{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", state = \"MD\" and year = 2019 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://harris.house.gov/media/press-releases/harris-announces-125000-substance-abuse-grant-worcester-county", "Harris Announces $125,000 Substance Abuse Grant in Worcester County", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MD", "Andy Harris", "H001052", "harris.house.gov", "harris", "https://harris.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) announced the award of a $125,000 grant to treat and prevent substance abuse in Worcester County. The grant is through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the funds will be administered by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.\n\nThe $125,000 federal grant is to Mosaic Community Services, Inc., located in Pocomoke City, for the Berlin Prevention Works Coalition for Drugs and Alcohol-Free Communities.\n\nThe Center for Substance Abuse Prevention works with federal, state, public and private organizations to develop comprehensive prevention systems. The Center helps prevent the onset of illegal drug use, prescription drug misuse and abuse, alcohol misuse and abuse, and underage alcohol and tobacco use.\n\nCongressman Harris made the following statement:\n\n\"Fighting the opioid epidemic remains a top priority for me in Congress. As a physician, I am proud to serve on the Committee on Appropriations subcommittee that funds the Department of Health and Human Services, and I applaud the award of this HHS grant in Worcester County. Congress should prioritize efforts to fight substance abuse over partisan politics, and I am committed to ensuring that local, rural communities on the Eastern Shore get needed resources to help afflicted families. The impact of substance abuse extends beyond individuals \u2013 this is a family and community-wide crisis. It is my hope that this federal investment in the Eastern Shore will help people get treatment and prevent addiction.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/enewsletters/year-review-2019-legislative-accomplishments", "Year in Review: 2019 Legislative Accomplishments", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "John Sarbanes", "S001168", "sarbanes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friend,\nIn 2019, my colleagues and I in the House Democratic Majority passed more than 400 bills  275 of them with bipartisan support  to address issues that Marylanders and Americans care most about.\nThis includes legislation to clean up corruption in Washington, lower the cost of health care and prescription drugs, raise wages, act on climate, protect DREAMers, reduce gun violence, support our nation's veterans, strengthen anti-discrimination protections and advance civil rights across the country, crack down on robocall scams and help fund important Maryland priorities, along with many other key issues.\nAs our first order of business, we passedH.R. 1, the For the People Act, ahistoric and transformational billthat I was privileged to author in my role as Chair of theDemocracy ReformTask Force. H.R. 1 will clean up corruption in Washington, expose secret foreign money in our politics, crack down on lobbyists, strengthen election security, protect the right to vote and return power back to the American people with clean, citizen-owned elections. By leading with H.R. 1, House Democrats made a clear commitment to put the public's interests ahead of special interests and to restore trust, transparency and integrity in Washington.\nBuilding on H.R.1, House Democrats have passed a series of bills that show we're fighting to make progress on key issues that matter to everyday Americans:\n Reducing the cost of prescription drugs and helping protect patients with pre-existing conditions. Americans are still too burdened by the cost of health care. That's why the House passed H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, which empowers Medicare to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies on high-priced drugs. H.R. 3 will also set a new $2,000 out-of-pocket limit on prescription drug costs for seniors and will expand Medicare benefits to cover dental, hearing and vision for the first time in the program's history. We also passed H.R. 986, the Protecting Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions Act, to guard against predatory junk insurance plans that do not offer comprehensive health care coverage, including coverage for pre-existing conditions.\n\t\t\n\tIncreasing paychecks for hardworking American families. With H.R. 7, the Paycheck Fairness Act, we moved to close loopholes in existing law to ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work. With H.R. 582, the Raise the Wage Act, we sought to boost paychecks for more than 33 million Americans by increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025.\n\t\t\n\tAddressing the climate crisis and protecting our environment. It is critical that the United States remain in the Paris Climate Agreement. That's why we passed H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act, to direct the Trump Administration to maintain this key commitment to combatting climate change. We also moved to permanently block new offshore drilling projects that would threaten the Pacific and Atlantic coastlines, including Maryland's coastline, with H.R. 1941, the Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act.\n\t\t\n\tTackling the epidemic of gun violence in America. For too long, we have been powerless in the face of gun violence. The House changed that by passing two bills  H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act,and H.R. 1112, the Enhanced Background Checks Act that would significantly strengthen background checks for gun sales and transfers.\n\t\t\n\tSupporting our veterans and their families. The House packaged and passed a suite of ten bills that will improve health care, education and job opportunities for America's veterans and their families.\n\t\t\n\tProtecting our elections and defending our democracy. In addition to the landmark H.R. 1, we've taken other steps to meet the coming threat to our elections. H.R. 2722, the SAFE Act, would increase ballot box security, while H.R. 4617, the Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy (SHIELD) Act, curbs foreign money, influence and interference in our elections with a host of measures, including a duty to report illicit offers of campaign assistance from foreign nations or governments. We must also protect against threats to our democracy that originate here at home. That's why the House adopted H.R. 4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act,which restores and protects voting rights across the country with a new pre-clearance formula to combat voter suppression efforts, and with new measures to increase public information about changes to voting times and polling locations.\n\t\t\n\tFighting against discrimination and for opportunity. We can never take our rights for granted. That's why it was so important for the House to pass H.R. 5, the Equality Act, which ensures that all Americans  including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans  will be protected from discrimination in employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs and jury service. On the opportunity front, we stood in solidarity with our nation's DREAMers by passingH.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act,which provides a path to lawful permanent resident status, and eventual citizenship, for DREAMers and those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED).\n\t\t\n\tPreserving a free and open internet. If we let down our guard, the internet could get hijacked by special interests. That's why we passed H.R. 1644, the Save the Internet Act, which restores net neutrality protections and ensures that the internet remains free and open for all Americans.\n\t\t\n Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has not brought any of these important priorities  which are supported by a majority of Americans  to the Senate floor for an up or down vote.\nIn 2020, House Democrats will continue building on the progress we've made and keep fighting to advance legislation that makes life better for all Americans. As we look ahead to continuing our important work for the people, I'd like to extend warm wishes to you and your family for a happy holiday season and a healthy new year.\n  \n\tSincerely,\n  Congressman John Sarbanes\n\tMaryland's Third Congressional District", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://raskin.house.gov/media/press-releases/committee-investigates-deaths-immigrant-children-and-adults", "Committee Investigates Deaths of Immigrant Children and Adults", "2019-12-23", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Jamie Raskin", "R000606", "raskin.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(WASHINGTON, D.C.)Today, Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, the Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and Rep. Jamie Raskin, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, sent letters seeking documents followingreportsof a pattern ofnegligenceand abuse leading to serious harm and the deaths of immigrants detained by the Trump Administration.\nToday's letters were sent to theDepartment of Homeland Security (DHS),Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and DHS'Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL).\nNewly released evidence shows that a 16-year-old boy detained by the Border Patrol died from the flu after he was locked in a cell and left for hours without medical treatment despite prolonged symptoms of severe distress.\nThe Department's failure to care for this sick child appears to be part of a troubling pattern of abuse and poor treatment of immigrants in the Department's detention centers, wrote Chairwoman Maloney. The lack of treatment appears to be a flagrant violation of CBP's own detentionstandardsand raises serious questions about whether DHS is failing to treat children and adults with basic human dignity and compassion.\nThe evidence also calls into question DHS records andstatementsregarding this death. CBP claimed that he was found un-responsive this morning during a welfare check. However, publicreportingshows that agents checked on him only after his cellmate notified them of his condition.\nThis death was not anisolatedincident: at least seven children have died in government custody since 2018, after nearly a decade without any such deaths.\nAccording to another recent newsreport, CRCL received at least 17 complaints of inadequate medical treatment or oversight at nine different ICE facilities, resulting in two preventable surgeries and contributing to four deaths. These complaints include immigrants receiving incorrect medications, immigrants dealing with severe withdrawal symptoms, and the ICE Health Service Corps' leadership being unresponsive or even dishonest when confronted.\nAccording to the report, most, if not all, of these incidents were the result of gross negligence on behalf the ICE personnel and medical professionals tasked with caring for detainees, wrote Chairman Raskin. Reportedly, no action was taken by ICE or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to remedy the inadequacies that led to these horrific incidents.\nIn March, CRCL reportedly issued amemorandumrecounting allegations that the ICE Health Service Corps has systematically provided inadequate medical and mental health care and oversight to immigration detainees in facilities throughout the U.S. Furthermore, the CRCL memorandum details that, rather than addressing this medical neglect, the ICE Health Service Corps reportedly retaliated against the employee who reported it.\nThe Committee and the Subcommittee requested documents by January 10, 2020.\nBackground:\nThe Committee has been investigating the Trump Administration's treatment of migrants in government custody for several months.\n In July 2019, the Committee heldtwohearingsthat highlighted dangerous overcrowding and health and safety violations at DHS immigration facilities.\n\tDuring ahearingon July 18, then-Acting Secretary McAleenan said he would welcome a dialogue about improving the standards that exist at these facilities.\n\tIn August and September 2019, Committee staffinspectedmultiple DHS detention facilities and witnessed troubling conditions first-hand.\n\tThe Committee's ongoinginvestigationinto U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement's use of for-profit contractors to run prisons for immigrants has also raised serious concerns about the poor treatment of migrants.\n Read today's letter to DHShere.\nRead today's letter to ICEhere.\nRead today's letter to CRCLhere.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://trone.house.gov/media/press-releases/one-year-office-david-trone-fights-those-without-voice-delivers-promises-serve", "One Year in Office: David Trone Fights for Those without a Voice, Delivers on Promises to Serve Constituents", "2019-12-23", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "David Trone", "T000483", "trone.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\nContact: Hannah Muldavin, Hannah.Muldavin@mail.house.gov\n One Year in Office: David Trone Fights for Those without a Voice, Delivers on Promises to Serve Constituents \nWashington, DC - Congressman David Trone (MD-06) completed his first year in office by bringing home big wins for the people of Maryland's 6th District. By working with both Democrats and Republicans, he secured funding to fight the opioid epidemic and invest in life-saving medical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), made huge advancements for the federal workforce by establishing 12 weeks of paid parental leave and banning the box on federal employee applications, and played a leading role in passing a $15 federal minimum wage through the House of Representatives.\nThroughout his first year, Trone spent a significant amount of time in all five counties within the 6th District -- Garrett, Allegany, Washington, Frederick, and Montgomery -- meeting with thousands of residents and holding workshops to listen and learn about how Congress can improve education and healthcare, fight the opioid epidemic, support veterans and seniors, and invest in science, economic development, and an improved economy. Trone came to Congress to fight for those without a PAC, a lobbyist, or a voice, and that's exactly what he's done.\n2019 BY THE NUMBERS\n\nFIGHTING THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC\nTrone's nephew Ian died of a fentanyl overdose at the age of 24 while he was alone in a hotel room. This personal connection made fighting the opioid epidemic Trone's top priority in Congress. In February, Trone started the bipartisan Freshmen Working Group on Addiction, a group of 63 new members from 31 states across the country dedicated to ending the opioid and addiction epidemic. In total, the group met 19 times, visited both Johns Hopkins and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to learn about techniques to combat addiction, and supported 27 bills aimed at ending the addiction crisis.\nTrone tackled the epidemic from all angles. He offered new ideas about how to use settlement money to prevent more opioid-related deaths, and advocated for greater access to naloxone; he called for training for House Members and staff on how to administer naloxone and for airlines to carry naloxone on board every plane. He held multiple workshops about the crisis in Maryland and listened and learned from first responders and those on the front lines about what they needed to properly address the epidemic. In June, Trone secured funding for opioid research, and in December he announced that his bill, which would provide $1.5 billion for five years to State Opioid Response Grants, passed through the House of Representatives.\nSTANDING UP FOR WORKERS AND THE ECONOMY\nBefore coming to Congress, Trone ran a successful business, and he brought that experience to his role as a Representative throughout his first year. As the only Member from the Maryland delegation on the Education and Labor Committee, Trone worked closely with labor unions, holding a roundtable with Chairman Bobby Scott and Maryland labor unions and standing up for workers across the country to pass a $15 minimum wage through the House.\nIn September, he convened a roundtable in Hagerstown about the importance of rural broadband to jobs and the economy in Western Maryland, and in December he announced that he was able to secure an additional $100 million to expand broadband.\nWhen the company Verso announced in May it would be closing down their paper mill in Luke, Maryland, Trone immediately stepped into action. He met with local officials, the head of the Steelworkers Union, and spoke multiple times with Verso's CEO about the closure. He held a business roundtable about how to bring jobs to Allegany and Garrett counties, and in November he introduced the Fair Warning Act, which would strengthen worker protections and take steps to ensure the situation that happened at Luke Mill would not happen again.\n Labor Secretary Skirts Trone's Question About Ideal Minimum Wage [Maryland Matters, 5/1/19]\n\tCongressman David Trone introduces legislation aimed at improving broadband access in Western Maryland [WDVM, 9/20/19]\n\tTrone: Spending bills address broadband, opioids, other issues [Herald Mail-Media, 12/18/19]\n\tTrone meets with local officials, emphasizes need to market Allegany, Garrett [Cumberland Times-News, 6/7/19]\n\tTrone says officials are working to help mill workers: Congressman visits Allegany County, opens district office in city [Cumberland Times-News, 5/4/19]\n\tFair warning: Bill would strengthen worker protections: Trone proposing legislation in wake of mill closure [Cumberland Times-News, 11/22/19]\n LISTENING AND TAKING ACTION\nIn order to understand the priorities of the 6th District, Trone spent time in all five counties listening and learning. From visiting students in Garrett College to holding a forum about ways we can curb gun violence in Montgomery County, Trone heard about the most important issues facing our communities.\nThese conversations resulted in action. In total, the House of Representatives passed over 400 bills, 275 of them bipartisan. Among the bills sitting on Senator McConnell's desk are bills that would implement universal background checks, protect Dreamers, take action against climate change, and lower the cost of prescription drug prices.\nGarrett County\nAllegany County\nWashington County\nFrederick County\nMontgomery County\nFIGHTING FOR A BETTER FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN\nTrone has demonstrated what can be done as a new Member of Congress when you listen to your constituents, keep your promises, and fight every day for a better future for our children. As he enters his second year in Congress, Trone will continue to advocate for those without a PAC or a lobbyist and make progress for all Marylanders and Americans.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-asks-gao-for-independent-legal-opinion-on-ica-and-trump-withholding-aid-to-ukraine", "Van Hollen asks GAO for Independent Legal Opinion on ICA and Trump Withholding Aid to Ukraine", "2019-12-23", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Chris Van Hollen", "V000128", "www.vanhollen.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 23, 2019\n\t\t\t Van Hollen asks GAO for Independent Legal Opinion on ICA and Trump Withholding Aid to Ukraine \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) asked the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) for an independent legal opinion on whether President Trump broke the law by withholding aid from Ukraine in violation of the Impoundment Control Act (ICA)  in addition to it being a flagrant abuse of power. The letter follows the Senator'squestions to GAOat the SenateBudgetCommittee on the same issue. I am writing to follow up on the questions regarding the Impoundment Control Act (ICA) that I asked you at the Budget Committee hearing on October 30, especially with regard to the withholding of assistance to Ukraine. In response to my questions, you indicated that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) would be doing a legal analysis of the Administration's withholding and issue an opinion regarding its legality under the ICA. I am writing to request that GAO now provide that legal opinion,Senator Van Hollen wrote. He lays out a detailed case for why he believes President Trump broke the law, concluding,The Administration has failed to even state a legal reason under the ICA for its withholding of security assistance for Ukraine, and the evidence refutes the Administration's stated reasons. The Administration must be held accountable for its violations of the ICA, or we will open the floodgates for this and future Administrations to violate the ICA with impunity. I am glad that GAO is looking into this matter, and look forward to your response. For the full text of the letter,click here.   ###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-joins-face-the-nation-to-discuss-impeachment-north-korea-sanctions", "Van Hollen Joins Face the Nation to Discuss Impeachment, North Korea Sanctions", "2019-12-22", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Chris Van Hollen", "V000128", "www.vanhollen.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 22, 2019\n\t\t\t Van Hollen Joins Face the Nation to Discuss Impeachment, North Korea Sanctions \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined CBS's Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation to discuss impeachment and his recently-passed North Korea sanctions legislation. A transcript of their conversation is available below:  MARGARET BRENNAN: And we now turn to the other side of the table, literally and figuratively. A Maryland Democratic senator, Chris Van Hollen. Good to have you here.  SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN: It's good to be with you, Margaret.  MARGARET BRENNAN: So you just heard Senator Blunt lay out his position. You are one of the first senators to publicly float at least this idea that the speaker hold on to those articles and not immediately transfer them. Can you explain the strategy? What do you -- what is this leverage?  SEN. VAN HOLLEN: Sure. Absolutely. And first, just to be clear, the conduct we're talking about from President Trump has no parallel in the conduct of anything that President Obama or President Bush did. And his claim of absolute immunity is unprecedented. No president has ever claimed that. So Speaker Pelosi is doing exactly the right thing. She is focusing a spotlight on the need to have a fair trial in the United States Senate. And it's especially necessary when you have Mitch McConnell, Senator McConnell, who you quoted earlier, saying publicly that he's not going to be an impartial juror, even though that's what the oath will require, that he's going to work in lockstep with the President, who's the defendant in this case, and that he's already said no to calling fact witnesses that have direct knowledge of what's at stake in this impeachment.  MARGARET BREBNNAN: So, you're trying to divide the Republican caucus over these two weeks?  SEN. VAN HOLLEN: We're trying to engage, first of all, the public in a conversation, because almost every American would agree that to have a fair trial you need to have witnesses. I mean, what's a trial without each side being able to call their witnesses? And, yes, they're going to be a number of Republican senators who are going to have to decide on whether or not to call these witnesses. And after all, as you indicated, President Trump says he wants witnesses. Now, I don't know if he's trash-talking or not, but let's have some witnesses. If it was such a perfect phone call, then send on Mick Mulvaney down to talk about that perfect phone call. Send down John Bolton. What are they afraid of?  MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you think Democrats will get on board with what Senator Blunt laid out, which is that the, Clinton model of having debate, then voting on witnesses?  SEN. VAN HOLLEN: I think Democrats want assurances upfront that this is going to be a fair trial and that you're going to be able to call witnesses. There were witnesses called in all the prior trials, most recently the Clinton impeachment, and--  MARGARET BRENNAN: And is Speaker Pelosi in lockstep with Schumer on that one, that the articles won't be transferred until there is a promise of witnesses?  SEN. VAN HOLLEN: Look, I think we have to take this day by day.  MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay.  SEN. VAN HOLLEN: I think what Speaker Pelosi is doing is focusing attention on the need for a fair trial, and a fair trial means you get to call your witnesses. Every American knows that, that's what a trial is all about. How can it be a fair trial if you can't put on the rest of your case? There's already over--  MARGARET BRENNAN: So, you haven't decided how you will vote--  SEN. VAN HOLLEN: There's overwhelming evidence--  MARGARET BRENNAN: --as a juror yourself?  SEN. VAN HOLLEN: I will wait to hear all the evidence.  MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay.  SEN. VAN HOLLEN: I think that the House has made a very strong case for impeachment, but I will reserve final judgment until all the evidence is in. The president says he wants to put forward his case. I don't know why, you know, others aren't saying, \"Okay, Mr. President, send down your witnesses.\" That's what we want.  MARGARET BRENNAN: So, for people at home, though, they see and hear the math on this, that it takes 67 votes to actually remove -- eject the president from office. And it is incredibly unlikely that those votes will exist, right, at this point, looking at the math as it stands. So given all that, what is the purpose of the standoff over how the trial is conducted, if you know the outcome?  SEN. VAN HOLLEN: Well, the reason that Republicans are so deathly afraid of sending down these fact witnesses is because after they testify under oath -- they'll have to raise their right hand, just like all the witnesses in the House did, and testify under penalty of perjury -- it's going to be much harder for Republicans to hide behind this myth that this was a perfect phone call. And it will make it harder for those senators to vote for acquittal. And that is why they're so afraid of having witnesses called. I mean, why else? Why wouldn't you send your witnesses down to tell the truth under penalty of perjury?  MARGARET BRENNAN: I want to also ask you about something you were working on that was tucked inside a- a bill that the president just signed off on. And this includes giving him more abilities to put different kinds of sanctions on North Korea. We know U.S. intelligence is watching and preparing for the possibility of an upcoming long range missile test by North Korea. Do you believe the president will actually use the sanctions you gave him the authority, or is this-- so, I mean, you have no way to force the hand here?  SEN. VAN HOLLEN: Well, we need to tighten the sanctions regime on North Korea. The United Nations has documented the fact that it's kind of like Swiss cheese. There's a lot of leakage in this. And so this legislation will require the President to put in secondary sanctions. So if you're a company, you're a bank in China, you will now face U.S. sanctions if you keep doing business with North Korea. He's required to do that in 120 days. Now, he can exercise a national security waiver. We have said on a bipartisan basis it would be totally wrong to use those waivers and let North Korea off the hook unless you can show us measurable progress toward reaching our goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. The time for photo op summits is over. It's time to be serious and let the North Koreans know that we're going to tighten these sanctions.  MARGARET BRENNAN: And what we know is to date, the diplomacy has not resulted--  SEN. VAN HOLLEN: That's right.  MARGARET BRENNAN: --in any of what you just laid out as a premise for suspending or not enacting these sanctions.  SEN. VAN HOLLEN: That's right.  MARGARET BRENNAN: You think, basically, it is inevitable that these new sanctions are going on North Korea in the next few weeks?  SEN. VAN HOLLEN: Yes, I do. I think within 120 days, these will be imposed on North Korea and we're--  MARGARET BRENNAN: Because the question is, if they carry out long range missile tests, we don't know what the Trump Administration will do other than go to the United Nations. Do you think that this time clock on diplomacy is ticking?  SEN. VAN HOLLEN: Look, the clock is clearly ticking right now. It's been ticking for some time now. You have North Korea now engaged in their saber rattling once again, as has been the case from the beginning, we need to engage China. During this period where we've had these summits with North Korea, the President has essentially allowed China to go ahead and allow trade to go back and forth between China and North Korea and Chinese banks. So this will put an end to that. It will tighten the sanctions. And I think that's necessary in order to really get a serious negotiation at the negotiating table. If I could just really briefly say, with respect to the trial--  MARGARET BRENNAN: We have to leave it there.  SEN. VAN HOLLEN: If it's not fair, there's going to be no way that Trump's going to be able to go around and say he's exonerated.  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-van-hollen-announce-western-maryland-funding-priorities", "Cardin, Van Hollen Announce Western Maryland Funding Priorities", "2019-12-21", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Benjamin Cardin", "C000141", "www.cardin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 21, 2019\n\t\t\t Cardin, Van Hollen Announce Western Maryland Funding Priorities \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), both members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), issued the following statement on the two spending bills passed by Congress for Fiscal Year 2020 that will provide significant federal assistance for Western Maryland.\r\nInfrastructure/Training & Development\r\nFederal investment in rural Maryland has been making a tremendous difference in people's lives and the economic foundations for the region, said Senator Cardin, Ranking Member of the EPW Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. The Appalachian Regional Commission, USDA Rural Development and Economic Development Administration have combined to take bring infrastructure, training and essential resources the final mile to our communities. Team Maryland has fought back against proposed, drastic cuts by President Trump and we will do all we can to keep these programs as robust partners with Maryland communities.\r\nProviding our communities with the resources they need is one of our top priorities. Recent federal investments have helped improve infrastructure, expand economic development, and increase opportunity throughout Western Maryland, said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Environment and Public Works and Appropriations Committees. While I had some reservations with the overall appropriations package, I fully support all of the provisions we fought to include on behalf of our state and our communities. Together, we will continue working to fund important projects throughout Maryland.\r\nAPPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION (ARC): For decades, ARC has supported growth and development of the Western Maryland region through a wide range of investments across education and workforce readiness, critical infrastructure, natural and cultural assets, expanding leadership and community capacity, and economic opportunities. Senators Cardin and Van Hollen secured an additional $10 million in funding, raising the overall funding level to $175 million.\r\nU.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) RURAL DEVELOPMENT: USDA Rural Development programs ensure that rural communities have the resources they need for critical infrastructure projects, including clean water, sanitary waste disposal, and broadband internet. Congress included a $43 million increase to provide $443 million for the Water and Waste Disposal Grants program that provides funding for clean water and sanitary waste disposal projects in small communities. In addition, Congress continues to invest in the Re-Connect Program to increase access to broadband connectivity in unserved and underserved rural communities, providing an additional $5 million for a total investment of $555 million.\r\nECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION (EDA): The Tri-County Council of Western Maryland is one of Maryland's three EDA Districts. It has long served to bring together the Western Maryland community and address pressing regional economic development needs. In the FY2020 appropriations, Congress rejected an attempt by the Trump administration to eliminate the agency and instead provided a $29 million increase in funding for a total investment of $333 million. The EDA funds several grant and technical assistance programs to support sustainable job growth, innovation, and regional collaboration in economically distressed communities.\r\nAPPALACHIAN DEVELOPMENT HIGHWAY SYSTEM: The senators secured $1.77 million for Maryland toward the regional Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS), no funds were available for this purpose the previous fiscal year. Supporting other Western Maryland transportation priorities, the senators announced that $1.15 billion will be available nationally in competitive funding for bridge repair and replacement, a $675 million increase above previous funding levels, and a $50 million set aside to improve highway-railway crossings.\r\nHealth Care\r\nRural Maryland has not been immune to the opioid epidemic. Every community in our state has been hurt in some way, said Cardin and Van Hollen. We continue to find every available resource to boost prevention programs and increase access to high-quality integrated mental health services and substance use disorder treatment.\r\nOPIOIDS & SUBSTANCE ABUSE: Congress continued necessary investments in addressing opioid abuse, providing a $100 million increase to $3.8 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to meet local community needs, including: $1.5 billion to states to address the opioid epidemic and mental health; $476 million for opioid overdose surveillance and prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); and $90 million to address the needs of children affected by the opioid crisis. This represents a $2.8 billion increase in funding for this significant need since FY2017.\r\nNational Security Priorities\r\nNATIONAL BIODEFENSE LAB: Senators Cardin and Van Hollen have been at the forefront of ensuring ongoing funding and support for DHS/FBI's National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) that supports federal law enforcement investigations and identifies biological threats. They were able to ensure that the appropriations package provides at least $67.916 million for the Fort Detrick, Maryland-based NBACC.\r\nWe have been united as a delegation in our efforts to preserve the unique capabilities of the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center at Fort Detrick. These scientists are on the front lines of protecting our nation from the biological threats and neutralizing the effects of the types of attacks we hope will never succeed, said the senators. Fort Detrick continues to work on the cutting edge of the specialized, biological research that will make the world safer and healthier for years to come.\r\nMEDICAL RESEARCH: Fort Detrick also manages a number of Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, which received the following funding for FY2020.\r\n \r\n$360 million increase for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program to support research for Pathogen-Inactivated blood products, and polycystic kidney disease.\r\n \r\n \r\n$12 million in medical research funding for reconstructive limb transplants.\r\n \r\n \r\n$110 million for the Peer Review Cancer Research Program for Esophageal cancer.\r\n \r\n \r\n$110 million in funding for Breast Cancer Research.\r\n \r\n \r\n$6 million for Tuberous Sclerosis Complex medical research.\r\n \r\n \r\n$110 million for Prostate Cancer medical Research.\r\n \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-van-hollen-laud-federal-investments-for-marylands-eastern-shore-priorities", "Cardin, Van Hollen Laud Federal Investments for Maryland\u2019s Eastern Shore Priorities", "2019-12-21", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Benjamin Cardin", "C000141", "www.cardin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 21, 2019\n\t\t\t Cardin, Van Hollen Laud Federal Investments for Maryland's Eastern Shore Priorities \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), announced that funding for the following programs were included in the Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations bills, which were passed by Congress this week and signed into law by the president Friday. They include significant priorities for Eastern Shore communities.\r\nFederal investment in the Eastern Shore is changing people's lives for the better, while driving economic development and ensuring that our infrastructure and resources are strengthened for the years ahead, said Senator Cardin, Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. Team Maryland has fought back against proposed, drastic cuts by President Trump and we will do all we can to keep these programs as robust partners with Maryland communities.\r\nProviding our communities with the resources they need is one of our top priorities. Recent federal investments have helped improve infrastructure, fight the opioid epidemic, expand economic development, and increase opportunity across the Eastern Shore, said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Environment and Public Works and Appropriations Committees. While I had some reservations with the overall appropriations package, I fully support all of the provisions we fought to include on behalf of our state and our communities. Together, we will continue working to fund important projects throughout Maryland.\r\nNATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA): NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Services' Habitat Conservation & Restoration program provides critical funding for the Chesapeake Bay's Oyster Restoration efforts. Senators Cardin and Van Hollen fought to secure an additional $741,000 for this program for a total investment of $57.125 million and Congressional recognition of the importance of the Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration program. In previous Fiscal Years, these funds have been utilized in Maryland to support oyster restoration along Mid-Shore waters, including in and around Harris Creek and the Tred Avon and Little Choptank Rivers.\r\nU.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) RURAL DEVELOPMENT: USDA Rural Development programs ensure that rural communities have the resources they need for critical infrastructure projects, including clean water, sanitary waste disposal, and broadband internet. Congress included a $43 million increase to provide $443 million for the Water and Waste Disposal Grants program that provides funding for clean water and sanitary waste disposal projects in small communities. In addition, Congress continues to invest in the Re-Connect Program to increase access to broadband connectivity in unserved and underserved rural communities, providing an additional $5 million for a total investment of $555 million.\r\nNATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS): Maryland farmers are national leaders in establishing environmental practices that benefit their operations and the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Protecting the Chesapeake Bay and financially stable farms are not mutually exclusive, the NRCS' Conservation Service program provides producers with additional financial support to help reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat, and reduce damages caused by floods and other natural disasters. Senators Cardin and Van Hollen secured an additional $10.136 million for this critical program, bringing up funding to $829.628 million.