Dear Friend,
What a week. We extended the budget for a week and avoided a government shutdown, Michigan had its Presidential Primary, and the weather is so up and down that storms have again caused power outages, but with these warm temperatures, spring is in the air. My neighborhood in A2 has a flock of wild turkeys that visit almost daily and fascinate me as I sit on Zoom. I think I have a nest by my house, but I am not going near it to investigate further. The deer and wild turkey meeting each other this weekend was a lesson in nature– I have included a video below.
I was in DC on Sunday to appear on Meet the Press, and actually had an afternoon to do personal things that have piled up for years. I have a townhouse there that John bought in the 70s when he was a single father with two-grade student children– long before I met him. It is where I still rest my head at night when in DC because it’s the place I shared with him our entire marriage, but it is in desperate need of attention. I spend very little time in it as I am working when in DC, and fly home as fast as I can when we are out of session. Unfortunately, not having the time or presence to take care of things doesn’t make them go away. I put a new roof on in December, after leaks in my bedroom showed me I had a problem, but now I need to paint where the leaks occurred, and this is just the beginning. I cleaned the freezer and refrigerator and discarded expired food of more than a decade. I attacked the bathroom as well and did the same thing with makeup– including mascara which was also more than a decade old. I have neighbors who feel sorry for me and help with trimming bushes and trees, and I cleaned the back patio. I miss John desperately for his love and partnership, but this weekend I just felt like, “I need a wife.” It just all adds up for all of us… but you tackle each job little by little and soon enough, you get it done. An important reminder to not let life overwhelm us.
So the following are highlights of last week as we begin a new one. We face the next potential shutdown of government on Friday, and with some bipartisan work, we will hopefully pass appropriation bills and keep it from happening.
Averting Another Government Shutdown
Congress passed another continuing resolution to postpone the government funding deadlines to March 8 and 22. I have always said it’s irresponsible to shut down the government and we must do everything possible to avoid a lapse in funding, but it’s long beyond time we passed full-year spending bills.
Congressional Art Competition
We are officially accepting submissions for our 2024 Congressional Art Competition. Winners of the competition from each congressional district will have their art displayed in the Cannon House Office Building tunnel, which leads into the United States Capitol.
The Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity for students in the Sixth District to showcase their artistic talent and represent their communities in the halls of Congress. The talent we see each year in this competition is truly impressive, and I look forward to seeing the creative works submitted each year. When young people have the opportunity to tap into their creativity, they open new doors, discover new opportunities, and think more deeply about the world around us.
Students who wish to participate must complete a student release form and drop their artwork off at my district offices no later than April 26, 2024. Additional details and guidelines are available on my website.
International Association of Fire Fighters Legislative Conference
I joined the International Association of Fire Fighters for their 2024 Alfred K. Whitehead Legislative Conference. Firefighters have one of the toughest jobs around. When we are in our times of greatest need we turn to our first responders. We must ensure that they have the resources they need, the best facilities, strong protections on the job, and the best equipment to keep them safe.
Firefighters already risk enough every single day, it shouldn’t be an expectation that they are exposed to PFAS contamination as well. I am proud to have worked closely with IAFF to introduce the bipartisan PFAS Alternatives Act to support the development of next-generation PFAS-free turnout gear for firefighters and better protect firefighters from the dangers of their work. It would authorize $25 million annually for the next four years to support the development of these materials, and an additional $2 million annually for guidance and training.
I also work closely with the fire departments across the sixth district to help them take advantage of available federal grants, like FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants and SAFER grant Programs, to hire, recruit, and retain firefighters, conduct fire prevention education and training, and ensure they are equipped with essential equipment and technology. Last month I joined a letter to House leadership to underscore the importance of these grant programs, as well as the U.S. Fire Administration, and urge leadership to prioritize their funding in the appropriations process.
The safety and well-being of our firefighters is one of my top priorities, and I’m committed to working together to make sure they have the resources, gear, and everything else necessary to continue protecting our communities while staying safe and healthy.
Department of Commerce Inquiry into Connected Vehicle Technology
The White House announced the Department of Commerce will open an inquiry into national security risks posed by connected vehicles from countries of concern, including China.
As our vehicles become smarter, safer, and cleaner with emerging technologies, it’s important we fully understand the implications and potential security risks of connected vehicles, especially when this technology is coming from countries of concern, like China. Chinese automakers have already deployed their autonomous vehicles here and are using them for surveillance and to collect data, meanwhile banning American vehicles on their own streets. I will continue to work with the Biden Administration to combat the real threat this poses. America has an opportunity to herald this new era of mobility and maintain our leadership at the forefront of the global auto industry, and we must do so in a way that protects Americans’ privacy and safety and strengthens our national security.
The Humanitarian Crisis in Rafah
I joined colleagues to bring awareness to the horrific conditions in Rafah. I have heard harrowing stories from constituents with family there about the devastation they are living through everyday– people forced to drink saltwater, dangerously unsanitary conditions, and babies starving. The violence must stop. We need a ceasefire, and we need immediate and substantial humanitarian aid – food, water, medical care – for the millions who have been suffering now for months with no end in sight, because the little that has been made available is nowhere near enough. And once we have a ceasefire, and ample aid to address this humanitarian crisis, we must work together to create a world where no babies are born into these kinds of conditions and all children can live and grow in peace.
