Pontiac Times

Rep. John Reilly (R-Oakland) says that the bicameral and bipartisan committee created by the adoption of House Concurrent Resolution 20 is a "necessary step" for answers being asked by Michigan residents.

”I believe one of the most historic, proper, and important roles of the legislative branch is our oversight role,” Reilly said in a Facebook post. “My office has received hundreds of emails and calls over issues relating to the (Unemployment Insurance Agency), various executive orders, software vendors used for contact tracing, and the general powers of the executive branch. I believe this special committee is a necessary step to get the answers that the people of Michigan and the 46th district rightfully deserve.”

Reilly voted for the creation of the Joint Select Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic. The committee is comprised of Reps. Julie Calley (R-Portland), Matt Hall (R-Marshall), Vanessa Guerra (D-Saginaw), Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit) and Jack O'Malley (R-Lake Ann). Hall is the committee's chair.

“Government should be accountable to the people. It’s needed now more than ever because the administration has made critical, unilateral decisions during an ongoing public health emergency – decisions that are impacting nearly 10 million people who call Michigan home,” Hall said in a press release.

Five senators are also expected to be named to the committee by Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey.

According to Reilly’s Facebook post, the purpose of the committee is to “better protect lives, jobs and personal freedoms and its second purpose of the committee is to “assess whether the response has been responsible and proper.” The third is to ensure that constituents get answers to criticisms and concerns.

On his Facebook page, Reilly encouraged residents to reach out to him with questions or concerns about their Unemployment Insurance Agency claims.