Press Releases
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Nearly $1.2 Million for Muskegon County Airport
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced support for the Muskegon County Airport to rehabilitate the concrete of its apron, the area of an airport where aircraft are parked. The $1,193,767 grant comes through the U.S. Department of Transportation. "Investing in infrastructure projects is critical to creating jobs in Michigan," Peters said. "I’m proud to announce this grant, which will facilitate travel to West Michigan and economic growth in the Muskegon … Continue Reading
06.18.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Support for Marquette Fire Department
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $64,629 for the Marquette Fire Department. This grant, which comes through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, will be used to purchase 12 self-contained breathing apparatuses. “It is critical that first responders have the most up to date tools and equipment to effectively respond to emergencies, and I applaud this funding, which will ensure Marquette has the necess… Continue Reading
06.18.15
Peters Helps Pass National Defense Authorization Act
Bill Includes Key Measures Supporting A-10 Fleet, Michigan Contractors, Suppliers & Anti-Tunnel Defense WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a former Lt. Commander in the Navy Reserve, today applauded the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which sets policy for the Department of Defense (DoD) for fiscal year 2016. The bill, which Senator Peters helped pass, preserves funding for the A-10 fleet located at Selfridge Air National Guard Base and includes… Continue Reading
06.18.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Introduce Bill to Increase Support for Michigan Refugees
Current Refugee Resettlement Formula Results in Unfair Funding for Michigan WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters today introduced the Domestic Refugee Resettlement Reform and Modernization Act (S.1615) to make sure Michigan gets critical funding needed to support refugee families who settle in Michigan. Under current law, if refugees move from one state to another, the resettlement assistance often does not follow them to their new location. This results in fu… Continue Reading
06.17.15
Peters, Stabenow Applaud $25.9 Million Investment in New Buses for Detroit
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that the City of Detroit Department of Transportation will begin receiving the $25.9 million it was awarded last September to purchase 59 new transit buses and spare parts. The Ladders of Opportunity Project grant is through the Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA). “Every day, thousands of Detroiters rely on buses to get to work or drop their children off at school, and it is critica… Continue Reading
06.16.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Multi-Million Dollar Tax Credit to Support Economic Development in Michigan
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced a $55 million tax credit allocation for community development projects to grow the economy and create jobs in Michigan and three other states. The support comes through the Treasury Department's New Markets Tax Credit Program, which helps spur critical investments in low-income communities. Today's announcement will help Great Lakes Capital Fund invest in low-income areas in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wiscon… Continue Reading
06.16.15
Peters, Lankford Bipartisan Remanufacturing Bill Passes Senate
Legislation Encourages Federal Agencies to Use Remanufactured Parts for Federal Vehicle Repair WASHINGTON, DC -U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and James Lankford (R-OK) today applauded the passage in the U.S. Senate of S. 565, the Federal Vehicle Repair Cost Savings Act. Peters and Lankford introduced the measure in February, which requires federal agencies to encourage the use of remanufactured parts when doing so lowers costs, maintains quality and performance and does not compromise … Continue Reading
06.15.15
Peters Cosponsors Amendment to Combat Military Sexual Assault
Bipartisan Amendment to National Defense Authorization Act Would Improve Accountability in Military Justice System WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced he is cosponsoring a bipartisan amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to combat sexual assault in the military by increasing trust in the military justice system and decreasing the fear of reporting these crimes. The Military Justice Improvement Act would move the decision about whether to pr… Continue Reading
06.15.15
Peters Addresses Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber Breakfast
Peters Highlighted Support for Michigan’s Businesses in U.S. Senate YPSILANTI, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today addressed Washtenaw County business leaders at a breakfast hosted by the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber, where he highlighted his top priorities in the U.S. Senate, including supporting Michigan’s small businesses and stimulating job creation across the state. Peters, a member of the Senate Commerce and Small Business Committees, also heard from business leaders a… Continue Reading
06.12.15
Peters, Ayotte Introduce the Pet and Women Safety Act
Legislation Helps Protect Domestic Violence Victims and Their Pets WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) today introduced the Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act, to protect victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence from emotional and psychological trauma caused by acts or threats of violence against their pets. Multiple studies have shown that domestic abusers often seek to manipulate or intimidate their victims by threate… Continue Reading
06.12.15
Peters Applauds Funding for NASA Science Programs
