Press Releases
Van Hollen, Cardin Welcome Designation of Dorchester County as High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) today lauded the announcement that Dorchester County on Maryland's Eastern Shore has been added to the counties designated as part of the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTAs). The designation will enable Dorchester County to receive federal resources to address the severe heroin and opioid threat facing the community. Public health-public safety partnerships will help further the coordination and … Continue Reading
September 27, 2017
Van Hollen, Colleagues in Seek Safety and Accountability for Burmese Rohingya People
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined abipartisan group of Senators in a letter to senior Trump Administration officials Thursday, urging them to apply the full weight of American diplomatic influence to help resolve the Rohingya crisis in Burma and Bangladesh. The Senators specifically called for providing additional humanitarian aid to those who have fled their homes and are struggling to survive. Approximately 500,000 people have fled from Burma to Bangladesh amidst the violence. "The … Continue Reading
September 26, 2017
Van Hollen Statement on Trump Tax Proposal
Today, U.S. Senator Van Hollen released the following statement regarding the Trump Administration's release of their tax reform plan. "President Trump has finally released his long-awaited tax plan. But for all the waiting, this plan is just more of the same - a windfall tax giveaway for the very wealthy and special interests, with working Americans footing the bill. It leaves behind Maryland families and millions of others across the country. And just like the Republican efforts to blow up … Continue Reading
September 25, 2017
Van Hollen, Senators Urge Release of Full Department of Health and Human Services Study Examining Economic Impact of Admitting Refugees to the United States
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and a group of eight senators have urged the release of the full Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) study examining the economic impact of admitting refugees to the United States. The New York Times reported that the study found that refugees "contributed an estimated $269.1 billion in revenues to all levels of government" between 2005 and 2014 through the payment of federal, state, and local taxes. According to the news report, a White House … Continue Reading
September 25, 2017
Statement of Senator Chris Van Hollen on the Nomination of Noel J. Francisco
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on his opposition to the nomination of Noel J. Franciso for the position of Solicitor General of the United States. "Mr. President, I cannot support Noel Francisco's nomination to serve as the 47th Solicitor General of the United States. I do not believe Mr. Francisco can serve as a check on this administration and this President. "Created in 1870 and colloquially referred to as the "10th Supreme Court Justice," … Continue Reading
September 24, 2017
Van Hollen, Democratic Lawmakers Call for Extension of DACA Renewal Deadline in Wake of Storms
In the wake of three massive storms that have disrupted the day-to-day lives of millions of people in the U.S., Senator Chris Van Hollen and 37 U.S. Senators today called on the Trump Administration to extend the crucial Oct. 5 deadline for DREAMers to renew their DACA status. The group made the request in a letter to Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke. "These major hurricanes significantly disrupted day to day living and operations in these states and territories," the … Continue Reading
September 21, 2017
Van Hollen, Democrats Call on FEC to Prevent Foreign Governments from Using Social Media to Influence U.S. Elections
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined a coalition of Democratic House and Senate members in sending a letter to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) urging the agency to consider new rules that would prevent foreign nationals from using online advertising platforms, like Facebook and Twitter, to influence U.S. elections. Following the revelation that Russia purchased Facebook advertisements during the 2016 election to attempt to influence American voters, there has been increasing … Continue Reading
September 20, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $7.8 Million Grant for BWI Airport
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) have announced a $7,809,101 U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) grant for the Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI) Airport to fund the reconstruction of the Pier B apron pavement that has reached the end of its useful lifespan. "Baltimore is a world-class city, and BWI Airport is critical to the entire state's tourism and economy," said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations and Budget … Continue Reading
September 20, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce Funding for Eastern Shore First Responders to Purchase New Equipment
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) haveannounced that the Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department and the Preston Volunteer Fire Department have been awarded a total of $465,715 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to purchase new Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) to replace equipment that is past its useful lifespan and no longer compliant with National Fire Protection Association standards. The Kent Island Volunteer Department, located in Queen … Continue Reading
September 20, 2017
Van Hollen on MSNBC: Graham-Cassidy Does Not Pass the ‘Jimmy Kimmel Test’
Last night, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell to discuss the Graham-Cassidy attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act and the devastating impacts it would have on the American healthcare system. The full text of the interview is available below, and video of the interview is available here. LAWRENCE O'DONNELL, MSNBC: We're joined now by Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, he's a member of the Senate Budget Committee. Senator Van Hollen, the picture … Continue Reading
September 20, 2017
Van Hollen, Democratic Senators Call for Public Review and Comment on Valuable Evidence in FCC’s Net Neutrality Proceeding
