Press Releases
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
05.01.20
Peters, Luján Push for Increased Investment in Broadband Infrastructure to Bolster COVID-19 Response Efforts in Historically Underserved Communities
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and U.S. Representative Ben Ray Luján (NM-03), Assistant Speaker of the U.S House of Representatives, called for increased investments in rural broadband infrastructure to support Coronavirus response efforts in historically underserved communities. Many healthcare centers, schools and small businesses in rural and tribal communities across the country have had difficul… Continue Reading
05.01.20
Peters, Stabenow Call for Stronger Federal Response to Coronavirus Pandemic by Incentivizing Companies to Manufacture Critical Medical Supplies
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) announced they are joining their colleagues to introduce legislation to strengthen the federal government's response to the Coronavirus pandemic under the Defense Production Act, which gives the government the ability to incentivize and direct companies to produce vital medical supplies. The Trump Administration has not fully utilized authorities under the law to address the pandemic, including to direct additional manufacturi… Continue Reading
04.29.20
Peters Proposes Establishing Federal Grants for Non-Profit & Faith-Based Organizations Providing Resources for Underserved Communities During Public Health Emergencies
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced a proposal to establish a federal grant program to support local organizations that will provide resources and information to communities of color during public health emergencies like the Coronavirus pandemic. The program would be focused on outreach and mitigation. It would be administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and coordinate with local faith-based and non-profit organizations to increase awareness of pu… Continue Reading
04.28.20
Peters, Colleagues Urge Administration to Provide Clear Guidance for Federal Workers during Coronavirus Pandemic
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, led his colleagues in a letter urging the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to provide clear guidance for federal employees working during the Coronavirus pandemic. A recent report indicates OPM has failed to provide sufficient guidance on teleworking policies to federal employees, as well as information about the availability of personal protective equipment and oth… Continue Reading
04.28.20
Peters, Stabenow Press Trump Administration to Take Immediate Steps, Provide Immediate Relief to Hospital & Health Care Providers in Michigan
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) pressed the Trump Administration to ensure that health care providers and hospitals gain immediate access to the additional funding recently passed by Congress. In a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, Alex Azar, Peters and Stabenow reiterated the need to ensure that all $175 billion issued in financial relief for hospitals and health care systems be distributed without further delay. "Michigan … Continue Reading
04.27.20
Peters, Colleagues Push for Access to Federal Digital Resources Aid State and Local Government’s Coronavirus Pandemic Response
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, joined his colleagues to call for additional resources for state and local governments to upgrade their outdated technology as they face challenges processing increased unemployment claims, small business loans and other emergency assistance during the Coronavirus pandemic. Many state and local governments have been overwhelmed by unprecedented demand as residents seek aid, an… Continue Reading
04.24.20
As Small Business Support is Signed Into Law, Michigan Small Business Owners Highlight Peters’ Effort Securing Funding for Minority-Owned Businesses
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) is continuing to press to ensure that minority-owned small businesses are able to obtain access to the loans and capital to stay afloat during the Coronavirus pandemic. Today, President Trump signed into law legislation to provide additional funding for the Small Business Administration (SBA)'s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), hospitals and health care providers, and testing. The legislation includes funding Peters led the fight to include for small … Continue Reading
04.24.20
Peters, Harris Lead Colleagues in Pressing FEMA to Address Racial Disparities in Coronavirus Disaster Response
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Kamala Harris (CA) led their colleagues in pressing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to be more transparent with their efforts to address existing racial and socioeconomic disparities in their Coronavirus pandemic response and ensure vulnerable communities get the help they need. Historically, FEMA has struggled to provide equitable response and recovery assistance to vulnerable communities, leaving many minority communities without … Continue Reading
04.24.20
Peters, Stabenow Call on Trump Administration to Ensure Families Receive Promised Stimulus Checks for Their Children Quickly
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) called on the Trump Administration to ensure that families in Michigan and across the country, who are not required to file taxes will automatically receive their COVID-19 stimulus payment they were promised and do not need to wait until next year to receive an additional $500 stimulus payment per dependent child. "We write to express our concern that without additional action from your agencies, many families who receive Soc… Continue Reading
04.23.20
Amid Growing Calls for Administration Action, Peters and Menendez Lead Colleagues in Push to Waive Cost-Sharing Requirements for States Battling Coronavirus
