Congressman Sander Levin

108th Congress Press Releases (2003-2004)

Local Anti-drug Community Coalition Wins Federal Grant under Law Co-authored by Rep. Sandy Levin
September 27, 2004 (Washington, D.C.) - Rep. Sander Levin is pleased to announce that another local anti-drug coalition has been awarded a federal grant under the Drug Free Communities Support Program he co-authored in 1997 with Rep. Rob Portman (R-OH). The Tri-Community Coalition of Berkley, Huntington Woods and Oak Park is one of 226 community coalitions nationally set to begin receiving a grant from the FY 2004 Drug Free Communities Support Program. more

Warren and 5 Counties Set to Receive $5.8 Million Federal Grant to Improve Communication Between First Responders
September 16, 2004 (Washington, D.C.) - The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) at the Department of Justice announced that the City of Warren would receive a $5.8 million dollar federal grant from the COPS Interoperable Communications Program. The City of Warren applied on behalf of themselves and a five county (Macomb, Oakland, Lapeer, Livingston and St. Clair) metro-Detroit consortium. more

Levin Endorses Petition Calling for Action on China's Currency Manipulation
September 9, 2004 (Washington, D.C.) - Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI), the Ranking Democrat on the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, endorsed the "Section 301" petition demanding action against China's currency manipulation filed this morning with the U.S. Trade Representative. The petition demonstrates that China's currency manipulation policy violates the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and causes harm to U.S. workers and businesses. A 301 petition requires the Administration to determine within 45 days whether they will accept the petition. more

Levin Honored for Anti-Drug Efforts
September 8, 2004 (Washington, D.C.) - The Partnership for a Drug Free America (Partnership) today presented select members of the U.S. House and Senate "Guardian Awards" to honor each Member's active commitment to protecting children and families from substance abuse. This is the first time such awards have been made by the Partnership. more

New Study Finds That Bush Recession Had More Job Loss, less Compassionate Response Than Previous Recessions
September 3, 2004 (Washington, D.C.) - A new study issued today by the Congressional Joint Economic Committee (JEC) Democrats found that the economy has taken longer to replace lost jobs in this recession than in any recession since the Great Depression, and the Bush administration and the Republican Congress has done less to help unemployed workers. The report also found that Michigan's job losses and unemployment exhaustion levels were among the highest in the country. more

Disappointing July Jobs Report Contradicts President's Michigan Visit
August 6, 2004 (Washington, D.C.) -President Bush's contention that the U.S. economy has "turned the corner" was challenged by a disappointing July jobs report issued by the Department of Labor (DOL) today. "If this is what happens when we turn the corner, I'd suggest the President get back on the main highway," said Rep. Sander Levin (D-Royal Oak). "The road we've been on for the past 3 years seems to lead to high unemployment, a declining number of job openings, and stagnant wages." more

Levin Signs Discharge Petition to Force Action on Electricity Reliability Standards
July 23, 2004 (Washington, D.C.) - Rep. Levin and 168 other Members of Congress launched a discharge petition to force the Republican Leadership in the House to bring a stand-alone electricity reliability bill to the Floor for a vote. On August 14, 2003, the United States and southern Canada experienced the worst power blackout in history that left more than 50 million people without electricity, including 2.3 million residents of Michigan. more

Locally-Inspired Gynecologic Cancer Education Bill Passes 100 Co-Sponsor Mark in U.S. House
July 20, 2004 (Washington, D.C.) - Rep. Sander Levin (D-Royal Oak) joined with Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) in announcing that over a 100 Members of the House of Representatives from 30 states have signed on as cosponsors of Johanna's Law: The Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act. more

