Media

Today, I joined Assistant Secretary McGinn on his first official visit to Pax River as head of Energy, Installations, and Environment for the Department of the Navy.

I was pleased to visit Hospice House in Charles County today to learn more about the services that Hospice staff and volunteers provide to families in Southern Maryland.

Throughout my career, restoration of our state's waterways and wetlands has been a top priority, and I'm pleased that Charles County has received important funding to protect and restore Port Tobacco and Popes Creek coastal wetlands.

From cyber security to health care and science, UMUC provides a wide range of academic programs that will prepare students for the jobs of today and tomorrow. I was especially impressed by the steps taken at UMUC to serve our nation's military personnel, veterans, and their families and help ensure they have the education and training needed to succeed.

On December 28th, 22,900 Marylanders were suddenly cut off from receiving the assistance of emergency unemployment insurance.

Today's report by the Treasury Department shows the Small Business Lending Fund is helping to significantly improve access to capital for Maryland small businesses. Established through Make It In America legislation, the SBLF has allowed Maryland banks to increase lending by an additional $394 billion. In doing so, it has increased opportunities for our businesses to grow, expand, create jobs, and make it in America.

Thanks to the collaboration between University System of Maryland, Virginia Tech, and Rutgers University; strong federal assets, including Pax River Naval Air Station, Webster Field, NASA's Wallops Flight Facility, NASA Langley Research Center, and Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren; and support from industry partners, the region was strongly positioned for this important designation. I was pleased to work with Governors O'Malley, Christie, and McDonnell, as well as our three universities, in establishing the MOU between the three states, and I look forward to partnering as we move ahead with this initiative.

Today, I met with Secretary Smith for an update on major transportation projects in Prince George's County and Southern Maryland.