Press Releases
Van Hollen, Lawmakers Call For Reversal Of Administration Decision To Expose Thousands To Dangerous Deportations
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), ranking member of the Immigration Subcommittee, and Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) today in a letter, calling on the Trump Administration to reverse its recent decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Nicaragua and Sudan, which will remove their legal protection, tear families apart, and expose them to potential deportation to unsafe … Continue Reading
November 08, 2017
Van Hollen, Warren, Merkley, Cortez Masto, Schatz Object to Rushed Confirmation of Comptroller of the Currency
United States Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.),Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) today issued a joint statement objecting to the rushed confirmation ofPresident Trump's nomineefor Comptroller of the Currency, Mr. Joseph Otting: "We object to rushing the confirmation of Joseph Otting to lead the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency through the Senate. Mr. Otting may be buddies with the Treasury Secretary from … Continue Reading
November 07, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin Join Democratic Senators to Introduce Assault Weapons Ban
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin(both D-Md.) joined Senator Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) to introduce the Assault Weapons Ban of 2017. This legislation would ban the sale, transfer, manufacturing, and importation of military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines. "Congress must act to confront the rising death toll from gun violence - from the day-to-day crime in our neighborhoods, to mass-shootings like those we've seen in Las Vegas and Sutherland … Continue Reading
November 07, 2017
Van Hollen Speaks on Senate Floor on North Korea Sanctions
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen spoke on the Senate floor on North Korea Sanctions and his bipartisan sanctions legislation, the BRINK Act. An excerpt of his remarks is available below: "We have no time to waste. We must sever Kim Jong Un's economic lifeline. That is why Senator Toomey and I have introduced the BRINK Act and why it received such strong support. The BRINK Act targets this illicit financial network by imposing mandatory sanctions on those doing business with North … Continue Reading
November 07, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce More Than a Half Million Dollars in Federal Funding for the Chesapeake Bay
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-MD) have announced $600,000 in federal funding for the Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP). The funds, issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), will be used by MCBP to preserve the economic and ecological vitality of Maryland's coastal watershed. MCBP uses educational and outreach methods to improve local water quality and protect watershed habitats and wetlands. The program boasts a wide array of state, local and business … Continue Reading
November 06, 2017
Van Hollen Joins Senators Urging Senate Finance Committee To Reject Tax Changes To 401(k)’s
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and a group of Senate Democrats in calling on the leadership of the Senate Finance Committee to reject changes to the tax system that would harm existing tax incentives for Americans to save for retirement. The letter comes as Senate Republicans are poised to release their own version of tax reform legislation later this week. Senate Republicans may be considering making changes to the incentives Americans enjoy for … Continue Reading
November 05, 2017
Van Hollen Joins Colleagues In Calling for Comprehensive Disaster Relief Package
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) today joined Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) in calling on the Trump administration to put forward a comprehensive package to provide relief from the onslaught of natural disasters in recent months. The administration has committed to releasing such a package in the coming weeks. In a letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney, Senate Democrats … Continue Reading
November 02, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin, Norton, and Harris, Announce President Trump Signs Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act into Law
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) and RepresentativesEleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Andy Harris (R-MD) announced that President Trump today signed their Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission Act (H.R. 2989) into law. The bill establishes a commission to plan, develop and carry out programs and activities to honor and celebrate the life of Frederick Douglass, the country's greatest slavery abolitionist, during the bicentennial anniversary of his birth, in 2018. … Continue Reading
November 01, 2017
Van Hollen Statement on GOP Tax Plan
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement today after Republicans released the framework of their tax plan: "Make no mistake - the Republican tax proposal is a massive giveaway to big corporations and the very wealthy, financed by socking it to working people in Maryland. "If you're a family whose estate is worth more than $11 million, a special interest group with a powerful lobbyist, or President Trump and his uber rich friends, you're seeing a huge windfall. But … Continue Reading
October 31, 2017
Van Hollen, Toomey Announce Bipartisan Agreement on North Korea Sanctions Bill
Today, U.S. Senators Pat Toomey (R-Pennsylvania) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland), announced an agreement on bipartisan legislation to strengthen and expand current U.S. sanctions on North Korea. They were joined by the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Ranking Member Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). Thelegislation is scheduled to be acted on by the Banking Committee next week. The bill is titled the "Otto Warmbier Banking Restrictions Involving … Continue Reading
October 31, 2017
Van Hollen, Cardin Statement on Nomination of Robert Hur to be U.S. Attorney for Maryland
