Press Releases
Van Hollen, Kennedy Introduce Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act as NDAA Amendment
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and John Kennedy (R-La.) have introduced the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill passed the Senate unanimously this May. Senators Van Hollen and Kennedy introduced the legislation to protect American investors and their retirement savings from foreign companies that have been operating on U.S. stock exchanges while flouting Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) oversight. … Continue Reading
June 25, 2020
Van Hollen, Pocan, & Colleagues Introduce Bicameral Work Share Proposal to Help Employers and Workers Weather COVID-19 Economic Storm
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) along with Representative Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) and a number of House members introduced the Rebuilding Main Street Act, legislation to help small businesses, nonprofits, and workers weather the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and support safe reopening. The legislation expands the existing work share program to allow employers to share their payroll costs with the … Continue Reading
June 25, 2020
Senate Unanimously Passes Van Hollen, Toomey Hong Kong Autonomy Act
Today, the United States Senate unanimously approved the bipartisan Hong Kong Autonomy Act, authored by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.). The Hong Kong Autonomy Act, which was introduced in response to the increasingly brazen interference of the Chinese Communist Party in Hong Kong, would impose mandatory sanctions on entities that violate China's obligations to Hong Kong under the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law. The legislation would also impose mandatory … Continue Reading
June 24, 2020
Van Hollen, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Cut Energy Costs for Homeowners and Save Energy Efficiency Jobs
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Chris Coons (D-Del.), along with U.S. Representatives Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and David McKinley (R-W.Va) today introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to help save energy efficiency jobs during and after the coronavirus pandemic. The bill also includes rebates to help homeowners retrofit their homes to cut their monthly energy costs, stimulate the energy efficiency market for jobs and suppliers, and help protect the … Continue Reading
June 24, 2020
Van Hollen Statement on Inadequate Republican-Proposed Police Legislation
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on his vote against Senate consideration of the Republican Justice Act: “Our nation is facing a moment of reckoning. Yet the proposal put forward by Senate Republicans today does not meet the need for real, systemic change. Unfortunately, it is ultimately a maneuver to subvert meaningful change in police accountability. If Senator McConnell were serious about addressing the urgency of the moment and movement, he … Continue Reading
June 23, 2020
Van Hollen, Colleagues Press for Robust Funding for Background Checks, Gun Safety in Next Coronavirus Relief Package
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), along with nine of his colleagues, urged Senate leadership to provide robust funding for the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) National Instant Criminal Background System (NICS) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in future coronavirus relief packages to ensure the continued processing of background checks and to uphold gun safety laws. Despite efforts by Senator Van Hollen and others to change this loophole and … Continue Reading
June 23, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Harris Announce Additional $500,000 in Funding to Expand Telehealth at Atlantic General Hospital
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Andy Harris, M.D., (all-Md.) announced the award of $515,449 for Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin, Maryland through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) COVID-19 Telehealth Program, which was established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This funding will be used for the purchase of a patient engagement telehealth platform. The hospital previously received a $50,000 award through the … Continue Reading
June 23, 2020
Van Hollen, Duckworth, King Introduce Bill to Significantly Enhance Domestic Production of Life-Saving Medical Supplies
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Angus King (I-ME) have introduced legislation to strengthen the national response to pandemics by modernizing the production of critical medical supplies for frontline healthcare providers. The Public Health Emergency (PHE) Production Act would ensure the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) fully leverages its allocation authorities under the Defense Production Act (DPA) to respond to current and future … Continue Reading
June 23, 2020
Baltimore Congressional Delegation Announces $3 Million to Reduce Air Pollution and Recycle Carbon Waste
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) today announced $3 million in federal funding for the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) to develop technology that reduces air pollution and recycles carbon waste. “This new federal funding will invest in innovative new technologies that can improve air quality in our communities for the good of public health and of our environment,” … Continue Reading
June 23, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin Call on McConnell to Bring Bipartisan House-Passed Dream and Promise Act to Senate Floor for a Vote
Following the Supreme Court’s historic ruling rejecting President Donald Trump’s repeal of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) and their colleagues have sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) calling on him to immediately take up the bipartisan House-passed American Dream and Promise Act, which will establish a path to citizenship for Dreamers and immigrants with Temporary Protected Status … Continue Reading
June 22, 2020
Van Hollen, Cortez Masto Push to Ensure Survivors of Domestic Violence Can Access Their Economic Impact Payment
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), along with 34 Senate colleagues, sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig urging them to take action to ensure that survivors of domestic violence can access their Economic Impact Payment. Domestic violence survivors face unique barriers that can keep them from being able to access their economy recovery rebates they are legally entitled to under the law. “The recovery … Continue Reading
June 22, 2020
Van Hollen Urges Talbot County Council to Remove Talbot Boys Monument in Its Entirety
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) sent a letter to the Talbot County Council urging the removal of the Talbot Boys statue, a Confederate monument located outside the Talbot County Circuit Courthouse. The statue, completed in 1916, memorializes the names of 84 Confederate soldiers and is topped with a soldier holding the Confederate battle flag. The Talbot County Council is preparing to discuss the statue’s partial removal at its meeting on Tuesday, June 23, 2020. “I write to … Continue Reading
June 19, 2020
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
