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2009 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.

Getting Our Economy Back on Track and Expanding Economic Opportunities for Working Families

Expand Small Business Administration (SBA) Programs to Help Small Businesses.  Cosponsored legislation that passed the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee to increase loans to small businesses and provide small business owners with additional financing options.  That legislation, which is supported by the Obama Administration and has bipartisan support, included a Levin amendment establishing an Intermediary Lending Pilot Program to provide financing to small businesses that are not being served by the Small Business Administration’s current loan programs.

Fighting to Increase Funding for Existing SBA Programs.  Organized letters with Senate colleagues to request that the FY 2008, FY 2009 and FY 2010 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Acts provide increased funding for the SBA’s Microloan Program.  The SBA Microloan Program is a vital source of financial and technical support to self-employed entrepreneurs and small businesses in Michigan and other states and Senator Levin strongly advocated for its continued funding.

Helping Community Banks Maintain and Increase Small Business Lending.  Cosponsored legislation to capitalize the smaller banks that make most small business loans so they can help provide the funds that small businesses need to survive and grow.  Many community banks, themselves battered by the economic downturn, were largely left out of federal support programs, and that has left many too weak to support strong business lending in their communities.  This legislation would provide much-needed support to these community banks in exchange for their commitment to continue support for small businesses. 

Improve Small Businesses’ Ability to Obtain Credit.  Worked with the governor, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan Bankers Association and others to develop programs to help viable businesses obtain the funds they need to survive and grow.  Far too many small businesses are unable to obtain credit, not because their bankers fear an increased risk of default, but because the businesses’ collateral values have fallen in the weakened economy.  And while we focus on efforts to ensure there is enough capital for community banks to be able to lend, we must also ensure that businesses are able to take advantage of that capital.   

Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program (MEP).  Worked to increase FY 2008, FY 2009 and FY 2010 appropriations for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program and helped secure increased funding authorization levels over three years. 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.  In FY 2008, companies around the country reported that as a result of MEP services, they created or retained over 57,000 jobs; generated or retained $10.5 billion in sales; and realized $1.44 billion in cost savings. In FY 2008 alone, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership served 31,961 clients.  As manufacturers face increasing pressure from the global economy, improved efficiency and competitiveness are essential in order to retain jobs here in the United States.  MEP is one of the few federal programs that provides tangible assistance to American manufacturers to help them create and retain jobs.   

Fighting for a Level Playing Field for Michigan Companies.  Introduced legislation to provide for the duty-free import of certain inputs used in the U.S.-based manufacture of finished products in the United States when that input is not made in the United States.  This allows the American companies to remain globally competitive and continue to produce in the United States and create and retain jobs in the United States. 

Extending Unemployment Insurance. Cosponsored and helped enact legislation extending unemployment insurance to all states.  Cosponsored legislation to provide additional benefits for high unemployment states like Michigan.

Extending COBRA Subsidy. Cosponsored and helped enact legislation extending the COBRA subsidy.   

Auto Company Restructuring.  Worked with Congress and the Administration to ensure that restructuring of the domestic auto industry was done in a way that preserved U.S. manufacturing jobs, included a continued commitment for small car production in the United States and recognized the importance of maintaining a solid base of U.S. suppliers during the industry’s restructuring.

Auto Dealer Reorganization and Protection.  Worked with Senate leadership to reach an acceptable balance between auto manufacturer economic viability and individual auto dealer interests. 

Automation Alley.  Helped secure $394,800 for planning, design and construction of the Automation Alley International Business Center for Business Incubation.  The business center assists businesses in an eight county region of Southeast Michigan by providing business incubation and export assistance including foreign market research. 

Detroit Institute of Arts.  Led the effort to obtain $750,000 for the removal and replacement of a portion of the roof on the Detroit Institute of Art’s historic 1927 Cret building. The DIA is an anchor for Detroit's Cultural Center, attracting thousands of visitors from every county in the lower half of Michigan, 49 states and Puerto Rico with an aggregate $65 million economic impact for Metropolitan Detroit. 

Detroit Renaissance Detroit Creative Corridor Center.  Helped secure $200,000 for the Detroit Renaissance Detroit Creative Corridor Center.  The center will assist companies build their business, identify and approach other businesses for sales or partnership opportunities, improve industry-specific marketing and sales strategies, and connect creative business with potential investors. 

Wayne State Law School Small Business Enterprises Clinic.  Helped secure $200,000 for the Wayne State University Law School’s Small Business Clinic.  The clinic provides free legal assistance to over 65 small business owners.  This funding will help Wayne State expand the program to help hundreds of other small businesses in Detroit. 

Keeping Our Families Safe and Healthy

HEALTH CARE

Comprehensive Health Reform Act. Cosponsored a Sense of the Senate resolution that calls for Congress to enact, and the President to sign, legislation to guarantee health coverage, improve health care quality and disease prevention, and reduce health care costs for all Americans and the health care system.

Informed Consumer Choices in Health Care. Cosponsored legislation that would amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) develop standards for health insurance issuers in providing information to group health plans, for forms used in connection with group health insurance coverage, for quality assurance, for marketing of group health insurance coverage, and for the accuracy and clarity of coverage for out-of-network providers; (2) undertake activities to promote accountability of health insurance issuers in meeting federal health insurance requirements; (3) provide grants to Departments of Insurance in states to assist in enforcement of federal health insurance requirements governing health insurance issuers operating in such states; (4) undertake activities to promote transparency in costs, market practices, and other factors for health insurance coverage; and (5) establish within HHS an Office of Health Insurance Oversight to promote accountability and transparency in health insurance and provide for assistance to consumers in selecting health care coverage. 

Prevention First Act. Cosponsored legislation that authorizes appropriations for family planning services grants and contracts under the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), provides equity in prescription insurance and contraception coverage, directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and disseminate information on emergency contraception, authorizes the Secretary of HHS to award grants for teenage pregnancy prevention programs, requires that any information concerning the use of a contraceptive provided through specified federally funded education programs be medically accurate and include health benefits and failure rates, among other things. 

Human Services Referral and Information (2-1-1). Cosponsored legislation that would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award a grant to each state to carry out a program for making available throughout that state the 2-1-1 telephone service for information and referral on human services. 

Michigan-wide 2-1-1. Worked to include $200,000 in the FY 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act for Michigan Association of United Ways. This funding will help complete 2-1-1 service throughout Michigan so it will reach 100 percent of the state's population and connect them to job training and other services. It will build capacity throughout the system to effectively connect individuals with public, nonprofit and faith-based services that address barriers to employment.  

Heart Disease Education, Analysis Research, and Treatment for Women. Cosponsored legislation that would allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to deny a new drug application if the application fails to include required information on clinical investigations and directs the Secretary to: (1) require that a new drug application include any clinical data possessed by the applicant that relates to the safety and effectiveness of the drug involved by gender, age, and racial subgroup; and (2) develop guidance for the staff of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure that new drug applications are adequately reviewed to determine whether they include the required clinical data. 

Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Management. Cosponsored legislation that would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and make available to local educational agencies, schools, early childhood education programs, and other interested entities voluntary guidelines to develop plans for individuals to manage the risk of food allergy and anaphylaxis in schools and early childhood education programs.

Access to Emergency Medical Services. Cosponsored legislation that would establish the United States Bipartisan Commission on Access to Emergency Medical Services to: (1) identify and examine factors in the health care delivery, financing, and legal systems that affect the effective delivery of screening and stabilization services furnished in hospitals that have emergency departments pursuant to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA); and (2) make specific recommendations to Congress with respect to federal programs, policies, and financing needed to assure the availability of such screening and stabilization services and the coordination of state, local, and federal programs for responding to disasters and emergencies.

Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act. Cosponsored legislation that would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program to identify efficient, effective, and economical procedures for long-term care facilities or providers to conduct background checks on prospective direct patient access employees on a nationwide basis under similar terms and conditions as the pilot program established under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003.

