Press Releases
Van Hollen Offers Budget Amendments to Protect Working Families
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, is offering two amendments to the Fiscal Year 2020 Senate Republican budget resolution aimed at protecting working families from higher taxes and rising prescription drug costs during today's markup. "Budgets are not just a list of numbers, they are statements of our priorities. And this Republican budget - on the heels of President Trump's proposal - couldn't be worse for American families," said Senator Van Hollen. … Continue Reading
March 27, 2019
Maryland Congressional Delegation Secures Commitment from NPS to Quickly Repair B-W Parkway
Expedited Repair Work Comes After Sustained Pressure by Maryland Congressional Delegation Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Anthony Brown (all D-Md.) applauded the National Park Service's (NPS) announcement that it will immediately use emergency contracting authority to begin repairs on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. This action follows continued pressure by the Maryland Congressional Delegation, … Continue Reading
March 27, 2019
Van Hollen, Warner, Kaine Introduce Budget Amendments to Protect Federal Workers and Contractors
Amendments would protect federal retirement, prevent cuts, support back pay for contractors affected by the recent government shutdown Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) along with Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-Va.)- all members of the Senate Committee on the Budget - filed four amendments to the Fiscal Year 2020 budget resolution aimed at protecting federal employees and contractors. The amendments would put the Senate on the record in favor of preserving retirement … Continue Reading
March 26, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, Feinstein, Kaine Introduce Legislation to Protect TPS Recipients
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) introduced the Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and in Emergency (SECURE) Act. This legislation would allow qualified Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients to apply for legal permanent residency. TPS is a temporary, legal status granted to foreign citizens who are endangered by conditions in their home country such … Continue Reading
March 26, 2019
Van Hollen, Roberts Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Fully Fund Special Education
Today, as part of Public Schools Week, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), and Representative Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) introduced the IDEA Full Funding Act. This bipartisan legislation would finally ensure Congress' commitment to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). In 1975, Congress passed IDEA to ensure that every child with a disability has access to educational opportunity. This law was a historic step forward, but since its passage … Continue Reading
March 24, 2019
Van Hollen Statement on Barr Summary of Mueller Report
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the summary of Special Counsel Mueller's report sent to Congress by Attorney General Barr: "The Mueller report confirms that the Russians interfered in our 2016 election, a point that President Trump continues to deny. I know our country is relieved that Mueller did not find that the President participated in a criminal conspiracy with Putin and Russia, but the President is simply wrong to claim he has … Continue Reading
March 22, 2019
Van Hollen Statement on Mueller Report
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the completion of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report: "Full transparency. No waiting. Attorney General Barr must immediately provide Congress and the public with Mueller's entire report and supporting material, not just his summary findings. The American people have a right to know everything." … Continue Reading
March 22, 2019
Van Hollen Announces Legislation to Protect Military Families Living In Private Housing
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) announced his support of legislation to address health, safety, and environmental hazards in private military housing. This legislation, the Ensuring Safe Housing for our Military Act, would enact a number of measures to hold private housing providers accountable and to ensure military housing is up to par. Serious issues - including homes with persistent mold blooms, water leaks, and rodent and insect infestations - have been reported at Maryland's … Continue Reading
March 22, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, Democrats Call on President Trump to Allow Liberian Refugees to Remain in the United States
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) joined House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD), Rep. Eliot Engel (NY-16), Rep. Karen Bass (CA-37), Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (MD-07), Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02), Rep. John Sarbanes (MD-03), Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Rep. Anthony Brown (MD-04), and Rep. David Trone (MD-06) in sending a letter to President Trump asking that he take action immediately to prevent several thousand Liberians with Deferred Enforcement … Continue Reading
March 21, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce over $17 Million in Funding to Fight Opioid Epidemic
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced $17,314,430 in federal funding for Maryland to combat the opioid epidemic. These funds, provided through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' State Opioid Response Grants aim to address the opioid crisis by increasing access to medication-assisted treatment using the three Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder, reducing unmet treatment need, and … Continue Reading