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Bob Menendez (NJ) today led their colleagues in calling on President Trump to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to waive all cost-share requirements for states responding to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. On March 13, President Trump declared a national emergency related to the outbreak, authorizing federal assistance to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts. Despite continued calls from Congress and governors… Continue Reading
04.23.20
Peters Reiterates Call for Aid to Michigan, Cash-Strapped Communities Following McConnell Suggesting States Declare Bankruptcy
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, today released the following statement reiterating his call for the Senate to pass aid for Michigan and financially strapped communities hit hard by Coronavirus. Peters has repeatedly pressed for action to support states and local communities, while Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said states… Continue Reading
04.22.20
Peters, Slotkin Join Army Secretary in Visit to Taylor Armory, FEMA Field Hospital at TCF Center in Detroit
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today joined Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy and U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) for a tour of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) new field hospital at the TCF Center in Detroit. During the visit, Peters discussed with Secretary McCarthy and Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, General Joseph Martin - a Michigan native - the importance of continuing to coordinate with federal, s… Continue Reading
04.22.20
Peters, DeFazio Urge Trump Administration to Waive Cost-Sharing Requirements for States Battling Coronavirus
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) and U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio (OR-04), today called on President Trump to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to waive all cost-share requirements for states responding to the global Coronavirus pandemic. On March 13, President Trump declared a national emergency related to the outbreak, authorizing federal assistance to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts. Under the Public Assistance program, emergency work, … Continue Reading
04.21.20
Peters Calls on Government Watchdog to Investigate Paycheck Protection Program for Small Business Loans
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, today called on the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a wide-ranging examination of the allocation of funds distributed as part of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided $349 billion to the U.S. Small Business Administration to support small and medium-sized businesses struggling with… Continue Reading
04.21.20
Ahead of 50th Annual Earth Day, Peters & Stabenow Call on Trump Administration to Reconsider Environmental Standards that Harm Communities Vulnerable to COVID-19 Pandemic
DETROIT, MI - Ahead of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day on Wednesday, U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today called on the Trump Administration to reconsider recent environmental policy changes that harm historically underserved communities, including in Michigan. In a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler, the Senators emphasized that minority and Tribal communities in Michigan and across the nation have been disproportionately impa… Continue Reading
04.21.20
Peters Statement on Senate Passage of Assistance for Michigan Small Businesses, Hospitals, Testing
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement on Senate passage of legislation to provide additional funding for the Small Business Administration (SBA)'s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), hospitals and testing: "I've consistently said we need to do more to support Michigan small businesses - and this bipartisan package will provide more much-needed federal funding for the Small Business Paycheck Protection Program. I fought to ensure this bipartisan packag… Continue Reading
04.21.20
Peters, Stabenow Back Whitmer’s Call to Waive Cost-Sharing Requirements for Federal Assistance to Battle Coronavirus
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to grant Governor Gretchen Whitmer's request to waive all cost-sharing requirements for the State of Michigan in response to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. On March 27, President Trump granted the State of Michigan a Major Disaster Declaration and ordered federal assistance to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts. Under the Public Assistance program, emerg… Continue Reading
04.20.20
Peters, Bipartisan Colleagues Call on Trump Administration to Prevent Chinese State-Sponsored Businesses from Receiving CARES Act Funds
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today pressed the Trump Administration to prevent companies owned or subsidized by China from receiving any funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. In a bipartisan letter to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Stephen Dickson, Peters, along with U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), asked the agency to ensure that none of the $10 billion in CARES Act funding allocated for airport in… Continue Reading
04.20.20
Peters Presses for Coronavirus Relief Legislation to Support Community Development Financial Institutions and Minority Depository Institutions
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) is pressing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to include specific funding for small community-based lenders, including Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) in any additional Coronavirus relief legislative package. In a letter to Senate leadership, Peters stressed the need to support these underserved urban, rural, and Native communities mark… Continue Reading
