{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", state = \"MI\" and year = 2015 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398564", "Upton Reviews 2015 and Looks Ahead to 2016  in New Report", "2015-12-30", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today released a new report titled 2015: The Year in Review and a Look Ahead which outlines many of the legislative and policy priorities his office tackled in 2015 and looks towards the new year.\nWe had a busy year working to move the ball down the field by focusing on commonsense, bipartisan solutions to problems faced by families and businesses here in Southwest Michigan and across the country, said Upton, who also chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Im proud of the progress weve made on a host of fronts, and look forward to the new year as we still have much work yet to be done as we pursue an ambitious, pro-growth agenda. Im excited and optimistic about the opportunities before us as we continue to get the job done for everyone in Southwest Michigan. \nThe report breaks down specific policy areas in which Congressman Upton has been a bipartisan community leader; jobs and the economy, healthcare innovation, veterans care, homeland security, education, the Great Lakes, Medicare and Medicaid, agriculture, opioid abuse, infrastructure, and the Internet. \nClick HERE to read the report.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398276", "Watch Congressman Huizenga's Facebook Town Hall", "2015-12-29", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Watch Congressman Huizenga's Facebook Town Hall \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        December 29, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n      \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      On Monday afternoon, Congressman Huizenga held his first-ever live video town hall on Facebook. During the town hall, Rep. Huizenga took questions from West Michigan residents on the threats posed by ISIS,how Congress is addressing refugees from war torn regions in the Middle East,the negative impact of Dodd-Frank on West Michigan community banks, his legislation to make the Federal Reserve more accountable and transparent to the American people, the legislative plan to defund Planned Parenthood and how Congress is preparing to put the first major ObamaCare repeal legislation on President Obama's desk in January. You can watchthe entire town hall event below:   \n \n\n \nEarlier today, I held a live town hall on Facebook where I took questions from West Michigan Residents on immigration, ObamaCare, ISIS, Dodd-Frank, fed reform, Planned Parenthood and more. If you couldn't join the town hall this afternoon, the full video is below.\nPosted by Rep. Bill Huizenga on Monday, December 28, 2015 \n\n  \nBe sure to \"like\" Rep. Huizenga on Facebookto ensure you receivea notification for the Congressman's next \"FacebookLive\" Event.   \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398562", "Obama signs into law Uptons bill banning microbeads", "2015-12-29", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "President Barack Obama signed into law Monday a bill championed by southwest Michigan Congressman Fred Upton to phase out the production and sale of tiny bits of plastic called microbeads.\r\nThe Senate on Dec. 18 passed the bill by voice vote, and the House passed it earlier this month. The legislation was co-sponsored by Reps. Fred Upton, the St. Joseph Republican who heads the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Frank Pallone, D-New Jersey.\r\nIts a banner day for Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes -- we now have a bipartisan law on the books to cleanse dirty microbeads from all our nations waters, Upton said in a Monday statement. Microbeads may be tiny plastic, but they are wreaking big time havoc in our waters. We came together, Republicans and Democrats, and got the job done.\r\nThe Microbead-Free Waters Act would ban the manufacture of microbeads starting in July 2017, followed by a ban on manufacturing over-the-counter drugs and on sales of cosmetics with microbeads to start in July 2018. A ban on sales of over-the-counter drugs containing microbeads would begin July 2019.\r\nThe synthetic particles have been found in relatively high concentrations in the Great Lakes where they absorb pollutants, raising concern over their consumption by fish and other wildlife that could eventually enter the food chain.\r\nThe little pieces of plastic are often used as abrasive exfoliants in toothpastes and facial cleansers, ending up in waterways after they rinse down the drain and flow through the filtration systems at wastewater treatment plants.\r\nAt least nine states and numerous local jurisdictions already have bans on microbeads in personal-care products, creating a patchwork of differing laws on the synthetic particles.\r\nUptons bill on microbeads was one of several matters that Michigans Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress agreed they would push in a common agenda to maximize Michigans clout on Capitol Hill  a development that political experts declared was significant among the states. In May, Democratic Sens. Stabenow of Lansing and Gary Peters of Bloomfield Township introduced companion legislation to Uptons bill to ban the sale of synthetic plastic microbeads used in facial cleansers.\r\nAt a time when gaining widespread bipartisan consensus is anything but easy, I am especially glad my bill to cut down on unnecessary pollution and protect our waterways is finally law, said Pallone, the ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and the bills co-sponsor.\r\nDan Wyant, director of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, has called the rate of microplastic particles detected in Lakes Erie, Huron and Superior quite concerning at 43,000 per square kilometer because of their potential to enter the food stream. The rate was nearly 10 times higher in samples collected in Lake Erie downstream of two major Ohio cities, Wyant added.\r\nMicrobeads is a clear issue. It's a clear threat. And there's a clear, simple answer, and we support the phaseout of microbeads and a federal approach, he said in testimony before Upton's committee.\r\nVia the Detroit News.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dankildee.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-congressman-dan-kildee-gov-snyder-apology-over-flint-water-crisis", "Statement by Congressman Dan Kildee on Gov. Snyder Apology Over Flint Water Crisis", "2015-12-29", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Dan Kildee", "K000380", "dankildee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) issued the following statement today on the ongoing Flint water crisis: Governor Snyder's apology over the Flint water crisis is appropriate, as are personnel changes announced today at the Department of Environmental Quality. Through this ongoing crisis, the people of Flint did nothing wrong  they are victims of this failure of government. The State of Michigan must not only acknowledge its role in this crisis, but also take responsibility and act right away to make it right. The state can immediately step up to help the children of Flint who have suffered lead exposure. Today, the Governor alluded to more actions' in the coming days to help Flint residents. These actions by the state should include the establishment of a fund to ensure that kids  who are at the greatest risk for health problems from lead poisoning  receive the developmental, educational and nutritional support they need to help overcome the challenges associated with lead exposure. The State of Michigan can help these kids. If the state helps them now, they will have a better future. But we cannot delay  every day kids in Flint lose without support is a day they cannot get back.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lawrence.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/officials-interfairth-and-civil-rights-activists-condemn-bigotry", "Officials, interfairth and civil rights activists condemn bigotry", "2015-12-23", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Brenda Lawrence", "L000581", "lawrence.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congress members Brenda Lawrence (L), John Conyers and Debbie Dingell stand at the podium in front\n\t\t\t\t\t\tof a group of activists and officials at Charles Wright Museum of African American History, Dec. 21\n\t\t\t\t\n\tDETROIT  Heads of civil rights organizations, interfaith activists, government officials and religious leaders gathered at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American history to condemn the rising tides of Islamophobia, which are manifesting as hate crimes across the nation.\n\tSpeakers from the group dubbed \"One Nation, One Voice Against Bigotry and Hate Coalition\" took turns denouncing xenophobia and promoting unity at a press conference on Monday morning.\n\t\n\tNabih Ayad, chairman of the Arab American Civil Rights League (ACRL), said those on the path of hate are on the wrong side of history.\n\t\"We know very well that diversity inherently is very strong for this nation and for this community,\" he said.\n\t\n\tDemocratic U.S. Reps speak out\n\tU.S. Reps. John Conyers (D-Detroit), Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn) and Brenda Lawrence (D-Southfield) took part in the event and voiced support for the local Muslim community.\n\t\n\t\n\t\"How wonderful it is to see in this important hall a group of men and women, leaders of many different organizations, coming together to speak out and encourage the diversity that marks us a great area,\" Conyers, the dean of the House of Representatives, said.\n\tCongresswoman Lawrence urged Americans to speak up against discrimination.\n\t\"History has taught us that the biggest threat to our democracy is silence,\" she said.\n\tShe said allowing bigotry to go on against one group puts the entire society at risk.\n\t\"Collectively, if we raise our voices and not be silent, we can make a difference,\" Lawrence added. \"We can show those who are misinformed that hatred will not be tolerated; not in this country, not in southeast Michigan.\"\n\tRep. Dingell stressed that metro Detroit residents are united. She described Arab and Muslim Americans as friends and colleagues.\n\t\"They are our neighbors; they are our small business owners; they are our doctors,\" she said. \"Steve Jobs father was a Syrian and he [Jobs] was one of the greatest inventors of this country.\"\n\tShe said anti-Muslim sentiments violate the fundamental founding principles of the United States.\n\t\"Stop,\" Dingell said, addressing those who promote anti-Muslim bigotry. \"Enough is enough. It's not who we are as Americans.\"\n\tThe congresswoman said she will scream if she is asked about Muslims' denouncing terrorism again.\n\t\"They're speaking out every day, but the media is not covering it,\" she added.\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBarbara McQuade\n\t\t\t\t\"False narrative\"\n\tBarbara McQuade, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, said the backlash against Arab and Muslim Americans harms national security.\n\t\"We know that terrorist organizations like ISIS use this rhetoric as propaganda,\" she said. \"They love to use that false narrative that America is at war with Islam.\"\n\tMcQuade said \"misguided stereotypes\" about Arabs and Muslims are spreading because people are afraid to interact with others who are different.\"Why is it when Timothy McVeigh commits a terrorist attack in Oklahoma City, no one blames all Catholics?\" she asked. \"When a White supremacist shoots up a Black church, no one blames all Whites. Yet, when there is a terrorist attack committed by a Muslim, we paint with a broad brush. Why is that? Because we demonize that which is different.\"\n\tMcQuade said during World War II German Americans were not put in internment camps, but Japanese Americans were \"because they look different.\"\n\tTo suggest that Muslim Americans are less American than the rest of us is insulting to all of us,\" McQuade said. \"When it comes to national security, united we stand; and divided we fall.\"\n\tWayne County Executive Warren Evans acknowledged the contributions of local Arabs and Muslims to the county.\n\t\"Diversity is important to being successful,\" he said.\n\tEvans said bigotry and lack of respect are a problem for the development of the county, state and nation.\n\tSteve Spreitzer, president of the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion, said people should come to know the larger human family around them.\n\t\"Dr. King marched to Selma for voting rights and to Washington for human rights,\" he said. \"What we need in southeast Michigan is to march across these artificial barriers for human relations and for people to come to know people who are different.\"\n\tNabby Yono, vice president of community relations at the Arab American and Chaldean Council (ACC), said prejudice is the same whether against Arabs, Chaldeans, Christians or Muslims and should be condemned.\n\t\"We're in it together,\" he said.\n\t  \"Did you get it?\"\n\tThe Arab American News Publisher Osama Siblani, who emceed the conference, reiterated Arab Americans' stance on terrorism.\n\t\"Just in case you did not hear it before, here it is again  we, the Arab and Muslim communities in the United States, condemn terrorist acts, whether they are acted by individuals, groups or governments,\" Siblani said.\n\t\"Did you get it?\" he asked reporters. \"Did everybody hear it? Should I repeat it again. Stop asking us to apologize for the terrorists, because we are their first victims.\"\n\tDearborn Mayor Jack O'Reilly paid tribute to the Charles H. Wright Museum, which chronicles African Americans' historic struggles with slavery and segregation.\n\tThe mayor said it was fitting to hold the press conference at the museum because it details some of the greatest mistakes the United States has committed.\n\t\"We can't go back and we can't slide back,\" O'Reilly said. \"What I'm most concerned about particularly is our citizens who feel threatened and are afraid.\"\n\tThe mayor added that politicians with supposed credibility are promoting xenophobia at the national level, adding that Muslim citizens fear for their constitutional rights.\n\t\"We just can't let that happen,\" O'Reilly said. \"We have to protect everyone.\"\n\tDearborn Police Chief Ron Haddad stressed public safety, reaffirming his department's commitment to protecting the civil rights and liberties of all residents.\n\t\"I'm proud to stand here with our group,\" Haddad said. \"We're going to make sure that  from a public safety perspective  we do all we can.\"\n\tBrenda Rosenberg, the founder of Pathways to Peace Foundation in Action, emphasized the importance of dialogue between ethnic and religious groups.\n\tRosenberg said she sent an email last week with a list of 12 Jewish civil rights, religious and political organizations that stood with the Muslim community.\n\t\"We have to come together and stand together like we're doing today,\" she said.\n\tThe message against Islamophobia was also reiterated by Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, president of Detroit Chapter of the NAACP; Fatina Abdrabboh, executive director of ADC-Michigan; Shirley Stancato, president of New Detroit; Najah Bazzy, of Zaman International; and former State Rep. Rashida Tlaib, campaign manager of Take on Hate.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dankildee.house.gov/media/press-releases/kildee-stabenow-peters-new-resources-fight-blight-will-help-strengthen", "Kildee, Stabenow, Peters: New Resources to Fight Blight will Help Strengthen Neighborhoods, Decrease Crime", "2015-12-22", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Dan Kildee", "K000380", "dankildee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Studies Show Removing Blight Leads to Greater Economic Opportunity for Community and all Homeowners\nCongressman Dan Kildee, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, and U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI-05) today announced new efforts recently signed into law to help remove and repurpose thousands of abandoned properties in Flint and other cities across Michigan. Speaking in downtown Flint, the three members of Michigan's congressional delegation celebrated a provision they championed to allow the U.S. Department of Treasury to transfer $2 billion more into the Hardest Hit Fund (HHF), a program that has already helped to clean up thousands of abandoned properties in cities across Michigan, including Flint, Saginaw and Detroit. Because of this provision, Treasury now has the authority to use the $2 billion to assist homeowners and eliminate blight through 2017. The provision, a part of the end-of-year omnibus bill, was passed by Congress last week and has been signed into law by President Barack Obama. One of my top priorities in Congress has been to support older, industrial communities like Flint and Saginaw so that they can compete in the new economy, Congressman Kildee said. Studies have proven that removing blight increases property values and decreases crime. But the real way I measure success is by imagining what an 8-year-old child sees when they stand on their front porch  do they see a burned-out building? Or can get they go next door to play at a new park because we have cleared away the blight? These new efforts are helping to make a positive difference in the lives of Flint residents. This is a huge win for cities like Flint and Saginaw and will keep the momentum going to revitalize our neighborhoods, said Senator Stabenow. We're already seeing how this funding is making a real difference locally, where thousands of blighted properties have already been demolished. It's important our cities have the resources they need to continue making our neighborhoods safer places to raise a family. Flint, Saginaw and cities across Michigan have been working hard to demolish blighted homes, increase property values and improve public safety in their communities, said Senator Peters. I was honored to work with Senator Stabenow and Congressman Kildee to ensure that communities across Michigan have access to additional Hardest Hit Fund resources that will help them continue to these critical efforts to revitalize their neighborhoods. The new influx of federal resources into the HHF is in addition to the over $200 millionMichigan has already received for blight demolition. Over the last three years, the rate of blighted properties being torn down has significantly increased. Since 2012, the Genesee County Land Bank (GCLB) has been able to tear down 2,087 blighted properties. According to the GCLB, there are approximately 2,400 properties still in need of demolition. Independent studies have shown that removing blight and abandonment in cities like Flint, Saginaw and Detroit leads to greater economic opportunity for communities. According to a two-year study by the Land Policy Institute at Michigan State University, $3.5 million of demolition activity in Flint unlocked $112 million in improved property values for surrounding homeowners. Additionally, by removing abandoned properties in the community, crime and arson rates are reduced.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lawrence.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/rep-lawrence-passses-amendment-require-federal-tracking-educational", "Rep. Lawrence passses amendment to require federal tracking of educational progress of foster youth", "2015-12-22", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Brenda Lawrence", "L000581", "lawrence.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Brenda Lawrence has passed an amendment requiring the U.S. Secretary of Education to track the educational progress of foster youth in America, a key measure that will protect hundreds of thousands of foster care students across America.\nThe congresswomans amendment was introduced as part of the Student Success Act, which reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), commonly known as No Child Left Behind. ESEA was previously reauthorized in 2002. Though there are provisions within the ESEA that Rep. Lawrence opposes, and will continue to work to address, her amendment is a positive step forward in ensuring that our foster youth are included in the tracking of all students educational progress.\nOne of my core areas of concern and commitment is the continuing fight for the benefit of American public school children, particularly those who come from less affluent communities, Rep. Lawrence said. That is why I was so proud  as a parent, as a grandparent, and as a former school board member  to see my amendment included in the ESEA Reauthorization, which has been signed into law by President Obama.\nAs a Democrat, Rep. Lawrences amendment was one of only a handful offered by the minority party that achieved support from the Republican-led chamber. The amendment requires the U.S. Secretary of Education to reject any state plan that fails to provide separate academic assessment reporting of foster care children. In 2010, there were 408,425 children placed in foster care in America, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Childrens Bureau.\nThe amendment will also benefit organizations dedicated to ensuring foster children receive the care and attention they deserve, said Lilla Weinberger, Executive Director of the National Foster Youth Institute.\nThanks to Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence for ensuring that every state will be tracking the educational progress of its foster youth. These are our children, and we must make sure that they have every chance to succeed, Weinberger said.\nRep. Lawrences amendment to the ESEA was the first piece of legislation that she introduced as a freshman member of the 114th Congress and it is the third amendment she has passed this year.\nFoster care school-aged children deserve the same access to a quality education as everyone else. Unfortunately, and through no fault of their own, they often struggle to keep up in their studies due to a lack of a traditional home environment, Rep. Lawrence added. Under my amendment, foster care children will benefit from a watchful eye placed on the educational institution that serves them and we in the federal government will do whatever we can to ensure our education system does not fail them.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lawrence.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-brenda-lawrence-passes-amendment-require-tracking", "Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence passes amendment to require tracking of educational progress of foster youth", "2015-12-22", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Brenda Lawrence", "L000581", "lawrence.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Rep. Brenda Lawrence has passed an amendment requiring the U.S. Secretary of Education to track the educational progress of foster youth in America, a key measure that will protect hundreds of thousands of foster care students across America.\nThe congresswomans amendment was introduced as part of the Student Success Act, which reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), commonly known as No Child Left Behind. ESEA was previously reauthorized in 2002. Though there are provisions within the ESEA that Rep. Lawrence opposes, and will continue to work to address, her amendment is a positive step forward in ensuring that our foster youth are included in the tracking of all students educational progress.\nOne of my core areas of concern and commitment is the continuing fight for the benefit of American public school children, particularly those who come from less affluent communities, Rep. Lawrence said. That is why I was so proud -- as a parent, as a grandparent, and as a former school board member -- to see my amendment included in the ESEA Reauthorization, which has been signed into law by President Obama.\nAs a Democrat, Rep. Lawrences amendment was one of only a handful offered by the minority party that achieved support from the Republican-led chamber. The amendment requires the U.S. Secretary of Education to reject any state plan that fails to provide separate academic assessment reporting of foster care children. In 2010, there were 408,425 children placed in foster care in America, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Childrens Bureau.\nThe amendment will also benefit organizations dedicated to ensuring foster children receive the care and attention they deserve, said Lilla Weinberger, Executive Director of the National Foster Youth Institute.\n\"Thanks to Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence for ensuring that every state will be tracking the educational progress of its foster youth. These are our children, and we must make sure that they have every chance to succeed, Weinberger said.\nRep. Lawrences amendment to the ESEA was the first piece of legislation that she introduced as a freshman member of the 114th Congress and it is the third amendment she has passed this year.\nFoster care school-aged children deserve the same access to a quality education as everyone else. Unfortunately, and through no fault of their own, they often struggle to keep up in their studies due to a lack of a traditional home environment, Rep. Lawrence added. Under my amendment, foster care children will benefit from a watchful eye placed on the educational institution that serves them and we in the federal government will do whatever we can to ensure our education system does not fail them.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/peters-stabenow-kildee-new-resources-to-fight-blight-will-help-strengthen-neighborhoods-decrease-crime", "Peters, Stabenow, Kildee: New Resources to Fight Blight will Help Strengthen Neighborhoods, Decrease Crime", "2015-12-22", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Gary Peters", "P000595", "www.peters.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.22.15\n\t\t\t Peters, Stabenow, Kildee: New Resources to Fight Blight will Help Strengthen Neighborhoods, Decrease Crime \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Studies Show Removing Blight Leads to Greater Economic Opportunity for Community and all Homeowners\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t FLINT  U.S. Senator Gary Peters, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) today announced new efforts recently signed into law to help remove and repurpose thousands of abandoned properties in Flint and other cities across Michigan.\r\nSpeaking in downtown Flint, the three members of Michigan's congressional delegation celebrated a provision they championed to allow the U.S. Department of Treasury to transfer $2 billion more into the Hardest Hit Fund (HHF), a program that has already helped to clean up thousands of abandoned properties in cities across Michigan, including Flint, Saginaw and Detroit. Because of this provision, Treasury now has the authority to use the $2 billion to assist homeowners and eliminate blight through 2017.\r\nThe provision, a part of the end-of-year omnibus bill, was passed by Congress last week and has been signed into law by President Barack Obama.\r\nFlint, Saginaw and cities across Michigan have been working hard to demolish blighted homes, increase property values and improve public safety in their communities, said Senator Peters. I was honored to work with Senator Stabenow and Congressman Kildee to ensure that communities across Michigan have access to additional Hardest Hit Fund resources that will help them continue to these critical efforts to revitalize their neighborhoods.\r\nThis is a huge win for cities like Flint and Saginaw and will keep the momentum going to revitalize our neighborhoods, said Senator Stabenow. We're already seeing how this funding is making a real difference locally, where thousands of blighted properties have already been demolished. It's important our cities have the resources they need to continue making our neighborhoods safer places to raise a family.\r\nOne of my top priorities in Congress has been to support older, industrial communities like Flint and Saginaw so that they can compete in the new economy, Congressman Kildee said. Studies have proven that removing blight increases property values and decreases crime. But the real way I measure success is by imagining what an 8-year-old child sees when they stand on their front porch  do they see a burned-out building? Or can get they go next door to play at a new park because we have cleared away the blight? These new efforts are helping to make a positive difference in the lives of Flint residents.\r\nThe new influx of federal resources into the HHF is in addition to the over $200 millionMichigan has already received for blight demolition. Over the last three years, the rate of blighted properties being torn down has significantly increased. Since 2012, the Genesee County Land Bank (GCLB) has been able to tear down 2,087 blighted properties. According to the GCLB, there are approximately 2,400 properties still in need of demolition.\r\nIndependent studies have shown that removing blight and abandonment in cities like Flint, Saginaw and Detroit leads to greater economic opportunity for communities. According to a two-year study by the Land Policy Institute at Michigan State University, $3.5 million of demolition activity in Flint unlocked $112 million in improved property values for surrounding homeowners. Additionally, by removing abandoned properties in the community, crime and arson rates are reduced.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.stabenow.senate.gov/news/senator-stabenow-nominates-53-michigan-students-to-military-academies", "Senator Stabenow Nominates 53 Michigan Students to Military Academies", "2015-12-22", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Debbie Stabenow", "S000770", "www.stabenow.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senator Stabenow Nominates 53 Michigan Students to Military Academies \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tTuesday, December 22, 2015\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\tU.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow announced that she has nominated 53 Michigan students for placement at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY.\r\n\r\nMichigan is fortunate to have so many exceptional students who want to serve our country through military service, said Senator Stabenow. Having demonstrated a strong commitment to excellence in and out of the classroom, I am confident they will represent Michigan and our country well.\r\n\r\nStudents seeking appointment to a service academy must first obtain the nomination of their U.S. Senator, their U.S. Representative, or the Vice President. Students nominated by Senator Stabenow's office went through a competitive application process that included interviews by community leaders. Now that the students have been nominated, they must await acceptance for admission by the academy to which they have applied.\r\n\r\nThe following students have been nominated by Senator Stabenow to a service academy (by region):\r\n\r\nSoutheast Michigan:\r\n\r\nNicolas Bennett-Carpenter  Bloomfield Hills, West Point\r\nMolly Brabant  St. Clair Shores, Air Force Academy\r\nKayla Bruner  Lake Orion, Naval Academy\r\nMadison Burgin  Lake Orion, Air Force Academy\r\nTyler Chema  Clarkston, Naval Academy\r\nJay Cooke  Bloomfield Hills, Naval Academy\r\nNoah Dobos  Chelsea, Naval Academy\r\nNaveen Fujii  Ann Arbor, Naval Academy\r\nZachary Hermosillo-Deboer  Belleville, Merchant Marine Academy\r\nHannah Homsy  Grosse Pointe, West Point\r\nAubrey Leggat  Grosse Pointe, Naval Academy\r\nJohn Libcke  West Bloomfield, Merchant Marine Academy\r\nIan MacKinnon  Plymouth, West Point\r\nRobert Martinez  Flat Rock, Naval Academy\r\nJamie Miller  Rochester Hills, Naval Academy\r\nNathanial Misra  Rochester, Air Force Academy\r\nWynter Nickless  Farmington Hills, West Point\r\nJordan Niehoff  Chelsea, West Point\r\nJames Niemeyer  Ray, West Point\r\nRoss Reason  Bloomfield Hills, West Point\r\nMiranda Reinhart  White Lake, Naval Academy\r\nRyan Rocca  Troy, West Point\r\nStephen Rumsey  Avoca, Air Force Academy\r\nJames Tweedie  Oakland Twp., West Point\r\nLogan Vish  Howell, Merchant Marine Academy\r\nMaria Viviano  Clinton Twp., Air Force Academy\r\nKara Wallace  Beverly Hills, Naval Academy\r\nWeslee Warren  Garden City, Naval Academy\r\nAlex Zhang  Troy, West Point\r\n\r\nWest Michigan:\r\n\r\nFrancine Barchett  Benton Harbor, West Point\r\nGrace Beverage  Portage, West Point\r\nBenjamin Coll  Kalamazoo, Naval Academy\r\nTiana Colovos  Comstock Park, Air Force Academy\r\nRaul Cuellar  St. Joseph, Naval Academy\r\nGeorgia Deems  Grand Rapids, West Point\r\nCharlotte Lee  Spring Lake, Naval Academy\r\nAndrew MacGregor  Grand Rapids, Naval Academy\r\nScott Nieboer  Holland, West Point\r\nGabriel Pedraza  Portage, Naval Academy\r\nGavin Poulin  North Muskegon, West Point\r\nKellen Rau  Grandville, Air Force Academy\r\nJoseph Rockwell  Marshall, West Point\r\nMariah Rossi  Grand Rapids, West Point\r\n\r\nUpper Peninsula:\r\n\r\nHannah Allen  Kingsford, Air Force Academy\r\n\r\nNorthern Michigan:\r\n\r\nLucas Catron  Ludington, West Point\r\nCecelia Richardson  Traverse City, Naval Academy\r\nNicole Roxbury  Traverse City, Naval Academy\r\n\r\nMid-Michigan:\r\n\r\nEthan Stutzman  Elsie, Air Force Academy\r\nMadison Swope  Jackson, Naval Academy\r\n\r\nFlint/Great Lakes Bay Region:\r\n\r\nMaxwell Coleman  Midland, West Point\r\nMackenzie Marshall  Fenton, Naval Academy\r\nTrace Sheerin  Goodrich, Air Force Academy\r\nBenjamin Vollbach  Standish, West Point", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lawrence.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/michigan-officials-announce-plans-revitalize-cities-and-neighborhoods", "Michigan officials announce plans to revitalize cities and neighborhoods", "2015-12-21", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Brenda Lawrence", "L000581", "lawrence.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "New Flexibility Makes Up to $2 Billion Available to Help Continue Blight Removal Efforts\nU.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) and Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI), along with Congresswoman Candice Miller (R-MI), Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) and Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (D-MI) last week announced new opportunities tohelp cities across Michigan and the country revitalize neighborhoods and keep communities safe. The end-of-year spending bill, which will fund the federal government through Sept. 2016, gives the U.S. Department of Treasury the flexibility to transfer as much as $2 billion in additional funding to the Hardest Hit Fund. The Hardest Hit Fund provides resources to states for blight removal efforts and to help struggling homeowners. Michigan has received $498.6 million since the Fund was established in 2010. Senators Stabenow, Peters and Rep. Kildee led the bipartisan effort to include this new opportunity for funding in the end-of-year deal.\nWe are seeing real progress in communities across our state from federal blight removal resources, said Senator Stabenow. This new flexibility is a huge win for Michigan cities and neighborhoods and will keep the momentum going to revitalize our communities and make sure our neighborhoods are safe places to raise a family.\nThe Hardest Hit Fund has been a vital resource for cities across Michigan working to remove blight, improve safety and increase property values in their neighborhoods, said Senator Peters. This new option to transfer funding and shore up the Hardest Hit Fund will allow Michigan communities to continue these efforts and attract new private investments to help their communities grow.\nGetting rid of abandoned homes in cities like Flint, Saginaw and Detroit helps to strengthen neighborhoods and decrease crime, said Congressman Kildee. We have already made great progress in removing blight from our communities and this new flexibility will help to unlock more economic opportunity for all Michiganders.\nI am elated that the Department of the Treasury will have the option to bolster the crucial Hardest Hit Fund, a program I have long supported and which has already disbursed over $300 million through the Step Forward Michigan program to keep families in their homes. Over 28,000 Michiganders have received assistance from the program, including nearly 9,000 residents of Wayne County, and countless neighborhoods have benefited from additional efforts to combat blight, said Congressman John Conyers, Jr. With a potential new funding boost, the Hardest Hit Fund could continue to provide an essential safety net for struggling homeowners and communities. I thank President Obama and Treasury Secretary Lew for their past work to support Detroit, and I urge them to maintain their commitment to Michigans economic recovery.