Rep. Sarah Elfreth for Maryland's 3rd District Highlights President Obama's Guidance: 'Better Is Good' During Meeting with Freshman Congressional Members

Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth, who represents Maryland's 3rd District, reflected recently on guidance she received from former President Barack Obama, highlighting a phrase her office has newly adopted: “Better is good.” She wrote that the words came “courtesy of President Barack Obama” during “an incredible opportunity to meet and soak up an hour of advice from #44 alongside my fellow freshman members of Congress.”

Elfreth said that everyone in her office keeps a small green card on their desks listing values and objectives “to get us through hard days.” She noted that the practice comes from her mentor, Senator Barbara Mikulski, who offered sayings including, “we can’t guarantee an outcome, but we can guarantee an effort.”

In her post, Elfreth said Obama’s message was especially meaningful given “today’s toxic state of politics” and “this particularly tough week.” She wrote, “I needed to hear that making things better, especially when perfect is difficult to achieve, is good.”

Elfreth cited recent legislative developments, stating, “This week we made a bill on permitting reform better.” She added that lawmakers also moved “one legislative step closer to bettering health care access for veterans and creating thousands of good-paying jobs in the District.”

Calling it “the privilege of my lifetime to serve Maryland’s Third District and be a part of a new generation of Democratic leaders,” Elfreth expressed gratitude to senior leaders for organizing the event. “Thank you so much to President Barack Obama, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Rep. Rosa DeLauro for arranging this incredibly special evening,” she wrote. “Your words and wisdom continually remind us of how crucial our work and our hope is not just for those we serve now but for generations to come.”

She concluded her message with the guiding phrase: “Better is good.”