Lisa Mcclain

Michigan’s family farms are among our greatest national resources. This nation was blessed with some of the most fertile farmland in the world, but such a blessing can only be cultivated to its fullest with the loving hands of American farmers. Our land and its stewards must be both protected and supplied with all they need to feed our nation’s families and the world.

As our nation moves beyond the coronavirus pandemic, reinvigorating our supply chains is one of my top priorities. Michigan’s farmers rely in reasonably priced and plentiful inputs to maximize their productivity each season. I am disturbed by rising input prices and the number of counterproductive regulations that are hindering supply chain recovery. I oppose all vaccine mandates, especially those on truck drivers and other essential workers that keep American goods moving. I am a cosponsor of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to combat hostile trade practices and support the growth and development of U.S. exports, including agricultural goods. Where international trade is concerned, I will always put American farmers and producers first.

I support rural broadband and utility expansion to equip every American home with broadband internet. I am proud of Michigan’s biofuel industry and will fight to ensure that ethanol and biodiesel are not unfairly burdened. I believe that federal regulations all too often hurt Michigan’s farmers and will always look for opportunities to make farmers’ jobs easier.

Our economic system of capitalism provides the most significant opportunity for all Americans. It has proven time and again that it can raise all by incentivizing businesses to create jobs, raise wages, and provide competitive benefits that create more prosperity for the American worker and their families. As your Representative, I will work tirelessly to lower the taxes on you and your family and fight against Washington regulations that prevent Michigan businesses from growing and prospering.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has decimated our economy, the best way for governments to aid in the recovery is to reopen states and localities, allow businesses to flourish as they once did before the pandemic, and allow Michiganders to get back to work.

Today, Congresswoman Lisa McClain reintroduced the College Cost Transparency and Student Protection Act for the 118th Congress. This legislation aims to boost transparency in the college financial aid process. Rep. McClain and Education and The Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx led the legislation in response to a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that revealed concerning practices in reporting college costs and student aid to prospective students.

 “Students deserve transparency when it comes to the financial burdens of higher education, and colleges have no excuse for not providing it,” said Rep. McClain. “The GAO report shows shocking proof of colleges underestimating costs by tens of thousands of dollars, leaving students blindsided with the price tag. I am disgusted at the findings of this report, and I will not allow it to go unanswered. Students should never be responsible for footing a bill they don’t even know exists.”

 “Postsecondary institutions should not be allowed to skirt around necessary transparency. Prospective students and their families deserve to have all the information they need to make informed decisions throughout the college shopping process – especially how much their degree will cost and their options for financing it,” said Chairwoman Foxx. “I’m proud to introduce the College Cost Transparency and Student Protection Act alongside Representative McClain to ensure that financial aid offers are clear and information about college costs are readily available so that   student and parent choice are maximized.”

 Under the proposed legislation, colleges and universities would be required to provide students with two award letters, one for direct costs and one for indirect costs. The two-stage process will reduce the ambiguity of the direct as opposed to indirect costs of attending the school. The two-stage process will increase transparency, hold institutions accountable and help students make accurate financial decisions.

One of the major priorities Congress must address is our domestic energy production. The rising cost of energy is not only damaging our economy but harming American families. I am fighting to move our country towards energy independence. The only way to achieve this is by taking an “any and all” approach. Congress must pass laws that promote domestic production of this abundant resource to help lower energy costs for all Americans.

 One of the fastest ways to begin stemming the rising costs of energy is by completing the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. This pipeline, which was supposed to run from Canada to Texas, would have brought crude oil from Canada to be refined and distributed across the United States. This domestic supply of fuel would help lower gas prices, been a significant boom for our economy. 

 The United States has significant natural gas reserves that can provide clean and efficient energy for our homes, cities, and economy. The U.S. proven reserves of natural gas have increased nearly every year since 2000. Major advances in natural gas exploration and production technologies, such as horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have contributed to increases in natural gas production and reserves.

 When it comes to clean energy investment, I am supportive of allowing private sector entrepreneurs conducting research into new technologies that may bring cheaper, cleaner energy for all Americans. I do not believe it is the government’s job to pick winners and losers when it comes to energy research and development grants.   

Our nation’s healthcare system is the envy of the world. American medicine is the most advanced in terms of technological development and, as the last couple years have shown, America’s healthcare workers are among the most compassionate and dedicated. We need to ensure all Americans have access to healthcare. Congress must act to ensure we are educating the next generation of physicians and nurses to ensure there are no shortages in healthcare providers.

I oppose all vaccine mandates and pandemic restrictions, such as required masking and social distancing. No child should ever be forcibly masked in the classroom and no worker should ever be fired because of his vaccination status. I proudly support the Congressional effort to end the President’s COVID-19 National State of Emergency and get our country back to pre-pandemic normalcy.

I support a robust private health insurance market with options to suit all Americans. I support developing stronger domestic manufacturing of medical device and believe that the delivery of vital medicines to Michiganders should never be vulnerable to global supply chain interruptions. I support the expansion of telemedicine and the retention of recent regulatory changes that make it easier for Americans to see a doctor in their homes.

Our nation, and our way of life, is under threat by adversaries like China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. I am steadfast in my support for our nation’s armed forces and our servicemen and women. As your representative I have supported efforts to invest in new technologies and platforms for our military in order to combat these growing threats around the world. We have seen throughout our history that a strong U.S. military preserves peace and security around the world.

China is attempting to become the dominant global superpower by building up its military forces and purchasing influence around the world. Not only has China been attempting to militarily bully our allies in the Pacific Ocean, like Taiwan and Japan, but they are actively threatening our own forces based in the region.

Russia and Vladimir Putin have shown that it has no interest in being a peaceful and cooperative nation on the world stage. Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and the barbaric atrocities their forces have committed on Ukrainian civilians, have shown the world that it will take any steps necessary to expand its power and influence.

Iran has been a threat to the United States and our allies in the Middle East since 1979. The Iranian regime is the largest state-sponsor of terrorism in the world. Not only does Iran target our allies in the region, such as Israel, but their proxies they support in Iraq and Syria have targeted US servicemen and women. Iran’s lawmakers have even chanted “Death to America” in their parliament.

The United States must continue to stand by and reinforce our allies from any threats. I will continue to push my colleagues in Congress to support a robust military that is the premier fighting force in the world. We can achieve peace through strength.