Press Releases
Maryland Delegation Members Call on FEMA to Immediately Provide More Medical Supplies to National Capital Region
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Representatives Steny Hoyer, Anthony Brown, David Trone, and Jamie Raskin (all D-Md.) wrote to FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor urging the Administration to increase the federal government’s allotment of emergency medical supplies and equipment to the National Capital Region. The bipartisan letter was also signed by U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Rob Wittman (R-VA), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Jennifer Wexton (D-VA), Congresswoman … Continue Reading
April 08, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces More than $15.6 Million in Federal Funding for Community Health Centers
The full Maryland congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone, today announced $15,635,030 to support Maryland’s community health centers in responding to the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Funding comes through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration … Continue Reading
April 07, 2020
Van Hollen, Warren, Brown Urge Private Companies to Provide Immediate Relief to Borrowers with Student Loans During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), all members of the Senate Banking Committee, in sending a series of letters to student loan companies asking how they are taking steps to aid private student loan borrowers affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.In their letters to Wells Fargo, SLM Corporation (Sallie Mae), Navient, Citizens Financial Group, Discover Financial Services, the PNC Financial … Continue Reading
April 07, 2020
Van Hollen, Murphy, Baldwin to HHS: Reopen the ACA Marketplace, Allow More Americans to Get Health Insurance During COVID-19 Pandemic
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), along with 26 Senate Democrats on Tuesday in urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reopen the Affordable Care Act’s online marketplace to allow more un- and under-insured Americans to get health insurance as they face potential health issues related to COVID-19. In a letter to the Secretary Alex Azar, the senators urged HHS to allow Americans to enroll through a … Continue Reading
April 07, 2020
Van Hollen, Smith to Treasury Secretary Mnuchin: Make Sure Americans Experiencing Homelessness Get Coronavirus Relief Payments
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) in a Senate push to ensure the Trump Administration is taking the steps necessary to make certain that people experiencing homelessness across the country receive coronavirus relief payments.In a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin Tuesday, Senators Van Hollen, Smith, and 26 of their Senate colleagues urged him to consider the steep barriers people experiencing homelessness will confront when trying to access the … Continue Reading
April 07, 2020
Van Hollen, Wyden, Colleagues Request COVID-19 Comprehensive Testing Data from CDC to Include Sex, Race, and Ethnicity
Today U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), along with 15 colleagues, asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to publicly report all available information about who is able to access COVID-19 tests. This information, which continues to be scarce, will help shed crucial light on how the pandemic is impacting communities across America. The members’ request comes amid calls from local lawmakers in Maryland for the state to release demographic … Continue Reading
April 07, 2020
Van Hollen, Brown Slam CFPB Inaction on Consumer Protections During Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Jack Reed (D-RI), all members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, sent a letter to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Kathy Kraninger urging her to cease carrying out the Trump Administration’s deregulatory agenda and instead focus on providing relief for hardworking Americans during this economic crisis.“In the face of this pandemic, … Continue Reading
April 07, 2020
Van Hollen, Warren, Brown, Blumenthal Question Deutsche Bank Over Trump Org's Request to Delay Loan Repayments Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), all members of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, in writing to Deutsche Bank about the Trump Organization's reported request for financial assistance amid the current crisis. They raised concerns about the bank's financial leverage over the President and his family and about the President's ability to improperly favor or … Continue Reading
April 06, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces $6.4 Million in Federal Funding to Support State Health Care System As It Responds to COVID-19
The full Maryland congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone, today announced $6.4 million to support Maryland’s health care system as it responds to the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Funding comes through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). … Continue Reading
April 06, 2020
Van Hollen, Trone Urge Treasury to Strengthen Paycheck Protection Program in Response to Concerns from Maryland Small Businesses
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressman David Trone (both D-Md.) have sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin outlining their concerns with recently issued Treasury guidance contradicting the intended critical aid provided by the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), as established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The lawmakers worked to craft PPP to provide relief and liquidity to businesses more swiftly than the traditional loan programs to … Continue Reading
April 06, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin Send Bipartisan Letter to HHS and CMS on Protecting Medicare Recipients During COVID-19 Crisis
