Andy Levin in 2018 House MI elections


On Families & Children: Expand Family Leave for both spouses at same employer

Married couples who work for the same employer may be restricted in the amount of time off they can take under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), but a new bipartisan bill seeks to expand the federal law. Levin introduced the Fair Access for Individuals to Receive (FAIR) Leave Act in the House. As the FMLA stands, a married couple employed by the company can be required to share a combined amount of time for some FMLA-qualifying leave reasons. The bipartisan legislation would allow for spouses working for the same employer to each take up to 12 work weeks of unpaid leave in a 12-month period.

Levin said, "It makes no sense to punish families because two parents are married and work for the same employer. The FAIR Leave Act is a no-brainer, bipartisan fix that will make sure that families have appropriate time to recover from labor and delivery, bond with their newborn and celebrate a growing family."

Source: Michigan Advance on 2018 Congressional MI-9 election Nov 14, 2019

On Free Trade: Need trade policy to support workers, planet, not free trade

Politicians are wrong when they overlook American workers' frustration over the series of bad trade deals and economic policies pursued by China and others. It's time for a new trade regime aimed not at freeing capital to move all the work where wages are lowest, worker safety regulations are the weakest and environmental protections lacking, but rather at raising the standard of living for workers in all countries involved and protecting our one, precious planet everywhere.
Source: 2018 website AndyLevinForCongress.com for MI-9 election Apr 4, 2019

On Government Reform: Supports election reform & overturning Citizens United

I support a constitutional amendment to reverse Citizens United. I support full disclosure of the source of all money donated to candidates or used to influence elections. I support public financing of campaigns. I support stronger ethics rules. We must turn democracy from a spectator sport in which people simply vote every few years into a critical task in which we all participate to debate the issues, defend our interests and demand our rights.
Source: 2018 website AndyLevinForCongress.com for MI-9 election Apr 4, 2019

On Social Security: Make wealthy pay more to protect Social Security

Social Security is one of the greatest achievements of the Democratic Party. We owe it to today's seniors and to future generations to protect this vital program. Republicans try to scare people into thinking Social Security can't be fixed, because they want to privatize it. But we can make modest tweaks to ensure the solvency of this program for decades and decades to come, including raising the wage cap to ensure the wealthiest Americans are paying their fair share.
Source: 2018 campaign website AndyLevinForCongress.com MI-9 election Apr 4, 2019

On Civil Rights: Will work to end discrimination against LGBT+ people

HRC announced its endorsement of Andy Levin for U.S. House of Representatives in Michigan's 9th Congressional District. "Andy Levin is a champion of equality who will fight for all of Michigan's hard-working families," said the HRC Michigan State Director. "The Human Rights Campaign is proud to endorse his candidacy and will work hard to mobilize and organize Michigan's 1.1 million Equality Voters to ensure he is elected in November. We look forward to working with Andy Levin to pass the Equality Act and secure full federal equality for all Americans when he is sworn into the U.S. House."

Said Levin, "We have to defend the human rights of every person. That is not negotiable. In Congress, I will work to bar discrimination against LGBT+ people on all fronts--housing, employment, public accommodation, banking, adoption, and more."

Source: 2018 HRC Endorsements in Congressional MI-9 election Sep 28, 2018

On Crime: Advocates criminal justice reform for fairer system

Throughout the summer and fall, we are going to take a look at the best candidates for working people. Today, we feature Michigan congressional candidate Andy Levin. Here are some of the key reasons why Levin is one of the best candidates for working people in 2018:
Source: 2018 AFL-CIO press release on Congressional MI-9 election Sep 28, 2018

On Families & Children: Expand paid family leave; fight for gender pay equity

[The AFL-CIO will] take a look at the best candidates for working people. Today, we feature Michigan congressional candidate Andy Levin. Here are some of the key reasons why Levin is one of the best candidates for working people in 2018:
Source: 2018 AFL-CIO press release on Congressional MI-9 election Sep 28, 2018

