Gary was born in Pontiac, Michigan – a 5th generation Michigander. His father, a World War II veteran, worked as a public school teacher and NEA union member for more than 30 years. His mother – who survived Nazi occupation of France and met Gary’s father while he served in Europe during the war – worked as a nurse’s aide at a local nursing home. She helped organize her workplace and became an SEIU union steward.
Gary’s top priority is solving problems and delivering results for Michigan. He believes the best way to achieve that is by working together in a bipartisan manner. From expanding access to apprenticeships for veterans to securing record funding for our Great Lakes, he’s focused on issues critical to Michiganders.
Gary has been recognized as one of the most bipartisan Senators. The non-partisan Lugar Center announced in May 2020 that Gary was the 12th-most bipartisan Senator—and 3rd-most bipartisan Democrat—for his work in 2019. This followed Gary last year being named the 4th-most bipartisan Democrat by the Lugar Center and the 4th-most effective Democratic senator in the 115th Senate (2017-2018) by the non-partisan Center for Effective Lawmaking. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recognized Gary this year for his work across the aisle with the Jefferson-Hamilton Award for Bipartisanship.
In the current 116th Congress, Gary has passed nine bills out of the Senate as of August 2020 – more than any Senator in the chamber. That’s despite Gary serving in the minority.
To effectively serve Michiganders, Gary works to cut red tape and help Michiganders with issues involving federal agencies – whether it is assisting veterans access VA benefits or small businesses navigate bureaucracy. In 2019, Gary launched “On the Job for Michigan,” a series highlighting the services his office offers to help constituents with federal issues.
Since he began serving in the Senate, Gary—an avid motorcycle rider— has held four annual motorcycle tours. Through these tours, Gary has traveled across Michigan to meet with Michiganders to hear what’s on their minds and discuss efforts important to Michigan families and workers, including efforts to close the skills gap and expand apprenticeships, support small businesses and veterans, preserve the Great Lakes as an economic engine and major source of drinking water and strengthen our national defense and border security.
As a product of Michigan’s public schools, Gary understands that all of our children deserve a fair chance to succeed, and a good education gives them the tools they need to achieve their full potential. Education is a central component of economic development. If America does not lead the world in education, our future workforce will be less productive and less globally competitive. Gary is committed to a strong public education system that provides students with the skills they need to succeed in the 21st century global economy. That means access to quality public schools for all children – affordable higher education for all who choose to pursue it – and expanding apprenticeships, skills trainings and career and technical education.
Matching the skills we teach with the needs of local employers is critical to closing the skills gap that leaves businesses with unfilled job openings and people out of work. Gary knows there are many paths to a good-paying job in Michigan beyond the traditional four-year college degree. Michigan’s manufacturing and auto industries in particular depend on skilled trade workers, and Gary wants to ensure that our education system is designed to produce this workforce and create a pipeline of talent. He passed legislation into law expanding career and technical education by increasing awareness of these opportunities for high school counselors. He’s also authored legislation into law increasing opportunities for veterans looking to use their GI Benefits towards apprenticeships.
Making sure that all of our children receive the best education possible starts with investing in our schools from early childhood to high school graduation. That includes funding science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) education that will help keep American students globally competitive. Gary co-wrote the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, which refreshed federal research opportunities and priorities, promoted diversity in STEM fields, encouraged scientific innovation and cut administrative red tape for researchers. To help our students succeed, we have an obligation to make sure our schools have the resources they need to give the next generation the brightest future possible.
Higher education is increasingly essential to a bright economic future, but the cost of college continues to become more and more burdensome for families. With the majority of college students now graduating with significant debt, making higher education more affordable for everyone is a top priority for Gary. That is why he helped introduce legislation to allow borrowers with outstanding student loan debt to refinance at lower interest rates available to new borrowers. He also passed his bipartisan legislation into law to help private student loan borrowers rehabilitate defaulted loans and remove the default from their credit report after making a series of on-time payments.
Representing a state that borders four of the five Great Lakes, Gary knows firsthand how important it is for our environment and our economy that we protect our natural resources.
