Press Releases
Peters Statement on Senate Failure of Ballast Water Discharge Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the statement below after the U.S. Senate failed to invoke cloture on the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act that included the controversial Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA): "The spread of invasive species presents an existential threat to health of the Great Lakes, and I'm pleased to have worked with my Senate colleagues to stop the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act from moving forward. Setting weak environmental standards for ballast… Continue Reading
04.18.18
Peters, Stabenow Call on Administration to Take Immediate Action to Reduce Price of Naloxone, a Life-Saving Opioid Overdose Reversal Drug
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today led 14 of their colleagues in calling on the Department of Health and Human Services to take immediate action to reduce the price of naloxone, a life-saving opioid overdose reversal drug. The Senators' letter follows a recent national advisory issued by the United States Surgeon General urging more Americans to keep on hand and learn how to use naloxone delivery devices. In 2016, Michigan had the eighth most deaths of any sta… Continue Reading
04.15.18
Peters Statement on Line 5 Suspending Operations
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement on Enbridge decision to suspend Line 5 operations due to ongoing severe weather. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is reporting potential swells upwards of 12 feet, far exceeding the conditions under which on-site cleanup equipment is able to adequately respond to a spill. "It is simply reckless and irresponsible to operate Line 5 under the current weather conditions in the Straits… Continue Reading
04.13.18
Peters Statement on Enbridge Announcement to Suspend Line 5 Operations in Event of Severe Weather
Bloomfield Township, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the statement below following an announcement from Enbridge that it will temporarily suspend Line 5 operations if weather conditions limit the ability to respond to a spill: "The Great Lakes are too precious to risk an oil spill, especially when bad weather conditions would render ineffective response equipment onsite. Today, I pushed PHMSA Administrator Elliott to work with Enbridge, and I am pleased that Enbridge has indicated… Continue Reading
04.13.18
Peters, Colleagues Press Citigroup and Apollo on Concerns about Kushner Family Business Loans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member on the Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management Subcommittee, joined Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Tom Carper (D-DE) and Representative Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, in sending follow-up letters asking Citigroup and Apollo Global Management to provide additional information and documents about their loans and other ties to Kushner Companies… Continue Reading
04.13.18
Peters Calls for Suspension of Line 5 Operations
CHARLOTTE, MI - Below is a statement from U.S. Senator Gary Peters on a briefing he received from the U.S. Coast Guard about recent damage to Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac. Yesterday, at a Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing, Peters questioned U.S. Coast Guard officials about the decision to keep Line 5 open despite an undetermined risk to the Great Lakes. "There are few greater dangers to the Great Lakes than an oil spill in the Straits of Mackinac, which would devastate… Continue Reading
04.12.18
Peters Questions U.S. Coast Guard on Line 5 Vessel Damage
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today questioned U.S. Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Operations, Policy, and Capabilities, Rear Admiral Linda Fagan at a committee hearing, following reports of multiple dents in Line 5 caused by vessel activity in the Straits of Mackinac. During the exchange, Peters questioned Fagan on the decision to reopen Line 5 despite incomplete inspections. Below is text of his hearing re… Continue Reading
04.11.18
Peters Statement on Syria
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement on Syria, in light of the Syrian military's chemical weapons attack in Douma: "Bashar al-Assad and his inhumane government have shown zero regard - and even contempt - for the well-being of the Syrian people. Through chemical weapons, barrel bombings and torture, the Syrian government has inflicted unimaginable terror on the children, women and men it is charged with protecting. Bashar al-Assad is no leader: he is… Continue Reading
04.09.18
Peters Joins Bipartisan Senate Delegation to Niger, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined a bipartisan Senate delegation to Niger, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Burkina Faso. The Senators participated in bilateral meetings with heads of state and senior government officials and reaffirmed bipartisan support for strong counter-terrorism and economic development ties between the United States and Africa. "Extremist groups like ISIS and Boko Haram pose an international threat, and it… Continue Reading
03.28.18
Peters, Colleagues Warn CFPB Against Repeal of Rule Cracking Down On Predatory Payday Lending Schemes
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) joined 42 of his Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Acting Director Leandra English and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney urging them to end any efforts to undermine and repeal the CFPB's payday lending rule. The rule represents an important step in reining in predatory business practices by payday lenders nationwide that are designed to exploit the financial hardships … Continue Reading
