Rashida Tlaib

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, the 12th Congressional District of Michigan recognizes the opening of the MaryAnn Wright Animal Adoption and Education Center in Dearborn. The center is a new facility that belongs to the Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit, a nonprofit animal shelter that provides invaluable services to our community and our beloved animals. Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit has extended their animal rescue, adoption, and education services over the past 27 years to serve people and animals within and beyond the Detroit Metropolitan Area. We extend our deepest gratitude to the staff and volunteers who make the MaryAnn Wright Animal Adoption and Education Center work every day. Our district and community recognize the crucial services the MaryAnn Wright Adoption and Education Center delivers. We will see the impact of their contributions for generations to come, and we, alongside our animals, will continue to acknowledge their selfless dedication. I congratulate them on this momentous occasion.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, the 12th Congressional District recognizes and honors Richard LeBlanc on his extraordinary 33-year career in public service and on his recent retirement as the City of Westland's City Clerk. Mr. LeBlanc's steadfast dedication to community and service to our residents has spanned five elected offices, from his start on the Wayne-Westland Board of Education to the Michigan House of Representatives, and most recently, as Westland City Clerk. At every step, LeBlanc was known as a hard worker and accessible leader, focused on making our government work for everyday families. He modernized the Clerk's Office, expanded access to civic participation, and mentored countless public servants along the way, shaping the lives and careers of young leaders. He is proud of his strong roots and service to the Western Wayne community. I have seen his commitment firsthand. His retirement marks our district's appreciation for his service to our families. His recent heartfelt tribute from city officials and the presentation of a key to the city is a symbol of how deeply he shaped Westland's civic life and communities. While Richard LeBlanc's formal legislative work has ended, his legacy of service and integrity will continue to inspire our community for generations to come.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I proudly honor the accomplishments and community dedication of Dr. Hesham Alalusi on his 81st birthday. We recognize his service as a distinguished engineer, educator, and humanitarian work at home and abroad. He is proud of his roots and being born in Baghdad, Iraq. Dr. Alalusi was orphaned as a teen, and even under enormous challenges, he earned a PhD in civil and structural engineering from UC Berkeley and went on to shape Iraq's infrastructure and engineering future before political unrest led him to resettle in the U.S. Dr. Alalusi's most enduring contribution, however, lies in the founding of the Alalusi Foundation, which has delivered over 830 million in humanitarian aid to orphans, widows, and families in Iraq, Syria, and Palestine, for medical assistance, food security, and access to clean water. He has been married to his lovely wife, Diana, for 58 years, and has two children and six grandchildren. Dr. Alalusi's life exemplifies resilience, generosity, and global compassion, and I am proud to uplift his remarkable legacy on his 81st birthday.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, the 12th Congressional District recognizes Arlene Byczek, a beloved resident of the Warrendale neighborhood in Detroit, for her decades of unwavering service to our community. Originally from New Jersey, Arlene moved to Michigan to earn her nursing degree from Henry Ford College and settled in Warrendale with her husband, Richard, in 1975. She dedicated nearly 20 years as a parish treasurer at Sacred Heart of Jesus and continued her community involvement at Ss. Peter and Paul parish, helping with school fundraisers, Scout Troop committee, and serving as a basketball coach. Arlene played a vital role in local organizing as a founding member of the WaSaTi Block Club and a longtime member of the Warrendale Business Association and Warrendale Community Organization. Most in the community know her as ``the Bike Lady,'' whose daily rides symbolize her deep love and constant care for her neighbors. Warrendale is better because of her. The 12th Congressional District celebrates Arlene Byczek for her service to the community and our district. We send Arlene Byczek and her family our best wishes.