WASHINGTON —The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) presented its 2024 Congressional Award to Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) for his steadfast support to veterans, service members, their families and survivors.
VFW National Commander Duane Sarmiento presents the 2024 VFW Congressional Award to Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49).“I am honored to present this award to such a staunch advocate for our military and veteran communities,” said VFW Commander-in-Chief Duane Sarmiento. “Rep. Levin exemplifies the values of service and advocacy that we at the VFW strive to live every day. His propensity for and track record of working across the aisle to deliver results is remarkable.”
Presented annually since 1964, the VFW Congressional Award is given to one member of the House or Senate for significant legislative contributions on behalf of veterans and military service personnel. Past recipients include strong national security and veterans' advocates, such as Sen. Bob Dole (R-KS), Rep. G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery (D-MS), Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI), and Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), among many others. Last year's award went to Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) who serves, among other roles, as the ranking member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies.
Levin, who represents Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and is the grandson of a World War II veteran, has been a member of Congress since 2019. During his time, he has focused on veterans’ issues and enacted more than two dozen bipartisan laws to help our nation’s heroes. As ranking member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, Rep. Levin authored legislation to help veterans ease back into civilian life, access affordable housing, receive workforce training to land good-paying jobs, and more. He introduced the bipartisan Veteran Hunger Coordination Act to combat veteran food insecurity; secured the passage of the Reducing Veteran Homelessness Act to aid organizations that house homeless veterans and improve HUD-VASH case management; and strongly supported the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise To Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, the most significant expansion of VA health care benefits in over 30 years. As the representative of California’s 49th Congressional District, Rep. Levin has also secured considerable federal funds to improve the quality of life for the military there, including more than $250 million to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton for infrastructure projects.
In addition to his leadership role on the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, Rep. Levin also serves as a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources.
“Rep. Levin’s commitment to the well-being of military personnel and veterans is clear,” said Sarmiento. “His leadership among peers in this arena makes him the most deserving of this award.”