Press Releases
Van Hollen, Senate Democrats Introduce New Legislation to Tackle Nationwide Digital Equity Gap
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined a group of Senate Democrats in introducing new legislation aimed at closing the growing digital divide in communities across the country. The Digital Equity Act of 2019 creates new federal investments targeted toward a diverse array of projects at the state and local level that promote "digital equity"- a concept defined by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance as the "condition in which all individuals and communities have the information … Continue Reading
April 11, 2019
Sen. Van Hollen, Rep. Lee introduce Bicameral Bill to Invest in Our Students and Fully Fund Title I, Special Education
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and U.S. Representative Susie Lee (D-Nev.) introduced the Keep Our Promise to America's Children and Teachers (PACT) Act, which would put Congress on a fiscally-responsible path to meet its obligation to fully fund Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) on a mandatory basis over the next 10 years. "Every child in our country deserves access to a quality education. But for too long, Congress has fallen short on our … Continue Reading
April 10, 2019
Van Hollen Presses Attorney General Barr on Findings of Mueller Report
"You put your conclusion out there, and now you refuse to talk about any basis of your conclusion." Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) questioned Attorney General William Barr on his recent summary of the Mueller report and the need for full transparency. A transcript of their exchange is below, and video of the hearing is available here: SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN, D-MD: Let me ask you with regard to the Mueller report in your March 24th letter. You say that Mueller set out evidence … Continue Reading
April 10, 2019
Van Hollen, Coons Push to Repeal Muslim Ban, Prevent Future Discriminatory Bans
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) and U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-Calif.) today introduced companion bills in the Senate and House to repeal the President’s existing executive order blocking travel from majority Muslim countries and prevent another baseless, discriminatory travel ban from happening again.The National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants (NO BAN) Act repeals the three versions of President Trump’s Muslim ban, strengthens the … Continue Reading
April 09, 2019
Van Hollen Co-sponsors Legislation to Defend U.S. Citizens and Diplomatic Staff from Political Prosecution in Turkey
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) co-sponsored the Defending United States Citizens and Diplomatic Staff from Political Prosecutions Act of 2019 (S. 1075) to address the ongoing wrongful detentions of U.S. citizens and diplomatic staff by the Government of Turkey. Introduced by Senator Roger Wicker (MS) and Senator Ben Cardin (MD), this legislation was also co-sponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (IL), Marco Rubio (FL), and Thom Tillis (NC). "Turkey's blatant disregard for the rights … Continue Reading
April 07, 2019
Van Hollen Statement on Speaker Michael Busch
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the passing of Maryland Speaker of the House, Michael Busch: "Maryland has lost one of her greatest champions today. And I have lost a dear friend and former colleague. Mike Busch was a titan of unstinting character who served the state he grew up in and did his job for Marylanders with passion, integrity, determination, and exuberance. "As the longest serving Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, … Continue Reading
April 05, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin Applaud $90 Million Dollar Investment in Baltimore Penn Station
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) released the following statement applauding the announcement of Amtrak's Master Development Agreement with Penn Station Partners to provide $90 million in funding to modernize and improve Baltimore Penn Station: "Commuters throughout Maryland rely on Baltimore Penn Station every day. This funding will make necessary updates to improve the lives of those who live and work in our community. We're glad to see this significant investment in … Continue Reading
April 05, 2019
Van Hollen Releases New State Department Data on Travel Ban
Data Shows Staggering Rate of Denial - Adding Questions to Legality of Ban Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen released new statistics from the U.S. Department of State in response to his October 12, 2018 letter pressing for more information regarding the travel ban and waiver process. Senator Van Hollen has consistently raised concerns about the executive order and pushed for more data on the program, making some of the first statistics publicly available in March of last year. … Continue Reading
April 03, 2019
Van Hollen, Bipartisan Group of Senators Urge Implementation of Farm Bill Dairy Improvements
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has joined a group of his Senate colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, urging him to prioritize the implementation of the dairy provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill. As dairy farmers across the country continue to struggle from market instability, the 2018 Farm Bill dramatically expands support for dairy producers, providing flexible, affordable coverage options through the Dairy Margin Coverage program. Early … Continue Reading
April 03, 2019
Van Hollen Secures EPA’s Commitment to the Chesapeake Bay, Raises Concerns on Trump Budget Cuts to Bay Program
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen questioned Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler about the Chesapeake Bay Program during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior hearing. After the Senator secured the Administrator's ongoing commitment to the Bay, he raised the fact that the Trump Budget contains significant cuts to the Bay - which Senator Van Hollen is committed to blocking. Through his role on the Appropriations Committee, the Senator has … Continue Reading
