supported the legislation \u2013 the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013 (WRRDA), H.R. 3080 \u2013 which authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out its mission to develop, maintain, and support our nation\u2019s ports and waterways infrastructure needs as well as support effective environmental restoration and flood protection. \u201cAs folks in Michigan know, our harbors not only bring goods and raw materials to our communities, but jobs and economic opportunity,\u201d said Upton. \u201cWhether for commercial shipments or recreational traffic, it is critical that our waterways are well-maintained and operational.\u201d The bipartisan bill also includes an important provision from legislation cosponsored by Upton \u2013 the Great Lakes System Sustainability Act (H.R. 2273) \u2013 which designates the entire Great Lakes Navigation System (GLNS) as a single, unified system for budgetary purposes. Rather than forcing Great Lakes harbors to compete for funding like coastal ports, this important provision recognizes the economic benefits of their interdependence and will help ensure future funding. The GLNS is a continuous waterway that extends more than 2,400 miles from the far reaches of Lake Superior to the Gulf of St. Lawrence on the Atlantic Ocean. The U.S. portion of the GLNS consists of 140 harbors (60 commercial; 80 recreational), two operational locks, 104 miles of breakwaters and jetties, and more than 600 miles of maintained navigational channels. While praising the overall legislation, Upton also took the opportunity to renew his call for support of the Realize America\u2019s Maritime Promise (RAMP) Act (H.R. 335), which would ensure that all federal revenues collected for harbor maintenance through the Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT) are fully used and not left unspent in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF). \u201cGiven the funding constraints facing the Corps, it is all the more important for us to ensure that the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund is solely used for its intended purpose: maintaining our nation\u2019s harbors. The continued misallocation of these collected user fees has left our nation\u2019s ports and waterways seriously underfunded.\u201d Revenue in the HMTF has increased over the past decade, generating a substantial surplus. Because the HMTF is not a separate account within the federal budget, many of the HMT revenues paid by users have been left unspent as a budgetary gimmick to offset other federal spending. Congress has historically passed water resources legislation every two years to provide oversight and policy reforms, but has not done so since 2007. The House-passed bill must now be reconciled with its companion in the Senate.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=356213", "Walberg Votes for Infrastructure, Great Lakes Harbors", "2013-10-23", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "walberg.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \nStay up-to-date on Rep. Walberg\u2019s work on behalf of Michigan's 7th District.\n\u00a0\nPress Kit \nMembers of the media can view Rep. Walberg\u2019s biography and download an official picture.\n\u00a0\nTim in the News \nFind the latest articles about Rep. Walberg from local and national papers.\n\u00a0\nOpinion Editorial \nRead the latest opinion editorials authored by Rep. Walberg.\n\u00a0\nLatest Videos \nVideos of Rep. Walberg from the House floor and committees.\n\u00a0\nSocial Media \nFollow Rep. Walberg on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more updates.\n\u00a0\ne-Newsletter Archive \nStay up-to-date on Rep. Walberg\u2019s work in D.C. and in Michigan through the e-newsletter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walberg.house.gov/media/press-releases/walberg-votes-infrastructure-great-lakes-harbors", "Walberg Votes for Infrastructure, Great Lakes Harbors", "2013-10-23", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "walberg.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington,\nD.C.\n Today, Rep Walberg voted in favor of H.R.3080, the Water Resources Reform and\nDevelopment Act (WWRDA), to authorize ports and waterway infrastructure\nprojects while implementing commonsense reforms that to reduce bureaucracy, and\nfoster sustained economic growth. WWRDA passed by a bipartisan vote of 417 -3. \n\"Our\nnation's waterways are vital to a healthy economy and job creation and this\nreauthorization makes necessary reforms to cut red tape and bureaucracy while\npromoting American competitiveness and fiscal responsibility. This bipartisan\nbill is significant for the Great Lakes region and districts such as Michigan's\n7th as it works to address the dredging backlog and puts us on a\npath to properly fund our ports and harbors. I'm glad that my colleagues on\nboth sides of the aisle could come together and support a bill that rebuilds\nour infrastructure, saves taxpayer money and creates jobs,\" said Rep Walberg\nfollowing the vote.