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Senator Van Hollen warns of federal staffing and budget risks, cites $50M Indian Head and $5M SMRT appropriations in process
Summary
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen told the Southern Maryland delegation that proposed federal personnel changes and a short‑term continuing resolution could jeopardize federal staffing protections and congressionally directed investments, including $50 million for military construction at Indian Head and $5 million for Southern Maryland Rapid Transit (SMRT).
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined the Southern Maryland delegation to give a federal update and warn of multiple risks that could affect Southern Maryland, including proposals to convert merit‑based federal civil service jobs to politically appointed roles, uncertainty around federal budget implementation and the possible loss of congressionally directed spending if a full appropriations package is not enacted.
Van Hollen said the Trump administration is seeking tools to reclassify about 50,000 merit‑based positions under a category referred to as Schedule F, which he said would open some federal jobs to political appointment. "This is something that we have to try to stop," he said, and described litigation and legislative options to protect the merit‑based civil service. He noted there are about 30,000 federal civil servants in Southern Maryland (not including military personnel) who could be affected by federal personnel changes.
On federal funding, Van Hollen said the delegation and Maryland have secured congressionally directed funding for regional projects and nonprofit programs and that several items in the pending appropriations work remain at risk while Congress operates on a continuing resolution that expires March 15. He cited two examples included in the pending appropriations: roughly $50 million for military construction for a contained burn center at Indian Head and $5 million for the Southern Maryland Rapid Transit (SMRT) project, and he urged the delegation to work with the federal delegation to preserve those earmarks. "If we don't succeed in getting a full year budget, those important investments ... will disappear," he said.
Van Hollen also discussed executive‑branch actions that would selectively refuse to implement provisions of duly enacted appropriations — a position he said his committee would challenge. He closed by reiterating the importance of communication between state and federal leaders and offering his office’s assistance on matters that touch federal agencies or appropriations.
Ending: Van Hollen invited continued communication and said his regional staff will remain available to Southern Maryland delegates for follow‑up on civil‑service protections, appropriations and congressionally directed spending.
