Press Releases
Maryland Delegation Members Announce More Than $213 Million to Support Replacement of Maryland Transit Administration’s Light Rail Fleet
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) announced $213,696,341 to the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) to complete its Light Rail Vehicle Fleet Replacement project. The federal funds, provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Rail Vehicle Replacement (RVR) program, will support the MTA’s efforts to replace all 52 aging light rail vehicles in its … Continue Reading
February 16, 2024
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce Nearly $1 Million to Support Agriculture on the Eastern Shore
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced $997,784 to support agricultural producers on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The federal funds, provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agriculture Innovation Center program, will further enable the Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center (ESEC) to operate the Chesapeake Agriculture Innovation Center, which will provide local agricultural producers with the various resources and services they need to develop their … Continue Reading
February 16, 2024
Maryland Airports Receive Nearly $20 Million for Integral Infrastructure Improvements
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.) announced $19,974,160 in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding for projects at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and Martin State Airport, the base of operations for Maryland’s Air National Guard. The awards were distributed under the FY2024 Airport Terminal Program, authorized … Continue Reading
February 15, 2024
Van Hollen, Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Expand Student Debt Relief for Parent Borrowers
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) led several of his democratic colleagues in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona urging the department to provide additional student debt relief to parent borrowers. In their letter, the Senators express appreciation for the Biden Administration’s historic actions to alleviate the growing student debt crisis, but note concern that borrowers in the Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (Parent PLUS) program have largely been excluded from … Continue Reading
February 14, 2024
Van Hollen Joins Ossoff, Rev. Warnock, Senators in Support of Ongoing U.S. Diplomacy to Free Hostages, Restore Mutual Ceasefire Agreement in Gaza
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock (both D-Ga.) alongside their Senate colleagues in a letter to President Biden supporting ongoing U.S. diplomatic efforts to secure the release of Israeli hostages in tandem with the restoration of a mutual ceasefire agreement in Gaza. In addition to Senator Van Hollen, the letter led by Senators Ossoff and Rev. Warnock, was signed by Senators Mark Warner (D-Va.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Patty Murray … Continue Reading
February 14, 2024
Maryland Delegation Congratulates University System of Maryland on Their Selection as a 2023 Help America Vote College Program Award Recipient
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.) congratulated the University System of Maryland on their selection as one of 21 national award recipients for the Help America Vote College Program (HAVCP). The University System of Maryland will receive $78,521 in federal funding from the 2023 Help America Vote College Program which provides grants to encourage … Continue Reading
February 13, 2024
Van Hollen Statement on Senate Passage of the National Security Supplemental
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on his vote in support of the National Security Act: “As our nation and our allies face a host of challenges across the globe, it’s critical that we deploy the necessary resources to support democracy and humanitarian aid abroad. For Ukraine, especially, this assistance could not come at a more crucial time. While Putin continues to wage his war of aggression against the Ukrainian people and on democracy itself, … Continue Reading
February 11, 2024
Van Hollen Joins Welch, Colleagues in Urging USDA, USTR, and State Department to Address Illegal Deforestation Linked to Avocados Produced in Mexico
Ahead of the Super Bowl, which marks the largest day of consumption of avocados in America, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) alongside their colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai requesting more information about the Administration’s efforts to address illegal deforestation and unsustainable water use linked to avocados … Continue Reading
February 10, 2024
Following Amendment Push, Van Hollen, Durbin, Kaine, Schatz & Colleagues Welcome New National Security Memorandum to Ensure U.S. Security Assistance is Used in Line with International Law
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and their colleagues welcomed a new National Security Memorandum (NSM) released by the Biden Administration Thursday aimed at ensuring all U.S. security assistance is used in line with international law, including international humanitarian law. The NSM is modeled off of the Senators’ amendment to ensure U.S. security assistance is used in line with international law. Additional cosponsors … Continue Reading
February 09, 2024
Van Hollen Joins Welch in Calling for Delivery of Urgently Needed Humanitarian Aid to Civilians in Gaza
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) alongside their colleagues in introducing a resolution calling on the Administration to work with allies and partners within the international community to dramatically increase humanitarian aid to Gaza in order to prevent further spread of disease and starvation. Senator Welch was joined by Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Michael … Continue Reading
