news

Dear friend,

The highs and lows of January were intense, and it took a while to recover from the Lion’s loss, but life continues on, and there are so many issues to work on and worry about– attention quickly turns to the next crisis. I am getting back into the pattern of our weekly update now, weather and losses aside. 

I will miss Jim Harbaugh, who has been a good friend (and remains one) and supports many issues that matter to young people, as well as other issues such as ensuring everyone has access to legal aid. I will continue to seek his advice on a number of issues. Sherrone Moore is a great coach and will do a great job. I love the students at the University of Michigan and I am proud to represent them.

Winter in Michigan is cold, and unpredictable, with gray skies, lots of snow, ice, slush, fog, and general yuck. But there are plenty of things to keep you up. Dexter two weekends ago, and Plymouth and Trenton this last weekend had their annual Ice Festivals and Winter Carnivals. Nothing better than ice sculptures, tube running, face painting, hot chocolate, music, and fun. And enjoy them all I did. Dexter Forum is a biweekly, old-fashioned Quaker meeting that is a rock for me where people of many different opinions attend and treat each other respectfully. The forum keeps me in touch with issues on people’s minds. It helps me keep my finger on what matters. But what is also fun is spending time with fourth graders, and I have to say visiting three classes at Bentley Elementary in Canton last Friday was probably some of the happiest time I have spent in a while. I just like being out, seeing people, solving problems, listening, and understanding. It’s harder in winter, but I sure try.
 
John
 
February 7th is the anniversary of John’s death, and always a difficult time for me. I started this week by flying back to DC and visiting him at Arlington National Cemetery. I miss him, plain and simple. I talk to him a lot. I wonder what wisdom he would give all of us about many things. I ask him for help to do my job right. On the day he died, he dictated a column to me that included the words, “All of these challenges were addressed by Congress. Maybe not as fast as we wanted, or as perfectly as we hoped. The work is certainly not finished. But we’ve made progress — and in every case, from the passage of Medicare through the passage of civil rights, we did it with the support of Democrats and Republicans who considered themselves first and foremost to be Americans.” 

That is what I think about every day when I get up and do my job. There are many problems right now, and the division grows worse. We weren’t sent to Washington to score points for Republicans or a victory for Democrats. We were sent to Washington to win for the American people, and that is what I focus on every single day. I build coalitions, talk and listen to everyone, and try to find common ground to solve problems.

Above is a picture I took Sunday at Arlington National Cemetery.

Something I always remember is the hard work of those who went before me.
 
84th Anniversary of the First Social Security Check
 
This week, we celebrated the 84th anniversary of the first Social Security check. John Dingell, Sr. was one of the original authors of Social Security. It was a promise to leave no one behind as they aged, and a promise we must keep now. Social Security provides the foundation of economic security for all Americans. On the 84th anniversary of the first Social Security check, this program continues to provide millions of Americans with stability and security. We must act to protect and expand this vital program for generations to come.
 
Detroit Lions
 
Our Lions had a great season, and I am proud of them. We had a good run. That California vs. Michigan rivalry continues in so many ways. The Lions showed the country what true Michigan grit looks like. They were a team, and they worked hard all season. I am confident that we will be back next season hungry for our shot at the Super Bowl. 

People who know Nancy Pelosi and me know that we both have sweet tooths and are chocoholics. I made a bet with her of Sanders Chocolate and am now putting together a basket of the best chocolate she will ever eat. Milk fudge, bittersweet, and dark chocolate fudge sauces, bumpy cake, and all kinds of candy– showing off some of the best of Michigan.
 
Now it’s basketball season. If you know me, you know how much I love Michigan sports. They bring communities together even in tough circumstances. I am happy that the Wolverines and the Lions both had such strong seasons, and I am already counting down the days (204) until the Wolverines kick off their 2024 season. But there is lots of basketball and softball to watch now (and the girls teams are fabulous) so there is always something to cheer for.
 
