Press Releases
Peters Tours Blackrocks Brewery in Marquette, Discusses Bill Supporting Small Breweries
MARQUETTE, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today toured Blackrocks Brewery in Marquette and highlighted legislation he has cosponsored that would reduce excise taxes for small breweries. The Small BREW Act supports small breweries by dropping the tax rate per barrel from $7.00 to $3.50 for the first 60,000 barrels a brewery produces. It would then save small breweries an additional $2.00 on every barrel until they hit 2 million barrels. “Michigan is home to over 150 breweries and some of t… Continue Reading
08.07.15
Peters Urges Congress to Fund New Coast Guard Icebreaker for the Great Lakes
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) announced today that he has sent a letter urging leaders of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to retain funding for a new vessel to enhance icebreaking capacity on the Great Lakes. Recent winters have brought about near record-breaking levels of ice coverage on the Great Lakes, which has seriously impaired commercial shipping and economic activity in Michigan’s … Continue Reading
08.06.15
Peters, Stabenow Applaud Support for Seven Michigan Projects to Protect, Restore Great Lakes Habitats
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow and today applauded the announcement that seven projects in Michigan will receive $2.3 million to restore coastal wetland habitats and protect water quality in the Great Lakes region. This funding, which is administered to the Sustain Our Great Lakes program by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, will be used to reduce sediment runoff, control invasive species, and protect and restore wetland habitats. "Restoring and enhanc… Continue Reading
08.06.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Great Lakes Investment to Reduce Algae Blooms in Lake Erie
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative's $113,126 investment to reduce nutrient, phosphorous, and nitrogen runoff, which are major contributors to the growth of harmful algae blooms. This support, which comes through the Great Lakes Commission and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, will help the Hillsdale Conservation District lessen runoff into the St. Joseph River, which con… Continue Reading
08.06.15
Peters Introduces Bill to Support Michigan’s Waterfront Communities
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, announced today that he joined three of his colleagues to introduce a bill to help revitalize waterfront communities, including Michigan towns and cities along the Great Lakes, rivers and inland lakes. The Waterfront Community Revitalization and Resiliency Act will support community efforts to attract water-dependent industries and investments that leverage water sustainably, revitalize neighborhoods a… Continue Reading
08.06.15
Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $97,000 for Berrien Springs Oronoko Fire Department
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that the Berrien Springs Oronoko Fire Department in Berrien County will receive $97,457 from the Department of Homeland Security’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program. The funding will go towards the recruitment and retention of first responders. “When emergencies strike, it is our first responders who are on the front lines protecting communities from harm,” said Senator Peters. “This… Continue Reading
08.06.15
Peters, Stabenow Announce Over $180,000 for Trenton Fire Department
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that the Trenton Fire Department in Wayne County will receive $180,662 in funding that can be used for professional training, personal protective equipment, modifications to facilities, and supplies that support firefighting and non-affiliated EMS operations and safety. The funds come from the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program. “It is critical the Michigan’s firefight… Continue Reading
08.06.15
Peters Cosponsors Voting Rights Legislation on 50th Anniversary of Historic Voting Rights Act
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced on the 50th anniversary of the historic Voting Rights Act of 1965 that he is cosponsoring the Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore and expand voting rights protections to prevent discrimination of voters. “The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy, and despite the Voting Rights Act being signed into law 50 years ago, voters across the country have continued to fight for access to the ballot box,” said Senator Peters. “… Continue Reading
08.05.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Introduce Bill to Recognize Historical Great Lakes Areas as National Marine Sanctuaries
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today introduced bipartisan legislation to recognize historically significant underwater areas in the Great Lakes as National Marine Sanctuaries, which would increase tourism and boost Michigan's economy. The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Assessment Act would build on the success of Thunder Bay in Alpena, which was designated in 2000 as the only freshwater marine sanctuary in the country. More than 90,000 people visited Thunder Bay l… Continue Reading
08.05.15
Peters Introduces Amendments to Cybersecurity Legislation
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced he has introduced three amendments to the bipartisan Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act, legislation that facilitates information sharing between the federal government and the private sector to help defend against cyber threats and prevent future attacks. Peters’ amendments encourage information sharing and collaboration with state, local and tribal governments, and promote cybersecurity awareness and education. Peters’ first … Continue Reading
