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Dear friend,

Last week was hard. Difficult votes that politicize issues that shouldn’t be politicized, like the proposed impeachment of the Homeland Security Secretary– it was simply game playing with our national security and hearings that are held just to take cheap shots. It doesn’t build or result in good public policy, it doesn’t help keep us united as a nation, and it continues to undermine trust in our institutions across the board. I am not giving up, I am going to keep working across the aisle, I am going to keep working hard for solutions, but there are some weeks that can be discouraging. Equally frustrating, Republicans will bring up the impeachment vote again this week. We have important hearings, we are working to move some bills and find the common ground– just trying not to let them grind us down. 

Coming home, getting around, just being with people always recharges and just grounds me. February is always hard because of the cold, snow, ice and gray, but people are smart enough to stay home and snuggle in. But more gatherings are happening, more events, and I saw and got around a lot this past weekend. I was cold, but Valentine’s Day events always make you smile and are a good reason for gathering, and there were plenty of those events. And it’s difficult to believe that Lent begins on Wednesday, so Mardi Gras and Paczki preparation kept me busy too.

Here is a glance at this past week.
 
Valentines for Veterans
 
Valentines for Veterans is one of my favorite traditions. A small gesture of love and kindness can mean so much to the men and women who have served our country in uniform. Schools throughout the district make handmade valentines which I deliver to both the John Dingell Detroit Hospital and the Charles Kettles Ann Arbor Hospital.

Sunday, I visited the veterans with the beautiful handmade cards. This year was more touching than any previous year for a variety of reasons. The above video expresses one veteran’s thank you, who asked me to tell everyone who made these cards how much they mean. I also spent time with a veteran who is scared and alone after a diagnosis of cancer. He cried with me and I wanted him to know he isn’t alone. He asked me to pray for him, which of course I will do, but I reminded him that God is with him everyday, and that there are so many who care about him and won’t let him be alone. Yes my friends, these small things do make a difference. 

The visit to the Ann Arbor VA was another reminder of how strong the staff is at these hospitals and how we need to support them in their care of veterans as well as support the veterans themselves. A veteran passed on the floor while I was visiting. When this occurs, the floor has a beautiful ritual it follows. The body is placed in a casket and draped with the flag. The staff and able veterans line the hall to say their thank you’s and goodbyes as the National Anthem is played, and then Taps. The family follows the casket. Yes, you do cry. But for this floor, it was the third death in less than 24 hours and a fourth was expected that afternoon. Veterans were crying and sad. You stay, you listen, you talk to the family who all wanted hugs. Hugs are comforting for everyone. It is a reminder of how much our veterans have done to fight for our freedoms, what they have gone through, and that we must remind them that on behalf of a grateful nation, we will never forget their honorable and faithful service.

I am grateful to all who made Valentines, the smiles you brought to the veterans’ faces was a reminder that we can never take our freedoms for granted and must continue to show appreciation to all who have fought to protect them.
 
Downriver Town Hall 

As a reminder, we had to postpone the planned EPA Downriver town hall because of bad weather in the Midwest that prevented EPA officials from being able to travel to Michigan. The rescheduled Downriver Town Hall with the Environmental Protection Agency is Wednesday, February 21 at the Westfield Center. Please join us to ask the questions, share your thoughts, and get updates about cleanup of the McLouth and Arkema sites, PFAS remediation, and other environmental concerns.
 
National Security
 
Republicans in the House played games last week with our national security, and this is not how we should be handling foreign policy. The Speaker announced last weekend that he would bring forward a bill that contained funding for Israel with no humanitarian aid for Gaza, funding for Ukraine, or money for the border, which the Senate had been working on for months. The proposed legislation had nothing to do with bringing peace to the Middle East, but instead politicized a war that has already devastated too many families, including many in my own community who I speak with every single day. The lives of innocent civilians must not be used to score political points, and we cannot abandon our goal to end this conflict and prevent escalation in the region. I voted against the bill and it did not pass. President Biden and Democratic Leadership in the House and Senate were opposed to it as well. Both Republicans and Democrats voted against it. We should not be politicizing national security in these ways.

