My work for Michigan and the Nation:

Manufacturing

  • Authored the Manufacturing Technology Competitiveness Act (H.R. 3598), and successfully moved it through the House.
  • Co-led the successful effort to overturn 30% tariff on imported steel.
  • Co-led the successful fight to restore the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program.
  • Raised area profile on economic issues by hosting in GR Commerce Secretary Don Evans, Treasury Secretary John Snow and Education Deputy Secretary Eugene Hickok. Also coordinated a visit by President Bush's Manufacturing Advisory Council.
  • Corrected technical problem with Medicare's reimbursement formulas, resulting in $25 million more for local hospitals.

Science and Math Education

  • Created the Math and Science Partnerships and secured substantial funding for teacher training.
  • Authored the National Science Education Incentive Act (H.R. 3064).
  • Established the Math-Science Education Caucus and founded a complementary, but independent, steering committee.

Great Lakes Protection and Restoration

  • Personally lobbied EPA Administrator on Great Lakes protection and restoration and had him visit Grand Rapids.
  • Authored the Great Lakes Protection and Restoration Committee Act (H.R. 4416).
  • Authored the Great Lakes Legacy Act and led efforts to fund pollution clean-up.
  • Authored three different bills to stop invasive species (such as zebra mussels) from entering the Great Lakes (The National Invasive Species Council Act, H.R. 266; the Aquatic Invasive Species Research Act, H.R. 1081; and the National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2003, H.R. 1080).
  • Authored the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research Amendments Act (H.R. 1856).
  • Co-led the effort to keep the Asian Carp out of the Great Lakes
  • Secured $750,000 to fund part of the City of Grand Rapids improvements to its sewer system.

Transportation

  • Secured $34.71 million for local highway projects and over $18 million for public transit projects.
  • Successfully lobbied Governor Granholm to reinstate the I-96/36th St. interchange project.

Science

  • Led the effort to increase support for research and development.
  • Fought for increased National Science Foundation (NSF) funding.
  • Co-led effort to increase appropriations for basic research at NSF and the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science
  • Leading the effort to bring the Rare Isotope Accelerator (RIA) to Michigan State University.

Republican Congressional Accomplishments

  • Expanded Medicare to include a prescription drug benefit
  • Passed medical justice and patient protection legislation
  • Created the Department of Homeland Security
  • Approved BioShield plan to protect against potential biological attacks
  • Increased student loan forgiveness for teachers
  • Strengthened the Head Start program to ensure low-income children are ready for school
  • Approved the permanent repeal of Death Tax



 
Paid  for by the Ehlers for Congress Committee