Press Releases
Peters Statement on Supreme Court DACA Ruling
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to block the Trump Administration from terminating the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program: "The DACA program was created to help thousands of hardworking young people, who were brought to this country through no fault of their own, step out of the shadows and make vital contributions… Continue Reading
06.17.20
Peters Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Incentivize Community Policing
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) today introduced 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 introduced the bill with U.S. Se… Continue Reading
06.17.20
Peters, Stabenow Help Senate Pass Bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act That Will Benefit Michigan
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today helped pass bipartisan legislation that would guarantee funding towards public lands maintenance and renovation projects in Michigan and across the country. The Great American Outdoors Act would both permanently and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) at $900 million dollars annually. The LWCF has helped promote outdoor recreation and has established and expanded parks and wild areas across the coun… Continue Reading
06.16.20
Peters & Maloney Call for Investigation into Secretary DeVos’ Use of Private Information to Limit Relief for Defrauded Student Borrowers
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and U.S. Representative Carolyn B. Maloney, Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, called for an investigation into reports that Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos may have violated federal privacy laws and undermined legal protections for student borrowers. Peters and Maloney urged the Department of Education Inspector General to investigate allegations that … Continue Reading
06.15.20
Peters, Stabenow Welcome $25 Million Federal Grant to Improve, Expand Customs Operations at Blue Water Bridge
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) will provide a $25 million grant to support critical operations at the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, which is one of the busiest trade crossings in the country. The funding will specifically help expand the customs plaza at the bridge that is responsible for facilitating a major portion of the over 300,000 people and $910 million in trade that cross the Northern… Continue Reading
06.15.20
Peters Statement on Supreme Court Ruling Federal Employment Discrimination Law Protects LGBTQ+ Employees
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that existing federal employment discrimination law protects LGBTQ+ employees: "This is a historic day for LGBTQ+ rights and equality in this country. Nobody should face discrimination in the workplace or fear losing their job for who they are or who they love. Michigander Aimee Stephens did not live to see this day, but today we honor her and carry on this fight in her memory. While … Continue Reading
06.15.20
Michigan Congressional Delegation Joint Statement on Paul Whelan Sentencing in Russia
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) and U.S. Representatives Haley Stevens (MI-11), Tim Walberg (MI-07), Fred Upton (MI-06), Bill Huizenga (MI-02), Dan Kildee (MI-05), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), John Moolenaar (MI-04), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) and Andy Levin (MI-09) today released the following joint statement on the sentencing of Michigan resident Paul Whelan in Russia: "For 17 months, Paul Whelan has been unjustly detained by the Russian go… Continue Reading
06.12.20
Peters Statement on Air Force Contract Announcement for Remediation Around Former Wurtsmith Air Force Base Near Oscoda
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement regarding the U.S. Air Force's announcement that it will award a contract in July to better control the migration of PFAS in areas around the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base near Oscoda as part of the remediation process: "I pressed the Air Force to act more quickly because the people of Oscoda have waited far too long. That's why I worked to secure additional funding for PFAS clean-up at sites like Wurtsmith. While I'… Continue Reading
06.12.20
Peters Votes To Give Servicemembers Pay Raise, Strengthen National Security & Support Michigan’s Defense Sector
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) helped advance the bipartisan annual national defense bill to the full Senate, voting to give servicemembers a pay increase and greater access to benefits, and for measures to strengthen our national security and support Michigan's defense sector. "From serving on the frontlines of the Coronavirus pandemic to leading innovative projects at testing facilities throughout the state, Michiganders have continually displayed the unique skillsets and dedi… Continue Reading
06.12.20
Peters Introduces Legislation to Bolster American Cyber Defenses & National Security
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced a pair of bills to address vulnerabilities in America's cybersecurity defenses. The Continuity of Economy Act of 2020 would direct the President to develop a plan to ensure essential functions of the economy are able to continue operating in the event of a cyber-attack. The National Guard Cyber Interoperability Act of 2020 would enable the National Guard to provi… Continue Reading
06.11.20
Peters Announces Support for Policing Reforms
