Press Releases
Van Hollen, Murphy, Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Withhold Military Aid to Egypt Given Human Rights Concerns
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) alongside their Senate colleagues in urging the Biden administration to withhold the $320 million of Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to Egypt that Congress made contingent upon specific human rights conditions in the FY22 Appropriations Act. In a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the senators lay out the Egyptian government’s failure to make meaningful progress in addressing human rights concerns and … Continue Reading
July 27, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce Appropriations Committee Passage of Over $10 Million for Maryland Small Business and Community Development Projects in Key Funding Legislation
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, and Senator Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced the inclusion of $10,855,000 in key Senate Committee legislation providing direct federal funding for community-led projects throughout Maryland. These community projects, funded at the Senators’ request, are within the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government’s … Continue Reading
July 27, 2023
Van Hollen, Sarbanes, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Establish Chesapeake National Recreation Area
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressman John Sarbanes (both D-Md.) introduced their bipartisan, bicameral legislation to create a unified Chesapeake National Recreation Area (CNRA). The bill proposes to unite a series of voluntarily contributed park areas and iconic Bay properties under the operation of the National Park Service (NPS) in order to provide more federal resources for environmental conservation, celebrate the Chesapeake’s diverse cultural and economic history, foster … Continue Reading
July 26, 2023
Van Hollen Statement on Biden Nomination of Martin O’Malley to Lead Social Security Administration
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on President Biden’s nomination of former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley to serve as Commissioner of the U.S. Social Security Administration: “Having worked closely with Governor O’Malley, I know firsthand his commitment to hardworking families and that includes protecting Americans’ Social Security benefits. What’s more, as the former executive of our great state, Governor … Continue Reading
July 26, 2023
Maryland Department of the Environment Receiving Nearly Half Million to Improve Air Quality and Environmental Justice in Three Communities
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume and Glenn Ivey (all D-Md.) announced $497,861 in Inflation Reduction Act funding to develop a comprehensive, community-driven strategy to identify and combat air pollutants that cause health disparities and achieve environmental justice in three historically underserved Maryland communities. The federal funding was awarded to the Maryland Department of Environment to identify the … Continue Reading
July 26, 2023
Maryland Delegation Members Announce Over $28 Million to Support Early Childhood Education Programs Across Maryland
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, David Trone, and Glenn Ivey (all D-Md.) announced $28,927,670 in federal funding for Head Start programs across the state to expand early learning, development, health services, and family well-being. “Investing in early education for our children creates a strong foundation for their future success. By supporting Head Start programs across … Continue Reading
July 25, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin Introduce Legislation to Honor the Late Henrietta Lacks with Congressional Gold Medal
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced the introduction of a bill to posthumously award to Henrietta Lacks the Congressional Gold Medal – Congress’ most prestigious award of appreciation – in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to medicine. Lacks, a Black woman who lived in Baltimore, died of cervical cancer in 1951. During her cancer treatment at Johns Hopkins Hospital, doctors took samples of her tumor, and from this the HeLa cell … Continue Reading
July 21, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin, Mfume Announce New DOJ Resources to Strengthen Public Safety in Baltimore City and the State of Maryland
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) announced that the U.S. Department of Justice is increasing the number of Assistant U.S. Attorneys, FBI agents, DEA agents, and ATF agents in Maryland and the Baltimore metropolitan area to bolster efforts to combat violent crime and improve safety in the City, which in 2023 is finally seeing a reduction in homicides and non-fatal shootings at the half-year mark of 2023. DOJ’s action comes after the … Continue Reading
July 20, 2023
Senators Van Hollen, Carper, Kaine, Cardin, Booker and Representative Norton Introduce the District of Columbia Courts Judicial Vacancy Reduction Act
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) introduced the District of Columbia Courts Judicial Vacancy Reduction Act, common-sense legislation that would apply a 60-day congressional review period to D.C. judicial nominees. This bill would also remove a provision that requires the Senate to hold hearings and vote on these nominations. Under the current system, … Continue Reading
July 20, 2023
Van Hollen, Coons, Wicker Introduce Bill to Reduce Debt-Based Driver’s License Suspensions