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, today, the 12th Congressional District recognizes the life and contributions of remarkable resident Lizzie Toles, as she turns 100 years old. We congratulate her on decades of community work that has had a lasting impact on our community. Lizzie's roots started in Mississippi, where she was born. She moved to Detroit in 1952, eager to work and make our communities a better place. When she worked at a local nursing home, people always loved her smile and conversations that brought so much warmth and comfort to every person she met. Mother Lizzie has three children--James, Patricia, and Jerry--and has five grandchildren and several great- grandchildren. Apart from her career and family, Lizzie has remained an active member of the community through her participation in water aerobics, bowling, and the Derrick Memorial Missionary Baptist Church. She loves her garden, and her home is surrounded by beautiful flowers, which reflect her love for nature. Join me in celebrating Ms. Lizzie on 100 years of life.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, The 12th Congressional District recognizes and honors Battalion Chief Ryan Phipps of the Dearborn Fire Department for over 27 years of dedicated service to the people of Dearborn, Michigan. Since beginning his career on April 28, 1998, Battalion Chief Phipps has served with honor, rising through the ranks from Firefighter to Battalion Chief and earning over 30 departmental awards and commendations for bravery, leadership, and community service. A two-time cancer survivor, Battalion Chief Phipps has shown extraordinary strength and resilience both in uniform and in life. His commitment extends beyond the station; as Vice President of Neighbors United, he has worked to support firefighters facing cancer. A proud father of four, including his stepson, and a mentor to future firefighters, Battalion Chief Phipps exemplifies the heart of public service. I thank him for his decades of sacrifice and leadership and wish him well in his retirement.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, today the 12th Congressional District proudly recognizes Staff Sergeant Essie Dell O'Bryant Woods, a lifelong Detroiter and courageous member of the historic 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. Known as the ``Six Triple Eight,'' this all-Black, all women unit served under grueling conditions during World War II, sorting over 65,000 pieces of mail per shift to boost troop morale across Europe. Despite facing racism and poor living conditions, Staff Sergeant Woods and her battalion cleared a six-month mail backlog in just three months. She earned numerous medals for her service and continued supporting fellow veterans for over 35 years, co-founding the National Association of Black Military Women and the Wolverine Chapter of the WAC Veterans Association. Sergeant Essie Dell O'Bryant Woods' induction into the Michigan Military and Veterans Hall of Honor is a powerful reminder of her legacy and the trailblazing bravery of the 6888th.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, today, I want to recognize Caribbean American Heritage Month, and celebrate the culture, contributions, and history of Caribbean Americans in Michigan's 12th Congressional District and across our Nation. National Caribbean American Heritage Month, first recognized in 2005, was established after years of global efforts to spotlight Caribbean Americans' vibrant culture and contributions to our country. Caribbean Community Services, a nonprofit organization based in Detroit, Michigan, has done an outstanding job of uplifting Caribbean history. Through their engaging events, they celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Caribbean and its significant impact on our southeastern Michigan communities. I am incredibly proud of the important work Caribbean Social Services undertakes to foster diverse and welcoming communities. I especially want to highlight their leadership in ensuring these contributions are recognized and valued as we celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month. Please join me in recognizing National Caribbean American Heritage Month and the contributions of Caribbean Americans across our Nation and the 12th Congressional District.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, today, the 12th Congressional District honors the life and legacy of Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman, a tireless champion for the people of Detroit and Wayne County. From the Detroit Board of Education to the Michigan Legislature, the NAACP, and the Wayne County Commission, Irma dedicated over six decades to public service and uplifting her community. She was a fierce advocate for children, seniors, and working families, always centering justice, equity, and compassion in her work. Commissioner Clark-Coleman was the first in her family to graduate college, blazing trails for Black women in leadership. Whether serving holiday meals to our community, helping others, or advancing housing justice, she did so with unmatched grace and conviction. Her legacy will live on in every life she touched. My deepest condolences go out to her family, including her husband, Rev. Ron D. Coleman. Sr., her two children, her grandchildren, and her loved ones. We mourn her passing, celebrate her 88 years of life, and remember her deep commitment to public service. May her memory continue to guide us toward a more just and loving future.