[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 205 (Wednesday, December 13, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H6865]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015
                       SHUT DOWN LINE 5 PIPELINE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Michigan (Ms. Tlaib) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, we know that oil and water don't mix. Right 
now, there is a dirty oil pipeline, called Line 5, running through the 
most critical part of the Great Lakes, operated by a company called 
Enbridge, with a disturbing history of faulty infrastructure and 
environmental destruction.
  A Line 5 spill would be catastrophic for the Great Lakes region and 
the entire country. The Great Lakes hold 21 percent of the world's 
fresh surface water; are home, as we all know, to precious ecosystems 
and wildlife; and tens of millions of people rely on them for water, 
jobs, and recreation.
  We cannot allow the water we rely on to live, the water that helps 
make Michigan such a special place for so many, to be sacrificed for 
corporate greed.
  The good news is that President Biden could end this threat today by 
revoking Line 5's Presidential permit and committing to the truth that 
water is life and that it is critical to protect.
  Mr. Speaker, I call upon the Biden administration to stand with the 
people of the Great Lakes and shut down Line 5 once and for all.


                 Building a Democratic Financial System

  Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, today, big banks bring in billions in profits 
while our financial system promotes inequality and instability for many 
of our families.
  Right now, millions of people--millions--the majority being people of 
color, lack access to a checking or savings account, but an alternative 
does exist. We can build a democratic financial system that puts the 
livelihoods of our residents above private profit and greed.
  Instead of serving Wall Street, public and postal banks can ensure 
that everyone has access to basic financial services. Instead of 
investing billions of dollars annually in fossil fuels, like JPMorgan 
Chase and Wells Fargo does, public banks can facilitate the 
transformative changes that our communities desperately need, like real 
affordable housing for all, disaster preparedness, and a clean energy 
future that creates real jobs for all.
  That is why Representative Ocasio-Cortez and I introduced the Public 
Banking Act of 2023, which provides a regulatory and institutional 
framework for the creation of State and local public banks, like the 
Bank of North Dakota, which has been incredibly successful for over a 
century.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to please join us in supporting a 
financial system that works for everyone.


                            End-of-Year Wins

  Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I take a moment to celebrate the incredible 
accomplishments that my team and I have been able to do on behalf of 
our constituents.
  At the beginning of the year, we opened three new Neighborhood 
Service Centers in Detroit, Inkster, and Southfield.
  Through the Neighborhood Service Centers, we have returned over $5.5 
million in constituent services dollars that goes directly into the 
hands of 8,000 residents, returning over $306,000 this year alone.
  We served and responded to over 164,000 letters from our neighbors 
ranging from advocating for clean water, clean air, utilities for all, 
housing for all, and so much more. We have hosted and participated in 
over 120 events, including coffee hours and townhalls and resource 
fairs and more, really trying to help our families get through everyday 
challenges and issues.
  Our legislative advocacy has spanned from affordable housing to 
medical debt cancellation and ending auto insurance discrimination once 
and for all.
  Mr. Speaker, we have introduced 160 bills and amendments, and 39 of 
them have actually passed.
  This year, we celebrated the 1-year anniversary of the Congressional 
Mamas' Caucus where we are committed to advocating for working mothers 
and their families on issues of affordable childcare, pay leave, Black 
maternal health, and economic justice.
  These accomplishments would not have been possible without our 
residents. Thank you for believing in me and sending me here to 
Congress to do the people's work. It has been truly an honor to serve 
you and to be your Congresswoman.
  This is just the beginning of what we all can continue to accomplish.

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