Press Releases
Van Hollen Lauds Biden Administration Executive Action to Crack Down on Ghost Guns and Reduce Gun Violence
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) applauded executive actions that President Biden announced this afternoon to address the epidemic of gun violence our nation is facing, including safeguards on the production and sale of unserialized firearm components - also known as "ghost guns" - that hepushed the administration to finalize earlier this year. "In Maryland, we've seen the toll these untraceable weapons have taken on our communities - and that's why our General Assembly stood … Continue Reading
April 11, 2022
Maryland Delegation Announces More than $3 Million in Pandemic Reimbursement Funds to Montgomery County Public Schools
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen John Sarbanes, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $3,582,069 in federal funding to reimburse the Montgomery County Education Department for pandemic-related expenses incurred by the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) system. Funding comes from the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as authorized through Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Act. The funding … Continue Reading
April 11, 2022
Van Hollen, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill Reforming Opportunity Zones
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and U.S. Representatives Ron Kind (D-Wis.) and Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) in introducing a bipartisan, bicameral bill reforming Opportunity Zones, the tax incentive for individuals who reinvest unrealized capital gains into high-impact projects in underserved communities. This legislation would improve and strengthen the Opportunity Zone program in several ways by making important fixes to the original … Continue Reading
April 08, 2022
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces Over $340 Million in Infrastructure Funding to Bolster Public Transit Across the State
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 $348,108,466 in federal funding for Maryland in fiscal year 2022 to strengthen public transit infrastructure across the state. The lawmakers helped secure this increased federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) - which can be used … Continue Reading
April 08, 2022
Van Hollen, Menendez, Risch Unveil Resolution Honoring Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) in introducing a resolution to celebrate the life, achievements, and legacy of former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright. In addition to commending Secretary Albright's patriotism and public service in the pursuit of a more peaceful, prosperous, and cooperative world order, the bipartisan resolution extends the Senate's sincere condolences and sympathies to Secretary Albright's … Continue Reading
April 07, 2022
Van Hollen Statement on the Senate Confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on the Senate's vote to confirm President Biden's nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to be an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court: "With today's vote, both Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson and the United States Senate made history. I was proud to vote to make her 'Justice Jackson' and to participate in this historic moment in our democracy. Over the past few weeks - and throughout her career - Judge … Continue Reading
April 07, 2022
Van Hollen Statement on the Senate Confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on the Senate's vote to confirm President Biden's nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to be an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court: "With today's vote, both Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson and the United States Senate made history. I was proud to vote to make her 'Justice Jackson' and to participate in this historic moment in our democracy. Over the past few weeks - and throughout her career - Judge … Continue Reading
April 06, 2022
Van Hollen, Tillis Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Spur Greater Research and Investment in local HBCUs
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) introduced new legislation aimed at spurring greater research investment in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), while strengthening our national defense research ecosystem. The Senator's HBCU Research, Innovation, Security, and Excellence (RISE) Act would help boost HBCUs to "very high research activity status," also known as "R1" status, which would provide both more opportunities to students and create … Continue Reading
April 06, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Extend School and Summer Meal Flexibilities to Feed Children
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) joined Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) in introducing the Support Kids Not Red Tape Act. The bill extends USDA school meal flexibilities from June 30, 2022 to September 30, 2023. These flexibilities have been crucial to feeding children throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. With 90% of our schools still facing many challenges as they return to normal operations, these flexibilities give our … Continue Reading
April 06, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Hoyer, Harris Announce the Addition of Three Maryland Historical Sites to the National Underground Railroad Network
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer and Andy Harris (all Md.) announced the addition of three historical sites in Maryland as new listings to the National Park Service's National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program. The new listings join over 700 sites, facilities, and programs already in the Network that provide insight into the experiences of those who bravely escaped slavery and those who assisted them. "We applaud the addition … Continue Reading
