Press Releases
As Putin’s Illegal Invasion of Ukraine Causes Gas Prices to Rise, Van Hollen, Reed, Khanna, Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Tap Strategic Petroleum Reserve
In an effort to combat a sharp rise in oil prices amid Vladimir Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) in sending a letter to President Biden urging the White House to stabilize gas prices and help working families by releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). Drawing down oil from the federal government's stockpile now and then replacing it later with less expensive … Continue Reading
February 24, 2022
Van Hollen Joins MSNBC to Discuss Russian Decision to Expand Attack on Ukraine
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) spoke with Chris Jansing on MSNBC to discuss Vladimir Putin's decision to expand Russia's attack on the people and territory of Ukraine. A full transcript of the Senator's exchange is available below and video of the interview is available here. CHRIS JANSING, HOST MSNBC: Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland - thank you for being with us at this very serious time, Senator. A lot of people waking up to this news - what's your reaction, … Continue Reading
February 23, 2022
Van Hollen Statement on Russian Decision to Expand Its Attack on Ukraine
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding Putin's decision to expand Russia's attack on Ukraine. "Vladimir Putin's decision to expand Russia's attack on the people and territory of Ukraine will cause massive human suffering. He will have blood on his hands. "As President Biden has made clear: we must answer this attack immediately with comprehensive and punishing economic sanctions imposed by every member of NATO, our other European partners, … Continue Reading
February 23, 2022
Van Hollen, Murphy Urge Biden Administration Against Re-Designation of Houthi Movement in Yemen as a Foreign Terrorist Organization
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) sent a letter urging U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken against the re-designation of the Houthi movement in Yemen as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). The senators highlighted that a re-designation would have little practical impact on Houthi leaders, but would deepen the country's economic collapse, obstruct humanitarian assistance for millions of Yemenis facing famine, and hinder efforts to secure a diplomatic end … Continue Reading
February 22, 2022
Van Hollen Statement on Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "Putin's invasion of Ukrainian territory represents a gross violation of its sovereignty and the rights of its people. I support President Biden's decision to take swift action and impose a first round of sanctions on two Russian banking entities, Russian elites close to Putin, and Russia's sovereign debt - as well as Germany's decision to halt the Nord Stream 2 project. … Continue Reading
February 22, 2022
Van Hollen, Peters Call for $3 Million in Funding for PAWS Act
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) sent a bipartisan letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee leadership, urging them to include $3 million in their proposed Fiscal Year 2022 budget to support victims of domestic violence and their pets. The Department of Justice's Emergency and Transitional Pet Shelter and Housing Assistance (PAWS) grant program - which was created through the Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act that Peters authored and was signed into law in … Continue Reading
February 21, 2022
Joint Statement from Congressional Delegation to Munich Security Conference
Members of the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives participating in the bipartisan Congressional Delegation to the Munich Security Conference today released this statement. "It now appears increasingly likely that Russian forces will initiate hostilities against a free and peaceful Ukraine. We as a bipartisan delegation will bring home the same unity and resolve we have seen among our Atlantic allies against Russian aggression. We pledge to work toward whatever … Continue Reading
February 17, 2022
Van Hollen, Warnock Introduce New Bill to Cap Costs of Insulin Nationwide
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) in introducing new legislation to cap the out-of-pocket cost of insulin for all Americans. The Affordable Insulin Now Act will require Medicare plans and private group or individual plans to cap patients' out-of-pocket costs for insulin at $35 per month. This will lower costs for insulin users and save money for hardworking Americans-many who are paying exorbitantly from their own pockets for insulin … Continue Reading
February 17, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Raskin Press Navy Leadership for Answers on Living Conditions for Service Members at Walter Reed Base
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Jamie Raskin (All D-Md.) called on U.S. Navy leadership to immediately address poor and unsafe living conditions in barracks for junior enlisted service members at Naval Support Activity (NSA)-Bethesda, the site of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. In a letter to the Secretary of the Navy, the lawmakers cite reports that two junior enlisted barracks, Comfort Hall and Sanctuary Hall, have been without hot water, … Continue Reading
February 17, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Raskin Urge IRS to Clear Backlog, Improve Customer Service for Taxpayers During 2022 Filing Season
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Jamie Raskin (All D-Md.) participated in a bicameral effort urging the U.S Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to take immediate actions to reduce its massive backlog and improve its customer service during the 2022 tax filing season. In a joint letter sent to IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig, the lawmakers and more than 40 of their colleagues highlighted the pressing challenges American taxpayers are experiencing in their … Continue Reading
