Kristen McDonald Rivet

Rep. McDonald Rivet Launches Portal to Amplify Voices of Michiganders Facing Skyrocketing Health Care Costs

Position: The release states that Congress's failure to extend the ACA enhanced premium tax credits and the Medicaid cuts in the 2025 reconciliation law are driving up health insurance costs, and calls on Congress to stop delaying action. It supports making ACA tax credits permanent and opposes the Medicaid cuts.

FLINT— Today, Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) announced a new portal where constituents can share the impact of rising health care costs on them and their families. In the coming weeks, insurance companies will be posting their 2027 rate notices, and costs are expected to rise significantly, due in part to Congress’ failure to extend the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits and the One Big Beautiful Bill’s massive cuts to Medicaid. “Working families and seniors have been paying the price all year after out-of-touch Washington policies gutted our healthcare. Now, premiums are about to go even higher in 2027,” said Congresswoman McDonald Rivet. “Higher costs will force more people to drop their coverage, make it harder to see a doctor, and stretch more families’ budgets to the breaking point. Until Congress stops the political games, we will keep bringing mid-Michigan’s stories to Washington to show how devastating these cuts are.” Residents of Genesee, Saginaw, Bay, and Midland Counties are encouraged to share their health care story at McDonaldRivet.house.gov/ShareYourStory. In January 2026, Congress refused to extend the ACA tax credits, which reduce out-of-pocket health care insurance premium costs for hard working Americans. The tax credits’ expiration contributed to Michigan having the sixth-biggest decline in ACA enrollment in the nation in 2026. In 2027, nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts will take effect as a result of Republicans' so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.” Employer-sponsored health plans are expected to raise premiums by at least 8.2% nationally, the largest rate hike since 2003. In Michigan, rates for Individual Marketplace plans are expected to increase by an average of 14.2% in 2027. Throughout her first term in office, Congresswoman McDonald Rivet has been working to prevent these hikes and fix our healthcare system. For example: In July 2025, the Congresswoman voted against Republicans’ trillion-dollar Medicaid cuts, and spoke about the local consequences alongside health care workers and a Flint family that relies on Medicaid for cancer treatments. Later that month, she called on Republican colleagues to join her in supporting the Health Care Affordability Act of 2025, which would make the ACA tax credits permanent. In September 2025, the Congresswoman led three dozen of her colleagues in demanding Congressional Leadership support efforts to extend the ACA tax credits. In the months leading up to the tax credits’ expiration, the Congresswoman elevated the voices of constituents from across the district. In October 2025, she stood with a mother from Midland whose insurance premiums were expected to jump by 18% to call on Congress to renew the ACA tax credits and lower costs in Saginaw. In November 2025, she hosted a roundtable discussion in Flint with local health care administrators and community members who rely on the ACA tax credits. In November, the Congresswoman voted against the government funding package that failed to lower health care costs. In January 2026, the Congresswoman helped pass an extension of the ACA tax credits through the House of Representatives. The Senate refused to vote on that bill.

Rep. McDonald Rivet, Mid-Michigan Secure Return of Full Service to Saginaw River Coast Guard Station

Position: The release announces that the U.S. Coast Guard has committed to restoring full staffing and capacity at the Saginaw River station in 2027, and describes the Congresswoman's advocacy for restoring 24/7 search-and-rescue operations there.

FLINT— Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) and the mid-Michigan community have secured a commitment from the United States Coast Guard that the Saginaw River station will be returning to full staffing and capacity in 2027. The announcement follows more than a year of Congresswoman McDonald Rivet’s advocacy for a return to full operations. “The Saginaw Coast Guard station getting its full funding is a big deal for mid-Michigan. It means stronger search-and-rescue operations, significantly shorter response times on the Saginaw Bay and Saginaw River, and less strain on local law enforcement so they can fully focus their efforts on the ground,” said Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet. “This is what happens when everyday people use their voices, and I am deeply grateful to the hundreds of Michiganders and community leaders who joined together to make this happen.” For over a year, Congresswoman McDonald Rivet has pushed the U.S. Coast Guard to restore full coverage at the station: In July 2025, Congresswoman McDonald Rivet authored a provision requiring the Coast Guard to study the impact of reduced search-and-rescue operations at the Saginaw River station following the elimination of 24/7 operations in 2024. In December 2025, the Congresswoman got that provision signed into law. Also in July 2025, the Congresswoman advocated for restoring 24/7 coverage in a Transportation and Infrastructure Committee markup of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025. In March 2026, at a Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee hearing with USCG Vice Commandant Admiral Thomas Allan Jr., Congresswoman McDonald Rivet emphasized how local first responders have had to make up for the Coast Guard’s cuts to search-and-rescue coverage. In June 2026, Congresswoman McDonald Rivet again urged the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard to immediately restore a fully operational and fully staffed Saginaw River Station. Later in June 2026, at a Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee hearing, the Congresswoman highlighted the consequences of short staffing to USCG Vice Admiral Douglas M. Schofield.

