Dear Friend,
Each week presents new craziness– tough issues, working hard on subjects that matter, and just being home, listening, and getting around. This past week just seemed intense, short but intense. Getting around at home, talking to people and hearing many perspectives is always good. St. Patrick’s Day overlaid all of it with many celebrations and lively music including Paul W. Smith’s huge annual shindig, several lunches and dinners, and ending with a party at the White House with the Taoiseach (or the Prime Minister of Ireland) and President Biden. Also attended Gridiron Saturday night where Governor Whitmer was the Democratic speaker and hosted a girls’ brunch for her on Sunday so Washington could get to know her better. Spent much time listening to everyone on Israel and Gaza as I always do. The Jewish Federation had their main event Wednesday night and I heard so many people’s different thoughts. Met with families desperate about their relatives in Gaza and attended an Iftar Sunday evening with most of the Ambassadors from the Middle East as well as Administration officials, NGO’s, and concerned people. Another very intense discussion.
Spoke at a Wolfpack event with Michigan EGLE Director Phil Roos, participated in the Ford School Spring Board Meeting, met with a couple of Chambers, attended a local union hall meeting, got to my normal farmers market and you can tell spring is coming– product and people are coming back. Stopped by the Washtenaw Inclusion event which supports families helping those with disabilities. Pi day was part of the week and went by Eastern University which reminds its students by giving away pies. Spoke in Canton at their Women’s History Month celebration and have a few more ahead. I did more and I’m covering a lot because people care right now, there is a lot of anxiety, and just some wanting to disconnect, but I am trying to stay connected and not let that happen.
Spring is upon us, Washington DC is ahead of Michigan. Michigan had warm weather when I arrived (70 degrees on Wednesday) and snow expected as I left. In DC, the daffodils at my townhouse were blooming, cherry blossoms are popping and spring is definitely in the air. Hard to believe Easter is but two weeks away. And by the way, the turkeys continue to be the talk of my neighborhood. No answers, but a lot of buzz. One more week in session before coming home for two weeks. It still is not clear what will happen on budget for Departments and agencies that are not yet appropriated. We must vote by Friday, or have a partial shutdown…..and it is simply not clear what will happen. It is what it is, and a familiar pattern over the last few months.
So here is a summary of highlights of last week.
Expanding Access to Healthcare
The House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Health held a markup of many pieces of legislation. Included were two bills I am co leading, the SIREN Reauthorization Act and the Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act.
Housed within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SIREN grants support public and non-profit rural EMS agencies in their efforts to train and recruit staff, acquire EMS equipment, and develop new ways to educate EMS providers. I care deeply about our nation’s EMS workers. They’re often the first to arrive at the scene of an emergency, and they have to quickly evaluate the situation and determine the best course of action for a patient in their most vulnerable and critical state. Across America’s small towns, rural EMS agencies are a lifeline to the healthcare system and we must protect them.
We also advanced the Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities in the organ transplant system. No one should be denied a life-saving procedure or transplant because of a disability and I will continue working to ensure people with disabilities receive equal access to life saving care.
TikTok
I believe in freedom of speech, and we want TikTok to remain available, but not with the Chinese Communist Party controlling it. This legislation does not ban TikTok; the only thing it requires is that TikTok separate itself from the control of the CCP. It’s not about shutting down TikTok, it’s about protecting Americans. We had a classified hearing that made clear many people do not know just how much data is being collected and manipulated by this app, and this poses a real national security risk.
Rosa Parks Federal Building
On Wednesday, the House approved legislation to rename a federal building in Detroit for Rosa Parks, and the bill is now heading to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. This legislation comes after the 2021 announcement that the former Rosa Parks Federal Building at Mount Elliot and Jefferson in Detroit will be sold due to underutilization. With this legislation, we will ensure Rosa Park’s namesake lives on, and continue honoring her incredible legacy as a civil rights icon.
Democratic Women’s Caucus Home and Community Based Services Panel
As a part of Women’s History Month, I co-hosted a panel with colleagues from the Democratic Women’s Caucus on the state of home and community-based care. We highlighted the progress we have made and discussed meaningful steps forward.
This system is really broken. We need a stronger 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. That’s why I’ve introduced several pieces of legislation, including the Better Care, Better Jobs Act, HCBS Access Act, and Expanding Care in the Home Act to invest in our caregiving infrastructure, strengthen our care workforce, and expand coverage to ensure older adults and people with disabilities have a real choice of care and support options to meet their own, individualized needs.
Plymouth Hydrogen
It is always great to announce great news. Nel Hydrogen, a clean energy facility in Plymouth, will receive $50 million from the Department of Energy to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen and reinforce America's global leadership in the growing clean hydrogen industry.
