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    <title>Dingell, Debbie RSS Articles</title>
    <description>Dingell, Debbie RSS Articles</description>
    <link>http://debbiedingell.house.gov/</link>
    <lastBuildDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate>
    <docs>http://backend.userland.com/rss</docs>
    <generator>RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/</generator>
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      <title>DIG THIS: Dingell Co-Leads National Fossil Act</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Erin Houchin (R-IN-09) introduced the National Fossil Act, bipartisan legislation that would designate the American mastodon (Mammut americanum) as the national fossil mammal and the Tyrannosaurus rex as the national fossil dinosaur of the United States. The American mastodon roamed the region during the Ice Age, making Michigan home to the nation's densest concentration of mastodon fossils. In 2002, it became the official state fossil.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;strong&gt;“America’s story didn’t begin in 1776. It began thousands and even millions of years earlier, with creatures like the mastodon and T. rex roaming the land we now call home,”&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;/i&gt;said Congresswoman Dingell. &lt;strong&gt;&lt;i&gt;“Recognizing them as national symbols is a reminder that discovery is part of who we are as a country. From backyard discoveries to museum exhibits that have inspired generations of kids, this bipartisan effort is a way to celebrate America’s prehistoric past and spark curiosity about science and exploration. And in a moment when we don’t agree on much, I think most Americans can still agree that dinosaurs are pretty cool.”&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If enacted, the American mastodon and Tyrannosaurus rex would join the bald eagle, bison, rose, and oak tree as official national symbols of the United States.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;i&gt;"The American mastodon has been recognized as Indiana's state fossil since 2022," &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;said Congresswoman Houchin.&lt;i&gt; &lt;strong&gt;"As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, this bill is a fitting way to recognize an important part of America's story while encouraging future generations to explore science, geology, and paleontology. The mastodon and Tyrannosaurus rex have captured the imagination of Americans for generations and deserve a place among our nation's official symbols."&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The American mastodon is the official state fossil of both Indiana and Michigan and has been discovered at sites throughout both states. The Tyrannosaurus rex remains one of the most recognizable dinosaurs in the world and an enduring symbol of American paleontological discovery.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In the 118th Congress, legislation led by Senators Mike Braun and Gary Peters to designate the mastodon as America's national fossil passed the Senate unanimously. The Dingell-Houchin bill continues that effort while also recognizing the Tyrannosaurus rex as the nation's official fossil dinosaur. The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-SD-AL), Nick Langworthy (R-NY-23), Celeste Maloy (R-UT-02), and Tracey Mann (R-KS-01).&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;u&gt;Read the bill text &lt;/u&gt;&lt;a data-cke-saved-href="https://debbiedingell.house.gov/components/redirect/r.aspx?ID=32506-2030338" href="https://houchin.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/houchin.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/national-fossil-act-1-1-1.pdf" data-auth="NotApplicable" id="OWAdf2906d0-5a97-0e59-f0be-4fb94ba9dbb0" data-linkindex="0" title="https://houchin.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/houchin.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/national-fossil-act-1-1-1.pdf"&gt;&lt;u&gt;HERE&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;u&gt;.&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>http://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6975</link>
      <guid>http://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6975</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>Dingell Asks State to Address Issues Facing Women at Huron Valley Correctional Facility  </title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) is seeking immediate attention and action from state leaders in Michigan to address the health and safety concerns at the Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility in Ypsilanti. The congresswoman’s effort follows reports that a&lt;a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0" href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2026/06/06/3rd-inmate-in-less-than-a-month-dies-at-michigan-womens-prison/90440620007/" id="OWAc9876016-9d28-4d52-ce6b-baf6f44562fd" title="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2026/06/06/3rd-inmate-in-less-than-a-month-dies-at-michigan-womens-prison/90440620007/"&gt;&lt;u&gt; third woman died&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt; in less than a month at the facility. In a new letter to Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Congresswoman Dingell reiterated her years-long concerns regarding the ongoing reports of toxic mold and other serious health, safety, medical, and living condition issues at Huron Valley.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;i&gt;“This facility is the only correctional facility in the state that houses women, and it falls within the jurisdiction of the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC). Concerns have been raised repeatedly by women in custody, their families, advocates, attorneys, medical professionals, and the public. Too many continue to report that the underlying problems remain unsolved. It is essential that you give this issue your immediate attention and take urgent action to address the serious issues threatening the safety of these women under MDOC supervision,” &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;Congresswoman Dingell said.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Congresswoman Dingell ended the letter urging the state to direct every appropriate effort to ensure that any studies, inspections, environmental assessments, or reports concerning toxic mold and other health and safety conditions are released to the public. She also included a series of questions with a request for answers by June 19, 2026.