    
May 4, 2021
Dear Neighbor,
I wanted to take a moment to share with you a brief update about how my staff and I have been working for the people of the 8th District. It is a surpassing honor to continue serving as your Representative in Congress.
As always, I encourage all 8th District residents to connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
All Best,
Celebrating Josiah Henson Museum & Park Grand Opening
On the grand opening of the new Josiah Henson Museum & Park, I was thrilled to feature Historic Site Manager Mark Thorne and Senior Archaeologist Cassandra Michaud as our 8th District Local Heroes of the week. Click here to learn more about their work and how to visit the new museum.
Delivering Federal Funds to Maryland
I joined the Maryland delegation in announcing several rounds of federal funding for Maryland, including:
- $54.6 million from the American Rescue Plan to expand equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine for Maryland's underserved communities
- $68 million from the American Rescue Plan to help Marylanders access safe and affordable housing during the pandemic
- $182 million from the American Rescue Plan to strengthen Maryland's response to the pandemic and other infectious diseases
- $12.8 million from the American Rescue Plan to support homeless students
- $5.2 million from the CARES Act for early childhood education programs for low-income families
Praising Community Anti-Hunger Groups
Hunger has already decreased sharply during President Biden's first 100 days in office but we still have lots of work to do. I'm proud to serve on the House Rules Committee, which recently held a hearing on ending hunger in America. During the hearing, I highlighted all the work of the amazing anti-hunger groups across the 8th District and shared success stories from the Adventist Community Services of Greater Washington and the Takoma Park Middle School Cluster Food Support. You can watch my remarks here.
The Rules Committee is soliciting input from anyone who has a story or an idea about solving the hunger crisis in America. Please share your story here and let's build on the American Rescue Plan's historic investments in key anti-hunger programs.
Announcing My Virtual Guest For President Biden's Speech to Congress
President Joe Biden delivered his first speech to a Joint Session of Congress and marked 100 days into his first term.
I was honored to recognize Wheaton restaurant owner Chris Pyon, a second-generation Korean-American and co-owner of Mobydick Sushi, as my virtual guest to the Joint Address and as an 8th District Local Hero. Chris received two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to help keep his business afloat during the pandemic.
Small business owners like Chris are the true heroes of our economic recovery. Click here to learn more about Chris and how the American Rescue Plan helped him.
Fighting for Tax Relief for Maryland Families
Half of all taxpayers in the 8th District benefit from the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction, with deductions averaging $19,000 per taxpayer. The $10,000 SALT deduction cap imposed by the 2017 tax law has short-changed hardworking middle-class families. That's why I proudly co-founded the bipartisan SALT Caucus with my colleagues to repeal the deduction cap. Learn more here.
Hosting A Roundtable With Local Arts, Entertainment Venues About American Rescue Plan
I hosted a roundtable to discuss how the American Rescue Plan can help entertainment venues affected by COVID-19. I'm grateful to Ed Zakreski of Round House Theatre in Montgomery County, Gerard Gibbs of New Spire Arts in Frederick County, and Kristen McMasters of the Carroll County Historical Society for joining me to discuss how the pandemic affected their operations and how the federal Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) Program can help. Click here to watch the roundtable discussion.
The SVOG Program application portal is now open. Click here for more information and to apply.
Introducing Gun Safety Legislation
I proudly introduced two bills to deter the transfer of guns to dangerous individuals, deter the transfer of assault-style weapons, and increase funding for federal gun violence prevention programs.
It’s troubling that there’s no federal law banning the return of guns to people who had their gun licenses revoked or their guns removed by court order. The SAFER Act would make it a federal offense to return firearms to the person from whom they have been confiscated, acting as a greater deterrent than the existing patchwork of state transfer laws.
The National Firearms Act (NFA) Modernization Act would modestly increase the tax paid to transfer weapons regulated by the NFA—including machine guns, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, and silencers—and funnel the additional revenue to federal gun violence prevention programs.
Learn more about the SAFER Act and the NFA Modernization Act here.
Passing H.R. 51, the Washington, D.C. Admissions Act
It was a proud and historic day when the House voted in favor of D.C. Statehood for the second time ever. Now I urge the U.S. Senate to grant full representation and self-government to 712,000 disenfranchised Washingtonians.
Click here to watch my Floor speech in support of H.R. 51.
Reintroducing the Green New Deal
I joined Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and our colleagues in reintroducing the Green New Deal to confront the civilizational emergency of climate change. Learn more about our legislation here.
Leading Bipartisan Push to Reform Civil Asset Forfeiture Laws
Reforming America’s civil asset forfeiture laws is a constitutional imperative that goes right to the heart of our Bill of Rights. I was thrilled to reintroduce the FAIR Act with Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI). Learn more about our legislation here.
Passing the NO BAN Act in the House
America was founded as a haven of refuge for immigrants fleeing persecution. The House passed the No Ban Act to prevent any future President from reinstating former President Trump’s Muslim Ban or any other travel ban that discriminates based on religion. I proudly cosponsored this legislation and voted yes on House passage.
Calling for a National Day of Reason in America
I introduced a Resolution recognizing May 7, 2021 as a National Day of Reason in America. On this day, we will praise the central role of reason and science in making government work as an instrument of progress and for the common good of the people. Click here to learn more about my Resolution.
Launching A New House Website
I recently launched a new and improved version of my official House website: https://raskin.house.gov/. Be sure to check it out and let me know what you think!
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