In the News
Detroit Free Press: Peters, GOP senators push change for justice system
by Todd Spangler
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Gary Peters and a couple of key Republican colleagues reintroduced legislation today that would create a commission to look at reforming the criminal justice system. Peters, D-Mich., proposed the same bill last year, and it won inclusion in a sentencing reform bill that was in the works for passage before running out of time at the end of last year. U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and John Cornyn, R-Texas, who are key members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, are als… Continue Reading
03.08.17
Washington Post: Senators seek to reform justice system nationwide by launching National Criminal Justice Commission
by Tom Jackman
Tom Jackman March 8 at 11:00 AM A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced a bill Wednesday to create a National Criminal Justice Commission, which would work for 18 months to review every aspect of the nation's criminal justice system, from policing to prosecution to prisons, and then issue a set of proposed reforms for not only federal but state and tribal systems as well. The legislation aims to accomplish what a similar Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice did wh… Continue Reading
03.07.17
POLITICO: Senators decry 'accelerating' anti-Semitic threats in bipartisan plea
by Elana Schor
All 100 senators aligned Tuesday morning in a rare moment of bipartisanship to ask that the Trump administration offer help to Jewish community centers and other Jewish institutions facing a sharp rise in security threats this year. In a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly and FBI Director James Comey, the senators note "at least 98 incidents" of bomb threats against JCCs and Jewish schools, as well as reported vandalism of Jewish cemeteries in Misso… Continue Reading
03.06.17
Southgate News Herald: Peters talks about defense manufacturing, cybersecurity and self-driving cars during address to local business leaders
by Dave Herndon
When he spoke at the monthly Southern Wayne County Legislative Forum, Sen. Gary Peters (D-Michigan) touched on a lot of issues he feels are key to moving Michigan forward. Peters was the guest at the Feb. 28 lunch forum held in Southgate. During the forum, Peters highlighted issues of great importance to Wayne County and Southeast Michigan, including the future of self-driving cars, cybersecurity and Michigan's growing defense manufacturing sector. Peters is the junior Senator from Michigan, … Continue Reading
03.04.17
Daily Mining Gazette: Peters tours Tech research facilities for self-driving vehicles, Defense projects
by Garrett Neese
HOUGHTON - U.S. Sen. Gary Peters toured Michigan Technological University's Advanced Power System Research Center Friday for an update on Tech's research and development efforts in autonomous vehicles. Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, also visited the Keweenaw Research Center to look at projects the university is developing with the Department of Defense. Peters is one of four Michigan federal representatives who called on the Trump administration to include $200 million in the 2018 budget to … Continue Reading
02.28.17
Detroit News: Howes: Peters touts Mich. military mobility cred in DC
by Daniel Howes
When President Donald Trump touts his plan Tuesday to reinvest in the American military, Michigan Sen. Gary Peters will be there to make a statement. Not with words, but with his guest at the president's address to a joint session of Congress. Peters, the Bloomfield Hills Democrat and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, will be joined by Paul Rogers, director of the U.S. Army's Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center. The senator's point: the Detroit auto indust… Continue Reading
02.23.17
Detroit News: Peters foresees autonomous future for military vehicles
by Nicquel Terry
Sterling Heights - U.S. Sen. Gary Peters said Thursday he expects features of self-driving and autonomous vehicles to be incorporated into future generations of military defense vehicles. Peters, a Democrat from Bloomfield Township and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, visited BAE Systems military production facility for the first time to discuss innovation and changes in the defense industry and view a test run of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. "It's very impressive and certainl… Continue Reading
02.17.17
Detroit News: Peters among Senate Dems calling for Russia probe
by Keith Laing
Washington - U.S. Sen. Gary Peters and six other Democrats in the U.S. Senate are calling for an investigation into allegations that Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election to help elect President Donald Trump. Peters and fellow Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee members Sens. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., Tom Carper, D-Del., Jon Tester, D-S.D, Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and Kamala Harris, D-Calif., said Friday that they are formally requesting … Continue Reading
02.15.17
Detroit News: Stabenow, Peters push anti-outsourcing bills
by Melissa Nann-Burke
Washington - Senate Democrats unveiled a package of legislation Wednesday aiming to reduce the outsourcing of American jobs and forcing corporations to disclose when they ship jobs abroad. The lawmakers hope the bills will gain traction in the Republican-led Congress, in part because President Donald Trump has made it a priority to retain jobs in the states and bring them back from overseas. Sen. Gary Peters of Bloomfield Township introduced a bill that would require publicly traded companies … Continue Reading
02.13.17
Detroit Free Press: Congress looking to clear hurdles to self-driving cars
by Todd Spangler
WASHINGTON - The Republican chairman of the U.S. Senate commerce committee and U.S. Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan said today they plan to work together to develop regulatory flexibility for the auto industry in its drive to create self-driving vehicles, with an eye toward proposing legislation this year. Peters and U.S. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota issued a statement saying that Congress needs to "assist innovators in bringing this new technology to our roads" by rewriting policies that maint… Continue Reading
