Press Releases
Van Hollen, Cardin Introduce Bill to Honor the Memory of Lt. Richard Collins by Setting a New Standard for ROTC Graduates Who Die Before their First Assignment
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (Both D-Md.) Thursday introduced new legislation to honor the sacrifices and commitment to service of Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Graduates who die between commissioning and their first assignment. The Second Lieutenant Richard W. Collins III Memorial Act is dedicated to Richard Collins III, an ROTC student at Bowie State University who had been commissioned into the U.S. Army, but then stabbed to death days before he reported to his … Continue Reading
September 26, 2019
Van Hollen Secures Appropriations Language to Require Strict Conditions on Ex-Im Bank Financing of Nuclear Projects in Saudi Arabia
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen announced that he has secured language within legislation passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee to require strict conditions on Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank financing of any nuclear projects in Saudi Arabia. This language would ensure that any Saudi nuclear power projects are held to the nonproliferation "gold standard" for nuclear cooperation. The Ex-Im Bank has identified U.S. nuclear energy exports as a key and growing industry, and Saudi Arabia is … Continue Reading
September 26, 2019
Baltimore Delegation Announces $9.7 Million to Address Lead-Based Paint in Baltimore
Today U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, along with Congressmen Elijah E. Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger, and John Sarbanes announced $9.7 million in federal funding to address lead-based paint in Baltimore. The funding, awarded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will allow Baltimore to work to eliminate lead-based paint hazards in low-income private housing. "Families shouldn't have to worry about their children's exposure to lead - especially in their … Continue Reading
September 26, 2019
Van Hollen, Senate Democrats Call on Interior Secretary to Terminate Acting BLM Director’s Authority
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), along with several other Senate Democrats wrote a letter urging U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary David Bernhardt to terminate William Perry Pendley's authority as acting director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). In the letter, thesenators outline their concerns with Pendley's advocacy for the widespread sale of public lands, his efforts to roll back key conservation laws, and his long-held disregard for the important role BLM plays … Continue Reading
September 26, 2019
Van Hollen, Murphy, Schatz Secure Key Committee Support for Increase in Funds to Pay Senate Interns
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) announced that they have secured increased funds for Senate offices to pay their interns, within legislation passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee. The Senators have championed this effort since 2017, leading to the passage of Congress’ first-ever dedicated funding to support paid internships. The increase in funds - up $1 million from FY 2019 to total $6 million - passed today in … Continue Reading
September 26, 2019
Van Hollen, Brown, Capito Introduce Resolution to Designate Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week
Full-Service Community Schools that Provide Integrated Student Supports have been shown to Improve Student Outcomes This week, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced a resolution to designate the week of September 23 through September 27, 2019, as ``Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week''. "Community schools not only provide our children with a quality education but also include crucial wrap-around services to improve … Continue Reading
September 26, 2019
Sens. Van Hollen, Portman, Merkley and Reps. Davis, Schweikert Announce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Fix AOTC Inequity
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Representatives Danny Davis (D-Ill.) and David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) announced new bipartisan, bicameral legislation to address a systematic injustice within the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC). The AOTC is the primary tax credit available to students seeking a higher education; however, students with a prior felony drug conviction are permanently ineligible from using the credit. This … Continue Reading
September 24, 2019
Van Hollen Announces Support of House Impeachment Inquiry
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement announcing his support for the U.S. House of Representatives to begin an impeachment inquiry into President Trump. “President Trump’s actions are a threat to our democracy. His continued disregard for our Constitution and the democratic norms that guide our nation have caused grave harm to our country, our standing in the world, and to the Office of the Presidency. These issues must be fully investigated to the … Continue Reading
September 24, 2019
Van Hollen Announces Increase in Bay Funding in Key Senate Bill
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) announced that he has secured $76 million in funding for the Environmental Protection Agency's Chesapeake Bay Program within the Senate Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations FY 2020 funding bill. Following President Trump's efforts to slash funding for the Bay Program to a mere $7.3 million, Senator Van Hollen fought for this increase in funds - the first since FY 2015 - to support Bay conservation and restoration efforts. "The … Continue Reading
September 20, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, Sarbanes Announce more than $238,000 for Odenton Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment and Retention
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) today announced more than $238,400 in federal funds for the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant. Through this four year award, the Department will work to attract new firefighters and retain existing ones, building upon the progress made through a … Continue Reading
