Press Releases
Van Hollen Statement on Biden Executive Order Eliminating DOJ Use of Private Prisons
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding President Biden’s executive order eliminating the use of private prisons by the Department of Justice. Senator Van Hollen, alongside Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), pushed for this action, following the Trump Administration’s reinstatement of this practice. “Profiting off of the mass incarceration of Americans is nothing short of shameful, but private prison companies do just that. We know that the use of … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Van Hollen Statement in Support of Antony Blinken to Serve as Secretary of State
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement in support of the confirmation of Antony Blinken to serve as the U.S. Secretary of State:“Today, I was proud to vote in support of Antony Blinken’s confirmation to serve as our next Secretary of State. While he faces an enormous task ahead, given his breadth of knowledge and experience, I am confident he is the right person to meet America’s foreign policy challenges. I have had occasion to work with him over the … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Maryland Congressional Delegation Members Announce More Than $560 Million in Emergency Federal Funding for State COVID-19 Response
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 announced more than $560 million in emergency federal funding for the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) to help boost the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and aid its vaccine distribution efforts.This latest funding from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) comes after President … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Maryland Delegation Members Applaud More Than $1 Million for WMATA and Montgomery County Transit to Improve COVID-19 Safety
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, John Sarbanes, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone (all D-Md.) applauded the award of $1,050,000 for Montgomery County’s Ride On transit service and Washington Metro Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to improve rider safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic.“This new infusion of federal funding will help WMATA and Montgomery County reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission on public transportation systems and … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Maryland Delegation Members Urge State to Ramp Up COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Efforts, Ensure Equitable Access
Today, members of the Maryland Congressional Delegation, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone, released the following statement after a conference call on Monday with Maryland Department of Health Acting Secretary Dennis Schrader about the state’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts:“A robust vaccination strategy is critical to our efforts to … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on President Biden’s Buy American Executive Order
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding President Biden’s new executive order to promote American manufacturers, businesses, and workers:“The economic fallout of the pandemic has hit American workers hard - many have lost their jobs and are unable to make ends meet. Now more than ever, we need to invest in our economy and the American workforce - and today’s executive action from President Biden does just that. This new order will help support … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Van Hollen Statement in Support of Janet Yellen to Serve as Treasury Secretary
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding his vote in support of Janet Yellen to serve as the Secretary of the Treasury:“A successful economic recovery requires a Treasury Secretary who is prepared, crisis-tested, and extremely qualified. Not only is Janet Yellen the first woman to lead the Treasury Department - but she's also the first person in history to have served as Treasury Secretary, Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, and Chair of … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Van Hollen Applauds Biden’s Action to Remove Ban on Transgender Individuals Serving in Our Military
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement applauding President Biden’s executive order to overturn the ban preventing transgender individuals from serving in our military: “The ban on transgender individuals serving in our military was a stain on our nation. It harmed our national security, reduced readiness, and defied our values. Any patriot who is qualified and able to maintain the standards expected of our Armed Forces should be able to serve. I’m glad … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin Praise Completion of Poplar Island Construction and “Solid Investments” in FY2021 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Work Plan
U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (Both D-Md.) today announced the inclusion of key priorities for Maryland within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) FY2021 Work Plan that will direct significant federal funding to dredging, beach re-nourishment, oyster restoration and critical environmental remediation throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The senators also applauded the completion of the Paul S. Sarbanes Ecosystem Restoration Project at Poplar Island, which received … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Maryland Delegation Members Announce More Than $1.17 Billion in COVID-19 Relief for Schools and Universities Across the State
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 announced more than $1.17 billion in federal funding for K-12 schools and higher education institutions across Maryland. Funding comes from the bipartisan COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress in late December.“This urgently needed relief will help provide students, educators and support … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Van Hollen, Young Release Joint Statement on Biden Administration’s Action on New START Extension