Ahead of China Summit, Rep. McDonald Rivet Urges Leaders to Prioritize AI Cooperation, Protect Safety, & Mid-Michigan Jobs

Position: The release urges U.S. leaders to negotiate common AI safety rules with China at a global scale, to protect workers' jobs, safety, and finances. It also supports repealing tax breaks for data center development and calls for consumer, labor, environmental, and local-community protections in data center development.

FLINT— This Thursday, President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet in Washington to discuss many issues, including the future of artificial intelligence. Ahead of the summit, Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet sent a letter urging the Trump Administration officials to use the China summit to negotiate AI-related safety practices. She issued the following statement, encouraging the world leaders to prioritize cooperation and safe development. “We need to reinvest in an economy that puts working Americans first. As the U.S. and China compete to lead the world on artificial intelligence, leaders must agree on common-sense regulations that protect people’s jobs, safety, and opportunities,” said Congresswoman McDonald Rivet. “That only works if it happens at a global scale. President Trump needs to use this summit to be tough with President Xi, making sure we have a universal set of rules for the future of AI that protect Americans’ security and pocketbooks.” Alongside the letter, Congresswoman McDonald Rivet has led multiple efforts to establish guardrails on artificial intelligence and data center development, including… Sending a letter, along with 106 of her colleagues, demanding Speaker Mike Johnson cancel the recess to vote on legislation creating AI safeguards. Writing and introducing the Reverse Big Ugly Tax Breaks for Data Centers Act, which would rein in tax giveaways for data center development. Calling on data center developers to protect consumers from electricity and water price hikes, uphold strong labor and environmental standards, and give local communities a seat at the table.

Rep. McDonald Rivet, Democratic Women’s Caucus Call on HHS to Withdraw Dangerous Plan to Overhaul Head Start

Position: Calls on HHS to withdraw a proposed rule that would eliminate over 1,400 regulatory provisions of Head Start Program Performance Standards and defer rules to states and local programs, citing concerns about protections for children with disabilities, class size and staffing ratios, staff credentials, health and safety, and program hours.

WASHINGTON— Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) and the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) sent a letter, calling on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to withdraw a proposed rule slashing 90% of Head Start Program Performance Standards, which would harm Head Start children, families, and classrooms. “Head Start makes sure children from low-income families and children with disabilities have a loving place to learn and grow. There are decades of research proving Head Start kids do better in school and better in life,” said Congresswoman McDonald Rivet. “This Administration’s proposed overhaul will wreak havoc on what makes Head Start so special. It’ll make it harder for kids to learn, harder for teachers to do their jobs, and harder for working parents to make ends meet. We can’t let it go forward.” For over 60 years, Head Start has provided child care and social services for children from low-income families, children with disabilities, dual language learners, and children experiencing homelessness. HHS’s proposed rule would eliminate over 1,400 regulatory provisions and largely defer rules and guidelines to states and local programs. These changes would severely diminish the quality of Head Start services, including: Weakening protections for children with disabilities. Eliminating federal limits on class size and staff-to-student ratios. Rolling back credential requirements for Head Start staff and teachers. Reducing health and safety protections for children. Cutting program hours. Leading the letter alongside Congresswoman McDonald Rivet are DWC Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) and DWC Members Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), and Lateefah Simon (CA-12). 70 Members of Congress signed the letter. The letter from the lawmakers reads, in part, “This proposed rule guts an essential early childhood program and its services for hundreds of thousands of women and families nationwide, which would increase their costs and burden to replace those services. In today’s environment of rising costs, it is cruel to make life more difficult and expensive for these families.” A copy of the letter can be found here. Prior to serving in elected office, Congresswoman McDonald Rivet served as Executive Director of Michigan Head Start.

Reps. McDonald Rivet, Davis Lead New Push to Stop Tax Giveaways for Data Centers

Position: The release supports introducing the Reverse Big Ugly Tax Breaks for Data Centers Act, which would exclude data centers from the 100% bonus depreciation deduction and Opportunity Zone tax benefits enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The sponsors state that tax cuts should benefit families rather than data centers and cite concerns about power grids, water systems, and utility costs.

