Press Releases
Senators Urge Full Funding of the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) and a bipartisan group of 25 Senators are urging for full funding of the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program in fiscal year (FY) 2017. This program is critical to the 251,000 abused or neglected children who have highly trained and deeply dedicated CASA advocates appointed on their behalf, and to the 451,000 child victims who are still waiting for the presence of a consistent, caring adult to speak for their best interests in the courtr… Continue Reading
03.21.16
Peters Leads Colleagues in Calling for Increased Funding for Connected and Automated Vehicle Technologies
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) was joined by Senators Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Sherrod Brown (OH) in calling for full funding of the Department of Transportation's (DOT) efforts to advance connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technology. In a letter to Chairman and Vice Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, the Senators wrote, "The auto industry is in the midst … Continue Reading
03.16.16
Peters’ Amendments to FAA Bill Pass in Commerce Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee today approved two amendments introduced by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) as part of legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 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 … Continue Reading
03.16.16
Peters Statement on President Obama’s Nomination of Merrick Garland to Serve on the U.S. Supreme Court
WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senator Gary Peters issued the following statement on President Obama's nomination of Merrick Garland, who currently serves as Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, to serve on the United States Supreme Court: "The President has a constitutional responsibility to nominate Justices to the Supreme Court, and the Senate has a constitutional responsibility to consider those nominees. I am pleased that President Obama fulfilled… Continue Reading
03.16.16
Sen. Peters Opening Statement at Commerce Committee Hearing on Self-Driving Cars & the Future of the Auto Industry
WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) participated in the Senate Commerce Committee hearing on self-driving cars and the future of the auto industry. Below is the text of his opening statement as prepared for delivery and video of his remarks: "As a Senator representing Michigan and the Motor City, I am thrilled by the incredible developments in our auto industry. US auto manufacturers are forming innovative partnerships and creating new jobs that will lead to extraordinary breakthrou… Continue Reading
03.14.16
Peters Visits Lansing Community College to Highlight Bipartisan Legislation to Make College More Affordable & Accessible
LANSING, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today visited Lansing Community College to highlight bipartisan, bicameral legislation he has 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. The Making Education Affordable and Accessible Act (MEAA) would expand access to dual and concurrent enrollment programs and early/middle college programs by providing g… Continue Reading
03.11.16
Senators Peters, Stabenow Applaud Over $3 Million Award to Michigan Community Health Centers for Substance Abuse Treatment
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today applauded an over $3 million award to 10 Michigan Community Health Centers. The funding, which will be used to improve and expand access to substance abuse services, comes through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and was made available by the Affordable Care Act. "Michigan's Community Health Centers provide critical support and treatment to patients struggling with substance and opioid ab… Continue Reading
03.10.16
Peters, Perdue Introduce Legislation to Enhance Cybersecurity Coordination
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and David Perdue (R-GA) today announced they are introducing bipartisan legislation to promote better coordination of cybersecurity efforts between Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and state and local governments. The State and Local Cyber Protection Act will enhance ongoing collaboration efforts between the DHS's National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC), which shares information regarding cybersecurity vulnerabi… Continue Reading
03.03.16
Peters Pipeline Safety Provisions Pass the Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate today unanimously passed bipartisan legislation U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) introduced with Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Steve Daines (R-MT) to reauthorize the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) through 2019, and improve pipeline safety and oversight. The legislation, entitled the Securing America's Future Energy: Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (SAFE PIPES) Act, included several pipe… Continue Reading
03.03.16
Peters Statement on HHS Dept. Announcement of Expanded Medicaid Eligibility in Flint
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement following an announcement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that they have approved the State of Michigan's waiver request to expand additional Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women and residents impacted by the Flint water crisis up to age 21: "One of the most effective ways to help minimize the long-term impacts of lead exposure is quality, accessible health care. I am pleased tha… Continue Reading
03.03.16
