John Moolenaar: “I thank Chair Lowey and Ranking Member Granger for this opportunity to speak today on this appropriations legislation.…”

“I thank Chair Lowey and Ranking Member Granger for this opportunity to speak today on this appropriations legislation. The bill before us right now provides crucial funding for our Nation's military, giving our soldiers their biggest pay raise in a decade and providing resources they need to win on the battlefield. It is a strong complement to the next bill coming up today, where we will fund the Army Corps of Engineers and pass through Congress historic progress at the Soo Locks, funding the construction of a new lock that will be vital to shipping on the Great Lakes and for American manufacturing. American manufacturing is responsible for millions of jobs, and this legislation also supports hardworking men and women across our Nation with the Manufacturing Extension Partnership. {time} 1200 Constituents across my district have told me how this program does crucial work to support the production of Michigan-made goods. Another issue I know my constituents are concerned about is the opioid crisis and the threat of fentanyl to our communities. This legislation funds efforts at our Nation's borders, where officials have already stopped thousands of pounds of fentanyl and heroin from entering our country. The opioid epidemic requires a robust effort from all levels of government, as well as law enforcement and medical professionals.…”