Press Releases
Van Hollen Statement on Trump’s Decision to Withdraw from the Iran Deal
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action: “The Iran deal—forged with the world’s major powers—took us off the path of a disastrous war over Iran’s nuclear weapons program. The Iran deal has verifiably prevented Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, imposed tough constraints on their nuclear program, and subjected Iran to the most comprehensive … Continue Reading
May 08, 2018
Van Hollen, Cardin Call for Stronger Investment in Student Health and Safety
In the face of the opioid epidemic that is ravaging communities and gun violence that is endangering the health and well-being of America’s youth, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) wrote a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee leadership calling for stronger federal investments that enhance student health and safety.The letter requests the highest possible funding allocation for the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant under Title IV-A of the Every Student … Continue Reading
May 08, 2018
Van Hollen, Colleagues Question Termination of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians
Senator Chris Van Hollen today joined a group of U.S. Senators in calling on the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to explain what they call a “deeply troubling and potentially politically motivated” decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians in the United States. In their letter, the Senators point to an October 2017 USCIS report that described current conditions in Haiti as “vulnerable to external shocks and … Continue Reading
May 08, 2018
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $15,000 EPA Grant for UMBC
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced $15,000 in federal funding through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) to investigate innovative ways to tackle the issue of nutrient pollution, which impairs water and environmental quality. This new technology aims to sustainably remove nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium pollution from urine. The grant was awarded through the People, Prosperity, and the … Continue Reading
May 07, 2018
Van Hollen, Cardin: Trump’s Efforts to Dismantle Health Care System Costing Maryland Families
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) today issued the following on newly released initial premium rate requests filed by health insurance carriers in the individual marketplace for 2019 in Maryland. After failing to repeal the Affordable Care Act in the face of broad bipartisan support for the law, President Trump and Republicans in Congress have worked to sabotage our health care system at every turn. For those in the individual marketplace, the direct results are higher … Continue Reading
May 04, 2018
Van Hollen Statement on Trump Administration’s Decision to End TPS for Honduras
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen spoke out against the Trump Administration's decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nearly 57,000 Hondurans - including about 2,000 Marylanders - who have been living legally in the United States for decades. Senator Van Hollen has introduced the SECURE Act, which would allow qualified TPS recipients to apply for legal permanent residency. “The Trump Administration’s decision to abandon these men and women - who are all living and … Continue Reading
May 04, 2018
Van Hollen, Sullivan Recognize Foreign Service Day, the Importance of America’s Foreign Service Officers
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) released the following statement in recognition of Foreign Service Day: “Our diplomats are the finest in the world. They work tirelessly on behalf of our country in nearly 300 embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions around the world, often at great personal risk to themselves and their families. They save American lives every day by resolving conflicts before they escalate. They advance our values around … Continue Reading
May 03, 2018
Van Hollen Expresses Concern Over Sri Lankan Tensions
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen sent a letter to Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena expressing concern towards the escalating violence between the Sinhalese Buddhist and Muslim minority communities.The letter can be found here and below.Mr. President,I have been a longtime supporter of a strong U.S.-Sri Lanka relationship, and I will continue to work to strengthen the bonds between our two countries. I appreciate our open, honest, and transparent bilateral relationship, as … Continue Reading
May 03, 2018
Van Hollen, Booker Urge Congress to Support Fair Housing Initiatives
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) have led a letter urging Congress to provide full funding for the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP), which is run out of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and helps Americans gain access to housing. FHIP is the only federal program that supports the work of qualified nonprofit fair housing organizations throughout the nation to educate the public and housing industry professionals and address … Continue Reading
May 02, 2018
Van Hollen, Reed Urge Congress to Fund Childhood Cancer Initiatives
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) have led a letter urging Congress to provide $30 million to the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Health and Human Services to fund the childhood cancer programs established in the Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research (STAR) Act. These programs will advance pediatric cancer research and child-focused cancer treatments, while also improving childhood cancer data collection and … Continue Reading
May 01, 2018
Van Hollen, Durbin Urge Congress to Support NIST