\r\nOPIOIDS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE: Congress continues necessary investments in addressing opioid abuse nationally, providing a $100 million increase to $3.8 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to meet local community needs, including: $1.5 billion to states to address the opioid epidemic and mental health; $476 million for opioid overdose surveillance and prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); and $90 million to address the needs of children affected by the opioid crisis. This represents a $2.8 billion increase in funding for this significant need since FY2017.\r\nECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION (EDA): The Eastern Shore holds two of Maryland's three EDA Districts, the Mid-Shore Regional Council and Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, these organizations have long served to bring together Shore community, elected, and business leaders to address pressing regional economic development needs. Congress rejected an attempt by the Trump Administration to eliminate the EDA that funds the regional councils and instead provided a $29 million increase in funding for a total investment of $333 million. The EDA funds several grant and technical assistance programs to support sustainable job growth, innovation, and regional collaboration in economically distressed communities.\r\n###\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://anthonybrown.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=728", "Congressman Brown Celebrates the Expansion of Teacher Tax Deduction", "2019-12-20", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Anthony Brown", "B001304", "anthonybrown.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04) celebrated the inclusion of language from his standalone legislation, the Educators Expense Deduction Modernization Act, in the Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act. The legislation passed the House of Representatives. The original provision doubled the teachers' tax deduction for classroom expenses from $250 to $500. The deduction was increased to $1,000 on the floor.  \r\n\r\nThe Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act, H.R. 5377, fixes several alarming defects in President Donald Trump's tax giveaway to the wealthy. The legislation also takes steps to make our tax code fairer for working people, including the educators who go above and beyond for our students.  Reportedly, more than 9 in 10 public-school teachers are not reimbursed for classroom expenses which can include everything from pens to books, crafts and science materials. Teachers in high-poverty schools spent nearly 40 percent more than their peers elsewhere, with one in 10 spending $1,000 or more. In Maryland, nearly 80,000 educators benefit from this deduction. Teachers and school support staff dig deep into their own pockets to pay for everyday classroom supplies - and educators in high-poverty communities spend even more, said Congressman Anthony Brown. After protecting the teachers' tax deduction from being cut by President Trump, House Democrats are expanding it and helping teachers offset more of the costs they incur every school year. I'll keep fighting for our schools, our educators and increasing this deduction to meet the needs of our students.  Too many educators dip into their own pockets to pay for classroom materials for their students: books, supplies, coats, meals, and more. Rep. Anthony Brown has consistently fought to make sure that our tax code looks out for those educators and gives them a break on their out-of-pocket expenses spent on student needs, since too often, state budgets aren't filling in those gaps, said the American Federation of Teachers. The Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act (HR 5377) is a great step to help invest in teachers who invest in their kids.\r\nEducators reach into their own pockets every year to provide needed supplies to help their students, said the National Education Association. We are gratified that a bipartisan majority in the House has heard the voices of the educators who dedicate their lives to our nation's children and voted to provide a $1,000 tax deduction to help them provide supplies for their classrooms and students. We expect the Senate will do the same in 2020.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://anthonybrown.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=729", "TMCF Lauds Budget for Delivering for HBCUs", "2019-12-20", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Anthony Brown", "B001304", "anthonybrown.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC (December 20, 2019) - The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) expresses its appreciation to the U.S. Congress and the Trump Administration for making record investments in HBCUs in the FY2020 Appropriations Bills. These bills include record-levels of funding for Title III funding, Historically Black College and University (HBCU) research, and student financial aid.\r\nComing on the heels of the FUTURE Act becoming law, the budget agreement reached by Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL), and House Appropriations Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) and signed by President Donald J. Trump is the second example in as many weeks of bipartisan compromise that works to the benefit of HBCU students, said Harry L. Williams, TMCF president & CEO. Among its many highlights, this budget increases Title III discretionary investment at HBCUs by $42 million to bring a record total of $325 million in funding to our campuses. It increases research investment by the Department of Defense at HBCUs and Minority-Serving Institutions by more than $12 million, for the first time, provides the opportunity for HBCU Capital Finance loan relief for public HBCUs and provides a record amount investments into student aid. We are especially grateful to the members of the Bipartisan Congressional HBCU Caucus, and the Congressional Black Caucus who all fought hard to ensure that the needs of HBCUs and their students were met in this budget agreement.\r\nHBCUs and other Minority Institutions are critical to building our research capacities and lifting up underserved communities across the country, said House Armed Services Committee Vice Chairman Anthony Brown (D-MD). Working in close partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, we secured more than $52 million in research funding for the Department of Defense HBCU/MI program - a new record. Through this significant funding and the creation of new opportunities for defense research, we will tap into the great work happening at these institutions.\r\nAt the beginning of 2019, in partnership with the Emerging Technology Consortium, TMCF established the HBCU NDAA Advisory Committee designed to implement recommendations to Congress on how to better engage HBCUs into the research enterprise of the Department of Defense (DoD). The continuous engagement on this critical opportunity for both DoD and HBCUs has led to an increased focus on the equity of federal research funding.\r\nThe National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) signed by President Trump, includes provisions from the HOMECOMING Research Act, also sponsored by Congressman Brown and developed in partnership with TMCF. The HOMECOMING Research Act requires a national study to review defense research at HBCUs with the goal of increasing engagement and research partnerships between the Department of Defense and HBCUs.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://raskin.house.gov/media/press-releases/oversight-committee-investigates-epstein-s-favorable-plea-deal", "Oversight Committee Investigates Epsteins Favorable Plea Deal", "2019-12-20", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Jamie Raskin", "R000606", "raskin.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(WASHINGTON, D.C.)Today, Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, the Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, along with Rep. Jamie Raskin, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, and Reps. Jackie Speier, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Lois Frankel sent letters toAttorney General William BarrandRichard Swearingen, the Commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, seeking documents and information regarding the favorable deal for sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein and the concealment of the deal from the victims of Mr. Epstein's crimes.\nEarlier this year, Chairman Elijah E. Cummings and Chairman Raskin joined Reps. Speier, Wasserman Schultz, and Frankel inrequesting a briefingfrom the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) at the Department of Justice. The Department declined to provide the briefing or any estimate for when it would be complete.\nSince the Department hasdeclinedto provide the briefing or any other information about the status of its investigation, the Committee is now commencing its own review,wrote the Members.\nRead today's letter to Attorney General William Barrhere.\nRead today's letter to Commissioner Swearingenhere.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-blunt-secure-new-markets-tax-credit-extension", "Cardin, Blunt Secure New Markets Tax Credit Extension", "2019-12-20", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Benjamin Cardin", "C000141", "www.cardin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 20, 2019\n\t\t\t Cardin, Blunt Secure New Markets Tax Credit Extension \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) announced the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program has been extended for one year with a $1.5 billion allocation increase, bringing the total authorization to $5 billion for FY2020, in legislation headed to the president's desk. The NMTC program promotes investments in underserved communities by providing a 39 percent federal tax credit over seven years for businesses or economic development projects in areas with poverty rates of at least 20 percent, or median incomes at or below 80 percent.\r\nI am pleased that Congress not only extended the New Markets Tax Credit for another year, but also expanded the funding of this highly successful program, Senator Cardin said. The New Markets Tax Credit has broad bipartisan support in Congress because of its demonstrated ability to drive investment in some of the most vulnerable communities in the country. In Maryland, the program has been integral to many community development projects, from an affordable housing project in Baltimore to a multicultural center for low-income families in Langley Park. I look forward to continue working with Senator Blunt to make the New Markets Tax Credit permanent to spur investment and economic development in underserved communities for years to come.\r\nThe New Markets Tax Credit program has played an important role in attracting new investment to communities across the state, Senator Blunt said. The program has benefited at least 345 Missouri businesses and economic revitalization projects, bringing in a total of $3.9 billion in new investments. I will continue working with my colleagues to permanently extend this program, a critical tool in boosting economic development in areas where it is needed most.\r\nEarlier this year, Cardin and Blunt introduced legislation that would permanently authorize the program. The NMTC was originally authorized in 2000 as part of the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act.\r\nDirect NMTC investments have generated more than 1,000,000 jobs and $90 billion in capital from other sources, all of which was invested in communities with high poverty and unemployment rates.\r\n###\r\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-calls-fy2020-appropriations-a-win-for-federal-workers-and-federal-agencies-in-maryland", "Cardin Calls FY2020 Appropriations a Win for Federal Workers and Federal Agencies in Maryland", "2019-12-20", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Benjamin Cardin", "C000141", "www.cardin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 20, 2019\n\t\t\t Cardin Calls FY2020 Appropriations a Win for Federal Workers and Federal Agencies in Maryland \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tThere is no such thing as a good government shutdown, so it is a great relief for Maryland, federal workers and the entire nation that Congress has now passed full-year spending bills for Fiscal Year 2020.\r\n\r\nWASHINGTON U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) lauded key provisions in the final FY 2020 appropriations package that improve compensation and working conditions for federal employees and enable critical maintenance projects at federal facilities in Maryland.\r\nThere are more than 2 million federal employees across the United States who devote their lives to serving the public, whether by caring for our veterans, teaching our children, or searching for cures to diseases, said Senator Ben Cardin. These women and men ought to be thanked and rewarded for their contributions to our country, not undermined and scapegoated like they have been at the hands of the Trump Administration. That's why it was one of my top priorities this year to ensure that federal employees and agencies get the support they deserve.\r\nBudget decisions for FY 2020 included a number of successes for the federal workforce. Congress eliminated the threat of a federal government shutdown by passing crucial spending packages and granted 12 weeks of Paid Family Leave for federal employees in the National Defense Authorization Act. Additionally, the FY 2020 appropriations package embraces the following of Senator Cardin's objectives for federal employees:\r\n \r\n3.1 PERCENT PAY INCREASE: President Trump attempted to freeze federal salaries for the upcoming year, but was pressured to include a 2.6 percent pay increase in his budget request. Unfortunately, that fell short of the 3.1 percent pay increase on tap for the military. Senator Cardin has been a long-time advocate for civilian-military parity and successfully worked with his colleagues to increase civilian pay and achieve equity at 3.1 percent for all.\r\n \r\n \r\nRESTORING TELEWORK AT SOCIAL SECURITY: Senator Cardin led a letter to Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul highlighting the proven benefits of telework for productivity and workforce morale, and challenging the unilateral decision to end telework for 12,000 employees at SSA. Following this letter, the appropriations package includes a provision which directs the SSA to develop a plan to reinstate telework for employees.    \r\n \r\nThis year, Senator Cardin also fought for necessary increases in funding for several Maryland-based federal agencies to maintain and improve their facilities in order to achieve their missions. The following of his funding requests for federal facilities were fulfilled in FY 2020 appropriations:\r\n \r\nNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH: After a recent study found that a majority of the facilities on our nation's preeminent medical research campus are in poor condition, Senator Cardin led a letter from the Maryland Congressional Delegation to Senate and House Appropriators in support of increasing funding to meet the $1.3 billion in NIH facilities needs. The appropriations package provides $225 million for this purpose, which constitutes a $25 million increase from last year and requires the NIH to institute a plan to address future building and facilities issues.\r\n \r\n \r\nNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY: Senator Cardin sought additional funding for NIST's Construction of Research Facilities account. The appropriations package provides $118 million for this purpose, which is a $12 million increase above FY 2019 levels, and can be utilized for the repair and maintenance of NIST's aging buildings.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nFOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION: Working with Montgomery County leadership, Senator Cardin urged the Appropriations Committee to continue efforts to help the FDA consolidate its White Oak, Maryland campus. The appropriations package provides $53.913 million for the FDA, which represents a $10.869 million increase in funding from last year.\r\n \r\n \r\nCOAST GUARD YARD: Senator Cardin expressed his support for an increase to $77.9 million to ensure the Baltimore-based Coast Guard Yard employees were able to repair and rehabilitate aging Coast Guard vessels through the Coast Guard's In-Service Vessel Sustainment program. The appropriations package allocates $91.4 million for these projects, a $28.150 million increase above previous funding levels and $13.5 million more than the President's request.\r\n \r\n \r\nDHS/FBI: Senator Cardin has been at the forefront of ensuring ongoing funding and support for DHS/FBI's National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC), a unique lab that supports federal law enforcement investigations and identifies biological threats. The appropriations package provides at least $67.916 million for the Fort Detrick, Maryland-based NBACC.\r\n \r\n \r\nDEFENSE HEALTH FACILITIES: The appropriations package includes $36 million for Phase III of a Medical Center Addition at Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, and $27 million for the Medical Research Acquisition Building at Fort Detrick in Frederick, Maryland.\r\n \r\n \r\nAIR FORCE: Senator Cardin called for $86 million for the Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization Complex at Joint Base Andrews, which is reflected in the appropriations package. The package also includes language supported by Senator Cardin that directs the Air Force to develop a plan to ensure that the Air National Guard maintains its flying missions.\r\n \r\nI am very proud of the wins we secured this year for federal workers and agencies, but there is still much work to be done, Said Senator Cardin. Among other things, we must empower federal civilian employee unions to negotiate for better conditions and we must restore promised funding for military family support facilities, like the Child Development Center at Joint Base Andrews. I look forward to continuing the fight for America's public servants in 2020.\r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-lauds-federal-investments-in-maryland-transportation", "Cardin Lauds Federal Investments in Maryland Transportation", "2019-12-20", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Benjamin Cardin", "C000141", "www.cardin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 20, 2019\n\t\t\t Cardin Lauds Federal Investments in Maryland Transportation \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, lauded the final Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations package that avoids a government shutdown and provides robust investments in multimodal transportation infrastructure for Maryland and the nation.\r\nKeeping Marylanders moving takes more than a one-size-fits-all approach. Congress and the federal government continue to be reliable partners in funding the type of transportation infrastructure that local communities request and need. Cars are only one piece of an effective multimodal plan. The focus for all is reliability, safety, less gridlock and less pollution, said Senator Cardin.\r\nBelow are some of the important transportation-related provisions in the FY2020 omnibus packages:\r\nMETRO: The FY2020 spending bill continues the federal government's annual $150 million investment in the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA/Metro). Senator Cardin authored the original 10-year, $1.5 billion funding stream for Metro and currently is working with his colleagues on a reauthorization for the next 10 years.\r\nPURPLE LINE: The Capital Improvement Grant Program (CIG) received nearly $2 billion. This fund recently provided an initial $120 million for the Prince George's County-Montgomery County Purple Line that will bring more efficient, reliable public transit to thousands.\r\nAMTRAK: $1.3 billion, including $700 million for the North East Corridor  a $50 million increase.\r\nMARC: The package provides $200 million for the Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair that funds the replacement, rehabilitation, and report of major infrastructure assets that are utilized for providing intercity passenger rail service.\r\nHOWARD STREET TUNNEL: Congress added $100 million to the National Infrastructure Investments (INFRA) Grants program, bringing it up to $1 billion. This summer, Team Maryland announced a $125 million grant from this fund to expand the Howard Street Tunnel to make double-stacking freight trains into the Port of Baltimore possible.\r\nLOW-EMISSION BUSES: Within the Federal Transit Administration $510 million Transit Infrastructure Grants program, $75 million is set aside for the purchase of Low- or No-Emission vehicles. Maryland jurisdictions have received millions of dollars of grants from this program, which supports the recent law enacted by the Maryland General Assembly that mandates that school buses purchased after October 1, 2019 must be zero-emission vehicles.\r\nWESTERN MARYLAND: $1.3 million for Maryland toward the regional Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS), $1.15 billion for bridge repair and replacement, and $50 million to improve highway-railway crossings.\r\nBW PARKWAY: $70 million was appropriated for the Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects (NSFLTP) program. The National Park Service could choose to apply for such funds to address the Clara Barton Parkway in Montgomery County/DC and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway in Prince George's County, which had major repair issues in the spring and summer. Funds are directed toward roadways that in the prior fiscal year have been closed or had speed restrictions due to unsafe travel conditions as a result of the roadway's infrastructure condition and maintenance.\r\n###\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/senate-passes-cardin-young-legislation-that-makes-fighting-global-corruption-a-national-security-priority", "Senate Passes Cardin, Young Legislation That Makes Fighting Global Corruption a National Security Priority", "2019-12-20", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Benjamin Cardin", "C000141", "www.cardin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 20, 2019\n\t\t\t Senate Passes Cardin, Young Legislation That Makes Fighting Global Corruption a National Security Priority \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.), lauded unanimous Senate passage Thursday of their legislation, S. 1309, the Combatting Global Corruption Act. First introduced in May, the bipartisan bill would raise the profile of efforts to fight international corruption, making it an American national security priority, encouraging greater transparency in U.S. foreign and security assistance, and publicizing anti-corruption efforts and results worldwide.\r\nCorruption is a threat to peace and stability around the world and poses a serious threat to democracy and democratic values. Authoritarian regimes the world over, including both Russia and China, are investing heavily in destabilizing countries through dirty money and corrosive capital. It is critical that we make every effort to counter this, said Senator Cardin. We enter this fight clear eyed  any fight against corruption will be long-term and difficult. But it is time for the United States Congress to send a strong message to our nation and to the world that corruption cannot be accepted as the status quo.\r\nCorruption is a root cause of human suffering and conflict around the globe. In Yemen, Afghanistan, Libya and elsewhere, corruption has stood in the way of stability efforts and threatened our service members by perpetuating armed conflict, blocked humanitarian aid from reaching those in need and undermined our global economic health with the diversion of $1 trillion annually in bribes, said Senator Young. Given the significant physical and material toll that corruption inflicts on those around the world, I am proud the Senate passed this bipartisan effort to support the world's most vulnerable while holding those in power responsible for their actions.\r\nJoining Senators Cardin and Young as cosponsors of the Combating Global Corruption Act of 2019 are U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), as well as Chris Coons (D-Del.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).\r\nEarlier this month, we commemorated International Anti-Corruption Day. It provides an annual reminder of the dire need to prioritize combatting corruption here in the United States and around the world. Corruption undermines democratic institutions, it compromises the rule of law, and it erodes human rights protections. It damages America's global competitiveness and hampers economic growth in global markets. It fosters the conditions for violent extremism and weakens institutions associated with governance and accountability. These are direct threats to our national and international security.\r\nEarlier this year, Transparency International published its Corruption Perceptions Index for 2018. It underscored that the failure to curb corruption is contributing to a worldwide crisis of democracy. Not surprisingly then, Freedom House, similarly reported that 2018 was marked by global declines in political rights and civil liberties for the 13th consecutive year. A total of 68 countries suffered net declines in political rights and civil liberties during 2018, with only 50 nations registering gains.\r\nThe headlines have been extensive in recent years  from scandals in Liberia, Hungary, and Guatemala, to the doping by Russian athletes and their subsequent ban from the 2016 Summer Olympics and using aid to influence other nations' behavior. It is clear that where there are high levels of corruption we find fragile states, authoritarian states, or states suffering from internal or external conflict  in places such as Lebanon, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Nigeria, and Sudan.\r\nGlobal corruption can also have a severe, negative impact on the effectiveness of U.S. foreign assistance. Corruption risk assessment and analysis before, during, and after the provision of foreign and security assistance is key to reducing and eliminating corruption and holding U.S. foreign assistance and security assistance programs accountable to U.S. taxpayers.\r\nIn order to combat corruption and increase accountability for U.S. foreign assistance, the Combating Global Corruption Act of 2019 requires the State Department to author and publicly distribute a report, similar to its annual Trafficking in Persons Report, which takes a close look at each country's efforts to combat corruption. The bill underscores the importance of prioritizing corruption into strategic planning and encourages sharing information and best practices across our agencies, bureaus, and our missions overseas in order to foster greater cooperation on anti-corruption efforts within the U.S. government.\r\n###\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-statement-on-epa-chesapeake-bay-wip-evaluations", "Van Hollen Statement on EPA Chesapeake Bay WIP Evaluations", "2019-12-20", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Chris Van Hollen", "V000128", "www.vanhollen.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 20, 2019\n\t\t\t Van Hollen Statement on EPA Chesapeake Bay WIP Evaluations \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's release of their evaluation of the Chesapeake Bay States' Phase III Watershed Implementation Plans: Protecting and preserving the Chesapeake Bay requires that every state in the watershed do its part. That's why, in 2010, the Bay Watershed states and the EPA agreed to the landmark Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Blueprint, with a commitment and timetable to restore clean water in the Bay and its tributaries.As part of this agreement, Pennsylvania is required to significantly reduce its nitrogen loads by 2025. But EPA's analysis of Pennsylvania's new plan confirms the unfortunate reality that they are falling far short of meeting their obligations under the Clean Water Blueprint, and they have not identified the resources that will be necessary to hit their nitrogen reduction targets. As our neighboring state, Pennsylvania must work with the EPA to ensure that their plan is fixed and funded. Otherwise, EPA must take action. I will continue to closely monitor what EPA does next  including the possible need for litigation  to make sure everyone is doing their part to improve the health of the Bay and meet the 2025 goals. ###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://anthonybrown.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=723", "Warren, Brown, Adams, Colleagues Raise Concerns Over Inadequate DoD Science and Engineering Funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other Minority Serving Institutions", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Anthony Brown", "B001304", "anthonybrown.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Representatives Anthony Brown (D-Md.), Vice Chair of the House Armed Services Committee, and Alma Adams (D-N.C.), member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, along with 21 of their Senate and House colleagues, sent a letter to Defense Secretary Mark Esper regarding the importance of strategically investing in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions (MSIs) to support the U.S. Department of Defense's (DoD) mission. \r\nSenator Warren and Representatives Brown and Adams are all members of the Congressional Bipartisan Historically Black Colleges and Universities Caucus, which was founded and is co-chaired by Representative Adams. \r\nDoD is the largest employer of scientists and engineers in the nation and the second largest funder of academic research and development. While colleges and universities nationwide received over $4.1 billion in DoD science and engineering funding in Fiscal Year 2017, HBCUs received a mere 0.4% of those funds despite graduating nearly 30 percent of all African-American STEM professionals. Additionally, in 2018, the National Science Foundation found that African Americans are underrepresented in the science and engineering labor force by 62 percent.\r\nIn their letter, the lawmakers argued that in addition to increasing funding for HBCUs and other MSIs generally, investing in research and development at these institutions is necessary to maintaining America's dominance in science and engineering.\r\nHBCUs and MSIs must be a central component of our national defense strategy, the lawmakers wrote. By leaving significant segments of intellectual capital untapped, we will fail to realize the full potential of military readiness in the future.\r\nThe lawmakers noted that Congress has acted in a bipartisan manner over a decade to address this issuesuch as establishing a program to enhance defense-related research and education at minority institutions and directing a national study on the state of defense research at minority institutionsand asked DoD to answer a series of questions regarding its plans and strategies to strengthen and invest in STEM programs at HBCUs and MSIs. The lawmakers requested a response to their inquiry by January 31, 2020.\r\nThis letter comes just days after Congress passed the Foster Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education (FUTURE) Act, which restored critical funding for HBCUs and other MSIs after funding had expired in September. \r\nJoining Senator Warren and Representatives Brown and Adams are Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), David Perdue (R-Ga.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Representatives Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.), Andr Carson (D-Ind.), Gil Cisneros (D-Calif.), William Lacy Clay (D-Mo.), Brenda Lawrence (D-Mich.), Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Cedric Richmond (D-La.), Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) and Terri Sewell (D-Ala.).  \r\n\r\nText of the Letter (PDF)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://anthonybrown.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=725", "Congressman Brown: House Should Not Transmit Impeachment Articles Until Senate Commits to Fair Trial", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Anthony Brown", "B001304", "anthonybrown.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Brown: House Should Not Transmit Impeachment Articles Until Senate Commits to Fair Trial  \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        President Donald Trump is desperate for an exoneration and his enablers seem determined to break their oaths and conduct a sham trial to give him one.\r\n      \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Washington, D.C.  Congressman Anthony G. Brown released the following statement on the need for a fair trial in the United States Senate to properly consider articles of impeachment against President Donald J. Trump:\r\n\"President Donald Trump is desperate for an exoneration and his enablers seem determined to break their oaths and conduct a sham trial to give him one. The House of Representatives uncovered ample evidence to impeach the President. The American people now expect the Senate to conduct a fair trial, which requires hearing the House's case for removing the President and seeking supplemental evidence to ascertain the truth. The House should not transmit the articles of impeachment or name impeachment managers until the Senate commits to following the facts wherever they may lead.\r\nUnfortunately, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans appear more interested in covering up for President Trump than pursuing the facts. They have no intention to honor their oaths to do impartial justice.' The American people deserve an impeachment trial that is serious, fair and reflects the gravity of the charges against President Trump.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://harris.house.gov/media/press-releases/harris-statement-new-trade-agreement-mexico-and-canada", "Harris Statement on New Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MD", "Andy Harris", "H001052", "harris.house.gov", "harris", "https://harris.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) today voted in favor of President Trump's new trade agreement with Mexico and Canada.\n\nRep. Harris made the following statement:\n\n\"I congratulate President Trump for delivering on a key campaign promise to help American workers by re-negotiating bad trade deals from the past. This new trade agreement with Mexico and Canada was badly needed because NAFTA was outdated and resulted in millions of American jobs leaving the country, especially to Mexico. This new agreement is especially great for our farmers and poultry growers in the First Congressional District.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://raskin.house.gov/media/press-releases/full-maryland-delegation-calls-mdot-provide-public-more-details-highway", "Full Maryland Delegation Calls on MDOT to Provide Public More Details on Highway Expansion Plans, Integration of Transit", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Jamie Raskin", "R000606", "raskin.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(WASHINGTON, D.C.)  Maryland's full Congressional delegation is calling on the incoming Maryland Secretary of Transportation to provide the public with more details on widening I-270, widening the Beltway, and replacing the American Legion Bridge, all of which are of great significance to our region with long-lasting effects. In a letter to Gregory Slater, current head of the Maryland Highway Administration, Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Andy Harris M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone addressed issues of concern following a meeting earlier this month with Slater and current Maryland Secretary of Transportation Pete K. Rahn. The delegation letter also stressed the need for multimodal transportation options for the state rather than a reliance on a vehicles-only approach.\nThe public deserves more information and greater transparency in the process of planning, constructing, and implementing any projects for widening I-270, widening the Beltway, and replacing the American Legion Bridge  more details on how and when specific properties will be affected, where tolling may impact on-ramps and exit ramps, how parkland may be impacted, and the details of the environmental impact assessments, the lawmakers wrote. In our meeting with you and Secretary Rahn, we were clear about the need to plan for public transit in conjunction with any expansion of our highways for vehicle traffic  We are eager to hear in greater detail how multi-modal plans will be integrated in these projects, including the guidelines you would establish for incorporating transit into any public-private partnership to construct and manage new toll lanes.\nThe full letter is below and at this link.\n###\n  Dear Administrator Slater,\nThank you for meeting with us recently in the Capitol along with Secretary Rahn. We appreciate you taking the time with the delegation to discuss a wide range of projects and issues that are important to the State and to our constituents, and we look forward to continuing to work with you.\nAs we look ahead to the coming year and you prepare for your new role as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation, we write to reiterate some of the concerns raised in our meeting and to request follow-up information.\nFirst, the public deserves more information and greater transparency in the process of planning, constructing, and implementing any projects for widening I-270, widening the Beltway, and replacing the American Legion Bridge, all of which are of great significance to our region with long-lasting effects. The public should have more details on how and when specific properties will be affected, where tolling may impact on-ramps and exit ramps, how parkland may be impacted, and the details of the environmental impact assessments. We understand that the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission has requested detailed information in this regard, and your response to its request would be a helpful step in improving the transparency of this effort.\nSecond, in our meeting with you and Secretary Rahn, we were clear about the need to plan for public transit in conjunction with any expansion of our highways for vehicle traffic. A comprehensive look at our dynamic, diverse, and growing region makes clear that our transportation infrastructure needs cannot be met with a narrow, vehicles-only approach, but require a comprehensive, multi-modal strategy. Integrating public transit improvements into any projects on I-270, the Beltway, and the American Legion Bridge is of critical importance to providing greater mobility, improving the quality of daily life of our constituents, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. While Secretary Rahn noted the idea that managed toll lanes make new bus service a long-term possibility, such service will not become a success or a reality without an active approach to prioritizing it and planning for it. We are eager to hear in greater detail how multi-modal plans will be integrated in these projects, including the guidelines you would establish for incorporating transit into any public-private partnership to construct and manage new toll lanes.\nAs with the planning for transportation improvements in the Washington Metropolitan Area, we think a comprehensive approach is needed to address congestion and transportation issues in the Baltimore region. Baltimore has long suffered from severe traffic bottlenecks that undermine its economic competitiveness, and we hope to hear your thoughts on a comprehensive, long-term, and multi-modal strategy to address this challenge.\nFinally, we would like assurances that every effort will be made to finish the work on the Bay Bridge safely and as soon as possible, so that the people who travel and commute to and from the Eastern Shore of Maryland will not be affected for a prolonged period of time.\nAgain, thank you for meeting with us. We look forward to your candid response and to our continued partnership on important transportation issues in Maryland.