Press Releases
Peters Statement on the Recent Events Following the Death of George Floyd
DETROIT, MI - Following the unconscionable death of George Floyd and after speaking with Michigan community and faith leaders and law enforcement officials, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement: "In the aftermath of George Floyd's death - something that never should have happened - it is the responsibility of each of us to acknowledge that too many Americans - especially African Americans - are dying senselessly, and we must come together to stop it. "More than ever, … Continue Reading
05.29.20
Peters Joins Effort to Direct Nation’s Top Health Agencies to Publicly Share Information on Testing Supply Inventory
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, helped introduce legislation directing federal agencies to compile and publicly share real-time information about testing supply inventory and shortages. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals, health care systems, nursing homes and first responders have struggled to obtain tests and other critical supplies needed to adequately protect public health and contain the spread… Continue Reading
05.29.20
Peters Welcomes Announcement that Paycheck Protection Program Will Dedicate $10 Billion for CDFIs
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, released the following statement after the Treasury Department and Small Business Administration announced they will set aside $10 billion for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to participate in the Paycheck Protection Program. This announcement comes after Peters successfully secured $60 billion in dedicated funding for small community-based lenders, including CDF… Continue Reading
05.29.20
Peters Presses Department of Veterans Affairs on PPE Availability at Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) is pressing for answers regarding the status of personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline healthcare workers and patients at the John D. Dingell Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Detroit. In a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie, Peters asked a number of questions and expressed concerns about a report by the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) citing low inventory of critical testing materials and PPE … Continue Reading
05.29.20
Following Push from Peters & Stabenow, International Trade Commission to Track Foreign Cherry Imports
DETROIT, MI -- U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced that the U.S. International Trade Commission will begin tracking foreign imports in order to accurately measure the impact of trade on Michigan's tart cherry industry. The decision comes after the Senators urged the Commission to begin tracking this data. In January, the Senators blasted the Commission's decision not to impose tariffs against Turkish tart cherry exporters. Turkey has dumped low-quality dried … Continue Reading
05.28.20
After Push from Peters, Trump Administration Won’t Prematurely End National Guard Mobilizations
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, welcomed an announcement today from President Donald Trump that mobilizations for members of the National Guard who have served on the frontlines of the Coronavirus pandemic will be extended through mid-August. This decision comes after Peters successfully pressed the President not to impose a "hard stop" order that would have ended active duty … Continue Reading
05.28.20
Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $64 Million in Funding for the Detroit Department of Transportation Through the CARES Act
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced that the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) will receive a $64,300,000 grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Peters and Stabenow helped secure this funding as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The funds will allow the DDOT to more frequently disinfect buses, provide additional personal protective equipment to employees and continue transit service th… Continue Reading
05.28.20
Peters Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Expand Telehealth, Help Michiganders Receive Health Care
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) announced the bipartisan Health Care Broadband Expansion During COVID-19 Act to direct $2 billion to help health care providers in Michigan increase their broadband capacity and expand telehealth services during the current public health crisis. Peters introduced this legislation along with U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), John Boozman (R-AR), Angus King (I-ME), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Ed Markey (D-MA) in … Continue Reading
05.27.20
Peters Introduces Bill to Slow the Spread of Coronavirus in Nursing Homes
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, last week introduced a bill to provide $20 billion to help states, nursing homes and intermediate care facilities contain the spread of the Coronavirus. To date, more than 20,000 nursing home residents and workers have been killed by the virus. The Nursing Home COVID-19 Protection and Prevention Act would help states implement strategies to reduce the spread of COVID-19, purch… Continue Reading
05.27.20
Peters, Stabenow, Kildee Support Michigan’s Medicaid Waiver Extension Request for Flint
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) and U.S. Representative Dan Kildee (MI-05) today requested that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) extend a waiver expanding Medicaid support for Flint. In response to the Flint Water Crisis, CMS in 2016 approved a five-year Medicaid waiver that expanded Medicaid eligibility and coverage for residents up to 21 and pregnant women who have been exposed to lead. The lawmakers wrote to CMS Administrator Seema Ver… Continue Reading
