Dear Friend,

It’s been a busy time in Maryland and for our nation. From ongoing concerns about the state of the Chesapeake Bay, to the fate of our health care system, to the rising chorus of young people demanding we stop the gun violence that has become all too common, I have been listening to your voices and engaged in the many debates in the Senate these past few months. I know many of you are concerned about those issues, and others, so I wanted to write and offer updates on what I’m doing to represent you and your voice in Congress.

  • Resisting Moves to Undermine and Destabilize Health Care
  • The Gun Violence Epidemic
  • Protecting Future Elections and Holding Russia Accountable
  • The Environment and Chesapeake Bay

Keep sharing your thoughts and ideas. Know that I read your letters, your emails and the messages taken from your calls. I know how impassioned and, at times, gravely worried you are about the direction of our country, the agenda being executed by President Trump and the partisan gridlock in Congress. I hear you. And I am committed to making sure your concerns are heard and addressed in Washington.

Thank you for your passion and your energy. I will continue to fight for you and the values that Marylanders hold dearly.

Please always feel free to reach out and share your thoughts with me here.

Your Friend,

 

Resisting Moves to Undermine and Destabilize Health Care

This week I called on the Trump Administration to halt its plans to expand the use of junk health insurance plans. These plans exclude basic, core health care benefits like hospitalization coverage, prescription drug coverage, mental health services and maternity care. If they move forward with creating this new class of health insurance plan, it could upend the whole health insurance marketplace, leading to even higher prices. Senior citizens, Americans with pre-existing conditions and those in need of real, comprehensive health coverage would be hit the hardest.

You can read the letter myself and 47 of my colleagues sent to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar right here.

I’ve also been meeting regularly with hospitals and physicians across the state to learn about the challenges they and their patients are facing, and how Congress can act to stabilize the health care market.

 

Meeting with local public health experts and the staff of Family Health Care of Hagerstown.

 

Discussing the ongoing health care challenges the doctors at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital face each day.

 

Enough is Enough: The Fight for Meaningful Action on Gun Violence

In the wake of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, and the growing epidemic of gun violence in our nation’s cities and communities, our children have taken up the mantle of gun safety reform. I couldn’t be prouder to stand with them. Their generation is changing minds, changing the debate and changing our country.

I joined the marchers and protesters during National Walkout Day last month in calling for closing background check loopholes, and banning bump stocks and high-capacity assault weapons:

 

The past few months I’ve also made a point of participating in rallies and visiting schools across the state to speak with students about the gun violence epidemic.

In Baltimore getting ready to participate in March For Our Lives with Maryland students and families.

 

Meeting with the students of Parkdale High School in Riverdale, MD about the need for gun safety reforms.

 

Discussing the gun violence epidemic with the students of Wilde Lake High School in Columbia, MD.

 

Protecting Future Elections, Holding Russia Accountable for Their Attacks

As one of the lead authors of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanction’s Act (CAATSA), which imposed sanctions on Russia for their interference in our 2016 presidential election, I was deeply troubled that it took President Trump until just last month to begin enforcing some of those sanctions.

The lack of seriousness shown by this president in the face of a clear national security threat and even clearer congressional intent has been alarming. The sanctions levied in March, while better than previous inaction, came well after a congressionally mandated deadline, are incomplete, and overlap with some steps that had already been undertaken by the Obama Administration.

Russia attacked our country during the 2016 election and they will attack us again during the next election. There is strong bipartisan congressional support for imposing sanctions against Russia. Unfortunately, the almost purposeful foot-dragging by President Trump has sent a clear signal to Vladimir Putin that he can continue his destabilizing behavior against the United States, our interests and our allies.

President Trump’s inaction against Russia’s interference means it is all the more imperative that we — Congress and our state elected leaders — step up to the plate. That’s why this month I wrote to Governor Hogan pressing him to allocate funds to improve Maryland’s election infrastructure ahead of the 2018 midterms.

Read the letter here:

Environmental Protection and the Chesapeake Bay

Earlier this month I led a roundtable discussion at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center where I spoke with the leaders of conservation organizations, academic institutions, researchers, aquaculture practitioners and sportsmen about the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

We celebrated some recent policy and appropriations victories that benefited our Bay, but focused heavily on the many remaining challenges that continue to threaten its ecological vitality. It was a refreshingly open, honest and productive conversation that helped me identify how I and the federal government can be stronger partners in the restoration effort, namely, how we can better address growing development pressures, infrastructure needs, nutrient pollution, over-harvest of resources and the fragmentation of wildlife habitats.   

Discussing the health and future of the Bay at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center in Grasonville, MD.

