Press Releases
Peters, Rubio Introduce Bill to Improve Burial Services for Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) today announced that they are introducing bipartisan legislation to improve burial services for our nation's veterans by increasing funeral benefits for eligible veterans. The Burial Rights for America's Veterans' Efforts (BRAVE) Act would update the current funeral and burial benefit system to ensure that all non-service connected deaths are treated equally, regardless of where the veteran passes away. Veterans with no nex… Continue Reading
07.19.17
Peters, Young Introduce Legislation to Update Environmental Sensitivity Index Maps for Great Lakes
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Todd Young (R-IN) today announced that they are introducing bipartisan legislation to update the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps in the Great Lakes to better address habitat restoration and potential ecological impacts in the event of an oil spill or a natural disaster. ESI maps provide an inventory of at risk coastal resources such as endangered and threatened species, sensitive shoreline habitats, and human-use resources like bea… Continue Reading
07.18.17
Peters, Colleagues Raise Concerns over Trump Administration’s Possible Rollback of 11 Marine Sanctuary and Monument Expansions
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard, led 19 of his colleagues in a bicameral letter urging U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross to extend the public comment period to ninety days on an executive order that could lead to the rollback or elimination of 11 marine sanctuaries and monuments created or expanded over the past decade and open these protected areas to oil and gas exploration. Mar… Continue Reading
07.18.17
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $2.7 Million for Delta County Airport
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that Delta County Airport in Escanaba will receive a $2,729,672 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to support infrastructure rehabilitation projects, including runway refurbishing and providing new signage and LED lighting for portions of the runway and taxiways. "The Delta County Airport plays a critical role in connecting Escanaba and Delta County residents with business and travel opportunities a… Continue Reading
07.14.17
Senators Peters, Stabenow: NAFTA Modernization Should Strengthen Michigan Agriculture
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) urged U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to strengthen Michigan agriculture during negotiations to improve the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Agriculture is Michigan's second largest industry, and exports of agricultural products support an estimated 26,000 jobs in the state. Canada and Mexico consistently rank among the top destinations for agricultural products produced in Michig… Continue Reading
07.13.17
Peters, Stabenow Announce $3.4 Million for Detroit Metropolitan Airport
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that the Wayne County Airport Authority will receive $3,411,782 to construct a service road and rehabilitate runways at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW). The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration as a part of the Runway Incursion Mitigation Program. "The Detroit Metropolitan Airport connects southeast Michigan residents with travel and economic opportunities ac… Continue Reading
07.12.17
Following Peters, Portman Letter, NDAA Authorizes Additional $695.5 Million to Modernize Stryker Vehicles
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) announced that the Senate Armed Services Committee FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorizes an additional $695.5 million in funding to modernize Stryker Vehicles. The decision to include the funding follows a letter led by Senators Peters and Portman urging Chairman John McCain (R-AZ) and Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-RI) to upgrade the Stryker Vehicles. The Stryker is the Army's most versatile and deplo… Continue Reading
07.12.17
Peters, Risch Introduce Legislation to Improve Awareness of Employee Stock Ownership Plans
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Jim Risch (R-ID) today announced that they have introduced bipartisan legislation to increase awareness of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) as an employee ownership model for businesses. ESOPs are workplace benefit plans that allow employees to save for retirement while sharing in a business' profits by ensuring a majority of a business' holdings are owned by employees. "Employee Stock Ownership Plans have been a proven success for bus… Continue Reading
07.06.17
Peters, Stabenow Accepting Applications from Candidates Interested in Nomination for Federal Judgeship and U.S. Attorney in Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced they are accepting applications from qualified persons interested in nomination for federal judge or United States Attorney. There is currently one vacancy on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and one vacancy on the United States District Court for the Western District. Both U.S. Attorney positions are also vacant. Interested candidates should request an application by emailing ju… Continue Reading
07.05.17
Peters, Stabenow Announce More Than $4.6 Million in PILT Funding for Michigan
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $4,644,847 in funding for 29 Michigan counties through the Department of the Interior's Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. Michigan is home to more than two million acres of federal lands, meaning that county governments throughout Michigan miss out on important property tax revenue every year. PILT program funds help to make up for the lost property tax revenue to fund essential services in these Michigan coun… Continue Reading