Here is part of the Administration’s statement:
 
“The Administration spent months working with a bipartisan group of Senators to reach a national security agreement that secures the border and provides support for the people of Ukraine and Israel, while also providing much-needed humanitarian assistance to civilians affected by conflicts around the world.  Instead of working in good faith to address the most pressing national security challenges, this bill is another cynical political maneuver.……The Administration strongly opposes this ploy which does nothing to secure the border, does nothing to help the people of Ukraine defend themselves against Putin’s aggression, fails to support the security of American synagogues, mosques, and vulnerable places of worship, and denies humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, the majority of whom are women and children. The Administration strongly encourages both chambers of the Congress to reject this political ploy and instead quickly send the bipartisan Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act to the President’s desk.”
 
 Proposed Impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas 
 
I found the efforts to impeach the Homeland Security Secretary one of the lowest moments yet in my House career. We are using procedures against public servants to try to gain cheap political shots, discouraging good people from going into public office and preventing the government from operating as it should. Of the proposed impeachment, Homeland Security lawyers wrote, “The effort to impeach Secretary Mayorkas represents a dramatic departure from over two centuries of established understanding and precedent about the meaning of the Impeachment Clause of the Constitution and the proper exercise of that extraordinary tool.” 

And let me quote Rep. Tom McClintock of California, one of the Republicans who voted against the impeachment. He said, “I think that it lowers the grounds of impeachment to a point where we can expect it to be leveled against every conservative Supreme Court justice, every future Republican president and Cabinet member the moment the Democrats take control, and there will be nobody there to stop them, because we will have been complicit in redefining the fundamental definition of impeachment that the American founders placed in our Constitution.”

Secretary Mayorkas has worked hard to address tough problems that, by the way, Republicans and Democrats have tried and needed to address for decades. The Senate has already made very clear that they will not impeach him. I voted against this, and they are going to try to bring it up again this week. I will vote against it again this week.

But I will end on noting the hypocrisy of Republicans saying they want more done on the border when they refuse to bring legislation to the floor. They said they would not consider legislation that the Senate had been working on for months, and are catering to former President Donald Trump, who doesn’t want a border or immigration bill to give President Biden a win. We aren’t sent to Washington to score a win for Democrats or Republicans, we are sent to win for the American people. The people we represent should demand that from us.
 
The WILD Act
 
Last week, the House passed the Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver (WILD) Reauthorization Act, legislation which I and Rep. Joyce (R-OH) have been leading. It reauthorizes critical U.S. Fish and Wildlife conservation programs – specifically, the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, which enables wildlife and habitat conservation in all 50 states and territories, and the Multinational Species Conservation Funds, which help conserve some of the world’s most iconic species, like elephants, tigers, and turtles. I’m glad to see the WILD Act pass in the House to ensure we can continue this important work to protect these species for generations to come. Hopefully the Senate will pass it soon, it is important to those of us in the Heartland of America and the Great Lakes regions. 
 
Less Cancer’s Cancer Prevention Workshop

As co-chair of the Cancer Prevention Caucus, I joined Less Cancer for their Cancer Prevention Workshop to discuss the rural health disparities that many Americans face and how we can work together towards a meaningful solution that supports and works for all Americans, regardless of their zip code.
 
We know when individuals lack access to quality healthcare, they risk forgoing critical preventative care. This can mean the difference between life and death. We must continue working to address rural health disparities by funding and prioritizing community health centers and expanding access to telehealth services. By making quality health services more widely accessible to all Americans, we can help detect cancer early, and sometimes before it even develops, meaning less extensive treatment, more treatment options, and better chances of survival.
 
My Friend Charlotte
 
This year is Charlotte’s 12th heartaversary where we celebrate the anniversary of her heart transplant. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, she stopped by my office to discuss the importance of her bill, which I’m honored to co-lead. The Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act guarantees no one is denied a transplant based on their disability. Charlotte’s strength and love continues to inspire so many.
 
AARP Screening of ‘Unconditional’

As co-chair of the Assisting Caregivers Today (ACT) caucus, I joined AARP for the screening of “Unconditional,” which tells the important stories of caregivers and the challenges they face when caring for those they love. This is a powerful film which I hope will have a significant impact on raising awareness around the issues caregivers and patients face every day. 
 
