MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO-02)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement after she introduced the bipartisan Sex Trafficking Demand Reduction Act with Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (D-PA):

“One of the major ways to eliminate the power of the criminal networks that traffic victims worldwide is to disrupt the horrific demand fueling the international sex trade.  This is a global issue, and it requires a global response,” Rep. Wagner said. “The United States is the most powerful nation in the world, and we must use that power to bring accountability against foreign countries that do not take the necessary steps to extinguish sex trafficking and protect victims who need our help.”

“To eradicate the inhumane network of sex trafficking, we need a coordinated global effort,” Rep. Dean said. “Our bipartisan bill encourages other countries to establish and enforce anti-trafficking measures by strengthening the State Department’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) reports that assess which foreign partners are making a serious effort to eliminate the demand for commercial sex. I’m thankful to Congresswoman Wagner’s leadership on this effort to protect the dignity and humanity of every person.”

“Sex trafficking is fueled by demand, and no effort to end this global human rights crisis can succeed without actively addressing demand. The Sex Trafficking Demand Reduction Act recognizes that reducing the demand for commercial sex is one of the most critical and effective strategies for preventing exploitation, disrupting trafficking networks, and protecting vulnerable and marginalized individuals worldwide. By requiring the State Department’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report to evaluate whether countries are actively working to reduce demand, this legislation strengthens international accountability and advances a more comprehensive approach to eliminating sex trafficking.” – Helen Taylor, Vice President of Impact, Exodus Cry

“Demand is the engine that drives sex trafficking. The federal Sex Trafficking Demand Reduction Act recognizes a simple truth: we will never end exploitation if we continue to ignore those fueling the market. This legislation takes an essential survivor-centered approach by strengthening accountability for sex buyers and affirming that those being exploited should not bear the burden of a system fueled by profit and abuse. We urge Congress to pass this critical legislation and send a clear message that exploiting vulnerable people for commercial sex will no longer be tolerated.” – Becca Zipkin, Policy Director, World Without Exploitation

“Consumer level demand creates the market forces that sustain pimps, traffickers, and the entire system of prostitution. Sex buyers oxygenate this ecosystem of exploitation by turning human beings into commodities for purchase. A range of multilateral legal obligations and political commitments geared towards discouraging the demand that fosters sex trafficking are in existence and mandate action from the United States. The Sex Trafficking Demand Reduction Act is a vital step forward that holds sex buyers accountable, disrupts the profit propulsion of sex trafficking, and rejects the normalization of commercial sexual exploitation.” – Dr. Marcel van der Watt, President & CEO, National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE)

“Rights4Girls applauds Reps. Wagner, Dean and Foxx on the introduction of the Sex Trafficking Demand Reduction Act — a critical step toward recognizing that sex trafficking cannot be addressed without confronting the demand that fuels it. By ensuring the State Department’s TIP Report evaluates whether countries are taking meaningful action to curb sex buying and reduce exploitation, this bill strengthens global accountability and advances a more effective, survivor-centered approach to preventing trafficking.” – Yasmin Vafa, Executive Director, Rights4Girls

“We applaud the leadership of Rep. Ann Wagner, Rep. Madeleine Dean, and Rep. Virginia Foxx on the Sex Trafficking Demand Reduction Act. There is increasing recognition around the world, from governments to global survivor-led networks, that one of the most effective tools to combat sex trafficking and sexual exploitation is to end the demand for prostitution. Eliminating demand for the multi-billion dollar commercial sex market will dry up the immeasurable profits garnered from the pain and suffering traffickers extract from the most vulnerable among us. If we, as a nation, value human rights, this bill must pass.”  – Taina Bien-Aimé, Executive Director, Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW)

Background
As stated in a 2017 Report on the demand driving sex trafficking, “there is not a market for women in prostitution and a separate one for sex trafficking victims.”  Another study found empirical evidence showing “countries where prostitution is legal experience larger reported human trafficking inflows.” The United States has the tools to address this problem worldwide. Mandated by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, the State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP Report) is the U.S. government’s foundational analysis of each foreign nations’ efforts to eliminate human trafficking. All foreign nations are measured against certain criteria defined in statute and given a ranking from Tier 1 (best) to Tier 3 (worst). Tier 3 countries may be subject to restrictions on U.S. foreign aid.

