press: releases: 1,662 rows where state = "MD" and year = 2018 sorted by date descending

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1,662 rows where state = "MD" and year = 2018 sorted by date descending

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url	title	date ▲	year	month	party	chamber	state	member_name	bioguide_id	domain	scraper	source	date_source	text	has_text	collected_at	updated_at
https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/with-hr-1-democrats-announce-a-new-program-for-electoral-reform	With H.R. 1, Democrats Announce a New Program for Electoral Reform	2018-12-30	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	John Sarbanes	S001168	sarbanes.house.gov			legacy	When the new Congress convenes in January, the very first item on its to-do list will be H.R. 1, a package of good-government and election reforms unveiled Friday by Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and a group of legislators led by John Sarbanes, of Maryland. Its contents haven't been fully composed yet, but Pelosi and Sarbanes previewed its three parts in a WashingtonPostop-ed earlier this week: a voting-rights plank that includes updates to the Voting Rights Act, measures to address gerrymandering, and automatic voter registration; an ethics plank that requires the President to disclose his or her tax returns and bans the use of taxpayer funds for congressional sexual-harassment settlements; and a campaign-finance plank that offers matching federal funds for small-dollar donations and requires superpacs to publicly disclose their donors. At a press conference on Friday, Sarbanes said, There's a lot of people out there in the country who feel right now that Washington doesn't listen to them, their democracy doesn't work for them, they're kind of left out and locked out.	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-provisions-to-lower-sewer-bills-expand-green-infrastructure-heads-to-president-for-signature	Cardin Provisions to Lower Sewer Bills, Expand Green Infrastructure Heads to President for Signature	2018-12-23	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Benjamin Cardin	C000141	www.cardin.senate.gov			legacy	December 23, 2018 Cardin Provisions to Lower Sewer Bills, Expand Green Infrastructure Heads to President for Signature Bipartisan Water Infrastructure Flexibility Act will help reduce disproportionate impacts of rate hikes for a substantial number of low-income Americans WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, praised final passage of companion legislation to legislation he authored in the Senate with Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) that would provide local governments more tools to deal with stormwater and infrastructure challenges. The Water Infrastructure Flexibility Act first cleared the Senate in October and was passed in its final form Saturday.The bipartisan legislation includes provisions to prevent the disproportionate impacts of water and sewer bill hikes on low-income Americans, which has been particularly problematic in cities like Baltimore.The bill would also give communities more autonomy as they prioritize and plan for wastewater and storm water investments. Americans have a right to expect that water coming from their taps is safe to drink and that Congress will do everything within its power to ensure that happens at a reasonable cost to consumers. Having clean, safe water should not be a luxury priced out of reach for any person in this country,said Senator Cardin. I am particularly pleased to know that this legislation will help limit the disproportionate impacts of sewer and water bill hikes on low-income Americans, and make critical advancements in the use of green wastewater management strategies.Every community in America urban, rural and suburban neighborhoods will be helped by this bipartisan effort to improve our nation's water infrastructure. If consumers cannot pay their water bills, then utilities cannot make the need…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-van-hollen-lead-passage-of-measure-to-ensure-that-federal-workers-will-be-paid-following-trump-shutdown	Cardin, Van Hollen Lead Passage of Measure to Ensure that Federal Workers Will Be Paid Following Trump Shutdown	2018-12-23	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Benjamin Cardin	C000141	www.cardin.senate.gov			legacy	December 23, 2018 Cardin, Van Hollen Lead Passage of Measure to Ensure that Federal Workers Will Be Paid Following Trump Shutdown The House of Representatives must pass FEFTA as soon as possible so we can provide certainty to the hardworking federal workers who protect and support Maryland and the entire nation. WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen(both D-Md.) have successfully led a bipartisan effort to guarantee that federal workers will be paid retroactively following the partial government shutdown that began at midnight Friday. By unanimous consent, the senators gained Senate passage of theFederal Employee Fair Treatment Act (S. 861),which replaces a discretionary decision with a guarantee that furloughed federal employees will be paid retroactively, stipulates that all employees shall be paid as soon as possible after the lapse in appropriations ends, and clarifies that excepted employees who have scheduled previously approved leave occurring during an appropriations lapse may indeed take that leave without undue penalty. A government shutdown has real consequences for hard-working federal employees across the country and the local economies they support. This measure helps make sure that federal workers and the American economy are not additionally harmed by Republicans' inability to find a compromise solution to the appropriations crisis they have created,said Senator Cardin. Make no mistake: Responsibility for this shutdown lies squarely on the shoulders of the president, who said that he would take that mantle.' The problem is that federal workers will take it on the chin, and this measure aims to help soften that blow. The House of Representatives should pass this legislation quickly. Federal employees should not be punished and their paychecks held hostage by the government dysfunction that leads to a shutdown. I waspleased to get this legislation passed in th…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://raskin.house.gov/media/press-releases/raskin-statement-partial-federal-government-shutdown	Raskin Statement on Partial Federal Government Shutdown	2018-12-22	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Jamie Raskin	R000606	raskin.house.gov			legacy	(WASHINGTON, DC.)Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) issued the following statement in response to the third partial federal government shutdown of 2018, which took effect at 12:00 a.m. on December 22: The partial government shutdown is a deliberate and premeditated act of shocking irresponsibilityand petulance by President Donald Trump and his willing accomplices in the Republican leadership in Congress. It will go down as another monumental and appalling policy failure of the Trump Administration. This will be known as the Donald Trump-Ann Coulter shutdown. Cowed and egged on by right-wing commentators on Fox News, President Trump proclaimed on national television that he was proud to shut down the government' and to take the mantle. I will be the one to shut it down.' Those are his words. So his last-minute effort to shift the blame elsewhere is silly. Trump sought it, he brought it, and now he and his party and deranged polemicists like Ann Coulter own it. The shutdown nightmare was dreamed up by Trump and GOP leaders, but it is being carried out now on the backs of the American people and at least 800,000 federal workers, who we depend upon to make the government work but now must pay the price for such recklessness and indifference. Of course, this is not the first time that the Administration has waged war on the federal workforce. Today is the first anniversary of the President signing the GOP tax bill into law, which reminds us that Trump attempted to rescind a modest 1.9 percent planned pay increase for federal workers in the name of fiscal responsibility' while ramming through Congress a bill that grows the deficit by trillions of dollars over the next decade with huge tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans. It is unacceptable to make federal workers and their families suffer on behalf of the Administration's policy delusions. President Trump promised that Mexico would pay for his $35 billion fantasy Wall but that promise, like so many others, has just vanished. The Wall is a ridiculous 14th Century …	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cummings.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cummings-statement-partial-government-shutdown	Cummings Statement on Partial Government Shutdown	2018-12-21	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Elijah Cummings	C000984	cummings.house.gov			legacy	Washington, D.C. (December 22, 2018) Today, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (MD-07) issued the following statement on the partial government shutdown: At midnight, President Trump and Congressional Republicans forced the government to partially shut down. Because of this shutdown, over 800,000 federal employees will go without pay over the holiday season. This shutdown was completely avoidable, and Congressional Democrats offered multiple options to keep the government open. However, the President and Congressional Republicans decided to proceed with this shutdown because of the President's demand that taxpayers foot the bill for his border wall; the same wall the President promised the American people they would not have to pay to build. I urge the President to work with Congress to swiftly find a solution to fund the government. ###	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://ruppersberger.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ruppersberger-resignation-of-defense-secretary-james-mattis-a-nightmare	Ruppersberger: Resignation of Defense Secretary James Mattis a Nightmare	2018-12-21	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger	R000576	ruppersberger.house.gov			legacy	(Washington, D.C.) Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger today issued the following statement after Defense Secretary James Mattis announced his resignation effective at the end of February 2019: I am a Defense Appropriator who has met with Secretary Mattis many times. For the past two years, I've told family, friends, colleagues and constituents that I sleep better at night knowing that James Mattis is the Secretary of Defense. Last night, I had nightmares. Many of us have relied on Secretary Mattis to be someone inside the Trump Administration willing to speak truth to power. He has worked hard not only to prevent the use of force, but to ensure that our troops are equipped and ready if we must. Secretary Mattis once said that if we continue to deplete the State Department's budget, he's going to need to buy more ammo.' I have quoted this often. Frankly, the world is safer with Secretary Mattis behind the wheel at the Defense Department. The President's recent decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria for the wrong reasons and in the wrong way is an example of the sort of decision we can expect from the White House without Secretary Mattis in the room. This makes it all the more important for Congress to debate our current Authorizations for Use of Military Force, and determine what role the United States Armed Forces will have overseas moving forward. I look forward to tackling this critical issue with my colleagues as soon as possible. Secretary Mattis' expertise has been invaluable during the most dangerous times our country has ever seen, with threats coming from China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, terrorists and cyber criminals. We are indebted to Secretary Mattis for his 50 years in public service.	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/congress-sends-cardin-boozman-bill-to-strengthen-womens-economic-empowerment-to-presidents-desk	Congress Sends Cardin, Boozman Bill to Strengthen Women's Economic Empowerment to President's Desk	2018-12-21	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Benjamin Cardin	C000141	www.cardin.senate.gov			legacy	December 21, 2018 Congress Sends Cardin, Boozman Bill to Strengthen Women's Economic Empowerment to President's Desk WASHINGTON Congress approved theWomen's Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment (WEEE) Act, legislation that seeks to eliminate global gender-related barriers and empower female entrepreneurs around the world. The bill heads to the president's desk to be signed into law. The bill was introduced in the Senate by SenatorsBen Cardin (D-MD) and John Boozman (R-AR). Investing in women creates a positive cycle of change that can lift women, families, communities and entire countries out of poverty, said Cardin, ranking member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee and a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. I am proud we have been able to work on a bipartisan basis to move forward this much-needed legislation. Providing women access to tools for economic success supports global prosperity. TheWEEE Actwill empower women to gain control of their financial future while simultaneously facilitating improvements in their homes and communities. I'm proud to lead Senate efforts recognizing the importance of leveling the playing field for women around the world. I appreciate the leadership of Chairman Corker and Chairman Royce to move this bill one step closer to becoming law,Boozman said. Specifically, theWEEE Actwill: Establish a development cooperation policy of the United States to reduce gender disparities related to economic participation and opportunity, strive to eliminate gender-based violence, support women's property rights and increase the capability of women and girls to determine life outcomes. Directthe United States Agency for International Development (USAID) toinclude efforts that promote equality and female empowerment throughout its programs. Expand USAID's microenterprise development assistance authority to include small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with an emphasis on supporting SMEs owned, managed and contro…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/elie-wiesel-genocide-and-atrocities-prevention-act-heads-to-president-for-signature-after-final-house-senate-passage	Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act Heads to President for Signature after Final House, Senate Passage	2018-12-21	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Benjamin Cardin	C000141	www.cardin.senate.gov			legacy	WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee,Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO-2),a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, andCongressman Joe Crowley (D-NY-14), Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, lauded final passage Wednesday of bipartisan legislation that will strengthen America's global leadership in preventing mitigating and responding to genocides and human rights atrocities wherever they may occur. The bill is expected to be signed into law by President Trump. America's strength around the world is rooted in our values. It is in our national interest to ensure that the United States utilizes the full arsenal of diplomatic, economic, and legal tools to take meaningful action before atrocities occur,said Senator Cardin. Tragically, these atrocities are happening today; we simply cannot wait to act. TheElie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Actwill help ensure that United States can do a better job of responding earlier and more effectively to these heinous crimes. America's moral principles and national security interests require us to take proactive steps to prevent acts of genocide and other mass atrocities, and this legislation will help support that important objective,said Senator Young.The phrase Never Again' must be more than just a phrase. I was proud to work with Senator Cardin on this important legislation, and I look forward to it being signed into law. We are haunted by repeated failures and missed opportunities to end global tragedies before they begin,said Congresswoman Wagner. There is more the United States can and must do to help vulnerable communities and persecuted people around the world. Good intentions and platitudes like Never Again have not prevented the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians at the hands of the Assad regime, the genocide of Rohingya in Burma, or the brutalities against Muslim Bosniaks, many of whom fled to St. Louis from their childhood homes. I am proud that theElie …	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-and-senate-colleagues-call-on-trump-administration-to-stop-pushing-health-insurance-plans-that-weaken-pre-existing-condition-protections	Van Hollen and Senate Colleagues Call on Trump Administration to Stop Pushing Health Insurance Plans That Weaken Pre-existing Condition Protections	2018-12-21	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Chris Van Hollen	V000128	www.vanhollen.senate.gov			legacy	December 21, 2018 Van Hollen and Senate Colleagues Call on Trump Administration to Stop Pushing Health Insurance Plans That Weaken Pre-existing Condition Protections Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined a group of Senators in calling on the Trump Administration to withdraw recent changes that makes it easier for states to promote junk plans. These health care plans typically lack protections for people with pre-existing conditions and would increase costs for millions of Americans. Under the Administration's new guidance, states can use federal subsidies to pay for these subpar plans by utilizing a section of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) intended to give states additional flexibility to implement targeted improvements that expand coverage, reduce costs and provide more comprehensive benefits. The Senators argue that the Administration is improperly using Section 1332 to allow states to do the exact opposite. We have serious concerns they will increase health care costs for millions of consumers while weakening protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions. In light of substantive concerns that we have with the impact on patients, and procedural concerns that we have with the manner in which these significant policy changes have been promulgated, we ask that you immediately withdraw this guidance and re-engage with stakeholders, states, and Congress,said the Senators in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma, and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin. The Senators made it clear these actions did not reflect Congress' intent in creating the 1332 waiver program, stating the Administration's recent guidance significantly changes enforcement of these four important guardrails, undermining Congressional intent and posing a significant risk to consumers that now have affordable and comprehensive health coverage. Additionally the proposed changes, which were outlined in guidance provided by the A…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-cardin-lead-senate-passage-of-measure-to-ensure-that-federal-workers-will-be-paid-following-trump-shutdown	Van Hollen, Cardin Lead Senate Passage of Measure to Ensure that Federal Workers Will Be Paid Following Trump Shutdown	2018-12-21	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Chris Van Hollen	V000128	www.vanhollen.senate.gov			legacy	December 21, 2018 Van Hollen, Cardin Lead Senate Passage of Measure to Ensure that Federal Workers Will Be Paid Following Trump Shutdown U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) are leading a bipartisan effort to guarantee that federal workers will be paid retroactively following the partial government shutdown that began at midnight Friday. By unanimous consent, the senators gained Senate passage of theFederal Employee Fair Treatment Act (S. 861),which replaces a discretionary decision with a guarantee that furloughed federal employees will be paid retroactively, stipulates that all employees shall be paid as soon as possible after the lapse in appropriations ends, and clarifies that excepted employees who have scheduled previously approved leave occurring during an appropriations lapse may indeed take that leave without undue penalty. Federal employees should not be punished and their paychecks held hostage by the government dysfunction that leads to a shutdown. I waspleased to get this legislation passed in the Senate, and Iurge my colleaguesin the House of Representatives to pass it without delay, said Senator Van Hollen. As we work to end this shutdown, providing our federal workforce with the certainty that they will receive their paycheck is the right thing to do. A government shutdown has real consequences for hard-working federal employees across the country and the local economies they support. This measure helps make sure that federal workers and the American economy are not additionally harmed by Republicans' inability to find a compromise solution to the appropriations crisis they have created,said Senator Cardin. Make no mistake: Responsibility for this shutdown lies squarely on the shoulders of the president, who said that he would take that mantle.' The problem is that federal workers will take it on the chin, and this measure aims to help soften that blow. The House of Representatives should pass this legislation quickly. ### …	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cummings.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cummings-statement-passage-first-step-act	Cummings Statement on Passage of the First Step Act	2018-12-20	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Elijah Cummings	C000984	cummings.house.gov			legacy	Washington, D.C. (December 20, 2018) Today, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (MD-07) issued the following statement on the House passage of the First Step Act: Today, I voted in favor of the First Step Act. This bill as its name states is just the beginning of needed reforms to our federal criminal justice system. The bill takes significant first steps at reducing mass incarceration through modest sentencing reform. It also provides additional reentry resources to give people a meaningful second chance after incarceration. However, there is still work that needs to be done to tackle the scourge of mass incarceration and to address the many ways the criminal justice system disproportionately harms people of color. As we look toward the new Congress, I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass my legislation the Fair Chance Act and the REDEEM Act and other important measures to continue to reform our broken criminal justice system. The First Step Act includes Congressman Cummings' Maintaining dignity and Eliminating unnecessary Restrictive Confinement of Youths Act (MERCY Act). The MERCY Act prohibits the solitary confinement of juveniles who are tried in the federal system and held in pretrial facilities or juvenile detention facilities, barring some extremely exceptional temporary circumstances. I am pleased that my bill, The MERCY Act, was included in the final bill. Compounding incarceration with solitary confinement can break a young person's spirit beyond repair, and it can have devastating long-term impacts on their mental and physical health. The MERCY Act takes a strong step toward eliminating this barbaric practice, to ensure our youth have a chance to be rehabilitated and become contributing members of their communities. The MERCY Act: Bans Juvenile Solitary Confinement.This legislation bans the use of room confinement in juvenile facilities, except as a temporary response to a behavioral issue that poses serious and immediate risk to any individual. Requires Use of Less Restrictive Techni…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/hhs-recommends-co-prescribing-naloxone-with-opioids	HHS Recommends Co-Prescribing Naloxone with Opioids	2018-12-20	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	John Sarbanes	S001168	sarbanes.house.gov			legacy	Congress also has addressed the co-prescribing issue. In 2016, the House passed theCo-Prescribing to Reduce Overdoses Actsponsored by Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.). The bill, which became part of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, authorized 5 years of grants aimed at increasing co-prescribing of naloxone in high-risk patients who are prescribed opioids; however, funds were never appropriated for the grant program.... Sarbanes applauded the new HHS guidelines, calling them "an important and encouraging step forward in our fight against the opioid epidemic." ... "By getting more affordable and easy-to-use overdose reversal drugs into the hands of patients and communities across the country, we can save countless lives," he said in a press release issued Thursday.	