Downriver Town Hall
 
Unfortunately, we had to cancel a planned EPA Downriver town hall because of bad weather in the Midwest that prevented EPA officials from being able to land. We have rescheduled our Downriver Town Hall with the Environmental Protection Agency to Wednesday, February 21 at the Westfield Center. Please join us to get updates, share your thoughts, and ask questions about cleanup of the McLouth and Arkema sites, PFAS remediation, and other environmental concerns
 
Hate
 
The Wall Street Journal printed an op-ed that directed hate at a community that is already hurting, resulting in fear, vitriol, and threats of violence. Dearborn was my home for almost 40 years with the man I loved. My neighborhood and friends were supportive, caring, and dedicated. We cannot let hatred of any kind, Islamophobia, or antisemitism, destroy people. We must stand up to hate everywhere and anywhere we see it.
 
President Biden in Michigan
 
President Biden knows working Americans make up the fabric of our country. I joined him as he visited a UAW hall in Michigan to hear directly from workers about what matters to them and reaffirm his commitment to strengthening American jobs and manufacturing. 
 
I have been working with Republicans and Democratic colleagues on a number of pieces of legislation. Here are some introduced in the last week.
 
The Bipartisan Great Lakes Mapping Act
 
I joined my colleague Rep. Lisa McClain in introducing legislation to better our understanding of unseen, unexplored lake beds, and the environmental, social, and economic impact of our Great Lakes. The Great Lakes are a way of life and protecting them is personal to all who call the Heartland home. 
 
Comprehensively exploring and mapping the Great Lakes will strengthen our understanding of their underwater environment so that we can better protect them and the many species they contain and continue to foster the economic prosperity they have supported for generations.
 
The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act
 
I joined Representatives Kiggans, Wild, Carter, and Senators Kaine and Young in introducing the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act to reduce and prevent suicide, burnout, and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. 
 
Healthcare professionals dedicate their lives to serving their patients, often at the expense of their own physical and emotional wellbeing. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation that will provide much-needed resources to address the mental and behavioral health conditions doctors and nurses face and continue reducing the stigma surrounding mental health care.
 
The Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Product Safety Act
 
I also joined Representative Moolenaar and Senators Peters and Stabenow in introducing the Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Product Safety Act to direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct research and education campaigns to prevent tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks from infected human cell and tissue product (HCTP) donations. The bill allows the federal government to pursue civil penalties for tissue product providers who cause an outbreak of an infectious disease, like TB.

Shandra Eisenga’s death was a preventable tragedy, and we’ve seen far too many people lose their lives due to tuberculosis infection from bone graft material. As someone who has had multiple bone grafts in recent years, this issue has really caught my attention, and it is the doctors at the University of Michigan who brought this issue to my attention. This bill will support efforts to increase awareness of the risks of human cell and tissue product transplants and implement additional safeguards to protect patients from the dangers of these infections.

Lots of Committee work too…
 
Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
 
Last Tuesday, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled, “Fighting the Misuse of Biden’s Green Bank Giveaway.” We discussed many important environmental issues, including the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. This is original, bipartisan legislation I authored to make clean energy financing accessible to low-income and underserved communities, create jobs, and lower energy costs for families. It was based on a successful Michigan green bank model. This program is critical to environmental justice and moves us closer to an equitable clean energy economy. 
 
Republicans are eager to see the Environmental Protection Agency and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund fail. Instead of working with EPA to ensure this program is implemented effectively, Republicans are betting against the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and EPA’s ability to do Congressionally mandated work. They have even proposed to rescind this critical funding before a dollar has gone out the door.
 
Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health
 
Wednesday, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing focused on health expenditures where we discussed the disparity between America’s high health care expenses and the high costs and low quality of care patients often experience. Health care spending is higher in the United States than in other wealthy countries, yet we have some of the worst health outcomes. It’s critical that we use these resources to reduce costs for patients while increasing the quality of care they receive. 
 
In addition, I discussed the importance of home care. Moving care into the home can reduce costs and increase both the quality of care and life. When we talk about reducing health care expenditures, home and community-based services must be part of the discussion.
 
Innovation, Data and Commerce NIL Hearing 
 
I am working with Republicans and Democrats to address college sports. I want to somehow keep college sports, college sports. We are studying the issue, talking to everyone involved on all sides, and there are lots of opinions, thoughts, and inputs. The student-athletes matter. 

As we Michiganders know, college sports are a big deal. We held a hearing in Energy and Commerce, where among the witnesses was Charlie Baker, President of the NCAA. I was very thankful to Keke Tholl, a softball player at the University of Michigan, and her Coach (and a woman I deeply admire), Carol Hutchins, for all of their hard work. Hearing Keke’s thoughts and lived experiences as a female athlete will be critical to helping understand and move forward with meaningful federal NIL legislation that ensures all college athletes are heard, protected, and prioritized.

