Press Releases
Van Hollen, Toomey Pursue Administration Report on Syria Strategy
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) want the Trump administration to provide to Congress a strategy in Syria that ensures American security interests are not compromised by a troop withdrawal. "President Trump's abrupt decision for an immediate withdrawal from Syria puts at risk our mission to defeat ISIS and endangers the future of our Syrian Kurdish allies, who have been the tip of the spear in that fight," said Senator Van Hollen. "This bipartisan amendment makes … Continue Reading
January 29, 2019
Statement by Senator Van Hollen on S.1, Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act of 2019
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding S.1, the Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act of 2019: Mr. President — I come to the Senate Floor today with a sense of great disappointment — disappointment in what my colleague, the senior senator from Florida and the Republican Leader have done with the bill before us today. Because they have taken a bill that had broad — maybe unanimous bipartisan support -- and tried to … Continue Reading
January 29, 2019
Van Hollen, Democratic Senators Introduce Pay Raise for Federal Employees
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) introduced legislation to provide federal employees with a 2.6 percent cost of living increase. Last year, President Trump announced a pay freeze for civil servants for 2019, which he can do unilaterally unless Congress acts. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on their companion legislation to this measure on Wednesday. "Our federal workforce … Continue Reading
January 29, 2019
Van Hollen, Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce Resolution Calling for Release of Imprisoned Reuters Journalists and Safe Repatriation of Rohingya
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), joined a bipartisan group of Senators in introducing a new resolution calling for the immediate release of imprisoned Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, as well as for accountability and safe repatriation of refugees in the wake of Burma's atrocities against the Rohingya minority. Lone and Soe Oo were recently sentenced to seven years in prison for their work reporting on massacres that Burmese security forces carried out against the … Continue Reading
January 28, 2019
Van Hollen, Bipartisan Group of Senators Urge Administration to Pay Federal Workers Affected by the Shutdown Immediately
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) led a bipartisan letter with 28 of his colleagues to Margaret M. Weichert, Acting Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), urging the Administration to provide back pay for federal workers as soon as possible. The Senators write, "More than 800,000 federal workers have gone without pay because the government shutdown locked them out of their jobs or required them to work without pay. These workers need to know now when they will … Continue Reading
January 25, 2019
Trump Announces Support for Bipartisan Senate Deal to Reopen Government
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen applauded President Trump's announcement that he will support the stopgap funding framework that the Senator announced yesterday with U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Angus King (I-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.). "This legislation will finally end this shutdown, get 800,000 federal workers … Continue Reading
January 24, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin Urge Banks, Creditors to Implement Relief Measures for Federal Workers Struggling to Pay Mortgage, Monthly Bills
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) have joined Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) in calling for banks, lenders, and financial institutions to work with their customers who have been impacted by the partial government shutdown and are at risk of falling behind on their monthly bills. As the Trump Shutdown continues into its fifth week, many of the 800,000 federal employees who have been furloughed or forced to work without pay are unsure when … Continue Reading
January 24, 2019
Van Hollen Statement on Senate Vote To Reopen the Government
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the Senate's failed vote to reopen the government: "Today marks 34 days of the Trump Shutdown. Moments ago, the Senate had an opportunity to pass a narrow proposal to reopen the government until February 8th. This would have allowed over 800,000 federal employees to get back to work-as well as receive their back pay so they can finally afford to pay for their mounting bills. It would have also meant … Continue Reading
January 24, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, Kaine, and Warner Ask Childcare Providers for Flexibility on Behalf of Parents Affected by the Government Shutdown
Letters highlight arrangements reportedly made by some organizations and request details on any accommodations being made for families U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) requested financial flexibility from childcare organizations for parents and guardians affected by the partial government shutdown. Among the expenses piling up for these families, who do not know when their next paycheck will come, are steep costs of … Continue Reading
January 23, 2019
Van Hollen, 20 Senators Press State Department & DOJ for Information on Saudi-led War in Yemen
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined a group of 20 bipartisan Senators in signing a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein pressing them on two recently reported aspects of the Saudi-led war in Yemen: reports that Saudi Arabia is paying poor Sudanese child soldiers to fight as mercenaries in its war in Yemen, and reports that the United Arab Emirates-a U.S. ally in the Gulf that is part of the Saudi war coalition in Yemen-is arming Yemeni … Continue Reading
January 23, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, Kaine, and Warner Stand Up for Federal Employees Who Risk Losing Insurance Benefits Amid Government Shutdown
