Press Releases
Peters Visits Grand Rapids on Economic Listening Tour
Peters Tours Grand Valley State University Colleges of Engineering, Health Professions GRAND RAPIDS, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters today toured the Grand Valley State University College of Engineering and the College of Health Professions on the second day of his Michigan Economic Listening Tour, where he saw firsthand some of the latest advances in innovative technology being used to train our workforce and develop the next generation of engineers. As a new member of the Senate Commerce… Continue Reading
02.16.15
Peters Visits Kalamazoo on Economic Listening Tour
Peters Highlights Importance of Skilled Workforce at WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine KALAMAZOO, MI -U.S. Senator Gary Peters today launched his Michigan Economic Listening Tour with a visit to the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine to discuss the importance of building an educated workforce to fill jobs in emerging industries like life sciences and biomedical research. As a new member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, … Continue Reading
02.13.15
Peters, Stabenow Cosponsor Great Lakes Protection Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Michigan's U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow, Co-chair of the Great Lakes Task Force, and Gary Peters, member of the Great Lakes Task Force, today announced they are cosponsoring the bipartisan Great Lakes Ecological and Economic Protection Act (GLEEPA), a bill which would bolster ongoing efforts to protect and restore one of Michigan's most important ecological treasures by equipping communities with the tools they need to combat invasive species, protect wildlife habitats and impr… Continue Reading
02.13.15
Peters Announces Michigan Economic Listening Tour
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Gary Peters announced that he will launch a Michigan Economic Listening Tour next week, meeting with Michigan businesses, educators and workers to hear from different segments of the state’s economy about how he can best represent them in Washington. Senator Peters was recently appointed to serve on the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, where he focuses on a range of economic and sm… Continue Reading
02.12.15
Peters Cosponsors Legislation to Protect Internet Access
Legislation Would Permanently Extend Ban on Taxing Internet Access WASHINGTON, DC -U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that he is cosponsoring the bipartisan Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act, which would permanently extend the moratorium preventing state and local governments from imposing new taxes on Internet access. “Small businesses and entrepreneurs are the engines of job creation and economic growth in Michigan, and access to the Internet is vital as they work to sell … Continue Reading
02.12.15
Peters Announces Key Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee Assignments
Peters to Serve as Ranking Member of Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard Subcommittee WASHINGTON, DC -U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, announced that he has been appointed to serve as Ranking Member on the Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard Subcommittee. Peters was also named to the Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security; the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovat… Continue Reading
02.11.15
Peters Cosponsors Bill to Complete North Country National Scenic Trail
Legislation Protects Wilderness and Promotes Tourism and Recreation across Michigan WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that he is cosponsoring the North Country National Scenic Trail Route Adjustment Act which would revise the North Country National Scenic Trail Route (NCNST) to protect environmentally sensitive areas of the trail and extend it into Vermont to connect with the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. “Thousands of people come to the North Country… Continue Reading
02.10.15
Peters Announces Southeast Michigan Regional Director
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) announced that Don DeFoe will serve as his Southeast Michigan Regional Director. “I am pleased that Don will be joining my team in Michigan,” said Senator Peters. “I am confident that Don's breadth of experience throughout our state, his strong roots in Detroit and his commitment to serving Michigan's middle class families make him an ideal fit to lead my Southeast office operations.” DeFoe, a native of Detroit and current resident of S… Continue Reading
02.06.15
Senator Peters Statement on Air Force’s Proposal to Retire A-10 Aircraft Fleet
Selfridge Air National Guard Base Home to Over 20 A-10 Aircraft WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today expressed his disappointment following the U.S. Air Force’s announcement of its intent to retire the A-10 aircraft from Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Fiscal Year 2017. The A-10 is currently conducting operations against ISIS, and over 20 A-10s are based at Selfridge in Macomb County. “With threats from ISIS and instability in other parts of the world, the A-10 f… Continue Reading
02.04.15
Peters Cosponsors Bill to Ensure Equal Treatment for Military Spouses
Legislation Extends Benefits to Same-Sex Couples Regardless of Residency WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) has cosponsored the Charlie Morgan Military Spouses Equal Treatment Act, legislation that will extend veterans benefits to same-sex military couples and dependents regardless of the state they live in. Under current law, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is unable to provide benefits to certain same-sex couples who reside in states like Michigan that do not recogn… Continue Reading