\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://raskin.house.gov/media/press-releases/full-maryland-delegation-calls-mdot-provide-public-more-details-highway-0", "Full Maryland Delegation Calls on MDOT to Provide Public More Details on Highway Expansion Plans, Integration of Transit", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Jamie Raskin", "R000606", "raskin.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(WASHINGTON, D.C.)  Maryland's full Congressional delegation is calling on the incoming Maryland Secretary of Transportation to provide the public with more details on widening I-270, widening the Beltway, and replacing the American Legion Bridge, all of which are of great significance to our region with long-lasting effects. In a letter to Gregory Slater, current head of the Maryland Highway Administration, Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Andy Harris M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone addressed issues of concern following a meeting earlier this month with Slater and current Maryland Secretary of Transportation Pete K. Rahn. The delegation letter also stressed the need for multimodal transportation options for the state rather than a reliance on a vehicles-only approach.\nThe public deserves more information and greater transparency in the process of planning, constructing, and implementing any projects for widening I-270, widening the Beltway, and replacing the American Legion Bridge  more details on how and when specific properties will be affected, where tolling may impact on-ramps and exit ramps, how parkland may be impacted, and the details of the environmental impact assessments, the lawmakers wrote. In our meeting with you and Secretary Rahn, we were clear about the need to plan for public transit in conjunction with any expansion of our highways for vehicle traffic  We are eager to hear in greater detail how multi-modal plans will be integrated in these projects, including the guidelines you would establish for incorporating transit into any public-private partnership to construct and manage new toll lanes.\nThe full letter is availablehere.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://raskin.house.gov/media/press-releases/raskin-announces-winners-2019-congressional-app-competition", "Raskin Announces Winners of 2019 Congressional App Competition", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Jamie Raskin", "R000606", "raskin.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(ROCKVILLE, M.D.)  Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) today announced the winner of his 2019 Congressional App Challenge: a team of Montgomery Blair High School students, Matthew Castertano, Andrew Healey, and Aaron Chyatte, who won for their submission, Search Party.\nThe Congressional App Challenge began in 2014 as an effort to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and to encourage students to learn coding and computer science skills. Students in participating congressional districts compete against their peers by creating original software applications (apps). Applicants competed to win prizes, including a $250 Amazon Web Services credit that can be used toward the cost of hosting their app, and to have their work displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building. Winners from across the country will be recognized at the House of Code reception next spring in Washington, D.C. to demonstrate their app to Members of Congress and staff.\nThis year's 8th District winning team, Matthew, Andre and Aaron, describe their impressively thoughtful app Search Party as an easy-to-use interface for citizens to collaborate with law enforcement on missing person searches. The students noted, It enables a director to create a search party, invite others to join it, and effortlessly coordinate even the most complex of searches. Features provided include a group map that tracks and demarcates the areas that have been searched once (green) and more than once (red), a group directory with contact information, in-app individual chats, and a guide from the Missing Persons Advocacy Network that contains basic tips for searching.\nIt is a singular honor to represent Maryland's 8th District, which is home to so many talented and inspired students, as evidenced by the many excellent entries submitted in this year's Congressional App Challenge, said Rep. Raskin. I commend all of the student coders who submitted such innovative and creative apps, and I want to say thank you to all of the family members and educators who support these wonderful students.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/baltimore-receives-multi-million-dollar-grants", "Baltimore Receives Multi-Million Dollar Grants", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "John Sarbanes", "S001168", "sarbanes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In an effort to address public safety concerns, $4.6 million in public safety grants are coming from the U.S. Department of Justice to benefit Baltimore City and County, congressional delegates announced at a press conference held at the city police headquarters Monday, Dec. 16. Maryland Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (D), Baltimore Mayor Bernard Jack Young, Baltimore County Executive John Olszewski, Jr., City Police Commissioner Michael Harrison, and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger (DDistrict 2) and John Sarbanes (DDistrict 3) were in attendance. The largest allocation, $859,773, is earmarked to go to the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. This program provides funding for law enforcement, drug treatment, and more.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/maryland-politicans-react-trump-impeachment", "Maryland Politicans React to Trump Impeachment", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "John Sarbanes", "S001168", "sarbanes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Maryland House members were among those who voted along party lines, issuing strong statements in favor of the House's decision to impeach. President Trump took direct aim at the heart of our democracy, reads a statement from John Sarbanes of Maryland's 3rd District. I believe that Americans should decide our elections, not a foreign country. As long as the President continues to invite foreign inference into our democracy, the integrity of the 2020 election remains at risk. We had no choice but to impeach.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/we-did-all-we-could-elijah-after-trump-impeachment-pelosi-references-late", "We Did All We Could, Elijah: After Trump Impeachment, Pelosi References Late Rep. Cummings", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "John Sarbanes", "S001168", "sarbanes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Maryland lawmakers in Washington described as sobering a historic day that began with a House clerk solemnly reading a resolution urging that Donald John Trump, president of the United States be impeached. It ended with all six Democratic members of the state's U.S. House delegation voting to approve two articles of impeachment  both were approved Wednesday night  after an impassioned debate on the floor. The Maryland delegation's lone Republican, Rep. Andy Harris, opposed impeachment, calling the proceedings a partisan sham. This does anchor you back to your oath of office in some ways more palpably than maybe anything else you might do here, U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes, a Baltimore County Democrat, said in an interview. You really feel it in a proceeding like this. It's very sobering.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/maryland-congressional-delegation-calls-mdot-provide-more-details", "Maryland Congressional Delegation Calls on MDOT to Provide More Details on Highway Expansion Plans and Integration of Transit", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "John Sarbanes", "S001168", "sarbanes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined the full Maryland Congressional Delegation in calling on the incoming Maryland Secretary of Transportation to provide the public with more information about widening I-270, widening the Capital Beltway and replacing the American Legion Bridge.\nIn a letter to Gregory Slater, the current head of the Maryland Highway Administration and incoming Maryland Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Andy Harris M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone, raised several issues of concern following a meeting earlier this month with Administrator Slater and outgoing Maryland Secretary of Transportation Pete K. Rahn.\nThe Delegation also pressed state officials to consider a comprehensive approach to improving transportation across Maryland, rather than relying solely on a highway-only approach.\nThe public deserves more information and greater transparency in the process of planning, constructing and implementing any projects for widening I-270, widening the Beltway and replacing the American Legion Bridge  more details on how and when specific properties will be affected, where tolling may impact on-ramps and exit ramps, how parkland may be impacted and the details of the environmental impact assessments, the lawmakers wrote. In our meeting with you and Secretary Rahn, we were clear about the need to plan for public transit in conjunction with any expansion of our highways for vehicle traffic  We are eager to hear in greater detail how multi-modal plans will be integrated in these projects, including the guidelines you would establish for incorporating transit into any public-private partnership to construct and manage new toll lanes.\nSee below for the full letter.\n* * *\nThe Honorable Gregory Slater  \n\tAdministrator, State Highway Administration  \n\tMaryland Department of Transportation  \n\t707 North Calvert Street  \n\tBaltimore, MD 21202\n  \n\tDear Administrator Slater,\nThank you for meeting with us recently in the Capitol along with Secretary Rahn. We appreciate you taking the time with the delegation to discuss a wide range of projects and issues that are important to the State and to our constituents, and we look forward to continuing to work with you.\nAs we look ahead to the coming year and you prepare for your new role as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation, we write to reiterate some of the concerns raised in our meeting and to request follow-up information.\nFirst, the public deserves more information and greater transparency in the process of planning, constructing and implementing any projects for widening I-270, widening the Beltway, and replacing the American Legion Bridge, all of which are of great significance to our region with long-lasting effects. The public should have more details on how and when specific properties will be affected, where tolling may impact on-ramps and exit ramps, how parkland may be impacted and the details of the environmental impact assessments. We understand that the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission has requested detailed information in this regard, and your response to its request would be a helpful step in improving the transparency of this effort.\nSecond, in our meeting with you and Secretary Rahn, we were clear about the need to plan for public transit in conjunction with any expansion of our highways for vehicle traffic. A comprehensive look at our dynamic, diverse and growing region makes clear that our transportation infrastructure needs cannot be met with a narrow, vehicles-only approach, but require a comprehensive, multi-modal strategy. Integrating public transit improvements into any projects on I-270, the Beltway and the American Legion Bridge is of critical importance to providing greater mobility, improving the quality of daily life of our constituents and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. While Secretary Rahn noted the idea that managed toll lanes make new bus service a long-term possibility, such service will not become a success or a reality without an active approach to prioritizing it and planning for it. We are eager to hear in greater detail how multi-modal plans will be integrated in these projects, including the guidelines you would establish for incorporating transit into any public-private partnership to construct and manage new toll lanes.\nAs with the planning for transportation improvements in the Washington Metropolitan Area, we think a comprehensive approach is needed to address congestion and transportation issues in the Baltimore region. Baltimore has long suffered from severe traffic bottlenecks that undermine its economic competitiveness, and we hope to hear your thoughts on a comprehensive, long-term and multi-modal strategy to address this challenge.\nFinally, we would like assurances that every effort will be made to finish the work on the Bay Bridge safely and as soon as possible, so that the people who travel and commute to and from the Eastern Shore of Maryland will not be affected for a prolonged period of time.\nAgain, thank you for meeting with us. We look forward to your candid response and to our continued partnership on important transportation issues in Maryland.\nSincerely,\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sarbanes-statement-vote-new-nafta-agreement", "Sarbanes Statement on Vote for New NAFTA Agreement", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "John Sarbanes", "S001168", "sarbanes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) released the following statement today after voting for the re-negotiated North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA):\nThe new NAFTA agreement I supported today makes several improvements to both the original NAFTA agreement signed in 1994 and the preliminary agreement put forward by the Trump Administration last year.\nImportantly, the new NAFTA agreement negotiated by House Democrats strips away many of the special-interest provisions pushed by Big Pharma and large corporations  giveaways that were largely embraced by the Trump Administration and that were core elements of past trade agreements that harmed American workers and consumers.\nThe agreement we passed today strengthens oversight and enforcement mechanisms, improves labor standards and prevents pharmaceutical companies from abusing the trade pact to lock in high prescription drug prices.\nHowever, despite the many improvements made by House Democrats, the new NAFTA agreement falls short in a number of areas. It fails to set strong standards to address the climate crisis and expand consumer protections. It could also provide better labor protections for hardworking Americans to ensure that fewer jobs get shipped overseas.\nWhile it's an improvement on the status quo, the agreement we passed today does not serve as a template for future trade agreements. Instead, it serves as a baseline to build future trade accords that ensure all American workers and consumers enjoy the strongest possible protections and that enforce the robust environmental standards needed to counteract the climate crisis.\n  \n\tFor more information about the new NAFTA agreement, see here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://trone.house.gov/media/press-releases/trone-cardin-van-hollen-announce-15-million-frostburg-gateway", "Trone, Cardin, Van Hollen Announce $1.5 Million for Frostburg Gateway", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "David Trone", "T000483", "trone.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\nCONTACTS:\nHannah Muldavin (Trone) 202-225-2721\nTim Zink (Cardin) 410-962-4436\nFrancesca Amodeo (Van Hollen) 202-228-0672\n Trone, Cardin, Van HollenAnnounce $1.5 Million for Frostburg Gateway \nWASHINGTON  U.S. Congressman David Trone and Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen(all D-Md.) today announced the allocation of $1,500,000 for the City of Frostburg through the Appalachian Regional Commission. These funds will be used for the construction of the Frostburg Gateway, a circular roundabout which will replace a five-way intersection and improve connections between Interstate 68, Frostburg State University, and the city center. The Maryland State Highway Administration (MSHA) will administer the project.\nI am committed to protecting public safety and working in the best interest of our businesses, students, and communities,said Congressman Trone. That's why I'm happy to announce this investment, which will help the City of Frostburg continue to grow its economy for years to come. I am proud to support the Appalachian Regional Commission, which is a key player in the strength of Maryland's Sixth District.\nRoad infrastructure investments have the potential to improve public safety and quality of life for communities throughout our state. This project will meet the clear needs of Frostburg students, businesses, and families. I will continue to advocate for the highest levels of funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission to secure projects like this one, said Senator Cardin, Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee.\nModernizing our state's infrastructure is crucial to the success of our communities and our economy. This funding will help improve traffic flow for commuters, residents, and visitors traveling through Frostburg. I will continue working to support the Appalachian Regional Commission and to secure funding for infrastructure investments across our state, said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Environment and Public Works and Appropriations Committees.\n\"We are very excited for this announcement, said Frostburg Mayor Robert Flanigan. ARC funding of this project makes the construction of the roundabout possible. Not only will it improve safetyfor pedestrians and vehicles, but the project is integral to other planned investment adjacent to the campus of Frostburg State University. This will be an example of how an infrastructureproject can be transformative for a community.\"\nEstablished in 1965, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is a partnership of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on economic development in the 420 counties across Appalachia. Local participation is provided through multi-county local development districts. Senators Cardin and Van Hollen and Congressman Trone advocated and secured significant funding for the program in the FY 2019 spending bill, including a $10 million increase from the FY2018 level. The president had previously attempted to zero out funding for the program. More information is available at www.arc.gov.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-calls-for-new-police-training-to-improve-accountability", "Cardin Calls for New Police Training to Improve Accountability", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Benjamin Cardin", "C000141", "www.cardin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 19, 2019\n\t\t\t Cardin Calls for New Police Training to Improve Accountability \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t We are all safer when law enforcement and the people they protect can work together.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) has re-introduced the Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act (LETIA), S.3063, which aims to address the issue of police accountability and build trust between police departments and the communities they serve. This legislation provides incentives for local police organizations to voluntarily adopt performance-based standards to ensure that incidents of misconduct will be reduced through appropriate management, training and oversight protocols. It also authorizes funds for the implementation of consent decrees and judgments entered into between the Department of Justice and local police departments, such as the Baltimore Police Department.\r\nWe are all safer when law enforcement and the people they protect can work together, said Senator Cardin. While the vast majority of police officers perform their duties bravely and professionally, a pattern of misconduct that disproportionately affects minority individuals has undermined the relationship between law enforcement and our communities. In order to restore hope and trust in our neighborhoods, Congress must address the urgent issue of reforming our police agencies. We need to ensure that every citizen's rights are preserved while giving police the tools to re-engage with the people they are sworn to protect.\r\nLETIA would:\r\n \r\nEnsure that if incidents of misconduct do occur, they will be properly investigated.\r\nProvide police officers with resources to improve community relations and enhance their professional growth and education.\r\nRequire the Attorney General to study and report on administrative due-process procedures for police officers, and to create a national task force on law enforcement oversight.\r\nImprove federal data collection on police practices, including the use of deadly force by and against police.\r\nProvide enhanced funding for efforts to combat police misconduct, such as consent decrees like the one entered into by the City of Baltimore after the 2015 death of Freddie Gray.\r\n \r\nLETIA is consistent with the recommendations of the Final Report of the President's Taskforce on 21st Century Policing, issued in May 2015. The report stated: Decades of research and practice support the premise that people are more likely to obey the law when they believe that those who are enforcing it have authority that is perceived as legitimate by those subject to authorityLaw enforcement culture should embrace a guardian  rather than a warrior  mindset to build trust and legitimacy both within agencies and with the republic.\r\nSaid Senator Cardin: I agree fully with former President Obama, who said: There is no contradiction between us caring about our law enforcement officers and also making sure that our laws are applied fairly. Our police officers will do a better job doing it if our communities can feel confident that they are being treated fairly.'\r\n\r\nSUMMARY: LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST AND INTEGRITY ACT (LETIA) OF 2019\r\nThe Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act (LETIA) takes a comprehensive approach at addressing the issue of police accountability and building trust between police departments and their communities. The Act makes seven concrete steps toward improving law enforcement management and misconduct prosecution tools.\r\n\r\nTitle I: Law Enforcement Accreditation \r\nThis title requires Attorney General to perform an initial analysis of existing law enforcement accreditation standards and to recommend areas for the development of additional national standards for accreditation of police agencies in conjunction with law enforcement accreditation groups, law enforcement associations, and labor and community-based groups. Such an analysis shall include a review of the recommendations of the Final Report of the President's Taskforce on 21st Century Policing, issued in May 2015.\r\nAdditionally, the Attorney General will recommend the adoption of uniform standards  including use of force procedures  for greater community law enforcement accountability. Further, it authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to police agencies for the purpose of obtaining accreditation from certified professional law enforcement accreditation organizations.\r\n\r\nTitle II: Law Enforcement Development Programs \r\nThis Title authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to States, units of local government, Indian Tribal Governments, or other public and private entities, and multijurisdictional or regional consortia to study law enforcement agency management and operations. Grants would also help develop pilot programs to implement best practices focused on effective training, recruitment, hiring, management and oversight of law enforcement officers, which would also provide focused data for the development of additional accreditation standards.\r\n\r\nTitle III: Administrative Due Process Procedures \r\nThis Title requires the Attorney General to study the prevalence and impact of any law, rule or procedure that allows a law enforcement officer to delay for an unreasonable or arbitrary period of time the answer to questions posed by a local internal affairs officer, prosecutor, or review board on the investigative integrity and prosecution of law enforcement misconduct.\r\n\r\nTitle IV: Enhanced Funding To Combat Police Misconduct & Reform Police Departments \r\nThis Title authorizes $25 million for additional expenses relating to the enforcement of civil rights statues  including compliance with consent decree or judgments  regarding police misconduct brought by the Department of Justice, pursuant to Section 210401 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (now 34 U.S.C. 12601).\r\nThis Title also authorizes appropriations for additional expenses relating to conflict resolution, including programs managed by the Department of Justice's Community Relations Services, within the Civil Rights Division.\r\n\r\nTitle V: National Task Force on Law Enforcement Oversight \r\nThis provision requires the Department of Justice to establish a task force to coordinate the investigation, prosecution and enforcement efforts of federal, state and local governments in cases related to law enforcement misconduct. It also authorizes appropriations to support task force efforts.\r\n\r\nTitle VI: Federal Data Collection on Police Practices \r\nThis provision requires each Federal, State, and local law enforcement agency to report to the Attorney General data on the following: 1) traffic violation stops; 2) pedestrian stops and detentions; and 3) the use of deadly force by and against law enforcement officers, including the outcome (injury or death) and the law enforcement agency's justification, if applicable.\r\n\r\nTitle VII: Medallions for Fallen Law Enforcement Officers\r\nThis provision requires the Department of Justice, in cooperation with the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, to create and provide a distinctive medallion to be issued to the survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty or memorialized on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-cheers-full-year-appropriations-bills-jeers-disappointing-energy-tax-extenders", "Cardin Cheers Full-Year Appropriations Bills; Jeers Disappointing Energy Tax Extenders", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Benjamin Cardin", "C000141", "www.cardin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 19, 2019\n\t\t\t Cardin Cheers Full-Year Appropriations Bills; Jeers Disappointing Energy Tax Extenders \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t I supported these bills today not because I agreed with every measure  there was so much more that we could have accomplished, particularly on energy efficiency and clean energy.  The tax provisions were unbalanced and disappointing. This was a wasted opportunity.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), ranking member of the Senate Small Business & Entrepreneurship Committee and a member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement on the omnibus spending packages for Fiscal Year 2020.\r\nThere is no such thing as a good government shutdown, so it is a great relief for Maryland, federal workers and the entire nation that Congress has now passed full-year spending bills for Fiscal Year 2020. I supported these bills today not because I agreed with every measure  I did not. Overall, however, the good provisions outweighed the bad, as well as the damage that would have been caused by another government shutdown.\r\nIn exercising our constitutionally directed spending power, Congress has set its priorities, including:\r\n \r\nKeeping our children safe by raising the purchase age to 21 for tobacco and e-cigarette products\r\nProviding more resources to local jurisdictions for the battle to stem opioid epidemic\r\nFunding CDC research into gun safety for the first time in more than 20 years\r\nInvesting in minority health and eliminating health disparities\r\nIncreasing the maximum award for Pell Grants\r\nExpanding Community Development Block Grants\r\nSecuring our election systems\r\nFunding the decennial census\r\nSupporting federal employees with a 3.1 percent pay increase and 12 weeks paid parental leave\r\nSupporting federal facilities in the National Capital Region and nationwide\r\n \r\nWhile spending levels for the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program hit a record high $85 million, and other infrastructure, conservation and environmental programs received reasonable funding, there was so much more that we could have accomplished, particularly on energy efficiency and clean energy. The tax provisions were unbalanced and disappointing, Senator Cardin added. This was a wasted opportunity. We should have made permanent the highly successful Section 179D energy-efficient commercial building deduction. We also should have expanded offshore wind tax incentives, solar, waste-heat-to-power, and energy storage tax incentives  all of which would help our economy and our environment. Unfortunately, only one credit was given longer-term stability, and others were given only short-term extensions, left to expire, or not included at all.\r\nWe start 2020 in the same place as we did 2019  with expired or nearly expired tax provisions that could be working for our economy. Our tax code is one of the best tools we have to spur long-term investments in the growing clean energy sector. Congress needs to do better in maximizing our support and providing long-term stability for this booming, domestic industry.\r\n###\r\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-says-government-funding-bill-makes-critical-investments-in-small-businesses", "Cardin Says Government Funding Bill Makes Critical Investments in Small Businesses", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Benjamin Cardin", "C000141", "www.cardin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 19, 2019\n\t\t\t Cardin Says Government Funding Bill Makes Critical Investments in Small Businesses \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Funding Bill Rejects Administration Effort to Undermine Small Business Programs\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTONSenate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship Ranking Member Ben Cardin (D-Md.) today issued a statement after the Senate passed a government funding bill that appropriates $998 million for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), including $177 million for disaster assistance funding.\r\nAs the global marketplace becomes more complex, small businesses, with their narrow margins and small workforce, need more support, not less, Ranking Member Cardin said. I am pleased Congress rejected the Administration's proposed program eliminations, funding cuts, and fee increases, which would have placed new and unfair costs on entrepreneurs, and deprived them of important development resources. Instead, this bill makes critical investments in SBA's entrepreneurial development, business loan, and trade assistance programs that will help SBA reach more entrepreneurs, especially those in underserved communities.\r\nThe funding bill passed today is a rejection of the Administration's Fiscal Year 2020 Budget, which undermined small business programs. The bill blocks the Administration's effort to saddle borrowers and lenders in SBA's loan programs with hundreds of millions in additional fees, and it rebuffs the Administration's attempt to slash $67 million from SBA's entrepreneurial development budget, providing an additional $13 million instead. The bill also increases funding to the Microloan programignoring the 17 percent cut requested by the Administration.\r\n###\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-van-hollen-trone-announce-15-million-for-frostburg-gateway", "Cardin, Van Hollen, Trone Announce $1.5 Million for Frostburg Gateway", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Benjamin Cardin", "C000141", "www.cardin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 19, 2019\n\t\t\t Cardin, Van Hollen, Trone Announce $1.5 Million for Frostburg Gateway \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced the allocation of $1,500,000 for the City of Frostburg through the Appalachian Regional Commission. These funds will be used for the construction of the Frostburg Gateway, a circular roundabout which will replace a five-way intersection and improve connections between Interstate 68, Frostburg State University, and the city center. The Maryland State Highway Administration (MSHA) will administer the project.\r\nRoad infrastructure investments have the potential to improve public safety and quality of life for communities throughout our state. This project will meet the clear needs of Frostburg students, businesses, and families. I will continue to advocate for the highest levels of funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission to secure projects like this one, said Senator Cardin, Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee.\r\nModernizing our state's infrastructure is crucial to the success of our communities and our economy. This funding will help improve traffic flow for commuters, residents, and visitors traveling through Frostburg. I will continue working to support the Appalachian Regional Commission and to secure funding for infrastructure investments across our state, said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Environment and Public Works and Appropriations Committees.\r\nI am committed to protecting public safety and working in the best interest of our businesses, students, and communities, said Congressman Trone. That's why I'm happy to announce this investment, which will help the City of Frostburg continue to grow its economy for years to come. I am proud to support the Appalachian Regional Commission, which is a key player in the strength of Maryland's Sixth District.\r\n\"We are very excited for this announcement, said Frostburg Mayor Robert Flanigan. ARC funding of this project makes the construction of the roundabout possible. Not only will it improve safetyfor pedestrians and vehicles, but the project is integral to other planned investment adjacent to the campus of Frostburg State University. This will be an example of how an infrastructureproject can be transformative for a community.\"\r\nEstablished in 1965, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is a partnership of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on economic development in the 420 counties across Appalachia. Local participation is provided through multi-county local development districts. Senators Cardin and Van Hollen and Congressman Trone advocated and secured significant funding for the program in the FY 2019 spending bill, including a $10 million increase from the FY2018 level. The president had previously attempted to zero out funding for the program. More information is available at www.arc.gov.\r\n###\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/full-maryland-delegation-calls-on-mdot-to-provide-public-more-details-on-highway-expansion-plans-integration-of-transit", "Full Maryland Delegation Calls on MDOT to Provide Public More Details on Highway Expansion Plans, Integration of Transit", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Benjamin Cardin", "C000141", "www.cardin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 19, 2019\n\t\t\t Full Maryland Delegation Calls on MDOT to Provide Public More Details on Highway Expansion Plans, Integration of Transit \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t The public deserves more information and greater transparency.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Maryland's full Congressional delegation is calling on the incoming Maryland Secretary of Transportation to provide the public with more details on widening I-270, widening the Beltway, and replacing the American Legion Bridge, all of which are of great significance to our region with long-lasting effects. In a letter to Gregory Slater, current head of the Maryland Highway Administration, Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Andy Harris M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone addressed issues of concern following a meeting earlier this month with Slater and current Maryland Secretary of Transportation Pete K. Rahn. The delegation letter also stressed the need for multimodal transportation options for the state rather than a reliance on a vehicles-only approach.\r\nThe public deserves more information and greater transparency in the process of planning, constructing, and implementing any projects for widening I-270, widening the Beltway, and replacing the American Legion Bridge  more details on how and when specific properties will be affected, where tolling may impact on-ramps and exit ramps, how parkland may be impacted, and the details of the environmental impact assessments, the lawmakers wrote. In our meeting with you and Secretary Rahn, we were clear about the need to plan for public transit in conjunction with any expansion of our highways for vehicle traffic  We are eager to hear in greater detail how multi-modal plans will be integrated in these projects, including the guidelines you would establish for incorporating transit into any public-private partnership to construct and manage new toll lanes.\r\nThe full letter is below and at this link.\r\n The Honorable Gregory Slater  Administrator, State Highway Administration  Maryland Department of Transportation  707 North Calvert Street  Baltimore, MD 21202 \r\nDear Administrator Slater,\r\nThank you for meeting with us recently in the Capitol along with Secretary Rahn. We appreciate you taking the time with the delegation to discuss a wide range of projects and issues that are important to the State and to our constituents, and we look forward to continuing to work with you.\r\nAs we look ahead to the coming year and you prepare for your new role as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation, we write to reiterate some of the concerns raised in our meeting and to request follow-up information.\r\nFirst, the public deserves more information and greater transparency in the process of planning, constructing, and implementing any projects for widening I-270, widening the Beltway, and replacing the American Legion Bridge, all of which are of great significance to our region with long-lasting effects. The public should have more details on how and when specific properties will be affected, where tolling may impact on-ramps and exit ramps, how parkland may be impacted, and the details of the environmental impact assessments. We understand that the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission has requested detailed information in this regard, and your response to its request would be a helpful step in improving the transparency of this effort.\r\nSecond, in our meeting with you and Secretary Rahn, we were clear about the need to plan for public transit in conjunction with any expansion of our highways for vehicle traffic. A comprehensive look at our dynamic, diverse, and growing region makes clear that our transportation infrastructure needs cannot be met with a narrow, vehicles-only approach, but require a comprehensive, multi-modal strategy. Integrating public transit improvements into any projects on I-270, the Beltway, and the American Legion Bridge is of critical importance to providing greater mobility, improving the quality of daily life of our constituents, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. While Secretary Rahn noted the idea that managed toll lanes make new bus service a long-term possibility, such service will not become a success or a reality without an active approach to prioritizing it and planning for it. We are eager to hear in greater detail how multi-modal plans will be integrated in these projects, including the guidelines you would establish for incorporating transit into any public-private partnership to construct and manage new toll lanes.\r\nAs with the planning for transportation improvements in the Washington Metropolitan Area, we think a comprehensive approach is needed to address congestion and transportation issues in the Baltimore region. Baltimore has long suffered from severe traffic bottlenecks that undermine its economic competitiveness, and we hope to hear your thoughts on a comprehensive, long-term, and multi-modal strategy to address this challenge.