The Sex Trafficking Demand Reduction Act would strengthen these criteria, changing the current requirement of making serious and sustained efforts to “reduce” demand for commercial sex, commonly known as prostitution, to whether or not a foreign nation has made serious and sustained efforts to:

1. Prohibit the purchase of commercial sex acts or implement a policy against the purchase of commercial sex acts.
2. Educate buyers of commercial sex on how traffickers exploit prostituted persons for human trafficking.
3. Reduce demand for participation in international sex tourism by nationals of that country.

Read the one-pager here.

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

Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) announced that three students she nominated have been accepted to U.S. Service Academies. Wallace “Wynn” Pooler of South China will attend the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y., while Isaiah Morgan of Cumberland Center and Cole Tomuschat of Scarborough will both attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.

“Earning acceptance to a U.S. Service Academy is an extraordinary achievement and a testament to a student’s scholarship, leadership, character, and commitment to service,” said Pingree. “Wallace, Isaiah, and Cole have each demonstrated a deep sense of duty and a clear desire to serve their country. I’m incredibly proud to have nominated them and thrilled to see them accepted to the Merchant Marine Academy and Naval Academy. I know they will represent Maine well, and I wish them every success as they begin this next chapter.”

“I have long been interested in serving my country in some way and was raised in a service-oriented family, with family members having served for many generations. Both my great-grandfathers served during World War II. My grandfather served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, and my father served as a U.S. Merchant Marine Officer after graduating from Maine Maritime Academy,” Wallace wrote in his nomination request. “I now wish to continue this legacy by attending the Merchant Marine Academy.”

“Growing up with a father who has served for over 30 years, and an aunt and uncle who both attended West Point, I have learned how this community is unique. Part of my patriotic duty is to give back to my country, following in their footsteps,” Isaiah wrote in his nomination request. “I want to be part of a service academy because it offers a unique combination of leadership development, academic rigor, and a path to a lifelong commitment to serving my country.”

“Some of my earliest memories are listening to my dad and grandpa tell stories of their service. My dad is a 20-year merchant marine, and Grandpa is a retired Master Gunnery Sergeant in the Marine Corps. They would tell of travels around the world, hardships, and victories. Even as a small boy, I knew I wanted to be like the men in my life; I wanted to serve my country and become a leader,” Cole wrote in his nomination request. “The U.S. Service Academies are the best places in the world to sharpen my intellect, leadership skills, and sense of morality to reach my goals.”

To be considered for an appointment to a service academy, applicants must be nominated by an authorized nominating source, which includes Members of Congress.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Michael Guest (MS-03)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Michael Guest (R-Miss) introduced a resolution in honor of Memorial Day. The resolution expresses that the House of Representatives “calls on the people of the United States to observe Memorial Day as a special day of remembrance to honor the men and women of the United States who died in the pursuit of freedom and peace.”

“We can never repay the debt we owe the men and women who gave their lives for our great nation, but we can remain committed to the values they fought and died for – values such as hard-work, determination, and truth. We must always remember that we are blessed to be citizens of this great republic, to live in a nation that was divinely inspired, and to call this land our home.”

Memorial Day has origin roots in Mississippi and other places across the United States. In 1866, four women took flowers to Friendship Cemetery in Columbus, Mississippi. They decorated the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers who had fallen in the Battle of Shiloh. This small act grew into an entire day dedicated to memorializing those who have died in the fight for freedom from the American War for Independence to the modern-day War on Terrorism.

