Press Releases
Van Hollen Joins Booker, Bipartisan Colleagues in Sounding Alarm on JBS Request to Trade Shares on NYSE, Citing Threat to U.S. Markets
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and a bipartisan group of lawmakers in urging the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler to consider the risk JBS S.A. (JBS) poses to the integrity of U.S. capital markets and the legal rights of U.S. investors as they consider the company’s proposal to list on the New York Stock Exchange. “As the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) considers this proposal, we urge the SEC to protect the … Continue Reading
January 12, 2024
Van Hollen Joins Murphy, Senate Colleagues in Calling On Senate Appropriators to Fight for Rail Funding in FY24 Budget Negotiations
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and their Senate colleagues in urging Senate Appropriations leadership to support funding for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail (IPR) grant program in the fiscal year 2024 spending legislation. While the committee-passed U.S. Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill included $100 million for this account, House Republicans … Continue Reading
January 12, 2024
Van Hollen, Cardin, Moore Announce $80 Million for Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Improvements
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) joined Governor Wes Moore and Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld to announce $80,000,000 in U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) funding for the Maryland Transportation Authority to make critical transportation safety, mobility and environmental improvements around the toll plaza and Frankfurst Avenue Interchange of the I-895 Baltimore Harbor Tunnel “The Baltimore Harbor Tunnel plays a critical role … Continue Reading
January 10, 2024
On Eve Of Taiwan Election, Van Hollen Joins Sullivan, Kaine, Senate Colleagues in Introducing Bipartisan Resolution Commending Taiwan’s Commitment to Democracy
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and their Senate colleagues in introducing a bipartisan resolution commending Taiwan for its commitment to democratic elections and institutions, despite ongoing threats from the Chinese Communist Party. This resolution comes prior to Taiwan’s upcoming presidential and legislative elections set to occur on Saturday, January 13. In addition to Senator Van Hollen, the resolution led by Senators … Continue Reading
January 10, 2024
Van Hollen Joins Murphy, Bipartisan Colleagues in Letter on Amazon’s Treatment of Delivery Drivers
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and their colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy requesting information about the company’s Delivery Service Partner (DSP) program and its efforts to avoid legal liability for the persistent mistreatment of DSP drivers. The senators are also seeking information regarding Amazon’s justification for refusing to bargain with union representatives of DSP employees and requiring DPSs to sign … Continue Reading
January 10, 2024
Van Hollen, Merkley Press for Action Following Trip to Rafah Crossing, Egypt, Jordan
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), both members of the Senate Appropriations and Foreign Relations Committees, released the following statement after their visit to Egypt and Jordan: “The humanitarian disaster in Gaza is worsening by the day. Innocent Palestinians are on the verge of starvation, injured children are having their limbs amputated without anesthesia, sewage is spilling onto the streets, and health officials are warning of the imminent … Continue Reading
January 09, 2024
Maryland Delegation, Virginia Lawmakers Urge Appropriations Committee Leaders to Prioritize NASA Goddard and Wallops Flight Facility Project Funding, Keeping Jobs Intact and Mission in Focus
The Democratic members of the Maryland Congressional Delegation - Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, David J. Trone, and Glenn Ivey - joined by Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine and Representative Bobby Scott urge Senate and House Appropriations leadership to prioritize funding of NASA Goddard, which also manages Wallops Flight Facility in Accomack County, Virginia. In a letter to … Continue Reading
January 09, 2024
Van Hollen Joins Kaine in Filing Amendment to Maintain Congressional Oversight of Foreign Military Assistance
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and their Senate colleagues in announcing their intention to file an amendment to maintain the congressional notification requirement for all U.S. assistance to foreign militaries. Specifically, the amendment would strike a provision in the proposed national security supplemental funding bill that waives oversight requirements for U.S. funding for Israel under the Foreign Military Financing Program. If passed, the amendment … Continue Reading
January 09, 2024
Van Hollen, Cardin Join Biden-Harris Administration in Announcing More Than $4.5 million in Awards for Clean School Buses In Maryland as Part of Investing in America Agenda
As part of the ongoing commitment to protecting children and improving air quality, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in announcing the selection of Montgomery Public Schools to receive nearly $4.7 million to purchase 50 school buses through EPA’s first Clean School Bus Program’s Grants Competition. By accelerating the transition to low- and zero-emission vehicles, these awards will improve air quality for children … Continue Reading
January 04, 2024
Van Hollen Joins Peters, Stabenow, Padilla, Butler, Brown, Colleagues in Warning Non-Unionized Automakers Not to Interfere in UAW Unionization Efforts
