Press Releases
Van Hollen Announces Public Service Awardees for Anne Arundel County
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen announced the Anne Arundel County recipients of his 2019 Public Service Award. The Van Hollen Public Service Award is designed to commend a high school senior who has demonstrated a high level of commitment to community or public service. Students who embody this commitment are dedicated to making a positive change that will benefit their community, state, or nation. Senator Van Hollen is announcing over 125 recipients throughout Maryland. "It's important … Continue Reading
June 21, 2019
Ten Years After Landmark Legislation to Fight Tobacco Addiction, Van Hollen joins Democrats in Pressing FDA for Stronger Response to Threats
Van Hollen and 16 Democrats wrote to the Food and Drug Administration urging "proactive and expedient action" to protect kids from tobacco products Letter comes ahead of ten-year anniversary of the landmark Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act A recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found one in four high school students using e-cigarettes as of 2018 Senators: "This anniversary offers an important reminder of the serious threat posed to public health … Continue Reading
June 20, 2019
Van Hollen, Udall Reintroduce EMPOWER Act to Modernize Presidential Campaign Public Financing System
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Tom Udall (D-N.M.) reintroduced legislation to reduce the influence of money in presidential elections by empowering candidates who decline support from wealthy special interests. With mega-donors exerting increasing influence on elections and increasing public disgust for out-of-control special interest electioneering, S.1917, the Empowering Mass Participation to Offset the Wealthy's Electoral Role (EMPOWER) Act would modernize the … Continue Reading
June 20, 2019
Van Hollen, Wyden Introduce the Long-Term Unemployment Elimination Act
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Ron Wyden (R-Ore.) introduced the Long-Term Unemployment Elimination Act, which would create an innovative federal program that would generate real job opportunities for people who have been unemployed for six months or more. It is supported by a wide range of groups, including SEIU, National Skills Coalition, Heartland Alliance, Democracy Collaborative, CLASP, National Association of Workforce Boards, and Service Year Alliance. As of last … Continue Reading
June 19, 2019
Van Hollen and Colleagues to Congressional Budget Negotiators: Make Child Care, Affordable Housing, and Addressing the Climate Crisis Top Priorities
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) along with Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer … Continue Reading
June 18, 2019
Van Hollen, Democratic Senators Seek Status of Group Discharge Applications Submitted by State AG’s
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) along with several of his Democratic colleagues requested the U.S. Department of Education provide an update on group discharge applications filed by 21 State attorneys general on behalf of thousands of defrauded students who are eligible for federal loan discharge under the borrower defense provision of the Higher Education Act. The applications cover students who attended American Career Institute, Anthem University, Corinthian Colleges, Inc., … Continue Reading
June 18, 2019
Van Hollen, Norton Urge Appropriations Committees to Provide Supplemental Funding for D.C’s Emergency Planning and Security Fund
Today, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released a joint letter urging supplemental FY 2019 appropriations to the District of Columbia's Emergency Planning and Security Fund (ESPF), warning that if the District "does not receive supplemental appropriations for the EPSF, it would be put in the untenable position of not providing support for certain federal events or having to divert its local funds from local public safety activities to support … Continue Reading
June 18, 2019
Van Hollen, Udall, Leahy Demand Answers about President’s Fourth of July Event
Appropriations committee members fear longstanding non-partisan event will become a de facto campaign rally, seek information about plans and funding Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), along with Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) called on Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary David Bernhardt to inform the Interior Appropriations subcommittee of the president's reported Fourth of July plans and how the additional costs will be funded. "We are deeply … Continue Reading
June 17, 2019
Van Hollen, Baltimore Congressional Delegation Asks USDA to Investigate Withdrawal of SNAP Eligibility for Lexington Market Vendors
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, along with Congressmen Elijah E. Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger and John Sarbanes (all D-MD) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service Administrator Brandon Lipps asking USDA to investigate the withdrawal of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility for vendors in Baltimore's historic Lexington Market. Lexington Market has served as a public market since 1782 and is the oldest of … Continue Reading
June 15, 2019
Van Hollen Pushes to Honor Maryland Veterans in NDAA
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) announced that he has filed two amendments to the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to support Maryland's veterans and ensure their service is appropriately honored. "For far too long, many of our veterans that served in WWI and WWII have not received proper recognition - despite their heroic actions - because of the color of their skin. I'm proud to work on addressing this injustice, and I urge my colleagues to support these … Continue Reading