\nI have strongly supported the use of federal funds to strike at the blight that has weakened too many neighborhoods and communities within our cities, said Congresswoman Lawrence. As the congressional representative for Detroit, which has identified more than 84,000 properties beyond repair, and Pontiac, which has an estimated 400 locations awaiting demolition, one of my primary concerns has been the number of abandoned homes and businesses within my District. I have also seen, firsthand, how these federal funds can empower our communities and provide the resources needed to rebuild and prosper. As of October 28, 2015, U.S. Treasury has allowed the dedication of more than $300 million to Detroit for blight removal and awarded $3.7 million in federal blight removal funds to the City of Pontiac in 2013. I look forward to continued support from the Treasury for Detroit and Pontiac, and throughout our state.\nEarlier this year, Senator Stabenow, Senator Peters and Congressman Kildee led the effort to stop a proposed $1.7 billion cut in the Hardest Hit Fund. Cities that have benefited from this fund include Detroit, Adrian, Ecorse, Flint, Grand Rapids, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Inkster, Ironwood, Jackson, Lansing, Muskegon Heights, Pontiac, Port Huron, River Rouge, and Saginaw.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lawrence.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/unlikely-partners-get-2b-blight-deal-done-congress", "Unlikely partners get $2B blight deal done in congress", "2015-12-21", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Brenda Lawrence", "L000581", "lawrence.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Detroit's road to get extra funding for blight fund included help from Jesse Jackson, Dan Gilbert, Chase's Jamie Dimon and a cast of others \n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBuy Photo\n\t\t\t\t(Photo: Regina H. Boone/Detroit Free Press)\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\nWASHINGTON By Tuesday of this week, with just hours to go before congressional leaders would finalize the contents of a massive $1.15-trillion spending bill, it was still unclear whether a Detroit-led proposal to free up as much as $2 billion to help it and other cities across the U.S. demolish tens of thousands of abandoned, blighted buildings would make the cut.\nSome House Democrats were having second thoughts, concerned about other financial provisions in the bill and wondering whetherit was time to hit the pause button on those as well as the Michigan proposal to move $2 billion of unused cash into the Hardest Hit Fund, a program which, to date, has already sent the city $130 million to continue the nations most aggressive demolition effort.\nBut with the future of those anti-blight efforts in Detroit and across Michigan on the line, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Township, knew there might not be a second chance. Thats when Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, hearing the news, quickly cast about for someone who could intervene with Democratic leaders to help.\nThen he remembered: Several months before, the Rev. Jesse Jackson had met Duggan and said, if he ever needed Jacksons help, just to call.\nDuggan did. And so did Jackson.\nI called him, he answered and I explained the problem, Duggan told the Free Press on Friday. I told him, this could be the biggest blight removal program the federal government has ever done. He listened for 10 minutes and said, Let me see what I can do. And he made a phone call. He called me back at 11:30 p.m. and said, You have a commitment. \nHalf an hour later, Stabenow called Duggan again. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid had told her: The bill was done. Detroits plan widely expected to pay for demolitions there and in other old urban centers across Michigan and in several other states was in it.\nOn its face, the provision allowing the U.S. Treasury to transfer up to $2 billion into the Hardest Hit Fund which was sent to President Barack Obama for his signature into law on Friday along with the rest of the spending bill doesnt look terribly significant. Blight is not specifically mentioned. Nor is demolition. It is theoretically possible Treasury could use the funding for other purposes or not at all.\nBut that masks the fact that this provision was enacted with Treasurys full knowledge and that, according to those who worked on getting it passed, much of the $2 billion is likely to be committed to battle blight in at least some of the 18 states including Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and others that are already part of the Hardest Hit Fund created in the wake of the last housing crisis.\nWhats also left unsaid is how big a turnaround it is considering that just five months ago, the Free Press broke the news that Senate leaders were trying to raid the fund and shut it down, and the level of effort that went into it over the course of the last two months. During that time, independent analyses indicated that Detroits demolition effort, the most aggressive in the country, was having a demonstrably positive impact and it helped sell the program's pitch.\nThis a step toward a development plan and it puts people to work in the meantime, Jackson told the Free Press on Friday, saying he was well acquainted with Detroits blight removal program but declining to say who he called to turn the tide. We need an urban policy discussion The next step now is reconstruction.\nKildee, who has long been a proponent of using federal funds to clear abandoned structures in cities across Michigan, had been pushing for some time for Treasury to move unused funds from other homeowner protection programs no longer necessary into the Hardest Hit Fund, which has increasingly been used to reimburse communities for demolitions in a handful of states as a way to stabilize neighborhoods.\nBut Treasury said it did not believe it had unilateral authority to do so.\nAnd, asthe Free Press has reported, those earlier awards wererunning out or had been otherwise allocated. Most of the $498 million already committed to Michigan is spoken for, for instance, and even with an additional $21 million commitment this fall, Detroits blight eradication program could run out of funds as soon as April, with thousands more blighted buildings still a drag on any potential neighborhood redevelopment.\nThen, in October, after the Senates unsuccessful attempt to raid the fund, Duggan approached Stabenow with the idea of not only showing people in Washington how much a success the program had been but also getting more funds for it, always a tall order in the nations capital.\nIt was the start of what Duggan, Stabenow, Kildee and others have described as an effort that not only saw them wooing leaders of both parties in Washington an effort U.S. Rep. Candice Miller of Harrison Township, a member of House Republican leadership was key to but gaining Republican allies from other states, especially Ohio, with its own blight efforts, to plug for the program.\nDuggan contacted Quicken Loans Dan Gilbert, a major force in Detroits redevelopment scene but also one withdeeptiesto Cleveland, another city with a blight removal program, where he owns the NBAs Cavaliers. Gilbert, said Duggan, not only had his Washington, D.C. lobbying team working on the proposal, he made more than 100 calls, e-mails and texts personally to push the change.\nIt wasnt just Gilbert, however: With JPMorgan Chase having already committed to invest $100 million in Detroit redevelopment, its head, Jamie Dimon, pledged his companys help as well. Dimon, who sits atop the nations largest bank, called House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to personally ask them to allow its passage. They did not stand in its way.\nOn the states delegation in Congress, U.S. Sen Gary Peters, Stabenows Democratic colleague, pitched in. So did Democratic Reps. John Conyers of Detroit and Brenda Lawrence of Southfield. In Detroit, the Rev. Wendell Anthony, president of the local NAACP, made calls as well to push for it.\nTalking to the Free Press on Friday, Stabenow said it easily could have faltered, however.\nAt one point, she said, a mistaken version of the provision made it to the Congressional Budget Office, which estimated it could add to the deficit, which could have doomed it. As it turned out, however, by some methodof government accounting, the correct version actually appears to have small deficit reduction instead, making it even more attractive. The mistake was caught and corrected.\nEven as late as Tuesday and the concerns raised by House Democrats, there were worries it would fall apart. Stabenow called House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and reached out to Anthony to help with some Democratic members.Kildee, whose father had died last Saturday and who had been working on funeral arrangements while drumming up support for the provision, burned up the phone lines.\nThere were multiple moments of (near) failure, said Stabenow, who, as late as Wednesday evening, with the House Rules Committee sitting down to send the legislation to the full chamber its last substantive hurdle was nervous about talking about its passage too soon. There were many twist and turns to this.\nWhether the change and the funding comes through and not only continues to fuel Detroits demolitions but spurs a new national program of blight removal will remain to be seen. Treasury will have to determine how much to allocate to which states and for what. Blight programs historically take a long time to get going and run smoothly, as Duggan readily admits.\nBut given Treasurys involvement up front, it seems likely the funding for blight programs in Detroit and across Michigan isnt going to disappear any time too soon. Many believe it could lead to a blight eradication program unlike the nation has seen before.\nTo me the remarkable thingis, I doubt there are many bills that Dan Gilbert, Jamie Dimon and Jesse Jackson are all making calls on. It took that coalition, he said.\nI think it could transform many cities in this country, he added. I think youll see a lot more focus on this.\nContact Todd Spangler:703-854-8947 or at tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter at @tsspangler.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/following-state-efforts-to-restrict-voter-access-peters-cosponsors-legislation-to-expand-opportunity-for-early-and-absentee-voting", "Following State Efforts to Restrict Voter Access, Peters Cosponsors Legislation to Expand Opportunity for Early and Absentee Voting", "2015-12-21", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Gary Peters", "P000595", "www.peters.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.21.15\n\t\t\t Following State Efforts to Restrict Voter Access, Peters Cosponsors Legislation to Expand Opportunity for Early and Absentee Voting \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, DC  After the Michigan Legislature this week passed a bill eliminating straight-ticket voting and rejected efforts to expand early voting options, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that he will be cosponsoring legislation to expand access to early voting in federal elections and ensure voters in every state do not need an excuse to vote absentee.\r\n\r\nI am extremely disappointed in partisan political efforts in the Michigan Legislature that will erect barriers to the ballot box and make it harder for people to vote, said Senator Peters. The constitutional right to vote is the bedrock of our democracy, and we should be looking for ways to expand  not restrict - voter access. I will continue working in the U.S. Senate to ensure that every American has the equal opportunity to cast their ballot and make their voice heard.\r\n\r\nThe legislation Peters is cosponsoring amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 by requiring every state, at a minimum, to either provide seven consecutive days of early voting during the 10-day period before a federal election, or not require voters to give an excuse in order to cast an absentee ballot by mail. The bill also ensures that states provide early voting at a sufficient number of locations statewide so all citizens have reasonable access to the polls before Election Day. Hardworking Americans who may find it difficult to make it to the polls on Tuesday will have the opportunity to vote on the day that works best for their schedules or vote absentee by mail.\r\n\r\nEvery American has the right to exercise their fundamental right to vote and participate in our democracy, and they should not have to face unnecessary burdens or restrictions to do so, said Senator Peters. For many people with busy work schedules or mobility impairments, getting to the polls on Election Day can be difficult, and I'm proud to cosponsor this important legislation that will increase opportunities to vote early or absentee so that every American has the opportunity to make their voice heard at the ballot box.\r\n\r\nUnder current law, 33 states have some form of early voting, and 27 states permit voters to submit an absentee ballot without an excuse. Michigan does not have any form of early voting, and voters can request to vote absentee only if they are over 60, cannot vote in person without assistance, expect to be out of town on Election Day, cite a religious obligation, work as an election precinct inspector or are in jail awaiting trial or arraignment.\r\n\r\nSenator Peters has consistently supported legislation to expand voting rights for every American. He is a cosponsor of the Voter Registration Modernization Act, which creates uniform national standards and requirements for every state to allow online voter registration. On the fiftieth anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a historic piece of civil rights legislation, Senator Peters also cosponsored the Voting Rights Advancement Act, which includes a number of protections to prevent voter discrimination and curtail practices known to suppress the vote.\r\n\r\n\r\n###\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398275", "Huizenga Supports Legislation To Keep America Safe & Strengthen West Michigan's Economy", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Huizenga Supports Legislation To Keep America Safe & Strengthen West Michigan's Economy  \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        December 18, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga released the following statement after voting in support of the year-end government funding legislation:\nWhile this legislation is far from perfect, it does include several provisions that are important to national security as well as West Michigan.  This bill makes our nation safer by increasing defense spending to support our troops and closing loopholes to prevent terrorists from exploiting our outdated visa system and entering the United States.  Additionally, this legislation takes an essential step to prevent taxpayers from bailing out the broken ObamaCare system. Lastly, this bill includes my effort to strengthen the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund to make sure the federal government lives up to its obligations to dredge and maintain our ports and harbors in Grand Haven, Holland, Ludington, and Muskegon.\n For more information on Congressman Huizengas efforts to strengthen the Great Lakes Economy click here.\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398561", "Upton Statement on Passage of Omnibus", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, released the following statement upon passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act. \r\nIm pleased we were able to come together in a bipartisan manner to get this done, said Upton. While never perfect, at the end of the day this agreement is a win for jobs and our economy here in Southwest Michigan and across the country. We were able to advance common-sense solutions on a host of fronts; including securing a $2 billion infusion for the National Institutes of Health which adds momentum to our 21st Century Cures initiative, and getting the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative fully funded  which marks a major victory for our region. I look forward to 2016 when, under Speaker Paul Ryans leadership, we will return to a more customary, open appropriations process that gets our fiscal house in order. \r\nBACKGROUND: The omnibus advances several priorities that will benefit Southwest Michigan families and businesses including increased investments in Alzheimers research, repealing Country of Origin (COOL) requirements, repealing the governments 40-year-old ban on exporting crude oil, and increasing military spending and tightening security requirements under the nations Visa Waiver Program.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://debbiedingell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-dingell-s-holiday-jingle", "Congresswoman Dingells Holiday Jingle", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Debbie Dingell", "D000624", "debbiedingell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) today continued a Dingell holiday tradition, releasing the 2015 edition of the annual Dingell Jingle. Full text of the jingle can be read below.\nTwas the day the House finally finished its business  \n\tWe passed a budget! In time for Christmas!  \n\tUnfortunately Congress waited until the last minute  \n\tBut thankfully Rubio didnt get his way in the Senate\nNow as we head home for holiday cheer and reflection  \n\tIts time to continue an important Dingell tradition  \n\tYear after year, amid clanking and clatter  \n\tJohn Dingell wrote a jingle about the issues that matter  \n\tHe wrote about the years highlights and whats in fashion  \n\tSometimes he even wrote about the Kardashians\nNow with the holiday season near  \n\tHere is a poem thats a reflection of a first year  \n\tIts true that being a freshmans not always a dream  \n\tEspecially when you follow someone like the Dean  \n\tBut we share an approach not seen in a while  \n\tWe believe in working across the Congressional aisle\nThe years been filled with challenges and treats  \n\tWe welcomed the Pope, who many wanted to meet  \n\tWe fought for American workers, to make families lives better  \n\tAlong the way, we may have ruffled the Presidents feathers  \n\tWhat Madonna said about Michigan wasnt so nice  \n\tHeres hoping that next time she might think twice\nOur Speaker retired, and we thanked him for trying  \n\tHe worked hard and did well in between all the crying  \n\tSo began the search to fill the job no one wanted  \n\tEnter Paul Ryan with a new beard he flaunted  \n\tFrom highways to schools, the last months been busy  \n\tPassing bills and making progress has left some quite dizzy \nAs 2016 approaches, we have an important decision  \n\tTheres fear that many will stand behind Trumps vision  \n\tIn Michigan theres another pressing concern  \n\tWill the Wolverines have the victory theyve earned  \n\tTo be sure, winning the Citrus Bowl is a must  \n\tHappy holidays to you and your family, and in Harbaugh we trust", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://debbiedingell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/dingell-statement-omnibus-appropriations-bill", "Dingell Statement on Omnibus Appropriations Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Debbie Dingell", "D000624", "debbiedingell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) today joined colleagues in the House to adopt, by a vote of 316 to 113, the fiscal year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which funds the government for 2016.\nThis comprehensive funding bill isnt perfect, but it represents a bipartisan compromise that has many victories for Americas working families. \nIt provides critical funding increases, including a $2 billion increase in funding for medical research at the National Institutes of Health and up to $2 billion in funding to tear down blighted buildings, which is important for many Michigan communities. It includes a three year reauthorization and funding increase for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, our nations most vital conservation program which benefits literally every county in America; it includes $300 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative; permanent health care funding for 9/11 first responders; and a two-year delay of the Cadillac tax on health plans, which matters to the working men and women of my district. In addition, Id like to thank Chairman Hal Rogers and Ranking Member Nita Lowey of the Appropriations Committee for including a measure I have championed to allow the President to award theMedal of Honor to Vietnam veteran Charles Kettles, a resident of Ypsilanti. \nThere are flaws with this bill as well. I have concerns about lifting the longstanding ban on U.S. oil exports, which could result in higher gas prices in the United States. I am hopeful that the extension of the wind and solar tax credits will help counteract this by havinga positive impact on our environment and energy independence while creating good paying jobs. We should have also used this legislation to address the economic crisis in Puerto Rico, and I trust the Speakers word that it will be addressed next year. I also continue to have serious concerns about the discriminatory changes being made to the visa waiver program, and will continue working to ensure we do not target anyone based on nationality or religion in this country.  \nThis bill is a true compromise, and for me compromise is not a dirty word. It isnt perfect, but it avoids a government shutdown while providing for much needed investments in critical programs which will help improve the lives of many working families in Southeast Michigan and the nation, and therefore, it is worthy of our support.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lawrence.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-brenda-lawrence-votes-omnibus-appropriations-bill-create-jobs-and", "Rep. Brenda Lawrence Votes for Omnibus Appropriations Bill to Create Jobs and Grow the Economy with Investments in Americas Priorities", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Brenda Lawrence", "L000581", "lawrence.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Rep. Brenda Lawrence voted with the majority of her colleagues in the House to adopt, by a vote of 316 to 113, the FY 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill. This measure funds the government for FY 2016. Today I cast my vote to avert a disastrous Republican government shutdown and to make vital investments in the future of Americas working families, Congresswoman Lawrence said. The bill implements the Bipartisan Budget Agreement adopted by Congress in October.Though it is far from perfect it is a true bipartisan compromise.It is not the bill I would have written, but it is a victory for working families over the Republican Congresss special interest priorities. My passion for protecting the core priorities of hard-working Americans  such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid; community improvement programs, such as blight removal; renewable energy; education; research and development; and infrastructure  have been preserved and strengthened in this Omnibus package. Democrats won enormous improvements over the destructive FY 2016 appropriations bills Republicans wrote earlier this year.\nFor most of this year, Republicans have been trying to make devastating cuts to our investments in the future of our hard-working American families  cuts that would kill jobs and weaken our economic growth. For example, the House GOP bill would have slashed education initiatives by $2.5 billion below 2015 and cut HHS funding below the 2015 level. Instead, we have made strong investments in areas that will create jobs and grow the economy. I am deeply disappointed that Republicans insisted on lifting the oil export ban in this vital legislation to keep government open, Rep. Lawrence added. However, I am proud to say that Democrats were able to secure sweeping victories for Americas working families throughout the Omnibus. In addition to purging the bill of scores of Republicans poison pill policy riders, Democrats extended wind and solar tax credits that will eliminate around ten times more carbon pollution than the exports of oil will add.\nThe bills investments in priorities include the following:\n Renewable Energy: Provides a major boost to renewable energy by extending the wind Production Tax Credit for five years (through 2019), and extending the solar Investment Tax Credit for five years (through 2021), while phasing both credits down somewhat over time. Extending the solar tax credit is estimated to create 61,000 jobs in 2017 alone. It is also estimated that the wind industry will grow to over 100,000 jobs over four years with the renewed wind tax credit.\n\tEnergy Efficiency and Clean Energy R&D: Provides an 8 percent increase over 2015 for R&D activities in the pursuit of new clean energy and energy efficiency technologies.\n\tOverall Education: The bill restores the $2.5 billion cut in education that the GOP had proposed and also makes critical additional investments of $1.4 billion above 2015, in such areas as Title I that serves 24 million at-risk students.\n\tEarly Learning: Investing in Head Start produces results  and this bill invests nearly $400 million more than the House GOP bill and nearly $600 million more than 2015 in this vital initiative. The bill also provides $250 million for Preschool Development Grants, assisting 18 states across the country.\n\tMedical Research: Medical research at NIH has been underfunded for the last several years. This bill provides $900 million more than the House GOP bill and $2 billion more than 2015 for this life-saving research.\n\tInfrastructure: The popular TIGER grants are being used across the country to repair infrastructure and contribute to economic growth. The House GOP bill had slashed TIGER grants by 80 percent, killing jobs, but this bill restores the funding to the 2015 level of $500 million.\n\tLaw Enforcement: The bill provides $187 million for COPS hiring grants, $7 million above the 2015 level and $187 million above the House GOP bill, which had eliminated the hiring grants. The bill also provides $80 million for the Community Policing Initiative, including $22.5 million for body-worn cameras and $15 million for Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation grants.\n The measure also does not include numerous GOP ideological riders that would have had damaging impacts on Americas women, consumers, workers, and children. The damaging GOP poison pill riders that were removed from the final bill include:\n GOP riders that would have limited womens access to the full range of comprehensive health care services, including by defunding Planned Parenthood.\n\tGOP riders that would have gutted the Dodd-Frank provisions that hold big Wall Street banks accountable.\n\tGOP riders that would have undermined the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act, jeopardizing the health of our children and working families.\n Finally, the Omnibus includes several other important provisions:\n Reauthorizes the key James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, making the Health Program permanent and reauthorizing the Victims Compensation Fund for five years;\n\tDelays the so-called Cadillac tax, a tax on employer-provided health plans worth over a certain threshold, for two years  from 2018 to 2020;\n\tIncludes the provisions of the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act, which addresses issues raised by the terrorist attacks in Paris with reforms to the program; and\n\tReauthorizes the Land and Conservation Fund, which is one of our countrys most successful outdoor recreation and conservation programs and which Republicans allowed to expire on September 30.\n By passing this bill, Congress has ended the threat of a possible government shutdown that our country has struggled with for the last several months, Rep. Lawrence concluded. I hope that the Republicans will now abandon their practice of creating one manufactured crisis after another and join Democrats in developing bipartisan legislation that creates jobs, strengthens the middle class and the economy, and enhances our national security.The enactment of this bill today is an important step in that direction and moving the country forward.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikebishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/securing-michigan-priorities", "Securing Michigan Priorities", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Mike Bishop", "B001293", "mikebishop.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Following House passage of the omnibus spending package, the Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY 2016 (H.R. 2029), Congressman Mike Bishop issued the following statement:  \n\t\nWith an emphasis on security and defense, oversight of the federal government, and protections for the Great Lakes, this legislation secures Michigan priorities. I am especially pleased to see full funding for Michigan State Universitys FRIB, which will significantly advance American nuclear research and support $1 billion in economic growth in our district and state. The work is not done, but under Speaker Ryans leadership we can look forward to more long-term solutions to help our families and economy prosper.  \n\t\nHIGHLIGHTS\n \n\t\tFull funding for the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams at Michigan State University\n\t\n\t\n\t\tInclusion of Chairman Candice Millers Visa Waiver Improvements language (H.R. 158)\n\t\n\t\n\t\tResponsible funding for defense acquisition - including Growlers, Super Hornets and F-35s for the military\n\t\n\t\n\t\tInclusion of Cybersecurity Act of 2015 - for greater information-sharing of cyber threats\n\t\n\t\n\t\tFunding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative\n\t\n\t\n\t\tNew actions and protocols to fight the spread of Asian carp\n\t\n\t\n\t\tLifts the oil export ban\n\t\n\t\n\t\tCuts funding for the EPA and prevents new or expanded EPA regulatory programs\n\t\n\t\n\t\tPrevents the IRS from targeting individuals based on political beliefs\n\t\n\t\n\t\tProhibits new funding for the Affordable Care Act and delays the Cadillac Tax\n\t\n \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://moolenaar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-funding-protecting-great-lakes-cuts-spending-epa", "House Passes Funding for Protecting the Great Lakes, Cuts Spending on the EPA", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "John Moolenaar", "M001194", "moolenaar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, the House of Representatives passed legislation appropriating federal funding through the rest of the federal governments fiscal year which ends on September 30, 2016.\nRepresentative John Moolenaar (R-Midland) voted for the legislation and released the following statement:\nTodays compromise legislation provides $300 million in funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to protect the Lakes and the $7 billion economy they support. In February, the Obama Administration proposed a $50 million cut for the GLRI and I questioned the budget director about this issue. Through the bipartisan work of members from Great Lakes states, this proposed cut has been reversed.\nIn recognition of the EPAs overreach with the Waters of the U.S. rule and other burdensome regulations, this bill cuts EPA spending by $452 million. This freezes the EPAs staffing level at the lowest point in 25 years and forces the agency to focus on its environmental cleanup mission instead of imposing more unnecessary regulations on Michigan residents.\nThe legislation strengthens the federal governments commitment to national security. It increases funding for border security and for protecting the nations electric grid from cyberattacks. It also makes changes to the visa waiver program and requires visitors to America who have traveled to terrorism hotspots to undergo rigorous background checks before entering the country.\nHighlights of the Legislation\nThe legislation:\n Provides full funding, $100 million, for the Facility for Rare Isotope Beam research at Michigan State University.\n\tProvides $300 million in funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.\n\tProvides $7.9 million in funding for the Fish and Wildlife Service to continue its efforts against the spread of Asian carp.\n\tCuts funding for the EPA by $452 million.\n\tProhibits the EPA from enforcing the Clean Water Act on farmers.\n\tHolds the EPAs staffing level at the lowest point in 25 years.\n\tProhibits the EPA from regulating lead content in ammunition and fishing tackle.\n\tProvides $2.7 billion, an increase of $173 million, for processing the disability claims backlog at the VA. This will support 770 additional staff members to process claims.\n\tExpands whistleblower protections for VA medical staff to report wrongdoing.\n\tIncreases funding to protect the American electric grid from cyberattacks.\n\tReforms the visa waiver program to protect Americans from terrorists trying to enter the country.\n\tReauthorizes funding for the 9/11 First Responders Program which provides health benefits to first responders, residents and survivors of 9/11.\n\tProvides a $2 billion increase to the National Institutes for Health for research on cancer and Alzheimers.\n\tDelays the Affordable Care Acts tax on high-cost employer-sponsored insurance (the Cadillac tax) until 2020.\n\tDelays the menu labeling requirements of the Affordable Care Act, which would be a burden on small businesses, until 2017.\n\tRepeals the country of origin labeling law that was a burden to farmers.\n Maintains all federal pro-life policies including a prohibition on federal funds paying for abortion.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/peters-applauds-extension-of-tax-credit-for-businesses-employing-military-reservists-and-national-guardsmen", "Peters Applauds Extension of Tax Credit for Businesses Employing Military Reservists & National Guardsmen", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Gary Peters", "P000595", "www.peters.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.18.15\n\t\t\t Peters Applauds Extension of Tax Credit for Businesses Employing Military Reservists & National Guardsmen \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Peters Previously Introduced Bipartisan Bill Extending Tax Credit to Employers that Provide Differential Pay to Reservists Called to Active Duty\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, today applauded the expansion and permanent extension of a tax credit for employers that provide differential pay to military reservists and National Guard members called to serve on active duty. The tax credit, which was included in an end-of-year government spending and tax bill, would apply to all businesses, but the extension is particularly helpful for small businesses that may find it more difficult to absorb the costs of providing differential pay. Earlier this year, Peters introduced the Military Reserve Small Business Jobs Act with Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a former Lieutenant Colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard, to extend this tax credit for small businesses for five years, providing financial security for the families of Reservists and National Guardsmen serving on active duty.\r\nMichigan reservists and National Guardsmen stand ready to defend our nation at a moment's notice and play a critical role in keeping our military strong, said Senator Peters. When called to active duty, our servicemembers should not be forced to worry about how their families will pay for groceries or put gas in the car. We should reward employers and businesses that show their patriotism by providing differential pay to employees called to active duty, and I am pleased that this legislation permanently extending and expanding this important tax credit will soon be signed into law.\r\nThere are approximately 824,000 reservists and National Guard members in America, and 15,438 of them serve in units in Michigan. Since September 11, 2001, over 905,000 reservists and National Guard members have been activated in support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.