Press Releases
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
08.29.18
Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $4 Million for the Capital Region International Airport
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that the Capital Region International Airport will receive $4,935,550 to expand the airport's pavement for aircraft parking and loading and unloading of cargo. This funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration as a part of the Airport Improvement Program. "The Capital Region International Airport is vital to connecting residents of the Greater Lansing area to business a… Continue Reading
08.29.18
Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $100,000 in Support of the Redford Township Fire Department
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $137,991 for the Redford Township Fire Department to purchase three new hydraulic stretchers and power loading systems. This grant comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grants program. "Firefighters and first responders stand ready to act at a moment's notice to keep our communities safe when disaster strikes," said Senator Peters. "This funding will ensure that the men and… Continue Reading
08.24.18
Peters, Stabenow, Rubio Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Hold Federal Agencies Accountable for Addressing PFAS Contamination at Military Bases Across the Country
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced bipartisan legislation to hold federal agencies accountable for addressing contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at military bases across the country. The PFAS Accountability Act (S. 3381) sets clear deadlines and reporting requirements for cleaning up PFAS contamination at all federal facilities across the country, including active and decommissioned military bas… Continue Reading
08.24.18
Peters, Stabenow, Rounds Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Require Nationwide Testing for PFAS Contamination
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) introduced bipartisan legislation to address contamination from chemicals containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The PFAS Detection Act (S.3382) provides the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) with $45 million to develop new advanced technologies to detect PFAS and then requires USGS to conduct nationwide sampling for PFAS in the environment. "With so many new reports of PFAS exposure,… Continue Reading
08.24.18
Peters Announces Legislation to Help Communities Attract Workers & Alleviate Student Loan Debt
PORT HURON, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today visited The Underground, a small business and innovation incubator in Port Huron to announce that he will be introducing new legislation to help communities attract workers who possess career skills most needed in the region. Peters' bill will help expand post-graduation scholarships, which are grants that help recent graduates pay down their student debt if they live and work in areas experiencing a shortage of their particular skills. Peters… Continue Reading
08.23.18
Senate Passes Peters, Stabenow Resolution Honoring Aretha Franklin
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow announced Senate passage of a resolution they introduced celebrating the life and legacy of singer Aretha Franklin. Franklin moved to Detroit as a young girl and began her singing career at the New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit. Peters and Stabenow were joined by a bipartisan group of 36 cosponsors. "Aretha Franklin broke barriers with her once in a generation singing voice, but also her fierce advocacy for civil rights and wom… Continue Reading
08.23.18
Peters Announces Subcommittee Hearing on PFAS Contamination
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that the Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management will hold a hearing on Wednesday September 26th at 2:30pm entitled "The Federal Role in the Toxic PFAS Chemical Crisis." Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been used for decades in firefighting foams and other industrial applications at military bases, airports and manufacturing facilities. PFAS are linked to health problems including certain … Continue Reading
08.21.18
In the News: Peters Presses for Answers on Line 5 at Field Hearing in Traverse City
U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security, convened a Senate Commerce Committee field hearing in Traverse City yesterday to discuss federal oil spill prevention efforts, preparedness and response capability in the event of an oil pipeline break in the Straits of Mackinac. Line 5, the 65-year-old pipeline crossing the Straits of Mackinac, has been the subject of multiple safety concerns, incl… Continue Reading
08.20.18
Peters Opening Remarks at Field Hearing on Line 5 & Great Lakes
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security, today convened a Senate Commerce Committee field hearing in Traverse City on Line 5 and the importance of protecting the Great Lakes for future generations. You can watch Senator Peters' opening remarks on his Facebook page, and below is the text of his opening remarks as prepared for delivery: "Thank you to the Dennos Museum for… Continue Reading
08.16.18
Peters, Stabenow Urge President Trump to Approve Individual Assistance Appeal to Help Families Affected by Severe Flooding in the Upper Peninsula
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today urged President Trump to approve Governor Snyder's appeal of Individual Assistance for families affected by the severe flash flooding that occurred in Houghton, Gogebic and Menominee counties. FEMA denied the State of Michigan's request for Individual Assistance last week. The Governor's appeal indicates that only 18 individuals and businesses have active flood insurance and without federal assistance, the major… Continue Reading
