News
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In the News: U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, Key Democrat In Trump Impeachment Inquiry, Has Died At The Age Of 68
October 17, 2019
U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, Key Democrat In Trump Impeachment Inquiry, Has Died At The Age Of 68
Mike Hellgren, WJZ-TV (CBS)BALTIMORE (WJZ)– Representative Elijah Cummings died early Thursday morning at the Gilchrist Hospice Care, a Johns Hopkins affiliate, according to his office.
He was 68.
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In the News: House to vote this month on legislation to combat foreign interference in elections
October 11, 2019
House to vote this month on legislation to combat foreign interference in elections
Maggie Miller, The HillThe House will vote on legislation later this month aimed at limiting foreign interference in U.S. elections after a bipartisan report from the Senate Intelligence Committee this week called on Congress to take action on the issue.
The move by House Democrats is likely to place additional pressure on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), whom Democrats have targeted on election security.
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In the News: Your Voice: Rep. John Sarbanes
October 2, 2019
Your Voice: Rep. John Sarbanes
WBFF-TV (Online)
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In the News: Sarbanes on Impeachment and Ukraine
September 27, 2019
Sarbanes on Impeachment and Ukraine
Maryland Public Television (‘State Circle’)
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In the News: Democrats press Senate to take up overhaul of campaigns and ethics
September 27, 2019
Democrats press Senate to take up overhaul of campaigns and ethics
Kate Ackley, Roll CallAs House Democrats pursue an impeachment inquiry based largely on possible campaign finance violations against President Donald Trump, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other House Democrats sought a fresh spotlight for their stalled political money, ethics and elections overhaul measure.
The House passed the bill by a vote of 234-193 along party lines on March 8, 200 days ago, the California Democrat noted.
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In the News: Baltimore Is Getting $9.7M To Eliminate Lead-Based Paint In Low-Income Households
September 26, 2019
Baltimore Is Getting $9.7M To Eliminate Lead-Based Paint In Low-Income Households
WJZ-TV (CBS)BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Baltimore will receive $9.7 million to address lead-based paint in low-income households from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Congressmen Elijah E. Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger and John Sarbanes announced the funding Thursday, which will be awarded through HUD and will work to eliminate lead-based paint hazards in low-income private housing.
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In the News: Update On Impeachment With Rep. John Sarbanes
September 26, 2019
Update On Impeachment With Rep. John Sarbanes
Tom Hall, Cianna B. Greaves and Kathleen CahillIt’s been quite a week in the nation’s capital, even by standards of the chaotic Trump Administration.
On Tuesday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that Congress would begin an impeachment inquiry. On Wednesday, the White House released what they described as an “unclassified memorandum” that summarizes a call between President Trump and President Zelensky of Ukraine on July 25, 2019. The memorandum was prepared by note takers who were listening to the call in the White House Situation room. And this morning, just before acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire testified in open session to the House Intelligence Committee, the Whistle Blower report that set an impeachment inquiry in motion was released. Admiral Maguire began his testimony shortly after 9:00 this morning. That testimony will continue in closed session later today.
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In the News: Maryland Lawmakers React To Call For Impeachment Inquiry Into President Trump
September 24, 2019
Maryland Lawmakers React To Call For Impeachment Inquiry Into President Trump
Ava-joye Burnett, WJZ-TV (CBS)A growing number of Maryland lawmakers are coming out in support of official impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump.
Tuesday evening, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced an official impeachment inquiry into the president, CBS News reported.
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In the News: House Holds Hearing On DC Statehood For First Time More Than 25 Years
September 19, 2019
House Holds Hearing On DC Statehood For First Time More Than 25 Years
WJZ-TV (CBS)The House Oversight Committee held a hearing Thursday on a bill that would pave the way for the District of Columbia to become the country’s 51st state.
The hearing on H.R. 51, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, was the first hearing of its kind in more than 25 years, the Oversight Committee’s Democratic press office said.
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In the News: Lawmakers Demand Answers about Nevada Telemarketer and His Clients
September 19, 2019
Lawmakers Demand Answers about Nevada Telemarketer and His Clients
Sarah Kleiner and Chris Zubak-Skees, The Center for Public IntegrityA Nevada congresswoman called on federal authorities to investigate political action committees that raise funds for a cause — but plow most of what they raise back into their own paychecks and committee fundraising efforts.
