All Letters From Ben
Nov 16, 2024
Checks and Balances
Dear Fellow Marylanders, The United States of America is not a monarchy. From the very first days of our nation’s founding, we established institutions and procedures designed to keep any […]
Read MoreNov 12, 2024
The New Team Maryland
Dear Fellow Marylanders, Come January, Team Maryland will have a whole new look in Congress. I’m proud to say that Angela Alsobrooks, currently the County Executive for Prince George’s County, […]
Read MoreNov 2, 2024
Antidote Election
Dear Fellow Marylanders, It’s not too hard for Ravens fans to picture our team heading to the Super Bowl this year. If you are a fan of the Commanders, you […]
Read MoreOct 26, 2024
Time to Vote
Dear Fellow Marylanders, There are more than 3.6 million registered voters in Maryland. Every single one of those votes counts the same. Whether you live in Baltimore or Boonsboro, Aberdeen […]
Read MoreOct 19, 2024
Truth and Tragedy
Dear Fellow Marylanders, To date, in the short time since Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton struck the Southeast, the federal government led by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala […]
Read MoreSep 28, 2024
Putting the IVF in Reproductive Freedom
Dear Fellow Marylanders, After over five decades in public service as Maryland’s Speaker of the House of Delegates, Congressman and U.S. Senator, my life’s greatest accomplishment will always be becoming […]
Read MoreSep 21, 2024
Just Say No
Dear Fellow Marylanders, Maryland is home to over 150,000 federal civilian workers and I am proud to represent them every day in the United States Senate. These are dedicated individuals […]
Read MoreSep 14, 2024
Hateful Rhetoric
Dear Fellow Marylanders, I don’t know about you, but I am sick and tired of people attacking immigrant or ethnic communities with make-believe stories intent on scaring Americans and distracting […]
Read MoreSep 7, 2024
Childcare Today
Dear Fellow Marylanders, There’s been a good deal of talk lately about quality, affordable childcare – and for good reason. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nationwide there are over […]
Read MoreAug 31, 2024
Class in Session
Dear Fellow Marylanders, It is that time of year. This weekend marks the unofficial end of summer. Many of our students went back to school last week with the remainder […]
Read MoreAug 24, 2024
Freedom is Fundamental
Dear Fellow Marylanders, Earlier this month, I wrote to you about freedom when Americans Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, and Alsu Kurmasheva, as well as U.S. Green Card holder Vladimir Kara-Murza, […]
Read MoreAug 17, 2024
The First Ten
Dear Fellow Marylanders, Buying in bulk to save money or negotiating for a better price is second nature to many Americans. Anyone who has ever shopped at Costco or BJs, […]
Read MoreAug 10, 2024
Team Maryland. Team USA.
Dear Fellow Marylanders, There is something special about the Summer Olympics. For two weeks, every four years, the world comes together to compete at the highest levels in an incredible […]
Read MoreJul 28, 2024
Thank You, Joe
Dear Fellow Marylanders, So much to say this week, but I want to use this space to thank my friend Joe Biden for being an incredible American patriot who made […]
Read MoreJul 20, 2024
Political Violence
Dear Fellow Marylanders, From Alexander Hamilton’s and Aaron Burr’s duel 220 years ago this month, to the assassinations of Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., […]
Read MoreJul 13, 2024
NATO Summit
Dear Fellow Marylanders, This week, Washington, D.C. was buzzing as leaders from Europe converged here for the NATO Summit. It’s a big deal, and I want to share why this […]
Read MoreJul 6, 2024
Worst Fears Realized
Dear Fellow Marylanders, Days before the United States of America celebrated the 248th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence from a tyrannical British monarchy, our highest court, the Supreme Court […]
Read MoreJun 29, 2024
From Riots to Rainbows
Dear Fellow Marylanders, This weekend, we wrap up Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month. Marylanders have packed a lot into these 30 days – from the June 1 […]
Read MoreJun 22, 2024
A Solemn Anniversary
Dear Fellow Marylanders, “There is nothing more terrifying than hearing multiple people get shot while you’re under your desk and then hear the gunman reload.” Outside the United States, the […]
Read MoreJun 8, 2024
D-Day 80 Years Later
Dear Fellow Marylanders, Thursday marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the major Allied landing on the beaches of Normandy, France, that turned the tide of war against Nazi Germany. The Allied […]
Read MoreJun 1, 2024
Unprecedented
History. Unprecedented. Remarkable. Unthinkable. Whatever you want to call it, Thursday, May 30, 2024 marked a sad day in nearly 250 years of American history as a former president was […]
Read MoreMay 25, 2024
Women's Health
May is Women’s Health Month. June is Men’s Health Month. I would argue that every month should be a time to focus on physical and mental health and encourage everyone […]
Read MoreMay 18, 2024
Graduation Season
Dear Fellow Marylanders, Maryland weather can be epic. As you know, often we can experience at least three of the four major seasons, maybe Winter, Spring and Summer, all in […]
Read MoreMay 11, 2024
The Past is Prologue
Dear Fellow Marylanders, The 1960s and 70s were defined by incredible turmoil, yet monumental progress for civil rights and equity. Student-led protests and other demonstrations and civil unrest led to […]
Read MoreMay 4, 2024
Public Service
Dear Fellow Marylanders, When the cargo ship Dali lost control and slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, law enforcement, emergency medical personnel, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army […]
Read MoreApr 27, 2024
Full Steam Ahead
Dear Fellow Marylanders, It’s hard to believe it’s been one month since we awoke to the horrific news that the Francis Scott Key Bridge had collapsed into the Patapsco River. […]
Read MoreApr 20, 2024
Plastic vs. World
Dear Fellow Marylanders, The miracle of plastic is that “it takes between 500 and 1000 years to break down,” and can protect food and other items from bacteria. It has […]
Read MoreApr 13, 2024
Letters to Vladimir
Dear Fellow Marylanders, This week marks two years since the arrest and jailing of Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian opposition leader, historian, and journalist. He was arrested just days after testifying […]
Read MoreApr 6, 2024
A Total Eclipse
