MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-1)

Rep. Jack Bergman applauded his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives for passing legislation he helped introduce, which removes the gray wolf from the federal Endangered Species Act and returns wildlife management authority to the states.

The legislation, the Pet and Livestock Protection Act, directs the Department of the Interior to reissue a final rule delisting the gray wolf and limits the ability of activist groups to block science-based decisions through endless litigation. Management authority would return to the individual states, allowing wildlife professionals who understand local conditions to manage wolf populations responsibly.

“For folks in the Upper Peninsula, this issue is not theoretical – it is part of everyday life,” said Bergman. “Hunters, farmers, and families across the U.P. have watched deer numbers decline, livestock losses increase, and pets threatened, all while bureaucrats in Washington and activist judges across the country continued to ignore the science and the voices of local residents.”

“Decisions about wildlife in the U.P. should be made by those who know the land, not by bureaucrats hundreds of miles away.”

Gray wolf populations in Michigan and across the Great Lakes region have met and exceeded recovery goals for years, yet federal protections have remained in place, creating unnecessary conflict in rural communities.

Bergman noted, “This bill recognizes what the U.P. has known for a long time – conservation works, recovery has succeeded, and it is time to move forward. Returning management to the states is the right move for Michigan, for rural America, and for the future of responsible conservation.”

In November, Rep. Bergman led 24 of his colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Director Brian Nesvik, calling on him to immediately delist the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and return management authority to states and tribes.

You can read the full release here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) today introduced a new bill to accelerate the implementation of drunk and impaired driving prevention technology in new vehicles. Building upon Dingell’s HALT Act, which was passed in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Deployment of Required Impairment Prevention Vehicle Equipment to Honor the Abbas Family Legacy to Terminate Drunk Driving Act, or DRIVE to HALT Drunk Driving Act, would establish new requirements for automakers to include passive drunk driving technology in new vehicles. 
 
“Drunk and impaired driving has brought so much pain to families and communities across the country, including the Abbas family of Northville, whose lives the HALT Act honors and remembers. We have the technology to prevent drunk driving and save lives, and it’s long past time we include this technology in all new vehicles,” Dingell said. “This legislation is another step toward making commonsense safety equipment standard in new vehicles, which would save thousands of lives every year. It’s been nearly 7 years since the Abbas family was tragically killed – we can’t delay any longer. Not one more family should have to suffer the loss of a loved one due to a drunk driver, and I will keep fighting until we get this done.”
 
“Congresswoman Dingell is a warrior for taking the lead to end the violent and deadly crime of drunk driving. She is once again paving the way to ensure that every car in America is equipped with lifesaving anti-drunk driving technology,” said Rana Abbas Taylor. “I’m beyond grateful for her tenacity and commitment to end this preventable crime in honor of my family.”
 
“The National Consumers League applauds the introduction of the DRIVE to HALT Drunk Driving Act, which is a critical step forward in protecting families on our roadways. The legislation will require major manufacturers to implement life-saving drunk and impaired driving prevention technology in tens of thousands of new vehicles annually,” said Sally Greenberg, CEO of the National Consumers League. “Based on NHTSA data, more than 12,000 deaths and nearly 400,000 serious injuries occurred in 2023 due to impaired driving. This proactive measure will undoubtedly save many lives and begin to address the tragic and preventable crisis of drunk driving.”
 
Specifically, the bill requires automakers to produce vehicles equipped with Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) and Euro NCAP-compliant driver monitoring systems, with updated Euro NCAP standards automatically incorporated unless deemed unsafe by NHTSA. It also provides NHTSA with civil penalty and recall authority for violations and clarifies that these provisions sunset once the HALT Act rule takes effect.
 
Dingell initially introduced the Honoring Abbas Family Legacy to Terminate (HALT) Drunk Driving Act in remembrance of the Abbas family of Michigan, who were senselessly killed by a drunk driver in January 2019. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

In keeping with Dingell tradition, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) today released the annual Dingell Jingle, to the tune of “The Christmas Song.”

Trade deals roasting on an open fire,

Tariffs biting as the cold wind blows

Watching all the chaos climbing higher

Where it’s heading, no one knows.

