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2005 Legislative Report

Every year, Senator Levin prepares a report summarizing his key legislative activities. You can jump to a topic below by clicking on the link.

Expanding Economic Opportunities for Working Families

Detroit Riverfront Revitalization Project. Helped secure $40 million for the revitalization of the Detroit Riverfront shoreline. These funds will be used to acquire land on the West Riverfront, continuing the development of an extensive greenway system that will link the East Riverfront Greenway System with the planned Southwest Michigan Greenway System. The West Riverfront is vital to linking neighborhoods to their riverfront. The Detroit Riverfront will increase tourism in Detroit , raise property values, improve air quality and health, lower crime, and spur new development that will make nearby neighborhoods more attractive places to live. Broke ground and made substantial progress toward completion of the Bates Street outfall project, which will bridge the divide between the East and West Riverfronts.

Drought Assistance for Small Businesses Hurt by Low Water Levels on Great Lakes. Authored a provision included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 to ensure that all small businesses damaged by low water levels on the Great Lakes have access to low-interest loans through the Small Business Administration. A Michigan State University report concluded that the estimated impact of below average water levels on Michigan 's marinas alone was $11.1 million in a single year.

Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAA). Helped secure $13 million in funding for the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms program in the fiscal year 2006 C ommerce, Justice, Science Senate appropriations bill. The TAA for Firms program assists hundreds of mostly small and medium-sized manufacturing and agricultural companies that experience loss of jobs and sales because of foreign imports. Qualifying companies receive technical assistance in areas such as marketing, financing, production, product development, distribution, management information systems and exporting. Since 1999, the program has helped to retain or create over 48,039 jobs in communities and increased sales at participating companies by $6.2 billion. The TAA for Firms program serving the Great Lakes region is located at the University of Michigan.

Advanced Technology Program (ATP). Helped fund the Department of Commerce Advanced Technology Program in the Senate at $140 million in the Senate-passed bill and save it from being zeroed out in fiscal year 2006. Despite the $140 million Senate level, the final bill contained only $80 million for the ATP because the President and the House of Representatives both eliminated funding for the ATP in fiscal year 2006. During consideration of the Senate budget resolution, the Senate adopted a Levin amendment urging the Senate Committee on Appropriations to make efforts to fund the Advanced Technology Program, which supports industry-led research and development of cutting-edge technologies with broad commercial potential and societal benefits. Also, during Senate consideration of the Commerce, Justice, Science appropriations bill, Senator Levin helped the Senate defeat an amendment to make massive cuts to the ATP. The Advanced Technology Program promotes the development of new, innovative products that are made and developed in the United States , helping American companies compete against their foreign competitors and contribute to the growth of the U.S. economy.

Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program (MEP). Helped secure a funding level of $106 million for the MEP program to fund the national MEP network. The MEP program co-funds a nationwide system of manufacturing support centers to assist small and mid-sized manufacturers modernize in order to compete in a demanding marketplace by providing technical assistance and helping small firms boost productivity, streamline operations, integrate new technologies and lower costs. MEP projects have resulted in $1.9 billion of cost savings, $8.7 billion of sales and more than 104,000 manufacturing jobs. As manufacturers face increasing pressure from the global economy, improved efficiency and competitiveness are essential if we expect to retain jobs here in the United States . MEP is one of the few federal programs that provide tangible assistance to American manufacturers to help them retain and create jobs.

Far East Side Development Project in Detroit. Helped secure $600,000 to assist in the development of 700 acres of land on Detroit 's far East Side. The City of Detroit would like to transform the land into housing development, which will ultimately increase the residential population and the quality of life for all in the far East Side.

Rebuilding the Community of Northeast Saginaw. Helped secure $350,000 to assist with a comprehensive revitalization effort in northeast Saginaw. The project includes the demolition and replacement of a severely distressed 94-unit town and garden complex and the use of two parcels of vacant land to create 266 housing units, 80 of which will be public housing.

The Armory Arts Project. Helped secure $600,000 for the Armory Arts Project in Jackson , Michigan , which aims to help transition Jackson 's economy from its traditional manufacturing base to a more diversified model that will attract workers, businesses and entrepreneurs.

The Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services. Helped secure $600,000 for the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) to continue work on the Arab American National Museum and Cultural Center. The 38,500 sq. ft. museum and cultural center, located in Dearborn, will preserve and document the experiences and accomplishments of Arab Americans in the United States , celebrate and support the work of Arab American artists, and present the cultural heritage of the Arab American community to a wider American and international audience.

Goodwill Inn Homeless Shelter. Helped secure $250,000 for a new 22,734 sq. ft. facility for the Goodwill Inn Homeless Shelter, the largest homeless shelter in Northern Michigan. The new facility will house 77 individuals with the capacity to house 40 percent more during critical times. The Inn will contain classrooms, training areas, childcare facilities and meeting rooms for case management. The building will house a commercial kitchen for the Meals on Wheels Program, as well as expanded meal options for residents. The new shelter will contain a dedicated youth wing, operated in partnership with Third Level Crisis Center, to accommodate the increase in homeless youth in the area.

Harbor Habitat for Humanity. Helped secure $200,000 for the Harbor Habitat for Humanity to aid in the construction of 30 new homes in the City of Benton Harbor.

A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum to the Keweenaw National Historic Park Site . Helped secure $300,000 to assist Michigan Technological University in relocating the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum to a new facility within the Quincy Mine unit of the Keweenaw National Historic Park. This museum preserves the mineral and mining heritage of the Lake Superior Copper District in Michigan 's Keweenaw Peninsula.  

Overtime Protection for Workers. Original cosponsor of legislation that would protect the overtime pay for millions of working men and women from unfair regulations drafted recently by the Department of Labor.

Employee Free Choice. Original cosponsor of legislation that would allow for easier recognition of collective bargaining units.

Minimum Wage. Original cosponsor of legislation that would raise the minimum wage by $2.05 in three increments.  

Incentivizing Domestic Manufacturing of Alternative Technology Vehicles. Authored and introduced a bipartisan amendment to the energy bill (S.A. 928 to H.R. 6) to provide an investment tax credit for manufacturers to help defray the significant cost of re-equipping or expanding existing facilities to produce more energy-efficient vehicles and components.

Small Business Fuel and Alternative Energy Conversion Assistance. Authored provision in Senate-passed energy bill that would provide relief to small businesses and farmers hurt by the rising costs of heating fuel by offering low interest disaster assistance loans from the Small Business Administration and the Department of Agriculture. Senator Levin's provision would allow small businesses to use the loans to convert to alternative energy sources, reducing their dependence on non-renewable fuels and lessening their vulnerability to future price spikes. The provision was dropped in conference and not included in the final energy bill.

Fighting for Fair Trade and a Level Playing Field for U.S. Manufacturing . As co-chairman of the Senate Auto Caucus and Senate Auto Parts Task Force, Senator Levin pressed the administration to take strong measures to persuade China , Japan and other trading partners to end the practice of undervaluing their currencies, which makes their exports less expensive and puts U.S. workers and exports at a disadvantage. He urged the administration to press China to adhere to the market opening commitments it made when joining the World Trade Organization (WTO), particularly regarding automotive manufacturers' ability to fully participate in the Chinese automotive market and reducing the rampant intellectual property theft that occurs in China . He also joined the Michigan congressional delegation in urging the administration to focus WTO negotiations on removing non-tariff barriers in the automobile sector.

Fighting to Preserve American Automotive Jobs. Sent letters with Senate Auto Caucus co-chairman, Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) and others that expressed concern that an improperly negotiated Thailand Free Trade Agreement could result in the displacement of thousands of American pickup truck assembly jobs. The letter warns against giving Thailand privileged access to critical segments of the United States automobile market in an FTA if third-county automobile producers, such as Japan , South Korea and India , are able to gain a back door into the U.S. market without being required to reduce their tariff and non-tariff barriers to U.S. automobile producers.

Granting Ukraine Permanent Normal Trade Relations Treatment (PNTR). Introduced legislation with the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Richard Lugar (R-IN), that would grant normal trade treatment to the products of Ukraine in order to help to build stronger economic ties between the United States and Ukraine. A similar bill passed the Senate by unanimous consent on November 18, 2005.

Federal Recognition of the Grand River Band. Original cosponsor of legislation that would help facilitate the federal recognition of the Grand River Band of Ottawa Indians.

Fair Wages in the Gulf Coast. Cosponsor of legislation that would reinstate the Davis-Bacon prevailing wages in the areas designed “emergency” in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Keeping Our Families Safe and Healthy

HEALTH CARE

Medicaid. Original cosponsor of a resolution stressing the importance of the Medicaid system to our nation's health infrastructure especially for poor women and children.

Medicare. Original cosponsor of a resolution stressing the importance of the Medicare system to our nation's health infrastructure especially for seniors and the disabled.

Affordable Health Care. Original cosponsor of the primary Senate bill that addresses affordable health care issues in several ways such as information technology, drug reimportation and small business health care.  

Improving Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage. Original cosponsor of the primary Senate bill that makes improvements to the recently begun Medicare Part D program such as protecting retiree benefits and bulk negotiation for discount prices. Also a cosponsor of legislation that mandates that benefits under Part D will not affect other state and federal government benefits.

Compassion for the Disabled Community. Cosponsor of legislation that would give s tates the option of allowing families of disabled children to purchase Medicaid coverage for their disabled children.