\r\nFinally, we would like assurances that every effort will be made to finish the work on the Bay Bridge safely and as soon as possible, so that the people who travel and commute to and from the Eastern Shore of Maryland will not be affected for a prolonged period of time.\r\nAgain, thank you for meeting with us. We look forward to your candid response and to our continued partnership on important transportation issues in Maryland.\r\nSincerely,\r\n###\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/never-again-cardin-says-spending-package-elevates-holocaust-education-supports-holocaust-survivors-and-expands-program-to-protect-synagogues-and-houses-of-worship-from-terrorism", "Never Again: Cardin Says Spending Package Elevates Holocaust Education, Supports Holocaust Survivors and Expands Program to Protect Synagogues and Houses of Worship from Terrorism", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Benjamin Cardin", "C000141", "www.cardin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 19, 2019\n\t\t\t Never Again: Cardin Says Spending Package Elevates Holocaust Education, Supports Holocaust Survivors and Expands Program to Protect Synagogues and Houses of Worship from Terrorism \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, and Special Representative on Anti-Semitism, Racism, and Intolerance for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly lauded key provisions in the final FY 2020 omnibus appropriations package that support Holocaust education, Holocaust survivors, and the security of houses of worship.\r\nHolocaust survivors came to the United States seeking refuge from unimaginable horrors. They have enriched our nation. With an average age of 85, we have an obligation to provide Holocaust survivors the community support and special services they need to live out their final days, said Senator Cardin. We also must do all we can to ensure their stories are not forgotten. The current lack of knowledge about the Holocaust among Americans is terrifying, particularly as we see a rise in anti-Semitic incidents and violence worldwide. We cannot allow hate to become normalized.\r\nHOLOCAUST EDUCATION: Interior Appropriations provides a $1.388 million increase for the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum education. Following language requested from Senator Cardin, the appropriations bill requires the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to submit a report on their collection and usage of historical documentation, such as survivor testimony, to support their memory and range of educational programs related to the Holocaust.\r\nHOLOCAUST SURVIVOR ASSISTANCE: Labor-Health and Human Services Appropriations maintains $5 million for the Holocaust Survivor Assistance Fund. , which Senator Cardin helped create. There are about 80,000 survivors of the Holocaust living in the United States and approximately 25% live at or below the poverty line. They continue to live with the unique mental and physical scars of the unconscionable trauma caused by the Holocaust.Senator Cardin's TIME for Holocaust Survivors Act (S. 2179), which is being considered as part of the Older Americans Act reauthorization, would further ensure that Holocaust survivors have coordinated, trauma-informed care and services particularly tailored their needs.\r\nNEVER AGAIN: Houses of worship should be sanctuaries, not targets of hate, said Senator Cardin. Congress has an obligation to assist local communities in keeping the public safe from harm. While I regret such a program is necessary, I was pleased at the bipartisan support we received for a 50 percent increase in the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (now $90 million) after the Trump administration inexplicably zeroed out funding for this program in the president's budget. Nonprofits, synagogues, churches and other houses of worship are eligible for federal support for physical security enhancements and activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attack through the Nonprofit Security Grant program and Urban Area Security Initiative Grants program.\r\nTo further monitor and respond to the growing rise in anti-Semitism, the FY2020 omnibus appropriations includes $500,000 specifically for use by the U.S. Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism. \r\n\r\n###\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/hoyer-discusses-impeachment-vote-house-democrats%E2%80%99-work-people-msnbc%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%9Cmorning-joe%E2%80%9D", "Hoyer Discusses Impeachment Vote, House Democrats\u2019 Work For the People on MSNBC\u2019s \u201cMorning Joe\u201d", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Steny Hoyer", "H000874", "www.majorityleader.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC - House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) joined MSNBC's \"Morning Joe to discuss the impeachment vote yesterday and how House Democrats are legislating for the people. Below are excerpts from his interview and a link to the video:\n  \nClick here to watch the full interview.  \n\nOn Impeachment It was a day of responsibility. It was a day where Members, who had raised their hand and sworn to protect the Constitution of the United States and our democracy, felt they had no choice in light of the President's actions, in light of the President trying to dragoon a foreign head of government to participate in the American elections. It put our national security at risk and the integrity of our elections at risk, and I think that you saw some extraordinary courage on the Democratic side On Legislating for the People We passed a prescription drug bill, which we think the President should sign because it very much is along the line of his saying we need to negotiate to bring prices down for people. We passed a bill to protect [people with] pre-existing conditions, which the Republicans say they want to protect, which [Senate Majority Leader] Mcconnell hasn't taken up. We passed substantial reforms of voting, campaign finance, redistricting reform. We passed, just this week, as you point out, the [appropriations bills] with no drama, no threat of shutdown. I certainly hope the President will sign that bill. We have been doing our legislative business while at the same time feeling it our duty to protect the Constitution and our democracy. On Funding Government The government is funded. There will not be a shutdown. The government being shut down is not only bad for government employees, many of whom I represent, but it is bad for the entire country and the image of America of not being able to run itself in an orderly fashion - the leader of the free world. It is harmful to us around the world. So, we also received significant funding for domestic priorities in terms of children, in terms of health, and in terms of security that we needed to get done.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-statement-on-appropriations-package", "Van Hollen Statement on Appropriations Package", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Chris Van Hollen", "V000128", "www.vanhollen.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 19, 2019\n\t\t\t Van Hollen Statement on Appropriations Package \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the FY 2020 appropriationspackage: I'm pleased that today the Senate was able to pass legislation to fund important investments throughout our state and our country. These bills include a number of key provisions for Maryland  including a historic increase in funds to protect and preserve the Chesapeake Bay. They also provide increased resources to the NIH to achieve their mission of discovering and developing life-saving cures and medical treatments for diseases that impact every American family. Additionally, this package includes critical support for Maryland's many top-notch federal agencies and military installations, such as NASA Goddard, Fort Detrick, Fort Meade, NIST, and NOAA. And it invests in important projects within our state, including oyster restoration, dredging the Port of Baltimore, and WMATA. That being said, I was deeply disappointed that this package failed to curb or address one of the President's most egregious abuses of power  his actions to steal funding from Congressionally-approved projects to build his inefficient, unnecessary border wall and support his inhumane immigration policy. He has stolen funding from projects at Joint Base Andrews, Fort Meade, and other military installations across our country and transferred funds within the Department of Homeland Security. These losses will have tangible impacts on our military bases, communities, and national security. The Congress's inability to sure up its power of the purse, and address this issue, is unacceptable.  ###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://anthonybrown.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=718", "Congressman Anthony Brown Floor Speech on the Impeachment of President Donald J Trump", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Anthony Brown", "B001304", "anthonybrown.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Anthony Brown Floor Speech on the Impeachment of President Donald J Trump \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        To keep my oath to the people I serve and the country I love, today I will vote to impeach President Donald Trump.\r\n      \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Washington, D.C.  Congressman Anthony G. Brown, Vice Chair of the House Armed Services Committee,delivered remarks on the Floor of the House of Representatives in support of two articles of impeachment against the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. Below are the Congressman's remarks:\r\n\"Mr. Chairman, when I was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army, I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution.\" I have done so 13 times during my 35 years of public service. That oath means everything. To serve and fight for our country. To protect and promote our values. Yet, President Trump betrayed his oath. He abused his power - the immense power of the presidency. He threatened our elections, by inviting foreign interference. He chose investigating a political rival, over defending our national security. So today, we must use our power - the extraordinary power, endowed by the Constitution and entrusted by the people. The power to impeach.We must hold President Trump accountable, or else we will be complicit in undermining our democracy, our security and our dignity. His conduct demonstrates his unfitness to serve as commander-in-chief, and warrants removal from office. The oath I took as a Member of Congress, is the same I took as a soldier. An oath that reminds me, values matter, that duty, honor and the rule of law matter.To keep my oath to the people I serve and the country I love, today I will vote to impeach President Donald Trump.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://anthonybrown.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=724", "Full Maryland Delegation Calls on MDOT to Provide Public More Details on Highway Expansion Plans, Integration of Transit", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Anthony Brown", "B001304", "anthonybrown.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Maryland's full Congressional delegation is calling on the incoming Maryland Secretary of Transportation to provide the public with more details on widening I-270, widening the Beltway, and replacing the American Legion Bridge, all of which are of great significance to our region with long-lasting effects. In a letter to Gregory Slater, current head of the Maryland Highway Administration, Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Andy Harris M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone addressed issues of concern following a meeting earlier this month with Slater and current Maryland Secretary of Transportation Pete K. Rahn. The delegation letter also stressed the need for multimodal transportation options for the state rather than a reliance on a vehicles-only approach.\r\nThe public deserves more information and greater transparency in the process of planning, constructing, and implementing any projects for widening I-270, widening the Beltway, and replacing the American Legion Bridge  more details on how and when specific properties will be affected, where tolling may impact on-ramps and exit ramps, how parkland may be impacted, and the details of the environmental impact assessments, the lawmakers wrote. In our meeting with you and Secretary Rahn, we were clear about the need to plan for public transit in conjunction with any expansion of our highways for vehicle traffic  We are eager to hear in greater detail how multi-modal plans will be integrated in these projects, including the guidelines you would establish for incorporating transit into any public-private partnership to construct and manage new toll lanes.\r\nThe full letter is below and at this link.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://harris.house.gov/media/press-releases/harris-statement-impeachment", "Harris Statement on Impeachment", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MD", "Andy Harris", "H001052", "harris.house.gov", "harris", "https://harris.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) today voted against impeaching the President of the United States. Only members of the Democrat Party voted in favor of impeaching President Trump to remove him from office, which passed the House of Representatives. The vote against impeachment was bipartisan. The issue next moves to the Senate for consideration, where a two-thirds majority vote is required for a conviction.\n\nRep. Harris made the following statement:\n\n\"Today was a sad day for our republic and for our Constitution. Congress passed the articles of impeachment on a purely partisan vote by Democrats \u2013 with no support from any Republicans and, in fact, opposition from some fair-minded Democrats. This proves that this sham impeachment was a politically motivated attempt to remove President Trump from office despite the votes of 63 million Americans in the last election. When the President was elected, radical liberals immediately objected to his election and referred to themselves as \"the resistance.\" Then they claimed the President colluded with Russia \u2013 until the Mueller report definitively ended that charade. Now they claimed he abused power by rightfully trying to investigate potential corruption involving over a million dollars in payments made to Hunter Biden, and blatant attempts by the previous Ukrainian government to influence our 2016 election. As to the actual articles of impeachment, as Professor Turley testified two weeks ago, the only abuse of power is by the radical Democrat House majority, which made a mockery of impeachment by proceeding without substantial evidence. As to obstruction of Congress, all Presidents have claimed executive privilege, and even President Obama's own Attorney General Eric Holder refused to answer House subpoenas during the Fast and Furious investigation that he claimed infringed on executive privilege. Since Speaker Pelosi couldn't even get all her House Democrats to vote for impeachment, much less any Republicans, it is clear that the Senate will, and should, vote against conviction. This means the entire impeachment hoax was a waste of time that distracted Congress from getting real work done for the American people \u2013 fighting the opioid crisis, lowering prescription drug costs, making health care more affordable, securing our borders, and keeping our booming economy going. Democrats failed to make their impeachment case, and fewer Americans support impeachment now than before Adam Schiff held his one-sided, secret Soviet-style impeachment inquiry. The American people aren't fooled so easily.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://ruppersberger.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/baltimore-congressional-delegation-announces-nearly-750000-for-veterans", "Baltimore Congressional Delegation Announces nearly $750,000 for Veterans Housing", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger", "R000576", "ruppersberger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC) U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger and John Sarbanes today announced the award of $748,976 for Baltimore's Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program. The HUD-VASH program combines rental assistance for homeless veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  \n\t  \n\tBaltimore City will receive $285,978 and Baltimore County will receive $96,684 for direct rental assistance. Baltimore City has also been awarded $366,314 through the Administrative Fee Set-aside account for special fees, which allocates funding to local PHAs that need additional resources to implement the program. In total, these grants will provide services for 45 Maryland Veterans.  \n\t  \n\tMen and women who have faithfully served our country should never struggle to put a roof over their heads, said the lawmakers. These federal funds represent our commitment to making veteran homelessness a thing of the past in Baltimore and across our state.  \n\t  \n\tThis funding is provided through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019 as authorized by section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937. The Housing Choice Voucher Program is the federal government's major program to help people afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Participants are able to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments. Additional information on the HUD-VASH program specifically may be found through the agency here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/enewsletters/impeachment-vote", "The Impeachment Vote", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "John Sarbanes", "S001168", "sarbanes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friend,\nToday, I voted to impeach President Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. This was a weighty decision.Impeachment is not something you reach for.It is something you are brought to  reluctantly  when the evidence presented can no longer be denied.In this sober and historic moment, members of Congress were called upon to uphold our oath of office and our duty to the Constitution, and we answered that call.\nPresident Trump coerced a foreign government to interfere in the 2020 election. Once Congress began to investigate his actions, he directed Executive Branch agencies, offices and officials not to comply.At every turn, he defied lawful subpoenas and withheld relevant documents.All of this was done in violation of his oath to faithfully execute the office of the Presidency and to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.\nThe President's actions compromised the national security of the United States, undermined the integrity of our democratic process and betrayed the trust of the American people. In soliciting foreign interference, President Trump took direct aim at the heart of our democracy. Like you, I believe that Americans should decide our elections, not a foreign country.As long as the President continues to invite foreign inference into our democracy, the integrity of the 2020 election remains at risk. We had no choice but to impeach.\nDuring the impeachment inquiry, the House's investigative committees conducted seventeen depositions and held public hearings with twelve fact witnesses, including career public servants, military officials and Trump political appointees. The witness testimony  along with other evidence including the White House's summary of President Trump's July 25 call with Ukrainian President Zelensky and public admissions from the President himself, his personal lawyer and his acting chief of staff  told a clear, consistent and uncontested story.\nPresident Trump pressured the Ukrainian government to publicly announce sham investigations into his political rival, and into a baseless conspiracy theory promoted by Russia, to benefit the President's 2020 re-election campaign. In order to coerce the Ukrainian government into carrying out this political scheme, President Trump withheld bipartisan, Congressionally appropriated military aid for Ukraine and dangled the prospect of a desperately sought-after White House meeting with the newly elected President of Ukraine. When these actions were uncovered, President Trump directed the Executive Branch to engage in unprecedented obstruction of Congress's Constitutionally supported impeachment investigation by defying subpoenas, refusing to turn over documents and declining to provide testimony.\nThese facts are not disputed.\nAnd so we are left with the question:Will Congress allow a President to place himself above the law, to abuse the power of his office, to invite foreign meddling into our elections, to put our national security at risk and to blatantly disregard the system of checks and balances enshrined in our Constitution, all for the purpose of benefitting his re-election campaign?\nToday, the House answered that grave question with a resounding No. We are holding the President accountable for his high crimes and misdemeanors because no one  not even the President of the UnitedStates  is above the law.\n  \n\tSincerely,\nCongressman John Sarbanes\n\tMaryland's Third Congressional District", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/baltimore-congressional-delegation-announces-nearly-750k-veterans-housing", "Baltimore Congressional Delegation Announces Nearly $750K For Veterans Housing", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "John Sarbanes", "S001168", "sarbanes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, and Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger and John Sarbanes announced Wednesday the award of $748,976 for Baltimore's Public Housing Agencies through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program. The HUD-VASH program combines rental assistance for homeless veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Baltimore City will receive $285,978 and Baltimore County will receive $96,684 for direct rental assistance. Baltimore City has also been awarded $366,314 through the Administrative Fee Set-aside account for special fees, which allocates funding to local PHAs that need additional resources to implement the program. In total, these grants will provide services for 45 Maryland Veterans.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/house-impeaches-trump-here-s-what-md-members-said-floor", "House Impeaches Trump; Heres What Md. Members Said on the Floor", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "John Sarbanes", "S001168", "sarbanes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Maryland's congressional delegation voted along party lines as the U.S. House voted to impeach President Trump Wednesday night, making him the third president to be impeached in U.S. history. Trump was impeached on charges that he abused power and obstructed Congress. The charges surround allegations that Trump improperly pressured Ukraine's president to investigate his political rival in an effort to interfere with the 2020 U.S. presidential election. No House Republicans voted to adopt either impeachment article. Two House Democrats voted against both articles of impeachment  Reps. Collin Peterson of Minnesota and Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey. Van Drew is reportedly planning to switch parties to become a Republican. Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) voted yes on the first article but against the obstruction of Congress article. Hawaii Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard voted present on both articles. Maryland's delegation voted entirely along party lines. Democratic Reps. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Anthony G. Brown, Steny H. Hoyer, David J. Trone and Jamie B. Raskin supported both impeachment articles. Republican Andrew P. Harris voted against both articles.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sarbanes-baltimore-congressional-delegation-announce-nearly-750000", "Sarbanes, Baltimore Congressional Delegation Announce Nearly $750,000 for Veterans Housing", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "John Sarbanes", "S001168", "sarbanes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger (all D-Md.), to announce $748,976 in federal funding for homeless veterans in Baltimore City and Baltimore County.\nFunding comes from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program, which combines rental assistance for homeless veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).\nBaltimore City will receive $285,978 and Baltimore County will receive $96,684 for direct rental assistance. Baltimore City has also been awarded $366,314 through the Administrative Fee Set-aside account for special fees, which allocates funding to local public housing agencies that need additional resources to implement the program. In total, this federal grant funding will provide vital services to 45 Maryland veterans.\nMen and women who have faithfully served our country should never struggle to put a roof over their heads, said the lawmakers. These federal funds represent our commitment to making veteran homelessness a thing of the past in Baltimore and across our state.\nFor more information about the HUD-VASH program, see here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sarbanes-votes-impeach-president-donald-j-trump", "Sarbanes Votes to Impeach President Donald J. Trump", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "John Sarbanes", "S001168", "sarbanes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) released the following statement today after voting to impeach President Donald J. Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress:\nToday, I voted to impeach President Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. This was a weighty decision. Impeachment is not something you reach for. It is something you are brought to  reluctantly  when the evidence presented can no longer be denied. In this grave and historic moment, members of Congress were called upon to uphold our oath of office and our duty to the Constitution, and we answered that call.  \n\t\nCongressman Sarbanes also delivered remarks on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives ahead of the historic vote. See below for a video and transcript of the Congressman's remarks.\n  \n\tMadamSpeaker, I rise today in support of the two articles of impeachment against President Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.\nVoting to impeach the President is a weighty decision.\nIt is not something you reach for. It's something you are brought to  reluctantly  when the evidence presented can no longer be denied.\nIn this sober and historic moment, Members of Congress are called upon to uphold our oath of office and our duty to the Constitution. Today, we answer that call.\nThe President's actions compromise the national security of the United States, undermine the integrity of our democratic process and betray the trust of the American people.\nIn soliciting foreign interference, President Trump took direct aim at the heart of our democracy. The American people should decide our elections, not a foreign country. As long as the President continues to invite foreign interference into our democracy, the integrity of the 2020 election remains at risk.\nThe question is: Will Congress allow the President to place his personal interests above those of his country?\nI urge my colleagues in the House to join me in answering that question with a resounding No  because no one, not even the President of the United States, is above the law.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://trone.house.gov/media/press-releases/trone-votes-articles-impeachment-facts-are-clear", "Trone Votes for Articles of Impeachment: The Facts are Clear", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "David Trone", "T000483", "trone.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\nContact: Hannah Muldavin, Hannah.Muldavin@mail.house.gov\n Trone Votes for Articles of Impeachment: The Facts are Clear \nWashington, DC - Today, Congressman David Trone (MD-06) released the below statement after the two articles of impeachment, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, passed through the House of Representatives:\nThe facts are clear. Witness testimony and other evidence show that the President asked a foreign power to intervene on his behalf in our election process. In doing so, he put his own personal political ambition before the common good of the country, our people, and the Constitution. He obstructed Congress' legitimate oversight by refusing to comply with subpoenas and directing others not to cooperate with these investigations.\nAfter careful review and keeping the oath I took to protect and defend the Constitution in mind, today I voted in favor of both articles of impeachment against the President of the United States.\nThis is a sad day for our country, but we must continue moving forward to create a better future for our children. This week, we passed a bipartisan spending bill that increased pay for federal workers by 3.1%, invested $41.7 billion in the NIH for life-saving medical research to find a cure for diseases like Alzheimer's, and dedicated historic funding to fight the opioid epidemic. As we move forward, I will continue to work on behalf of Maryland's 6th District in Washington.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/baltimore-congressional-delegation-announces-nearly-750000-for-veterans-housing", "Baltimore Congressional Delegation Announces nearly $750,000 for Veterans\u2019 Housing", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Benjamin Cardin", "C000141", "www.cardin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 18, 2019\n\t\t\t Baltimore Congressional Delegation Announces nearly $750,000 for Veterans' Housing \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger and John Sarbanes today announced the award of $748,976 for Baltimore's Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program. The HUD-VASH program combines rental assistance for homeless veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).\r\nBaltimore City will receive $285,978 and Baltimore County will receive $96,684 for direct rental assistance. Baltimore City has also been awarded $366,314 through the Administrative Fee Set-aside account for special fees, which allocates funding to local PHAs that need additional resources to implement the program. In total, these grants will provide services for 45 Maryland Veterans.\r\nMen and women who have faithfully served our country should never struggle to put a roof over their heads, said the lawmakers. These federal funds represent our commitment to making veteran homelessness a thing of the past in Baltimore and across our state.\r\nThis funding is provided through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019 as authorized by section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937. The Housing Choice Voucher Program is the federal government's major program to help people afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Participants are able to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments. Additional information on the HUD-VASH program specifically may be found through the agency here.\r\n###\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-crapo-bill-to-protect-fish-habitat-advances-in-senate", "Cardin, Crapo Bill To Protect Fish Habitat Advances In Senate", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Benjamin Cardin", "C000141", "www.cardin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 18, 2019\n\t\t\t Cardin, Crapo Bill To Protect Fish Habitat Advances In Senate \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t The National Fish Habitat Conservation Act clears Environment and Public Works Committee\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  A bipartisan bill that seeks to empower local and regional stakeholders in fish habitat restoration and conservation passed out of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) yesterday.U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) introduced S. 754, the National Fish Habitat Conservation Act (NFHCA) in March.\r\nWhen our wildlife thrives, so do our ecosystems and our local economies, said Senator Cardin, a senior member of EPW. Aquatic habitats are a lifeline for our environment, outdoor recreation, and local fishing industries. This bill creates an opportunity to work within our communities to protect and restore the health of waterways like the Chesapeake Bay and its iconic fish and shellfish species. I will continue to work to secure funding for collaborative conservation efforts and I urge the Senate to pass this important legislation.\r\nThe relationships between local and regional habitat conservation stakeholders with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is critical to maintaining and improving fish habitats, Senator Crapo said. The National Fish Habitat Conservation Act will leverage public-private partnerships to empower locally-based groups to restore and protect sustainably healthy fish populations. I thank EPW Committee Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) for moving this legislation today, and look forward to supporting it on the Senate floor soon.\r\nThe National Fish Habitat Conservation Act would improve the availability of financial and technical resources to support local fish habitat conservation efforts by creating a National Fish Habitat Board to facilitate regional partnerships with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The NFHCA would also better coordinate local efforts that will result in the greatest improvements to fish habitat across regional watersheds.\r\nThe bill would authorize funds over Fiscal Years 2020-2023 for the U.S. Department of the Interior to fund projects to conserve fish habitats, cover certain planning and administrative expenses, and provide technical and scientific assistance to the National Fish Habitat Board (established through the legislation), Fish Habitat Partnerships and conservation project participants.\r\nIt would not impose costs on state, local or tribal governments. The NFHCA is supported by the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, Trout Unlimited, the American Sportfishing Association, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the Nature Conservancy. The bill text can be foundHERE.\r\n###\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-responds-to-appeals-court-decision-on-individual-mandate", "Cardin Responds to Appeals Court Decision on Individual Mandate", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Benjamin Cardin", "C000141", "www.cardin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 18, 2019\n\t\t\t Cardin Responds to Appeals Court Decision on Individual Mandate \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Finance Health Care Subcommittee, issued the following rebuke of the federal appeals court decision on the Obamacare individual mandate.\r\nRepublicans want to destroy our health care system rather than fix it. Today they are closer to achieving their mission. The Trump administration has repeatedly refused to defend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which helped tens of millions of Americans to obtain more affordable, quality health coverage. Protections for millions of Americans with preexisting conditions remain at risk. Republicans will be directly responsible for any coming spikes in costs for millions of middle income families and any loss of the many patient protections guaranteed by the ACA.\r\n###\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-van-hollen-hoyer-brown-announce-more-than-425000-for-veterans-housing-in-prince-georges-county-", "Cardin, Van Hollen, Hoyer, Brown Announce more than $425,000 for Veterans\u2019 Housing in Prince George\u2019s County", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Benjamin Cardin", "C000141", "www.cardin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 18, 2019\n\t\t\t Cardin, Van Hollen, Hoyer, Brown Announce more than $425,000 for Veterans' Housing in Prince George's County  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny Hoyer and Anthony G. Brown today announced the award of $426,720 for Prince George's County Public Housing Agency through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program. The HUD-VASH program combines rental assistance for homeless veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This grant will provide services for 35 Maryland Veterans.\r\nMen and women who have faithfully served our country should never struggle to put a roof over their heads, said the lawmakers. These federal funds represent our commitment to making veteran homelessness a thing of the past in Prince George's County and across our state.\r\nThis funding is provided through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019 as authorized by section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937. The Housing Choice Voucher Program is the federal government's major program to help people afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Participants are able to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments. Additional information on the HUD-VASH program specifically may be found through the agency here.\r\n###\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/house-judiciary-committee-democratic-staff-summer-internship-program", "House Judiciary Committee Democratic Staff Summer Internship Program", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Steny Hoyer", "H000874", "www.majorityleader.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The House Judiciary Committee Democratic staff are looking for interns for the summer semester. The House Committee on the Judiciary's staff internship program offers undergraduate students, law students, graduate students, and recent graduates an opportunity to experience the operation of a congressional committee firsthand and learn about the important role that our Committee plays in the legislative process. The Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction over a wide range of legislative and oversight issues, including oversight of the U.S. Department of Justice, constitutional law, federal criminal law, voting rights, immigration and naturalization, intellectual property law, and antitrust law.\n   Intern assignments will vary depending on the work of the Judiciary Committee each semester. Examples of potential responsibilities include:\n   \n     Researching policy issues under the committee's jurisdiction\n     Conducting legal research\n     Attending briefings and hearings on the Hill\n     Drafting memos\n     Supporting committee counsels\n     Supporting committee clerks and professional staff members\n     Providing administrative support, including answering calls, delivering correspondence, and setting up the hearing room.\n   \n   The Committee strives to ensure that our internship class reflects the diversity of the country's population; candidates from minority backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. The Committee does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including marital or parental status, sexual orientation, and gender identity), disability, age, or national origin.  The deadline to apply for the summer semester is February 15, 2020. To learn more and apply, click here .", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/house-judiciary-committee-democrats-%E2%80%93-staff-assistant", "House Judiciary Committee Democrats \u2013 Staff Assistant", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Steny Hoyer", "H000874", "www.majorityleader.