April 03, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, Democrats Introduce Bills to Protect Federal Health Benefits during Government Shutdowns
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) along with Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Mark Warner (D-Va.) introduced a pair of bills aimed at protecting federal healthcare benefits in the event of a government shutdown. Similar bipartisan legislation was introduced in the House yesterday, led by Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.). The two bills introduced would amend current law to ensure that workers who have qualifying life … Continue Reading
April 03, 2019
Van Hollen, Rubio Reintroduce the DETER Act
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) reintroduced the Defending Elections from Threats by Establishing Redlines (DETER) Act. The legislation, which gained strong momentum last Congress, sends a clear and powerful message to Russia and any other foreign actors seeking to disrupt our elections: If you attack American candidates, campaigns, or voting infrastructure, you will face swift and severe consequences. In addition to the clear interference by Moscow in … Continue Reading
April 02, 2019
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Totally Fails to Answer Van Hollen Questions about Planned Exports to Saudi Arabia
Svinivki, Commissioners Unable to Speak to Involvement Despite Legal Requirement that NRC be Consulted Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen questioned U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Chairman Kristine Svinicki on the NRC's role in the Administration's recently reported approval of the export of civil nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia. In response to Senator Van Hollen's questions, neither Chairman Svinivki nor the four other NRC Commissioners on the panel could provide answers on … Continue Reading
April 01, 2019
Van Hollen, Senators Demand Equal Pay for U.S. Women’s Soccer Team
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined his Senate colleagues today in calling on U.S. Soccer to establish equal pay for its athletes. Despite their successes on the field, players on the U.S. Women's National Team are still paid considerably less than their male counterparts. In 2016, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution calling for U.S. Soccer to immediately eliminate gender pay inequity and treat all athletes with the same respect and dignity. Despite that resolution and other … Continue Reading
April 01, 2019
Van Hollen Statement on Decision to Halt Transfer of F-35 Equipment to Turkey
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the Pentagon's decision to halt the transfer of equipment related to the F-35 fighter aircraft to Turkey as the Turkish government continues efforts to obtain the S-400 missile defense system from Russia: "I'm pleased to see that the Pentagon is heeding our calls to stop the transfer of F-35 related equipment to Turkey. Turkey operating both the S-400 missile and the F-35 is a non-starter. It puts our … Continue Reading
April 01, 2019
Van Hollen, Senators Call on Senate Armed Services Committee to Include Legal Protections for Military Families in Privatized Housing in Defense Bill
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined a group of Democrats in calling on the Senate Armed Services Committee to include in the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act portions of the Ensuring Safe Housing for our Military Act, the Senators' legislation to address health, safety and environmental hazards in privatized military housing. The legislation was in response to a recent Reuters investigation that found hazardous living conditions in privatized military housing … Continue Reading
April 01, 2019
Van Hollen, Senators Demand Answers on CDC’s Unreliable Gun Injury Data
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and eleven other Senators have sent a letter to the head of the Department of Health and Human Services, demanding answers to a series of questions about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's nonfatal firearm injury estimates. The inquiry relies on the findings of an investigation by The Trace and FiveThirtyEight. The Trace and FiveThirtyEight first reported last year that the CDC's 2016 gun injury estimate was so uncertain that the agency … Continue Reading
March 29, 2019
Van Hollen, Bipartisan Group of Senators Urge Trump Administration to Withdraw Proposed SNAP Rule
Proposed rule would bypass the intent of Congress in the 2018 Farm Bill and take food assistance away from families Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined a bipartisan letter that raised concerns about the U.S. Department of Agriculture's proposed rule to make harmful changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and urged Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to withdraw the proposal. "The proposed changes would take food assistance away from Americans struggling … Continue Reading
March 29, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $120 Million in Funding for Construction of Purple Line
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) have announced $120 million in federal funding through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for the construction of the Purple Line. This grant is part of the $900 million federal grant agreement for the Maryland Purple Line Light Rail Project, $568 million of which has been appropriated through FY 2019. The funding will go towards the development of railways, stations, and storage and maintenance facilities. "I am pleased to … Continue Reading
March 29, 2019
Van Hollen Announces DHS will Allocate Additional H-2B Visas
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will be allocating an additional 30,000 H-2B visas for the remainder of fiscal year 2019 to applicants who have held H-2B status in at least one of the past three fiscal years. This comes after repeated requests from Senator Van Hollen, including the most recent letter earlier this month that highlighted the disastrous impact that lack of access to visas has had on the Maryland crab industry. The … Continue Reading
