In the News
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
October 23, 2020
San Diego Union-Tribune: Levin introduces nuclear waste inspection bill
Rep. Mike Levin, D-San Juan Capistrano, has introduced a bill on Capitol Hill that would require the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to keep an inspector at decommissioned nuclear power plants across the country when the facilities transfer nuclear waste from wet storage pools into canisters. The proposed legislation comes after Levin's call for a full-time inspector to be stationed at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station during the plant's transfer operations was turned back by the NRC … Continue Reading
September 24, 2020
Times of San Diego: House Passes Legislation by Rep. Levin to Aid San Onofre Cleanup
The House of Representatives passed legislation Thursday that includes language by Rep. Mike Levin to create a spent nuclear fuel research and development program at the Department of Energy. The spent nuclear fuel that remains at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating in Levin's district is seen as a long-term problem by the congressman and many of his constituents. "The Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act will make long-overdue investments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while … Continue Reading
June 11, 2020
OC Register: US Postal Service would get $25 billion lifeline under request led by O.C. Rep. Mike Levin
The struggling United States Postal Service could get a $25 billion lifeline if the Senate approves an emergency funding request from a bipartisan group of 137 House members, led by Rep. Mike Levin of Orange County. The federal bailout, which could be voted on as early as this week, is needed to offset losses triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, which postal officials say will total more than $22 billion over the next 18 months and could force the 245-year-old agency to close for good. "If … Continue Reading
June 05, 2020
Dana Point Times: State and Federal Representative Respond to Racial Injustices
U.S. Representative Mike Levin (D-CA) issued a statement on Thursday, June 4, on the protests in response to the death of George Floyd and other black Americans, outlining actions he is taking to address systemic racial injustice in America and to reform law enforcement. (The four Minneapolis police officers involved in the Floyd arrest face various murder charges.) “Our country is in crisis, broken by generations of systemic racial injustice, and it’s clear that only real change will allow … Continue Reading
June 05, 2020
Connecting Vets: Veterans Affairs lawmakers introduce major bill to help homeless vets during pandemic
As the coronavirus pandemic continues in the United States, veteran advocates have increasingly warned that the economic downturn could lead to more homeless vets. But the Department of Veterans Affairs is limited in what help it can offer. VA even put out a public call for donations to help. Now, lawmakers are stepping in aiming to change that. Reps. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., and Mike Levin, D-Calif., in the House and Sens. Dan Sullivan, R-Ark., and Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., in the … Continue Reading
June 01, 2020
San Diego Union-Tribune: Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Rep. Mike Levin hear from San Diego leaders about relief priorities
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Rep. Mike Levin heard from a variety San Diego County community members Friday about priorities for Washington’s COVID-19 relief efforts. They discussed the need for expanded COVID-19 testing, small business relief and more financial aid for local governments. The hour-plus Zoom discussion featured representatives of small businesses, community health clinics, labor, law enforcement, the city of Carlsbad, and postal workers. It showcased the … Continue Reading
May 07, 2020
San Clemente Times: Levin Joins SBDC in Town Hall Meeting for Small Business Resources
Rep. Mike Levin, whose district includes Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, joined Mike Daniel and Mike Hill from the Orange County Office of Small Business Development Centers to further educate small businesses on resources for economic relief. In a Zoom “town hall” conference on Tuesday, April 28, Levin stressed the importance of government and businesses working together to weather the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent impacts that reacting policies have had on the … Continue Reading
April 17, 2020
San Clemente Times: Levin Releases Resource Guide for CARES Act
Rep. Mike Levin has released a federal resource guide detailing information related to the $2 trillion relief measure Congress passed last month amid the coronavirus pandemic, answering frequently asked questions from the community, the congressman’s office announced this week. The guide lays out information regarding the stimulus checks that individuals and families are expected to receive in the coming weeks, details on how the aid package expands unemployment compensation, and resources … Continue Reading