Congressman Sander Levin

Congressman Levin's Media Kit

Biography:

Sander Levin has represented Michigan’s 12th Congressional District since 1992. The District now includes almost 60% of Macomb County and spans from Clinton Township/Mount Clemens and Lake St. Clair to Southfield.

Sander Levin currently serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over all tax, trade and economic growth policies and entitlement spending, including Social Security, Medicare, welfare and unemployment compensation. He is the Chairman of the Trade Subcommittee. He also serves on the Social Security Subcommittee.

At home he is working to help communities create coalitions to combat drug and alcohol abuse among teenagers. He is actively involved in a variety of efforts to improve water quality throughout the region, including Lake St. Clair and numerous other local projects. Sander Levin is also working to implement federal policies that address the manufacturing jobs crisis and help to create good paying jobs.

Background

Born in Detroit, Levin graduated from Central High School. He earned his B.A. at the University of Chicago, his M.A. in international relations from Columbia University and a law degree from Harvard University. Sander Levin and his wife, Vicki have four children and eight grandchildren. His brother, Carl, serves in the United States Senate

Sander Levin was elected to the State Senate in 1964, serving on the Education and Labor Committee. He was Senate Minority Leader (1969/70).

In 1970 and 1974, Levin was the Democratic candidate for Governor. After a four year assignment as Assistant Administrator in the Agency for International Development, he was elected to Congress in 1982.

Committee Assignments

Rep. Levin currently serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means. The Ways and Means Committee has jurisdiction over all tax, trade and economic growth policies and entitlement spending, including Social Security, Medicare, welfare and unemployment compensation.

As Chairman of the Trade Subcommittee, Rep. Levin is seeking ways to use trade policy to shape globalization and is fighting to include worker rights and environmental standards in trade agreements. He has persistently challenged unfair trade practices, including currency manipulation, that threaten U.S. manufacturers and U.S. jobs and to knock down unfair barriers to our products in foreign markets.

As a member of the Social Security Subcommittee, Rep. Levin continues to work to strengthen Social Security, address the challenges facing the program, and fight against privatization.

Rep. Levin also serves as the Chairperson of The Congressional-Executive Commission on China, which consists of nine Senators, nine members of the House of Representatives and five senior Presidential Administration officials. Its mandate is to monitor human rights, including worker rights and the development of the rule of law in china, as well as maintain a database of information on Chinese prisoners.

Mr. Levin and former Rep. Doug Bereuter initiated the idea of creating the Congressional-Executive Commission on China and it was formally established in 2000 as part of the legislation to grant China Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) when China entered the World Trade Organization. Mr. Levin has served on the Commission since its inception.

Press Coverage

House Passes Emergency Economic Stabilization Act Responding to a week of nearly unprecedented turmoil in the financial markets, the House of Representatives passed legislation today to shore up the financial system and maintain access to credit markets for consumers and businesses.  It was passed by a vote of 263-171. 10/3/2008

Federal Mortgage Refinancing Program Comes into Effect The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, signed into law on July 30, includes a number of provisions to address the mortgage crisis and help homeowners facing foreclosure.  At the heart of the legislation is a program called Hope for Homeowners, which authorizes the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to insure up to $300 billion in refinanced loans.  The program brings affordable, sustainable mortgages within reach for qualified homeowners whose lenders are willing to refinance based on the home’s current value.  The new program begins October 1, 2008, and will be available for three years.   10/1/2008

Official Photo

Click the photo for a high resolution photo of Rep. Sander Levin

Media Contact Info:

Cullen Schwarz
Press Secretary
Phone: 202-225-4961
Fax: 202-226-1033
Email: cullen.schwarz@mail.house.gov