Michigan and National Officials Applaud Peters After Being Named Most Effective U.S. Senator for the Second Congress in a Row
DETROIT, MI — Officials nationally and in Michigan applauded U.S. Senator Gary Peters for his productive bipartisan work after the non-partisan Center for Effective Lawmaking recognized him recently as the most effective U.S. Senator for the 117th Congress (2021-2022). In that timeframe, Peters — Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee — passed 19 standalone bills into law, the most by a U.S. Senator during a single Congress in more than 40 years, according to the Congressional Research Service and Senate Historical Office. The Center for Effective Lawmaking also named him the most effective Senator in the Technology and Government Operations policy areas this year for his work making government more efficient and saving taxpayer dollars. Peters was also ranked as the most effective U.S. Senator by the Center for Effective Lawmaking for the 116th Congress (2019-2020).
In addition to his 19 standalone bills, Peters also helped enact landmark, bipartisan legislation to strengthen the U.S. Postal Service and our nation’s cybersecurity policy. He secured key provisions for Michigan in bipartisan legislation to update our country’s infrastructure and bolster domestic semiconductor manufacturing, and secured $138 million for Michigan’s defense facilities in 2021 and 2022.
Peters’ work has garnered praise from officials at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Postal Workers Union, General Motors, Ford Motor Company, the International Association of Fire Fighters, and the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, among others:
Strengthening Cybersecurity, Modernizing the Federal Government, and Improving Disaster Response:
“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce appreciates Senator Peters’ bicameral approach to the nation’s most challenging cybersecurity and resilience problems, including his support for the STORM Act, Community Disaster Resilience Zones Act, and Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act,” said Christopher Roberti, the Chamber’s Senior Vice President for Cyber, Space, and National Security Policy. “We share a mutual interest in advancing public-private operational collaboration, and look forward to working with Senator Peters and leaders from both parties on future legislation that balances good government and innovation.”
“The Michigan Small Business Development Center congratulates Senator Peters on his most recent recognition,” said J.D. Collins, CEO and Executive Director of the Michigan Small Business Development Center. “His bipartisan leadership to strengthen cybersecurity aligns well with our commitment to protect and help small businesses succeed.”
“The U.S. Council of the International Association of Emergency Managers congratulates Senator Peters on being named one of the most effective lawmakers on Capitol Hill, as determined by the Center for Effective Lawmaking,” said Brad Gilbert, Chair of the Government Affairs Committee at the U.S. Council of the International Association of Emergency Managers. “In an era of hyper-partisanship on Capitol Hill, it is refreshing to work with lawmakers, like Senator Peters, who endeavor to find solutions to difficult public policy problems. Senator Peters and his staff are responsive, willing to listen to differing points of view, and earnest in finding a path to ‘yes.’”
“This honor bestowed on Sen. Gary Peters results in large part from his success in generating support for modernizing our federal government, including his efforts to strengthen cybersecurity, fill critical skills gaps in agencies, and improve coordination across the federal enterprise,” said Max Stier, President and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service. “This constructive, bipartisan approach to legislating will make a real difference in our government’s ability to work more effectively for the people.”
“POGO has been lucky to count on Chairman Peters as a stalwart champion of Inspectors General, the independent watchdogs within our federal agencies. Without the Chairman's leadership, the American taxpayer would not reap the benefits of newly enacted legislation to improve the resources and authorities these watchdogs have to do their jobs,” said Liz Hempowicz, VP of Policy and Government Affairs at the Project on Government Oversight. “Furthermore, it is unlikely that we would have a permanent head of this invaluable office at the Department of Defense without the Chairman's work behind the scenes to keep that nomination moving through the Senate.”
“Senator Peters’ approach to lawmaking moves beyond the partisan gimmicks and noisemaking which typically garner headlines. Instead, the Senator works with every member of Congress, to build consensus, and help improve the lives of working families,” said Mark Dimondstein, President of the American Postal Workers Union – AFL-CIO. “The Senator’s leadership on Postal Reform, a bill that strengthened the financial standing of USPS, while bolstering its workforce, is a perfect example. Because of Senator Peters’ leadership style, the bill was introduced, and passed, with overwhelming bipartisan support. The bill was one of the most consequential, and bipartisan bills of the 117th Congress.”
Supporting American Manufacturing, Good-Paying Jobs and Small Businesses in Michigan:
“General Motors congratulates Senator Peters on this recognition, and thanks him for his focus on smart and effective policies to support the U.S. automotive manufacturing sector and the 10.3 million jobs the industry supports, such as the Strategic EV Management Act,” said Omar Vargas, Vice President & Head of Global Public Policy at General Motors. “Senator Peters’ leadership has been key in the advancement of legislation to accelerate the adoption of autonomous vehicles and electric vehicles, as well as working towards a robust plan for EVs in the federal fleet.”