On May 5, 1868, the Grand Army of the Republic, led by Major General John A. Logan, issued General Orders No. 11 or the “Memorial Day Act.” This Act formally established Memorial Day and called on the nation to place flowers on the graves of those who had given the ultimate sacrifice. Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day has been a part of the American tradition since the end of the Civil War.

Congressman Guest expresses his gratitude for all the men and women who have given their lives that our nation might endure. He points to President Ronald Reagan’s words: “Today is the day we put aside to remember fallen heroes and to pray that no heroes will ever have to die for us again. It’s a day of thanks for the valor of others, a day to remember the splendor of America and those of her children who rest [in cemeteries across our nation].”

The bipartisan resolution was cosponsored by over 40 Members of Congress at the time of introduction:

Barrett (MI-07), Babin (TX-36), Bilirakis (FL-09), Bice (OK-05), Bost (IL-12), Calvert (CA-41), Carter (GA-01), Carter (LA-02), Carter (TX-31), Ciscomani (AZ-06), Davis (NC-01), Dingell (MI-12), Donalds (FL-19), Escobar (TX-16), Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Garbarino (NY-02), Gottheimer (NJ-05), Harrigan (NC-10), Hunt (TX-38), Jackson (TX-13), Joyce (OH-14), Kim (CA-40), Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), LaLota (NY-01), Lawler (NY-17), Lee (NV-03), Mann (KS-01), Mast (FL-21), McCaul (TX-10), McGuire (VA-05), Messmer (IN-08), Mills (FL-07), Moolenaar (MI-02), Moore (AL-01), Moore (NC-14), Moylan (GU-AL), Pfluger (TX-11), Riley (NY-19), Rulli (OH-06), Scott (GA-08), Sessions (TX-17), Simpson (ID-02), Sorensen (IL-17), Strickland (WA-10), Thompson (PA-15), Turner (OH-10), Wagner (MO-02), Walberg (MI-05)

Congressman Michael Guest represents Mississippi’s Third Congressional District. Currently serving his fourth term, Congressman Guest is the Chairman of the Border Security and Enforcement Subcommittee of the Committee on Homeland Security and is also a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee (HVAC) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, was the third member to sign a discharge petition for the Major Richard Star Act. This legislation currently has 330 cosponsors and would end the “wounded veteran tax”, or the offset that keeps medically retired veterans from receiving their full Department of Defense retirement pay and their full Veterans Affairs disability pay. The discharge petition was filed by House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (CA-39) and Congressman Raul Ruiz (CA-25).

“The bipartisan Major Richard Star Act corrects a gross injustice for thousands of combat-injured veterans who are seeing their benefits drastically reduced,” said Congressman Pappas. “The bill has more than 300 bipartisan cosponsors but has not been brought to a vote on the floor. That can change if a majority of House members sign this discharge petition. We must use every tool possible to ensure our nation’s heroes receive the full benefits they earned.”

“For years, veterans have been expressing the urgent need to end the ‘wounded veteran tax’. We’ve heard them loud and clear. Their number one priority is our priority. We must pass the Major Richard Star Act,” said Ranking Member Takano. “Paying the full cost of war shouldn’t be partisan; it’s the right thing to do. It is time for us to act.”

“After serving and sacrificing for our nation, too many veterans face unnecessary roadblocks in receiving the benefits they need, have earned, and deserve. The Major Richard Star Act would repeal the unjust law that stands in the way of veterans receiving the military retirement pay and service-connected disability compensation that they have rightfully earned. These are not two sides of the same coin, they are two separate promises our country made to its warriors, and it is long past time we correct this. That is why we are filing this discharge petition today: Congress must act,” said Congressman Ruiz.

The Major Richard Star Act is supported by Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled American Veterans, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and a number of other Veterans Service Organizations.

Pappas has been a cosponsor of the Major Richard Star Act every Congress since being elected in 2019.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)

Today, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) announced members of his staff will host Community Office Hours across Georgia’s 12th District during the month of June.