*WATCH REP. McDONALD RIVET’S OPENING REMARKS HERE* WASHINGTON— Today, Representatives Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) and Don Davis (NC-01) led 28 Members of Congress in introducing the Reverse Big Ugly Tax Breaks for Data Centers Act, which would rein in tax giveaways for data center development. Last year, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) significantly expanded tax breaks that have helped spur the construction of AI data centers; that same legislation cut over $1 trillion from Medicaid and SNAP food assistance. The Reverse Big Ugly Tax Breaks for Data Centers Act would exclude data centers from benefiting from those OBBBA tax breaks. Specifically, the bill would exclude data centers from being able to take the 100% bonus depreciation tax deduction, and from being eligible for Opportunity Zone tax benefits. Congresswoman McDonald Rivet said, “Washington is giving handouts to Big Tech companies while American families are drowning — I hear that word, ‘drowning,’ all the time from working parents back home. Tax cuts need to go to families, not data centers. We absolutely should not cut health care and food assistance for children and seniors to pay for tax giveaways to corporations. We have to fix it.” Congressman Davis said, “When families are struggling at the pump, in the grocery store, and with rising utility bills, we cannot give data centers a blank check. We need time to fully understand the costs and consequences of these projects, including their impact on power grids, water systems, and utility costs for rural communities across eastern North Carolina and our nation.” The bill text can be found HERE, and a one-pager on the bill can be found HERE. Other members introducing the bill include Representatives Kathy Castor (FL-14), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Mike Levin (CA-49), John Mannion (NY-22), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Emilia Sykes (OH-13), Dina Titus (NV-01), Norma Torres (CA-35), Derek Tran (CA-45), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25).

Congresswoman McDonald Rivet Statement on Successful Iran War Powers Resolution

Position: The release supports a House-passed War Powers Resolution demanding an end to U.S. military activity against Iran, and criticizes the Administration for not disclosing its goals and endgame for the conflict.

WASHINGTON— Today, Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) released the following statement after helping pass a War Powers Resolution through the House of Representatives to curb the Administration’s activity in Iran. “Five months into starting a war with Iran, President Trump has refused to share with the American people his goals and endgame. Instead, we get erratic broken promises and empty threats while he chooses to send brave service members into harm's way, spend billions of taxpayer dollars, and drive up costs back home. Today, the House voted with the vast majority of Americans to demand an end to the reckless and unstrategic war. President Trump needs to listen.”

Rep. McDonald Rivet, PFAS Task Force Call on Pentagon to Accelerate PFAS Cleanup Near Military Facilities

Position: Lawmakers call on the Department of Defense to accelerate PFAS cleanup at military sites and meet the transparency and timeline requirements of the Military PFAS Transparency Act, arguing that recently delayed cleanup timelines are unacceptable.

WASHINGTON— Today, bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force Co-Chairs Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), and Jen Kiggans (VA-02) called on the Department of Defense (DOD) to immediately address overdue PFAS forever chemical cleanup and transparency requirements. “DOD has failed to clean up the dangerous, forever chemicals that have hurt hundreds of communities across the country. Cleanup timelines have been pushed back and slow-rolled repeatedly without providing communities the transparency they deserve,” said Congresswoman McDonald Rivet. “Since President Trump signed our bill into law, these deadlines are not optional. DOD needs to step up and work with us to protect the health and wellbeing of the families living near these contaminated sites.” Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” have contaminated soil, surface water, groundwater, and food across the country, including hundreds of military installations and surrounding communities, with over a dozen located in Michigan. Some PFAS can cause harmful health effects, including damage to the immune system, reproductive issues, and an increased risk of certain cancers. Congresswoman McDonald Rivet’s Military PFAS Transparency Act, which was signed into law in December 2025, required DOD to accelerate cleanup strategies for PFAS and increase public transparency surrounding cleanup efforts and timelines by June 16, 2026. However, DOD has failed to do so, and instead recently delayed cleanup timelines by up to 20 years at nearly 200 sites across the country. The letter from the lawmakers reads, in part, “Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemical substances pose an ongoing and immediate health risk to millions of Americans. Research provided by DOD suggests that exposure to high levels of certain PFAS may lead to adverse health outcomes such as reproductive issues and increased risk of some cancers, and the DOD PFAS Task Force stated that reports indicate most people in the United States have been exposed to PFAS and have PFAS in their blood. Further, EPA’s water monitoring data and state tests found that PFAS have been detected in tap water serving millions nationwide. This is a widespread and urgent public health crisis. “Nationally, there are over 700 military sites with known or suspected PFAS contamination from DOD activities. We are extremely concerned about DOD’s efforts to permanently address this contamination to support the members of our Armed Forces and the surrounding communities, as DOD has significantly delayed progress… It is unacceptable that DOD has continued to deprioritize these cleanup efforts despite its legal obligation and continued resources and direction to do so from Congress.” A copy of the letter can be found here.

