In the News
WLNS CBS 6 Lansing: U.S. Senator Gary Peters visits GM workers in Lansing
by Brittany Flowers
U.S. Senator Gary Peters, D-Michigan, made his was to Lansing this afternoon to show his support of UAW workers standing on the picket lines. "This is an important effort on their part to make sure that they can have fair wages, fair benefits for the hard work that they put in," Senator Peters said. It's day 16 of the UAW Strike, and Senator Peters, like most others, said he hopes it wraps up quickly, but so far there's doesn't seem to be an end in sight. He added that a lot of employees sacr… Continue Reading
09.25.19
WKZO 106.9 FM Kalamazoo: Peters' resolution to phase out PFAS in fire fighting foam passes Senate
by Will Kriss
WASHINGTON D.C. (WKZO AM/FM) -- Senator Gary Peters has announced that his resolution to phase out firefighting foam containing PFAS in the National Defense Bill has been unanimously passed. Peters spoke on the Senate floor yesterday (Wednesday) to explain the resolution. "Today, our water and our health is at risk from highly fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS," Peters said. "These chemicals have been widely used commercially, and they are also concentrated in firefighting foams used by the … Continue Reading
09.23.19
Detroit News: Peters wants Trump to use hostage negotiator to free Whelan from Moscow prison
by Melissa Nann Burke
Washington - U.S. Sen. Gary Peters is urging President Donald Trump to secure the release of Michigan resident Paul Whelan from Russia by involving his top hostage negotiator. Peters, a Michigan Democrat, wrote Friday to Trump asking him to direct his new national security adviser to work on freeing Whelan, who has been in prison in Moscow for nearly nine months. "In particular, I request that you direct your new National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien to prioritize resolving this situation a… Continue Reading
09.19.19
WJRT ABC 12 Flint: U.S. Sen. Gary Peters pledges full support for UAW members on strike
WASHINGTON (WJRT) (9/19/2019) - U.S. Sen. Gary Peters is pledging his support to thousands of UAW members currently on strike from General Motors. About 49,000 UAW members walked the picket lines for a fourth straight day. They went on strike from GM at midnight on Monday, seeking a contract with better pay, benefits, job security and a path for temporary workers to gain full positions. "There is no question that I stand in solidarity with the UAW workers that are now on strike," Peters said f… Continue Reading
09.12.19
Detroit Free Press: Lawmakers to Russia: Show us evidence Paul Whelan is a spy or let him go
by Kristen Jordan Shamus
WASHINGTON, D.C. - If Paul Whelan really is a spy, show us the evidence or let him go, a contingent of lawmakers demanded of the Russian government Thursday on Capitol Hill. Whelan, 49, of Novi, was arrested in December at Moscow's Metropol Hotel, accused of espionage. For nearly nine months, he's been detained without a trial at the notorious Stalin-era Lefortovo Prison. "We believe that the Russians need to release Paul unless they can come up with some sort of concrete evidence to keep hi… Continue Reading
09.09.19
Detroit News: Peters wants details on Pence's stay at Trump hotel in Ireland
by Beth LeBlanc
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters is demanding answers from Vice President Mike Pence's office after the former Indiana governor chose to stay at a Trump-owned hotel during an official visit to Ireland, despite the hotel's distance from the location of the event. The ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Bloomfield Township Democrat sent a letter to the Republican vice president Thursday requesting details on the cost of travel, security and accommodations r… Continue Reading
09.05.19
Detroit Free Press: Peters demands answers from Pence about stay at Trump resort in Ireland
by Todd Spangler
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., is demanding to know how much President Donald Trump's resort in Ireland is making off a recent stay by Vice President Mike Pence and his entourage. Peters, who is the top ranking Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, sent a letter Thursday to Pence with a series of questions about the cost of the stay. He wants to know: The total cost of the travel to Ireland, including that for his personal guests, security … Continue Reading
08.27.19
C&G Newspapers: Senators unveil bill to increase support for Great Lakes projects
by Brendan Losinski
DETROIT - Both U.S. senators from Michigan, Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, came together on Belle Isle Aug. 22 to formally announce a bill to renew the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and increase its funding. Since 2009, the GLRI has provided funds to projects that help clean, maintain and otherwise improve the Great Lakes and other bodies of water that connect to them. "In Michigan alone, since (2009), we have been able to fund 880 different projects - $762 million we've been able to b… Continue Reading
08.22.19
Detroit News: Michigan's senators push for hike in Great Lakes cleanup aid
by Leonard N. Fleming
Detroit - Democratic U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters on Thursday pushed to renew and expand the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding they contend is needed to keep Michigan's waterways clean and vibrant for the public. At a news conference on Belle Isle, Peters and Stabenow touted the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2019 as a bipartisan effort to reauthorize the legislation for another five years. The initiative's funding authorization is set to expire in fiscal year… Continue Reading
08.09.19
WXMI FOX 17 West Michigan: Sen. Peters calls for more CBP officers at Ford Intl. Airport during motorcycle tour
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich, addressed the need for more Customs and Border Patrol officers at the airport in Grand Rapids Friday morning dur his annual statewide motorcycle tour. Peters, a ranking member of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, described his efforts to increase federal resources at places like Gerald R. Ford International Airport. "When you look at what's been happening right now, as well, with the increased flow of folks on the southern b… Continue Reading