June 14, 2019
Van Hollen Cosponsors Reparations Bill
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), cosponsored a reparations bill (S.1083) introduced by U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ). The landmark bill, is the only reparations bill ever to be introduced in the post-Reconstruction U.S. Senate. This bill would establish a commission to study the impact of slavery and continuing discrimination against African-Americans and make recommendations on reparation proposals for the descendants of slaves. The other cosponsors in the Senate are as … Continue Reading
June 13, 2019
Van Hollen Blasts Effort to Move USDA Research Agencies
Will Offer Legislation to Block Relocation as an Amendment to NDAA Bill This Week Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) announcement that they plan to move their research agencies to the Kansas City region. Senator Van Hollen has introduced legislation to block the move of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Economic Research Service (ERS) out of the National Capital Region, and he has put a … Continue Reading
June 13, 2019
Van Hollen, Duckworth, Introduce Legislation to Protect Infants from Deadly “Crib Bumpers”
23 infants died between 2006 and 2012 from suffocation because of these products Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Ben Cardin (D-MD), introduced legislation to protect infant lives by banning the sale of crib bumpers in the United States. The Safe Cribs Act (S. 1816) would also make it unlawful to manufacture and import crib bumpers, which are marketed as … Continue Reading
June 13, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin Introduce Resolution Honoring the University of Maryland Women’s Lacrosse Team’s Unprecedented 14th National Championship
Senators spotlight Tewaaraton Award recipient Megan Taylor, first goalie ever to be named country's top collegiate player U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) today announced the passage of a Senate Resolution they authored to celebrate the unprecedented accomplishments of the University of Maryland Women's Lacrosse Team, which recently secured its 14th NCAA national championship. Behind Coach Cathy Reese, the UMD Women's Lacrosse team compiled a record of 22-1 in … Continue Reading
June 13, 2019
Van Hollen, Senators to CFPB: Data Critical to Ensuring Housing Access for All Americans
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) along with several of his Senate colleagues are demanding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) rescind its proposal to further reduce reporting under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). In opposition to the proposal, the Senators wrote, "We are extremely concerned that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has once again put the interests the financial industry above those of the consumers it is charged to protect. We urge you to … Continue Reading
June 13, 2019
Van Hollen, Raskin Lead Introduction of Handgun Purchaser Licensing Act
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressman Jamie Raskin (both D-Md.) announced the introduction of the Handgun Purchaser Licensing Act, along with Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy and Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (all D-Conn.). The bill creates a federal grant program to incentivize state and local governments to enact laws requiring individuals to obtain a license before purchasing a handgun - which have been statistically proven to be effective in reducing firearm … Continue Reading
June 12, 2019
Van Hollen Urges FCC Not to Harm Local TV
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) wrote a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai, urging the FCC not to implement regulations that could hurt local public channels. Public, Educational, and Government (PEG) channels support transparency by airing community meetings and local shows. As media becomes more consolidated on a national and global scale, the estimated 3,000 PEG channels in America offer a unique perspective to their local communities. In … Continue Reading
June 12, 2019
Van Hollen, Bipartisan Group of Senators Support Hong Kong Protestors
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland) along with Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia), Ben Sasse (R-Nebraska), Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Angus King (I-Maine), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), and Jim Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) released the following statement of support for the millions of citizens protesting the Chinese Communist Party in Hong Kong: … Continue Reading
June 12, 2019
Van Hollen, Senate Democrats Introduce Resolution Recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), joined 46 Senate Democrats in introducing 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 was co-sponsored by 46 Senate Democrats, including Sens. Sherrod Brown … Continue Reading
June 12, 2019
Van Hollen, Kennedy Urge USTR to Include Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act in China Trade Negotiations
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and John Kennedy (R-La.) wrote to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer asking him to include the substance of their legislation, the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, in the ongoing trade negotiations with China. The bill would address a long-standing issue with regard to China's non-compliance with U.S. financial regulators by requiring foreign companies registered in the United States to meet Public Accounting Oversight … Continue Reading
