It’s time for Maryland to lead our country’s maritime industry once again. I have spent my first two years in Congress and on the Armed Services Committee fighting to bring back shipbuilding, invest in Coast Guard Yard Baltimore, and redevelop Curtis Creek. I want to thank @GovWesMoore for his leadership in convening the Maryland Maritime Task Force to expand on this work and steer the future of the Port of Baltimore and our maritime industry at this critical juncture. Together, we will be taking inspiration from what once was – back to the Baltimore clippers and the hundreds of Liberty ships built during World War II – to build a bright and successful future for Maryland's maritime industry.

If you’re from Maryland, you know just how important the small but mighty oyster is to our Bay, our culture, and our economy. 🦪 If you’re from Maryland, you also might have seen around the community or at a local restaurant a “Save Oyster Shells” sign.  After visiting the @chesapeakebay’s site for the new Truman T. Seaman Center for Oyster Restoration and Innovation, I was given one of these signs – and it’s today’s topic of Thrifted & Gifted from the Third!

A couple highlights from #TeamElfreth’s work in Washington and across #MD03 this fall – stay tuned for more! 📬

Even though Speaker Johnson cancelled votes for seven weeks, #TeamElfreth has still been hard at work – meeting directly with our neighbors across the District. From the Festival of India in Howard County to the 36th annual Kunta Kinte Festival and @AnnapolisPride, we’ve covered a lot of ground this fall. Here’s a quick look! ➡️

📆 Mark your calendars #MD03: There’s only one week left to apply to our Congressional App Challenge! If you’re a middle or high schooler in the District and you have a creative idea for an app, be sure to submit your materials by October 26th for a chance to present your app right here in Washington. Learn more about the competition and how to apply at the link below. elfreth.house.gov/services/c…

Settler violence in the West Bank is at an all-time high, according to the UN’s records. This attack on American journalist Heidi Levine was nothing short of horrific. For the safety of Palestinians, Israelis, and Americans, the Israeli government must continue to crack down on settler violence in the West Bank. We will demand full accountability and transparency in order to uphold peace and human rights across the region. cnn.com/world/middleeast/ami…

One perk of being so close to the District is being able to invite constituents – including our incredible interns – to both our Washington and Columbia offices! #TeamElfreth hosted a District-D.C. swap day, giving our interns a chance to learn about both our work in Congress, the casework process, and the difference in daily operations between our teams.  If you’d like to serve our neighbors as part of #TeamElfreth, there’s only ONE day left to apply for spring internships in our District and D.C. offices! Check out the link below for more details. elfreth.house.gov/services/i…

Over the past 22 months, in addition to over 30 town halls and forums, my team and I have hosted 10 roundtables. Each discussion allows me to hear directly from our local leaders on the issues that matter to them and guide my work in Washington - even resulting in legislation! Here’s what we’ve done so far:

Today, my District Office in Columbia, Maryland received a suspicious letter containing an unknown substance matching those reported by other Congressional offices around the country. Here’s my full statement:

Atlantic menhaden are often called the most important fish in the sea – and for good reason! These nutrient-rich fish are critical to our coastal communities, our economy, other wildlife, and the Chesapeake Bay. That’s why @ChrisVanHollen and I led our colleagues in urging the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to prioritize science-based approaches to support and protect the menhaden population in the Bay and all those who rely on it. You can read our letter here: elfreth.house.gov/sites/evo-…

After such a serious and hateful threat of violence, I am deeply grateful @CongressmanRaja, his family, and his community are safe. Our country must live up to its promise that all of us can live, gather, and worship freely and safely. My office remains a resource for our Hindu neighbors, and I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to deliver federal funding for the security of our houses of worship.

There are simply no words for when children are killed in their classrooms and parents live through their worst nightmare. My heart is with the families and loved ones who are grieving this unimaginable loss in Oregon. Congress must act to end the epidemic of gun violence. cbsnews.com/live-updates/ore…

Every year, more than 10 million people in our country experience abuse by an intimate partner. Domestic Violence Awareness Month not only helps raise awareness about the prevalence of domestic violence but also the very real consequences if we don’t take steps to prevent it. Research consistently shows that intimate partner homicide is often preceded by a history of abuse or controlling behavior – yet, with thousands of these deaths occurring each year, far too often we miss the signs. But Maryland has been a leader in creating an evidence-based program to recognize the risks and patterns that lead to intimate partner homicide. I’m proud to work with @repgabeevans on bipartisan legislation that will take what we developed and learned in Maryland and help states across the country reduce domestic violence-related homicides and save lives.

