John Moolenaar

I believe we are endowed by our Creator with the unalienable Right to Life. Life begins at conception and we must protect human life, the foundation of our civilization. I am proud to have a 100% voting record with the Right to Life.

I support the Born-Alive Act, which would require doctors to care for babies who are born. I also believe parents must be notified if their underage child is having an abortion, and that we should do more to protect unborn children in the womb when a heartbeat is detected.

Our way of life is based on the belief that every human life has value, that’s why my pro-life record goes hand-in-hand with my strong support of adoption as a way to provide loving and safe homes for children. Unfortunately, far too many children - over 100,000 - are waiting in foster care programs throughout the United States for families to adopt them.

I will fight to help all children still in foster care. They deserve the right to grow up in a safe and loving home. We must continue to promote adoption and work to make loving families aware of the many programs available to help them adopt a child.

There is much that we as a nation can do to encourage adoption and ensure that our country values human life.

The Second District is home to some of the most diverse agricultural products in the state. From beans, apples, and cattle to milk, asparagus, and poultry, we are fortunate to have thousands of family-owned farms to feed our communities and people around the world.

Growing up, I treasured the time spent on my grandparents’ 80 acre farm in Indiana, seeing first hand the challenges and daily responsibilities. As I meet with farmers across the district, I often reflect on the hard work and values instilled by my parents and grandparents. While the technology may change, the hard-working nature of farmers does not.

In the face of unfair trade practices, I have supported countering cheap foreign imports like cherries from Turkey, as well as opening and expanding markets like dairy in Canada and pork in China. This is also why I was a strong supporter of the 45th President Donald Trump’s trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, the USMCA.

As your voice in Congress, I will stand firm against out-of-touch proposals, and educate my colleagues to ensure the tireless work of our farmers is not taken for granted. I will work diligently to make certain Michigan farmers are able to sell their products to more consumers around the world, ensure federal regulations do not impede farm operations and preserve federal farm programs for generations to come.

In an increasingly complicated world, the combination of a strong defense and smart diplomacy is key to international stability and keeping our nation secure. Congress must ensure that our military remains the most effective and capable fighting force in the world to protect our freedoms and prevail whenever and wherever we are challenged. But, most of all, Congress must make sure the military has the necessary resources and superior technology to protect our brave men and women who wear the uniform, our most important asset.

It is no coincidence that providing for the common defense is listed in the first line of Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution of the United States – this must continue to be the top priority of the federal government. I am committed to a strong national defense in order to respond to challenges from nations like China and Russia, deter rogue states like Iran and North Korea, and defeat violent extremists who know no borders.

It is clear the Democrats’ massive tax and spend policies are wrong for Michigan’s Second Congressional District and wrong for America. Inflation has skyrocketed to its highest levels in 40 years. American families are spending more of their hard-earned paychecks and getting less in goods and services. Gas prices continue to rise. I will continue to oppose reckless government spending, including Joe Biden’s $5 trillion “Build Back Broke” socialist spending bill, reject raising taxes on Michigan families and small businesses and support policies that promote America’s energy independence.

Free markets, free enterprise, innovation, and entrepreneurship are the foundation for economic growth and job creation in Michigan and America. Democrats in Washington are committed to enacting an increasingly radical Socialist agenda that will undermine these basic concepts which have historically placed America at the forefront of the global marketplace. We must get the government out of the way, reduce burdensome federal regulations and let American ingenuity drive our economy forward.

During the past two years, parents have seen first hand what schools are teaching their children and I have spoken out against administrators who have put politics over children through countless, unscientific mandates. I believe parents have an absolute right to have a say in their children’s education and support their right to choose what is best for their family. Socialist democrats, on the other hand, believe schools and the government know what is best for kids.

When I was a school administrator, I saw first-hand how empowering parents and students with choices makes a difference in their lives. That's why I will continue to be a champion of school choice in education so that a child’s education is in the hands of their parents and not merely a product of their zip code.

Additionally, I believe our country must provide the next generation of Americans with the skills they need to compete in an increasingly competitive global economy. The skilled trades and the STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering, and math offer many opportunities for employment.

I also believe that students who wish to pursue careers in skilled trades and other non-traditional degrees should have access to financial aid, just like those who attend four-year universities. For that reason, I'm committed to expanding access to current financial aid programs to these students.

As a father of six children, I know skyrocketing tuition and other costs are on the minds of parents and high school students throughout the district. That’s why I'm fighting for accountability and transparency in higher education. I've also been a consistent advocate for grants and other financial aid that helps Michigan families fulfill their education goals.

Finally, I'm proud to say that Michigan is home to some of our nation's premier research universities. I will continue to be their advocate in Congress and ensure that they have the funding to continue producing the scientific advancements that make the United States the world leader in innovation.

I believe the Second Amendment is clear; “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” President Biden and gun control advocates in Congress are trying to take away the constitutional right of law-abiding citizens to own and use a firearm. These actions are a threat to our freedoms and I have strongly opposed any efforts that would infringe upon our Second Amendment rights.

The most basic role of government is to defend Americans and to ensure every citizens’ right to defend themselves. That is why I have voted for and co-sponsored the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, the Veterans Second Amendment Act, and the PROTECT the Second Amendment Act.

During my time in Congress, I have received an “A” rating by the NRA. I believe the right to bear arms is a fundamental principle upon which the founders built our nation and the reason we must preserve it for future generations.

