Press Releases
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces Nearly $700,000 to Support Outdoor and Classroom Learning on the Chesapeake Bay
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 $692,918 to support environmental education programs that provide students the opportunity to learn about the importance of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed in both outdoor and classroom settings. This federal funding is through the NOAA Chesapeake Bay-Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) … Continue Reading
September 29, 2022
Van Hollen Statement on Continuing Resolution
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding his vote in favor of the short-term continuing resolution: "As legislators, funding our government and preventing a shameful shutdown has got to be a top priority. That's why I voted today for the short-term funding bill that will ensure our government remains open and that the millions of federal employees I serve in Maryland will be able to continue working on behalf of the American people. This … Continue Reading
September 27, 2022
Van Hollen, Brown, Colleagues Urge Biden to Fill Leadership Posts at Social Security Administration
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) led over a dozen of their colleagues in a letter to President Biden, urging him to nominate a Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner to serve at the Social Security Administration. The Social Security Administration has been without permanent leadership for over a year, making it difficult to address longstanding challenges that the agency faces in providing service to Americans who rely on these benefits. The Senators … Continue Reading
September 27, 2022
Van Hollen Statement on the Taiwan Policy Act
As China takes increasingly aggressive actions against Taiwan, it is vital that we continue to strengthen the U.S.-Taiwanese relationship and ensure Taiwan's ability to resist Chinese aggression. To accomplish this, we must stay laser-focused on strengthening Taiwan's self-defense capabilities - consistent with longstanding U.S. policy outlined in the Three Communiqués, the Taiwan Relations Act, and the Six Assurances - so the government of China understands that any attempt to reunify … Continue Reading
September 26, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Shaheen, Rounds Push for Increased Action from Pentagon to Address PFAS Exposure at Military Installations
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) joined Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) in sending a letter to Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Lloyd Austin and White House officials, urging increased funding for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances?(PFAS) testing and remediation, and to improve PFAS-related planning to make use of the higher funding levels Congress is willing to appropriate to address the pervasive issue. The Senators wrote, in part, … Continue Reading
September 23, 2022
Van Hollen, Raskin Join with NSA Bethesda Fire Fighters, IAFF Leaders to Highlight Progress on Efforts to Improve Base Conditions, Build New Facility
On Monday, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressman Jamie Raskin (both D-Md.) joined fire fighters working at Naval Support Activity Bethesda (NSA Bethesda) - the naval installation home to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center - along with International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) General President Edward A. Kelly and National Capital Federal Fire Fighters President Scott Burkhardt Jr. to discuss progress in pushing the Navy to improve the living and working conditions for … Continue Reading
September 23, 2022
Maryland Delegation Members Announce Over $12 Million for Firefighters in Western Maryland
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $12,108,037.50 in federal funding for Maryland firefighters and first responders in Frederick, Allegany, and Washington Counties. The funding will enhance firefighters' emergency response capabilities and their ability to protect the health and safety of the public and themselves. It will also support the recruitment and retention of additional firefighters. "Investing … Continue Reading
September 22, 2022
Van Hollen, Merkley, Colleagues Highlight Environmental Justice Concerns on Permitting Legislation, Need for Standalone Floor Consideration
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) alongside Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) in sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) expressing concerns regarding the impact that the recently released proposal to change the federal permitting process for fossil fuel projects will have on communities of color, … Continue Reading
September 22, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Reduce Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water
On Thursday, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) with Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) introduced the Financing Lead Out of Water (FLOW) Act. The FLOW Act would reduce exposure to lead in old water pipes by making it easier for cities and utilities to issue bonds to finance replacement projects. "The use of lead service lines poses a constant threat to the health and … Continue Reading
September 22, 2022
Van Hollen, Warren, Pressley, Garcia Introduce Bill to Provide Americans Immediate Access to Money in their Bank Accounts
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) and Jesús "Chuy" García (D-Ill.) introduced their Payments Modernization Act, legislation to make Americans' funds deposited in their bank accounts immediately available for withdrawal. Right now, Americans lose billions of dollars each year in overdraft fees, driving consumers to turn to more costly financial products because of our inefficient payments … Continue Reading
September 21, 2022
Van Hollen, Markey Call to Cease U.S. Security Assistance to Azerbaijan as Cross-Border Clashes Continue
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) alongside Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) in calling to prevent any U.S. security assistance from going to Azerbaijan until Armenia and Azerbaijan reach a permanent, lasting resolution to ensure peace and stability in Nagorno-Karabakh. In their letter, the Senators raise strong concerns … Continue Reading
September 21, 2022
Following Devastating Flooding In Pakistan, Van Hollen, Gillibrand Call On President Biden To Grant Temporary Protected Status To Pakistani Nationals
Today, following unprecedented flooding that has left one-third of Pakistan underwater and affected approximately 33 million people, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) as she led her Senate colleagues in writing a letter calling on President Biden to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Pakistani nationals currently residing in the United States. Implementing TPS would allow Pakistani nationals to remain in the U.S. until Pakistan recovers … Continue Reading
September 21, 2022
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces Over $86M in Federal Funds for Investments in Minority and Underserved 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.) announced that three Maryland-based community financial institutions will receive a combined $86.6 million from the U.S. Department of the Treasury Emergency Capital Investment Program (ECIP) to help low-income and minority borrowers. Funded through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which … Continue Reading
September 21, 2022
Maryland Congressional Delegation Urges Administration to Kick-Start New Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Stock Assessment
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone (all Md.) urged U.S. Department of Commerce leadership to initiate a new benchmark stock assessment for the Chesapeake Bay blue crab population, in line with the recommendations of leading scientists and fisheries managers. Following the lowest-ever blue crab population estimates in this … Continue Reading
September 21, 2022
Van Hollen, Murphy, Cassidy Introduce Legislation to Improve Neurological Health Research
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Bill Cassidy, M.D., (R-La.) introduced legislation to reauthorize the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System (NNCSS) program, which collects data which collects privacy-protected data on neurological conditions to inform research and help advance better treatments and cures. Specifically, the legislation would reauthorize the NNCSS for another five years … Continue Reading
September 20, 2022
Van Hollen, Menendez, Velázquez Push for President Biden to Issue a Major Disaster Declaration for Puerto Rico
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.-07) in sending a bicameral letter to President Joe Biden to urge him to issue a Major Disaster Declaration for all of Puerto Rico's municipalities in response to Hurricane Fiona. Just days before the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Maria, the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history, Hurricane Fiona ravaged the island with catastrophic flash flooding, unprecedented rainfall, … Continue Reading
September 20, 2022
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