Government Matters: Week in review April 3-7

Stabenow, Peters urge President Trump to keep promise to Michigan workers in meeting with Chinese President Xi

The Senators urged President Trump to hold China accountable for currency manipulation and other trade violations

By Miranda Margowsky and Allison Green


In advance of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Gary Peters (D-MI), joined by Senators Robert Casey Jr. (D-PA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Al Franken (D-MN), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) wrote to President Trump asking him to keep his promise to American workers by calling on China to stop its harmful trade practices including overcapacity, currency manipulation and industrial espionage.


“Since joining the World Trade Organization in 2001, China has consistently failed to comply with its international trade obligations. And workers across the U.S., including workers in our home states, have paid the price,” wrote the lawmakers. “We urge you hold firm on your promises to workers in our states and across the country and advance our mutual goal of holding cheaters accountable, bringing home better paying jobs, and fairer markets in which U.S. businesses and workers can compete.”


Senators Peters & Ernst launch Motorcycle Caucus

By Allison Green


U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) announced the formation of the first-ever Motorcycle Caucus in the United States Senate. The life-long motorcycle riding senators will serve as co-chairs of the caucus, and will advocate for a multitude of issues on behalf of both motorcycle riders and manufacturers.


Senator Gary Peters

“I’ve loved motorcycles since I was a kid, and I started a newspaper route to buy my first motorcycle at age 11. To this day, I believe there is no better way to see Michigan’s beautiful scenery than by bike, whether I’m riding to meet with constituents and small businesses or taking my bike out on the weekend,” said Senator Peters.


“Motorcyclists come from all walks of life, and I can’t think of a better way to bring together a diverse and dedicated group of advocates to discuss everything from safety concerns to manufacturing. I’m looking forward to working with Senator Ernst as co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Motorcycle Caucus to foster these important discussions and find common ground with motorcycle lovers across the country.”


Last year, Peters traveled 833 miles through 26 counties on his #RideMI Motorcycle Tour. On the five day tour, Peters made 12 stops where he discussed his efforts to help grow Michigan’s small businesses, bolster our manufacturing sector and expand critical infrastructure. He also met with Michigan veterans, visited Camp Grayling, one of Michigan’s key military installations, and toured Wolverine Worldwide, which makes footwear for the U.S. Military.


Stabenow, Peters lead bipartisan delegation letter to Trump Administration urging funding for dredging of recreational harbors in Michigan

By Allison Green and Miranda Margowsky


U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow

U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters led a bipartisan delegation letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney requesting that funding for dredging

of recreational and commercial harbors in Michigan be included in the fiscal year 2018 budget.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has not included operation and maintenance funding to dredge Michigan harbors over the last several fiscal years.


U.S. Senator Gary Peters

“These harbors are critical to commercial and recreational navigation, public safety, and the economies of our state and local communities” wrote the lawmakers.


“We hope to see funds set aside for this long overdue work in the FY2018 U.S. Army we hope to see funds set aside for this long overdue and much needed work in the FY2018 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers budget proposal.”


The letter was also signed by Representatives John Conyers, Sander Levin, Fred Upton, Bill Huizenga, Dan Kildee, Dave Trott, Debbie Dingell, Brenda Lawrence, John Moolenaar, Jack Bergman and Paul Mitchell.

 

 

Comments

comments