Peters Announces Armed Services Subcommittee Assignments

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Armed Services Committee, announced that he will serve on three subcommittees overseeing key components of Michigan’s military installations and growing defense manufacturing industry. Peters was named to the Subcommittee on Airland, which oversees the National Guard and military reserves, as well as the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities and the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces.

“Our country is facing new and evolving national security threats, and it is critical now more than ever that our military has the necessary resources and support to execute their mission efficiently and safely,” said Senator Peters, a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. “I’m pleased to join these subcommittees, where I will continue my work advocating for Michigan’s military installations, as well as the research and development of new, innovative technologies to expand U.S. military capabilities.”

Subcommittee on Airland oversees both the Army and Air Force, the National Guard and military reserves; and Army and Air Force research and development. Michigan has a significant National Guard footprint with over 16,900 servicemembers and 9,100 civilian Department of Defense employees. General Motors and the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) based at the U.S. Army Detroit Arsenal in Warren have collaborated to develop the Colorado ZH2, a hydrogen fuel-cell powered electric vehicle that is currently undergoing testing at the Milford Proving Ground and will be turned over to the Army later this year for additional field testing.

Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities is responsible for policies and programs related to technology based research and development, special operations, intelligence, counter-terrorism, and homeland security. The subcommittee oversees Northern Command, Defense Intelligence Agency, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency among others. The Department of Defense has been focused on the development of autonomous vehicle technologies, and Peters has been a strong proponent of Michigan as a leader in the research and development of these technologies as many Michigan manufacturers have diversified their businesses to include defense and aerospace manufacturing.

Subcommittee on Strategic Forces is responsible for space programs, ballistic missile defense, and non-proliferation programs and oversees agencies including the Missile Defense Agency and space commands of the military departments. Peters is Ranking Member of the Commerce Subcommittee on Science, Space, and Competitiveness, where he has fought for increased investments in basic science, high-tech research and development and advanced manufacturing.