Delegates from the International Association of Fire Fighters unanimously voted to censure a Maryland Republican congressman and a Democratic state senator representing Montgomery County at the labor organization’s annual convention in Ontario, Canada, last week.
The Professional Fire Fighters of Maryland, or PFFMD, in separate resolutions, submitted their formal disapproval of U.S. Rep. Andy Harris and state Sen. Cheryl Kagan. The state labor organization represents over 10,000 active and retired members of 25 local IAFF organizations in the state.
The resolutions rebuked their elected officials for not supporting legislation to help protect the health and safety of firefighters, and in Harris’ case, for canceling a scheduled meeting with a union delegation. The union also endorsed Harris’ opponent running to represent Maryland’s Eastern Shore-based 1st Congressional District, Democrat Heather Mizeur.
“We don’t take censures lightly,” said Jeff Buddle, who serves as the president of the PFFMD and the Montgomery County local IAFF. “We seriously consider them. We believe the actions of Congressman Harris were egregious enough and impact more than just Maryland’s 1st Congressional District; they impact our firefighters nationwide.”
Heather Mizeur, a former state delegate, said the Harris censure “is not surprising.”
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