The Great Lakes are a critical drinking water source, an economic engine and a vital part of our way of life in Michigan. Gary understands that we need policies to help preserve and protect this ecological treasure for future generations. About 40 million people count on the Great Lakes as a source of clean drinking water. They are the world’s largest system of fresh surface water, providing about one-fifth of the world’s fresh surface water supply. Defending the Great Lakes against pollution and invasive species is essential – not just for preserving fish and wildlife in this fragile ecosystem, but for making sure this is a safe place for our kids and grandkids to swim and play. From commercial shipping and agriculture to fishing, boating and tourism, the Great Lakes are deeply intertwined with key industries that drive our state’s economy.
Gary is a member of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, a bipartisan working group made up of Senators representing the states bordering the Great Lakes. In his time in the Senate, Gary has enacted legislation to tighten rules around aging pipelines in the Great Lakes – such as Line 5 underneath the Straits of Mackinac, where an oil spill could do catastrophic damage. Under his leadership, he passed legislation to classify the Great Lakes basin as a high consequence area, require pipeline operators to include ice cover as part of their oil response plan and has held operators accountable, pushing for greater transparency. Gary continues to support robust funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). That’s why he spearheaded the bipartisan push that secured the first increase in funding since the GLRI was established – defeating efforts that would decimate the program in the process. He is also working to protect the Great Lakes from threats ranging from plastic micro-beads and Asian carp to proposed permanent nuclear waste storage.
Gary has heard firsthand from communities across Michigan about how shoreline erosion has had negative impacts. Shoreline erosion not only poses a threat to homes and waterfront communities – it also poses serious economic threats to the businesses that rely on waterfronts every day. That’s why Gary passed legislation into law to allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to fund and help states establish revolving loan funds that could be used by local governments to carry out mitigation projects that reduce natural disaster risk, including shoreline erosion and rising water levels.
As we learn more about the dangers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are prevalent in communities across Michigan, Gary is leading the fight to take action. Exposure to these has been linked to cancer, thyroid and heart problems and even autoimmune issues – all of which are issues Michiganders are facing after unknowingly living around PFAS for years. Gary has led the fight in pushing the EPA to declare PFAS as hazardous substances under the Superfund Law – which would tighten clean-up standards and requirements around polluters. He has also supported efforts to force the EPA to set clean drinking water standards around PFAS. And Gary’s continuing to press the Air Force to do more to clean-up PFAS contamination and military installations across the country where it used this dangerous chemical for years – including at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda.
PFAS contamination has become an issue that has impacted states across the country. That’s why Gary has been able to build consensus around legislative action to address PFAS contamination. He has passed provisions into law that take a number of actions: from allowing airports to phase out the use of firefighting foams that contain PFAS to banning the Department of Defense from using them in training exercises and phasing out the purchase of these foams.
We must also constantly be looking towards the future by investing in clean energy job creation and supporting measures to tackle the threat of climate change, which exacerbates current challenges in the Great Lakes like algal blooms and invasive species. Gary is committed to building climate resiliency for our communities and standing firm against attacks on environmental protections. As Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Gary published a report highlighting the cost of climate change to taxpayers – and the need to invest in resilient infrastructure that will withstand increasing extreme weather events. He will fight efforts that undermine our nation’s key environmental laws, and he has opposed plans to develop our most sensitive ecosystems. He helped the Senate to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, an indispensable tool for protecting our state’s most treasured natural places for all to enjoy. He has also introduced the Vehicle Innovation Act to improve advanced vehicle technology R&D that will boost fuel economy, save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Michigan families deserve access to quality, affordable health care coverage that helps protect their financial future. Because of the Affordable Care Act, which Gary voted for, insurance companies can no longer discriminate because of preexisting conditions. Women cannot be charged more than men for their health care simply because of their gender. Young people getting their start in life can stay on their parents’ health plans until age 26. People are no longer locked into a job because they need health care. Health care cost increases are finally being brought under control. Gary will always stand against efforts that would undo the progress that’s been made.
Gary will continue supporting bipartisan, commonsense efforts to improve the law to make quality health care more affordable and accessible for Michiganders.
