Latest news with #Mrvan
Chicago Tribune
5 days ago
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
US Rep. Frank Mrvan vows to fight Trump's ‘authoritarian approach,' GOP's ‘cruel' spending cuts
U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan promised to fight President Donald Trump's 'authoritarian approach' as he spoke Thursday of how drastic budget cuts could affect people in Indiana's 1st congressional district. 'I, as a member of Congress, will continue to fight for things that unify us,' Mrvan told a largely friendly crowd of about 150 at the Memorial Opera House in downtown Valparaiso at a town hall meeting that had been postponed due to illness. The 'community conversation,' as Mrvan's office called it, was one of several held throughout the region Thursday. 'The authoritarian approach will be stopped by the courts, and I believe as time goes by, no one wants to be patient,' he said. The House Oversight Committee will hold people accountable, he predicted. Mrvan spoke at length about what he sees as the ugly side of what Trump refers to as the 'Big Beautiful Bill,' a reconciliation act passed by the House on partisan lines that now faces the Senate. Mrvan got loud applause when he told the audience he voted against the bill. 'It's cruel and it doesn't pare down the deficit,' he said. 'They are cutting $880 billion out of Medicaid,' Mrvan said. That affects about 227,000 people in his district, about 19,000 children, about 18,000 disabled individuals and 23,000 veterans, he said. Mrvan had spoken to an East Chicago High School senior, Jake, who asked Mrvan to use him as an example. Jake, who uses a wheelchair, is being raised by a single mom after his dad died. 'There is a perfect storm affecting Jake,' Mrvan said. He's at risk of losing healthcare access. 'He is absolutely positively a candidate to lose his Medicaid waiver through the state of Indiana,' along with his Social Security disability funding. The objective of the reconciliation bill is tax breaks for the top 1% of the nation's wealthy and for corporations. 'I am a straightforward legislator. I will tell you exactly what I think,' Mrvan said. This bill was advocated by people who talked about the deficit and how it's crushing people and the economy. Even as it kicks 14.9 million people out of Medicaid coverage, however, it adds $5 trillion to the deficit, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. 'I want to make sure we can have a balanced budget,' Mrvan said, 'without being cruel to individuals.' As details of the bill emerge, Mrvan said, people are learning it gives tax breaks to owners of professional sports teams and people who own tanning beds. It also wouldn't allow federal courts to hold contempt of court hearings to hold Trump administration officials accountable for defying the courts, and injunctions would be lifted. Mrvan said he is working to restore the balance of power in Washington, with three coequal branches of government – legislative, judicial and executive – and put checks and balances back in place. 'I'm in the minority, but I'm on bills to stop his authority,' Mrvan said of Trump. Mrvan fielded many questions from the audience. Among them was his stance on the Trump administration's actions regarding higher education. The Department of Government Efficiency cut funding for Indiana University's research on Alzheimer's disease research. IU is a leading institution globally for that research. 'There's a return on investment that leads to about $1 billion. It also creates innovation,' he said. 'Pharmaceutical companies from this research are able to create medications that slow the progress of Alzheimer's, which is going on right here in Indiana.' 'If you're not investing in that research, if you're freezing funding for that, if you're not creating medications that slow down the progress, not only do you have more individuals that have to be taken care of – Medicaid – but you have less individuals in the workforce as other individuals are taking care of them, all because of this uncertainty that's going on,' he said. Free speech is also an issue with the funding cuts for higher education, he said. 'Punishing institutions, organizations, groups because you don't think or say the way I think or say is very dangerous ground to be on,' he said. Cancer research impacts all of us, he said. One of his proposed amendments to the reconciliation bill was to study the impact on people who were no longer on Medicaid but have cancer. Americans appreciate longevity, 'and cancer is something that robs lives,' he said. 'We lead the world in research,' he said, and bring top researchers from around the world to do this research. 'We want to continue to lead the world and do this research in the United States.' Mrvan was asked about the hydrogen hub for Northwest Indiana, an environmental issue. 'This creates cleaner air, cleaner water for our area. It allows the steel industry to produce more globally competitive clean steel, and it also adds jobs and wealth to our community,' he said. The GOP reconciliation bill would make tax credits for the companies that work on this project expire at the end of this year. 'We have to keep fighting for that. It's going before the Senate. We'll have to see what happens,' Mrvan said. He spoke of bringing federal funding to local communities, including license plate readers for the Porter County sheriff's office. 'Sewers aren't sexy, but it adds to capacity. It adds to the quality of life here locally,' he said. Protecting Northwest Indiana's economic engines is also important, he said. 'We produce more steel than any other region in the nation,' he noted, so he wants tariffs in place against countries that subsidize steel and illegally dump steel in the United States. China pays energy costs for steel production, which is one form of subsidizing the industry there, he said. However, he doesn't favor Trump's approach to widespread tariffs. 