{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://levin.house.gov/press-release/levin-supports-rep-becerra-ways-and-means-ranking-member", "Levin Supports Rep. Becerra for Ways and Means Ranking Member", "2016-11-30", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "MI", "Sander Levin", "L000263", "levin.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Sander Levin (D-Royal Oak) today shared the following letter with his Democratic Colleagues in support of Rep. Xavier Becerra\u2019s (CA-34) bid for the Ranking Member position of the Ways and Means Committee:\nDear Democratic Colleague,\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I enthusiastically endorse Xavier Becerra as the next Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Committee.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Xavier brings the perfect set of talents to the challenges we face on the Committee and in the U.S. House as we prepare to confront the uniquely destructive combination of President Trump and Speaker Ryan.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Strategic and Articulate \u2013 He is smart on policy but in a way that is both strategic and creative.\u00a0 He is always focused on creating a strategic approach and then effectively communicating it to the public.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Passionate and Principled \u2013 There is never any question about where Xavier stands.\u00a0 He fights for our progressive principles.\u00a0 They have grounded him his entire life in public service.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Strong and Collaborative \u2013 He has the experience to both reach out and keep us together. In previous legislative battles when there was the risk we would splinter, Xavier always spoke out about the need for unity.\u00a0 He knows that it will be our resolve that will effectively counter Trump/Ryan.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 His record as our Caucus Chair and a Member of the Ways and Means Committee speaks volumes to the type of Ranking Member that Xavier will be.\u00a0 As Caucus Chair, he has worked hard to involve Members and to assist their offices both in DC and in District.\u00a0 Also, whenever there was a tough job to be done \u2013 one where we needed to be sure that our principles were protected \u2013 Xavier was called on to represent us.\u00a0 This was certainly the case on the Bowles-Simpson Commission and the so-called Super Committee where Xavier was not going to allow a cuts-only approach that would sacrifice all of our domestic priorities.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Having served with Xavier and worked closely with him on the Committee, I am confident that he is the type of next generation leader that we need to fully assume the mantle of leadership in the battles of the next four years; battles that require all of us to be fully and actively involved on behalf of the American people.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this with you further in the days ahead.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://levin.house.gov/press-release/levin-supports-rep-becerra-ways-and-means-ranking-member"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5983821358531713, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}