State of Maryland Archives: on Homeland Security

Benjamin Cardin: More research into causes of combat-related illnesses

Cardin selected, "Not enough."

Cardin adds, "Americans who dedicate their lives to defending our nation deserve the highest quality health care. To provide that care, the DOD and DVA must invest in research that will help discover the causes of, and treatments for, their illnesses, particularly those that are combat-related. For this reason, I strongly support increases in these departments' peer-reviewed research programs."

Ian Schlakman: Don't expand the military

A: Strongly oppose

Ben Jealous: Advocate for veterans; honor the Buffalo Soldiers

Shawn Quinn: Neutral on expanding the military

A: Neutral.

Tony Campbell: Veterans should receive all the care they need and deserve

Campbell: When our veterans return home, we must ensure they receive the care they deserve.

Arvin Vohra: Shut down foreign military bases & withdraw from NATO

A: Strongly oppose. The mission has been, frankly, corrupted. It is unconscionable to encourage young men and women to pursue morally dubious work in the service of an ill-considered, nonstrategic foreign policy. I would sponsor legislation to reduce military personnel to the bare minimum needed for defense of America. I would sponsor legislation to shut down foreign military bases, end involvement in foreign civil wars, and withdraw from NATO.

Arvin Vohra: Cut military spending by 60% or more

Cut Military Spending by 60% or More: If elected, I will immediately sponsor legislation to cut military spending by 60% or more, end all trade sanctions, and cut taxes accordingly. This will reduce the violence against our country and enhance our global economic capabilities.

Sam Faddis: Educate the public how to prepare for civil defense

Chelsea Manning: Stop sending soldiers overseas for nationalist fairy tales

"Want to support veterans!?" Manning asked on Twitter. "Stop sending us overseas to kill or be killed for your nationalist fairy tales. We can do better."

Chelsea Manning: Became whistleblower for patriotic opposition to wars

"I understand that my actions violate the law. When I chose to disclose classified information, I did so out of a love for my country and a sense of duty for others."

Anthony Brown: Fund Base Realignment and Closure transportation projects

Gov. Martin O'Malley announced he strongly supported more federal dollars toward Base Realignment and Closure transportation projects in Maryland. O'Malley emphasized that the state would work closely with Congress to get the funding for the projects. "We plan to meet the shortfall as we have every challenge in the history of our nation - by doing it together," O'Malley said.

Jamie Raskin: Support Easter Seals programs for wounded warriors

Kathy Szeliga: The V.A. fails our veterans with mountains of red-tape

Unfortunately, this Memorial Day marks another year in which we have failed those veterans who are still alive. The situation at the Department of Veterans Affairs does not appear to have gotten any better.

As the daughter of a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Army, I strongly believe we must honor the promises we have made to our men and women in uniform. But right now, the VA continues to fail them with mountains of red-tape, burdensome regulations, and wait times that threaten the health and even life of our veterans. It is a stain on our nation and must be resolved.

Larry Hogan: No county or city restrictions on drones; study state use

Bill excerpts:
• Only the State may enact a law or take other action to prohibit, restrict, or regulate the testing or operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the State; preempting the authority of a county or municipality.
• WHEREAS, While the public has expressed concerns with the operation of UAS, there are benefits that may be realized by the State, including the State's various industry sectors, from conducting research on UAS and in manufacturing, and operating UAS;
• THEREFORE the Department of Business and Economic Development shall [conduct an evaluation of UAS].

Legislative record: Passed Senate 46-0-1; passed House 136-1-4, April 5; signed by Governor May 12.

Jamie Raskin: No county or city restrictions on drones; study state use

Bill excerpts:
• Only the State may enact a law or take other action to prohibit, restrict, or regulate the testing or operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the State; preempting the authority of a county or municipality.
• WHEREAS, While the public has expressed concerns with the operation of UAS, there are benefits that may be realized by the State, including the State's various industry sectors, from conducting research on UAS and in manufacturing, and operating UAS;
• THEREFORE the Department of Business and Economic Development shall [conduct an evaluation of UAS].

Kathy Szeliga: No county or city restrictions on drones; study state use

Bill excerpts:
• Only the State may enact a law or take other action to prohibit, restrict, or regulate the testing or operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the State; preempting the authority of a county or municipality.
• WHEREAS, While the public has expressed concerns with the operation of UAS, there are benefits that may be realized by the State, including the State's various industry sectors, from conducting research on UAS and in manufacturing, and operating UAS;
• THEREFORE the Department of Business and Economic Development shall [conduct an evaluation of UAS].

Legislative record: Passed Senate 46-0-1; passed House 136-1-4, April 5; signed by Governor May 12. (Rep. Szeliga voted YEA)

Richard Madaleno: No county or city restrictions on drones; study state use

Bill excerpts:
• Only the State may enact a law or take other action to prohibit, restrict, or regulate the testing or operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the State; preempting the authority of a county or municipality.
• WHEREAS, While the public has expressed concerns with the operation of UAS, there are benefits that may be realized by the State, including the State's various industry sectors, from conducting research on UAS and in manufacturing, and operating UAS;
• THEREFORE the Department of Business and Economic Development shall [conduct an evaluation of UAS].

Dan Bongino: Veterans deserve effective and dependable health care

Bongino selected, "About right."

Bongino added, "Military veterans and service members who dedicate themselves to protecting our rights and freedom around the globe deserve effective and dependable health care. We need to focus on modernizing and improving the delivery of health care. Many agencies in the government could benefit from maximizing efficiency instead of spending more dollars."

Mary Landrieu: Co-sponsored the 21st Century GI Bill

Corrogan Vaughn: Strong national defense based on domestic manufacturing base

Corrogan’s priorities upon his election as Maryland’s U.S. Senator in 2006 will include:
• A strong national defense under Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution for the United States of America.
• Working with other senators to restore our manufacturing base so that we can “provide for common defense” as stated in the Constitution for the United States of America and not be reliant on foreign manufacturers for even the clothing of our own military and citizens.

Michael Steele: Rumsfeld wouldn’t be my secretary of defense

A: Well, let’s put it this way: He wouldn’t be my secretary of defense. And ultimately, that’s going to be a decision that the president of the United States makes.