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, today, I want to recognize Mother Regina Rose Edwards on her 90th birthday. We honor her life of dedication to service, mentorship, and spiritual leadership in Michigan's 12th Congressional District. Mother Edwards served her community in the Michigan Southwest First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ through three successive administrations as Jurisdictional Supervisor of Women for the Michigan Southwest First. In her role, she has exemplified strength, leadership and a spirit of generosity. Through her position, she has transformed lives across generations, building bridges between tradition and progress to serve a legacy grounded in love, justice, and faith. The 12th Congressional District honors Mother Edwards for her commitment to faith and service in celebration of her 90th birthday. I thank her for her lifetime of wisdom, guidance and her remarkable influence on our community and district.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I was not present during votes on Monday, July 21, 2025. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call 213, and YEA on Roll Call No. 214.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, disastrous floods, horrific floods are devastating the lives of our residents in southeast Michigan and across the Nation. The dangers don't stop when the flooding ends. Too many of our families are denied FEMA assistance because current rules and policies don't cover repairs and reconstruction for most basements where floods are the most destructive. Without Federal assistance, Mr. Speaker, they are forced to live in extremely unsafe conditions, being exposed to serious health risks like mold and mildew and moisture damage. One of my residents, a 90-year-old woman, had no hot water, a broken furnace, and toxic mold in her basement. There are people recovering from disasters, and many of them are on a fixed income. They are seniors who cannot afford the thousands of dollars in repairs to their basement. That is why I am proud to introduce the Fix Our Flooded Basements Act to make sure that Federal disaster assistance finally covers those costs. We must make this change so that our residents, our constituents, live in a safe home after a flood. They need to be able to rebuild their lives from these disastrous floods.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. That is right, Mr. Speaker. There is a lack of urgency, and we need to move with urgency because a nuclear war cannot be won and would have catastrophic human consequences. One warhead--one--has the power to wipe out an entire city. A full- scale nuclear war would devastate life as we know it. Mr. Speaker, 80 years ago, the horrific U.S. bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki caused unimaginable death and immense human suffering, and survivors to this day face long-term health issues and radiation poisoning. So 80 years after these atrocities, we must, as a Chamber, recommit our efforts to finally achieving the complete and total abolition of nuclear weapons worldwide. We must ensure these war crimes are never repeated anywhere. Nuclear weapons are tools of death and destruction. They cannot be used without disastrous consequences that violate international law and our shared humanity. The White House and Congress need to immediately work to negotiate new constraints to cap and reduce nuclear arsenals, especially with Russia and China. We must do everything in our power to prevent an unrestrained nuclear arms race. It is absolutely terrifying that in the United States the President has the power to unilaterally decide to launch a nuclear weapon. Think about that for one moment, Mr. Speaker. The use of just a fraction of the nuclear weapons we possess, most of which are ready to launch within minutes of an order from any President, including the current one, would lead to mass destruction of unprecedented global scale. Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle should back commonsense efforts to prioritize nuclear disarmament and adopt measures to reduce the risk of nuclear war. We must continue to work toward international agreements, Mr. Speaker, with all nine countries that possess nuclear weapons through comprehensive nuclear test ban treaties, as well as the treaty on prohibiting a nuclear weapon. Again, we must come together. I cannot say this enough: The devastation and the consequences of any nuclear launch could be, again, life-changing around the world. We must continue to strive for a world free from the threat of nuclear war. I cannot thank enough my colleague, Mr. McGovern, as he commits to banning nuclear weapons and, again, tries to save us from any kind of life-changing devastation to our world.