Carl Levin - United States Senator for Michigan: Issues - Justice and Civil Rights

Justice and Civil Rights

Michigan Agenda

A commitment to equality for all citizens and to a fair justice system are hallmarks of our democracy.

We should promote gun safety through common-sense legislation and aggressive enforcement of existing laws.

We should make greater effort in the Senate to reach timely confirmations on federal judges.

Our nation’s commitment to equality under the law for all citizens, and to a justice system that protects the community while ensuring fairness for all, are the hallmarks of our democracy. As a lawyer who began my public service career as the first general counsel for the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, I understand why it’s important to fight for equality under the law. I have supported laws that protect Americans from the damage that crime can do in their communities, and for a justice system free from discrimination.

I support efforts to ensure that local law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to keep communities safe and secure, and I will continue to work hard to make sure Michigan agencies get the federal assistance they need.

The Senate’s role in confirming federal judges is one of its most important responsibilities. I will seek bipartisan solutions to a growing problem: the lack of timely confirmation of judges to the federal bench, a problem that deprives Michigan and other states of much-needed judicial services.

I support the protection of the civil rights of all Americans. That effort has included supporting the 2006 reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act, working to pass the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act and leading the effort to end the military’s discriminatory “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

Related Issues

Senator Levin’s Record on Justice and Civil Rights

March 22, 2012 – Sen. Levin supports final passage of STOCK Act
Sen. Levin votes for the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act, calling it "preventative maintenance" for the trust between members of Congress and the American people.
Feb. 29, 2012 – Sen. Levin opposes ‘assault’ on health coverage
Sen. Levin helps defeat an amendment that would allow employers and health insurers to deny workers access to health services, saying the legislation "would grant an employer the right to substitute his moral convictions for those of his employees."
Jan. 10, 2012 – Levin releases summary debunking false claims on detainee provisions
Sen. Levin releases a summary of provisions on detention of terror suspects in the National Defense Authorization Act and explains that a number of public criticisms of the provisions misstate their impact.
Dec. 13, 2011 – Levin calls for tougher action against failed bank’s executives
Sen. Levin calls for tougher action, including possible civil monetary penalties, against the executives of Washington Mutual Bank after an announcement of a settlement of FDIC claims against the bank’s executives. Leaders at Washington Mutual, the largest bank failure in U.S. history and a subject of scrutiny by Levin’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations for its role in helping spark the financial crisis, escaped with light penalties by the FDIC.