Press Releases
Van Hollen, Bay Senators Urge Farm Bill Support for Chesapeake Bay Farmers
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen has led a bipartisan letter with his colleagues to the Senate Agriculture Committee urging the inclusion of his legislation, the Chesapeake Bay Farm Bill Enhancements Act, in this year’s Farm Bill. This bill would dramatically increase the amount of funds available to Bay-area farmers to aid in conservation and anti-pollution efforts. The Senators write, “As the Senate Agriculture Committee considers the upcoming Farm Bill, we urge you to consider inclusion … Continue Reading
April 24, 2018
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $3.6 Million in Funding for WMATA Bus Facilities
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) today announced $3.6 million in federal funding through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). This funding will go towards improving bus facilities, including replacing old bus shelters that are damaged.“WMATA serves thousands of Marylanders annually as they commute to and from work. It’s crucial that we ensure a safe and reliable trip for all riders, and these … Continue Reading
April 20, 2018
Van Hollen Joins Bipartisan Group Of Senators In Requesting Funds To Fully Implement Their Mental Health Reform Act
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined a bipartisan group of senators in calling for robust funding to fully implement the law and help make America's mental health system more responsive to the needs of those with mental illness. In a letter to Chairman Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee, the group of senators highlighted that while many Americans live with … Continue Reading
April 20, 2018
Van Hollen, Murphy, Blumenthal Press State, DHS for More Information on Trump Travel Ban
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Christopher Murphy (D-Conn.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) wrote to Acting Secretary of State John Sullivan and Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen requesting more information on the implementation of the Trump Administration's travel ban. Next week, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments concerning the legality of the current version of the ban. Appellate courts have found that it is a de facto Muslim ban in violation of our … Continue Reading
April 19, 2018
Van Hollen Joins Bipartisan Group Of 26 Senators In Demanding Full Funding For National Sea Grant College Program
After the Trump administration proposed to eliminate the National Sea Grant College Program from his FY 2019 budget, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, joined a bipartisan group of senators in calling for the program to be funded - at a minimum - at its current funding level of $65 million. In a letter to Chairman Jerry Moran (R-Kas.) and Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, … Continue Reading
April 18, 2018
Van Hollen Calls on Pruitt to Resign
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen called on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt to resign and joined U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.) in introducing a resolution calling for his immediate resignation: "EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt's conduct in office is a disgrace. He no longer holds the confidence of the American people, and his actions are examples of why many distrust the federal government. The EPA's mission is to protect human … Continue Reading
April 17, 2018
Van Hollen, Blumenthal Introduce Legislation To Strengthen Social Security
Following National Retirement Planning Week, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) have introduced legislation in the Senate to strengthen and expand Social Security. The bill has been championed in the House of Representatives by U.S. Representative John Larson (D-Conn.). "For generations, Americans have depended on the Social Security benefits they've earned. Yet this vital program has been under attack in recent years, threatening working families' … Continue Reading
April 17, 2018
Van Hollen Statement on Military Action in Syria
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen released the following statement in response to the U.S. military action in Syria: "While I've consistently supported limited, proportionate strikes to enforce the international ban on the use of chemical weapons, any broader U.S. military actions in Syria - or in any other region - would require Congressional … Continue Reading
April 16, 2018
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $490,300 for University of Maryland Sea Grant Program
U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) today announced $490,300 in federal funding through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science's Sea Grant Program. Maryland Sea Grant (MDSG) projects have produced significant results that aided fishers, businesses, policy makers, and conservation volunteers in Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay region. Senators Cardin and Van Hollen fought for and secured … Continue Reading
April 12, 2018
Van Hollen Announces Opposition to Pompeo
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen released the following statement in opposition to the nomination of Mike Pompeo to serve as the Secretary of State: "Mike Pompeo's positions on countless issues stand in direct contrast to the very mission of the State Department. Instead of embracing diplomacy, he has a shoot first, ask questions later attitude on the use of force, and I'm concerned he will reinforce, not check, President Trump's worst instincts. At a time when our nation … Continue Reading
April 12, 2018
Van Hollen, Esty, Murphy, Blumenthal, Kelly, Adams to Introduce Handgun Purchaser Licensing Act
