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Quick Facts
Personal Details

Mike Bishop (Republican Party) was a member of the U.S. House, representing Michigan's 8th Congressional District. He assumed office on January 3, 2015. He left office on January 3, 2019.

Bishop (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the U.S. House to represent Michigan's 8th Congressional District. He lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.

Candidate Connection survey in 2018. .

Bishop was previously a Republican member and majority leader of the Michigan State Senate, representing the state's 12th Senate District, which encompassed the Eastern Detroit suburbs of Auburn Hills, Pontiac, Rochester and Rochester Hills. Due to Michigan term limits, Bishop did not run for re-election in the Michigan State Senate elections of 2010.

Bishop was born and raised in Oakland County, Michigan. He graduated from Rochester Adams High School in 1985 and earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Michigan in 1989. Soon after, he earned his Juris Doctorate at the Detroit College of Law in 1993. In 1993, he became a member of the State Bar of Michigan. Bishop was a member of the American Bar Association from 1993 to 1998.

Bishop has been the Chief Legal Officer for the International Bancard Corporation and an adjunct professor at Thomas M. Cooley Law School. In 2007, he was sworn into the Michigan State Senate and served in the position until 2010. During his time in the Michigan Senate, he played a large role in drafting the Michigan Child Protection Registry and the Michigan Identify Theft Protection Act.

Below is an abbreviated outline of Bishop's academic, professional, and political career:

  • 2015-2019: U.S. Representative from Michigan's 8th Congressional District
  • 2007-2010: Michigan State Senate
  • 1999-present: Board Member, Rochester Community School Foundation
  • 1996: Nominee, University of Michigan Board of Regents
  • 1993-1998: Member, American Bar Association
  • 1993-present: Member, State Bar of Michigan
  • 1993: Juris Doctorate degree, Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University
  • 1989: Bachelor's degree, University of Michigan in history
  • 1985: Graduated from Rochester Adams High School
  • Member, BBSOAR Board of Realtors
  • Member, Macomb County Bar Association
  • Member, Michigan Association of Realtors
  • Member, National Association of Sportsmen Legislators
  • Member, Municipal Law/Business Law Committees - Oakland County Bar Association
  • Member, Sports Lawyer Association

Education

  • Certificate, Real Estate Broker, Curry Management Institute, 1993-1994
  • Attended, Law/International Business, University of Cambridge, 1992
  • JD, Michigan State University College of Law, 1989-1992
  • Bachelors, History, University of Michigan, 1986-1989
  • Attended, Spanish Language/History, Universidad de Sevilla, 1988

Professional Experience

  • Certificate, Real Estate Broker, Curry Management Institute, 1993-1994
  • Attended, Law/International Business, University of Cambridge, 1992
  • JD, Michigan State University College of Law, 1989-1992
  • Bachelors, History, University of Michigan, 1986-1989
  • Attended, Spanish Language/History, Universidad de Sevilla, 1988
  • Chief Legal Officer, International Bancard Corporation, 2013-present
  • Adjunct Professor, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, 2011-present
  • Attorney, Pro Management Company, Limited Liability Company, 1993-present
  • Senior Attorney, Clark Hill, Public Limited Company, 2011-2012

Political Experience

  • Certificate, Real Estate Broker, Curry Management Institute, 1993-1994
  • Attended, Law/International Business, University of Cambridge, 1992
  • JD, Michigan State University College of Law, 1989-1992
  • Bachelors, History, University of Michigan, 1986-1989
  • Attended, Spanish Language/History, Universidad de Sevilla, 1988
  • Chief Legal Officer, International Bancard Corporation, 2013-present
  • Adjunct Professor, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, 2011-present
  • Attorney, Pro Management Company, Limited Liability Company, 1993-present
  • Senior Attorney, Clark Hill, Public Limited Company, 2011-2012
  • Representative, United States House of Representatives, District 8, 2014-2019
  • Candidate, United States House of Representatives, District 8, 2018
  • Senator, Michigan State Senate, 2002-2010
  • Majority Leader, Senate, State of Michigan, 2006-2010
  • Representative, Michigan State House of Representatives, 1998-2002

