Press Releases
Van Hollen, Hassan, Kaine Introduce Legislation to Address Eviction Crisis
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) introduced legislation to address the eviction crisis. The Prevent Evictions Act - which is backed by Matthew Desmond, author of the Pulitzer Prize winning book Evicted - would support cost-effective solutions to keep families in their homes, including through landlord-tenant mediation programs and rent insurance programs. "Far too many families across the country face financial instability and the … Continue Reading
September 17, 2019
Van Hollen, Banking Committee Senators Urge CFPB to Protect Consumers’ Access to Safe, Affordable Mortgages
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined the Senate Banking Committee Democrats in urging that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) maintain strong consumer protections and access to credit as it revises the Qualified Mortgage (QM) and Ability to Repay (ATR) rules under the Truth in Lending Act. The Dodd-Frank Act created the Ability to Repay and Qualified Mortgage standards to address predatory lenders' underwriting failures that devastated consumers and communities during the … Continue Reading
September 17, 2019
Van Hollen Introduces Bill to Prevent Unfair Corporate Insider Advantage in Stock Sales
Legislation Closes 8-K Trading Gap, Prevent Executives from Profiting Before Significant Problems are Disclosed to SEC Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) introduced the 8-K Trading Gap Act of 2019 to prevent executives and other corporate insiders from profiting off the gap between the occurrence of a significant event, such as bankruptcy or an acquisition, and its legally mandated disclosure to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Right now, companies have four days to … Continue Reading
September 17, 2019
Maryland Delegation Urges USDA to Reconsider Food and Nutrition Benefit Changes
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny Hoyer, Elijah E. Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Anthony Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone (all D-Md.) wrote to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue urging him to reconsider a recently proposed change to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that would hurt Maryland families. Under the proposed rule, an estimated 50,000 Marylanders could lose their SNAP … Continue Reading
September 17, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Call on CSX to Prioritize Repairs to Cumberland Bridges
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) are asking CSX to take responsibility for repairs to bridges in Cumberland that have created safety risks and impeded traffic. "Cumberland and CSX share a close and interconnected history that includes the city's bridges. Unfortunately, for the past two years, residents of Cumberland have endured the impacts of closed bridges impeding access to the west side of the city, preventing the efficient flow of … Continue Reading
September 17, 2019
Van Hollen Secures Funding for Poplar Island, Mid-Chesapeake Bay Islands, and Baltimore Harbor Projects out of Key Senate Committee
Funding Included in Legislation Passed by Senate Appropriations Committee U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has announced the passage of language to support and fund the Poplar Island, Mid-Chesapeake Bay Islands, and Baltimore Harbor projects within legislation approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. "The projects to restore Poplar Island and the Mid-Bay Islands and maintain Baltimore Harbor are crucial to our economy and the Bay ecosystem. That's why I've fought to ensure the … Continue Reading
September 16, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, Raskin Announce over $760,000 for Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment in Montgomery County
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Representative Jamie Raskin (all D-Md.) announced $760,875 in federal funding for volunteer fire departments in Montgomery County. The funding includes $536,195 for the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association and $244,680 for the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department to support their volunteer recruitment and training efforts. The funding was awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Staffing for Adequate … Continue Reading
September 16, 2019
Van Hollen Secures Oyster Restoration Funding out of Key Senate Committee
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has announced the passage of his language to support and fund oyster restoration in the Chesapeake Bay, within legislation approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Senator Van Hollen, as a member of the Appropriations Committee, fought to include this language, which will prove crucial to rebuilding a healthy oyster population in Maryland. His work to support oyster restoration in other Appropriations bills led to the recent announcement of … Continue Reading
September 13, 2019
Van Hollen Leads Senate Democrats in Urging Appropriators to Block Administration Attempts to Unilaterally Transfer DHS funds to ICE/CBP
Letter Makes Clear: Congress Must Maintain Power of the Purse Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) led a letter with 19 additional Senate Democrats urging Senate Leadership and Appropriators to assert Congress's role in crafting federal appropriations and ensure that any funding measure for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) prevents the Administration's unilateral transfer of funds to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)/Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). The letter … Continue Reading
September 13, 2019
Van Hollen, Blunt Lead Letter Pushing to Include WWI Valor Medals Review Act in NDAA Conference Report
Today U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) led a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Members of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees urging them to include the World War I (WWI) Valor Medals Review Act in the final FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report. The bipartisan legislation would ensure that minority veterans who may have been passed over for a Medal of Honor during WWI - often because of racist attitudes at the time - have … Continue Reading
