January 26, 2021

Van Hollen Statement on Biden Executive Orders to Improve Racial Equity

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, released the following statement regarding President Biden’s new executive orders on racial equity, including his effort to ensure fair housing standards. The Senator also released a statement specifically on the President’s Executive Order on DOJ’s use of private prison companies which can be found here. 

“Access to safe and affordable housing is a human right – and yet the discrimination embedded in our housing policy unjustly blocks many Americans from that right. President Joe Biden’s executive actions today are another critical step on the road to eliminating the racially discriminatory practices within many institutions across our country. I’m glad to see President Biden take this deliberate approach to begin tackling these challenges – including in our housing and criminal justice systems and for our AAPI and tribal communities. Together, we must work to root out racism and ensure equal opportunity for all Americans.”