Senate Update: Not Backing Down
After just 63 days in power, Donald Trump and Elon Musk have already wounded our republic in ways that will take a long time to repair. They are illegally firing thousands of patriotic federal workers who deliver essential services for the American people. They are preparing to slash Medicaid to pay for billionaire tax cuts. And they have entered a full-blown trade war with our closest allies that will only raise costs for American families, all while bending over backwards to appease our most ruthless adversaries.
It’s the Great Betrayal: the candidate who pledged he would look out for forgotten Americans is rigging the government to benefit the ultra-rich and powerful. Trump is breaking the law and breaking his promises, and Congressional Republicans are moving in lockstep with him, more desperate to stay in his good graces than they are willing to stand up for their constituents and the Constitution.
We cannot surrender to this lawlessness, and I am not backing down.
The Fight in Congress
The Battle over the Continuing Resolution to Fund the Government
On March 14th we hit the deadline for funding the federal government. Instead of working to pass a bipartisan funding bill — an effort that began many months ago — House Republicans put forward a terrible, one-sided bill that ultimately provides a slush fund for Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s illegal actions. Their six-month spending bill removes many existing guardrails, making it easier for Trump and Musk to transfer funds between government accounts. It also excluded funding for important community projects across Maryland and other states that had previously been agreed to on a bipartisan basis in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
After jamming their terrible partisan bill through the House, the Republicans used the threat of a government shutdown to push it through the Senate. No one wants a shutdown, but I could not support Republicans’ one-sided bill that would only add fuel to the illegal Musk operation. That’s why I repeatedly pushed for a 30-day, clean, short-term funding bill to keep the government open while we negotiated a bipartisan funding plan for the remainder of fiscal year 2025 to meet the priorities of the American people. But, when Republicans refused to go that route, I voted HELL NO against their bill. I also offered an amendment to eliminate DOGE, but only one Republican, Senator Lisa Murkowski, voted for it.
This Republican MAGA CR — and the blocking of my amendment — are just additional examples of Republicans’ failure to stand up for their constituents and their willingness to aid and abet the efforts of Trump and Musk to dismantle important public services for working Americans in order to rig the government in favor of the richest and most powerful. In my view, Senate Democrats should have stood our ground. I have made clear that the Senate Democratic Caucus must immediately take a new approach and improve our strategy to prevent a similar result in the future.
After the very bad news of the passage of the Republican CR, there was one bit of good news. I introduced a bill to fix a provision of the House bill that restricted the District of Columbia’s use of its OWN local taxpayer dollars without saving a single penny for the federal government. This attack on the District threatened their ability to use their own funds to support everything from public safety and first responders to the state of its roads and local schools. The Republicans’ draconian scheme had no purpose except to show that they could punish the residents of the District. The people of our nation’s capital, through their locally elected representatives, should be able to make their own decisions with their own funding. That’s why I joined Senator Susan Collins in introducing bipartisan legislation to restore D.C.’s ability to decide its own budget, and I am glad it passed the Senate unanimously. We are pressing the House of Representatives to take up and pass this common-sense legislation quickly. This entire episode underscores the need to grant statehood to D.C. which is why I am leading the Washington D.C. Admission Act — legislation that would make D.C. statehood a reality. We have over 40 Democratic Senators on board, and while we know there is a long fight ahead, I will continue to push for the citizens who live in our nation’s capital to have full democratic representation in the Congress. It is a travesty that they are currently denied that right.
Moving the FBI Headquarters to Maryland
In addition to the passage of the one-sided continuing resolution, there was another setback for both Maryland and the country. For years, we have known that the FBI needs a new headquarters to meet its mission. And after a long, multi-year process, Greenbelt, Maryland was selected as the location for the new headquarters based on the assessment that it was clearly the best site — offering the lowest price and the best value to the taxpayers along with much-needed security improvements. Despite that independent evaluation, Donald Trump abruptly declared that he would be canceling the move to Maryland and instead seek to build a new headquarters in D.C. His reckless decision will delay, but not derail, the process of moving the headquarters to Greenbelt. This decision, however, does a great disservice to the men and women of the FBI by postponing their move to a secure site that meets their mission requirements. We will fight to make sure the Greenbelt decision stands.
The Gathering Storm
Now that the Republicans have passed their one-sided continuing resolution, they are turning to the crown jewel of their agenda: a giant tax giveaway to the super-wealthy and big corporations that will be partially paid for by gutting Medicaid, food and nutrition programs, and other critical services for American families.
The GOP denies that they intend to slash up to $800 billion from Medicaid to pay for their tax cuts for the rich, but a report issued by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office shows that it will be mathematically impossible for them to pass their planned tax cut without hitting Medicaid or Medicare. What’s more, when Senate Democrats offered amendments to the Republicans’ budget resolution a few weeks ago that would actually protect Medicaid and Medicare from such cuts, the Senate Republicans blocked us outright, just as they also blocked my amendment to shield school lunch programs from their cuts.