'I have a nuanced approach,' Mrvan said. This week, the International Trade Court gave authority back to Congress over tariffs, he said. 'Again, a checks and balances system.' 'We must protect our industries, our vital national security industries,' he said. American-made steel is needed for tanks, planes and other weapons of war. 'You can't go to a tariff war with our enemies and our allies,' he said. 'As I go back to Congress, I will be a stronger voice' because of hearing these questions and comments, Mrvan said. He urged audience members to continue to reach out to him but also to Sens. Todd Young and Jim Banks. They need to hear what their constituents are concerned about and how their lives are being affected by what's going on nationally, Mrvan said.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Community news: Mrvan's conversations reset for May 29 and health fair
The 23rd Annual Mayor's Senior Advisory Health Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Road, Portage. The health fair will offer free screenings and information for cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, women's health, behavioral health, dental health and weight loss. For more information, call 219-764-5741 or email nlaboy@ U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan's Community Conversations to be held throughout Indiana's First Congressional District have been rescheduled for May 29. The updated schedule is as follows: Noon to 1 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers, 100 E. Michigan Blvd., Michigan City; 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Memorial Opera House, 104 Indiana Ave., Valparaiso; and 5 to 6 p.m. at Indiana University Northwest, Bergland Auditorium in the Savannah Center, 65 W. 33rd Ave., Gary. Community Conversations offers residents an opportunity to ask questions, and to express their views and concerns. Congressman Mrvan also will provide a brief update on the 119th Session of Congress and his work on the House Appropriations Committee. Additional Community Conversations are planned to be held in other locations in Indiana's First Congressional District in the coming months. More information is with Drew Ficociello at 219-795-1844. The Gary Community School Corporation (GCSC) invites parents, families, and community members to attend the Power of Partnership Parent Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on May 31 at the West Side Leadership Academy, 900 Gerry St., Gary. Designed to help parents and families foster academic success and emotional well-being for their children, the free conference will include: keynote speaker First Lady of Gary, Crystal Melton; a resource fair; massages and self-care services; food and family-friendly activities; childcare; and an enrollment opportunity. Registration is now open at For additional information, contact jadams@ The Valparaiso Creative Council (VCC) will host the second annual Valpo Creates Camp, a youth engagement initiative designed to spark creativity and artistic exploration. Building on the success of last year's partnership with the YMCA, this year's program expands to include the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana (Valparaiso Campus) and Hilltop Neighborhood House. Throughout the month of June, Valpo Creates Camp will bring hands-on workshops in theater, dance, visual arts and music to participating youth at these three community sites. Each workshop will be hosted by a featured local arts organization and integrated into the regular schedule of existing summer camp programs at the host locations, at no additional cost to attendees. For more information on Valpo Creates Camp programs, including times, dates and locations, contact a summer program host: YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, and Hilltop House, Northwestern Indiana Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) and Franciscan Health are teaming up with local healthcare and community organizations to host a free Grandparents Tea for expectant mothers and grandparents. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 7 at the Gary Public Library and Cultural Center, 220 W. Fifth Ave., Gary. The Tea will feature information on safe sleep practices, car seat safety and postpartum maternal warning signs to help support growing families. Attendees also can connect with other expectant parents and grandparents in a welcoming, supportive environment. Each registered family in attendance will receive a Pack 'n Play Sleep Kit. The event is free, but space is limited. Registration is required at
Chicago Tribune
19-05-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Community news: Mrvan's conversations reset for May 29 and health fair
The 23rd Annual Mayor's Senior Advisory Health Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Road, Portage. The health fair will offer free screenings and information for cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, women's health, behavioral health, dental health and weight loss. For more information, call 219-764-5741 or email nlaboy@ U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan's Community Conversations to be held throughout Indiana's First Congressional District have been rescheduled for May 29. The updated schedule is as follows: Noon to 1 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers, 100 E. Michigan Blvd., Michigan City; 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Memorial Opera House, 104 Indiana Ave., Valparaiso; and 5 to 6 p.m. at Indiana University Northwest, Bergland Auditorium in the Savannah Center, 65 W. 33rd Ave., Gary. Community Conversations offers residents an opportunity to ask questions, and to express their views and concerns. Congressman Mrvan also will provide a brief update on the 119th Session of Congress and his work on the House Appropriations Committee. Additional Community Conversations are planned to