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and their colleagues in a letter to 13 non-unionized automakers urging them not to illegally block United Auto Workers’ (UAW) unionization efforts at their manufacturing plants. After the ratification of historic agreements between UAW and the Big Three automakers in Detroit, thousands of non-union autoworkers … Continue Reading
December 30, 2023
Van Hollen Statement on Administration’s Decision to Bypass Congressional Arms Sale Approval
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the Administration’s decision on Friday to waive Congressional review of an arms sale: “Congressional review is a critical step for examining any large arms sale. The Administration’s decision to repeatedly short-circuit what is already a quick time frame for congressional review undermines transparency and weakens accountability. The public deserves … Continue Reading
December 22, 2023
Maryland Delegation Members Announce Over $240 Million for Clean Water Infrastructure Across Maryland
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 $240,451,000 to modernize clean water infrastructure across Maryland. The federal funding, provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program, will support the Maryland Department of the Environment’s efforts to provide low- or … Continue Reading
December 21, 2023
Maryland Delegation Members Announce More Than $25 Million to Improve Road Safety Across Maryland
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 $28,505,333 to improve road safety in communities across Maryland. The federal funding, provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program, will help local departments of transportation across the state develop and implement safety action plans … Continue Reading
December 20, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin, Mfume Announce $50 Million Inflation Reduction Act Investment for Baltimore’s Green & Healthy Homes Initiative to Fund Environmental Justice Projects Across the Mid-Atlantic
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) joined the Biden-Harris Administration in announcing Baltimore-based Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI) has been selected to serve as one of 11 regional grantmakers and will receive $50 million under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program that was created by the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in climate action … Continue Reading
December 20, 2023
Van Hollen Joins Kaine, Marshall, Colleagues in Bipartisan Push to Lower Prescription Drug Costs
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, led a bipartisan group of their colleagues in a letter urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Labor (DOL), and the Department of the Treasury to lower out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs by enforcing a rule limiting the use of harmful “copay accumulators.” Copay … Continue Reading
December 19, 2023
Van Hollen Joins Merkley, Baldwin, Booker, Colleagues in Pushing to Keep Anti-LGBTQ+ and Anti-Abortion Provisions Out of Critical Government Funding Bills
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Vice Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) urging them to reject any new poison pill policy riders in the fiscal year 2024 appropriations bills, including the anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-abortion policy provisions that House Republicans inserted into their appropriations … Continue Reading
December 18, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin Lead Bipartisan Vote to Confirm O’Malley for Social Security Commissioner
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) praised the confirmation of former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley to serve as the next Social Security Commissioner. The bipartisan vote Monday was 50-11. “Martin O’Malley understands the importance of Social Security to millions of Americans - including our seniors and those with disabilities. That’s why I was proud to support his confirmation today to lead the Social Security Administration. As the former chief executive of our … Continue Reading
December 18, 2023
Maryland Delegation Announces Nearly $13 Million for Coastal Restoration and Resilience Projects
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, John Sarbanes and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) announced $12,901,800 in National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) funding for restoration and resiliency projects to improve coastal communities and their fish and wildlife habitats. The funding was made available through the National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. … Continue Reading
December 18, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin, Warner, Kaine Push to Fund WMATA National Security Needs
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) and Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-Va.) wrote to President Biden requesting that the administration include at least $30 million in their FY25 budget request for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to specifically address the agency’s operational costs related to national security and counterterrorism. This request comes as WMATA faces a $750 million budget shortfall that threatens safety and … Continue Reading
December 18, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce Availability of Over 130,000 H-2B Visas for Fiscal Year 2024 and Bipartisan Legislation to Support Seafood Industry’s Long-Term Workforce Needs
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) welcomed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) release in November of 130,716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for fiscal year 2024 as they announced that they have joined U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Mark Warner, and Tim Kaine (both D-Va.) in introducing bipartisan legislation to improve the H-2B program to help ensure Maryland seafood companies can hire the seasonal workforce they need to operate at … Continue Reading