Press releases
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3,300 rows where party = "Democrat", state = "MD" and year = 2020 sorted by date descending
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| https://raskin.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-raskin-announces-loss-son-tommy-raskin | Congressman Raskin Announces Loss of Son Tommy Raskin | 2020-12-31 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MD | Jamie Raskin | R000606 | raskin.house.gov | legacy | TAKOMA PARK, M.D. With profound sorrow, Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) and Sarah Bloom Raskin today announced the loss of their son Thomas (Tommy) Bloom Raskin, 25, who was a second-year student at Harvard Law School and a graduate of Amherst College. Tommy was pure magic. His brilliance and compassion knew no bounds. He passionately loved his family, friends, and animals, and was devoted to the cause of the global poor. We are devastated and demolished to be without him. Tommy is survived by his beloved sisters Hannah and Tabitha, dozens of loving aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and grandparents Arlene Bloom and Lynn Raskin. The family is grateful for the outpouring of support and love from neighbors, constituents, and friends but asks everyone to observe strict COVID-19 protocols during this time of grief. Funeral and memorial service arrangements will be released in due course. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/house-democrats%E2%80%99-deliver-people-116th-congress | House Democrats’ Deliver For the People in the 116th Congress | 2020-12-31 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Steny Hoyer | H000874 | www.majorityleader.gov | legacy | Throughout the 116th Congress, House Democrats have delivered on our promises and passed legislation For The People. From a comprehensive government reform package and voting rights legislation to bills to raise wages, address climate change, and more, House Democrats passed legislation supported by the overwhelming majority of Americans. When the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020, House Democrats took action to ensure that the House could continue do its work for the people while keeping Americans safe by implementing remote voting and virtual committee proceedings. ADDRESSING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC Since the onset of this pandemic, House Democrats have acted swiftly to address its catastrophic impacts on both the economy and on public health. The House has passed major legislation including: H.R.6074, Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 [03/04/2020] H.R.6201, Families First Coronavirus Response Act [03/11/2020] H.R. 784, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act [03/28/20] H.R. 266, Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act [04/23/20] H.R. 6800, Heroes Act [05/15/20] H.R.7301, Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act [06/29/20] H.R. 7027, Child Care Is Essential Act [06/29/20] H.R. 7327, Child Care For Economic Recovery Act [06/29/20] H.R. 925, Updated Heroes Act [10/1/20] H.R.133, House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 [12/27/2020] EXPANDING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE From defending the Affordable Care Act in court to passing legislation to strengthen and expand access to health care, House Democrats have worked to ensure every American has quality, affordable health care. Bills that the House has passed on this issue include: H.R.986, Protecting Americans with Preexisting Conditions Act of 2019 [05/09/2019] H.R.987, Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act (A Package of 7 Bills) [05/16/2019] H.R.3, Elijah E. Cummings Lower… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/memo-media-democratic-house-majority-116th-congress-record-results-people | MEMO TO MEDIA: Democratic House Majority in the 116th Congress: A Record of Results For the People | 2020-12-31 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Steny Hoyer | H000874 | www.majorityleader.gov | legacy | To:Editors, Editorial Writers, Reporters From: House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer Re: House Democrats' Record of Results in the Majority in the 116th Congress Date: December 31, 2020Overview In 2018, House Democrats ran on a platform of governing responsibly For the People and addressing the most pressing challenges facing our country. We won the House Majority for the 116th Congress on pledges to clean up government, defend access to affordable health care, lower prescription drug costs, and support policies that create jobs and bring greater economic security to American workers and their families. Over the past two years, House Democrats have resoundingly delivered on each of these promises. Governing Responsibly For the People From opening day of the 116th Congress, the Democratic House Majority has worked to govern responsibly for the people we serve, renew their faith in government, and put power back in the hands of the American people. This began with passage of H.R. 1, the For The People Act, comprehensive government reform legislation that makes it easier for Americans to vote, puts in place national redistricting reform, makes our campaign finance system more accountable and transparent, and institutes stronger ethics rules for public officials. Democrats also began governing with an ironclad commitment to ensuring that the House would no longer be responsible for the kind of damaging government shutdown that the previous Republican Majority and President Trump left us when the 116th Congress began. Among the first actions of our new Majority was to pass legislation ending the Trump-Republican shutdown and restoring critical services to the American people. Later, we secured a two-year agreement on funding levels that helped avoid another shutdown and provide greater certainty to federal agencies in preparing their budget requests. In the two years since, the Democratic-led House passed legislation to fund nearly all of government before the end of July, well in advance of the end of the fiscal year,… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://anthonybrown.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1139 | House Armed Services Vice Chair Anthony Brown: “Dr. Kathleen Hicks is Breaking Barriers in the National Security Space and is Committed to Doing the Same for Others” | 2020-12-30 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Anthony Brown | B001304 | anthonybrown.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. House Armed Services Committee Vice Chair Anthony G. Brown (MD-04), a 30-year Army veteran, released the following statement regarding President-elect Joe Biden's nomination of Dr. Kathleen Hicks to become Deputy Secretary of Defense: In Dr. Kathleen Hicks, President-elect Joe Biden and Secretary of Defense designate Lloyd Austin have chosen an experienced and forward thinking Deputy Defense Secretary. Serving in what is widely viewed as the Chief Operating Officer, her nomination strengthens civilian oversight of the Pentagon and will restore stability to the daily operations of the Department of Defense. Her work in national security policy both inside and outside of government has allowed her to not only understand the inner workings of the Pentagon, but also develop necessary frameworks for reform. She has the necessary depth of policy knowledge to lead uniformed and civilian public servants in countering the most complex set of national security threats our country has ever faced. Dr. Kathleen Hicks is breaking barriers in the national security space and is committed to doing the same for others. I've personally discussed with Dr. Hicks the importance of building diversity throughout the defense community. She is an advocate for greater inclusion as a means for strengthening our country and making us safer. I look forward to working with Dr. Hicks alongside Gen. Austin to bolster our national security, restore American leadership and ensure Americans from all backgrounds can serve and protect the country they love. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://raskin.house.gov/media/press-releases/raskin-recognizes-40-local-heroes-2020-announces-local-hero-year | Raskin Recognizes 40 Local Heroes in 2020, Announces Local Hero of the Year | 2020-12-30 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MD | Jamie Raskin | R000606 | raskin.house.gov | legacy | ROCKVILLE, M.D. This year, Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) launched a weekly video series featuring Marylanders across the 8thDistrict who are acting creatively and bravely to help others through the coronavirus crisis.Today, he honors the 40 constituents that he recognized as2020 Local Heroesover the course of the year. He is also proud to announce theLocal Hero of the Year: everyone in the 8th District and beyond for their exemplary resilience and solidarity in a challenging year. Since April 2020, Rep. Raskin has highlighted 8thDistrict Local Heroes every week for their critical efforts to support Maryland during this time of public health crisis and upheaval. He has interviewed a wide range of community members, including medical professionals; first responders; frontline workers such as letter carriers, grocery store clerks, and bus drivers; small business owners and more. To view all of Rep. Raskin's 2020 Local Heroes, clickhere. To view a video playlist of all of Rep. Raskin's interviews with Local Heroes, clickhere. I'm grateful beyond measure to be representing the remarkable people of Montgomery, Frederick and Carroll Counties who we have honored this year,said Rep. Jamie Raskin.From doctors and nurses to frontline workers and teachers, from firefighters and postal personnel to students and champions of human rights, my constituents have shown great vision, unyielding service and exemplary dedication to our community and nation in this year of trial and dread. Whether tending to sick patients through the night, delivering food to the hungry or standing up against corruption and tyranny, these local heroes have helped us surpass the challenges of COVID-19 in extraordinary ways. I look forward to continuing this video series in 2021 and working with our people to see our country and state through the end of the pandemic. As the nation and the Administration carry the fight against the coronavirus into the new year, Rep. Raskin will continue recognizing and honoring 8thDistrict Local Heroes in 2021. To no… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://ruppersberger.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ruppersberger-issues-statement-following-vote-to-increase-covid-19-stimulus | Ruppersberger Issues Statement Following Vote to Increase COVID-19 Stimulus Checks to $2000 | 2020-12-29 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MD | C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger | R000576 | ruppersberger.house.gov | legacy | (Washington, DC) Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives last evening passed legislation boosting COVID-19 stimulus checks authorized in a previous relief package from $600 to $2000: Last night's bipartisan vote, if upheld in the Senate, will help sustain our economy as we continue to claw our way through this worsening pandemic. It puts money into the pockets of struggling Americans and builds on the relief package signed into law by President Trump Sunday night. Calls to offset' economic stimulus efforts by reducing annual expenditures like direct foreign aid, which were passed in routine appropriations bills simultaneously last week, are misguided. These are mostly funds that President Trump requested in his annual budget and fall within spending parameters adopted by both Republicans and Democrats in Congress. In fact, Democrats had to convince the White House to commit to spending at least an equal amount on domestic programs here at home at the height of a pandemic as we do on defense funds primarily utilized overseas. If Congress does not pass our annual spending bills, the government shuts down. The President knows this, which is why he ultimately signed the bill. In addition to direct aid to Americans, we need to invest in recovery efforts like keeping Americans in their homes, keeping small businesses open and distributing the vaccines as fairly and quickly as we can. I look forward to supporting any legislation to that end, including desperately-needed relief to our state and local governments, which are on the frontlines of this pandemic. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-cardin-weigh-in-on-major-baltimore-scotus-climate-case | Van Hollen, Cardin Weigh in on Major Baltimore SCOTUS Climate Case | 2020-12-29 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Chris Van Hollen | V000128 | www.vanhollen.senate.gov | legacy | December 29, 2020 Van Hollen, Cardin Weigh in on Major Baltimore SCOTUS Climate Case Cardin, Van Hollen, Whitehouse, Blumenthal, Warren and Markey: fossil fuel giants want to establish the standard of too big to adjudicate U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.), with Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.),have filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in a major case concerning the power of state and local governments to hold fossil fuel polluters financially liable for the damages caused by their products.In an attempt to avoid potentially massive monetary judgments against it, the fossil fuel industry seeks to have the case,BP et al. v. Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, removed from state court to federal court, where it hopes its arguments will receive a more favorable reception.The senators' brief shows how the industry's removal effort fits into a broader campaign to hamper the government's ability to act on climate change. If the Court rules in the industry's favor, the senators write, the Justices will have bolstered fossil fuel polluters' notion that claims against them are too big to adjudicate. The fossil fuel industry has tried to close every doorlocal, state, federal; legal, legislative, and administrativeto a solution to the climate crisis,the senators write. Here, they invite this Court to ignore the precise question and statute at hand, and render them a larger result one that would help them shut all state legal doors to remedies for the harms they have caused by their carbon emissions and by misleading about the harm. In essence, they propose a novel political doctrine of too big to adjudicate,' to free appellants from bearing the consequences in state courts of their own polluting and misleading. In their brief, the senators reveal the array of anonymously funded or dark mon… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://ruppersberger.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/maryland-delegation-members-applaud-the-passage-of-the-fafsa-fairness-act | Maryland Delegation Members Applaud the Passage of the FAFSA Fairness Act | 2020-12-28 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MD | C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger | R000576 | ruppersberger.house.gov | legacy | (Washington, DC) U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Congressmen David Trone, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Anthony Brown and Jamie Raskin (all D-Md.), applauded the inclusion of the FAFSA Fairness Act of 2019 (S. 416) in the end-of-year spending bill recently passed by Congress. The FAFSA Fairness Act would improve the application process for students without parents to receive federal financial aid. The bill was first introduced by the late Congressman Elijah E. Cummings in February 2019. Nothing should stand in the way of a student's education neither money nor difficult life circumstances, said Senator Cardin. The already lengthy process of applying for federal student aid is even harder for students who are unable to contact their parents due to abuse or neglect. I am proud that Congress has finally passed the FAFSA Fairness Act to simplify the application process and open doors for even more students to access federal student aid. We must continue to work to eliminate barriers that keep our most vulnerable students from reaching their higher education goals. This is a fitting tribute to our colleague and friend Congressman Cummings. Every student with the dream of attending college should have the opportunity to achieve that goal. We cannot let financial difficulties or burdensome regulations and red tape stand in the way, said Senator Van Hollen. The FAFSA Fairness Act will make college more accessible by removing obstacles to student financial aid. I was proud to help introduce this legislation alongside our dear friend Elijah Cummings, and I'm glad Team Maryland has worked together to get it over the finish line. Together, we will continue working to make college more affordable and accessible for all of our students. "I was honored to take the lead on this bill after Congressman Cummings' passing because every student deserves the chance to reach the highest levels of academic achievement without increased financial barriers, said Congressman Tr… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/hoyer-statement-house-passed-legislation-increase-economic-impact-payments-families | Hoyer Statement on House-Passed Legislation to Increase Economic Impact Payments to Families | 2020-12-28 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Steny Hoyer | H000874 | www.majorityleader.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after the House passed legislation to increase the amount of the economic impact payments from $600 to $2,000:The House has now passed legislation to increase the amount of the economic impact payments from $600 to $2,000. The Democratic-led House has worked responsibly and tirelessly from the beginning of this pandemic to keep Americans safe and limit the economic impacts of COVID-19. Unfortunately, President Trump has been absent throughout this crisis, including during the most recent negotiations that led to bipartisan passage of a COVID-19 relief bill. It would have been helpful if he had indicated his support for higher economic impact payments at that time, but in spite of his delayed engagement, the House has responded swiftly. I hope that Senate Republicans will join the Democratic-led House in passing an increase in those payments so that Americans can receive the assistance they so desperately need. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/hoyer-statement-house-voting-override-president-trumps-veto-ndaa | Hoyer Statement on the House Voting to Override President Trump's Veto of the NDAA | 2020-12-28 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Steny Hoyer | H000874 | www.majorityleader.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after the House voted to override PresidentTrump's veto of the FY2021 NDAA: The House has now voted in a bipartisan fashion to override President Trump's reckless and irresponsible veto of the 2021 defense authorization bill. This legislation authorizes pay for our troops, support for their safety and critical missions, and programs that keep Americans safe at home and abroad. It has traditionally been a bipartisan enterprise, as it was this year again. President Trump's veto was nothing more than a shameful attempt to hold our military hostage in return for abandoning an effort to remove the legacy of slavery, sedition, and segregation from the names of U.S. military installations. It is one that will go down in history as one of the final actions of a President who has spent four years denigrating the service of those who wear our nation's uniform. I am confident that the Senate will join the House in rejecting the President's veto and enacting this critical legislation for our national defense and for the principles that the men and women of our Armed Forces uphold every day through their distinguished service. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/hoyer-statement-president-trump-finally-signing-bipartisan-covid-19-relief-legislation | Hoyer Statement on President Trump Finally Signing Bipartisan COVID-19 Relief Legislation | 2020-12-28 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Steny Hoyer | H000874 | www.majorityleader.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement tonight after PresidentTrumpsigned bipartisan COVID-19 relief legislation into law:"By signing this bill tonight, the President has resolved an unnecessary crisis that he himself created. However, his delay caused millions of American families to lose unemployment benefits for a week while also causing deep anxiety and uncertainty for millions more who are struggling to make ends meet. Instead of signing this bill immediately, this President once again put his own political interests before the interests of the American people. Thankfully, this cycle of chaos and crisis will soon come to an end. "House Democrats have been working since May to pass additional relief for families and small businesses, which President Trump and Republicans rejected at every turn. The bill that has now been signed is an important step, but the deep damage inflicted by this pandemic means that more assistance will be needed, in particular help for state, local, tribal, and territorial governments. House Democrats are committed to working with President-elect Biden to take swift action to ensure our nation can meet the health and economic challenges of this pandemic." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/daily-leader-monday-december-28-2020 | THE DAILY LEADER: MONDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2020 | 2020-12-27 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Steny Hoyer | H000874 | www.majorityleader.gov | legacy | No One Minutes Suspension (1 bill) H.R. ___ Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help Act of 2020 (Rep. Neal Ways and Means) Consideration of the Veto Message to Accompany the Conference Report to AccompanyH.R. 6395 William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Rep. Smith (WA) Armed Services)Additional Legislative Items Are Possible | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://mfume.house.gov/media/press-releases/fighting-for-our-values | Fighting For Our Values | 2020-12-24 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Kweisi Mfume | M000687 | mfume.house.gov | mfume | https://mfume.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | DECEMBER 24, 2020 -- Today, as millions of Americans are preparing to celebrate the Christmas holiday, it's clear this one will be unlike any other in modern history. While some of us are separated and quarantined, others are experiencing the profound loss of loved ones, jobs, and the sense of normalcy we once enjoyed. While our year has been filled with uncertainty, I feel comfort in knowing that the meaning of Christmas will never change. The Christmas story is ultimately one about hope for a better tomorrow. It's a story that reminds us of our moral responsibility to care for those in need, including the sick, hungry, and homeless. It's a reminder of our charge to treat others the way we want to be treated. And it reflects basic values that are shared by people of many faiths. This week, I, along with my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives, made good on our promise to fight for families and American values. Democrats in the House led the effort to provide immediate and critical aid to workers, families, schools, and businesses as part of a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package. This legislative package will help put money in the pockets of Americans, help families keep food on their tables, and keep a roof over their heads. Even today as House Republicans block our efforts to provide $2,000 direct payments to struggling Americans (as recently requested by President Trump), Democrats remain committed to the fight for lives and livelihoods. While the COVID-19 relief package gathered much attention this week, it did not pass alone. The $1.4 trillion omnibus package set spending and policy priorities for the federal government through the next fiscal year and beyond. The omnibus package secures critical funding to help meet the needs of the families in Maryland's 7th Congressional District. It includes provisions to promote renewable energy, curb gun violence, expand healthcare, create jobs, make quality education accessible, and mandate police accountability. Our work is far from over, but I believ… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z |
