Press Releases
Peters Joins Colleagues in Requesting Homeland Security Department Share its Refugee Vetting Process
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced he has joined his colleagues in sending a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson requesting an update on how the Administration screens refugees from conflict regions. In the letter, Peters and his colleagues noted the mounting backlog of refugee applications in the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) pipeline, and requested information about the possibility of refugee interviews being conducted via… Continue Reading
10.05.15
Peters, Stabenow Urge NASA’s Continued Support of Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring
WASHINGTON, DC - With a growing threat of harmful algal blooms, U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today sent a letter urging the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Administrator Charles F. Bolden to continue support of the Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) remote-sensing project. HABs have posed a threat to the Great Lakes, including recently in water crises in Monroe County, Michigan and Toledo, OH. Peters and Stabenow joined Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman of Ohio … Continue Reading
10.05.15
Peters Statement on Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement as the twelve Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) countries concluded negotiations and reached an agreement: "Our trade policies must focus on improving American economic competitiveness and building a level playing field so that our businesses can grow, compete in the global marketplace and create good-paying jobs in the United States. At this time, it appears as though the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal fails … Continue Reading
09.30.15
Peters, Stabenow Applaud $2.5 Million Grant for Muskegon Community College
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today applauded a $2,514,000 grant for Muskegon Community College to be used for renovations of the new Muskegon College Applied Technology Center. The funding comes from the Economic Development Administration's (EDA) Public Works Program. "We must ensure our community colleges have the necessary tools and resources to prepare students for the jobs of the future so they can help our communities continue to grow and thrive," said Se… Continue Reading
09.30.15
Peters Urges Obama Administration to Resettle More Syrian, Persecuted Religious Minority Refugees
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that he has sent a letter to President Obama urging the United States to resettle at least 100,000 refugees in the coming years from Syria and persecuted religious minority refugees in both Iraq and Syria, including 30,000 refugees in fiscal year 2016. The Obama administration has previously announced a goal of resettling 85,000 refugees in the next fiscal year, including at least 10,000 Syrian refugees in the United States through t… Continue Reading
09.29.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Support for Michigan State Police to Combat Heroin Distribution, Trafficking
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $1,460,611 for the Michigan State Police to collaborate with other departments in the state to crack down on heroin distribution and trafficking. The support comes from the Department of Justice's Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Anti-Heroin Task Force program. "Abuse of opioids like heroin and prescription painkillers has become an increasingly concerning epidemic in communities across Michigan, and it i… Continue Reading
09.29.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Support to Help Spur Economic Development in Western Michigan
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced two Economic Development Administration grants to help spur economic development in Western Michigan. The West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission will receive a $62,500 to help increase the flow of locally manufactured goods through the Port of Muskegon. The Commission and Michigan State University will receive $111,706 to study the economic benefits of using the Port to recycle and reuse structural de… Continue Reading
09.28.15
Peters Remanufacturing Bill Headed to President’s Desk to be Signed into Law
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today applauded the unanimous passage in the U.S. House of Representatives of legislation he introduced, the Federal Vehicle Repair Cost Savings Act, which requires federal agencies to encourage the use of remanufactured parts in federal vehicle repairs when doing so lowers costs, maintains quality and performance and does not compromise safety. The legislation is the first bill Peters introduced as a member of the U.S. Senate in February, along wi… Continue Reading
09.25.15
Peters, Colleagues Urge Obama Administration to Stop Drilling in the Arctic
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that he has joined his colleagues in sending a letter urging the Obama Administration to reverse its policy conditionally allowing arctic oil drilling off the coast of Alaska. In May, the Obama Administration granted conditional approval to allow Shell to drill two exploratory wells in Alaska's Chukchi Sea. With the results of that exploration expected to be announced in the days ahead, the Senators argue that allowing more drilling … Continue Reading
09.25.15
Peters, Stabenow Announce Funding for Economic Development in Northern Michigan
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that Networks Northwest will receive $51,628 to assist in establishing an economic development planning framework, process, and strategy that supports private capital investment and job creation across Northern Michigan. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA). "My top priority is creating jobs in Michigan and working to foster an environment where all busine… Continue Reading
