Gary Peters in 2020 MI Senatorial race
On Drugs:
When marijuana legalized, should be regulated and taxed
Q: Decriminalize or legalize?Gary Peters: Yes. Says "when it is legalized, it is regulated and it is taxed and it helps with paying for public services like public education."
John James: No. Said would vote no on 2018 state proposal to legalize recreational marijuana but would "respect the will of the voters."
Source: CampusElect on 2020 Michigan Senate race
Oct 10, 2020
On Immigration:
DACA has provided relief to thousands of young people
Q: Opinion on DACA?Gary Peters: "The DACA program has helped provide relief to thousands of hardworking young people." Opposed redirecting funds from already allocated programs to pay for a border wall. Cites difficulties farmers face in getting work
visas for seasonal workers.
John James: "We're putting DREAMers in a terrible position," but has not expressed support for DACA. "There are some areas where a wall or fence may be the best solution, but I would leave that to Homeland Security."
Source: CampusElect on 2020 Michigan Senate race
Oct 10, 2020
On Budget & Economy:
COVID: Get resources, support to help people get through
Q: Your COVID policy?Peters: I worked to secure unemployment assistance in the CARES Act for Michigan workers who had been furloughed or unemployed as a result of this crisis. I'm continuing to fight to get additional relief for
the many families still hurting even as parts of our economy reopen. I'll be pressing to ensure those who remain furloughed or unemployed because of this pandemic have the resources and support that they need to get through this.
Source: AARP Survey on 2020 Michigan Senate race
Oct 9, 2020
On Health Care:
Against voucher system & raising Medicare eligibility age
Peters: I have consistently opposed efforts to cut Medicare or put benefits at risk, including proposals to create a voucher system or raise the eligibility age. During my first term in Congress, I helped pass Medicaid expansion as part of the ACA, and
I have fought to defend it ever since. With over 750,000 individuals relying on Michigan's Medicaid expansion plan, it is an essential program for many Michiganders, particularly children, seniors and people with disabilities.
Source: AARP Survey on 2020 Michigan Senate race
Oct 9, 2020
On Health Care:
Prevent companies from keeping generic drugs off the market
Q: Your Medicare policy?Peters: I've advanced legislation that would lower the cost of drugs by allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices. This would increase transparency, keep drug companies accountable and lower drug prices. I introduced a bill
that would require manufacturers to pay rebates to Medicare when prices for Part B drugs rise higher than inflation. I support legislation to prevent brand-name drug companies from keeping generic drugs off of the market by creating a monopoly.
Source: AARP Survey on 2020 Michigan Senate race
Oct 9, 2020
On Health Care:
COVID: $20 billion to states, nursing homes, care facilities
Q: Your COVID policy?A: As ranking member on the Homeland Security & Government Affairs Committee, I introduced a bill to provide $20 billion to help states, nursing homes and intermediate care facilities contain the spread of the coronavirus. I also
released a report on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on residents and workers in nursing homes. I will do all I can to protect our seniors and those who work tirelessly to keep them safe, both now & when we make it through these challenging times.
Source: AARP Survey on 2020 Michigan Senate race
Oct 9, 2020
On Social Security:
Oppose raising retirement age & privatizing Social Security
Although I support taking bipartisan action to ensure solvency for future generations, we must do so in a way that does not put Social Security benefits in jeopardy. That is why I oppose proposals such as raising the retirement age, privatizing
Social Security or using the chained consumer price index for determining benefit rates. I also support addressing provisions in current law that have led to very little or no cost-of-living adjustments for recipients in recent years.
Source: AARP Survey on 2020 Michigan Senate race
Oct 9, 2020
On Environment:
Push for Great Lakes restoration efforts & oil cleanups
But in taking on Gary Peters, John James is taking on someone who can point to specific actions taken to address potential oil spills in the Straits of Mackinac, question spending by the Trump White House and government agencies, and push for
Great Lakes restoration efforts. Peters can also note legislative victories on bills he has helped pass with Republicans--including those protecting rights of service members.
