Press Releases
Van Hollen, Blumenthal Statement on Navy Decision to Not Reinstate Captain Crozier as Commander of the USS Roosevelt
U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) issued the following joint statement after the Navy announced it would not reinstate Captain Brett Crozier to the USS Theodore Roosevelt. The Navy’s decision follows the conclusion of its Command Investigation into the outbreak of COVID-19 aboard the vessel and the decision to remove Captain Crozier from command. “We have serious reservations about this decision, which comes as a surprise. We will carefully review the Navy’s … Continue Reading
June 19, 2020
Van Hollen Statement on Juneteenth
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement marking the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth: “Juneteenth, June 19, is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. It marks the day when the news that President Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation finally made it to Texas - the last state to get the news - though it was more than two years after it happened and months after the Civil War had ended. “The … Continue Reading
June 18, 2020
Van Hollen, Durbin, Schumer, Colleagues Call for GAO Investigation Into Use of Federal Law Enforcement During Washington, D.C. Protests Following Killing of George Floyd
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and 12 of their Senate colleagues, today requested that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) open an investigation into the use of Federal law enforcement, National Guard, and military personnel in response to protests in Washington, D.C., following the killing of George Floyd.“The use of force against Americans on June 1 at Lafayette Square was abhorrent and shocking. … Continue Reading
June 18, 2020
Van Hollen, Senate Democrats Press Trump Administration for Answers on Cost, Legal Justification of Out-of-State National Guard Deployment to DC
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) led a letter with eight of his Senate colleagues pressing for answers on the cost and legal justification of the Administration’s decision to deploy thousands of out-of-state National Guard troops to Washington, D.C. in response to peaceful protests. The letter, sent to Defense Secretary Mark Esper, seeks crucial details on the deployment of these troops, and requests a response by June 25, 2020. Senator Van Hollen was joined in sending the letter … Continue Reading
June 18, 2020
Van Hollen, Carper Introduce Legislation to Strip the President’s Ability to Federalize D.C. Police, Control D.C. National Guard
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.) have introduced legislation to strip the President’s authority to control the District of Columbia National Guard and to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department. These measures have proven all the more necessary after the President’s recent use of force against peaceful protesters in D.C. The bills have been previously introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), but have never before … Continue Reading
June 18, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin Call for Investigation into Offensive Statements by Trump Appointees at USAID
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), along with five Senate colleagues, are questioning the Acting Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development about offensive statements attributed to two recent appointees to the agency. If confirmed, these comments could have significant negative impacts on USAID’s reputation, morale among Agency employees, and the crucial question of diversity in U.S. government workplaces.“The appointment of Lloyd and Corrigan risks … Continue Reading
June 18, 2020
Van Hollen Statement on Supreme Court DACA Decision
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program and prevent the Trump Administration’s attempts to cancel the program. “For too long this Administration has wreaked havoc on DACA recipients and their families. This decision underscores what we have always known is true - the Trump Administration’s callous ploy to end the DACA program was arbitrary and flawed. … Continue Reading
June 18, 2020
Van Hollen, Feinstein Call on Senate Majority Leader McConnell to Hold Vote on State, Local Aid Funding Before July
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), and 17 senators on Thursday called on Senate Majority Leader McConnell to allow a vote on additional funding for state, local and tribal governments before July 1, the start of the fiscal year for many states.State and local governments could face a $1.3 trillion budget shortfall due to the pandemic over the next three years. In the last three months, state and local governments have been forced to lay off 1.6 million … Continue Reading
June 18, 2020
Van Hollen, Merkley Push to Bring HEROES Act to Floor for Debate and Vote After a Month of Inaction
After more than a month of inaction since the U.S. House of Representatives passed major legislation to address the ongoing health and economic crisis caused by the coronavirus, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), along with 18 senators, urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring the HEROES Act to the Senate floor for a debate and vote.Nearly 30,000 additional Americans have lost their lives to the coronavirus since the U.S. House of Representatives passed … Continue Reading
June 17, 2020
Van Hollen Statement on Bolton Excerpts: It’s clear that President Trump Puts Himself Over National Security Interests – Republican Leader McConnell Must Stop Aiding and Abetting Trump’s Betrayal of our Country
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding excerpts released from John Bolton’s forthcoming book on President Trump’s actions related to our national security:“It’s clear that President Trump serves one man and one man only. He does not act in the best interests of the American people - but only his own, and he consistently puts his own interests over the national security of the United States. John Bolton should have brought this disturbing … Continue Reading
June 17, 2020
