[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 10 (Thursday, January 18, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H194-H195]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1030
                           DTE WINTER OUTAGES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Michigan (Ms. Tlaib) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, DTE Energy, an investor-owned utility 
monopoly in southeast Michigan, charges some of the highest rates in 
our Nation but provides some of the most unreliable service. They also 
carry out hundreds of thousands of cruel utility shutoffs per year.
  Over 100,000 DTE customers in southeast Michigan were forced to go 
days without power and heat during extreme cold and hot weather. This 
is because, instead of investing in reliability, DTE invests in profits 
and pays their shareholders and executives first. DTE's own CEO makes 
$10 million a year while families in southeast Michigan are going 
without power, again, during some of the coldest days this past week.
  Investor-owned utilities like DTE have failed to invest in the 
infrastructure upgrades to the grid that are necessary to prevent these 
outages. Instead, they are choosing to maximize profits for their 
shareholders while spending millions on campaign contributions to avoid 
real accountability in Lansing.
  My residents are sick and tired of wealthy corporate executives 
lining their pockets while our neighbors are exploited and price 
gouged. That is why I am proud to have introduced a resolution with 
Congresswoman Cori Bush and Congressman Jamaal Bowman. It is a 
resolution recognizing the human right to utilities.
  It is important that we understand that access to utilities is not a 
privilege. It is a fundamental human right. In the richest country on 
Earth, every single family should not go without electricity, heat, and 
water.
  We need utilities that serve the people, not shareholders. We need to 
take the profit motive out of the services we all need to live and 
thrive.


                             Yemen Strikes

  Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I stand in solidarity with the billions of 
people all around the world who are demanding a cease-fire now.
  The majority of Americans support de-escalation and a lasting cease-
fire, yet the President has threatened to escalate this into a regional 
war instead

[[Page H195]]

of doing anything to stop Netanyahu's genocidal bombing campaign.
  Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank are being murdered by American 
weapons funded by our tax dollars. Lebanese national civilians are 
being killed, and now the Yemeni people are under threat.
  Prior to the Israeli Government's assault on Gaza, Yemen was facing 
the worst humanitarian crisis on Earth, with much of the population 
living on the brink of famine.
  President Biden was legally required to seek authorization from 
Congress prior to launching these strikes. He did not do so and, as a 
result, has violated the United States Constitution. This is completely 
unacceptable.
  Many of my colleagues have correctly called out the Biden 
administration for bypassing Congress. The American people do not want 
to be dragged into yet another endless war in the Middle East.


                  Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Founders' Day

  Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, today I rise with immense pride and joy in 
recognizing and celebrating the Founders' Day of Zeta Phi Beta 
Sorority, Incorporated.
  This marks a time of reflection, appreciation, and unity for a 
sisterhood committed to the service of others.
  Zeta Phi Beta was founded on the principles of scholarship, service, 
sisterhood, and finer womanhood. This sisterhood has fostered academic 
excellence and empowerment in our communities. From educational 
initiatives to advocating for social justice, Zeta Phi Beta has been a 
force for good.
  We continue to honor the vision of our founders: Arizona Cleaver 
Stemons, Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, and Viola Tyler 
Goings.
  Happy Founders' Day to my sorors of Zeta Phi Beta. I am so proud to 
be a part of the sisterhood. To all of the January D9 family, happy 
Founders' Day. May their commitment to excellence and service continue 
to inspire us all.

                          ____________________