Press Releases
Peters Cosponsors Bill to Strengthen Election Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters today announced he cosponsored legislation to strengthen election security and require paper ballots to counteract efforts by foreign adversaries to interfere in U.S. elections. The Protecting American Votes and Elections (PAVE) Act mandates the use of paper ballots and "risk-limiting" audits for all federal elections, ensuring that election results have not been tampered with by hackers or foreign governments. "We have seen undeniable evidence that a… Continue Reading
10.15.18
Peters Applauds Justice Department Grants to Michigan’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today applauded the Department of Justice's announcement Michigan will receive over $1 million in funding through the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program. Peters and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) authored the bipartisan law authorizing the grant program, which is a nationwide law enforcement initiative aimed to reduce violent crime. The U.S. Attorney's office in Michigan's Eastern Judicial District will receive $688,951 and the Western Judicial … Continue Reading
10.15.18
Senators Peters, Stabenow Urge the Administration to Take Action to Protect Michigan Students from Lead in Drinking Water
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow were joined by 33 of their colleagues this week in calling on the Department of Education and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take action to protect students from lead in drinking water. A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report shows an estimated 41 percent of public school districts did not test for lead in school drinking water, and a third of districts that were tested showed elevated levels. In Michig… Continue Reading
10.12.18
President Signs Peters, Risch, Evans Bill Helping Small Businesses Access Patent Protection
WASHINGTON, D.C. - President Donald J. Trump has signed into law legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and James Risch (R-ID), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee and Congressman Dwight Evans (PA-02) aimed at helping small businesses safeguard their intellectual property with expanded education on obtaining and protecting patents. The Small Business Innovation Protection Act will build upon existing outreach programs run by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SB… Continue Reading
10.11.18
Peters, Stabenow & Kildee Press EPA on Dismissal of Children’s Health Protection Office Director
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow and U.S. Representative Dan Kildee today wrote a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler about the removal of the EPA's Office of Children's Health Protection Director, Dr. Ruth Etzel. The lawmakers pressed Wheeler for more details surrounding the dismissal, especially during a period when families across Michigan are facing numerous drinking water contamination crises. "It is imper… Continue Reading
10.10.18
Peters Floor Remarks On CRA to Stop Expansion of Health Care Plans Without Protections for Preexisting Conditions
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) spoke on the Senate floor today on Senate Republicans' opposition to a resolution that would have stopped the Trump Administration's expansion of health insurance plans that do not protect people with preexisting conditions. Below is video of his remarks and text as prepared for delivery: "Mr. President. The topic of health care affordability should unite us as a common cause. We all need health care. Whether you are young or old, male or fema… Continue Reading
10.10.18
Peters Introduces Bill to Commemorate End of WWII
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the son of a World War II veteran, today introduced bipartisan legislation to establish a commemorative program ahead of the 75th anniversary of World War II in 2020. The program's goals are to honor veterans, educate the public about the history of World War II, highlight the service of the men and women who served our nation on the home front during the war, recognize the contributions of our al… Continue Reading
10.10.18
Peters Applauds Senate Passage of Soo Locks Funding Authorization
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released a statement applauding Senate passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which includes a $922.4 million authorization to build a large replacement lock at the Soo Locks. The authorization follows a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Economic Reevaluation Report released earlier this year at the urging of Senators Peters and Debbie Stabenow that estimates the cost of a replacement lock to be $922.4 million. "Our national econom… Continue Reading
10.06.18
Peters Floor Remarks in Opposition to Judge Kavanaugh’s Nomination to U.S. Supreme Court
Peters: "Unfortunately, when I examine the record of Judge Kavanaugh, I do not see an open mind. I do not see fairness. I see a partisan ideologue who will do judicial backflips to rule in favor of large corporations, the powerful and the elite." Peters: "Judge Kavanaugh's confirmation will provide only more division in our country and cast a cloud over the decisions of the court for years to come." WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) spoke on the Senate floor today in oppositio… Continue Reading
10.05.18
Peters Statement on EPA’s PFAS Meeting in Michigan
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement regarding a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) roundtable meeting in Kalamazoo regarding Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) contamination: "The scripted, invite-only format for today's PFAS meeting lacks any meaningful opportunity for Michigan residents who have been exposed to toxic chemicals to make their voices heard. Last week, Michiganders traveled all the way to Washington, DC and filled … Continue Reading