Family Smoking Prevention. Cosponsored legislation that would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for the regulation of tobacco products by the Secretary of Health and Human Services through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including through disclosure, annual registration, inspection, recordkeeping, and user fee requirements. 

National Drug Facts Chat Day.  Sponsored legislation in conjunction with the National Institute on Drug Abuse third year initiative, recognizing November 10, 2009, as National Drug Facts Chat Day, during which time school-aged youth and teachers in classrooms across the United State asked questions of the nation’s leading experts in the field of drug abuse and addiction.  One of the many activities involved thousands of students and teachers utilizing the Internet to exchange questions with professionals on the issues of illicit drug use, tobacco use, and prescription drug abuse. Questions from every region of the country were answered, yielding an enlightening glimpse into students’ misconceptions about drug use.

Organ Transplantation and Organ Donation.  Authored an amendment to the budget resolution with Senator Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., to increase funding for organ donation activities in the Health Resources and Services Administration by $10 million in FY 2010. The Organ Donation and Recovery Improvement Act of 2004 authorized programs to increase the number of organ donations.  Funds support a scientific registry of organ transplant recipients and the National Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network to match donors with potential recipients of organs. 

National Kidney Paired Donation Registry.  Worked with the Health Resources and Services Administration to expedite the creation of a National Kidney Paired Donation Registry Pilot Project (KPD) to accommodate the thousands of persons with kidney failure who have a spouse, relative or friend who is willing to donate a kidney but who is biologically incompatible. KPD, a three step process, first identifies such incompatible couples and enters their data into a registry.  The KPD program then identifies a matching pair from among those on the registry, and the donors cross donate to the other recipient.  Implementation of such a national registry, under the leadership of the United Network of Organ Sharing in cooperation with the University of Michigan and the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients in Ann Arbor, is estimated to increase by 1,500 the annual supply of kidneys available for donation and save $500 million over 10 years by reducing the rolls of the Medicare-financed End State Renal Disease program. 

National Autoimmune Diseases Awareness Month.  Introduced resolution with Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, to designate March 2010 as National Autoimmune Diseases Awareness Month.  The purpose of the resolution is to raise awareness of autoimmune diseases and the need for aggressive research to learn the root causes of autoimmune diseases as well as the best diagnostic methods and treatments for people with autoimmune diseases. 

Cancer Testing and Treatment. Helped secure $4.76 million to continue research into the molecular and protein functions in the treatment of cancer, new drug therapies, and diagnostic tests for diseases. This research will identify new cancer targets and make predictions regarding a cancer patient’s response to molecular targeted therapies. The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit is currently working with the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command on this research.

Genetic Origins of Cancer. Helped secure $2 million to continue research into the genetic origins of cancer. Additional research into the genetic origins of cancer could have a significant impact on the development of breakthrough diagnostic approaches and result in more effective and less toxic cancer treatments. The University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center is a nationally recognized leader in research on the genetic origins of cancer, with seminal contributions in defining cancer stem cells, describing genetic changes in cancer and creating novel molecular therapeutic and diagnostic tools.

Diabetes Research.  Supported $1.6 million for the development of new therapies to treat diabetes. Innovative BioTherapies of Detroit has experience with this type of research.  

Military Mental Health. Supported $600,000 for a military mental health pilot program. This project would assist troops with mental health challenges that can result from overseas deployments and combat. The Detroit-Wayne County Community Mental Health (CMH) Agency provides extensive mental health services for the Detroit area.

Volunteers of America Michigan.  Helped secure $389,600 for Volunteers of America Michigan to expand housing shelters and widen community access to medical, social, civic and economic services.  Volunteers of America Michigan is the primary resource for the homeless of mid-Michigan, providing services beds and meals to thousands of homeless annually. 

American Red Cross. Worked to include $200,000 in the FY 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act for the American Red Cross Southeast Michigan Blood Services Region. This funding will allow for programming to educate and motivate African Americans to donate blood regularly. The first year target is to produce 2000 additional units. The program will address the lack of type O and B blood that is chronically in short supply, but occurs at a higher rate among African Americans.  

The Manor.  Worked to include $150,000 in the FY 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act for the Manor, a private, nonprofit residential treatment and special education facility that provides treatment for developmentally disabled children with behavioral difficulties, ages 6-18 years, through a diverse treatment program combined with an on-grounds special education program. This funding will assist with costs of construction of a Treatment and Counseling Center to serve developmentally disabled youth. 

SAFETY

Protecting Citizens from Hate Crimes.  As Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Levin helped secure passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.  The legislation, signed into law by President Obama on October 28, 2009, will help ensure that no one can be targeted for crime because of the color of their skin, their religion, their disability, their gender, or their sexual orientation. 

Detroit/Wayne County: 

Warren:

Grand Rapids/West Michigan: 

Lansing: 

Saginaw: 

Fighting for workers and Consumers and Promoting Corporate Responsibility

PROTECTING WORKERS

Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Cosponsored legislation that amended the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to declare that an unlawful employment practice occurs when: (1) a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice is adopted; (2) an individual becomes subject to the decision or practice; or (3) an individual is affected by application of the decision or practice, including each time wages, benefits or other compensation is paid.  

Paycheck Fairness Act. Cosponsored legislation that would amend a portion of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) known as the Equal Pay Act to revise remedies for, enforcement of, and exceptions to prohibitions against sex discrimination in the payment of wages. 

Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Cosponsored legislation that would prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity by covered entities (employers, employment agencies, labor organizations or joint labor-management committees).

Employee Free Choice Act. Cosponsored legislation that would amend the National Labor Relations Act to require the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to certify a bargaining representative without directing an election if a majority of the bargaining unit employees have authorized designation of the representative (card-check) and there is no other individual or labor organization currently certified or recognized as the exclusive representative of any of the employees in the unit. 

Condemning Violence Against Health Care Providers. Cosponsored a resolution condemning the use of violence against providers of health care services to women. 

FIGHTING FOR CONSUMERS

Enactment of Credit Card Reform Law.  Attended White House signing ceremony for the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act, H.R. 627, which contained many credit card reforms first authored by Levin.  As chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, led investigation and held hearings exposing unfair credit card practices, including interest charges for credit card debt paid on time, retroactive interest rate hikes on consumers who paid their bills on time, unreasonable fees, and poor disclosure.  Introduced a 2007 bill, S. 1395, whose provisions were then included in 2008 and 2009 Dodd-Levin credit card reform bills, S. 3252 and S. 414, which contained the strongest consumer protections of any bills in Congress.  Many of the Levin provisions were included in the final law. 

Enactment of Law to Stop Deceptive Advertising of Free Credit Reports.  Led bipartisan enactment of legislation in the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act, H.R. 627, to stop misleading television, radio and Internet advertisements for “free” credit reports that confuse or deceive consumers into buying products or services they may not need or want.  Established new safeguards to protect the right of consumers under federal law to a free, no-strings-attached copy of their credit reports each year.  Also wrote in support of a proposed regulation to implement the new law. 

PROMOTING CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

Combating Excessive Market Speculation.  As Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, held an investigative hearing and released a bipartisan report on how excessive speculation in commodity markets can distort prices, overwhelm normal supply and demand factors, and push up prices, using as a case history the impact of commodity index trading on U.S. wheat markets.  This hearing was the latest in a seven-year investigation into unfair commodity prices, with prior hearings and reports focusing on excessive energy prices in oil, natural gas and gasoline markets.  Introduced legislation, S. 447, to strengthen U.S. laws against price manipulation and excessive speculation by authorizing speculation limits for all futures and over-the-counter commodities, imposing new reporting requirements for large over-the-counter commodity trades, and enabling federal regulators to police U.S. commodity trades on all U.S. and foreign markets.  Also introduced bipartisan legislation, S. 961, to eliminate existing statutory barriers to federal regulation of swaps and other derivatives.    

