Congresswoman Lisa McClain

The 119th Congress did more by making government do less

Mon, 306 Nov 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON— House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) published an op-ed in The Hill on how House Republicans used the 119th Congress to shrink Washington’s reach and return more freedom to the American people.

“I don’t call the 119th Congress the most successful because of the paper it produced.” Chairwoman McClain said. “I say it because we changed the direction of the country. Washington has enough monuments to what government can build. We spent this Congress creating room for what Americans can build instead.”

Read the full piece below:

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Washington has a peculiar definition of progress. A new program is an accomplishment. A new regulation is action. A new federal office means somebody is finally doing something. That is why some of the most important work Republicans did this Congress involved undoing that so-called “progress.”

For decades, Washington accumulated authority one seemingly reasonable decision at a time. Congress delegated power to an agency full of faceless bureaucrats. The agency wrote a rule. The rule became another permit to obtain, expense to absorb, or decision somebody in Washington had already made for you.

Government grows quietly that way. Freedom disappears just as quietly. House Republicans of the 119th Congress came to Washington with the idea that the most consequential thing government can do is return freedom to the American people. Yes, we passed over 900 pieces of legislation this Congress, the second most in U.S. history, but that matters much less than what changed once the votes were cast.

House Republicans have overturned 23 federal rules through the Congressional Review Act, the most in history and more successful repeals than every previous Congress combined. In one session, we have turned a little-used oversight law into one of Washington’s most powerful tools for permanently returning authority from federal regulators to the people they regulate.

Washington is accustomed to ratchets that turn in one direction. Government expands, the bureaucracy adjusts, and everyone learns to live with the new baseline. We turned the ratchet backward.

Democrats would have let the 2017 tax cuts expire and taken more money out of Americans’ pockets. We made them permanent, cut taxes on tips and overtime, delivered new relief for seniors, and restored incentives to invest and build in America.

Americans have already claimed more than $82 billion in individual tax relief. Over the decade, the tax changes we enacted are projected to give $4.6 trillion back to families and businesses, and the laws enacted cut projected federal spending by roughly $1.1 trillion, meaning Washington will take less of Americans’ money.

People take bigger chances when they know more of the reward will still belong to them. That is how opportunity compounds and how countries grow. But opportunity can only flourish where freedom is protected by order and the rules still mean something.

A limited government is not a weak government. It does a smaller number of things, and it does the essential ones well. It must defend the country, enforce the law, protect basic rights, and establish rules that allow a free society to function.

Securing a nation’s borders is among the most basic responsibilities that government has. Democrats chose to dismantle our border and turn lawlessness into policy. Republicans flipped the script and have not allowed a single illegal immigrant to be released into the country in 16 months.

This Congress put the philosophy of limited government into practice across the economy. We gave small businesses tax certainty to hire and invest. We cleared regulatory barriers so manufacturers can expand, unleashed more American energy, and made it easier to build. None of these policies determines what Americans must do with their lives. They expand what Americans are free to do for themselves.

The alternative is government by permission slip. Washington chooses which industries deserve to grow, which products people may buy, which energy sources are acceptable, and how much of a worker’s success belongs to somebody else. There needs to be a line between the power government is granted by the people, and the freedom Americans deserve to keep.

That is the foundation the 119th Congress has spent two years laying.

A foundation is not glamorous. Nobody walks through a finished house admiring the concrete underneath it, but everything built above depends on whether the foundation is strong.

Tax certainty. Regulatory relief. A secure border. American energy. Lower crime. More room to work, build and invest. These are not the finished house. They are what makes everything that comes next possible.

I don’t call the 119th Congress the most successful because of the paper it produced. I say it because we changed the direction of the country. Washington has enough monuments to what government can build. We spent this Congress creating room for what Americans can build instead.

The government does not know what your life should look like. Neither do I, and that’s precisely the point — you do.

Chairwoman McClain Brings Home $2.25 Million for Armada Fire Station Upgrades

Wed, 301 Oct 2026 12:00:00 EST

ARMADA, MI – House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) announced $2.25 million in federal Community Project Funding she secured for upgrades to the Armada Township Fire Department.

“Armada's firefighters and paramedics show up for their community day and night. Our first responders deserve a station equipped to meet the demands of the job,” Chairwoman McClain said. “I'm proud to bring $2.25 million back to our community to support the men and women who keep our families safe. This investment will strengthen emergency response and make a lasting difference for families across Armada Township and surrounding communities. The Armada Township and USDA Rural Development helped make these upgrades possible.”