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, Republicans rammed through Trumps' big budget betrayal with the largest cut to healthcare in American history. It will cut Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act by over $1.1 trillion. In Michigan, in my State alone, over 450,000 people are now at risk of losing their healthcare coverage, including children, seniors, and people with disabilities in our district. These cuts will also impact EMS and ambulance services across our Nation. This budget will shrink the funds available to these departments and make it impossible for them to keep operating. The impact will also be felt in rural areas where hospitals and community health centers will close because they rely heavily on Medicaid reimbursements. We all know we have sick care in our country, and Medicaid is the only Band-aid right now to keep it all together. This bill is a death sentence, and over 50,000 people will die as a result of it. Madam Speaker, you will see. Republicans gave away trillions of dollars to the richest people on the planet and are letting our children and seniors die from the lack of healthcare coverage. They should be ashamed.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, the 12th Congressional District recognizes and honors Richard LeBlanc for his extraordinary 33-year career in public service and on his recent retirement as the City of Westland's City Clerk. Mr. LeBlanc's steadfast dedication to community and service to our residents has spanned five elected offices, from his start on the Wayne-Westland Board of Education to the Michigan House of Representatives, and most recently, as Westland City Clerk. At every step, LeBlanc was known as a hard worker and accessible leader, focused on making our government work for everyday families. He modernized the Clerk's Office, expanded access to civic participation, and mentored countless public servants along the way, shaping the lives and careers of young leaders. He is proud of his strong roots and service to the Western Wayne community. I have seen his commitment firsthand. His retirement marks our district's appreciation for his service to our families. His recent heartfelt tribute from city officials and the presentation of a key to the city, is a symbol of how deeply he shaped Westland's civic life and communities. While Richard LeBlanc's formal legislative work has ended, his legacy of service and integrity will continue to inspire our community for generations to come.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, the Israeli Government has deliberately blocked food, medicine, and fuel from entering Gaza. The entire population of Gaza is experiencing famine, and half a million Palestinians are facing catastrophic levels of starvation. At least 66 Palestinian children have already been starved to death. Maybe if my colleagues would close their eyes, or pretend that they are not Palestinians, they would care, that they would care that Palestinians have been forced to eat grass and animal feed--they are human beings--while thousands of trucks carrying food sit blocked at the border. The Israeli Government is using starvation as a weapon of war. Now, the Israeli forces are deliberately shooting and killing starving Palestinians lined up for food, and the responses by the Israeli Government do not add up. Mr. Speaker, 875 have been murdered in 6 weeks alone. The so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, backed by the Israeli Government and the Trump administration, is a deadly sham. The United Nations calls it a death trap. The Israeli soldiers have even admitted it themselves. They were ordered to deliberately shoot unarmed Palestinians, many of them children, calling it a killing field. This is not a game, Mr. Speaker. These are human beings. If colleagues need to close their eyes again and pretend they are not Palestinians to care, then maybe they should. We would stop this madness and stop supporting the genocide in Gaza.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I was not present during votes on Monday, July 14, 2025. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 191; NAY on Roll Call No. 192; and PRESENT on Roll Call No. 193.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, families in our community are already struggling with rising grocery prices. It is shameful that companies like Kroger are price-gouging our residents with surveillance pricing. As you can see here, companies are already collecting a tremendous amount of data and private information about our residents to create custom profiles about them. Now, with electronic labels and facial recognition technology, this information is being used in real time to charge us more at the grocery store. Imagine if you were at the grocery store right now, and they charged you a higher price for an item because it used technology to determine that you were willing to pay more than the next person. Maybe it is hard to believe, but it is true. You look at this, and you can see that they are being very clear about the fact that they want to instantly change the price if it is hot outside, if it is something that you, again, have been looking at online. Now they are even adding the use of facial technology in grocery stores that not only raises serious concerns of privacy but also racial bias. We know that facial recognition technology discriminates against our Black and Brown neighbors. This is not just about discriminatory technology, Mr. Speaker. It is about corporate greed, and the CEOs are getting rich while working people struggle. It is essential that we work together in this body to protect our communities and ban these practices. I ask my colleagues to please support my legislation to ban surveillance pricing, digital pricing in grocery stores. Come and see me. You need to stand with your residents, not these corporations. Look at Walmart. Look at this: ``If it's hot outside, we can raise the prices of water and ice cream.'' That is what we are talking about. We need to protect our residents. Please, again, support my legislation. Keeping Firearms Safe

