January 2013 Newsletter
Issues Update
In recent weeks, Sen. Carl Levin outlined the progress made for Michigan and the nation in 2012 and the challenges ahead in 2013; led a bipartisan effort to reform Senate rules in order to end needless delays of legislation and nominations; supported Hurricane Sandy relief funding that can help repair damage in the Great Lakes; and supported President Obama's efforts to protect Americans against gun violence while protecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners.
After a year of challenges, more work to do in 2013
The Senate returned to the Capitol this month after a turbulent 2012. In the areas our citizens look to us to address - boosting economic growth and job creation, building a foundation for long-term competitiveness, protecting our environment and our national security - we overcame some major challenges and made some progress in 2012, but delayed many of the tough decisions until 2013.
Read Sen. Levin's recap of 2012 and priorities for 2013 »
Senator Levin leads bipartisan rules reform effort
Sen. Levin joined with a bipartisan group of eight senators in proposing rules reforms aimed at ending dysfunction in the Senate, introducing the proposal with Sen. John McCain of Arizona. He supported the final proposal, which received overwhelming support in the Senate and closely mirrored the bipartisan plan he helped develop.
Read about the bipartisan group's reform proposal »
More news from Senator Levin
- Sen. Levin welcomed gun violence prevention proposals from President Obama as "important in protecting Americans while respecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners."
- He supported funding for Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts that could help repair damage to Great Lakes harbors from the remnants of the massive storm.
- He welcomed Senate passage of legislation designating thousands of acres at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore as protected wilderness and indicated that he was optimistic the legislation can pass both houses of Congress and become law this session.
- He joined Michigan's Sen. Debbie Stabenow in securing Senate passage of legislation honoring a Macomb Township Marine killed in Afghanistan and the 100th anniversary of civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks' birth.
- He supported the nomination of Sen. John Kerry as secretary of state, saying Kerry will continue his "record of extraordinary service" as secretary of state.
- He joined Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island on a trip to Afghanistan, [photos] and joined Sen. Reed in writing national security officials on the need to ensure Afghan security forces have the strength to secure their country.
- He welcomed a Pentagon announcement opening combat roles to women, saying the decision "reflects the reality of 21st century military operations."
- He said he hopes to hear from the president's nominee to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission about her "commitment to fully implement the critical financial reforms."
- He joined Sens. John McCain and Dianne Feinstein in writing a movie studio with concerns about historically misleading portions of "Zero Dark Thirty" and in asking the CIA for documents relating to the agency's aid to the filmmakers.