\r\nOriginally enacted in 2008 as part of the bipartisan Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act (HEART Act), the employer wage credit for activated military reservists helps employers that provide differential pay to employees who have been called to active duty. Previously, employers with 50 employees or less received a tax credit for 20% of the differential salary payment for their workers. For example, if an employee's pay is $3,000 per month but they make $2,000 while on active duty, the employer would receive a $200 credit for paying them the $1,000 difference.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-peters-stabenow-applaud-senate-passage-of-bipartisan-bill-to-keep-plastic-beads-out-of-great-lakes", "Senators Peters, Stabenow Applaud Senate Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Keep Plastic Beads Out of Great Lakes", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Gary Peters", "P000595", "www.peters.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.18.15\n\t\t\t Senators Peters, Stabenow Applaud Senate Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Keep Plastic Beads Out of Great Lakes \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Legislation Will Go To President's Desk for Signature\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, DC -U.S. Senators Gary Peters andDebbie Stabenow today applauded the U.S. Senate's unanimous passage of the bipartisanMicrobead-Free Waters Act of 2015, which will protect the Great Lakes from pollution caused by small, plastic microbeads that are ingredients in certain soaps and personal care products. The legislation, which was sponsored by Congressman Fred Upton (R-MI), passed the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this month. It will phase out the manufacturing of products with microbeads, which get through water treatment facilities and are harmful to fish and wildlife. This bill is similar to companion legislation that Senators Peters and Stabenowintroduced earlier this year.\r\nThis commonsense, bipartisan effort to phase out microbeads in consumer products like face wash and toothpaste is an important step toward protecting our Great Lakes,said Senator Peters, a member of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force.Synthetic plastic microbeads amplify the effects of pollution and threaten wildlife in the Great Lakes ecosystem. I'm pleased that my Senate colleagues are sending this vital measure to the President's desk to ensure our Great Lakes continue to thrive.\r\nToday's vote is great news for our Great Lakes, which are critical to our economy and Michigan way of lifesaid Senator Stabenow, co-chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force.Microbeads pose a very real danger to our Great Lakes and threaten our fish and wildlife populations. This bipartisan bill is an important step in keeping our wildlife protected and our waters safe.\r\nMicrobeads from products like face washes and toothpaste often end up floating in the Great Lakes, where they can build up as plastic pollution and are often mistaken for food by fish. A report by the State University of New York in Fredonia found anywhere from 1,500 to 1.1 million microbeads per square mile in the Great Lakes, the world's largest source of freshwater.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.stabenow.senate.gov/news/senator-stabenows-bill-to-protect-homeowners-from-higher-taxes-passes-senate", "Senator Stabenows Bill to Protect Homeowners from Higher Taxes Passes Senate", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Debbie Stabenow", "S000770", "www.stabenow.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senator Stabenow's Bill to Protect Homeowners from Higher Taxes Passes Senate \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Legislation Protects Homeowners from Being Hit with Extra Tax Bill \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tFriday, December 18, 2015\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\tU.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, today applauded the inclusion of her legislation to protect struggling homeowners from being hit with an extra tax bill in the end-of-year spending bill. The bill, which will fund the government through 2016, includes Senator Stabenow's Mortgage Forgiveness Tax Relief Act. The Mortgage Forgiveness Tax Relief Act makes sure homeowners aren't required to pay additional taxes when they receive mortgage principal forgiveness on their homes or sell their homes in what are commonly called \"short sales.\" Senator Stabenow led the effort to include her bill in the end-of-year deal, which will go to the President's desk for his signature.\r\nSo many families across the country, including many in Michigan, are faced with having to pay for mortgages that now exceed the value of their home, said Senator Stabenow. The passage of this bipartisan agreement means that families who are willing to work with their lenders will not be forced to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars in additional income tax when they sell their home.\r\nThe end-of-year deal extends through 2016 legislation originally authored by Senator Stabenow in 2007. Senator Stabenow led the effort last Congress to extend this provision in the Tax Increase Prevention Act, which extended the tax break through 2014. This bill will also add additional protections authored by Senator Stabenow to ensure that homeowners are eligible for relief as long as the agreement to reduce their mortgage debt is in writing before the date the provision expires.\r\nDeclining home prices and rising foreclosure rates have forced many families to sell their homes for less than they paid for them, and sometimes for less than the outstanding debt. The IRS previously taxed any loan forgiveness provided to homeowners as \"income,\" meaning families were paying thousands of dollars in income tax for phantom income that wasn't actual money the family had earned.\r\nWhile the housing market is recovering, short sales and foreclosures continue. More than one in six American homeowners currently have mortgages that are underwater.\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.stabenow.senate.gov/news/senators-stabenow-peters-applaud-senate-passage-of-bipartisan-bill-to-keep-plastic-beads-out-of-great-lakes", "Senators Stabenow, Peters Applaud Senate Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Keep Plastic Beads Out of Great Lakes", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Debbie Stabenow", "S000770", "www.stabenow.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senators Stabenow, Peters Applaud Senate Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Keep Plastic Beads Out of Great Lakes \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Legislation Will Go To President's Desk for Signature  \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tFriday, December 18, 2015\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\tU.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Gary Peters (D-MI) today applauded the U.S. Senate's unanimous passage of the bipartisan Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015, which will protect the Great Lakes from pollution caused by small, plastic microbeads that are ingredients in certain soaps and personal care products. The legislation, which was sponsored by Congressman Fred Upton (R-MI), passed the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this month. It will phase out the manufacturing of products with microbeads, which get through water treatment facilities and are harmful to fish and wildlife. This bill is similar to companion legislation that Senators Stabenow and Peters introduced earlier this year.\r\nToday's vote is great news for our Great Lakes, which are critical to our economy and Michigan way of life said Senator Stabenow, co-chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force. Microbeads pose a very real danger to our Great Lakes and threaten our fish and wildlife populations. This bipartisan bill is an important step in keeping our wildlife protected and our waters safe.\r\nThis commonsense, bipartisan effort to phase out microbeads in consumer products like face wash and toothpaste is an important step toward protecting our Great Lakes, said Senator Peters, a member of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force. Synthetic plastic microbeads amplify the effects of pollution and threaten wildlife in the Great Lakes ecosystem. I'm pleased that my Senate colleagues are sending this vital measure to the President's desk to ensure our Great Lakes continue to thrive.\r\nMicrobeads from products like face washes and toothpaste often end up floating in the Great Lakes, where they can build up as plastic pollution and are often mistaken for food by fish. A report by the State University of New York in Fredonia found anywhere from 1,500 to 1.1 million microbeads per square mile in the Great Lakes, the world's largest source of freshwater.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398274", "Huizenga Votes to Provide Tax Relief for Hardworking Michiganders", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga released the following statement after voting in support of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act:\r\nWhether it is a small business owner in Kentwood, an apple grower in Hart, or a school teacher in Muskegon, this legislation finally provides West Michigan residents with the tax certainty they have been asking for. Because of the PATH Act: educators will be able to deduct what they spend in their own classrooms; seniors will be able to donate from their IRA to charitable organizations without being penalized by the IRS; small businesses and farmers will have the tax certainty they need to invest, innovate, and create jobs.\r\n The PATH Act is a positive step forward, but we cannot stop here. We must continue to fight for pro-growth tax reform that will not only improve our economy, but also strengthen the bottom lines of hardworking families throughout West Michigan and across the nation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398560", "Upton Statement on Passage of PATH Act", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, released the following statement upon passage of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act which permanently renews vital tax credits.\r\nIve heard directly from folks in Southwest Michigan who want nothing more than certainty in the tax code, and thats precisely what we did today with the passage of the PATH Act, said Upton. This certainty will prevent tax increases, help create good paying local jobs, boost our economy, and lays the groundwork for meaningful, bipartisan tax reform in 2016  something Ive long supported. Today is a big-time win for our local small business community and for hard-working folks across the country.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dankildee.house.gov/media/press-releases/fund-used-blight-demolition-set-receive-billions-more-under-push-congressman", "Fund Used for Blight Demolition Set to Receive Billions More Under Push by Congressman Dan Kildee", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Dan Kildee", "K000380", "dankildee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A bill expected to be passed by Congress this week includes a provision fought for by Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) to transfer $2 billion more into the Hardest Hit Fund (HHF), a program that has already helped to remove and repurpose thousands of abandoned properties in cities across Michigan, including Flint and Saginaw. Additionally, these new funds would have greater flexibility and could be used to make additional progress on removing blight, including past 2017, when the funds currently expire. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, along with a bipartisan coalition of Michigan's congressional delegation in the House, have offered their support for this new provision in the year-end government-funding bill, expected to pass this week.\nGetting rid of abandoned properties in cities like Flint, Saginaw and Detroit helps to strengthen neighborhoods and decrease crime, Congressman Kildee said. We have already made great progress in removing blight from our community, and this new flexibility will help to unlock more economic opportunity for all Michiganders.\nThe Hardest Hit Fund was originally designed  and is still working  to keep people in their homes and prevent additional foreclosures after the Great Recession. In recent years, thanks to Congressman Kildee's efforts in Congress, the U.S. Treasury Department rightfully determined that removing blight in communities helps to stabilize and strengthen neighborhoods. Since 2013, Congressman Kildee has helped to secure over $200 million for Michigan cities to help get rid of large quantities of blight, including $32.7 million most recently in October. In Flint alone, nearly 2,000 run-down properties have been torn down and their land repurposed.\nIn a House Financial Services Committee hearing in March, Congressman Kildee spoke with U.S. Department of Treasury Secretary Jack Lew about transferring unused resources in the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) to the HHF for blight removal. Following up on that conversation, Congressman Kildee met with Treasury officials in April to push for additional federal resources. In September, Congressman Kildee also hosted a briefing on Capitol Hill focusing on federal policies that can help support cities like Flint, Saginaw and Detroit, including blight removal.\nIt is invaluable to have someone in Congress like Dan Kildee who understands the need to support America's cities, said Jim Rokakis, the former treasurer for Cuyahoga County, Ohio, who now is the Vice President of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy. For over a decade, it has been great to have a partner in Congressman Kildee on these important issues and now it is even better to see changes being made at the federal level to help strengthen and revitalize communities. Dan has been instrumental in getting this change to free up additional resources for blight removal in Flint and other communities.\nIn July, Congressman Kildee, working with Senators Stabenow and Peters, also successfully fought back against a proposal introduced in the U.S. Senate to rescind the money allocated through the HHF and marked for Michigan blight demolitions. Independent studies have shown that removing blight and abandonment in cities like Detroit, Flint and Saginaw leads to greater economic opportunity for communities.\nAccording to a two-year study by the Land Policy Institute at Michigan State University, $3.5 million of demolition activity in Flint unlocked $112 million in improved property values for surrounding homeowners. Additionally, by removing abandoned properties in the community, crime and arson rates are reduced.\nSince being sworn into Congress, one of my top priorities has been to secure resources and ensure cities and towns are able to remove and repurpose abandoned homes. Working with Senator Stabenow, Senator Peters and others, I am pleased that our efforts have resulted in more funds to remove blight and revitalize our communities, Congressman Kildee said.\nCongressman Kildee has an extensive background in housing policy and land use issues. In 2002, as Genesee County Treasurer, he founded the Genesee County Land Bank  Michigan's first land bank  and served as its Chairman from 2002 until 2009. Congressman Kildee's successful land bank model has helped to inspire over 100 other communities to start similar models to help create opportunity and foster development, including in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Syracuse, N.Y., and Fulton County, Ga. He also previously co-founded and served as the President & CEO of the Center for Community Progress, a national non-profit organization focused on supporting America's older, industrial cities.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://debbiedingell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/dingell-peters-stabenow-legislation-award-medal-honor-ypsilanti-vietnam", "Dingell, Peters, Stabenow Legislation to Award Medal of Honor to Ypsilanti Vietnam Veteran Included in Government Funding Bill", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Debbie Dingell", "D000624", "debbiedingell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) and U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced that legislation they introduced, which would allow Major Charles S. Kettles of Ypsilanti to be awarded the Medal of Honor, will move forward as part of the fiscal year 2016 government funding bill.\nThe legislation was introduced in November following a request from the Ypsilanti Rotary Veterans History Project to review Major Kettles actions during the Vietnam War. Upon review, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter determined that Major Kettles actions merited the nations highest military honor, but because the statute of limitations has passed, Congressional action is required. The legislation waives the time limitation and allows the President to make the final decision. It is expected to be considered in the House and Senate on Friday.\nMajor Kettles is a true American hero, who courageously risked his life to ensure no soldier was left behind, said Congresswoman Dingell. His bravery, determination and unwavering commitment to his fellow servicemembers exemplify the highest values of the United States military, and it has been my honor to work with Senator Peters and Senator Stabenow to ensure his contributions to our country are properly honored. \nMajor Kettles went above and beyond the call of duty with his selfless and heroic actions that saved the lives of his fellow soldiers, said Senator Peters, a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Im pleased to work with Congresswoman Dingell and Senator Stabenow to recognize Major Kettles exemplary service and help ensure he is awarded the Medal of Honor he deserves.\nDecades ago, Michigans own Major Kettles courageously went back into enemy territory to save the lives of 44 of his fellow servicemen, said Senator Stabenow. This legislation will help make sure Major Kettles is awarded the Medal of Honor without delay and will recognize the true selflessness and bravery of his actions in Vietnam.\nOn May 15, 1967, after an airborne infantry unit was ambushed in the Song Tra Cau riverbed in Vietnam by the North Vietnamese Army, Major Kettles led three flights into extremely hostile territory to deliver supplies, reinforcements, and evacuate the wounded and trapped. During the final flight, shortly after leaving the landing zone, Major Kettles was informed that eight soldiers remained on the ground. Without hesitating, he returned on his own, without regard for his own safety and with no other support, to rescue the remaining men. All totaled on that day, his actions saved the lives of 40 soldiers and 4 crew members from the 176th Aviation Company after their helicopter was destroyed.  \n\t  \n\tFor his voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty, Major Kettles was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in 1968. In 2012, a local campaign was launched by William Vollano, a coordinator with the Veterans History Project, and Major Kettles family to upgrade his award to the Medal of Honor. A number of men from his company and the 101st Airborne Division sent letters validating his heroic actions, and last year former Congressman John D. Dingell sent a letter to the Secretary of Defense asking for reconsideration of the United States of Americas highest military honor. In reviewing the facts, Secretary Carter agreed that Major Kettles actions merited the Medal of Honor.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://debbiedingell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/dingell-statement-tax-extender-package", "Dingell Statement on Tax Extender Package", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Debbie Dingell", "D000624", "debbiedingell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) released the following statement today on the Protecting Against Tax Hikes (PATH) Act.\nFor too long, Americans of all walks of life have faced uncertainty about whether they would be able to receive important tax benefits that had been scheduled to expire. These benefits, like the earned income tax credit for low-income earners, the child tax credit for families, the American Opportunity Tax Credit for college students, the research and development tax credit for businesses, and enhanced deductions for charitable givers all provide critical financial support and incentives to deserving Americans. \nWhen we considered budget resolutions for FY16, Democrats and Republicans all agreed that these critical provisions should be extended, and we agreed any extension should be fully paid for as part of a tax reform package. Every budget proposal  from the conservative Republican Study Committee budget to the liberal Progressive Caucus budget  assumed these provisions would be offset. \nUnfortunately, this bill does not pay for the cost of making the tax cuts permanent. It violates the fundamental principal that we must pay for the cost of permanent tax changes, and as a result, it would add $622 billion to our nations debt. \nAs a Budget Committee member, I take seriously our commitment to being good stewards of our nations finances. While we should make permanent most of the expiring provisions, especially the ones mentioned above, we shouldnt do it at a price of $622 billion that is not paid for.\nReducing revenue levels to historic lows risks future cuts to critical programs like Social Security and Medicare. While this bill may be providing critical tax incentives for important causes  like encouraging scientific research  the debt we will incur to finance these tax breaks will eventually force us to make spending cuts that will hurt non-defense discretionary spending, which includes funding for job training programs, scientific research, Head Start, and countless other critical programs; programs that are already funded at the lowest level since 1962. We cannot risk further cuts to these programs. \nAmericans should have the certainty to plan their household budgets, business expenditures, and charitable giving. But, there is also a need to pay for the cost of this tax package. The bill today violates the budget principles nearly all of us agreed to just months ago, and therefore I could not support it. We need to have a real debate on tax reform and on how to responsibly make permanent these worthy provisions for working families, students, businesses, and donors.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lawrence.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-brenda-lawrence-issues-statement-tax-extenders-vote", "Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence Issues Statement on Tax Extenders Vote", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Brenda Lawrence", "L000581", "lawrence.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Rep. Brenda Lawrence (MI-14) on Thursday issued the following statement after voting against the tax extenders package.\nMy decision to vote no on the tax extender package was one that required careful deliberation and some difficult choices. There are provisions within the package that I support, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Enhanced Child Tax Credit, delaying the implementation of the Cadillac Tax  for two years, and providing benefits for teachers. My decision, however, came down to the knowledge that this package increases our deficit by $622 billion.\nThis program makes permanent tax breaks for corporations. Without this tax revenue, there will fewer funds available for critical government programs and services that benefit our most vulnerable citizens including seniors, veterans, and children. Without this tax revenue, we cannot make the investments needed to create jobs, grow our economy, and strengthen our national security. Detroit and Michigan are poised to become the greatest comeback story of all time. Without federal investment in critical sectors such as education and infrastructure, that comeback is severely threatened.\nAdditionally, I am strongly opposed to the inclusion of international tax provisions in this permanent package. This bill makes the Active Financing Exception permanent, increasing the deficit by $78 billion over 10 years, and extends the Controlled Foreign Corporation Look-Through Rule for five years, which increases the deficit by $8 billion over 10 years. These two provisions alone will drastically deprive Americans of its corporate tax base and will force small businesses and individuals to make up for that lost revenue.\nFinally, this tax extenders package completely undermines the chance of enacting responsible, comprehensive tax reform. This $622 billion package, that is unpaid for, will rob our communities and schools of social programs and require the American worker to bear the tax burden of international corporations and big business.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikebishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bishop-s-bill-extend-perkins-loan-program-heads-president", "Bishops Bill to Extend Perkins Loan Program Heads to President", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Mike Bishop", "B001293", "mikebishop.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Following Senate passage yesterday, the House today passed Congressman Mike Bishops amended legislation to extend the Federal Perkins Loan Program for two years (H.R. 3594). In response, Congressman Bishop issued the following statement:\nI applaud the House and Senate for coming together to support our students. Extending the Perkins Loan program ensures those in severe financial need will continue to have the certainty to help achieve their higher education goals.\nMichigan is home to many excellent colleges and universities, but the rising costs of higher education have placed a tremendous burden on our students and families. Congress must continue to find new, innovative ways to make college more affordable and simplify our nations financial aid system. While we continue this work, I encourage the president to sign this bipartisan, bicameral legislation to revive the Perkins Loan program and thank Chairman Kline for his support of this effort.  \n\t\nHouse Education and the Workforce Chairman John Kline also commented on the bills passage:\nWe have taken an important step to provide low-income students the support they need to pursue their college degrees. By extending the Perkins Loan program, students will have the certainty they need to help make their college dreams a reality. I want to thank Rep. Bishop for his leadership, and I urge the president to sign the legislation as soon as possible.  \n\t\nCongressman Bishop is the first Michigan freshman to send a bill to the president this Congress. The legislation, as amended by the Senate:\n \n\t\tAllows current and new undergraduate borrowers to receive new Perkins Loans through September 2017 and additional disbursements of loans through the 2017-2018 award year. Current borrowers may receive Perkins Loans after exhausting their subsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan eligibility, and new borrowers may receive Perkins Loans after exhausting all their Direct Loan eligibility.\n\t\n\t\n\t\tAllows current graduate borrowers who remain in their course of study to continue receiving new Perkins Loans through September 2016 and additional disbursements of loans through the 2016-2017 school year.\n\t\n\t\n\t\tAdds additional disclosures so borrowers are aware of the status of the Perkins Loan program and its terms and conditions compared to other federal loans.\n\t\n\t\n\t\tEnsures the bill is fully paid for at no additional cost to taxpayers by reforms to the grandfathering provision in the law for current borrowers.\n\t\t\t\n\t\n For more information, visit the House Education and the Workforce website.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikebishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-pro-growth-tax-package", "House Passes Pro-Growth Tax Package", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Mike Bishop", "B001293", "mikebishop.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Following House passage of H.R. 2029, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, Congressman Mike Bishop issued the following statement: Job providers across Michigan need more certainty from our tax code, and today the House took a positive step in that direction. The PATH Act creates more permanency for provisions like research, development and business expensing  so employers can adequately plan ahead, create more jobs and grow their businesses. Congress work to address comprehensive tax reform has only just begun, but this pro-growth tax package is a necessary part of creating the fairer, flatter tax code our families and communities deserve.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://moolenaar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-tax-relief-hardworking-americans", "House Passes Tax Relief for Hardworking Americans", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "John Moolenaar", "M001194", "moolenaar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, the U.S.House of Representatives passed tax relief. The legislation makes permanent a number of tax cuts for hardworking Americans. The bipartisan vote was 318-109.\nRepresentative John Moolenaar (R-Midland) voted for the legislation and released the following statement:\nThere has been too much uncertainty caused by the complicated tax code. This legislation provides tax relief for Michigan farmers by permanently extending Section 179 rules for expensing write-offs. This allows farmers to plan their finances with more certainty.\nThe legislation also permanently extends the research and development tax credit that leading Michigan companies use to make innovative new products that are sold around the world. This will reduce the tax burden for Michigan businesses and create more jobs for Michigan residents.\nHighlights of the Legislation\nThe legislation:\n Permanently extends Section 179 provisions that farmers use to value their equipment.\n\tPermanently extends the research and development tax credit.\n\tPermanently extends tax-free distributions from individual retirement for charitable purposes.\n\tDelays the Affordable Care Acts tax on medical devices until 2018.\n\tAllows individuals to use money in their 529 College Savings Plans to pay for a computer, an essential tool for student success.\n\tExtends the work opportunity tax credit through 2019, which incentivizes employers to hire qualified long-term unemployed individuals, including veterans.\n\tAllows for individuals to deduct larger charitable contributions made to agricultural research organizations.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walberg.house.gov/media/press-releases/walberg-votes-permanent-tax-relief-michigan-families-farmers-and-small", "Walberg Votes for Permanent Tax Relief for Michigan Families, Farmers, and Small Businesses", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "walberg.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-07) voted today for the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, which will add more certainty to the tax code, allow working families to keep more of their hard-earned dollars, and help create more good-paying jobs. The PATH Act makes permanent over 20 tax relief provisions, including allowing state sales tax deductions, increasing small business expensing under Section 179, and the research & development tax credit. The bill also includes reforms to prevent fraud and abuse and rein in the power of the IRS to better protect taxpayers.  \n  \n\"Delivering permanent tax relief will help Michigan families find new jobs, boost take home pay, and increase opportunities to climb the economic ladder. Farmers and small businesses will have better tools to plan ahead, grow their company, and develop the innovative products and technologies of the future. This bipartisan bill also provides an important framework for a more comprehensive, long overdue overhaul and simplification of the tax code to help grow a healthy economy,\" said Walberg.Congressman Walberg serves on the House Education and the Workforce Committee as Chair of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee. In addition, he serves on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. For more information on Walberg's work in Congress visit walberg.house.gov.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/led-by-senators-peters-stabenow-and-congressman-kildee-members-of-michigan-delegation-announce-new-opportunities-to-revitalize-cities-neighborhoods", "Led by Senators Peters, Stabenow and Congressman Kildee, Members of Michigan Delegation Announce New Opportunities to Revitalize Cities, Neighborhoods", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Gary Peters", "P000595", "www.peters.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.17.15\n\t\t\t Led by Senators Peters, Stabenow and Congressman Kildee, Members of Michigan Delegation Announce New Opportunities to Revitalize Cities, Neighborhoods \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t New Flexibility Makes Up to $2 Billion Available to Help Continue Blight Removal Efforts\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. SenatorGary Peters (D-MI),U.S. SenatorDebbie Stabenow (D-MI), and Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI), along with Congresswoman Candice Miller (R-MI), Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) and Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (D-MI) today announced new opportunities tohelp cities across Michigan and the country revitalize neighborhoods and keep communities safe. The end-of-year spending bill, which will fund the federal government through September 2016, gives the U.S. Department of Treasury the flexibility to transfer as much as $2 billion in additional funding to the Hardest Hit Fund. The Hardest Hit Fund provides resources to states for blight removal efforts and to help struggling homeowners. Michigan has received $498.6 million since the Fund was established in 2010. Senators Peters, Stabenow and Rep. Kildee led the bipartisan effort to include this new opportunity for funding in the end-of-year deal.\r\nThe Hardest Hit Fund has been a vital resource for cities across Michigan working to remove blight, improve safety and increase property values in their neighborhoods,said Senator Peters.This new option to transfer funding and shore up the Hardest Hit Fund will allow Michigan communities to continue these efforts and attract new private investments to help their communities grow.\"\r\nWe are seeing real progress in communities across our state from federal blight removal resources, said Senator Stabenow. This new flexibility is a huge win for Michigan cities and neighborhoods and will keep the momentum going to revitalize our communities and make sure our neighborhoods are safe places to raise a family.\r\nGetting rid of abandoned homes in cities like Flint, Saginaw and Detroit helps to strengthen neighborhoods and decrease crime, said Congressman Kildee. We have already made great progress in removing blight from our communities and this new flexibility will help to unlock more economic opportunity for all Michiganders.\r\n\"I am elated that the Department of the Treasury will have the option to bolster the crucial Hardest Hit Fund, a program I have long supported and which has already disbursed over $300 million through the Step Forward Michigan program to keep families in their homes. Over 28,000 Michiganders have received assistance from the program, including nearly 9,000 residents of Wayne County, and countless neighborhoods have benefited from additional efforts to combat blight, said Congressman John Conyers, Jr. With a potential new funding boost, the Hardest Hit Fund could continue to provide an essential safety net for struggling homeowners and communities. I thank President Obama and Treasury Secretary Lew for their past work to support Detroit, and I urge them to maintain their commitment to Michigan's economic recovery.\r\nI have strongly supported the use of federal funds to strike at the blight that has weakened too many neighborhoods and communities within our cities, said Congresswoman Lawrence. As the congressional representative for Detroit, which has identified more than 84,000 properties beyond repair, and Pontiac, which has an estimated 400 locations awaiting demolition, one of my primary concerns has been the number of abandoned homes and businesses within my District. I have also seen, firsthand, how these federal funds can empower our communities and provide the resources needed to rebuild and prosper. As of October 28, 2015, U.S. Treasury has allowed the dedication of more than $300 million to Detroit for blight removal and awarded $3.7 million in federal blight removal funds to the City of Pontiac in 2013. I look forward to continued support from the Treasury for Detroit and Pontiac, and throughout our state.