Dear Fellow Marylanders, We’re just days away from the next total solar eclipse. On Monday, April 8, using appropriate safety glasses, we’ll watch together as the moon crosses the sun’s path […]
Read MoreMar 30, 2024
Baltimore Strong
Dear Fellow Marylanders, It’s hard to imagine Baltimore’s skyline without the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a visual symbol of connectivity and commerce, framing the backdrop of the city. Completed in […]
Read MoreMar 23, 2024
Confirming History
Dear Fellow Marylanders, As a senator and Member of Congress, the most consequential decisions I have ever made were related to whether to approve sending brave American men and women […]
Read MoreMar 16, 2024
Blue Catfish on the Menu
Dear Fellow Marylanders, Do you have a favorite recipe for blue catfish? You should find one. By most accounts, blue catfish are both tasty and nutritious. And there are far […]
Read MoreMar 9, 2024
Celebrating Women Worldwide
How a nation treats its women is a barometer for success. This is a fact that I have shared with you frequently. It is especially relevant today, as women’s rights […]
Read MoreMar 2, 2024
Washington's Warnings
Dear Fellow Marylanders, This week, as the Senate returned from its state work period for the Presidents Day holiday, I had the honor of reading President George Washington’s Farewell Address […]
Read MoreFeb 17, 2024
Presidential Propriety
Dear Fellow Marylanders, This weekend, as we celebrate Presidents Day, I wonder what some of our most notable American Presidents would think about the recent comments from one particular former […]
Read MoreFeb 10, 2024
Black History from Bellevue to Baltimore and Beyond
Last week marked the beginning of Black History Month, a celebration of the important roles Black Americans have played in our country. Paying homage to the richness of Black heritage— […]
Read MoreFeb 3, 2024
How Is Everybody Doing
Like millions of Americans, my children, and now grandchildren, grew up watching Sesame Street. I appreciated that it could teach children rudimentary reading, writing and math lessons while tackling life’s […]
Read MoreJan 27, 2024
Facts Under Fire
Dear Fellow Marylanders, Today, International Holocaust Remembrance Day is one of the most solemn days of the year, not only for the Jewish people, but for all those who value […]
Read MoreJan 20, 2024
Saving Roe
Dear Fellow Marylanders, Fifty-one years ago this Monday, the Supreme Court of the United States made it the law of the land that Americans have the right to control their […]
Read MoreJan 13, 2024
Give Us the Ballot
This Monday, January 15, we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a national federal holiday. More than a day off from work or school, to honor […]
Read MoreJan 6, 2024
Democracy Under Pressure
Dear Fellow Marylanders, I was asked by a local student recently, after hearing a news story on the latest January 6th convictions, “why are they still talking about January 6?” […]
Read MoreDec 30, 2023
Cheers to the New Year
Dear Fellow Marylanders, This past year was filled with successes and challenges for Maryland and our nation. The boom for small businesses continued and we have thus far avoided an […]
Read MoreDec 23, 2023
We Cannot Abandon Ukraine
Dear Fellow Marylanders, When I assumed the leadership of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in late September, I said that “Democracy and freedom are being tested around the world. America’s […]
Read MoreDec 16, 2023
7,002 Miles to a Cleaner World
Dear Fellow Marylanders, It’s 7,002 miles from Baltimore to Dubai. Roundtrip flying time is about 27 hours. This week, I returned from three days on the ground in Dubai for […]
Read MoreDec 2, 2023
World AIDS Day
Dear Fellow Marylanders, This week was World AIDS Day. For 35 years, people around the country and around the world have come together to re-dedicate themselves to the global struggle […]
Read MoreNov 25, 2023
Local Anchors
Family is such an anchor in my life, which is why Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It’s always a joy getting together with the extended Cardin family to […]
Read MoreNov 18, 2023
Welcome to Maryland
Dear Fellow Marylanders, The headquarters of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is coming to Maryland. Really. And it’s a big deal. In welcoming the FBI—the lead federal agency that […]
Read MoreNov 11, 2023
Frontlines of Democracy
Dear Fellow Marylanders, On this Veterans Day, I want to express my profound admiration for the unwavering service and sacrifices of our veterans. Their commitment to our nation, its people […]
Read MoreNov 4, 2023
Coach Tuberville Needs a Time Out
Dear Fellow Marylanders, For years, I have given my staff strict instructions that we may voice vehement disagreement with the policy positions or policy-related actions of other senators or lawmakers, […]
Read MoreOct 28, 2023
Without Fear or Favor
Dear Fellow Marylanders, I am a lawyer by training and profession. I have studied the Constitution, our nation’s fundamental laws, as well as statutes that would follow and help clarify […]
Read MoreOct 21, 2023
United Against Hate
Dear Fellow Marylanders, For many Americans and immigrants alike, the United States offers a promise of freedom, equality and prosperity regardless of race, background, religion or gender. While our founding […]
Read MoreOct 14, 2023
Modern Day Pogrom
Dear Fellow Marylanders, My grandparents came to the United States in 1902 from Lithuania. It was a violent time in that part of the world. Starting in 1881, there were […]
Read MoreOct 7, 2023
A Week for the History Books
Dear Fellow Marylanders, It’s been a heck of a couple of weeks at the U.S. Capitol. The news has been monumental and nonstop. Let me tell you a little about […]
Read MoreSep 16, 2023
Shutdown the Shutdown
Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy acknowledged a truth this week when he said, “Nobody wins in a government shutdown.” There is no such thing as a “good government […]
Read MoreSep 9, 2023
Never Forget
This year marks the twenty-second anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks. Millions of Americans remember exactly where they were and what we were doing when nearly 3,000 people were […]
Read MoreSep 2, 2023
Marching On
Dear Fellow Marylanders. Sixty years ago Monday, August 28, 1963, hundreds of thousands of men and women descended on our nation’s capital for the March on Washington for Jobs and […]
Read MoreAug 26, 2023
Letter From Berlin
This summer, I am confident many of you created lifelong memories. Whether it was hiking the Catoctin Mountains or catching some sun at our much-loved Ocean City, I hope you […]
