(Source: MIRS.news, Published 02/26/2025) The spread of fentanyl coming over the country’s international borders will be the first item on the agenda for a new oversight subcommittee chaired by Rep. William Bruck (R-Erie), a military veteran. 

The Homeland Security and Foreign Influence Subcommittee was modeled after the U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and is designed to “complement, not duplicate” the federal panel’s work, Bruck said. The U.S. House Select Committee is chaired by U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Caledonia). 

Over the next few weeks, Bruck sees the Michigan State Police, sheriffs and other officials coming in to talk about the illegal drugs coming across the border and the impact it is having on Michigan communities.   

Child trafficking, state universities that have relationships with Chinese universities, drones and artificial intelligence are among the other topics that Bruck pledged to dive into.   

As for future committee meetings, Bruck said, “Once we start, we’re not stopping.” That may mean 25-30 meetings this year. 

“There are plenty of things we can bring up to discuss, to talk through and dissect,” he said. 

Present at Wednesday’s meeting were Rep. Denise Mentzer (D-Mount Clemens) and Rep. Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor), who were both highly critical of Rep. Josh Schriver (R-Oxford)’s gay marriage ban resolution yesterday. Schriver and one of his resolution co-sponsors, Rep. James DeSana (R-Carleton), were not present.