Press Releases
Van Hollen, Murray, Democrats Push DeVos to Issue Clear Guidance for Schools and Families, Following Widespread School Closures
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), and 31 other Democratic Senators in urging Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to provide clarity and guidance for school districts and institutions of higher education, as well as families and students, following widespread school closures across the country due to the spread of the coronavirus. In a letter to Secretary DeVos, the senators stressed that it is crucial that the Department of Education provide direction as … Continue Reading
March 10, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Receives Coronavirus Update from Maryland Health Secretary
Members of Maryland’s congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, and Congressmen Steny Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone, heard from Maryland Secretary of Health Robert Neall and Deputy Secretary, Public Health Services Frances B. Phillips, R.N., Tuesday for an update on Maryland’s readiness and response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The discussion, which took place via … Continue Reading
March 10, 2020
Van Hollen, Warren, Colleagues Question Bureau of Prisons and Private Prison Contractors About Plans to Prepare for and Manage Coronavirus at Federal Prisons
United States Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), along with Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory A. Booker (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i), Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai'i), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Mark Warner (D-Va.), in sending letters to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and the … Continue Reading
March 10, 2020
Van Hollen, Markey File Amendment to Bipartisan Energy Package to Create a National Climate Bank
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) have filed an amendment authorizing a study on the creation of a National Climate Bank to leverage public and private funds to invest in clean energy technologies and infrastructure. Their proposal - which would constitute a first step towards the Senators’ National Climate Bank legislation - would amend the bipartisan energy package being considered on the Senate floor this week. "Increasing our investment in renewable energy … Continue Reading
March 10, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Klobuchar Reintroduce Legislation to Bring Harriet Tubman Statue to U.S. Capitol
In recognition of Harriet Tubman Day, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) are announcing the reintroduction of their legislation to honor Harriet Tubman with a statue in the United States Capitol. "Harriet Tubman is an American hero. Born in Maryland, she became a conductor on the Underground Railroad where she led slaves to freedom. During the Civil War, she served as a Union nurse and spy, and later in life, she was a strong advocate for … Continue Reading
March 09, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin Urge Hogan to Enlist Federal Resources to Help Maryland Small Businesses with Coronavirus Preparedness & Response
Following final passage of the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) today sent a letter to Maryland Governor Larry Hogan urging him to make use of the federal resources available for coronavirus preparedness and response related to public health, as well as affected small businesses. The senators’ letter follows recent announcements that five Maryland residents have tested positive for the virus, … Continue Reading
March 09, 2020
Van Hollen, Durbin, Grassley Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Celebrate 30th Anniversary of Restoration of Independence of Baltic States
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), co-chairs of the Senate Baltic Caucus, as well as 22 of their Senate colleagues in introducing a bipartisan resolution to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the restoration of independence of the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The resolution also reaffirms the United States’ commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) amid Russian aggression. The House Baltic … Continue Reading
March 09, 2020
Van Hollen, Warner, Banking Democrats Urge Regulators to Provide Guidance to Financial Institutions about Forbearance Due to Coronavirus Impacts
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and several other members of the Senate Banking Committee in a pair of letters to financial regulators and trade groups urging our nation’s financial sector to prepare for the likely impacts of the coronavirus and take steps to protect consumers who may suffer financially as a result of a coronavirus outbreak. In a letter to leaders of the Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), National … Continue Reading
March 06, 2020
Van Hollen, Axne, and Doggett Lead Bicameral Letter Urging the OECD to Require More Transparent Tax Reporting
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Representatives Cindy Axne (D-Iowa) and Lloyd Doggett (D-Tex.) led a letter signed by 33 Senators and Representatives to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), urging the organization to strengthen country-by-country reporting rules during their upcoming review of current standards and to require corporations to publicly disclose these country-by-country reports. As the members note in their letter, improved … Continue Reading
March 06, 2020
Van Hollen, Senators Call on OPM to Guarantee Protections for Federal Workers and Contractors Complying with Coronavirus Response
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and six Senators in urging the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to commit that federal workers and contractors will not be penalized for following recommended health procedures to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.In a letter sent to OPM Director Dale Cabaniss, the Senators wrote, “As the largest employer in the nation, it is paramount that the federal government lead by example and … Continue Reading
