Michigan Democrats Introduce Bill to Protect Gordie Howe Bridge Project

Legislation aims to prevent federal interference in the opening and operation of the new international bridge crossing between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A group of Democratic members of Congress from Michigan have introduced the Michigan-Canada Partnership Act, a bill that would prohibit the Trump administration from interfering with the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge crossing between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario. The lawmakers say the bridge is a vital economic link between the two countries, and they accuse the president of trying to block its opening at the behest of a billionaire donor who owns the bridge's main competitor.

Why it matters

The Gordie Howe Bridge is a major infrastructure project that has been in the works for years, with the goal of expanding commerce and trade between Michigan and Canada, the state's largest trading partner. The Democrats argue that Trump's threats to interfere with the bridge's opening are driven by political interests rather than the economic interests of Michigan workers and businesses.

The details

The bill was introduced and sponsored by U.S. Reps. Hillary Scholten, Debbie Dingell, Haley Stevens, Rashida Tlaib, Shri Thanedar, and Kristen McDonald Rivet. It comes after President Trump threatened the bridge's opening and it was revealed that the Moroun family, who privately owns the bridge's main competitor the Ambassador Bridge, had been lobbying the White House to intervene. The Democrats accuse Trump of putting the interests of his billionaire donors ahead of Michigan workers and the state's economy.

  • On Monday, President Trump threatened the bridge's opening.
  • On Tuesday, it was reported that the Moroun family had met with U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick just hours before Trump's comments.
  • The bill was introduced by the Michigan Democrats on Thursday.

The players

Hillary Scholten

U.S. Representative for Michigan's 3rd congressional district.

Debbie Dingell

U.S. Representative for Michigan's 12th congressional district.

Haley Stevens

U.S. Representative for Michigan's 11th congressional district.

Rashida Tlaib

U.S. Representative for Michigan's 13th congressional district.

Shri Thanedar

U.S. Representative for Michigan's 13th congressional district.

Kristen McDonald Rivet

U.S. Representative for Michigan's 5th congressional district.

Matthew Moroun

Owner of the Ambassador Bridge, the main competitor to the Gordie Howe Bridge.

Donald Trump

Former President of the United States.

Howard Lutnick

U.S. Secretary of Commerce.

Rick Snyder

Former Governor of Michigan.

Barack Obama

Former President of the United States.

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What they’re saying

“Canada and the United States have shared a strong, trusted partnership for centuries, and in Michigan, that relationship matters every single day. Canada is our state's largest trading partner, and projects like the Gordie Howe International Bridge represent what's possible when we work together across borders to prioritize jobs, commerce, and cooperation.”

— Hillary Scholten, U.S. Representative (Michigan Advance)

“Instead of fighting for Michigan workers and our economy, he's protecting his billionaire donors. In 2017, Trump himself endorsed the bridge, calling it a 'vital economic link between our two countries.' Nothing has changed. This bill simply prevents federal interference in its opening and operation, and I'm proud to lead this effort alongside the entire Michigan House Democratic delegation. It's shameful that the President continues to put personal interests ahead of American workers.”

— Debbie Dingell, U.S. Representative (Michigan Advance)

“At the last minute, the President wants to derail this hugely important project because a billionaire campaign donor told him to. This kind of blatant corruption hurts working families, and needs to end. For the sake of Michigan's economy, let's pass this bill.”

— Kristen McDonald Rivet, U.S. Representative (Michigan Advance)

“It's no surprise that Matthew Moroun, owner of the dangerously obsolete Ambassador Bridge, met with the Trump Administration mere hours before the president absurdly threatened to block this safer, more efficient bridge from opening. Michiganders and the American people will not be denied this crucial new crossing by the White House's blatant corruption.”

— Rashida Tlaib, U.S. Representative (Michigan Advance)

“We were getting a bridge at no cost to us, but Trump is recklessly threatening to throw all of that away for no other reason than to inflict pain on Michiganders and Canadians alike. This awful decision would kill jobs, stifle transportation, and increase costs in Michigan.”

— Shri Thanedar, U.S. Representative (Michigan Advance)

What’s next

The bill introduced by the Michigan Democrats faces an uphill battle, as the Republican-controlled Congress is likely to side with President Trump and the Moroun family's efforts to block the Gordie Howe Bridge project. However, the lawmakers say they are determined to pass the legislation and prevent federal interference in the bridge's opening.

The takeaway

This dispute over the Gordie Howe Bridge highlights the ongoing tensions between the economic interests of Michigan workers and businesses, and the political interests of powerful donors and the Trump administration. The Democrats are accusing the president of putting his own personal and political interests ahead of the state's economic well-being, and they are vowing to fight to ensure the bridge project moves forward as planned.