In the News
San Diego Union-Tribune: Federal funding announced for two North County sand projects
A long-sidelined Oceanside shoreline study and a 50-year Encinitas-Solana Beach sand replenishment project together will get more than $32 million in federal funding, Rep. Mike Levin said Wednesday. “I am thrilled to announce the bipartisan infrastructure law is delivering funding for two critical projects that will help protect local beaches from dangerous erosion,” said Levin, D-San Juan Capistrano, in a news release. “Funding for the Encinitas-Solana Beach project will … Continue Reading
January 12, 2022
Military Times: GI Bill eligibility for Guard, reserve would expand under House-passed measure
National Guard and reserve troops would see all federal missions and some training days count towards their eligibility for GI Bill benefits under legislation advanced by the House on Wednesday. The move will still need to be approved by the Senate before it can become law. But the 287-133 vote represents a significant step forward for advocates who have lamented the complex and confusing rules surrounding missions for Guardsmen and reservists, especially in light of their increased … Continue Reading
January 07, 2022
Dana Point Times: The Levin Letter: A Year of Progress for South OC
As we begin 2022, I want to take a brief moment to recognize the challenges and progress our community and our country experienced last year. We began 2021 in one of the most challenging phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate of COVID hospitalizations was at its highest point ever, and more than 10 million Americans were unemployed. Since then, more than 200 million Americans have been fully vaccinated, we added nearly six million jobs, and the number of Americans filing for … Continue Reading
December 24, 2021
OC Register: Report card: What did Congress members from Orange County accomplish in 2021?
Of the seven U.S. House members who represent portions of Orange County, Rep. Mike Levin had the best attendance record in 2021, as the only local lawmaker not to miss a single vote this year. Reps. Katie Porter and Lou Correa weren’t far behind, missing just one vote each. Levin, D-San Juan Capistrano, also helped recover the most money for constituents from federal agencies, while Rep. Young Kim, R-La Habra, grabbed headlines for breaking with her party in votes on a few high-profile … Continue Reading
December 17, 2021
San Diego Union-Tribune: Rep. Mike Levin takes federal infrastructure bill to the street
Encinitas — Standing amid a construction zone along Coast Highway in Leucadia on Friday, Rep. Mike Levin and other local politicians described projects that could be funded under the $1.2 trillion federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.“I can tell you it was not easy getting the bipartisan infrastructure bill across the finish line, but it was worth it because of the jobs this is going to make,” said Levin, D-Oceanside. The law, passed last month, sets aside about … Continue Reading
December 16, 2021
ABC San Diego: Student aid program for veterans extended to next summer
SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - San Diego veterans engaged in virtual learning are breathing a sigh of relief after finding out that certain GI Bill benefits will be extended because of the pandemic. ABC 10News spoke to Congressman Mike Levin (D-CA-49) who pushed for change after the federal aid was scheduled to stop next week. “There's no question that we have an absolute commitment that our local veterans are able to further their education and find new ways to serve with great new careers and … Continue Reading
November 16, 2021
San Diego Union-Tribune: Federal bill would rename San Diego VA Medical Center after fallen soldier Jennifer Moreno
SAN DIEGO — A bill to rename the San Diego Veterans Affairs Medical Center in honor of a local soldier killed in Afghanistan passed the House of Representatives Monday with unanimous support, Rep. Mike Levin, D-San Juan Capistrano, said in a statement. The new law would rename the hospital after Capt. Jennifer Moreno, an Army nurse killed in Afghanistan in 2013 while serving with Special Operations forces in the Kandahar province. She was 25 years old. A 1st Lieutenant when she was … Continue Reading
October 19, 2021
Ban on new offshore drilling must stay in the Build Back Better Act
The oil spill off the coast of Southern California is an ecological and economic disaster. Estimates suggest that tens of thousands of gallons of oil have spilled from an offshore pipeline, and it has spread across the coasts of three counties. Dead birds and fish washed ashore, local beaches were closed, boaters were being asked to stay away, and all fishing was curtailed for the area. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time this has happened, and it won’t be the last as long as … Continue Reading
October 07, 2021
The Levin Letter: Californians Have Made It Clear—No More Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling Along Our Coast
Our coastal communities are experiencing another grave ecological disaster. The oil spill that began on Saturday, Oct. 2, off the coast of Orange County is devastating, and it’s devastating to see the wildlife and marine animals that are being harmed or killed by this spill. I’m also thinking of all of the Californians who deeply cherish our coast and ocean, as well as the small business owners who rely on our coastal activity for their livelihoods. This kind of disaster is … Continue Reading
October 06, 2021
Coast News Group: Rep. Mike Levin visits Encinitas to discuss oil spill, offshore drilling legislation
ENCINITAS — As the fallout from a recent oil spill off the coast of Orange County continues to be assessed, Rep. Mike Levin (D-San Juan Capistrano) held a press conference Tuesday at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas to gather support for his proposed legislation prohibiting new offshore drilling activity along the Southern California coast.The spill was first reported Saturday when a pipeline owned and operated by Amplify Energy began spilling oil into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of … Continue Reading
September 15, 2021
