Congressman Andy Harris Press Releases

Rep. Harris Issues Statement in Support of FIRST STEP Act

WASHINGTON, DC: On May 22, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5682, the FIRST STEP Act. The FIRST STEP Act seeks to improve the federal prison system through enhanced prison security and providing inmates with educational and vocational training opportunities. Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) issued the following statement after the bill was passed:

“Today, the House of Representatives passed bipartisan prison reform legislation to make our country safer and more successful. The FIRST STEP Act expands educational, mentoring, and job training opportunities for inmates, setting up inmates to lead productive lives upon release. Inmates with access to such programs are more likely to find work and housing upon release, and have a lower risk of returning to a life of crime.  The FIRST STEP Act will strengthen our public safety by reducing the number of inmates who become repeat offenders.”

Rep. Harris Issues Statement on Right to Try Act

WASHINGTON, DC: On May 22, the U.S. House of Representatives passed S. 204, the Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act. This legislation increases terminally ill patients’ access to experimental drugs that have not yet been approved or licensed by the FDA. Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) issued the following statement lauding the bill’s passage:

“Today, the House of Representatives delivered new hope to patients fighting for their lives. Stunning new cures in medicine occur each and every day, and patients deserve the right to try any and all available treatments, including treatment options still in the final approval process. The federal government has no place denying terminally-ill patients the opportunity for survival, especially when there are hundreds of potential treatments stuck in the FDA’s pipeline. As a physician, I am proud to support the Right to Try Act – a bill that will bring hope and relief to families plagued by terminal illness across the United States.”

Rep. Harris Releases Statement on Bipartisan Banking Reform Bill

WASHINGTON, DC: On May 22, the U.S. House of Representatives passed S. 2155 – the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. This bipartisan bill eases the burden several Dodd-Frank regulations have placed on small community banks and consumers. Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) released the following statement in support of the legislation:

“Heavy handed and costly banking regulations hurt America’s small community banks and American consumers. The bipartisan Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act passed by the House of Representatives today will provide small community banks and consumers with much-needed relief. This legislation will exempt small banks from time-consuming reporting requirements, protect consumers’ access to credit, and implement credit protections for veterans and student borrowers. I applaud my colleagues in Congress for passing this pro-consumer, pro-small business legislation.”