Press Releases
Peters Announces Reintroduction of Bipartisan Bill to Alleviate Student Loan Debt and Help Communities Fill Worker Shortages
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) announced reintroduction of bipartisan legislation to help recent graduates pay down student loan debt while addressing worker shortages in communities across the state and country. The Workforce Development Through Post-Graduation Scholarships Act of 2021, which Peters introduced with U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), would expand post-graduation scholarship grant programs by mandating that scholarship recipients are not required to pay inc… Continue Reading
06.22.21
Peters Reintroduces Bipartisan Legislation to Incentivize Community Policing
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) reintroduced bipartisan legislation that aims to strengthen the relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve by incentivizing recruits to work in the communities where they live. The Strong Communities Act would provide federal grants for local law enforcement recruits who agree to attend school or academy and then serve in a law enforcement agency in their respective communities. Peters previously introduced the legislation … Continue Reading
06.18.21
Peters Commemorates Juneteenth Independence Day
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement recognizing June 19th as the 156th anniversary of Juneteenth Independence Day, the day the last remaining African-American slaves in Galveston, Texas, learned of their emancipation:"Each year, Juneteenth is a time to reflect on our nation's painful legacy of slavery and the fight for equality that still continues today. It is also a reminder of the enduring hope for and efforts to build an America where all people… Continue Reading
06.17.21
Peters Statement on Supreme Court Health Care Ruling
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement on the Supreme Court's ruling on the health care law: "Today's decision is critical for upholding access to quality, affordable health care and protecting those with pre-existing health conditions. We've simply come too far to go back to the days when insurance companies called the shots on health care for millions of Michiganders, and I'll continue fighting to protect and build on the progress we've made. "I look for… Continue Reading
06.17.21
Michigan Communities Support Peters’ Legislation to Protect Them from Consequences of Proposed Change to Metropolitan Area Standards
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Michigan officials are speaking in support of bipartisan legislation, introduced by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, that would help protect Michigan communities from the possible consequences of a proposed change that would increase the population threshold for metropolitan areas from 50,000 to 100,000. Communities in Michigan and across the United States count on this designation for federal funding that goe… Continue Reading
06.16.21
Peters Statement on the Passing of His Mother, Madeleine Vignier Peters
DETROIT, MI - Below is a statement from U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) on the passing of his mother, Madeleine Vignier Peters, Tuesday at the age of 96: "My mother was the cornerstone of our family. Our hearts are shattered at her passing. She lived her incredible life to the fullest, devoted herself to her family and spent her life helping everyone she met. "My mother grew up in Reims, France and - at age 15 - she was forced to flee Nazi Germany's invasion of her hometown, even hiding in a dit… Continue Reading
06.15.21
Peters Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Investigate Federal Vehicle Safety Tests
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, announced he introduced bipartisan legislation to improve the federal government's vehicle safety testing practices, specifically around crash test dummies. The Furthering Advanced and Inclusive Research for Crash Tests Act (FAIR Crash Tests Act), which Peters introduced with U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), would order a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study of federal vehic… Continue Reading
06.15.21
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to Convene Hearing Examining DC Statehood
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, announced he will convene a hearing on making Washington, D.C. the 51st state. The hearing will examine the Washington, D.C. Admission Act (S. 51), legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-DE), to grant Washington, D.C. statehood. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Washington, D.C.'s Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives, who led the legislation through… Continue Reading
06.14.21
Peters Helps Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Enhance Traffic Signal Technology and Improve Roadway Efficiency
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, announced he helped introduce a bipartisan bill that would create the Smart Technology Traffic Signals Grant Program within the Department of Transportation (DOT) to improve the functioning of traffic signals across the country through the implementation of innovative technologies. The Smart Intersections Act of 2021, which Peters introduced with U.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT), … Continue Reading
06.11.21
Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $42,000 for the Mount Clemens Fire Department
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced that the Mount Clemens Fire Department will receive $42,999 in federal funding to improve operations and safety for firefighters and personnel. This federal grant comes from the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. "Firefighters in Michigan put their safety on the line to protect their neighbors and communities, and it's critical they have the resources needed t… Continue Reading
