News
Senators Stabenow, Levin Urge Secretary Kerry to Protect Great Lakes, Stop Canada from Storing Nuclear Waste Near Lake Huron
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin today sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry urging him to engage with the Canadian government and the International Joint Commission to stop a Canadian proposal to store nuclear waste in Ontario, less than one mile from the shores of Lake Huron. Building a nuclear waste site so close to the Great Lakes increases the potential of a spill or contamination, which could devastate our $7 billion dollar fishing industry on the Lakes, hurt the… Continue Reading
06.17.14
Biobased Manufacturing: Creating Michigan Jobs
Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today said that biobased companies are creating jobs across the country and helping to grow the economy through new innovations in manufacturing. Stabenow's comments came during a Committee hearing that examined how companies are taking advantage of homegrown agriculture - instead of petroleum - to make new products, spurring a new wave in innovative manufacturing that's growing the economy a… Continue Reading
06.12.14
Senator Stabenow Statement on Situation in Iraq
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today made the following statement regarding the ongoing situation in Iraq: "I am horrified by the current situation in Iraq, and I share the deep concerns of many families in Michigan who are frightened for friends and family members in Iraq. The Iraqi government must do everything possible to protect all of its citizens from further violence, particularly those who may be targeted by extremists. I will continue to closely monitor events on the ground." … Continue Reading
06.12.14
Senators Stabenow, Levin Announce Support for Four Southeast Michigan Fire Departments
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin today announced support for four Southeast Michigan fire departments to improve operations and safety. The Allen Park Fire Department will also receive support to help purchase a new fire fighting vehicle. The support comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. Senator Stabenow said, "Our firefighters provide courageous service to communities across Southeast Michigan. This grant makes sure they ha… Continue Reading
06.12.14
Senators Stabenow, Levin Announce Support for Otsego County Fire Department to Improve Operations and Safety
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin today announced support for the Otsego County Fire Department to improve operations and safety. The $233,890 grant comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. Senator Stabenow said, "Across Michigan, our firefighters provide courageous service to communities like Gaylord. This grant makes sure they have the resources they need to perform their duties safely and protect the public." Senator Levin sai… Continue Reading
06.12.14
Senators Stabenow, Levin Announce Support for Ironwood Fire Department to Improve Operations and Safety
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin today announced support for the Ironwood Fire Department to improve operations and safety. The $13,680 grant comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. Senator Stabenow said, "Across Michigan, our firefighters provide courageous service to communities like Ironwood. This grant makes sure they have the resources they need to perform their duties safely and protect the public." Senator Levin said, "E… Continue Reading
06.11.14
Senate Passes Bill to Restore Accountability, Reduce Wait Times at the Department of Veterans Affairs
The Senate today passed legislation to restore accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs and reduce wait times at VA facilities so veterans can get the health care they deserve. The Veterans' Access to Care Through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014 brings immediate accountability to the VA that will strengthen the Department's ability to fire senior managers and officials responsible for poor performance at VA health facilities. It also takes steps to reduce wait t… Continue Reading
06.11.14
Chairwoman Stabenow Announces Support for Ontonagon County to Buy New Police Vehicle
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced support for the Ontonagon County Sheriff's 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 $14,000 grant will be used to help the community buy a new police vehicle to use in heavy snow conditions. "Our first responders provide invaluable se… Continue Reading
06.11.14
Chairwoman Stabenow Announces Support for Seniors in Clare County
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced support for Clare County Senior Services, which serves nearly 80,000 meals per year through its Senior Nutrition Program. The funding comes through the USDA's Rural Development Community Facility Loan program, which funds critical infrastructure within rural communities across the country. The $135,000 loan will be used to buy a new facility to use as a Senior Services Buildin… Continue Reading
06.11.14
Senators Stabenow, Levin Announce Support for Gerald R. Ford International Airport
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin today announced support for the Gerald R. Ford International Airport to purchase an aircraft rescue and fire fighting vehicle, rehabilitate runway lighting, and build a deicing containment facility. The $3,800,000 grant comes through the U.S. Department of Transportation. Senator Stabenow said: "Making sure passengers are able to travel to and from West Michigan is vital to the state's economy," said Stabenow. "This support will help ensure that the … Continue Reading
06.11.14
Republicans Filibuster Bill to Reduce Student Loan Payments of Millions of Americans, Co-Authored by Senator Stabenow
