Delivering Federal Funding to Maryland
In July, I was proud to join my Maryland delegation colleagues in announcing several federal funding initiatives for our state: funds to aid our state's COVID-19 recovery, to invest in special education and to relieve fire and emergency rescue services.
Maryland received $2,185,056 in federal funding to reimburse the University of Maryland Medical System for costs incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. To read more, click here.
Our state also received $53,968,575 from the American Rescue Plan to strengthen special education services for children with disabilities. To read more, click here.
Additionally, Maryland received over $2.9 million in federal funding for fire and emergency rescue departments across the state. To read more, click here, here and here.
Honoring the Fourth of July
To commemorate Independence Day, I invited Guy Whidden, a World War II veteran and member of the 101st Airborne Division, to join me on my weekly Local Heroes video series. In our conversation, Guy recounted parachuting into Normandy on D-Day. Guy served his country with valor and led an effort to recognize one of his fellow servicemembers, Lieutenant Robert Banker, with a posthumous Bronze Star Medal. Guy credited Robert with saving his life. To watch our full discussion, click here.
Appropriations Committee Approves 10 Community Projects for MD-08
I am thrilled to report that the House Appropriations Committee approved all 10 of the Community Project Funding requests I submitted for the 2022 fiscal year. These projects—ranging from funds to restore a watershed in Montgomery County to the money needed to expand a Crisis Stabilization Center in Frederick County to body cameras for the Carroll County Sheriff’s office and much more—will help strengthen our communities with tangible investments. Nine of our community projects were included in the appropriations package that passed the House of Representatives last week on a 219-208 vote. You can read more about the House-passed appropriations package here.
Recognizing Local Heroes in Our District
As part of my Local Heroes series, I spoke with Reemberto Rodriguez, Cathy Matthews and Luisa Montero-Diaz, retiring regional directors with the Montgomery County government. I thank them for a remarkable 65 collective years of public service and wish them a productive and fulfilling retirement. Watch our full discussion here.
I also recognized mother-daughter duo Roxanne Yamashita and Lana Anderson as Local Heroes this month. Through their nonprofit, Small Things Matter, they uplift Marylanders in need with food distribution, crafting and literacy efforts. You may watch our full discussion here.
Additionally, I featured Silver Spring photographer and labor activist Jonna Huseman as my final Local Hero of the month. Jonna spent last year photographing dozens of her Silver Spring neighbors for a series documenting their COVID-19 experiences. Click here to watch our full discussion.
Serving on the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol
On July 27, the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol held its first hearing. I was honored to be appointed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to serve on this committee. On January 6, 2021, an armed mob stormed the halls of Congress in the worst assault on the U.S. Capitol since the War of 1812. This attack put hundreds of lives in jeopardy, and it's critical that we conduct a deliberate, comprehensive investigation to ensure that it never happens again.
The first hearing focused on the experience of law enforcement officers in the January 6 insurrection. We heard harrowing testimony from Officer Harry Dunn and Sergeant Aquilino Gonell of the U.S. Capitol Police and Officers Michael Fanone and Daniel Hodges of the Metropolitan Police Department who protected the Capitol and the hundreds of people working there on January 6. Not only will these officers be remembered as American heroes, their experiences will represent the moral center of this investigation. I look forward to working with my colleagues Chair Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Elaine Luria (D-VA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Pete Aguilar (D-CA), Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), Liz Cheney (R-WY) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) as we move forward. To watch the full hearing, click here.
Standing Up for Afghan Interpreters
Since 2001, thousands of Afghan nationals, interpreters, guides and other allies have risked their lives serving alongside American troops. As the U.S. withdraws from Afghanistan, we must protect these individuals who now face the risk of retaliation from the Taliban. The Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program allows Afghan nationals who worked as interpreters, guides or in other capacities in support of the American mission in Afghanistan to seek lawful permanent residence here in the U.S. I've long been working to expedite these visas so that these individuals can find safety in our nation—this past month, I defended the ALLIES Act, legislation that would streamline the Afghan SIV program and expedite visa processing for these brave individuals and their families. You can click here to watch my remarks in a Rules Committee meeting. As such, I was delighted to vote to pass H.R. 3237, legislation to strengthen the Afghan SIV program and provide emergency funding for the transport, temporary housing and other basic services for Afghans who qualify for the program. I'm proud to report that President Biden signed the measure into law on July 30.
Celebrating Our District’s Parks and Recreation
Jeff Degitz, director of the Carroll County Department of Recreation and Parks, joined me on Local Heroes to share how he and his staff have been active throughout COVID-19 crafting innovative programming to connect Carroll County residents with the great outdoors safely. I couldn’t think of a better way to honor the Carroll County Department of Recreation and Parks’ 50th anniversary or to celebrate National Parks Month! To watch our full discussion, click here.
Advocating for Press Freedom
Earlier in July, Reps. Ted Lieu (D-CA), John Yarmuth (D-KY) and I introduced the PRESS Act, a federal press shield law that would protect journalists from being compelled to reveal confidential sources and prevent federal law enforcement from abusing subpoena power. I will continue fighting for this critical legislation that will help our nation make good on the constitutional promise of a free press. To learn more, click here.
Standing Up for the Right to Vote and Election Integrity
As chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform's subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, I held a hearing in July on the ongoing assault against voting rights taking place at the state level all around the country. It was an honor to have members of the Texas state legislature attend the hearing as witnesses to share their firsthand perspective. Texas State Rep. Senfronia Thompson recalled a history of poll taxes, inaccessible locations and outright primary election bans that prevented her family from exercising their right to vote, and recognized the pending voting bills as enduring relics of Jim Crow. I am resolute as ever—we must expeditiously pass the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. You may watch the full hearing here.
This past month, I also joined Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, in sending a letter demanding information from the chief executive officer of Cyber Ninjas, a cyber-security firm and private company auditing the 2020 election in Maricopa County, Arizona. You can read more about our efforts to expand transparency and accountability here.
Advancing Paid Family Leave for Federal Employees
I'm proud to report that this past month, I voted to advance paid family leave for federal employees through the Committee on Oversight and Reform. Two million federal employees serve our nation every day, and I’m proud to represent tens of thousands in our district. Click here to learn more.
Pushing for Green Schools