The funding will support the rehabilitation and expansion of the fire station as the department transitions from a volunteer-based operation to providing full-time fire and paramedic services around the clock. The upgrades will help ensure Armada's firefighters and paramedics have a facility equipped to serve the community.

The funding follows two years of work between Chairwoman McClain’s office and Armada Township to advance the project. USDA Rural Development will oversee the funding, with the Township providing the required local match.

Chairwoman McClain Celebrates JVIS Defense & Aerospace Creating 1,000+ Jobs in Auburn Hills October 27, 2026

Tue, 300 Oct 2026 12:00:00 EST

AUBURN HILLS, MI – House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) joined JVIS to celebrate the launch of JVIS Defense & Aerospace and its new Tech Center in Auburn Hills, an expansion expected to create more than 1,000 jobs in Michigan.

“Michigan has the manufacturing expertise and hardworking people our military needs,” Chairwoman McClain said. “I’m proud to support efforts that strengthen our national defense, bring good-paying jobs to Michigan, and ensure our manufacturers have a role in building the technologies that keep our warfighters safe.”

The new facility will support defense innovation and manufacturing, including JVIS’s work with the U.S. Army’s Ground Vehicle Systems Center in Warren to develop the “Silent Watch” Auxiliary Power Unit, which provides quiet, efficient power for military vehicles.

Rep. Lisa McClain: Rural Michiganders deserve first-class healthcare

Mon, 299 Oct 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON— House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) published an op-ed in The Detroit News, highlighting how President Trump and House Republicans are investing in rural healthcare and bringing more doctors, technology, and care closer to families across Michigan.

“Despite every Democrat in Congress voting to kill these reforms, the Rural Health Transformation Program is providing unprecedented levels of new funding to states for a range of uses designed to make rural healthcare more effective and sustainable for years to come,” Chairwoman McClain said. “The president and Republicans fought to give Michigan the tools to bring better care closer to home and build a rural healthcare system that can serve these communities for generations.”

Read the full piece below:

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For a pregnant woman in Luce County, going into labor can mean a 67-mile trip to the nearest hospital. In Schoolcraft County, it’s over 60 miles; in Ontonagon County, 55. Childbirth can begin long before a mother ever reaches the hospital doors.

Michigan has lost at least 11 hospital labor-and-delivery units since 2010, nine of which were in rural counties. The loss of those delivery rooms shows how quickly distance and scarcity can hollow out rural Michigan healthcare. Many of those communities can have good doctors and capable hospitals and still struggle because specialized care is located hours away.

President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress addressed the crisis with the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program. It gives states flexible funding to expand their healthcare workforce, modernize technology and bring more care closer to patients. Michigan received more than $173 million in the program's first year, giving rural communities new tools to deliver better care closer to home.

A hospital can only serve a community if it has enough medical professionals to provide care. We started by directing nearly $45 million to Michigan’s rural healthcare workforce so communities can retain providers and expand rural medical training where it's needed most. Our goal was to build pathways for young Michiganders to train for healthcare careers and serve the communities where they grew up.

Even when the right provider is within reach, rural patients can still lose an entire day traveling to a routine appointment. That is why Republicans ensured more than $41 million goes toward bringing care closer to patients through programs such as transportation assistance, mobile services and expanded care for older residents. An older Michigander recovering from a hospital stay may be eligible to receive high-quality, coordinated care at home instead of having to make another exhausting trip.

In Michigan’s Thumb, Tuscola County will use this program to put a travel immunization nurse and weekly mobile clinics on the road so residents in underserved areas can receive preventive care closer to home.

Long distances between home and provider become even more consequential for patients living with diabetes or hypertension, where missed follow-up visits can turn a manageable condition into an emergency. New regional partnerships, including a hub serving the Upper Peninsula, are designed to help patients manage those conditions no matter how far they live from their care team. Better follow-up and remote monitoring can give rural doctors more opportunities to catch warning signs early.

Cutting-edge technology has made telemedicine a vital tool for physicians treating rural patients. Trump recently directed a $25 million investment to Michigan, including more than $16 million for rural digital systems and telehealth-related technology. More than $9 million targeted for improving internet access and connectivity for rural Michiganders. The Rural Health Transformation Program also made it easier for qualifying health plans to cover telehealth before the deductible without costing patients their Health Savings Account eligibility.