02.03.15
Peters Recognizes Black History Month
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement honoring the celebration of Black History Month: “Throughout the month of February, we come together as Michiganders and as Americans to celebrate Black History Month and reflect on the tremendous contributions African Americans have made to our country. From community leaders to entrepreneurs to educators, African Americans have helped shape and enrich our communities. Their many contributions serve as a constant… Continue Reading
02.03.15
Gary Peters Applauds Passage of Veterans Suicide Prevention Bill
Peters Cosponsored Senate Version of Bill That Now Heads to the President’s Desk WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today applauded unanimous passage in the Senate of the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention For American Veterans Act. Peters cosponsored the Senate version of the bipartisan legislation that would improve mental health care and suicide prevention for veterans. The legislation unanimously passed the House of Representatives earlier this month and now heads to the Presid… Continue Reading
02.03.15
Peters Statement on Homeland Security Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, DC -U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released the following statement on the need for a clean, full-year funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security: “At a time when America faces serious threats to our national security from adversaries across the globe, there should be no question that Congress must provide funding for the Department of Homeland Security. From cybersecurity and counterterrorism t… Continue Reading
02.02.15
Peters Statement on President’s Budget
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement after the release of the President’s FY 2016 budget: “America cannot govern on short-term, continuing resolutions that lead to instability, and Congress and the President should work together on a bipartisan basis to develop a budget proposal that strengthens our middle class and best reflects our values as a nation. I agree that sequestration is a misguided policy that jeopardizes our continued economic rec… Continue Reading
01.29.15
Peters Announces Key Homeland Security Subcommittee Assignments
WASHINGTON, DC -U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee, announced his appointment to two key subcommittees overseeing federal spending and services. Peters was named to the Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management (FSO) and the Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management (RAFM). “I am honored to serve on these two important subcommittees to provide greater oversight of government spe… Continue Reading
01.29.15
Peters Cosponsors Legislation to Prevent Veteran Suicide
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters today announced he has cosponsored the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention For American Veterans Act, bipartisan legislation that would improve mental health care and suicide prevention for veterans. It is estimated that around 22 veterans succumb to suicide each day, often without the resources that would have prevented the suicide. The bill passed the House of Representatives earlier this year. “Our brave men and women have risked their lives to protect ou… Continue Reading
01.28.15
Peters Statement Senate Passage of Keystone XL Pipeline Bill
WASHINGTON, DC -Below is a statement from U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) on today’s Senate passage of legislation authorizing construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline: “There are still many outstanding questions on the environmental impact of building the Keystone XL Pipeline, and I do not believe Congress should expedite this project without knowing the full risks to our environment and public health. I am disappointed that the Senate failed to pass my commonsense amendments that would protec… Continue Reading
01.27.15
Peters, Stabenow Denounce Republican Opposition to Protecting Michigan’s Environment
Peters & Stabenow Introduced Amendment to Increase Oversight of Aging Pipelines WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow expressed disappointment after their amendment to protect Michigan’s environment and enhance oversight over aging pipelines in the Great Lakes, such as those underneath the Straits of Mackinac, was defeated today. The amendment, which was offered during Senate consideration of legislation authorizing construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline, was o… Continue Reading
01.27.15
Peters Joins Senate Great Lakes Task Force
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters today announced he has joined the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, a bipartisan working group made up of Senators representing the states bordering the Great Lakes. Peters will work with Great Lakes Task Force co-chair Senator Debbie Stabenow and his colleagues in the Senate to preserve and protect our Great Lakes, highlight the economic benefits that come from the Great Lakes and the need to combat threats from invasive species, including Asian Carp. As a… Continue Reading
01.26.15
Peters Sponsors Measures to Improve Transparency and Reform Campaign Finance System
WASHINGTON, DC - Following the 5th anniversary of the Citizens United v. FEC decision last week, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) cosponsored two measures to repair the broken campaign finance system and increase openness and transparency in government. Peters cosponsored a constitutional amendment to ensure that every American has a voice in our political system by giving Congress the authority to regulate campaign finance laws, including the authority to set reasonable limits on money raised a… Continue Reading
