In the News
San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board: Opinion: San Onofre nuclear waste needs somewhere to go. Rep. Mike Levin is pushing for a solution.
Since Mike Levin was elected in 2018 to represent northern San Diego County and southern Orange County in the House of Representatives, the Democratic lawyer from San Juan Capistrano has kept a welcome and much-needed focus on pushing the federal government to live up to its responsibilities to safely store the radioactive waste from the decommissioned San Onofre nuclear plant located 20 miles north of Oceanside. Some 1,600 tons of spent nuclear fuel is stored in 123 canisters at the … Continue Reading
July 22, 2021
San Diego Union-Tribune: San Diego Rep. Levin forms bipartisan caucus for safe disposal of nuclear fuel waste
Rep. Mike Levin Wednesday announced the formation of a Spent Nuclear Fuels Solutions Caucus in Congress to guide the disposal of nuclear waste from the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station and other power plants around the United States. The radioactive material is being held in temporary storage around the country, including at San Onofre. "The current issue of spent nuclear fuel is simply not sustainable," said Levin, D-San Juan Capistrano. "It is also a violation of the promise, codified … Continue Reading
July 20, 2021
Dana Point Times: House Appropriations bills earmark funding for local infrastructure projects
House appropriations legislation making its way through Congress currently includes more than $22 million in funding to largely support infrastructure projects in North San Diego County, along with Dana Point and San Clemente, Rep. Mike Levin's office announced last week. Levin, a Democrat whose district includes South Orange County and North San Diego County, secured the funding for several projects in the bill that was recently approved by an appropriations subcommittee. If the bill is … Continue Reading
July 08, 2021
San Clemente Times: The Levin Letter: We Can't Let New Offshore Drilling Devastate the South OC Economy
As most people in South Orange County know, our coastal waters are the lifeblood of our local economy. From boating to surfing to hospitality, ocean-based economic activity employs tens of thousands of Orange County residents. However, offshore drilling threatens our waters, along with the communities that rely on the ocean to make ends meet. We must eliminate the possibility of new drilling along our shores. As an environmental attorney and an advocate for coastal preservation, I've long … Continue Reading
July 07, 2021
The Coast News: House passes bill proposing $20M for local infrastructure projects
REGION - Millions of federal dollars could be coming to the 49th Congressional District after a huge infrastructure bill made it through the House of Representatives. Last Thursday, July 1, the House passed the INVEST in America Act, a $715 billion, comprehensive surface transportation and clean water bill that aims to create "good-paying jobs" that will rebuild and "reimagine" the nation's roads, bridges, rail and other transit options as well as wastewater and drinking water infrastructure … Continue Reading
July 05, 2021
Associated Press: New infrastructure deal must focus on climate, activists say
WASHINGTON (AP) - Climate activists and their Democratic allies in Congress are pressing with renewed urgency for huge investments to slow global warming, after a bipartisan infrastructure plan cut out some of President Joe Biden's key climate initiatives. Supporters say a larger, Democratic-only package now being developed in Congress must meet Biden's promise to move the country toward carbon-free electricity, make America a global leader in electric vehicles and create millions of jobs in … Continue Reading
June 21, 2021
Times of San Diego: Opinion--To Fight Poverty, Congress Must Support Permanent Expansion of Child Tax Credit
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of families have struggled under the weight of child care expenses. With two young children of our own at home, my wife and I know firsthand how costly child care can be. A key federal program to help parents with these expenses is the Child Tax Credit, which has lifted millions of children out of poverty. During the public health and economic crises of the past year, it became clear that parents needed even more help, which is why Democrats in … Continue Reading
June 16, 2021
The Coast News: Levin: New plan curbs childcare costs, gets Americans back to work
OCEANSIDE - With summer here and more pandemic restrictions being lifted, summer camps have started to keep children entertained and cared for while school is out and parents are at work. Due to the growing costs of childcare, Rep. Mike Levin (D-San Juan Capistrano) met with Oceanside Boys & Girls Clubs CEO Jodi Diamond to discuss how additional federal funds can help childcare become more affordable for parents and the non-profits that run them. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a quarter of … Continue Reading
June 12, 2021
San Clemente Times: The Levin Letter: South OC Veterans Remind Us of Public Service
This past Memorial Day, those of us who are vaccinated were able to safely gather again with friends and family, returning to all of the traditions that we cherish. While the day marked a new milestone in the pandemic-a sense of normalcy as we begin the summer-it's important for us to remember what Memorial Day really means. The veterans honored in South Orange County continue to remind us of the service and sacrifices that have been made for our country. I had the opportunity to join … Continue Reading
June 02, 2021
San Diego Union-Tribune: How San Diego’s veterans will benefit from the American Rescue Plan
SAN DIEGO - Thousands of veterans who lost their jobs, paid medical bills and dealt with other hardships as a result of the coronavirus pandemic will be eligible for financial assistance and other benefits under the country's $1.9 trillion federal relief package. The American Rescue Plan, an economic relief package President Joe Biden signed into law in March, allocates money for direct payments to individuals, aid to state and local governments, and a range of other efforts to help … Continue Reading
June 01, 2021
ABC 10 San Diego: Bill proposes to rename SD VA Medical Center after female combat veteran
OCEANSIDE (CNS) - Rep. Mike Levin, D-San Juan Capistrano, introduced legislation Tuesday to rename the San Diego Veterans Affairs Medical Center after Army Capt. Jennifer Moreno, a decorated combat veteran from San Diego killed in action during a deployment to Afghanistan in October 2013. "As we continue to reflect on Memorial Day and the sacrifices of our servicemembers, it's paramount that we recognize the many women who have defended our nation in uniform," Levin said. "Far too often, … Continue Reading
May 28, 2021
San Diego Union-Tribune: Opinion--My grandpa served in the U.S. Army Air Forces. I keep fighting for the values he taught me.
