WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Sen. Gary C. Peters, D-Michigan, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, issued the following opening statement as part of a virtual hearing entitled "Preparedness for COVID-19: The Initial Pandemic Response and Lessons Learned" on April 14, 2021: * * * First, I want to thank each of our witnesses for joining today's important discussion, which will be the first in a series of hearings focusing on the federal government's preparation  more

WASHINGTON, April 16 -- Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1215, the Fraud and Scam Reduction Act, legislation authored by Representatives Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE). The bipartisan bill will improve the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) prevention and response efforts against senior fraud and scams through enhanced coordination with key industries, consumer advocacy groups, appropriate law enforc  more

WASHINGTON, April 16 -- The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee issued the following testimony by Rep. Larry Bucshon, R-Indiana, as part of a hybrid member's day hearing on policy priorities on April 14, 2021: * * * Thank you for the opportunity to come before this committee today and talk about one of the most critical ongoing infrastructure projects in the United States, Interstate 69. I-69 connects the Canadian and Mexican borders, running through Texas, Mississippi, Tennessee  more

WASHINGTON, April 16 -- The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee issued the following testimony by Rep. Brenda L. Lawrence, D-Michigan, as part of a hybrid member's day hearing on policy priorities on April 14, 2021: * * * Thank you for the opportunity to testify today regarding the paramount need to invest in our nation's infrastructure. I am grateful for the Committee's leadership on this issue and for advancing a critically important conversation about how we can move forward   more

WASHINGTON, April 16 -- The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee issued the following testimony by Rep. Andy Levin, D-Michigan, as part of a hybrid member's day hearing on policy priorities on April 14, 2021: * * * Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony on behalf of Michigan's 9th District as you work to reauthorize our nation's surface transportation programs. On behalf of my constituents, I would like to highlight the need for action on electric vehicle--or EV--charg  more

WASHINGTON, April 16 -- The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee issued the following testimony by Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Michigan, as part of a hybrid member's day hearing on policy priorities on April 14, 2021: * * * I would like to thank you for hosting this hearing today to seek our input on infrastructure issues critical to our districts. As I visit every corner of my incredible district in southeastern Michigan, one common theme has become abundantly clear - our roads are in  more

WASHINGTON, April 16 -- Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Michigan, issued the following news release on April 15, 2021: Rep. Jack Bergman introduced the Essential Worker Tax Parity Act. This legislation would provide a $10,200 tax exclusion to all Americans making under $150,000 who file 2020 taxes - supporting our workers, while correcting an extreme oversight included in the partisan stimulus bill signed into law last month. The American Rescue Plan Act gave a $10,200 tax deduction to individuals who l  more

DEARBORN, Michigan, April 13 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) released the following statement after the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announced its support for allowing the Gelman dioxane plume to seek addition to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Superfund National Priorities List for federal clean-up: "EGLE's decision to allow the communities impacted by the Gelman   more

WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, co-chairman of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, issued the following excerpt of an interview on MSNBC's Way Too Early with Kasie Hunt: * * * Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Cochair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), appeared on Way Too Early with Kasie Hunt on MSNBC Monday to discuss the importance of investing in our Nation's infrastructure. "If you're out there and you're  more

WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Rep. Daniel Kildee, D-Michigan, issued the following news release on April 14, 2021: Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, today announced a $380,000 federal investment, through the Great Lakes Bay Region Quality of Life Council and the Great Lakes Bay Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau, to assist with developing a plan to help the tourism industry in the region recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding, through the  more

WASHINGTON, April 16 -- Rep. Daniel Kildee, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, today applauded the passage of H.R. 7, the Paycheck Fairness Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives. This bipartisan legislation strengthens and closes loopholes in existing law to help ensure that women and men get paid the same if they are doing the same work. More than five decades after the passage of the Equal Pay A  more

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Rep. Daniel Kildee, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, today applauded the passage of the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bipartisan legislation requires the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue standards for employers to implement violence prevention plans, which are   more

WASHINGTON, April 14 -- Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Illinois, issued the following statement: * * * Last week, Congressman Kinzinger (IL-16) introduced H.R. 2412, which would extend the authorization period of the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Area (IMCNHA) - located in Illinois' 16th Congressional District - through 2036. Since 2008, the IMCNHA has welcomed over 600,000 visitors and created an estimated $52 million in economic development in IL-16. On introducing this legislation,  more

