News
Stabenow, Peters Announce $40.7 Million for Infrastructure Projects in Sault Ste. Marie, Berrien County
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will award two grants totaling $40.7 million for infrastructure projects in Sault Ste. Marie and Berrien County. The $20.7 million will go towards repairs for the Carbide Dock Port, which is located on the same waterway as the Soo Locks and serves as a staging area for vessels needing emergency assistance. The additional $20 million will help directly connect US-31 to I-94 in Berrien Co… Continue Reading
12.04.18
Senator Stabenow, Colleagues Call For Inspector General Investigation into VA’s Failure to Pay Veterans Full Benefits
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow urged the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Inspector General Michael Missal to launch an investigation into missed or underpaid VA benefits. Stabenow joined Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and John Boozman (R-AR) in a bipartisan letter to the VA's Inspector General calling for answers on how the technical errors occurred, how quickly any reimbursements will be made, and how the VA plans to make sure all benefits will continue to be paid out without interruption. … Continue Reading
12.01.18
Senator Stabenow Statement on Passing of Former President George H.W. Bush
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) released the following statement on the passing of former President George H.W. Bush: "We mourn the loss of former President George H.W. Bush and honor his lifetime of service to our country - as a Navy pilot in World War II, a diplomat, and a statesman who brought principled leadership to the world. Our hearts are with the entire Bush family during this difficult time."… Continue Reading
11.26.18
Senator Stabenow Statement on the General Motors Plant Closures in Michigan
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today released the following statement after General Motors announced they plan to close plants in Detroit-Hamtramck and Warren: "I am deeply disappointed by the GM plant closures announcement today and the devastating impact it will have on our workers, their families and our communities. Michigan has the best autoworkers in the world and I know there's no job that they can't handle. As GM considers future investments and products, it is critical that tho… Continue Reading
11.16.18
Stabenow, Peters, Moolenaar Announce Senate Passage of Legislation Naming Beaverton Post Office after WWII Veteran
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Gary Peters (D-MI) and Congressman John Moolenaar (MI-04) today announced that the Senate has passed H.R. 6116 to designate the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 362 North Ross Street in Beaverton as the "Colonel Alfred Asch Post Office." Colonel Asch was a native of Beaverton and a decorated World War II combat veteran. This legislation, authored by Congressman John Moolenaar, passed the House of Representatives in September … Continue Reading
11.15.18
Senator Stabenow, Colleagues Call For Increased Transparency and Action at VA to Process Delayed Veterans Benefits
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow urged the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie to provide additional details about its efforts to expedite processing of living stipend payments for veterans receiving Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. Stabenow sent a letter with Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Michael F. Bennet (D-CO) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH). According to recent media reports, on-going problems with VA's IT system have resulted in many veterans not receivin… Continue Reading
11.01.18
Senator Stabenow Announces Victory for Michigan Cherry Growers Affected by Unfair Trade
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today announced a major step forward to protect Michigan's cherry industry, which has struggled from unfair trade practices by other countries. Starting on November 1, U.S. trade officials will no longer allow duty-free access for cherry juice imports from Turkey, providing certainty for Michigan cherry growers. "In Michigan, we grow more tart cherries than any state in… Continue Reading
10.23.18
Senators Stabenow, Peters Announce $1 Million in Funding to Address Oscoda PFAS Contamination
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters today announced $1 million in new federal funding to help Oscoda Township provide safe drinking water and address contamination from chemicals containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Oscoda Township utilized changes made by Senators Stabenow and Peters in the 2018 bipartisan budget bill to raise the maximum amount of USDA emergency water grants from $500,000 to $1 million. This increase allowed the township to be awarded $1 million in… Continue Reading
10.12.18
Senators Stabenow, Peters Urge the Administration to Take Action to Protect Michigan Students from Lead in Drinking Water
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters were joined by 33 of their colleagues this week in calling on the Department of Education and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take action to protect students from lead in drinking water. A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report shows an estimated 41 percent of public school districts did not test for lead in school drinking water, and a third of districts that were tested showed elevated levels. In Michigan, schools in Detr… Continue Reading
10.11.18
Stabenow, Peters & Kildee Press EPA on Dismissal of Children’s Health Protection Office Director
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow, Gary Peters and U.S. Representative Dan Kildee today wrote a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler about the removal of the EPA's Office of Children's Health Protection Director, Dr. Ruth Etzel. The lawmakers pressed Wheeler for more details surrounding the dismissal, especially during a period when families across Michigan are facing numerous drinking water contamination crises. "It is imperative that the EPA … Continue Reading
10.10.18
Senator Stabenow Statement on Senate Passage of Her Legislation Authorizing $922 Million for Soo Locks Modernization
