Press Releases
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $575,000 for Chesapeake Bay Wildlife Habitat Restoration
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced $575,000 in federal funding through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for two wildlife habitat restoration projects along the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. These are among the first grants to be awarded from the Chesapeake WILD Program, which was created by bipartisan legislation authored by Senator Van Hollen as well as Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and co-sponsored by Senator Cardin and … Continue Reading
October 20, 2022
Van Hollen, Jacobs Urge HASC and SASC Leadership to Include Amendment Closing Leahy Law Loophole in Final NDAA
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (Calif.-53), along with 13 of their colleagues, urged the leadership of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to include their amendment requiring human rights vetting of security cooperation programs in the final FY 2023 NDAA conference agreement. In a letter to Chairman Reed, Chairman Smith, Ranking Member Inhofe, and Ranking Member Rogers, the Members advocated for the House-passed provisions of their Upholding Human … Continue Reading
October 19, 2022
Van Hollen, Toomey Release Readout on Call with Ukrainian Ambassador on U.S. Support, Secondary Sanctions Proposal
This week, Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) spoke with Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova about the critical importance of continued U.S. support of Ukraine in the face of Vladimir Putin's aggression. During their call, the Senators discussed ways to maximize the effectiveness of the upcoming G7 price cap on Russian oil, including through their proposal to backstop the Administration's efforts through secondary sanctions on entities that violate the cap. Following … Continue Reading
October 19, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin Urge WMATA and the Metrorail Safety Commission to Work Together
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) released the following statement in response to delays in reintroducing more 7000-series rail cars into regular service. "We all would like to see the 7000-series back in service throughout the Metrorail system. It is long overdue. However, the difficult situation WMATA is in today is not simply the result of technical issues with the 7000-series rail cars; it also is the result of WMATA's inadequate prioritization of safety over many … Continue Reading
October 19, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $1.2 Million to Improve Wastewater Treatment Plant in Dorchester County
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) today announced $1,218,000 in federal funding for improvements to the Twin Cities Wastewater Treatment Plant serving the towns of Secretary and East New Market. This fiscal year 2022 appropriations funding is administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants Program. This funding will provide a state-of-the-art nutrient removal system, which will ensure sanitary sewer service … Continue Reading
October 19, 2022
Maryland Congressional Delegation Members Announce Over $700,000 in Federal Funding to Help Student-Parents Access Child Care
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, David Trone, and Jamie B. Raskin (all D-Md.) announced $706,819 in federal grants for four Maryland institutions of higher education to assist student-parents in meeting their child care needs. "When our students are set up for success, our entire community benefits. Too often, parents seeking to continue their education are held back by a lack of access to affordable child care," said the lawmakers. "We … Continue Reading
October 18, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Harris Joint Statement on USDA Grant to Minary's Dream Alliance's 'Feed the Elderly' Food Program
Today, Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, and Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (R-Md.), Acting Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee, announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a $374,900 grant for Minary's Dream Alliance's 'Feed the Elderly' food distribution program, … Continue Reading
October 18, 2022
Maryland Delegation Announces More Than $67 Million For COVID-19 Testing Reimbursement
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.) today announced $67,724,611 in U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding to reimburse the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for previous COVID-19 testing costs. Funding is authorized by Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Act. The federal … Continue Reading
October 18, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Hoyer Announce $700,000 to Help Charles County Residents Recover from Substance Abuse
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (all D-Md.) announced $700,000 for Charles County to establish an Adult Drug Court. This federal funding through the U.S. Department of Justice's Adult Drug Court grant program will enable the County to create a coordinated, multi-system approach to help individuals with substance use disorders charged with nonviolent offenses stay out of prison while they rehabilitate. This funding is critical to creating an … Continue Reading
October 18, 2022
Van Hollen, Manchin, Bipartisan Senators Urge HHS to Make Home Energy Assistance Funds Available to States
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) along with a group of bipartisan Senators in urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as quickly and at the highest level possible. LIHEAP is a critical program that helps low-income households and seniors on fixed incomes across West Virginia and America pay their energy bills while staying safe and warm during the winter … Continue Reading
October 13, 2022