Patch Oceanside-Camp Pendleton: Rep. Mike Levin Visits Frazier Farms, Touts Stop Child Hunger Act
OCEANSIDE, CA - U.S. Representative Mike Levin visited the Oceanside Frazier Farms on Monday to discuss his Stop Child Hunger Act that will expand nutrition benefits for children who struggle with food insecurity. Prior to his remarks, Levin took a tour of Frazier Farms with owner Nick Frazier and company CFO Matt Poucher. The three discussed the current supply chain issues, hiring challenges and the extensive measures the store took to adapt to the pandemic. After the tour, Levin … Continue Reading
September 10, 2021
San Diego Union-Tribune: Opinion: To move nuclear waste from San Onofre, interim storage is needed
The recent launch of a new coalition - Action for Spent Fuel Solutions Now - deserves a round of applause. The bipartisan coalition, if it gets traction, will help find practical ways to move nuclear fuel from sites like the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. The initial membership is drawn from across society, including labor, business and community organizations, and Native American and environmental leaders and involves Southern California Edison, which operated the plant. Now that … Continue Reading
September 09, 2021
San Clemente Times: The Levin Letter: Federal Relief Arrives for Cherished Local Businesses
South Orange County residents know the value of the small businesses that anchor our community. Locals and tourists alike come together to build memories in the many restaurants, recreational venues, and other locally owned establishments that line our streets. Amidst a pandemic that threatened many of these small businesses, federal relief has enabled many to keep their lights on. By now, you've probably heard of the American Rescue Plan, a comprehensive federal effort to address the … Continue Reading
August 23, 2021
San Diego Union-Tribune: Oceanside to get $3.5 million for new fire station
Oceanside will get a $3.5 million federal grant to help build the city's new downtown fire station because of the location's proximity to Camp Pendleton. The relocated fire house on Civic Center Drive will replace the original Fire Station No. 1, built in 1929 on Pier View Way and said to be one of the oldest operating stations in the nation. Located just 2.3 miles from the main entrance to the Marine Corps base, the city's Fire Station No. 1 could be called to help extinguish a large fire … Continue Reading
August 18, 2021
The Coast News: Rep. Mike Levin visits Del Mar to discuss moving rail line off coastal bluffs
DEL MAR - Congressman Mike Levin paid a visit to the city of Del Mar on Tuesday to emphasize the importance of project funding to move the region's rail line away from the Del Mar bluffs. In February, a section of bluffs, located precariously close to train tracks, collapsed in Del Mar. While bluff repairs are ongoing, area officials continue to discuss stabilization projects for other sections of the bluffs. But the movement of the tracks away from the bluffs entirely remains a focus of … Continue Reading
August 13, 2021
Capistrano Dispatch: Mission San Juan Capistrano Receives Federal Relief Funding
Nearly $19 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding will go to local entertainment venues, theaters, and museums in North County San Diego and South Orange County-including Mission San Juan Capistrano. The historic Mission is one of 28 regional sites receiving assistance funds through the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program, according to a news release from U.S. Rep. Mike Levin's office. "The Mission Preservation Foundation is grateful for this critical funding. The pandemic's … Continue Reading
August 09, 2021
Times of San Diego: Rep. Levin Announces $19 Million in Federal COVID Relief Delivered to Local Entertainment Venues
U.S. Representative Mike Levin (D-CA) announced nearly $19 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding will go to local entertainment venues, theaters, and museums through the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program. A total of 28 venues in North County San Diego and South Orange County received $18,982,835 to help cover payroll, rent and mortgages, worker protection costs, and other qualified expenses. Rep. Levin helped pass the funding as part of COVID relief legislation in December … Continue Reading
August 05, 2021
San Clemente Times: Levin Announces Caucus to Explore Spent Nuclear Fuel Solutions
On July 21, U.S. Reps. Mike Levin (D-CA) and Rodney Davis (R-IL) announced the formation of their Spent Nuclear Fuel Solutions Caucus, a bipartisan group of House members who will drive progress on the safe storage, transportation, and disposal of spent nuclear fuel across the country. Levin represents the 49th Congressional District, which includes Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano-and the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS). Including SONGS, there are approximately … Continue Reading
August 05, 2021
San Clemente Times: The Levin Letter: New Federal Funding will Increase Community Access, Fight Coastal Erosion
Roads, rails, and sidewalks connect our neighborhoods and enable freedom of movement throughout South Orange County. Unfortunately for our coastal community, erosion presents a growing threat to the safety of our people and the structural integrity of our crucial transportation infrastructure. Over the past several decades, our beaches and bluffs have been placed under enormous stress due to sea-level rise and other environmental factors. The results of these forces are entirely predictable: … Continue Reading
July 27, 2021
San Diego Union-Tribune: San Diego's water desalination efforts could get boost in federal funding
Desalination projects in the San Diego area could get millions in federal funding under a bill Rep. Mike Levin introduced Tuesday. The Desalination Development Act would provide $260 million over five years for desalination projects across the country, including the City of Oceanside's Mission Basin Groundwater Purification Facility, which converts brackish flows into potable water, said Levin, D-San Juan Capistrano. It also sets environmental standards for projects that get federal funding, … Continue Reading