A Message From Congressman Sarbanes
I am proud to be leading the charge in Congress to limit the influence of Big Money on politics and government and amplify the voices of everyday Americans. Whether it’s the economy, energy and the environment, health care or any other critical issue, special interests and well-connected insiders are calling the shots in Washington. We need to return to a government of, by and for the people. That’s why I authored H.R. 1, the For the People Act, an historic reform bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives on March 8th, 2019.
Updates
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In the News: Leader McConnell, let us vote
May 2, 2019
Leader McConnell, let us vote
John Sarbanes and Vanita Gupta, THE HILL(OP-ED)The day after our nation commemorated the 54th anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Ala., the House of Representatives passed H.R.1, the For the People Act, to strengthen voting rights, take big money out of politics, and clean up corruption on Capitol Hill.
Before the vote on March 8, Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), a foot soldier for civil rights who marched in Selma, implored lawmakers to recognize their moral responsibility to restore access to democracy. He asked his colleagues, “If not us, then who? If not now, then when?”
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In the News: It's been a busy 100 days for House Democrats
April 12, 2019
It's been a busy 100 days for House Democrats
Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer, CNN (OP-ED)In November, the American people elected Democrats to take back the reins of power in the House of Representatives and put it back to work on their behalf. In our first 100 days in the majority, we have begun to deliver on that promise. With a dynamic, diverse and energized freshman class of 63 new members, Democrats are moving ahead with our agenda for the people: Lower health care costs and the price of prescription drugs, increase paychecks by rebuilding the infrastructure of America in a green, modern and job-creating way, and clean up corruption in Washington so that the government works for the public interest, not the special interests.
One of the first acts of our new majority was to enable the House to defend the Affordable Care Act in court against efforts by Republican-led states and the Trump administration to dismantle it. This was soon followed by the introduction of a comprehensive bill to stabilize our health care system and lower health care costs for consumers. Already, committees are holding hearings and marking up legislation to keep Democrats' promises to take action to make health care and prescription drugs cheaper.
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A Call for Campaign Finance Reform, Ethics, and Voting Rights
March 27, 2019
Rep. John Sarbanes of Maryland joins us to explore the legislation that he's spearheading to end the involvement of dark money in politics, allow public campaign financing, and demand major ethics and voting rights reforms, and why Republicans are threatening kill it in the Senate
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My Statement on the New Zealand Attack
March 15, 2019
I join people of goodwill everywhere who are in mourning in the wake of the horrific attack in New Zealand. We send our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those targeted and to all members of the Muslim community around the world and here in Maryland, who have been deeply shaken by this unconscionable act of terror. In the face of a rising tide of hate, bigotry and violent far-right extremism that seeks to divide us, we must stand united in solidarity with each other.
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In the News: To Clean Up the Planet, Clean Up Washington
March 14, 2019
To Clean Up the Planet, Clean Up Washington
John Sarbanes and Michael Brune, COMMON DREAMS(OP-ED)For decades, majorities of Americans have favored swift, meaningful action on climate change. They understand that we must transition away from dirty fuels and toward clean, renewable energy. Yet despite this overwhelming support, Congress has repeatedly failed to act.
This jarring disconnect between what the public wants to see and what Washington is prepared to deliver doesn’t just threaten the health and safety of everyone in our country—it undermines the very principle of representative democracy.