08.08.19
Marquette Mining Journal: Peters stops at Ishpeming Senior Center during annual motorcycle tour
by Cecilia Brown
ISHPEMING - Many people want to stay at home safely and independently as they age, but there can be barriers to aging in place, especially in rural areas. For this reason, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, made a stop at the Ishpeming Senior Center along Pine Street in Ishpeming Wednesday morning during his fourth annual motorcycle tour across Michigan. He discussed his legislative efforts to help seniors age in place and learned more about the challenges and successes the Ishpeming Senior … Continue Reading
08.07.19
WNMU Public Radio 90: Senator stops in Escanaba as part of Michigan tour
by Nicole Walton
ESCANABA, MI-- U.S. Senator Gary Peters is making his way around the U.P. this week as part of his fourth annual motorcycle tour across Michigan. Peters stopped in Escanaba Tuesday to visit Engineered Machined Products. He toured the manufacturing and advanced products facilities, where he watched Escanaba High School's FIRST ROBOTICS team give a demonstration. "EMP is proud to be based in Escanaba and expanding our capabilities into different sectors of the economy," said Paul … Continue Reading
08.07.19
Escanaba Daily Press: Sen. Peters visits Esky, talks issues
by Jordan Beck
ESCANABA - U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., visited Engineered Machined Products (EMP) in Escanaba during his fourth annual motorcycle tour across Michigan Tuesday. While visiting EMP, Peters took a brief tour of the business' advanced products building. There, he had an opportunity to see some of the products worked on at the facility, including electric cooling systems, electric water pumps, electric fans and electric oil pumps. "It's great to be here at EMP - this is really a cutting-e… Continue Reading
08.06.19
WLUC TV 6 Marquette: Senator Gary Peters continues 4th Annual Michigan Motorcycle Tour with stop in Escanaba
by Tyler J. Markle
ESCANABA, Mich. (WLUC) - United States Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), is making his way across the Upper Peninsula, on his Annual Michigan Motorcycle Tour. "There's no better way to see Michigan than on a motorcycle," said Peters. Senator Peters has been riding his whole life, and this is his fourth year doing the tour. The Democrat says the stops he makes along the way help him shape policy in Washington, D.C. "That's why I do this trip around Michigan, to listen to folks around the state, … Continue Reading
08.05.19
Oakland Press: Sen. Gary Peters wants to hear from workers victimized by wage theft
by Anne Runkle
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Michigan) wants to hear from workers who have been victims of wage theft. Peters is conducting an investigation into wage theft practices, which could include: Failure to pay the applicable minimum wage Failure to compensate employees for overtime Mis-classifying employees as independent contractors to avoid paying certain benefits or taxes. Peters, ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, has directed the committee's mi… Continue Reading
08.05.19
Oakland Press: Sen. Gary Peters discussing apprenticeships and veterans on statewide motorcycle tour
by Mark Cavitt
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters has been riding since he was 11 years old. The BloomfieldHills resident kicked off his fourth annual statewide motorcycle tour Monday at Motor City Harley Davidson in Farmington Hills. He was joined by motorcycle rights advocates, local officials, and fellow riders. The five-day tour, which includes stops in Flint, Grand Rapids, Escanaba, Traverse City and Grand Ledge, allows Peters to highlight and spotlight his legislative priorities and speak with residents across th… Continue Reading
07.31.19
Lapeer County Press: Sen. Peters responds to ag inspection shortage at U.S. borders
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow are among a bipartisan group introducing legislation to address the shortage of inspectors who protect our food supply and agricultural industries at the border by preventing the intentional or unintentional entry of harmful plants, food, animals and goods. Joining the two Michigan Democrats are Republican Sens. Pat Roberts from Kansas and John Cornyn from Texas. "Every day, millions of pounds of produce, meat and other agricultural goods… Continue Reading
07.30.19
WBKB 11 Alpena: Senators Gary Peters and Marsha Blackburn propose legislation to improve veterans’ caregiver program
by Lauren Mixon
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Gary Peters and Tennessee senator Marsha Blackburn, are fighting to ensure veterans have adequate access to caregivers. The senators introduced plans to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs Caregiver program. The new legislation comes as a result of vets suddenly receiving discharge notices or downgraded benefits. Senator Peters says, "My legislation will force the VA to continue to provide resources for caregivers for 90 days and allow people to basically challe… Continue Reading
07.25.19
Holland Sentinel: Peters introduces bill to bolster VA caregiver efforts
by Arpan Lobo
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, introduced legislation in the Senate on Tuesday, July 23, that bolsters the Department of Veterans Affairs' caregiver program. The Transparency and Effective Accountability Measures for Veteran Caregivers Act would add new measures designed to improve the caregivers program. The program provides a monthly stipend for individuals to assist veterans who are wounded during service. The caretakers, often family members of the veterans, rely on the st… Continue Reading
07.10.19
Michigan Radio: U.S. Senator Peters: Deepfake videos dangerous to democracy
by Tracy Samilton
Michigan Senator Gary Peters has joined with other members of the Senate Artificial Intelligence Caucus (AI Caucus) to sponsor a bill going after deepfakes. Deepfakes are online videos created using sophisticated machine learning software. They manipulate real content to depict events and statements that did not actually occur. "They are a very dangerous item that can be weaponized to put out false information," says Peters. "But if you watch it, you would think, my gosh that must be accurat… Continue Reading
