Press Releases

Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined a bipartisan group of more than 135 Members of Congress in calling for $25 billion in emergency funding for the United States Postal Service (USPS).

The relief funding is urgently needed to offset USPS revenue losses – projected at $22 billion over the next 18 months – as a result of COVID-19. The loses could force the agency to close.

Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) and the Maryland Congressional Delegation today announced $18,711,424 in federal grants to help the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) cover the costs of responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is a university-based, regional health care system focused on serving the state’s health care needs.

Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today co-sponsored and introduced the Justice in Policing Act, a historic effort to transform policing across America and help end the patterns of racial discrimination, abuse and violence by police officers against people and communities of color.

Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined more than 120 Members of Congress in demanding answers from Attorney General William Barr about the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) deployment of unidentifiable law enforcement officers in Washington, D.C. amid the national protests against police brutality and racial injustice in America.

Numerous reports have found that DOJ law enforcement officers are policing the nation’s capital without carrying name plates, official insignia or agency markings on their uniforms.

Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today joined House Committee on Oversight and Reform Chair Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.) and House Subcommittee on Government Operations Chairman Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) to introduce the Periodically Listing Updates to Management Act of 2020 (The PLUM Act), a bill to increase transparency of senior leaders in the Executive Branch. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) introduced the Senate companion bill.

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.

Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) and the Baltimore Congressional Delegation today announced $2,949,750 for the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) to expand Baltimore’s fleet of zero-emission buses.

Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) FY 2020 Low- or No-Emission Vehicle Program (Low-No). It will help Baltimore City transition to a clean bus fleet by purchasing three new zero-emission buses and charging equipment.

Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) and the Baltimore Congressional Delegation today announced $8 million in federal funding to upgrade Amtrak’s primary line in Baltimore, a critical hub for commuters and travelers.

Funding comes from the 2019 Federal-State Partnership for the State of Good Repair Program and follows a strong push by the Baltimore Delegation to support this project.

Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today voted to pass the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Flexibility Act (H.R. 7010), a bill to enhance PPP and help small businesses maximize available COVID-19 economic relief.

“Small businesses in Maryland and across the country continue to bear the brunt of this public health emergency and financial crisis,” said Congressman Sarbanes. “We must continue to increase access to federal COVID-19 economic relief and strengthen these critical programs to help American small businesses and employees get to the other side of this pandemic.”