Protesters voice disappointment over recent Harris vote

SALISBURY, Md. – Protesters are voicing backlash against Congressman Andy Harris, after the Congressman voted against a bill that would give added protections to healthcare and social service workers.

On Tuesday a group from the union American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees gathered outside of Harris’s Salisbury office to voice their concerns, saying they’re disappointed with Harris’s vote.

Harris voted against House Bill 1309 on November 21, but the bill did pass. Still, protesters today told 47 ABC they know Harris voted no and that’s something they say they won’t stand for.

47 ABC also reached out to Congressman Harris’s office for comment. Harris said, in part, “As a physician with two daughters who are nurses, I know the need for workplace violence protection in health care. We already have these workplace protections in Maryland, as many other states also have.” 47 ABC read that quote to protesters on Tuesday, and this is what they had to say:

“My response is if he knows what needs to be in place then maybe he would know that there was 670 on site, on patient staff assaults, maybe he doesn’t know that, and he needs to know that,” Christine Duffy, President of Local 1081 AFSCME, said.

In his statement, Congressman Harris also said “This issue can be handled at the state level in those states that don’t have those protections yet, and they should be tailored to each state’s particular needs, as we did in Maryland.”

AFSCME members say they applaud the House for passing the bill despite Harris’s no vote.