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Aug 19, 2023
Federal Investment Local Impact
Dear Fellow Marylanders, It’s been quite the week. On Friday, I spent the day in Ocean City at the summer meeting of the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo). It’s a […]
Read MoreAug 12, 2023
Expectations
Dear Fellow Marylanders, We should all be proud of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) that represented our nation at the 2023 FIFA World Cup in Australia and New […]
Read MoreAug 5, 2023
Henrietta Lacks
Dear Fellow Marylanders, Temperatures are high, but fall is right around the corner. With it comes a renewed focus on public health. Students are getting vaccinated before they head back […]
Read MoreJul 29, 2023
Dangerously Hot
Dear Fellow Marylanders, I hope you are reading this inside because it’s hot out there. The National Weather Service – headquartered in Silver Spring, Md. – has issued an “excessive […]
Read MoreJul 22, 2023
Waiting For a Lifeline
Dear Fellow Marylanders, This week, I led a Senate Finance Health Care Subcommittee hearing on the cost of inaction and the urgent need to reform the U.S. transplant system. I […]
Read MoreJul 15, 2023
Ethics Matter
Dear Fellow Marylanders, Ethics matter. Integrity and trust matter. These ideals are not Democratic or Republican, but nonpartisan values that allow our society to function. As a United States Senator, […]
Read MoreJul 8, 2023
Too Many Guns
Dear Fellow Marylanders, As the country celebrated its birthday last weekend, festive block parties turned tragic as gun violence erupted in our own backyard and across the country. It’s been […]
Read MoreJul 1, 2023
Traveling?
Dear Fellow Marylanders, Beach vacations, backyard BBQs, long weekends and fireworks. Independence Day weekend is made for celebrations. The last three years have been rough, as high costs fueled by […]
Read MoreJun 24, 2023
Tip of the Iceberg
Push it to the states, they said. That’s all we want, they said. One year ago, the Supreme Court of the United States struck down Roe v. Wade and nearly […]
Read MoreJun 17, 2023
Freedom and Independence
Dear Fellow Marylanders, Summer is typically marked by celebrations on July 4th or Independence Day. There is another important day, Freedom Day or Juneteenth, that now is another summer celebration. […]
Read MoreJun 10, 2023
Searching for Rainbows
Dear Fellow Marylanders, Pride is celebrated throughout June, when the weather is warm, spirits are high and school is out, but lately it has been far from sunshine and signature […]
Read MoreJun 3, 2023
Deja Vu All Over Again
Dear Fellow Marylanders, I have been having déjà vu for weeks, actually months, anytime I think about the economy. Similar to the fiscal crisis of 2011, Republican lawmakers allowed our country […]
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May 27, 2023
What's an Earmark?
Dear Fellow Marylanders, The term earmark originated with farmers and ranchers who would cut the ears of their sheep, cattle or other animals in a certain way to distinguish them […]
Read MoreMay 13, 2023
Still Stay Safe
Dear Fellow Marylanders, I started writing these letters in March 2020 to share helpful information about COVID-19 and how the federal, state and local governments were attempting to marshal resources […]
Read MoreMay 6, 2023
Do No Harm
Dear Fellow Marylanders, All this week, we have been celebrating National Small Business Week. Much has changed in the 60 years since it began in 1963, but our small businesses […]
Read MoreApr 29, 2023
Right Side of History
Dear Fellow Marylanders, This week, a bipartisan majority of the United States Senate officially expressed their support for removing the arbitrary deadline for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) […]
Read MoreApr 22, 2023
Investing in Our Planet
Dear Fellow Marylanders, It’s Earth Day! I know it seems like every day is another commemoration or greeting card holiday, but this one is important. For the last 53 years, […]
Read MoreApr 15, 2023
Not Quite Tax Day
Dear Fellow Marylanders, April 15 is Tax Day, right? Don’t panic. This year, due to local holidays, Tuesday, April 18 is the last day to file your taxes before the standard deadline. […]
Read MoreApr 8, 2023
More Bullhorns, Fewer Bullets
Dear Fellow Marylanders, On March 27, three 9-year-olds were gunned down inside their Nashville school, along with a substitute teacher, a school custodian and the head of school. By most […]
Read MoreApr 1, 2023
We All Have a Sabatino’s
This week I joined President Biden at the White House to help launch the second annual Small Business Administration Women’s Business Summit. The excitement on the White House grounds was palpable, […]
Read MoreMar 18, 2023
March Madness
Dear Fellow Marylander, That magical season of March Madness is upon us. Our beloved women’s (2-seed) and men’s (8-seed) Terps basketball teams have made it through the first round of […]
Read MoreMar 11, 2023
Justin Bieber
Dear Fellow Marylanders, I’ve been writing these letters to you nearly every week since March 2020. In all this time, I’ve never had the Washington Post steal my subject line, […]
Read MoreMar 4, 2023
There Should Be No Deadline on Equality
Dear Fellow Marylander, This week, on the eve of Women’s History Month, the Senate Judiciary Committee did something that had not happened since 1984. It held a hearing on the […]
Read MoreFeb 25, 2023
Ukraine One Year Later
Dear Fellow Marylanders, As you may have already seen, earlier this week President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Kyiv – the first visit by a sitting United States president in […]
Read MoreFeb 18, 2023
Celebrating the Risk Takers
Dear Fellow Marylanders, One of my favorite parts of serving the great state of Maryland is visiting small businesses and meeting all types of incredible entrepreneurs. Each time I do, […]
Read MoreFeb 11, 2023
State of the Union
Dear Fellow Marylanders, I hope you had an opportunity to watch President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address to the nation on Tuesday night. Typically, you can feel the […]
Read MoreFeb 4, 2023
Tyre Nichols
Dear Fellow Marylanders, On Wednesday, Tyre Nichols was laid to rest in Memphis, Tenn. He was a father, son, brother. He enjoyed skateboarding and photography. Tyre Nichols should be home […]
Read MoreJan 28, 2023
Exposing Corruption
Dear Fellow Marylanders, The 118th Congress started its first session in earnest this week, with senators able to introduce legislation and resolutions that are personal passions and at the top […]
Read MoreJan 21, 2023
Maryland Has a New Governor
