Press Releases
Van Hollen, Menendez, Colleagues Urge Trump Admin to Address Reports of Retaliation among Workers of Color Who Report COVID-19 Workplace Concerns
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding reports that workers of color face disproportionate acts of retaliation when reporting workplace concerns related to COVID-19. A recent report by the National Employment Law Project (NELP) found one in eight workers has perceived retaliatory actions from employers for raising safety concerns related to the … Continue Reading
August 05, 2020
Van Hollen, Warren, Gillibrand Introduce Legislation Requiring the Fed to Close Racial Employment and Wage Gaps
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) introduced legislation to require the Federal Reserve to use its existing authorities to close racial employment and wage gaps and report on how the gaps change over time. Representative Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.Gaps in economic outcomes for individuals of different races and ethnicities have persisted throughout different … Continue Reading
August 05, 2020
Van Hollen, Harris, Menendez, Booker Introduce Legislation to Increase Diversity on CARES Oversight Commission
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced the CARES Congressional Oversight Commission Diversity Act, legislation to ensure that the communities who have been hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic are represented on the Congressional Oversight Commission. The Coronavirus crisis has disproportionally impacted Black, Latinx, Pacific Islander, and Native American individuals; however, the current makeup … Continue Reading
August 04, 2020
Maryland Delegation Members Announce $500,000 in Housing Assistance for Survivors of Human Trafficking in Montgomery, Prince George’s Counties
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.) announced $500,000 in federal funds for the University of Maryland Support, Advocacy, Freedom, and Empowerment Center for Human Trafficking Survivors (SAFE Center). Funds come from the Department of Justice (DOJ) Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Human Trafficking Program and will allow the SAFE Center, in partnership with the … Continue Reading
August 04, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin Press for Vital Education, Child Care Funds in Next Relief Package
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) sent a letter to Senate leadership urging the inclusion of crucial funding for child care, K-12 and higher education within the next COVID-19 relief package. In their letter, the Senators underscored the urgent need for these funds across Maryland and highlighted a number of priorities they are pressing to include. The Senators write, “Parents and educators have made extraordinary efforts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, doing … Continue Reading
August 04, 2020
Van Hollen, Democrats Send Letter to Secretary Perdue Expressing Concern About Increasing Food Insecurity in Maryland and the District of Columbia
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger , John P. Sarbanes, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin, David Trone, and Kweisi Mfume (all D-MD), as well as Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue expressing their serious concern about actions taken by USDA that will increase food insecurity in Maryland and the District of Columbia."At the start of the … Continue Reading
August 04, 2020
Van Hollen, Brown, Colleagues Urge Next Coronavirus Relief Package to Ban Arbitration Clauses Attached to Needed Benefits
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ranking Member of the Banking Committee, and Bob Menendez, a senior member of the both the Banking and Finance Committee, led its Democratic members in urging lead negotiators of the next COVID-19 stimulus package to prohibit the Federal Government from attaching forced arbitration agreements to any form of benefit payments to Americans. Last March, the … Continue Reading
August 04, 2020
Van Hollen, Wyden, Feinstein Take Action to Protect Health Care Freedoms in Court
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) this week filed an amicus brief in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals with 23 Senate Democrats to support litigation that would overturn a Trump administration rule that would threaten access to health care for millions of Americans. “HHS impermissibly sought to override Congress’s policymaking decisions and prioritize the Administration’s policy objectives over those established by Congress,” the … Continue Reading
August 04, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin Urge Increased Federal Resources for Firefighters, First Responders on the Front Lines of the Pandemic
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to increase funding and provide more flexibility for local firefighter departments through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants and Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) programs.“Our communities count on first responders as the first line of defense in protection and emergency response. These frontline workers are operating … Continue Reading
August 03, 2020
Maryland Delegation Members Announce More Than $187,000 to Support Eastern Shore Firefighters
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (all Md.) today announced $184,738.10 in federal funds to The Galena Volunteer Fire Company in Kent County, Md. The grant, awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, will be used to purchase new Self-Contained Automated Breathing Apparatus Units, which provide firefighters with fresh oxygen and protects them from breathing harmful carcinogens … Continue Reading
August 03, 2020
Maryland Delegation Members Announce More Than $600,000 to Support Firefighters in Prince George’s County
