Press Releases
Van Hollen, Brown Tour Anne Arundel Medical Center Campus
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD) and Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04) toured the Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) campus with President/CEO Victoria Bayless. During the visit, Congressman Brown and Senator Van Hollen viewed the James and Sylvia Earl Simulation to Advance Innovation and Learning (SAIL) Center and the Clatanoff Pavilion for women and children's care services. They also spoke with specialized care professionals throughout the visit to discuss research, behavioral … Continue Reading
October 26, 2017
In New Letter, Van Hollen, Senate Dems Demand Administration Kick Into High Gear On Power Restoration Efforts In Puerto Rico & US Virgin Islands
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined Senate Democrats today in releasing a new letter to administration officials demanding agencies expedite and better coordinate the on-going power restoration efforts in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. The Democrats said the administration's current lack of coordination with local officials, clearances for crews to begin their restoration work, lack of materials and support services, and a clear chain of command on the ground is threatening recovery … Continue Reading
October 25, 2017
Van Hollen Joins Bipartisan Call for Pres. Trump to Ramp up Pressure on Turkey’s Edrogan
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) today joined a bipartisan letter calling on President Trump to ramp up efforts to stop Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan from further eroding human rights, harassing American diplomats, and weakening democratic values in Turkey. Citing a storm of recent actions including the arbitrary arrest of several U.S. Consulate employees in Istanbul, the detention of top Amnesty International officials, the appalling sentencingby a Turkish courtof Wall Street … Continue Reading
October 25, 2017
Van Hollen, Colleagues To Trump Administration: National Parks Are For All Americans— Not Just The Wealthy
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and 10 other senators wrote to Secretary Zinke requesting he withdraw his proposal to dramatically increase national park entrance fees and to provide Congress with the analysis and justification used. On October 24, the National Park Service announced a proposal to almost triple the peak season entrance fees at 17 of the most popular national parks. Beginning in 2018, fees to enter these parks during the 5-most-popular months would jump from $25-$30 … Continue Reading
October 25, 2017
Van Hollen, Senate Democrats to EPA: Show Your Work on Clean Power Plan Repeal
Today, 19 Senate Democrats, including U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt asking for more information on the agency's decision to repeal the Clean Power Plan. The proposal, released by the agency earlier this month, relies heavily on skewed scientific and mathematical data in order to justify repealing the Clean Power Plan. The Senators write, "Our review of the 2017 Repeal proposal reveals significant … Continue Reading
October 20, 2017
Senators Van Hollen, Cardin Joined University Professors to Highlight the Importance of Dreamer Students at Higher Education Institutions and Call for Quick Passage of the Bipartisan Dream Act
Yesterday, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) joined Dr. James McShay from the University of Maryland, Dr. Matt A. Bareto from UCLA, and Monica Sibri, founder of CUNY DREAMers, for a press call highlighting the critical role Dreamers play in higher education. Speakers called for quick passage of the bipartisan Dream Act to allow these talented young people the opportunity to continue their studies and contribute to the only country they call home. "DREAMers were … Continue Reading
October 19, 2017
Van Hollen, Colleagues Demand DHS Answers for Reported Violations of Sensitive Locations Policy
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined a group of 20 senators in writing Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke to seek answers about the Department's apparent violations of policies regarding immigration enforcement at sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and religious institutions. In September,National Public Radio reportedthat the parents of a two-month-old baby were apprehended at a hospital while seeking lifesaving medical care for their son. "We have heard … Continue Reading
October 19, 2017
Van Hollen, Democratic Senators Request Update On Drug Enforcement Law
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senate Democrats in a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) requesting information on the impact of the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act highlighted in a recent report from the Washington Post and "60 Minutes." The Senators are working with the agencies to ensure they have the tools they need to fight the addiction epidemic. "In light of these … Continue Reading
October 19, 2017
Van Hollen Presses Trump Administration for Answers on how its Commission on Election Integrity Will Use Sensitive Voter Data
This week, U.S. Senator Chirs Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined 17 other Senate Democrats in again demanding answers about the Trump administration's Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity. The commission was established by the Trump administration in May supposedly to investigate the president's debunked claim of mass voter fraud in the 2016 presidential election. Many lawmakers, election officials, citizen watchdogs and security experts have said they fear that the commission's real … Continue Reading
October 18, 2017
Van Hollen, Democrats Push to Block Trump Administration’s Roll Back of Birth Control Mandate
Today, Senator Van Hollen joined Senate and House Democrats introduced the Protect Access to Birth Control Act, legislation to rescind the Trump Administration's interim final rules issued on October 6 that allow companies to interfere in their employees' health care choices and force women to pay more for an essential part of their health care. If enacted, the Protect Access to Birth Control Act would ensure President Trump's rules have no force or effect, safeguarding women's continued … Continue Reading