Dear Fellow Marylanders, We have a new governor, and it feels wonderful. On Wednesday, I had the honor of witnessing history as Wes Moore was sworn in as the 63rd […]
Read MoreJan 14, 2023
A Life of Purpose
Dear Fellow Marylanders, On November 2, 1983, the Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday was signed into law. This day came only after an intense lobbying effort by the Congressional […]
Read MoreJan 7, 2023
Indelible History
Dear Fellow Marylanders: There are key dates in American history that will always have deeper meaning besides the number on a calendar. July 4 (Independence Day). June 19 (Juneteenth/End of […]
Read MoreDec 31, 2022
Epic Progress for Maryland - Part Two
Dear Fellow Marylanders. I hope you had a joyous and safe holiday with family and friends. For those who are first responders, frontline workers, and all who keep things running […]
Read MoreDec 24, 2022
Epic Accomplishments – Part One
At the start of the 117th Congress, with a 50-50 Senate and a slim Democratic majority in the House, many predicted that gridlock would remain the norm on Capitol Hill. […]
Read MoreDec 17, 2022
Clear and Present Danger
Dear Fellow Marylanders, As the holiday season kicks into high gear, it is natural to focus on the incredible displays of compassion and charity that we see across Maryland and […]
Read MoreDec 10, 2022
It's Been 10 Years
Dear Fellow Marylanders, Daniel Barden should be in his junior year of high school right now, perhaps stressed out about his recent PSAT scores but excited about the approaching winter […]
Read MoreDec 3, 2022
Marriage Equality for All.
Dear Fellow Marylanders, The moment Myrna and I were married in November 1964, we immediately were eligible for hundreds of new benefits as a couple. From taxes to health care, […]
Read MoreNov 26, 2022
Go Shopping Today
Dear Fellow Marylanders, I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, spending time with family, friends or however you chose to spend the holiday. I loved being with family and eating […]
Read MoreNov 19, 2022
Laying the Foundation
Dear Fellow Marylanders, Let’s talk about infrastructure. I know, it sounds a bit wonky, but hear me out. Infrastructure is everything all around us. We all use it every day, […]
Read MoreNov 12, 2022
Defending Democracy, Battling Climate Change, Thanking Veterans
Dear Fellow Marylanders: Democracy for the win! For weeks – months – I’ve been talking about how important this midterm election is for the future of our state and our […]
Read MoreNov 5, 2022
Democracy on the Line
Dear Fellow Marylander, We’re now down to the wire. Three days stand between our choice for the 118th Congress and a new Maryland governor – not to mention hundreds of […]
Read MoreOct 29, 2022
Make A Plan To Vote
Dear Fellow Marylander, Have you voted yet? Maryland’s in-person early voting period started Thursday and mail-in ballots were sent out in early October to those who requested. So far, more […]
Read MoreOct 22, 2022
Stopping Domestic Violence
Dear Fellow Marylanders, During the COVID-19 pandemic, as many offices and schools shifted overnight to telework, Marylanders and others across the country were forced to stay at home for work, […]
Read MoreOct 15, 2022
Think Before You Click
Dear Fellow Marylanders, Hopefully, you’ve heard the warnings: don’t open attachments or click on links from sources you don’t know. Read emails carefully – are they really from who you […]
Read MoreOct 8, 2022
Joy and Trepidation
Dear Fellow Marylanders, Since 1917, the Supreme Court of the United States has begun its term on the first Monday of October. This week was no exception. What made this […]
Read MoreOct 1, 2022
Storm Surges
Dear Fellow Marylanders, This weekend is going to be a rainy one, so please stay safe and find somewhere warm and dry to avoid the remnants of Hurricane Ian. Check […]
Read MoreSep 24, 2022
Sunlight is the Best Disinfectant
Dear Fellow Marylanders, As you’ve seen from my letters lately, the Senate has been on a roll. We have been getting major legislation passed, like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and […]
Read MoreSep 17, 2022
They Won't Stop With Abortion
Dear Fellow Marylanders, This week, South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and dozens of House members introduced legislation that would ban abortions nationwide. A federal ban. This would overturn the […]
Read MoreSep 10, 2022
A Life of Service
Dear Fellow Marylanders, Queen Elizabeth II, the monarch who served as the head of state for the United Kingdom and Commonwealth for a remarkable 70 years, has died. America fought […]
Read MoreSep 3, 2022
America is Working Again
Dear Fellow Marylanders, At 8:30am ET, on the first Friday of every month, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics releases what it calls the “Employment Situation Summary.” This is a […]
Read MoreAug 27, 2022
No Deadline on Equality
Dear Fellow Marylanders: On August 26, 1920 – a mere eight days after Tennessee became the last state needed to ratify what would become the 19th amendment to our Constitution […]
Read MoreAug 20, 2022
A Republic, If You Can Keep It
Dear Fellow Marylanders: James McHenry, a Maryland delegate to the Constitutional Convention, recorded in his journal on the last day of convention that “a lady [Elizabeth Willing Powel] asked Dr. […]
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Aug 13, 2022
Shattering Predictions
Dear Fellow Marylanders: This has been a historically productive Congress. This is not a statement I make lightly, nor did I predict this many legislative accomplishments when we began the current session […]
Read MoreAug 6, 2022
Insult After Injury
Dear Fellow Marylanders: Over the past several months, countless small business owners across Maryland have been reaching out to my office, and to me directly, requesting help with their COVID […]
Read MoreJul 30, 2022
Water Resources
Dear Fellow Marylanders: The Senate passed legislation with a 93-1 vote this week that will create and maintain jobs across Maryland and the nation. I bring this to your attention […]
Read MoreJul 23, 2022
National 9-8-8
Dear Fellow Marylanders, This week, I spent time in Montgomery County with U.S. Secretary for Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, Congressman David Trone and Senator Chris Van Hollen talking […]
Read MoreJul 16, 2022
Intergalactic Inspiration
Dear Fellow Marylanders, It’s been a big week for the Free State: We had Early Voting for the Gubernatorial Primary Elections. The Orioles are back to .500 for the first […]
Read MoreJul 11, 2022
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
