Press Releases
Van Hollen, Smith, Brown, Kaine, Cardin & Warner Continue Fight to Secure Back Pay From Last Government Shutdown for Federal Contractor Employees
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) along with Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) are making good on a promise to keep fighting to secure back pay for federal contractor employees who went without pay during the last government shutdown. The Senators filed an amendment to Senate appropriations measures that would provide those low-wage workers with back pay. Sen. Van Hollen and his colleagues say it is … Continue Reading
October 24, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce Nearly $250,000 to Increase Chesapeake Bay Coastal Resiliency Science Products and Tools
Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced the recent award of nearly $250,000 for new research focused on the resiliency of the Chesapeake Bay through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ecological Effects of Sea Level Rise (EESLR) research program. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, George Mason University (GMU), and The Nature Conservancy will collaborate to increase our understanding of the benefits of natural features, like marshes … Continue Reading
October 24, 2019
Van Hollen Statement on Senator Mike Miller's Decision to Step Down as Maryland Senate President
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding Senator Mike Miller's announcement that he will step down as the President of the Maryland Senate: "I saw my dear friend Mike Miller last night at the Morgan State tribute to Elijah Cummings. Mike insisted that the doctors let him out of the hospital to eulogize Elijah. That's Mike. Always there for friends; always there for Maryland. "Mike Miller has dedicated his life to serving Marylanders and set … Continue Reading
October 24, 2019
Van Hollen, Merkley Introduce Resolution Emphasizing Need for Nonpartisan Foreign Service
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) along with Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) announced a new resolution to reaffirm the importance of nonpartisanship in the Foreign Service of the United States. The Senators' resolution stresses that members of the Foreign Service deserve the strong support of the American public, and condemns political retaliation against them. "Every day our foreign service officers protect and advance America's interests around the world," said Van Hollen. "The … Continue Reading
October 23, 2019
Van Hollen, Senators Request Expedited Visa for General Mazloum
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland), Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) today sent the following letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo requesting that he assist with the issuance of a U.S. visa for General Mazloum, leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces, to visit the United States to discuss the path forward in deescalating conflict in Syria and the path forward in the fight … Continue Reading
October 23, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $1.84 Million for the Maryland Port Authority Environmental Improvements
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) today announced the award of more than $1.84 million in federal Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) funding for the Maryland Port Authority through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This grant, which will come through the Maryland Environmental Services, will help to replace up to four pieces of cargo handling equipment with up-to-date engines and at least 44 drayage trucks with new engines. These changes will improve … Continue Reading
October 23, 2019
Maryland Congressional Delegation Urges State Environmental Officials, EPA to Hold All Partners Accountable for Controlling Chesapeake Bay Pollution
Members of Maryland's congressional delegation hosted senior officials from the EPA and the State of Maryland on Tuesday for a wide-ranging conversation about the Chesapeake Bay. Attendees included Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, and Jamie Raskin. Speakers at the meeting included U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Mid-Atlantic (Region III) Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio, EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Director … Continue Reading
October 22, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, Hoyer Announce Continued Federal Funding in Response to Great Mills High School Shooting
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Representative Steny Hoyer (all D-Md.) applaud the recent award of more than $60,000 for the St. Mary's County Board of Education through the U.S. Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP). These funds are the latest federal commitment to supporting the community's response to the March of 2018 shooting at Great Mills High School (GMHS). Just after the incident, the federal … Continue Reading
October 22, 2019
Van Hollen, Senate Colleagues Press EPA on Abrupt End to Contract Negotiations with Employee Union
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined a group of his Senate colleagues in pressing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on their decision to end negotiations with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and impose a seven-year contract over union objections. This forced contract undermines the collective bargaining process, and contains a number of concerning provisions including changes to the administrative grievance process, reductions in official time and … Continue Reading
October 22, 2019
Van Hollen, Cortez Masto, Merkley Introduce Legislation to Protect Victims of Corporate Fraud and Abuse
