This week the House passed another flawed bill on the SCHIP program.  I had hoped a bill would be brought to the floor that I could support, but House Democrats have failed to compromise on a bill.  Instead, no meaningful negotiations were held and a 300 page bill was introduced just hours before the House voted on it.  Requests to postpone the vote until next week to give lawmakers time to actually read the bill were denied and the House was forced to vote on a bill immediately. 

I support health care for low-income children and I support the SCHIP program.  That’s why I supported its creation in 1997.  And that’s why I support continuing the program today.  But we must stay true to the core principles of the program.

I want to vote on a bill that ensures any child currently with SCHIP coverage will continue to have access to health insurance coverage.  I want to vote on a bill that serves the most needy children first.  I want to vote on a bill that provides health care to children, not adults.  I want to vote on a bill that covers low-income American children, not illegal adult aliens.

It is my sincere hope that Congress will work together and compromise on a bill that accomplishes these simple principles.  Unfortunately, to date no bill brought to a vote has done these things. 

Earlier this month I had the good fortune of seeing cutting-edge automotive technology at MEMA’s Ride and Drive.  MEMA, the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association, is a first class organization that promotes auto manufacturers and their products.  At their ride and drive, I saw the future of the auto industry.  From advanced clean diesel technology to important driver safety products, auto suppliers are making great strides to improve our vehicles.  Oakland County is the headquarters to many of these companies and I was excited by what I saw from them.  You can see pictures of me at the ride and drive here.

Daniel Howes at the Detroit News has a great column today on the problems that have found their way to Toyota in recent months.  Guess some folks in Japan were popping the champagne corks a little too soon. Game on! You haven’t won the global auto battle yet, Toyota.

BTW - Take a look at the New Detroit News’ Web site. It’s fancy. Love the new design.Â

In FY 2005, I used my position on the House Appropriations Committee to secure a $500,000 earmark for Kids Kicking Cancer. This non-profit organization founded by a Rabbi in Oakland County provides weekly classes for children, both inpatient and outpatient, in the mind-body techniques found in the martial arts. Kids Kicking Cancer emphasizes relaxation and mental imagery, and karate exercises to help kids mange their cancer therapies better. The funding I secured helped to expand the program throughout local hospitals.

I am proud to have been able to support Kids Kicking Cancer with federal earmark dollars. Martial-arts, exercise, and other wellness techniques can greatly improve one’s mental and physical health. I care deeply about the health care our children receive in this country. I want to bring down health care costs and ensure that every child has the coverage they deserve.

I voted to create the SCHIP program and support extending it to ensure that no kid receiving coverage today will lose it. But Speaker Pelosi has a bill that expands spending by $35 billion. To pay for the new spending, she raises taxes on tobacco products. But her financing package only works if 22 million new Americans begin smoking. I am against that. I think the government should be promoting wellness and healthy living, not encouraging more Americans to become smokers.

Smoking stinks and so does the Pelosi health care bill!

In 1984, Sparky Anderson’s World Champion Tigers had Tommy Brookens on the team. Long time Tiger fans will remember Tommy Brookens as the ultimate utlity guy. Whatever needed to be done, Brookens was there to pick up the slack. He wasn’t flashy, but he had grit and determination. From making a great catch to getting a key hit, Tommy Brookens was there for the Tigers time and again.

I have a member of my staff who has the same level of commitment to my team. Stuart Foster is my driver when I am in the district. He handles constituent casework. And he takes photos of my events in the district. Stuart lives in Pontiac and cares deeply about Michigan and his job as a congressional aid.

Stuart recently received a high honor in his personal life. Stuart is a member of Toastmasters in Birmingham. Toastmasters is an international organization that is designed to hone its members public speaking skills. Stuart, who is president of the Birmingham chapter, recently won second place in a speaking contest. But because the first place winner is unable to participate in the next round of the competition, Stuart is moving forward to compete against public speakers from 8 divisions in Southeast Michigan, Northwest Ohio, and a portion of Ontario. 

The next round of speech competitions will be held on November 2 in Toledo. Make us proud, Stu. Speak up loudly.

Please take a look at the photo galleries on my Web site. Stuart is a multi-tasker with many talents that he brings to bear for my constituents. I am proud that he’s on my team.

EDAG, a world class engineering and automotive company, is growing and creating manufacturing jobs in Oakland County. EDAG, which was selected as GM’s global supplier of the year in 2006, is doing work on the new Camaro in Troy, Michigan. EDAG is also beginning to manufacture the Tom Car, a vehicle that can be used for recreational purposes as well as military and homeland security applications, in Auburn Hills.

I am thrilled that EDAG, a German-based automotive company, is investing in Michigan and working with Michigan manufacturing companies like GM and Fanuc Robotics, which is also located in Auburn Hills, to make auto manufacturing more efficient and modern.

I was at EDAG in August before the current governor of Michigan traveled to Germany to announce that EDAG was putting jobs in Michigan. After receiving a tour of EDAG’s facilities in Auburn Hills and hearing of their growth plans in Michigan, I was very surprised the current governor of Michigan felt compelled to travel to Germany to make an announcement about EDAG’s investment in our state.