On Free Trade: Make increasing living standards a part of all trade deals

Throughout the summer and fall, we are going to take a look at the best candidates for working people. Today, we feature Michigan congressional candidate Andy Levin. Here are some of the key reasons why Levin is one of the best candidates for working people in 2018:
Source: 2018 AFL-CIO press release on Congressional MI-9 election Sep 28, 2018

On Social Security: Fight efforts at Social Security privatization

Throughout the summer and fall, we are going to take a look at the best candidates for working people. Today, we feature Michigan congressional candidate Andy Levin. Here are some of the key reasons why Levin is one of the best candidates for working people in 2018:
  • He will fight Republican attempts to undermine and privatize Social Security.
  • Levin will work to protect the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau so it can continue to protect families that are treated poorly by banks, payday lenders, check cashing stores and others.
  • He wants to ensure access to affordable health care for all Americans by passing Medicare for All and taking on the high cost of prescription drugs.
  • Levin advocates for universal public education under local control with well-compensated teachers.
  • He wants to create a comprehensive, long-term program to invest in roads, bridges, sewers, mass transit and other infrastructure.
    Source: 2018 AFL-CIO press release on Congressional MI-9 election Sep 28, 2018

    On Energy & Oil: Stopping global warming is moral imperative

    Q: What policies do you support to meet U.S. energy needs while protecting our water, air and land for current and future generations? Explain how those actions or policies would affect the future of the Great Lakes.

    Andy Levin: Stopping global warming is a moral imperative, but it's also an economic opportunity. I created a statewide market to finance clean energy building improvements, creating good jobs while reducing emissions and improving public health, air and water quality. We can speed the deployment of solar, wind, biomass, and other clean energy along with advanced batteries to store the new energy we create. I will work to accelerate the transition to sustainability through many means, and help make our state a leader in clean energy technology, which will create reliable, good-paying jobs and protect the environment.

    Source: League of Women Voters Q&A on 2018 Congress MI-9 election Sep 9, 2018

    On Government Reform: Turn democracy from a spectator sport to participation sport

    Q: What federal policies do you support regarding campaign funding and voting rights?

    Andy Levin: Our democracy is under attack, from gerrymandering, hidden corporate money, and voter suppression. We have to make sure every citizen can vote; we have to get unlimited money out of politics; and we have to establish nonpartisan redistricting. But we must do more, and turn democracy from a spectator sport in which people simply vote every few years--with ever-lower turnout, it seems--to a sport in which we all participate to debate the issues, defend our interests and demand our rights.

    Source: League of Women Voters Q&A on 2018 Congress MI-9 election Sep 9, 2018

    On Health Care: Medicare-for-All is first step toward basic morality

    Q: What are your concerns and plans regarding U.S. health care policies and programs, including those affecting maternal and child health?

    Andy Levin: Health care must be universal. I believe most Americans are sick and tired of talking about health insurance and coverage when we should be talking about quality care. As the father of two sons who live with Crohn's disease, I understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll of chronic illness. Enough is enough. Let us say plainly that as a matter of basic morality, there are things that should not be left to the market to decide. One is that every man, woman and child will have proper medical care from birth to old age, and I believe Medicare for All is the first step in that direction.

    Source: League of Women Voters Q&A on 2018 Congress MI-9 election Sep 9, 2018

    On Immigration: Founded IRATE:Immigration Reform/Advocacy/Training/Education

    Q: What are your concerns and plans regarding U.S. immigration policy?

    A: We need comprehensive immigration reform. I've been active on this issue for decades, ever since I co-founded a group called Immigration Reform, Advocacy, Training and Education after the Immigration Reform and Control Act was passed. We need a reasonable system where people who have spent "x" number of years living, working and paying taxes here, can become citizens of this country over time. Ripping families with clean records apart simply because they came to the U.S. illegally or overstayed a visa many years ago is immoral and counterproductive. Immigrants embody the American the dream.

    Source: League of Women Voters Q&A on 2018 Congress MI-9 election Sep 9, 2018

    On Jobs: Too many of our jobs have been offshored or contracted out

    Q: What federal policies do you support to help members of all strata of the American public improve their economic positions?