Today, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) along with Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-05), along with Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-2), and Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) introduced the Handgun Purchaser Licensing Act. The bill would incentivize states and local governments through federal grants to enact laws requiring individuals to obtain a license before purchasing a handgun. To qualify, a state’s permit to purchase law must … Continue Reading
April 11, 2018
Van Hollen, Cardin Commend Alex Villamayor Verdict
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin released the following statement in response to the guilty verdicts handed down against Rene Hofstetter and Mathias Wilbs in the case of Alex Villamayor, a 16-year old U.S. citizen and Marylander who was brutally murdered in Encarnación, Obligado, Paraguay in 2015: "Alex Villamayor's murderers have finally been brought to justice thanks to the tireless work of his family, the efforts of Paraguayan judicial officials, and vigilance … Continue Reading
April 10, 2018
Van Hollen, Democratic Senators Introduce Legislation to Put the Brakes on Trump Admin. Efforts to Roll Back Fuel Economy Emissions Standards
Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) today introduced the Greener Air Standards Mean Our National Security, Environment, and Youth (GAS MONEY) Saved Act, legislation that would block Trump administration efforts to roll back the historic 54.5 fuel economy emissions standards. The legislation reaffirms the Final Determination made by the Environmental … Continue Reading
April 09, 2018
Van Hollen Statement on New CBO Budget and Economic Outlook
Today Senator Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement on the Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) Budget and Economic Outlook and the upcoming vote in the House of Representatives on a Balanced Budget Amendment: "Today's CBO report underscores the reality that the Republicans' $1.5 trillion tax plan will increase our already large national debt. President Trump has given a huge windfall to the very rich and special interests - and put it on the nation's credit card, asking working … Continue Reading
April 09, 2018
Van Hollen, Maryland Congressional Delegation Urge Gov. Hogan to Take Necessary Steps to Secure State Election Security
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined Senator Ben Cardin along with Congressmen John Sarbanes, Steny Hoyer, Elijah E. Cummings, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, John Delaney, Anthony Brown and Jamie Raskin (all D-Md.), in sending a letter to Governor Larry Hogan, pressing him to allocate the required state matching funds to improve Maryland's election infrastructure ahead of the 2018 midterms. "As you know, the Maryland State election system was the target of an attempted intrusion by hostile … Continue Reading
April 05, 2018
Cardin, Van Hollen Announce $50,000 Grant for Hagerstown Community College
Today, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) announced $50,000 in federal funding through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for Hagerstown Community College's Electronic Health Records Technician certificate program and its Health Information Management degree program. "Our economy runs on our commitment to educating and training our workforce," said Senator Cardin, a member of the Senate Finance Health Care Subcommittee. "This federal investment will help … Continue Reading
March 30, 2018
Van Hollen Discusses DETER Act, Russian Move to Oust Diplomats
Yesterday U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined CNN's Wolf Blitzer to discuss the DETER Act, bipartisan legislation that he and Senator Rubio introduced aimed at preventing future foreign interference in U.S. elections. Highlights of his interview are below and video of the full interview is available here: WOLF BLITZER, CNN: Let me bring in Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, who's on top of all of this. Not a huge surprise. We always anticipated the Russians would … Continue Reading
March 23, 2018
Van Hollen, Cardin, Cummings Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Improve Student Access to Federal Financial Aid
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) along with Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, introduced the FAFSA Fairness Act of 2018 to simplify the process for students to apply for and receive federal student financial aid when they do not have contact with their parents. "Financial difficulties should never prevent a student from getting a good education. Yet for many young people, the financial aid … Continue Reading
March 22, 2018
Van Hollen Fights for Maryland Priorities in Spending Bill
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen announced funding for several key Maryland projects as part of the Fiscal Year 2018 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Van Hollen advocated for increased investments for critical programs across our state. "There is no question that this legislation represents compromise - but it includes many hard-fought Maryland priorities that boost jobs, infrastructure, research, and education in our state," said … Continue Reading
March 21, 2018
Statement for the Record on S.J.Res. 54
Mr. President, the brutal war in Yemen has raged for three years. At least ten thousand civilians have lost their lives in this conflict. More than eight million Yemenis are on the brink of starvation. The worst cholera outbreak in modern history has afflicted over one million people, including over 600,000 children. Millions more are displaced from their homes. As the years wear on - the cycle of desperation, destruction, and death continues unabated.Make no mistake: the Houthis and their … Continue Reading
