April 2, 2021
Dear Friend:
In the midst of
yet another tragedy, we could each benefit from an extra moment of reflection. Whether or not you observe Passover, Easter, or Ramadan, I hope you’ll join me in praying for our Nation’s Capitol.
Funding our Community Priorities
I sponsored Legislative Bond Initiatives in the Senate for Interfaith Works, the City of Rockville, and the City of Gaithersburg. We unanimously approved the Capital Budget today, which included $1.1M to support the:
- Interfaith Works Vocational Services Center;

- Lincoln Park Community Center;
- Pedestrian Bridge at Great Seneca Highway; and
- Pleasant View Park.
Reluctantly Confirming our Secretary of Health

Importing Disgraced Trump Appointee?!
CDC’s Trump-appointed Director, Dr. Robert Redfield, perpetuated the harmful rumor that
COVID “most likely” originated in a lab in Wuhan, China. Why is this relevant? Gov. Larry Hogan recruited disgraced Redfield to serve as one of his key COVID-19 advisors! Bringing Redfield here, especially as
anti-Asian hate crimes are skyrocketing, is unacceptable.

Defeating a Bad Bill
For decades, women who have made the difficult choice to give their baby up for adoption were guaranteed confidentiality if they chose.
SB331 would have
stripped birth mothers of their privacy without notification, allowing adoptees unfettered access to their birth records. I led the floor fight that ultimately rejected this legislation with a decisive vote of 16-31.
Debating into the Wee Hours
A view of Lawyer’s Mall when the Senate adjourned early Thursday morning.
Repealing our Confederate-Themed State Song
While it may not be the most important policy issue before the General Assembly this year, the House of Delegates finally passed my
State Song repeal bill with a veto-proof vote of 95-38. It is decades past time to
remove this deplorable ode to the Confederacy from our law books. Any future State Song should celebrate the beauty, diversity, and history of our home.
Preaching to the Senate
I was honored to have my Rabbi, Adam Raskin of Congregation Har Shalom, deliver a
Zoom Invocation to the Senate. As we celebrated the Jewish liberation from slavery and debated police reform, his message of unity resonated with each of us.
Watch for next week’s email for a surprise guest that I will be welcoming to the Senate!
Best,
Cheryl
Cheryl C. Kagan
State Senator, District 17
(Gaithersburg & Rockville)
PS: I am humbled that the American Jewish Committee (AJC) will present me with its prestigious
2021 Hyman Bookbinder Award for advocacy and public service. Consider supporting and “attending” this virtual event?