Press Releases
Peters, Stabenow, Kildee Announce Genesee and Saginaw County Airports Will Receive Nearly $4 Million in Federal Funding for Improvements
DETROIT, MI. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow and U.S. Representative Dan Kildee (MI-05) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation will be awarding $1,524,588 to MBS International Airport and $2,456,351 to Bishop International Airport. This funding will go toward costs related to operations, personnel, cleaning, sanitization, janitorial services, and combating the spread of pathogens at the airports. "As we work to emerge from this pandemic, safe and reliabl… Continue Reading
04.01.21
Peters Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill to Crack Down on Robocallers
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) reintroduced bipartisan legislation that would help limit the increasing number of invasive robocalls Michiganders receive on a daily basis. The Anti-Spoofing Penalties Modernization Act of 2021 would increase the penalties for robocallers who use illegal caller-ID, or "spoofing", tactics in an attempt to trick potential victims into answering their phone calls. These scammers often present themselves as government officials or representatives from pop… Continue Reading
03.31.21
Peters Statement on President Biden’s American Jobs Plan
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight, and Ports, released the following statement on President Biden's American Jobs Plan: "In Michigan, we know that our crumbling roads, bridges, sewers and ports are in desperate need of upgrades. Comprehensive infrastructure investments will not only create good-paying jobs and expand skills training and appr… Continue Reading
03.30.21
Peters, Stabenow Announce Willow Run Airport Will Receive Over $15 Million in Federal Funding for Improvements
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) will be awarding $15,275,685 to Willow Run Airport. This Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant will go toward updating existing runways. "As we work to emerge from this pandemic, safe and reliable air travel is critical to keeping residents and businesses across southeast Michigan connected to important markets and destinations," said Senator Peters, a member o… Continue Reading
03.30.21
Peters, Stabenow Announce Bishop International Airport Will Receive Over $950,000 in Federal Funding
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) will be awarding $956,449 to Bishop International Airport in Flint. This Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant will go toward acquiring additional snow removal equipment and updating existing taxiways. "Safe and reliable air travel is critical to keeping communities across Mid-Michigan connected to important markets and destinations, not only during this pandem… Continue Reading
03.30.21
Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $8.7 Million in Federal Funding for Two Upper Peninsula Airports
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) will be awarding Sawyer International Airport in Gwinn $4,664,280 and Delta County Airport in Escanaba $4,063,469. These Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants will go towards rehabilitating the hangar at Sawyer International Airport and reconstructing runway lighting at Delta County Airport. "Safe and reliable air travel is critical to keeping communities acro… Continue Reading
03.25.21
Peters, Stabenow Help Senate Pass Extension of Paycheck Protection Program to Provide Additional Support for Michigan Small Businesses During COVID-19 Crisis
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced the U.S. Senate passed the PPP Extension Act to extend the Paycheck Protection Program for two more months. This program gives loans to small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to help pay their employees and other expenses. The program also offers full loan forgiveness if the loan is spent in this way. Currently, the Paycheck Protection Program expires on March 31. "As our communities continue … Continue Reading
03.24.21
Peters-Backed Bipartisan Bill Signed into Law to Ensure All Veterans & Their Families Can Receive Free COVID-19 Vaccines Through VA
WASHINGTON, DC - Bipartisan legislation supported by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) to expand free COVID-19 vaccine access to veterans and their families was signed into law by President Biden. The SAVE LIVES Act, which Peters cosponsored earlier this month, will permit the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to allocate free vaccination services to all veterans, veteran spouses, caregivers, and Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) recipients. This w… Continue Reading
03.23.21
Peters, Stabenow Applaud Biden Administration Decision to Extend Health Care Special Open Enrollment Period Through August 15th
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) applauded the announcement today by the Biden Administration to extend the special open enrollment period for Americans to secure health care plans through the Affordable Care Act through August 15th. The special enrollment period was initially opened on February 15th and scheduled to run through May 15th. During the COVID-19 crisis, millions of Americans have lost their health insurance. The decision to extend the sign-up … Continue Reading
03.23.21
Peters Statement on Proposed U.S. Postal Service Strategic Plan
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released the following statement on the recently released 10-year strategic plan from Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and Postal Service leaders: "While I understand Postal Service leadership's desire to set long-term goals, I am concerned that several of the initiatives in this plan will harm service for folks across the country who rely on the Postal Service for prescriptio… Continue Reading
03.23.21
