Press Releases
Van Hollen, Cardin Secure Authorization for Coast Guard Yard Infrastructure Modernization in FY23 Defense Bill
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced the inclusion of provisions from their Service to the Fleet Act to authorize $636 million for a major infrastructure overhaul of the Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay, Maryland in the House and Senate leadership's negotiated fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation is expected to be considered in the House this week and in the Senate next week. After introducing their Service to Fleet … Continue Reading
December 06, 2022
Van Hollen, Whitehouse, Colleagues Ask POTUS to Require Disclosure of Political Spending by Federal Contractors
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) alongside their Senate colleagues in calling on President Biden to issue an executive order requiring federal contractors to disclose their political spending, including dark money expenditures, after they are awarded a federal government contract. An effective disclosure system would shine a light on special interest influence and help increase Americans' trust in government. "It is paramount to shore up … Continue Reading
December 06, 2022
Van Hollen, Brown, Casey Introduce Bill to Ensure a Fair Banking System
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) introduced the Close the Shadow Banking Loophole Act, legislation to require companies that own an industrial loan company (ILC) to be subject to the same rules and consumer protections as traditional banks. ILCs are state-chartered banking institutions whose holding companies are not subject to consolidated supervision by the Federal Reserve, as all other bank holding companies are, due to a … Continue Reading
December 05, 2022
Maryland, Virginia Lawmakers Urge Congressional Leaders to Leave Door Open to ARPA-H in the National Capital Region
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined lawmakers from across Maryland and Virginia in urging congressional leaders to allow maximum flexibility when the administration selects a location for the newly created Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). The letter led by Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) is signed in addition to Senator Van Hollen by Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-Va.) as well as Representatives Steny Hoyer (Md.-5), Bobby Scott (Va.-3), Dutch Ruppersberger … Continue Reading
December 05, 2022
Van Hollen, Toomey Comment on G7 Price Cap Agreement
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), who have authored secondary sanctions legislation to hold Russia accountable for its war in Ukraine, released the following statement on the G7's agreement to a price cap on Russian oil: "The G7's agreement to implement a price cap on Russian oil is a significant step in holding Russia accountable for its unprovoked war against Ukraine. To ensure the price cap is as effective as possible, we must monitor compliance closely, … Continue Reading
December 02, 2022
Van Hollen, Murphy Reintroduce Legislation to Protect Consumers from Medical Debt
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) have reintroduced legislation to strengthen consumer protections and reform medical debt practices. The Strengthening Consumer Protections and Medical Debt Transparency Act would put in place standard practices to make sure that health care entities communicate with consumers about any debt that is owed and cap the annual interest rate growth for medical debt. The legislation also directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human … Continue Reading
December 01, 2022
Maryland Delegation Members Urge State to Apply for Grant to Expand Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Care
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Jamie Raskin, David Trone, Anthony G. Brown, Kweisi Mfume, Dutch Ruppersberger, and John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) wrote Maryland Secretary of Health Dennis Schrader urging the Maryland Department of Health to apply for a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC) planning grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA is the U.S. Department of Health and Human … Continue Reading
December 01, 2022
WATCH: Van Hollen Highlights Civil Rights Leaders’ Support for Relocating FBI Headquarters to Prince George’s County, Maryland
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) highlighted civil rights leaders' support for relocating the FBI headquarters to one of the two potential sites in Prince George's County, Maryland, on the grounds that these sites are in the best position to advance President Biden's stated equity goals, which he announced via Executive Order during his first week in office. During a hearing of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee related to racism and discrimination, Senator … Continue Reading
December 01, 2022
Van Hollen Statement on Legislation to Avert a National Rail Shutdown
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding his vote in favor of legislation to avert a national rail shutdown in addition to his vote to provide rail workers with seven days of paid sick leave: "Shutting down our nation's railways would have drastic consequences for our communities - jeopardizing supply chains that stock our grocery store shelves, ensure clean drinking water for our residents, deliver gasoline to the pumps, and provide power to … Continue Reading
December 01, 2022
Van Hollen, Sullivan, Merkley, Colleagues Warn CCP Against Violent Crackdown on Protesters
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) in sending a bipartisan letter alongside their Senate colleagues to the Chinese ambassador to the United States warning the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime of the consequences of a violent crackdown on peaceful protesters. Demonstrations have erupted across China in response to the CCP's severe measures restricting freedoms to contain rising COVID-19 infections. The letter led by … Continue Reading