September 20, 2019
Van Hollen Announces $2.7 Million for Baltimore County Fire Department to Hire New Firefighters
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced $2.7 million in federal funding for Baltimore County to hire 28 new firefighters in 2020. The funding, awarded through Federal Emergency Management Agency's Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, will support the department's expansion of services in Sparrows Point to support the growth at Tradepoint Atlantic. The county will provide $1.7 million in matching … Continue Reading
September 20, 2019
Van Hollen Secures $75 Million Increase in Program to Support B-W Parkway Repairs
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has announced that he secured a $75 million increase in a program that can be used to support Baltimore-Washington Parkway repairs. Earlier this year, the National Park Service (NPS) struggled with timely repairs of the Parkway - creating pothole issues and poor driving conditions - due to a lack of funds in this account. Following Senator Van Hollen's efforts to address this issue, the Park Service began emergency repairs of the roadway. This new funding … Continue Reading
September 19, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, Raskin, Trone Announce nearly $5.6 Million for Firefighters in Western Maryland
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Representatives Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced more than $5,585,000 in federal funds for Western Maryland through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. Frederick County will receive $5,498,500 for additional staffing, while the Community Volunteer Fire Company of District No. 12 in Fairplay will also … Continue Reading
September 19, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin Applaud new Federal Resources for Support Worcester County's Fight on Drug Trafficking
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) applauded the announcement that Worcester County, Md. has been added to the counties designated as part of the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTAs). The designation will enable the County to receive federal resources to address the severe heroin and opioid threat facing the community. Additionally, the designation will allow further coordination and development of drug control efforts among federal, … Continue Reading
September 19, 2019
Van Hollen Talks with CNBC’s Joe Kernen on Trade, Huawei, and the 8-K Trading Gap
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) spoke to CNBC’s Joe Kernen on trade, Huawei and protecting U.S. technology from China, and eliminating unfair corporate stock sales. Van Hollen and Kernen discussed two pieces of legislation the Senator is working on - 8-K Trading Gap Act and the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act. The Senator’s 8-K Trading Gap Act, which is being marked-up in the House Financial Services Committee today, would prevent executives and other corporate insiders … Continue Reading
September 19, 2019
Van Hollen, Senate Colleagues Urge FCC to Reject Plans that Imperil the Universal Service Fund
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-M.D.), today joined his Democratic colleagues in calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to discard its proposed cap on the Universal Service Fund (USF). The USF supports four communications programs: E-Rate, Lifeline, the Rural Health Care Fund, and the Connect America Fund. Each of these programs is designed to target separate areas of need, providing broadband to schools and libraries or improving health in rural communities. All of the USF … Continue Reading
September 19, 2019
Van Hollen Secures Key Committee Support for Funding to Help Local Flood Mitigation Efforts
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has announced the passage of funding to support local flood mitigation efforts within legislation approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Senator Van Hollen, as a member of the Appropriations Committee, fought to include this funding which Maryland communities, such as Ellicott City, can apply for. "Across our state, we've seen homes damaged, roads ruined, and businesses shuttered due to flooding. These severe weather events continue to hurt … Continue Reading
September 19, 2019
Van Hollen Secures $150 million for WMATA in Senate Appropriations Bill
Legislation Includes Statement in Support of WMATA's Importance to the National Capital Region Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) announced that he has secured $150 million for Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) capital funding, as part of the Senate Appropriations Committee's FY 2020 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies funding bill. The legislation also includes clear instructions that the U.S. Secretary of Transportation must … Continue Reading
September 19, 2019
Van Hollen Statement on Trump Administration’s Attack on Maryland Emissions Standards
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the Trump Administration's decision to revoke California's authority to set its own emissions standards - which 13 other states, including Maryland, follow - and require weaker standards across the board. "The Trump Administration's attack on our states' efforts to clean up our air and combat climate change is deeply disturbing. The threat of climate change is becoming all the more present in our … Continue Reading
September 18, 2019
Van Hollen and Cardin Applaud $50,000 for American Legion Dorchester Post 91
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) applauded the awarding of $50,000 in federal funds for the American Legion Dorchester Post No. 91 in Cambridge, Md. The funding, provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Economic Impact Initiative Grants program, will be used to purchase new furnishings and equipment for the Post, to replace those damaged by a fire in 2016. "Post 91 serves as a great resource to local Veterans and the greater Cambridge … Continue Reading