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sarbanes-statement-on-first-step-act	Sarbanes Statement on First Step Act	2018-12-20	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	John Sarbanes	S001168	sarbanes.house.gov			legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) released the following statement today after voting for the First Step Act (S. 756): While modest in its design, the First Step Act will make a positive difference in our criminal justice system. This bipartisan bill will reduce federal mandatory minimum sentences for low-level and non-violent drug offenders, help low-risk inmates successfully reenter society and improve treatment services for inmates suffering from opioid addiction. When it comes to mass incarceration and prison reform in America, we have much more work to do. I look forward to continue working with my colleagues to achieve the kind of comprehensive criminal justice reform that our country desperately needs. ###	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/spurred-by-sarbanes-bill-to-tackle-opioid-crisis-hhs-recommends-co	Spurred by Sarbanes Bill to Tackle Opioid Crisis, HHS Recommends Co-Prescribing Overdose Reversal Drugs to High-Risk Patients	2018-12-20	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	John Sarbanes	S001168	sarbanes.house.gov			legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C. Prompted by the Co-Prescribing to Reduce Overdoses Act, a bill authored by Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) and signed into law in 2016 by President Barack Obama, the Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) released new federal guidelines today recommending that health care providers across the country prescribe opioid overdose reversal drugs to at-risk patients. These new HHS guidelines are an important and encouraging step forward in our fight against the opioid epidemic, said Congressman Sarbanes. By getting more affordable and easy-to-use overdose reversal drugs into the hands of patients and communities across the country, we can save countless lives. Co-prescription programs are proven ways to reduce overdose deaths. The Veterans Health Administration has successfully distributed Naloxone to all veterans being treated for a substance use disorder or to those who take high doses of opiates. Through this important program, the VA has successfully reduced opioid overdose deaths among veterans. For more information about HHS's new naloxone co-prescribing guidelines, see here. ###	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-votes-to-avoid-a-partial-shutdown-vows-to-continue-fight-for-federal-workers	Cardin Votes to Avoid a Partial Shutdown, Vows to Continue Fight for Federal Workers	2018-12-20	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Benjamin Cardin	C000141	www.cardin.senate.gov			legacy	December 20, 2018 Cardin Votes to Avoid a Partial Shutdown, Vows to Continue Fight for Federal Workers There is no such thing as a good shutdown' WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Senate Finance Committee, released the following statement about the Senate-passed continuing resolution (CR) to fund portions of the federal government through February 8, 2019. Continuing resolutions should not be the norm in the federal appropriations process. It is a good thing for the American people and especially federal workers that we are on track to avoid a partial shutdown of the federal government right at the holidays. A shutdown would be bad for small businesses, bad for Americans' health and safety, bad for state and local law enforcement, and bad for local and state governments who depend on assistance from the federal government to provide a wide variety of services in communities across this nation. But we cannot keep punting our problems next year or next month. This is no way to govern. By failing to agree on a longer-term budget, the President is blocking critical additional funding to combat the opioid epidemic, rebuild our nation's crumbling infrastructure, provide urgent disaster relief assistance, and enhance national security programs to protect our country from constant attacks by our adversaries. If not for President Trump's irrational, purely political machinations to divert precious taxpayer money for a wall on our Southern border, Democrats and Republicans would have finished all of our appropriations bills closer on time and on a bipartisan basis. Democrats support comprehensive immigration reform and strong border security we've worked with Republicans to pass bipartisan immigration reform previously. However, we will not divert billions of dollars of taxpayer funds for a wall that could make a real difference e…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://anthonybrown.house.gov/media/press-releases/president-trump-s-impulsive-withdrawal-imperils-our-national-security	President Trumps Impulsive Withdrawal Imperils Our National Security	2018-12-19	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Anthony Brown	B001304	anthonybrown.house.gov			legacy	Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04), a combat veteran and member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement regarding reports that President Trump is considering withdrawing all US troops from Syria and declared We have defeated ISIS in Syria: Unilaterally withdrawing US forces before we have fully defeated ISIS is a mistake. Abandoning our local partners and the Syrian people and leaving them alone to confront Bashar Al-Assad, Russia and Iran is a betrayal and a mistake. By prematurely declaring mission accomplished' President Trump imperils our national security. We have not won the fight against ISIS. And we have not achieved peace in Syria. For the last two years, the Trump Administration has been unable to layout a comprehensive and coherent strategy in Syria and has refused to come before Congress for the authority to engage in the sustained use of military force. Congress and the American people deserve answers. What have we actually achieved in Syria, and what role and presence will we play in the future? Why is President Trump rushing for the exits and handing victory to Russia?	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://anthonybrown.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=259	President Trumps Impulsive Withdrawal Imperils Our National Security	2018-12-19	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Anthony Brown	B001304	anthonybrown.house.gov			legacy		0	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://ruppersberger.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ruppersberger-issues-statement-in-support-of-select-committee-on-climate	Ruppersberger Issues Statement in Support of Select Committee on Climate Change	2018-12-19	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger	R000576	ruppersberger.house.gov			legacy	(Washington, D.C.) Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02) today issued a statement in support of a select committee to explore climate change policy proposals: Recent assessments completed by both the United States government and the United Nations have determined that bold and immediate action must be taken to mitigate the effects of climate change that are wreaking havoc on our planet. I could not agree more, which is why I have decided to support a select committee to consider solutions including the proposed Green New Deal. We need to work harder and faster to become a carbon-neutral nation and world. The consequences of waiting any longer are too great, not just for our environment, but our economy and security. My support of a select committee is in keeping with a strong record on climate change and environmental protection. I have supported aggressive anti-carbon measures in the past, including landmark efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by creating a cap-and-trade system. I have vocally opposed gas and oil exploration off the Atlantic coast and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. I've asked President Trump to formally recognize the findings of the most recent National Climate Assessment and continue to urge him to re-sign the Paris Climate Agreement. Recently, I fought for a new windfarm off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland, which will create green jobs for Second District families, where the wind turbines will be manufactured. We need to do this on a national and global level, which is the heart of the New Green Deal proposal. I want to thank my many colleagues who have been working on climate policy for years. I would hope the select committee will work in concert with the existing committees of jurisdiction that will have the ultimate legislative authority.	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-portman-introduce-sweeping-reforms-to-strengthen-americans-retirement-security	Cardin, Portman Introduce Sweeping Reforms to Strengthen Americans’ Retirement Security	2018-12-19	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Benjamin Cardin	C000141	www.cardin.senate.gov			legacy	December 19, 2018 Cardin, Portman Introduce Sweeping Reforms to Strengthen Americans' Retirement Security Bipartisan Legislation Would Increase Savings in IRAs and Workplace Savings Plans, Expand Coverage & Simplify Retirement Plan Rules WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) today introduced the Retirement Security & Savings Act, a broad set of reforms designed to help Americans save more for retirement and increase access to 401(k)s and other retirement plans. The measure includes more than 50 provisions to increase savings in 401(k)s and IRAs, help improve coverage in the small employer market and among part-time workers, reduce barriers to lifetime income retirement options, and allow employees to keep retirement savings in an IRA or qualified plan until they need them for retirement expenses instead of being forced to deplete their savings after age 70 and a half. A link to the bill text is here. The legislation builds on Portman and Cardin's previous success in enacting sweeping reforms to enhance the retirement system as members of the House of Representatives in 1996, 2001, and 2006. Of note, the 2001 Portman-Cardin measure more than doubled contribution limits to IRAs, allowed portability between different types of qualified retirement plans, and created the ability for older workers to make catch-up contributions to 401(k)s and IRAs. Since it became law, 401(k) and other defined contribution plan assets have increased by 179 percent and savings in IRAs, including rollovers from retirement plans, have more than tripled. Overall, U.S. retirement savings have increased from $11.3 trillion in 2001 to $28.3 trillion today. Ensuring that families and workers can retire with dignity is an ongoing, and strongly bipartisan, effort. While we've made important policy improvements over the years, Congress needs to work continually with participants, retirees…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-praises-new-agreement-providing-new-legal-pathways-for-cuban-baseball-players	Cardin Praises New Agreement Providing New, Legal Pathways for Cuban Baseball Players	2018-12-19	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Benjamin Cardin	C000141	www.cardin.senate.gov			legacy	December 19, 2018 Cardin Praises New Agreement Providing New, Legal Pathways for Cuban Baseball Players WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, offered the following statement in response to an announcement from Major League Baseball which will permit Cuban players with a safe and legal path to play for U.S. ball clubs: I welcome the announcement from Major League Baseball. For far too long, Cuban ball players who wish to join U.S. clubs have had to risk making dangerous journeys or indebting themselves to human traffickers. This agreement will put an end to these dangerous practices, while extending greater freedom to the Cuban people and enhancing our shared national pastime. I remain concerned about the Cuban government's horrendous record on human rights. As I have long advocated, however, greater engagement not isolation is required to increase liberties and freedoms for the Cuban people. This announcement from the MLB is a prime example of this. ### Print Email Tweet Previous Article	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-joins-senate-colleagues-in-urging-president-trump-to-condemn-texas-v-us-decision	Van Hollen Joins Senate Colleagues in Urging President Trump to Condemn Texas v U.S. Decision	2018-12-19	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Chris Van Hollen	V000128	www.vanhollen.senate.gov			legacy	December 19, 2018 Van Hollen Joins Senate Colleagues in Urging President Trump to Condemn Texas v U.S. Decision U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) today joined a group of Senators in calling on President Trump to condemn the recent decision in Texas v. United States which declared the Affordable Care Act (ACA) unconstitutional. If the decision stands, 20 million Americans will be left without the health insurance they rely on. The 133 million Americans and 800,000 West Virginians with a pre-existing condition will be at risk of losing their access to health insurance and millions of families across the country will see healthcare costs rise. If it is allowed to stand, the human costs of this decision will be profound. The Senators said in part, It is not too late for you to condemn this decision by requesting a stay and taking steps to defend the Affordable Care Act moving forward. The ACA is, quite simply, the law of the land, and it is your Administration's duty to defend it. Further, even among the numerous, failed attempts to repeal the ACA, there was widespread recognition that simply repealing the law without a replacement would be too devastating to American families and to our economy to fathom. Yet that is exactly what this ruling, if upheld, would do. Read the full letter below or click here: Dear President Trump: We are writing to express our serious concerns with the December 14th decision by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas in the matter of Texas v. United States and to reiterate our strong objection to the Department of Justice's refusal to defend the law of the land. Judge O'Connor's decision wrongly declares the individual mandate unconstitutional and inseverable from the remainder of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This decision is not just legally unsound, itis inhumane and cruel. If the ruling stands, nearly every American's health care will be affected. The 20 million people who receive insurance coverage through the ACA will be left without the c…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-pushes-for-federal-employee-pay-raise-in-short-term-funding-bill	Van Hollen Pushes for Federal Employee Pay Raise in Short-Term Funding Bill	2018-12-19	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Chris Van Hollen	V000128	www.vanhollen.senate.gov			legacy	December 19, 2018 Van Hollen Pushes for Federal Employee Pay Raise in Short-Term Funding Bill Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen announced that he will file an amendment to the short-term funding bill to provide federal employees with a 1.9 percent cost of living increase. President Trump announced a pay freeze for civil servants for 2019, which he can do unilaterally unless Congress acts. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Van Hollen secured the same pay increase as part of the Fiscal Year 2019 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, which passed the Senate with strong bipartisan support. Our federal workforce protects our nation, ensures the safety of our food and medicine, delivers Social Security and veterans' benefits, and carries out countless other responsibilities on behalf of our citizens. But President Trump is poised to give them the gift of a pay freeze if Congress fails to act before the end of the year, said Senator Van Hollen. I was proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this modest cost-of-living adjustment, despite the Trump Administration's constant attack on our civil servants, and I am going to keep fighting until it becomes law. If we can't get it done as part of this short-term package, it should be the first order of business when we return. ### Print Email Tweet Previous Article	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/senate-democrats-join-the-push-for-sweeping-anti-corruption-legislation	Senate Democrats Join the Push for Sweeping Anti-Corruption Legislation	2018-12-18	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	John Sarbanes	S001168	sarbanes.house.gov			legacy	House Democrats' first bill of the year a sweeping anti-corruption and pro-Democracy reform bill known as House Resolution 1 is getting a companion bill in the Senate.... Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) is planning to introduce a companion bill in the Senate early next year, he told senators on Tuesday in a Dear Colleague letter obtained by Vox. The bill text would likely be an update of an existing bill Udall introduced in 2017, tweaked to mirror the House legislation.... HR 1 is the first bill House Democrats will tackle once they retake the gavel next year; it's aimed at stamping out the influence of money in politics, curtailing Washington lobbying, and expanding voting rights. Democrats are hoping to get some Republicans on board as well, but the reality is that Republican leadership in the Senate likely won't let Udall's bill make it to the floor. Still, it's a sign that Democrats in the House and the Senate are serious about proposing a wide swath of reforms that could dramatically change American campaign finance laws, expand voting rights, and institute new rules that crack down on lobbying. Udall and Senate Democrats have been quietly working on these ideas for a long time. On his bill, Udall is already working with Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), Ben Cardin (MD), Amy Klobuchar (MN), Tammy Baldwin (WI), Dick Durbin (IL) and others, and is looking for more partners. He has also been working with Rep. John Sarbanes (MD), the Democrat spearheading HR 1 in the House, since May.	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-praises-bipartisan-passage-of-the-first-step-act-by-87-12-vote-says-it-must-be-the-start-of-criminal-justice-reform-efforts-not-the-end	Cardin Praises Bipartisan Passage of the First Step Act by 87-12 Vote, Says It Must Be the Start of Criminal Justice Reform Efforts, Not the End	2018-12-18	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Benjamin Cardin	C000141	www.cardin.senate.gov			legacy	December 18, 2018 Cardin Praises Bipartisan Passage of the First Step Act by 87-12 Vote, Says It Must Be the Start of Criminal Justice Reform Efforts, Not the End With this first step toward repairing our broken criminal justice system, let us pledge to work together to make further improvements in the new Congress. WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a cosponsor of the First Step Act, offered the following remarks during Senate floor debate and passage of the criminal justice reform legislation on Tuesday night: I'm very pleased that the Senate passed the First Step Act tonight, with strong support from both parties. My colleagues on both sides of the aisle understand that our criminal justice system is badly broken and in need of repair, and just as the name suggests, passage of tonight's bill is a critical first step toward making those fixes. This legislation makes key sentencing and prison reform improvements necessary changes for a more reasonable, equitable justice system. I thank Senators Grassley and Durbin for their leadership on getting this done, and I urge my colleagues in the House to pass this bill and President Trump to sign it into law without delay. I am especially pleased that the revised First Step Act passed tonight reauthorizes the Second Chance Act. This critical federal program helps individuals returning to the community from prison or jail and has a proven track record of reducing recidivism and saving money for the taxpayers. In my own state of Maryland, we know the importance of criminal justice reform after the death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore Police Department custody in 2015. Baltimore is a good example of the necessary federal and state partnership we need in order to reform the criminal justice system. In 2016, Maryland also passed the Justice Reinvestment Act, which seeks to reduce Maryland's prison population and use the savings to provide for mo…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-statement-on-passage-of-first-step-act	Van Hollen Statement on Passage of First Step Act	2018-12-18	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Chris Van Hollen	V000128	www.vanhollen.senate.gov			legacy	December 18, 2018 Van Hollen Statement on Passage of First Step Act Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen released the following statement regarding the passage of the First Step Act: Mr. President, I am proud that the Senate has passed the First Step Act. As a cosponsor of this bill, I am heartened that Republicans and Democrats came together to address an issue that affects millions of Americans and their families. Although one of my colleagues across the aisle has said that we have an under-incarceration problem, that is simply not the case. The United States represents only 4.4% of the world's population but we hold approximately 22% of the world's prisoners. Over the past decade, Americans and Congress have taken a long hard look at who we incarcerate and why. This review has made us realize that too many elements of our criminal justice system are based on