Rep. April McClain Delaney Continues to Prioritize Political Theater Over Constituents Issues (Opinion)

While Maryland’s 6th District voters continue to struggle with real-world issues, their Congresswoman, April McClain Delaney, appears more interested in political grandstanding than addressing the needs of those she was elected to serve. Despite her claims of fighting for healthcare and transparency, Delaney has sidestepped direct pleas from vaccine-injured constituents like myself, preferring instead to meet with out-of-state groups and tightly control local public access. The result is a representative more focused on appearances than on real advocacy for her district.

In my continuing efforts to recover from my COVID vaccine injury, I reached out to Rep. Delaney for help. Her office responded by misclassifying my inquiry as a workers’ compensation issue and citing House Ethics rules to justify her inaction — while offering little more than a list of legal resources. While at least more responsive than her predecessor David Trone, Delaney’s response demonstrated a disturbing lack of interest in the plight of vaccine-injured constituents, especially those coerced by the federal government’s heavy-handed mandates.

On May 8, 2025, I followed up with a detailed letter clarifying that my request was not a legal dispute but a call for real legislative action to address the overwhelming need for compensation and care for vaccine injury victims. To this day, I have received no response from Rep. Delaney. Yet, during the same period, Delaney found time to meet face-to-face with West Virginia residents advocating for federal programs — individuals who aren’t even part of her constituency. It’s a clear signal of where her priorities lie: performative activism over substantive local representation. The full text of my follow-up letter is below.

Congresswoman April McClain Delaney,

Previously I submitted an appeal to your office requesting assistance with the ongoing battle experienced by myself and others regarding injuries from the COVID vaccine. Unfortunately you seemed to think that my previous contact was regarding a worker’s compensation claim – but it is not. We have found little relief or help with seeking treatment for these injuries, with programs like CICP providing woefully inadequate assistance.

I am not alone in this fight. VAERS data shows 1,662,426 reports of COVID vaccine associated injury or death through March 28, 2025. Many of us were prevented from speaking up about our struggles due to political pressures under the previous Presidential administration. We believe that under the new administration, real help for vaccine injury victims is possible, but we need Congress to act to do so.

I am asking you for help, by introducing or supporting legislation which provides better resources and compensation for COVID vaccine injury victims, including those of us who did not bother to file with CICP due to the futility of such efforts and low compensation rates.

The Federal government was responsible for mandates which resulted in many people having to take the vaccine, including Federal employees, contractors, and even in the private sector when working for businesses with more than 100 employees. It is time for the Federal government to take responsibility and help those who have been injured.

Ken Buckler

Boonsboro, MD

Delaney’s selective engagement isn’t an isolated incident. She’s made a habit of holding secretive, invitation-only town halls where constituents must pass through layers of pre-screening just to attend, with all questions filtered through moderators. While loudly criticizing Republicans for supposed avoidance of voters, Delaney is busy building her own echo chamber, avoiding the tough questions and real accountability that come with open forums.

This pattern of behavior is not unique to Delaney. Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) recently solicited whistleblower complaints, only to turn a blind eye to my detailed report of vaccine injury, using her response as a soapbox to attack the Trump administration without addressing the actual concern raised. It’s clear that for Delaney and Alsobrooks, the suffering of individuals harmed by government mandates is less important than the opportunity to engage in partisan theatrics.

For those of us who were injured, ignored, and abandoned, the message is clear: the establishment will not help unless it is politically convenient. Maryland’s 6th District deserves better — a representative willing to prioritize constituents’ health and well-being over political posturing.

Article by Ken Buckler, President of Radio Free Hub City

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