Press Releases
Van Hollen, Cardin, Mfume, Moore Announce More Than $20 Million to Advance Critical Maryland Rail Projects
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Kweisi Mfume and Governor Wes Moore (all D-Md.) announced $20,384,317 in U.S. Department of Transportation funding for rail infrastructure projects in Maryland to strengthen the Maryland Area Rail Commuter (MARC) network with a Penn-Camden lines connection and to replace diesel-electric locomotives with clean, battery-electric locomotives at the Port of Baltimore. “Our commuter rail system is essential to getting Marylanders from … Continue Reading
October 02, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin, Raskin, Trone Announce Over $500,000 to Prevent Targeted Violence Against LGBTQ+ Youth
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $530,000 in Department of Homeland Security grants in Montgomery County, MD to develop violence prevention programs focused on LGBTQ+ youth. The federal investment comes through the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2023. This funding will help the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) develop programming to address the risk … Continue Reading
October 02, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin, Mfume Announce More Than $700,000 for Cancer, Heart Disease Research at University of Maryland Baltimore
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) announced $736,425 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funding for cardiovascular diseases and cancer research programs at the University of Maryland Baltimore. The funding was made available through the National Institutes of Health grant programs. The federal funds will be used to research the underlying causes of cancer, heart and vascular diseases in underrepresented groups and implement … Continue Reading
September 30, 2023
Van Hollen Statement on Averting a Government Shutdown
“Passage of this funding bill means we will avoid major disruptions to our economy and vital government services Americans rely on, the nearly 200,000 federal employees and servicemembers living and working in Maryland will stay on the job and receive their pay, and federal relief efforts in the wake of recent natural disasters will proceed. It shouldn’t have taken until the 11th hour, but I’m encouraged that enough House Republicans finally heeded our calls to work in a bipartisan manner and … Continue Reading
September 30, 2023
Van Hollen, Colleagues Call for Financial Regulators to Work with Banks and Credit Unions to Help Federal Workers Harmed by Government Shutdown
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) led Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) in calling on financial regulators to issue guidance to regulated banks and credit unions, encouraging them to offer flexibility to federally employed customers impacted by a government shutdown. In their letter to the … Continue Reading
September 29, 2023
Van Hollen, Romney Introduce Bipartisan Taiwan International Solidarity Act
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific, & International Cybersecurity Policy and Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee have introduced bipartisan legislation to support Taiwan’s ability to participate in international organizations. “As a thriving democracy with a strong economy, Taiwan has an important role to play within the international community in helping to address shared … Continue Reading
September 29, 2023
Ahead of Possible Shutdown, Van Hollen, Cardin Join Colleagues in Introducing Bill to Provide Back Pay for Federal Contract Workers
Ahead of a possible Republican government shutdown, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) joined Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) in introducing legislation to secure back pay for the thousands of federal contract workers who face layoffs without back pay during a potential shutdown. Unlike federal government employees, the thousands of federal contract employees - many of whom serve in modestly paid jobs like custodians and … Continue Reading
September 29, 2023
Van Hollen Statement on Passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the passing of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein. “Senator Feinstein was a pioneer. From her time in local politics in San Francisco to her service on behalf of Californians in the United States Senate, she was at the vanguard of a range of critical issues from strengthening women’s rights and equality, to enacting common-sense gun safety reforms, to advancing human rights here and abroad. On these issues and … Continue Reading
September 28, 2023
Van Hollen, Lofgren, Johnson Lead Call for Administration to Re-Designate TPS for Cameroon
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), and Congressman Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) were joined by over 25 of their colleagues in calling on U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to extend and re-designate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Cameroon. TPS is designated for countries that are deemed unsafe for their citizens to return due to extraordinary circumstances such as war, civil unrest, or natural disaster, allowing those countries’ … Continue Reading
September 27, 2023
Van Hollen Statement on Senator Menendez
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding Senator Bob Menendez: “Having served with Senator Menendez in the Senate, I have seen his hard work on behalf of the people of New Jersey. Now, as he faces serious, specific, and deeply concerning criminal charges, he is entitled to the presumption of innocence and due process. However, as a public servant, he has a duty to uphold the standard of public trust and to protect the integrity of the … Continue Reading
September 27, 2023