In Gary’s conversations with Michiganders about health care, one consistent theme has been clear: prescription drug costs are too high. Seniors and families shouldn’t be forced to decide between paying their bills and putting food on the table or filling their prescriptions. Gary supports allowing Medicare to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices. As Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee, Gary launched an investigation into the costs of prescription drugs, which found increasing cost of prescription medications, a growing number of drug shortages, and the United States’ increasing reliance on foreign sources to produce the lifesaving medications that millions of Americans depend on. As a result, Gary authored legislation to bring the manufacturing of critical drugs and medical supplies back to the United States. Gary will continue exploring ways to reduce these costs and encourage production of medical supplies in the United States.
The opioid epidemic has decimated communities across Michigan. Almost everyone knows someone who is addicted to opioids or lost a friend or loved one from an overdose. But unfortunately, opioid addiction has also had a devastating effect on young adults. Gary introduced a bipartisan bill that was signed into law to expand access to opioid addiction treatment – including Medication-assisted treatment – for adolescents, setting them on a path toward recovery.
As a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, Gary understands our country is facing critical national security challenges. Whether it’s preventing domestic terrorism and extremism or securing both our Northern and Southern borders, Gary is committed to keeping Michiganders and the American people safe and secure against these threats.
As Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Gary has worked extensively on national security efforts. He has led legislation to address staffing shortages at ports of entry across the country by hiring more Customs and Border Patrol Officers, and his bipartisan bill to hire more agricultural inspectors at our borders was signed into law. He also led a bipartisan measure enacted into law to increase safety and security at our airports.
As we live in an increasingly interconnected society, cyber-attacks and threats have become increasingly commonplace and pose dangers to our national security, infrastructure, small businesses and financial institutions. Bad actors will always attack through the path of least resistance, and Gary is focused on ensuring that our federal, state, and local governments – and the private sector – all have the resources and tools to respond to cyber-attacks. Gary has led legislation on this issue: whether it’s increasing coordination between the Department of Homeland Security and state and local governments, strengthening the federal government’s cybersecurity workforce or improving cybersecurity protections for K-12 educational institutions across the country.
Our nation faces an evolving number of threats. It is critical – now more than ever– that our nation stands with our allies in confronting our adversaries. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Gary has worked to strengthen partnerships with our allies. He passed legislation into law improving U.S.-Israel tunnel defense research to confront a challenge both our nations face, and has introduced bipartisan legislation improving technology coordination between the Department of Defense and their Israeli counterparts. Gary has been a strong supporter of programs like the State Partnership Program, which connects National Guards with other allied countries for joint trainings and exercises. Michigan’s National Guard has a close partnership with the Latvian military.
Michigan is home to the CCDC Ground Vehicle Systems Center, the U.S. Army’s premier research and technological facility on ground vehicles. The research and innovation happening there will save warfighters lives while adapting to the changing battlefield landscape. Gary has advocated for and secured additional resources that will build on existing military research efforts in Michigan. Gary will also continue working to support our state’s growing footprint as a hub for defense manufacturing and innovation, ensuring our servicemembers have the best equipment and vehicles.
Michiganders count on reliable mail service to receive prescription drugs, paychecks and bills and for small businesses to connect with their customers – especially during the pandemic.
As the top Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Gary led efforts in the Senate to support the Postal Service’s longstanding tradition of reliable delivery. Gary fought to secure $10 billion in emergency funding to help the Postal Service navigate significant challenges caused by the Coronavirus pandemic and economic downturn, and has called for additional legislation to help ensure the Postal Service can continue to provide steady service.
Following changes made by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy in the summer of 2020 that caused significant mail delays, Gary launched an investigation to shed light on how these delays are affecting the people who count on the Postal Service to deliver. Through his investigation, Gary received more than 7,600 reports from seniors, veterans, small businesses, rural residents, and others who have been harmed by mail delays.
Gary secured Congress’ first oversight hearing with Postmaster General DeJoy to demand answers about delivery delays that have adversely affected Michiganders and Americans. Gary called on the Postmaster General to reverse these harmful changes, and introduced legislation to reverse any changes that would disrupt service for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Gary has long opposed any efforts to privatize the Postal Service, and cosponsored long-term postal reform legislation previously. He supports efforts to pass bipartisan legislation to reform the Postal Service and ensure quality, dependable service for years to come.
