The letters represent a request for transparency in dark money political contributions, a bipartisan effort to make it easier for workers to form a union and calls for funding for teacher training and nutrition assistance
WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Congressman Andy Levin (D-MI) authored four letters to the House Appropriations Committee reflecting key priorities for Michigan's Ninth Congressional District.
Rep. Levin led a letter with Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD), Jason Crow (D-CO) and 48 colleagues asking the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee to remove three policy riders that promote undisclosed and unaccountable money in our political system. Congress has, through the appropriations process, previously placed funding restrictions on certain federal agencies that prevent them from promulgating rules designed to promote transparency in our democracy. Statutory language removing each of these riders was included in H.R. 1, the For the People Act. While there is tremendous public support for limiting the influence of money in politics, these riders bar federal agencies from even considering measures to offer the American public comprehensive information about who is spending money in—and, potentially, influencing—their democracy.
Rep. Levin led a letter with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), his co-lead on the SAFE Workers Act, and 58 other bipartisan cosigners to protect workers as they exercise their right to form a union. This letter requested the repeal of a longstanding appropriations rider that unduly restricts the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) from even considering electronic union elections. The letter also requested a directive and $1,000,000 in dedicated funding for the NLRB to create a system and procedures to conduct electronic union representation elections.
Rep. Levin led a letter with Rep. Jamaal Bowman signed by 58 colleagues requesting $3 billion for the Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants Program, a critical program that provides states and school districts funding to ensure educators, principals and school leaders receive the professional learning and leadership skills needed to support every student and address staff shortages exacerbated by the pandemic.
Rep. Levin led a letter signed by 110 colleagues requesting $375 million for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), an essential nutrition assistance program for vulnerable seniors, particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source:https://andylevin.house.gov/media/press-releases/levin-pens-four-letters-house-appropriators-mi-09-priorities
