Press Releases
Van Hollen, Cardin Advance Maryland Priorities in Senate-Passed Spending Bill
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin lauded Senate passage Thursday of the Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriations for Agriculture & the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); Commerce, Justice & Science; Interior and Environment; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. The package, which provides funding for the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program and safe drinking water, funding for Mallows Bay, the first designated National Marine Sanctuary in 20 years, WMATA/Metro and the Purple … Continue Reading
October 31, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin Secure Senate Passage of Increased Funds for Chesapeake Bay Program
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) announced that they have secured an additional 3 percent increase in the Environment Protection Agency's Chesapeake Bay Program. This will provide $2.28 million more to the Bay Program, in addition to the $3 million increase that the Senators worked to secure within the Senate Appropriations Committee process. The Bay will receive a total of $78.28 million in funding, an increase of $5.28 million from Fiscal Year 2019. This … Continue Reading
October 31, 2019
Van Hollen, Murphy, Hyde-smith, Scott Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Designating October as Health Literacy Month
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) along with Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.), on Thursday introduced a bipartisan resolution designating October as "Health Literacy Month." "Ensuring Americans have the ability to access and understand basic health information will help patients and caretakers better understand their options and make more informed decisions. What's more, increasing health literacy can lower healthcare costs for … Continue Reading
October 31, 2019
Van Hollen and Cardin Announce $125,000 for Prevention of Youth Substance Misuse in Cecil County
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced $125,000 for Cecil County, Md. to establish and strengthen community collaboration in support of local efforts to prevent youth substance misuse. The funding was awarded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Drug Free Communities Program (DFC). This funding will support the Cecil County Drug-Free Communities Coalition's work to increase youth engagement, implement social … Continue Reading
October 31, 2019
Van Hollen, Senate Democrats Demand CFPB Investigate Mismanagement of Student Loan Forgiveness Program
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) along with a group of Democratic Senators are demanding Consumer Financial Protect Bureau (CFPB) Director Kathy Kraninger investigate student loan servicer Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) for mismanagement of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. "We write to request that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) immediately open an enforcement investigation into the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency's … Continue Reading
October 31, 2019
Van Hollen, Warner, Cardin, Kaine, Norton Celebrate Washington Nationals, Will Introduce Resolution Honoring World Series Win
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced they will introduce a resolution honoring the Washington Nationals' first World Series title in franchise history. Beating the Houston Astros in Game 7 last night, the Nationals won all four away games to clinch the series. "A huge congratulations to the Nationals, our 2019 World Champs! The Nats beat all the odds for this hard-fought win," … Continue Reading
October 30, 2019
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
