WASHINGTON – This week, Senator Angela Alsobrooks took part in her first three Senate hearings.
Aging: The Committee on Aging held a hearing on Improving Wellness Among Seniors: Setting a Standard for the American Dream.
Alsobrooks pressed witnesses on the federal government’s responsibility to honor its promise to Maryland’s senior citizens.
Watch the questioning here.
EPW: As a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, Alsobrooks questioned Lee Zeldin, President-elect Trump’s nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.
Senator Alsbrooks questioned Mr. Zeldin on the importance of federal funding to protect the Chesapeake Bay and on the dangers and risks posed by lead in drinking water. She also pushed him on whether he would support laying off EPA workers as part of the Department of Government Efficiency’s proposal to lay off 75% of federal workers.
Maryland is the state with the highest number of federal workers per capita.
Watch the questioning here.
Banking: As a member of the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Alsobrooks questioned Scott Turner, President-elect Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Senator Alsobrooks pushed Mr. Turner on whether he would retain non-partisan public servants or fire and replace them with political appointees as suggested by Project 2025. She also impressed upon him the importance of the federal workforce, many of whom live in Maryland, and HUD’s investment through programs like the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program.
In 2024, Maryland received $52 million through CDBG funding. The CDBG program provides block grants to develop and upgrade local housing pursuant to specific community needs. Also in 2024, Maryland received $18 million through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program. The HOME Investment Partnerships Program is the Department’s flagship program—and the only federal block grant—dedicated exclusively to the production of affordable housing for low-income households.
Watch the questioning here.
“Senator Alsobrooks asked tough and pertinent questions that advocated for Maryland priorities from the Chesapeake Bay to the federal workers who’ve spent their lives dedicated to public service to building affordable housing,” said Lounsbury, communications director. “This is the kind of tenacity and passion Marylanders have always and will continue to witness from Angela Alsobrooks.”