“Ford appreciates Senator Peters’ bipartisan work to support the American automotive industry and strengthen domestic manufacturing,” said Chris Smith, Chief Government Affairs Officer, Ford Motor Company. “Legislation like his Strategic EV Management Act will help our industry and nation compete—and win—on the global stage. We look forward to continuing to work with him to help American families and businesses make the transition to the EV future.”
“Senator Peters is a strong ally of the auto industry,” said Governor Matt Blunt, President of the American Automotive Policy Council. “His efforts to address the automotive semiconductor shortage through the Peters Amendment to incentivize the production of automotive-grade semiconductors needed to build cars here in America is just one recent example of his work on behalf of our critical industry.”
“Senator Peters’ leadership and commitment to bipartisanship were essential to developing the Strategic EV Management Act and passing it into law,” said Shane Karr, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at Stellantis North America. “This commonsense legislation will maximize the benefits of electric vehicles and batteries for federal fleets, thereby enhancing the transition to a more sustainable future. Senator Peters’ recognition as the most effective lawmaker in the Senate is well-deserved given his efforts on this legislation and numerous other successful bills.”
“Businesses in Saginaw rely on the Postal Service to operate, whether that’s receiving deliveries or sending products to customers,” said Veronica Horn, President and CEO of the Saginaw Chamber of Commerce. “We applaud Senator Peters for his tireless efforts to ensure that small businesses can continue to utilize the Postal Service to grow their business and create jobs.”
“The Midland Business Alliance works to help industry and businesses prosper. The Postal Service is an essential, daily tool for many of our businesses,” said Diane Middleton, Vice President of Advocacy for the Midland Business Alliance. “We thank Senator Peters on behalf of businesses here in Midland, who can now be confident the Postal Service will continue to be efficient and reliable.”
Addressing PFAS Contamination:
“Senator Peters is leading the charge in the U.S. Senate to address the PFAS contamination crisis across the country,” said Bentley Johnson, federal government affairs director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. "His proven track record of building coalitions and delivering results for Michiganders has given communities in Michigan more tools to prevent further exposure to toxic chemicals, saving lives in the process. We applaud Senator Peters for the recognition from the Center for Effective Lawmaking and will continue working with him to make positive change for the people of Michigan.”
“Fire fighters across the nation appreciate Senator Peters’ embrace of common-sense, effective solutions that make our dangerous job safer. He has championed grant funding that ensures fire departments have the resources they need and pushed for legislation to protect fire fighters from PFAS exposure,” said Edward Kelly, General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters. “Sen. Peters’ dedication to advancing meaningful policy, rather than engaging in political games, has earned
“The Michigan Profession Fire Fighters Union is grateful for Senator Peters’ tireless work on behalf of firefighters in Michigan and across the country. His law to protect firefighters from PFAS exposure is important for the health and safety of firefighters, paramedics, and other rescue personnel in the line of duty. Senator Peters has a proven track record of success because of his hard work and bipartisanship, and we congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition,” said Matt Sahr, President of the Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union.
“Senator Gary Peters has been an invaluable partner in my community’s ongoing fight to clean up PFAS contamination caused by the U.S. military,” said Anthony Spaniola, Co-Founder, Need Our Water (NOW), Oscoda, Michigan. “His leadership, and tireless problem-solving efforts, have helped to move the needle on a matter of longstanding concern. We are grateful for all that he has done and extend our heartfelt congratulations to him on receiving this well-deserved honor.”
“We join in celebrating Senator Peters' recognition from the Center for Effective Lawmaking. Senator Peters has long been recognized as a champion for the environment, protecting the Great Lakes, and tackling harmful ‘forever chemicals’ that threaten communities in Michigan and nationwide,” said Scott Faber, Senior Vice President for Government Affairs, Environmental Working Group. “He has provided indispensable leadership to care for our veterans and military families, and he's proven over and over the ability to pass effective, bipartisan solutions that benefit all Americans, including federal assistance to communities for water infrastructure to protect drinking water, lakes, and streams. Thank you Senator Peters!”
Supporting Michigan’s Defense Facilities:
“As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Peters has been a strong advocate for Michigan’s defense installations, Michigan’s National Guard and defense manufacturers across our state,” said Major General (Retired) Vadnais, Former Adjutant General of the Michigan National Guard. “He has been quite effective not only passing bills important to Michigan but also securing significant investments in Michigan’s military facilities, including for Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, Camp Grayling and the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center. I congratulate him on this impressive acknowledgement of his work that demonstrates his steadfast commitment to delivering for Michiganders, and I applaud his efforts to support Michigan’s defense footprint and servicemembers.”
###
