Press Releases
Van Hollen, Cardin, Hoyer Urge MDOT to Halt Demolition of Nice Bridge, Study Recreational Reuse Options
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (all D-Md.) urged the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) to pause its plans to demolish the existing Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge until an independent review is conducted to determine the feasibility and cost of repurposing it for recreational use. The lawmakers requested an independent study to ensure that this is not a wasted opportunity to provide taxpayers with bicycling and pedestrian … Continue Reading
July 14, 2022
Van Hollen, Booker, Huffman, Lowenthal Raise Concerns Over Climate & Environmental Justice Risks of Chemical Recycling of Plastics
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman and Alan Lowenthal (both D-Calif.) in sending a letter raising concerns over chemical recycling technologies that contribute to the climate crisis and perpetuate environmental injustice in vulnerable communities. The letter comes as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers whether to remove existing Clean Air Act protections from chemical recycling processes. … Continue Reading
July 14, 2022
Van Hollen, Menendez, Colleagues Urge IRS to Extend Filing Deadline for ITIN Filers Affected by Processing Delays
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) called on IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig to extend the filing deadline for filers with individual taxpayer identification numbers (ITIN) who have been impacted by massive processing delays at the agency. Because of these operational challenges, many eligible ITIN filers have been unable to file for the enhanced child tax credit (CTC). "We are concerned to learn that there may be numerous families that had hoped to file … Continue Reading
July 14, 2022
House Passes Veterans’ Health Care Bill with Funding for Two Maryland Veterans Clinics
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, and Anthony G. Brown (all D-Md.) announced the House passage of legislation to open two veterans clinics in Baltimore and Prince George's County. The bipartisan Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT Act) which passed yesterday by a vote of 342-88, provides healthcare benefits for all generations of … Continue Reading
July 14, 2022
Van Hollen, Colleagues Urge the Biden Administration to Declare a National and Public Health Emergency on Reproductive Rights
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) in writing to President Biden and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, urging them to immediately declare national and public health emergencies over Americans' access to reproductive care. Millions of Americans have been endangered by the Supreme Court's reckless decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and eliminate the constitutional right … Continue Reading
July 13, 2022
WATCH: Van Hollen Pushes for Chesapeake Bay Priorities in Appropriations Hearing with Interior Secretary Haaland
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) urged U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to continue prioritizing funding and programs to protect the Chesapeake Bay and the tourism and outdoor recreation opportunities it provides. During a hearing in the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, on which the Senator serves, Senator Van Hollen discussed with Secretary Haaland the importance of providing robust funding to support areas important to … Continue Reading
July 13, 2022
Van Hollen, Murray Introduce Resolution Celebrating Anniversary of the EEOC, Push to Confirm Kalpana Kotagal Without Delay
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) in marking the 57th anniversary of the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) with a resolution celebrating the agency's critical mission protecting workers' rights and enforcing our nation's workplace harassment and discrimination laws. The resolution commemorates the 57-year anniversary since the establishment of the EEOC in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on July 2, 1965, and recognizes … Continue Reading
July 12, 2022
Van Hollen, Jacobs Introduce Legislation to Expand Human Rights Vetting for Security Cooperation Programs
Today, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.-53) introduced the Upholding Human Rights Abroad Act, legislation to close loopholes in the Leahy Laws, conduct needed oversight of Pentagon security cooperation programs, and ensure that the United States does not provide security assistance to human rights violators under two key Department of Defense funding authorities. The lawmakers' Upholding Human Rights Abroad Act would also increase transparency and expand … Continue Reading
July 12, 2022
Van Hollen Joins Colleagues in Introducing Legislation to Protect the Right of Women to Cross State Lines to Seek Abortion Care
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) in introducing the Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act of 2022. This legislation would make it crystal clear that it is illegal for anti-choice states to limit travel for abortion services and would empower the Attorney General and impacted individuals to bring civil action against those who restrict a woman's right … Continue Reading
July 12, 2022
Van Hollen, Leahy, Murphy, Durbin Press Administration for Answers on US Review into Death of American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressing for answers regarding the United States Security Coordinator's (USSC) recent review into the shooting death of American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. In their letter, the Senators note the USSC review does not meet Blinken's call for "an independent, credible investigation" and ask that they be provided USSC's … Continue Reading
July 11, 2022
Van Hollen, Colleagues Press Big Banks on Widespread Zelle Fraud
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) alongside Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) in pressing seven of the nation's largest banks regarding widespread fraud on Zelle, their online peer-to-peer money transfer program. "In 2021, consumers and businesses made 1.8 billion payments…through Zelle…[and p]ayment … Continue Reading
July 08, 2022
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
