U.S. Senator Gary Peters is fighting hard and getting things done for Michigan. From working to reform our criminal justice system and addressing racial inequalities through bipartisan legislation to his efforts to continue securing relief for small businesses and families – Gary is putting Michigan first.
Read below on Gary’s work for Michigan this week:
GARY IS WORKING TO REFORM OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Gary continues to be outspoken on addressing racial inequalities in our country and is working to reform our criminal justice system by:
- Advancing his bipartisan National Criminal Justice Commission Act to conduct a comprehensive review and recommend reforms for the criminal justice system.
- Pushing for legislation that would ban the use of chokeholds and improve officer training and accountability by establishing independent reviews into police-involved use of deadly force.
- Funding police, but committing to reforms and investments to address the longstanding inequities in our society, including economic, health and education disparities.
- Working to pass community policing legislation that will help bridge the lack of trust between law enforcement and the communities they are sworn to protect.
WWMT: Sen. Peters says he’s against defunding police; wants review of criminal justice system
- U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-MI, is backing a plan that would create a 14-member National Criminal Justice Commission to complete an 18-month review of the nationwide criminal justice system. Peters has introduced the plan in the past, but it hasn’t gotten approved by Congress yet.
- “Our criminal justice system is built on equality and fairness under the law, but too many Michiganders and Americans encounter a flawed system,” said Senator Peters. “Our courts are overburdened, incarceration costs are unsustainable and all too often we see strained relationships between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve. That’s why I reintroduced bipartisan legislation to establish a National Criminal Justice Commission that would assess our entire system and help propose reforms—while furthering efforts to reduce crime, improve public safety and promote more equitable criminal justice practices.”
- The legislation would direct the commission to look at federal, state, local and tribal criminal justice systems and issue recommendations for change in oversight, policies, practices and laws to reduce crime and increase public safety.
Read more:
- Joe Madison Sirius XM: “We’ve Got to Do This Right”: Sen. Gary Peters on Creating a National Criminal Justice Commission
- WDAS: Frankie Darcell & U.S. Senator Gary Peters talk economic recovery from COVID-19
- WZZM 13: Sen. Gary Peters: Fund police, but make reforms
- Michigan Public Radio: Stateside: Data about police killings; dealing with COVID-19 in prison; Sen. Gary Peters
- WSJM: Peters Backs Legislation To Review Justice System
- WNEM: Peters introduces bill to create commission to overhaul criminal justice system
GARY WINS BIPARTISANSHIP AWARD FROM U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Gary received the Jefferson–Hamilton Award for Bipartisanship which recognizes members of Congress who have demonstrated a willingness to work across the aisle in support of common objectives.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Unveils Two Awards to Bolster Bipartisanship and Responsible Governing
- “Now more than ever, our nation needs elected leaders with the courage to pursue common ground and bold, bipartisan solutions to America’s greatest challenges,” said U.S. Chamber President Suzanne Clark. “These awards honor the deserving members of Congress that are forging common-sense sense solutions, working across the aisle, to enact lasting and meaningful reforms”
- This award came soon after Gary was ranked the 3rd most bipartisan Democrat and the 12th most bipartisan Senator in the first year of the 116th Congress by the Lugar Center.
VETERANS ACROSS MI TOUT GARY’S RECORD
After John James’ Washington Republican allies attacked Gary — a veteran and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee — in a new ad, veterans across Michigan spoke out and praised Gary Peters’ strong record for veterans.
Michigan Democrats: Following Deceptive GOP Ad, Michigan Veterans Speak Out Praising Peters’ Record
- “As someone who served with Gary Peters, I have seen firsthand his dedication to not only serve his country but also his fellow veterans,” said Andrew Linko, Navy veteran from Brownstown. “As our Senator, he has fought tirelessly to pass bipartisan legislation to get veterans the resources they need and Michiganders know that.”
- “To attack a fellow veteran is another disappointing example of John James and his allies doing whatever it takes to smear Gary Peters,” said Chuck Bernard, Marine Corps veteran from Dearborn. “Gary has served this country and fought for his fellow veterans. To distort his record shows me that James will exacerbate partisanship in Washington.”
- “Let’s be 100% clear about this. At the largest progressive veterans organization in the country we can say without a doubt that Senator Peters has been a true champion of veterans in the senate,” said Will Goodwin, Director of Government Relations for VoteVets.
BLOOMBERG GOV HIGHLIGHTS GARY’S RECORD ON PFAS
Gary knows how important clean waters are to Michiganders which is why he has worked to pass a bipartisan measure to stop future use of PFAS chemicals in DOD firefighting foams and has fought to expedite cleanup efforts around Oscoda.
Bloomberg Government: Water Pollutants In Michigan May Sway Swing Voters In Top Races
- Across the state, Michiganders discovered high-levels of PFAs in their drinking water. This “forever chemical” can cause high chloride, kidney cancer, thyroid disease, and other ailments.
- Gary cosponsored a bill that would prohibit the manufacturing of PFAs and authorize $200 million for treatments to clean up the water.
- “Three environmental groups—the League of Conservation Voters, Environmental Defense Action Votes and Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund—launched an ad featuring a woman discussing the link between her cancer and PFAS, and praising Peters for his work on the issue.”
GARY RECEIVES ENDORSEMENT FROM EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY
Gary was endorsed by one of the most prominent gun safety advocacy organizations in the nation, Everytown for Gun Safety.
The Hill: Gun Control Group Rolls Out First Round Of Senate Endorsements
- Everytown pledged to spend at least $60 million in support of candidates who can defeat Mitch McConnell’s majority, the biggest obstacle to achieving gun safety reform.
- “Everytown is going all-in to flip the Senate and elect leaders who will treat America’s gun violence epidemic like the crisis it is,” Everytown President John Feinblatt said in a statement on Tuesday.”
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