| https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/hoyer-remarks-press-conference-following-uc-request-economic-impact-payments | Hoyer Remarks at Press Conference Following UC Request on Economic Impact Payments | 2020-12-24 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Steny Hoyer | H000874 | www.majorityleader.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) spoke at a press conference this morning after House Republicans blocked his unanimous consent request to increase Economic Impact Payments from $600 to $2000 in the bipartisan COVID-19 relief bill that passed Congress earlier this week. Below is a transcript of his remarks:Good morning. I am joined by today's Speaker Pro Tempore, [Rep.] Debbie Dingell from Michigan; [Rep.] Filemon Vela from Texas; and [Rep.] Don Beyer from the state of Virginia. 2020 has been a challenging year for America, a challenging year for our people. A sad, sad, year as we lost over 330,000 of our fellow citizens to a pandemic caused by COVID-19. Since March we have been attempting to respond appropriately and timely to the challenge not only to the health of the American people but also to the health of our economy and the extraordinary economic pain afflicted by COVID-19, in addition to the health challenge that it posed. We have passed a number of pieces of legislation. The first piece of legislation we passed was on March 14, that legislation passed 363-40. Shortly thereafter, some less than two weeks thereafter, we passed the CARES Act, passed in the House by voice vote, that was March 27. On April 23, we passed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, 388-5. On May 15 we passed, because of the continuing challenge to health, safety, and to the economy, and jobs, and welfare to the American people, we passed the Heroes Act. Unfortunately, by that time Republicans had decided that they had done enough.That they should wait to see what would happen. When we passed the Heroes Act, and we passed it through the House of Representatives on a partisan basis, 214-207, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, Republican Mitch McConnell, said let the states go bankrupt.' And the Leader of the Republican party in the House of Representatives [said]: let's wait and see.' And of course, what we saw from March on was continuing death of our people, continui… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/votes-added-12242020-previously-no-votes | VOTES ADDED ON 12/24/2020; PREVIOUSLY: No Votes | 2020-12-24 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Steny Hoyer | H000874 | www.majorityleader.gov | legacy | House of Representatives | Contact Us | Site Map | Privacy Policy Mailing Address: 1705 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515 | Office: (202) 225-4131 Fax: (202) 225-4300 2020 Steny Hoyer. All rights reserved. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://anthonybrown.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1129 | Reps. Kim, Brown and Sires Lead Letter in Support of Secretary-designate Lloyd Austin | 2020-12-23 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Anthony Brown | B001304 | anthonybrown.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Today, Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03), Congressman Anthony Brown (MD-04) and Congressman Albio Sires (NJ-08) released a letter signed by 45 members of color to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell expressing their support for President-elect Biden's choice for Secretary of Defense, Secretary-designee Lloyd Austin. The letter, which can be found here, states that, As Black, Hispanic, Asian and Pacific Islander American Members of Congress, we are writing to express our strong support for Secretary-designate Lloyd Austin, who has been named by President-elect Biden as his nominee for Secretary of Defense, and the necessary congressional waiver. The members go on to highlight the fact that Secretary-designate Austin is, the first Black nominee for Secretary of Defense, and that his nomination, would not only break historic barriers, but send an important signal to our country and the rest of the world about the value of diversity, inclusion, sacrifice and strength. The letter directly asks Speaker Pelosi and Leader McConnell to move Secretary-designate Austin's, nomination and the necessary congressional waiver forward quickly in the 117th Congress after hearings are conducted in both chambers. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://anthonybrown.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1138 | House Armed Services Vice Chair Anthony Brown: “On His Way Out of Office, President Trump Has Made Yet Another Decision That Makes Our Country Less Safe” | 2020-12-23 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Anthony Brown | B001304 | anthonybrown.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. House Armed Services Committee Vice Chair Anthony G. Brown (MD-04), a 30-year Army veteran, released the following statement on President Trump's veto of the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act: On his way out of office, President Trump has made yet another decision that makes our country less safe. In vetoing the National Defense Authorization Act to preserve the names of Confederate traitors on our military installations, the outgoing president is holding up raises for our brave servicemembers, construction projects that will improve the lives of military families, programs critical to our national security and funds to ensure our military remains the greatest fighting force in the world. This is not new behavior from President Trump, nor is it shocking. His tenure in office has always been focused on what he believes is best for his own personal gain and never what's best for the American people. President Trump tied his veto to defending the brutal acts of the Confederacy, the legacy of slavery and his belief that this country should still honor men who betrayed their country to defend white supremacy. This divisive racial dog whistling has been a hallmark of his presidency. But those are not the values our country or our military upholds. Myself and Senator Warren championed a provision to redesignate Department of Defense property that honors Confederate leaders. We defied President Trump's threats and passed an NDAA that included our provision with overwhelming, veto-proof majorities. We'll do the same again and deliver for our troops. Our security and values are more important than President Trump clinging to the vestiges of this country's darkest chapter. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/12/23/2020/cardin-lauds-federal-investments-in-maryland-transportation | Cardin Lauds Federal Investments in Maryland Transportation | 2020-12-23 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Benjamin Cardin | C000141 | www.cardin.senate.gov | legacy | December 23, 2020 Cardin Lauds Federal Investments in Maryland Transportation WASHINGTON 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 2021 appropriations package that avoids a government shutdown and provides robust investments in multimodal transportation infrastructure for Maryland and the nation. Keeping 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. Below are some of the important transportation-related provisions in the FY2021 omnibus packages: METRO: The FY2021 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. PURPLE LINE: The Capital Improvement Grant Program (CIG) received $2 billion. This will fund an additional $120 million for the Prince George's County-Montgomery County Purple Line that will bring more efficient, reliable public transit to thousands. This raises the total federal investment to date to $688 million. PORT OF BALTIMORE: Congress provided $1 billion for the National Infrastructure Investments grant program. For FY 2021, Senator Cardin was able to secure $30 million in funding for competitively awarded planning grants to allow communities to develop plans for future investments in major infrastructure projects. This September, Team Maryland announced a $10 million grant from this fund to improve infrastructure at the Port of Baltimore to improv… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/12/23/2020/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 | 2020-12-23 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Benjamin Cardin | C000141 | www.cardin.senate.gov | legacy | December 23, 2020 Never Again: Cardin Says Spending Package Elevates Holocaust Education, Supports Holocaust Survivors and Expands Program to Protect Synagogues and Houses of Worship from Terrorism WASHINGTON 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 2021 omnibus appropriations package that support Holocaust education, Holocaust survivors, and the security of houses of worship. Holocaust 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. HOLOCAUST EDUCATION: Interior Appropriations provides a $1 million increase for the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM). Senator Cardin led his colleagues in advocating to fund the recently enacted Never Again Education Act (P.L. 116-141), the FY 2021 omnibus fully funds this important legislation and provides $2 million in funding to enhance USHMM's education programming on the Holocaust and genocide prevention. A member of the USHMM's Memorial Council, Senator Cardin spearheaded a requirement that USHMM submit a report on their collection and usage of historical documentation, such as Holocaust survivor testimony, to support the USHMM's memory and educational programs related to the Holocaust. HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR ASSISTANCE: Labor-Health and Human… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-calls-fy2021-appropriations-a-win-for-federal-agencies-workers-in-maryland | Cardin Calls FY2021 Appropriations a Win for Federal Agencies, Workers in Maryland | 2020-12-23 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Benjamin Cardin | C000141 | www.cardin.senate.gov | legacy | December 23, 2020 Cardin Calls FY2021 Appropriations a Win for Federal Agencies, Workers in Maryland WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) lauded key provisions in the final Fiscal Year 2021 appropriations package that improve compensation and working conditions for federal employees and enable critical maintenance projects at federal facilities in Maryland. There 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, providing health guidance to keep us safe during this global health crisis, or providing critical lifelines for our seniors, 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. Budget decisions for FY 2021 included a number of successes for the federal workforce. Congress eliminated the threat of a federal government shutdown by passing crucial spending packages that sets priorities and funds the federal government through the fiscal year. Additionally, the FY 2021 appropriations package embraces the following of Senator Cardin's objectives for federal employees. 1 PERCENT PAY INCREASE: President Trump attempted to freeze federal salaries for the upcoming year, but was pressured to include a 1 percent pay increase in his budget request. Unfortunately, that fell short of the 3 percent pay increase on tap for the military. Senator Cardin has been a long-time advocate for civilian-military parity and is determined to restore civilian-military equity under President-elect Joseph Biden's administration. EXTENSION OF REPAYMENT PERIOD FOR DEFERRED PAYROLL TAXES: Senator Cardin strongly objected to President Trump's 4-month payroll tax deferral for federal employees and service members, wh… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-calls-on-bangladesh-to-halt-relocation-of-rohingya-refugees | Cardin Calls on Bangladesh to Halt Relocation of Rohingya Refugees | 2020-12-23 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Benjamin Cardin | C000141 | www.cardin.senate.gov | legacy | December 23, 2020 Cardin Calls on Bangladesh to Halt Relocation of Rohingya Refugees WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee responsible for human rights, released the following statement on the latest aggressive actions against Rohingya refugees. The Government of Bangladesh has done more than any other country to provide safety, aid, and shelter to nearly 900,000 Rohingya refugees. However, I am gravely concerned by their recent efforts to relocate Rohingya refugees to Bhasan Char, a remote silt island in the Bay of Bengal. I urge Bangladesh to reconsider its plans to relocate any more refugees until independent technical and protection assessments are carried out by the United Nations and voluntariness can be assured. The relocation of more than 1,600 Rohingya to Bhasan Char in early December is out of step with Bangladesh's previous generosity and efforts to date to protect the Rohingya refugees fleeing genocide in Burma. Bangladesh has not yet granted the United Nations access to Bhasan Char for the UN to determine the island's safety and habitability. I am deeply troubled by reports that the relocation of some Rohingya to Bhasan Char may have been coerced and undertaken without their informed consent. It is clear that the root cause of and the solution to the Rohingya crisis lies in Burma, where the Rohingya have been systematically persecuted and forced to flee. More must be done by the Government of Burma to improve conditions for Rohingya in Rakhine State, including allowing refugees to return to their places of origin, guaranteeing refugees' security upon return, and importantly, the restoration or granting of equal rights including full citizenship, freedom of movement, and access to basic services for the Rohingya. But until safe and voluntary returns to Burma are possible, Bangladesh should, with the support of the United States and the international community, continue to protect Rohingya within its borders u… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-portman-praise-establishment-of-a-national-memorial-to-fallen-journalists | Cardin-Portman Praise Establishment of a National Memorial to Fallen Journalists | 2020-12-23 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Benjamin Cardin | C000141 | www.cardin.senate.gov | legacy | December 23, 2020 Cardin-Portman Praise Establishment of a National Memorial to Fallen Journalists WASHINGTON On Wednesday, the president signed into law a companion bill to legislation written by U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) that authorizes the development and construction of a national monument to fallen journalists. The new, privately funded memorial will be constructed on federal lands within the District of Columbia and will honor journalists, photographers, and broadcasters killed in the line of duty.Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) is an original cosponsor of the Senate bill (S. 1969). Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.-32) and Congressman Tom Cole (R-Okla.-04) introduced the legislation (H.R. 3465) in the House of Representatives. The free media, one of the pillars of our nation, is under attack figuratively and literally across America. Too many, including five innocent souls lost in the shooting at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, gave everything they had in defense of democracy, transparency and freedom, said Senator Cardin. This new memorial will honor the lives of those who died reporting the news and supporting the media on behalf of the American people. It will be a steadfast symbol of their sacrifice and the fragility of our democracy. Those who personify the First Amendment rights granted to every citizen have made our nation stronger. A free and open press is essential to our democracy, and I applaud President Trump for signing into law our bipartisan legislation to establish the National Memorial to Fallen Journalists, said Senator Portman. This memorial will serve as a fitting tribute to the men and women in journalism, including those from the Capital Gazette, who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of the First Amendment. The legislation authorizes the Fallen Journalists Memorial (FJM) Foundation to establish a commemorative work (memorial) in the District of Columbia.Eligible federal land would be in Area I or Area … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/hoyer-statement-president-trump-vetoing-fy2021-ndaa | Hoyer Statement on President Trump Vetoing the FY2021 NDAA | 2020-12-23 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Steny Hoyer | H000874 | www.majorityleader.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after PresidentTrumpvetoed the FY2021 NDAA: "The annual National Defense Authorization Act that President Trump dangerously and callously vetoed today was a product of true bipartisanship and reflects Congress's commitment to the safety and success of our men and women in uniform. It passed overwhelmingly in both the House and Senate because it represents a compromise on key issues and will ensure that our military personnel have the tools they need to carry out their missions while our nation's highest values are upheld. "Shamefully, this President believes that it is more important to honor defenders of slavery and segregation than it is to sign legislation paying our troops and keeping them safe. As a result of the President's irresponsible action, the House will meet on Monday, December 28, to override his veto and reaffirm support for our troops, our American values, and a robust national defense." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-brings-on-former-city-councilwoman-shannon-sneed-to-lead-baltimore-outreach | Van Hollen Brings on former City Councilwoman Shannon Sneed to Lead Baltimore Outreach | 2020-12-23 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Chris Van Hollen | V000128 | www.vanhollen.senate.gov | legacy | December 23, 2020 Van Hollen Brings on former City Councilwoman Shannon Sneed to Lead Baltimore Outreach Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) announced the hiring of former Baltimore City Councilwoman Shannon Sneed to serve as his Baltimore City Regional Director. Representing the City of Baltimore in the United States Senate is an honor and addressing the needs of its residents from voicing their concerns on the Senate floor, to advocating for legislation to support our city, to helping constituents access services and solve problems with federal agencies is one of my key priorities. Given Shannon's deep roots in Baltimore and her excellent work on behalf of its residents, I am thrilled to welcome her to our team. I'm confident she will continue to dedicate herself to the city that she loves and serve the people of Baltimore well in this new role,said Van Hollen. From 2016 to 2020, Shannon Sneed served as Baltimore City Councilwoman for District 13 in East Baltimore. On the Council, Shannon was a fierce advocate for the residents of District 13 standing up for transparency and fairness in city government and fighting for policies that protect the hard-working men and women of Baltimore City. Before serving on the City Council, Shannon worked with Big Brothers, Big Sisters to recruit mentors to work with Baltimore's youth. Prior to that, Shannon worked in the Mayor's Office of Employment Development helping people across Baltimore find jobs. Before joining the Mayor's Office, Shannon was a professor at Coppin State University and worked as an assignment editor and producer for Baltimore's Fox45 and WJZ Channel 13. Shannon has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and a master's degree in Communication Management from Morgan State University. She and her husband Ramond live in Ellwood Park with their four-year-old daughter, Rae. Print Email Tweet … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-secures-key-maryland-funding-priorities-in-omnibus-package | Van Hollen Secures Key Maryland Funding Priorities in Omnibus Package | 2020-12-23 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Chris Van Hollen | V000128 | www.vanhollen.senate.gov | legacy | December 23, 2020 Van Hollen Secures Key Maryland Funding Priorities in Omnibus Package Today, U.S. SenatorChris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement regarding provisions to benefit Maryland within the bipartisan coronavirus relief and omnibus packagepassed by the House and Senate that awaits President Trump's signature. The legislation includes all 12 Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) spending bills and roughly $900 billion in additional COVID-19 relief. Through his role on the Appropriations Committee, Senator Van Hollen successfully secured a number of state priorities that will greatly benefit the state of Maryland. After a very difficult year for so many Americans, I'm glad that lawmakers could come together to fund our government and invest in key priorities across our state, while providing the necessary support to workers, families, small businesses, and our efforts to fight the pandemic and current economic crisis.This package while not perfect will provide urgent relief to those who need it most and prevents a shameful government shutdown.I am proud to have foughtfor a number of provisions within this bill that will directly benefit Marylanders including funds to support our schools, invest in health care services and biomedical research, back key federal facilities and installations in Maryland, modernize our infrastructure and transportation networks, and boost research and preservation efforts for the Chesapeake Bay.I urge the President to sign this bipartisanbill into law immediately. Maryland Priorities: To support federal facilities in Maryland, Senator Van Hollen fought for: Language encouraging theFBI and GSA to submit a new proposal for a fully-consolidated headquarters building, including at least one of the previously-vetted sites,two of which are located in Prince George's County. Following the Trump Administration's stonewalling of the new, safer FBI headquarters that will appropriately meet the needs of the Bureau, Senat… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-statement-on-senator-mike-millers-resignation | Van Hollen Statement on Senator Mike Millers Resignation | 2020-12-23 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Chris Van Hollen | V000128 | www.vanhollen.senate.gov | legacy | December 23, 2020 Van Hollen Statement on Senator Mike Miller's Resignation Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding Senator Mike Miller's announcement that he will resign from the Maryland Senate due to his health: Mike Miller is a student of Maryland history and his departure from its Senate marks the end of an era. Governors have come and gone, but Senator Miller, with unmatched political acumen, has steered Maryland on a progressive course and toward a more perfect union. Senator Miller has dedicated his life to serving Marylanders and set the goldstandard for true leadership in the State Senate. I was proud to serve withhim. He is a dear friend and his mentorship and wisdom remain invaluable to me. As he continues his battle with cancer, he knows that Katherine and I are in his corner every step of the way. