Dear Friend,
It has been an unpredictable week here in DC. I tested positive for COVID on Thursday morning, the day that the Public Health Emergency ended. I am staying home and resting, to keep others safe and recover, but let this serve as a reminder that 1000 people per week are still dying of this disease, and we must all remain careful.
On the bright side, I announced millions of dollars in federal funding for important programs across Southeast Michigan, introduced legislation to recognize May as Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month, and welcomed the Biden Administration’s announcement of new proposed standards to reduce carbon pollution.
Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month
Allergies and asthma impact Americans from every corner of the country, across age groups, sex, and race, myself included – though we know it is historically underserved communities that are impacted the most. In Michigan, we have one of the highest prevalence rates of asthma in the country. I introduced a bipartisan resolution with my colleague Rep. Valadao to designate May Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month to support increased education and efforts to improve the quality of live for Americans living with these conditions.
Future Chef from Downriver
Ibraheem Ali, a second grader at Gudith Elementary School in Brownstown Township, won the district’s Future Chefs challenge with his Fruit Chana Chaat and is now a finalist for the national title. Watch Ibraheem prepare his dish and join me in voting for him.
HHS Funding for the University of Michigan
On Tuesday, I announced that the University of Michigan will receive $8,898,054 in federal grant funding from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct critical medical research, in areas including cancer biology and treatment, aging, lung diseases, heart and vascular diseases, and neurological disorders. $1.2 million of this funding comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention & Control for the Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Center, which works to combat gun violence against children.
The University of Michigan is conducting world-class medical research that shapes the way we treat and prevent conditions including cancer, lung disease, and neurological disorders. I’m especially proud of the funds UM is receiving for the Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Center to better understand and prevent gun violence against teens and kids. This is a public health crisis – we know that firearm violence is the leading cause of death for children under the age of 18, and the Youth Violence Prevention Center is doing critical research to better address the root causes of gun violence.
Climate Corps in Ann Arbor
The City of Ann Arbor will receive $229,060 to support 10 AmeriCorps members who will implement neighborhood-focused decarbonization and resilience-building initiatives in Ann Arbor. These AmeriCorps members will be responsible for educating 1,000 individuals, with 700 individuals committing to engage in city decarbonization programs and 500 individuals committing to take an action to reduce climate pollution in their homes, and improve stewardship of 150 acres of public land in underserved neighborhoods.
AmeriCorps members are leading the fight for the betterment of our country through service and volunteer work. I am excited for the City of Ann Arbor to receive this funding to further their decarbonization efforts and other climate initiatives, and I’m proud that our city continues to be a leader in the fight against global climate change.
Great Lakes Observing System Funding
The Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) will receive $1,169,000 over the next two years from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as a result of funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The funds will support and upgrade observing infrastructure to address sustained monitoring capabilities throughout the Great Lakes region. These improvements will modernize existing infrastructure, continue to develop the emerging winter observing network, support lakebed mapping, and enhance future capacity to respond to emergency and unexpected events.
In Michigan, the Great Lakes are a way of life, and protecting these waters is personal to me and to so many who call our state home. Especially as we are experiencing the increasingly drastic effects of climate change, the Great Lakes Observing System is instrumental in helping us understand the lakes, so that we can better protect them and the many species they contain. This funding will help strengthen current operations, upgrade infrastructure, and improve the ability to respond to existing and emerging threats.
Statement on New Proposed Standards to Reduce Carbon Pollution
On Thursday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new standards to reduce carbon pollution from coal and natural gas-fired power plants. The proposal new standards would avoid up to 617 million metric tons of total carbon dioxide (CO2) through 2042, which is equivalent to reducing the annual emissions of 137 million passenger vehicles, roughly half the cars in the United States. Through 2042, EPA estimates the net climate and health benefits of the standards on new gas and existing coal-fired power plants are up to $85 billion.
The proposals would also result in cutting tens of thousands of tons of particulate matter (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide, harmful air pollutants that are known to endanger people’s health, especially in communities that for too long have disproportionally shouldered the burden of high pollution and environmental injustice. In 2030 alone, the proposed standards would prevent:
• approximately 1,300 premature deaths;
• more than 800 hospital and emergency room visits;
• more than 300,000 cases of asthma attacks;
• 38,000 school absence days;
• 66,000 lost workdays.
These standards are a significant step in our efforts to reduce harmful and dangerous emissions, improve air quality for communities across America, and slow the effects of climate change that we are seeing all around us. People deserve to breathe clean air, and these standards have the potential to prevent thousands of asthma attacks and premature deaths, all while strengthening our economic and environmental security.