Dear Fellow Marylanders, Last Monday, I joined an excited crowd in Towson for their Independence Day parade. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of far too many community events over the […]
Read MoreJul 2, 2022
Rights Revoked
Dear Fellow Marylanders: Last week, the Supreme Court handed down the decision in Dobbs v. Jackson, dealing a devastating blow to civil rights in the United States. In a 6–3 decision, […]
Read MoreJun 25, 2022
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
It’s been a week of extremes on Capitol Hill. On the positive side, Congress took one step forward by breaking a decades-long logjam to pass substantial gun safety legislation that […]
Read MoreJun 18, 2022
Not Pretty, But Important
Dear Fellow Marylanders: For about the last 10 days, the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol (January 6th Committee), has been holding public hearings to share the results […]
Read MoreJun 11, 2022
Chesapeake Currents
Dear Fellow Marylanders: The Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure. For Marylanders, the Chesapeake Bay is an iconic part of our culture, economy and history. With this in mind, the […]
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Jun 4, 2022
Love is Love - At Risk in 2022
Dear Fellow Marylanders: Welcome to Pride Month, a time for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI+) community to rightly celebrate its progress and for all of us […]
Read MoreMay 28, 2022
Enough is Enough
Dear Fellow Marylanders: Last week, I wrote you with my thoughts, sadness and anger, about the senseless, hate-filled violence that took the lives of 10 people in a Buffalo grocery store. […]
Read MoreMay 21, 2022
Hate + Guns
Dear Fellow Marylanders: Last weekend, when I heard that 10 people were gunned down in a Buffalo grocery store, my mind started racing. While I closed my eyes and took a […]
Read MoreMay 14, 2022
One Million Lost
Dear Fellow Marylanders: Over the last two years, we have lost family and friends, colleagues and neighbors, while coping with countless other economic, social and emotional challenges brought on by the pandemic. […]
Read MoreMay 7, 2022
Mother's Rights
Dear Fellow Marylanders: This Sunday, families across our country will come together to celebrate Mother’s Day and the beginning of National Women’s Health Week. Usually, this is an opportunity to recognize […]
Read MoreApr 30, 2022
National Small Business Week
When I first joined the Senate. I asked to become a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. In the Senate, this is one of the smaller committees, in […]
Read MoreApr 23, 2022
Earth Day Everyday
Dear Fellow Marylanders: Hello and Happy Day-After Earth Day! April presents the opportunity to celebrate several nature-focused holidays, including Earth Day on April 22, Maryland Arbor Day on April 9 […]
Read MoreApr 16, 2022
Freddie Gray
Dear Fellow Marylander: April 19 will mark seven years since the tragic death of Freddie Gray, who was grievously injured while in the custody of the Baltimore City Police. Within […]
Read MoreApr 9, 2022
Justice Jackson
April 9, 2022 Dear Fellow Marylanders: This was a good week in the United States Senate. Thursday, as I voted to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to become the next […]
Read MoreApr 2, 2022
Equal Rights Always
April 2, 2022 Dear Fellow Marylander: In the last few days, we have seen a female nominee for the nation’s highest court, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, navigate her confirmation hearings […]
Read MoreMar 26, 2022
The Cost of War (Ukraine)
March 26, 2022 Dear Fellow Marylander, As I write, much of the world has been turned upside down by Russia’s unprovoked and unconscionable invasion of Ukraine, which was launched just […]
Read MoreMar 19, 2022
A Fork in the Road to Recovery
March 19, 2022 Dear Fellow Marylanders: We are at a critical decision point in our battle against COVID-19. While still losing far too many Marylanders to the virus, we have […]
Read MoreMar 12, 2022
American Rescue
March 12, 2022 Dear Fellow Marylanders: Two years ago, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to be a global […]
Read MoreMar 5, 2022
Rising to the Moment
March 5, 2022 Dear Fellow Marylanders: This week, I hope you were able to watch President Joe Biden as he delivered his first official State of the Union address. I […]
Read MoreFeb 26, 2022
SCOTUS History
February 26, 2022 Dear Fellow Marylanders: I want to describe someone to you. This person graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University and cum laude from Harvard Law School after […]
Read MoreFeb 19, 2022
Why Ukraine Matters
February 19, 2022 Dear Fellow Marylander: By the time you read this email, there is a chance that Russia will have begun its incursion into Ukraine. We don’t know what […]
Read MoreFeb 12, 2022
Legitimate Political Discourse
February 12, 2022 Dear Fellow Marylander: I write today to express my concerns about a fissure in our nation. On January 6, 2021, thousands of Americans gathered outside the White […]
Read MoreFeb 5, 2022
Certain to Improve
February 5, 2022 Dear Fellow Marylander: Of all the ways that COVID-19 has tried our resolve, the ongoing lack of certainty – about our economy, schools, health and daily […]
Read MoreJan 22, 2022
Glass Half Full
January 22, 2022 Dear Fellow Marylander: I am a glass-is-half-full kind of person. I try to be optimistic as much as possible. Sometimes it isn’t easy. This week was […]
Read MoreJan 15, 2022
Voting Rights Legacy
January 15, 2022 Dear Fellow Marylander: Each January, we celebrate the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who gave voice to the civil rights movement and […]
Read MoreJan 8, 2022
The Big Lie and the Ballot Box
January 8, 2022 Dear Fellow Marylander: This week marked the first anniversary of one of the darkest moments in our nation’s history. One year ago Thursday, a mob attacked […]
Read MoreJan 3, 2022
Welcome 2022
January 3, 2022 Dear Fellow Marylander: Happy New Year! I start 2022 thankful for the continuing honor of representing Maryland in the United States Senate. The last 12 months […]
Read MoreDec 18, 2021
Fragility and Frustration
December 18, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylander: This is not what I expected. After armed insurrectionists violated the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, for the first time since a […]
Read MoreDec 11, 2021
Vaxxed and Boosted
December 11, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylander: Last December, the nation was celebrating the incredible news that COVID-19 vaccines for adults were approved and ready for distribution. Less than a […]
