Key Issues
Heather brings years of experience in healthcare. She knows firsthand the importance of expanding access to medical and mental health services, lowering the cost of prescriptions, and advancing research and care in women’s health and wellness.
She supports extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits and protecting Medicare and Medicaid so that quality healthcare is within reach for every family. She believes seniors deserve supportive programs that help them stay independent. That includes expanding access to home and community based services, improving transportation options, and strengthening caregiver support.
Heather also believes Congress must fully support research programs and agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Veterans Administration (VA). These institutions play a critical role in conducting medical research and providing communities with accurate guidance on disease prevention and public health.
Heather is committed to advocating for underserved communities, building an economy that works for everyone, and generating opportunities for job-creation in communities across the District. She believes families should not have to choose between paying their bills and saving for the future. Maryland is stronger when we celebrate the diversity of our communities and support the success of every segment of our population- women, men, children, minorities, and immigrant families. Expanding economic opportunity and making daily life more affordable are central to Heather’s vision for District 5.
She supports policies that lower the cost of essentials—such as housing, childcare, healthcare, and groceries—while ensuring fair wages and strong protections for workers. Heather will advocate for investments in small businesses including Veteran-owned and minority-owned businesses; fully funding public schools; expanding workforce training; and encouraging innovation to drive sustainable economic growth across the region. She will advocate for better infrastructure and reliable wireless internet to attract businesses and services and to improve quality of life.
Heather also believes in responsible fiscal policy that strengthens the middle class, protects Federal workers and Veterans, and ensures that economic progress benefits all communities, not just the few. By focusing on affordability and opportunity, she will work to create a stronger, more resilient economy where every family can thrive.
January 2025 marked a sweeping shift in federal government priorities, with an active push to dismantle protections for working‑class and federal employees, silence labor unions, and diminish or even eliminate benefits and services meant for the most vulnerable. These actions reach far beyond federal employees, impacting families and communities across Maryland’s 5th District.
Heather believes this runs counter to the mission of government and to her own moral compass. She will fight to protect the federal workforce, stop the politicization of federal agency work, defend union rights, and champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace. In Congress, Heather will focus on advocating for fair contracts, safeguarding benefits, and restoring the services people rely on that are now being systematically dismantled.
By standing up for federal employees, Heather is standing up for the integrity of public service and the respect it deserves, along with the well‑being of every community that depends on it.
Heather dedicated over 23 years to serving Veterans and their families. She has listened to their stories, witnessed their sacrifices, and understands the challenges they face long after their service ends. Honoring Veterans requires more than words — it demands action to ensure they receive the world‑class healthcare, benefits, and support they have earned.
Heather will work to strengthen the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), expand access to medical and mental health services, and reduce wait times for care. She supports fully funding programs that provide housing assistance, job training, and educational opportunities so Veterans and service members can transition successfully to civilian life. She also believes in protecting military families by encouraging VA to partner with community organizations to expand access to affordable childcare, caregiver support, and Veteran‑focused community resources.
Veterans and service members have earned the right to high‑quality VA healthcare, strong benefits, and lawmakers who stand with them at every stage of their lives — during their service, through their transition, and long after. Heather will work tirelessly to ensure that no one who served our country is ever left behind, and that their families and caregivers receive the support and resources they deserve.
Heather and her husband enjoy days by the Bay, with fresh seafood and beautiful water — a reminder of how deeply the Chesapeake Bay shapes Maryland’s way of life. She believes its health is essential to our economy, environment, and communities. The Bay sustains local industries such as fishing, farming, and tourism, while providing clean water and natural defenses against flooding and climate change.
She supports strong federal, state, and local partnerships — including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Chesapeake Bay conservation organizations — to restore the Bay, reduce pollution, and safeguard wetlands and waterways. Heather will champion investments in sustainable infrastructure, clean energy, and conservation programs that protect the Bay while creating jobs and strengthening local economies.
Heather also supports legislation and funding for agencies and research programs that monitor water quality, protect habitats, and advance environmental health. By protecting the Chesapeake Bay, she will ensure safer drinking water, stronger flood defenses, and a cleaner, more resilient Maryland for future generations.
Heather’s family, along with families across District 5, spend far too much time in traffic and too much money because of aging roads, unreliable transit, and infrastructure that has not kept pace with the growth of our communities. The people of this District deserve safe, modern, and efficient transportation systems that connect communities and support the economy.
Heather will fight for federal investment that reduces commute times, improves road lighting and safety, and expands reliable transit options across the region — from Bowie to Southern Maryland. She will focus on working with state and local leadership to upgrade major commuter routes, strengthen public transportation, and ensure that infrastructure is resilient in the face of climate change.
Better infrastructure means shorter commutes, safer neighborhoods, and stronger local economies. It means having more time to spend with family and friends instead of sitting in traffic. It means businesses having the roads and transit they need to grow. And it means every community — rural, suburban, and urban — gets the investment it deserves. District 5 should be a place where people can move safely, affordably, and efficiently.