We did not write one plan and impose it on every rural community in America. We crafted the Rural Health Transformation Program so states could develop strategies based on their unique needs. The program is designed around improvements that can survive beyond its five-year funding window.

Despite every Democrat in Congress voting to kill these reforms, the Rural Health Transformation Program is providing unprecedented levels of new funding to states for a range of uses designed to make rural healthcare more effective and sustainable for years to come.

A young mother in the Upper Peninsula may still face a long drive when it is time to deliver her baby. No law can make Michigan smaller. But we can make healthcare more accessible in rural communities and use modern technologies to make those miles matter less.

Rural Michiganders should not receive second-class healthcare because of their ZIP code. The president and Republicans fought to give Michigan the tools to bring better care closer to home and build a rural healthcare system that can serve these communities for generations.

Chairwoman McClain Brings Home $750,000 for Opioid Response in Rural Communities

Thu, 274 Oct 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON – House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is awarding $750,000 to Bluewater Healthcare Network in Marlette, Michigan, through the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Impact (RCORP-Impact).

The funding, announced during September's National Recovery Month, will expand access to substance use disorder treatment and recovery services in rural communities across Michigan's 9th District.

“Too many Michigan families know the heartbreak of watching someone they love struggle with addiction, especially when help is hard to find close to home,” Chairwoman McClain said. “This funding delivers real resources to rural communities in Michigan's Thumb. I applaud President Trump for making rural opioid prevention and recovery a priority and for helping ensure Michiganders get the support they need, regardless of their ZIP code.”

The RCORP-Impact award will help Bluewater Healthcare Network strengthen evidence-based treatment, grow the local addiction-care workforce, and build community partnerships that support long-term recovery.

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Chairwoman McClain Condemns Senate Democrats’ Vote Against Ratepayer Protection Act

Wed, 273 Sep 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON— House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) released the following statement after Senate Democrats blocked H.R. 9340, the Ratepayer Protection Act, from advancing.

“Families should not be forced to subsidize massive new power demands they did not create,” Chairwoman McClain said. “This bill would have protected ratepayers in Michigan and nationwide while allowing America to keep building, innovating, and leading the world in AI. Instead, Senate Democrats chose obstruction and left hardworking Americans exposed to higher costs.”

“That is the wrong choice. Washington should be protecting families from unnecessary price hikes, not standing in the way of commonsense reforms that keep more money in their pockets. Democrats can make all the excuses they want, but today they stood in the way of lower costs for the American people.”

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Chairwoman McClain Applauds New Rule Lowering Costs for American Drivers

Tue, 272 Sep 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON — House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) released the following statement after the Department of Transportation finalized new fuel economy standards for passenger cars and light trucks.

“The Biden Administration forced automakers to meet increasingly costly fuel-economy mandates and American families paid the price,” Chairwoman McClain said. “We ended that. President Trump’s new standards give automakers the freedom to build the cars and trucks Americans actually want, and they will save families an estimated $1,300 on a new vehicle. Over the next five years, that adds up to $13 billion in savings for Americans buying cars. That’s real money back in people’s pockets. This is what common sense looks like: more choice, lower costs, and Washington forced out of the way.”

The rule lowers the projected fleetwide requirement to 34.9 miles per gallon by model year 2031. The Biden-era standards would have required automakers to reach a projected fleetwide average of 50.4 miles per gallon by 2031.

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Chairwoman McClain Announces $1.45 Million for Port Huron Township Sewer Upgrades

Tue, 272 Sep 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON – House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) announced that the Environmental Protection Agency is awarding $1,450,000 to Port Huron Township to modernize the aging Maywood Sanitary Sewer Pump Station to maintain public health in the local community.

“The Maywood Sanitary Sewer Pump Station has served Port Huron Township for nearly 50 years, but it’s outlived its intended service life, leading to operational issues and costly repairs,” Chairwoman McClain said. “I'm proud to bring home this $1.45 million investment to modernize the sanitary sewer system, protect public health, and reduce messy backups. This gives Port Huron Township the infrastructure it needs to grow and succeed for the next five decades and beyond.”

“Port Huron Township is grateful for Congresswoman McClain’s assistance in securing the EPA Grant to rehabilitate the Maywood Sanitary Lift Station,” said Bob Lewandowski, Supervisor of Port Huron Twp. “The current station has been running for almost 50 years, serving the residents of the neighborhood. We will construct a new station with up-to-date technology that will serve the residents for another 50 years and probably longer. It is great that we are getting federal funding back to our community where it came from. Thanks again to Congresswoman McClain and her staff for making this happen.”

