I see that Andy Harris, perhaps aware that he has an election coming up, is now doing some “town halls” – not in-person sessions, but phone calls where all the questions are screened ahead of time. I guess it’s better than nothing. Based on my conversations with friends, neighbors, and colleagues, here are ten big questions for Rep. Harris that I believe voters deserve answers to heading into the fall election:
- Now that the international firefighters’ association has censured you, do you regret voting against the 9/11 victims’ compensation fund and against survival benefits for spouses of first responder suicide victims?
- As someone who claims to be a proud veteran, why did you betray veterans by voting against legislation to provide health care to vets injured by exposure to burn pits?
- If the conservative position is that abortion should be decided by the states, why do you support a nationwide ban with no exceptions for rape, incest, or health of the mother?
- You met with Marjorie Taylor Greene, Matt Gaetz, and others at the White House in December 2020 at the White House to plan overturning a free and fair presidential election. Why did you do that? What was your role in those discussions?
- Taxpayers have paid you over $2 million in salary over the last 12 years, during which you have passed one bill – to rename a post office. Are you proud of this record of accomplishment?
- Do you think your highly politicized, campaign-style mailers and radio ads are an appropriate use of public funds?
- Capitol Police officers risked their own lives to protect you on January 6, 2021. Why did you vote against awarding them Congressional Gold Medals?
- In a district where so many lives and livelihoods depend on the health of the Chesapeake Bay, how do you justify your 3% lifetime voting score from the League of Conservation Voters and your denial of the reality of human-caused climate change?
- How do you explain to parents your vote against legislation to ease the baby formula shortage?
- Is it right for you to take credit for local projects funded by bills you voted against, like that new ambulance down in Pocomoke City?
Alexa Seip
Talbot Count
Debra Blanchfield says
Publish this in the Kent County News
Bob Moores says
Dear Alexa,
I would like to add a couple more items to your list of Harris failings.
In May 2017, upon hearing that President Trump was planning to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, which had been signed by the US (Obama) on 3 September 2016, I wrote Harris a letter (actual hand-written USPS-delivered letter) politely imploring him to dissuade Trump with whatever influence he possessed to not withdraw from the accord. I listed numerous reasons why we should not withdraw. A week or two later I received and email from Harris. It was a form-email, obviously not written by Harris personally (Did I expect other?), stating that he appreciated my letter but agreed with Trump’s position. He did not explain why.
In early June 2022, shortly after the Robb elementary school massacre in Uvalde Texas I posted a polite letter by email to his web site, urging him to support meaningful anti-gun-violence legislation nationwide which would address both shooter and gun. One of my points was that, noting he was a physician, I expected he would want to do all he could to save lives. The next day I received an email response, again obviously a form-letter, not a personal response addressing my points. In the email he agreed that gun violence was a big problem, but thought that existing Maryland gun laws fully addressed the gun part, and that the problem was mainly with mental health. I noted that he did not comment on the issue of gun violence nationwide; if Maryland was okay, the rest of our country was not his concern.
I conclude that Harris’ sole objective is to be re-elected. The fact that he continues in office tells me something about my neighbors in District 1.
Thanks for your letter. Bob
Robert J Jackson says
Great questions. And he’s another example of why there should be term limits.
Kimberlee Bermont says
Thank you, Ms Seip