The Justice Department should hold those who run such PACs “accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” and the Federal Election Commission should have increased authority to “punish bad actors,” said Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev.
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In the News: Democrats press for action on election security
September 17, 2019
Democrats press for action on election security
Maggie Miller, The HillCongressional Democrats renewed their call for election security legislation during a national day of action on Tuesday, as a Senate Appropriations subcommittee left out funding for it in its annual spending bill.
Democrats including Sens. Richard Blumenthal (Conn.) and Ron Wyden (Ore.) argued on Tuesday that time is running out to implement election security upgrades such as replacing outdated voting machines with just over a year left prior to the 2020 elections.
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In the News: FDA readying ban on flavored e-cigarettes amidst health scare
September 12, 2019
FDA readying ban on flavored e-cigarettes amidst health scare
Dan Novak, Capital News ServiceThe Trump administration has announced plans to ban flavored electronic cigarettes, the culmination of a nationwide crackdown on vaping following a spike in respiratory illnesses connected to e-cigarette use.
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said banning flavored vaping products like menthol and mint was essential in slowing the surge of youth nicotine addiction.
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In the News: Md. Members Divide Along Party Lines as House Votes to Ban Offshore Drilling
September 11, 2019
Md. Members Divide Along Party Lines as House Votes to Ban Offshore Drilling
Allison Winter, Maryland MattersU.S. House lawmakers approved bipartisan legislation Wednesday that would block new offshore drilling off the majority of the U.S. coast – despite pushback from many Republicans.
The legislation would put in place far-reaching new protections, blocking drilling off most of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Lawmakers are scheduled to vote Thursday on a similar ban for drilling in the Arctic Ocean.
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In the News: Md. Officials Press DeVos to Fix Flawed Loan Forgiveness Program
September 10, 2019
Md. Officials Press DeVos to Fix Flawed Loan Forgiveness Program
Danielle Gaines, Maryland MattersMore than three dozen Maryland lawmakers are calling on U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to answer questions about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which has attracted attention in recent months for nearly universally denying applications from federal workers.
Del. Lesley Lopez (D-Montgomery) spearheaded the leader to DeVos, noting the heavy presence of eligible government and nonprofit workers in Maryland.
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My interview with The Montgomery County Sentinel's Paul Schwartz
September 9, 2019
In my interview with The Montgomery County Sentinel's Paul Schwartz, we discuss the progress that House Democrats have made #ForThePeople and how we will continue to hold President Trump and his Administration accountable — because no one is above the law.
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In the News: $3.7 Million Of HUD Funding To Help Baltimore Combat Youth Homelessness
September 6, 2019
$3.7 Million Of HUD Funding To Help Baltimore Combat Youth Homelessness
Pat Warren, WJZ-TV (CBS)Millions of dollars from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development was allotted to Baltimore to help meet the needs of Baltimore City’s homeless youth.
Mayor Jack Young, Senators Ben Cardin, and Chris Van Hollen and Congressman John Sarbanes announced $3.7 million in federal funding from HUD’s Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program.
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In the News: Connect to Congress: Congressman Sarbanes
September 5, 2019
Connect to Congress: Congressman Sarbanes
Brandi Procto, WBFF-TV (FOX)
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In the News: Maryland communities and DC receive youth homelessness grants
September 5, 2019
Maryland communities and DC receive youth homelessness grants
Gabrielle Wanneh, WTOP-FM (Online)Baltimore, Prince George’s County and the D.C. are among 23 communities receiving a total of $75 million in federal funds to combat youth homelessness.
The $75 million was awarded as part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program, which started in 2016.
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In the News: Ensuring elections 'free from foreign intrusion'
July 3, 2019
Ensuring elections 'free from foreign intrusion'
John Sarbanes and Brian Frosh, THE BALTIMORE SUN (OP-ED)On July 4, Americans of all political stripes join together to celebrate our nation’s independence from overseas monarchs, from foreign influence, from interference in our democracy.
This is the moment to apply the lessons of 2016, when our election infrastructure — the core of American democracy — was attacked by a foreign adversary in a choreographed and coordinated effort. State and local election systems across the country were probed and, in some cases, breached. Outsiders exploited digital platforms to wage a full-scale disinformation campaign. And secret foreign money was deployed to influence the electoral outcome.
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In the News: Senator McConnell: Protect U.S. elections
June 18, 2019
Senator McConnell: Protect U.S. elections
The Editorial Board, THE BALTIMORE SUNSenate 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.”