Press Releases
Van Hollen, Merkley, Colleagues Highlight Environmental Justice Concerns on Permitting Legislation, Need for Standalone Floor Consideration
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) alongside Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) in sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) expressing concerns regarding the impact that the recently released proposal to change the federal permitting process for fossil fuel projects will have on communities of color, … Continue Reading
September 22, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Reduce Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water
On Thursday, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) with Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) introduced the Financing Lead Out of Water (FLOW) Act. The FLOW Act would reduce exposure to lead in old water pipes by making it easier for cities and utilities to issue bonds to finance replacement projects. "The use of lead service lines poses a constant threat to the health and … Continue Reading
September 22, 2022
Van Hollen, Warren, Pressley, Garcia Introduce Bill to Provide Americans Immediate Access to Money in their Bank Accounts
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) and Jesús "Chuy" García (D-Ill.) introduced their Payments Modernization Act, legislation to make Americans' funds deposited in their bank accounts immediately available for withdrawal. Right now, Americans lose billions of dollars each year in overdraft fees, driving consumers to turn to more costly financial products because of our inefficient payments … Continue Reading
September 21, 2022
Van Hollen, Markey Call to Cease U.S. Security Assistance to Azerbaijan as Cross-Border Clashes Continue
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) alongside Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) in calling to prevent any U.S. security assistance from going to Azerbaijan until Armenia and Azerbaijan reach a permanent, lasting resolution to ensure peace and stability in Nagorno-Karabakh. In their letter, the Senators raise strong concerns … Continue Reading
September 21, 2022
Following Devastating Flooding In Pakistan, Van Hollen, Gillibrand Call On President Biden To Grant Temporary Protected Status To Pakistani Nationals
Today, following unprecedented flooding that has left one-third of Pakistan underwater and affected approximately 33 million people, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) as she led her Senate colleagues in writing a letter calling on President Biden to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Pakistani nationals currently residing in the United States. Implementing TPS would allow Pakistani nationals to remain in the U.S. until Pakistan recovers … Continue Reading
September 21, 2022
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces Over $86M in Federal Funds for Investments in Minority and Underserved Communities
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) announced that three Maryland-based community financial institutions will receive a combined $86.6 million from the U.S. Department of the Treasury Emergency Capital Investment Program (ECIP) to help low-income and minority borrowers. Funded through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which … Continue Reading
September 21, 2022
Maryland Congressional Delegation Urges Administration to Kick-Start New Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Stock Assessment
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone (all Md.) urged U.S. Department of Commerce leadership to initiate a new benchmark stock assessment for the Chesapeake Bay blue crab population, in line with the recommendations of leading scientists and fisheries managers. Following the lowest-ever blue crab population estimates in this … Continue Reading
September 21, 2022
Van Hollen, Murphy, Cassidy Introduce Legislation to Improve Neurological Health Research
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Bill Cassidy, M.D., (R-La.) introduced legislation to reauthorize the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System (NNCSS) program, which collects data which collects privacy-protected data on neurological conditions to inform research and help advance better treatments and cures. Specifically, the legislation would reauthorize the NNCSS for another five years … Continue Reading
September 20, 2022
Van Hollen, Menendez, Velázquez Push for President Biden to Issue a Major Disaster Declaration for Puerto Rico
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.-07) in sending a bicameral letter to President Joe Biden to urge him to issue a Major Disaster Declaration for all of Puerto Rico's municipalities in response to Hurricane Fiona. Just days before the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Maria, the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history, Hurricane Fiona ravaged the island with catastrophic flash flooding, unprecedented rainfall, … Continue Reading
September 20, 2022
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces $800,000 in New Federal Funding for Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) announced a new federal grant of $800,000 for the restoration of oyster reefs that are vital to the health of the Chesapeake Bay. The new funding for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources comes through NOAA Fisheries to support the placement of spat-on-shell, or oyster larvae, on up to 100 … Continue Reading
September 20, 2022
On National Voter Registration Day, Van Hollen, Klobuchar Introduce Legislation to Make Registering to Vote Easier for All Americans
