Press Releases
Peters, Colleagues Urge Social Security Administration to Help Prevent Identity Theft
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) joined a bipartisan group of Senators urging the Social Security Administration to prevent identity theft by requiring financial institutions to match each customer's identity with their Social Security number when applying for loans, mortgages and credit cards. Identity thieves are increasingly stealing Social Security numbers (SSN) from children, pairing them with fake names, birth dates, and addresses to create new "synthetic" identities. The s… Continue Reading
02.15.18
Peters and Carper Press Agencies on Scott Pruitt’s Lavish Taxpayer-Funded Travel
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management Subcommittee and Tom Carper (D-DE), Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, sent letters today pressing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the General Services Administration (GSA) on recent reports of wasteful spending on excessive, taxpayer-funded travel by EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and his staff. "Administrator Pruitt's frequent tr… Continue Reading
02.15.18
Sen. Peters National Criminal Justice Commission Provision Approved by Judiciary Committee
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate Judiciary Committee today approved a provision based on bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and John Cornyn (R-TX) that would create a National Criminal Justice Commission. The commission would be tasked with conducting a top-to-bottom review and proposing recommendations to address the most pressing issues facing our nation's criminal justice system. The provision passed as part of broader sentencing reform l… Continue Reading
02.15.18
In Wake of Nassar Scandal, Peters, Cornyn & Stabenow Introduce Legislation to Hold Universities Accountable for Sexual Abuse
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), John Cornyn (R-TX) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today announced that they are introducing legislation to hold universities that receive federal funding accountable for sexual abuse cases that threaten the safety of their students. Following horrific abuses involving Larry Nassar at Michigan State University and Jerry Sandusky at Pennsylvania State University, the Senators are introducing the Accountability of Leaders in Education to Report Title I… Continue Reading
02.14.18
Peters and Burr Introduce Bill to Protect Small Businesses from Unfair Trade Practices
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Richard Burr (R-NC) today are introducing bipartisan legislation to help enforce trade laws for small and medium-sized businesses that are undercut by unfair trade practices. Under current law, the Commerce Department has the authority to self-initiate investigations into dumping and subsidies, but rarely utilizes this authority. The majority of their investigations begin only after companies or industry representatives lodge formal complaint… Continue Reading
02.13.18
Peters Floor Remarks Calling for Rural Broadband Investment
Peters: "Being connected to high-speed broadband in the 21st century is as critical to the prosperity of rural communities as being connected to running water in the 20th century." Peters: "The Administration's infrastructure proposal utterly fails to recognize the urgency for robust connectivity nationwide, especially for communities caught on the wrong side of the digital divide." WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), spoke on the Senate floor today calling on the Trump Administr… Continue Reading
02.13.18
Peters Statement on Bipartisan Trade Policy Meeting at White House
WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) issued the following statement after today's bipartisan meeting with President Trump and other administration officials on trade policy: "I was pleased to have the opportunity to attend today's meeting and discuss critical trade policy issues that have harmed businesses and workers across Michigan. Michigan's workers are the best in the world, and our products will outshine our competitors as long as there is fair competition. I am extremely concer… Continue Reading
02.08.18
Peters Floor Remarks Urging Trump Administration to Enforce Sanctions against Russia
Peters: "What kind of signal does that send to Vladimir Putin when the Administration puts the Kremlin and Russian plutocrats ahead of the United States Capitol and duly elected Members of Congress?" Peters: "The Administration should use the power provided by Congress to punish Vladimir Putin, his inner circle, and those who do business with them and enrich Putin's regime." WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, spoke on the Senate f… Continue Reading
02.08.18
Peters, Stabenow Demand Answers from Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Stalled Investigation into Equifax Data Breach
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today joined 30 of their colleagues in a letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Acting Director Leandra English demanding answers on why the CFPB has reportedly halted its investigation into the Equifax data breach that exposed the Social Security numbers and personal identification information of more than 145 million Americans, including more than 4.6 million… Continue Reading
02.07.18
Peters, Colleagues Question Mattis on Cost to Taxpayers of President Trump’s Military Parade
WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) today sent a letter to Department of Defense Secretary James Mattis to explain the impact of President Trump's directive to conduct a military parade in Washington, D.C on American taxpayers. Peters is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and a former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Na… Continue Reading