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Democratic staff of the House Judiciary Committee seeks a Staff Assistant. Candidates should have excellent organizational skills and strong research, writing, and communication skills.Responsibilities include overseeing Committee hearing and markup logistics, serving as assistant clerk during markups, providing administrative and research support to Chief of Staff and Staff Director/Chief Counsel, coordinating Staff Director/Chief Counsel's calendar and the Committee calendar, co-managing the intern program, and managing Committee administrative needs. The Committee strives to ensure that our staff reflects the diversity of the country's population; candidates from minority backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. The Committee does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including marital or parental status, sexual orientation, and gender identity), disability, age, or national origin.\n   Please send a resume and cover letter to JDEM.job@mail.house.gov  and include Staff Assistant in the subject line.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/house-judiciary-committee-democrats-communications-spring-internship", "House Judiciary Committee Democrats Communications Spring Internship", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Steny Hoyer", "H000874", "www.majorityleader.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The House Judiciary Committee Democrats are looking for Spring 2020 interns who can assist in executing an aggressive communications strategy. Candidates should have a strong interest in both public relations and public policy. Applicants should have excellent organizational skills and strong research, writing, and communication skills. The Committee strives to ensure that our internship class reflects the diversity of the country's population; candidates from minority backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. The Committee does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including marital or parental status, sexual orientation, and gender identity), disability, age, or national origin.\n  \n     Primary Duties: \n  \n   \n     Assisting with committee hearings, press conferences, panels, forums, and other events\n     Taking photos of and recording events\n     Managing press lists, including creating issue-specific press lists\n     Compiling press clips\n     Drafting social media content (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)\n   \n   Please send a resume and cover letter to JudPressIntern@mail.house.gov .", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/hoyer-discusses-impeachment-vote-funding-government-cnn%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%9Csituation-room-wolf-blitzer%E2%80%9D", "Hoyer Discusses the Impeachment Vote, Funding the Government on  CNN\u2019s \u201cSituation Room with Wolf Blitzer\u201d", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Steny Hoyer", "H000874", "www.majorityleader.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC - House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) joined CNN's Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer this evening to discuss the impeachment vote and passage of legislation to fund the government. Below are excerpts from the interview and a link to the video:  \n\n\n  \nClick here to watch the full remarks.\n  \nOn the Impeachment Vote When you look at the evidence, in a fair and balanced way, it is inevitable that you come to the conclusion that this President abused his authority, his power as president, and [he] ought to be held accountable. If we don't do that, then we are subject to, as so many Constitutional experts have said, to losing our democracy. This is not about politics; it's not about polls; it's not about whether one gets re-elected or not. It is whether one complies with their oath of office to defend and protect the Constitution of the United States of America. And so many of those folks that you mentioned served in the Armed Forces, served in the Central Intelligence Agency and our security agency, served in the State Department, served in executive agencies in the government, and they take their oath very, very seriously. And it was not until this July 25 phone call and all the evidence that flowed from that, that those Members took their position that we needed to have an inquiry. After the evidence, they have concluded what they have concluded Neither the Speaker nor I have asked any Member to vote for or against articles of impeachment. That is up to them. That's for their conscience to direct and what they believe to be their duty. On Funding the Government  The fact of the matter is I am very proud of the fact there will be no shutdown. When we took over the [Majority at the] beginning of this year, the government of the United States was shutdown. We hadn't done our business. [The House] passed appropriation bills, [and] 96 percent of government [was] funded by the end of June. Unfortunately, the Senate didn't pass any bills, but we did come together, Senate, House and, yes, the White House, and reached a compromise that was overwhelmingly supported by a majority of Democrats We're doing the people's business.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/hoyer-discusses-today%E2%80%99s-impeachment-vote-cbs-news", "Hoyer Discusses Today\u2019s Impeachment Vote on CBS News", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Steny Hoyer", "H000874", "www.majorityleader.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC - House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) was live on CBS Newsthis afternoon to discuss today's impeachment vote. Below are excerpts from the interview and a link to the video:  \n\n\n\nClick here to watch the interview.\n  \nMembers are not considering whether this is going to help or hurt them in their election. They may have views on that. What they are really considering is their personal responsibility, their oath of office, their pledge to defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America.Democrats saw our national security and the integrity of our elections being undermined It was then, and only then, that the majority of Democrats came to a conclusion that this is not conduct that could be condoned; that, in fact, [it] was against the interest of the United States, our national security, and our election integrity, and it was then and only then we acted.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/hoyer-we-are-compelled-our-duty-act-today", "Hoyer: We Are Compelled By Our Duty to Act Today", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Steny Hoyer", "H000874", "www.majorityleader.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC - House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) was live on CNN this morning to discuss today's impeachment vote. Below are excerpts from the interview and a link to the video:  \n\nClick here to watch the interview.\n  \nWe feel very strongly that we are compelled by our duty to our oath in the Constitution and our democracy to act today where we have found that the President of the United States has abused his power.We think this is a very serious and sad day for the country in some ways, but [this is] a responsibility that we could not shirk in light of the oath we made to protect and preserve the Constitution of the United States and our democracy and to confront abuse of power so that it is not repeated. But this is a serious day. This is not a day for celebration; this is not a day for claiming victory; and this is a day for doing our responsibility. We have not whipped a single Member, as you know, every Member has been urged to reach their conclusion based upon what they believe is consistent with their oath of office.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/seeking-legislative-correspondent", "Seeking Legislative Correspondent", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Steny Hoyer", "H000874", "www.majorityleader.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Andy Levin seeks a Legislative Correspondent to serve in the Washington, D.C. office.\n   Responsibilities will include managing a very active constituent correspondence program, drafting and distributing a weekly constituent newsletter and other proactive outreach, assisting legislative staff with writing and research projects, and other duties as assigned. The ideal candidate will be a team player who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is committed to bold, progressive policy change. Impeccable attention to detail and the ability to work efficiently under deadlines are essential. Previous Hill experience, including familiarity with the IQ constituent response management system, is strongly preferred. Michigan ties are a plus. Women, people of color, LGBTQ persons, and members of other underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.\n   To apply, please send a resume, cover letter, and two writing samples to  MI09.Jobs@mail.house.gov .", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-secures-language-to-protect-alzheimers-stamp-in-year-end-funding-agreement", "Van Hollen Secures Language to Protect Alzheimer\u2019s Stamp in Year-End Funding Agreement", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Chris Van Hollen", "V000128", "www.vanhollen.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 18, 2019\n\t\t\t Van Hollen Secures Language to Protect Alzheimer's Stamp in Year-End Funding Agreement \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tToday, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen announced the inclusion of his language to protect the Alzheimer's Semipostal Stamp within the final FY 2020 appropriations package, which will be voted on this week. The stamp raises funds for Alzheimer's research and has been in circulation since 2017, but despite its success, the USPS stopped selling it in November. In an effort to extend the sale of the stamp, Senator Van Hollen introduced an amendment within the Appropriations Committee directing USPS to continue to sell the stamp as long as copies remain. The Senator's amendment passed the Committee and  at his urging  has been included in the year-end funding agreement. On the House side, a similar provision was authored and included by the late Congressman Elijah Cummings. The appropriations package has already passed the House of Representatives and is expected to be voted on in the Senate tomorrow before proceeding to the President's desk. Senator Van Hollen has long been a proponent of the Alzheimer's stamp, an issue originally brought to his attention by Frederick County-resident and advocate Kathy Siggins and fellow advocate Lynda Everman.  Alzheimer's has impacted countless families in Maryland and across our country. That's why I've fought to increase investment in critical research on this disease, said Senator Van Hollen. Thanks to the work of Kathy and many other advocates, the Alzheimer's semi-postal stamp has already raised significant funds towards these efforts, and I'm pleased that we were able to protect the stamp in the year-end funding agreement. Whether it's sending holiday packages or mailing a letter to a friend, every dollar we put towards research can help make a difference. I will keep fighting to maintain the stamp's availability for years to come.  Maryland advocate Kathy Siggins said, Lynda Everman and I are extremely grateful to Senator Chris Van Hollen and congressional leaders for their tireless efforts to keep the Alzheimer's semipostal stamp available for purchase so that all Americans can continue to contribute directly to Alzheimer's research at NIH simply by buying this powerful little stamp. Thank you!  The USPS cut-off date for selling the Alzheimer's semipostal stamp was November 30, 2019. Per USPS protocol, after that date, the remaining stamps are inventoried and then destroyed. Senators Markey, Capito, Van Hollen, and Collins sent a letter to the USPS on November 7, 2019 urging them not to destroy the remaining stamps until Congress has a chance to clarify its intentions for the stamp in the FY2020 appropriations legislation. In response to the Senators' letter, USPS is currently preserving the inventory.Senator Van Hollen has been a proponent of the Alzheimer's semipostal stamp since 2005 through his support of legislation calling on the USPS to issue this stamp and by joining his colleagues to introduce legislation to keep the Alzheimer's semipostal stamp available for an additional six years.  ###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-statement-on-house-vote-to-pass-articles-of-impeachment", "Van Hollen Statement on House Vote to Pass Articles of Impeachment", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Chris Van Hollen", "V000128", "www.vanhollen.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 18, 2019\n\t\t\t Van Hollen Statement on House Vote to Pass Articles of Impeachment \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the U.S. House of Representatives' vote to pass articles of impeachment against U.S. President Donald Trump:  Today is a somber day for our nation and for the Congress. Now that the House has completed its constitutional duty, impeachment will move to the Senate. As we go forward, it's up to the American people to demand a fair trial. Republican Leader Mitch McConnell's conduct is already extremely troubling and anything but impartial. He has publicly expressed his plan to work in lockstep with the President during the trial and has rejected reasonable requests to allow key fact witnesses to testify. In short, he wants to rig the trial. I hope my other Republican colleagues will agree that we have a duty to get all the facts and do justice.If President Trump and Senate Republicans have nothing to hide, they shouldhave nothing to fear. Through their hearings and witness-sworn testimonies, I believe the House has presented overwhelming evidence in support of the case for impeachment, but  unlike the Senate Republican leader  I welcome additional evidence, including any exculpatory evidence thePresident wants to produce. I will listen to and fairly weigh any such evidence before rendering a final verdict. That is what a trial is all about. That is our obligation under the Constitution.The American people deserve nothing less.   ###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-toomey-brown-portman-applaud-north-korea-sanctions-in-final-ndaa-package", "Van Hollen, Toomey, Brown, Portman Applaud North Korea Sanctions in Final NDAA Package", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Chris Van Hollen", "V000128", "www.vanhollen.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 18, 2019\n\t\t\t Van Hollen, Toomey, Brown, Portman Applaud North Korea Sanctions in Final NDAA Package \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Senators Van Hollen (D-Md.), Pat Toomey (R-Penn.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) celebrated the inclusion of the Otto Warmbier North Korea Nuclear Sanctions and Enforcement Act in the final FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). They were joined at the event by Fred and Cindy Warmbier, whose son Otto died after being imprisoned in North Korea for over a year and who the bill is named for. For the full video of the event, click here.  The legislation, which is now at the President's desk for signature, will offer foreign banks and firms a stark choice: continue business with North Korea or maintain access to the U.S. financial system. It does this by imposing mandatory sanctions on the foreign banks and companies that facilitate illicit financial transactions for North Korea.  I'm proud to say that Congress has taken a stand when it comes to North Korea's nuclear ambitions and the threat that it poses to our country and the world. This legislation will out real teeth in the sanctions regime in order to achieve our goal of a negotiated agreement to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, said Senator Van Hollen. I want to thank Senators Toomey, Brown, and Portman, as well as the Warmbier family, for working with us to get this done.  This was a fight of over two years to get to this point. It's all about holding the appalling regime in North Korea accountable for the nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles that they have been developing that are a real threat to Americans and to American allies. And to hold this regime accountable for the horrendous and appalling human rights violations  especially what happened to Otto Warmbier. I appreciate the tremendous support from Senator Van Hollen, and our partnership with Senators Portman and Brown, to get this measure across the finish line on behalf of the Warmbier family,said Senator Toomey.  It's important we send a clear signal that the U.S. is serious about maintaining economic and diplomatic pressure on North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program, and to stop its continuing human rights abuses like those that took the life of Otto Warmbier, said Senator Brown. I thank Chairman Crapo, and Senators Toomey, Van Hollen and Portman for their leadership on this issue.  This bipartisan sanctions legislation will help hold North Korea accountable for their actions and human rights abuses against Cincinnati-native Otto Warmbier as well as others they've illegally held captive. I'm glad these sanctions were included in the NDAA conference report and we must continue to work together to confront the threat that North Korea poses. Fred and Cindy Warmbier and their family have been through so much. I'm proud to be their friend and support their efforts to hold North Korea accountable and ensure that Otto is never forgotten, said Senator Portman.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-young-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-dramatically-increase-affordable-housing-vouchers", "Van Hollen, Young Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Dramatically Increase Affordable Housing Vouchers", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Chris Van Hollen", "V000128", "www.vanhollen.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 18, 2019\n\t\t\t Van Hollen, Young Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Dramatically Increase Affordable Housing Vouchers \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Legislation Would Create 500,000 Housing Mobility Vouchers\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) today introduced the Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act to improve life outcomes for families with young children by providing them with housing vouchers and counseling services so that they can move to areas of greater opportunity. When a child grows up in a high opportunity area, they are more likely to have successful life outcomes. Whether it be lower-crime, better education, access to transportation, quality healthcare, or suitable housing, higher opportunity areas offer children a greater chance to succeed. This bipartisan bill recognizes that certain areas offer different opportunities and will increase mobility by allowing people to choose the best neighborhood for their families. In the FY 2019 appropriations package, Senators Van Hollen and Young secured the authorization and funding of their Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Demonstration Act. The Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act would build upon their previous efforts by expanding this legislation  providing increased funds and making 500,000 more vouchers available over the next 5 years.  Every American family deserves access to a safe, affordable home. But for young children, this need is especially dire. Stability at home helps promote their future success  in school and later in their careers. As our communities struggle to keep up with the demand for affordable housing, housing vouchers have proven to be an effective solution to this problem. This legislation will expand their availability and increase opportunity for our young and most vulnerable. I am proud to introduce this bill with my Republican colleague Senator Young, and I will continue working to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed, said Senator Van Hollen.   The American Dream should extend to every American child, regardless of the circumstances of their birth. Evidence clearly shows what happens when we empower families with young children to relocate to areas offering good jobs, quality schools, and safe neighborhoods: earnings grow, job vacancies are filled, poverty declines, and children more fully realize their God-given potential, said Senator Young. This bill draws on recent groundbreaking research to invest in housing mobility vouchers and customized relocation support services to improve life outcomes and strengthen Hoosier families, all while substantially reducing taxpayer expenditures on healthcare, public safety, and social services.  The Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act puts a significant down payment on evidence-basedhousing mobility vouchers for the nation's most vulnerable families with young children. The bill couples mobility vouchers with customized support services to help families escape the cycle of poverty and move to high opportunity areas.  Specifically the bill:   Creates an additional 500,000 housing vouchers over five years for low-income, high-need families with young children. Pregnant women and families with a child under age 6 would qualify for these new vouchers if they have a history of homelessness or housing instability, live in an area of concentrated poverty, or are at risk of being pushed out of an opportunity area.   Provides voucher recipients with access to counseling and case management services that have a proven track record of helping families move out of poverty.  The bills resources would enable housing agencies to engage new landlords in the voucher program and connect families with information about housing in high-opportunity neighborhoods, and community-based supports for families as they move.  Click here to view the bill text.  Click here to view the one pager.  Support for the Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act:    Our nation is in the grips of an affordable rental housing crisis, forcing three out of every four of America's lowest-income families to make impossible tradeoffs between paying rent and putting groceries on the table or meeting their other basic needs. Because of longstanding housing segregation, discrimination, racism and other factors, when families do receive assistance, they often have few choices about where to live  impacting everything from health outcomes, educational attainment and income, stated Diane Yentel, President and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition. I applaud Senators Todd Young and Chris Van Hollen for introducing the Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act of 2019 to provide 500,000 of America's lowest-income families with young children the breadth of opportunities that start with affordable homes in safe, thriving communities with access to good schools, jobs, healthcare, and transit. It is exciting to see a bipartisan effort to significantly expand the Housing Choice Voucher program through the Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act, and I applaud Senators Van Hollen and Young for this leadership, saidAdria Crutchfield, Executive Director of the Baltimore Regional Housing Partnership. Our country's existing housing need far exceeds the annual congressional funding, and this bill will serve to not only target funding where it is most needed  children in families with low incomes  but to also promote practices BRHP has demonstrated through the Baltimore Housing Mobility Program to help families access neighborhoods of their choice and transition successfully to safe, healthy, and economically vibrant communities, breaking cycles of intergenerational poverty.  The Affordable Housing Conference of Montgomery County strongly endorses The Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act of 2019. Multiple respected studies confirm that housing stability and the benefits of housing located close to quality education and the parental workplace offer young children greater opportunities to succeed in school. This legislation also provides needed resources to address mental health challenges. The use of Housing vouchers, known to be the most effective tool to tackle the critical shortage of affordable housing, and the provision of counselling and case management services will go a long way to confront one of our nation's most challenging public policy problems. Barbara Goldberg Affordable Housing Conference of Montgomery County Co-Founder and Co-Chair  We believe the Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act of 2019 builds on the latest research evidence on the profound impacts of high opportunity areas on low-income children's economic mobility; we support the research-informed approaches outlined in the bill and believe it puts forward important resources and policies for improving children's long-term outcomes, said Raj Chetty, Opportunity Insights at Harvard University.  America's lowest income citizens lack access to both financial and social capital. The good policy of housing vouchers closes this gap by opening the door to neighborhoods filled with healthy families, engaged citizens, and economic opportunity, said Jay Hein, President of Sagamore Institute.   The Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act of 2019 takes a significant step toward changing the face of poverty in the United States. This will reduce homelessness and evictions, keep families together, free up dollars to be spent on different life necessities, and increase opportunity for success, said Matthew Desmond, author of Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City'.  The Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act introduced by Senators Young and Van Hollen will give hundreds of thousands of children a better chance of long-term success by helping their families afford housing in neighborhoodswith quality schools and other opportunitiesthatpromote healthy child development and improved outcomes as adults, said Robert Greenstein, President of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.This legislation is important to giving many children in low-income families a better start in life.  Low-income children facing housing instability and growing up in neighborhoods of extreme poverty are more likely to struggle in school, more likely to experience adverse health outcomes, and less likely to climb the income ladder as adults, said Mike Koprowski, National Director of the Opportunity Starts at Home campaign.Research clearly shows that Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers can dramatically improve the life trajectories of low-income children by expanding access to stable, affordable housing located in safe, well-resourced communities. This legislation contains one of the most research-based and cost-effective policy tools available to the federal government to dramatically improve upward mobility for the next generation. For the full list of quotes of support, click here.  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://anthonybrown.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=709", "Reps. Brown, Speier and Bass Send Letter Expressing Concern with White Supremacist Gestures at Army-Navy Game", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Anthony Brown", "B001304", "anthonybrown.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Reps. Brown, Speier and Bass Send Letter Expressing Concern with White Supremacist Gestures at Army-Navy Game \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        The potential use of a symbol of hate by any cadet or midshipman is unacceptable. The U.S. Armed Forces and their associated academies are no place for racist or unprofessional behavior...\r\n      \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      WASHINGTON, D.C.  House Armed Services Committee Vice ChairCongressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04), , House Armed Services Subcommitteeon Military Personnel Chair CongresswomanJackie Speier (CA-14) and Congressional Black Caucus Chair CongresswomanKaren Bass (CA-37) sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley on the potential use of white nationalist gestures by Army cadets and Navy midshipmen at the 2019 Army-Navy Game:The potential use of a symbol of hate by any cadet or midshipman is unacceptable,\" wrote the Members. \"The U.S. Armed Forces and their associated academies are no place for racist or unprofessional behavior, as embodied by the U.S. Military Academy's mission to graduate 'leader[s] of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country=' and the U.S. Naval Academy's mission to prepare 'professional officers of competence, character, and compassion.'\" \"Independent of a potential association with the white supremacist movement, we are troubled by the clear lack of discipline in our future military leaders,\" the letter reads. \"It is paramount that each cadet and midshipman understands that when they don their uniforms, they are representing their academy, their service, and our nation, and exhibit at all times the discipline required by military service.\"  \r\n  \r\nClick here to read the text of the letter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://anthonybrown.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=710", "Bipartisan Bill to Improve Militarys Energy Security Included in NDAA", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Anthony Brown", "B001304", "anthonybrown.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today announced that bipartisan legislation to improve the U.S. military's energy security and reduce carbon emissions has been included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference agreement approved by the Senate today. The Securing Energy for our Armed Forces Using Engineering Leadership (SEA FUEL) Act would direct the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security to pioneer new technologies that will capture carbon dioxide from air and seawater and convert it to clean fuels or other useful products. The program has been allocated $8 million in the 2020 appropriations agreement set to be approved by Congress this week.\r\nThe military has much at stake with climate change. Rising seas are lapping at bases at home and abroad, and the danger of conflict across the globe is increasing as natural resources dry up, said Senator Whitehouse. Investing the military's research capabilities in carbon capture technology holds the promise of making overseas installations more self-sufficient while heading off the effects of climate change. \r\nThe Pentagon recognizes that climate change is real and poses serious national security challenges. This provision directs the Departments of Energy, Defense, and Homeland Security to invest in promising research into carbon capture technologies, said Senator Reed, the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee. \r\nThe U.S. military has an opportunity to accelerate innovative technologies that could help our fleet project strength and operate in every corner of the globe like never before, while also revolutionizing energy use and improving the lives of people around the world, said Senator Sullivan. The SEA FUEL Act will build on the progress of the Navy's 2017 carbon capture breakthrough and hopefully lead to beneficial new ways to utilize carbon dioxide to supply and power our future. I'm glad to cosponsor Senator Whitehouse's legislation and see its inclusion in this year's NDAA.\r\nThis marks the first time a federal program will be created for dedicated research and deployment of direct air capture and blue carbon technologies. Whitehouse introduced the SEA FUEL Act along with Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) in May. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), David Schweikert (R-AZ), and Anthony Brown (D-MD) introduced the House companion in June. \r\nCongress' passage of the SEA FUEL Act is excellent news which will result in forward progress on the climate crisis, said Congressman Beyer. Our just-passed bipartisan legislation will reduce the carbon footprint of the US military while increasing readiness. Importantly, the SEA FUEL Act will also help foster the emerging technologies to address the increased concentration of carbon in our air and in our water. I thank our bipartisan group of cosponsors for their support of the bill, and look forward to seeing it signed into law.\r\nAmerica's military readiness depends on our ability to effectively respond to the national security threat posed by climate change, said Congressman Brown. Adopting carbon capture technology across the Department of Defense and Armed Services will improve our fuel security and foster innovation critical to responding to these challenges.\r\nTechnologies are emerging from the carbon capture sector that remove carbon emissions directly from the air and convert carbon dioxide into new materials like plastics, chemicals, or jet fuel. These promising technologies could generate new industries and jobs, and have an important role in removing carbon emissions from the environment.\r\nDefense Department facilities and vessels rely heavily on fuels transported from offsite, creating security risks. Overseas military installations would benefit from technology to convert excess carbon dioxide into fuel onsite. In addition, the captured carbon may be turned into useful products like building materials that could be used to increase low-lying elevations and protect infrastructure in remote areas.\r\nThe U.S. Navy has already patented a technology that would remove excess carbon dioxide from ocean water and turn it into fuel. The Energy Future Initiative, chaired by former Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, recently authored a report entitled Clearing the Air, which highlighted the value of researching and demonstrating carbon removal technologies across multiple agencies.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://anthonybrown.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=711", "Brown: We Won't Stop Fighting On Behalf of Transgender Service Members", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Anthony Brown", "B001304", "anthonybrown.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Brown: We Won't Stop Fighting On Behalf of Transgender Service Members \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        This is a positive step forward but by no means the end of this fight for equality. \r\n      \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04)released the following statement celebrating the inclusion of his amendment in the final FY20 National Defense Authorization Act requiring the Department of Defense to report on individuals affected by President Trump's transgender service ban, and quantify the policy's costs:President Trump's decision to ban transgender Americans from serving in the military, is as wrong today as the day he impulsively tweeted it out. This year's National Defense Authorization Act includes my amendment that will require the Department of Defense to report on the number of ready and willing transgender Americans we turn away because of this exclusionary policy. This is a positive step forward but by no means the end of this fight for equality. We cannot stop until every American can openly serve and sacrifice for their country.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://anthonybrown.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=712", "Paid Family Leave is an Important Step Forward for Federal Workers and Public Service", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Anthony Brown", "B001304", "anthonybrown.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04) praised the inclusion and passage of paid parental leave for non-military federal employees in this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The enactment of parental leave benefits for more than 2 million federal workers is a step toward America joining the rest of the industrialized world in offering this critical benefit to new families.\r\nThe state of Maryland is home to more than 120,000 dedicated federal public servants. Congressman Brown's Congressional district, spanning both Prince George's and Anne Arundel counties, boasts over 50,000 federal employees - the fifth largest population in the country.\r\nThe provision, included in this year's NDAA, will provide 12 weeks of paid parental leave for parents who have a new baby or have just adopted a child. Currently, non-military federal employees are only offered 12 weeks of unpaid leave. Paid parental leave has been shown to improve workforce retention - particularly among women - and recruitment, boost maternal and infant health outcomes and create stronger families.\r\nFederal employees go to work each day to better this country and our communities. Paid parental leave for federal workers is the right choice for our local economies and, more importantly, the right thing to do for our families, said Congressman Anthony Brown. While public service is a calling, modern benefits like parental leave will more readily attract the highly skilled, diverse federal workforce we need and better retain the talent we have.\r\nAFGE has been fighting to provide all federal workers with paid family leave for decades, and this agreement is a huge step in that direction. Providing federal employees with 12 weeks of paid time off for the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child will help them better balance their work and home lives, and it will give agencies a needed advantage when recruiting and retaining workers to carry out critical missions on behalf of our country, said American Federation of Government Employees. We thank Congressman Brown for supporting this critical new benefit and we look forward to working with Congress on our ultimate goal of providing all American workers with paid family leave.\r\nCreation of a paid parental leave program for federal employees is nothing short of historic. Finally, our nation's civil servants will be able to spend time with their new arrivals  through birth, adoption or foster  without jeopardizing their ability to pay their bills. This is a basic, human right that will make the federal government a more family-friendly place to work. We commend Rep. Brown for his strong support on this issue and for working with his colleagues  and with us  to get this done. Our persistence has paid off. Federal employees around the country  and their families  are grateful, said Tony Reardon, President of the National Treasury Employees Union, which represents 150,000 employees in 33 agencies and departments.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://raskin.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-raskin-statement-rules-committee-support-articles-impeachment", "Congressman Raskin Statement to Rules Committee in Support of Articles of Impeachment Against President Donald J. Trump", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Jamie Raskin", "R000606", "raskin.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(WASHINGTON, D.C.)  Today, Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) delivered the following statement on behalf of the House Judiciary Committee, as prepared, before the House Rules Committee in support of H.Res. 755, Articles of Impeachment Against President Donald J. Trump: \"Good morning Chairman McGovern and Ranking Member Cole and distinguished Members of the House Rules Committee. Good morning to my friend Mr. Collins. It is my solemn responsibility this morning to present for your consideration House Resolution 755 and the accompanying House Judiciary Committee report concerning the impeachment of Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors committed against the people of the United States.\n\"I am appearing this morning in place of Chairman Nadler, who could not be with us. I am sure I speak for all Members of both the Judiciary and Rules Committees in sending strength, love and prayers to Chairman Nadler's wife Joyce and all of our hopes for her speedy recovery.\n\"The Judiciary Committee, along with the other Committees which investigated President Trump's offenses--the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Oversight and Reform--bring these articles with a solemn purpose and a heavy heart but in active faith with the constitutional oaths of office that we have all sworn. The investigating committees conducted 100 hours of deposition testimony with 17 sworn witnesses and 30 hours of public testimony with 12 witnesses. The Judiciary Committee is now in possession of overwhelming evidence that the President of the United States has committed high Crimes and Misdemeanors; violated his constitutional oath to faithfully execute the Office of the President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States; and violated his constitutional duty to take care that the laws are faithfully executed.