Archive: 2018

“Hello, I’m Congressman John Sarbanes. I represent Maryland in the House of Representatives and I chair the Democracy Reform Task Force for the Democrats in the House. And I’m excited to talk to you today about A Better Deal for Our Democracy, which is a powerful reform platform that we’re putting forward to Americans all across this country, because we know that people feel like Washington doesn’t work for them anymore; that we need to fix our institutions, that we’ve got to let your voice back into things here on Capitol Hill and make sure that your priorities are the ones that govern us, as opposed to priorities of special interests and big money and insiders.

“In June of 1969, LGBTQ Americans took to the streets outside the Stonewall Inn to fight against brutality and violence, and demand an end to harassment, persecution and hate.  Almost 50 years later, LGBTQ individuals across the country and around the world proudly march through the streets to unapologetically celebrate the beauty and vibrancy of their community and the incalculable contributions they have made to our nation. 

“May’s jobs report shows that strong employment numbers mean little to the families hit with soaring new costs under the Republicans’ watch.

“President Trump’s executive orders strike a sweeping blow to the time-honored and legally-mandated freedom for federal employees to negotiate better futures.  His spiteful attack on the men and women of labor hurts workers and their families, and devastates the efficacy of the federal workforce.  It is particularly egregious that the President, spurred by Congressional Republicans, is taking a hatchet to official time, which is a vital tool for addressing serious workplace grievances, including sexual harassment claims.  With no justification, the President has moved to eliminate workers’ freedom to seek justice, dignity and equality in the workplace.

“President Trump campaigned on a promise to confront China’s unfair trade practices, but his continued chaotic trade brinkmanship threatens to invite retaliation that harms American workers and farmers, and the American economy.  Last week, the President revealed the utter hollowness of his promises by pledging American government resources to a Chinese company that has violated U.S. sanctions by selling technology to North Korea and Iran, and that is a known cyber security risk to the United States.

“The new mortality study published today on Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico is shocking and profoundly disturbing.  This report reveals a level of devastation that is exponentially worse than previously acknowledged, confirming that Maria ranks among the most devastating disasters in our nation’s history.  

“Each Memorial Day, a grateful nation marks the selfless service and sacrifice of our courageous American heroes.  President Franklin Roosevelt said, ‘freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.’  Today, and on all days, Americans across the country honor the brave soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who have sacrificed to secure our liberty, defend our democracy and achieve freedom for our nation.

“The President’s ZTE deal is a staggering betrayal of the American people.  Although Trump pledged to fight for hard-working Americans, he is now using U.S. government  resources to enrich a foreign company – right after the Chinese government reportedly agreed to funnel half a billion dollars into one of his family’s resorts.

In one promise after another, President Trump – aka the self-proclaimed ‘king of debt’ – told the American people that his Administration would ‘get rid of’ trillions of dollars of debt.

ATTENTION: A new Gallup poll reveals the American people give the Trump Administration the lowest-ever ethics rating given to a White House.