Van Hollen, Brown, Senate Dems Introduce Resolution Recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and all Senate Democrats introduced a Senate resolution recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month. The resolution highlights the contributions LGBTQ individuals have made to American society, notes several major milestones in the fight for equal treatment of LGBTQ Americans and resolves to continue efforts to achieve full equality for LGBTQ individuals. The resolution also recognizes how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic … Continue Reading
June 17, 2020
Van Hollen Applauds Bipartisan Passage of Great American Outdoors Act
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) applauded the Senate’s bipartisan passage of the Great American Outdoors Act. This legislation will improve Americans’ access to public lands, ensure the continued preservation of outdoor spaces, and promote economic growth in outdoor recreation. It will also address a serious maintenance backlog at our public lands and provide permanent mandatory funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). LWCF funds are crucial to supporting Maryland … Continue Reading
June 17, 2020
Senators Van Hollen and Cardin, Congressman Trone Announce $1 Million in Funding, 100 New Jobs for Wright Road Construction in Washington County
Today, U.S Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) announced the Board of County Commissioners in Washington County will receive $1 million in funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for the realignment and construction of Phase I of Wright Road in the Hopewell Valley. The construction of the .3-mile portion of the new Wright Road is expected to create 100 new jobs in the surrounding area. “Upgrading our infrastructure is crucial to our … Continue Reading
June 16, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Colleagues Push to Bring Equality Act to a Vote Following SCOTUS Ruling
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) today joined colleagues in calling for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring the Equality Act to the Senate floor for a vote. The senators’ push comes after the Supreme Court issued a 6-3 ruling to confirm that that the nation’s landmark civil rights legislation preventing workplace discrimination protects LGBTQIA+ Americans.“Although nearly two-thirds of LGBTQIA+ Americans report experiencing discrimination, existing federal … Continue Reading
June 16, 2020
Van Hollen Presses Pai on Using E-Rate Funds to Connect Students to the Internet Amid Distance Learning
Today, during a Senate Appropriations Financial Services and General Government subcommittee Hearing, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) pressed Ajit Pai, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on using the FCC's existing authority to connect millions of students to the internet so that they can participate in distance learning. A full transcript of the Senator’s exchange is below.SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN (D-Md.): Chairman Pai, welcome. I want to, first of all, thank you … Continue Reading
June 16, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Commends General Assembly Leaders for Examining Problems with June 2 Primary
The Maryland Congressional Delegation, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, along with Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone, today applauded Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson (D) and Maryland House of Delegates Speaker Adrienne Jones (D) for holding joint hearings about Maryland’s June 2 primary election. The hearings will examine the election’s shortcomings and outline steps … Continue Reading
June 15, 2020
Van Hollen, Hirono Call for DOJ Inspector General Investigation into Attorney General Barr’s Conduct in Suppressing Peaceful Protests around Lafayette Square on June 1
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), along with 19 Senate Democrats, requested that Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz open an investigation into the conduct of Attorney General William Barr and the Department of Justice in directing the use of force against peaceful protestors around Lafayette Square on June 1, 2020. The Senators also called on the Inspector General to probe the deployment of federal law enforcement to suppress protests … Continue Reading
June 12, 2020
Maryland Delegation Members Join Maryland Attorney General Frosh’s COVID-19 Access to Justice Task Force
Members of Maryland’s congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin, and David Trone have joined Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh and the Maryland Access to Justice Commission in launching the COVID-19 Access to Justice Taskforce. “Both the COVID-19 pandemic and the death of George Floyd have shone a light on the racism and many … Continue Reading
June 12, 2020
Van Hollen Urges Senate Negotiators to Include COVID-19 Relief for Amtrak in Next Package
This week, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) wrote a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urging them to include Amtrak funding relief in any upcoming COVID-19 legislative package or emergency appropriations measure. Specifically, Van Hollen requested that they approve Amtrak’s supplemental FY21 funding request for an additional $1.475 billion. “The funds provided to Amtrak in the CARES Act were enough to cover Amtrak’s expenses through the end … Continue Reading
June 12, 2020
Senators Van Hollen and Cardin, Rep. Harris Announce More Than $50,000 to Expand Telehealth at Atlantic General Hospital
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and U.S. Representative Andy Harris, M.D., announced the award of $51,425 to expand telehealth services at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin, Maryland. This award will allow Atlantic General to purchase a telehealth platform subscription and equipment to safely deliver health care, screen patients for COVID-19 symptoms, and connect patients with 45 additional primary and specialty providers. “Expanding telehealth services has been a … Continue Reading
