WASHINGTON, May 5 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report (GAO-20-360) is entitled "FEMA Disaster Workforce: Actions Needed to Address Deployment and Staff Development Challenges". The report was sent to Sen. Michael B. Enzi, R-Wyoming, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, chairman, Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, chairman of the Se  more

WASHINGTON, May 5 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report (GAO-20-396) is entitled "National Flood Insurance Program: FEMA Can Improve Community Oversight and Data Sharing". The report was sent to Sen. Michael B. Enzi, R-Wyoming, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, chairman, Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, chairman of the Senate Sm  more

WASHINGTON, May 5 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report (GAO-20-297) is entitled "National Preparedness: Additional Actions Needed to Address Gaps in the Nation's Emergency Management Capabilities". The report was sent to Sen. Michael B. Enzi, R-Wyoming, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, chairman, Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky,   more

WASHINGTON, May 5 -- Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: Rep. Jack Bergman welcomed a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plan to purchase $20 million of U.S. tart cherries. In early April 2020, Rep. Bergman requested various avenues of Coronavirus relief for the tart cherry industry - including a "substantial purchase of surplus product" - and he has continued to work closely with USDA, the Cherry Marketing Institute, and local growers and processors to deliver   more

WASHINGTON, May 7 -- Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: Continuing his efforts to safeguard the future of commerce on the Great Lakes, Rep. Jack Bergman is proposing a new policy to ensure baseline levels of funding for the backlogged maintenance projects along Great Lakes transportation routes. The Great Lakes Navigation System (GLNS) is a deep-draft waterway connecting all five lakes through hundreds of navigation channels, breakwaters, jetties, harbors, and th  more

WASHINGTON, May 8 -- Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: Construction of a new lock in the Soo Locks complex, situated on the St. Mary's River, has been Rep. Jack Bergman's number one infrastructure priority for the First District since taking office. The project, once described as a long-shot, has seen bureaucratic and political delays for over 30 years. Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that "phase one" construction is now underway. After Reps. B  more

WASHINGTON, May 5 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) announced that the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority will receive $20.7 million in funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The funding will be used to operate transit in the greater Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area during the COVID-19 crisis. "Public transit is essential now more than ever - providing a ride to work, essential shopp  more

SOUTHGATE, Michigan, May 6 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) announced that the Downriver Community Conference (DCC) is receiving $600,000 in supplemental funding from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help clean up and redevelop Brownfield sites. The DCC is a proven leader in Brownfield remediation and has received more than $12.6 million in Brownfield funding since 2008. "The Downrivers have many valuable  more

WAYNE, Michigan, May 5 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following joint statement with Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Michigan, regarding the reopening of Beaumont Hospital: "We were alarmed to learn that Beaumont Health had decided to close Beaumont Hospital during the deadliest pandemic our nation has seen in over a century and amid the announcement it suffered $278.4 million net income loss in the first quarter of this year. "To have them reopen this crucial healthcare facility today i  more

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02) released the following statement after the US Department of Agriculture announced it was purchasing $5 million in asparagus, $30 million in pork, $20 million in tart cherries, $120 million in dairy products, and $50 million in turkey products in addition to a host of other produce and protein. West Michigan is known as a national leader in the production of both asparagus an  more

WASHINGTON, April 30 -- Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02) announced the introduction of H.R. 6629 the Patriot Bonus Tax Credit Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Patriot Bonus is designed to support pay raises for essential workers. Under the Patriot Bonus, the federal government would provide a refundable tax credit for half of any form of wage increase put forward by an employer. This would apply to a raise in hourl  more

WASHINGTON, May 5 -- Rep. Daniel Kildee, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, announced that the 2020 Congressional Art Competition has begun, encouraging all high school students (grades 9-12) who live in the Fifth Congressional District to submit artwork for the competition. "I am excited to once again host this year's Congressional Art Competition to highlight the amazing talent of young artists in M  more

WASHINGTON, May 9 -- Rep. Daniel Kildee, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, announced that $1,800,211 in federal grants will be awarded to four mid-Michigan health centers to expand coronavirus testing throughout the Great Lakes Bay region. The federal grants, awarded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, are a result of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement A  more

