In the News
The Hill: Senators introduce bill to help businesses with trade complaints
by Vivki Needham
A bipartisan pair of senators on Wednesday are proposing the creation of a task force within the Commerce Department that would help small- and medium-sized businesses better fight unfair trade practices. Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) are teaming up on legislation that would help businesses that typically lack enough resources to file cases against alleged trade violators. The permanent task force would fall under the the International Trade Administration (ITA) at Comm… Continue Reading
02.14.18
Detroit News: Sen. Peters files bill to combat dumping in trade
by Keith Lang
Washington - U.S. Sen. Gary Peters is introducing a bipartisan bill to force the U.S. Commerce Department to initiate trade enforcement actions on behalf of smaller industries in an effort to combat dumping of products at below-market prices by foreign makers. The measure, which was co-authored by Peters and Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C. and has the support of President Donald Trump, calls for the creation of a permanent task force at the Commerce Department's International Trade Administration tha… Continue Reading
02.13.18
Detroit News: Sen. Peters to Trump: Pump brakes on steel dumping
by Keith Lang
Washington - U.S. Sen. Gary Peters warned President Donald Trump about the harm that steel-dumping inflicts on the auto parts industry during a White House meeting on trade Tuesday. Peters, who was one of 20 senators who attended at the White House meeting, took the opportunity to have an audience with Trump to press the president to address "unfair" trade practices like steel dumping, where foreign makers export steel to the U.S. at below-market prices in an effort to drive out domestic compet… Continue Reading
02.05.18
Crain’s Detroit Business: Sen. Peters: Autonomous vehicles could make Michigan center of AI
by Dustin Walsh
Sen. Gary Peters discussed the future of Michigan He believes AI is our greatest opportunity Fears foreign M&A could pose threat to our technological advancements Sen. Gary Peters sees a Michigan future that's more than cars - if the state and its private and public sectors can seize on the opportunity. Speaking to Detroit Economic Club members Monday at the Masonic Temple in Detroit, Peters called for the state to capitalize on its leadership role in developing autonomous vehicles, a … Continue Reading
02.05.18
Detroit News: Senator urges foresight in self-driving vehicle race
by Ian Thibodeau
Michigan has made progress to lead the development of robotic technology that will drastically change transportation. But lawmakers and business leaders need to ready for what comes after self-driving cars hit the road, according to U.S. Sen. Gary Peters. Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, said Monday at the Detroit Economic Club that state and federal officials have done well to position southeast Michigan as a hub for the development of autonomous vehicles. The American Center for Mobility at Wi… Continue Reading
01.17.18
MLive: Federal legislation for autonomous vehicles expected in 2018
by Paula Gardner
The drive for innovation in the auto industry continues at a revolutionary pace. However, federal legislation still lags where automakers, traffic safety experts and the public needs it to be, according to officials at Detroit's auto show. That could change this year, said U.S. Senator Gary Peters. It's a national issue that particularly affects Michigan due to the dominance of the auto industry here - and how other nations also are making strides toward breakthrough technology. "We're in a … Continue Reading
01.06.18
Southgate News-Herald: Sen. Peters tours Viconic Defense factory in Taylor
by Dave Herndon
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters toured Viconic Defense's state of the art factory in Taylor on Monday. Peters is a member of the Armed Services Committee, and has a vested interest in the defense industry as it related to the Michigan plant. "I wanted to come out and see some of the work being done here to save warfighters lives," Peters said. "This is something I focus a great deal on." Viconic Defense manufactures a line of products aimed at making vehicles safer for members of the military to trave… Continue Reading
11.28.17
Macomb Daily: Leaders highlight value of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in Macomb County
by Don Gardner
Bipartisan cooperation to enhance and protect the environment. That was the message Monday morning as Sen. Gary Peters toured improvements made at the Gloede Drain in Clinton Township, along with local political leaders, to see first-hand the results of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative dollars. Peters was joined by Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller, County Executive Mark Hackel, Clinton Township Supervisor Bob Cannon and Clerk Kim Meltzer in front of the Italian American … Continue Reading
11.08.17
Reuters: Michigan Senator urges Congress to retain electric car tax credit
by David Shepardson
A Democratic U.S. Senator from Michigan on Wednesday urged his fellow lawmakers to retain a $7,500 tax credit for people who buy electronic vehicles instead of eliminating it as Republicans have proposed. In a letter seen by Reuters, Senator Gary Peters wrote to Senate leaders that "a new generation of jobs and families will be supported by electric vehicles. Eliminating important economic incentives for electric vehicles would be a step in the wrong direction." Last week, Republicans in the… Continue Reading
11.08.17
MLive: Stabenow, Peters join outcry about Enbridge's maintenance of Line 5
by Julie Mack
U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters are joining state officials in raising sharp questions about Enbridge Inc.'s maintenance of its Line 5 pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac. The two Michigan Democrats today released a letter sent to Enbridge CEO Al Monaco in which they expressed "great concern" about the pipeline's condition, as well as the accuracy of the company's communications. In recent months, Enbridge has disclosed there is damage to the protective coating on the pipeline. I… Continue Reading
11.07.17
Houghton Daily Mining Gazette: Autonocars: Pending self-driving vehicle legislation could boost Tech research
