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Democratic

John Sarbanes

Congressman John Sarbanes has represented Maryland’s Third Congressional District in the U.S. Congress since 2007.

He currently serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change. He serves as Vice Chair of the House Subcommittee on Health. Congressman Sarbanes also serves on the House Oversight and Reform Committee and its Subcommittee on Government Operations. He chairs the Democracy Reform Task Force, which has assembled HR1, the For The People Act, to reform and strengthen our democracy.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Congressman Sarbanes has experience working in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. He and his family live in Towson, giving him the opportunity to drive home every night and hear from the people he serves in Congress. Listening to their concerns allows him to better represent Maryland and has shaped his work in the House of Representatives.

VETERANS

America's veterans have made every sacrifice to protect our country. Although we can never fully repay the debt we owe them, Congressman Sarbanes believes it is our duty as a nation to fulfill our commitments to them. Congressman Sarbanes has worked to streamline the benefits process, ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system is delivering services in a timely and efficient way, and help our returning veterans secure higher education and gainful employment. 

Strengthening the VA and Reducing Backlogs

Throughout his time in Congress, Congressman Sarbanes has worked hard to strengthen the services provided by the VA and address the backlog of disability and medical claims that prevents veterans from accessing the benefits they deserve.

  • Reduced Backlogs: The backlog of disability and medical claims at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is unacceptable. Congressman Sarbanes was pleased to provide robust resources in the American Rescue Plan to tackle this problem and continues to advocate for additional funding to reduce the remaining backlog of compensation and pension claims, outstanding Board of Veterans’ Appeals hearing requests and intake backlogs.
  • Expedited Benefits and Automatic VA Enrollment: Congressman Sarbanes has also continuously worked to streamline the disability claims process for veterans at other federal agencies. After learning of a constituent’s struggle to get approval for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits despite a 100% service-connected disability rating from the VA, Congressman Sarbanes authored the Benefit Rating Acceleration for Veteran Entitlements (BRAVE) Act, which spurred federal officials to overhaul the review process so that veterans who receive a 100% service-connected disability rating from the VA can secure their Social Security benefits on an expedited basis. He has also supported legislation to automatically enroll veterans into the VA’s health care system during their often-difficult transition to civilian life.
  • Improved Pay for VA Staff: To attract skilled, dedicated workers to care for our nation’s veterans, Congressman Sarbanes supports increasing the maximum rate of basic pay for VA nurses and physician assistants and other programs that would allow VA to offer more competitive salaries to registered nurses, advanced practice nurses and physician assistants in high cost-of-living markets.

Helping Veterans Seeking Medical Care

Congressman Sarbanes has supported several initiatives to improve and expand veterans’ access to the high-quality, comprehensive health care services they deserve.

  • Addressing Toxic Exposure:After years of advocacy, Congressman Sarbanes was proud to vote for the Honoring Our Promise to Address Toxics (Honoring Our PACT) Act, comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to extend VA health benefits to more than 3.5 million veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their military service. This legislation also improves the network of Community-Based Outpatient Clinics in Maryland by opening two new veterans’ health clinics in our state.

  • Improving Mental Health: Congressman Sarbanes continues to advocate for strengthening mental and behavioral health resources for veterans. He has voted for legislation that better enables the VA to support veterans' mental health and well-being through increased training, outreach and mental health care delivery and increase research to address the epidemic of veteran suicide. He has also supported efforts to ensure veterans continue to receive reimbursement for transportation to and from mental health care appointments.

Promoting Veterans’ Economic and Community Participation

It is critical that veterans have access to higher education, well-paying jobs and supportive communities upon their return from service. Congressman Sarbanes continues to back efforts to help achieve these goals.

  • Job Training: Congressman Sarbanes supports job training and employment assistance to help veterans transition to civilian employment and succeed in fulfilling, high-demand occupations.

  • Higher & Technology Education:Congressman Sarbanes has helped secure increases in funding for the Veteran Employment through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) program, which provides more student veterans the chance to gain the high-tech skills sought by today’s top employers. He has also worked with his colleagues to enhance and expand the Post-9/11 GI Bill program.
  • Veterans’ Service Corps:Congressman Sarbanes also helped establish the Veterans’ Service Corps – an AmeriCorps program that enlists veterans in service to fellow veterans and military families as well as to the broader community. Projects may include building housing for veterans, transporting veterans to medical appointments, volunteering in veterans’ hospitals and performing outreach to provide the veterans’ community information and help them access to available services.

Resources for Veterans

  • Health Care: The VA Maryland Health Care System is responsible for providing veterans care at numerous locations around the state, including at medical centers located in downtown Baltimore and Perry Point as well as at a variety of outpatient clinics.

  • Post-9/11 GI Bill: Veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill may find this Frequently Asked Questions database useful.
  • eBenefits: This site allows veterans to file claims online, as well as track the status of their pending claim with the VA.
  • MDVA: In addition to providing veterans in Maryland with information and support, the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs also acts as a Veterans Service Organization that can assist with filing claims.
  • Housing: Through the HUD/VASH program, the VA has partnered with HUD to find affordable housing to combat homelessness among veterans.  

If you, a friend or a family member needs additional assistance accessing veterans' benefits, please contact Congressman Sarbanes’ office at (410) 832-8890 or by email.