Mike Levin

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support California's right to clean air. Growing up in southern California in the 1980s, smog alerts were a regular part of life. A lap around the track at school and your chest would burn. We can't go back to those days. When President Richard Nixon signed the Federal Clean Air Act in 1970, California, under Governor Ronald Reagan, was given a waiver, letting us set stricter air pollution rules than the Federal Government. Over the years, Republican and Democratic leaders alike, from Governors Reagan to Jerry Brown to Arnold Schwarzenegger, stood together to protect California's right to clean up our air. Now House Republicans are trying to strip away California's ability to set our own air pollution standards. So much for State's rights. After all the progress we have made, they want to turn back the clock and do the bidding of the big polluters. Clean air is not a partisan issue. It is a public health issue, and I will never stop fighting to protect it.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, in January, a largely unknown midlevel career employee at the Social Security Administration, Leland Dudek, was caught sharing unauthorized data with Elon Musk's team at DOGE. Senior officials were so alarmed they put him on leave and launched an investigation. He may have violated privacy and tax laws. Here is the stuff you can't make up. President Trump just promoted him to be the Acting Commissioner of Social Security. DOGE, which I think stands for destruction of government by Elon, is reportedly demanding plans to gut the Social Security Administration, firing up to 50 percent of workers and closing field offices across the country, potentially including one in my district. This isn't about efficiency. It is a back-door attack on Social Security itself. If they succeed, tens of millions of Americans will face delays, disruptions, and denials of benefits they have earned. This is nothing more than an attempt to dismantle Social Security from the inside. We cannot allow it. We need answers. We need oversight. We need to stop this now.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, it has been another week of the attempted great billionaire takeover of our Federal Government, being led by DOGE, which actually stands for destruction of government by Elon. They have shut down the agency protecting Americans from fraud and predatory lending. They are gutting funding for medical research. They are targeting at-risk and special education programs, all without a single vote from Congress. Where do we go from here? I know some Republicans support these objectives. I get it, but this is not the way. Congress must act. The Constitution requires it. Our Founders were clear, but too many in this body are looking the other way, fearing political backlash. Our system of government only works if we all do our jobs. This isn't about left or right. To my friends across the aisle, I ask: Would they want a future Democratic President to act without guardrails, to act without any checks or balances? The situation they are allowing is dangerous. The choices we make now will shape our Nation for generations. They should do better.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, in a few short weeks, President Trump has unleashed the beginnings a constitutional crisis. He is gutting the Federal Government and trying to usurp Congress' congressional authority of the power of the purse. President Trump is flouting the law, and he has deputized unelected billionaire in chief Elon Musk, who is accountable to no one. They are dismantling Federal agencies and are attempting to freeze Federal funds already allocated by Congress. Elon Musk, and apparently many of my colleagues, may not know this, but let me be clear: Only Congress, the elected Representatives of the American people, can authorize programs or appropriate funds. Everything that is happening is leading to one thing: the great billionaire takeover of our government to line the pockets of the very few. This is not normal. This is not efficiency, and we cannot let this happen. My grandfather didn't fight in World War II against fascism to see our country overrun by autocracy. I will honor his legacy every day by fighting to defend our Constitution. I implore my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do the same. America is worth the fight.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, some House Republicans are threatening to withhold disaster aid to California unless certain unknown conditions are met. There is even talk about attaching disaster aid to an increase in the debt ceiling. Mr. Speaker, this could be your State. Never in our Nation's history has the Federal Government placed such politically driven conditions on disaster aid to its own citizens. We can have good-faith debates about water policy and infrastructure deficiencies, and we should, but that is not what this is about. This is a bad-faith effort to use California as a punching bag. This is about the promotion of half-truths, conspiracy theories, and outright lies, not to mention it is a way out for House Republicans. They can't raise the debt ceiling on their own, so they want to tie that to disaster aid. It is unconscionable. Mr. Speaker, I say to my Republican friends that it is unacceptable and downright shameful to use the suffering of Californians in need, or anyone in need, to solve your internal political disputes. Please stop playing games. Let's get the disaster aid to the people who need it, and let's do it now.