Press Releases
Van Hollen, Cardin, Hoyer, Brown and Raskin Announce $1.7 Billion to Advance the Purple Line
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Anthony G. Brown, and Jamie B. Raskin (all D-Md.) announced a $1.7 billion Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) federal loan to advance the construction of the Purple Line, after significant delays since the construction began in 2017. The Purple Line, a 16.2 mile east-west light rail line between Bethesda in Montgomery County and New Carrollton in Prince George's County, will join … Continue Reading
March 03, 2022
Van Hollen, Gillibrand, Murkowski, Moore, Young Urge USDA To Update The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program For Women, Infants, And Children (Wic) Food Packages, Ensure Access To Healthy Food For Low-Income Families
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Ark.) and Representatives Don Young (R-Ark.-At Large) and Gwen Moore (D-Wis.-4) sent a bipartisan, bicameral letter urging U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to issue the proposed rule, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children: Revisions in the WIC Food Packages. WIC is one of the most successful federally funded nutrition programs in the … Continue Reading
March 02, 2022
Van Hollen, Gillibrand, Brown, Bowman Lead Fight for Community School Funding
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Congressman Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D. (N.Y.-16) sent a letter to the Appropriations Committee leadership urging them to include $443 million for community schools in the FY22 budget. There are 300 community schools serving Maryland students across 16 counties and Baltimore City. "Community Schools use evidence-based, comprehensive leadership practices to treat schools as community hubs and … Continue Reading
March 02, 2022
Van Hollen, Warren, Sanders, Padilla, Murphy, Lawson, Hayes, Torres, Colleagues Urge USDA to Issue Clearer Guidance that Informs Students of Their SNAP Benefits
United States Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Representatives Al Lawson (D-Fla.), Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.), and Norma J. Torres (D-Calif.), along with Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Bob … Continue Reading
March 01, 2022
Van Hollen Statement on President Biden’s State of the Union
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding President Biden's first State of the Union address: "Just over one year ago, President Biden was sworn into office as a nation in disarray looked on - left shocked by the attacks on our democracy and battered by the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic harm. Tonight, President Biden reported that America is coming back strong. "We've made big strides over the last year, from the deployment of millions … Continue Reading
March 01, 2022
Van Hollen Meets with Virtual State of the Union Guest Julie Verratti
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) met via Zoom with his State of the Union virtual guest Julie Verratti, co-owner and founder of Denizens Brewing Company. The two discussed her small business which she co-founded with her wife and brother-in-law, how it has been impacted by COVID-19, and how the federal pandemic relief they received has supported them during a challenging time. Denizens applied for and received a $448,000 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, which was fully … Continue Reading
February 28, 2022
Van Hollen, Murphy, Booker Urge Biden Administration To Push World Bank To Address Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis In Afghanistan
Ahead of the World Bank's Board of Governor's meeting this week, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) on Monday urged the Biden administration to push the World Bank to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. In a letter to Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo, Van Hollen, Murphy, and Booker highlighted the importance of repurposing the remaining funds in the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) to pay the … Continue Reading
February 28, 2022
Van Hollen, Markey, Levin, Bowman Urge EPA to Support Funding to Address Harmful Toxins in Schools
Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Congressmen Andy Levin (Mich.-09) and Jamaal Bowman (N.Y.-16) sent a letter urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to include project funding for the testing and remediation of dangerous polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in schools and childcare facilities in its budget request for Fiscal Year 2023. According to the EPA, "PCBs have been demonstrated to cause a variety of adverse health effects," and have been linked … Continue Reading
February 28, 2022
Van Hollen, Menendez, Durbin, Portman Urge Biden Administration to Designate Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) sent a letter to President Biden urging the Administration to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Ukrainians in the United States following the Russian military invasion of Ukraine. "In light of Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, we respectfully request that your Administration promptly take all necessary steps to ensure that Ukrainian nationals present in the United … Continue Reading
February 28, 2022
Van Hollen Spotlights Maryland Small Business Owner Julie Verratti as State of the Union Virtual Guest
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) announced that Marylander Julie Verratti, co-owner and founder of Denizens Brewing Company, will be his virtual guest for President Biden's State of the Union Address tomorrow evening. Denizens Brewing Company is a craft brewery established in 2014 with taprooms in Silver Spring and Riverdale Park, Maryland. As the Senator will highlight, Denizens applied for and received a $448,000 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, which was fully forgiven as … Continue Reading
