Press Releases
Peters, Stabenow Demand Trump Exempt Entire VA from Hiring Freeze
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters, a former Lt. Commander in the Navy Reserve, and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow joined a group of 53 members of Congress to demand President Trump exempt the entire VA and all veterans seeking federal jobs from his executive order that freezes federal hiring. The Senate and House Members say Trump's hiring freeze will have devastating impacts on veterans and their families. "A hiring freeze at VA will delay veterans' access to health care and resolution o… Continue Reading
01.24.17
Peters, Stabenow, Kildee: “President Trump, Don’t Jeopardize Flint Funding”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, and Congressman Dan Kildee today urged President Trump not to jeopardize much-needed federal funding for Flint following his directive to halt all Environmental Protection Agency grants and agreements. The lawmakers sent a letter to the President to inquire whether his decision applies to the funding Congress passed with strong, bipartisan support to help address the City of Flint's drinking water crisis. "We write to re… Continue Reading
01.24.17
Peters Statement in Opposition to Rex Tillerson Nomination as Secretary of State
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees, today released the following statement in opposition of former Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil Rex Tillerson's nomination to be Secretary of State: "Like many Americans, I was alarmed by the intelligence community's conclusion that Russia was behind the cyber-attacks and misinformation campaign designed to interfere with our election. Russia's continued aggression in Ukraine … Continue Reading
01.24.17
Peters’ Remarks in Opposition of Betsy DeVos for Education Secretary
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters spoke on the floor on the U.S. Senate in opposition of the nomination of Betsy DeVos to serve as Secretary of the Department of Education. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery and a link to the video: Click here to watch the video "Madame President, I rise today to speak on the nomination of Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education. "Public education is deeply personal for me. "I am proud to have attended Michigan public schools and … Continue Reading
01.24.17
Senate Committee Approves Bipartisan Space Weather Prediction Legislation
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today unanimously approved the Space Weather Research and Forecasting Act, bipartisan legislation introduced earlier this month by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Roger Wicker (R-MS), and cosponsored by Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). The bill aims to better predict and mitigate the impacts of the extreme space weather events, including solar flares and coronal mass ejections, … Continue Reading
01.23.17
Peters Statement on Senate Vote to Confirm Mike Pompeo for CIA Director
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees, today released the following statement after his vote against the nomination of U.S. Representative Mike Pompeo to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA): "Last week, I supported two of President Trump's national security cabinet nominees because I believe they will act as a balance to the President's unpredictable words and actions. However, I have very seriou… Continue Reading
01.23.17
Peters Statement on President’s Move to Withdraw from Trans-Pacific Partnership
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement after President Trump signed an executive order to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement. Last week, Peters cosponsored legislation requiring the President to withdraw from TPP. "We need fair trade policies that build a level playing field where American workers can compete and succeed. I have long opposed the TPP because it fails to address unfair labor practices and foreign currency… Continue Reading
01.19.17
Peters Statement Condemning Bomb Threats Against Jewish Community Centers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Below is a statement U.S. Senator Gary Peters issued following the rise in bomb threats to more than 30 Jewish community centers across the country, including the Jewish Community Center of Metro Detroit: "I am extremely troubled by the rise in reported anti-Semitic threats and recent suspected plots to attack Jewish community centers in Michigan and across the country. Michigan has a proud tradition as a welcoming and diverse state, and I condemn these threats that seek to m… Continue Reading
01.19.17
Peters, Stabenow Applaud $50,000 Grant for Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today applauded a $50,000 grant to the Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The grant was awarded by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation for the "Get Into Your Sanctuary" campaign, which supports sustainable tourism and encourages public engagement and stewardship of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. "Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is a rich and unique part of our Great Lakes history and ecosystem t… Continue Reading
01.17.17
Peters, Gardner, Booker & Wicker Reintroduce Bill to Improve Space Weather Prediction
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) announced today they introduced the Space Weather Research and Forecasting Act, legislation that would help improve efforts to predict space weather events and mitigate their impacts on Earth and in space. Space weather events, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections, are caused by naturally occurring changes in emissions from the sun, and can result in costly and dangerous … Continue Reading
01.16.17
