Press Releases
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $10 Million in Funding to Combat Maryland Opioid Crisis
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) have announced $10,036,845 in federal funding to fight Maryland's opioid health crisis. The grant is funded by the 21st Century Cures Act, which was backed by both Senator Cardin and Senator Van Hollen and signed into law by President Obama in 2016. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will provide the funds through the State Targeted Response to the Opioid Crisis Grants, which is administered by HHS' Substance Abuse and … Continue Reading
April 21, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $77,803 Grant for Havre de Grace Ambulance Corps
Today U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), under the Department of Homeland Security, has awarded a $77,803 grant to Havre de Grace Ambulance Corps for operations and safety. "Making sure our first responders are well-prepared to keep our communities safe is one of government's highest priorities," said Senator Cardin. "I'm glad to see this investment in Havre de Grace's Ambulance Corp come to fruition. It … Continue Reading
April 21, 2017
Van Hollen Will Fight Any Effort to Make it Easier for Corporations to Invert
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen spoke out against President Trump's new executive order, which would review all tax regulations issued in the last year of the Obama Administration. A key regulation from that period curbed the practice of corporate inversions - when companies shift their tax obligations onto American workers and families simply by moving their mailing address overseas. Senator Van Hollen led the charge against inversions in the House of Representatives, introducing … Continue Reading
April 20, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $500,000 Grant for Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute
Today U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), under the Department of Homeland Security, has awarded a $500,000 grant to the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI). "This grant represents an investment both in Maryland first responders and in Marylanders' safety, which is exactly the type of investment the federal government should be making," said Senator Cardin. "I'm very pleased the Maryland Fire and … Continue Reading
April 19, 2017
Maryland Delegation Supports Community Group’s Resolution of NextGen Flight Issues at BWI, Urges FAA to Act
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin joined Congressmen Steny Hoyer, Elijah Cummings, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, John Delaney, Anthony Brown, and Jamie Raskin in support of the DC Metroplex BWI Community Roundtable's proposed resolution of the NextGen flight path issue at BWI Airport and urged the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to act. "This Resolution satisfies the FAA's request that a Community Roundtable reach a consensus position before the FAA will consider … Continue Reading
April 19, 2017
Van Hollen Calls for UN Ambassador Haley to Reverse Course, Reaffirm U.S. Commitment to Global Reproductive Rights
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Patty Murray (D-WA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Chris Murphy (D-CT) in a letter calling on United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley to reverse course and reaffirm the United States' commitment to global reproductive rights. The U.S. has long supported sexual and reproductive rights abroad through foreign aid and development programs, but the Trump Administration has taken actions recently to … Continue Reading
April 17, 2017
Van Hollen Introduces Legislation to Fully Restore Broadband Privacy Protections
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), and nine other Senators in introducing legislation to restore broadband privacy rules that will protect consumers from having their personal, sensitive information sold without their consent. "It's shameful that Congressional Republicans voted to allow Americans' personal information be sold to the highest bidder," said Senator Van Hollen. "This was a blatant giveaway to corporate special interests. We must fully … Continue Reading
April 13, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin Statement on the Washington DC VA Medical Center
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) issued the following statement about the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General report on the Washington DC VA Medical Center, which found that patients were put at unnecessary risk. The Center is frequently used by many local veterans in Maryland. "We are deeply concerned about the issues raised by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, regarding the Washington DC VA Medical Center. … Continue Reading
April 12, 2017
Van Hollen Writes to Deutsche Bank on Conflicts of Interest with Trump Administration
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen wrote to the CEO of Deutsche Bank USA to raise concerns about conflicts of interest between the bank and President Trump. He is asking for information on a series of issues, from efforts to restructure President Trump's debt, to possible preferential treatment for family members who are now federal employees, to any meetings between Deutsche Bank and the Trump Administration. Senator Van Hollen is also seeking assurances that the Bank is not using ties to … Continue Reading
April 12, 2017
Van Hollen Announces Customers Not Cargo Act
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen announced the Customers Not Cargo Act, which would prohibit airlines from forcibly removing passengers after they have already boarded the plane due to overbooking or airline staff seeking to fly as passengers. Senator Van Hollen wrote to his colleagues this morning to invite them to join the legislation as he finalizes the bill text. "We were all shocked and outraged this week when United Airlines forcibly and brutally removed Dr. David Dao from Flight … Continue Reading