Cracking Down on Offshore Tax Evasion.  As Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, held a third day of hearings exposing how tax haven banks help U.S. clients dodge U.S. taxes, contributing to an estimated $100 billion in lost tax revenues each year from offshore tax evasion.  In response to this investigation, the largest tax haven bank in the world, UBS, agreed to stop opening Swiss accounts for U.S. clients without reporting those accounts to the IRS.  UBS and the Swiss government also negotiated with the United States and agreed to name about 4,500 of an estimated 50,000 U.S. clients with hidden Swiss accounts.  Introduced legislation, S. 506, with innovative measures to crackdown on offshore tax evasion, including by imposing stronger penalties on tax shelter promoters; authorizing the U.S. Treasury to take special measures against foreign jurisdictions and financial institutions that impede U.S. tax enforcement; establishing rebuttable presumptions in tax enforcement cases that offshore companies and trusts are controlled by the U.S. persons who send or receive assets from them; and barring offshore trusts from claiming they can buy jewelry, artwork or real estate for use by U.S. beneficiaries on a tax-free basis.   

Targeting Corporate Stock Option Tax Break.  Released new data showing that stock option tax deductions claimed by U.S. corporations on their 2006 tax returns exceeded the expenses shown on their corporate books by $48 billion.  Introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., S. 1491, to eliminate this stock option book-tax disparity by requiring the corporate tax deduction for stock option compensation to equal the booked expense.  Legislation builds on 2007 hearing exposing how disparities between corporate accounting and tax rules for executive stock options often result in outsized stock option tax deductions for corporations that reward executives with large stock option grants.  In 2008, the CEOs at the 500 largest U.S. companies took home a combined $5.7 billion, averaging $11.4 million each, a large portion of which came from stock options.  CEOs now receive nearly 400 times the average pay earned by workers, and stock options are a key reason.  By providing overly generous stock option tax deductions, federal tax policy is encouraging corporations to provide excessive stock option pay, fueling the pay gap between executives and workers, and enabling corporations to avoid paying billions in taxes. 

Protecting the Great Lakes and Michigan’s Environment

THE GREAT LAKES

Great Lakes Protection and Restoration. Helped secure $475 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.  This is a multi-agency proposal to address five issues of concern including 1) toxic substances and Areas of Concern, 2) invasive species, 3) near shore health and nonpoint source pollution, 4) habitat and wildlife protection and restoration, and 5) accountability, monitoring and evaluation.  Significant funding (approximately 50 percent) will be available to non-federal groups through grants.

Great Lakes Fishery and Ecosystems Restoration Program.  Helped secure $2,471,000 for this basin-wide program that focuses on funding fishery and ecosystem restoration projects such as dam removal, fish passage construction and wetland restoration. Currently, several projects are underway in Michigan including removal of the Boardman River dams in Traverse City and construction of a fish passage in Frankenmuth.  This restoration program is integral to overall restoration efforts throughout the Great Lakes. Funding was included in the FY 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Act.

Great Lakes Remedial Action Plans and Technical Assistance Program.  Helped secure $3,407,000 for this program that allows the Army Corps to provide technical support to states and local organizations in the development and implementation of Remedial Action Plans at Areas of Concern. Funding can be used by communities throughout Michigan. Funding was included in the FY 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Act.   

St. Clair River and Lake St. Clair Management Plan.  Helped secure $100,000 in funding to evaluate causes of environmental stress on the St. Clair River and Lake St. Clair and develop recommendations for management priorities and potential restoration measures. The Corps will establish and lead a partnership of appropriate federal agencies and the state of Michigan to develop and implement projects consistent with the management plan. 

Protecting Against Aquatic Invasive Species.  Authored and fought to enact the Asian Carp Prevention and Control Act that would list Asian carp – the bighead– as an injurious species under the Lacey Act and would prevent the intentional introduction of these species into the Great Lakes by prohibiting their interstate transportation or importation without a permit.  The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has taken action on this bill and it is awaiting consideration by the full Senate. 

Asian Carp Dispersal Barrier.  Helped secure $6,095,000 for the Asian carp dispersal barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.  This funding will provide $5,826,000 to operate Barrier I, complete construction of Barrier II, and prepare designs for making Barrier I permanent; and $269,000 will be used for a study to consider options to improve the barrier.

Great Lakes Navigation in Michigan.  Helped secure $48 million for Michigan navigational projects, including for dredging, breakwater repairs, locks upgrades, and other operations and maintenance needs in the FY 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Act.  In addition to funding for specific harbors, the act includes an additional $6 million above the Administration’s budget to address the backlog in dredging and other needs at Michigan harbors and waterways. 

In addition to the projects listed above, the FY 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Act provides an additional $6 million above the President’s budget to address the dredging backlog at Michigan harbors and other operation and maintenance needs.  The harbors and waterways eligible for this funding are listed below, including those for which specific amounts are provided: 

Other Navigation Projects.

CLEAN WATER, WETLANDS AND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

Funding for Water Infrastructure, Environmental Restoration and Flood Control Projects.  Helped secure funding for the following projects:

Army Corps Projects:

• Negaunee Wastewater System - $727,000.  Funding will support the city’s large-scale, systematic wastewater upgrade that was initiated in 2002. City officials are working closely with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff to complete the previously funded components of this project and to meet local match requirements.

• Cass River, Spaulding Township - Flood Control Improvements - listed to receive priority funding.   Funding will be used to design and construct a dike on the south side of the Cass River.  The Cass River has flooded nearby properties in Spaulding Township on a regular basis for the past several years, and this project will help control these floods. 

• St. Clair River and Lake St. Clair Management Plan Implementation - $100,000.   Funding will be used to evaluate causes of environmental stress on the St. Clair River and Lake St. Clair and develop recommendations for management priorities and potential restoration measures. The Corps will establish and lead a partnership of appropriate federal agencies and the state of Michigan to promote cooperation in the management of the St. Clair River and Lake St. Clair watersheds and to develop and implement projects consistent with the management plan.   

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:

•  Oakland-Macomb Interceptor Drainage District.  Helped secure $500,000 for the construction of a 21-mile sewer line to transport sanitary sewage from over 300,000 residents of Oakland and Macomb counties to the city of Detroit for treatment. 

•  Lansing Board of Water and Light.  Helped secure $500,000 for energy efficient upgrades to the drinking water system.  Funding will be used to replace pumps and other aspects of the system to reduce the energy impacts during peak usage periods.

•  City of Grand Rapids.  Helped secure $500,000 for the Eastside combined sewer overflow separation.  The funding will be used to replace an aging water main on the east side of the city, which will reduce pollution to the Grand River.

HISTORIC AND NATURAL RESOURCE PRESERVATION 

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Reserve. Introduced legislation to significantly expand the boundaries of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, located in Lake Huron in Alpena. The expansion, which would make Thunder Bay more than nine times its current size, would help to preserve the rich history of “Shipwreck Alley” for historians and divers, where dozens of ships perished in the waters of Lake Huron. Secured $1 million for the sanctuary, which will allow for expansion of the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center to include a science hall, new dive locker, large artifact conservation and research facility, renovation of adjacent facilities for the community boat building program and a dive training facility. 

Preserving Michigan’s Historic Lighthouses.  Cosponsored legislation to return the historic Fresnel lens to the lantern room atop the Presque Isle Light Station Lighthouse.  The Fresnel lens was removed from the lighthouse for restoration four years ago and needs to be returned to preserve the integrity of the lighthouse.   The language was adopted by the Senate Commerce Committee in its Coast Guard reauthorization bill.    

Preserving Michigan and the Nation’s Historic Lighthouses.  Authored legislation, S. 715, to create a competitive grant program that will help to pay for the preservation and rehabilitation of historic lighthouses in Michigan and across the country.  The grants will help nonprofit organizations, which serve as caretakers for the historic landmarks, to maintain the beauty of the lighthouses and keep them accessible to the public.  Because Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state, its historic lighthouses would benefit significantly from this program. The Senate Energy Committee held a hearing on this bill.  

