Press Releases
Van Hollen, Markey, Merkley, and Sanders Call on Biden Administration to Reinstate Humanitarian Assistance to Yemen
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Acting Administrator Gloria Steele calling for robust diplomacy and a reversal of the Trump administration’s decision to suspend U.S. humanitarian aid in northern Yemen. On March 27 2020, USAID suspended more than $50 million dollars of humanitarian … Continue Reading
March 01, 2021
Van Hollen, Heinrich Urge Administration to Consider COVID Vaccination Strategy Prioritizing First Doses
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) sent a letter to White House Coronavirus Task Force Response Coordinator Jeff Zients urging the Administration to consider a new COVID-19 vaccination strategy that prioritizes first doses in order to better protect Americans from highly transmissible variants of the disease.The Senators begin, “As a threat rises from new disease variants, we write to request your consideration of a new strategy to maximize the … Continue Reading
March 01, 2021
Van Hollen, Tester, Crapo, Moran Push to Provide Disabled Veterans Full Military Benefits
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has joined Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and a group of their colleagues in introducing the Major Richard Star Act, bipartisan legislation to provide combat-injured veterans with less than 20 years of military service their full benefits.Currently, more than 42,000 military retirees with combat-related injuries qualify for retirement pay for their service from the Department of Defense (DoD) and for disability … Continue Reading
February 26, 2021
Van Hollen, Menendez Reintroduce Bill to Promote Corporate Diversity
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) in reintroducing legislation that would require public companies to disclose information related to the racial, gender, ethnic makeup, and veteran status of corporate boards and senior management. The Improving Corporate Governance Through Diversity Act of 2021 addresses shortcomings in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) diversity disclosure rule. Congressman Gregory Meeks (N.Y.-05) is introducing … Continue Reading
February 26, 2021
Van Hollen, Warren, Pressley, Lee, Kelly, Bass, and Colleagues Reintroduce Bicameral Legislation to Require Federal Government to Collect and Report Coronavirus Demographic Data – Including Race and Ethnicity
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), and Karen Bass (D-Calif.) in reintroducing the bicameral Equitable Data Collection and Disclosure on COVID-19 Act. The bill would require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to collect and report racial and other demographic data on COVID-19 testing, treatment, vaccination, and fatality rates and use all … Continue Reading
February 26, 2021
Baltimore Congressional Delegation Announces More Than $3.3 Million in Federal Funding to Reduce Health Disparities and Boost Affordable Housing Across the City
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) today announced $3,344,121 in federal funding to tackle racial and ethnic disparities in housing and healthcare services for underserved communities across Baltimore. “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted systemic barriers that prevent communities of color from accessing housing and healthcare. This funding will provide quality healthcare to Baltimore women and expand … Continue Reading
February 26, 2021
Van Hollen, Warren, Booker, and Colleagues Question ICE and DHS on Disturbing New Allegations of Abuse and Forced Deportations of Migrants and Asylum-Seekers
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Conn.) wrote today to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Tae Johnson regarding recent disturbing allegations by asylum-seekers that ICE agents at multiple facilities forced them to submit to their own deportation … Continue Reading
February 26, 2021
Van Hollen Hosts Virtual Discussion on Education Equity
This week, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) was joined by John King, former U.S. Education Secretary and founder of Strong Future Maryland, and Joel Gamble, Baltimore County teacher, CEO of Joel Gamble Community Youth Outreach, and former NFL player, for an online discussion moderated by Baltimore high schooler Jemira Queen. The panelists discussed inequities in our education system, the historic investment laid out in the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, and legislation Senator Van … Continue Reading
February 26, 2021
Van Hollen, Menendez, Cardin Introduce Legislation to Increase COVID-19 Vaccination Rates in Underserved and Minority Communities
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) in reintroducing the updated COVID-19 Health Disparities Action Act, which would support targeted and culturally competent public awareness campaigns about COVID-19 vaccines and preventative measures such as masking and social distancing. These campaigns would specifically target communities disproportionately harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic, including racial and ethnic minority populations. The … Continue Reading
February 25, 2021
Van Hollen Statement in Support of Jennifer Granholm to Serve as Secretary of Energy
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding his vote to confirm Jennifer Granholm to serve as Secretary of Energy:“Now is the time to take substantive action to transition to renewable resources, combat climate change, and build a brighter future for Americans. That’s why I voted today in support of Jennifer Granholm to serve as our next Secretary of Energy.“Granholm knows that clean energy is the key to creating millions of good jobs and mitigating … Continue Reading
February 25, 2021
Van Hollen, Whitehouse, Cicilline Reintroduce DISCLOSE Act to Repair Americans’ Faith in Democracy, Require Transparency in Campaign Finance
