Press Releases
Van Hollen, Menendez Call for TPS Extension, Re-Designation for Venezuela
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) called on the Biden administration to continue to protect displaced Venezuelans by extending and re-designating Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). In a new letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, the senators underscored the Maduro regime's crimes against humanity in addition to the uptick in armed violence in Venezuela, growing humanitarian needs, and … Continue Reading
July 08, 2022
Maryland Delegation Members Announce Nearly $320,000 to Boost Harford Co. Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger (all D-Md.) announced $319,200 to invest in Harford County's travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation. This investment through the Economic Development Administration's Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation program was funded by the American Rescue Plan which the lawmakers fought to pass. This funding will be used to construct a public boat pier and dock in Havre de Grace, purchase an electric shuttle … Continue Reading
July 05, 2022
Maryland Congressional Delegation Members Release Statement on Suspension of State’s ‘Good and Substantial Reason’ Standard for Concealed Carry Permits
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.) released the following statement on Governor Hogan's suspension of Maryland's 'good and substantial reason' standard for permits to carry a concealed firearm. The action follows the U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, in which a New York … Continue Reading
July 01, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin Submit Direct Funding Requests for Community Projects Supporting Health Facility Expansions, Mental Health Care Services, Educational Enrichment, and Workforce Development
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) have announced their direct federal funding requests for Maryland community projects under the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee (LHHS) for fiscal year 2023. The senators worked with local community leaders to identify a wide range of projects, which will support health facility expansions, increasing mental health care services, K-12 and Higher Education programs, workforce … Continue Reading
June 30, 2022
Maryland Congressional Delegation Applauds DOT’s Opening of the Reconnecting Communities Grant Application to Revitalize Divided 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.) applauded the Department of Transportation's (DOT) opening of the application process for the Reconnecting Communities grant program to help identify and remove or retrofit highway infrastructure that creates obstacles to mobility and opportunity. The $1 billion program is modeled off of legislation … Continue Reading
June 29, 2022
Van Hollen, King Urge FCC to Increase Robocall Accountability and Transparency
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Angus King (I-Maine) are urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide timely, public disclosures on if telecommunications companies are enabling illegal robocalls. In a letter to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, the lawmakers highlight how regular disclosures on robocalls would increase transparency and public accountability, while enabling telecom providers, public advocates, law enforcement and regulators to hold bad actors … Continue Reading
June 29, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin Submit Direct Funding Requests for Community Projects Supporting Water Infrastructure Improvements, Conservation and Preservation
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced their direct federal funding requests for Maryland community projects under the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee for fiscal year 2023. The Senators worked with local community leaders to identify these projects, which will support the modernization of water infrastructure systems, watershed restoration, and growth of tourism through historic preservation, among other initiatives. "Investing … Continue Reading
June 29, 2022
Van Hollen and Cardin Lead the Senate in Celebrating the University of Maryland Men’s Lacrosse Team’s National Championship
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced the passage last week of a Senate Resolution (S.Res.699) they authored to celebrate the University of Maryland Men's Lacrosse fourth NCAA Division I championship and second national championship in five seasons. Led by Coach John Tillman, the Maryland Men's Lacrosse team had a historic undefeated season, winning 18 games - an NCAA record for the most victories in a season without a loss. The perfect season closed with a 9-7 … Continue Reading
June 29, 2022
Maryland Delegation Members Urge Purple Line Contractors to Forge Project Labor Agreement with Construction Workers
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, John Sarbanes, Anthony G. Brown, and Jamie Raskin (all D-Md.) urged Maryland Transit Solutions (MTS), the group of contractors leading the development of the Purple Line, to complete a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) with the project's construction workers. In their letter to MTS Project Director Terry Gohde, the lawmakers stressed the need for a PLA to ensure quality and reliable work. Maryland workers had … Continue Reading
June 28, 2022
Van Hollen, Booker Introduce Resolution Recognizing African American Contributions to Music
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) in introducing a resolution celebrating the contributions of African Americans to the musical heritage of the United States and designating June 2022 as African American Music Appreciation Month. In addition, the resolution further recognizes the lack of access to arts education and training for African American students and calls for greater access to music education. The resolution was cosponsored in addition to … Continue Reading