 

Last month, I was also pleased to lead the congressional effort to restore funding for the Chesapeake Bay Journal, whose federal resources were set to be revoked by the Trump Administration. The Bay Journal’s reporting on restoration efforts are critical to monitoring and assessing policy impacts and habitat health. Their editorial outlining the near-loss of their funding can be found here:

 

To be removed from this mailing list, please click unsubscribe

 
Dear Friend,

It’s been a busy time in Maryland and for our nation. From ongoing concerns about the state of the Chesapeake Bay, to the fate of our health care system, to the rising chorus of young people demanding we stop the gun violence that has become all too common, I have been listening to your voices and engaged in the many debates in the Senate these past few months. I know many of you are concerned about those issues, and others, so I wanted to write and offer updates on what I’m doing to represent you and your voice in Congress.

  • Resisting Moves to Undermine and Destabilize Health Care
  • The Gun Violence Epidemic
  • Protecting Future Elections and Holding Russia Accountable
  • The Environment and Chesapeake Bay

Keep sharing your thoughts and ideas. Know that I read your letters, your emails and the messages taken from your calls. I know how impassioned and, at times, gravely worried you are about the direction of our country, the agenda being executed by President Trump and the partisan gridlock in Congress. I hear you. And I am committed to making sure your concerns are heard and addressed in Washington.

Thank you for your passion and your energy. I will continue to fight for you and the values that Marylanders hold dearly.

Please always feel free to reach out and share your thoughts with me here.

Your Friend,

 

Resisting Moves to Undermine and Destabilize Health Care

This week I called on the Trump Administration to halt its plans to expand the use of junk health insurance plans. These plans exclude basic, core health care benefits like hospitalization coverage, prescription drug coverage, mental health services and maternity care. If they move forward with creating this new class of health insurance plan, it could upend the whole health insurance marketplace, leading to even higher prices. Senior citizens, Americans with pre-existing conditions and those in need of real, comprehensive health coverage would be hit the hardest.

You can read the letter myself and 47 of my colleagues sent to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar right here.

I’ve also been meeting regularly with hospitals and physicians across the state to learn about the challenges they and their patients are facing, and how Congress can act to stabilize the health care market.

 

Meeting with local public health experts and the staff of Family Health Care of Hagerstown.

 

Discussing the ongoing health care challenges the doctors at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital face each day.

 

Enough is Enough: The Fight for Meaningful Action on Gun Violence

In the wake of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, and the growing epidemic of gun violence in our nation’s cities and communities, our children have taken up the mantle of gun safety reform. I couldn’t be prouder to stand with them. Their generation is changing minds, changing the debate and changing our country.

I joined the marchers and protesters during National Walkout Day last month in calling for closing background check loopholes, and banning bump stocks and high-capacity assault weapons:

 

The past few months I’ve also made a point of participating in rallies and visiting schools across the state to speak with students about the gun violence epidemic.

In Baltimore getting ready to participate in March For Our Lives with Maryland students and families.

 

Meeting with the students of Parkdale High School in Riverdale, MD about the need for gun safety reforms.

 

Discussing the gun violence epidemic with the students of Wilde Lake High School in Columbia, MD.

 

Protecting Future Elections, Holding Russia Accountable for Their Attacks

As one of the lead authors of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanction’s Act (CAATSA), which imposed sanctions on Russia for their interference in our 2016 presidential election, I was deeply troubled that it took President Trump until just last month to begin enforcing some of those sanctions.

The lack of seriousness shown by this president in the face of a clear national security threat and even clearer congressional intent has been alarming. The sanctions levied in March, while better than previous inaction, came well after a congressionally mandated deadline, are incomplete, and overlap with some steps that had already been undertaken by the Obama Administration.

Russia attacked our country during the 2016 election and they will attack us again during the next election. There is strong bipartisan congressional support for imposing sanctions against Russia. Unfortunately, the almost purposeful foot-dragging by President Trump has sent a clear signal to Vladimir Putin that he can continue his destabilizing behavior against the United States, our interests and our allies.

President Trump’s inaction against Russia’s interference means it is all the more imperative that we — Congress and our state elected leaders — step up to the plate. That’s why this month I wrote to Governor Hogan pressing him to allocate funds to improve Maryland’s election infrastructure ahead of the 2018 midterms.

Read the letter here:

Environmental Protection and the Chesapeake Bay

Earlier this month I led a roundtable discussion at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center where I spoke with the leaders of conservation organizations, academic institutions, researchers, aquaculture practitioners and sportsmen about the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

We celebrated some recent policy and appropriations victories that benefited our Bay, but focused heavily on the many remaining challenges that continue to threaten its ecological vitality. It was a refreshingly open, honest and productive conversation that helped me identify how I and the federal government can be stronger partners in the restoration effort, namely, how we can better address growing development pressures, infrastructure needs, nutrient pollution, over-harvest of resources and the fragmentation of wildlife habitats.   

Discussing the health and future of the Bay at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center in Grasonville, MD.