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Representative David Cicilline (D-RI) in reintroducing the DISCLOSE Act, legislation to combat the flood of anonymous special interest spending in American politics. The bill would require organizations spending money in federal elections to disclose their donors, allowing the American people to see who is attempting to sway their elections and gain control over their government. Senator Van Hollen … Continue Reading
February 25, 2021
Van Hollen, Markey, Sullivan Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Promote Affordable, Safe, and Healthy Transportation Options
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) announced their introduction of the Connecting America’s Active Transportation System Act. This bipartisan legislation will dedicate $500 million in federal funds annually for grants to local, regional, and state government entities to connect walking and biking infrastructure into active transportation networks that allow people to reach destinations within a community, as well as travel … Continue Reading
February 25, 2021
Van Hollen, Wyden, Leahy and Colleagues Urge Biden-Harris Administration To Abandon Broken, Trump-Era Cuba Policy
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) in urging Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the Biden administration to end Donald Trump’s failed, counterproductive Cuba policies.Van Hollen, Wyden and Leahy, with Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Mark Warner (D-Va.), urged Blinken to reverse Cuba sanctions, remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism and re-engage with Cuba diplomatically, … Continue Reading
February 25, 2021
Van Hollen joins Merkley, Leahy, Durbin and Colleagues in Introducing Legislation to Tackle Corruption, Human Rights Violations in Honduras
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Richard Durbin (D-IL) and colleagues in introducing the Honduras Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Act of 2021 - legislation that lays out a comprehensive framework for combating corruption, impunity, and human rights violations in Honduras.The introduction comes as U.S. federal prosecutors made public that they are investigating Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández for accepting large bribes … Continue Reading
February 24, 2021
Van Hollen, Brown, Gillibrand Reintroduce Bicameral Legislation to Expand Community Schools, Support Students, Families & Communities
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) reintroduced The Full-Service Community School Expansion Act, a comprehensive bill to assist schools and districts in bringing in wraparound supports - including medical, mental, and nutrition health services, mentoring and youth development programs, technical assistance, and continuing education courses - to serve students, families, and communities. This legislation would also provide essential … Continue Reading
February 24, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Announce More Than $4.5 Million for Early Childhood Education in Western Maryland
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced more than $4.5 million in federal funding for Head Start and Early Head Start programs to expand early learning, development, health services, and family well-being in Garrett and Washington counties.“Investing in early childhood education is one of the best ways we can help our children achieve future success. Head Start programs not only expand access to education for our youngest students … Continue Reading
February 24, 2021
Van Hollen, Luján Reintroduce Campaign Finance Reform Bills to Strengthen the FEC, Revitalize Presidential Public Financing
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) reintroduced two campaign finance reform bills to bring dramatic and necessary change to our nation’s current inadequate campaign finance system. The first, theEmpowering Mass Participation to Offset the Wealthy's Electoral Role (EMPOWER) Act, would revitalize presidential campaign public financing and is led by Congressman David Price (D-N.C.) in the House. The second, the Restoring Integrity to America’s Elections Act, … Continue Reading
February 23, 2021
Van Hollen Statement in Support of Thomas Vilsack to Serve as Secretary of Agriculture
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding his vote to confirm Thomas Vilsack to Serve as Secretary of Agriculture:“As the United States is facing its worst hunger crisis since the Great Depression and family farms are struggling, President Biden has nominated Thomas Vilsack to reprise his role as Secretary of Agriculture and capably steward the Department to address these critical needs and support our rural communities. Given that agriculture is … Continue Reading
February 23, 2021
Van Hollen and Wexton Introduce Legislation to Ensure Transparency in Federal Agency Relocations
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) introduced the Conducting Oversight to Secure Transparency (COST) of Relocations Act to require a federal agency undergoing a proposed relocation to conduct and make public a cost-benefit analysis of the move before it is carried out. The COST of Relocations Act would help safeguard against attempts to force federal employees out of their jobs or stifle inconvenient scientific research through the auspices of … Continue Reading
February 23, 2021
Maryland Delegation Members Applaud New FEMA-Supported Mass Vaccination Site in Waldorf
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny Hoyer and Anthony Brown (all D-Md.) applauded the announcement of a new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mass vaccination site in Waldorf, Md. The site will be located at the Regency Furniture Stadium, at 11765 St. Linus Dr., Waldorf, Md., 20602 and is expected to open for operation in early March.“Providing Marylanders access to vaccines and ensuring equitable distribution is our top priority. This new … Continue Reading