June 28, 2022
Van Hollen, Murray, Democrats Push Biden for “Bold Action” to Protect Abortion Access in a Post-Roe America
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging "bold action" to protect abortion access after the conservative wing of the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and Republicans made this generation of women the first with fewer rights than their mothers. "We appreciate that in your speech yesterday, you acknowledged the reality that the 'health and life of women across this nation are now at risk.' Now is the time for bold action … Continue Reading
June 28, 2022
Maryland Delegation Members Press Navy for Update on New Walter Reed Base Firehouse After Firefighter Injury
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone (all D-Md.) called on U.S. Navy leadership to immediately address the unsafe working conditions that firefighters face at the fire station on Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bethesda, the site of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. In their letter to the Secretary of the Navy and Commandant of Naval District Washington, … Continue Reading
June 26, 2022
Van Hollen Statement on President’s Newly Announced Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Appropriations Committee released the following statement regarding President Biden's newly announced Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII): "I commend President Biden and his team for developing this initiative to work with fellow G7 democracies to meet the vast infrastructure needs of low- and middle-income countries, particularly in the critical areas of digital technology, … Continue Reading
June 24, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Kaine, Warner Present Prisoner of War Medals to Maryland Veteran Ronald Dolecki & Virginia Veteran David Strickland
Yesterday, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) presented Army Specialist Ronald Dolecki, a veteran residing in Huntingtown, Maryland, with a Prisoner of War (POW) Medal honoring his military service in Ethiopia. Senator Van Hollen authored a legislative provision to secure Mr. Dolecki's medal following the Army's misapplication of the law to his unique case. They were joined by Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner (both D-Va.) who presented a POW medal to Virginia veteran … Continue Reading
June 24, 2022
Van Hollen Statement on Supreme Court Ruling Overturning Roe v. Wade
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade: "Today's outrageous ruling from the far-right packed Supreme Court jeopardizes the health of millions of women around our nation. The Supreme Court has thrown aside the Constitution and is instead forcing its ideological beliefs down the throats of the American people. This is a results-driven ruling, not a rule of law decision, and it undermines the … Continue Reading
June 24, 2022
Van Hollen Statement on the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act: "The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act will help save lives, and I was proud to vote for it tonight. But in the face of the reprehensible Supreme Court ruling on concealed carry gun laws today - and in the shadow of the violence plaguing our communities - we cannot stop here. This bill is one step forward as we keep fighting for comprehensive gun safety … Continue Reading
June 23, 2022
Van Hollen, Luján, Beyer, Schrier Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Reduce Medical Diagnostic Errors
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Representatives Don Beyer (D-Va.) and Kim Schrier (D-Wash.) announced the introduction of the Improving Diagnosis in Medicine Act, legislation to reduce diagnostic errors in our healthcare system. Their legislation seeks to address the alarming rates of diagnostic error in our country and mitigate the devastating impacts these errors can have. According to the most recent report published by the National … Continue Reading
June 23, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin Urge Senate Commerce Committee to Fund Coast Guard Yard Infrastructure Modernization
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) urged U.S. Senate Commerce Committee leaders to include their Service to the Fleet Act - legislation the Senators introduced last week to fully fund major infrastructure modernization efforts at the Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay, Maryland - in the forthcoming Coast Guard Reauthorization Act. In a letter to Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Senators Van … Continue Reading
June 23, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin Urge Senate Commerce Committee to Fund Coast Guard Yard Infrastructure Modernization
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) urged U.S. Senate Commerce Committee leaders to include their Service to the Fleet Act - legislation the Senators introduced last week to fully fund major infrastructure modernization efforts at the Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay, Maryland - in the forthcoming Coast Guard Reauthorization Act. In a letter to Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Senators Van … Continue Reading
June 23, 2022
Van Hollen Statement on Supreme Court Ruling on Concealed Carry
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the Supreme Court's decision in NYSRPA v. Bruen: "As Americans cry out for common-sense gun safety and the Congress takes modest but meaningful steps to reduce gun violence, today's decision by the far-right packed Supreme Court is a slap in the face. In misreading the Constitution, the Court is determined to make our communities less safe. More Americans will die because of this deeply misguided and … Continue Reading