During these events, members of Congressman Allen’s staff will be available to assist constituents with a variety of federal issues, including help navigating various federal agencies such as FEMA, Social Security, Veterans Affairs, Medicare, and others. Community Office Hours are a quarterly resource provided by Congressman Allen’s staff designed to serve constituents closer to home. Congressman Allen himself will not be in attendance.

After the announcement, Congressman Allen issued the following statement:

“I invite anyone seeking help with a federal issue to take advantage of the one-on-one services my office provides. If you need assistance dealing with a federal agency, our dedicated caseworkers stand ready to help you. Please visit my team during Community Office Hours in June or contact one of our district offices for more information.”

See below for a list of Community Office Hours dates, times, and locations by county (excluding counties in which Congressman Allen has a permanent office):

Burke County

WHEN: Tuesday, June 9th from 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

WHERE: County Commission Boardroom, Burke County Courthouse

111 E. 6th Street

Waynesboro, GA 30830

Candler County

WHEN: Tuesday, June 9th from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

WHERE: Metter City Hall

49 S. Rountree Street

Metter, GA 30439

Columbia County

WHEN: Wednesday, June 10th from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM

WHERE: Grovetown City Hall

103 Old Wrightsboro Road

Grovetown, GA 30813

Effingham County

WHEN: Thursday, June 18th from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

WHERE: Effingham County Board of Commissioners Office

804 S. Laurel Street, Suite 200

Springfield, GA 31329

Emanuel County

WHEN: Wednesday, June 10th from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

WHERE: Swainsboro-Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce

102 S. Main Street

Swainsboro, GA 30401

Evans County

WHEN: Tuesday, June 9th from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

WHERE: Strickland Center for the Arts

707 W. Main Street

Claxton, Georgia 30417

Glascock County

WHEN: Tuesday, June 9th from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM

WHERE: Family Connections & Communities in School

370 W. Main Street

Gibson, GA 30810

Jefferson County

WHEN: Tuesday, June 9th from 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

WHERE: Community Club House

101 McNair Street

Wrens, GA 30833

Jenkins County

WHEN: Wednesday, June 10th from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

WHERE: Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce

548 Cotton Avenue

Millen, GA 30442

Johnson County

WHEN: Monday, June 15th from 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

WHERE: Wrightsville City Hall

8647 S. Marcus Street

Wrightsville, GA 31096

Lincoln County

WHEN: Wednesday, June 10th from 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

WHERE: Lincoln County Courthouse

210 Humphrey Street

Lincolnton, GA 30817

McDuffie County

WHEN: Tuesday, June 16th from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

WHERE: Thomson-McDuffie Administrative Building

210 Railroad Street

Thomson, GA 30824

Montgomery County

WHEN: Monday, June 8th from 10:45 AM – 12:15 PM

WHERE: Montgomery County Courthouse

400 S. Railroad Avenue

Mount Vernon, GA 30445

Screven County

WHEN: Wednesday, June 17th from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

WHERE: Screven County Courthouse, Commission Boardroom

216 Mims Road

Sylvania, GA 30467

Tattnall County

WHEN: Monday, June 8th from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

WHERE: Glennville Welcome Center/Chamber of Commerce

136 S. Veterans Boulevard

Glennville, GA 30427

Treutlen County

WHEN: Monday, June 8th from 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

WHERE: Treutlen County Commissioners Office

1830 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive

Soperton, GA 30457

Warren County

WHEN: Tuesday, June 16th from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

WHERE: Warren County Chamber of Commerce

46 Norwood Street

Warrenton, GA 30828

Washington County

WHEN: Tuesday, June 16th from 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

WHERE: Community Health Care System

220 Morningside Drive

Sandersville, GA 31082

Wheeler County

WHEN: Monday, June 8th from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

WHERE: Alamo City Hall

7 W. Main Street

Alamo, GA 30411

Wilkes County

WHEN: Wednesday, June 10th from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

