Press Releases
Peters Joins Colleagues in Introducing Bill to Improve Inclusion in STEM Fields
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that he joined his colleagues in introducing the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Opportunities Act, legislation that would improve inclusion of women, minorities, and people with disabilities in STEM careers. "By expanding access to STEM disciplines in schools and sharing best practices for recruitment and retention in STEM careers, we can help more women and minorities become engaged in science, technology, engi… Continue Reading
04.08.16
Peters Leads Colleagues in Calling for Funding to Support First Mars Missions
WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) led a bipartisan group of 16 Senators to call for strong funding for NASA's Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System (SLS) in a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies. The Orion spacecraft and SLS rocket are the cornerstone programs of NASA's ongoing human space exploration efforts. "Exploring deep space is vital to inspiring our future innovators and stimula… Continue Reading
04.07.16
Peters Cosponsors Bill to Establish National Commission on Security and Technology Challenges
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, today announced that he has cosponsored bipartisan legislation to establish an independent National Commission on Security and Technology Challenges. The digital security Commission will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders - including tech leaders, law enforcement, the intelligence community, privacy and civil liberties advocates, encryption researchers, and global commerce leaders - wh… Continue Reading
03.31.16
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Direct Flight from Lansing to Washington D.C. Will Resume
Washington D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that direct service from Michigan's capital to the nation's capital will resume, benefiting local businesses and supporting economic growth in Mid-Michigan. The U.S. Department of Transportation has granted American Airlines a slot exemption to provide direct service after Sun Country Airlines stopped service last October. American Airlines could resume nonstop service as soon as June 29, 2016. "Direct service betwe… Continue Reading
03.31.16
Peters Statement on New Study Illustrating Potential Dangers from an Oil Spill Near Straights of Mackinac
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters issued the following statement today in response to a new study from University of Michigan Water Center researcher Dave Schwab that illustrated the potential danger of an oil spill near the Straits of Mackinac: "The study released by University of Michigan today serves as further proof that an oil spill near the Straits of Mackinac poses serious threats to Michigan's Great Lakes and our way of life. Michiganders rely on the Great Lakes for tourism, rec… Continue Reading
03.30.16
Peters Applauds Restoration of Iconic Grand Rapids Tire Swing
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today applauded the restoration of the tire swing to the "Motu Viget" art installation at the Gerald R. Ford Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse. Peters recently sent a letter to the Government Services Administration (GSA) urging the agency to expedite the safety enhancements needed to complete the restoration of the tire swing and ensure the "Motu Viget" installation will be available for future generations to enjoy. "The "Motu Viget" tire swi… Continue Reading
03.29.16
Peters Visits Mott Community College in Flint to Highlight Bipartisan Legislation to Make College More Affordable & Accessible
FLINT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today visited Mott Community College in Flint to highlight bipartisan, bicameral legislation he introduced to expand options for high school students to obtain college credit, making higher education more affordable and accessible while improving high school and college graduation rates. Peters' Making Education Affordable and Accessible Act (MEAA) would expand access to dual and concurrent enrollment programs and early/middle college programs by providi… Continue Reading
03.28.16
Peters Visits Oakland Community College, Hosts Student Roundtable to Highlight New Bill to Make College More Affordable & Accessible
ROYAL OAK, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today visited Oakland Community College's Royal Oak campus to highlight bipartisan, bicameral legislation he introduced to expand options for high school students to obtain college credit, making higher education more affordable and accessible while improving high school and college graduation rates. Peters also hosted a roundtable discussion with students participating in the Oakland Accelerated College Experience (ACE) program to hear more about th… Continue Reading
03.24.16
Peters Cosponsors Legislation Supporting Small Business Lending
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, today announced he has cosponsored bipartisan legislation supporting the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)'s flagship lending program, the 7(a) loan program. The Help Small Businesses Access Affordable Credit Act would authorize the SBA Administrator to increase the 7(a) program loan limit by up to 10% in a fiscal year, without legislative action. The 7(a) program has rece… Continue Reading
03.21.16
Senators Urge Full Funding of the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) and a bipartisan group of 25 Senators are urging for full funding of the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program in fiscal year (FY) 2017. This program is critical to the 251,000 abused or neglected children who have highly trained and deeply dedicated CASA advocates appointed on their behalf, and to the 451,000 child victims who are still waiting for the presence of a consistent, caring adult to speak for their best interests in the courtr… Continue Reading
03.21.16
