Maryland Democratic lawmakers press oversight of Trump administration

Since Donald Trump’s first week as president, Maryland Democratic lawmakers have been at the forefront of a widespread effort to hold the administration accountable for potentially illegal or unethical behavior, possible conflicts of interest, questionable travel practices, and contacts with Russians during and since last year’s presidential election.

Maryland senators introduce bill to aid “temporary status” immigrants

WASHINGTON – Maryland Democratic Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen joined immigrants rights activists on Thursday to unveil new legislation to protect undocumented immigrants living under Temporary Protected Status. “Congress needs to pass legislation,” Cardin said at a Capitol…

Trump temperament gives senators nuclear jitters

WASHINGTON – Sens. Ben Cardin, D-Maryland, and Bob Corker, R-Tennessee, led an unusual hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Tuesday examining whether the United States’ nuclear first-strike authority should be maintained solely by the president or shared with Congress.…

Cardin among critics who want change in war-fighting policy

WASHINGTON – The International Criminal Court last week said it plans to begin investigating war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Afghan conflict. The probe will include looking into actions by the International Security Assistance Force, which includes American…

Democratic members of House oversight committee sue for details about Trump Hotel

Democratic members of the House Oversight Committee led by ranking member Rep. Elijah Cummings, from Maryland’s 8th District, have filed suit to get information about President Trump’s hotel in Washington. Maryland 7th District Rep. Jamie Raskin says that information is critical to determining whether President Trump is acting unlawfully by privately benefiting in some way from the hotel that bears his name.

Maryland’s mysterious Russian compound gathers dust, awaits its fate

CENTREVILLE, Maryland — The soccer field is still trimmed to perfection, but no Russians will be gracing the pitch anytime soon. Nor will they be staying in either of the two Georgian-style mansions or in any of the ten bungalows clustered on the 45-acre waterfront property.

Cummings wants Trump to deal for lower Medicare drug prices

WASHINGTON – After repeated efforts to partner with the Trump administration to make good on campaign promises to lower Medicare drug prices, Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings on Wednesday signaled impatience with the White House by unveiling legislation that would give…

Local Youth Receive Hands-On Lessons From Former NFL Players

In advance of this week’s Congressional football game at Gallaudet College, some retired NFL players helped with some hands-on training for a lucky group of elementary and middle school students from around the region.

Lawmakers seek tighter curbs on foreign political ads on social media

WASHINGTON – Maryland lawmakers are asking the Federal Election Commission to take steps to block foreign governments and overseas entities from buying political ads on social media. The move follows Facebook’s disclosure on Sept. 6 that a Russian company with…

Maryland lawmakers move to block Fort Detrick biolab shutdown

Lawmakers are fighting to preserve a long-standing research laboratory in Frederick, Maryland, after President Trump’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2018 eliminated the facility’s funding.