prejudice and have inflicted unnecessary harm in communities across the country. We should strive to ensure that liberty and justice for all is not just a phrase we say, but a promise we keep to all Americans. The First Step Act allows prisoner rehabilitation so that they can return home ready to contribute to their communities. Education and job training opportunities provide individuals with a real second chance. The bill incorporates important provisions that allows for the retroactive application of the Fair Sentencing Act, which removed the sentencing disparity between the crack-power and cocaine. We were able to include provisions that prohibit the use of solitary confinement of juvenile offenders, prohibit the shackling of pregnant and postpartum women, and ensure that prisoners are placed in prisons closer to home. The bill also offers low and minimal risk offenders the possibility of supervised release, home confinement or release to halfway homes. The three amendments offered to the bill by Senators Cotton and Kennedy do not protect victims, are redundant, and are so broad as to subvert the bill's purpose. The first amendment req…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-statement-on-senate-passage-of-first-step-act	Van Hollen Statement on Senate Passage of First Step Act	2018-12-18	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Chris Van Hollen	V000128	www.vanhollen.senate.gov			legacy	December 18, 2018 Van Hollen Statement on Senate Passage of First Step Act Tonight, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on the Senate passage of the First Step Act, bipartisan legislation to address criminal justice reform. The Senator cosponsored this legislation. Tonight the Senate took an importantfirststep to reform our broken criminal justice system. The First Step Act is backed by a diverse group of supporters from the American Civil Liberties Union to the Fraternal Order of Police. It includes crucial reforms to reduce mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent crimes, end juvenile solitary confinement, and provide more people with a second chance. While we've got much more to do, I was proud to support this bipartisan bill, and I will continue working to implement more reforms in the days ahead. ### Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://anthonybrown.house.gov/media/in-the-news/morning-defense-shutdown-showdown-ahead	Morning Defense: Shutdown showdown ahead	2018-12-17	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Anthony Brown	B001304	anthonybrown.house.gov			legacy	TOP NEWS:A partial government shutdown looms at midnight Friday, but not for DoD and the VA ON POLITICO:HASC's Brown questions unprecedented' wall funding scheme SHUTDOWN SHOWDOWN AHEAD:The Departments of Defense and VA and much of the rest of the federal government are fully funded through the end of this fiscal year on Sept. 30. But funding for nearly a third of the government, including the Department of Homeland Security, runs out a midnight Friday, unless Congress and the president act. So far, there's no plan. On Sunday, White House senior adviser Stephen Millersaid the Trump administration would do whatever is necessary to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, even if it means shutting down the government,reportsour colleague Connor O'Brien. EXCLUSIVE DOC HASC'S BROWN QUESTIONS UNPRECEDENTED' WALL FUNDING SCHEME:Rep.Anthony Brown, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, is asking the Defense Department to describe the proprieties and impact of using emergency funds or authorities to build a wall on U.S.-Mexico border. Using emergency executive authority, typically reserved for wartime, would be unprecedented, the Maryland Democrat writes ina letterto Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, provided to Morning D. Additionally, Brown asks how using military construction funds to help build the wall would impact the military's nearly $10 billion project backlog.	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://anthonybrown.house.gov/media/in-the-news/who-would-feel-pain-if-there-government-shutdown	Who would feel the pain if there is a government shutdown?	2018-12-17	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Anthony Brown	B001304	anthonybrown.house.gov			legacy	WASHINGTON With the White House and Congress digging in on differences over funding for a border wall, there's growing anxiety among D.C.-area lawmakers and federal workers that a partial government shutdown could begin this weekend. Part of the federal government will shut down Friday at midnight unless an agreement on a new spending plan is reached. Democratic staff for the Senate Appropriations Committee have estimated the shutdown would affect more than 800,000 federal workers, including at least 420,000 who would be working without pay. Look, it's demoralizing. It really is, said Rep. Anthony Brown, a Democrat who represents more than 50,000 federal workers in Maryland's 4th District, which includes parts of Prince George's and Anne Arundel counties. The shutdown would go into effect just days before Christmas. Brown said he understands the nervousness of those who rely on a federal paycheck. Given the timing of this, it creates a considerable amount of anxiety for families, particularly those who work for the federal government, Brown said in an interview with WTOP. More than 280,000 federal workers are employed in D.C. and the Maryland and Virginia suburbs. Brown and others point out that the workers also have a broader impact on the region's economy. Shutdown would impact major federal agencies About 75 percent of the federal government has been funded by Congress. But appropriations have not been completed for several agencies, including the following departments: Agriculture, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Justice, and Transportation. Also incomplete is funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which includes the most-sensitive issue related to the budget impasse: a border wall. President Trump wants $5 billion for a border wall, while Democrats say they will spend no more than $1.6 billion for border security. The president indicated little desire to compromise on border wall funding in a tweet on Monday. Democrats have suggested a continuing resolution for DHS, essentiall…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://anthonybrown.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-brown-degrading-readiness-and-diverting-support-warfighter-wall	Congressman Brown: Degrading Readiness And Diverting Support For The Warfighter To The Wall Would Be Dangerous and Unprecedented	2018-12-17	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Anthony Brown	B001304	anthonybrown.house.gov			legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04) sent a letter to Department of Defense Secretary James N. Mattis outlining his concerns about the President's assertion that the military could build his border wall. In the letter, the Congressman argues that, while the President has significant discretion in determining a state of national emergency diverting funding from our military to a project of limited value to our national security is dangerous during a time when we face competition from major adversaries. Over the last two years, Democrats and Republicans have achieved bipartisan consensus to significantly increase funding for the Department of Defense and provide greater budget certainty. The Congressman believes any effort to use already-appropriated Defense funding would face serious obstacles in Congress, and would undermine much of the bipartisan progress that has been made to increase readiness, support the warfighter, and improve leathility. Congressman Brown also concludes that the use of emergency executive authority typically reserved for times of war in order to access unlimited funding for the wall would be unprecedented. The text of the letter can be found below. +++ Dear Secretary Mattis: I write to you with my concerns regarding assertions from the Department of Defense that the Pentagon could fund construction of the President's border wall in support of counter drug operations or a national emergency. While the President has significant discretion in determining a state of national emergency diverting funding from our military to a project of limited value to our national security is dangerous during a time when we face competition from major adversaries. Over the last two years, Democrats and Republicans have achieved bipartisan consensus to significantly increase funding for the Department of Defense and provide greater budget certainty. We have supported the warfighter in a bipartisan manner at every opportunity we have had, and have made critical investments in…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://anthonybrown.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=258	Congressman Brown: Degrading Readiness And Diverting Support For The Warfighter To The Wall Would Be Dangerous and Unprecedented	2018-12-17	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Anthony Brown	B001304	anthonybrown.house.gov			legacy		0	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cummings.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/new-york-times-magazine-these-democrats-will-soon-have-power-investigate	New York Times Magazine: These Democrats Will Soon Have the Power to Investigate the White House. How Far Will They Go?	2018-12-17	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Elijah Cummings	C000984	cummings.house.gov			legacy	At noon on Jan. 3, the 435 members of the House of Representatives of the 116th Congress will convene for the first time in the Capitol. The chaplain will offer a prayer, the clerk will lead the chamber in the Pledge of Allegiance and a roll-call vote will be held to elect Nancy Pelosi speaker of the House. Then the new speaker will grasp the gavel and swear in the representatives-elect their right hands raised, some of them clutching Bibles or Torahs or Qurans in their left. There will be speeches and family photos and, among the Democrats, who will now be in the majority, much celebration. But before any of that happens, Representative Elijah Cummings will have sent out letters. One letter will have been jointly addressed to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker, demanding the age, gender, country of origin and current location of every child who was separated from his or her parents under the Trump administration's immigration policy. Another will have gone to Pat Cipollone, the White House counsel, asking for the identities of any senior White House officials who have used as Hillary Clinton once did nongovernment email accounts to conduct official business. The White House chief of staff will have received a letter, also addressed to the heads of multiple federal agencies, requesting information and documents about the use of government-owned aircraft for personal travel and private aircraft for official travel. Outside the government, the Trump Organization will have received one asking for a complete accounting of all the payments it has received from foreign governments or foreign-government-owned entities since Donald Trump's election. Each letter will have been written on stationery bearing the seal of the House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and signed with Cummings's looping signature over the word: Chairman-designate. Elected to the House in 1996, Cummings, 67, repres…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/midday-newsmaker-rep-john-sarbanes-on-reforming-american-democracy	Midday Newsmaker: Rep. John Sarbanes, on Reforming American Democracy	2018-12-17	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	John Sarbanes	S001168	sarbanes.house.gov			legacy	For nearly two years,Sarbaneshas chaired theHouse Democracy Reform Task Force,a group of legislators seeking to minimize the influence of special interests on elections. He is the principle author ofH.R. 1, a bill that addresses ethics and campaign finance reform as well as voting rights protections. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who will likely be the new Speaker of the House, said the bill will be the first order of business when the House reconvenes on January 3rd, 2019.	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-pruitt-conflicts-industry-capture-of-trump-administration-renders-epas-proposed-methane-rule-invalid	Senators: Pruitt Conflicts, Industry Capture of Trump Administration Renders EPAs Proposed Methane Rule Invalid	2018-12-17	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Chris Van Hollen	V000128	www.vanhollen.senate.gov			legacy	December 17, 2018 Senators: Pruitt Conflicts, Industry Capture of Trump Administration Renders EPA's Proposed Methane Rule Invalid Former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt lacked a sufficiently open mind to legally preside over changes to vital protections against the powerful greenhouse gas methane; his involvement in the proposal to tear down those protections violated federal ethics rules; and that proposal amounts to an egregious hand-over of an agency's rulemaking authority to an industry the same agency regulates. That is what Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) write in an official comment submitted to the EPA today on a Trump proposal to water down methane pollution requirements for oil and gas companies. The proposed rule would result in substantially higher emissions of the potent heat-trapping gas from oil and gas facilities. The senators also document efforts by officials at the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), apparently at the behest of their political leadership, to weaken further the proposed standard. OIRA repeatedly overruled the advice of EPA technical experts. OIRA Administrator Neomi Rao has a long history of working at institutions funded by the Koch brothers, whose company would directly benefit from the proposed rule. The senators write, The extreme and well-documented regulatory capture of the Trump EPA is evidence that it has effectively delegated its authority to the industries that have captured it, in particular, the fossil fuel industry. There is no substantive difference between an agency explicitly telling a company or industry to write a rule for it, and an agency telling a company or industry that it will write whatever rule the company or industry wants. Like Scott Pruitt's Devon Energy letter, the substance is all industry, whatever the letterhead, and the public interest is ignored. While Pru…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/the-democratic-house-is-taking-on-ethics-reform-first-we-need-it	The Democratic House Is Taking on Ethics Reform First. We Need It.	2018-12-15	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	John Sarbanes	S001168	sarbanes.house.gov			legacy	House Democrats won a majority in the next Congress not because they are unified behind Medicare-for-all they are not or because they favor an infrastructure plan which President Trump does, too. They won in some previously GOP-friendly areas because they promised an alternative to Mr. Trump's undignified, cynical behavior.... They appear to have received voters' message. Thefirst major actionthe new Democratic majorityplans to takenext year is not the embrace of a left-wing ideological hobby horse, but an ambitious plan to tighten up the nation's democratic procedures, combat big money in politics and enhance political ethics rules. Senate Republicans may balk at the bill, set to be the first filed in the House next year. But they will have a hard time explaining why....A proposal that reflects these priorities would not be some loony left-wing monstrosity. Most if not all of these reforms should be bipartisan. If H.R. 1 turns out to be nothing more than a messaging bill, it will reflect more on the opponents who blocked it than on the new Democratic majority pushing it forward.	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sarbanes-statement-on-latest-gop-assault-on-americans-access-to	Sarbanes Statement on Latest GOP Assault on Americans Access to Affordable Health Care	2018-12-15	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	John Sarbanes	S001168	sarbanes.house.gov			legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) released the following statement after a Texas district court judge struck down the Affordable Care Act (ACA): After many failed attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act in Congress, two losing efforts to undermine the law through the Supreme Court and a historic midterm election where the American people overwhelmingly rejected Republicans' repeated attacks on people with pre-exiting conditions, the GOP has once again turned to absurd legal challenges in order to tear away health insurance from millions of Americans and throw the health insurance marketplace into disarray. This ideological, meanspirited and wrongheaded court decision must be immediately appealed. While the GOP's harmful, last-ditch attempt to weaken the ACA continues to play out in the courts, I will join House Democrats in taking swift and methodical action to protect Americans with pre-existing conditions, increase access to health insurance and lower the costs of premiums for American families. ###	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://anthonybrown.house.gov/media/in-the-news/rep-brown-discuss-army-initiative-stem-related-fields	Rep. Brown to discuss Army initiative on STEM-related fields	2018-12-14	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Anthony Brown	B001304	anthonybrown.house.gov			legacy	BALTIMORE Maryland Rep. Anthony Brown is scheduled to discuss a U.S. Army initiative to expose more young people to fields related to science, technology, engineering and math in national security. Brown will be joined by Under Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy for the event at City Hall in Baltimore. Mayor Catherine Pugh and Baltimore City Council President Jack Young also are scheduled to attend a meeting with Brown and McCarthy. They will discuss how to better engage more diverse communities in Baltimore and Maryland and strengthen relationships with local community leaders.	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://anthonybrown.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-brown-under-secretary-army-ryan-mccarthy-baltimore-city-mayor	Congressman Brown, Under Secretary Of The Army Ryan McCarthy, Baltimore City Mayor Catherine Pugh, Baltimore City Council President Jack Young Discuss Community Engagement And STEM Opportunities In Baltimore	2018-12-14	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Anthony Brown	B001304	anthonybrown.house.gov			legacy	The Armed Forces have a critical role to play in communities across the country to uplift those who can and should be achieving in STEM fields, receiving lucrative scholarships, and revolutionizing our defense industries, said Congressman Anthony Brown. This is the beginning of a longer conversation about how we diversify our leadership pipelines, and prepare more young people for public service, service in our armed forces, and a larger role in fields that enhance our national security One of Under Secretary McCarthy's top priorities is Connecting to America, an outreach campaign to foster relationships with local leaders and community stakeholders to bridge the knowledge gap between the Army and the American people. To overcome this gap, the Under Secretary will continue to work with local politicians and community leaders on better engaging localities and illustrating the benefits of military service. I want to thank Baltimore City Mayor Pugh, Congressman Brown, and Baltimore City Council President Young for their time, frank discussion, and for hosting us today in the great city of Baltimore, said Under Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy. Being able to communicate the value of service is an opportunity we appreciate and I sincerely look forward to future discussions. Closer partnerships with the Army present important opportunities for communities in Baltimore to have another source of investment in education, particularly in STEM fields. As the Army looks to reinvest in JROTC programs and other educational opportunities, it is critical this growth is inclusive and promotes greater diversity in the Army and defense industry. Our most urgent and important priority is to clear pathways for our young people and to put them in positions to reach their higher aspirations, said Mayor Catherine E. Pugh. We look forward to continued conversations with our federal and military partners around career development and leadership training for our young people that will enable them to access opportunities in public s…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://anthonybrown.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=257	Congressman Brown, Under Secretary Of The Army Ryan McCarthy, Baltimore City Mayor Catherine Pugh, Baltimore City Council President Jack Young Discuss Community Engagement And STEM Opportunities In Baltimore	2018-12-14	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Anthony Brown	B001304	anthonybrown.house.gov			legacy		0	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://raskin.house.gov/media/press-releases/maryland-federal-delegation-receives-91-million-commitment-csx-howard-street	MARYLAND FEDERAL DELEGATION RECEIVES $91 MILLION COMMITMENT FROM CSX FOR HOWARD STREET TUNNEL PROJECT	2018-12-14	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Jamie Raskin	R000606	raskin.house.gov			legacy	(WASHINGTON, D.C.) U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Baltimore Mayor Catherine E. Pugh and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Elijah E. Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger, Andy P. Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown and Jamie B. Raskin, met Thursday at the U.S. Capitol with CSX CEO Jim Foote to discuss a path forward on replacing the Howard Street Tunnel, which has widely been described as ancient. The meeting comes almost exactly one year after Foote met with the Maryland delegation to review why the project had been abandoned by the former CEO. During today's meeting, Foote laid out the research done by CSX personnel over the last year and committed to re-engage in the project with $91 million toward the overall cost. We are pleased that CSX has reversed its position on the Howard Street Tunnel project and is once again supportive and willing to participate, said Senator Cardin. Replacement of the Howard Street Tunnel is in the economic interest of Baltimore and the region, as well as safety for the immediate area. It's now incumbent on all stakeholders federal, state, local and others in the private-sector who would benefit from this project to come together to update the finance plan for getting this done in the most efficient and safe manner possible. The Howard Street Tunnel is central to the success of the Port of Baltimore and the region's economy. We were deeply concerned when CSX appeared to be walking away from the deal to expand the tunnel, and we're pleased to hear they're back at the negotiating table and are committing $91 million to the project. We will remain in close contact with all of the partners in this critical project to ensure we are able to move goods and freight across the state to support our workers and our economy, said Senator Van Hollen. I am grateful to the CSX leadership for recognizing how vital it is that we create a new Howard Street Tunnel once and for all, said Mayor Pugh. We can no longer neglect essential infrastructure improvements in our City and we welcome thi…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://raskin.house.gov/media/press-releases/ruppersberger-raskin-statement-following-inadvertent-lockdown-walter-reed	Ruppersberger, Raskin Statement Following Inadvertent Lockdown at Walter Reed Campus Last Month	2018-12-14	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Jamie Raskin	R000606	raskin.house.gov			legacy	(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Congressmen C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02) and Jamie Raskin (MD-08) issued the following statement after meeting with Naval officials Tuesday to discuss the events that led to an 80-minute active shooter lockdown at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center campus on November 27th. Congressman Ruppersberger was on campus that day and experienced the resulting panic and confusion first-hand. Congressman Raskin represents Walter Reed. This week, we were provided with a detailed timeline that suggests a Service Member assigned to a tenant on the Naval Support Activity Bethesda campus inadvertently sent messages stating Exercise Active Shooter and Exercise Suspicious Package to nearly 4,000 people via an emergency alert system that sends voice call, text and email notifications. The Service Member, who we were told had not been properly trained to use the system, intended for the messages to go to only a small group in preparation for a future drill. About 15 minutes after the alert was sent, a clerk at the front desk of the oncology unit located in the basement of Building 19 reported receiving several automated telephone messages stating active shooter. The clerk reported they did not hear the words exercise or drill. The report set into motion pre-planned responses for an active shooter event, focusing on Building 19. Our concerns center on the welfare of the patients at Walter Reed many of which are veterans suffering from PTSD and brain injuries as well as the conflicting messaging coming from the various social media accounts of responding agencies. After a lengthy discussion, we are satisfied that Naval officials share our concerns and are taking proactive steps to correct deficiencies identified during this event. Among other measures, they include: Reevaluating who can authorize users of the alert system and who can release messages on that system; updating training requirements before anyone is granted access to the system; setting new controls to prevent a test from trigg…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://ruppersberger.house.gov/newsroom/editorials/baltimore-sun-farm-bill-vote-broke-my-heart	Baltimore Sun: Farm Bill Vote Broke My Heart	2018-12-14	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger	R000576	ruppersberger.house.gov			legacy	There are tough votes, and then there are votes that break your heart. My vote yesterday in support of a procedural rule to advance what's known as the Farm Bill was one that broke my heart. That's because members of the Republican Party's most conservative wing with the approval of House Speaker Paul Ryan snuck in a last-minute provision that would make it harder for Congress to end U.S. support of the Saudi coalition at war with Yemen. A war that is causing unspeakable suffering for the innocent people of Yemen. The first question I got after the vote was this: What does the Farm Bill have to do with Yemen? The answer is nothing. But this is what you get when poison pills or unrelated policy riders are allowed to be absorbed into otherwise agreeable bills. The Farm Bill was a solid compromise between both parties and both chambers of Congress. After it passed, both Democrats and Republicans alike hailed it as a bipartisan achievement that will do great things for our country, funding priorities like combating the opioid crisis, expanding bioenergy efforts and reducing agricultural pollution. Most importantly, it funds our country's nutrition assistance program called SNAP or food stamps that 48.6 million Americans rely on for their next meal, including 250,000 Marylanders. Ultimately, the Farm Bill succeeded with a huge bipartisan majority. But the Republicans and Democrats now congratulating themselves on this victory would not have had the opportunity to support and pass the Farm Bill if I and four other Democrats had not supported the Yemen rider Republicans decided to make a prerequisite for a vote. Without a rule, the vote would not have taken place. Many Americans could have gone hungry. And the war in Yemen could have still continued. Let me be clear: to end the war in Yemen, Congress would still need to pass the concurrent resolution authored by Rep. Ro Khanna withdrawing U.S. military support a resolution that I am proudly cosponsoring. There's no guarantee that this resolution would pass. In fa…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://ruppersberger.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/maryland-federal-delegation-receives-91-million-commitment-from-csx-for	Maryland Federal Delegation Receives $91 Million Commitment from CSX for Howard Street Tunnel Project	2018-12-14	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger	R000576	ruppersberger.house.gov			legacy	WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Baltimore Mayor Catherine E. Pugh and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Elijah E. Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger, Andy P. Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown and Jamie B. Raskin, met Thursday at the U.S. Capitol with CSX CEO Jim Foote to discuss a path forward on replacing the Howard Street Tunnel, which has widely been described as ancient. The meeting comes almost exactly one year after Foote met with the Maryland delegation to review why the project had been abandoned by the former CEO. During today's meeting, Foote laid out the research done by CSX personnel over the last year and committed to re-engage in the project with $91 million toward the overall cost. We are pleased that CSX has reversed its position on the Howard Street Tunnel project and is once again supportive and willing to participate, said Senator Cardin. Replacement of the Howard Street Tunnel is in the economic interest of Baltimore and the region, as well as safety for the immediate area. It's now incumbent on all stakeholders federal, state, local and others in the private-sector who would benefit from this project to come together to update the finance plan for getting this done in the most efficient and safe manner possible. The Howard Street Tunnel is central to the success of the Port of Baltimore and the region's economy. We were deeply concerned when CSX appeared to be walking away from the deal to expand the tunnel, and we're pleased to hear they're back at the negotiating table and are committing $91 million to the project. We will remain in close contact with all of the partners in this critical project to ensure we are able to move goods and freight across the state to support our workers and our economy, said Senator Van Hollen. I am grateful to the CSX leadership for recognizing how vital it is that we create a new Howard Street Tunnel once and for all, said Mayor Pugh. We can no longer neglect essential infrastructure improvements in our City and we welcome this partn…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/big-washington-clean-up-bill-leads-house-democrats-list	Big Washington Clean-Up Bill Leads House Democrats' List	2018-12-14	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	John Sarbanes	S001168	sarbanes.house.gov			legacy	When the Democrats take over the U.S. House of Representatives in three weeks, their first order of business is expected to be a wide-ranging bill about political corruption, voter disenfranchisement and cleaning up campaign finance. H.R. 1 is about putting a positive set of reforms out there to fix some of the systemic problems we have, said Democratic Representative John Sarbanes, who is leading the effort. The bill is expected to be introduced soon after the 2019-20 Congress convenes on Jan. 3, with hearings to follow. House committees will prepare separate segments of the bill for a House floor vote, due within the first 100 days of 2019.	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/from-day-one-democrats-will-fight-to-restore-ethics-to-politics	From Day One, Democrats Will Fight to Restore Ethics to Politics	2018-12-14	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	John Sarbanes	S001168	sarbanes.house.gov			legacy	As we speak with newly elected members of Congress from across the country, we hear one loud, clear, and consistent refrain that many of them decided to run for office to restore faith in our democratic institutions and return us to a government of, by, and for the people.... Democratic leadership in Congress has heard this call too, and has stated unequivocally that the veryfirst order of businessin the 116th Congress will be to introduce and pass a comprehensive reform bill that will diminish the role of money in politics, restore ethics and integrity to our government, and make sure that every American has access to the ballot box.... On Election Day, Americans held a referendum on the kind of government they want to see. Voters here in Pennsylvania and across the country made clear they want to reestablish the shared ideals that have served as the bedrock of our democracy for more than two centuries. They want to end the corrosive influence of wealthy donors and well-connected special interests. They want public servants to serve the public, not strive for self-enrichment. And they want to make it easier, not harder, to vote....To the people of Pennsylvania and all Americans, we have heard your calls for change, and Democrats stand ready to give you the government you deserve.	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-van-hollen-announce-41-million-for-lead-hazard-reduction-in-baltimore	Cardin, Van Hollen Announce $4.1 Million for Lead Hazard Reduction in Baltimore	2018-12-14	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Benjamin Cardin	C000141	www.cardin.senate.gov			legacy	December 14, 2018 Cardin, Van Hollen Announce $4.1 Million for Lead Hazard Reduction in Baltimore WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.)today announced $4.1 million in federal funding to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in Baltimore City housing units. The funding, awarded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), will allow the City to address lead hazards in 250 housing units, providing safer homes for low-income families. Baltimore City will also use the funding to perform healthy homes assessments to identify lead and other housing hazards. There is no safe level of lead exposure, so identifying and removing any trace of it in our homes is a matter of public health, said Senator Cardin, a senior member of the Environment and Public Works Committee. These funds will go a long way toward ensuring that we meet our first and most important obligation: keeping Maryland families safe. I'll keep fighting hard for the resources all our communities need to eliminate lead from their homes, whether in their paint or in their water. No family should have to worry about their children being poisoned by the water they drink or the paint where they live not in Maryland or anywhere else in our country. With this funding, we are significantly reducing the risk to our communities and improving the standard of living for Baltimore residents, said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. I will keep fighting to ensure continued federal investment in Maryland's safety and success. To carry out these efforts, Baltimore City will work with the Baltimore City Housing Department, Park Heights Renaissance, Rose Street Community Center, Belair-Edison Neighborhoods, Inc., and Druid Heights Community Development Corporation. The City received $3.5 million from HUD's Lead Based Paint Hazard Reduction grant program, which aims to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in privately owned housing for rental or ow…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-cardin-announce-41-million-for-lead-hazard-reduction-in-baltimore	Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $4.1 Million for Lead Hazard Reduction in Baltimore	2018-12-14	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Chris Van Hollen	V000128	www.vanhollen.senate.gov			legacy	December 14, 2018 Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $4.1 Million for Lead Hazard Reduction in Baltimore Today, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) announced $4.1 million in federal funding to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in Baltimore City housing units. The funding, awarded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), will allow the City to address lead hazards in 250 housing units, providing safer homes for low-income families. Baltimore City will also use the funding to perform healthy homes assessments to identify lead and other housing hazards. No family should have to worry about their children being poisoned by the water they drink or thepaintwhere they live not in Maryland or anywhere else in our country. With this funding, we are significantly reducing the risk to our communities and improving the standard of living for Baltimore residents,said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. I will keep fighting to ensure continued federal investment in Maryland's safety and success. There is no safe level of lead exposure, so identifying and removing any trace of it in our homes is a matter of public health, said Senator Cardin, a senior member of the Environment and Public Works Committee. These funds will go a long way toward ensuring that we meet our first and most important obligation: keeping Maryland families safe. I'll keep fighting hard for the resources all our communities need to eliminate lead from their homes, whether in their paint or in their water. To carry out these efforts, Baltimore City will work with the Baltimore City Housing Department, Park Heights Renaissance, Rose Street Community Center, Belair-Edison Neighborhoods, Inc., and Druid Heights Community Development Corporation. The City received $3.5 million from HUD's Lead Based Paint Hazard Reduction grant program, which aims to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in privately owned housing for rental or owner-occupants. Additionally…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-klobuchar-duckworth-press-gm-for-answers-on-taxes-and-layoffs	Van Hollen, Klobuchar, Duckworth Press GM for Answers on Taxes and Layoffs	2018-12-14	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Chris Van Hollen	V000128	www.vanhollen.senate.gov			legacy	December 14, 2018 Van Hollen, Klobuchar, Duckworth Press GM for Answers on Taxes and Layoffs Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) wrote a letter to General Motors (GM) Chairman and CEO Mary Barra seeking answers on how GM is affected by new incentives for offshoring that were created by the Republican tax law and pressing GM to eliminate future stock buybacks, in light of recently announced layoffs in the United States. In addition to their letter, Senators Van Hollen and Duckworth have cosponsored Senator Klobuchar's Removing Incentives for Outsourcing Act which eliminates these offshoring incentives by applying the foreign minimum tax on a country-by-country basis and repealing the exemption from that tax for foreign asset ownership. The Senators wrote, We are deeply concerned about the recent actions by General Motors Company (GM) to close factories in the United States, at the same time that GM is expanding production in Mexico and buying back its own stock. We are writing to request information about how GM may be benefiting from new tax incentives for offshoring that were created by the 2017 tax act, and to ask that GM cancel further stock buybacks. They urged, Therefore, we are calling on you to release your country-by-country financial reports. We need to understand how much GM can reduce its tax rate by expanding operations overseas while it closes factories here in the United States. This requires country-by-country information on GM's profits, taxes, employees, and tangible assets. The Senators continued, Furthermore, we ask that GM cancel its planned stock buybacks. These buybacks make no sense, since GM's stated purpose for closing factories is to free up cash flow for investments in electric and autonomous vehicles. GM has spent $10.6 billion on stock buybacks since 2015, and plans to continue these buybacks until it has spent $14 billion. These buybacks give a windfall to GM's executives and stockholders, while diverting …	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://anthonybrown.house.gov/media/in-the-news/hogans-plan-new-redskins-stadium-parkland-maryland-faces-hurdles-opposition	Hogan's plan for new Redskins stadium on parkland in Maryland faces hurdles, opposition	2018-12-13	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Anthony Brown	B001304	anthonybrown.house.gov			legacy	Opposition is mounting in the Democratic-controlled Maryland legislature to Gov. Larry Hogan's proposal for a new Redskins stadium in a park overlooking the Potomac River in Prince George's County. House of Delegates Speaker Michael Busch said Thursday he is opposed to spending taxpayer money on infrastructure for a new stadium when the state has more pressing needs, such as increasing school funding. Busch's opposition isn't the only hurdle for Hogan's plan for the 300-acre site at Oxon Cove Park. State lawmakers are submitting legislation to block the move; the Washington Redskins are exploring other sites; a federal environmental study is needed, and both the General Assembly and the U.S. Congress would have to approve various aspects of the deal. In an interview at the State House, Busch said providing infrastructure work for a new Redskins stadium could prove costly. I don't know who's going to vote for that, Busch said of Hogan's statement that the state could maybe pay for the necessary infrastructure improvements. He can't pay for the infrastructure he's already promised people. Hogan has been pushing a parkland swap with federal officials in an effort to identify a site in Maryland where a new Redskins stadium could be built. He proposes that Maryland get federal property at Oxon Cove Park in Prince George's, which it would offer the team. The state would turn over unspecified land in Western Maryland for a battlefield monument federal officials want to create there. The governor and new Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks have been working to try to keep the team in the county, even as the Redskins consider sites in Washington and Virginia, as well. The Republican governor this week touted the potential of a stadium at Oxon Cove Park. He called the site beautiful and wonderful and argued that it is underutilized. Operated by the National Park Service, the park includes 512 acres, a farm museum, bike paths and trails. But Busch said he sees no reason for the Redskins to leave their locatio…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://anthonybrown.house.gov/media/in-the-news/howard-street-tunnel-expansion-back-track-csx-gives-91m-commitment	Howard Street Tunnel Expansion Back On Track, CSX Gives $91M Commitment	2018-12-13	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Anthony Brown	B001304	anthonybrown.house.gov			legacy	BALTIMORE (WJZ) The Howard Street Tunnel expansion is back ontrackafter the railroad CSX Transportation reversed its decision to pull out of the project. They have now committed $91 million toward it, Maryland officials confirmed Thursday. U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh and Congressmen Steny Hoyer, Elijah Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger, Andy Harris, Anthony Brown and Jamie Raskin, met Thursday at the U.S. Capitol with CSXCEOJim Foote to discuss a path to replace the Howard Street Tunnel. The meeting came almost a year after Foote met with the Maryland delegation toreviewwhy the project had been abandoned by the former CEO. Senator Ben Cardin said the delegation was pleased at CSX's reversal on the project. We are pleased that CSX has reversed its position on the Howard Street Tunnel project and is once again supportive and willing to participate,said Senator Cardin. Replacement of the Howard Street Tunnel is in the economic interest of Baltimore and the region, as well as safety for the immediate area. It's now incumbent on all stakeholders federal, state, local and others in the private-sector who would benefit from this project to come together to update the finance plan for getting this done in the most efficient and safe manner possible. Cardin said. Built in the 1890s, it was the longest tunnel in the B&O railroadsystem, brick-lined with iron-arched centerings. The Howard Street Tunnel is on the National Register of Historic Places, but in modern day usefulness, it's considered the choke point on the I-95 of CSX Transportation.Freight trains can only get cargo containers through one car at a time, putting the Port of Baltimore at a competitive disadvantage. The tunnel gained national attention in 2001 with a train derailment and fire that interrupted freight traffic on the East Coast. The project looked to be officially over after CSX withdrew its support, causing state officials to cancel a request for $155 million in federal money for the proje…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/republicans-who-slap-voters-in-the-face-may-be-in-for-a-nasty-surprise	Republicans Who Slap Voters in the Face May Be in for a Nasty Surprise	2018-12-13	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	John Sarbanes	S001168	sarbanes.house.gov			legacy	Republicans in Michigan and Wisconsin who havemoved aggressivelyto steamroll voters and strip power from incoming Democratic officials appear confident that they will pay no political price, and manyanalysts seem to concur.... But that assumption overlooks two powerful lessons from the recent midterms: One, that gerrymanderingcan backfire, particularly when the political winds shift dramatically. And two, that voters are increasingly fed up with assaults on democracy....In the recent midterms, several Democrats won in strongly GOP districts gerrymandered for Republicans, including theEighthand11thDistricts of Michigan, theFirst Districtof South Carolina, theFifth Districtof Oklahoma, and theSeventhand32ndDistricts of Texas. House Democrats in part credit their anti-corruption platform, andhave pledged to approve HR 1, a reform package built on voting rights, campaign finance, redistricting, and ethics changes, as their first order of business in January.... It's folks from across the political spectrum who are demanding this, said Maryland Democrat John Sarbanes, who chairs the House's Democracy Reform Task Force, at a Capitol Hill press conference last month. It's not just Democrats. It's independents, it's Republicans.	