Updates
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Maryland Congressional Delegation Statement Regarding Maryland’s $2.5B Budget Surplus
October 10, 2021
Congressman John Sarbanes, Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone (all D-Md.) issued the following statement today applauding Maryland’s $2.5 billion budget surplus for Fiscal Year 2021.
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Sarbanes Applauds Senate Introduction of Historic Legislation to Restore the Voting Rights Act
October 9, 2021
Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today applauded the Senate introduction of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, a bill that would restore the full strength of the Voting Rights Act.
“I am pleased the Senate has introduced the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act today and urge its swift passage,” said Congressman Sarbanes.
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In the News: For their next trick, Department of Ed will make 550,000 student loans disappear
October 6, 2021
For their next trick, Department of Ed will make 550,000 student loans disappear
Susanna Vogel, Morning BrewWhen the federal government’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) started in 2007, the intention was presumably not to make qualification as exclusive as the Met gala. Unfortunately for the Department of Education, less than 1% of eligible borrowers have been approved. This year, a staggering 98% of PSLF applications were rejected.
PSLF is FUBAR: In 2007, the federal government struck a deal with students: commit to ten years of public service, make 120 loan payments on time, then, when the clock strikes midnight, watch your remaining student debt disappear like your clearly marked leftovers in the communal work fridge.
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Sarbanes and Mfume Applaud AmeriCorps for $5.4 Million Award to Maryland
October 5, 2021
Today, Congressmen John Sarbanes and Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.) applauded AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteering, for awarding $5,451,191 to Maryland in its initial round of AmeriCorps State and National American Rescue Plan Funding.
This funding will help to stabilize existing national service programs, expand opportunities for national service programs, increase AmeriCorps living allowances and make service more accessible and inclusive.
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Maryland Delegation Calls for Federal Emergency Declaration After Ida Storm Damage
October 4, 2021
Today, Congressman John Sarbanes and the full Maryland congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone, urged President Joe Biden to approve the State of Maryland’s request for a presidential disaster declaration due to damage from the Sept. 1 tornadoes and flash flooding from Tropical Depression Ida.
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Baltimore Congressional Delegation Announces $7.5 Million to Establish Center of Excellence for 2D Materials Research to Support DOD at Morgan State University
October 4, 2021
Today, Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) joined U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, and Kweisi Mfume today announced $7,500,000 in federal funding for Morgan State University, in partnership with Adelphi Laboratory Center and Aberdeen Proving Ground research centers of the U.S.
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In the News: Maryland Congressman weighs in on Infrastructure Plan & averting the Government Shutdown
October 1, 2021
Maryland Congressman weighs in on Infrastructure Plan & averting the Government Shutdown
WBFF-TV (FOX)
On Capitol Hill, Congress is working to pass President Joe Biden’s $3.5 trillion government overhaul.
Meanwhile, President Biden did sign a last minute deal to avert a government shutdown. That deal passed by the House and Senate is a temporary funding bill to prevent a shutdown until December 3rd.
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In the News: Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD) on the Freedom to Vote Act
September 27, 2021
Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD) on the Freedom to Vote Act
SIRIUS XMDemocratic Congressman John Sarbanes (MD-03) joins Julie to discuss his leadership on the Freedom to Vote Act as well as the ongoing debt ceiling negotiations.
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Sarbanes Cosponsors Bipartisan Bill to Mitigate Extreme Flooding on Military Bases
September 19, 2021
Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.), a co-chair of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force, joined Congressman Bobby Scott (D-Va.) in introducing the bipartisan Enhancing Military Base Resilience and Conserving Ecosystems through Stormwater Management (EMBRACE Stormwater Management) Act to implement stormwater best management practices to reduce flooding on and around military bases which jeopardizes military readiness, pollutes the Chesapeake Bay, and compounds stress for military families.
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Sarbanes Statement on the Freedom to Vote Act
September 18, 2021
Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) released the following statement today regarding the introduction of the Freedom to Vote Act in the Senate:
“I salute Democratic members of the Senate for crafting a bill — the Freedom to Vote Act — that can meet the threats coming against our democracy in this moment. We must work every day and in every way to secure its passage in order to redeem the vote and the voice of all Americans.”
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Sarbanes, Hellenic Caucus Call on UN Secretary-General Guterres to Respond to Turkey’s Actions in Varosha
September 18, 2021
Today, Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.), along with a bipartisan group of 18 lawmakers, asked United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to respond to Turkey’s illegal maneuvers in Varosha, Famagusta.
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Baltimore Congressional Delegation Announces More than $9 Million in Federal Funding for Baltimore County COVID-19 Response Efforts
September 18, 2021
Today, Congressman John Sarbanes, along with U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.), announced $9,974,703 in federal funding to reimburse Baltimore County for emergency protective measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Maryland Congressional Delegation Applauds Biden Approval of Hazard Mitigation Resources to Support COVID-19 Recovery
September 17, 2021
Congressman John Sarbanes, along with U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone (all Md.) today applauded President Joe Biden for granting their request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for federal disaster assistance through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) that will strengthen emergency preparedness and mitigation efforts for future public health emergencies.
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Baltimore Congressional Delegation Announces More than $3 Million in Federal Funding to Support Maryland Hospitals for COVID-19 Response Efforts
September 17, 2021
Today, Congressman John Sarbanes, along with U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.), announced $3,814,136 in federal funding to support Maryland hospitals, Sinai Hospital and Northwest Hospital, for emergency protective measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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In the News: Public Campaign Funding Gains Steam to Counter Big Donors’ Sway
September 16, 2021
Public Campaign Funding Gains Steam to Counter Big Donors’ Sway
Bloomberg NewsWhen Christina Henderson, a new at-large member of the Council of the District of Columbia, first considered running for office, one of her worries was whether she could raise enough money to be competitive. “I was not independently wealthy. Most of my friends worked in the public sector,” says Henderson, who was previously a staffer on the Council.
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In the News: U.S. lawmakers seek to protect election workers after Reuters investigation
September 10, 2021
U.S. lawmakers seek to protect election workers after Reuters investigation
Linda So and Jason Szep, ReutersDemocratic Congress members called for tougher legislation to address death threats against U.S. election administrators following a Reuters report that exposed a lack of arrests in response to a wave of intimidation targeting the workers since November’s presidential election.
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In the News: Rep. Sarbanes, D-Md., says America should resettle Afghan refugees
August 18, 2021
Rep. Sarbanes, D-Md., says America should resettle Afghan refugees
WBFF-TV (Online)The Taliban now agreeing to allow safe passage for Americans looking to evacuate Afghanistan.
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Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces More Than $29.5 Million in Emergency Funding to Support Maryland’s COVID-19 Response
August 9, 2021
Congressman John Sarbanes joins U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, as well as Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) today in announcing more than $29 million in emergency federal funding to reimburse MedStar Health and Montgomery County Emergency Management for costs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Sarbanes Secures Significant Federal Funding for Maryland Priorities in House Appropriations Bills
August 2, 2021
Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) this week voted to pass nine federal funding bills that will support several important Maryland priorities, including modernizing American infrastructure, protecting the health of the Chesapeake Bay, investing in clean energy and science initiatives to combat the climate crisis, expanding opportunities for students, creating good paying jobs and supporting small businesses, strengthening food security and nutrition programs for American families, enhancing health care services for veterans and improving housing for military families and promoting security a
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Sarbanes Joins Bipartisan Effort to Help Speed Up Passport Application and Renewal Process
July 27, 2021
Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in calling on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to improve the delivery of new passports and expeditiously approve passport renewals for thousands of Americans across the country.