by Garrett Neese
Testing of autonomous vehicles, such as that being done at Michigan Technological University, could get a boost with legislation working its way through Congress. The American Vision for Safer Transportation through Advancement of Revolutionary Technologies (AV START) Act was approved by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee in October. U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., sponsored the bill along with Sen. John Thune, R-S.D. U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., is a co-sponsor o… Continue Reading
11.02.17
Holland Sentinel: Peters introduces bill to expand access to opioid addiction treatment for adolescents
by Sentinel Staff
Ottawa County had 26 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2016. U.S. Senators Gary Peters, D-Michigan, and Shelley Moore Capito, R-West Virginia, introduced legislation Wednesday, Nov. 1, to expand access to opioid addiction treatment for adolescents. The Youth Opioid Use Treatment Help (YOUTH) Act will expand access to medication to treat adolescents suffering from opioid addiction, according to a press release from Peter's office. The bill would also renew an existing substance abuse program a… Continue Reading
10.29.17
MLive/Grand Rapids Press: Purple Heart, Bronze Star presented to family of WWII veteran
by Bryce Airgood
Cheryl Heinrich stood nervously at the front of the room, waiting to receive the nine military medals, including the Purple Heart, on behalf of her father. The emcee described each award, and the honor and sacrifice each stood for. Heinrich's hands shook as U.S. senator Gary Peters passed her the awards one by one. "I'm very proud of him, to know that my dad served and was able to get the medals," Heinrich said. "It's too bad he wasn't able to get them himself or if he did (receive medals), … Continue Reading
10.10.17
MLive: Self-driving vehicles legislation making headway in Congress
by Lauren Gibbons
Congressional efforts to boost autonomous vehicles are gaining traction in the U.S. House and Senate with help from Michigan lawmakers. Last week, the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Michigan U.S. Sen. Gary Peters and John Thune, R-S.D., to update current federal vehicle safety standards to incorporate self-driving vehicle technology. Fellow Michigan U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow is a cosponsor. Peters' legislation, the AV… Continue Reading
10.02.17
Macomb Daily: U.S. Sen. Gary Peters says legislation will make it easier to develop and test autonomous vehicles in Michigan
by Mark Cavitt
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters said new legislation will make it easier to research, develop and test self-driving vehicles in Michigan. Last week, Peters, a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, introduced the American Vision for Safer Transportation through Advancement of Revolutionary Technologies (AV START) Act. The bill aims to advance the testing and development of autonomous technology and provide more public policy on these "life-saving" technologies at t… Continue Reading
09.28.17
Port Huron Times Herald: U.S. Senate approves legislation to combat Great Lakes algal blooms
by Bob Gross
The U.S, Senate has approved bipartisan legislation to protect the Great Lakes from algal blooms, according to a news release from Sen. Gary Peters' office. Peters helped introduce The Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act. It will reauthorize federal efforts to combat the negative impacts algal blooms have on drinking water, recreation and fishing in the Great Lakes including Lakes Erie and St. Clair. "The Great Lakes provide drinking water to over 40 million people and are… Continue Reading
09.21.17
Detroit Free Press: Selfridge pitch for F-35 jets could get boost from Sen. Peters' proposal
by Todd Spangler
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., this week won approval of a measure added to the annual defense authorization that could help Selfridge Air National Guard Base's chances of getting new F35 aircraft. The measure, Peters' office said, makes it clear that the Air Force may move a base's current contingent of A10 aircraft - such as those at Selfridge - if it clears the way toward the Air Force's plans as it decides where to locate the new F35s. Selfridge, in Harrison Township, is among five Nation… Continue Reading
09.19.17
Washington Post: New Hotel Act would ban federal agencies from doing business with Trump hotels
by Ed O'Keefe and Amy Brittain
Democratic lawmakers are introducing legislation that would ban federal officials from spending any taxpayer-funded travel expenses at Trump-owned properties or locales owned by other senior government officials. The legislation comes after The Washington Post reported that President Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Fla., had charged $1,092 for a member of the federal government to stay two nights during the president's visit in early March. The $546-a-night rate was described on an invoi… Continue Reading
08.17.17
Ironwood Daily Globe: Peters talks northern issues
by RICHARD JENKINS
Ironwood - U.S. Sen. Gary Peters visited Ironwood Wednesday during his motorcycle trip around the state. During the visit he stopped by the Daily Globe to talk about the issues he is working on in Washington D.C. - including jobs, health care, the Essential Air Service and a promise to look into the rules regarding the Federal Emergency Management Agency's response to natural disasters. As part of the Senate committee's on Commerce, Science and Transportation; Peters (D-Michigan) is directly in… Continue Reading
08.08.17
Escanaba Daily Press: Senator visits Manistique mill, tours U.P. on motorcycle
by Jordan Beck
As part of a motorcycle tour of the Upper Peninsula, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., toured U.P. Paper in Manistique Monday morning. During this visit, U.P. Paper General Manager Greg Anderson showed Peters around the mill, which produces recycled kraft paper. The paper produced at the mill is used to make products such as fast food bags, shopping bags, and packaging filler. Later, Peters took some time to speak to U.P. Paper officials and the media. U.P. Paper President Lars Dannberg introduc… Continue Reading
