Latest news with #KristenMcDonaldRivet
Yahoo
11-08-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. Whitmer faces lawsuit seeking special election to fill vacant Michigan Senate seat
A lawsuit filed Aug. 10 asks the Michigan Court of Claims to force Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to call for a special election to fill a vacant state Senate seat after demands have mounted for her to hold a vote in the swing district previously held by a Democrat that encompasses the Tri-Cities of Bay City, Midland and Saginaw. The lawsuit — brought by voters who live in the area represented by the vacant 35th Michigan Senate district seat — argues that Whitmer must call for a special election under the Michigan Constitution and asks the court to order her to do so. U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, previously held the seat, but she won her bid to fill Michigan's 8th Congressional District in the Nov. 2024 election and was sworn in to her new office on Jan. 3, 2025. The roughly 267,000 residents of the 35th Michigan Senate District have gone without representation in the chamber since then. Republicans initially protested Whitmer's inaction on a special election with a gathering on the Capitol steps ahead of the governor's State of the State speech in February, urging her to schedule an election. Since then, some Democrats have joined their calls. The district covers parts of Bay, Midland and Saginaw counties. "Every legislative day that passes without a senator from District 35 silences an entire community in the lawmaking process," reads the complaint against Whitmer. "When a state legislative district is left without representation, its citizens are effectively disenfranchised in ongoing legislative debates, policy decisions, and votes." The Michigan Constitution states: "The governor shall issue writs of elections" to fill vacant seats in the Michigan Legislature. "Any such election shall be held in a manner prescribed by law," it continues. The lawsuit argues that language creates a "clear and mandatory requirement" for Whitmer to call for a special election. "The Governor's role is purely procedural — to issue the writ — and she has no authority to indefinitely delay or withhold it," the lawsuit states. Michigan election law says when a seat in the Michigan Senate or House is vacant, "the governor may call a special election... or direct that the vacancy be filled at the next general election." Elections for every Michigan Senate seat will take place in 2026. Whitmer has swiftly called for many special elections in the past to fill empty Michigan House and Senate seats, giving voters the opportunity to choose someone to fill the remainder of the term before the next regular election. But when it comes to a special election in the 35th District, Whitmer's refusal to call for one so far stands out for the length of time that has elapsed between a vacancy occurring and a special primary taking place. "No governor has taken this long to call a special election for a vacant seat since the Michigan Legislature went full-time in the mid 1960s," the Lansing-based Michigan Information & Research Service Inc. wrote in a June article. Whitmer press secretary Stacey LaRouche did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In 2022, McDonald Rivet won a competitive election to the Michigan Senate by nearly seven percentage points against sitting state Rep. Annette Glenn, R-Midland. The Democrat's victory helped her party win a narrow, one-vote majority in the state Senate. Michigan Politics: Matt Hall leads the Michigan House during a tumultuous period of divided government Democrats still control the Michigan Senate after McDonald Rivet vacated her seat in the chamber, but Republicans in the Nov. 2024 election flipped the Michigan House from Democratic control. That means any legislation that lands on Whitmer's desk must be bipartisan with GOP support in the House and Democratic support in the Senate. In theory, a Republican victory in a special election to the 35th District in the Michigan Senate could create a roadblock for Democrats to move bills across the finish line to the governor. Michigan Senate Democrats hold 19 seats in the chamber while Republicans represent 18 seats, giving Democrats the ability to pass legislation without any GOP support. If a Republican were to win a special election to the 35th District in the Michigan Senate, it would tie the chamber at 19 Democratic seats and 19 Republican seats. The Michigan Constitution gives Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, a Democrat, the ability to break a tied vote as president of the Senate. While that allows Democrats, in theory, to overcome GOP opposition to legislation supported by every Senate Democrat, any Republican senator could abstain from voting, denying Gilchrist the opportunity to vote. Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@ or 313-296-5743. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Gov. Whitmer faces lawsuit over inaction on special election
CBS News
29-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Michigan congressional leaders discuss federal budget bill at Mackinac Policy Conference
By a razor-thin margin, the federal spending reconciliation bill passed by the U.S. House last week and now heads to the Senate. Dubbed the "big, beautiful bill," it includes sweeping legislation that extends and increases tax cuts, eliminates many environmental subsidies, and limits Medicaid coverage for low-income adults. At the Mackinac Policy Conference, Democratic Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet says the late-night vote sent a clear message. "I don't think there was a single person in the chamber who had read the bill when it came when it came to us for a vote, and there's a lot in it that is going to raise costs for most families in Michigan," said McDonald Rivet. Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett disagreed, saying the vote moved at a pace that mirrored past bills in the legislature. "It's not like one side is uniquely responsible for this […] and their members are taking their full allotment of time to debate each of the amendments and then motions along the way. It was an intentional attempt to delay the process," said Barrett. Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell addressed her work with her Republican counterparts, highlighting the need to stay open to make progress. "I'm going to stand up if you're going to hurt the people that I represent, if you're going to hurt my state, I'm not afraid to speak up. And if we can get something done, we will look for that common area, if we need to," said Dingell. GOP U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga underlined that the bill brings back a key part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which he thinks benefits Michiganders at every level. "Forty million families across the nation were going to see their per-child tax credit cut in half if we don't do this. So, we disagree on the path oftentimes, but there's a lot of commonality on the goals of trying to bring this back together," said Huizenga. As the bill prepares for a vote in the Republican-controlled Senate, representatives on both sides of the aisle reaffirmed their promise to continue advocating for Michiganders in Washington. "It actually isn't red team versus blue team. The things that we are doing, the decisions we are making, are impacting everybody's lives," said McDonald Rivet.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Dingell and McDonald Rivet to co-chair congressional PFAS task force
