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The legislation provides $300 million in funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to protect the Lakes and the $7 billion economy they support. In recognition of the EPA’s overreach with the Waters of the U.S. rule and other burdensome regulations, this bill cuts EPA spending by $452 million. It also makes changes to the visa waiver program and requires visitors to America who have traveled to terrorism hotspots to undergo rigorous background checks before entering the country.

Moolenaar: "The legislation permanently extends the research and development tax credit that leading Michigan companies use to make innovative new products that are sold around the world. This will reduce the tax burden for Michigan businesses and create more jobs for Michigan residents.”

Moolenaar: "I voted for this new law because it prohibits the federal government from incentivizing or coercing states into adopting Common Core. The bill signed into law today repeals federal mandates and it provides more flexibility to parents and teachers to do what is best for students."

Moolenaar: "Restoring crop insurance cuts is vital for the 15,000 farm operators of Michigan’s Fourth Congressional District. Weather can ruin an entire year of crops and without insurance some family farms could lose everything. I am glad we could fix this issue that was created in the October budget agreement and also pass funding for our nation’s critical highway infrastructure needs."

Moolenaar: “The United States is the leading producer of oil and natural gas and today’s legislation continues that progress. The bill passed today protects our electric grid from terrorism, cyberattacks, and weather events that could cause prolonged power outages. These reforms will benefit Michigan residents by helping to keep energy prices low for years to come.”

The legislation passed today will require the Obama Administration to collect the intelligence necessary to complete stringent refugee background checks in order to ensure terrorists are not using the refugee program to enter the United States. Defending the American people from threats abroad is the federal government’s primary responsibility and one I take very seriously in my role as a public servant. This legislation upholds our values as a compassionate nation and defends our citizens against a possible threat.