Updates
-
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces More Than $1.6 Million in Federal Funding to Improve Transit Safety
October 17, 2020
Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined the Maryland Congressional Delegation in announcing $1,675,000 in federal funding to improve bus safety and prevent hazards on rail systems in Maryland.
“The safety of our regional transportation networks must be a top priority,” the lawmakers said. “This new federal funding will upgrade Maryland’s rail systems with warning technology that helps bolster safety and reliability for Maryland commuters. Our delegation will always work to deliver resources that modernize and expand public transportation in our state.”
-
Sarbanes Opposes Nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court
October 13, 2020
Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined in opposition to the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States.
-
Maryland Delegation Continues to Press State Leaders for Far Greater Transparency, Expediency in Unemployment Insurance Processing
October 12, 2020
Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined the Maryland Congressional Delegation in again urging Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R) and Maryland Secretary of Labor Tiffany Robinson to redouble the state’s efforts to speed up the processing of Marylanders’ Unemployment Insurance (UI) claims.
Following up on their past efforts and conversations with state leaders earlier this year, the Congressional Delegation also requested that the state provide full and updated information about the numbers of unpaid and/or unresolved UI claims.
-
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces $100,000 in Federal Funding for Maryland Public Television Educational Programs
October 12, 2020
Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined the Maryland Congressional Delegation in announcing $100,000 in federal funding for Maryland Public Television (MPT) to develop personalized learning experiences for children, especially those in low-income communities.
Funding comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting as part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Ready to Learn (RTL) Grant Program.
-
Sarbanes Urges Congress to Increase Funding for the IRS to Improve Delivery of Tax Refunds and Stimulus Payments to American Families
October 11, 2020
During a House Government Operations Subcommittee hearing today, Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) called on Congress to provide more resources to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to help improve the delivery of tax credits, tax refunds and COVID-19 relief checks for hardworking American families, and to crack down on wealthy tax cheats and fraudsters who continue to abuse the tax system.
-
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces More Than $8.3 Million for Johns Hopkins University Research on COVID-19 Racial and Ethnic Disparities
October 10, 2020
Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined the Baltimore Congressional Delegation in announcing $8,310,893 in federal funding for Johns Hopkins University (JHU) to research COVID-19 health disparities among underserved populations and minority communities.
-
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces More Than $345,000 in Federal Funding to Improve Transit in Underserved Communities
October 10, 2020
Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined the Maryland Congressional Delegation in announcing $346,500 in federal funding to upgrade transportation services and increase transit access in rural and low-income communities across Maryland.
-
In the News: Kudos for Rescuing Chesapeake Bay Program
October 8, 2020
Kudos for Rescuing Chesapeake Bay Program
Kaitlyn Leitherer, The Baltimore Sun (LTE)I want to voice my support and congratulations to Rep. John Sarbanes, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and everyone who worked tirelessly to pass America’s Conservation Enhancement Act (“U.S. House passes up to $92 million in Chesapeake Bay cleanup funding; advocates expect Trump to sign," Oct. 1). The passage of this bipartisan legislation is exciting news for the future of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and is cause for celebration.
Growing up in Federal Hill, my life has been full of waterfront memories — passing runners on scenic morning jogs and watching the sunset from a bench at the park. However, I also have memories of sweltering afternoons where the lack of shade-providing trees (and the occasional smell of dead fish due to algae blooms) made the four-block walk to my best friend’s house almost unbearable.
-
Sarbanes Again Presses Pharmaceutical Company CEOs to Lower Drug Prices for American Seniors and Families
October 5, 2020
During a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing today, Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) again slammed pharmaceutical executives for saddling American families and seniors with exorbitant prescription drug costs.
“I don’t trust the industry to do the right thing,” said Congressman Sarbanes. “We need to put more guardrails in place and this hearing is about that.”
-
Sarbanes Highlights Benefits of Solar Installation Programs That Reduce Energy Costs for Low-Income Homeowners
October 5, 2020
During a House Energy Subcommittee hearing today, Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) touted the success of solar installation programs in underserved communities that help lower homeowners’ utility bills and expand access to affordable clean energy.
-
Sarbanes Votes to Pass New COVID-19 Relief Package
October 5, 2020
Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today voted to pass an updated version of the Heroes Act, a comprehensive bill that would provide immediate relief to American families, small businesses, schools, essential workers, health care providers and state and local governments.