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) have led a letter urging Congress to fully fund the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST). NIST is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland and supports research and development across the country. The Senators write, “NIST research programs work at the frontiers of measurement science to ensure that the U.S. system of weights and measures is firmly grounded in sound scientific and technical principles.” … Continue Reading
April 27, 2018
Van Hollen, Senators to Zinke: Press Pause on Bears Ears & Grand Staircase Management Plans Until Courts Speak
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined Senator Tom Udall and a group of 16 senators in calling on U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) Secretary Ryan Zinke to halt the development of management plans for Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments until legal challenges related to President Trump’s illegal attempt to shrink these monuments have been resolved. The senators also expressed their deep concern that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) does not intend to consider … Continue Reading
April 26, 2018
Van Hollen, Cardin Urge Congress to Fully Fund Wallops
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen has led two letters, joined by Senator Ben Cardin, urging Congress to fully fund upgrades and investments in Wallops Flight Facility. Wallops Flight Facility, located just south of Maryland’s border with Virginia, plays a crucial role in both National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Department of Defense missions. Wallops employs over 500 Marylanders. This funding would build on the $15 million that Senators Van Hollen and Cardin secured for … Continue Reading
April 26, 2018
Van Hollen, Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Create National Fab Lab Network
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) have introduced the National Fab Lab Network Act of 2018, legislation that would expand Fab Labs across the country. These facilities are equipped with digitally-controlled tools that enable individuals to create and innovate new products. Tools available range from laser cutters, to 3D printers, to automated knives, and training is also provided. To foster the growth and expansion of new and current Fab Labs, the … Continue Reading
April 26, 2018
Van Hollen, Bay Senators Urge Farm Bill Support for Chesapeake Bay Farmers
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen has led a bipartisan letter with his colleagues to the Senate Agriculture Committee urging the inclusion of his legislation, the Chesapeake Bay Farm Bill Enhancements Act, in this year’s Farm Bill. This bill would dramatically increase the amount of funds available to Bay-area farmers to aid in conservation and anti-pollution efforts. The Senators write, “As the Senate Agriculture Committee considers the upcoming Farm Bill, we urge you to consider inclusion … Continue Reading
April 24, 2018
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $3.6 Million in Funding for WMATA Bus Facilities
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) today announced $3.6 million in federal funding through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). This funding will go towards improving bus facilities, including replacing old bus shelters that are damaged.“WMATA serves thousands of Marylanders annually as they commute to and from work. It’s crucial that we ensure a safe and reliable trip for all riders, and these … Continue Reading
April 20, 2018
Van Hollen Joins Bipartisan Group Of Senators In Requesting Funds To Fully Implement Their Mental Health Reform Act
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined a bipartisan group of senators in calling for robust funding to fully implement the law and help make America's mental health system more responsive to the needs of those with mental illness. In a letter to Chairman Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee, the group of senators highlighted that while many Americans live with … Continue Reading
April 20, 2018
Van Hollen, Murphy, Blumenthal Press State, DHS for More Information on Trump Travel Ban
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Christopher Murphy (D-Conn.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) wrote to Acting Secretary of State John Sullivan and Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen requesting more information on the implementation of the Trump Administration's travel ban. Next week, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments concerning the legality of the current version of the ban. Appellate courts have found that it is a de facto Muslim ban in violation of our … Continue Reading
April 19, 2018
Van Hollen Joins Bipartisan Group Of 26 Senators In Demanding Full Funding For National Sea Grant College Program
After the Trump administration proposed to eliminate the National Sea Grant College Program from his FY 2019 budget, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, joined a bipartisan group of senators in calling for the program to be funded - at a minimum - at its current funding level of $65 million. In a letter to Chairman Jerry Moran (R-Kas.) and Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, … Continue Reading
April 18, 2018
Van Hollen Calls on Pruitt to Resign
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen called on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt to resign and joined U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.) in introducing a resolution calling for his immediate resignation: "EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt's conduct in office is a disgrace. He no longer holds the confidence of the American people, and his actions are examples of why many distrust the federal government. The EPA's mission is to protect human … Continue Reading