Peters Also Raises Concerns on Low Level of Funding for Commercial Space Crews WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Science, Space and Competitiveness Subcommittee, today applauded the Senate Appropriations Committee’s approval of $5.3 billion for National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s science research programs for fiscal year (FY) 2016. Earlier this month, Peters sent a letter to Senator Barbara Mikulski, Vice Chairwoman of the Senate App… Continue Reading
06.11.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Urge Funding to Keep Fisheries Healthy, Strengthen Great Lakes Economy
Great Lakes Fisheries Contribute Billions to Michigan’s Economy Each Year WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today urged Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell to fund mass marking programs in next year’s budget. Mass marking is a tool used to collect data and measure the effectiveness of fish protection, habitat, and water quality. If approved, these programs will allow researchers to tag Great Lakes fish with a barcode chip prior to stocking. This practice w… Continue Reading
06.11.15
Peters Introduces Amendment Supporting Israel’s Security
Bipartisan Amendment Would Authorize Joint U.S.-Israel Research on Anti-Tunnel Defense WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced he and Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) have introduced a bipartisan amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorizing joint U.S.-Israel research on anti-tunnel defense. Israel’s security is under threat by terrorist groups, including Hezbollah and Hamas, working to maintain a series of underground tunnels to smuggle weapons… Continue Reading
06.10.15
Peters, Brown Urge House Leadership to Require Congressional Approval of New TPP Countries in Trade Bill
Peters, Brown Introduced Amendment to Senate Trade Bill Requiring Congressional Approval of Additional Countries Joining TPP WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Sherrod Brown (OH) announced today that they sent a letter urging House leadership and the chairman and ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee to include an amendment to trade promotion authority legislation that would require Congressional approval of additional countries joining the Trans-Pacific P… Continue Reading
06.10.15
Peters Cosponsors Anti-Bullying Legislation
Bill Would Help Schools Address Bullying and Harassment WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today cosponsored bipartisan legislation to help schools end bullying and harassment and ensure no child is afraid to go to school for fear of unchecked bullying. The Safe Schools Improvement Act would require school districts across the country to develop and implement locally driven anti-bullying policies. A Department of Education study found that 1 in 3 children between the ages of … Continue Reading
06.10.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Urge Funding to Upgrade Soo Locks, Protect Great Lakes Economy
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today urged Office of Management and Budget Director Sean Donovan to approve the Army Corps of Engineers' request to help replace Sault Ste. Marie's Davis and Sabin Locks with a lock of similar size to the Poe Lock. Currently, 70 percent of cargo vessels are forced to use the Poe Lock because they are too large to use the others. Replacing the smaller locks would ensure the safe and efficient transport of cargo through the Great Lake… Continue Reading
06.10.15
Peters, Gardner Announce New Bipartisan Smart Transportation Caucus
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) today announced the formation of the bipartisan Senate Smart Transportation Caucus to focus on advancing new innovation in transportation technologies that will improve safety and efficiency. “New innovations and technologies are the future of the American auto industry and vehicle safety, and we must promote their development and implementation into our everyday lives,” said Senator Peters. “Encouraging the development… Continue Reading
06.09.15
Peters Introduces Amendments to National Defense Authorization Act
Amendments Would Improve Military Vehicle Fuel Economy, Invest in Alternate Fuel Vehicles, and Ensure Due Process for Veterans Erroneously Discharged WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced he introduced a series of amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2015 that is currently being debated in the U.S. Senate. Peters introduced two amendments to encourage fuel efficiency in military vehicles and support investments in alternative fuel vehicl… Continue Reading
06.09.15
Peters Cosponsors Bill to Support People Living with Alzheimer’s and Their Families, Highlights Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced he is cosponsoring bipartisan legislation to help people living with Alzheimer’s disease get diagnosed and support patients’ families as they cope with this devastating illness. The Health Outcomes, Planning, and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimer’s Act would provide Alzheimer’s patients and their families with critical information about the disease and treatment options. U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (MI) introduced the bill, which has… Continue Reading
06.08.15
Peters Tours Great Lakes Freighter, Highlights Importance of Commercial Shipping for Michigan
MARQUETTE, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) toured the Hon. James L. Oberstar ship today in Marquette to discuss the importance of Great Lakes shipping to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula region. While there, Peters discussed the importance of the Great Lakes to enhancing trade opportunities and creating jobs in Michigan and underscored the vital role of the U.S. Coast Guard in Great Lakes shipping operations. Lake Carriers’ Association Chair and Interlake Steamship Company President Mark Barker joi… Continue Reading