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) released the following statement regarding the Biden Administration’s efforts to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) with Russia. The treaty, which is set to expire on February 5, 2021, imposes limits on the strategic nuclear arsenals of the United States and Russia. In August 2019, Senators Van Hollen and Young introduced bipartisan legislation to extend New START until 2026. More recently, in October … Continue Reading
January 22, 2021
Van Hollen, Gillibrand, Bennet, Colleagues Reintroduce Bicameral Health Force, Resilience Force, and Jobs to Fight Covid-19 Act to Combat Public Health and Economic Crises
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) announced the reintroduction of the Health Force, Resilience Force, and Jobs to Fight COVID-19 Act, legislation that would invest billions in the nation’s public health jobs and infrastructure and aid the … Continue Reading
January 22, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on Biden’s Executive Order to Strengthen Civil Service, Reverse Trump Attempts to Undermine Federal Workforce
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding President Biden’s executive order to reverse President Trump’s attempts to undermine our civil service, including his executive order on Schedule F: “Our federal employees work day-in and day-out to provide vital services to the American people. Despite their dedicated efforts, the previous Administration preferred to use our civil service as a political punching bag. Today’s executive order from President … Continue Reading
January 22, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on Biden Executive Actions to Address Economic Impacts of COVID-19
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding President Biden’s executive actions to address the economic impacts of COVID-19:“Not only has COVID-19 had a devastating impact on the health of our communities, neighbors, families, and friends, but it has also brought many Americans to the brink of poverty. The impact the pandemic has on Marylanders’ pocketbooks is all too real - and we must provide real economic support to small businesses and families … Continue Reading
January 22, 2021
Van Hollen, Coons, Tillis, Brown, and Cardin Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Award Officer Eugene Goodman with Congressional Gold Medal
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) introduced legislation to award Officer Eugene Goodman the Congressional Gold Medal to honor his heroic actions on January 6, 2021. Goodman, a Marylander, confronted rioters in the Capitol, delaying their access to the Senate chamber and protecting the lives of those inside.“Officer Goodman is a hero. He protected our democracy by holding off and then … Continue Reading
January 22, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on Vote to Confirm Lloyd Austin
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on his vote to confirm Lloyd Austin to serve as Secretary of Defense:“Today, I was proud to vote in support of Lloyd Austin to serve as our next Secretary of Defense. I cast my vote with confidence that he will capably lead the Department of Defense through this difficult period in our nation’s history.“As a four-star general, Lloyd Austin was tasked with leading the drawdown of American troops from Iraq - and helped … Continue Reading
January 21, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on Opposition to Waiving U.S. Law for Defense Nomination
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding his vote in opposition to waiving the U.S. law that prevents retired military officers from serving as Secretary of Defense less than seven years after their relief from active duty.“In order to maintain civilian control of our military, U.S. law requires a cooling-off period prior to allowing a recently retired officer to serve as the Secretary of Defense. I have long supported this cooling-off period, and … Continue Reading
January 21, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on Biden National Strategy to Tackle the Pandemic, New Executive Actions
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding President Joe Biden’s National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness and his new executive actions to address the pandemic: “Fighting the COVID-19 pandemic requires an all-hands-on-deck approach. I’m glad to see the Biden Administration hit the ground running with this national strategy to fully mobilize the federal government and improve coordination with state and local governments … Continue Reading
January 20, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on Biden Immigration Plan & Executive Actions
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding President Joe Biden’s immigration plan and executive actions:“Immigrants make our communities stronger, bolster our economy, and underscore the very values and principles our country was built upon. That’s why I’m so pleased to see President Joe Biden not only take immediate action today to protect DACA recipients, but also lay out a sweeping plan to fix our immigration system as a whole. This plan provides … Continue Reading
January 20, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on Biden Executive Order to Rejoin the WHO
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on President Joe Biden’s executive order reinstating the United States as a member of the World Health Organization (WHO): “The Trump Administration’s decision to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization in the middle of a pandemic was deeply misguided and shortsighted. To stop the spread of COVID-19, we must work together. This common-sense decision by the Biden Administration will ensure … Continue Reading