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/12/13/2018/senate-passes-cardin-young-bipartisan-bill-to-bolster-us-leadership-in-genocide-and-atrocity-prevention	Senate Passes Cardin, Young Bipartisan Bill to Bolster U.S. Leadership in Genocide and Atrocity Prevention	2018-12-13	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Benjamin Cardin	C000141	www.cardin.senate.gov			legacy	December 13, 2018 Senate Passes Cardin, Young Bipartisan Bill to Bolster U.S. Leadership in Genocide and Atrocity Prevention WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee,lauded Senate passage by unanimous consent Wednesday of bipartisan legislation to bolster U.S. government efforts to prevent genocideand other human rights atrocities around the world. This bill, named in honor of the courageous, inspiring Holocaust survivor and Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, strengthens the U.S. government's infrastructure to prevent, mitigate, and respond to genocide and other mass atrocities wherever they may occur. The Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act (S. 1158) would establish a Mass Atrocities Task Force within the State Department to adequately monitor, analyze and address atrocities worldwide by coordinating multiple agencies across the U.S. government; identifying gaps in U.S. policy; and consulting with NGOs and other groups dedicated to atrocity prevention. The bill also recommends that the Director of National Intelligence include atrocity crime information in their annual report to Congress on U.S. national security threats, and authorizes training for U.S. Foreign Service Officers in recognizing and reporting on early signs of atrocities and transitional justice measures. America's strength around the world is rooted in our values. It is in our national interest to ensure that the United States utilizes the full arsenal of diplomatic, economic, and legal tools to take meaningful action before atrocities occur, said Senator Cardin. Earlier this month, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum identified Burmese military actions against the Rohingya as genocide. From Burma to Iraq, South Sudan to Syria, atrocity crimes tragically persist all around the globe. The Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act will help ensure that United States can do a better job of responding earlier and more…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/maryland-federal-delegation-receives-91-million-commitment-from-csx-for-howard-street-tunnel-project	Maryland Federal Delegation Receives $91 Million Commitment from CSX for Howard Street Tunnel Project	2018-12-13	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Benjamin Cardin	C000141	www.cardin.senate.gov			legacy	December 13, 2018 Maryland Federal Delegation Receives $91 Million Commitment from CSX for Howard Street Tunnel Project As the Port of Baltimore continues to see record growth in international cargo value and volume, upgrading the Howard Street Tunnel, for both safety and capacity, has the potential to transform the economics of freight in the region WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Baltimore Mayor Catherine E. Pugh and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Elijah E. Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger, Andy P. Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown and Jamie B. Raskin, met Thursday at the U.S. Capitol with CSX CEO Jim Foote to discuss a path forward on replacing the Howard Street Tunnel, which has widely been described as ancient. The meeting comes almost exactly one year after Foote met with the Maryland delegation to review why the project had been abandoned by the former CEO. During today's meeting, Foote laid out the research done by CSX personnel over the last year and committed to re-engage in the project with $91 million toward the overall cost. We are pleased that CSX has reversed its position on the Howard Street Tunnel project and is once again supportive and willing to participate, said Senator Cardin. Replacement of the Howard Street Tunnel is in the economic interest of Baltimore and the region, as well as safety for the immediate area. It's now incumbent on all stakeholders federal, state, local and others in the private-sector who would benefit from this project to come together to update the finance plan for getting this done in the most efficient and safe manner possible. The Howard Street Tunnel is central to the success of the Port of Baltimore and the region's economy. We were deeply concerned when CSX appeared to be walking away from the deal to expand the tunnel, and we're pleased to hear they're back at the negotiating table and are committing $91 million…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/saying-americas-strength-is-in-our-values-cardin-says-us-saudi-relationship-can-endure-but-must-change	Saying America’s Strength is in Our Values, Cardin Says US-Saudi Relationship Can Endure but Must Change	2018-12-13	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Benjamin Cardin	C000141	www.cardin.senate.gov			legacy	December 13, 2018 Saying America's Strength is in Our Values, Cardin Says US-Saudi Relationship Can Endure but Must Change WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee,released the following statement after the full Senate approved Senate Joint Resolution 54, which would end unauthorized U.S. military support for the Saudi- and UAE-led intervention in Yemen. The Senate also approved a strong rebuke to Saudi Crown Prince Muhamad bin Salman, identifying him as responsible in the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. America's strength is in our values. Continuing to support the military campaign that has brought such suffering to the people of Yemen runs counter to our national interests, our partners and the cause of regional stability. With today's bipartisan vote, the Senate has sent a strong message in the defense of humanity. America also cannot stand by as strongmen and dictators commit heinous crimes, assuming they can use their power and influence to hold them harmless. That may work with the president, but the Senate, speaking on behalf of the American people, made it clear today that we will not allow such crimes to go unchecked. America's strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia, including the mutual desire to prevent the expansion of Iranian influence and terrorist groups who seek to do us harm, is not helped by our military involvement in the Yemen conflict, our military support to Saudi Arabia, or allowing the individual ultimately responsible for the death of Jamal Khashoggi to walk away without consequences. The U.S. relationship with Saudi Arabia must change. Arms sales cannot come at the expense of human rights, mass atrocities, regional destabilization, or the calculated murder of a political opponent. In Yemen, Saudi Arabia has shown a total disregard for international law by leveling devastating attacks on civilians, including young children. The Saudi handling of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi was …	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/senate-passes-cardin-young-bipartisan-bill-to-bolster-us-leadership-in-genocide-and-atrocity-prevention	Senate Passes Cardin, Young Bipartisan Bill to Bolster U.S. Leadership in Genocide and Atrocity Prevention	2018-12-13	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Benjamin Cardin	C000141	www.cardin.senate.gov			legacy	December 13, 2018 Senate Passes Cardin, Young Bipartisan Bill to Bolster U.S. Leadership in Genocide and Atrocity Prevention WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee,lauded Senate passage by unanimous consent Wednesday of bipartisan legislation to bolster U.S. government efforts to prevent genocideand other human rights atrocities around the world. This bill, named in honor of the courageous, inspiring Holocaust survivor and Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, strengthens the U.S. government's infrastructure to prevent, mitigate, and respond to genocide and other mass atrocities wherever they may occur. The Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act (S. 1158) would establish a Mass Atrocities Task Force within the State Department to adequately monitor, analyze and address atrocities worldwide by coordinating multiple agencies across the U.S. government; identifying gaps in U.S. policy; and consulting with NGOs and other groups dedicated to atrocity prevention. The bill also recommends that the Director of National Intelligence include atrocity crime information in their annual report to Congress on U.S. national security threats, and authorizes training for U.S. Foreign Service Officers in recognizing and reporting on early signs of atrocities and transitional justice measures. America's strength around the world is rooted in our values. It is in our national interest to ensure that the United States utilizes the full arsenal of diplomatic, economic, and legal tools to take meaningful action before atrocities occur, said Senator Cardin. Earlier this month, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum identified Burmese military actions against the Rohingya as genocide. From Burma to Iraq, South Sudan to Syria, atrocity crimes tragically persist all around the globe. The Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act will help ensure that United States can do a better job of responding earlier and more…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/maryland-federal-delegation-receives-91-million-commitment-from-csx-for-howard-street-tunnel-project	Maryland Federal Delegation Receives $91 Million Commitment from CSX for Howard Street Tunnel Project	2018-12-13	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Chris Van Hollen	V000128	www.vanhollen.senate.gov			legacy	December 13, 2018 Maryland Federal Delegation Receives $91 Million Commitment from CSX for Howard Street Tunnel Project As the Port of Baltimore continues to see record growth in international cargo value and volume,upgrading the Howard Street Tunnel, for both safety and capacity, has the potential to transform the economics of freight in the region U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, along with Baltimore Mayor Catherine E. Pugh and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Elijah E. Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger, Andy P. Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown and Jamie B. Raskin, met Thursday at the U.S. Capitol with CSX CEO Jim Foote to discuss a path forward on replacing the Howard Street Tunnel, which has widely been described as ancient. The meeting comes almost exactly one year after Foote met with the Maryland delegation to review why the project had been abandoned by the former CEO. During today's meeting, Foote laid out the research done by CSX personnel over the last year and committed to re-engage in the project with $91 million toward the overall cost. The Howard Street Tunnel is central to the success of the Port of Baltimore and the region's economy. We were deeply concerned when CSX appeared to be walking away from the deal to expand the tunnel, and we're pleased to hear they're back at the negotiating table and are committing $91 million to the project. We will remain in close contact with all of the partners in this critical project to ensure we are able to move goods and freight across the state to support our workers and our economy,said Senator Van Hollen. We are pleased that CSX has reversed its position on the Howard Street Tunnel project and is once again supportive and willing to participate, said Senator Cardin. Replacement of the Howard Street Tunnel is in the economic interest of Baltimore and the region, as well as safety for the immediate area. It's now incumbent on all stakeholders federal, state, local and others in the private-sector who would benefit from this project to co…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-joins-senate-colleagues-in-calling-on-president-trump-to-preserve-nuclear-treaties	Van Hollen Joins Senate Colleagues in Calling on President Trump to Preserve Nuclear Treaties	2018-12-13	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Chris Van Hollen	V000128	www.vanhollen.senate.gov			legacy	December 13, 2018 Van Hollen Joins Senate Colleagues in Calling on President Trump to Preserve Nuclear Treaties Senators: Your Administration's Efforts to Double Down on New, Unnecessary Nuclear Weapons While Scrapping Mutually Beneficial Treaties Risks the United States Sliding Into Another Arms Race with Russia and Erodes U.S. Nonproliferation Efforts Around the World Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined a group of 26 Senators in urging President Trump to uphold the longstanding bipartisan consensus on nuclear arms control. The Senators' letter follows President Trump's alarming decision to develop new nuclear weapons while also moving to unilaterally abandon vitally important nuclear weapons treaties. The Senators called on the Trump administration to maintain our commitment to arms reduction by working with our allies to address Russia's violations of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty instead of unilaterally withdrawing from the Treaty, and by extending the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), which limits Russian nuclear weapons and provides the U.S. intelligence community with invaluable insights. Your administration's efforts to double down on new, unnecessary nuclear weapons while scrapping mutually beneficial treaties risks the United States sliding into another arms race with Russia and erodes U.S. nonproliferation efforts around the world, the Senators wrote to the President. A collapse of the INF Treaty and failure to renew New START would lead to the absence of verifiable limits on U.S. and Russian nuclear forces for the first time since the early 1970s. We ask you to reverse the recent course set by your administration and instead point our nation back towards stability. The letter is signed by U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-OR), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Thomas R. Carper (D-DE), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), …	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-secures-provisions-to-help-veteran-socially-disadvantaged-farmers-in-farm-bill	Van Hollen Secures Provisions to Help Veteran, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers in Farm Bill	2018-12-13	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Chris Van Hollen	V000128	www.vanhollen.senate.gov			legacy	December 13, 2018 Van Hollen Secures Provisions to Help Veteran, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers in Farm Bill Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) announced that much of his legislation to improve access to assistance for veteran and socially disadvantaged farmers has been included in the 2018 Farm Bill. The Senator's provisions, originally introduced in his Assist Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2018 would reauthorize, strengthen, and improve the Outreach to Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The 2018 Farm Bill also authorizes permanent mandatory funding for the Program, ensuring it has the investment it needs to serve people in Maryland and across the country. This week, the Farm Bill passed the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives it is now headed to the President's desk. Since 1990, the Outreach to Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program has served as the only USDA program dedicated to addressing the specific needs of veteran, African-American, American-Indian, Asian-American, and Latino family farmers and ranchers. Through this program, the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore has received more than $1 million in funding for outreach and assistance to farmers on the Eastern Shore since 2003. Whether you're coming off the battlefield or trying to launch a new career, starting and operating a farm isn't easy. This program helps veterans and underserved populations get the training and support they need to succeed. We want to expand America's farming opportunities, and this is an important tool to accomplish that, said Senator Van Hollen. I was pleased to introduce this legislation and to work with my colleagues to secure these provisions in the Farm Bill. The Outreach to Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program at USDA has been the primary tool to help our nation's underserved producers gain access to USDA services. The program is a…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-warren-ask-senate-banking-committee-to-investigate-deutsche-bank	Van Hollen, Warren Ask Senate Banking Committee to Investigate Deutsche Bank	2018-12-13	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Chris Van Hollen	V000128	www.vanhollen.senate.gov			legacy	December 13, 2018 Van Hollen, Warren Ask Senate Banking Committee to Investigate Deutsche Bank Today U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), both members of the Senate Banking Committee, wrote to Chairman Crapo asking the Banking Committee to launch a detailed, bipartisan investigation into Deutsche Bank. Over the past several years, Deutsche Bank has been the subject of numerous enforcement actions in the in the United States and abroad, and just weeks ago the bank's head office and other locations in Frankfurt were raided by 170 police officers and tax investigators as part of a money laundering probe, the Senators wrote. Given the Committee's jurisdiction over banking regulatory enforcement, Deutsche Bank's history of regulatory problems, and the recent allegations of money laundering that resulted in the recent raid conducted by German law enforcement, we request that the Banking Committee undertake an investigation into Deutsche Bank and its compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and Anti Money Laundering (AML) regulations. The full text of the letter is available here and below. Dear Chairman Crapo: Over the past several years, Deutsche Bank has been the subject of numerous enforcement actions in the in the United States and abroad, and just weeks ago the bank's head office and other locations in Frankfurt were raided by 170 police officers and tax investigators as part of a money laundering probe. Given the Committee's jurisdiction over banking regulatory enforcement, Deutsche Bank's history of regulatory problems, and the recent allegations of money laundering that resulted in the recent raid conducted by German law enforcement, we request that the Banking Committee undertake an investigation into Deutsche Bank and its compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and Anti Money Laundering (AML) regulations. The compliance history of this institution raises serious questions about the national security and criminal risks posed by its U.S. operations. This …	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://anthonybrown.house.gov/media/in-the-news/trump-suggests-again-military-could-build-border-wall	Trump suggests again the military could build a border wall	2018-12-12	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Anthony Brown	B001304	anthonybrown.house.gov			legacy	TRUMP SUGGESTS AGAIN MILITARY COULD BUILD THE WALL HE WANTS ON THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER:If the Democrats do not give us the votes to secure our Country, the Military will build the remaining sections of the Wall, President Donald Trumptweetedahead of an Oval Office meeting with Democratic congressional leaders about looming partial government shutdown when funding runs out on Dec. 21. DoD ASSERTS AUTHORIZATION:The Defense Department has no plans now to build sections of the wall, but could under certain options, Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Jamie Davis, a Pentagon said in a written statement Tuesday. For example, he said, DoD could fund border barrier projects in support of counter drug operations or national emergencies. BUT DEMOCRATS CRY FOUL:Some House Armed Services Democrats, though, were quick to push back, insisting the president can't use the military to circumvent Congress. The president cannot circumvent Congress and use the military to build his absurd, ineffective border wall, and if the border is as secure as the president claims, then he must immediately bring troops deployed to the border home for the holidays, Rep.Anthony Brown(D-Md.), said in a statement. Senate Armed Services ChairmanJim Inhofe(R-Okla.), however, suggested he would be open to supporting using defense funds for a border wall, as long as it doesn't diminish the amount of money that's going to go for warfighting.	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://ruppersberger.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ruppersberger-issues-statement-on-vote-in-support-of-rule-advancing	Ruppersberger Issues Statement on Vote in Support of Rule Advancing Compromise Farm Bill	2018-12-12	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger	R000576	ruppersberger.house.gov			legacy	(Washington, D.C.) Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger today issued the following statement after voting to support a rule advancing the compromise Farm Bill: I supported today's rule because my vote was needed to counter the effort by the Freedom Caucus to derail the Farm Bill, which contains critical investments for priorities ranging from bioenergy to the opioid crisis to the Chesapeake Bay restoration. The nutritional assistance program funded by the Farm Bill (SNAP) is a lifeline for 42 million Americans. I want to be clear that I support the House having a full, complete, and open debate on U.S. military support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, especially in light of recent events. I am supporting a resolution to withdraw our troops from Yemen. I have also voted to repeal the current AUMF that the President is using as legal justification for the war in Yemen.	