March 06, 2020
Van Hollen, Warren, Colleagues Reiterate Request for Update on VA Efforts to Protect Veterans from Foreign Disinformation Campaigns
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), along with seventeen of their Senate colleagues, in sending a second letter to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reiterating their request to determine what actions VA is taking to educate veterans about online disinformation campaigns and other malign influence operations by Russian, Chinese, and other foreign entities.In November 2019, after the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) released the results … Continue Reading
March 06, 2020
Maryland and Virginia Senators Urge WMATA to Prioritize Employee and Rider Safety Amid Coronavirus Threat
Today, amid reports of the first cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the national capital region, U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) and Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-Va.) urged the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to continue to work to ensure the safety of employees and travelers who rely on Metro trains, buses, and other facilities. In a letter to WMATA General Manager and CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld, the Senators urged WMATA to … Continue Reading
March 06, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Talks Public Education with Maryland’s HBCU Presidents
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined a convening of Maryland's congressional delegation, including Senator Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, John P. Sarbanes, and David Trone (all D-Md.) on Wednesday to meet with the presidents of Maryland’s four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Participating in the roundtable were Morgan State University President Dr. David Wilson, Bowie State University President Dr. Aminta Breaux, University of Maryland Eastern Shore President … Continue Reading
March 06, 2020
Van Hollen, Kennedy Ask SEC to Educate Investors About High-Risk Chinese Companies
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and John Kennedy (R-La.), members of the Senate Banking Committee, sent a letter to Investor Advocate Rick Flaming of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) asking that he alert SEC leadership and the general public about the risk of investing in many Chinese companies.“The fact that a Chinese company can be included in an index to avoid the SEC’s rigorous company-specific disclosure and audit regulations seems to fly in the face of the investor … Continue Reading
March 05, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin Statement on Maryland Cases of Novel Coronavirus
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.), released the following joint statement on the announcement that three individuals in Maryland have tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). “We are closely monitoring the newly announced cases of novel coronavirus in Maryland, and we stand ready to support the state in any way we can. The state has been preparing for this possibility, and federal resources are already on the way to help. The first tranche of funding … Continue Reading
March 05, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces $500,000 in Federal Funding to Support State-Level Coronavirus Response
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Andy Harris, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone today announced $500,000 in federal funding to support Maryland’s response to the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Funding comes from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These resources will help public health officials in Maryland monitor and assess … Continue Reading
March 05, 2020
Van Hollen Announces Unanimous Senate Passage of Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Child Care Protection
Today, the Senate unanimously passed the Child Care Protection Improvement Act, authored by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Richard Burr (R-NC). This bipartisan legislation would create a task force to assist states in the process of implementing federal work requirements for child care workers.“As we work to make sure childcare is affordable, we must also ensure that it’s safe and that parents have peace of mind about who is watching their children,” said Senator Van Hollen. “Right now, … Continue Reading
March 05, 2020
Van Hollen Statement on Senate Passage of Coronavirus Supplemental Funding
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the Senate’s passage of a bipartisan supplemental funding package to address the coronavirus: “I was proud to support this funding package to ensure Maryland and our country have the resources necessary to immediately and more effectively respond to the coronavirus. I’m pleased that Congress was able to come together on a bipartisan basis to provide this significant investment to immediately boost our … Continue Reading
March 05, 2020
Van Hollen Statement on Release of H-2B Visas
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the Administration’s release of an additional 35,000 H-2B visas.“Maryland crabs are a central part of our state’s economy and culture - from the watermen who harvest them, to the crab houses that process them, to restaurants across the state who sell the iconic blue crabs to locals and visitors alike. To maintain this thriving industry, our crab houses have been in desperate need for the Administration to … Continue Reading
March 05, 2020
Van Hollen, Cortez Masto, Senators Introduce Legislation to Increase Diversity in Corporate Leadership
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) introduced the Diversity in Corporate Leadership Act of 2020 to ensure transparency and encourage corporate leadership so that corporate boards reflect our nation’s diversity. Despite a strong business case for diverse leadership, corporate boards have not reflected the gender, racial and ethnic … Continue Reading
