VIDEO: At Senate Appropriations Hearing, Peters Presses DHS Secretary Mullin for Updates on Key Michigan Projects

WASHINGTON, D.C. - During a hearing in the Senate Appropriations Committee, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) pressed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin for updates on two key Michigan projects - the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge and the Northern Border Mission Center at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

While President Donald Trump has threatened to block the opening of the new bridge, when Peters asked whether Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is prepared to facilitate trade and travel once the bridge is open, Secretary Mullin confirmed that CBP has the staff in place.

"The Gordie Howe International Bridge has been in the works for decades now. This bridge that has been built was paid for by our Canadian neighbors, but they used American steel and union labor, and it's actually going to be a critical component for not just Michigan, but for the country," the Senator said. "So, my question to Secretary Mullin - is DHS, and specifically CBP, prepared right now to facilitate trade and travel at the bridge?"

"We're prepared. We're staffed. We're ready to go," confirmed Secretary Mullin in response.

Peters has long supported the Gordie Howe International Bridge project, securing $15 million for inspection and screening systems for it, as well as $1 million in government funding legislation to help DHS prepare for the completion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. Earlier this year, Peters and eight of his Michigan Congressional colleagues sent a letter to President Trump reiterating the importance of opening the Gordie Howe International Bridge as scheduled this year.

Peters also questioned Mullin about the current progress of the Northern Border Mission Center, which is being established at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

"You committed to taking action on implementing a law that Senator Collins and I passed that would create a Northern Border Mission Center," the Senator said. "You responded that within one month of your swearing in, you would work to get that center set up - it's been two months since you've been sworn in. Have you taken actions, as required by law, to advance the center?"

Mullin confirmed that the personnel are in place, and it is actively mission capable.

Peters established the Center and has secured a total of $9 million for its operations, which will support DHS' ongoing border security work to address the evolving threats and challenges the Department faces, including the bi-directional flow of illicit drugs, like fentanyl, and other contraband, as well as human smuggling and trafficking.

To watch the full video of Senator Peters' questioning, click here.

Peters also pressed Mullin about reports that FEMA disaster declaration requests made by Democratic-run states have repeatedly been delayed and denied by President Trump more frequently than requests from Republican-led states.

"There are reports that President Trump has approved nearly 90% of requests from red states, but only 23% from blue states, even when the request met the FEMA established threshold for federal assistance," said Peters. "I don't think there's any other President since the establishment of FEMA that has chosen to actually punish American citizens that have survived a flood or a wildfire because of their home state's governor or senators' political affiliation."

Michigan has faced continual delays in approvals for disaster declaration requests and unprecedented denials. After ice storms left thousands without power in Northern Michigan last year, Peters, alongside other members of Michigan's congressional delegation and Governor Gretchen Whitmer, worked tirelessly to get a disaster declaration approved and overturn the President's denial of Category F assistance for public utilities so that critical federal resources could be issued to help Michiganders rebuild and recover.

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