North Country National Scenic Trail Willing Seller Authority.  Led effort to enact legislation that allows the federal government to acquire land from property owners willing to sell their land.  This legislation will help complete the North Country National Scenic Trail, which traverses Michigan.  Senator Levin has worked on legislation benefiting the trail for more than a decade.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Wilderness Designation.  Led effort to enact legislation that permanently protects 12,000 acres of land at the lakeshore by designating it as wilderness, which will also enhance and protect recreational opportunities at the lakeshore.

Keweenaw National Historical Park Improvement Act.  Led effort to enact legislation that will increase certain funding authorizations for the park, remove an overly restrictive prohibition on land purchases by the park, and reduce local funding match requirements so the park can do an even better job of bringing to life the story of copper mining and production that fueled the Industrial Revolution.

River Raisin National Battlefield bill.  Led effort to enact legislation to designate an area in Monroe and Wayne counties as the “River Raisin National Battlefield Park,” recognizing this area as one of the key strategic fronts of the War of 1812.

Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum.  Introduced legislation that would modify a land patent issued by the Secretary of the Interior to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society concerning land at Whitefish Point.  The bill would change the land patent such that it references an updated 2002 management plan for the property, rather than an obsolete 1992 plan.  This bill would help the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society carry out its mission to preserve the Whitefish Point Light Station and to create exhibits and programs to share the story of the Great Lakes maritime culture.

Big Sable Lighthouse.  Helped secure $100,000 for construction of a seawall to protect historic Big Sable Lighthouse.  The Sable Point Lighthouse Keepers Association will use these funds to construct a seawall to protect the Big Sable Point Lighthouse. Aging of the current seawall is leading to an increase in coastal erosion that threatens the historic buildings in the lighthouse complex. 

Keweenaw National Historical Park – Quincy Smelting Works.  Helped secure $1 million for emergency stabilization of Quincy Smelting Works.  Left unmaintained for the past 40 years, the structures of the historic Quincy Smelting Works, located within the Keweenaw National Historical Park, are rapidly deteriorating and need emergency stabilization. This funding will be used to stabilize the buildings, which would create jobs, improve safety, and save one of the most significant historic assets within the park. 

Keweenaw National Historical Park – Union Building.  Helped secure $1.38 million for the renovation of the historic Union Building, which will be used for the park’s first visitor center. The building sits at the intersection of the Calumet industrial corridor and the commercial/residential Calumet Village and would help orientate and move visitors between the two historic districts.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.  Helped secure $1 million for land acquisition for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which will further enhance the cultural and natural resources of this magnificent park. The park has identified 15 individual parcels of property available for purchase from willing sellers. 

Ottawa National Forest.  Helped secure $1.5 million for land acquisition in Ottawa National Forest to purchase the Prickett Lake property and help protect the watershed of Ottawa National Forest and Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness. This project will help ensure the integrity of the wilderness, which contains unique geologic features unlike anything else in the country. Also, the North Country National Scenic Trail runs through this property, and thus the acquisition will help enhance the recreational experience for trail users.

Ottawa National Forest - Watersmeet Administrative Site Phase 3.  Helped secure $2 million for the construction of a new administrative office, workshop and warehouses for the merger of two ranger district staffs.

Hiawatha National Forest - Clear Lake Environmental Education Center in Shingleton.  Helped secure $480,000 for upgrading the water and sewer systems, and modifying cabins and paths to meet accessibility guidelines. Built in 1939 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the facility currently serves as a growing environmental education center hosting more than 1,400 students each year.

GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE AND CLEAN ENERGY

Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research.  Helped secure $3 million for the Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research, a multi-university consortium that includes Michigan State, the University of Michigan and Michigan Technological University, and supports biotechnology research and technology transfer, and stimulates research interactions between academic and industrial scientists.

Single National Standard for Regulation of Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions.  Worked with the Obama Administration, the domestic auto industry, and the United Auto Workers to ensure that there is a single national standard for regulation of vehicle greenhouse gas emissions that recognizes the need for certainty and predictability in regulation and eliminates potentially conflicting state regulations. 

Advanced Technology Manufacturing

Grants for Advanced Battery Manufacturing.  Led the effort to secure $2 billion for grants to manufacturers of advanced battery systems, vehicle batteries, and electric power train components that are produced in the United States, $1.5 billion of which went to battery manufacturing and which resulted in the award of over $1.3 billion in grants to Michigan-based companies or companies intending to build new facilities in Michigan.   

Department of Energy Loan Guarantees.   Worked with Senate colleagues to secure additional funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for the Department of Energy’s loan guarantee program for renewable technologies that will help companies access credit and make significant investments in various clean energy sectors, including solar, energy storage and wind.  The Department of Energy is currently considering applications from many Michigan companies for loan guarantees under section 1705 of the ARRA. 

Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credits.   Worked with Senate colleagues to secure $2.3 billion in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support up to $7.5 billion in capital investment for renewable energy, energy storage, and other clean energy technologies under the section 48c advanced energy manufacturing tax credit program, which provides a 30 percent investment tax credit for manufacturing facilities in the following areas – renewable energy, energy storage technologies, advanced transmission technologies, renewable fuels, energy conservation technologies, plug-in electric vehicles and components, carbon capture and sequestration.  The Department of Energy recently awarded $2.3 billion in section 48c tax credits, which included over $260 million for Michigan-based companies or Michigan-related projects. 

Advanced Vehicle Technology

Lithium Ion Battery Production. Secured $27 million for domestic lithium ion battery production. These funds will be used for a competitive program to develop domestic industrial sources of advanced battery technologies for use in military applications. Lithium ion batteries also have dual-use applications in the commercial automotive industry for hybrid electric vehicles. The availability of domestically manufactured lithium ion batteries is critical to both the DOD and to the ability of our automotive manufacturers to produce the next generation of ground vehicles.  

Advanced Battery Development. Secured $9 million for an advanced battery development program at TARDEC. Advanced battery technology offers tremendous potential to significantly improve the near-term operational performance and capability for military vehicles to generate, distribute and store electrical power. Advanced batteries are also recognized as a critical component of developing military hybrid vehicles.  

Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Logistics Program.  Secured $6.4 million to continue the Vehicle Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Logistics Program.  This Defense Logistics Agency-managed competitive program continues the development of fuel cell technologies for use in DOD vehicles and the development of the hydrogen infrastructure to support use of those vehicles.  A critical component of this program is the development of a comprehensive and integrated strategy for the appropriate use of hydrogen to meet DOD requirements in the future.  

Biofuels Research.  Secured $1.6 million to continue a biofuels research program.  Interest in biofuels is driven by high oil prices, environmental concerns, as well as national security concerns.  Aggressive efforts are required to develop advanced biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol and butanol, high-yield biodiesel, and wood-derived bio-oil, all of which have significant potential to be utilized by DOD.  

Hybrid Engine Development.  Secured $3.2 million to continue a coordinated hybrid engine development program at TARDEC. This merit-based program focuses on both basic and applied research in engine technology, power electronics, control technology and other areas. Research areas include theoretical analysis, computational design and analysis, and experimental verification components.

Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle Technologies.  Secured $3.3 million for the development and testing of advanced plug-in hybrid vehicle technologies.  This project seeks to develop and deploy Smart Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle technologies that will reduce Department of Defense fuel consumption using conventional generation, renewable generation, and vehicles with exportable electric power.  NextEnergy in Detroit has extensive experience with hybrid vehicle technologies and has been working with the Army for a number of years on related projects.  

Digital Hydraulic Hybrid System.  Helped secure $2 million for the development of a digital hydraulic hybrid system. The goal of this project is to develop a series hybrid hydraulic system that achieves significant weight and volume reduction while also gaining a 50 percent improvement in fuel efficiency over current technology.  It is intended that the hybrid hydraulic system resulting from this research will be demonstrated on a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV).  Eaton Corporation of Southfield is a leader in hybrid hydraulic systems.  

