Press Releases
Peters Cosponsors Bill Reforming Campaign Finance System
Legislation Would Promote Citizen-Funded Campaigns, Limit Influence of Billionaires on Elections WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced he has cosponsored legislation to reform our campaign finance system by reducing the influence of special interests, corporations and mega-donors in Congressional elections. The Fair Elections Now Act would establish voluntary citizen-funded elections for Congressional campaigns and empower small-dollar donors and voters. “The … Continue Reading
06.30.15
Peters Expresses Disappointment as Export-Import Bank Charter Expires
Ex-Im Critical Resource for Michigan Small Businesses WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, released the following statement on the expiration of the Export-Import Bank’s charter at midnight tonight due to Congressional inaction: “The Export-Import Bank is a vital tool for economic growth, helping businesses in Michigan and across the country competitively export their goods to foreign markets around the w… Continue Reading
06.29.15
Peters Cosponsors Legislation to Cut Red Tape for Michigan Small Business Owners
Bipartisan Bill Would Eliminate Outdated Paperwork for Michigan Small Businesses WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, today cosponsored bipartisan legislation that would reduce burdensome paperwork and cut red tape for small businesses. The Microloan Act of 2015 eliminates three outdated provisions in the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Microloan Program that have been unchanged since the program’s es… Continue Reading
06.29.15
Peters and Stabenow Announce More than $4 Million in PILT Funding for Michigan
PILT Funding Helps 29 Michigan Counties Provide Essential Services WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $4,281,492 in funding for 29 Michigan counties through the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. Michigan is home to more than three million acres of federal lands, and as a result, county governments throughout Michigan miss out on critical property tax revenue every year. These Michigan counties depend on PILT to help fund essential servi… Continue Reading
06.26.15
Peters Statement on Supreme Court Affirming Freedom to Marry
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the freedom to marry: “No American should face discrimination simply because of who they love, and today’s ruling by the Supreme Court affirms that every American has the right to marry the person they love and raise a family without fear that they will one day be torn apart because they are treated differently under the law. With this decision, thousands of Michigan same-… Continue Reading
06.26.15
Peters, Stabenow Join in Introduction of Bill to Protect Veterans & Military Education Benefits
Legislation Would Close Loophole that Exploits G.I. Bill Benefits and Taxpayer Dollars WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today joined their colleagues in introducing the Military and Veterans Education Protection Act of 2015 to close a loophole that allows for-profit schools to exploit veteran educational benefits and tuition assistance. Under current law, for-profit schools must follow the “90-10 rule” which requires them to obtain at least 10 percent of the… Continue Reading
06.25.15
Commerce Committee Approves Two Peters Amendments
Amendments Help Families of Passenger Rail Victims and Protect the Great Lakes from Oil Spills WASHINGTON, DC - Today the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee approved two key measures introduced by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) that would require an assessment of Amtrak’s safety procedures and evaluate the effectiveness of oil spill response and cleanup plans in the Great Lakes. The amendments were included in a series of bills approved by the Commerce Committee today.… Continue Reading
06.25.15
Peters Statement on Supreme Court's ACA Ruling
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement today in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the King v. Burwell case upholding the Affordable Care Act’s tax-credit subsidies: “I applaud the Supreme Court’s ruling today to uphold the tax credits that have meant affordable health care coverage for millions of Americans through the federal exchange. The intent of the Affordable Care Act has always been crystal clear: all Americans should have access t… Continue Reading
06.25.15
Peters Statement on University of Michigan Climate Survey on Sexual Misconduct
WASHINGTON, DC - Below is a statement from U.S. Senator Gary Peters in response to a survey released by the University of Michigan that showed 22.5 percent of undergraduate female students experienced nonconsensual sexual behavior over the last year, with 9.7 percent of all female students experiencing nonconsensual sexual penetration over the last year. “As a father, I am highly concerned with the results of today’s report, and the fact that 22.5 percent of female undergraduates surveyed exp… Continue Reading
06.25.15
Peters Bill to Promote Vehicle-to-Infrastructure Technology Included in Senate Highway Bill
Peters Provision Allows States to Use Existing Funds to Invest in Safety Technology WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today applauded the inclusion of his bipartisan Vehicle-to-Infrastructure Safety Technology Investment Flexibility Act of 2015 in the surface transportation reauthorization bill, which was unanimously passed by the Senate Environment and Public Works committee yesterday. Peters introduced the bill along with Republican Senator Roy Blunt (MO) and Democratic Se… Continue Reading
06.24.15
Peters, Stabenow Announce Nearly $200,000 to Support Job Training for Homeless Veterans in Flint and Bay Region
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $199,996 has been awarded to Volunteers of America-Michigan to support job training for homeless veterans in Bay, Genesee, Saginaw, and Shiawassee counties. The funding, which is part of the Department of Labor’s Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP), will go towards assisting veterans with job training for in-demand jobs and help them transition out of homelessness and into more sustainable housing. “Amer… Continue Reading
06.24.15
Peters, Stabenow Announce $159,100 to Support Job Training for Homeless Veterans in Washtenaw, Jackson Counties
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $159,100 has been awarded to Michigan Ability Partners to support job training for homeless veterans in Washtenaw and Jackson counties. The funding, which is part of the Department of Labor’s Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP), will go towards assisting veterans with job training for in-demand jobs and help them transition out of homelessness and into more sustainable housing. “America’s men and women i… Continue Reading
06.24.15
Peters, Stabenow Announce Grant to Develop Efficient Auto Generators in Farmington Hills
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced a $2.5 million grant from the Department of Energy to MAHLE Powertrain, a global automotive systems supplier located in Farmington Hills, to develop and optimize a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) generator. The generator uses an internal combustion engine with a turbulent jet ignition, which enables the system to operate under ultra-lean conditions and increase thermal efficiency. Oak Ridge National Laboratory will… Continue Reading
06.24.15
Peters Statement on Senate Passage of Trade Promotion Authority Legislation
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement today as the U.S. Senate passed trade promotion authority legislation: “Congress should be focused on policies that will create American jobs, boost American exports and help our businesses compete in markets around the world. I cannot support this trade promotion authority legislation that lacks strong enforcement measures to protect American workers and drastically curbs Congress’ ability to shape future trade a… Continue Reading
06.23.15
Peters Urges Support for Financial Literacy Education Programs
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced he sent a letter to Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) leaders urging them to include financial literacy programming as an allowable use for Title I Parent and Family Engagement funding. The Senate is preparing to consider the Every Child Achieves Act, the bipartisan effort to rewrite the No Child Left Behind law. The Every Child Achieves Act was unanimously approved by the HELP Committee in April. “F… Continue Reading
06.19.15
Peters Visits Mill Steel in Grand Rapids to Call on Congress to Renew Export-Import Bank
Ex-Im Bank Provides Critical Financing for Michigan Small Businesses GRAND RAPIDS, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today visited Mill Steel in Grand Rapids to call on Congress to renew the charter for the Export-Import Bank, which provides a wide variety of services and financing to help American businesses export their goods to foreign markets. If Congress fails to act by June 30th, the Export-Import Bank’s charter will expire, and Michigan businesses will lose access to critical sup… Continue Reading
06.19.15
Peters Recognizes Juneteenth Independence Day
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement in recognition of Juneteenth Independence Day, which is celebrated each year on June 19th to recognize the day that the final African-American slaves learned of their emancipation: “On this day 150 years ago, when the last remaining slaves finally learned of their freedom, a dark chapter in our country’s history was closed. “However, today is also an important reminder that the battle for equality in Amer… Continue Reading
06.19.15
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
