News
Senator Stabenow Statement on the Passing of Former Wayne County Commissioner Kay Beard
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) issued the following statement regarding the passing of Kay Beard, Wayne County's longest-serving commissioner: "I am deeply saddened by the loss of Kay Beard who will always hold a special place in my heart as a beloved friend, an advocate and wonderful public servant. My thoughts and prayers go out to Kay's family and friends and to the people whose lives she touched throughout her years of public service." … Continue Reading
02.09.16
Senators Stabenow, Blunt Introduce Bill To Expand Funding for Community Mental Health Services
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) introduced a bill to significantly increase funding for the program they championed to expand community mental health and substance abuse services the country. The Expand Excellence in Mental Health Act will ensure that all 24 states awarded mental health planning grants through an initiative based on Sens. Stabenow and Blunt's Excellence in Mental Health Act can be funded. While the original law limited funding to eight states, President… Continue Reading
02.03.16
Stabenow, Peters and Bipartisan Group of Senators Urge Treasury to Protect Pensions for Thousands of Workers
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, along with a bipartisan group of 23 Senators, sent a letter urging the U.S. Treasury Department to prevent the Board of Trustees of the Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Plan (Central States Plan) from enacting drastic cuts to hard-earned employee pensions for thousands of retirees. The Treasury Department is required to review the proposed cuts by the Central States Plan and has authority to approve, deny or modify the plan. "W… Continue Reading
02.03.16
Senator Stabenow Applauds Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter’s Announcement that the Air Force will Delay Retirement of A-10 Warthog
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today issued the following statement following Secretary of Defense Ash Carter's remarks yesterday that the Air Force will delay retiring the A-10 Thunderbolt II until 2022. Recently, hundreds of airmen from Selfridge Air National Guard Base and 12 A-10s returned from a six-month deployment to the Middle East after flying 1,600 sorties against ISIS as part of Operation Inherent Resolve. "Secretary Carter's announcement delaying the A-10 Warthog is welcome news fo… Continue Reading
02.02.16
Stabenow, Peters Announce $2.3 Million for Stony Island Habitat Restoration
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters today announced that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is awarding $2,330,898 to restore habitats on the islands in the lower part of the Detroit River. Senator Stabenow is Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Task Force and Senator Peters is a member. "We know that what's good for our lakes and waterways is great for our Michigan economy," said Senator Stabenow, Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Task Force. "This investment will strength… Continue Reading
01.28.16
Senators Stabenow, Peters and Congressman Kildee Announce Legislation to Help Flint Families
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) and Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI) today announced new legislation to help Flint families. First, the legislation provides up to $400 million in new federal emergency funding to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help replace or fix the City of Flint's water supply infrastructure. Second, it establishes and funds a $200 million Center of Excellence on Lead Exposure to focus on the immediate and long-term needs of child… Continue Reading
01.25.16
Stabenow, Peters and Kildee Call For Expanded Head Start for Flint Kids
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow, Gary Peters and Congressman Dan Kildee announced they are sending a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) urging that Head Start be made available for every eligible child in the City of Flint. Last year, Congress approved an additional $135 million to expand the Early Head Start program, and the Members asked that the City of Flint be included in the expansion and that HHS provide technical assistance to community applicants. "Thousands of… Continue Reading
01.23.16
Senator Stabenow Delivers Remarks at Annual VFW Mid-Winter Conference Banquet
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow delivered remarks during the VFW's Mid-Winter Conference Banquet in Lansing. Student winners of VFW's middle and high school essay and speech contests will also be announced at the banquet, which is part of an annual three day conference where students from across the state learn about government. For years, Senator Stabenow has led the fight to make sure they have access to the care and resources they need. She has led efforts to bring VA clinics to Michigan so vet… Continue Reading
01.20.16
Senator Stabenow Meets with Mayor Weaver, Discusses Action State of Michigan Must Take to Help Families, Children in Flint
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today met with Karen Weaver, Mayor of Flint, to discuss what steps the State of Michigan needs to take in both the short and long-term to help children in Flint, and how the federal government can support those efforts. Over the weekend, President Obama declared a State of Emergency in Michigan, which will free up federal resources to bring in bottled water, water filters, and water test kits to the City of Flint. Mayor Weaver met personally with President Oba… Continue Reading
01.20.16
Stabenow, Peters & Weaver Discuss Flint Water Crisis With Department of HHS
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters and Flint Mayor Karen Weaver today met with Dr. Nicole Lurie, Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to discuss the ongoing water crisis in Flint, Michigan. The White House announced yesterday that Dr. Lurie has been designated to coordinate the federal response in Flint, and Dr. Lurie and her team are traveling to Michigan to work with state and local officials to coordinate the fe… Continue Reading
