Montgomery News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 21, 2023, Congressman David Trone (D-MD), member of the House Committee on Appropriations, released a statement condemning Republicans’ devastating funding cuts to American workers during the markup of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee’s Fiscal Year 2024 funding bill:

“It remains abundantly clear that extreme House Republicans are seeking retaliation for the bipartisan debt ceiling agreement by shortchanging America’s federal workforce.

“Maryland is home to over 150,000 federal workers – many of whom have spent their careers working to improve our country and the lives of its citizens. As a businessman who built a team from employee number one to over 12,000 nationwide, I know full well that underinvesting in your team is a recipe for disaster, but it’s evident that extreme Republicans are committed to doing just that.

“Our federal workforce in Congress plays a vital role in serving American communities. Last year, my team answered over 83,000 emails, calls, and letters. They helped return nearly $10 million in savings for constituents over the next decade, including Social Security and unemployment benefits. Our office drafted and passed over 20 bills into law to help make life easier for folks in Maryland and across the country.

“Even further, this bill cuts all funding for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion – eliminating it in its entirety. This flies in the face of our commitment to creating a diverse and tolerant workplace. How can we possibly represent America if our offices don’t share the same backgrounds and life experiences as our constituents?

“By pulling the support of our workforce in Congress, it’s no question that our communities will suffer. We cannot starve our government of resources and then wonder why the government isn’t working as well as it should. For these reasons and many others, I oppose this legislation and will vote against it.”

Background:

For 2024, the draft bill appropriates a total of $5.3 billion, a decrease of $252 million or 4.5 percent, under 2023. The legislation: 

• Does not include language permitting funds in the Act to be used to employ individuals with an employment authorization document under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program.
• Does nothing to facilitate House Resolution 1096, which extends the collective bargaining rights prescribed in the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to employees of the House of Representatives and restores these rights to Congressional staffers.
• Eliminates dedicated funding for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

Congressman David Trone was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 to serve the 6th District of Maryland, which includes all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Trone serves on the Appropriations, Budget, and Joint Economic Committees. In Congress, Trone is fighting to make progress on issues that matter to Marylanders, including the mental health and addiction crises, criminal justice reform, and funding for medical research.

Original source can be found here.