In the News
MLive: Police expected violence at U.S. Capitol but weren’t ready for ‘coordinated attack.’ Michigan senator leads probe to learn why.
by Malachi Barrett
Security officials tasked with protecting Washington, D.C. testified before a U.S. Senate panel that they knew extremist groups were poised to commit violence on Jan. 6, but said information suggesting a planned attack on the U.S. Capitol wasn't shared with police. Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, co-chaired a joint hearing of two Senate committees investigating failures that allowed a mob of Trump supporters and far-right agitators to delay the certification of the presidentia… Continue Reading
02.22.21
WWTV CBS 9&10 Traverse City: Senator Peters Visits Pfizer, Reacts to Distribution of Vaccine
by Madison Schlegel
President Biden stopped to visit the Pfizer manufacturing facility in Portage on Friday. He was joined by U.S Senator Gary Peters. Peters has been calling for a more strategic distribution plan for the vaccine. Senator Peters says on Friday Pfizer announced to double production at the facility. Right now, they are producing 5 millions doses a week.Acb3b408 6822 4ff0 9c58 3355aa6fe46a They hope to be producing 10 million doses a week within the next two weeks. "The goal for Pfizer is to del… Continue Reading
02.19.21
Detroit News: Peters to lead panel overseeing pipeline safety, auto regulation
by Melissa Nann Burke & Riley Beggin
Washington - U.S. Sen. Gary Peters has been selected to chair the Senate subcommittee that oversees the federal agencies responsible for pipeline safety and for crafting guidance for self-driving vehicles and technology. Peters of Bloomfield Township will be the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight and Ports. The senator's office noted the panel oversees several key areas for Michigan, including the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safet… Continue Reading
02.19.21
MLive: After Biden visits Pfizer, Sen. Gary Peters calls for mobile vaccine stations to reach rural residents
by John Tunison
PORTAGE, MI -- After accompanying President Joe Biden on a tour of the Pfizer vaccine plant in Portage, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters said getting the vaccine into rural areas will be an important step for Michigan and the nation. He is advocating for mobile vaccine stations to reach people who might not be able to make it to centers. Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, spoke about the issue with media in a Zoom call following the president's visit to Pfizer. Peters and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer were among a g… Continue Reading
02.17.21
WLUC NBC 6 Lansing: Senator Gary Peters is urging Michiganders to enroll in healthcare using the Biden Administration’s special enrollment extension
by Maci Cosmore
LANSING, Mich. (WLUC) - Hundreds of thousands of Michiganders currently do not have health insurance. According to The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, in 2019 an estimated 600,000 people in the state were uninsured. The department estimates tens of thousands more lost coverage during the pandemic. "Particularly now that we continue to be in the midst of a pandemic, it's absolutely essential that folks have the healthcare that they need to provide the security for their… Continue Reading
02.17.21
WBKB ABC 11 Alpena: Senator Gary Peters encourages Michiganders to sign up for health insurance
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S Senator Gary Peters (D, MI.) hosted a virtual press conference with reporters Tuesday morning, urging Michiganders without health care to find insurance during the pandemic. Peters, who won his re-election attempt in 2020, recommends that Michiganders who need health insurance take advantage of the Affordable Care Act and get covered under the new special open enrollment period established under the Biden Administration. The special enrollment period opened yesterday and … Continue Reading
02.16.21
Detroit News: Peters to convene hearing on security breakdown that led to Jan. 6 attack
by Melissa Nann Burke
Washington - U.S. Sen. Gary Peters announced Tuesday that his committee will convene an oversight hearing next week with former Capitol security and police officials to examine the security failures during the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Invited to testify at the Feb. 23 hearing are former chief of the U.S. Capitol Police Steven Sund; former House sergeant at arms Paul D. Irving; former Senate sergeant at arms Michael Stenger; and Metropolitan Police Department Chief Robert Contee. S… Continue Reading
02.08.21
Holland Sentinel: Peters leads group to tackle domestic terrorism
by Arpan Lobo
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Gary Peters told media members Wednesday as chair of the Senate committee tasked with matters of national security, he plans on taking the threat of domestic terrorism seriously moving forward. Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, will chair the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee during the 2021-22 congressional session. Peters said HSGAC will examine how to combat the "growing" threat of domestic terrorism Christopher Wray, director of the Federal Bur… Continue Reading
02.05.21
Detroit News: Peters, Stabenow seek federal action as auto plants idled by microchip shortage
by Breana Noble
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow on Friday joined 13 other senators from autos-producing states calling on the director of the National Economic Council to engage with countries and companies producing microchips that are in short supply and causing auto plants to idle. The call came after U.S. and Taiwan government officials held a conference call about the chip crunch Thursday night. The global shortage of the semiconductors used to power automated and electronic features in vehicle… Continue Reading
02.03.21
WWMT CBS 3 Grand Rapids: U.S. Senator Gary Peters discusses his new role as Chairman of Homeland Security Committee
by Lora Painter
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - U.S. Sen. Gary Peters held a Zoom video conference Feb. 3, 2021, to discuss his efforts to fight for Michigan in his new leadership role as chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Peters' points of focus in the day's discussions in keeping Americans safe included: A better COVID-19 response, enhanced cybersecurity and finding and stopping threats of domestic terrorism. "We've seen domestic terrorism threats firsthand in Michigan. We saw t… Continue Reading