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20131031175732/http://amash.house.gov:80/press-release/amash-receives-taxpayers%E2%80%99-friend-award", "Amash Receives Taxpayers\u2019 Friend Award", "2013-10-23", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Justin Amash", "A000367", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\nOctober 23, 2013\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\n\ufffd\ufffd\nCONTACT\nHayley Alexander\n(202) 225-3838\nhayley.alexander@mail.house.gov\n\ufffd\ufffd\nAmash Receives Taxpayers\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Friend Award\nTax Watchdog Honors Congressman with Highest Ranking in Michigan\nWashington, D.C. \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI) received the \ufffd\ufffd\ufffdTaxpayers\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Friend Award\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd for his votes to cut federal spending, taxes, debt, and regulation. The National Taxpayers Union (NTU), which gave Amash the award, ranked him as the congressman with the best record on fiscal issues in the Michigan delegation and the second best in the entire House.\n\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdI work every day in Congress to limit the size and scope of the federal government. With $17 trillion of federal debt, we have a moral obligation to our children and grandchildren to put the government on a sustainable path,\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd said Amash. \ufffd\ufffd\ufffdI\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdm honored for the second year in a row to receive the \ufffd\ufffd?Taxpayers\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Friend Award.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd I thank NTU for the award.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\nThe NTU Rating is based on every roll call vote affecting federal taxes, spending, debt, and significant regulations. For 2012, a total of 274 House and 127 Senate votes were selected for scoring. \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\n\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdCongressman Amash\ufffd\ufffd\ufffds pro-taxpayer score of 92 percent was one of the best in the entire Congress,\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd NTU President Duane Parde said. \ufffd\ufffd\ufffdBy casting principled votes for limited government time and again, Congressman Amash has led by example in the fight to defend overburdened taxpayers across the country.\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\n\ufffd\ufffd\ufffdIf every Member of Congress voted as carefully as Congressman Amash, current and future generations of Americans could enjoy much lower taxes and a less wasteful government,\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd Parde concluded.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=356065", "Detroit News: ObamaCare's Middle-Class Sticker Shock", "2013-10-22", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Detroit News: ObamaCare's Middle-Class Sticker Shock \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        October 22, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n       \r\n    The $2,100 cost jump in my Gannett plan, administered by United Health, is actually worse than it appears, as my premiums have already swelled by 45 percent since 2011 as insurers anticipated federal regs forcing, for example, coverage of dependents up to 26 years old. Gannett must also swallow a $63 tax for each individual in its group plan and another $2.13 fee per head to \u201cstudy heath care outcomes.\u201d Similar costs threaten private, union-negotiated health plans, leading Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa to say Obamacare will \u201cdestroy the very health and well being of our members.\u201d\r\n \r\n  \r\nObamacare's middle-class sticker shock\r\nThe Detroit News  \r\nHenry Payne  \r\nOctober 22, 2013Last week I got news that my health insurance costs are going up. A lot. In 2014 my monthly premium for a family of four will increase 15 percent to $575, my deductible will double to $3,000 and I will lose my drug coverage, adding another $100 a month to my expenses. My story is typical for employees of Gannett, the Detroit News\u2019 parent company, and other businesses across the country. Obamacare is not just creating havoc in state exchanges, it is roiling the larger private health insurance market. Costs are skyrocketing thanks to the expensive mandates, regulations and taxes buried in the Affordable Car Act. Call it the Unaffordable Care Act. Read the rest of the article on DetroitNews.com HERE", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20131115154849/http://amash.house.gov:80/press-release/amash-staff-hold-mobile-office-hours-7", "Amash Staff to Hold Mobile Office Hours in Springfield", "2013-10-22", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Justin Amash", "A000367", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nOctober 22, 2013\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\nCONTACT\nJordan Bush\n(616) 451-8383\nJordan.Bush@mail.house.gov\n\u00a0\nAmash Staff to Hold Mobile Office Hours in Springfield\nStaff Available to Assist Third District Constituents\nGrand Rapids, Michigan \u2013 Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI) announced that his staff will hold mobile office hours at Springfield City Hall on Wednesday, October 23. Members of Amash\u2019s staff will be on hand to provide assistance to those with federal issues or casework. No appointments are necessary and questions may be directed to Amash\u2019s district office at (616) 451-8383.\n\u201cI understand that not every constituent has regular Internet access and some may have difficulty making it to our district offices in Grand Rapids and Battle Creek. I want to bring our office to them,\u201d said Amash.