Press Releases
Peters Requests DoD Briefing on Chinese Surveillance Hardware Reports
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees, sent a letter to Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary James Mattis requesting a briefing to Congress on recent reports that China installed surveillance microchips in certain hardware devices used in systems across DoD and other intelligence agencies. According to a recent Bloomberg article, operatives from China's People's Liberation Army inserted the chips during the manufacturin… Continue Reading
10.04.18
Peters Statement on AV 3.0 Guidance for Self-Driving Vehicles
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and co-author of the bipartisan AV START Act, released the following statement on the Department of Transportation's Automated Vehicle 3.0 guidance: "Self-driving technology will transform the future of transportation, helping to save thousands of lives and improving mobility for consumers. I'm pleased that the Department of Transportation is continuing to build on previously is… Continue Reading
10.03.18
Peters Provision Allowing Airports to Discontinue PFAS To Be Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) today applauded passage of his provision permitting airports to discontinue use of fire-fighting foams containing toxic chemicals linked to cancer and other serious health issues. Currently, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations require airports to use firefighting foams that contain Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), a group of approximately 4,700 toxic chemicals that have been linked to cancer as well as a wide variety of t… Continue Reading
10.02.18
Peters Floor Remarks in Support of FAA Reauthorization Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), spoke on the Senate floor today in support of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018, bipartisan legislation that sets FAA policy for the next five years. Peters worked to include provisions in the bill to bolster airport security, support the educational use of unmanned aircraft systems, and help remove harmful PFAS chemicals from airport firefighting foams. Below is video and text of his remarks as prepared for delive… Continue Reading
09.27.18
Peters, Hoeven Bill to Strengthen Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Advances in Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Hoeven (R-ND) to train and help retain high-skilled cybersecurity professionals in the federal government advanced in the Senate yesterday. Despite growing cyber threats, the federal government faces a cyber workforce shortage due to hiring and retention challenges, competition with the private sector and difficulty refilling federal positions after an employee leaves. The legislation passed the U.S. … Continue Reading
09.26.18
Peters Opening Remarks at Senate Hearing on the PFAS Contamination Crisis
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Federal Spending, Oversight and Emergency Management, spoke at a subcommittee hearing today on contamination from Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). The hearing, which was convened at Peters' request, explored the federal government's role in properly addressing PFAS that have been found in drinking water sites across Michigan. Below is video and the text of his opening remarks as prepared for deliv… Continue Reading
09.26.18
Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $1,100,000 in Support of Fire Departments in Macomb and Oakland Counties
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $1,109,608 for fire departments in 10 communities in Macomb and Oakland Counties to improve training and upgrade technology. This regional grant comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grants program. "It is critical that firefighters and first responders have access to the tools and resources they need to keep their communities safe," said Senator Peters. "This funding will … Continue Reading
09.26.18
Peters, Lankford & Paul Bill to Save Taxpayer Dollars on Equipment Acquisition Advances in Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), James Lankford (R-OK) and Rand Paul (R-KY) to help save taxpayer money on equipment used by federal agencies for activities including mining, agricultural production, construction, and highway maintenance advanced in the Senate today. The Federal Acquisition Savings Act of 2018 would require federal agencies to consider leases or short-term rentals for heavy equipment when those options are more cost-effectiv… Continue Reading
09.26.18
Peters, Risch Bill Helping Small Businesses Access Patent Protection to Be Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday passed legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and James Risch (R-ID) aimed at helping small businesses safeguard their intellectual property with expanded education on obtaining and protecting patents. The Small Business Innovation Protection Act will build upon existing outreach programs run by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), to better inform small bu… Continue Reading
09.24.18
Peters Applauds New Law to Boost Transparency in Senate Campaigns
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary today applauded a new law to provide greater openness and transparency in future U.S. Senate campaigns. President Trump has signed into law the Campaign Disclosure Parity Act, bipartisan legislation Peters cosponsored that will require all Senate candidates and campaign committees to file their financial disclosure forms electronically. Currently, these organizations are the only federal political committees that are permitted to file paper disclosure reports… Continue Reading
09.17.18
