News
Senator Stabenow’s Bill to Protect Homeowners from Higher Taxes Passes Senate
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, today applauded the inclusion of her legislation to protect struggling homeowners from being hit with an extra tax bill in the end-of-year spending bill. The bill, which will fund the government through 2016, includes Senator Stabenow's Mortgage Forgiveness Tax Relief Act. The Mortgage Forgiveness Tax Relief Act makes sure homeowners aren't required to pay additional taxes when they receive mortgage principal forgiven… Continue Reading
12.17.15
Led by Senators Stabenow, Peters and Congressman Kildee, Members of Michigan Delegation Announce New Opportunities to Revitalize Cities, Neighborhoods
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) and Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI), along with Congresswoman Candice Miller (R-MI), Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) and Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (D-MI) today announced new opportunities to help cities across Michigan and the country revitalize neighborhoods and keep communities safe. The end-of-year spending bill, which will fund the federal government through September 2016, gives the U.S. Department of Treasury the flexib… Continue Reading
12.16.15
Stabenow, Peters Applaud Facility for Rare Isotope Beam Funding in Government Spending Bill
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters applauded the year-end government spending bill released today includes $100 million in federal funding to continue constructing the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University. The appropriations bill, the Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Act funds the government through September 30, 2016, and Stabenow and Peters worked with their Senate colleagues to ensure this funding would be included in the final legislation. "M… Continue Reading
12.16.15
Stabenow, Peters Applaud Extension of Perkins Student Loan Program
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters today applauded Senate passage of the Federal Perkins Loan Extension Act of 2015, a bipartisan, two-year extension of the Perkins Loan Program, which provides low-interest loans to help students with exceptional financial need pay for their education. Peters and Stabenow previously sent a letter in October urging Senate leadership to pass an extension of the Perkins Loan Program after it expired on October 1st. The U.S. House of Representatives passe… Continue Reading
12.16.15
Senators Stabenow, Peters Announce Over $1 Billion to Protect Great Lakes
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters today announced new funding and support that will bolster ongoing efforts to protect the Great Lakes. The end-of-year spending bill, which will fund the federal government through September 2016, includes $300 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The Initiative is a multi-year plan to restore and preserve the Great Lakes by eliminating toxins, combating invasive species, restoring habitats, and promoting the general health of the Lakes… Continue Reading
12.09.15
Cyber Squadron Awarded to Michigan Air National Guard in Battle Creek
Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Congressman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) celebrated the announcement that the Michigan Air National Guard's 110thAttack Wing, stationed in Battle Creek, will be host of a new Cyber Operation Squadron distinction. "Given the dependence of our country's military, infrastructure, and economy on computers and the Internet, this new cyber squadron puts Michigan at the forefront in protecting our nation," said Stabenow. "Earlier this year, Congressm… Continue Reading
12.06.15
Senator Stabenow Statement on Passing of Ted Wahby
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today made the following statement on the passing of Macomb County Treasurer Ted Wahby:"I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend, Ted Wahby. For decades, he served Macomb families with distinction and was a friend to so many who had the privilege to know him. My heartfelt condolences go out to his loving wife, Yvonne, and his entire family. He will be greatly missed."… Continue Reading
12.03.15
Stabenow, Peters, Miller Urge Obama Administration to Support Funding for Blue Water Bridge
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rep. Candice Miller (R-MI) today wrote to Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Director of the Office of Management and Budget Shaun Donovan urging the Administration to make the expansion of a customs plaza for the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron a high priority for funding in the Fiscal Year 2017 budget. Despite land being cleared and property demolished in Port Huron for the expansion, funding for the customs plaza constru… Continue Reading
12.01.15
Senate Passes Stabenow, Peters Resolution Recognizing Rosa Parks’ Courage, Contributions to the Civil Rights Movement
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters applauded the Senate's passage last night of a bipartisan resolution to honor the 60th anniversary of when civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a Montgomery, Ala., bus. Parks' December 1, 1955 arrest sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which was a turning point in the fight for civil rights. She and her husband, Raymond, relocated to Michigan in 1957 where she lived until her death in 2005. "60 years ag… Continue Reading
11.20.15
Stabenow, Peters Urge Funding for Great Lakes Heavy Icebreaker
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters sent a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Homeland Security calling for robust funding in the fiscal year 2016 appropriations legislation for the U.S. Coast Guard to design and build a new heavy icebreaker for the Great Lakes region. Heavy ice cover seen in recent winters has seriously impaired commercial shipping and economic activity in the Great Lakes. Last winter, cargo shipping decrea… Continue Reading
