Bill Huizenga

Bill Huizenga
Official portrait, 2023
Bill Huizenga
Born	William Patrick Huizenga 31 1, 1969
Birthplace	Zeeland, Michigan, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businessman
Known for	U.S. Representative from Michigan (2011–present)
Education	Calvin College (BA)
Children	5
Website	[https://huizenga.house.gov/ Official site]

William Patrick Huizenga (Template:IPAc-en; born January 31, 1969) is an American politician who has served as a U.S. Representative from Michigan since 2011. A member of the Republican Party, Huizenga currently represents Michigan's 4th congressional district, which covers much of southwestern Michigan including the cities of Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and Holland. He previously represented the state's 2nd congressional district from 2011 to 2023, when redistricting shifted his territory. Before entering Congress, Huizenga served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2003 to 2009, representing the 90th district. Born and raised in the Dutch-American community of Zeeland, Michigan, Huizenga has built a political career rooted in fiscal conservatism, free-market economics, and advocacy for reducing the federal budget deficit. In Congress, he has held positions on the House Financial Services Committee and, more recently, serves as chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia. He is a co-chair of the Bipartisan Fiscal Forum and has introduced legislation aimed at fiscal responsibility, including the No Budget, No Pay Act and the 3% Resolution for deficit reduction.

Early Life

William Patrick Huizenga was born on January 31, 1969, in Zeeland, Michigan, a small city in Ottawa County in the western part of the state. Zeeland and the surrounding communities of Holland and Grand Haven have long been home to a significant population of Dutch Americans, and Huizenga's family roots are part of this tradition. The surname Huizenga is of Frisian and Dutch origin, common among families in the region who trace their ancestry to immigrants from the Netherlands.

Huizenga grew up in the Zeeland area, where he was immersed in the culturally conservative and community-oriented environment characteristic of western Michigan's Dutch-American settlements. Details about his parents and specific family background beyond his Dutch heritage are limited in publicly available sources.

Before entering politics, Huizenga worked in private business. He was involved in his family's gravel and sand business, gaining experience in the construction and natural resources industries. This background in small business would later inform his political philosophy emphasizing limited government regulation and support for private enterprise.

Huizenga also gained early political experience working as a staffer. Before seeking elected office himself, he worked for U.S. Representative Pete Hoekstra, who represented Michigan's 2nd congressional district. This staff experience gave Huizenga a firsthand understanding of federal legislative operations and constituent service, and it positioned him within the Republican political networks of western Michigan. When Hoekstra eventually left Congress, Huizenga would go on to succeed him in the seat.

Education

Huizenga attended Calvin College (now Calvin University) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a private Christian Reformed liberal arts institution. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the college. Calvin College, located approximately 25 miles from his hometown of Zeeland, has historically drawn students from the Dutch Reformed communities of western Michigan and has produced a number of figures in politics, the arts, and academia. Huizenga's education at Calvin grounded him in the intellectual traditions of Reformed Christianity, which emphasizes civic engagement and stewardship.

Career

Michigan House of Representatives (2003–2009)

Huizenga began his career in elected office when he won a seat in the Michigan House of Representatives, representing the 90th district. He succeeded Wayne Kuipers in the seat and served three terms, from January 1, 2003, to January 1, 2009. Due to Michigan's term limits law, Huizenga was not eligible to seek re-election after his third term. He was succeeded by Joseph Haveman.

During his tenure in the state legislature, Huizenga compiled a voting record that reflected his conservative principles. Records of his legislative votes across his three terms show consistent support for measures aligned with fiscal conservatism, limited government, and business-friendly policies.

2010 Congressional Campaign

In 2009, when Pete Hoekstra announced he would not seek re-election to Michigan's 2nd congressional district in order to run for governor, Huizenga entered the Republican primary to succeed him. The 2nd district at that time covered a large swath of western Michigan along the Lake Michigan shoreline, including communities such as Holland, Muskegon, and parts of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area.

The Republican primary was competitive. One of Huizenga's opponents was Jay Riemersma, a former NFL tight end who had played for the Buffalo Bills. Riemersma ran a campaign that drew attention to his name recognition and outsider credentials. During the primary campaign, Riemersma criticized Huizenga on certain policy grounds, drawing contrasts between their approaches.

Huizenga prevailed in the August 2010 Republican primary, edging out Riemersma and other candidates in a closely contested race. The primary victory effectively positioned Huizenga for the general election in a district that had long favored Republicans. In the November 2010 general election, which took place during a national wave that saw significant Republican gains, Huizenga won the seat comfortably. The election was part of the broader "red tide" of Republican victories that year.

U.S. House of Representatives (2011–present)

Huizenga took office on January 3, 2011, succeeding Pete Hoekstra as the representative of Michigan's 2nd congressional district. He has been re-elected in every subsequent cycle and, as of 2026, has served in the U.S. House for over 15 years.