February 25, 2022
Van Hollen Statement on President Biden’s Nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding President Biden's nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve on the Supreme Court: "Now more than ever, Americans need a Supreme Court that will uphold the promise enshrined above its doors: equal justice under law. Ketanji Brown Jackson's record and experience show she is the right person to help keep that promise. She has always sought to deliver justice equally, fairly, and thoroughly - and her … Continue Reading
February 25, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Announce $150,000 for Hagerstown Community College Dental Program
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $75,000 in federal funding, along with $75,000 in local matching funds for dental education equipment at Hagerstown Community College. Students enrolled in the Fall 2022 Dental Hygiene and Assisting program will benefit from new dental chairs that are up-to-date with today's dental health and hygiene standards. "Expanding our health care workforce across our state is vital to ensuring … Continue Reading
February 24, 2022
As Putin’s Illegal Invasion of Ukraine Causes Gas Prices to Rise, Van Hollen, Reed, Khanna, Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Tap Strategic Petroleum Reserve
In an effort to combat a sharp rise in oil prices amid Vladimir Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) in sending a letter to President Biden urging the White House to stabilize gas prices and help working families by releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). Drawing down oil from the federal government's stockpile now and then replacing it later with less expensive … Continue Reading
February 24, 2022
Van Hollen Joins MSNBC to Discuss Russian Decision to Expand Attack on Ukraine
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) spoke with Chris Jansing on MSNBC to discuss Vladimir Putin's decision to expand Russia's attack on the people and territory of Ukraine. A full transcript of the Senator's exchange is available below and video of the interview is available here. CHRIS JANSING, HOST MSNBC: Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland - thank you for being with us at this very serious time, Senator. A lot of people waking up to this news - what's your reaction, … Continue Reading
February 23, 2022
Van Hollen Statement on Russian Decision to Expand Its Attack on Ukraine
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding Putin's decision to expand Russia's attack on Ukraine. "Vladimir Putin's decision to expand Russia's attack on the people and territory of Ukraine will cause massive human suffering. He will have blood on his hands. "As President Biden has made clear: we must answer this attack immediately with comprehensive and punishing economic sanctions imposed by every member of NATO, our other European partners, … Continue Reading
February 23, 2022
Van Hollen, Murphy Urge Biden Administration Against Re-Designation of Houthi Movement in Yemen as a Foreign Terrorist Organization
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) sent a letter urging U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken against the re-designation of the Houthi movement in Yemen as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). The senators highlighted that a re-designation would have little practical impact on Houthi leaders, but would deepen the country's economic collapse, obstruct humanitarian assistance for millions of Yemenis facing famine, and hinder efforts to secure a diplomatic end … Continue Reading
February 22, 2022
Van Hollen Statement on Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "Putin's invasion of Ukrainian territory represents a gross violation of its sovereignty and the rights of its people. I support President Biden's decision to take swift action and impose a first round of sanctions on two Russian banking entities, Russian elites close to Putin, and Russia's sovereign debt - as well as Germany's decision to halt the Nord Stream 2 project. … Continue Reading
February 22, 2022
Van Hollen, Peters Call for $3 Million in Funding for PAWS Act
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) sent a bipartisan letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee leadership, urging them to include $3 million in their proposed Fiscal Year 2022 budget to support victims of domestic violence and their pets. The Department of Justice's Emergency and Transitional Pet Shelter and Housing Assistance (PAWS) grant program - which was created through the Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act that Peters authored and was signed into law in … Continue Reading
February 21, 2022
Joint Statement from Congressional Delegation to Munich Security Conference
Members of the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives participating in the bipartisan Congressional Delegation to the Munich Security Conference today released this statement. "It now appears increasingly likely that Russian forces will initiate hostilities against a free and peaceful Ukraine. We as a bipartisan delegation will bring home the same unity and resolve we have seen among our Atlantic allies against Russian aggression. We pledge to work toward whatever … Continue Reading
February 17, 2022
Van Hollen, Warnock Introduce New Bill to Cap Costs of Insulin Nationwide
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) in introducing new legislation to cap the out-of-pocket cost of insulin for all Americans. The Affordable Insulin Now Act will require Medicare plans and private group or individual plans to cap patients' out-of-pocket costs for insulin at $35 per month. This will lower costs for insulin users and save money for hardworking Americans-many who are paying exorbitantly from their own pockets for insulin … Continue Reading