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sarbanes-statement-on-farm-bill	Sarbanes Statement on the Farm Bill	2018-12-12	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	John Sarbanes	S001168	sarbanes.house.gov			legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) released the following statement today after voting for the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (H.R. 2): This year's farm bill delivers on many important priorities for Marylanders. Among its many positive provisions, the bill increases funding to maintain the health and vitality of the Chesapeake Bay and includes several key pieces of the Chesapeake Bay Farm Enhancement Act a bill that I cosponsored to help farmers reduce nutrient and sediment pollution in surrounding watersheds. The farm bill also increases funding for telemedicine programs, substance use disorder treatment and other critical health care services in rural communities. I want to applaud the efforts of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for casting aside partisan poison pills like drastically cutting funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and working together to get this crucial and beneficial piece of legislation across the finish line. ###	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-on-senate-passage-of-resolution-to-overturn-trump-dark-money-rule	Cardin on Senate Passage of Resolution to Overturn Trump Dark Money Rule	2018-12-12	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Benjamin Cardin	C000141	www.cardin.senate.gov			legacy	December 12, 2018 Cardin on Senate Passage of Resolution to Overturn Trump Dark Money Rule WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, called the passage of a resolution of disapproval that would overturn a Treasury ruling that hides the identities of large donors from U.S. tax authorities, a positive step that will restore some semblance of transparency in the flood of outside money in elections. The rule change that the Senate voted to overturn would have opened the door to anonymous dark money donations and would have significantly hampered the ability of the IRS, law enforcement and police to track potential laundering of money through the political system. It also would have greatly increased the chance of foreign funds, which are banned from political donations, making their way into political organizations knowingly or unknowingly open to outside influences. Nearly unfettered injections of dark money into political campaigns drown out the voices of everyday Americans and pervert our system into pay for play' politics. Congress has a responsibility to the very people who elect us into office that the rules will be transparent and organizations will follow the law. There was a time when getting money out of politics was a bipartisan goal. I was proud to see the Senate return to such a state even for a short time today. ### Print Email Tweet Previous Article	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/senator-cardin-defends-press-freedom-applauds-time-magazines-people-of-the-year-choice	Senator Cardin Defends Press Freedom, Applaud's TIME Magazine's "People of the Year" Choice	2018-12-12	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Benjamin Cardin	C000141	www.cardin.senate.gov			legacy	December 12, 2018 Senator Cardin Defends Press Freedom, Applaud's TIME Magazine's "People of the Year" Choice The free press truly are The Guardians of a free society Remarks as delivered on the Senate floor tonight: "I rise today to commend Time Magazine for their selection of their 'Person of the Year' as 'The Guardians and the War on Truth.' I say it is related because Jamal Khashoggi is one of the figures on the cover of Time Magazine as one of the Guardians. "In making their selection, Time Magazine wrote: 'For taking great risks in pursuit of greater truths, for the imperfect but essential quest for facts that are central to civil discourse, for speaking up and for speaking out, the Guardians' are the Person of the Year. Time Magazine wrote: 'As we looked at the choices, it became clear that the manipulation and abuse of truth is really the common thread in so many of this year's major storiesthis ought to be a time when democracy leaps forward, an informed citizenry being essential to self-government. Instead, it's in retreat. And the story of this assault on truth is, somewhat paradoxically, one of the hardest to tell.' "Time Magazine wrote in this week's issue: 'In Annapolis, Md., staff of the Capital, a newspaper published by Capital Gazette Communications, which traces its history of telling readers about the events in Maryland to before the American Revolution, press on without the five colleagues gunned down in their newsroom on June 28. Still intact, indeed strengthened after the mass shooting, are the bonds of trust and community that for national news outlets have been eroded on strikingly partisan lines, never more than this year. "'I can tell you this,' declared Chase Cook, a reporter for the Capital Gazette on that fateful day. 'We are putting out a damn paper tomorrow.' Cook's promise came just a few hours after five of his colleagues were killed. The man charged with thei…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/01/23/2019/van-hollen-klobuchar-duckworth-press-gm-for-answers-on-taxes-and-layoffs	Van Hollen, Klobuchar, Duckworth Press GM for Answers on Taxes and Layoffs	2018-12-12	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Chris Van Hollen	V000128	www.vanhollen.senate.gov			legacy	December 12, 2018 Van Hollen, Klobuchar, Duckworth Press GM for Answers on Taxes and Layoffs Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) wrote a letter to General Motors (GM) Chairman and CEO Mary Barra seeking answers on how GM is affected by new incentives for offshoring that were created by the Republican tax law and pressing GM to eliminate future stock buybacks, in light of recently announced layoffs in the United States. In addition to their letter, Senators Van Hollen and Duckworth have cosponsored Senator Klobuchar's Removing Incentives for Outsourcing Act which eliminates these offshoring incentives by applying the foreign minimum tax on a country-by-country basis and repealing the exemption from that tax for foreign asset ownership. The Senators wrote, We are deeply concerned about the recent actions by General Motors Company (GM) to close factories in the United States, at the same time that GM is expanding production in Mexico and buying back its own stock. We are writing to request information about how GM may be benefiting from new tax incentives for offshoring that were created by the 2017 tax act, and to ask that GM cancel further stock buybacks. They urged, Therefore, we are calling on you to release your country-by-country financial reports. We need to understand how much GM can reduce its tax rate by expanding operations overseas while it closes factories here in the United States. This requires country-by-country information on GM's profits, taxes, employees, and tangible assets. The Senators continued, Furthermore, we ask that GM cancel its planned stock buybacks. These buybacks make no sense, since GM's stated purpose for closing factories is to free up cash flow for investments in electric and autonomous vehicles. GM has spent $10.6 billion on stock buybacks since 2015, and plans to continue these buybacks until it has spent $14 billion. These buybacks give a windfall to GM's executives and stockholders, while diverting …	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://anthonybrown.house.gov/media/in-the-news/pelosi-privately-disses-trump-s-manhood-after-white-house-meeting	Pelosi privately disses Trumps manhood after White House meeting	2018-12-11	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Anthony Brown	B001304	anthonybrown.house.gov			legacy	Nancy Pelosi was on fire with her fellow Democrats. Minutes after a very public showdown with Donald Trump on Tuesday over his border wall with Mexico, the House minority leader returned to the Capitol and railed against the president in a private meeting with her colleagues. Trump must have said the word wall' 30 times, the California Democrat said, according to multiple sources in the room. I was trying to be the mom, Pelosi added, but it goes to show you: You get into a tinkle contest with a skunk, you get tinkle all over you. And then, she went for the most sensitive part of Trump's ego. It's like a manhood thing with him as if manhood can be associated with him, Pelosi deadpanned. This wall thing. Congressional Democrats are feeling smug and actually a little excited for the looming shutdown fight with the president after Tuesday's Oval Office meeting. The president may have decided at the last minute to openup the entire negotiation session to the public to throw Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York off their game. But in the end, Democrats feel confident that their leaders came out ahead. Trump, Democrats argue, fell into a trap the minute he took ownership of what Pelosi has dubbed the Trump shutdown. Absent a bipartisan agreement on Trump's border wall, about a quarter of the government will run out of money on Dec. 21. But instead of finger-pointing, as Republicans and Democrats usually do during spending standoffs, Trump said he wanted to close the government and said he wouldn't even try to pass the blame. "If we don't get what we want ... I will shut down the government, Trump said in the Oval Office before a room full of reporters and TV cameras. I am proud to shut down the government for border security. ... I will take the mantle. I will be the one to shut it down. I won't blame you for it." The remarks left Republicans on the Hill perplexed. Even some Democrats scratched their heads. But the comments, Democrats say, work to their benefit. Theirleaders look like the only …	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://anthonybrown.house.gov/media/press-releases/president-trump-can-t-use-military-circumvent-congress	President Trump Cant Use The Military To Circumvent Congress	2018-12-11	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Anthony Brown	B001304	anthonybrown.house.gov			legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04) issued the following statement after the President Trump proposed using the Military to build a border wall and claimed the Border is now Secure. The President cannot circumvent Congress and use the military to build his absurd, ineffective border wall, and if the border is as secure as the President claims, then he must immediately bring troops deployed to the border home for the holidays, said Congressman Anthony Brown. The President betrays our servicemembers with this dubious deployment. They are duty-bound, but did not enlist to serve as a bargaining chip for the President in the negotiations over his border wall. President Trump continually disrespects members of the military by denigrating veterans, refusing to visit combat zones, degrading troop morale, and needlessly taking servicemembers away from their homes for the holidays. The impact the President's actions have on readiness cannot be overstated, and his misuse of the military and inability to understand his role as Commander-in-chief is extraordinarily unbecoming of the Office of the President.	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://anthonybrown.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=256	President Trump Cant Use The Military To Circumvent Congress	2018-12-11	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Anthony Brown	B001304	anthonybrown.house.gov			legacy		0	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cummings.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/cnn-elijah-cummings-key-house-democrat-previews-what-oversight-looks	CNN: Elijah Cummings, key House Democrat, previews what oversight looks like	2018-12-11	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Elijah Cummings	C000984	cummings.house.gov			legacy	Rep. Elijah Cummings has a lot of questions and not just about President Donald Trump. After nearly a decade in the minority on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Cummings finds himself expected to be with a gavel at a time when there are mounting questions about the President of the United States, his Cabinet, associates and business interests. "(Republicans) had basically acted as defense counsel for President Trump and so now we, because of our frustration and being in the minority, and making a lot of requests, we have a whole lot of things, and the question now is how do we prioritize them?" Cummings said. But, the incoming chairman, a long-time resident and public servant of Baltimore, says if the public expects his committee to be razor-focused on Trump, they may be disappointed. For Democrats hungry for made-for-TV hearings or hastily-delivered subpoenas, it's a target rich environment and Cummings has perhaps broader jurisdiction than any other chairmen to investigate the President. But, Cummings, a 12-term congressman and lawyer who has endured years of heated back-and-forth during GOP-led committee hearings warns he'll be deliberate about the year ahead. "I believe that what we do in this Congress over the next year or so will have impact for the next 50 to 100 years," Cummings said. "We're going to cautiously go about with subpoenas ... there would have to be something that has a compelling interest to the citizens of the United States, and would have to be something that comes under our jurisdiction. So, there's certain criteria that has to be met. I do not expect to be issuing subpoenas -- even the 64 that we've asked for because there are so many things that are backed up. And we'll never get a chance to do everything." Priorities In the minority and without the power to compel testimony or documents, Cummings had a total of 64 subpoena requests denied by Republicans. Now, it's time to decide which ones to reissue. As they prepare for the majority, Cummings says Democratic leaders…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://harris.house.gov/media/press-releases/president-trump-signs-harris-bill-law-rename-postal-office-honoring-local	President Trump Signs Harris Bill into Law to Rename Postal Office Honoring Local Fallen Hero	2018-12-11	2018	2018-12	Republican	House	MD	Andy Harris	H001052	harris.house.gov	harris	https://harris.house.gov/media/press-releases	scraper	WASHINGTON, DC: President Trump signed H.R. 4913 to rename a United States Postal facility in honor of the deceased Sgt. Maj. Wardell B. Turner. Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01) authored H.R. 4913, which designates the United States Postal facility located at 816 East Salisbury Parkway in Salisbury, Maryland, as the ‘‘Sgt. Maj. Wardell B. Turner Post Office Building." Congressman Harris made the following statement about the postal office's renaming: "I am proud to honor Army Sgt. Maj. Wardell Turner by renaming the Postal Office in Salisbury. President Trump and I recognize the honor and sacrifice Sgt. Maj. Turner made for his country. As a veteran, I admire Sgt. Maj. Turner greatly, and his life was a courageous example of strength, dignity, and patriotism. In his passing we will remember him as well as the legacy he left behind with his five children, Shayla, Quinton, Devin, Wardell II, Xavier, several grandchildren, and his devoted wife, Katherine."	1	2026-03-30T01:40:41Z	2026-06-27T23:11:43Z
https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/republicans-are-rigging-democracy-we-will-fix-it-with-or-without-them	Republicans Are Rigging Democracy. We Will Fix It, With or Without Them	2018-12-11	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	John Sarbanes	S001168	sarbanes.house.gov			legacy	The first legislation that the new Democratic House majority will pass next year in the 116th Congress is a sweeping package of changes to our campaign finance, ethicsand voting laws. We will shine a light on the dark money in our politics, and empower small donors to own elections and drive the agenda in Washington. We will demand that public servants work for the public interest, not the special interest. We will make it easier, not harder, to vote. Together, these bold reforms will restore and protect the voice of the American people in our democracy....Democrats should not have to pass these reforms alone.... PresidentsRichard Nixon,Gerald Ford,Ronald Reagan,George H.W. BushandGeorge W. Bushall renewed and strengthened the Voting Rights Act. The late Republican Sen.John McCain joined with progressive Sen.Russ Feingold to pass theBipartisan Campaign Reform Act the most significant update of campaign finance laws since Watergate. In response to the lobbying scandals of the mid-2000s, 411 bipartisan members of the House and 83 bipartisan senatorspassed an ethics reform billthat President George W. Bush signed into law.... Democrats in the House are ready to pass bold reforms. We sincerely hope that our colleagues on the other side of the aisle will come to the table tohelp us restore power to the American people. But if the Republican-led Senate and the Republican president choose not to help fix our democracy, we will look to the American people to replace them with Democrats who will.	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-lauds-passage-of-farm-bill-supporting-maryland-farmers	Cardin Lauds Passage of Farm Bill Supporting Maryland Farmers	2018-12-11	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Benjamin Cardin	C000141	www.cardin.senate.gov			legacy	December 11, 2018 Cardin Lauds Passage of Farm Bill Supporting Maryland Farmers WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, praised the overwhelmingly bipartisan 87-13 approval Tuesday of the Conference Report for the Farm Bill. The key conservation title in the amended H.R. 2 triples the amount of funding for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) while streamlining program participation requirements with a focus on increasing producer access, improving conservation outcomes, and simplifying procedures. The Maryland Farm Bureau fully supports the bill. Senator Cardin: The 2018 Farm Bill is a win for Maryland farmers and the entire state. Agriculture is central to Maryland's economy and way of life for so many Marylanders. It's why I supported final passage of the Farm Bill today that supports Maryland farmers and strengthens the federal commitment to conservation programs through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) with a minimum of $300 million per year to help farmers do their part to preserve a healthy Chesapeake Bay and support other conservation programs. A healthy Bay is good for our farmland and good for our regional economy. Federal and regional partnerships have been crucial to the progress we have made in improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay. In addition to protecting the RCPP, Senator Cardin praised the bipartisan conferees for keeping the legislation primarily focused on agriculture and farmers without the inclusion of damaging anti-environmental policy riders favored by the House of Representatives. As predicted in a letter Senator Cardin led with nearly 40 senators, [a]voiding controversial provisions that erode landmark environmental laws could pave the way to an on-time and widely supported reauthorization of the Farm Bill. ### Print Email Tweet …	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-joins-senators-urging-faa-to-implement-and-improve-airport-contract-tower-program	Van Hollen Joins Senators Urging FAA to Implement and Improve Airport Contract Tower Program	2018-12-11	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Chris Van Hollen	V000128	www.vanhollen.senate.gov			legacy	December 11, 2018 Van Hollen Joins Senators Urging FAA to Implement and Improve Airport Contract Tower Program U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) signed a bipartisan letter of 35 Senators urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement a provision in this year's FAA spending bill allowing airports that utilize the contract tower program to become eligible for Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants from the small airport fund. This provision, which was introduced and included in the recent FAA Reauthorization law will enhance air traffic safety at small, rural airports such as Boulder City Airport in Nevada and Manhattan Regional Airport in Kansas. Not only do these contract towers provide an important safety service, but they do it in a very cost-effective manner, the senators wrote.It is Congress's clear intent that tower construction, improvement, and related equipment should be given priority when deciding which projects should receive grants from the small airport fund. In addition to Senator Van Hollen, the letter was signed by Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Jerry Moran(R-Kan.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Doug Jones (R-Ala.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). The full letter can be found HEREand below: Dear Acting Administrator Elwell: As you begin implementing the Federal Aviation Admi…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-secures-millions-in-mandatory-funding-to-help-chesapeake-bay-in-new-farm-bill	Van Hollen Secures Millions in Mandatory Funding to Help Chesapeake Bay in New Farm Bill	2018-12-11	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Chris Van Hollen	V000128	www.vanhollen.senate.gov			legacy	December 11, 2018 Van Hollen Secures Millions in Mandatory Funding to Help Chesapeake Bay in New Farm Bill Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) announced that the new Farm Bill contains major provisions from his Chesapeake Bay Farm Bill Enhancements Act, including: $300 million in mandatory funding for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), the successor to Senator Van Hollen's 2008 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative that provides funding to conservation partners and agricultural producers to work together to reduce pollution and improve water quality A higher percentage of RCPP funding for Critical Conservation Areas like the Bay an increase from 35 percent to 50 percent Important reforms and technical assistance for partners The Chesapeake Bay isn't just a national treasure it is vital to Maryland jobs and our economy, said Senator Van Hollen. I introduced the Chesapeake Bay Farm Bill Enhancements Act to boost restoration efforts and improve the health of the Bay. I want to thank Chairman Roberts and Ranking Member Stabenow for working with me to include much of the legislation in this year's Farm Bill. This new investment will help ensure that our Bay economy continues to thrive and that Marylanders and tourists can enjoy this treasure for generations to come. In the 2008 Farm Bill, Congress authorized the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative to provide assistance to agricultural producers to minimize excess nutrients and sediments in order to restore, preserve, and protect the Chesapeake Bay. In 2014, the RCPP was created in order to prioritize conservation resources that were previously handled by separate conservation programs such as the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative. Unfortunately, under the current RCPP in 2014, the Chesapeake Bay has received significantly less funding averaging around $13 million annually. Under this new legislation, $50 million more will be available for Maryland and other states who choose to participate in this program. ###…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://ruppersberger.