Michigan Democratic Sen. Carl Levin

Carl Levin is serving his fourth term in the United States Senate, having been eleced in 1978 after serving as president of the Detroit City Council.

He is the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, where he has earned a reputation as a strong advocate for the men and women of our Armed Forces and as an effective waste fighter. Levin serves on the Governmental Affairs Committee where he is the chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.  He is also a member of the Small Business Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Levin authored the Competition in Contracting Act, which has led to significant reduction in federal procurement costs. His Whistleblower Protection Act protects federal employees who expose wasteful practices. Levin also authored the Taxpayers Bill of Rights, which protects individuals and small businesses from IRS harassment.

He led the way for reform of the Congress' gift rules and the requirement of more disclosure by lobbyists. Working with Senator Fred Thompson, he has developed a major regulatory reform bill which would address the problem of excessive regulation of business while maintaining essential environmental and consumer protections. 

Levin was first elected to the Detroit City Council in 1969 and became its president in 1973.  Prior to that he was an assistant attorney general of Michigan and the first general counsel for the Michigan Civil Rights Commission. He has also practiced and taught law in Michigan.

Levin graduated with honors from Swarthmore College in 1956 and from Harvard University Law School in 1959.  

Levin married Barbara Halpern in 1961. They have three daughters. His brother Sander has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1983.