Press Releases
Maryland Delegation Members Announce More Than $14.7 Million for Fire Departments in Washington, Frederick, and Garrett Counties
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $14,760,223.60 in federal funding for Washington, Frederick, and Garrett County firefighters through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. Awards were allocated as follows:$8,080,776 to the Washington County Board of Commissioners to hire 33 full-time … Continue Reading
September 16, 2020
Van Hollen, Trone Press President Trump to Posthumously Award Medal of Honor to Marylander Cpl. Waverly Woodson, Jr. for Heroism During WWII
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and U.S. Representative David Trone (both D-Md.) led over 15 of their colleagues in sending a bipartisan, bicameral letter urging President Donald Trump to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to the late World War II Corporal Waverly B. Woodson, Jr., a former resident of Clarksburg, Maryland. The letter follows the introduction of legislation authored by Van Hollen and Trone last week that would authorize the President to award Corporal Woodson the Medal … Continue Reading
September 16, 2020
Van Hollen, Blumenthal Demand that Pharmaceutical Companies Allow Low-Income Patients Access to Lifesaving, Discounted 340B Drugs and Care
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), along with 20 of their Senate colleagues, demanded that pharmaceutical manufacturers stop withholding medications discounted under the 340B Drug Pricing Program from qualified providers that use contract pharmacies - locking out low-income patients from accessing lifesaving drugs and care. In a letter to the drug industry trade group Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the senators pointed to … Continue Reading
September 15, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Democratic Senators Call on Postmaster General to Immediately Reverse Operational Changes to the U.S. Postal Service Causing Delays of Critical Medications to Americans
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.), along with Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) Ranking Member Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Special Committee on Aging Ranking Member Bob Casey (D-Pa.), and Committee on Finance Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and more than two dozen of their Senate Colleagues wrote to Postmaster General … Continue Reading
September 15, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Announce Western Maryland Area Health Education Center to Receive More Than $160,000 in Funding to Combat the Effects of the Opioid Crisis on Newborns
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and U.S. Representative David Trone (all D-Md.) announced that the Western Maryland Area Health Education Center will receive $166,666 in funding through the Health Resources and Services Administration to help combat the prevalence of opioid-related illnesses in newborns.The Western Maryland Area Health Education Center (AHEC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working to improve access and quality of care in Western Maryland. The … Continue Reading
September 15, 2020
Maryland Delegation Announces $100,000 for Maryland Sea Grant Program
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all-Md.) today announced the award of $100,000 for the Maryland Sea Grant (MDSG) program to address the impacts of COVID-19 on local aquaculture industries and assist educators through the creation of new, interactive educational content.“Maryland Sea Grant has played a key role in preserving our local … Continue Reading
September 14, 2020
Van Hollen, Menendez, Engel Call on USAGM to Renew Foreign National Journalist Visa Extensions
Today, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-M.D.), Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Representative Eliot L. Engel (D-N.Y.), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sent a letter to U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) CEO Michael Pack seeking answers to his reported decision not to renew visa extensions for foreign nationals working as journalists in the United States for USAGM networks and grantees including the Voice of America … Continue Reading
September 14, 2020
Van Hollen Statement on 9th Circuit TPS Decision
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the decision by the Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit allowing the Trump Administration to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for recipients from El Salvador, Sudan, Nicaragua, and Haiti. Established in 1990, TPS is a renewable program that allows foreign nationals to legally live and work in the United States if they are unable to safely return to their home country due to natural disasters, armed … Continue Reading
September 14, 2020
As 9th Circuit Court Deals Blow To Many TPS Recipients, Van Hollen, Cardin, Feinstein Urge Leadership to Include Employment Protections for TPS Recipients in Next Relief Package
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) urged Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer to include employment protections for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients in the next coronavirus relief package. Following today’s ruling by the 9th Circuit Court allowing the Trump Administration to end Temporary Protected Status for recipients from El Salvador, Sudan, Nicaragua, and Haiti, Congressional … Continue Reading
September 14, 2020
Van Hollen, Shaheen Call for Prioritizing Funding & Policy Initiatives to Combat PFAS Exposure in FY 21 Government Funding Legislation
