Welcome

Hello, welcome to my online office. I believe that effectively representing Oakland County communities in Congress requires ongoing communication with local residents.  This site is designed to provide you with a way to share your views with me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and for me to keep you up-to-date on important issues that affect our region and country.  This site provides one central location for you to get information on issues and legislation, access services that I can provide and tell me what's on your mind whenever you like.  I believe that a Member of Congress should do more listening than talking, so please feel free to contact me frequently.

Thanks so much,

Gary Peters

 

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CONGRESSMAN PETERS LAUNCHES EFFORT TO MAKE WASHINGTON LISTEN
TO LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES

Representative Gary Peters has launched an initiative to help small business owners make their voices heard in Washington.  Over the next several weeks, Rep. Peters will circulate a survey to local small business owners asking them to tell Washington what action should be taken to help them grow and create new jobs.  Small business owners can also print and complete the survey by clicking here.  The surveys will be delivered to leaders in Washington to help persuade them to focus on pro-small business policies when crafting any new measures designed to improve the economy. 

“Small businesses create two-thirds of all new jobs in this country,” said Rep. Peters.  “No one knows what is needed to improve our economy more than small business owners and Washington needs to listen to their ideas.  Further action taken to stimulate our economy should focus on reducing costs for small businesses and providing them with the tools they need to grow.”

TELL WASHINGTON WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES GROW AND CREATE NEW JOBS! 
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE REPRESENTATIVE PETERS' SMALL BUSINESS SURVEY

WASHINGTON – The most moderate member of Michigan’s congressional delegation? According to the National Journal, it appeared to be Bloomfield Township Democrat Gary Peters in 2009.

The Washington, D.C., publication put out its annual ranking of congressional voting records today. To create the rankings, the National Journal’s panel pores over voting records of members of Congress to give every representative and senator a liberal score and a conservative one.

For instance, a congressman with a liberal score of 51% would be considered more liberal than that percentage of the chamber he serves in. And he would have a conservative score of 49%, indicating that congressman is more conservative than that percentage of the chamber.

Peters received a liberal score of a 57.3% (and a conservative score of 42.7%). Other Michigan Democrats scoring nearby were Rep. Bart Stupak, a Menominee Democrat, with a liberal score of 58.2%, and Rep. Mark Schauer, a Battle Creek Democrat, with a liberal score of 58.7%.

Closest to the middle among Michigan’s members of Congress that lean more toward conservative positions were Grand Rapids Republican Vern Ehlers (61.2% conservative), St. Joseph Republican Fred Upton (61.2% conservative) and Harrison Township Republican Candice Miller (63.7%).

Among members of the Michigan delegation, Royal Oak Democrat Sander Levin was found the most liberal (77.8%) and Howell Republican Mike Rogers the most conservative (77%).

 

 

The following editorial, which praises Congressman Peters for breaking from his party to fight for small businesses and control spending, recently appeared in the Oakland Press, Royal Oak Tribune and Macomb Daily.

Give U.S. Rep. Gary Peters credit for his independent record

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Rep. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, is not in a very enviable position as a congressman.

He's a Democrat from a district that has historically voted Republican. The exact Democrat-Republican split is not known, but it is safe to say that he was elected because of strong support from independent voters.

As his first congressional year ends, we are not going to judge or rate him on his work. Voters will do that in next year's election.

Republicans are lining up to run against Peters in 2010.

But we believe you should give credit where credit is due.

At times during his very critical and harsh first year in office, Peters has shown that he can break away from the "party line" and act independently.

That's no small task in a Congress that is splintered along party lines. The pressure to conform to what your party leaders want is strong among both Republicans and Democrats.

That's why it is noteworthy that Peters has stepped out of the crowd of Democrats recently.

When the House voted 218-214 to raise the legal limit of debt the United States can have on its books by nearly $300 billion, from about $12.1 trillion to $12.4 trillion, Peters was one of the 214 who opposed the measure.

And when the House voted 217-212 on a $150 billion spending package that includes a variety of spending measures, Peters again voted no.

"I believe Congress must continue taking strong action to create jobs, but any jobs package should have significant support for small businesses," Peters said.

He also voted against the stimulus bill introduced by his own party that would have used $75 billion in TARP funds for a variety of job-creating programs. He objected because it contained so little — only $354 million — for small businesses.

Were his negative votes pure politics, meant to win some favor at home while knowing the legislation was going to pass?

We doubt it.

He did get passed an amendment to the Wall Street reform and Consumer Protection Act that is intended to ensure the Wall Street bailout does not increase the national debt and does not cost taxpayers any money.

Instead, large financial institutions that caused the credit crisis will be required to make full payment to taxpayers.

Peters campaigned on his fiscal acumen and promised to support small business. So far, he is keeping those promises, as difficult as it is with pressure from his fellow Democrats in Washington and the constant barrage of criticism from Republicans at home.

As we've stated, voters will decide next year how well they think Peters has done in his first term.

But for now, let's give him credit for his independent record. We certainly need that from all of our representatives, not only in Washington, but in Lansing, too.

  

 

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Bringing Fiscal Responsibility to Back to Congress

Below is a video of Congressman Peters speaking on the House floor on July 30, 2009 in favor of Pay as you Go legislation.

 

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