be held in other locations in Indiana's First Congressional District in the coming months. More information is with Drew Ficociello at 219-795-1844. The Gary Community School Corporation (GCSC) invites parents, families, and community members to attend the Power of Partnership Parent Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on May 31 at the West Side Leadership Academy, 900 Gerry St., Gary. Designed to help parents and families foster academic success and emotional well-being for their children, the free conference will include: keynote speaker First Lady of Gary, Crystal Melton; a resource fair; massages and self-care services; food and family-friendly activities; childcare; and an enrollment opportunity. Registration is now open at For additional information, contact jadams@ The Valparaiso Creative Council (VCC) will host the second annual Valpo Creates Camp, a youth engagement initiative designed to spark creativity and artistic exploration. Building on the success of last year's partnership with the YMCA, this year's program expands to include the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana (Valparaiso Campus) and Hilltop Neighborhood House. Throughout the month of June, Valpo Creates Camp will bring hands-on workshops in theater, dance, visual arts and music to participating youth at these three community sites. Each workshop will be hosted by a featured local arts organization and integrated into the regular schedule of existing summer camp programs at the host locations, at no additional cost to attendees. For more information on Valpo Creates Camp programs, including times, dates and locations, contact a summer program host: YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, and Hilltop House, Northwestern Indiana Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) and Franciscan Health are teaming up with local healthcare and community organizations to host a free Grandparents Tea for expectant mothers and grandparents. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 7 at the Gary Public Library and Cultural Center, 220 W. Fifth Ave., Gary. The Tea will feature information on safe sleep practices, car seat safety and postpartum maternal warning signs to help support growing families. Attendees also can connect with other expectant parents and grandparents in a welcoming, supportive environment. Each registered family in attendance will receive a Pack 'n Play Sleep Kit. The event is free, but space is limited. Registration is required at
Chicago Tribune
09-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Mrvan urges Energy Secretary to give green light for Hydrogen Hub
As the future of the Northwest Indiana hydrogen hub project hangs in the balance, U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, questioned the energy secretary about its next steps. Mrvan asked Energy Secretary Chris Wright Wednesday in a House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development hearing about the criteria for review and status of the Northwest hydrogen hub project. Under the Infrastructure Bill, Mrvan said seven hydrogen hubs were awarded federal funding. One of the hubs, the MachH2, is located in Northwest Indiana, Mrvan said, and it is currently under review. Energy Department officials are considering cutting funding for the development of four hydrogen production hubs in mostly Democratic-leaning states and maintaining funding for three hubs in mostly Republican states, according to a March Politico article. Congress and the Biden administration allocated the funding for the seven projects, so cutting the funding would politicize federal funds, according to the Politico article. Mrvan said his office has worked with fellow members of Congress, former Gov. Eric Holcomb, current Gov. Mike Braun, and the state legislature 'to set the table for the hydrogen hub.' The project creates 12,000 construction jobs, which Northwest Indiana unions can fill, and allows the area steel industries to have a cleaner distribution by capturing carbon, Mrvan said. 'It is a blue hydrogen, and it is something that will be transformational. Transformational in economic development within my community,' Mrvan said. 'This is something that creates work and wealth, has passed the Congress, and is now being reviewed by the Department of Energy.' Acknowledging 'people's frustrations,' Wright said no decisions have been made for hydrogen hub projects because he wanted to collect 'thorough data' and establish a process for reviewing the projects. Currently, the department is funding feasibility studies, Wright said, to review the economic viability of the projects. Under review procedures, Wright said, the department will consider legal aspects, the technology, the engineering and the market for the hydrogen hubs. 'We are just looking the same way any business would look at investments,' Wright said. To Wright's point about the market, Mrvan said both Northwest Indiana steel mills — Cleveland-Cliffs and U.S. Steel — have created a system to use hydrogen through the carbon capture project, which uses a blast furnace 'to be able to make more globally competitive steel and put less carbon out in my district, so we have cleaner air and cleaner water.' Andrew Fulton, a spokesman for U.S. Steel, said the company has partnered with CarbonFree as part of its effort to look 'for ways to reduce emissions through advanced technology.' 'This carbon capture and utilization project will help us reduce greenhouse gas emissions by converting emissions to calcium carbonate, which is used in a variety of products for consumers and industry,' Fulton said. If a hydrogen hub project has established cofinancing, the science and engineering work, has viability and had an offtake agreement then 'those are the kind of things that we're going to go forward with,' Wright said. 