On Friday, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), who are both members of the Senate Appropriations Committee - sent a letter to the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee leadership, requesting that policies and funding to combat per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination be prioritized in upcoming government funding legislation for fiscal year (FY) 2021. The Senators wrote, “As you work to finalize appropriations for … Continue Reading
September 14, 2020
Maryland Delegation Announces $1.5 Million for Nanotechnology Training and Research at the University of Maryland, College Park
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 today announced $1.5 million in federal funding to expand nanotechnology research and training at the University of Maryland, College Park. Funding comes from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology. It will advance the work of the NIST Nanoscale Science and … Continue Reading
September 11, 2020
The Baltimore Congressional Delegation Announces More Than $12 Million for Global Health Security Programs at Johns Hopkins University
The Baltimore congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.), announced $12,424,361 in federal funding for global health security initiatives at Johns Hopkins University (JHU). The funding comes through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Center for Global Health (CGH) and will help JHU expand research programs that detect, prevent and respond to global health … Continue Reading
September 11, 2020
Sens. Van Hollen, Coons, Cassidy & Reps. Price, Matsui Announce Resolution to Recognize 9/11 as a National Day of Service
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and U.S. Representatives David Price (D-N.C.) and Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), all members of the National Service Congressional Caucus, announced a resolution recognizing September 11 as a national day of service and encouraging the American public to engage in a charitable service of their choosing on or around 9/11.In 2009 following calls by families of those killed in the attacks of September 11, 2001, … Continue Reading
September 11, 2020
Baltimore Delegation Announces $10 Million in Federal Funding for the Port of Baltimore
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Kweisi Mfume today announced $10 million in federal funding for the Maryland Port Administration to improve infrastructure at the Port of Baltimore. Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation FY20 Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant program. It will be used to enhance critical flood mitigation systems at the Dundalk Marine Terminal by constructing … Continue Reading
September 11, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces More Than $480,000 for Firefighter Training Across Maryland
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone (all Md.) announced $486,745.22 in federal funding for the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI) to train thousands of firefighters across the state. “MFRI offers top-notch training to help Maryland’s fire, EMS, and rescue personnel succeed in their life-saving missions. With these new … Continue Reading
September 10, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces More Than $20 Million in Emergency Federal Funding to Support MedStar Health’s COVID-19 Response
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone today announced $20,776,025 in emergency federal funding to help MedStar Health respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and is authorized under Section 403 of the Stafford Act.“The dedicated doctors, nurses … Continue Reading
September 10, 2020
Van Hollen Statement on the Republican’s Inadequate COVID-19 Proposal
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding his vote in opposition to Senator Mitch McConnell’s vastly inadequate COVID-19 proposal: “As our country continues to battle the unprecedented crisis of COVID-19, we need real leadership. Instead, we’ve got a President who for months has knowingly worked to cover up the severity of this deadly disease and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell who is either unwilling or unable to grasp the needs of this moment. … Continue Reading
September 10, 2020
Van Hollen Statement of Support for Maryland, Bay Partners’ Lawsuit against EPA
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the decision by Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and the District of Columbia as well as Chesapeake Bay advocacy groups to sue the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for their lack of enforcement of the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) pollution reduction targets. “A healthy Chesapeake Bay is crucial to both the health of Maryland’s economy and our environment. To protect and restore the Bay, … Continue Reading
September 09, 2020
Maryland Delegation Calls for Federal Emergency Declaration In Wake of Tropical Storm Isaias
The full Maryland congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone, is urging President Donald Trump to approve the State of Maryland’s request for a declaration of a “major disaster” following Tropical Storm Isaias. The lawmakers also requested that the federal government cover a larger share of the overall … Continue Reading
September 09, 2020
Van Hollen, Inhofe, Cantwell, Moran Applaud FAA Action to Expand Aviation Workforce Training
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) applauded the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) move to implement two new aviation workforce grant programs authorized in the 2018 FAA Reauthorization bill that invest in and expand the development of the next generation of aircraft pilots and maintenance technicians. The FAA’s announcement follows a letter sent by the Senators last week, urging the Administration to … Continue Reading