Press Releases
Peters Floor Remarks in Opposition to Secretary of State Nominee Mike Pompeo
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), spoke on the Senate floor today in opposition of Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo's nomination for Secretary of State. Below is video and text of his remarks as prepared for delivery: Watch the full video "I rise to oppose the nomination of CIA Director Mike Pompeo to be Secretary of State. "I voted against confirming Mike Pompeo to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency because he lacked the experience and qualificatio… Continue Reading
04.25.18
Peters Bipartisan Maritime Commerce Bill Advances in the Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee today approved a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) to reauthorize the Maritime Administration (MARAD), the federal agency responsible for promoting and maintaining a strong U.S. commercial maritime industry. The legislation also includes a provision requiring a competitiveness study to make recommendations for improvements for the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway sy… Continue Reading
04.25.18
Peters, Bipartisan Group of Senators Call for Full Funding For National Sea Grant College Program
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) joined a bipartisan group of 26 Senators in calling for strong funding for the National Sea Grant College Program following President Trump's proposal to eliminate the program. In a letter to Chairman Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, the Senators emphasized that the National Sea Grant College Program provides critical support to local… Continue Reading
04.25.18
Peters, Risch Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Federal Cybersecurity Resources for Small Businesses
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Jim Risch (R-ID) introduced bipartisan legislation to provide additional cybersecurity resources to small businesses. The bill would create cybersecurity assistance units at Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) throughout the country. The new assistance units will serve as a point-of-contact for small businesses that suffer a cyber-attack, helping businesses find a solution to the problem and prevent more attacks in the future. "In a… Continue Reading
04.24.18
Peters, Capito Provision Expanding Opioid Treatment for Adolescents Advances in Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) today approved provisions based off the YOUTH Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) to help expand access to opioid addiction treatment for adolescents and young adults. Peters and Capito's provision passed as part of broader legislation addressing the opioid crisis. Among other provisions, the legislation passed today expands an existing… Continue Reading
04.19.18
Peters Statement on Nomination of Mike Pompeo for Secretary of State
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement opposing the nomination of Mike Pompeo, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), to be Secretary of State: "I opposed Director Pompeo's nomination to lead the CIA because he lacked the experience and qualifications for the position, and his tenure at the CIA has failed to assure me that he now has the capabilities to lead the State Department. I remain concerned about his hostility to American Muslims, his… Continue Reading
04.19.18
Peters, Cornyn Introduce Bill to Reduce Violent Crime through Project Safe Neighborhoods Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced bipartisan legislation to authorize funding for the Project Safe Neighborhoods program, a nationwide partnership between federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutors that uses evidence-based and data-driven approaches to reduce violent crime. "Far too many families know the devastating toll gun violence and drug crimes can have on communities in Michigan and across the country," said Senator Peter… Continue Reading
04.19.18
Peters Floor Remarks in Opposition to NASA Administrator Nominee Rep. Jim Bridenstine
Peters: "I am deeply concerned that his nomination is further evidence of a deeper problem. I am concerned that this Administration does not respect science, especially science in government institutions." Peters: "A White House that does not respect science will hold our nation back." WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), spoke on the Senate floor today in opposition of Congressman Jim Bridenstine's (OK-01) nomination as Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Adminis… Continue Reading
04.18.18
Peters Statement on Senate Failure of Ballast Water Discharge Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the statement below after the U.S. Senate failed to invoke cloture on the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act that included the controversial Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA): "The spread of invasive species presents an existential threat to health of the Great Lakes, and I'm pleased to have worked with my Senate colleagues to stop the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act from moving forward. Setting weak environmental standards for ballast… Continue Reading
04.18.18
Peters, Stabenow Call on Administration to Take Immediate Action to Reduce Price of Naloxone, a Life-Saving Opioid Overdose Reversal Drug
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today led 14 of their colleagues in calling on the Department of Health and Human Services to take immediate action to reduce the price of naloxone, a life-saving opioid overdose reversal drug. The Senators' letter follows a recent national advisory issued by the United States Surgeon General urging more Americans to keep on hand and learn how to use naloxone delivery devices. In 2016, Michigan had the eighth most deaths of any sta… Continue Reading