Redistricting and the 4th District

Following the 2020 census, Michigan underwent a significant redistricting process conducted by the state's independent redistricting commission. The new congressional map, effective for the 2022 elections, substantially altered the boundaries of many districts. Huizenga's base in southwestern Michigan was drawn into the new 4th congressional district, which encompasses communities including Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and Holland. Huizenga chose to run in the new 4th district and won election there in 2022, continuing his service in Congress under the reconfigured boundaries.

In December 2025, Huizenga confirmed that he would seek re-election to his congressional seat, putting an end to months of speculation about his political future. His 2026 re-election bid is expected to be competitive; in February 2026, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee named state Senator Sean McCann to its "Red to Blue" program, signaling that Democrats view the seat as a potential pickup opportunity.

Committee Assignments and Legislative Focus

Throughout his congressional tenure, Huizenga has served on several House committees. He was a member of the House Financial Services Committee, where he was involved in oversight of banking regulation, capital markets, and financial policy. His work on the committee reflected his interest in reducing regulatory burdens on businesses and financial institutions.

As of the 119th Congress, Huizenga serves as chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia. In this capacity, he has focused on U.S. foreign policy in the region. In February 2026, Huizenga delivered opening remarks at a subcommittee hearing on U.S. foreign policy in South Asia, examining American strategic interests and relationships with countries in the region.

Huizenga is a member of the Republican Study Committee, the largest caucus of conservative members in the House. He has also been a member of the Congressional Constitution Caucus, which focuses on constitutional principles and limited government.

Fiscal Policy and Budget Legislation

A defining theme of Huizenga's congressional career has been his advocacy for fiscal responsibility and federal budget discipline. He serves as a co-chair of the Bipartisan Fiscal Forum (BFF), a group that brings together Republican and Democratic members of Congress to work on deficit reduction and responsible budgeting.

In October 2025, Huizenga and Representative Scott Peters (D-CA) introduced the No Budget, No Pay Act, a bipartisan measure that would withhold congressional pay if Congress fails to pass a budget resolution on time. The legislation reflected Huizenga's long-standing position that Congress should face direct consequences for failing to meet its basic budgetary responsibilities.

In January 2026, Huizenga, Peters, Representative Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), and Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL) introduced the 3% Resolution, a bipartisan measure calling for a commitment to reduce the federal budget deficit by at least 3 percent each year. The resolution was introduced amid growing national concern over the federal debt, which was approaching $39 trillion. The Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial board cited these kinds of efforts in a broader discussion of attempts to address the national debt, noting that Congress had begun to take incremental steps toward fiscal seriousness.

International Human Rights Advocacy

In addition to his fiscal policy work, Huizenga has engaged in international human rights issues during his time in Congress. In November 2025, Huizenga and Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, introduced legislation aimed at addressing the persecution and killing of Christians in Nigeria. The measure sought to bring congressional attention to ongoing violence against Christian communities in the country and to press for U.S. policy responses.

Political Positions

Huizenga's political positions are generally aligned with the conservative wing of the Republican Party. He has consistently supported lower taxes, reduced government spending, deregulation of businesses and financial markets, and a strong national defense. His voting record in both the Michigan legislature and the U.S. Congress reflects these priorities.

On fiscal matters, Huizenga has distinguished himself through his willingness to work across party lines, as demonstrated by his co-chairmanship of the Bipartisan Fiscal Forum and his joint legislative efforts with Democratic members such as Scott Peters. This bipartisan approach to budget and deficit issues stands as a notable feature of his legislative record.

Personal Life

Bill Huizenga resides in western Michigan, where he has deep roots in the community. He and his wife have five children. The family's connection to the Zeeland and Holland area reflects the strong community ties that have characterized Huizenga's life and political career.

Huizenga's Dutch-American heritage is a significant part of his identity and is shared by many of his constituents in southwestern Michigan. The region's Dutch Reformed cultural traditions, which emphasize community involvement, faith, and work ethic, have been a backdrop to both his personal and professional life.

Before entering politics full-time, Huizenga was involved in the family business, which gave him experience in the private sector. This background has informed his legislative focus on issues affecting small businesses, regulatory reform, and economic growth.

Recognition

Huizenga's longevity in Congress — having served continuously since 2011 — has allowed him to accrue seniority and take on leadership roles within the House Republican caucus. His chairmanship of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia represents a significant committee leadership position that reflects his standing within the conference.

His bipartisan work on fiscal issues through the Bipartisan Fiscal Forum has drawn attention from editorial boards and policy commentators. The Las Vegas Review-Journal referenced the broader deficit reduction efforts in which Huizenga has been involved when discussing congressional attempts to confront the growing national debt.

Huizenga has maintained consistent electoral support in his congressional district. His Federal Election Commission records document his campaign activities over multiple election cycles dating back to his first run for Michigan's 2nd congressional district in 2010.