Dear Friend,

As we closed out another week of voting in Washington, DC, I wanted to take a moment to provide a brief summary of the work I am doing to advance commonsense, conservative policies that improve the lives of those in my district and across the country.

H. Res. 1449; Condemning the global rise of antisemitism and calling upon countries and international bodies to counter antisemitism - PASSED

On October 7th, Israel was brutally attacked by Hamas. Following this attack, the world has seen a drastic increase in antisemitism. Our Jewish communities deserve to live in peace without the fear of being targeted and attacked because of their faith.

H.R. 1449; CLEAN Act - PASSED

This legislation increases domestic energy production and supports American energy independence by requiring the Secretary of the Interior to hold annual lease sales for geothermal energy projects on federal lands.

H.R. 5658; Vote by Mail Tracking Act - PASSED

This bill would require mail-in ballot envelopes to contain a Postal Service trackable barcode, meet design requirements for machinable letters, and include an Official Election Mail Logo. This procedure has already been put into place by several states. The Vote by Mail Tracking Act would amend current law to insert a new “Chapter 31—Election Mail.” The new chapter would prohibit any government entity from furnishing a ballot to be delivered by mail unless the envelope contains a Postal Service barcode that:

1) Enables tracking of each individual ballot.
2) Includes the Official Election Mail Logo--including trackable barcodes so voters can see that their ballots are delivered and counted.

H.R. 9495; Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act - PASSED

This legislation corrects deficiencies in the current tax code to end tax-exempt status for American nonprofits found to be materially supporting designated terrorist groups, including Hamas, and provide fair tax treatment for Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad.

Under current law, an entity’s tax-exempt status may be suspended if it is designated as a terrorist organization by the State Department. However, organizations that provide material support or resources to designated terrorist or terrorist-supporting organizations are eligible for tax-exempt status. Organizations that support terrorists like Hamas should not be able to take advantage of our tax system, and Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad should not be penalized for failing to pay taxes.

District Updates

Thanksgiving Events in Our District and Across Maryland:

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, here is list of different events and activities happening in and around our district.

Annual Classic Motor Museum Thanksgiving Parade in St. Michaels

Beginning at 9am, cars will pull up at the Perry Cabin Ball Fields. At 10:30am, the parade will proceed down Talbot Street and finish at E, Marengo St. at the Classic Motor Museum.

More information can be found here

Blessing of the Hounds in Reisterstown

For more than 150 years, Marylanders have come together on Thanksgiving to bless the horses and hounds. With riders dressed in their traditional garb and dogs eager to hit the trail, it is a certainly an authentic Maryland tradition.

More information can be found here

Turkey Trots:

Across Maryland, several in person and virtual turkey trots are scheduled to take place. Click on the link here to see what races are available near you.

Offshore Wind Pier Development:

(Offshore Wind Photo: Credit Kent News)

Last week, the Maryland Board of Public Works unanimously approved a permit for US Wind to build a 353-foor pier and bulkhead in West Ocean City.

Despite countless concerns raised by locals, watermen, and numerous other stakeholders in the community, Governor Wes Moore and the Board of Public Works continue to push full steam ahead with their expensive offshore wind project.

I applaud State Senator Mary Beth Carozza and Worcester County Commissioner President, Chip Bertino for publicly speaking against these developments. The permit granted to US Wind does not take into consideration the ecological, economic, and developmental impact this pier will have on the community.

Rest assured, I will continue to push back against US Wind and urge the Maryland Board of Public Works to reconsider their decision to grant this permit.

Meeting with Local Law Enforcement Officers:

Last week, I had to pleasure of welcoming Worcester County Sheriff Matthew Crisafulli, Chief Deputy Nate Passwaters, Captain Brian Cardamone, Fruitland Police Officer John Williamson, and their families to my Washington, DC office.

I thanked them for their service in keeping our communities safe and was pleased to present them each with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol.

In The News

National Institutes of Health Hearing:

Last week, the House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee held a hearing with National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director, Dr. Monica Bertagnolli to address our nation's ongoing health crisis.

Despite NIH receiving billions of dollars and increasing their budget year after year, America is getting sicker, not healthier. In addition to failing to address our nation's health needs, the NIH has failed to follow science by embracing woke gender ideologies in their clinical trials.

Trust in our medical institutions is at an all-time low and I look forward to the work the Trump Administration will do to reform our health agencies.

To watch my line of questioning to NIH Director Bertagnolli, please click HERE.

Modernizing and Reevaluating the Social Security Administration:

Every week, I hear from constituents who are frustrated with the bureaucracy in the Social Security Administration. From not receiving payments on time to delays in scheduling appointments, I understand the concerns my constituents are facing.

The House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee held a hearing with Social Security Administration Commissioner, Martin O'Malley to hear how his agency can modernize and address the concerns of my constituents.

To watch this hearing, please click HERE.

Media Interviews:

January marks the beginning of the 119th Congress and Republicans will control the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the White House. We have an obligation to pass legislation that delivers on the promises we made to the American people.

I joined Real America's Voice and Fox Business to discuss how Congress will stand with President Donald Trump after we are sworn in on January 3rd.

To watch my interview on Real America's Voice, click HERE

To watch my interview on Fox Business, click HERE

How We Can Help

If you have ever had any issue with a Federal agency, like the IRS, the VA, Social Security, Medicare, or passports, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. My office teams are ready to assist you. If you are interested in purchasing a flag that has been flown over the U.S. Capitol, for a special person or special occasion, please visit my website or call my office at 202-225-5311. Below are links to services my office offers and we hope to hear from you.

Sincerely,

Andy Harris, M.D.
Member of Congress

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