Press Releases
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Legislation to Hold Pension Fund Executives Accountable if Retirees’ Benefits are Cut
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Gary Peters (D-MI) today announced the introduction of the Pension Fund Integrity Act of 2016 (S. 2894), which would cut pay and prevent raises and bonuses for top pension fund executives if retirees' benefits are cut. The Central States Pension Fund has submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Treasury that would drastically cut pension benefits for roughly 270,000 retirees across the country. If approved, some retirees could see their pensions… Continue Reading
04.29.16
Sens. Peters, Heitkamp & Heller Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Dialogue Between Small Businesses & Federal Regulators
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), and Dean Heller (R-NV) this week introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure small businesses have a seat at the table as new federal rules are made on how small businesses can raise funding and access the resources they need to succeed. The SEC Small Business Advocate Act would establish clear lines of communication between small businesses and the federal rule makers, allowing small businesses to advocate for policies … Continue Reading
04.29.16
Peters Urges Reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools Program
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today joined a bipartisan group of Senators urging Senate leaders to work to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program for Fiscal Year 2016. SRS helps pay for schools, roads, forest health projects and emergency response services in rural counties that include national forest land, which is not subject to property taxes. The SRS program expired at the end of Fiscal Year 2015, and as a result, many forest counties in Northern Michigan and th… Continue Reading
04.28.16
Senators Peters, Stabenow: Bipartisan Flint Agreement Passes Senate Committee
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Gary Peters (D-MI) today announced that the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works passed their bipartisan agreement to help families in Flint and other communities across the country. Their agreement was part of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which passed committee 19-1 and is ready for a vote before the full Senate. "Today, thanks to support from Republicans and Democrats, we are another step closer to pas… Continue Reading
04.28.16
Peters Urges Administration to Renew & Strengthen Security MOU with Israel
WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) and a bipartisan group of 83 Senators are urging President Obama to reach a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Israel to help ensure Israel can meet its long-term defense needs. Israel faces a variety of threats, from Hamas attempting to rebuild tunnels while growing their weapons inventory, to Hezbollah positioning rockets and missiles to Israel's north, to disorder in Syria bringing new dangers. The letter urges the President to support a… Continue Reading
04.28.16
Peters Statement on Meeting with U.S. Supreme Court Nominee Judge Merrick Garland
WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senator Gary Peters issued the following statement after his meeting with President Obama's U.S. Supreme Court Nominee Judge Merrick Garland, who currently serves as Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit: "I'm pleased I had the opportunity to meet with Chief Judge Merrick Garland today, and I am impressed by his distinguished credentials and his thoughtful demeanor. His extensive judicial experience makes him a highly accom… Continue Reading
04.27.16
Peters Statement on Plains LPG Decision to Withdraw Request for New St. Clair Pipelines Permit
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) issued the following statement today on Plains LPG Services' decision to withdraw their request to change the scope of a permit that would allow crude oil to be transported through the St. Clair Pipelines. Earlier this year, Senator Peters and Senator Debbie Stabenow urged the State Department to extend the public comment period for consideration of a permit that would allow Plains LPG to transport crude oil through the pipelines. "An oil spill in … Continue Reading
04.26.16
Peters Statement on Flint Assistance in Water Resources Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) issued the following statement today on the inclusion of the bipartisan agreement of assistance for the Flint in the Water Resources Development Act under consideration in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee: "Senator Stabenow and I have worked tirelessly to craft a bipartisan, fully paid-for bill that puts Flint on the road to recovery and helps communities across the country meet the challenges of aging infrastructure. I thank Senat… Continue Reading
04.25.16
Sens. Peters, Vitter, Risch Introduce Bill to Help Increase Small Business Access to Patent Protections
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), David Vitter (R-LA), and Jim Risch (R-ID), who all serve on the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Committee, today announced they are introducing new bipartisan legislation to help small businesses protect their intellectual property by improving education on obtaining and protecting patents. The Small Business Innovation Protection Act will require the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)… Continue Reading
04.22.16
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Support for Marion Community Fire Department
