Press Releases

Today we mark the one year anniversary of the Capital Gazette shooting and honor the memory of Rob Hiaasen, Wendi Winters, Gerald Fischman, John McNamara and Rebecca Smith. The day after the attack, the Capital Gazette put out a paper -- a heroic act of defiance against those who would silence our free and independent press. We salute the entire Annapolis community that over the last year has come together to lift up the families, friends and co-workers of the victims in an amazing show of solidarity.

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:

Today, Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) joined U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Congressmen Elijah E. Cummings and Dutch Ruppersberger (all D-Md.), in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service Administrator Brandon Lipps asking USDA to investigate the withdrawal of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility for vendors in Baltimore’s historic Lexington Market. Lexington Market has served as a public market since 1782 and is the oldest of its kind in the country.

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.

During a Health Subcommittee hearing today, Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) highlighted the positive impact of school-based health centers (SBHCs) on students and called on Congress to maintain and strengthen its commitment to SBHCs. In addition, the Congressman stressed the importance of connecting SBHCs with community health centers in order to provide additional care and services to students.

Today, Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) joined U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, along with Congressmen Elijah E. Cummings and Dutch Ruppersberger (all D-Md.), in announcing the selection of Baltimore for the National Public Safety Partnership program. This federal program provides cities and states with support to address violent crime. Baltimore’s congressional delegation has urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to select Baltimore and has questioned the agency’s motives behind excluding the city in the past.

Today, Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) joined U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, along with Representatives Elijah E. Cummings and Dutch Ruppersberger (all D-Md.), in writing a letter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to thank them for their work on the City of Baltimore ransomware attack and to request a briefing on the attack once operations conclude.

The Members asked several questions regarding the attack, including:

During a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing today on the Leading Infrastructure For Tomorrow’s America (LIFT) Act, Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) called on Congress to modernize, strengthen and secure America’s electric grid.