Press Releases
Van Hollen Statement in Support of Nomination of Christopher Wray to be FBI Director
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen submitted the following statement to the Congressional record in support ofthe nomination of Christopher Wray to be Director of the FBI: "Mr. President, I rise to voice my support for Christopher Wray's nomination to become the next Director of the FBI. After meeting with Mr. Wray and reviewing his record, I believe he possesses the independence and integrity necessary to lead the Bureau through this tumultuous period. "This vacancy arose because President Trump … Continue Reading
August 02, 2017
Van Hollen: Tax Reform Should Not Include Tax Breaks for the Wealthy
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined MSNBC's Morning Joe to discuss Democratic priorities for tax reform. An excerpt of the interview is below: "We just actually sent a letter to Mitch McConnell - we, meaning the Democrats in the Senate - saying that we're happy to work with them on genuine tax reform. We're not interested in providing another round of windfall tax breaks to very, very wealthy people. We don't think that's the priority in the country. "But we asked them to follow Senator … Continue Reading
August 02, 2017
Van Hollen Statement on Diego and Lizandro Claros
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen released the following statement on Diego and Lizandro Claros, two young Marylanders being targeted for deportation: "Diego and Lizandro Claros were children when they fled violence in El Salvador to seek a better life in the United States. They've been exemplary Marylanders, prioritizing their educations and giving back to their community. It's important to go after MS-13 gang members, but it is an insult to decency and common sense for Diego and Lizandro to be … Continue Reading
August 02, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $3.56 Million for Prince George’s County Fire and Emergency Services Department to Hire 27 Firefighters
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.)have announced that the Prince George's County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department has been awarded $3,567,229 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to hire 27 full time firefighters. The grant will ensure adequate staffing levels to respond to fire and emergency medical service calls throughout the County. "Every day, firefighters in Prince George's County and across our state put their lives on the line to … Continue Reading
August 02, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $1.5 Million for Baltimore County Fire Department to Hire 16 Firefighters
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) haveannounced that the Baltimore County Fire Department has been awarded $1,519,368 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to hire 16 full time firefighters. The grant will ensure adequate staffing levels to respond to fire and emergency medical service calls throughout the County. "Every day, firefighters in Baltimore County and across our state put their lives on the line to protect our communities," said Senator Van … Continue Reading
August 02, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $180,953 to Barton Hose Company to Purchase New Fire Engine
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.)have announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency, under the Department of Homeland Security, has awarded a $180,953 grant to the Barton Hose Company in Barton, Allegany County. The grant will be used to purchase a new vehicle designed for fighting brush, grass and forest fires. The vehicle's unique setup will allow firefighters to drive and pump water simultaneously. The Department is responsible for covering a large portion of … Continue Reading
August 01, 2017
Van Hollen Introduces Bill to Stop Wage Theft, Boost Workers’ Financial Security
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Al Franken (D-MN), as well as U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Bobby Scott (D-VA), to introduce the Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act. The legislation cracks down on employers who unfairly withhold wages from their employees. This bill would give workers the right to receive full compensation for all of the work they perform, as well as the right to receive regular paystubs … Continue Reading
August 01, 2017
Van Hollen, Banking Dems Demands Answers from Wells Fargo on Latest Auto Insurance Fraud Scandal
Following a request from Democratic members of the Senate Banking Committee for a September hearing with Wells Fargo leaders, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen today sent a letter to the bank's CEO Tim Sloan and Board of Directors Chairman Stephen Sanger, demanding responses to specific questions regarding reports the bank engaged in another scandal to rip off its customers - charging hundreds of thousands of auto loan customers for insurance they did not need, authorize, and that many were not … Continue Reading
August 01, 2017
Van Hollen, Senate Democrats Send Letter to President Trump & Senate GOP Leaders Urging Open & Bipartisan Process to Modernize Tax System to Prioritize Working Families
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined Senate Democrats in sending a letter to President Trump, Leader McConnell, and Chairman Hatch, urging Republicans to come to the table and work with Democrats in a bipartisan way on the Senate's next critical item - tax reform. Senator Van Hollen and 44 Senate Democrats laid out their three main tenants ahead of any negotiations, and said they hope to work with the GOP to craft legislation that prioritizes working families over the wealthiest few and … Continue Reading
August 01, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $2.35 Million for Assateague State Park Restoration
Today U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced that the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has been awarded $2,353,373 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to fund repairs to sand dunes, campgrounds, and roads in Assateague Beach State Park. Repairs will focus on areas damaged or destroyed in the severe winter storm that impacted Maryland on January 22 and 23, 2016. "Assateague Beach State Park is one of the many natural treasures that draw tourists … Continue Reading
