Media Advisory: MiCCA members join Rep. Tlaib in detailing impacts of federal reconciliation bill on climate and health

DEARBORN, Mich. — U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib joined state and local leaders today at Salina Elementary School to raise urgent concerns about the impact of the 2025 Reconciliation Bill on Michigan communities. The press conference, organized by Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL), Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action (MiCCA), Detroit Area Disaster Recovery Group, the Climate Justice Nurse and the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, highlighted how recent federal funding cuts threaten public health, climate resilience, and environmental justice across Metro Detroit.

Speakers emphasized the consequences of reduced support for clean energy tax credits, Medicaid, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and other critical programs, as well as increased subsidies for fossil fuels. These cuts disproportionately affect vulnerable communities already facing environmental and economic challenges.

“Every window you look out, you see a corporate polluter,” said Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), standing in front of Salina Elementary School in Dearborn.  “The Big Budget Betrayal bill doubles down on tax incentives for fossil fuels.”

“How can a healthy body be resilient in an unhealthy environment?” said Mary-Jacqueline Muli, the Climate Justice Nurse, one of several references to the public health threats of mold in flooded homes. 

LeJuan Council, founder of the Detroit Area Disaster Recovery Group, added that basements need to be added back into the Stafford Act to provide residents with support on cleaning up and mitigating the impacts of flooding in basements - Council mentioned that she was currently staying in a hotel due to issues with mold in her basement, which is another financial and public health burden on residents dealing with flooding. “The chemicals for remediation are almost as strong as the mold.”

Joining Rep. Tlaib were Amy Hemmeter (CCL), Dr. Lisa Del Buono (MiCCA), LeJuan Council (Detroit Disaster Area Recovery Group) and climate justice nurse Mary-Jacqueline Muli, each calling for urgent action to restore funding and safeguard community well-being.

About Citizens’ Climate Lobby

Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy climate change organization focused on national policies to address the national and global climate crisis.

About Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action:

Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action (MiCCA) is a coalition of Michigan health professionals focused on mitigation and prevention of adverse health effects of climate change through educating, empowering, and engaging health professionals, the public, and policy makers. 

About Michigan League of Conservation Voters:

Michigan LCV works to protect the air, land, and water in communities across Michigan by activating voters to elect and hold accountable public officials who fight for an environment that sustains the health and well-being of us all.

About Detroit Area Disaster Recovery Group:

Detroit Area Disaster Recovery Group is volunteer-based, community-led organization galvanized to recover from the devastating flooding and sewer backups caused by climate change over the past ten years. We aim to address Environmental and Public Health issues such as groundwater flooding, sewer backup, toxic mold, and frequent power outages throughout communities in Detroit.

About Climate Justice Nurse:

Climate Justice Nurse is an organization aimed at addressing the impact of climate change on public health through education and advocacy to promote environmental justice and advocate for access to healthy homes