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;i&gt;“I urge you to direct every appropriate effort to ensure that any studies, inspections, environmental assessments, or reports concerning toxic mold and other health and safety conditions at Huron Valley Women’s Correctional Facility are released to the public,” &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;said Congresswoman Dingell. &lt;strong&gt;&lt;i&gt;“If the Attorney General’s office is preventing the release of these materials, I ask that you work with the Attorney General to make them available, along with clear next steps to address what led to these conditions.”&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Congresswoman Dingell is a leading voice in the Democratic Women’s Caucus in the House of Representatives and has long been a champion for the health and safety of women, both before and since entering Congress. In July 2023, the&lt;a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1" href="https://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4381" id="OWA6aa8d989-8e37-b170-280d-fa2c3454fcba" title="https://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4381"&gt;&lt;u&gt; congresswoman toured&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt; the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility to learn more about the rehabilitation, career, and educational resources and medical care at the facilities, as well as hear from inmates about their experiences.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;u&gt;A copy of the letter can be found &lt;/u&gt;&lt;a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2" href="https://debbiedingell.house.gov/UploadedFiles/6.8.26_Huron_Valley_Letter.pdf" id="OWA0e17015c-208d-9791-6063-be177b15668e" title="https://debbiedingell.house.gov/UploadedFiles/6.8.26_Huron_Valley_Letter.pdf"&gt;&lt;u&gt;HERE &lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;u&gt;and text is below:&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Dear Governor Whitmer:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;I am writing to express my continuing concern regarding the ongoing reports of toxic mold and other serious health, safety, medical, and living condition issues at the Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility in my district in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The recent deaths of three women in custody–including two women who died on May 13 and May 17, and another woman who died over this past weekend on the morning of June 6–underscore the urgent need for immediate intervention and accountability.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;This facility is the only correctional facility in the state that houses women, and it falls within the jurisdiction of the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC). Concerns have been raised repeatedly by women in custody, their families, advocates, attorneys, medical professionals, and the public. Too many continue to report that the underlying problems remain unsolved. It is essential that you give this issue your immediate attention and take urgent action to address the serious issues threatening the safety of these women under MDOC supervision.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;No one should be subjected to conditions that threaten their health and well-being. But for years, there have been alarming reports of the condition of and treatment facing women in custody at the facility. Several have come forward with their experiences of having to clean toxic mold without proper safety equipment and describe a disturbing lack of medical care. Instances of toxic mold are particularly troubling because of the potential for respiratory illness and other long-term health consequences. The women’s experiences raise significant questions about whether adequate safeguards are in place to provide safe, humane, and adequate care to those in its custody, especially in light of the sudden and tragic deaths of Rebecca Fackler, Khaira Howard, and Ashley Hoath, who died within a month of each other.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;I’ve visited the facility for hours and spoken directly with women who are terrified for their wellbeing. Their concerns–and the concerns of the broader community–remain unaddressed, and public confidence in the facility has plummeted. These concerns warrant immediate review and meaningful corrective action to ensure that all individuals in state custody are treated humanely and provided with a safe environment.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;The State of Michigan has both a legal and moral responsibility to ensure that correctional facilities are safe, humane, and operated in a manner that protects the health and dignity of every person in its custody. Transparency and accountability are essential to maintaining public trust in this facility, but unfortunately, the state’s failure to make testing results publicly available and its continued lack of response to residents’ legitimate concerns have only eroded confidence in the facility’s safety.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;I urge you to direct every appropriate effort to ensure that any studies, inspections, environmental assessments, or reports concerning toxic mold and other health and safety conditions at Huron Valley Women’s Correctional Facility are released to the public. If the Attorney General’s office is preventing the release of these materials, I ask that you work with the Attorney General to make them available, along with clear next steps to address what led to these conditions. As long as these reports remain unavailable, questions will persist about the severity of the problems and whether they are being adequately addressed. The women at Huron Valley, their families, staff, and the people of Michigan deserve access to the facts and the confidence that comes from an open and accountable process.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Given th&lt;/i&gt;&lt;em&gt;e urgency of these concerns, I request answers to the following questions by Friday, June 19, 2026.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;
    &lt;p role="presentation"&gt;&lt;em&gt;How many grievances related to mold, environmental hazards, medical care, or unsafe living conditions have been filed during the past five years?&amp;nbsp;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
    &lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;
