Press Releases
Peters Statement on Papal Address to Congress
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement following the address to Congress by Pope Francis: "Pope Francis is an inspiring figure whose message of compassion and justice for all has resonated with people around the world. His calls to fight economic inequality and poverty, support the least among us and protect our planet give hope to millions and are an important reminder of what we should all aspire to achieve. I was pleased to have the opportunity to hea… Continue Reading
09.23.15
Peters, Stabenow Introduce Bill to Protect Great Lakes From Oil Spills, Improve Pipeline Safety
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today introduced the Pipeline Improvement and Preventing Spills Act to ban shipping of crude oil by vessel on the Great Lakes and require a comprehensive, top-to-bottom review of hazardous pipelines in the region. This legislation would also assess the current status of oil spill response and cleanup plans, require ice cover be part of worst-case scenarios in response plans, increase public information about pipelines for local … Continue Reading
09.22.15
Peters, Stabenow Announce More than $2 Million to Hire Officers for West Michigan Police Departments
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced more than $2 million in assistance to hire and retain law enforcement officers for police departments in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. The grants are part of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program (CHP) and are administered by the U.S. Department of Justice COPS Office. "It is essential for police and community members to work together to make public safety a priority," said Senator Peters. "Thi… Continue Reading
09.22.15
Peters, Stabenow Applaud $2.9 Million to Hire Officers for Southeast Michigan Police Departments
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today applauded $2.9 million in assistance to hire and retain law enforcement officers for police departments in Detroit, Harper Woods, Taylor and Redford. The grants are part of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program (CHP) and are administered by the U.S. Department of Justice COPS Office. "It is essential for police and community members to work together to make public safety a priority," said Senator Peter… Continue Reading
09.22.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow: “Top Pipeline Safety Official Will Participate in First-Ever Straits of Mackinac Pipeline Safety Drill”
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that Marie Therese Dominguez, head of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), will participate in a safety drill taking place at the Enbridge pipeline running underneath the Straits of Mackinac. The 2015 Straits of Mackinac PREP Exercise will test how efficiently private, federal, state and local responders are able to work together to manage a potential oil pipeline spill on the Great Lake… Continue Reading
09.21.15
Peters Tours Michigan State University Facility for Rare Isotope Beams
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), the Ranking Member on the Space, Science and Competitiveness Subcommittee, toured the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University and held a roundtable discussion with academic leaders and researchers from Michigan State University to gather input as the Senate Commerce Science and Transportation Committee works to formulate new legislation to shape federal science research and development priorities. "Investments in basic … Continue Reading
09.17.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Support for Three Southeast Michigan Fire Departments
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced support for the Detroit, Dearborn Heights and South Lyon Fire Departments for fire prevention efforts and to improve operations and boost safety in their communities. This support comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters grant program. "First responders are on the front lines when emergencies strike in their communities, and it is important they have the resources needed to pro… Continue Reading
09.17.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Support for Kentwood Fire Department
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $114,949 for the Kentwood Fire Department in Kent County to help improve its operations and boost safety in the community. This support comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters grant program. "First responders are on the front lines when emergencies strike in their communities, and it is important they have the resources needed to protect themselves," Senator Peters said. "With… Continue Reading
09.15.15
Peters Honors Hispanic Heritage Month
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed every year from September 15th to October 15th: "Hispanic Heritage Month is an important time to reflect upon the significant contributions Latinos have made to our country's culture and heritage. Hispanics are driving innovation and entrepreneurship in our communities, serving our nation in uniform to protect our way of life, and leading the world i… Continue Reading
09.14.15
Peters, Stabenow Announce over $650,000 for Capital Region International Airport
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that the Capital Region Airport Authority will receive $652,400 for improvements at Capital Region International Airport in Lansing, including for the rehabilitation of a taxiway and to address key issues, objectives, and goals related to safety developments. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). "Travelers to and from the Greater Lansing area count on C… Continue Reading
09.14.15
Peters, Stabenow Announce over $700,000 for Sawyer International Airport
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that Marquette County will receive $702,900 for improvements at Sawyer International Airport near Marquette, including the installation of runway fencing and runway rehabilitation. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). "Travelers to and from the Upper Peninsula count on Sawyer International Airport for safe and reliable transportation," said Senator Pete… Continue Reading
09.14.15
Peters Tours Long Road Distillers in Grand Rapids
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today toured Long Road Distillers, where he discussed bipartisan legislation he introduced to lower excise taxes for small craft distilleries. The Distillery Excise Tax Reform Act, which Peters introduced in May with Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), would lower the federal excise tax from $13.50 per proof gallon to $2.70 per proof gallon on the first 100,000 gallons produced per year. Michigan has the third highest numbe… Continue Reading
09.11.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Investment in Charlevoix Municipal Airport
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced a $86,400 grant for Charlevoix Municipal Airport from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The grant will help the airport rehabilitate its runway lighting system and groove a portion of the runway to eliminate hydroplaning. "A safe, modern and efficient transportation system is key to expanding economic growth and creating new jobs in Michigan," said Senator Peters. "This funding for the Charlevoix Airport will he… Continue Reading
09.11.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Support for Williamston Fire Department
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $76,762 for the Williamston Fire Department in Ingham County to help improve its operations and boost safety in the community. This support comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters grant program. "It is essential that first responders have the necessary resources to protect themselves when responding to an emergency, and this funding will help ensure that firefighters in Willia… Continue Reading
09.11.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Support for Royal Oak and Hamtramck Fire Departments
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced support for the Royal Oak Fire Department for fire prevention and the Hamtramck Fire Department to help improve its operations and boost safety in the community. This support comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters grant program. "It is essential that first responders have the necessary resources to protect themselves when responding to an emergency," Senator Peters said. "Thi… Continue Reading
09.11.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Support for Petoskey Department of Public Safety
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $133,049 for the Petoskey Department of Public Safety's fire service to help improve its operations and boost safety in the community. This support comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters grant program. "It is essential that first responders have the necessary resources to protect themselves when responding to an emergency, and this funding will help ensure that firefighters i… Continue Reading
09.11.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Support for Springfield Fire Department
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $78,204 for the Springfield Fire Department in Calhoun County to help improve its operations and boost safety in the community. This support comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters grant program. "It is essential that first responders have the necessary resources to protect themselves when responding to an emergency, and this funding will help ensure that firefighters in Sprin… Continue Reading
09.09.15
Peters Cosponsors Legislation to Protect Seniors Receiving Preventive Cancer Screenings from Unfair Costs
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters announced today that he will be cosponsoring bipartisan legislation to ensure colorectal cancer screenings remain cost-free under Medicare. While the Affordable Care Act waives the coinsurance and deductible for many cancer screening tests, the removal of any polyp while the patient is under anesthesia reclassifies this lifesaving, preventive action as a therapeutic procedure, leaving patients with an unexpected, burdensome bill under current Medicare bi… Continue Reading
09.08.15
Peters Statement on the Iran Nuclear Deal
WASHINGTON, DC - United States Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) today issued the following statement in support of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action: "The threat of Iran's nuclear ambitions has been an issue facing the United States and the international community for almost two decades, and it has been an especially critical concern throughout my entire career in the United States Congress. During my first term in the House of Representatives, Congress passed robust sanctions in order to isolat… Continue Reading
09.04.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce More than $2 Million to Continue Cleanup of Manistique River
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality will receive $2,124,028 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to help continue the cleanup of contaminated sediment from industrial waste in the Manistique River. This support will help MDEQ develop and implement measures to remediate poly-chlorinated biphenyls (PCB) contamination in the watershed. "Michigan is blessed with an abundance in natur… Continue Reading