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) released the following statement on the White House nomination of Robert K. Hur, currently Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General, to be the next U.S. Attorney General for Maryland. "We welcome the president's choice of Robert Hur to be the next U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland. While we did not recommend Mr. Hur to the White House, we are impressed with his record of public service in the Justice Department, including … Continue Reading
October 30, 2017
Van Hollen Statement on GOP Plan to End State and Local Income Tax
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement today after House Republicans made clear that their tax plan will end the state and local income tax deductions: "Almost half of all Maryland taxpayers use the state and local tax deduction, and it allows state and local governments to provide vital services across the state. Republicans are trying to claim they've fixed this issue - but they're still double taxing the income of millions of people in Maryland and across the country. … Continue Reading
October 29, 2017
Van Hollen, Brown Tour Anne Arundel Medical Center Campus
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD) and Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04) toured the Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) campus with President/CEO Victoria Bayless. During the visit, Congressman Brown and Senator Van Hollen viewed the James and Sylvia Earl Simulation to Advance Innovation and Learning (SAIL) Center and the Clatanoff Pavilion for women and children's care services. They also spoke with specialized care professionals throughout the visit to discuss research, behavioral … Continue Reading
October 26, 2017
In New Letter, Van Hollen, Senate Dems Demand Administration Kick Into High Gear On Power Restoration Efforts In Puerto Rico & US Virgin Islands
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined Senate Democrats today in releasing a new letter to administration officials demanding agencies expedite and better coordinate the on-going power restoration efforts in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. The Democrats said the administration's current lack of coordination with local officials, clearances for crews to begin their restoration work, lack of materials and support services, and a clear chain of command on the ground is threatening recovery … Continue Reading
October 25, 2017
Van Hollen Joins Bipartisan Call for Pres. Trump to Ramp up Pressure on Turkey’s Edrogan
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) today joined a bipartisan letter calling on President Trump to ramp up efforts to stop Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan from further eroding human rights, harassing American diplomats, and weakening democratic values in Turkey. Citing a storm of recent actions including the arbitrary arrest of several U.S. Consulate employees in Istanbul, the detention of top Amnesty International officials, the appalling sentencingby a Turkish courtof Wall Street … Continue Reading
October 25, 2017
Van Hollen, Senate Democrats to EPA: Show Your Work on Clean Power Plan Repeal
Today, 19 Senate Democrats, including U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt asking for more information on the agency's decision to repeal the Clean Power Plan. The proposal, released by the agency earlier this month, relies heavily on skewed scientific and mathematical data in order to justify repealing the Clean Power Plan. The Senators write, "Our review of the 2017 Repeal proposal reveals significant … Continue Reading
October 25, 2017
Van Hollen, Colleagues To Trump Administration: National Parks Are For All Americans— Not Just The Wealthy
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and 10 other senators wrote to Secretary Zinke requesting he withdraw his proposal to dramatically increase national park entrance fees and to provide Congress with the analysis and justification used. On October 24, the National Park Service announced a proposal to almost triple the peak season entrance fees at 17 of the most popular national parks. Beginning in 2018, fees to enter these parks during the 5-most-popular months would jump from $25-$30 … Continue Reading
October 20, 2017
Senators Van Hollen, Cardin Joined University Professors to Highlight the Importance of Dreamer Students at Higher Education Institutions and Call for Quick Passage of the Bipartisan Dream Act
Yesterday, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) joined Dr. James McShay from the University of Maryland, Dr. Matt A. Bareto from UCLA, and Monica Sibri, founder of CUNY DREAMers, for a press call highlighting the critical role Dreamers play in higher education. Speakers called for quick passage of the bipartisan Dream Act to allow these talented young people the opportunity to continue their studies and contribute to the only country they call home. "DREAMers were … Continue Reading
October 19, 2017
Van Hollen, Colleagues Demand DHS Answers for Reported Violations of Sensitive Locations Policy
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined a group of 20 senators in writing Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke to seek answers about the Department's apparent violations of policies regarding immigration enforcement at sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and religious institutions. In September,National Public Radio reportedthat the parents of a two-month-old baby were apprehended at a hospital while seeking lifesaving medical care for their son. "We have heard … Continue Reading
October 19, 2017
Van Hollen Presses Trump Administration for Answers on how its Commission on Election Integrity Will Use Sensitive Voter Data
This week, U.S. Senator Chirs Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined 17 other Senate Democrats in again demanding answers about the Trump administration's Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity. The commission was established by the Trump administration in May supposedly to investigate the president's debunked claim of mass voter fraud in the 2016 presidential election. Many lawmakers, election officials, citizen watchdogs and security experts have said they fear that the commission's real … Continue Reading