And we remember all the Elon sideshows,

No “art of the deal” tonight

“Affordability’s a hoax,” he touts, you know,

While Democrats dig in for the healthcare fight.

And you know who’s out there golfing all day,

Hoping news about those Epstein files might stay away

Court cases stacked and reaching to the sky

Someday we’ll wave a long goodbye.

And so I’m offering this simple phrase

Since we don’t know what 2026 will do

It should be said many times, many ways,

Take this holiday season to renew.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-06) and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), co-chairs of the Get The Lead Out Caucus, today led 43 of their House colleagues in sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins and Vice Chair Patty Murray requesting that the Senate oppose the repurposing of $250 million that was appropriated for FY2026 by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) for lead service line replacement.

“To urgently achieve the decade-long task of removing lead service lines once and for all, it is crucial that this funding be protected. Too often, our local communities do not have the resources and capacity to address this health risk without a more aggressive funding approach to this growing crisis,” the lawmakers wrote. “EPA data show there are millions of lead pipes still supplying drinking water in districts throughout all 50 states and territories. The wide distribution of lead service lines threatens the health and safety of our constituents, and especially our children who are particularly vulnerable to lead.” 

“While it has been estimated that removing all the nation’s lead service lines will require at least $45 billion, the benefits of removing these lead pipes and reducing the health impacts of lead in tap water far outweigh these costs. EPA found that the benefits of removing lead pipes and reducing lead levels in tap water exceed the costs by more than tenfold,” the lawmakers continued. “These benefits include protecting about a million infants from low birthweight-related complications, preventing thousands of children from suffering from ADHD, and avoiding 1,500 fatal heart attacks. Reducing lead levels in tap water also will reduce the damage to Americans’ kidneys and immune, reproductive, and nervous systems. A more comprehensive assessment by academic experts found that the total benefits of reducing lead levels in tap water are at least 35 times higher than the costs. Other independent analyses have confirmed that simply removing lead service lines will yield benefits of at least 14 times the costs over coming decades.”

“Ensuring that the full existing IIJA funding for removing lead service lines is retained will help keep us on track with the decades-long objective of ensuring that tens of millions of Americans’ tap water in every state in the union is protected,” the lawmakers concluded. “We therefore urge you to ensure that the IIJA funding for lead service line replacement is retained in full. Too many communities still lack access to safe drinking water and this increase in funding is needed to help ensure everyone has clean water.”

View the full text of the letter here.

The letter is signed by Representatives Paul D. Tonko, Robin L. Kelly, Troy A. Carter, Sr., Robert J. Menendez, Darren Soto, Greg Landsman, Haley M. Stevens, Ted W. Lieu, Kristen McDonald Rivet, Cleo Fields, LaMonica McIver, Summer L. Lee, André Carson, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Gwen S. Moore, John W. Mannion, Shri Thanedar, Eric Sorensen, Steve Cohen, Delia C. Ramirez, Dan Goldman, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Sara Jacobs, Julia Brownley, Derek T. Tran, Pramila Jayapal, Frederica S. Wilson, Maggie Goodlander, Seth Moulton, Dwight Evans, Nikki Budzinski, Gabe Amo, Donald S. Beyer Jr., Bennie G. Thompson, Jerrold Nadler, Mark Pocan, Maxine Waters, Grace Meng, Sarah McBride, Angie Craig, James P. McGovern, Marcy Kaptur, and Jesús G. “Chuy” García. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) received a letter from the University of Michigan in response to the December 11th letter she sent demanding they hold an urgent community forum in Ypsilanti Township to address questions about the Ypsilanti Data Center.

As data centers continue to move into communities across Michigan, including the 6th congressional district, Dingell will continue to insist that communities have a say about what is being built in their backyards. She will fight to ensure promises made to communities are upheld, including strong guarantees in these projects that the cost of utilities and water are not passed onto residential ratepayers, local water sources are protected, the environment is not harmed, and that potential noise issues are dealt with. These processes must be entirely transparent, and the concerns of the communities must be addressed and included in decision-making.