U.S. House Passes Legislation to Close Loophole That Allows Some Companies to Avoid Paying Their Fair Share of State Unemployment Taxes
July 14, 2004 (Washington, D.C.) - The U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 3463, The State Unemployment Tax Act (SUTA), to close the loophole that allows some companies to avoid paying their fair share of state unemployment taxes. Employers that engage in "SUTA dumping" use fake companies and legal loopholes to avoid paying their fair share of state unemployment taxes. This lowers trust fund balances, which harms ethical employers because it forces states to raise taxes to restore the funds, and harms workers because it prevents states from increasing benefits. It also undermines the incentive the unemployment law's "fair share" provisions are supposed to provide employers for avoiding layoffs whenever possible. more

Supreme Court Decision Illustrates Need for Congress to Act to Protect Patient's Rights
June 22, 2004 (Washington, D.C.) - Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI) issued the following statement after the Supreme Court's decision to reject state laws providing rights to patients to sue managed care companies that deny coverage of "medically necessary" treatment. more

Eight Bi-partisan Members of Michigan Congressional Delegation Press for Release of Federal Funding to Fight Emerald Ash Borer
May 28, 2004 (Washington, D.C.) - Rep. Sander Levin released a letter spear-headed by his office, signed by eight Members of the Michigan Congressional Delegation, to the Bush Administration on federal funding for the Emerald Ash Borer. more

Rep. Levin Reacts to Bush Administration's China Announcement
April 28, 2004 (Washington, D.C.) - Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, issued the following statement regarding the Bush Administrations' announcement today on U.S.-China Trade Relations. "The Bush Administration assembled four cabinet secretaries as a smokescreen to hide their do-little approach to China trade," said Rep. Sander Levin. "The weakness of this Administration's approach to problems in our trade relationship with China is demonstrated again by the lameness of its reasons for rejecting labor and currency petitions against China. more

Government Medicare Ads Must be Fully Accurate, Not Merely "Technically Legal"
March 11, 2004 (Washington, D.C.) - The U.S. General Accounting Office, Congress's investigative arm, ruled that Medicare advertisements and flyers that the Bush administration created and distributed using $22.5 million in taxpayer funds are not technically illegal, but do have "notable omissions and other weaknesses." more

Michigan Lawmakers Urge Powell to Address Chemical Spills in St. Clair River
March 11, 2004 (Washington, D.C.) - Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Rep. Sander Levin, D-Royal Oak, contacted Secretary of State Colin Powell this week to voice concerns over recurring chemical spills from the Canadian side of the St. Clair River, which pose a threat to the environment and millions of Michigan residents. more

Levin Joins in Introducing Legislation to Fight Drug-Impaired Driving
March 11, 2004 (Washington, D.C.) - Rep. Sander Levin (D-Michigan) and Rep. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) joined together today in introducing the Drug-Impaired Driving Enforcement Act of 2004. While it is illegal in all States to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, there is no consistent method across States for identifying drug impairment and the presence of drugs in the body. more

Dismal February Job Growth Must Provide Wake up Call to Republicans in Washington
March 5, 2004 (Washington, D.C.) - The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data released this morning indicated that while the national unemployment rate remained unchanged in February at 5.6%, only 21,000 payroll jobs were created, far less then economists predicted and not enough to even keep up with basic increases in the labor force. more

Despite Republican Resistance, U.S. House Votes to Restore Federal Unemployment Insurance
February 5, 2004 (Washington, D.C.) - Through an amendment to an unrelated piece of legislation (H. R. 3030, The Community Services Block Grant Act), House Democrats forced Republicans to vote on extending federal unemployment insurance. more

Fraser and Ferndale Receive Federal Fire Grants
February 4, 2004 (Washington, D.C.) - Rep. Sander Levin (D-Royal Oak) announced that the Cities of Fraser and Ferndale have joined five other communities within the 12th Congressional District in receiving homeland security money through the Assistance to Firefighter grant program. more

Bush Administration's Credibility Further Eroded by Budget Proposal
February 2, 2004 (Washington, D.C.) - "Once again, President Bush and his Administration are not leveling with the American people. In a few short years, the Administration's misguided economic policies have taken the federal budget from a healthy surplus to a record $521 billion deficit in 2004. For 2005, the Administration forecasts a $364 billion shortfall. " more