On National Voter Registration Day, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) in introducing two pieces of legislation to make it easier for Americans to register to vote and to know their registration status. The Same Day Voter Registration Act would require states to offer same day registration at polling locations on Election Day and during early voting. The Stop Automatically Voiding Eligible Voters Off Their Enlisted Rolls in States (SAVE VOTERS) Act … Continue Reading
September 20, 2022
Senate Tees Up Vote on DISCLOSE Act to Help Restore Americans’ Faith in Democracy
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) in announcing that the Senate is set to vote later this week on the DISCLOSE Act (S. 4822) to combat the flood of anonymous special interest spending in American politics. The bill would require organizations spending money in federal elections and judicial nominations to disclose their donors, allowing the American people to see who is spending big to influence their votes and gain control over their … Continue Reading
September 20, 2022
Van Hollen, Toomey Release Framework for New Russia Sanctions
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), both members of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, put forward a framework outlining new sanctions legislation to hold Russia accountable for its war against Ukraine. The Senators' framework provides new sanctions authority to the Administration in its efforts to sever funding to Putin's war machine. "The U.S. and our allies have taken important steps to hold Russia accountable for its unprovoked war … Continue Reading
September 19, 2022
Maryland Delegation Members Announce $3.9 Million in American Rescue Plan Funding to Connect Maryland Students to Internet Service
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) announced $3,913,553 to help provide schools and libraries on the Eastern Shore and in Baltimore with the tools and services they need to enhance internet connectivity. These funds were provided by the Federal Communications Commission's Emergency Connectivity Fund, which the lawmakers worked to establish in the American Rescue Plan, to close the digital divide. … Continue Reading
September 16, 2022
Van Hollen, Menendez, Padilla, Cornyn Unveil Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing 559 Hispanic-Serving Institutions
Today, as our nation celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), co-chairs of the Senate Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Caucus, alongside Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas), in unveiling a bipartisan Senate resolution recognizing 559 HSIs across the country that play an important role in educating and providing professional development opportunities to the next generation of emerging Hispanic … Continue Reading
September 16, 2022
Van Hollen, Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Strengthen Privacy Protections for Women Seeking Reproductive Health Care
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and 28 of their colleagues in calling on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take immediate action to safeguard women's privacy and their ability to safely and confidentially get the health care they need. Specifically, the Senators urged the Biden Administration to strengthen federal privacy protections under the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to broadly restrict … Continue Reading
September 16, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Ruppersberger, Sarbanes Announce Over $20 Million for Improvements at Baltimore Area Airports
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger and John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) announced $23,156,355 in federal funding to support improvements at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and Tipton Airport. The funds are provided through the Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Improvement Program (AIP). "Ensuring our airports are in the best condition keeps passengers safe, flights on time, … Continue Reading
September 16, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone, Raskin Announce Nearly $8.5 Million for Improvements at Frederick, Carroll County Airports
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $8,463,915 in federal funding to support improvements at Frederick Municipal airport and Carroll County Regional airport. The funds are provided through the Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Improvement Program (AIP). "Ensuring our airports are in the best condition keeps passengers safe, flights on time, and our economy growing. And … Continue Reading
September 16, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce Over $1 Million for Improvements at the Easton/Newnam Field Airport
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (all D-Md.) announced $1,696,734 in federal funding to support improvements at the Easton/Newnam Field airport. The funds are provided through the Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and will extend and improve the airport's runway and safety area to meet the operational needs of the airport and safety standards. "Ensuring our airports are in the best condition keeps passengers … Continue Reading
September 15, 2022
Van Hollen, Kaine, Colleagues Applaud House Passage of Bill to Protect Merit-Based Federal Workforce System, Federal Workers’ Rights
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.), along with Senators Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), to applaud House passage of the Preventing a Patronage System Act, legislation led by Senator Kaine to prevent any position in the federal civil service from being reclassified outside of merit system principles without the express consent of Congress. The bill would secure the civil service … Continue Reading