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize veteran and Oceanside resident Dr. Jack Morgan as my November 2023 Constituent of the Month. Jack is a hero of our Nation, serving as a naval gunnery officer aboard the battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57) at the close of WWII, aboard the Navy cruiser USS Saint Paul (CA-73) during the Korean War, and as a Navy and Marine Corps medic during the Vietnam War. After retiring from military service, Dr. Morgan has dedicated himself to increasing educational support to veterans by founding a scholarship program that awards funding to veterans at California colleges and universities. I am honored to recognize veterans, like Jack, who served our country with pride and now give back to their fellow veterans. He is a courageous and inspiring community leader, and I'm proud to recognize Dr. Jack Morgan as my November 2023 Constituent of the Month.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize public servant and owner of local restaurant Captain Keno's, Gerry Sova from Encinitas, as my Constituent of the Month for July 2024. Mr. Sova is a generous local leader who has dedicated his life to making his fellow community members feel accepted. For the past 54 years, Gerry has worked to ensure that Captain Keno's could accommodate anyone who wanted a safe space to eat, drink, and simply feel welcome. Over the years, Mr. Sova has fed thousands of local firefighters, nonprofit groups, and customers during special holiday meals-- regardless of whether they could afford to pay or not. With Captain Keno's set to permanently close at the end of August, it is my honor to recognize Gerry for his selfless dedication to giving back to others. He is an inspiring member of our community whose work and commitment over the past five decades is truly admirable, and I'm proud to honor Gerry Sova as my July 2024 Constituent of the Month.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, during Gun Violence Prevention Month, it is my great honor to recognize Nikki Faddick, a leading gun violence prevention advocate from Carlsbad, as my Constituent of the Month for June 2024. Ms. Faddick has spearheaded gun safety efforts in our community. She serves as a volunteer for the California chapter of Moms Demand Action and is a senior organizing manager at Everytown for Gun Safety. Through her efforts, Ms. Faddick advocates for commonsense gun reform and fights to protect our community members. She has participated in the Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America's advocacy days and has fought for increased funding for the state's most vulnerable cities through the California Violence Intervention and Prevention grant program. As part of her work, Ms. Faddick has met with leaders across all levels of government to push for gun violence reduction measures, and she helped lead local volunteers in a phone bank effort placing over a million calls to make communities across the country safer. Ms. Faddick's work to protect the residents in my district from gun violence is inspirational, and I am proud to honor her as my June 2024 Constituent of the Month.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, it is my great honor to recognize Shannalei Seau, a leading figure in our Oceanside community, as my Constituent of the Month for May 2024. Ms. Seau serves on the Oceanside Parks and Recreation Commission. She is dedicated to fostering inclusive ways for residents and visitors to engage in our beautiful community. Through her efforts on the Oceanside Parks and Recreation Commissions, she works to ensure that there are programs and activities for everyone in our community. She is not afraid to ask questions to ensure that Oceanside parks and facilities are not only safe, but also sanitary. Ms. Seau collaborates with multiple key stakeholders, including community leaders and the Oceanside Police Department, and proactively engages with other agencies to seek where community members can take proactive action. She exemplifies what it means to be a community leader, and I especially commend her efforts within the AAPI community in Oceanside. Ms. Seau's work to improve the lives of residents in my district is inspirational, and I am proud to honor her as my May 2024 Constituent of the Month.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize a leading figure in our local health care community, Deysi Merino-Gonzalez, as my Constituent of the Month for April 2024. A Vista resident, Deysi immigrated to the United States from Mexico almost 20 years ago. After joining the Vista Community Clinic as a community health specialist in 2020 during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Deysi played an important role in bringing vaccines and health care to agricultural workers in my district. Thanks to her efforts, Deysi was awarded the 2020 Jugel & Zuroweste Health Justice Award by the Migrant Clinicians Network. This nationwide nonprofit addresses the health needs of migrants, immigrants, and other underserved communities. Deysi's previous experiences have given her valuable insight to understand how to improve our health care system for everyone. Deysi's work to provide countless migrant and immigrant farmers in my district and region with vital access to health care is inspirational, and I'm proud to honor her as my April 2024 Constituent of the Month.