Press Releases
Peters Cosponsors Legislation Investigating War Crimes in Syria
Bill Would Require State Department to Submit Report on Crimes Against Humanity in Syria WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) announced that he is co-sponsoring the Syrian War Crimes Accountability Act, legislation that would establish a standard of reporting and accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity occurring in Syria. The bill would require the Secretary of State to submit a report to relevant Congressional Committees on war crimes and crimes agains… Continue Reading
03.19.15
Peters Cosponsors Legislation to Protect Rights for Same-Sex Couples
Bill Ensures Same-Sex Couples Are Eligible for Social Security Benefits WASHINGTON, DC -U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that he is cosponsoring the Social Security and Marriage Equality (SAME) Act to ensure that same-sex spouses receive equal treatment when they apply for Social Security Benefits, regardless of where they live. “No American should face discrimination just because of who they love. Though Michigan does not legally recognize same-sex marriages, it is important … Continue Reading
03.19.15
Peters & Senate Colleagues Introduce Bill to Tackle Student Loan Debt
Legislation Allows Borrowers to Refinance Student Loans at Lower Interest Rates Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) announced that he joined 28 of his colleagues in introducing the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act to allow borrowers with outstanding student loan debt to refinance at lower interest rates that were approved last year for new borrowers. “If you can refinance your mortgage, you should be able to refinance your student loans, and this bill would… Continue Reading
03.17.15
Peters, Gardner Introduce Legislative Package of Bipartisan Cost-Saving Measures
Legislation Would Save Taxpayer Dollars by Reducing Wasteful Spending, Promoting Conservation and Tackling Deficit WASHINGTON, DC -U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) today introduced two bills that will help reduce wasteful government spending and cut the deficit. The Congressional Oversight to Start Taxpayer Savings Resolution (COST Savings Resolution) and the Expedited Consideration of Cuts, Consolidations and Savings Act of 2015 will save taxpayer dollars and mak… Continue Reading
03.17.15
Peters Questions Social Security Officials on Errors in Death Master File
Peters Highlights Michigan Marine Mistakenly Declared Dead by Federal Government WASHINGTON, DC - During a Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing this week, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) pressed for the need to take action on recent reports highlighting improper payments made to the deceased by the federal government and errors in the Social Security Administration (SSA)’s Death Master File. In the hearing, Senator Peters highlighted the story of a Metro Detroit Mar… Continue Reading
03.11.15
Peters Cosponsors Bill to Support Michigan’s Small Breweries
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced he is cosponsoring the Small BREW Act, bipartisan legislation that supports small breweries by reducing the tax rate per barrel of beer from breweries that produce less than six million barrels of beer annually. “Michigan is home to some of the finest beers and breweries in America, and our brewing industry is emerging as a key sector of our state’s economy, supporting thousands of good-paying jobs in Michigan,” said Senator Peter… Continue Reading
03.07.15
Peters Honors Navy Reserve in Centennial Ceremony at Selfridge Air National Guard Base
HARRISON CHARTER TOWNSHIP, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today delivered the keynote address a U.S. Navy Reserve centennial ceremony at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Peters, a former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, highlighted the important role the Navy Reserve plays in America’s military and national security and recognized the sacrifices of Navy reservists and their families over the last 100 years. “The Navy Reserve has come a very long way since its founding one hundred… Continue Reading
03.06.15
Peters Cosponsors Two Measures to Combat Human Trafficking
Legislation Trains Law Enforcement and Provides Support to Victims WASHINGTON, DC -U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that he is cosponsoring two bipartisan bills to combat human trafficking by helping empower law enforcement to investigate and prosecute human trafficking crimes and providing additional resources to support victims of trafficking. During a July 2013 FBI investigation, more than 150 traffickers were arrested and 105 children ages 13-17 were recovered in a natio… Continue Reading
03.06.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Applaud $1.2 Million Investment to Combat Invasive Species in Southeast Michigan, Lake Erie Basin
Two Southeast Michigan Projects Among Five in Michigan Receiving a Total of More than $2.5 Million to Combat Invasive Species, Protect Great Lakes WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow, Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Task Force, and Gary Peters, member of the Great Lakes Task Force, today applauded the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative announcement to allocate $1,257,350 to help The Nature Conservancy and Wayne County Department of Public Services control and combat invasive spe… Continue Reading
03.06.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Applaud Investment to Combat Invasive Species in West Michigan, Lake Michigan Basin
West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission Project Among Five in Michigan Receiving a Total of More than $2.5 Million to Combat Invasive Species, Protect Great Lakes WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow, Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Task Force, and Gary Peters, member of the Great Lakes Task Force, today applauded the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative announcement to allocate $153,314 to help the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission control and… Continue Reading
