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12th District Residents Share Their Views During On-line Town Hall Meeting – Read the Questions and Answers!
On May 6, Rep. Levin held a lively on-line town hall meeting with residents of Michigan’s 12th District. Residents voiced their opinions on a wide variety of issues, including unemployment, gas prices, the war in Iraq, trade policy with China, among many other topics. To view the full text of the on-line town hall, click here.
House Approves Bill to Prevent Genetic Discrimination
On May 1, the House of Representatives passed legislation [H.R. 493] to protect patients against discrimination by health insurance providers and employers based on their genetic makeup, predisposition to disease, or chronic condition. The House approved the measure on an overwhelming vote of 414 to 1. The President is expected to sign the bill into law.
Speaking in support of H.R. 493, Rep. Levin said, “Newly developed genetic testing holds great promise in treating illness. So we need to take steps to ensure that fear of discrimination by employers and health care providers does not discourage people from undergoing genetic testing or participating in clinical studies.”
For more information, click here.
Legislation Would Protect Consumers From Abusive Credit Card Practices
With consumers facing economic hardships, more than 100 House lawmakers have cosponsored legislation [H.R. 5244] aimed at stopping abusive credit card practices that deepen or prolong credit card debt held by consumers. Rep. Levin is a cosponsor of this legislation.
The Credit Card Holder’s Bill of Rights Act would protect cardholders from arbitrary interest rate increases, due date gimmicks, misleading credit card contract terms, and other abuses. The legislation would also require Congress to provide better oversight of the credit card industry and improve existing data collection on industry profits, as well as card fees and rates. For more information on the Credit Card Holder’s Bill of Rights Act, click here.
Congressional Art Competition
Congressman Levin encouraged high school art students in Michigan’s 12th Congressional District to submit artwork for the Congressional Art Competition. The annual competition, now in its 26th year, is held to highlight the importance of art education in more than 200 congressional districts nationally. The artwork of the first place winner in each district is prominently displayed for one year in the Cannon Corridor of the United States Capitol. 
A panel of local art professionals selected an oil painting by Jeremy Lassila, a senior at Lamphere High School, as this year’s winner! Jeremy’s painting will be on display at the Warren City Hall atrium this week before moving to the Capitol.
Rep. Levin held an award ceremony for all contest participants and their teachers and families last Sunday in Warren, where he presented awards to Jeremy, 1st runner-up Dessimber Daniels of Mt. Clemens High School and 2nd runner-up Jonathan Stys of Lakeview High.
This Week in Congress
The House is expected to debate a broad legislative package to combat the unprecedented rise in foreclosures by helping struggling homeowners refinance their mortgages, encourage the purchase of homes to revive the housing market and address the negative impact of rising foreclosure rates on communities and the overall economy. The House may also debate a 2008 Supplemental Appropriations bill that includes additional funding for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, enhanced educational benefits for veterans, and extended unemployment compensation.
Download Printable Copy of The Congressional Connector
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