Former Committees/Caucuses

Former Member, Education and the Workforce Committee, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Executive Overreach Task Force, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Judiciary Committee, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Subcommittee on Human Resources, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Subcommittee on Oversight (Ways and Means), United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Subcommittee on Social Security, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Ways and Means Committee, United States House of Representatives

Nominee, Board of Regents, University of Michigan, 1996

Religious, Civic, and other Memberships

  • Certificate, Real Estate Broker, Curry Management Institute, 1993-1994
  • Attended, Law/International Business, University of Cambridge, 1992
  • JD, Michigan State University College of Law, 1989-1992
  • Bachelors, History, University of Michigan, 1986-1989
  • Attended, Spanish Language/History, Universidad de Sevilla, 1988
  • Chief Legal Officer, International Bancard Corporation, 2013-present
  • Adjunct Professor, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, 2011-present
  • Attorney, Pro Management Company, Limited Liability Company, 1993-present
  • Senior Attorney, Clark Hill, Public Limited Company, 2011-2012
  • Representative, United States House of Representatives, District 8, 2014-2019
  • Candidate, United States House of Representatives, District 8, 2018
  • Senator, Michigan State Senate, 2002-2010
  • Majority Leader, Senate, State of Michigan, 2006-2010
  • Representative, Michigan State House of Representatives, 1998-2002
  • Member, National Rifle Association (NRA)
Policy Positions

2020

Abortion

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-life

Budget

1. In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- No

2. In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
- No

Campaign Finance

Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Unknown Position

Economy

1. Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- No

2. Do you support lowering corporate taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

Education

1. Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
- No

Energy & Environment

1. Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- Yes

2. Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Unknown Position

Guns

Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- No

Health Care

Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
- Yes

Immigration

1. Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border?
- Yes

2. Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
- Yes

Marijuana

Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- Unknown Position

National Security

1. Should the United States use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the U.S. from possessing a nuclear weapon?
- No

2. Do you support increased American intervention in Middle Eastern conflicts beyond air support?
- Yes

Michigan State Legislative Election 2000 National Political Awareness Test

Abortion

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning abortion.

1. Abortions should always be illegal.
- X

2. Abortions should always be legally available.
- No Answer

3. Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy.
- No Answer

4. Abortions should be legal when pregnancy results from incest, rape or the life of the woman is endangered.
- No Answer

5. Abortions should be limited by waiting periods and notification requirements as decided by each state government.
- No Answer

6. Prohibit the dilation and extraction procedure, also known as "partial-birth" abortion.
- X

7. Support "buffer zones" at abortion clinics by requiring demonstrators to remain a certain distance from doorways and driveways.
- No Answer

8. Prohibit public funding for abortions and organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
- X

9. Other
- No Answer

Budget and Tax

State Budget: Indicate the funding levels you will support for the following general categories.State Taxes: Indicate the tax levels you will support.

1. Corrections
- Slightly Decrease Funding

2. Education (Higher)
- Maintain Funding Status

3. Education (K-12)
- Maintain Funding Status

4. Environment
- Maintain Funding Status

5. Health care
- Maintain Funding Status

6. Law enforcement
- Maintain Funding Status

7. Transportation and Highway infrastructure
- Maintain Funding Status

8. Welfare
- Slightly Decrease Funding

9. Other
- No Answer

10. Alcohol taxes
- Eliminate

11. Capital gains taxes
- Eliminate

12. Cigarette taxes
- Eliminate

13. Corporate taxes
- Eliminate

14. Gasoline taxes
- Eliminate

15. Income taxes (incomes below $75,000)
- Eliminate

16. Income taxes (incomes above $75,000)
- Eliminate

17. Inheritance taxes
- Eliminate

18. Property taxes
- Eliminate

19. Sales taxes
- Eliminate

20. Vehicle taxes
- Eliminate

21. Should Internet sales be taxed?
- No

22. Do you support a flat tax structure for state income taxes?
- Yes

23. Would you support returning any operating surplus to Michigan taxpayers?
- Yes

24. Would you support placing any operating surplus into a "rainy day" fund?
- Undecided

25. Do you support implementing a state earned income tax credit?
- Undecided

Crime

Indicate which principles you support (if any) to address crime.

1. Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and for hiring of additional prison staff.
- No Answer

2. Support contracting with private sector firms to build and/or manage state prisons.
- X

3. End parole for repeat violent offenders.
- X

4. Implement the death penalty in Michigan.
- X

5. Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
- X

6. Inform communities when a convicted sex offender moves into the community.
- X

7. Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
- X

8. Decriminalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
- No Answer

9. Strengthen penalties and sentences for drug-related crimes.
- No Answer

10. Lower the blood alcohol content limit defining drunk driving.
- No Answer

11. Prosecute as adults, youths accused of a felony.
- No Answer

12. Increase penalties for crimes committed on school grounds.
- No Answer

13. Require that crimes based on gender, sexual orientation, or disability be prosecuted as hate crimes.
- No Answer

14. Support programs that provide job training and placement services for at-risk youth.
- X

15. Ban the use of racial profiling by law enforcement officers.
- No Answer

16. Extend the amount of time allowed to issue criminal charges when DNA evidence is involved.
- No Answer

17. Other
- No Answer

Education

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding education.

1. Increase state funds for professional development of public school teachers and administrators.
- No Answer

2. Encourage private or corporate investment in public school programs.
- X

3. Support charter schools where teachers and professionals receive authorization and funding to establish new schools.
- X

4. Increase state funds for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings and infrastructure).
- No Answer

5. Increase state funds for hiring additional teachers.
- No Answer

6. Endorse teacher-led voluntary prayer in public schools.
- X

7. Support posting the Ten Commandments in public schools.
- X

8. Require public schools to administer high school exit exams.
- No Answer

9. Support national standards and testing of public school students.
- No Answer

10. Support teacher testing and reward teachers with merit pay.
- X

11. Provide state funding to increase teacher salaries.
- No Answer

12. Eliminate the cap on the number of charter schools allowed by the state.
- No Answer

13. Support transferring oversight of troubled school districts to the state.
- No Answer

14. Provide state funded tuition vouchers to allow parents to transfer their children from public schools with low graduation rates to any non-public school.
- No Answer

15. Reduce the state per-student allowance to offset voucher funding.
- No Answer

16. Other
- No Answer

Employment and Affirmative Action

Employment: Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning employment.Affirmative Action: Which of the following state agencies should take race and sex into account when making employment decisions?

1. Provide low interest loans and tax credits for starting, expanding, or relocating businesses.
- X

2. Reduce state government regulations on the private sector to encourage investment and economic expansion.
- X

3. Support limits on cash damages in lawsuits against businesses and professionals for product liability or malpractice.
- No Answer

4. Increase funding for state job-training programs that re-train displaced workers or teach skills needed in today's job market.
- No Answer

5. Other
- No Answer

6. College and university admissions
- No

7. Public employment
- No

8. State contracting
- No

Environment & Energy

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the environment and energy.

1. Encourage further development and use of alternative fuels to reduce pollution.
- X

2. Support "self-audit" legislation which creates incentives for industries to audit themselves and clean up pollution.
- X

3. Require a cost/benefit analysis to determine the economic impact of proposed environmental regulations before they are implemented.
- X

4. Require states to fully compensate citizens when environmental regulations limit uses on privately owned land.
- X

5. Support funding for recycling programs in Michigan.
- X

6. Request added flexibility from the federal government in enforcing and funding federal environmental regulations.
- No Answer

7. Suspend participation in un-funded, federally-mandated environmental protection legislation.
- X

8. Replace local water commissions with a state Regional Water and Sewer Authority.
- No Answer

9. Increase state funding for road construction and maintenance.
- No Answer

10. Require that ballast water brought into Michigan waterways be sterilized.
- No Answer

11. Other
- No Answer

12. Should state environmental regulations be stricter than federal law?
- Undecided

13. Should the Michigan state government have authority over the sale and transfer of water from the Great Lakes?
- No

Government Reform

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding government reform.c) Do you support limiting the following types of contributions to state legislative candidates?

1. Do you support the limit on terms for Michigan Governors?
- Yes

2. Do you support the limit on terms for Michigan State Senators and Representatives?
- Yes

3. Individual
- Yes

4. PAC
- Yes

5. Corporate
- Yes

6. Political Parties
- Yes

7. Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
- Yes

8. Do you support imposing spending limits on state level political campaigns?
- No

9. Do you support partial funding from state taxes for state level political campaigns?
- No

10. Do you support voting on-line?
- Yes

11. Do you support on-line voter registration?
- Yes

12. Do you support requiring a two-thirds vote in the Michigan Legislature to enact legislation that would overrule local ordinances?
- No

13. Should Michigan Supreme Court justices be appointed instead of elected?
- Yes

14. Other
- No Answer

Gun

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning gun issues.

