Press Releases
Van Hollen, Colleagues Release Statement Following CODEL to Lebanon, Israel
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) on a Congressional Delegation to Lebanon, Israel, and the West Bank to discuss regional security and democracy in the region. The delegation's visit to Israel came after the formation of a new government under Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in June, and was the first to travel to the country after President Biden met with Bennett at the White House. The … Continue Reading
September 03, 2021
Van Hollen, Whitehouse, Durbin, Warren & Reed Urge Adoption of Key Biden International Tax Reforms
Today, Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) responded to an invitation to comment on the draft plan authored by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) to overhaul the U.S. system for international taxation. The drafters sought feedback on key questions that will determine the legislation's effectiveness. The senators … Continue Reading
September 03, 2021
Van Hollen, Capito Applaud Newly Released Fish and Wildlife Framework to Implement the Senators’ Chesapeake WILD Act
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) applauded the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's newly released framework implementing the Senators' bipartisan Chesapeake WILD Act by creating a regional network of stakeholders to help preserve the Chesapeake Bay. The Senators' Chesapeake WILD Act was signed into law last year as part of the larger America's Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act, creating a new grant program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service … Continue Reading
September 02, 2021
Van Hollen, Banking Committee Members Call for $30 Billion in Transit Funding in Reconciliation Bill
Today, Maryland U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined Georgia U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff and a group of Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee members in calling for an additional $30 billion to be dedicated to expanding transit and transportation in the upcoming budget reconciliation package, citing equity and racial and economic justice for their constituents. Sens. Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) joined Sens. Van Hollen and … Continue Reading
September 02, 2021
Van Hollen, Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Curb Plastic Pollution at National Parks
Maryland's U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley to push the Biden administration to take crucial steps to curb plastic pollution at America's national parks. "Nearly 11 million metric tons of plastic waste enter the ocean every year-from land-based sources alone. Without any action, this flow is expected to triple to nearly 29 million metric tons by 2040. Single-use plastics, such as disposable water bottles, account for at least 40% of the plastic produced … Continue Reading
September 02, 2021
Van Hollen, Norton, Maloney, Carper, and Brown Announce Bill to Give D.C. Mayor Control Over D.C. National Guard Passed by House Armed Services Committee
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Congresswomen Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) and Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), and Congressman Anthony Brown (D-Md.) announced that their District of Columbia National Guard Home Rule Act, which would give the D.C. mayor control over the D.C. National Guard (DCNG), passed early this morning in the House Armed Services Committee as part of the fiscal year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Van Hollen is the sponsor of the … Continue Reading
August 31, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin, Sarbanes Announce More than $13 Million in Federal Funding for BWI Airport
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) announced $13,231,306 in federal funding for the Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport, including over $3,250,000 in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. These funds will help support crucial infrastructure improvements to the airport, which is a major economic driver for our state and region. "As we build back better, investing in infrastructure … Continue Reading
August 31, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce More than $500,000 in Federal Funding for Easton/Newnam Field Airport
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced $500,267 in federal funds for the Easton/Newnam Field Airport in Talbot County, including more than $50,000 in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. These funds will help support critical infrastructure improvements to the airport, which is an important economic driver for the region. "As we build back better, investing in infrastructure improvements across our state will help create jobs and keep our … Continue Reading
August 31, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin, Raskin Announce $260,000 in Federal Funding for Carroll County Regional Airport
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Jamie Raskin (all D-Md.) announced $260,000 in federal funding for the Carroll County Regional/Jack B Poage Field Airport, including $26,000 in American Rescue Plan funds. These funds will help support crucial infrastructure improvements to the airport, which is an important economic driver for the region. "As we build back better, investing in infrastructure improvements across our state will help create jobs and keep our … Continue Reading
August 31, 2021
Van Hollen, Colleagues Call on VA to Address Impact of Afghanistan Withdrawal on Veterans’ Mental Health
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joins Senators Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) in calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to swiftly develop and conduct outreach to veterans of the Global War on Terrorism - especially those who served in Afghanistan - to provide them with mental health resources. Their call for action comes as reports find calls to veterans' suicide hotlines have increased since the fall of … Continue Reading
