News
Senators Stabenow, Levin Announce Support to Enhance Battle Creek Fire Department’s Operations and Safety
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin today announced support for the Battle Creek Fire Department. The grant comes through 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 Battle Creek. This support makes sure they have the resources they need to perform their duties safely and protect the public." Senator Levin said, "Battle Creek firefighters sta… Continue Reading
04.17.14
Chairwoman Stabenow Announces Support for Michigan Fruit, Vegetable and Nursery Producers
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced the availability of over $1.9 million to support fruit, vegetable, and nursery producers. The funding, which comes through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, is a direct result of the 2014 Farm Bill's significant investment in healthy, locally grown food. President Obama signed Sen. Stabenow's 2014 Farm Bill at Michigan State Universi… Continue Reading
04.15.14
Chairwoman Stabenow Urges Michigan Farmers, Ranchers and Growers to Sign-up for Strengthened Disaster Assistance
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, announced that starting today eligible farmers and ranchers in Michigan can sign up for federal disaster assistance. The support, including the Livestock Indemnity Program, the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program, and the Tree Assistance Program, is made possible by Chairwoman Stabenow's 2014 Farm Bill, which Pre… Continue Reading
04.09.14
Senate Republicans Block Passage of Paycheck Fairness Act
Senate Republicans today filibustered the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation cosponsored by U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow that would help reduce gender discrimination in pay. While the measure received a majority of votes, it was once again unable to overcome Republican opposition. "It is outrageous that in 2014 some in Congress apparently still think that women don't deserve to earn the same amount as a man for doing the same job," said Stabenow. "Women don't get a 23-percent discount at the gr… Continue Reading
04.08.14
Agriculture Chairwoman Stabenow Announces Support for City of Vassar Police Department to Buy New Police Vehicle
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced a Rural Development Grant for the City of Vassar Police Department. The grant, made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Initiative Community Facilities Grant Program, will be used to help purchase a new police vehicle for the City of Vassar Police Department to help them serve and protect local residents. "We depend on our men and women in … Continue Reading
04.08.14
Senator Stabenow Statement on Equal Pay Day, Presidential Executive Orders on Equal Pay
Today, April 8, marks Equal Pay Day, the day when women's earnings finally catch up to those of men. Because of gender discrimination in pay, women nationally, on average, still earn only 77 cents on the dollar compared to men. Women must work one year, three months and 8 days - more than three months into the current year - to earn the same amount a man earned during just the 12 months of 2013. "We need to give women and their families a fair shot to get ahead in life by making sure that women… Continue Reading
04.07.14
Senate Votes to Extend Emergency Unemployment Insurance
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today voted with a bipartisan group of Senators to pass a 5 month extension of emergency unemployment insurance for millions of Americans who are looking for work. The legislation passed today will restore temporary insurance for the 106,200 people in Michigan who lost this critical support. The extension is retroactive to December, 2013, when emergency unemployment insurance expired, and continues through the end of May. "This support is the last lifeline for thos… Continue Reading
04.04.14
16 Rural Michigan Counties Receive Support for Schools and Roads
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced over $3.1 million in federal funding to support public schools and roads in 16 Michigan counties. The funding comes through the U.S. Forest Service's Secure Rural Schools program, which provides payments to communities where national forestland is located. The payments are a way for counties to share the profits generated from logging and timber sales in Michigan's Huron-Manis… Continue Reading
04.03.14
Senator Stabenow Appointed Chair of Finance Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs and Global Competitiveness
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, today announced her appointment as Chair of the Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs and Global Competitiveness. Senator Stabenow previously served as Chair of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure. "This is a critical time for our economy, and it is critical that we have the right trade policies to open up new markets and help American businesses create jobs in our co… Continue Reading
04.03.14
Senator Stabenow Measure to Protect Homeowners from Higher Taxes Passes Senate Finance Committee
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, today praised Committee passage of her Mortgage Forgiveness Tax Relief Act, bipartisan legislation that protects underwater homeowners from being hit with huge, unfair tax bills by the IRS. Her provision, included in legislation to extend expiring tax provisions (the EXPIRE Act), ensures that homeowners who owe more on their mortgages than their homes are now worth would not be hit with additional income tax if a por… Continue Reading
04.01.14
President Obama Signs Senator Stabenow’s Excellence in Mental Health Act Into Law