02.11.17
Escanaba Daily Press: Peters introduces bill to protect pets of domestic violence victims
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Dean Heller (R-NV) announced they are reintroducing the Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act, bicameral, bipartisan legislation to protect victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence from emotional and psychological trauma caused by violence against their pets. Multiple studies have shown that domestic abusers often seek to manipulate or intimidate their victims by threatening or harming their pets, but according to the … Continue Reading
01.24.17
Space News: Space weather efforts find stability despite presidential transition
by Jeff Foust
SEATTLE - As a Senate committee approved a new version of a space weather research bill Jan. 24, officials at government agencies said they have seen little sign of changes to ongoing efforts in this field despite the transition in administrations. The Senate Commerce Committee reported favorably the Space Weather Research and Forecasting Act during a markup session where the committee considered several other bills and nominations. The bill is similar to one that the committee approved last ye… Continue Reading
01.12.17
Detroit Free Press: Stabenow, Peters call for quicker action on Asian carp
by Todd Spangler
WASHINGTON - Michigan's U.S. senators are again urging the Army Corps of Engineers to quickly finish recommendations for blocking the spread of Asian carp at a key Chicago-area chokepoint in order to keep the invasive species from reaching the Great Lakes. U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, both D-Mich., sent Army Corps of Engineers' head Jo-Ellen Darcy a letter today asking her agency to complete a study of measures which could be taken to stop carp from spreading north of the Brandon… Continue Reading
01.11.17
Detroit Free Press: Flint gets $13 million for new buses
by Todd Spangler
WASHINGTON -- Michigan's U.S. senators said today that Flint will get nearly $13 million from the federal government to help purchase new buses and train bus drivers and mechanics. U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, both D-Mich., said the Flint Mass Transportation Authority will receive$12.8 million to allow it to buy 32 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses and provide training to employees. The funding comes from the Federal Transit Administration. "These 32 new buses will make a real… Continue Reading
01.05.17
Chaldean News: A Sit Down With The Senator: One on One with Gary Peters
Late last month just before Christmas, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D) requested an informal meeting with members of the Chaldean community. He wanted to hear what they had to say about the Presidential elections, the status of Iraq and what's to come in the New Year. It was a listening night for the Senator. A group of members gathered at Shenandoah Country Club inside the board room for dinner and a discussion. The Chaldean News publishers posed their own questions to the Senator and we share the… Continue Reading
12.31.16
Alpena News: Peters another friend of NE Michigan
by Bill Speer Editor/Publisher
Former U.S. Sen. Carl Levin was a great friend of Alpena. U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow has been equally supportive. But the way things keep shaping up, U.S. Gary Peters ultimately could be the best friend of all. Peters has spent a lot of time in Alpena during his term. Last summer he visited and enjoyed diving some of the wrecks in the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. He also has worked tirelessly on military issues impacting the state, including the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Cent… Continue Reading
12.27.16
Oakland Press: Sen. Peters sponsors measure to aid veterans with PTSD; Obama signs into law
by Anne Runkle
President Barack Obama has signed into law a bipartisan provision introduced by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Michigan) to help veterans who may have been given a less than honorable discharge from the military due to negative behavior resulting from mental traumas such as post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury. The Fairness for Veterans amendment, which Peters authored, was included in the final National Defense Authorization Act conference report that passed both the House of Rep… Continue Reading
12.25.16
MiBiz: Autonomous vehicle technology to lead agenda for Peters in 2017
by John Wiegand
Moving into 2017, Democratic U.S. Sen. Gary Peters plans to focus his efforts on cultivating Michigan as a hub for autonomous vehicle technology. For Peters, the state's future hinges on growing Michigan's ability to attract investment in autonomous technology. On the other hand, Peters worries that the president-elect's hands-on economic development policies could leave behind small businesses in the state and elsewhere in the country. Peters spoke with MiBiz about his views on the year ahead a… Continue Reading
12.20.16
Huron Daily Tribune: Sen. Peters pushes dual enrollment opportunities during Thumb visit
by Brenda Battel
BAD AXE - U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) toured the Huron Area Tech Center on Monday morning, after meeting with officials to discuss dual enrollment opportunities. Peters is currently sponsoring bipartisan, bicameral legislation to increase grant funding for dual enrollment. Dual enrollment can offset college financial aid requirements significantly, Peters said. Lane Walker, assistant principal at the tech center, said that debt management and financial literacy are important aspects of an… Continue Reading
12.19.16
Detroit News: Gary Peters appointed to Senate Armed Services panel
by Melissa Nann Burke
Washington - U.S. Sen. Gary Peters has been named to serve on the powerful Senate Committee on Armed Services during the session of Congress that starts next month. Peters' selection will return a Michigan voice to the panel for the first time since the retirement of Sen. Carl Levin in 2014. A longtime member of the committee, Levin had chaired the panel from 2001 to 2003 and from 2007 to 2011. The Armed Services committee oversees the nation's military, including the Department of Defense, na… Continue Reading
