Democratic lawmakers take action to lower costs, condemn Republican “Gulf of America” bill

LANSING, Mich., May 2, 2025 — Michigan House Democrats spoke up about making life more affordable and spoke out and voted against Republican efforts to inject toxic D.C. politics and chaos into the Michigan Legislature this week. View their media availability here. 

Democratic members criticized Republican House members for wasting taxpayers’ time and money on political messaging, instead of working with House Dems to lower costs for Michiganders. One of their bills would force public bodies to refer to the “Gulf of Mexico” as the “Gulf of America,” and ultimately was pulled from this week’s agenda. Several Democratic members offered amendments to call out their Republican counterparts and urge movement on the real solutions House Dems have championed for a more affordable Michigan.  

“The bottom line is, if House Republicans have time to talk about changing the name of the ‘Gulf of Mexico,’ they have no excuse to not talk about affordability,” said Democratic Floor Leader John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming). “It is irresponsible to be considering this arbitrary bill while the families we serve are battling higher prices at the register and seeing universal school meals threatened by the House Republican budget. Every minute that we are in this chamber, House Dems are focused on delivering relief from harmful Republican tariffs and helping Michiganders keep food on the table.” 

While MI House Republicans were drafting legislation concerned with geography a thousand miles away from Michigan, MI House Dems introduced multiple bills to enhance worker protections, end payroll fraud and establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to lower the costs of medicine. In an effort to ensure this week’s session was productive for taxpayers, House Dems introduced amendments to tie-bar the Republican ‘Gulf of America’ bill to legislation that will make life more affordable for Michiganders, including to Senate Bills 3-5 to lower costs at the pharmacy counter, and to House Bills 4316-27 to crack down on payroll fraud.  

“House Dems are working hard to provide tangible protections and relief for Michigan’s workers. I was proud to introduce bills today, in honor of International Workers’ Day, to increase workplace safety, provide job security, and expand workers’ rights,” said state Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park). “If House Republicans refuse to govern efficiently, as today proved, I will continue doing the work to deliver real solutions for the people of Michigan.” 

“We’ve been working alongside Democratic lawmakers in the Senate to make real positive changes for our communities, including ensuring life-saving meds are affordable for everyone,” said state Rep. Tonya Myers Phillips (D-Detroit). “House Dems attempted to tie-bar the Prescription Drug and Affordability Board legislation and other cost-saving measures we’re ready to take to this bill because Michiganders need relief — not arbitrary bills that waste taxpayers’ time.” 

House Republicans ruled these amendments as out of order, refusing to address the real issues Michiganders are facing and preventing dollars from reaching working families’ pockets. House Republicans went on to vote for their divisive legislation, House Bills 4338-42, that threaten stripping funding from local governments who enact or enforce policies that prevent cooperation with federal authorities on Immigrations and Custom Enforcement (ICE) enforcement. 

“This package of bills is a threat to our civil liberties, makes our communities less safe, and will force Michiganders to spend more of their hard-earned dollars, especially at a time of increased Trumpflation due to the Republican tariffs,” said state Rep. Carrie Rheingans (D-Ann Arbor). “HB 4340, specifically, will raise insurance premiums and force hospitals not to comply with the federal Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor (EMTALA) Law, which requires that hospitals with emergency departments treat anyone who comes through their doors. This bill will force doctors to go against The Hippocratic Oath, wasting valuable time profiling patients, instead of treating them. Make no mistake, this bill package will cost lives.”  

“House Republicans’ actions in session today prove that they are focused on division, power grabbing and mimicking Trump’s federal agenda word for word here in Michigan,” said state Rep. Stephen Wooden (D-Grand Rapids). “Their radical package would undermine trust between local law enforcement and community members, and drain state funding from communities while families need relief most. Michiganders are struggling — while House Republicans are caught up with pleasing their party, House Dems are focused on bringing good-paying jobs and lowering costs.” 

 

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