In the News
The Levin Letter: Why Southern California Should Reject Offshore Drilling
Few places in the country are as shaped by their coastline as our communities in South Orange County. For so many of us, the ocean defines daily life. It draws visitors, supports family businesses, sustains property values, and provides a sense of place that is impossible to replicate. When you represent these communities, you learn quickly that protecting the coastline is not an abstract environmental issue. It is a matter of economic stability, public safety, and local identity. That … Continue Reading
November 14, 2025
The Levin Letter: Support for Our Marines Is Not Partisan or Performative
One of the greatest honors of my seven years in Congress has been serving the Marines and families of Camp Pendleton. They are the best of us. They serve with discipline and humility. They stand watch in every time zone so the rest of us may sleep in peace. Their families carry the weight of sacrifice that most Americans will never fully understand. That is why the conversation about how we support them must be grounded in truth. Recently, a Letter to the Editor in this paper claimed that if … Continue Reading
September 11, 2025
The Levin Letter: Public Trust or Private Profit? We Must Ban Congressional Stock Trading
Trust in government rests on one simple principle: the people you elect should be working for you, not for their personal gain. Unfortunately, when members of Congress are allowed to buy and sell stocks while in office, it undermines that trust and creates the perception that lawmakers are using privileged information to enrich themselves. That’s why I joined a bipartisan group of Democrats and Republicans to introduce legislation banning all members of Congress from holding and trading … Continue Reading
August 15, 2025
The Levin Letter: Congress Must Act to Fix Broken Immigration System
For too long, immigration has been used as a political weapon. Politicians have spent years in gridlock unable to act and failing to deliver real solutions to our immigration challenges. For decades, Congress has kicked the can down the road, hoping to one day pass bipartisan immigration reform. The American people deserve better, and now we have a real shot at fixing our immigration system with dignity and strength. I recently joined a bipartisan group of House members — 10 Democrats and 10 … Continue Reading
July 30, 2025
San Diego Union Tribune: It’s time to lead with strength and compassion on immigration
When it comes to immigration, I’m sick and tired of the same old partisan finger-pointing and failure to act. That’s why I’m encouraged that this past week, something different happened. I stood among a group of 20 House Members — 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans — to reintroduce the Dignity Act, a serious and bipartisan effort to finally help fix the system. I’ve supported this bill in the past, but I’m more hopeful than ever that this version has a real shot at becoming law. It offers a path … Continue Reading
July 17, 2025
Military.com: The New VA Budget Pushes to Privatize Care, Risking the Veterans Health System
While the recent headlines have been dominated by the passage of President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" and its impacts on Medicaid and food assistance, something critical is happening that every veteran -- and every American who honors their service -- needs to know. On the surface, the new Department of Veterans Affairs budget proposal from the Trump administration and House Republicans looks generous. It increases total VA health care funding. However, nearly 75% of all new medical … Continue Reading
June 12, 2025
THE LEVIN LETTER: A Warning About the ‘Big Ugly Bill’
House Republicans recently passed a sweeping budget bill that slashes health care, cuts food assistance, raises energy costs, and adds trillions to the national debt—all to pay for massive tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. They call it the “Big Beautiful Bill.” I call it the “Big Ugly Bill.” But don’t take my word for it Nonpartisan experts at the Congressional Budget Office, Moody’s, and Wharton—the President’s own alma mater—have all reviewed this legislation. Their verdict is clear: it’s … Continue Reading
May 15, 2025
THE LEVIN LETTER: This Deportation Exposes Flaws in Immigration System
For the past 35 years, Gladys and Nelson Gonzalez lived in our community and made it their home. Laguna Niguel residents, they raised three daughters and recently welcomed their first grandchild. Nelson worked as a phlebotomist, and Gladys was a stay-at-home mom. They went to church, paid their taxes, and never had a criminal record, not even a traffic ticket. But on Feb. 21, they were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a routine check-in appointment. … Continue Reading
April 10, 2025
THE LEVIN LETTER: Hands Off Our Social Security
If you’ve worked hard, paid taxes, and played by the rules, you should be able to count on Social Security when you retire. That’s been the American promise for the last 90 years. Social Security isn’t a luxury—it’s a contract between government and the people. Today, that contract is under threat—not from some distant crisis, but from deliberate choices being made right now in Washington, D.C. Some are happening out in the open. Others are being pushed quietly. But all of them point to the … Continue Reading
March 13, 2025
THE LEVIN LETTER: The Truth About Musk’s Destruction of Government
I want to be clear: I strongly believe we need to get our debt and deficits under control. But the only responsible way to do that is through a balanced approach—one that looks at both spending and revenue while protecting programs that seniors, veterans, and working families rely on. That’s why, for example, I’ve supported plans to keep Social Security solvent for decades by ensuring the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share of payroll taxes—just like middle-class workers already … Continue Reading
February 13, 2025