02.03.21
WLUC NBC 6 Marquette: Sen. Peters helps negotiate COVID relief
by Nick Friend
MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) - Senator Gary Peters (D-Michigan) continues to help negotiate a covid-19 relief bill with republicans. The democrat met with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris Wednesday morning and says vaccine distribution remains among the top priorities in the package. The second-term senator is also the Incoming Chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee. Peters says he will hold a hearing on the insurrection of the U.S. Capitol "soon… Continue Reading
02.03.21
Detroit News: Peters plans investigations into COVID response, domestic terrorism
by Melissa Nann Burke
Washington - As a new committee chairman, Michigan Democratic Sen. Gary Peters said Thursday he intends to investigate the growing threat of domestic terrorism, as well as the federal government's response to the coronavirus pandemic. Peters, incoming chair of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, cited the violent Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and the alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last year to underscore the pressing need to address dom… Continue Reading
01.28.21
WLNS CBS 6 Lansing: Peters introduces award to Capitol Police Officer who diverted mob
WASHINGTON, DC (WLNS) - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) helped introduce bipartisan legislation to award Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman with the Congressional Gold Medal. When a violent mob breached the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, Officer Goodman diverted a group of rioters away from the Senate Chamber, delaying their access to the Senate chamber and protecting the lives of those inside. Peters introduced the bipartisan bill with 34 of his Senate colleagues, and companion bipartisan legi… Continue Reading
01.06.21
WXYZ ABC 7 Detroit: Sen. Peters' bill to protect Apollo landing sites on the moon signed into law
(WXYZ) - U.S. Senator Gary Peters' bill to permanently protect the Apollo landing sites on the moon has been signed into law. The "One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act" was introduced with Senator Ted Cruz and will enact legal protections for the Apollo sites by making NASA's preservation recommendations a requirement for future activities on the moon. "The Apollo missions were not only one of the most important scientific achievements in human history - they represented to al… Continue Reading
01.04.21
WNEM CBS 5 Flint: Peters calls for bipartisanship in Congress as he's sworn in for second term
After winning a tight race in the 2020 election, Sunday Michigan Senator Gary Peters was sworn into his second term in the U.S. Senate. He began by promising to get to work on instituting bipartisan policies for the great lakes state. "When I represent the State of Michigan, that means I represent everybody in the State of Michigan," Peters said. According to his official office, Peters has passed 14 bills in the U.S. Senate, the most by a single senator this congress. And he's been named am… Continue Reading
01.04.21
Dearborn Press & Guide: Peters caps first term by sending record number of bills to the president’s desk this Congress
Despite serving the entirety of his first term in the minority, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) capped his first term in the Senate by sending more bills to the President's desk this Congress than any other Senator, regardless of party. With 10 of his standalone bills having been signed into law or awaiting the President's signature since 2019, Peters has continuously built on his record of effectiveness and bipartisanship. Additionally, Peters: Passed 14 standalone bills through the Senate this … Continue Reading
12.28.20
WEYI NBC 25 Flint: $4.5 million in federal funding going to Flint Lead Registry
FLINT, Mich. - Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, along with U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Gary Peters (D-MI), today announced $4.5 million in federal funding for the Flint Lead Registry as a part of year-end appropriations legislation, commonly referred to as the omnibus bill. The Flint Registry was created and funded by Congress in 2016 in the wake of the city's water crisis. To date, the Flint Registry has enrolled over 10,500 people… Continue Reading
12.22.20
WSGW 100.5 FM Saginaw: Legislation To Protect Firefighters From PFAS Passes US Senate
by Dave Maurer
U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI has applauded Senate passage of his bipartisan bill to help protect the health and safety of firefighters and emergency responders. Emergency response teams are frequently exposed to harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighting foams as they work to keep communities safe. PFAS substances have been linked to a number of health problems, including certain cancers. The Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances (PFAS) Act directs federal age… Continue Reading
12.21.20
WDIV NBC 4 Detroit: US Sen. Gary Peters releases report on Postal Service changes, mail delays
by Grant Hermes
Senator Gary Peters released a report this week on changes to the United States Postal Service (USPS), also addressing mail delays. It is the sixth report since Peters launched an investigation in August. It looks through the holidays and new year. Peters, who is the ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, is pressing USPS and Postmaster Louis DeJoy to answer whether changes made over the summer would be brought back in the new year. Those changes sent on-ti… Continue Reading
12.21.20
WWTV CBS 9&10 Traverse City: Sens. Stabenow, Peters Extend Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
by Katie Sergent
Michigan senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters have announced the passage of their bill, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The bill focuses its efforts on stopping the spread of Asian carp and other invasive species, as well as restoring coastlines and preventing future contamination. The bill reauthorizes and expands funding for the Great Lakes, and expands it for another five years. Funding will also increase by $25 million per year until 2026 when it reaches $475 million. Since 2… Continue Reading
