Press Releases
Peters, Colleagues Urge Swift Action from Trump Administration for Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Disaster Response
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management, joined 36 Democratic Senators, in sending a letter to President Trump expressing deep concern about the situation in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the letter, the senators wrote, "We write to express deep concern about the dire humanitarian situation in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In Puerto Rico, Hurricane Maria re… Continue Reading
09.27.17
Senate Approves Peters’ Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Harmful Algal Blooms in the Great Lakes
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Senate unanimously approved bipartisan legislation U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) helped introduce to protect the Great Lakes from harmful algae blooms. The Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act will reauthorize ongoing efforts to combat the negative impacts harmful algal blooms have on drinking water, recreation, and fisheries. Peters introduced the legislation with Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Bill Nelson (D-FL). "The Great Lakes provide drinking… Continue Reading
09.26.17
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Almost $3 Million in Support for Two Southeast Michigan Fire Departments
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that two fire departments in Southeast Michigan will receive $2,986,965 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant program to hire 15 new full-time firefighters. The Lincoln Park Fire Department will receive $1,304,205 to hire six new firefighters. The City of Inkster Fire Department will receive $1,682,760 to hire nine new firefighters. "Firefighters and… Continue Reading
09.22.17
Peters, Stabenow Join Health Care Leaders and Patients in Opposition to Last-Ditch Republican Effort to Take Away Health Care from Michigan Families
DETROIT - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today joined health care leaders and patients in opposition to the last-ditch Republican effort to take away health care from Michigan families. The bill, known as the Graham-Cassidy-Heller proposal, hurts millions of children, older Americans, and people with disabilities and removes protections for patients with pre-existing conditions like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Republicans are attempting to jam this proposal through Cong… Continue Reading
09.22.17
Peters Leads Colleagues to Urge Office of Management and Budget to Investigate Taxpayer-Funded Travel for Executive Branch Officials
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight & Emergency Management, led 15 of his colleagues in a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) following reports that a number of high-ranking officials in the Trump Administration are incurring excessive travel costs. According to a September 19th POLITICO report, at least three members of the Cabinet have used taxpayer funds to charter expensive private airplanes … Continue Reading
09.21.17
Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $1.6 Million for Houghton County Memorial Airport
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that Houghton County Memorial Airport will receive a $1,629,463 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) which will be used to rehabilitate the runway and apron, as well as purchase snow removal equipment. "The Houghton County Memorial Airport helps bolster the local economy by connecting Keweenaw Peninsula residents and businesses with the world," said Senator Peters. "This additional support will help t… Continue Reading
09.20.17
Peters, Colleagues Request Investigation into Secretary Price’s Travel
Washington, D.C. - Senior Congressional Democratic leaders sent a letter to the Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) today requesting an investigation into reports that Secretary Tom Price has been using taxpayer funds to book private jets to accommodate his travel. The letter was signed by Senate Subcommittee onFederal Spending Oversight & Emergency Management Ranking Member Gary Peters (D-MI), Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Ranking Member Patty… Continue Reading
09.19.17
Peters, Warren & Udall Introduce Bill Barring Taxpayer-Funded Travel at Properties Owned by President, Executive Branch Officials
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight & Emergency Management, Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Tom Udall (D-NM) introduced Heightened Oversight of Travel, Eating, and Lodging (HOTEL) Act to prohibit executive branch employee travel expenses paid by tax dollars from being spent at properties owned by the President, Vice President, cabinet secretaries or their family members. The legislation aims to prevent potential confli… Continue Reading
09.19.17
U.S. Senate Approves Defense Bill with Peters Provisions
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Senate today approved the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included over a dozen provisions authored by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. The NDAA sets policy for the Department of Defense (DoD) for Fiscal Year 2018. "Our country faces constantly evolving threats, and it is vital that our brave men and women in uniform have the resources and support they need to safely conduct military operations and protect… Continue Reading
09.15.17
Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $3.8 Million for Gerald R. Ford International Airport
