Press Releases
Peters Statement on Automaker-California Greenhouse Gas Agreement
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement on the agreement Ford, Honda, Volkswagen and BMW reached with the California Air Resources Board regarding fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards: "Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is important to combatting climate change but it is also critical we have one strong standard for auto emissions. I am encouraged by today's announcement, which shows we can sustain stability and certainty for the auto … Continue Reading
07.24.19
Peters Statement on Department of Defense PFAS Task Force
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement on U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Mark Esper establishing a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) task force to evaluate health aspects, clean-up standards and interagency coordination surrounding PFAS contamination: "PFAS contamination has upended the lives of Michigan families across our state. When I visited Oscoda, I heard firsthand about the frustrations Michiganders had with the slow pace of t… Continue Reading
07.23.19
Peters, Blackburn Introduce Legislation to Improve VA Caregiver Program
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) today introduced legislation to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) caregiver program. According to recent reports, caregivers and veterans have been arbitrarily discharged or downgraded from the program, with benefits subsequently revoked or reduced. The VA Office of the Inspector General reported in 2018 that VA failed to adequately manage the caregiver program and recommended improvements and reforms. T… Continue Reading
07.19.19
Peters Introduces Bill to Crack Down on Deceptive Tactic Used by Robocallers
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Martha McSally (R-AZ) introduced bipartisan legislation to aid Michiganders inundated with robocalls. The Anti-Spoofing Penalties Modernization Act of 2019 would double the penalties for illegal caller-ID "spoofing," a tactic scammers often use to trick victims into answering their phone calls. Over 784 million robocalls have been placed to Michiganders so far in 2019 - includin… Continue Reading
07.18.19
Ahead of 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11 Moon Landing, Senate Passes Peters, Cruz Bipartisan Legislation to Protect the Apollo Landing Sites
WASHINGTON, DC - In advance of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing Saturday, the U.S. Senate today passed bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) to permanently protect the Apollo landing sites on the moon. Peters spoke on the Senate floor about the One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act, which would enact first-of-its-kind legal protections for the Apollo sites from intentional and unintentional disturbances by codifying exis… Continue Reading
07.16.19
VIDEO: Peters Secures Commitment to Implement Fairness for Veterans Law from Secretary of Defense Nominee at Senate Hearing
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today secured a commitment from Secretary of the Army Mark Esper, nominated to be Secretary of Defense, to implement Peters' bipartisan legislation 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 Act, which was signed into law by Preside… Continue Reading
07.16.19
Peters, Stabenow & Alexander Bill to Promote Fuel Efficient Vehicle Technologies Advances in Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) today applauded the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources' approval of bipartisan legislation they reintroduced to support research and development of clean vehicle and advanced safety technologies. The Vehicle Innovation Act would bolster investment in more energy efficient cars and trucks to help increase fuel mileage and decrease our nation's dependence on foreign oil. In the 114th … Continue Reading
07.15.19
VIDEO: Peters Helps West Bloomfield Resident and Vietnam War Veteran Claim VA Benefits in Latest Installment of ‘On the Job for Michigan’
WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters today released the latest installment of "On the Job for Michigan," a series highlighting the successful work of his office resolving cases involving federal agencies on behalf of Michiganders. West Bloomfield resident Al Morrison shared how Peters' office assisted him in claiming benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Al served in the US Air Force while stationed in the Philippines during the Vietnam War Era. He was sent to Vietnam fo… Continue Reading
07.11.19
Peters, Stabenow Recognize Military Times Soldier of the Year and Southfield Army Civil Affairs Specialist
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow last night recognized Specialist Shayn Lindquist at the Military Times Service Members of the Year Awards in Washington, where he was named Soldier of the Year. Specialist Lindquist is a member of the Army Reserve and is a civil affairs soldier with the 414th Civil Affairs Battalion in Southfield. "It's not every day you meet someone like Specialist Shayn Lindquist. He is a living example of Army values: he overcame adversity to e… Continue Reading
07.11.19
Peters, Roberts, Cornyn & Stabenow Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect America’s Domestic Food Supply and Agricultural Industries
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Pat Roberts (R-KS), John Cornyn (R-TX) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced bipartisan legislation to address the shortage of agricultural inspectors who protect our food supply and agricultural industries at the border. Agricultural inspectors work to prevent the intentional or unintentional entry of harmful plants, food, animals and goods into the United States… Continue Reading