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-statement-on-the-presidents-signing-of-the-fallen-journalists-memorial-act | Van Hollen Statement on the Presidents Signing of the Fallen Journalists Memorial Act | 2020-12-23 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Chris Van Hollen | V000128 | www.vanhollen.senate.gov | legacy | December 23, 2020 Van Hollen Statement on the President's Signing of the Fallen Journalists Memorial Act Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on the President's signing of the Fallen Journalists Memorial Act into law: Marylanders will never forget the lives we lost in theCapital Gazetteshooting on June 28, 2018. This memorial is a fitting way tohonor Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith, Wendi Winters,and countless others who have lost their lives in their line of duty reporting the facts and upholding the First Amendment,said Senator Van Hollen.I appreciate Senator Cardin's efforts in leading this initiative, and I know it will serve as both a tribute and a testament to these dedicated men and women and their work. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-statement-on-trump-veto-of-the-ndaa | Van Hollen Statement on Trump Veto of the NDAA | 2020-12-23 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Chris Van Hollen | V000128 | www.vanhollen.senate.gov | legacy | December 23, 2020 Van Hollen Statement on Trump Veto of the NDAA Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on Trump's veto of the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): The NDAA includes a pay raise for our troops, critical investments for Maryland's military installations, and support for key national security priorities. Trump's veto of this legislation which has passed Congress and been signed into law without fail every year for the last sixty years is shameful. And he's taking this unprecedented step because the bill does not include unrelated provisions to punish Twitter for fact-checking his lies and because it moves forward on renaming military bases that glorify those who fought with the Confederacy to protect slavery. It's clear that once again President Trump is putting his ego and his own self-interest before the interests of the American people, our armed forces, and our national security. This veto will be welcome news to our adversaries. I urge a Congressional override of this action as soon as possible. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://anthonybrown.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1130 | Maryland Delegation Members Applaud the Passage of the FAFSA Fairness Act | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Anthony Brown | B001304 | anthonybrown.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Congressmen David Trone, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Anthony Brown and Jamie Raskin (all D-Md.), applauded the inclusion of the FAFSA Fairness Act of 2019 (S. 416) in the end-of-year spending bill recently passed by Congress. The FAFSA Fairness Act would improve the application process for students without parents to receive federal financial aid. The bill was first introduced by the late Congressman Elijah E. Cummings in February 2019. Nothing should stand in the way of a student's education neither money nor difficult life circumstances, said Senator Cardin. The already lengthy process of applying for federal student aid is even harder for students who are unable to contact their parents due to abuse or neglect. I am proud that Congress has finally passed the FAFSA Fairness Act to simplify the application process and open doors for even more students to access federal student aid. We must continue to work to eliminate barriers that keep our most vulnerable students from reaching their higher education goals. This is a fitting tribute to our colleague and friend Congressman Cummings. Every student with the dream of attending college should have the opportunity to achieve that goal. We cannot let financial difficulties or burdensome regulations and red tape stand in the way, said Senator Van Hollen. The FAFSA Fairness Act will make college more accessible by removing obstacles to student financial aid. I was proud to help introduce this legislation alongside our dear friend Elijah Cummings, and I'm glad Team Maryland has worked together to get it over the finish line. Together, we will continue working to make college more affordable and accessible for all of our students. "I was honored to take the lead on this bill after Congressman Cummings' passing because every student deserves the chance to reach the highest levels of academic achievement without increased financial barriers, said Congressman Trone, the only member from the M… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://raskin.house.gov/media/press-releases/maryland-delegation-members-applaud-passage-fafsa-fairness-act | Maryland Delegation Members Applaud the Passage of the FAFSA Fairness Act | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MD | Jamie Raskin | R000606 | raskin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Congressmen David Trone, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Anthony Brown and Jamie Raskin (all D-Md.), applauded the inclusion of the FAFSA Fairness Act of 2019 (S. 416) in the end-of-year spending bill recently passed by Congress. The FAFSA Fairness Act would improve the application process for students without parents to receive federal financial aid. The bill was first introduced by the late Congressman Elijah E. Cummings in February 2019. Nothing should stand in the way of a student's education neither money nor difficult life circumstances, said Senator Cardin. The already lengthy process of applying for federal student aid is even harder for students who are unable to contact their parents due to abuse or neglect. I am proud that Congress has finally passed the FAFSA Fairness Act to simplify the application process and open doors for even more students to access federal student aid. We must continue to work to eliminate barriers that keep our most vulnerable students from reaching their higher education goals. This is a fitting tribute to our colleague and friend Congressman Cummings. Every student with the dream of attending college should have the opportunity to achieve that goal. We cannot let financial difficulties or burdensome regulations and red tape stand in the way, said Senator Van Hollen. The FAFSA Fairness Act will make college more accessible by removing obstacles to student financial aid. I was proud to help introduce this legislation alongside our dear friend Elijah Cummings, and I'm glad Team Maryland has worked together to get it over the finish line. Together, we will continue working to make college more affordable and accessible for all of our students. "I was honored to take the lead on this bill after Congressman Cummings' passing because every student deserves the chance to reach the highest levels of academic achievement without increased financial barriers, said Congressman Trone, the only member from th… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://ruppersberger.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ruppersberger-chairman-of-us-naval-academy-board-of-visitors-issues | Ruppersberger, Chairman of U.S. Naval Academy Board of Visitors, Issues Statement on Investigation | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MD | C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger | R000576 | ruppersberger.house.gov | legacy | (Washington, DC) Maryland Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, who is Chairman of the U.S. Naval Academy's Board of Visitors, today issued the following statement in response to media reports regarding an ongoing investigation into the administration of a sophomore physics exam: The USNA has apprised the Board of Visitors that there is an ongoing investigation into the administration of a sophomore physics exam. I am confident that, once the results of the investigation are complete, they will be provided to the Board. The Academy's Honor Concept is clear and any violations would require appropriate remediation. Ruppersberger, a member of the Board since 2009, was elected Chairman in June of this year. The Board oversees matters related to morale and discipline, curriculum, infrastructure, financial affairs and more. The Board consists of six members appointed by the President, three appointed by the Vice President, four appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one designated by the Senate Armed Services Committee and one designated by the House Armed Services Committee. The President of the United States receives an annual written report of the Board's findings and recommendations. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/trump-throws-federal-coronavirus-relief-bill-would-benefit-maryland-doubt | Trump Throws Federal Coronavirus Relief Bill That Would Benefit Maryland Into Doubt | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MD | John Sarbanes | S001168 | sarbanes.house.gov | legacy | The long-awaited federal coronavirus relief bill paired with an expansive government spending package contains millions of dollars specifically for initiatives in Maryland, but President Donald Trump threw its fate into question Tuesday night when he blasted the bipartisan package and suggested he may not sign it.... The spending bill also would fund smaller programs authorized through the conservation act, such as the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Program, a National Park Service initiative that aims to increase public access to environments in the bay watershed. That program was given $3 million. I'm particularly proud of our successful effort to secure record-level funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program and to include funding for several other beneficial Bay initiatives, Maryland Rep. John Sarbanes, a Democrat, said in a news release." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sarbanes-maryland-delegation-members-applaud-passage-fafsa-fairness-act | Sarbanes, Maryland Delegation Members Applaud the Passage of the FAFSA Fairness Act | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MD | John Sarbanes | S001168 | sarbanes.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined the Maryland Congressional Delegation in applauding the inclusion of the FAFSA Fairness Act of 2019 (S. 416) in the end-of-year spending bill recently passed by Congress. The FAFSA Fairness Act would improve the application process for students without parents to receive federal financial aid for higher education. The bill was first introduced by the late Congressman Elijah E. Cummings in February 2019. With the strong support of the Maryland Delegation and in honor of the late Elijah Cummings, Congress has acted to reduce barriers for students seeking financial aid, said Congressman Sarbanes. The new, streamlined application will help more students especially in low-income and underserved communities access critical financial aid and make college more affordable. Nothing should stand in the way of a student's education neither money nor difficult life circumstances, said Senator Cardin. The already lengthy process of applying for federal student aid is even harder for students who are unable to contact their parents due to abuse or neglect. I am proud that Congress has finally passed the FAFSA Fairness Act to simplify the application process and open doors for even more students to access federal student aid. We must continue to work to eliminate barriers that keep our most vulnerable students from reaching their higher education goals. This is a fitting tribute to our colleague and friend Congressman Cummings. Every student with the dream of attending college should have the opportunity to achieve that goal. We cannot let financial difficulties or burdensome regulations and red tape stand in the way, said Senator Van Hollen. The FAFSA Fairness Act will make college more accessible by removing obstacles to student financial aid. I was proud to help introduce this legislation alongside our dear friend Elijah Cummings, and I'm glad Team Maryland has worked together to get it over the finish line. Together, we will continue working to make college … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sarbanes-statement-covid-19-vaccine | Sarbanes Statement on COVID-19 Vaccine | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MD | John Sarbanes | S001168 | sarbanes.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today released the following statement about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine: Following the advice of the Office of the Attending Physician, and based on government continuity guidelines, I recently received the COVID-19 vaccine. I know that some Marylanders including health care workers, first responders and nursing home residents, who are among the first individuals eligible for the vaccine may be apprehensive about receiving it. I want to reiterate for them and others my full confidence in the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine. According to public health professionals, it is not yet clear whether someone who has been vaccinated and is protected from the virus can nevertheless still be a carrier. That is why for the safety of my family members, who are not yet eligible to receive the vaccine, and for others who I come into contact with I will continue to maintain all the recommended precautions, including wearing a mask, washing my hands and practicing social distancing. I greatly value the guidance of the scientific community and our outstanding public health experts. I hope that Marylanders and Americans across the country sign up to receive the vaccine as it becomes increasingly available over the next several months. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-rubio-risch-feinstein-welcome-passage-of-their-bipartisan-bill-in-support-of-tibet | Cardin, Rubio, Risch, Feinstein Welcome Passage of their Bipartisan Bill in Support of Tibet | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Benjamin Cardin | C000141 | www.cardin.senate.gov | legacy | December 22, 2020 Cardin, Rubio, Risch, Feinstein Welcome Passage of their Bipartisan Bill in Support of Tibet WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), welcomed the passage of their bipartisan Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2019 (S.2539). The legislation, included in the fiscal year 2021 omnibus spending bill, seeks to update and strengthen the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002 to address emerging human rights, religious freedom, and other challenges faced by the Tibetan people. Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives (H.R. 4331). Bipartisan passage of the Tibet Policy and Support Act sends a strong message to Chinese officials that the U.S. will not stay silent in the face of inference in the Tibetan Buddhist practices, including the deeply spiritual process of selecting the next Dalai Lama. Such actions will be met with consequences, such as the possibility of targeted Global Magnitsky sanctions, Cardin said. Congress stands united in its support for the human rights, religious freedom and genuine autonomy of the Tibetan people. Passage of the Tibetan Policy and Support Act sends an important message that the United States stands with the Tibetan people and against any effort by the Chinese Communist Party to interfere with the religious process of identifying Tibetan Buddhist leaders, such as the Dalai Lama, Rubio said. We must continue to shine a light on the grave assaults against the Tibetan people's religion, culture, and language by the Chinese Communist government, both inside Tibet and outside the PRC. I applaud the passage of this bipartisan legislation and urge the State Department to use the tools it provides to address escalating human rights abuses in Tibet. We have come together with one voice by passing the Tibetan Policy and Support Act, Risch said. I have long supported the rights and freedoms of the people of Tibet. I am particularly… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-statement-on-small-business-provisions-in-bipartisan-covid-19-economic-relief-bill- | Cardin Statement on Small Business Provisions in Bipartisan COVID-19 Economic Relief Bill | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Benjamin Cardin | C000141 | www.cardin.senate.gov | legacy | December 22, 2020 Cardin Statement on Small Business Provisions in Bipartisan COVID-19 Economic Relief Bill WASHINGTON U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship Ranking Member Ben Cardin (D-Md.) today issued a statement after Congress passed a $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill that provides $325 billion in funding to support small businesses. The bill includes more than $284 billion for first and second Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, and dedicates a $15 billion set-aside for loans issued by mission-lenders, including community development financial institutions (CDFIs), minority-depository institutions (MDIs), and SBA 504 and Microlenders, as well as another $15 billion set-aside for certain smaller depository institutions, such as credit unions and farm credit institutions. The bill also expands PPP eligibility for nonprofit, as well as local newspapers and broadcasters. This bill is welcome relief for the millions of small businesses that are days or weeks away from closing permanently, Ranking Member Cardin said. In addition to tackling the root of the problem, this bill targets small business aid to the hardest-hit, most vulnerable small businesses including Black, Native, Hispanic, Asian and women-owned businesses as well as small businesses in the industries that have been most affected by COVID-19. While the first vaccine treatments have already been administered, the pandemic will not disappear overnight, and small businesses and American families still face several months of COVID-19 restrictions. I am grateful that Chairman Marco Rubio, Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez, Ranking Member Steve Chabot, and I were able to negotiate a package that will be a good down payment on the investments small businesses will need in the future as our nation begins to recover from the pandemic. The relief bill supports small businesses by: Extending and improving PPP. The legislation includes $284 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program, which is extended … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/maryland-delegation-members-applaud-the-passage-of-the-fafsa-fairness-act | Maryland Delegation Members Applaud the Passage of the FAFSA Fairness Act | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Benjamin Cardin | C000141 | www.cardin.senate.gov | legacy | December 22, 2020 Maryland Delegation Members Applaud the Passage of the FAFSA Fairness Act WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Congressmen David Trone, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Anthony Brown and Jamie Raskin (all D-Md.), applauded the inclusion of the FAFSA Fairness Act of 2019 (S. 416) in the end-of-year spending bill recently passed by Congress. The FAFSA Fairness Act would improve the application process for students without parents to receive federal financial aid. The bill was first introduced by the late Congressman Elijah E. Cummings in February 2019. Nothing should stand in the way of a student's education neither money nor difficult life circumstances, said Senator Cardin. The already lengthy process of applying for federal student aid is even harder for students who are unable to contact their parents due to abuse or neglect. I am proud that Congress has finally passed the FAFSA Fairness Act to simplify the application process and open doors for even more students to access federal student aid. We must continue to work to eliminate barriers that keep our most vulnerable students from reaching their higher education goals. This is a fitting tribute to our colleague and friend Congressman Cummings. Every student with the dream of attending college should have the opportunity to achieve that goal. We cannot let financial difficulties or burdensome regulations and red tape stand in the way, said Senator Van Hollen. The FAFSA Fairness Act will make college more accessible by removing obstacles to student financial aid. I was proud to help introduce this legislation alongside our dear friend Elijah Cummings, and I'm glad Team Maryland has worked together to get it over the finish line. Together, we will continue working to make college more affordable and accessible for all of our students. "I was honored to take the lead on this bill after Congressman Cummings' passing because every student deserves the chance to reach the highest lev… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/hoyer-floor-remarks-omnibus-appropriations-and-emergency-coronavirus-relief-legislation | Hoyer Floor Remarks on the Omnibus Appropriations and Emergency Coronavirus Relief Legislation | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Steny Hoyer | H000874 | www.majorityleader.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) spoke on the House Floor tonight in support of theomnibus appropriations and emergency coronavirus relief legislation. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery and a link to the video: Clickhereto watch the video. Madam Speaker, they say good things come to those who wait.' The American people have certainly been waiting and watching and hoping that Congress would not only be able to avert a shutdown, but also provide much-needed COVID-19 relief. We now have a bipartisan agreement and legislation that will achieve both of those aims. This bill completes the appropriations process by investing in the American people, in our national defense, in economic opportunity, and in strengthening safety net programs that keep Americans out of poverty.I want to thank Chairwoman Nita Lowey for her hard work, along with Ranking Member Kay Granger and their staffs for their tremendous effort. I particularly want to thank Shalanda Young an extraordinary talent, whose leadership makes seminal contributions to all sections of this bill and to previous bills dealing with appropriations and the COVID-19 pandemic. She represents the best of us. As a result of this omnibus, the next President will be able to start his Administration focusing on immediate challenges instead of trying to finish the previous year's work. In addition, this end-of-year package includes critical clean-energy legislation passed by the House earlier this year that makes important progress toward addressing the climate crisis while ensuring that America can create good jobs by leading the clean-energy economy. We were also able to include legislation that protects patients from surprise bills by removing them from the fight between insurers and providers and implementing a fairer process for resolving disputes. On COVID-19 relief, while we were unable to secure agreement on every priority that Democrats sought we were able to include many of the provisions we included in previous bills of … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/hoyer-statement-10th-anniversary-end-%E2%80%98don%E2%80%99t-ask-don%E2%80%99t-tell%E2%80%99 | Hoyer Statement on 10th Anniversary of End of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ | 2020-12-22 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Steny Hoyer | H000874 | www.majorityleader.