September 13, 2019
Van Hollen, Bipartisan Group of Senators Condemn North Korean Labor Camps
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) co-sponsored a bipartisan resolution condemning the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) political prison labor camp system. As North Korea appears to indicate interest in resuming talks with the U.S., the resolution, Senate Res. 303, calls on the DPRK to dismantle their brutal system, noting instances of religious persecution, rape, forced abortions and brutal executions within the camps. U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Catherine Cortez … Continue Reading
September 13, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Urge Transportation Secretary Chao to Extend Essential Air Service at Hagerstown Regional Airport
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Environment and Public Works and Appropriations Committees, Senator Ben Cardin, Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, and Congressman David Trone (All D-Md.) have written to U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, asking her to reconsider the recent "contradictory and shortsighted" notice that Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR) would lose its Essential Air Service (EAS) funding. The … Continue Reading
September 12, 2019
Van Hollen Joins Democratic Senators in Introducing Temporary Protected Status for The Bahamas
Following reports that the Trump Administration will refuse to grant temporary protections to Bahamians affected by Hurricane Dorian, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), joined Senators Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Doug Jones … Continue Reading
September 12, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, Cummings, Ruppersberger, and Sarbanes Announce Over $207,000 for the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Representatives Elijah E. Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger, and John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) announced $207,054 in federal funding for the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue. The funding, awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, will be used for a firefighting training course for members of the Department. The training course will provide instruction to 375 personnel and will … Continue Reading
September 12, 2019
Van Hollen, Senators Introduce Legislation to Fight Methane Pollution from Pipelines
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) introduced a bill to protect public health and safety and fight climate change by reducing dangerous leaks from pipelines that release methane and other hazardous gases and pollutants into the air. The Methane Emissions from Transmission Harm American Neighborhoods and the Environment (METHANE) Act would require owners and operators of pipelines and pipeline facilities to use the best available technology to detect and repair leaking pipelines. In … Continue Reading
September 12, 2019
Baltimore Congressional Delegation Announces Almost $300,000 for the Baltimore City Fire Department
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Representatives Elijah E. Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger, and John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) announced $298,345 in federal funding for the Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD). The funding, awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, will be used to purchase new equipment for the Department and to support their Mobile Integrated Health/Community Paramedicine pilot program, a partnership … Continue Reading
September 12, 2019
Van Hollen, Young, Cardin, Graham Urge Trump to Act on Kashmir Crisis
Today U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Ben Cardin, (D-Md.), and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) wrote to President Trump raising their concerns about the ongoing situation in Kashmir and urging him to take immediate action to help end the current humanitarian crisis there. "With each passing day, the situation for the people of Kashmir becomes increasingly difficult. Therefore, we ask that you call upon Prime Minister Modi to fully restore telecommunications and internet … Continue Reading
September 12, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Announce More than $395,000 for Allegany County Maker Space
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced more than $395,000 in federal funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for the Western Maryland Works (WMW) Allegany County Maker Space. The new Cumberland center will house training programs in advanced manufacturing and other sectors, office space for selected start-ups, a collaborative work space for the community, and classes taught by Small Business Development Center staff. … Continue Reading
September 11, 2019
Van Hollen, Senate Democrats Demand Answers from Commerce IG on Reports of Suppression and Retaliation at NOAA
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and 13 Senate Democrats wrote to U.S. Department of Commerce Inspector General Peggy Gustafson demanding answers following recent reports of improper behavior at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), including one that Commerce Department officials threatened to fire NOAA employees for contradicting the President’s false assertions about the projected path of Hurricane Dorian.In their letter, the Senators also denounced … Continue Reading
September 11, 2019
Cardin, Van Hollen, Sarbanes, Raskin, Trone Announce $50K for Montgomery County MLK Day of Service
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen John Sarbanes, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone (all D-Md.) announce the recent award of $50,000 for Montgomery County’s Volunteer Center through the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency responsible for volunteering and service programs. The grant will support the Volunteer Center, which is a part of the County’s Office of Community Partnerships, in engaging 3,000 volunteers on next year’s … Continue Reading
