Press Releases
Van Hollen, Cardin, Hoyer Deliver $5 Million in Inflation Reduction Act Funding for New Visitor Center at Mallows Bay
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Steny H. Hoyer (all D-Md.) announced $5 million in federal funding from the Inflation Reduction Act to support pre-construction and design requirements for a new visitor center at Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary. The lawmakers fought to pass the Inflation Reduction Act – the single largest investment in climate and clean energy in American history – nearly one year … Continue Reading
August 02, 2023
Van Hollen, Merkley, Colleagues: No Gambling on Elections
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) alongside Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) in sending a letter to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) urging Chairman Rostin Behnam to reject a pending proposal by a private prediction market operator that could allow for legal gambling on U.S. elections and their outcomes. On June 12, 2023, Kalshi, the … Continue Reading
August 01, 2023
Van Hollen Joins Kaine, Colleagues in Urging Biden Administration to Protect Americans From Discrimination Based on Source of Income
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Tim Kaine alongside their Senate colleagues, including Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.), in urging the Federal Housing and Finance Agency (FHFA) to extend source of income (SOI) protections at multifamily properties with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In many states, landlords can deny housing to individuals based on source of … Continue Reading
August 01, 2023
Van Hollen Joins Brown, Colleagues in Urging New Protections for Multifamily Renters in Fannie Mae-, Freddie Mac-backed Properties
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) in urging Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Sandra Thompson to ensure that tenants’ rights are protected in any multifamily properties with financing backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. “There have been repeated reports of investors using low-cost financing from Enterprise-backed loans to buy properties and then sharply raising rents, mistreating tenants, and allowing … Continue Reading
July 31, 2023
In Response to Senators Van Hollen, Warren, Duckworth, Blumenthal, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Agrees to Convene Meeting on COVID-19 Testing Recommendation
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) released a letter from United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Chair Michael Barry, in which the Task Force agreed to convene to discuss recommending COVID-19 testing as a preventive screening tool. In his letter responding to the lawmakers’ June 2023 request, Chair Barry committed to “convening the full Task Force to discuss this … Continue Reading
July 28, 2023
Van Hollen Secures Maryland Priorities in Annual Defense Bill, Votes to Pass Legislation in the Senate
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) voted Thursday to pass the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in the Senate, which includes critical investments in Maryland military installations and key legislative priorities that the Senator fought for, as well as a 5.2 percent pay raise for military and Department of Defense (DoD) civilian employees. “This year’s defense bill will help keep America secure by investing in the resources necessary to deter and … Continue Reading
July 28, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin, Hoyer, Sarbanes Deliver Nearly $1.8 Million to Support Individuals with Disabilities and Neurodivergent Communities in Prince George’s and Howard Counties
In advance of this week’s 33rd anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act into law, Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer and John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) delivered $1,759,500 in direct federal investments through Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus funding to expand resources for the disability community and expand job opportunities for neurodivergentMarylanders in Prince George’s and Howard Counties. “While there has … Continue Reading
July 28, 2023
Van Hollen Joins Fetterman, Brown in Introducing Bill Investing in Underserved Farmers, Increasing Access to Fresh Foods in Urban Communities
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.), along with Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) in introducing the Supporting Urban and Innovative Farming Act of 2023, legislation to support the growth of urban and suburban farmers through increased programmatic and research funding. For the first time, USDA Service Centers are opening in urban cities across the nation to position themselves near the … Continue Reading
July 28, 2023
Van Hollen, Murphy, Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Withhold Military Aid to Egypt Given Human Rights Concerns
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) alongside their Senate colleagues in urging the Biden administration to withhold the $320 million of Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to Egypt that Congress made contingent upon specific human rights conditions in the FY22 Appropriations Act. In a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the senators lay out the Egyptian government’s failure to make meaningful progress in addressing human rights concerns and … Continue Reading
July 27, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce Appropriations Committee Passage of Over $10 Million for Maryland Small Business and Community Development Projects in Key Funding Legislation
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, and Senator Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced the inclusion of $10,855,000 in key Senate Committee legislation providing direct federal funding for community-led projects throughout Maryland. These community projects, funded at the Senators’ request, are within the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government’s … Continue Reading
