Press Releases
Van Hollen, Beyer Introduce New Millionaires Surtax to Invest in Working Families
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Congressman Don Beyer (D-Va.) introduced a new tax proposal to help close the gap between the wealthy and everyone else, and raise significant revenue to make new investments that will grow the economy and protect working families. Their "Millionaires Surtax" would apply an additional 10-percentage point tax to incomes above $2 million for married couples or above $1 million for individuals. It would apply equally to wages and salaries as well … Continue Reading
November 07, 2019
Van Hollen Amendment to Reinstate Congressional ‘Power of the Purse’ Passes Budget Committee in Bipartisan Vote
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has announced that yesterday the Senate Budget Committee passed his amendment to ensure that no president can refuse to carry out programs funded by the Congress. The amendment, applied to the Impoundment Control Act (ICA), would prevent any administration from permanently withholding funds for Congressionally-mandated programs, such as foreign aid to Ukraine. "The Constitution makes clear - the Congress holds the power of the purse. However, this … Continue Reading
November 06, 2019
Van Hollen, Graham Lead Bipartisan Letter on Turkey’s Violations of Ceasefire Agreement
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) wrote to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about reports of ongoing attacks against the Syrian Kurds by Turkey and its proxies outside of the designated safe zone. These attacks, if true, would violate the ceasefire agreements and should prompt immediate action from the Administration. The Senators write, "Given the stakes, time is of the … Continue Reading
November 05, 2019
Resolution Congratulating Nationals on World Series Unanimously Passes Senate
Md. & Va. Senators celebrate the Nationals' first-ever World Series championship Today the U.S. Senate unanimously approved a resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-MD) and Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) officially congratulating the Washington Nationals on winning the World Series for the first time in franchise history. "The Washington Nationals worked hard, played with heart and had fun while they were at it. What a great … Continue Reading
November 05, 2019
Van Hollen Joins Senate Colleagues in New Push to Renew Funding for Minority-Serving Institutions of Higher Education
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), joined a group of his Senate colleagues in a new push to pass funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions (MSIs). In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), the Senators called for the immediate passage of Senator Jones' bipartisan FUTURE Act legislation, which would reauthorize $255 million per year in mandatory federal funding - … Continue Reading
November 01, 2019
Van Hollen, Senate Colleagues Urge the Administration to Reverse Decision to Restrict U.S. Commercial Air Travel to Cuba
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined a group of Senators in urging U.S. Department of State Secretary Mike Pompeo and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to reverse the Administration's decision to prohibit U.S. commercial air travel from the United States to Cuban cities other than Havana. Van Hollen was joined on the letter by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Patrick Leahy (I-VT), Tom Udall (D-NM), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Sheldon Whitehouse … Continue Reading
October 31, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin Advance Maryland Priorities in Senate-Passed Spending Bill
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin lauded Senate passage Thursday of the Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriations for Agriculture & the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); Commerce, Justice & Science; Interior and Environment; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. The package, which provides funding for the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program and safe drinking water, funding for Mallows Bay, the first designated National Marine Sanctuary in 20 years, WMATA/Metro and the Purple … Continue Reading
October 31, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin Secure Senate Passage of Increased Funds for Chesapeake Bay Program
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) announced that they have secured an additional 3 percent increase in the Environment Protection Agency's Chesapeake Bay Program. This will provide $2.28 million more to the Bay Program, in addition to the $3 million increase that the Senators worked to secure within the Senate Appropriations Committee process. The Bay will receive a total of $78.28 million in funding, an increase of $5.28 million from Fiscal Year 2019. This … Continue Reading
October 31, 2019
Van Hollen, Murphy, Hyde-smith, Scott Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Designating October as Health Literacy Month
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) along with Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.), on Thursday introduced a bipartisan resolution designating October as "Health Literacy Month." "Ensuring Americans have the ability to access and understand basic health information will help patients and caretakers better understand their options and make more informed decisions. What's more, increasing health literacy can lower healthcare costs for … Continue Reading
October 31, 2019
Van Hollen and Cardin Announce $125,000 for Prevention of Youth Substance Misuse in Cecil County
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced $125,000 for Cecil County, Md. to establish and strengthen community collaboration in support of local efforts to prevent youth substance misuse. The funding was awarded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Drug Free Communities Program (DFC). This funding will support the Cecil County Drug-Free Communities Coalition's work to increase youth engagement, implement social … Continue Reading