WHERE: Washington-Wilkes Chamber of Commerce

22B West Square

Washington, GA 30673

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

Dingell Statement on the Michigan Medicine and BCBS Contract Agreement

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

U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Rich McCormick (R-GA-07) requested the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reconsider its policy on screening human tissue donors for sepsis. In a letter to Kyle A. Diamantas, Acting Commissioner of the FDA, Representatives Dingell and McCormick asked that the FDA consider adopting the approach of screening for systemic infection, rather than sepsis diagnosis, before finalizing the draft guidance document “Recommendations to Reduce the Risk of Transmission of Disease Agents Associated with Sepsis by Human Cells, Tissues, and Cellular and Tissue-Based Products (HCT/Ps)” (“sepsis guidance”).

A copy of the letter can be found HERE and text is below:

Dear Acting Commissioner Diamantas:

We write today regarding the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) policy on screening human tissue donors for sepsis. We share the agency’s goal of reducing infectious disease transmission via contaminated human cells, tissues, and cellular or tissue-based products (HCT/Ps), as evidenced by the House of Representatives passage of H.R. 1082, the Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Product Safety Act last year. As we continue to meet with experts and constituents in this field, we have heard that screening for systemic infection (meaning evidence of an active, disseminated infection with potential for communicable disease transmission), rather than a sepsis diagnosis, may be a more effective strategy for mitigating disease transmission. We therefore ask that the FDA consider adopting this approach prior to finalizing the draft guidance document “Recommendations to Reduce the Risk of Transmission of Disease Agents Associated with Sepsis by Human Cells, Tissues, and Cellular and Tissue-Based Products (HCT/Ps)” (“sepsis guidance”). Assessment for systemic infection, rather than sepsis, aligns FDA’s goal of reducing communicable disease transmission by targeting actual infection risk.

When the FDA finalized its most recent guidance on donor eligibility (DE), in 2007, it was reasonable to classify sepsis as a relevant communicable disease agent or disease (RCDAD) as a surrogate measure for infection risk. However, given the evolution of “sepsis” in clinical practice since the 2007 DE guidance, a sepsis diagnosis is not a scientifically valid surrogate for communicable disease risk in tissue donation. As detailed below, reliance on sepsis as a surrogate may both unnecessarily exclude otherwise eligible donors and potentially fail to identify donors with true potential for disease transmission.

A primary concern is that multiple sepsis definitions remain in use, and experts continue to disagree on how the term should be applied in clinical practice as it relates to the presence of an infection. A sepsis diagnosis in a potential donor’s medical record may reflect an infection that warrants exclusion under donor eligibility criteria, or it may simply indicate a condition that requires additional clinical assessment. Some infections, even those that could contribute to a sepsis diagnosis (such as a urinary tract infection), are easy to treat and should not in and of themselves be disqualifying for potential tissue donors. Absent careful, case-specific evaluation, such an approach would seem to unnecessarily disqualify otherwise eligible donors. A study conducted by the American Association of Tissue Banks suggests categorical exclusion based on a prior sepsis diagnosis could result in an approximately 25 percent reduction in tissue donors, which will most likely have an adverse effect on the availability of tissue products for patients in need.

An additional concern is that sepsis does not seem to meet the three conditions provided by FDA to qualify as an RCDAD (i.e., risk of transmission, severity of effect, and availability of 

appropriate screening measures or tests). In particular, sepsis is not itself a transmissible disease and may not even be the result of an infectious disease. In cases where sepsis is the result of an infection, that infection may or may not pose a risk of transmission to a tissue recipient. In short, the designation of sepsis as an RCDAD conflates clinical severity with communicable disease risk and incentivizes formulaic decision-making that is not reflective of the true risk of disease transmission. By contrast, designating systemic infection as an RCDAD—rather than relying on the presence or absence of a sepsis diagnosis—could more consistently identify potential donors who present a meaningful risk of infectious disease transmission, particularly those with objective evidence of systemic infection but that were not septic and had no mention of sepsis in their medical record.

