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U.S. House approves Rep. John James request for $162 million for Selfridge to prepare for new fighter mission

Fri, 15 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The eagles have not landed yet, but they are on approach.

The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday approved $162 million requested by Rep. John James for Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County.

The money is needed to prepare for a new fighter mission that President Trump announced when he visited the base a little more than a year ago. Selfridge is slated to get 21 F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets to replace the aging A-10 Warthogs when they retire. It is also supposed to get a squadron of KC-46A Pegasus refueling tankers.

The new mission is critical for homeland security, and it’s also massively important for Southeast Michigan’s economy because thousands of jobs are directly and indirectly tied to the base.

This is not a done deal yet, though. The funding still needs to pass the U.S. Senate and get signed into law, and the state of Michigan also needs to kick in money to prove it is a committed partner.

It’s still unclear whether that will happen, as state-level lawmakers have not reached an agreement yet.

“This is the largest amount approved for the Selfridge modernization project thus far,” said James, R-Shelby Township, after the vote. “Getting to this point is a victory, but we all have to work together to make sure we get the new fighter mission locked in and secure the future of the base for generations.”

James represents Michigan’s 10th Congressional District, which includes Selfridge.

Huge win for Michigan
The $162 million for Selfridge was included in the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill, which passed 400-15.

The money is for three projects:

$110M to improve and extend the runway
$24M for taxiway Bravo
$28M for taxiway Alpha

Under the plan approved today, Selfridge will get more than half of the construction money for all Air National Guard bases nationwide. That’s 56 cents out of every dollar of the $261M total for Air National Guard construction.

The $162 million figure is also the 2nd largest appropriations for military construction overall, behind just one project for the Space Force that is larger.

Total cost around $1 billion
According to base commander Brig. Gen. Leah Voelker, the total upgrade project will cost around $1 billion over a span of several years.

James requested $673 million for Selfridge, which is the amount the Air National Guard asked him to request. Of that, the $162 million approved today is the most important because sequentially, the runway improvements have to happen first before any of the other upgrades.

Other components that will likely come down the road include:

$190M for an eight-bay maintenance complex for the F-15EX Eagle II
$218M for a dual bay hanger complex for the KC-46A Pegasus refueling tankers
$34M for a Pegasus aircrew training complex
$28M for Pegasus squadron operations building
$6.6M for an aircraft arresting system used to safely stop aircraft in danger of overshooting the runway
$35M for planning and design

James previously secured $20 million for Selfridge.

State-level funding dispute explained
Federal guidelines require the host state to put up money to prove it is a committed partner when getting a military base investment of this magnitude.

The Republican-controlled Michigan House of Representatives passed a “clean” supplemental appropriation of $152 million for Selfridge on March 3. That means it approved money for just this one project, with nothing else attached.

The Democrat-controlled Michigan Senate passed its own supplemental nearly two full months later, on April 30, that also included $152 million for Selfridge. But rather than pass a clean spending bill, the state Senate loaded it up with other unrelated projects and tied it to a plan to take money out of the state Rainy Day Fund. It also relies on lapsed funds that won’t lapse until October, meaning the money will not be available immediately.

The reason the money is needed now is so that construction can get started right away, which is necessary due to concern a future president could scrap the mission and send it to another base in another state if the upgrades are not done before President Trump leaves office.

The state funds can cover the gap until federal funds are approved by the full Congress. But that means breaking the standoff.

Gov. Whitmer has publicly said that state lawmakers need to approve funding by June 1.

“The state Senate is trying to use Selfridge as leverage in state budget negotiations and playing a dangerous game of chicken, putting the mission at risk. They need to get off the stick,” James said.

State lawmakers included $26 million in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget, and there was a smattering of state money before that.

John James votes to strip pesticide liability shield out of farm bill

Fri, 01 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman John James (R-Shelby Township, MI-10) issued the following statement after voting for the farm bill, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday:

“This is the biggest win for clean food that we’ve had in my lifetime. I’m pumped about this.

“I voted to strip legal protection from companies that make pesticides and give it back to you. Cancer is on the rise in the Midwest and in much younger people as well. There are serious questions about what pesticides are doing to our bodies, and courts across the country have been ruling against these corporations for years. They’ve been sprayed on food that our kids are eating and for far too long, companies have avoided accountability while Americans pay with our lives. Not anymore. This is the biggest MAHA win yet.

