Press Releases
Peters, Johnson Call for Information on Interagency Dispute over Groundwater Cleanup Guidelines for PFAS Chemicals
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Ron Johnson (R-WI), the Ranking Member and Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, issued a bipartisan call for information following a recent news report that a review of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) cleanup guidelines for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanoic sulfonate (PFOS) - two chemicals structures belonging to a class of chemicals known as PFAS - have been delayed due to… Continue Reading
03.15.19
Peters Statement on NHTSA Self-Driving Vehicle Public Comment Period
WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)'s announcement that it will publish a petition from General Motors (GM) for public comment on their proposal to deploy fully self-driving vehicles: "Today's announcement from NHTSA reaffirms that self-driving technologies are not an innovation of the future: they are already on our roads and carrying passengers. "With self-driving technology rapidly ev… Continue Reading
03.15.19
Peters, Gardner, Tipton, Crow Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Streamline Veterans Affairs Hiring Process
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Cory Gardner (R-CO), along with Representatives Scott Tipton (CO-3) and Jason Crow (CO-6), introduced bipartisan legislation to overhaul the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) hiring process by making it easier to fill staffing shortages. The Veterans Improved Access and Care Act would establish a pilot program to expedite the onboarding of licensed medical professionals at understaffed VA facilities, and would require the Secretary of the VA … Continue Reading
03.14.19
Peters Floor Remarks Opposing the President’s Budget Proposal to Drastically Cut the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) spoke on the Senate floor today in opposition of the Trump Administration's budget proposal, which includes a 90% decrease in funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has provided more than $600 million in funding to Michigan communities to help clean-up and restore the Great Lakes, beaches, and waterways. "The Great Lakes are a vital natural resource not only for my home state of Michigan, but for … Continue Reading
03.14.19
Peters, Gardner Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Telehealth Services
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to expand healthcare access in both rural and underserved communities by providing additional pathways for Medicare to cover increased telehealth services. The Telehealth Innovation and Improvement Act would help bolster Medicare's limited telehealth service coverage, which has set a poor industry standard, discouraged innovation and restricted access to specialized services. Peters an… Continue Reading
03.13.19
Peters, Capito Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Apprenticeship Opportunities for Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced bipartisan legislation to expand opportunities for veterans to register for apprenticeships. The Support for Veterans in Effective Apprenticeships Act would require that veterans are included in Department of Labor (DOL) standards for registered apprenticeship programs. It would also improve the coordination between the Department of Labor and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that vete… Continue Reading
03.12.19
Peters Statement on Trump Budget Proposal to Provide $75 Million for Soo Locks Upgrade
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) issued the following statement on President Trump's budget proposal including $75 million for FY 2020 toward upgrading the Soo Locks: "I have long been a strong advocate for the Soo Locks. I'm glad that the Trump Administration has proposed dedicating $75 million to this bipartisan effort - it's a good first step. There's a lot of work ahead to ensure this project is finished. I am committed to continuing to partner with my colleagues in the Michi… Continue Reading
03.12.19
Peters, Durbin, Tlaib, Kelly Introduce Bicameral Bill to Study Effects of Petroleum Coke
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Dick Durbin (IL) and Representatives Rashida Tlaib (MI-13) and Robin Kelly (IL-2) announced that today they are introducing bicameral legislation that would address the concerns of petroleum coke on a national level and pave the way for federal environmental safety regulations on the tar sands byproduct. The Petroleum Coke Transparency and Public Health Act of 2019 would require the federal government to study the potential health risks posed b… Continue Reading
03.11.19
Peters Statement on President Trump’s Budget Proposal to Cut Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Funding By 90%
WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement on President Trump's budget proposal, which includes slashing funding to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative by 90%: "The Great Lakes provide drinking water for over 40 million people, are an economic engine for Michigan and are one of our nation's most precious resources. I've seen firsthand across Michigan how funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has helped protect our Great Lakes for futur… Continue Reading
03.08.19
Peters, Cassidy, Boozman Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Make Higher Education More Accessible & Affordable
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and John Boozman (R-AR) today reintroduced bipartisan legislation to expand opportunities for high school students to obtain college credit in an effort to make higher education more accessible and affordable. The Making Education Affordable and Accessible Act (MEAA) would help improve high school and college graduation rates by expanding the use of existing grants to institutions of higher education to expand their dual and … Continue Reading
