WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Rep. Daniel Kildee, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * - Bipartisan Bill Would Help End the Practice of Patients Having to Pay Out-of-Pocket for Surprise Medical Bills * * * Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, has cosponsored new bipartisan legislation in Congress to protect patients and stop the practice of unfair and expensive surprise medical bills. H.R. 3502, the Protecting People from Surprise Medic  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) condemned the Trump Administration finalized plans to roll back protections for wetlands and clean water: "Growing up on the river, I remember swimming in dirty water and not being able to eat the fish we caught. John Dingell drafted the Clean Water Act to protect public health and conserve natural areas for future generations. We must always build on that prog  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Today, Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) introduced the Electronic Service for Effectiveness, Reduction of Violence, and Improved Court Efficiency (E-SERVICE) Act. The legislation updates how survivors of domestic violence can obtain protection orders by establishing a pilot program grant to explore the electronic service of protection orders. Under the current system, t  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Nebraska, issued the following column: There was a little-known hearing this week in Congress. The major media did not cover it. But fundamental questions about science, reason, and ethics were considered. Dr. Robin Pierucci is a neonatologist and medical director of a 50-bed neonatal intensive-care unit in Michigan. She has been caring for premature babies for over 20 years. At the hearing, Dr. Pierucci said, "It is a fallacy to equate the deg  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on funding and projects the U.S. has provided under the Merida Initiative. The report (GAO-19-647) is titled "U.S. Assistance to Mexico: State and USAID Allocated over $700 Million to Support Criminal Justice, Border Security, and Related Efforts from Fiscal Year 2014 through 2018". The report was sent to Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, chairman, Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, ranking member of the Senate Homeland Se  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on the status of U.S. Agency for International Development's reform efforts. The report (GAO-19-609) is titled "USAID Reform: Efforts Address Most Key Practices but Could Improve in Performance Assessment and Strategic Workforce Planning". The report was sent to Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, ranking member of the Senate Ho  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, D-Maryland, chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, issued the following news release: On Monday, September 16, 2019, Rep. Harley Rouda, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, and Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Environment, will convene a field hearing entitled "Environmental Injustice: Exploring Inequities in Air and Water Quality in Michigan." WHERE: Kemeny Recreation Center 2260 S Fort St,   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: Last night, Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02) honored the life, legacy, and memory of Dutch resistance icon and West Michigan resident Diet Eman. Congressman Huizenga detailed Diet's heroic efforts to save lives, assist Allied forces, and fight back against the Nazis during WWII. Last week, Diet passed away at the age of 99. Below are Congressman Huizenga's remarks as well as the video of his speech. Co  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) along with Rep. Raul Grijalva (AZ-03) introduced the Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act today, a bill that makes common-sense but impactful adjustments to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, which provides assistance to disabled or elderly individuals, but has gone largely unchanged since 1972. Constituents in the autism advocacy community raised wi  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Gary Peters, Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, today called on the Department of Defense (DOD) Inspector General to conduct an independent investigation of whether the U.S. Air Force violated any laws, regulations, or policies related to taxpayer-funded   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Gary Peters, Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, this week urged the Senate Appropriations Committee to include full funding for the 2020 Census in any government funding bill passed before the end of the fiscal year. Peters explained to his colleagues that, without its full operating budget of $7.5 billion, the Census could be compromised in its m  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Gary Peters, Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, is urging Senate Armed Services Committee leaders to include a provision that would crack down on international manufacturers and traffickers of fentanyl in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conf  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * - Members Supported Grant Application; Investments Will Support Self-Driving Mobility Research and Development * * * U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) and U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (MI-12) today announced a $7.5 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for partnership between the City of Detroit, the State of Michigan, the University of Michiga  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) and U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (MI-12) today announced a $7.5 