03.27.18
Peters, Colleagues Introduces Legislation to Protect Accuracy of Census
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management, joined his colleagues in introducing the 2020 Census Improving Data and Enhanced Accuracy (IDEA) Act, legislation would prevent last-minute changes to the 2020 Census that have not been adequately researched and tested by the Census Bureau. "Major changes to the decennial census require years of careful research, testing and public feedback. I am very conc… Continue Reading
03.22.18
Peters & Stabenow Applaud Federal Funding to Advance Safe Development of Self-Driving Vehicles
WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today applauded the inclusion of $100 million in the proposed Fiscal Year 2018 spending bill for the safe research, development and demonstration of self-driving vehicle technologies, including dedicated funding for the Department of Transportation's federally designated Automated Vehicle Proving Grounds. "Self-driving vehicles have the potential to revolutionize mobility and save thousands of lives lost on our roads every year, an… Continue Reading
03.22.18
Peters, Warner Call on Trump Administration to Appoint Chief Science and Technology Advisor
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Gary Peters (D-MI), co-chairs of the bipartisan Senate Science Forum, called on the White House to appoint a Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), a position that has been vacant for more than a year. In a letter addressed to President Trump, the Senators highlighted the important role this individual plays in advising presidents on science and technology issues. "As co-chairs of the Senate Science Forum, w… Continue Reading
03.22.18
Peters, Hoeven Introduce Bill to Strengthen Federal Cybersecurity Workforce
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Hoeven (R-ND) today introduced bipartisan legislation to train and help retain high-skilled cybersecurity professionals in the federal government. Despite growing cyber threats, the federal government faces a cyber workforce shortage due to hiring and retention challenges, competition with the private sector and difficulty refilling federal positions after an employee leaves. "Our country faces an unprecedented level of sophisticated cy… Continue Reading
03.21.18
Peters, Stabenow, Kildee Announce Funding to Address Drinking Water Contamination in Federal Budget Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) today announced that the proposed Fiscal Year 2018 budget bill includes funding to address ongoing drinking water contamination issues in communities across Michigan. The appropriations bill now goes before the full House and Senate. The lawmakers: Secured $10 million to fund a health study on the impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure, which is critically … Continue Reading
03.20.18
Peters, Stabenow Call on Small Business Administration to Take Action on State Request for Disaster Declaration in Flood-Damaged Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today called on the Small Business Administration to take action on the State of Michigan's request to determine which Michigan counties affected by recent severe flooding may qualify for a federal disaster declaration. The Small Business Administration can provide low-interest loans to eligible residents and businesses so that they can repair and replace property and business assets that were damaged or destroyed. "Heavy rain an… Continue Reading
03.19.18
Peters and Ernst Request Information on Costly Taxpayer-Funded Administration Travel
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management Subcommittee, and Joni Ernst (R-IA) sent a letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney seeking clarity on Trump Administration officials' compliance with federal travel spending policies. The letter follows recent media reports and official investigations of excessive travel expenditures using taxpayer funds among high-ranking officials at severa… Continue Reading
03.16.18
Peters Consumer Protection Provisions Pass the Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate passed two consumer protection provisions introduced by U.S. Senator Gary Peters that will help private student loan borrowers rehabilitate their credit and protect children from identity theft. The provisions were approved as part of a broader banking bill. "Student debt is one of the biggest hurdles to financial success for young people," said Senator Peters. "My commonsense provision will help student loan borrowers in default fix their mistakes and get back on … Continue Reading
03.15.18
Peters Floor Remarks on Supporting Small Farmers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), spoke on the Senate floor today on the need to preserve access to capital for small and disadvantaged farmers to start and grow their operations. This week, Peters introduced the Farm Service Agency Loan Flexibility Act, which will provide greater flexibility for the FSA loan program to provide loan and loan guarantees to farmers during periods of high demand. Below is video and text of his remarks as prepared for delivery: Watch the full video … Continue Reading
03.15.18
Committee Approves Peters Bills to Support Small Businesses
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee approved two bipartisan bills introduced by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) that support small businesses. Peters' bills will increase awareness of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and help small businesses protect their intellectual property through patents. Peters introduced both bills with U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID). Peters' first bill, the Small Business Employee Ownership Promotion Enhancement Act, helps pro… Continue Reading