Lots of visitors too…
 
UAW Friends in DC
 
I had the privilege of welcoming my UAW friends to Washington, DC for their National CAP Conference Region 1A. I joined them for breakfast, we met with members of Congress, spent time with President Biden, and just had a lot of important conversations. They are one of the backbones of my district and the American economy.
 
Michigan School Board Members Meeting
 
I joined school board members from Michigan’s sixth district for the National School Board Association’s annual conference. We discussed IDEA funding, the Child Tax Credit, and how we can continue to work together to provide equal opportunity to all children.
 
 UM Regents and President Ono

Had a great time with the University of Michigan Regents and President Ono on their visit to DC They toured the Capitol and several other landmarks, and had productive discussions on a number of issues. 
 
DC Auto Show Auto Caucus Roundtable
 
I spoke at the DC Auto Show Auto Caucus Roundtable to discuss some important issues, including labor, Electric Vehicles, manufacturing, and China. I’ll always work to protect American workers, our environment, promote American technological advancement, and strengthen our domestic supply chains.
 
Fire Fighter Round Table
 
Our fire fighters keep us safe every day and are on the frontlines, and quite frankly, I love them, and I will always work to ensure they are safe and supported as they protect our communities. I joined fire chiefs and the Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union members to discuss the dangers of PFAS in fire fighting equipment, including the increased risk of developing certain cancers. January was Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month, and many don’t know that cancer is the leading cause of fire fighter death.

This Congress, I have introduced the PFAS Alternatives Act to develop PFAS-free turnout gear and include fire fighters in the process because exposure to dangerous chemicals shouldn't be an expectation of this job. It is the number one legislative priority for the fire fighters.
 
Washtenaw Equity Partnership Community Bridge Session
 
Friday, I joined the Washtenaw Equity Partnership for the Community Bridge Session with community members, law enforcement, judges, prosecutors, other people in the legal system, survivors of crimes, formerly incarcerated individuals, and family members, who all came together to study issues, gather data, and seek solutions. I listened and learned about how we can work at all levels of government to address the inequities in the criminal legal system. 

We must work across all levels and sectors to address the real problems that exist and are related to equal access in our justice system. There are many problems, and this day was focused on looking at data to develop answers and solutions.

Help Spread The Word…
 
Valentines for Veterans
 
Valentines for Veterans is one of my favorite traditions and I am happy we get to continue it for a tenth year. A small gesture of love and kindness can mean so much to the men and women who have served our country in uniform. 
 
Join my office and help us show veterans how much they are loved and appreciated by making handmade valentines for us to deliver to the Ann Arbor and Detroit VA. Valentines should be dropped off or arranged for pick-up by February 9th. For more information about how to participate, click here.
 
Black History Month
 
Each February, we celebrate Black History Month, a time to recognize the many powerful voices and stories of Black Americans throughout our nation’s history. This month and every month, let us honor their place in and contributions to the shared story of America. I plan on attending many events, and if you have one you would like me to attend, please flag it for us.
 
OCCHE’s Catalytic Program Launch
 
The Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE) is launching a catalytic program to support health care providers in taking advantage of the tax credits, grants, and other supports made available by the historic Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). OCCHE’s planned initiative will occur through collaboration with federal partners, including the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy, and will feature national webinars as well as breakout sessions by provider type to help organizations assess their needs and opportunities.
 
Click here to sign up. Click here for more information.
 
National Endowment for the Humanities Professional Development Programs
 
Educators in MI-06 can apply now to attend the National Endowment for the Humanities Professional Development Programs, where they will learn new teaching methods while delving deeply into a humanities topic through one- to four-week residential, virtual, and combined format programs.
 
If you are an educator, I encourage you to apply. If you know someone who may benefit from these programs, please help spread the word!

So much going on. Thank you for reading, but most importantly let me know what is on your mind, what you want me to be working on, or a place you want me to be going. Be safe, and we hopefully should be enjoying a warm-up this week and some outdoor time. Farmers Markets aren’t quite so crowded, but people still gather, and I will hit several this weekend. Just getting out and about, my favorite thing. 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
 
Sincerely,
Debbie Dingell Signature
 
Debbie Dingell
Member of Congress