Source: Detroit Free Press on 2020 Michigan Senate race
Oct 25, 2019
On Homeland Security:
Less-than-honorable discharged veterans can regain benefits
Peters notes legislative victories on bills he has helped pass with Republicans--including those protecting rights of service members. Peters helped pass a provision that helps service members given a less-than-honorable discharge because
of negative behavior file petitions that could help them change their status and potentially regain benefits if they can show their behavior was because of issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Source: Detroit Free Press on 2020 Michigan Senate race
Oct 25, 2019
On Homeland Security:
Protect religious non-profits against terrorism
Two senators have introduced bipartisan legislation to give funds to synagogues and other religious and cultural institutions to help provide additional security against potential terrorist attacks. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Gary Peters (D-Michigan)
introduced Protecting Faith-Based and Nonprofit Organizations From Terrorism Act, or S. 1539, to authorize $75 million annually for fiscal years 2020-2024, for the Department of Homeland Security's Nonprofit Security Grant Program.
Source: The Times of Israel on 2020 Michigan Senate race
May 19, 2019
On Crime:
Co-wrote bill for data-driven cooperation to fight crime
The House passed a bill introduced by Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX), the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act of 2018, which would authorize a nationwide law enforcement program focused on the reduction of
violent crime. The bill passed the Senate unanimously. "Communities across Michigan have been shattered by gun violence and drug crimes, and we need proven, data-backed strategies to combat these and other violent offenses," said Senator Peters.
Said Senator Cornyn, "The Project Safe Neighborhoods program helps law enforcement at all levels across the country to investigate and prosecute the most dangerous and repeat offenders."
Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide partnership between federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutors that uses evidence-based and data-driven approaches to reduce violent crime.
Source: 2020 Michigan Senate campaign website peters.senate.gov
Jun 7, 2018
On Crime:
Leads fight for commission on criminal justice system
A senator advocating for a congressional commission to conduct a national study of the criminal justice system says he is "cautiously optimistic" that Congress will approve the measure this year. Peters, who is leading the fight for the bill with
John Cornyn (R-TX) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), is concerned that the more incidents that occur involving failures by criminal justice officials, "the more people lose trust in the system."
Source: TheCrimeReport.org on 2020 Michigan Senate race
Apr 25, 2018
On Social Security:
One of the most successful programs in our history
More than 1.7 million mothers and fathers, family members and friends across Michigan rely on Medicare--including Gary's own mother. He knows first-hand how crucial the health care Medicare provides is to our seniors.That's why, every time the
Republican House Majority attempted to cut Medicare and end the guaranteed benefit for our seniors, Gary fought back. Gary will not back down and force Michigan seniors to pay thousands more for their health care.
Social Security is one of the most
successful programs in our history and has helped thousands of Michigan seniors stay out of poverty in their retirement and live with dignity. Gary has stood firmly against those who want to end the Social Security guarantee and privatize the program.
Medicare and Social Security are vital to long-term economic security and represent a sacred promise. Gary will fight for Michigan seniors and middle class families to strengthen and secure these vital programs for future generations.
Source: Vote-USA.org on 2020 Michigan Senate race
Oct 23, 2014
On Tax Reform:
Middle class bears burden of unfair tax code
Solid budgeting is more than just having smart spending priorities--we also need to make sure that middle class families are not bearing the burden of an unfair tax code that lets some well connected corporations and oil companies exploit loopholes
and write-offs.Gary supports legislation to institute the "Buffett Rule," which would require millionaires and billionaires to pay at least the same tax rate as middle class families.
Huge multinational corporations with expensive lobbyists shouldn't be able to game the system. That's why Gary cosponsored the Stop Tax Haven Abuse
Act: a bill to make sure corporations can't exploit unfair loopholes to avoid paying their taxes. Gary knows we need a responsible approach to cutting wasteful spending,
Source: Vote-USA.org on 2020 Michigan Senate race
Oct 23, 2014
Page last updated: Dec 07, 2020