Congressman Sander Levin

Legislation in the 110th Congress

Representative Levin has introduced several pieces of legislation in the current Congress that address pressing issues facing the United States:

H.R. 1523, Interregional Presidential Primary and Caucus Act

This legislation would reform the Presidential Primary nominating system. The measure would establish six primary or caucus dates between March and June. On each of the dates, a state or group of smaller states from each region of the country would go on every day. This is not a regional primary system; instead, every election date would have a fair and representative presence from every region of the country. H.R. 1523 is pending consideration before the House Committee on Administration. Companion legislation [S. 2024] was introduced by Senator Nelson of Florida.

H.R. 1813, to make permanent the deduction for mortgage insurance premiums

This legislation extends the ability of homeowners who purchase mortgage insurance to deduct their premiums from their taxable income. Home loans backed by mortgage insurance from the Federal Housing Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs and private insurers typically require lower down payments. This legislation was signed into law on December 20, 2007, as part of H.R. 3648, the Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Relief Act [P.L. 110-142].

H.R. 2039, Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Act

This legislation seeks to knock down a key barrier to the expanded use of flexible fueled vehicles (FFVs) in the United States. Currently there are more than 6 million FFVs on our nation’s roads, but because there are so few E85 pumps, not many vehicles actually run on this home-grown fuel. Less than 1% of the 170,000 fuel stations in the U.S. offer E85 or biodiesel to customers. H.R. 2039 would provide a tax credit equal to 50% of the cost of installing alternative refueling pumps and tanks, or up to $50,000. This legislation was included in H.R. 6049, the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act, which was approved by the House on May 21, 2008. It is currently pending before the U.S. Senate.

H.R. 2091, to allow bonds guaranteed by the Federal home loan banks to be treated as tax exempt bonds

This legislation would help local governments across the country to security bond financing at the lowest possible cost for important public purposes. It would allow Federal Home Loan Banks to guarantee tax-exempt bonds, reducing municipalities’ borrowing costs for public projects including road repairs or school and hospital expansions. This legislation was signed into law on July 30, 2008, as part of the Foreclosure Prevention Act [P.L. 110-140].

H.R. 2137, Super-Efficient Appliance Incentives and Market Transformation Act

This legislation would extend and strengthen the highly successful tax credit for energy efficient appliances which was available for qualifying production of super-efficient dishwashers, clothes washers, refrigerators and dehumidifiers in 2006 and 2007. Extending the energy-efficient appliance credit can play a critical role in reducing national energy demands now and over the lives of the appliances, and would create jobs. This legislation was included in H.R. 6049, the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act, which was approved by the House on May 21, 2008. It is currently pending before the U.S. Senate.

H.R. 2138, Investment in America Act

This legislation would strengthen and make permanent the Research and Development (R&D) tax credit. At a time of increasing globalization, America’s prosperity depends more than ever on its capacity for innovation. Other countries are well aware of the significant economic benefits that flow from R&D activities, and many have created strong tax incentives designed to increase levels of local R&D and attract R&D investment from around the world. H.R. 2138 addresses this challenge by strengthening and extending the R&D Tax Credit, thereby increasing the incentive for firms to invest in US-based R&D. This legislation was included in H.R. 6049, the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act, which was approved by the House on May 21, 2008. It is currently pending before the U.S. Senate.

H.R. 2161, to authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor posthumously to Gary Lee McKiddy

Sergeant McKiddy was a helicopter crew chief and door gunner with the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam. On the morning of May 6, 1970, Sergeant McKiddy’s helicopter came under intense enemy fire causing the helicopter to crash and burn. Sergeant McKiddy was thrown free of the wreckage and was out of harm’s way, but returned to the burning helicopter and carried to safety one of the crew, Specialist Four James Skaggs, who was unconscious. When Sergeant McKiddy returned to the helicopter to rescue its pilot, Warrant Officer Tommy Whiddon, the craft’s fuel cells exploded, killing both Sergeant McKiddy and Warrant Officer Whiddon. For his acts of personal bravery, Sergeant McKiddy was posthumously awarded the Silver Star but not the Medal of Honor, perhaps because there were no witnesses. H.R. 2161 is currently pending consideration before the House Armed Services Committee. Companion legislation [S. 1524] was introduced by Senator Brown of Ohio.

