Press Releases
Peters to Serve as Ranking Member on Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today announced that he will serve as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities. The committee is responsible for policies and programs related to technology-based research and development, special operations, intelligence, counter-terrorism, and homeland security. This new position comes as groundbreaking research on autonomous vehicles takes place in Michigan and Michi… Continue Reading
01.21.19
Peters Statement on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: "As we honor Dr. King on this day with community service, let us remember how much he and his family sacrificed in the struggle for justice. One of the greatest lessons Dr. King taught us was that our country is at its strongest when we are united as one. In today's uncertain times, it is critical - now more than ever - that we uphold Dr. King's legacy of bridging gaps.… Continue Reading
01.14.19
Senators Peters and Stabenow Request Update from Army Corps on Plans to Divert Money from Soo Locks, Other Michigan Infrastructure Priorities to Build Border Wall
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Following news reports that President Trump is asking the Army Corps of Engineers to identify funds that could be used for construction of a border wall, U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), member of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), co-Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, wrote to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) to request an update on any intentions to reallocate funds away from the Soo Locks and other Michigan infrastructu… Continue Reading
01.11.19
Peters, Colleagues Introduce Legislation Allowing Medicare to Negotiate Prescription Drug Costs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) announced that he has joined his colleagues to introduce legislation to strengthen the bargaining rights of seniors on the cost of prescription drugs. The legislation permits Medicare to negotiate for lower prices on behalf of over 1.8 million Michiganders eligible for enrollment in Medicare Part D. Currently, Medicare is prohibited from negotiating with pharmaceutical companies on drug costs. Companion legislation has been introduced in the U.S. … Continue Reading
01.11.19
Peters Seeks Answers on Trump Hotel Exemption during Government Shutdown
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, sent a letter pressing the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) and the General Services Administration (GSA) for information on the decision to staff the Old Post Office Tower located within the Trump International Hotel during the government shutdown. The National Park Service (NPS) attraction has continued to operate using NPS personnel, while other NPS sites and parks ha… Continue Reading
01.07.19
Peters Tours Bay Area Women’s Center, Highlights Legislation Signed into Law to Protect Survivors of Domestic Violence & Pets
BAY CITY, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today toured the Bay Area Women's Center in Bay City to learn more about their programs to help domestic violence survivors and highlight his bipartisan legislation recently signed into law to strengthen current federal domestic violence protections to encompass threats or acts of violence against a victim's pet. The Bay Area Women's Center partners with numerous local organizations, including the Judy V. Spencer Fund, to help ensure pets of domestic … Continue Reading
12.22.18
Peters, Cornyn Bill to Bolster Safety and Operational Efficiency at U.S. Ports of Entry Signed into Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters applauded Congressional passage of bipartisan legislation he introduced with U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) to bolster security and daily operational efficiency of air, land and sea ports of entry. The United States Ports of Entry Threat and Operational Review Act also directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to publish a report assessing the strengths and potential vulnerabilities of the nation's ports in order to facilitate international commerce … Continue Reading
12.21.18
Peters, Paul, Jones, Lankford Bill to Streamline Federal Property Review Process to be Signed into Law
WASHINGTON, DC - Today the U.S. House passed bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Senator Doug Jones (D-AL) and James Lankford (R-OK) to save taxpayer money by streamlining the federal inventory review process. Currently, many federal agencies only declare property as excess during periods of transition, such as office moves or space reductions. This can result in agencies retaining or storing unneeded property that could be utilized by… Continue Reading
12.14.18
Peters, Stabenow Announce Senate Passage of Legislation Naming Howell Post Office after WWII Veteran
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) announced that the Senate has passed H.R. 6020 to designate the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 325 South Michigan Avenue in Howell as the "Sergeant Donald Burgett Post Office Building." Sergeant Burgett lived almost his entire adult life in Howell and was a World War II combat veteran. This legislation, authored by Congressman Mike Bishop, passed the House of Representatives in September and Senators Peters an… Continue Reading
12.13.18
Peters Floor Remarks In Favor of Ending U.S. Support to Saudi-Led Coalition in Yemen
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) spoke on the Senate floor in support of bipartisan legislation that would end U.S. support to Saudi Arabia's military campaign in Yemen, which is exasperating the worst humanitarian crisis in decades. Click here for video of his remarks and below is the text as prepared for delivery: "Mr. President, I rise today to address the war in Yemen, which is causing the worst humanitarian crisis since World War II. Tens of thousands of young children ha… Continue Reading