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for partnership between the City of Detroit, the State of Michigan, the University of Michigan, and the American Center for Mobility (ACM). The funding will go towards the research, development and testing of self-dr  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * - Patriot Week, From September 11th-17th, Honors Victims of 9/11 Terrorist Attacks and Celebrates Constitution Day; Was Co-founded by Oakland County Native Judge Michael Warren * * * U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Kennedy (R-LA) today introduced a bipartisan resolution to designate September 11th through September 17th as Patriot Week. Cofounded by Judge Michael Warren of Oakland County,  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * - Bipartisan Bill Would Create Register to Preserve American Automotive Innovation & History * * * U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to establish a national register to preserve records of historic vehicles that have made a significant impact on American history and culture. The National Historic Vehicle Register Act would require the Depart  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced $274,727 for the Flushing Fire Department and $69,047 for the Albee Township Fire Department to purchase new equipment and improve services. These grants comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grants program. "Michigan's first responders help make our communities safe places to live, work and ra  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * - Bicameral Congressional Resolution Introduced Condemning Russian Government; Michigan Native Paul Whelan Has Been Detained Since Last December Despite No Evidence Presented * * * U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Representatives Haley Stevens (MI-11), Tim Walberg (MI-07) and Dan Kildee (MI-05) today called on the Russian government to release Michigan native Paul Whelan,  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Michigan, issued the following speech, which was published in the Congressional Record on Sept. 12, recognizing Jim Byrum for his service as president the Michigan Agri-Business Association: It's my honor to recognize Jim Byrum for his service as President the Michigan Agri-Business Association. Through his exceptional leadership and steadfast devotion to educational excellence, Jim has become an indispensable part of the state of Michigan. Jim grew  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Rep. Daniel Kildee, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * - "This is Ridiculous," Kildee Calls Out PFAS Manufacturers' Hypocrisy and Unwillingness to Take Responsibility for PFAS Chemicals * * * Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force, today participated in a congressional hearing on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). During the House Oversight  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) joined the House Oversight and Reform Committee for a hearing on clean up and corporate accountability for PFAS contamination across the country. Video of Dingell's questioning is available here: https://youtu.be/9OPnP9W-Pe0 "It has been firmly established that PFAS is a health risk and is linked to liver disease, thyroid dysfunction and several forms of cancer," sai  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) today hailed the House vote approving two bills that block new offshore drilling on the Atlantic and Pacific coastlines, as well as in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico. The legislation comes after President Trump's vow to open new leasing in vulnerable American waters, which his administration has pursued despite offshore drilling's poor safety track record and the fact th  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following speech, which was published in the Congressional Record on Sept. 11, recognizing Ambassador Ronald N. Weiser and the opening of the Weiser Diplomacy Center I rise today to recognize the work of Ambassador Ronald N. Weiser in so many arenas but today specifically for his leadership in launching the Weiser Diplomacy Center at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan. The Gerald R. Ford S  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 -- Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga, Republican Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force, announced that the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council has been awarded a $190,000 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) grant by the Great Lakes Commission. The Macatawa Area Coordinating Council's project will encourage prolonged use of cover crops and increased installation of grassed waterways, where appropria  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6 -- Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02) joined the Muskegon Rotary, the United Way of the Lakeshore, Muskegon area high school students, Baker College Students, and members of the West Michigan community to assist with repairs, painting, and removing yard debris at the home of Melvin Dunbar, a disabled U.S. Army Veteran, in Muskegon Heights. This event was part of the broader "Day of Caring" initiative le  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Rep. Daniel Kildee, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * - Flushing, Saginaw Fire Departments Receive Federal Grants to Upgrade Lifesaving Equipment * * * Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, today announced that two mid-Michigan fire departments will receive $345,199 in federal grants to support local first responders and upgrade critical equipment to protect firefighters. The Flushing Fire Department wi  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Rep. Daniel Kildee, D-Michigan, issued the following statement after President Trump fired his national