Press Releases
Van Hollen, Cotton, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Cut Huawei and Chinese 5G Companies off from U.S. Banks
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) introduced a bill with Senators Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) to severely sanction Chinese technology company Huawei and other untrustworthy Chinese 5G producers who engage in economic espionage against the United States. This bill would add these entities to the Treasury Department's Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List, which would effectively freeze them from accessing the U.S. financial system. Congressman … Continue Reading
December 13, 2022
Van Hollen Statement as U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Kicks Off
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy released the following statement on the beginning of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit: "Building stronger partnerships between the many countries of Africa and the United States holds tremendous benefit for all of our nations. From boosting trade and economic growth to working together to address global challenges like climate change and food insecurity, this … Continue Reading
December 09, 2022
Senator Van Hollen, Rep. Bass Introduce Legislation to Promote Free Trade in Africa Ahead of U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, and Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Global Human Rights, have introduced bicameral legislation to increase U.S. foreign assistance to support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). "The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) holds immense promise to spur … Continue Reading
December 09, 2022
Van Hollen Applauds Biden Administration Decision to Support African Union Membership in G-20
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy released the following statement on President Biden's impending announcement of support for the African Union's bid to join the G-20: "The nations of Africa play a vital role in global affairs and African leaders are steering conversations around innovation, development, conservation, and more. African nations should have more opportunities to present their … Continue Reading
December 09, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Klobuchar and Booker Lead Unanimous Senate Action to Remove Bust of Dred Scott Author from the U.S. Capitol, Add a Bust of Thurgood Marshall
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) praised final approval by the Senate Thursday of legislation that would remove the bust of the author of the infamous Dred Scott decision from public display in the U.S. Capitol and add a bust of Thurgood Marshall, the first African American to serve on our nation's highest court. As noted in their bill, S. 522. "While the removal of Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney's bust from the … Continue Reading
December 08, 2022
Van Hollen, Shaheen, Blumenthal, Colleagues Spearhead Bill to Crack Down on E-Cigarette Companies & Close Tax Loophole on Advertising
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) in reintroducing the No Tax Subsidies for E-Cigarette and Tobacco Ads Act which would crack down on e-cigarette companies and close a tax loophole that allows manufacturers to claim federal tax deductions for the cost of advertising for e-cigarettes and tobacco products. Senators Brown (D-Ohio), Reed (D-R.I.), Durbin (D-Ill.), and Merkley (D-Ore.) also joined in reintroducing … Continue Reading
December 08, 2022
Van Hollen Secures Priorities for Maryland in Annual Defense Bill for Fiscal Year 2023
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) announced the inclusion of several Maryland priorities in the House and Senate leadership's negotiated fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation is expected to be considered in the House next week and the Senate shortly thereafter. The legislation incorporates provisions and investments in key Maryland military installations that the Senator fought for, as well as a 4.6 percent pay raise for military and Department … Continue Reading
December 07, 2022
Van Hollen, Tillis Secure Provision to Boost HBCU, MSI Research Capacity in FY23 Defense Bill
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) announced the inclusion of key language from their HBCU RISE Act in the fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Senators' provision aims to spur greater research investment in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) while strengthening our national defense research ecosystem. The provision creates a new program with the U.S. Department of … Continue Reading
December 07, 2022
Maryland Delegation Announces More Than $55 Million for Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $55,352,598 in funding for the Maryland and Baltimore City Health Departments to ensure that public health systems and facilities have the staff, equipment and services needed to protect community health. "Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, our health care heroes have been navigating some … Continue Reading
December 07, 2022
Van Hollen, Murray, Colleagues Applaud Biden Admin’s Proposed Joint Employer Rule Restoring Corporations’ Responsibility to Workers
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) alongside their colleagues in sending a letter commenting on the Biden Administration's proposal to reinstate the National Labor Relations Board's (NLRB) long-standing joint-employer standard to ensure that all corporations with control over workers' health, safety, hours, pay, and other working conditions are at the bargaining table with workers. "The NLRB's proposal to reinstate the NLRB's historic standard, … Continue Reading
December 07, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin Secure Authorization for Coast Guard Yard Infrastructure Modernization in FY23 Defense Bill
