In the News
Port Huron Times-Herald: Senators seek funding for Great Lakes icebreaker in 2021 federal budget
by Jeremy Ervin
Michigan's two senators are asking the federal government to provide more ice breaking assets for the Great Lakes. Democratic Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow signed a letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney, Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf and United States Coast Guard Admiral Karl Schultz. Congress approved funding for an acquisition office in 2015, but the executive branch has not yet requested budgetary funds for an actual ship, … Continue Reading
01.31.20
WKTV Journal: On Tap: Mitten Brewing toasts Sen. Peters assistance, where to sample craft liquors locally
by K.D. Norris
It is unclear which Grand Rapids area craft brew U.S. Sen. Gary Peters likes to order when he makes a stop in the area, but he probably has one on the house coming from Mitten Brewing Company. Thanks to some federal-level advocacy from Sen. Peters' office, Mitten Brewing Co. has a new Traverse Bay area craft brewing brewery and pub after Chris Andrus, co-owner and co-founder of the Mitten Brewing Co., was able to expedite a license from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. The story, … Continue Reading
01.31.20
Detroit Free Press: Real ID compliance may leave up to 85,000 stranded, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters isn't having it
by Andrea Perez Balderrama
The Real ID Act deadline is fast approaching, and U.S. Senator Gary Peters is not convinced all Michiganders are ready. On Jan. 24, Peters co-authored a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to raise concerns about travel interruptions that could arise if travelers fail to present Real ID Act compliant identification after the Oct. 1 deadline, according to a news release. The Real ID Act will require all travelers over age 18 to present Real ID-compliant identification to fly. T… Continue Reading
01.30.20
Holland Sentinel: Peters, Stabenow push to secure Great Lakes conservation funding
WASHINGTON - Michigan's U.S. senators led a bipartisan effort to urge the Trump administration to allocate at least $320 million to help restore the Great Lakes. Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow, both Democrats, pushed for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in the fiscal year 2021. In a letter to the heads of the Office of Management and Budget and the Environmental Protection Agency, Peters, Stabenow and a bipartisan group of senators highlighted the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative's co… Continue Reading
01.29.20
WLNS 6 Lansing: Senators urge Trump administration to include Great Lakes icebreaker in budget proposal
U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) are leading the push for the Trump administration to allocate more funding to the Cost Guard for a new Great Lakes Icebreaker. Icebreakers are key to ensuring passageways between the channels and harbors of the lakes are as smooth as possible. "The Coast Guard is required by law to maintain a heavy icebreaking capability on the Great Lakes to keep our region's ports and harbors open and facilitate our nation's free flow of commerce. Howev… Continue Reading
01.28.20
Oscoda Press: Peters seeks PFAS remediation funds for Wurtsmith, K.I. Sawyer
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) has led Michigan Congressional delegation members in calling on the Air Force to allocate a portion of the additional $60 million it received for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) remediation efforts to the ongoing cleanup projects at two Michigan sites. These are the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda and the former K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base in Marquette County. In a letter to Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett, the lawmakers -… Continue Reading
01.27.20
Michigan Radio: President signs bill to improve security for synagogues, mosques, and other religious groups
by Tracy Samilton
Synagogues, mosques and other houses of worship can soon apply for federal grants to improve security. The new federal law is called the Protecting Faith Based and Nonprofit Organizations From Terrorism Act. President Donald Trump signed the Act into law this week. The Act comes in the wake of a surge of threats and attacks on synagogues, mosques and other religious groups -- including the machete attack on five people at a New York synagogue in December. The bills were first introduced by… Continue Reading
01.24.20
WNEM CBS 5 Lansing: Sen. Peters introduces bill to strengthen state's cybersecurity
by Stephen Borowy
U.S. Senator Gary Peters is introducing a bipartisan bill that would help strengthen the state's cybersecurity. The bill would ensure that each state has its own Cybersecurity Coordinator, who would help prevent and respond to cybersecurity threats by working with government officials, schools, hospitals, and utilities. "With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated and formidable every day, it's vital that states have a point person responsible for coordinating cybersecurity efforts with exp… Continue Reading
01.10.20
Dearborn Press & Guide: Gary Peters year in review, legislation he worked and and had passed
by Dave Herndon
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), who was recognized as one of the most effective and bipartisan Democratic senators by non-partisan organizations, continued delivering results for Michiganders in 2019. Legislative provisions Peters led to protect the Great Lakes, expand skills training opportunities, address the PFAS crisis and strengthen Michigan and U.S. security passed the Senate or were signed into law last year. "I'm focused on delivering results for Michigan and willing to work with anyone t… Continue Reading
12.09.19
Oakland Press: Unveiling new report on prescription drug costs, shortages, Sen. Gary Peters calls for more comprehensive approach
by Natalie Broda
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Michigan) released a new report on prescription drug costs and shortages during a trip to Pontiac's St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital on Friday, Dec. 6. The report details findings from a recent investigation into the cost and U.S. supply chain of prescription drugs, as well as national security concerns surrounding foreign drug manufacturers. Peters is a ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. "We need a comprehensive approac… Continue Reading
