Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the upcoming opening of the Gordie Howe bridge. It is a bridge that I see every day from my home. I live on the beautiful riverfront in Detroit, Michigan.

The bridge, located in the heart of Michigan's 13th Congressional District and built by thousands of Michigan workers, is a critical economic link between the United States and Canada.

Canada is one of our greatest allies and the largest international buyer of Michigan products and goods. The Gordie Howe Bridge means more Michigan jobs, increased U.S.-Canada commerce, faster travel times, and lower toll costs. I am grateful to all the partners in Michigan, the United States, and Canada who are working hard to make this bridge a reality.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the Trump administration to facilitate the opening of this bridge without further delay.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 207.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 133.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 109 and YEA on Roll Call No. 110.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of abolishing ICE.

ICE is out of control. Just in the past month, against American citizens, ICE has shot and killed a 37-year-old mother of three, tear- gassed a 6-month-old baby in his parents' car, and hauled out a grandfather in 14-degree weather in nothing but his underwear.

Thanks to Donald Trump and Kristi Noem, our communities constantly live in fear of those who are supposed to protect them.

When an agency structure consistently produces harm instead of justice, there is no way to reform it. We must abolish ICE.

Mr. Speaker, the last time Donald Trump visited Detroit, he insulted our city, saying the whole country would end up like Detroit if Kamala Harris was elected. Mr. Trump promised to bring manufacturing jobs and economic success.

For the last 8 months, we have lost 68,000 jobs. Unemployment has hit a 4-year high. His tariffs have hurt Detroit's auto industry.

Mr. Speaker, Detroit does not need any more of Donald Trump's lies and insults. Detroit needs affordable housing, not Trump's insults. Detroit needs skilled jobs, not Trump's insults.

Mr. Speaker, I am fighting for Detroit, fighting to bring costs down, and make life more affordable for all.

Mr. Speaker, this week, I introduced articles to impeach Secretary Pete Hegseth for murder and conspiracy to murder and reckless and unlawful mishandling of classified information.

From issuing orders to kill everybody onboard a small boat with no evidence of any wrongdoing to launching a follow-up strike to finish off survivors barely clinging onto life, his actions are not just reprehensible but illegal as well.

He also put the lives of our own troops in danger by leaking classified war plans in an unauthorized Signal chat. Former military attorneys have come out and asserted that his actions have risen to the level of war crimes.

Mr. Hegseth must resign from his position or be impeached by this House.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 306.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay my respects to the late Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick.

Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick was a trailblazing figure who inspired many in Detroit. She represented Michigan's 13th Congressional District like I do.

She broke a glass ceiling, becoming the first Black woman to serve on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, where she brought critical Federal dollars back to Detroit and its surrounding communities. She also blazed trails as the second Black woman to ever serve in the House of Representatives from Michigan.

Mr. Speaker, she broke countless barriers to public service, helping to create a U.S. Congress that better reflects our Nation's great diversity. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick improved the lives of all she served. May she rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the opening of Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park in Detroit on October 25, 2025.

Each year, more than three million people visit the Detroit Riverfront, one of the highest-rated riverfronts in the United States, bringing in revenue and exposure to our community. The Ralph C. Wilson. Jr. Centennial Park is a 22-acre park that will have a 4-acre playground, a sports house with basketball courts, and a 2.5-acre water garden. The opening of this park is part of a 5.5 miles long revitalization project along the riverfront, part of a larger commitment by the city of Detroit to reinvest into the community and continue our city's historic revitalization.

The namesake of this park, Ralph Cookerly Wilson Jr., was raised in Detroit, Michigan, the son of a salesman and who had ambitions for bigger and better things in life. A veteran of World War II, Mr. Wilson embodied the true virtues of leadership, sacrifice, and service to his country and community. Most famously, he is known for founding and owning the Buffalo Bills football team, at one point being the oldest owner of a National Football League (NFL) team. His contributions, like those being made through his foundation, will be remembered and felt by the Detroit community for years to come.

Since I became the U.S. Representative for Michigan's 13th congressional district in 2023, I have been incredibly proud to see the amount of work being done by the community and the funds being brought in for reviving Detroit and the surrounding neighborhoods and townships. Projects like the Michigan Central Station, the New Center project, and the building of new affordable housing are all promising developments that will bring more opportunities and improve the quality of life for all Detroiters. Developments like the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park build on the Motor City's greatness, and I look forward to continuing this work through efforts made in the halls of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about manufacturing. Manufacturing is not just what we do in Michigan. It is who we are. Detroit built the Motor City, the Big Three automakers, and America's middle class.

Today, when we still lead in auto manufacturing, Michigan faces some of the Nation's highest unemployment rates while families are struggling with rising costs.

Mr. Trump promised that tariffs would protect our jobs. Instead, they have driven up the cost of steel, aluminum, and auto parts while plants close and workers are left behind. When a plant shuts down in Detroit or Wayne County, it doesn't just hurt the workers inside of it. It hurts every business, schools, and families.

We need real solutions, like job training, stronger unions, and building the future of mobility right here in Detroit.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, the leader for Orthodox Christianity worldwide, who is here in Washington, D.C. after accepting the distinguished Templeton Prize earlier this year.

The Templeton Prize is awarded to those who demonstrate exemplary philanthropic contributions. His relentless leadership has been recognized by a variety of organizations such as the United Nations, UNESCO, and the World Economic Forum. He has also dedicated his time serving on the Executive and Central Committees and Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches.

Patriarch Bartholomew has a focus on creating advocacy for environmental issues and in his time launched a series of initiatives to help start conversations worldwide. Among these initiatives were a variety of trips with political leaders and accredited scientists discussing issues such as water pollution in the Black Sea, for which he went on to receive Norway's Sophie prize in 2002.

Michigan's 13th Congressional District has a beautiful community of Greek Orthodox constituents at St. George Greek Orthodox Church and Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral. They continuously work to create welcoming spaces in our community by hosting celebrations such as festivals, luncheons, and more. I am honored to keep my constituents in mind as we welcome Patriarch Bartholomew in Washington, D.C.

Madam Speaker, today, I rise to celebrate North American Film Association, NAFA, an organization dedicated to promoting Marathi cinema and culture in North America. By making Marathi cinema more accessible, NAFA aims to preserve Maharashtra's rich cultural heritage, bridge cultural boundaries, and create a more diverse arts and culture space.

NAFA is having a film festival of Marathi films in San Jose, California, on July 25 through 27, 2026, and I wish to convey my best wishes to NAFA.

I also want to recognize Mr. Abhi Gholap, an accomplished filmmaker and founder of NAFA. Abhi Gholap is also deeply committed to service, supporting children with leukemia in rural India through the Jiji-Bhau Cancer Foundation.

``Best wishes to NAFA from this Marathi-speaking Congressman'';

``Tumchya Marathi bolnarya Congresssadaashyakadun uttam shubhechha.''

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to remove the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Goldman) as cosponsor from H.R. 4244.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 191; YEA on Roll Call No. 192; and YEA on Roll Call No. 193.