August 01, 2017
Van Hollen, Klobuchar Introduce Legislation to Ensure a Better Deal for Seniors on Prescription Drug Costs
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) in introducing legislation to unleash the bargaining power of seniors for a better deal on prescription drug costs. The legislation would allow for Medicare to negotiate the best possible price of prescription drugs to cut costs for nearly 41 million seniors enrolled in Medicare Part D. Current law only allows for bargaining by pharmaceutical companies and bans Medicare from doing so. "Seniors in Maryland and … Continue Reading
July 31, 2017
Van Hollen Introduces Bill to Stop Wage Theft, Boost Workers’ Financial Security
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Al Franken (D-MN), as well as U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Bobby Scott (D-VA), to introduce the Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act. The legislation cracks down on employers who unfairly withhold wages from their employees. This bill would give workers the right to receive full compensation for all of the work they perform, as well as the right to receive regular paystubs … Continue Reading
July 31, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $338,292 for Maryland Opioid Surveillance System Improvement Program
Today U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded $338,292 to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to establish the Maryland Opioid Surveillance System Improvement Program. The program will address the rising rate of opioid-related overdoses, with a specific focus on heroin and synthetic opioids such as illicitly manufactured fentanyl. The Maryland DHMH will establish an early … Continue Reading
July 28, 2017
Van Hollen Urges Senate Leadership to Protect Federal Employee Retirement Benefits
Today United States Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined a group of Senators in calling on Senate leadership to protect federal employee retirement benefits from further cuts, as proposed by the Trump Administration's FY 18 budget request. The President's proposal calls for $149 billion in cuts from federal employees and retirees, including a raise in Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) contributions from employees and the reduction or elimination of cost-of-living-adjustments. Nearly … Continue Reading
July 27, 2017
Van Hollen Fights for Maryland in Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, voted to support the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. It will provide funding for transportation infrastructure development, housing assistance, and community development. "This legislation invests in our national infrastructure, affordable housing for families and seniors, and programs that strengthen our economy and help people … Continue Reading
July 27, 2017
Van Hollen Urges Senate Leadership to Protect Federal Employee Retirement Benefits
Today United States Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined a group of Senators in calling on Senate leadership to protect federal employee retirement benefits from further cuts, as proposed by the Trump Administration's FY 18 budget request. The President's proposal calls for $149 billion in cuts from federal employees and retirees, including a raise in Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) contributions from employees and the reduction or elimination of cost-of-living-adjustments. Nearly … Continue Reading
July 27, 2017
Van Hollen, Senators Send Bipartisan Letter Urging Secretary Mattis Not To Implement Transgender Ban
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)joined Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and a bipartisan group of Senators in sending a letter to Secretaryof Defense JamesN. Mattis, urging him to advise the President against implementing the announcement he made via Twitter Wednesday that transgender Americans can no longer serve in the military. This announcement contradicts existing Defense Department policies, undermines our military readiness, … Continue Reading
July 27, 2017
Van Hollen Statement on the Latest Republican Health Care Proposal
Van Hollen Statement on the Latest Republican Health Care Proposal Washington, DC - Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement on the latest Republican health care proposal: "We may have started this debate with Republicans refusing to say what their final health care legislation would be, but the result remains the same. Every proposal offered by our Republican colleagues - all of which were hammered out in secret - will result in millions of people losing their … Continue Reading
July 26, 2017
Van Hollen Calls on Federal Reserve to Investigate Deutsche Bank’s Conflicts of Interest with Trump
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, member of the Senate Banking Committee, today wrote to Janet Yellen, Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and William Dudley, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. He is asking that the Federal Reserve investigate Deutsche Bank and the possible conflicts of interest it faces with the outstanding loans to President Trump and his family. The concern is that President Trump may have undue influence … Continue Reading
July 26, 2017
Van Hollen, Democratic Senators Call On President Trump To Protect Dreamers
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and 41 of his Democratic Senate colleagues asked President Donald Trump to use his executive authority to the greatest extent possible to protect the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which provides temporary relief from deportation to immigrant students who arrived in the United States as children if they register with the government, pay a fee, and pass criminal and national-security background checks. Texas Attorney General Ken … Continue Reading
