Press Releases
What They’re Saying: Russia Will Interfere In U.S. Elections Again And We Are Not Prepared
In January, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced the Defending Elections from Threats by Establishing Redlines (DETER) Act, legislation that would impose tough sanctions on Russia if it interferes in our democratic process in the future. The bill's introduction comes as top U.S. officials and experts express growing concern that Russia will again attempt to disrupt upcoming U.S. elections: "CIA Director Mike Pompeo said Russia will target U.S. mid-term … Continue Reading
February 07, 2018
Van Hollen Joins 31 Senators in Demanding Answers on Reports of CFPB’s Stalled Investigation into Equifax Breach
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined a group of 31 senators, including every Democrat on the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, in demanding answers on reports that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has halted its investigation into how credit reporting agency Equifax failed to protect the personal data of over 145 million Americans. "We are deeply troubled by recent news reports that, under Director Mulvaney's leadership, the CFPB has … Continue Reading
February 06, 2018
Van Hollen, Perdue, Brown, Tillis Introduce Legislation to Provide Financial Flexibility to Local Land-Grant Universities
Today, in recognition of Black History Month, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and David Perdue (R-Ga.) introduced legislation to overturn an outdated, biased policy and provide 1890s Land-Grant Universities with the same financial flexibility currently enjoyed by their peers. The Carryover Equity Act would fix a provision that prohibits 1890s Land-Grant Universities - all of which are Historically Black Universities - from carrying over more than 20 percent of their equity from one … Continue Reading
February 06, 2018
Van Hollen Statement on Budget Agreement
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen released the following statement in response to the bipartisan budget agreement: "Today's budget deal represents bipartisan work that has been a long time in the making. Under this legislation, we provide increased stability and significant investments in programs that grow our economy and serve American families. We provide additional resources to protect our national security and support vital national priorities like education, life-saving medical … Continue Reading
January 31, 2018
Van Hollen, Flake Urge Administration for Clarity on Travel Ban Waivers
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) urged the Trump Administration to provide clarity on the waivers authorized in the President’s third travel ban, which prohibits entry into the United States for foreign nationals from seven countries, five of which are majority-Muslim. Per the President’s Proclamation, foreign nationals from the banned countries may apply for waivers to be admitted to the United States if a waiver is “in the national interest;” when … Continue Reading
January 29, 2018
Van Hollen, Beyer Introduce Cap and Dividend Legislation
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressman Don Beyer introduced the Healthy Climate and Family Security Act. This 'cap and dividend' approach is a simple, fair, and effective plan to address the dangers of climate change. It would put more money in the pockets of hardworking Americans, increasing their spending power and growing our entire economy. The introduction of the legislation came days after President Donald Trump gave an interview which again revealed his anti-science agenda … Continue Reading
January 28, 2018
Van Hollen Visits Local Manufacturing Plants
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen toured the McCormick and Company Plant and Technical Innovation Center in Hunt Valley and Goetze's Candy Company in Baltimore. During both visits, the Senator had the opportunity to meet with employees and see plant operations first-hand. The Senator also spoke with company leaders regarding issues facing the manufacturing industry and his efforts in the U.S. Senate to grow the economy, invest in job training, and bring jobs to Maryland. "Our state is … Continue Reading
January 25, 2018
Van Hollen, Tillis Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Encourage IPOs
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced bipartisan legislation that would strengthen financial markets by reducing the risk of companies contemplating going public. The Encouraging Public Offerings Act of 2018 would encourage capital formation by making initial public offerings (IPOs) more attractive. "Many emerging businesses find that the process of going public is too complex and expensive. This legislation creates a streamlined process for startups … Continue Reading
January 25, 2018
Van Hollen Urges Action to Prevent Foreign Interference in U.S. Elections
This week, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen spoke on the floor regarding his and Senator Rubio's bipartisan legislation to prevent foreign interference in U.S. elections, the Defending Elections from Threats by Establishing Redlines (DETER) Act. Today, companion legislation to the DETER Act was introduced in the U.S. House by Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) and Brad Schneider (D-Calif.). Former Vice President Joe Biden and former National Security Advisory Susan Rice also recently … Continue Reading
January 25, 2018
Van Hollen Joins First-Ever Resolution Recognizing January 25th as Women’s Health Research Day
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), to introduce a resolution designating January 25th, 2018, as Women's Health Research Day. Women's Health Research Day recognizes the need to increase awareness of sex- and gender-based biomedical research, which the National Institutes of Health did not consider prior to 2016, the underrepresentation of women in past biomedical research and the importance of … Continue Reading
January 25, 2018
Van Hollen Presents Award to Local Maryland Hero