    Andy Levin: Too many of our jobs have been offshored, contracted out, privatized and made part-time or temporary, and the result is many among us won't be able to enjoy a middle-class life and retirement. It's time to put what's good for hardworking Americans at the center of every policy decision: taxation, education, regulation, economic development. We also need to help our workers transition to the jobs of tomorrow, like we did when, as Michigan's first Chief Workforce Officer, we created "No Worker Left Behind," helping 120,000 get new jobs during the Great Recession.

    Source: League of Women Voters Q&A on 2018 Congress MI-9 election Sep 9, 2018

    On Education: Universal public education, starting with preschool

    We must stop short-changing our kids. Every child, regardless of their zip code, deserves a high-quality education that provides them with the resources, instruction and support necessary to help them reach their full potential. When I get to Congress, I will advocate for universal public education, starting with preschool and including excellent K-12 schools under local control with well-compensated and well-respected teachers. We must invest in our kids to build a strong future for Michigan. We also need adequate funding for students to attend college so they aren't buried in debt when they graduate.

    And we need community colleges and apprenticeships offering training and retraining for middle skill jobs across many industries. We need to help our workers transition to the jobs of tomorrow, like we did with "No Worker Left Behind." A university education is not, and should not be, the only path to a decent living.

    Source: Ballotpedia 2018 Congress survey responses: MI-9 election Jun 7, 2018

    On Health Care: Health care is a basic human right, period

    Q: What would be your top three priorities, if elected?Q: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
    Source: Ballotpedia 2018 Congress survey responses: MI-9 election Jun 7, 2018

    On Health Care: Medicare-for-All; address prescription drug cost

    Having access to quality health care and affordable prescription drugs shouldn't be contingent upon your zip code. As the father of two sons who live with Crohn's disease, I understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll of chronic illness and why it is so important that we pass Medicare for All and address the astronomical costs of prescription drugs. I will not only fight any efforts to deprive Michigan families of medical care, I will work to ensure access to health care for every American.
    Source: Ballotpedia 2018 Congress survey responses: MI-9 election Jun 7, 2018

    On Jobs: Too many jobs have been offshored and privatized

    The dignity and value of work has been attacked and undermined in every way in this country. Too many of our jobs have been offshored, contracted out, privatized and made part-time or temporary. Lower pay and fewer pensions and benefits mean many among us won't be able to enjoy a solid middle-class life and retirement. The result? Unprecedented income inequality. It's time to put what's good for the average hard working American at the center of every policy decision: taxation, education, regulation, economic development-you name it. It's time for a new movement to restore the middle class in this country.
    Source: Ballotpedia 2018 Congress survey responses: MI-9 election Jun 7, 2018

    On Jobs: No Worker Left Behind: 120,000 jobs during Great Recession

    We need to help our workers transition to the jobs of tomorrow, like we did when, as Michigan's first Chief Workforce Officer, I created "No Worker Left Behind," helping 162,000 Michiganders get training and over 120,000 get new jobs during the Great Recession. A university education is not, and should not be, the only path to a decent living.
    Source: Ballotpedia 2018 Congress survey responses: MI-9 election Jun 7, 2018

    On Technology: Green infrastructure plan for roads, water, and trains

    [We need to] pass an infrastructure plan that will not only fix our crumbling roads and prevent health crises like the one we continue to see in Flint, but also forward thinking construction projects including high-speed trains to major cities and improving Green infrastructure.
    Source: Ballotpedia 2018 Congress survey responses: MI-9 election Jun 7, 2018

    The above quotations are from News coverage of `Blue Wave` 2018 House races in Michigan.
    Click here for other excerpts from News coverage of `Blue Wave` 2018 House races in Michigan.
    Click here for other excerpts by Andy Levin.
    Click here for a profile of Andy Levin.
    Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org!
    Click for details -- or send donations to:
    1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140
    E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org
    (We rely on your support!)

    Page last updated: Dec 01, 2021