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 security is one of the top responsibilities we have as members of Congress and we are facing many challenges, including fentanyl smuggled across our border, thousands seeking asylum every month, and devastating rates of human trafficking. But we also need to understand that many families and individuals in the region are fleeing their homes because of rampant violence and political instability. Some have been forcibly displaced from their homes by political and social oppression, extreme weather, and severe economic hardship. What we need is comprehensive immigration reform that keeps this country safe and protects our national security, while addressing the root causes of immigration in a humane and compassionate way.
As anyone who follows this debate knows, there are many proposed solutions and everyone has strong feelings. President Biden has made clear that we need to invest in and modernize border security while also reforming the U.S. immigration system to better accommodate the needs of immigrants and refugees. Some are also pushing for a more diplomatic approach to address the root causes of illegal immigration, such as poverty and violence in other countries. The issue remains a matter of intense and ongoing political debate, but we need to find common ground. This conversation has been put off for too long because it is difficult. But I would argue we are elected to address the tough issues.
This week I am just getting around, meeting with many people that I had been trying to see, but House sessions caused me to put off. Christmas and holiday parties and receptions, meeting with people to understand their priorities for next year, finishing up end-of-year business, and continuing to meet with people who are deeply concerned about the situation in Israel, Gaza, and beyond. In other words – staying busy up until Christmas Eve.
Since John died, I have spent the holidays with a friend who lost her husband around the same time and we have normally gone to someplace warm. This year, I am simply going to a guest room in her house. We are both feeling this holiday, deeply missing the men we loved, and there are too many things to worry about so I shall continue to be available and work. Somehow, I cannot get in the holiday spirit but sometimes that’s okay and I know it. Making sure Mom and Bill are okay, playing Santa for them as they go through their hard times, checking in with all the rest of the family, being blessed with a granddaughter and many nieces and nephews who love me, and just hiding a bit with a friend who understands the melancholy that is hitting.
I wish this not for you – I wish you a happy time with family and friends and pray your holiday is full of love, laughter, hope, and peace.
A short summary of the past week follows.
Meet the Press
Sunday morning, I was a guest on Meet the Press. We discussed the Republican impeachment inquiry, immigration reform, and the crisis in the Middle East – three very important and deep issues that we must continue working together to find solutions for.
DOT Leadership "Drive Sober" Kickoff Event
Tuesday, I joined the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Department of Transportation as they announced an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to implement the HALT Act, legislation I led in the House with Senator Ben Ray Luján in the Senate that would require advanced drunk driving prevention technology to be in all new vehicles.
The HALT Act honors the Abbas family from Northville, who were tragically killed by a drunk driver during the holidays. Their classmates looked at me during the funeral and said, “We have technology to prevent drunk driving and save lives. Why haven’t you done something about this?” I went to work the next day.
We are keeping our promise to those classmates who tragically lost their friends too soon and will work to ensure this technology is implemented to save lives. We lose over 10,000 lives to drunk driving every year, causing unimaginable pain to families and communities across the country. It is beyond time we made sure this technology is implemented in new vehicles.
Domestic Violence/Brides March
Tuesday, I joined my friend Rep. Adriano Espaillat of New York and several other of my colleagues in holding a press conference to raise awareness for domestic violence and support the participants of the 23rd Annual Brides March. The Brides March honors Gladys Ricart, a woman killed by her husband on her wedding day in 1999. It is a nationwide event in support of victims of domestic violence, serving as a reminder that we must fight to protect survivors so they have the resources to rebuild their lives with space and time to heal physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Meeting with Halle Berry
Wednesday, actress and advocate Halle Berry joined the Democratic Women’s Caucus to discuss menopause awareness, research, and care. Many women are not given the necessary tools and resources to prepare for or understand menopause, making a hard transition even more difficult. Menopause awareness is important to break down the stigma and ensure women don’t have to suffer in silence.
Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic Hearing on the World Health Organization
Wednesday, the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic held a hearing on the World Health Organization, where I discussed preventing and preparing for future pandemics, safeguarding global health, and advancing America’s national security interests.
The COVID-19 pandemic revealed that many of the systems we had in place across the globe, including those at the WHO, were ill-equipped to deal with a threat of this scale. To prevent future outbreaks and ensure that we do not experience a similar crisis, we must work with other nations in a constructive manner to ensure WHO is able to track global diseases, help prevent their spread, and build on the Biden Administration’s progress to prioritize and reassert our global health leadership.
EPA's New Proposal to Get the Lead Out
Wednesday, I joined Rep. Tlaib, environmental experts, and the Get the Lead Out Caucus to discuss the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to replace all lead pipes in 10 years and how we can work together to make this rule a reality.
The science is clear – no amount of lead in drinking water is safe. There are millions of people across the country that don’t even know if they are drinking lead, and I’ve had parents come up to me with tears in their eyes, worried for the wellbeing of their children because there is lead in the school’s water. The only way to get safe, clean water into Michigan communities – and communities across the country – is to urgently replace all lead service lines. I led efforts in the House to secure funding in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to replace these pipes and finally give a sense of peace to parents and families. I’m grateful to the Biden Administration for their commitment to this issue and for their collaboration to get this done. I will continue to work in Congress and with the Administration to see this through.
PFAS Action Act
Thursday, I, along with Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Pat Ryan introduced the PFAS Action Act to protect Americans and the environment from harmful forever chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This comprehensive, bipartisan legislation would set a national drinking water standard, accelerate the designation of PFAS as hazardous substances, and support clean-up efforts in communities across the US to prevent the further spread of PFAS.
PFAS is an urgent public health and environmental threat and the growing number of contamination sites is alarming. The PFAS Action Act takes a comprehensive approach to tackle this crisis and protect the American people from the long-term dangers posed by forever chemicals. I have been leading this fight since I got to Congress, and the House has passed this bill twice with strong bipartisan support and my hope is that this Congress, we can finally get it done.
Knockout Cancer Act
Thursday, I joined Rep. Bryan Fitzpatrick and introduced the Knockout Cancer Act to boost funding for the National Cancer Institute and ask Congress for a report on the devastating shortage of cancer drugs that is facing America. This legislation will strengthen investments in research to help develop innovative treatments and cures for cancers of all types.
The Weekend
Got around this weekend to holiday parties galore. Celebrated Jennifer Colin’s mother, Nan’s, 90th birthday – a true special occasion. Ann Arbor Rotary was at an old friend's house who has 25 decorated Christmas trees, and got around to lots of community events. Because you all are reading many holiday cards and notes, I will keep this section short with wishes for a calm week, that your holiday shopping is almost done, that your work is winding down, and time with those you love is gearing up. D2
As always, I want to hear from you. What do you want me to know? What are you thinking about? Please contact me with any questions, ideas, and concerns. Share them with me at this link, or by calling one of my offices in Ann Arbor, Woodhaven, or DC:
Ann Arbor: (734) 481-1100
Woodhaven: (313) 278-2936
Washington, DC: (202) 225-4071
