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Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) today delivered her annual State of the District Address to the A2Y Regional Chamber.

In her remarks, Rep. Dingell provided updates on legislative successes from the previous year and addressed current issues including religious hate, ICE, the state of healthcare, the situation in Iran, and provided an update on the Gelman Plume.

Key excerpts as prepared

On Religious Hate:

“I am grateful no students or staff were injured in yesterday’s attack on Temple Israel synagogue. Houses of worship are meant to be sacred places. Places where people go for prayer, reflection, and clarity. Yet yesterday’s horrible attack reminds us once again that antisemitism and hatred are real threats. This kind of hate is unacceptable and happening too much.”

 “We have to stand up to hate whenever and whenever we see it. Period. Parents are afraid to send their children to school again, or gatherings. Faith communities are feeling very vulnerable and also question ‘can this happen to us?’”

 “We cannot normalize violence. We’ve got to stand together right now. People of all faiths and backgrounds need to say that violence and hatred cannot divide us. We stand united in supporting our Jewish neighbors, we’re united in condemning antisemitism, and we need to be united in condemning all forms of religious hate.”

On the Gelman Plume:

“Yesterday, the EPA announced it was adding the contaminated Gelman Sciences site to the Superfund National Priorities List. This marks a major milestone for the community and everyone who worked for years to hold Gelman accountable and ensure this contamination receives the resources it needs to support clean up.”

“This was only made possible due to the years of persistence of this community, but our work is not over. We must continue working with the EPA, state and local partners to ensure this cleanup is transparent and drinking water is safe. Our community deserves nothing less.”

“Many people across our region also care deeply about the rising cost of living, particularly housing. In communities like Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, the demand for housing has increased faster than new homes are being built. As a result, the cost to rent or buy a home has risen dramatically.”

On Iran:

“President Trump’s unilateral decision to strike Iran should concern us all. The American people have lived through decades of war in the Middle East, and there is deep concern about being pulled once again into an conflict with no clear strategy or defined end that puts American servicemembers in harms’ way. We’re all mourning the lives of the servicemembers who have already died in this rush to war.”

“There is no question that the Iranian regime was brutal. It slaughtered its own people, massacred thousands, and posed a serious threat to regional security, especially in its quest to secure dangerous weapons.”

“However, acknowledging the evil of a regime does not relieve us of the responsibility to ask hard questions about what comes next. Will American troops be deployed? What’s our exit strategy? What will this mean for American servicemembers and their families? What are our NATO partners and regional allies saying?”

“America must always defend its national security interests and protect its personnel. And the Constitution is clear—only Congress has the responsibility to decide whether we take this country to war, and that responsibility cannot be sidelined. That’s why I voted in support of a War Powers Resolution to curb the President’s use of military force in Iran without congressional authorization. The resolution failed, but we will continue to push for congressional oversight.”

On ICE:

“The divisions in this country are raw. I have joined several vigils throughout the district where people came together peacefully to mourn and speak out.”

“Last week, Secretary Kristi Noem was fired. While the decision was long overdue, Americans still want serious reforms that would ensure ICE follows the same rules as other law enforcement agencies, like no masks, judicial warrants, mandatory body cameras, no more deporting and arresting American citizens, and no more targeting children in schools, hospitals, or places of worship.”

“Unfortunately, my colleagues across the aisle have not presented any meaningful reforms to ICE. As a result, the Department of Homeland Security remains shut down, along with TSA and FEMA.”

“Funding for TSA and FEMA is deeply important, especially following the severe storms Michigan experienced last weekend. But ICE’s actions must be addressed as immigration enforcement expands across Southeast Michigan.”

“Last month, ICE confirmed it purchased a warehouse in Romulus with plans to convert it into a detention center. The Romulus City Council has passed a resolution opposing the project, and officials across all levels of government are exploring options to try to stop it.”

On Healthcare:

“I’ve heard from hundreds of people who can’t afford their health insurance anymore and have decided to go without. When people lose coverage, they don’t stop getting sick. They simply end up in emergency rooms without insurance. This places enormous strain on hospitals and the healthcare system. In fact, at least four Michigan hospitals are at risk of closure, and others have already been forced to reduce services.”

“And it’s not just Medicaid beneficiaries and those on the exchange who will be impacted – premiums, copays, and deductibles for employer-sponsored insurance will rise too. “

“Despite these challenges, I’m proud to have passed several bipartisan healthcare bills this Congress. These include the Mikaela Naylon Give Kids A Chance Act to accelerate treatments for children battling rare diseases, and the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act to reduce burnout and suicide among health care professionals.”

“We also passed my Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act, which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in the organ transplant system, and the Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Product Safety Act to strengthen oversight of bone graft and tissue companies after the tragic death of a Michigander due to contaminated tissue.”

“These bills are great examples of what’s possible when we work across the aisle to focus on the issues that matter. I hope to see them get through the Senate to the president’s desk this year."

Watch Rep. Dingell’s full remarks here.