Press Releases
Peters Applauds House Passage of American Rescue Plan, Pushes for Quick Senate Passage
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today applauded House passage of robust and comprehensive Coronavirus relief that would provide critical aid to Michiganders and Americans across the nation. He urged the Senate, which is scheduled to begin considering the package next week, to pass it swiftly. The American Rescue Plan includes funding to distribute direct stimulus checks, accelerate vaccine distribution and help schools reopen safely. Peters supports the American Rescue Plan and has … Continue Reading
02.26.21
Peters Asks Biden Administration to Increase Transparency on Northern Border Pandemic Travel Restrictions
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, is asking the Biden Administration to prioritize communication and provide clear information to Michiganders and Americans on continuing land border travel restrictions at the Northern Border. In the letter, Peters requested additional information to ensure Michiganders are aware of current protocols, and requested that the Administration publicly disclose criteria driving the statu… Continue Reading
02.25.21
Peters Reintroduces Legislation to Ensure Public Buildings Utilize Energy Efficient Lighting
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, reintroduced a bipartisan bill that would help save taxpayer dollars by directing the General Services Administration (GSA) to install the most life-cycle cost effective and energy efficient lighting in public buildings. The bill previously passed through Committee during the 116th Congress. "Utilizing the most energy efficient lighting systems in public buildings could save… Continue Reading
02.25.21
Peters, Stabenow Announce Willow Run Airport Will Receive $10 Million Federal Grant for Improvements
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) will be awarding $10 million to the Willow Run Airport. This Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant is supplemented by funding Peters and Stabenow helped enact through a government funding bill. The funding will go towards infrastructure improvements, including construction on a runway. "Safe and reliable air travel is critical to keeping communities across s… Continue Reading
02.25.21
Peters Speaks on Senate Floor and Helps Confirm Jennifer Granholm as Secretary of Energy
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today delivered floor remarks in support of former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm's nomination to be Secretary of Energy. Peters voted in favor of her confirmation, which passed the Senate with bipartisan support. "I've known Secretary-designate Granholm for many years and I served in her Administration while she was Governor. There is no question she is uniquely qualified to serve as Secretary of Energy. As the Governor of Michigan, she led… Continue Reading
02.24.21
Peters Statement on President Biden’s Executive Order Securing America’s Supply Chains
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, today released the following statement on President Biden's executive order securing our country's supply chains: "Whether it was the shortage of personal protective equipment early on in this pandemic - or the current semiconductor shortage that's hurting our autoworkers and manufacturing - there's no question more must be done to shore up our supply chains. These shor… Continue Reading
02.23.21
During First Oversight Hearing of January 6th Capitol Attack, Peters Presses Officials for Answers Regarding Security & Intelligence Failures
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, today pressed a group of officials responsible for security of the U.S. Capitol complex and surrounding area for answers on the January 6th attack. Peters pushed for information about breakdowns in intelligence gathering, security preparations and the delayed response during the first oversight hearing on the Capitol attack. Peters convened the bipartisan oversight hearing j… Continue Reading
02.23.21
Peters, Stabenow Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen American Manufacturing and Create Jobs in Michigan
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today introduced their bipartisan bill to strengthen our Buy American laws. The Make It in America Act will make it harder for federal agencies to use waivers to get around Buy American requirements, requiring the federal government to give preference to American companies and spend taxpayer dollars on American-made products and American jobs. Peters has led numerous efforts to support American manufacturers and workers.… Continue Reading
02.19.21
Peters Joins President Biden in Portage to Thank Michigan Workers for Vaccine Effort
PORTAGE, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, today joined President Biden during his visit to Pfizer's manufacturing facility in Portage. While there, Peters joined President Biden in thanking the Michigan workers and researchers who are manufacturing and distributing COVID-19 vaccines across Michigan and the country. "It was great to welcome President Biden back to Michigan today in one of his first official trips as … Continue Reading
02.19.21
Peters to Chair Commerce Subcommittee Overseeing Key Michigan Priorities
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, will chair the Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight, and Ports Subcommittee. The Subcommittee oversees a number of key priorities for Michigan, including the federal agency that oversees pipeline safety and the agency responsible for issuing guidance related to self-driving vehicles and technology. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) oversees pi… Continue Reading
02.13.21
Peters Statement on Vote to Hold Donald Trump Accountable for Inciting Deadly Attack on Capitol
