Op-Eds

As the father of two daughters and one son, I think I speak for most parents when I say I want the same things for all my children, equally. Like myself, moms and dads across Michigan often reach out and tell me, beaming with pride, about their sons and daughters who are in school, working hard and earning good grades.

In March we celebrate Women's History Month. We look back and recognize the incredible accomplishments of women who forged a path and fought for their rights: the right to vote, the right to choose, equal pay and against domestic violence.

One of the first things I did in Washington remains one of my proudest: helping to ensure that women earn equal pay for equal work.

As we welcome the North American International Auto Show back to Cobo Hall this week, I'm reminded of how far we have come on this fifth anniversary of the auto rescue. Today, Michigan auto companies are reporting record-breaking sales, leading our manufacturing sector and paving the way of our economic recovery. Five years ago, however, we were faced with one of the toughest challenges for our state and our nation.

Allowing Japan's entry to the Trans-Pacific Parternship before they open their auto market would amount to giving the Japanese auto companies a $1 billion annual tax break in the form of tariff elimination. This would be harmful to the U.S. auto indus

U.S. Rep. Gary Peters says the Republicans' Budget Reconciliation Act, which passed the House May 10, would end the Medicare guarantee, increase health care costs for seniors and slash vital services such as SNAP food assistance, meals on wheels and f

March 23 marked the two-year anniversary of President Barack Obama signing the historic Affordable Care Act. Despite intense pressure from Tea Party extremists, I stood with the president to reform our health care system because it was the right thing to

It's time to move toward a tax code that protects working families by ensuring that the most fortunate Americans pay their fair share.

U.S. Rep. Gary Peters would like to re -open the U.S. Consulate in Windsor to facilitate more trade and travel through the Detroit-Windsor corridor in order to create more jobs in southeastern Michigan.

The Republican budget actually endangers food assistance programs that help keep millions of Americans from going hungry, and has helped millions of families with children escape poverty.

I am proud to be working closely with the administration to enact legislation that will prevent the interest rate on student loans from doubling this summer to help ensure that new graduates don't see a spike in their student debt.

Now is the time to find a solution to help Michiganders stay in their homes and stabilize the housing market.

The Great Lakes are vital to Michigan's economy and they are our nation's most important fresh water resource. The Lakes contain 84% of the surface fresh water in America and are relied on for drinking water, commercial shipping, fishing, and the

After years of irresponsible fiscal policies, a lack of accountability, and an economic crisis that plunged our country to the brink of a second depression, we now face historic levels of debt.

Millions of Americans are still feeling the ill effects of the financial meltdown of 2008.

It has now been just over one year since the collapse of Lehman Brothers caused a stock market crash that pushed a global recession into a full-blown economic calamity. In the immediate aftermath of the financial crisis, some institutions were deemed too big to fail and the government acted quickly to save them.

General Motors announced that it will build its next generation, fuel efficient vehicles in Michigan, meaning at least 1,200 more direct jobs.

General Motors has announced that it will choose between three plants–one in Tennessee, another in Wisconsin and one right here in Michigan–to build its newest vehicles. I have partnered with others throughout our community and across the state to form a grassroots effort to encourage GM to "Make it in Michigan."

Our local forces need help if they are to continue to avoid painful cuts that could make our communities less safe. Supporting local police departments is not only critical for public safety in our region, but also Michigan's economic recovery.

We are uniquely positioned to become a global leader in the production of clean energy, advanced battery and new health technologies.

This week I met with people and credit counselors in Oakland County to hear about their experiences with credit card companies and discuss the "Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights" currently under consideration in Congress. After speaking with local residents, I am more convinced than ever that families need greater rights when it comes to their financial circumstances.

I recently met a woman named Carla from Troy. After decades in the workforce, Carla was laid off for the first time in her life this past December. Carla is currently battling cancer. When she lost her job, she faced a loss of health care coverage, leaving her unable to afford access to proper health care. But Carla now has hope.

For the past two years, 71,000 Michigan children have needlessly gone without health care. That's because for the past two years, Washington bickering prevented an expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, or S-CHIP. This delay was unfortunate, as S-CHIP not only helps parents afford health insurance for their children, but does so in a fiscally responsible way that saves tax dollars in the long run.