    &lt;p role="presentation"&gt;&lt;em&gt;How often is the facility tested for environmental and safety hazards, and by whom?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
    &lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;
    &lt;p role="presentation"&gt;&lt;em&gt;What remediation efforts have been undertaken in the last year, and how has the state verified their effectiveness?&amp;nbsp;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
    &lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;
    &lt;p role="presentation"&gt;&lt;em&gt;What is the process to address a safety concern after it is identified by a woman in custody or staff member of the facility?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
    &lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;
    &lt;p role="presentation"&gt;&lt;em&gt;When a woman in custody falls ill or is injured, what is the process for getting her timely and appropriate medical care? Who makes this decision?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
    &lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;
    &lt;p role="presentation"&gt;&lt;em&gt;If care is delayed or denied for a woman in custody for any reason, what options are available for her to appeal the decision?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
    &lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;
    &lt;p role="presentation"&gt;&lt;em&gt;In the last year, how many women have needed medical care? How many requests for medical care have been denied?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
    &lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;
    &lt;p role="presentation"&gt;&lt;em&gt;What investigations have been initiated regarding the deaths of Rebecca Fackler and Khaira Howard? Were either women receiving ongoing medical treatment at the time of death, and were there any outstanding requests for medical care?&amp;nbsp;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
    &lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;
    &lt;p role="presentation"&gt;&lt;em&gt;How do you ensure investigations into deaths at the facility are independent and not influenced by staff who were potentially involved in the incident?&amp;nbsp;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
    &lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;
    &lt;p role="presentation"&gt;&lt;em&gt;How many deaths have occurred at the facility in the past 10 years and what were the causes?&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
    &amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
    &lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;
    &lt;p role="presentation"&gt;&lt;em&gt;Are there any other threats to the health of women at the facility that the letter did not address? What steps are you taking to address those threats?&amp;nbsp;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
    &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Thank you for your attention to this &lt;/em&gt;&lt;i&gt;serious matter.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>http://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6973</link>
      <guid>http://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6973</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>Dingell Introduces Legislation to Address Safety Defects that Allow Firearms to Discharge Without Pulling the Trigger</title>
      <description>&lt;blockquote type="cite"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) reintroduced the Defective Firearms Protection Act, a bill that would address safety defects in firearms similarly to any other consumer product by issuing safety warnings and recalls if necessary. Currently, firearms are excluded from the definition of a consumer product, which prohibits the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)from addressing safety issues in firearms. The timing of the bill coincides with Gun Violence Prevention Month.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;i&gt;“Every product sold in America, except guns, is subject to federal health and safety regulations. This means that faulty firearms that misfire, discharge without a trigger pull, or fail in other ways that can kill, stay on shelves because nobody has the authority to pull them,”&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; said Congresswoman Dingell.&lt;i&gt; &lt;strong&gt;“The Defective Firearms Protection Act would fix that, targeting defective weapons that should never be on the marketplace in the first place. No industry should be above basic safety standards, because a gun that doesn’t work right is a danger to the person holding it and everyone around them.”&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Defective Firearms Protection Act would help prevent such accidents by removing barriers in current law that prevent the CPSC from addressing defective pistols, revolvers, or firearms.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;u&gt;A copy of the bill text can be found &lt;/u&gt;&lt;a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0" href="https://debbiedingell.house.gov/UploadedFiles/6.3.26_Gun_Trigger_Bill.pdf" id="OWA6e725570-be3d-1f6f-b23e-083ce5d3679e" title="https://debbiedingell.house.gov/UploadedFiles/6.3.26_Gun_Trigger_Bill.pdf"&gt;&lt;u&gt;HERE&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;u&gt;.&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;</description>
      <link>http://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6943</link>
      <guid>http://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6943</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>Dingell, Moolenaar Introduce Legislation to Prevent Offshoring Biotech Industry to China</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and John Moolenaar (R-MI-02), Chairman of the Select Committee on China, introduced the Biotech Investment National Security Act (BINSA). This legislation would ensure American investment in adversary biotechnology is subject to the review requirements of the Comprehensive Outbound Investment National Security (COINS) Act. This would apply to biotechnology, including pharmaceutical development, biologics manufacturing, and clinical research and development. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;strong&gt;“Biotechnology will shape the future of medicine, agriculture, manufacturing, and national security. This legislation is important because it will ensure that American investment does not inadvertently support the development or expansion of biotechnology industries that could threaten our economic and national security interests. The United States must remain the global leader in innovation, and we cannot afford to be dependent on foreign competitors – like the People’s Republic of China – for critical pharmaceutical ingredients, drug development, and medical supply chains. Strengthening America’s biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries will help protect patients, create jobs, and safeguard our nation’s health and security,”&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/i&gt; said Congresswoman Dingell.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What the Bill Does&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;
