SEATTLE, Washington — Rep. Andy Levin has not been a member of Congress for long, but since his 2018 election, he has already proven to be a powerful advocate for the world’s poor. He has supported human rights for decades, including performing legal work for asylum seekers in the U.S. and investigating human rights abuses worldwide.
Levin’s Background
Levin was born in Detroit, Michigan, and holds degrees from Harvard University, The University of Michigan and Williams College. Before his election to the U.S. Congress, he was committed to human rights advocacy work. In the 1980s, he created an organization to help Haitian immigrant workers and their families respond to the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Levin is also a former AFL-CIO assistant organizing director. During the 2018 election season, he succeeded his father, Rep. Sander Levin as the representative for Michigan’s 9th Congressional district. He now serves on both the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Committee on Education and Labor.
Foreign Aid Legislation
Since he assumed office, Rep. Andy Levin has sponsored and cosponsored several critical pieces of foreign policy legislation. He believes that the U.S. must be an international leader in humanitarian aid and human rights. This not only furthers the country’s national security interests but also helps mitigate global injustices. According to Levin’s website, continued investment in foreign aid and assistance is the gateway to a “more peaceful and prosperous world.”
Rep. Levin co-sponsored several pieces of legislation strongly advocated by The Borgen Project. While he has committed to some of these bills very recently, he has been a long-time advocate for others. Levin voted to pass the Keeping Girls in School Act in January and the Malala Yousafzai Scholarship Act in March. He is also an original voice of support for the Global Health Security Act, which has now been co-sponsored by 89 members of the House.
Enhancing North Korea Humanitarian Assistance Act
Alongside Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN-5) and Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-7), Levin introduced the Enhancing North Korea Humanitarian Assistance Act. This legislation would provide life-saving assistance to people living in poverty in North Korea. With more than 10 million people in the country facing food insecurity and malnourishment, lack of access to clean household drinking water and failing public health infrastructure, Levin views delivering humanitarian aid to North Korea as an essential means to furthering U.S. interests. The bill would also make it more efficient for nongovernmental organizations to provide humanitarian assistance to North Koreans living in poverty.
Girls LEAD Act
As a recent contribution towards global poverty legislation, Rep. Andy Levin also cosponsored the Girls LEAD Act in August 2020. Among other provisions, the bill will actively decrease human rights abuses towards women and create safe spaces for vulnerable women and girls worldwide. Significantly, it will promote civil and political leadership by women in various countries. Levin’s endorsement shows his sincere commitment to women’s education, human rights and foreign aid.
Levin’s Letter to the State Department
With the bipartisan support of more than 100 other members of Congress, Reps. Levin and McGovern (MA-02) now urge Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, and the State Department, to monitor conditions in the Tibet Autonomous Region and Uyghur Autonomous Region for human rights abuses. This action comes in response to the closure of the Chengdu consulate in July 2020. Per Levin and McGovern’s letter, reaffirming U.S. leadership in human rights includes continued communication and the ability to assess situations faced by vulnerable populations in these regions.
Looking Ahead
Rep. Andy Levin’s efforts thus far have shown his apparent dedication to ending global poverty. His undertakings have not only had a positive impact on his constituency and fellow Congressmen but also on individuals facing hardships, hunger and inequitable conditions worldwide. The junior Congressman’s contributions on the House Foreign Affairs Committee have already been substantial and will continue to make a difference in the lives of many.
– Rachel Moloney
Photo: Wikimedia