Press Releases
Van Hollen, Cardin, Mfume Celebrate Nearly $2 Million in Direct Federal Investments for Historic Preservation Projects in West Baltimore
Recently, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) joined local leaders and partners in West Baltimore to highlight $1,738,000 in direct federal investments for two community projects. The lawmakers first visited the Druid Hill Y, where they were joined by State Senator Antonio Hayes and Councilman James Torrence, to mark the $1,238,000 they secured for renovations around the aging building, including the replacement of the roof, enhancements to … Continue Reading
May 17, 2024
Van Hollen Urges Support for Chesapeake National Recreation Area Bill at Senate Hearing
On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) spoke in support of his Chesapeake National Recreation Area (CNRA) Act during a hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources National Parks Subcommittee. The Senator’s bipartisan, bicameral bill, introduced with Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.), would unite a series of voluntarily contributed park areas and iconic Bay properties under the operation of the National Park Service (NPS) to create a Chesapeake National … Continue Reading
May 17, 2024
Van Hollen Joins Welch, Nearly Every Democratic Senator in Urging Congress to Expand Access to Affordable Housing
This week, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and nearly every Senate Democrat in calling on Congress to fund the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (NeighborWorks America) in the upcoming FY25 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Bill. As a congressionally chartered national nonprofit, NeighborWorks creates opportunities for Americans to live in affordable and safe homes. In FY23, NeighborWorks … Continue Reading
May 16, 2024
Van Hollen Joins Hirono, Cartwright to Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Rights of Public Sector Workers to Join Unions, Bargain Collectively
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.) in introducing the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, bicameral legislation to guarantee the right of public sector employees to organize, act concertedly, and bargain collectively in states that currently do not afford these basic protections. “American workers’ right to organize is firmly entrenched in our democratic principles - but for state and … Continue Reading
May 16, 2024
Van Hollen, Joins Warren, Carper, Beyer, Porter, Sherman, and Over 130 Lawmakers Touting Direct File’s Successes, Urges Biden Administration to Expand Program, Make Permanent
“We believe that the IRS can offer free and easy tax filing to every American taxpayer who wants it — and that, with Direct File, it will.”Taxpayers gave Direct File rave reviews, with 90 percent rating their experience positively and 86 percent saying it increased their trust in the IRS Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), the Senate Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee Chair, joined Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.), U.S … Continue Reading
May 15, 2024
Van Hollen, Cardin, Kaine, Merkley, Schatz Introduce Resolution Recognizing Importance of Press Freedom Around the World
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) introduced a Senate resolution recognizing widening threats to freedom of the press around the world and reaffirming the vital role of free and independent press in promoting democracy, human rights, and good governance. Following World Press Freedom Day earlier this month, the resolution sheds light on the … Continue Reading
May 15, 2024
Van Hollen Joins Butler, Colleagues in Call For Delta Airlines to Remain Neutral in Union Organizing Campaigns
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) and 23 of their Senate colleagues in signing a letter to the CEO of Delta Airlines, Ed Bastian, urging the airline to adopt a neutrality agreement regarding its employees’ efforts to form a union. The letter expresses support for the 55,000 Delta employees who are attempting to form a union and raises concerns that Delta is employing unfair tactics, such as threats and anti-union materials, to dissuade … Continue Reading
May 15, 2024
Van Hollen, Velázquez Urge Regulators to Crack Down on Bank Executive Pay Schemes that Incentivize Risk
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) urged financial regulators to finalize actions to prohibit compensation arrangements for executives of large financial institutions that encourage reckless decision-making. This long over-due rulemaking required by Section 956 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank) and mandated for completion by April 2011, is intended to prevent incentive-based executive pay … Continue Reading
May 14, 2024
Van Hollen Joins Kaine, Colleagues in Urging U.S. Policies Toward El Salvador Continue to Prioritize Democracy and Rule of Law
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), in urging the Biden Administration to ensure U.S. policies toward El Salvador continue to prioritize democracy and the rule of law. In a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the lawmakers encourage the State Department to take steps to strengthen democratic institutions in El … Continue Reading
May 14, 2024
Van Hollen Joins Group of 11 Senators in Calling on President Biden to Update Request for Supplemental Disaster Funding, Help Communities Across the Country Recover
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), both members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined with 9 other senators from disaster-impacted states in a letter to President Biden urging the administration to reevaluate and resubmit its request for supplemental disaster funding. In addition to Schatz, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), … Continue Reading
May 14, 2024
