Press Releases
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Support for the City of Allen Park Fire Department
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $59,091 for the City of Allen Park Community Fire Department in Allen Park to help purchase equipment. This grant comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grants program. "First responders and firefighters play a critical role in keeping Allen Park families safe from harm," said Senator Peters. "It is important that they have the training and equipment needed to protect themse… Continue Reading
04.22.16
Peters, Stabenow Urge Swift Completion of Plan to Reduce Sulfur Dioxide Air Pollution
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today sent a letter urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) to reduce sulfur dioxide levels and other air pollution in Wayne County to protect the health and well-being of Michigan residents if the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) fails to submit a final State Implementation Plan (SIP) within 60 days. In July 2013, part of Wayne County was found to have sulf… Continue Reading
04.22.16
Peters Cosponsors Bill Targeting Corporate Tax Inversions
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that he has cosponsored legislation aimed at further curbing loopholes used by corporations to avoid paying taxes by moving their headquarters overseas. The Stop Corporate Inversions Act will reduce business practices known as "inversions," a practice in which American corporations merge with foreign businesses and move their tax addresses abroad. As a result, these corporations pay significantly less in U.S. taxes - even if major co… Continue Reading
04.20.16
Peters, Gardner, Booker Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Efforts to Predict Space Weather Events
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) today announced they are introducing the Space Weather Research and Forecasting Act, bipartisan legislation to improve efforts to predict and mitigate the effects of space weather events on Earth and in space. Space weather refers to conditions caused by naturally occurring variations in emissions from the sun, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections. Space weather events can disrupt the electri… Continue Reading
04.20.16
Peters-Alexander-Stabenow Vehicle Innovation Act Passes Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Senate today approved the bipartisan Vehicle Innovation Act, authored by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). The bill was included as a provision in a broader bipartisan energy bill, which passed the Senate. The Vehicle Innovation Act (VIA) promotes investments in research and development of clean vehicle and advanced safety technologies that will create more fuel-efficient vehicles, reduce our nation's dependence on fore… Continue Reading
04.20.16
Senators Peters, Stabenow and Congressman Kildee Announce Major Victory to Continue Blight Removal Efforts in Michigan
WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Senator U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI), today announced that Michigan will receive a $188.1 million award from the Hardest Hit Fund through the U.S. Department of Treasury. With today's announcement, Michigan has received a total of $262.59 million this year to continue the revitalization of neighborhoods. Earlier this year, Michigan received $74.49 million from the Hardest Hit Fund. The Hardest Hit Fund gives res… Continue Reading
04.19.16
Peters, Stabenow Urge Swift Risk Analysis & Alternatives Assessment of Line 5
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today sent a letter to the State of Michigan urging the Michigan Petroleum Pipeline Task Force to swiftly complete a full and independent risk analysis and alternatives assessment of Line 5 following a recent University of Michigan study modeling the disastrous effects of an oil spill in the Straits of Mackinac. Peters and Stabenow also encouraged the State of Michigan to immediately address any current or potential violations of s… Continue Reading
04.19.16
Peters Amendments to Support 110th Attack Wing & Educational Drone Use Pass Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today applauded Senate passage of legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which included two amendments he introduced. The first provision helps the Michigan Air National Guard's 110th Attack Wing maintain its operations in Battle Creek, and the second measure supports the operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly referred to as drones, by higher education institutions for research and educational purposes. … Continue Reading
04.15.16
Peters Joins Financial Literacy Caucus, Cosponsors Resolution Designating April as Financial Literacy Month
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that he has joined the Congressional Financial Literacy Caucus, a bipartisan caucus focused on examining policy solutions that encourage financial literacy education and help Americans develop healthy financial habits. Peters also cosponsored a resolution to designate April - the time of tax returns and college acceptance letters - as Financial Literacy Month. "During Financial Literacy Month, I am proud to join the Financial Lite… Continue Reading
04.14.16
Peters, Kirk Announce Senate Albanian Issues Caucus
WASHINGTON, DC - In conjunction with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama's visit to the United States this week, U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today announced the formation of the Senate Albanian Issues Caucus, which Peters and Kirk will co-chair. The Senate Albanian Issues Caucus will bring together key stakeholders to help shape policies that support the democratic aspirations of Albanians in Balkan countries with significant Albanian populations and strengthen relations b… Continue Reading
04.13.16
Peters, Coons and Ayotte Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support America’s Small Manufacturers