    &lt;p role="presentation"&gt;Amends the COINS Act of 2025 to add biotechnology — specifically pharmaceutical and biological product development — to the list of sectors subject to outbound investment screening.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
    &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;
    &lt;p role="presentation"&gt;Makes U.S. pharmaceutical licensing deals, joint ventures, and equity investments with Chinese covered foreign persons subject to Treasury Department review.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
    &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;
    &lt;p role="presentation"&gt;Explicitly covers licensing deals involving technology and intellectual property.&lt;/p&gt;
    &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;
    &lt;p role="presentation"&gt;Directs Treasury to issue implementing regulations within one year, consulting HHS, DOD, and the Director of National Intelligence.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
    &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;
    &lt;p role="presentation"&gt;Requires the Secretary of Defense to assess within 60 days whether U.S. capital flows into Chinese biotechnology negatively affect national security and military readiness.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
    &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;
    &lt;p role="presentation"&gt;Explicitly excludes agricultural biotechnology, industrial fermentation, and basic academic research.&lt;/p&gt;
    &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Bill text can be found &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/pq8zlsfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Pj5cX3cCafMhw6d7RjvcthZkd5EyoaAp9_naTuWa3GH0qe21QaIp6BuWhLZp8_4Oe-Qvt-Keh6FjZjnGeouXh3WmiVc5_5hyD1fMhyFsZKlSoO-3p4dmKw_AyumP_cNstpDWVbqKLr0N-hGi54Rwh0veLSM6tb-CH0Aweakxv5d7LWowJFlJoL-84moWU8Ec9dlNPIyYOlX9kRyOG3rJnSqYDbebPVcIb0_mQxPYo6c=&amp;amp;c=casaLbInfgvh_nIBKD741mDccmHokBniXrEoV5LTua-0pEl7DsSNiw==&amp;amp;ch=ycO2FuVXJChPQAzy05-Yhm_filsP570iU8L1wO7KdZJMwW7S0u_muw==__;!!BSgrhSFG!DxO2et_A_T49TEMfxmLrerSB6ESGUYXA2LKgkJUrr8uevyXrdtMTnHwRY5wE70UT6Sd0WG27WAxMbNWGFUBCFRAiKTqsUko2L1jIiyJLb1s$" id="OWA9c21e2dd-c641-1de8-cc5b-1bb7a89268dd" data-auth="NotApplicable" title="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/pq8zlsfbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Pj5cX3cCafMhw6d7RjvcthZkd5EyoaAp9_naTuWa3GH0qe21QaIp6BuWhLZp8_4Oe-Qvt-Keh6FjZjnGeouXh3WmiVc5_5hyD1fMhyFsZKlSoO-3p4dmKw_AyumP_cNstpDWVbqKLr0N-hGi54Rwh0veLSM6tb-CH0Aweakxv5d7LWowJFlJoL-84moWU8Ec9dlNPIyYOlX9kRyOG3rJnSqYDbebPVcIb0_mQxPYo6c=&amp;amp;c=casaLbInfgvh_nIBKD741mDccmHokBniXrEoV5LTua-0pEl7DsSNiw==&amp;amp;ch=ycO2FuVXJChPQAzy05-Yhm_filsP570iU8L1wO7KdZJMwW7S0u_muw==__;!!BSgrhSFG!DxO2et_A_T49TEMfxmLrerSB6ESGUYXA2LKgkJUrr8uevyXrdtMTnHwRY5wE70UT6Sd0WG27WAxMbNWGFUBCFRAiKTqsUko2L1jIiyJLb1s$"&gt;&lt;u&gt;HERE&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;u&gt;.&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;</description>
      <link>http://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6972</link>
      <guid>http://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6972</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>Dingell Raises Concerns Over Administration’s Decision to Allow Chinese-Owned Connected Vehicles in U.S.</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) raised concerns regarding the U.S. Department of Commerce’s decision to &lt;a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/volvo-cars-wins-us-approval-keep-importing-vehicles-with-connected-car-2026-05-26/__;!!Fr0YZsIsFWxTZsBm-qTAg68!iXsXruh9E-gPT59rMMfCf4iYxrge0b53O2Raxdl6n8XFGBH3Ff371LhBaiZbkpBsBOk4mzSW2B-3pxCZj67PENvNCXKCklzNIg$" id="OWA1323c748-5230-6cd9-3c39-524fc589d1db" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-cke-saved-href="https://debbiedingell.house.gov/components/redirect/r.aspx?ID=32398-2390996" title="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/volvo-cars-wins-us-approval-keep-importing-vehicles-with-connected-car-2026-05-26/__;!!Fr0YZsIsFWxTZsBm-qTAg68!iXsXruh9E-gPT59rMMfCf4iYxrge0b53O2Raxdl6n8XFGBH3Ff371LhBaiZbkpBsBOk4mzSW2B-3pxCZj67PENvNCXKCklzNIg$"&gt;&lt;u&gt;permit Chinese connected vehicles&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt; to enter the United States, warning that allowing this poses a serious threat to American national security, driver privacy, and the competitiveness of the domestic auto industry.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;div&gt;In January 2025, the previous administration finalized rules ‌effectively barring nearly all Chinese cars and trucks from the U.S. market, as part of a crackdown on vehicle software and hardware from China. Congresswoman Dingell helped spearhead a bipartisan, bicameral legislative effort alongside Congressman John Moolenaar (R-MI-04), Chairman of the Select Committee on China, to put these rules into law. The duo introduced the &lt;a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://files.constantcontact.com/f0eecb46901/ffa0e68e-f1cc-49b4-8095-20dbc3ea60d4.pdf__;!!Fr0YZsIsFWxTZsBm-qTAg68!iXsXruh9E-gPT59rMMfCf4iYxrge0b53O2Raxdl6n8XFGBH3Ff371LhBaiZbkpBsBOk4mzSW2B-3pxCZj67PENvNCXIhrsouqw$" id="OWA9d96ae82-eb2f-7ff4-d576-d19e3dcf34a3" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-cke-saved-href="https://debbiedingell.house.gov/components/redirect/r.aspx?ID=32399-2390996" title="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://files.constantcontact.com/f0eecb46901/ffa0e68e-f1cc-49b4-8095-20dbc3ea60d4.pdf__;!!Fr0YZsIsFWxTZsBm-qTAg68!iXsXruh9E-gPT59rMMfCf4iYxrge0b53O2Raxdl6n8XFGBH3Ff371LhBaiZbkpBsBOk4mzSW2B-3pxCZj67PENvNCXIhrsouqw$"&gt;&lt;u&gt;Connected Vehicle Security Act&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;, legislation that would prohibit the importation, manufacture, and sale of connected vehicles, software, and hardware linked to China.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;A copy of the letter can be found &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://debbiedingell.house.gov/UploadedFiles/6.2.26_Volvo_Letter_FINAL.pdf" id="OWA4b581ee8-c863-3e04-5c54-0f3c4c3cda83" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-cke-saved-href="https://debbiedingell.house.gov/components/redirect/r.aspx?ID=32400-2390996" title="https://debbiedingell.house.gov/UploadedFiles/6.2.26_Volvo_Letter_FINAL.pdf"&gt;&lt;u&gt;HERE &lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;u&gt;and text is below:&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Dear Secretary Lutnick:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
