Hogan Calls For Unity, MD Leaders Eye Changes After Inauguration

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Maryland leaders said it's time to stop fighting and start uniting. Their calls for cooperation follow a contested election, an attack on the U.S. Capitol and a presidential impeachment.

Still, the state's Democratic congressional delegation is eager to undo some of former President Donald Trump's (R) strongest policies. Maryland's only congressional Republican, Rep. Andy Harris, congratulated the 46th president but condemned his "liberal agenda" presented "under the false guise of unity."

"Liberals hope to do all of this while pursuing a long-running cancel culture vendetta against a former president," the District 1 representative said on his website. "I urge our new president to work for all Americans, not just the liberal wing of his party. If he does work for all Americans, I am standing by ready to help."

Gov. Larry Hogan (R) attended the inauguration of President Joe Biden (D) and Vice President Kamala Harris (D). Afterward, Hogan promised to work across party lines.

"I pledge to President Biden the same spirit of partnership, honesty, and goodwill that I offered to President Trump and President Obama," Hogan said in a press release. "When we agree, I will never hesitate to work with President Biden for the betterment of the people of Maryland. And when we disagree, I will do so with civility and respect for the office of the president of the United States."

Hogan had a contentious relationship with Trump. Their intrapartisan feud climaxed with Hogan's declaration that Trump was no longer fit for office after the Jan. 6 mob on Capitol Hill. Now, the governor hopes to defeat coronavirus under a common banner.

"We must defeat this pandemic, restore economic prosperity, and show Americans that we can deliver solutions to the serious problems that face us," Hogan said. "We can only do that if we turn the page on the hate and dysfunction that infects our politics and deliver real, bipartisan action."

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) is also ready to get to work. The U.S. representative for Maryland's 5th Congressional District cheered Biden's swift signing of several executive orders.

Some of Biden's 15 mandates require the country to:

• Rejoin the Paris Agreement, also known as the Paris Climate Accord
• Rejoin the World Health Organization
• Revoke the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline
• Halt construction on Trump's wall on the U.S.-Mexico border

"Today’s actions will help us begin to reverse the damage done by the Trump Administration while laying the groundwork for a better path forward," Hoyer said on Twitter. "I look forward to working with President Biden to ensure that the House acts as a partner in these efforts as we build back better and stronger for the future."

Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D) also welcomed Biden and eyed policy changes. One of his priorities is immigration reform.

"During Trump’s term, we fought back against anti-immigration policies, including his cruel family separation policy," Van Hollen said on Twitter, referencing families caught trying to cross America's southern border. "With President Biden, we have a leader who will work with Congress to protect Dreamers, TPS recipients, and families who have long called America their home."

Dreamers and TPS recipients, or those with temporary protected status, are people who are legally allowed to stay in the United States without applying for citizenship.

Trump threatened the Dreamer program in 2017, but a 2020 court ruling allowed it to continue. Dreamers can avoid deportation on short permits because they were brought here as children with their families. Former President Barack Obama (D) started this initiative with the Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy, also known as DACA.

Those with temporary protected status are people from specific nations that can live and work in the U.S. for a limited period of time. To qualify, a person must be from one of 10 countries suffering from armed conflicts or natural disasters.

Though Van Hollen is already pushing for specific changes, Maryland's other senator, Ben Cardin (D), was just happy to see the day go smoothly.

"Today's Inauguration represents a peaceful transition of power, the cornerstone of our democracy," Cardin said on Twitter. "I'm proud to watch as Joe Biden & Kamala Harris are sworn in as President & Vice President of the US."

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