Updates

Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) and the Maryland Congressional Delegation today announced $2,377,692 in federal funding for Maryland renters and homeowners struggling with the economic impact of COVID-19.

Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) FY20 Comprehensive Housing Counseling Grants. It will support counseling services to help Marylanders improve their housing conditions and resolve any issues with meeting rent or mortgage obligations.

Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) and the Baltimore Congressional Delegation today announced $2,360,998 in federal funding for Johns Hopkins University’s (JHU) Baltimore Online Algebra for High School Students in Technology program.

The program partners JHU with Baltimore City Public Schools to help 9th- and 10th-grade students strengthen their algebra skills. Research shows algebra is a major barrier to student enrollment and participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and careers.

Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) and the Maryland Congressional Delegation today called on Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R) to fix the state’s Unemployment Insurance system and improve the delivery of critical financial benefits to Marylanders during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Maryland congressional leaders urge Gov. Larry Hogan to make more improvements to unemployment website
Mckenna Oxenden, The Baltimore Sun

Maryland congressional leaders are urging Gov. Larry Hogan to make more improvements to the state’s new Beacon One-Stop unemployment benefits website because they say constituents are not receiving their benefits in a timely manner.

U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen wrote a letter to the Republican governor Tuesday, saying they hear from constituents “every day” who continue to encounter problems that are “far from resolved.” U.S. Reps. Steny Hoyer, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, Anthony Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone also signed the letter, saying that some of the problems include errors processing weekly certifications, performance issues with the state’s new Beacon One-Stop unemployment benefits website and inaccurate denials of benefits.

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"DEMOCRACY, POLICING, AND VIRUS VOTING"
Barbara R. Arnwine, Esq., WOL-AM (Igniting Change Radio)

On Tuesday, June 9th, 2020, 12:00-1:00 PM Eastern Time, Host Barbara R. Arnwine, Esq. founder and president of the Transformative Justice Coalition (TJC), and her Co-Host Daryl D. Jones, Esq., TJC Board Chair and Henault & Sysko Chartered Partner, conducted a special interview with Congressman John Sarbanes (D-3 MD), who represents Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Howard and Montgomery Counties, to discuss major developments in the U.S. Congress affecting American democracy, policing, and the right to vote. They also briefly covered the states holding primaries and special elections on June 9th, and the voting problems being experienced, especially and as represented by Georgia with an interview with Tricia “CK” Hoffler, incoming president of the National Bar Association and Chair of the Board of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.     

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Members of the Maryland Congressional Delegation, including Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.), issued the following statement today after Maryland’s June 2 primary election, held amid the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide protests against police brutality and racial inequality:

Md. Dems Sponsor New Congressional Legislation for Police Reforms
Robin Bravender, Maryland Matters

Congressional Democrats outlined their vision for sweeping police reforms on Capitol Hill Monday, following weeks of nationwide protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota.

“Never again should the world be subjected to witnessing what we saw on the streets of Minneapolis: the slow murder of an individual by a uniformed police officer,” said Rep. Karen Bass, a California Democrat and the leader of the Congressional Black Caucus, at a news conference announcing the effort.

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Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force Co-Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-Penn.), fellow Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force Co-Chair Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.) and a bipartisan group of lawmakers representing the Chesapeake Bay region in urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue investing in the health of the Chesapeake Bay.

As we come off a successful showing in the Tuesday primary, I wanted to thank you for all you've done. Your support means the world to me.
 
Now we look ahead to the great reckoning in November -- a decision point like no other we have seen in recent memory.  We know what’s at stake.
 
Literally.  Everything. 
 
A generational pandemic. A president who would be king.  And the ongoing scourge of racism and violence in our country.  This is what we’re up against.