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, firearms are now the leading cause of death for children and teens in our country. I have talked to pediatricians. They are telling me every day that gun violence is just increasing. Every day, over 125 Americans are killed from gun violence and more than 200 people are shot and wounded. These aren't just statistics, Mr. Speaker. These are human beings with lives and futures. They are our babies, our friends, our neighbors, our loved ones. Many of these deaths involve accidental discharge of a firearm, often by a child, including several tragic incidents in southeast Michigan. Just last month, Mr. Speaker, in Oakland County, a 9-year-old was seriously injured after he was accidentally shot. First responders found the boy bleeding from the head and transported him to the local hospital. This Gun Violence Awareness Month, let's do something to save lives. I am introducing the Safe Storage Saves Lives Act with Representatives DeLauro, Frost, and Kelly to reduce firearm deaths among our children. This legislation mandates every firearm seller to include a gun lock or gun safety device every single time a gun is sold in the United States. Far too often, irresponsible gun owners fail to properly secure their weapons with tragic consequences, leading to accidental deaths, preventable suicides, school shootings, and other mass violence. When used correctly, a gun lock makes it impossible for a gun to be fired. Look at this. This is $4. This legislation is a commonsense solution that every Member of this body should support, every single one. Keeping firearms out of the hands of our children should not be a partisan issue, Mr. Speaker. We must honor those who have already been killed with a lack of action in this Chamber. Our communities deserve better. Our children deserve better. Honoring Matthew Fisher

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor one of our dear neighbors in the 12th Congressional District. We worked over 3 years to present Matthew Fisher, a remarkable resident of my district, with the Purple Heart for his dedication and service to our country. Matthew Fisher was born in Livonia and is a proud graduate of Stevenson High School. In 2004, Matthew answered the call to serve others by becoming a firefighter in one of our counties. In 2007, he made the decision to serve our Nation by joining the U.S. Army. He was deployed to Kuwait and Iraq from December 2007 to 2009. Unfortunately, he was there when a horrific bomb changed his life forever. It took us 3 years as a country to recognize his sacrifice. Since his return, Mr. Fisher has continued to give back to our community. He currently serves as a mentor at the veterans court system in Redford Township, helping fellow veterans navigate their own paths and helping them heal. He is a devoted husband to Kathryn and a proud father to stepson, Bankston, and also Sophia. Please, Mr. Speaker, let's honor Matthew Fisher for his extraordinary service, again, as we honor him with the Purple Heart.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I recognize Caribbean American Heritage Month, celebrating the culture, contributions, and history of Caribbean Americans in Michigan's 12th Congressional District and across the country. Caribbean American Heritage Month, first recognized in 2005, was established after years of global efforts to uplift our Caribbean- American neighbors. Their vibrant culture and contributions to our country and throughout the 12th Congressional District has uplifted many of our communities. The Caribbean communities in northwest Detroit, as well as in the city of Inkster and throughout western Wayne and Oakland County, have created powerful legacies through food, beauty businesses, fresh markets, and nonprofits working to care for our families and new immigrants. Caribbean Community Services in my district, a nonprofit organization, has done an outstanding job in uplifting Caribbean history. Through their engaging events, Mr. Speaker, they have celebrated the rich cultural heritage of the Caribbean and its significant impact on our communities. Please join me in ensuring that our Caribbean-American neighbors throughout our country are recognized as we celebrate this month.