Between meetings in D.C. and the district, committee and caucus meetings, and events at home these last couple of weeks have been busy. Importantly many people across the district, are concerned about federal funding cuts - what that will look like, how it will impact the community, and what there is to do to combat it. This impacts cleaning up environmental sites, health, seniors, etc. I must continue to listen, understand, and deliver. We also continue our casework each day, as anxiety grows so does casework. Please continue sharing your stories and concerns with me, it is beyond important.
Below, I summarized some of my work over the last couple of weeks. Tell me where you want me to be. Invite me to a meeting, or to your business or nonprofit to understand what is going on. Team Dingell is here to help you so never hesitate to reach out.
Black History Month
February is Black History Month, an important time to celebrate and remember the invaluable history and contributions of African Americans to our nation.
In honor of this, I joined the Tuskegee Detroit Chapter for their February meeting and listened to stories of their history. Their chapter is the only location in the U.S. to list the names and the memories of every Tuskegee pilot from around the country on the wall throughout. It was an important evening. I will be participating in other meetings throughout the month. Together, let us honor their voices and stories
POSTPONED: Telephone Town Hall
The Telephone Town Hall has been rescheduled for Thursday, March 6 at 5:30 pm ET.
NIH Funding
The NIH announced plans to cut funding by imposing a 15% cap on NIH support for indirect costs. Medical research saves lives, creates jobs, and enhances the quality of life for millions of Americans. We are benefiting from the groundbreaking discoveries of the past, and future generations deserve the same opportunities for progress.
Many research groups in Michigan, including the University of Michigan have many critical studies underway including cancer, Alzheimer’s, cardiac, diabetic, among many others. Funding cuts put those advancements at risk, potentially leaving many without critical treatment options and slowing the life-saving innovations we rely on. We cannot afford to let this vital research stall.
American Leadership in Manufacturing and Next-Generation Technologies
The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a hearing on ‘Securing American Leadership in Manufacturing and the Next Generation of Technologies’.
Strengthening our supply chains is critical for our industrial base, economic security, and national security. The federal government must have the tools to prevent vulnerabilities from escalating into full-blown crises.
Innovation is critical, and we must continue to lead, but we have to be honest about the impact on workers and ensure that progress does not come at the expense of the middle class. We cannot leave labor behind.
The National Sheriff’s Association was in town and I visited with many Michigan Sheriffs about issues that matter to them. Our sheriffs keep our communities safe, and we must ensure they have the resources they need to do their job. They are concerned about potential budget cuts, COP grants, and in general the difficulty of recruiting new officers. This matters and we must support our local law enforcement. Saying thank you matters.
Digital Dialogue
Spoke at the Digital Dialogue Forum where we had a good discussion about new technology advancements and their challenges. The U.S. must remain at the forefront of innovation to stay competitive in the global marketplace and understand and address industry concerns.
Michigan Fire Chiefs
Met with Michigan Fire Chiefs to discuss issues they are facing. Our firefighters keep our communities safe and we must ensure they have the resources to continue to do so, and support mutual aid as well.
Children's NationalHospital Fly-in
Met with C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, who participated in the annual Children’s National Hospital fly-in meeting. It was an important discussion with doctors themselves on the healthcare challenges they are facing and the work we must do to ensure all children have access to the healthcare they need.
Ford Motor Company
I met Ford to discuss how EVs are critical to keeping our auto industry competitive globally. We must ensure these investments are tied to good jobs, strengthening our supply chains, and securing our economic and national security. Investing in EVs and electrification supports not just auto workers but also suppliers and entire communities, creating a foundation for the future. Michigan must be at the forefront of this innovation, and if we aren’t, we will put our supply chains, economic growth, and security at risk.
Trade Association Leadership Council
The Trade Association Leadership Council met to discuss key trade and manufacturing challenges, including the importance of maintaining our domestic auto and health care industries. We also covered how potential policy changes under a second Trump administration could impact the broadband rollout and environmental regulations.
Power at Work Blogcast
The “Power at Work” blogcast hosted myself, Rep. Mark Pocan (WI02), and Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ01), my cochairs of the Labor Caucus, to talk about the current state of labor in the U.S.
It was an important discussion about our shared goals - protecting working men and women in the U.S.
The Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee had a hearing on “Combating Existing and Emerging Illicit Drug Threats” to address the opioid epidemic devastating communities nationwide. Oakland County Sheriff Bouchard was a witness, sharing his, and all of our concerns about the severe local impact of this crisis. He was an excellent witness and was able to share the work being done in his county and in Michigan that is making a difference. He is our everyday hero.
The Ministers Alliance of Washtenaw County asked me to join them for their monthly meeting because of the concern about the impact of federal budget cuts on the communities they serve - including Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Meals on Wheels, Headstart, education, housing, among many others.
Tariffs
Tariffs are a tool that, when applied strategically, can strengthen our economy, protect American workers, and support domestic manufacturing. We cannot allow China to exploit our trade agreements. We need trade policies that prioritize American jobs, union labor, and economic security, and keep America competitive globally. We cannot have tariffs grounded in politics. American workers and businesses need certainty.
