news

Dear friend, We are back in session, and winter is clearly upon us, with sub-zero temperatures and snow in both Michigan and Washington, D.C. We face another potential government shutdown again this week and honestly, there are many issues we need to be dealing with.    The situation in the Middle East continues to tear constituents in my district apart. For my Palestinian… Read more »

Dear Friend,   Happy New Year! For those of us in the sixth congressional district of Michigan, 2024 began on a high note with Michigan’s win at the Rose Bowl. May this victory be an omen for the new year. I know these young men, and as I watched them accept their trophy after the game, their message was clear and something we all should take to heart: teamwork. They are a team… Read more »

Dear friend, It’s a week before Christmas, the House is now out until the new year, and the Senate continues to work on a supplemental funding bill which is dependent upon reaching a deal on immigration and the border. We have needed comprehensive immigration reform for decades, under Democratic and Republican administrations and under Democratic and Republican Congresses. Our national… Read more »

Dear friend, We have one week of session before Congress hopefully breaks for the holidays, and much needs to be done. It is not clear at all what will actually get accomplished, and that is one of the problems that disturbs me. We have become a Congress of too much gotcha, and not enough let’s solve these problems. Both the House and Senate are rushing to finish up a slew of… Read more »

Dear Friend, We are well into the holiday season, with holiday parades, Christmas tree lightings, community celebrations, food drives, and the celebration of rituals with the traditions that keep us together from generation to generation underway. Hopefully, you survived Thanksgiving dinner without intense political debates that divide too many families as we gathered for the first… Read more »

Dear friend,  We head into Thanksgiving after another intense week. We passed a continuing resolution and kept the government open. It is now good to be home as holidays and traditions are underway, though I know how many in my community are still scared, angry, worried, and focused on the Mideast and Ukraine, as well as issues closer to home. I am meeting and talking to many and… Read more »

Dear friend, It continues to be intense and busy.  Michigan has always had communities that deeply care about each other, who are supportive and compassionate to all and I have seen during these difficult times that there is serious concern for the lives lost and the humanity which connects us all. Our common humanity, our diversity, and our giving nature makes these communities… Read more »

Dear friend, It isn’t slowing down. We have a Speaker and have been legislating again, but the floor schedule is crazy, and unpredictable, we are considering amendments in the middle of the night and there is a lot of tension. Funding for the government expires two weeks from today and we have serious policy issues requiring attention. I am working long hours, meeting with as many… Read more »

Dear friend, How do you describe the last couple of weeks? It is almost impossible. The world feels upside down and communities I love, and have been a part of for many years, feel threatened and scared. Worse, after decades of building trust between them, they are now experiencing great rawness and harm. The House of Representatives has been in chaos without a speaker for over three… Read more »

Dear friend,   It’s been another busy and hectic week and weekend in Washington. We averted a government shutdown and are working hard to ensure that we can fully fund the government come late November. Below are a few highlights from this week.   Averting a Government Shutdown   This weekend, the House did what was right for the country by voting to keep the… Read more »