Press Releases
Peters Visits Grand Rapids, Discusses Growing Human Trafficking Problem in Michigan
Peters’ Legislation to Help Identify and Prevent Human Trafficking Recently Passed U.S. Senate GRAND RAPIDS, MI -Today, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) spoke at Spectrum Health’s Fred & Lena Meijer Heart Center to discuss the growing human trafficking problem in Michigan and his bipartisan legislation that passed the U.S. Senate to better train health care professionals to recognize the signs of trafficking in their patients. Peters was joined by Dr. Matthew Denenberg, Chief Medical Di… Continue Reading
04.30.15
Peters Backs New Bill to Raise the Minimum Wage to $12 by 2020
Legislation Would Give 1.2 Million Michigan Workers a Raise WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) today joined 32 of his colleagues in introducing the Raise the Wage Act, legislation that would increase the federal hourly minimum wage to $12. The bill would incrementally raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $12 in 2020 and then index the minimum wage to the increase in median hourly wages for all employees starting in 2021. It would also eliminate the tipped minimum w… Continue Reading
04.29.15
Peters, Stabenow Applaud $446,875 Federal Investment for Grand Rapids Home for Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today applauded a $446,875 federal investment in the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. The grant, which comes from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), will go towards installing an anti-wander and security system. “Our brave men and women in uniform have defended our country and freedom, and they deserve the best care possible,” said Senator Peters, a former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. “We must keep the promi… Continue Reading
04.28.15
Peters, Graham, Cornyn Introduce Bipartisan Bill Establishing a National Criminal Justice Commission
Commission Would Make Recommendations to Reduce Crime and Improve Criminal Justice System WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today introduced the bipartisan National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2015, legislation that would create a National Criminal Justice Commission to review the criminal justice system from top to bottom and propose reforms to address the most pressing issues facing the nation’s criminal justice system. Recent incidents, like the traffic stop of Flo… Continue Reading
04.24.15
Peters Cosponsors Bill Designating National Guard, Reserve Retirees as Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that he is cosponsoring the Honor America’s Guard-Reserve Act of 2015, bipartisan legislation that would redefine the definition of a veteran to include National Guard and Reserve retirees. Under current law, a veteran is only defined as servicemen and women who have served on active duty. Because no additional benefits are given under this law besides the title of veteran to National Guardsmen and Reserve retirees, there is no cost… Continue Reading
04.23.15
Peters’ Small Business Lending Bill Advances in Senate
Bipartisan Bill That Would Ensure Continuation of Key Small Business Loans Passes Small Business Committee WASHINGTON, DC - A bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) to strengthen the Small Business Administration (SBA)’s main lending program, the 7(a) loan program advanced in the Senate today when it was unanimously passed by the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. In recent years, there has been an increase in demand for 7(a) loans, from $15.2 bill… Continue Reading
04.23.15
Peters Statement on Fast Track Trade Promotion Authority Legislation
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement on the passage of fast track trade promotion authority legislation in the Senate Finance Committee: “We need trade policies that create a level playing field for American workers to compete globally. Too often, the U.S. opens its markets to foreign competition without the same level of access to those countries’ markets. While we play by the rules, other countries use tricks like currency manipulation and in… Continue Reading
04.22.15
Peters Statement on FBI’s Flawed Hair Analysis
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement in light of recent reports of flawed analysis in the FBI Laboratory’s microscopic hair comparison unit: “I believe Congress has a role to play to improve the science and standards that our criminal justice system depends on. Flawed or unscientific forensic evidence fails innocent individuals, lets criminals run free and undermines our criminal justice system. The Justice Department’s acknowledgment that the FBI … Continue Reading
04.22.15
Peters, Tillis Voice Serious Concerns to USTR Froman on Provision to Include China in TPP
Letter Questions Docking Provision to Include Future Members in Trade Agreement Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) announced today that they are leading a bipartisan letter to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman about a possible special docking provision that could allow for the future addition of countries like China to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). “The Chinese government has consistently intervened in currency markets to manipulat… Continue Reading
04.22.15
On Earth Day, Peters Cosponsors Bill to Permanently Authorize and Fully Fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) announced today that he is co-sponsoring legislation to permanently authorize and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which is set to expire September 30. The LWCF uses revenues from offshore oil and gas to create and protect national parks, areas around rivers and lakes, national forests, and national wildlife refuges, and to provide matching grants for state and local parks and recreation projects. The Land and Water Conserv… Continue Reading
