Press Releases
Senator Van Hollen Joins Colleagues in Calling on Trump for Sustained American Diplomatic Campaign to Defuse Current Korean Crisis
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) today sent a letter with his colleagues calling on President Donald Trump to lead a vigorous, sustained American diplomatic campaign to defuse the current Korean Crisis and resolve its underlying causes without starting a war. In the letter, the Senators indicate their support for the kind of direct negotiations with North Korea that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson reported during his recent trip to China. The Senators also expressed concern that the … Continue Reading
October 05, 2017
Van Hollen Joins in Introducing Three Pieces of Legislation to Reduce Gun Violence
This week, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has joined his Democratic colleagues to introduce three bills to reduce gun violence in the United States -- the Automatic Gun Fire Prevention Act; the Handgun Trigger Safety Act; and the Background Check Completion Act. "In the wake of the shooting in Las Vegas, our country has united to grieve the lives we've lost. But it's also time for us to work together to stop the terrible toll of gun violence in our country." said Senator Van … Continue Reading
October 05, 2017
Van Hollen, Democratic Senators Warn of Public Health Crisis in Puerto Rico, Urge Health Dept. to Take Action
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined a coalition of Senators in calling on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide additional resources and better coordinate efforts on the ground in the face of a growing public health crisis in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands following Hurricanes Irma and Maria to ensure the more than 3.5 million American citizens living there can safely access the quality health care they need. "Even before Hurricanes Irma and Maria hit … Continue Reading
October 05, 2017
Van Hollen Fights for Working Families in Budget Markup
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen offered several amendments at the Senate Budget Committee markup designed to protect working families in Maryland and across the country from the disastrous consequences of the Republican budget. "The Senate Republican Budget is a recipe for disaster for American families," said Senator Van Hollen. "This Republican budget puts Medicare, Medicaid, and education funding on the chopping block to finance windfall tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires. … Continue Reading
October 04, 2017
Van Hollen, Baltimore Delegation Statement on Appointment of Consent Decree Monitor Team
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined U.S. Senator Ben Cardin and Congressmen Elijah Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger, and John Sarbanes (all D-MD) in issuing the following statement after Judge James Bredar issued an order yesterday appointing the consent decree independent monitor team jointly recommended by the City of Baltimore, the Baltimore City Police Department (BDP), and the Department of Justice (DOJ): "We commend the City of Baltimore, BPD, and DOJ for coming together to advance … Continue Reading
October 04, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $3.1 Million Grant for BWI Airport
Today U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin(both D-Md.)announced a $3,100,297 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI) Airport. This investment will fund the addition of six additional boarding bridges to allow for the efficient movement of passengers and baggage. "BWI Airport is central to Maryland's thriving tourism and economy - and as that continues to expand, our transportation centers must do the same," said … Continue Reading
October 04, 2017
Van Hollen Announce $4.1 Million Grant for Maryland Veterans Cemetery
Today U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.)announced a $4,145,539 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs grant for the expansion of the Rocky Gap State Veterans Cemetery in Flintstone, Maryland. The expansion of the cemetery will help lay to rest additional men and women who have served in our armed forces, impacting 37,000 veterans and their families. "Veterans and their families sacrifice greatly for our nation, and they are owed a final resting place of honor," said … Continue Reading
October 03, 2017
Van Hollen Takes on Wells Fargo CEO on Forced Arbitration
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen raised the issue of forced arbitration - which denies consumers the right to sue a company - with Tim Sloan, the CEO of Wells Fargo. A transcript of their exchange is below. Senator Van Hollen also talked about a Maryland resident who was impacted by the bank's auto insurance scandal. To watch the full video of the Senator's questions, click here. SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN (D-MD): I was listening to your response to Senator Tester about the issue of forced … Continue Reading
September 29, 2017
Van Hollen Statement on Senate Republican Budget
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement on the Senate Republican Budget: "The Senate Republican Budget is a recipe for galloping debt, slower long-term growth, and widening economic inequality. Instead of investing in areas vital to our success - a strong middle class with expanding opportunities, the best schools, and world class research - it commits to windfall tax breaks for the very wealthy and powerful special interests. Adding mountains of new debt to our … Continue Reading
September 28, 2017
Van Hollen, Colleagues To President Trump: We Must Do More For Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined a group of Senators in sending aletter to President Trumpto express deep concern about the situation in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. "We write to express deep concern about the dire humanitarian situation in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In Puerto Rico, Hurricane Maria recently knocked out the entire island's electric grid leaving at least 3.4 million Americans with no power, decimated countless structures, and claimed … Continue Reading
September 28, 2017
Van Hollen Urges FCC Chairman Pai to Keep Internet Free and Open
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai opposing the roll back of the 2015 Open Internet Order and stressing the need for fair and equal internet access. Senator Van Hollen wrote, "As technology develops and consumers become even more dependent upon internet access, it is imperative that the FCC ensures that the internet is not divided between the have and the have-nots. I trust that you keep in mind the millions of … 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 27, 2017
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 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