Read MoreDec 4, 2021
Hanging By A Thread
December 4, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylander: How a nation treats its women is a barometer of its success. Today, in the United States of America, women’s rights are under […]
Read MoreNov 27, 2021
Shop Small. Big Impact.
November 27, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylander, I hope you were able to spend time with your loved ones over the holiday. Today is Small Business Saturday, so I also […]
Read MoreNov 20, 2021
Holiday Delivery
November 20, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylanders: Can you believe it is the end of November already? Because of COVID-19, last year may have felt like 3,650 days instead of […]
Read MoreNov 13, 2021
Port Recovery: Biden Back in Baltimore
November 13, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylanders: President Joe Biden was back in Baltimore this week. He was at our Port to celebrate the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Act that […]
Read MoreNov 6, 2021
A Decisive Decade
November 6, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylanders: Greetings from Glasgow, Scotland. I’m traveling with a contingent of my congressional colleagues to help answer questions President Biden raised in his remarks […]
Read MoreOct 30, 2021
Platforms for Progress
October 30, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylanders: If you’ve tried catching a train recently in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County or elsewhere in the Washington area, it’s been a rough […]
Read MoreOct 23, 2021
Investing in Women Entrepreneurs
October 23, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylanders: Did you know that our state is home to the highest concentration of women-owned businesses in the country? It is a distinction that […]
Read MoreOct 16, 2021
We Need to Get This Done
October 16, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylanders: I believe in the power of government to have a positive effect on people’s lives. Government is not the answer to every problem […]
Read MoreOct 9, 2021
Kicking the Can Down the Road
October 9, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylander: As promised, I write you this week with an update on progress made on the on-going and tedious negotiations between Democrats and Republicans […]
Read MoreOct 2, 2021
The Cliff’s Edge
October 2, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylanders: When the United States of America was established, our new nation emerged from the Revolutionary War with about $80 million of debt. Alexander Hamilton, […]
Read MoreSep 25, 2021
Charging Against Climate Change
September 25, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylanders: This week I stepped on the gas pedal in a hybrid Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, one of several electric vehicles U.S. Rep. Anthony Brown […]
Read MoreSep 18, 2021
Small Business Resiliency
September 18, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylanders: This week, as our nation celebrated our small businesses during National Small Business Week, my colleagues in Congress and I continued working hard […]
Read MoreSep 11, 2021
Remembering September 11, 2001
September 11, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylanders: It’s hard to believe that it’s been 20 years since foreign terrorists murdered nearly 3,000 Americans in one of the most horrific attacks […]
Read MoreSep 4, 2021
How A Nation Treats Its Women
September 4, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylanders: How a nation treats its women is a barometer for success. When women’s rights are protected; when women and girls are allowed to […]
Read MoreAug 28, 2021
Afghanistan
August 28, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylanders: For two weeks now, the world has witnessed remarkable, vivid, frightening and at times heartening images coming from Kabul, Afghanistan. Wednesday, though, was […]
Read MoreAug 21, 2021
Voting Rights Under Attack
August 21, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylanders: Easily missed in the recent flood of news about the COVID-19 Delta variant, Afghanistan, the earthquake in Haiti, and nearly $1 trillion infrastructure […]
Read MoreAug 14, 2021
Focusing on Families
August 14, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylanders: This week, we had a marathon session in the Senate that will change the course of America for the better. In the early […]
Read MoreJul 31, 2021
American Heroes
July 31, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylanders: This was a week for heroes. From Tokyo to Washington, D.C., the world has watched Americans demonstrate courage in the face of danger […]
Read MoreJul 17, 2021
Help for American Families
July 17, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylanders: If you are a parent of a child under 18, you may have noticed a welcome surprise in your bank account this week. […]
Read MoreJul 10, 2021
Shot at Normalcy
July 10, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylanders: For many of us, life seems to be returning to a sense of normalcy. Many are back to work, and more can see […]
Read MoreJul 3, 2021
Preserving American Democracy
July 3, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylanders: This will be a very different July Fourth weekend than a year ago. As Maryland and many parts of our nation cautiously emerge […]
Read MoreJun 19, 2021
Juneteenth
June 19, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylander: Were you surprised that yesterday was a federal holiday? After more than 150 years of unofficial commemorations and a multi-year effort to create […]
Read MoreJun 12, 2021
America is Back
June 12, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylander: America is back, and most of the world likes us again, but they are worried about the state of our democracy. This week, […]
Read MoreJun 5, 2021
More Voters Voting is a Good Thing
June 5, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylander: In America, we expect our elections to be fair and follow the law. How we elect our leaders is prominent throughout the Constitution. […]
Read MoreMay 29, 2021
Countering Anti-Semitism
May 29, 2021 First, they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did […]
Read MoreMay 22, 2021
Hold On to That Mask
May 22, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylander: This week, I was proud to welcome America’s Second Gentleman, Doug Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, to Annapolis. We met at […]
Read MoreMay 15, 2021
Restaurants Are Coming Back!