We appreciate your continued commitment to ensuring the highest standards of safety and oversight for HCT/Ps and to minimizing the risk of infectious disease transmission. We stand ready to work with you on these issues, and we encourage you to consult with stakeholders and experts in this area as you consider an appropriate path forward.

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

U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) reintroduced the Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) for Survivors Act to promote the safety and security of survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, gender-based violence, and stalking. The legislation would allow survivors to take time off from work without fear of penalty, requires that employers provide reasonable accommodations to assist survivors dealing with the aftermath of violence, provides access to unemployment benefits, and establishes insurance discrimination protections to support survivors–ensuring they are not punished for their abusers’ crimes.

“When we talk about domestic violence, we must recognize how many survivors are financially tied to their abuser, which ends up being a significant reason they stay with an abusive partner,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “Survivors have unique needs in their journey to safety and economic independence, and this bill will support their ability to provide for their families.”

Highlights of the SAFE for Survivors Act include:

Increases Access to Leave

• The SAFE for Survivors Act allows survivors to take time off from work—five weeks of leave, two weeks of which must be paid—without penalty in order to contend with the consequences of gender-based violence, including attending court appearances, seeking legal assistance, and getting help with safety planning. For too many, access to these essential services can mean the difference between life and death.

Provides access to unemployment benefits

• The SAFE for Survivors Act allows survivors in every state access to unemployment benefits if they are fired or forced to leave their job because of abuse.

Enhances workplace protections

• The SAFE for Survivors Act prohibits discriminatory employment practices in connection with survivors of domestic or sexual violence and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to assist survivors dealing with the aftermath of violence.

Provides Insurance Protections to Support Survivors

• The SAFE for Survivors Act prohibits denial or restriction of insurance coverage based on the status of the applicant or insured regarding abuse or abuse related claims, ensuring that survivors are not punished for their abusers’ crimes.

“Survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault should not be forced to choose between their health and safety and their paycheck,” said Senator Murray. “But right now, too many survivors, who often need to put significant time, energy, and financial resources into leaving their abusers, can’t afford to miss a day of work—this is heartbreaking and wrong. We must do everything we can to change this unjust reality—because survivors deserve some basic financial security to give them the flexibility to leave a dangerous situation. The SAFE for Survivors Act would take a huge step toward ensuring no one is stuck between worrying for their safety and making ends meet.”

In addition to Congresswoman Dingell, the legislation is co-led in the House by Representative Gwen Moore (D-WI-04).

“I know what it’s like to flee an abuser. In a life-or-death situation, no survivor should have to worry about money or a job. We need the SAFE for Survivors Act so that survivors can have economic protections they need as they work to rebuild their lives,” said Congresswoman Moore.

Gender-based violence is prevalent in the United States, with almost 1 in 4 women experiencing physical violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime, and more than 1 in 5 women reporting an attempted or completed rape during their lifetime. Individuals who experience intimate partner violence, sexual assault, gender-based violence, and stalking often find that abuse and threats follow them from home into the workplace. This type of violence has direct consequences for survivors’ safety and economic security, which can affect their ability to recover, provide for their families, and remove themselves from dangerous situations.

The legislation is endorsed by National Partnership for Women amp; Families, The National Domestic Violence Hotline, Just Solutions, Legal Momentum, Center for American Progress, Futures Without Violence, A Better Balance, Women’s Center amp; Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, Jewish Women International, Center for Survivor Agency and Justice, Legal Voice, Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Congresswoman Dingell last introduced this bill in 2024 alongside Senator Murray and Congresswoman Moore. Since entering the House of Representatives, Congresswoman Dingell has been a champion of policies supporting domestic violence and sexual assault survivors, including the Take It Down Act, Justice in Sentencing for Survivors Act, Safe Vehicle Access for Survivors Act, and Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act. Congresswoman Dingell also serves as co-chair of the Bipartisan Working Group to End Domestic Violence.

