Senate Passes Bipartisan Funding Bill with Peters-Led Provisions to Strengthen Michigan Manufacturing, Public Safety, and Great Lakes Protections

WASHINGTON, DC - As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) secured funding to improve public safety, support job creation, and improve the health of our Great Lakes in bipartisan legislation that passed the Senate. The Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act would fund federal programs and high-impact, local public projects that support Michigan priorities like safer communities, growing Michigan's advanced manufacturing economy, and a clean environment. The bill now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law.

"This bipartisan legislation advances critical projects in Michigan and across the country," said Senator Peters. "I was proud to secure investments in this bill that will strengthen public safety, support local law enforcement, and boost Michigan's economic competitiveness. The bill also takes important steps to preserve our Great Lakes and Michigan's natural resources for future generations."

The bill includes numerous measures led and supported by Peters, including:

Strengthening Michigan's Manufacturing Sector

Obstructing Trump Administration Cuts to Manufacturing Programs: The bill included language Senator Peters championed to prevent the Department of Commerce from unilaterally defunding or overhauling contracts from Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Programs - like the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center. The bill also includes $175 million for the MEP program despite the Trump Administration's budget proposal to eliminate it. This program helps small and medium-sized manufacturers grow their business and integrate advanced manufacturing techniques and technology, and works to strengthen our domestic manufacturing supply chain. For every dollar of federal investment, MEP generates $24.60 in new sales growth for manufacturers and $27.50 in new investment. This translates into $4.3 billion in new sales annually. In 2024, the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center estimated they helped 584 businesses produce over $150 million in sales growth and over $100 million in investments. For every $1 of a company's investment, the Center returns $18 in financial returns.

Supporting Michigan Technological University AI Program: Peters secured $2 million in funding for the Safe and Secure AI Manufacturing Implementation Program for Michigan Technological University to support research into and deployment of AI standards and practices to support small and medium manufacturers.

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): The bill invests heavily in the National Institute of Standards and Technology. These resources will help NIST advance research in cutting-edge fields like carbon dioxide removal, artificial intelligence, quantum information science, and cybersecurity. NIST will also develop standards, tools, and tests to help ensure AI systems operate safely.

Making Michigan Communities Safer

PAWS Act: Peters recently secured $3 million for the Emergency and Transitional Pet Shelter and Housing Assistance Grant Program, which was established by Peters'Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act. The grant program, administered by the Department of Justice, provides emergency and transitional shelter options for domestic violence survivors with companion animals. Peters additionally secured language in the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act encouraging the Department of Justice to continue providing robust funding for grants under the program.

Project Safe Neighborhoods: Peters secured funding in the bill for the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative - a nationwide law enforcement program that uses evidence-based and data-driven approaches to reduce violent crime. Last Congress, the Senate passed Peters' bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Project Safe Neighborhoods program.

Preventing Violence Against Women: The bill contains increased funding for the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) and its lifesaving programs. Grants from OVW programs support training for police officers, state domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions, rape prevention programs, homicide reduction initiatives, domestic violence hotlines, women's shelters, transitional housing, and rural support services. In addition, Peters secured language in the bill directing the Department of Justice to develop best practices, in consultation with Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) community-based organizations, for the investigation and prosecution of violence against MENA women.

Improving Police-Community Relations: The bill provides funding for the State, Local, Tribal and Territorial Law Enforcement Assistance and Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office grant programs which aim to strengthen police-community relations.

Addressing Substance Use Disorder in Our Communities: The bill provides significant funding to help our communities and first responders address substance use disorders, including opioids, and to address drug trafficking.

Promoting Community Policing in Oakland County: The bill includes over $1 million to modernize Oakland County's Courts and Law Enforcement Management Information Systems (CLEMIS), which will improve transparency of law enforcement activity and promote community policing.

Improving Criminal Investigation in Van Buren County: Peters secured $576,000 in the bill for Van Buren County to support purchase of rapid-processing DNA technology, which will reduce a current backlog and enable crimes to be solved more efficiently.

Purchasing New Patrol Vehicles in Kalamazoo: The bill includes $490,000 to help the City of Kalamazoo upgrade its public safety vehicles, which will allow personnel to respond to service calls safely and efficiently.

Making Road Patrols Safer in Oakland County: The bill would provide $26,000 for the Oakland County Sherrif's Office to purchase safety equipment for motorcycle patrol officers.

Supporting Safe Traffic Stops in Warren: Peters secured $38,000 in the bill to help the City of Warren Police Department purchase new safety equipment to aid officers during traffic stops and investigations.

Improving Security at East Lansing's Government Facilities: Peters secured $472,000 to support safety and security enhancements at the City of East Lansing's government facilities.

Bolstering Canton Township's Public Safety Communications Infrastructure: The bill includes over $1 million for Canton Township's Bi-Directional Antennas Project. The funding will be used to purchase radio boosters that will enhance public safety communications.

Upgrading Police Communications in Marquette: The bill includes $264,000 for the City of Marquette to purchase new portable radios, which would improve emergency response for Marquette Police Department officers.

Upgrading Aging Patrol Vehicle Fleet in Houghton: The bill includes $385,000 for Houghton County to purchase new police patrol vehicles, helping to improve emergency response throughout the region.

Strengthening Eaton County Security Infrastructure: The bill includes $414,351 for Eaton County to support security system improvements at the Eaton County Governmental Complex.

Westland Police Technology Update: The bill also includes $100,000 to upgrade aging computer systems in police squad cars in Westland.

