Press Releases
Van Hollen Urges Increase in CDFI Fund to Support Local Communities in COVID-19 Response
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to increase funding for the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund within the phase three coronavirus package. The CDFI Fund provides financial and technical assistance grants to local financial institutions that are mission-focused and often provide financing to small businesses, non- profits, affordable housing, and community development projects in … Continue Reading
March 20, 2020
Van Hollen, King Urge Negotiators to Establish a Special Adviser to the President on Global Health Security within Phase 3 Package
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Angus King (I-Maine) sent a letter to Senate leadership urging them to establish a Special Adviser to the President for Global Health Security, within the negotiated phase three coronavirus package. As noted in their letter, the Special Adviser would lead a Directorate for Global Health Security at the White House National Security Council and would advise the White House on global health crises. President Obama had previously established this … Continue Reading
March 20, 2020
Van Hollen, Murphy, Merkley Propose Robust Rescue Plan for Small and Mid-Size Businesses and Nonprofits
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), on Friday rolled out a proposal that would provide much-needed liquidity for small and medium businesses during the economic crisis caused by COVID-19. The Main Street Emergency Grant Program would allow small businesses to apply for grants through the Treasury Department to cover fixed costs like payroll and rent. Those grants would revert to loans that would have to be paid back only if the … Continue Reading
March 20, 2020
Van Hollen, Markey, Colleagues Urge Protections for Airline Employees and Contractors in Coronavirus Economic Stimulus Legislation
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), along with a number of their colleagues, sent a letter to Senate leadership calling for the inclusion of protections for employees and contractors in any financial assistance to the airline industry.The outbreak of the novel coronavirus has dealt a financial blow to the country’s airlines. However, the industry’s business practices over many years have exacerbated the issues they currently face. Following years of … Continue Reading
March 20, 2020
Van Hollen, Kaine, Colleagues Call on President Trump to End Efforts to Sabotage the Affordable Care Act Amidst Coronavirus Pandemic
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and 18 of their colleagues in a letter calling on President Trump to reverse course on efforts to repeal, sabotage, or undermine healthcare coverage provided by the Affordable Care Act. In the letter, the Senators criticized the Administration’s efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and put millions of Americans’ health care at risk during a pandemic. The Senators also criticized the Trump Administration’s … Continue Reading
March 20, 2020
Van Hollen, Merkley, Colleagues Push To Protect Working Families from Utility Shut Offs in Next Coronavirus Relief Package
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), along with Senate Environmental Justice Caucus co-chairs Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and eleven other Senators, today in pressing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to include protections for Americans against utility shut-offs in the next coronavirus relief package.“As closures and quarantines disrupt and eliminate income for many American … Continue Reading
March 20, 2020
Van Hollen, Durbin, Harris, Pressley Press Trump Administration on Reports that DHS is Preparing Mass Deportations of Dreamers
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) and U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07) today led a group of 36 Senators and 87 Representatives in pressing the Trump Administration on reports that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is preparing mass deportations of Dreamers, young immigrants who grew up in the United States and know no other home. Many Dreamers have reported receiving notice that their deportation cases have … Continue Reading
March 20, 2020
Van Hollen, Merkley, Colleagues Push for Critical Support for Higher Ed Students, Schools Amid Coronavirus-Related Campus Closures
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) in urging Senate leadership to include essential support provisions for students, colleges, and universities in the third coronavirus emergency relief bill.The senators explained in their letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Minority Leader, and the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee—Senators Lamar Alexander and Patty Murray—that colleges and universities across … Continue Reading
March 20, 2020
Van Hollen Joins Markey, Brown in Telling Trump to Immediately and Fully Use All Defense Production Act Authorities to Mobilize War-Scale Manufacturing Effort of Medical Equipment
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and 17 of their colleagues today in decrying President Donald Trump’s partial invocation of the Defense Production Act (DPA), which ignored other key titles in the Act that provide essential tools for rapidly scaling up our national response to the spread of the novel coronavirus. The Senators are calling on Trump to immediately implement all Defense Production Act powers under Titles … Continue Reading
March 20, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin Join Bipartisan Call for FEMA to Help Individuals, States Handle COVID-19 Outbreak
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) are urging President Trump to exercise authorities used in the wake of natural disasters to provide direct emergency assistance to individuals and families and waive local cost sharing in order to pump more federal resources into states and communities responding to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. “Now, as the entire nation faces the challenges of a global pandemic, we are asking that your administration unlock the full capacity of … Continue Reading
