I 
119TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 7492 
To prohibit Federal interference with the opening and operation of the Gordie 
Howe International Bridge. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 11, 2026 
Mrs. DINGELL (for herself, Ms. STEVENS, Ms. TLAIB, Mr. THANEDAR, Ms. 
SCHOLTEN, Ms. MCDONALD RIVET, and Ms. KAPTUR) introduced the fol-
lowing bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and 
in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Homeland Secu-
rity, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each 
case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of 
the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To prohibit Federal interference with the opening and 
operation of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Michigan-Canada 
Partnership Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
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(1) The Gordie Howe International Bridge will 
be a critical piece of United States transportation, 
trade, and national security infrastructure con-
necting Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, 
and linking the economies of the United States and 
Canada. 
(2) The Detroit-Windsor crossing is the busiest 
commercial land border crossing in North America, 
facilitating the movement of passenger vehicles, 
freight, and supply chains essential to manufac-
turing, agriculture, and energy production in the 
United States. 
(3) Trade between the United States and Can-
ada supports hundreds of billions of dollars in an-
nual economic activity, including a substantial share 
of U.S. automotive, advanced manufacturing, and 
agricultural trade that flows through Michigan. 
(4) Michigan and Canada are longstanding eco-
nomic partners, particularly in the automotive sec-
tor, where integrated supply chains depend on reli-
able, secure, and efficient cross-border infrastruc-
ture. 
(5) In 2012, the State of Michigan and the 
Government of Canada entered into a bilateral 
agreement to advance construction of the Gordie 
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Howe International Bridge, under which Michigan 
and Canada share ownership, with Canada financing 
construction without direct cost to Michigan tax-
payers. 
(6) That agreement was executed under Repub-
lican Governor Rick Snyder and with the coopera-
tion of Democratic President Barack Obama, reflect-
ing bipartisan recognition of the crossing’s impor-
tance to American workers, manufacturers, and na-
tional competitiveness. 
(7) Construction of the Gordie Howe Inter-
national Bridge began in 2018 and has proceeded 
pursuant to valid Federal approvals, permits, and 
authorizations. 
(8) During his first term, President Donald 
Trump publicly acknowledged the importance of the 
Gordie Howe International Bridge through a joint 
statement with Canadian Prime Minister Justin 
Trudeau that said they ‘‘look forward to the expedi-
tious completion of the Gordie Howe International 
Bridge, which will serve as a vital economic link be-
tween our two countries.’’ 
(9) The Gordie Howe International Bridge will 
enhance resiliency and increase capacity at the 
northern border by complementing existing cross-
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ings, improving freight reliability, and reducing con-
gestion and economic risk associated with reliance 
on a single crossing. 
(10) Any unilateral Federal action to interfere 
with the opening or operation of the Gordie Howe 
International Bridge would harm American workers, 
manufacturers, farmers, and consumers, disrupt in-
tegrated North American supply chains, and under-
mine the longstanding partnership between Michigan 
and Canada. 
(11) Congress has an interest in ensuring that 
the Gordie Howe International Bridge is opened and 
operated in a timely manner consistent with existing 
agreements, valid permits, and the national eco-
nomic and security interests of the United States. 
SEC. 3. PROHIBITION. 
(a) PROHIBITION
ON INTERFERENCE WITH
THE 
GORDIE
HOWE
INTERNATIONAL
BRIDGE.—Notwith-
standing any other provision of law, no Federal officials, 
including the President, shall by any means impede the 
opening of or attempt the closure of the Gordie Howe 
International Bridge and its associated port of entry un-
less approved by an Act of Congress or requested by the 
Governor of Michigan. 
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(b) AFFIRMATIVE DUTY TO FACILITATE OPER-
ATION.—Federal agencies with jurisdiction over the 
Gordie Howe International Bridge or its associated port 
of entry shall take all actions necessary to ensure the time-
ly opening and continuous operation of the bridge and port 
of entry. 
(1) CONTINUOUS OPERATION.—For purposes of 
this subsection, ‘‘continuous operation’’ means in ac-
cordance with the staffing and operational models 
required by relevant Federal agencies, including the 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Workforce 
Staffing Model. 
(c) PROHIBITED DELAY TACTICS.—No Federal offi-
cial may impede, delay, condition, or otherwise interfere 
with the bridge or port of entry through action or inaction, 
including by failing to take timely and necessary steps to 
carry out Federal responsibilities. 
(d) JUDICIAL REVIEW.—The State of Michigan or 
any affected local government may bring an action in a 
United States District Court to compel compliance with 
this section. 
Æ 
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