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) joined a bipartisan group of colleagues in writing to Secretary Azar and Administrator Verma encouraging both HHS and CMS to consider solutions to protect Medicare beneficiaries from high-risk settings and ensure safe access to care as we continue to work to combat COVID-19. Cardin is a member of the Senate Finance Committee, while Van Hollen is a member of the Appropriations Committee. “As we seek additional options for protecting the … Continue Reading
April 03, 2020
Van Hollen, Blumenthal Lead Call for Investigation into Navy’s COVID-19 Outbreak & Decision to Relieve Capt. Crozier of Command
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) led a group of 17 Senators calling on the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General to conduct a formal investigation into troubling reports about the USS Theodore Roosevelt COVID-19 outbreak and decision to relieve Capt. Brett Crozier of his command of the ship.“Given the concerns for the health and safety of the sailors on the USS Theodore Roosevelt, in addition to the potential for future COVID-19 outbreaks on other … Continue Reading
April 03, 2020
Van Hollen, Brown, Hassan, Bennet, Booker Call on Administration to Ensure Veterans, SSI Beneficiaries Get Stimulus Checks Automatically
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), along with 44 colleagues, in calling on the Trump Administration to issue stimulus checks automatically to recipients of benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Supplemental Security Income program. In their letter, the Senators point out that these are two groups with large amounts of non-filers and groups that the federal … Continue Reading
April 03, 2020
Van Hollen, Markey Call for Preserving First Responders’ Access to Emergency Spectrum in Next Coronavirus Economic Relief Package
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and six of their Senate colleagues today in urging Senate leadership to include language that would preserve first responders’ access to T-band spectrum (470-512 MHz) in upcoming coronavirus economic relief legislation. The Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act repeals a provision of the 2012 Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act, which directed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to auction off this band of … Continue Reading
April 02, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin Host Tele-Conference with Maryland Mayors and Municipal Leaders on COVID-19
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) hosted a tele-conference with Maryland mayors and municipal leaders to discuss the impacts of the coronavirus on their communities and how the recently-passed CARES Act can help. On the call, the Senators detailed federal coronavirus response efforts, including direct funding for their municipalities, and answered questions regarding current relief measures available to local governments. “Our cities and towns are facing serious … Continue Reading
April 02, 2020
Maryland Delegation Pushes FEMA for Urgent Medical Supplies Needed for Statewide Fight Against COVID-19
Team Maryland, the full Maryland congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone, continue to fight for essential resources needed in Maryland to protect the health and safety of Marylanders. The latest time-sensitive request for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) comes as COVID-19 cases are on the rise … Continue Reading
April 02, 2020
Van Hollen, Markey, Blumenthal, and Murphy, Colleagues Call for Strengthening Background Checks, New Federal Guidance Amidst Surge in Gun Sales
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and a number of their colleagues today in calling for strengthening background checks amidst a massive increase in gun sales during the coronavirus emergency. In a letter sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau for Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), the Senators express serious concerns that the surge in gun sales is … Continue Reading
April 02, 2020
Van Hollen, Markey, Bennet, and Schatz Lead Colleagues in Renewed Push to Ensure All Students Can Continue Education Online During Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) today led 31 of their colleagues in a letter to House and Senate leadership requesting robust funding for all K-12 students to have adequate home internet connectivity if their schools close due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. While funding from the recently-passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act can be used towards these efforts, the … Continue Reading
April 02, 2020
Sen. Van Hollen, Rep. Phillips Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Letters in Support of Peace Corps, AmeriCorps Volunteers
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and U.S. Representative Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) led two bipartisan, bicameral letters seeking clarity on unemployment benefits and work opportunities for Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and other national service participants.In the first letter, the Members urge Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia to clarify that the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program passed within the CARES Act covers Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and other similarly situated national … Continue Reading
April 02, 2020
Van Hollen, Wyden, Colleagues Demand Expanded Internet Access for Low-Income Americans Throughout COVID-19 Crisis
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today, along with a group of their colleagues, to demand better mobile internet service for low-income Americans impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Improved internet access would help American families better work and learn from home and access vital telehealth resources. The federal Lifeline service program, administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), provides free and discounted … Continue Reading
