At the MACo Summer Conference, federal issues took center stage as Maryland’s senior US Senator, Chris Van Hollen, joined county leaders for a wide-ranging town hall discussion.
This year marked Senator Van Hollen’s first time headlining MACo’s Federal Forum, a tradition long carried by Senator Ben Cardin. Van Hollen’s debut carried on that legacy of direct dialogue between Maryland’s federal delegation and county officials.
Frederick County Council Member MC Keegan-Ayer moderated the forum, guiding an engaging Q&A between the Senator and county officials.
Senator Van Hollen provided a timely update on the 119th Congress, with a focus on how federal decisions reverberate through Maryland communities.
Senator Van Hollen warned that proposed cuts to FEMA and disaster relief programs would shift more responsibility and costs onto counties already facing tight budgets. He emphasized the importance of strong federal-state-local partnerships so communities can prepare for and recover from natural disasters.
He also spoke about immigration reform, noting the need for comprehensive solutions that balance humanitarian responsibilities with the service demands counties face. From public safety to health departments, counties are on the frontlines, and Senator Van Hollen pledged to fight for federal resources that meet those needs.
On the embattled FBI headquarters project, Senator Van Hollen underscored its critical importance to Maryland’s economy and national security. He said Maryland will continue to fight any effort to move the project elsewhere. He reaffirmed his commitment to seeing it move forward in a way that delivers lasting benefits to the state and its counties.
Throughout the discussion, Senator Van Hollen took questions from county officials on fiscal responsibility, infrastructure, and workforce development, tying federal policy back to local impacts. He emphasized that counties must continue to raise their voices in federal policymaking to secure the tools needed to serve residents effectively.
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