Lithium Ion Batteries.  Secured $2.4 million to continue development of lightweight, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries using nanomaterials technology.  Lithium-ion batteries could be considerably lighter, much more capable and more affordable than currently available battery systems.  A123 Systems of Ann Arbor is a leading innovator in the development of lithium ion batteries and has been working with TARDEC on this research for several years.  

Hydraulic Hybrid System.  Secured $2.8 million for hydraulic hybrid vehicle technology.  This research seeks to produce a new line of advanced, highly efficient, hydraulic pump and motor products that will replace the conventional automatic transmission and could significantly improve overall drivetrain efficiency in military ground vehicles.  Bosch Rexroth Corporation has been working with the Army for several years on the development of hydraulic hybrid technology.  

Lightweight Hybrid Transmission.  Helped secure $1.6 million for the development of a lightweight hybrid transmission for Future Combat Systems (FCS) vehicles.  This project seeks to develop a hybrid transmission for FCS vehicles that will result in improved reliability, reduced weight, and increased fuel savings.  Hybra-Drive Systems in Deerfield has been working to develop such a transmission for several years.  

Tax Credits for Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles.  Worked with Senate colleagues to achieve a significant increase in the number of plug-in hybrid vehicles that will be able to receive a tax credit – increasing the cap of 250,000 previously in law to the first 200,000 sold by each manufacturer and providing an available tax credit of between $2,500 and $7,500 depending on the battery capacity.

Federal Funding for Lease of Alternative Energy Vehicles.  Worked with other senators to secure $300 million for federal agencies, through the General Services Administration, to aggressively lease alternative energy vehicles – such as hybrids – to replace existing vehicles for a wide variety of agency missions.  Government leasing of these vehicles provides market pull and stimulates production of these vehicles.  The Administration provided $285 million of this total funding for purchase of vehicles under existing contracts with GM, Chrysler, and Ford.

Energy Research and Development

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Programs.  Worked with other senators to secure funding for renewable energy and energy efficiency programs such as the weatherization assistance, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), state energy programs, and the Energy Star program through the annual appropriations process and for additional funding provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. 

Flexible Photovoltaics. Secured $1.6 million for development of flexible photovoltaics. This project seeks to develop technologies necessary to lower the cost of solar electric systems to reach grid parity. The goal is to generate solar electricity at a cost comparable to that obtained by the burning of fossil fuels. United Solar Ovonic in Auburn Hills has extensive experience with flexible photovoltaics.  

Photovoltaics for Military Housing.  Helped secure $1.2 million for the development of rooftop photovoltaic systems for military housing. United Solar Ovonic in Auburn Hills has extensive experience with photovoltaics.

21st Century Renewable Fuels, Energy and Materials Initiative.  Secured $1.25 million for research and development to be carried out at Kettering University on improved energy storage systems, including development of a high power density Lithium-Ion-AIR batteries that can be implemented across a range of industries including renewable energy storage and back-up auxiliary power generation.

A123 Systems Large Format Nanophosphate Batteries for Solar Energy Storage. Secured $1 million for the development of durable, low-cost lithium ion batteries for solar power and other energy storage applications at A123 in Ann Arbor.

Lansing Plug-In Hybrid Initiative. Secured $750,000 for Lansing Board of Water and Light to design, engineer and construct five plug-in hybrid electric charging stations and to replace deteriorating, petroleum-fueled fleet vehicles with cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Grand Rapids Solar Roof Demonstration.  Helped secure $250,000 for the city of Grand Rapids to install solar panels on city buildings to reduce energy consumption and generate energy from localized sources.

Oakland University Alternative Energy Education.  Helped secure $500,000 for Oakland University for educational outreach on alternative energy, including wind, biomass, solar and energy efficiency.

United Way of Southeastern Michigan.  Helped secure $400,000 for United Way of Southeastern Michigan to expand its existing energy efficiency program for nonprofits, to include expert consultants to complete energy audits and matching grants for energy efficiency improvements.

University of Detroit Mercy Chemistry Building.  Helped secure $800,000 for University of Detroit Mercy for the renovation of its chemistry building to support innovative teaching methods with an advanced learning environment.  

Eastern Michigan University.  Helped secure $500,000 for EMU for the construction of lab space within the university’s new science complex.  

Western Michigan University.  Helped secure $1 million for WMU for work with industry partners to incorporate energy efficient and environmentally benign materials into design and manufacturing processes.

OTHER

EPA’s Brownfields Program.  Led an effort to request full funding for the Environmental Protection Agency’s brownfields program.  Twenty senators signed onto the letter, resulting in FY 2010 funding of $173 million for this program that helps to clean up and redevelop contaminated properties, creating jobs, building the local tax base and revitalizing communities.  

Educating Our children and advancing Worker Training and Technology

Ishpeming Public Schools Building Technology Enhancements.   Secured $100,000 for three local schools.  Funding will help upgrade Internet access at the Birchview School, the C.L Phelps Middle School, and the Ishpeming High School in order to provide students in grades K – 12 with enriched curriculum options and access to virtual learning.  Improved Internet access will also provide teachers with access to professional development opportunities that are not currently available.  

Mott Community College, Center for Advanced Manufacturing.  Secured $200,000 to help the college work with regional partners to act as a clearinghouse and pilot site for new technologies that explore solutions to manufacturing issues.  The program is targeted to small and medium-sized businesses that are currently looking to expand their workforce into renewable and sustainable technologies.

Preserving Michigan’s Agricultural Resources and Family Farms

USDA Commodity Purchases.  Advocated successfully for additional purchases of specialty crops such as apples, blueberries and grapes by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Commodity Purchase Program.  This program not only provides assistance to Michigan farmers but also to school children and those who participate in our nation’s vital food nutrition programs.

Pork Purchase.  Advocated successfully for the bonus purchase of $50 million of pork by the USDA through the Commodity Purchase Program.  Michigan’s pork producers were impacted by a worldwide decrease in pork consumption due to the erroneous belief that pork was connected with swine flu.

Dairy Product Price Support.  Successfully advocated for a temporary increase to the price paid for dairy products through the Dairy Product Price Support Program.  For the first seven months of 2009, Michigan and our nation’s dairy farmers sold milk for less than it cost to feed and care for their cows.

Assistance for Michigan Apple Growers.  Helped secure $346,000 to support research to help protect future crops from fireblight. 

Eradicating Bovine Tuberculosis.  Helped secure $248,000 for efforts to eradicate and monitor bovine tuberculosis (TB) in Michigan. 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 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.

Wood Utilization.  Helped secure $4.841 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.

Improving Michigan Roads and Transport

Transportation Appropriations Funding for Michigan.  Helped secure funding in the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee for the following projects, which were included in the FY 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act.   

Federal Aviation Administration

Office of the Secretary

Federal Highway Administration

 
Transportation – Federal Railroad Administration

Transportation – Federal Transit Administration

Helping to Bring Rapid Transit to Michigan.  Authored language in the FY2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill allowing the expanded use of private funds for construction of the Woodward Avenue light rail project in Detroit.  The legislation, which passed as part of the FY 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act, will significantly advance the light rail project. The language provides that the Federal Transit Administration shall consider private funds for the project when considering it for participation in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s New Starts program, a key financial resource for locally-planned and implemented transit projects.  The Levin language will allow the private funds that will be spent to build the M-1 RAIL portion of the Woodward Avenue Corridor to be counted as the local match requirement for the publicly-funded section of the Woodward Avenue corridor. It is an important step in allowing the estimated $120 million in private funds to be used as the local match to build the second phase of the line. Without it, the project could not move forward.  The rapid transit line going up Woodward Avenue would create an eight mile corridor of great economic importance to the city and state.  

Securing Funding for Detroit Riverfront Development and Ferryboat Terminal.