Here is my blog entry from my August visit to EDAG and a link to some photos taken in Auburn Hills. Here’s the governor’s press release on EDAG’s investment in Michigan that she issued from Germany. This press release has been edited to include the mention that EDAG is an automotive supplier. The first iteration from the governor’s people had no mention of that fact. My staff flaged this oversight for the news media in Michigan at the time the governor sent out her first release.

Keep in mind that Volkswagen was planning its exit from Michigan during the exact same time the governor was in Germany taking credit for EDAG’s investment in Michigan. Might her time have been spent better in Auburn Hills ???? 

I have been critical of the current governor of Michigan for running MEDC ads that tout Toyota over GM. In light of the new work EDAG is doing for GM, perhaps the MEDC can take out some ads that talk about how EDAG invested in Michigan to help GM build the new Camaro.

I have apparently been named to the League of Conservation Voters Dirty Dozen List. My office received several calls from the media on this matter today. I find it unfortunate that a group whose stated mission is to protect the environment would look past my strong support for the Great Lakes and my votes in favor of increased investments in alternative energy. I am proud of my record on the environment. I have used my position on the House Appropriations Committee to secure more than $65 million to clean up the Rouge River. I have worked to provide funding for the Oakland County Drain Commission to improve the quality of our drinking water in Southeastern Michigan.

The LCV doesn’t like Michigan’s auto industry. They don’t like the fact that I am unwilling to support Speaker Pelosi’s plan to impose $85 billion of CAFE mandates on the backs of the Big Three. These CAFE mandates would drive up the cost of a new car or truck by $6,000. This is a $6,000 car tax increase that would be devastating to Michigan’s economy. I won’t stand for that and that upsets the LCV. Too bad.

I believe we must be responsible stewards of the environment. I also believe we need to stand up for manufacturing jobs and Michigan’s auto industry. That’s the balance I strike with my votes in Congress.

The question I have in my mind is why is the LCV so strident in its support of regulations that would devastate one of the most important job-providing industries in the nation.

The Ford Model T put America on wheels and launched Detroit as the auto capital of the world. Despite claims to the contrary, Detroit still holds that distinction and its something we should all take great pride in. Just down Woodward at the Ford Highland Park Assembly Plant where the Model T was built, we saw the birth of the assembly line, the $5 a day wage, and the forty hour work week. Next year will mark the 100th anniversary of the production of the Ford Model T and the Michigan Delegation in Congress is working to enact legislation that would issue commemorate coins depicting the Model T. I am proud to be a cosponsor of the legislation and encourage you to check out http://www.modeltcoin.org where you can read more about the history of the Model T and learn about efforts in Congress to recognize this monumental manufacturing feat.

I got word back from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that the agency wants to work with my office to promote the great fuel-efficient offerings of the Big Three. The Detroit News has a story online about it.

The letter from HHS is in response to a September 4 letter I sent to the Bush Administration criticizing them for promoting Toyota, Honda, and Nissan vehicles in an email to 67,000 federal employees. HHS has admited it made a mistake in promoting Japanese automakers over the Big Three. I am glad the department wants to work with me to tout the great hybrids, clean diesels, and other alternative fuel vehicles put on America’s roads by America’s car companies.

GM and Chrysler have developed a two-mode hybrid system for full-sized SUVs that equals the Toyota Camry on fuel economy in the city. Think about that for a second. The Yukon and Durango will now equal the Camry on fuel efficiency in the city. That’s American innovation and it came from Detroit, Michigan.

I look forward to working with the Department of Health and Human Services to showcase Detroit’s fuel-efficient offerings. I also hope that the Granholm Administration will step up and make amends for running MEDC ads that tout Toyota over the Big Three. There’s no excuse for the current governor of Michigan to give free PR to the Big Three’s most serious competitor, not during a year when UAW guys are forced to negotiate labor costs downward because of Toyota’s yen subsidized market share gains in the United States. Not ever!

What’s good for the goose is certainly good for the gander, Governor Granholm. If the Bush people recanted on their Japanese auto PR, you should too.

 How about some Chevy Volt ads in Crain’s and DBusiness?

I had the good fortune to tour Longfellow Elementary School in Pontiac today. I met with Principal Kelley Williams and some of the administrative leaders in the Pontiac School system. Longfellow is a truly remarkable school. With 88 percent of the student body qualifying for free or reduced price school lunches, Longfellow has some of the best MEAP scores in the state of Michigan. Nearly 100 percent of Longfellow 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders are passing the state’s testing requirements for competency in math. Students are doing almost as well in reading and writing. This is a phenomenal story and a testament to the culture of excellence established by Principal Williams and her committed teachers. The professionals at Longfellow demand excellence and they don’t rest until every student at their school has the opportunity to learn, grow, and develop into special people. I know how hard it is for teachers to educate children, especially in communities where many of the kids are being raised in single parent families. The fact that Longfellow is doing so well on the MEAP scores speaks volumes about the leadership at this very special school.

Go Hiawathas! Keep up the good work. You are a model school for the state of Michigan and the United States. Click here to view the photo gallery from my tour of Longfellow today.