Drug Reimportation. Original cosponsor of legislation that would have allowed American citizens as well as U.S.-licenced pharmacists and drug wholesalers to import FDA-approved medications from Canada.

Medicaid Commission. Cosponsor of legislation that called for the creation of a bipartisan commission to address the long-term financing of Medicaid. Also voted for an amendment to the same effect.

Protecting Nursing. Original cosponsor of legislation that would place limitations on the mandatory overtime that nurses can work.

Stem Cell Research. Cosponsor of the primary Senate bill that would remove the current restrictions placed on federal research of stem cells.

Health Care for the Military. Cosponsor of legislation that would allow federal civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pretax basis and to allow a deduction for TRICARE supplemental premiums.

Patients' Bill of Rights. Original cosponsor of legislation that gives new rights to patients in regards to seeking grievances from their managed care organizations.  

Medicare Reimbursement. Cosponsor of legislation that would ensure that physicians treating Medicare patients are adequately reimbursed.

Health Care Information Technology. Cosponsor of legislation that would fund grants for eligible health care entities for information technology and patient safety.

Affordability in Medicare. Cosponsor of legislation that would gradually reduce the premiums for Medicare managed care.

Emergency Health Care for Katrina Victims. Cosponsor of legislation that would establish a series of programs to expedite the delivery of health care services to victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Funding for Health Care Facilities and Programs in Michigan. Helped secure $250,000 for expansion of the Emergency Department at St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba. This project also provides for isolation rooms and decontamination facilities, ensuring full capability of handling a toxic chemical exposure or terrorist incident.

Combating drug addiction and making our communities safe. Worked to include language in the fiscal year 2006 Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations Act that directs the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to evaluate and take steps to increase the number of qualified physicians who use an FDA-approved medication called buprenorphine in the office-based treatment of their heroin addicted patients. This new approach to addiction treatment in an office-based setting rather than centralized clinics, as authorized by the Drug Addiction Treatment Act (DATA) of 2000, authored by Senator Levin with Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Joe Biden (D-DE), is revolutionary and its effects are far-reaching.

Secured passage of legislation addressing an unintended effect of DATA that applied the 30-patient limit to group practices, rather than to each physician. This will greatly expand access to buprenorphine and in turn reduce heroin addiction and heroin-related crimes in our communities.

Worked to include language calling on the National Institute on Drug Abuse to move expeditiously on a cooperative research and development agreement on the use of the medication vigabatrin for the treatment of cocaine and methamphetamine addiction, an epidemic that challenges local law enforcement and child welfare workers across the country.

Protecting America 's Children from Shaken Baby Syndrome. Original cosponsor of a resolution designating the third week in April 2005 as “ National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week .”

Protecting America 's Children from Lead Poisoning. Original cosponsor of a resolution designating the week of October 23, 2005, through October 29, 2005, as “National Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week.”

SAFETY

Energy Assistance. Helped secure $2.1 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, of which $107.5 million will go to Michigan.

Emergency Fire Equipment. Helped secure millions of dollars in funding for fire departments throughout Michigan for training, firefighting equipment, protective gear, and prevention programs that keep our citizens safe.

Hate Crimes Legislation. Cosponsored the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, also known as the “Hate Crimes” bill. Too many acts of violent bigotry in the last several years have put our nation's commitment to diversity in jeopardy. Law enforcement organizations such as the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Sheriffs' Association and the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association all support passage of federal hate crimes legislation.

Funding Safety Initiatives in Michigan . Senator Levin helped secure federal funding for the following projects:

Edward Byrne Discretionary Grants

• $250,000 – Detroit Police Department for Operation Take Back
• $250,000 – Thin Blue Line of Michigan
• $200,000 – Detroit Community Police

COPS Law Enforcement Technology and Interoperability Grants

• $750,000 – Upper Peninsula Interoperable Communications Consortium
• $750,000 – Downriver Mutual Aid for system preparedness technology upgrades
• $900,000 – Macomb County Interoperable Communications
• $250,000 – St. Clair County Communications Infrastructure Project
• $250,000 – Law Enforcement Information Network of Michigan for technology upgrades
• $200,000 – City of Flat Rock for video surveillance
• $200,000 – Genesee County/ Flint Interoperability Project
• $200,000 – Chippewa County Interoperable Communications Project

Juvenile Justice Discretionary Grants

• $200,000 – A Child Is Missing in Michigan
• $250,000 – Wayne County Juvenile Mentoring Program in Michigan
• $150,000 – Agudath Israel of America Youth Mentoring Program
• $200,000 – Detroit Citizens and Youth Academies
• $100,000 – Wayne County Juvenile Electronic Monitoring Program

CIVIL RIGHTS

Congressional Gold Medal. Secured Senate passage of bipartisan legislation to bestow the Congressional Gold Medal on the Tuskegee Airmen for their heroic contributions during World War II. The House of Representatives is expected to pass this bill in 2006.

Honoring Rosa Parks. Original cosponsor of legislation directing that a statue of Rosa Parks be placed in the U.S. Capitol – the first African American woman to be so honored.

Protecting the Great Lakes and Michigan’s Environment

THE GREAT LAKES

Great Lakes Basin Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Program. Worked to secure $2.5 million in funding for the Great Lakes Basin Soil Erosion and Sediment Control program. The soil erosion control program is designed to prevent and control sediment runoff in the Great Lakes basin . Soil erosion and sedimentation degrade water quality, reduce agricultural productivity, harm fish and wildlife habitat, limit water-based recreation, and damage water treatment and public water supply infrastructure.

Great Lakes Fishery and Ecocystem Restoration. Helped secure $375,000 for the Great Lakes Fishery and Ecosystem, a program that allows the Army Corps of Engineers to cooperate with other federal, state and local agencies and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to plan, implement and evaluate projects supporting the restoration of the fishery, ecosystem and beneficial uses of the Great Lakes . Among other things, this funding will be used to conduct a comprehensive engineering and feasibility study on the potential removal of four dams located on the Boardman River. The Boardman, a nationally recognized trout stream, provides for many different recreational uses, greatly impacting the local economy.  

Great Lakes Habitat Restoration. Helped secure $1.5 million for NOAA's Great Lakes Habitat Restoration program, which will focus on restoring Great Lakes aquatic resources.

Great Lakes Pilot Program. Helped secure $600,000 for the Great Lakes Pilot Program to study the better management of conservation programs in the Great Lakes watershed. The Altarum Institute of Ann Arbor is developing a tool that can help USDA maximize the effectiveness of its conservation programs.  

Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration. Helped secure $1.77 million for the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration program, a grant program run through the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Invasive Species. Helped secure $14.9 million for the Great Lakes Fishery Commission for sea lamprey control efforts.

Great Lakes Water Levels . Helped secure $2 million for the Great Lakes Water Level Observation Network.

Navigation. Helped secure $1.5 million for the construction of the larger replacement lock at Sault Ste. Marie. Over 80 million tons of cargo move through this lock complex, so it is vital to the regional industries, the lake carriers and the ports that larger ships be able to navigate through this passage.

Contaminated Sediments. Helped secure $30 million to fund the recently enacted Great Lakes Legacy program. This funding for the Environmental Protection Agency will reinvigorate current cleanup efforts at “Areas of Concern.” The program has already funded cleanup work at the Black Lagoon in Trenton and Ruddiman Creek in Muskegon.

Thunder Bay. Secured $1 million for the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve to purchase exhibits for the new Visitors Center in Alpena. These exhibits will provide educational opportunities that promote understanding, appreciation and involvement in the protection and stewardship of historic shipwrecks in Michigan's waters, a regional treasure.

OTHER WATERS  

Detroit River. Secured $75,000 for the Detroit River Master Plan, which will help revitalize the 4.4 miles of river frontage and provide for a greenway corridor along the full reach, to integrate shoreline protection. Also secured $100,000 for improvements to the Detroit River seawalls, which are essential for mitigating erosion and damage to shoreline properties.

St. Joseph Shoreline Protection. Secured $175,000 for the construction of a revetment to prevent erosion and protect vital infrastructure, including roads, water lines and a lift station.

Rouge River. Secured $90,000 to conduct a supplemental evaluation of the upper watershed of the Rouge River, which will focus on flow management, watershed wide dams, and the Johnson Creek cold water fishery.

Northwestern Michigan College/Great Lakes Maritime Academy. Secured $55,000 for a harbor improvement project, which is necessary to meet the training, education and workforce development needs of the Maritime Academy , one of seven in the nation. The harbor also provides recreational opportunities and public access to the Great Lakes for the region.

Michigan Harbors. Helped secure millions of dollars for the operation and maintenance of Michigan harbors, including dredging, flood and storm damage reduction, and aquatic ecosystem restoration.

CLEAN AIR

Reduction of Mercury Emissions. Original cosponsor of legislation (S.J. Res. 20) that would require EPA to revise its March 2005 rule that established a cap and trade system for mercury emissions at power plants. Many experts believe the cap and trade system would lead to mercury “hot spots” because facilities could purchase credits from outside of the region, resulting in no local mercury reduction. Reduction of mercury emissions is especially important for Michigan because all inland lakes in Michigan have fish consumption health advisories due to mercury. Unfortunately, the Senate failed to pass this resolution by a 47-51 vote.  

West Michigan Air Quality. Introduced an amendment to the energy bill (SA 898) that would have required EPA to re-designate the attainment status of West Michigan counties at the end of a demonstration study of the long-range transport of ozone and ozone precursors. Unfortunately, this amendment was not accepted.  

