Press Releases
Peters Presses DeVos for Answers on Program that Wasted Over $500 Million in Taxpayer Money on Failed Charter Schools
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, is pressing Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos for answers after a recent report by the Network for Public Education (NPE) uncovered that more than $500 million in taxpayer funds went to charter schools that were closed or never even opened. According to the report, Michigan had the highest number of taxpayer-funded schools that never opened - 112 defunct charter s… Continue Reading
12.17.19
After Senate Passes Final National Defense Bill With Peters’ PFAS Provisions, Legislation Heads to President’s Desk
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Senate today approved the final national defense bill that includes provisions U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) authored and cosponsored to address PFAS contamination in Michigan and across the country. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which sets policy for the Department of Defense, has been enacted into law for more than 55 consecutive years. Now that the bill has been passed by the Senate and the House, it goes to the President to be signed into law. This … Continue Reading
12.17.19
Peters Provisions Supporting Servicemembers and Michigan Defense Sector Headed to President’s Desk in National Defense Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate today passed provisions led and supported by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) that will benefit servicemembers and their families as well as Michigan's defense sector that contribute to our national security as part of the national defense bill. The bill includes a 3.1 percent pay raise for servicemembers, an end to the "Widow's Tax," bipartisan legislation Peters supported to crack down on international manufacturers and traffickers of fentanyl and a provision based on … Continue Reading
12.16.19
Peters, Stabenow Bipartisan Bill to Establish Great Lakes Fisheries Program Authorization Included in Government Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced that the final government funding bill will include their bipartisan legislation to authorize Great Lakes fishery funding and help support effective fishery management decisions. The Great Lakes Fishery Research Authorization (GLFRA) Act, which they led with Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), will enable the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to continue to conduct research to help support th… Continue Reading
12.16.19
Final Government Funding Bill Includes Peters Effort to Increase Great Lakes Restoration Funding
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that the final government funding bill includes the provision he led to provide the first increase in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Funding since the program was established nearly a decade ago. The additional $19 million for the GLRI for Fiscal Year 2020 was an increase from the proposed level of $301 million. The provision Peters secured in this end-of-year legislation builds on his bipartisan measure that passed the Se… Continue Reading
12.13.19
Peters, Stabenow, Gillibrand, Cortez Masto Announce Bill to Help Workers Who Lose Their Jobs to Automation
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI), Debbie Stabenow (MI), Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), and Catherine Cortez Masto (NV) today announced they introduced The TAA for Automation Act. Their legislation would support workers who lose their jobs due to automation through expanded access to Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) benefits, such as job training and reemployment services. Although the current TAA program provides important support to workers who lose their jobs due to trade, workers di… Continue Reading
12.11.19
Peters’ Bipartisan Bill to Ensure Representation for Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Sectors on FAA’s Drone Policy Board Advances in Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today applauded Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation approval of bipartisan legislation to ensure the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)'s chief drone policy committee includes representation for agriculture, forestry, and rural America. The Drone Advisory Committee for the 21st Century Act, which Peters introduced with Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Pat Roberts (R-KS), would also ensure that the FAA provides representation for local gover… Continue Reading
12.10.19
Peters’ PFAS Provisions Included in Final National Defense Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that the final national defense bill agreed to by negotiators from the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives includes provisions he authored and cosponsored to address PFAS contamination in Michigan and across the country. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which sets policy for the Department of Defense, has been enacted into law for more than 55 consecutive years. Now that a final bill is negotiated, the Senate … Continue Reading
12.06.19
Peters Unveils New Report on Lowering Prescription Drug Costs with Michigan Patients & Health Care Providers
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, unveiled a new report on skyrocketing prescription drug prices and drug shortages. At St. Joseph Mercy Oakland hospital in Pontiac, Peters joined Michiganders struggling with prescription drug costs and leaders from Trinity Health - the hospital's parent company. They toured St. Joseph's pharmacy and discussed the challenges health care providers and patients have fa… Continue Reading
12.06.19
Peters Presses Trump Administration to Expedite Approved PFAS Study in Western Michigan, Secures Commitment to Review Holdup from Trump Nominee at Confirmation Hearing
