BUDGET: As a member of the Senate Budget Committee I will be participating in the first mark-ups of the federal budget for the next fiscal year. This is a critical time for me to help shape a budget that best reflects the priorities of Marylanders and all Americans. I intend to promote funding to improve oral healthcare, Medicare prevention benefits, and cost-sharing, among other items. I also want to see that our budget reflects long-term solutions to the problems facing our housing market and credit crunch. I want more reliable funding for MARC, Amtrak, and Washington's Metro System. I will strive to ensure treasures like the Chesapeake Bay are given adequate resources for clean-up and sustainability. And I will work to ensure the Federal Government fulfills its responsibility to support communities welcoming new jobs and families to our State thanks to the Base Realignment (BRAC) process.

CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY: This week on the floor of the Senate, we will be debating important legislation on consumer product safety. The Administration has slashed the Commission's budget and staff and the CPSC currently employs just one full-time tester in an under-equipped lab to test toy safety for the entire country. I believe that keeping our children safe from toxic toys and products should be a priority. The bipartisan bill under consideration will give the Consumer Product Safety Commission the resources, authority, and oversight it needs to protect our children from lead, dangerous toys and other unsafe products.

FBI OVERSIGHT: As a member of the Judiciary Committee, I am looking forward to the first oversight hearing in about a year with the Director of the FBI, Robert S. Mueller, III. I intend to query him on a number of election-related issues, including the FBI's plans for the current election and its role in enforcing election laws so that we minimize the intimidation and deceptive practices against minority voters that were rampant in 2006. I also will question him about national security issues, including the accuracy of the Terrorist Watch List and the FBI's role in obtaining emails and other data from Internet Service Providers (ISPs). As we evaluate the FBI's budget request, I also think it is important to hear whether state and local law enforcement agencies are receiving adequate funding support for their role in the fight against terrorism and how the director thinks cuts to programs such as Violence Against Women Protection, Justice Assistance Grants, and Community Orienting Policing Services (COPS) will affect the fight against crime.

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH: We honor the contributions of women in our society throughout March during Women's History Month. The recognition started in 1978 as a week-long celebration coinciding with International Women's Day. It has grown over the last 30 years to spotlight the great accomplishments of women past, present, and future. Maryland's history is rich with pioneering women who have made our state and our nation better. This month and year-round we need to remember the struggles and achievements of the great women in our lives and dedicate ourselves to providing real opportunities to every woman and young girl because they will shape our nation's future.