“I also voted to ban foreign governments like China from buying American farmland. It’s our soil, our food supply, and our national security is not for sale.”

John James co-sponsors legislation to kill the vehicle "kill switch" mandate

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – Congressman John James on Monday co-sponsored legislation to repeal the Biden-era vehicle “kill switch” mandate set to take effect next year.

The mandate, which was tucked in a provision of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed by then-President Joe Biden, directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require all new passenger vehicles to come equipped with driver surveillance technology capable of shutting off the vehicle if the system deems that someone is not fit to drive due to impairment or other reasons.

James called the mandate Orwellian and intrusive.

“I do not support the vehicle kill switch mandate and I never will,” said James, R-Shelby Township. “Letting A.I. decide whether someone can drive their own vehicle is a dystopian nightmare. There are better, more reliable ways to keep the roads safe that don’t involve constantly monitoring millions of innocent people. The potential for abuse is too high. So are the chances that the system could make a mistake, leaving someone stranded in an emergency.”

James co-sponsored H.R. 1137, which is also known as the “No Kill Switches in Cars Act.” The bill is currently in the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, on which James serves.

To date, James is the only lawmaker serving on the subcommittee of jurisdiction who has signed onto the legislation as a co-sponsor; he is also the first in the Michigan congressional delegation to co-sponsor the anti-kill switch bill.

James previously successfully spearheaded legislation to repeal Biden EV mandates, which President Trump signed into law.

“I don’t hate EVs; I hate Biden-era EV mandates that increase cost and take away consumer choice. That’s why I worked with President Trump to repeal them,” James said. “I’ve always been a proponent of choice; if advanced safety features are available, then Americans should have the right to choose to use that safety feature. But under no circumstances should the government ever mandate anything that will result in the blanket surveillance of lawful citizens.”

James represents Michigan’s 10^th congressional district, which includes portions of Oakland and Macomb counties.

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House Appropriations Committee Approves Rep. John James Request For Selfridge Runway Funds

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. –The U.S. House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday approved $162 million to improve and extend the runway at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. The funds are needed to prepare for the new fighter mission that President Trump announced when he visited Selfridge in April of last year.

U.S. Rep. John James, whose district includes Selfridge, made the funding request.

“This is huge for Macomb County, and for Michigan,” said James, R-Shelby Township. “Selfridge is critical for homeland security and protecting our northern border; it’s also a major economic driver in Southeast Michigan. Getting this funding is necessary so that work can get underway.”

Selfridge is slated to get 21 F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets, as well as a squadron of KC-46A Pegasus refueling tankers. The funding must still pass Congress and get signed into law, but Tuesday's committee action marks the single largest approval for funds in Selfridge’s modernization project to date.

It also shows significant commitment for the project from the Republican-controlled U.S. House. The funding included in the budget for Selfridge represents 56 percent of the entire amount of money allotted for military construction for the Air National Guard across the entire nation.

“President Trump delivered for Michigan when he chose Macomb County as the home of this new fighter mission. Now, we need to make sure the base is mission ready,” James said.

The $162 million appropriation is for three projects:

$110M to improve and extend the runway
$24M for taxiway Bravo
$28M for taxiway Alpha

James requested the funding for Selfridge in March through the appropriations process and then testified in front of the Armed Services Committee on April 15. The $162 million appropriation was included in the Military Construction & Veterans Affairs appropriation.

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John James Urges Timely Funding to Prepare Selfridge for Next-Generation Air Missions

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman John James urged the House Armed Services Committee to include funding in the FY27 Military Construction appropriations bill for critical modernization efforts at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in preparation for the arrival of the F-15EX and KC-46 Pegasus missions.

Rep. James highlighted the importance of Selfridge for America’s national defense.

“Selfridge is not just a Michigan asset—it is a cornerstone of our homeland defense,” said James. “As the only Air National Guard installation with a 100 percent federally owned flightline, its strategic location near the northern border, the longest land border in the world, its proven joint-force integration with DHS, the Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, and its unparalleled access to Great Lakes airspace make it indispensable to our homeland defense.”

In April 2025, President Donald Trump announced the basing of next-generation F-15EX fighter aircraft and KC-46 Pegasus refueling tankers at Selfridge, marking a transformational step forward for the installation’s future mission.