Van Hollen, Fetterman Introduce Legislation to Bolster Public Transit Service Across the Country
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.) announced their introduction of legislation to boost federal funding for state and local transit agencies to improve service, safety, and reliability for riders. The Moving Transit Forward Act creates a new federal funding program under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration to provide transit agencies with additional resources to supplement their existing operating budgets and help cover … Continue Reading
May 13, 2024
Maryland Delegation Announces More Than $35 Million to Strengthen Public Housing Across Maryland
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, David Trone and Glenn Ivey (all D-Md.) today announced $35,046,616 in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funding for 17 Maryland housing authorities to renovate, improve and build public housing throughout the state. “Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. That’s why, as a delegation, Team Maryland is committed to … Continue Reading
May 10, 2024
Van Hollen Statement on Administration’s NSM-20 Report
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement in response to the Administration’s report to Congress required by NSM-20: “NSM-20 was put into place as an accountability mechanism intended to ensure U.S. security assistance is used in line with American interests and values. Among its requirements was the report produced today, which is meant to track our partners’ compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL), U.S. best practices for civilian harm … Continue Reading
May 10, 2024
Van Hollen, Cardin Celebrate Senate Passage of Historic $100 Million Reauthorization of the Chesapeake Bay Program and Other Key Watershed Conservation Measures
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) celebrated passage this week of America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Reauthorization Act in the U.S. Senate. The legislation reauthorizes important habitat and wildlife conservation efforts in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and throughout the country. The bipartisan legislation builds on previous efforts to protect and preserve ecosystems from evolving threats such as invasive species and wildlife diseases. “One of our top … Continue Reading
May 09, 2024
Van Hollen Statement on FAA Reauthorization Vote
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding his vote on the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill: “The FAA and the many airports, airport workers, and airport-related businesses it touches are vital to our daily commerce and Americans’ safe travel. I appreciate the provisions within this bill to improve the workforce pipeline for air traffic controllers, pilots, and air mechanics; increase access for individuals with disabilities; … Continue Reading
May 09, 2024
Van Hollen Statement on President Biden’s Commitment to Halt Offensive Weapons in Response to an Assault on Rafah
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding President Biden’s commitment to halt offensive weapons should the Netanyahu government launch an assault on Rafah: “An invasion of Rafah would leave untold death and destruction in its wake - including massive civilian casualties and devastating impacts on the delivery of humanitarian aid - while undermining efforts to release the hostages. That’s why President Biden has said that such an invasion would … Continue Reading
May 08, 2024
Van Hollen Statement on Biden Administration Pause on Offensive Weapons to Netanyahu Government
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the Biden Administration’s pause on the transfer of certain offensive weapons to the Netanyahu government: “As I’ve said time and again - a just war must be fought justly. That’s why I have repeatedly urged the Biden Administration to pause the transfer of offensive weapons to the Netanyahu government until we ensure U.S. taxpayer-funded support is used in line with American interests and values. President … Continue Reading
May 08, 2024
Van Hollen, Cardin Keep Up Pressure to Ensure 100 Percent Federal Support for Replacing the Francis Scott Key Bridge
Cardin: “This is a disaster of national significance … it is very appropriate that the cost share be waived.”Van Hollen: “This is a moment for us to come together on a bipartisan, indeed a nonpartisan basis.” U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) took to the Senate floor late Tuesday to update their colleagues and the nation on the latest news from Baltimore and the recovery after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. They continued their push to fulfill President … Continue Reading
May 08, 2024
Van Hollen, Cardin Praise Biden Nominee Adam Abelson for Maryland U.S. District Court Seat
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) today praised President Joe Biden’s nomination of U.S. Magistrate Judge Adam Abelson to fill a vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. Judge Abelson has been nominated to fill the vacancy created when U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar took senior status at the end of April. “Adam Abelson has served the people of Baltimore for more than a decade. He has a proven commitment to equal justice under the law and a … Continue Reading
May 07, 2024
Van Hollen Statement Marking Holocaust Days of Remembrance, Condemning Antisemitism
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on the solemn occasion of the Holocaust Days of Remembrance: “As we mark the Holocaust Days of Remembrance this week, I stand with President Biden’s forceful statement: there is no place for antisemitism in America. The horrors of the Holocaust and of October 7th - the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust - must not be forgotten or overlooked. As hate is on the rise, we must continue to stand up … Continue Reading
