Dave Sundberg's Priorities

Federal employees are the backbone of our government. They dedicate their careers to serving the public, safeguarding our nation, and ensuring critical services are delivered effectively. They provide stability through changes in administration and are the professionals and experts that do the work of the government on behalf of the people. Around 25% of them are veterans.

Here in our district, federal employees are our neighbors, our friends, and our family. They are a vital part of our local economy. Our federal employees and veterans deserve job protections and commitment to the benefits they earned throughout their careers.

I’ve spent my life in public service. I’m a veteran, a former police detective, and served as head of the FBI’s Washington Field Office until I was fired by the Trump administration. I’ve seen and felt the pain our federal employees have experienced through threats of Schedule F, DOGE, and targeted terminations like my own. Since being forced out of the federal government, I’ve worked to support fellow public servants by ensuring they had the legal representation, security services, and job finding assistance they desperately need. In Congress I will make legislation protecting the employment rights of federal employees a priority and that we ensure continued access to the benefits our veterans have earned.

We must stand up for and support those who serve our country.

Our democracy depends on accountability, transparency, and the rule of law.

We’ve seen unprecedented politicization and misuse of federal institutions. Congress must act decisively to strengthen oversight and ensure that no administration can weaponize government agencies for political purposes.

Consistent, principled oversight is essential to restoring trust and protecting the integrity of our democratic institutions. Getting there requires a phased approach: stopping the overreach of the Trump administration, ensuring accountability through investigations, and rebuilding protections around federal employment. 

I’ve held powerful people accountable throughout my career, from the insurrectionists on January 6th to members of Congress and even presidents. In Congress I will continue to demand accountability out of our most senior public servants and will leverage my investigative experience and knowledge of the executive branch to do so.

For many years Congress has suffered from some of the lowest public approval ratings of any portion of the United States Government. It’s not surprising: Congress is failing in its responsibility to be an appropriate check on presidential power and bipartisan efforts are getting rarer by the day. Polarization is increasing, political violence is on the rise, and partisan battles are all Americans see.

We need a Congress that spends more time legislating, not fundraising. A Congress where we focus on the things that matter to most Americans. A Congress that passes budgets, keeps the government open, and pushes back on presidential overreach - regardless of which party controls the White House.

As a senior executive in government, I built teams that harnessed the diverse experiences and perspectives of dedicated employees to accomplish our mission on behalf of the American people. That’s what we expect from our government: Americans from across the country working together to achieve things that benefit us all. 

In Congress I will insist that we act as a co-equal branch of government and that there is a check on presidential power. I will also advocate for term limits, overturning Citizens United, and prohibiting individual stock trading for members of Congress while in office. These are necessary changes to restore trust in government.

The rising cost of living is a crisis affecting families across our country. Using the term "affordability" doesn’t get to the heart of the problem. Too many Americans are experiencing a cost of living emergency.

Some are forced to make impossible choices between groceries and gas or rent and prescriptions. Trump’s economic policies, including tariffs, have driven up costs for working families and strained relationships with global partners. At the same time, his tax bill delivered disproportionate benefits to the wealthiest Americans while the cost of war in Iran has driven up fuel prices for working Americans.

We need an economy that works for everyone. An economy that lowers costs, protects essential services, and prioritizes the financial security of working families. In Congress I will support economic policies that protect the services people rely on, such as removing the income cap for Social Security taxes, restoring Medicaid funding, and closing the loopholes in our tax policy to ensure corporations and the wealthy pay their share.

Every American has a right to quality, affordable healthcare. Millions of people in the United States don’t have healthcare at all, while others must navigate a system that prioritizes profits over health. This system encourages the consolidation of the health insurance market amongst a few large companies, many of whom also control other aspects of healthcare including physician practices and pharmacy benefit managers. People postpone care due to cost, can’t afford medications, and struggle to navigate insurance coverage. The majority of Americans that file for personal bankruptcy cite medical debt as a significant cause. Healthcare premiums shouldn’t rise faster than paychecks.

We already have government-supported healthcare serving our military and seniors and we’ve made progress with the Affordable Care Act. It’s time to build on that foundation to ensure every American can access the care they need without fear of cost standing in the way. In Congress I will work towards developments to the Affordable Care Act that improve access, reduce drug costs and reduce reliance on employer based coverage. 

Strong alliances keep America safe.

Alliances like NATO have prevented large-scale global conflicts and strengthened both our national security and economy. Moving away from these partnerships toward isolated, bilateral deals has weakened America’s standing in the world.

We must restore our leadership through thoughtful, steady diplomacy.

That means standing by our allies and pursuing real solutions, like supporting Israel’s security while advancing a two-state solution that delivers lasting peace and self-determination for both Palestinians and Israelis.

In my federal career I witnessed the effects of war, fought international crime and corruption, and managed efforts to return Americans who were held hostage home to their families. In all of these circumstances we were better off in partnership with other nations. In Congress, I will work to rebuild the diplomatic institutions and alliances that help us achieve a more peaceful world.

We are a nation built by immigrants. For generations, people from around the world have strengthened our economy, enriched our culture, and driven innovation. This issue has been deliberately used to divide Americans for too long and it’s time for real progress. Congress must pass immigration and border policy legislation that addresses our economic and national security needs while addressing humanitarian concerns. We need an immigration system that reflects our values: protecting public safety, promoting our economy, and creating clear, fair pathways to citizenship for undocumented individuals who contribute to our communities.

We must also reform ICE, ensuring it operates as a professional, accountable law enforcement agency focused on public safety, not fear or intimidation. Law enforcement agencies can only succeed when they have public trust. That trust is earned by how officers do their jobs and is maintained through responsible leadership and oversight. Trust is broken through politicized policing, discriminatory behavior, and unequal enforcement of laws. 

During my FBI career, I led investigations into law enforcement shootings, which were accountable to the public and were conducted alongside state and local partners. I also worked alongside police officials to hold corrupt officers accountable so that the law enforcement agencies the public needs can maintain the trust of those they serve. This approach is not optional, it is fundamental to our democracy. 

Immigration legislation is a top priority for me. This is an area that has had bipartisan support in the past and I believe it can again. In Congress I will work towards a lasting legislative solution that helps our economy, meets our national security needs, and creates clear pathways for work status and citizenship.

Transportation is a deeply bipartisan issue and one that directly impacts opportunity here in Maryland’s 5th District. Better transportation means better access to jobs, education, and economic mobility. Infrastructure bills that make for safer roadways and improved transportation historically receive broad support. We must capitalize on that.

While the greater D.C. region benefits from Metro access, too many residents in our district remain disconnected from economic opportunities. Ongoing efforts to enhance transportation access need continued support and should be expanded. Improving transit options contributes to the economic success of our district, enhancing job opportunities for residents while also serving as a catalyst for future business growth.

In Congress I will support the federal funding needed for transportation development, particularly developments in the MD 5/US 301 corridor that could create real economic opportunity in southern Maryland.