In the News
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
March 11, 2021
Military.com: Proposed Legislation Would Supercharge GI Bill Benefits for National Guard
A new bill introduced in the House would make it much easier for National Guard troops to accrue GI Bill benefits. On Thursday, Rep. Mike Levin, D-Calif., introduced the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act, which aims to eliminate most of the confusion over which types of duty allow Guard troops to qualify for federal education benefits, instead greenlighting all days in service, including weekend drills and state active duty, to count toward the Post-9/11 GI Bill. "The men and women who … Continue Reading
March 08, 2021
Times of San Diego: Bill Introduced to Address Water Pollution at U.S.-Mexico Border
A coalition of San Diego County elected representatives introduced a bill Monday to address water pollution along the U.S.-Mexico border. The Border Water Quality Restoration and Protection Act would designate the Environmental Protection Agency as the lead coordinating federal, state, and local agencies' efforts to build and maintain infrastructure projects aimed at reducing pollution along the border. The bill was introduced by Reps. Juan Vargas, Scott Peters, Mike Levin, Sara Jacobs, and … Continue Reading
March 04, 2021
The Coast News: North County cities to receive financial assistance from $1.9 trillion stimulus bill
REGION - The House of Representatives recently passed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and some North County cities could see additional funding if signed into law. The bill passed the House along party lines, 219-212, with Congressman Mike Levin (D-San Juan Capistrano) voting in favor. Two Democrats voted against the bill, which is now before the Senate for a vote as early as Friday or early next week, according to Eric Mee, … Continue Reading
March 02, 2021
Del Mar Times: Congressman Levin hosts forum on diversity, inclusion in schools
On Feb. 26, U.S. Representative Mike Levin held a virtual panel with local Black leaders in education to speak about the challenges and opportunities for Black students and increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in schools. In light of a nationwide push against systemic racism, Levin hoped the discussion would help to understand the disparities that need to be addressed to ensure that all students receive a high-quality education regardless of their race, ethnicity or zip code. "One of … Continue Reading
February 17, 2021
The Coast News: Local NAACP president named Rep. Levin’s Constituent of the Month
REGION - Rep. Mike Levin (D-San Juan Capistrano) has named Satia Austin, president of the North San Diego County NAACP, as his "Constituent of the Month" for February. Levin is recognizing "the inspiring local leader" for her activism work with the district's young adults. "Every February, we celebrate Black History Month, and this year, I am honored to highlight Satia as an incredible member of my community," Levin said in his Congressional Record statement about Austin. Austin's parents … Continue Reading
January 06, 2021
San Diego Union-Tribune: Rep. Mike Levin on U.S. Capitol riot: The terrorists who sought to overthrow our democracy must be prosecuted
For the first time since 1814, the United States Capitol Building was breached by an angry mob. More than 200 years ago, it was British troops. This time it was domestic terrorists, inspired and encouraged by President Donald Trump. As I write this on Wednesday, I am sheltering in the Capitol Complex just like every other member of Congress and members of their staff. I started the day prepared to uphold my oath of office - an oath I took this past Sunday at the launch of the 117th Congress … Continue Reading
December 30, 2020
The Coast News: Levin’s bill aimed at helping homeless veterans awaits Trump’s approval
REGION - In mid-December, Congress passed a bipartisan-supported bill primarily sponsored by Rep. Mike Levin (D-San Juan Capistrano) that aims to strengthen and expand services for veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Formally called the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act, the bill allows the Department of Veteran Affairs to increase services for homeless veterans during the pandemic. According to Levin, the government should be doing … Continue Reading
December 26, 2020
Times of San Diego: Rep. Mike Levin Delivers Democrats’ National Weekly Address on Christmas Day
Rep. Mike Levin, who represents north San Diego and South Orange counties in Congress, delivered the national Democratic Party's weekly address on Christmas Day. "As we celebrate the holidays this year, we also mourn the loss of more than 320,000 Americans to this pandemic - including more than 5,500 veterans, a profound tragedy for our nation," said Levin. "Each individual lost was somebody's parent or grandparent, a son or daughter, a friend or co-worker who will be deeply missed, … Continue Reading
December 23, 2020
San Clemente Times: California Legislators Address Coronavirus Relief Package
Following Congress' passage of a $900 billion package intended to alleviate effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and subsequent criticism of individual payments being only $600 under the legislation, several House Representatives from California discussed aspects of the bill during a press call hosted by the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee on Tuesday, Dec. 22. The Democratic legislators on the call variously said the measures were too small but better than nothing, noting the … Continue Reading
December 16, 2020
The Coast News: Congress approves regional projects, funding for Camp Pendleton
REGION - Congress is expected to pass two bills before the end of the year that will bring millions to the region for local priorities including Camp Pendleton construction projects as well as area bluff erosion and flood protection projects. Earlier this month, the House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Development Act, a bill that authorizes development for local projects in partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers. Specifically, the bill includes an authorization for … Continue Reading
December 08, 2020
Times of San Diego: Opinion: Bipartisan COVID Bill Isn’t Perfect, But America Needs Relief Now
It has been more than ten months since the first case of COVID-19 in the United States, and we are just now experiencing the most devastating stretch of this pandemic. More than 14.8 million people have been infected, and at least 282,000 have tragically died, including more than 1,000 in San Diego County alone. Hospitals are being overrun, small businesses are failing, and job losses are mounting every day. Americans are in pain, and Congress must meet this moment. It's long past time … Continue Reading
October 26, 2020
Times of San Diego: NCTD Getting $10M in Federal Funding to Modernize Train, Crossing Controls
The North County Transit District will receive $9,836,917 in grant funding to modernize its train and crossing control systems, it was announced Monday by Democratic Congressman Mike Levin. The grant comes from the Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair. "The rail corridor through North County San Diego is vital for our regional economy, and I'm excited to announce that the North County Transit District will receive nearly $10 million in federal funding to upgrade its … Continue Reading