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced the inclusion of provisions from their Service to the Fleet Act to authorize $636 million for a major infrastructure overhaul of the Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay, Maryland in the House and Senate leadership's negotiated fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation is expected to be considered in the House this week and in the Senate next week. After introducing their Service to Fleet … Continue Reading
December 06, 2022
Van Hollen, Whitehouse, Colleagues Ask POTUS to Require Disclosure of Political Spending by Federal Contractors
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) alongside their Senate colleagues in calling on President Biden to issue an executive order requiring federal contractors to disclose their political spending, including dark money expenditures, after they are awarded a federal government contract. An effective disclosure system would shine a light on special interest influence and help increase Americans' trust in government. "It is paramount to shore up … Continue Reading
December 06, 2022
Van Hollen, Brown, Casey Introduce Bill to Ensure a Fair Banking System
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) introduced the Close the Shadow Banking Loophole Act, legislation to require companies that own an industrial loan company (ILC) to be subject to the same rules and consumer protections as traditional banks. ILCs are state-chartered banking institutions whose holding companies are not subject to consolidated supervision by the Federal Reserve, as all other bank holding companies are, due to a … Continue Reading
December 05, 2022
Maryland, Virginia Lawmakers Urge Congressional Leaders to Leave Door Open to ARPA-H in the National Capital Region
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined lawmakers from across Maryland and Virginia in urging congressional leaders to allow maximum flexibility when the administration selects a location for the newly created Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). The letter led by Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) is signed in addition to Senator Van Hollen by Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-Va.) as well as Representatives Steny Hoyer (Md.-5), Bobby Scott (Va.-3), Dutch Ruppersberger … Continue Reading
December 05, 2022
Van Hollen, Toomey Comment on G7 Price Cap Agreement
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), who have authored secondary sanctions legislation to hold Russia accountable for its war in Ukraine, released the following statement on the G7's agreement to a price cap on Russian oil: "The G7's agreement to implement a price cap on Russian oil is a significant step in holding Russia accountable for its unprovoked war against Ukraine. To ensure the price cap is as effective as possible, we must monitor compliance closely, … Continue Reading
December 02, 2022
Van Hollen, Murphy Reintroduce Legislation to Protect Consumers from Medical Debt
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) have reintroduced legislation to strengthen consumer protections and reform medical debt practices. The Strengthening Consumer Protections and Medical Debt Transparency Act would put in place standard practices to make sure that health care entities communicate with consumers about any debt that is owed and cap the annual interest rate growth for medical debt. The legislation also directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human … Continue Reading
December 01, 2022
Maryland Delegation Members Urge State to Apply for Grant to Expand Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Care
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Jamie Raskin, David Trone, Anthony G. Brown, Kweisi Mfume, Dutch Ruppersberger, and John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) wrote Maryland Secretary of Health Dennis Schrader urging the Maryland Department of Health to apply for a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC) planning grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA is the U.S. Department of Health and Human … Continue Reading
December 01, 2022
WATCH: Van Hollen Highlights Civil Rights Leaders’ Support for Relocating FBI Headquarters to Prince George’s County, Maryland
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) highlighted civil rights leaders' support for relocating the FBI headquarters to one of the two potential sites in Prince George's County, Maryland, on the grounds that these sites are in the best position to advance President Biden's stated equity goals, which he announced via Executive Order during his first week in office. During a hearing of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee related to racism and discrimination, Senator … Continue Reading
December 01, 2022
Van Hollen Statement on Legislation to Avert a National Rail Shutdown
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding his vote in favor of legislation to avert a national rail shutdown in addition to his vote to provide rail workers with seven days of paid sick leave: "Shutting down our nation's railways would have drastic consequences for our communities - jeopardizing supply chains that stock our grocery store shelves, ensure clean drinking water for our residents, deliver gasoline to the pumps, and provide power to … Continue Reading
December 01, 2022
Van Hollen, Sullivan, Merkley, Colleagues Warn CCP Against Violent Crackdown on Protesters
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) in sending a bipartisan letter alongside their Senate colleagues to the Chinese ambassador to the United States warning the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime of the consequences of a violent crackdown on peaceful protesters. Demonstrations have erupted across China in response to the CCP's severe measures restricting freedoms to contain rising COVID-19 infections. The letter led by … Continue Reading