State of Michigan Archives: on Homeland Security

Bill Schuette: Provided two new legal resources for all members of military

Debbie Stabenow: Push to pass the 9/11 Report

STABENOW: we need to push and pass the 9/11 Report. I’ve lead the effort to fight for those things that allow our firefighters and police what they need to do their job and keep us safe. We have tripled the number of border security. I’ve brought in dollars for sheriffs across the state, including Mike.

BOUCHARD: That’s just more talk-versus-reality in Washington. I sit on Committee that represents law enforcement - she’s never visited. We need someone who understands security. Security funding has turned into pork barrel spending. They are well intentioned, but no results. If you don’t fix a problem - people die.

Dave Trott: Unyielding enthusiasm for our troops

Debbie Stabenow: Critical balance between staying safe and keeping our rights

BOUCHARD: We need to keep our state safe. We can’t give up basic rights to stay safe. I have very big differences than her. I’m a member of the joint terrorism task force with the FBI - what can I do personally to mitigate and respond to the need. There’s a list of things that they need to do and fix.

STABENOW: I’m a member of the Banking Committee that tracks money of terrorists. There is a critical balance between what it takes to stay safe and keep our rights. I’m proud of having the Detroit Regional Chamber’s endorsement because of protecting businesses in Michigan. I’m championing an effort with Congressional colleagues to protect our middle class way of life.

Donald Trump: Snowden was a spy; if Russia respected us, they'd deport him

CRUZ: As someone who spent much of his life in law enforcement, I believe you should start with the facts and evidence first before ending up with the verdict. When the news first broke of the US government engaging in massive surveillance on American citizens, that was a very troubling development, and it's why the US Congress acted to correct it. Since then, the evidence is clear that Snowden committed treason.

TRUMP: I will tell you right from the beginning, I said Snowden was a spy and we should get him back. And if Russia respected our country, they would have sent him back immediately, but he was a spy. It didn't take me a long time to figure that one out. Believe me.

Fred Thompson: We face a global war declared on us by Islamic fascism

Fred Thompson: Spend more than current 4% of budget on military

Gary Peters: Protect religious non-profits against terrorism

Gary Peters: Less-than-honorable discharged veterans can regain benefits

Gary Peters: AdWatch: endorsed by VoteVets for military service

VoteVets described itself as the "largest progressive group of veterans in America." A 2016 report from the Center for Public Integrity described the group as a "liberal 'dark money' nonprofit."

The new ads will start airing Thursday in multiple TV markets, including Detroit, Flint and Grand Rapids, according to a press release.[Ad text: "Call Gary Peters. Thank him for sponsoring the Securing America's Ports of Entry Act"]

Gretchen Whitmer: We should be ashamed for neglecting veterans' needs

Improving care by putting our veterans ahead of politics to make sure they get the benefits and medical care they deserve, including mental health services, addiction care, and counseling. One veteran suicide is too many, and we must do better for our servicemen and women who face the difficult transition of returning home. I'll work to get more medical staff in veterans' homes, increase oversight for service providers, and end the privatization of services.

Gretchen Whitmer: Coronavirus: Widespread testing is fundamental & crucial

Gretchen Whitmer: COVID-19 restrictions were aggressive and necessary

WHITMER: I don't. And here's why. You know, Michigan right now has the third highest number of death from COVID-19. And yet, we're the tenth largest state. We have a disproportionate problem in the state of Michigan. And so, we could take the same kinds of actions other states have, but it doesn't rise to the challenge we're confronting. And that's precisely why we have to take a more aggressive stand. It's working. We are seeing the curve start to flatten.

Jack Bergman: Give my all to implement V.A. reform

Jack Hoogendyk: Military tribunals & domestic spying OK

A: Yes.

Q: Should law enforcement agencies have greater discretion to monitor domestic communications, to prevent future terrorist attacks?

A: Yes.

Q: Should the United States hold foreign states accountable for terrorists who operate in their country?

A: Yes.

Q: Should the United States expand its missile defense shield?

A: Yes.

Jennifer Granholm: Proclaimed Hire a Veteran Month in Michigan

John James: Help prepare our veterans for re-entry into society

John James: Adequately fund military but work toward balanced budget

John James: Torn between adequately funding the military & working toward a balanced budget with less debt. On tariffs, calls Trump "a master negotiator."

Debbie Stabenow: Supports major infrastructure spending for rural and urban communities. On tariffs, supports stopping Chinese dumping of certain products.

John McCain: After 9/11, ask Americans to join military or AmeriCorps

A: I would have asked Americans, when Americans were ready to serve a cause greater than themselves, I would have told them, first of all, consider the military; also the Peace Corps, also AmeriCorps, also neighborhood watches, also volunteer organizations that we would form up all over America. That way we would all serve this nation.

John McCain: Let loose smart, tough spies to catch Bin Laden

A: I would establish an organization not unlike the OSS in World War II. People who are smart, people who are tough; people who are used to operating independently, and the smartest and most talented people I know. And I would let them loose, and I'd say find this guy and do whatever is necessary to get him.