Rep. Levin Announces Clinton River Watershed Initiative: Congress Approves $675,000 to Improve Water Quality in the Clinton Rivers
January 22, 2004 (Washington, D.C.) - Rep. Sander Levin applauded today's announcement that Governor Granholm will nominate the Clinton River watershed grant proposal to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Clinton River is one of only two Michigan watershed proposals to be forwarded to EPA for consideration. "Governor Granholm made the right call when she nominated the Clinton River," said Rep. Levin." more

Rep. Levin Hails Nomination of Clinton River
January 12, 2004 (Washington, D.C.) - Representative Sander Levin (D-Royal Oak) announced that Congress has given final approval of $675,000 to fund a new, watershed-wide effort to improve water quality in the Clinton River Watershed. The funds were included in the Omnibus appropriations bill that cleared Congress on January 22. The President is expected to sign the measure" more

Joint Statement on the USTR Announcement Concerning Negotiations on a Central American Free Trade Agreement:
December 17, 2003 (Washington, D.C.) - Rep. Charles Rangel, Ranking Democrat of the House Committee on Ways and Means, and Rep. Sander Levin, Ranking Democrat of the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, issued the following joint statement today on the USTR announcement concerning negotiations on a Central American Free Trade Agreement:" more

Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit: Signed But Not Delivered to Seniors
December 10, 2003 (Washington, D.C.) - "For the second year in a row, Congressional Republicans are leaving Washington for the year without extending the federal Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation (TEUC) program, allowing the program to end on December 21st. Last year, Congress was forced to restore benefits, after much public pressure, in January." more

Levin Applauds Key Decisions by Supreme Court on Campaign Finance Reform Decision on "Soft Money" and "Issue Ads" a Victory for Democracy and Campaign Elections
December 10, 2003 (Washington, D.C.) - "In response to the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the ban on "soft" money and the restrictions on so-called "issue" ads, Rep. Sander Levin (D-Royal Oak) made the following statement. "This is a victory for Democracy and will give confidence to the American people that big money is not drowning out the voices of voters in our election system." more

Republicans Leave Washington - for 2nd Year - Without Extending Unemployment Insurance Michigan's unemployed workers hardest hit: 39 Weeks of Federal Assistance Drops to 0
December 8, 2003 (Washington, D.C.) - "For the second year in a row, Congressional Republicans are leaving Washington for the year without extending the federal Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation (TEUC) program, allowing the program to end on December 21st. Last year, Congress was forced to restore benefits, after much public pressure, in January." more

Twelve Town Drain Upgrade Project Awarded Another $388,000 From Federal Government:
November 17, 2003 (Washington, D.C.) - "Representative Sander Levin reported today that the Twelve Towns Drain project in Oakland County will receive a special $388,000 federal contribution from Congress. The money for Twelve Towns was included in the annual bill that funds energy and water programs." more

Early Detection of Gynecologic Cancers Dramatically Increases Survival Rates:
November 4, 2003 (Washington, D.C.) - "Reps. Sander Levin (D-Michigan) and Kay Granger (R-Texas) joined with 36 of their colleagues to introduce Johanna's Law: The Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act. The legislation would create a federal campaign to increase early detection of gynecologic cancers like ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, and uterine cancer and, when possible, help women reduce their risk of ever contracting them." more

The Coalition of Healthy Communities in Oakland County Selected to Receive a "Mentoring Grant" through the Levin-Portman Drug Free Communities Support Program
September 30, 2003 (Washington, D.C.) - "Rep. Sander Levin, co-author of the Drug Free Communities Support Program, praised the selection of the Coalition of Healthy Communities (CHC) to receive one of the new "mentoring grants" included during the re-authorization of this five year-old law." more

Macomb County Sheriff's Department Awarded $68,000 Federal Homeland Security Grant
September 24, 2003 (Washington, D.C.) - "Rep. Sander Levin applauded the announcement that the Macomb County Sheriff's Department will receive $68,000 from the federal Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Homeland Security Overtime Program." more

