ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones announced the creation of a Joint Federal Action Oversight Committee within the General Assembly on April 7, 2025. The new bicameral, bipartisan panel will track federal government activities and their potential impacts on the state, ensuring legislators remain informed and ready to act.
The committee, co-chaired by Ferguson and Jones, comprises members from both the Senate and House, representing diverse regions and political perspectives. Its primary role is to monitor federal policies, funding shifts, and regulations, providing updates to lawmakers and crafting responses as needed. This move reflects Maryland’s proactive stance in addressing national decisions that could affect its residents, even outside the General Assembly’s legislative session.
“Establishing a Joint Federal Action Oversight Committee within the General Assembly is a critical step toward ensuring that Maryland is actively understanding federal decision-making,” Ferguson said. “This committee will allow us to proactively monitor federal actions, respond quickly, and safeguard the interests of our state and its people.”
Jones echoed the urgency, citing recent federal actions that have already challenged Maryland’s economic stability. “From public education, to health care, and our federal workforce, we have already witnessed how recent federal actions threaten the economic stability of our State,” she said. “We know these threats will continue after the General Assembly’s 2025 Legislative Session adjourns. The Joint Federal Action Oversight Committee will allow legislative leaders to responsibly respond to federal acts even when we are not in Session.”
The committee includes 12 senators and 12 delegates, such as Sen. Augustine of Prince George’s County, Sen. King of Montgomery County, Del. Moon of Montgomery County, and Del. Clippinger of Baltimore City. This broad representation aims to foster collaboration and ensure a comprehensive approach to oversight.
Beyond monitoring, the committee will engage with local governments, community organizations, and residents to gather input and share findings. This outreach is intended to keep Marylanders’ perspectives central to the state’s response to federal developments. Meetings will focus on assessing implications for Maryland and formulating strategies to address them, though specific schedules have not yet been released.
Maryland’s initiative comes amid ongoing national debates over federal policies, including health care funding and education, which directly affect states. For instance, the Kaiser Family Foundation notes that federal Medicaid changes could influence state budgets like Maryland’s, which relies on such funds for nearly 25% of its health care spending. Similarly, shifts in federal workforce policies could impact Maryland’s significant federal employee base, particularly in areas near Washington, D.C.
Senate members:
Augustine (Prince George’s) King (Montgomery) Guzzone (Howard) Beidle (Anne Arundel) Smith (Montgomery) Feldman (Montgomery) Waldstreicher (Montgomery) McCray (Baltimore City) Hester (Howard and Montgomery) Hershey (Upper Eastern Shore) Ready (Frederick and Carroll) Bailey (St. Mary’s)
House members:
Moon (Montgomery) J. Lewis (Prince George’s) Wilson (Charles) Clippinger (Baltimore City) Barnes (Prince George’s) Atterbeary (Howard) Korman (Montgomery) Pena-Melnyk (Prince George’s) Stein (Baltimore County) Buckel (Allegany) Pippy (Frederick) Hinebaugh (Garrett and Allegany)