The full text of the legislation is HERE.

A one pager is HERE.

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

U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) led 26 of her colleagues in requesting the Trump Administration to redesignate Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) because of ongoing civil unrest and armed conflict in the country. The initial 18-month protected status designation is set to expire on Wednesday, May 27. In a letter to the heads of the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State, the lawmakers stressed that the United States must extend TPS for Lebanon and continue providing refuge to Lebanese nationals escaping crisis. 

“The United States has long offered refuge to those seeking shelter from catastrophe. The ongoing unrest in the Middle East and the complex crisis in Lebanon provide an imperative to honor this commitment and support Lebanese nationals in their time of need. As such, we urge the administration to redesignate and extend TPS for Lebanese nationals before its scheduled expiration on May 27, 2026,” the lawmakers wrote.

In addition to Congresswoman Dingell, the effort is supported by U.S. Representatives Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI-08), Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05), Jim McGovern (D-MA-02), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-AL), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Jesus Garcia (D-IL-04), Greg Casar (D-TX-35), Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20), Andre Carson (D-IN-07), Stephen Lynch (D-MA-08), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Hank Johnson (D-GA-04), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07), Deborah Ross (D-NC-02), Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO-05), Maxine Dexter (D-OR-03).

A copy of the letter can be found HERE and text is below:

Dear Secretary Mullin and Secretary Rubio:

This letter respectfully requests the Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Department of State, to redesignate Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). We urge you to continue to protect Lebanese nationals who are currently in the United States and permit those affected by the ongoing crises in Lebanon to continue to find safe haven in our country by extending the initial 18-month TPS designation scheduled to expire on May 27, 2026.

The situation in Lebanon remains unstable and the conditions needed for safe and dignified return for TPS-holders are not yet in place. The country is experiencing continued civil unrest and an escalating armed conflict that has extended from the country’s Southern Border to the Bekaa Valley and Southern Suburbs of Beirut, posing significant threat to civilian safety. The conflict has caused more than 1 million people, or 20 percent of the country’s population, to flee from the south to other regions of the country where they are living as Internally Displaced Persons. Missile strikes have occurred regularly throughout the past two months, killing numerous civilians and worsening the humanitarian crisis. This armed conflict and foreign intervention continue to generate significant instability and dangerous conditions for civilians.

In addition, to the security concerns, Lebanon’s socioeconomic conditions remain strained. The country is still recovering from a prolonged three-year stalemate that has impacted governance, economic stability, and public services. While there have been signs of progress, essential systems continue to struggle as a result of the ongoing crises.

The United States has long offered refuge to those seeking shelter from catastrophe. The ongoing unrest in the Middle East and the complex crisis in Lebanon provide an imperative to honor this commitment and support Lebanese nationals in their time of need. As such, we urge the administration to redesignate and extend TPS for Lebanese nationals before its scheduled expiration on May 27, 2026.

We appreciate your consideration of this request and look forward to your response.

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

U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) is demanding answers from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on the despicable conditions at the Sycamore Meadows apartment complex in Superior Township. The HUD-funded apartment complex is facing scrutiny due to neglectful property management, inadequate maintenance services, and unhealthy and unlivable conditions.

In a new letter to HUD Secretary Scott Turner, Congresswoman Dingell is raising concerns over prolonged periods without functioning furnaces during the winter months, recurring sewage backups and flooding, foul odors, rodent and insect infestations requiring tenants to cover vents, black mold, holes in ceilings, and ongoing drainage and plumbing issues.

“The residents of Sycamore Meadows deserve a safe, healthy environment to live in, along with management that both cares about and responds to their needs quickly. Residents should not have to report issues like mold growth or flooding multiple times to even get a response from property management, and HUD needs to step in when that is the case. These properties must continue to ensure that the needs of their tenants are adequately addressed in an efficient manner, and processes to address issues are resolved through a fair, timely, and transparent process. It is HUD’s responsibility to ensure that these properties meet these standards,”said Congresswoman Dingell. 