Congresswoman McDonald Rivet Statement Following Foreign Operations Appropriations Package Vote

Position: The release criticizes the Netanyahu government's actions and calls for conditioning or halting certain weapons sales to Israel. It opposes the Massie amendment as poorly drafted and overly broad, and states the representative voted against the amendment and the underlying appropriations bill.

WASHINGTON— Today, Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) released the following statement following a vote on a foreign-operations-related appropriations package. “The Netanyahu government’s reckless actions have caused needless pain, suffering, and instability across the Middle East. It’s past time for America to fundamentally rethink how we can best create safety, security, and prosperity for Israelis and Palestinians, which begins with holding our partners accountable and stopping the sale of offensive weapons to the Netanyahu government. Today’s ‘Massie amendment’ is not the answer. It is poorly drafted and overly broad, with counterproductive consequences for aid, the important peace-building programs, and the safety of Americans serving abroad. I voted against the amendment and the bill itself, and I look forward to working on proposals that actually help us reach a better future for everybody across the region — starting with sufficient aid reaching civilians, an actual permanent ceasefire, and a pathway to a two-state solution.”

Rep. McDonald Rivet Leads Bipartisan Coalition in Renewing Push to Strengthen Great Lakes Icebreaking Fleet

Position: Rep. McDonald Rivet and 19 other Members of Congress urge the Coast Guard to strengthen its Great Lakes icebreaking fleet and to promptly fulfill overdue statutory requirements for an icebreaker construction plan and a fleet effectiveness report.

WASHINGTON— Today, Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) led a bipartisan letter signed by 20 Members of Congress, renewing the push for the United States Coast Guard to strengthen its Great Lakes icebreaking fleet to protect maritime commerce, transportation, and safety throughout the region. Last winter, the Great Lakes lost a third of its shipping season due to ice cover, impacting thousands of jobs and billions in economic activity. “When the Great Lakes freeze over, we count on the Coast Guard to keep our ships and our entire region’s economy moving. Last winter, we saw what happens when we try to get by with an old, inadequate fleet: ships can’t move, work is delayed, and people worry they could lose their jobs,” said Congresswoman McDonald Rivet. “In December, the President signed my bill into law, which mandated the Coast Guard to lay out their plan to update our icebreaking capabilities on the Great Lakes. It’s time we get those reports and chart a productive path forward.” Congresswoman McDonald Rivet’s Great Lakes Icebreaker Act was signed into law in December 2025; the legislation mandated the Coast Guard produce a plan to design and build a new Great Lakes icebreaker and a report analyzing the effectiveness of the current icebreaking fleet. Those deliverables were due March 18, 2026, and June 16, 2026, respectively. The Coast Guard has yet to fulfill these requirements or a separate order to create a public database for Great Lakes icebreaking operations. The letter has been endorsed by the Lake Carriers’ Association and the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force. The letter from the lawmakers reads, in part, “The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, and past authorizations, included multiple requirements for public transparency, strategic deployment, and new construction of Great Lakes icebreakers, which have yet to be fulfilled. Prioritizing and completing these overdue requirements is a necessary commitment to commerce, national security, and safety throughout the Great Lakes region… “We are grateful for the service provided by the men and women of the United States Coast Guard, and we urge you to prioritize the Great Lakes region during your expansion of the Coast Guard capacity and force size. Great Lakes icebreaking is essential for a prosperous region, and we look forward to your completion of these requirements before the next ice season.” A copy of the letter can be found here.

ICYMI: Rep. McDonald Rivet Helps Lead Effort to Deliver Hot Rotisserie Chicken for SNAP Recipients

FLINT, MI— In case you missed it, last week Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) helped pass her Healthy Obtainable Tasty (HOT) Rotisserie Chicken Act through the U.S. House of Representatives. An overwhelming bipartisan majority of the House voted in favor of the bill, which would allow families to buy hot rotisserie chicken through the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP). Reporters interested in talking to Congresswoman McDonald Rivet should reach out to tom.grandon@mail.house.gov. WATCH HERE: In her own words, “We should give people on SNAP benefits access to rotisserie chicken. It’s cheaper. It’s easier. It’s faster.” Image