01.20.16
Senator Stabenow Announces Five Year, Bipartisan Child Nutrition Reauthorization
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today announced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize our nation's child nutrition programs for five years. The bill, co-authored by Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS), continues to build on the crucial nutrition policies put in place under the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010. Following today's bill release, the Senate Agriculture Committee also passed the bill out … Continue Reading
01.18.16
Senator Stabenow Attends Lansing MLK Day Event
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow attended and delivered remarks at the 31st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission Luncheon in Lansing on January 18. The theme of this year's event was "True Peace is not Merely the Absence of Tension, but the Presence of Justice."… Continue Reading
01.17.16
Senator Stabenow Attends Northside Ministerial Alliance 30th Annual MLK Celebration
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow attended and delivered remarks at the Northside Ministerial Alliance 30th Annual MLK Celebration on January 17. Reverend Dr. El. L. Branch, pastor of Third New Hope Baptist Church in Detroit, delivered the keynote address.… Continue Reading
01.16.16
Senator Stabenow Statement Following the Release of Amir Hekmati from Iran
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today issued the following statement applauding the release of Amir Hekmati from Iran: "After being held as a political prisoner in Iran for years, Amir Hekmati is finally coming home. I can only imagine the relief and joy Amir and his entire family must feel at this time. Amir is a hero and Michigan welcomes his safe return." "I applaud President Obama and Secretary Kerry for their diplomatic efforts, which were key in freeing Amir and other Ame… Continue Reading
01.16.16
Senator Stabenow Statement on President Obama Signing Michigan Emergency Declaration
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today issued the following statement in response to President Obama signing the State of Michigan's emergency declaration to help families and children in Flint: "I greatly appreciate the President's quick action in responding to the urgent needs of families in Flint. I will continue to push for federal resources to address this crisis, and for a commitment of resources from the state to meet the immediate needs of the community and to set aside a Future Fund… Continue Reading
01.15.16
Senator Stabenow Attends Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Celebration
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow attended the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Celebration on January 15. Senator Stabenow spoke at the Chairman's Reception about economic development in the region and highlighted the role of local industries, businesses, and community members. Last month, Senator Stabenow, Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Task Force, secured funding for the Great Lakes in the federal end-of-the-year spending bill. The Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Act provides si… Continue Reading
01.15.16
Senators Stabenow, Peters and Congressman Kildee Urge Governor Snyder to Accept Responsibility, Commit Resources for Flint Water Crisis
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) and Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI) today sent a letter to Governor Snyder urging him to commit state resources to address the short term and long term damage from the Flint water crisis, including the establishment of a Future Fund for children exposed to lead poisoning. The letter also asks for assurances that the State will commit to repair the damaged water infrastructure, reimburse residents' water bills, and reimburse the C… Continue Reading
01.15.16
Senators Stabenow, Peters and Congressman Kildee Urge President Obama to Provide Federal Assistance to Flint, Help State Meet its Responsibility to Families
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) and Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI) today sent a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to support the State of Michigan's request for federal assistance in Flint. The letter reads in part: "Over the last several years, our Governor and state regulators have failed to meet their legal responsibilities to protect the public health and well-being of the people of Flint….In addition to the substantial financial commitme… Continue Reading
01.15.16
Senator Stabenow Kicks Off Inforum’s 14th Annual Auto Show Breakfast
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Senate Manufacturing Caucus, delivered remarks at Inforum's 14th Annual Auto Show Breakfast on January 15. During her speech, Stabenow highlighted the importance of making sure women are represented in business and corporate leadership positions. The annual breakfast brings together hundreds of business leaders during Auto Show week and is Inforum's first event of the year. This year's keynote speaker was GM President Dan Ammann.Inforum is… Continue Reading
01.15.16
Stabenow, Peters Announce Support for Great Lakes Habitat Restoration
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters today announced $497,507 in funding for the Great Lakes Commission to lead a regional partnership to restore habitats in the Great Lakes. The Commission will work with the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission to restore fish passage and habitat in Muskegon Lake. This funding comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "Our lakes are part of who we are and our way of life," said Stabenow, Co-Chair of the Great La… Continue Reading