Let’s be clear: our communities will suffer from the Republicans’ planned cuts to health care. Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program cover nearly 80 million Americans. In Maryland, Medicaid covers 1 in 3 children, 5 in 8 nursing home residents, and 1 in 3 people with disabilities.
Even after making these draconian cuts, the Trump plan for tax giveaways to the rich is expected to dramatically raise our national debt and put upward pressure on interest rates — meaning everyone else in America will pick up the tab in one form or another. Republicans in Congress are attempting to conceal this effect by using an accounting gimmick that will make it appear on paper as if their $4 trillion tax cut for the rich will not increase deficits. In the coming weeks, I will be working to expose this fraud against the American people. When Donald Trump, at his inauguration, promised a new “golden age” for America, he meant a Gilded Age for Musk and the other billionaires standing behind him that day, not anyone else.
I will do everything in my power to expose their lies and shine a light on their Great Betrayal.
The Fight in the Courts
Congressional Republicans have refused to defend the Constitution and help us stop Trump/Musk’s illegal actions — so in many cases, our first line of defense against their law-breaking spree has been the courts. I have been working closely with lawyers and groups bringing those cases, and we have achieved several important victories in the last few weeks.
Some Notable Recent Cases
This month, Judge James Bredar, a senior U.S. District Court judge in Maryland, ordered that tens of thousands of probationary employees at 18 federal agencies must be reinstated after they were illegally removed by Trump and Musk. He issued a temporary restraining order on the firings because the Administration had clearly gone about a mass reduction in force without the necessary notice requirements, all while claiming they didn’t have to comply with the notice requirements because these employees were allegedly being fired due to their poor performance. The Trump/Musk assertion that these employees were fired due to performance was a bald-faced lie. In Judge Bredar’s words, “the record reflects that these probationary employees were not fired for cause... The government’s contention to the contrary borders on the frivolous.” Now, court records show that more than 24,000 workers at 18 federal agencies are in the process of being reinstated following Judge Bredar’s order.
This win for probationary employees comes on the heels of the decision of Judge William Alsup of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, who ordered that employees at six agencies be reinstated, calling the government's attempts to fire these employees “a sham.” Judge Alsup noted that he was open to expanding his order to cover additional agencies as more evidence of the government's illegal actions comes to light. The Administration attempted to push back against these reinstatements in front of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, but that Court denied the Administration's requests and reinforced probationary employees’ right to be reinstated after their unjust terminations.
We have seen some federal agencies reinstate these illegally fired federal employees, but then immediately put those employees on administrative leave. Let me be clear: these federal workers should be allowed to actually do their jobs for the American people. Trump and Musk say they want to make the government more efficient, but they are choosing to pay federal employees not to work. What a farce. And the courts agree. When Judge Alsup heard these reports, he stated, “The Court has read news reports that, in at least one agency, probationary employees are being rehired but then placed on administrative leave en masse. This is not allowed by the preliminary injunction.” Alsup then requested more information from the government to explain these actions. After failing to block the ruling at an appeals court, Trump has asked the Supreme Court to intervene on his behalf. The outcome of this case will be crucial.
The recent court victories go beyond the reinstatement of wrongfully fired federal employees. On Thursday, a judge in Maryland ruled that DOGE was likely illegally intruding into Americans' private Social Security data — and that, for now, Musk and his DOGE minions need to get the hell out. This is an important victory.
Two days earlier, another U.S. District Court judge in Maryland, Theodore Chuang, issued a preliminary injunction ruling that Trump/Musk’s attempt to dismantle USAID likely violated the Constitution. Judge Chuang ordered the Trump Administration to restore computer and email access to all USAID employees and put Trump and Musk on notice that they are NOT above the law. While the Trump Administration will undoubtedly appeal this decision, it is a very important win on a fundamental constitutional question. Moreover, USAID has been an essential part of America’s foreign and national security policy for years. Among many other benefits, it saves millions of lives around the world and helps prevent overseas threats from reaching our shores. I will continue to fight the battle to save USAID.
Trump/Musk Efforts to Delegitimize the Courts
In response to federal judges issuing opinions to protect the rule of law, Trump/Musk and MAGA world have embarked on a very dangerous effort to undermine the courts. They have viciously attacked judges with whom they disagree and called for their impeachment. This has been especially true of judges who are insisting that the Trump Administration protect the due process rights of individuals whom Trump is seeking to deport by dredging up the Alien Enemies Act, or those requiring the Administration to uphold the First Amendment rights of protesters. They are also blackmailing and bullying law firms and universities by withholding funding or access to government buildings to those who don’t yield to their illegal demands. This is a brazen, authoritarian act of intimidation; Trump wants to make it impossible for the victims of his illegal actions to find a lawyer to defend themselves. This is a time for all these firms and institutions to stand up for the rule of law, not bow down to these bullies by cutting separate deals.
The Fight in Our Communities
Trump doesn’t want the American people to know what’s happening. That’s why it’s so important that we get out into our communities and tell the truth.