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today on the 10th anniversary of the end of Don't Ask, Don't Tell':Ten years ago, I was proud to play a leading role in the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' and bring legislation to the Floor ending that discriminatory policy. LGBTQ Americans were excluded for far too long from equal participation in the life of our nation and the right to serve in its defense. We have come a long way in the past decade, with thousands of gay and lesbian Americans serving openly in our Armed Forces, distinguishing themselves in their service, and rising up the ranks in leadership. When President-elect Biden takes office next month, I will urge him to reverse President Trump's dangerous and discriminatory ban on transgender Americans so that our military can tap all the best talent our country has to offer. It is time to remove that last barrier and allow all LGBTQ Americans once again the chance to serve. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://anthonybrown.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1128 | Congressman Anthony Brown: “Americans Need More Assistance and This Latest Round of Relief Cannot be the End of Our Efforts” | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Anthony Brown | B001304 | anthonybrown.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04), released the following statement regarding the passage of an emergency $900 billion coronavirus relief bill to protect public health and the livelihoods of Americans: The scale of the challenges facing our country demands action from Congress to protect the lives and livelihoods of Americans. This emergency legislation includes funding for vaccinations, extends and strengthens unemployment, increases SNAP benefits, provides tax relief for families and new funds for small businesses. It also provides funding for schools, assistance for transit systems like WMATA, ends surprise medical bills and secures another round of stimulus checks for Americans. Democrats have fought hard for the last seven months to bring President Trump and Senate Republicans to the negotiating table in order to help struggling families put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. This bill will do a lot of good for a lot of Americans, but we must do more. Americans need more assistance and this latest round of relief cannot be the end of our efforts. And, with the incoming Biden-Harris Administration, we intend to deliver. We must pass more funding for our vaccination and testing infrastructure, more relief for families and small businesses, additional funding to keep teachers, firefighters and other public employees on the job and much more to build our country back after this pandemic. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://mfume.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-kweisi-mfume-releases-statement-house-passing-covid-19-relief-government | Rep. Kweisi Mfume Releases Statement on House Passing COVID-19 Relief & Government Funding Package | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Kweisi Mfume | M000687 | mfume.house.gov | mfume | https://mfume.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON--Tonight, Congress took an important step towards getting relief to millions of Americans whose lives have been upended by the coronavirus pandemic. The U.S. House of Representatives voted on bipartisan legislation to fund the federal government and deliver emergency aid so desperately needed by individuals, families, and small businesses across the country. Among other provisions, this COVID-19 stimulus package includes $600 for direct payments to individuals (up to $2400 for a family of four), $25 billion in rental assistance and eviction protections for families, enhanced unemployment insurance assistance, and expanded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) benefits for women, children and families during this historic hunger crisis. It also includes earned income tax benefits for struggling families and the largest Pell Grant expansion for college students in over a decade. We also secured $82 billion in K-12 and college education funding (including HVAC mitigation funding and child care assistance for working families), over $300 billion in emergency funding for small businesses, $90 billion in medical care for veterans, and over $100 billion for the purchase of new vaccines and COVID-19 vaccine research, manufacturing, and distribution. The referenced media source is missing and needs to be re-embedded. While this bill delivers desperately-needed aid, it is long overdue and it is by no means enough. The Democratic-led House passed the Heroes Act stimulus package in May of this year. It took Senate Republicans seven months, a holiday season, a looming government shutdown, and an upcoming Georgia Senate run-off election to finally come to the table for bipartisan negotiations. And despite providing a critical lifeline for many, this bill falls short of providing adequate support needed for state and local governments currently struggling to stay afloat. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z |
| https://ruppersberger.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ruppersberger-issues-statement-on-passage-of-covid-19-relief-and-omnibus | Ruppersberger Issues Statement on Passage of COVID-19 Relief and Omnibus Spending Bill | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MD | C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger | R000576 | ruppersberger.house.gov | legacy | (Washington, DC) Today, Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02) issued the following statement after Congress passed what may be one of the largest bills in U.S. history with enough funding to keep the government running through September 2021 plus $900 billion in COVID-19 relief measures: Today, seven months after the House passed its second round of COVID-19 relief legislation, we can finally tell our constituents and our country that help is on the way. This bill achieves our primary objectives of reducing the spread of this virus and putting money into the pockets of struggling Americans. We can't get our economy moving until we get the pandemic under control. This bill provides nearly $70 billion to accelerate the distribution of vaccines and implement a cohesive testing and tracing strategy something that we have lacked since the outbreak began. It includes direct cash payments to families, relief for small businesses and support for schools and childcare facilities. The bill is certainly not everything I wanted. I am very disappointed the bill does not include more aid for state and local governments, which cut the paychecks for tens of thousands of frontline workers including teachers, police officers and healthcare workers and are facing historic revenue losses amid unforeseen costs. As the pandemic continues to surge at an alarming rate, however, this bill will undoubtedly save lives and livelihoods. The omnibus spending bill included in this package will directly benefit constituents in the Second District and Maryland. It provides more than $509 million for projects at Maryland military installations, $60 million to keep commerce moving through the Port of Baltimore and hundreds of millions of dollars in transportation and community development funding that will make its way to Maryland. As a House Appropriator, I proudly helped secure a record $87.5 million to protect the Chesapeake Bay and the jobs it supports. It is beyond comprehension that Congress is writing, reviewing and passing legisla… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/enewsletters/covid-19-relief-way | COVID-19 Relief Is on the Way | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MD | John Sarbanes | S001168 | sarbanes.house.gov | legacy | Dear Friend, Today, I voted to pass a bipartisan COVID-19 relief package that delivers urgently needed aid to American families and small businesses. The funding agreement also includes critical resources to purchase and distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to every community and to boost contact tracing and testing capabilities. Although it comes late and falls short of the stronger and more comprehensive proposals that House Democrats passed in May and October of this year, today's bipartisan agreement will help American families and small businesses weather the coming winter and get to the other side of this public health emergency. While this COVID-19 relief package delivers meaningful funding for small businesses, local school systems and public transit networks, I am disappointed that Congressional Republicans absolutely refused to provide dedicated aid to state and local governments. As Congress considers additional COVID-19 relief efforts in the year ahead, I will continue to fight for robust state and local funding to support our first responders and frontline workers, who have kept our communities safe and delivered vital services during this incredibly difficult time. Key provisions of the COVID-19 relief agreement include: Equitable COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution, Testing and Contact Tracing to Eliminate the Virus: $20 billion to purchase vaccines, $9 billion to distribute vaccines and nearly $22 billion to help states expand testing, contact tracing and other virus mitigation efforts. Support for Small Business: $284 billion for forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Expanded PPP eligibility for nonprofits, local newspapers, television stations and radio broadcasters. Critical modifications to PPP to better serve minority-owned businesses, the smallest businesses, struggling nonprofits and independent restaurants. Also includes $20 billion in targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan Grants for small businesses, $15 billion in dedicated funding for live venues, independent movie theaters and… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sarbanes-secures-key-maryland-funding-priorities-end-year-spending | Sarbanes Secures Key Maryland Funding Priorities in End-of-Year Spending Package | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MD | John Sarbanes | S001168 | sarbanes.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Delivers Wins for the Chesapeake Bay, Clean Energy, Environmental Protection, Schools, Health Care, Economic Growth and Opportunity, Transportation and Infrastructure Improvements, Veterans, Servicemembers, Military Families and Many Other Key Priorities | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sarbanes-votes-pass-new-round-covid-19-relief-american-families-and | Sarbanes Votes to Pass New Round of COVID-19 Relief for American Families and Small Businesses | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MD | John Sarbanes | S001168 | sarbanes.house.gov | legacy | Bipartisan Agreement Delivers Urgent Aid to Americans, Including Expanded Unemployment Insurance, Small Business Loans, Food and Housing Assistance, One-Time Economic Impact Payments, Public Transit Funding and Robust Resources for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution, Testing and Contact Tracing | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://trone.house.gov/media/press-releases/ngressman-trone-votes-favor-emergency-covid-relief-government-funding-bill | Congressman Trone Votes in Favor of Emergency COVID Relief, Government Funding Bill to Support Workers, Families, and Small Businesses | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | David Trone | T000483 | trone.house.gov | legacy | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hannah.Muldavin@mail.house.gov Congressman Trone Votes in Favor of Emergency COVID Relief, Government Funding Bill to Support Workers, Families, and Small Businesses Massive legislation includes several bills authored by Trone WASHINGTON -- Today, Congressman David Trone (MD-06) voted in favor of H.R. 133, a bill that includes funding for the federal government for Fiscal Year 2021, a $900 billion coronavirus relief package, as well as additional legislative provisions Trone secured to provide critical relief to struggling families, frontline workers, and small businesses. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will now head to the Senate and then the President's desk for signature. While I'm glad to see this bill make it over the finish line, it is outrageous that it took the Senate and the White House this long to come to a deal that still doesn't include relief for the American people that matches the magnitude of this crisis, said Congressman Trone. As we continue to work for more relief, I'm optimistic because this bill includes mental health and addiction resources, broadband investments, and support for educators and small businesses that will help bring us one step closer to a more equitable and just country. My hope is that Washington can use this bipartisan deal as a starting point to work together as we continue into the 117th Congress and a Biden-Harris administration. The American people deserve it. H.R. 133 includes all 12 Fiscal Year 2021 appropriations bills, coronavirus relief, and other legislative authorizations. Trone secured significant funding for some of his top priorities in all of these areas, including for addiction and mental health resources, continued support for small businesses and workers who have been hit hardest by the pandemic, and education, nutrition, criminal justice reform, and broadband funding. Trone's Top Priorities Secured in H.R. 133 ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH FUNDING $4.25 billion for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://trone.house.gov/media/press-releases/trone-statement-indian-farmer-protests | Trone Statement on Indian Farmer Protests | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | David Trone | T000483 | trone.house.gov | legacy | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Trone Statement on Indian Farmer Protests WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Congressman David Trone (MD-06) released the following statement: "The partnership between the United States and India has grown exponentially over the course of the past several years based on our shared interest in a variety of areas:from security and trade to climate change and human rights. Our relationship with India not only helps anchor U.S. policy in the Indo-Pacific, but it serves to set an example for cooperation that extends far beyond our two countries. As President-elect Biden takes office in January, I look forward to working with the new Administration to strengthen this partnership based on the democratic values President-elect Biden has espoused throughout his career. "India's citizens, like those of the U.S., have a longstanding tradition of engaging in a civic debate that aims to hold the government accountable to its people. We are reminded of this as thousands of Indians have taken to the streets in recent weeks to peacefully protest implementation of new laws. Their demonstration is an exercise of the democratic process, one that grants civic rights and freedom of expression. "I am greatly concerned by reports of violence used against protesters as they convened in New Delhi, and I am saddened to hear that some have died due in part to harsh weather conditions as they maintain their presence despite the elements. I call on India's government to demonstrate its commitment to democratic norms by guaranteeing protesters' safety and by treating them with respect. Democracy demands this much. I further welcome the government's engagement with the protestors, including recent offers of dialogue and a proposal from India's Supreme Court to set up mediation. "As we continue to watch the democratic process unfold in India, where stakeholders from all sides are included, I'm hopeful to see a path forward that respects the rights of all Indians." ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/daily-leader-monday-december-21-2020 | THE DAILY LEADER: MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Steny Hoyer | H000874 | www.majorityleader.gov | legacy | House of Representatives | Contact Us | Site Map | Privacy Policy Mailing Address: 1705 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515 | Office: (202) 225-4131 Fax: (202) 225-4300 2020 Steny Hoyer. All rights reserved. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/votes-added-12202020-previously-no-votes | VOTES ADDED ON 12/20/2020; PREVIOUSLY: No Votes | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Steny Hoyer | H000874 | www.majorityleader.gov | legacy | House of Representatives | Contact Us | Site Map | Privacy Policy Mailing Address: 1705 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515 | Office: (202) 225-4131 Fax: (202) 225-4300 2020 Steny Hoyer. All rights reserved. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/votes-added-12202020-previously-no-votes-0 | VOTES ADDED ON 12/20/2020; PREVIOUSLY: No Votes | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Steny Hoyer | H000874 | www.majorityleader.gov | legacy | House of Representatives | Contact Us | Site Map | Privacy Policy Mailing Address: 1705 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515 | Office: (202) 225-4131 Fax: (202) 225-4300 2020 Steny Hoyer. All rights reserved. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-fischer-bipartisan-build-act-passes-senate | Van Hollen, Fischer Bipartisan BUILD Act Passes Senate | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Chris Van Hollen | V000128 | www.vanhollen.senate.gov | legacy | December 21, 2020 Van Hollen, Fischer Bipartisan BUILD Act Passes Senate Bill Would Help Ensure Habitat for Humanity, Similar Non-profits Can Build Homes for People in Need Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.)released the following statements after the Building Up Independent Lives and Dreams (BUILD) Act passed the U.S. Senate. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would allow nonprofits to once again use forms that are less complex when they are issuing 0% interest loans. This will help ensure the organizations can continue to make these loans to borrowers. Habitat for Humanity and other nonprofit organizations offer help when the need is dire and families are struggling to put a roof over their heads especially in tough times like these. The BUILD Act will ensure groups like Habitat for Humanity are not constricted by overly burdensome regulations, so they can get help where it's needed, fast. I'm glad to see the Senate pass our bipartisan legislation, and I hope the House will take action at once so these nonprofits are able to continue providing a vital service to families across Maryland and our country,said Senator Van Hollen. Every family deserves a place to call home, and non-profits such as Habitat for Humanity provide a vital service helping toensurethat happens. Unfortunately, complicated mortgage loan forms have made doing so more difficult. The BUILD Actwillenablegroups like Habitat for Humanity to help even more Americans in need,said Senator Fischer. We are thankful to Senator Van Hollen for his leadership of the BUILD Act to help non-profits, especially smaller organizations, with the cost and complexity of the TRID rule, while continuing to ensure that the material terms and costs of the mortgage loans they offer are fully disclosed. We appreciate Senator Van Hollen's strong support and partnership with Habitatfor Humanity to help us build more homes… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-merkley-colleagues-push-22-financial-services-companies-to-prioritize-american-health-safety-economic-security-by-not-insuring-arctic-drilling | Van Hollen, Merkley, Colleagues Push 22 Financial Services Companies to Prioritize American Health, Safety, Economic Security by Not Insuring Arctic Drilling | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Chris Van Hollen | V000128 | www.vanhollen.senate.gov | legacy | December 21, 2020 Van Hollen, Merkley, Colleagues Push 22 Financial Services Companies to Prioritize American Health, Safety, Economic Security by Not Insuring Arctic Drilling U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) teamed up with U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) to press executives of 22 financial services companies to not insure any oil and gas developments in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, citing significant financial risk, catastrophic damage to one of the world's most delicate ecosystems, and the acceleration of climate chaos. The senators' letterswhich were sent to AIG, Allianz, Aviva, AXIS, Chubb, CNA, Generali, Liberty Mutual, Lloyd's, Markel, Munich Re, QBE, RLI, SCOR, Sompo, Swiss Re, Talanx, The Hartford, Tokio Marine, Travelers, WR Berkley, and Zurich Cantonal Bankfollowa series of efforts by the Trump administration to auction off Arctic Refuge oil and gas leasesin the coming weeks before the Biden administration is sworn in. The Arctic is on the frontline of climate crisis, warming at three times the rate of the rest of the world. Fossil fuel extraction in these areas risks exacerbating climate chaos and irreparably damaging the local environment,the lawmakers wrote. In addition to highlighting the detrimental impacts of boosting the use of fossil fuels on the future of our planet, the senators emphasized the financial risks of investing in Arctic oil extractionrisks that have led 27 major financial institutions, including five major American banks, to decide not to invest in Arctic oil and gas development projects. Oil and gas development in the Arctic is increasingly financially risky. Arctic drilling operations would face extreme and treacherous conditions with severely limited access to respond to an oil spill or an accident. The environmental, social, and governance factors linked with these developments will likely expose your company to unnecessary reputation, legal, and financial… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-statement-on-the-passage-of-covid-19-government-funding-package | Van Hollen Statement on the Passage of COVID-19, Government Funding Package | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Chris Van Hollen | V000128 | www.vanhollen.senate.gov | legacy | December 21, 2020 Van Hollen Statement on the Passage of COVID-19, Government Funding Package Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on the passage of the bipartisan COVID-19 relief and omnibus funding bill: Now more than ever, Americans are feeling the weight of the pandemic. From watching more of their neighbors and family members fall ill, to struggling to pay mounting bills and put food on the table the costs of this virus are all too real. Today's package while not perfect will provide much-needed help. This bill includes crucial support for our workers, families, small businesses, and our efforts to fight the virus and distribute the vaccine. Additionally, this package prevents a shameful government shutdown and invests in many hard-fought priorities for our state and our country. This bill includes many compromises but I've been proud to hold the line and to fight for Marylanders throughout this process. I've worked to secure key provisions for our state from infrastructure projects that will spur jobs and economic growth, to funding for Maryland's many federal agencies and facilities, to support for our crucial public transportation systems. This package while urgent to help Americans get through this winter will not fulfill our long-term needs. I will continue fighting for more relief in the coming months, and I will be pushing my colleagues in the Congress to work together with the Biden Administration to get it done. To see Senator Van Hollen's full statement on provisions included in the COVID-19 relief proposal, please clickhere. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://ruppersberger.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ruppersberger-representative-for-nsa-and-us-cybercom-warns-against-proposed | Ruppersberger, Representative for NSA and US CYBERCOM, Warns Against Proposed Split | 2020-12-20 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MD | C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger | R000576 | ruppersberger.house.gov | legacy | (Washington, DC) Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, whose Maryland district is home to the National Security Agency and the U.S. Cyber Command, is warning Pentagon leaders not to pursue reported efforts to split the agencies' leadership. For years, Congress has blocked proposals to sever the dual hat relationship between the two agencies, which are both located on the grounds of Fort George G. Meade and share a Director. In fact, Congress in 2017 included language in its defense policy bill expressly prohibiting a split unless certain conditions are met, such as certification that a separation will not threaten the effectiveness of each organization. None of those conditions have been met, said Congressman Ruppersberger, who is also a Defense Appropriator. You can'tconductcyberoperationswithout intelligence and you can't collectthisintelligence withoutgoodcybercapabilities, Congressman Ruppersberger said. Splittingthis relationshipnow, as we still assess the damage from what could be the worst cyber attack in American history, is not only inadvisable, butcurrentlyillegal. In fact, given the early recovery stage from this attack which high-ranking Trump Administration officials have linked to the Russian government we should be providing agencies and departments with the resources and authority they need to close security gaps and get the bad guys out of ournetworks, not tearing organizations apart. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-passes-van-hollen-sasse-bill-to-punish-foreign-companies-individuals-for-ip-theft | Senate Passes Van Hollen, Sasse Bill to Punish Foreign Companies, Individuals for IP Theft | 2020-12-20 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Chris Van Hollen | V000128 | www.vanhollen.senate.gov | legacy | December 20, 2020 Senate Passes Van Hollen, Sasse Bill to Punish Foreign Companies, Individuals for IP Theft Today, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the bipartisan Protecting American Intellectual Property Act, legislation authored by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) to mandate strong economic penalties on firms and individuals involved in stealing American intellectual property. The Senators' bill requires sanctions on individuals and firms found to engage in, benefit from, or enable the significant and serial theft of U.S. intellectual property. Foreign companies are working overtime to steal U.S. technology, damaging our economy and our national security in the process. The need to fight back could not be more urgent especially after the series of cyberattacks we have witnessed aimed at the COVID-19 vaccine. The U.S. cannot sit idly by as these companies and the governments enabling them cheat their way to success,said Senator Van Hollen.This bill draws a line in the sand outlining clear consequences these bad actors will face if they steal American innovation and technology. I was proud to work with Senator Sasse on this bipartisan effort, and I'm glad to see the Senate act to hold these foreign entities accountable and protect American jobs. I urge the House to take up this bill immediately. This is a big step forward. Senator Van Hollen and I have worked hard to get this passed in the Senate and we urge the House act quickly take up this bipartisan legislation. We can't afford more delay. China's thieves and hackers have been robbing American companies of our intellectual property, and it's time we get serious about using our economic tools like sanctions to fight back,said Senator Sasse. Background The Protecting American Intellectual Property Act requires a report to Congress every six months identifying: Any individual or firm that has engaged in, benefitted from, or materially assisted the significant theft of U.S. trade secrets, if that theft constitute… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-statement-on-bipartisan-covid-19-relief-package | Van Hollen Statement on Bipartisan COVID-19 Relief Package | 2020-12-20 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Chris Van Hollen | V000128 | www.vanhollen.senate.gov | legacy | December 20, 2020 Van Hollen Statement on Bipartisan COVID-19 Relief Package Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on the bipartisan COVID-19 relief package: Congress has a moral responsibility to act now. With COVID-19 cases and economic pain on the rise in Maryland and across the country, the American people need real relief and cannot afford to wait any longer. The bipartisan plan released today while not perfect represents a serious step forward in providing that relief. I'm glad that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle were able to come together and put this plan on the table, and I was pleased to have fought for many of the priorities that were included here and to have helped resolve the final dispute over the powers of the Federal Reserve. This package makes important progress on provisions that will help Americans weather the storm this winter, including anextension of expanded unemployment benefits and the federal eviction moratorium, as well as rental and food assistance. It also includes direct payments to help millions of families and provides an infusion of funds to many of the programs that are key features of the bipartisan CARES Act, including a more-targeted Paycheck Protection Program focused on the small businesses most in need. In addition, the plan provides necessary resources for testing, tracing, and vaccine distribution. Over the past few days, I have also worked with my colleagues to include a number of provisions I've been fighting for since the beginning of the pandemic including vital funding to extend economic relief for families and small businesses, support our transit systems, and bolster SNAP and other nutrition assistance programs. That being said, I remain disappointed that while this package provides funding for schools and other programs that will relieve budget pressures on state and local governments, it does not provide them with direct support. I strongly believe there is a need to ensure our cities and towns on the… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/federal-cancer-research-bill-named-henrietta-lacks-wins-final-approval | Federal Cancer Research Bill Named for Henrietta Lacks Wins Final Approval | 2020-12-19 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MD | John Sarbanes | S001168 | sarbanes.house.gov | legacy | A bill inspired by the late Henrietta Lacks, a Baltimore County woman whose cells were used for medical research without her consent, is headed to President Donald Trump's desk following a push by Maryland lawmakers. The Henrietta Lacks Enhancing Cancer Research Act would require the federal government to publish a report on government-funded cancer research trials, including the amount of participation by underrepresented populations and the barriers to participation.... Other Maryland members of Congress who co-sponsored the bill include: U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, U.S. Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger and U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes, all Democrats. Lacks' oldest son, Lawrence Lacks Sr., said in a statement that his mother is now finally getting her rightful due for her role as the Mother of Modern Medicine. As the world celebrates Henrietta Lacks' 100th birthday this year, it is only fitting that this law builds upon her legacy by ensuring equitable access to advances in cancer treatment for all people, he said. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://trone.house.gov/media/press-releases/trone-statement-record-breaking-overdose-numbers-us | Trone Statement on Record-Breaking Overdose Numbers in the U.S. | 2020-12-19 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | David Trone | T000483 | trone.house.gov | legacy | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hannah Muldavin, Hannah.Muldavin@mail.house.gov Trone Statement on Record-Breaking Overdose Numbers in the U.S. WASHINGTON -- As the United States continues to see COVID-19 cases spike across the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report revealing staggering new numbers related to the opioid and addiction crisis. From June 2019-May 2020, there were more than 81,000 drug overdose deaths in the United States, the highest number ever in a 12-month period. Following the release of this data, Congressman David Trone, founder of the Freshmen Working Group on Addiction and member of the National Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking, released the following statement: This new CDC data makes clear the dire situation so many Americans find themselves in during this global pandemic. 81,000 people died of drug overdose from June 2019 to May 2020 the highest number of overdose deaths ever. Every one of these lives matter. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl were the main cause of the spike, showing a 38% increase over the previous 12 months. These drugs are unpredictable, potent, and deadly, and they've never been more available across the United States. We need to recognize that COVID-19 is only accelerating the death toll from the addiction crisis. Those with substance use disorder need increased assistance, and they need it now. 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. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-burr-mcbath-applaud-senate-passage-of-bipartisan-child-care-protection-improvement-act | Van Hollen, Burr, McBath Applaud Senate Passage of Bipartisan Child Care Protection Improvement Act | 2020-12-19 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Chris Van Hollen | V000128 | www.vanhollen.senate.gov | legacy | December 19, 2020 Van Hollen, Burr, McBath Applaud Senate Passage of Bipartisan Child Care Protection Improvement Act Today, the Senate unanimously passed the Child Care Protection Improvement Act, legislation introduced by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Richard Burr (R-NC) andCongresswoman Lucy McBath (D-GA). This bipartisan legislation will create a task force to assist states in the process of implementing federal work requirements for child care workers and will now be delivered to the President's desk for signature. Van Hollen, Burr, and McBath applauded Congress' bipartisan work. As our nation continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, child care centers and workers have had to adapt and balance increased demands and challenges,said Senator Van Hollen.Providing a safe environment for these caregivers and America's children is crucial. Right now, too many states experience delays or roadblocks when implementing the critical criminal background checks required under the law to keep our children and workers safe. The bipartisan action we're taking today will help close this gap and ensure our children are in good hands. I urge the President to sign this bill into law immediately, and I will continue pushing for child care that is safe and affordable for all American families. Our nation's child care workers serve an essential role on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and have faced unprecedented challenges over recent months,said Senator Burr.As communities continue to slowly reopen and parents return to the workplace, they need child care that is not only reliable, but safe. This commonsense legislation prioritizes children's safety by helping states meet employment requirements to ensure a high-quality child care workforce. I am pleased to see this bipartisan legislation head to the President's desk. Parents and families across our nation deserve the comfort of knowing their kidsare receiving the best possible care. We must do everything we can to ensure the safety of our children,sai… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://mfume.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mfume-s-statement-on-senate-passing-henrietta-lacks-bill | Rep. Mfume's statement on Senate passing 'Henrietta Lacks' bill | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Kweisi Mfume | M000687 | mfume.house.gov | mfume | https://mfume.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON--Today, the U.S. Senate passed the Henrietta Lacks Enhancing Cancer Research Act, H.R. 1966. The bill, which aims to confront healthcare disparities by making cancer clinical trials more racially diverse, passed in the House just over one week ago. Congressman Kweisi Mfume, who represents Maryland's 7th District, is the lead sponsor on the bill. "As we've seen with the COVID-19 clinical trials, today's medical research fails to represent the diversity of this country. Whether we're talking about COVID-19 vaccines or cancer therapeutics we must ensure diverse participation, otherwise, it is impossible to gather accurate data on how individuals of different races respond to certain treatments," Congressman Mfume stated. "It's an honor to help elevate this issue and work with my Maryland colleagues to get it through the House. Today we took another step towards advancing the work of our dear friend, the late Congressman Elijah Cummings, and paying respect to the legacy of Henrietta Lacks. I commend our Senate colleagues for passing this legislation and look forward to sending it to the president to be signed into law." | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z |
| https://raskin.house.gov/media/press-releases/bipartisan-outrage-towards-sackler-family-and-purdue-pharma-lack-accountability | Bipartisan Outrage Towards Sackler Family and Purdue Pharma for Lack of Accountability in Role in Fueling Opioid Crisis | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MD | Jamie Raskin | R000606 | raskin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C.Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, the Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, held ahearingto examine the role of Purdue Pharma and members of the Sackler family in fueling the nationwide opioid epidemic for decades by pushing Purdue executives to flood the market with the highly addictive painkiller OxyContin. Chairwoman Maloney issued the following statement at the end of hearing: You have played a critical, active role in sparking and fueling the opioid epidemic. You approved and monitored dangerous marketing plans. You directed their sales representatives to focus on the highest-volume prescribers and the strongest versions of OxyContin. You targeted vulnerable populations with misleading messages. You have the ability now to mitigate at least some of the damage you caused. Stop hiding and offshoring your assets, stop nickel and diming the negotiators, make a massive financial contribution that leaves no doubt about your commitment, and finally acknowledge your wrongdoing. The families whose lives you have ruined deserve at least that much. Witnesses included David Sackler, former Member of the Board of Directors (2012 to 2018);Dr. Kathe Sackler, former Vice President and Member of the Board of Directors (1990 to 2018);and Craig Landau, President and CEO of Purdue Pharma. Members expressed bipartisan outrage for the lack of accountability for the role of the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma in fueling the opioid epidemic. When asked by Chairwoman Maloney whether she would apologize for her role in the opioid crisis, Dr. Kathe Sackler said: There is nothing that I can find that I would have done differently based on what I believed and understood then. Rep. Kelly Armstrong said,It is beyond the pale of believability to think that after settling with the federal government in 2007, that you could honestly saywatching the sale of your own company's drugsthat you didn't know a problem was coming down the pike, and to say that is just apprised believability and is absolutely abhorrent and appa… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://ruppersberger.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/baltimore-delegation-members-announce-more-than-28-million-for-head-start | Baltimore Delegation Members Announce More Than $2.8 Million for Head Start Programs Across Region | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MD | C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger | R000576 | ruppersberger.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTONToday, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and CongressmenDutch Ruppersberger,John Sarbanes,and Kweisi Mfume(all D-Md.) announced $2,809,748 in federal funding forHead Start programs at the Yof Central Maryland and Community Action Council of Howard County. Early childhood education provides our children with a strong foundation at a young age and positions students for lifelong success,the lawmakers said. These federal funds will help more families in the Baltimore area access Head Start programs, which have a proven track record of narrowing educational and economic gaps in our society. We will keep fighting for federal investments in Maryland's early childhood education system to ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed. Awards include $1,723,642 in new funding for the Y of Central Maryland and $1,086,106 in continuation funding for the Community Action Council of Howard County. Funds were awarded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The lawmakers, who also announced$6 million for Head Start and Early Head Start programs at the Y of Central Marylandin July, have supported increased funding forHead Startprogramsthroughout Maryland.Head Startand EarlyHead Startprograms provide servicestomore than a million children every year, in every U.S. state and territory, in farmworker camps, and in over 155 tribal communities. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://trone.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-david-trone-named-house-appropriations-committee | Congressman David Trone Named to House Appropriations Committee | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | David Trone | T000483 | trone.house.gov | legacy | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hannah Muldavin, Hannah.Muldavin@mail.house.gov Congressman David Trone Named to House Appropriations Committee WASHINGTON -- Following Speaker Nancy Pelosi's announcement that the House Democratic Steering Committee nominated Congressman David Trone for an appointment to the House Appropriations Committee in the 117th Congress, Congressman Trone released the following statement: I am honored that Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, and the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee have the trust and confidence to nominate me to serve on the Appropriations Committee for the 117th Congress, said Congressman Trone. Right now our nation has to tackle some of the most pressing challenges we've faced in decades. With a global pandemic,a worsening addiction and mental health crisis, and an economy that is leaving workers, families, and small businesses behind, we need smart, long-term investments that live up to our American values and build our country back better. I'm ready to get to work under the leadership of Chair Rosa DeLauro to fight for working families and create a better future for our children. The Appropriations Committee is the most powerful committee in Congress. With one of the broadest jurisdictions, the committee is responsible for appropriating funding for the federal government. Trone joins the committee at the start of his second term representing Maryland's 6th District, which includes all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Trone's Work in the 116th Congress In the 116th Congress, Trone served on the Education and Labor, Foreign Affairs, and Joint Economic Committees, where he fought to make progress on issues that matter to Marylanders, including ending the opioid epidemic, reforming our criminal justice system, and increasing our investment in medical research. Trone has made ending the addiction epidemic his top priority as a Member of Congress. He founded the Freshmen Working Group on Addiction, a bipartisan group of… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-calls-for-consequences-following-russian-cyberattack-on-us-government-agencies | Cardin Calls for Consequences Following Russian Cyberattack on U.S. Government Agencies | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Benjamin Cardin | C000141 | www.cardin.senate.gov | legacy | December 18, 2020 Cardin Calls for Consequences Following Russian Cyberattack on U.S. Government Agencies WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), released the following statement following the news of a massive cyber breach of U.S. government agencies and private sector entities. President Trump has once again apparently allowed Russia to conduct a massive cybersecurity intrusion and attack against numerous highly-sensitive government agencies at the federal, local, and state level, in addition to private entities and businesses.The Trump administration should immediately provide high-level and detailed briefings to Congress, as this type of substantial, ongoing attack could potentially be regarded as an act of war. If properly attributed, the aggressors here should face the full consequences and weight of a U.S. government response, which will exact measurable costs on our adversaries and deter future cyberattacks. President Trump has repeatedly failed to fully sanction Russia and embrace the unanimous conclusion of our intelligence community that Russia interfered in our 2016 presidential election, and will continue to keep doing so in order to sow division and undermine our democratic processes. I urge my colleagues to consider the bipartisan Defending American Security from Kremlin Aggression Act (DAKSA), which would counter Russia's pervasive attacks on our electoral systems and cyber infrastructure. I also look forward to swift confirmation of President-elect Biden's incoming national security team, so that our law enforcement, Homeland Security, and intelligence, and foreign policy agencies will finally have the strong and Senate-confirmed leadership they need at the helm. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-colleagues-demand-heightened-un-focus-on-detained-migrants-health-and-reproductive-rights | Cardin, Colleagues Demand Heightened UN Focus on Detained Migrants’ Health and Reproductive Rights | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Benjamin Cardin | C000141 | www.cardin.senate.gov | legacy | December 18, 2020 Cardin, Colleagues Demand Heightened UN Focus on Detained Migrants' Health and Reproductive Rights WASHINGTON U.S. SenatorBen Cardin (D-Md.),a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today honored International Migrants' Day by leading six of his Senate colleagues in sending a letter to United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet demanding her increased attention to the plight of migrants in detention around the world. The letter emphasizes migrants' inadequate access to health care while in detention and their vulnerability to coercion and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, grave conditions brought to light by the COVID-19 pandemic. We commend the United Nations' call for alternatives to detention of migrants during the pandemic, including your monitoring of unsanitary conditions and lack of access to health care at a privately-run immigration detention facility in the United States, the Senators wrote. But the pandemic has exposed that few if any global standards for access to health care exist for detained migrants, who face significant risks of coercion and challenges to informed consent. The Senators also underscored how recent allegations that migrants in the United States were sterilized without informed consent highlight the risks to health and human rights migrants face in detention. Serious allegations that migrants at the Irwin County Detention Center were given hysterectomies and subjected to other sterilization procedures without informed consent are deeply disturbing, and it remains unclear whether such practices exist in countries other than the United States, the Senators added. They nevertheless add to patterns of abuse of the human rights of migrants in detention facilities around the world, including discriminatory treatment and unethical behavior by government officials, evidence of sub-standard medical care, and harmful disrespect for migrant families. Joining Senator Cardin in signing the letter wer… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-crapo-bennet-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-ensure-medicare-beneficiaries-receive-coverage-for-cancer-detection-technologies- | Cardin, Crapo, Bennet, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Ensure Medicare Beneficiaries Receive Coverage for Cancer Detection Technologies | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Benjamin Cardin | C000141 | www.cardin.senate.gov | legacy | December 18, 2020 Cardin, Crapo, Bennet, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Ensure Medicare Beneficiaries Receive Coverage for Cancer Detection Technologies Bill ensures Medicare coverage for access to multi-cancer diagnostics and supports innovation in cancer diagnostic development WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) have introduced S. 5051, the Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act, which would provide Medicare coverage for screening tests to save lives and costs to the health care system. The bipartisan legislation would ensure Medicare beneficiaries have coverage for innovative tests that can detect multiple types of cancer before symptoms develop. Disparities in cancer treatment and outcomes persist in communities of color who experience higher rates of incidence and death. One reason this disparity exists is because people of color have lower rates of routine cancer screening. This legislation provides a pathway for multi-cancer screening technologies that would help increase cancer screening rates and reduce persistent racial disparities in treatment and outcomes by catching the disease before it progresses too far, said Senator Cardin. Health care decisions should be the result of conversations between patients and their providers, said Senator Crapo. When innovative items and services enter the health care marketplace, it is essential that Medicare provides patient access without delay. Overly bureaucratic barriers to preventative care can lead to poorer health outcomes and increased health care costs. The Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act would provide a Medicare coverage pathway for novel screening technologies, while relying on an evidence-based process that protects patients and taxpayers. As we move into the 117th Congress, I will continue to advocate for po… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-introduces-legislation-to-fund-violence-intervention-and-prevention-programs- | Cardin Introduces Legislation to Fund Violence Intervention and Prevention Programs | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Benjamin Cardin | C000141 | www.cardin.senate.gov | legacy | December 18, 2020 Cardin Introduces Legislation to Fund Violence Intervention and Prevention Programs WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) today introduced the End the Cycle of Violence Act, a bill to expand violence intervention services and prevention programs for survivors of violent crimes. The House companion bill, H.R. 5855, the Bipartisan Solution to Cyclical Violence Act of 2020, was introduced by Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.) and passed by the House last month. Taking steps to provide support to survivors of violent crimes makes a big difference in ensuring they don't become victims again. Violence intervention programs have a track record of reducing violent crime, recidivism, and hospitalization, and making our communities safer, said Senator Cardin. This legislation will help establish and expand programs nationwide to provide resources and tools to survivors in need, and takes an important step toward ensuring health and trauma professionals, instead of police, are delivering the care that survivors need in the aftermath of violence. The End the Cycle of Violence Act bill establishes a federal grant program under the Department of Health and Human Services to help states create or expand violence intervention or prevention programs to give survivors tools to prevent victimization in the future. Grants will be awarded from $250,000 to $500,000 per grantee, over a three-year period. Click HERE for a one page summary of the bill. Click HERE to read the bill text. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-introduces-new-climate-diplomacy-bill | Cardin Introduces New Climate Diplomacy Bill | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Benjamin Cardin | C000141 | www.cardin.senate.gov | legacy | December 18, 2020 Cardin Introduces New Climate Diplomacy Bill Legislation spotlights climate change as a foreign policy priority State Department and USAID would be directed to more fully assess climate-related national security risks WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) and Foreign Relations committees, today introduced new legislation that will help strengthen the role of diplomacy in efforts to respond to the threats of climate change. It also would require the Secretary of State to prepare a new joint strategy with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to confront the climate crisis. Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL-22) is introducing a companion version to The Climate Change Diplomacy and Development Act in the House of Representatives. As President-elect Biden prepares to restore U.S. leadership in the fight against global climate change, we must ensure that the State Department and USAID implement a coordinated campaign. Developing and implementing a joint strategy, as required by this legislation, will ensure that America's diplomatic corps has a clear game plan to respond to the grave national security threat of climate change, said Senator Cardin. By reengaging in the Paris Agreement and supporting programs that accelerate the transition to low-emission development and strengthen the capacity of developing nations to adapt to climate impacts, we protect American interests. The United States is the second largest emitter of planet-warming pollution, after only China, yet our emissions are approximately 15 percent of the global total. The costs of increasingly intense storms, floods, wildfires, and drought are crippling the global economy and fomenting social and political instability. We cannot solve the climate crisis alone. This legislation will help ensure that our foreign policy protects U.S. nat… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-van-hollen-trone-announce-more-than-16-million-to-strengthen-early-childhood-education-services-in-garrett-county | Cardin, Van Hollen, Trone Announce More Than $1.6 Million to Strengthen Early Childhood Education Services in Garrett County | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Benjamin Cardin | C000141 | www.cardin.senate.gov | legacy | December 18, 2020 Cardin, Van Hollen, Trone Announce More Than $1.6 Million to Strengthen Early Childhood Education Services in Garrett County WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced $1.61 million in federal funding for Garrett County Community Action Committee, Inc. to expand early learning, development, health services and family well-being in Garrett County. Education is the great equalizer. Early investments in high-quality childhood education and development services for low-income families have a significant impact on children in preparing them for future schooling, ultimately closing the learning gap, said Senator Cardin. The pandemic has only highlighted the need for access to these critical services for children and working parents, and that is why I will keep working to secure resources that reach every corner of our state. Early childhood educationsets our children up for success from day one. These federaldollarswillsupportGarrett County'sHead Startprograms,providing children with this vital opportunity to get ahead.I will continue working to ensure studentsacross our state have access to a high-quality education,said Senator Van Hollen. Early childhood education is critical to ensure every child has the opportunity to learn and develop skills that will follow them throughout their entire lives, said Rep. Trone, the only member from the Maryland delegation on the Education and Labor Committee. On the Education and Labor Committee I've been proud to work with Head Start to push for more funding for early childhood education, and this grant for Garrett County will help offset the setbacks we've seen from the COVID-19 pandemic to make sure working and low-income families aren't left behind. The $1,609,921 award comes from Office of Head Start through the Department of Health and Human Services. Each year, Head Start and Early Head Start programs benefit more than a million families nationwide. More infor… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/maryland-and-virginia-senators-urge-incoming-biden-administration-to-protect-tps-holders- | Maryland & Virginia Senators Urge Incoming Biden Administration to Protect TPS Holders | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Benjamin Cardin | C000141 | www.cardin.senate.gov | legacy | December 18, 2020 Maryland & Virginia Senators Urge Incoming Biden Administration to Protect TPS Holders Senators Also Urge Immediate Protection for Nationals of Central American Countries Devastated by Hurricanes Eta and Iota WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) and Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-Va.) today sent a letter to Alejandro Mayorkas, President-elect Biden's nominee for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), urging him to take swift action once confirmed to protect 58,000 Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients living in Virginia and Maryland alone. Currently, TPS status for thousands of beneficiaries continues to be in jeopardy due to ongoing legal efforts by the Trump Administration to terminate the program. In a letter to DHS Secretary-Designate Mayorkas, the Senators applaud the Biden Administration's commitment to protect current TPS holders and its pledge to grant TPS to Venezuelans already in the United States. The Senators also ask the incoming administration to take immediate executive actions to provide stability for TPS recipients and their families from El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Nepal, and Sudan. We write today to reiterate our support for immediate action to protect the hundreds of thousands of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients whose continued lawful status in the country remains in jeopardy as a result of the Trump Administration's efforts to terminate their protections and to urge you to promptly issue additional TPS designations and redesignations based upon a sober assessment of country conditions and an exercise of your clear statutory authority. We are pleased that President-elect Biden has pledged to grant TPS to Venezuelans already in the United States, something for which we have advocated. It is critical, especially during the ongoing public health and economic cri… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/hoyer-congratulates-leaders-congressional-lgbtq-equality-caucus-117th-congress | Hoyer Congratulates Leaders of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus for the 117th Congress | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Steny Hoyer | H000874 | www.majorityleader.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today congratulating the leaders of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus:"I congratulate Rep. Cicilline on being chosen as Chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus for the 117th Congress, and I also congratulate Co-Chairs Sean Patrick Maloney, Mark Pocan, Mark Takano, Angie Craig, Sharice Davids, Chris Pappas, Mondaire Jones, and Ritchie Torres. I look forward to continuing to work closely with the CongressionalLGBTQ+ Equality Caucus and its leadership team to ensure that the House always stands up for full equality and inclusion of LGBTQ Americans and that our laws reflect the equal dignity of every person and every family. Together, we passed H.R. 5, the Equality Act, last year, and I look forward to continuing to push for this and other legislation critical to LGBTQ+ equality in the 117th Congress." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/hoyer-statement-after-receiving-covid-19-vaccine | Hoyer Statement After Receiving COVID-19 Vaccine | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Steny Hoyer | H000874 | www.majorityleader.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine: (Credit: Office of House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer) "In order to protect continuity of government and ensure that the House can continue to do its work responsibly for the people, the Attending Physician has recommended that Members of Congress begin receiving the new COVID-19 vaccine, which is safe and effective. To that end, I received the first dose of the vaccine this afternoon, following Vice President Pence, Speaker Pelosi,Senator McConnell,and other senior government leaders. In the weeks and months ahead, as doses continue to be made available on a rolling basis, I strongly encourage every American who is able to get vaccinated. Doing so will both save lives in our communities and help us emerge more quickly from lockdowns and closures so we can build back our economy. "Even though I have now received the first dose of the vaccine, I will continue to wear a mask, practice social distancing,wash hands frequently,and do my part to prevent the spread of COVID-19. That is what we all must continue to do while the vaccine is being deployed around the country and across the world. It is essential that we continue following the guidelines of public health experts, who have made it clear that such measures will still be required until a sufficient portion of the population has been vaccinated and community spread of COVID-19 has ceased." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/hoyer-statement-biden-selection-mariel-s%C3%A1ez-white-house-director-broadcast-media | Hoyer Statement on Biden Selection of Mariel Sáez as White House Director of Broadcast Media | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Steny Hoyer | H000874 | www.majorityleader.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after President-elect Biden announced that Mariel Sez, currently Hoyer's Deputy Communications Director, will join his Administration as White House Director of Broadcast Media:For the past ten years, Mariel Sez has been an indispensable member of my communications team. Originally from St. Mary's County, in my district, Mariel has served in numerous roles across the operation, including as Maryland Press Secretary, where she had the chance to serve her neighbors in the 5th Congressional District.As my Deputy Communications Director, her advice and counsel has been invaluable to me. She is well-respected by the press, and the House Democratic Caucus has benefited from her hard work, her good judgement, and her skill. While I will be sad to see her leave our team, I congratulate her on being named as the next White House Director of Broadcast Media, helping President-elect Biden share his vision and achievements with the American people.I have no doubt that she will bring her talent, her dedication, and her deep experience to this role. As the new Administration takes office, it will have to hit the ground running to begin delivering on its promises to build back better from the pandemic while communicating effectively to the American people how we must unite as a nation in the face of this challenge and surmount it together.Mariel will be an excellent asset for the White House communications team as it pursues that goal. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/hoyer-statement-hacking-us-government-agencies-and-corporations | Hoyer Statement on Hacking of U.S. Government Agencies and Corporations | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Steny Hoyer | H000874 | www.majorityleader.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement on the hack of U.S. government agencies and corporations, reportedly by Russia:News in recent days of a significant breach of critical U.S. networks from government agencies to American corporations with all indications pointing to Russia as the culprit, ought to alarm every American. Under President Putin, Russia has engaged in cyber warfare against its adversaries, including brazen attacks on our country and our military, governmental, and economic institutions. This includes its campaigns to interfere in our elections and subvert our democracy. Russia's goal has been clear all along: to sow chaos and division, to create confusion, mistrust, and lack of faith in the project of American democracy and American global leadership. Congress has been forceful and bipartisan in its response, sanctioning key Russian individuals involved and passing legislation like the SECURE Act and the SAFE Act to protect our elections from foreign interference. But a robust response to Russia's actions must come from the President, who has so far been shockingly silent in the face of these attacks, just as he was silent when news emerged that Russia was paying bounties for the killing of U.S. military personnel. It is clear that President Trump and his allies in Congress have no coordinated strategy to confront Russia's malign actions, and these attacks make it even more essential that the National Defense Authorization Act, which Congress has now passed and sent to the President, is signed into law. The President's threat to irresponsibly veto that legislation only further emboldens Russia to continue its cyber-attacks. "In just over a month, Joe Biden will be inaugurated as our new President, and I look forward to working with him to ensure that Congress and the Administration are partnering to demonstrate the unified and serious response that Russia's threats demand. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/hoyer-statement-president-elect-joe-biden-nominating-jennifer-granholm-serve-secretary | Hoyer Statement on President-Elect Joe Biden Nominating Jennifer Granholm to Serve as Secretary of Energy | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Steny Hoyer | H000874 | www.majorityleader.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement tonight after President-Elect Joe Biden announced he is nominating Jennifer Granholm to serve as Secretary of Energy:"Former Gov. Jennifer Granholm is an excellent choice to be our next Secretary of Energy. Her experience leading Michigan through the near-collapse of the auto industry and its recovery with ambitious fuel-efficiency standards - helping consumers, public health, and the environment - willserveourcountry well. In addition to ensuring the safety of America's nuclear weapons stockpiles and national laboratories, the Energy Department plays a major role in promoting clean-energy innovation, one of the goals of House Democrats' Make It In America plan for jobs and opportunity, and I look forward to working with Sec.-designate Granholm toward that aim. I join in congratulating her on this nomination, and I hope the Senate will swiftly confirm her." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/hoyer-statement-president-elect-joe-biden-nominating-rep-deb-haaland-serve-%C2%A0secretary | Hoyer Statement on President-Elect Joe Biden Nominating Rep. Deb Haaland to serve as Secretary of the Interior | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Steny Hoyer | H000874 | www.majorityleader.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement tonight after President-Elect Joe Biden announced he is nominating Rep.Deb Haaland to serve asSecretary of the Interior:"Since coming to Congress, Deb Haaland has not only been a close friend but an outstanding advocate for her constituents, for Native American nations, for land and water conservation, and for the preservation of America's heritage. She is a smart and effective Member of Congress, one of the first Native American women to be elected, and I have no doubt that she will make an excellent Secretary of the Interior, making history as the first Native American to hold that position as well. I look forward to working with Sec.-designate Haaland to ensure that our public lands are protected for current and future generations and that Native Americans have every opportunity to get ahead and make it in America." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/what-they%E2%80%99re-saying-support-school-based-allergies-and-asthma-management-program-act | What They’re Saying: Support for the School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Steny Hoyer | H000874 | www.majorityleader.gov | legacy | Yesterday the Senate passed H.R. 2468, the School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act. Introduced by Leader Hoyer and Congressman Phil Roe (TN-01), this bipartisan legislation encourages schools to implement management plans to help students identify and control their asthma and allergies and reduce absenteeism. The House passed H.R. 2468 in September and now the bill heads to the President's desk to be signed into law. Here's a look at some of the support for this critical legislation:Allergy and Asthma Network: Introduced in 2019 by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Rep. Phil Roe, MD (R-TN), the legislation has long been a priority for Allergy & Asthma Network and a host of healthcare and patient organizations. This important bill provides increased grant preference to states that implement comprehensive school-based asthma and allergy management programs (SAMPRO). SAMPRO would involve: keeping a student's Asthma Action Plan or Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan in the school nurse's office; educating school staff how to manage and treat asthma and allergies, including administering medication in an emergency; and reducing potential allergy triggers in the school. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: This bipartisan bill will help millions of U.S. children manage asthma and food allergies at school. It's a health advocacy win the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is extremely proud of because we championed and supported this legislation from the startAAFA thanks House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Representative Phil Roe (R-TN) for their unwavering leadership on the bill and Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) for shepherding it through the Senate. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: The School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act (H.R. 2468) is important to encourage and support states in making sure schools have in place a comprehensive school-based allergies and asthma management program. The AAAAI joins Majority Leader … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-passes-van-hollen-led-legislation-to-honor-henrietta-lacks-improve-equity-in-cancer-research | Senate Passes Van Hollen-led Legislation to Honor Henrietta Lacks, Improve Equity in Cancer Research | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Chris Van Hollen | V000128 | www.vanhollen.senate.gov | legacy | December 18, 2020 Senate Passes Van Hollen-led Legislation to Honor Henrietta Lacks, Improve Equity in Cancer Research Van Hollen initially introduced the Henrietta Lacks Enhancing Cancer Research Act alongside the late Congressman Elijah Cummings Today, the U.S. Senate passed the Henrietta Lacks Enhancing Cancer Research Act, legislation introduced by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Henrietta Lacks and examine access to government-funded cancer clinical trials for traditionally underrepresented groups. Senator Van Hollen initially introduced this legislation alongside the late Congressman Elijah Cummings, and it has since been taken on by Representative Kweisi Mfume. The legislation is also cosponsored by Senator Ben Cardin, Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger, and Congressman John Sarbanes. The legislation passed the House of Representatives on December 9th and will now head to the President's desk. Lacks, a Black woman, died of cervical cancer in 1951. During her cancer treatment, doctors took samples of her tumor, and from this the HeLa cell line was created. Without her or her family's knowledge, her cells were used in medical research and helped lead to some of medicine's most important breakthroughs, including the development of the polio vaccine, along with treatments for cancer, HIV/AIDS, leukemia, and Parkinson's disease. "For too long Henrietta Lacks' story went untold. While our nation will never be able to adequately express its gratitude for her historic contributions to medical research and the countless lives her cells have saved, this legislation is a step in the right direction. This bill, named in memory of her contributions to medical research, will help ensure that all people especially those from communities of color are fairly represented in cancer trials and ultimately receive the treatments they deserve. I was honored to originally i… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-meets-with-biden-hud-nominee-rep-marcia-fudge | Van Hollen Meets with Biden HUD Nominee Rep. Marcia Fudge | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Chris Van Hollen | V000128 | www.vanhollen.senate.gov | legacy | December 18, 2020 Van Hollen Meets with Biden HUD Nominee Rep. Marcia Fudge U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the U.S. Senate Committees on Appropriations, and Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs released the following statement regarding his virtual meeting with Representative Marcia Fudge, President-elect Biden's nomine to serve as the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Across our country, Americans are struggling to keep a roof over their heads families are living in fear of eviction or of missing their next mortgage payment. As we face these challenges, we need leadership at HUD that truly understands the importance of expanding access to affordable housing and providing security to those struggling to get by. Having served as a Mayor, member of the House of Representatives, and the former Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congresswoman Fudge has seen first-hand the need for equitable housing policies that support Americans most in need. The Congresswoman and I worked closely together in the House of Representatives, and I know that she will bring strong leadership to HUD at a time when our nation needs it most. During today's conversation, Congresswoman Fudge and I discussed the importance of investing in cities like Baltimore, preventing evictions, and ensuring that agencies work collaboratively on housing and economic development issues. We also spoke about theFamily Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act, legislation that I introduced with Senator Todd Young 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. I look forward to working together on these initiatives and to grow and strengthen our affordable housing programs across Maryland and the country. Print Email Tweet … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-recognizes-urban-ones-40th-anniversary-and-the-leadership-of-founder-cathy-hughes-in-congressional-record-statement | Van Hollen Recognizes Urban One's 40th Anniversary and the Leadership of Founder Cathy Hughes in Congressional Record Statement | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Chris Van Hollen | V000128 | www.vanhollen.senate.gov | legacy | December 18, 2020 Van Hollen Recognizes Urban One's 40th Anniversary and the Leadership of Founder Cathy Hughes in Congressional Record Statement Cathy Hughes, longtime Pasadena resident and founder of Urban One Radio, celebrates 40 years on the air U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) submitted the following statement for the congressional record recognizing Cathy Hughes for her work in broadcast media as the founder and chairperson of Urban One Inc., headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland. Urban One, which was founded in 1980, has served as a trusted source for the African American community and millions of listeners across the country. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a tenacious entrepreneur, visionary radio personality, and powerful advocate for the African-American community, Cathy Hughes. This year, her pioneering radio company, Urban One, celebrated 40 years on the air. Cathy Hughes has left an indelible mark on the State of Maryland and inspired millions of listeners across the country. This titan of the airwaves began her extraordinary career in Omaha, NE, where she worked for a local radio station, KOWH. But it was when she moved to Washington, DC, in 1971 to pursue a job at the Howard University School of Communications that her career took off. While working at Howard, she got involved in the university's radio program as a station manager. In her first year on the job, she increased the station's revenue twelvefold. Cathy Hughes has always aimed high, and when she learned that the local D.C. radio station WOL was up for sale, she seized the opportunity. After being denied a loan 32 times, she finally received the bank financing she needed. So she purchased WOL, founded her own media company, Radio One, and quickly soared to new heights. Cathy Hughes revolutionized radio by rebuilding WOL from the ground up, literally, and brought on grassroots volunteers from the neighborhood to de… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-sherman-gonzalez-applaud-holding-foreign-companies-accountable-acts-signing-into-law | Van Hollen, Sherman, Gonzalez Applaud Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Acts Signing into Law | 2020-12-18 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Chris Van Hollen | V000128 | www.vanhollen.senate.gov | legacy | December 18, 2020 Van Hollen, Sherman, Gonzalez Applaud Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act's Signing into Law Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Congressmen Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) and Anthony Gonzalez (R-Ohio) released the following statements regarding the signing of their bipartisan Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act into law. It's our job to protect American investors from fraudulent businesses seeking to take advantage of them. Requiring all publicly listed companies on our U.S. exchanges to be held to the same standards is the best way to do that. Taking this action is crucial to hold Chinese companies accountable and to safeguard the millions of American families who rely on modest investments to retire, send their kids to college, and weather financial emergencies. I've been proud to lead this this bipartisan effort, and I'm glad to see the President sign it into law today. I will continue fighting to improve our financial system and ensure it puts the American people first,said Senator Van Hollen, who co-authored the legislation in the Senate. This may be the most significant piece of investor protection legislation passed in several years,said Congressman Sherman, Chair of the Investor Protection and Capital Markets subcommittee. It is designed to assure U.S. investors of financial statement integrity, when they invest in any of 224 U.S. exchange-listed companies with over $1.8 trillion in market capitalization. The purpose is not to de-list any company, but to persuade China to allow the audit oversight that U.S. investors need, and the U.S. investors get when investing in U.S. companies or companies in over 50 foreign jurisdictions. TheHolding ForeignCompaniesAccountable Actis about ending the practice of companies based in China, some fully controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, from taking advantage of a loophole in securities law to fund their enterprises. Simply put, if a company wants access to US capital markets, they should follow US securities laws.I… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://raskin.house.gov/media/press-releases/subcommittee-chair-raskin-issues-statement-trump-administration-s-last-minute | Subcommittee Chair Raskin Issues Statement on Trump Administrations Last-Minute Rulemakings That Allow for LGBTQ+ Discrimination | 2020-12-17 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MD | Jamie Raskin | R000606 | raskin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C.Today, Rep. Jamie Raskin, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, issued the following statement condemning the Trump Administration's recent issuance of final and proposed rules that allow for discrimination against LGBTQ+ Americans: Since he took office, Trump and his Administration have worked to systematically dismantle LGBTQ+ rights in every social domain, from housing, to education, to the military. These recent rulemakings are a last-ditch effort to entrench these discriminatory policies prior to the presidential transition. The President who spoke up for gay rights at the 2016 Republican Convention has now completed his journey to complete and total subservience to the authoritarian Religious Right. When the Supreme Court ruled in Bostock that the prohibition against sex discrimination in Title VII covers discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, we gave the Administration the opportunity to reverse its discriminatory policies. Not only has it refused to do so, it has now finalized the very rules we highlighted as problematic. We call upon the incoming Biden Administration to undo these shameful actions and immediately restore LGBTQ+ rights across the board. Background: On Monday, the Administration finalized a discriminatory Faith-Based Initiative rule, a 400-page consolidation of proposed rules from nine different agencies. The rule removes requirements for religious organizations that receive federal funds for social services to provide a notice of nondiscrimination and referrals to secular organizations. These requirements, put in place by the Obama Administration, were designed to protect LGBTQ+ people and others who might face discrimination in seeking social services from religious providers. The Administration also recentlyfinalized a rulefrom the Department of Labor's (DOL) Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs expanding religious exemptions for federal contractors, which could allow for discrimination against LGB… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://ruppersberger.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/baltimore-s-congressional-delegation-announces-nearly-1-million-to-boost | Baltimores Congressional Delegation Announces Nearly $1 Million to Boost STEM Education Programs at Towson University | 2020-12-17 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MD | C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger | R000576 | ruppersberger.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON -U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) today announced $999,152 in federal funding to expand student access to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs at Towson University. We're proud to announce this important new investment in Maryland's STEM education capabilities,the lawmakers said.Recruiting and mentoring a more diverse pipeline of students will help drive greater opportunity and economic success for communities throughout our state. We are committed to expanding access to higher education and supporting research institutions throughout Maryland. Funding comes from the National Science Foundation. It will support Towson University's Recruiting, Educating and Graduating a Diverse Community of Mathematicians Through Mentoring, Peer Support and Undergraduate Research program, which provides dozens of mathematics scholarships to high-achieving, low-income students. The award will fund 14 four-year scholarships for graduating seniors from high schools across Baltimore, as well as 18 two-year scholarships for transfer students from Harford Community College and Howard Community College. The award will also allow Towson University to expand undergraduate research opportunities for all sophomore and junior mathematics majors. The lawmakers have long supported investments in STEM education programs across the state. They previously announced funding for Morgan State University to increase underrepresented community representation in engineering, to expand nanotechnology research and training at the University of Maryland, College Park, and more than $1.6 million for Johns Hopkins University STEM programs. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/house-dems-gop-agree-sacklers-purdue-pharma-sickening | House Dems, GOP Agree: Sacklers, Purdue Pharma 'Sickening' | 2020-12-17 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MD | John Sarbanes | S001168 | sarbanes.house.gov | legacy | The Sackler family, which owns opioid drugmaker Purdue Pharma, "placed insatiable taste of personal wealth over lives of families they have destroyed," Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), chairwoman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, said Thursday. Purdue Pharma "launched an incredibly destructive, reckless campaign to flood our communities" with OxyContin, the company's extended-release oxycodone product, she said during a hearing on the role of the Sackler family and the company in the opioid epidemic.... Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) asked Sackler about the "patient saving cards" that he said were "supposedly intended to expand access to OxyContin" but "were consistently tracked and evaluated because Purdue knew these cards were a powerful way to keep patients on opioids longer. Is that right?" "My understanding was the patient saving cards were designed to help people afford their medication," Sackler replied. Sarbanes called that "a perfect answer, because it represents the way in which the narrative you put together -- everything that was in fact designed to take advantage of people and exploit their weakness was presented by Sackler and Purdue as trying to help those patients ... This is why thousands of people across the country became addicted, because of the rosy story and narrative that you painted." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sarbanes-slams-sackler-family-making-billions-dollars-while-knowingly | Sarbanes Slams Sackler Family for Making Billions of Dollars While Knowingly Addicting Millions of Americans to Deadly Opioids [Video] | 2020-12-17 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MD | John Sarbanes | S001168 | sarbanes.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. During a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing today, Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) directly criticized members of the Sackler family, who own Purdue Pharma, for aggressively marketing highly addictive and deadly opioids to millions of Americans. This notion and we've heard it today from the family that We were just following the management recommendations, is a little bit absurd, said Congressman Sarbanes. Because the family had control over the operations. They knew exactly what was happening. And they were hoping to push this agenda [that] ended up broadening the addiction crisis across the country. Sarbanes continued: According to internal documents that were obtained by the [Oversight and Reform] Committee and the Massachusetts Attorney General, the Sacklers, as board members that were ordering the company, hire[d] hundreds more sales reps, directed those reps to target the highest prescribers of OxyContin and push the highest-strength dosage of OxyContin, approved misleading marketing materials that downplayed the risk of the addiction [and] rewarded employees for selling more drugs. Sarbanes added: You knew what was happening. You knew what was going on. This was designed to pull as much money out of the company as you possibly could before these penalties and lawsuits and other actions were going to come at you. Sarbanes concluded: The Sacklers not just Purdue the Sacklers need to be held accountable. Before 2007, I think it's fair to say that, at best, the family was morally blind in its actions and conduct. After 2007, the family became morally bankrupt not financially bankrupt, you're doing very well, you're rich. And that's obscene when you look at the situation of these families, this wasteland across the country that's been caused by what the [Sackler] family did. I hope that there will be some repercussions, some consequence, for the [Sackler] family for its conduct. See below for the Congressman's full remarks. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://trone.house.gov/media/press-releases/trone-van-hollen-cardin-announce-70000-economic-development-western-maryland | Trone, Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $70,000 for Economic Development in Western Maryland | 2020-12-17 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | David Trone | T000483 | trone.house.gov | legacy | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Hannah Muldavin, Hannah.Muldavin@mail.house.gov Trone, Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $70,000 for Economic Development in Western Maryland WASHINGTON Today, U.S.Congressman DavidTrone and Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (all D-Md.) announced $70,000 in federal funding for the Tri-County Council for Western Maryland's Economic Development District Planning program. The funding, awarded through the Economic Development Administration (EDA), will be used to develop and implement a comprehensive economic development strategy for Allegany, Garrett, and Washington Counties. Western Maryland has been hit hard by this pandemic, and we need to do everything we can to help support businesses and workers and stimulate the regional economy,said Congressman Trone.This funding will help do just that, and it couldn't have come at a better time. I look forward to seeing the impact of this funding on our community in the months to come. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the pocketbooks of Maryland families and left many of our small businesses running on fumes. This federal investment will helpcreate a roadmap for Western Maryland to emerge stronger, boosting our local economies and creating good-paying jobs. We will continue fighting for funding to invest in Western Maryland's communities and economic success,said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committees. This new investment and development plan will help our local communities thrive and bounce back from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic,said Senator Cardin. Small businesses are the pulse of the regional economy and I am committed to securing additional funding and resources for the economic prosperity of Western Maryland. The EDA awards federal funds to spur job growth and economic advancement across the United States. Emphasizing regional collaboration and innovation, the EDA helps local economies adopt new approaches to job growth and adapt to changing economic conditions. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/as-new-congress-and-new-administration-set-to-begin-cardin-reintroduces-comprehensive-progressive-pro-growth-tax-legislation- | As New Congress and New Administration Set to Begin, Cardin Reintroduces Comprehensive, Progressive, Pro-Growth Tax Legislation | 2020-12-17 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Benjamin Cardin | C000141 | www.cardin.senate.gov | legacy | December 17, 2020 As New Congress and New Administration Set to Begin, Cardin Reintroduces Comprehensive, Progressive, Pro-Growth Tax Legislation WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, this week reintroduced progressive, forward-looking legislation that would eliminate income tax liability for many Americans, changes the way the federal government collects revenue and make tax code better for working families. Rather than taxing most income, Senator Cardin's bill, S. 5031 the Progressive Consumption Tax Act (PCTA) of 2020, generates reasonable revenue by taxing the purchase of goods and services. Designed to be at least as progressive as the current tax system, low- and middle-income families would be protected from unfair consumption taxation through rebates and important benefits would be retained in a much simpler income tax code. A revenue circuit breaker, tied to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), is built into this system to set reasonable limits on the amount of income generated by the new progressive consumption tax. The text of S. 5031 can be found here. More details, including a section-by-section summary, are available at cardin.senate.gov/pct. Since the original introduction of the Progressive Consumption Tax Act in 2014, many policymakers and stakeholders have become increasingly interested in thinking creatively about the tax code and providing tax relief for working families. Further, the 2017 tax debate showed how hard it is to simplify the tax system and lower tax rates to provide stable, progressive and fiscally-responsible tax reform. We need a tax code that is fair for American families and for employers. We need a tax code rethinks how our country collects the revenue that allows us to build our roads and bridges and keep or nation safe. We need a system that values our most vulnerable Americans, small businesses, and makes our U.S.