security adviser, John Bolton: "John Bolton should have never been National Security Adviser in the first place. "The Trump Administration's foreign policy has been ill-conceived and incoherent, and has greatly hurt our alliances around the world. "The constant chaos and dysfunction at the White House is making America less safe. "Americans and the men and women   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Rep. Daniel Kildee, D-Michigan, issued the following statement after President Trump repealed clean water regulations to protect the environment: "At a time when communities across the country, including Flint and Oscoda, are living with unsafe drinking water, President Trump has decided to weaken protections for our water and reward corporate polluters. "This short-sighted decision is an assault on the water we drink, our Great Lakes and the wetlands that support fish  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Rep. Andy Levin, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congressman Levin's bipartisan amendment prohibits the use of a technique to survey for fossil fuels that is harmful to marine life in the Atlantic Ocean. A bipartisan amendment authored by Congressman Andy Levin (MI-09) to end the use of seismic blasting in the Atlantic Ocean today was passed as a part of the Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act (H.R. 1941), a bill to protect coastal economies and e  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Rep. Andy Levin, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congressman Andy Levin (MI-09) today introduced H.Res. 557, a resolution to designate September 2019 as National Dystonia Awareness Month. Dystonia is a neurological disorder that causes excessive, involuntary muscle contractions that result in abnormal muscle movements and body postures, making it difficult for individuals to control their movements. Congressman Levin authored the resolution after learning  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Michigan, issued the following statement on the 18th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks: "September 11th was one of the most consequential days in our nation's history, leaving an indelible mark on each of us," Slotkin said. "I was on my second day of graduate school in New York when the towers came down, and I watched the firefighters who worked on my street rush toward the scene. Some did not return. "I knew by the end of that day tha  more

ROCHESTER HILLS, Michigan, Sept. 6 -- Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Michigan, issued the following statement: * * * - Calls Out Secretary DeVos for Concurrently Rolling Back Title IX Protections * * * Today, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced it will fine Michigan State University (MSU) a record $4.5 million for its failure to protect students from sexual abuse. U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), the representative for the district that includes Michigan State University, released the foll  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Michigan, issued the following statement in response to news that the CIA extracted a high-value source from Russia in 2017: "The news that a high-value CIA source had to be pulled out of Russia is bad news, made worse by the fact that it appears that it was the White House that put the source in danger. "There are many reasons why discussing classified information is bad, but one of the worst is that it puts the lives of others at risk. "And,   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Michigan, issued the following statement in response to news that the Trump administration is rolling back a key rule to protect bodies of water from pollution: "The President's efforts to roll back limits on polluting chemicals in our lakes, rivers, and streams is remarkably out-of-touch with the existential threat that contaminated water poses to Michiganders' health, safety, and way of life. "As families across our state worry that the water t  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Today, Representative Haley Stevens (MI-11) joined U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Representatives Tim Walberg (MI-07) and Dan Kildee (MI-05) to call on the Russian government to release Michigan native Paul Whelan, who has been detained for over eight months without evidence presented. Paul's sister Elizabeth Whelan joined the Members, urging Congress to pass their bipartisan,  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Michigan, issued the following speech, which was published in the Congressional Record on Sept. 10, celebrating International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit's 100 years of service: I rise today in tribute to the International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit as they celebrate one hundred years of service to the immigrant communities of southeastern Michigan. Since its founding in 1919, the International Institute has been at the forefront of cr  more