08.05.15
Peters Introduces Bill to Scale-Up Investments for Small Advanced Manufacturing Businesses
WASHINGTON, DC - U .S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, announced today that he joined four of his colleagues to introduce the Scale-Up Manufacturing Investment Company (SUMIC) Act of 2015, legislation that increases access to capital for entrepreneurs looking to scale-up and commercialize their advanced manufacturing innovations. The legislation was also introduced by Senators Cory Booker (NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Patty Murray (WA) an… Continue Reading
08.03.15
Peters Introduces Bill Ensuring Fairness for Veterans Erroneously Discharged from Military
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that he has introduced a bipartisan bill with Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) that would help veterans who may have been erroneously given an administrative discharge from the military, rather than an honorable discharge, due to behavior resulting from mental traumas such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Peters, who is a former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, previo… Continue Reading
08.03.15
Peters Statement on Vote to Defund Planned Parenthood
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted on a bill to prohibit federal funding of Planned Parenthood: "Planned Parenthood provides important health services to 2.7 million women, men and young people in Michigan and across the country every year - including contraceptives, prenatal care, physicals and lifesaving cancer screenings they might not otherwise be able to access. I am opposed to efforts to cut off federal funding… Continue Reading
07.31.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce $3.3 Million for Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $3,345,654 for the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport. The grant comes through the U.S. Department of Transportation and will help the airport rehabilitate its runway, extend its taxiway, install taxiway lighting, and rehabilitate the concrete of its apron, which is the area of an airport where aircraft are parked. "Upgrading Michigan's transportation infrastructure is critical to creating jobs and expand… Continue Reading
07.31.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Small Business Access to Capital Act
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow introduced the Small Business Access to Capital Act of 2015, which will reauthorize and improve the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) to help Michigan small businesses grow and create jobs. The legislation builds on the successful SSBCI initiative that both lawmakers championed in the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. SSBCI funds the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and other state-led lending programs that lever… Continue Reading
07.31.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow, Shaheen Introduce Small Business Access to Capital Act
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced the Small Business Access to Capital Act, which will reauthorize and improve the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) to help small businesses grow and create jobs. The legislation builds on the successful SSBCI initiative created in the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, which has made over $1 billion available to help small businesses across the country access capital. For yea… Continue Reading
07.30.15
Senate Passes Peters Provision to Promote Vehicle-to-Infrastructure Technology in Highway Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today applauded the Senate passage of bipartisan legislation he introduced to promote the development and use of vehicle-to-infrastructure technology, which was included as a provision in the six-year highway bill passed by the Senate today. Peters introduced the Vehicle-to-Infrastructure Safety Technology Investment Flexibility Act of 2015 in June, along with Republican Senator Roy Blunt (MO) and Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow (MI). “As we… Continue Reading
07.30.15
Peters-Alexander-Stabenow Vehicle Innovation Act Advances in Senate
WASHINGTON, DC - Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) advanced in the Senate today when it was included in the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 approved by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The Vehicle Innovation Act (VIA) promotes investments in research and development of clean vehicle and advanced safety technologies that will create more fuel-efficient vehicles, reduce our nation’s dep… Continue Reading
07.30.15
Peters, Stabenow Applaud Over $2 Million for Saginaw Fire Department
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today applauded $2,017,145 in assistance for the Saginaw Fire Department to support the recruitment and retention of firefighters. The funding comes through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program. “An emergency situation can arise at any time, and we must ensure that we have enough first responders on the job to protect our communities,” said Senator Peters. “Th… Continue Reading
07.30.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Assistance for Southeast Michigan Fire Departments
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that the Washington Township Fire Department, Westland Fire Department and Inkster Fire Department will receive funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program. The Washington Township Fire Department will receive $140,394 from the AFG Program to help fund training programs, update equipm… Continue Reading