May 15, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylander: Eating out at a restaurant with friends or family is something I have truly missed during this pandemic. Not having that time to […]
Read MoreMay 8, 2021
Teacher Appreciation Week
May 8, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylander: Teachers are super heroes. Think of all the extraordinary things we ask teachers and everyone who supports our children at school to accomplish […]
Read MoreMay 1, 2021
Investing in American Families
May 1, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylander: What a difference 100 days makes. America is back on track and it feels pretty good. In Maryland, nearly 2 million of us […]
Read MoreApr 17, 2021
Stop the Hate
April 17, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylander: Hate is on the rise in America and it has not subsided or tucked itself back in the shadows despite the last election […]
Read MoreApr 10, 2021
The Other Public Health Crisis
April 10, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylander: This week, five people were killed within a 24-hour period in Baltimore, including a 14-year-old. Five people were shot, although not fatally, on […]
Read MoreApr 3, 2021
Defining Infrastructure
April 3, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylander: What is infrastructure? There has been a good deal of talk lately about rebuilding our infrastructure in Maryland and across the country. It’s […]
Read MoreMar 27, 2021
Georgia On My Mind
March 27, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylander: More Americans voted in the 2020 presidential election than in any previous election in our nation’s history. More than 159 million Americans voted […]
Read MoreMar 13, 2021
Game Changer
March 13, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylander: It’s been one year since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic. We may get back to a new normal, but life will never […]
Read MoreMar 6, 2021
Heroes of the Pandemic
March 6, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylander: Throughout March we celebrate Women’s History Month. It is a time to look back on the incredible contributions that women have made to […]
Read MoreFeb 27, 2021
Rebuilding America
February 27, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylander: The good news: positivity rates for COVID-19, at least in Maryland, are dropping, along with hospitalizations and deaths. Vaccination rates are up and, […]
Read MoreFeb 20, 2021
For the Love of Baseball
February 20, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylander: I miss baseball. I know that the Orioles have not been very good lately, but they are still my hometown team and I […]
Read MoreFeb 13, 2021
American Presidents
February 13, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylander: For many, Presidents’ Day usually is not a holiday that inspires deep philosophical reflections. But this year is different. On Monday, as we […]
Read MoreFeb 6, 2021
Celebrating Black History Month
February 6, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylander: Every February, we mark Black History Month by coming together to highlight the achievements and contributions of Black Americans to our national story, […]
Read MoreJan 30, 2021
Patient and Ready
January 30, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylander: Let’s talk about the COVID-19 vaccine again. Last month, after the first vaccines were approved for use in the United States, I urged […]
Read MoreJan 23, 2021
An Inauguration Like No Other
January 23, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylander: This week, America started to write a new chapter of history with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Two weeks after […]
Read MoreJan 16, 2021
Living Up to the Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
January 16, 2021 Dear Marylanders, Each year on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we celebrate the life and legacy of the civil rights icon who changed our nation. The […]
Read MoreJan 9, 2021
A Turning Point
January 9, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylander: Well, 2021 was supposed to be the start of a fresh new year. Like other Marylanders, I had wished for a global reset […]
Read MoreJan 2, 2021
New Year, New Opportunities Part 1
January 2, 2021 Dear Fellow Marylander, Happy New Year! We’ve scraped through what possibly was the longest and most consequential year of our lives. As we look at 2020 […]
Read MoreDec 26, 2020
Good Riddance 2020
December 26, 2020 Dear Fellow Marylander: This has been a roller coaster of a year – physically, mentally and emotionally. More than 18.5 million Americans have been infected with […]
Read MoreDec 19, 2020
Vaccines Save Lives
December 19, 2020 Dear Fellow Marylander: This week, media headlines brought incredible news that vaccines for COVID-19 have been approved and are ready for distribution. In fact, the first […]
Read MoreDec 12, 2020
Empty Holiday Tables
December 12, 2020 Dear Fellow Marylander, No one – anywhere, ever – should be without food. The holidays make this simple truth even more clear. They remind us of […]
Read MoreDec 5, 2020
COVID Fatigue
December 5, 2020 Dear Fellow Marylander: Like so many of you, I am feeling incredibly frustrated these days. I know many of you also feel as if you are […]
Read MoreNov 28, 2020
Small Business Saturday!