October 31, 2019
Van Hollen, Senate Democrats Demand CFPB Investigate Mismanagement of Student Loan Forgiveness Program
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) along with a group of Democratic Senators are demanding Consumer Financial Protect Bureau (CFPB) Director Kathy Kraninger investigate student loan servicer Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) for mismanagement of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. "We write to request that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) immediately open an enforcement investigation into the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency's … Continue Reading
October 31, 2019
Van Hollen, Warner, Cardin, Kaine, Norton Celebrate Washington Nationals, Will Introduce Resolution Honoring World Series Win
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced they will introduce a resolution honoring the Washington Nationals' first World Series title in franchise history. Beating the Houston Astros in Game 7 last night, the Nationals won all four away games to clinch the series. "A huge congratulations to the Nationals, our 2019 World Champs! The Nats beat all the odds for this hard-fought win," … Continue Reading
October 30, 2019
Van Hollen, Senators Seek Information about State Department Policies to Protect Journalists
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined a group of Senators in writing the State Department to seek additional information about what practices and policies are in place to assist journalists who face threats to their personal safety while reporting overseas and "to encourage the Department of State to actively protect reporters from retaliation they may experience in the countries where they work." In the letter, the Senators share their concern for the growing danger to journalists … Continue Reading
October 30, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, Raskin, and Trone Announce over $484,000 for Construction and Repair of Low-Income Housing
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Representatives Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $484,541 in federal funding for the Interfaith Housing Alliance in Frederick, Md. The funding, awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grant program, will be used to assist low-income individuals build and repair their own homes in Carroll, Frederick, and Washington Counties. "These federal funds will help … Continue Reading
October 28, 2019
Van Hollen Statement on House Turkish Sanctions Bill
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement on the U.S. House of Representatives’ Turkish sanctions bill, which they plan to vote on this week: “I applaud the House of Representatives for its plan to take decisive action this week to address the crisis in Syria. Their bipartisan sanctions bill sends a strong signal that Congress will not stand by while Turkey and its proxies slaughter our Syrian Kurdish allies and fuel the revival of ISIS. It is urgently needed, … Continue Reading
October 28, 2019
Van Hollen, Senate Democrats Slam Carson for Undercutting Transgender Rights
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) along with thirty two Senators are demanding Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson retract his statements about the rights of transgender individuals, following dismissive remarks he made during a staff meeting according to the Washington Post.“We are deeply concerned that your comments undercut protections provided to transgender people under HUD’s rules, undermine basic respect for transgender individuals seeking housing … Continue Reading
October 28, 2019
Van Hollen, Democratic Senators Urge CMS to Increase Childhood Lead Screenings
Following National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week last week, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and a group of Democrats in urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to do more to address prevention, screening, and treatment of children affected by lead exposure. In a letter to CMS Administrator Seema Verma, Van Hollen and his colleagues demanded an update on the steps CMS will take to address demonstrated gaps in data pertaining … Continue Reading
October 28, 2019
Van Hollen, Alexander Introduce Legislation to Reauthorize ARPA-E, Increase Funding for Advanced Energy Research and Development
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) have announced the introduction of their bipartisan legislation to reauthorize funding for the Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). ARPA-E works to advance high-potential, high-impact energy technologies in the early stages of development. The bill would increase funding levels from $428 million in Fiscal Year 2020 to $750 million in Fiscal Year 2024 to fund more ARPA-E projects. To date, … Continue Reading
October 25, 2019
Van Hollen, Leahy, Blackburn, and Blumenthal Press Administration for Answers on the Use of Chemical Weapons, U.S. Munitions in Syria
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pressing for information on reports of the use of chemical weapons against civilians in Syria. In addition, the Members are seeking information regarding the use of U.S.-origin arms and equipment by Turkey in their fight against our allies, the Syrian Kurds. The Senators request that Secretary Pompeo provide … Continue Reading
October 25, 2019
Van Hollen Remarks at Morgan State University Tribute to Elijah Cummings
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) delivered the following remarks Wednesday at Morgan State University in remembrance of U.S. Representative Elijah E. Cummings. Video of the Senator's remarks is available here. Senator Van Hollen will also be attending the memorial service today in Baltimore to pay his respects. "Like so many of you gathered here, like I trust all of you gathered here, I loved Elijah Cummings, who I knew for almost 30 years. He was a mentor. He's an American hero of our … Continue Reading
