When I first ran for office, I was disturbed by the increasing partisan politics, worried about what the first Trump Administration might do, and knew we needed strong state leadership. Fast forward, and I am appalled by the Trump Administration's overreach, authoritarian attacks on our civil liberties, and the partisan cuts to federal and state programs. Since January 2025, the Trump II Administration has cut over $101.3 million in funding for Marylanders across multiple fiscal years. Additionally, President Trump’s dangerous and haphazard cuts to our federal workforce left as many as 30,000 hardworking Maryland civil servants unemployed.
As we navigate uncertainty at the federal level, I remain committed to protecting Maryland's values, economy, and communities. Whether it is defending access to critical federal funding, safeguarding civil rights, or preparing our state for changes in federal policy, I believe Maryland must continue to lead with pragmatic, evidence-based solutions that put people first. In 2025, I passed legislation that authorizes the state to take steps to protect and recover federal funds, and I was proud to vote for legislation to keep ICE out of our schools and off our bus stops. I will continue working with my colleagues to strengthen Maryland's resilience, protect our residents from harmful federal actions, and ensure our state remains a place where families, businesses, and communities can thrive regardless of the challenges coming from Washington.
In general, I support policies to:
- Protect Marylanders from harmful federal actions,
- Defend Maryland’s statutory and constitutional authority, and
- Build state-level resilience where federal programs are vulnerable.
Legislation I have passed includes:
SB0346/HB0332 – No Kings Act (2026)
Establishes a civil cause of action when individuals are deprived of constitutional rights and affirms that no individual stands above the law.
SB0385/HB0637 – The Vax Act (2026)
Reinforces the use of evidence-based guidance for immunizations and preventative services, an approach that keeps public health grounded in science as some federal guidance becomes rooted in politics.
**SB0828/HB0706 – Federal Obligations Enforcement Act (2026)
Authorizes the State to take steps to protect and recover federal funds owed to the State, including the ability to pursue collections and coordinate financial remedies through existing State mechanisms.
SB0245/HB0444 Public Safety – Immigration Enforcement Agreements – Prohibition (2026)
Prohibits formal 287(g) agreements between local jurisdictions and federal immigration authorities, allowing law enforcement to stay focused on local community safety priorities and maintain trust within the communities they serve.
SB0791/HB1575 – The Community Trust Act (2026)
Ends informal cooperation between State and local officials and ICE until constitutionally guaranteed due process protections occur in our criminal justice system.
SB0001/HB0155 – Public Safety – Law Enforcement Officers – Face Coverings and Identification (2026)
Bans the use of face coverings during routine law enforcement activities, increasing transparency so residents know who is exercising authority in their neighborhoods.
SB0504/HB0711 – Data Privacy Act (2026)
Restricts the use and sale of personal data for immigration enforcement purposes to uphold basic privacy protections.
SB0984/HB1017 Correctional Services – Private Detention Facilities – Zoning Requirement (2026)
Outlaws ICE from building or operating detention facilities in Maryland unless a local government explicitly zones the area for that purpose.
(**Denotes Legislation I Sponsored)