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) this week pressed the Trump Administration to expedite the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) review of a PFAS health study examining contaminated communities across western Michigan. During the confirmation hearing for Paul Ray, nominated to be Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Peters secured a commitment to review the holdup and urged an expedited review of the PFAS health study examining contaminated s… Continue Reading
12.06.19
Peters, Stabenow Raise Concerns Over Potential Canadian Nuclear Waste Sites
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) released the following statements raising concerns after the Nuclear Waste Management Organization in Canada announced potential sites to store nuclear waste near Lake Huron: "The Great Lakes provide drinking water to over 40 million people and are part of who we are as Michiganders. That's why we need to do everything we can to protect the Great Lakes for future generations. I am extremely concerned about the possibil… Continue Reading
12.04.19
Senate Unanimously Passes Peters Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Veterans Apprenticeship Opportunities
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Senate unanimously approved bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV) to expand apprenticeship opportunities for veterans. The Support for Veterans in Effective Apprenticeships Act would increase veterans' access to financial assistance they can use in connection with an apprenticeship program. In Michigan alone, only a few hundred of the 1,000 registered apprenticeships listed as active by the Department of Lab… Continue Reading
12.04.19
Peters, Romney Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Fight Spread of Opioids through the Mail
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Mitt Romney (R-UT) introduced bipartisan legislation to combat the circulation of opioids, including fentanyl, through the mail. Illicit trafficking of drugs has fueled the deadly opioid epidemic, and many drug traffickers take advantage of shipping and mailing organizations like the United States Postal Service (USPS) and private shipping companies to move their pro… Continue Reading
12.03.19
Peters Testifies Before International Trade Commission in Support of Michigan Cherry Growers, Tariffs Against Turkish Cherry Exporters
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today testified at a U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) hearing in Washington, DC in support of Michigan cherry growers' efforts to ensure a level playing field and hold Turkish tart cherry exporters accountable for continually using unfair trade practices. Peters reaffirmed his support for the ITC's preliminary decision to impose tariffs targeting the Turkish cherry industry and advocated for a final determination in line with their prelimin… Continue Reading
11.26.19
Michigan Congressional Delegation Members Continue Advocating for F-35 Mission at Selfridge
WASHINGTON, D.C. - 14 Members of the Michigan congressional delegation urged the new Secretary of the Air Force Barbara M. Barrett to select Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County as one of the locations to host the Air National Guard's next F-35A operational base. Lawmakers highlighted the outstanding airmen, modern facilities, unique training range, and low cost of conversion that make the 127th Wing an ideal choice. In addition, lawmakers also pointed to recent developments of c… Continue Reading
11.25.19
Peters Calls for Michigan Border Crossing Funding to Promote Secure, Efficient Trade and Travel
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, is urging his colleagues on the Senate Appropriations Committee to provide additional funding in year-end appropriations legislation to facilitate secure and efficient international commerce at Michigan's Blue Water and Gordie Howe Bridges, two of our nation's busiest border crossings. Approximately 300,000 people and $910 million in trade cross the Northern Border ever… Continue Reading
11.22.19
Senate Passes Peters Bill to Strengthen Cybersecurity Coordination with State and Local Governments
DETROIT, MI - The U.S. Senate unanimously approved bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Rob Portman (R-OH), to promote stronger cybersecurity coordination between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and state and local governments. The State and Local Government Cybersecurity Act would encourage national cybersecurity watchdogs to share information regarding cybersecurity threa… Continue Reading
11.22.19
Peters, Stabenow Announce $8 Million in Federal Grants for West Michigan Airports
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced that Gerald R. Ford International Airport will receive a $5 million federal grant and West Michigan Regional Airport will receive a $3 million federal grant from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP). Gerald R. Ford International Airport's grant will go to rehabilitate a terminal building and West Michigan Regional's grant will go toward rehabilitating a runway. … Continue Reading
11.22.19
Michigan Delegation Announces Detroit Will Host National Guard Association of the United States Annual Conference in 2024
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Representatives Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) alongside members of the Michigan Congressional delegation today announced that Detroit will host the 146th Annual National Guard Association of the United States' General Conference and Exhibition in 2024. The bid to host the conference was submitted by the National Guard Association of Michigan and was supported by members of Michigan's Congressional delegation. … Continue Reading
11.22.19
Peters, Stabenow Announce $8.49 Million Federal Grant for the Detroit Department of Transportation
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced that the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) will receive a $8.49 million federal grant to purchase new buses, equipment and upgrade bus stations. This funding comes from the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program. "It is critical that Detroit has a robust transportation system in place that can provide critical busing services for residents, visitors and bu… Continue Reading
