Updates

Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) released the following statement today after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 5-4 conservative ruling that allows extreme partisan gerrymandering to continue in America:

Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today helped lead the passage of the Securing America’s Federal Elections (SAFE) Act (H.R. 2722), a bill to strengthen election security and protect our democracy ahead of the 2020 election.

Building on the important election security reforms contained in H.R. 1, the For the People Act, the SAFE Act helps states modernize and improve their election systems, bolster their security capabilities and ensure the accuracy and integrity of the vote.

Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) released the following statement today after leading a successful effort to block three riders from the fiscal year 2020 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill (H.R. 3351) that would have increased secret money in politics and handed wealthy and well-connected special interests even more power in Washington:

Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today helped secure millions more federal dollars for Maryland by passing H.R. 3055, an appropriations bill that would help communities tackle the opioid crisis, improve affordable housing, invest in highways, airports, bridges, railways and seaports, enhance public safety, help hardworking families put food on the table, provide veterans with the care, respect and services they deserve, ensure clean air and clean water, protect public lands and fund climate research.

Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) released the following statement today after the House Natural Resources Committee voted unanimously, in bipartisan fashion, to advance the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Reauthorization Act, a bill led by Congressman Sarbanes to increase recreation, education and public access to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed:

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.

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 Subcommittee on Energy hearing today, Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to collaborate with Maryland on re-licensing the Conowingo Dam in order to maintain the state’s environmental standards and safeguard the health of the Chesapeake Bay.

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.