In the News
Homeland Preparedness News: Senate hearing examines damage caused by lack of, overreliance on foreign supply chains throughout COVID-19 pandemic
by Chris Galford
In the wake of a pandemic response that had been hobbled initially by a lack of domestic medical supplies and an overreliance on foreign supply chains, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Gary Peters (D-MI) held an oversight hearing with supply chain, pharmaceutical, and medical experts this week. Front and center was the Trump administration, with participants pressed on how the previous administration failed to anticipate drug and medical supply shortages and … Continue Reading
05.20.21
Detroit News: Peters seeks to overhaul Postal Service's finances to boost performance
by Melissa Nann Burke
Washington - A new bipartisan bill in the Senate aims to overhaul the U.S. Postal Service's financial structure in an effort to improve persistent delivery problems and shore up the agency's long-term solvency after years of financial strain. U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, described his legislation as the first major piece of postal legislation in 15 years. It has "significant" bipartisan support, including 10 Republican c… Continue Reading
05.19.21
Washington Post: Senators reach bipartisan deal to overhaul USPS finances, tighten accountability requirements
by Jacob Bogage
A bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation Wednesday to lift significant financial burdens off the ailing U.S. Postal Service while tightening accountability requirements for mail delivery, a major stride for an agency that has tussled with its balance sheet and reputation for the better part of a year. The bill, identical to a version that has advanced in the House, would repeal $5 billion a year in mandatory retiree health-care expenses and require future postal retirees to enroll … Continue Reading
05.13.21
WLNS CBS 6 Lansing: Senator Gary Peters reacts to new CDC mask guidance
by Wells Foster
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) - Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) released a statement on Thursday celebrating the new Center for Disease Control guidance that says vaccinated people do not need to wear masks indoors in most cases. "Today's news from the CDC is great! We now can start getting back to our normal life as long as we are fully vaccinated. That's why it's so important that everybody…get out there and go get a vaccine," Senator Peters said.… Continue Reading
05.12.21
Detroit News: Peters' $2 billion chips amendment added to China bill
by Riley Beggin
Washington - Legislation by Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, to pump $2 billion into semiconductor manufacturing in the United States was added Wednesday to a bill targeting American competitiveness with China. The amendment, approved by the Senate Commerce Committee 15-13, would provide funds to chip production that would "advance the economic and national security interests of the United States," according to a draft version of the amendment provided to The Detroit News, with a specia… Continue Reading
05.10.21
WXMI FOX 17 Grand Rapids: Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow welcome $11 billion to Michigan State and Local Governments
by Bronson Christian
MICHIGAN - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) announced that Michigan state and local governments will receive nearly $11 billion in funding through the American Rescue Plan today. "Michigan communities have been on the front lines of this pandemic, and it's critical they stay afloat and are able to continue to provide essential emergency and public safety services," said Senator Peters, Chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee. "I have ad… Continue Reading
05.10.21
WLNS CBS 6 Lansing: Peters, Stabenow welcome $11 billion in federal funding through American Resuce Plan
by Wells Foster
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) - Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow released a joint statement on Monday welcoming the Treasury Department's announcement that Michigan state and local governments will receive nearly $11 billion in COVID relief through the American Rescue Plan. Both senators helped enact the plan earlier this year. The State of Michigan will receive $6,540,417,626.70, with local governments receiving billions more. "Michigan communities have been on the front lines of this pandem… Continue Reading
05.09.21
Holland Sentinel: Upton, Peters, Stabenow introduce bill to hold universities accountable for sexual abuse reporting
WASHINGTON - Legislation with bipartisan and bicameral backing in Congress would require leaders at higher education institutions to certify they have reviewed any reports of sexual abuses perpetrated by the institution's employees. The Accountability of Leaders in Education to Report Title IX Investigations, or ALERT Act, was reintroduced in Congress by Democrat Sens. Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow, along with Republican Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, and others April 30. The legislation wou… Continue Reading
05.09.21
WJRT ABC 12 Flint: Kildee, Stabenow, Peters, Moolenaar, Urge VA to Improve Travel Reimbursement Program for Michigan Veterans
by Angie Hendershot
FLINT, Mich. (WJRT) - Michigan lawmakers reached out to Secretary of Veterans' Affairs Denis McDonough on behalf of more than one hundred older veterans who were struggling with computer skills, have cognitive impairment (including traumatic brain injuries) or do not have reliable access to the internet. The vets have contacted their offices regarding problems logging on and being reimbursed for out of pocket medical travel. According to a press release, Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief De… Continue Reading
05.06.21
WKAR 90.5 FM Michigan State University: Sen. Peters Touts Vaccines At MSU
by Scott Pohl
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters visited a COVID-19 vaccination site at Michigan State University Thursday, hoping to encourage people to get their shots. Peters chairs the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which has approved $50-billion to support vaccine programs like the one run by the Ingham County Health Department at the MSU Pavilion. The Michigan Democrat says the federal government is helping local health departments run education campaigns showing that the vaccines are… Continue Reading