1. Ban the sale or transfer of semi-automatic guns, except those used for hunting.
- No Answer

2. Maintain and strengthen the enforcement of existing state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
- No Answer

3. Ease state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
- X

4. Repeal state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
- No Answer

5. Allow citizens to carry concealed guns.
- No Answer

6. Require manufacturers to provide child-safety locks on guns.
- No Answer

7. Require background checks of gun buyers at gun shows.
- No Answer

8. Require a license for gun possession.
- No Answer

9. Hold gun owners, who do not properly store their guns, criminally and civilly liable for crimes committed by minors using their guns.
- X

10. Prohibit the carrying of guns on school grounds.
- No Answer

11. Other
- No Answer

12. Should Michigan cities and counties be prohibited from suing gun manufacturers and dealers for damages?
- Yes

Health

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding health issues.

1. Provide tax incentives to small businesses that provide health care to their employees.
- X

2. Ensure that citizens have access to basic health care through managed care, insurance reforms, or state funded care where necessary.
- No Answer

3. Transfer more existing Medicaid recipients into managed care programs.
- X

4. Use state funds to continue some Medicaid coverage for legal immigrants.
- No Answer

5. Limit the amount of damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
- No Answer

6. Support a patient's right to sue his or her HMO.
- X

7. Support a patient's right to appeal to an administrative board of specialists when services are denied.
- X

8. Guaranteed medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of state government.
- X

9. Allow health care providers and health care facilities to refuse services to which they morally object.
- X

10. Other
- No Answer

Social

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding social issues.

1. Provide tax credits for businesses that provide child care for their employees.
- X

2. Increase state funds to provide child care for children in low-income working families.
- No Answer

3. Deny or suspend state-issued permits and licenses to parents who are delinquent in paying court-ordered child support.
- No Answer

4. Increase state funding for Head Start in order to serve additional children and/or increase services from a half to a full day.
- No Answer

5. Increase state funding for community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
- No Answer

6. Support state funding of programs for at-risk youth such as guaranteed college loans, and job training and placement.
- No Answer

7. Allow parents to leave unwanted newborn infants at hospitals, police stations, or fire departments without facing criminal charges.
- No Answer

8. Other
- No Answer

9. Should physician-assisted suicide be legally available in Michigan?
- No

10. Should Michigan include sexual orientation in its anti-discrimination laws?
- No

11. Should Michigan recognize civil unions between same-sex couples?
- No

12. Should Michigan restrict marriage to a relationship only between a man and a woman?
- Yes

Welfare and Poverty

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding welfare.

1. Maintain current time limits on welfare benefits.
- X

2. Maintain the requirement that able-bodied recipients work in order to receive benefits.
- X

3. Increase employment and job training programs for welfare recipients.
- No Answer

4. Provide tax incentives to businesses that hire welfare recipients.
- X

5. Provide child care for welfare recipients who work.
- No Answer

6. Increase access to public transportation for welfare recipients who work.
- X

7. Allow welfare recipients to remain eligible for benefits while saving money for education, starting a business, or buying a home.
- No Answer

8. Limit benefits given to recipients if they have additional children while on welfare.
- X

9. Eliminate government-funded welfare programs.
- No Answer

10. Redirect welfare funding to faith-based and community-based private organizations.
- No Answer

11. Use federal TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) funds to expand state services to include the working poor.
- No Answer

12. Other
- No Answer

Congress Bills
Elections

2018

General election
General election for U.S. House Michigan District 8

Elissa Slotkin (D) defeated incumbent Mike Bishop (R), Brian Ellison (L), and David Jay Lillis (U.S. Taxpayers Party) in the general election for U.S. House Michigan District 8 on November 6, 2018.

Elissa Slotkin (D)
50.6%
172,880 Votes

Mike Bishop (R)
46.8%
159,782 Votes

Brian Ellison (L)
1.8%
6,302 Votes

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

David Jay Lillis (U.S. Taxpayers Party)
0.8%
2,629 Votes

Total votes: 341,593
(100.00% precincts reporting)

Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 8

Elissa Slotkin defeated Chris Smith in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 8 on August 7, 2018.