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer and Anthony G. Brown (all D-Md.) today announced $603,847.88 in federal funds to support firefighters in Prince George’s County, Md. “As we continue to combat COVID-19, we must provide our firefighters and first responders with the resources they need to keep Marylanders safe,” the lawmakers said. “Team Maryland will continue to fight for federal funding to support our firefighters as they serve our communities on the … Continue Reading
August 03, 2020
Maryland Delegation Members Announce More Than $500,000 to Support Annapolis Fire Department
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) announced $516,418.18 in federal funding for the Annapolis Fire Department. The grant, awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, will be used to purchase new Self-Contained Automated Breathing Apparatus Units, which provide firefighters with fresh oxygen and protects them from breathing harmful carcinogens when responding to fires. “As … Continue Reading
August 03, 2020
Van Hollen Proposes Innovative Legislation to Help Strengthen Communities in Baltimore, Cities Across America
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) introduced the Neighborhood Economic Development and Opportunity Act, innovative legislation that puts forward a new way to look at economic development and federal investment in struggling communities in Baltimore and across the country. This legislation would establish a pilot grant program for non-governmental entities, including non-profit and faith-based organizations, to provide economic support in underserved neighborhoods in urban areas of … Continue Reading
July 31, 2020
Baltimore Delegation Members Urge Congressional Leaders to Increase COVID-19 Relief for Public Transit
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) urged Congressional Leaders to provide urgently needed relief for public transit agencies, like the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA). The lawmakers requested an additional $32 billion in funding to help public transit agencies like MTA continue providing essential services to frontline workers. They also asked to improve the funding formula for public … Continue Reading
July 31, 2020
Van Hollen, Democrats Call on EPW Chairman Barrasso to Hold Oversight Hearings on Abuse of Authority to Protect Federal Property
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and all other Democratic members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee are calling on EPW leadership to hold oversight hearings on the Trump administrations use and potential abuse of federal regulations designed to protect government buildings in Portland and other cities across the country. “The scenes that our nation is witnessing in Portland, in which federal law enforcement agents have been deployed to arrest and … Continue Reading
July 31, 2020
Van Hollen, Hirono, Murray, and Colleagues to McConnell: Immigrants Are Essential and Deserve Support in Coronavirus Relief Legislation
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) urged Majority Leader McConnell to support tax-paying immigrant families who have Individual Tax Identification Numbers (ITIN) by ensuring they have access to economic relief payments provided in the CARES Act and any future coronavirus relief package.An estimated 20 million immigrants work in essential industries. These … Continue Reading
July 31, 2020
Senate Approves Gold Star Families Week Resolution Authored by Van Hollen, Hyde-Smith
The U.S. Senate approved a bipartisan resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) that establishes September 20-26, 2020, as “Gold Star Families Remembrance Week” to honor the families of fallen members of the Armed Forces. Gold Star Families Remembrance Week is a designated national period to honor the families of U.S. military servicemembers who lost their lives in service to the nation. The week precedes Gold Star Mother’s Day, which is … Continue Reading
July 31, 2020
Van Hollen Joins Coons-Wicker Bill Targeting Debt-Based Driver’s License Suspensions
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) cosponsored bipartisan legislation led by Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) to encourage states to stop debt-based driver’s license suspensions. “Suspending driver’s licenses for unpaid fees is a misguided relic from the ‘War on Drugs’ era that punishes people who can’t pay their bills on time by making it even harder for them to make an income to pay their bills. How stupid is that?” said Senator Van Hollen. “This pandemic … Continue Reading
July 31, 2020
Van Hollen, Bipartisan Group of Senators Push Provisions to Require Maximum Telework for Federal Workers in Next Relief Package
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) led a bipartisan group of Senators in sending a letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urging them to include maximum telework requirements for federal employees and contractors in the next coronavirus relief package.“As the Senate considers the next coronavirus relief package, we urge you to include requirements to ensure maximum telework for federal employees and contractors during the COVID-19 pandemic. … Continue Reading
July 30, 2020
Van Hollen, Schatz, Feinstein Introduce New Bill to Improve Public Awareness of Masks in Reducing the Spread of Covid-19, Provide Free Cloth Masks
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today introduced new legislation that will increase the adoption of face coverings by providing free cloth masks to any individual who requests one. The Senators' bill will also authorize a public service announcement campaign and additional research into mask efficacy to reduce the spread of COVID-19.“We know that wearing masks is one of the most effective ways to combat this virus. As cases … Continue Reading
