News
Stabenow Statement on Michigan State University Decision to Honor George Will at Commencement
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today issued the following statement in regard to Michigan State University's (MSU) decision to select George Will as one of the University's December 2014 Commencement Speakers and to present him with an honorary doctorate: "As a Michigan State alumna, I am deeply disappointed that George Will is being honored this weekend. His statements on sexual assault are inaccurate, offensive, and don't represent the values of our state or MSU. I urge the University to continu… Continue Reading
12.09.14
Stabenow Statement on Senate Intelligence Committee Report Detailing the CIA’s Use of Torture
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today issued the following statement in response to the release of a Senate Intelligence Committee report detailing the Central Intelligence Agency's illegal use of torture and other extreme interrogation, rendition, and detention practices following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks: "The revelations contained in this report are truly horrifying, and I appreciate my colleagues' work to make sure the American people finally know the truth. Torturing people not… Continue Reading
12.03.14
Chairwoman Stabenow Convenes U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Hearing on Water Quality
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today examined different ways farmers and ranchers can help protect water quality in the Great Lakes as part of a hearing of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee. "The Great Lakes are essential to Michigan's economy and our way of life, so addressing threats to the quality of these waters is critically important," said Stabenow. "This hearing helped demonstrate that farmers are a significant… Continue Reading
12.02.14
Agriculture Chairwoman Stabenow Applauds Investment to Bring Local Food to Michigan Schools
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) announcement to award two Michigan schools with funding to implement innovative projects that will bring locally grown food to school cafeterias. This funding comes through USDA's Farm to School Program, which helps schools source healthy school foods like fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy. The Farm to School Program also educa… Continue Reading
11.26.14
Agriculture Chairwoman Stabenow Encourages Dairy Farmers to Enroll in New Farm Bill Program Before Next Week’s Deadline
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, encouraged Michigan dairy farmers to register by Dec. 5 for a new dairy risk management program made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill. The program gives Michigan farmers the certainty and tools they need to continue supplying milk products to consumers in Michigan and across the country. The enrollment period for the new dairy Margin Protection Program (MPP), which is administered by the U.S. Departme… Continue Reading
11.20.14
Stabenow Statement on Immigration Reform
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today issued the following statement regarding President Obama's executive action on immigration policy: "Our nation's broken immigration system hurts families, workers, businesses, and our farmers each and every day. We cannot afford to wait another 511 days to begin addressing this urgent problem, which is why the refusal of House Republicans to do anything to deal with our immigration issues left the President with no choice but to act using his own clear authorit… Continue Reading
11.20.14
Chairwoman Stabenow Announces Initiative to Expand Quality Health Care, Train New Doctors in Michigan
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced support for the Central Michigan University College of Medicine to help connect people in rural areas with quality health care. The $297,671 grant will help train doctors in rural clinics and hospitals across the state. The funding, which comes through the USDA's Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant program, was authorized by Sen. Stabenow's 2014 Farm Bill. "Families in Mi… Continue Reading
11.20.14
Chairwoman Stabenow Announces Initiative to Expand Quality Health Care in Northern Michigan and the UP
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced support for the Munson Medical Center to help connect people in rural areas with quality health care. The $217,629 grant will benefit 27 counties in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. The funding, which comes through the USDA's Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant program, was authorized by Sen. Stabenow's 2014 Farm Bill. "Families in Northern Michigan and the UP d… Continue Reading
11.20.14
Chairwoman Stabenow Announces Initiative to Expand Quality Health Care in Saginaw, Shiawassee Counties
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced support for Memorial Hospital in Owosso to help connect people in rural areas with quality health care. The $110,000 grant will be used to provide telemedicine between the hospital and five primary and specialty care office sites in Saginaw and Shiawassee Counties. The funding, which comes through the USDA's Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant program, was authorized by S… Continue Reading
11.20.14
New, State-of-the-art Veterans Facility Opens in West Michigan
Veterans now have a new, state-of-the-art facility in West Michigan. U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow recently participated in the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the Wyoming Health Care Center. The new 97,000 square-foot VA health care center replaced the smaller Grand Rapids VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in order to meet the growing needs of West Michigan veterans. Senator Stabenow was a key figure in pushing for the completion of this new facility.… Continue Reading
11.18.14
Stabenow Co-Leads Group of 11 Women Senators Urging the Administration to Make Combating Heart Disease a Priority