This letter is to express concern regarding the recent decision by the Office of Information and Communications Technology and Services (OICTS) to authorize a foreign automaker with significant ties to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to continue importing, selling, and producing connected vehicles in the United States despite the administration’s connected vehicle security restrictions.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/i&gt;&lt;i&gt;The Department of Commerce finalized these rules because connected vehicle technologies present clear national security risks. Modern connected vehicles are capable of collecting and transmitting enormous amounts of sensitive information, including geolocation data, driving patterns, infrastructure mapping, operational diagnostics, and personal consumer information. These systems can enable remote access to vehicle functions. As the Department itself recognized, these technologies are vulnerable to exploitation by our adversaries and could be leveraged for surveillance, intelligence gathering, or disruption of critical infrastructure.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/i&gt;&lt;i&gt;This authorization appears to create a pathway for entities with substantial ownership, operational, or governance ties to the PRC to continue accessing our market despite the intent of the underlying connected vehicle rule. Congress and multiple administrations have recognized that Chinese companies operate under laws that can compel cooperation with the PRC and their intelligence services. These concerns cannot be mitigated simply through corporate restructuring, branding distinctions, or supply chain adjustments.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/i&gt;&lt;i&gt;The decision also raises broader concerns about whether existing authorization and waiver processes may inadvertently create loopholes that undermine the effectiveness of the rule. If entities tied to the PRC are permitted to continue operating in our market through exemptions or special authorizations, it risks weakening the very protections the rule was designed to establish.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/i&gt;&lt;i&gt;These concerns extend beyond national security. China’s automotive sector benefits from extensive state support, industrial overcapacity, unfair trade and labor practices, and distorted market conditions that threaten the long-term competitiveness of the American auto industry and our workers, suppliers, and communities that depend on it. We cannot afford to repeat the mistakes that allowed critical manufacturing sectors to be hollowed out through unfair competition and foreign subsidization.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/i&gt;&lt;i&gt;Congress has increasingly recognized the seriousness of these threats. Bipartisan, bicameral legislation that has been introduced would prohibit the importation, manufacture, and sale of connected vehicles, software, and hardware linked to foreign adversaries, including entities subject to the control or direction of the PRC. These proposals reflect growing bipartisan concern that current authorities may not be sufficient to fully address evolving national security and economic risks.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/i&gt;&lt;i&gt;Accordingly, I request a briefing on the basis for this authorization decision and the broader implications for implementation and enforcement of the connected vehicle rule. Given the significant national security, economic, and supply chain concerns involved, I would welcome either a classified or unclassified briefing, in whichever setting the Department believes is most appropriate to provide a full understanding of the decision, the safeguards in place, and the potential implications for future authorizations. I also request answers to the following questions:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;&lt;i&gt;What criteria did OICTS use to determine that this authorization would not pose a national security risk?&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;&lt;i&gt;What safeguards, mitigation measures, or ongoing compliance requirements were imposed as conditions of the authorization?&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;&lt;i&gt;How does the Department evaluate ownership structures, governance relationships, board representation, operational control, and technology development ties when assessing whether an entity is subject to the direction or jurisdiction of a foreign adversary of concern?&amp;nbsp;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;&lt;i&gt;How does the Department intend to prevent the authorization process from creating broader loopholes that may be used by additional foreign adversary-linked entities seeking entry into the U.S. market?&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;&lt;i&gt;What coordination occurred between the Department, the intelligence community, and other national security agencies prior to approving this authorization?&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;&lt;i&gt;Does the Department anticipate granting similar authorizations to additional entities tied to foreign adversaries of concern?&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;&lt;i&gt;How will the Department ensure that future connected vehicle restrictions are fully enforceable and not circumvented through corporate affiliations, joint ventures, licensing arrangements, or other indirect ownership structures?&lt;/i&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I look forward to your response and continued engagement on efforts to protect our national security, consumer privacy, and the future of the domestic auto industry.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>http://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6940</link>