Congresswoman Dingell is demanding immediate action and answers to a series of questions from HUD, including asking for the Secretary’s timeline for addressing the living conditions facing residents at Sycamore Meadows.

A copy of the letter can be found HERE and text is below:

Dear Secretary Turner:

This letter is regarding the Sycamore Meadows apartment complex in Superior Township. The Township Supervisor, board members, county officials, and legal aid groups have shared deeply concerning reports regarding its management and the conditions facing residents at the complex and have asked me to intervene. Reports include neglectful management, inadequate

maintenance services, and unhealthy, unlivable conditions. Sycamore Meadows is a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) subsidized property and is therefore subject to stringent oversight by the Department to ensure it provides quality, affordable rental housing to tenants.

In 2021, the property was sold to a group that was subsequently convicted of mortgage fraud and ultimately defaulted on their Fannie Mae mortgage. Fannie Mae foreclosed on the property and petitioned the Washtenaw Circuit Court to appoint Tarantino, a Texas company, as a receiver of the property. Tarantino began managing the property in early 2025, in a manner that can only be described as despicable and unacceptable.

At least one building is experiencing persistent sewage backups and flooding severe enough to force residents to vacate the property, and the township to temporarily house them. Residents

have also reported prolonged periods without functioning furnaces during the winter months, recurring sewage backups and flooding, foul odors, rodent and insect infestations requiring tenants to cover vents, black mold, holes in ceilings, and ongoing drainage and plumbing issues.

Additionally, utility vouchers have not been processed in a timely manner, and residents have reportedly faced threats from DTE to shut off power, including during the winter. In many instances, management has allegedly responded that nothing could be done to address these conditions. These living conditions are dangerous and inhumane, and HUD must act immediately.

Local and county officials, as well as legal services, have attempted to intervene and assist by raising the issue with Tarantino, but they have been unresponsive and unwilling to address these issues.

Given the seriousness of these allegations, I am requesting HUD take immediate action to address the conditions at this property. To better understand HUD’s oversight of Sycamore Meadows and the standards and processes HUD uses to evaluate habitability and living conditions, please respond to the following questions no later than Monday, June 1, 2026:

1. What is your timeline for addressing the living conditions facing residents at Sycamore Meadows?

2. What are HUD’s current determinations on the living conditions of the property, and how often are these properties evaluated? Through what process are these determinations made, and what criteria contribute to these determinations?

3. What official at HUD is responsible for the oversight of this housing complex, and when is the last time they have engaged with the Township to discuss the status of the complex?

4. What proportion of units are inspected during evaluations, and is this cross-section of the complex the same units across multiple inspections, or is it a random sample each inspection?

5. How many buildings in the complex are facing sewage backups? What protocols are in place for HUD to address situations like this?

6. What actions has HUD undertaken to ensure the continued quality of life and dignity of Sycamore Meadows Tenants? Furthermore, what steps is HUD taking to ensure Sycamore Meadows has policies, procedures, staffing, and training in place to provide adequate maintenance and transparency for tenants?

7. Through what process can tenants raise concerns over continued failures to address maintenance issues, living conditions, and appeal procedures to HUD and property management?

8. What processes are in place for HUD to determine when a property manager has been neglectful and failed to meet HUD standards for affordable housing? What action is taken when that determination is made and how can the process be improved to respond to complaints in a timely manner?

The residents of Sycamore Meadows deserve a safe, healthy environment to live in, along with management that both cares about and responds to their needs quickly. Residents should not have to report issues like mold growth or flooding multiple times to even get a response from property management, and HUD needs to step in when that is the case. These properties must continue to ensure that the needs of their tenants are adequately addressed in an efficient manner, and processes to address issues are resolved through a fair, timely, and transparent process. It is HUD’s responsibility to ensure that these properties meet these standards.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.