Press Releases
Peters, Paul, Jones, Lankford Bill to Streamline Federal Property Review Process to be Signed into Law
WASHINGTON, DC - Today the U.S. House passed bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Senator Doug Jones (D-AL) and James Lankford (R-OK) to save taxpayer money by streamlining the federal inventory review process. Currently, many federal agencies only declare property as excess during periods of transition, such as office moves or space reductions. This can result in agencies retaining or storing unneeded property that could be utilized by… Continue Reading
12.14.18
Peters, Stabenow Announce Senate Passage of Legislation Naming Howell Post Office after WWII Veteran
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) announced that the Senate has passed H.R. 6020 to designate the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 325 South Michigan Avenue in Howell as the "Sergeant Donald Burgett Post Office Building." Sergeant Burgett lived almost his entire adult life in Howell and was a World War II combat veteran. This legislation, authored by Congressman Mike Bishop, passed the House of Representatives in September and Senators Peters an… Continue Reading
12.13.18
Peters Floor Remarks In Favor of Ending U.S. Support to Saudi-Led Coalition in Yemen
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) spoke on the Senate floor in support of bipartisan legislation that would end U.S. support to Saudi Arabia's military campaign in Yemen, which is exasperating the worst humanitarian crisis in decades. Click here for video of his remarks and below is the text as prepared for delivery: "Mr. President, I rise today to address the war in Yemen, which is causing the worst humanitarian crisis since World War II. Tens of thousands of young children ha… Continue Reading
12.13.18
Peters Bill to Protect Survivors of Domestic Violence & Pets to be Signed into Law
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today applauded Congressional passage of bipartisan legislation he introduced with Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) to help protect domestic violence survivors and their pets. The Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act helps provide funding for facilities that harbor survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence and their pets, or are looking to do so. The legislation passed the Senate and the House of Representatives as part of a … Continue Reading
12.12.18
Peters Floor Remarks Supporting Resolution to Target ‘Dark Money’ in Politics
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) spoke on the Senate floor today in support of a Congressional Review Act resolution that would overturn Internal Revenue Service guidance easing donor reporting requirements for certain tax-exempt groups that engage in political advertising. Click here for video of his remarks and below is the text as prepared for delivery: "Mr. President, I rise today in support of overturning the Treasury Department's rule to allow even more 'dark money' into … Continue Reading
12.11.18
Peters to Serve as Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) will serve as Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the U.S. Senate's principal oversight committee, in the 116th Congress. The committee is responsible for ensuring all federal departments and agencies are operating effectively, and also oversees the Department of Homeland Security. Peters previously served as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management within the H… Continue Reading
12.10.18
Peters & Stabenow Urge EPA to Protect Michiganders from Lead in Drinking Water
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today wrote a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler pressing the agency to implement all of the recommended policies from a July 2017 EPA Inspector General report regarding best practices to prevent another drinking water crisis from lead contamination. While EPA has acted on many of the Inspector General's recommendations, the agency has refused to establish national controls to e… Continue Reading
12.06.18
Peters, Stabenow Announce $40.7 Million for Infrastructure Projects in Sault Ste. Marie, Berrien County
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will award two grants totaling $40.7 million for infrastructure projects in Sault Ste. Marie and Berrien County. The $20.7 million will go towards repairs for the Carbide Dock Port, which is located on the same waterway as the Soo Locks and serves as a staging area for vessels needing emergency assistance. The additional $20 million will help directly connect US-31 to I… Continue Reading
12.04.18
Peters Provision Establishing Great Lakes Coast Guard Center of Expertise Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON, DC - President Donald Trump has signed into law a provision authored by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) to establish a U.S. Coast Guard National Center of Expertise (NCOE) for the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes NCOE will examine the impacts of oil spills in freshwater environments and help develop effective responses. Current oil spill response technologies are primarily designed for saltwater environments. Last year, the then-Commandant of the Coast Guard told Peters at a hearing that t… Continue Reading
12.01.18
Peters Statement on Passing of President George H.W. Bush
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement on the passing of President George H.W. Bush: "With the passing of President George H.W. Bush, the nation has lost a respected lifelong public servant. Whether flying a combat mission over the Pacific as a WWII pilot or representing the United States on the world stage as president, George H.W. Bush demonstrated grace and a fierce dedication to America and her ideals in everything he did. Colleen and I extend … Continue Reading
