We have just ended what ranks as perhaps the most difficult and challenging year for Michigan, and our nation, since I came to the Senate. We began 2009 facing deep uncertainty over the fate of the domestic auto industry. Michigan families already were hurting and faced the prospect of more pain.

Without question, we’ve been through a tough 12 months. Unemployment in Michigan and across the nation continues at extremely high levels. Thousands of Michiganders have lost their homes.

But I also see reasons for optimism. Our automakers, though still challenged, are now in a position to compete worldwide. We’re positioned to prosper through revolutionary advances in alternative energy, from auto batteries to wind power to fuel from our fields and forests.

We began the year by passing the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, legislation that made a crucial impact in softening the blow of this recession. More than $10 billion in Recovery Act funding has provided the state with extended unemployment benefits, support to state and local governments, and money for scores of infrastructure projects and other important needs.

On autos, the Michigan delegation worked closely with the White House Auto Task Force, and GM and Chrysler to ensure that each company was able to develop a workable restructuring plan. While the restructuring involved a huge amount of pain, we worked hard to minimize the hardship for Michigan workers and families.

We also secured $2 billion in the Recovery Act for grants to U.S. manufacturers of advanced battery systems and components, $1.3 billion of which was awarded to Michigan-based companies and projects.

Consumers won an important victory in May, when the president signed the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act of 2009. The bill, based on legislation I introduced in 2007, curbs abuses such as retroactive interest rate hikes and charging interest on debt paid on time.

And Congress approved plans to expand and help preserve portions of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Keweenaw National Historic Park in the Upper Peninsula, designate the historic War of 1812 battlefield on the River Raisin near Monroe as a national battlefield park, and secure $475 million for a Great Lakes restoration initiative.

At the end of the year, the Senate approved historic legislation to reform our health care system. Though no legislation on such a complex topic will be perfect, I am optimistic that we will soon send the president a final piece of legislation that is a historic step toward providing affordable, secure health care for almost all Americans.

On the Senate Armed Services Committee, which I chair, much of our attention has focused on the war in Afghanistan. Now that the president has ordered additional combat deployments, I have urged him, and will continue to urge him, to make the development of Afghan forces our primary mission.

On another longtime priority of mine, Congress passed the Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009, which I authored with Sen. John McCain. The legislation takes important steps to prevent cost overruns and eliminate programs with out-of-control costs.
So we made some progress in 2009, despite the negative economic climate that so pervaded the year. Let me close by outlining my hopes for 2010.

First, we can promote job creation quickly and strongly. I am hopeful Congress can act early this year on legislation to boost job creation.  And I hope we can approve strong, comprehensive legislation to reform the excesses in our financial system that helped bring about the economic crisis.

We must also be vigilant in protecting our Great Lakes, including urgent action to prevent Asian carp from entering the lakes. Other Great Lakes lawmakers and I are urging additional emergency action to stop the spread of these invasive fish.

I’m optimistic about Michigan’s future, despite the great challenges we face. My best wishes to everyone in our great state for a happy and healthy New Year.

Carl Levin is the senior U.S. senator from Michigan.