Press Releases
Peters Announces Witnesses for Senate PFAS Hearing
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced the witnesses expected to testify at an upcoming congressional hearing on the impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Peters serves as Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management, which is convening the hearing, entitled "The Federal Role in the Toxic PFAS Chemical Crisis." The hearing will take place on Wednesday, September 26th at 2:30 PM, room SD-342, Dirksen Sen… Continue Reading
09.13.18
Peters Visits South Korea to Discuss Security Ties, Self-Driving Car Technologies
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Commerce, Science and Transportation Committees, today announced that he traveled to South Korea to discuss national security in the region - particularly the threat from North Korea - and transportation issues, including the development of self-driving vehicle technologies. During his visit, Peters visited the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), received briefings from American and South Korean military offi… Continue Reading
09.10.18
Peters, Stabenow Announce $104,500 for City of Manistee Fire Department
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that the City of Manistee Fire Department will receive $104,500 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program to secure safety equipment, including a heart monitor and hydraulic rescue tools. This grant is provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grants program. "Manistee's firefighters put their lives on the line to protect t… Continue Reading
09.10.18
Peters, Young Bill to Update Great Lakes Environmental Sensitivity Index Maps Passes Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Todd Young (R-IN) today applauded U.S. Senate passage of bipartisan legislation they introduced to update the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps in the Great Lakes. The legislation will direct the Great Lakes Region ESI maps to be updated for the first time in over twenty years, joining maps for the East coast, West coast, and Gulf coast that have been updated more recently. These new maps will provide accurate assessments of coastal … Continue Reading
09.06.18
Peters, Stabenow Call for EPA Public Meeting on PFAS in Michigan
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to hold a per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) community engagement meeting in Michigan. Earlier this year, the EPA announced plans for a forum in Michigan on PFAS, but it has yet to schedule this forum. "Given PFAS are a large class of over 3500 industrial chemicals, only a handful of which have received monitoring attention to date, we fully expect more Michiganders, and mo… Continue Reading
08.31.18
Peters, Stabenow Announce New Legislation to Stop Expansion of Health Care Plans without Protections for Pre-Existing Conditions
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today announced new legislation to overturn the expansion of health insurance plans that do not protect people with pre-existing conditions. The new legislation is cosponsored by 30 Senators and would rescind the Trump Administration's rule expanding short-term or "junk insurance" plans that do not have to provide health coverage for people with pre-existing conditions or other essential services such as maternity car… Continue Reading
08.30.18
Peters, Colleagues Lead Effort to Crack Down on Lavish, Wasteful Spending by Executive Agency Officials
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Tom Carper (D-DE), Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced legislation to hold Trump Administration officials accountable when they misuse taxpayer dollars. The Executive Branch Waste and Fraud Recovery Act establishes a process requiring most senior agency officials to repay U.S. taxpayer dollars that were inappropriately spent on items like private flights, entertainment and vacations. "Hardworking families in Michigan an… Continue Reading
08.29.18
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