Peters, Stabenow Applaud National Parks Service Investment to Preserve Michigan Civil Rights History
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today applauded the announcement of funding for two Michigan projects that will preserve and highlight the sites and stories of the Civil Rights Movement in Michigan. The Michigan State Historic Preservation Office will receive a $49,500 grant to conduct a survey of Detroit's African American Civil Rights History from 1900 to 1970, and Hamtramck Stadium will receive $50,000 to fund park pre-development to rehabilitate the historic si… Continue Reading
01.16.17
Peters Statement on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: "As we honor the legacy of civil rights icon Martin Luther King, Jr., we remember his steadfast dedication to the pursuit of justice, equality and tolerance for people of all different backgrounds and beliefs, and celebrate his commitment to protecting our fundamental civil rights. Dr. King sought to bring Americans from all walks of life together to strengthen our count… Continue Reading
01.12.17
Sen. Peters Votes to Move Forward on General Mattis’ Nomination for Defense Secretary
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Below is a statement from U.S. Senator Gary Peters on today's vote in the Senate to pass legislation providing an exception to the limitation on being appointed Secretary of Defense within seven years of serving as an active duty commissioned officer of the Armed Forces. Defense Secretary nominee General James Mattis retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 2013, short of the seven year requirement. "Our men and women in uniform and their families make immense personal sacrifice… Continue Reading
01.12.17
Senators Peters, Stabenow Urge Army Corps to Complete Brandon Road Study to Stop Spread of Asian Carp
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) sent a letter to Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to release new plans for ways to prevent Asian carp and other aquatic invasive species from reaching Lake Michigan. The study will recommend specific measures to prevent Asian carp from getting beyond the Brandon Road Lock and Dam, a crucial chokepoint in the Chicago waterway system. Given the proxim… Continue Reading
01.12.17
Peters, Stabenow Applaud ITC Anti-Dumping Decision Against Foreign Built Washing Machines
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow applauded a recent ruling by the U.S. International Trade Commission that foreign manufacturers of washing machines were engaging in unfair trade practices, deliberately undercutting the Michigan-based Whirlpool Corporation. Last year, Senators Peters and Stabenow urged the Department of Commerce to move forward in addressing these dumping violations, which include selling artificially low-priced and Chinese manufactured washers in t… Continue Reading
01.11.17
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce over $12.8 Million for Flint Mass Transportation Authority
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that the Flint Mass Transportation Authority will receive $12,800,000 to purchase 32 new Compressed Natural Gas transit buses and provide a workforce development training program for mechanics and drivers. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration. "Reliable, safe public transportation is critical for communities to grow and prosper. This grant will help Flint re… Continue Reading
01.10.17
Peters, Stabenow Applaud $200,000 Brownfield Grant for DTE Energy Rouge River Plant
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today applauded an announcement from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that Wayne County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority will receive a $200,000 Brownfield Grant to fund a cleanup and redevelopment plan for DTE Energy Rouge River Power Plant in downtown River Rouge. "I applaud this grant, which will help attract private investment in the community, stimulate the economy with new jobs and improve the health of River R… Continue Reading
01.09.17
Peters Statement on Meeting with Secretary of Transportation Nominee Elaine Chao
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and co-founder of the Smart Transportation Caucus, released the following statement after meeting with Elaine Chao, the nominee for U.S. Secretary of Transportation: "I appreciated the opportunity to meet with Elaine Chao and discuss a number of transportation issues critical to Michigan and the nation. During our meeting, I was able to raise the importance of connected and automated v… Continue Reading
01.06.17
President Signs Peters-Gardner American Innovation and Competitiveness Act into Law
Washington, DC - President Obama today signed into law the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, a bicameral, bipartisan legislative compromise originally introduced by Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Cory Gardner (R-CO), along with John Thune (R-SD), and Bill Nelson (D-FL). The first major update to federal research and technology policy to originate in the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee in more than a decade, this legislation maximizes basic research opportunitie… Continue Reading
12.23.16
Sen. Peters’ Fairness for Veterans Amendment Signed into Law
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, President Obama signed into law a bipartisan provision introduced by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) to help veterans who may have been erroneously given a less than honorable discharge from the military due to negative behavior resulting from mental traumas such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The Fairness for Veterans amendment, which Peters authored, was included in the final National Defense Authorization Act conference report t… Continue Reading
