By Adam Pagnucco.
Congress is the most powerful legislature in America, the only one that can direct federal funding, declare war and check the president and the federal courts. That said, it is also one of the most dysfunctional institutions in the country and regularly disappoints voters of all kinds with its inability to accomplish much of anything. Accordingly, I asked the candidates this question:
What should be changed in Congress to make it a more effective institution?
Peter Choharis (Democrat): We have to stop giving individuals with their own agendas the power to hold the entire body hostage.
In the Senate, that means eliminating the power to impose a “hold” on a nominee or every nominee in a Department or agency, such as freezing the nominations of our professional military leaders and civilian leadership at the Department of Defense over whether DoD may fund travel for access to an abortion. It also means eliminating the filibuster, which is arguably unconstitutional and, at the least, undemocratic.
In the House of Representatives, that means abolishing the rule that allows a single member to call for a vote to remove the Speaker. In addition to eliminating the rule as a procedural matter, substantively there should be some guardrails so that the Speaker cannot be subject to removal because of a Member’s whim or pique. And while I haven’t figured out a remedy, a pattern of voting on impeachment along party lines is very deleterious to public support for Congress.
George Gluck (Democrat): More folks like me should be elected to Congress!
Ashwani Jain (Democrat): I am deeply concerned that money plays an oversized role in influencing our lawmakers in their decision making and I am determined to break that trend. When I launched my campaign in October, I made several commitments to the voters of Maryland’s 6th Congressional district to run a people and policy-oriented campaign, rather than a money and fundraising oriented campaign. That is why all my campaign events are free and no constituent needs to pay or donate in order to meet me. That is why my campaign is 100% volunteer run by actual residents of the 6th district, not outside consultants. That is why I only accept donations from individual donors and refuse them from corporations and PACs of any kind. And that is why, if elected, I support the Bipartisan Ban on Congressional Stock Ownership that would ban Representatives and their spouses from owning individual stocks while in office. I believe that this will keep legislators impartial by removing potential financial gain from influencing their decisions. I have also published my positions and expenses at JainForCongress.com so that voters can hold me accountable on my positions once elected into office.
Lesley Lopez (Democrat): In Congress, we need more people focused on making laws and fewer electeds focused on making noise. In Annapolis, I have passed all my bills with bipartisan support– even my ghost gun bill– and I would continue to aim to do so in Congress. The job of legislating is often not glamorous, and we need people who are focused on doing the hard work of passing legislation. We also need reforms against gerrymandering and I’m not against term limits for federally elected positions.
Tekesha Martinez (Democrat): In Congress, we must be more willing to work with members of Congress across party lines to deliver solutions that benefit our communities. While Congress has become increasingly partisan and polarized in the last few years, I do not subscribe to the belief that compromise and common ground cannot be found on certain issues. While many members of Congress fight for media attention, my goal is to fight for Western Marylanders and their interests.
The House of Representatives today is governed by a slim Republican majority and has struggled to pass many bills on a bipartisan basis. Notably, Maryland’s 6th district is a swing district that includes constituents across the political spectrum, including Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. I am the only Democratic candidate who has been elected to serve in a purple area as a mayor of a blue city in a red county, and that experience has shaped my perspective on creating policy and governing. I would go to Congress with the intention of working with people of any party to meaningfully deliver results for the people of Maryland’s 6th district.
April McClain Delaney (Democrat): Congress should: (i) pass redistricting reform to end gerrymandering – voters should determine their Representatives not the other way around, (ii) end “dark money” and pass other “For the People” recommendations proposed by Rep Sarbanes, (iii) engage in more evidence based policy making – too often ideas lack real data backing up the benefits of the proposals, (iv) takes steps to discourage turnover and improve retention among Congressional staff so there is more continuity and collaboration between offices, (v) encourage civility and bipartisanship through more bipartisan orientations for new members and on-going events for sitting members, (vi) improve constituent services to make Members more accessible to constituents and create a best practices databases that Members can access on an optional basis to accelerate constituent needs and identify trends, (vii) end destructive rules like the “Motion to Vacate” and other legislative tricks and gamesmanship, and (viii) create more transparency and accountability in budgeting. As an aside, I also believe the House would run better with Hakeem Jeffries as Speaker!