The Maywood pump station is critical to keeping sewage flowing safely through the surrounding sewer district, but the aging station has reached the end of its anticipated useful life. The project will rehabilitate the existing structure and replace aging equipment to reduce the risk of equipment failures and sewer backups.

McClain requested funding for the Maywood project through the FY2023 appropriations process.

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Chairwoman McClain Secures $50 Million for Water Projects in House-Passed WRDA bill

Wed, 259 Sep 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON – House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) today secured authorization for $50,000,000 in water infrastructure projects in Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, and St. Clair Counties in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026. The legislation now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

“When you turn on the tap, you expect clean, safe drinking water to come out,” Chairwoman McClain said. “But as many families in Michigan know, aging infrastructure means we can’t take that for granted. This $50 million authorization will help communities upgrade the water systems families and businesses rely on every single day.

The legislation comes after a May 2026 water main break left families and businesses in Lake Orion and surrounding communities without running water for days. Subject to appropriations, the funding authorized by WRDA 2026 will allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to partner with local communities to improve water supply resiliency in the future.

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House Passes Chairwoman McClain's Common Cents Act to End Wasteful Penny Production

Mon, 257 Sep 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON— Today, the House passed H.R. 10167, the Common Cents Act, legislation led by House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), to permanently end production of the penny for general circulation and modernize America’s coinage system.

“Washington has a spending problem, and it shows up in places big and small,” Chairwoman McClain said. “If the federal government is spending nearly four cents to make a penny worth one cent, something is broken. House Republicans are proving that common sense still has a place in government by cutting waste and protecting taxpayer dollars.”

The Common Cents Act ends production of pennies for general circulation while keeping existing pennies legal tender and allowing the U.S. Mint to continue producing collectible coins. It also establishes uniform guidance allowing cash transactions to be rounded to the nearest five cents when exact change is unavailable. Electronic payments and other non-cash transactions will continue to be charged to the exact cent.

The legislation also directs the Federal Reserve to develop a national transition plan for the hundreds of billions of pennies already in circulation and requires Treasury to notify Congress before discontinuing any other circulating coin. It also authorizes a lower-cost nickel composition if testing shows it will reduce production costs without significantly disrupting coin-operated machines.

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ICYMI: Conference Chairwoman McClain Attends Michigan Farm Bureau Dinner on the Farm

Thu, 239 Aug 2026 12:00:00 EST

MICHIGAN – House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) this week joined the annual Michigan Farm Bureau Dinner on the Farm at Zwerk & Sons Farms to highlight the benefits of the Working Families Tax Cuts for Michigan farmers and to discuss ongoing work to pass a long-term Farm Bill.

Attendees included House Agriculture Committee Vice Chairman Austin Scott (R-Ga.); Matt Frostic of Frostic Farms and the National Corn Growers Association; Mike Noll of Noll Farms and Michigan Farm Bureau; and Michigan Farm Bureau President Ben LaCross.

“It was a rewarding evening of honest discussions with Michigan farmers who work tirelessly every day to feed our families and boost our economy. Washington should support their efforts by making their work easier,” Chairwoman McClain said. “I fought to deliver meaningful wins for our farmers through the Working Families Tax Cuts, and I will continue pushing to reduce input costs, cut through excessive red tape, and get a long-term Farm Bill across the finish line to bring much-needed relief to our agricultural community.”

“I want to thank Chairwoman McClain for inviting me to join her at Dinner on the Farm and giving me the opportunity to hear from Michigan’s farmers. Though our commodities may differ, our message remains the same: we will continue the fight in Washington to advance policies that support our producers and rural communities. Across the country, farmers want fair access to markets both domestically and abroad, they want Congress to address rising input costs, and they want to ensure the next generation can succeed on the farm. Chairwoman McClain is a fierce advocate for addressing these issues and I look forward to continuing to work with her on behalf of American agriculture,” House Agriculture Committee Vice Chairman Austin Scott said.

“We always look forward to working with our federal partners to advance crucial ag policies,” said Michigan Farm Bureau President Ben LaCross. “Farm Bureau couldn't be the voice of agriculture without our members coming to events like this, lending their voices and your credibility in the ag discussion. Because of our members, we are able to engage with elected officials in Washington, D.C., and in Lansing who are willing to advocate and listen to us — just like Congresswoman McClain is doing with the farm bill and E15.”