See my statement on Canada, Mexico, and China tariffs here, my statement on steel and aluminum tariffs here, and my interview on steel and aluminum tariffs here.
Supporting Survivors of Sexual and Domestic Violence
Spoke at a meeting of the National Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Organizations who are very concerned about their funding, which is crucial for providing essential resources and support to survivors. Without crucial funding from programs established in the Violence Against Women Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, staff will face burnout and layoffs, services will be halted and shelters could be forced to close their doors. I will continue to work closely with these groups to ensure that these programs can continue without interruption, doing the work that survivors and their families rely on.
National Association of Community Health Centers
The Michigan Community Health Center leaders visited Washington to discuss their work. Community health centers are the closest thing we have to fully accessible care now in the US. They provide invaluable services to over 70,000 people in MI-06 who might otherwise not have access to high-quality care.
Southeast Michigan Council of Government (SEMCOG)
Southeast Michigan Council of Governments was in D.C. for their meetings. We're focused on finding solutions that strengthen our local communities, improve regional collaboration, and drive progress across Southeast Michigan. From roads to sewer systems, economic development, environmental resources, parks and recreation, among others. They are an important organization.
American Medical Association
Doctors from Michigan and members of the American Medical Association came to D.C. to discuss strengthening patients' access to care.
Proposed Medicare cuts are raising serious concerns among doctors about their ability to continue providing essential care to our communities and Medicare recipients. This threatens children and seniors in particular access to healthcare. We must work together to ensure if you are sick, you have access to health care.
CEO of Hemlock Semiconductor
Met with AB Ghosh, CEO of Hemlock Semiconductors. He was able to share an update on the need to continue to protect IRA/CHIPS to ensure we produce semiconductors in the U.S. We never want to see parking lots of autos and trucks again waiting on chips from other countries. The Michigan plant is on target right now.
My Week in MI06
Trenton Rotary Super Kids Day
Trenton Rotary hosted its annual Super Kids Day and you cannot help but smile. Saw so many superheroes and princesses. It’s great to see kids having fun.
Chelsea Winter Carnival
The Chelsea American Legion Winter Carnival just made me smile. Seeing men and boys, fathers and sons happy to have been ice fishing all day and the competition to see who caught the biggest fish. Most importantly, this is the biggest fundraiser for this post of the year to support veterans. They also hosted breakfast and dinner each day. A special thank you to the hosts: American Legion, Sons of the American Legion, and American Legion Auxiliary.
Main Street Galentines
The Main Street Ann Arbor Galentine’s Day Event is a fun time to wander. It was the perfect way to celebrate friendship, love, and community with an amazing group of women.
Avalon
The Avalon Housing-led screening and discussion of "A Letter to the West Side", a documentary reflecting on the past, present, and future of the Historic West Side community. It was a very important night for Ann Arbor and its history.
LegislativeUpdate
Enter someBelow is a quick summary of legislation I have introduced and am working on from the last 10 days.
Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act
Reintroduced legislation with Reps. Jen Kiggans (R-VA-03), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-01) to provide much-needed resources to address doctors and nurses burnout. The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act is a first-of-its-kind law to support health workers’ mental health and wellbeing. Since its enactment in 2022, the law has transformed and saved lives, and improved the systems in which health workers are educated, trained, and practice.
In addition to widening its reach to more hospitals and health systems, the bipartisan reauthorization prioritizes funding to grantees that seek to reduce administrative burden – the primary driver of health workers’ burnout.
Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Todd Young (R-IN), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Roger Marshall (R-KS) have introduced companion legislation.
Victims Fund to provide critical support for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, child abuse, stalking, and other crimes.
I introduced this bipartisan bill with Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO) to prevent the devastating impact of depleting deposits into the CVF fund to make sure victim services organizations can continue helping those who depend on them to recover from their experience.
Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Products Safety Act
Congressman Moolenaar and I reintroduced legislation to prevent anyone else from dying of contaminated bone graft material and named it in honor of Shandra Eisenga of Marion, Michigan who died because the bone graft she received was infected.
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Sciences to implement policies to stop TB infections through research and screening of tissue donations. Shandra Eisenga’s death was a preventable tragedy and too many others have lost their lives to TB infection and contaminated bone grafts.
Introduced a bipartisan resolution with Rep. John James to recognize February 4th as “National Cancer Prevention Day.” The resolution recognizes the devastating effect cancer has on families and the importance of expanding knowledge, encouraging early detection, and working with experts in the medical and scientific fields to put an end to this deadly disease. The goal of National Cancer Prevention Day is to educate ourselves and our neighbors about efforts we can all take to reduce the prevalence of cancer in our communities.
After 17 years on the air, it was an honor to be the very last guest on Andrea Mitchell Reports. She is a remarkable journalist and a good friend. And she’ll continue to do critical work at NBC. Journalism like hers is more important than ever.