Keeping America Strong

SUPPORT FOR AMERICAN MILITARY AT HOME AND AROUND THE WORLD

Pay and Benefits for Military Personnel and Their Families.  Played a leading role in the enactment of provisions that improve pay and benefits for military personnel and their families by –

Increased End Strength.  Played a leading role in the enactment of provisions that increase the active-duty end strength of all of the services, including an increase of 30,000 in the Army and the authority to increase the Army by 30,000 more in fiscal years 2011 and 2012, if the Secretary of Defense deems it necessary to reduce the stress caused by repeated deployments. 

Military Voting Rights.  Played a leading role in the enactment of the Military and Overseas Empowerment Act to reduce barriers to absentee voting for military personnel and other overseas voters and require the establishment of voting assistance offices on military installations.

Support for Civilian Employees of the Department of Defense.  Played a leading role in the enactment of provisions that support civilian employees of the Department of Defense by:

BUILDING A MORE SECURE FUTURE

Termination of Unneeded Weapon Programs.  Played a leading role in the enactment of legislation that would implement almost all of the budget recommendations made by the Secretary of Defense to free up needed budgetary resources by terminating troubled programs, including:

Equipment and Support for Troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.  Played a leading role in the enactment of provisions that provide needed support to our troops as long as they remain on the battlefield in Iraq and Afghanistan, by:

Improved Provisions for Interrogation and Trial of Detainees.  Led the effort to enact the Military Commissions Act of 2009, which is designed to ensure that convictions obtained through military commissions will hold up on appeal and will be perceived as fair by the American public and by the rest of the world by: (1) precluding the use of coerced testimony; (2) limiting the use of hearsay testimony; (3) establishing new procedures for handling classified information, similar to procedures applicable in the civilian courts; (4) providing defendants with fairer access to witnesses and documentary evidence; and (5) requiring that defendants be provided with appropriate representation and adequate resources.  Played a leading role in the enactment of provisions that prohibit the use of contractor employees to conduct detainee interrogations; provide for Red Cross access to detainees; prohibit military and intelligence officials from reading Miranda warnings to foreign nationals in DOD custody; and prohibit the release of Guantanamo detainees into the United States. 

IMPROVED MANAGEMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Cost Controls for the Acquisition of Weapon Systems.  Led the effort to enact the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009, which addresses systemic problems that lead to cost growth and performance shortcomings in major defense acquisition programs by:   

Improved Oversight.  Played a leading role in the enactment of legislation to enhance the ability of the DOD Inspector General (IG) to conduct audits and investigations by authorizing the IG to subpoena witnesses to provide testimony and adding $15 million to the DOD budget to fund a growth plan that will enable the IG to provide improved oversight of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and to identify potential waste, fraud and abuse in DOD contracts.

Improved Financial Management.  Played a leading role in the enactment of legislation to improve DOD financial management by requiring the Department of Defense to engage in business process reengineering before acquiring new information technology systems and submit regular reports on its progress toward auditable financial statements.

Elimination of Wasteful Inventory Practices.  Played a leading role in the enactment of legislation requiring the Department of Defense to develop a comprehensive plan to address longstanding problems in its inventory management systems, which lead it to acquire and store hundreds of millions of dollars worth of unneeded items.

MICHIGAN-BASED DEFENSE PROCUREMENT  

Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV). Supported $1.4 billion for the procurement of FMTVs.  Arvin Meritor of Troy, AAR Mobility of Cadillac, and a number of other Michigan contractors are involved in the production of FMTVs.  

Stryker Armored Vehicle. Supported $513.9 million for the procurement of Stryker armored vehicles.  General Dynamics Land Systems of Sterling Heights is the prime contractor for the Stryker armored vehicle.  Many Michigan companies serve as subcontractors in this program.  

High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV).  Supported $1.3 billion for the procurement of HMMWVs.  Demmer of Lansing, AM General of Livonia, and General Motors are major contractors for the HMMWV.  Many Michigan companies serve as subcontractors in this program.  

Abrams Main Battle Tank Program. Supported $369.4 million for upgrades to the Abrams Main Battle Tank. General Dynamics Land Systems of Sterling Heights is the prime contractor for the Abrams.

Lightweight 155mm Howitzer.  Supported $219 million for the procurement of Lightweight 155 mm Howitzers.  Howmet Castings of Whitehall is a major contractor for the Lightweight 155mm Howitzer program.  

Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles.  Supported $1.4 billion for the procurement of the Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles.  Detroit Diesel manufactures and supplies the engine for this program.  

Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles.  Supported $6.3 billion for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. Spartan Chassis of Charlotte, Arvin Meritor of Troy, and Demmer Corporation of Lansing are involved in this program.

Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Supported $770 million for Bradley Fighting Vehicle modifications. L-3 Combat Propulsion Systems of Muskegon is a major contractor for the Bradley program.

Expandable Light Air Mobility Shelters.  Helped secure $1.6 million for the procurement of expandable light air mobility shelters.  These shelters provide troops with a mobile facility for the execution of battlefield command and control activities that is also easily deployable on aircraft.  AAR Mobility of Cadillac manufactures these shelters.  

Multi-Climate Protective Clothing.  Helped secure $6.4 million for the procurement of multi-climate protection clothing systems for the Navy and Marine Corps.  The components of this clothing system replace older garments that are bulky, have minimal water and wind resistance, limited moisture management and cannot decrease or increase thermal value by addition or removal of layers.  Peckham Industries of Lansing manufactures components for this clothing system.  

Driving Simulators.  Helped secure $280,000 for tactical vehicle driving simulators for the U.S. Army National Guard. The Army National Guard has an ongoing need to train soldiers in a variety of stressful and dangerous driving situations. These simulators enable troops to more effectively train on tactical vehicles of various sizes before they deploy. FAAC is an Ann Arbor company that manufactures these systems for the Army, Army National Guard, Army Reserves, and the Marine Corps.

Nuclear Physics

Facility for Rare Isotope Beams.  Worked with the Michigan delegation to secure $12 million for research and development and conceptual design for the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB), which will be built at Michigan State University beginning in 2013.  MSU is now the home of the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL), which is currently the most advanced rare isotope accelerator in the United States and is the largest nuclear science facility on a university campus. FRIB is the next generation rare isotope facility and is critical to maintenance of MSU’s preeminence in this field. 
Robotics

TARDEC Unmanned Ground Vehicle Initiative (UGVI).  Secured $11 million for the UGVI at TARDEC.  This is the third year of funding for this important initiative run by the ground vehicle experts at TARDEC.  This funding will be used to integrate and demonstrate sensor technologies, perception hardware and software, and robotic control technologies that are required to enable UGV systems to maneuver with minimal human intervention, for on- and off-road missions while at militarily significant speeds.  Mature technologies are incorporated in UGV technology demonstrators so that performance can be evaluated for multiple tactical and sustainment applications.  

Fuel Cells for Unmanned Ground Vehicles.  Secured $2.4 million for development of fuel cells for unmanned ground vehicles (UGV). Due to their small size, UGVs typically operate using batteries. However these batteries have limited duration and therefore severely limit the capabilities of the vehicles. The addition of a fuel cell to the robotic platform could significantly increase the on-board available power and also greatly lengthen the time that power is available. Adaptive Materials in Ann Arbor is developing fuel cells for UGV applications.  

Heavy Fuel Engines for Unmanned Ground Vehicles.  Helped secure $3.2 million for development of heavy fuel engines for unmanned aerial vehicles. This project intends to develop an engine designed to operate on heavy fuels, including JP-8 aviation fuel and diesel, that meets the military’s requirements for unmanned aerial vehicles. L-3 in Muskegon is currently working with the Army on this project.

Ground Vehicle Research and Development

Vehicle Systems Engineering and Integration. Secured $8 million for vehicle systems engineering and integration activities at TARDEC. TARDEC has a requirement to further develop the in-house technical, systems engineering and systems integration skills necessary to serve as the systems integrator for all current and future Army manned and unmanned ground vehicles. These funds will help TARDEC to significantly expand its technical in-house capabilities through retraining of its current workforce and the hiring of engineers, scientists and technicians.