While our nation was founded on the principles of equality, justice, and freedom for all, the struggle for civil rights and true equality continues today. Whether it is ensuring equal access to the ballot box, equality in our justice system or equal treatment under the law, Gary is fighting to make our democracy stronger and fairer for everyone. Every Michigan voter should have the freedom to have his or her voice heard in our elections. Gary is committed to supporting commonsense efforts to modernize our voter registration system, reduce long wait times to vote and prohibit deceptive practices that could discourage voting. With the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down a vital part of the Voting Rights Act, Gary is committed to restoring the law and make sure it protects Michiganders.
Gary has also worked with civil rights groups and law enforcement organizations to address the tough issues confronting our nation today. Gary has secured funding for Project Safe Neighborhood, which is a proven program that uses data-driven strategies to successfully reduce gun and drug related violence in communities all across Michigan. He knows how important it is for communities and law enforcement to come together to make our neighborhoods safer places and is working to help provide the resources needed to intervene and prevent violence.
Too many precious lives have been lost to injustice and inequities persist. Civil unrest in our communities has underscored that the fact that our justice system faces serious challenges – from unsustainable costs to overcrowded prisons to disparities in the grand jury process. In too many instances – and particularly in communities of color – our justice system has failed. It has been over 50 years since our country’s criminal justice system last had a comprehensive, top-to-bottom review. That is why Gary is working with Senators on both sides of the aisle to enact legislation that would create a National Criminal Justice Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of our criminal justice system and identify best practices to protect public safety, promote fairness and strengthen faith in our justice system. This effort to create the Commission passed the Senate in 2018 and has since been reintroduced by Gary.
No Michigan family should be discriminated against – period. Gary supported the Supreme Court’s historic decision affirming that every American has the right to marry the person they love and raise a family without fear that they will one day be torn apart. But LGBTQ+ Americans across the country still lack many legal protections afforded to other Americans. Gary wants to fix the patchwork of anti-discrimination laws that leave millions of Americans without a clear right to rent an apartment, eat at a restaurant, apply for a credit card or keep their jobs simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Our brave men and women in uniform lay their lives on the line – often far away from their homes and families – to protect our freedoms and defend our way of life. After almost 20 years at war, our nation has had a dramatic increase in the number of new veterans, including an influx of women and former guardsmen and reservists. We must ensure that when they call on us, we are there to help. Whether it’s fighting for increased funding for veterans job training programs or dealing with the VA backlog, Gary is always looking for ways to help our servicemembers, veterans and military families who have sacrificed so much for us.
As a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve and the son of a World War II veteran, Gary has a deep, personal commitment to keeping our promises to America’s veterans. In the Senate, Gary’s legislation was signed into law to ensure veterans who may have been less than honorable discharged from the military because of mental traumas like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) receive fair treatment and don’t lose access to the benefits they have earned through their service. Gary also made permanent a tax credit for small businesses that provide differential pay to military reservists and National Guard members called to serve on active duty. He authored and enacted legislation to expand apprenticeships for veterans. He’s also been a leading voice in calling for the VA to extend benefits to those suffering from illnesses now linked to Agent Orange exposure, and has worked on legislation from assisting veterans exposed to toxic burn pits to establishing a simple three-digit hotline for veterans to gain assistance related to their VA benefits and other services.
Gary also passed legislation into law reforming the VA Caregiver Program, after reports that caregivers and veterans were arbitrarily discharged or downgraded from the program, with benefits subsequently revoked or reduced – often with little explanation or time to appeal the decision. This legislation will help address problems with the VA Caregiver Program by making sure veterans are treated fairly and that severely injured veterans receive the services they need.
Agriculture is one of Michigan’s biggest industries, essential to our economy and our rural communities, sustaining millions of families who depend on a safe and affordable food supply. As the second most agriculturally diverse state in the nation, Michigan’s blueberries, apples, cherries and sugar beets are just a handful of the roughly 300 crops we grow and ship across the country and the world. Food and agriculture, including our dairy and livestock producers, account for more than one out of five jobs in Michigan, and our hardworking farmers, growers and producers use our state’s unique climate and resources to support this important industry and help feed the nation.