09.24.15
Peters Statement on Papal Address to Congress
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement following the address to Congress by Pope Francis: "Pope Francis is an inspiring figure whose message of compassion and justice for all has resonated with people around the world. His calls to fight economic inequality and poverty, support the least among us and protect our planet give hope to millions and are an important reminder of what we should all aspire to achieve. I was pleased to have the opportunity to hea… Continue Reading
09.23.15
Peters, Stabenow Introduce Bill to Protect Great Lakes From Oil Spills, Improve Pipeline Safety
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today introduced the Pipeline Improvement and Preventing Spills Act to ban shipping of crude oil by vessel on the Great Lakes and require a comprehensive, top-to-bottom review of hazardous pipelines in the region. This legislation would also assess the current status of oil spill response and cleanup plans, require ice cover be part of worst-case scenarios in response plans, increase public information about pipelines for local … Continue Reading
09.22.15
Peters, Stabenow Announce More than $2 Million to Hire Officers for West Michigan Police Departments
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced more than $2 million in assistance to hire and retain law enforcement officers for police departments in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. The grants are part of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program (CHP) and are administered by the U.S. Department of Justice COPS Office. "It is essential for police and community members to work together to make public safety a priority," said Senator Peters. "Thi… Continue Reading
09.22.15
Peters, Stabenow Applaud $2.9 Million to Hire Officers for Southeast Michigan Police Departments
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today applauded $2.9 million in assistance to hire and retain law enforcement officers for police departments in Detroit, Harper Woods, Taylor and Redford. The grants are part of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program (CHP) and are administered by the U.S. Department of Justice COPS Office. "It is essential for police and community members to work together to make public safety a priority," said Senator Peter… Continue Reading
09.22.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow: “Top Pipeline Safety Official Will Participate in First-Ever Straits of Mackinac Pipeline Safety Drill”
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that Marie Therese Dominguez, head of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), will participate in a safety drill taking place at the Enbridge pipeline running underneath the Straits of Mackinac. The 2015 Straits of Mackinac PREP Exercise will test how efficiently private, federal, state and local responders are able to work together to manage a potential oil pipeline spill on the Great Lake… Continue Reading
09.21.15
Peters Tours Michigan State University Facility for Rare Isotope Beams
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), the Ranking Member on the Space, Science and Competitiveness Subcommittee, toured the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University and held a roundtable discussion with academic leaders and researchers from Michigan State University to gather input as the Senate Commerce Science and Transportation Committee works to formulate new legislation to shape federal science research and development priorities. "Investments in basic … Continue Reading
09.17.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Support for Three Southeast Michigan Fire Departments
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced support for the Detroit, Dearborn Heights and South Lyon Fire Departments for fire prevention efforts and to improve operations and boost safety in their communities. This support comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters grant program. "First responders are on the front lines when emergencies strike in their communities, and it is important they have the resources needed to pro… Continue Reading
09.17.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Support for Kentwood Fire Department
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $114,949 for the Kentwood Fire Department in Kent County to help improve its operations and boost safety in the community. This support comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters grant program. "First responders are on the front lines when emergencies strike in their communities, and it is important they have the resources needed to protect themselves," Senator Peters said. "With… Continue Reading
09.15.15
Peters Honors Hispanic Heritage Month
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed every year from September 15th to October 15th: "Hispanic Heritage Month is an important time to reflect upon the significant contributions Latinos have made to our country's culture and heritage. Hispanics are driving innovation and entrepreneurship in our communities, serving our nation in uniform to protect our way of life, and leading the world i… Continue Reading
09.14.15
Peters, Stabenow Announce over $650,000 for Capital Region International Airport
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that the Capital Region Airport Authority will receive $652,400 for improvements at Capital Region International Airport in Lansing, including for the rehabilitation of a taxiway and to address key issues, objectives, and goals related to safety developments. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). "Travelers to and from the Greater Lansing area count on C… Continue Reading
