Peters Helps Senate Pass Bipartisan Appropriations Package

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) helped the Senate pass a bipartisan package of appropriations bills with funding for key Michigan priorities, high-impact local projects, and federal programs. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Peters helped author the bipartisan funding package, which included three appropriations bills: the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (VA) bill, the Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) bill, and the Transportation and Housing bill.

“As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I worked hard to help draft these bills and ensure that funding for Michigan projects and priorities were included,” said Senator Peters. “Now that the Senate has passed this package in a bipartisan way, it’s critical the House follow suit and pass legislation to fund the government at the levels both chambers agreed to during the debt limit negotiations.”  

The package includes $3 million in funding Peters secured through an amendment for a federal program he established with his Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act, which provides funding for facilities that harbor survivors of domestic violence and their pets. The legislation also includes funding for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs, veterans’ medical care and benefits, and investments to modernize critical military infrastructure and to establish new defense facilities in Michigan. The package also includes $2.4 million Peters secured for the construction of a facility for a tactical vehicle laboratory at the Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center in Warren, Michigan; $72 million for the construction of a Ground Transport Equipment Building at the Detroit Arsenal; and $24.5 million for new buildings at the Battle Creek Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center (MCRC).

It includes investments in key transportation, workforce and housing initiatives, in addition to providing funding for rural airports and assistance for airports to transition away from using PFAS firefighting foam. The bill includes Peters-led provisions to help improve automobile safety and create a pathway to a regulatory framework for the development of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology in the United States. The legislation also includes assistance for agricultural research, funding to help combat specialty crop pests, and fully funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps provide food aid to approximately 1.3 million Michiganders. For a full list of provisions secured and supported by Peters that will benefit Michigan, click here.

The House of Representatives is considering its own appropriations bills in advance of the government funding deadline on November 17^th.  

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