Gary is working to ensure Michigan’s farmers and growers have access to capital and can compete on a level playing field in the global marketplace. Since joining Congress, Gary has helped pass comprehensive farm bills, a new trade agreement with Canada and Mexico – that expands access for our dairy, wheat and other producers – and he’s spearheaded the fight against foreign trade abusers who have continuously undermined and hurt one of Michigan’s most iconic industries: the cherry industry. Gary will continue standing with cherry growers in their fight to level the playing field against foreign producers.
Bridging the digital divide continues to be a pressing issue in Michigan’s rural communities. As our society becomes increasingly interconnected, the need for high-speed broadband has become even more urgent for Michigan’s students, businesses and families in rural areas of the state. Just as connecting every household to electricity was a top priority in the 20th century, connecting each home to broadband must be a 21st century priority.
Gary believes that we need investments in broadband infrastructure to bridge the broadband gap. He passed legislation into law improving how data is collected on broadband availability so that we can better identify where there’s still a lack of high-speed broadband.
Gary is also working to ensure rural voices have a seat at the table when key policy decisions affecting them are being made. That’s why he passed legislation into law reforming the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) chief drone policy committee to include representation for agriculture, forestry, and rural America.
As Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Gary is focused on reducing wasteful government spending and conducting oversight to hold the federal government accountable and ensure Michiganders’ taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently and effectively.
The first bill Gary introduced as a new member of the Senate – which was signed into law – encourages the federal government’s vehicle fleet to use remanufactured automotive parts, which can help cut costs while reducing waste, without compromising safety. Gary has also passed legislation streamlining government to better identify programs at high-risk of duplicative and improper spending. He also passed his bill to streamline the federal inventory review process to sell and dispose of excess property – instead of storing it.
He also has worked on successful efforts to cut improper payments, require federal agencies to consider leasing rather than purchasing heavy equipment to save taxpayer dollars and direct federal agencies to more frequently identify unneeded property that could be sold or given away to their public and private sector partners.
Gary’s top priority in the Senate is growing our economy, creating good-paying jobs in Michigan and strengthening our middle class. Michigan has a rich history of innovation and entrepreneurship, and Gary believes we need to continue fostering the new ideas that will fuel our state’s economic growth for decades to come.
Autos, Manufacturing & Trade
Michigan is the birthplace of the American auto industry, and its booming factories helped win World War II and build America’s middle class. Gary wants to ensure that the cars and trucks of the future continue to be built in America and in Michigan.
We are on the verge of a technological revolution that will soon allow vehicles to communicate their location, speed, and other data electronically with each other and our transportation infrastructure. These technologies could reduce accidents by as much as 80 percent, reduce fuel consumption, cut congestion, save thousands of lives – and reduce health care costs as a result of accidents. As a member of the Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee, Gary is fighting to ensure these new technologies are being developed, tested and deployed right here in Michigan and America. He has led bipartisan legislation to promote investments in vehicle-to-infrastructure technology and to support smart investments in R&D for clean vehicle technologies.
Michigan is prepared to continue leading the way in advanced manufacturing, which supports the good-paying jobs that are essential to maintaining a robust middle class. Gary has been a strong supporter of funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the only public-private partnership dedicated to providing technical support and services to small and medium-sized manufacturers. He also coauthored legislation to expand and extend the Manufacturing USA program, which supports public-private advanced manufacturing partnerships—including the LIFT Institute headquartered in Detroit.
We are now at a critical crossroads for our economy, particularly with a rapidly changing world, constant innovation and quickly evolving technology. Our future depends on the road we take – and Gary believes we must change course from the piecemeal approach to manufacturing that’s been taken at the federal level. That’s why Gary has proposed a National Institute of Manufacturing: an agency that will take the dozens of federal manufacturing programs that are currently strewn across the federal government and put them all under one roof—led by a Chief Manufacturing Officer who can help improve program efficiencies, cooperation, and accountability. Our foreign competitors have instituted national manufacturing plans that have raised their productivity – and Gary believes we must have a commensurate national strategy and that reduces bureaucracy and streamlines programs.