Van Hollen, Duckworth Meet Ukrainian Soldier Receiving Treatment at Medical Center Orthotics and Prosthetics in Silver Spring
Tuesday, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) met with Ukrainian soldier Oleksandr Chaika, who is receiving care at the Medical Center Orthotics and Prosthetics (MCOP) in Silver Spring. Oleksandr, a Ukrainian athlete, choreographer, acrobatics coach, and teacher joined the Ukrainian military shortly after Putin announced his war on Ukraine. Oleksandr was deployed to the Luhansk region where he lost his leg to an explosive. With assistance from Senator Van … Continue Reading
October 13, 2022
Van Hollen, Gillibrand, Colleagues Call For EPA To Further Address Toxic PFAS Pollution In Upcoming Guidance
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), along with 12 of their Senate colleagues, in sending a letter calling for the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to increase its efforts to stop the flow of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into our communities. Ahead of the EPA's upcoming guidance to state permitting authorities on how to address PFAS in National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, the … Continue Reading
October 13, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce Availability of 130,000 H-2B Visas in Fiscal Year 2023
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will release 130,716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas in fiscal year 2023. This total is comprised of the 66,000 visas that DHS can release annually under the Immigration and Nationality Act, as well as an additional 64,716. This visa program is essential for the staffing of Maryland's crab and seafood small businesses, which are a core driver of the … Continue Reading
October 12, 2022
Maryland Delegation Members Announce Over $7.5 Million in Federal Funding to Strengthen the Public Health Workforce
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmembers John Sarbanes, Anthony G. Brown, Kweisi Mfume, and David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $7,586,334 in federal funding to train new community health workers in Maryland. The funding is provided through the Community Health Worker Training program, a new initiative created by the lawmakers through the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act. This program, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, provides … Continue Reading
October 11, 2022
Van Hollen, Manchin, Tillis, Coons Reintroduce Bipartisan Fair Hiring in Banking Act
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Chris Coons (D-Del.) reintroduced the bipartisan Fair Hiring in Banking Act to reduce hiring barriers across the financial services sector. The legislation will ensure otherwise highly qualified individuals with minor arrest or conviction records are not prohibited from working in the financial services industry, and expands upon the Fair Hiring in Banking Act previously introduced by Senator Manchin by … Continue Reading
October 07, 2022
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces Over $965,000 to Strengthen Internet Access for Marylanders
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 $966,659 in federal funding to help develop Maryland's digital equity plan, which will increase affordable access to high-speed internet and close the digital divide. The State Digital Equity Planning Grant is awarded to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development to … Continue Reading
October 07, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Harris Joint Statement on USDA Grant to Smith Island Wastewater Infrastructure Project
Today, Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Appropriations Interior and Environment Subcommittee, and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (R-Md.), Acting Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee, announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a $1,611,000 grant for the Smith Island Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Improvements project. This grant … Continue Reading
October 07, 2022
Van Hollen Pushes NDAA Amendment to Restrict Transfer of F-16s to Turkey
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has filed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act to restrict the transfer of F-16s to Turkey. The Senator's amendment would put in place a series of restrictions prior to allowing the transfer, including relating to Turkey's efforts to undermine the Syrian Democratic Forces and requiring Turkey's ratification of Sweden and Finland's NATO accession. "Turkey's actions under the Erdogan regime have called into question its faithfulness as a … Continue Reading
October 06, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Colleagues Urge the Biden Administration to Extend the PSLF Waiver
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) joined a bicameral group of their colleagues in urging U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to extend the limited Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) waiver deadline until July 1, 2023 - when the Department of Education's new PSLF regulations are set to take effect, in order to ensure all public servants with federal student loans can benefit from this historic waiver. Since the Department announced the limited PSLF waiver … Continue Reading
October 05, 2022
Van Hollen, Toomey Press Need for Secondary Sanctions Legislation in Response to OPEC Announcement
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), who have authored new secondary sanctions legislation to hold Russia accountable for its war in Ukraine, released the following statement on OPEC's decision to reduce production: "Today's decision by OPEC will ultimately mean greater profits for Putin's war machine. To stop this cash flow, we must work quickly to enact the price cap put forward by the Biden Administration and our G7 partners, and we must ensure that … Continue Reading