The Working Families Tax Cuts delivered major wins for farmers by strengthening crop insurance, raising reference prices, strengthening dairy coverage, and providing tax relief that helps family farms plan for the next generation.

The House passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 in April, but the Senate has yet to advance a Farm Bill to the floor.

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Chairwoman McClain Holds Field Hearing on Supporting Servicemembers Serving on School Boards

Tue, 237 Aug 2026 12:00:00 EST

MICHIGAN - House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) and Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) today held a field hearing at Richmond City Hall titled Deployed, Not Disqualified: Defending Servicemembers in Our Schools. The hearing examined how schools, communities, and government can better support servicemembers participating in their local school systems.

Master Sergeant Raymond Stier, an elected member of the Richmond Board of Education, faced pressure from fellow board members to resign while deployed overseas, despite attending board meetings virtually when he could. Some board members later criticized his absence as a "disservice".

The hearing featured testimony from Amy Stier, Master Sergeant Stier's wife; Colonel Chris Neeley, superintendent of the South Carolina Public Charter School District; and Jonathan Butcher, an education policy expert at the Heritage Foundation.

"Richmond knew exactly whom it elected, a man with three decades in uniform," Chairwoman McClain said. "After being deployed to the Middle East, despite significant time zone differences, Master Sergeant Stier continued to serve his community virtually. He kept his oath to his country and to this community and took fire for both. The board members should be ashamed of forcing a servicemember to choose between serving their country and their community."

"Unfortunately, too many servicemembers face professional obstacles because of their military service, both while they are deployed and when they return home. Some have even faced outright employment discrimination, including in our nation's school systems," Chairman Walberg said. "Our schools should welcome servicemembers home, not criticize or penalize them for serving. These are parents who can bring a spirit of service to school boards, classrooms, volunteer organizations, and school leadership."

Watch the field hearing here.

ICYMI: Chairwoman McClain Hosts Oakland County Job Fair for Michigan Job Seekers

Sat, 227 Aug 2026 12:00:00 EST

MICHIGAN— On Thursday, August 13, House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), in partnership with Michigan Works, hosted the inaugural Southeast Michigan Job Fair at Oakland University. The event connected employers with job seekers from across the region.

Joined by the Small Business Administration (SBA) Deputy Administrator Bill Briggs, the event connected nearly 700 hardworking Michiganders with 100 businesses. Participating companies included General Motors, McLaren Health Care, and ZF Axle Drives, each offering a wide range of positions, from entry-level to skilled roles.

“Events like the Southeast Michigan Job Fair are critical to connecting job creators with hardworking Michigan job seekers,” Chairwoman McClain said. “Through the Working Families Tax Cuts, America is getting back to work, and employers and employees alike are experiencing much-needed relief, helping fulfill the America First agenda by expanding opportunities to quality, high-paying jobs.”

"The Southeast Michigan Job Fair was a great example of what we can accomplish when we come together as a region. We connected employers who are hiring with job seekers looking for their next opportunity. In such a digital world, there’s something especially impactful about bringing people together face-to-face and creating a real sense of community,” said Michigan Works! Macomb/St. Clair.

McClain Celebrates Housing Bill Becoming Law to Help More Families Own a Home

Tue, 195 Jul 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON—The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, bipartisan housing legislation led by House Committee on Financial Services Chairman French Hill (R-Ark.), is now law.

The bill package includes two provisions championed by House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) to expand housing supply and give Michigan families more affordable housing options.

“Michigan families should not have to give up on homeownership because there are not enough homes available or because outdated federal rules make ownership more expensive,” Chairwoman McClain said. “My Modular Housing Production Act and Build Now Act tackle both sides of the problem. They help communities build more homes and remove financing barriers that stand between families and a home they can afford. These are practical reforms that will give Michigan families more choices and a better chance to achieve the American Dream.”

The new law includes provisions from Chairwoman McClain's Modular Housing Production Act to modernize federal financing policies for modular and factory-built homes. The changes help remove outdated barriers that can delay construction and increase costs for homebuyers.

It also includes provisions from Chairwoman McClain's Build Now Act to establish a pilot program that rewards participating communities for expanding housing development. The program gives local leaders additional tools to increase housing supply and create more opportunities for families to purchase a home.

The broader law removes federal barriers to housing construction, updates housing programs, and limits competition from certain large institutional investors in the single-family housing market.