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) introduced the End Double Taxation of Successful Civil Claims Act. This legislation will protect American consumers' right to sue fraudulent or abusive corporations by eliminating a glitch in the tax code that requires plaintiffs who win these type of cases to pay income tax on money awarded to pay attorneys' fees. "Consumers who have been defrauded by large corporations shouldn't be further … Continue Reading
October 18, 2019
Van Hollen Joins CNN to Discuss Situation in Syria, Future of Turkey Sanctions Bill
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined CNN's Kate Bolduan to discuss the situation unfolding in Syria and the future of his bipartisan legislation with Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) to sanction Turkey if it does not fully withdraw from the areas it has occupied in Syria since October 9, 2019. Senators Van Hollen and Graham introduced their legislation in response to Turkey's actions against our allies, the Syrian Kurds, which stemmed from President Trump's decision to withdraw … Continue Reading
October 18, 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
October 17, 2019
Van Hollen, Norton Resolution Congratulating Washington Mystics on Historic WNBA Title Passes the Senate
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that their joint resolution congratulating the Washington Mystics for winning the 2019 WNBA Finals passed the U.S. Senate today. The Mystics’ championship marks their first title after competing deep into the playoffs in 2017 and 2018. Van Hollen and Norton released the following statement.“The Washington Mystics’ historic WNBA championship deserves the full congratulations of the U.S. House and … Continue Reading
October 17, 2019
Van Hollen, Udall Introduce Legislation to End FEC Deadlock and Strengthen Campaign Finance Violations Enforcement
Legislation follows the arrest of individuals with foreign ties charged with making illegal political donations for the benefit of foreign interests FEC Chair continues to raise concerns that with only three out of six commissioners, the agency will not be able to investigate campaign finance violations, including foreign interference in the 2020 electionToday, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Tom Udall (D-N.M.) introduced legislation that will revitalize the Federal … Continue Reading
October 17, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone, Blumenthal Call Out Trump Administration’s Termination of Essential Air Service at Hagerstown Regional Airport
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Representative David Trone (all D-Md.) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), a member of the Senate Commerce Transportation and Safety Subcommitttee, today expressed their concerns to the Acting Under Secretary for Transportation Policy, the Honorable Joel Szabat, regarding the expected termination of the Essential Air Service (EAS) program at Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR).On October 11, the Department of Transportation issued an … Continue Reading
October 17, 2019
Van Hollen, Graham Introduce Turkish Sanctions Legislation
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) introduced the Countering Turkish Aggression Act of 2019, which would levy immediate, serious sanctions against Turkey following their invasion of northeastern Syria and their slaughter of the Kurdish people.The legislation would apply new sanctions to senior Turkish officials, including President Erdogan, key Turkish banks, military transactions, and their energy sector activities in support of the Turkish Armed … Continue Reading
October 17, 2019
Van Hollen Statement on the Passing of Congressman Elijah Cummings
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the passing of Maryland Congressman Elijah E. Cummings: "At a time of chaos and division, our friend Elijah Cummings stood strong as a man of principle, unity, dignity, and compassion. His insatiable thirst for justice was rooted in his core. Maryland has lost a beloved son and our nation a hero of our times." … Continue Reading
October 16, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, Hoyer, Brown Announce New Partnership to Recruit Mental Health Professionals for Prince George’s County Schools
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny Hoyer and Anthony G. Brown (all D-Md.) announced the recent award of more than $280,000 in federal funding to support a new partnership between Prince George's County, the University of Maryland College Park, and Bowie State University. Allocated through the U.S. Department of Education's Mental Health Service Professionals Demonstration Program, the award supports the first of an expected five years of funding for the Build, … Continue Reading
October 14, 2019
Van Hollen Statement on Death of Officer Bomba
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the death of Montgomery County Police Officer TJ Bomba: "I send my deepest condolences to the friends and family of Officer TJ Bomba. We all owe a debt to him and the Maryland police officers who put their lives at risk every day to keep our communities safe. I am closely monitoring the situation in Silver Spring." … Continue Reading
October 12, 2019
Van Hollen Statement on Administration’s Turkish Sanctions Executive Order
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement on the Trump Administration's Executive Order announcement on sanctions on Turkey: "President Trump gave Turkey the green light to attack the Syrian Kurds the moment he agreed to Erdogan's request to move American Special Forces away from key Kurdish-controlled areas. The idea that the Administration is now going to sanction Turkey to protect the Kurdish people rings totally hollow. This is nothing but an effort to stop the … Continue Reading
