David J. Trone

A: No.

A: No.

A: Yes.

A: Yes.

A: The situation at the border is unsustainable. Our immigration system is broken, and it’s being held hostage by career politicians who would rather play partisan games than get things done. I’m running for Senate because I know that when we put people over politics, we make progress. That starts with modernizing our immigration court systems so that immigrants are not left in limbo for a decade, unable to apply for work permits, and straining resources, especially as businesses have openings they desperately want to fill. It means expanding legal pathways to citizenship — especially for DACA recipients, TPS holders, student visa holders and undocumented immigrants. We need to make smart investments in border security, such as increasing the number of Asylum and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers and increasing inspection capacity to stop the trafficking of fentanyl and other illicit drugs. We cannot do it alone — we need sustained engagement with Central American countries to help address the economic and security concerns that are driving much of the migration. Immigration reform is more than just policy — it’s a reflection of our nation’s values, and we should be doing everything we can to increase the diversity that makes our nation great.

A: It’s clear that Mitch McConnell and the MAGA Republican caucus in the Senate have no desire to improve the situation at the border, let alone pass immigration reform that would help our workers, families and businesses. They answer to one person — Donald Trump — and Trump would rather send angry tweets than actually solve the problem. I agree that securing our borders and making sure our cities are equipped to deal with the influx of migrants is critical but we have a moral and economic obligation to provide a pathway to citizenship for people who have been contributing to their communities for years and prioritize keeping families together. I co-sponsored the U.S. Citizenship Act, which would provide a pathway to citizenship, expand the number of visas and address underlying causes of migration. In 2021, I voted for the American Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. And as a member of the Appropriations Committee, I have pushed for funding to secure the border against inbound drug trafficking and southbound weapons trafficking. Career politicians haven’t made fixing our broken immigration system enough of a priority, but in the Senate, I will. Immigration reform is an investment in our future that would boost our GDP by $1.7 trillion and create nearly 500,000 jobs.

A: The system is broken. Too many career politicians are focused on playing politics instead of doing their jobs. Our state has one of the largest federal workforces in the country, and when MAGA extremists refuse to fund the government, they’re putting thousands of families at risk. We need to get back to putting people first. As a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, I voted for the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act, which requires retroactive pay for federal employees after a shutdown, and I am a co-sponsor of the Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act to extend those retroactive pay protections to federal contractors. And we’ve got to hold Congress accountable for its mistakes — that’s why I’m a co-sponsor of the No Budget, No Pay Act which would make sure that members don’t get paid in the event of a shutdown. I stepped down as CEO to enter public service because it was clear career politicians weren’t interested in getting the job done — whether it was profit or politics, they put everything but people first. It’s time something changes.

A: The death and devastation we saw on October 7th from Hamas was an atrocious assault on human life. I have always been a strong supporter of Israel. But before that I am a human being. Since October 7th, we have seen horrific things. The loss of civilian life has been catastrophic. And it must stop. One Palestinian life is the same as one Israeli life. We need an immediate ceasefire and an immediate release of all the hostages. And we need a global effort to bring humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. But the facts are clear: Our vision for peace cannot be achieved in the region if we don’t eliminate Hamas. As co-chair of the Abraham Accords Caucus, I’ll continue to facilitate partnerships with Arab countries, so we can achieve these goals and think long-term about building stability and peace in the region. It’s clear that Netanyahu isn’t focused on those things and none of this is achievable as long as he is in charge.

A: Ukraine, the Israeli military, civilians in Gaza.

A: Yes. There are 40,000 gun deaths a year in this country — more than half to suicide. The availability of guns is costing Marylanders their lives. And thanks to the NRA, most of Washington won’t do a thing about it. Their PACs and lobbyists have bought and paid for the Congress they’ve wanted — career politicians who are more focused on serving NRA members than saving lives. The leading cause of death for children in this country is gun violence. Not car accidents. Not cancer. Gun violence. That isn’t the America we believe in. Over my three terms in Congress, I’ve earned an F rating from the NRA for doing something about it. I’ve co-sponsored legislation to ban assault weapons and ban large capacity magazines and as a member of the Appropriations Committee, I secured funds for gun violence prevention and intervention programs. As a member of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, I’m reaching across the aisle to find Republicans who will join us in saving lives. I was proud to support the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — the most significant piece of gun reform legislation in a generation. In the Senate, I’ll keep fighting to get the job done

A: It is far past time we eliminate the filibuster and hold our elected officials directly accountable for their actions. We cannot tolerate politicians obstructing meaningful progress on issues Marylanders care about — from reproductive rights to voting rights, health care and climate change — because their donors and lobbyists are telling them to. My People Over Politics Reform Plan would also ban former legislators from lobbying, put term limits on the Supreme Court, and get dirty money out of politics. I entered into public service because I was sick of watching career politicians put profit, politics, and everything but people first. In Congress, I’ve rejected money from PACs, lobbyists, and corporations so that I can focus on one thing: fighting for you. And in the Senate, I’m going to pass legislation that will require other legislators to do the same. Putting people first is how I was able to pass 28 bills primarily on mental health and addiction. And it’s how I’m going to keep getting big things done in the Senate.

A: From invalidating parts of the Voting Rights Act to overturning Roe v. Wade and allowing corporations and wealthy donors unlimited, undisclosed funding of elections, the courts have an enormous role in shaping all aspects of our society. I believe that all judicial nominees must be committed to upholding the constitutional rights and protections of every individual, have a record of advocating for justice and equality, and adhere to the highest ethical standards. My People over Politics Reforms are at the heart of my campaign — and they directly address some of the major concerns that Americans have regarding the Supreme Court. In the Senate, I’ll fight to institute term limits, expand the number of justices, and hold them to strict financial disclosures to avoid conflicts of interest.

A: Marylanders deserve a Senator ready to hit the ground running on day one, delivering results on the challenges facing our communities. For three terms in the House, I’ve made bipartisan progress without sacrificing my progressive values, passing 28 bills to curb the opioid epidemic, provide mental health care, reform the systemically racist criminal justice system, and improve the day-to-day lives of Maryland families. Our system is broken — and career politicians accept the status quo and fail to deliver on their promises. I’ve been able to get things done because I reject the calls of special interests and put people over politics. I’ve never accepted a dime from PACs, lobbyists, or corporations — and I never will. My life has been about second chances. When my Dad lost our family farm to bankruptcy, I got a second chance at life and started a business to make ends meet. When I was diagnosed with cancer in 2018, I got a second chance at life because of the incredible team at Johns Hopkins. I entered public service because I want every Marylander to have that same opportunity. I’m not in this because I need a job — I’m on a mission to make a difference.