December 01, 2022
Van Hollen, Carper, Norton, Maloney, Brown Call for D.C. Mayor to be Given Control Over D.C. National Guard in Final National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023
Yesterday, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.), and Anthony Brown (D-Md.) sent a letter urging the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to give the District of Columbia mayor control over the D.C. National Guard in the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (NDAA). The governors of states and territories control … Continue Reading
November 30, 2022
Van Hollen Statement on President Macron Honoring Frederick County WWII Veterans with Highest French Government Award
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding French President Emmanuel Macron's declaration of Frederick County World War II Veterans Samuel Davis and Carl Felton as Knights in the Legion of Honor, the French government's highest order of merit: "Our nation and our allies are forever in debt to veterans like Samuel Davis and Carl Felton, Marylanders who served in World War II and shaped history through their valor and courage. These two men are most … Continue Reading
November 30, 2022
Van Hollen Statement on President Macron Honoring Frederick County WWII Veterans with Highest French Government Award
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding French President Emmanuel Macron's declaration of Frederick County World War II Veterans Samuel Davis and Carl Felton as Knights in the Legion of Honor, the French government's highest order of merit: "Our nation and our allies are forever in debt to veterans like Samuel Davis and Carl Felton, Marylanders who served in World War II and shaped history through their valor and courage. These two men are most … Continue Reading
November 30, 2022
Van Hollen, Markey, Colleagues Urge Biden Admin. to Work to Improve Access to Education for Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) alongside Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) in urging Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power to work with the Bangladesh government, NGOs, and the United Nations (UN) to ensure access to education for the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya children who have fled violence in Burma and … Continue Reading
November 29, 2022
Van Hollen Statement on Senate Passage of Respect for Marriage Act
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding his vote to pass the Respect for Marriage Act: "No American should face discrimination - no matter who they love or where they live. The Respect for Marriage Act promises every legally married couple that their union will be given equal recognition and protection across the United States. It provides loving couples with the peace of mind that no court, state legislature, or local government can interfere … Continue Reading
November 29, 2022
Van Hollen, Durbin Urge USDA to Update Standards for Commercial Dog Breeding Facilities
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and their Democratic colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack urging him to update standards for commercial breeding facilities regulated under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The letter calls on Secretary Vilsack to implement the strong standards for veterinary care, housing, and breeding of dogs suggested in the Puppy Protection Act. "We write to request … Continue Reading
November 22, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Announce Over $400,000 to Expand Robotics and Engineering Education in Allegany County
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and U.S. Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) announced a total of $403,600 in funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), as well as state and local governments for the REACT Institute for STEM Education (RISE) Computational Thinking Initiative. The combined funding, with $170,000 made available through ARC and $233,000 from the State of Maryland and Allegany County, will be used to renovate and develop a new robotics education … Continue Reading
November 21, 2022
Van Hollen, Durbin Urge OMB to Follow Through on CHIPS Act Authorizations for Department OF Energy
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) alongside their Senate Democratic colleagues in urging the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to ensure that the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science is given the full amount of authorized funding allocated by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget request. In their letter, the Senators emphasize that properly funding DOE will demonstrate the U.S.' commitment to remaining … Continue Reading
November 21, 2022
Van Hollen, Brown, Colleagues Call On Bank Regulators to Review SoFi’s Crypto Activities
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) sent letters urging Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr, FDIC Acting Chair Marty Gruenberg, and Acting Comptroller Michael Hsu to review SoFi's crypto trading activities. The lawmakers highlighted the risk to consumers when banks trade volatile crypto assets and warned that SoFi's crypto trading may be in violation of regulatory requirements. "SoFi's digital … Continue Reading
November 18, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Hoyer, Brown Announce More Than $500,000 to Evaluate Possible Replacement of Two Prince George’s County Bridges
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer and Anthony G. Brown (all D-Md.) today announced $560,000 in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for Prince George's County to evaluate the repair or replacement of two aging bridges. The funding comes through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bridge Investment Program, which was created under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that the lawmakers voted to pass last year. "The Infrastructure Investment … Continue Reading
