In the News
Federal News Network: Bill to let anyone who served get a vaccine at VA passes Senate
by Eric White
The Senate has passed legislation that would let VA vaccinate anyone who's ever served in the military, plus their spouses. The measure still needs House approval and the president's signature before it becomes law. As of now, VA facilities are generally only allowed to provide shots to veterans who are enrolled in VA health care. The "Save Lives Act" would expand eligibility to all veterans, their spouses, their caregivers, and in some cases, their children. Congress and the Biden administrati… Continue Reading
03.17.21
WSYM FOX 17 Lansing: Senator Peters reintroduces 'Stop for School Buses Act'
WASHINGTON - Sen. Gary Peters, joined by Sen. Todd Young from Indiana, has reintroduced the Stop for School Buses Act, according to a representative of Peters. We're told the bipartisan plan would require a rigorous evaluation of strategies to prevent vehicles from passing school buses at loading zones. "We need to do everything we can to help keep kids safe on their way to and from school, and that's why it's time for a much-needed review of safety laws surrounding school buses," says Peters… Continue Reading
03.16.21
Marquette Mining Journal: Sen. Gary Peters recognized for Washington work
While most of officialdom in the nation's capital and elsewhere has descended into partisan hell, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Hills, seems to have found a better way to do business. The understated lawmaker who was elected to his second six-year term in office last November, has been named the top senator in terms of enacting and advancing legislation. The recognition came from the nonpartisan Center for Effective Lawmaking, which bestows such honors on an annual basis. Peters' good w… Continue Reading
03.15.21
MIRS: Peters Ranked 'Most Effective Senator'
U.S. Sen. Gary PETERS (D-Bloomfield Twp.) was ranked the most effective Senator for the 116th session of Congress according to a biannual ranking done by the Center for Effective Lawmaking at the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University. According to the report, Peters has the rare distinction of being the most effective Senator despite being in the minority. In fact, the Center for Effective Lawmaking (CEL) couldn't find another example of any member of the minority party having more b… Continue Reading
03.12.21
WBUP ABC 10 Marquette: Federal Funding to Further Optimize Michigan Technological University Intelligently Operating Vehicles Research
by Neydja Petithomme
U.S. Senator Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow welcomed $4,000,000 in federal funding awarded to the Michigan Technological University to continue their ongoing effects in further advancing self-driving and self-operating vehicles. According to Senator Peters, Chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee of Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight, and Ports, "Michigan workers, manufacturers and universities are the best in the world and continue to lead the development of next generation vehicles." M… Continue Reading
03.11.21
WNMU 90.1 FM Marquette: Peters statement on American Rescue Plan heading to President’s desk
WASHINGTON, D.C.-- The following is a press release from Senator Gary Peters' office: U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement after final House passage of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which now goes to the President's desk to be signed into law: "A year into this pandemic, it's clear that Michiganders and Americans still need additional support to put food on the table, pay their bills and make ends meet. I have heard gut-wrenching personal stories from c… Continue Reading
03.11.21
MiTechNews.com: Peters, Stebenow Help Michigan Technological University Land $4.5 Million DOE Grant To Research Self-Driving Vehicles
WASHINGTON DC - Michigan U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D) and Debbie Stabenow (D) helped Michigan Technological University land a $4.5 million federal grant for self-driving vehicle research and development. The funds - awarded through the Department of Energy - will support ongoing projects to enhance connected and automated vehicle technologies that improve driver safety by eliminating risk found in human error. Led by the University and in partnership with General Motors, the American Center of… Continue Reading
03.11.21
Keweenaw Report: Senator Gary Peters touts new stimulus bill
With the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act, federal lawmakers are working to inform Michiganders about how the bill will help them. United States Senator Gary Peters spoke to Keweenaw Report Thursday morning, tucked into a ten-minute window in a hectic media blitz, before he was off to the next interview. Peters stresses that the bill is a continuation of work that was done last year. It has components to help alleviate difficulties on the healthcare and economic fronts. Peters highlighte… Continue Reading
03.08.21
WEYI NBC 25 Flint: Sen. Peters visits National Guard members deployed at U.S. Capitol
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement after joining Governor Whitmer in meeting and eating lunch with the Michigan National Guardsmen who have been deployed to Washington, DC to protect the U.S. Capitol: It was an honor to again thank the Michigan National Guard for their service in protecting the Capitol: the very symbol of our democracy. During my interactions with our Michigan Guardsmen throughout their deployment, they demonstrated their commi… Continue Reading
03.08.21
National Law Review: Bipartisan Bill Would Increase Penalties for Caller ID Spoofed Robocalls
Four U.S. Senators - two from each side of the aisle - have introduced S. 594, the Anti-Spoofing Penalties Modernization Act of 2021. The lead sponsor - Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) - is joined by Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Josh Hawley (R- MO) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) (https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/bill-crack-down-deceptive-tactic-used-robocallers-introduced-senators-collins-sinema-0). The proposal would double the penalties currently permitted under Section 227(e)(5) of the Telep… Continue Reading
