Rep. Andy Levin Statement on VP Pence Visit to Macomb
Today, Congressman Andy Levin (MI-09) released the following statement in response to Vice President Mike Pence’s visit to his district:
“Pence is coming to my district today, and Trump was here just a few months ago, too, because they know that they cannot secure four more years or keep the Senate without Michigan, and they can’t win Michigan without Macomb. But what they don’t know is Macomb County.
I marched in Sterling Heights and Clinton Township alongside student organizers, community leaders, pastors, and thousands of my constituents a couple of weeks ago in what may have been the largest racial justice demonstration in Macomb’s history. Local authorities estimated that 6,000 people were there. This is the Macomb County that I know and love, in its growing diversity and inclusion. There's a different spirit here today than there was in 2016. This is a place that sees through the broken promises of this failed administration and is ready for real, unifying leadership in 2020. A shift is underway.
Pence can come here today for a photo op with first responders, but he can’t deny that the Executive Order and Senate proposals on police reform are baby steps, when the people of Macomb are out in the streets calling for us to move leaps and bounds.
Pence can stand in front of workers in Macomb today and ask them to remember the pre-COVID economy, but the numbers don’t lie. Yesterday, we learned our state has experienced unemployment over 20% for the second straight month. Michiganders are seeking unemployment insurance at rates not seen since the Great Depression. Yet our president has called recent job numbers “joyous.” There’s nothing joyous about the suffering I’m seeing in my district.
Pence better not stand in front of Macomb workers, with Michigan farmers listening, and claim that this administration did not roll over for the Chinese government on trade and COVID-19 for a corrupt deal to solicit foreign interference on behalf of this campaign. Macomb County knows better, and we’ll prove that in November.”
