In the News
WZZM ABC 13 Grand Rapids: Sen. Gary Peters tours Grand Rapids USPS facility
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Senator Gary Peters - (D) Michigan demands transparency from the United States Postal Service (USPS). "All we need are answers," says Peters. "Without answers, its hard for us to figure out exactly what's happening." After launching an investigation into the USPS delays and operational changes earlier this month, the senator still doesn't feel like hes being cooperated with. To get a better look at the system, he took a tour of the Patterson Avenue USPS proc… Continue Reading
08.21.20
Michigan Advance: Peters lays into postmaster general over 1000s of complaints
by Allison Stevens
WASHINGTON - Postmaster General Louis DeJoy mounted a strong defense of his record Friday during a high-profile U.S. Senate hearing on recent postal delays, calling claims that the President Trump administration is trying to sabotage the elections by deliberately disrupting mail service "outrageous." DeJoy acknowledged delays during the pandemic, but said the agency is fully capable of delivering election mail on time. He added that successful elections are his "sacred duty" and main priority t… Continue Reading
08.21.20
WZZM ABC 13 Grand Rapids: Sen. Gary Peters wants answers from USPS, concerned about GR sorting machine dismantling
by Alana Holland
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Images of broken pieces of machinery outside the Grand Rapids Post Office on Patterson Avenue sparked many questions Wednesday. This came a day after US Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced a pause on new initiatives, such as removing sorting equipment from post offices. 13 ON YOUR SIDE is working to find out when the sorting machine was taken apart. We also do not know if its removal was due to changes within the postal service, or if the machine was broken. The … Continue Reading
08.16.20
WDIV NBC 4 Detroit: Gary Peters calls for urgent Senate hearing on postal service changes and delivery delays
DETROIT - On Sunday, US Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, called for an urgent hearing on Aug. 21. The hearing is to address recent changes Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has directed that have left Americans in Michigan and across the country struggling with delayed mail deliveries. In a letter to Chairman Ron Johnson, Peters pressed for the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which has oversight of the U.S. … Continue Reading
08.16.20
WNEM CBS 5 Flint: Senator Gary Peters wants answer from postmaster, other postal officials
by Jason Fielder, Markie Heideman
"It's absolutely critical that we have a hearing and hear from the Postmaster as well as the Chairman of the Board," said United States Senator Gary Peters. Peters wants answers from Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and Chairman of the Postal Service Board of Governors Robert Duncan. "We have seen in the last couple of weeks, the performance in terms of on-time delivery of the mail has gone down dramatically," said Peters. "We understand it's the result of new procedures that have been put in pl… Continue Reading
08.12.20
WXYZ ABC 7 Detroit: Stabenow, Peters call for federal response after Michigan households receive packages of seeds in mail
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters are calling for a federal response after households in Michigan and across the country received unsolicited packages of seeds in the mail. The packages may be a part of a "brushing" scam, which is an exploit by a vendor used to bolster product ratings and increase visibility online by shipping the product to people without their knowledge. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development says not to open or plant the seeds, which come… Continue Reading
08.12.20
Marquette Mining Journal: Sen. Peters asks Michiganders to submit stories of recent mail delays
by Garrett Neese
HOUGHTON - U.S. Sen. Gary Peters is asking Michigan residents to relay their experience with delayed mail as part of his investigation into service slowdowns after changes initiated by the new postmaster general. "Mail delivery is too important for every American, particularly those folks in our rural areas that count on mail, and small businesses that are moving online and need to have postal services to carry their business forward," Peters said. Peters, U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence and pos… Continue Reading
08.10.20
WDET 101.9 FM Detroit: Sen. Peters Opens Investigation Into Postal Service Cost-Cutting, Election Concerns
by Russ McNamara
Changes at the U.S. Postal Service are drawing concerns over mail-in voting ahead of the November election. Tens of millions of ballots are expected to be mailed due to the pandemic. U.S. Senator Gary Peters has opened an investigation into changes in policy at the United States Postal Service. "Unfortunately, [President Trump] has made it part of his platform to attack the postal service." - Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (MI-14) Peters is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security… Continue Reading
08.10.20
WZZM ABC 13 Grand Rapids: Sen. Peters says 'hundreds' of Michiganders experience mail delays, calls for answers
by Alana Holland
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Senator Gary Peters, (D-Mich.), said in a media update Monday he has heard from "hundreds" of people experiencing a delay in their mail. Last week, Peters announced he opened an investigation into the United States Postal Service (USPS), in light of changes from a newly appointed Postmaster General, Louis DeJoy. "When we think of the postal service, and how important it is to every day life," said Peters, "not just prescription medicine, but getting payroll ch… Continue Reading
08.07.20
Dearborn Press & Guide: Peters introduces bipartisan bill to strengthen reentry opportunities through skills trainings and apprenticeships
U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today introduced bipartisan legislation that strengthens reentry programs that provide workforce training, pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship. The Reentry Employment Opportunities Act, which Peters introduced with U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), would codify into law the U.S. Department of Labor's Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO) Program, which supports national, regional and local organizations that administer skills training programs. The REO program pro… Continue Reading