NATURAL RESOURCE PRESERVATION

Canadian Trash Imports. Secured Senate passage of legislation that would stop the importation of Canadian waste if the Department of Homeland Security cannot show that the methodologies and technologies used to screen municipal solid waste imported into the United States for the presence of chemical, nuclear, biological and radiological weapons are as effective as those used to screen for such materials in other items of commerce entering the United States by commercial vehicle. Unfortunately, the provision was taken out in conference.

Canadian Trash Imports. Introduced legislation (S. 1198) with Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) that would authorize states to enact laws restricting the receipt and disposal of foreign municipal solid waste within their borders until regulations are promulgated that implement and enforce the bilateral hazardous waste agreement between Canada and the United States. This bill was referred to the Environment and Public Works Committee and is still awaiting action.

Support of Conservation Easements and Land Preservation. Worked to protect the charitable contribution value of donating land and conservation easements for farmland and open space preservation. These resources benefit all of us, preserving ecological resources, our natural heritage, and providing land for people to recreate.

National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS). Signed onto letter to the Secretary of the Interior to support the NLCS, which encompasses 26 million acres of National Monuments, Conservation Areas, Wilderness, Wild and Scenic Rivers and National Historic and Scenic Trails.

Investing in Existing Communities and Protecting Open Space. Introduced an amendment to the fiscal year 2006 budget that expresses the Sense of the Senate to encourage land use decisions that make efficient and equitable use of available housing, transportation and infrastructure investments. Well-planned development also minimizes impacts on traffic congestion, air quality, ecologically significant areas and public health.

Public Land Protection and Conservation Act. Original cosponsor of a bill (S. 1541) that would provide grants to manage or eradicate invasive species.  

Global Climate Change. Supported a Senate resolution, included in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (P.L.109-58), that acknowledges that climate change is real and is posing a substantial risk of lowering sea-levels, altering patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation, and increasing frequency and severity of floods and droughts. This resolution also states that Congress should enact a comprehensive national program of mandatory limits and incentives on greenhouse gases in a manner that will not significantly harm the U.S. economy and will require comparable action by other nations. This type of global, comprehensive approach is the way to address this global problem.

City of Wyandotte Wind Energy on Brownfields Initiative. Secured $1 million to launch an innovative project to install three renewable wind energy turbines on an urban brownfields site. This project will demonstrate a first-in-the-nation application of urban brownfields wind power in a region struggling with the restoration of contaminated properties and unhealthy air quality.

Western Michigan University Energy and Natural Resources Learning Center. Secured $500,000 for Western Michigan University to expand its Energy and Natural Resources Learning Center. This initiative will dramatically increase geological samples and data, help address global climate change, and provide state of the art facilities for expanded research, teaching and outreach initiatives.  

CLEAN ENERGY

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Programs. Worked with other senators to secure funding for renewable energy and energy efficiency programs such as weatherization assistance, the state energy program and the Energy Star program.

National Biofuel Energy Center. Secured $4 million for the National Biofuel Energy Center at NextEnergy in Detroit, a consortium with Wayne State University, Bosch, Daimler-Chrysler, Delphi and others, to work on technical issues related to the use of biodiesel fuels that must be resolved to encourage greater commercial use of biofuels. 

Advanced Vehicle Technology

•  Secured $7.0 million for the continued development of the Army's Future Tactical Truck System. This program integrates advanced automotive technologies such as hybrid electric engines, advanced lightweight materials, intelligent control systems and embedded diagnostics into military vehicles. This effort is managed by TACOM in Warren . Several advanced automotive technology companies in Michigan perform work under this program, including General Purpose Vehicles in New Haven , Engineered Machined Products in Escanaba, and AM General, with several locations across the state.

•  Secured $5.0 million for research, development and demonstration of ground support equipment powered by proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell systems to meet Army requirements. This funding will allow initiation of phase II of a program begun in fiscal year 2005 to evaluate prototype PEM fuel cell systems against DOD requirements and operating conditions. In fiscal year 2006, the project partners will use the testing and demonstration data gathered under phase I of the program to improve prototype fuel cell technology and will deliver next-generation fuel cell units for evaluation in a large-scale field trial program. Project partners include Ballard Power Systems, Kettering University , Macomb Community College , Selfridge Air National Guard Base and the U.S. Air Force.

•  Secured $5.0 million for the development of a military hydraulic hybrid vehicle technology. This will fund the research and development on adapting hydraulic hybrid vehicle technology to the Army's Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles platform. Hydraulic hybrid technology will reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions by recovering energy during braking and shutting down the engine when not needed. Dana Corporation and FEV Engine Technologies, both with locations across Michigan , have extensive experience in this field.

•  Secured $4.9 million for the vehicle fuel cell program. Senator Levin initiated this program in 2002 to coordinate fuel cell activities throughout the military and to focus specifically on vehicle fuel cell technologies. This program develops and demonstrates vehicle propulsion technologies and fuel cell auxiliary power units. The program also includes development of technologies to enable use of JP-8 fuel in fuel cell vehicles. The military is looking at JP-8, a kerosene-type fuel that is used in both aircraft and ground vehicles, as a possible single fuel for military use in order to reduce its overall logistics footprint. Closely related to this program is a new $1.0 million hydrogen logistics initiative to develop a comprehensive and integrated strategy for the appropriate use and acquisition of hydrogen to meet DOD requirements in the future.

•  Secured $4.0 million to continue the development of an advanced thermal management system to increase engine efficiency for Army vehicles. Engineered Machined Products in Escanaba has partnered with TARDEC in the development of these systems.

•  Secured $3.0 million for the research and development of an advanced mobile microgrid fueler. This funding will pay for the development of mobile systems that can convert waste to fuel for use in mobile power grids and vehicles, continuing the advanced mobile microgrid project that was initiated in fiscal year 2005 by the Army working with NextEnergy Center in Detroit , Selfridge Air National Guard Base and industry partners. Waste-to-fuel systems both reduce the amount of fuel that troops need to transport into combat zones and enhance the ability to rapidly deploy forces.

•  Secured $2.1 million for the research and development on solid oxide fuel cell materials and manufacturing technology. This funding will allow the Army to begin development of the materials and manufacturing processes necessary for a reliable and cost-effective fuel cell system that can be compatible with existing Army logistics fuels. Delphi Corporation and Kettering University in Flint have extensive experience in this field.

•  Secured $2.0 million for a project to optimize the use of fuel cell technology to support the continuity of operations in the event of a terrorist attack or other catastrophic event. Under this project, the DOD will work jointly with industry to develop fuel cell systems that meet the unique power requirements of the small and dispersed satellite locations which would house critical functions of government and military during an emergency. Selfridge Air National Guard Base and other facilities will conduct the testing, evaluation and demonstration of these prototype units.

•  Secured $2.0 million to continue the research and development of an advanced vehicle propulsion system. Funding for the next generation non-tactical vehicle propulsion system will allow the Army to continue the initiative begun last year to provide early demonstrations of fuel cell technology in commercially-based vehicles and evaluate the technologies against military requirements.

PARKS, FORESTS and MUSEUMS

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Secured $5.3 million for land acquisition and state assistance at Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Keweenaw National Historical Park. Secured $1.65 million for phase II of the historic Calumet and Hecla General Office Building Rehabilitation. The renovation of the park headquarters will satisfy building code requirements and universal accessibility and will provide for more efficient uses by park staff.

Fort Gratiot Lighthouse. Secured $400,000 for historic restoration and rehabilitation of the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, the oldest operating lighthouse in the state of Michigan .

OTHER

Brownfields Redevelopment. Led an effort with Senators Jim Jeffords (I-VT) and Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) to request full funding of $250 million for EPA's Brownfields Program. This program provides states and communities with grants to conduct environmental assessments and cleanup of brownfields sites, properties where redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination. Since 1995, EPA's Brownfields Program has leveraged more than $6.5 billion from both the private and public sectors to facilitate successful brownfields cleanup and redevelopment projects.  Approximately 25,000 new jobs have been created through these projects.  In Michigan , this program has been used to cleanup and redevelop 88 properties, creating jobs, building the local tax base and revitalizing communities.  

Sewer Funding. Worked to secure funding for Michigan communities to pay for necessary improvements to municipal sewer systems in order to prevent discharges into our rivers, lakes and streams, including $1 million for a combined sewer overflow control program for the City of Port Huron; $250,000 for the North-East sewer construction project in Genesee County; $250,000 for public sewer system improvements in the City of Northport; $225,000 for Eastern Calhoun County for regional wastewater treatment system improvements; $500,000 for Wayne County to address multiple sources of water pollution in its wet weather demonstration project; $150,000 for Traverse City's sewage treatment program; $250,000 for the City of Saginaw sewer plant improvements; $200,000 for the design and construction of the City of Negaunee's wastewater treatment plant; and $338,000 to complete construction of a 15-mile sewer system in Genesee County.

Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). Supported an increase in funding of the CWSRF, which provides low interest rate loans to municipalities, farmers, homeowners, small businesses and nonprofit organizations for water quality protection projects, including wastewater treatment, nonpoint source pollution control, and watershed and estuary management.

Improving Michigan Roads and Transport

Securing Transportation Equity for Michigan. In July 2005, Congress passed a five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill that achieves greater equity for Michigan . Donor states like Michigan have historically sent more federal gasoline tax dollars to Washington than they receive in return while subsidizing road and bridge projects of other states. Under this bill, Michigan 's rate of return will reach 92 percent, an increase from 90.5 percent under the previous transportation reauthorization bill, TEA-21.

