On the Issues
Throughout his Senate career, Senator Levin has advocated for openness and accountability in government. He believes it is important for the people of Michigan to know his legislative record and where he stands on the issues.
Many of the issues on which Senator Levin works are related to his committee assignments. As the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Levin works on issues concerning national security and the Department of Defense. On the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Senator Levin has led in-depth investigations into the U.S. tax shelter industry, the Enron debacle, gasoline and crude oil pricing, and money laundering.
This section of the website contains Senator Levin's positions on over 60 issues such as adoption, corporate responsibility, government reform, Great Lakes, homeland security, national security and veterans. Several of the issues listed on the left have sub-topics, which can be accessed by clicking on the main issue.
Adoption and Foster Care
Senator Levin has long been an active supporter of adoption and foster care. This was one of the first issues with which he became involved when he entered the Senate. more >
National Voluntary Mutual Reunion Registry
There are many stories and expert testimony that support the need for a National Voluntary Mutual Reunion Registry. more >
Agriculture
Michigan’s agriculture industry adds nearly $4 billion annually to the state’s economy and is Michigan’s second largest industry next to the automobile industry. more >
Autos
Michigan, home of the Big-3 automakers, is the heart of the U.S. automobile industry. more >
Budget, Taxes and the Economy
Few issues are more important than the strength and health of our economy. The fiscal, budget, tax and economic policies that Congress and the President pursue influence nearly every other legislative issue. more >
Abusive Tax Shelters
Unlike legitimate tax shelters, abusive tax shelters are complex transactions that have no economic substance other than to provide individuals or corporations with large tax benefits unintended by the tax code. These illegal schemes enable tax cheats to evade paying their fair share while leaving honest taxpayers to make up the difference. more >
Closing Tax Loopholes
Congress needs to act to close down the tax loopholes being exploited by those seeking to avoid paying their fair share of taxes. more >
Earned Income Tax Credit
The earned income tax credit is a federal tax credit provided to working families with low to moderate incomes. more >
Economic and Fiscal Policy
Michigan's unemployment rate is among the highest in the nation. Our country is also back into a very deep deficit ditch. more >
Consumer Protection
Senator Levin has fought for legislative measures that protect the interests of consumers and taxpayers. In this section of the website, you can read about his investigation into the causes of spikes in gasoline prices; his work to end the federal prison industry monopoly on government contracting to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used most effectively; and information about reducing unwanted junk mail. more >
Federal Prison Industries
In 2001, Senator Levin was able to enact legislation permitting private companies to compete against Federal Prison Industries for Department of Defense contracts. more >
Gasoline Price Investigation
Following unusually large and sudden increases in gasoline prices throughout the Midwest in 2000 and 2001, Senator Levin initiated an investigation to determine the causes of these price spikes. more >
Corporate Responsibility
Beginning with the sudden fall of Enron in 2001, and subsequent corporate scandals involving Tyco, Adelphia, Worldcom and others, investor confidence in the financial statements of major U.S. corporations was severely shaken. Senator Levin became one of the leaders of Senate efforts to find out what went wrong, require corporate reforms, and restore investor confidence. more >
Abusive Tax Shelters
Unlike legitimate tax shelters, abusive tax shelters are complex transactions that have no economic substance other than to provide individuals or corporations with large tax benefits unintended by the tax code. These illegal schemes enable tax cheats to evade paying their fair share while leaving honest taxpayers to make up the difference. more >
Enron Investigation
In January 2002, Senator Levin, then chairman of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, initiated a bipartisan investigation into Enron’s collapse. more >
Shareholder Rights
Senator Levin is a long-time champion of shareholder rights. more >
Stock Options and Executive Pay
For more than a decade, Senator Levin has expressed concerns about runaway corporate executive pay. more >
Crime and Justice
Our society today faces dangers that would have been unthinkable a generation ago. To help law enforcement officials effectively perform their jobs, Congress has considered legislative measures aimed at protecting our families and keeping our streets safe and our borders secure. In numerous areas – such as fighting drug addiction, promoting gun safety, preventing hate crimes, and strengthening anti-money laundering laws -- Senator Levin has fought for legislation that enables the federal government to work with state and local authorities to help keep our neighborhoods and communities safe. more >
Combating Drug Addiction