-
Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force Leads House Passage of Comprehensive Effort to Protect the Chesapeake Bay
October 5, 2020
Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force Co-Chairs Reps. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), John Sarbanes (D-Md.), Rob Wittman (R-Va.) and Andy Harris, M.D. (R-Md.) today led the U.S. House of Representatives in passing the America's Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act, a bill that includes several provisions to help boost conservation and cleanup efforts across the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
-
In the News: Democrats Dressed Down Dumbfounded Pharma Executives at Fiery Congressional Hearing on Drug Prices
October 1, 2020
Democrats Dressed Down Dumbfounded Pharma Executives at Fiery Congressional Hearing on Drug Prices
Blake Montgomery, The Daily BeastSeveral Democratic representatives blasted pharmaceutical executives over the prices of their companies’ drugs during a Wednesday House Oversight Committee hearing that caught the chief of Bristol Myers Squibb subsidiary Celgene and Teva flat-footed. Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) drew a stark connection between bonuses the former Celgene CEO, Mark Alles, had received in recent years and price hikes for the cancer therapeutic Revlimid, which has risen in price from $215 in 2005 to $763 today. When Alles could not succinctly answer whether the drug had improved alongside the price hikes, Porter replied, “To recap here: The drug didn’t get any better, the cancer patients didn’t get any better, you just got better at making money, you just refined your skills at price gouging.”
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) pointed to internal documents from drugmaker Teva that calculated the return on investment from charitable donations when she said, “Your pharmaceutical company makes these so-called charitable donations so you look like you give a shit about sick people.” Teva’s CEO Kåre Schultz failed so badly to win over lawmakers that one told him he “might as well get off the screen” of the virtual hearing. Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD) told Schultz, “It would have been nice to come, maybe, equipped a little bit better.”
-
In the News: Congressional Klieg lights could give way to restructuring of biopharma
October 1, 2020
Congressional Klieg lights could give way to restructuring of biopharma
Mari Serebrov, BioWorldAttributing recent reductions in certain U.S. prescription drug prices to intense congressional scrutiny rather than a biopharma industry commitment to affordability, Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) said Congress must put more guardrails in place and restructure how the industry does business.
“I don’t trust the industry to do the right thing when we’re not looking at you with these Klieg lights,” he told executives from Amgen Inc., Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals and Novartis AG Oct. 1 during the second day of a House Oversight Committee hearing on drug prices.
-
In the News: U.S. House Passes Bill to Bolster School-Based Health Centers
September 30, 2020
U.S. House Passes Bill to Bolster School-Based Health Centers
Elizabeth Shwe, Maryland MattersA bill that would will help deliver primary care, dental screenings and mental health services to students in low-income and underserved communities passed by voice vote in the U.S. House of Representatives late Tuesday.
The School-Based Health Centers Reauthorization Act, sponsored by Rep. John P. Sarbanes (D-Md.), would continue federal support for school-based health centers through 2025. The statutory authorization had expired in 2014.
-
In the News: Sarbanes on talks about coronavirus relief
September 27, 2020
Sarbanes on talks about coronavirus relief
Jason Newton, WBAL-TV (NBC)It has been six months since Congress passed the coronavirus relief act for the coronavirus pandemic, and talks between the White House and lawmakers are stalled over another round of relief. Maryland Rep. John Sarbanes talks about what's happening in Washington now.
-
In the News: Maryland Lawmakers Announce $5.6M To Upgrade MARC, Railways
September 24, 2020
Maryland Lawmakers Announce $5.6M To Upgrade MARC, Railways
WJZ-TV (Online)Maryland lawmakers announced $5.6 million in federal funding to upgrade MARC Commuter trains and improve the overall railroad infrastructure across the state.
The congressional delegation includes – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all Md.)
-
In the News: Maryland Congressional Delegation Over $240K For Chesapeake Bay Education Initiatives
September 23, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Over $240K For Chesapeake Bay Education Initiatives
WJZ-TV (Online)U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Congressman John Sarbanes (all D-Md.), announced $242,858 in federal funding on Wednesday for the Chesapeake Bay Trust to expand environmental education programs.
The funding, from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training grant program, will help local school districts and educators create and maintain environmental education programs for students throughout the area.
-
In the News: The Dallas Piggy Bank
September 17, 2020
The Dallas Piggy Bank
Sarah Kleiner, The Center for Public IntegrityIn June 2017, a group of 400 conservative donors was wrapping up a conference organized by the Koch Brothers at the five-star Broadmoor resort in Colorado Springs.
The 450-acre retreat offers activities such as horseback riding, fly fishing, golfing, $260 deep-tissue massages, all situated among sparkling views of the Rocky Mountains.
-
In the News: Maryland postal workers, lawmakers urge public to rally behind Postal Service as Frosh considers lawsuit
August 17, 2020
Maryland postal workers, lawmakers urge public to rally behind Postal Service as Frosh considers lawsuit
Jeff Barker, The Baltimore SunPostal workers, union officials and Maryland political leaders urged citizens Monday to rally behind the U.S. Postal Service, saying public pressure can help reverse significant cuts at an agency “under attack.”
“We need everybody,” said Sherry McKnight, president of American Postal Workers Union Local 181, which represents about 1,600 Baltimore-area postal workers.