Congresswoman Dingell Discusses Ukraine, the Automotive Industry and Supply Chains at Meridian

On Wednesday, March 30, the Center for Diplomatic Engagement hosted a hybrid Insights@Meridian with Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI,12) moderated by Niala Boodhoo, Host, Axios Today for an insightful, off-the-record conversation on foreign policy, the COVID-19 response and its affect on businesses, and the environment. She emphasized the need for the U.S. the significant role the oil industry plays in the global economy and diplomacy while embracing that electric vehicles are the cars of today and the future.

Congresswoman Dingell is Co-Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee and serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Committee on Natural Resources. She has served in the House of Representatives since 2014.

1. CONGRESS IS WORKING TO SUPPORT UKRAINIAN REFUGEES. Congresswoman Dingell highlighted the spending bill that would deliver $13.6 billion in U.S. aid to support Ukraine and its European allies. The Congresswoman applauded Poland’s recent acceptance of Ukrainian refugees and called upon the U.S. and allies to come together to support refugees, both those from Ukraine and elsewhere. She pledged to work with Congress and the Biden-Harris Administration to increase refugee acceptance caps, which has seen some traction as of late, noting the recent GRACE ACT legislation in Congress.
2. "WE’RE DONE WITH COVID, BUT COVID ISN’T DONE WITH US.” Acknowledging the economic challenges COVID-19 has posed for workers across the country, Congresswoman Dingell stressed the importance of threading the needle between economic recovery and maintaining health protections. The new omicron sub-variant, BA.2, has been a cause for concern with recent surges in COVID-19 cases across Europe and Asia. Ultimately, Congresswoman Dingell renewed her commitment to supporting the American people in COVID-19 recovery. She recently introduced the CREATE Act to boost jobs and businesses in the creative economy.
3. OIL HOLDS ECONOMIC POWER OVER DIPLOMACY. With the recent staggering rises in gas prices, Congresswoman Dingell expressed her commitment to working to decrease dependence on oil, while also highlighting the need to make a transformational shift to a clean energy economy. Current dependence on oil, particularly oil imports, can be a potential point of diplomatic contention. Instead of paving the way for new oil reserves, it was suggested that oil and gas companies should make use of already-approved permits to help reduce gas prices. A fine balance needs to be struck during this energy crisis between moving away from a dependence on oil and continuing to maintain and protect domestic energy production, including shifting to greater clean energy sources.
4. BUILDING ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES. Congresswoman Dingell brought together a coalition of environmental groups, automakers, and labor unions to agree to work towards on a shift to electric vehicles. The commitment to electric vehicle production is key, considering that her district is one of the major auto manufacturing epicenters in the world. Three major steps that need to be taken were identified: 1) continuing building out the infrastructure for electric vehicles, as was included in the President Biden’s recently announced FY23 budget request; 2) finding a balance between mining minerals necessary for production of electric vehicles and environmental protections; and 3) developing more effective and long-lasting batteries.
5. BRINGING SUPPLY CHAINS BACK HOME. As witnessed over the last two years, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed global and domestic supply chain issues. Congresswoman Dingell strongly advocated for bringing supply chains back to the U.S. to help create more secure systems. The recent trucker convoy blockade on the Canadian side of the U.S.-Canada border, and the significant impact it had on the auto industry, particularly in her industrial district, was highlighted as an example of how we face global supply chain hardships with even our best of allies and in the closest of vicinities. When pressed on whether it is protectionist to try and reorient supply chains back to the U.S., the Congresswoman stressed that while we must continue robust global trade with other countries, we must also strengthen supply chains by bringing more production back home. She noted that this is particularly the case for vital resources such as medication and semiconductor chips.

This program is generously supported by Stanley Black & Decker.