Investing in Sustainable Solutions to Protect Michigan's Environment, Natural Resources

Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory: The bill provides funding for the Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab (GLERL), which studies the dynamic environments and ecosystems of the Great Lakes. The work produced and shared by GLERL informs local decisions for safe and sustainable resource management throughout the Great Lakes Basin. GLERL research also plays a crucial role in the work carried out by the Coast Guard's Center of Expertise for Oil Spill Preparedness and Response in Sault Ste Marie. Peters also secured language in the bill recognizing the importance of continued support for the work of the Great Lakes Center of Expertise for Oil Spill Preparedness and Response, which examines the impacts of oil spills in freshwater environments and develops effective responses. Peters-led efforts made the Great Lakes Center of Expertise a reality. Peters authored and passed legislation into law establishing the Great Lakes Center of Expertise in 2018, and then successfully secured $4.5 million in total to kick-start the initiative the following year. Peters then announced the Great Lakes Center of Expertise will be headquartered in two Michigan locations to maximize research and operational capabilities. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Peters has continued to secure funding to support the Center's work.

Great Lakes Monitoring: The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) is the nation's premier ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes observing program. The bill provides funding to fill critical gaps in our nation's ocean and Great Lakes observation infrastructure. It will also ensure the availability of coastal data to inform management decisions on oil spill planning and response, navigation safety, fisheries management, and harmful algal blooms.

Supporting the Great Lakes Compact: The bill includes $1,500,000 for the Great Lakes Commission to execute the authorities provided under the Great Lakes Basin Compact and improve the health of the Great Lakes. Specifically, this funding will help further efforts to address water quality, nutrient pollution, harmful algal blooms, aquatic invasive species, and coastal management throughout the Great Lakes region.

Addressing Harmful Algal Blooms: The bill supports the National Ocean Service's research on harmful algal blooms (HABs). This funding is vital to preserving the health of the Great Lakes, which provide drinking water to more than 40 million people, support a $16 billion recreational boating industry, and draw 37 million anglers, hunters, and bird watchers each year. HABs, which produce toxic or harmful effects on people and wildlife, have been reported in the Great Lakes and in every U.S. coastal state. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), their occurrence is likely on the rise.

Coastal Zone Management Grants: This bill provides much-needed funding for NOAA's Coastal Zone Management Program, which provides grants to states with approved coastal zone management plans for the protection, restoration, and enhancement of coastal zone areas, including those in the Great Lakes region. All eight Great Lakes states have active Coastal Zone Management programs committed to preserving the health of the lakes and the $6 trillion regional economy they help sustain. This unique program is essential to the economic and ecological importance of our coastlines and Great Lakes shorelines while supporting state and local efforts to address critical management issues such as coastal hazards, habitat, and water quality.

Marine Debris Program: The NOAA Marine Debris Program is a joint effort that supports national and international efforts to prevent, identify, and reduce the occurrence of marine debris. The program leverages resources from state and local agencies, tribes, non-governmental organizations, academia, and industry for innovative research, outreach, and education initiatives. This bill provides funding to allow this important work to continue.

National Marine Fisheries Services, Studying PFAS in Fish: The bill recognizes the threat posed by the concentration of PFAS detected in fish tissue. The bill directs NOAA to conduct fish tissue sampling and monitoring of PFAS to evaluate the impacts on aquatic health and public safety.

Improving the Census Process to Ensure Michigan Communities Are Accurately Represented

Census Bureau: The bill provides increased funding for the U.S. Census Bureau and includes language requesting updates on delays in planning the upcoming 2030 decennial census. This provision is essential to ensuring the Bureau does not fall behind on crucial preparations and can control long-term costs. The census and other key federal surveys are tied to important outcomes for communities in Michigan and across the country, including federal resources for education, health care, and infrastructure. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where Peters serves as Ranking Member, is responsible for conducting oversight of the Census Bureau. Peters previously convened a hearing in downtown Detroit to examine impacts of the 2020 Census on Michigan. Peters also convened a hearing in 2021 with senior federal officials to examine how lawmakers can work to improve operations at the Census Bureau. Peters has also pressed the Census Bureau to ensure it addresses 2020 Census undercounts and improves annual population data.

Strengthening Workforce Development Initiatives, Securing Investments in STEM Training Programs

Creating Employment Opportunities in Detroit: The bill includes $600,000 secured by Peters for the City of Detroit's Pathway to Employment program, which supports reentry opportunities for Detroiters by improving access to education and employment.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): Despite efforts by the Trump Administration to significantly cut funding, the bill provides continued funding for key NASA science and STEM education programs that support cutting edge research and scholarships at Michigan universities. The STEM education programs also strengthen our aerospace workforce pipeline.

Fully Fund the Artemis Space Mission: Despite efforts by the Trump Administration to significantly cut funding, this bill includes full funding that Senator Peters championed for the Artemis Mission, which is set to take the United States back to the Moon as well as, eventually, Mars. The Artemis program is supported by Michigan aerospace manufacturers and one of the astronauts participating in the upcoming Artemis III mission, Christina Koch, is a Michigander.

National Science Foundation: Senator Peters helped secure $8.75 billion in funding for the National Science Foundation. This level of funding prevents the catastrophic 55 percent cut proposed by the Trump Administration, which would have devastated U.S. scientific and STEM leadership, and harmed Michigan's research institutions' ability to continue advancing cutting edge research.

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