Latest news with #JohnnyOlszewski
CBS News
23-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Maryland lawmakers react to U.S. bombings of Iran nuclear sites; several call strikes unconstitutional
Maryland lawmakers say Congress and other federal leaders were caught off guard by President Trump's order for the U.S. to bomb three nuclear sites in Iran. Rep. Johnny Olszewski told WJZ the White House should have given Congress a voice, or at least a warning, before the strike, which has been named "Operation Midnight Hammer." Pentagon officials said seven B-2 Spirit bombers were deployed from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri to Iran. Another group of B-2s flew west over the Pacific to act as decoys, officials said. Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, called it the "largest B-2 operational strike in U.S. history" and said it inflicted "extremely severe damage and destruction" to the targets. "Even the senior-most leaders of Congress weren't even notified until after the attack was completed and the planes were out of Iranian airspace," Olszewski said. "So what I know is that to date, there has been no briefing, no intelligence shared, neither with ranking file members of Congress nor leadership, whether that's the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Intelligence Committee, or the House and Senate leaders." "This is deeply concerning that the president is taking action without sharing the rationale with both members of Congress, but also the American people." "Unconstitutional" attacks Maryland Senator Angela Alsobrooks called the president's surprise attacks "unconstitutional" and said that these actions threaten war. "Only Congress has the power to declare war," Alsobrooks said. "(Mr. Trump's) dramatic escalation has put American servicemembers and the American citizenry at risk." Alsobrooks continued, "The path to ensuring Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon — an objective we all share — is paved with diplomacy. The President has bragged for years about his dealmaking prowess. Now he must prove his mettle." Maryland Rep. Kweisi Mfume said the president "failed to abide by the Constitution." "By not consulting Congress before taking unilateral military action, Donald Trump has once again failed to abide by the Constitution," Mfume said. "He promised to bring peace to the Middle East. He is falling short on that promise." Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen said the administration's attack on Iran puts American lives in danger, with the fear of potential retaliation. "Trump said he would end wars; now he has dragged America into one," Van Hollen said. "His actions are a clear violation of our Constitution — ignoring the requirement that only Congress has the authority to declare war. While we all agree that Iran must not have a nuclear weapon, Trump abandoned diplomatic efforts to achieve that goal and instead chose to unnecessarily endanger American lives, further threaten our armed forces in the region, and risk pulling America into another long conflict in the Middle East." Van Hollen added, "The U.S. intelligence community has repeatedly assessed that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon. There was more time for diplomacy to work." Supporting the bombing of Iran Maryland Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer supported the strikes, calling them essential to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons, while criticizing Mr. Trump's first-term decision to toss out the previous deal that had been negotiated under former President Barack Obama. "The U.S. strike was essential," Hoyer said. "Sadly, the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran became this dire because the Trump administration chose to back out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2018." Maryland Republican Rep. Andy Harris also supported the president's bombing operation, claiming that destroying Iran's nuclear weapons will save lives. "The U.S. took decisive action to destroy Iran's nuclear capability, protecting lives, our allies, and global stability," Harris said. "This is peace through strength."