\n\"We present two articles of impeachment supported by hundreds of pages of detailed evidence and meticulous analysis. The evidence and analysis lead inescapably to the conclusions embodied in these Articles of Impeachment:\n\"(1) First, President Trump has committed the high crime and misdemeanor of abuse of office. He abused the awesome powers of the presidency by using his office to corruptly demand that a foreign government interfere in our American presidential election in order to promote his own political campaign in 2020. He corruptly conditioned the release of $391 million in foreign security assistance that he held back from the Ukrainian government, along with a long hoped-for White House presidential meeting. He conditioned those on Ukrainian President Zelensky's agreement to go public with two statements. One statement was announcing a criminal investigation into former Vice-President Joe Biden, a leading presidential candidate and rival of the President. The other statement was announcing an investigation that would rehabilitate a discredited pro-Russian conspiracy theory by showing that it was Ukraine, and not Putin's Russia, that tried to disrupt the last American presidential election, in 2016. This scheme to corrupt an American presidential election subordinated the democratic sovereignty of the people to the private political ambitions of one man, the President himself. It immediately placed the national security interests of the United States at risk and it continues to embroil the nation and our government in conflict.\n\"(2) Second, after this corrupt scheme came to light and numerous public servants with knowledge of key events surfaced to testify in our Committee investigations about the President's actions, President Trump directed the wholesale, categorical, and indiscriminate obstruction of this Congressional impeachment investigation. He did so by ordering a blockade of Administration witnesses, by trying to muzzle and intimidate witnesses who did come forward, and by refusing to produce even a single subpoenaed document. In the history of the Republic, no President other than this one has ever claimed and exercised the unilateral right and power to thwart and defeat a House impeachment inquiry. Yet that would have been the final and unavoidable result of the President's outrageous defiance of Congress had 17 brave witnesses not come forward in the face of the President's threats and testified about the Ukraine shakedown and its scandalous effects on our national security, our democracy and our Constitutional system of government.\n\"But make no mistakewhile this investigation was saved by the courage and old-fashioned patriotism of witnesses like Ambassador William Taylor, Ambassador Maria Yovanovitch, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman and Dr. Fiona Hill, the President's aggressive and unprecedented resistance to Congressional subpoenas for witnesses and documents is blatantly and dangerously unconstitutional. If accepted and normalized now, it will undermine perhaps for all time the Congressional impeachment power itself, which is the people's last instrument of constitutional self-defense against a sitting President who behaves like a King and tramples the rule of law. By obstructing an impeachment inquiry with impunity, the President will have power to actively destroy the people's final check on his own corrupt misconduct and abuse of power. The Framers insisted that we have impeachment in the Constitution precisely to protect ourselves from a president becoming a tyrant and a despot, and we cannot and we will not allow the impeachment power itself to be destroyed.\n\"These articles charge that President Trump has engaged in systematic abuse of his powers, obstructed Congress, and realized the worst fears of the Framers by subordinating our national security and dragging foreign powers into American politics to corrupt our elections, all for the greater cause of his own personal gain and ambition.\n\"Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution provides that the President shall be impeached for 'Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.' This is the essential check that the people's representatives maintain over the Executive Branch.\n\"As our constitutional expert witnesses testified, the Framers sought to capture a broad range of presidential misconduct and wrongdoing through this provision. But the commanding and comprehensive impulse for including the impeachment power in the Constitution was to prevent the President's abuse of power, which the Framers saw as the essence of impeachable conduct. In Federalist #65, Hamilton wrote that impeachable offenses are defined by 'abuse of some public trust.' From the Federalist Papers and the Records of the Constitutional Convention and the Ratifying Conventions, we find that the Framers feared principally three kinds of presidential betrayal of office by abuse of power: (1) Abuse of Power by exploiting public office for private political or financial gain; (2) Abuse of Power by betraying the national interest and the public trust through entanglement with foreign governments; and (3) Abuse of Power by corrupting democratic elections and denying the people proper agency through self-government. According to the Framers, any one of these violations of the public trust would be enough to justify presidential impeachment for abuse of power. However, President Trump's conduct has realized all three of the Framers' worst fears of presidential abuse of power. Never before in American history has an impeachment investigation crystallized in findings of conduct that implicate all of the major reasons that the Framers built impeachment into our Constitution.\n\"Mr. Chairman, the conduct we set before you today is not some kind of surprising aberration or deviation in the President's behavior for which he is remorseful. On the contrary, the President is completely unrepentant and defiantly declares his behavior here 'perfect,' indeed 'absolutely perfect.' He says that Article II of the Constitution gives him the power to do whatever he wants, conveniently forgetting Article II, Section 4 gives us the power to check his misconduct with the instrument of impeachment. We believe this conduct is impeachable and should never take place again under our constitutional system. He believes his conduct is perfect and we know therefore that it will take place again and again. \n\"Indeed, our Report points out that this pattern of showing spectacular disrespect for the rule of law by inviting and welcoming foreign powers into our political campaigns was in plain view in the 2016 presidential election. America remembers when then-candidate Donald Trump uttered the imperishably infamous words, 'Russia, if you're listening, I hope you're able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing,' and just five hours later Russian agents moved to hack his political opponent's computers as part of their continuing effort to upend the 2016 presidential. As identified by the Justice Department, the Trump campaign had more than 100 contacts with Russian operatives over the course of that campaign, and none of them were reported to law enforcement or national security agencies. Moreover, during the Special Counsel investigation into the 'sweeping and systematic' Russian campaign to subvert our election, President Trump engaged in another systematic campaign of obstruction of the investigative process to obscure his own involvement. \n\"Mr. Chairman, we present you not just with high Crimes and Misdemeanors, but a constitutional crime in progress up to this very minute. Mayor Giuliani, the President's private lawyer, fresh from his overseas travel looking to rehabilitate once again the discredited conspiracy theories at the heart of the President's defense, admitted that he participated directly in the smear campaign to oust Ambassador Yovanovich from her job. According to the New Yorker magazine, Giuliani said, 'I believe that I needed Yovanovich out of the way. . .She was going to make the investigations difficult for everybody.' Here, Mr. Giuliani refers to the President's sought-after investigations into Joe Biden and the remnants of the discredited conspiracy theory pushed by Russia as propaganda that it was Ukraine, and not Russia, that interfered in the 2016 American presidential election. \n\"Given that an unrepentant President considers his behavior perfect, given that he thinks the Constitution empowers him to do whatever he wants, given that he and his team are still awaiting President Zelensky's statement about investigating Joe Biden, given that he has already invited China to perform an investigation of its own, we can only ask what the 2020 election will be like or indeed what any future election in America will be like if we just let this misconduct go and authorize and license Presidents to coerce, cajole, pressure, and entice foreign powers to enter our election campaigns on behalf of the President. Who will be invited in next? The President's continuing course of conduct constitutes a clear and present danger to democracy in America. We cannot allow this misconduct to pass. It would be a sellout of our Constitution, our foreign policy, our national security, and our democracy.\n\"Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://raskin.house.gov/media/press-releases/raskin-urges-humanitarian-relief-iranian-sanctions", "Raskin Urges Humanitarian Relief on Iranian Sanctions", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Jamie Raskin", "R000606", "raskin.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(WASHINGTON, D.C.) Today, Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) joined Reps. Ral M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Barbara Lee (CA-13), and Ilhan Omar (MN-05) and 13 additional Members of Congress in sending a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin expressing deep concern on the impact that U.S. sanctions are having on access to medicine in Iranparticularly for individuals suffering from chronic, advanced, or rare diseases. The lawmakers urged the Trump Administration to adjust its sanctions campaign to ensure that lifesaving medicines and medical devices can reach the Iranian people.\nThe Trump Administration's maximum pressure' campaign on the Iranian government is resulting in horrific consequences on everyday Iraniansincluding those with life-threatening illness, saidRep. Grijalva.Instead of a blanket policy that punishes all Iranians, the United States should adjust the sanctions campaign to ensure that lifesaving medicine can reach some of Iran's most vulnerable citizens.\nIn their letter, the lawmakers wrote in part:\nWe strongly urge the Administration to conduct a sweeping review of its sanctions campaign against Iran and identify and implement the necessary adjustments required to fulfill responsibilities under international law, as ordered by the ICJ in October 2018, to protect the Iranian people's right to health. While the efficacy of sanctions is questionable, we also urge the OFAC to expand the list of medical supplies that international suppliers are eligible to trade with Iran, especially for cancer and other chronic, advanced, or rare diseases. Considering the ongoing protests in Iran, and the Iranian government's shutdown of internet services, we also see a clear need to expand General License D-1 so that the United States is not taking any actions that help the Iranian government block outside communications.\nThe Trump Administration's sanctions on Iran and their maximum pressure campaign are directly hurting the most vulnerable groups in Iranian society. Despite promises to stand by the Iranian people, they are preventing essential medications and humanitarian supplies from reaching those who need them the most, saidRep. Lee.\nThe sanctions put in place by this Administration against Iran are nothing less than economic warfare. After years of improving relations between the United States and Iran, the sanctions have devastated that country's middle class, increased hostility toward the United States, and led to humanitarian catastrophe. One dire effect has been an entirely preventableshortage of life-saving medicine. This Administration must answer for their attacks on Iranians' basic human right to affordable medicine, saidRep. Omar.\nHuman Rights Watch, NIAC Action and the Friends Committee on National Legislation were among the organizations that supported the letter. Other supportive organizations included the Center for Economic and Policy Research, Just Foreign Policy, and Win Without War.\nThe Trump Administration is applying draconian sanctions on Iran without considering the harm they are causing Iran's own citizens -- including the difficulty sick Iranian men, women, and children are having in accessing life-saving medicine and medical equipment that are in short supply, saidAndrea Prasow, Acting Washington Director at Human Rights Watch. The US Treasury Department needs to listen and incorporate the serious concerns experts have raised regarding how the current US application of sanctions are hurting the very Iranian people whose rights the US claims to support.\nThe Administration's withdrawal from the JCPOA, followed by inhumane maximum pressure sanctions, have created instability in the Middle East, put us on a war footing with Iran, and caused untold human suffering for Iranian people, who now don't have access to many critical life saving medicines. These unilateral sanctions are a maximum failure and have done little to advance peace, national security, and human rights. The American people want a restrained foreign policy and the onus is on Congress to take unauthorized war with Iran off the table, create exemptions for critical medicines the Iranian people need, and to find a pathway for diplomacy, saidHassan El-Tayyab, Legislative Representative for Middle East Policy at Friends Committee on National Legislation.\n\"Even as the Iranian people contend with brutal repression from their own government, they are being simultaneously squeezed by crushing U.S. sanctions that have led to shortages of life-saving medicine. We are grateful to Reps. Grijalva, Omar and Lee and all the signers of the letter for highlighting the devastating consequences of Trump's maximum pressure campaign. Moreover, we urge the administration to halt its targeting of humanitarian trade and respond in good faith to the legislators' inquiry,\" saidRyan Costello, Policy Director, NIAC Action.\nClick hereto read the full letter.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://ruppersberger.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ruppersberger-supports-far-reaching-funding-bills-for-federal-workers", "Ruppersberger Supports Far-Reaching Funding Bills for Federal Workers, Maryland Defense Projects, Chesapeake Bay", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger", "R000576", "ruppersberger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC)  Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger today voted in favor of two bipartisan funding agreements that will have a far-reaching impact on the Second District and Maryland, home to 77 federal and military agencies as well as tens of thousands of government workers. The bill grants these employees a 3.1 percent pay raise and provides $294.5 million in new funding for defense-related projects here in Maryland.\nBoth bills passed the U.S. House of Representatives and are expected to soon be passed by the U.S. Senate.\nAll Americans are counting on Congress to do our most basic job, which is passing full-year budgets with smart investments, said Congressman Ruppersberger, who is an Appropriator. Here in Maryland, funding the government means funding jobs and ensuring tens of thousands of families can pay their bills. This legislation accomplishes this, while adding holiday bonuses such as historic Chesapeake Bay funding, millions for medical research and, for the first time in 20 years, funds to research gun violence.\nThe two bills passed by the House of Representatives today comprise all 12 bills needed to fund the government for fiscal year 2020  including eight in the domestic priorities and international assistance minibus, or H.R. 1865. That package includes many victories for Congressman Ruppersberger, such as unprecedented funding for Head Start, Title 1 schools and community block grants as well as a new federal ban on tobacco sales for anyone under 21. The bill also includes:\n $85 million for the Chesapeake Bay Program, a new record;\n\t$61 billion to renew our nation's highways, bridges and ports including $21 million for the Baltimore Harbor and Channels;\n\t$1.5 billion for states to combat the opioid epidemic;\n\t$25 million to research our nation's gun violence crisis.\n The national security minibus, H.R. 1158, comprises the remaining four funding bills for 2020 and includes $444 million in increases to life-saving medical research programs  an issue that inspired Congressman Ruppersberger's first run for public office in the late 1970s following a horrific car crash and long recovery at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. Congressman Ruppersberger credits his survival to government investment in medical research. The new funding in H.R. 1158 will support cures for cancer, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, ALS and other debilitating diseases.\nThe bill also provides $294.5 million in new funding for defense-related projects in Maryland, most of which are in the Second District, home to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Fort Meade, two National Guard facilities and dozens of private-sector defense partners. Congressman Ruppersberger leveraged his role on the Appropriation's Defense subcommittee to secure the new funding, most of which will support research and development to make American troops the safest and most effective on the battlefield.\nThis bill was far from perfect, Congressman Ruppersberger said. My amendment to withdraw U.S. support for Saudi Arabia in Yemen was removed during negotiations despite much-appreciated pressure from outside organizations. And it includes wasteful funding for President Trump's ridiculous border wall. But it will still improve life for millions of Americans while we continue to fight for our values in future bills.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sarbanes-announces-more-448000-federal-funding-expand-environmental", "Sarbanes Announces More Than $448,000 in Federal Funding to Expand Environmental Education in Baltimore City Public Schools", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "John Sarbanes", "S001168", "sarbanes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today announced $448,345 in federal funding to improve environmental education opportunities for Baltimore students.\nThe new funding comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) grant program. It will support Towson University's Harbor Scholars Professional Learning Workshop, a program that trains fifth-grade science teachers at Baltimore City Public Schools to provide their students with hands-on environmental learning activities and build long-lasting ties between students and the Chesapeake Bay.\nThis important investment in Baltimore teachers will help strengthen environmental education and engage our students with unique and meaningful experiences that deepen their connection to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, said Congressman Sarbanes, a leading proponent in Congress for environmental education. By offering students the opportunity to get outside and learn firsthand about protecting the health of the Bay, we can inspire Maryland's next generation of environmental stewards.\nFor more information about the Harbor Scholars Professional Learning Workshop, see here.\nFor more information about the B-WET grant program, see here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sarbanes-votes-bipartisan-federal-funding-bills-support-key-maryland", "Sarbanes Votes for Bipartisan Federal Funding Bills That Support Key Maryland Priorities", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "John Sarbanes", "S001168", "sarbanes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today voted to pass two federal funding bills that will support several important Maryland priorities through Fiscal Year 2020.\nThe funding bills include the domestic priorities and international assistance minibus (H.R. 1865) and the national security appropriations minibus (H.R. 1158).\nThis bipartisan funding agreement will help improve education, health care and the environment in Maryland and across the country, said Congressman Sarbanes. While I am opposed to several provisions contained in this spending agreement and disappointed that it falls short of the robust appropriations bills passed by House Democrats earlier this year, I am encouraged by the fact that this funding package will deliver critical federal resources to Maryland communities.\nCongressman Sarbanes continued: The spending agreement also includes significant election security funding to help states harden their voting systems ahead of the 2020 election. In the face of stubborn opposition from Congressional Republicans, House Democrats have worked tirelessly to bolster election security, fight foreign interference and protect our democracy by passing several pieces of legislation  including H.R. 1, the SAFE Act and the SHIELD Act. The hard-won election security funding contained in this spending agreement signals an important step forward in our ongoing effort to provide states with the federal resources they need to modernize election systems and strengthen cyber defenses.\nKey Maryland priorities in H.R. 1865 and H.R. 1158 include:\n Record funding for the Chesapeake Bay  an effort led by Congressman Sarbanes  including $85 million for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Chesapeake Bay Program, $3 million for the Chesapeake Bay Gateways program, and funding for Bay and oyster restoration work throughout the watershed;\n\t\t\n\tThe highest funding level for the Land and Water Conservation Fund in 15 years;\n\t\t\n\t$25 million in additional funding for Maryland's highways and transit infrastructure;\n\t\t\n\tFederal funding to clean up drinking water contaminants, such as PFAS and lead, in communities across the country;\n\t\t\n\tFirst-time funding for the Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Act, which would help expand access to opioid treatment programs.\n\t\t\n\tRecord funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including $25 million for gun violence research;\n\t\t\n\tRaising the purchasing age for tobacco to 21;\n\t\t\n\tRecord funding for Head Start, Child Care & Development Block Grants and Title I schools;\n\t\t\n\tFull funding for the 2020 Census;\n\t\t\n\tA 3.1 percent pay raise for America's hardworking federal employees; and\n\t\t\n\t$425 million in new election security grants and a $6.2 million increase for the Election Assistance Commission  key election security efforts that Congressman Sarbanes, as Chair of the Democracy Reform Task Force, has led in the U.S. House of Representatives.\n   \n\tFor more information about the domestic priorities and international assistance minibus (H.R. 1865), see here.\nFor more information about the national security appropriations minibus (H.R. 1158), see here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://trone.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-trone-secures-417-billion-nih-and-alzheimer-s-research", "Rep. Trone Secures $41.7 Billion for NIH and Alzheimers Research", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "David Trone", "T000483", "trone.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\nContact: Hannah Muldavin, Hannah.Muldavin@mail.house.gov\n Rep. Trone Secures $41.7 Billion for NIH and Alzheimer's Research \nWASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. David Trone (MD-06) hailed a record-high $41.7 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct life-saving medical research in this year's Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill. Trone worked closely with Chairman Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) to secure this $2.6 billion increase in funding over last year's funding level. The NIH funding includes $2.8 billion for Alzheimer's disease research.\nLast week, Trone called for increased funding levels for both NIH and Alzheimer's research and spoke to dozens of Members of Congress and Senators to make the case for this increase. The funding is included in one of two government funding bills the House of Representatives passed today.\nIf we don't act now to find a cure, Alzheimer's will continue to devastate millions of Americans and the disease will bankrupt our country, said Congressman David Trone. This record funding for NIH will help us build a better future for our children, find a cure for diseases like Alzheimer's and cancer, and invest in the health of all Americans. I couldn't be more thrilled that on a bipartisan basis, our country made a smart investment in research for our children and for our future.\nCongressman David Trone was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 to serve the 6th District of Maryland, which includes all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Since coming to Congress, securing funding for medical research has been one of his top priorities. In June, he led a bipartisan group of freshmen representatives to visit the NIH and meet with Director Francis Collins on their efforts to find cures for some of the world's most devastating diseases.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://trone.house.gov/media/press-releases/trone-delivers-maryland-priorities-government-funding-bills", "Trone Delivers Maryland Priorities in Government Funding Bills", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "David Trone", "T000483", "trone.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\nContact: Hannah Muldavin, Hannah.Muldavin@mail.house.gov\n Trone Delivers Maryland Priorities in Government Funding Bills \nWashington, DC - Today, Congressman David Trone (MD-06) joined Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey in voting to pass two bipartisan bills to fund the federal government through September 2020. The two bills included funding requested by Rep. Trone for top priorities in Maryland's 6th District, including funding to combat the opioid epidemic, expand access to rural broadband, support NIH's life-saving medical research, and raise the pay for federal employees.\nThis funding prioritizes our children and the better future we must create for them, said Congressman David Trone. The bills respond to the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic with increased funding for Head Start and SAMHSA and invest in future economic success of our communities by funding broadband and infrastructure. This bipartisan bill keeps our government open and puts a down payment on the continued success of the American people.\nTrone worked to include funding in the bills to:\n End the Addiction Epidemic. The bill provides:\n\t\t$5.9 billion for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), including $3.8 billion for substance abuse treatment, $206 million for substance abuse prevention, and $1.5 billion for State Opioid Response Grants. Trone passed legislation last week to authorize this funding.\n\t\t\t$475.6 million for opioid overdose prevention and surveillance at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.\n\t\t\t$10.6 billion for Head Start, including $250 million to address the rise of Adverse Childhood Experiences attributable to increased prevalence of substance use\n\t\t\t$5 million for the National Commission on Combatting Synthetic Opioid Trafficking.\n\t\t\t$101.3 million for the Drug-Free Communities Program, an increase of $1.3 million above FY 2019.\n\t\t\n\tReform Our Criminal Justice System. The bill provides:\n\t\t$75 Million for programs and activities authorized by First Step Act of 2018, landmark criminal justice reform legislation signed into law last year.\n\t\t\t$33 million for mental health courts and adult and juvenile collaboration program grants. Congress passed a Trone-authored amendment to increase funding for this program.\n\t\t\t$98 million for the Reintegration of Ex-Offenders, an increase of $5 million above the fiscal year 2019 level.\n\t\t\n\tExpand Mental Health Care and Prevent Suicide. The bill provides:\n\t\tRobust mental health resources for children and youth including $102 million for Project AWARE, an increase of $31 million; and $69 million for the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative, an increase of $5 million.\n\t\t\t$69 million for the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative.\n\t\t\tSignificant funding to prevent suicide, including $10 million for the establishment of a suicide prevention program; $16 million for the Zero Suicide program, an increase of $7 million; and $19 million for the Suicide Lifeline, an increase of $7 million.\n\t\t\n\tExpand Life Saving Medical Research. The bill provides:\n\t\t$41.7 billion for NIH, an increase of $2.6 billion above the 2019 enacted level and $7.5 billion above the President's budget request. This funding includes $2.8 billion for Alzheimer's disease research.\n\t\t\t$4 million for the CDC to research how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) increase risk of future substance use disorders, suicide, mental health conditions, and other chronic illnesses.\n\t\t\n\tExpand Rural Broadband. The bill provides:\n\t\t\n\tRebuild Our Infrastructure. The bill provides:\n\t\t$100 million in dedicated funding for the Appalachian Highway Development System (ADHS), which is critical to completing our transportation network in Western Maryland.\n\t\t\t$175 million for the Appalachian Regional Commission, which is $10 million above the fiscal year 2019 level and $10 million above the budget request. The Commission funds projects in the Appalachian Region to promote economic development, education and job training, critical infrastructure, and community development.\n\t\t\t$150 million in funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to improve the safety and security of the system and make investments in the Purple Line project.\n\t\t\n\tGive Federal Employees a Raise. The bill provides:\n\t\tA 3.1 percent pay raise for federal civilian employees and active duty servicemembers for calendar year 2020.\n\t\t\n\tPrevent Gun Violence. The bill provides:\n\t\t$25 million for gun violence research split between CDC and NIH\n\t\t\n Congressman David Trone was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 to serve the 6th District of Maryland, which includes all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Trone serves on the Education and Labor, Foreign Affairs, and Joint Economic Committees, where he is fighting to make progress on issues that matter to Marylanders, including the opioid epidemic, criminal justice reform, and funding for medical research.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-praises-ndaa-support-for-military-families-and-federal-workforce", "Cardin Praises NDAA Support for Military Families and Federal Workforce", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Benjamin Cardin", "C000141", "www.cardin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 17, 2019\n\t\t\t Cardin Praises NDAA Support for Military Families and Federal Workforce \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations, Environment & Public Works and Finance committees, as well as Ranking Member of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Committee, issued the following remarks after the Senate approved the FY20 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Report. The bill authorizes more than $738 billion in spending plus an additional $5.3 billion for emergency disaster recovery.\r\nIt is a solemn duty that we have to support the men and women of America's military, as well as their families. Each year, Congress comes together in a bipartisan manner to ensure our troops have the tools they need to carry out their mission of defending our nation against all enemies foreign and domestic. The bill passed by the Senate today will provide for our national defense priorities and ease the burden on their families. Maryland is home to over 40 thousand active and reserve service members.\r\nBeyond the military hardware, it's the investments we make in our people  military and civilian  that define the strength of our armed forces. Based on terrible conditions at Fort Meade and elsewhere around the country, the year's NDAA provides a sweeping overhaul of military housing, including increased evaluations for lead and mold, greater transparency of repairs and remediation, the establishment of a Tenant Bill of Rights and more provisions designed to ensure our troops, their families and their children are in safe, affordable housing. We also require the Department of Defense to assess childcare development centers and streamline childcare fee assistance.\r\nEnsuring that our service members have the best, and most advanced medical care is crucial to me. That is why I was pleased that the Committee included my amendment that preserves Medical Research funding, and ensures that these efforts are not short changed by other Army priorities. My amendment also preserves Ft. Detrick's status as the Center of Excellence for Joint Biomedical Research, Development and Acquisition Management. This will ensure that the Department of Defense continues to be the leader in advanced medical research\r\nI was pleased to have supported and pushed to end the Department of Defense's burdensome Widow's Tax' is a $1,000 reduction to survivors and spouses who are enrolled in the Survivor Benefit Plan, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation program. This Tax affects more than 65,000 military families nationwide whose loved one has died as a result of their military service. This has cost these families an average of about $11,000 annually.\r\nAs the military has often set a standard for our civilian workforce, I was pleased that the Conference Report extends 12 weeks of paid parental leave to all federal civilian employees. We know bring the federal government in line with many large private employers and hope that this example will spur others to follow suit with a fair benefit for new mothers and fathers.\r\nI appreciated the acknowledgement in the NDAA Conference Report similar to my legislation that the U.S. should not be providing military equipment to foreign security forces that may engage in human rights violations or transfer such weapons to terrorists. As the world's leading arms supplier, the United States has a moral obligation to ensure that U.S. weapons are used responsibly. NDAA integrates human rights training into security cooperation agreements.\"\r\n###\r\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-van-hollen-announce-historic-funding-for-chesapeake-bay-program-in-funding-deal-", "Cardin, Van Hollen Announce Historic Funding for Chesapeake Bay Program in Funding Deal", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Benjamin Cardin", "C000141", "www.cardin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 17, 2019\n\t\t\t Cardin, Van Hollen Announce Historic Funding for Chesapeake Bay Program in Funding Deal  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senators Also Secure Key Committee-Passage of Bay Priorities\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) announced that they have secured a total of $85 million in federal funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program within the final FY 2020 omnibus appropriations package. This funding, an increase of $12 million from last year, is the largest amount the Bay Program has ever received. In addition to these funds, the Senators are also announcing the passage of several Bay priorities out of the key Environment and Public Works Committee.\r\nA healthy Chesapeake Bay means a healthy Maryland economy. It is a national treasure and our state's most valuable natural resource. Robust federal investments have been crucial to sustaining and restoring its health, said Senator Cardin, a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Working together and using all the tools of our Chesapeake Bay Program will have a ripple effect on clean water, jobs and protect our environment throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.\r\nThe Chesapeake Bay Program is essential to protecting and improving the health of the Bay, and a thriving Bay is essential to the health of our economy. This increased funding will boost our clean-up efforts and allow our entire region to reap the economic dividends. We fought hard for this investment, and I'm pleased that this effort succeeded, despite the Administration's continued attempts to slash this funding. I will keep working to provide the resources necessary to support the Bay, said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Appropriations and Environment and Public Works Committees.\r\nIn addition to these funds, today the Senators were also able to increase authorization for Bay funding to $92 Million in legislation passed by the Environment and Public Works Committee, to reflect bipartisan, standalone legislation led by Senator Cardin. The amendment  introduced by Senator Cardin and cosponsored by Senator Van Hollen  was included within the America's Conservation Enhancement Act.\r\nAs a part of this legislation, the Committee also passed two other proposals authored by the Senators  the Chesapeake WILD Act, introduced by Senator Van Hollen, and Senator Cardin's legislation to reauthorize the Chesapeake Gateways and Watertrails Program. The Senators are each cosponsors of the others' legislation.\r\nThe bipartisan Chesapeake WILD Act will provide more resources to Chesapeake Bay conservation efforts by creating a new grant program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to support habitat restoration in the Bay region. The Committee authorized the program at $15 million.\r\nThe Chesapeake Gateways and Watertrails Program, run by the National Park Service, has for two decades expanded public access to the Chesapeake Bay through a state, local, and federal partnership that facilitates enhanced interpretation, education, youth employment, recreation and access to the Chesapeake Bay and rivers, and trailheads for the Captain John Smith Chesapeake and Star-Spangled Banner national historic trails.\r\n###\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-statement-on-ndaa-final-passage", "Van Hollen Statement on NDAA Final Passage", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Chris Van Hollen", "V000128", "www.vanhollen.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 17, 2019\n\t\t\t Van Hollen Statement on NDAA Final Passage \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Legislation - which includes several Maryland priorities - now heads to the President's desk\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t WASHINGTON\r\n Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the\r\nfollowing statement on the Senate passage  and his support  of\r\nthe FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation, having\r\npassed both the full House and Senate, will now head to the President's desk\r\nfor signature.   I'm pleased\r\nthat the House and Senate were able to come together on a bipartisan basis to\r\npass this legislation to support our service members and federal employees,\r\nstrengthen our national security, and invest in critical projects throughout\r\nMaryland. On the home front, this legislation provides funding to the many\r\nfederal agencies and military installations in Maryland that support our\r\nnational defense. It also includes a pay increase for our men and women in\r\nuniform, paid parental leave for all federal employees, and a repeal of the\r\ndisgraceful Widow's Tax. The bill addresses serious concerns we've raised on\r\nprivate military housing, including at Fort Meade and Aberdeen Proving Ground.