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, during Women's History Month, it is my great honor to recognize a leading figure in the Oceanside community, Gabriela Hooshmand, as my Constituent of the Month for March 2024. Gabriela is the current President and Co-founder of MANA de North County San Diego and has contributed over fifteen years to the organization, which aims to empower Latinas to be involved in community service, develop their leadership skills, and advocate for themselves. MANA de North County San Diego's Hermanitas Program matches students' skills and passions to a career path. Gabriella's introduction of this program has been instrumental in the betterment of my district's youth, especially for young Latinas. Carlsbad Unified School District, Oceanside Unified School District, Vista Unified School District, and Vista Charter Public Schools all participate in this unique national youth mentoring program for Latinas. Gabriela's work to improve the lives of countless Latinas in my district is inspirational and I'm proud to honor her as my March 2024 Constituent of the Month.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize a leading figure in the Oceanside community, Robbie Hass, as my Constituent of the Month for February 2024. For more than 20 years, Robbie has been an active member of our community, donating her time and energy, as well as being active in numerous clubs and organizations. In 2000 she joined the North County African American Women's Association, which provides scholarships to young women in our district to fulfill their academic ambitions. As a lifetime member of the NAACP, Robbie was named Woman of the Year in 2017 for all the work she's done in our community as a local business owner. She now serves as the first Black President of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce and most recently joined the Board of Directors of Community Housing works, an affordable housing non-profit dedicated to making sure working families have housing opportunities in an expensive housing market. Robbie's work as a public servant is inspirational and I'm proud to honor her as my February 2024 Constituent of the Month.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize health care advocates and Encinitas residents, Ted and Carla DeBont, as my January 2024 Constituents of the Month. In fall of 2021, Ted aged into Medicare while Carla stayed on her Affordable Care Act approved medical plan. However, due to a loophole in the ACA's premium tax credit formula, their premiums increased from $300 to $600 a month. Ted reached out to our office to see what he could do. In response, I introduced the Health Insurance Premium Fairness Act. This bill would close the loophole that penalizes married couples whenever one spouse ages into Medicare while the other remains on the ACA marketplace plan. Thanks to Ted and Carla's advocacy, this bill will save them--and countless other Americans like them--thousands of dollars annually on healthcare premiums costs and bills. This year a record 20 million Americans signed up for an ACA plan, and because of Ted and Carla's advocacy, we're fighting to ensure that all Americans can access the quality, affordable health care they deserve. Ted and Carla's advocacy is admirable and I'm proud to honor them as my January 2024 Constituent of the Month.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize public servant and Vista resident Jeffrey Olsen as my December 2023 Constituent of the Month. Mr. Olsen is a generous local hero, helping over 57,000 people in his 35 years of service to the San Diego region. He largely uses his own money to buy the goods he donates, filling his shed with toys and clothes throughout the year. This past February, he also donated tens of thousands of dollars' worth of sports memorabilia to help military families and veterans. During the holiday season, I am honored to recognize leaders, like Jeffrey, whose selfless dedication to giving back to others is truly admirable. He is a compassionate and inspiring member of our community, and I'm proud to honor Jeffrey Olsen as my December 2023 Constituent of the Month.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize community advocate and Del Mar resident Bonnie Grossman as my October 2023 Constituent of the Month. Bonnie is a fierce champion for children facing abuse and neglect. As a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), she advocates for foster care youth in court, school. medical settings, and more to ensure their needs are met. Over the past seven years she has supported numerous foster children, including her current case youth who was 15 years old when he first met Grossman at the height of the pandemic in 2020. I am thankful for Bonnie's work and the work of CASA leaders who dedicate themselves to uplifting and protecting our most vulnerable communities. She is an incredible example of a compassionate and hard- working public servant, and I'm proud to honor Bonnie Grossman as my October 2023 Constituent of the Month.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize community leader and Solana Beach resident Lisa Montes as my September 2023 Constituent of the Month. Lisa is a descendent of the original Mexican families of La Colonia de Eden Gardens, and she has a passion for giving back to her community that was instilled in her by her ancestors. I know she is making them proud today. Lisa devotes her time and effort to numerous local organizations dedicated to serving and empowering Latino and Latina students and the community at-large. During Hispanic Heritage Month, I am thrilled to recognize the efforts of leaders, like Lisa, whose service to others strengthens our unique and diverse community. I'm so grateful for residents of California's 49th Congressional District who dedicate their lives to the betterment of our community, and I'm proud to honor Lisa Montes as my Constituent of the Month.