03.08.21
Transport Topics: US Senators Introduce Flood Detection Bill
A group of senators recently introduced legislation that would establish a National Integrated Flood Information System. The system would be designed to enhance the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's forecasting of floods, tornadoes and hurricanes. The bill also would link higher education institutions and federal agencies to work on water predictions. And, it would create a committee designed to evaluate the coordination of federal departments with overlapping jurisdiction over… Continue Reading
03.08.21
WJBK FOX 2 Detroit: Addressing racial disparities in Michigan during COVID-19
by Hilary Golston
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. - Black Michigan residents make up only 13.7% of the state's entire population but accounted for approximately 40% of all coronavirus-related deaths in the state. Michigan Sen. Peters proposing legislation to improve racial equity within CDC With COVID-19 shining a spotlight on the racial inequities of the country and Michigan, a renewed focus has been placed on improving the health outcomes of communities of color Few recent events as big as the 2020 pandemic have shown suc… Continue Reading
03.05.21
WWMT CBS 3 Grand Rapids: US Sen. Gary Peters says American Rescue Plan would give urgent relief to Michiganders
by Samantha May
LANSING, Mich. - U.S. Sen. Gary Peters held a meeting Thursday to highlight the American Rescue Plan and how it will deliver COVID-19 relief to Michiganders Peters was joined with Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor, Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce CEO Tim Herman and Jessalynn Johnson, a mother of two from Grand Rapids, for the briefing at 2 p.m. March 4, 2021. During the news conference Peters said the bill would extend unemployment benefits until August and enhance payments by $400… Continue Reading
03.04.21
MLive: Michigan Sen. Gary Peters questions why National Guard response to Capitol riot took hours
by Malachi Barrett
Restrictions placed on the National Guard by Department of Defense officials contributed to a delayed response as the U.S. Capitol was under attack on Jan. 6, according to testimony presented at a congressional hearing Wednesday. Maj. Gen. William Walker, commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard, testified that he was denied authority to deploy a quick reaction force and was required to seek approval before moving Guardsmen supporting Capitol police. Walker said he received… Continue Reading
03.03.21
Deadline Detroit: 'Outrageous And Unacceptable:' Sen. Peters Reacts To Food Complaints By Michiganians Guarding U.S. Capitol
About 1,000 Army National Guard members from Taylor and Marquette reportedly are being served gross food while on security duty in Washington, D.C. A staff sergeant who spoke confidentially to WXYZ says nearly 75 meals were thrown out Sunday after metal shavings were found and some entrees had "raw beef." The station adds: Quantity is an issue as well. Breakfast is an example. "You were getting maybe a Danish and some sort of juice," the sergeant said. "And then we had certain days where it w… Continue Reading
03.01.21
Holland Sentinel: Stabenow, Peters introduce bill to incentivize federal agencies to 'Buy American'
WASHINGTON - Legislation reintroduced in Congress would make it harder for federal agencies to receive waivers to buy non-American manufactured products. U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, and Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, were among the lawmakers to introduce the Make it in America Act in the Senate on Tuesday, Feb. 24. The bill would amend the 1933 Buy American Act - bumping the percentage of American-manufactured products purchased by federal agencies from 50 percent to 75 percent… Continue Reading
02.25.21
Michigan Advance: Peters to lead panel overseeing Line 5 regulators
by Laina G. Stebbins
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.), who has come out in favor of shutting down the Canadian Line 5 oil pipeline in the Mackinac Straits, has been selected to lead the Senate panel responsible for overseeing the pipeline's federal regulators. Peters was named chair of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight and Ports on Friday. The panel primarily oversees national agencies governing pipeline, vehicle and traffic safety. One of those agencies is the … Continue Reading
02.25.21
WLKM 95.9 FM Three Rivers: Sen Peters working to pass rescue plan
U.S. Sen Gary Peters said getting COVID-19 vaccines into the arms of Michiganders and Americans is an essential part of getting through the public health and economic crisis. Peters said he is pushing to pass critical, additional resources to aid those efforts, and working closely with President Biden to ensure every Michigander can be vaccinated. Peters said he is encouraged that the Biden Administration is taking significant action to increase the availability of vaccines. Peters indicated … Continue Reading
02.23.21
Detroit News: Michigan senators move to tighten Buy American rules
by Riley Beggin
Washington - Michigan's senators plan to reintroduce bipartisan legislation that would close loopholes in a law that requires the government to buy American-made products when possible, the senators' offices announced Tuesday. The bill would make changes to a nearly 70-year-old law that prioritizes American companies in government purchasing. The law includes exceptions and waivers for when there's limited availability and quality of U.S.-made products, it's in the public interest, the goods w… Continue Reading
02.23.21
WNEM CBS 5 Flint: Peters, Stabenow introduce bill to strengthen Buy American laws
by Stephen Borowy
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters introduced a bipartisan bill to strengthen Buy American laws. The Make it in American Act will make it harder for federal agencies to use waivers to bypass Buy American requirements, according to the senators. This would require the federal government to favor American companies and spend taxpayer dollars on American-made products and American jobs. Stabenow released her Buy American report in September 2018. It found exceptions and waivers to the … Continue Reading
