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Carl Levin

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This is a profile of a U.S. senator. (See all the Michigan portal for all incumbents, candidates and blogs.)

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Carl Levin currently serves as the Sr. Senator for Michigan

Carl Milton Levin, a Democrat, has been a Senator from Michigan since 1979. (map)

Contents

Record and controversies

General information about important bills and votes for can be found in Congresspedia's articles on legislation. You can add information you find on how Carl Levin voted by clicking the "[edit]" link to the right and typing it in. Remember to cite your sources!

Iraq War

Levin voted against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq in Oct. 2002.

For more information see the chart of U.S. Senate votes on the Iraq War.

Statements and action on the Iraq war

Statements made by Carl Levin:

Amendment to the Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iraq

During the October 2002 debate over the resolution giving President Bush the authority to use military force against Iraq, Levin proposed an amendment (S.AMDT.4862) restricting the president from using force without U.N. authority. In addition, the amendment required the president to again receive authorization from Congress if Iraq defied the provisions of a U.N. resolution. Supporters felt as though doing so would ensure that the U.S. maintained the cooperation of the global community. Opponents believed that the U.S. did not require the permission of other nations to protect itself. The amendment failed 24-75.

Main article: Congressional actions on the Iraq War prior to the 2003 U.S. invasion

Amendment to the FY2007 National Defense Authorization Act

In 2006, Levin sponsored an amendment (S.AMDT.4320) to the FY2007 National Defense Authorization Act. It expressed the “sense of the Senate” that the U.S. should begin a phased redeployment of troops from Iraq on December 31, 2006, without specifying an end date. Supporters, such as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), argued that a new course was needed in Iraq. In addition, they noted that Congress should not simply abide by the president's wishes in matters of war. Opponents, which included every Senate Republican with the exception of Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.), argued that the U.S. could not leave Iraq until victory was achieved. The amendment failed 39-60.

Main article: Congressional actions on the Iraq War following the 2003 U.S. invasion

Opposition to President Bush's troop "surge"

On January 31, 2007, Levin introduced a bill which was was similar to the resolution he agreed to with Sen. John Warner. Earlier they had compromised on the language for a non-binding resolution that would condemn Bush's plan for a troop "surge." The resolution also contains a statement that vows to "protect funding for the troops." The primary difference was that this bill would call on President Bush to submit a progress report on Iraq to Congress every thirty days until all combat brigades had returned to the U.S. When a cloture vote was taken on the Levin bill, it was blocked by Republicans failed by 49-47 vote.

Main article: Congressional actions regarding President Bush’s 2007 proposed troop “surge” in Iraq

The Levin-Reed Timeline

Sens. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) proposed an amendment that would start troop withdrawals from 120 days after its passage, to be completed by April 1, 2008. In the interim, troops in Iraq would have their mission shift to training Iraq troops, fighting al-Qaeda, and protecting themselves from attack. Similar legislation had been introduced in the past; the bill's predecessor had been pushed through Congress by Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.), though it was vetoed by President George W. Bush.[2]

Main article: FY 2008 Defense Department authorization#The Levin-Reed Timeline

Environmental record

For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

FY2008 budget

It was revealed in mid-June 2007 that, in the defense authorization bill, Sen. Levin and Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) secured more earmarks than any other senators. Of the bill's $5.4 billion worth of earmarks, Clinton received 26 earmarks worth about $148.4 million and Levin received 45 earmarks worth about $210 million.

Main article: Congressional actions on the federal budget/110th Congress

Reparations for Japanese Latin Americans

Levin cosponsored The Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Latin Americans of Japanese Descent Act in the 110th Congress which would establish a commission that would determine the facts and circumstances involving the relocation, internment and deportation of Japanese Latin Americans.[3]

Main article: Redress for Japanese Latin Americans/ U.S. legislation#Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Latin Americans of Japanese Descent Act of 2007

Bio

Background

Levin was born June 28, 1934 in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from Swarthmore College in 1956 and from Harvard Law School in 1959. Soon after earning his law degree, he was admitted to the Michigan bar and opened a practice in Detroit, where he still lives.

Levin was state assistant attorney general and general counsel for the Michigan civil rights commission from 1964-1967. He was special assistant attorney general for the State of Michigan and chief appellate defender for the city of Detroit from 1968-69. He was a member of the Detroit City Council 1969-77, the last four years as council president.

Levin's family has long been active in Michigan politics. His older brother, Sandy Levin, has served in the U.S. House since 1983. His uncle, Theodore Levin, was a federal judge. His first cousin, Charles Levin, was a Michigan Supreme Court judge. His first cousin, Joseph Levin, was a candidate for the House.

Senate Career

According to his Senate biography, Levin has earned a reputation as a strong supporter of our national defense and an effective waste fighter.... In 2002, as chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Levin led Congress' most in-depth examination into the collapse of Enron Corporation. Levin also initiated an investigation into gasoline price spikes, and in April 2002 he issued a 400 page report and chaired hearings detailing how U.S. retail gasoline prices are manipulated.