03.06.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Applaud $1.1 Million Investment to Combat Invasive Species in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Great Lakes
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow, Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Task Force, and Gary Peters, member of the Great Lakes Task Force, today applauded the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative announcement to allocate $1,152,384 to help the Upper Peninsula Resource Conservation & Development Council and the Alger Conservation District control and combat invasive species that could harm our land, water, and wildlife habitat. This funding comes through the U.S. Environmental Protection … Continue Reading
03.06.15
Peters, Stabenow Call for Investigation into Unfair Trade Practices for U.S. Uncoated Paper Industry
Nearly 2,500 U.S. Manufacturing Jobs Have Been Lost to Unfair Competition from Australia, Brazil, China, Indonesia and Portugal WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow joined a bipartisan group of Senators in sending a letter to the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), urging the ITC to thoroughly investigate imports of uncoated paper from Australia, Brazil, China, Indonesia and Portugal. The U.S. uncoated paper industry faces unfair trade practices that put … Continue Reading
03.04.15
Peters’ Cost-Saving Bill Advances in Senate
Legislation Encourages Federal Agencies to Use Remanufactured Parts for Federal Vehicle Repair WASHINGTON, DC - A bipartisan, cost-saving bill introduced by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) advanced in the Senate when it was unanimously approved in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee today. The Federal Vehicle Repair Cost Savings Act, , which Peters introduced last week with Republican Senator James Lankford (OK), helps save taxpayer dollars on repair of governme… Continue Reading
03.04.15
Peters, Ernst Introduce Tax Credit for Small Businesses Employing Military Reservists
Bill Would Help Small Businesses Provide Differential Pay to Reservists Called to Active Duty WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) today introduced bipartisan legislation that would extend a tax credit for small businesses that provide differential pay to military reservists and National Guard members called to serve on active duty. The Military Reserve Small Business Jobs Act of 2015 would extend the tax credit for five years, supporting small business… Continue Reading
03.03.15
Peters Statement on Support for NLRB Rule to Modernize and Streamline Union Elections
WASHINGTON, DC -U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement today on the resolution of congressional disapproval seeking to undo the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) new representation-case procedures rule. “Workers in Michigan and across the country should have the right to organize if they choose to, but existing union election procedures are not only outdated and hostile to workers but susceptible to frivolous litigation and delays,” said Senator Peters. “I suppor… Continue Reading
03.03.15
Peters Announces New Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee Assignment
Peters to Serve as Ranking Member of Science, Space, and Competitiveness Subcommittee WASHINGTON, DC -U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, announced that he has been appointed to serve as Ranking Member on the Science, Space, and Competitiveness Subcommittee. Peters’ leadership role on the subcommittee will continue to promote Michigan’s advanced manufacturing industry, emphasize the high-tech research and development con… Continue Reading
02.26.15
Peters Cosponsors Bill to Fight Asian Carp, Invasive Species Problems in the Great Lakes
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced he is cosponsoring the Defending Our Great Lakes Act, bipartisan legislation to prevent Asian carp and other invasive species from destroying the Great Lakes. The bill, which was introduced by Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Representative Candice Miller (R-MI), authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to focus immediate efforts on stopping the spread of Asian carp at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam, south of the Chicago Area Wat… Continue Reading
02.26.15
Peters Amendment to Protect Great Lakes from Invasive Species Included in Bill Passed by Commerce Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - An amendment offered by U.S. Senator Gary Peters to protect the Great Lakes from invasive species transported via ballast water of seafaring ships was included in the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA) that passed the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee with bipartisan support today. Peters' amendment would amend VIDA to require vessels entering the Great Lakes through the St. Lawrence Seaway to flush their ballast water tanks before entry. "The Great Lake… Continue Reading
02.26.15
Peters Joins Bipartisan Coalition of Senators to Introduce Legislation to Prevent Sexual Assaults on College and University Campuses, Protect Students & Create Real Accountability
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) joined a bipartisan group of twelve Senators today to introducing the Campus Accountability and Safety Act, a bill that would professionalize the response to and reporting of sexual assaults that occur on campuses to better protect and empower students, while also protecting the rights of accused students. The bill, which includes input from survivors, students, colleges and universities, law enforcement and advocates, would flip the current incenti… Continue Reading
02.25.15
Peters Introduces Bipartisan, Cost-Saving Measure as First Senate Bill
Legislation Encourages Federal Agencies to Use Remanufactured Parts for Federal Vehicle Repair WASHINGTON, DC -U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) introduced his first bill as a member of the Senate, the Federal Vehicle Repair Cost Savings Act, which will help save taxpayer dollars on repair of government vehicles by encouraging the use of remanufactured automotive parts. The bipartisan measure, introduced with Senator James Lankford (R-OK), requires federal agencies to encourage the use of rem… Continue Reading
