Press Releases
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces $800,000 in New Federal Funding for Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration
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 a new federal grant of $800,000 for the restoration of oyster reefs that are vital to the health of the Chesapeake Bay. The new funding for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources comes through NOAA Fisheries to support the placement of spat-on-shell, or oyster larvae, on up to 100 … Continue Reading
September 20, 2022
On National Voter Registration Day, Van Hollen, Klobuchar Introduce Legislation to Make Registering to Vote Easier for All Americans
On National Voter Registration Day, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) in introducing two pieces of legislation to make it easier for Americans to register to vote and to know their registration status. The Same Day Voter Registration Act would require states to offer same day registration at polling locations on Election Day and during early voting. The Stop Automatically Voiding Eligible Voters Off Their Enlisted Rolls in States (SAVE VOTERS) Act … Continue Reading
September 20, 2022
Senate Tees Up Vote on DISCLOSE Act to Help Restore Americans’ Faith in Democracy
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) in announcing that the Senate is set to vote later this week on the DISCLOSE Act (S. 4822) to combat the flood of anonymous special interest spending in American politics. The bill would require organizations spending money in federal elections and judicial nominations to disclose their donors, allowing the American people to see who is spending big to influence their votes and gain control over their … Continue Reading
September 20, 2022
Van Hollen, Toomey Release Framework for New Russia Sanctions
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), both members of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, put forward a framework outlining new sanctions legislation to hold Russia accountable for its war against Ukraine. The Senators' framework provides new sanctions authority to the Administration in its efforts to sever funding to Putin's war machine. "The U.S. and our allies have taken important steps to hold Russia accountable for its unprovoked war … Continue Reading
September 19, 2022
Maryland Delegation Members Announce $3.9 Million in American Rescue Plan Funding to Connect Maryland Students to Internet Service
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) announced $3,913,553 to help provide schools and libraries on the Eastern Shore and in Baltimore with the tools and services they need to enhance internet connectivity. These funds were provided by the Federal Communications Commission's Emergency Connectivity Fund, which the lawmakers worked to establish in the American Rescue Plan, to close the digital divide. … Continue Reading
September 16, 2022
Van Hollen, Menendez, Padilla, Cornyn Unveil Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing 559 Hispanic-Serving Institutions
Today, as our nation celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), co-chairs of the Senate Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Caucus, alongside Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas), in unveiling a bipartisan Senate resolution recognizing 559 HSIs across the country that play an important role in educating and providing professional development opportunities to the next generation of emerging Hispanic … Continue Reading
September 16, 2022
Van Hollen, Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Strengthen Privacy Protections for Women Seeking Reproductive Health Care
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and 28 of their colleagues in calling on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take immediate action to safeguard women's privacy and their ability to safely and confidentially get the health care they need. Specifically, the Senators urged the Biden Administration to strengthen federal privacy protections under the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to broadly restrict … Continue Reading
September 16, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Ruppersberger, Sarbanes Announce Over $20 Million for Improvements at Baltimore Area Airports
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger and John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) announced $23,156,355 in federal funding to support improvements at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and Tipton Airport. The funds are provided through the Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Improvement Program (AIP). "Ensuring our airports are in the best condition keeps passengers safe, flights on time, … Continue Reading
September 16, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone, Raskin Announce Nearly $8.5 Million for Improvements at Frederick, Carroll County Airports
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $8,463,915 in federal funding to support improvements at Frederick Municipal airport and Carroll County Regional airport. The funds are provided through the Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Improvement Program (AIP). "Ensuring our airports are in the best condition keeps passengers safe, flights on time, and our economy growing. And … Continue Reading
September 16, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce Over $1 Million for Improvements at the Easton/Newnam Field Airport
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (all D-Md.) announced $1,696,734 in federal funding to support improvements at the Easton/Newnam Field airport. The funds are provided through the Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and will extend and improve the airport's runway and safety area to meet the operational needs of the airport and safety standards. "Ensuring our airports are in the best condition keeps passengers … Continue Reading
September 15, 2022
Van Hollen, Kaine, Colleagues Applaud House Passage of Bill to Protect Merit-Based Federal Workforce System, Federal Workers’ Rights