Levin's Whistleblower Protection Act protects federal employees who expose wasteful practices. Levin also helped author the Taxpayers Bill of Rights, which protects individuals and small businesses from IRS harassment. In 1995, he won passage of strict disclosure requirements for lobbyists, the first major overhaul of those laws in 50 years. He has fought for increased funding for the Head Start preschool program, Title I for educationally disadvantaged students, and Pell Grants and loans for college and vocational school students.[1]

Money in politics

This section contains links to – and feeds from – money in politics databases. <crpcontribdata>cid=N00001691&cycle=2006</crpcontribdata>

Links to more campaign contribution information for Carl Levin
from the Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets.org site.
Fundraising profile: 2006 election cycle Career totals
Top contributors by organization/corporation: 2006 election cycle Career totals
Top contributors by industry: 2006 election cycle Career totals


Committees and Affiliations

Committees

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

More Background Data

Wikipedia also has an article on Carl Levin. This article may use content from the Wikipedia article under the terms of the GFDL.

Contact

DC Office:
269 Russell Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510-2202
Phone: 202-224-6221
TTYD Number: 800-851-0030
Fax: 202-224-1388
Web Email Contact Form
Website

District Office - Detroit:
Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building
477 Michigan Avenue, Suite 1860
Detroit, MI 48226-2576
Phone: 313-226-6020
TTYD Number: 800-851-0030
Fax: 313-226-6948

District Office - Escanaba:
524 Ludington Street
Suite LL-103
Escanaba, MI 49829-3949
Phone: 906-789-0052
Fax: 906-789-0015

District Office - Grand Rapids:
110 Michigan Street Northwest, Suite 720
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2313
Phone: 616-456-2531
Fax: 616-456-5147

District Office - Lansing:
124 West Allegan Street, Suite 1810
Lansing, MI 48933-1716
Phone: 517-377-1508
Fax: 517-377-1506

District Office - Saginaw:
515 North Washington Avenue, Suite 402
Saginaw, MI 48607-1370
Phone: 989-754-2494
Fax: 989-754-2920

District Office - Traverse City:
107 Cass Street, Suite E
Traverse City, MI 49684-2276
Phone: 231-947-9569
Fax: 231-947-9518

District Office - Warren:
30500 Van Dyke Avenue, Suite 206
Warren, MI 48093-2109
Phone: 586-573-9145
Fax: 586-573-8260

Articles and Resources

Resources

Local blogs and discussion sites

Press Releases

  • 4 October 2002: "Levin Amendement on Iraq - Senator Carl Levin."
  • 13 December 2002: "Levin, Feingold Release DoJ, DoD Letters on Enemy Combatants"; links to response letters posted on web page.
  • 11 June 2003: "Levin Statement on Inquiry into U.S. Intelligence Prior to Iraq War."
  • 16 June 2003: "Levin Statement on CIA's Sharing of Intelligence on WMD with the UN."

Articles

Congresspedia/SourceWatch Resources

Corresponding article on Wikipedia and Cause Caller. (If Cause Caller link does not work, pick from its list of senators and representatives.)

Current Office: U.S. Senate
111th Congress
Leadership Position:
 Committees Chaired:
 Committees,
Ranking Member On:
 Caucuses:
Committees:
110th Congress
Leadership Position:
None		 Committees Chaired:
 Committees,
Ranking Member On:
 Caucuses:
Committees: Senate Committee on Armed Services, Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs, Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs/Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management Government Information Federal Services and International Security, Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs/Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs/Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management the Federal Workforce and the District of Columbia, Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Congressional Career
First Elected to Current Office:
November 7, 1978		 First Took Current Office:
January 15, 1979		 Next Election:
November 6, 2012		 Term Ends:
Freshman Member?
No		 Previous Political Work?
City Council of Detroit, Chief appellate defender, City of Detroit, Assistant attorney general (state of Michigan),General counsel, Michigan Civil Rights Commission,		 Other Party Membership:
District Offices:
1. Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building, 477 Michigan Avenue, Suite 1860, Detroit, MI 48226-2576
Phone: 313-226-6020, 800-851-0030 / Fax: 313-226-6948
2. 524 Ludington Street, Suite LL-103, Escanaba, MI 49829-3949
Phone: 906-789-0052 / Fax: 906-789-0015
3. 110 Michigan Street Northwest, Suite 720, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2313
Phone: 616-456-2531 / Fax: 616-456-5147
4. 124 West Allegan Street, Suite 1810, Lansing, MI 48933-1716
Phone: 517-377-1508 / Fax: 517-377-1506
5. 515 North Washington Avenue, Suite 402, Saginaw, MI 48607-1370
Phone: 989-754-2494 / Fax: 989-754-2920
6. 107 Cass Street, Suite E, Traverse City, MI 49684-2276
Phone: 231-947-9569 / Fax: 231-947-9518
7. 30500 Van Dyke Avenue, Suite 206, Warren, MI 48093-2109
Phone: 586-573-9145 / Fax: 586-573-8260
Campaign Contact:

Website:
Webform Email: / Email:

Campaign Offices:

1.
Phone: / Fax:
Zip Code Affiliations:
Misc:

Date of Birth: June 28, 1934








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