Press Releases
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
06.26.18
Peters Statement on Supreme Court’s Travel Ban Ruling
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision upholding President Trump's executive order banning travel to the United States from specific Muslim-majority countries: "I am very disappointed in the Supreme Court's divided 5-4 ruling on the Trump administration's travel ban. As a member of the Senate Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees, I am focused every day on keeping Americans safe from those… Continue Reading
06.20.18
Peters, Stabenow, Bergman Ready to Support Flood-Damaged Communities in the Upper Peninsula
U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), as well as Representative Jack Bergman (R-MI), offered support of any request by the State of Michigan for federal assistance in responding to the widespread flooding that occurred following the heavy rainfall in Houghton and Menominee Counties. On Monday, Governor Snyder declared a state of disaster in Houghton and Menominee counties to make state resources available in the response and recovery effort. "We understand the State of Mi… Continue Reading
06.19.18
Peters, Young Introduce Bill to Narrow Skills Gap & Meet Workforce Needs
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Todd Young (R-IN) today introduced bipartisan legislation to expand opportunities for students in career and technical education (CTE) by increasing training and awareness for school counselors. The Supporting Useful Career Counseling in Elementary and Secondary Schools (SUCCESS) Act would use existing funds to help develop and identify best practices for career counseling training programs based on local and regional employment needs. "I've… Continue Reading
06.19.18
Peters Commemorates Juneteenth Independence Day
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement recognizing Juneteenth Independence Day. On June 19th each year, Juneteenth Independence Day commemorates the day the last remaining African-American slaves in Galveston, Texas, learned of their emancipation. "Today marks the 153rd anniversary of the end of one of our nation's darkest chapters as the last remaining slaves finally learned of their freedom. This day is an important reminder that despite the sign… Continue Reading
06.19.18
Senate Passes Bill with Peters Provisions to Bolster Michigan Military Operations & Research
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, applauded Senate passage of bipartisan defense legislation that will establish defense policy for Fiscal Year 2019. The legislation includes a number of provisions supporting operations at Michigan's military installations, including supplementary funding for A-10 aircraft repairs and the Next Generation Ground Vehicle, as well as planning for mobility under harsh winter conditions. The legislation w… Continue Reading
06.18.18
Peters, Cornyn Project Safe Neighborhoods Bill Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statements after President Trump signed their Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act of 2018 into law. This legislation authorizes a nationwide law enforcement program focused on the reduction of violent crime. "Across Michigan, Project Safe Neighborhoods has strengthened community partnerships and utilized data to reduce violent crime rates," said Sen. Peters. "With today's bill signi… Continue Reading
06.13.18
Peters-Heller PAWS Act Advances in Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Dean Heller (R-NV) to help protect domestic violence survivors and their pets advanced in the Senate today. The bipartisan Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act protects survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence from emotional and psychological trauma caused by violence against their pets. The legislation passed the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry… Continue Reading
06.12.18
Peters, Colleagues Raise Concerns Over Potential Threat of Chinese Attempts to Undermine U.S. Democracy
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) and a bipartisan group of senators sent a letter to Trump administration officials raising concerns about China's attempts to undermine democratic institutions in the United States and supplant American leadership and alliances abroad. The senators, including members of the Senate Armed Services, Foreign Relations, Intelligence, Banking and Judiciary Committees, called on the administration to develop a comprehensive strategy to counter Chinese acti… Continue Reading
06.11.18
Peters, Paul, Jones, Lankford Introduce Bill Streamlining Federal Property Review Process
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Rand Paul (R-KY), Doug Jones (D-AL) and James Lankford (R-OK) introduced bipartisan legislation to streamline the federal inventory review process and save taxpayer money by directing federal agencies to more frequently assess unneeded federal property. Currently, many federal agencies only declare property as excess during office moves or space reductions - often resulting in agencies retaining or storing unneeded property that could be utilize… Continue Reading
06.08.18
Peters Applauds $92,469 Federal Grant to Combat Opioid Crisis in Genesee County
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today applauded a $92,469 federal grant from the Corporation for National Community Service (CNCS) to the United Way of Genesee County. The grant will allow for AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members to work closely with the United Way's Genesee County Opioid Abuse Prevention Program to combat the opioid crisis in the region. "Almost everyone in Michigan knows someone who has been impacted by the opioid crisis," said Senator Pe… Continue Reading
06.07.18
Peters, Cornyn Project Safe Neighborhoods Bill to Reduce Violent Crime Headed to President’s Desk
WASHINGTON- Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX), the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act of 2018, which would authorize a nationwide law enforcement program focused on the reduction of violent crime. The bill passed the Senate unanimously in May, and a previous version of the bill unanimously passed the House of Representatives in March. "Communities across Michigan have been shatter… Continue Reading
06.06.18
Peters Statement on Repeal of Michigan’s Prevailing Wage Law
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement after the Michigan's Republican-led State Legislature voted to repeal the state's prevailing wage law: "Today's move to repeal Michigan's prevailing wage law will not only hurt hardworking Michiganders who deserve decent pay for a job well done, it also threatens our public safety. Repealing a law that ensures high quality work earns better wages will only give an advantage to untrained and out-of-state workers who … Continue Reading
06.06.18
Peters Calls for Updated Authorization for the Use of Military Force
Peters: "Voting to send our sons and daughters to war is the most important, and the heaviest, responsibility that a member of Congress bears." Peters: "The technology of war has evolved in ways that would be unrecognizable to the Framers. Our military can impact world affairs in an instant with a drone strike directed remotely from inside the United States. How we authorize war must adapt to the changing threats and technologies." WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking M… Continue Reading
06.06.18
Peters Recognizes LGBT Pride Month
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement in recognition of June as LGBT Pride Month: "In the face of discrimination and adversity, generations of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans have courageously fought for justice and civil rights. Our nation was built on the promise of equality, and this year during Pride Month we are once again reminded that while we have made tremendous strides towards equal rights in recent years, we still have work t… Continue Reading
06.05.18
Peters Applauds Nearly $98 Million for Mound Road Corridor
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today applauded an announcement from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) of a $ 97,864,465 grant to revamp Mound Road in Macomb County. The Mound Technology and Innovation Corridor Project will transform the roadway into a next-generation corridor that will reduce congestion, move freight more efficiently and build in smart technologies for connected vehicles. Mound Road is a major thoroughfare that is home to automotive, aerospace and defen… Continue Reading