      <guid>http://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6940</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Dingell, Joyce Recognize HS Awareness Week</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and John Joyce (R-PA-13) introduced a resolution recognizing the first week of June as Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) Awareness Week.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;strong&gt;“Hidradenitis Suppurativa affects millions of Americans, causing physical pain and emotional distress,” &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/i&gt;Congresswoman Dingell said. &lt;i&gt;“&lt;strong&gt;We recognize this week as HS Awareness Week to bring renewed attention to the importance of federal research into new treatments and advanced understanding of the disease to improve patient outcomes.”&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic, painful, and often misunderstood disease that affects millions of Americans, yet too many patients continue to face years-long delays in diagnosis and significant barriers to treatment. The HSCoalition is grateful to Representatives Debbie Dingell and John Joyce for recognizing the urgent need to raise awareness of HS through this resolution. By shining a light on the realities faced by patients and the barriers that persist in access to care, we can help advance earlier diagnosis, improve treatment outcomes, and ensure that people living with HS receive the care and support they deserve,”&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;/i&gt;said Stephanie Goldberg, Chair of the HS Coalition.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;u&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The resolution can be viewed &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://debbiedingell.house.gov/UploadedFiles/HS_Resolution.pdf" id="OWAa8a97613-059e-2cd0-7760-fe7c3122f340" title="https://debbiedingell.house.gov/UploadedFiles/HS_Resolution.pdf"&gt;&lt;u&gt;HERE&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;u&gt;.&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description>
      <link>http://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6971</link>
      <guid>http://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6971</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Dingell Secures More Than $67 Million in Healthcare Funding for the University of Michigan  </title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Today, U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) announced she secured $67,881,860 in federal grant funding for the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor to support a wide range of research initiatives, including aging, nursing, neurological disorders, cancer, and more. The funding comes from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and was made possible by Congresswoman Dingell’s advocacy.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;i&gt;“This funding will bolster the University of Michigan’s leadership in research and innovation,”&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt; &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;said Congresswoman Dingell. &lt;strong&gt;&lt;i&gt;“These federal grants are a powerful investment in the health, safety, and well-being of our communities, and I am proud to have secured this money. I will never stop working to deliver federal resources to Michigan that secure better treatments and improve patient outcomes.”&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;u&gt;Projects receiving funding include:&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;blockquote type="cite"&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;$3,058,812 for Aging Research&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;$2,967,624 for Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;$2,344,128 for Arthritis Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;$3,849,172 for Biomedical Research and Research Training&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;$766,516 for Blood Diseases and Resources Research&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;$7,480,932 for Cancer Research&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;$3,072,192 for Cardiovascular Diseases Research&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;$1,068,440 for Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;$2,726,248 for Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;$1,615,760 for Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;$20,478,352 for Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;$1,543,072 for H76 - Ryan White Title III Outpatient EIS Program&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;$5,264,800 for H80 - Health Center Program&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;$2,683,360 for Lung Diseases Research&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;$1,560,000 for Mental Health Research Grants&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;$592,340 for Research Infrastructure Programs&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;$1,868,588 for Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;$4,941,524 for Vision Research&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A full list of projects receiving grant funding can be found &lt;a data-cke-saved-href="https://debbiedingell.house.gov/components/redirect/r.aspx?ID=32348-2030338" href="https://debbiedingell.house.gov/UploadedFiles/05.27.26_HHSGRants.pdf" title="https://debbiedingell.house.gov/UploadedFiles/05.27.26_HHSGRants.pdf" data-outlook-id="6024b446-3b8c-40b2-ad88-290d332449ed"&gt;HERE&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;HHS is the largest grant-making agency in the United States. Most HHS grants are provided directly to states, territories, tribes, and educational and community organizations, then distributed to eligible individuals and organizations. For more information on HHS grants, click &lt;a href="https://debbiedingell.house.gov/components/redirect/r.aspx?ID=32349-2030338" id="OWA09c371f2-7153-5504-e507-c7d026d16a9f" title="https://debbiedingell.house.gov/components/redirect/r.aspx?ID=32349-2030338" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-cke-saved-href="https://debbiedingell.house.gov/components/redirect/r.aspx?ID=32185-2030338" data-linkindex="15" data-outlook-id="8194b041-fd07-4730-9de4-8ff6d924e225"&gt;&lt;u&gt;HERE&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>http://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6937</link>