06.11.21
Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $466,000 for the Grand Rapids Fire Department
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced that the Grand Rapids Fire Department will receive $466,948 in federal funding to improve operations and safety for firefighters and personnel. This federal grant comes from the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. "Firefighters in Michigan put their safety on the line to protect their neighbors and communities, and it's critical they have the resources needed to… Continue Reading
06.11.21
Peters and Portman Seek Input as Committee Works to Address Relentless Ransomware Attacks
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, are seeking input from the Administration as they work to address the relentless wave of ransomware attacks against our nation's critical infrastructure. Recent attacks have included dangerous breaches of a major oil pipeline, the New York City transportation system, and meatpacking centers across the nation. "As highlighted in rece… Continue Reading
06.09.21
Peters Provision to Create Significant Incident Declaration for Major Cyber-Attacks Passes Senate as Part of Competitiveness Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A provision authored by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, passed the Senate as a part of a legislative package to strengthen national security, boost American competitiveness on the global stage, and lessen our dependence on adversarial governments, like China and Russia. The provision would provide additional resources and better coordination for serious cyber-attacks or breaches that risk the safety and secur… Continue Reading
06.09.21
Peters Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Enhance Federal Motorcyclist Advisory Council
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) announced he introduced bipartisan legislation to enhance the Motorcyclist Advisory Council (MAC) within the U.S. Department of Transportation and extend it for an additional six years. The Motorcyclist Advisory Council Act of 2021, which Peters introduced with U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), would ensure the Department of Transportation hears and considers input from motorcyclists and key motorcycle stakeholders. The new council would advise the D… Continue Reading
06.08.21
Peters Provisions to Strengthen National Security and American Competitiveness Pass Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Several provisions led by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, were passed by the Senate as a part of a legislative package to strengthen national security, boost American competitiveness on the global stage, and lessen our dependence on adversarial governments, like China and Russia. Peters' provisions strengthen American defenses against sophisticated cyber-attacks, mitigate risks posed by our overreliance on … Continue Reading
06.08.21
Peters Helps Senate Pass Bipartisan Economic Competitiveness Bill with Michigan Wins
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, helped the Senate pass sweeping legislation tonight to strengthen manufacturing and boost economic competitiveness on the global stage, including to lessen our dependence on countries like China. The bill - the American Innovation and Competition Act - includes a number of provisions from Peters, including efforts to improve coordination between the Department of Commerce and th… Continue Reading
06.08.21
VIDEO: Peters Presses Colonial Pipeline CEO on Recent Hack That Caused Gas Shortages and Price Increases for Millions of Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, convened a hearing with Joseph A. Blount, President and Chief Executive Officer of Colonial Pipeline, to examine a recent hack that forced the company to shut down over 5,500 miles of pipeline that runs from Texas to New York that provides gas to 13 states. At the hearing, Peters pressed Blount on why Colonial was unprepared to defend against the online attack and what the compa… Continue Reading
06.08.21
Peters Releases Bipartisan Investigative Report Detailing Security, Planning and Response Failures that Led to Breach of U.S. Capitol on January 6th
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released a joint bipartisan report detailing how security, planning and response failures led to a violent and unprecedented breach of the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. The report offers bipartisan recommendations that lawmakers, Capitol security officials and national security officials can take to ensure the Capitol is secure from ongoing threats. Peters previousl… Continue Reading
06.04.21
PHOTOS: Peters Leads Listening Tour on Strengthening Michigan’s Infrastructure in Grand Rapids, Lansing and Southfield
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) this week launched his statewide Building a Stronger Michigan listening tour to hear from Michiganders about local needs and priorities to enhance critical infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and broadband to help inform his work on infrastructure legislation in the Senate. He convened roundtable discussions in Grand Rapids, Lansing and Southfield. On Wednesday, Peters heard from local leaders in Grand Rapids and toured the MDOT West Michigan Oper… Continue Reading
06.03.21
Peters Statement on the Air Force’s New International F-35 Mission Basing Decision
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Armed Service Committee, today released the following statement on the news that the Air Force has selected Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas instead of Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township, MI as the location for new F-35 and F-16 missions: "There are many important, unanswered questions about how and why the Air Force made this decision. I have repeatedly pressed for a decision based on fairness and… Continue Reading