DETROIT, Michigan, April 16 -- Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Representative Brenda L. Lawrence announced many Michiganders who receive Veterans' benefits could expect Economic Impact Payments of up to $1,400 hit their bank accounts beginning this week. Many Michiganders have already received Economic Impact Payments as part of the American Rescue Plan that Name helped pass. * The latest round of payments applies specifically to veterans and their ben  more

WASHINGTON, April 13 -- Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Representative Brenda L. Lawrence (MI-14) led a bipartisan House letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo urging their Departments to support the deployment of federal funding to the Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), through the State Small Business Initiative, to ensure relevant partners can access technical assist  more

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Representative Brenda L. Lawrence (MI-14) reintroduced the The Pell to Grad Act, legislation that would increase higher education opportunities by providing additional financial to students working to support themselves and offset rising college costs. Under current law, students' eligibility for Pell Grants is limited to 12 semesters, and students are prohibited from using Pell Grants for graduate  more

WASHINGTON, April 14 -- Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Michigan, issued the following news release on April 13, 2021: U.S. Representative Brenda L. Lawrence (MI-14), 2nd Vice Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, joined the CBC leadership team for a meeting at the White House with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, White House Senior Adviser & Office of Public Engagement Director Cedric Richmond, and White House Legislative Affairs Director Louisa Terrell. They discussed a variety o  more

WARREN, Michigan, April 17 -- Rep. Andy Levin, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congressman Andy Levin (MI-09), member of the House Education & Labor Committee, announced $1.1 billion for Michigan child care providers to open safely, keep workers on payroll and lower costs for hardworking families. "Access to safe and affordable child care is essential for parents, especially as the country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic," said Rep. Levin. "An unprecedented number of women h  more

WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Rep. Andy Levin, D-Michigan, issued the following news release on April 14, 2021: Congressman Andy Levin (D-MI) today announced legislation that would modernize the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition program. The Building a Better WIC Act would invest $20 million in the WIC program to upgrade technology and infrastructure that will bring WIC into the 21st century while promoting convenience, safety and equitable access to supplemental foods for the   more

WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Michigan, issued the following news release on April 14, 2021: Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) highlighted serious national security issues associated with the crisis at the southwest border during a House Armed Services Committee hearing titled, "National Security Challenges and U.S. Military Activity in North and South America." During the hearing, McClain questioned U.S. Air Force General Glen VanHerck, U.S. Northern Command and North American   more

WASHINGTON, April 16 -- Rep. Peter Meijer, R-Michigan, issued the following statement on April 15, 2021: * * * U.S. Representative Peter Meijer (R-MI), a member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, today highlighted the need for investments in STEM education and our research enterprise in a hearing titled "Reimagining our Innovation Future." "I represent Michigan's Third Congressional District. Vern Ehlers, who also represented MI-03, sat on this Committee during his cong  more

WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Rep. Peter Meijer, R-Michigan, issued the following floor statement on April 14, 2021: * * * U.S. Representative Peter Meijer (R-MI) today spoke on the House floor for the first time to voice his support for H.R. 2430, a bill that would extend for one year the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) temporary authority to schedule fentanyl-related substances. Excerpt from Rep. Meijer's floor speech: "Fentanyl is a deadly opioid that kills thousands of Americans annual  more

WASHINGTON, April 14 -- Rep. Peter Meijer, R-Michigan, issued the following news release on April 13, 2021: U.S. Representative Peter Meijer (R-MI) joined U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) and U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Haley Stevens (D-MI) in a bipartisan, bicameral push urging President Biden to fund initiatives to restore and increase semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S. The Michigan lawmakers made the request as part of an effort to address the semiconductor shortage fa  more

WASHINGTON, April 16 -- Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: This week, the Roscommon County Veterans Affairs Office honored Congressman John Moolenaar and his staff for the work they have done on behalf of Michigan veterans. The RCVAO recognized Moolenaar, as well as Constituent Relations Representative Marla Conover, with a special plaque for their work assisting Michigan veterans with the Veterans Administration. "It is an honor to serve the veterans of the Fo  more