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.), along with Senators Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), to applaud House passage of the Preventing a Patronage System Act, legislation led by Senator Kaine to prevent any position in the federal civil service from being reclassified outside of merit system principles without the express consent of Congress. The bill would secure the civil service … Continue Reading
September 15, 2022
Van Hollen, Booker, Lee, Davis Introduce Bill to Improve Access to Care for Americans with Sickle Cell Disease
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), along with U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) and Danny Davis (D-Ill.) introduced the Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Centers Act, legislation to improve access to care for Americans living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). Approximately 100,000 Americans are currently living with SCD, an inherited blood disorder that causes pain, infection, and stroke. The disease disproportionately affects Black Americans but is … Continue Reading
September 15, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin Secure $636 Million for Coast Guard Yard Infrastructure Modernization in Bipartisan Bill Approved by Key Senate Committee
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced that their proposal to provide $636 million for the major infrastructure overhaul of the Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay, Maryland was passed by the Senate Commerce Committee within the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022. The Senators fought to include their proposal, which was initially laid out in their Service to the Fleet Act, legislation they introduced in June. The two Senators had urged Commerce Committee … Continue Reading
September 15, 2022
Van Hollen, Luján, Leger Fernández, Hayes Introduce Legislation to Expand Federal Loan Forgiveness for Educators
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) alongside U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) and Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) in co-sponsoring the Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act of 2022 to expand the federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness program. The bill helps address educator shortages across the country and increases children's access to a diverse and well-prepared educator workforce. The Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act of … Continue Reading
September 14, 2022
Foreign Relations Committee Passes Van Hollen Amendment Requiring State Department to Provide Report on Shooting Death of American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's passage of his amendment to the Department of State Authorization Act, requiring the State Department to provide Senators with the report overseen by the United States Security Coordinator (USSC) regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting of Shireen Abu Akleh: "Over 100 days ago, American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was shot and killed while reporting in … Continue Reading
September 14, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Portman Introduce Resolution to Approve Location for a National Memorial to Fallen Journalists
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined in introducing a resolution led by Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) that would authorize placement of the National Memorial to Fallen Journalists between the Voice of America building and the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. The establishment of the memorial, which was signed into law last Congress, will honor journalists, photographers, and broadcasters killed in the line of duty. The joint resolution on the … Continue Reading
September 14, 2022
Maryland Delegation Announces $823,000 for AmeriCorps VISTA Programs in Howard, Montgomery and Frederick Counties
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Kweisi Mfume, Jamie B. Raskin, and David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $822,780 in federal funding for AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) programs in Maryland which aim to alleviate poverty through partnerships with local organizations. AmeriCorps VISTA members work with local non-profits and groups to hone their leadership skills while working on issues facing communities, including housing & food … Continue Reading
September 13, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Announce $30,000 for Brooke’s House to Support Women Recovering from Substance Use Reenter the Workforce
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $30,000 to help women in recovery from substance use reenter the workforce in Western Maryland. This funding will be awarded to Brooke's House in Hagerstown through the Appalachian Regional Commission's INSPIRE competition and will support truck-driving training and wraparound services for women in recovery from substance use. "The opioid epidemic has stolen the lives of too many Marylanders … Continue Reading
September 12, 2022
Van Hollen, Colleagues Urge Biden to Provide Student Debt Relief for Parent Borrowers
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) led several of his democratic colleagues in a letter to President Biden urging the Administration to provide student debt relief to parent borrowers. Following the President's historic actions to address student debt, the Senators press the Administration to also expand this relief to parent borrowers who are often left behind as we work to address the crisis as a whole. To help reduce barriers for parent borrowers, the Senators ask the … Continue Reading
September 09, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Raskin, Trone Announce $108,000 to Repair Flood-Damaged Sections of the C&O Canal and George Washington Memorial Parkway
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $108,942 in federal funding for the National Park Service to support the reconstruction of portions of the Chesapeake and Ohio National Historical Park and George Washington Memorial Parkway that suffered severe damage due to heavy rains and flooding. "Climate change has already taken a toll on our local roadways and infrastructure. This federal investment will allow for … Continue Reading