There is no question that America is a global leader in health care from breakthrough medical devices, to novel new cancer treatments, and everything in between. However, the future of health care in America has been put at risk by proposals that would put your health care in the hands of Washington bureaucrats. A single-payer, Medicare for All approach is not the answer.

At its core, our system is about American families having the ability to choose the plan that best meets their needs. We also need to make sure we continue to create new treatments that help all Americans live longer, healthier lives.

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have voted in support of record funding at the National Institutes of Health to increase research into cures and treatments for cancer, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s. Many have lost family members to these horrible diseases and it is my hope that we will get closer to cures, so Michigan families have more time with their loved ones.

Finally, I voted for Right-To-Try legislation. This legislation offers hope for terminal patients and allows them to try experimental treatments instead of waiting for years for bureaucrats to approve new drugs.

We can accomplish the kind of health care reform the American people want without having a government takeover of our system and without forcing citizens into a one-size-fits-all healthcare system.

I strongly believe that immigration reform must begin with border security.  Our southern border states continue to face unprecedented problems relating to porous borders that permit thousands of unknown individuals to cross into the United States without legal authority to do so.

I believe that a porous southern border poses a threat to the national security of America.  No matter what your stance on immigration reform may be, I think we can all agree that our borders must be secure and there must be legitimate checkpoints to stop the flow of people entering our country illegally.

Securing our borders must remain a national emergency.  Once the American people are satisfied that we have stopped the flow of illegal immigration, then we can finally begin to focus on how to deal with the millions of people who are already here illegally.

Many Americans are convinced that if we simply enforced the laws that are already on the books, we could solve our immigration problem.  I don't believe that it is that simple, but it is certainly a realistic beginning.  I strongly support the following steps:

Secure our borders by passing the "Secure Fence Act"

Improve the strength of our borders by increasing the number of U.S. border agents

Ensure that illegal immigrants are not taking American jobs by creating an employment eligibility verification system

Reforming the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program

Crack down on the fraudulent use of identification documents by illegal immigrants.

The current H-2A temporary guest worker program is extremely important to the agricultural community in Michigan.  However, any temporary worker program must ensure that laborers return to their home country upon visa expiration and do not remain in the U.S. illegally.

And we must find a way to deal with those already in our country illegally that will not include amnesty.  The Rule of law must be respected and there needs to be consequences for breaking the law.

For those of us who have blown out a tire on the way to the store, we know the poor condition of our bridges and roads. Across Michigan, vital infrastructure is deteriorating and this impedes our ability to compete in an increasingly global marketplace. From highways and harbors to rail and rural broadband, it is clear that both above- and below-ground infrastructure needs significant investment. President Biden and the socialist democrats have passed a far reaching “infrastructure” bill that implements the Green New Deal and invests in pet projects, not our roads. I voted against this proposal. I support targeted federal investments that enhance real infrastructure projects.

Soo Locks: When I was first elected, one of the most important infrastructure projects I kept hearing about was the need for a new lock at the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie. Critical supply chains that support billions of dollars in economic activity and millions of jobs in the agricultural, automotive, manufacturing, and mining sectors rely on the Locks.

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I was able to break through over 30 years of delays, and Congress officially committed to funding the new Soo Locks project for the first time in 2019. Ensuring the Soo Locks are safe, reliable, and efficient is vital to the economy and national security of the United States and I have helped make historic progress for our state.

Increasing access to broadband in Michigan’s Second Congressional District is one of my top priorities in Congress. Access to high-speed Internet is critical for small businesses as they look to compete in a global economy. It helps farmers get more information on pricing and weather, and also helps patients in rural areas connect with their health care providers. Without reliable high-speed internet service, students throughout our communities don’t have access to important educational resources they need.

I have used my time in Congress to meet with the citizens of rural communities to discuss new ways to expand rural broadband. I have voted for several pieces of legislation that provide hundreds of millions in rural broadband funding to advance broadband infrastructure and ensure that our businesses and students are equipped with the tools they need to thrive in today’s society.

I am also proud to have introduced the Broadening Online Opportunities through Simple Technologies (BOOST) Act in Congress. This legislation would provide a $300 tax credit to homeowners in eligible areas who want to buy mobile hotspot equipment for their residence or a signal booster to increase the speed of an existing wireless connection. This will help lower the cost of these connection options for families in rural Michigan.

I will continue to work to increase internet access in our communities.

As the parent of three servicemembers, I will continue to support and honor those who risk their lives to keep our nation safe and secure.

From the American Revolution to the war in Afghanistan, generations of young Americans have answered the call to duty. The sacrifice that the men and women of our military make define us as a nation. Their dedication and commitment, along with that of their families, ensures our freedom. We should never take them for granted. That’s why I supported giving our military the largest pay raise in a decade.

Just as we support our service members, we must also support our veterans to ensure they receive the benefits they earned defending our country. That is why I:

- Voted for the VA MISSION Act, which provides much-needed funding and accountability at the VA, including making it easier for those who have failed our veterans to be fired.

- Voted for our veterans to receive a COLA increase because we can never do enough to thank them for their service.

- Worked to protect and strengthen veterans during their transition back to civilian life with assistance for them to begin their own businesses or find jobs in the private sector.

- Introduced legislation, the Veterans Patient Advocacy Act, to increase the amount of patient advocates working at VA health centers.