 

Last month, I was also pleased to lead the congressional effort to restore funding for the Chesapeake Bay Journal, whose federal resources were set to be revoked by the Trump Administration. The Bay Journal’s reporting on restoration efforts are critical to monitoring and assessing policy impacts and habitat health. Their editorial outlining the near-loss of their funding can be found here:

 

To be removed from this mailing list, please click unsubscribe

 

Dear Friend,

It’s been a busy time in Maryland and for our nation. From ongoing concerns about the state of the Chesapeake Bay, to the fate of our health care system, to the rising chorus of young people demanding we stop the gun violence that has become all too common, I have been listening to your voices and engaged in the many debates in the Senate these past few months. I know many of you are concerned about those issues, and others, so I wanted to write and offer updates on what I’m doing to represent you and your voice in Congress.

  • Resisting Moves to Undermine and Destabilize Health Care
  • The Gun Violence Epidemic
  • Protecting Future Elections and Holding Russia Accountable
  • The Environment and Chesapeake Bay

Keep sharing your thoughts and ideas. Know that I read your letters, your emails and the messages taken from your calls. I know how impassioned and, at times, gravely worried you are about the direction of our country, the agenda being executed by President Trump and the partisan gridlock in Congress. I hear you. And I am committed to making sure your concerns are heard and addressed in Washington.

Thank you for your passion and your energy. I will continue to fight for you and the values that Marylanders hold dearly.

Please always feel free to reach out and share your thoughts with me here.

Your Friend,

 

Resisting Moves to Undermine and Destabilize Health Care

This week I called on the Trump Administration to halt its plans to expand the use of junk health insurance plans. These plans exclude basic, core health care benefits like hospitalization coverage, prescription drug coverage, mental health services and maternity care. If they move forward with creating this new class of health insurance plan, it could upend the whole health insurance marketplace, leading to even higher prices. Senior citizens, Americans with pre-existing conditions and those in need of real, comprehensive health coverage would be hit the hardest.

You can read the letter myself and 47 of my colleagues sent to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar right here.

I’ve also been meeting regularly with hospitals and physicians across the state to learn about the challenges they and their patients are facing, and how Congress can act to stabilize the health care market.

 

Meeting with local public health experts and the staff of Family Health Care of Hagerstown.

 

Discussing the ongoing health care challenges the doctors at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital face each day.

 

Enough is Enough: The Fight for Meaningful Action on Gun Violence

In the wake of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, and the growing epidemic of gun violence in our nation’s cities and communities, our children have taken up the mantle of gun safety reform. I couldn’t be prouder to stand with them. Their generation is changing minds, changing the debate and changing our country.

I joined the marchers and protesters during National Walkout Day last month in calling for closing background check loopholes, and banning bump stocks and high-capacity assault weapons:

 

The past few months I’ve also made a point of participating in rallies and visiting schools across the state to speak with students about the gun violence epidemic.

In Baltimore getting ready to participate in March For Our Lives with Maryland students and families.

 

Meeting with the students of Parkdale High School in Riverdale, MD about the need for gun safety reforms.

 

Discussing the gun violence epidemic with the students of Wilde Lake High School in Columbia, MD.

 

Protecting Future Elections, Holding Russia Accountable for Their Attacks

As one of the lead authors of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanction’s Act (CAATSA), which imposed sanctions on Russia for their interference in our 2016 presidential election, I was deeply troubled that it took President Trump until just last month to begin enforcing some of those sanctions.

The lack of seriousness shown by this president in the face of a clear national security threat and even clearer congressional intent has been alarming. The sanctions levied in March, while better than previous inaction, came well after a congressionally mandated deadline, are incomplete, and overlap with some steps that had already been undertaken by the Obama Administration.

Russia attacked our country during the 2016 election and they will attack us again during the next election. There is strong bipartisan congressional support for imposing sanctions against Russia. Unfortunately, the almost purposeful foot-dragging by President Trump has sent a clear signal to Vladimir Putin that he can continue his destabilizing behavior against the United States, our interests and our allies.

President Trump’s inaction against Russia’s interference means it is all the more imperative that we — Congress and our state elected leaders — step up to the plate. That’s why this month I wrote to Governor Hogan pressing him to allocate funds to improve Maryland’s election infrastructure ahead of the 2018 midterms.

Read the letter here:

Environmental Protection and the Chesapeake Bay

Earlier this month I led a roundtable discussion at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center where I spoke with the leaders of conservation organizations, academic institutions, researchers, aquaculture practitioners and sportsmen about the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

We celebrated some recent policy and appropriations victories that benefited our Bay, but focused heavily on the many remaining challenges that continue to threaten its ecological vitality. It was a refreshingly open, honest and productive conversation that helped me identify how I and the federal government can be stronger partners in the restoration effort, namely, how we can better address growing development pressures, infrastructure needs, nutrient pollution, over-harvest of resources and the fragmentation of wildlife habitats.   

Discussing the health and future of the Bay at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center in Grasonville, MD.

 

Last month, I was also pleased to lead the congressional effort to restore funding for the Chesapeake Bay Journal, whose federal resources were set to be revoked by the Trump Administration. The Bay Journal’s reporting on restoration efforts are critical to monitoring and assessing policy impacts and habitat health. Their editorial outlining the near-loss of their funding can be found here:

 

To be removed from this mailing list, please click unsubscribe