Press Releases
Peters Congratulates Holland Small Business Owner on Michigan State Small Business Award Winner
EBW Electronics Chairman Earns National Recognition WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, today applauded the Chairman of EBW Electronics, Pat LeBlanc, for earning national recognition from the Small Business Administration (SBA) as a State Small Business Award Winner for 2015. The award comes during National Small Business Week, which aims to showcase small businesses nationally, promote the work small busin… Continue Reading
05.06.15
VIDEO: Peters Has Busy First 4 Months as Michigan’s New Senator
WASHINGTON, D.C. - It’s been four months now since U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) was sworn in to serve Michigan in the Senate. During that time, Senator Peters has been busy hearing directly from Michiganders and focusing on commonsense, bipartisan policies to create good-paying jobs, strengthen our economy and take care of our nation’s veterans and servicemembers. Watch the video below to see what Senator Peters has been up to over the last four months: Senator Peters held an Economic… Continue Reading
05.06.15
Peters Cosponsors Bill Supporting Veteran Entrepreneurs, Observes National Small Business Week
Bill Would Make Permanent Fee Waiver to Small Business Administration Express Loan Program WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, today announced that he is cosponsoring the Veterans Entrepreneurship Act, legislation that would make it easier for veteran-owned businesses to get access to credit. The legislation would make permanent a temporary fee waiver for the Small Business Administration (SBA)’s Express lo… Continue Reading
05.05.15
Peters Recognizes Cinco de Mayo
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement honoring the celebration of Cinco de Mayo, which commemorates the 1862 Battle of Puebla, in which Mexican forces held back an invasion by French forces: “Today as we celebrate Cinco de Mayo, we remember and honor the bravery, resilience and solidarity of the Mexican forces who fought so bravely. As communities in Michigan and across the country commemorate this historic day with parades and festivals, we celebrate… Continue Reading
05.05.15
Peters, Stabenow Announce $697,125 Federal Investment for Grand Rapids Home for Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced a $697,125 federal investment at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The funding will go towards installing emergency generators and a hot water system. This is in addition to a previously announced $446,875 federal investment for the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans which will install an anti-wander and security system. “We must keep the promises we’ve made to our se… Continue Reading
05.05.15
Peters, Stabenow Announce More Than $5 Million to Expand Access to Quality Care in Michigan
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters today announced federal support for new Michigan Community Health Center locations and to expand access to affordable and quality care. The funding comes through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Health Center New Access Point program, which was made available by the Affordable Care Act. "Michigan’s health centers provide important access to comprehensive health services and offer quality medical care for patien… Continue Reading
05.02.15
Peters Delivers Commencement Address at Oakland University
ROCHESTER, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today delivered the commencement address to Oakland University’s School of Business Administration, School of Education and Human Services, and the School of Engineering and Computer Science. Peters highlighted the outstanding education students receive at Oakland University and the importance of graduates giving back to communities. “The complex problems confronting us today require both specialized training and the ability to draw from an array… Continue Reading
05.01.15
Peters Cosponsors Bill to Support North Country Trail
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) announced today that he is cosponsoring the National Scenic Trails Parity Act to provide administrative parity within the National Park System for the country’s National Scenic Trails, including the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST) that runs through Michigan. The bill was cosponsored by former U.S. Senator Carl Levin (MI) in the last Congress. “From the northern edges of the Upper Peninsula all the way through southwest Michigan, the… Continue Reading
05.01.15
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