\n\u00a0\nWHO:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nRep. Amash\u2019s Staff\n\u00a0\nWHAT: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nMobile Office Hours\n\u00a0\nWHEN:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nWednesday, October 23, 2013\nNoon-1 PM\n\u00a0\nWHERE:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nSpringfield City Hall\n601 Avenue A\nSpringfield, Michigan 49037\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nNote: The Grand Rapids office will remain open as usual during mobile office hours.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=355973", "Huizenga: Long-Term Problems Require Serious and Sustainable Long-Term Solutions", "2013-10-21", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Huizenga: Long-Term Problems Require Serious and Sustainable Long-Term Solutions \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        October 22, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Over the weekend, Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02) sat down with Rick Albin on \"To The Point\" to discuss the latest budget battle in Washington and his thoughts on getting America's fiscal house in order.  During the conversation, Rep. Huizenga addressed the unwillingness of the Senate to negotiate in good-faith and confront long-term problems with long-term solutions.  Additionally, Congressman Huizenga stressed the need to deal with not only Washington's spending habits, but the expansion of government as well.    \r\n\r\n  \r\nOn The Need To Address The Long-Term Problems Facing America:  Everybody wanted the shutdown to end.  The question is: are we going to have unconditional debt increases without any sort of substantial, substantive, or significant changes?  That is where I drew the line. \u2026 If you looked up \"kicking the can down the road\" in a thesaurus this would be \"Exhibit A.\" \u2026 I am not convinced whatever the next step is will solve these long-term problems, because we're not using long-term solutions.  You've got people who are not willing to look further down the road than the next three months or the next election cycle.  We have to get serious about how we are going to deal with our spending and this mountain of debt being piled on our kids.  On The Fight To Rein In Washington's Out Of Control Spending: For two years in a row, for the first time since the end of the Korean War, we have seen government spending go down in real terms. \u2026 Harry Reid and his colleagues in the Senate want to see an expansion of government, an expansion of spending, not a contraction. On Gridlock: It's not about partisanship. It is about the philosophical differences over the proper size, role, and scope of government.  Whether it's TARP, whether it\u2019s the Affordable Care Act, whether it's our spending levels - it's all going to play into it.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=356025", "LSJ: Michigan Businesses Brace For Cost Increases Stemming From ObamaCare", "2013-10-21", "2013", "2013-10", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "LSJ: Michigan Businesses Brace For Cost Increases Stemming From ObamaCare \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        October 21, 2013\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n       \r\n    Even though the Obama administration delayed until 2015 the financial penalties on businesses with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees that don\u2019t offer adequate health insurance benefits, several taxes and fees will kick in by Jan. 1 \u2014 along with a major change in how insurance premiums are calculated.  Those taxes and fees amount to a 4 percent to 6 percent health care cost increase for many small and midsize businesses in Michigan that already offer health benefits, according to interviews with insurance brokers and benefits lawyers.\u00a0\r\n \r\n \r\n    The new premium calculus has resulted in some businesses getting hit with renewal prices for benefit plans that jump 20 percent or more.\r\n \r\n \r\n    \u2026 Still, rising costs for employers can mean stagnating paychecks for employees.  \u201cEven without the health care reform law, every year we\u2019ve seen the trend of our deductibles and co-pays getting a little bit higher,\u201d said David Lindgren, corporate compliance officer at Rosemont, Ill.-based Flexible Benefit Service Corp., which serves health insurance brokers. \u201cThis kind of escalates that.\u201d\r\n \r\nBusinesses brace for Obamacare  \r\nThe Lansing State Journal  \r\nOctober 19, 2013Management at one 40-employee Michigan car dealership has been bracing for higher health insurance costs in 2014, when the Affordable Care Act goes into full effect. But they were shocked to hear this month just how high their renewal rate with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan would jump \u2014 65 percent. Add in the new taxes and fees in the health care law that affect businesses, and the total cost for the dealership of providing medical benefits would rise another 5 percent. Since learning of these increases, Extreme Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Jackson has debated whether it can afford to continue offering health care to employees, said Mark Trudell, the dealership\u2019s general manager. If it drops coverage, workers would have to get coverage through a spouse or buy insurance on their own, either directly through an insurer or through the new Michigan Health Insurance Marketplace, also known as a state exchange. 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