Press Releases
Peters Cosponsors Bill Expanding Mental Health First Aid Training
Bipartisan Legislation Would Help Individuals Recognize Symptoms of Mental Illness WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced he has cosponsored bipartisan legislation to expand mental health first aid training programs to help people recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness. The Mental Health First Act of 2015 would establish a grant program to train emergency first responders, police officers and law enforcement, teachers and school administrators, and hea… Continue Reading
07.01.15
Peters Cosponsors Bill to Improve Public Safety and Reduce Recidivism
Second Chance Reauthorization Act Helps Improve Prisoner Reentry and Reduce Likelihood of Reoffending WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced he is cosponsoring the Second Chance Reauthorization Act, which provides grants to state and local programs working to address recidivism and prisoner reentry in their communities. “Too many offenders who have served their time end up back in prison, and we must break this cycle of incarceration,” said Senator Peters. “The… Continue Reading
07.01.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Support for Croswell Emergency Medical Services
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $23,777 for Croswell Emergency Medical Services in Sanilac County. This grant comes through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. “First responders put so much on the line to keep our communities safe, and ensuring they have the resources needed to continue safeguarding neighborhoods is critical,” Senator Peters said. “I applaud this funding which will help firefighter… Continue Reading
07.01.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Support for Climax Township Fire Department
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $21,601 for the Climax Township Fire Department in Kalamazoo County. This grant comes through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. “First responders put so much on the line to keep our communities safe, and ensuring they have the resources needed to continue safeguarding neighborhoods is critical,” Senator Peters said. “I applaud this funding which will help firefight… Continue Reading
07.01.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Support for Hudson Township Fire and Rescue
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $24,762 for Hudson Township Fire and Rescue in Charlevoix County. This grant comes through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. “First responders put so much on the line to keep our communities safe, and ensuring they have the resources needed to continue safeguarding neighborhoods is critical,” Senator Peters said. “I applaud this funding which will help firefighters… Continue Reading
07.01.15
Senators Peters, Stabenow Announce Support for Forsyth Township Fire Department
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $143,124 for the Forsyth Township Fire Department in Marquette County. This grant, which comes through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, will be used to replace 22 self-contained breathing apparatuses. "First responders put so much on the line to keep our communities safe, and ensuring they have the resources needed to continue safeguarding neighborhoods is critica… Continue Reading
07.01.15
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