Elissa Slotkin (D)
70.7%
57,819 Votes

Chris Smith (D)
29.3%
23,996 Votes

Total votes: 81,815

Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Michigan District 8

Incumbent Mike Bishop defeated Lokesh Kumar in the Republican primary for U.S. House Michigan District 8 on August 7, 2018.

Mike Bishop (R)
92.3%
75,403 Votes

Lokesh Kumar (R)
7.7%
6,254 Votes

Total votes: 81,657

Libertarian primary election
Libertarian primary for U.S. House Michigan District 8

Brian Ellison advanced from the Libertarian primary for U.S. House Michigan District 8 on August 7, 2018.

Brian Ellison (L)
100%
522 Votes

Total votes: 522

2016

rated this race as safely Republican. Incumbent Mike Bishop (R) defeated Suzanna Shkreli (D), Jeff Wood (L), Maria Green (G), and Jeremy Burgess (Natural Law) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Bishop faced no opposition in the Republican primary. Melissa Gilbert (D) withdrew from the race prior to the primary, but still appeared on the primary ballot. She was replaced by Shkreli on the general election ballot.

U.S. House, Michigan District 8 General Election, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngMike Bishop Incumbent 56% 205,629
Democratic Suzanna Shkreli 39.2% 143,791
Libertarian Jeff Wood 2.6% 9,619
Green Maria Green 1.5% 5,679
Natural Law Jeremy Burgess 0.6% 2,250
Total Votes 366,968
Source: Michigan Secretary of State

2014

U.S. House, Michigan District 8 General Election, 2014

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngMike Bishop 54.6% 132,739
Democratic Eric Schertzing 42.1% 102,269
Libertarian James Weeks II 1.9% 4,557
Green Jim Casha 0.8% 1,880
Natural Law Jeremy Burgess 0.7% 1,680
Total Votes 243,125
Source: Michigan Secretary of State Vote totals above are unofficial and will be updated once official totals are made available.

U.S. House, Michigan District 8 Republican Primary, 2014

Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngMike Bishop 60.3% 35,422
Tom McMillin 39.7% 23,358
Total Votes 58,780
Source: Michigan Secretary of State

2010

At the State Republican Party Convention on Friday, August 28, 2010, Bill Schuette secured the nomination over Mike Bishop by a delegate vote of 1,072 to 971.

2006

2006 Race for State Senate, District 12 - General Election
Candidates Percentage
Green check mark.jpg Michael Bishop (R) 56.3%
Joseph Barrera (D) 40.8%
Brian Kelly (Libertarian) 2.9%
Holbert Maxey (Write-In) 0%
Total votes 105,615

2002

2002 Race for State Senate, District 12 - Republican Primary
Candidates Percentage
Green check mark.jpg Michael Bishop (R) 63.2%
David Galloway (R) 36.8%
Total votes 19,469
2002 Race for State Senate, District 12 - General Election
Candidates Percentage
Green check mark.jpg Michael Bishop (R) 62.7%
Thomas Werth (D) 37.3%
Total votes 86,981

2000

  • 2000 Race for State House, District 45 - Republican Primary
    • Michael Bishop ran unopposed
2000 Race for State House, District 45 - General Election
Candidates Percentage
Green check mark.jpg Michael Bishop (R) 69.6%
Keith Van Wagner (D) 30.4%
Total votes 48,955

1998

1998 Race for State House, District 45 - Republican Primary
Candidates Percentage
Green check mark.jpg Michael Bishop (R) 29.7%
JoAnn Van Tassel (R) 27.9%
Gerard Carlin (R) 16.5%
Irene Connors (R) 12.0%
Mark Boegehold (R) 8.7%
Delores Puroll-Myslakow (R) 5.2%
Total votes 10,120
1998 Race for State House, District 45 - General Election
Candidates Percentage
Green check mark.jpg Michael Bishop (R) 70.3%
Margaret Zande (D) 29.7%
Total votes 33,565
Speeches