WASHINGTON, May 2 -- Rep. Daniel Kildee, D-Michigan, issued the following statement on April 30 regarding protest at Michigan's State Capitol: "What happened in Lansing today is dangerous in so many ways. Today's protest will come at the expense of public health. "Protesters openly defied the advice of medical experts, putting their own lives and the health of all Michiganders at risk. The political rhetoric on display was also appalling. "Republican elected officials compared Michigan's stay  more

WASHINGTON, May 9 -- Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Representative Brenda L. Lawrence (MI-14) announced a total of $268,858,491 in grants awarded to Michigan's 14th Congressional District from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act provided $172 billion for health professionals to purchase medical supplies and care for patients diagnosed with COVID-19. The   more

DETROIT, Michigan, May 8 -- Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Michigan, issued the following news release on May 7: U.S. Representative Brenda L. Lawrence (MI-14) and FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks hosted a virtual event on closing the digital divide, Connecting Michigan: From Internet Inequality to Digital Equity. The virtual event highlighted the glaring inequities the digital divide presents low-income and underrepresented families in the city of Detroit and other cities across the state of Michigan  more

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- Rep. Andy Levin, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congressman Andy Levin, vice chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, announced that health providers in Michigan's 9th Congressional District, which includes Macomb and Oakland Counties, will receive $138,670,003.92 in COVID-19 relief funding. The money comes from the Health Provider Relief Fund, which was established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), that Congress  more

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- Rep. Andy Levin, D-Michigan, issued the following news release on May 5: Congressman Andy Levin (D-MI), vice chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, joined a bipartisan group of House members for a hearing-style discussion on the funding needs of local governments. Because the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or the CARES Act, limited localities able to receive direct support at those with populations of over 500,000, many smaller localities are   more

HOLLY, Michigan, May 7 -- Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Michigan, issued the following statement on President Trump's veto (S.J.Res. 68) of the Senate version of the bipartisan War Powers Resolution (H.Con.Res. 83), which passed the House on Jan. 9 with bipartisan support: "The President's veto of this legislation is disappointing but not surprising. "What is more important, and will have lasting impact, is that Congress has taken a bipartisan step to reassert its constitutional role in matters of pe  more

HOLLY, Michigan, May 7 -- Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Michigan, issued the following statement after Education Secretary Betsy DeVos moved to finalize rules that roll back protections for sexual assault survivors: DeVos's rules would have in some cases prohibited Michigan State University from taking action on the Title IX claims against Larry Nassar, who sexually assaulted hundreds of women and girls over the course of 20 years. * * * "As the representative of the Michigan State University commun  more

HOLLY, Michigan, May 2 -- Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Michigan, issued the following statement on May 1 regarding protests at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing, within Slotkin's district: "Americans have the right to protest. Americans have the right to make unfounded claims about the virus and dispute the death toll of 3,600 Michiganders recorded by our health care professionals, as many speakers did today. Americans have the right to carry signs with hateful slogans and swastikas, to wave Conf  more

WASHINGTON, May 8 -- Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Michigan, issued the following statement after Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's announcement that state's manufacturing workers will return to work on May 11: "The Governor's announcement on resuming manufacturing is an important step in the deliberate, careful resumption of our economy. "The next step is for every facility to carefully consider and plan for health and safety. Given the 8th district is home to GM plants in Lansing and Lake Orion, hund  more

WASHINGTON, May 8 -- Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11) cosponsored bipartisan legislation to assist local chambers of commerce and other nonprofits who support small businesses as they provide critical guidance and resources to help our Main Street economy weather the current downturn. The Local Chamber, Tourism, and 501(c)(6) Protection Act, new bipartisan legislation led by Representatives Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Brian Fit  more

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11) led a group of 16 Members of Congress calling on U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar to ensure that federal funding, testing capacity, and personal protective equipment (PPE) are being allocated to nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Senior facilities in Wayne and Oakland Counties, the two counties that fall within the borders of Michigan's 11th  more

WASHINGTON, May 8 -- Rep. Fred Upton, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is providing an additional $583 million to help HRSA-funded health centers across the country expand COVID-19 testing, including $1.7 million for four community health centers here in southwest Michigan. "I am delighted to see our community health centers receive such a substantial amount of funding that will he  more