As the Affordable Care Act Turns 11, Peters Highlights Progress Made in Effort to Strengthen Access to Affordable Health Care
WASHINGTON, DC - On the 11th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act becoming law, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) is highlighting actions taken to strengthen the health care law and to expand access to quality care. The American Rescue Plan Act, which Peters helped pass and was signed into law this month, included significant steps to strengthen the health care law and lower health care costs. "Eleven years ago, the Affordable Care Act was signed into law - expanding health care access to Michi… Continue Reading
03.17.21
Peters Reintroduces Bipartisan Stop for School Buses Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Todd Young (IN) announced the reintroduction of the Stop for School Buses Act. This bipartisan legislation requires a comprehensive evaluation of methods to prevent the dangerous and illegal passing of school buses at loading zones. The senators first introduced the legislation in 2019 after a number of incidents threated students in Michigan and across the country. In 2018, in Montcalm County, two students were seriously injured aft… Continue Reading
03.16.21
Peters Announces Support for Bipartisan Bill to Ensure All Veterans & Their Families Can Receive Free COVID-19 Vaccines Through VA
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) cosponsored bipartisan legislation to expand free COVID-19 vaccine access to veterans and their families. The SAVE LIVES Act would specifically permit the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to allocate free vaccination services to all veterans, veteran spouses, caregivers, and Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) recipients. This would enable them to get COVID-19 vaccines regardless of whether they are… Continue Reading
03.15.21
Peters Rated The #1 Most Effective Senator in U.S. Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - The non-partisan Center for Effective Lawmaking released its biannual ratings on effectiveness based on enacting and advancing legislation, and U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) was ranked at the top of the list (#1) in the 116th Congress (2019-2020). In that timeframe, Peters passed 10 standalone bills into law and 14 bills through the Senate - more than any other Senator from either party. All of his bills were passed and signed into law with bipartisan support. That's despite the… Continue Reading
03.12.21
Peters Joins President Biden at White House to Commemorate Signing of American Rescue Plan
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) joined President Joe Biden at the White House to commemorate the signing of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 into law. The bill, which Peters helped pass out of the Senate, includes funding to distribute direct stimulus checks, accelerate vaccine distribution, help schools reopen safely, extend unemployment benefits, support small businesses and help communities carry out essential services. "Help is here for Michiganders," said Senator Peters.… Continue Reading
03.12.21
Peters Secures Funding in American Rescue Plan to Vaccinate Michiganders at Ford Field
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, welcomed an announcement from the White House that federal funds he led the charge to secure as a part of the American Rescue Plan Act, will be directed to a vaccination clinic at Ford Field. The site, operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will accelerate vaccine distribution in Michigan. "Vaccine distribution has rapidly increased under the Biden Admin… Continue Reading
03.11.21
Peters: ‘Significant Relief is On the Way’ Now That American Rescue Plan Act is Law
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) welcomed President Biden signing the American Rescue Plan Act into law, which will provide robust COVID relief to Michiganders. Peters helped pass this historic package through the Senate, which includes funding to distribute direct stimulus checks, accelerate vaccine distribution, help schools reopen safely, extend unemployment benefits, support small businesses and help local and state governments carry out essential functions. "There's no questi… Continue Reading
03.11.21
Peters, Stabenow Applaud $4.5 Million Federal Funding to Help Advance Michigan Technological University Automated Vehicle Research
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today welcomed $4,498,650 in federal funding awarded to the Michigan Technological University for self-driving vehicle research and development. The funding - awarded through the Department of Energy - will support ongoing projects to enhance connected and automated vehicle technologies that improve driver safety by eliminating risk found in human error. Led by the University and in partnership with General Motors (GM), the… Continue Reading
03.10.21
Peters Statement on American Rescue Plan Heading to President’s Desk
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement after final House passage of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which now goes to the President's desk to be signed into law: "A year into this pandemic, it's clear that Michiganders and Americans still need additional support to put food on the table, pay their bills and make ends meet. I have heard gut-wrenching personal stories from countless Michiganders - who are trying to keep their heads above water … Continue Reading
03.09.21
Peters & Portman Press Federal Agencies for Information on Coronavirus Pandemic Preparation and Response
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, are pressing top federal agencies for information, including documents, communications and interviews, related to the federal government's Coronavirus pandemic preparedness and response. This is the first bipartisan effort by the committee leaders to examine the federal government's planning, coordination and execution of prevention … Continue Reading
