Press Releases
Peters Backs Biden Plan to Increase Coronavirus Vaccine & Medical Supplies Using Defense Production Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), the top Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, joined 26 of his Senate colleagues in supporting President Joe Biden's plan to quickly utilize all available authorities under the Defense Production Act (DPA) to rapidly increase the production of COVID-19 vaccines and stockpiling of other critical medical supplies in the United States. Companies and workers across Michigan are continuing to produce the supplies needed… Continue Reading
01.21.21
Peters Calls for Swift Confirmation of Secretary of Transportation-Designate Buttigieg
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, called for swift confirmation of President Biden's Secretary of Transportation-designate Pete Buttigieg. During Buttigieg's confirmation hearing today, Peters secured commitments from Buttigieg to work with him on key national and Michigan priorities, including the future of the auto industry with self-driving and electric vehicles, pipeline safety in the Great Lakes and rebuild… Continue Reading
01.21.21
Peters Statement on Reversal of Trump Muslim Travel Ban
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement praising President Biden's decision to reverse the Muslim travel ban put into place by former President Trump's Administration: "The Muslim travel ban that former President Trump's Administration implemented was not only discriminatory and divisive, it did not meaningfully contribute to our national security. I've heard firsthand from Michigan's Arab American and Muslim communities about how this ban has harmed fami… Continue Reading
01.21.21
Peters Announces Support for Confirmation of Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement on supporting Retired General Lloyd Austin's confirmation as Secretary of Defense: "One of my top priorities is keeping Americans safe and ensuring our men and women in uniform and their families have the support they need to complete their missions safely. In the Navy Reserve, I served with some of the most patriotic individuals I've ever known - and it is the… Continue Reading
01.19.21
Peters, Stabenow Announce $2.5 Million Federal Grant to Address Rural Hospital Staffing Shortages in Michigan
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced a $2.5 million federal grant to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) to address staffing shortages at rural hospitals across the state. The funding - awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor - will help hospitals in rural communities throughout the state hire local workers for open staff positions. Peters and Stabenow both sent letters to the Department of Labor last month, supporti… Continue Reading
01.19.21
Peters Statement Urging U.S. Senate to Swiftly Vote on Mayorkas Confirmation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), the top Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released the following statement urging the Senate to swiftly vote on the confirmation of Alejandro Mayorkas as Secretary of Homeland Security: "Our nation is facing unprecedented crises and threats to American national security, from the devastating Coronavirus pandemic to massive cyber breaches across government and the private sector - and as we have seen too clea… Continue Reading
01.18.21
Peters, Stabenow Accepting Applications from Candidates Interested in Nomination for Federal Judgeship, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshal in Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan
WASHINGTON, D.C. - As the Biden Administration begins, U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) announced they are accepting applications from qualified persons interested in nomination for federal judge, United States Attorney or United States Marshal in the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan. Interested candidates should request an application by emailing judicialnominations@stabenow.senate.gov. Applicants will be notified of deadlines once vacancies are announced for the… Continue Reading
01.15.21
Peters Statement Ahead of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released a video in advance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. "As we honor the life and legacy of Dr. King this MLK Day, it is critical that we recognize that this year's celebrations look and feel different than any other in recent memory," said Senator Peters. "While the challenges we're working to overcome have already taken too heavy a toll on our communities, the MLK holiday can serve as a reminder that even when confronting 'a mountain of de… Continue Reading
01.13.21
Peters: President Trump Committed Impeachable Offense, Must Be Held Accountable
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement on the House of Representatives' vote to impeach President Trump on a charge of incitement of insurrection: "Donald Trump violated his oath of office. His reprehensible actions and rhetoric incited a violent, deadly attack on the Capitol and on our democracy. It is outrageous and unacceptable. We must hold him accountable for his actions and send a very clear signal for the future that this dangerous behavior can never… Continue Reading
01.11.21
Peters Statement Following Meeting with Secretary of Transportation-Designate Pete Buttigieg
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the statement below following a virtual meeting with President-elect Biden's Secretary of Transportation-designate Pete Buttigieg: "I appreciated the opportunity to talk with Secretary-designate Buttigieg about his vision for the department. Whether it's rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges - enhancing pipeline safety - or ensuring that the American auto industry remains at the forefront of mobility - we must work together so that our c… Continue Reading
01.08.21
Bipartisan Senate Homeland Security and Rules Committee Leaders Announce Joint Oversight After Attack on the Capitol Building