Peters Pipeline Safety Provisions Pass the Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate today unanimously passed bipartisan legislation U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) introduced with Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Steve Daines (R-MT) to reauthorize the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) through 2019, and improve pipeline safety and oversight. The legislation, entitled the Securing America's Future Energy: Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (SAFE PIPES) Act, includes several pipe… Continue Reading
03.03.16
Peters, Moran Introduce Legislation to Support Educational Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) today announced they are introducing the Higher Education UAS Modernization Act, legislation that would support the operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly referred to as drones, by higher education institutions for research and educational purposes and workforce development. Under current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, colleges and universities are treated the same as commercial drone use… Continue Reading
03.01.16
Peters, Stabenow Urge State Department to Reopen Public Comment Period on 98-Year-Old Pipeline Permit
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry urging him to reopen the public comment period to allow Michiganders to voice their opinions about a new permit for the 98-year-old twin pipelines that could potentially carry crude oil under the St. Clair River. "After experiencing one of the largest inland oil spills in U.S. history, Michiganders are all too familiar with the devastating consequences that a pipeline break can have o… Continue Reading
02.26.16
Senators Stabenow, Peters Introduce New Legislation to Help Improve Health Care Services for Children in Schools
Washington D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Health Subcommittee of the Senate Finance Committee, yesterday introduced the Hallways to Health Act (S.2590) to help school-based health centers improve health care services for children. In Michigan, there are more than 120 school-based health centers that play a major role in providing basic health services for thousands of students who have limited access to medical care outside of school. Ty… Continue Reading
02.26.16
Peters Statement on Small Business Administration Assistance to Flint Businesses
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, released the following statement applauding an announcement from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that they will be providing additional resources to support Flint businesses affected by the water crisis. SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet was in Flint today to make the announcement. "Many small businesses in Flint are facing a loss in revenue, and it is crit… Continue Reading
02.26.16
Peters Joins Colleagues to Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help More Foster Children Find Homes
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that he joined his colleagues Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Al Franken (D-MN) in introducing bipartisan legislation to streamline the process for placing children in foster homes or adoptive families across state lines. The Modernizing the Interstate Placement of Children in Foster Care Act would provide resources for states to adapt a standardized electronic centralized interstate system, known as the… Continue Reading
02.25.16
Senators Peters, Stabenow Introduce Bill to Improve Student Health
WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday, U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI), Debbie Stabenow (MI), Jon Tester (MT) and Jack Reed (RI) introduced legislation to hire more school nurses and improve student health. The NURSE Act will allow schools or state agencies to apply for federal grants to reduce the cost of hiring a nurse. School districts will be eligible to apply for the additional resources based on the number of their students who qualify for free or reduced price school meals - an across-the-board indic… Continue Reading
02.24.16
Peters Introduces Legislation to Support Michigan Air National Guard Operations in Battle Creek
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that he is introducing legislation with Republican Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Joni Ernst (R-IA), to help the Michigan Air National Guard's 110th Attack Wing maintain its operations in Battle Creek. "The mission of 110th Attack Wing in Battle Creek is key to defending America and our allies against evolving and emerging threats to our security," said Senator Peters. "The Michigan Air National Guard's presence continues a proud tr… Continue Reading
02.23.16
Peters, Stabenow, Benishek Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Boost Great Lakes Funding, Modernize Research Capabilities
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI), Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Reps. Dan Benishek, M.D. (MI-1) and Mike Quigley (IL-5) today introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to spur Great Lakes funding and research efforts and help support effective fishery management decisions. The Great Lakes Fishery Research Authorization (GLFRA) Act gives the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) the clear legislative authority it needs to support the $7 billion Great Lakes sport and commercial fishery indust… Continue Reading
02.22.16
Sens. Peters & Cassidy and Reps. Polis & Reed Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Make College More Affordable & Accessible
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Congressmen Jared Polis (D-CO) and Tom Reed (R-NY) today announced they are introducing new bipartisan, bicameral legislation 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. The Making Education Affordable and Accessible Act (MEAA) would expand access to dual and concurrent enrollment pr… Continue Reading