Addiction to drugs is a dreadful plague on our society, and the goal of ridding society of the scourge of illegal drugs is worthy of our best efforts. more >
Gun Safety
According to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, nearly 80 people a day die in the United States from gun-related suicides, homicides and unintentional injuries. Congress needs to do its part by closing the gun show loophole. more >
Hate Crimes
In the 107th Congress, a procedural vote prevented the Senate from considering the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, otherwise known as the hate crimes bill. The efforts to block the bill's consideration were particularly disappointing because there is bipartisan support in the Senate for passing hate crimes legislation. more >
Money Laundering
Money laundering helps terrorists, drug traffickers, and other criminals to disguise dirty money, move funds and carry out criminal acts. Senator Levin has been a leader in the Senate efforts to strengthen anti-money laundering laws and procedures to prevent terrorists and other criminals from using our financial systems against us. more >
Education
Senator Levin has worked consistently to make the federal government an effective partner in helping Michigan communities meet new and growing challenges to our public education system. more >
Energy
As our reliance on energy is ever increasing, we must support energy policies that decrease our dependence on foreign oil; protect our national security interests; and promote environmentally friendly, renewable energy sources. Senator Levin has fought for legislation that supports these goals, including federal research and development programs on advanced technology and tax incentives for advanced technology vehicles, such as hybrid, clean diesel and fuel cell vehicles. Additionally, Senator Levin conducted investigations into gasoline price spikes and crude oil prices to determine the causes of sudden price spikes in these markets. more >
Crude Oil Investigation
In May 2002, Senator Levin directed the staff of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations to investigate whether the Department of Energy’s program to fill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve was increasing the price of crude oil and the operation of the crude oil markets. more >
Energy Derivatives
Senator Levin has co-sponsored bipartisan legislation to remove the so-called "Enron exemption" and prohibit fraud and manipulation in over-the-counter energy markets. more >
Energy Policy
As we move forward with a national energy policy, we need to ensure that we support policies that will decrease our dependence on foreign oil and protect our national energy security but at the same time promote renewable energy sources, environmentally responsible domestic production and tax incentives for energy efficiency and advanced automobile fuel technology. more >
Gasoline Price Investigation
Following unusually large and sudden increases in gasoline prices throughout the Midwest in 2000 and 2001, Senator Levin initiated an investigation to determine the causes of these price spikes. more >
Canadian Waste
Canada continues to be the largest source of waste imports to Michigan. Each day, approximately 125-150 trash trucks from Toronto and about 30 trash trucks from other municipalities in Canada cross the border into Michigan. more >
Protecting Michigan Land
Protecting Michigan land today is our responsibility for the generations to come. Areas where Senator Levin has worked hard to protect Michigan’s environment include the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge and the North Country Scenic Trail. more >
Smart Growth
Co-founded by Senator Carl Levin, the bipartisan Senate Smart Growth Task Force serves as a forum for senators interested in sustainable and sensible growth. more >
Government Reform
Senator Levin has worked to increase accountability and efficiency in the federal government and eliminate waste, fraud and abuse. Among other initiatives, he has helped increase federal contract competition, protect whistleblowers, reform the federal regulatory process, and eliminate the federal prison industries monopoly on the federal procurement process. more >
Acquisition Reform at DOD
Ever since he came to the Senate, Senator Levin has been fighting to ensure that every dollar spent on national defense is spent wisely. more >
Campaign Finance Reform
On March 27, 2002, the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act became law. This was the first significant reform of the laws governing how federal campaigns are financed in almost 30 years. Senator Levin was proud to be a cosponsor of this bill. more >
DOD Civil Service Reform
The federal civil service system was established more than a century ago to replace a patronage system that was characterized by favoritism, and abuse. As we evaluate the possible reform of that system, we must take care that we do not allow those abuses to resurface. more >
Regulatory Reform
Senator Levin came to the Senate determined to work to improve the way in which federal agencies issue regulations. more >
Whistleblower Protection
Whistleblowers play a crucial role in ensuring that Congress and the public are aware of serious cases of waste, fraud and mismanagement in government. more >
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are one of the greatest natural resources for Michigan and the country. Michigan borders four of the five Great Lakes and has 3,228 miles of coastline. Senator Levin has worked to protect and clean up our lakes. more >