The final bill provides $286 billion in highway and transit funding with Michigan receiving an average of $1.123 billion in highway funding per year, an increase of $239 million from TEA-21. In addition to the $1.123 billion per year, Senator Levin helped secure $100 million in funding for Michigan 's highway Projects of Regional and National Significance. Michigan will also receive over $594.8 million in transit formula funding, a 39 percent (or $167 million) increase from TEA-21. The bill is expected to create over 61,500 new jobs in Michigan.

Five Year Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act. Helped secure funding for roads, bridges and general infrastructure improvements for the following projects in Michigan:

• $12 million for Gaylord for construction of a new at-grade crossing and I-75 interchange to reconnect Milbocker and McCoy Roads and a new overpass to reconnect Van Tyle to South Wisconsin Road
• $3 million for Grand Traverse County for widening US 131 from the Manistee River to north of M-113
• $16.84 million for Ingham County for extension of Trowbridge Road to Farm Lane and Farm Lane between Mt. Hope Road and Trowbridge Road with underpasses for CN and CSX railroad crossings
• $12.8 million for Jackson for I-94 Jackson Freeway modernization project
• $3.6 million for Lansing for Capital Area Transportation Authority funding for bus replacement and bus related Intelligent Transportation System
• $14.4 million for Grand Rapids for preliminary engineering phase for The Rapid Fixed Guideway Corridor Project
• $5.2 million for Grand Rapids bus replacement for The Rapid
• $7.2 million for Kalamazoo for bus replacement
• $40.8 million for Kalamazoo for reconstruction and widening of a stretch of I-94 in Kalamazoo to a six-lane divided limited access freeway
• $2 million for Flint Mass Transportation Authority for bus maintenance facility
• $4.9 million for Flint for road improvements to Miller Road from I-75 to Linden Road
• $2 million for Genesee County for Bishop Airport Intermodal Hub
• $10 million for Saginaw for a new exit ramp at I-675 and Washington Avenue interchange
• $2.2 million for Saginaw for Washington Avenue streetscape and rail relocation
• $1.5 million for Ann Arbor for University of Michigan Health Systems auto crash notification system
• $2 million for Berkley , Huntington Woods, Oak Park for Eleven Mile Road reconstruction
• $100 million is authorized for Detroit/Ann Arbor SEMCOG for the preliminary engineering phase for downtown Detroit to Ann Arbor Transit Improvement Project
• $7.5 million for Detroit for SMART funding for bus maintenance facility
• $8.6 million for Detroit Department of Transportation for bus replacement
• $29 million for Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, West Riverfront Walkway, greenway and adjacent land acquisition from Riverfront Towers to Ambassador Bridge
• $3 million for Detroit East Riverfront, completion of Detroit Riverfront East Walkway
• $2 million for Midtown Detroit Greenway Loop, Detroit Cultural Center ; 1.8 mile urban trail that will circle through the Detroit Cultural Center.
• $4.6 million for Southfield for construction of the I-696 and Northwestern Highway interchange freeway ramps at Franklin Road
• $8 million for Warren for road improvements to Van Dyke Road from I-696 to Red Run Drain
• $6 million for Washtenaw County for Jackson Road Boulevard project, Scio Township
• $2 million for Wayne County for Pinnacle Aeropark Access project
• $9.56 million for Woodhaven for Allen Road/CN Rail Grade Separation; grade separation would take Allen Road under the Canadian Northern rail tracks.
• $1.2 million for Marquette County Transit Authority for downtown transfer center
• $2 million for Michigan Technological University Transportation Center
• $13.28 million for Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Alger County for repaving a portion of H-58 between Sullivan Creek towards Little Beaver Road
• $2 million for Sault Ste. Marie for West Portage Avenue realignment
• $6 million for Sault Ste. Marie for I-75 reconstruction from north of U.S. 2 to Sault Ste. Marie
• $5.5 million for Port Huron for Blue Water Area Transportation Commission for bus replacement and facility construction
• $43 million for Port Huron for Blue Water Bridge Plaza expansion, including construction of a new plaza about 1.5 miles west of the current facility in an underdeveloped area
• $5 million for Port Huron for rehabilitation of the 7th Street Bridge lift over the Black River

Transportation Appropriations Funding for Michigan. Helped secure funding in the annual transportation appropriations bill for many projects in Michigan. The projects below are listed by type of transportation funding.

Federal Aviation Administration - Terminal Air Traffic Control Facilities

• $1.5 million for W.K. Kellogg Airport in Battle Creek
• $1.52 million Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City for air traffic control tower

Grants-in-Aid for Airports

• $3 million for Capital City Airport in Lansing for runway extension project
• $1 million for Detroit Metropolitan Airport for 10-inch force main to connect deicing storage pond to interceptor
• $2 million for Detroit Metropolitan Airport for capacity enhancements for runways and environmental work
• $500,000 for Manistee County Blacker Airport for various improvements including terminal upgrades, snow removal equipment and building, and a parking lot

Surface Transportation Projects

• $400,000 for Belleville Road/Ecorse Road intersection in Van Buren Township
• $1 million for E. Genesee Avenue streetscape project in Saginaw
• $1 million for Eleven Mile Road in Berkley , Oak Park and Huntington Woods
• $400,000 for Jackson Road right-of-way and reconstruction in Washtenaw County

Federal Transit Administration - Bus and Bus Facilities

• $2 million for Northern Michigan and Upper Peninsula for bus replacement and facilities
• $1.2 million for Battle Creek Transit for bus replacement
• $2 million for Capital Area Transportation Authority in Lansing for hybrid public transportation vehicle purchase
• $2 million for Detroit bus leasing and expansion
• $300,000 for Flint MTA for new and replacement vehicles
• $500,000 for Lake Erie Transit maintenance bay expansion
• $5 million for Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), Oakland County

Research and University Research Centers. $1.5 million for Automation Alley BUSolution.

Capital Investment Grants. $4 million for Detroit Center City Loop.

Transportation Planning, Research and Development. $900,000 for the Michigan Department of State Police for the Integrated Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement Technology Initiative. This pilot demonstration will equip patrol cars with advanced mobile computing and interoperable communications technology.

Flexible Transportation Funding. Authored an amendment included in the five-year transportation reauthorization bill, which allows Congestion Mitigation Air Quality funds to be used by the State of Michigan for the operation and maintenance of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) to reduce congestion. The continued use of these systems is critical for Michigan to achieve its air quality goals, as reduced congestion results in lower automobile emissions. Allowing the continued use of these funds to operate ITS systems will help Michigan meet EPA's new ozone standards.

Recycled Materials for Highway Construction. Authored an amendment that was included in the five-year transportation reauthorization bill to include blast furnace slag aggregate in the types of recycled materials that will be promoted for highway construction. By including this material, slag can be reused instead of land filled-- potentially reducing highway construction costs and avoiding land filling. Promoting re-use of this material also benefits steel manufacturers, blast furnaces and slag processors – many of which are located in Michigan – by reducing their disposal costs.

Fuel Economy Standards for New Vehicles. Successfully led the fight in the Senate to defeat legislative proposals containing overly stringent fuel economy standards that would have disadvantaged domestic automakers. Crafted an alternative that would have ensured that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration take into consideration key factors when issuing any new fuel economy standards, such as the impact on U.S. employment and safety; technological feasibility; the cost and lead time necessary for new technologies; and the effect that near-term expenditures to meet increased fuel economy standards will have on the resources available to develop leap-ahead advanced technologies. The alternative also would have increased funding for research and development of advanced technology vehicles and required the federal government to purchase advanced technology vehicles for fleet use, so that the purchasing power of the federal government could be leveraged to provide a market for advanced technology.

MotorCities National Heritage Area. Helped secure $450,000 for the MotorCities National Heritage Area, which supports automobile heritage educational programming and the economic improvement of communities through the development and promotion of auto heritage tourism and adaptive reuse of historic sites. MotorCities National Heritage Area encompasses southeast and central Michigan.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Funding for Delta County Airport and Alpena Regional Airport . Helped secure Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding for Delta County Airport in Escanaba and Alpena Regional Airport . The Senate adopted an amendment, cosponsored by Senator Levin, to the Senate-passed fiscal year 2006 Transportation Appropriations Act that would prevent Alpena and Escanaba airports from losing $850,000 in FAA Airport Improvement Program funds. Primary airports - airports with 10,000 passenger boardings or more a year - currently receive $1 million in entitlement funding from FAA's AIP program but airports with less than 10,000 annual boardings receive only $150,000. For the past two years, because annual passenger boardings at many airports fell below the 10,000 threshold, Congress allowed primary airports whose boarding numbers dropped below 10,000 to retain their status as primary airports and receive the $1 million in funding. The provision adopted by the Senate would extend that practice for an additional year. The final conference report lowered the amount to $500,000 per primary airport. According to the FAA = s preliminary data for fiscal year 2006, boardings at Delta County Airport in Escanaba are projected to be 9,977 and at Alpena County Regional Airport to be 8,193. Senator Levin = s amendment ensures that these airports will receive $500,000, instead of being cut to $150,000.

Preserving Michigan’s Agricultural Resources and Family Farms

Assistance to Michigan Apple Growers. Helped secure $500,000 for continued research and eradication of apple fire blight, which has reduced the acreage devoted to apple production in Michigan by over 24 percent. Michigan researchers are taking aggressive measures against fire blight, including enhancing apple seedlings' natural defenses when fire blight attacks and improving management strategies to control the disease.

