Press Releases
Van Hollen, Senators Reintroduce Legislation to Protect Native Plant Species
Today, U.S Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and several of his Senate colleagues introduced legislation that would promote native plant use, research, and protection. The Botanical Sciences and Native Plant Materials Research, Restoration, and Promotion Act would encourage federal land management agencies to hire botanists, establish a collaborative grant program to support efforts to keep rare plant species from becoming endangered and help endangered plant species recover, and proactively … Continue Reading
July 31, 2019
Van Hollen, Scott Introduce Landmark Legislation to Address Skyrocketing Prescription Drug Costs
We PAID Act Would Ensure Drugs Based on Taxpayer Funded Research are Fairly Priced Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) introduced first-of-its-kind legislation to address skyrocketing prescription drug costs. The We PAID (Protect American Investment in Drugs) Act of 2019 will ensure that the prices of drugs developed using federally funded research (like NIH or CDC grants) are set at reasonable levels. Taxpayer-funded research plays a critical role in the … Continue Reading
July 30, 2019
Van Hollen, Graham, Moran, Merkley Introduce Legislation to Require that Ex-Im Bank Financing of any Nuclear Projects in Saudi Arabia meet Strict Conditions
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) introduced legislation to require that Ex-Im Bank financing of any nuclear projects in Saudi Arabia meet strict conditions. The bill would ensure that any Saudi nuclear power projects are held to the nonproliferation “gold standard” for nuclear cooperation. It also strengthens congressional oversight of U.S. nuclear exports and financing assistance to Riyadh. The Bank … Continue Reading
July 30, 2019
Van Hollen, All Senate Democrats Introduce Constitutional Amendment to Overturn Citizens United
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, along with the entire Senate Democratic Caucus, introduced the Democracy for All Amendment, a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United v. FEC and other disastrous court decisions, help get big money out of politics, and put power back in the hands of the American people. The full text of the amendment is available HERE. A background summary is available HERE, and a section-by-section with FAQs is available HERE. Citizens United and other … Continue Reading
July 30, 2019
Van Hollen Raises Concerns about Inconsistent Details from USDA on ERS/NIFA Move
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen wrote to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue raising concerns about inconsistent details about their planned move of USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).Senator Van Hollen spoke with Secretary Perdue on July 14th, and the Secretary assured him that staff would have additional time to decide if they wanted to move as part of the proposed relocation and that USDA would … Continue Reading
July 30, 2019
Van Hollen, Senators Secure More Than $3.25 Billion to Create New Bridge Repair Grants in Highway Package Passed Out of Key Committee Today
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) along with Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Rob Portman (R-OH) and Ed Markey (D-MA) secured their Bridge Investment Act in the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Highway package that passed the Committee today. The EPW package includes $3.265 billion to fund the Senators' bipartisan, bridge bill, which establishes a competitive grant … Continue Reading
July 30, 2019
Van Hollen Joins Colleagues in Renewed Call for FCC to Protect Community Television Channels
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), this week joined his colleagues in urging the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) to protect public, educational, or governmental (PEG) stations as it proposes changes to the rules governing agreements between Local Franchising Authorities and cable operators. Currently, towns and cities across the country are permitted to require as part of cable franchise agreements that cable operators meet demonstrated community needs by providing in-kind … Continue Reading
July 29, 2019
Van Hollen, Rubio Push for DETER Act in NDAA Conference Negotiations
Today U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) sent a letter to the leadership of the Senate and House Armed Services Committee, urging them to include the DETER Act in the final National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report.“As conference negotiations begin, we urge you to ensure that the final conference report includes language to prevent future efforts by foreign governments and foreign actors to interfere in American elections by making it clear … Continue Reading
July 26, 2019
Van Hollen, Democrats Call for Reversal Amid Confusion and Concern Over Trump-Pence Administration’s Gag Rule That Will Undermine Health Care for Millions of Women
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and a group of Democratic Senators sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar slamming the Trump-Pence Administration's new gag rule that compromises the Title X family planning program and the health care of millions of people who rely on Title X-funded providers for cancer screenings, STI screenings, contraceptive care, family planning services, and more. The letter came as the Administration's minimal and … Continue Reading
July 25, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, Cummings, Ruppersberger, and Sarbanes Announce More Than $600,000 to Launch Chesapeake Regional Digital Health Exchange
Baltimore's Johns Hopkins University Technology Ventures Division Wins Competitive Award U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Representatives Elijah E. Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger, and John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) today announced that Johns Hopkins University Technology Ventures (JHTV) division has been awarded more than $633,500 through the competitive i6 Challenge of the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA). The funding will be used to create the … Continue Reading