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5985. This legislation, which I introduced last fall, would name the United States Post Office on Seagaze Drive in Oceanside after Charlesetta Reece Allen. In addition to being one of the first Black residents of Oceanside, Ms. Allen was a pioneer and community leader. She was a businesswoman, a church pastor, and founder of the Oceanside Girls Club. I can think of no better honor than to permanently recognize her in our community. Ms. Allen was born in Texas in 1913 and came to Oceanside in the 1930s. Soon after moving to Oceanside, Charlesetta began engaging with her community. She started catering food for her neighbors out of her home and eventually opened the first Black-owned storefront in Oceanside, a restaurant which served as a popular social gathering spot for residents who started to arrive during and after World War II. Throughout her time in Oceanside, Ms. Allen was dedicated to feeding and caring for the marines stationed at Camp Pendleton. She went on to found the Oceanside Girls Club where she served as director. Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down with Eddie Parks, the nephew of Ms. Allen and an Oceanside resident. He spoke very highly of his aunt, emphasizing her long-lasting impact on the Oceanside community and his gratitude for the opportunity to honor her. He is thrilled to see his aunt recognized in a space used by so many in our community. I am touched by the deep ties that Ms. Allen and her family have to Oceanside, and I am honored to represent the community that still benefits from her legacy. If passed, this legislation will not only honor Ms. Allen as an Oceanside resident and community leader, but it will also continue to display the commitment our community shares to honoring those who have done so much for us. As a community that serves and is served by Camp Pendleton, Oceanside holds this value in its DNA. Mr. Speaker, I thank my fellow Californians who have joined me in support of this legislation. I urge the remainder of my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 5985 to name the Oceanside Seagaze Post Office after the remarkable Charlesetta Reece Allen, who dedicated her life fighting for equal justice and freedom in Oceanside and beyond. It is the least we can do to honor someone who did so much for our community.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 6009, the so-called Restoring America's Energy Dominance Act. This legislation would gut critical provisions that I secured in the Inflation Reduction Act to ensure a fair return for American taxpayers as fossil fuel companies that extract on our public lands make record profits. This bill undermines the Bureau of Land Management's current proposed rule that follows commonsense recommendations by the Government Accountability Office to protect taxpayers, including a change in royalty rates for the first time since they were established over a century ago. For my colleagues who care so much about fiscal responsibility, the majority should be aware that, if this bill becomes law, Federal and State governments will lose out on billions of dollars of revenue. This bill would also allow fossil fuel companies to completely disregard their responsibility to clean up after they cease drilling operations, potentially leaving the American people on the hook for over $6 billion in cleanup costs. When oil and gas producers ignore their reclamation responsibilities, they leave their abandoned wells to contaminate our water supplies, degrade our ecosystems, and leave climate-warming methane emissions. This is personal to me. My wife and I have two young kids at home. As many parents know, one of the first lessons we teach our kids is to clean up after themselves when they make a mess. Why on Earth would we give fossil fuel companies a free pass on this core responsibility? Additionally, this bill would prevent BLM from directing oil and gas drilling away from areas that don't have a high potential for extraction to begin with. When fossil fuel companies stockpile cheap, unproductive leases, they unnecessarily put these lands and the important wildlife habitats they support at risk of development. It can also complicate any other use for these lands when appropriate, such as renewable energy projects. H.R. 6009 would block BLM from balancing the extraction of oil and gas with the multitude of uses for our public lands, including the conservation of wildlife habitat, the preservation of landscapes sacred to indigenous peoples, outdoor recreation opportunities, and the list goes on. My friends across the aisle will say this bill is necessary to increase American energy independence. I have heard that, in fact, several times this afternoon, but if we really want to talk about energy independence, we must focus on the transition to cleaner, cheaper, and safer domestic renewable energy, including modernizing our electric grid and making it easier to build transmission lines. H.R. 6009 does absolutely none of that. This bill is a shameless giveaway of our public lands to Big Oil companies, which are raking in record profits and enjoying billions in taxpayer-funded subsidies while still charging working families high prices. It is long past time that fossil fuel companies pay their fair share and do their part to clean up after their actions. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1121. This extreme legislation would limit the President's ability to respond to public health, environmental, and climate risks. It is nothing more than a made-up solution in search of a problem. To be clear, the President has made no indication that he will ban fracking, and yet H.R. 1121 would prohibit the President from ever banning fracking for any reason ever, despite the risks that it poses. Many of my colleagues aren't even in favor of sensible oversight or regulation of fracking. It is my view that public lands managers ought to have access to a full range of tools to reduce harmful emissions, protect our environment, and safeguard public health. I am particularly concerned because we don't have adequate regulations and safeguards in place to ensure that if fracking is done, at the very least it is done in a way that reduces environmental and health risks. There is a growing body of evidence that illustrates that fracking creates vast amounts of wastewater, emits greenhouse gases such as methane, and releases toxic pollutants such as potent carcinogens into the air. Studies have also reported associations between residential proximity to fracking operations and increased adverse pregnancy outcomes, cancer incidence, hospitalizations, respiratory diseases, mental health problems, and more. Additionally, throughout the U.S., pregnant women, children, indigenous people, communities of color, and low-income communities disproportionately bear the negative impacts of fracking. Our understanding of fracking's risks just continues to grow. We can't let this pollution of our air, water, climate, and health continue unabated, especially if we remove a tool from the President's toolbox, as H.R. 1121 would do. We need some regulations in place to protect the health of our environment and our communities, otherwise we risk unleashing the fossil fuel industry's unfettered pollution and damage to our environment and our health. For these reasons, at the appropriate time I will offer a motion to recommit this bill back to committee. If the House rules permitted, I would have offered the motion with an important amendment to this bill. My amendment would require the Bureau of Land Management to issue regulations around fracking that include baseline water testing and public disclosure of the chemicals that companies use in their fracking operations before the ban on fracking bans can go into place. At the end of the debate, I will insert into the Record the text of this amendment. I hope my colleagues will join me for the motion to recommit.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I hereby remove my name as cosponsor of H. Res. 1068.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, as a proud southern Californian, I rise to congratulate my good friend, Representative Kildee from Michigan, on the hard-fought victory last Sunday by his beloved Detroit Lions against the Los Angeles Rams, 24-23. Before the game, I had agreed with Representative Kildee that should the Lions beat the Rams, I would be happy to publicly congratulate the good people of Michigan, who have been waiting more than three decades for a Lions playoff win, as well as Lions starting quarterback Jared Goff, who is a product, I might add, of the University of California, where he played from 2013 to 2015. After his college career, Goff was then drafted by the Rams with the first overall pick in 2016, after which he took us to the Super Bowl in 2018. While it pains me that Representative Kildee is not here praising Rams quarterback and 2021 Super Bowl champion Matthew Stafford right now, I genuinely wish Goff, the Lions, and all of my friends in Michigan great success in the weeks ahead.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 4468. This legislation is misguided and will take us backward in combating climate change and air pollution. If I may offer some brief history from my home State, for much of the mid-20th century, California was plagued by smog. Thankfully, the Clean Air Act allowed California to establish stronger vehicle emission standards than those at the Federal level. Standards like those in my home State empowered the auto industry to produce better, cleaner cars, which expanded American manufacturing and reduced our reliance on foreign oil. These standards were a win for consumers, for our domestic auto industry, and for meeting our air quality and climate goals. However, H.R. 4468 would erase the decades of progress we have made by blocking EPA from reducing air and climate pollution. In fact, the only party that would benefit from rolling back EPA's efforts to slash air pollution is the fossil fuel industry. This bill isn't based in science, and it fails to recognize the climate impacts our constituents are already feeling. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I thank the ranking member for yielding time. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to address our country's urgent need for a Supreme Court code of ethics. Over the past year, we have seen troubling reports of Justices receiving lavish gifts from political donors with connections to cases before the Supreme Court and who stand to benefit from rulings. This is unacceptable and unethical, and it has undermined public trust in the institution. It is time for the Supreme Court to adopt and abide by a judicial code of ethics. Currently, all Federal judges must abide by a code of ethics except for Supreme Court Justices. That must change. I introduced an amendment to the Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill that would withhold $10 million in funding from the Supreme Court until the Justices adopt a code of ethics. This amendment, which I introduced with Congressman Hank Johnson, would have restored public confidence in this institution. It would have helped to solve one of the many problems our voters sent us to Washington, D.C., to fix--the corrupt power of money and politics in our judicial system. Sadly, Republicans on the Rules Committee would not even consider my amendment in order. We must do better.