Press Releases
Van Hollen Statement on Supreme Court Ruling on Concealed Carry
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the Supreme Court's decision in NYSRPA v. Bruen: "As Americans cry out for common-sense gun safety and the Congress takes modest but meaningful steps to reduce gun violence, today's decision by the far-right packed Supreme Court is a slap in the face. In misreading the Constitution, the Court is determined to make our communities less safe. More Americans will die because of this deeply misguided and … Continue Reading
June 23, 2022
Van Hollen and 23 Senate Colleagues Call for Direct U.S. Involvement in the Investigation of Shooting Death of American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and 23 of his Senate colleagues called upon President Biden to ensure the direct involvement of the United States in the investigation of the shooting death of American citizen and journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. In their letter to the President - who is planning to visit Israel and the West Bank in mid-July - the lawmakers stress the importance of an independent, thorough, and transparent investigation and underscore the need for U.S. involvement to … Continue Reading
June 23, 2022
Maryland and Virginia Senators Welcome Silver Line Expansion Milestone, Urge Safe, Expeditious Completion of Project
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) and Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-Va.) released the following statement regarding Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's (WMATA) announcement that the Silver Line expansion project, which will provide service to Loudoun County, is fully constructed and now ready for final operational readiness testing: "Today's news takes us one big step closer to our shared goal of ensuring that our transportation … Continue Reading
June 23, 2022
Van Hollen, Kaine Introduce Bill to Protect Veterans and Low-Income Families from Housing Discrimination
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) in reintroducing the Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2022 to protect veterans and low-income families from housing discrimination. Current law allows landlords to deny housing to individuals based on source of income, and many veterans and low-income families have reported discrimination when using vouchers to pay their rent. The Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2022 would expand protections under the Fair Housing Act … Continue Reading
June 22, 2022
Van Hollen, Markey, Meng Press for Increased Funding to Keep Students Online
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Representative Grace Meng (N.Y.-06) led their colleagues in a letter urging Congressional leadership to support their efforts to secure additional funding for the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), a crucial program created under the American Rescue Plan that has provided more than 12.5 million students access to the Internet over the past year. The Federal Communications Commission recently announced that the most … Continue Reading
June 21, 2022
Van Hollen Statement on Senate Action to Move Forward on Gun Safety Legislation
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the Senate vote to proceed to consideration of bipartisan legislation addressing gun safety: "Weeks ago I marched with our fellow Americans calling for gun safety reforms to save lives. This Senate bill is a small, but important step forward. We must build on this progress by growing the movement and winning the votes to enact comprehensive gun reform, including banning semi-automatic assault weapons and … Continue Reading
June 21, 2022
Van Hollen, Menendez, Lieu Introduce Resolution in Observance of World Refugee Day
On the heels of World Refugee Day (June 20), U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Representative Ted Lieu (D-CA-33) alongside their Senate colleagues, House colleagues, and leading refugee advocacy and human rights organizations in unveiling a resolution reaffirming the United States' commitment to promote the welfare of refugees and displaced persons worldwide - including children - as they flee conflict, persecution, and torture. As Putin's … Continue Reading
June 21, 2022
Van Hollen Statement as Deputy Hilliard of Wicomico County is Laid to Rest
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on today's funeral for Wicomico County Deputy Sheriff Glenn Hilliard, who was killed last week in the line of duty: "Today, I join in mourning the loss of Deputy Glenn Hilliard with the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office and the entire Eastern Shore community. While carrying out his sworn duty to protect and serve his neighbors, Deputy Hilliard made the ultimate sacrifice - and we will not forget it. As he is laid to rest … Continue Reading
June 21, 2022
Van Hollen, U.S. Department of Commerce Announce $1.6 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Capitalize Revolving Loan Fund to Serve Small Businesses in Maryland
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.6 million grant to the Maryland Department of Commerce, Baltimore, Maryland, to capitalize and administer a revolving loan fund that will serve small businesses throughout Maryland. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.This project will provide gap financing to help small, local businesses recover, grow … Continue Reading
June 21, 2022
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces More Than $41.6 Million to Early Childhood Education Programs Across the State
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 $41,636,405 in federal funding for Head Start programs across the state to expand early learning, development, health services and family well-being. "The COVID-19 pandemic has had lasting impacts on our children's education, and none have felt the effects of the widening learning gap more … Continue Reading
