Updates

This is the silent political revolution of 2020
Lawrence Lessig, CNN (Opinion)

As the Democratic Primary kicks into high gear, it is increasingly clear that 2020 could give America a choice that it has not had since Richard Nixon resigned: An election that promises critical change to our political system. At least 7 of the remaining candidates in the Democratic primary have committed to making fundamental government reform their first priority in office. We have not been this close to real change of America's politics since the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It is therefore time that the candidates' plans -- and how they differ --become the focus of more media attention.

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Eyeing 2020, House passes bill named after Elijah Cummings that would empower Medicare to negotiate drug costs
Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, The Associated Press

Sharpening their 2020 election message, House Democrats on Thursday pushed through legislation that would empower Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices and offer new benefits for seniors.

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Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today voted to pass H.R. 4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act, a bill that would restore and protect voting rights across the country.

Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.), House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Government Operations Chairman Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.) and Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Don Beyer (D-Va.), Anthony Brown (D-Md.), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), David Trone (D-Md.) and Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.) in sending a letter to the Chairs of the Armed Services Committees, who are leading the conference committee working to reconcile the House- and Senate-passed versions of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Southern states take up fight for bold democracy reforms
Chris Kromm, Facing South

On Jan. 3 of this year, the first day of the 116th U.S. Congress, the new Democratic majority in the House introduced as its first bill a sweeping reform of the country's elections. H.R. 1, the For the People Act, a bold package of measures aimed at improving voting access, tackling Big Money's corrupting influence in politics, and bolstering ethics rules. The Washington Post called it "perhaps the most comprehensive political-reform proposal ever considered by our elected representatives."

The wide-ranging bill, expertly led to passage in the House by lead sponsor Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Maryland) and endorsed by a broad coalition including the Communications Workers of America, NAACP, and Sierra Club, was inspired by a key insight: that in the current political moment, marked by deep voter cynicism about corruption and rigged elections, piecemeal reforms aren't enough. What is needed, Sarbanes and other Democrats reasoned, is a far-reaching plan that outlines how all aspects of democracy can work better, and only a bill that tackles voting rights, Big Money, and ethics reform together could offer that larger vision.

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Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger (all D-Md.), to announce $477,000 in federal funding for the Baltimore City Police Crime Laboratory and the Baltimore County Police Department to increase the capacity of laboratory processing and to reduce the number of forensic DNA samples awaiting analysis.

Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Congressmen Steny Hoyer, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.), to announce $11,040,000 in federal grantmaking for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) for Metrobus system improvements.

Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined House Democrats to introduce the 100% Clean Economy Act, a bill to tackle the climate crisis and put the United States on a path toward a 100 percent clean energy economy.

Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined House Energy and Commerce Committee Democrats to advance several bills that protect public health and combat the Trump Administration’s special interest, pro-polluter agenda.

Legislation passed by the Committee, with Congressman Sarbanes’ support, includes: