Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy

05/29/2026

Congress has the power to expel or censure its members. It’s interesting to note that in 1868, Rep. Fernando Wood (D-N.Y.) was censured by the House for “unparliamentary language” for referring to Reconstruction legislation as a “monstrosity, a measure of the most infamous acts of this most infamous Congress.”

05/27/2026

Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy Receives Grant from the Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation

The Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy at Wayne State University Law School will receive a $250,000 grant from the Erb Family Foundation to support its nonpartisan programs strengthening legislative oversight and democratic accountability.

The grant will support the Levin Center’s training and technical assistance for state and federal lawmakers and legislative staff, helping them carry out effective oversight, govern responsibly, and better serve their constituents. Through this work, the Center promotes fact-driven inquiry, bipartisan cooperation, and practices that reinforce public trust in democratic institutions between elections.

“The Levin Center works to reduce the distance between the people and their government by promoting fact-driven inquiry, cooperation, and responsible public leadership, values grounded in Senator Carl Levin’s legacy,” said Levin Center director Jim Townsend. “This grant from the Erb Foundation will enable the Center to continue and expand its training and technical assistance to lawmakers in Michigan and across America to enable them to fulfill their responsibilities to the constitution and our democracy. As the original ‘Arsenal of Democracy,’ Detroit is a fitting home for this work as the Levin Center helps rebuild the feedback loop between citizens, their representatives, and the outcomes of democratic governance.”

The Levin Center is proud to partner with the Erb Family Foundation in advancing a healthy democracy grounded in accountability, effective governance, and public confidence in representative institutions.

The most consequential work often happens quietly: researchers tracking water quality in the tributaries that feed the Lakes, arts organizations keeping Detroit's cultural life rooted and alive, civic groups ensuring communities have real standing in the decisions that shape them.

Today, we're announcing $10.8 million in new and ongoing grants— across Southeast Michigan and the Great Lakes region.

As a spenddown foundation, we are intentionally drawing down our assets over time, which means some of these grants represent long partnerships coming to a close, others mark multi-year commitments reaching their final year, and some are investments in work that's still gaining ground. Over the coming weeks, we'll be spotlighting each one and the organizations behind them.

Read the full announcement and grants list here: https://www.erbff.org/nearly-11m-awarded-across-southeast-michigan-and-the-great-lakes/

05/27/2026

Researching legislative oversight, investigations, audits, or government accountability? Apply for the Levin Center Award for Excellence in Oversight Research.

The deadline to submit is June 1.

Learn more:

Our yearly research award promotes the visibility of scholarly papers that examine important oversight issues.

05/25/2026

The Levin Center Award for Excellence in Oversight Research recognizes outstanding scholarship on legislative oversight and accountability. Researchers from across disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Submission deadline: June 1.

Our yearly research award promotes the visibility of scholarly papers that examine important oversight issues.

05/22/2026

President Trump’s $1.8 billion fund for possibly paying persons committing violence on Jan. 6 is more than the annual budget of the U.S. Senate ($1.2 billion or $3.50 per American), an amount hardly sufficient to oversee the executive branch and competently do the people’s business.

05/22/2026

Applications are now open for the Levin Center Award for Excellence in Oversight Research. The award recognizes outstanding scholarship on legislative oversight, accountability, and democratic governance.

Apply by June 1:

Our yearly research award promotes the visibility of scholarly papers that examine important oversight issues.

05/21/2026

To effectively serve veterans, Congress must conduct vigorous oversight and protect the institutions and authorities that make oversight possible.

05/21/2026

In these times, a reminder of what democracy demands of our leaders and us all.

State House

05/19/2026

Shame on Congress if it does not find a way to stop the establishment of the “weaponization” fund - an egregious violation of ethics and the rule of law.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in announcing the fund in a statement that it was "a lawful process for victims of lawfare and weaponization to be heard and seek redress."

05/18/2026

Applications are open for the Levin Center Award for Excellence in Oversight Research! Scholars examining legislative oversight, accountability, and democratic governance are encouraged to apply. Learn more and submit your work!

Deadline: June 1.

Our yearly research award promotes the visibility of scholarly papers that examine important oversight issues.

05/15/2026

Join the movement and help inspire 250 million acts of kindness ahead of America’s 250th anniversary. Small acts can make a big difference — from helping a neighbor to checking in on a friend. Take the Kindness Challenge tomorrow, 5/16!

Good Neighbor Day America

Join the Good Neighbor Day America Kindness Challenge! Complete simple acts of kindness from home—perfect for families, classrooms, and all ages. Earn rewards for doing good.