\r\nEarlier this year, Senator Peters, Senator Stabenowand Congressman Kildee led the effort to stop a proposed $1.7 billion cut in the Hardest Hit Fund. Cities that have benefited from this fund include Detroit, Adrian, Ecorse, Flint, Grand Rapids, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Inkster, Ironwood, Jackson, Lansing, Muskegon Heights, Pontiac, Port Huron, River Rouge, and Saginaw.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/peters-stabenow-dingell-legislation-to-award-medal-of-honor-to-ypsilanti-vietnam-veteran-included-in-government-funding-bill-", "Peters, Stabenow, Dingell Legislation to Award Medal of Honor to Ypsilanti Vietnam Veteran Included in Government Funding Bill", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Gary Peters", "P000595", "www.peters.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.17.15\n\t\t\t Peters, Stabenow, Dingell Legislation to Award Medal of Honor to Ypsilanti Vietnam Veteran Included in Government Funding Bill  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI), and U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12)today announced that legislation they introduced, which would allow Major Charles S. Kettles of Ypsilanti to be awarded the Medal of Honor, will move forward as part of the fiscal year 2016 government funding bill.\r\nThe legislation was introduced in November following a request from the Ypsilanti Rotary Veterans History Project to review Major Kettles' actions during the Vietnam War. Upon review, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter determined that Major Kettles' actions merited the nation's highest military honor, but because the statute of limitations has passed, Congressional action is required. The legislation waives the time limitation and allows the President to make the final decision. It is expected to be considered in the House and Senate on Friday.\r\nMajor Kettles went above and beyond the call of duty with his selfless and heroic actions that saved the lives of his fellow soldiers, said Senator Peters, a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. I'm pleased to work with Congresswoman Dingell and Senator Stabenow to recognize Major Kettles' exemplary service and help ensure he is awarded the Medal of Honor he deserves.\r\nDecades ago, Michigan's own Major Kettles courageously went back into enemy territory to save the lives of 44 of his fellow servicemen, said Senator Stabenow. This legislation will help make sure Major Kettles is awarded the Medal of Honor without delay and will recognize the true selflessness and bravery of his actions in Vietnam.\r\nMajor Kettles is a true American hero, who courageously risked his life to ensure no soldier was left behind,said Congresswoman Dingell. His bravery, determination and unwavering commitment to his fellow servicemembers exemplify the highest values of the United States military, and it has been my honor to work with Senator Peters and Senator Stabenow to ensure his contributions to our country are properly honored.\r\nOn May 15, 1967, after an airborne infantry unit was ambushed in the Song Tra Cau riverbed in Vietnam by the North Vietnamese Army, Major Kettles led three flights into extremely hostile territory to deliver supplies, reinforcements, and evacuate the wounded and trapped. During the final flight, shortly after leaving the landing zone, Major Kettles was informed that eight soldiers remained on the ground. Without hesitating, he returned on his own, without regard for his own safety and with no other support, to rescue the remaining men. All totaled on that day, his actions saved the lives of 40 soldiers and 4 crew members from the 176th Aviation Company after their helicopter was destroyed.\r\nFor his voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty, Major Kettles was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in 1968. In 2012, a local campaign was launched by William Vollano, a coordinator with the Veterans History Project, and Major Kettles' family to upgrade his award to the Medal of Honor. A number of men from his company and the 101st Airborne Division sent letters validating his heroic actions, and last year former Congressman John D. Dingell sent a letter to the Secretary of Defense asking for reconsideration of the United States of America's highest military honor. In reviewing the facts, Secretary Carter agreed that Major Kettles' actions merited the Medal of Honor.\r\n\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/peters-statement-on-arrival-syrian-refugee-dr-refaai-hamo-and-his-family-to-michigan", "Peters Statement on Arrival Syrian Refugee Dr. Refaai Hamo & His Family to Michigan", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Gary Peters", "P000595", "www.peters.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.17.15\n\t\t\t Peters Statement on Arrival Syrian Refugee Dr. Refaai Hamo & His Family to Michigan \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, DC  Below is a statement from U.S. Senator Gary Peters following the arrival of Syrian refugee Dr. Refaai Hamo and his family to Michigan. Dr. Hamo and his story were recently featured on Humans of New York.\r\nLike so many people across the world, I was heartbroken to learn of the profound loss and tragedy Dr. Refaai Hamo and his family have endured. But I was also deeply inspired by his determination  his passion to make a difference in the world. The Hamo family's perseverance in the face of seemingly insurmountable adversity embodies the spirit of our country and what it means to be American.\r\nI have always been proud of the welcoming spirit and rich diversity that makes Michigan so great. Our vibrant Arab-American and Muslim communities includes some of the most patriotic individuals I know, whose contributions to our state's culture and economy are invaluable. The Muslim community is part of the fabric that weaves us all together, and I couldn't be prouder to be part of a community that embraces that diversity and makes Metro Detroit so unique - and so American.\r\nI know that in this time of great uncertainty, many people are concerned for our nation's safety. I understand that concern, and I share it. While I am committed to taking steps to keep our country secure, I do not believe the answer is shutting our doors to refugees who are fleeing brutal violence and persecution and already undergo one of the most extensive screening processes of any people entering our country.\r\nI also stand with my friends in the Arab-American community against the divisive, hateful rhetoric we have heard over the last few weeks. Our country is stronger when we join together and work side-by-side as Americans to meet the challenges we face.\r\nThe United States has always served as a beacon of hope for persecuted peoples around the world. In times of difficulty and adversity, we cannot turn away from our shared values of freedom, opportunity and hope  they are the light that guides our path forward. Nothing gives me more pride than welcoming a new American to our shores and a new resident to our state.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.stabenow.senate.gov/news/led-by-senators-stabenow-peters-and-congressman-kildee-members-of-michigan-delegation-announce-new-opportunities-to-revitalize-cities-neighborhoods", "Led by Senators Stabenow, Peters and Congressman Kildee, Members of Michigan Delegation Announce New Opportunities to Revitalize Cities, Neighborhoods", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Debbie Stabenow", "S000770", "www.stabenow.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Led by Senators Stabenow, Peters and Congressman Kildee, Members of Michigan Delegation Announce New Opportunities to Revitalize Cities, Neighborhoods \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t New Flexibility Makes Up to $2 Billion Available to Help Continue Blight Removal Efforts \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tThursday, December 17, 2015\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\tU.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) and Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI), along with Congresswoman Candice Miller (R-MI), Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) and Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (D-MI) today announced new opportunities to help cities across Michigan and the country revitalize neighborhoods and keep communities safe. The end-of-year spending bill, which will fund the federal government through September 2016, gives the U.S. Department of Treasury the flexibility to transfer as much as $2 billion in additional funding to the Hardest Hit Fund. The Hardest Hit Fund provides resources to states for blight removal efforts and to help struggling homeowners. Michigan has received $498.6 million since the Fund was established in 2010. Senators Stabenow, Peters and Rep. Kildee led the bipartisan effort to include this new opportunity for funding in the end-of-year deal. We are seeing real progress in communities across our state from federal blight removal resources,said Senator Stabenow.This new flexibility is a huge win for Michigan cities and neighborhoods and will keep the momentum going to revitalize our communities and make sure our neighborhoods are safe places to raise a family. The Hardest Hit Fund has been a vital resource for cities across Michigan working to remove blight, improve safety and increase property values in their neighborhoods,said Senator Peters.This new option to transfer funding and shore up the Hardest Hit Fund will allow Michigan communities to continue these efforts and attract new private investments to help their communities grow.\" Getting rid of abandoned homes in cities like Flint, Saginaw and Detroit helps to strengthen neighborhoods and decrease crime,said Congressman Kildee.We have already made great progress in removing blight from our communities and this new flexibility will help to unlock more economic opportunity for all Michiganders.\r\n\"I am elated that the Department of the Treasury will have the option to bolster the crucial Hardest Hit Fund, a program I have long supported and which has already disbursed over $300 million through the Step Forward Michigan program to keep families in their homes. Over 28,000 Michiganders have received assistance from the program, including nearly 9,000 residents of Wayne County, and countless neighborhoods have benefited from additional efforts to combat blight,said Congressman John Conyers, Jr.With a potential new funding boost, the Hardest Hit Fund could continue to provide an essential safety net for struggling homeowners and communities. I thank President Obama and Treasury Secretary Lew for their past work to support Detroit, and I urge them to maintain their commitment to Michigan's economic recovery.\r\nI have strongly supported the use of federal funds to strike at the blight that has weakened too many neighborhoods and communities within our cities,said Congresswoman Lawrence.As the congressional representative for Detroit, which has identified more than 84,000 properties beyond repair, and Pontiac, which has an estimated 400 locations awaiting demolition, one of my primary concerns has been the number of abandoned homes and businesses within my District. I have also seen, firsthand, how these federal funds can empower our communities and provide the resources needed to rebuild and prosper. As of October 28, 2015, U.S. Treasury has allowed the dedication of more than $300 million to Detroit for blight removal and awarded $3.7 million in federal blight removal funds to the City of Pontiac in 2013. I look forward to continued support from the Treasury for Detroit and Pontiac, and throughout our state. Earlier this year, Senator Stabenow, Senator Peters and Congressman Kildee led the effort tostop a proposed $1.7 billion cutin the Hardest Hit Fund. Cities that have benefited from this fund include Detroit, Adrian, Ecorse, Flint, Grand Rapids, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Inkster, Ironwood, Jackson, Lansing, Muskegon Heights, Pontiac, Port Huron, River Rouge, and Saginaw.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398264", "A Patriotic Pledge: Huizenga welcomes new American Citizens", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, the Grand Haven Tribune published a story onthe naturalization ceremony that took place on Monday afternoon in Grand Haven. Congressman Huizenga attended this incredible event, led the pledge of allegiance, and congratulated 61 new citizens on becoming a part of our great nation. Below are excerpt's of the Tribune's story which can be read in it's entirety here.   \r\n\r\nA Patriotic PledgeThere was an air of celebration on Monday afternoon during a naturalization ceremony held at Loutit District Library.\r\nMondays ceremony was the second of two naturalization events that were held at the library, with the first taking place Friday afternoon. ...  Over the two-day naturalization event, roughly 60 countries were represented with about 120 residents becoming U.S. citizens. During the event, attendees were able to hear personal anecdotes from a variety of elected officials, each who shared their own tale about immigration. U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, said his family is no stranger to the immigration process. I was sitting where you are not that long ago. My wife immigrated from Canada and we got married. She remained a Canadian citizen while we had children, Huizenga said. We all have different journeys that we go through to get here. He noted that his familys journey isnt over.\r\n(My wifes) sister and brother-in-law both immigrated from Canada, and had been working here. They just this past week passed their tests, Huizenga said. They, too, are on that path to citizenship, joining two of their daughters who were born here and two who are becoming naturalized.\r\n Huizenga noted that he enjoyed his participation in Mondays ceremony.\r\nThis is one of the neatest things Ive done as a Congressman, he said.\r\nHuizenga, speaking to the citizens, their families, and onlookers, said he was there to say welcome to the new citizens.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398271", "Huizenga Statement on FOMC Announcement to Raise Interest Rates", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Monetary Policy & Trade Subcommittee Chairman Bill Huizenga released the following statement after the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announced its decision to raise interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point:\nFor nearly a decade, the Federal Reserve has steered away from free-market principles and chosen to maintain artificially low interest rates, said Chairman Huizenga. Todays announcement is an overdue and necessary first step in returning to a market-based approach to monetary policy here in the United States.\n Background:\n In November, the House of Representatives passed the FORM Act, legislation authored by Congressman Huizenga to restore accountability and increase transparency at the Federal Reserve while also strengthening our nations monetary policy.\n The FORM Act allows the Federal Reserve the ability to develop the best course of action on monetary policy, but requires it to give the American people a greater accounting of its actions.  Additionally, the FORM Act requires the Federal Reserve to transparently communicate its monetary policy decisions to the American taxpayers.  By requiring the Fed to regularly communicate how its policy choices compare to a benchmark rule instead of continuing the ad-hoc strategy currently being employed, the FORM Act will help consumers and investors make better decisions in the present and create more sound expectations about the future.\n More information on the FORM Act is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://conyers.house.gov/media-center/blog-posts/bill-text-nurse-and-health-care-worker-protection-act-2015", "Bill text for the Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act of 2015", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "John Conyers", "C000714", "conyers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Office of the Thirteenth Congressional District of Michigan\r\nFormerly the Office of Representative John Conyers Jr.\r\nThe Washington, D.C., office and the district offices of former Representative  \r\nJohn Conyers Jr. will continue to serve the people of the Thirteenth Congressional District of Michigan under the supervision of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Representative Conyers resigned from Congress effective  \r\nDecember 5, 2017.\r\nSee Press Release\r\nThe Interim Vacant Office Status:  \r\nBy federal law and the Rules of the House of Representatives, the employees of the former Representative continue to staff the offices of the congressional district under the supervision of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. This interim vacant status continues until a new Representative is elected to fill the unexpired term. Currently, the congressional district does not have voting representation. Although the scope of the vacant congressional office is limited, constituents of the district are invited to contact this interim office for information and assistance as indicated below.\r\nLegislative Information:  \r\nUntil a new Representative is elected, the vacant congressional office cannot take or advocate positions of public policy. Constituents may choose to express opinions on legislation or issues to your elected Senators or wait until a new Representative is elected and takes office. Mail received by the vacant office will be acknowledged. The staff of the vacant office can assist constituents with general information concerning the status of legislation, but cannot provide analysis of issues or render opinions.\r\nAssistance with Federal Government Agencies (Casework):  \r\nThe staff of the vacant office will continue to assist constituents who have cases pending with the office. These constituents will receive a letter from the Clerk requesting whether the staff should continue assistance or not. Constituents who do not have pending cases but  require assistance in matters relating to federal government agencies  are invited to contact the nearest district office for further  information and assistance. \r\nOffice Locations:  \r\nThe staff of the vacant Congressional office is available to assist you at the following locations:\r\nWashington, D.C.   \r\nOffice of the Thirteenth Congressional District of Michigan  \r\n2426 Rayburn HOB  \r\nWashington, DC 20515  \r\nPhone: (202) 225-5126\r\nDistrict Offices in Michigan  \r\nDetroit Office  \r\n669 Federal Building  \r\n231 W. Lafayette  \r\nDetroit, MI 48226  \r\nPhone: (313) 961-5670  \r\n\r\nWestland Office  \r\n33300 Warren Road  \r\nSuite 13  \r\nWestland, MI 48185  \r\nPhone: (734) 675-4084  \r\n\r\nOther Sources in Michigan:\r\nMichigan Department of State", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://conyers.house.gov/media-center/blog-posts/executive-summary-hr-4266-nurse-and-health-care-worker-protection-act", "Executive Summary of H.R. 4266, the Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "John Conyers", "C000714", "conyers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Office of the Thirteenth Congressional District of Michigan\r\nFormerly the Office of Representative John Conyers Jr.\r\nThe Washington, D.C., office and the district offices of former Representative  \r\nJohn Conyers Jr. will continue to serve the people of the Thirteenth Congressional District of Michigan under the supervision of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Representative Conyers resigned from Congress effective  \r\nDecember 5, 2017.\r\nSee Press Release\r\nThe Interim Vacant Office Status:  \r\nBy federal law and the Rules of the House of Representatives, the employees of the former Representative continue to staff the offices of the congressional district under the supervision of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. This interim vacant status continues until a new Representative is elected to fill the unexpired term. Currently, the congressional district does not have voting representation. Although the scope of the vacant congressional office is limited, constituents of the district are invited to contact this interim office for information and assistance as indicated below.\r\nLegislative Information:  \r\nUntil a new Representative is elected, the vacant congressional office cannot take or advocate positions of public policy. Constituents may choose to express opinions on legislation or issues to your elected Senators or wait until a new Representative is elected and takes office. Mail received by the vacant office will be acknowledged. The staff of the vacant office can assist constituents with general information concerning the status of legislation, but cannot provide analysis of issues or render opinions.\r\nAssistance with Federal Government Agencies (Casework):  \r\nThe staff of the vacant office will continue to assist constituents who have cases pending with the office. These constituents will receive a letter from the Clerk requesting whether the staff should continue assistance or not. Constituents who do not have pending cases but  require assistance in matters relating to federal government agencies  are invited to contact the nearest district office for further  information and assistance. \r\nOffice Locations:  \r\nThe staff of the vacant Congressional office is available to assist you at the following locations:\r\nWashington, D.C.   \r\nOffice of the Thirteenth Congressional District of Michigan  \r\n2426 Rayburn HOB  \r\nWashington, DC 20515  \r\nPhone: (202) 225-5126\r\nDistrict Offices in Michigan  \r\nDetroit Office  \r\n669 Federal Building  \r\n231 W. Lafayette  \r\nDetroit, MI 48226  \r\nPhone: (313) 961-5670  \r\n\r\nWestland Office  \r\n33300 Warren Road  \r\nSuite 13  \r\nWestland, MI 48185  \r\nPhone: (734) 675-4084  \r\n\r\nOther Sources in Michigan:\r\nMichigan Department of State", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://conyers.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/conyers-franken-reintroduce-bill-protect-nurses-and-health-care-workers", "Conyers, Franken Reintroduce Bill to Protect Nurses and Health Care Workers from Workplace Injuries", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "John Conyers", "C000714", "conyers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Office of the Thirteenth Congressional District of Michigan\r\nFormerly the Office of Representative John Conyers Jr.\r\nThe Washington, D.C., office and the district offices of former Representative  \r\nJohn Conyers Jr. will continue to serve the people of the Thirteenth Congressional District of Michigan under the supervision of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Representative Conyers resigned from Congress effective  \r\nDecember 5, 2017.\r\nSee Press Release\r\nThe Interim Vacant Office Status:  \r\nBy federal law and the Rules of the House of Representatives, the employees of the former Representative continue to staff the offices of the congressional district under the supervision of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. This interim vacant status continues until a new Representative is elected to fill the unexpired term. Currently, the congressional district does not have voting representation. Although the scope of the vacant congressional office is limited, constituents of the district are invited to contact this interim office for information and assistance as indicated below.\r\nLegislative Information:  \r\nUntil a new Representative is elected, the vacant congressional office cannot take or advocate positions of public policy. Constituents may choose to express opinions on legislation or issues to your elected Senators or wait until a new Representative is elected and takes office. Mail received by the vacant office will be acknowledged. The staff of the vacant office can assist constituents with general information concerning the status of legislation, but cannot provide analysis of issues or render opinions.\r\nAssistance with Federal Government Agencies (Casework):  \r\nThe staff of the vacant office will continue to assist constituents who have cases pending with the office. These constituents will receive a letter from the Clerk requesting whether the staff should continue assistance or not. Constituents who do not have pending cases but  require assistance in matters relating to federal government agencies  are invited to contact the nearest district office for further  information and assistance. \r\nOffice Locations:  \r\nThe staff of the vacant Congressional office is available to assist you at the following locations:\r\nWashington, D.C.   \r\nOffice of the Thirteenth Congressional District of Michigan  \r\n2426 Rayburn HOB  \r\nWashington, DC 20515  \r\nPhone: (202) 225-5126\r\nDistrict Offices in Michigan  \r\nDetroit Office  \r\n669 Federal Building  \r\n231 W. Lafayette  \r\nDetroit, MI 48226  \r\nPhone: (313) 961-5670  \r\n\r\nWestland Office  \r\n33300 Warren Road  \r\nSuite 13  \r\nWestland, MI 48185  \r\nPhone: (734) 675-4084  \r\n\r\nOther Sources in Michigan:\r\nMichigan Department of State", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://debbiedingell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/dingell-urges-fda-finalize-electronic-cigarette-rule-after-roadblock", "Dingell Urges FDA to Finalize Electronic Cigarette Rule after Roadblock Averted in Government Funding Bill", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Debbie Dingell", "D000624", "debbiedingell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) today thanked negotiators for preventing a poison-pill policy rider from being included in the fiscal year 2016 government funding bill that would have exempted electronic cigarettes from regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In August, following numerous reports of injuries caused by defective electronic cigarettes, Dingell wrote a letter to FDA Acting Commissioner Dr. Stephen Ostroff urging him to finalize a proposed rule to regulate the products as soon as possible. Dingells constituent, Sgt. Jason Diekman of Wyandotte, was among those injured this summer when an exploding electronic cigarette badly burned his arms and abdomen.\nConsumers deserve to know that the products they buy are safe for use, said Dingell. Such assurances currently do not exist for electronic cigarettes, and I am pleased that by stopping this damaging proposal, negotiators have helped pave the way for improvements in consumer safety. Now that this roadblock has been averted, the FDA must move as quickly as possible to finalize the proposed rule and protect public health.\nThe proposed rule issued by the FDA would deem electronic cigarettes to be subject to FDA authority, meaning they would be regulated in the same manner as which the agency currently regulates cigarettes. Manufacturers of electronic cigarettes would be required to register with the agency, report product and ingredient listings, and include health warnings and minimum age restrictions.\nThe policy rider being pushed in the House of Representatives would have exempted electronic cigarettes that are already on the market from being retroactively reviewed for safety once the rule is approved. In her August letter, Dingell urged the FDA to maintain a provision in the final rule that would require pre-market approval of any electronic cigarette that was on the market after February 15, 2007.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lawrence.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-brenda-lawrence-joins-fight-remove-weapons-war-our", "Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence Joins Fight to Remove Weapons of War from Our Communities", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Brenda Lawrence", "L000581", "lawrence.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Rep. Brenda Lawrence (MI-14) today joined U.S. David N. Cicilline (D-RI) and other gun violence prevention advocates to introduce the Assault Weapons Ban of 2015 and prohibit the sale, transfer, production, and importation of new military-style weapons and high-capacity magazines.\nMass shootings have increased four times since the 1970s, with more than half of all mass shooters using assault weapons. That is why we must work to end this epidemic driven primarily by individuals armed with weapons designed for combat zones and that have become the weapon of choice for domestic terrorists, said Rep. Lawrence. Im proud to be an original co-sponsor of the Assault Weapons Ban of 2015. This bill will save lives and reduce the toll of gun violence in our country.\nThe Assault Weapons Ban of 2015 will prohibit the sale, transfer, production, and importation of:\n Semi-automatic rifles and handguns with a military-style feature that can accept a detachable magazine;\n\tSemi-automatic rifles and handguns with a fixed magazine that can hold more than 10 rounds;\n\tSemi-automatic shotguns with a military-style feature;\n\tAny ammunition feeding device that can hold more than 10 rounds;\n\tAnd 157 specifically-named and listed firearms.\n The bill also sets new standards to prevent default proceeds  the standard that allows firearms dealers to complete a sale if a buyers background check is not completed within three days. Under the proposed law, the background check period will be extended to 14 days for the sale or transfer of an existing assault weapon. If it is determined that a gun was sold to a prohibited individual, the FBI will be required to notify federal, state, and local law enforcement so the weapon can be retrieved as quickly as possible and the buyer can be held accountable for violating federal law.\nMore than half of all mass shooters who killed four or more people used an assault weapon. Thats because the sole purpose of an assault weapon is to inflict as much damage as possible in as short an amount of time as possible, added Rep. Cicilline. This bill is an important first step that will restore some sanity to the way we treat guns in the United States.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/peters-stabenow-applaud-facility-for-rare-isotope-beam-funding-in-government-spending-bill", "Peters, Stabenow Applaud Facility for Rare Isotope Beam Funding in Government Spending Bill", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Gary Peters", "P000595", "www.peters.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.15\n\t\t\t Peters, Stabenow Applaud Facility for Rare Isotope Beam Funding in Government Spending Bill \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Funding Will Support Construction of Advanced Research Facility at Michigan State University\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow applauded the year-end government spending bill released today includes $100 million in federal funding to continue constructing the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University. The appropriations bill, the Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Act funds the government through September 30, 2016, and Peters and Stabenow worked with their Senate colleagues to ensure this funding would be included in the final legislation.\r\nThe Facility for Rare Isotope Beams will generate millions of dollars in economic activity for the Lansing area, create thousands of jobs and play a central role in training the next generation of nuclear physics researchers, said Senator Peters, Ranking Member of the Space, Science and Competitiveness Subcommittee. I'm proud to have worked with my colleagues to secure funding for FRIB to ensure this world-class facility will be able to deliver new scientific breakthroughs and discoveries that will drive innovation in Michigan.\r\n\"MSU continues to make terrific progress in building this state-of-the-art facility, which is critical for Michigan and our entire country, said Senator Stabenow. This new funding will bring MSU one step closer to creating thousands of jobs in our state.\r\nIn November, Peters and Stabenow sent letters to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development requesting $100 million in funding to ensure construction of FRIB, which is running on schedule and on budget, continues through fiscal year 2016. Since 2009, FRIB has been allocated $218 million in federal funding to complete the project.\r\n\"MSU officials are pleased with the appropriation, which supports the next phase of the project. MSU appreciates that FRIB remains a national priority and thanks the Michigan Congressional delegation for their leadership and unwavering support of the project,\" said Mark Burnham, MSU Vice President for Government Affairs.\r\nFRIB will house a high-powered superconducting linear accelerator that accelerates heavy ions and produces rare isotopes, which are short-lived atomic nuclei that cannot be found on Earth. The rare isotopes produced at FRIB will allow nuclear scientists and researchers to explore a range of potential applications in the fields such as energy, medicine and national security, including diagnosing and curing diseases, improving next generation nuclear reactors for energy and finding processes to destroy nuclear waste. FRIB will create as many as 400 jobs for scientists, engineers and staff, and bring together nearly 1,400 nuclear scientists from around the world to conduct research at the new facility. Construction of the $730 million facility is expected to be completed in 2022.\r\nEarlier this year, Senator Peters toured FRIB and held a roundtable discussion with academic leaders and researchers from Michigan State University to gather input to help craft new legislation shaping federal science research and development priorities for the coming years.\r\nSenator Stabenow has been a long-time advocate for FRIB, leading the effort to secure over $200 million in federal funding that allowed Michigan State to begin facility construction in March 2014.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-peters-stabenow-announce-over-1-billion-to-protect-great-lakes-", "Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $1 Billion to Protect Great Lakes", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Gary Peters", "P000595", "www.peters.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.15\n\t\t\t Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $1 Billion to Protect Great Lakes  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Investments Will Help Combat Asian Carp, Improve Water Quality in Great Lakes\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced new funding and support that will bolster ongoing efforts to protect the Great Lakes. The end-of-year spending bill, which will fund the federal government through September 2016, includes $300 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The Initiative is a multi-year plan to restore and preserve the Great Lakes by eliminating toxins, combating invasive species, restoring habitats, and promoting the general health of the Lakes. Because of Sens. Peters and Stabenow's efforts, this bill not only funds the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, it also formally establishes the program into law. The end-of-year spending bill also directs the Army Corps of Engineers to expedite ongoing work and establish emergency procedures to prevent Asian carp from entering Lake Michigan. Finally, this legislation includes over $1 billion in funding for the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. Both Senators Stabenow and Peters worked to include these investments and authorities in the bill.\r\nThe Great Lakes are a vital economic engine for Michigan, driving our state's tourism, agricultural and commercial shipping industries, and supporting more than half a million jobs,said Senator Peters, a member of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force.These resources will help continue to protect the Great Lakes from serious threats ranging from industrial pollution to invasive species, and ensure the Great Lakes are healthy for the communities that rely on them for years to come.\r\nJust like generations before us, it is our responsibility to protect and preserve the Great Lakes, said Senator Stabenow, Co-Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force. From Asian carp to water contamination, these kind of robust, bipartisan commitments from Congress will help communities in Michigan combat the numerous threats that face our Great Lakes. Michigan's economy relies on the Great Lakes' multi-billion dollar fishing, boating, and tourism industries, and this critical support will help protect those jobs and our Michigan way of life.