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, no more wars. The majority of Americans do not support our country getting into another endless war. President Trump violated the United States Constitution by sending the United States troops to bomb Iran without congressional authorization. Taking our country to war requires a vote in Congress. Every single one of us represents close to 800,000 people, and they deserve a vote. The American people do not want another war. They do not want us spending endless amounts of money to invest in death and destruction. They want us to fund Medicaid, housing, and Head Start. They want access to clean water and so many critical programs that our communities desperately need. We have seen our government manufacture consent for the invasion of Iraq that killed and displaced millions of people, our loved ones, and created total devastation and instability in the region. We have seen our government lie about weapons of mass destruction before. We are not going to fall for it again. Instead of listening to the American people who are saying no more wars, Trump is listening to genocidal maniac war criminal Netanyahu who lied about Iraq and now is lying about Iran.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, it is outrageous and shameful that the President sent in the military to brutalize protesters in Los Angeles. The right to dissent in our country is an American value. This is just evidence, evidence that our country is falling into fascism. It is an abuse of power and a dangerous escalation that will only destabilize our communities and hurt protesters. I stand with those defending our immigrant neighbors and our fundamental rights. Nothing justifies spending $134 million of our tax dollars to send in troops to attack fellow Americans. Mr. Speaker, immigrant communities have been telling us for years, warning us about ICE being rogue, violating their rights. It is outrageous. People are now seeing it for themselves and understanding why we say abolish ICE, which was created in 2003. I agree with them. I agree that we must abolish ICE and protect our communities and neighbors. It has caused so much needless harm since its creation in 2003. This month, Mr. Speaker, a high school senior in my district, Maykol Bogoya-Duarte, a high school student 3.5 credits shy of graduating from Western International High School, was on a field trip with his classmates. Local police profiled him--yes, they did--Oh, he can't speak English, let's call immigration. He spoke English just fine. That set into motion him being separated from his mother, his school community, and ripping away his chance to be able to graduate with his classmates. ICE cruelty is evident because they sent him to Louisiana. He had paperwork on file. He was trying to do the right thing. He was just a kid. The cruelty is disgusting, and the Trump administration is desperately trying to label kids like Maykol as a criminal. We must reject this rhetoric and policies that pit our immigrant communities against each other, tear families apart, and put our neighbors in harm's way. Mr. Speaker, it is important to understand the cruelty and how we need to make sure that, again, we protect our community. Celebrating Juneteenth

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, Juneteenth marks the official end of slavery in the United States of America, and this day remains deeply meaningful to many of our families in the Michigan 12th Congressional District. The most beautiful, Blackest city is in the 12th District, the city of Detroit. It is a celebration of freedom, Black resilience, and the ongoing fight for justice for all. In our community, we remember and honor generations of Black Americans who fought for liberation. As we speak, right now, Republican extremists across our country are attempting to erase Black history right before our eyes. We stand with residents in Detroit and throughout the country who refuse to let Black history be erased. We are committed to uplifting their stories and carrying on the movement for true equity and dignity for all. Detroit's legacy, its culture, leadership, and resistance are a living testament to Black brilliance and perseverance. However, we also recognize that freedom was never fully granted. The abolition of slavery contained a clause in the 13th Amendment that still allows slavery to exist as a ``punishment for crime.'' That loophole to this day has fueled mass incarceration, economic exploitation, and generational harm, especially for Black Americans. That is why I support the abolition amendment, which would strike this shameful exception from our Constitution and end the legalized practice of slavery in the United States. Detroiters understand that reparations are not just about the past. This is important. They are about addressing the present-day impacts of institutionalized racism, Mr. Speaker. They are about acknowledging the labor, land, and lives stolen, and beginning to repair what has been broken. That is what it is about. We must give our Black neighbors the reparations that they were promised. This Juneteenth, I ask everyone in this Chamber to join me in honoring our Black neighbors by fighting for what is long overdue: reparations, Black maternal health equity, investments in HBCUs, and real protections for voting rights.

Ms. TLAIB

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I was not present during votes on Thursday, June 5, 2025 or Friday, June 6, 2025. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 152; NAY on Roll Call No. 153; YEA on Roll Call No. 154; NAY on Roll Call No. 155; and NAY on Roll Call No. 156.