Press Releases
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
October 24, 2019
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