This investment will create hundreds of good-paying jobs, bring millions of dollars to our local economy, and keep Michigan at the forefront of clean energy innovation and technology. Green hydrogen is one of the most promising technologies in the transition to a clean energy future, and will support the industries that have long been central to our state, from mobility to manufacturing. I'm proud to have Nel Hydrogen in Plymouth Township and will continue to work to make sure Michigan leads the way in the fight against climate change and work to achieve a net-zero economy.
Railroads
I’ve met with county officials to discuss long-time concerns over a number of serious issues Downriver and in Western Wayne where railroad crossings block intersections for long periods of time. It can be frustrating, disruptive, but more importantly, it is a safety concern. A blocked intersection can seriously impede emergency vehicle response time, turning a 10-minute trip into a 40-minute response, and in some instances hours. This can be the difference between life and death in an emergency. I take these concerns seriously and will continue to collaborate at the federal, state, and local level to address these concerns.
Health Workforce Well-Being Day of Awareness
Joined the National Academy of Medicine for their Health Workforce Well-Being Day of Awareness. Health care professionals dedicate their lives to serving their patients, often at the expense of their own physical and emotional wellbeing. Dr. Lorna Breen was one of those brave health care providers who put her life on the line for her patients at the beginning of the COVID crisis. Unfortunately, Dr. Breen died by suicide in the early days of the pandemic. I recently introduced the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act in her memory to bring awareness to the increased risk of suicide that physicians face, as well as provide resources to prevent and address burnout and the unique mental health challenges that health care workers face. Doctors, nurses, and all health care workers have some of the hardest jobs around. We continue to see shortages throughout our health care systems and it’s important to me that we continue to have this conversation to reduce the stigma around mental health treatment, and ensure the resources are readily available for those who need them. It was reported by the subcommittee last week.
Protecting AM Radio
AM radio is the backbone of our emergency communications infrastructure and remains a vital backstop when other forms of communication are unavailable. I have been working on legislation with Reps. Bergman, Huizenga, Walberg, and Moolenaar to ensure Americans can access the national public warning system in times of need. Met with the broadcasters to talk about the many issues involved.
Delta Days
It was great to meet with members of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority as a part of their Delta Days in DC. This is a true network of sisterhood with a mission to impact communities they serve and uplift the lives of women and all people within them. They advocate for issues related to civic engagement, reproductive justice, education, economic issues, and environmental and health equity. I share these priorities and see and work with them periodically at home, but it was good to welcome them to DC.
University of Michigan Congressional Breakfast
I attended the University of Michigan’s annual Congressional Breakfast. This is one of my favorite events every year, where I get to speak with UM faculty, staff, students, and alumni, and learn more about the incredible impact Wolverines are making on Washington, D.C. Before breakfast, I also had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. David Miller, President of the University of Michigan’s Health System, to learn more about the work Michigan Medicine is doing to serve patients across Michigan.
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities Resource Fair
As co-chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus, it was great to join the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities for the Developmental Disabilities Awareness Resource Fair. This issue is always top of mind and very important to me, but not enough people understand its importance. While we’ve made progress, much work remains to be done. Disability rights are civil rights, and we must continue to fight to protect all people living with disabilities in every area of their lives.
Argentum Public Policy Institute
America’s senior population is increasing rapidly, and the demand for long-term care will only continue to rise. It was great to join Argentum’s Public Policy Institute to discuss how we can work together to address this challenge.
As a co-chair of the House Long-Term Care Caucus, this matters to me. Ensuring every American has access to the care they need when they need it, as well as making sure caretakers are earning the wages and benefits they deserve to reflect the value of this important work, remains one of my top priorities.
Older Americans deserve to receive the care they need in the setting of their choice – and we know a majority prefer home and community-based services, where they can maintain their independence and remain involved in their communities.
And for those who may not wish to remain in their family homes, senior living promotes independence, purpose, and dignity for seniors, and encourages the involvement of family and friends. By focusing on the social determinants of health, assisted living provides more of what matters when it comes to helping residents stay as healthy, happy, and independent as possible.
Wolfpack
I stopped by the Wolfpack gathering and both Phil Roos and I spoke about current environmental issues. Good to be with friends and to discuss the environmental challenges and hear about the work they have been doing.
Women’s History Month in Canton
Joined Canton Township’s Women’s History Month celebration. We had meaningful discussion and recognized, honored, and celebrated the contributions women have made throughout history.
So the new week begins. Hopefully home for two weeks if we approve the budget. Will be out and about all over the district. If there is anywhere I should be, please let me know.
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