Thermal Management System.  Secured $2.4 million to continue the development of an advanced thermal management system to increase engine efficiency for Army vehicles. Advanced thermal management technologies have helped the Army combat the challenges associated with overheating engine blocks among other things.  Continuing this research will enable the Army to leverage private sector technological advancements as the Army continues to push the limits of the ground combat and tactical fleets.  Engineered Machined Products Incorporated of Escanaba has been working with the Army on this project for several years.  

Virtual Systems Integration.  Helped secure $3.2 million for the development of virtual systems integration technology. This technology seeks to quickly and efficiently perform evaluations and trade studies on competing system designs, perform requirements analysis, and validate system modifications and designs both early in the procurement process and later during enhancements. This process will make the vehicle systems design and component selection more efficient and cost effective. Cybernet Systems Corporation in Ann Arbor has been working with the Army on this technology for several years.

Advanced Composite Materials.  Helped secure $2.4 million to continue development of advanced composite materials technology for lightweight, wear resistant ground vehicle components.  This funding will pay for the development and production of prototype brake drums for dynamometer and practical testing.  Century Incorporated of Traverse City is currently working on this project with TARDEC.  

Hybrid Electric Vehicle.  Helped secure $1.6 million for the development of all-terrain hybrid electric vehicle technology. Raytheon Company in Troy and several other Michigan contractors are currently working with TARDEC on this technology.

Vehicle Prognostics.  Helped secure $2.88 million for the development of vehicle prognostics technologies. This project seeks to develop damage calculation and performance prediction software that will identify the severity of vehicle usage under different operational conditions to make maintenance schedules more efficient; extend the life of existing equipment and identify design improvements; and better understand vehicle modification impacts. HBM-nCode in Southfield has worked with the Army on this technology for several years.

Advanced Power Electronics Research.  Supported $26.7 million in American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funds for TARDEC in the areas of Silicon Carbide Devices and Advanced Power Electronics Ground Systems Testbed Equipment.  The purpose of this funding was to create jobs and improve the economy while developing and demonstrating energy technologies for the Army.

Power and Energy Testing Equipment.  Supported $14.6 million in American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funds for specialized equipment at TARDEC’s Ground Systems Power and Energy Lab.  This lab will have state-of-the-art capabilities for pursuing and evaluating power technologies for current and future ground vehicles. 

University Research

Composite Materials.  Secured $6.8 million for advanced composite materials research. This project seeks to advance the design of vehicles that are durable, lightweight, safe, environmentally-friendly, and functionally appropriate for specified applications in the military. The research will be focused on using composite materials in innovative structural components. Michigan State University’s School of Engineering has been working with TARDEC for several years in these research areas.

Chemical Agent Fate Response Tool.  Helped secure $1.6 million for a Chemical Agent Fate Response Tool.  This project will utilize models developed in the DOD Chemical Agent Fate Program to help provide decision makers with the knowledge necessary to make effective plans and carry out the critical response in the event of a chemical attack or other catastrophic event involving chemical agents.  Kettering University in Flint has worked with DOD on the Chemical Agent Fate Program for several years.

Diverse Threat Sensor.  Secured $1.6 million for diverse threat sensor research and integration. This funding would be used to develop sensing and data processing methods to combine information from a variety of battlefield sensors to provide warfighters with an enhanced view of the battlefield and improved threat warning in urban environments.  Michigan Technological University in Houghton has a strong relationship with the Army in this type of research.

Tribology Research.  Secured $1.6 million for automotive tribology research. This project will be focused on engine and transmission tribology (i.e. lubrication, friction and wear). Research will be conducted to lower friction and wear, reduce weight, improve fuel economy, lower emissions and produce higher power output of military ground vehicles. The results of this research could be used by the Army to help reduce ground vehicle fuel costs, maintenance, and other logistics requirements while also improving vehicle performance. Researchers at Oakland University in Rochester are currently engaged in related research.

Implant and Prosthetic Manufacturing.  Helped secure $1.6 million to continue research on rapid manufacturing of body implants and prosthetics for injured military personnel. Researchers at the University of Michigan-Dearborn have been working on this project for several years.

Armor Materials. Helped secure $1.6 million for the development and testing of new armor materials. The Lawrence Technological University Center for Innovative Materials Research in Southfield is currently working with the Army on a number of materials projects.

Othopedic Implants. Helped secure $800,000 for the development of orthopedic implant technologies. Mott Community College in Flint has experience with orthopedic implants.

Imaging Technology. Supported $640,000 for the development of new imaging and cognitive evaluation techniques for military personnel. Wayne State University in Detroit has expertise in this field.

Traumatic Injury Rehabilitation.  Supported $1.168 million for a traumatic injury rehabilitation pilot project. Grand Valley State University and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital have the capabilities to provide multidisciplinary physical and mental health care to wounded warriors.

Other Military-related Research and Development Initiatives

Aircraft Countermeasures. Secured $800,000 for the development of lasers for light aircraft missile defense. This funding will accelerate the development of a potentially disruptive laser technology that could more effectively mimic the heat signature of helicopters and other aircraft than is currently available. When pointed at an incoming heat-seeking missile, this technology can be used to confuse the missile’s guidance system causing it to miss the aircraft. Current laser systems for this purpose are expensive, large, heavy and difficult to maintain. Omni Sciences of Ann Arbor has been working on this technology for several years.

Casting Technologies. Secured $4 million for development of casting technologies. Under the proposed project, industry and government partners will conduct research, development, design and engineering support on pre-competitive issues including core quality, inspection methodology and modeling/simulation to increase yield, allow increased component complexity and improve basic casting practices for application to key aerospace platforms. Alcoa Howmet in Whitehall is a leader in the casting industry.

Manufacturing and Coatings Research. Secured $2 million for advanced manufacturing and coatings research for Navy parts. The use of laser-aided direct metal deposition and friction stir processing techniques offer the promise of significant reductions in cost and lead time by reducing material and energy costs. In addition, advanced material deposition technologies have the potential to enhance the durability and performance of many parts required by the Navy. Focus: HOPE in Detroit has been working with the Navy on a related project for several years.

Optical Interconnect Technology.  Secured $800,000 for research and development of optical interconnect technology for military aircraft.  The DOD continues to demand increasing data processing, communication and system control capabilities. The next generation data and communication management systems needed for weapons platforms will depend upon tightly integrated optical fiber solutions, also known as optical interconnect.  This solution provides space optimization while also achieving high bandwidth, decreased weight, immunity to electromagnetic interference, resistance to corrosion, and improved safety and security. Dow Corning is a global leader in silicon-based optical interconnection technology, and Calumet Electronics Corporation of Calumet has expertise in the manufacturing of the printed circuit boards needed for this technology.

Tomahawk Missile. Helped secure $3.28 million for Tomahawk missile engine cost reduction efforts. This project will lower the cost of producing Tomahawk missile engines by incorporating new technologies into the engine system to improve its affordability. Williams International in Walled Lake produces Tomahawk missile engines for the military.

Composite Armor Materials.  Helped secure $800,000 for the development of lightweight ceramic and metal matrix composite armor materials.  These funds will continue the development of new lightweight materials for body and vehicle armor applications.  Century Incorporated in Traverse City has been working to develop these materials and associated production processes for several years.

Wearable Video Capture System.  Helped secure $800,000 to continue development of a wearable video capture system.  Among other things, this technology could be used to enhance training, force protection and reconnaissance capabilities.  VIO Incorporated of Marquette is currently working with the Army on the development of this system.

Shipboard Maintenance.  Helped secure $1.2 million to continue development of a shipboard wireless maintenance device for use on Navy ships. This device will help maintainers monitor the ship’s systems from anywhere aboard a surface vessel and allow for more efficient use of their time. Cybernet Systems Corporation of Ann Arbor is currently working with the Navy on this technology.

Metals Affordability Initiative.  Helped secure $10 million for the Air Force’s Metal Affordability Initiative (MAI).  The MAI is a government-industry cooperative program focused on the development of new aerospace materials and alloys. Howmet Castings in Whitehall is a participating member of the MAI and is developing new materials that will reduce aircraft engine maintenance costs and help enable the next generation of fighter aircraft and unmanned air vehicles.