June 17, 2022
Leading U.S. Senators Urge SEC to Move Forward with Strong Climate Disclosure Rules
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) urged the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to move forward with strong, mandatory climate disclosure rules requiring public companies to disclose standardized information about their greenhouse gas pollution and be transparent with investors about climate-related risks. As the dangers of climate change … Continue Reading
June 17, 2022
Van Hollen, Warner, Slotkin, Colleagues Urge Action on Misleading Search Results About Abortion Clinics
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) and Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) sent a letter to the CEO of Alphabet Inc. and its subsidiary Google, Sundar Pichai, urging him to take action to prevent misleading Google search results and ads that lead to anti-abortion clinics. In the letter, the lawmakers note that 37 percent of Google Maps results and 11 percent of Google search results for "abortion clinic near me" and "abortion pill" in states with so-called "trigger … Continue Reading
June 17, 2022
Van Hollen, Warner, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Boost Economic Growth in Underserved Communities
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark R. Warner (D-Va.),Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) introduced bipartisan legislation to promote lasting economic prosperity in underserved communities. This bill would help unlock more equity and long-term financial capital for community development financial institutions (CDFIs). CDFIs often serve as a backbone for low-income or minority-owned businesses, which tend to have fewer banking relationships and less access to … Continue Reading
June 17, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Hoyer, Brown Announce Continued Viability of Maryland FBI HQ Sites
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer and Anthony Brown (all D-Md.) released the following statement announcing the General Services Administration's finding that the two Maryland sites proposed for the new Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) headquarters remain viable options for the new consolidated campus: "Today's GSA finding that the two Maryland FBI campus sites remain viable options to meet the needs of the Bureau is another positive step … Continue Reading
June 17, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin Introduce Bill to Invest Over $600 Million in Coast Guard Yard
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced their introduction of a bill to invest over $600 million in major infrastructure modernization efforts at the Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay, Maryland. The shipyard, which has been in operation since 1899 and is the Coast Guard's only shipbuilding and major repair facility, employs 2,200 full-time personnel and is a critical national security asset that supports not only the Coast Guard's fleet but also the U.S. Army, … Continue Reading
June 17, 2022
Van Hollen, Booker Introduce Resolution Supporting World Sickle Cell Awareness Day
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) in introducing a resolution expressing support for the designation of June 19, 2022 as "World Sickle Cell Awareness Day" to increase public awareness about sickle cell disease and the continued need for research, early detection, and effective treatments that lead to a cure. The resolution was also cosponsored by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.). Companion legislation was introduced in the … Continue Reading
June 16, 2022
Senate Passes Bipartisan 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 Senate passage of new 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 today by a vote of 84-14, provides healthcare benefits for all generations of … Continue Reading
June 16, 2022
Van Hollen, Booker Introduce Bill to Improve Access to Care, Quality of Life for Sickle Cell Disease Patients
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced the Sickle Cell Care Expansion Act to improve access to medical treatment and quality of life for people suffering from Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). The Senators are introducing the bill ahead of World Sickle Cell Awareness Day on Sunday, June 19. This bill, which complements legislation introduced earlier this year by Congressman Charlie Crist (D-Fla.), will enable the National Health Service Corps to provide … Continue Reading
June 16, 2022
Van Hollen, Markey, García Introduce Legislation to Boost Pay, Benefits for Nation’s Airport Workers
Today, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Congressman Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Ill.-04) to announce the introduction of the Good Jobs for Good Airports Act, legislation that would provide airport workers with the pay, benefits, and labor standards they deserve after serving on the frontlines of our nation's aviation system and keeping airports safe through a global pandemic, climate disasters, and peak travel seasons. In the face of … Continue Reading
June 16, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin Submit Direct Funding Requests for Community Projects Supporting Infrastructure, Affordable Housing, Sustainable Development
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 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee for fiscal year 2023. The Senators worked with local community leaders to identify a wide range of projects, which will support infrastructure upgrades, public transit improvements, affordable housing, and access to community centers and green spaces, among other … Continue Reading