“This mission is a clear priority for President Trump,” James continued. “His decision to base these next-generation aircraft at Selfridge reflects the installation’s strategic value and a broader commitment to strengthening our homeland defense posture. It is now incumbent upon us to do everything we can to ensure the federal resources are in place to execute that vision.”

Rep. James has been fighting to strengthen Selfridge since day one, including securing $20 million for critical runway upgrades. The Michigan State Legislature has also demonstrated strong support, investing $152 million into the base to help prepare for the incoming missions.

Selfridge’s modernization remains a time-sensitive national security priority. Without timely federal investment, delays in infrastructure upgrades could jeopardize mission readiness and increase long-term costs. Rep. James emphasized that ensuring the base is fully prepared on time is essential to maintaining a strong and effective homeland defense posture.

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Protecting America’s Working Dogs (PAW) Act Reintroduced to Congress

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, on National K-9 Veterans Day, Representative John James (MI-10) announced the reintroduction of the Protecting America’s Working Dogs (PAW) Act. Rep. James had previously introduced the PAW Act in the 118^th Congress.

Currently, federal guidelines are murky for the fate of federal (Department of Defense, Border Patrol, Capitol Police, etc.) working dogs after they are retired. Oftentimes the retired working dog’s former handler is left to foot the veterinarian costs. The medical treatment required by many former working dogs is significant enough that it creates a hardship for the individuals, often former partners, who take in these canine heroes and become responsible for their medical costs.

Specifically, the PAW Act would require the Attorney General to establish a grant program to go to eligible nonprofit organizations that assist with the medical expenses of retired working dogs or service dogs.

Rep. James issued the following statement following the introduction of the PAW Act:

“Our federal working dogs and their handlers are heroes who deserve to be taken care of after they retire. As a veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, I know these dogs save an immeasurable number of lives each and every day. The dogs and their handlers risk their own lives to keep Americans out of harm’s way. Unfortunately, current regulations result in the handlers (who are often veterans or law enforcement officers themselves) becoming solely responsible for the medical costs of the retired K-9. The PAW Act will offer a critical helping hand to our heroes, both K-9 and human.”

"America’s working dogs serve with extraordinary courage and loyalty, often placing themselves in harm’s way to protect our troops and our communities,” said Kristen Maurer, President of Mission K-9 Rescue. “When their service ends, the responsibility for their medical care should not fall solely on the shoulders of the handlers and families who welcome them home. The Protecting America’s Working Dogs Act ensures that these canine heroes receive the medical care they deserve in retirement."

"We owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to the work our heroes do - both 4-legged and 2-legged,” said Carol Borden, founder and CEO of Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs. "These dogs are credited with saving innumerable lives. Many become sick or injured in the line of duty usually while saving a human. The least we can do is honor them by assisting with their health needs."

The bill is endorsed by Mission K-9 Rescue and Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs.

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James’ App Store Accountability Act Passes Committee

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman John James’ (MI-10) App Store Accountability Act advanced out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, marking another step forward in holding Big Tech accountable and protecting children online.

Rep. James bill is being cosponsored by CMT Chairman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-9). The Senate companion bill is being led by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT).

The legislation ensures that children are not accessing age restricted material through app stores and provides parents with more control over what their children can access online.

"As a father of three, protecting kids online is one of my top priorities—and something parents across Michigan raise with me constantly,” said Rep. James. “My bill is simple: app stores should follow the same common-sense rules we expect from every small business. If a corner store can’t knowingly sell adult or addictive products to minors, neither should the world’s largest digital storefronts. These multi-billion-dollar companies already have the means to do this safely and while respecting privacy, but they're instead choosing to put profits over protecting kids. This isn’t about one company: it’s about holding every platform to the same basic standard of responsibility. Parents have a right to know, kids can’t consent, and no one is above the law."

“The App Store Accountability Act will give parents the tools they’ve been asking for to protect their children online,” said Senator Mike Lee. “I’m glad to see our bill moving forward through committees and urge Congress to fight for parents over Big Tech to get this passed. Thank you to Rep. John James for leading the charge in the House!”

Parents across the country have voiced overwhelming support for stronger protections online. A national poll found that 88 percent of parents support requiring app stores to verify age and restrict adult or addictive material, and more than 4,500 parents sent letters to the Energy and Commerce Committee calling for the bill’s passage.