Force Generation Modeling.  Helped secure $800,000 to enhance and produce Army force generation modeling software.  These funds will accelerate the production of new force generation modeling tools that will provide military planners more quantitative and accurate information on troop deployments than is currently available.  ProModel Corporation in Ann Arbor is currently working with the Army on this effort

Chem/Bio Perimeter Security Sensors.  Helped secure $1.6 million to continue the development of perimeter security sensors to protect military installations from chemical and biological attacks.  Dexter Research Center in Dexter manufactures these sensors and has been working with the Army on the development of this concept.

Tactical Flashlight Laser.  Helped secure $800,000 for the development of a tactical flashlight laser device.  Such a device would provide troops with a portable, non-lethal device that can be used to temporarily incapacitate threatening individuals from stand-off distances.  Electro-Optics Manufacturing in Wyandotte has been working to develop such a device.

Targeting Technologies. Supported $2 million for targeting technologies for unmanned aerial vehicles. GE Aviation in Grand Rapids is currently working with the Navy on these technologies.

DEFENSE MANUFACTURING INITIATIVES

Manufacturing Research and Development.  Secured $27.5 million for national defense related manufacturing research and development initiatives.  This funding includes $20 million for an Industrial Base Innovation Fund, which would help support DOD's ability to address specific shortfalls in the defense industrial base to meet short term surge manufacturing requirements and $7.5 million for development of defense technology-specific strategies and development plans, manufacturing test beds, and incentives for manufacturing innovations.  These programs were initiated last year.

MICHIGAN MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND FACILITY SUSTAINMENT PROJECTS

Office Buildings at the Detroit Arsenal. Supported $21.4 million to continue the construction of new office buildings at the Detroit Arsenal. These Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) funds will provide the office space and parking necessary to support the influx of more than 1,000 personnel transferring from other military installations to the Detroit Arsenal as a result of the 2005 BRAC actions. The first phase of this project was initiated last year.

Armed Forces Reserve Center.  Supported $18.5 million for construction of an Armed Forces Reserve Center at Ft. Custer in Augusta. These BRAC funds will pay for the construction of training, storage, maintenance and administrative facilities to support eight Army Reserve units that will be using Ft. Custer as a result of the 2005 BRAC decisions.

Component Numbered Air Force Facilities.  Secured $14 million for facilities to support the Component Numbered Air Force mission at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base. The 110th Fighter Wing requires properly-sized and adequately-configured facilities for the new Component Numbered Air Force (CNAF) Warfighting Headquarters mission. The CNAF Warfighting Headquarters mission at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base includes a Command Support Element, Air Operations Squadron, Air Intelligence Squadron, Air Communications Squadron, Air Operations Center, and an Air Mobility Squadron.

Troop Quarters.  Secured $8.9 million to replace troop quarters at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center. This project will build a facility that will house 155 personnel. The current temporary block-framed structures were built in the early 1950s and provide inadequate sleeping accommodations and processing facilities for deploying personnel.

Munitions Facilities.  Supported $8.5 million for munitions maintenance, repair and administration facilities at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. These BRAC funds will pay for the construction of facilities to support the 127th Fighter Wing’s conversion from F-16 aircraft to A-10 aircraft. These new facilities will improve safety at the base and provide adequate workspace for munitions maintenance and repair functions.

Weapons System Support Facility.  Supported $8.3 million to construct a weapons system support and training facility at the Detroit Arsenal. These BRAC funds will pay for the construction of facilities to house training and support functions for a variety of military equipment managed by the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command. These functions were transferred to the Detroit Arsenal under the BRAC 2005 decision.

Organizational Maintenance Shop.  Helped secure $7.7 million for the construction of an organizational maintenance shop at Ft. Custer in Augusta.  This project will provide adequate work areas for Army National Guard personnel to repair and maintain vehicles.

A-10 Squad Operations Facility.  Secured $7.1 million for an A-10 squad operations facility at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. This project would create a more efficient and properly configured workspace for the 127th Wing A-10 Squadron Operations Command and associated combat weather, survival equipment and flight simulator training functions.

Barracks Replacement.  Helped secure $440,000 to continue replacement of the barracks at Camp Grayling.  The soldier billeting areas of Camp Grayling were built in increments beginning in the 1950s.  The current facilities do not meet existing fire protection standards, have numerous safety violations and provide inadequate sleeping accommodations for deploying personnel.

Detroit Arsenal Facility Sustainment and Modernization. Supported $7.6 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for the Detroit Arsenal for infrastructure additions/repairs, force protection improvements, water/heating/ventilation upgrades, secure briefing spaces, and energy management system upgrades.

Camp Grayling Facility Sustainment and Modernization.  Supported $3.8 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for Camp Grayling for road improvements, building renovations, and water, sewer and electrical upgrades.

Fort Custer Facility Sustainment and Modernization.  Supported $2.25 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for Fort Custer for utility upgrades.

Michigan National Guard Headquarters Facility Sustainment and Modernization.  Supported $1.8 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for the Lansing Joint Headquarters for building renovations and upgrades to state digital controls system.

Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center Facility Sustainment and Modernization.  Supported $600,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center to upgrade a fuel operations/storage facility.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Inquiry into the Treatment of Detainees in U.S. Custody.  The Senate Armed Services Committee conducted a year-and-a-half inquiry into the origins of detainee abuse, resulting in two committee hearings and a bipartisan committee report.  A focus of the investigation was the influence of Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape (SERE) resistance training techniques on our interrogation policies and practices.  SERE training is intended to be used to teach our soldiers how to resist interrogation by enemies that refuse to follow the Geneva Conventions and international law.  SERE techniques were never intended to be used against detainees in U.S. custody.  Nevertheless, the committee’s investigation revealed that senior military and civilian officials authorized the use of SERE training techniques in interrogations.  The bipartisan committee report concluded that the “authorization of aggressive interrogation techniques and subsequent interrogation policies and plans approved by senior military and civilian officials conveyed the message that physical pressures and degradation were appropriate treatment for detainees in U.S. military custody.  What followed was an erosion in standards dictating that detainees be treated humanely.”  The investigation was an effort to set the record straight on this chapter in our history that has so damaged both America’s standing and our security. 

Reforming Government

Recent Financial Crisis.  Initiated in-depth investigation into certain aspects of the origins and consequences of the recent financial crisis, with hearings to be held in 2010. 

Banning Tax Patents.  Introduced legislation, Section 303 of S. 506, to prohibit the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office from issuing patents for “inventions” to avoid taxes.  The Patent Office has already issued numerous tax patents and is considering hundreds more.  Patents issued for illegal tax shelters could generate revenue for wrongdoers while they battle the IRS in court, and enable unscrupulous promoters to claim the patent represents an official endorsement of an abusive tax shelter.  Tax patents issued for legitimate tax avoidance strategies could require taxpayers to pay a fee to minimize their taxes, even though all persons ought to be able to take advantage of the law to reduce their taxes without paying a fee to do so.  Companies could even patent a legal method to minimize taxes and refuse to license that patent to competitors in order to prevent them from lowering their operating costs, thereby denying a legitimate tax deduction to U.S. taxpayers.  Those tax patents could end up hindering productivity and competition.  

Strengthening Oversight of Hedge Funds.  Cosponsored legislation with Senator Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, to require hedge funds to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act. 

Stopping Shell Companies Involved in Criminal Misconduct.  As Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, led investigation into how states establish nearly two million companies each year without knowing who is behind them, inviting money laundering, tax evasion, and other misconduct.  After the states offered only a weak proposal to remedy the problem, reintroduced bipartisan legislation, S. 569, to require the states to obtain beneficial ownership information for the corporations formed within their borders.  In the last Congress, this bill was cosponsored by then-Senator Barack Obama, D-Ill.  Presented investigative results supporting the legislation at two hearings before the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.