I recently joined Senator Alsobrooks, Congresswoman Elfreth, and Howard County Executive Calvin Ball at a town hall event at Howard Community College with over 1,000 attendees. And last Tuesday, I convened a roundtable in Baltimore with veterans who have been personally harmed by Trump’s attempt to purge the civil service — which is made up of hundreds of thousands of veterans — and to gut benefits at the VA. These veterans served our country in uniform and then decided to continue their service as federal workers. They did not sign up to be betrayed by their own commander-in-chief. At least 6,000 veterans have been fired — although, thankfully, many have since been reinstated by court order. Reports also indicate that Trump and Musk plan to cut 80,000 jobs from the VA, which would deny our veterans access to critical services. Our veterans deserve better, and we won’t stop fighting for them.
Last week I also attended town halls in Baltimore County and Baltimore City. One was hosted by the Metro Baltimore AFL-CIO to discuss the fallout of Trump/Musk’s actions on Maryland workers, including our federal employees at agencies like TSA and the Department of Education. The Trump Administration’s attack on public education is a direct threat to the idea that every child, regardless of zip code, should have a quality education, and I will vigorously fight their plans to privatize our schools. The second, organized by Baltimore County Councilman Pat Young, focused on the wide array of Trump/Musk’s illegal actions, including their targeting of two major federal agencies in Woodlawn — the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA).
These two agencies are the key hubs for processing the claims and benefits of the tens of millions of Americans who get their health care through Medicare & Medicaid — and the 71 million Americans who receive earned benefits from Social Security. By taking a chainsaw to these agencies, including the people's ability to access information via telephone services, Trump and Musk will impede the delivery of these benefits to the American people.
I have also been working nonstop with our state and local officials to better protect Marylanders from Trump/Musk's lawbreaking spree. Last week, I briefed state legislators from Prince George’s, Montgomery, and Baltimore Counties, as well as members of the State Senate Democratic Caucus. I applaud all our state and local officials who are enacting measures to support Marylanders who are being harmed by the onslaught of illegal actions from the Trump Administration.
Everywhere I go, Marylanders are telling me they feel the same way I do: they are angry and they want to fight back. These town halls, roundtables, and rallies not only help keep Marylanders informed, they also help create ripples that build into waves of public opinion that are cresting across the country. All over America, people of all political stripes are experiencing the harmful impact of the Trump/Musk actions. In fact, many Republicans are running away from their constituents, too afraid to hold town halls. They can run, but they can’t hide from accountability.
Another Reminder: Tips and Resources for Marylanders
I continue to hear from many Marylanders facing the attacks of the new administration, especially federal workers and federal contractors. For Maryland federal employees who have been wrongfully laid off or for grant recipients or federal contractors who have had their funding frozen as a result of the Trump-Musk actions, we are fighting back. As we work to restore jobs and unfreeze the illegal funding blockade, you can visit my website here to find additional resources available. You can also share your story on my website here.
Federal workers should also consider the following tips*:
1. Keep a record of everything, including hard copies of performance reviews, SF-50s, and years of service.
2. Consult with your supervisors for guidance when you receive an order or request from outside your agency, such as a directive from OPM.
3. Pursue legal advice from an attorney specializing in federal employee law or from your union.
4. File a complaint if you are targeted. If you are a current or former federal employee or applicant, you may have a right to file a complaint with the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) or an appeal with the Merit Systems Protection Board. If you are in a bargaining unit, you should communicate with your union first, as it is possible that they have a different, negotiated set of grievance procedures.
Another issue of importance if you have been fired: the State of Maryland encourages anyone to apply for unemployment insurance, regardless of the reason for termination. Each claim will be evaluated individually. Seeking unemployment insurance will not terminate your right to pursue legal action for a wrongful firing.
If you are having difficulties with an individual matter with a federal agency, my team may be able to assist. Please call my Rockville office at 301-545-1500.
Our state has launched a website with important resources for federal workers, including help with unemployment insurance and a pipeline to hire these workers in Maryland.
We Won't Back Down
We’re in the fight of our lives, and there’s no one I’d rather partner with in that battle than the patriotic people of Maryland. Together, we will cut through the lies and reveal the truth: Trump, Musk, and their cronies are attacking the rule of law and our democracy. They are stealing from Americans and trying to take away people’s rights. If we can sound the alarm and mobilize together, we can stop their lawless and depraved actions. Each new day, when I see Marylanders in my office and around the state, I see more energy and resolve than the day before. We won’t back down.
Onwards,
Chris Van Hollen
* The information above is provided for informational purposes only and has been pulled from the executive branch agencies mentioned above. These tips are meant to give a general overview of the legal rights of federal employees as outlined by executive branch agencies tasked with protecting those rights, such as the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). The information outlined on this website should not be interpreted as legal advice on any subject matter. For legal advice, speak with an attorney or if you are in a bargaining unit, refer to your union. |