THE LEVIN LETTER: We Can’t Abandon Checks and Balances
My job as your representative is to serve our entire district, to listen, and to fight for what’s best for our communities. I am proud to represent you—whether you voted for me or not. Since entering Congress in 2019, I’ve worked across the aisle to get things done. I believe in finding common ground where possible and standing firm on principle where necessary. That approach has led to real results: I’ve passed 34 bipartisan laws—16 signed by President Trump and 18 signed by President Biden. … Continue Reading
January 16, 2025
THE LEVIN LETTER: We’re in a Stronger Position Than Ever to Invest in Our Community
Earlier this month, I was proudly sworn in for my fourth term in Congress. As the 119th Congress begins, there are many challenges facing our district, including the cost of living, homelessness, border security, and climate change. I’m more committed than ever to working on a bipartisan basis for the good of our communities. As always, I’ll be focused on finding common ground and delivering results—regardless of the party in power. Also this month, I was greatly honored to be appointed to … Continue Reading
November 17, 2024
How to save $2 million a day … and remove radioactive waste from earthquake country
Memo to Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy: We can imagine how excited you must be to star in “Honey, I Shrunk the Government!” We suspect you’d frown upon the idea of a brand new agency, sprouting like a delicate green tendril from the federal forest, but we’re here to argue that’s wrong. If you’re truly interested in governmental efficiency, here’s a no-brainer: Immediately stop the half-century of federal dithering that has let highly radioactive nuclear waste pile up in neighborhoods all over … Continue Reading
October 10, 2024
THE LEVIN LETTER: Delivering Federal Funds to Build Stronger Communities
As the old saying goes, “All politics is local.” While heated debates and partisan battles often dominate headlines, some of Congress’ most impactful work happens quietly behind the scenes when members secure federal funding for local projects that strengthen their communities. These investments may not always make the front page, but they are the backbone of my work. The community projects supported by federal funds ensure that we have access to critical resources like quality health care, … Continue Reading
September 25, 2024
Levin introduces bill aimed at moving nuclear waste out of San Onofre — and other sites across the country
A bill co-introduced on Capitol Hill this week by Rep. Mike Levin, D-San Juan Capistrano, looks to make progress in the painstaking effort to eventually remove spent nuclear fuel that has piled up over the decades at power plants across the country, including the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. The bill would create a federal agency called the Nuclear Waste Administration that would manage nuclear waste issues at commercial plants. The new agency would also be in charge of finding … Continue Reading
September 25, 2024
Citing ‘Years of Inaction,’ Rep. Levin Leads Bipartisan Bill to Update Nuclear Waste Management
Nuclear waste is stored in communities across the United States, and the systems in place to manage it are old, underfunded, and out of date — potentially putting the health of entire communities at risk. The bipartisan Nuclear Waste Administration Act of 2024, authored by California Democrat Mike Levin and Texas Republican August Pfluger, would bring the country’s nuclear waste management program up to date and establish an independent Nuclear Waste Administration to oversee it. “The … Continue Reading
September 12, 2024
THE LEVIN LETTER: One Veteran Without a Home Is One Too Many
There are currently more than 35,000 homeless veterans in the United States. While this number is less than half of the 76,000 U.S. homeless veterans in 2010, it is still far too high. Roughly 10% of the current homeless veteran population is in California. In Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange County, you don’t need to look far to find veterans living in tents and on sidewalks. It’s simply unacceptable. No veteran should ever be without a home after selflessly serving our nation with … Continue Reading
August 15, 2024
THE LEVIN LETTER: Social Security’s Viability Demands Bold Action
This week we celebrate the 89th anniversary of the enactment of the Social Security Act, signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 14, 1935, which established the critical safety net program that millions of seniors rely upon to make ends meet. Social Security, formed out of President Roosevelt’s “New Deal,” ensures that seniors can live their golden years with dignity and with an important financial cushion to pay rent, buy groceries, and fill their prescriptions. At a … Continue Reading
July 18, 2024
THE LEVIN LETTER: Political Violence Has No Place in Our Great Nation
The horrific attempted assassination on former President Donald Trump underscores what many of us have been saying for quite some time: we need to tone down the rhetoric, diminish political divisions, and determine a path forward with civility and respect. We are in perilous times. Our nation’s political discourse has grown increasingly violent; many Americans do not feel comfortable or safe sharing their views, and political affiliation can mark you as an enemy. It is dangerous, … Continue Reading
June 13, 2024
THE LEVIN LETTER: Biden’s Border Executive Actions Are a Step Forward, But More Must Be Done
Last month, I visited with our Border Patrol agents at the Campo Station and Jacumba in East County San Diego. While this was the most recent of several visits I’ve made to our Southern border, I’ve never seen circumstances more difficult for our agents. Conditions on the ground have been untenable. Having seen the situation in person, it is clear that our asylum and immigration systems have been broken for some time. That’s why I joined a group of my House colleagues to call on the President … Continue Reading