Earlier this week, I officially filed to put my name on the ballot in the hope of having the honor to once again represent West Michigan in Congress.
On behalf of Natalie and myself, I want to thank everyone for their encouragement, contributions, and prayers as we continue on this journey.
While some in Washington and in the media seek to sow chaos, I want to talk about some of the progress we’ve made over the last 15 months.
Under Republican leadership, we overhauled our nation’s tax code for the first time in more than three decades. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act lowers individual rates for hardworking taxpayers across West Michigan. It also nearly doubles the standard deduction, doubles the child tax credit, preserves the mortgage interest deduction, and improves how families can save for educational costs from elementary school to college.
Hardworking small businesses are the engine of our economy and located on Main Street in every community in West Michigan. This pro-growth tax reform package will help them invest, expand, and hire more employees, instead of sending their money to Washington. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act also reduces the corporate tax rate to help companies of all sizes grow in America while improving their ability to compete abroad. Already, Michigan companies like SpartanNash, Mill Steel Co., Universal Forest Products, and Chrysler have joined CVS, Carter’s, Fifth-Third Bank, and Waste Management among others in responding positively to tax reform by giving bonuses to their employees, raising wages, and increasing benefit packages.
In addition to working to improve our nation’s economy, I have also fought to promote a culture that values life. In October, I voted to ban elective late-term abortions after 20 weeks. This is one of the most pro-life pieces of legislation to ever pass the House of Representatives. The United States should not be one of only seven nations in the world that embraces this horrendous practice. Additionally, I have voted to increase support for health centers that promote women’s health and respect life, while voting to defund organizations that fail to value the gift of life.
In today’s environment, some think bipartisanship is a dirty word. I don’t because I believe conservative values can garner bipartisan support. As co-chair of the bipartisan Great Lakes Task Force, I have led the charge to responsibly rebuild infrastructure across the Great Lakes including right here in Muskegon, Grand Haven, Holland, and Ludington. I have also built bipartisan support for protecting the Great Lakes from invasive species while preserving these incredible resources for future generations.
Thank you for your continued support and I know together we can tackle the challenges before us and make West Michigan an even greater place to live, work, and raise a family!
-Bill
P.S. – I don’t want to look past spring and summer, but November will be here before we know it. Make sure to stay up to date by checking out my Facebook, and following me on Twitter for the latest campaign updates.