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During a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing today, Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) criticized Kellyanne Conway, Counselor to the President of the United States, for repeatedly violating the Hatch Act and breaking a federal law meant to prevent government officials from engaging in political activity.

Congressman Sarbanes also voted to authorize a bipartisan subpoena for Kellyanne Conway, after she refused to appear before the committee.

Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) released the following statement today to mark the sixth anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Shelby County v. Holder decision, which struck down key provisions of the Voting Rights Act:

Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today helped secure millions of federal dollars for Maryland by passing H.R. 2740, an appropriations bill that would strengthen the state’s health care system, increase funding for lifesaving medical research, enhance education and job training programs and help protect the Chesapeake Bay.

During a House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing today, Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) highlighted the threat to public health posed by the Trump Administration’s Title X “Gag Rule,” which would block federal funding to health centers that provide family planning and reproductive health services.

Senator McConnell: Protect U.S. elections 
The Editorial Board, THE BALTIMORE SUN

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell does not shame easily. Ask anyone — including Jon Stewart, the former Comedy Network star who has found a second life as an impassioned advocate for the victims of the 9/11 attacks. His wilting denunciation of Congress and Senator McConnell, in particular, became must-watch viewing on a wide array of social media platforms last week. But has it softened the Republican leader’s heart? Hard to say. Mr. McConnell recently expressed support for fully funding the Victims Compensation Fund as Mr. Stewart has sought, but legislation to do so remains stalled in the Senate.

Still, if the embarrassment Mr. Stewart heaped on the majority leader actually did the job, perhaps the former “Daily Show” host can be recruited to express similar outrage that Congress has so far done so little to protect the upcoming 2020 election from foreign interference. Maryland’s own Rep. John Sarbanes is looking to rectify that situation shortly. He’s at the vanguard of the effort by House Democrats to strengthen election security — and address many of the criticisms contained in special counsel Robert Mueller’s report that have been echoed by U.S. intelligence agencies. There’s simply no question that Russian agents attempted to interfere in the 2016 election and are expected to be at it again next year.” 

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During a House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing today, Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) argued that adding a citizenship question to the U.S. Census would undermine the allocation of federal resources and fail to address the needs of communities across the country. Sarbanes’ criticism followed a vote to hold Attorney General William P. Barr and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with the committee’s investigation into the addition of the citizenship question to the 2020 census.

Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) released the following statement in recognition of National Gun Violence Awareness Day:

“Americans from across the country today will join forces, raise voices and wear orange to demand action on gun safety. Far too many communities in this nation have been afflicted by the scourge of gun violence and action is long overdue.

Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) released the following statement today after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act:

Today, Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) joined U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Congressmen Elijah E. Cummings and Dutch Ruppersberger (all D-Md.), in announcing the selection of Baltimore for the National Public Safety Partnership program. This federal program provides cities and states with support to address violent crime. Baltimore’s congressional delegation has urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to select Baltimore and has questioned the agency’s motives behind excluding the city in the past.