Press Releases
Van Hollen, Cardin, Harris Announce $1 Million Grant to Salisbury Airport
Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (all Maryland) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a sizable $1,023,818 federal grant to the Salisbury - Ocean City - Wicomico Regional Airport. Funding for this grant came from the Coronavirus Relief and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, which passed in December of 2020. According to DOT, these dollars will be used for economic relief for costs related to operations, … Continue Reading
April 07, 2021
Maryland Congressional Delegation Secures More Than $54.6 Million to Expand Equitable Distribution of the COVID-19 Vaccine and Boost Public Health Infrastructure
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone (all D-Md.) today applauded the award of more than $54.6 million in federal funding, from the American Rescue Plan, to bolster public health infrastructure and expand vaccination efforts, particularly COVID-19 vaccines, for underserved and hard to reach communities across the state.“The health and safety of Marylanders … Continue Reading
April 05, 2021
Bay Senators Urge New EPA Administrator Regan to Enforce Bay Pollution Standards
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined by Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan, urging the EPA to use all tools available to meet the 2025 goals of the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). The pollution reduction requirements in the Bay TMDL are … Continue Reading
April 02, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on the Death of Capitol Police Officer William Evans
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on the death of Capitol Police Officer William Evans:“Today’s loss of Officer William Evans is heart-wrenching. My thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and all of the members of Capitol Police who are impacted by this tragedy. I continue to pray for the other injured officer and his family. “I’m thankful for the service of our Capitol Police and National Guard who risk their lives daily to protect our … Continue Reading
April 01, 2021
Van Hollen, Klobuchar Lead Colleagues in Urging the FCC to Include State & Local Input in Broadband Buildout
Today U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) led a group of their colleagues in a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel urging the FCC to ensure that state, local, and tribal governments are included in efforts to update nationwide broadband maps. Following decades-long use of inaccurate data maps that denied broadband funding to eligible communities, the FCC was charged by Congress with creating new maps in 2020 … Continue Reading
April 01, 2021
Van Hollen, Maryland Congressional Delegation Announce Nearly $12 Million to Support Early Childhood Education Programs
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) today announced $11.9 million in federal funding to boost early childhood education and development across the state.“This new round of federal funding will expand early learning and development programs for the families that need it most in Maryland,” said the lawmakers. “By investing in Head Start initiatives throughout our state, we can help close … Continue Reading
March 31, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on President Biden’s American Jobs Plan
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on President Biden’s American Jobs Plan:“Our nation is at a turning point. We have before us the opportunity to modernize and build our infrastructure for the 21st century, tackle climate change, and generate millions of good-paying jobs to develop an economy that works for every American. As our economy and our workers continue to bear the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s time to invest in our workforce and … Continue Reading
March 31, 2021
Van Hollen, Whitehouse, Colleagues Sound Alarm Over SCOTUS Case Threatening Constitutional Protection for Dark Money
Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and 13 colleagues filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court today in Americans for Prosperity Foundation v. Rodriquez, a case that opens the possibility of constitutional protection for anonymous “dark money.” The challenge before the Court is the latest move in a campaign by powerful special interests to cement their influence over government following the 2010 Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. FEC. The senators warn … Continue Reading
March 31, 2021
Van Hollen, Wyden, Baldwin Applaud Inclusion of Subsidized Jobs Program in the American Jobs Plan
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) released the following statement applauding the Biden Administration’s inclusion of a subsidized jobs program to help tackle long-term unemployment within the American Jobs Plan:“Millions of Americans are unemployed and have been stranded without a job for months. We must take action to prevent this long-term unemployment crisis - which has only been exacerbated by the pandemic - from inflicting … Continue Reading
March 31, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin, Brown, Hoyer Applaud New FEMA Vaccination Site for Prince George’s County
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Anthony G. Brown and Steny H. Hoyer (all D-Md.) applauded the announcement that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will establish a community vaccination center in Prince George’s County beginning on April 7, located at the Greenbelt Metro Station.The American Rescue Plan invests more than $20 billion to implement a national vaccination strategy. Under President Biden’s leadership, 148 million doses have been given, at a … Continue Reading
March 30, 2021
Baltimore’s Congressional Delegation Announces More Than $15.4 Million in Emergency Funding to Feed and Shelter City Residents