06.30.17
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $141,000 in Support for Graafschap Fire Department
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $141,715 for the Graafschap Fire Department to help purchase equipment. This grant comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grants program. "Graafshap firefighters and first responders protect our communities in the event of an emergency, and it is essential they have the equipment they need to perform their jobs safely," said Senator Peters. "I'm pleased to announce this fund… Continue Reading
06.30.17
Peters, Stabenow, Kildee Announce $15 Million to Assist Women, Children, and Families Affected by Lead Exposure
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow and Congressman Dan Kildee today announced that the Department of Health and Human Services awarded $15 million to the Genesee County Healthy Start program to assist women, children, and families affected by lead exposure. This funding was included in the Flint agreement that Senators Peters and Stabenow and Congressman Kildee passed to provide long-awaited federal assistance for Flint and other communities affected by lead. "Le… Continue Reading
06.30.17
Peters, Stabenow Urge Department of Defense to Explore Efforts to Reduce Prescription Drug Costs in TRICARE
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) sent a letter to Secretary of Defense James Mattis asking him for timely consideration of a pilot program to improve access and reduce the costs of prescription drugs in the TRICARE program, which serves active duty military personnel, National Guard, reservists, retired servicemembers and their families. "We believe the TRICARE Acquisition Cost Parity Pilot Program for Retail Pharmacy is a sensible approach to reduc… Continue Reading
06.30.17
Senators Peters, Stabenow Urge Federal Support of Michigan Communities Affected by Flooding
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today sent letters to Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue in support of federal disaster assistance for Michigan families, communities and farmers affected by severe flooding this month. The counties of Midland, Isabella, Gladwin, Bay and surrounding areas recently experienced heavy rainfall and flood waters that displaced families from their homes, damaged personal property, destr… Continue Reading
06.30.17
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $773,000 in Support for Dearborn Fire Department
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $773,637 for the Dearborn Fire Department to help purchase personal protection gear and provide for training and vehicle maintenance. This grant comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grants program. "Dearborn depends on their local firefighters to protect their homes, their livelihoods and their families," said Senator Peters. "These new resources will help the Dearborn Fir… Continue Reading
06.30.17
Peters, Stabenow Introduce Resolutions Recognizing Centennials at Selfridge Air National Guard Base and Fort Custer Training Center
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) announced they introduced two resolutions in the U.S. Senate to recognize Selfridge Air National Guard Base and the Fort Custer Training Center on their 100th anniversaries. "Since their establishment 100 years ago, Selfridge and Fort Custer have been central to Michigan's military history and continue to play critical roles in our national defense," said Senator Peters, a member of the Senate Armed Services Commit… Continue Reading
06.29.17
Senate Commerce Committee Approves Peters’ Amendments to Strengthen Airport Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee today approved several amendments authored by U.S Senator Gary Peters (MI) to help strengthen security and protect travelers outside of Transportation Security Administration (TSA)-screened areas in local airports. Recent incidents at airports in Ft. Lauderdale, Brussels, and Bishop International Airport in Flint, Michigan, have highlighted vulnerabilities to coordinated and lone-wolf attacks in public areas like baggag… Continue Reading
06.29.17
Peters Amendments to National Defense Authorization Act Passed by Senate Armed Services Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, authored several provisions and amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which sets policy for the Department of Defense (DoD) for Fiscal Year 2018. The legislation was approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee this week. "The National Defense Authorization Act will bolster American leadership around the world and provide our brave men and women in uniform with the support … Continue Reading
06.27.17
Peters Introduces Amendments to Strengthen Airport Security in Federal Aviation Administration Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced he is offering amendments to the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2017 that will help strengthen safety for passengers and visitors outside of Transportation Security Administration (TSA)-screened areas in local airports, as well as ensure the views of academia, small business owners and farmers are represented as the FAA formulates future drone policies. Peters announced two amendments that will allow airpor… Continue Reading
06.26.17
Peters, Colleagues Urge Senate Armed Services Committee to Fund Stryker Vehicle Upgrade
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) led a bipartisan letter to Senate Armed Services Chairman John McCain and Ranking Member Jack Reed urging them to support funding for modernizing Stryker Vehicles in the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Stryker is the U.S. Army's most versatile and deployable combat vehicle, and this funding would provide Stryker Brigades with additional vehicles with upgraded weapons systems, survivability im… Continue Reading