-based businesses more competitive, said Senator Cardin. Now more than ever, we need… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-calls-for-improving-energy-efficiency-and-environmental-performance-of-government-buildings | Cardin Calls for Improving Energy Efficiency and Environmental Performance of Government Buildings | 2020-12-17 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Benjamin Cardin | C000141 | www.cardin.senate.gov | legacy | December 17, 2020 Cardin Calls for Improving Energy Efficiency and Environmental Performance of Government Buildings Federal government can lead by example, create jobs and save taxpayer dollars by retrofitting current buildings and designing new ones for better environmental performance WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, has introduced legislation (S.5001) that will establish the federal government as a leader in improving the environmental performance of our nation's buildings. The GSA Resilient, Energy Efficient, and Net-Zero (GREEN) Building Jobs Act of 2020 would leverage new federal investments in upgrading existing facilities managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) and encourage the design of healthier, more efficient buildings in new projects. Investments made through this legislation would bring back many of the 850,000 jobs lost in the clean energy sector due to the pandemic and create projects in all 50 states and the District of Columbia that will save energy costs and reduce pollution. This bill calls for a renewed commitment to increasing the energy and water efficiency of government buildings, the number of buildings achieving net-zero energy and waste, and the availability of infrastructure supporting zero-emission vehicles. It also pushes the GSA forward on work to enhance the resiliency of government facilities and protect the health of their occupants. This legislation is also in line with President-elect Biden's plan to accelerate investment in our nation's infrastructure, including upgrading 4 million buildings across the country. Guided by strong science and a real need across Maryland and this nation, we can use the power and presence of the federal government to transform the future into one that exemplifies efficiency, reduces costs for taxp… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-van-hollen-trone-announce-70000-for-economic-development-in-western-maryland | Cardin, Van Hollen, Trone Announce $70,000 for Economic Development in Western Maryland | 2020-12-17 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Benjamin Cardin | C000141 | www.cardin.senate.gov | legacy | December 17, 2020 Cardin, Van Hollen, Trone Announce $70,000 for Economic Development in Western Maryland WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressman DavidTrone (all D-Md.) today announced $70,000 in federal funding for the Tri-County Council for Western Maryland's Economic Development District Planning program. The funding, awarded through the Economic Development Administration (EDA), will be used to develop and implement a comprehensive economic development strategy for Allegany, Garrett, and Washington Counties. This new investment and development plan will help our local communities thrive and bounce back from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic,said Senator Cardin. Small businesses are the pulse of the regional economy and I am committed to securing additional funding and resources for the economic prosperity of Western Maryland. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the pocketbooks of Maryland families and left many of our small businesses running on fumes. This federal investment will helpcreate a roadmap for Western Maryland to emerge stronger, boosting our local economies and creating good-paying jobs. We will continue fighting for funding to invest in Western Maryland's communities and economic success,said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committees. Western Maryland has been hit hard by this pandemic, and we need to do everything we can to help support businesses and workers and stimulate the regional economy,said Congressman Trone. This funding will help do just that, and it couldn't have come at a better time. I look forward to seeing the impact of this funding on our community in the months to come. The EDA awards federal funds to spur job growth and economic advancement across the United States. Emphasizing regional collaboration and innovation, the EDA helps local economies adopt new approaches to job growth and adapt to changing economic conditions. ### Print … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/daily-leader-friday-december-18-2020 | THE DAILY LEADER: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2020 | 2020-12-17 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Steny Hoyer | H000874 | www.majorityleader.gov | legacy | One Minutes (5 per side)Suspensions (3 bills) S. 3418 STORM Act (Sen. Peters Transportation and Infrastructure) S. 979 Federal Advance Contracts Enhancement Act (Sen. Rubio Transportation and Infrastructure) S. 2730 Drone Advisory Committee for the 21st Century Act (Sen. Peters Transportation and Infrastructure) Possible Consideration of Legislation Providing Further Funding for FY21Possible Consideration of Legislation Related to Covid-19 ReliefAdditional Legislative Items Are Possible | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/hoyer-discusses-ongoing-covid-19-relief-negotiations-and-government-funding-msnbc%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%9Cmorning | Hoyer Discusses Ongoing COVID-19 Relief Negotiations and Government Funding on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” | 2020-12-17 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Steny Hoyer | H000874 | www.majorityleader.gov | legacy | We need to get to an agreement. I'm hopeful, and I talked to the Speaker this morning. She thinks we're making real progress. I hope in the very few hours that remain, before we're going to shut the government down, if we don't act on Friday at midnight, that we will get a deal, that we will have an agreement between the parties and between the Members, between the leadership and between the Appropriations Committee, and bring legislation forward that will help those millions and millions of people. [There are] 12 million unemployed. Millions of people who can't put food on their table. Millions of small businesses who are worried about going out of business permanently. Those are all efforts that we have to respond to and respond to quickly. We should have done it a long time ago. Very frankly, we passed four bills relatively quickly at the beginning of this crisis when the pandemic was raging then and subsided and is now raging again. We passed four major pieces of legislation in a bipartisan fashion. One, the CARES Act, which was the largest, over $2 trillion, was passed in the House on a voice vote. Since then we passed a Heroes bill [on] May 15. [On] October 1, [we passed] a slimmed down version of that, which responded to all the crises you've talked about, I've talked about, and we know are so prevalent in our country we need to respond to, and we haven't acted. It's long past the time we need to act. Hopefully, we'll get to an agreement today, put it on the Floor, pass it, and give some relief in this crisis that our families, our businesses, our individuals are facing. So let's hope we can get there.We passed a bill on May 15, Heroes 1 we called it, which was a $3.4 trillion bill, which Chairman Powell of the Federal Reserve said it was an appropriate amount, and we could have done more because of the hemorrhaging of the economy and the necessity to save jobs, to save businesses, to save lives The Senate didn't take it up. We urged them to take it up. People have been in crisis. I've been urging, [Speake… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/hoyer-roe-praise-senate-passage-school-based-allergies-and-asthma-management-program-act | Hoyer, Roe Praise Senate Passage of the School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act | 2020-12-17 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Steny Hoyer | H000874 | www.majorityleader.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC - House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) and Congressman Dr. Phil Roe (TN-01) praised the Senate for passing H.R. 2468, the School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act, their legislation to encourage schools to implement management plans to help students identify and control their asthma and allergies and reduce absenteeism. H.R. 2468 now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law.I'm pleased that the Senate passed our bipartisan bill to ensure schools have adequate plans in place to help students control their asthma and allergies, said Leader Hoyer. Dr. Roe and I have worked for many years to address this important issue. In 2013, we worked to enact the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act to help schools make available emergency epinephrine to students experiencing severe allergic reactions at school. The School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act will build on this legislation and provide peace of mind to students and parents that their school is equipped to help in an emergency. This legislation will help ensure students can focus on learning and reduce absenteeism. I'm glad that the Senate passed our bill, and I look forward to the President signing it into law without delay. I'm proud to work across the aisle with my friend and colleague, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, on this important issue, said Rep. Roe. In the U.S. there are about six million children under 18 who have been diagnosed with asthma. It is critical our schools are prepared to understand and address this condition to maintain student safety. The School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act will help school personnel and parents ensure students with asthma and other allergies adequately manage their condition so they can focus on their education with peace of mind. I look forward to President Trump signing this important bill into law. The Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services recommend that schools develop and maintain comprehensive m… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-cardin-trone-announce-70000-for-economic-development-in-western-maryland | Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Announce $70,000 for Economic Development in Western Maryland | 2020-12-17 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Chris Van Hollen | V000128 | www.vanhollen.senate.gov | legacy | December 17, 2020 Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Announce $70,000 for Economic Development in Western Maryland Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman DavidTrone (all D-Md.) announced $70,000 in federal funding for the Tri-County Council for Western Maryland's Economic Development District Planning program. The funding, awarded through the Economic Development Administration (EDA), will be used to develop and implement a comprehensive economic development strategy for Allegany, Garrett, and Washington Counties. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the pocketbooks of Maryland families and left many of our small businesses running on fumes. This federal investment will helpcreate a roadmap for Western Maryland to emerge stronger, boosting our local economies and creating good-paying jobs. We will continue fighting for funding to invest in Western Maryland's communities and economic success,said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committees. This new investment and development plan will help our local communities thrive and bounce back from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic,said Senator Cardin.Small businesses are the pulse of the regional economy and I am committed to securing additional funding and resources for the economic prosperity of Western Maryland. Western Maryland has been hit hard by this pandemic, and we need to do everything we can to help support businesses and workers and stimulate the regional economy,said Congressman Trone.This funding will help do just that, and it couldn't have come at a better time. I look forward to seeing the impact of this funding on our community in the months to come. The EDA awards federal funds to spur job growth and economic advancement across the United States. Emphasizing regional collaboration and innovation, the EDA helps local economies adopt new approaches to job growth and adapt to changing economic conditions. Print Email … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-meets-with-biden-ustr-nominee-katherine-tai | Van Hollen Meets with Biden USTR Nominee Katherine Tai | 2020-12-17 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Chris Van Hollen | V000128 | www.vanhollen.senate.gov | legacy | December 17, 2020 Van Hollen Meets with Biden USTR Nominee Katherine Tai U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the U.S. Senate Committees on Budget, Appropriations, and Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs released the following statement regarding his virtual meeting with Katherine Tai, President-elect Biden's nominee to serve as United States Trade Representative. From the cost of groceries to the availability of good-paying manufacturing jobs, our trade policy impacts the lives and pocketbooks of Americans every day. Strong and effective trade agreements can boost American jobs, uphold our values on worker protections, help tackle the climate crisis, grow our agriculture and manufacturing industries, and serve as an important tool in our relationships with other countries. As a public servant with years of experience working on the House Ways and Means Committee and at USTR, Katherine Tai has a deep understanding of trade policy and its implications. Katherine knows the importance of deliberate and strategic decision-making with an eye towards the long-term effects of these choices. During our conversation, we discussed the importance of ensuring that any trade agreements help boost American jobs and wages. We also spoke about the need to counter China's unfair trade and economic policies, and the fact that our leverage is strengthened when we work in concert with our allies. I know that Katherine will ensure our trade policy puts America's working families first while advancing our strategic goals at home and abroad. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-senate-democrats-push-to-ensure-covid-19-vaccine-clinical-trials-continue-to-enroll-diverse-participants | Van Hollen, Senate Democrats Push to Ensure COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trials Continue to Enroll Diverse Participants | 2020-12-17 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Chris Van Hollen | V000128 | www.vanhollen.senate.gov | legacy | December 17, 2020 Van Hollen, Senate Democrats Push to Ensure COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trials Continue to Enroll Diverse Participants Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), along with eight of his Senate colleagues, sent a letter calling on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Operation Warp Speed, and the U.S. Army Material Command (AMC) to make sure COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials continue to enroll a diverse group of participants. In addition to underscoring this priority, the Senators urged HHS Secretary Alex Azar, FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn, Operation Warp Speed Chief Advisor Moncef Slaoui, and General Gustave Perna to provide information on the demographics of current and future Phase III COVID-19 vaccine trial participants. COVID-19 has disproportionately harmed communities of color. Compared to white Americans, Black Americans are one and a half times more likely to contract COVID-19, over three and a half times more likely to be hospitalized, and nearly three times as likely to die from the disease,wrote the Senators. Americans of color are also more likely to develop severe COVID-19, requiring hospitalization. Hispanic and Latino Americans are hospitalized at a rate over four times higher than non-Hispanic white Americans, and American Indian and Alaska Native people who contract COVID-19 are four times more likely to be hospitalized than white Americans. The Senators continued:Given this disparate impact, FDA and public health officials have stressed the need for clinical trials to enroll diverse populations. Clinical trials should enroll diverse participants to confirm that COVID-19 vaccine candidates are safe and effective for Americans of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. Diverse clinical trial participation also builds vaccine confidence, which is critical in light of the United States' history of medical research exploitation and discrimination against minority patients. Senator Van Hollen was joined in sending the… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://anthonybrown.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1127 | Congressman Anthony Brown Announces Matthew Verghese as Chief of Staff | 2020-12-16 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Anthony Brown | B001304 | anthonybrown.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. House Armed Services Committee Vice Chair Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04) announced Matthew Verghese as his next Chief of Staff. Verghese is stepping into the role after serving four years as Congressman Brown's Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director. For years, I've trusted Matt's advice and guidance in the O'Malley-Brown Administration, on the campaign trail and now in Congress. The passion, determination and experience Matt brings to serving the people of Maryland makes him the ideal person to lead my staff as we work to deliver for the people, said Congressman Brown. A natural leader and mentor, Matt understands how government can work to better the lives of everyday Americans. As we enter a new Congress and presidential administration, Matt's strong values and forward-looking vision will be instrumental to my efforts to strengthen our national security, modernize our infrastructure and provide critical aid for struggling working families. I'm honored to answer the call to serve and to build on the great work Congressman Brown continues to do in our communities and on Capitol Hill. Our state and our nation face immense challenges, but by working together we can make a difference in the lives of the people we serve and advance our shared American values, said Matthew Verghese. I look forward to helping Congressman Brown deliver on his vision for a safer, stronger, more equitable country and thank him for the opportunity to serve the state I love. A longtime advocate for the state of Maryland, Verghese previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff to then Maryland Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown. He has also served as a senior advisor on the Van Hollen for Senate campaign as well as Political and Communications Director for the Maryland Democratic Party. Verghese is a proud and active University of Maryland alumnus. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://mfume.house.gov/media/press-releases/baltimore-delegation-members-announce-more-28-million-head-start-programs | Baltimore Delegation Members Announce More Than $2.8 Million for Head Start Programs Across Region | 2020-12-16 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Kweisi Mfume | M000687 | mfume.house.gov | mfume | https://mfume.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) announced $2,809,748 in federal funding for Head Start programs at the Y of Central Maryland and Community Action Council of Howard County. "Early childhood education provides our children with a strong foundation at a young age and positions students for lifelong success," the lawmakers said. "These federal funds will help more families in the Baltimore area access Head Start programs, which have a proven track record of narrowing educational and economic gaps in our society. We will keep fighting for federal investments in Maryland's early childhood education system to ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed." Awards include $1,723,642 in new funding for the Y of Central Maryland and $1,086,106 in continuation funding for the Community Action Council of Howard County. Funds were awarded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z |
| https://mfume.house.gov/media/press-releases/baltimores-congressional-delegation-announces-nearly-1-million-boost-stem | Baltimore’s Congressional Delegation Announces Nearly $1 Million to Boost STEM Education Programs at Towson University | 2020-12-16 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | House | MD | Kweisi Mfume | M000687 | mfume.house.gov | mfume | https://mfume.house.gov/media/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) today announced $999,152 in federal funding to expand student access to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs at Towson University. "We're proud to announce this important new investment in Maryland's STEM education capabilities," the lawmakers said. "Recruiting and mentoring a more diverse pipeline of students will help drive greater opportunity and economic success for communities throughout our state. We are committed to expanding access to higher education and supporting research institutions throughout Maryland." Funding comes from the National Science Foundation. It will support Towson University's "Recruiting, Educating and Graduating a Diverse Community of Mathematicians Through Mentoring, Peer Support and Undergraduate Research" program, which provides dozens of mathematics scholarships to high-achieving, low-income students. The award will fund 14 four-year scholarships for graduating seniors from high schools across Baltimore, as well as 18 two-year scholarships for transfer students from Harford Community College and Howard Community College. The award will also allow Towson University to expand undergraduate research opportunities for all sophomore and junior mathematics majors. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z |
| https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/sarbanes-discusses-passing-senator-sarbanes-and-vaccine-distribution | Sarbanes Discusses Passing of Senator Sarbanes and Vaccine Distribution in Maryland | 2020-12-16 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MD | John Sarbanes | S001168 | sarbanes.house.gov | legacy | 44 Calvert Street, Suite 349 Annapolis, MD 21401 Phone: (410) 295-1679 Fax: (410) 295-1682 Hours: Tuesday 11:00 AM -1:00 PM (Or by Appointment) | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sarbanes-baltimore-congressional-delegation-announce-more-28-million | Sarbanes, Baltimore Congressional Delegation Announce More Than $2.8 Million for Head Start Programs Across Region | 2020-12-16 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | MD | John Sarbanes | S001168 | sarbanes.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined the Baltimore Congressional Delegation in announcing $2,809,748 in federal funding for Head Start programs at the Y of Central Maryland and Community Action Council of Howard County. Early childhood education provides our children with a strong foundation at a young age and positions students for lifelong success, the lawmakers said. These federal funds will help more families in the Baltimore area access Head Start programs, which have a proven track record of narrowing educational and economic gaps in our society. We will keep fighting for federal investments in Maryland's early childhood education system to ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed. Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It includes $1,723,642 for the Y of Central Maryland and $1,086,106 for the Community Action Council of Howard County. The lawmakers previously announced more than $6 million in federal funding for Head Start and Early Head Start programs at the Y of Central Maryland. They have consistently supported increased funding for Head Start programs throughout Maryland. Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide services to more than a million children every year, in every U.S. state and territory, in farmworker camps and in over 155 tribal communities. Head Start programming is responsive to the ethnic, cultural and linguistic heritage of each child and family. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |
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