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) today joined a group of Democratic Senators in calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allow the public to review and comment on tens of thousands of newly-revealed complaints that shed light on proposed changes to existing net neutrality protections. The documents, uncovered by a May 2017 Freedom of Information Act request, were only produced by the FCC a few days before the Open Internet Order proceeding comment deadline in August and … Continue Reading
September 20, 2017
Van Hollen, Senators Urge Office of Management and Budget to Investigate Taxpayer-Funded Travel for Executive Branch Officials
U.S. Senator Van Hollen (D-MD) joined 15 of his colleagues in a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) following reports that a number of high-ranking officials in the Trump Administration are incurring excessive travel costs. According to a September 19th POLITICO report, at least three members of the Cabinet have used taxpayer funds to charter expensive private airplanes or incurred excessive travel costs that signal a culture of wasteful spending. The letter was also signed by … Continue Reading
September 19, 2017
Van Hollen Speaks Out Against Disastrous Republican Health Care Legislation
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen spoke on the Senate floor yesterday to oppose the Republicans' last-ditch efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and strip Americans of their health coverage. His remarks are available below, and video is availablehere. "Thank you, Madam President. I first want to thank the Democratic Leader for his efforts to work and reach out to the Republican Leader, Senator McConnell, as we move forward to try to take some sensible steps to improve our health care system, … Continue Reading
September 19, 2017
Van Hollen Fights for Maryland Priorities in the National Defense Authorization Act
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen voted last night to support the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes important investments for military installations across Maryland. "This legislation makes important investments in the brave men and women who serve in our armed forces, as well as the equipment and research needed to face current and future threats. Maryland is home to many of military installations integral to keeping our nation safe, and we worked hard to ensure … Continue Reading
September 19, 2017
In Wake of Equifax Data Breach, Van Hollen and Democrats Want Immediate Review of Consumer Data Protection at Top Consumer Reporting Agencies
In the wake of a massive data breach at Equifax, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) today joined a group of Democratic Senators in calling for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to immediately review data security not only at Equifax, but also the other two major consumer reporting agencies, Experian and TransUnion. "As one of the three major consumer reporting agencies, Equifax centrally holds the most sensitive PII [Personally Identifiable Information]-information that determines whether … Continue Reading
September 18, 2017
Van Hollen, Senators to Trump: Fill Diplomatic Appointments Key to Addressing North Korea Crisis
U.S. Senator Chirs Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined 10 Senate Democrats in calling on President Trump to fill the vacanciesforU.S.Ambassador toSouthKorea,officially known as the Republic of Korea (ROK), Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs. These key positionshave gone unfilled in the over eight months of the Trump presidency. In the wake of North Korea's actions,Senate-confirmed nominees … Continue Reading
September 18, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce Nearly $120,000 for Economic Development
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin(both D-Md.) have announced that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded $116,667 to the University of Maryland and Morgan State University Joint Center for Economic Development. The Center specializes in utilizing University of Maryland and Morgan State University resources to research economic development strategies, help local businesses grow, assist community leaders revitalize local neighborhoods and provide job training for … Continue Reading
September 18, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $1.2 Million for Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) have announced a $1,218,606 Department of Transportation (DOT) grant for the Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport (SBY) in Salisbury, Md. Authorities will use the funds to rehabilitate and enhance runways, including the construction of a new lighting system designed to assist aircraft during low-visibility conditions. "Regional and general aviation airports serve as an important resource to communities in our state and are … Continue Reading
September 18, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin Strike Deal to Help Garrett County Small Businesses
WASHINGTON - U.S.Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Ben Cardin(D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, have secured a provision in the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to extend federal HUBZone eligibility to small businesses in Garrett County and in other HUBZone areas around Maryland.The provision, Senate Amendment 510, mirrors the HUBZone Investment Protection Act (S. 690), … Continue Reading
September 18, 2017
Comment Of Appropriations Vice Chair Patrick Leahy And Appropriations Member Chris Van Hollen On The U.S. Decision To Withdraw Approval Of Export of Firearms to the Turkish Presidential Protection Directorate
Reaction of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt), Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee and cosponsor of the amendment by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), adopted by the Appropriations Committee on Sept 7, to prohibit exports of U.S. defense articles to the Turkish Presidential Protection Directorate: "This sale to President Erdogan's personal security guards should never have been approved, given their history of excessive force. But in the category of 'better late than never,' we welcome … Continue Reading