Peters, Capito Provisions Improving Opioid Treatment for Adolescents Passes Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate today passed provisions based off the YOUTH Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) to expand access to safe, effective treatment for adolescents and young adults struggling with opioid addiction. The provisions, which passed as part of broader legislation, expand an existing youth substance use disorder program to include young adults and will identify best practices for overcoming barriers to … Continue Reading
09.17.18
Peters Floor Remarks Supporting Opioid Crisis Response Act
Peters: "Young Americans coping with substance use disorders deserve every opportunity to recover, hold onto their future aspirations and lead stable and fulfilling lives." Peters: "We must continue working together at every level of government as we combat the opioid crisis with scientifically proven strategies, including for some of the youngest lives at risk." WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), spoke on the Senate floor today in support of the Opioid Crisis Response Act, bipa… Continue Reading
09.17.18
Peters Announces Witnesses for Senate PFAS Hearing
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced the witnesses expected to testify at an upcoming congressional hearing on the impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Peters serves as Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management, which is convening the hearing, entitled "The Federal Role in the Toxic PFAS Chemical Crisis." The hearing will take place on Wednesday, September 26th at 2:30 PM, room SD-342, Dirksen Sen… Continue Reading
09.13.18
Peters Visits South Korea to Discuss Security Ties, Self-Driving Car Technologies
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Commerce, Science and Transportation Committees, today announced that he traveled to South Korea to discuss national security in the region - particularly the threat from North Korea - and transportation issues, including the development of self-driving vehicle technologies. During his visit, Peters visited the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), received briefings from American and South Korean military offi… Continue Reading
09.10.18
Peters, Stabenow Announce $104,500 for City of Manistee Fire Department
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that the City of Manistee Fire Department will receive $104,500 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program to secure safety equipment, including a heart monitor and hydraulic rescue tools. This grant is provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grants program. "Manistee's firefighters put their lives on the line to protect t… Continue Reading
09.10.18
Peters, Young Bill to Update Great Lakes Environmental Sensitivity Index Maps Passes Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Todd Young (R-IN) today applauded U.S. Senate passage of bipartisan legislation they introduced to update the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps in the Great Lakes. The legislation will direct the Great Lakes Region ESI maps to be updated for the first time in over twenty years, joining maps for the East coast, West coast, and Gulf coast that have been updated more recently. These new maps will provide accurate assessments of coastal … Continue Reading
09.06.18
Peters, Stabenow Call for EPA Public Meeting on PFAS in Michigan
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to hold a per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) community engagement meeting in Michigan. Earlier this year, the EPA announced plans for a forum in Michigan on PFAS, but it has yet to schedule this forum. "Given PFAS are a large class of over 3500 industrial chemicals, only a handful of which have received monitoring attention to date, we fully expect more Michiganders, and mo… Continue Reading
08.31.18
Peters, Stabenow Announce New Legislation to Stop Expansion of Health Care Plans without Protections for Pre-Existing Conditions
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today announced new legislation to overturn the expansion of health insurance plans that do not protect people with pre-existing conditions. The new legislation is cosponsored by 30 Senators and would rescind the Trump Administration's rule expanding short-term or "junk insurance" plans that do not have to provide health coverage for people with pre-existing conditions or other essential services such as maternity car… Continue Reading
08.30.18
Peters, Colleagues Lead Effort to Crack Down on Lavish, Wasteful Spending by Executive Agency Officials
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Tom Carper (D-DE), Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced legislation to hold Trump Administration officials accountable when they misuse taxpayer dollars. The Executive Branch Waste and Fraud Recovery Act establishes a process requiring most senior agency officials to repay U.S. taxpayer dollars that were inappropriately spent on items like private flights, entertainment and vacations. "Hardworking families in Michigan an… Continue Reading
08.29.18
Peters, Colleagues Seek Answers from High-Spending Federal Agencies on ‘Use It or Lose It’ Spending
WASHINGTO, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Rand Paul (R-KY) sent letters to the chief financial officers of 13 federal agencies Tuesday raising concerns about potentially wasteful spending in the final weeks before the end of the fiscal year. According to one report, federal agencies spent more than $11 billion during the final week of the fiscal year 2017, almost five times more than average weekly spending during the rest of the year. P… Continue Reading