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ruppersberger-announces-stivers-as-new-co-chair-of-bipartisan-municipal	Ruppersberger Announces Stivers as New Co-Chair of Bipartisan Municipal Finance Caucus	2018-12-10	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger	R000576	ruppersberger.house.gov			legacy	(Washington, DC) Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02) today announced that Congressman Steve Stivers of Ohio will serve as the Republican co-chair of the bipartisan House Municipal Finance Caucus in the next Congress. Stivers, who serves on the House Financial Services Committee, has been a licensed securities trader and bank executive and has been active on municipal policy throughout his time in office. Municipal bonds are the single most important tool in the country for financing new schools, hospitals, roads, fire stations and more, Congressman Ruppersberger said. Steve has already championed efforts to refine municipal advisor regulations and I look forward to working with him to protect common sense, job-creating tools that our communities need. The Municipal Finance Caucus advocates for states and local communities across the country, ensuring they have access to critical financing to build hospitals, schools, roads, and other important projects, Congressman Stivers said. I am proud to join Congressman Ruppersberger to lead this Caucus, and look forward to working to advance municipal finance policy in the 116th Congress. Congressman Ruppersberger founded the Municipal Finance Caucus with out-going co-chair Congressman Randy Hultgren of Illinois in 2016 as a forum to discuss the opportunities and challenges for states and local governments to independently fund initiatives that strengthen their communities, and to advocate for bipartisan policies that enhance their access to capital markets. Key issues that merit strong consideration include: protecting the tax exempt status of municipal debt, understanding how financial regulations treat such debt, and ensuring there is a robust market for municipal securities. Both Congressmen Ruppersberger and Stivers thanked Hultgren for his leadership. Congressman Hultgren's experience at the federal, state and local levels proved invaluable in our efforts to shine a light on municipal issues in Congress, they said. The new leadership team was applauded by s…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/no-tea-party-here-house-democrats-cant-wait-to-govern	No Tea Party Here: House Democrats Can't Wait to Govern	2018-12-10	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	John Sarbanes	S001168	sarbanes.house.gov			legacy	As House control is about to switch, it serves as a reminder about Democrats: They like government. And governing....Democrats say the goal is not necessarily a return to big government or to quickly start impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump but to reassert Congress' ability to govern, which they say diminished under Republicans....We really do want to restore the Democracy, make it work for people, said Rep. John Sarbanes, D-Md., who is leading the effort on H.R. 1.... A lot of the tea party people arrived in Washington a few years ago with this mission of tearing government down, Sarbanes told AP in an interview. You have Democrats arriving in this class who very much want to fix it, repair it, strengthen it, restore it.	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-joins-senate-resolution-recognizing-the-need-to-improve-disability-access-and-infrastructure-in-federally-funded-buildings	Van Hollen Joins Senate Resolution Recognizing the Need to Improve Disability Access & Infrastructure in Federally-Funded Buildings	2018-12-10	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Chris Van Hollen	V000128	www.vanhollen.senate.gov			legacy	December 10, 2018 Van Hollen Joins Senate Resolution Recognizing the Need to Improve Disability Access & Infrastructure in Federally-Funded Buildings 13 Democratic senators join resolution reaffirming support for ensuring people with disabilities have equal access to federal buildings & government services Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined 13 Democratic colleagues to introduce a Senate resolution on the need for improvements in disability access and infrastructure in federally funded buildings. The resolution also reaffirms support for existing laws that work to ensure equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities, including the Americans with Disabilities Act that former President George Herbert Walker Bush signed into law. The resolution was sponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jack Reed (D-RI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bob Casey (D-PA), Marie Cantwell (D-WA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Sheldon Brown (D-OH), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI). The full resolution can be found here. Print Email Tweet Previous Article	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://anthonybrown.house.gov/media/press-releases/maryland-congressional-delegation-announces-65-million-federal-funding-port	Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces $6.5 Million in Federal Funding for Port of Baltimore	2018-12-07	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Anthony Brown	B001304	anthonybrown.house.gov			legacy	WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, Steny H. Hoyer, Elijah E. Cummings, John P. Sarbanes, Andy P. Harris, M.D., John K. Delaney, Anthony G. Brown and Jamie B. Raskin announced Thursday that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $6,554,575 in federal funding for the Maryland Port Authority. The grant will be used to construct a second berth capable of serving ultra large container ships and cargo, as part of the Port of Baltimore's Seagirt Marine Terminal modernization project. The expanded wharf will dramatically increase Baltimore's shipping and trade capacity, bringing added economic opportunities and jobs to Maryland. These federal funds are an investment in Maryland and all our working families, who deserve a stable job market and a healthy local economy. This grant will keep the Port of Baltimore competitive among deep-berth ports and will provide continuing economic dividends for Baltimore's workforce and across the state. We appreciate Secretary Chao working with us on this important issue -- Team Maryland stands united to use every opportunity to ensure these kind of investments in Maryland's economy continue through the next Congress, the lawmakers said. The funds come from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program. In July, the full delegation sent a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao requesting that the Maryland Port Authority be fully considered for a grant, writing: Baltimore's multimodal port supports nearly 34,000 jobs, produces $2.9 billion in personal income, and generates $2.2 billion in business revenue [] This project would significantly benefit the nation, mid-Atlantic region, and the State of Maryland.	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://anthonybrown.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=255	Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces $6.5 Million in Federal Funding for Port of Baltimore	2018-12-07	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Anthony Brown	B001304	anthonybrown.house.gov			legacy		0	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://raskin.house.gov/media/press-releases/maryland-congressional-delegation-announces-65-million-federal-funding-port	Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces $6.5 Million in Federal Funding for Port of Baltimore	2018-12-07	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Jamie Raskin	R000606	raskin.house.gov			legacy	(WASHINGTON, D.C.) U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, Steny H. Hoyer, Elijah E. Cummings, John P. Sarbanes, Anthony G. Brown and Jamie B. Raskin, have announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $6,554,575 in federal funding for the Maryland Port Authority. The grant will be used to construct a second berth capable of serving ultra large container ships and cargo, as part of the Port of Baltimore's Seagirt Marine Terminal modernization project. The expanded wharf will dramatically increase Baltimore's shipping and trade capacity, bringing added economic opportunities and jobs to Maryland. These federal funds are an investment in Maryland and all our working families, who deserve a stable job market and a healthy local economy. This grant will keep the Port of Baltimore competitive among deep-berth ports and will provide continuing economic dividends for Baltimore's workforce and across the state. We appreciate Secretary Chao working with us on this important issue -- Team Maryland stands united to use every opportunity to ensure these kind of investments in Maryland's economy continue through the next Congress, the lawmakers said. The funds come from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program. In July, the full delegation sent a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao requesting that the Maryland Port Authority be fully considered for a grant, writing: Baltimore's multimodal port supports nearly 34,000 jobs, produces $2.9 billion in personal income, and generates $2.2 billion in business revenue [] This project would significantly benefit the nation, mid-Atlantic region, and the State of Maryland. ###	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://raskin.house.gov/media/press-releases/maryland-congressional-delegation-announces-65-million-federal-funding-port-0	MARYLAND CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ANNOUNCES $6.5 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR PORT OF BALTIMORE	2018-12-07	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Jamie Raskin	R000606	raskin.house.gov			legacy	(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, Steny H. Hoyer, Elijah E. Cummings, John P. Sarbanes, Andy P. Harris, M.D., John K. Delaney, Anthony G. Brown and Jamie B. Raskin have announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $6,554,575 in federal funding for the Maryland Port Authority. The grant will be used to construct a second berth capable of serving ultra large container ships and cargo, as part of the Port of Baltimore's Seagirt Marine Terminal modernization project. The expanded wharf will dramatically increase Baltimore's shipping and trade capacity, bringing added economic opportunities and jobs to Maryland. These federal funds are an investment in Maryland and all our working families, who deserve a stable job market and a healthy local economy. This grant will keep the Port of Baltimore competitive among deep-berth ports and will provide continuing economic dividends for Baltimore's workforce and across the state. We appreciate Secretary Chao working with us on this important issue -- Team Maryland stands united to use every opportunity to ensure these kind of investments in Maryland's economy continue through the next Congress, the lawmakers said. The funds come from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program. In July, the full delegationsent a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chaorequesting that the Maryland Port Authority be fully considered for a grant, writing: Baltimore's multimodal port supports nearly 34,000 jobs, produces $2.9 billion in personal income, and generates $2.2 billion in business revenue [] This project would significantly benefit the nation, mid-Atlantic region, and the State of Maryland. ###	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://ruppersberger.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/maryland-congressional-delegation-announces-65-million-in-federal-funding	Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces $6.5 Million in Federal Funding for Port of Baltimore	2018-12-07	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger	R000576	ruppersberger.house.gov			legacy	WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, Steny H. Hoyer, Elijah E. Cummings, John P. Sarbanes, Andy P. Harris, M.D., John K. Delaney, Anthony G. Brown and Jamie B. Raskin have announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $6,554,575 in federal funding for the Maryland Port Authority. The grant will be used to construct a second berth capable of serving ultra large container ships and cargo, as part of the Port of Baltimore's Seagirt Marine Terminal modernization project. The expanded wharf will dramatically increase Baltimore's shipping and trade capacity, bringing added economic opportunities and jobs to Maryland. These federal funds are an investment in Maryland and all our working families, who deserve a stable job market and a healthy local economy. This grant will keep the Port of Baltimore competitive among deep-berth ports and will provide continuing economic dividends for Baltimore's workforce and across the state. We appreciate Secretary Chao working with us on this important issue -- Team Maryland stands united to use every opportunity to ensure these kind of investments in Maryland's economy continue through the next Congress, the lawmakers said. The funds come from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program. In July, the full delegation sent a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao requesting that the Maryland Port Authority be fully considered for a grant, writing: Baltimore's multimodal port supports nearly 34,000 jobs, produces $2.9 billion in personal income, and generates $2.2 billion in business revenue [] This project would significantly benefit the nation, mid-Atlantic region, and the State of Maryland.	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://ruppersberger.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ruppersberger-announces-winners-of-2018-high-school-app-challenge	Ruppersberger Announces Winners of 2018 High School App Challenge	2018-12-07	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger	R000576	ruppersberger.house.gov			legacy	(Washington, D.C.) Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger today announced that a team of seniors from Eastern Tech High School in Essex has won the fifth-annual high school App Challenge. The academic competition, which is open to all high school students in Maryland's Second Congressional District, requires students to create an original software application for mobile, tablet or other device on a platform of their choice. The winners Jeffrey Cai, Paulo Manalo, Samuel Kabui, and Asenath Yaptangco created a mobile game called Space Hops that requires players to navigate a rocket that has run out of fuel through space, avoiding asteroids. Over the course of several months, the students learned computer coding, designed graphics, developed the game and created a marketing and advertising plan. Contest participants were required to submit a video demonstrating and explaining their app and what they learned through the competition process. You can see the winning team's video here. The App Challenge was created because our country has been falling behind on the STEM and computer-based skills essential for economic growth and innovation, Congressman Ruppersberger said. We need exceptional students like Jeffrey, Paulo, Samuel and Asenath if we want to stay competitive not to mention the valuable skills they've learned through this contest will prepare them for high-paying, high-demand jobs. I congratulate each of them, and all of this year's participants, on a job well done. By some estimates, the U.S. may be short by as many as 1 million programmers by 2020. The Congressional App Challenge is the most prestigious prize in student computer science. Participation in the challenge has grown exponentially since it was first established by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014, with more than 1,700 submissions received in 2017. Winners from across the country are invited to showcase their apps to Members of Congress and the tech community at #HouseOfCode, a reception on Capitol Hill held each spring. Their work is el…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/maryland-politicians-meet-with-minority-business-leaders-over-breakfast	Maryland Politicians Meet with Minority Business Leaders Over Breakfast	2018-12-07	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	John Sarbanes	S001168	sarbanes.house.gov			legacy	The Minority Legislative Breakfast brought together politicians throughout Maryland to hear the legislative priorities of minority business leaders. Indeed, the African American Chamber of Commerce of Montgomery County, the Asian American Political Alliance, and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Montgomery County hosted this event, which featured speechesfrom federal, state, and county level politicians....Additionally, U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D), Rep. Jamie Raskin (D), Rep. John Sarbanes, State Sen. Craig Zucker, and State Del. Marc Korman spoke at the event.... All politicians noted that Montgomery County has pushed Maryland forward because of its diverse community. But, they still agree more work needs to be done in regard to healthcare, immigration, gun control, and voting rights.	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sarbanes-maryland-congressional-delegation-secure-65-million-grant-for	Sarbanes, Maryland Congressional Delegation Secure $6.5 Million Grant for Port of Baltimore	2018-12-07	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	John Sarbanes	S001168	sarbanes.house.gov			legacy	WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, Steny H. Hoyer, Elijah E. Cummings, Andy P. Harris, M.D., John K. Delaney, Anthony G. Brown and Jamie B. Raskin in announcing that the Port of Baltimore will receive a $6,554,575 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to improve Baltimore's shipping capacity. The federal funding will help the Maryland Port Authority construct a second berth capable of serving ultra large container ships and cargo, as part of the Port of Baltimore's Seagirt Marine Terminal modernization project. The expanded wharf will dramatically increase Baltimore's shipping volume and bring added economic opportunities and jobs to Maryland. This new infusion of federal grant funding for the Port of Baltimore will improve the long-term health of Baltimore's economy and increase job opportunities for hardworking Marylanders, said Congressman Sarbanes. By continuing to invest in the Port of Baltimore, we can ensure that it remains a competitive economic engine for our state, paying dividends for Baltimore's workforce and resulting in positive commercial impacts across Maryland. Grant funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program. In July, the Maryland Congressional Delegation sent a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao requesting that the Maryland Port Authority be fully considered for a grant. ###	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-democratic-senators-raise-alarm-over-human-rights-in-cameroon	Cardin, Democratic Senators Raise Alarm Over Human Rights in Cameroon	2018-12-07	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Benjamin Cardin	C000141	www.cardin.senate.gov			legacy	December 07, 2018 Cardin, Democratic Senators Raise Alarm Over Human Rights in Cameroon WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) has sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo raising deep concerns about violations of human rights, the breakdown in the rule of law, and elections fraud in Cameroon. In addition to Senator Cardin, the letter was also signed by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.). The Senators write, Cameroon has become an increasingly important regional counterterrorism partner and the United States has increased its commitment of security assistance in recent years. However, rising tensions in the Anglophone North West and South West regions, coupled with credible reports of human rights abuses by the Cameroonian armed forces in those regions and the Far North, where Boko Haram is active, have changed the tone of discussions regarding U.S. security assistance. They continue, Reports indicate that government forces are responsible for extrajudicial killings, the burning of villages, torture, and other human rights abuses, including a much-publicized video reportedly showing soldiers executing two women, a child, and a baby they accused of being members of Boko Haram. The violent death of American missionary Charles Wesco underscores the level of bloodshed engulfing the Anglophone areas of the country. United Nations figures indicate that more than 21,000 Cameroonians have fled to neighboring countries and 160,000 are internally displaced. The Senators close the letter urging, The U.S. government should make clear to the government of Cameroon that, while we remain dedicated to the fight against Boko Haram, our commitment to human rights and the rule of law is steadfast and we expect our regional partners to share that commitment. We must also emphasize the critical importa…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/maryland-congressional-delegation-announces-65-million-in-federal-funding-for-port-of-baltimore	Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces $6.5 Million in Federal Funding for Port of Baltimore	2018-12-07	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Benjamin Cardin	C000141	www.cardin.senate.gov			legacy	December 07, 2018 Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces $6.5 Million in Federal Funding for Port of Baltimore WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, Steny H. Hoyer, Elijah E. Cummings, John P. Sarbanes, Andy P. Harris, M.D., John K. Delaney, Anthony G. Brown and Jamie B. Raskin have announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $6,554,575 in federal funding for the Maryland Port Authority. The grant will be used to construct a second berth capable of serving ultra large container ships and cargo, as part of the Port of Baltimore's Seagirt Marine Terminal modernization project. The expanded wharf will dramatically increase Baltimore's shipping and trade capacity, bringing added economic opportunities and jobs to Maryland. These federal funds are an investment in Maryland and all our working families, who deserve a stable job market and a healthy local economy. This grant will keep the Port of Baltimore competitive among deep-berth ports and will provide continuing economic dividends for Baltimore's workforce and across the state. We appreciate Secretary Chao working with us on this important issue -- Team Maryland stands united to use every opportunity to ensure these kind of investments in Maryland's economy continue through the next Congress, the lawmakers said. The funds come from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program. In July, the full delegation sent a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao requesting that the Maryland Port Authority be fully considered for a grant, writing: Baltimore's multimodal port supports nearly 34,000 jobs, produces $2.9 billion in personal income, and generates $2.2 billion in business revenue [] This project would significantly benefit the nation, mid-Atlantic region, and the State of Maryland. ### Print Email …	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/maryland-congressional-delegation-announces-65-million-in-federal-funding-for-port-of-baltimore	Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces $6.5 Million in Federal Funding for Port of Baltimore	2018-12-07	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Chris Van Hollen	V000128	www.vanhollen.senate.gov			legacy	December 07, 2018 Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces $6.5 Million in Federal Funding for Port of Baltimore U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, along with Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, Steny H. Hoyer, Elijah E. Cummings, John P. Sarbanes, Andy P. Harris, M.D., John K. Delaney, Anthony G. Brown and Jamie B. Raskin have announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $6,554,575 in federal funding for the Maryland Port Authority. The grant will be used to construct a second berth capable of serving ultra large container ships and cargo, as part of the Port of Baltimore's Seagirt Marine Terminal modernization project. The expanded wharf will dramatically increase Baltimore's shipping and trade capacity, bringing added economic opportunities and jobs to Maryland. These federal funds are an investment in Maryland and all our working families, who deserve a stable