04.15.18
Peters Statement on Line 5 Suspending Operations
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement on Enbridge decision to suspend Line 5 operations due to ongoing severe weather. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is reporting potential swells upwards of 12 feet, far exceeding the conditions under which on-site cleanup equipment is able to adequately respond to a spill. "It is simply reckless and irresponsible to operate Line 5 under the current weather conditions in the Straits… Continue Reading
04.13.18
Peters Statement on Enbridge Announcement to Suspend Line 5 Operations in Event of Severe Weather
Bloomfield Township, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the statement below following an announcement from Enbridge that it will temporarily suspend Line 5 operations if weather conditions limit the ability to respond to a spill: "The Great Lakes are too precious to risk an oil spill, especially when bad weather conditions would render ineffective response equipment onsite. Today, I pushed PHMSA Administrator Elliott to work with Enbridge, and I am pleased that Enbridge has indicated… Continue Reading
04.13.18
Peters, Colleagues Press Citigroup and Apollo on Concerns about Kushner Family Business Loans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member on the Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management Subcommittee, joined Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Tom Carper (D-DE) and Representative Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, in sending follow-up letters asking Citigroup and Apollo Global Management to provide additional information and documents about their loans and other ties to Kushner Companies… Continue Reading
04.13.18
Peters Calls for Suspension of Line 5 Operations
CHARLOTTE, MI - Below is a statement from U.S. Senator Gary Peters on a briefing he received from the U.S. Coast Guard about recent damage to Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac. Yesterday, at a Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing, Peters questioned U.S. Coast Guard officials about the decision to keep Line 5 open despite an undetermined risk to the Great Lakes. "There are few greater dangers to the Great Lakes than an oil spill in the Straits of Mackinac, which would devastate… Continue Reading
04.12.18
Peters Questions U.S. Coast Guard on Line 5 Vessel Damage
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today questioned U.S. Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Operations, Policy, and Capabilities, Rear Admiral Linda Fagan at a committee hearing, following reports of multiple dents in Line 5 caused by vessel activity in the Straits of Mackinac. During the exchange, Peters questioned Fagan on the decision to reopen Line 5 despite incomplete inspections. Below is text of his hearing re… Continue Reading
04.11.18
Peters Statement on Syria
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement on Syria, in light of the Syrian military's chemical weapons attack in Douma: "Bashar al-Assad and his inhumane government have shown zero regard - and even contempt - for the well-being of the Syrian people. Through chemical weapons, barrel bombings and torture, the Syrian government has inflicted unimaginable terror on the children, women and men it is charged with protecting. Bashar al-Assad is no leader: he is… Continue Reading
04.09.18
Peters Joins Bipartisan Senate Delegation to Niger, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined a bipartisan Senate delegation to Niger, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Burkina Faso. The Senators participated in bilateral meetings with heads of state and senior government officials and reaffirmed bipartisan support for strong counter-terrorism and economic development ties between the United States and Africa. "Extremist groups like ISIS and Boko Haram pose an international threat, and it… Continue Reading
03.28.18
Peters, Colleagues Warn CFPB Against Repeal of Rule Cracking Down On Predatory Payday Lending Schemes
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) joined 42 of his Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Acting Director Leandra English and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney urging them to end any efforts to undermine and repeal the CFPB's payday lending rule. The rule represents an important step in reining in predatory business practices by payday lenders nationwide that are designed to exploit the financial hardships … Continue Reading
03.27.18
Peters, Colleagues Introduces Legislation to Protect Accuracy of Census
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management, joined his colleagues in introducing the 2020 Census Improving Data and Enhanced Accuracy (IDEA) Act, legislation would prevent last-minute changes to the 2020 Census that have not been adequately researched and tested by the Census Bureau. "Major changes to the decennial census require years of careful research, testing and public feedback. I am very conc… Continue Reading
03.22.18
Peters & Stabenow Applaud Federal Funding to Advance Safe Development of Self-Driving Vehicles
WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today applauded the inclusion of $100 million in the proposed Fiscal Year 2018 spending bill for the safe research, development and demonstration of self-driving vehicle technologies, including dedicated funding for the Department of Transportation's federally designated Automated Vehicle Proving Grounds. "Self-driving vehicles have the potential to revolutionize mobility and save thousands of lives lost on our roads every year, an… Continue Reading