CBS News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Maryland lawmakers show support for former President Biden, diagnosed with prostate cancer
Maryland lawmakers are showing their support for former President Joe Biden, who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Biden's office said the cancer has spread to his bones. "Dawn and I carry @JoeBiden and his family in our hearts today," Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said on social media. " He stood with me during some of the toughest times in our state, and we stand with him today. We pray for his strength and a swift recovery." Biden was diagnosed with "prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone," according to a statement obtained by CBS News. Dawn and I carry @JoeBiden and his family in our hearts today. He stood with me during some of the toughest times in our state, and we stand with him today. We pray for his strength and a swift recovery. — Wes Moore (@iamwesmoore) May 18, 2025 CBS News reports the statement said this is a "more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management." "I'm devastated to hear the news, and I know many Marylanders will join me in praying for President Biden and his entire family," Maryland Senator Angela Alsobrooks said. The 82-year-old Biden ended his term in January, months after announcing he had ended his campaign for a second term. He was the oldest president in United States history. "Saddened to learn the news of President Biden's diagnosis," said Maryland Rep. Johnny Olszewski. "I am confident he will meet this challenge with determination, strength and resilience. Keeping him and his family in my prayers." Saddened to learn the news of President Biden's diagnosis. I am confident he will meet this challenge with determination, strength and resilience. Keeping him and his family in my prayers. — Rep. Johnny Olszewski (@RepJohnnyO) May 18, 2025 Maryland Congressman Kweisi Mfume sent his "thoughts and prayers" to Biden. "My thoughts and prayers are with former President Biden, his family, and loved ones during this trying time, and throughout the road ahead," Mfume added. "Knowing him as I do, I am confident that he will take on this diagnosis with the faith, tenacity, and courage he has always displayed throughout his life as a public servant." Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan offered words of encouragement to former President Biden. "Cancer knows no politics," Hogan said on social media. "I join with all Americans — millions of whom have faced a dreaded cancer diagnosis — in offering my prayers and support to former President Joe Biden and his family as they take on this fight. Yumi and I wish the former President and his family the strength and grace to face this battle and overcome it." Cancer knows no politics. I join with all Americans — millions of whom have faced a dreaded cancer diagnosis — in offering my prayers and support to former President Joe Biden and his family as they take on this fight. Yumi and I wish the former President and his family the… — Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) May 18, 2025 What is prostate cancer? According to the Mayo Clinic, prostate cancer is a growth of cells that starts in the prostate, which is a small gland in the male reproductive system. Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, behind skin cancer, for men, according to the Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic says that if the cancer grows beyond the prostate or if it spreads, there are still many treatment options. However, it can be more difficult to cure. Here are some symptoms of prostate cancer and information on getting checked out. What is a Gleason score? Gleason scores are a grading system for prostate cancer, according to CBS News, citing the Cleveland Clinic. The grade range of each tissue sample is on a 1 to 5 scale. The lower the grade, the more cancer cells look like normal cells. Each area of prostate cancer may have a different grade, so pathologists pick the two areas that make up most of the cancer, CBS News says. Biden had a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5), according to CBS News. According to CBS News, citing the Cleveland Clinic, a 9 is the second highest, wherein the "cells look very different from healthy cells, which is called poorly differentiated or undifferentiated."
CBS News
07-02-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Maryland Congressman Olszewski joins push to reduce flow of stolen guns
BALTIMORE -- Maryland Congressman Johnny Olszewski, along with U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and U.S. Representative Brad Schneider, have reintroduced legislation that aims to reduce the prevalence of stolen guns by preventing "smash and grab" gun store burglaries. The SECURE Firearms Storage Act would increase security requirements for federal-licensed gun dealers (FFL). Under the proposed act, FFLs would be required to secure all guns in their inventory by fastening them to an anchored steel rod, or by storing them in a locked safe or gun cabinet. Federally licensed dealers would also be required to store paper records of gun transactions in a secure location in case they are needed for gun tracing investigations. Additionally, the act would authorize the Attorney General to prescribe regulations with additional security requirements related to alarm and security cameras, site hardening on FFL premises, and security of electronic records. New regulations would establish a three-strike system for federal firearms license holders who fail to meet security requirements, with escalating penalties ranging from civil fines to possible license revocation. Under the rules, firearms dealers would face civil penalties for the first violation, potential license suspension for a second offense, and possible revocation of their federal firearms license after a third violation. The regulations also require new license applicants to submit detailed security compliance plans for approval by the Attorney General before their applications can be approved. Stolen guns linked to gun violence in Maryland In 2020 the Baltimore County Council passed the SAFE Act, a similar bill which was introduced following a spree of burglaries at local gun shops. Maryland has grappled with gun violence, with both stolen guns and ghost guns identified as problem factors. In August 2024 four people, including two minors, were arrested for stealing more than 80 firearms from Maryland gun shops. In September 2024, the Maryland, and D.C. attorneys general sued gun shops that trafficked dozens of illegal guns, several of which were recovered at crime scenes. Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott in 2023 sued the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), alleging that the agency improperly denied critical gun tracing data that could be used to track the flow of guns from manufacturer to distributor. "Right now we're not able to know if there's one gun store responsible for a disproportionate number of the guns flowing into our city, or if there's one area where trafficking guns is more common than others - but we should know," Scott said. The suit alleged that the ATF denied a Freedom of Information Request that asked for the average time it took from the guns being sold to being used in a crime, and the top ten sources of crime guns in Baltimore. overall reduction in gun violence in 2024.
