Press Releases
Van Hollen, Ossoff Working to Make Government Services Accessible in More Languages
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) in calling on U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to direct Federal agencies to update their Language Access Plans, helping ensure people whose primary language is not English can access critical information and resources in their preferred language. The letter led by Senator Ossoff was signed in addition to Senator Van Hollen by Senators Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), … Continue Reading
February 11, 2022
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces $9.3 Million in Federal Funding for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced $9,298,080 in federal funding for Maryland to build electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the state. Electric vehicles remain inaccessible to many Americans due to the limited supply of charging stations, especially in rural and underserved communities. This is the first year of a … Continue Reading
February 10, 2022
Maryland Delegation Lawmakers Deliver $1.8 Million Federal Grant to Modernize Port of Baltimore Infrastructure, Improve Region’s Air Quality
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) welcomed a $1,841,624 federal grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to improve air quality in the Baltimore region. The Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) award will support the replacement of several pieces of diesel-powered equipment servicing the Port of Baltimore with modern and more energy efficient equipment. "Addressing climate … Continue Reading
February 10, 2022
Van Hollen, Trone Lead Call to Award Maryland Veteran with Medal of Honor
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and U.S. Representative David Trone (both D-Md.) led a group of over 25 of their colleagues in a letter to the new Secretary of the Army, Christine Wormuth, in their continued push to award Maryland Veteran Corporal Waverly Woodson with a Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism during World War II, and specifically his courageous and selfless actions during the D-Day invasion. While Cpl. Woodson was previously awarded a Bronze Star, as a Black Veteran … Continue Reading
February 10, 2022
Van Hollen, Warren, Blumenthal Call On Department of Education to Deliver Additional Relief to Student Loan Borrowers Cheated by Navient
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) sent a letter to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona urging him to provide additional relief for student loan borrowers affected by Navient's decades-long record of deceptive and abusive practices. While the historic $1.85 billion multi-state settlement against Navient provides critical and long overdue relief for borrowers cheated by the company, many borrowers are still ineligible for … Continue Reading
February 09, 2022
Van Hollen, Markey, Pappas, Huffman Urge Biden Administration to Request Full Funding for New Biking and Walking Program in President’s Budget
Today, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Congressman Chris Pappas (N.H.-01), and Congressman Jared Huffman (Calif.-02) sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), urging the Biden administration to request full funding for the new Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program-recently authorized in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act-in the President's proposed Fiscal Year 2023 … Continue Reading
February 09, 2022
Van Hollen, Schatz Urge Biden to Step Up Efforts to Demilitarize Police
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) called on President Joe Biden to step up efforts to demilitarize the police. "We urge you to prioritize the demilitarization of law enforcement by limiting the transfer or purchase of certain military equipment for federal, state, tribal, … Continue Reading
February 08, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin Continue to Urge Justice Department to Provide New Resources to Improve Public Safety in Baltimore
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (Both D-Md.) Monday continued their work to identify additional federal resources to confront violent crime and enhance public safety in Baltimore City. In a virtual meeting with key Department of Justice leaders, the senators urged Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco and other senior DOJ personnel to heighten the level of agency assistance provided to the Baltimore metro area and increase the number of federal agents and U.S. Marshals assigned to … Continue Reading
February 08, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin Urge Swift Response from DOJ, FBI to Recent HBCU Bomb Threats
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to ensure the ongoing investigation into the bomb threats recently made against Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the country is conducted swiftly, thoroughly, and with sufficient resources. In their letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Chris Wray, the lawmakers note that HBCUs in Maryland and in … Continue Reading
February 08, 2022
Baltimore Congressional Delegation Announces $200,000 in Infrastructure Law Funding for Workforce Development Training
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) announced that Civic Works in Baltimore will receive $200,000 for workforce development and job training to help spur economic opportunity and advance environmental justice in underserved communities. The lawmakers fought to deliver these funds through the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This funding, provided through the U.S. … Continue Reading
February 07, 2022
Van Hollen, Brown, Colleagues Seek Answers on Reports of JPMorgan Robo-Signing