'We want to improve the energy system,' Wright said. Mrvan said he wants to work in a bipartisan fashion to ensure the Northwest Indiana hydrogen hub project moves forward. Mrvan asked about the certainty of the project moving forward. 'Because it was awarded, now it's held, and uncertainty is blowing up our economy,' Mrvan said. The department's goal is to review all nearly 500 large projects by the end of the summer, Wright said. 'I've always said energy should not be political. It's the basic infrastructure of human lives,' Wright said. Mrvan and U.S. Senator Jim Banks, R-Indiana, recently wrote Wright a letter to urge the Trump administration to prioritize Northwest Indiana as a regional hydrogen hub. 'Prioritizing a hydrogen hub in Northwest Indiana is a bold, pro-American decision that plays to our state's strengths. Indiana offers the Hoosier workforce, infrastructure and industrial knowledge to deliver results fast,' the Congressmen wrote in the letter. The bp Whiting Refinery could be used for blue hydrogen production, which is created from clean natural gas using carbon capture technology. Blue Hydrogen uses existing infrastructure and could provide 'a scalable energy source capable of meeting immediate energy demands,' according to the letter. A spokesman for bp declined to comment. The Whiting Refinery can process up to 440,000 barrels of crude oil per day, according to the letter. Continuing the project 'will ensure that our energy and steel industries remain well positioned for success into the next century,' according to the letter. 'Investing in blue hydrogen production at this facility will bolster existing supply chains and will best position the United States for energy dominance,' the Congressmen wrote. 'We believe the success of the hydrogen energy project will support the administration's stated goal to reshore our critical industries and strengthen our manufacturing base.' The congressmen asked the Trump Administration to make the Hydrogen Hub a priority. 'Indiana is ready to lead the way in blue hydrogen innovation, strengthening American manufacturing, boosting our domestic energy supply and lowering costs by maximizing the potential of our abundant and reliable fossil fuel resources,' they wrote.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Community news: Mrvan holding conversations and PNW Open House Week
Residents throughout Indiana's First Congressional District will have the opportunity to meet directly with Congressman Frank J. Mrvan during a series of three Community Conversations Thursday: 10 to 11 a.m. at City Hall Council Chambers, 100 E. Michigan Blvd., Michigan City; Noon to 1 p.m. at Memorial Opera House, 104 Indiana Ave., Valparaiso; and 2 to 3 p.m. at Indiana University Northwest, Bergland Auditorium in the Savannah Center, 65 W. 33rd Ave., Gary. Community Conversations offers residents an opportunity to ask questions, and to express their views and concerns. Congressman Mrvan also will provide a brief update on the 119th Session of Congress and his work on the House Appropriations Committee. Additional Community Conversations are planned to be held in other locations in Indiana's First Congressional District in the coming months. More information is with Drew Ficociello at 219-795-1844. Purdue University Northwest (PNW) invites prospective college students and their families to learn about PNW, campus life and paying for college during its free spring 2025 Open House Week events. Sessions will be offered on each campus: 'Start Your Journey: Westville' from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at 1401 S. U.S. 421, Westville; and 'Preview PNW' beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at 2200 169th St., Hammond. Admissions counselors and financial aid professionals will be available throughout the sessions to answer questions and assist in the application process. Application fees will be waived for prospective students who attend an admissions presentation and complete an application during the event. Open house registration and more information can be found at and For more information about PNW, visit The Valparaiso International Center (VIC) invites the community to explore Romania during its April Fourth Friday event from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 201 N. Washington, Valparaiso. The featured speaker will be Ana-Maria Haiduc, a local educator and PhD candidate in mathematics education. She will share the rich cultural tapestry of Romania and the personal stories that have shaped her identity. A Q&A session will follow her presentation. Originally from Romania, Haiduc has lived in Valparaiso with her husband and two children since 2009. For more information, contact the VIC at 219-464-1122 or info@ Prenatal Well will host the Women's Wellness Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Dean and Barbara White Center, 6600 Broadway, Merrillville. Prenatal Well is committed to reducing maternal and infant morbidity and mortality through a holistic, patient-centered approach. Open to the public, the fair will offer free health screenings, interactive vendors, children's entertainment, medical equipment demonstrations, giveaways, raffles and free haircuts. For more information, visit or contact info@ The Lake County Urban Soil Health Working Group in partnership with Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District and Purdue Extension-Lake County will host 'Best Practices for Growing in Potentially Contaminated Soil' from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at IU Northwest, Anderson Library Conference Center, Room 105, 3400 Broadway, Gary. The workshop is free, but RSVP is requested by Sunday. Register at Participants will learn how to conduct and interpret a soil test, how to research site history and how to grow in potentially contaminated soil. Those in need of accommodations to attend this program are asked to contact Rebecca Koetz at 219-755-3240 by Sunday. For more information, contact Koetz at busser@
