Op-Eds
Times of San Diego: Rep. Mike Levin: Veterans Day a Reminder That Congress Must Continue to Help Our Vets
As we move past a tumultuous election season full of negative attacks and partisanship, I think it's important to remember what public service is really about. And for me, there is no better time to do that than Veterans Day. Each year on Veterans Day, our nation gives thanks for the heroism of the millions of veterans who have served and fought to defend our democracy. The brave men and women of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserves … Continue Reading
March 31, 2022
Times of San Diego: Rep. Mike Levin: Our High Gas Prices Are Caused by Pandemic, Putin, and Price Gouging
There's no question we're all feeling pain from high gas prices. The average price of regular gas in California is now around $6.00 per gallon. While Americans are hurting, politicians and pundits are pointing fingers and oversimplifying the problem to serve their narrative of choice. It's counterproductive, and it's doing an incredible disservice to everyone who simply wants solutions. The reality is that high gas prices are a far more complex problem than the pundits would lead you to … 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
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
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 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 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
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 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
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 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 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
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