The Americans Want to Work Act (S.3706)
The Americans Want to Work Act provides jobs and security for the hardest hit Americans. Currently, over 14.6 million Americans are out of work, a national crisis. During this unprecedented time, we must incentivize business to create jobs and provide a bridge until job seekers can find work. The Americans Want to Work Act does both by:

• Creating an additional tier of benefits for those who have exhausted their unemployment insurance;
• Extending the successful HIRE Act payroll tax exemption through the end of 2011;
• Doubling the general business tax credit to encourage businesses to hire the hardest hit Americans.

Time to Bring Back the American Dream
This Editorial Appeared in Multiple Newspapers
By U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow

I've received thousands of letters from people across Michigan who have lost their jobs – through no fault of their own – in this recession. I have been reading some of those letters on the floor of the U.S. Senate to my colleagues who just don't seem to understand how devastating a job loss can be.

The stories I've read are ones I've heard so many times before. Like the person who got their first job in high school, around age 16, who worked to get some spending money and was maybe saving up to buy their first car. They got a job after graduation, worked hard and saved up some cash. Soon after, they got married, bought a house, and started a family. They did everything that was asked of them on the job. When they got home, their muscles ached, their feet were sore, their back hurt. But they supported their family, put dinner on the table, and made sure the kids had new shoes and decent clothes for school. They taught their children the same lessons they learned from their parents: the value of a hard-day's work and the pride you get from being a responsible citizen. They had every reason to be proud. Read More...

Kalamazoo River Oil Spill
A pipeline malfunction in Calhoun Country caused over a million gallons of oil to spill into the Kalamazoo river. The Calhoun County Public Health Department is advising people to stay out of the water, avoid contact with oil and avoid prolonged exposure to fumes. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has asked residents to not attempt to rescue wildlife from the river. Attempting to rescue animals can expose you to dangerous chemicals. It can also further harm the animals by increasing their stress.

To report affected wildlife or to learn more on how you can help with animal rehabilitation call 1-800-306-6837. For information on how the government is responding to the spill visit http://www.epa.gov/enbridgespill/

The Environmental Protection Agency has a website to submit ideas to help with cleanup: http://www.epa.gov/enbridgespill/technology/index.html

Enbridge has opened two community centers. Enbridge staff are available at both centers to answer questions related to the oil spill, provide information and assist with the claims process.

Battle Creek Enbridge Community Center
77 East Michigan Avenue
Commerce Pointe Building
Battle Creek, MI 49014

Marshall Enbridge Community Center
333 Kalamazoo Avenue
Marshall, MI 49068

Senator Stabenow Leads Hearing on the Threat of Asian Carp
On July 14, 2010, Senator Stabenow, Chair of the Water and Power Subcommittee of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, held a hearing to examine the federal response to Asian carp. She pointed to a picture of Asian carp jumping in the Illinois River. Read More...

Senator Stabenow Congratulates Michigan Small Business Owners
	Senator Stabenow met with Dick Weaver, CEO of Contour Fabricators in Fenton, Michigan. Weaver was honored at a ceremony at the White House where President Obama presented him the Regional Subcontractor of the Year award. Also recognized was Charles Reid of Holland, President of Charter House Innovations. Read More...

Student Loan Changes
As part of the recently-passed Health and Education Reconciliation Act, Congress made a number of important changes to the Student Loan Program to help save students and families money and reduce wasteful government spending. Read more...

Stabenow challenges China on trade
Christine Tierney
The Detroit News

Beijing -- Sen. Debbie Stabenow pressed China on Saturday to adopt fairer trading practices to allow stronger ties to form between U.S. and Chinese businesses to the benefit of all. Read more...

Economic Recovery Act Creates Jobs in America
You can read more about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by clicking here. You can get more details about how the bill will help rebuild our American middle class by cutting taxes for middle class families and creating up to 4 million jobs. Read Senator Stabenow's press release detailing major victories for Michigan, information about what is included in the bill, and links the full text of the legislation.