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 every day to serve as your Representative in Congress.

In January, America will swear in a new 119th Congress and usher in a new presidential administration. I have heard from many of my constituents and people across America that this transition raises fears and uncertainty. I want to take this opportunity to reiterate that I am here for you, and I am all in for our shared values and democratic future. Please know that no matter the twists and turns of our politics, my office is here to serve you and your loved ones in Maryland’s Eighth District. As always, I am committed to making our government work for the common good and for all our people.

As always, I encourage all of my constituents across the Eighth District to connect with me on Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram and Threads.

Last month, I also joined a new social media platform, Bluesky. With usership growing, I am excited to share updates on my work serving Maryland and the American people on this new social media platform. 

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 team will be in touch. 

All Best,

Jamie Raskin

Rep. Raskin's November in Photos

Welcoming New Members of Congress to Team Maryland

Speaking to the press with members of the Maryland Congressional delegation

In November, I was thrilled to welcome several incoming members of our Maryland Congressional delegation to the Capitol. Representatives-elect Sarah Elfreth, Johnny Olszewski and April McClain Delaney joined current members for a meeting to discuss our shared priorities. No matter what lies ahead, Team Maryland will always stand strong for the freedom of our people and the progress of our state. 

Advocating for the Release of Vietnamese Political Prisoner Dang Dinh Bach 

Last month, I announced that I’m sponsoring imprisoned Vietnamese climate activist Dang Dinh Bach through the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission’s Defending Freedoms Project. As his sponsor, I will champion efforts in Congress for his immediate release.

Bach, an attorney, has been a staunch advocate for the environment and clean energy in Vietnam.  His detainment on tax evasion charges, viewed by human rights experts as fraudulent, is widely regarded as an attempt by Vietnam’s communist government to silence him. You can read more about Mr. Bach and my sponsorship in Voice of America.

I am deeply committed to championing prisoners of conscience like Mr. Bach, and I currently sponsor a total of six prisoners of conscience from around the world through the Lantos Commission with the hope and plan of helping set them free.

Leading Democrats on the House Oversight Committee

In October, I led Committee Democrats in a hearing with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell about the onslaught of climate-related disasters her agency is facing. I emphasized that the distribution of critical emergency relief resources must be nonpartisan. I’m grateful to the dedicated men and women of FEMA who render aid with the utmost professionalism to people in need.

I also led several Oversight Democrats in writing to state insurance regulators about our concern that insurance companies are targeting vulnerable communities following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Regulators should reverse course on these dishonest industry practices and ensure that customer claims filed in the wake of disasters are paid out in a timely and fair manner.

Today, no state in the nation covers menstrual products under Medicaid, and far too many Americans can’t afford them. A new report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office reveals that, while states have the option to provide coverage of menstrual products, none of them have chosen to do so. That’s why I wrote a letter with Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06) urging state Medicaid directors to expand coverage of menstrual products.

Promoting Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety

With my constituent Daniel Langenkamp spreading the word about transportation safety policy in honor of his late wife, Sarah Debbink Langenkamp 

In November, I joined my constituent Daniel Langenkamp, pedestrian and cyclist safety advocates, and members of our community for an event raising awareness about victims of road traffic accidents and highlighting the importance of pedestrian and cyclist safety, and transportation policy. You may know Daniel from his powerful and poignant road safety advocacy in honor of his late wife, Sarah Debbink Langenkamp, an accomplished State Department diplomat and beloved mother who was killed while riding her bike on our roads. I was proud to name Daniel a Local Hero this year, and have been grateful for the opportunity to work with him on legislative efforts to make our roads safer. Last year, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) and I worked with Daniel to introduce the Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act, a bill to support state and local government efforts to build safer, more complete networks for bicycling and walking. Daniel and my advocacy also yielded an agreement from the U.S. Government Accountability Office to conduct a review of U.S. vehicle safety design standards and their effects on the safety of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists to provide people and policymakers with critical recommendations to improve road safety. I am heartened by Daniel’s continued advocacy and the greater community of road safety champions who assembled for this event and who make their voices heard in our policy and public consciousness.

Recognizing the Local Heroes of the Eighth District

In November, we recognized the tremendous work of several of our MD-08 community members in our ongoing Local Hero Video Series. 

During Veterans Day weekend, I was honored to recognize decorated Navy reservist and devoted public servant, State Senator Will Smith. We are grateful every day for the devotion and heroism of all our veterans. 

Next, we put the spotlight on Jon Monger, the recycling expert extraordinaire, who directs the MoCo Department of Environmental Protection. On America Recycles Day, we highlighted his great work reducing waste and protecting our environment! 

After the Montgomery Blair High School boys’ soccer team and the Walt Whitman girls’ soccer teams brought home State Champion titles this fall, I named the MCPS teachers who coached them, Allie Coyle and Greg Herbert, Local Heroes. Their wins were not only impressive, they were historic: Coach Herbert’s Whitman team became the first to win four consecutive championships in a row, and Coach Coyle, who led Blair boys’ soccer, is the first female coach ever to lead a boys’ varsity soccer team to a Maryland state title. Congratulations to Coaches Allie Coyle and Greg Herbert and their awesome student athletes for their momentous victories! 

Finally, in a special Thanksgiving edition of Local Hero, I spoke with Kent Sovine, the executive director of Community Health and Empowerment through Education and Research (CHEER). We are thankful for Kent and the CHEER team for their work to give a voice to everyone in our community!

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