Dear Friend,
Time keeps flying and it is never dull. I am trying to behave and listen to the doctors, so I haven’t had a Diet Coke in almost three weeks and I’m trying to find that new drink that hits the spot. Junk food is gone, lots of soup, eggs, and soft foods. Someday, I may even hit those vegetables. Washington has been nonstop. I have met with two school groups since the last newsletter, and I always enjoy getting to talk to young people about what’s on their mind. If your school comes to visit, please let my office know so we can try to set up a time for me to meet with students. Congress remains chaotic and there are so many things we should be doing, but instead we considered gotcha bills and legislation like the Liberty in Laundry Act, the Refrigerator Freedom Act, and the Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act. We are having important hearings in committees and the question is: will we actually pass anything?
Home is busy. Farmers markets have reopened, and I got to Chelsea, Dexter, Ann Arbor, and Saline last weekend. U of M had its graduation last Saturday and many young people will soon begin the next chapter of their lives. There were protests and we are all struggling with many deep, emotional issues right now. Tree plantings, fishing derbies, community clean-ups, walks, Fix the Dang Gravel in Lyndon Township, Tours of the water plants, cars and coffees, labor gatherings, school fundraisers, Kentucky Derby parties including Ele’s place annual Derby Day Soirée, and many more. The annual Congressional Art Competition is always a highlight too, I love being with such talented young people. In other words, schedules are full. I am out and about, listening, meeting, helping, understanding— all critical to doing my job.
Here is a summary of the highlights of last week.
The Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act
The Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act drives a wedge in the deep partnerships between sportsmen and women and Federal land managers who have worked together for decades on strategies to allow hunting and fishing in ethical ways that help fish and wildlife populations thrive. I spoke on the House Floor in opposition of this bill on behalf of the Natural Resources Committee.
Federal land managers have the authority and the mission to manage their lands in a way that contributes to the conservation of wildlife, and they must ensure that any actions that occur on the lands they manage do not cause jeopardy to endangered or threatened species. This bill conflicts with the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, National Wildlife Refuge Administration Act, and other land management laws by prohibiting any regulation of lead ammunition or tackle. It would likely result in less lands available for hunting and fishing.
House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health
We held a hearing in the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health on a number of important pending health bills. Two are ones that I have led since arriving in Congress, and I am hoping we can permanently reauthorize these programs instead of discussing them on an annual basis. Seniors need to know they can count on something instead of suffering from anxiety each year.
First is the Money Follows the Person program, which has helped over 88,000 Medicaid users transition from nursing homes or institutional care back to their homes. My bill would permanently authorize this program to improve the quality and efficacy for Medicaid users.
We also discussed the Spousal Impoverishment Protections that prevent individuals married to someone who requires Long Term Care and Services under Medicaid from having to spend down their assets to qualify for Medicaid. I will continue working to reauthorize programs to support seniors and their families in their time of need.
House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce
We have a significant issue facing the auto industry on how we ensure that drivers and passengers have effective communication available as part of the nation's emergency alert system. Many of us have witnessed or experienced communication infrastructure failures during crises — like network outages or disruptions to internet and broadcast access. During these disasters, the redundancies of the national emergency alert system allow us to receive vital information even when other layers of our communications networks fail. When communication networks break down or power outages prevent people from accessing other alert systems, many rely on radios to receive essential information, specifically AM radio.
In the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce, I highlighted the importance of preserving access to AM radio. AM radio is a key part of our emergency alert system, providing crucial support during times of crisis. We must ensure that all Americans can freely access life-saving information through interconnected, innovative, and overlapping emergency communications services. I will continue working to ensure that as the auto industry evolves, AM radio is secure and accessible for Americans everywhere.
All consumers must have access to alerts from the national public warning system. We should closely examine the future of our emergency communications infrastructure to ensure it offers wide coverage, comprehensive information, and reliability during crises. Access to these services in vehicles is critical, the consumer must not be burdened with the cost of receiving these alerts.
House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security
Secretary Granholm testified on several issues in the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security. I raised several issues related to electric vehicles and also discussed how Southeast Michigan has been hit by too many ‘once in a lifetime’ storms, resulting in bridge closures, damage to power lines, overwhelmed stormwater and sewer systems, and more. We talked about how we can work together to strengthen our power grid, ensuring our communities are safe and resilient against future storms.
House Committee on Natural Resources Full Committee Hearing
The House Committee on Natural Resources held a full committee hearing to discuss the Department of the Interior’s proposed FY2025 budget. I think the Secretary would rather have been in the dental chair than have participated in this hearing because I think there were some very disrespectful questions. Having said that, I raised the importance of increased funding for our wildlife refuges, which preserve 850 million acres of federal lands and waters while helping conserve and restore fish, wildlife, and their habitats. These refuges require adequate funding to continue providing outdoor recreation opportunities for Americans and help combat our biodiversity crisis.
Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic
The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic held a very important hearing with the President of EcoHealth Alliance to raise issues about whether attempts were made to mislead the Federal Government about EcoHealth’s DEFUSE Proposal. This matters because their research was done in conjunction with the lab in Wuhan and many, including myself, have questions about what may or may not have happened there. Transparency is important, especially when discussing COVID-19, and I underscored the importance of the full accounting of facts.
Legislation to Place Memorial to the Working Women of WWII on the National Mall
Our Rosies answered the call when our nation needed them most, redefining the role of the American woman and opening the door wider for generations to come. As you know, many of them worked in Michigan at Willow Run, are dear friends, and I have celebrated many 100th birthdays as well as welcomed them to DC. This week I introduced a bill with my Republican colleague, Rep. Kay Granger, to remember and honor their legacy and impact by authorizing a memorial to them on the National Mall.