05.27.20
Peters Introduces Bill to Increase Access to Capital for Financial Institutions that Support Small Business Owners, Consumers in Minority Communities
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced he introduced a bill that would increase access to capital for community investment institutions working to support small business owners and consumers through the Coronavirus pandemic in minority communities. The Community Capital Investment Act would establish a Treasury Department program to provide community investment institutions, such as Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs)… Continue Reading
05.26.20
Peters, Stabenow Announce $11.5 Million in Federal Grants for Kalamazoo, Berrien County Transit Services
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is providing Kalamazoo's Central County Transportation Authority (Metro) a $9.1 million grant and Benton Harbor-Saint Joseph's Twin Cities Area Transportation Authority (TCATA) in Berrien County a $2.4 million grant. Peters and Stabenow helped secure this funding as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The funds will help ensure t… Continue Reading
05.23.20
Peters, Stabenow, Moolenaar Join FEMA to Tour Flooding in Midland County
MIDLAND, MI - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) and U.S. Representative John Moolenaar (MI-04) today joined with FEMA Regional Administrator James K. Joseph in surveying damage caused by the historic flooding and dam failure earlier this week in Midland County. The group participated in an aerial survey of the damage, assessed damage in Sanford, met with local officials to discuss next steps and thanked first responders, volunteers and the Michigan State Police in helping t… Continue Reading
05.22.20
Peters & Slotkin Seek Information on Coast Guard Readiness Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin (MI-8), a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, pressed leaders of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) for information about the agency's readiness amid the Coronavirus pandemic. In a letter to Admiral Karl Schultz, the Michigan lawmakers expressed their concern that the pandemic, which has infected millions and killed more than 93,… Continue Reading
05.22.20
Peters Commemorates Memorial Day
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released a video in advance of Memorial Day. "While the Coronavirus pandemic has upended annual traditions of this solemn holiday, we cannot forget those who died in service for our nation," said Senator Peters, a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "That's why this yea… Continue Reading
05.22.20
Peters, Stabenow Introduce Legislation to Ensure National Guard Troops Activated In Response to COVID-19 Receive Full Benefits During the Public Health Emergency
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) helped introduce legislation to ensure that all National Guard troops activated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic receive benefits they've earned and provide states with greater certainty. The National Guard COVID-19 Response Stability Act would extend Title 32 authority for all troops activated in response to the crisis until the end of the public health emergency. By doing so, the federal government would continue coverin… Continue Reading
05.22.20
Peters Leads Bipartisan Push to Increase Funding for Programs Protecting Survivors of Domestic Violence & Pets in Next COVID-19 Relief Bill
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) called for increased funding for programs that support domestic violence survivors and their pets that were established under the Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act. In a letter to Senate leaders and the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Appropriations, Peters, along with U.S. Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) and 30 Senate colleagues, highlighted how reports of domestic violence have risen during this pandemic, and that domestic violence shelte… Continue Reading
05.21.20
Peters Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Boost Disaster Response Assistance for State & Local Governments
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced a bipartisan bill to provide greater assistance to communities facing ongoing disaster response challenges from the Coronavirus pandemic, severe flooding or other disasters this year. Peters' bill would eliminate the cost-share payments required of state and local governments who are seeking federal assistance from major disaster declarations. Pandemic response e… Continue Reading
05.21.20
Peters Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Bolster U.S. & Israeli Partnership on Developing Defense Technology
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) introduced a bipartisan bill that would enhance cooperation between the United States and Israel on developing defense technology. The United States Israel Military Capability Act, which Peters introduced with Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), would require the Department of Defense to establish a working group with their counterparts in the Israeli government to collaborate on the research and development of technology used for national defense. "As an … Continue Reading
05.20.20
Peters Presses President Not to Prematurely End National Guard Deployments in Effort to Deny Guardsmen Benefits
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today pressed the Trump Administration not to end National Guard deployments to assist with Coronavirus pandemic response - one day short of when they would become eligible for key federal benefits. In a letter to President Trump, Peters highlighted how members of the National Guard - including in Michigan - are assisting in critical operations to s… Continue Reading