04.22.15
Senators Stabenow, Peters Announce Support for Southeast Michigan Fire Departments
WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters today announced support for four fire departments in Southeast Michigan to improve operations and safety. These grants come through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and the Fire Prevention and Safety Program. The Ann Arbor Fire Department will receive $357,050; the Garden City Fire Department will receive $163,691; the Warren Fire Department will receive $79,546; and Bloomfield … Continue Reading
04.22.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Support for Saugatuck Township Fire District
WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters today announced $137,620 for the Saugatuck Township Fire District in Allegan County. This grant comes through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and the Fire Prevention and Safety Program. “Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep our families, homes, and communities safe,” said Stabenow. “These new resources will help our fire departments buy the equipment th… Continue Reading
04.22.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Support for Mount Forest Township Volunteer Fire Department
WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters today announced $132,667 for the Mount Forest Township Volunteer Fire Department in Bay County. This grant comes through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and the Fire Prevention and Safety Program. “Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep our families, homes, and communities safe,” said Stabenow. “These new resources will help the Mount Forest Fire Departme… Continue Reading
04.22.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Support for Mackinac Island Fire Department
WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters today announced $20,477 for the Mackinac Island Fire Department. This grant comes through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and the Fire Prevention and Safety Program. “Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep our families, homes, and communities safe,” said Stabenow. “These new resources will help the Mackinac Island Fire Department buy the equipment they ne… Continue Reading
04.22.15
Peters’ Bill to Help Identify and Prevent Human Trafficking Passes the Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The bipartisan bill to help identify and prevent human trafficking introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Bill Cassidy (LA) passed the Senate today as part of a broader package of human trafficking legislation. The Trafficking Awareness Training for Health Care Centers Act of 2015 will establish a pilot program to better train health care professionals to recognize the signs of trafficking in their patients. “Human trafficking is a serious problem in Michigan, and… Continue Reading
04.21.15
Peters Statement on Deployment of 127th Wing at Selfridge to Support Fight Against ISIS
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement after it was announced that approximately 350 Airmen from the 127th Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard, based at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, and twelve A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft have deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, the mission to eliminate ISIS: “The brave men and women in the National Guard always stand ready to serve and defend our nation against those wishing to do us har… Continue Reading
04.20.15
Peters Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Increase Small Business Lending
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, today announced he has introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure the Small Business Administration (SBA)’s main lending program, the 7(a) loan program, can continue to meet the increasing small business demand for loans. In recent years, there has been an increase in demand for 7(a) loans, from $15.2 billion in FY2012 to $19.2 billion in FY2014, including $1.2 billion in lending to ov… Continue Reading
04.20.15
Peters, Stabenow Announce $34,241 Investment for Veterans Housing in Upper Peninsula
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced a $34,241 investment in the Upper Peninsula to provide assistance to help end veteran homelessness. The assistance is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program. “Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line to defend our country, and we must ensure they have our full support when they return home and beg… Continue Reading
04.20.15
Peters, Stabenow Announce $99,691 Investment for Veterans Housing in Lansing Area
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced today a $99,691 investment in the Lansing area to provide assistance to help end veteran homelessness. The assistance is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program. “Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line to defend our country, and we must ensure they have our full support when they return home and … Continue Reading
04.20.15
Peters, Stabenow Announce $235,635 Investment for Veterans Housing in West Michigan
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced a $235,635 investment in West Michigan to provide assistance to help end veteran homelessness. The assistance is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program. “Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line to defend our country, and we must ensure they have our full support when they return home and begin th… Continue Reading