House Passes Chairwoman McClain’s Common Cents Act to End Wasteful Penny Production

Tue, 195 Jul 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON—Today, the House of Representatives passed House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain's (R-Mich.) Common Cents Act. This legislation permanently ends production of the penny for general circulation.

President Trump directed the Treasury Department to end production of new pennies after the cost of producing each coin reached 3.69 cents. The Common Cents Act permanently codifies that policy while allowing the U.S. Mint to continue producing limited collectible pennies. Existing pennies may still be used for all cash transactions, and businesses may continue providing exact change. Payments made electronically, by credit card, check, gift card, or other non-cash methods are still charged to the exact cent.

The legislation establishes a national framework for cash transactions when exact change is unavailable. It also authorizes the Treasury Department to use a lower-cost composition for the nickel if testing demonstrates it reduces production costs without significantly affecting coin-operated machines.

Chairwoman McClain Helps Secure Better Deal to Open Gordie Howe International Bridge

Mon, 194 Jul 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON—Today, House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) announced new details on the deal to open the Gordie Howe International Bridge on July 27. McClain joined President Donald Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick as the administration negotiated better terms for the United States.

“We took a bad deal and turned it into an economic opportunity for Michigan and the entire country,” Chairwoman McClain said. “I am proud to have worked with President Trump and Secretary Lutnick to get this bridge open while securing a better deal for the American people. The Gordie Howe Bridge will strengthen Michigan’s economy and keep trade moving across our northern border. I will remain directly involved as we put these new resources to work creating jobs and expanding economic opportunity in Michigan.”

Under the old deal, the United States wouldn't see a single penny in toll revenues for at least 50 years. Under the new agreement, the United States will receive half of the bridge’s revenue after operating costs for 15 years and will have a say on toll changes. The agreement also establishes a 15-year economic development fund tied to bridge revenue. Those revenues will flow to the federal government, and McClain will work with the Trump administration to ensure the resulting investments support economic development in Michigan.

The six-lane bridge will provide a direct connection between Interstate 75 and Ontario’s Highway 401. It will also include the largest land ports of entry on the U.S.-Canada border. The new crossing is expected to reduce congestion, shorten trips for commercial traffic, and save the trucking industry an estimated $2.3 billion over 30 years.

Chairwoman McClain Hosts Trump Accounts Forum to Help Families Plan for the Future

Tue, 188 Jul 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON—House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) hosted a Trump Accounts forum at the Oxford Public Library with parents and grandparents from Michigan’s 9th District to discuss how families can start building long-term financial security for their children.

“Trump Accounts give the next generation a head start on the American Dream,” Chairwoman McClain said. “House Republicans and President Trump believe families should have more tools to save, invest, and plan for their children’s future. This is a powerful way to help parents put their kids on a stronger financial path from the very beginning.”

Chairwoman McClain discussed how Trump Accounts were created through the Working Families Tax Cuts and explained the one-time $1,000 seed contribution available for eligible children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028. Families also received information on how to enroll, including IRS Form 4547, and had the opportunity to ask questions.

Trump Accounts are federally authorized, tax-advantaged investment accounts for children under 18. Parents and guardians manage the accounts until their children reach adulthood to help build long-term financial security.

Weak and Pathetic: How School Administrators Put Politics Before Parents

Mon, 180 Jun 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON—House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) published an op-ed in Townhall highlighting House Republicans’ efforts to stop radical, woke policies that are being forced on children in public schools.

“Public schools are not taxpayer-funded laboratories for adults who want to run social experiments on other people’s children,” Chairwoman McClain wrote. “That is not education. It is institutional indoctrination masquerading as progress. House Republicans are not going to shrug while this happens.”

Read the full piece below:

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“It’s extremely weak and pathetic. Thank God my children didn't go to your school.”

That’s what I told Loudoun County, Virginia, Superintendent Aaron Spence when he tried to hide behind legal jargon, erroneous district policies, and a pattern of excuses when confronted about the sexual harassment and administrative misconduct occurring under his watch.

It’s a recurring story from across the country; school officials are turning classrooms into ideological battlegrounds. They are not asking parents for permission or giving them basic notice when discussing controversial materials. They are forcing their radical agendas, hiding the damages, and punishing parents and students who speak up. In some cases, they are allowing and helping children to “transition” genders without parental involvement or knowledge.