It came during a week that I lost another friend, Clara Doutly. She is the second to die in the last couple of weeks and I miss them both. They inspired me and supported me in so many ways. Here is a picture of me with Clara on her 101st birthday.
The Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act
Another week of not considering critical bills the country wants to see us address. Instead, Republicans brought a set of messaging bills to the House Floor. These bills are a distraction from work that our constituents sent us here to do, and their fear mongering is a political stunt designed to scare consumers. We should be working together to find common sense solutions to the issues that really matter to Americans, not wasting valuable time to “protect” home appliances when they aren’t at risk in the first place.
Motion to Vacate Speaker Johnson
After Republicans brought the home appliance messaging bills to the House Floor, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie introduced a resolution to vacate the Speakership, yet again. This was yet another political stunt, and I joined my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote against this resolution.
Protecting Survivors of Domestic Violence
Sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel urging the Commission to take proactive measures to address the threat of domestic abusers exploiting connectivity tools in vehicles to harass and intimidate their partners. The FCC recently issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to better understand the risks posed by connected vehicles to survivors of domestic abuse.
My goal is to also work collaboratively with the FCC, automakers, domestic violence groups, and other stakeholders to ensure well-intentioned technological innovations do not create new challenges and risks for survivors. We can create a safer environment for survivors of all ages, empowering them to pursue freedom from domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and harassment.
Letter to the Department of Justice and the Department of Education to Strengthen Protections for Students with Disabilities
Joined colleagues in leading a letter to the Department of Justice and the Department of Education urging them to update guidance to strengthen and protect the rights of students with disabilities– helping us eliminate ambiguity in the decades-old regulations and remove barriers to education.
Letter to House Appropriations Committee Calling for ESA Funding
As Co-Chair of the Endangered Species Act Caucus, I joined more than 130 of my colleagues in sending a letter to the House Appropriations Committee calling for robust funding for the Endangered Species Act to support listing, planning and consultation, species conservation and restoration, and species recovery. For 50 years, the Endangered Species Act has been our most successful tool to protect America’s imperiled wildlife, preventing the extinction of 99 percent of the species it covers, including beloved animals like the bald eagle, grizzly bear, and Florida manatee. We must remain vigilant to defend and expand the protections of the ESA, ensuring we never take our environmental safeguards for granted.
2024 Congressional Art Competition Winners
Congratulations to our 2024 Congressional Art Competition first-place winner, Jelena Nguyen, a 12th grader from Flat Rock Community High School. Jelena submitted an acrylic painting titled ‘Serenity,’ which will be displayed in the Capitol in Washington DC. Our first runner up is Gianna Turek, a 12th grader from Manchester High School, with a mixed media work titled ‘Lucky Duck,’ and our second runner up is Gemma Veilleux, a 12th grader from Huron High School, who submitted an untitled photograph. I am impressed by all of this year’s participants and thank you all for submitting your creations. And a special thanks to our schools and teachers, who encourage your students to participate and foster an appreciation for the arts through education. The artistic talent of all these students is amazing and it’s my hope that our winners continue to pursue their creative talents and utilize their artistic gifts.
AANHPI Heritage Month
In May, we celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time dedicated to honoring the richness and diversity within the AANHPI community. Together, let's embrace this time to work towards fostering a more inclusive nation for everyone.
The Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Annual Days of Remembrance Ceremony
This week, President Biden spoke at the Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Annual Days of Remembrance Ceremony. As we reflected on the evil history of antisemitism across the world, we remembered the pain inflicted on the Jewish community during the Holocaust– a pain that will never subside.
We must be unwavering in the fight against antisemitism and stand up to racism, sexism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, homophobia, and all other forms of hatred wherever and whenever we see it. This is why last week, I voted in favor of a bill that would protect students across the country from blatant antisemitism.
Allergy and Asthma Day Congressional Briefing
As someone who has asthma and serves as co chair of the Asthma and Allergy Caucus, I understand the importance of supporting programs that serve Americans living with this disease. I keep thinking of the mother I met who has two jobs and a child with asthma whose inhaler costs $700. Inaction on this issue is not an option.
It was great to join the Allergy and Asthma Network for a congressional briefing to discuss our work to lift burdens created by asthma and allergies. High health care and prescription drug costs affect all of us, regardless of background or party. This is an issue where bipartisan action is necessary and needed.
Meeting with the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA)
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) visited DC this week and I met with them to discuss efforts to bolster smart, industry-led efforts that will continue the drive toward zero fatalities. We also discussed the importance of fixing our train crossings because lives are at risk. We must improve safety and efficiency at these crossings while also having a system that works for the efficient transportation of goods by rail. It is essential that we develop a plan that has everyone on the same page, rowing in the same direction, and helps address every community’s issues.
Overseas Citizen Services
As summer approaches, if you plan to take a trip overseas, use the State Department’s country-specific information for your destination. You can check the travel advisory level, find passport and visa requirements, learn about banned items, and save the contact info for the nearest U.S. embassy all in one place.
Funding for the District
Since the last newsletter, we have secured $2,536,134 for the University of Michigan in grant funding from the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct research in the areas of mental health and neurological disorders. We have also secured $2,334,045 in grant funding from the National Science Foundation for the University of Michigan. This money will support programs that conduct research in chemical, bioengineering, environmental, and transport systems, mathematical sciences, and physics.
Inflation Report
This week, eggs are up to $3.69 a dozen, but milk stayed steady again at $2.79 a gallon. Since I can’t drink Diet Coke anymore, I am trying to find a substitute. Perrier is on sale for $12.99 for a 12-pack. Please let me know if you have any other ideas.
It's almost summer. Lots of events and places to be and I want to try to get to it all. If there is somewhere I should be, please let me know. Keep me updated with what’s on your mind and what you are worried about. Hope you have a good weekend.
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