Preventing Contaminated Bone Grafts
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing to discuss the Effective Screening and Testing for Tuberculosis Act and the Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Product Safety Act, two bills I lead with Rep. Moolenaar. I was honored to meet with Shandra Eisenga’s sister, Tarin before the hearing. She has been a tireless advocate in the effort to prevent contaminated bone grafts from impacting future patients and their families.
The Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Product Safety Act directs 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. Additionally, the bill allows the federal government to pursue civil penalties for tissue product providers who cause an outbreak of an infectious disease, like TB.
The Effective Screening and Testing for Tuberculosis Act. The legislation would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to put in place requirements for the testing and screening of tuberculosis (TB) in donor materials used in medical procedures.
These bills come as a response to the passing of Shandra Eisenga, of Marion, on August 10, 2023, due to complications from tuberculosis infection. Shandra contracted TB after receiving a bone graft in April 2023 using a tissue donation from an infected donor. She was one of 36 patients in seven states to contract TB from a tissue donation originating from this donor, resulting in two deaths. Shandra’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. These bills 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.
State of the District Address in Ypsi
I gave my State of the District to the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber to share updates on the work we've gotten done and look forward to working together in the year ahead to continue strengthening our communities. I discussed many issues, including the implementation of big pieces of legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, our work in Congress to strengthen our domestic manufacturing and supply chains, and updates on environmental concerns here in Michigan, including PFAS and the Gelman Plume.
You can see my full remarks here.
FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers
Many of our communities were devastated by storms, tornadoes, and flooding last summer. These severe storms are becoming more and more common, as a result of global climate change. We must ensure our communities are more resilient and better prepared to face and recover from future storms.
I joined leaders in Canton Township for the opening of a new FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, which will serve as a resource to help residents apply for federal disaster assistance, upload documents, learn about ways to make their property more disaster-resistant, and get their questions answered in person.
I will continue to work with our federal agencies and local leadership to get resources to those who need them most, and ensure our communities are prepared for the increasingly catastrophic weather events that are becoming too familiar in Michigan. I encourage anyone who needs help applying for federal disaster assistance to stop by a FEMA recovery center, contact the FEMA Helpline, or visit their website at disasterassistance.gov.
Below are two of our local FEMA recovery centers. A full list is available here. All recovery centers are open 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday; closed Sundays.
Wayne County Community College Downriver Campus
21000 Northline Road
Taylor, MI 48180
Canton Human Services Building
50430 School House Road
Canton, MI 48187
Salem Wastewater Treatment Meeting
I joined colleagues, local leaders, and members of the community to discuss concerns and expectations for the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) pending Wastewater Treatment Facility permit for Salem Township.
EGLE’s public comment period is open through April 14th here. To submit a comment, select ‘Public Notice Search,’ search for the public notice by entering the permit number (MI0060338) into the search field, click ‘Search,’ click ‘View,’ click ‘Add Comment,’ enter information into the fields, and then click ‘Submit.’ All comments received will be considered prior to taking action on the permit.
The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Water Resources Division (WRD) is hosting an information session and public hearing on April 4, starting at 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM, respectively, at Northridge Church.
Women’s History Month
Each March we celebrate Women’s History Month. This Women’s History Month is especially important, as we are witnessing attempts to take away a woman’s right to make her own health care choices, and threatening services like In Vitro Fertilization. Women should be able to decide if, when, and how to start or grow their families, without the government interrfering- those decisions should always remain between a woman, her doctor, and her faith.
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a time to highlight the critical need to increase access to testing like colonoscopies, while raising awareness for the importance of early screening. Colorectal cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men younger than 50 years old, and recent studies have discovered a rising incidence of colorectal cancer rates. But, when detected and treated early, the five-year survival rate for colorectal cancer is 90%. But, early detection occurs in less than 40% of colorectal cancer cases.
As co-chair of the Congressional Cancer Prevention Caucus, I am working with my colleagues to increase access to early screening. We know early access saves lives, which is why in January, I led 45 members of Congress in sending a letter urging the Department of Health and Human Services to expand access to preventative care by requiring insurers to cover surveillance colonoscopies without cost-sharing.
I remain committed to doing everything I can to continue improving prevention, screenings, treatment, and support for patients, survivors, and their families. Everyone knows someone affected by cancer, many know someone affected by colorectal cancer. In their memory and with their strength, we continue to work to get closer to a cure.
Photos of the Week
My favorite things to do are always to be with kids. They make me smile and laugh, say the funniest things, and a child’s hug can keep me going for weeks. Lego Brick Bash to raise funds for Skyline High School’s band had it all. Creativity, innovation, incredible engineering, trains, architecture, art, and hands-on play. Fun– pure and simple, but a number of kids just wanted me to build with them. The CS Mott Children's Hospital Save A Heart Gala did the same thing for me, as I met the true heroes of our community: children who have survived heart transplants and complicated surgeries, and the doctors and parents who love them and gave them hope and life. These are the real moments. Warmer weather is bringing more events and gatherings. Spring is all about new beginnings and transformations; it's a season that symbolizes starting fresh and starting over. That feeling is in the air. St. Patrick’s Day is approaching, and Easter is less than a month away. May this week be a good one for you.
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