It’s not education. It is taxpayer-funded indoctrination.

At a recent House Education and Workforce Committee hearing, I pressed Dr. Spence about reports that male students at his school reported being filmed in a boys’ locker room by a female student who claimed to be a male. Loudoun retaliated and gave the boys a 10-day suspension, a harsher punishment than the student who was filming them.

That should outrage every parent in America. It infuriates me. This case was never about student safety. It was an institution defending itself from the repercussions of its own bad policies. In the world of radical school administrators, the student who questions the agenda becomes the problem. The policy is protected. The child is not.

When Seth Wolfe's son was victimized in the Loudoun locker room incident, he expected school officials to stand up for the students. Instead, Wolfe watched the children, who should have been treated with compassion after being sexually harassed, become the targets. He argued that the boys were effectively forced to choose between staying silent or facing punishment for standing up for their rights. Loudoun parents have been warning about this for years.

Ian Prior, a Loudoun parent and attorney who has spent years fighting the district, argues that one of the school district’s biggest deceptions was convincing parents that controversial policies were somehow required by law. School officials claimed they had no choice but to conceal information from parents, allow biological males into female spaces, and treat objections as discrimination. Prior repeatedly challenged them to point to the law requiring any of it. They couldn't—because what parents were witnessing was not a legal necessity, but a political agenda dressed up as compliance.

Then there’s Elicia Brand, a mother of three and founder of Army of Parents. Elicia says she never intended to become an activist until she started asking questions about the woke ideology in which the school tried to indoctrinate her children. Instead of getting answers, she became a target; activists put her on what she described as a political hit list, anonymous callers made nearly 80 threatening phone calls, and police sat outside her home for weeks. Her offense was not misconduct or extremism—it was demanding transparency from a school system that seemed more interested in protecting controversial policies than answering parents' questions.

The list of parents failed by Loudoun County schools doesn’t end there. Tumay Harding spent 17 months battling Loudoun County after her daughter and three other girls reported sexual harassment and sexual assault by a teacher. School officials refused to open an investigation, repeatedly tried to force parents to drop their inquiries, and forced families into a lengthy appeals process before an outside reviewer finally concluded that misconduct had occurred. While administrators protected the offender, her daughter could not return to school and lost an important childhood experience.

Tragically, Loudoun is not an isolated case. In Montgomery County, Maryland, parents had to go all the way to the Supreme Court after the school system stopped allowing children to opt out of LGBTQ-themed book readings in elementary school.

In Chicago, school officials adopted policies that allow students to be addressed by new names and pronouns without parental consent. They also introduced children to gender identity concepts and discussed puberty blockers by fifth grade.

San Francisco has taken the same path. District policy allows students to use facilities and participate in programs that align with the gender they identify with that day, while restricting disclosure of a student’s gender identity to their parents.

Whether parents agree with those ideas or not is beside the point. The real question is why school administrators believe they should be making these decisions while parents are left in the dark.

This is the Left’s education playbook. Force the ideology early. Keep parents at arm’s length. Call objections bigotry. Punish the people who refuse to play along.

Public schools are not taxpayer-funded laboratories for adults who want to run social experiments on other people’s children. That is not education. It is institutional indoctrination masquerading as progress. House Republicans are not going to shrug while this happens.

We passed the Parents Bill of Rights because families deserve to know what is being taught, see reading materials, review budgets, and speak at school board meetings without being treated like criminals. We also passed the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act because young women deserve their own spaces in which to compete and change clothes.

Most importantly, we passed the Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act, which prohibits federal funds from being used to promote gender ideology in schools and requires parental consent before a school can change a child's name, pronouns, or access to sex-specific facilities. All of these pieces of legislation support common-sense concepts with which most parents agree. All of them were ferociously opposed by Democrats.

We will keep passing legislation to drag these policies into the daylight, because secrecy is the oxygen that radical, leftist ideologies need to survive. Schools have one job: to educate children. Not to politicize them. Not to hide them from their parents. Not to turn childhood into an ideological battleground. It’s not complicated. It only seems complicated to administrators who have grown comfortable hiding behind bureaucracy.

This is about who gets to make the most important decisions in a child’s life. House Republicans will keep fighting until every school district in America knows that parents are the ultimate decision-makers. It’s common sense.