August 30, 2021
Van Hollen, Norton, Maloney, Carper, and Brown Announce Their Bill to Give D.C. Mayor Control Over D.C. National Guard Included in National Defense Authorization Act, Markup Wednesday
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Congresswomen Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) and Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), and Congressman Anthony Brown (D-Md.) announced that their District of Columbia National Guard Home Rule Act, which would give the D.C. mayor control over the D.C. National Guard (DCNG), has been included in the chairman's mark of the fiscal year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Currently, the President controls the DCNG, while the governors … Continue Reading
August 27, 2021
Maryland Congressional Delegation Pushes for Answers from State Department of Labor on Delivery of Unemployment Benefits
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), joined by U.S. Senator Ben Cardin and Representatives Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Andy Harris, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone, sent a letter to the Maryland Department of Labor (MDOL) pressing for answers regarding their delivery of unemployment benefits to Marylanders impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and urging the agency to expedite distribution of these crucial benefits. In their letter, the … Continue Reading
August 26, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on Terrorist Attacks in Kabul
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the terrorist attacks in Kabul, Afghanistan: "My thoughts are with the loved ones of the U.S. service members killed today in Kabul as they sacrificed their own lives to save others - as well as with the families of the innocent Afghan civilians who lost their lives. The U.S. cannot and will not be silent in the face of these attacks - we must bring to justice the terrorists who committed these heinous … Continue Reading
August 26, 2021
Prince George’s County Congressional Delegation Announce Nearly $3 Million in Funding for Prince George’s County Community Health Workers
Today, Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.-05) and Anthony Brown (D-Md.-04) announced $2,999,862 to the Prince George's County Health Department to increase resources and services for Community Health Workers (CHWs) to better respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and combat health care inequities. "Community Health Workers provide indispensable services to Prince George's County residents. That's why we fought to include funding in the … Continue Reading
August 26, 2021
Senator Van Hollen Joins Colleagues in Urging HHS Secretary to Distribute Remaining COVID-19 Relief for Health Care Providers
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) who led 41 of their bipartisan colleagues in urging U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra to distribute the funds remaining in the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) and other health care relief programs. Over the course of the pandemic, Congress has appropriated $178 billion for the PRF as well as an additional $8.5 billion for rural providers, … Continue Reading
August 25, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on UMBC President Hrabowski’s Announced Retirement
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding University of Maryland Baltimore County President Freeman Hrabowski's decision to retire in 2022. "For almost three decades, Dr. Freeman Hrabowski has made UMBC a national model of excellence. During his time there, he has built a University that has inspired countless students to achieve their dreams and created an atmosphere that has allowed them to not only succeed but to thrive. His work at UMBC has … Continue Reading
August 25, 2021
Van Hollen, Markey, Meng Highlight More Than $5.1 Billion in Requests for Emergency Connectivity Funds for Schools and Libraries
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), and Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06) released the following statement today after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the initial demand numbers from the first round of applications for the Emergency Connectivity Fund, a program the lawmakers fought to pass in the American Rescue Plan. This fund provides $7.17 billion to allow elementary and secondary schools and libraries - including tribal schools … Continue Reading
August 25, 2021
Van Hollen, Bipartisan Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Issue Crucial Rohingya Genocide Determination
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and is leading a bipartisan group of 19 senators, in urging the Biden administration to issue a Rohingya genocide determination. The senators' letter marks the fourth anniversary of the genocidal persecution of the Rohingya people, and follows the February 2021 military coup that returned the same army responsible for the genocide to a greater … Continue Reading
August 20, 2021
Van Hollen Applauds New Slate of Ambassadors
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding President Biden's newly announced ambassadors: "The United States must put our best diplomatic teams on the field as we work to strengthen relationships with our allies and close partners and meet the challenges posed by our adversaries. The ambassadorial nominations made by the President today meet this test. I know that today's announced nominees are wholly prepared to serve in these crucial roles and … Continue Reading
August 17, 2021
Van Hollen, Senate Colleagues Send Bipartisan Letter Urging Biden Admin to Protect Afghan Women Leaders in Wake of Taliban Takeover in Afghanistan
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) along with 43 Senate colleagues, including Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Ranking Member Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), in urging the Biden administration to take swift, robust action to protect and support Afghan women leaders facing unparalleled danger following the … Continue Reading
