Frank Mrvan tours his Northwest Indiana district

U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan dropped by the American Legion Post 260 in Portage Monday to update local residents about his work in Congress and to field questions.

Mrvan (D-Highland) is starting his second two-year term in Congress, representing the First District that includes Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties. He also visited the City Halls in Michigan City and Valparaiso on Monday.

While in Congress, Mrvan has tried to focus on national issues that have a local tie. It’s why he touts his work as co-chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus.

In particular, Mrvan said that in his support of the Infrastructure Bill, he was one of the congressmen who wanted to make sure that American steel was used. After all, the Northwest Indiana region leads the nation in steel production.

“When you’re investing in the American worker, it’s important in bringing the workers along,” Mrvan said. “As the steel industry goes, so goes our economy in Northwest Indiana.”

Mrvan said that federal funding for the South Shore Line’s Double Track project is another example.

“It will make the whole region stronger,” Mrvan said.

Another item that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds is the replacement of lead pipes in older buildings and homes.

“It’s a real life issue here in Northwest Indiana,” Mrvan said.

Mrvan said another important bill that he was a co-sponsor for is the Chips and Science Act.

During the pandemic, there was a supply shortage of chips and semiconductors.

Mrvan noted that a Ford plant on the South Side of Chicago – where many from Northwest Indiana work – had to institute mass layoffs because of the chip shortage. That has a chain reaction effect that impacts local steel companies and Lear Seating.

“The economy becomes fragile,” Mrvan said.

It’s why it’s essential that America develops its own capacity to produce chips and semiconductors.

“It’s a matter of national security,” Mrvan said.

Another local economic benefit is that Purdue University and Skywalker are talking about developing a tech hub in Lafayette, Ind.

Mrvan said during his 2 1/2 years in Congress, he has already testified nine times before the International Trade Commission. He brings before the commission instances where he believes that foreign countries have dumped steel products in America, which undermines the local steel industry.

“It’s all about creating jobs and about protecting those jobs in Northwest Indiana,” Mrvan said.

Mrvan said he also is encouraging that the U.S. Department of Energy select Northwest Indiana to be the site of a hydrogen production hub.

The creation of a hydrogen hub is part of the infrastructure bill. As an energy source, hydrogen does not emit carbon and can be used to reduce emissions from such difficult sectors to decarbonize like the steel industry, aviation and longhaul transportation.

The audience of about 25 people was friendly and mostly listened to Mrvan’s report. But there were some pointed questions from some in the audience.

There was a contingent supporting “Medicare for All” that questioned why Mrvan was not a co-sponsor for legislation that would give health care coverage for all that are like benefits that seniors receive.

Answering the question carefully, Mrvan noted that he would keep “an open mind on Medicare for all” proposals.

However, Mrvan said he wants to ensure the financial support for the present Medicare programs. He noted that the Inflation Protection Act did ensure that prescription drug costs did come down for Medicare patients.

When he was a township trustee in the Highland area before being elected to Congress, Mrvan said he regularly spoke to residents who were in need because they couldn’t afford prescription drugs.

Connor Phillips was the youngest member of the audience as he is a 16-yearold junior at Portage High School. He asked Mrvan what he had done to make schools safer.

Mrvan said that he supports an assault weapons ban, not allowing weapons to have expanded ammunition capability and “red flag” laws that prevent guns from being sold to the mentally ill.

The greater need though, Mrvan said, is for more mental health resources for those in need. He said in his opinion, that’s a common factor in so many of the shootings.