08.15.18
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $500,000 in Support for the Bedford Township Fire Department
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that the Bedford Township Fire Department will receive $536,071 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response program to hire four firefighters for a three year period. This funding will support the hiring and retention of firefighters and volunteer firefighters and allow the Bedford Township Fire Department to increase their advanced life support service at all hou… Continue Reading
08.13.18
Peters to Hold Commerce Committee Field Hearing on Line 5 & Protecting the Great Lakes
TRAVERSE CITY, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) will convene a field hearing titled "Pipeline Safety in the Great Lakes: Incident Prevention and Response Efforts at the Straits of Mackinac" at 10:00 AM on Monday, August 20th in Traverse City, Michigan. The hearing will focus on enhancing federal oil spill prevention efforts, preparedness and response capability in the event of an oil pipeline break in the Straits of Mackinac. Line 5, the 65-year-old pipeline crossing the Straits of Mackinac, h… Continue Reading
08.13.18
Peters to Hold Community Meeting in Traverse City
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters will hold a community meeting in Traverse City on Saturday, August 18th to provide an additional opportunity to hear from constituents. The meeting is open to the public, and staff from Senator Peters' office will be available to meet with constituents who need help dealing with federal programs and agencies such as Medicare, Social Security, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the IRS. This is Peters' fifth community meeting this summer. He rece… Continue Reading
08.10.18
Day 5 #RideMI: Peters Views Pere Marquette River Restoration & Promotes Short Line Railroad Investments
LUDINGTON, MI - On the fifth and final day of his #RideMI Motorcycle Tour, U.S. Senator Gary Peters stopped in Baldwin to observe restoration efforts along the Pere Marquette River. Peters, a member of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, discussed the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), which provides federal funding to leverage the efforts of local groups to clean and preserve local waterways. "One of the many great aspects of the GLRI is the ability for local organizations to turn feder… Continue Reading
08.09.18
Day 4 #RideMI: Peters Rides Restored Harley, Discusses Employee Owned Businesses & Promotes Innovative Timber Use
McBain, MI - On Day Four of his #RideMI Motorcycle Tour, U.S. Senator Gary Peters visited Hagerty in Traverse City, where he had the opportunity to ride a restored 1957 Harley Davidson Sportster. Hagerty provides insurance and financial products to owners of classic cars, motorcycles and other vehicles. Last year, Peters introduced the National Historic Vehicle Register Act, which would require the Department of Interior to establish a register within the Library of Congress to preserve examples… Continue Reading
08.09.18
Peters Statement on FEMA’s Denial of Individual Assistance for June Flooding
MCBAIN, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) issued the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) denial of individual assistance in Houghton, Gogebic, and Menominee Counties following June flooding. FEMA previously declared these areas eligible to receive assistance through the Public Assistance Program: "While swiftly repairing the roads is vital to the health of the community, the families whose houses have been severely damaged or destroyed also need help to r… Continue Reading
08.08.18
Day 3 #RideMI: Peters Visits U of M BioStation in Cheboygan County & Michigan Scientific in Charlevoix County
CHARLEVOIX, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters began Day Three of his #RideMI Motorcycle Tour with a visit to the University of Michigan's Biological Station (UMBS) in Pellston to view their cutting-edge environmental research on issues like climate change, endangered species, and river and wetland restoration. "Michiganders are fortunate to be surrounded by an abundance of natural resources, diverse ecosystems, and fascinating wildlife, and I appreciate UMBS's critical research efforts that help pr… Continue Reading
08.07.18
Day 2 #RideMI: Peters Visits Oscoda County Auto Supplier, Receives Forestry Briefing in Montmorency County
PELLSTON, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters began Day Two of his #RideMI Motorcycle Tour with a visit to Cooper Standard in Fairview. Cooper Standard manufactures automotive systems and components, and Peters applauded their efforts to help veterans obtain specialized training opportunities after their military service. "Manufacturing is part of Michigan's past, present and plays a critical role in shaping our state's future," said Senator Peters. "Michigan needs a 21st century workforce to keep ou… Continue Reading
08.06.18
Day 1 #RideMI Motorcycle Tour: Peters Tours Local Farms & Rides with Michigan Motorcyclists
West Branch, MI -U.S. Senator Gary Peters kicked off Day One of his #RideMI Motorcycle Tour with a visit to Star of the West Milling Company in Richville, where he held a roundtable discussion with local farmers. Senator Peters worked with his colleagues to include a provision in last March's government spending bill to level the playing field for farmers to sell their products to both cooperative and non-cooperative businesses. "Having the opportunity to hear from Michigan farmers about what t… Continue Reading