March 20, 2019
Van Hollen Urges WMATA Board to End Silver Spring Turnback
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) sent a letter to the Washington Metro Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Chairman Jack Evans urging the full Board of Directors to support the end of the Silver Spring turnback on the Red Line. At an event in December to announce the end of the Grovesnor turnback, Senator Van Hollen called for this next step, and the Metro Board of Directors' Finance and Capital Committee recently voted to end the Silver Spring turnback. The Senator writes, "I am … Continue Reading
March 15, 2019
Van Hollen Calls on National Park Service to Take Immediate Action to Improve BW Parkway Conditions
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) sent a letter to National Park Service Acting Director Dan Smith urging immediate action to remedy the poor driving conditions on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. Senator Van Hollen writes, "I am writing on behalf of my constituents regarding the unacceptable driving conditions on parts of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. It is an unsafe situation that needs to be remedied immediately through expedited action by the National Park Service and … Continue Reading
March 15, 2019
Van Hollen Statement on New Pentagon Arms Development
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen released the following statement regarding the Pentagon's announcement this week that it has begun building parts for a new conventional ground-launched cruise missile and is in the process of developing an intermediate-range ballistic missile with a conventional warhead - two actions that are a result of the Trump Administration's reckless decision to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty: "I am deeply disturbed by the Trump … Continue Reading
March 15, 2019
Van Hollen Statement on Christchurch, New Zealand Shooting
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand: "It makes me sick to my stomach to think that we live in a world where 49 people, including several young children, can be shot to death while peacefully praying. The gruesome terrorist attack in New Zealand is not an isolated incident-the rise of Islamophobia and white supremacy must be met with strong determination to combat hate wherever it rears its ugly … Continue Reading
March 14, 2019
Van Hollen Statement on Emergency Declaration Vote
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the Senate's bipartisan vote to oppose President Trump's national emergency declaration: "When I took my oath of office, I swore to support and defend the Constitution. It's the same pledge that every single Senator, all 100 of us, made when we started our jobs. And today, 59 senators held true to that promise. We stood together on a bipartisan basis to say no to this gross abuse of executive power, no to … Continue Reading
March 14, 2019
Van Hollen, Collins, Cardin, Rubio Introduce Protect Our Elections Act
Today U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) introduced the Protect Our Elections Act, which would prohibit foreign adversaries from owning and controlling the companies supporting American elections. Our intelligence chiefs have made it clear that hostile foreign actors continue to work to disrupt our democratic process by any means possible. This common-sense legislation - with public disclosure and annual … Continue Reading
March 14, 2019
Senators Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Provide Financial Relief to Federal Employees Relocating for Work
U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark R. Warner, and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) along with Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) reintroduced bipartisan legislation today to provide financial relief to certain civilian federal employees who have to relocate for work. The Relocation Expense Parity Act will ensure that all federal employees who qualify to have their moving costs reimbursed by the government are also repaid for the taxes owed on relocation … Continue Reading
March 14, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, Klobuchar Call for Mandatory Transparency for Foreign Stakes in Election Systems
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee have introduced legislation to bring greater transparency to America’s election systems in an effort to protect our country from foreign interference, as occurred in the 2016 presidential election. The “Election Systems Integrity Act,” would require disclosure of foreign ownership of election service providers. “Free and Fair elections make up the core of our … Continue Reading
March 13, 2019
Van Hollen Statement on Governor Harry Hughes
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen released the following statement regarding the passing of former Maryland Governor Harry Hughes: “Former Governor Harry Hughes lived a life of service to our country and his beloved Maryland. He was a model of integrity and always fought for the public interest. As Governor, he was a great champion for protecting our natural treasure, the Chesapeake Bay, and he remained passionately dedicated to that effort after he left office. I fondly recall … Continue Reading
March 12, 2019
Van Hollen, Colleagues Press Walmart CEO To Support Workers With Disabilities
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined a group of his colleagues in calling on Walmart CEO Doug McMillon to ensure that the company uphold its commitment to workers with disabilities. Recent reports of updated job requirements and the elimination of positions altogether highlight the disproportionate impact that changes in policy can have on individuals with disabilities. Specifically, the Senators inquired about the company's decision to eliminate the greeter position and its efforts to … Continue Reading