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) today announced $15.45 million in emergency federal funding to reimburse the delivery of essential goods and shelter to vulnerable Baltimore City residents.The award serves as a total federal cost share reimbursement for services that Baltimore City provided to residents earlier in the pandemic.“This federal funding will help the City of Baltimore continue to manage … Continue Reading
March 30, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin Praise Biden Nominees Deborah Boardman and Lydia Griggsby for Maryland U.S. District Court Seats
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and (both D-Md.) today praised President Joseph Biden’s nomination of U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah Boardman and U.S. Court of Federal Claims Judge Lydia Griggsby, who would be the first woman of color and first Black woman to serve as a district court judge in Maryland, to fill vacancies on the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.“To provide Marylanders fair, just, and equal treatment under the law, our judicial system and our judges … Continue Reading
March 30, 2021
Van Hollen, Shaheen, Bicameral Group of Lawmakers Call on FERC to Boost Public Participation at Agency
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and a bicameral group of lawmakers in a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), requesting the agency include measures to better support the involvement of residential and small commercial energy consumers as it works to establish the Office of Public Participation (OPP).As one of the lead agencies responsible for developing energy infrastructure and ensuring reliability of the electric grid, FERC … Continue Reading
March 29, 2021
Van Hollen Leads Colleagues in Announcing New Legislation to Close the Stepped-Up Basis Loophole
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), joined by Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), announced a new proposal to close the stepped-up basis income tax loophole - reforming one of the largest tax breaks in our federal tax code in order to support national investments that will benefit all Americans and build a more inclusive economy. This new proposed legislation, the Sensible Taxation and Equity Promotion … Continue Reading
March 29, 2021
Van Hollen, Brown, Klobuchar Request Support for Women in Research Workforce
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) wrote to National Science Foundation (NSF) Director Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan requesting information on NSF’s efforts to support women in faculty and research roles who have been disproportionately affected by the public health and economic crises brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.“It is essential that we fully understand the impact of COVID-19 on women’s workload, reframe what work we deem has … Continue Reading
March 29, 2021
Van Hollen, Brown, Klobuchar Request Support for Women in Research Workforce
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) wrote to National Science Foundation (NSF) Director Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan requesting information on NSF’s efforts to support women in faculty and research roles who have been disproportionately affected by the public health and economic crises brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.“It is essential that we fully understand the impact of COVID-19 on women’s workload, reframe what work we deem has … Continue Reading
March 29, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Announce $320,000 to Advance Clean Energy, Information Technology and Biotech Training at Frostburg State University
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced $100,000 in federal funding for Frostburg State University for the Western Maryland Advanced Technology Center (ATC). Along with $220,000 in local matching funds, these federal resources will support workforce and economic development in Western Maryland. “Investment in workforce training and development is critical to building our economy back better. This funding will enhance the … Continue Reading
March 25, 2021
Van Hollen, Coons, Wicker reintroduce bipartisan bill targeting debt-based driver’s license suspensions
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) in reintroducing the bipartisan Driving for Opportunity Act to create incentives to stop debt-based driver’s license suspensions. It has been estimated that nationwide at least 11 million people have their driver’s licenses suspended because they cannot pay fines or fees, not for any public safety reasons. This makes it harder for Americans to go to work to pay off their debts and places an … Continue Reading
March 25, 2021
Senators Van Hollen, Blunt and Congresswoman Norton Introduce Legislation to Prohibit Permanent Fencing Around Capitol Complex
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Senator Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, introduced the No Fencing at the United States Capitol Complex Act. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) previously introduced the legislation in the House. Their bipartisan, bicameral bill prohibits funding for permanent fencing around the U.S. Capitol complex.“The Capitol is the citadel of our democracy, and we should not … Continue Reading
March 25, 2021
Van Hollen, Coons, Murphy push for $55B in capital investments for Northeast Corridor passenger rail
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Chris Coons (D-Del.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and a group of 11 other senators from states along the Northeast Corridor (NEC) in a letter urging President Biden to support $55 billion in long-term funding for passenger rail infrastructure in order to repair the NEC rail network. The letter also calls for robust support to expand Amtrak passenger rail service nationwide. The NEC network alone runs 457 miles from Washington, D.C. to … Continue Reading
