Press Releases
Peters Provisions Supporting Michigan Military Operations, Manufacturing & Research to be Signed into Law
WASHINGTON, DC - Today the U.S. Senate passed major defense legislation that includes provisions authored by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) to support Michigan's growing defense industry and bolster America's military readiness. The final National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which sets Department of Defense (DoD) policy for Fiscal Year 2019, now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law. Peters is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and a former Lt. Commander in the U.… Continue Reading
07.31.18
Peters Announces Third Annual #RideMI Motorcycle Tour
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced his third annual #RideMI Motorcycle Tour that will take him through the Bay Region and Northern Michigan. Peters, an avid motorcycle rider, will be making stops in twelve counties over the course of the five-day tour. He will meet with constituents and hear from them about what can be done in Washington to help grow Michigan's small businesses and farms, bolster our manufacturing sector and protect our environment and the Great Lakes… Continue Reading
07.31.18
Peters Provisions Narrowing Skills Gap Signed into Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, President Donald Trump signed into law bipartisan legislation that includes provisions authored by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) to close the workforce skills gap by strengthening career and technical education (CTE) counseling training. Peters' provisions will help expand school counselor training and awareness of CTE so they can help inform students of post-high school education opportunities outside of the traditional four-year college degree. "By giving our school … Continue Reading
07.27.18
Peters Provisions Narrowing Skills Gap to be Signed into Law
OWOSSO, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today applauded Congressional passage of legislation that includes provisions based off bipartisan legislation he introduced to expand opportunities for students in career and technical education (CTE). Peters worked to get provisions into the bill that will improve school counselor training in and awareness of CTE. Peters highlighted the provisions today at the Auto/Diesel Institute of Michigan (ADI) at Baker College in Owosso. The provisions, included… Continue Reading
07.24.18
Peters Questions MSU Interim President John Engler at Senate Hearing on Athlete Abuse
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today questioned Michigan State University (MSU) Interim President John Engler at a Senate subcommittee hearing on the issue of abuse in college and amateur athletics. At the Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance, and Data Security Subcommittee hearing, Peters noted the need for a change in culture at MSU following decades of abuse by Larry Nassar and pressed Engler on his treatment of survivors, recent hiring decisions at MSU and what di… Continue Reading
07.20.18
Peters, Lankford & Paul Introduce Bill to Save Taxpayer Dollars on Equipment Acquisition
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), James Lankford (R-OK) and Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced bipartisan legislation to help save taxpayer dollars on equipment used for activities including mining, agricultural production, construction, highway maintenance and medical research. 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-effective than purchasing the equipment o… Continue Reading
07.19.18
Peters, Risch Bill to Help Small Business Access Patent Protections Passes Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate has passed a bill introduced by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) and Jim Risch (R-ID) to help small businesses protect their intellectual property by improving education on obtaining and protecting patents. The Small Business Innovation Protection Act will help leverage existing outreach programs run by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), to better educate small businesses on domestic and international p… Continue Reading
07.17.18
Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $116,000 in Support of the Lyon Township Fire Department
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $116,191 for the Lyon Township Fire Department to purchase an exhaust removal system. This grant comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grants program. "First responders stand ready at a moment's notice to respond when emergencies strike, and it is critical they have the tools to be prepared," said Senator Peters. "I am pleased to announce this support, which will help the L… Continue Reading
07.17.18
Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $111,000 in Support of Northern Bay Ambulance
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $111,890 for Northern Bay Ambulance in Pinconning to help purchase two natural lift systems. This grant comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grants program. "First responders stand ready at a moment's notice to respond when emergencies strike, and it is critical they have the tools to be prepared," said Senator Peters. "I am pleased to announce this support, which will hel… Continue Reading
07.17.18
Peters, Casey Urge Trump Administration to Resume Payments to Stabilize Health Insurance Markets
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Bob Casey (D-PA) today urged the Trump Administration to resume risk-adjustment collections and payments that ensure insurance companies are covering individuals with pre-existing conditions. In a letter to the Administrator of Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Seema Verma, the Senators noted that the court decision cited by CMS as the cause of suspended payments did not include a nationwide injunction and urged CMS to take swi… Continue Reading
