Press Releases
Peters Statement on Siege at Capitol, Congress Certifying the Electoral College Votes
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement after Congress certified the Electoral College votes, after rioters stormed the Capitol and delayed the proceedings: "Wednesday's dangerous and unacceptable attack on our Capitol marked one of the darkest days in our nation's history. These events went against the very values upon which our country was founded. "The President's continued refusal to accept the election results and efforts to stoke violence demonstra… Continue Reading
01.05.21
Peters Bipartisan Legislation to Protect the Apollo Landing Sites Signed Into Law
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters' (MI) bipartisan bill to permanently protect the Apollo landing sites on the moon was signed into law. The One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act, which Peters introduced with U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), will enact first-of-its-kind legal protections for the Apollo sites by making NASA's preservation recommendations a requirement for future activities on the Moon. "The Apollo missions were not only one of the most important scientific achi… Continue Reading
01.05.21
Peters, Stabenow, Dingell Applaud $9.95 Million Federal Grant to Help Advance UM’s Automated Vehicle Research
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) and U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (MI-12) today applauded a $9,950,098 federal grant awarded to the University of Michigan for self-driving technology vehicle research and development. The funding - awarded through the Department of Transportation - will support ongoing projects led by the University to install vehicle and infrastructure technology across Ann Arbor intersections. This will enhance research around vehicle-… Continue Reading
01.05.21
Peters Statement After Meeting with President-elect Biden’s Secretary of Energy-Designate Jennifer Granholm
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement after meeting virtually with President-elect Joe Biden's Secretary of Energy-designate and former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm: "I was pleased to meet with Governor Granholm today to discuss her vision for our country's energy future and clean energy issues important to Michiganders. Governor Granholm has the track record needed to aggressively combat climate change - in a way that boosts our economy - pro… Continue Reading
01.05.21
Peters Bill to Improve VA Caregiver Program Signed into Law
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters' (MI) bipartisan bill to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) caregiver program was signed into law by President Trump. The Transparency and Effective Accountability Measures for (TEAM) Veteran Caregivers Act, which Peters introduced with U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), will take a number of steps to strengthen transparency and communication for veterans and caregivers participating in the program. "As our veterans transition back to c… Continue Reading
01.04.21
Peters Bipartisan Bill to Fix Security Vulnerability Posed By Foreign Ownership of Federally Leased Properties Signed into Law
DETROIT, MI - A bipartisan bill authored by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), the top Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, requiring the federal government to determine if office space it leases is owned by foreign entities has been signed into law. "Our federal buildings are vulnerable to espionage and provide our adversaries with the opportunity to steal sensitive information," said Senator Peters. "I am pleased this legislation, which will strengthen security of… Continue Reading
01.04.21
Peters Bipartisan Bill to Update Great Lakes Environmental Sensitivity Index Maps Signed Into Law
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters' (MI) bipartisan legislation to update the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps in the Great Lakes was signed into law by President Trump. The bill, which Peters introduced with U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-IN), requires the Great Lakes Region ESI maps to be updated for the first time in over two decades, joining maps for the East coast, West coast, and Gulf coast that have been updated more recently. Companion legislation was led in the House by U.S. R… Continue Reading
01.04.21
Peters Bipartisan Bill to Help Great Lakes Communities Address Shoreline Erosion Signed into Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A bipartisan bill authored by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), the top Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, to address rising water levels and shoreline erosion in the Great Lakes has been signed into law. The new law provides support for local communities facing rising water levels, coastal erosion, and flooding that have put homes, property, and communities at risk, and caused millions of dollars in damages. Communities in Michigan are facin… Continue Reading
01.03.21
PHOTOS: Peters Sworn in to Second Term in U.S. Senate, Pledges to Keep Fighting for and Delivering Results for Michiganders
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today was sworn in to his second term in the United States Senate. Peters was joined by his wife, Colleen, and he took the oath of office on a replica of President Abraham Lincoln's bible. "It is truly humbling to have been entrusted by the people of Michigan to continue representing them in the United States Senate. This is an honor of a lifetime, and I'm going to keep fighting for Michiganders and working to bring people together to solve the pre… Continue Reading
01.02.21
Peters Bipartisan Bill to Ensure Representation for Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Sectors in the Development of Federal Drone Policies Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) applauded the signing into law of his bipartisan legislation to ensure the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) chief drone policy committee includes representation for agriculture, forestry, and rural America. The Drone Advisory Committee for the 21st Century Act, which Peters introduced with Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Pat Roberts (R-KS), who serves as the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Forestry, and Nutrition Committee, will ensure tha… Continue Reading