In the letter University of Michigan President Domenico Grasso writes:

“Thank you for your December 11 letter. The University of Michigan appreciates your engagement on behalf of your constituents, and I value your partnership as we work to address concerns and communicate clearly about the status of our high-performance computing facility project in partnership with the Los Alamos National Laboratory.”

Excerpts from the letter:

“From the outset, the university has committed to being good neighbors and community citizens and following a careful, transparent, and data-driven process. As we have shared previously, the project remains in the due diligence stage, and no final site selection has been made. We recognize that the absence of definitive technical details has contributed to community uncertainty, and as our evaluations proceed, we are committed to sharing accurate information as soon as it becomes available.”

“More broadly, we share your view that communities deserve clear, timely and accessible information. The issues you outlined–environmental impacts, first responder capacity, ratepayer impacts and the distinction between commercial data centers and federally supported research facilities–are important and deserve detailed explanation.”

“You are correct that communities across Southeast Michigan are facing uncertainty as data center related projects accelerate across the state. This broader context underscores the need for deliberative, evidence-based decision-making. While this project differs significantly from commercial data centers, we recognize that this distinction has not always been clear in public dialogue. We are committed to improving public understanding of this effort and its purpose.”

View the full text of the letter here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) today sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio requesting that the State Department address significant delays to visa appointments arising from expanded vetting requirements for H-1B visa applicants and their dependents.

“On December 3, 2025, the State Department announced it would expand the requirement that an online presence review be conducted for all H-1B applicants and their dependents, in addition to the students and exchange visitors already subject to this review,” Dingell wrote. “This change in policy comes as many families are traveling abroad for the holidays and have had visa appointments booked months ahead of time to align with their travel.”

“There is a serious issue arising throughout the country, including many families in my District whose visa appointments have been delayed multiple months and who are now stuck in limbo, unable to return home. In one case, the visa appointment was rescheduled less than 48 hours before the appointment was supposed to take place,” Dingell continued. “Their new appointment was scheduled for three months after the original appointment, with no consultation with the family. They had already traveled to reach their appointment and without the new visas they cannot get back to their lives in the United States. One of their children, who is an American citizen, will miss months of school if the family cannot move up their visa appointment. They are trapped abroad with no recourse. It is unacceptable their lives and many others are being upended by this sudden new review requirement.”

“Our children should not be the ones paying for these policy changes with their education. These families deserve clear answers from the State Department regarding the delays the new policy has created and an understanding of how and when they can return to their lives. They have jobs, homes, and friends that are expecting their timely return,” Dingell concluded. “The lack of clarity regarding how families in these situations can proceed is concerning. In light of these facts, I respectfully ask the Department to provide a detailed explanation of how the Department plans to address circumstances like that of the family in my District, to ensure they can return home in a timely manner. I also ask to be informed of the timeline for the new visa review process, including how long it is expected to take with the new online presence review, and what safeguards are being considered to prevent families from being left in limbo as they try to get back home to the United States.”

View the full text of the letter here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

House Approves Critical Reforms for American Energy Production and Infrastructure Projects

These key reforms will expedite infrastructure projects, unleash American energy production, and boost economic growth

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Ranking Member on the House Interior and Environment Subcommittee, condemned the White House’s announcement that the board of the Kennedy Center voted to rename the building the “Trump-Kennedy Center” and released the following statement: 

“The Kennedy Center is a national cultural institution established by Congress, and is statutorily named the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. No board vote or social media post from the White House Press Secretary has the legal authority to change that without an act of Congress.

Since Donald Trump took over the board and installed himself as Chair, he has worked to dismantle the Kennedy Center’s legacy and has effectively run it into the ground. Ticket sales have never been lower. Artists are staying away. At the same time, the Trump Administration has launched a series of unprecedented attacks on the National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Library of Congress—clawing back funding and going to outrageous lengths to eliminate personnel and exhibits that don’t adhere to their twisted version of history and culture.

The Kennedy Center is a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, who was a fierce champion of the arts and a believer in free expression. He would be appalled to see his legacy twisted into a propaganda vehicle for a president who has shown open hostility to artists and cultural institutions. That Trump has the gall to put his name before Kennedy’s is just another example of his profound egomania—and the ridiculous lengths he’s willing to go to fabricate his own legacy.