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) in introducing the bipartisan Driving for Opportunity Act to provide incentives to states that choose to end debt-based driver’s license suspensions. Millions of Americans have their driver’s licenses suspended simply because they are too poor to pay fines or fees, and not for any public safety reason. These debt-based driver’s license suspensions make it harder for Americans … Continue Reading
July 20, 2023
Van Hollen Addresses Appropriations Committee on Use of U.S. Foreign Assistance to Government of Israel
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) addressed the Senate Appropriations Committee, indicating his support for the $3.3 billion in security assistance to Israel for its defense against enemies like Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad but making it clear that these American taxpayers dollars should not be used by the Government of Israel for certain other purposes, including as a shield for settler violence against Palestinians or to advance the expansion of settlements and … Continue Reading
July 20, 2023
Van Hollen Applauds FedNow Launch
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government and a member of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, released the following statement on the Federal Reserve’s launch of their instant payments system, FedNow. The Senator has long fought for the creation of this system, including urging the Fed to move quickly on its implementation. The Senator also has led legislation, the Payments … Continue Reading
July 19, 2023
Van Hollen, Merkley, Schatz, Welch Release Statement on U.S. MOU with Israel on Visa Waiver Program
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) released the following statement regarding the U.S. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Israel around Israel’s entry into the Visa Waiver Program: “As longtime supporters of the U.S.-Israel relationship, we support Israel’s candidacy to join the Visa Waiver Program once it meets all of the requirements laid out in law. However, Secretary Blinken cannot … Continue Reading
July 19, 2023
In Letter to Teamsters, Van Hollen, Senate Democrats Commit to Not Intervene in Case of UPS Workers Strike
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) along with Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Richard Durbin (I-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), … Continue Reading
July 19, 2023
Joint Statement in Response to President Herzog’s Address
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) — members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee — issued the following joint statement with Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.): “Let us start by being clear: We warmly welcomed the visit of President Herzog to the United States and support what he said in his Joint Session to Congress today. It is what he did not say that disappoints us. While he welcomed achieving peace with the Palestinians, he … Continue Reading
July 18, 2023
Van Hollen, Warren, Pressley, Lynch Reintroduce Bill to Provide Americans Immediate Access to Money in Their Bank Accounts
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) and Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) reintroduced the Payments Modernization Act, legislation to make Americans’ funds deposited in their bank accounts immediately available for withdrawal. 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. By … Continue Reading
July 18, 2023
Van Hollen, Crapo, Hickenlooper Introduce Bill to Preserve Air Force Fighter Force Structure
To preserve military readiness, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) in introducing the Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act. This legislation prevents the closure of Air National Guard (ANG) fighter squadrons at a time when pilot and maintenance manning are at critically low levels. In addition to Senator Van Hollen, Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) joined as an original co-sponsor. “The … Continue Reading
July 17, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin, Sarbanes Secure Language to Halt Changes to Greenbury Point Access in Annual Defense Bill
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman John P. Sarbanes (all D-Md.) announced provisions in the Senate Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to prevent the U.S. Navy from unilaterally curbing access to Greenbury Point Conservation Area at Naval Support Activity Annapolis (NSA Annapolis). The Senators fought to include this provision – and Congressman Sarbanes worked on a corresponding amendment in the House – following community … Continue Reading
July 17, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce Appropriations Committee Passage of Nearly $10 Million for Maryland Public Safety and Research Projects in Key Funding Legislation
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS), and Senator Ben Cardin (both D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, announced the inclusion of $9,969,000 in direct federal funding for community-led projects throughout Maryland within key Senate Committee legislation. These projects, funded at the Senators’ request, are within the Senate … Continue Reading
July 14, 2023
A Joint Statement from Team Maryland on Updated FBI Criteria
Today, members of Maryland’s federal, state, and local governments including Governor Wes Moore, Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, David Trone, and Glenn Ivey, and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks released the following statement regarding the General Services Administration’s updated criteria for the selection of the new … Continue Reading