March 20, 2020
Van Hollen, Cortez Masto, Colleagues Urge Congress to Support Clean Energy Industry in Economic Relief Packages
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), along with 16 Senate colleagues in sending a letter calling on Congress to include support for the United States’ clean energy industry and workforce in any economic aid packages.“As Congress takes steps to ensure that our nation’s workforce is prepared to emerge stronger from the coronavirus health and economic crisis, we must act to shore up clean energy businesses and workers who are uniquely impacted by … Continue Reading
March 19, 2020
Small Business Administration Approves Federal Disaster Assistance for Maryland
In response to a letter sent earlier today from the Maryland congressional delegation to the Small Business Administration (SBA) urging approval of the state’s request for a disaster declaration from the SBA related to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the request was approved. The delegation, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and … Continue Reading
March 19, 2020
Van Hollen Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Extend the Tax Filing Deadline, Provide Additional Relief to Middle-Income Americans
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), and Angus King (I-Maine) in introducing the Tax Filing Relief for America Act, a bill to extend the tax filing deadline from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020. This date would coincide with the Treasury Department’s previous announcement that it would extend the tax payment deadline for filers who owe the IRS for the 2019 tax year. The legislation would provide greater clarity to taxpayers … Continue Reading
March 19, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, and Colleagues Press Coronavirus Task Force on Situation in Nursing Homes and Preparedness for Seniors, People with Disabilities
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin(both D-Md.) announced that they, along with more than 30 Democratic colleagues, pressed the Coronavirus Task Force on their preparedness and response plans for seniors and individuals with disabilities. The Senators sent three letters to the Trump Administration regarding the safety of people living in nursing homes, the ability of seniors living in the community to maintain critical services including delivered meals and home care, and ensuring … Continue Reading
March 19, 2020
Van Hollen, Hassan, Colleagues Urge Department of Labor to Provide Support for Workers Who Experience Disabilities During COVID-19 Pandemic
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Maggie Hassan and a group of their colleagues in urging the Department of Labor to better support workers who experience disabilities and who may be at particular risk as a result of COVID-19. “We write to request more information about how the Department of Labor (the Department) is preparing for and responding to the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States and how it impacts workers who experience disabilities, … Continue Reading
March 19, 2020
Van Hollen, Menendez, Colleagues Urge Trump Admin to Protect, Guarantee Health Care Access for Americans with HIV, LGBTQ Community amidst COVID-19 Outbreak
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) along with a group of colleagues in expressing serious concerns to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar about the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the 1.1 million Americans living with HIV in light of the Administration’s rolling back of LGBTQ healthcare discrimination protections. COVID-19 poses a serious health risk for individuals living with immunodeficiency disorders like HIV, and … Continue Reading
March 19, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Urges Swift Approval of Federal Disaster Assistance for Small Businesses Hurt by COVID-19
The Maryland congressional delegation sent a joint letter Thursday to Jovita Carranza, head of the Small Business Administration (SBA), urging approval of the state’s request for a disaster declaration from the SBA related to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.“Given the various protective measures being put in place by the state, numerous businesses are reporting substantive impacts on their business operations, which is creating an immediate adverse impact on small businesses and … Continue Reading
March 19, 2020
Van Hollen Announces New Chief of Staff
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) announced that Tricia “Trish” Russell will be joining his office as his Chief of Staff.“Trish has a long and outstanding record of serving the American people in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team, and I know she will serve my office and the people of Maryland well. I’m glad to have her on board as we continue working to support Marylanders during this difficult time,” said … Continue Reading
March 19, 2020
Van Hollen Urges Pompeo to Take Immediate Action to Help Americans Abroad
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging the State Department to provide immediate assistance and guidance to Americans abroad. As the Senator notes in his letter, his office has received hundreds of inquiries from constituents on this matter, many of whom have received no help from the State Department. The Senator writes, “As the Department of State prepares to release an advisory instructing all Americans abroad to return to the … Continue Reading
March 19, 2020
Van Hollen, Murphy, Senate Democrats to Major Health Insurers: Fully Cover Testing, Treatment for COVID-19 Without Cost-Sharing Requirements
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and 15 Senate Democrats on Thursday in calling on the health insurance companies to remove barriers to care for Americans who find themselves diagnosed with COVID-19. In a letter to CEOs for Kaiser Permanente, Aetna, Humana, Cigna Corporation, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Anthem, and UnitedHealth Group, the senators specifically asked the insurers to cover all COVID-19 related treatment and services without cost sharing … Continue Reading