The App Store Accountability Act has earned support from a wide range of organizations committed to the safety and well-being of America’s children. Endorsements include:

Digital Childhood Alliance
Michigan Anti-Trafficking Project
Heritage Action
Pintrest
Over 170 organizations focused on child safety, mental health, and responsible technology practices

With full committee approval, the bill moves to be considered by the full House. To view Rep. James remarks to the Energy and Commerce Committee, click here.

John James’ Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act Passes House

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed Congressman John James’ (MI-10) Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act. The bill is aimed at strengthening U.S. energy supply chains, ensuring Americans have access to reliable and secure energy resources while supporting next-generation technologies and the defense industrial base. It passed the House with bipartisan support.

This is James’ 12^th legislative item to pass the House of Representatives.

The Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act (H.R. 3617) directs the Department of Energy to assess vulnerabilities in critical energy resource supply chains, including critical minerals and rare earth elements, and develop strategies to address disruptions and over-reliance on adversarial nations.

Currently the U.S. is 100% reliant on imports for 12 critical minerals, and at least 50% reliant on an additional 28. China maintains 60% of the world’s production of rare earth elements and 90% of their global processing capacity. By enhancing coordination and planning within the Department of Energy, the legislation helps reduce reliance on foreign adversaries and protects the industries and technologies essential to our economy and national defense.

“This bill is a bold step toward ensuring the United States leads in energy innovation, security, and independence, and I’m thrilled to see it pass the House,” said Rep. James. "We cannot be the ‘land of the free’ if we choose to rely on critical mineral supply chains that are dependent on child and slave labor. This is about unleashing American energy, powering our factories, fueling innovation, and securing our future. It’s a massive step towards building an energy-independent America and putting an end to over-reliance on adversaries, dictators, and despots around the world.”

"Keeping our nation strong and secure means having access to reliable and affordable energy. Right now, the technologies that power our grid rely on critical minerals produced and controlled by adversarial nations,” said Energy & Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie (KY-02). “To address this crucial issue, the House passed the Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act, which strengthens the Department of Energy's support for critical energy resource supply chains, which are vital to keeping the lights on for American families and powering U.S. industrial facilities. Thank you to Congressman James for his leadership on this important legislation."

Key provisions of the legislation include:

Require the Department of Energy to continuously evaluate which minerals and energy resources are essential to U.S. energy and national security and identify vulnerabilities in supply chains, including risks created by reliance on foreign imports and adversarial nations.
Direct the Department to examine domestic production capacity, regulatory barriers, and supply constraints while assessing how countries like China exploit mineral markets to undermine American investment and manufacturing.
Mandate the development of strategies to strengthen U.S. supply chains by encouraging domestic production, supporting alternatives and substitutes, and advancing recycling and reuse technologies to reduce dependence on foreign sources.

This legislation complements the Trump administration’s recently announced plan for a $12 billion-dollar critical mineral stockpile to guard against supply disruptions.

To view Rep. James speaking on the floor in favor of H.R. 3617, click here.

To view the bill text, click here.

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Rep. John James, Oversight Chair James Comer Push for Election Integrity in Michigan

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman John James (MI-10) is continuing his long-standing effort to protect the integrity of America’s elections by authoring a letter with House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (KY-01) to the U.S. Department of Justice demanding answers and accountability following reports of non-citizens appearing in Michigan jury pools and voter registration systems.

The letter, sent to Attorney General Pam Bondi, requests a formal briefing from the Department of Justice regarding these issues and steps being taken to prevent non-citizens from being improperly included in jury pools or voter rolls.

“This is not about the past. It’s about the future. It’s about rebuilding trust so Michiganders have faith in all our elections to come,” said James. “Until Michiganders can trust their elections, Michiganders will not trust their leaders. I’m thankful to Chairman Comer for leading the way to deliver accountability and answers to the American people.”

Michigan’s jury pools are generated using driver’s license and state identification records. State law also provides for automatic voter registration when individuals apply for a driver’s license or state ID unless they opt out, underscoring the importance of maintaining accurate and up-to-date voter eligibility records.

Recent reports from Macomb County have raised serious concerns about election administration and public confidence in Michigan’s systems. A cross-check of the Michigan Secretary of State’s Qualified Voter File and the county jury pool revealed significant breaches.

