Press Releases
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
05.20.20
Peters Statement on President Trump’s Visit to Ypsilanti
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement ahead of President Trump's visit to Ford Motor Company's Rawsonville manufacturing plant in Ypsilanti on Thursday: "I'm proud that Michigan autoworkers are making the personal protection equipment and medical supplies that are saving lives. Michigan's workers and engineers are the most talented in the world and they have stepped up to help ensure we can get through this public health and economic crisis. As we… Continue Reading
05.20.20
Peters Introduces Legislation to Address Vulnerabilities in Medical Supply Chain, Bring Critical Manufacturing Back to U.S. & Michigan
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced two bills to address vulnerabilities in the medical supply chain and increase capacity for domestic advanced manufacturing of critical drugs and medical devices in the United States. America's pandemic response efforts have been hindered by shortages of critical drugs and medical supplies, such as personal protective equipment - highlighting the dangers of Americ… Continue Reading
05.20.20
Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $3 Million in Funding for Bay Metro Transit
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced that Bay Metro Transit will receive a $3,800,000 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 be used to continue transit service in the Bay County area during the COVID-19 pandemic. "From our dedicated frontline workers to seniors in need of critical supplies and … Continue Reading
05.19.20
Peters Announces Support for Heroes Fund to Reward Frontline Workers, Calls on Senate to Pass Proposal
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced support for his COVID-19 "Heroes Fund" proposal, and called on the Senate to work in a bipartisan manner and include it as part of a next Coronavirus package. The COVID-19 Heroes Fund would provide pandemic premium pay to reward and retain essential frontline workers. Peters' proposal has wide-ranging support from groups across Michigan and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has called on Congress to pass it. "From workers at groc… Continue Reading
05.19.20
Peters & Committee Colleagues Call for Oversight Hearing on Administration’s Coronavirus Response
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and his Democratic colleagues on the committee are urging Chairman Ron Johnson (R-WI) to convene an oversight hearing to examine the federal government's response to the Coronavirus pandemic. The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is the Senate's primary oversight committee, with broad jurisdiction over federal government operations generally, and specific… Continue Reading
05.15.20
House Approves Provisions Based on Peters’ COVID-19 ‘Heroes Fund’
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. House of Representatives today approved a provision based on U.S. Senator Gary Peters' (MI) COVID-19 "Heroes Fund" proposal. The measure would provide $190 billion in pandemic premium pay to reward and retain essential frontline workers. The provision was passed as part of larger legislation, which included measures Peters has emphasized are important to Michigan, including support for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and aid for local & state governments to support f… Continue Reading
05.15.20
Peters, Stabenow Announce $315 Million in Federal Funding to Expand COVID-19 Testing in Michigan
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced $315 million in federal funds will be awarded to the State of Michigan to expand its coronavirus testing operations. This funding comes from the $25 billion for testing that Peters and Stabenow fought to be included as part of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act they helped enact last month. "We know that dramatically expanding testing capabilities is a necessary step towards reo… Continue Reading
05.15.20
Peters Calls on Administration to Stop Sending Coronavirus Stimulus Payments to Deceased Americans
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, joined his colleagues in raising concerns following widespread reports that households across the country have received $1,200 stimulus checks for deceased family members. In a letter sent to leaders of the Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service, and Social Security Administration, Peters and colleagues called for immediate action to prevent further improper payments… Continue Reading
05.14.20
Senate Passes Peters-Backed Bipartisan Bill Expanding Access to Survivor Benefits for Families of First Responders Who Passed Due to COVID-19
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Senate today passed a bipartisan bill cosponsored by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) to expand access to survivor benefits for families of fallen first responders due to Coronavirus. The Safeguarding America's First Responders (SAFR) Act would establish the presumption that if a first responder contracts the Coronavirus within 45 days of their last day on duty and then subsequently passes away, the Department of Justice (DOJ) would classify the cause of death as a line of… Continue Reading
05.13.20
Peters Presses Administration to Crack Down on Chinese Government over Coronavirus Vaccine Research Hack
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, called on the Trump Administration to take strong action against the Chinese government following reports that state-sponsored hackers attacked American hospitals and research institutions in an effort to steal information related to development of a Coronavirus vaccine. By attacking health care providers' information systems, the Chinese government put the health an… Continue Reading
05.12.20
Provision Based on Peters’ COVID-19 ‘Heroes Fund’ Included in New Proposed House Coronavirus Relief Package
WASHINGTON, DC - A provision based on U.S. Senator Gary Peters' (MI) COVID-19 "Heroes Fund" proposal is part of the new Coronavirus legislation package announced today by the U.S. House of Representatives. The measure would provide $190 billion in pandemic premium pay to reward and retain essential frontline workers. "So many people in Michigan and across the country are working hard and performing essential duties to help our communities confront this pandemic, and they deserve extra compensat… Continue Reading
