Press Releases
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
05.12.20
Peters, Stabenow Announce $19 Million in Funding for Flint Mass Transportation Authority
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced that the Flint Mass Transportation Authority (MTA) would receive a $19 million 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 help ensure that Flint MTA services remain operational for the duration of the Coronavirus pandemic. "The Coronavirus pandemic has upended ev… Continue Reading
05.12.20
Peters, Upton, Stevens Lead Michigan Delegation in Pressing Support for Michigan’s Auto Suppliers
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) and U.S. Representatives Fred Upton (MI-06) and Haley Stevens (MI-11) today led members of the Michigan Congressional delegation in a letter to the Trump Administration requesting an immediate dialogue to support the auto supply parts industry in Michigan and across the country amid the Coronavirus pandemic. In the letter, the lawmakers highlight how auto suppliers employ over 125,000 Michiganders and have complex supply chain needs that require imm… Continue Reading
05.12.20
Peters Recognized by Non-Partisan Lugar Center As One of Most Bipartisan Senators
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) was recognized as the 12th-most bipartisan Senator - and 3rd most bipartisan Democrat - in new rankings released today by the non-partisan Lugar Center and McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University for his work in 2019. This follows Peters last year being named the 4th-most bipartisan Democrat by the Lugar Center and 4th-most effective Democratic senator in the 115th Senate (2017-2018) by the non-partisan Center for Effective Lawmakin… Continue Reading
05.11.20
Peters, Stabenow, Upton, Kildee, Slotkin Urge Trump Administration to Reject Requests to Halt Service at Airports in Lansing, Flint & Kalamazoo/Battle Creek
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) and U.S. Representatives Fred Upton (MI-06), Dan Kildee (MI-05) and Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) today urged the Trump Administration to reject a request from Delta Airlines to halt its service to Lansing Capital Region International Airport (LAN), Flint-Bishop International Airport (FNT), and Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO). In a letter to Department of Transportation (DOT) Assistant Secretary for Aviation and In… Continue Reading
05.11.20
Citing Supply Chain Concerns, Peters Urges Administration to Secure Medical Supplies Needed to Distribute and Administer Coronavirus Vaccine
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, urged the Trump Administration to take immediate action to ensure there is a sufficient supply of needles, syringes or comparable delivery devices to quickly immunize millions of Americans once a Coronavirus vaccine is developed. In a 2019 report, Peters raised concerns and recommended actions to address vulnerabilities in our medical supply chain, including medical … Continue Reading
05.11.20
Peters Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Improve Housing Financial Literacy
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced he introduced a bipartisan bill that would aim to bolster financial literacy among prospective first-time homeowners. The Housing Financial Literacy Act, which Peters introduced with Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), would provide those who complete a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-certified housing counseling course the opportunity to claim a .25% deduction on their Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insuranc… Continue Reading
05.08.20
Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $14 Million in Federal Funding for 39 Michigan Healthcare Centers to Expand COVID-19 Testing
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced a total of $14,422,926 in federal funds will be awarded to 39 health centers across Michigan to expand their Coronavirus testing operations. Peters and Stabenow successfully secured this funding from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act they helped enact. "From the onset of this pandemic, it has been clear that we must dram… Continue Reading
05.08.20
Peters, Stabenow Provisions Securing Commitments to Protect the Great Lakes and Safeguard Drinking Water Advance to Full Senate
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) announced today that key provisions to protect Michigan's environment and the Great Lakes advanced this week in the Senate. The provisions - which were included in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020 - include a record $375 million reauthorization of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), an assessment on shoreline protection and resiliency in areas affected by the recent high water levels along the Grea… Continue Reading
05.08.20
Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $28 Million in Funding for Grand Rapids Transit Services
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced that the Interurban Transit Partnership in Grand Rapids will receive $28,400,000 in funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). This funding is a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The funds will be used to operate transit services during the COVID-19 pandemic. "The Coronavirus pandemic has upended everyone's daily liv… Continue Reading
05.07.20
Peters Introduces Bill to Strengthen Disaster Response Efforts for Minority Communities
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced legislation to strengthen the Federal Emergency Management Agency's disaster response efforts for communities of color who often face barriers to securing federal aid following an emergency, such as the Coronavirus pandemic. Communities of color and other underserved communities have been disproportionately affected by the virus, underscoring a long history of di… Continue Reading
05.07.20
Peters Announces Proposal to Deliver Relief Funding to Local Governments Responding to and Recovering from Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, today announced legislation to provide local governments with direct federal relief that can be used to pay for essential services and offset lost revenues and increased costs from the COVID-19 pandemic. This continues Peters' efforts to advance relief for communities across Michigan as part of the next Coronavirus relief package. The Direct Support for Communities A… Continue Reading
05.06.20
Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $27 Million in Funding for Ann Arbor and Port Huron Transit Services
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced that Ann Arbor and Port Huron will receive $27,250,000 in funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). This funding is a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The funds will be used to operate transit services during the COVID-19 pandemic. "The Coronavirus pandemic has upended everyone's daily lives. Public transit is v… Continue Reading
05.06.20
Peters, Stabenow Introduce Legislation to Address Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) joined their colleagues to introduce legislation to establish an interagency task force charged with identifying and addressing disparities that are disproportionately affecting minority communities in Michigan during the Coronavirus pandemic. The Coronavirus outbreak has heightened the urgent need to address longstanding inequities in the American health care system, particularly for minority communities who have long stru… Continue Reading
05.06.20
Peters: Air Force Must Immediately Prioritize PFAS Cleanup Efforts at Former Wurtsmith Base in Oscoda
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, today called on the Air Force to expedite PFAS cleanup efforts at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda. In a letter to Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Energy John Henderson, Peters expressed his concern that the Air Force does not yet intend to spend the $13.5 million i… Continue Reading
05.05.20
Peters, Bustos, Kinzinger Lead Bipartisan Push to Include Funeral Benefits Increase for Veterans’ Survivors in Next Coronavirus Relief Package
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Representatives Cheri Bustos (IL-17) and Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) today called for the inclusion of their bipartisan bill to increase funeral benefits for eligible veterans in the next phase of Coronavirus relief legislation. With COVID-19 posing serious risks among elderly veterans and those with service-related health conditions, the B… Continue Reading
05.01.20
Peters & Stabenow Call for Efficient, Coordinated Contact Tracing to Limit Spread of Coronavirus and Help Reopen Economy
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) this week called on Congressional Leaders to include $8 billion in new funding for contact tracing initiatives in the next Congressional Coronavirus response package. Infectious disease experts argue that robust contact tracing programs are key to stopping the spread of the virus and safely reopening the economy. The funding would be used to help states and localities recruit, hire, and train contact tracers and deploy volunta… Continue Reading