Van Hollen, Schatz, Merkley, Welch Release Statement on Designation of Israel to Visa Waiver Program
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) released the following statement regarding U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s nomination and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas’s designation of Israel to join the Visa Waiver Program. “As longtime supporters of the close U.S.-Israel relationship, we support Israel’s candidacy to join the Visa Waiver Program, once it meets all of the requirements of … Continue Reading
September 22, 2023
Van Hollen, Blumenthal, Brown, Coons Introduce Bill to Protect Consumers Using Generic Medications
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Chris Coons (D-Del.) announced the introduction of the Updated Drug Labeling for Patient Safety Act, legislation to allow all prescription drug manufacturers to revise medication labels to provide accurate, up-to-date warnings to consumers. Current federal law mandates that generic drug labels must match those approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for their brand-name … Continue Reading
September 22, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Announce Over $9.7 Million SAFER Grant to Hire 32 Additional Firefighters in Frederick County
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $9,732,102.08 for Frederick County’s Division of Fire & Rescue Services to hire 32 additional firefighters. The federal funding is provided through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program. “Strong local fire departments are fundamental to the safety of our communities. This investment that Federal Team Maryland fought to … Continue Reading
September 19, 2023
Van Hollen Joins Whitehouse, Doggett in Reintroducing Bicameral Bill Act to Tackle Plastic Pollution Crisis and Hold Polluters Accountable
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) in reintroducing legislation that would create a new incentive to recycle plastic and help reduce the plastic waste that is disrupting coastal economies, overwhelming ecosystems, and threatening public health. The Rewarding Efforts to Decrease Unrecycled Contaminants in Ecosystems (REDUCE) Act would impose a 20-cent per pound fee on the sale of virgin plastic resin that is … Continue Reading
September 18, 2023
Maryland Delegation Announces More Than $900,000 to Provide Free COVID-19 Vaccines to Marylanders
Today, 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 $934,965 in U.S. Department of Health funding for Maryland health centers to provide no-cost COVID-19 vaccines. “The pandemic exposed many gaps and shortfalls in vaccine accessibility, especially for the millions of Americans who are under- or uninsured,” said the lawmakers. “As COVID-19 cases … Continue Reading
September 15, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin Join Democratic Lawmakers in Urging President Biden to Take Executive Action to Address Gun Violence Epidemic, Limit Sale of Assault Weapons
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) joined 77 of their Democratic colleagues in the Senate and House in writing a letter to President Joe Biden, urging him to take further executive action to combat gun violence and limit the sale of assault weapons. These executive actions to prevent gun violence are endorsed by Everytown for Gun Safety, Giffords, and Brady: United Against Gun Violence. “We commend the important steps your Administration has recently taken on this … Continue Reading
September 14, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin, Mfume Release Statement on Temporary Lease Extension for Fort Howard Post Office
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) released the following statement in response to the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) one-month lease extension for the Fort Howard Post Office. Initially expected to close on Friday, September 15, the Fort Howard branch is now expected to continue operating in its current location until October 14, while USPS continues working towards a long-term solution. This development comes after the lawmakers sent a letter … Continue Reading
September 10, 2023
Van Hollen, Merkley Joint Statement on Upgrading U.S. Relationship with Vietnam
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) issued the following joint statement after the announcement of the establishment of a “comprehensive strategic partnership” between the United States and Vietnam, during a visit by President Biden to Vietnam: “The foundation to a strong working relationship between our two nations is addressing the painful wartime legacy and promoting reconciliation. “This is an opportunity to deepen our understanding and commitment to the … Continue Reading
September 08, 2023
Van Hollen, Schatz Lead More Than a Dozen Colleagues in Letter to Administration on Israel’s Non-Compliance with Key Visa Waiver Program Requirements
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) led a letter with 13 of their colleagues that underscores their hope that Israel will, at some point, qualify for the Visa Waiver Program but concludes that, based on all the information provided to date, Israel is not currently in compliance with the “Blue is Blue” reciprocity requirements for the Program and is not on track to meet them before the September 30th deadline. In their letter to U.S. Secretary of State … Continue Reading
September 07, 2023
Van Hollen, Warren, Whitehouse Urge Treasury to Protect Consumers Against Insurance-Related Climate Risks
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), both members of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Federal Insurance Office (FIO) Director Steven Seitz, urging the department to take immediate action to and protect consumers from climate-related risks by collecting comprehensive and transparent data about the impacts of climate change on the insurance industry. The … Continue Reading
