October 2011 Newsletter

Washington Update

Recently, Sen. Levin outlined a seven-point plan to reduce the deficit without devastating cuts to the middle class; pushed for passage of the American Jobs Act; hailed the end of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell;" joined his colleagues in pushing for passage of legislation to crack down on currency manipulation by countries like China; chaired a hearing on U.S. policy in Afghanistan and Iraq; announced a successful effort to strengthen protections against Asian carp; and more.

Seven-Point Plan to Reduce the Deficit

Floor Statement We can reduce the deficit, avoid devastating cuts to important programs, and avoid greater harm to middle-class families that have seen their incomes stagnate or even fall over the last decade. In hopes of moving that process forward, I have sent the Joint Select Committee a letter outlining a seven-point plan for deficit reduction that will require sacrifice not just from middle-class families, but from all Americans.

Read Sen. Levin's letter to the Joint Select Committee »

Read or watch Sen. Levin's four floor statements about the plan »

Congress Should Pass the American Jobs Act

American Jobs Act Clearly, the economic recovery that we all hoped was under way in 2009 and 2010 has slowed, and with it, job creation has stalled. With the hopes of millions of American families at stake, the time is now to act on initiatives that would create jobs and re-energize the economic recovery.

That's why I was so encouraged by the jobs plan that President Obama outlined in his Sept. 8 speech to a joint session of Congress. The president proposed legislation called the American Jobs Act. I support his efforts to create jobs and to do so in ways that do not add to the budget deficit.

The president's speech was a rousing, patriotic call to action. And the argument for his plan is simple: We need to act now, and we need to do so with ideas that members of all political parties have supported in the past.

Read more about the American Jobs Act »

More News from Senator Levin

Sen. Levin hailed the end of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," saying this is "the beginning of a new era when gay and lesbian service members can serve their country openly, without living in constant fear of being outed and kicked out of the military. Their service will be judged based on their duty performance, not on their sexual orientation."
He joined Sen. Stabenow and other colleagues in supporting new legislation to crack down on currency manipulation by China and other nations and spoke on the Senate floor in favor of the legislation. He also asked administration officials to combat technology transfer demands from China.
He chaired a hearing on Afghanistan and Iraq with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen. He also chaired a nomination hearing for Ashton Carter to be deputy secretary of defense.
He and Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois announced a successful effort to strengthen the electric barrier at the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal to help prevent Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes.
He and Sen. Stabenow announced the transfer of three Michigan lighthouses to local historical organizations for maintenance and preservation.
His years-long effort to ban patents on tax shelters became law when President Obama signed the America Invests Act.
He supported passage of legislation to extend Trade Adjustment Assistance and FAA and highway programs.
He joined a bipartisan effort to confer a Congressional Gold Medal upon Raoul Wallenberg, who saved thousands of lives during Nazi occuption of Hungary during World War II.
He, Sen. Stabenow and Rep. Dingell praised the FAA decision to keep Willow Run Airport's control tower open 24 hours a day.
In a Senate floor statement he praised the volunteers at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. He also visited with the volunteers in September.
He and Sen. Stabenow announced funding for 51 police officers in eight Michigan communities.
He and Sen. Stabenow announced funding for clean energy job training at Alpena Community College and Macomb Community College.
He praised a $2 million investment for Southeast Michigan jobs training.
He and Sen. Stabenow announced federal grants for two Michigan companies to improve fuel efficiency.
He and Sen. Stabenow announced federal grants from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for five Michigan projects.
He announced $2 million in federal financing for small business lending by a Saginaw bank.
He announced grants for Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Airport, Detroit Metro Airport and MBS International Airport.