February 09, 2024
Van Hollen, Warren, Senators Propose Amendment to Monitor and Reduce Harm to Civilians from U.S.-Origin Weapons
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.), introduced an amendment to the National Security Act of 2024 that would require the State Department to review the use of U.S. weapons over the past year in conflicts around the world, including by Israel in Gaza, and to ensure that any use of U.S. weapons is in accordance with U.S. policy and international law. Specifically, the amendment would provide $10 … Continue Reading
February 08, 2024
Alongside Biden Administration, Van Hollen Announces National Security Memorandum to Ensure U.S. Security Assistance is Used in Line with International Law
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) announced alongside the Biden Administration a new National Security Memorandum (NSM) aimed at ensuring all U.S. security assistance is used in line with international law, including international humanitarian law. The NSM - which Senator Van Hollen worked closely with the Administration to develop following the release of his amendment - will for the first time require that, prior to the transfer of U.S. security assistance, recipient countries … Continue Reading
February 08, 2024
Van Hollen, Cardin, Warner, Kaine Statement on the Senate Commerce Committee’s Unsafe Provision to Overburden DCA
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) and Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-Va.) released the following statement after the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation voted to undermine the current ‘slots and perimeter’ rules at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) as part of the Senate version of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act: “We are deeply disappointed by the Senate Commerce Committee’s move to … Continue Reading
February 07, 2024
Van Hollen, Cardin, Durbin, Kaine, Merkley, Booker, Welch, Murphy Express Support for Democratic Governance in Haiti
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) in issuing a statement on what should have been Haiti’s Presidential Inauguration Day on February 7, 2024. “Exactly 38 years ago, the Haitian people succeeded in expelling a dictator from their … Continue Reading
February 07, 2024
Van Hollen, Durbin, Kaine, Schatz & Colleagues File Amendment Requiring the Use of U.S. Supplemental Aid Comply with U.S., International Law
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Dick Durbin, (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) along with 15 of their colleagues are filing their amendment to require that the weapons received by any country under the proposed national security supplemental are used in accordance with U.S. law, international humanitarian law and the law of armed conflict. The amendment is supported by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Martin … Continue Reading
February 02, 2024
Van Hollen Statement on Sale of U.S. F-16s to Turkey
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the sale of U.S. F-16s to Turkey after receiving a briefing from Administration officials on the pending sale as well as the status of several concerns the Senator has raised around Turkey: “While Turkey’s ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership was long delayed, it is a welcome step forward and an important signal to the NATO community. That being said, I continue to have serious concerns about President … Continue Reading
February 02, 2024
Van Hollen, Murphy, Coons, Merkley, 21 Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Work with Israel to Take 5 Steps to Get More Humanitarian Aid into Gaza
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) on Friday led 21 colleagues in a letter to President Biden urging the administration to encourage Israeli officials to take five specific steps to significantly increase urgently needed humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza. “The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is dire and the civilian suffering is at an unacceptable and staggering level. Ninety-three percent of Palestinians in Gaza … Continue Reading
February 02, 2024
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce Over $1.5 Million to Strengthen Flood Protections in Cambridge
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced $1,612,926 to bolster flooding mitigation efforts in the City of Cambridge in Dorchester County. The federal funds, provided through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund, will support the design and permitting of a flood barrier along the shoreline of the Choptank River with a nature-based living shoreline to weaken wave strength, prevent erosion, … Continue Reading
February 02, 2024
Van Hollen, Markey, Meng Lead Colleagues in Letter of Support for FCC E-Rate Rulemaking
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), led 64 of their colleagues in a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel supporting the Commission’s proposal to expand the E-Rate program to allow schools and libraries to loan out … Continue Reading
January 30, 2024
Van Hollen Joins Congressional Democrats in Filing Amicus Brief Urging Supreme Court to Reverse Dangerous Ruling That Would Restrict Access to Mifepristone Nationwide & Upend FDA Approval Process
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Representatives Jeffries, Clark, Pallone, Nadler, DeGette, and Lee and many of their Democratic colleagues in submitting an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA, urging the Supreme Court to reverse a stay from Texas District … Continue Reading