I will do everything in my power to stop this. Congress must assert its authority and conduct aggressive oversight. The Kennedy Center belongs to the American people, and its name and mission are not negotiable.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Calif.) reintroduced the Zero Food Waste Act, legislation that would create a new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant program to reduce food waste nationwide. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) reintroduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate. 

“Families are stretching every dollar right now, yet enormous amounts of perfectly good food are still being thrown away instead of reaching people who need it. The Zero Food Waste Act aims to fix that disconnect. Our bill tackles hunger and rising food costs head-on by helping communities recover surplus food, expand local nutrition programs, and build systems that make better use of the resources we already have,” said Congresswoman Pingree, co-founder of the Bipartisan Food Recovery Caucus. “Reducing waste also means cutting methane emissions from landfills and easing the environmental burden of producing food that never gets eaten. Our bill will strengthen local economies by creating jobs in food recovery, composting, and waste-reduction infrastructure and ultimately move us closer to meeting our national food waste reduction goals.”

“It is unacceptable that as food insecurity grows across our country, nearly half of all food produced in the U.S. goes to waste, costing consumers billions of dollars and fueling the climate crisis. This level of waste is especially troubling when so many families are struggling to put food on the table, and when food production and food waste are major drivers of greenhouse gas emissions. We can and must confront these two critical, interconnected challenges, and we must do so with urgency,” said Congresswoman Julia Brownley. “The Zero Food Waste Act will give local governments the tools they need to cut waste and build more sustainable, resilient food systems that better support families and strengthen our communities. I am also grateful to Senator Booker and Congresswoman Pingree for their partnership as we work to curb food waste, support those in need, and protect our environment for generations to come.”

“On top of already strained grocery budgets, food waste costs each American consumer around $700 per year. Nearly 40 million tons of food go to waste each year, which is a costly misuse of the significant resources that go into growing, transporting, buying, and preparing food, said Senator Booker. “The Zero Food Waste Act will create grants to make sure foods that otherwise would’ve needlessly gone to the landfill get eaten, upcycled into other products, or composted instead. We can keep more money in Americans’ pockets, simply by making sure the food we grow gets eaten or put to good use,” said Senator Cory Booker. 

“Congress has the ability to support significant food waste reduction efforts through the Zero Food Waste Act, which would create the first EPA grant program specifically intended to fund the planning, measurement, and implementation of food waste reduction projects. The $650 million authorized for the program under the Act will enable local, state, and tribal governments across the U.S. to operationalize the food waste solutions that make the most sense in their region. The Zero Food Waste Act is an important opportunity for Congress to take action on food security, economic development, and the environment,” said Emily Broad Leib, Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic.

Background

In the U.S., nearly half of all food produced is lost or wasted, which means an estimated $408 billion is spent on growing, processing, transporting, storing, and disposing of food that is never consumed. Landfills are now the third-largest source of methane in the U.S., and food is the single largest input by weight in our landfills and incinerators.

In 2015, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the EPA announced a goal of reducing the U.S.’s food waste by 50% by 2030. To achieve that goal, the federal government must increase its support for state and local efforts to eliminate food waste.

The Zero Food Waste Act would create a new EPA-administered grant program for state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, and for nonprofits, to support three types of grants: planning grants, measurement grants, and reduction grants. Planning grants could be used to investigate the kinds of food waste mitigation projects or policies that would be most impactful within a given community. Measurement grants could be used to better understand the amount of food waste generated in the state or community.

Reduction grants could be used to fund an assortment of different types of projects. For instance, food waste prevention projects could stop the generation of food waste. Recycling projects could reuse food waste as a feedstock for other non-food products, such as composting. Rescuing projects could redirect surplus food to places like food shelters. Upcycling projects could make new food from ingredients that would otherwise go to landfills. Additionally, localities could use the grant funding to implement food waste landfill disposal or incineration restrictions designed to stop food waste.

The Zero Food Waste Act is endorsed by The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), World Wildlife Fund, and ReFED.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

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