02.06.18
Peters, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Curb Improper Federal Payments to the Deceased
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters today announced that he has joined his colleagues in introducing the Stopping Improper Payments to Deceased People Act, bipartisan legislation that would help save millions of federal taxpayer dollars by curbing erroneous payments to deceased individuals. While the Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains the most complete federal database of individuals who are reported to have died, only a small number of federal agencies have access to this offi… Continue Reading
02.06.18
Peters Addresses Dysfunctional Budget Process at Federal Spending Oversight Subcommittee Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management Subcommittee, participated in a hearing on the impact of governing through stop-gap funding measures and shutdown crises. Below is the text of his opening statement as prepared for delivery and video of his remarks: Watch the Video "I'd like to extend a sincere thank you to Chairman Paul for providing a forum to engage on this topic today in a collaborative, bipartisan ma… Continue Reading
02.06.18
Peters Statement on Joe Knollenberg
WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) issued the following statement about former Congressman Joe Knollenberg: "Throughout his sixteen years of service in Congress, Joe worked tirelessly to represent the people of Southeast Michigan. He cared deeply about his country and his state, and he remained active in his community even after his service in Congress ended. Joe was a true statesman and a well-respected gentleman-exactly the kind of person you want to see in public service. My thou… Continue Reading
02.05.18
Peters Joins Bipartisan Push for Community Health Centers Funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) joined a bipartisan group of senators in calling on Senate leadership to immediately reauthorize funding for community health centers. In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (N.Y.), Peters and 66 of his Senate colleagues expressed their strong support for community health centers, which provide access to cost-effective primary and preventive care for families across the country. "Co… Continue Reading
02.01.18
Peters, Stabenow Push for Rural Broadband Investments in Infrastructure Proposal
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today joined their colleagues in a letter to President Trump urging him to include robust funding for high-speed internet in rural and underserved areas as part of any comprehensive infrastructure proposal. "In an increasingly interconnected world and global economy, we must include in our discussion of infrastructure not just roads, bridges and waterways, but also high-speed internet access. While the vast majority of Americans ha… Continue Reading
02.01.18
Peters Statement Recognizing Black History Month
WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) issued the following statement honoring Black History Month: "This February, as we commemorate Black History Month, we honor the countless ways that African Americans have shaped the story of Michigan and our remarkable nation. Through vibrant leadership and unique contributions, in areas from public service to the arts and sciences to innovation and entrepreneurship, African Americans have enriched our communities and our shared American story. "… Continue Reading
01.30.18
Peters Statement on State of the Union
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) issued the following statement after President Trump delivered his State of the Union address: "At a time when America is deeply divided, it is more important than ever that Members of Congress from both parties come together to tackle the big challenges facing our nation. I hope President Trump will make good on his commitment tonight to work with both Democrats and Republicans to pass bipartisan legislation that will rebuild our crumbling infrast… Continue Reading
01.29.18
Peters to Serve as Ranking Member on Surface Transportation Subcommittee
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that he will serve as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security. The Subcommittee is responsible for oversight of federal agencies critical to Michigan's infrastructure and transportation systems, as well as the Great Lakes. The Subcommittee has jurisdiction over the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the Saint Lawrence Seaway Dev… Continue Reading
01.26.18
Peters Announces 2018 State of the Union Guest
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that Mike Jackson, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights (MRCC), will be his guest at President Trump's State of the Union Address on Tuesday, January 30. As Congress and the President discuss putting forward an infrastructure plan, Peters and Jackson will highlight the need for any proposal to include existing protections for American workers, including abiding by prevailing wag… Continue Reading
01.25.18
Peters Floor Remarks on Need to Find Bipartisan Solutions for Long Term Spending Goals
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) spoke on the Senate floor today on the need for Congress to come together to find bipartisan, commonsense solutions to the nation's long-term spending goals. Below is video and text of his remarks as prepared for delivery: Watch the full video "I believe that every campaign for elected office in this great nation is essentially a months-long job interview with the voters. Or perhaps more accurately, it is thousands and thousands of interviews. A… Continue Reading