03.08.19
VIDEO: Peters Shares Story of Michigan Servicemember’s Unlivable Housing Conditions, Presses Military Leaders to Take Action
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters, a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, questioned the Service Secretaries and Service Chiefs from all branches of the U.S. military at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing regarding the poor living conditions servicemembers and their families have reported across the country in privatized housing on military bases. Peters shared the story of Army Specialist and Coldwater native Rachael Kilpatrick and her husband Calvin, a Kalamazoo… Continue Reading
03.07.19
Peters, Moran Reintroduce Bipartisan Resolution Opposing Privatization of the United States Postal Service
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Jerry Moran (R-KS) today led 23 of their Senate colleagues to reintroduce a bipartisan resolution opposing privatization of the United States Postal Service (USPS). The resolution notes that the USPS is a self-sustaining establishment and that potential privatization would result in higher prices and reduced services for USPS customers, especially in rural communitie… Continue Reading
03.06.19
Peters, Colleagues Request Documents Related to Interagency Review of EPA PFAS Action Plan, Groundwater Cleanup Guidelines
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, joined a group of his colleagues to request all documents and communications related to the federal government's interagency review of EPA's February 2019 "PFAS Action Plan" and EPA's long-awaited groundwater cleanup guidelines for toxic PFAS chemicals. Peters sent letters to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Healt… Continue Reading
03.06.19
Peters, Stabenow Introduce Legislation to Reinstate Net Neutrality
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today introduced legislation to overturn the Federal Communications Commission's 2017 decision to repeal net neutrality rules. The Save The Internet Act ensures that all Americans have access to a free and open internet. Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives. "Access to an open internet is crucial for entrepreneurs, small business-owners, students and families across Michigan," said Sen… Continue Reading
03.06.19
VIDEO: Peters Remarks on Cutting Wasteful Government Spending at High Risk List Hearing
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, helped lead a hearing on the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) 2019 High Risk List, a biennial report that identifies federal agencies and programs most vulnerable to fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement. At the hearing, Peters focused on the need to ensure taxpayer dollars are being used effectively to address the long-term impacts of PFAS contamination and … Continue Reading
03.05.19
Peters Receives Additional Information from Air Force on PFAS Cleanup Surrounding Former Wurtsmith Air Force Base
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) received a new letter from Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson on the agency's efforts to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) cleanup efforts at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Iosco County. In the letter, the Secretary reiterated the Air Force's commitment to working with the State of Michigan in remediation, and that - in response to Peters' request for a visit - Assistant Secretary Henderson will be visiting Oscoda on … Continue Reading
03.05.19
Peters Named Among Most Effective Senators in 115th Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) was named among the most effective lawmakers in the 115th Senate (2017-2018). According to the non-partisan Center for Effective Lawmaking, Peters was named the 4th-most effective Senator in the minority party in enacting and advancing legislation. "My top priority is working to get things done for Michigan families - regardless of which political party is in the White House or has the majority in the Senate," said Senator Peters. "Michiganders exp… Continue Reading
03.01.19
Peters, Stabenow Join Colleagues in Introducing Bipartisan PFAS Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today announced that they have introduced bipartisan legislation with a bipartisan group of Senators that would mandate the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declare per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as hazardous substances eligible for cleanup funds under the EPA Superfund law, and enable a requirement that polluters undertake or pay for remediation. The bill, the PFAS Action Plan of 2019, was introduced b… Continue Reading
02.28.19
VIDEO: Peters Speaks on Senate Vote in Opposition to Wheeler Nomination and Need to Address Climate Change
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) spoke on the Senate floor today in opposition to the Senate confirmation of Andrew Wheeler as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Below is video of his remarks and text as prepared for delivery: "I rise today to discuss why I voted in opposition to the confirmation of Andrew Wheeler for the position of Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. "Clean air and clean water are not only vital to our public health -… Continue Reading
02.28.19
Peters Questions Administration on Taxpayer-Funded Travel during Government Shutdown
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, is seeking information from the White House and eleven federal agencies on taxpayer-funded official travel by senior federal officials and other agency employees that occurred during the nation's longest government shutdown earlier this year. "As public officials, it is critical that we act as responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars, particularly when government em… Continue Reading