Laurie-Anne Sayles (Democrat): The recent sessions of Congress are on record to be the most unproductive in modern-day history. Congress must focus more on representing the people than on partisan politics and prioritizing special interests. To restore trust in our divided Congress and improve accountability to the peoplit’st’s essential that Congress reviews and repeals outdated laws and citizens’ rights, ensures transparency in the legislative process, strengthens campaign finance laws, secures voting systems, promotes transparency and accountability in government, holds regular public forums and townhalls, responds to constituent concerns, supports oversight bodies, works across party lines, uses technology to increase engagement, promotes civic education, and makes evidence-based decision I’mI’m running for Congress because the people of Maryland deserve elected leaders willing to stand up for their interests and ensure that the government works for the I’mI’m committed to engaging in thoughtful and respectful dialogue, considering various perspectives, identifying the most effective solutions, and compromising when necessary. I will not tolerate political gamesmanship or special interests undermining the Constitution and democracy. I pledge to make data-driven decisions for bipartisan collaboration, diversity, transparency, and modernization. I will be accountable to the people I’m elected to serve with integrity and dedication.
Joe Vogel (Democrat): The biggest roadblock to an effective Congress is the outsized influence of corporate interests. Until the bulwarks against special interests and corporate money are rebuilt, Congress will fall short of its responsibility to be a voice and agent of the American people. I intend to help restore that accountability. I support the Democracy for All Amendment, a constitutional amendment that would effectively overturn Citizens United by affirming the right of states and the federal government to pass laws that regulate spending in elections. Recognizing the long road this would require, as a member of Congress, I would cosponsor the For the People Act, expanding voter access and registration options, reforming campaign finance laws to limit the power of corporate interests, improving election security measures, and establishing independent redistricting commissions to carry out congressional redistricting. I would also support the Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act that would, among other things, reduce conflicts of interest, close the revolving door, reform lobbying rules, and strengthen the enforcement of anti-corruption, ethics, and public integrity laws. The American people deserve a Congress that is accountable to them, not corporate interests. I believe we can make that Congress a reality.
Chris Hyser (Republican): To enhance Congress’s effectiveness, several reforms are imperative. Firstly, reducing partisan polarization is crucial. Implementing measures such as nonpartisan redistricting and campaign finance reform—limiting candidates’ fundraising and spending to their expected salary for the office they seek, sourced only from their representing District or State—can mitigate extreme partisanship. Additionally, promoting transparency and accountability within Congress by increasing public access to legislative processes and strengthening ethics regulations is essential. Streamlining legislative procedures to facilitate bipartisan cooperation and prioritize critical issues over political posturing would also improve efficacy. Furthermore, fostering a culture of collaboration and compromise among lawmakers through initiatives like regular bipartisan meetings and incentives for bipartisan legislation would enhance Congress’s ability to address pressing issues. Overall, a combination of structural reforms and changes in congressional culture is necessary to make Congress a more effective institution that serves the interests of all Americans.
Neil Parrott (Republican): Reasonable term limits for members of the House and Senate would eliminate careerism and facilitate a new generation of citizen legislators who would represent the average voter rather than special interests. We need experienced legislators, but we don’t need people serving in Congress for their entire careers.
In addition, Congressman should be required to live in the district that they plan to represent. I introduced a bill to do this as a Maryland State Delegate and will continue to work on this at the national level. Maryland’s 6th Congressional District has not been represented by someone who has lived in the district since 2012 when Congressman Roscoe Bartlett last served. Now it is time for the voters to vote for someone who will really represent the people in District 6, someone who lives, shops, and works in the district.
Mariela Roca (Republican): To enhance the effectiveness of Congress, implementing term limits is a vital step towards fostering fresh perspectives and preventing entrenched power dynamics. Additionally, passing a constitutional amendment mandating a balanced budget ensures fiscal responsibility, curbing excessive spending and promoting long-term economic stability. Holding Congress accountable by tying their pay to performance on budgetary matters incentivizes responsible governance and discourages gridlock. By embracing these reforms, Congress can foster greater accountability, encourage bipartisan cooperation, and better serve the interests of the American people.
Brenda Thiam (Republican): The idea of omnibus bills with varied topics is unfair to representatives in Congress and more so to the American people. Major policy ideas should have their specific bill to spell out the language of the bill. Representatives should not receive thousand-page bills with 2 days to read, understand, and cast an informed vote on behalf of constituents. When Congress must vote on and approve the budget, they cannot be excused until it is voted on and passed. Congress can’t continue to hold people’s jobs in the balance by threatening to close the government because the budget hasn’t been approved.
Jason “Mr. J” Johnson (Unaffiliated): Transparency and Access. While working as a member and policy maker on the Frederick County Board of Education we work tirelessly on transparency and access. This comes through openness and modernization. I believe Congress should update their website to be more user friendly and include summary details of their work to constituents to ensure they are up to date on policies that are under consideration.
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These candidates did not respond.
Stephen McDow (D)
Mohammed Mozumder (D)
Adrian Petrus (D)
Destiny Drake West (D)
Kiambo “Bo” White (D)
Altimont Wilks (D)
Dan Cox (R)
Todd Puglisi (R)
Tom Royals (R)
Moshe Landman (Green)
Next: how the candidates differ from their parties.