Levin, D-San Juan Capistrano, has represented San Diego's North County in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2019, and serves on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee. He lives in San Juan Capistrano. My grandpa, Ted Levin, served as a gunner with the 867th Bomb Squadron of the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. He lost many friends during the war, and taught me that there is no higher calling than honoring the courage and bravery of our fallen heroes. On Memorial Day and every … Continue Reading
May 26, 2021
NBC News: Democratic lawmakers aim to make Biden's summer food program for kids permanent
Democratic lawmakers will introduce a bill late Wednesday to make permanent a temporary children's summer food program created because of the pandemic. The proposed law would cement and slightly expand a program first created in the American Rescue Plan that provides cash for an estimated 33 million kids in low-income families. Earlier this year, the Biden administration called it "the largest summer food program in U.S. history." The effort would also secure one piece of the expanded social … Continue Reading
May 11, 2021
The Coast News: Rep. Mike Levin proposes offshore drilling ban along SoCal coast
REGION - The 49th District's congressman wants to ban offshore drilling along Southern California's coastline. Rep. Mike Levin (D-San Juan Capistrano) introduced the American Coasts and Oceans Protection Act to ban any new leasing for the exploration, development or production of oil or natural gas along the coast from San Diego to the northern border of San Luis Obispo County. The House Natural Resources Committee plans to hold a hearing on the bill and other offshore drilling legislation … Continue Reading
May 08, 2021
Dana Point Times: The Levin Letter: Restoring SALT Fairness
As I travel around South Orange County and the rest of our district, there's one issue that I hear about consistently from constituents across the ideological spectrum: the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction. The SALT deduction has been around since the Revenue Act of 1913, allowing taxpayers to claim deductions for the taxes they pay to state and local governments. However, the 2017 tax bill capped the SALT deduction at $10,000, meaning many families in South Orange County can no longer … Continue Reading
April 21, 2021
The Coast News: Levin honors Vista Community Clinic’s vaccine effort
VISTA - The 49th District's congressman recently paid the Vista Community Clinic a visit to highlight its role in making sure the area's underserved populations have access to COVID-19 vaccinations. Rep. Mike Levin (D-San Juan Capistrano) took a tour of the clinic's headquarters in Vista on April 12, learning about the day-to-day operations of the clinic and how it's working to vaccinate as many people as possible. "They do incredible work to serve the community, particularly those who are … Continue Reading
April 17, 2021
Times of San Diego: Rep. Levin Leads Call for Congress to End Cap on State and Local Tax Deductions
Rep. Mike Levin led a group of 41 members of Congress from California in calling on President Biden to end the cap on state and local tax deductions. The Trump administration's 2017 tax legislation put a $10,000 cap on deductions for state and local taxes - often referred to as SALT - resulting in significantly higher federal tax bills for many California residents. The cap was viewed by many political observers as punishment for primarily Democratic states with high housing costs and state … Continue Reading
April 08, 2021
San Clemente Times: The Levin Letter: Federal dollars will help get our kids back in school
My wife, Chrissy, and I are proud to send our two young children to Capistrano Unified schools. Like so many children, they have done remote learning throughout this pandemic. And like so many parents, we know what it's like trying to make sure they're logged on to their classes at the right times, juggling both of our jobs with sometimes unusual schedules, working through technology issues, and more. We've all been forced to play the role of teacher's assistant. It can be exhausting. We … Continue Reading
March 31, 2021
The Coast News: Levin, Sanchez discuss new COVID-19 relief at virtual townhall
OCEANSIDE - Rep. Mike Levin (D-San Juan Capistrano) together with Oceanside Mayor Esther Sanchez answered constituent questions and celebrated federal COVID-19 relief going directly to cities located within the 49th Congressional District during a March 24 virtual town hall. Levin highlighted how the American Rescue Plan, signed into law by President Joseph Biden earlier this month, will positively impact the district. "There's so much in this bill that's going to help us and our neighbors," … Continue Reading
March 13, 2021
Del Mar Times: Del Mar, Solana Beach among small cities to receive funding in new aid bill
North Coastal cities will receive direct payments from the new $1.9 trillion COVID-19 aid bill, after a population requirement in last year's CARES Act excluded all small cities. Solana Beach will receive an estimated $2.5 million and Del Mar a little more than $800,000. Encinitas will get approximately $8.8 million, Carlsbad $13.4 million and Oceanside $33.4 million. The CARES Act allocated funding to local governments that served populations of at least 500,000. In San Diego, only the city … Continue Reading