05.05.21
WWTV CBS 9&10 Traverse City: U.S. Senator Gary Peters Visit Traverse City Vaccination Clinic
by Bill Froehlich, Josh Monroe
The mass-vaccination clinic in Grand Traverse County played host to U.S. Senator Gary Peters on Wednesday. The Senator visited the site in Traverse City and got a tour from the county health department. Peters also stopped to talk with county employees and members of the National Guard. Senator Peters talked about the Biden Administration's plans to divert vaccines away from areas where there is plenty of supply, and sending it to areas where COVID case numbers are surging. "When we saw this re… Continue Reading
05.04.21
Holland Sentinel: Peters: Federal government has a role to play in combatting vaccine misinformation
by Arpan Lobo
GRAND RAPIDS - U.S. Sen. Gary Peters believes the federal government can provide local units with resources to provide educational campaigns on the COVID-19 vaccines, as health officials work to administer as many doses possible to get the U.S. to a post-pandemic state. Peters Vaccine U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, speaks to media on Monday, May 3, following a tour of the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at the DeVos Center in downtown Grand Rapids. As the vaccine rollout has taken… Continue Reading
05.03.21
WWMT CBS 3 Grand Rapids: US Sen. Gary Peters tours West Michigan vaccination clinic
by Aldair Zepeda
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - U.S. Sen. Gary Peters toured the largest vaccination site in West Michigan Monday morning at the DeVos Place in Grand Rapids. Peters said West Michigan was making progress in the vaccine rollout and urged the importance of the vaccine as new variants continued to pop up. "In challenging times in this country, we always see Americans stepping up and doing their part to make a difference and it's no exception here. We're in a race with variants, that's why it is so importan… Continue Reading
05.03.21
WOOD NBC 8 Grand Rapids: Peters eyes supply chain security amid semiconductor chip shortage
by Rick Albin
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - U.S. Sen. Gary Peters has concerns about computer chip shortages that are threatening to slow domestic car production. If you've tried to buy a used car recently, you may have found inventory lacking and prices adjusted to reflect that. Now, concerns about a global shortage of a major component in new cars, semiconductor chips, could interrupt the manufacture of new cars. The problem prompted Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, to look at how supply chain issues could a… Continue Reading
05.03.21
WZZM ABC 13 Grand Rapids: Gary Peters to visit West Michigan Vaccine Clinic Monday
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) is scheduled to tour the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at DeVos Place Monday morning. Peters, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, worked with FEMA and state officials to secure more than 200 additional federal personnel to assist at mass vaccination sites throughout the state, including at the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic. The West Michigan Vaccine Clinic is a collaborative effort of Kent Coun… Continue Reading
04.29.21
Houghton Daily Mining Gazette: U.S. Department of Commerce invests $2.7 million to support growth of technology manufacturing sector in Hancock
by Ike Umunnah
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.7 million grant to the city of Hancock, Michigan, to provide flood resilient infrastructure for a new business and technology park that will house technology and technology-driven light manufacturing businesses. This EDA project, to be matched with $666,028 in state and local funds, is expected to create 61 jobs, retain 147 jobs, and generate $17… Continue Reading
04.25.21
MiBiz.com: Peters’ legislation attempts to create unified federal strategy, advocacy for manufacturing
by Jayson Bussa
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters foresaw the pain points the country's manufacturers would encounter during the COVID-19 pandemic and he's actively pushing legislation he thinks could make the industry more resilient. In Peters' role with the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs - a committee in which he was formerly a ranking member, but now chairs - the Michigan Democrat and his fellow committee members launched an investigation into high drug prices. This deep dive, which was … Continue Reading
04.22.21
WSGW 100.5 FM Saginaw: Elected Officials, Activists Call On Air Force To Follow Michigan Guidelines In Wurtsmith Cleanup
by Michael Percha
LANSING, Mich. (WJRT) - Another 200 federal workers are coming to help administer COVID-19 vaccine at three of Michigan largest community clinics. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the U.S. Department of Defense, Coast Guard and Forest Service are sending additional employees to help with vaccination efforts at Ford Field and the TCF Center in Detroit, along with DeVos Place in Grand Rapids. Federal support also will allow the state to provide additional ambulance personnel for each of the three site… Continue Reading
04.22.21
Federal Times: AI scholarships to be offered for federal service, under proposed bill
by Jessie Bur
Students studying artificial intelligence at either the undergraduate or graduate level could have some of their education paid for by agreeing to work for a federal agency after graduation, under legislation introduced by Sens. Gary Peters, D-Mich., and John Thune, R-S.D., April 21. The AI Scholarship-for-Service Act offers a one-to-one arrangement for students attending a qualified university, meaning that they must agree to work a federal AI job for the same length of time that their scholar… Continue Reading
04.22.21
Dearborn Press & Guide: Gary Peters ranks No. 1 over all as 'most effective' in U.S. Senate
by Jackie Harrison-Martin
He might have been in the minority, but his work was tops among the majority. When the nonpartisan Center for Effective Lawmaking released its biannual ratings on effectiveness, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters ranked at the top of the list in the 116th Congress for 2019-2020. The ratings, which were based on effectiveness in enacting and advancing legislation, showed that Peters outpaced every senator, regardless of party, in passing bills. He passed 10 standalone bills into law and 14 bills through th… Continue Reading