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today released a statement following Senate passage of her legislation that authorizes full funding for the modernization of the Soo Locks. Her Soo Locks Modernization Act passed the Senate as part of the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018. Stabenow's bipartisan legislation authorizes Congress to provide the necessary funding to construct another Poe-size lock. Earlier this year, Senator Stabenow successfully called on the Army Corps of Engineers and t… Continue Reading
10.03.18
Senator Stabenow Announces Extension of Essential Air Service for Eight Airports Serving Communities Across UP and Northern Michigan
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today announced the five-year extension of the Essential Air Service program as part of the reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration. Funded through the U.S Department of Transportation, the program provides critical air service that connects rural and remote areas to major hubs, helping to grow area businesses and support economic growth. Eight airports in the Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan will continue to receive Essential Air Service funding … Continue Reading
10.03.18
Stabenow Announces Additional Extension of Direct Flight Service Between Lansing and DC Until October 28, 2023
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration granted American Airlines an additional extension to continue providing direct service from Lansing's Capital Region International Airport (LAN) to Washington, D.C.'s Reagan National Airport (DCA). "Having a direct flight from Michigan's capital to our nation's capital is a major boost to Mid-Michigan's economy," said Senator Stabenow. "Continuing this important nonstop service gives the region conti… Continue Reading
10.01.18
Senators Stabenow, Peters Lead Bipartisan Great Lakes Task Force Letter Urging the Army Corps to Fund Projects Critical to the Great Lakes
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow, Co-Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force and Gary Peters, member of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, as well as 10 of their colleagues last week led a bipartisan Great Lakes Task Force letter urging the Army Corps of Engineers to allocate and request funding for projects critical to the Great Lakes. In a letter to R.D. James, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), the Senators requested funding for projects critical to stopping Asian carp, maintainin… Continue Reading
09.28.18
Senator Stabenow Announces New Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in Lansing, Novi and Southgate
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today announced that three new Michigan community mental health centers have been selected as Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. Community Network Services Inc. in Novi will receive $4 million, Guidance Center in Southgate will receive $3,311,952 and Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, Ingham Counties in Lansing will receive $3,784,980. Each clinic will receive this funding over the next two years to provide comprehensive behavioral healt… Continue Reading
09.28.18
Kildee, Stabenow, Boyle Introduce Legislation to Address Health Care Needs Of Veterans Exposed to Toxic Chemicals
Congressmen Dan Kildee (MI-05) and Brendan Boyle (PA-13), along with U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), today introduced two bills to ensure that veterans and their families exposed to toxic chemicals at military installations get the health care services and benefits they need through the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA). The Veterans Exposed to Toxic PFAS Act (VET PFAS Act) would require the VA to cover treatment of certain health conditions related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl s… Continue Reading
09.26.18
Stabenow, Peters Announce Over $1,100,000 in Support of Fire Departments in Macomb and Oakland Counties
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters today announced $1,109,608 for fire departments in 10 communities in Macomb and Oakland Counties to improve training and upgrade technology. This regional grant comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grants program. "Our firefighters in Macomb Country put their lives on the line to protect our families, homes, and communities," said Senator Stabenow. "These new resources will provide critical training and … Continue Reading
09.26.18
Senator Stabenow Announces Support for New Rose City Farmers Market Pavilion
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today announced new federal support to help build a permanent Farmers Market Pavilion in Rose City. "Through the support of our bipartisan farm bill and with the commitment of local leaders in communities like Rose City, farmers markets are growing across Michigan," said Stabenow. "They serve as an economic hub for the community, and help connect families with farmers growing f… Continue Reading
09.25.18
Stabenow Applauds House Passage of Her Legislation to Eliminate Gag Clauses that Force Customers to Pay More at the Pharmacy Counter
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) released a statement following House passage of her bipartisan legislation to eliminate outrageous gag clauses that stop pharmacists from telling customers that they could pay less for their prescription if they pay out of pocket. Stabenow's bipartisan Know the Lowest Price Act, which passed the Senate unanimously earlier this month, cracks down on this practice by prohibiting Medicare Part D Plans from restricting a pharmacy's ability to provide drug price in… Continue Reading
09.21.18
Stabenow, Peters Urge the Administration to Take Action to Improve Coverage of Oral and Dental Health for Seniors in Michigan
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters as well as 26 of their colleagues yesterday called on the Department of Health and Human Services to take action to improve Medicare coverage of medically necessary oral and dental treatment. Providing seniors in Michigan traditional Medicare coverage for medically necessary oral and dental care will improve oral health and overall wellness as well as potentially reduce costs to the Medicare program. "We urge CMS to use existing regulatory author… Continue Reading