10.05.18
Peters Requests DoD Briefing on Chinese Surveillance Hardware Reports
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees, sent a letter to Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary James Mattis requesting a briefing to Congress on recent reports that China installed surveillance microchips in certain hardware devices used in systems across DoD and other intelligence agencies. According to a recent Bloomberg article, operatives from China's People's Liberation Army inserted the chips during the manufacturin… Continue Reading
10.04.18
Peters Statement on AV 3.0 Guidance for Self-Driving Vehicles
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and co-author of the bipartisan AV START Act, released the following statement on the Department of Transportation's Automated Vehicle 3.0 guidance: "Self-driving technology will transform the future of transportation, helping to save thousands of lives and improving mobility for consumers. I'm pleased that the Department of Transportation is continuing to build on previously is… Continue Reading
10.03.18
Peters Provision Allowing Airports to Discontinue PFAS To Be Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) today applauded passage of his provision permitting airports to discontinue use of fire-fighting foams containing toxic chemicals linked to cancer and other serious health issues. Currently, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations require airports to use firefighting foams that contain Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), a group of approximately 4,700 toxic chemicals that have been linked to cancer as well as a wide variety of t… Continue Reading
10.02.18
Peters Floor Remarks in Support of FAA Reauthorization Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), spoke on the Senate floor today in support of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018, bipartisan legislation that sets FAA policy for the next five years. Peters worked to include provisions in the bill to bolster airport security, support the educational use of unmanned aircraft systems, and help remove harmful PFAS chemicals from airport firefighting foams. Below is video and text of his remarks as prepared for delive… Continue Reading
09.27.18
Peters, Hoeven Bill to Strengthen Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Advances in Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Hoeven (R-ND) to train and help retain high-skilled cybersecurity professionals in the federal government advanced in the Senate yesterday. 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. The legislation passed the U.S. … Continue Reading
09.26.18
Peters Opening Remarks at Senate Hearing on the PFAS Contamination Crisis
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Federal Spending, Oversight and Emergency Management, spoke at a subcommittee hearing today on contamination from Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). The hearing, which was convened at Peters' request, explored the federal government's role in properly addressing PFAS that have been found in drinking water sites across Michigan. Below is video and the text of his opening remarks as prepared for deliv… Continue Reading
09.26.18
Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $1,100,000 in Support of Fire Departments in Macomb and Oakland Counties
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $1,109,608 for fire departments in 10 communities in Macomb and Oakland Counties to improve training and upgrade technology. This regional grant comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grants program. "It is critical that firefighters and first responders have access to the tools and resources they need to keep their communities safe," said Senator Peters. "This funding will … Continue Reading
09.26.18
Peters, Lankford & Paul Bill to Save Taxpayer Dollars on Equipment Acquisition Advances in Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), James Lankford (R-OK) and Rand Paul (R-KY) to help save taxpayer money on equipment used by federal agencies for activities including mining, agricultural production, construction, and highway maintenance advanced in the Senate today. The Federal Acquisition Savings Act of 2018 would require federal agencies to consider leases or short-term rentals for heavy equipment when those options are more cost-effectiv… Continue Reading
09.26.18
Peters, Risch Bill Helping Small Businesses Access Patent Protection to Be Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday passed legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and James Risch (R-ID) aimed at helping small businesses safeguard their intellectual property with expanded education on obtaining and protecting patents. The Small Business Innovation Protection Act will build upon existing outreach programs run by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), to better inform small bu… Continue Reading
09.24.18
Peters Applauds New Law to Boost Transparency in Senate Campaigns
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary today applauded a new law to provide greater openness and transparency in future U.S. Senate campaigns. President Trump has signed into law the Campaign Disclosure Parity Act, bipartisan legislation Peters cosponsored that will require all Senate candidates and campaign committees to file their financial disclosure forms electronically. Currently, these organizations are the only federal political committees that are permitted to file paper disclosure reports… Continue Reading