job market and a healthy local economy. This grant will keep the Port of Baltimore competitive among deep-berth ports and will provide continuing economic dividends for Baltimore's workforce and across the state. We appreciate Secretary Chao working with us on this important issue -- Team Maryland stands united to use every opportunity to ensure these kind of investments in Maryland's economy continue through the next Congress, the lawmakers said. The funds come from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program. In July, the full delegation sent a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao requesting that the Maryland Port Authority be fully considered for a grant, writing: Baltimore's multimodal port supports nearly 34,000 jobs, produces $2.9 billion in personal income, and generates $2.2 billion in business revenue [] This project would significantly benefit the nation, mid-Atlantic region, and the State of Maryland. ### Print Email …	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/troops-at-southern-us-border-van-hollen-and-colleagues-slam-trump-administrations-decision-to-extend-deployment-through-january-urge-secretary-mattis-to-reverse-course-immediately	TROOPS AT SOUTHERN U.S. BORDER: Van Hollen and Colleagues Slam Trump Administrations Decision to Extend Deployment Through January, Urge Secretary Mattis to Reverse Course Immediately	2018-12-07	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Chris Van Hollen	V000128	www.vanhollen.senate.gov			legacy	December 07, 2018 TROOPS AT SOUTHERN U.S. BORDER: Van Hollen and Colleagues Slam Trump Administration's Decision to Extend Deployment Through January, Urge Secretary Mattis to Reverse Course Immediately Senators: Trump administration's lack of transparency on troop deployment should worry all those who are invested in the readiness of our military, its professional use, and the need to keep a bright-line distinction between military and law enforcement Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and a group of senators sent a letter to Department of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, urging the Department to reconsider its decision to extend the deployment of active duty servicemembers currently stationed at the U.S. southern border. Joined by Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Edward Markey (D-MA), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ), the letter follows Senators Murray and Schatz's previous request to Secretary Mattis to end the deployment of U.S. troops at the border and allow them to return to their home base for the holidays, as the Trump administration has thus far failed to establish that asylum seekers traveling to the southern U.S. border pose a threat to national security. In their letter, the senators raised several questions and concerns regarding the deployment that the White House still has not answered, and urged the Secretaryabsent justification and substantial transparencyto deny any extension of orders for troops on the southern U.S. border. Many of us have previously detailed our concern with this deployment and use of active duty forces. The administration's rationale for deploying troops was to evoke fear and xenophobia and does not serve a genuine national security purpose. Continuing to rely on active duty troops militarizes the border and normalizes the deployment of active duty forces domestically a dangerous precedent for…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-democratic-senators-raise-alarm-over-human-rights-in-cameroon	Van Hollen, Democratic Senators Raise Alarm Over Human Rights in Cameroon	2018-12-07	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Chris Van Hollen	V000128	www.vanhollen.senate.gov			legacy	December 07, 2018 Van Hollen, Democratic Senators Raise Alarm Over Human Rights in Cameroon Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) led a letter signed by a group of Democratic Senators to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo raising deep concerns about violations of human rights, the breakdown in the rule of law, and elections fraud in Cameroon. In addition to Senator Van Hollen, the letter was signed by Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.). The Senators write, Cameroon has become an increasingly important regional counterterrorism partner and the United States has increased its commitment of security assistance in recent years. However, rising tensions in the Anglophone North West and South West regions, coupled with credible reports of human rights abuses by the Cameroonian armed forces in those regions and the Far North, where Boko Haram is active, have changed the tone of discussions regarding U.S. security assistance. They continue, Reports indicate that government forces are responsible for extrajudicial killings, the burning of villages, torture, and other human rights abuses, including a much-publicized video reportedly showing soldiers executingtwo women, a child, and a baby they accused of being members of Boko Haram. The violent death of American missionary Charles Wesco underscores the level of bloodshed engulfing the Anglophone areas of the country. United Nations figures indicate that more than 21,000 Cameroonians have fled to neighboring countries and 160,000 are internally displaced. The Senators close the letter urging, The U.S. government should make clear to the government of Cameroon that, while we remain dedicated to the fight against Boko Haram, our commitment to human rights and the rule of law is steadfast and we expect our regional partners to share that commitment. We must also emphasi…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cummings.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/maryland-delegation-urges-university-system-maryland-ensure-health	Maryland Delegation Urges University System of Maryland to Ensure Health, Safety of Every Student	2018-12-06	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Elijah Cummings	C000984	cummings.house.gov			legacy	WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny Hoyer, Elijah Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger, and John Sarbanes yesterday met with the University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents Chair Linda Gooden and USM Chancellor Bob Caret. The meeting was requested in the aftermath of the Board's investigation into and recommendations regarding the football program at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD). After the meeting, the members released the following joint statement: In the wake of the tragic and avoidable death of Jordan McNair, it is critical that the entire University System of Maryland implements reforms to keep students safe. In our meeting, Chair Gooden and Chancellor Caret reiterated their commitment to following the recommendations of the independent commission. But promises are not enough, and the congressional delegation will push for continued oversight to ensure health and safety remain their primary focus. In the aftermath of the McNair tragedy, it's also clear that the Board of Regents acted outside of the bounds we support Dr. Loh and believe universities' presidents must have the authority to implement personnel and operational decisions on their own campuses. Together, we will work to make sure that USM delivers a high-quality education and provides for the health and safety of every student. ###	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://harris.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-harris-announces-20-million-infrastructure-grant-new-i-95	Congressman Harris Announces $20 Million Infrastructure Grant for New I-95 Interchange in Cecil County	2018-12-06	2018	2018-12	Republican	House	MD	Andy Harris	H001052	harris.house.gov	harris	https://harris.house.gov/media/press-releases	scraper	WASHINGTON, DC: The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded a $20 million grant to Cecil County. The Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant provides funding for a new interchange at I-95/Belvidere Road, and for the relocation of Belvidere Road and construction of a new bridge over I-95. In July 2018, Congressman Harris led a letter from members of Maryland's Congressional Delegation to Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao expressing support for this important project. Congressman Harris made the following statement applauding the BUILD grant: "This BUILD grant in Cecil County is important to the ongoing economic development in the Principio Enterprise Zone and will positively impact Cecil County as well as the First District. The construction of the I-95 interchange will continue to attract and retain innovative and thriving local employers. Because of the strategic location of Cecil County within the Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C. and New York City corridor, the I-95/Belvidere interchange will further stimulate economic growth in this area, with new and existing businesses estimated to create 7,500 jobs. The decision to award Cecil County with this grant shows the tremendous leadership of President Trump and Secretary Chao and their ongoing commitment to improving our infrastructure and our economy." For press inquiries, please contact Congressman Harris' Washington, D.C. office at 202-225-5311, or contact Julia Nista at Julia.Nista@mail.house.gov. A copy of the delegation letter is attached.	1	2026-03-30T01:40:41Z	2026-06-27T23:11:43Z
https://ruppersberger.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/maryland-delegation-urges-university-system-of-maryland-to-ensure-health	Maryland Delegation Urges University System of Maryland to Ensure Health, Safety of Every Student	2018-12-06	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger	R000576	ruppersberger.house.gov			legacy	(Washington, DC) U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny Hoyer, Elijah Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger, and John Sarbanes yesterday met with the University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents Chair Linda Gooden and USM Chancellor Bob Caret. The meeting was requested in the aftermath of the Board's investigation into and recommendations regarding the football program at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD). After the meeting, the members released the following joint statement: "In the wake of the tragic and avoidable death of Jordan McNair, it is critical that the entire University System of Maryland implements reforms to keep students safe. In our meeting, Chair Gooden and Chancellor Caret reiterated their commitment to following the recommendations of the independent commission. But promises are not enough, and the congressional delegation will push for continued oversight to ensure health and safety remain their primary focus. In the aftermath of the McNair tragedy, it's also clear that the Board of Regents acted outside of the bounds we support Dr. Loh and believe universities' presidents must have the authority to implement personnel and operational decisions on their own campuses. Together, we will work to make sure that USM delivers a high-quality education and provides for the health and safety of every student."	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/how-house-democrats-plan-to-pressure-trump-gop-into-passing-campaign	How House Democrats Plan to Pressure Trump, GOP Into Passing Campaign Finance, Ethics Reforms	2018-12-06	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	John Sarbanes	S001168	sarbanes.house.gov			legacy	The strategy to pass such a measure, said Democratic RepresentativeJohn Sarbanesduring a call with reporters Thursday, is to come out strong supporting the bill in January, creating momentum that puts "pressure on all members" on "both sides of the aisle." ...One potential strategy to garner support for the bill from both the American people and Republicans, Sarbanes said, is to promote each one of the three sections separately in individual bills. Then,voters can assemble themselves around the separate measures and get GOP senators interested in some pieces to then push forward the full package.... Once the public sees it, then they'll want to pass the whole thing, not just pieces, Sarbanes said, warning there would be a political consequence for those who stand in its way. ... Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic House Minority Leader who is expected to retake her gavel as speaker of the House in January, told reporters last weekthat "our best friend in this debate is the public."	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/hoyer-sarbanes-outline-capitol-hill-reform-push	Hoyer, Sarbanes Outline Capitol Hill Reform Push	2018-12-06	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	John Sarbanes	S001168	sarbanes.house.gov			legacy	Two Maryland lawmakers are poised to play a leading role in a push to bring reform to the U.S. political system.... Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D), who is expected to serve as House majority leader in the new Congress, and Rep. John P. Sarbanes (D), chairman of the Democracy Reform Task Force, told reporters on Thursday that the public believes the system is rigged against them and is clamoring for change.... But Democrats are so determined to signal to a scandal-weary public they understand their concerns, they have made their reform package the first order of business House Resolution 1.... How do you make it a priority? You put it first on the agenda, said Hoyer, who will be in charge of the House calendar in the new Congress. This is a statement we want make about priorities and the importance of cleaning up government. ... Added Sarbanes: People are starved for reform.	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/lawmakers-press-gm-on-white-marsh-plants-closure	Lawmakers Press GM On White Marsh Plant's Closure	2018-12-06	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	John Sarbanes	S001168	sarbanes.house.gov			legacy	Members of Maryland's congressional delegation met Wednesday evening with the chair and CEO of General Motors to ask about the automaker's decision toclose their White Marsh transmission plant.... Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, and Reps. Steny Hoyer, Elijah Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger and John Sarbanes said in a joint statement they expressed their dismay to CEO Mary Barra in a meeting on Capitol Hill.... "We urged her to reconsider the company's decision, as the plant is large, modern and situated in a community that wants to keep up its hard work," the Democrats said. "The company's stated realignment' to focus on light-duty trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), and self-driving and electric vehicles makes the White Marsh decision incomprehensible because the plant makes light-duty truck transmissions and electric motors."	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/md-congressional-leaders-concerned-with-how-university-handled-mcnair-case	Md. Congressional Leaders Concerned with How University Handled McNair Case	2018-12-06	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	John Sarbanes	S001168	sarbanes.house.gov			legacy	Maryland's two U.S. senators and several House representatives sat down with top leaders from the University System of Maryland on Wednesday to express their concerns following one of the most tumultuous and tragic years in the history of the system's football program.... The meeting on Capitol Hill included the system's Chancellor Robert Caret and Board of Regents Chairwoman Linda Gooden.... The meeting included Sen. Ben Cardin, as well as Reps. Elijah Cummings, Steny Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes and Anthony Brown.	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://sarbanes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/the-house-democrats-blueprint-for-taking-on-trump-and-republicans	The House Democrats Blueprint for Taking on Trump and Republicans	2018-12-06	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	John Sarbanes	S001168	sarbanes.house.gov			legacy	House Democrats' first order of business in the next Congress will be a wide-ranging reforms package aimed at increasing access to the ballot box, overhauling the country's campaign finance rules, and codifying several ethics rules into law.... The ambitious piece of legislation is unlikely to make it through the Senate, where Republicans will hold a comfortable majority in the incoming Congress.... But by backing the bill, numbered HR-1, as their first official legislative proposal of the new Congress, House Democrats have laid out a blueprint for how they plan to govern as the majority and some of the ways they plan to take on the GOP-controlled Senate and President Donald Trump.... We've actually got a plan to try to restore the democracy and give people their voice back, Rep. John Sarbanes, D-Md., who is spearheading the effort, said in an interview. That's the kind of the foundational thing before you can go do anything else.	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-announces-senate-passage-of-small-business-size-standards-legislation	Cardin Announces Senate Passage of Small Business Size Standards Legislation	2018-12-06	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Benjamin Cardin	C000141	www.cardin.senate.gov			legacy	December 06, 2018 Cardin Announces Senate Passage of Small Business Size Standards Legislation Washington U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), RankingMember of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, today announced Senate passage of legislation to ensure that small business size standards are calculated using average annual receipts from the previous five years, instead of the previous three. This change will significantly reduce the impact of years wherein businesses experience unexpectedly rapid growth, often causing them to prematurely lose their small business status. The Small Business Runway Extension Act of 2018 (HR 6330), passed the House of Representatives in September by voice vote.The Senate companion bill (S.3562), introduced by Ranking Member Cardin, was reported out of the Senate Small Business & Entrepreneurship Committee last month by a vote of 19-0. Small businesses are our nation's innovators and job creators, said Senator Cardin. This bill gives small business owners peace of mind that they will still have access to programs that provide lending and contracting opportunities as they attempt to take their businesses to the next level. The bill now goes to the President for his signature. ### Print Email Tweet Previous Article	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/cardin-van-hollen-announce-112000-in-funding-for-chesapeake-city-water-storage-and-infrastructure	Cardin, Van Hollen Announce $112,000 in Funding for Chesapeake City Water Storage and Infrastructure	2018-12-06	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Benjamin Cardin	C000141	www.cardin.senate.gov			legacy	December 06, 2018 Cardin, Van Hollen Announce $112,000 in Funding for Chesapeake City Water Storage and Infrastructure WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) have announced $112,485 in federal funding to replace Chesapeake City's undersized and antiquated water storage tanks and install 1,200 feet of new water main lines. These upgrades will dramatically improve water quality and water pressure for Chesapeake City residents, as well as expand the town's water storage capacity. These funds are an investment in Chesapeake City's families, who deserve to know that the water coming out of their taps is clean, safe and reliable. With much of our water infrastructure aging and decaying, now is the time to be making these investments all across our country and our state, said Senator Cardin, a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. This grant ensures that Cecil County families will have access to the water they need for years to come. Infrastructure investments drive economic growth in our communities and improve the health of Maryland families. These funds will enable Chesapeake City to improve water quality for their residents, said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. I will keep fighting to secure future funding for infrastructure projects in Cecil County and across our state. The grant comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development Program, as part of a greater Loan and Grant initiative to revitalize water systems nationwide. These funds will be used in combination with two other USDA grants and a $1,027,515 investment from the State of Maryland. ### 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-nomination-of-bernard-mcnamee-as-member-of-federal-energy-regulatory-commission-ferc	Van Hollen Statement on Nomination of Bernard McNamee as Member of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)	2018-12-06	2018	2018-12	Democrat	House	MD	Chris Van Hollen	V000128	www.vanhollen.senate.gov			legacy	December 06, 2018 Van Hollen Statement on Nomination of Bernard McNamee as Member of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen released the following statement regarding the nomination of Bernard McNamee as a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC): MR. PRESIDENT, President Trump has nominated Bernard McNamee to be a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). FERC is an independent agency that regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil. FERC also reviews proposals to build liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and interstate natural gas pipelines as well as licensing hydropower projects. Historically, FERC has been independent and non-partisan. I am concerned that if confirmed, Mr. McNamee would threaten the non-partisan independence of FERC. Mr. McNamee has a long-standing history of being an opponent of clean energy and led Texas' efforts to challenge the Obama Administration's Clean Power Plan. In remarks before the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) andsponsored by Koch Industriesin February 2018, Mr. McNamee said fossil fuels are "key to our way of life," but renewable energy "screws up the whole physics of the grid." He also portrayed industry lawsuits with environmental groups as a "constant battle between liberty and tyranny." While at the Department of Energy, Mr. McNamee was a key player in the agency's failed attempt to bail out the coal industry and upend wholesale energy markets. Furthermore, I am very concerned that Mr. McNamee will take us backwards in the fight to combat climate change. Just recently, the Trump Administration tried to bury the release of the Forth National Climate Assessment report, and its alarming statistics on the realities of climate change. The report found that annual average temperatures in the United States are projected to continue to increase in the coming decades and that human health and safety, our quality of life, and the rate of economic gr…	1	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z	2026-03-30T12:14:52Z

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   [date] TEXT,
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CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_chamber]
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Press releases

1,662 rows where state = "MD" and year = 2018 sorted by date descending

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