“In Michigan’s Macomb County, Clerk Anthony Forlini uncovered significant breaches during a cross check of the Michigan Secretary of State’s Qualified Voter File and the county jury pool,” the letter states. “Over a four-month period, 239 non-citizens were found to have been included in the jury pool. Of these individuals, 14 were identified as having been registered to vote at one point.”

This action builds on Congressman James’s leadership on election integrity. Last week, Rep. James joined a letter from the House of Representatives Michigan Republican Delegation to Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson demanding answers on ongoing concerns about election integrity in Michigan.

"While you admit you are aware of instances of non-citizen voting you continued to erode public confidence by refusing to comply with a lawful request by the Department of Justice to provide them Michigan’s voter registration data to ensure that Michigan’s voter rolls are being properly maintained," the Michigan lawmakers wrote. "Your refusal to comply with the DOJ’s request and assist in building the public’s confidence in Michigan elections invalidates your statement to the Committee on House Administration that you believe your responsibility is to 'ensure our elections are accessible, safe, secure and that the results are accurate' because under your watch you have allowed an environment to persist where at least 15 non-citizens cast ballots in the 2024 election."

Rep. James has long maintained that safeguarding election integrity is essential to maintaining public trust in our democratic institutions and protecting the fundamental civil right of every eligible American to vote. He twice voted in support of the SAVE Act, and is a cosponsor of the SAVE America Act to establish voter ID requirements for voting or registering to vote in federal elections.

To read the full letter to Attorney General Bondi click here.

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John James’ Sickle Cell Disease Research Reauthorization Act Passes House

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, Representative John James (MI-10) is celebrating the passage of his Sickle Cell Disease Research Reauthorization Act through the House of Representatives. This bill was included in H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026. This is James’ 10^th legislative item to pass the House.

The bill is co-led by Representatives Jen Kiggans (VA-02), Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02), Danny Davis (IL-07), and Marc Veasey (TX-33). Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) are leading an identical bill in the Senate.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a blood disorder predominantly affecting African Americans, Latinos, and other minority groups. Individuals with SCD have a significantly lower life expectancy than the overall population. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sickle cell affects approximately 100,000 individuals in the United States. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes the Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Demonstration Program, which was last reauthorized in 2018. The program provides research funding for prevention and treatment of SCD.

“Sickle cell disease research is critical to treatment and prevention, and I am grateful that the House passed this bill with such far reaching impacts. This disease has touched the lives of so many, especially in our Black community — including thousands in Michigan,” said Rep. James. “In Ranger school, I learned to never leave a fallen comrade behind. This bill ensures we don’t leave our vulnerable behind by getting funding to those that need it. It cuts through the noise, delivering funding for research, like game-changing gene therapies, and better data to empower families with real solutions. It’s about giving people the tools to fight back, not leaving them to fend for themselves, and I am proud that this bill will help to do exactly that.”

Congresswoman Kiggans (VA-02) said, “The Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Demonstration Program is a lifeline for the roughly 100,000 Americans living with this debilitating disease. I am proud to join Rep. James in the effort to reauthorize this vital program, and I’m glad to see its inclusion in the Labor, Health, and Human Services Appropriations bill. This funding will expand access to high-quality care and support the patients around the country that need it most.”

“The House’s passage of this bill is another step forward for individuals and families living with sickle cell disease. Continued support for research is essential to driving innovation, improving care, and easing the burden on patients and the health care system,” said Senator Tim Scott (R-SC). “I’m pleased to see this bill move forward and remain committed to advancing solutions for the treatment of sickle cell disease.”

“For years, we’ve fought to bring real attention and real resources to sickle cell disease — and this funding continues that fight,” said Congressman Veasey (TX-33), a member of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee. “By securing this funding, we are protecting lifesaving research, expanding access to high-quality care, and making sure patients aren’t left behind simply because their disease has been ignored for too long. This is about equity, dignity, and ensuring families get the care they deserve.”

“Sickle cell disease is a painful and often debilitating condition. I’m proud that this bill passed in the House, which marks a critical step toward ensuring that patients with this inherited blood disorder receive the comprehensive, coordinated care they urgently need. It’s past time that we prioritize the health and well-being of those impacted by sickle cell disease, especially Black Americans who are disproportionately affected. I look forward to seeing this bill signed into law,” said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02).

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