12.04.19
Detroit News: Michigan cherry farmers, Sen. Peters press for 650% tariff on Turkey
by Keith Lang
Washington - Michigan cherry farmers and U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, petitioned the U.S. government on Tuesday to impose a nearly 650% tariff on dried tart cherries from Turkey. The International Trade Commission had a final hearing in its investigation of whether Turkey, the world's largest tart cherry producer, has been unfairly hampering American farmers' ability to compete by subsidizing its cherry growers. Peters implored the panel to finalize a determination on antidumpi… Continue Reading
11.17.19
The Arab American News: Sen. Gary Peters meets with Michigan faith leaders to discuss securing houses of worship
by Hassan Abbas
SOUTHFIELD - On Friday, November 8, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, met with faith leaders and law enforcement officials to discuss his bipartisan efforts to improve security for faith-based institutions in Michigan. A fact sheet compiled by the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, or START, shows a distinct spike in the number and frequency of these attacks on religious instituti… Continue Reading
11.14.19
WOOD TV NBC 8 Grand Rapids: Peters seeks answers on Agent Orange coverage at VA
by Rick Albin
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - U. S. Sen. Gary Peters is demanding to know why thousands of veterans aren't receiving the health benefits he believes they should. Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, sent a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Office of Management and Budget asking for an explanation as to why certain illnesses aren't being covered for thousands of Vietnam-era vets who were exposed to toxic defoliant Agent Orange. He said illnesses like bladder cancer, hypertension and… Continue Reading
11.13.19
Michigan Farm News: Sen. Peters introduces legislation calling for ag representation on FAA’s Drone Policy Board
by Dennis Rudat
Under legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (MI), agriculture and forestry could soon have a seat on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)'s chief drone policy committee. The Drone Advisory Committee for the 21st Century Act, which Peters introduced with Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Pat Roberts (R-KS), would also ensure that the FAA provides representation for local government officials, including those from county and tribal governments, on the Drone Advisory Committee (DAC). … Continue Reading
11.12.19
The Monroe News: Federal officials to study port trade inequities
by Tyler Eagle
When you're not getting the answers you want, sometimes you have to ask to speak to the manager. In the Port of Monroe's pursuit to more broadly handle international cargo, those managers are Customs and Border Protection's Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan and Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner John Wagner. Port director Paul LaMarre III and U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., met with Wagner and Morgan last week to discuss regulation's imposed by CBP's Detroit office that have hampered the lo… Continue Reading
11.12.19
Oakland Press: Sen. Gary Peters promotes legislation to boost security at places of worship
by Anne Runkle
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Michigan) met with faith leaders and law enforcement officials in Southfield Friday, Nov. 8, to discuss his bipartisan efforts to improve security for faith-based institutions in Michigan. Peters highlighted his bipartisan legislation that recently advanced in the Senate to provide grants to nonprofits and religious organizations to help secure their facilities against potential terrorist attacks. "Places of worship should be a safe haven, where people can practice the… Continue Reading
11.11.19
Dearborn Press & Guide: Sen. Gary Peters hosts town hall event at Dearborn senior living facility
by John Zadikian
A discussion of the current political climate and preview of the 2020 elections dominated a town hall discussion with U.S. Sen. Gary Peters Monday at Henry Ford Village. The ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee visited the Dearborn senior living community as part of his Veterans Day tour of the city. Scores of HFV residents gathered in the Chapel to hear Peters, who was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008 and to the Senate in 2014. HFV Exe… Continue Reading
11.02.19
Traverse City Record-Eagle: Peters talks Turkey, tariffs
by Mark Urban
TRAVERSE CITY - Thanksgiving is weeks away, but talk of Turkey dominated a roundtable discussion between U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) and region fruit growers. More than two dozen growers talked about tariffs, regulations and labor with Peters Friday morning at the Michigan State University Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station. Peters said a preliminary decision by the U.S. International Trade Commission to put tariffs on tart cherry exports from Turkey is a step toward leveling a… Continue Reading
11.01.19
Holland Sentinel: Peters introduces local cybersecurity bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, co-sponsored legislation that targets increasing cybersecurity for local government units to secure residents' information. The DOTGOV Online Trust in Government Act of 2019 would provide local government units, like cities, townships and counties, with resources to transition to websites using .gov domains. The city of Holland and Ottawa County, for example, use a .com and a .org domain, respectively. Peters, along with Sens. Amy Klobuchar… Continue Reading
11.01.19
WWMT 9&10 News Traverse City: Senator Peters Meets With Farmers in Traverse City
by David Lyden
Michigan U.S. Senator Gary Peters was in Northern Michigan Friday morning meeting with farmers from across the area. The senator made the visit to Traverse City to discuss trade policies and the impact they're having on our area. The senator discussed what's next after the U.S. International Trade Commission's decision to issue tariffs against Turkey. Farmers say Turkey had been unfairly dumping tart cherries, causing U.S. farmers to lose money. Senator Peters heard about the impact the curr… Continue Reading
