Op-Eds
THE LEVIN LETTER: Delivering Federal Funds to Build Stronger Communities
As the old saying goes, “All politics is local.” While heated debates and partisan battles often dominate headlines, some of Congress’ most impactful work happens quietly behind the scenes when members secure federal funding for local projects that strengthen their communities. These investments may not always make the front page, but they are the backbone of my work. The community projects supported by federal funds ensure that we have access to critical resources like quality health care, … Continue Reading
September 12, 2024
THE LEVIN LETTER: One Veteran Without a Home Is One Too Many
There are currently more than 35,000 homeless veterans in the United States. While this number is less than half of the 76,000 U.S. homeless veterans in 2010, it is still far too high. Roughly 10% of the current homeless veteran population is in California. In Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange County, you don’t need to look far to find veterans living in tents and on sidewalks. It’s simply unacceptable. No veteran should ever be without a home after selflessly serving our nation with … Continue Reading
August 15, 2024
THE LEVIN LETTER: Social Security’s Viability Demands Bold Action
This week we celebrate the 89th anniversary of the enactment of the Social Security Act, signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 14, 1935, which established the critical safety net program that millions of seniors rely upon to make ends meet. Social Security, formed out of President Roosevelt’s “New Deal,” ensures that seniors can live their golden years with dignity and with an important financial cushion to pay rent, buy groceries, and fill their prescriptions. At a … Continue Reading
July 18, 2024
THE LEVIN LETTER: Political Violence Has No Place in Our Great Nation
The horrific attempted assassination on former President Donald Trump underscores what many of us have been saying for quite some time: we need to tone down the rhetoric, diminish political divisions, and determine a path forward with civility and respect. We are in perilous times. Our nation’s political discourse has grown increasingly violent; many Americans do not feel comfortable or safe sharing their views, and political affiliation can mark you as an enemy. It is dangerous, … Continue Reading
June 13, 2024
THE LEVIN LETTER: Biden’s Border Executive Actions Are a Step Forward, But More Must Be Done
Last month, I visited with our Border Patrol agents at the Campo Station and Jacumba in East County San Diego. While this was the most recent of several visits I’ve made to our Southern border, I’ve never seen circumstances more difficult for our agents. Conditions on the ground have been untenable. Having seen the situation in person, it is clear that our asylum and immigration systems have been broken for some time. That’s why I joined a group of my House colleagues to call on the President … Continue Reading
May 19, 2024
Want to fix the border crisis? Stop playing politics and start working together.
Last week, I visited our Border Patrol agents at the Campo station in East County San Diego. This was the most recent of my regular visits to our Southern border, and there is no question the situation on the ground has changed for the worse in the last couple of years and is untenable. The men and women of the Border Patrol are doing their job as best they can under extremely difficult circumstances. It is clear to me that they are overwhelmed. Our asylum system is broken. The numbers of … Continue Reading
May 03, 2024
The Time for Maritime Border Security Is Now
Recently, a video went viral of an unidentified boat crashing onto the coastal shores in our district. After landing, a group of people hopped out of the boat and into cars, completely disregarding our maritime border security measures and evading law enforcement. We have no idea who these people were or where they came from.This wasn’t a one-off offense. Our district has seen these types of incidents in the past.Over the years, unidentified vessels have used our coastal waters to come into … Continue Reading
April 21, 2024
Orange County Register: Nuclear fuel removal has come a long way, but there’s still work to do
Residents of Southern California and drivers on the 5 are very familiar with the sight of the two domes that distinguish the now-decommissioning San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS). The plant has been a permanent fixture along the coast for several decades. While no longer active, the plant’s roughly 3.55 million pounds of spent nuclear fuel pose potential environmental and health threats, especially given SONGS’ location near an active fault and on the beach as sea levels rise. … Continue Reading
April 12, 2024
Picket Fence Media: Congress Can Still Accomplish Great Things When We Work Together!