DETROIT, Michigan, Sept. 13 -- Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Michigan, issued the following statement regarding incident at the Marathon Oil Refinery: On Thursday, an oil vapor leak caused roads to be closed around the refinery and nearby workers to be evacuated. This incident follows recent threats to public health from Marathon, including a February incident where strong odors that could be smelled across the region caused residents to experience various illnesses, an incident last October when a lar  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Michigan, issued the following statement regarding the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, India: "While I have deep respect for India and its important relationship with the United States, I condemn the Indian government's revocation of Articles 370 and 35A, the communications blockade it has imposed, its suppression of life-saving medical care, and the reports of widespread violence, torture, and other human rights violations being carried out in Jamm  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Rep. Fred Upton, R-Michigan, issued the following speech, which was published in the Congressional Record on Sept. 11: I include in the Record a letter from the DERA Coalition in support of H.R. 1768 on the Diesel Emission Reduction Act. Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) Coalition Please Support One of the Nation's Most Effective Clean Air Programs When it comes to improving air quality for communities across the country, one of the most effective strategies is to   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-07) spoke on the House floor on Tuesday to recognize Elgin and Joanne Darling of Willis on their induction in the 2019 Michigan Farmers' Hall of Fame. A transcript of Walberg's remarks can be found below. I rise today to recognize Elgin and Joanne Darling of Willis, Michigan for being inducted into this year's Michigan Farmers' Hall of Fame. Elgin and Joanne have been married  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5 -- Reps. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, and Andy Levin, D-Michigan, issued the following joint statement ahead of the anti-Muslim events scheduled to take place at Bloomfield Baptist Church, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan: "There is no place for hate in Metro Detroit, in Michigan or anywhere in the United States. "We implore the Bloomfield Baptist Church to forgo the anti-Muslim events planned for next week and instead recognize America's rich cultural and religious diversity as   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 -- Reps. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Fred Upton, R-Michigan, ranking Republican member of the Subcommittee on Energy, issued the following joint statement on House passage of four bipartisan energy bills: "This is what bipartisan progress for the environment and power generation looks like. "Advancing nuclear, reducing air pollution, improving energy efficiency, and hardening our grid are all real solution  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Representatives Susan Wild (D-PA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), David Trone (D-MD), and Don Bacon (R-NE) introduced the Schools Preventing Hunger in At-Risk Kids (SPARK) Act, bipartisan legislation which would extend the free school meals program to the 400,000 children living with grandparents or in other arrangements - known as kinship care - who are not currently eligib  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following remarks: * * * - Peters Pays Tribute to Victims of September 11th Attacks, Discusses New Generation of Threats Facing the Department of Homeland Security * * * U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, today helped lead a hearing to discuss how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has secured the U.S. in the years since the September 11, 2001   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Gary Peters, Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, this week urged the Senate Appropriations Committee to include full funding for the 2020 Census in any government funding bill passed before the end of the fiscal year. Peters explained to his colleagues tha  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, led a bipartisan, bicameral group of colleagues in pressing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) over recent reports that facial recognition technol  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * - Patriot Week, From September 11th-17th, Honors Victims of 9/11 Terrorist Attacks and Celebrates Constitution Day - Was Co-founded by Oakland County Judge Michael Warren * * * U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Kennedy (R-LA) applauded Senate passage of a bipartisan resolution they introduced designating September 11th through September 17th as Patriot Week. Cofounded by Judge Michael Warr  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters today announced $274,727 for the Flushing Fire Department and $69,047 for the Albee Township Fire Department to purchase new equipment and improve services. These grants comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grants program. "Our firefighters in Genesee and Saginaw counties put their lives on the line to protect our   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Gary Peters (MI) and U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (MI-12) today announced a $7.5 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for partnership between the City of Detroit, the State of Michigan, the University of Michigan, and the American Center for Mobility (ACM). The funding will go towards the research, development and testing of self-d  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Gary Peters (MI) and Representatives Haley Stevens (MI-11), Tim Walberg (MI-07) and Dan Kildee (MI-05) today called on the Russian government to release Michigan native Paul Whelan, who has been detained without evidence presented--despite repeatedly extending his pre-trial detention. The Members also urged Congress to pass their bipartisan, bicameral resolution in  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 -- Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: In a release issued by the Veterans Affairs Administration, VA Secretary Robert Wilkie encouraged House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to pass bipartisan legislation to help VA build partnerships with community groups who can offer direct help to Veterans who are at risk of harming themselves. The IMPROVE Well-Being for Veterans Act, from Reps. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) would allow VA to d  more