Gary believes that Congress must do more to bring balance to our trade agreements and address issues like currency manipulation and unfair trade and labor practices. Our trade policies should create a level playing field so that American workers and companies who play by the rules can get a fair deal and compete in today’s global economy. He supported the USMCA, which was made significantly better after Gary and his colleagues pressed for stricter labor and enforcement standards. He supports strict oversight over the agreement, and will work to continuously review it to ensure the agreement is working in the interest of American businesses, farmers and workers.
Small Business & Entrepreneurship
Gary knows that small businesses drive our state’s economy. He is committed to ensuring that our startups and small business owners have the resources to survive, compete and grow.
The Small Business Administration’s 7(a) loan program has been utilized by thousands of Michigan small businesses. When the program previously hit its loan cap earlier than expected, Gary worked to swiftly increase the cap so that businesses that were counting on the support received it. And when he heard about small businesses falling victim to scams when trying to apply for federal contracts, Gary worked to successfully pass his legislation into law requiring that small businesses are notified of free assistance to help navigate them through the process.
As we live in an increasingly interconnected world, the need to protect the innovations of small businesses has become all the more critical. Gary’s bill to improve small business intellectual property was signed into law so that more resources are available to secure an international patent and small businesses can earn the profit from their inventions.
As a product of Michigan’s public schools, Gary understands that all of our children deserve a fair chance to succeed, and a good education gives them the tools they need to achieve their full potential. Education is a central component of economic development. If America does not lead the world in education, our future workforce will be less productive and less globally competitive. Gary is committed to a strong public education system that provides students with the skills they need to succeed in the 21st century global economy. That means access to quality public schools for all children and affordable higher education for all who choose to pursue it.
Making sure that all of our children receive the best education possible starts with investing in our schools from early childhood to high school graduation. That includes funding science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) education that will help keep American students globally competitive. In the U.S. House of Representatives, Gary helped write the reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act, which made landmark investments in STEM education and programs. In the U.S. Senate, Gary is now leading the effort to help shape federal research and development policy priorities previously authorized by the COMPETES Act to improve American innovation and competitiveness. To help our students succeed, we have an obligation to make sure our schools have the resources they need to give the next generation the brightest future possible.
Higher education is increasingly essential to a bright economic future, but the cost of college continues to become more and more burdensome for families. With the majority of college students now graduating with significant debt, making higher education more affordable for everyone is a top priority for Gary. That is why he helped introduce legislation to allow borrowers with outstanding student loan debt to refinance at lower interest rates available to new borrowers. He has also introduced bipartisan legislation to help private student loan borrowers rehabilitate defaulted loans and remove the default from their credit report after making a series of on-time payments.
Matching the skills we teach with the needs of local employers is critical to closing the skills gap that leaves businesses with unfilled job openings and people out of work. Michigan’s manufacturing and auto industries in particular depend on skilled trade workers, and Gary wants to ensure that our education system is designed to produce this workforce. Better training and coordination can help prepare workers for the job opportunities of today and tomorrow.
Governing by crisis through short-term extensions and budgetary gimmicks is hurting America’s economic growth, and Gary believes we need to take a practical, responsible approach to solving our nation’s fiscal challenges and developing a long-term budget. We cannot grow our economy by slashing vital investments in education, cutting-edge research or job training programs. Gary wants to end harmful spending cuts while making more targeted, strategic cuts to help reduce the deficit. At the same time, we need to be making smart investments in programs that will spur innovation and create good-paying jobs here at home.
A key part of fixing the budget is getting rid of unnecessary government spending and saving taxpayer money. The first bill Gary introduced as a new member of the Senate encourages the federal government’s vehicle fleet to use remanufactured automotive parts, which can help cut costs while reducing waste, without compromising safety. He has introduced bipartisan bills to make government more efficient and effective by reviewing duplicative and overlapping programs and by requiring Congress to debate and vote on spending cuts proposed in the President’s annual budget.