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement following his vote to hold Donald Trump accountable for the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol: "As an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve and as a U.S. Senator, I took an oath to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution. After carefully listening to all the evidence presented in this trial, it is overwhelmingly clear that Donald Trump violated his oath of office by inciting a violent, deadly attack on the U.… Continue Reading
02.10.21
Peters, Stabenow Introduce Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act to Address America’s Maternal Health Crisis
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) joined 15 of their Senate colleagues to introduce the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021. This historic legislation will save moms' lives, end racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes, and achieve maternal health justice for women of color. The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate in the developed world and the only rate that is rising. Michigan has a rate of 16.4 deaths per 100,0… Continue Reading
02.10.21
Peters and Portman Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Transparency of Federal Spending
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, announced that they have reintroduced a bipartisan bill to help make information about how the federal government is spending taxpayer dollars more accessible to the public. The legislation will improve government transparency by requiring federal agencies to publish easily understandable justifications for their budget requests on a… Continue Reading
02.05.21
Peters, Stabenow, Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Address Global Semiconductor Shortage, Mitigate Impacts to U.S. Auto Manufacturing
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) joined their colleagues in a bipartisan push, urging the Director of the National Economic Council Brian Deese to work with Congress in addressing the global semiconductor shortage facing auto manufacturing. In addition to this letter, the Senators have been urging a number of Biden Administration officials directly to take action. "We write to express our concerns about the impact that the global shortage of automotive-gr… Continue Reading
02.05.21
Peters, Stabenow Reintroduce Legislation Providing $10 Billion to Support Small Business Lending
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) reintroduced legislation to support lending to small businesses in Michigan and across the country that have been hardest hit by the Coronavirus pandemic. The Small Business Access to Capital Act would reauthorize and provide $10 billion in federal funding to the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), which helps small businesses grow and create jobs. SSBCI funds the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and ot… Continue Reading
02.04.21
Peters Leads Colleagues in Reintroducing Bipartisan Bill to Protect Firefighters from Hazardous PFAS Chemicals
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, reintroduced a bipartisan bill to help protect the health and safety of firefighters, emergency responders and the communities they serve. The Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances (PFAS) Act, which passed the Senate last Congress, directs federal agencies to develop best practices, training, and educational programs to reduce, limit and prevent exposure to PFAS, also k… Continue Reading
02.03.21
Chairman Peters Outlines Key Priorities for Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), the Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, outlined his key priorities as he takes on a new leadership role in the 117th Congress. Peters, who previously served as the committee's Ranking Member, will continue to focus on bolstering the federal government's Coronavirus pandemic response, strengthening national security - including combating the rising threats of domestic terrorism and cyber-attacks - and ensu… Continue Reading
02.03.21
Peters Statement on Meeting with President and Vice President at White House on Urgent Need to Pass the American Rescue Plan
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, today released the following statement on his meeting-along with other Senate leaders-with President Biden and Vice President Harris at the White House on the urgent need to pass the American Rescue Plan: "I appreciated the chance to speak with President Biden and Vice President Harris on the urgent need to pass the American Rescue Plan. We're in an unprecedented economic… Continue Reading
02.02.21
Peters Floor Remarks on Confirmation of Alejandro Mayorkas to Serve as Secretary of Homeland Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), incoming Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, spoke on the Senate floor about the confirmation of Alejandro N. Mayorkas to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security. In his remarks, Peters' highlighted Mayorkas' experience and qualifications, which are especially needed given the number of serious national security threats our nation currently faces. "I appreciate my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for adva… Continue Reading
02.01.21
Peters Statement Celebrating Black History Month
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement celebrating Black History Month. "As communities in Michigan and across the nation commemorate Black History Month, we celebrate the generations of African American leaders whose contributions have helped shape our national story," said Senator Peters. "From ushering in technological revolutions, to redefining culture, to advancing civil rights, their remarkable achievements have had an immeasurable impact on our… Continue Reading