Peters Leads Colleagues in Calling for Increased Funding for Connected and Automated Vehicle Technologies
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) was joined by Senators Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Sherrod Brown (OH) in calling for full funding of the Department of Transportation's (DOT) efforts to advance connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technology. In a letter to Chairman and Vice Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, the Senators wrote, "The auto industry is in the midst … Continue Reading
03.16.16
Peters’ Amendments to FAA Bill Pass in Commerce Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee today approved two amendments introduced by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) as part of legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The first provision helps the Michigan Air National Guard's 110th Attack Wing maintain its operations in Battle Creek, and the second measure supports the operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly referred to as drones, by higher education institutions for … Continue Reading
03.16.16
Peters Statement on President Obama’s Nomination of Merrick Garland to Serve on the U.S. Supreme Court
WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senator Gary Peters issued the following statement on President Obama's nomination of Merrick Garland, who currently serves as Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, to serve on the United States Supreme Court: "The President has a constitutional responsibility to nominate Justices to the Supreme Court, and the Senate has a constitutional responsibility to consider those nominees. I am pleased that President Obama fulfilled… Continue Reading
03.16.16
Sen. Peters Opening Statement at Commerce Committee Hearing on Self-Driving Cars & the Future of the Auto Industry
WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) participated in the Senate Commerce Committee hearing on self-driving cars and the future of the auto industry. Below is the text of his opening statement as prepared for delivery and video of his remarks: "As a Senator representing Michigan and the Motor City, I am thrilled by the incredible developments in our auto industry. US auto manufacturers are forming innovative partnerships and creating new jobs that will lead to extraordinary breakthrou… Continue Reading
03.14.16
Peters Visits Lansing Community College to Highlight Bipartisan Legislation to Make College More Affordable & Accessible
LANSING, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today visited Lansing Community College to highlight bipartisan, bicameral legislation he has introduced to expand options for high school students to obtain college credit, making higher education more affordable and accessible while improving high school and college graduation rates. The Making Education Affordable and Accessible Act (MEAA) would expand access to dual and concurrent enrollment programs and early/middle college programs by providing g… Continue Reading
03.11.16
Senators Peters, Stabenow Applaud Over $3 Million Award to Michigan Community Health Centers for Substance Abuse Treatment
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today applauded an over $3 million award to 10 Michigan Community Health Centers. The funding, which will be used to improve and expand access to substance abuse services, comes through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and was made available by the Affordable Care Act. "Michigan's Community Health Centers provide critical support and treatment to patients struggling with substance and opioid ab… Continue Reading
03.10.16
Peters, Perdue Introduce Legislation to Enhance Cybersecurity Coordination
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and David Perdue (R-GA) today announced they are introducing bipartisan legislation to promote better coordination of cybersecurity efforts between Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and state and local governments. The State and Local Cyber Protection Act will enhance ongoing collaboration efforts between the DHS's National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC), which shares information regarding cybersecurity vulnerabi… Continue Reading
03.03.16
Peters Pipeline Safety Provisions Pass the Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate today unanimously passed bipartisan legislation U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) introduced with Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Steve Daines (R-MT) to reauthorize the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) through 2019, and improve pipeline safety and oversight. The legislation, entitled the Securing America's Future Energy: Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (SAFE PIPES) Act, included several pipe… Continue Reading
03.03.16
Peters Statement on HHS Dept. Announcement of Expanded Medicaid Eligibility in Flint
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement following an announcement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that they have approved the State of Michigan's waiver request to expand additional Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women and residents impacted by the Flint water crisis up to age 21: "One of the most effective ways to help minimize the long-term impacts of lead exposure is quality, accessible health care. I am pleased tha… Continue Reading
03.03.16
Peters Pipeline Safety Provisions Pass the Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate today unanimously passed bipartisan legislation U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) introduced with Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Steve Daines (R-MT) to reauthorize the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) through 2019, and improve pipeline safety and oversight. The legislation, entitled the Securing America's Future Energy: Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (SAFE PIPES) Act, includes several pipe… Continue Reading