H.R. 2834, to ensure that investment fund managers who take a share of the funds’ profits as compensation for investment management services are taxed at an appropriate ordinary income tax rate.

This legislation seeks to correct a loophole in the tax code that allows some investment fund managers to pay a lower rate of tax on their compensation for services than other Americans. Currently, the managers of private investment partnerships are able to receive compensation for these services at the much lower 15% capital gains tax rate rather that the ordinary income tax rate by virtue of their fund’s partnership structure. The legislation clarifies that any income received from a partnership in compensation for services is ordinary income for tax purposes. This legislation was included in H.R. 6275, the Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act, which was approved by the House on June 25, 2008. It is currently pending before the U.S. Senate.

H.R. 3501, to encourage tax-exempt organizations to bring their investments back onshore

This legislation would make it easier for tax-exempt organizations to invest directly in US-based hedge funds. Under current law, these investments are often made offshore, in places like the Cayman Islands, to enable these tax-exempt investors to avoid tax rules that were never intended to apply to these kinds of investments. This legislation was included in H.R. 3996, the Temporary Tax Relief Act, which was approved by the House on November 9, 2007. It was not included in the final version of H.R. 3996 that was later signed into law, and the bill is currently pending before the House Ways and Means Committee.

H.R. 3976, to make permanent the deduction for contributions of food inventory by all corporation

This legislation make permanent an important provision of the tax code that encourages businesses to donate food inventory to food banks and other hunger-fighting organizations. Permanently extending this deduction for contributions of food inventory to all business taxpayers is a needed step in the continued fight against hunger in America. This legislation was included in H.R. 6049, the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act, which was approved by the House on May 21, 2008. It is currently pending before the U.S. Senate. Companion legislation [S. 689] has also been introduced by Senator Lugar of Indiana.

H.R. 3418, Employee Educational Assistance Act

This legislation would make permanent a provision of the tax code that allows employers to offer educational assistance for both graduate and undergraduate programs up to a maximum of $5,250 on a pre-tax basis. This critical assistance is offered by almost 71% of employers to help their employees obtain additional skills to advance their careers. H.R. 3418 is currently pending before the House Ways and Means Committee.

H.R. 4341, to extend the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program

This legislation provided for a three-month extension of the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program to allow Congress additional time to complete work on an overhaul of the TAA program. Subsequently the House and Senate approved the Consolidated Appropriations Act [P.L. 110-161] which fully funds TAA through September 30, 2008.

H.R. 5702, Advance Directive Promotion Act

This legislation would strengthen procedures to encourage individuals to create advanced medical plans to direct health care decisions during times of medical emergency or serious illness. The bill is designed to make more Americans aware of advance directives (which include a living will stating an individual’s preference for medical care and a power of attorney for this care) and provide the opportunity for them to discuss them with a physician and ensure they are honored throughout the country. H.R. 5702 is currently pending consideration before the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

H.R. 6530, the Trade Enforcement Act of 2008.

This legislation would eliminate foreign barriers to exports of U.S. goods and services, restore and enhance U.S. trade remedies against unfairly traded imports, and strengthen enforcement of U.S. intellectual property rights and health and safety laws at U.S. borders (import safety). H.R. 6530 is currrently pending consideration before the House Ways and Means Committee.

H.Res. 1314, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide of 1932-1933.

This resolution would remember the 75th anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide of 1932-1933 and extend the deepest sympathies of the House of Representatives to the victims, survivors, and families of this tragedy. H.Res. 1314 passed the House on September 23, 2008.

You can also click here to view a list of bills introduced by other Representatives that Congressman Levin has co-sponsored.