U.S. Senator Gary Peters continues to work towards effective solutions for Michigan — from bringing together community leaders to discuss the need for reform in our criminal justice system, the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on African American communities, and the importance of protecting voting rights to fighting to get small businesses the relief and resources they need in this crisis – Gary is putting Michigan first.
Read below on how Gary is working for Michigan this week:
GARY DISCUSSES RACIAL JUSTICE WITH 82ND ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER AND DETROIT NAACP BRANCH PRESIDENT REVEREND WENDELL ANTHONY
Gary hosted a virtual discussion on racial justice with 82nd Attorney General Eric Holder and Detroit NAACP Branch President Reverend Wendell Anthony, moderated by Detroit radio host Mildred Gaddis.
Click On Detroit: Sen. Gary Peters hosts online forum on racial justice
- In a virtual campaign event, Sen. Gary Peters (D) touted recent proposals in the Senate on policing reform. Peters was joined by MI NAACP Rev. Wendell Anthony and former Attorney General Eric Holder in the discussion which lasted just over an hour.
- Peters said policing reform is a “long list of issues” but focused heavily on transparency and accountability for officers and police departments including a way to keep track of officers who act improperly so they can’t move from department to department. He also stressed the need for incentives for those who join law enforcement in their communities or those who choose to live in the communities they police.
- “Law enforcement departments will benefit by having folks who grew up in that community people who’ve lived there a long time they know that community,” Peters said.
- All three panelists discussed the intersection of the coronavirus and race, calling for swifter action from the federal government to protect minority communities and essential workers. In Michigan, the majority of essential workers are people of color.
WWMT: Sen. Peters, Former U.S. AG Holder push for police reform, social justice policies
- During a virtual conversation hosted by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters’ re-election campaign, social justice, racial inequities and police reform were all discussed Thursday morning with national and regional leaders.
- Peters has sponsored a plan to 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.
- 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.
GARY HELPS UNANIMOUSLY PASS PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM EXTENSION IN THE SENATE
Gary worked across bipartisan lines to help unanimously pass legislation in the Senate that would extend the Paycheck Protection Program to ensure that Michigan’s small businesses can get the relief and resources they need to get through this time of crisis.
GARY SECURES FUNDING FOR MICHIGAN AIRPORT IMPROVEMENTS
Gary worked to secure millions of dollars in funding to improve Michigan’s airports and strengthen transportation infrastructure in our state.
WNEM CBS 5 Flint: MI Senators, Representative Announce $400K Grant For Flint Airport
- “Ensuring safe and reliable air travel continues in Mid-Michigan will enable our communities to remain connected to markets and destinations during this pandemic,” Peters said. “I’m pleased to announce this grant, which will strengthen transportation infrastructure in our state and improve travel safety for Michiganders.”
- According to officials, Michigan will receive over $5.4 million in grant funding to help ensure critical safety and capacity projects continue without financial disruption with funds provided through the CARES Act.
GARY IS HOLDING GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE TO SAVE TAXPAYER FUNDS
Gary is holding the federal government accountable and saving taxpayer funds by co-sponsoring legislation that will work to ensure social security information regarding deceased individuals is provided to all government agencies to ensure that improper CARES Act stimulus checks are not sent to deceased Americans.
UPNorthLive: More than one million stimulus checks sent to deceased citizens, reports say
- The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, was enforced back in March to cushion the blow of the coronavirus pandemic.
- However, three months later, reports that the Trump Administration sent out more than one million stimulus checks to people who are dead totaling $1.4 billion.
- U.S. Senator Gary Peters said a mistake of this magnitude resulted from both a lack of common sense, but also a lack of communication between government agencies.
- Senator Peters said he has co-sponsored legislation that will work to ensure social security information regarding deceased individuals is provided to all government agencies.
- That legislation has passed in the Senate and now goes to the House for further review.
GARY INTRODUCES RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT FUNDING FOR USPS
As Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Gary introduced a resolution that calls for additional funding to the United States Postal Service in the next Coronavirus relief package.
GARY IS FIGHTING TO PROTECT U.S. SERVICE MEMBERS
Gary is demanding accountability from the federal government after reports that Russia offered bounties for the lives of U.S. service members in Afghanistan.
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