Chairwoman McClain Hosts Michigan Roundtable on Manufacturing, Aerospace, and Workforce Development

Fri, 170 Jun 2026 12:00:00 EST

MICHIGAN – On Thursday, June 18, House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) hosted a roundtable at the Orion Township Municipal Complex with Boeing and Michigan-based suppliers to discuss the Artemis program, America's space industrial base, aerospace manufacturing, workforce development, and economic growth.

Participants included Joel DiGrado of Boeing alongside leaders from Baker Industries, Titanium Processing Center, Advanced Integration Technology, Futuramic, Accurate Tooling Solutions, Models & Tools, Legacy Industries, Visioneering Inc., and Weldaloy Specialty Forgings.

Following NASA's Artemis missions, Boeing and its Michigan-based suppliers continue supporting the Space Launch System (SLS). Thursday's discussion focused on how space and defense programs create jobs, strengthen the supply chain, and expand economic opportunity across Michigan.

"Today's conversation made clear that Michigan's workers and manufacturers are the backbone of America's return to the Moon,” Chairwoman McClain said. “Federal investment in programs like Artemis is translating into good jobs and a stronger supply chain right here at home."

"While nothing flies into space from North America today without parts forged by Weldaloy — we work with all the space programs — it is imperative that the US government continues to have a robust space program that does not rely on any one private initiative,” Fernando Lozano, Chief Commercial Officer, Weldaloy Specialty Forgings said.

“Congressional funding for the Space Launch System (SLS) and other aerospace programs enables companies like Legacy Industries to invest in advanced capabilities that support critical national missions,” Tim Bellestri, Director of Business Development, Legacy Industries. “These programs also help develop Michigan's workforce by creating lucrative, long-term careers in engineering, machining, fabrication, and manufacturing, driving economic growth throughout the region.”

“Federal support for SLS enables companies like Models & Tools to grow advanced manufacturing in Michigan and create stable, good-paying jobs,” Brad Doan, Business Development Manager, Models & Tools said.

“Congressional funding in the Aerospace and Defense industry has a direct effect on Accurate Tooling Solutions,” Tom Vertin, President of Accurate Tooling Solutions said. “With the State of Michigan as a center of expertise in manufacturing systems and tooling for the aerospace industry, and Accurate Tooling Solutions, a part of that center, investment into new aircraft, spacecraft and defense systems is imperative for us as well as our national defense here and abroad. This keeps high-paying, high-skilled jobs and talent here in Michigan and allows for the creation of training programs for the next generation of engineers, designers, machinists, fabricators, tool builders, and inspectors in the industry.”Tom Vertin, President of Accurate Tooling Solutions.

Chairwoman McClain Meets with Deployed Service Member Criticized by School Board While Serving Overseas

Fri, 170 Jun 2026 12:00:00 EST

MICHIGAN – House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) met with Master Sergeant Raymond Stier and his family after he faced criticism from members of the Richmond Community Schools Board of Education while deployed in the Middle East.

During the meeting, Chairwoman McClain presented Stier with an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol and a Congressional Record statement recognizing his service to the country and the Richmond community.

“When a service member deploys overseas to defend this country, the appropriate response is gratitude—not attacks, and certainly not demands that they step aside.” Chairwoman McClain said. “Ray Stier was serving his country in the Middle East and still waking up at 3 a.m. to serve his community back home. Meanwhile, keyboard warriors sat safely behind their screens attacking a man who was answering his nation's call. Michigan should be proud of Ray Stier, and anyone who called his service a ‘disservice’ owes him, his family, and this community an apology.”

During Stier’s deployment, he attended board meetings virtually until operational demands temporarily limited his ability to participate. Some board members later criticized his absence as a “disservice” and suggested he should have resigned before leaving for deployment. It is important to note that the seat sat vacant longer before Stier's appointment than it did while he was unable to attend meetings during his deployment.

"My goal is to continue being an advocate for the community,” Ray Stier said. “One of the good things that I think came out of this was that it got so much attention that community members were made aware of the dynamics that were not being brought to light."

Amy Stier, Ray’s wife, became a leading voice in defending her husband’s service while he was deployed. Their daughter, Easton, also spoke at multiple Richmond Community Schools Board of Education meetings in support of her father.

“When I heard it, I was very upset,” Amy Stier said. “I felt it was disrespectful that they talked about it and admitted they talked about it. I got a text from Ray that he was currently under attack where he was at and had just found out he was being attacked on the home front as well.”

Stier returned home from deployment on May 18 and attended a school board meeting in person later that same day. He has continued serving on the board and advocating for Richmond families.