Contaminated Sediments
Contaminated sediments are found throughout the tributaries flowing into the Great Lakes, and cleaning up these sediments is important for human health and ecosystem health. more >
Great Lakes Restoration Act
The Great Lakes Environmental Restoration Act would provide $6 billion over 10 years in Great Lakes ecosystem restoration funding. more >
Invasive Species
The Great Lakes have over 160 non-native species, like the zebra mussel and Eurasian ruffe that have invaded the lakes from other regions of the world. Preventing future invasions into the Great Lakes is critical for the native fishery and wildlife. more >
Water Quality
The Great Lakes are a tremendous natural resource that millions of people rely on for drinking water, and ensuring water quality is a priority. more >
Health Care
Few issues have as direct an impact on as many people as does health care. Senator Levin has worked with many of his colleagues in the Senate in supporting legislation to make health care coverage affordable and accessible to as many Americans as possible. Examples of these measures are the Patients’ Bill of Rights, which would assure that doctors, nurses and medical professionals – rather than insurance companies -- make medical decisions for patients; legislation to provide prescription drug coverage under Medicare; and a bill, which was signed into law, to help combat heroin addiction with newly FDA-approved medication. more >
Combating Drug Addiction
Addiction to drugs is a dreadful plague on our society, and the goal of ridding society of the scourge of illegal drugs is worthy of our best efforts. more >
Medicare
Congress has a unique opportunity to improve and modernize the Medicare program. more >
Prescription Drugs
While prescription drugs hold the promise of healthier lives for the American people, the high cost of those drugs puts them out of the reach of too many. more >
Reproductive Rights
While people of good will often have difficulty finding common ground on the issue of reproductive rights, Senator Levin respects the deeply held beliefs of those on both sides of the debate. more >
Homeland Security
We have made real progress in our fight against terrorism but we must do more. We have passed new legislation strengthening our abilities to protect our nation, improve homeland security and prevent future terrorist acts. more >
Airline Security
Our airline passengers and crews deserve the safest aviation system in the world. Since the horrific attacks of September 11th, Congress has taken a number of steps to improve the safety of the flying public. more >
First Responders
Senator Levin is fighting for federal dollars for Michigan’s hard working first responders, such as firefighters, police and health care workers. more >
Homeland Security and the Department of Defense
The Department of Defense provides support to the federal, state and local authorities that have the primary responsibility for homeland security. more >
Intelligence Accountability
To ensure accountability in the intelligence community, Senator Levin has continued to press the Bush administration to clarify which intelligence entity is responsible for specific intelligence objectives. more >
Money Laundering
Money laundering helps terrorists, drug traffickers, and other criminals to disguise dirty money, move funds and carry out criminal acts. Senator Levin has been a leader in the Senate efforts to strengthen anti-money laundering laws and procedures to prevent terrorists and other criminals from using our financial systems against us. more >
Northern Border
The Northern Border has been long neglected compared to our Southern Border. Senator Levin has successfully pressed for significant increases in federal staffing on our Northern Border and in Southeast Michigan in particular. more >
Publics Right to Know
Senator Levin introduced a bill, S. 609, the Restore FOIA Act, to fix some of the problems created by the Homeland Security Act with regard to the Freedom of Information Act. more >
Reverse Inspections
Reverse customs inspection at U.S.-Canadian border crossings would enable the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection to inspect vehicles for hazardous material before they cross bridges or tunnels into the United States. more >
Iraq
Our military forces conducted a brilliant campaign to rid the world of the brutal regime of Saddam Hussein. Now our challenge must be to bring democracy and stability to Iraq. Senator Levin believes that our chances of meeting that challenge will be increased, and the risk to our troops will be reduced, if we actively reach out to involve the world community through NATO and the United Nations in the peacekeeping operations and reconstruction in Iraq. more >
Iraq Intelligence Inquiry
Senator Levin announced in June that he was directing his Armed Services Committee staff to conduct an inquiry into the objectivity and credibility of intelligence on Iraq prior to the war, and to examine the impact of that intelligence on planning for the war and on the conduct of combat and stability operations. more >
US Policy Toward Iraq
Perhaps the most important decision that the Congress must make is whether to authorize the President to use military force against another nation. The decision to authorize the use of force against Iraq and resulting policies continue to be a matter of controversy. more >