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH), leaders of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Roy Blunt (R-MO), leaders of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, released the following statement announcing their intention to hold hearings on and conduct joint oversight of security failures after a criminal mob stormed the Capitol and interrupted the formal count of the Electoral College votes, attempt… Continue Reading
01.07.21
Peters Statement Calling for President Trump to Be Removed from Office
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement calling for President Trump to be removed from office: "The President violated his oath of office and incited a violent attack on our Capitol and democracy. He poses a clear and present danger to the American people and our national security. He should immediately be removed from office. I stand with many others - including the National Association of Manufacturers - in supporting the Vice President and Cabinet invokin… Continue Reading
01.07.21
Peters Statement on Siege at Capitol, Congress Certifying the Electoral College Votes
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement after Congress certified the Electoral College votes, after rioters stormed the Capitol and delayed the proceedings: "Wednesday's dangerous and unacceptable attack on our Capitol marked one of the darkest days in our nation's history. These events went against the very values upon which our country was founded. "The President's continued refusal to accept the election results and efforts to stoke violence demonstra… Continue Reading
01.05.21
Peters Bipartisan Legislation to Protect the Apollo Landing Sites Signed Into Law
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters' (MI) bipartisan bill to permanently protect the Apollo landing sites on the moon was signed into law. The One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act, which Peters introduced with U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), will enact first-of-its-kind 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 achi… Continue Reading
01.05.21
Peters, Stabenow, Dingell Applaud $9.95 Million Federal Grant to Help Advance UM’s Automated Vehicle Research
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) and U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (MI-12) today applauded a $9,950,098 federal grant awarded to the University of Michigan for self-driving technology vehicle research and development. The funding - awarded through the Department of Transportation - will support ongoing projects led by the University to install vehicle and infrastructure technology across Ann Arbor intersections. This will enhance research around vehicle-… Continue Reading
01.05.21
Peters Statement After Meeting with President-elect Biden’s Secretary of Energy-Designate Jennifer Granholm
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement after meeting virtually with President-elect Joe Biden's Secretary of Energy-designate and former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm: "I was pleased to meet with Governor Granholm today to discuss her vision for our country's energy future and clean energy issues important to Michiganders. Governor Granholm has the track record needed to aggressively combat climate change - in a way that boosts our economy - pro… Continue Reading
01.05.21
Peters Bill to Improve VA Caregiver Program Signed into Law
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters' (MI) bipartisan bill to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) caregiver program was signed into law by President Trump. The Transparency and Effective Accountability Measures for (TEAM) Veteran Caregivers Act, which Peters introduced with U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), will take a number of steps to strengthen transparency and communication for veterans and caregivers participating in the program. "As our veterans transition back to c… Continue Reading
01.04.21
Peters Bipartisan Bill to Fix Security Vulnerability Posed By Foreign Ownership of Federally Leased Properties Signed into Law
DETROIT, MI - A bipartisan bill authored by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), the top Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, requiring the federal government to determine if office space it leases is owned by foreign entities has been signed into law. "Our federal buildings are vulnerable to espionage and provide our adversaries with the opportunity to steal sensitive information," said Senator Peters. "I am pleased this legislation, which will strengthen security of… Continue Reading
01.04.21
Peters Bipartisan Bill to Update Great Lakes Environmental Sensitivity Index Maps Signed Into Law
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters' (MI) bipartisan legislation to update the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps in the Great Lakes was signed into law by President Trump. The bill, which Peters introduced with U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-IN), requires the Great Lakes Region ESI maps to be updated for the first time in over two decades, joining maps for the East coast, West coast, and Gulf coast that have been updated more recently. Companion legislation was led in the House by U.S. R… Continue Reading
01.04.21
Peters Bipartisan Bill to Help Great Lakes Communities Address Shoreline Erosion Signed into Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A bipartisan bill authored by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), the top Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, to address rising water levels and shoreline erosion in the Great Lakes has been signed into law. The new law provides support for local communities facing rising water levels, coastal erosion, and flooding that have put homes, property, and communities at risk, and caused millions of dollars in damages. Communities in Michigan are facin… Continue Reading