November 28, 2020 Dear Fellow Marylander: Like so many of our traditions this year, today, Small Business Saturday, will look a little different than it has in years past. […]
Read MoreNov 21, 2020
An Untraditional Thanksgiving
I love spending Thanksgiving with my extended family. I’m sure that you want to spend the holiday with your family, too. In a typical year, when we aren’t fending […]
Read MoreNov 14, 2020
Uniting for the Common Good
Dear Fellow Marylander: After a vicious campaign and polarizing election almost ripped apart our young country, a victorious President Thomas Jefferson in 1801 sought to unify the country in […]
Read MoreNov 7, 2020
Every Vote Counts
Dear Fellow Marylander, The rule of law and our American Constitution have prevailed yet again. Under the cloud of a global pandemic, American voters cast their ballots by mail […]
Read MoreOct 31, 2020
Countering Voter Intimidation and Misinformation
Dear Fellow Marylander: Every American has the responsibility to vote in the ongoing election. Every American should also be informed and empowered to take action in the case of […]
Read MoreOct 24, 2020
Economic Lifelines
Dear Fellow Marylander, This was one of the most frustrating weeks I have experienced since you elected me to represent you in the U.S. Senate. Instead of doing what’s […]
Read MoreOct 10, 2020
Voting is Different This Year
Fellow Marylander: Have you voted yet? For most of my life, since I was eligible to vote, every election I took pride in the ritual of arriving early at […]
Read MoreOct 3, 2020
Let's Get Serious
Dear Friend, The president and First Lady have tested positive for COVID-19. They join a growing list of more than 7.2 million Americans who also have contracted this novel […]
Read MoreSep 26, 2020
No Precedent
Dear Friend, This week, our nation has been mourning the loss of an icon. The diminutive Ruth Bader Ginsburg – Notorious RBG – was a giant among justices and […]
Read MoreSep 12, 2020
Honor. Sacrifice. Courage.
Dear Friend, Since the earliest days of this country, America has been blessed with selfless men and women who put country before self. Driven by a profound sense of […]
Read MoreSep 5, 2020
Thank An Essential Worker
Fellow Marylander, It’s Labor Day Weekend. It’s different this year – at least it should be. We still are in the middle of a pandemic. While there remain dangerous […]
Read MoreAug 29, 2020
Be Counted
Friend, Since the founding of our country, an official counting takes place every 10 years to determine how many people are here, in the United States of America, as […]
Read MoreAug 22, 2020
Priority: Mail
In recent weeks, many of us have gained a renewed appreciation for the U.S. Postal Service and its dedicated workers, nearly 100,000 of whom are veterans. President Trump and Postmaster […]
Read MoreAug 15, 2020
Stark Reality
Dear Friend, As U.S. COVID-19 cases surge past 5 million, we must face several stark realities. Americans are suffering in unthinkable ways and need help – now. While the […]
Read MoreAug 8, 2020
Follow the Science
Dear Friend, We are still in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to run rampant across our nation, especially in the Midwestern, Southern and Sunbelt states. […]
Read MoreAug 1, 2020
Extending a Lifeline
Dear Friend, As we close out the month of July, our country continues to rise to challenges on multiple fronts. We have found ways to come together as a […]
Read MoreJul 25, 2020
Voting Like Our Lives Depend On It
Dear Friend, “We must keep the faith, keep our eyes on the prize. We must go out and vote like we never ever voted before. Some people gave more […]
Read MoreJul 18, 2020
Safety First
Dear Friend, Another week has passed as we continue to navigate the best ways to have our country and economy return to a sense of normalcy, post-pandemic. At the […]
Read MoreJul 11, 2020
It Could Happen to You
Dear Friend, I was overcome with an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach as I saw the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United States […]
Read MoreJun 27, 2020
Freedom of the Press
Dear Friend, This Sunday, June 28, is a day that most people in Annapolis and across Maryland will not forget. It was on this day two years ago that […]
Read MoreJun 20, 2020
Good News/Bad News
Dear Friend: Some good news: Infection rates and hospitalization rates related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) are going down in Maryland. State officials reported this week that the number […]
Read MoreJun 13, 2020
Saving Minority Small Businesses, Saving Jobs
Friends, The COVID-19 pandemic is, first and foremost, a public health crisis. But when the economic toll started to hit Maryland and our country fast and hard, it became […]
Read MoreJun 6, 2020
A Collective Pain
Dear Fellow Marylander, Our nation is awash with grief. The murder of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and others at the hands of police and vigilantes have put […]
Read MoreMay 30, 2020
A Selfless Act of Respect
Dear Friends, My heart broke when I learned that, as of this week, more than 100,000 Americans have died as a result of COVID-19. To put this incomprehensible number […]
Read MoreMay 23, 2020
Weathering The Storm
Dear Friends, It’s been said that we are all in this storm called COVID-19 together. But like most storms, some of us are bearing the brunt of its attacks […]
Read MoreMay 16, 2020
Testing Helps Us Fight This Pandemic
Dear Friend, Let’s talk about testing. This week, while in Pennsylvania, the president of the United States said the following: “More testing only reveals more infections and therefore increases […]
Read MoreMay 9, 2020
Proceed with Caution
Dear Friends, We are not out of the woods yet. More than a month into the statewide shutdown, which was intended to slow the spread of COVID-19, we are […]
Read MoreMay 1, 2020
Mind the Gap
Dear Friend, Of all the ways that the COVID-19 pandemic has upended our lives, one of the most visible and disruptive has been the closure of our K-12 schools […]
Read MoreApr 25, 2020
State and Local Governments Are on the Frontlines
Dear Friends, Earlier this week, Congress passed an interim emergency relief package that will provide $484 billion to support small businesses, bolster our health care system and expand national […]
Read MoreApr 11, 2020
Stay Home and Stay Safe
Dear Friends, I want to take this opportunity to wish a happy Passover and a happy Easter to those of you who observe the holidays. I hope that these […]
Read MoreApr 4, 2020
All Hands on Deck
Dear Friend, The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?” Right now, this question is […]
Read MoreMar 28, 2020
Responding to COVID-19
Dear Friends, I hope that you are all staying safe and healthy. This is an extremely difficult time, but I have faith that we will get through the novel […]
Read MoreMar 19, 2020
Hunker Down
Dear Friend, Hunker down. Wash your hands frequently. As Marylanders and everyone in this country learns more about the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) that is spreading around the world, it’s helpful […]
Read More