Press Releases
Van Hollen Questions NASA Administrator on Investments in Wallops Flight Facility & Strengthening Partnerships with Maryland’s HBCUs and MSIs
During a hearing before the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), questioned NASA Administrator Bill Nelson on the Agency’s commitment to investing in projects crucial to Maryland. Senator Van Hollen stressed Maryland’s essential role in furthering NASA’s mission, and pressed Administrator Nelson on funding for NASA Goddard and the Wallops Flight Facility, a key economic driver on the Eastern Shore. The Senator … Continue Reading
June 14, 2021
Van Hollen, Bass Reintroduce Community-Based Crisis Response Legislation
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and U.S. Representative Karen Bass (D-Calif.) reintroduced their legislation to improve our emergency response capabilities by creating systemic alternatives to police involvement in appropriate situations. Their legislation, The Community-Based Response Act, creates a new Community-Based Emergency and Non-Emergency Response Grant Program through the Department of Health and Human Services to establish programs to encourage local governments to … Continue Reading
June 10, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin Praise Judiciary Committee Approval of Judges Deborah Boardman and Lydia Griggsby for Maryland U.S. District Court Seats
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) today praised the Judiciary Committee's approval of Judges Deborah Boardman and Lydia Griggsby to serve as U.S. District Court Judges for the District of Maryland. “We are pleased that the Judiciary Committee approved both of our outstanding Maryland nominees today. Both have a demonstrated track record of public service, and have already accumulated significant federal judicial experience from serving as judges on their respective … Continue Reading
June 10, 2021
Van Hollen, Beyer Reintroduce Millionaires Surtax to Invest in Working Families
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Congressman Don Beyer (D-Va.) reintroduced their Millionaires Surtax legislation to help close the gap between the wealthy and everyday Americans and raise significant revenue to make new investments that will grow the economy and protect working families.The Millionaires Surtax would apply an additional 10-percentage point tax to incomes above $2 million for married couples or above $1 million for individuals. It would apply equally to wages … Continue Reading
June 10, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin Back Bill to Require Equal Pay for U.S. Soccer Teams
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) and nearly a dozen of their colleagues introduced the Give Our Athletes Level Salaries (GOALS) Act, which would require the U.S. Soccer Federation to agree to providing equitable pay to both the women’s and men’s national teams in order to receive federal funds related to the 2026 World Cup. “Our athletes deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, and they also deserve to be appropriately compensated for their … Continue Reading
June 09, 2021
Van Hollen Presses EPA Administrator Regan on Plans to Meet Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Goals by 2025
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, questioned Michael Regan, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, on his plans to meet the Chesapeake Bay 2025 cleanup goals. In April, Senator Van Hollen led several of his colleagues in sending a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging the use of all tools available to meet these targets, including pollution reduction … Continue Reading
June 09, 2021
Van Hollen, Young Reintroduce Legislation to Boost Housing Mobility Vouchers, Increase Americans’ Access to Opportunity
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) reintroduced their legislation to increase housing mobility vouchers, creating 500,000 new vouchers to allow families to move to areas with greater opportunity. The Senators’ Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act will help improve outcomes for families with young children by increasing access to these vouchers and providing counseling services.“Every parent knows the value in providing a safe and secure … Continue Reading
June 08, 2021
Van Hollen Applauds Passage of Bipartisan Chinese Competition Bill, Secures Several Provisions within Legislation
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the Senate passage of the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, bipartisan legislation to address the United States’ competitiveness with China and other foreign powers. Senator Van Hollen is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, both of which had jurisdiction over portions of this legislation:“When it comes to technology, standing still … Continue Reading
June 08, 2021
Van Hollen, Toomey Request Briefing from Treasury on Efforts to Sanction Banks Facilitating China’s Crackdown on Hong Kong
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen requesting an immediate briefing on the Department’s efforts to implement the Hong Kong Autonomy Act (HKAA) and sanction foreign financial institutions supporting the Government of China’s crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong. The Senators’ legislation, signed into law in July 2020, required mandatory sanctions on malign persons and entities that directly undermine Hong Kong’s … Continue Reading
June 04, 2021
As VP Travels to Mexico and Central America, Leading Senate Democrats Boost Diplomatic Efforts to Address Causes of Irregular Migration, Foster Stability in Central America
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and 17 Senate colleagues in voicing support for Vice President Kamala Harris’ leadership of the Biden administration’s diplomatic efforts to address and mitigate the underlying factors driving Central American migration to the United States. Sent in advance of Vice President Harris’ upcoming visit to Mexico and Guatemala, the senators’ letter reiterates … Continue Reading
