Press Releases
Van Hollen Introduces Legislation to Fully Restore Broadband Privacy Protections
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), and nine other Senators in introducing legislation to restore broadband privacy rules that will protect consumers from having their personal, sensitive information sold without their consent. "It's shameful that Congressional Republicans voted to allow Americans' personal information be sold to the highest bidder," said Senator Van Hollen. "This was a blatant giveaway to corporate special interests. We must fully … Continue Reading
April 13, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin Statement on the Washington DC VA Medical Center
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) issued the following statement about the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General report on the Washington DC VA Medical Center, which found that patients were put at unnecessary risk. The Center is frequently used by many local veterans in Maryland. "We are deeply concerned about the issues raised by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, regarding the Washington DC VA Medical Center. … Continue Reading
April 12, 2017
Van Hollen Writes to Deutsche Bank on Conflicts of Interest with Trump Administration
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen wrote to the CEO of Deutsche Bank USA to raise concerns about conflicts of interest between the bank and President Trump. He is asking for information on a series of issues, from efforts to restructure President Trump's debt, to possible preferential treatment for family members who are now federal employees, to any meetings between Deutsche Bank and the Trump Administration. Senator Van Hollen is also seeking assurances that the Bank is not using ties to … Continue Reading
April 12, 2017
Van Hollen Announces Customers Not Cargo Act
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen announced the Customers Not Cargo Act, which would prohibit airlines from forcibly removing passengers after they have already boarded the plane due to overbooking or airline staff seeking to fly as passengers. Senator Van Hollen wrote to his colleagues this morning to invite them to join the legislation as he finalizes the bill text. "We were all shocked and outraged this week when United Airlines forcibly and brutally removed Dr. David Dao from Flight … Continue Reading
April 11, 2017
Van Hollen Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Provide Financial Stability to Muni Bonds
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen has introduced bipartisan legislation to allow high quality municipal debt to be classified at a level equivalent to debt issued by corporations. Debt sold by state and local governments is currently excluded from consideration under a rule requiring banks to hold enough highly liquid assets to fund their operations for 30 days. This exclusion may create a disincentive for banks to hold their positions in the municipal-debt market, potentially making it harder for … Continue Reading
April 11, 2017
Van Hollen, Booker, Duckworth, Durbin Push Back Against Attorney General on Consent Decrees
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) pushed back against Attorney General Jeff Sessions' decision to review existing consent decrees with local law enforcement, urging him not to reverse Justice Department policy on the use of consent decrees, pointing to their effectiveness in combatting civil rights abuses and improving public safety. Consent decrees are formal agreements that the Justice Department negotiates with … Continue Reading
April 11, 2017
Van Hollen, Senate Democrats Demand Answers from United Airlines Following the Forcible Removal of a Passenger
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) today are demanding answers from United Airlines following the forcible removal of a ticketed passenger on Flight 3411 from Chicago, Illinois to Louisville, Kentucky. "Consumer trust and confidence are critical to ensure this industry continues to thrive, and we hope United Airlines will work diligently to immediately address this incident and make … Continue Reading
April 11, 2017
Van Hollen, Senate Democrats Demand Answers from United Airlines Following the Forcible Removal of a Passenger
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) today are demanding answers from United Airlines following the forcible removal of a ticketed passenger on Flight 3411 from Chicago, Illinois to Louisville, Kentucky. "Consumer trust and confidence are critical to ensure this industry continues to thrive, and we hope United Airlines will work diligently to immediately address this incident and make … Continue Reading
April 10, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $750,000 ARC Grant for Garrett County
U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) announced a $750,000 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant for Garrett County to construct Phase II of Keyser's Ridge Business Park Access Road. The project is expected to create about 25 full time jobs. "This grant will create jobs and improve infrastructure in Garrett County,"said Senator Van Hollen."It is a great example of the positive impact that ARC has in Western Maryland - these smart investments are a win-win for the … Continue Reading
April 10, 2017
Van Hollen, Murphy Call on President Trump to Restore Funding for National Sea Grant College Program
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) led a group of 21 other Senators in calling on President Trump to reconsider his proposal to completely eliminate the $73 million National Sea Grant College Program. In a letter to President Trump, the senators highlighted the important role Sea Grant Programs play in boosting local economies and preserving coastal communities, and urged him to fully fund the program in FY 2018. "We represent senators from some of the 33 states … Continue Reading
April 07, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $120,000 ARC Grant for Boonsboro Sewer Replacement