WASHINGTON, May 5 -- Rep. Fred Upton, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, announced that FEMA's Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) National Board will allocate more than $7.1 million to the state of Michigan - including more than $323,000 to counties in Michigan's Sixth Congressional District - to assist organizations providing critical resources to people with economic emergencies, including our communities' hungry and homeless populations,  more

ST. JOSEPH, Michigan, May 9 -- Rep. Fred Upton, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, announced that FEMA is delivering two shipments of personal protective equipment to local nursing homes to help combat the coronavirus. More than 30 nursing homes across southwest Michigan will receive more than 90,000 gloves, masks, gowns, and eye protection in their efforts to protect their residents and their staff. "These shipments of PPE will be a huge help fo  more

ST. JOSEPH, Michigan, May 6 -- Rep. Fred Upton, R-Michigan, issued the following statement on commending Pfizer after the company announced that their Kalamazoo site will be used to manufacture some of the COVID-19 trial vaccine: "I am delighted Pfizer recognized this Kalamazoo workforce and facility to do such important work. The entire industry is working together and committed to develop and produce a vaccine as quickly as possible. "We know that a vaccine is the only true way for us to ge  more

ST. JOSEPH, Michigan, May 9 -- Rep. Fred Upton, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Representatives Fred Upton (R-MI) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) asked the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to request additional information about the process and criteria used to distribute the federal government's limited supply of the experimental drug remdesivir available for certain people with COVID-19. On May 1, the FDA made remdesivir available under an Emergency Use Authorizatio  more

JACKSON, Michigan, May 7 -- Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congressman Tim Walberg announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $900,000 in Brownfields Grants to communities in Michigan's 7th District. Funding from this program is utilized to help communities assess, clean up, and redevelop abandoned and contaminated properties. Walberg serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which led the effort to reauthorize funding fo  more

JACKSON, Michigan, May 6 -- Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congressman Tim Walberg announced three new grants dispersed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide housing assistance for low-income residents in Michigan's 7th District. The funding was authorized as a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress to provide relief from COVID-19. "This unprecedented time calls for additio  more

JACKSON, Michigan, May 9 -- Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congressman Tim Walberg announced that two community health centers in Michigan's 7th District will receive additional federal grants to increase COVID-19 testing. The Center for Family Health in Jackson County will receive $561,199 and the Family Medical Center of Michigan with locations in Lenawee and Monroe Counties will receive $372,574. "Expanding the accessibility of testing, particularly among v  more

ANN ARBOR, Michigan, May 9 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Fred Upton (R-MI) asked the US Department of Health and Human Services to request additional information about the process and criteria used to distribute the federal government's limited supply of the experimental drug remdesivir available for certain people with COVID-19. On May 1, the FDA made remdesivir available under an Emergency Use Authorization f  more

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- Rep. Daniel Kildee, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, sent a letter along with Representative Jack Bergman (MI-01) in support of dedicated funding for School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) in any upcoming coronavirus pandemic emergency relief bills. SBHCs often provide medical services to low-income and economically disadvantaged students, allowing for health care equity among yout  more

WASHINGTON, May 9 -- Rep. Daniel Kildee, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus and Member of the Ways and Means Committee, sent a letter with Representative Dwight Evans (PA-03) in support of an expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC) in the next coronavirus legislative emergency relief package. The letter was also signed by 27 other Members of Congress. The EITC is  more

DETROIT, Michigan, May 2 -- Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Representatives Brenda L. Lawrence (MI-14), Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), and Andy Levin (MI-09) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar requesting information on the department's plan for increasing testing capabilities across the United States. "As one of the nation's hot spots for COVID-19, it is critical that the federal government provides states like Michiga  more

WASHINGTON, May 9 -- Rep. Andy Levin, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Congressman Andy Levin, vice chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, joined Congresswoman Gwen Moore in leading a letter signed by 95 House Members to the USDA urging the agency to wave certain restrictions on the use of Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) funds during the COVID-19 crisis. "I'm happy to partner with champion of the WIC program Congresswoman G  more

DETROIT, Michigan, May 1 -- Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Representatives Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Brenda L. Lawrence (MI-14), and Andy Levin (MI-09) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar requesting information on the department's plan for increasing testing capabilities across the United States. "As one of the nation's hot spots for COVID-19, it is critical that the federal government provides states like Michigan   more