June 02, 2021
Maryland Congressional Delegation Urges Governor Hogan to Reconsider Surprise Decision to Cut Off Federal Unemployment Assistance Early
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) issued the following response to Governor Larry Hogan’s sudden announcement Tuesday that Maryland will stop issuing federally funded Enhanced Pandemic Unemployment Benefits earlier than required.“Unemployment benefits are helping more than 300,000 Marylanders make ends meet as our unemployment rate remains … Continue Reading
June 02, 2021
Van Hollen Joins Bennet, Crapo, Colleagues in Requesting Full Funding for the PILT Program
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues urged U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, and Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, to fully fund the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program for fiscal year (FY) 2022. PILT provides payments to counties with non-taxable federal land within their borders to offset the … Continue Reading
June 01, 2021
Van Hollen, Kaine, Murphy, Merkley, and Colleagues Urge Blinken to Take Immediate Steps to Address the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) led a letter with over a dozen of their Senate colleagues urging U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to immediately take steps to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In their letter, the Senators urge Secretary Blinken to support immediate emergency relief and humanitarian access, robustly fund humanitarian efforts, and restore the U.S. diplomatic presence on the ground. … Continue Reading
June 01, 2021
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces Nearly $28 Million in COVID-19 Relief Funding to Address Health Disparities in Minority and Rural Communities
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all Md.) announced nearly $28 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding designed to reduce health disparities by strengthening health equity initiatives in high-risk and underserved communities across the state. “This new round of federal COVID-19 assistance will help address the … Continue Reading
May 29, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin, Hirono Introduce Resolution Commemorating May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) joined Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) in introducing a resolution commemorating May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The resolution highlights the contributions to our country by generations of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. In March, Senators Van Hollen, and Cardin also joined Senator Hirono to introduce the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, legislation to address the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes that … Continue Reading
May 28, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on Biden Budget
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding President Biden’s proposed Fiscal Year 2022 budget:“As our country works to build back from the COVID-19 pandemic, we face an opportunity to create a better, stronger, more inclusive economy. Now is the time to invest boldly in our families, workforce, and our future - while tackling the challenges our country faces ranging from our crumbling infrastructure, to our underfunded public schools system, to … Continue Reading
May 28, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on Republican Filibuster of January 6th Commission
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding Republicans’ filibuster of legislation to establish an independent, bipartisan commission to investigate the January 6th attacks on our Capitol:“Today is a dark day for the United States Senate. The American people deserve the truth about the January 6th attack on the Capitol. This bipartisan commission is the way to get that - and to prevent another assault on our democracy. But Republicans … Continue Reading
May 27, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin, Velázquez Lead Colleagues in Calling on President Biden to Review Countries for Temporary Protected Status
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) and Representative Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) today led their colleagues in both the Senate and the House of Representatives in calling on President Biden and DHS Secretary Mayorkas to use the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program broadly and boldly to safeguard vulnerable people.“We respectfully request that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the U.S. State Department and U.S. Citizenship and … Continue Reading
May 27, 2021
Van Hollen Introduces Legislation to Support Federal Infrastructure and Reduce Wasteful Spending
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) introduced new legislation to improve the funding process for large federal building projects and reduce wasteful spending on expensive leases. Over the long-term, it is often less expensive for the federal government to construct or purchase a building rather than leasing it. However, since budget scorekeeping rules charge the purchase price as a lump sum within a single year, Congress and federal agencies sometimes opt for leases that spread a … Continue Reading
May 27, 2021
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces More Than $796,000 in American Rescue Plan Funding to Support Mental Health Training Across State
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) announced more than $796,000 in American Rescue Plan funding to expand mental and behavioral health training across the state. “This new funding from the American Rescue Plan will aid our public health workforce and higher education institutions in meeting the increased demand for mental health … Continue Reading
