Dear Neighbor:

I wanted to take a moment to share an update about how my staff and I have been working for the people of Maryland’s Eighth District. It remains a surpassing and singular honor to serve as your Representative in Congress.

As always, I encourage all of my constituents across the Eighth District to connect with me on Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram and Threads. If you need help with a federal agency and want to request my assistance, please complete the online request form here, and my District Office will be in touch.

All Best,

Jamie Raskin

Rep. Raskin’s February in Photos

Leading Democrats on the House Oversight Committee

Ensuring Prescription Medications are Accessible and Affordable: This past month, I led House Oversight Committee Democrats in launching an investigation into nationwide shortages of certain prescription medications, including drugs to treat cancer, ADHD and bacterial infections. I have heard from many constituents about how these shortages have seriously disrupted their lives. Oversight Committee Democrats and I remain focused on determining the underlying causes of these shortages and pursuing practical solutions to remedy them. 

Protecting Our National Security from Partisan Interference: Oversight Committee Democrats are committed to protecting our national security from partisan antics. In 2023, Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama singlehandedly blocked the promotions of all US general and flag officers, stalling the nominations of more than 425 senior military leaders. This threatened our national security, and in many instances, forced acting officials to assume roles without the necessary legal authorities for decision making. In February, Rep. Robert Garcia of California and I urged the Government Accountability Office to undertake a thorough review of the military promotions blockade, including the detrimental effects on the Department of Defense and our broader national security.  

Calling for an End to the Biden Impeachment Inquiry: Last month, Special Counsel David Weiss, a Trump appointee retained by the Biden Administration, announced the indictment of Alexander Smirnov for making false statements that were recorded in an official FBI record. Much of the official impeachment inquiry rested on these false statements, and following this development, I formally called for the end of the inquiry. You can find more information about the indictment at the Oversight Committee’s Democratic website.

Remember, you can always stay updated with Democrats’ latest activity on the House Oversight Committee at the Oversight Democrats’ website.

Supporting Global Democracy and the People of Ukraine

Joining Ukrainian Ambassador Markarova and the US Ukrainian Activists at the Lincoln Memorial on the two-year anniversary of the Russian invasion

Observing the solemn milestone of the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, I stood beside Ukrainian Ambassador Markarova at the Lincoln Memorial in solidarity with the Ukrainian people. I pledged to continue doing everything I can in Congress to ensure we pass bipartisan US aid to Ukraine as they continue fighting back against Putin’s illegal and atrocity-filled war of aggression—for the future of generations of Ukrainians and for the success of global democracy.

Working to End the Violence in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank and Bring Home the Hostages

I joined my colleague Rep. Dan Goldman in a letter to President Biden urging him to redouble his ongoing efforts to facilitate a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which would include returning all of the hostages to their families, stopping the violence and pervasive suffering in Gaza as well as the continued rocket fire on Israel from Gaza, and provide for a massive surge in humanitarian aid. 

Last month, I led a letter with Representatives Jayapal and Carson to House Appropriators urging continued U.S. funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the largest humanitarian agency in Gaza. Earlier this year, profoundly disturbing allegations emerged that a dozen UNRWA employees participated in the October 7 terrorist attacks against Israel. I take these allegations extremely seriously, and I strongly support a timely, thorough, and independent UN investigation. However, in the midst of the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, funding for UNRWA, an organization with 30,000 employees, is more essential than ever, as Reps. Jayapal, Carson and I underscored in our letter.

The survival of truth, especially in times of war, depends on the safety and free movement of a free press. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, as of March 5, 2024, at least 94 journalists and media workers have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war. In February, I joined a letter with my colleagues Representatives Schakowsky and Connolly to Secretary of State Blinken advocating for concrete steps by the US to help secure press freedom and protect journalists on the ground in the Gaza Strip. You can read coverage of that letter here. 

I continue to do all I can to push for an end to the violence, suffering and nightmare engulfing the region and to work towards a pragmatic strategy for peace, democracy and security for all the people of Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.

Recognizing the Local Heroes of the Eighth District 

Exciting Local Heroes in Maryland’s Eighth District helped me recognize Black History Month this year. I was proud to feature Montgomery Blair High School teacher Kenneth Smith as our first Local Hero of Black History Month. Did you know that Mr. Smith pioneered the DMV's first high school course on hip hop history and culture? His history-making course engages our students on the social issues of our time through the iconic sounds and lyrics of hip hop. 

Leading the Lincoln Park Historical Foundation and the Leroy E. Neal African American Research Center, Local Hero Anita Neal Powell skillfully documents our past as a community while improving our future. I’m so grateful to her for illuminating our local history this Black History Month and beyond. 

Another Local Hero, Marlene Michaelson, has built an impressive legacy as executive director of the Montgomery County Council, where she has advised councilmembers, supervised staff, mentored interns and more. I’m saluting her for a remarkable career of service and wishing her well as she approaches retirement! 

Dr. Lucciola Lambruschini, or “Dr. L,” as her patients call her, joined me to highlight the importance of routine dental care and visits for people of all ages. As director of dental services at Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington, this Local Hero is expanding access to dental care in our community and empowering Marylanders to take care of their oral health!

Launching the Congressional Art Competition

'The Memory Quilt: Pieces of Myself’ by Albert Einstein High School student Olivia Ensign, the winner of the 2023 MD-08 Congressional Art Competition

Student artists: I just launched my annual Congressional Art Competition for Maryland’s Eighth District! I’m encouraging all high school students across our district with a passion for visual arts to enter my 2024 competition and share your vision with us. The winning entry will be displayed in the United States Capitol for one year alongside dazzling pieces by student artists across our nation. Additionally, the winning entry and a larger pool of honorees from the district will be shown at local arts center VisArts at 155 Gibbs Street in Rockville from May 5 through May 12. You can find more information, including submission guidelines, on the Congressional Art Competition page of my website.

Constituent Corner

Learn About Expanded Veteran Benefits: Great news for veterans! Beginning on March 5th, 2024, all Veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards during military service will be eligible for VA health care. This applies to exposures both abroad and at home.  Eligibility now includes Veterans who never deployed if they were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the United States. Coverage also includes Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, and any other combat zone after 9/11. Veterans can enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits. The VA is conducting their largest outreach campaign in history with the goal of making sure that all Veterans, and their survivors, receive the care and benefits they deserve under the PACT Act. Visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411 to learn more and apply. 

Filing Taxes this Year? Watch my IRS Information Session Recording for 2024 Tax Filing Season: On March 5, I hosted a virtual information session with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) on the 2024 tax filing season. In a virtual presentation, the IRS and TAS provided an overview of updates, tips, and resources for the current 2024 tax filing season. Check out my website for a recording of the IRS information session.

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