      <guid>http://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6937</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 29 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Dingell Statement on the Michigan Medicine and BCBS Contract Agreement</title>
      <description>U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) released the following statement on the announced contract agreement between Michigan Medicine and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM):&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;“Michigan families should never have to worry about losing access to care they rely on. I’m glad Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Michigan Medicine reached an agreement that protects in-network access and lower costs for patients across our state," &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;said Congresswoman Dingell. &lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;"Michigan Medicine is one of the best health systems in the world. Keeping that system accessible and affordable is crucial. At a time when too many families are making tough choices with rising costs, this agreement can provide more peace of mind for patients.”&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;</description>
      <link>http://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6916</link>
      <guid>http://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6916</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 27 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Dingell Urges Administration Release Withheld Funds for Domestic Violence Survivors</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to immediately release federal funds for First Step Domestic and Sexual Violence Services. In a letter to the agency, Congresswoman Dingell rejected the administration’s claims of the funds as “fraud, waste, and abuse” and emphasized that continued delays have forced shelter closures and reduced lifesaving services for survivors across Southeast Michigan.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;u data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody"&gt;A copy of the letter can be found &lt;/u&gt;&lt;a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0" href="https://debbiedingell.house.gov/UploadedFiles/5.27.26_FEMA_Delays_Letter.pdf" id="OWA23e8c8f4-3003-6bf1-fa94-131c83edb866" title="https://debbiedingell.house.gov/UploadedFiles/5.27.26_FEMA_Delays_Letter.pdf"&gt;&lt;u&gt;HERE &lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;u&gt;and text is below:&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Dear Mr. Fenton:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;This letter is regarding the unsatisfactory and disappointing response to the letter I sent on December 18, 2025 regarding the status of Emergency Food and Shelter Program (ESFP) funding for First Step Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, specifically the claim that this funding is being reviewed in the interest of rooting out “fraud, waste, and abuse” to “deliver accountability for the American taxpayers."&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;The funding authorized through EFSP is essential. It not only provides financial support for basic necessities but allows victim service providers who serve survivors of domestic violence, such as First Step, to continue funding lifesaving services for survivors across Southeast Michigan. The EFSP program funds are not waste, fraud, or abuse; these funds create the foundation for services rooted in comfort, stability, and nourishment during a survivor’s healing journey.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Despite the importance of these funds, organizations are still unable to access them. Since August of 2025, my staff has worked to obtain information on the status of ESFP funds and other critical funding that supports survivors without resolution. The continued lapse in funding has created a precarious financial situation for victim service providers resulting in a reduction of services, program instability, and shelter closures.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Additional administrative burden in the name of addressing “fraud, waste and abuse” has severely exacerbated the financial challenges facing organizations who provide critical resources and whose budgets and capacity are already strained.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Instead of supporting survivors of domestic violence, actions that delay funding they depend on and lack clarity will only make it more difficult for them to seek safety and justice. I urge you to take measures to ensure EFSP grant funding is released with a clear timeline for disbursement.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>http://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6927</link>
      <guid>http://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6927</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 27 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Dingell Presses Administration on Public Service Loan Forgiveness Delays</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) urged the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to address delays in processing Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Buyback applications, some of which have sat undecided for over a year. In a letter to the department, Congresswoman Dingell highlighted the program’s role in retaining qualified public servants and called for coordinated efforts to ensure the 88,000 pending applicants receive timely decisions.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;u&gt;A copy of the letter can be found &lt;/u&gt;&lt;a href="https://debbiedingell.house.gov/UploadedFiles/5.27.26_PSLF_Letter.pdf" id="OWA6dcba139-ee37-d76c-100e-b73795766c5b" title="https://debbiedingell.house.gov/UploadedFiles/5.27.26_PSLF_Letter.pdf"&gt;&lt;u&gt;HERE &lt;/u&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;u&gt;and text is below:&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Dear Secretary McMahon:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;This letter is regarding the delays experienced by applicants to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Buyback. As a strong supporter of PSLF and our public servants, I am&amp;nbsp;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;concerned by reports I have heard from my constituents of applications sitting without a decision for over a year.