Today, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and Committee members Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), sent a letter to JPMorgan Chase seeking to better understand the company's credit card collection practices, including reports that JPMorgan has resumed the practice of robo-signing to sue customers. Brown and … Continue Reading
February 07, 2022
Van Hollen, Colleagues Look Forward to the FDIC Getting Back to Business
Today, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined his Democratic colleagues on the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, led by Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and including Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), in issuing the following joint statement regarding Marty Gruenberg stepping into the role of Acting Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Gruenberg, a … Continue Reading
February 07, 2022
Van Hollen, Brown Urge Treasury Department to Provide Covid-Related Tax Relief Due to Global Supply Chain Disruption of Vehicles
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) in a follow-up letter to U.S. Department of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, urging her to provide tax relief to auto dealers experiencing inventory shortages due to global supply chain issues. Pandemic-related supply chain disruptions have impacted businesses and consumers, with slow-downs and factory closures, particularly with semiconductors, leaving businesses with drastically lower inventories. These disruptions … Continue Reading
February 07, 2022
Van Hollen, Carper, Portman Call for Administration to Relaunch a Comprehensive Tariff Exclusion Process
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) in sending a bipartisan letter to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai calling for the Administration to establish a more comprehensive exclusion process for imports from China subject to tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 in order to allow more small businesses and manufacturers to access relief. Following the expiration of the previous Administration's tariff … Continue Reading
February 07, 2022
Van Hollen, Hassan Introduce Legislation to Restore Full Funding for Educational and Early-Intervention Services for Children with Disabilities
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) in introducing legislation to restore full funding for educational and early-intervention services for children who experience disabilities. The Senators were joined by Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), as well as Representatives Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.), and Rodney Davis (R-Ill.). Children and families' need for early intervention and pre-school special education … Continue Reading
February 04, 2022
Maryland and Virginia Senators Urge WMATA CEO to Use Final Months to Set Metro on Right Track
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) and Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-Va.) met virtually Thursday with Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Administration (WMATA) General Manager and CEO Paul Wiedefeld to thank him for his service and discuss challenges the transit agency is facing with its rail cars and the need to confront the long-term realities of ridership impacted by the pandemic. After the meeting, the senators said it was a productive discussion, during which … Continue Reading
February 04, 2022
Van Hollen, Warner, Brown Call on SEC to Update Human Capital Disclosures so that Companies Report the Number of Employees Who Are Not Full-Time Workers
Today, U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) in calling on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to require companies to report on how many workers they employ who are not classified as full-time employees, including independent and subcontracted workers. "We believe that the disclosure of this data is critical to fully capture companies' human capital management. We applaud the SEC for focusing on strengthening human … Continue Reading
February 03, 2022
Van Hollen, Padilla Urge Administration to Form Advisory Group to Support Native Americans Living in Urban Areas
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) in a letter to the Biden-Harris Administration calling for the creation of an Urban Indian Interagency Work Group that would identify the needs of urban American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) and implement strategies to support Native Americans living in urban settings. "In light of the goals you outlined in the Biden-Harris Plan for Tribal Nations, specifically to ensure that urban AI/ANs receive … Continue Reading
February 02, 2022
Bipartisan Resolution Reaffirming U.S. Support for the Belarusian Pro-Democracy Movement Unanimously Clears the Senate
The bipartisan resolution reaffirming U.S. support for the Belarusian pro-democracy movement, introduced by U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) alongside Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), unanimously cleared the Senate. The resolution calls for free and fair elections, reaffirms bipartisan support in the Senate for the pro-democracy movement, free media and the Belarusian people and condemns Lukashenka's acts of transnational repression. The resolution, led by … Continue Reading
February 02, 2022
Van Hollen, Hyde-Smith, Peters, Portman Make Bipartisan Push for Independent Investigation Into USPS Delivery of Free Materials for the Blind & Physically Handicapped
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) sent a letter to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Office of the Inspector General requesting that Inspector General Tammy Whitcomb investigate the USPS Free Matter for the Blind or Other Physically Handicapped Persons program. The Senators' request follows testimony provided by a Marylander last year to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General … Continue Reading
