Press Releases
Van Hollen Urges FCC Not to Harm Local TV
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) wrote a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai, urging the FCC not to implement regulations that could hurt local public channels. Public, Educational, and Government (PEG) channels support transparency by airing community meetings and local shows. As media becomes more consolidated on a national and global scale, the estimated 3,000 PEG channels in America offer a unique perspective to their local communities. In … Continue Reading
June 12, 2019
Van Hollen, Bipartisan Group of Senators Support Hong Kong Protestors
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland) along with Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia), Ben Sasse (R-Nebraska), Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Angus King (I-Maine), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), and Jim Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) released the following statement of support for the millions of citizens protesting the Chinese Communist Party in Hong Kong: … Continue Reading
June 12, 2019
Van Hollen, Senate Democrats Introduce Resolution Recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), joined 46 Senate Democrats in introducing a Senate resolution recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month. The resolution highlights the contributions LGBTQ individuals have made to American society, notes several major milestones in the fight for equal treatment of LGBTQ Americans, and resolves to continue efforts to achieve full equality for LGBTQ individuals. The resolution was co-sponsored by 46 Senate Democrats, including Sens. Sherrod Brown … Continue Reading
June 12, 2019
Van Hollen, Kennedy Urge USTR to Include Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act in China Trade Negotiations
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and John Kennedy (R-La.) wrote to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer asking him to include the substance of their legislation, the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, in the ongoing trade negotiations with China. The bill would address a long-standing issue with regard to China's non-compliance with U.S. financial regulators by requiring foreign companies registered in the United States to meet Public Accounting Oversight … Continue Reading
June 11, 2019
Van Hollen, Duckworth, Blumenthal, Brown, Harris, Klobuchar, Sanders & Warren Demand McDonald’s Improve Sexual Harassment Policies at Locations Across the Country
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), along with Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) called on McDonald's to improve its protections against sexual harassment at locations across the country and do more to address allegations of workplace harassment, abuse and retaliation suffered by McDonald's workers. In a letter to McDonald's CEO Steve … Continue Reading
June 11, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin Raise Concerns about Immigration Backlogs
Today U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) wrote to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Acting Director Ken Cuccinelli to ask a series of detailed questions about the ongoing delays being faced by people in Maryland and across the country. "The processing delays, particularly as it pertains to family-based immigration petitions and employment authorization documents, are alarming and impose an undue burden on applicants, their families, and community … Continue Reading
June 10, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce over $5.5 Million for Easton Airport Runway Extension
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) have announced $5.55 million in federal funding for the Easton Airport (Easton/Newman Field) through the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This grant will fund the first phase, including land acquisition, of a project to shift and extend one of the airport's runways to meet demand. Funding will be administered through Talbot County, which has been working toward this extension for nearly … Continue Reading
June 10, 2019
Van Hollen Releases New State Department Data on Travel Ban
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen released new travel ban statistics from the U.S. Department of State, which were made available because of the provision he authored requiring the State Department to provide detailed information on this de facto Muslim ban. The data, which spans from December 2017 to March 2019, reflects approximately 5.1 percent of subject applicants having been issued a visa pursuant to the waiver process. That's even lower than the 6 percent they had previously … Continue Reading
June 10, 2019
U.S. Department of Commerce Invests to Boost Workforce Training Opportunities in Baltimore, Maryland Opportunity Zone
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) along with Congressman Elijah E. Cummings and Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is investing $1.6 million in City Life Community Builders of Baltimore, Maryland, to support the reuse of the Hoen Lithograph Complex as a workforce training center. The project will be matched with $1.1 million in local funds and is expected to create more than 100 jobs and … Continue Reading
June 07, 2019
Van Hollen, Colleagues Call on Trump Administration to Protect Consumers from Abusive Debt Collection Tactics
New CFPB rule gives debt collectors green light to inundate consumers with unlimited text messages, emails Following passage of legislation cracking down on annoying and unwanted robocalls, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined a group of his Sneatecolleagues in calling on Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Kathy Kraninger to reverse a proposed rule that would, for the first time, allow debt collection companies to send unlimited texts and emails to consumers. Just … Continue Reading
June 07, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $5 Million for the Greater Cumberland Airport