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, along with 11 other women Senators, urged the Administration to prioritize combating heart disease, which is the number one killer of women in Michigan. In a series of letters to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell, NIH Director Francis Collins, and CDC Director Tom Frieden, the bipartisan group of women Senators explained that women's heart disease continues to be under-researched, frequently misdiagnosed, and often left untreated. This is in part be… Continue Reading
11.17.14
Stabenow Applauds Senate Passage of Bipartisan Child Care Legislation
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today voted with a bipartisan group of 88 Senators to pass a bill that will strengthen health and safety protections and improve the quality of care for child care assistance programs that are available to families. This bill will also require additional training and education for caretakers participating in these programs. Sen. Stabenow has been a long-time supporter of the Child Care and Development Block Grant program and called upon lawmakers to support the progr… Continue Reading
11.17.14
Stabenow, Benishek, Peters Introduce Bill to Stop $100 Million Increase in Electric Bills for Upper Peninsula Families, Small Businesses
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Congressman Dan Benishek (MI-1), and Congressman Gary Peters (MI-14) today introduced legislation that would require additional oversight by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), allowing the agency to stop a pending $100 million annual electric rate increase for families and businesses in the Upper Peninsula. This legislation follows a recent regulatory decision made by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) that would force consumers… Continue Reading
11.10.14
Stabenow Statement on Announcement to Award John Dingell With Nation’s Highest Civilian Honor
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow issued the following statement congratulating Congressman John D. Dingell on being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama: "This prestigious honor is a fitting tribute to John Dingell's lifetime of public service standing up for Michigan families. Known as America's watchdog, his accomplishments have impacted so many of our country's landmark laws including the Civil Rights Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Air Act and health care reform. His s… Continue Reading
11.03.14
Chairwoman Stabenow Announces Support for Oscoda to Buy New Police Equipment
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced support for the Oscoda Township Police Department. The funding comes through the USDA's Rural Development Community Facility Grant program, which funds critical infrastructure within rural communities across the country. The $21,000 grant will be used to help the community purchase camera systems for six patrol vehicles. "Our first responders provide invaluable services to com… Continue Reading
10.24.14
Agriculture Chairwoman Stabenow Applauds USDA Investment in Michigan State University Research Programs
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture's announcement of $381,847 to be invested in Michigan State University pest management programs. This funding comes through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture's Crop Protection and Pest Management program, which supports projects that address high priority pest management challenges though coordinated efforts with state and r… Continue Reading
10.20.14
Stabenow, Levin Applaud Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Funding for Western Lake Erie Basin
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin today applauded the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative announcement to allocate $807,000 to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to fight harmful algae blooms in the Great Lakes. This funding, which is part of a larger national investment to protect the Western Lake Erie Basin, will be used to expand conservation assistance incentives for farmers, improve how scientists measure phosphorus levels in Lake Erie, and help Great Lak… Continue Reading
10.17.14
Stabenow, Levin Call for a Delay of Increase in Electric Bills for Upper Peninsula Families, Small Businesses
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin today urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to delay electric rate increases for families and businesses in the Upper Peninsula and act on the complaint filed by the Michigan Public Service Commission about these unjust and unreasonable rate hikes. The Upper Peninsula would have to pay nearly $100 million annually to operate the Presque Isle Power Plant, if the proposed electric rate increases are approved by FERC. This increase is sch… Continue Reading
10.10.14
Senators Stabenow, Levin Announce Michigan Sea Grant Funding to Help Protect Great Lakes Communities
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin today announced $471,161 for the Michigan Sea Grant program to secure projects that help build and foster resilient coastal Great Lakes communities. This funding is a portion of a $15.9 million grant announced though the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Sea Grant program. "The Great Lakes are critical to Michigan's economy and our way of life," said Stabenow. "This grant will help support collaborative research between the University… Continue Reading
10.07.14
Senator Stabenow Statement on Asian Carp eDNA Found in the Kalamazoo River
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today made the following statement regarding the Asian carp eDNA that was recently found in the Kalamazoo River: "I am extremely concerned that Asian carp eDNA was found in any part of the Great Lakes and its tributaries. The Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service need to take immediate steps and conduct further testing to ensure that Asian carp have not spread to the Kalamazoo River. Time is running out to stop Asian carp from devastating our… Continue Reading