Southfield Awarded $94,577 Federal Homeland Security Grant
September 24, 2003 (Washington, D.C.) - "Rep. Sander Levin applauded the announcement that the Southfield Police Department will receive $94,577 from the federal Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Homeland Security Overtime Program." more

Speech in Detroit by Secretary Evans Serves to Highlight the Failure Of the Bush Administration to Take Concrete Steps to Address the Manufacturing Jobs Crisis
September 15, 2003 (Washington, D.C.) - "I appreciate Secretary Evan's coming to Detroit to explain the process the Bush Administration is using to take a ‘close look at the manufacturing sector.' Unfortunately, the Administration's approach to date has been far more passive than active. The Secretary's statement about China's lack of compliance..." more

Great Lakes Restoration Fund Proposed In Congress
July 14, 2003 (Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Representative Sander Levin has become an original cosponsor of the Great Lakes Restoration Fund, bipartisan legislation that establishes a funding source for restoration of Lake St. Clair and all Great Lakes. more

Federal Education Funding Feels the Impact of Republican Tax Priorities Appropriations Subcommittee Proposal Breaks Promises to Education Spending
June 19, 2003 (Washington, D.C.) - One day after the U.S. House approved a repeal of the estate tax, impacting only the estates of the very wealthiest - one half percent of the one percent of the population - and bringing the total federal revenue loss in the next ten years to over 1 trillion dollars, an appropriations subcommittee moved to shortchange federal education spending. more

Levin Protests Republican Refusal to Act on Unemployment - National Employment Law Project finds average unemployed worker has applied for 29 jobs
May 8, 2003 (Washington, D.C.) - Rep. Sander Levin spoke in opposition to the Workforce Reinvestment & Education Act and highlighted Republican refusal to address the issue of the long-term unemployed. "This is the wrong bill at the wrong time," said Rep. Sander Levin. "341,000 people lost their jobs in April. The unemployment rate rose to 6 percent in April - it has not topped 6 percent since 1994. Over 15 million people are out of work or working part-time because they can't find full-time work, and over 20% of the unemployed have been out of work for more than six months. more

Levin Calls on President to Act in the Face of Economic Stagnation and Increased Unemployment: "Wait and See" Approach of Administration Fails Unemployed Workers and their Families
May 2, 2003 (Washington, D.C.) - Responding to new data showing that the job market continues to worsen, Congressman Sander Levin (D-MI-Royal Oak) called on the Bush Administration to abandon its "wait and see" approach to providing extended unemployment benefits for those hit the hardest by the recession. more

Levin Calls on Congress to Extend Unemployment Insurance Program in the Face of Stagnant Unemployment and Lost Jobs
April 4, 2003 (Washington, D.C.) - The U.S. economy lost another 108,000 jobs in March and the national unemployment rate remained at 5.8%, according to a report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics today. Since the recession began in March of 2001, a total of 2.6 million jobs have been lost. Long-term unemployment also remained high, with 21 percent of unemployed workers out of work for six months or more. more

President's Latest Proposal Still Fails to Deliver a Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit
March 4, 2003 (Washington, D.C.) - President Bush today revealed the outline of his Medicare plan, which would require seniors to leave regular Medicare and join HMOs or other private insurance plans in order to get real prescription drug coverage. The plan appears to be little changed since Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tommy Thompson, testified before the Ways & Means Committee last month. At that time, Secretary Thompson told Members of Congress that "details were still being worked out," but he could not guarantee that seniors who wanted to stay in regular Medicare and keep going to their own doctors would get drug benefits. more

Lake St. Clair - the Heart of the Great Lakes Reps. Miller and Levin co-sponsor resolution drawing attention to its importance, attempt to secure additional funding
March 4, 2003 (Washington, D.C.) - Congresswoman Candice Miller and Congressman Sander Levin today introduced a House Resolution affirming the status of Lake St. Clair in the Great Lakes system and calling for increased efforts to preserve and protect Lake St. Clair as a vital part of the Great Lakes system. more