Marylanders: Today is the first day of open enrollment for Medicare. If you're 65+, you can enroll or make changes to your Medicare Advantage plan, medication plan, or general coverage from now until December 7th, 2026. Additionally, if you ever need assistance with Medicare or other programs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at (410) 832-8890.

We’re back more #MD03 small farms and restaurants: Little Portion Farm located in Ellicott City and Caliente Grill here in Annapolis! Both these businesses are doing incredible work in our communities – combatting food insecurity, promoting regenerative agriculture, bringing our neighbors together to celebrate culture, and so much more. All our local farmers, producers, and restaurants remind us that shopping small not only helps our economy but makes our communities stronger!

Over the summer, we learned that several servicemembers and civilians who worked at Fort Meade tragically died by suicide. One loss of life is one too many – and that is why I am committed to doing everything we can to make sure everyone at the Fort has the full mental health support and resources they need, so that a tragedy like this does not occur again. Here is an update on that work: ✔️In last year’s defense bill, I worked with colleagues to secure a provision requiring U.S. Cyber Command and the Cyber Mission Force to hire mental health professionals with security clearances at their operating locations.  ✔️I am now leading my Maryland delegation and Armed Services colleagues to help secure $11 million in funding needed to ensure full funding of this provision. ✔️I am also committed to working alongside U.S. Cyber Command to bring additional mental health resources to Fort Meade. I’m working to rectify the reporting requirements and include civilian employees in DoD’s suicide data, especially at installations like Fort Meade where civilian and uniformed officers work side by side on the same projects. ✔️Finally, I am working to address delays with the transfer of mental health licenses from out of state. During conversations with mental health professionals, I heard that the transfer of licenses can take several months to almost a year before these professionals can begin practicing in Maryland and on military bases. At the state level, I am working with partners, including @SenatorDawnGile and Secretary Ed Rothstein of the @MdVeterans, to address delays and barriers to military-connected mental health professionals transferring or obtaining professional licensure in Maryland. This is just the beginning – and structurally addressing the gaps in mental health services and availability will be an ongoing effort. I will continue to keep you posted as we move this work forward together.

Election Day is coming up, #MD03! Especially as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our great democratic experiment, it’s never been more important to make a plan and VOTE! 🗳️ Learn more about everything you need to know to make your voice heard in November:  ✅ Register to Vote or Check Your Registration Status: voterservices.elections.mary… 📍Find Your Polling Place: voterservices.elections.mary…  📩 Request a Mail-In Ballot: voterservices.elections.mary…

Annapolis → Washington → Columbia → Home. Have you ever wondered what a day in the life looks like for a member of Congress? Even though Speaker Johnson cancelled votes and sent us back to our districts for seven weeks, I’ve been back and forth between Washington and the District – continuing to work on your behalf. Here’s a closer look at one day in my life representing #MD03!

Yet another chilling example of the President’s weaponization of our federal agencies. Whether it’s ICE targeting our neighbors or the President attacking Democratic lawmakers who reminded servicemembers of their obligation to refuse unlawful orders, the President has shown no limits in abusing the power of federal agencies against political enemies and the American people. This raid – just weeks away from Election Day – is part of a larger, disturbing pattern, which is why we will continue to demand transparency and accountability. washingtonpost.com/nation/20…

President Trump’s illegal deal to import diesel from Russia gives Putin a lifeline to fund his aggression against Ukraine. That is why my colleagues on both sides of the aisle have condemned this deal that goes directly against the 2022 law. Even experts agree that this deal will do little to lower gas prices for the American people (a crisis that the President created by engaging in war with Iran) and will only strengthen our adversaries. I will continue to work with colleagues to rein in the President’s illegal actions and stand with our democratic ally, Ukraine. time.com/article/2026/10/12/…