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) and Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City), will serve as co-chairs of the Bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force. | Photos by Andrew Roth and the Michigan Senate Two Michigan Democrats announced they will serve as co-chairs of the Bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force, working to stem the spread of so-called 'forever chemicals' in communities across the nation. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) and Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) will serve as the committee's Democratic co-chairs, alongside Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Penn.) and Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), one of the task force's founding members. PFAS, a family of chemicals which are heat and oil resistant, are commonly used in products like nonstick cookware, carpeting, waterproof clothing and food packaging. The chemicals break down very slowly and can accumulate in the blood and organs of people and animals. Alongside products manufactured using PFAS, the chemicals can be found in food, drinking water and in the soil and water near waste sites. Labeled as an emerging contaminant by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS has been linked to several health conditions including harm to the immune system, increased risks of certain cancers —including prostate, kidney and testicular cancers — decreased fertility, high blood pressure in pregnant women and developmental delays or effects on children. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The state has previously estimated there are more than 11,000 sites within the state contaminated by PFAS, with the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team identifying 300 sites where groundwater has been contaminated by the hazardous chemicals. 'In Michigan we know all too well the urgent, growing threat PFAS pose. It's more important than ever we're taking serious action in Congress to keep PFAS out of our homes, water, and environment, hold polluters accountable, and clean up existing contamination,' Dingell said in a statement. Over the next two years, the task force's priorities will include: Advancing comprehensive legislation to end harmful PFAS pollution. Educating lawmakers and the public on the serious health and environmental consequences of PFAS exposure. Securing historic federal investments in research, remediation, and prevention. 'Our country needs to address the problems PFAS chemicals create head-on, which is why I'm proud to co-chair the bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force with both Republicans and Democrats,' McDonald Rivet said. 'We will work together to raise awareness of the risk of PFAS chemicals and advocate for commonsense solutions for our constituents.'
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
McDonald Rivet says she'll seek reelection to the U.S. House instead of a Senate run
U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, speaks at her swearing-in ceremony in Flint, Mich., on Jan. 27, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Freshman U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, a Democrat from Bay City, ruled out a run for U.S. Senate Thursday, saying she will instead seek reelection to the House. 'I love mid-Michigan, and representing our region in Congress is the honor of my lifetime. I first ran for office because too many families in our district work hard but struggle to get by, and now they are worried about what extreme proposals from DC would mean for their lives and their ability to make ends meet,' McDonald Rivet said in a statement. 'In this moment, each of us should put ourselves in the position that allows us to do the most good. So I am excited to run for re-election in our highly competitive district, help win back the House, and move an agenda that uplifts the working people in our communities.' McDonald Rivet had been exploring a possible Senate candidacy following the announcement in January by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.) that he would not seek reelection in 2026, a surprise decision that complicates Democrats already-slim chances of retaking the upper chamber next year. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 advantage. Her decision leaves state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak), who announced last week she was running for Peters' seat, as the only announced candidate for the Democratic nomination. Potential rivals include U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham), who Politico reported in February had hired additional staff for a possible run, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids) and Abdul El-Sayed, a former gubernatorial candidate who recently stepped down as Wayne County's health director to explore a possible run. On the Republican side, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-White Lake) has hinted at another run for Senate in 2026 after being narrowly defeated last November by Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly). Former gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon, U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Holland), and state Sen. Jonathan Lindsey, (R-Coldwater) have also been mentioned as mulling candidacies. There had been speculation that U.S. Rep. John James might enter the race for the GOP nomination, but he ended that with his announcement Monday that he was instead running for governor. McDonald Rivet's decision to seek reelection to the House isn't a sure thing. While she won the 8th District by 7 percentage points in November, President Donald Trump won it by 2 percentage points and the National Republican Congressional Committee indicated they had their eye on flipping it next year. On the same day as McDonald Rivet's announcement, the NRCC issued three separate statements condemning her votes against a budget bill, voter registration legislation, and a bill to limit the power of federal judges. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
James and McDonald Rivet collaborate on prescription drug transparency legislation
U.S. Reps. John James (R-Shelby Township) and Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City). Andrew Roth photos. A bipartisan duo of Michigan members of Congress are working together on legislation to increase transparency in the prescription drug pricing system. U.S. Reps. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) and John James (R-Shelby Township) are two of four sponsors on the bill. U.S. Reps. Buddy Carter, a Republican from Georgia, and Rob Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, also signed on. The legislation would require Pharmacy Benefit Managers and others who serve as intermediaries between insurers, drug manufacturers and pharmacies to disclose financial transactions related to prescription drug pricing, including rebates and discounts intended to be passed on to patients. 'With this bill, we're bringing much-needed transparency to how drugs are priced in this country, which will ultimately push prices down and make things easier for consumers,' McDonald Rivet said. Organizations that fail to report the required information could face fines of up to $100,000 per violation. The Department of Health and Human Services, which on Thursday announced it would be eliminating about 10,000 full-time jobs and closing half its regional offices, would be responsible for ensuring all reports are publicly available. 'The days of Big Pharma profiting from your pain are over,' James said. 'Americans deserve quality and affordable health care of their choosing. The Prescription Drug Transparency and Affordability Act is a market-based approach that returns the power to you.' Similar legislation introduced during a previous Congress would save consumers approximately $2.3 billion over 10 years, according to an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office. Last year, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined a bipartisan coalition of 39 attorneys general in urging Congress to reform the current practices of pharmacy benefit managers. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