Assistance to Michigan Cherry Growers. Helped lead efforts requesting an additional purchase of up to 15 million pounds of cherry products by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for distribution by the Food Nutrition Service. Additionally, helped secure $151,000 for continuing efforts at Michigan State University to combat armillaria root rot, which renders infested orchards unsuitable for cherry production, resulting in reduced farm profitability and the conversion of farmland to non-agricultural uses.

Assistance to Michigan Grape Growers. Helped lead efforts requesting that the USDA conduct a bonus purchase of up to 22.8 million pounds of Concord grapes for distribution in the child nutrition program and other domestic food programs. Michigan has over 10,000 acres of Concord grapes and nearly 400 growers.

Emerald Ash Borer. Helped lead efforts to secure federal funding for halting the spread of and eradicating the emerald ash borer. The ash borer has been destroying Michigan 's ash canopy throughout the state, especially in southeast Michigan . The state is working to halt the spread of this pest through research into eradication as well as a series of quarantine zones. Worked to secure $7.8 million in emergency funding for EAB eradication and containment efforts. Additionally, secured $10 million in appropriations to aid state efforts in research and eradication.

Cormorant Control. Helped secure $200,000 to aid the State of Michigan in controlling the increasingly destructive cormorant population, which has greatly depleted the fish supply and island vegetation in Northern Michigan . Because they nest in dense colonies they can destroy the vegetation on an entire island.

Bovine Tuberculosis. Helped secure $356,000 for efforts to eradicate and monitor bovine tuberculosis (TB). The presence of bovine tuberculosis in Michigan has negatively affected our state's livestock herd. In 2000, Michigan 's “TB free” status was rescinded, strapping livestock producers with annual herd testing requirements, restrictions on cattle movement, and lost and decreased sales. Thanks to these research and monitoring efforts, in 2005, Michigan 's Upper Peninsula was declared an “accredited free zone,” opening the area up for moving livestock to market across state lines.

Other Agricultural Projects. Helped secure funding for the following projects:

• $212,000 to improve fruit practices through assisting growers with methods to produce high quality fruit, dry beans and sugar beets with environmentally sound, safe and effective pest control methods and management approaches.
• $384,000 to continue research at Michigan State University into the sustainable agricultural movement in the Great Lakes Region.
• $500,000 for research into phytophthora capsici, a fungal-like pathogen that lives in the soil that causes many vegetable crops, including certain beans, to rot.
• $6.2 million for a multi-state project to develop advanced technologies to better utilize hardwood through innovations such as making use of ash wood from trees infected with emerald ash borer rather than destroying the entire tree.

Keeping America Strong

SUPPORT FOR AMERICAN MILITARY AT HOME AND AROUND THE WORLD  

Pay and Benefits for Military Personnel and Their Families. Helped lead the effort to increase the death gratuity for all active duty deaths from $12,400 to $100,000. Helped enact provisions that increase basic pay by 3.1 percent; authorize a new special pay of $430 a month during hospitalization for service members injured in a combat zone; ensure that members of the National Guard and Reserve and their families have fair access to health care under the military health care program; and provide increased funding for military child care services and family assistance services.

Supplemental Funding for Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan . Helped lead effort to authorize $50 billion in supplemental funding to support our troops in the field in Iraq and Afghanistan during fiscal year 2006. This funding is critical to ensure honesty and accountability in budgeting and to avoid severe disruption to the military services as a result of failure to fully fund the Global War on Terror in a timely manner.

Added Funding and Support for Force Protection Efforts. Helped enact provisions that add $1.4 billion to the President's budget request for force protection equipment, including $610 million for up-armored vehicles; dedicate $1 billion to a task force established to facilitate the accelerated development of new technology and tactics to defeat improvised explosive devices; and establish a new DOD program to coordinate blast injury prevention, mitigation and treatment activities.

Increased End Strength. Helped lead effort to increase active-duty end strength by 10,000 for the Army and 1,000 for the Marine Corps, and helped enact provisions giving the Army new bonus authority and other tools needed to meet its recruiting goals.

IMPROVED OVERSIGHT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICIES IN THE WAR ON TERROR

Enhanced Oversight of Ongoing Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Led effort to enact provision directing the President to provide Congress and the American people specific information on his strategy in Iraq, including: the diplomatic, political, economic and military measures that are being undertaken; Administration efforts to bring about the Iraqi compromises necessary to achieve the broad-based and sustainable political settlement that is essential for defeating the insurgency; and the conditions that must be met in order to provide for the transition of additional security responsibility to Iraqi forces, together with a plan for meeting those conditions and an assessment of the extent to which the conditions have been met.

Prohibition on Torture. Helped enact Senator John McCain's (R-AZ) provision prohibiting the cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment of punishment of persons in U.S. custody or control, regardless of nationality, physical location or what agency holds the detainee. The enactment of this provision is both a reaffirmation of one of the core values of our system of government and a restatement of who we are as Americans.

Legal Rights of DOD Detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Led effort to build safeguards into provision limiting legal rights of Department of Defense detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Successfully modified the provision to ensure that it does not apply retroactively to deny courts jurisdiction over pending cases; to provide for direct judicial review of both status determinations by DOD tribunals and convictions by military commissions; and to authorize the courts to determine whether the standards and procedures used by the tribunals and commissions are consistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States.

BUILDING A MORE SECURE FUTURE

Nonproliferation Programs. Led effort to provide permanent authority to waive unnecessary and burdensome certification requirements for the Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) program and to ensure that both the CTR program and the nonproliferation programs at the Department of Energy are fully funded. These programs play a critical role in reducing the threat of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Nuclear Weapons/Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator. Worked to eliminate funding for the robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator, avoiding the untenable position of developing new nuclear weapons on our own at a time when we are trying to dissuade other nations from going down this road; worked to ensure that the Reliable Replacement Warhead program results in a smaller nuclear weapons stockpile that can be maintained without the need for nuclear testing.

Special Operations and Combating Terrorism. Helped enact provisions that enhance our ability to combat terrorism and the production and trafficking of illegal drugs by: (1) funding five new National Guard teams to respond to chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear events; (2) improving the use of Department of Defense aerial reconnaissance capabilities to support homeland security requirements; and (3) authorizing the use of counter drug funding for joint task forces to combat both terrorism and narcotics production and trafficking.

Investments in Science and Technology. Helped enact provisions increasing the Department of Defense investment in science and technology by $840 million; establishing a permanent science and math scholarship program to help the Department of Defense educate, train and employ the highest quality technical workforce; establishing a new program to ensure that innovative technologies developed by small businesses are incorporated into defense acquisition programs; establishing a defense manufacturing initiative to ensure the utilization of new manufacturing technologies and processes by the defense industrial base; and providing mechanisms to accelerate research in priority areas such as robotics, unmanned ground vehicles, and the detection and defeat of improvised explosive devices.

Transforming Michigan 's Economy. Secured a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2006 to highlight the importance of robotics and unmanned ground vehicles systems in DOD and the Army's activities in Michigan in support of those activities. The provision directs DOD to provide a comprehensive report on the development and deployment of these systems in DOD, as well as analyze the robotics industrial base and international capabilities in this critical area. Michigan 's auto industry, R&D community and the Detroit Arsenal are leaders in the development of these robotic and unmanned ground vehicles systems – currently being used for a number of missions in Iraq , including the destruction of roadside bombs and the identification of potential improvised explosive devices. These systems are envisioned to become one-third of the military ground vehicle fleet by 2015, performing missions ranging from combat to surveillance and reconnaissance.

IMPROVED MANAGEMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

DOD Acquisition of Major Weapon Systems. Helped lead effort to enact provisions that improve the management of major weapon systems by requiring the Department of Defense to establish more realistic and achievable cost and performance estimates; tightening oversight requirements for programs that are experiencing problematic cost growth; prohibiting conflicts of interest by contractors responsible for managing the acquisition of major weapon systems; and requiring high-level review and approval for any decision to use commercial-type procedures with reduced oversight.

Cost Caps for Shipbuilding. Helped lead effort to enact reasonable cost caps on major shipbuilding programs, includingVirginia-class attack submarines, DD(X) land attack destroyers and littoral combat ships. Helped enact provision preventing the Navy from eliminating future shipbuilding competition by conducting a single, winner-take-all competition for the DD(X) program.

Ensuring That Defense Systems Work. Helped lead effort to enact provision that requires testing and evaluation of the operational capability of each block of the Ballistic Missile Defense system and reports to Congress from the Pentagon's independent Director of Operational Test and Evaluation on the adequacy of the testing and the capability of the system.

DOD Purchases of Contract Services. Helped lead effort to enact provision improving the management of $70 billion a year of Department of Defense purchases of contract services by requiring the Department to establish a new management structure for such contracts and requiring strict review of inter-agency contracting mechanisms that have been abused in the past.

Outsourcing of Federal Jobs. Helped lead effort to enact provisions to protect the federal employee workforce from unfair competition by codifying an important set of historic precedents and commonsense principles for public-private competition.

DOD Financial Management. Helped lead effort to enact provisions preventing the Department of Defense from wasting hundreds of millions of dollars on unneeded audits of financial management systems that will have to be replaced regardless of audit results, because they are incapable of producing timely, accurate and complete financial data for management purposes.

BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE COMMISSION - BRAC

Detroit Arsenal. Worked with Governor Jennifer Granholm and Michigan congressional and community leaders to make the case that Michigan 's military installations make a critical contribution to our national security efforts. The result of the BRAC process in 2005 represented a very positive outcome for Michigan with over 1,100 new jobs coming to the Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Michigan. The BRAC Commission, upon recommendation from the Department of Defense, named the Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Michigan, the Joint Center of Excellence for Ground Vehicle Development and Acquisition. This new center will incorporate the development and acquisition community for all of the DOD's manned and unmanned ground vehicles. The job gains come from Redstone, Alabama; Rock Island, Illinois; and Quantico, Virginia.

Defense Logistics Information System and Defense Reutilization Management Service in Battle Creek. Worked with Governor Granholm and Michigan congressional and community leaders to prevail on the Department of Defense to keep the Defense Logistics Information System (DLIS) and Defense Reutilization Management Service (DRMS) in Battle Creek, Michigan. These two components of the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) are responsible for managing – from purchase to disposal – nearly every piece of equipment, part and gallon of fuel in the possession of the DOD. DLA is one of the largest employers in Battle Creek and securing its future in West Michigan was a significant accomplishment as many DLA components were consolidated in two other states.

W.K. Kellogg Air National Guard. The BRAC Commission accepted the argument of the Michigan delegation and reversed the DOD's proposal to close Kellogg Air National Guard base.

Army Garrison at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. The DOD also recommended the closure of the Army Garrison at Selfridge Air National Guard base. While the community was not opposed to the closure of this facility, it did want to make sure the critical support services, such as the pharmacy and health clinic, remain open. Senator Levin has led the effort to ensure that the Army Garrison land remains in the hands of the Michigan Air National Guard and that funding is in place to ensure these facilities and services remain available to the community. To date, the Air Force – on behalf of the Michigan Air National Guard – has filed with the Army a request to acquire the Army Garrison land.

PROTECTING OUR HOMELAND AND OUR BORDERS

Interoperable Communications at the Border. Secured Senate passage of an amendment to establish at least six International Border Community Interoperable Communications Demonstration Projects to address the interoperable communications needs of police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, National Guard and other emergency response providers at our Northern and Southern borders.

First Responder Funding. Cosponsored and worked to secure Senate passage of an amendment that would change the way homeland security grant program funding is distributed to treat all states fairly, while still ensuring an adequate base level of homeland security funds for states.

Chemical Plant Security. Original cosponsor of legislation that would provide new authority to the Department of Homeland Security to regulate the security of chemical facilities across the United States. Currently, there are no federal laws that explicitly address the threat of terrorism activities at chemical plants. This legislation is thus an important component of homeland protection, especially for Michigan , which is home to over 400 chemical plants, employing over 30,000 people.

Hurricane Katrina Investigation. As a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Senator Levin is investigating the government's preparation for and response to Hurricane Katrina. In 2005, the committee held nine hearings with witnesses from FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as local government officials and disaster experts and scientists and engineers who specialize in flood control, hurricanes and coastal ecosystems. The purpose of these hearings is to hold government officials and contractors accountable for their performance and spending. By identifying the failures and weaknesses in the government's preparation and response to this terrible disaster, we can strengthen our preparedness for any future emergencies our country may face.

MICHIGAN-BASED PROCUREMENT

Senator Levin worked to secure funding for the following projects that involve Michigan-based companies, facilities or programs:

• $881.2 million for the Army's Stryker armored vehicle. General Dynamics Land Systems of Sterling Heights is the prime contractor for the Stryker armored vehicle.
• $190.7 million for the Army's Abrams tank modernization program. General Dynamics Land Systems of Sterling Heights is the prime contractor for the Abrams tank modernization program.
• $452.4 million for the Army Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) program. Troy-based Arvin Meritor, which makes the axles, drive trains and windows for the FMTV, earned roughly one-third of the value of this contract.
• $17 million to fund the Army's requirement for the M915A3 family class of vehicles. These vehicles are made by Freightliner and the engines are manufactured by Detroit Diesel.
• $7.0 million for the Army's Modular Causeway System, a system of interchangeable components, which improve military logistical operations by augmenting existing facilities and speeding the unloading of ships at ports or beaches. Oldenburg Lakeshore Inc. of Iron Mountain produces the system.
• $4.0 million for the Army, $1.4 million for the Army National Guard, $1.5 million for the Marine Corps and $1.4 million for the Army Reserve to purchase the Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS). Polartec fleece products used by the military are assembled by Peckham Vocational Industries in Lansing .
• $1.5 million for Operator Driving Simulators for the Army National Guard and Army Reserves. The simulators provide drivers with the experience necessary to avoid and prevent vehicle accidents. FAAC Inc. in Ann Arbor is a leader in advanced vehicle simulation technology.
• $1.0 million for the procurement of the Automated Tactical Ammunition Classification System (ATACS). ATACS inspects and sorts small arms ammunition with a combination of sensors to increase the quality and speed of reissue while lowering the cost of the sorting process. Cybernet Systems Corporation in Ann Arbor developed and deployed two systems to Iraq and Afghanistan in less than one year.

MICHIGAN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

Senator Levin worked to secure funding for the following groundbreaking research and development projects:

• $6.0 million for the research and development of a hypersonic (more than five times faster than the speed of sound) cruise missile engine. Williams International of Walled Lake is a world leading missile engine manufacturer.
• $5.6 million for the development of new materials for advanced power electronics needed by DOD systems. Many military systems depend on the development of wide band gap semiconductor materials capable of significantly higher power and higher frequency operation in high temperature environments. Applications for the technology include high power switching for hybrid electric vehicles and grid switching networks, wireless communications, radar systems, light-emitting diodes for solid state lighting, and next generation data storage. Dow Corning of Midland will help the Navy continue the development of this important technology.
• $5.0 million for the Air Force's Metals Affordability Initiative, a government-industry cooperative program to develop new aerospace materials and alloys. Howmet Castings in Whitehall is developing new materials that will reduce aircraft engine maintenance costs and help enable the next generation of fighter aircraft and unmanned air vehicles.
• $4.4 million to continue the Casting Emissions Reduction Program (CERP). CERP is a cooperative research program with the U.S. Army to prevent pollution and develop sustainable industry objectives for replacement materials and methods in metal industries. A portion of these funds will assist efforts at GM's Malleable Iron/Powertrain Plant, located in Saginaw, to develop new, environmentally-friendly metal casting technology.
• $4.2 million for the Naval Air Systems Command Depot Maintenance Operations Unique Identification, which will support the development of programs to enable the Navy to properly manage and track its assets. SYS-TEC Corporation of Petersburg is a leader in unique identification technology and will work with the Navy on this project.
• $4.0 million for continued development of thin film amorphous solar arrays for space applications. New technology based on amorphous silicon materials has the potential to produce solar arrays that are ten times cheaper and three to five times lighter than current solar arrays. Energy Conversion Devices of Troy has been working with the Air Force on this project.
• $3.5 million to begin an effort by the Navy and Marine Corps to develop a self-contained, mobile manufacturing center that can produce spare parts on-demand for military equipment for deployed forces at sea and in remote locations, which will reduce operating and support costs while maintaining equipment readiness while deployed. Focus: HOPE of Detroit has extensive experience in this area through their work on the Mobile Parts Hospital maintenance and repair vehicle deployed in Kuwait.
• $3.5 million to continue the development of a portable power source for the Special Operations Command. Currently, special operations units carry hundreds of pounds of non-rechargeable batteries. The development of a portable and renewable power source is critical to their mission. Adaptive Materials of Ann Arbor has worked with the military on the development of this type of equipment.
• $3.0 million for the development, testing and evaluation of advanced suspension systems, all-wheel drive systems, and other advanced automotive technologies. This project would enable the Army to test and leverage advanced commercial automotive technologies. Army trucks in Iraq and Afghanistan are being driven far in excess of their planned annual usage rates. Estimates are that medium tactical trucks in those theaters are being used ten times more than during peacetime. Wear and tear on suspension and all-wheel steering systems are particularly severe. General Purpose Vehicles of New Haven has worked with the Army on a number of projects to develop these technologies.
• $3.0 million for the development of a portable hand-held chemical-biological weapon detection system. This device will enable the military to rapidly detect, identify and analyze biological warfare agents. Handylabs of Ann Arbor will work with the Army to develop this product.
• $3.0 million for continued research on embedding sensors in materials using a process called ultrasonic consolidation. Ultrasonic consolidation is used to manufacture metal parts at essentially room temperature, allowing fragile sensors and devices to be embedded in metal components without damage. Solidica, an Ann Arbor-based firm, is a leader in the development of these materials and processes.
• $2.8 million to continue work at Focus: HOPE on the development of advanced manufacturing technologies for the Army. Focus: HOPE has a worked on numerous manufacturing programs with the Army and is a national leader in the training of manufacturing engineers.
• $2.5 million to develop a 12-screw ring extruder for manufacturing fuel cell technology, which Century 3+ L.L.C., of Traverse City has developed. The 12-screw ring extruder could increase the quality and speed of manufacture of various plastic components in fuel cells.
• $2.25 million to continue development of an antidote to mustard gas. The University of Michigan is a member of the consortium currently working with the Defense Department on this research effort to protect against this lethal chemical warfare agent.
• $2.1 million for solid hydrogen storage and fuel cell systems. This program will advance the safe, compact hydrogen storage in solid materials known as metal hydrides and advance the development of hydrogen infrastructure for a variety of uses. Energy Conversion Devices of Troy is a technological leader in this field.
• $2.1 million for the continued development of control, vision and navigation systems for future Army robotic ground vehicles. Soar Technologies in Ann Arbor is a world leader in this area of research and engineering and has worked extensively with the military on these systems.
• $2.1 million for the defense transportation energy research program. This funding will support an Army-university-industry research coalition dedicated to research and technology development on fuels, fuel cells and auxiliary power units. The University of Michigan's School of Engineering has done world-class research in these fields.
• $2.0 million for nanotechnology-based multi-functional transparent armor which seeks to use transparent ceramics for lightweight armor that can serve a variety of applications. Nanocerox of Ann Arbor is a leader in the development of these materials.
• $1.7 million for the Automotive Research Center run by the National Automotive Center . These funds will enable the NAC to grow and sustain this eight university research consortium headquartered at the University of Michigan and including Wayne State University, Oakland University, the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, the University of Iowa, the University of Tennessee, Clemson University and the University of Wisconsin.
• $1.6 million for the research and development of a nanofabricated bioartificial kidney. Nefros Therapeutics of Ann Arbor has been working with the Army Medical Research and Materiel Command on this project.
• $1.5 million for the development of a Rapid Product and Development Portal that will create a web-accessible repository that captures advanced and emerging technology resources and puts them within easy reach of Defense Department personnel and their contractors. These tools will improve flexibility and reduce the time required to produce the parts and systems needed by our armed forces. The project will leverage an existing data repository framework developed by Mott Community College 's Workforce Development Institute for Simulation Technologies, expanding it from its current automotive sector to a TACOM database.
• $1.5 million for Component Optimization for Tracked and Wheeled Vehicles, an advanced design process to quickly produce better parts at a reduced cost for legacy track and wheel military vehicles. This program is anticipated to reduce operational and maintenance costs through the use of agile and lean manufacturing methods, while providing improved components faster at a lower overall price. Onodi Tool and Engineering in Melvindale is working with the National Automotive Center and the Army on this technology.
• $1.4 million for the research and development of a portable chemical/biological detection sensor system for autonomous vehicles and individual soldiers. The real-time detection of explosive, biological or chemical agents by individual soldiers, semi-autonomous and autonomous robotic vehicles in multiple operational environments would be of tremendous value in protecting U.S. military forces. JADI Inc. of Troy has extensive experience in the field.
• $1.4 million for research on laser-based sensing, imaging and communications systems.  This research develops technologies that will improve the military's ability to communicate and detect enemy threats on the battlefield.  These systems can provide secure communications at the speed of light for critical battlefield missions.  Michigan Technological University in Houghton has extensive experience in this field.
• $1.4 million to continue fundamental research at Wayne State University on the effects of low temperature environments on the performance of Army vehicles and other military equipment. Wayne State University has been working with the Army for more than 20 years in addressing these issues for military systems.
• $1.4 million to continue a collaboration among TARDEC, local health officials and Wayne State University to develop a hand-held water quality sensing device that will aid in the detection of chemical, biological and pollutant agents in drinking water. This project, when completed, will enable the military and public health officials to conduct real-time monitoring of water quality.
• $1.4 million to continue research efforts at Oakland University in Rochester Hills on mechanical fastening and joining technology used in Army vehicles and by the automotive and aerospace industries.
• $1.4 million for Automated Clinical Practice Guidelines. This program will support collaborative efforts between Tripler Army Medical Center and Henry Ford Health System to design and implement automated clinical practice guidelines; conduct research to evaluate the impact of automated clinical practice guidelines; and disseminate the automated guidelines, as well as alerts and reminders, within the medical field.
• $1.4 million for new integrated drivetrain systems for military trucks to address limitations and poor vehicle responsiveness in rugged terrain and loss of stability in high-speed operations. Eaton Corporation, which has several Michigan facilities, has developed advanced mobility and safety technology that can potentially prevent accidents and rollovers.
• $ 1.2 million for Copper Based Casting Technology. This program will develop new casting technologies for high melting point copper and copper-based alloys for use in a number of defense applications. A Belding, Michigan , company, Extruded Metals, Inc., is a potential participant in this program.
• $1.0 million for the Center for Innovative Materials and Infrastructure Security at Lawrence Technological University . This Center will focus on the research and development of materials to strengthen existing U.S. military structures and vehicles against terrorist attacks or natural disasters.
• $1.0 million for the Intelligent Orthopedic Fracture Implant System (IOFIS) program, which will monitor and react to the healing process to deliver bone growth-promoting drugs on a specific schedule or in response to sensing of a fracture site, potentially reducing patient immobility time. Research and system development for IOFIS will be jointly undertaken by Mott Community College and Kettering University in Flint, Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan, and Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas.
• $1 .0 million for the research and development of polyphenylene benzobisoxazole (PBO) materials. PBO materials are strong, lightweight and non-flammable polymers and could have a wide range of military applications including non-flammable clothing and lightweight honeycomb structural materials. Sordal Inc. of Holland is a leader in this research.
• $1.0 million for the Freedom Software initiative, which will enable a more streamlined design and engineering process for vehicles that will result in weight and cost savings.  Altair Engineering in Troy has extensive experience in product design, packaging and simulation and has developed numerous technologies that will support Freedom Software.
• $1.0 million for the Gaming Technology Software Initiative, an effort to bring together vehicle engineering simulation and advanced interactive visualization to create a multi-functional tool and integration point for next-generation vehicular technology.  Working with TARDEC and NAC, Quantum Signal, an automotive simulation company in Ann Arbor, is the project leader.
• $1.0 million for the development of the Streamlined Assistance to the Severely Wounded program. The Streamlined Assistance Program would provide technical information handling, analysis and distribution support to the Army's Disabled Soldier System, which was established to serve as an assistance hub for severely disabled soldiers and their families. The Data Consulting Group of Detroit has a demonstrated track record of implementing these solutions.
• $1.0 million for the Soldiers Mobility and Rifle Targeting System (SMARTS), which provides soldiers with lightweight, low-power helmet mounted infrared and visible sensors for use in close-quarter missions such as exploring caves in Afghanistan . Rockwell Collins in Ann Arbor is creating this system.
• $1.0 million for research and development of lightweight portable solar panels for the Special Operations Command. This funding will support efforts to develop durable, lightweight, advanced solar power panels in a wearable configuration to provide power for operating and for battery recharging for electronics carried by soldiers. Energy Conversion Devices of Troy has extensive experience in this field.
• $1.0 million for rapid manufacturing of body implants and prosthetics for injured personnel. Researchers at the University of Michigan-Dearborn will apply computer aided design technology and its rapid prototyping techniques, currently used for replacement parts for ground vehicles, to the manufacture of body implants and prosthetics on demand.
• $1.0 million to continue research for the Air Force at Eastern Michigan University to develop nanotechnology-based coatings that could limit corrosion on ground vehicles, ships, aircraft and at military installations. Corrosion of military equipment costs the Department of Defense billions of dollars in maintenance and repair each year.
• $1.0 million for molecular electronics. This money will assist Michigan Technological University in research that will focus on smaller, lighter electronics for miniaturized military systems in weapons, as well as for integrating electronics into smaller munitions and autonomous vehicles. Research for this program will be conducted at Michigan Technological University in Houghton.
• $1.0 million advanced ground vehicle reliability research. The Army's increased use of ground vehicles places a new emphasis on design and development tools for vehicle reliability research. The University of Detroit Mercy has performed research in this field.
• Nearly $1.5 billion for fundamental research to support the military at our nation's universities and government laboratories. Many Michigan universities, including the University of Michigan, Michigan State, Wayne State, Oakland University, Eastern Michigan University, Kettering University and Michigan Technological University perform high quality fundamental research for the Department of Defense in all fields of science and technology.

IMPROVING OUR IMMIGRATION SYSTEM

Correcting “Catch-22” in Immigration Laws. Authored an amendment to the Labor-HHS Appropriations Act to shorten the mandatory residency period for aliens of extraordinary ability. In July 2002, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services changed the rules so that an individual can now file their immigrant worker application and green card application at the same time, significantly shortening the overall processing time. As a result, individuals who began the naturalization process after July 2002 could receive their citizenship in about five and a half years. However, individuals who started the process earlier have often had to wait up to eight years.

Opening Up Low-Skilled Temporary Visas. Original co-sponsor of a bill that increased the number of H-2B visas available each year. This bill allows for workers who have entered the U.S. on an H-2B visa in the past three years to enter again without counting against the cap. In addition, this bill splits the quota into two, reserving half for each half of the fiscal year. The bill was included as an amendment to the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations act that was signed into law on May 11, 2005.

Protecting Immigrant Rights. Authored three private bills that stayed the deportation of immigrants who have been denied asylum. One of the private bills is for Ibrahim Parlak, a Kurdish Turk from Harbert, Michigan, whose asylum was revoked based on the same information available at the time of its granting. Representative Fred Upton (R-MI) introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives. The bills cannot be acted on until Mr. Parlak exhausts his legal remedies.

