Press Releases
Van Hollen, Brown, Colleagues Raise Flags Regarding Failed Bank Executives’ Stock Trades
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) in a letter to Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler highlighting concerns with large stock trades made by Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) executives in the days and months before SVB's collapse. At the Banking and Housing Committee hearing on Tuesday about SVB's failure, several members of the Committee expressed concern over the size and timing of the executives' stock trades. "Our capital markets … Continue Reading
March 30, 2023
Maryland Congressional Delegation Members’ Statement on Diversion of East Palestine Waste from Baltimore
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie B. Raskin, David Trone, and Glenn Ivey (all D-Md.) released the following statement after receiving confirmation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Norfolk Southern that they no longer plan to transport waste from the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment to Baltimore. The lawmakers have raised concerns about the transfer. "Protecting and … Continue Reading
March 30, 2023
Van Hollen, Clarke Introduce Bill to Safeguard Consumers, Require Companies to Shift from Opt-Out Requirements to Opt-In
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (D-N.Y.-09) introduced the Consumer Online Payment Transparency and Integrity (Consumer OPT-IN) Act, bicameral legislation to protect consumers from online free trial scams and hard-to-cancel recurring-payment programs. The lawmakers' bill puts the onus on companies, not consumers, when it comes to extending subscriptions and memberships, including requiring a shift from "opt-out" conditions to "opt-in." This … Continue Reading
March 28, 2023
Van Hollen, Braun Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Remove Student Loan Tax
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen, Mike Braun, Kyrsten Sinema, Elizabeth Warren, Josh Hawley, Tim Kaine, and Chris Coons introduced their bipartisan Student Loan Tax Elimination Act to remove an antiquated tax that adds unnecessary debt to student borrowers and worsens our national debt posture. Representative Lloyd Smucker introduced the companion legislation in the House of Representatives. "Too many Americans are already struggling under the burden of student loans - they shouldn't also face … Continue Reading
March 28, 2023
Van Hollen, Markey, Blunt Rochester, Barragán Call for Stronger Air Quality Standards to Curb Deadly Soot Pollution
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester (Del.) and Nanette Barragán (Calif.-44) in writing to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan urging EPA to strengthen the proposed air quality standards to reduce fine particulate matter pollution, also known as soot pollution, and protect communities from its related health issues, including cardiovascular and respiratory … Continue Reading
March 27, 2023
Van Hollen, Murkowski, Pascrell Introduce Bill to Fund Vital Firehouse Upgrades Across the Country
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Congressman Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to help construct and upgrade fire stations across the country. The FIRE STATION Act will create a $750 million grant program within the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) to modify, upgrade, and construct fire and EMS department facilities to support our first responders and their work to keep our communities … Continue Reading
March 27, 2023
Van Hollen, Durbin Urge Against the Use of Family Detention
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) in a letter to President Biden raising concerns over reports the Administration is considering a return to the ineffective and inhumane practice of detaining migrant families, after previously putting an end to family detention in December 2021. The Senators wrote, "Under both the Obama and Trump Administrations, family detention had disastrous effects on migrant families and children, without any … Continue Reading
March 24, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin, Sarbanes Announce Over $1 Million in Federal Funding to Support Chesapeake Bay Restoration
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) announced $1,129,063 in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding to restore wetlands and expand green infrastructure throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Chesapeake Bay Trust will sub-award this federal funding for local governments and nonprofits to implement wetland restoration and capacity building projects through the Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) program, which will … Continue Reading
March 24, 2023
Van Hollen, Menendez, Barrasso Introduce Resolution Honoring Anniversary of Greek Independence
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) in introducing a bipartisan resolution to commemorate the 202nd anniversary of Greek Independence Day (March 25). In addition to celebrating Greece's historic role as the birthplace of democracy and its immense contributions to global society, the bipartisan resolution also recognizes the strength of the United States' enduring partnership … Continue Reading
March 23, 2023
Van Hollen, Clarke Welcome FTC’s Proposed “Click to Cancel” Rule to Ease Cancellation of Recurring Subscriptions
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) welcomed the Federal Trade Commission's proposed "click to cancel" rule to make it easier for consumers to get out of unwanted subscriptions, memberships, and other recurring-payment programs. The lawmakers have previously led an effort to improve consumer protections on subscriptions, including introducing the Consumer OPT-IN Act, legislation to require companies to communicate clearly about their … Continue Reading