01.01.21
Peters Helps Senate Override President Trump’s Veto of National Defense Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement after helping the Senate vote to override President Trump's veto of the National Defense Authorization Act, which sets policy for the Department of Defense (DoD)-meaning the annual national defense bill is law for a 60th straight year: "This year's national defense bill includes provisions that will not only give our troops a raise, but shore up our defenses ag… Continue Reading
12.23.20
Peters Statement on President Trump’s Veto of the National Defense Bill
DETROIT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement on President Trump's veto of the National Defense Authorization Act, which sets policy for the Department of Defense (DoD) and has been signed into law for 59 consecutive years: "This vital legislation has traditionally received broad, bipartisan support - and this year was no exception. For the President of the United States to veto this bill that provides a pay … Continue Reading
12.23.20
Peters Caps First Term by Sending Record Number of Bills to the President’s Desk This Congress
WASHINGTON, DC - Despite serving the entirety of his first term in the minority, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) capped his first term in the Senate by sending more bills to the President's desk this Congress than any other Senator, regardless of party. With 10 of his standalone bills having been signed into law or awaiting the President's signature since 2019, Peters has continuously built on his record of effectiveness and bipartisanship. Additionally, Peters: Passed 14 standalone bills throu… Continue Reading
12.22.20
Peters to Examine Preparation and Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, will examine the federal government's planning, coordination and execution of prevention and response efforts of the pandemic that has taken the lives more than 319,000 Americans, and cost millions more their jobs, homes and livelihoods in the deadliest national and public health security threat in a century. As part of his examination, Peters is seeking information, in… Continue Reading
12.22.20
Peters Provisions to Strengthen National Security & Improve Government Efficiency Pass as Part of Year-End Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Several provisions led by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, were passed as part of the year-end government funding bill. Peters provisions were included to strengthen cybersecurity for state and local governments, improve oversight of the government's pandemic response, ensure the Postal Service has sufficient funds to continue operations, and better protect homeland security. "Our nation continues to … Continue Reading
12.22.20
Peters Secures & Passes $3 Million for Great Lakes Coast Guard Center of Expertise in Year-End Bill Headed to President’s Desk
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that the year-end funding bill includes a provision he secured to provide $3 million for the U.S. Coast Guard National Center of Expertise (NCOE) for the Great Lakes. It passed as part of the year-end funding bill that is headed to the President's desk to be signed into law. The Great Lakes NCOE will examine the impacts of oil spills in freshwater environments and help develop effective responses. Current oil spill response technolog… Continue Reading
12.22.20
Peters Bipartisan Bill to Protect American Telecommunications Equipment from Foreign Suppliers Passes As Part of Year-End Deal
WASHINGTON, DC - Bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) to help safeguard American telecommunications equipment against cyber threats from untrusted foreign equipment suppliers passed as part of the year-end deal and is headed to the President's desk. The Ensuring Network Security Act, which advanced in the Senate last month and that Peters introduced with Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) earlier this year, would expand access to federal funding for telecommunications provide… Continue Reading
12.21.20
Peters Statement on Passage of Bipartisan COVID-19 Relief
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement after voting to pass the bipartisan COVID-19 deal, providing relief to Michigan families, workers, small businesses and schools as well as resources for vaccine distribution: "Right now, Michiganders and folks across the country are suffering. Small businesses have been forced to shutter or are barely staying afloat. Workers are out of jobs through no fault of their own and are stressed about feeding their families … Continue Reading
12.21.20
Peters Fights for Fair Treatment of Port of Monroe by Customs and Border Protection
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, is pressing U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to ensure that Michigan ports, particularly the Port of Monroe, are treated fairly and held to the same standards as other ports. The Port of Monroe has been restricted by CBP's Detroit field office from accepting international break bulk cargo countering nearly 90 years of practice since the Port of Monroe began operat… Continue Reading
12.21.20
Peters Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Management of FEMA Contracts and Save Taxpayer Dollars to be Signed into Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A bipartisan bill backed by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, to save taxpayer dollars by requiring the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to ensure more effective use and management of its advance contracts for goods and services is headed to the President's desk to be signed into law. The bill gives states and local governments flexibility to coordinate with FEMA and allow them to secure contrac… Continue Reading