\r\nUnder the end-of-year spending bill, Congress will provide $300 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative over the next year. Also included is $1.25 billion for the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, which supports Great Lakes navigation projects. Senators Peters and Stabenow also played a critical role in giving the Army Corps of Engineers the authority to take immediate action to stop Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam, a crucial chokepoint in the Chicago waterway system. \r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.stabenow.senate.gov/news/senators-stabenow-peters-announce-over-1-billion-to-protect-great-lakes-", "Senators Stabenow, Peters Announce Over $1 Billion to Protect Great Lakes", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Debbie Stabenow", "S000770", "www.stabenow.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senators Stabenow, Peters Announce Over $1 Billion to Protect Great Lakes  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Investments Will Help Combat Asian Carp, Improve Water Quality in Great Lakes    \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tWednesday, December 16, 2015\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\tU.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters today announced new funding and support that will bolster ongoing efforts to protect the Great Lakes. The end-of-year spending bill, which will fund the federal government through September 2016, includes $300 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The Initiative is a multi-year plan to restore and preserve the Great Lakes by eliminating toxins, combating invasive species, restoring habitats, and promoting the general health of the Lakes. Because of Sens. Stabenow and Peters' efforts, this bill not only funds the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, it also formally establishes the program into law. The end-of-year spending bill also directs the Army Corps of Engineers to expedite ongoing work and establish emergency procedures to prevent Asian carp from entering Lake Michigan. Finally, this legislation includes over $1 billion in funding for the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. Both Senators Stabenow and Peters worked to include these investments and authorities in the bill.\r\nJust like generations before us, it is our responsibility to protect and preserve the Great Lakes, said Senator Stabenow, Co-Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force. From Asian carp to water contamination, these kind of robust, bipartisan commitments from Congress will help communities in Michigan combat the numerous threats that face our Great Lakes. Michigan's economy relies on the Great Lakes' multi-billion dollar fishing, boating, and tourism industries, and this critical support will help protect those jobs and our Michigan way of life.\r\nThe Great Lakes are a vital economic engine for Michigan, driving our state's tourism, agricultural and commercial shipping industries, and supporting more than half a million jobs, said Senator Peters, a member of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force. These resources will help continue to protect the Great Lakes from serious threats ranging from industrial pollution to invasive species, and ensure the Great Lakes are healthy for the communities that rely on them for years to come.\r\nUnder the end-of-year spending bill, Congress will provide $300 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative over the next year. Also included is $1.25 billion for the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, which supports Great Lakes navigation projects. Senators Stabenow and Peters also played a critical role in giving the Army Corps of Engineers the authority to take immediate action to stop Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam, a crucial chokepoint in the Chicago waterway system.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.stabenow.senate.gov/news/stabenow-peters-applaud-extension-of-perkins-student-loan-program", "Stabenow, Peters Applaud Extension of Perkins Student Loan Program", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Debbie Stabenow", "S000770", "www.stabenow.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Stabenow, Peters Applaud Extension of Perkins Student Loan Program \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Program Helps Students with Financial Need Pay for College \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tWednesday, December 16, 2015\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\tU.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peterstoday applauded Senate passage of the Federal Perkins Loan Extension Act of 2015, a bipartisan, two-year extension of the Perkins Loan Program, which provides low-interest loans to help students with exceptional financial need pay for their education. Peters and Stabenow previously sent a letter in October urging Senate leadership to pass an extension of the Perkins Loan Program after it expired on October 1st. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a one-year extension in September.\r\nEvery child in America, no matter what their financial situation, should know that if they work hard the opportunity to attend college will be available after high school, said Senator Stabenow. The passage of today's bill means that thousands of students in Michigan will continue to have the resources and support they need to have a fair shot to get ahead in life.\r\nThousands of students in Michigan rely on Perkins Loans to help finance their education, and this extension will ensure they can stay on track to pursue their degrees, said Senator Peters. Higher education can be a pathway to the middle class and strong future for students in Michigan and across the country, and I'm proud to support this essential program that helps our colleges and universities give the neediest students the assistance they need to get ahead.\r\nThe Federal Perkins Loan Extension Act of 2015 will extend the Perkins Loan Program for two years through September 30, 2017, allowing current and new undergraduate borrowers to use Perkins Loans to pay for the 2017-2018 academic year. The lapse in the program put current students, including up to 150,000 current freshman, at risk of losing access to much-needed financial aid for the current and next academic years.\r\nSince 1958, the Perkins Loan Program has provided more than $28 billion low-interest loans through nearly 26 million awards to students with financial need across the country. The program disburses financial aid to students through campus-based revolving funds that use federal dollars to leverage investments from colleges and universities to sustain the loan fund. In Michigan during the 2013-2014 school year, more than 26,000 students received nearly $41 million in Perkins Loans.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.stabenow.senate.gov/news/stabenow-peters-applaud-facility-for-rare-isotope-beam-funding-in-government-spending-bill", "Stabenow, Peters Applaud Facility for Rare Isotope Beam Funding in Government Spending Bill", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Debbie Stabenow", "S000770", "www.stabenow.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Stabenow, Peters Applaud Facility for Rare Isotope Beam Funding in Government Spending Bill \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Funding Will Support Construction of Advanced Research Facility at Michigan State University \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tWednesday, December 16, 2015\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\tU.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow andGary Peters applauded the year-end government spending bill released today includes $100 million in federal funding to continue constructing the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University. The appropriations bill, the Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Act funds the government through September 30, 2016, and Stabenow and Petersworked with their Senate colleagues to ensure this funding would be included in the final legislation.\r\n\"MSU continues to make terrific progress in building this state-of-the-art facility, which is critical for Michigan and our entire country,said Senator Stabenow.This new funding will bring MSU one step closer to creating thousands of jobs in our state.\r\nThe Facility for Rare Isotope Beams will generate millions of dollars in economic activity for the Lansing area, create thousands of jobs and play a central role in training the next generation of nuclear physics researchers, said Senator Peters, Ranking Member of the Space, Science and Competitiveness Subcommittee. I'm proud to have worked with my colleagues to secure funding for FRIB to ensure this world-class facility will be able to deliver new scientific breakthroughs and discoveries that will drive innovation in Michigan.\r\nIn November, Stabenow and Peterssent letters to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development requesting $100 million in funding to ensure construction of FRIB, which is running on schedule and on budget, continues through fiscal year 2016. Since 2009, FRIB has been allocated $218 million in federal funding to complete the project.\r\n\"MSU officials are pleased with the appropriation, which supports the next phase of the project. MSU appreciates that FRIB remains a national priority and thanks the Michigan Congressional delegation for their leadership and unwavering support of the project,\" said Mark Burnham, MSU Vice President for Government Affairs.\r\nFRIB will house a high-powered superconducting linear accelerator that accelerates heavy ions and produces rare isotopes, which are short-lived atomic nuclei that cannot be found on Earth. The rare isotopes produced at FRIB will allow nuclear scientists and researchers to explore a range of potential applications in the fields such as energy, medicine and national security, including diagnosing and curing diseases, improving next generation nuclear reactors for energy and finding processes to destroy nuclear waste. FRIB will create as many as 400 jobs for scientists, engineers and staff, and bring together nearly 1,400 nuclear scientists from around the world to conduct research at the new facility. Construction of the $730 million facility is expected to be completed in 2022.\r\nSenator Stabenow has been a long-time advocate for FRIB, leading the effort to secure over $200 million in federal funding that allowed Michigan State to begin facility construction in March 2014.\r\nEarlier this year, Senator Peters toured FRIB and held a roundtable discussion with academic leaders and researchers from Michigan State University to gather input to help craft new legislation shaping federal science research and development priorities for the coming years.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398265", "Huizenga talks Michigan Economy, Refugees, and National Security at \"Breakfast with Bill\"", "2015-12-15", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On Monday, Congressman Huizenga held his annual \"Breakfast with Bill\" legislative year in review at Evergreen Commons in Holland. The event was extremely well attended with approximately 500 people participating in the breakfast update. Congressman Huizenga discussed his legislative efforts on behalf of West Michigan to strengthen the Great Lakes Economy and support hardworking manufacturers across the Second District. Additionally, Rep. Huizenga touched on national issues facing our nation such as terrorism and national security. Below is an excerpt from the Holland Sentinel on the event. The entire Holland Sentinel story is available here. Rep. Bill Huizenga talks refugees, finance at annual Chamber breakfast Huizenga briefly touched on a bill he worked on with Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., that will allow federal motor pools to use remanufactured parts for repairs, saying, Its literally going to save millions of dollars a year.\r\n His Fed Oversight Reform and Modernization Act has passed the House but awaits action in the Senate. The bill would require the Federal Reserve to develop its own monetary policy and to disclose it to Congress and the public. The bill also calls for a true audit of the Fed and closes loopholes that allowed for the bank bailouts of 2008, said Huizenga, a member of the Financial Services Committee and chairman of the Monetary Policy and Trade Subcommittee.\r\nWho wants to bail out big banks in New York again? Nobody? Huizenga asked the audience. Let the record reflect, neither do I.\r\n Huizenga was one of the 93 co-sponsors of Rep. Candice Millers Terrorist Travel Prevention Act, which passed the House earlier this month. The bill would require recent travelers to Syria and Iraq and those with dual citizenship to those countries to obtain a visa even if they come from a country usually allowed visa waivers, such as Canada.\r\nThe topic of the U.S. accepting refugees gets very emotional, Huizenga said.\r\n(Islamic State fighters) are religiously motivated in a way we havent seen before, he said.\r\nHowever, he added: Im very bothered by a lot of the rhetoric on both sides.\r\nAttacks shouldnt make America turn its back on the Constitution, he said.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398559", "ICYMI: Upton Talks National Security, New Cyber Squadron with Newschannel3", "2015-12-15", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, joined WWMT Newschannel 3 in Kalamazoo to talk about the threat posed by ISIS and the new Cyber Squadron recently awarded to the 110th Attack Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard stationed in Battle Creek. CLICK HERE TO WATCH\nCongressman Upton and Senator Stabenow and Peters have launched a year-long offensive with the Department of Defense, and last week it paid off. The DoD announced the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base and the 110th Attack Wing would be awarded one of four cyber operations nationwide, said Newschannel 3.\nCyber attacks, thats the wave of the future, said Upton.\nFind out more information about the new Cyber Squadron, and what it means for Southwest Michigan here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dankildee.house.gov/media/press-releases/memorial-services-announced-jack-kildee", "Memorial Services Announced for Jack Kildee", "2015-12-15", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Dan Kildee", "K000380", "dankildee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "D. Jack Kildee of Flushing, father of Congressman Dan Kildee, died on Saturday, December 12, 2015, at his home surrounded by family. He was 85. His obituary can be read here. Information on visitation, memorial services and military graveside services are below: Wednesday, December 16, 2015 Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 5  9 p.m. ET at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Road, Swartz Creek, MI. Thursday, December 17, 2015 Visitation will be held on Thursday from 1  9 p.m. ET at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Road, Swartz Creek, MI. A service of remembrance will be held on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Road, Swartz Creek, MI. Friday, December 18, 2015 A military graveside service will be held on Friday at 11:30 a.m. ET at Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 Belford Road, Holly, MI.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walberg.house.gov/media/press-releases/walberg-continues-commitment-combat-heroin-and-prescription-opioid-epidemic", "Walberg Continues Commitment to Combat Heroin and Prescription Opioid Epidemic", "2015-12-14", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "walberg.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-07), a member of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, added his support to another piece of bipartisan legislation to combat the growing heroin and prescription opioid epidemic. The Stop Trafficking in Fentanyl Act, introduced by Reps. Tom Rooney (R-FL) and Tim Ryan (D-OH), would toughen trafficking penalties for fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic drug 50 times more potent than heroin that has become increasingly prevalent in drug overdose deaths.\nH.R. 4183would reduce the threshold of fentanyl neededfrom 400 grams to 20 gramsto invoke the most serious trafficking penalties for an individual distributing and manufacturing the drug, bringing it into parity with heroin-related penalties. Drug traffickers are also mixing heroin with fentanyl to increase its potency, which has contributed to overdose deaths inJackson County,Monroe County,Washtenaw County, and more counties across Michigan. \"Tragic stories of prescription drug abuse and fatal overdoses hit close to home in far too many Michigan communities. As local and state officials work on the front lines to address this epidemic, the federal government must be an active partner in developing a robust strategy. This bipartisan bill targeting traffickers of fentanyl is another important step in the larger effort to keep drugs off our streets and expand access to treatment options for this public health crisis,\" said Walberg. Walberg has been actively meeting withcoalition groups,law enforcement officials, and other community stakeholders to foster awareness, develop best practices, and promote collaboration to address problems associated with heroin and prescription drug addiction.  During a recent Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing, Walberg questioned Director Michael Botticelli of the Office of National Drug Control Policy about the agency's efforts to address this growing epidemic in Monroe County and across Michigan's 7th District.Click here to watch the video. Additional bipartisan actions taken this year to combat heroin and prescription drug abuse include:\n Speaking on the House floorin support of funding for funding for local and state law enforcement to tackle issues like heroin and other abused substances.\n    CosponsoringH.R.2805, which would create a federal task force to develop strategies to fight heroin and opioid abuse.\n    SupportingH.R.1725, which provides states grant funding to fight growing prescription drug abuse.\n    SupportingS.799, Protecting Our Infants Act, which addresses the rise of prenatal opioid abuse and infants suffering from opioid withdrawal. It was signed into law by President Obama in November.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398262", "Huizenga To Welcome New Citizens In Grand Haven On Monday", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On Monday, December 14th, Congressman Huizenga will participate in a naturalization ceremony to welcome 62 applicants taking the oath of citizenship at the Loutit Library in Grand Haven. These 62, soon to be American citizens, come from 30 different countries across the globe.  Mondays celebration follows a naturalization ceremony that took place on Friday afternoon in which 60 people from 34 different countries became American citizens. The ceremony on Monday will begin at 1:00 PM and will be held in Room A on the upper floor of the library.\r\nIn the span of four days, 122 people from 47 different nations will have taken the oath of citizenship to become Americans, said Congressman Huizenga. Making the choice to become an American is a historic moment and I look forward to celebrating this life-changing decision with these new citizens on Monday.\r\n Who: Congressman Bill Huizenga\r\n What: Naturalization Ceremony\r\n Where: The Loutit District Library located at 407 Columbus Ave in Grand Haven on the upper floor\r\n When:  Monday, December 14th  at 1:00 PM", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398835", "Following New Reports, Dingell & Walberg Question Patient Safety at Ann Arbor VA", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "walberg.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Releases \nStay up-to-date on Rep. Walbergs work on behalf of Michigan's 7th District.\n\nPress Kit \nMembers of the media can view Rep. Walbergs biography and download an official picture.\n\nTim in the News \nFind the latest articles about Rep. Walberg from local and national papers.\n\nOpinion Editorial \nRead the latest opinion editorials authored by Rep. Walberg.\n\nLatest Videos \nVideos of Rep. Walberg from the House floor and committees.\n\nSocial Media \nFollow Rep. Walberg on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more updates.\n\ne-Newsletter Archive \nStay up-to-date on Rep. Walbergs work in D.C. and in Michigan through the e-newsletter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://conyers.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/33-members-congress-urge-congressional-leadership-consider-improvements", "33 Members of Congress Urge Congressional Leadership to Consider Improvements To Visa Waiver Bill Provisions", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "John Conyers", "C000714", "conyers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Office of the Thirteenth Congressional District of Michigan\r\nFormerly the Office of Representative John Conyers Jr.\r\nThe Washington, D.C., office and the district offices of former Representative  \r\nJohn Conyers Jr. will continue to serve the people of the Thirteenth Congressional District of Michigan under the supervision of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Representative Conyers resigned from Congress effective  \r\nDecember 5, 2017.\r\nSee Press Release\r\nThe Interim Vacant Office Status:  \r\nBy federal law and the Rules of the House of Representatives, the employees of the former Representative continue to staff the offices of the congressional district under the supervision of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. This interim vacant status continues until a new Representative is elected to fill the unexpired term. Currently, the congressional district does not have voting representation. Although the scope of the vacant congressional office is limited, constituents of the district are invited to contact this interim office for information and assistance as indicated below.\r\nLegislative Information:  \r\nUntil a new Representative is elected, the vacant congressional office cannot take or advocate positions of public policy. Constituents may choose to express opinions on legislation or issues to your elected Senators or wait until a new Representative is elected and takes office. Mail received by the vacant office will be acknowledged. The staff of the vacant office can assist constituents with general information concerning the status of legislation, but cannot provide analysis of issues or render opinions.\r\nAssistance with Federal Government Agencies (Casework):  \r\nThe staff of the vacant office will continue to assist constituents who have cases pending with the office. These constituents will receive a letter from the Clerk requesting whether the staff should continue assistance or not. Constituents who do not have pending cases but  require assistance in matters relating to federal government agencies  are invited to contact the nearest district office for further  information and assistance. \r\nOffice Locations:  \r\nThe staff of the vacant Congressional office is available to assist you at the following locations:\r\nWashington, D.C.   \r\nOffice of the Thirteenth Congressional District of Michigan  \r\n2426 Rayburn HOB  \r\nWashington, DC 20515  \r\nPhone: (202) 225-5126\r\nDistrict Offices in Michigan  \r\nDetroit Office  \r\n669 Federal Building  \r\n231 W. Lafayette  \r\nDetroit, MI 48226  \r\nPhone: (313) 961-5670  \r\n\r\nWestland Office  \r\n33300 Warren Road  \r\nSuite 13  \r\nWestland, MI 48185  \r\nPhone: (734) 675-4084  \r\n\r\nOther Sources in Michigan:\r\nMichigan Department of State", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://debbiedingell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/dingell-customs-bill-christmas-tree-holiday-season", "Dingell: Customs Bill is Christmas Tree of the Holiday Season", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Debbie Dingell", "D000624", "debbiedingell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) today voted against H.R. 644, a customs enforcement bill, which includes a number of political provisions that restrict negotiations on emissions standards and immigration and weaken existing law to deter human trafficking. Dingell spoke in opposition to the bill prior to the vote. Video is available here.\nThe full text of Dingells floor speech can be read below. \nMr. Speaker, when the Ways and Means Committee first began considering this bill, it represented a real opportunity to improve our system of trade and eliminate loopholes that allow foreign nations and bad actors to avoid our trade laws. Currency manipulation is the number one trade abuse that must be addressed. \nUnfortunately, this bill has become the Christmas tree of the holiday season, and it is being used to put lipstick on a pig that is our current trade negotiations. It ties our negotiators hands on even negotiating common emissions standards by restricting any consideration of climate issues, and prevents them from negotiating immigration related language as well. Further, it weakens existing trade laws designed to prevent human trafficking. \nAnd the ribbon on this Christmas surprise is a totally new provision on internet taxation that isnt even in the jurisdiction of the Ways and Means Committee and could have unintended consequences that could bankrupt local governments. \nThere are good provisions at the core of this bill to help improve our customs system, but they are outweighed by the political gamesmanship that has made this legislation impossible to support. We have seen too many other examples of last minute political provisions inserted in bills over the years, and we risk unintended consequences of these political provisions as well. \nThank you, and I yield back the balance of my time.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://debbiedingell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/following-new-reports-dingell-walberg-question-patient-safety-ann-arbor", "Following New Reports, Dingell & Walberg Question Patient Safety at Ann Arbor VA", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Debbie Dingell", "D000624", "debbiedingell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Following reports that surgeries have resumed at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-12) and Tim Walberg (MI-07) are seeking assurances that the surgeries are not being conducted in unsafe conditions. In November, Dingell wrote to Director Robert P. McDivitt following reports that surgeries for veterans had been canceled or moved to another facility because particulate matter was observed on sterile surgical equipment. This week, Dingells office was notified by concerned constituents that surgeries have resumed despite the continued presence of particulate matter on the equipment. \nPatient safety must be the top priority at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Dingell and Walberg wrote in a letter today to Director McDivitt. We want to work with you to ensure that you have the resources you need to fix this problem as soon as possible, and we want to be partners with you in this effort. We also want to seek your assurances that the safety of patients continues to be your top priority and that surgeries are not being conducted in unsafe conditions.\nThe full text of the letter is available here and below.\nDecember 11, 2015\nMr. Robert P. McDivitt  \n\tDirector  \n\tVA Ann Arbor Healthcare System  \n\t2215 Fuller Road  \n\tAnn Arbor, MI 48105\nDear Director McDivitt:\nThank you for taking the time to speak with us today. We write as strong supporters of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs mission to care for those who have made numerous sacrifices for our nation. Subsequent to our conversation today, and following Congresswoman Dingells letter on November 23, 2015, we understand you have been working to identify the source of particulate matter that is being observed on surgical equipment and have taken steps to remedy the situation. Meanwhile, we have received calls telling us that surgeries have resumed despite the continued presence of particulate matter on surgical equipment. \nPatient safety must be the top priority at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System. We want to work with you to ensure that you have the resources you need to fix this problem as soon as possible, and we want to be partners with you in this effort. Please let us know how we can assist you. We also want to seek your assurances that the safety of patients continues to be your top priority and that surgeries are not being conducted in unsafe conditions. We look forward to receiving your prompt response.\nSincerely,\nDebbie Dingell                                \n\tMember of Congress\nTim Walberg  \n\tMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lawrence.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/key-hillarys-success", "The Key to Hillary's Success", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Brenda Lawrence", "L000581", "lawrence.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The purpose of the ceremony at the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, last week was to mark the legendary defiance of Rosa Parks on a city bus. But the accolades from the pulpit showered down on Hillary Clinton.\nBen Crump, president of the National Bar Association, described Clinton as the \"very definition of a trailblazer\" whom he looked forward to watching his daughter see take her \"rightful place in the White House.\"\nParks' attorney, Fred Gray, induced a standing ovation when he thanked \"the next president of the United States for being here.\"\nAnd Bernice King  the youngest child of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.  delivered a benediction asking for grace in this \"century of the woman.\"\nThe outpouring of reverence for Clinton, woven seamlessly throughout the commemoration of a civil rights icon, revealed the deep affection among the gathering of prominent African-Americans for the former secretary of state. Now, the Clinton campaign is attempting to harness that goodwill to achieve an onerous feat: maintaining the record-setting turnout among black voters inspired by President Barack Obama.\nEven as she navigates a primary in which she faces little competition for the African-American vote, Clinton has been nurturing the constituency with policy rollouts, private meetings and surrogate assignments. She's targeting black radio  stations in South Carolina  where more than half of the primary voters are African-American  noting her proud service in the Obama cabinet. She's met with African-American mothers who have been thrust into the national spotlight for having lost children to gun violence. She's sat for interviews with influential African-American media figures like Al Sharpton, Roland Martin and April Ryan. And she's tapped familiar faces, like former host of \"The View\" Star Jones, to campaign on her behalf inside of black churches. On Friday, her campaign's African-American director will host a conference call with black sororities to continue the process of enlisting new volunteers and emissaries.\n\"Hillary has earned the respect of the African-American community,\" says Democratic Rep. Terri Sewell, the first African-American congresswoman elected in the state of Alabama. \"She's the only one, in my opinion, who has truly delivered results for the African-American community.\"\nBarring an unforeseeable turn of events, Clinton or any Democratic nominee will easily carry the black vote in November's general election. But how big of a margin she can produce could prove decisive for her chances of capturing the White House.\nAfrican-American turnout in Obama's re-election victory over Mitt Romney in 2012 marked a milestone. It was the first time since 1968 that blacks outvoted whites, according to a U.S. Census analysis. Whereas 64 percent of eligible white voters cast ballots, the number was 66 percent for blacks.\nThe Cook Political Report calculated that African-Americans accounted for Obama's entire margin of victory in seven states, including the three most coveted battlegrounds: Florida, Ohio and Virginia.\nThe same number-crunchers believe Clinton's key to victory could be whether she can replicate Obama's numbers, or even creep close, without Obama on the ballot.\n\"It seems hard to imagine that the next Democratic presidential candidate will approach Obama's performance among black voters, but exactly how close the next Democratic candidate comes will matter a lot. In fact, African-American turnout could be more important to the outcome of the 2016 election than the ability of Republicans to rekindle their support among Latino voters,\" wrote Nate Cohn for  The New Republic just after the 2012 election.\n[READ: What Does the Black Lives Matter Movement Really Want?]\nStefanie Brown James describes Clinton's task in matching Obama as \"an uphill battle with 50-pound weights on each leg going up Mount Everest.\"\nShe would know.\nAs Obama's 2012 national African-American director, James was charged with improving on the president's historic 2008 turnout at a time when many in the community were disappointed in the level of hope and change they had seen during his first four years.\n\"I went on a 'let me take the blame and get beat up tour,'\" she recalls. \"We had to persuade. It took convincing. The same is going to be true for Hillary.\"\nJames enlisted African-American vote directors in nine battleground states, tasked with identifying community leaders block-by-block in high-concentration African-American cities like Cleveland and Cincinnati. The level of microtargeting drilled down to barber and beauty shop programs, where campaign officials would hold conference calls with updates as salons snipped hair. A \"DJs for Obama\" program ensured the campaign had a voice in front of clubgoers.\nThe multipronged, supercharged effort was a success, especially with black women, who voted at a higher rate than any other group, across gender, race and ethnic lines. African-American females turned out at a rate of 70 percent in 2012, 4 points higher than white women and 7 points higher than white men, according to the Center for American Progress. And Obama captured the votes of 96 percent of black women.\nThis, of course, is a natural constituency for Clinton to court, and she's already been devoting consistent time to outreach.\nRep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, who represents Columbus, says just last week she was in touch with Clinton's African-American director, LaDavia Drane, a former director of the Congressional Black Caucus.\nBeatty says African-American women will be just as motivated voting for the first potential female president as they were for the first black president.\n\"I think you're going to see the same thing. My mother again, who is still living at 92, never thought she would see a female as president. When you have first-time voters, young females coming out and others, she will create just as much excitement,\" Beatty says.\nBut William Frey, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution who studies demography, doubts that assertion and says a more realistic goal for Clinton would be to top the African-American turnout of the last white Democratic nominee for president, John Kerry.\n\"Even though they're women they're probably more responsive to a black candidate than a female candidate,\" he says. \"[Hillary] has to assume she's not going to get that same turnout. That was kind of supersized turnout.\"\nIf Beatty is on one side of the argument and Frey is on the other, Michigan Rep. Brenda Lawrence  an African-American congresswoman representing Detroit  falls somewhere in the middle.\n\"Will we see the turnout of the Obama cycle? I can't predict that. The excitement of the first African-American president clearly is not repeated here. But the need for the voice and someone to have the understanding of the issues that are important to the African-American community, Hillary Clinton checks that,\" she says.\nClinton's criminal justice reform speech in April, just over a month after she launched her campaign, has resonated with African-American elites. In it, she not only renounced her husband's tough-on-crime approach to drug sentencing, but called for the end of mass incarceration and said explicitly, \"We have to come to terms with some hard truths about race and justice in America.