07.16.18
Peters Tours Ferris Wheel During “Startup Week Across America”
FLINT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) toured the Ferris Wheel, a coworking space and innovation incubator in Flint, where met with startups, entrepreneurs and small business owners as part of "Startup Week Across America." During his visit, Peters highlighted Flint's growing startup community and the resources and support services provided by Ferris Wheel and 100K Ideas, a nonprofit based in the Ferris Wheel building that helps innovators turn their ideas into products or services. "Fast-gr… Continue Reading
07.13.18
Peters Statement on U.S. Army’s Futures Command Location Decision
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement on the U.S. Army's decision to locate its new Futures Command in Austin, Texas: "The U.S. Army's Futures Command is tasked with developing the innovative technology, vehicles, and weapons that will keep America's Fighting Forces the strongest in the world despite the changing nature of the battlefield. I am disappointed the Army selected Austin, Texas for its n… Continue Reading
07.13.18
Peters Opening Remarks on Warrantless Smartphone Searches at International Borders
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters, Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight & Emergency Management, participated in a hearing this week on warrantless smartphone searches at our international borders. You can watch Senator Peters' opening remarks by clicking here - his opening remarks begin at 4:00, and an additional exchange on searches as it relates to Michigan begins at 44:29. Below are Senator Peters' opening statement as prepared for delivery. "T… Continue Reading
07.13.18
Peters Statement on Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement announcing his opposition to Judge Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court: "The Supreme Court is supposed to protect the fundamental rights of all Americans, and I believe Judge Kavanaugh's judicial record shows that he will put the needs of special interests and large corporations ahead of the American people. I'm deeply troubled by his efforts to undermine workers' rights and the Consumer Fin… Continue Reading
07.11.18
Peters, Stabenow, Bergman Urge President Trump to Issue Federal Disaster Declaration Following Severe Flooding in the Upper Peninsula
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Representative Jack Bergman (R-MI) yesterday urged President Trump to approve Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley's request for a major disaster declaration following severe flash flooding that affected Houghton, Gogebic and Menominee counties. The Lt. Governor's request describes the damage from the flooding in the three counties as extensive - estimated at more than $42 million in covered damage to public facilities -… Continue Reading
07.10.18
Senator Peters & Make-A-Wish Partner to Grant 18-Year-Old Michigan Boy’s Wish to be a U.S. Senator for a Day
WASHINGTON, DC -U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) partnered with Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic to grant a Michigan boy's wish to be a U.S. Senator for a day. Eighteen-year-old Thomas Stephenson, who was diagnosed with a congenital cardiac condition, joined Peters for a day of constituent meetings, briefings, media interviews, a floor speech and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Capitol. "It's exciting to see young people like Tom who are interested in public service and want to learn more about our democr… Continue Reading
07.06.18
Peters, Stabenow & Kildee Announce $30 Million Choice Neighborhoods Grant for Flint
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow and U.S. Representative Dan Kildee today announced the City of Flint and the Flint Housing Commission will receive a $30 million Choice Neighborhoods Grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The grant will support the replacement of the Atherton East public housing complex with new modern, affordable housing units, and will help current residents relocate to neighborhoods in South Flint with better access t… Continue Reading
06.28.18
Peters-Perdue Amendment to Help Small Farmers Passes Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) helped pass the bipartisan Farm Bill, which includes an amendment introduced by Peters and U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) to provide more flexibility for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to issue microloans to small farmers. FSA microloans are a popular part of the agency's larger direct loan program, which has been temporarily forced to suspend pending loans in recent years due to increased demand. The amendme… Continue Reading
06.27.18
Peters Statement on Supreme Court’s Collective Bargaining Ruling for Public Sector Labor Unions
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling weakening collective bargaining rights for public sector labor unions: "Labor unions built America's middle class. Guided by the ideal that workers have the right to band together and collectively bargain for a better workplace, the labor movement has lifted millions of Americans into the middle class. This is a very disappointing ruling for Michigan families … Continue Reading
06.26.18
Peters Statement on Extension of Lansing – D.C. Direct Flight Service
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, released the following statement applauding the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) decision to extend American Airlines' direct flight service between the Lansing Capital Region International Airport and Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C.: "Mid-Michigan residents and businesses rely on affordable and convenient air service to connect them with travel and economic opportu… Continue Reading