April 11, 2017
Van Hollen Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Provide Financial Stability to Muni Bonds
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen has introduced bipartisan legislation to allow high quality municipal debt to be classified at a level equivalent to debt issued by corporations. Debt sold by state and local governments is currently excluded from consideration under a rule requiring banks to hold enough highly liquid assets to fund their operations for 30 days. This exclusion may create a disincentive for banks to hold their positions in the municipal-debt market, potentially making it harder for … Continue Reading
April 11, 2017
Van Hollen, Booker, Duckworth, Durbin Push Back Against Attorney General on Consent Decrees
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) pushed back against Attorney General Jeff Sessions' decision to review existing consent decrees with local law enforcement, urging him not to reverse Justice Department policy on the use of consent decrees, pointing to their effectiveness in combatting civil rights abuses and improving public safety. Consent decrees are formal agreements that the Justice Department negotiates with … Continue Reading
April 11, 2017
Van Hollen, Senate Democrats Demand Answers from United Airlines Following the Forcible Removal of a Passenger
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) today are demanding answers from United Airlines following the forcible removal of a ticketed passenger on Flight 3411 from Chicago, Illinois to Louisville, Kentucky. "Consumer trust and confidence are critical to ensure this industry continues to thrive, and we hope United Airlines will work diligently to immediately address this incident and make … Continue Reading
April 11, 2017
Van Hollen, Senate Democrats Demand Answers from United Airlines Following the Forcible Removal of a Passenger
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) today are demanding answers from United Airlines following the forcible removal of a ticketed passenger on Flight 3411 from Chicago, Illinois to Louisville, Kentucky. "Consumer trust and confidence are critical to ensure this industry continues to thrive, and we hope United Airlines will work diligently to immediately address this incident and make … Continue Reading
April 10, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $750,000 ARC Grant for Garrett County
U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) announced a $750,000 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant for Garrett County to construct Phase II of Keyser's Ridge Business Park Access Road. The project is expected to create about 25 full time jobs. "This grant will create jobs and improve infrastructure in Garrett County,"said Senator Van Hollen."It is a great example of the positive impact that ARC has in Western Maryland - these smart investments are a win-win for the … Continue Reading
April 10, 2017
Van Hollen, Murphy Call on President Trump to Restore Funding for National Sea Grant College Program
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) led a group of 21 other Senators in calling on President Trump to reconsider his proposal to completely eliminate the $73 million National Sea Grant College Program. In a letter to President Trump, the senators highlighted the important role Sea Grant Programs play in boosting local economies and preserving coastal communities, and urged him to fully fund the program in FY 2018. "We represent senators from some of the 33 states … Continue Reading
April 07, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $120,000 ARC Grant for Boonsboro Sewer Replacement
U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) announced a $120,000 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant for the Town of Boonsboro to upgrade a critical sewer line, which currently lacks the capacity needed to adequately serve the community and is prone to backups. The federal funding will be matched by $120,000 in local funds for a project total of $240,000. "Our infrastructure is in desperate need of repair, and this grant will help Boonsboro make sewer improvements that … Continue Reading
April 07, 2017
Van Hollen Statement on U.S. Military Strike in Syria
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement on the U.S. Military Strike in Syria: "I believe a limited, proportional response to Assad's abhorrent use of chemical weapons was the right thing to do, and any future use should be met with a similar response. But it would be a mistake to get dragged into a full scale military conflict in Syria. President Trump must consult with Congress about a comprehensive strategy that includes a political settlement to the … Continue Reading
April 07, 2017
Van Hollen Introduces Legislation to Close Environmental Loophole for Natural Gas Drillers
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and nine Democratic Senators to introduce the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals (FRAC) Act, which would increase environmental protections for communities where natural gas drilling takes place. Specifically, the bill would require drillers to disclose the chemicals that go into the ground during the hydraulic fracturing process and close a 2005 loophole that prevents the Environmental Protection Agency … Continue Reading
April 06, 2017
Van Hollen: Today is a Sad Day in the United States Senate
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement on the change in Senate precedent to end the 60-vote threshold on Supreme Court nominees: "Today is a sad day in the United States Senate. I regret that my Republican colleagues did not have the courage of their convictions and failed to stand up to President Trump's demand to undermine the Senate in order to confirm a Supreme Court nominee who is outside the mainstream. Instead of rising to the challenge and upholding the … Continue Reading