July 24, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin Introduce Empowering States to Address Drug Costs Act
Legislation Would Support Maryland’s Efforts to Tackle Prescription Drug PricesToday U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) introduced the Empowering States to Address Drug Costs Act, which would bolster state efforts to lower prescription drug costs. The bill would provide states, including Maryland, with average manufacturer price, best price, and rebate calculation data under Medicaid in order to establish and operate prescription drug affordability boards or … Continue Reading
July 24, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin Lead Full Democratic Caucus in Urging Social Security Administrator to Respect Employees and Their Unions
"We are writing to express our dismay that the Social Security Administration (SSA) refuses to bargain in good faith with union representatives." U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (Both D-Md.) Tuesday led a letter signed by all 47 members of the Democratic caucus, urging Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul to uphold the commitments he made at his confirmation hearing to work transparently and cooperatively when it comes to SSA employees and unions. The letter comes in the … Continue Reading
July 24, 2019
Van Hollen, Warren, Pressley, García Introduce Legislation to Ensure the Fed Will Act on Faster Payments
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) and Jesús "Chuy" García (D-Ill.) introduced the Payment Modernization Act of 2019. Right now, Americans lose billions of dollars each year in overdraft fees, driving consumers to turn to more costly financial products because of our inefficient payments system. This legislation would clarify that the Federal Reserve has the existing authority to build a … Continue Reading
July 22, 2019
Maryland Delegation Announces $125 Million Federal Investment in Howard Street Tunnel
Today U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, along with Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Elijah E. Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Anthony Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone, announced $125 million in federal funding for the Howard Street Tunnel, which comes on top of the $91 million commitment that the Maryland Delegation worked to secure from CSX, the company that owns the tunnel. The Howard Street Tunnel project, which is aimed at improving freight movement out of the … Continue Reading
July 22, 2019
Van Hollen, Cotton Statement on Huawei’s Reported Involvement in North Korea’s Wireless Network
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) issued the following statement on reports that Huawei secretly helped North Korea build and maintain their wireless network, in violation of U.S. law. The Senators have introduced legislation that would reinforce the Executive Order to curb the growing national security threat posed by Huawei's efforts to dominate the 5G market, as well as a bill to direct the President to impose denial orders banning the export of U.S. parts … Continue Reading
July 19, 2019
Van Hollen, Cummings, Ruppersberger, and Sarbanes Meet with Baltimore City Police Commissioner Harrison, Mayor Young
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and U.S. Representatives Elijah E. Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger, and John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) met with Baltimore City Police Commissioner Michael Harrison and Mayor Jack Young. The Members discussed the Commissioner's recently released crime plan and their commitment to the Baltimore City Consent Decree. They also spoke about ways that the Congressional delegation can provide support and federal resources to improve public safety in Baltimore City, … Continue Reading
July 18, 2019
Maryland Delegation Hears from Union Leaders about the Trump Administration’s Ongoing Attacks on Federal Workers
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Elijah E. Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone on Tuesday hosted key leaders of federal worker unions to discuss the Trump administration’s ongoing campaign against civil servants and federal workers. Participants included American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) National President J. David Cox, Sr.; International Federation of Professional … Continue Reading
July 18, 2019
Van Hollen, Murkowski, Foster Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Create National Fab Lab Network
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and U.S. Representative Bill Foster (D-Ill.) introduced the National Fab Lab Network Act, legislation to expand Fab Labs across the country. These facilities are equipped with digitally-controlled tools that enable individuals to create and innovate new products. Tools range from laser cutters, to 3D printers, to automated knives - and training is also provided. To encourage the growth and expansion of new and current … Continue Reading
July 17, 2019
Senate Passes Bipartisan Resolution Condemning Brunei for Barbaric Laws
The U.S. Senate has passed a bipartisan resolution introduced by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Todd Young (R-IN), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Ben Cardin (D-MD) that condemns the government of Brunei for recently imposing laws that include, among other troubling things, death by stoning for adultery and homosexual relations. Their resolution also calls for the repeal of these barbaric laws and visa bans for anyone involved in their implementation. … Continue Reading
July 16, 2019
Van Hollen, Senate Democrats Unveil New Legislation to Restore Homeowners’ Ability To Work Around GOP Tax Law’s Cap Of SALT Deduction, Which Is Costing Homeowners Tens-Of-Thousands Of Dollars
After IRS Blocked Homeowners' Ability To Work Around Harmful GOP Tax Law Caps On SALT Deduction, Senate Dems Introduce Congressional Review Act (CRA) Resolution Of Disapproval To Nullify The IRS's Rule New Senate Dem Legislation Would Restore States' Ability To Work Around The Harmful Caps And Allow Homeowners To Again Fully Retain Their SALT Deduction Senate Democrats: The GOP Tax Bill And These Unfair IRS Regulations Hurt America's Homeowners-We're Fighting Back Following the … Continue Reading