\r\nAnd it incorporates legislation I've introduced to authorize the honorary\r\npromotion of Bethesda Veteran Col. Charles McGee and to ensure WWI minority\r\nVeterans are appropriately recognized for their acts of valor. In addition to\r\nsupporting the members of our Armed Forces and our civilian workforce, this\r\nbill included provisions I authored that will protect our national security\r\ninterests. While not perfect, I was pleased to support this compromise and\r\nsecure these priorities for Maryland and our country.   Priorities of Senator Van Hollen's included in\r\nthe final NDAA are:  \r\nProvisions to improve privatized military\r\nhousing at military bases including Maryland's Fort Meade and Aberdeen Proving\r\nGround. Senator Van Hollen has been engaged with leaders at Fort Meade and\r\nAberdeen Proving Ground to address unacceptable conditions of military\r\nhousing caused by inadequate maintenance by private contractors at those\r\ninstallations. The NDAA includes key provisions of legislation co-sponsored by\r\nSenator Van Hollen entitled the Ensuring Safe Housing for Our Military Act.\r\nImprovements include withholding payment to\r\ncontractors of the Basic Allowance for Housing under certain circumstances; a\r\nTenant Bill of Rights; the creation of the position of Chief Housing Officer;\r\nthe addition of the oversight of military\r\nprivatized housing in performance evaluations\r\nof installation commanders; consideration\r\nof a landlord's history in the contract renewal process; a uniform code of basic standards for privatized military\r\nhousing; and access for tenants to an online work order system.  \r\nProvisions to repeal the Widow's Tax. Currently,\r\nmilitary widows and widowers who qualify for the VA's Dependency and Indemnity\r\nCompensation (DIC) are forced to take a dollar-for-dollar offset from the DOD\r\nSurvivors Benefits Plan (SBP) benefit, even though their retired spouses\r\nelected to pay into the program. SBP is a service member-purchased annuity,\r\nwhereas DIC is an indemnity payment when military service caused the member's\r\ndeath. No other federal surviving spouse is required to forfeit his or her\r\nfederal annuity because military service caused his or her sponsor's death.\r\nAdditionally, the offset does not apply to surviving military children -- only\r\nto the spouse. In September, Senator Van Hollen met with a constituent and\r\nmilitary widow who was subjected to this offset after the loss of her husband,\r\nand Senator Van Hollen promised he would continue to fight to repeal this\r\nprovision within the NDAA.  \r\nProvisions\r\nto guarantee paid parental leave for all federal employees. This\r\nlanguage will provide over 2 million federal workers with 12 weeks of paid\r\nleave to care for a new child after birth, adoption, or the initiation of\r\nfoster care. Senator Van Hollen is an original cosponsor of the FAMILY Act,\r\nwhich provides up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave for all workers,\r\nas well as the Federal Employee Paid Leave Act. He will continue to fight for\r\nall workers to receive paid family and medical leave. \r\nThe\r\nSenator's legislation to authorize the honorary promotion of Bethesda Veteran\r\nand Tuskegee Airman Col. (Ret.) Charles McGee. Col. McGee, a resident\r\nof Bethesda, Md., served with the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II, completing\r\n136 combat missions. He completed an additional 100 combat missions in the\r\nKorean Conflict and 173 combat missions in the Vietnam War, amassing a record\r\nthree-war total of 409 combat missions  more than any other Air Force fighter\r\npilot. Col. McGee completed a distinguished 30-year career in the United States\r\nAir Force, serving in numerous leadership and command capacities and becoming\r\nthe first African American to command a stateside Air Force Wing and Base in\r\nthe integrated Air Force.  \r\nProvisions\r\nof the Senator's Valor Medals Review Act. These provisions require the\r\nDepartment of Defense to undertake a review of valor medals awarded to minority\r\nVeterans during WWI to determine whether any should receive the Medal of Honor.\r\nThe language encourages the Department to conduct this review in consultation\r\nwith the Valor Medals Review Task Force, a joint project of the\r\nCongressionally-established World War I Centennial Commission and the George S.\r\nRobb Centre for the Study of the Great War, which has conducted extensive\r\nresearch to identify WWI Veteran service records for this review.Service\r\nmembers of all races, religions, and backgrounds fought in WWI, but the Medal\r\nof Honor was not awarded to minority Veterans until the 1990s. Congress has\r\nauthorized more recent reviews for minority service members from World War II\r\nto the present, but the only review undertaken for WWI took place in 1919  and\r\nno minority Veterans received the Medal of Honor as a result of that review.\r\nAddressing this issue is long overdue. William Butler, an African American\r\nVeteran from Salisbury, Md. was recognized with the Croix de Guerre with Palm,\r\nthe Distinguished Service Cross, and a recommendation for the Medal of Honor \r\nbut he never received that award  the nation's highest military honor. This\r\nlegislation is designed to right that historic wrong and ensure that cases like\r\nWilliam Butler's get a fair review. \r\nAuthorization for new military construction\r\nprojects on Maryland defense installations. This authorization of funds supports\r\neverything from infrastructure improvements to new facilities. These funds are\r\nin addition to ongoing funding of all Maryland military installations that the\r\nSenator has supported in Defense Appropriations legislation.  \r\n$426 million for the National Security Agency at\r\nFort Meade \r\n$101 million for Joint Base Andrews  \r\n$27.8 million for Fort Detrick  \r\n$18.5 million for Naval Support Activity South\r\nPotomac \r\n$13.8 million for Naval Support Activity\r\nBethesda \r\n$12 million for the Army National Guard combined\r\nsupport maintenance shop in Havre de Grace  ###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://raskin.house.gov/media/press-releases/team-maryland-announces-120-million-maryland-purple-line", "Team Maryland Announces $120 Million for the Maryland Purple Line", "2019-12-16", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Jamie Raskin", "R000606", "raskin.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(WASHINGTON, D.C.)  U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny Hoyer, John Sarbanes, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone (D-Md.) today announced the award of $120,000,000 for Maryland's Purple Line project through the U.S. Department of Transportation Fixed Guideway Capital Investment Grants. Administered through the Maryland Department of Transportation, this award provides significant funding for a project that the lawmakers have long championed. In 2017, the lawmakers applauded the commitment of full funding for the project and the initial award of $125 million through DOT.\nThis new federal funding brings us one step closer to making the Purple Line a reality and delivering a safe, reliable, and efficient mode of transportation for Maryland commuters  including thousands of federal employees, said the lawmakers. As we continue to meet the federal commitment to the Purple Line, we will also ensure there is strong oversight of the project and that the final rail line respects the concerns of local communities along the route.\nThe Purple Line, a 16.2-mile light rail system with 21 stations, will connect Montgomery County to Prince George's County and is expected to take approximately 19,000 cars off the road each day. Along the way, it will connect to three Metrorail lines, all three MARC Commuter rail lines, and Amtrak's Northeast Corridor line. Nearly half of the riders on the new Purple Line are expected to connect to Metrorail and MARC. The project will generate 6,300 construction jobs, as well as 27,000 permanent jobs.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://ruppersberger.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/baltimore-delegation-announces-over-46-million-in-federal-funding-for-safety", "Baltimore Delegation Announces Over $4.6 Million in Federal Funding for Safety Initiatives", "2019-12-16", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger", "R000576", "ruppersberger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Baltimore, MD)  U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger and John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) today announced $4,608,210 in new federal funding to boost safety initiatives in Baltimore City and County. The funding, provided through the U.S. Department of Justice, includes:\n $396,922 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Baltimore Handle With Care Pilot Program through the Community Policing Development Program.\n\t$199,995 to the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Badges for Baseball through the Community Policing Development.\n\t$374,891 to Baltimore City through the Elder Justice Program.\n\t$687,749 to Baltimore City through the Enhancing Community Responses to the Opioid Crisis: Serving Our Youngest Crime Victims Program.\n\t$750,000 to Baltimore City through the Local Law Enforcement Crime Gun Intelligence Center Integration Initiative.\n\t$859,773 to Baltimore City through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.\n\t$321,731 to Baltimore County through the Edward Byrne Memorial JAG Program. \n\t$43,468 to University of Maryland-Baltimore through the Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program.\n\t$275,000 to the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office through the Upholding the Rule of Law and Preventing Wrongful Convictions Program.\n\t$277,762 to Baltimore County through the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Law Enforcement-Based Victim Specialist Program.\n\t$420,919 to University of Maryland-Baltimore County through the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Research and Evaluation Initiative.\n This funding will strengthen public safety in Baltimore by supporting efforts to improve community policing, confront the opioid crisis and gun violence epidemic, and build a fairer criminal justice system,the Members said.We worked hard to secure this needed investment, and we'll keep working together to expand opportunity and reduce crime in Baltimore.\nThe Community Policing Development Program funds are used to develop the capacity of law enforcement to implement community policing strategies by providing guidance on promising practices through the development and testing of innovative strategies; building knowledge about effective practices and outcomes; and supporting new, creative approaches to preventing crime and promoting safe communities.\nThe mission of the Elder Justice Initiative is to support and coordinate the Department's enforcement and programmatic efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial fraud and scams that target our nation's seniors. We engage in this work by focusing on the following mission areas: building federal, state & local capacity to fight elder abuse; promoting justice for older Americans; supporting research to improve elder abuse policy and practice; and helping older victims and their families.\nThe overarching goal of the Enhancing Community Responses to the Opioid Crisis: Serving Our Youngest Crime Victims program is to support children and youth who are crime victims as a result of the opioid crisis by providing direct services and support to these young victims at a community or jurisdictional level.\nThe Local Law Enforcement Crime Gun Intelligence Center Integration Initiative furthers the Department of Justice's mission by assisting state, local and tribal law enforcement in responding to violent crime, and working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to utilize intelligence, technology, and community engagement to swiftly identify crime guns, their sources, and effectively prosecute perpetrators.\nThe Edward Byrne Memorial JAG Program allows states and units of local government, including tribes, to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own state and local needs and conditions. Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice.\nThe Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program promotes the safety of law enforcement officers and citizens.\nThe Upholding the Rule of Law and Preventing Wrongful Convictions Program helps ensure the fair and consistent application of the rule of law in order to ensure the sustained integrity of the criminal justice system. The Program seeks to evaluate specific judicial outcomes and assess prospective risk factors that might impact a wrongful conviction.\nThe OVC Law Enforcement-Based Victim Specialist Program assists law enforcement to better support victims through the criminal justice process.\nThe OVW Research and Evaluation Initiative looks at approaches to combatting domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. By generating more knowledge about strategies for serving victims and holding offenders accountable, communities that benefit from Violence Against Women Act funding will be better equipped to align their work with practices that are known to be effective, and they will be more capable of generating empirical knowledge on the efficacy of new and promising ways of doing things.\nThe funding is in addition to another already-announced $3.2 million in federal public safety funding secured for Baltimore City and County since mid-November alone. Those grants include $250,000 for two Drug Free Community Coalitions to prevent youth substance misuse in Baltimore City and $477,000 to help the Baltimore City and County crime labs process DNA evidence. Another $2.5 million was awarded to the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation's Badges for Baseball youth mentorship program.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/46-million-grant-funds-will-go-fight-crime-baltimore-city-and-baltimore", "$4.6 Million in Grant Funds Will Go to Fight Crime in Baltimore City and Baltimore County", "2019-12-16", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "John Sarbanes", "S001168", "sarbanes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Baltimore City and Baltimore County will receive $4.6 million in federal funding that is designed to help identify owners of guns used in violent crimes, provide services to children affected by the opioid crisis, fund body-worn cameras for police and serve other criminal justice needs. We know keeping our communities safe is one of our most important responsibilities,\" Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. said at a news conference Monday. We're here because we understand the root causes of violence are complex. There's no single cause or solution.\" Olszewski joined Baltimore area legislators, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, and U.S. Reps. John Sarbanes and C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, and Baltimore Mayor Bernard C. Jack Young at the Baltimore Police headquarters downtown to discuss funding for programs in the city and county.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/feds-give-baltimore-area-46m-public-safety-initiatives", "Feds Give Baltimore Area $4.6M for Public Safety Initiatives", "2019-12-16", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "John Sarbanes", "S001168", "sarbanes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The city of Baltimore got a needed boost in federal funding to fight crime when Maryland's congressional delegation announced a $4.6 million package Monday of grants for public safety initiatives for the region. The city will receive more than $2.9 million, while the rest of the money provided through the U.S. Department of Justice will go to surrounding Baltimore County and other stakeholders. Part of the city's money is meant to help law enforcement identify and track guns, support children who are crime victims of the opioid crisis and combat elder abuse. The announcement comes as the city has seen one of its most violent years on record, tallying 327 homicides so far. That's up from 309 in 2018.We know this is a top issue for people in this region, said U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes, a Democrat whose district includes parts of Baltimore and Baltimore County. People want to feel safe. They want to feel safe in their homes, they want to feel safe on the streets, they want to feel safe when they go to public events.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/more-45m-coming-baltimore-help-drive-down-crime", "More Than $4.5M Coming to Baltimore to Help Drive Down Crime", "2019-12-16", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "John Sarbanes", "S001168", "sarbanes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Baltimore is getting more than $4.5 million in federal funding to try to help drive down crime, the city's congressional delegation announced Monday. The money will go toward 11 separate initiatives designed for programs in the city and in Baltimore County, including more body-worn cameras for officers, victim support services and services responding to the opioid crisis. It's our confidence that these dollars can be deployed in an effective way that makes us step up behind these grant applications, Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) said at a news conference Monday morning. The grants will also focus on community policing efforts.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/officials-tout-46m-public-safety-grants-coming-baltimore-area", "Officials Tout $4.6M in Public Safety Grants Coming to Baltimore Area", "2019-12-16", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "John Sarbanes", "S001168", "sarbanes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Local elected officials gathered today to tout a $4.6 million package of federal grant funding for public safety initiatives in Baltimore and Baltimore County, saying the money will help improve community policing, tackle problems like gun violence and the opioid epidemic, and create a more fair justice system. U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, Reps. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger and John Sarbanes, Mayor Bernard C. Jack Young, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr., Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison and Baltimore County Police Chief Melissa Hyatt all heralded the package as a sign that local leaders are thinking regionally about public safetyand that the area's representatives in Congress can still bring home the bacon.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sarbanes-baltimore-delegation-announce-more-46-million-federal-funding", "Sarbanes, Baltimore Congressional Delegation Announce More Than $4.6 Million in Federal Funding for Public Safety Initiatives", "2019-12-16", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "John Sarbanes", "S001168", "sarbanes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, along with Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger (all D-Md.), to announce $4,608,210 in federal funding to boost safety initiatives in Baltimore City and Baltimore County.\nThe funding, provided through the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), includes:\n $396,922 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Baltimore Handle With Care Pilot Program through the Community Policing Development Program;\n\t\t\n\t$199,995 to the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Badges for Baseball through the Community Policing Development;\n\t\t\n\t$374,891 to Baltimore City through the Elder Justice Program;\n\t\t\n\t$687,749 to Baltimore City through the Enhancing Community Responses to the Opioid Crisis: Serving Our Youngest Crime Victims Program;\n\t\t\n\t$750,000 to Baltimore City through the Local Law Enforcement Crime Gun Intelligence Center Integration Initiative;\n\t\t\n\t$859,773 to Baltimore City through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program;\n\t\t\n\t$321,731 to Baltimore County through the Edward Byrne Memorial JAG Program;\n\t\t     \n\t$43,468 to University of Maryland-Baltimore through the Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program;\n\t\t\n\t$275,000 to the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office through the Upholding the Rule of Law and Preventing Wrongful Convictions Program;\n\t\t\n\t$277,762 to Baltimore County through the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Law Enforcement-Based Victim Specialist Program; and\n\t\t\n\t$420,919 to University of Maryland-Baltimore County through the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Research and Evaluation Initiative.\n\t\t\n This funding will strengthen public safety in Baltimore by supporting efforts to improve community policing, confront the opioid crisis and gun violence epidemic and build a fairer criminal justice system, the Members said. We worked hard to secure this needed investment, and we'll keep working together to expand opportunity and reduce crime in Baltimore.\nThe Community Policing Development Program helps improve the capacity of law enforcement to implement community policing strategies by providing guidance on promising practices through the development and testing of innovative strategies, building knowledge about effective practices and outcomes and supporting new, creative approaches to preventing crime and promoting safe communities.\nThe mission of the Elder Justice Initiative is to support and coordinate the Department's enforcement and programmatic efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial fraud and scams that target our nation's seniors. The organization focuses on the following mission areas: building federal, state and local capacity to fight elder abuse, promoting justice for older Americans, supporting research to improve elder abuse policy and practice and helping older victims and their families.\nThe Enhancing Community Responses to the Opioid Crisis: Serving Our Youngest Crime Victims Program supports youth crime victims of the opioid crisis by providing direct services and support to young victims at a community or jurisdictional level.\nThe Local Law Enforcement Crime Gun Intelligence Center Integration Initiative furthers DOJ's mission by assisting state, local and tribal law enforcement respond to violent crime, and working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to utilize intelligence, technology and community engagement to swiftly identify crime guns, their sources and effectively prosecute perpetrators.\nThe Edward Byrne Memorial JAG Program allows states and units of local government, including tribes, to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own state and local needs and conditions. Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support and information systems for criminal justice.\nThe Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program promotes the safety of law enforcement officers and citizens.\nThe Upholding the Rule of Law and Preventing Wrongful Convictions Program helps ensure the fair and consistent application of the rule of law in order to sustain the integrity of the criminal justice system. The program seeks to evaluate specific judicial outcomes and assess prospective risk factors that might impact a wrongful conviction.\nThe OVC Law Enforcement-Based Victim Specialist Program helps law enforcement better support victims through the criminal justice process.\nThe OVW Research and Evaluation Initiative examines approaches to combat domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking. By generating more knowledge about strategies for serving victims and by holding offenders accountable, communities that benefit from Violence Against Women Act funding will be better equipped to align their work with practices that are known to be effective.\nThis new federal funding for public safety initiatives in Baltimore City and Baltimore County comes in addition to $3.2 million in related federal funding announced by the Baltimore Congressional Delegation in November and December  including $250,000 for two Drug Free Community Coalitions to prevent youth substance misuse in Baltimore City and $477,000 to help the Baltimore City and Baltimore County crime labs process DNA evidence. Another $2.5 million was awarded to the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation's Badges for Baseball youth mentorship program.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sarbanes-cardin-van-hollen-announce-33-million-bwi-airport", "Sarbanes, Cardin, Van Hollen Announce $3.3 Million for BWI Airport", "2019-12-16", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "John Sarbanes", "S001168", "sarbanes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) to announce $3,393,750 in new federal funding for the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).\nThe funding comes through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It will be used to rehabilitate a taxiway lighting system that will enhance safety during low visibility conditions and to reconstruct pavement on a second taxiway. These new funds follow $10 million in federal funding for BWI Airport construction announced by the lawmakers in August. Serving more than 26 million passengers every single year, BWI is the region's busiest airport.\nThis grant for BWI will help improve safety and modernize runway infrastructure at one of Maryland's most important airports, said Congressman Sarbanes. The Maryland Congressional Delegation will continue to work together in order to deliver meaningful federal resources for BWI Airport and other transportation centers across our state.\nEach year, the safety and convenience of millions of travelers depend on BWI airport. These federal investments in infrastructure modernization will make our airport and regional economy stronger for years to come, said Senator Cardin, ranking member on the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. I will continue to work to make sure that airports around our state support economic growth and the safe, efficient transportation needs of all Marylanders.\nBWI Thurgood Marshall Airport serves millions of people every year and is central to our state's economic success, said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committees. This funding will help ensure that BWI is able to continue providing safe and reliable service to Marylanders and visitors alike, and I will keep fighting to make sure airports across Maryland have the resources they need.\nThe DOT grant for BWI Airport will be awarded through the FAA's Airport Improvement Program, funded through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019. The program funds various types of airport infrastructure projects, including runways, taxiways and airport signage, lighting and markings. This federal funding helps create thousands of jobs across the country.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sarbanes-team-maryland-announce-120-million-maryland-purple-line", "Sarbanes, Team Maryland Announce $120 Million for the Maryland Purple Line", "2019-12-16", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "John Sarbanes", "S001168", "sarbanes.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Congressmen Steny Hoyer, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.), to announce $120,000,000 in federal funding for Maryland's Purple Line project.\nFunding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Fixed Guideway Capital Investment Grants. Administered through the Maryland Department of Transportation, this award provides significant funding for a project that the lawmakers have long championed. In 2017, the lawmakers applauded the commitment of full funding for the project and the initial award of $125 million through DOT.\nThis new federal funding brings us one step closer to making the Purple Line a reality and delivering a safe, reliable, and efficient mode of transportation for Maryland commuters  including thousands of federal employees, the lawmakers said. As we continue to meet the federal commitment to the Purple Line, we will also ensure there is strong oversight of the project and that the final rail line respects the concerns of local communities along the route.\nThe Purple Line, a 16.2-mile light rail system with 21 stations, will connect Montgomery County to Prince George's County and is expected to take approximately 19,000 cars off the road each day. Along the way, it will connect to three Metrorail lines, all three MARC Commuter rail lines and Amtrak's Northeast Corridor line. Nearly half of the riders on the new Purple Line are expected to connect to Metrorail and MARC. The project will generate 6,300 construction jobs, as well as 27,000 permanent jobs.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://trone.house.gov/media/press-releases/team-maryland-announces-120-million-maryland-purple-line", "Team Maryland Announces $120 Million for the Maryland Purple Line", "2019-12-16", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "David Trone", "T000483", "trone.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\nCONTACTS:\nHannah Muldavin (Trone) 202-225-2721\nTim Zink (Cardin) 410-962-4436\nFrancesca Amodeo (Van Hollen) 202-228-0672\nAnnaliese Davis (Hoyer) 202-225-4131\nDan Jacobs (Sarbanes) 202-225-4016\nMatt Verghese (Brown) 202-225-8699\nSamantha Brown (Raskin) 202-225-5341\n Team Maryland Announces $120 Million for the Maryland Purple Line \nWASHINGTON  U.S. Congressman David Trone, Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, and Congressmen Steny Hoyer, John Sarbanes, Anthony G. Brown, and Jamie Raskin(D-Md.) today announced the award of $120,000,000 for Maryland's Purple Line project through the U.S. Department of Transportation Fixed Guideway Capital Investment Grants. Administered through the Maryland Department of Transportation, this award provides significant funding for a project that the lawmakers have long championed. In 2017, the lawmakers applauded the commitment of full funding for the project and the initial award of $125 million through DOT.\nThis new federal funding brings us one step closer to making the Purple Line a reality and delivering a safe, reliable, and efficient mode of transportation for Maryland commuters  including thousands of federal employees, said the lawmakers. As we continue to meet the federal commitment to the Purple Line, we will also ensure there is strong oversight of the project and that the final rail line respects the concerns of local communities along the route.\nThe Purple Line, a 16.2-mile light rail system with 21 stations, will connect Montgomery County to Prince George's County and is expected to take approximately 19,000 cars off the road each day. Along the way, it will connect to three Metrorail lines, all three MARC Commuter rail lines, and Amtrak's Northeast Corridor line. Nearly half of the riders on the new Purple Line are expected to connect to Metrorail and MARC. The project will generate 6,300 construction jobs, as well as 27,000 permanent jobs.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/baltimore-delegation-announces-over-46-million-in-federal-funding-for-safety-initiatives", "Baltimore Delegation Announces Over $4.6 Million in Federal Funding for Safety Initiatives", "2019-12-16", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Benjamin Cardin", "C000141", "www.cardin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 16, 2019\n\t\t\t Baltimore Delegation Announces Over $4.6 Million in Federal Funding for Safety Initiatives \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tBALTIMORE -U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger and John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) today announced $4,608,210 in new federal funding to boost safety initiatives in Baltimore City and County. The funding, provided through the U.S. Department of Justice, includes:\r\n \r\n$396,922 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Baltimore Handle With Care Pilot Program through the Community Policing Development Program.\r\n$199,995 to the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Badges for Baseball through the Community Policing Development.\r\n$374,891 to Baltimore City through the Elder Justice Program.\r\n$687,749 to Baltimore City through the Enhancing Community Responses to the Opioid Crisis: Serving Our Youngest Crime Victims Program.\r\n$750,000 to Baltimore City through the Local Law Enforcement Crime Gun Intelligence Center Integration Initiative.\r\n$859,773 to Baltimore City through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.\r\n$321,731 to Baltimore County through the Edward Byrne Memorial JAG Program. \r\n$43,468 to University of Maryland-Baltimore through the Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program.\r\n$275,000 to the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office through the Upholding the Rule of Law and Preventing Wrongful Convictions Program.\r\n$277,762 to Baltimore County through the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Law Enforcement-Based Victim Specialist Program.\r\n$420,919 to University of Maryland-Baltimore County through the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Research and Evaluation Initiative.\r\n \r\nThis funding will strengthen public safety in Baltimore by supporting efforts to improve community policing, confront the opioid crisis and gun violence epidemic, and build a fairer criminal justice system,the Members said.We worked hard to secure this needed investment, and we'll keep working together to expand opportunity and reduce crime in Baltimore.\r\nThe Community Policing Development Program funds are used to develop the capacity of law enforcement to implement community policing strategies by providing guidance on promising practices through the development and testing of innovative strategies; building knowledge about effective practices and outcomes; and supporting new, creative approaches to preventing crime and promoting safe communities.\r\nThe mission of the Elder Justice Initiative is to support and coordinate the Department's enforcement and programmatic efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial fraud and scams that target our nation's seniors. We engage in this work by focusing on the following mission areas: building federal, state & local capacity to fight elder abuse; promoting justice for older Americans; supporting research to improve elder abuse policy and practice; and helping older victims and their families.\r\nThe overarching goal of the Enhancing Community Responses to the Opioid Crisis: Serving OurYoungest Crime Victims program is to support children and youth who are crime victims as a result of the opioid crisis by providing direct services and support to these young victims at a community or jurisdictional level.\r\nThe Local Law Enforcement Crime Gun Intelligence Center Integration Initiative furthers the Department of Justice's mission by assisting state, local and tribal law enforcement in responding to violent crime, and working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to utilize intelligence, technology, and community engagement to swiftly identify crime guns, their sources, and effectively prosecute perpetrators.\r\nThe Edward Byrne Memorial JAG Program allows states and units of local government, including tribes, to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own state and local needs and conditions. Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice.\r\nThe Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program promotes the safety of law enforcement officers and citizens.\r\nThe Upholding the Rule of Law and Preventing Wrongful Convictions Program helps ensure the fair and consistent application of the rule of law in order to ensure the sustained integrity of the criminal justice system. The Program seeks to evaluate specific judicial outcomes and assess prospective risk factors that might impact a wrongful conviction.\r\nThe OVC Law Enforcement-Based Victim Specialist Program assists law enforcement to better support victims through the criminal justice process.\r\nThe OVW Research and Evaluation Initiative looks at approaches to combatting domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. By generating more knowledge about strategies for serving victims and holding offenders accountable, communities that benefit from Violence Against Women Act funding will be better equipped to align their work with practices that are known to be effective, and they will be more capable of generating empirical knowledge on the efficacy of new and promising ways of doing things.\r\nThe funding is in addition to another already-announced $3.2 million in federal public safety funding secured for Baltimore City and County since mid-November alone. Those grants include $250,000 for two Drug Free Community Coalitions to prevent youth substance misuse in Baltimore City and $477,000 to help the Baltimore City and County crime labs process DNA evidence. Another $2.5 million was awarded to the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation's Badges for Baseball youth mentorship program.\r\n###\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-van-hollen-sarbanes-announce-33-million-for-bwi-airport", "Cardin, Van Hollen, Sarbanes Announce $3.3 Million for BWI Airport", "2019-12-16", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Benjamin Cardin", "C000141", "www.cardin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 16, 2019\n\t\t\t Cardin, Van Hollen, Sarbanes Announce $3.3 Million for BWI Airport \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Representative John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) today announced $3,393,750 in new federal funds for the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These funds will be used to rehabilitate a taxiway lighting system that will enhance safety during low visibility conditions and to reconstruct pavement on a second taxiway. These funds follow $10 million for construction at the airport announced by the lawmakers in August of this year. Serving more than 26 million passengers per year, BWI is the region's busiest airport.\r\nEach year, the safety and convenience of millions of travelers depend on BWI airport. These federal investments in infrastructure modernization will make our airport and regional economy stronger for years to come, said Senator Cardin, ranking member on the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. I will continue to work to make sure that airports around our state support economic growth and the safe, efficient transportation needs of all Marylanders.\r\nBWI Thurgood Marshall Airport serves millions of people every year and is central to our state's economic success, said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committees. This funding will help ensure that BWI is able to continue providing safe and reliable service to Marylanders and visitors alike, and I will keep fighting to make sure airports across Maryland have the resources they need.\r\nThis grant for BWI will help improve safety and modernize runway infrastructure at one of Maryland's most important airports, said Congressman Sarbanes. The Maryland Congressional Delegation will continue to work together in order to deliver meaningful federal resources for BWI Airport and other transportation centers across our state.\r\nThis DOT grant will be awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Improvement Program, funded through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019. The program funds various types of airport infrastructure projects, including runways, taxiways, and airport signage, lighting, and markings. It helps to create thousands of jobs across the country.