Press Releases
Van Hollen Urges Senate Leadership to Immediately Replenish Funds to Support Maryland Restaurants
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) sent a letter to Senate leadership, urging action to revitalize the Restaurant Revitalization Fund in order to support local restaurants still struggling due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Senator is a cosponsor of Restaurant Revitalization Fund Replenishment Act of 2021, legislation to provide the RRF with an additional $60 billion in funding to meet the outstanding demand for the program. In his letter, the Senate urges leadership to immediately … Continue Reading
August 09, 2021
Van Hollen, Senate Budget Democrats Release Framework to Invest in American Workers, Families
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, joined his Democratic Committee colleagues in releasing the Build Back Better Budget to invest in American workers and families: “Today, I was proud to join my Senate Budget colleagues in releasing our plan to dramatically expand job opportunities for every American, cut the costs of everything from prescription drugs to child care, expand services covered by Medicare, extend the new monthly tax cuts for … Continue Reading
August 06, 2021
Van Hollen, Markey, Levin, Bowman Introduce Legislation to Remediate Toxic Substances in Schools
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), alongside Representatives Andy Levin (Mich.-09) and Jamaal Bowman (N.Y.-16), in introducing legislation to remove toxic substances from school buildings across the country. Toxic substances are particularly prevalent in high-poverty schools, and include lead, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), among other contaminants. The Get Toxic Substances Out of Schools … Continue Reading
August 06, 2021
Van Hollen, Trone, Cardin Announce $150,000 for Water System Improvements in Allegany County
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, and U.S. Representative David Trone (all D-MD) announced $150,000 in federal funding for improvements to a water distribution system that supplies nearly 100 homes in Allegany County. The funding came from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants program. Currently, the line of pipes that connects the county water district to its water supplier in Frostburg suffers from severe leaks and … Continue Reading
August 06, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin, Brown, Raskin Applaud $5 Million To Launch FTA’s First-Ever Transit Workforce Center
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Anthony G. Brown and Jamie Raskin (all MD) released the following statement applauding the recently announced $5 million to establish and run the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) first Transit Workforce Center in Silver Spring, Maryland: “Our frontline transit workers have done an extraordinary job throughout this pandemic keeping our country moving and connecting our communities. The $5 million grant to establish and run … Continue Reading
August 05, 2021
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces More Than $29.5 Million in Emergency Funding to Support Maryland’s COVID-19 Response
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 $29 million in emergency federal funding to reimburse MedStar Health and Montgomery County Emergency Management for costs during the COVID-19 pandemic.“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Maryland’s hospitals, health providers, first responders, and medical professionals have put … Continue Reading
August 04, 2021
Van Hollen Announces Nearly $700 Million in Funding for Maryland Projects, Passed out of Key Senate Committee
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced the Committee's passage of three funding bills including major wins for Maryland and nearly $700 Million in funding for projects within the state. The Senator worked in his role on the Committee and alongside members of the Maryland delegation to secure these federal funds for important projects across our state that will boost our economy, improve the health of our environment, and invest … Continue Reading
August 04, 2021
Van Hollen Leads Senate Democrats in Announcing New Legislation to Make Polluters Pay for Climate Damage
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) - joined by Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) - announced new legislation to require the biggest polluters to begin paying their fair share for a just clean energy transition. The legislation, titled the Polluters Pay Climate Fund Act, requires the largest U.S.-based fossil fuel extractors and oil refiners and foreign-owned companies doing business … Continue Reading
August 04, 2021
Senate Passes Van Hollen Amendment to Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal to Ensure Secure Financing of Public-Private Infrastructure Projects
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) applauded the Senate passage of his bipartisan amendment to ensure sound financial footing of public-private partnership projects using Federal Transportation Infrastructure Finance Innovation Act (TIFIA) financing. The amendment was cosponsored by Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.). This provision was initially included in the bipartisan Promoting Infrastructure by Protecting Our Subcontractors and Taxpayers Act … Continue Reading
August 02, 2021
Van Hollen, Warren, Gillibrand Urge Head of Treasury’s New Climate Hub to Implement a Bold Agenda to Tackle Climate Crisis
Text of Letter (PDF)United States Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) sent a letter to John Morton - the first Climate Counselor at the new Climate Hub at the U.S. Department of the Treasury - urging swift and aggressive action to tackle the climate crisis, a major threat to the country’s health, security, and financial system.“We are seeking information on how you plan to fulfill this role in the months ahead, including how you intend … Continue Reading