April 05, 2022
Van Hollen, Ernst Lead Bipartisan Push to Suspend Russia from UN Human Rights Council, Interpol, G-20 and Deter World Bank, IMF Investments
As Russia's brutal and lawless invasion of Ukraine continues and in the wake of global backlash from tragic reports emerging of the massacre of civilians in Bucha, Ukraine, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a combat veteran and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, are leading a bipartisan effort to suspend Russia from key international organizations and to deter international investment in … Continue Reading
April 05, 2022
Van Hollen, Senate Colleagues Unveil New Captured Courts Report Exposing the Judicial Crisis Network’s Central Role in a Scheme to Capture and Control the Supreme Court
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) alongside Senate Democrats, led by Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), released a new report in their Captured Courts series on the dark-money group the Judicial Crisis Network (JCN) and its role in right-wing donor interests' scheme to capture and control the Supreme Court. Even before President Biden picked his replacement for Justice Stephen Breyer, JCN launched a multi-million dark-money ad campaign to attack the … Continue Reading
April 04, 2022
Van Hollen Meets with Supreme Court Nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) met with President Biden's nomination to serve on the Supreme Court Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. Senator Van Hollen released the following statement after their meeting: "I was honored to sit down with Judge Jackson today to discuss her experience and qualifications to serve on the Supreme Court. Our meeting reinforced what I already knew to be true: She is an outstanding choice and has the judgement and the background necessary to sit on our … Continue Reading
April 01, 2022
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces Over $45 Million in Infrastructure Funding to Help Marylanders Cut Utility Costs by Making Homes More Energy Efficient
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 Raskin, and David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $45,708,416 in federal funding to help Marylanders lower utility costs by making energy efficient upgrades to their homes. The lawmakers helped secure this federal funding through the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The funds will improve the health, safety, and … Continue Reading
March 31, 2022
Van Hollen, Murphy, Colleagues Urge the Biden Administration to Push International Donors to Fulfill $3.8 Billion Funding Gap to Address Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) in sending a letter urging Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power to press international donors at the United Nations pledging conference to fulfill the current $3.8 billion funding gap for humanitarian aid for Afghanistan and to ensure that aid can reach the Afghan people in need. "The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan is deepening, with … Continue Reading
March 31, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce Availability of Additional H-2B Visas to Support Maryland Seafood Industry
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will release an additional 35,000 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for the second half of fiscal year 2022. These visas are vital to the small businesses that make up Maryland's crab and seafood industries, and the supplemental release follows efforts from the Senators to press DHS to provide more visas after only one of Maryland's ten crab processors was … Continue Reading
March 31, 2022
Van Hollen Announces Army Recognition of Maryland Veteran Ronald Dolecki with POW Medal
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) announced the U.S. Army's recognition of Specialist (SPC) Ronald Dolecki, a veteran residing in Huntingtown, Maryland, with a Prisoner of War (POW) Medal honoring his military service in Ethiopia. While on a mapping mission in Ethiopia in 1965, Dolecki was captured by armed, uniformed members of the Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF). He suffered under brutal conditions while in captivity but eventually escaped and saved the lives of two other … Continue Reading
March 29, 2022
Van Hollen, Risch, Menendez, Colleagues Request Removal of Russia from UNHRC Due to War Crimes
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) alongside Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) in sending a letter to U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield requesting she introduce a resolution at the United Nations (UN) to remove Russia from the UN Human Rights … Continue Reading
March 29, 2022
Van Hollen Statement on Ethiopia Peace and Stabilization Act
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding his vote to report the Ethiopia Peace and Stabilization Act (S. 3199) out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The legislation included updated language drafted by the Senator to ensure the bill takes a more balanced approach and provides needed flexibility for the Biden Administration to respond to this complex and rapidly changing crisis. "Over the last several weeks we've seen tentative progress … Continue Reading
March 28, 2022
Van Hollen Statement on President Biden’s Budget
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committees, released the following statement regarding President Biden's fiscal year 2023 proposed budget: "Growing an inclusive economy and providing greater opportunity to Americans are two of my top priorities. With his budget, President Biden makes clear that we are laser-focused on these objectives. This budget includes key investments that I've fought for over the years - such as fully funding … Continue Reading
