2024 Maryland US Senate Voters Guide

Legal. Supports the Women’s Health Protection Act to federally protect abortion access. “Will oppose any judicial nominee who does not support abortion rights.” Opposes efforts in Congress to defund Planned Parenthood.

Mostly legal. In 2022, vetoed the Abortion Care Access Act; it expanded the pool of authorized abortion providers. Withheld funding designated to train new providers. In 2024 said supports “restoring Roe as the law of the land” and would add abortion rights to federal law.

Yes. “Urgent action is necessary to address the climate crisis.” Climate change, is “an existential threat for all of our families and children.” Supports Biden climate change laws, including $369 billion in clean energy spending and funding to reduce greenhouse gases.

Mostly yes. Adopted Biden’s Better Climate Challenge, and joined the U.S. Climate Alliance. Let Maryland’s Clean Energy Jobs Act become law without his signature. Preferred his plan, featuring nuclear energy. Canceled the Baltimore mass transit Red Line with $300M already invested; shifted state funds to roads.

“Believes in the need for comprehensive changes that promote safety, justice, and equity for all residents.” Implemented reforms enhancing police accountability. “Everyone has the right to feel secure” in their homes, schools, businesses.

Boosted police funding, calling it “re-fund the police.” Vetoed police reform bills, including body-camera mandates and limits on “no-knock” warrants. Let a bill become law without his signature that created a state unit to investigate police-involved deaths.

Increase. Supports “critical investments into our future economy to ensure businesses [can] compete with companies around the globe.” Advocates for “investing in humans”: “When I think about true economic opportunity, I think about things like a child tax credit.”

Mixed. “Instead of more reckless government spending, our plan demands real fiscal responsibility.” As governor, “eliminated or rewrote thousands of job-killing regulations.” In 2021 asked Congress to speed up approval of infrastructure projects.

Yes. “MAGA Republicans “undermined our elections and democratic processes and led an armed insurrection against our Capitol.”

Yes. Accusations without evidence of a stolen election were “really bad for our democratic process.”

Tighten. As county executive, increased  stormwater management to protect the Chesapeake Bay. Supports additional funding for Bay clean-up; the Bay should be named a National Recreation Area. Expanded a countywide curbside composting program.

Mixed. Signed a bill banning fracking in 2017. Opposed clean energy legislation in 2016 and 2022, though allowed the 2022 bill to become law without signing it. Proposed his own set of clean energy goals in 2019. Eased regulations on industrial poultry farm emissions.

Tighten. “Current gun laws are inadequate.” Supports universal background checks and closing the gun show loophole; would ban military-style weapons and bump stocks. Supports “red flag” laws.

Mixed. Relaxed rules on concealed handguns after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Vetoed tougher background checks on gun transfers. Let a “ghost guns” ban take effect without signing it. Signed a “red flag” law.

Increase. “Healthcare is a fundamental right.… As Senator, I will work to defend and build upon the Affordable Care Act.” Supports universal paid family and medical leave policies.

Mostly increase. Defended Obamacare against a 2017 proposal to repeal it. In 2018 signed a bill to strengthen publicly supported health care. Vetoed partially paid family medical or care leave.

Supports “comprehensive immigration reform” with “a pathway to citizenship” for those already living in the U.S. Backs a path to permanent residence for DACA participants. Allow undocumented immigrants to get a driver’s license & “legally commute to work.”

“Our open southern border is a humanitarian catastrophe that is harming communities and wreaking havoc.” Supports “bipartisan, commonsense solutions.” As governor, vetoed “sanctuary state” status for undocumented immigrants.

Easier. Is “committed to protecting workers’ rights.” Supports a bill to strengthen collective bargaining rights and protect the right to organize.

Harder. Vetoed bills to expand collective rights for college employees. In 2016 called teachers’ union leaders “thugs.”

Expand. As county executive, appointed the county’s first LGBTQ liaison to link the community to resources. Supported same-sex marriage rights in Maryland. “Will continue to stand up for” LGTBQ rights. “Will… oppose… efforts to undermine equality.” Opposes anti-transgender legislation.

Mixed. Let LGBTQ protections become law without his signature. Let a ban on the anti-LGBTQ “panic“ defense become law without his signature. Signed a ban on “gay conversion therapy” for minors. Opposed a transgender rights law in 2014 while accepting the state’s same-sex marriage law.

Legal with limits. “What adults choose to do … is their business.” Has concern about “impact on youth.” As county prosecutor, blamed rising crime rates on decriminalized marijuana.

Mixed. Let a companion bill to voter-approved legalization become law without his signature. In 2015 vetoed decriminalization. In 2016 vetoed decriminalization of possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

Yes. Supports increasing the minimum wage to $15; “believes it should be done federally.” Would index the minimum wage to inflation so it rises with the cost of living.

Unclear. No position found on the federal minimum wage. Vetoed raising Maryland’s minimum wage to $15; proposed raising to $12.10 per hour instead.

Yes. Supports Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan and “improving access to low interest student loans.” Would expand Pell Grants to assist low-income students.

No. Biden’s plan is “a really bad idea at the worst possible time.” Supported student loan tax credits, scholarships, and capping tuition growth as other solutions.

Raise. “We need leaders who [will] make big corporations pay their fair share.” Would raise the corporate tax rate to create more equity and allow economic growth “that benefits more people in the middle.”

Likely lower. Supported the 2017 Trump tax cuts, which included the largest corporate cut in US history.

Loosen. Supports legislation to enforce voting rights and expanding voting access.

Mixed. Let voting legislation become law without his signature, including expanded vote-by-mail, expanded early voting, and automatic voter registration. Vetoed voting rights for released felons.