12.13.18
Peters Bill to Protect Survivors of Domestic Violence & Pets to be Signed into Law
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today applauded Congressional passage of bipartisan legislation he introduced with Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) to help protect domestic violence survivors and their pets. The Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act helps provide funding for facilities that harbor survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence and their pets, or are looking to do so. The legislation passed the Senate and the House of Representatives as part of a … Continue Reading
12.12.18
Peters Floor Remarks Supporting Resolution to Target ‘Dark Money’ in Politics
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) spoke on the Senate floor today in support of a Congressional Review Act resolution that would overturn Internal Revenue Service guidance easing donor reporting requirements for certain tax-exempt groups that engage in political advertising. Click here for video of his remarks and below is the text as prepared for delivery: "Mr. President, I rise today in support of overturning the Treasury Department's rule to allow even more 'dark money' into … Continue Reading
12.11.18
Peters to Serve as Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) will serve as Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the U.S. Senate's principal oversight committee, in the 116th Congress. The committee is responsible for ensuring all federal departments and agencies are operating effectively, and also oversees the Department of Homeland Security. Peters previously served as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management within the H… Continue Reading
12.10.18
Peters & Stabenow Urge EPA to Protect Michiganders from Lead in Drinking Water
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today wrote a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler pressing the agency to implement all of the recommended policies from a July 2017 EPA Inspector General report regarding best practices to prevent another drinking water crisis from lead contamination. While EPA has acted on many of the Inspector General's recommendations, the agency has refused to establish national controls to e… Continue Reading
12.06.18
Peters, Stabenow Announce $40.7 Million for Infrastructure Projects in Sault Ste. Marie, Berrien County
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will award two grants totaling $40.7 million for infrastructure projects in Sault Ste. Marie and Berrien County. The $20.7 million will go towards repairs for the Carbide Dock Port, which is located on the same waterway as the Soo Locks and serves as a staging area for vessels needing emergency assistance. The additional $20 million will help directly connect US-31 to I… Continue Reading
12.04.18
Peters Provision Establishing Great Lakes Coast Guard Center of Expertise Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON, DC - President Donald Trump has signed into law a provision authored by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) to establish a U.S. Coast Guard National Center of Expertise (NCOE) for the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes NCOE will examine the impacts of oil spills in freshwater environments and help develop effective responses. Current oil spill response technologies are primarily designed for saltwater environments. Last year, the then-Commandant of the Coast Guard told Peters at a hearing that t… Continue Reading
12.01.18
Peters Statement on Passing of President George H.W. Bush
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement on the passing of President George H.W. Bush: "With the passing of President George H.W. Bush, the nation has lost a respected lifelong public servant. Whether flying a combat mission over the Pacific as a WWII pilot or representing the United States on the world stage as president, George H.W. Bush demonstrated grace and a fierce dedication to America and her ideals in everything he did. Colleen and I extend … Continue Reading
11.29.18
Peters Bill to Commemorate End of WWII Passes Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today applauded Senate passage of legislation he introduced to establish a commemorative program ahead of the 75th anniversary of World War II in 2020. The program's goals are to honor veterans, educate the public about the history of World War II, highlight the service of the men and women who served our nation on the home front during the war, recognize the contributions of our allies and remember the h… Continue Reading
11.28.18
Peters Floor Remarks Opposing Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Nominee Kathleen Kraninger
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) spoke on the Senate floor today in opposition of the nomination of Kathleen Kraninger to be the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Below is video of his remarks and text as prepared for delivery: "Mr. President, I rise today in opposition to the nomination of Kathleen Kraninger to be Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or CFPB. "This is one of the most important positions in our entire government, a job ded… Continue Reading
11.27.18
Peters, Colleagues Urge HUD to Improve Oversight Of Lead Poisoning Prevention Programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), along with nine of his Senate colleagues, sent a letter to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) urging the agency to immediately improve its oversight of lead-based paint hazards in federally-assisted housing to ensure that families and children are protected from exposure to lead. The letter comes on the heels of a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report recommending that HUD take immediate action to improve all of its p… Continue Reading