August 02, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin, Brown Announce Nearly $2 Million in American Rescue Plan Funding to Strengthen Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Services in Anne Arundel County
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Anthony Brown (all D-Md.) announced $1,999,983 in American Rescue Plan funding for Arundel Lodge, Inc., located in Edgewater, to boost their mental health and substance use disorder treatment services. Funding comes from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.“The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the mental health of individuals, … Continue Reading
August 02, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin, Raskin, Trone Announce Nearly $2 Million in American Rescue Plan Funding to Support Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Services
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $1,915,270 in American Rescue Plan funding to increase access to mental and behavioral health and substance use rehabilitation services in Montgomery County. The funding comes from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.“The pandemic has taken an undeniable toll on the mental health of many … Continue Reading
August 02, 2021
Van Hollen Secures Maryland Wins in Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the newly-released text of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal: “Our nation is at a critical juncture. As we work to beat this pandemic and build a stronger and more inclusive economy, we must seize this opportunity to generate more good-paying jobs, tackle the climate crisis, and ensure that every American has a chance for a bright future. While we already provided emergency relief to our families, small … Continue Reading
August 02, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin Revive Federal Support for Baltimore’s Red Line Transit Project
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (Both D-Md.) announced today that they secured language in the bipartisan infrastructure legislation currently being considered by the Senate that would expedite the Red Line rail project in Baltimore, should state and local leaders choose to restart it. In 2015, after federal lawmakers secured $900 million in federal investment for the East-West Red Line transit project for Baltimore City, Gov. Larry Hogan canceled it, rejecting the jobs, … Continue Reading
July 29, 2021
Van Hollen, Rounds Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen U.S. Partnership with African Nations
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Chairman and Ranking Member, respectively, of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, introduced the bipartisan Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Act of 2021. This legislation, initially introduced in the House of Representatives by Congresswoman Karen Bass, would make permanent the State Department’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). The House of … Continue Reading
July 29, 2021
Senate Passes Van Hollen-Backed Legislation to Reimburse MD National Guard, MPD & Fund Capitol Police
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement regarding the Senate passage of an emergency security supplemental package to fund the U.S. Capitol Police and reimburse Maryland’s National Guard and D.C. Metropolitan Police for their assistance on and following January 6th: “While our democracy was under attack, members of the U.S. Capitol Police Force, the National Guard, and the D.C. Metropolitan Police … Continue Reading
July 29, 2021
Van Hollen, Colleagues Seek to Cap Consumer Loans at 36%
WASHINGTON - In an effort to put a stop to abusive and predatory lending practices that target vulnerable consumers, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), led the reintroduction of legislation that would extend the protections of the Military Lending Act (MLA), which caps the annual percentage rate (APR) on consumer loans at 36 percent, to cover veterans and other consumers.In 2006, Congress passed the MLA to rein in … Continue Reading
July 28, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce Inclusion of Initiative to Reconnect Communities, Remove Harmful Infrastructure Like Baltimore’s Highway to Nowhere within Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced the inclusion of provisions from their Reconnecting Communities Act, legislation the two Senators introduced alongside Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) to help remove harmful infrastructure that divides communities, such as the Baltimore Highway to Nowhere. In March 2019, a pilot program mirroring this proposal was originally authored by Senator Van Hollen, and included within the Environment and Public Works Committee’s … Continue Reading
July 28, 2021
Van Hollen Joins Bipartisan Colleagues in Statement on Breakdown of Georgian April 19 Agreement
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and a bipartisan group of lawmakers issued a joint statement in response to the breakdown of the April 19th agreement reached earlier this year to address the political crisis in Georgia. “We are very discouraged by recent developments in Georgia, which undermine the reform efforts agreed to in the April 19 agreement. The United States, in partnership with the European Union, worked closely with Georgian political parties to deliver a strong, multiparty … Continue Reading
July 28, 2021
Senators Van Hollen, Markey, Carper, Whitehouse, Cardin Reintroduce Legislation to Magnify Offshore Wind Workforce Training
Today, Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) reintroduced legislation that aims to address the needs of the offshore wind industry and train new and incumbent workers through a new grant program. The legislation first directs the Department of Energy to identify the offshore wind industry’s needs by engaging with stakeholders including labor, institutions of higher education, industry, ports, and … Continue Reading