Gary serves on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which has broad jurisdiction over government operations and studies the efficiency, economy, and effectiveness of the federal government’s various agencies and departments.
Representing a state that borders four of the five Great Lakes, Gary knows firsthand how important it is for our environment and our economy that we protect our natural resources.
The Great Lakes are a critical drinking water source, an economic engine and a vital part of our way of life in Michigan. Gary understands that we need policies to help preserve and protect this ecological treasure for future generations. About 40 million people in the United States and Canada count on the Great Lakes as a source of clean drinking water. They are the world’s largest system of fresh surface water, providing about one-fifth of the world’s fresh surface water supply. Defending the Great Lakes against pollution and invasive species is essential – not just for preserving fish and wildlife in this fragile ecosystem, but for making sure this is a safe place for our kids and grandkids to swim and play. The Great Lakes also support more than 500,000 jobs in Michigan. From commercial shipping and agriculture to fishing, boating and tourism, the Great Lakes are deeply intertwined with key industries that drive our state’s economy.
Gary is a member of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, a bipartisan working group made up of Senators representing the states bordering the Great Lakes. He has been a leader on pushing for enhanced oversight of aging pipelines in the Great Lakes, such as the one running through the Straits of Mackinac, where a pipeline break could trigger an environmental disaster. Gary continues to support robust funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and is working to protect the Great Lakes from threats ranging from plastic micro-beads and Asian carp to proposed permanent nuclear waste storage. He is working to help Michigan’s waterfront communities develop smart, forward-thinking strategies to revitalize their local economies and make the most of their water resources.
We must constantly be looking towards the future by investing in clean energy job creation and supporting measures to tackle the threat of climate change, which exacerbates current challenges in the Great Lakes like algal blooms and invasive species. Gary is committed to building climate resiliency for our communities and standing firm against attacks on environmental protections. He will fight efforts to undermine our nation’s key environmental laws, and he has opposed plans to develop our most sensitive ecosystems, like the Arctic. He is working in Congress to permanently authorize and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, an indispensable tool for protecting our state’s most treasured natural places for all to enjoy. He has also introduced the Vehicle Innovation Act to improve advanced vehicle technology R&D that will boost fuel economy, save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Michigan families deserve access to quality, affordable health care coverage that helps protect their financial future. Because of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, insurance companies can no longer discriminate because of pre-existing conditions. Women cannot be charged more than men for their health care simply because of their gender. Young people getting their start in life can stay on their parents’ health plans until age 26. People are no longer locked into a job because they need health care. Health care cost increases are finally being brought under control. Millions of Americans are finally gaining some measure of security and stability through affordable health coverage.
Gary supports bipartisan, commonsense efforts to fix the law to make health care reform work better for Michiganders and our small businesses, but he also understands that the law is helping millions of Americans access health insurance, and we cannot afford to lose these new protections and reforms. The Supreme Court has twice upheld key provisions of the law, and Gary will continue to stand up against partisan efforts to repeal the law and go back to a dysfunctional system that puts insurance companies in charge at the expense of Michigan’s families.
Gary’s top priority in the Senate is growing our economy, creating good-paying jobs in Michigan and strengthening our middle class. Our economy has made great strides since the financial crisis, but there is more we can do to encourage our small and large businesses alike to grow and thrive. Michigan has a rich history of innovation and entrepreneurship, and Gary believes we need to continue fostering the new ideas that will fuel our state’s economic growth for decades to come.
Autos, Manufacturing & Trade
Michigan is the birthplace of the American auto industry, and its booming factories helped win World War II and build America’s middle class. In 2009, Gary worked with President Obama in the midst of the financial crisis to secure the loans necessary to rescue America’s auto industry. These companies have since come roaring back and created thousands of jobs in our state, and Gary wants to ensure that the cars and trucks of the future continue to be built in America and in Michigan.
We are on the verge of a technological revolution that will soon allow vehicles to communicate their location, speed, and other data electronically with each other and our transportation infrastructure. These technologies could reduce accidents by as much as 80 percent, reduce fuel consumption, cut congestion and save thousands of lives. As a member of the Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee, Gary is fighting to ensure these new technologies are being developed, tested and deployed right here in America. He has introduced bipartisan bills to promote investments in vehicle-to-infrastructure technology and to support smart investments in R&D for clean vehicle technologies.