11.29.18
Peters Bill to Commemorate End of WWII Passes Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today applauded Senate passage of legislation he introduced to establish a commemorative program ahead of the 75th anniversary of World War II in 2020. The program's goals are to honor veterans, educate the public about the history of World War II, highlight the service of the men and women who served our nation on the home front during the war, recognize the contributions of our allies and remember the h… Continue Reading
11.28.18
Peters Floor Remarks Opposing Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Nominee Kathleen Kraninger
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) spoke on the Senate floor today in opposition of the nomination of Kathleen Kraninger to be the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Below is video of his remarks and text as prepared for delivery: "Mr. President, I rise today in opposition to the nomination of Kathleen Kraninger to be Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or CFPB. "This is one of the most important positions in our entire government, a job ded… Continue Reading
11.27.18
Peters, Colleagues Urge HUD to Improve Oversight Of Lead Poisoning Prevention Programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), along with nine of his Senate colleagues, sent a letter to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) urging the agency to immediately improve its oversight of lead-based paint hazards in federally-assisted housing to ensure that families and children are protected from exposure to lead. The letter comes on the heels of a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report recommending that HUD take immediate action to improve all of its p… Continue Reading
11.26.18
Peters Statement on GM Production Announcement
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement on General Motors' announcement to end production at plants in North America, including the Detroit-Hamtramck facility: "I'm extremely disappointed by GM's announcement to cut thousands of jobs, and my heart goes out to the Michigan workers and their families who are receiving this terrible news during the holiday season. As GM considers further investment and employment decisions, I strongly encourage them to… Continue Reading
11.16.18
Peters, Stabenow, Moolenaar Announce Senate Passage of Legislation Naming Beaverton Post Office after WWII Veteran
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Congressman John Moolenaar (MI-04) today announced that the Senate has passed H.R. 6116 to designate the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 362 North Ross Street in Beaverton as the "Colonel Alfred Asch Post Office." Colonel Asch was a native of Beaverton and a decorated World War II combat veteran. This legislation, authored by Congressman John Moolenaar, passed the House of Representatives in September and… Continue Reading
11.14.18
Peters Provision Establishing Great Lakes Coast Guard Center of Expertise Passes Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today applauded passage of a provision he authored to establish a U.S. Coast Guard National Center of Expertise (NCOE) for the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes NCOE would examine the impacts of and develop responses to oil spills in freshwater environments. Current oil spill response technologies are primarily designed for saltwater environments. The Coast Guard Commandant told Peters at a hearing last year that the agency was not prepared for an oil sp… Continue Reading
11.13.18
Peters Opening Remarks at Field Summit on PFAS Contamination
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management, today convened a subcommittee field summit in Grand Rapids, MI on contamination from Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). The summit focused on how exposure to these chemicals impacts Michigan communities and will inform potential federal actions to support local efforts to address PFAS contamination. You can watch Senator Peters' opening remarks and … Continue Reading
11.11.18
Peters Statement Honoring Veterans Day
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve and the son of a World War II veteran, today released the following statement in recognition of Veterans Day: "From the Revolutionary War to modern day conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, generations of Michigan veterans have served our country with honor and distinction. On Veterans Day, we pay tribute to the service of America's soldiers, sailors, air… Continue Reading
11.08.18
Peters, Cornyn Introduce Bill to Expand Opportunity for Disabled Veterans in Highway Projects
WASHINGTON, D.C. - During National Veterans Small Business Week, U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) today announced bipartisan legislation to help expand the number of infrastructure contracts awarded to small businesses run by veterans with a service-connected disability. The Disabled-Veterans Rebuilding Infrastructure to Vitalize our Economy (DRIVE) Act creates a goal that 5% of the funding authorized in the last highway bill be extended to Service-connected Disabled Veter… Continue Reading
11.02.18
Peters to Convene Field Summit on PFAS Contamination in Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) will convene a Senate subcommittee field summit titled "Local, State and Federal Response to PFAS Contamination in Michigan" at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, November 13th in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Federal Spending Oversight & Emergency Management Subcommittee summit will highlight how exposure to PFAS chemicals impacts Michigan communities and inform potential federal actions to support local efforts to address PFAS contamination. The summit will… Continue Reading