U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) announced a $120,000 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant for the Town of Boonsboro to upgrade a critical sewer line, which currently lacks the capacity needed to adequately serve the community and is prone to backups. The federal funding will be matched by $120,000 in local funds for a project total of $240,000. "Our infrastructure is in desperate need of repair, and this grant will help Boonsboro make sewer improvements that … Continue Reading
April 07, 2017
Van Hollen Statement on U.S. Military Strike in Syria
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement on the U.S. Military Strike in Syria: "I believe a limited, proportional response to Assad's abhorrent use of chemical weapons was the right thing to do, and any future use should be met with a similar response. But it would be a mistake to get dragged into a full scale military conflict in Syria. President Trump must consult with Congress about a comprehensive strategy that includes a political settlement to the … Continue Reading
April 07, 2017
Van Hollen Introduces Legislation to Close Environmental Loophole for Natural Gas Drillers
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and nine Democratic Senators to introduce the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals (FRAC) Act, which would increase environmental protections for communities where natural gas drilling takes place. Specifically, the bill would require drillers to disclose the chemicals that go into the ground during the hydraulic fracturing process and close a 2005 loophole that prevents the Environmental Protection Agency … Continue Reading
April 06, 2017
Van Hollen: Today is a Sad Day in the United States Senate
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement on the change in Senate precedent to end the 60-vote threshold on Supreme Court nominees: "Today is a sad day in the United States Senate. I regret that my Republican colleagues did not have the courage of their convictions and failed to stand up to President Trump's demand to undermine the Senate in order to confirm a Supreme Court nominee who is outside the mainstream. Instead of rising to the challenge and upholding the … Continue Reading
April 06, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin Call for Continued Funding of Essential Air Service to Support Hagerstown Regional Airport
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) are urging the Appropriations Committee to ignore President Trump's budget and provide robust funding for the Essential Air Service Program (EAS). The EAS Program, funded through the U.S Department of Transportation (USDOT), provides critical air service that connects rural and remote areas to major hubs, helping to grow area businesses and support economic growth. In 2016, it provided $1.7 million to Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR). … Continue Reading
April 05, 2017
Van Hollen, National Capital Region Delegration Calls for Federal Investment in WMATA Safety Improvements
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Mark Warner (D-MD), along with Representatives Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), John P. Sarbanes (D-MD), John Delaney (D-MD), Don Beyer (D-VA), Barbara Comstock (R-VA), Anthony Brown (D-MD), and Jamie Raskin (D-MD) have sent a letter to Congressional appropriators calling for continued federal investment in the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) for safety … Continue Reading
April 05, 2017
Van Hollen, Markey Introduce Legislation During National Public Health Week to Reduce Gun Violence
As community advocates, doctors, elected officials, and public health professionals gather for National Public Health Week, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) introduced legislation today to address the issue of gun violence across the United States. The bill would set aside $10 million in funding each year for FY2018-2023 at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct or support research on firearms safety or gun violence prevention. Last year, … Continue Reading
April 05, 2017
Van Hollen Questions Major Broadband Providers About Privacy Rules
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass) and six other Senate Democrats in sending a letter questioning the nation's largest broadband internet providers on their rules to protect the privacy and security of their subscribers. This week, President Donald Trump signed a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution formally rescinding the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) broadband privacy rules, which required broadband providers to get consent … Continue Reading
April 05, 2017
Van Hollen Applauds Court Decision Denying DOJ Effort to Delay Baltimore Consent Decree
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement applauding today's court decision to deny the Department of Justice's (DOJ) request to delay the Baltimore consent decree: "I applaud Judge Bredar for stepping in at this critical moment for Baltimore. The Department of Justice's effort to delay the consent decree with the Baltimore City Police Department was deeply misguided and was met with immediate opposition from the Congressional Delegation, Mayor Pugh, the Police … Continue Reading
April 04, 2017
Van Hollen Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Expand ABLE Accounts
Today U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Richard Burr (R-NC), and Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced a package of bills aimed at enhancing the ABLE Act. The ABLE to Work Act builds on the success of the ABLE Act by making it possible for disabled people who work to save a portion of their income in an ABLE account without risking loss of benefits. These bills will also allow rollovers from 529 college savings plans as well as raise the age for eligibility from 26 to 46. Representatives Cathy … Continue Reading