07.10.19
Peters, Young Bill to Update Great Lakes Environmental Sensitivity Index Maps Advances in Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Todd Young (R-IN) today applauded the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation approval of bipartisan legislation they reintroduced to update the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps in the Great Lakes. The legislation would require the Great Lakes Region ESI maps to be updated for the first time in over two decades, joining maps for the East coast, West coast, and Gulf coast that have been updated more recently. It woul… Continue Reading
07.10.19
Peters, Cruz Bipartisan Legislation to Protect the Apollo Landing Sites Advances in Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) today applauded the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation approval of their bipartisan legislation that would protect the Apollo landing sites on the moon. The One Small Step to Protect Human Heritage in Space Act would provide legal recognition and protection for the Apollo sites from intentional and unintentional disturbances by codifying existing NASA preservation recommendations. The bill's advancement t… Continue Reading
07.03.19
Peters Applauds Funding for New State Veterans Homes in Metro Detroit, Grand Rapids
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, today applauded federal funding to support the construction of new veterans' homes in Michigan. The new State Veterans Home in Chesterfield Township in Metro Detroit will receive $46,150,172 and the new State Veterans Home in Grand Rapids will receive $40,929,890. The investment will come from the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) State Home Construction Grant Program, which Senator Peters ha… Continue Reading
07.01.19
After Pressing for Air Force Action, Peters Welcomes Progress to Address PFAS Contamination at Former Wurtsmith Air Force Base
WASHINGTON, DC - After calling for the U.S. Air Force to take action on PFAS contamination at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement on new developments announced today. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and the US Air Force (USAF) said that the Air Force will accelerate its efforts to address PFAS contamination at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda: "I invited Secretary Hender… Continue Reading
06.27.19
Peters Receives Update on Potential Missile Defense Site
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, received a letter from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) regarding an update for a potential new missile defense site for the East Coast. In the letter, the DoD identified Fort Drum in New York as the current preferred option "by a small margin", but noted that it is likely the most expensive option and has significant environmental challenges. Fort Custer, near Battle Creek, is considered the lea… Continue Reading
06.27.19
Peters Provisions Addressing PFAS, Supporting Servicemembers and Bolstering Michigan’s Defense Sector Pass Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Senate passed the annual national defense bill that includes provisions led and supported by U.S. Senator Gary Peters benefiting servicemembers and their families as well as Michigan's defense sector that contribute to our national security. It will also help improve efforts to address PFAS and authorize investments in infrastructure, advanced technology and important defense systems that protect U.S. security interests and our allies, including the State of Israel. The… Continue Reading
06.27.19
Peters Statement on Supreme Court’s Decision on 2020 Census Citizenship Question
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released the following statement after the United States Supreme Court ruled against the Administration's justification for including a citizenship question on the 2020 Census questionnaire: "The census plays a vital role in our democracy by making important determinations for Congressional representation and federal funding. Today's decision is a step in the ri… Continue Reading
06.27.19
Peters Statement on Supreme Court Redistricting Ruling
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on gerrymandering that will impact the redrawing of Michigan's state legislative and Congressional district boundaries: "I am disappointed in today's decision. Following the 2010 Census, the Michigan state legislature drew what has been widely regarded as some of the most gerrymandered districts in the country. Politicians shouldn't be able to pick their own voters, and Michigand… Continue Reading
06.27.19
Peters Joins Bipartisan Effort to End Government Shutdowns
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, today announced he cosponsored legislation to end government shutdowns by holding Members of Congress accountable for their failure to govern responsibly. The Government Shutdown Accountability Act, which was approved by the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee last week, would prevent another government shutdown by automatically extending funding at … Continue Reading
06.26.19
Peters, Roberts, Duckworth Bill to Raise Awareness About Vaccines, Increase Vaccination Rates, Cut Health Care Costs Advances in Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) to increase vaccination rates by raising vaccine awareness through a national campaign to combat misinformation advanced in the Senate today. The VACCINES Act was passed by the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions as part of a larger health care package. The bill would also establish grants to address vaccine-preventable diseases and woul… Continue Reading
