Bill to “ban the box” would end federal employer requests for criminal histories

WASHINGTON — Former felons could have more success securing employment under bipartisan legislation introduced Thursday that would bar federal employers from asking requests for applicants’ criminal histories before conditional job offers. Reps. Elijah Cummings, D-Baltimore, and Doug Collins, R-Georgia, joined…

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…

House Democrats seek sweeping reforms on ethics, campaigns

After Democrats seized a majority in the House with a 40-seat swing in the 2018 midterm elections, Maryland Rep. John Sarbanes said the results were a call for election and ethics reform. The “For the People Act of 2019” is the House Democrats’ bid to enact those reforms.

Maryland legislators pleased with shutdown deal, but Democrats hit Trump

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump announced Friday that he has come to an agreement with Democrats to reopen the government for three weeks. Several Maryland lawmakers quickly responded that they hoped to find a path to avoiding another shutdown. Minutes…

Cummings, Sanders propose bills to reduce drug prices

Maryland 7th Congressional District Representative Elijah Cummings and Vermont U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, along with other Capitol Hill legislators, introduce three bills that aim to fight the rising cost of prescription drugs.

Maryland lawmakers eulogize Bush as engaging statesman willing to compromise

WASHINGTON – Maryland lawmakers mourned the loss of George Herbert Walker Bush Tuesday, commending the 41st president as a decent man who bravely served his country. Bush, 94, died Nov. 30 at his home in Houston. His body will lie…

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…

One of Trump’s companies is licensed in Maryland – for what is not clear

WASHINGTON – A Trump real estate company was registered in Maryland only two months after Donald Trump’s inauguration, but its intentions in the state — if any — remain a mystery. But the company, T International Realty LLC, already is…

Once in the majority, House Democrats will work through ‘to do’ list

WASHINGTON – Now that they’ve taken over the House, Democrats will try to follow a party blueprint for action that envisions protecting health care, Medicare and Medicaid, funding improvements to the country’s infrastructure, and creating more jobs. And the likely…

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…