February 17, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Announce More Than $167,000 in Federal Funding for Broadband Expansion in Western Maryland
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced $167,229 in federal funding to expand rural broadband connectivity in Garrett County. The funding comes from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Area Development Program and will go toward deploying six miles of broadband conduit, improving broadband services for hundreds of households. "The pandemic has underscored that reliable, accessible internet is a necessity for every household," … Continue Reading
February 16, 2022
Van Hollen, Booker, Bush Urge President Biden to Reverse Inhumane Immigration Policies Impacting Black Migrants
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Representative Cori Bush (D-Mo.) urged President Biden to reverse inhumane immigration policies, such as Title 42, originally introduced under the Trump Administration, that continue to mistreat and harm Black migrants. The letter comes in the aftermath of disturbing images from September 2021, in which Texas border patrol agents were seen beating and abusing Haitian migrants entering the United States. "Our country … Continue Reading
February 16, 2022
Maryland Congressional Delegation Members Urge Maryland Department of Labor to Apply for American Rescue Plan Program to Improve Deeply Flawed Unemployment Insurance System
Today, 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.) urged the Maryland Department of Labor to apply for a new program funded by the American Rescue Plan to improve the state's unemployment insurance system, in the wake of the severe delays and errors encountered by tens of thousands of unemployed Marylanders amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawmakers' … Continue Reading
February 16, 2022
Van Hollen, Hassan Crack Down on Insurance Companies That Illegally Deny Women Access to Birth Control
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) in calling on the Biden administration to improve enforcement of the federal law that guarantees complete coverage of birth control for women who get their health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Despite existing law, certain health insurers continue to deny women coverage for birth control and fail to provide coverage for alternative birth control methods when they're deemed medically necessary. … Continue Reading
February 16, 2022
Van Hollen, Padilla, Warnock Introduce Bill to Permanently Re-establish DOT Advisory Committee on Transportation Equity
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) introduced the Transportation Equity Act which requires the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to permanently re-establish the Advisory Committee on Transportation Equity. The Advisory Committee was created under the Obama Administration to convene stakeholders in order to provide independent advice and recommendations about comprehensive, interdisciplinary issues related to transportation … Continue Reading
February 16, 2022
Van Hollen Offers Testimony to Maryland State Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee in Support of Closing Ghost Gun Loophole
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) submitted written testimony to the Maryland State Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee in support of SB 387, a bill sponsored by State Senator Susan Lee (D-District 16), to address the growing threat of unserialized firearms or "ghost guns." In his testimony, the Senator highlights the concerning rise in ghost gun seizures across Maryland and the ease with which anyone - including a minor - can lawfully purchase firearm components and assemble a … Continue Reading
February 15, 2022
Van Hollen, Warren, Grassley Call On FDA to Finalize Rule on Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Without Delay
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) sent a letter to Janet Woodcock, Acting Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, expressing support for key provisions in the FDA's proposed rule for regulating over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. The FDA's proposed rule is a direct result of the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act, which the lawmakers helped pass with broad bipartisan support in 2017. The comment period on FDA's … Continue Reading
February 14, 2022
Van Hollen, Baldwin, Murphy, Shaheen Urge Biden Administration to Limit Junk Health Plans that Undermine Standards of Affordable Care Act
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra urging the Biden administration to limit the sale and availability of short-term, limited-duration insurance (STLDI) plans, also known as "junk plans" because of their failure to provide adequate, comprehensive health insurance coverage. In 2018, in an effort to sabotage the … Continue Reading
February 14, 2022
Maryland Delegation Announces Nearly $15 Million to Support Outdoor Recreation Statewide
Today, 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.) announced $14,992,166 to support Maryland's wildlife conservation, sportfish restoration, and outdoor recreation through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) Program. Recipient state wildlife agencies typically partner with federal and county agencies, … Continue Reading
February 11, 2022
Van Hollen, Ossoff Working to Make Government Services Accessible in More Languages
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) in calling on U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to direct Federal agencies to update their Language Access Plans, helping ensure people whose primary language is not English can access critical information and resources in their preferred language. The letter led by Senator Ossoff was signed in addition to Senator Van Hollen by Senators Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), … Continue Reading