Supporting Michigan's National Guard

Michigan Military Construction Projects. Senator Levin secured military construction appropriations worth over $30 million for the following military construction projects in Michigan:

• $11.8 million for the construction and renovation of the Lansing U.S. Property and Fiscal Office (USPFO). The renovation of the USPFO will enable the Michigan National Guard to consolidate its Joint Forces Headquarters, USPFO, and Homeland Security staff in to one facility – the Baker-Olin Office Buildings. The renovated facilities will mean the Michigan National Guard and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve can combine their forces and resources, increase the logistical effectiveness and abandon outdated buildings.
• $9.5 million for the construction of a Squadron Operations Facility at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC). The Alpena CRTC routinely supports operational flight training conducted by the Air National Guard, Air Force, Army, Army National Guard, Navy and Marine Corps. The Alpena CRTC requires two separate, functional squadron operations facilities for use by visiting units.
• $7.4 million for the construction of a Civil Engineering Complex at 110th Fighter Wing located at the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base. This complex would consolidate administration areas, facility maintenance shops, tool rooms, materials storage areas and training classrooms that are currently spread out in four separate buildings. The consolidation will create a safer and a more efficient work place for the engineers at the 110th Fighter Wing. The current civil engineering complex is the sole remaining World War II facility.
• $1.9 million for the construction of a Multi-Purpose Machine Gun Range at Camp Grayling. The new machine gun range will improve the training for National Guard and Reserve units throughout the Midwest. Camp Grayling is already home to one of the most advanced tank ranges in the country.

Michigan National Guard Projects. Senator Levin worked to secure funding for a number of projects that will enable the Michigan National Guard to procure materiel that it needs to accomplish its mission. Included among those projects are the following:

• $10.0 million for Litening Precision Advanced Targeting Pods for use by the National Guard. The 127th Fighter Wing at Selfridge Air National Guard base was among the first units in the nation to have this technology, which enables pilots to better deliver precision guided munitions. Selfridge pilots have used these pods when deployed overseas, and National Guard units, including those at Selfridge, will use the additional pods when they are deployed.
• $5.0 million for research and development of engine upgrades for the A-10 aircraft that are used to provide close air support for ground forces. The 110th Fighter Wing at W.K. Kellogg field in Battle Creek is home to some of these aircraft, which are scheduled to be used until 2028. These funds will ensure that this aircraft is modernized and able to perform its missions.
• $1.2 million for the Movement Tracking System for the National Guard. The Movement Tracking System is a commercial satellite-based tracking and communications system that functions on multiple platforms, providing GPS capability to surface vehicles. These systems are used to provide better convoy communications and tracking in theater.

Fighting for Consumers and Promoting Corporate Responsibility

Fighting to Reduce the Incentive for Companies to Use Risky, Abusive Tax Shelters While Improving Financial Reporting for Investors. Led effort to support the Financial Accounting Standards Board's proposal to tighten accounting rules so that public companies would be allowed to recognize tax savings on their financial statements from tax shelters only if it is “probable” that the tax shelter would be upheld in an IRS audit. The proposed rule would require that the tax position be supported by unambiguous tax law and an unqualified should prevail tax opinion issued by a tax professional. Requiring this level of confidence is also appropriate before allowing uncertain tax benefits to be incorporated into audited financial statements.

Fighting to Close Tax Haven Loopholes. Led Senate to enact a prohibition on the award of future contracts from the Departments of Transportation, Treasury and HUD to U.S. companies that are dodging U.S. taxes by reincorporating on paper and setting up shell headquarters in offshore tax havens (H.R.3058). By undergoing these phony reincorporations, companies that have their production and service facilities here in the United States and benefit from U.S. infrastructure, banks, patents, fair trade laws, an educated workforce and more, take advantage of what the United States offers without contributing their fair share of taxes, leaving average taxpayers to make up the difference.

Fighting Stock Option Abuses. Led Senate effort to support new rules finalized by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to end misleading stock option accounting. Prior rules allowed U.S. companies to report zero stock option expenses on their financial statements, even for companies that issued massive stock option awards to their executives and claimed massive stock option expenses on their tax returns. The result of this dishonest stock option accounting was overstated profits and overpaid executives. The new accounting rules require U.S. companies to report stock option expenses on their financial statements, just like all other forms of compensation. For the last decade, Levin worked with Senator John McCain (R-AZ) to stop dishonest stock option accounting as part of a larger effort to reduce excessive stock option compensation to corporate executives.

Cracking Down on Abusive Tax Shelters. Continued to lead investigation by the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, on which Senator Levin is the senior Democrat, into abusive tax shelters and offshore tax havens used by businesses and individuals to dodge payment of their U.S. taxes. In February 2005, the subcommittee released a report detailing how tax professionals, including accountants, lawyers and bankers, develop, market and implement abusive tax shelters. In July 2005, authored bipartisan legislation (S.1565) to combat these abuses; and in November 2005, won Senate acceptance in a pending tax reconciliation bill of a provision to impose stronger penalties on lawyers, accountants, bankers and others who aid and abet tax evasion. In addition, in July 2005, the board that oversees the accounting industry approved new conflict of interest limitations on the tax shelter services that accounting firms can provide to their audit clients. Levin strongly supported this accounting reform.

Fighting for Tax Fairness. Original cosponsor of legislation to stop two new tax cuts that will give 97 percent of their benefits to the 3.7 percent of American households with incomes over $200,000.

Investigating Oil and Energy Prices. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and gasoline price increases topping $3 per gallon, authored legislation to freeze gasoline prices at pre-Katrina levels. Original cosponsor of bill to impose windfall profits tax on oil company profits. In addition, numerous experts have stated that a major factor in the record high oil prices last year was the Administration's continuous filling of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) without regard to price, since that policy reduced available U.S. commercial oil supplies and increased pressure on U.S. oil prices. In August 2005, Congress enacted into law a Levin amendment to the Energy Policy Act requiring the federal government to institute procedures to fill the SPR in a cost-effective manner, taking into account the effect on oil prices. In November 2005, Senator Levin helped initiate an investigation by the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations into rising natural gas prices and the expected jump in home heating bills.

Reforming Government

Fighting Money Laundering. Continued to lead investigation by the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, on which Senator Levin is the senior Democrat, into the failure of U.S. banks and U.S. bank regulators to stop suspicious transactions involving millions of dollars tainted by possible money laundering, foreign corruption and other misconduct. In March 2005, building on an earlier Levin report from July 2004, the Senator Levin released a report showing that Augusto Pinochet, former President of Chile, deposited millions of dollars in a web of 125 secret accounts at multiple U.S. banks, without detection by federal regulators. In response, federal bank regulators strengthened their anti-money laundering oversight by issuing a new bank examination manual, beefing up inspections and requiring better bank programs. The regulators also issued regulations, effective in December 2005, implementing a 2004 law authored by Levin imposing a one-year cooling off period before a bank examiner can take a job at a bank that he or she oversaw. In addition, using the evidence presented in the Levin reports, Chile indicted Pinochet for tax evasion.

Stopping Federal Contractor Tax Cheats. Helped lead investigation by the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, on which Senator Levin is the senior Democrat, into companies doing business with the U.S. government, getting paid with taxpayer dollars, and then failing to pay the taxes they owe. A June 2005 hearing found that over 33,000 civilian contractors had unpaid taxes exceeding $3.3 billion. This contractor tax debt is on top of a 2004 hearing that found 27,000 defense contractors with unpaid taxes of $3 billion. Senator Levin joined Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN), chairman of the subcommittee, in introducing legislation (including S. 457 and S. 679) to strengthen the federal tax levy program that withholds a portion of contract payments made to federal contractors who owe taxes. Currently this program has many deficiencies and collects less than 10 percent of what it should. The IRS and DOD have voluntarily instituted several reforms advocated by Levin and Coleman, and increased tax levy collections from $680,000 in 2003, to more than $17 million in 2005. A more effective tax levy program helps keep the tax cheat's hand out of the taxpayer's wallet.

Investigating Hurricane Katrina. Participated in multiple hearings, legislative efforts and an ongoing investigation by the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, on which Senator Levin sits, into poor performance, misconduct and contract fraud associated with the federal response to Hurricane Katrina. Helped convince President Bush to reverse his suspension of the Davis Bacon Act protecting wages in the Gulf region by exposing a federal contractor's termination of local electricians paid prevailing local wages to hire out-of-state workers willing to accept much lower wages. Cosponsor of legislation to prevent waste, fraud and abuse in connection with the Katrina recovery effort, including bills to appoint a lead coordinator of the federal effort (S. Res. 242), a chief financial officer (S. 1700), and a dedicated inspector general (S. 1738). Also cosponsored legislation (S. 1725) to advance and obtain interoperable communications equipment for police, fire fighters and other emergency first responders across the country, including equipment to communicate with Canadian emergency officials.

Investigating the United Nations Oil-for-Food Program. Helped lead investigation by the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, on which Senator Levin is the senior Democrat, into mismanagement of the United Nations Oil-for-Food program and Saddam Hussein's efforts to undermine U.N. sanctions preventing Iraq from obtaining weapons of mass destruction. The Oil-for-Food program was intended to allow Iraq to use oil sale proceeds to buy food, medicine and humanitarian goods, but not military items. In May and October 2005, Levin released reports showing how a U.S. company, Bayoil USA, traded in Iraqi oil and financed the payment of millions of dollars in illicit kickbacks to the Saddam regime. He also highlighted data showing that, of the $10 billion in illicit revenues obtained by the Saddam regime, $2 billion came from kickbacks, and $8 billion from illicit oil sales that the United States and other countries knew about but took no action to prevent. Evidence also showed that, despite Saddam's corrupting efforts, U.N. sanctions succeeded in preventing Iraq from acquiring weapons of mass destruction.