Marcia Squier: Reappropriate military spending to social needs

Marcia Squier: Cut the military budget by at least 50%

A: Strongly oppose- I propose we cut the military budget by at least 50%.

Mark Schauer: Ensure veterans have access to the benefits they've earned

While Michigan has the 11th largest veterans population in the country, the state ranks 53rd in providing veterans benefits--behind Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and Guam. Mark believes we can and must do better. As Governor, Mark will work to ensure veterans have access to the benefits they've earned by strengthening state services that help veterans secure good jobs, quality health care, and affordable housing.

Mike Bishop: Maintain a numerically superior nuclear arsenal

Bishop: Strongly Agree

Mike Bishop: Number one responsibility is to provide a national defense

Mike Bouchard: Can't give up basic rights to stay safe

BOUCHARD: We need to keep our state safe. We can't give up basic rights to stay safe. I have very big differences than her. I'm a member of the joint terrorism task force with the FBI - what can I do personally to mitigate and respond to the need. There's a list of things that they need to do and fix.

STABENOW: I'm a member of the Banking Committee that tracks money of terrorists. There is a critical balance between what it takes to stay safe and keep our rights. I'm proud of having the Detroit Regional Chamber's endorsement because of protecting businesses in Michigan. I'm championing an effort with Congressional colleagues to protect our middle class way of life.

Mike Bouchard: If we don't fix terrorist security, people die

STABENOW: we need to push and pass the 9/11 Report. I've lead the effort to fight for those things that allow our firefighters and police what they need to do their job and keep us safe. We have tripled the number of border security. I've brought in dollars for sheriffs across the state, including Mike.

BOUCHARD: That's just more talk-versus-reality in Washington. I sit on Committee that represents law enforcement - she's never visited. We need someone who understands security. Security funding has turned into pork barrel spending. They are well intentioned, but no results. If you don't fix a problem - people die.

Rick Snyder: There is a cost to sending our military into harm's way

To give you some perspective, we had well over 1,000 Michiganders serve and come back this year, and there is a cost and we need to understand that. This last year we lost nine service people that were Michiganders. So, I think it is only fitting that we send out thoughts and prayers at anyone in the Armed Services and all their families.

Rick Snyder: 24/7/365 service to our veterans for benefits

Ted Cruz: Snowden guilty of treason, but exposed massive surveillance

CRUZ: As someone who spent much of his life in law enforcement, I believe you should start with the facts and evidence first before ending up with the verdict. When the news first broke of the US government engaging in massive surveillance on American citizens, that was a very troubling development, and it's why the Congress acted to correct it. Since then, the evidence is clear that Snowden committed treason. What Snowden did made it easier for terrorists to avoid detection. And Snowden's behavior afterwards--he fled to Russia, he fled to China--indicates that he was not a whistleblower, but instead he was undermining the ability to defend this country.

Elissa Slotkin: Selfridge Base plays a key role in keeping Michigan strong

"On July 8, 1917, the first flight took off from what was then known as the Selfridge Field, marking the beginning of the Selfridge Air National Guard Base," said Senator Slotkin. "Now, 108 years later, the base remains one of the oldest continuously operating military airfields in the nation. This resolution honors the fighter mission and the countless men and women who have put their lives on the line to keep us safe and strengthen our national security. Here's to another 108 years of Michigan's very own, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, leading the way!"

Gary Peters: Selfridge Base plays a key role in keeping Michigan strong

"Since World War I, Selfridge Air National Guard Base has been a critical asset to our Armed Forces," said Peters, a member of the Armed Services Committee and former Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy Reserve. "This resolution recognizes the remarkable contributions of generations of men and women who have served at Selfridge and helped strengthen our nation's security. Selfridge plays a key role in keeping Michigan strong, and I'll continue fighting to support the base for years to come."

John James: Selfridge Base plays a key role in keeping Michigan strong

The resolution codifies the decision [to select] Selfridge for a new squadron of next-generation tankers--which will be deployed by the US Air Force for the next 50 years--as a result of its strategic location for northern border security and homeland defense.

Garlin Gilchrist: Support our service members, veterans, and their families

Haley Stevens: Don't send troops to states unless requested by officials

Jocelyn Benson: Appalled that Trump deployed military against protestors

Joe Tate: Protested VA cuts, as ex-Marine has used VA himself

"You have these effects where you're going to put people in the ground, veterans in the ground, if some of these veterans don't get the services they need," Tate said.

Mike Duggan: Would be bad strategy to send National Guard to Detroit

A: "The answer is no," Duggan said. "I don't see any chance of that happening."

Q: "Is it wrong to have the National Guard come in?"

A: "It's a bad strategy," he said.

Tom Leonard: Would welcome deployment of National Guard in Detroit

"If I was the governor of the state of Michigan, I would be taking the federal government up on whatever help they were willing to give us."