March 23, 2023
Maryland Delegation Announces More Than $15 Million For Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, David Trone and Glenn Ivey (all D-Md.) announced $15,584,011 in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding for Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI) Airport. The funding comes through the Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Infrastructure Grant Program. The money will be used to reconstruct 1,800 feet of aging … Continue Reading
March 22, 2023
Van Hollen Questions Blinken on Current Situation in Israel and West Bank
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), questioned U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding the current situation in Israel and the West Bank. The Senator raised concerns about this issue in hearings in both the Senate Appropriations State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee (SFOPS) and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC). Transcripts of his exchanges are available below and video is available here (SFOPS) and here (SFRC). SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN (D-Md.): If I could … Continue Reading
March 22, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone, Regional Lawmakers Bid to Renew C&O Canal National Historical Park Advisory Commission
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Congressman David Trone (D-Md.), alongside Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), as well as Representatives Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.), Don Beyer (D-Va.), and Gerald Connolly (D-Va.) to introduce legislation that ensures the continued involvement of the Chesapeake and Ohio … Continue Reading
March 22, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone, Regional Lawmakers Bid to Renew C&O Canal National Historical Park Advisory Commission
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Congressman David Trone (D-Md.), alongside Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), as well as Representatives Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.), Don Beyer (D-Va.), and Gerald Connolly (D-Va.) to introduce legislation that ensures the continued involvement of the Chesapeake and Ohio … Continue Reading
March 22, 2023
Van Hollen, Warren, Senators Call on Fed to Strengthen Rules for Banks with Assets Over $100B
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Angus King (I-Maine), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) wrote the Vice Chair for Supervision of the Federal Reserve (Fed) Michael Barr, calling on him to exercise the Fed's authority to apply stronger regulation and supervision to banks … Continue Reading
March 21, 2023
Van Hollen, Warren, Sanders, Whitehouse Urge Treasury to Crack Down on Ultra-Wealthy Abuse of Trusts to Dodge Taxes
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, urging her to use the full extent of the Treasury Department's regulatory authority to crack down on the ultra-wealthy's use of trusts to dodge paying their fair share in taxes. "Billionaires and multi-millionaires use trusts to shift wealth to their heirs tax-free, dodging federal estate and gift taxes. And they are … Continue Reading
March 20, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin Praise Biden Nominees Matthew Maddox and Brendan Hurson for Maryland U.S. District Court Seats
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) praised President Joe Biden for acting on their recommendation to nominate U.S. Magistrate Judges Matthew Maddox and Brendan Hurson to fill vacancies on the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. "Diverse experience in the courtroom and a lifelong commitment to public service make Judge Maddox and Judge Hurson excellent nominees for the District Court," said the Senators. "We were pleased to make these … Continue Reading
March 19, 2023
VIDEO/TRANSCRIPT: Van Hollen Discusses Russia, China, Federal Government Response to Bank Failures on Fox News Sunday
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Fox News Sunday with Mike Emanuel, where he discussed the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin; Putin's upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping; the federal government's response to Silicon Valley Bank; and more. A full transcript of the Senator's exchange is available below and video of the interview is available here. MIKE EMANUEL, HOST, FOX NEWS: Now, let's bring in Democratic … Continue Reading
March 15, 2023
Van Hollen, Menendez, Warren Urge Treasury, DOJ to Issue Guidance to Financial Institutions for Implementation of MCC Code for Gun and Ammunition Stores to Help Prevent Gun Violence
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) in urging the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide guidance to financial institutions for the full implementation of the new merchant category (MCC) code the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) approved last year for gun and ammunition stores. The swift application of the MCC code would equip financial institutions to … Continue Reading
March 15, 2023
Van Hollen, Risch, Menendez, Colleagues Introduce Resolution in Support of Hong Kongers
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) in introducing a resolution condemning Beijing's destruction of Hong Kong's democracy and rule of law in addition to its political persecution of Jimmy Lai and other pro-democracy advocates. This resolution: Condemns the Chinese government's "Hong Kong national security law" and related human rights abuses. Supports the people of Hong Kong as they fight to exercise fundamental rights … Continue Reading