President Signs STOP Act into Law

Oct. 24, 2018Press Release
Articles

The Detroit News - Opinion: Tax Reform Works for Michigan

Aug. 31, 2018

By Tim Walberg, Mike Bishop, Bill Huizenga, Fred Upton, Dave Trott, Paul Mitchell, Jack Bergman, and John Moolenaar Next week, our country honors the men and women who work hard every day to provide for their families and get the job done. Also, across the state, families are sending students back to school to pursue another year of education that will help them develop the knowledge and skills needed to secure a job following graduation. That's why we have supported legislation that lets hardworking Michiganders keep more of their own money and empowered new learning opportunities for students. Right now, unemployment is near historic lows; the economy is strong and providing opportunities for all. Here in Michigan, we know a good comeback and we also know that a booming economy doesn't just happen on its own - it comes as a result of implementing sound policies that benefit families. With the overhaul of our outdated tax code, employers have announced raises, made new investments, and expanded employee benefits. Employees have kept more of their own money, benefiting from the lower tax rates that were implemented in February. All of this means more money in the pockets of hardworking Michigan residents and that is always a good thing. The new tax law also established Opportunity Zones, to spur redevelopment and bring jobs into underserved areas. It has been more than 10 years since the start of the Great Recession, but many communities are still on the road to recovery. This new community development program will encourage long-term investment in low-income and rural communities by providing a tax incentive for investors. The IRS designated 288 qualifying Opportunity Zones in Michigan, and they have a unique and exciting potential to attract investment and grow existing industry sectors across our state. For parents, there will be even more benefits from tax reform, when they claim the new, doubled Child Tax Credit. This $2,000 per child credit will help families save more on their taxes and the extra money will go a long way. When we hear from families they tell us the extra money will help them pay for clothing, bills, and diapers. We also know a lot of families are living paycheck-to-paycheck and this extra money will help them with unexpected expenses like an emergency car repair. Despite all of these positive outcomes and optimism, our work is not done. We now have a situation in our country where there are more open jobs than there are job seekers. While this may seem like a good problem to have, it's critical to close the skills gap and ensure students are connected with the training they need to enter our workforce. That's why we joined to pass bipartisan legislation, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act that invests over $7.5 billion in career and technical education. President Trump signed this legislation into law last month, marking a strong step in the right direction to help individuals achieve the American dream and find fulfilling work. We believe that tomorrow's good-paying jobs will come from the freedom to innovate from the ground up -- from our local communities and small businesses, not Washington. And we are committed to building on our progress to make sure families across our nation have confidence in the future and every opportunity to succeed. Mike Bishop, Bill Huizenga, Fred Upton, Tim Walberg, Dave Trott, Paul Mitchell, Jack Bergman, and John Moolenaar are Republican U.S. congressmen from Michigan.

The Detroit New - "We Want To Stop The Spread Of Fentanyl"

Jun. 18, 2018

By Sen. Rob Portman and Rep. Mike Bishop Synthetic forms of heroin have flooded Midwestern communities and taken lives at unprecedented and tragic rates. We now have an opportunity to make significant progress to help combat the influx of fentanyl -- the deadliest killer in this crisis. This week, the House of Representatives passed the STOP Act, a bipartisan bill we authored that will help keep more synthetic drugs like fentanyl from being shipped into the U.S., and a Senate committee approved the bill, moving it to the Senate floor where we hope it will soon have a vote. … Unlike other drugs that are mostly smuggled over land, most illegal fentanyl is manufactured in laboratories in China and transported into the U.S. through a federal agency -- the U.S. Postal Service. Fentanyl manufacturers and distributors prefer the Postal Service because -- unlike private carriers like UPS, FedEx and DHL -- the Postal Service is not required to get what is called advance electronic data on international packages entering the U.S. This information provides additional data, such as where a package is from, where it is going and what it contains. Law enforcement needs this information to identify suspicious packages, test them, and seize them if they contain illegal drugs. The STOP Act will hold the Postal Service to the same standard as private carriers, close this loophole and give law enforcement the tools they need -- and are asking for -- to keep more fentanyl out of the U.S. … The STOP Act alone won't solve this epidemic, but it will help. We know where most fentanyl is coming from, and we know how it is being transported into our country. This is an opportunity for Congress to give law enforcement a significant tool to combat this crisis. We don't have time to wait. We need to enact the STOP Act to keep more fentanyl out of our communities and help turn the tide of addiction in our country.