DETROIT, Michigan, April 16 -- Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-13) announced today that FEMA has begun accepting applications for funeral assistance for Michiganders who've lost loved ones to COVID-19. Congresswoman Tlaib helped pass the funeral assistance program as part of the American Rescue Plan last month. "COVID-19 has forever changed our lives, our families, and our communities. Many families who were struggling before t  more

WASHINGTON, April 14 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following news release on April 13, 2021: Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-12) and Fred Upton (MI-6), along with 25 other members of Congress, introduced comprehensive, bipartisan legislation that aims to protect all Americans and our environment from harmful forever chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The package establishes a national drinking water standard for select PFAS chemicals, designates a  more

WASHINGTON, April 16 -- Rep. Daniel Kildee, D-Michigan, issued the following news release on April 15, 2021: Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) today introduced bipartisan legislation to guarantee that all state and city fire fighters and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel can exercise their labor rights. The Fire Fighters and EMS Employer-Employee Cooperation Act would set a federal floor on labor  more

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: On Tuesday, Congressmembers Rashida Tlaib (MI-13) and Hank Johnson (GA-04) led 25 of their colleagues in a letter to officials in the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Code Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), and National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), to ensure that records documenting serious abuse, neglect, and misconduct within our immigration system are not  more

WASHINGTON, April 14 -- Rep. Fred Upton, R-Michigan, issued the following news release on April 13, 2021: U.S. Reps. Fred Upton (R-MI) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) today introduced comprehensive, bipartisan legislation that aims to protect all Americans and our environment from harmful forever chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The package establishes a national drinking water standard for select PFAS chemicals, designates as hazardous to allow the Environmental Protect  more

WASHINGTON, April 13 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release on April 12, 2021: U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that he introduced a legislative package to strengthen federal focus on manufacturing, support manufacturers in Michigan and across the country and increase our competitiveness especially as foreign countries are prioritizing manufacturing. The package takes a series of steps, including reintroduction of his bill to establish a National Instit  more

WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on April 14, 2021: U.S Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, today convened a hearing with former officials and experts in public health and emergency management to examine the federal government's preparation for and response to the Coronavirus pandemic. The hearing follow  more

WASHINGTON, April 14 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) and U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Haley Stevens (MI-11) and Peter Meijer (MI-03) urged President Biden to fund initiatives to restore and increase semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S. from the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) for America Act that were signed into law as part of the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act. They made  more

WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, issued the following statement on April 14, 2021: * * * U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) $330 million investment to provide healthy food to families in need, support fruit and vegetable growers,  more

WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, issued the following news release on April 14, 2021: A bipartisan group of lawmakers today introduced a comprehensive new bill to help families across the country dealing with Alzheimer's disease. The Comprehensive Care for Alzheimer's Act would help the 95% of individuals with dementia that have one or more other chronic conditions, such as hypertension, heart disease and diabetes. The bipartisan bill reduces medical complications for   more

WASHINGTON, April 14 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on April 13, 2021: U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, John Hoeven (R-ND) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) reintroduced legislation that would help develop and retain highly-skilled cybersecurity professionals in the federal workforce. Agencies across the federal government f  more

WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release on April 14, 2021: U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced that the U.S. Department of the Treasury will be providing $175,863,073 to the state of Michigan as part the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). This funding comes after the Senators successfully led efforts to enact significant funding for the program as part of the American Rescue Plan Act that was signed  more

WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, issued the following news release on April 14, 2021: U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and John Boozman, (R-Ark.), Ranking Member, today announced that the Committee will hold a hearing to consider the nomination of Dr. Jewel H. Bronaugh to be Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. Dat  more

WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, issued the following news release on April 14, 2021: U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) introduced the bipartisan Rural Forest Markets Act to remove barriers for small-scale, family foresters and help them benefit from new economic opportunities through clim  more

WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, issued the following news release on April 14, 2021: U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Gary Peters (MI) today announced that the U.S. Department of the Treasury will be providing $175,863,073 to the state of Michigan as part the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). This funding comes after the Senators successfully led efforts to enact significant funding for the program as part of the American Rescue Plan Act that was si  more