Maryland Leaders Look Ahead as New Congress Convenes

The new Democratic majority has robust plans for action after regaining power, including a “good government” reform package that was spearheaded by Maryland Rep. John P. Sarbanes (D). The package includes a series of changes to strengthen voting rights, set ethical standards for lawmakers and reform the campaign finance system to undo the Citizens United Supreme Court ruling that led to unlimited and largely untraceable spending on political elections. “To do that right out of the gate as H.R. 1, I think sends a powerful message that Democrats have heard these complaints and we want to do something serious about it and that when you give the Democrats the gavel this is the kind of reform and change that you can expect to see,” Sarbanes said during an interview with Maryland Matters in his own new office on Thursday.