In one of the most significant steps forward in community mental health funding in decades, President Obama today signed into law a demonstration project of U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow's Excellence in Mental Health Act. Sen. Stabenow's bipartisan legislation, introduced with Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO), expands access to community mental health services and strengthens the quality of care provided for those living with mental illness. "Today is the last step in enacting this landmark advance in comm… Continue Reading
03.31.14
Congress Passes Landmark Step Forward in Community Mental Health Funding Authored by Senator Stabenow
The Senate today passed a demonstration project of U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow's Excellence in Mental Health Act, which she introduced last year with Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO). Stabenow's legislation, one of the most significant steps forward in mental health funding in decades, expands access to community mental health services and strengthens the quality of care provided for those living with mental illness. The version of the legislation, included in the Protecting Access to Medicare Act, es… Continue Reading
03.27.14
House Passes Version of Sen. Stabenow’s Bipartisan Excellence in Mental Health Act
The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a demonstration project of U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow's bipartisan Excellence in Mental Health Act. The legislation expands access to community mental health services and strengthens the quality of care provided for those living with mental illness Sen. Debbie Stabenow, said: "This is a critically important issue that touches all of our families in some way. I'm glad that the House was able to come together and act in a bipartisan way to strengt… Continue Reading
03.27.14
Senate Passes Ukraine Aid Package
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today made the following statement on the Senate vote on an aid package for Ukraine: "I have spoken with leaders of the Ukrainian community in Michigan, and this is personal for them and their families," said Stabenow. "We must stand with the people of Ukraine and our allies in Europe against the outrageous actions of Russia and President Putin. I am hopeful we can get aid to the people of Ukraine as soon as possible."… Continue Reading
03.26.14
World Trade Organization Rules in Favor of U.S. Challenge to China's Illegal Restrictions on Rare Earth Elements
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today applauded U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman for winning a case before the World Trade Organization on China's illegal restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals. Rare earth materials are important components in many U.S. made-products, including hybrid car batteries, wind turbines, energy efficient lighting, and automobiles. Senator Stabenow was among the first to urge the Administration to address this problem and take WTO action against China … Continue Reading
03.26.14
Senator Stabenow Statement on BP Oil Spill in Lake Michigan
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today made the following statement on reports of an oil spill in Lake Michigan. The spill occurred at BP's Whiting, IN refinery. "I am deeply concerned about today's news. This just underscores the critical importance of protecting our Great Lakes and reminds us of the impact a disaster of this nature can have on our State's economy and way-of-life. I will continue to monitor this situation closely, and make sure the company fulfills its responsibility to clean … Continue Reading
03.26.14
Chairwoman Stabenow Receives "Champion of Dairy" Award from Michigan Milk Producers Association
The Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) recognized U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, with its "Champion of Dairy" award for her extensive work on behalf of Michigan dairy farmers in the 2014 Farm Bill. MMPA honored Senator Stabenow with the award, which has only been given out once before, at the 98th State Annual Delegate Meeting held in Lansing on March 21. "It was great working with the Michigan Milk Producers to wr… Continue Reading
03.24.14
Senator Stabenow Takes to Senate Floor to Praise Resurgence of American Manufacturing
Today U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow took to the Senate floor to discuss liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, the crisis in Ukraine, and the domestic manufacturing renaissance being fueled by American natural gas. Below are excerpts of her remarks as prepared for delivery: A renaissance in the kind of good-paying, American manufacturing jobs that built our middle class is being powered in a significant way by American natural gas. More than $100 billion in investment - in more than 120 different m… Continue Reading
03.19.14
Chairwoman Stabenow Discusses New Farm Bill’s Historic Investment in Great Lakes
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today visited Grand Rapids to discuss implementation of the 2014 Farm Bill's historic investment in Great Lakes and private land conservation. The Farm Bill was signed into law just over thirty days ago by President Obama at Michigan State University. Now, the focus shifts to implementing the biggest investment our country makes in private land and water conservation. Sen. Stabenow met with M… Continue Reading
03.18.14
Farm Bill: Investing in the Great Lakes and Land Conservation
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today visited Frankenmuth to discuss implementation of the 2014 Farm Bill's historic investment in Great Lakes and private land conservation. The Farm Bill was signed into law just over thirty days ago by President Obama at Michigan State University. Now, the focus shifts to implementing the biggest investment our country makes in private land and water conservation. Sen. Stabenow met with Mi… Continue Reading