WASHINGTON, May 8 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, announced legislation to provide local governments with direct federal relief that can be used to pay for essential services and offset lost revenues and increased costs from the COVID-19 pandemic. This continues Peters' efforts to advance relief for communities across Michigan as part of the next   more

WASHINGTON, May 8 -- 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 Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced legislation to strengthen the Federal Emergency Management Agency's disaster response efforts for communities of color who often face barriers to securing federal aid following an emergency, such as the Cor  more

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Representatives Cheri Bustos (IL-17) and Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) called for the inclusion of their bipartisan bill to increase funeral benefits for eligible veterans in the next phase of Coronavirus relief legislation. With COVID-19 posing serious risks among elderly   more

WASHINGTON, May 7 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release on May 6: U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, called on the Air Force to expedite PFAS cleanup efforts at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda. In a letter to Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Energy John Henderson, Peters expressed his co  more

WASHINGTON, May 6 -- Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (MI), John Cornyn (TX), Catherine Cortez Masto (NV), and Dan Sullivan (AK), along with 22 of their colleagues, urged the Trump Administration to fund behavioral health centers that provide treatment to Americans with mental health and substance use disorders. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, behavioral health services are needed now more than ever while funding is being reduced. I  more

WASHINGTON, May 2 -- Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Senator Debbie Stabenow released a report detailing how communities of color are disproportionately affected by COVID-19. * * * The disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color is no surprise to public health experts and civil rights leaders. Unfortunately, this pandemic has amplified major structural inequities and discrimination that have impacted communities of color for generations. D  more

DETROIT, Michigan, May 9 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) announced a total of $14,422,926 in federal funds will be awarded to 39 health centers across Michigan to expand their Coronavirus testing operations. Peters and Stabenow successfully secured this funding from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act they helped ena  more

WASHINGTON, May 7 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) announced that Ann Arbor and Port Huron will receive $27,250,000 in funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). This funding is a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The funds will be used to operate transit services during the COVID-19 pandemic. "The Coronavirus   more

DETROIT, Michigan, May 9 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) announced that the Interurban Transit Partnership in Grand Rapids will receive $28,400,000 in funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). This funding is a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The funds will be used to operate transit services during the COVI  more

WASHINGTON, May 7 -- 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 and Debbie Stabenow joined their colleagues to introduce legislation to establish an interagency task force charged with identifying and addressing disparities that are disproportionately affecting minority communities in Michigan during the Coronavirus pandemic. The Coronavirus outbreak has   more

WASHINGTON, May 7 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) joined their colleagues to introduce legislation to establish an interagency task force charged with identifying and addressing disparities that are disproportionately affecting minority communities in Michigan during the Coronavirus pandemic. The Coronavirus outbreak has heightened the urgent need to address longstanding inequities in the American health  more

DETROIT, Michigan, May 9 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) announced that key provisions to protect Michigan's environment and the Great Lakes advanced this week in the Senate. The provisions - which were included in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020 - include a record $375 million reauthorization of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), an assessment on shoreline protection and r  more

WASHINGTON, May 9 -- Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Gary Peters (MI) announced a total of $14,422,926 in federal funds will be awarded to 39 health centers across Michigan to expand their Coronavirus testing operations. Stabenow and Peters successfully secured this funding from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act they helped enact.  more

WASHINGTON, May 7 -- Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Gary Peters (MI) announced that Ann Arbor and Port Huron will receive $27,250,000 in funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). This funding is a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The funds will be used to operate transit services during the COVID-19 pandemic. "The leadersh  more

WASHINGTON, May 9 -- Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Gary Peters (MI) announced that the Interurban Transit Partnership in Grand Rapids will receive $28,400,000 in funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). This funding is a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The funds will be used to operate transit services during the COVID-1  more

WASHINGTON, May 7 -- Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters joined their colleagues to introduce legislation to establish an interagency task force charged with identifying and addressing disparities that are disproportionately affecting minority communities in Michigan during the Coronavirus pandemic. The Coronavirus outbreak has heightened the urgent need to address longstanding inequities in the American health care   more