Peters skipped 84% of the Small Business Committee hearings that could have made Michigan jobs more resilient prior to COVID-19 When Michigan businesses needed support the most, Gary Peters skipped out on Small Business committee hearings that could’ve helped them prepare before crisis hit. When Peters had the opportunity to better prepare Michigan for a crisis, he skipped 43 of 51 House Small Business Committee hearings from 2011-2012— an appalling 84% of the time. Even worse, in 2012 Peters didn’t bother to show up a single time. (23 of 23) “Every time Michigan small businesses have needed strong leadership to show up for them in Washington, Gary Peters couldn’t be bothered.” said Laura Cox, Michigan Republican Party Chairman. “The bottom line is that Peters is no ally to small businesses. These businesses are the backbone of our nation’s economy and deserve better air support than a part-time Senator.” More >

By failing to subject herself to FOIA and using executive orders to extend FOIA deadlines, Governor Whitmer is the least transparent governor in modern history Michigan Republican Party Chairman Laura Cox announced today that the Michigan Republican Party filed a FOIA request seeking documents from Governor Whitmer’s office showing how much taxpayer money was spent on her failed quest to obtain the Democratic vice-presidential nomination through an unprecedented national media blitz that began after she hired a presidential campaign communications guru on the state payroll. Cox called on Whitmer to be transparent and voluntarily release the information last week. Despite Whitmer recently announcing a state budget deal requiring layoffs and a hiring freeze to balance the current fiscal year budget, she previously found public funds to hire a presidential campaign operative. Strangely, Whitmer’s office never publicly announced the high-profile hire. During this time, roughly March to June, Whitmer’s national media appearances exploded and her name rocketed up the V.P. speculation list. While the COVID-19 crisis contributed, the unprecedented reach of Whitmer’s appearances into far-flung national media platforms was likely boosted by special efforts in her office. The culmination of those efforts came on May 19th, when The Hill reported “that she has had an “opening conversation” with Joe Biden’s campaign about her potential as a running mate pick.” However, by June 12th, WWJ reported that “Biden's VP List Narrows — And Gretchen Whitmer Isn't On It.” After collecting many state paychecks, Whitmer’s personal vice-presidential hype man then parachuted out of her... More >

Gary Peters promised Michigan he would hold China accountable economically but prioritized something else 89% of the time Gary Peters made time for a campaign fundraiser to benefit himself on the day he skipped a China accountability hearing, despite promising Michigan families that he would stop China from practices that are damaging Michigan’s economy and America’s security. Upon joining the Congressional Executive Commission on China (CECC) in 2015, Peters promised Michigan workers he would hold China accountablefor its economic misdeeds: “I am honored to serve on the Congressional-Executive Commission on China” “I will work to hold China accountable for unfair trade practices “American companies and American workers can compete on a level playing field” “Make sure that China plays by the rules” After the press releases were distributed, Peters vanished. He skipped 89% of the hearings (16 of 18) about Chinese economic issues, human rights abuses and more. Peters Profits: Campaign cash over China’s culpability Harold Black, a “sexy” Washington, D.C. speakeasy On June 28, 2017, Peters did not make time to attend a CECC hearing, letting China off the hook and breaking his promise to Michigan workers. But Peters did make time for a campaign fundraiser that day, which helped him profit personally in his quest for reelection. Peters managed to hold the campaign fundraiser at a Washington, D.C. restaurant described in online reviews as “exclusive and intimate”, and “a super sexy discreet stop.” “Being a U.S. Senator is a tough job. Every day, senators must prioritize their schedules,... More >

Following a state budget deal in which state worker furloughs and a hiring freeze were required to balance the current fiscal year budget, Michigan Republican Party Chairman Laura Cox today called on Governor Gretchen Whitmer to release all documents related to the hire of presidential campaign staff on her state office payroll over the last six months of her unofficial candidacy for the vice presidency. According to Bridge, Whitmer announced that the current-year FY 20 budget deficit will be partly filled by saving “$490 million through hiring and discretionary spending freezes, layoffs and "other identified savings.” The necessity of cutting back on the salaries of state employees who carry out key functions of Michigan’s government calls into question why Whitmer hired at least one presidential campaign staffer into her communications office during the period of time in which her unofficial candidacy for vice president was at its peak, highlighted by a national media appearance blitz unrivaled in Michigan history. National political operative boosts Whitmer’s candidacy while on state payroll One Democrat presidential operative spent most of this year on Whitmer’s executive office communications staff after working as a national spokesperson for presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg. Whitmer’s office never publicly announced the hire. During this time, from roughly March through June, Whitmer’s national media appearances exploded as her name moved up the V.P. speculation list. The culmination of these efforts came on May 19th, when The Hill reported “that she has had an “opening conversation” with Joe Biden’s campaign about her potential... More >

When will Peters protect his seniors instead of his political ally? Gary Peters again indicated support for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s dangerous policy of placing COVID-19 patients inside nursing homes when he signed a Democratic congressional reportcritical of governmental nursing home efforts that made no mention of the most controversial issue facing his own Michigan constituents. At least four Michigan Democratic officials have officially abandoned Whitmer’s dangerous nursing home policies, but Peters continues to protect his political ally, Whitmer. Peters signed on to the new report in another failed attempt to show he acted on the senior citizen crisis in Michigan, yet he still refuses to oppose Whitmer’s policy of sending COVID-19 patients into nursing homes. Peters previously failed to call on Whitmer to release data about the number of deaths that occurred in Michigan nursing homes this year. After months of outside pressure, Whitmer finally released limited data on June 15th, which showed a heart-breaking 1,947 patients and 20 staffers died in Michigan’s nursing homes. “Why would Gary Peters refuse to call out Gov. Whitmer’s bungled nursing home data reporting and her dangerous nursing home policy?” said Michigan Republican Party Chairman Laura Cox. “A U.S. Senator should be protecting his constituents, not his own self-interests and political friends at the expense of our seniors.” More >