WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Ron Johnson (R-WI), Ranking Member and Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, were joined by a bipartisan group of committee members in sending a letter to President Donald J. Trump Friday urging the administration to swiftly nominate perman  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Natural Resources Chairman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), and Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) introduced the Protect America's Wildlife and Fish in Need of Conversation Act of 2019. This legislation would repeal all three Trump administration final rule changes to the Endangered Species Act, which taken together will fundamentally change the way we protect threatened and endangered s  more

DEARBORN, Michigan, Sept. 17 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Haley Stevens (D-MI), and Tim Walberg (R-MI) joined Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Director Paul Ajegba, Wayne County Mayors and public safety officials, railroad representatives, and local business leaders to discuss the urgent need to work together to face significant challenges at a number of railroad crossings in Western Wayne and Monroe Co  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, co-chairman of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, appeared on MSNBC Live with Chris Jansing to discuss the UAW strike and workers' rights. Dingell underscored the validity of the union members' grievances against General Motors and reiterated the importance of keeping a manufacturing  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, issued the following joint statement with seven congressmen - Reps. Jason Crow, D-Colorado, Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pennsylvania, Gilbert Cisneros, D-California, Elaine Luria, D-Virginia, Max Rose, D-New York, Elissa Slotkin, D-Michigan, and Abigail Spanberger, D-Virginia, regarding tensions with Iran on the Saudi oil field attacks: All freshmen Democrats are former members of the military, or veterans of the diplomatic and intelligence com  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- Rep. Harley Rouda, D-California, chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, issued the following news release: Rep. Harley Rouda, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, and Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Environment, held a field hearing on "Environmental Injustice: Exploring Inequities in Air and Water Quality in Michigan." TAKEAWAYS * Dr. Paul Mohai testified that corporate polluters are disproportionately located in low-income   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross' coordination of mass care in response to the 2017 hurricanes. The report (GAO-19-526) is titled "Disaster Response: FEMA and the American Red Cross Need to Ensure Key Mass Care Organizations are Included in Coordination and Planning". The report was sent to Sen. Michael Enzi, R-Wyoming, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Sen. Ron Johnson,   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on the federal public health and medical services response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The report (GAO-19-592) is titled "Disaster Response: HHS Should Address Deficiencies Highlighted by Recent Hurricanes in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico". The report was sent to Sen. Michael Enzi, R-Wyoming, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsi  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 -- The House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations issued the following hearing information: Sounding the Alarm: The Public Health Threats of E-Cigarettes at 2123 Rayburn House Office Building at 10 a.m. on Sept. 25: Witnesses Panel I * Norman E. Sharpless, Acting Commissioner Food and Drug Administration * Anne Schuchat, Principal Deputy Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Panel II * Joneigh Khaldun, Chief Deputy Director fo  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 -- The House Financial Services subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion issued the following hearing information: Examining the racial and gender wealth gap in U.S. at 2128 Rayburn House Office Building at 2 p.m. on Sept. 24: Witness List * Kilolo Kijakazi, Director, Institute Fellow, Urban Institute * Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, Chief of Race, Wealth and Community, National Community Reinvestment Coalition * Mariko Chang, Researcher, Author, and President, Mariko Chang Con  more

DETROIT, Michigan, Sept. 16 -- The House Oversight and Reform subcommittee on Environment issued the following testimony by Flint Rising Director Nayyirah Shariff at a field hearing entitled "Environmental Injustice: Exploring Inequities in Air and Water Quality in Michigan": "The Flint water crisis is an example of what happens when the needs of profit and industry are deemed more important than the needs of the people. Flint residents lost their local democratic rights and their local elected  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- The House Oversight and Reform subcommittee on Environment issued the following hearing information: Environmental Injustice: Exploring Inequities in Air and Water Quality in Michigan at gymnasium in Detroit, Michigan at 2 p.m. on Sept. 16: Witnesses * Delores Leonard, Advocate * NIck Leonard, Executive Director, Great Lakes Environmental Law Center * Monica Lewis Patrick, Co-Founder & President, We the People of Detroit * Emma Lockridge, Climate and Environmental Ju  more