At the beginning of the year, I shared my 2024 policy and district priorities for our communities. One of those priorities was to deliver the federal resources our district deserves for projects that would improve quality of life, strengthen public safety, and benefit all residents.Now, I’m excited to share an update on that goal.Last month, Congress passed its long-overdue government funding bills. In them, I secured $17.7 million for 15 projects throughout our district. These projects … Continue Reading
March 18, 2024
Orange County Register: Bipartisan compromise is key to solving border and immigration challenges
There is no denying that we have a broken immigration system and real problems at our southwest border that demand Republicans and Democrats come together to deliver pragmatic solutions. Unfortunately, far too many in Congress prefer to politicize this issue during an election year rather than find common ground. There is too much finger pointing and too little action. Recently, a bipartisan Senate border security bill was tanked by Speaker Mike Johnson, presumably to appease former President … Continue Reading
March 15, 2024
Picket Fence Media: The Levin Letter To Understand the Future of Nuclear Energy, Consider Past Mistakes
A short distance from our South Orange County cities, three and a half million pounds of spent nuclear fuel is stored at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS). While SONGS is no longer operational, its spent fuel sits within 50 miles of 9 million people, on top of an active fault line, just feet from the Pacific Ocean. The spent fuel that remains at SONGS is a symptom of a far bigger problem. There are currently more than 80 sites in 36 states where spent nuclear fuel is being … Continue Reading
February 08, 2024
Picket Fence Media: Lowering Healthcare Costs for All Americans
Most every week, I hear from residents who are stressed about the cost of health care. For some, this means choosing between paying the rent or paying for a medical procedure. Just about everyone has seen their fair share of high health care costs. The path to lower health care costs has been a complicated one, and Congress has debated how to address these concerns for years. However, over the last few years we have made significant progress. I proudly helped pass legislation to lower … Continue Reading
January 22, 2024
Picket Fence Media: Levin’s Letter Looking Back at Our Achievements & Making Progress in 2024
The beginning of a new year gives us the opportunity to reflect on the previous one and set new goals that build on our successes and prepare for the future. For me, it gives renewed energy and allows me to look back at the work we’ve done to improve our district and set priorities for the year ahead. Last year was a challenging one for Congress. We faced complicated issues, both at home and abroad, that continue to demand action and will shape the course of 2024. I know that many of my … Continue Reading
December 08, 2023
Picket Fence Media: Want to See Congress at Work? Look No Further Than San Clemente
Over the past several decades, coastal erosion has been slowly wearing away at California’s beaches, and San Clemente is no exception. This erosion has threatened our beaches, impacted our coastal bluffs and endangered the LOSSAN Corridor—the second-busiest rail corridor in the country. The need to replenish our beaches with sand is undeniable. Despite the clear need to address the shrinking beaches, there was no recent movement from the federal government to address the issue. That’s why, … Continue Reading
November 03, 2023
Picket Fence Media: Bipartisan Comprehensive Immigration Reform Is Long Overdue. We Have Begun a New Conversation
You wouldn’t know it from my last name, but I’m the grandson of Mexican immigrants on my mom’s side and a proud member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. A century ago, my mom’s parents came to the United States from Mexico as children. They didn’t have much money, a formal education or English fluency. What they did have was an incredible work ethic and the desire to make a better life in America for themselves and their children. While neither graduated from high school, they started a … Continue Reading
October 19, 2023
San Diego Union-Tribune: A bipartisan immigration bill is gaining steam in Congress. Here’s why I’m backing it.
You wouldn’t know it from my last name, but I’m the grandson of Mexican immigrants on my mom’s side and a proud member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. My mom’s parents, Rosendo Bringas and Amalia Castaños, both came to the United States from Mexico at a young age in the 1910s. They didn’t have much money, a formal education or English fluency. What they did have was an incredible work ethic and the desire to make a better life in America for themselves and their children. While neither … Continue Reading
October 06, 2023
Picket Fence Media: Congress Must Keep Its Promise to Fully Fund the Government; Our Servicemembers Count on It
Last weekend, Democrats and Republicans in Congress came together to pass a bipartisan funding bill to keep our government open until Nov. 17, after facing significant hurdles that threatened a shutdown. We’re not out of the woods yet. We have a little over a month to reach a bipartisan agreement to fully fund the government for Fiscal Year 2024 and avert another shutdown threat. Our servicemembers are counting on us to get this done. Too many of our men and women in uniform are living … Continue Reading
April 28, 2023
San Diego Union-Tribune: My congressional district includes San Onofre. Here’s my plan for moving nuclear waste.
Since I took office in 2019, one of my top priorities has been moving the spent nuclear fuel from the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station as quickly and safely as possible. Keeping spent fuel at the San Onofre station long term is unacceptable, with its location about 100 feet from the Pacific Ocean, near active fault lines, surrounded by highly populated areas and within the Camp Pendleton military base. The situation at the San Onofre nuclear plant is the symptom of a far larger problem. … Continue Reading
April 21, 2023
Times of San Diego: Earth Day Is a Yearly Reminder that Congress Must Prioritize Action on Climate Change
As we enter into spring’s warmer weather and celebrate Earth Day, it’s important to recognize all those who work to protect and preserve our environment for future generations and what’s at risk if we don’t take immediate action on climate change. Our region is home to many natural wonders, from beaches and estuaries to canyons and wildlife, and each year on Earth Day we celebrate and promote environmental awareness and encourage actions to protect our planet. It is a … Continue Reading
November 11, 2022
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