December 2012 Newsletter
Issues Update
In recent weeks, Sen. Levin welcomed a new federal effort to push for breakthroughs in battery technology; led the Senate Armed Services Committee's effort to shepherd the National Defense Authorization Act through Congress; continued his efforts to protect consumers and the economy from the excesses of financial institutions; and honored the memory of a true American hero, Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii.
Battery effort will boost Michigan economy
Michigan's economic future, and indeed the nation's, depends on winning a race against our economic competition around the world. That race is to find the technologies that will power homes, vehicles and businesses in the decades to come. Win that race, and we claim the economic high ground. That's why an announcement in November by the Department of Energy was so important to Michigan. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research, a consortium of government, university and private-sector research labs aimed at revolutionizing battery technology. Fittingly, Michigan is playing a key role in the effort.
Read Sen. Levin's newspaper column on the battery research consortium »
Defense act protects nation, draws on Michigan industry
This month, a House-Senate conference committee completed its work on the National Defense Authorization Act, the annual legislation that authorizes national security programs including pay and benefits for the military. The bill is one of Sen. Levin's top responsibilities as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "This bill fulfills our obligations to defend our nation and to provide for our troops and their families, and I'm proud Michigan will make a major contribution to that effort," Sen. Levin said. "Our state's manufacturing, science and engineering strengths have long helped keep our nation safe, and that legacy continues with this bill."
Read a news release summarizing the bill's provisions »
More news from Senator Levin
- Sen. Levin welcomed the Treasury Department's announcement of a plan to sell its holdings of General Motors stock as "an important step in GM's recovery."
- He welcomed the announcement of a $1.92 billion penalty from global bank HSBC after his Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations helped expose the bank's actions in helping facilitate transactions by organized crime and rogue nations.
- He fought back against efforts to weaken or delay rules implementing legislation he wrote with Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon that limits risky bets by banks.
- He criticized the Securities and Exchange Commission's decision to allow a new investment fund to speculate on copper futures, potentially damaging U.S. consumers and businesses.
- He led a group of Great Lakes senators calling for robust funding of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
- He welcomed final passage of legislation he sought that will allow a U.S. Park Service ship to continue supplying Isle Royale National Park.
- He helped lead efforts by a group from Michigan's congressional delegation to oppose legislation in Michigan harming the ability of workers to organize and bargain collectively. Read his statements from December 6, December 10 and December 11.
- He urged Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder to veto a bill allowing people to carry concealed weapons into Michigan schools.
- He joined Sen. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia in a USA Today opinion article calling for an end to baseless political attacks revolving around the deadly attack on U.S. diplomats in Libya.
- He joined with Sen. John McCain of Arizona in calling on the Air Force to explain the failure of a $1 billion effort to develop a new software system to manage logistics.
- He spoke on the Senate floor in memory of Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, the president pro tem of the U.S. Senate and Medal of Honor recipient.
- He celebrated final passage of legislation allowing Nigerian immigrant Victor Chukwueke, whose story has inspired Michiganians, to become a legal U.S. resident.
- He called for legislation sanctioning individuals in Russia who are guilty of human rights violations to be broadened to include violators from around the world.