We need a stronger, workable system that supports both care workers and care recipients, so that long-term care patients can get the care they need, while also ensuring providers receive the pay and benefits they deserve, commensurate with their work. The reality is that caregiving is the foundation of our economy. It allows for all other work to be possible. No one can do their job if their loved ones aren’t cared for. Building roads and bridges is infrastructure, and so is caregiving.
 
EPA New Proposed Particle Matter Standard
 
Soot pollution is one of the most dangerous forms of air pollution and is linked to serious and sometimes deadly illnesses. The Environmental Protection Agency’s update to the air quality standard for these pollutants will better protect communities most overburdened by pollution.
 
Protecting the Great Lakes
 
Wednesday, I joined policy experts, advocates, and stakeholders at Northeast-Midwest Institute’s Great Lakes Environmental Summit. For thousands of years and across generations, no other freshwater system in the world has inspired greater economic prosperity, quality of life, or binational unity than the waters of our Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Region provides over $6 trillion to America’s GDP, supports 51 million jobs, and is a critical shipping lifeline for much of the country. We must continue our work to protect these waters from those who seek to undermine environmental safeguards, especially as we are seeing the growing impacts of the climate crisis. 
 
Tuesday, I joined bipartisan colleagues in leading the bipartisan, bicameral introduction of legislation to extend the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and increase annual funding levels from $475 million in 2026 to $500 million from 2027 through 2031. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has focused federal and nonfederal efforts to stop the spread of carp and other invasive species, restore coastline and habitats connecting our streams and rivers, clean up environmentally damaged Areas of Concern, and prevent future contamination.  
 
The Great Lakes are not only an important natural resource but a way of life that supports communities and jobs across our region and country. Since it was established, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has been an environmental and economic success, and is fundamental to protecting, restoring, and maintaining the Great Lakes ecosystem and economy. We must ensure the GLRI receives strong, bipartisan support to continue this meaningful work.
 
Letter to EPA to Strengthen Lead and Copper Rule Improvements Proposal
 
As co-chair of the Get the Lead Out Caucus, I was proud to co lead a letter with my colleagues to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan applauding their proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) while also urging them to strengthen the rule by considering additional provisions that would improve and expedite the Biden Administration’s effort to remove all lead service lines from our Nation.
 
The science is clear – no amount of lead in drinking water is safe. In Michigan, we know this better than anyone. 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. 
 
National Girls and Women in Sports Day
 
This week, we recognized National Girls and Women in Sports Day, a time to celebrate all of the girls and women who play, coach, work, and lead in sports. Together we must encourage all girls and women to realize their full potential in sport and life. 

If you’re a coach, leader, or community member who helps empower girls in sports, find resources from the Women’s Sports Foundation here. Michigan was present for the day and was happy to say hello to our delegation.
 
Patent Thickets
 
Prescription drug costs continue to place an excessive burden on countless American families, and the misuse of our patent system by pharmaceutical companies is contributing to higher prices for consumers. This is why I introduced legislation to hold drug companies accountable for this unethical practice, help make prescriptions more affordable, and promote innovation and competition.
 
Resolution to Designate January as National Stalking Awareness Month
 
I joined Rep. Fitzpatrick in introducing bipartisan, bicameral resolution to designate January as National Stalking Awareness Month.
 
Stalking is a serious crime that imparts unimaginable physical and psychological distress on its victims. No one should have to fear for their safety or for the safety of their loved ones, but it’s estimated over 13 million people are stalked in the United States every year. On top of this, we know stalking is a significant risk factor for intimate partner homicide. We recognize National Stalking Awareness Month to educate the public about the dangers of stalking, reaffirm our commitment to survivors, and continue working to identify new ways to keep communities safe.
 
This is long enough. The weekend was full with many things like great spaghetti dinner raising money for the Saline Middle School CyBugs, the saline senior Souper Bowl competition, visited for the love of WEMU at Northside Grill, DCC reception, polar plunges for Special Olympics, Western Wayne mayors meeting, Washtenaw County celebration of girls and women in sports, farmers markets, plenty of Valentine and Galentine events everywhere, chocolate extravaganzas, Neutral Zone and League of Women Voters engaging youth in civics, VFW’s Super Bowl parties and the list goes on. I was out and about and got lots of hugs and smiles... just keeping me grounded and reminding me why what I do is important. Happy Valentines Week! 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