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Rep. Andy Harris Spends His Week Disgracing Maryland

Mar 19, 2021

MARYLAND Friday, March 19th, Representative Andy Harris spent his week disgracing Maryland. As the U.S. House of Representatives voted on bipartisan bills to honor our Capitol Police, reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, and strengthen child abuse protections, Harris joined with fellow far-right politicians like Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene to oppose these widely supported pieces of legislation.

Representative Andy Harris’ inexcusable, extremist votes included:

  • Refusing to honor Capitol Police for their heroism on  January 6th

  • Trying to stop the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act

  • Objecting to stronger child abuse laws

  • Voting against equal rights for women

  • Standing against a path to citizenship for Dreamers

  • Supporting the military coup in Myanmar

  • Attempting to cut Medicare and Medicaid

This is not the first time Harris has shown far-right, extremist behavior. After he helped incite the Capitol riot, Harris defended the former president, and even the rioters themselves — unfathomably saying that they were there for ‘valid reasons.’ Just days later, Harris further disrespected the Capitol Police, attempting to bring a gun onto the House floor.

Harris clearly doesn’t care about Marylanders or people of the First District. It’s why he directly opposed the $1,400 relief checks received by 3.4 million Maryland adults and 1.2 million Maryland children, calling them “morally bankrupt,” and saying that they’re “way too much.”

Harris’ extremist behavior will be a problem for Maryland Republicans should he decide to run for governor. Biden carried Maryland by more than 30 points, and the state has more than twice as many registered Democrats as Republicans.

“Representative Andy Harris is a disgrace to Maryland. We’re a state that prides itself on bipartisan, compassionate leadership — we look out for one another, and our politicians do the same. Rep. Andy Harris could not be farther from these values,” said Maryland Democratic Party Chair Yvette Lewis. “Harris’ votes in opposition to the Violence Against Women Act, stronger protections for our children, and honoring our Capitol Police are completely inexcusable. His far-right actions show the stark contrast between Maryland Democrats and Republicans; while one party is voting to cut Medicare and Medicaid, the other is putting money in your pockets and shots in your arms.”

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