Minimum Wage
Senator Levin believes that a full-time minimum wage job should provide a minimum standard of living in addition to giving workers the dignity that comes with a paycheck. more >
National Security
As the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Levin is involved in a wide range of issues affecting national security. This section of the website looks at a number of current issues related to national security and reflects on Senator Levin’s positions on these important issues that our country faces. Some of those issues include acquisition reform at the Department of Defense, base closures, Department of Defense oversight, Department of Energy oversight, the Department on Homeland Security, and Senator Levin’s inquiry into the objectivity and credibility of intelligence on Iraq prior to the war. more >
Acquisition Reform at DOD
Ever since he came to the Senate, Senator Levin has been fighting to ensure that every dollar spent on national defense is spent wisely. more >
Base Closures
Senator Levin recognizes that closing unneeded installations and getting rid of excess military bases and infrastructure is an essential part of building the lighter, more mobile, capable military that we need in order to respond to the increasingly diverse and complex national security challenges that we face today. more >
Department of Defense Oversight
One of the most important duties of the Senate Armed Services Committee is to provide oversight for the programs and operations of the Department of Defense. more >
Department of Energy Oversight
In addition to oversight over the Department of Defense, the Senate Armed Services Committee also has jurisdiction over almost three-quarters of the annual budget for the Department of Energy in programs related to the nuclear weapons complex. more >
Homeland Security and the Department of Defense
The Department of Defense provides support to the federal, state and local authorities that have the primary responsibility for homeland security. more >
Iraq Intelligence Inquiry
Senator Levin announced in June that he was directing his Armed Services Committee staff to conduct an inquiry into the objectivity and credibility of intelligence on Iraq prior to the war, and to examine the impact of that intelligence on planning for the war and on the conduct of combat and stability operations. more >
Military in Michigan
For over 150 years, the people of Michigan have answered the call to serve our nation’s defense. Our state’s heroes aren’t just those who flew the planes, drove the tanks, or commanded the ships, but include those who built them as well. more >
National Defense Authorization Act
The annual National Defense Authorization Act authorizes funding for the entire Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy. more >
National Missile Defense
National Missile Defense has been a controversial topic for four decades because developing and deploying such missile defenses could reduce – rather than increase – our security. Senator Levin believes the United States should prioritize its resources on the most likely threats, rather than the least likely threats. more >
NATO
NATO is widely considered to be the most successful collective defense organization in history. NATO is currently leading peacekeeping operations in the Balkans and Afghanistan. more >
Nominations
One of the Senate Armed Services Committee’s most important oversight responsibilities is the examination of presidential nominations of senior military officers and all civilian nominees. more >
Nonproliferation
Nonproliferation programs seek to prevent the spread of nuclear, chemical and biological materials, weapons, technical knowledge and delivery systems. Senator Levin has focused extensively on supporting nonproliferation programs and the goals of arms control and arms control treaties. more >
Senior Citizens
As the baby boomer generation nears retirement and the demand for Social Security and Medicare benefits increases, Congress needs to seek ways to ensure the solvency of these programs for future generations. Senator Levin has argued that our foremost economic priorities must include protecting the Social Security trust fund, ensuring the solvency and prosperity of Medicare, and including a voluntary prescription drug benefit in the Medicare program. more >
Medicare
In 2003, Congress had a unique opportunity to improve and modernize the Medicare program. more >
Prescription Drugs
While prescription drugs hold the promise of healthier lives for the American people, the high cost of those drugs puts them out of the reach of too many. more >
Social Security
Social Security is one of our nation's most important programs. For more than 60 years, it has helped protect our elderly against poverty and assured young people of a more secure future. more >
Small Business
Senator Levin has always been a strong advocate for the interests of Michigan small businesses. more >
Transportation
The current six-year highway and transit infrastructure bill expires at the end of 2003 and reflects progress we have made to improve the way highway funding is distributed to the states. more >
Veterans
Senator Levin believes that we have an obligation to care for our nation’s veterans and ensure that they have access to a veterans’ health system that is able to provide them with the care and services they have earned.
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