\"\n[PHOTOS:  The Big Picture  December 2015]\nShe's also made a point at being out front when it comes to voting rights, another threshold issue of importance for minorities. Amid the flare-up over Alabama's move to close 31 government offices  mostly in black areas  that issue driver's licenses, Sewell says Clinton \"was right there, literally hours after I issued my press release, issuing hers.\"\nIt's these early moves that show Clinton will make the black vote a priority, but even campaign advisers acknowledge it may be difficult to get an early read on their success.\nIf any state would provide a gauge of Clinton's African-American outreach, it would be South Carolina, which handed Clinton arguably her most bruising defeat in 2008. In that year, Obama won 78 percent of black Democrats in the primary, throttling Clinton by nearly 30 percentage points.\nThis cycle, Clinton has nowhere near the competition.\nAn NBC national poll in October found Clinton leading Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, 62 percent to 8 percent among blacks. One CNN survey of the Palmetto State this fall pegged her advantage among African-Americans at 50 points. So when South Carolina votes on Feb. 27, there may not be as much urgency to participate.\n\"It's a tougher litmus test because the campaign doesn't have another big mainstream Democrat running to contest for those votes. This is why doing turnout is going to be hard. The contest isn't as competitive as it was last time, \" says Democratic strategist Jamal Simmons.\nSimmons says Clinton will perform just fine with traditional African-American Democrats, but her challenge will be inspiring the atypical voters who have simply shown no interest in coming to the polls for anyone but Obama.\nThis partly explains why Clinton has tethered herself to Obama more closely than many thought she would have at this point in the campaign. \"They're not tired of him, they'd vote for him for a third term,\" says Simmons of the African-American community.\nYet at the same time, there will inevitably be pressure for her to turn the page on the Obama era and carve out her own vision.\nAsked if she should distinctly portray her candidacy as Obama's third term, Lawrence swiftly rejected the notion. \"No. She is Hillary Clinton. She is not Obama. I would be disappointed if she just said, 'I'm going to continue what President Obama started.'\"\nBesides, even if Clinton eventually deploys Obama or former President Bill Clinton  once dubbed affectionately by novelist Toni Morrison as \"the first black president\"  on the trail on her behalf, a presidential candidacy can't be outsourced. It's her campaign and the emotions it triggers will determine how many African-Americans turn up or stay home.\n\"I think she can come across a little bit distant,\" James says. \"She's going to have to have some serious 'I'm in your living room' conversations, really taking the time. They want to know her better.\"\n\"What I'm worried about,\" James continues, \"is you'll have voters sit this out because they're not enthused. People got spoiled. The Obama campaign was exciting. You felt like you were making history twice.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikebishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bishop-applauds-house-effort-fight-currency-manipulation", "Bishop Applauds House Effort to Fight Currency Manipulation", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Mike Bishop", "B001293", "mikebishop.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Following House passage of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (H.R. 644) by a vote of 256-158, Congressman Mike Bishop (MI-08) issued the following statement:\nFor too long, the global marketplace has used currency manipulation as a way to put Michigan businesses and auto manufacturers at a disadvantage. The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act takes responsible steps to change that, so we can ensure our workforce is able to compete on a more level playing field. By strengthening enforcements against currency manipulation in this customs bill, we can expand our consumer base, create and protect American jobs, and grow our economy here at home. I thank Chairman Brady and the Committee on Ways and Means for giving Michigan workers a fair shot to compete and succeed.\nCongressman Bishop was a leader, along his Michigan colleagues, to ensure that the final customs bill includes new tools to address currency manipulation, said House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady.I value his help on trade issues and look forward to working together as we continue to pass more pro-growth legislation that will grow our economy and support American workers.\nIn June, Reps. Mike Bishop, Dave Trott (MI-11), Dan Benishek (MI-01), John Moolenaar (MI-04) and Bill Huizenga (MI-02) issued a letter to Ways and Means Committee leadership, stressing the need to fight currency manipulation in trade-related legislation in the House. As part of the effort to protect Michigan and Americas workforce, the letter encouraged the inclusion of tools and procedures for enhanced oversight of international exchange rates and policies, in addition to strengthening trade enforcement against currency manipulation.\nThe full letter can be read here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://trott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-trott-currency-manipulation-protections-win-southeast-michigan", "Rep. Trott: Currency Manipulation Protections a Win for Southeast Michigan", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Dave Trott", "T000475", "trott.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC: U.S. Representative Dave Trott (MI-11) today voted in support of legislation designed to enforce American trade laws, remove barriers to legitimate trade, and help small businesses grow and create jobs. Rep. Trott was instrumental in securing stronger currency manipulation protections in the legislation to help protect Michigan businesses and Americas automotive industry.\n\"We can grow Southeast Michigans economy by opening up new markets around worldbut its critical that Congress cracks down on currency manipulation and allows Michigan products and services to compete on a level playing field. We want to see America set the rules, not countries like China that unfairly manipulate their currency. Currency manipulation puts our workers at a competitive disadvantage, so its a big win for Southeast Michigan to have stronger safeguards added to this important legislation, said Rep. Trott, a lifelong resident of Southeast Michigan who created 1,800 jobs during his career in business.\nRep. Trotts currency manipulation protections included in the legislation provide for enhanced reporting and analysis through bilateral engagement, giving the United States a platform to urge implementation of policies to address currency manipulation and develop plans with specific actions to address undervaluation and surplus. This measure includes strong remedial actions for failure to address these issues, including restricted procurement and investment with violating countries, raising the issue with the International Monetary Fund, and taking these failures into account when assessing a potential trade partnership.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walberg.house.gov/media/press-releases/following-new-reports-dingell-walberg-question-patient-safety-ann-arbor-va", "Following New Reports, Dingell & Walberg Question Patient Safety at Ann Arbor VA", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "walberg.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Following reports that surgeries have resumed at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-12) and Tim Walberg (MI-07) are seeking assurances that the surgeries are not being conducted in unsafe conditions. In November, Dingell wrote to Director Robert P. McDivitt following reports that surgeries for veterans had been canceled or moved to another facility because particulate matter was observed on sterile surgical equipment. This week, Dingell's office was notified by concerned constituents that surgeries have resumed despite the continued presence of particulate matter on the equipment. \"Patient safety must be the top priority at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System,\" Dingell and Walberg wrote a letter today to Director McDivitt. \"We want to work with you to ensure that you have the resources you need to fix this problem as soon as possible, and we want to be partners with you in this effort. We also want to seek your assurances that the safety of patients continues to be your top priority and that surgeries are not being conducted in unsafe conditions.\" The full text of the letter is available here and below. December 11, 2015 Mr. Robert P. McDivitt  \nDirector  \nVA Ann Arbor Healthcare System  \n2215 Fuller Road  \nAnn Arbor, MI 48105 Dear Director McDivitt: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. We write as strong supporters of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' mission to care for those who have made numerous sacrifices for our nation. Subsequent to our conversation today, and following Congresswoman Dingell's letter on November 23, 2015, we understand you have been working to identify the source of particulate matter that is being observed on surgical equipment and have taken steps to remedy the situation. Meanwhile, we have received calls telling us that surgeries have resumed despite the continued presence of particulate matter on surgical equipment.  Patient safety must be the top priority at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System. We want to work with you to ensure that you have the resources you need to fix this problem as soon as possible, and we want to be partners with you in this effort. Please let us know how we can assist you. We also want to seek your assurances that the safety of patients continues to be your top priority and that surgeries are not being conducted in unsafe conditions. We look forward to receiving your prompt response. Sincerely, Debbie Dingell                                \nMember of Congress Tim Walberg  \nMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398263", "Dodd-Frank Hurts Small Towns Across Michigan", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Yesterday, the Editors Note in the Detroit News took an important big picture look at the harmful effects of Dodd-Frank on small towns across America. Congressman Huizenga and Republican members of the House Financial Services Committee have worked tirelessly to examine Dodd-Frank and detail how truly damaging this ill-conceived law is for consumers, small businesses, and community lenders. For a more in-depth look at Dodd-Frank and its negative impact on Main Street click here.\r\nDodd-Frank slows small business growth\r\n  \r\nBy Nolan Finley  A vigorous small business base is essential to a healthy economy. So its no wonder this economic recovery has been so tepid.\r\n Loans to small businesses are off sharply, down 38 percent since before the passage of the Dodd-Frank bill, which added layers of regulations on the financial industry.\r\n Passed in response to the near collapse of the banking industry during the Great Recession, Dodd-Frank has encouraged consolidation of lending institutions and toughened requirements for loans. It has fallen heaviest on smaller, community banks that tend to service entrepreneurs and small businesses.\r\n That has a particularly negative impact on smaller towns and rural areas, which lack access to the mega-banks.\r\n Its another example of how in Washington, the cure is often more harmful than the ailment. This note originally appeared in the Detroit News on December 9th.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikebishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/president-signs-every-student-succeeds-act-law", "President Signs Every Student Succeeds Act into Law", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Mike Bishop", "B001293", "mikebishop.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Congressman Mike Bishop - a member of the House Education and the Workforces Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee - issued the following statement in response to President Obama signing the Every Student Succeeds Act into law:\nToday marks the start of an important new chapter. Our nation can finally move beyond the days of No Child Left Behind and begin the work of repairing our broken K-12 education system. The Every Student Succeeds Act shifts control back to the local level so parents and educators can do what is best for our students. I applaud Chairman Kline, my committee colleagues, and our Senate counterparts for their efforts to make this historic achievement possible.\nTo view Rep. Bishops floor about the Every Student Succeeds Act last week, go here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://moolenaar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/moolenaar-education-law-provides-more-flexibility-parents-and-teachers", "Moolenaar: Education Law Provides More Flexibility to Parents and Teachers", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "John Moolenaar", "M001194", "moolenaar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, President Obama signed into law Republican-led, conservative education reforms that put American students first.\nRepresentative John Moolenaar (R-Midland), a former charter school administrator, voted for the legislation when it was in the House last week. He welcomed news of the president's signature and released the following statement: \"I voted for this new law because it prohibits the federal government from incentivizing or coercing states into adopting Common Core. The bill signed into law today repeals federal mandates and it provides more flexibility toparents and teachers to do what is best for students.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398554", "MLive: U.S. House approves bill to ban microbeads", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The U.S. House this week approved a bill that would ban the sale and manufacture of tiny rinse-off plastic particles, often used in cosmetic products, that environmental advocates say are filtering through water treatment plants and polluting the Great Lakes.\r\nH.R. 1321\">The Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015, co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St Joseph, and Rep. Frank Pallone, D-New Jersey, passed the U.S. House of Representatives by unanimous voice vote on Monday, Dec. 7.\r\n\"As someone who grew up on Lake Michigan and represents a large chunk of Michigan coastline, I understand firsthand how important it is to maintain the beauty and integrity of our Great Lakes,\" said Upton, who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee,which passed the bill on voice vote Nov. 18.\r\nThe House bill would phase microbeads out of consumer products over the next few years, starting with a ban on manufacturing the beads starting July 1, 2017, followed by product-specific manufacturing and sales bans in 2018 and 2019.\r\nEnvironmental groups have been pushing for bans on the beads. The tiny particles are ending up in lakes, rivers and oceans because most treatment plants are not designed to filter them out of wastewater.\r\nThe concern is that pollutants can attach to the floating plastic, which enters the food chain when fish and wildlife mistake the tiny beads as edible.\r\n\"Action at the federal level sends a strong message that the true solution to the problem of plastic pollution in U.S. waters must focus on the sources,\" said Molly Flanagan, Alliance for the Great Lakes vice president for policy. \"We urge the Senate to follow the House's lead.\"\r\nThe bill language, which defines microbeads as \"any solid plastic particle\" less than 5 millimeters in size intended for use as an exfoliant, shuts the door on a loophole that could have let manufacturers switch to a different type of plastic.\r\nCalifornia and a collection of other states and municipalities across the country have adopted microbead bans. A federal law would supersede those rules, which is something bill sponsors said would help eliminate uncertainty for manufacturers.\r\nMichigan legislators debated a state ban this fallwithout reaching a consensus.\r\nA companion measure in the U.S. Senate, has yet to advance beyond the health, education and labor committee since referral there in May. After Monday's House passage, Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, a Democrat, began calling for the Senate to act on a ban.\r\nThat bill, sponsored by Sen. Kirsten Gallibrand, D-NY, defines microbeads as \"synthetic.\" Read the article online, via MLive here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398556", "BREAKING: Cyber Squadron Awarded to Michigan Air National Guard in Battle Creek", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, Senator Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, and Senator Gary Peters, D-Michigan, today celebrated the announcement that the Michigan Air National Guards 110th Attack Wing, stationed in Battle Creek, will be host of a new Cyber Operation Squadron distinction. \nWere so proud of the effort put forth by our men and women in the Michigan Air National Guard to get the prestigious assignment, said Upton. Cyber security threats are one of the greatest national security threats we face today and our future depends on reliable cyberspace for everything from infrastructure, commerce, communications, and government. The 110th Attack Wing has demonstrated incredible skill and the team at Battle Creek, and the Michigan Air National Guard, is to be commended for the work they have done in proving their capability in the defense of our nations cyber security. \nGiven the dependence of our countrys military, infrastructure, and economy on computers and the Internet, this new cyber squadron puts Michigan at the forefront in protecting our nation, said Stabenow. Earlier this year, Congressman Upton and I led our colleagues on a tour of Michigans military installations  including Battle Creek Air National Guard Base  to see firsthand the important role Michigan plays in our nations defense. Todays announcement is a credit to the men and women in Battle Creeks 110th Attack Wing and underscores our states leadership and expertise in cyber security. \nWe must remain vigilant against the evolving national security threat posed by cyber attacks on our military assets, civilian infrastructure and financial sector, said Peters. I was proud to join with the Michigan Congressional Delegation to advocate for a Cyber Squadron in Battle Creek, and todays announcement is a true recognition of the skill and accomplishments of the 110th Attack Wing and its critical role in bolstering American military cyber defense capabilities. \nA Cyber Operations Squadron is a 70-person dual-use squadron which conducts a multitude of cyber domain operations in support of the overall Air Force Cyber Mission Force. The 110th Attack Wing is already home to a pilot program that has trained technicians and has much of the infrastructure required to take on this new mission.\nIn April, Upton and Stabenow led a bipartisan, bicameral letter, urging top officials at the U.S. Department of Defense to select the 110th Attack Wing in Battle Creek to host a cyber squadron. The letter was signed by the entire Michigan Congressional Delegation: Senator Peters, Rep. John Conyers, Rep. Sander Levin, Rep. Candice Miller, Rep. Tim Walberg, Rep. Justin Amash, Rep. Dan Benishek, Rep. Bill Huizenga, Rep. Dan Kildee, Rep. Mike Bishop, Rep. Debbie Dingell, Rep. Brenda Lawrence, Rep. John Moolenaar, and Rep. David Trott.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lawrence.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/conyers-kildee-dingell-lawrence-release-joint-statement-visa-waiver", "Conyers, Kildee, Dingell, Lawrence Release Joint Statement on Visa Waiver Program Legislation", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Brenda Lawrence", "L000581", "lawrence.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Representatives John Conyers, Jr. (MI-13), Dan Kildee (MI-05), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), and Brenda Lawrence (MI-14) released the following joint statement on H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act, which would, among other things, prevent dual nationals of Iraq and Syria, or individuals who have traveled to these countries, from participating in the Visa Waiver Program.\n\t\t\t\t\tThe first responsibility of government is to keep the American people safe. The American people are rightfully concerned about the threat of terrorism following the attacks in Beirut, Paris and San Bernardino. Recently, Congress and the Administration have been examining changes to the Visa Waiver Program to ensure that there are not any vulnerabilities that could put the American people at risk.\n\t\t\t\t\tThere are many provisions of H.R. 158 that we support. Specifically, requiring all travelers under the Visa Waiver Program to have an unexpired, fraud-resistant electronic passport is an important security measure to take. We also support requiring the Secretary of Homeland Security to study further ways to incorporate anti-fraud and deception technology into the Visa Waiver Program. Both of these steps will help improve our security here at home.\n\t\t\t\t\tHowever, we voted against the H.R. 158 today because we are concerned that the provisions in the legislation restricting the use of the visa waiver program to individuals who have travelled to Syria or Iraq or are dual nationals of these or other covered nations are discriminatory. These more controversial provisions have never been the subject of any committee hearing or markup and deserved more review and vetting before being considered on the House Floor.\n\t\t\t\t\tWe are also concerned that these provisions contain no exceptions for journalists, researchers, human rights investigators or other professionals. There is also an issue as to whether the new requirement will result in our partner nations placing new limits on travel by U.S. citizens to their own countries.\n\t\t\t\t\tIt is because of these concerns that numerous civil rights and civil liberties groups have expressed serious concerns or outright opposition to the overall legislation, including the ACLU, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the NAACP, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Arab-American Civil Rights League, Human Rights Watch, and the League of United Latin American Citizens, among others.\n\t\t\t\t\tWe hope that these provisions will face further review and consideration before being taken up by the Senate or included in any year-end legislation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://trott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/trott-authors-legislation-rebuke-obama-administration-s-confiscation", "Trott Authors Legislation to Rebuke Obama Administrations  Confiscation of Needed Armored Vehicles Used By Local Police Departments", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Dave Trott", "T000475", "trott.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC: U.S. Representative Dave Trott (MI-11) today authored legislation to disapprove of President Barack Obamas executive order to recall armored defense vehicles used by law enforcement in communities in Southeast Michigan.\nAfter the deadly terrorist attack in California, it makes no sense that President Obama would take these needed resources away from our local authorities who are on the front lines in the fight against terrorism. Local law enforcement officers and community leaders have told me this decision by the President puts Southeast Michigan at risk. The threat from terrorism is real and now is not the time to be limiting the tools of Americas law enforcement community. I am confident that this legislation will send a clear signal to the President that he needs to listen to our local communities and rescind this dangerous executive order, said Rep. Trott, Michigans only member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.\nThe legislation, authored by Rep. Trott, disapproves of the Obama Administrations decision to recall vehicles under the 1033 Program, which allows the transfer of excess military equipment to civilian law enforcement agencies. Military-style vehicles were recently used by law enforcement to neutralize the terrorists involved in the San Bernardino terrorist attack and local law enforcement officials in Southeast Michigan have stated the Presidents plan to remove these vehicles will leave communities at risk. Earlier in the week, Rep. Trott led an effort in the House to urge the Obama Administration to reverse course and rescind its decision to remove these vehicles from Southeast Michigan and other communities throughout the nation.\nThe text of Rep. Trotts legislation can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/peters-cassidy-introduce-legislation-to-reform-it-management-systems-save-taxpayer-dollars", "Peters, Cassidy Introduce Legislation to Reform IT Management Systems, Save Taxpayer Dollars", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Gary Peters", "P000595", "www.peters.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.09.15\n\t\t\t Peters, Cassidy Introduce Legislation to Reform IT Management Systems, Save Taxpayer Dollars \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) andBill Cassidy, M.D. (LA)introduced the Making Electronic Government Accountable By Yielding Tangible Efficiencies (MEGABYTE) Act of 2015 to reform the federal government's management of information technology (IT) software licenses.The non-partisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that implementing oversight and management policies of federal software licenses saved a single agency$181 million tax dollars per year. If implemented, the MEGABYTE Act could yield billions in savings across the federal government\r\nCongress has a responsibility to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used efficiently and effectively,said Senator Peters.The federal government could potentially save billions of dollars every year by requiring better management of federal software license purchases. I'm proud to help introduce this commonsense measure that will cut wasteful spending and save taxpayers money.\r\nBillions of taxpayer dollars could be saved if federal agencies keep track of what software they buy. It's irresponsible they don't do so already, said Dr. Cassidy. Tax dollars could be better used on our troops and our classrooms, not redundant software licenses.\r\nThe MEGABYTE Act saves tax dollars and cuts government waste through the following actions:\r\n \r\nThe OMB Director shall issue a directive requiring executive agencies to identify clear roles, responsibilities, and central oversight authority within the agency for managing enterprise software license agreements and commercial software licenses.\r\n \r\n \r\nAgencies will also establish a comprehensive inventory, including 80 percent of software license spending and enterprise licenses in the agency.\r\n \r\n \r\nRegularly track and maintain software licenses to assist the executive agency in implementing decisions throughout the software license management life cycle.\r\n \r\n \r\nAnalyze software usage and other data to make cost-effective decisions.\r\n \r\n \r\nProvide training relevant to software license management.\r\n \r\n \r\nEstablish goals and objectives of the software license management program of the agency.\r\n \r\n \r\nConsider the software license management life cycle phases, including the requisition, reception, deployment and maintenance, retirement, and disposal phases, to implement effective decision making and incorporate existing standards, processes, and metrics.\r\n \r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/peters-education-measures-to-be-signed-into-law", "Peters Education Measures to Be Signed into Law", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Gary Peters", "P000595", "www.peters.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.09.15\n\t\t\t Peters Education Measures to Be Signed into Law \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Provisions Supporting Dual and Concurrent Enrollment, Student Financial Literacy, Data on Dual Status Youth Included in Education Reform Bill\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today applauded Senate passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), bipartisan legislation to reform the No Child Left Behind law and reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The bill, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives last week and will be signed into law by the President, includes a bipartisan amendment Peters introduced with Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) supporting dual and concurrent enrollment in schools. Two additional measures Peters championed are also included in the bill  one to support funding for financial literacy programming and one to strengthen efforts to better identify dual status youth. Dual status youth are young people who come into contact with both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.\r\nI'm pleased that Congress has come together on a bipartisan basis to pass long overdue education reform that will help strengthen our primary education system and give kids a greater opportunity to get ahead, said Senator Peters. My provisions in this bill will support funding for dual enrollment programs that can help make college more affordable, arm students with the tools they need to make responsible financial choices in the future and protect our most vulnerable children from falling into the school-to-prison pipeline.\r\nThe Gardner-Peters amendment will allow Title I funds to be used to support concurrent and dual enrollment programs at eligible schools, enabling high school students to simultaneously receive college-credit from courses taught by college approved teachers in secondary education. It also allows school districts to use fifth-year program partnerships to allow students to participate in concurrent enrollment in the year after their senior year.\r\nPeters also pushed for a measure included in the final bill promoting funding for financial literacy programming. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation conducted a survey in 2014 that found millennials display low levels of financial literacy, engage in problematic financial behaviors and express concerns about their debt. Peters spent 22 years working as an investment advisor helping families save for their retirement and their children's college education.\r\nAnother Peters-backed provision included in the Every Student Succeeds Act addresses the lack of data on dual status youth. Peters sent a letter in June urging Senate HELP Committee leaders to include this measure in the bill. The measure requires states to develop and submit plans for identifying dual status youth and improving intervention services that can reduce school suspensions, expulsions and referrals to law enforcement. It also makes providing targeted, evidence-based services for these at-risk children an allowable use of funding.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/peters-pipeline-safety-provisions-move-forward-in-the-senate", "Peters Pipeline Safety Provisions Move Forward in the Senate", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Gary Peters", "P000595", "www.peters.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.09.15\n\t\t\t Peters Pipeline Safety Provisions Move Forward in the Senate \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Provisions Advance as Part of Bipartisan Legislation Introduced by Peters & Commerce Committee Colleagues\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, DC The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee today approved bipartisan legislation U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) introduced with his Commerce Committee colleagues to reauthorize the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) through 2019, and improve pipeline safety and oversight. The legislation, known as the Securing America's Future Energy: Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (SAFE PIPES) Act, included several pipeline safety provisions from the Pipeline Improvement and Preventing Spills (PIPS) Act that Peters introduced in September, along with Senator Debbie Stabenow.\r\nIt's taken five years and nearly $1 billion to clean up the last oil spill from a pipeline break in Michigan, and a similar spill in the Great Lakes would be devastating to our economy, environment and drinking water supply, said Senator Peters. I'm proud to work with my Commerce Committee colleagues as we move forward with bipartisan legislation that will strengthen the safety of our nation's pipelines and protect our communities and natural resources from the threat of a pipeline break.\r\n\"People in Michigan know all too well how devastating oil spills can be to our waterways, said Senator Stabenow, Co-Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force. Given the devastating consequences, we need to take a strong stand to prevent a spill from happening in our Great Lakes. This legislation will give the State of Michigan additional information to provide critical oversight and protections, and I applaud Senator Peters for moving this bipartisan bill forward in Committee.\r\nThe SAFE PIPES Act includes several provisions and elements from Peters' original pipeline legislation that will help ensure the Great Lakes and other water resources in Michigan and across the country are protected from the threat of pipeline spills:\r\n \r\nGreat Lakes are designated as a high consequence area. The SAFE PIPES Act designates the Great Lakes as an Unusually Sensitive Area, making pipelines in the Great Lakes subject to higher standards for operating safely.\r\n \r\n \r\nImproves oil spill response plans to address ice cover. The bill requires PHMSA and pipeline operators to consider response plans that address cleanup of an oil spill affecting waters or shorelines partially or entirely covered by ice. During the past two winters, maximum ice coverage in the Great Lakes has been well above normal levels. The Coast Guard has stated it does not have the technology or capacity for worst-case discharge cleanup under solid ice, and that its response activities are not adequate in ice-choked waters.\r\n \r\n \r\nRequires critical reviews of pipeline age and integrity. The legislation requires Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports on pipeline integrity management of natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines, and a review of the risks posed by age, condition, materials and construction of a pipeline. These reports will help State and Federal regulators conduct better oversight of pipelines and recommend changes to ensure that pipelines are operating safely and securely. Many elements were based on provisions from the PIPS Act introduced by Peters and Stabenow earlier this year.\r\n \r\nThe legislation increases the authorized funding levels for PHMSA by 2% annually over four years to ensure the agency has sufficient resources to conduct pipeline oversight. The bill also contains provisions to streamline the hiring process for PHMSA pipeline inspectors for one year to expedite hiring of qualified candidates for understaffed critical positions.\r\nThe legislation includes additional measures to improve the storage of hazardous materials, including directing the Department of Transportation to issue minimum safety standards for the operation and integrity management of underground natural gas storage facilities and a provision to promote mapping technology to help prevent accidental pipeline damage during underground excavations. It also includes a research and development section that encourages collaboration on research, development and technology between federal agencies, public stakeholders and industry leaders.\r\nSenator Peters has been a strong supporter of enhancing pipeline safety to protect the Great Lakes. In June, the Senate Commerce Committee approved a Peters amendment to the Coast Guard Authorization Act that would require the Coast Guard to work with partner agencies including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct an assessment on the effectiveness of oil spill response activities in the Great Lakes.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.stabenow.senate.gov/news/cyber-squadron-awarded-to-michigan-air-national-guard-in-battle-creek", "Cyber Squadron Awarded to Michigan Air National Guard in Battle Creek", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Debbie Stabenow", "S000770", "www.stabenow.