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $108,000 for Marion Community Fire Department in Marion to help purchase equipment. This grant comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grants program. "First responders and firefighters play a critical role in keeping Marion families safe from harm," said Senator Peters. "It is important that they have the training and equipment needed to protect themselves, so that they can … Continue Reading
04.22.16
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Support for the City of Allen Park Fire Department
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $59,091 for the City of Allen Park Community Fire Department in Allen Park to help purchase equipment. This grant comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grants program. "First responders and firefighters play a critical role in keeping Allen Park families safe from harm," said Senator Peters. "It is important that they have the training and equipment needed to protect themse… Continue Reading
04.22.16
Peters, Stabenow Urge Swift Completion of Plan to Reduce Sulfur Dioxide Air Pollution
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today sent a letter urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) to reduce sulfur dioxide levels and other air pollution in Wayne County to protect the health and well-being of Michigan residents if the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) fails to submit a final State Implementation Plan (SIP) within 60 days. In July 2013, part of Wayne County was found to have sulf… Continue Reading
04.22.16
Peters Cosponsors Bill Targeting Corporate Tax Inversions
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that he has cosponsored legislation aimed at further curbing loopholes used by corporations to avoid paying taxes by moving their headquarters overseas. The Stop Corporate Inversions Act will reduce business practices known as "inversions," a practice in which American corporations merge with foreign businesses and move their tax addresses abroad. As a result, these corporations pay significantly less in U.S. taxes - even if major co… Continue Reading
04.20.16
Peters, Gardner, Booker Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Efforts to Predict Space Weather Events
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) today announced they are introducing the Space Weather Research and Forecasting Act, bipartisan legislation to improve efforts to predict and mitigate the effects of space weather events on Earth and in space. Space weather refers to conditions caused by naturally occurring variations in emissions from the sun, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections. Space weather events can disrupt the electri… Continue Reading
04.20.16
Peters-Alexander-Stabenow Vehicle Innovation Act Passes Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Senate today approved the bipartisan Vehicle Innovation Act, authored by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). The bill was included as a provision in a broader bipartisan energy bill, which passed the Senate. The Vehicle Innovation Act (VIA) promotes investments in research and development of clean vehicle and advanced safety technologies that will create more fuel-efficient vehicles, reduce our nation's dependence on fore… Continue Reading
04.20.16
Senators Peters, Stabenow and Congressman Kildee Announce Major Victory to Continue Blight Removal Efforts in Michigan
WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Senator U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI), today announced that Michigan will receive a $188.1 million award from the Hardest Hit Fund through the U.S. Department of Treasury. With today's announcement, Michigan has received a total of $262.59 million this year to continue the revitalization of neighborhoods. Earlier this year, Michigan received $74.49 million from the Hardest Hit Fund. The Hardest Hit Fund gives res… Continue Reading
04.19.16
Peters, Stabenow Urge Swift Risk Analysis & Alternatives Assessment of Line 5
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today sent a letter to the State of Michigan urging the Michigan Petroleum Pipeline Task Force to swiftly complete a full and independent risk analysis and alternatives assessment of Line 5 following a recent University of Michigan study modeling the disastrous effects of an oil spill in the Straits of Mackinac. Peters and Stabenow also encouraged the State of Michigan to immediately address any current or potential violations of s… Continue Reading
04.19.16
Peters Amendments to Support 110th Attack Wing & Educational Drone Use Pass Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today applauded Senate passage of legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which included two amendments he introduced. 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 research and educational purposes. … Continue Reading
04.15.16
Peters Joins Financial Literacy Caucus, Cosponsors Resolution Designating April as Financial Literacy Month
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that he has joined the Congressional Financial Literacy Caucus, a bipartisan caucus focused on examining policy solutions that encourage financial literacy education and help Americans develop healthy financial habits. Peters also cosponsored a resolution to designate April - the time of tax returns and college acceptance letters - as Financial Literacy Month. "During Financial Literacy Month, I am proud to join the Financial Lite… Continue Reading
04.14.16
Peters, Kirk Announce Senate Albanian Issues Caucus
WASHINGTON, DC - In conjunction with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama's visit to the United States this week, U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today announced the formation of the Senate Albanian Issues Caucus, which Peters and Kirk will co-chair. The Senate Albanian Issues Caucus will bring together key stakeholders to help shape policies that support the democratic aspirations of Albanians in Balkan countries with significant Albanian populations and strengthen relations b… Continue Reading