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;The PSLF program provides essential support to eligible public servants by forgiving the remaining balance of their Direct Loan program student loans, so long as they meet the program&amp;nbsp;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;requirements. PSLF Buyback provides opportunities for borrowers to “buy back” deferred or forborne monthly payments, allowing borrowers to make previously ineligible periods of&amp;nbsp;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;deferment or forbearance qualifying monthly payments under PSLF.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;This program helps us retain qualified and competent public servants throughout our government and in the nonprofit sector by rewarding workers for their years of service. However, as of April 30, 2026, 88,000 PSLF Buyback applications were pending. In that same month, 4,790 applications were received and 6,870 applications were determined. While it is good that your department is making progress towards the backlog, there is still a long list of public servants waiting for the financial security they were promised.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;I was pleased by the recent announcement that the Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid is looking to hire 334 full-time employees by next year, a 45% increase from&amp;nbsp;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;staffing levels as of April 2026 and increasing total staffing to 1,065 full-time employees.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;However, even with successfully completing this hiring goal, the Office of Federal Student Aid would still be well under the staffing levels of the previous administration when staffing was as high as 1,444 full-time employees.I remain concerned by this administration’s propensity to push public servants out of federal work, including through the March 2025 Reduction in Force (RIF) only to have to hire workers for those same positions later on who are then faced with significant backlogs. The Office of Federal Student Aid is no exception.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;I am hopeful we can work together to ensure that our public servants long-awaited answers to their applications for PSLF. Thank you for your consideration in this matter and I look forward to receiving a response.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>http://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6928</link>
      <guid>http://debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6928</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 27 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Dingell, Walberg to Host Washtenaw County Veterans Fair</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) and U.S. Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-07) will co-host a Veterans Resource Fair in Washtenaw County on Monday, May 13 to provide veterans and their family members with access to resources earned through their service to our country. More than 20 veteran employment specialists, Veterans Affairs counselors, and veterans service organizations will participate. Constituents can call Congresswoman Dingell’s office at 313-278-2936 or Congressman Walberg’s office at 517-780-9075 for more information.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;Veterans are encouraged to bring a copy of their DD214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;At the fair, veterans will be able to register for eBenefits, file or check the status of a VA claim, check their healthcare benefits or enrollment, find veteran peer support, find employment services, and connect with financial assistance if needed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;WHAT&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;: Dingell, Walberg to hold Washtenaw County Veterans Resource Fair&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;WHEN&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;: Monday, May 13 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;WHERE&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;: VFW Post 423, 3230 S. Wagner Rd. in Ann Arbor&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;American Legion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;Attorney General - Consumer Protection&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;Buddy-to-Buddy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;Concordia University&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;Department of Labor Disabled Veterans Outreach&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;Detroit VARO (Veterans Benefits Administration)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;Eisenhower Center&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;Fischer House Michigan&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;Great Lakes National Cemetery&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;Habitat for Humanity Huron Valley&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;Michigan Works! Washtenaw&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;National Guard Family Assistance Center&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;State Senator Jeff Irwin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;State Representative Donna Lasinski&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;State Representative Rebekah Warren&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;Tags and Tails&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;Talent Investment Agency, Veterans’ Employment Services &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;VA Loan Guaranty Division&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;VCAT Region 9 / Community Action Agency&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;Vietnam Veterans of America&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;Volunteers of America Michigan &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 12pt;"&gt;Washtenaw County Veterans Affairs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>http://debbiedingell.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=1723</link>
      <guid>http://debbiedingell.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=1723</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 13 May 2019 14:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
  </channel>
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