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Cyber Squadron Awarded to Michigan Air National Guard in Battle Creek \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Following Bipartisan, Bicameral Letter Signed by Entire Michigan Delegation, 110th Attack Wing Earns One of Four New Units \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tWednesday, December 09, 2015\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\tSenator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Congressman Fred Upton (R-MI)and Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) celebrated the announcement that the Michigan Air National Guard's 110thAttack Wing, stationed in Battle Creek, will be host of a new Cyber Operation Squadron distinction.\r\nGiven the dependence of our country's military, infrastructure, and economy on computers and the Internet, this new cyber squadron puts Michigan at the forefront in protecting our nation,said Stabenow.Earlier this year, Congressman Upton and I led our colleagues on a tour of Michigan's military installations  including Battle Creek Air National Guard Base  to see firsthand the important role Michigan plays in our nation's defense. Today's announcement is a credit to the men and women in Battle Creek's 110thAttack Wing and underscores our state's leadership and expertise in cyber security.\r\nWe're so proud of the effort put forth by our men and women in the Michigan Air National Guard to get the prestigious assignment,said Upton. Cyber security threats are one of the greatest national security threats we face today and our future depends on reliable cyberspace for everything from infrastructure, commerce, communications, and government. The 110thAttack Wing has demonstrated incredible skill and the team at Battle Creek, and the Michigan Air National Guard, is to be commended for the work they have done in proving their capability in the defense of our nation's cyber security.\r\nWe must remain vigilant against the evolving national security threat posed by cyber attacks on our military assets, civilian infrastructure and financial sector,said Peters. I was proud to join with the Michigan Congressional Delegation to advocate for a Cyber Squadron in Battle Creek, and today's announcement is a true recognition of the skill and accomplishments of the 110thAttack Wing and its critical role in bolstering American military cyber defense capabilities.\r\nA Cyber Operations Squadron is a 70-person dual-use squadron which conducts a multitude of cyber domain operations in support of the overall Air Force Cyber Mission Force. The 110thAttack Wing is already home to a pilot program that has trained technicians and has much of the infrastructure required to take on this new mission.\r\nIn April, Upton and Stabenow led abipartisan, bicameral letter, urging top officials at the U.S. Department of Defense to select the 110thAttack Wing in Battle Creek to host a cyber squadron. The letter was signed by the entire Michigan Congressional Delegation: Senator Peters, Rep. John Conyers, Rep. Sander Levin, Rep. Candice Miller, Rep. Tim Walberg, Rep. Justin Amash, Rep. Dan Benishek, Rep. Bill Huizenga, Rep. Dan Kildee, Rep. Mike Bishop, Rep. Debbie Dingell, Rep. Brenda Lawrence, Rep. John Moolenaar, and Rep. David Trott.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398261", "Huizenga Supports Legislation to Prevent Terrorists from Entering the United States", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Bill Huizenga", "H001058", "huizenga.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Huizenga Supports Legislation to Prevent Terrorists from Entering the United States \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        December 8, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga released the following statement after voting in support of the Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act which passed the House by a strong bipartisan vote of 407-19:Protecting the American people is one of the most basic and fundamental responsibilities of the federal government and both President Obama and Congress have a role in doing so. The Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act is the second bipartisan security measure passed by the House in the past three weeks that is designed to prevent terrorists from entering the United States. I am proud to have cosponsored this legislation and view it as an important step to enhance our national security.\r\n While the House has taken multiple steps to keep Americans safe, we still need leadership from the White House to eliminate ISIS. I am calling on President Obama to put forward a comprehensive plan to combat ISIS and confront the radical jihadists that seek to harm our country and our citizens.\r\n  \r\n\r\nThe Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act:\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                Allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to suspend participation of countries in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if said country does not share terrorism and foreign traveler data with the United States \r\n            \r\n            \r\n        \r\n        \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                Clarifies that the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a counterterrorism tool and requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to consider including additional information pertaining to terrorism threats to better screen foreign travelers \r\n            \r\n            \r\n        \r\n        \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                Requires an annual threat assessment conducted by the Director of National Intelligence and DHS to assess information sharing between VWP countries and the U.S. \r\n            \r\n            \r\n        \r\n        \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                Requires an annual intelligence assessment conducted by the Director of National Intelligence and DHS to assess airport, passport, and travel document standards \r\n            \r\n            \r\n        \r\n        \r\n            \r\n            \r\n                Directs DHS to report, within 30 days, on what additional data might be necessary to improve ESTA as a counterterrorism tool to screen travelers", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398553", "Upton Applauds Passage of Legislation to Strengthen Visa Waiver Program", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, applauded the passage of H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015, sponsored by Rep. Candice Miller, R-Michigan. The legislation aims to secure the United States international borders to prevent terrorists and instruments of terrorism from entering the U.S. and was advanced on the House floor today by a bipartisan vote of 407-19. \r\nIn this current climate of terrorism, we must provide those working to keep us safe all the tools needed to protect us from international vulnerabilities within our Visa Waiver Program, said Upton. This bill strengthens the security of our Visa Waiver Program so that we protect our national security and enhance our safety. I applaud the passage of this thoughtful, bipartisan piece of legislation and want to thank Congresswoman Miller for her diligent work in making it a reality.\r\nAmong other provisions, the legislation requires countries participating in our Visa Waiver Program to continually share terrorism and foreign traveler data with the U.S. and requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to suspend their participation if they do not meet this requirement.\r\nIt also requires all Visa Waiver Program travelers use Electronic Passports, e-passports, with biometric enabled chips by April 1, 2016 and would require countries to have in place mechanisms to validate e-passports. \r\nIt would also disqualify from the Visa Waiver Program anyone who has traveled to Syria or Iraq within the last five years.\r\nThe Visa Waiver Program was created in 1986, and allows more than 20 million people annually from 38 participating countries to more easily travel to the U.S. for up to 90 days. Instead of going to a U.S. consulate or embassy, citizens of participating countries must provide detailed background information that is then screened by U.S. security systems.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398555", "Upton in Detroit News:  We cant arrest our way out of the opioid epidemic", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph took to the pages of The Detroit News this week to highlight the work the Energy and Commerce Committee is doing to address the growing opioid abuse epidemic. During the past year, the committee has held a number of hearings with experts, stakeholders, law inforcement, individuals in recovery, and family members of opioid abuse victims in order to identify problems with how opioid addiction is treated and ways we can help those in need.\r\nUpton discusses results from the committees ongoing investigation as well as a number of bipartisan solutions to better treat those suffering from addiction.\r\n\r\nThe Detroit News\r\nDecember 8, 2015\r\nUpton: We cant arrest our way out of opioid epidemic\r\nNearly every 12 minutes, someone dies of a drug overdose in the U.S. It is a sad reality that is playing out in Michigan and across the country, and every community has a tragic tale to tell. Addiction to drugs like Vicodin, OxyContin, and Percocet often progresses to heroin abuse, and the trend of growing deaths and injuries is cause for alarm. The figures and tragedies cannot be ignored, and Republicans and Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee are trying to do something about it. \r\n\r\nThe numbers paint a startling picture. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that nationally, nearly 260 million opioid prescriptions were written in 2012. According to the Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Americans consume 80 percent of the worlds prescription opioids, despite constituting just 4.6 percent of its population. Our country is in the midst of an opioid epidemic. \r\n\r\nThe committees investigation over the last year has included a series of hearings featuring over two-dozen witnesses with varying perspectives. Between hearings and numerous meetings with experts, stakeholders, individuals in recovery, and family members of opioid abuse victims, we have identified a number of problems with the way opioid addiction is addressed and highlighted ways to take action.\r\n\r\nFederal policies toward opioid addiction have often overemphasized a law enforcement approach at the expense of public health. It is clear that this is a public health crisis and our strategy needs to reflect the complex dynamic between public health and criminal activity. We simply cannot arrest our way out of this epidemic. \r\n\r\nOpioid addiction is a chronic disease of the brain and can be treated. Unfortunately, only 10 percent of the 23 million people suffering from alcohol and drug addiction get any form of treatment. And of those who do get treatment, only 10 to 20 percent are getting evidence-based treatments shown to be effective in repeated studies. We also found that treatment for opioid addiction should be better integrated with primary health care to ensure optimal health outcomes.\r\n\r\nFinally, the committee found that programs and services provided by addiction treatment centers frequently use acute individual treatment models in response to the chronic health problem of opioid addiction. Some patients with opioid addiction may need treatment for months or a few years, while others may need treatment for a lifetime. Furthermore, the availability of behavioral counseling, highly recommended for use in conjunction with medications, may be inadequate, if not absent altogether.\r\n\r\nWe can and must take steps to address these failures. I commend the Obama administration for its attention to this scourge. In March of this year the Department of Health and Human Services announced its roadmap to combat opioid abuse, proposing improvements to opioid prescribing practices, expanded use and distribution of overdose reversal drugs, and expansion of Medication-Assisted Treatment. And just last month, the administration announced new efforts, several of which mirrored recommendations witnesses provided to our committee during our hearing series over the last year. While these are important steps, there is much more we can do\r\n\r\nThe Energy and Commerce Committee has begun to consider a number of bipartisan bills crafted around these solutions, but our work is just beginning. We owe this effort to the past, present, and sadly, future victims of the opioid epidemic  our neighbors, friends, and family, across every part of the country and every demographic group. Republicans and Democrats all have a responsibility to help those in our communities who are suffering with addiction.\r\nRead the entire piece online here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://conyers.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/conyers-kildee-dingell-lawrence-release-joint-statement-visa-waiver", "Conyers, Kildee, Dingell, Lawrence Release Joint Statement on Visa Waiver Program Legislation", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "John Conyers", "C000714", "conyers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Office of the Thirteenth Congressional District of Michigan\r\nFormerly the Office of Representative John Conyers Jr.\r\nThe Washington, D.C., office and the district offices of former Representative  \r\nJohn Conyers Jr. will continue to serve the people of the Thirteenth Congressional District of Michigan under the supervision of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Representative Conyers resigned from Congress effective  \r\nDecember 5, 2017.\r\nSee Press Release\r\nThe Interim Vacant Office Status:  \r\nBy federal law and the Rules of the House of Representatives, the employees of the former Representative continue to staff the offices of the congressional district under the supervision of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. This interim vacant status continues until a new Representative is elected to fill the unexpired term. Currently, the congressional district does not have voting representation. Although the scope of the vacant congressional office is limited, constituents of the district are invited to contact this interim office for information and assistance as indicated below.\r\nLegislative Information:  \r\nUntil a new Representative is elected, the vacant congressional office cannot take or advocate positions of public policy. Constituents may choose to express opinions on legislation or issues to your elected Senators or wait until a new Representative is elected and takes office. Mail received by the vacant office will be acknowledged. The staff of the vacant office can assist constituents with general information concerning the status of legislation, but cannot provide analysis of issues or render opinions.\r\nAssistance with Federal Government Agencies (Casework):  \r\nThe staff of the vacant office will continue to assist constituents who have cases pending with the office. These constituents will receive a letter from the Clerk requesting whether the staff should continue assistance or not. Constituents who do not have pending cases but  require assistance in matters relating to federal government agencies  are invited to contact the nearest district office for further  information and assistance. \r\nOffice Locations:  \r\nThe staff of the vacant Congressional office is available to assist you at the following locations:\r\nWashington, D.C.   \r\nOffice of the Thirteenth Congressional District of Michigan  \r\n2426 Rayburn HOB  \r\nWashington, DC 20515  \r\nPhone: (202) 225-5126\r\nDistrict Offices in Michigan  \r\nDetroit Office  \r\n669 Federal Building  \r\n231 W. Lafayette  \r\nDetroit, MI 48226  \r\nPhone: (313) 961-5670  \r\n\r\nWestland Office  \r\n33300 Warren Road  \r\nSuite 13  \r\nWestland, MI 48185  \r\nPhone: (734) 675-4084  \r\n\r\nOther Sources in Michigan:\r\nMichigan Department of State", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dankildee.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-dan-kildee-donald-trump-s-proposal-ban-muslims-entering-us", "Congressman Dan Kildee on Donald Trumps Proposal to Ban Muslims from Entering the U.S.", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Dan Kildee", "K000380", "dankildee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) issued the following statement today after Donald Trump proposed banning all Muslims from entering the United States:\nDonald Trump's call to block all Muslims from entering the United States flies in the face of the values that make our country great. His comments are offensive and un-American. When I think about Muslims, I think about Amir Hekmati, a Muslim-American who served the United States honorably in the Marines. Amir risked his life for our country and now is imprisoned in Iran because of his service. To think that Amir Hekmati  a true patriot and Muslim  would be demonized in such a way by a leading presidential candidate is disgraceful. There's no room in our country for such hateful rhetoric.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dankildee.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-dan-kildee-terrorist-suspects-no-fly-list-should-not-be-able-buy", "Congressman Dan Kildee: Terrorist Suspects on No-Fly List Should Not Be Able to Buy Deadly Weapons", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Dan Kildee", "K000380", "dankildee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Kildee Pushes For Vote on Republican Bill to Better Protect American People from Threat of Terror Suspects Buying Guns in U.S.\nCongressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) today pushed the U.S. House of Representatives to take up a bill that would make it more difficult for suspected terrorists to buy weapons in the U.S. Using rarely-invoked legislative rules, including a discharge petition and motions to adjourn, Congressman Kildee is seeking a vote on a bill, supported by Democrats and Republicans, that stops suspected terrorists from buying dangerous weapons. Right now in the U.S., anyone on the FBI's Terrorist Watch list is not allowed to fly on an airplane but still can buy weapons and explosives.\nFor me, this is common sense  if you are deemed too dangerous of a threat to fly, you are too dangerous to own a deadly weapon, Congressman Kildee said. With all of the terrorist threats we face, Congress must act to close this loophole that allows terror suspects to go to a gun store and walk away with whatever weapons they want. Congress can act immediately on a bill introduced by my Republican colleague, Peter King, which would close this dangerous loophole and help better protect the American people.\nH.R. 1076, the Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2015, is a bipartisan bill introduced by Republican Rep. Peter King (NY-02) that would prevent anyone currently on the FBI's terrorist watch list from legally purchasing a weapon.\nAccording to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, in the last 11 years, over 2,000 suspects on the FBI's Watch List have tried to legally buy guns in the U.S. 91 percent of those terror suspects have succeeded in walking away with a deadly weapon. Congressman Kildee spoke about this bill on the House floor today and yesterday. He also offered a motion to adjourn on the House floor, in an attempt to push for a vote on this important bill.\nAdditionally, Congressman Kildee also signed a discharge petition to try and force an up-or-down vote on Congressman King's bill. 218 Members of Congress a majority of the House  need to sign the discharge petition to schedule a vote on the legislation.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://dankildee.house.gov/media/press-releases/delauro-doggett-kildee-and-slaughter-statement-eu-parliament-gaining-access", "DeLauro, Doggett, Kildee, and Slaughter Statement on EU Parliament Gaining Access to TTIP Documents", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Dan Kildee", "K000380", "dankildee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Dan Kildee (MI-5), and Louise Slaughter (NY-25), released the following statement regarding news that the European Commission offered European Parliament members access to all confidential documents related to trade talks with the United States:\nThe decision by the European Commission to release confidential documents related to trade talks should be commended for its transparency. In contrast, USTR discloses nothing. It continues to thrive on secrecy, hiding the details of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. And the same can be said for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Rather than make the trade documents readily available to Members of Congress for review, the Administration entered into secret negotiations with foreign countries, including many with long histories of human rights abuses, child labor violations, sex-trafficking, environmental destruction, currency manipulation, and lax food safety standards. When the text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership was finally made available to Members of Congress for review, it was far too late to have any meaningful effect on the outcome of a deal that will cost Americans jobs.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://debbiedingell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/dingell-conyers-kildee-lawrence-release-joint-statement-visa-waiver", "Dingell, Conyers, Kildee, Lawrence Release Joint Statement on Visa Waiver Program Legislation", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Debbie Dingell", "D000624", "debbiedingell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-12),John Conyers, Jr. (MI-13), Dan Kildee (MI-05), and Brenda Lawrence (MI-14) released the following joint statement on H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act, which would, among other things, prevent dual nationals of Iraq and Syria, or individuals who have traveled to these countries, from participating in the Visa Waiver Program.\nThe first responsibility of government is to keep the American people safe. The American people are rightfully concerned about the threat of terrorism following the attacks in Beirut, Paris and San Bernardino. Recently, Congress and the Administration have been examining changes to the Visa Waiver Program to ensure that there are not any vulnerabilities that could put the American people at risk. \nThere are many provisions of H.R. 158 that we support. Specifically, requiring all travelers under the Visa Waiver Program to have an unexpired, fraud-resistant electronic passport is an important security measure to take. We also support requiring the Secretary of Homeland Security to study further ways to incorporate anti-fraud and deception technology into the Visa Waiver Program. Both of these steps will help improve our security here at home.\nHowever, we voted against the H.R. 158 today because we are concerned that the provisions in the legislation restricting the use of the visa waiver program to individuals who have travelled to Syria or Iraq or are dual nationals of these or other covered nations are discriminatory. These more controversial provisions have never been the subject of any committee hearing or markup and deserved more review and vetting before being considered on the House Floor.\nWe are also concerned that these provisions contain no exceptions for journalists, researchers, human rights investigators or other professionals. There is also an issue as to whether the new requirement will result in our partner nations placing new limits on travel by U.S. citizens to their own countries. \nIt is because of these concerns that numerous civil rights and civil liberties groups have expressed serious concerns or outright opposition to the overall legislation, including the ACLU, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the NAACP, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Arab-American Civil Rights League, Human Rights Watch, and the League of United Latin American Citizens, among others. \nWe hope that these provisions will face further review and consideration before being taken up by the Senate or included in any year-end legislation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikebishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-miller-s-visa-waiver-program-improvement-act", "House Passes Millers Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Mike Bishop", "B001293", "mikebishop.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Following the House passage of Chairman Candice Miller (MI-10)s Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015, H.R. 158, Congressman Mike Bishop (MI-08) issued the following statement:\nAs the fight against terror evolves, Congress must be especially proactive about keeping American families safe. The Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act is one way to improve our nations border security technology, so we can more efficiently track the dangerous, radicalized terrorists who wish to do us harm. I applaud Chairman Candice Millers work and the bipartisan effort to pass this responsible legislation.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://trott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-trott-supports-effort-strengthen-national-security-and-protect", "Rep. Trott Supports Effort To Strengthen National Security and Protect Southeast Michigan", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Dave Trott", "T000475", "trott.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC: U.S. Representative Dave Trott (MI-11) today released the following statement after voting in support of legislation to improve national security by helping the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identify and prevent terrorists with Western passports from entering the United States:\nFollowing last weeks terrorist attack in California, families in Southeast Michigan are rightfully concerned about the security of our nation. This important legislation from my friend and colleague Rep. Candice Miller is a key step toward stopping terrorists and ISIS inspired killers from entering the United States. With news reports that the female terrorist in San Bernardino may have not been properly vetted when entering the nation, there is absolutely no room for error when it comes to protecting the American people. I am hopeful this bill will be adopted in the Senate and signed by the President quickly so that terrorists determined to hurt Americans cannot exploit vulnerabilities in our national security.\nThe legislation, supported by Rep. Trott, addresses the vulnerabilities of the Visa Waiver Program by requiring participating countries to provide counterterrorism information and other crucial intelligence, identifying and allowing for the suspension of high-risk countries, and denying Visa Waiver Program status for those who have traveled to terrorist hotspots, like Iraq and Syria, since 2011.\nCreated in 1986, the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows more than 20 million people annually from 38 participating countries to more easily travel to the U.S. for up to 90 days. Instead of going to a U.S. consulate or embassy, citizens of participating countries must provide detailed background information that is then screened against U.S. security systems.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walberg.house.gov/media/press-releases/walberg-votes-strengthen-visa-waiver-program-protect-national-security", "Walberg Votes to Strengthen Visa Waiver Program, Protect National Security", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Tim Walberg", "W000798", "walberg.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-07) voted today for the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act, bipartisan legislation to help prevent foreign terrorists from entering the United States. The bill, which passed by an overwhelming 407-19 margin, addresses security shortcomings within the Visa Waiver Program, increases intelligence sharing between participating countries, and prohibits individuals who have traveled to terrorist hotspots in the last five years from using this expedited travel program.\"It is common sense to prioritize the safety of the American people and increase our defenses against the threat of terrorism. The Visa Waiver Program is another area where vulnerabilities need to be strengthened. By putting tougher security measures in place to address the program's weaknesses, we can better understand who is entering our country and can keep foreign terrorists from reaching our homeland,\" said Walberg. Congressman Walberg serves on the House Education and the Workforce Committee as Chair of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee. In addition, he serves on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. For more information on Walberg's work in Congress visit walberg.house.gov.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/peters-senate-dems-urge-congress-to-work-in-bipartisan-fashion-to-address-devastating-impacts-of-climate-change-ahead-of-senator-cruz-led-congressional-hearing-to-continue-denying-climate-change", "Peters, Senate Dems Urge Congress to Work in Bipartisan Fashion to Address Devastating Impacts of Climate Change Ahead of Senator Cruz-Led Congressional Hearing to Continue Denying Climate Change", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Gary Peters", "P000595", "www.peters.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.08.15\n\t\t\t Peters, Senate Dems Urge Congress to Work in Bipartisan Fashion to Address Devastating Impacts of Climate Change Ahead of Senator Cruz-Led Congressional Hearing to Continue Denying Climate Change \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, DC Today, in advance of a controversial hearing designed to question the existence of climate change, U.S. Senators Gary Peters, Tom Udall, Brian Schatz and Ed Markey called on Republicans to work with Senate Democrats to take action to mitigate the devastating impacts of climate change. While leaders from over 190 countries are gathered in Paris to negotiate an international plan to address climate change, Senator Ted Cruz is holding a Space, Science and Competitiveness Subcommittee hearing that features controversial witnesses aiming to cast doubt on peer-reviewed data demonstrating the effects of climate change that is overwhelmingly supported by the scientific community. Additionally, 154 companies with operations in all 50 states have signaled their support for acting on climate change.\r\nThe consequences of climate change are already wreaking havoc on our planet, threatening our food supply, our national security, our economy, and our health and safety. Rather than debating the existence of climate change, which 97% of scientists agree is happening, Congress should be discussing what actions we are going to take to address it, said Senator Gary Peters, Ranking Member of the Science, Space and Competitiveness Subcommittee. Investments in clean energy, enhanced vehicle efficiency and scientific research, particularly for NASA's earth sciences, can both help combat global warming and create jobs in America, and we need to come together in a bipartisan way to tackle these challenges.\r\nWe need long term solutions on how to address climate change, not a continuation of denials that a problem even exists, said Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Bill Nelson. \r\nNew Mexico is at the center of the storm when it comes to climate change impacts. We've seen rising temperatures, drought, floods and increasingly severe wildfires. Temperatures have been rising 50 percent faster than the global average for decades. Addressing climate change is incredibly important to New Mexicans and all Americans, said Senator Udall. Like the majority of Americans, we know climate change is real and that we have to act for our future. Questioning the science is a waste of time. We need to work together on solutions -- now.\r\nWe rely on science and scientists every day, said Senator Schatz. We trust science when we're building bridges, flying planes, or finding cures to illnesses. The truth is there is scientific consensus on climate change. Ninety-eight percent of scientists agree that climate change is real and that humans significantly influence it. Let's listen to what scientists, not presidential candidates, are saying on climate and find solutions now.\r\n\"With almost 200 nations right now gathered in Paris in a shared commitment to act on climate, the only thing that requires a thorough scientific investigation is why this hearing is happening at all, said Senator Markey. It is only Congress's Republican climate deniers, informed by ideology and supported by fossil fuel interests, who are holding back action to address climate change, and they will be defeated in time by overwhelming scientific evidence.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398551", "House Passes Upton Legislation  to Ban Microbeads", "2015-12-07", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, applauded the unanimous passage of H.R. 1321, the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015. The bipartisan legislation, co-sponsored by Upton and Rep. Frank Pallone, D-New Jersey, would ban the use of microbeads in rinse off cosmetic products.\nThese microbeads are tiny plastic, but make for big-time pollution. As someone who grew up on Lake Michigan and represents a large chunk of Michigan coastline, I understand firsthand how important it is to maintain the beauty and integrity of our Great Lakes, said Upton, who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The Great Lakes have survived many a foe  severe pollution, oil spills, discharge from refineries, zebra mussels, and attempts to steal our water, just to name a few. We will fight any activity that puts our beloved Great Lakes in jeopardy.\nMicrobeads are tiny scrubbers found in cleansers, body scrubs, and toothpaste. On their own, they are nearly invisible, smaller than a pinhead. Once they are flushed down the drain, the problems begin. Because they are so small, microbeads easily flow through water filtration systems and end up in bodies of water, including the Great Lakes. They are known to absorb pollutants and are often mistake as food by fish and wildlife.\nH.R. 1321 would ban the use of microbeads in rinse off cosmetic products. The ban on manufacturing microbeads is to begin on July 1, 2017, the ban on manufacturing over-the-counter drugs and on sales of cosmetics with microbeads is to begin on July 1, 2018 and the ban on sales of over-the-counter drugs containing microbeads is to begin July 1, 2019.\nH.R. 1321 previously advanced through the Energy and Commerce Committee on a unanimous vote in November.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikebishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-bishop-michigan-colleagues-send-letter-president-rescind-ban", "Michigan Representatives Send Letter to President to Rescind Ban on Transfer of Surplus DoD Equipment", "2015-12-07", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Mike Bishop", "B001293", "mikebishop.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  On Monday evening, Congressman Mike Bishop (MI-08) and fellow Michigan Reps. Dave Trott (MI-11), John Moolenaar (MI-04), Bill Huizenga (MI-02), Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (MI-06) and House Homeland Securitys Border and Maritime Security Subcommittee Vice Chair Candice Miller (MI-10) sent a letter to President Obama asking that he rescind his ban on the transfer of surplus equipment from the federal government to state and local law enforcement agencies.\nAs we learned in the attack in San Bernardino, California, local police and emergency personnel are on the front lines of this new phase in the terrorists' war against us, wrote Reps. Bishop, Trott, Moolenaar, Huizenga, Upton, and Miller.As you pointed out before the attack, the U.S. intelligence community had identified no credible threat, which means that the two terrorists who pulled off the assault did so while operating under the radar. In such circumstances, local police will almost always be the first responders, and should be equipped accordingly.\nFull text of the letter can be found at this link.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://trott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/trott-leads-effort-stand-against-obama-administration-s-weakening-local", "Trott Leads Effort To Stand Against Obama Administrations Weakening of Local Police Departments Ability To Respond to Terror Attacks", "2015-12-07", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Dave Trott", "T000475", "trott.