October 18, 2017
Van Hollen Discusses Tax Reform on HLN
This morning, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined CNN's Headline News (HLN) with Carol Costello to discuss the Republicans' tax reform plan.Senator Van Hollen highlighted the GOP effort to eliminate the state and local tax deduction, which is claimed by millions of middle-class families. Senator Van Hollen, along with Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), have introduced an amendment to block this provision. A transcript of highlights is below, andvideo of the interview is available here. CAROL … Continue Reading
October 18, 2017
Van Hollen Calls on DHS to Take Concrete Steps to Ensure Accurate Accounting of Deceased Victims of Hurricane Maria
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) urged the Department of Homeland Security to ensure the accuracy of the official fatality count in Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria, echoing similar calls from Representatives Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.) and Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.). Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Catherine Cortez Masto … Continue Reading
October 18, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin Urge Trump Administration to Extend Temporary Protected Status for Honduras and El Salvador
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin(both D-Md.) led 20 colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Elaine Duke urging the Trump Administration to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals from Honduras and El Salvador living in the United States, who are contributing to the U.S. economy, paying taxes, and supporting their families. Temporary Protected Status allows individuals from … Continue Reading
October 18, 2017
Van Hollen Legislation Honoring Frederick Douglass Passes Senate
Last night the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act, legislation led by U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) to commemorate Frederick Douglass. The bill would establish a commission to honor and celebrate Frederick Douglass in 2018 as we mark the 200th anniversary of his birth. The legislation was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on October 11, 2017, after it was introduced by Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) and Andy … Continue Reading
October 18, 2017
Van Hollen, Cantwell Introduce Amendment to Ensure Tax Fairness, Protect Middle Class from Being Taxed Twice on Their Paychecks
Today, as tax reform takes center stage in Congress, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) offered a provision to keep in place the State and Local Tax (SALT) deductions, protecting taxpayers from paying taxes twice on every dollar they earn. As part of the FY2018 Budget Resolution - which sets up Republicans' tax reform efforts - Republicans have proposed eliminating the SALT deductions for taxpayers to help pay for their massive tax cuts for corporations and the … Continue Reading
October 17, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $45 Million in Federal Funding for Public School Literacy Program
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) have announced $45 million in federal funding for Maryland public schools. The funding is designated for the Striving Readers Comprehension Literacy Grant Program, a public school initiative designed to advance literacy skills for students from birth through grade 12, most notably for students with disabilities and limited English proficiency. "Giving our kids the best education from day one is central to growing our economy and … Continue Reading
October 17, 2017
Van Hollen, Democratic Senators Introduce Bill to Block Trump Travel Ban 3.0
Wednesday, just hours after President Trump's harmful travel restrictions on foreigners from eight countries were set to go into effect,Senator Chris Van Hollen(D-Md.) joined in introducing legislation to reverse Trump's executive order and block its implementation. Specifically, the bill would withhold funding to enforce the executive order. The bill also declares the executive order illegal based on the1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, which banned discrimination against immigrants on … Continue Reading
October 17, 2017
Van Hollen Statement on Clashes Between Iraqi Government and Kurdish Peshmerga Forces
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement on clashes between the Iraqi government and Kurdish Peshmerga forces: "I am deeply disturbed by reports of the Iraqi government's military assault on Kirkuk and surrounding Kurdish territory and call on Prime Minister Abadi to immediately cease hostilities against Kurdish Peshmerga forces. Kurdish forces in Iraq and Syria are vital partners of the United States and have played an essential role in the fight against the Islamic … Continue Reading
October 16, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin Present $25 Million Federal Grant to Prince George’s County Public Schools
U.S.Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardintoday joined Prince George's County officials and students at Greenbelt Middle School to announce a three-year, $25 million grant for Prince George's County Public Schools. The grant will bolster the county's "Great Teachers, Great Leaders, Great Schools" project under the Teacher Incentive Fund Program. The grant will invest in Prince George's County students by investing in teacher and principal effectiveness at high-needs schools. "Teachers in … Continue Reading
October 16, 2017
Van Hollen, Senate Banking Democrats Urge Treasury IG to Investigate Noreika’s SGE Status
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) led a letter with Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) asking the Department of the Treasury's Office of the Inspector General initiate an investigation into the misapplication of Special Government Employee (SGE) status with regard to Acting Comptroller of the Currency Keith Noreika. "We've expressed … Continue Reading