Letter presses OPM to develop alternative payment arrangements for affected employees U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) urged the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to do everything in its power to prevent the termination of dental and vision insurance coverage for federal employees affected by the partial government shutdown. In a letter to OPM, the Senators stood up for the federal employees who risk losing their … Continue Reading
January 23, 2019
Van Hollen Visits Prince George’s County Council
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) visited the Prince George's County Council at the County Administration Building in Upper Marlboro on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, for an informal "Meet and Greet" luncheon. Senator Van Hollen said, "I was very pleased to meet today with members of the Prince George's County Council. It was a great chance to discuss how we can work together on initiatives like transportation and economic development, so our community continues to grow and thrive. We also … Continue Reading
January 22, 2019
Van Hollen Talks Shutdown, Trump Deal on Senate Floor
"Since when does the President dictate what we do here in the United States Senate? That's a question for every Member." Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen spoke on the Senate floor on the current status of the shutdown. Excerpts of the Senator's remarks are available below and video of the Senator's full speech is available here: "On December 11th of last year, at a meeting at the White House, President Trump said he would be 'proud' - 'proud' - to shut down the government of the United … Continue Reading
January 18, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, 170 Members of Congress Sign Letter to Trump on Shutdown Housing Crisis
Letter urges the President to immediately re-open the Department of Housing and Urban Development U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) have joined 170 of their colleagues in sending a letter to President Trump on the direct and immediate consequences of the shutdown on housing security for more than four million Americans across the country who rely on the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) rental assistance initiatives. The Senators state, "We write … Continue Reading
January 17, 2019
Van Hollen Joins Senators in Seeking Information on Universal Flu Vaccine Research
Senators helped secure dedicated research funding to develop a broader, longer-lasting flu vaccine Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.),Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Angus S. King Jr. (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) in asking the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to provide an update on research initiatives to develop a universal flu vaccine. Last year, NIAID … Continue Reading
January 17, 2019
Van Hollen Cosponsors Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing ‘National Mentoring Month’
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) cosponsored a bipartisan Senate resolution recognizing January 2019 as "National Mentoring Month" to raise awareness of the power of mentors to help young people determine their goals and reach their full potential. The resolution recognizes the benefits of mentoring, as well as mentoring programs, and volunteers who serve as mentors. The resolution also highlights the positive effects of young people who have a mentor. According to MENTOR: The National … Continue Reading
January 16, 2019
Van Hollen, Colleagues Introduce Fair Compensation for Low-Wage Contractor Employees Act
Senators Want to Make Sure Federal Contract Workers Hurt by Shutdown Receive Their Paychecks Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), along with his colleagues Sens. Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), introduced legislation to secure back pay for the federal contractor employees who continue to go without pay during the current government shutdown. The bill-the Fair Compensation for Low-Wage Contractor Employees … Continue Reading
January 16, 2019
Van Hollen, Gallego, Cotton, & Gallagher Introduce Bill to Impose Denial Orders on Chinese Telecom Companies That Violate U.S. Sanctions
Today Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Representative Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Representative Mike Gallagher (R-WI) introduced the bipartisan Telecommunications Denial Order Enforcement Act to direct the President to impose denial orders banning the export of U.S. parts and components to Chinese telecommunications companies that are in violation of U.S. export control or sanctions laws. The legislation follows the news that Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's chief financial … Continue Reading
January 11, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, Kaine & Warner Request Information on the Impact of the Shutdown on WMATA
Md. & Va. Senators express concern about the effect of a prolonged shutdown on vital transportation networks Today Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.), along with Tim Kaine and Warner (both D-Va.), wrote a letter to Paul J. Wiedefeld, General Manager and CEO of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), seeking information on the impact that the partial government shutdown has had on WMATA's transit system, ridership, operational services, staffing, … Continue Reading
January 11, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin Introduce Legislation to Protect Federal Workers from Losing Their Homes, Falling Behind on Paying Bills During Shutdown
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) joined Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.) in introducing the Federal Employee Civil Relief Act. The new legislation would protect federal workers and their families from foreclosures, evictions, and loan defaults during a government shutdown. "Federal workers are already suffering the consequences of the government shutdown. I've heard from many of my constituents facing rent and mortgage … Continue Reading