\r\n###\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/team-maryland-announces-120-million-for-the-maryland-purple-line", "Team Maryland Announces $120 Million for the Maryland Purple Line", "2019-12-16", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Benjamin Cardin", "C000141", "www.cardin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 16, 2019\n\t\t\t Team Maryland Announces $120 Million for the Maryland Purple Line \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny Hoyer, John Sarbanes, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone (D-Md.) today announced the award of $120,000,000 for Maryland's Purple Line project through the U.S. Department of Transportation Fixed Guideway Capital Investment Grants. Administered through the Maryland Department of Transportation, this award provides significant funding for a project that the lawmakers have long championed. In 2017, the lawmakers applauded the commitment of full funding for the project and the initial award of $125 million through DOT.\r\nThis new federal funding brings us one step closer to making the Purple Line a reality and delivering a safe, reliable, and efficient mode of transportation for Maryland commuters  including thousands of federal employees, said the lawmakers. As we continue to meet the federal commitment to the Purple Line, we will also ensure there is strong oversight of the project and that the final rail line respects the concerns of local communities along the route.\r\nThe Purple Line, a 16.2-mile light rail system with 21 stations, will connect Montgomery County to Prince George's County and is expected to take approximately 19,000 cars off the road each day. Along the way, it will connect to three Metrorail lines, all three MARC Commuter rail lines, and Amtrak's Northeast Corridor line. Nearly half of the riders on the new Purple Line are expected to connect to Metrorail and MARC. The project will generate 6,300 construction jobs, as well as 27,000 permanent jobs.\r\n###\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/daily-leader-monday-december-16-2019", "THE DAILY LEADER: MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2019", "2019-12-16", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Steny Hoyer", "H000874", "www.majorityleader.gov", null, null, "legacy", "One Minutes (Unlimited) **Following one-minute speeches, the House is expected to recess until approximately 2:45 p.m. At that time the House will reconvene to consider the eighteen bills listed for consideration under suspension of the Rules. Any recorded votes requested will be postponed until Tuesday.Suspensions (18 bills)\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tH.R. 4920  Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting Preference Consistency Act (Rep. Takano  Veterans' Affairs)\n\t\t\t\tH.R. 4183  Identifying Barriers and Best Practices Study Act (Rep. Khanna  Veterans' Affairs)\n\t\t\t\tH.R. 3530  Improving Confidence in Veterans' Care Act (Rep. Cloud  Veterans' Affairs)\n\t\t\t\tH.R. 2726  Banning Smoking on Amtrak Act of 2019 (Rep. Norton  Transportation and Infrastructure)\n\t\t\t\tH.R. 2548  HELP ACT, as amended (Rep. Fletcher  Transportation and Infrastructure)\n\t\t\t\tH.R. 4719  FISH SAFE Act, as amended (Rep. Golden  Transportation and Infrastructure)\n\t\t\t\tH.R. 3362  Small Airport Mothers' Room Act of 2019, as amended (Rep. Miller  Transportation and Infrastructure)\n\t\t\t\tH.R. 4998  Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019, as amended (Rep. Pallone  Energy and Commerce)\n\t\t\t\tH.R. 4779  To extend Undertaking Spam, Spyware, And Fraud Enforcement With Enforcers beyond Borders Act of 2006 (Rep. McMorris Rodgers  Energy and Commerce)\n\t\t\t\tH.R. 4229  Broadband DATA Act (Rep. Loebsack  Energy and Commerce)\n\t\t\t\tH.R. 4227  MAPS Act (Rep. McEachin  Energy and Commerce)\n\t\t\t\tH.R. 2647  SOFFA, as amended (Rep. Matsui  Energy and Commerce)\n\t\t\t\tH.R. 3172  Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2019, as amended (Rep. Cardenas  Energy and Commerce)\n\t\t\t\tH.R. 150  GREAT Act, as amended (Rep. Foxx  Oversight and Reform)\n\t\t\t\tS. 216  Spokane Tribe of Indians of the Spokane Reservation Equitable Compensation Act (Sen. Cantwell  Natural Resources)\n\t\t\t\tH.R. 722  Miracle Mountain Designation Act (Rep. Curtis  Natural Resources)\n\t\t\t\tS. 50  Columbia River In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites Improvement Act (Sen. Merkley  Natural Resources)\n\t\t\t\tH.R. 453  Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act (Rep. Fleischmann  Natural Resources)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/majority-leader%E2%80%99s-office-seeking-applicants-digital-fellowship-program", "Majority Leader\u2019s Office Seeking Applicants for Digital Fellowship Program", "2019-12-16", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Steny Hoyer", "H000874", "www.majorityleader.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Office of House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer is seeking motivated,digital-savvy fellows to join an aggressive communications team for part-time spring semester positions starting in January. Thisdigitalfellowshipprogram includes the production of high-quality web graphics and videos, as well as filming, taking photos, and live-streamingevents with House Democrats. Candidates must possess strong technical skills, advanced creativity and artistic ability, and a high level of attention to detail.Experience in website management and social media strategy a plus.Must be a team player.Willingness to take initiative, generate creative ideas, and ability to work under deadline pressure a must. Email cover letter and resume toresume.inbox@mail.house.gov .", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/ti-job-announcement-aviation-position", "T&I Job Announcement:  AVIATION POSITION", "2019-12-16", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Steny Hoyer", "H000874", "www.majorityleader.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Majority Staff seeks a  Professional Staff or Counsel to work on the Subcommittee on Aviation . This position will assist in oversight of the Federal Aviation Administration, aviation programs within the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the National Transportation Safety Board. Responsibilities include planning and conducting congressional hearings; overseeing and working closely with Federal agencies; briefing Members of Congress; and performing extensive research, writing, and editing. Successful candidates will be detail-oriented and able to produce accurate, well-written work products in a fast-paced environment. Candidates should have a demonstrated ability to learn quickly and master the topics within their portfolio. They should also be able to research and understand important, high-profile aviation-related issues, and propose a course of action for the Subcommittee, often under quick timelines.\n   Experience with Federal agencies and the subject matter under the Subcommittee's jurisdiction is a plus. This is not an entry-level position; the ideal candidate will have at least three years of relevant experience working on policy or legal issues in Congress, a relevant Federal agency, or the civil aviation industry.\n   Qualified candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to T&IDem.Jobs@mail.house.gov  and  include, in the subject line: AVIATION POSITION.  Applications are due by 6pm EST on Monday December 23, 2019.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/ti-job-announcement-railpipelines-counsel", "T&I Job Announcement:  RAIL/PIPELINES COUNSEL", "2019-12-16", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Steny Hoyer", "H000874", "www.majorityleader.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Majority Staff seeks an attorney for the position of Counsel on the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials. Responsibilities include: serving as a resource on matters of law and policy pertaining to the Subcommittee's jurisdiction to the Full Committee Chair, Subcommittee Chair, and Democratic Members of the Subcommittee; coordinating hearings and assisting with Committee markups; drafting legislation; conducting oversight and research; drafting statements, memos, and briefing materials; and engaging stakeholders.\n   This is not an entry-level position; the ideal candidate will have at least three years of relevant experience working on policy or legal issues in Congress, a relevant Federal agency, or the civil aviation industry. A background in railroads and/or pipelines is preferred. Qualified candidates must have excellent writing and analytical skills, sound political judgment, and the ability to work closely and collaboratively within a team and with other congressional offices.Qualified candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to T&IDem.Jobs@mail.house.gov  and  include in the subject line: RAIL/PIPES COUNSEL .\n   Applications are due by 6pm EST on Monday December 23, 2019.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://anthonybrown.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=704", "House Passes Brown Legislation to Bolster Oyster Research and Conservation Efforts", "2019-12-13", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Anthony Brown", "B001304", "anthonybrown.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04) applauded the passage of The Chesapeake Bay Oyster Research Act, which was included as an amendment to The Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act. The amendment, based on Congressman Brown's standalone legislation H.R. 5366, awards research grants to support the long-term conservation, restoration and management of oysters in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Chesapeake Bay is a vitally important ecosystem to Maryland, attracting millions of tourists and supporting thousands of jobs. Over the last several decades, the Bay has seen an alarming decline in its oyster population due to climate change, over-harvesting practices, habitat destruction and disease. Grants will support research to better understand the causes of oyster population deterioration and inform potential restoration solutions. These research projects will be developed through collaborative partnerships between the academic community, seafood industry, non-profit organizations and watershed states. Congressman Brown's legislation approves $10 million over the next five years for this program. The Chesapeake Bay is critical to Maryland and decline of our oyster population threatens both vital ecosystems and our local economies, said Congressman Anthony Brown. By bringing all of the Bay's stakeholders to the table, this bill will allow us to understand the challenges confronting oysters and strengthen the Chesapeake Bay. Cosponsors of the original legislation include Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Congressman John Sarbanes (MD-03). Additionally, this bill is endorsed by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Chesapeake Oyster Alliance and Choose Clean Water Coalition.  Oysters are the lifeblood of the Chesapeake Bay and essential to restoring the Bay ecosystem. As we step up efforts to implement the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint, we need to ensure that Bay oysters can survive and thrive in a changing climate, said Jason Rano, Federal Executive Director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Congressman Brown's bill would provide vital funding for oyster research, conservation and management. This is great news for the Bay and for large-scale oyster restoration projects already underway in across the watershed. CBF is proud to support it.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://anthonybrown.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=707", "Brown: Marylands way out of traffic isnt more lanes", "2019-12-13", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Anthony Brown", "B001304", "anthonybrown.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Brown: Maryland's way out of traffic isn't more lanes \r\n   Washington Post \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Maryland has always prided itself on pursuing forward-looking solutions to the challenges confronting working families. Hogan's billion-dollar Beltway boondoggle is a step backward.\r\n      \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\nOur nation's highway system has been neglected for far too long. That neglect is costing Americans their time, their money and, tragically, their lives. Making a major investment in our infrastructure is a top priority in Washington and in state capitols across the country.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBut it's not enough to simply rebuild our roads and fix our bridges; we need to reinvest in a modern, interconnected transportation network for future generations.\r\n\r\n\r\nThat is why I am concerned about Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan's (R)proposal to expand 70 miles of interstate in Marylandby simply adding toll lanes: It is a shortsighted plan reflecting 1960s ideas that will do little to improve congestion, accommodate new technologies or behaviors or address the growing impact of climate change.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe U.S. interstate system was a key engine of economic growth in the 20th century, connecting workers to better-paying jobs, modernizing supply lines and increasing business productivity and personal mobility. Yet new highways no longer significantly boost economic activity.Decades of traffic dataacross the United States show that increasing road capacity does not improve traffic. Instead, widening highways just encourages people to drive more and travel longer distances, ultimately increasing congestion.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThis changing landscape makes it clear that we cannot simply build our way out of this problem. The billions spent on these kinds of projects can be invested better.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMaryland must embrace big thinking and acknowledge that the current paradigm  one person in one car, burning gas on congested roads in rush hour  is no longer sustainable. Driving can't be the only option for Marylanders. Our congestion problems are fundamentally tied to a lack of transportation choices and old decisions to separate housing, jobs and services.\r\n\r\n\r\nWe have a rare opportunity to invest in a modern transportation network that gives residents access to more reliable travel choices and that enhances intraregional travel while adding bike and pedestrian infrastructure to support communities where families live, work and play. We can do more to change behavior and take cars off the road; data already showsmillennials are driving lessand more people areworking flexible hours, telecommuting or working from home. These are among themost effective approachesto relieving traffic and generating economic growth.\r\n\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, Hogan rejected out of hand every other option to improve mobility  rail, bus rapid transit and transportation demand management. This was on full display when the governor barely studied alternatives to his toll lane plan and defunded theCorridor Cities Transitwayalong I-270. The visionless Hogan administration is only committed to more asphalt.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDemocrats and Republicans share a commitment to making our region the best place to work, raise a family and build a business. This requires a transportation network designed for the decades ahead. We must incentivize public transit use, promote affordable housing and encourage technological innovation that reduces traffic and takes cars off the road. Building more highways does not accomplish this or make our region attractive to employers. Already, companies  including Marriott and Amazon  are locating near transit hubs just as more families are choosing to live in mixed-use, transit-oriented, high-density developments.\r\n\r\n\r\nMaryland has always prided itself on pursuing forward-looking solutions to the challenges confronting working families. Hogan's billion-dollar Beltway boondoggle is a step backward. We must instead address the underlying problems feeding Maryland's traffic woes, wake up to the reality that we can't keep jamming more cars onto our roads and embrace new innovative solutions that create a transportation system that works for everyone. We can't build for the future with old ideas.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://harris.house.gov/media/press-releases/harris-statement-articles-impeachment", "Harris Statement on Articles of Impeachment", "2019-12-13", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MD", "Andy Harris", "H001052", "harris.house.gov", "harris", "https://harris.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) responded to the House Judiciary Committee's approval of 2 charges of impeachment today.\n\nCongressman Harris made the following statement:\n\n\"The articles of impeachment passed on a purely partisan vote by the Democrats prove what a partisan stunt this impeachment sham really is. The only abuse of power, as Professor Turley testified last week, is on the part of the House majority pursuing impeachment with no basis in fact. As to obstruction of Congress, even President Obama's own Attorney General Eric Holder refused to answer House subpoenas that he claimed infringed on executive privilege. Where was the outrage then from the Democrats, or their calls for impeachment?\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://harris.house.gov/media/press-releases/harris-statement-state-reconsideration-offshore-wind-projects", "Harris Statement on State Reconsideration of Offshore Wind Projects", "2019-12-13", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "MD", "Andy Harris", "H001052", "harris.house.gov", "harris", "https://harris.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) responded to today's decision by the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) granting Ocean City's petition to reconsider the U.S. Wind and Skipjack offshore wind projects. The PSC will reconsider the use of Maryland taxpayer subsidies for the projects.\n\nCongressman Harris made the following statement:\n\n\"The view of dozens of giant wind turbines in these proposed projects from the beach in Ocean City undermines our local economy. I commend the decision of the Maryland Public Service Commission to reconsider spending tax dollars of hard-working Marylanders to pay subsidies for both the US Wind and Skipjack offshore wind projects. Both of these projects, developed by foreign companies, now include proposals to install giant 853 foot tall wind turbines off Maryland's coast \u2013 windmills that are nearly three times taller than those originally proposed and originally approved several years ago by the Commission. I share the concerns of the residents of Ocean City, which in addition to having to see larger unsightly towers with their flashing red aviation warning lights, also include negative effects on fishing, marine safety, tourism, and property values. These projects as now proposed with much larger windmills need to be stopped until all the local concerns can be dealt with, if that is even possible.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://raskin.house.gov/media/press-releases/raskin-presses-hhs-removal-lgbtq-protections", "Raskin Presses HHS on Removal of LGBTQ Protections", "2019-12-13", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Jamie Raskin", "R000606", "raskin.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(WASHINGTON, D.C.) Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) joined Reps. Nydia M. Velzquez (D-NY), Angie Craig (D-MN) and Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY) and more than 100 House Members in opposinga proposed Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) rule change that would reverse previous nondiscrimination protections based on sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, or religion.\nThe Members wrote:\"This proposed rule single-handedly removes comprehensive protections from discrimination applied to all grants administered by HHS, thus permitting discrimination in federally funded adoption and foster care agencies, elder abuse programs, and many other HHS-funded health and human service programs that service millions of Americans. We urge you to withdraw this rule and halt a harmful disruption of services to children, adults and families in our country.\"\nThe rule, proposed by the Trump Administration this month, would reverse a 2017 regulation which guaranteed HHS grantees served all Americans equally despite religious background or sexual orientation. Furthermore, this new rule's implementation would allow agencies and programs to discriminate in and deny services across a wide range of areas, including adoption and foster care, health care at community health centers, family preservation, HIV testing and prevention, supportive services for homeless youth, Head Start programs, reproductive health care, Meals on Wheels and more.\nA signed copy of the letter is availablehere.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://raskin.house.gov/media/press-releases/raskin-urges-vote-restore-salt-deduction", "Raskin Urges Vote to Restore SALT Deduction", "2019-12-13", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Jamie Raskin", "R000606", "raskin.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(WASHINGTON, D.C.)Today, Representative Jamie Raskin (MD-08) joined Rep.Tom Malinowski (NJ-7) and 80 colleagues in sending a letter to House Leadership urging them to bring the bipartisan H.R. 5377, the Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act, to the House floor for a vote before the end of this year. This bill would eliminate the marriage penalty this year and eliminate the SALT deduction cap altogether for 2020 and 2021.\nThe SALT cap is terrible tax policy: it upends a long tradition of fiscal federalism; it erodes incentives for home ownership and charitable contributions; it seeks to punish and defund state and local governments that pursue progressive policies, and it imposes a significant marriage penalty. Furthermore, the impact of this tax hike has not been random. It was deliberately aimed at districts like ours, where voters have chosen to fund with their taxes better schools, health care, transit, parks, and social services,wrote the lawmakers.\nI've heard from constituents across my district who tell me they owed thousands more to the government this year than last. It's time for the House to keep the promise we made to restore these middle class tax deductions that the last Congress took away,said Congressman Malinowski.\nSigners of the letter include: Katie Porter (CA), Tom Suozzi (NY, Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ), Nita Lowey (NY), Jerrold Nadler (NY), Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (CA), Eric Swalwell (CA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ), Sean Casten (IL), Jared Huffman (CA), Vicente Gonzalez (TX), Angie Craig (MN), Dean Phillips (MN), Jeff Van Drew (NJ), Andy Kim (NJ), Lori Trahan (MA), Max Rose (NY), Adriano Espaillat (NY), David Trone (MD), Brendan F. Boyle (PA), Mike Levin (CA), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ), Lauren Underwood (IL), Mikie Sherrill (NJ), Judy Chu (CA), Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ), Andy Levin (MI), Ami Bera, M.D. (CA), Rosa L. DeLauro (CT), Juan Vargas (CA), Anthony Brown (MD), John Garamendi (CA), TJ Cox (CA), Kathleen M. Rice (NY), Josh Harder, Chrissy Houlahan (PA), Ted W. Lieu (CA), Julia Brownley (CA), Joseph P. Kennedy, III (MA), J. Luis Correa (CA), James P. McGovern (MA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Ed Case (HI), Susan A. Davis (CA), Jennifer Wexton, Madeleine Dean (PA), Grace F. Napolitano (CA), John B. Larson (CT), Josh Gottheimer (NJ), Veronice Escobar (TX), Mike Doyle (PA), Jackie Speier (CA), Gerald E. Connolly (VA), Karen Bass (CA), Bill Foster (IL), Anna G. Eshoo (CA), Betty McCollum (MN), Nanette Barragn (CA), William R. Keating (MA), Gregory Meeks (NY), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA), Jamie Raskin (MD), Joe Courtney (CT), Jim Costa (CA), Brian Higgins (NY), Jerry McNerney (CA), Pete Aguilar (CA), Mike Quigley (IL), Ro Khanna (CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL), Jimmy Panetta (CA), David Cicilline (RI), Adam B. Schiff (CA), Grace Meng (NY), Carolyn B. Maloney (NY), Jimmy Gomez (CA), Donald Norcross (NJ), Albio Sires (NJ), Brad Schneider (IL), Zoe Lofgren (CA) and Bobby L. Rush (IL)\nA signed copy of the letter is availablehereand copied below.\n###\n  Dear Speaker Pelosi:\nWe write to express our concerns regarding the 2017 Republican tax law's $10,000 cap on the State and Local Tax Deduction (SALT) and urge you to bring H.R. 5377, the Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act, to the House floor for a vote before the end of this year.\nThe SALT cap is terrible tax policy: it upends a long tradition of fiscal federalism; it erodes incentives for home ownership and charitable contributions; it seeks to punish and defund state and local governments that pursue progressive policies, and it imposes a significant marriage penalty. Furthermore, the impact of this tax hike has not been random. It was deliberately aimed at districts like ours, where voters have chosen to fund with their taxes better schools, health care, transit, parks, and social services.\nMany of us earned the trust of voters last year because we promised to do everything in our power to restore the SALT deduction. The Democratic House majority would be far smaller and possibly non-existent if not for the promise we made. It is time to keep that promise. H.R. 5377 offers a balanced, fiscally responsible way to do so.\nThe bill would eliminate the marriage penalty this year and eliminate the SALT deduction cap altogether in 2020 and 2021, paid for by restoring the top marginal income tax rate from 37 to 39.6 percent. This rate increase would only affect taxpayers with incomes approaching a half million dollars per year and above. Finally, the bill would underscore the important contributions of critical state and local government employees: teachers and first responders. It would double the existing above-the-line deduction for teachers' out-of-pocket classroom expenses, from $250 to $500. It would also establish a $500 above-the-line deduction for the unreimbursed out-of-pocket work expenses of professional first responders. The bill is fully paid for.\nIt has long been accepted in America that we do not tax the same income twice  national taxation must not crowd out the taxes needed to support critical state and local functions. That principle was first stated in the Federalist Papers. As long as there has been a federal income tax, Congress has enabled Americans to deduct the contributions we make to state and local governments from income subject to federal taxation. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act thus scrapped more than a century of precedent, without so much as a hearing to consider the effects.\nThe impact on our districts has been devastating, particularly on seniors who own homes and live on fixed income. The combination of capping SALT at $10,000 and the elevation of the standard deduction also removes most of the federal tax incentives for homeownership and for making charitable contributions. Homeownership is one of the most important ways for middle-class American families to build wealth, and millions of our constituent families will lose ground as a result. We are likewise hearing grave concerns from our districts' charitable organizations that depend on local, small-dollar donations. Churches, food pantries, youth organizations, animal welfare organizations, and many other worthy groups are experiencing sharp drops in donations.\nOur constituents are rightly demanding change, and we intend to deliver it. We urge a vote on this important legislation.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://trone.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-david-trone-hosts-identity-theft-and-consumer-protection-workshop-130", "Rep. David Trone Hosts Identity Theft and Consumer Protection Workshop with 130+ People in Gaithersburg", "2019-12-13", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "David Trone", "T000483", "trone.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\nContact: Hannah Muldavin, Hannah.Muldavin@mail.house.gov\n Rep. David Trone Hosts Identity Theft and Consumer Protection Workshop with 130+ People in Gaithersburg \nGaithersburg, MD - Yesterday, Representative David Trone (MD-06) hosted a workshop with a panel of experts on the topic of identity theft and consumer protection. There were nearly 140 people and 9 organizations in attendance at the public event hosted at Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg, MD.\nThe workshop featured a panel of experts to discuss the rise of consumer fraud, identity theft, and scams during the holiday season. Federal Trade Commission Congressional Liaison Derick Rill gave opening remarks about the importance of stopping scams before they happen. Congressman Trone and Rill moderated the panel.\nThe expert panel included:\n \n\t\tDerick Rill, Congressional Liaison with the Federal Trade Commission\n\t\n\t\n\t\tEric Friedman, Director of the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection\n\t\n\t\n\t\tKaren Straughn, Assistant Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division, Maryland Attorney General's Office\n\t\n\t\n\t\tJohn Boker, United States Postal Inspection Service\n\t\n\t\n\t\tRobin Brown, Partnerships Specialist at the United States Census Bureau\n\t\n This holiday season, Marylanders shouldn't have to worry about protecting their families and their wallets from scammers, said Rep. David Trone. This workshop brought together a wide range of experts to give power back to consumers by showing how to identify, prevent, and stop scams before they happen.\nMontgomery County's Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) greatly appreciates Congressman Trone assembling federal, state, and local regulatory agencies to better protect seniors from being victims of consumer scams, said OCP Director Eric Friedman. Collaborative efforts are necessary to educate consumers and combat new scams in our rapidly changing marketplace.\nScammers are becoming more technologically savvy, making it easier to be victimized, said Karen Straughn of the Maryland Attorney General's Office. Consumers who believe they may have been the victim of a scam, or have questions about scams, are encouraged to call the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at 410-528-8662. We have a dedicated team of staff and volunteers who are here to help.\nThe U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to protecting the U.S. Mail and our customers and prevention is an integral part of that effort, said John V. Boker, US Postal Inspector. One of the best ways to prevent crime is educating our consumers through community outreach events like the one we are participating in tonight.\n\"Your responses to the 2020 Census are safe, secure, and protected by federal law. Your answers can only be used to produce statistics-they cannot be used against you in any way. All of your responses are kept completely confidential, said Robin Brown, Partnerships Specialist at the United States Census Bureau. \"At the U.S. Census Bureau, we are absolutely committed to keeping your responses confidential. This commitment means it is safe to provide your answers and know that they will only be used to paint a statistical portrait of our nation and communities.\"\nThe panel discussed the many topics surrounding consumer protection including the warning signs of telephone fraud, how to report bad robocalls, and what to do in the event identity theft occurs.\nThe workshop comes as the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan TRACED Act, supported by Representatives David Trone (MD-06), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Frank Pallone (NJ-06), and Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee John Thune (R-SD). The bill would allow all consumers to block robocalls in a consistent and transparent way, at no additional cost. President Trump is expected sign the bill into law in the near future.\nIn addition to the panel discussion, there were 9 organizations in attendance focused on preventing consumer fraud. The organizations included: Alzheimer's Association, Federal Trade Commission, The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Maryland Attorney General's Office, Maryland Insurance Administration, Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection, US Postal Inspection Service, Montgomery County Police Department, and The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE).\nCongressman David Trone was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 to serve the 6th District of Maryland, which includes all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Trone serves on the Education and Labor, Foreign Affairs, and Joint Economic Committees, where he is fighting to make progress on issues that matter to Marylanders, including the opioid epidemic, criminal justice reform, and funding for medical research.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-resolution-calling-for-the-immediate-release-of-leading-cuban-democracy-activist-jos-daniel-ferrer", "Cardin, Colleagues, Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Calling for the Immediate Release of Leading Cuban Democracy Activist Jos\u00e9 Daniel Ferrer", "2019-12-13", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Benjamin Cardin", "C000141", "www.cardin.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 13, 2019\n\t\t\t Cardin, Colleagues, Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Calling for the Immediate Release of Leading Cuban Democracy Activist Jos Daniel Ferrer \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Ben Cardin ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, joined chairman Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) in introducing a bipartisan Senate resolution calling for the immediate release of Cuban democracy and human rights activist Jos Daniel Ferrer and other members of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU). The resolution also commends efforts by Mr. Ferrer and UNPACU to promote democratic principles and fundamental freedoms in Cuba. \r\nCuba must release activist Jos Daniel Ferrer from this latest unjust detention. The repeated arrests of political dissidents are unacceptable and the government of Cuba must do more to improve human rights for the island,said Senator Cardin, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.Congress will continue to press Cuba to end such political arrests and urge steps toward genuine freedoms and political pluralism for the Cuban people, which are long overdue.\r\nI'm proud to co-lead this resolution that highlights the egregious violation of human rights and torture led by the Castro and Daz-Canel regime against Jos Daniel Ferrer, leader of the opposition group UNPACU,said Senator Rubio.The United States Senates is sending a strong message of condemnation following Ferrer's illegitimate five-month arrest. We will continue to raise our voices against the dictatorship's abuses against members of the opposition and independent press.\r\nFor over two months, Jos Daniel Ferrer has been jailed under inhuman conditions, beaten, tortured, and denied access to medical care by the Cuban regime, all for dedicating his life to promoting democracy and human rights in his homeland, said Senator Menendez. I am proud to be joined by such a strong bipartisan group of Senate colleagues in introducing this Resolution to bring international attention to the ongoing repression of dissent in Cuba and the plight of political prisoners and democracy fighters on the island. The world must continue speaking out against this gross violation of human rights, and Jos Daniel must be freed immediately and without condition.\r\nHuman rights protections and freedoms of speech, press, and assembly are foundational to any democracy. Activist Jos Daniel Ferrer has been a leading voice for implementing these democratic principles despite continuous abuse and imprisonment by the Cuban government, said Senator Durbin. If Cuba hopes to ever join the global community of democracies, President Daz-Canel must immediately release Mr. Ferrer from his arbitrary, cruel imprisonment, cease jailing peaceful opposition voices, and account for the suspicious death of Mr. Ferrer's colleague Oswaldo Pay.\r\nThe Castro tyranny is corrupt, murderous, and evil. And there is nothing that Ral Castro and Miguel Daz-Canel fear more than the light of truth, said Senator Cruz. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan resolution calling upon the Cuban communist regime to immediately release democracy activist Jos Daniel Ferrer. One day the world will see a free Cuba, and it is through the courage of dissidents like Mr. Ferrer that we will see freedom restored to Cuba.\r\nJos Daniel Ferrer is a committed and outspoken advocate for democracy who has repeatedly risked his liberty and his life in order to promote freedom for his fellow Cubans, said Senator Collins. His arbitrary imprisonment and mistreatment at the hands of Cuban authorities are egregious violations of human rights and must cease immediately. Our bipartisan resolution expresses the Senate's solidarity with Mr. Ferrer's courageous fight for democratic principles, condemns the unjust actions of Cuban authorities, and calls for Mr. Ferrer's prompt release.\r\nHuman rights activist Jos Daniel Ferrer was wrongly jailed by the Cuban regime, said Senator Kaine. This bipartisan resolution sends a strong message to the Cuban government that the world will not ignore the regime's abuses against its own citizens. Ferrer's detainment is unconscionable and he should be released immediately.\r\nJos Daniel Ferrer was arbitrarily imprisoned on October 1, 2019. Mr. Ferrer has been a lifelong activist for democracy and human rights in Cuba. He was jailed in 2003 for his work with the Christian Liberation Movement and Oswaldo Pay, whose suspicious death has never been fully investigated. Mr. Ferrer was declared a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International in 2004 and finally released from jail in 2011. He founded the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) in 2011. Mr. Ferrer and UNPACU members have faced a consistent campaign of harassment, intimidation, surveillance, and arbitrary imprisonment since the organization's founding.\r\nThe text of the Senators' resolution can be found here.\r\n###\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 2934, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "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"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "MD", "p2": "2019"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MD&year=2019", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 2822, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MD&year=2019&party=Democrat", "selected": false}, {"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 112, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MD&year=2019&party=Republican", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MD&year=2019", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 2934, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MD&year=2019", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MD&year=2019", "results": [{"value": "MD", "label": "MD", "count": 2934, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2019", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MD&year=2019", "results": [{"value": "2019", "label": "2019", "count": 2934, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MD", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2019-12-13,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ecardin~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnewsroom~2Fpress~2Frelease~2Fcardin-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-resolution-calling-for-the-immediate-release-of-leading-cuban-democracy-activist-jos-daniel-ferrer", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MD&year=2019&_next=2019-12-13%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ecardin~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnewsroom~2Fpress~2Frelease~2Fcardin-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-resolution-calling-for-the-immediate-release-of-leading-cuban-democracy-activist-jos-daniel-ferrer&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 335.28914605267346, "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"}