07.30.20
WEYI NBC 25 Flint: U.S. Sen. Gary Peters backs veteran workforce development plan amid COVID-19
LANSING, Mich. - As negotiations continue in Washington for the next COVID-19 relief stimulus package, one of Michigan's U.S. senators wants another group of Americans to get some help. U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, backed a plan with U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Arkansas, to extend GI Bill benefits for veterans whose registered apprenticeships were cut short or paused due to COVID-19. Peters said currently, veterans need to meet minimum number of hours to get their full benefits, but some … Continue Reading
07.27.20
MLive: Michigan senator asks FEMA to help school districts buy masks, cover costs related to reopening
by Malachi Barrett
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, is pressing FEMA to provide school districts reopening this fall with emergency pandemic funding. Peters, who serves as the ranking member on a committee that supervises FEMA, sent a letter to Administrator Peter Gaynor Monday urging him to open a federal disaster relief fund for schools. The funding could be used to cover costs related to training, reconfiguring classrooms and providing masks and other personal protective equipment, Peters wrote. … Continue Reading
07.23.20
Huron Daily Tribune: Sen. Gary Peters supports child care funding
by Robert Creenan
Michigan Senator Gary Peters announced his support for new legislation aimed at ensuring that child care providers would have resources to maintain safe operations. The Child Care is Essential Act would provide $50 billion in a new Child Care stabilization fund within the already existing Child Care and Development Block Grant program. It would be included in a future coronavirus relief package if passed. This new fund would provide grant funding to child care providers to stabilize the child … Continue Reading
07.22.20
WEYI NBC 66 Flint: Peters announces proposal to support students, families, teachers for coming school year
U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) today announced a proposal to support an eventual safe return to school by ensuring local communities have the resources and supplies needed to keep students connected to a quality education. As Senate negotiations begin on the next Coronavirus package and schools begin considering steps to return in the fall, Peters' proposal would help ensure communities have the flexibility and support to continue students' education and development while protecting the health… Continue Reading
07.17.20
WILX NBC 10 Lansing: Senator Peters requests details on reported changes to USPS
U.S. Senator Gary Peters is requesting more information on reported changes to the delivery service provided by the U.S. Postal Service. The Postal Service is the only entity that provides delivery to every address in the United States. Changes to the service could affect those who depend on it. "It is essential that the Postal Service not slow down mail or in any way compromise service for small businesses, rural communities, seniors, and millions of Americans who rely on the mail," Peters wr… Continue Reading
07.17.20
Marquette Mining Journal: Peters’ bill will support business
by Jackie Jahfetson
MARQUETTE - U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Hills, introduced legislation last week that would help strengthen the manufacturing industry by creating a National Institute of Manufacturing. Peters was joined by Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center President Mike Coast and Piston Automotive Bob Holloway during a Zoom video call July 8 to discuss the new National Institute of Manufacturing Act. The National Institute of Manufacturing, or NIM, would "streamline the dozens of federal ma… Continue Reading
07.15.20
WWTV CBS 9&10 Traverse City: Sen. Gary Peters Visits Traverse City to Meet Beneficiary of Paycheck Protection Program
by Chloe Kiple & Josh Monroe
Senator Gary Peters stopped in Traverse City on Wednesday to visit TentCraft, a local business that benefited from the Paycheck Protection Program. Sen. Peters helped pass the legislation which made the PPP possible for businesses who needed a safety net through the quarantine. TentCraft got the PPP in secondary rounds of the program and helped keep 70+ workers on staff. The TC company normally makes marketing materials, like tents, for businesses and major events like concerts, sports and fe… Continue Reading
07.08.20
WWMT CBS 3 West Michigan: Sen. Peters says new legislation would support federal manufacturing programs
by Samantha May
U.S. Senator Gary Peters announced a new legislation Wednesday that aims to support Michigan manufacturers. He said the COVID-19 pandemic exposed short-term supply chain issues, as well as long-term problems, due to the lack of national manufacturing strategy. New legislation introduced Wednesday, July 8, 2020, focused on streamlining dozens of federal manufacturing programs from the National Institute of Manufacturing. Peters said his goal is to keep small businesses alive and bring jobs bac… Continue Reading
07.08.20
WLUC TV 6 Marquette: Sen. Peters announces legislation to create National Institute of Manufacturing
by Doug Lindblom
U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) has announced new legislation that would establish a National Institute of Manufacturing. Peters, rolled out the plan during a video call Wednesday, July 8, joined by Michigan manufacturing leaders. The NIM is modeled after the National Institutes of Health, and would be used to enhance manufacturing jobs across the country. The hope is this legislation would create a more cohesive and centralized approach to job creation across the country. "We have 58 program… Continue Reading
07.08.20
Detroit News: Sen. Peters introduces legislation to create National Institute of Manufacturing
by Candice Williams
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters has introduced legislation to create the National Institute of Manufacturing, which would streamline national manufacturing programs. The Michigan senator said during a press conference Wednesday that the new federal agency would be modeled after the National Institutes of Health. Peters said there are federal 58 programs spread across 11 agencies that deal with manufacturing. "They're not coordinated, it's not efficient, taxpayer money is being wasted," he said. "We nee… Continue Reading
