Press Releases
Peters, Stabenow Push for Rural Broadband Investments in Infrastructure Proposal
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today joined their colleagues in a letter to President Trump urging him to include robust funding for high-speed internet in rural and underserved areas as part of any comprehensive infrastructure proposal. "In an increasingly interconnected world and global economy, we must include in our discussion of infrastructure not just roads, bridges and waterways, but also high-speed internet access. While the vast majority of Americans ha… Continue Reading
02.01.18
Peters Statement Recognizing Black History Month
WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) issued the following statement honoring Black History Month: "This February, as we commemorate Black History Month, we honor the countless ways that African Americans have shaped the story of Michigan and our remarkable nation. Through vibrant leadership and unique contributions, in areas from public service to the arts and sciences to innovation and entrepreneurship, African Americans have enriched our communities and our shared American story. "… Continue Reading
01.30.18
Peters Statement on State of the Union
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) issued the following statement after President Trump delivered his State of the Union address: "At a time when America is deeply divided, it is more important than ever that Members of Congress from both parties come together to tackle the big challenges facing our nation. I hope President Trump will make good on his commitment tonight to work with both Democrats and Republicans to pass bipartisan legislation that will rebuild our crumbling infrast… Continue Reading
01.29.18
Peters to Serve as Ranking Member on Surface Transportation Subcommittee
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that he will serve as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security. The Subcommittee is responsible for oversight of federal agencies critical to Michigan's infrastructure and transportation systems, as well as the Great Lakes. The Subcommittee has jurisdiction over the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the Saint Lawrence Seaway Dev… Continue Reading
01.26.18
Peters Announces 2018 State of the Union Guest
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that Mike Jackson, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights (MRCC), will be his guest at President Trump's State of the Union Address on Tuesday, January 30. As Congress and the President discuss putting forward an infrastructure plan, Peters and Jackson will highlight the need for any proposal to include existing protections for American workers, including abiding by prevailing wag… Continue Reading
01.25.18
Peters Floor Remarks on Need to Find Bipartisan Solutions for Long Term Spending Goals
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) spoke on the Senate floor today on the need for Congress to come together to find bipartisan, commonsense solutions to the nation's long-term spending goals. Below is video and text of his remarks as prepared for delivery: Watch the full video "I believe that every campaign for elected office in this great nation is essentially a months-long job interview with the voters. Or perhaps more accurately, it is thousands and thousands of interviews. A… Continue Reading
01.25.18
Peters Calls For Investigations, Congressional Oversight in Wake of Nassar Abuse Scandal
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) issued the statement below calling for congressional hearings and investigation into sexual abuse of collegiate and amateur athletes. He also called on Michigan State University to commission an independent, outside investigation. "Yesterday, Larry Nassar was sentenced to up to 175 years in prison, and Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon submitted her resignation to the MSU Board of Trustees. But yesterday does not mark the end of … Continue Reading
01.24.18
Peters Calls for Resignation of MSU President Simon
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement calling on Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon to resign in the wake of Larry Nassar's sexual abuse scandal: "We will never be able to fully account for the damage that Larry Nassar has done to his victims. In the past week, the survivors have fully awoken us to the evil he perpetrated, and now the judicial system has delivered the justice it can provide. However, it has become clear that the lead… Continue Reading
01.24.18
Peters, Stabenow Statements on Trump Administration’s Tariff Decision
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today released statements on the Trump Administration's decision to impose tariffs on foreign-made washing machines. This follows calls from Stabenow and Peters for the International Trade Commission to recommend that the Trump Administration take strong action against these imports that harm domestic manufacturers. "For too long Michigan's workers have been negatively impacted by Chinese and South Korean companies… Continue Reading
01.23.18
Peters, Stabenow Lead Bipartisan Call to Fund Testing and Development of Self-Driving Cars in Government Spending Deal
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today led a bipartisan call to fund the testing and development of connected and self-driving cars as part of any government spending deal that is negotiated for 2018. The Senators made their request in a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jack Reed (D-RI), respectively. U.… Continue Reading
01.18.18
Peters, Stabenow Lead Bipartisan Push to Fund Critical Strategy to Protect Great Lakes Coastline in Next Year’s Budget