Senate Republicans today filibustered a bill co-authored by U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow that would have reduced the student loan payments of more than 25 million Americans, and nearly one million in Michigan alone. The Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act, introduced last week by Senator Stabenow, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and others, would allow people to refinance their existing loans, taken out at higher interest rates in the past, at the lower rates available to new borro… Continue Reading
06.09.14
Senator Stabenow Applauds President Obama’s Actions to Make Student Loans More Affordable
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today welcomed the announcement by President Obama that he will use his executive authority to help make student loans more affordable and easier to manage. Stabenow is the co-author of the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act, which would allow people to refinance their existing loans, taken out at higher interest rates in the past, at the lower rates available to new borrowers during the 2013-2014 school year, saving them hundreds or thousands of dollar… Continue Reading
06.06.14
Senate to Vote on Legislation Co-Authored by Senator Stabenow to Help Address Growing Student Debt Crisis
The Senate will vote next week on legislation co-authored by U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow that will save millions of Americans money on their student loans and reduce the deficit by billions of dollars. The Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act, introduced earlier this week by Senator Stabenow, Senator Elizabeth Warren and others, would allow people to refinance their existing loans, taken out at higher interest rates in the past, at the lower rates available to new borrowers during t… Continue Reading
06.05.14
Senators Stabenow and Levin Announce Tens of Millions in Tax Credits to Support Economic Development in Michigan
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin today announced tens of millions of dollars in tax credits for community development projects to grow the economy and create jobs in Michigan. The support comes through the Treasury Department's New Markets Tax Credit Program, which helps spur critical investments in low-income communities. Invest Detroit will receive $28 million to invest in the M-1 Rail project and related economic development in downtown and mid-town, and also plan to focus on comm… Continue Reading
06.04.14
Senators Stabenow, Levin Announce Support for Fruitport Fire Department
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin today announced support for the Fruitport Charter Township Fire Department to improve operations and safety. The grant comes through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. "Our first responders provide critical services to communities like Fruitport across Michigan," said Stabenow. "This support will help make sure that Fruitport Charter Township Fire Department will have the resources it needs to protect… Continue Reading
06.04.14
Senators Stabenow, Levin Announce Support for Great Lakes Bay Region First Responders
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin today announced support for the Essexville Public Safety Department and Blumfield Township Fire Department to improve operations and safety. The grants come through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. "Our first responders provide critical services to communities across the Great Lakes Bay Region," Stabenow said. "This support will help make sure that the Essexville Public Safety Department and Blumfie… Continue Reading
06.04.14
Senators Stabenow, Levin Announce Support for St. Ignace Fire Department
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin today announced support for the St. Ignace Fire Department to improve operations and safety. The grant comes through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. "Our firefighters provide critical, courageous service to communities like St. Ignace across Michigan," said Stabenow. "This support will help make sure the St. Ignace Fire Department has the resources it needs to protect the public." "Every day, first… Continue Reading
06.03.14
Senator Stabenow Introduces Bill to Increase Accountability at the VA, Clear Backlog of Veterans Waiting for Care
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today joined a group of senators to introduce new legislation that increases accountability and addresses the serious backlog and unacceptable wait times at the Veterans Administration. This legislation follows earlier efforts by Senate Democrats to improve care for our veterans that have been filibustered by Republicans. The Restoring Veterans' Trust Act of 2014 brings immediate accountability to the VA that would strengthen the Department's ability to fire senior m… Continue Reading
05.30.14
Senators Stabenow, Levin Join Dedication of 32,000 acres of Wilderness at Sleeping Bear Dunes
At the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin today participated in the dedication of 32,000 acres of the lakeshore as Wilderness, which will guarantee the protection and preservation of the land while providing important access to the lakeshore's recreational opportunities and cultural resources. The law that directed the designation, which was signed into law by President Obama in March, was authored by Sen. Levin and cosponsored by Sen. Stabenow.… Continue Reading
05.30.14
Chairwoman Stabenow Announces Support for Michigan State University to Help Michigan Farmers Access New Farm Bill Resources
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced support for Michigan State University and its Cooperative Extension to help Michigan farmers and ranchers utilize new tools and resources available through the 2014 Farm Bill. President Obama signed Sen. Stabenow's 2014 Farm Bill at Michigan State University in February. "Michigan State University and Cooperative Extension play a critical role in supporting our farmers and ra… Continue Reading
