Most Maryland House Democrats see new House speaker as extremist, threat to democracy

WASHINGTON – Newly-elected House Speaker Mike Johnson is drawing sharp criticisms from most of Maryland’s House Democrats, who view the Louisiana lawmaker as a political extremist and opponent of democracy. “Speaker Mike Johnson? Anti-choice, anti-LGBTQ, anti-gun safety, anti-democracy. This is…

Pelosi sets formal impeachment inquiry into Trump; Maryland Democrats concur

WASHINGTON – For the fourth time in history, Congress is opening an impeachment inquiry into the president of the United States, an extraordinarily fast-moving development after months of debate among Democrats over whether to proceed with such a constitutionally serious…

Maryland communities and D.C. receive youth homelessness grants

CAPITOL HEIGHTS, Maryland — Baltimore, Prince George’s County and the District of Columbia are among 23 communities receiving a total of $75 million in federal funds to combat youth homelessness. The $75 million was awarded as part of the Department…

In tribute to Henrietta Lacks, Maryland Democrats ask study on cancer trials access

WASHINGTON — Maryland Democrats have introduced legislation honoring Henrietta Lacks’ legacy by examining the access underrepresented groups have to government-funded cancer clinical trials. The Henrietta Lacks Enhancing Cancer Research Act directs the Government Accountability Office to publish a report scrutinizing…

Maryland lawmakers push bill to simplify financial aid for independent students

WASHINGTON – Maryland lawmakers are proposing a bill to simplify the process of applying for federal aid for students who have no contact with their parents. Reps. Elijah Cummings, D-Baltimore, Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Timonium, and John Sarbanes, D-Towson, introduced the FAFSA…

Maryland legislators disappointed with Trump’s State of the Union address

WASHINGTON – Maryland’s Democratic lawmakers were cold to President Donald Trump’s call for unity in Tuesday’s State of the Union, saying it failed to break any new ground. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Mechanicsville, said he didn’t want to call…

Chesapeake farmers target runoff reduction, lawmakers seek conservation funds

MIDDLETOWN, Maryland — A gaggle of excitable white turkeys gobbled and clucked in their pen at Open Book Farm on a chilly afternoon in late October. Most days, the birds roamed free in one of the farm’s pastures, scratching and…

Maryland lawmakers will gain power in new Democratic House

WASHINGTON – Now that the Democrats have taken over the House of Representatives, some Maryland legislators stand to hold significantly greater positions of power and influence in the 116th Congress that convenes in January. Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Mechanicsville, formally announced…

Maryland Democrats: Trump health care curbs could affect 260,000 in state

BALTIMORE – As many as 260,000 Maryland residents could see higher premiums or lose their health care coverage altogether because of pre-existing medical conditions, age or gender under a new Trump administration legal strategy, state Democrats warned on Tuesday. Rep.…

As Maryland and other states struggle, Trump declares opioids a ‘public health emergency’

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Thursday announced before a packed White House East Room that the opioid epidemic is a public health emergency. “It’s time to liberate our communities from this scourge of drug addiction,” Trump said, flanked on…