July 27, 2023
Van Hollen, Sarbanes, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Establish Chesapeake National Recreation Area
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressman John Sarbanes (both D-Md.) introduced their bipartisan, bicameral legislation to create a unified Chesapeake National Recreation Area (CNRA). The bill proposes to unite a series of voluntarily contributed park areas and iconic Bay properties under the operation of the National Park Service (NPS) in order to provide more federal resources for environmental conservation, celebrate the Chesapeake’s diverse cultural and economic history, … Continue Reading
July 26, 2023
Van Hollen Statement on Biden Nomination of Martin O’Malley to Lead Social Security Administration
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on President Biden’s nomination of former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley to serve as Commissioner of the U.S. Social Security Administration: “Having worked closely with Governor O’Malley, I know firsthand his commitment to hardworking families and that includes protecting Americans’ Social Security benefits. What’s more, as the former executive of our great state, Governor … Continue Reading
July 26, 2023
Maryland Department of the Environment Receiving Nearly Half Million to Improve Air Quality and Environmental Justice in Three Communities
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume and Glenn Ivey (all D-Md.) announced $497,861 in Inflation Reduction Act funding to develop a comprehensive, community-driven strategy to identify and combat air pollutants that cause health disparities and achieve environmental justice in three historically underserved Maryland communities. The federal funding was awarded to the Maryland Department of Environment to identify the … Continue Reading
July 26, 2023
Maryland Delegation Members Announce Over $28 Million to Support Early Childhood Education Programs Across Maryland
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 $28,927,670 in federal funding for Head Start programs across the state to expand early learning, development, health services, and family well-being. “Investing in early education for our children creates a strong foundation for their future success. By supporting Head Start programs across … Continue Reading
July 25, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin Introduce Legislation to Honor the Late Henrietta Lacks with Congressional Gold Medal
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced the introduction of a bill to posthumously award to Henrietta Lacks the Congressional Gold Medal – Congress’ most prestigious award of appreciation – in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to medicine. Lacks, a Black woman who lived in Baltimore, died of cervical cancer in 1951. During her cancer treatment at Johns Hopkins Hospital, doctors took samples of her tumor, and from this the HeLa cell … Continue Reading
July 21, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin, Mfume Announce New DOJ Resources to Strengthen Public Safety in Baltimore City and the State of Maryland
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) announced that the U.S. Department of Justice is increasing the number of Assistant U.S. Attorneys, FBI agents, DEA agents, and ATF agents in Maryland and the Baltimore metropolitan area to bolster efforts to combat violent crime and improve safety in the City, which in 2023 is finally seeing a reduction in homicides and non-fatal shootings at the half-year mark of 2023. DOJ’s action comes after the … Continue Reading
July 20, 2023
Senators Van Hollen, Carper, Kaine, Cardin, Booker and Representative Norton Introduce the District of Columbia Courts Judicial Vacancy Reduction Act
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) introduced the District of Columbia Courts Judicial Vacancy Reduction Act, common-sense legislation that would apply a 60-day congressional review period to D.C. judicial nominees. This bill would also remove a provision that requires the Senate to hold hearings and vote on these nominations. Under the current system, … Continue Reading
July 20, 2023
Van Hollen, Coons, Wicker Introduce Bill to Reduce Debt-Based Driver’s License Suspensions
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) in introducing the bipartisan Driving for Opportunity Act to provide incentives to states that choose to end debt-based driver’s license suspensions. Millions of Americans have their driver’s licenses suspended simply because they are too poor to pay fines or fees, and not for any public safety reason. These debt-based driver’s license suspensions make it harder for Americans … Continue Reading
July 20, 2023
Van Hollen Addresses Appropriations Committee on Use of U.S. Foreign Assistance to Government of Israel
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) addressed the Senate Appropriations Committee, indicating his support for the $3.3 billion in security assistance to Israel for its defense against enemies like Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad but making it clear that these American taxpayers dollars should not be used by the Government of Israel for certain other purposes, including as a shield for settler violence against Palestinians or to advance the expansion of settlements and … Continue Reading
July 20, 2023
Van Hollen Applauds FedNow Launch
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government and a member of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, released the following statement on the Federal Reserve’s launch of their instant payments system, FedNow. The Senator has long fought for the creation of this system, including urging the Fed to move quickly on its implementation. The Senator also has led legislation, the Payments … Continue Reading