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) have announced $5 million in federal funding for the Greater Cumberland Airport from the Department of Transportation (DOT). This funding will go towards repairing and maintaining the structural integrity of the airports' runways and helping the airport meet other operational needs. "The Greater Cumberland Airport serves as an important resource to the community and is vital to maintaining a strong local economy," said Senator Van … Continue Reading
June 07, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $3.9 Million for the St. Mary’s Regional Airport
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) have announced $3.9 million in federal funding for the St. Mary's County Regional Airport from the Department of Transportation (DOT). These funds will go towards extending one of the airport's runways and helping the airport meet other operational needs. "The St. Mary's Regional Airport is an important local hub that connects the area to businesses and travelers within the region," said Senator Van Hollen, member of the Senate … Continue Reading
June 06, 2019
Van Hollen, Brown, Senate Democrats Urge Fed Investigate Deutsche Bank’s Relationship with Trump and Kushner
Today U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), ranking member of the Senate Banking Committee, led a letter with Democrats on the Committee asking the Federal Reserve to investigate Deutsche Bank's relationship with President Trump and Jared Kushner, following reports that Bank officials ignored suspicious activities on accounts associated with the two men. Senators Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Catherine Cortez Masto … Continue Reading
June 06, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, and Trone Announce Over $637,000 National Science Foundation Grant to Frederick Community College STEM Scholars
Today, U.S. Chris Van Hollen and Senators Ben Cardin, as well as U.S. Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.), announced $637,097 in funding over five years from the National Science Foundation to the Frederick Community Scholars STEM program. The program will start in the fall of 2020 and will offer students who demonstrate academic talent and financial need, including students from underrepresented groups, the resources and support needed to pursue a degree in STEM disciplines and a … Continue Reading
June 05, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, Feinstein, Kaine Urge Senate to Pass Protections for TPS Recipients and Dreamers
Following House passage of the American Dream and Promise Act, which would provide important protections to Dreamers and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) are calling on the Senate to follow suit. The Senators have introduced the Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and in Emergency (SECURE) Act, which would allow qualified TPS and Deferred Enforced Departure … Continue Reading
June 05, 2019
Van Hollen, Markey, Collins, and Capito Introduce Legislation to Extend Availability of Alzheimer’s Semipostal Stamp
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) along with Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) reintroduced legislation to authorize the current United States Postal Service (USPS) Alzheimer's research stamp for an additional six years, providing more time to raise additional Alzheimer's research funds for the National Institutes of Health. Representatives Maxine Waters (CA-43) and Chris Smith (NJ-4) also introduced companion legislation … Continue Reading
June 05, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $2.3 Million for National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in Emmitsburg
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced $2.3 million from the Department of Justice's Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) in Emmitsburg, MD. The NFFF will use this funding to support a variety of projects that impact firefighters and fire departments across the country, from counseling and training to database improvement and survivor services. Additionally, these funds support the Annual … Continue Reading
June 05, 2019
Van Hollen, Beyer Introduce Cap and Dividend Legislation
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Congressman Don Beyer (D-Va.) introduced the Healthy Climate and Family Security Act. This ‘cap and dividend’ approach is a simple, fair, and effective plan to address the dangers of climate change. It would put more money in the pockets of hardworking Americans, increasing their spending power and growing our entire economy. “The dangers of climate change are front and center in our everyday lives and only getting worse — we must take real … Continue Reading
June 04, 2019
Van Hollen Statement for the Record on Confirmation of Andrew Saul
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) submitted the following statement for the congressional record on the nomination of Andrew Saul to be Commissioner of Social Security: "I oppose the nomination of Andrew Saul to be Commissioner of Social Security. I am deeply concerned about the treatment of unions who represent workers at the Social Security Administration, and Mr. Saul declined to give meaningful assurances that anything will change under his leadership. Americans everywhere … Continue Reading
June 04, 2019
Van Hollen, Maryland Delegation Members Issue Statement Following Briefing on Baltimore Ransomware Attack
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin along with Congressmen Elijah E. Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes and David Trone, yesterday received a classified briefing from senior employees of the National Security Agency regarding the recent cyberattack on Baltimore. They issued the following statement: "We are all concerned about the reported leak of cyber tools and the potential for serious damage to American cities and companies. When it comes to the ransomware attack in … Continue Reading
