Press Releases
Van Hollen, Democrats Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Rights of Public Sector Workers to Join Unions, Bargain Collectively
Today, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), along with several of his Senate colleagues joined Representatives Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.), Bobby Scott (D-Va.), and Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) in introducing bicameral legislation, the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2019, that will guarantee the right of public employees to organize, act concertedly, and bargain collectively in states that currently do not afford these basic protections. There are nearly 17.3 million public workers across … Continue Reading
June 26, 2019
Van Hollen, Senate Colleagues Criticize DOL Proposal to Narrow Definition of "Joint-Employer" Under Fair Labor Standards Act
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), along with Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), today submitted a comment to the Department of … Continue Reading
June 25, 2019
Van Hollen, Senate Colleagues Call on Trump Administration to Release Climate-Related Studies Conducted by USDA
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), along with Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tom Udall (D-NM), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) called on the Trump Administration to provide more information after a recent report revealed the administration has only publicized two of at least 45 climate-related studies reviewed by the non-partisan Agricultural Research Service (ARS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) since President Trump took office. In a … Continue Reading
June 25, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, Durbin, Kaine Introduce NDAA Amendment to Halt Security Assistance to Cameroon
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), along with Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced an amendment to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to halt all further U.S. security assistance to Cameroon, except for dealing with Boko Haram, until the U.S. Secretaries of Defense and State certify military and security forces of Cameroon have demonstrated progress in abiding by international human rights … Continue Reading
June 25, 2019
Van Hollen Introduces the Strengthen Social Security by Taxing Dynastic Wealth Act
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen introduced the Strengthen Social Security by Taxing Dynastic Wealth Act, which would provide an immediate investment into Americans' retirement security. The bill would return the estate tax to 2009 levels - rolling back the most recent boon for wealthy estates in the 2017 Republican tax law - and depositing all of the revenues from this tax into the Social Security Trust Fund. Senator Van Hollen has also introduced the Social Security 2100 Act, which would … Continue Reading
June 24, 2019
Van Hollen Announces Public Service Awardees for Howard County
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen announced the Howard 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 that … Continue Reading
June 24, 2019
Van Hollen Announces Public Service Awardees for Western Maryland
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen announced the Western Maryland 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 24, 2019
Van Hollen Announces Public Service Awardees for Southern Maryland
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen announced the Southern Maryland 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 24, 2019
Van Hollen Announces Public Service Awardees for Prince George’s County
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen announced the Prince George's 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 … Continue Reading
June 24, 2019
Van Hollen Announces Public Service Awardees for Montgomery County
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen announced the Montgomery 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 24, 2019
Van Hollen Announces Public Service Awardees for Harford County
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen announced the Harford 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 that … Continue Reading
June 24, 2019
Van Hollen Announces Public Service Awardees for Baltimore Region
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen announced the Baltimore County and Baltimore City 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 … Continue Reading
June 24, 2019
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