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USPS Could be Forced to Limit Operations in Coming Months due to Coronavirus and Resulting Economic Challenges

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, joined his colleagues in introducing a resolution in support of the U.S. Postal Service. The Coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic crisis have led to serious financial uncertainty for the Postal Service, and the agency could be forced to limit operations in the coming months without additional financial support from Congress. Peters’ resolution calls for additional funding in the next Coronavirus relief legislation to help the key agency offset losses incurred due to the pandemic. The resolution also makes clear that the Postal Service should not reduce its services, close post offices or facilities, or excessively raise rates.  

“I constantly hear from workers, business owners, and students across our state about how we need to expand access to affordable education and skills training programs that connect Michiganders with good-paying jobs,” said Senator Peters. “These funds will help expand access to apprenticeship programs that provide the skills training and workforce development that give Michigan workers and businesses greater opportunity to compete and succeed.”

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) announced that the U.S. Department of Labor is providing the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity with $14,329,228 in federal grants to expand and improve apprenticeship programs. Michigan will receive $9,447,859 for Registered Apprenticeship Programs and $4,881,369 for Youth Apprenticeship Readiness Programs.

Report Highlights Solutions to Stop the Spread of COVID-19 in Nursing Homes, Which has been Linked to 7,000 Cases and 2,000 Deaths in Michigan

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released a new report on the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on residents and workers in nursing homes. The report details missteps by the Trump Administration that enabled the spread of COVID-19 through nursing homes, which led to deaths of more than 54,000 residents and workers nationwide, and about 2,000 seniors and workers in Michigan facilities. Despite representing less than 1% of the U.S. population, deaths connected to nursing home facilities account for about 35% of Coronavirus fatalities in Michigan and 40% of fatalities nationwide. Peters authored the report along with U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Ranking Member of the Special Committee on Aging, and Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Finance Committee.

Senate Approved Peters’ Bill Following Report Condemning Over $1 Billion Wasted in Coronavirus Stimulus Payments to Deceased Individuals

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, applauded Senate passage of bipartisan legislation he introduced to prevent the federal government from wasting taxpayer dollars on wrongful payments to deceased Americans. The Senate’s action follows a report Peters released earlier this week detailing how the Trump Administration sent more than 1.1 million Coronavirus economic relief payments totaling $1.4 billion to deceased individuals. In March, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to help address the severe economic consequences of the pandemic, which included $1,200 stimulus payments for income-eligible taxpayers across the country.