FRANK J. MRVAN: Advocating for Northwest Indiana in the nation's capital
As the Representative for Indiana’s First Congressional District, I believe that all elected officials have a sacred trust with their constituents and a responsibility to be held to the highest standard, to unite and collaborate with vested stakeholders to solve problems, and to be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.
As a new member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am thrilled to be able to work with both parties and all levels of government to advance initiatives that unite and grow our regional economy, create more good-paying job opportunities, and improve the quality of life for everyone in our region.
Notably, as we are in the early months of the new federal Administration, the House Appropriations Committee will be front and center in assessing new budget proposals and conducting Congressional oversight. It is disappointing that the recent executive orders are causing unnecessary harm and threatening established governmental programs and projects that provide real benefits for individuals, businesses, and nonprofits that support our children, veterans, and seniors. I will continue to encourage the Administration to be forward looking and place such proposals in the upcoming budget request, and I welcome discussions in the House Appropriations Committee to assess such proposals.
Indiana’s First Congressional District has a rich history of representation on the House Appropriations Committee, and since my first day as a Member of Congress, I sought to be on this Committee to advocate for Northwest Indiana. I look forward to building on the successes of my predecessors and working with all of my Congressional colleagues to provide clarity where there is confusion and promote calmness where there is chaos.
One of my top priorities will be to continue supporting the strength of the Northwest Indiana steel and manufacturing industries and our incredible members of organized labor.
That is why I specifically selected to serve on the Subcommittee for Commerce, Justice, and Science, which is responsible for providing funds and oversight for the International Trade Commission (ITC). I have testified before the ITC on multiple occasions as the Representative for Indiana’s First Congressional District, and believe that this federal agency is essential to protecting the American steel and manufacturing industries from the unfair trading practices of countries around the world that cheat. American workers produce the best steel and manufacturing products in the world, and I will continue to do everything possible to support the ITC and ensure that all workers in Northwest Indiana and our nation can compete on a level playing field.
I also selected to serve on the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, which is responsible for providing funds and oversight to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This agency has been responsible for implementing numerous sewer, water infrastructure, and economic development projects throughout Northwest Indiana, and I look forward to continuing to support their outstanding work that improves the lives of residents and businesses in our region. Additionally, their essential partnership supports efforts related to the cleanup and restoration of the Grand Calumet River, the Port of Indiana at Burns Harbor, and beach preservation efforts along our magnificent shoreline.
In addition to these projects that create long-term growth and attract new people and businesses in our region, this Subcommittee is also responsible for providing funds for the U.S. Department of Energy, which includes the Hydrogen Hub project at the BP facility in Whiting. I was proud to support the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which authorized the creation of this Hydrogen Hub, and am fully confident that it will transform our regional economy and create new, good-paying union jobs for the next generation of residents. As a Member of the Subcommittee, I am committed to doing everything possible to provide funds for this project so that its benefits for our workers and our economy are realized as soon as possible.
Further, since my time as a Representative in the U.S. House, through the appropriations process I have successfully advanced more than 50 distinct Community Project Funding Requests for projects that improve our economy and the safety and quality of life for everyone in Northwest Indiana.
For example, I am pleased to have secured specific funds to attract new commerce at the Gary/Chicago International Airport, as well as support the work to recapitalize and expand the South Shore Rail Line. I also am grateful to collaborate with Northwest Indiana stakeholders to advance regional projects that improve our quality of life, such as the construction of an All Inclusive Playground and Fitness Park in Michigan City, the improvement of operations at the Fair Haven Rape Crisis Center in Highland, and the purchase of equipment for Opportunity Enterprises in Valparaiso, which provides services for individuals with disabilities and their families.
Finally, I also appreciate the success we have had to provide specific funds for law enforcement officers and first responders throughout Northwest Indiana. Most recently, my office successfully advanced funding requests for the police departments in Crown Point, Dyer, East Chicago, Gary, Griffith, Hobart, LaPorte, Schererville, and Valparaiso. These funds are provided through the Department of Justice, which is also under the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee I serve on. Therefore, I look forward to advocating directly with my colleagues for the funding of these law enforcement programs as we work to complete appropriations legislation.
In conclusion, while I recognize the current challenges and uncertainty with interpreting executive orders and judicial reviews, the legislative branch is a co-equal branch of government, and the Constitution provides authority to Congress to conduct oversight of the executive branch and appropriate laws that allocate funds. As we move forward, I look forward to the work of uniting our region and collaborating with all individuals interested in solving problems to continue to create work and wealth, and empower all individuals and businesses in Northwest Indiana to thrive.