Ben Mause

It's pronounced "Moss."

Congress and campaigns for @BaltimoreSun / former @NOTUSreports
Reach me at 443-890-0580 or [email protected]

[Ben Mause @BenMause]

Some personal news: Today is my first day at the @baltimoresun covering Congress and campaigns.

Add me to all your press lists: [email protected]

[Reese Gorman @reesejgorman]

Oof: Graham Platner cancelled not one but TWO interviews with @igorbobic this past week.

Igor flew to Maine to interview Platner after he got a commitment from them, but they canceled out of no where.

Then, following two stories about him sexting with women who aren't his wife, Platner's people cancelled a phone interview they had scheduled for Sunday.

[Ben Mause @BenMause]

@Coach_JBarnes @mikegittens @thewarrapport If it was a snake draft, and Team 1 picked first, wouldn't Tre have been the first RB off the board?

[Nancy Vu @Vu_Reports]

New, from me: The freshman Dems on Senate HELP have a lot in common that has generated a "shared bond" between the trio.

- Alsobrooks, Kim, and Blunt Rochester are all part of the sandwich generation, balancing the work of senators while caring for their families and ailing parents.
- All are adamant on removing RFK Jr. from office, but Alsobrooks has been the leading face of calling for the impeachment of the secretary
- Blunt Rochester and Kim carry relationships from the House that could look to drive future bipartisan, bicameral negotiations (we saw that last year when the senators jumped into negotiations over the gov't shutdown + the expiration of the ACA enhanced subsidies)
- While none of them have settled on a candidate for 2028, Sen. LBR quipped that the ideal candidate "might not have shown up yet." But as some Dems are advocating for a "white, Christian, male" for 2028, these Senate Dems—all the first Asian or Black senators to represent their states—are rejecting that argument.

“The conventional wisdom is that freshmen are not supposed to speak the first year,” Blunt Rochester said. “We didn’t get through the first week at caucus.”

More from this dynamic trio: https://t.co/W5dI3kj7fD

[Ben Mause @BenMause]

@SheTalksFootbal @Jimm3r_ Think it was Albert Breer earlier today who reported that CC was pissed in '24 after it fell through. But I don't remember anyone reporting that he was upset right after it happened.

[Ben Mause @BenMause]

@bradypenn21 It reminds me of the Covid team. Felt like we fell behind every night. But the bullpen would enter and hold em, and the offense usually blasted back to win.

[Governor Kay Ivey @GovernorKayIvey]

Three of the service members who lost their lives in duty to our nation were stationed at the 117th in Birmingham. They were not only outstanding Airmen. They were our neighbors — our fellow Alabamians. May their service and that of their families never be forgotten.

[AL.com @aldotcom]

Maj. Alex Klinner was one of the six American service members killed Thursday in support of Operation Epic Fury when a KC-135 crashed in Iraq. He was a husband and father of three who had lived in the Birmingham area, according to his family.

🔗: https://t.co/YxclvIN2dz

[Ben Mause @BenMause]

@UrsulaPerano Not anymore.

[Liz Elkind @liz_elkind]

HFC Chair Andy Harris, the lone Maryland House Republican, told me this evening in response:

“His partisan gerrymandering commission certainly lived up to its name. They literally drew the district across a five-mile-long bay bridge to go into two other pieces of two other different counties. Look, the Senate president called it, and I quote, objectively unconstitutional. So Wes, we’ll see you in court.”

[Atlanta Braves @Braves]

The greatest centerfielder of all-time.

[Reese Gorman @reesejgorman]

Statement from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on the vote:

“The vote by Maryland’s redistricting committee is another important step toward ensuring a fair national congressional map ahead of the midterm election.

Partisan Republican hacks were counting on Democrats to roll over while they gerrymander congressional maps in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and Florida. They were wrong.

Arrogant and corrupt Republicans started this battle. Democrats will end it. We will ensure that there is a free and fair midterm election in November.”

[Liz Elkind @liz_elkind]

Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy praising Steny Hoyer (and shading Nancy Pelosi 👀) after the Maryland Democrat’s retirement announcement:

“…he was the loyal opposition, but he was also the only one trustworthy in his party’s leadership team”

[Baltimore Ravens @Ravens]

Thank you, Coach Harbaugh, for 18 tremendous years.

[Reese Gorman @reesejgorman]

Alabama Senator Katie Britt was presiding over the Senate floor while Banks gave a speech touting Indiana football.

Britt is an Alabama fan, and her husband played football at Alabama.

Indiana beat Alabama 38-3 on New Year's Day.

[Ben Mause @BenMause]

👀

[April McClain Delaney @April4Congress]

Proud to have the support of Speaker Emerita @SpeakerPelosi, a trailblazing leader who has long set the gold standard for effective governance. Her confidence reflects what’s possible when experience drives real progress for Maryland:

“April McClain Delaney is an exceptional Member of the House Democratic Caucus and a tireless champion for Maryland’s Sixth District. As a mother of four, she understands the issues that are most important to women and children and works every day to deliver for working families. I am so proud to endorse my dear friend April and look forward to her re-election.”

[Tinashe Chingarande @TinasheReports]

Wes Moore’s redistricting commission convened on Friday for its second meeting. And residents and elected officials showed just how much Marylanders disagree on what their representation in Congress should look like.

Read my latest for @baltimoresun https://t.co/2suJfKXrPo

[Seattle Mariners @Mariners]

Our MVP.

Thank you, Cal, for a season baseball will never forget.

[Tinashe Chingarande @TinasheReports]

Maryland GOP leadership on Thursday had a plea for Democrats amid the state’s redistricting war: Cool the temperature.

Read my latest for @baltimoresun
https://t.co/fhnqq4ttu2