11.19.15
Senator Stabenow Applauds Initiative to Expand Quality Health Care in West Michigan
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced support for Spectrum Health System to help connect people in rural areas with quality health care. The $254,884 grant will benefit five counties in West Michigan. The funding, which comes from the USDA's Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant program, was authorized by Senator Stabenow's 2014 Farm Bill. "Families in West Michigan often don't have access to the health ca… Continue Reading
11.19.15
Senator Stabenow Applauds Initiative to Expand Quality Health Care in Mid-Michigan
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced support for MidMichigan Health to help connect people in rural areas with quality health care. This $494,900 grant will benefit eight counties in Mid-Michigan. The funding, which comes from the USDA's Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant program, was authorized by Senator Stabenow's 2014 Farm Bill. "Families in Mid-Michigan often don't have access to the health care s… Continue Reading
11.19.15
Senator Stabenow Applauds Initiative to Expand Quality Health Care in Northern Michigan, Upper Peninsula
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced support for Indigo Health to help connect people in rural areas with quality health care. This $226,803 grant will benefit 13 counties in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. The funding, which comes from the USDA's Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant program, was authorized by Senator Stabenow's 2014 Farm Bill. "Families in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peni… Continue Reading
11.18.15
Senator Stabenow Applauds Investment to Connect Muskegon County Students with Local Foods
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture's announcement that four Muskegon County school districts will receive support to develop a plan to bring locally grown food to Muskegon County school cafeterias. This $43,500 investment will benefit the Muskegon, Muskegon Heights, Whitehall and Montague school districts and comes from USDA's Farm to School Program, which helps schoo… Continue Reading
11.18.15
Senator Stabenow Applauds Investment to Connect Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Students with Local Foods
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture's announcement that the Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port school district will receive support to help bring locally grown food to school cafeterias. This $43,688 investment comes from USDA's Farm to School Program, which helps schools source healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy. Senator Stabenow's 2014 Farm Bill significantly … Continue Reading
11.17.15
At the Urging of Senators Stabenow and Peters, Obama Administration Approves $1.35 Million to Help Upgrade Soo Locks
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters today applauded the Obama Administration for approving $1.35 million to review critical upgrades to the aging locks at Sault Ste. Marie. In June, the Senators called on Office of Management and Budget Director Sean Donovan to approve the Army Corps of Engineers' request to help replace the Davis and Sabin Locks with a lock of similar size to the Poe Lock. Currently, 70 percent of cargo vessels, including all of the large lake freighters, are forced t… Continue Reading
11.13.15
Senator Stabenow Statement on Paris Attacks
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow tonight issued the following statement after the attacks in Paris: "Tonight's terrorist attacks on innocent citizens in Paris are horrific and outrageous. I join Americans everywhere in sending our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and the people of France. While this situation is ongoing, the United States stands ready to offer any help to bring those responsible to justice."… Continue Reading
11.12.15
Senator Stabenow Honors WWII Veteran with Military Medals Presentation
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow honored U.S. Army veteran William "Bill" DeLeeuw with a European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and a World War II Victory Medal during a military medals presentation at the American Legion Post 305 in Caledonia. Ceremony attendees included members of the DeLeeuw family and the American Legion Post 305. "Bill DeLeeuw served his country with bravery during World War II, fighting in the D-Day invasion and the Battle of the Bulge, and helping to free prisoners i… Continue Reading
11.12.15
Senator Stabenow Applauds Support For Mid-Michigan Farm, Cooperative
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today applauded the announcement of support for Swallowtail Farm and the Michigan Fiber Industry Coalition Cooperative in Mason. Swallowtail Farm will receive $50,215 and the Michigan Fiber Industry Coalition Cooperative will get $15,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Value-Added Producer Grant program, which helps farmers and growers develop marketing strategies for agric… Continue Reading
11.12.15
Senator Stabenow Applauds Support to Expand Agriculture in Northern Michigan
"Michigan agriculture supports one out of every four jobs in the state," said Senator Stabenow. "With these types of new investments, we are helping Michigan farmers get more value from their products. That type of support can help increase sales for local farmers and boost our small town economies." Agricultural products like fruits, vegetables - also known as "specialty crops" - play a major role in Michigan agriculture. With the exception of California, Michigan leads the nation in crop dive… Continue Reading