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced his support for several Senate bills that would reform policing and improve officer training and increase accountability. He is also working to advance his bipartisan National Criminal Justice Commission Act that would assess the entire system and propose reforms to address the most pressing issues facing the nation's criminal justice system. He also is working on community policing legislation to that will help bridge the lack of tr… Continue Reading
06.10.20
Peters Joins Call for Greater Federal Resources to Support Nursing Homes during COVID-19 Crisis
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, joined his colleagues in calling on the Trump Administration to provide greater federal resources and guidance to support nursing homes and long-term care (LTC) facilities throughout the country as they continue to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. At least 9,600 nursing homes and LTC facilities across the U.S. have reported COVID-19 cases and more than 40,000 residents and wor… Continue Reading
06.09.20
Peters Convenes Homeland Security Committee Hearing on Federal Government’s Coronavirus Response Efforts
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, today helped convene a hearing to examine the federal government's COVID-19 response efforts and the Administration's strategy for procurement and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE), diagnostic tests, and other medical supplies. "We have now lost more than 110,000 Americans to this pandemic - loved ones whose lives are irreplaceable," said Senator Peters. … Continue Reading
06.08.20
Peters, Stabenow Announce $5.6 Million for Saginaw Transit Authority Regional Services Through the CARES Act
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced that the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) is providing the Saginaw Transit Authority Regional Services (STARS) a $5.6 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 that STARS will remain operational during the Coronavirus pandemic. "While the Coronavirus has upended our daily lives, Michigand… Continue Reading
06.05.20
Peters, Stabenow Call on DeVos to Reverse Decision to Alter Title IX Policies Surrounding Sexual Harassment & Assault
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) called on Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to reverse her final Title IX ruling on policies related to reporting and investigating sexual harassment and assault cases. In a letter to the Secretary, Peters and Stabenow joined their colleagues in underscoring for the Secretary that her decision will weaken protections for student survivors of sexual harassment and assault. The Senators also stressed that it would be… Continue Reading
06.04.20
Peters, Stabenow Champion Senate Passage of Needed Changes to Paycheck Protection Program for Small Businesses in Michigan
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) announced Senate passage of H.R. 7010, the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act, which will give small businesses in Michigan more time and flexibility to use the forgivable loans they have received due to the COVID-19 crisis. Stabenow and Peters are co-authors of the bipartisan Senate companion legislation, which was introduced last month. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provides forgivable loans to small businesses … Continue Reading
06.04.20
Peters & Johnson Call for Briefing on Role of Violent Opportunists in Exploiting Peaceful Protests
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Ron Johnson (R-WI), Ranking Member and Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, requested a briefing for committee members from the Department of Homeland Security on recent warnings that violent opportunists are attempting to exploit the protests across the country following the death of George Floyd. Others, including foreign adversaries and domestic extremists, are using social media platforms and making other … Continue Reading
06.03.20
Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $5.7 Million for Transportation Services in Battle Creek, Ottawa County Through the CARES Act
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is providing the City of Battle Creek a $4 million grant and the Harbor Transit Multi-Modal Transportation System in Ottawa County a $1.79 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 that these transit services will remain operational during the… Continue Reading
06.01.20
Peters Statement on the Recent Events Following the Death of George Floyd
DETROIT, MI - Following the unconscionable death of George Floyd and after speaking with Michigan community and faith leaders and law enforcement officials, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement: "In the aftermath of George Floyd's death - something that never should have happened - it is the responsibility of each of us to acknowledge that too many Americans - especially African Americans - are dying senselessly, and we must come together to stop it. "More than ever, … Continue Reading
05.29.20
Peters Joins Effort to Direct Nation’s Top Health Agencies to Publicly Share Information on Testing Supply Inventory
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, helped introduce legislation directing federal agencies to compile and publicly share real-time information about testing supply inventory and shortages. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals, health care systems, nursing homes and first responders have struggled to obtain tests and other critical supplies needed to adequately protect public health and contain the spread… Continue Reading