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC: U.S. Representative Dave Trott (MI-11) today led an effort in the House of Representatives to urge President Barack Obama to rescind his ban on armored defense vehicles used by law enforcement in Michigan communities including Oakland County, Macomb County, and Wayne County.\nThe terrorist attack in San Bernardino shows that our local authorities are front and center in the fight against ISIS and other terror networks. Now is not the time for President Obama to be limiting the resources of local authorities while terrorists are likely plotting new attacks in communities throughout the country. Its hard to believe that President Obama would tell the nation his administration is doing everything it can to protect against future terror attacks while simultaneously making it more challenging for local authorities to respond to a potentially deadly attack. This plan from the President is ridiculous and should be rescinded as soon as possible, said Rep. Trott, Michigans only member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.\nIn a letter, sent to President Obama from Rep. Dave Trott (MI-11), Rep. Candice Miller (MI-10), Rep. Mike Bishop (MI-08), Rep. John Moolenaar (MI-04), Bill Huizenga (MI-02), and Fred Upton (MI-06), the lawmakers urged the administration to rescind its plan to recall vehicles under the 1033 Program, which allows the transfer of excess military equipment to civilian law enforcement agencies. Military-style vehicles were recently used by law enforcement to neutralize the terrorists involved in the San Bernardino terrorist attack and local law enforcement officials in Southeast Michigan have stated the Presidents plan to remove these vehicles will leave communities at risk.\nThe full text of the letter sent to President below is below:  \n\t\nDecember 7, 2015\nPresident Barack Obama\n\t1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.\n\tWashington, D.C. 20500\nDear Mr. President:\nWe write with dismay over your decision to prohibit the transfer of certain equipment from the federal government to state and local law enforcement agencies under the Department of Defense's 1033 Program. At a time when many state and local budgets are experiencing shortfalls, this equipment surplus program is essential to helping law enforcement agencies have access to tools that will keep their neighborhoods safe. We urge you to rescind the ban on the transfer of certain equipment under the 1033 Program that your Law Enforcement Equipment Working Group has classified as \"militaristic in nature.\"\nAs we learned in the attack in San Bernardino, California, local police and emergency personnel are on the front lines of this new phase in the terrorists' war against us. As you pointed out before the attack, the U.S. intelligence community had identified \"no credible threat,\" which means that the two terrorists who pulled off the assault did so while operating under the radar. In such circumstances, local police will almost always be the first responders, and should be equipped accordingly. It also stands to reason that since American taxpayers have already paid for the equipment, they ought to be receiving some continuing benefit from it.\nIn 1996, President Bill Clinton signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 1997. This bill created the 1033 Program, which allows the transfer of excess military equipment to civilian law enforcement agencies. As of 2014, 8,000 law enforcement agencies have participated in the reutilization program that has transferred roughly $5 billion in military hardware since its inception. This program is critical to many law enforcement agencies in the state of Michigan - both from a fiscal and security standpoint.\nOf particular assistance to state and local law enforcement agencies in Michigan is the tracked armored vehicle.This tactical response vehicle has proven to be an invaluable asset to our law enforcement to keep communities in Michigan safe. These vehicles are used in a variety of rescue and response situations and are employed in a responsible manner - only coming out when absolutely necessary.\nYou have registered your concerns about the perception the public could have when seeing state and local law enforcement agencies utilizing such equipment in responding to criminal situations. However, we caution you to avoid penalizing every state and local law enforcement agency in the country for the bad acts of a few. In Michigan, we place an emphasis on strengthening communication and interaction between citizens and law enforcement. To ban certain critical pieces of equipment from the 1033 Program would put the lives of our police officers in danger. We owe it to them to provide them with the best possible tools to keep our streets and neighborhoods safe. Recent events in San Bernardino where military-style vehicles were used by first responders to neutralize the situation of the two shooters who killed 14 innocent individuals further underscores the importance of making sure those in civilian uniforms on the front lines in our towns and cities have the equipment they need to safely do their jobs. Unfettered access to the 1033 Program is both a cost-saving and life-saving measure for those who seek to protect and serve us.\nYour initial decision to suspend the 1033 Program appeared to be arbitrary, a reflection of your belief that communities would be uncomfortable with military-style vehicles in the hands of police departments. We submit that communities are likely to be even more uncomfortable with additional loss of American citizens, as a result of some future attack, and law enforcement officers who are underequipped to battle the terrorists in our neighborhoods.\nFor the safety of our officers and for our citizens, we ask that you rescind the ban on what you have deemed \"militaristic\" equipment under the 1033 Program. We look forward to your reply.\n Sincerely,\nRep. Dave Trott (MI-11)\nRep. Candice Miller (MI-10)\nRep. Mike Bishop (MI-08)\nRep. John Moolenaar (MI-04)\nBill Huizenga (MI-02) \nFred Upton (MI-06)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://levin.house.gov/press-release/levin-statement-passing-macomb-county-treasurer-ted-wahby", "Levin Statement on the Passing of Macomb County Treasurer Ted Wahby", "2015-12-06", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Sander Levin", "L000263", "levin.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Rep. Sandy Levin (MI-09) today released the following statement on the passing of Macomb County Treasurer Ted Wahby:\nTed Wahby was an incomparable people's person. Whatever public office he held, for him the test always was how his actions would improve the lives of others. So in our many discussions, he was most proud how as County Treasurer he helped keep thousands with financial stress from losing their homes to foreclosure. And he was especially pleased when we could join him at functions at Mt. Clemens General Hospital, now McLaren Macomb, to see how it serves so splendidly the health needs of tens of thousands. He leaves a legacy of superb public service in its best sense. He will be deeply personally missed by so many of us privileged to be his warm friend.\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://debbiedingell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/dingell-statement-president-s-address-terrorism", "Dingell Statement on Presidents Address on Terrorism", "2015-12-06", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Debbie Dingell", "D000624", "debbiedingell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) released the following statement on the Presidents address on the tragedy in San Bernardino and the broader threat of terrorism.\nThe most fundamental duty of government is to keep the American people safe. Following the recent attacks in San Bernardino, Paris, Beirut and elsewhere, people in this country are understandably frightened, and tonight the President emphasized the urgent need to work together within our communities and alongside our allies around the world to defeat and destroy terror groups and all they stand for.\n\"It was critical that the President emphasized our values as Americans. He urged us to focus on what unites us, not what divides us  to not stigmatize our Muslim friends and neighbors, but to come together around our common ideals as Americans to combat this growing threat. If we allow fear to cause hate and division, we allow terrorism to win. As the President said, we must not forget what makes us exceptional. Freedom is more powerful than fear and we all must work together diligently to prevent another attack from happening in the United States and stand united against hate and terror, which threatens us all.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.stabenow.senate.gov/news/senator-stabenow-statement-on-passing-of-ted-wahby", "Senator Stabenow Statement on Passing of Ted Wahby", "2015-12-06", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Debbie Stabenow", "S000770", "www.stabenow.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senator Stabenow Statement on Passing of Ted Wahby \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tSunday, December 06, 2015\n\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\tU.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today made the following statement on the passing of Macomb County Treasurer Ted Wahby: I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend, Ted Wahby. For decades, he served Macomb families with distinction and was a friend to so many who had the privilege to know him. My heartfelt condolences go out to his loving wife, Yvonne, and his entire family. He will be greatly missed.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://amash.house.gov/press-release/amash-polis-urge-house-leaders-stop-warrantless-surveillance-year-end-spending", "Amash, Polis urge House leaders to stop warrantless surveillance in year-end spending legislation", "2015-12-05", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Justin Amash", "A000367", "amash.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 5, 2015\n\tAmash, Polis urge House leaders to stop warrantless surveillance in year-end spending legislation\n\tBipartisan letter signed by 36 representatives asks for five House-passed measures to end civil-liberties abuses\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Representatives Justin Amash (R-Mich.) and Jared Polis (D-Colo.) sent a letter to House leaders yesterday calling for provisions restricting warrantless government surveillance in any upcoming government-funding legislation. Thirty-four of their House colleagues also signed the letter.\n\tThe letter  which is addressed to Speaker Paul Ryan, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Appropriations Committee Chairman Harold Rogers, and Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Nita M. Lowey  specifically requests the inclusion of five privacy-focused amendments that passed the House earlier this year with bipartisan support. The amendments would stop taxpayer dollars from being used to fund activities including warrantless bulk data collection and backdoor searches by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Security Agency (NSA).\n\tThough there are many divergent views among Republicans and Democrats on a variety of spending matters, the need to safeguard the Constitutions Fourth Amendment and protect Americans rights is an issue on which there is far-reaching consensus, the representatives wrote. Republican and Democratic members of Congress  and, more importantly, the constituents we all represent  overwhelmingly agree that tax dollars should not be used to fund the warrantless surveillance of American citizens.\n\tThe five privacy measures for which the letter advocates all passed the House of Representatives with far-reaching bipartisan support over the summer during consideration of H.R. 2578, the Commerce, Justice Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016, and H.R. 2685, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2016. Three of the measures passed on voice vote, indicating that approval in the chamber was unanimous or near unanimous. The measures are as follows:\n\t An amendment to H.R. 2578 to prohibit the DOJ or Federal Bureau of Investigation from using federal funds to require technology companies to weaken the security of their products for the purpose of government surveillance.\n\t\tAn amendment to H.R. 2578 to prohibit the DOJ from using federal funds to engage in warrantless bulk data collection (a practice the department says it is has suspended).\n\t\tAn amendment to H.R. 2578 to prohibit the National Institute of Standards and Technology from using federal funds to consult with the NSA or Central Intelligence Agency for the purpose of setting deliberately weak cryptographic standards that can be used to enable data collection.\n\t\tAn amendment to H.R. 2578 to prohibit federal funds from being used within the United States to warrantlessly operate or disseminate a cell site simulator or IMSI catcher, which can be used to collect information about individuals locations and telephone communications.\n\t\tAn amendment to H.R. 2685 to limit the use of federal funds for warrantless searches for information pertaining to U.S. citizens collected pursuant to Sec. 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.\n\t In addition to Amash and Polis, the letter was signed by Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Jeff Duncan (R-SC), John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN), Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA), Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Paul A. Gosar (R-AZ), Morgan H. Griffith (R-VA), Andy Harris (R-MD), Mike Honda (D-CA), Tim Huelskamp (R-KS), Darrell E. Issa (R-CA), Walter B. Jones, Jr. (R-NC), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Thomas Massie (R-KY), Tom McClintock (R-CA), Mark Meadows (R-NC), Mick Mulvaney (R-SC), Beto ORourke (D-TX), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Ted Poe (R-TX), Bill Posey (R-FL), Matt Salmon (R-AZ), Mark Sanford (R-SC), David Schweikert (R-AZ), Marlin A. Stutzman (R-IN), Mark Takano (D-CA), and Peter Welch (D-VT).\n\tThe full text of the letter is available here.\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://dankildee.house.gov/kildee-syrian-refugees-victims-of-terror-federal-vetting-process-exhaustive/", "Kildee: Syrian refugees victims of terror, federal vetting process exhaustive", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Dan Kildee", "K000380", "dankildee.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Kildee: Syrian refugees \u2018victims of terror,\u2019 federal vetting process \u2018exhaustive\u2019 \n\t\t\t\t\tDecember 4, 2015\n\t\t\t\t\tKildee: Syrian refugees \u2018victims of terror,\u2019 federal vetting process \u2018exhaustive\u2019\nSyrian refugees are \u201cvictims of terror\u201d who have been conflated with perpetrators, according to U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, who criticized \u201ccynical political gestures\u201d to deny or limit resettlement opportunities in the United States.\n\u201cIf we really want to fight terror, we also have to be willing to say we\u2019ll help those people who are seeking refuge,\u201d Kildee, D-Flint, said Friday during a taping of \u201cOff The Record\u201d on WKAR-TV.\n\u201cI think it\u2019s a really dangerous place for us to go as a country when we start thinking about victims of violence who are seeking shelter from the United States, who don\u2019t happen to look like a lot of Americans perhaps \u2014 maybe that\u2019s the issue \u2014 somehow all of a sudden being the problem.\u201d\nKildee, taking questions from a media panel, criticized rhetoric from Republican presidential candidates like Donald Trump and said he disagreed with Gov. Rick Snyder\u2019s decision to pause refugee resettlement efforts in Michigan while calling for a review thorough review of the security vetting process.\n\u201cNobody has been able to show me that the process is not exhaustive,\u201d Kildee said. \u201cIt takes 18 to 24 months to get a person throughout the process, whereas just a passport held by a person of Syrian descent who might be a French citizen or a Belgian citizen could get them to New York in six hours.\u201d\nThe Obama administration, responding to the Paris attacks, this week announced a new screening process for passengers entering the U.S. under a visa waiver, flagging those who have previously traveled to a country known to harbor terrorists.\nThat type of action is more appropriate than Congressional attempts to impose restrictions on Syrian refugees, according to Kildee.\n\u201cThe vetting process does work,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat isn\u2019t working is we have a visa waiver program, the president is now addressing this, a visa waiver program that would allow person with an ominous background who happens to possess a European passport to simply get on a plane in Paris and be in New York.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398550", "Upton in USA TODAY:  Safety Provisions Protect the Public", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Yesterday the House of Representatives voted to improve the nations ailing transportation infrastructure, improve vehicle safety, and ensure Americas energy security. Ahead of the vote on the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, Congressman Upton took to USA TODAYto highlight the important safety provisions included in the legislation and what they mean for drivers in Southwest Michigan and across the country.\nYou can read the piece below.\nDecember 3, 2015\n\nSafety Provisions Protect the Public\nThe vote on the highway measure will advance reforms in a must-pass package\n\nBy Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI)\n\nNo one understands better the importance of putting safe vehicles on the road than those of us in the auto state. For over a century, Michigan has had a proud tradition of developing innovative technologies, advancing safety, reducing emissions and improving the driving experience.\nBut it has been a disappointing year for automakers that have failed in their safety responsibilities and theNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) for its inability to effectively protect American drivers. We can and must do better.\nI authored theTREAD Act, which toughened industrys safety reporting requirements following the Ford-Firestone mess in 2000, when Ford Explorers with Firestone tires rolled over and killed more than 200 people. The safety provisions in the highway bill, scheduled for a vote this week, build on theTREAD Actsuccesses and are another step forward to protect drivers.\nThe highway bill includes more than 30 provisions improving the auto safety recall process, reforming NHTSA, increasing accountability for automakers and providing resources to NHTSA to make needed improvements.\nBy reforming recall processes, as the agencys own inspector general recommended, NHTSA can better identify and remedy safety issues. We also increase the agencys budget so it has the resources it needs. Increased fines, corporate responsibility and whistle-blower protections improve transparency so that consumers will know that safety problems will be discovered and remedied in a timely fashion.\nThe vote this week will advance safety reforms in a must-pass package. But the highway bill is not the end of the conversation; rather, it is an important step forward. With the holiday season upon us, families across the country can rest assured that Congress continues to prioritize auto safety, and that those responsible for safety issues will be held accountable.\nI am proud of the improvements we were able to add to the bill. But we never put the brakes on safety, and we will continue our bipartisan work in the New Year.\nRead the column online here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://lawrence.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/was-attack-planned-parenthood-terrorism", "Was Attack on Planned Parenthood "Terrorism?"", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Brenda Lawrence", "L000581", "lawrence.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Last week, Planned Parenthood was the target of a tragic mass shooting when 57-year-old Robert Lewis Dear killed three people and injured nine others.\n\t\tDear walked into the Colorado Springs clinic on the day after Thanksgiving and opened fire on Planned Parenthood staff and patients who were there to receive care. Before being apprehended, Dear engaged in a standoff with police that involved a lengthy shootout.\n\t\tWhen in police custody, Dear reportedly hinted his motive for the shooting by saying, no more baby parts. Dear, of course, is alluding to several controversial videos that were released by the Center for Medical Progress earlier this year in which a number of officials depicted as representing Planned Parenthood were secretly videotaped negotiating the sale of fetal organs and tissue. Many critics of the video believe the footage was heavily edited and is, therefore, misleading to the public.\n\t\tNo matter where individuals fall on the issue of the validity of those videos, the anti-Planned Parenthood narrative has been played up well in the 2016 presidential race. During the second GOP Debate on CNN, Republican presidential candidate and former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina famously stated, I dare Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama to watch these tapes,\" she said on the stage at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library September 16th. \"Watch a fully formed fetus on the table, its heart beating, its legs kicking, while someone says, 'We have to keep it alive to harvest its brain.\n\t\tThat became one of the more memorable moments from the debate by Fiorina and has resonated with the Pro-Life movement as well as Congressional Republicans who have been seeking to defund Planned Parenthood over its use of taxpayer dollars to perform abortions.\n\t\tThe House Oversight and Government Reform committee held a hearing in late September to investigate Planned Parenthoods practices by having Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, testify before the committee.\n\t\tRichards testimony was seen as necessary by Republicans and conservatives, but viewed as a partisan witch hunt by Democrats and liberals. However, with the shooting of the Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado, many are starting to wonder whether the political rhetoric coming from the Right was, if not, what instigated the mass shooting, but a contributing factor to it.\n\t\tRepresentative Brenda Lawrence (D-Michigan, 14th) believes the shooting was not only politically motivated, but that the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security should get involved in the investigation, saying to GVH Live, I believe this was a terrorist act. This should be investigated. He should be tried accordingly. We must stop this in America. Its not acceptable.\n\t\tYet, with authorities stating that Dear was acting erratically while in custody and the fact that he was not involved in the Pro-Life movement, many are starting to believe that Dear has been suffering from a mental disorder, and therefore couldnt be carrying out a politically motivated terrorist attack.\n\t\tDespite how this matter is investigated, Congress is preparing to decide what to do about how the federal government will be funded next year and whether or not to fund Planned Parenthood. If Congressional Republicans and Democrats cant negotiate and pass a massive omnibus spending bill by December 11th, they could risk another government shutdown.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/peters-applauds-army-investigation-into-wrongful-discharge-of-servicemembers-with-mental-health-disorders", "Peters Applauds Army Investigation into Wrongful Discharge of Servicemembers with Mental Health Disorders", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Gary Peters", "P000595", "www.peters.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.04.15\n\t\t\t Peters Applauds Army Investigation into Wrongful Discharge of Servicemembers with Mental Health Disorders \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Peters Joined Colleagues in Calling for Investigation after Allegations that More Than 22,000 Soldiers Diagnosed with Mental Health Disorders were Dismissed for Misconduct\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, today applauded the U.S. Army's announcement that they will conduct a thorough, multidisciplinary investigation into allegations that the Army has, since 2009, wrongfully dismissed more than 22,000 soldiers for misconduct after they returned from deployment and were diagnosed with mental health disorders. The Army's announcement comes after Peters joined 11 of his Senate colleagues in requesting the investigation. In a letter to Peters, Acting Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning noted that the Assistant Secretary of the Army, The Inspector General of the Army, The Auditor General of the Army, and other senior Army leaders would conduct the investigation and report their findings.\r\nFor generations our servicemembers have answered the call of duty and defended our country, and I am very concerned that the Army may have erroneously discharged thousands of soldiers suffering from the invisible wounds of war, said Senator Peters. I am pleased that there will be a full-scale investigation into potentially incorrect dismissals, and I look forward to reviewing the U.S. Army's findings upon completion of its investigation.\r\nIn November, Peters and his colleagues wrote a letter to Acting Secretary Fanning and Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army General Mark A. Milley, expressing serious concern that the dismissed soldiers will not receive retirement and post-service employment eligibility benefits. The Senators additionally expressed concern that it may have been easier to dismiss servicemembers for minor misconduct possibly linked to the traumas of war, rather than evaluate them for conditions that may have warranted a different discharge.\r\nSenator Peters, a member of the Post 9/11 Veterans Caucus, has been a strong voice for Michigan's veterans and servicemembers. Earlier this year, Peters introduced bipartisan legislation to help former servicemembers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injuries (TBI) who received a less-than-honorable discharge, rather than an honorable discharge. Peters' bill would create a presumption in favor of the former servicemember when petitioning the Secretary of Defense for an upgrade in discharge status based on medical evidence certified by the VA or a private physician.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/peters-applauds-passage-of-highway-bill-including-vehicle-to-infrastructure-technology-provision", "Peters Applauds Passage of Highway Bill Including Vehicle-to-Infrastructure Technology Provision", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Gary Peters", "P000595", "www.peters.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.04.15\n\t\t\t Peters Applauds Passage of Highway Bill Including Vehicle-to-Infrastructure Technology Provision \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Peters' Provision Allows States to Use Existing Funds to Invest in Safety Technology\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) applauded the passage of a five-year highway bill in the Senate last night that includes language from his bipartisan Vehicle-to-Infrastructure Safety Technology Investment Flexibility Act of 2015. The provision allows states to use existing surface and highway transportation funds to invest in vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication technology that has the potential to help reduce traffic congestion and accidents.\r\nAs we upgrade our nation's infrastructure, we should ensure that the United States remains a leader in the development and implementation of new technologies like vehicle-to-infrastructure communications that can prevent accidents and save lives, said Senator Peters. I am pleased that my provision allowing states to invest in these critical safety technologies was included in the highway bill, which will give states more certainty to plan long-term infrastructure and transportation projects that create jobs and support economic growth.\r\nThe highway legislation, also called the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, authorizes $305 billion in federal funding for highway programs for five years, including the National Highway Performance Program (NHPP), the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBGP) and the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). Peters' provision authorizes states to use funds from NHPP, STBGP and HSIP to incorporate V2I technology in infrastructure upgrades.\r\nV2I technologies include wireless exchanges of safety and operational information between connected vehicles and infrastructure to help prevent collisions, relieve traffic congestion and reduce unnecessary energy consumption. Examples of V2I applications include monitors on bridges that communicate ice accumulation to approaching vehicles, traffic signals that warn vehicles of stopped traffic, or sensors warning of nearby emergency vehicles or work zones. A 2013 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NTHSA) study found that vehicle-to-vehicle and V2I technologies could save lives by eliminating up to 80 percent of vehicle accidents involving non-impaired drivers.\r\nThe final package also includes a Peters' provision that requires the Secretary of Transportation, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Amtrak to conduct a post-accident assessment of Amtrak's emergency preparedness plan and its response to families during the devastating crash in Philadelphia earlier this year that killed eight passengers and injured more than 200 others. The assessment will include a review of whether these plans adequately met the needs of passengers involved in the crash and their families, and a determination of how these plans can be improved. Peters' suggested areas of review include the notification of emergency contacts, dedication of staff for family assistance, creation of family assistance centers at the location of an accident and the creation of a single customer service entity to assist passengers and their families after a crash.\r\nFamily members of passengers who have been involved in an train derailment are filled with anxiety for the safety of their loved ones, and they should not have to worry about a lack of clear information or assistance, said Senator Peters. This measure will help ensure that Amtrak can provide passengers and family members the assistance they need in the wake of an accident.\r\nThe legislation also includes a provision to reauthorize the charter for the Export-Import Bank, which expired earlier this year. Peters has called for the renewal of the bank's charter because of the vital role it plays as a tool for economic growth. Last year, the Export-Import Bank supported more than 164,000 jobs and backed $27.4 billion in U.S. exports for businesses across the country, including $10 billion in exports by small businesses, which make up nearly 90% of Ex-Im's transactions. Since 2007, the Export-Import Bank has supported 228 Michigan exporters selling $11 billion worth of goods to places like Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Canada.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398546", "Upton, House Approve Bill to Reform Education System", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, joined the majority of his House colleagues in voting to advance S. 1177, the Every Student Succeeds Act. S. 1177, which would replace No Child Left Behind, was approved by a bipartisan vote of 359 - 64.\r\nThis long overdue bipartisan bill puts parents, teachers, and students first, said Upton. It provides our education system a certainty that has sorely been missing in recent years. Ive heard from countless Southwest Michigan stakeholders that they wanted the federal government out of the classroom and more flexibility for our local educators  thats exactly what this bill does.\r\nAmong other bipartisan, commonsense reforms, The Every Student Succeeds Act would: \r\n Reduce the federal role in K-12 education by giving local and state officials more flexibility to define what it means for a school to be successful, and how to intervene in schools that continue to fail to live up to expectations. \r\n Enable States to determine which standards are best for its schools and prevent the federal government from incentivizing or requiring states to make certain education choices like adopting Common Core. \r\n Provide individual school districts more funding flexibility.\r\n Remove the high stakes federal consequences for annual assessments. Instead, individual states will now be allowed to determine how those test scores factor into their accountability or funding systems. \r\n Empower parents by providing information about local school performance and promoting school of choice options.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398548", "House Approves Upton Legislation to  Modernize U.S. Energy Policy", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MI", "Fred Upton", "U000031", "upton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today joined the majority of his House colleagues in advancing H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act by a bipartisan 249-174 vote. The innovative legislation, sponsored by Upton, focuses on updating the United States energy policy to properly reflect the changing energy landscape.\r\nHow can it be in the 21st century with incredible energy abundance we cant get energy to consumers in some parts of the country? This bill is the fix we need to ensure folks in Southwest Michigan and every corner of the country have access to affordable and reliable energy, said Upton, who also chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee. A decade ago no one could have imagined where we would be in 2015 and how much the energy script would be flipped in our favor. This bill promotes access to affordable and reliable energy, diversity, efficiency, and modernization of our energy infrastructure, and most important it modernizes our electricity grid. Today, the House put the scarcity mindset in the rear view mirror and said yes to affordable energy and yes to jobs.\r\nSince most of our energy policies are rooted in the 1970s energy scarcity mindset, H.R. 8 focuses on updating our energy laws to maximize our energy potential. H.R. 8 includes four main pillars  modernizing our energy infrastructure, protecting our electricity system, strengthening our energy security and diplomacy, and improving energy efficiency and government accountability. \r\nTo read a recent op-ed on H.R. 8 from Congressman Upton that appeared in Morning Consult, please click here.\r\nTo view letters of support for H.R. 8, please click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 2107, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "MI", "p2": "2015"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MI&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 1490, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MI&year=2015&party=Democrat", "selected": false}, {"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 617, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MI&year=2015&party=Republican", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MI&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 2107, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MI&year=2015", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MI&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "MI", "label": "MI", "count": 2107, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2015", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MI&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "2015", "label": "2015", "count": 2107, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MI", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2015-12-03,http~3A~2F~2Fupton~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fdocumentsingle~2Easpx~3FDocumentID~3D398548", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MI&year=2015&_next=2015-12-03%2Chttp~3A~2F~2Fupton~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fdocumentsingle~2Easpx~3FDocumentID~3D398548&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 307.5699280016124, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}