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that the Gerald R. Ford International Airport will receive $3,830,587 to improve security. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration as a part of the Airport Improvement Program. "Travelers to and from West Michigan rely on the Gerald Ford International Airport for safe and reliable transportation," said Senator Peters. "I'm pleased the airport will be able to us… Continue Reading
09.15.17
Peters Recognizes National Hispanic Heritage Month
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement to honor National Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed every year from September 15th to October 15th: "Diversity is one of our country's greatest strengths. Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the critical role Hispanic Americans have played in our country's history, culture and prosperity. Whether as civic leaders and entrepreneurs, members of our armed forces, or trailblazers in academia, art, … Continue Reading
09.14.17
Peters Applauds Federal Trade Commission Investigation of Equifax
- U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, released the following statement applauding the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) decision to investigate Equifax's data breach. Peters sent a letter this week urging the FTC to investigate whether Equifax misled consumers and failed to maintain adequate security protocols. "Equifax's failure to secure the personal identifying information of millions of Americans was an egregious breach of consumer … Continue Reading
09.12.17
Peters, Stabenow Announce Fire Prevention Investment for Wayne County Fire Departments
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that two Wayne County fire departments will receive $140,211 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program. The City of Wayne Fire Department will receive $14,972 to train officers in fire inspection, and the Westland Fire Department will receive $125,239 to purchase and install smoke alarms in senior and low income homes. "Investing in local fire prevention efforts g… Continue Reading
09.12.17
Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $300,000 in Fire Prevention Funding for Grand Rapids Fire Department
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced Grand Rapids Fire Department will receive $347,781 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program to expand local fire prevention programs in residential areas of Grand Rapids and provide smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. "Investing in local fire prevention efforts goes a long way toward saving lives during emergencies," said Senator Peters. "With this funding, the Gra… Continue Reading
09.12.17
Peters, Stabenow Announce Fire Prevention Funding for Meridian Township Fire Department
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced Meridian Township Fire Department will receive $66,667 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program to purchase and install new combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in Meridian Township homes. "Investing in local fire prevention efforts goes a long way toward saving lives during emergencies," said Senator Peters. "With this funding, the Meridian Township Fire… Continue Reading
09.12.17
Peters, Stabenow Announce Public Safety Funding for Saginaw Fire Department
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced the Saginaw Fire Department will receive $32,381 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program to purchase 1,000 new carbon monoxide alarms to distribute to Saginaw homes. "Carbon monoxide alarms help to protect families and save lives," said Senator Peters. "With this additional support, the Saginaw Fire Department can ensure homes across the community have this esse… Continue Reading
09.12.17
Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $1.2 Million in Support for Southeast Michigan Fire Departments
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $1,222,087 for fire departments in Southeast Michigan to help purchase equipment. This grant comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grants program. The Ida Township Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $204,581 grant. The Roseville Fire Department will receive a $106,292 grant. The Plymouth Community Fire Department will receive a $195,546 grant. The Kimball Township Fir… Continue Reading
09.12.17
Peters Urges the Federal Trade Commission to Investigate Equifax’s Breach by Hackers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, sent a letter urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate whether Equifax misled consumers with false claims of cybersecurity integrity and failed to maintain adequate security protocols to protect consumer data in light of a breach that exposed the personal information of 143 million Americans. "Beyond merely compromising the personal data of millions of consumers, th… Continue Reading
09.11.17
Peters, Colleagues Urge DHS Inspector General to Review Compliance with Presidential Protection Assistance Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, questioned whether the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) can comply with federal law and congressionally mandated spending limits when the agency uses millions of taxpayer dollars to protect President Trump's multiple properties, including Trump Tower in … Continue Reading
09.08.17
Peters, Stabenow Announce Support for Two Upper Peninsula Fire Departments
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters today announced $150,701 for two fire departments in the Upper Peninsula to help purchase equipment. This grant comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grants program. The Kingsford Public Safety Department will receive a $51,979 grant. The Marquette Township Fire and Rescue Department will receive a $98,722 grant. "Upper Peninsula residents and businesses depend on the protection firefight… Continue Reading