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), member of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), co-Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, today led a bipartisan push to provide funding for the Great Lakes Coastline Resiliency Study, a critical strategy to protect coastlines across the state, in the fiscal year 2019 budget. Following recent hurricanes that have caused massive flooding across the country, this study would help Great Lakes states to b… Continue Reading
01.15.18
Peters Statement on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: "Today we celebrate the legacy of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by honoring his call to take action to secure a better and brighter future for our nation. Dr. King was deeply committed to pursuing equal opportunity, but he taught us that progress comes from the hard work of everyday Americans striving to make our society better. "Over the last year, we… Continue Reading
01.04.18
Peters, Collins Provision Boosting Fire Departments Signed into Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. - President Trump signed into law the AFG and SAFER Program Reauthorization Act that included a provision authored by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) to help fire departments save money by hiring and promoting trained first responders. The provision gives local fire departments around the country the flexibility to use Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) grants to transition part-time or paid-on-call personnel who are already tra… Continue Reading
12.27.17
Peters Statement on Mayor Tom Baldini
WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement about Mayor Tom Baldini: "I was shocked and saddened to learn of Tom's death, and Colleen and I extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends. From his time in the classroom to service in Governor Blanchard's Administration and his recent election as Mayor of Marquette, Tom Baldini has been a pillar of the Upper Peninsula for decades, and his passion for Marquette and the UP were evident in all that he did.… Continue Reading
12.22.17
Peters, Stabenow, Upton Lead Michigan Delegation in Letter Supporting Fort Custer as a Missile Defense Site
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Representative Fred Upton (R-MI) led the Michigan Congressional delegation in a letter to the Director of Missile Defense Agency this week to reiterate strong support for full and thorough consideration of Fort Custer Training Center as a ground-based midcourse missile defense site. The letter comes as new defense legislation was signed into law earlier this month requiring the Secretary of Defense to designate a … Continue Reading
12.21.17
Peters Statement on Selfridge Maintaining A-10 Mission
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters today issued the following statement on the U.S. Air Force (USAF) announcement that Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township will continue to host its A-10 fighter mission. The USAF decision to convert two F-16 units demonstrates a continued commitment to the A-10 aircraft and its role in the U.S. military's current conflicts. "The men and women of the 127th Wing have gone over and beyond in demonstrating their skill and utility on the bat… Continue Reading
12.14.17
Peters Floor Remarks on Need to Reauthorize Children's Health Insurance Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) spoke on the Senate floor on the need to reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The CHIP program provides health care coverage to over 100,000 children in Michigan and more than 9 million children nationally. Below is video and text of his remarks as prepared for delivery: Watch the full video "Over two months ago I stood here in this chamber urging my colleagues to pass legislation that will prevent kids enrolled in the Chi… Continue Reading
12.14.17
Peters Blasts FCC Vote to Dismantle Net Neutrality Protections
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement on today's Federal Communications Commission (FCC) vote to roll back net neutrality protections that ensure all consumers and small businesses have access to a free and open internet: "Today's FCC vote to scrap net neutrality protections is an anti-consumer decision that disadvantages small businesses and everyday internet users. This action could usher in a two-tiered internet, where large corporations that can p… Continue Reading
12.13.17
Peters Floor Remarks on Need to Protect Net Neutrality
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) spoke on the Senate floor today in opposition to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plans to roll back net neutrality protections that keep the internet open and free for consumers and small businesses. Below is video and text of his remarks as prepared for delivery: Watch the full video "There are a handful of innovations in recent centuries that have redefined the United States, and the world. The cotton gin, railroads, electricity an… Continue Reading
12.12.17
Peters, Klobuchar Oppose FCC Plan to Eliminate Net Neutrality Protections
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), members of the Senate Commerce Committee, sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai expressing their strong opposition to the recently released draft order to eliminate net neutrality protections. The senators also called on the FCC to focus its efforts on closing the digital divide rather than limiting net neutrality protections that help small businesses and consumers compete and succee… Continue Reading