Yesterday, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen presented the Carnegie Hero Medal to John Hollyfield of Accokeek, Maryland for his heroism in saving the life of then-6-year-old Ashley Gruwell. The Carnegie Medal is given throughout the United States and Canada to those who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others. "I am honored to present this award to Mr. Hollyfield, whose actions were selfless and heroic," said Senator Van Hollen. … Continue Reading
January 23, 2018
Biden Expresses Support for DETER Act
Today, at the Council on Foreign Relations, former Vice President Joe Biden endorsed Senators Van Hollen and Rubio's bipartisan DETER Act, legislation to prevent foreign interference in U.S. Elections. A transcript of the former Vice President's remarks regarding the DETER Act is below, and the full transcript and video of the event can be found here (Question at 41:51). RACHEL OSWALD, CQ: Vice President Biden, there-to be a little bit more specific, there is bipartisan legislation in the … Continue Reading
January 23, 2018
Senate Democrats Urge Secretary Zinke to Keep Public Lands in Public Hands
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and a group of Senate Democrats, led byU.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.), is urging Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to keep public lands public by prohibiting widespread sale and transfer of public lands. The senators asked Zinke to uphold the Department of the Interior's responsibility to retain America's public lands so every American can continue to access public lands. In response to a growing movement by some states to sell or transfer federal lands to … Continue Reading
January 22, 2018
Van Hollen Helps Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Condemning Burmese Ethnic Cleansing, Calling for Safe Repatriation of Rohingya
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) along with Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Todd Young (R-IN), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and John McCain (R-AZ) introduced a bipartisan Senate resolution condemning the Burmese campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya and calling for the "safe, dignified, voluntary and sustainable return" of the refugees who have been displaced by this violence. The Senators were also joined by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Dick Durbin (D-IL), … Continue Reading
January 22, 2018
Van Hollen Statement on Government Funding Bill
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement on the government funding bill: "We now finally have the commitment we needed from our Republican colleagues to address key national priorities on a long-term budget deal - this includes providing funding for our community health centers, combatting the opioid epidemic, and a promise for a vote on a bipartisan bill to protect the Dreamers. That is something Republican leadership has refused to do before today, regardless of … Continue Reading
January 19, 2018
Van Hollen Statement on Republican Government Shutdown
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement regarding the Republican government shutdown: "I am extremely disappointed that President Trump and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell rejected bipartisan proposals to keep the government open and to reach a budget agreement that supports our troops, funds vital community health centers, gives security to Dreamers, and makes critical investments in combatting the opioid epidemic and supporting our economy. We must now work … Continue Reading
January 17, 2018
Van Hollen, Harris Urge FCC Chairman Pai to Accurately Report the State of Broadband in America
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (R-Md.) wrote to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Pai urging the FCC to reconsider their proposal to end the distinction between mobile and fixed broadband in their annual 706 Broadband Progress report, upending decades of FCC precedent. The annual report gathers crucial data on the state of broadband in America in order to ensure that broadband is being deployed to all Americans in a timely … Continue Reading
January 17, 2018
Van Hollen, Harris Urge FCC Chairman Pai to Accurately Report the State of Broadband in America
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (R-Md.) wrote to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Pai urging the FCC to reconsider their proposal to end the distinction between mobile and fixed broadband in their annual 706 Broadband Progress report, upending decades of FCC precedent. The annual report gathers crucial data on the state of broadband in America in order to ensure that broadband is being deployed to all Americans in a timely … Continue Reading
January 17, 2018
Van Hollen Calls for Immediate Implementation of Wells Fargo Fixes to Strengthen Consumer Protections, Prevent Repeat of Widespread Fraud
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen today urged the agency responsible for supervising our nation's banks to immediately implement a series of recommendations to address serious lapses in government oversight that failed to prevent Wells Fargo's widespread fraudulent account scandal while ignoring numerous red flags. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) last April, following an internal review initiated by the Obama Administration, issued a series of recommendations to strengthen … Continue Reading
January 17, 2018
Van Hollen, 40 Senators Stand Up to Protect Consumer Bureau’s Independence
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, joined a group of 40 Senators in standing up for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) independence and power to obtain justice for consumers who have been wronged by large financial institutions. In a letter to Senate leaders Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer, the Senators urged the leaders to reject any government funding deals that would subject the CFPB's funding to political interference. The independence of the CFPB's structure and funding … Continue Reading