WARREN, Michigan, Sept. 20 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Gary Peters today released the latest installment of "On the Job for Michigan," a series highlighting the successful work of his office resolving cases involving federal agencies on behalf of Michiganders. Warren resident and veteran Jeff Chene shared how Peters' office assisted him in claiming benefits from the post-9/11 GI Bill through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Jeff ser  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Jack Bergman announced a major U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) grant for K.I. Sawyer International Airport. The U.S. DOT, under Secretary Elaine Chao, has awarded a $1,099,199 grant for construction and utilities at the K.I Sawyer International Airport in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Rep. Bergman stated, "This is big news for the First District of Michigan. Sawyer's impact   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colorado, issued the following joint statement with seven congressmen - Reps. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pennsylvania, Gil Cisneros, D-California, Elaine Luria, D-Virginia, Max Rose, D-New York, Elissa Slotkin, D-Michigan, Abigail Spanberger, D-Virginia, and Mikie Sherrill, D-New Jersey, regarding the escalating tensions with Iran following the Saudi oil field attacks: All freshmen Democrats are former members of the military, or veterans of the diplomatic an  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- Rep. Daniel Kildee, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * - Federal Grant will Help Police Process Sexual Assault Kits and Bring Justice to Survivors * * * Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, today announced a $1,650,361 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to help local law enforcement process sexual assault kits. A sexual assault kit, an exam to gather DNA evidence, can help bring ju  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following statement on the death of journalist Cokie Roberts: "Cokie was my girlfriend. We were Sacred Heart girls, her parents and John's parents were friends. We shared laughter, pain and were one of the first women in our careers. "As a writer, she educated generations of Americans about the historic women who made our county great. Cokie left an incredible mark on the world with her remarkable career in broadcast journali  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following statement in support of a bipartisan coalition of U.S. governors - led by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer - calling for action on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances chemicals in defense authorization legislation: "With the news of more PFAS contamination at military sites across the country, everyone must be serious about addressing this public health and safety threat. "Because of Governor Whitmer's leadership, gov  more

DETROIT, Michigan, Sept. 17 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following statement on United Automobile Workers who are on strike against General Motors: "There is no place I would rather be than standing in solidarity with UAW workers in their fight for fair wages, healthcare, pensions and strong benefits. "Through thick and thin, UAW workers have devoted themselves to building quality product. "Now GM must demonstrate their commitment to the hard-working men and women who have  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * - Calls on Senate to Quickly Pass Critical Updates on Reauthorization * * * Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) marked the 25th Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to urgently pass the House-passed reauthorization. Passed as part of the 1994 Crime Bill, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is landmark legislation resp  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and House Democrats unveiled transformational legislation to lower prescription drug costs for every American. "Every day - multiple times a day - people stop to tell me about escalating prescription costs and terrifying out-of-pocket expenses. Americans are forced to cut pills in half, choose between paying for medication and rent, or avoid taking needed medi  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02), released the following statement after the Health and Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced the awarding of a $1,092,899 grant to Spectrum Health for its Strong Beginnings Program. Strong Beginnings is a collaboration of Kent County organizations and agencies dedicated to improving maternal-child health and eliminating racial and ethnic disparitie  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Michigan, issued the following floor remarks to mark the village of Spring Lake's 150th anniversary: "I rise today to recognize the village of Spring Lake and its 150th Birthday. "This past weekend, friends and residents of the small village in West Michigan, gathered together to celebrate and share memories of the community's rich and storied history. "The village of Spring Lake first began as a lumber town in 1838 when Captain Benjamin Hopkins  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District today announced a $2.1 million contract for repairs to the Lorain breakwater, located in Lake Erie in the Port of Lorain, Lorain County, Ohio. The contract was awarded on September 9, 2019 to Great Lakes Dock and Materials, LLC, from Muskegon, Michigan. Construction will start and be completed during 2020. "I am pleased   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Michigan, issued the following statement regarding the death of journalist Cokie Roberts: "I am extremely saddened by the passing of Emmy Award winning journalist and political commentator Cokie Roberts. "During her career, Roberts blazed the trail for other women journalists beginning her career in the mid-1960's when the industry was still dominated by men. "She worked at CBS News, PBS and NPR where she covered Capitol Hill. Afterwards, she sa  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 -- Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Michigan, issued the following statement on the work stoppage launched by the United Auto Workers Union against General Motors: "I represent the hard-working members of the United Auto Workers in Michigan's 14th Congressional District. "The UAW has a proud history of establishing a middle class in America and creating labor standards that have improved the work environment for employees in every industry. "Also, the UAW along with other organi  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- Rep. Andy Levin, D-Michigan, issued the following statement on reports that President Trump plans to revoke California's legal authority to set tailpipe emission rules: "This is a spiteful move by the President to punish a state that didn't vote for him, and to erase President Obama's legacy. "Private companies are working with states to establish fuel standards that are workable and that will reduce pollution aggressively. "For the President to intervene, especially  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- Rep. Andy Levin, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Included as a provision of the Older Americans Act reauthorization, Congressman Levin's and Congresswoman Stefanik's bill to support caregivers today passed out of the Education and Labor Committee. A bipartisan bill authored by Congressman Andy Levin (D-MI-09) and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) aimed at providing support to in-home caregivers today passed out of the House Education and Labor Commit  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 -- Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: Last Thursday, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee passed legislation funding the Army Corps of Engineers for the 2020 federal budget year. Then late on Friday afternoon, the committee publicly released the accompanying report that goes with the legislation and it included $75.3 million in funding for the construction of a new lock at the Soo Locks in the federal government's 2020 fiscal year budg  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Michigan, issued the following statement after the Trump administration revoked California's authority to set their own tougher emissions standards: "Our auto industry needs certainty. "The Administration's decision to revoke California's waiver under the Clean Air Act could lead to years of chaos as our automakers and suppliers are planning for their next decade of innovations. "This Administration should provide greater regulatory certainty fo  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: This week, Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-MI) introduced a new bill alongside Reps. Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), Jim Baird (R-IN), and Katie Hill (D-CA) to support critical research to identify manipulated media content known as "deepfakes" that threaten to erode public discord, scam the American public and endanger our national security. Deepfake technology has developed rapidly over the past several years w  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * - Legislation requires insurance companies to regularly update provider directories to prevent patients from unknowingly receiving out-of-network care * * * Today, Representative Haley Stevens (MI-11) joined a group of freshman Democrats, including Reps. Cindy Axne (IA-03), Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26), Susie Lee (NV-03), Susan Wild (PA-07), Abby Finkenauer (IA-01), Xochitl Torres Small (NM-02)  more

