Rep. Andy Harris, who represents Maryland’s 1st district in the U.S. Congress, made a series of statements on October 8, 2025, criticizing Maryland Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks for their votes related to government funding bills.
In a post on his official X account at 5:53 p.m. UTC, Harris stated: “They’ve had five different votes in the Senate on that bill to open up the government. All five times, both Maryland Senators, Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, voted to shut the government down.” He made these remarks during an appearance on WBAL Radio.
Later the same day, at 6:03 p.m. UTC, Harris shared a message from the Maryland Freedom Caucus in response to Democratic leaders: “Gov. Wes Moore runs to a microphone instead of leading. Federal workers need Sens. Alsobrooks & Van Hollen to vote to reopen the government, not demand taxpayer-funded health insurance for illegal”. The statement was shared via WBAL-TV 11.
A third post at 6:03 p.m. UTC included only a link: https://t.co/Y8gN7jibn9.
Harris has served in the U.S. Congress since 2011, after replacing Frank Kratovil. Before his tenure in Congress, he served in the Maryland Senate from 1999 to 2011 and previously in the Maryland House of Representatives. Harris was born in New York City in 1957 and currently resides in Cambridge. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1977.
The comments come amid ongoing debates over government funding and reflect tensions between Maryland’s federal representatives regarding approaches to reopening the government and policy priorities.
