Author: Sentor Alsobrooks Staff   Published:   3/18/2025       Sentor Alsobrooks

Friends and neighbors,

I wanted to share with you why I voted ‘No’ on cloture and on the Republican continuing resolution, last week.

First things first, let me explain what happened.

House Republicans voted on a funding bill, a continuing resolution in this case.

Once it came to the Senate, each Member had the opportunity to decide whether we continue filibustering said resolution or not. I voted ‘No’ on cloture, which means I wanted to keep debating the bill. I felt we had both an opportunity and responsibility to ensure that any bill that passes our chamber didn’t just offer a blank check to this Administration.

Why?

Because this continuing resolution would allow President Trump to continue doing what he’s doing:

-Looting our government to pay for tax cuts for billionaires.

-Conducting a witch hunt against our patriotic civil servants — people who work on behalf of our veterans, people who work on behalf of our students, people who work on behalf of our domestic violence survivors.

-Threatening to cut Social Security benefits, to cut Medicaid.

-Causing the markets to crash by starting a trade war with our allies that will raise prices on goods and impact the pocketbooks of everyday Americans.

To allow the President to continue what he’s doing would be in direct contradiction with my mandate — to fight for Marylanders.

We had a unique opportunity to course correct and pass a clean, bipartisan funding bill that would have addressed some of these concerns and mistakes.

That is why I voted ‘No’ last week.

This will not be the last fight we have. And I want you to know that I will always put Maryland, and the needs of Marylanders, first.

Tariff Transparency Act

I am proud to share that, last week, I introduced my first bill – the Tariff Transparency Act. This necessary legislation will require the United States International Trade Commission to conduct an investigation on the impact of these tariffs, and the threat of these tariffs, on imports from Mexico and Canada.

Marylanders are struggling to put food on the table and afford the basic necessities as it is. The last thing we need are tariffs that will raise prices even more. The truth is this: the Trump Administration knows that placing tariffs on allies like Canada and Mexico will raise prices for consumers, spike inflation, and harm American small businesses. If they disagree, now is their time to prove it. My bill will force a nonpartisan study on this Administration’s tariffs and how they will impact everyday Americans.

Here’s what Maryland leaders from the farming industry on the Eastern Shore, to the Chamber of Commerce had to say:

“The dairy industry has worked hard to grow our markets and Trump’s tariffs could erase years of hard work and cause a drop in farmers’ incomes. Unnecessary and arbitrary tariffs against our best customers puts farmer’s livelihoods at risk and the consequences are unpredictable. A study should be undertaken before tariffs are implemented and the predictable retaliation that will undoubtedly follow in response. That’s why the Senate must immediately pass Senator Alsobrooks’ legislation, the Tariff Transparency Act, so we know exactly how these arbitrary tariffs will impact our livelihoods,” said Judy Gifford, owner and operator, St. Brigid’s Farm.

“Senator Alsobrooks’ Tariff Transparency Act is a necessary piece of legislation that will provide the American people with concrete data about the impacts of these tariffs – on consumers, on the small business sector, and on companies’ ability to make strategic decisions about hiring and employment,” Benjamin Orr, President, Founder & CEO, Maryland Center on Economic Policy.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and I am fearful that these chaotic and non-strategic tariffs from President Trump are going to negatively impact our small businesses and the everyday Americans who rely on us for goods and services. That’s why I’m grateful that Senator Alsobrooks has put forward this timely legislation, the Tariff Transparency Act. President Trump has said his tariffs will only cause ‘a little disturbance.’ This bill will force him to prove it,” said Herman Taylor, President, Minority Business Economic Council, Inc. (MBEC).

“The question on everyone’s mind is how will these tariffs impact everyday people. Senator Alsobrooks’ Tariff Transparency Act will help to answer that question. As the new administration continues to create uncertainty for business owners, having a study that measures how these tariffs will impact the overall economy is an absolute necessity. This is much-needed and timely legislation by Senator Alsobrooks,” said Dewan Clayborn, President & CEO, Central Maryland Chamber of Commerce.

I will continue to demand transparency from this administration because it’s easy to make claims on the news. I would hope the President and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are willing and ready to be transparent with Marylanders and the American people.

You can find the full text of the bill here, and read a recent Washington Post article on the bill here.

Howard County Town Hall

I would like to thank the approximately 1,100 concerned Marylanders who came out to our town hall (and the over 1,000 who joined online) hosted by Senator Chris Van Hollen, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth, County Executive Calvin Ball and I on Tuesday night. From the unelected Elon Musk and his DOGE operation to those outraged about veterans who have been fired and the uncertainty of critical government programs, we heard your concerns loud and clear. And we are going to continue fighting for all of you.

I said this at the town hall, but I think it bears repeating. The trick of the oppressor is to make sure people feel demoralized, isolated, without hope. But we will not be without hope. We are going to continue fighting, because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it does bend toward justice.

60th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday

I was honored to join more than 40 of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle for The Faith & Politics Institute 2025 Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage through Montgomery, Selma, and Birmingham, Alabama. Friday, March 7, was the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday – the day hundreds of peaceful protesters were attacked with batons wrapped with barbed wire, dogs, and tear gas as they attempted to walk from Selma to Montgomery in support of their right to vote.

I listened to the stories of the foot soldiers, many of whom were never written about in history books, and remain in Alabama until this day. The sacrifices made by so many, including the late Congressman John Lewis, were so significant and remind us that when we need or want change we have to stand up and speak out. Coretta Scott King was instructive to each of us when she said that freedom is never really won. You have to earn it and win it in every generation. I’m ready to win it back and preserve our democracy, and I hope you’re ready too.

 

I know these are difficult times, but please know that I will continue fighting for you every step of the way. We will not give up. We will not give in to this administration, and I ask that you continue to fight alongside us. Please continue to reach out to us. Tell us your story. You can call the office or connect with us at alsobrooks.senate.gov.

You can also follow us on Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, YouTube and X.

 

Sincerely,

Angela Alsobrooks
United States Senator