DETROIT, Michigan, Sept. 16 -- Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Michigan, issued the following statement regarding United Automobile Workers' nationwide General Motors strike: Rep. Tlaib has GM facilities in her district, including plants in Romulus and the recently idled Detroit/Hamtramck-Poletown Assembly: "I stand in solidarity with the auto workers across this country fighting for a better quality of life. Many families across the 13th Congressional District work or have families that are supported b  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Rep. Fred Upton, R-Michigan, issued the following statement after the House passed the Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Act (S. 239), sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire: Upton introduced the House-version of the bill in January as H.R. 500 with more than 300 cosponsors. The Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Act of 2019 will mint a $1 silver coin in honor of Christa McAuliffe, the teacher and astronaut who perished in the 1986 Space Shuttle Challeng  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- Rep. Fred Upton, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * - Local students invited to participate in coding competition to highlight importance of STEM skills, coding, and computer science * * * U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, announced today that students from the Sixth Congressional District are invited to participate in the Congressional App Challenge (CAC), a coding competition for students in middle and high school. The CAC accepts computer progra  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: Today, Representative Tim Walberg (MI-07) joined U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Representatives Haley Stevens (MI-11) 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, b  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Representative Tim Walberg (R-MI) and U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and James Risch (R-ID) released the following statement after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced plans to update regulations implemented under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA). Earlier this year, Barrasso and Risch introduced the UPDATE PURPA Act (S. 1760) in the Senate and Walberg   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-07) and Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (MP-00) introduced H.R. 4456, the Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act. The bipartisan bill ensures Department of Labor employees receive the proper training to recognize instances of human trafficking and refer these cases to law enforcement agencies so perpetrators are held accountable. "Human trafficking is an  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 -- 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, led 34 of his colleagues in introducing the Heightened Oversight of Travel, Eating, and Lodging (HOTEL) Act, which would immediately stop the federal government from spending taxpayer dollars at properties o  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Reps. Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) and Rep. Debbie Lesko (AZ-08) introduced H.R. 4402, the Inland Waters Security Review Act, to increase security of inland waters in the United States. Slotkin is a member of the Homeland Security Committee. "Maritime security may not be what we're thinking about when we're enjoying our Great Lakes and inland waters here in Michigan -- but it's critical to our state's se  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) urged NDAA conferees to retain strong PFAS provisions in the final National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the major annual bill authorizing national defense spending, as negotiations between the House and Senate kick off today. New reports show that four additional military sites in Michigan are contaminated by PFAS. "Recently released Department of Defense informati  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 -- Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters today announced $1,332,004 for fire departments in 5 communities across Southeast Michigan to upgrade outdated equipment and recruit new firefighters. These grants include $471,838 for the City of Northville, $443,106 for the City of Auburn Hills, $254,545 for Northville Township, $113,334 for Hazel Park, and $49,181 for the City of Roseville. These grants c  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: This week, Representatives Haley Stevens (MI-11) and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26) introduced H.R. 4395, the Clean Slate through Consolidation Act and H.R. 4396, the Clean Slate through Repayment Act, two bills to remove default records from the credit history of federal student loan borrowers who have consolidated their defaulted loan or repaid the loan in full. Federal student loan borrowers typicall  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- The U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination of three individuals for positions in the Trump Administration on Sept. 18: Robert A. Destro, of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Brent James McIntosh, of Michigan, to be an Under Secretary of the Treasury. Brian Callanan, of New Jersey, to be General Counsel for the Department of the Treasury.  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- The U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination of two individuals for positions in the Trump Administration on Sept. 17: John Rakolta, Jr., of Michigan, to be Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. Kenneth A. Howery, of Texas, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Sweden.  more