Michigan is prepared to continue leading the way in advanced manufacturing, which supports the good-paying jobs that are essential to maintaining a robust middle class. Gary has been a strong supporter of funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the only public-private partnership dedicated to providing technical support and services to small and medium-sized manufacturers. He has also advocated for the long-term reauthorization for the Export-Import Bank, the independent federal agency that helps American companies sell their products overseas.
Gary believes that Congress must do more to bring balance to our trade agreements and address issues like currency manipulation and unfair trade and labor practices. Our trade policies should create a level playing field so that American workers and companies who play by the rules can get a fair deal and compete in today’s global economy. He has consistently stood up for tougher enforcement of existing trade rules and has supported strong funding for the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center to improve America’s ability to crack down on illegal trade barriers.
Small Business & Entrepreneurship
Gary knows that small businesses drive our economy, with two out of every three new jobs created by small businesses. He is committed to ensuring that our startups and small business owners have the resources to survive, compete and grow. Access to capital is one of their biggest hurdles, and Senator Peters is working to expand the Small Business Administration’s main lending program to meet growing demand.
In the U.S. House of Representatives, Gary helped write and pass the Small Business Jobs Act, which makes it easier for small, community-based financial institutions to increase their capacity to lend and has resulted in billions of dollars in new small business lending activity. He also authored the State Small Business Credit Initiative to create innovative lending programs that are attracting hundreds of millions of dollars in new private sector investments.
Our brave men and women in uniform lay their lives on the line – often far away from their homes and families – to protect our freedoms and defend our way of life. After more than a decade at war, our nation has had a dramatic increase in the number of new veterans, including an influx of women and former guardsmen and reservists. We must ensure that when they call on us, we are there to help. Whether it’s fighting for increased funding for veterans job training programs or dealing with the VA backlog, Gary is always looking for ways to help our service members, veterans and military families who have sacrificed so much for us.
As a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve and the son of a World War II veteran, Gary has a deep, personal commitment to keeping our promises to America’s veterans. In the Senate, Gary is working to ensure veterans who may have been erroneously discharged from the military because of mental traumas like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) receive fair treatment and don’t lose access to the benefits they have earned through their service. Gary has also introduced bipartisan legislation to extend a tax credit for small businesses that provide differential pay to military reservists and National Guard members called to serve on active duty.
As a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, Gary understands our country is facing critical national security challenges. Whether it’s preventing a nuclear-armed Iran or fighting terrorism and extremism, Gary is committed to keeping the American people safe and secure against these threats.
It is more important than ever that our federal, state, and local governments are able to effectively and efficiently respond to threats, natural disasters and other emergencies. As a member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Gary is fighting to ensure we have the tools necessary to secure our borders, support our first responders, prepare and respond to natural disasters, protect critical infrastructure and information systems, and prevent terrorist attacks here at home and abroad.
Gary supports policies that empower women to get equal pay for equal work and make their own health care decisions. As a father and a husband, he believes these rights make our families stronger and better equipped to succeed.
In the U.S. House of Representatives, Gary helped pass the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act overturning the 180-day statute of limitations for women to seek a legal remedy for lost wages caused by pay discrimination. In the U.S. Senate, he supports the Paycheck Fairness Act that would give women the information they need to better fight wage disparity in the workplace and earn equal pay for equal work. With more and more households counting on a woman’s income to pay the bills and put food on the table, wage discrimination hurts families, and Gary will continue to work until the gender wage gap is closed once and for all.
Gary also believes that women have a fundamental right to make their own decisions about their reproductive health, in consultation with their doctor and their faith – without intrusion from politicians. That is why he supports a plan to prohibit states from imposing burdensome requirements that seek to restrict access to reproductive health care. Gary also wants to prevent for-profit employers from being able to deny their female employees coverage of contraception and other vital health services, and he is working to explicitly prohibit this kind of corporate interference.