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Chris Coons (D-DE) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) today introduced the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Improvement Act, which would expand and improve the MEP program to better serve small to medium-sized manufacturing companies. The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is the only public-private partnership dedicated to providing technical support and services to small and medium-sized manufacturers. Michigan's MEP affiliate, the Michiga… Continue Reading
04.12.16
Peters Joins Colleagues in Introducing Bill to Improve Inclusion in STEM Fields
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that he joined his colleagues in introducing the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Opportunities Act, legislation that would improve inclusion of women, minorities, and people with disabilities in STEM careers. "By expanding access to STEM disciplines in schools and sharing best practices for recruitment and retention in STEM careers, we can help more women and minorities become engaged in science, technology, engi… Continue Reading
04.08.16
Peters Leads Colleagues in Calling for Funding to Support First Mars Missions
WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) led a bipartisan group of 16 Senators to call for strong funding for NASA's Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System (SLS) in a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies. The Orion spacecraft and SLS rocket are the cornerstone programs of NASA's ongoing human space exploration efforts. "Exploring deep space is vital to inspiring our future innovators and stimula… Continue Reading
04.07.16
Peters Cosponsors Bill to Establish National Commission on Security and Technology Challenges
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, today announced that he has cosponsored bipartisan legislation to establish an independent National Commission on Security and Technology Challenges. The digital security Commission will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders - including tech leaders, law enforcement, the intelligence community, privacy and civil liberties advocates, encryption researchers, and global commerce leaders - wh… Continue Reading
03.31.16
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Direct Flight from Lansing to Washington D.C. Will Resume
Washington D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that direct service from Michigan's capital to the nation's capital will resume, benefiting local businesses and supporting economic growth in Mid-Michigan. The U.S. Department of Transportation has granted American Airlines a slot exemption to provide direct service after Sun Country Airlines stopped service last October. American Airlines could resume nonstop service as soon as June 29, 2016. "Direct service betwe… Continue Reading
03.31.16
Peters Statement on New Study Illustrating Potential Dangers from an Oil Spill Near Straights of Mackinac
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters issued the following statement today in response to a new study from University of Michigan Water Center researcher Dave Schwab that illustrated the potential danger of an oil spill near the Straits of Mackinac: "The study released by University of Michigan today serves as further proof that an oil spill near the Straits of Mackinac poses serious threats to Michigan's Great Lakes and our way of life. Michiganders rely on the Great Lakes for tourism, rec… Continue Reading
03.30.16
Peters Applauds Restoration of Iconic Grand Rapids Tire Swing
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today applauded the restoration of the tire swing to the "Motu Viget" art installation at the Gerald R. Ford Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse. Peters recently sent a letter to the Government Services Administration (GSA) urging the agency to expedite the safety enhancements needed to complete the restoration of the tire swing and ensure the "Motu Viget" installation will be available for future generations to enjoy. "The "Motu Viget" tire swi… Continue Reading
03.29.16
Peters Visits Mott Community College in Flint to Highlight Bipartisan Legislation to Make College More Affordable & Accessible
FLINT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today visited Mott Community College in Flint to highlight bipartisan, bicameral legislation he introduced to expand options for high school students to obtain college credit, making higher education more affordable and accessible while improving high school and college graduation rates. Peters' Making Education Affordable and Accessible Act (MEAA) would expand access to dual and concurrent enrollment programs and early/middle college programs by providi… Continue Reading
03.28.16
Peters Visits Oakland Community College, Hosts Student Roundtable to Highlight New Bill to Make College More Affordable & Accessible
ROYAL OAK, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today visited Oakland Community College's Royal Oak campus to highlight bipartisan, bicameral legislation he introduced to expand options for high school students to obtain college credit, making higher education more affordable and accessible while improving high school and college graduation rates. Peters also hosted a roundtable discussion with students participating in the Oakland Accelerated College Experience (ACE) program to hear more about th… Continue Reading
03.24.16
Peters Cosponsors Legislation Supporting Small Business Lending
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, today announced he has cosponsored bipartisan legislation supporting the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)'s flagship lending program, the 7(a) loan program. The Help Small Businesses Access Affordable Credit Act would authorize the SBA Administrator to increase the 7(a) program loan limit by up to 10% in a fiscal year, without legislative action. The 7(a) program has rece… Continue Reading
