#196: Iran, Military Housing & Unifying Congress - Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)

The conditions service members live in directly affect Military readiness and national security. It’s the responsibility of Congress to authorize military funding to ensure the warfighter has what they need in combat and at home. Every decision impacts the strength of the force and their families.

In this episode, Fran Racioppi sat down with Representative Mike Levin, who serves California’s 49th District and sits on the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs to discuss the policies and decisions shaping today’s military bases. From investments in infrastructure at Camp Pendleton to broader oversight of Veterans Affairs, Congressman Levin outlines why improving living conditions, facilities, and support systems is essential to maintaining a ready and capable force.

Our conversation explores the responsibility of leadership to develop a culture where reporting substandard conditions is encouraged. We also discuss the broader role of Congress in overseeing military operations, and the importance of transparency, strategy, and accountability when American forces are deployed.

Congressman Levin shares his perspective on the war with Iran, his views on the need for checks and balances, and the growing divide that has made bipartisan governance more difficult. He emphasizes that strong institutions require leaders willing to put mission over politics and to ensure that the constitutional framework guiding military action is upheld.

This is a conversation about leadership, accountability, and the systems that support those who serve. It is about ensuring readiness not just on the battlefield, but across the entire force.

Highlights:

• 0:00 Introduction
• 1:53 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast
• 3:19 California’s 49th District
• 6:34 Improving Military Housing
• 14:25 Status of the Iran War
• 19:37 Is Iran A Direct Threat To The US?
• 22:08 Iran’s State Sponsorship of Terrorism
• 25:20 Negotiating with Iran
• 28:41 Bridging the Gap

Quotes:

• “It is imperative that we treat our veterans and military families with absolute respect.”
• “We’ve got real issues with barracks.”
• “We’re not looking for the Ritz Carlton. We’re just looking for a decent place.”
• “The average member of the military needs a decent place where they can live.”
• “The challenge is the lack of clarity about what they’re being asked to do.” 
• “They didn’t brief us on what the plan was going to be.”
• “It’s a war that is unauthorized. It is a war without a clear exit plan.”
• “What damage have we done to our allies around the world? A lot.”
• “We know less today than we did before the war began.”
• “The question is whether or not the military has actually made it a worse problem or has it actually ameliorated the problem.”
• “The Iranians have been a horrible regime.”
• “I don’t think the President has enough people around him telling him what he needs to hear, not what he wants to hear.”
• “Use of military force should be last resort always.”
• “I am personally never going to see the other side as my enemy. I see them as my political opponent.”
• “Running the United States is not an easy challenge.”

The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by OneBrief; enabling military leaders to make innovative, informed and deliberate decisions faster than ever before. Superhuman command wins wars.

Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.

The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of guests and host Fran Racioppi. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy, nor does Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.