Press Releases
Van Hollen, Lee Call on OPM to Rescind Potential New Hiring Rules
Senators Call the Proposal "a Solution in Search of a Problem" U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) have written to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Acting Director Margaret Weichert urging her to revoke the current Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 84 FR 5733, which would expand the seven-year criminal background check lookback to include participation in any pretrial diversion or intervention programs. "In December, Congress passed and the President signed The … Continue Reading
April 19, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce More Than $17 Million in Funding for Maryland AmeriCorps
1,219 Members will serve in Maryland in the Organization's 25th Year U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) today announced more than $17 million in AmeriCorps funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency responsible for AmeriCorps. "For 25 years, AmeriCorps members have been doing vital work throughout Maryland and the country. They are committed to serving the greater good -- from cleaning up the Bay, to helping those … Continue Reading
April 18, 2019
Van Hollen, Blunt Announce New Bill to Honor WWI Minority Veterans
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) announced the World War I Valor Medals Review Act, new bipartisan legislation that will ensure that minority Veterans who served during WWI get the recognition they deserve. It would require the Department of Defense to undertake a review of valor medals awarded to minority Veterans during WWI to determine whether any should receive the Medal of Honor. This review would be conducted in consultation with the WWI Centennial … Continue Reading
April 17, 2019
Van Hollen, Senators Call on Subcommittee Chairman to Secure Funding for Job Training for Older Americans
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined a group of Senators in calling for $400 million of federal funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 for the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the only federal employment program dedicated to helping older Americans return to the workforce. In a letter to Subcommittee Chairman Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the Senators emphasized the critical role SCSEP plays in helping seniors update their skills, save for … Continue Reading
April 16, 2019
Van Hollen Joins Colleagues in Requesting Increased Funding in FY2020 Budget for Title X Program
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined a group of Democratic colleagues in calling on the Senate Appropriations Committee to request that the FY 2020 budget include $400 million for the Title X family planning program. Title X health centers rely on federal funding to provide essential preventive health and family planning services to millions of low-income Americans. Title X has been shown to save taxpayers money in the long run by saving in Medicaid-related costs. It is estimated that … Continue Reading
April 16, 2019
Van Hollen, Colleagues Announce Introduction of Resolution to Restore Humanitarian Aid to the West Bank and Gaza
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), today announced the introduction of a Senate resolution to restore U.S. humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and Gaza. Van Hollen was joined on the resolution by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Coons (D-DE), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). "President Trump's inhumane and dangerous decision to end all humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians - including millions of children - … Continue Reading
April 15, 2019
Van Hollen Leads Bipartisan Letter Urging Increased Funding for Affordable Housing
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) is leading 40 of his colleagues on a bipartisan letter urging increased funding for the Section 4 Capacity Building program. The Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Section 4 Program works with local community development organizations to improve affordable housing, finance small businesses, and provide for other community needs. Last year alone, Maryland organizations received over $445,000 in funding under Section 4 and recipients … Continue Reading
April 12, 2019
Van Hollen Leads Letter Urging Extension of New START Treaty with Russia
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen led a letter with 23 Democratic Senators urging President Trump to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) with Russia for another five years. This week marked the ninth anniversary of the signing of the treaty. "Without inhibiting the ability of the United States to maintain a survivable, reliable, and effective nuclear deterrent, New START has advanced the security interests of the United States and underpinned strategic stability with … Continue Reading
April 11, 2019
Van Hollen Cosponsors New Legislation to Provide Federal Workers with Paid Family Leave
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) cosponsored the Federal Employees Paid Leave Act, new legislation that would provide federal employees with 12 weeks of paid leave to care for a new child or a sick loved one. Although the Family and Medical Leave Act allows employees to take 12 weeks of unpaid leave to tend to medical and family issues, it does not provide any paid leave. Studies have shown that providing paid leave for federal employees would save the government at least $50 million … Continue Reading
April 11, 2019
Van Hollen Statement on David Bernhardt
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen released the following statement regarding his vote opposing the confirmation of David Bernhardt as Secretary of the Department of the Interior: "The Department of the Interior oversees the protection of America's natural treasures - our vast public lands, our diverse wildlife, and our environment. But David Bernhardt's record makes one thing clear: these treasures are not his first priority. Instead, he's spent his career, both as a former oil lobbyist and in … Continue Reading
April 11, 2019
Van Hollen, Senate Democrats Introduce New Legislation to Tackle Nationwide Digital Equity Gap
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined a group of Senate Democrats in introducing new legislation aimed at closing the growing digital divide in communities across the country. The Digital Equity Act of 2019 creates new federal investments targeted toward a diverse array of projects at the state and local level that promote "digital equity"- a concept defined by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance as the "condition in which all individuals and communities have the information … Continue Reading
April 11, 2019
Sen. Van Hollen, Rep. Lee introduce Bicameral Bill to Invest in Our Students and Fully Fund Title I, Special Education
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and U.S. Representative Susie Lee (D-Nev.) introduced the Keep Our Promise to America's Children and Teachers (PACT) Act, which would put Congress on a fiscally-responsible path to meet its obligation to fully fund Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) on a mandatory basis over the next 10 years. "Every child in our country deserves access to a quality education. But for too long, Congress has fallen short on our … Continue Reading
April 10, 2019
Van Hollen Presses Attorney General Barr on Findings of Mueller Report
"You put your conclusion out there, and now you refuse to talk about any basis of your conclusion." Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) questioned Attorney General William Barr on his recent summary of the Mueller report and the need for full transparency. A transcript of their exchange is below, and video of the hearing is available here: SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN, D-MD: Let me ask you with regard to the Mueller report in your March 24th letter. You say that Mueller set out evidence … Continue Reading
April 10, 2019
Van Hollen, Coons Push to Repeal Muslim Ban, Prevent Future Discriminatory Bans
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) and U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-Calif.) today introduced companion bills in the Senate and House to repeal the President’s existing executive order blocking travel from majority Muslim countries and prevent another baseless, discriminatory travel ban from happening again.The National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants (NO BAN) Act repeals the three versions of President Trump’s Muslim ban, strengthens the … Continue Reading
April 09, 2019
Van Hollen Co-sponsors Legislation to Defend U.S. Citizens and Diplomatic Staff from Political Prosecution in Turkey
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) co-sponsored the Defending United States Citizens and Diplomatic Staff from Political Prosecutions Act of 2019 (S. 1075) to address the ongoing wrongful detentions of U.S. citizens and diplomatic staff by the Government of Turkey. Introduced by Senator Roger Wicker (MS) and Senator Ben Cardin (MD), this legislation was also co-sponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (IL), Marco Rubio (FL), and Thom Tillis (NC). "Turkey's blatant disregard for the rights … Continue Reading
April 07, 2019
Van Hollen Statement on Speaker Michael Busch
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the passing of Maryland Speaker of the House, Michael Busch: "Maryland has lost one of her greatest champions today. And I have lost a dear friend and former colleague. Mike Busch was a titan of unstinting character who served the state he grew up in and did his job for Marylanders with passion, integrity, determination, and exuberance. "As the longest serving Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, … Continue Reading
April 05, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin Applaud $90 Million Dollar Investment in Baltimore Penn Station
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) released the following statement applauding the announcement of Amtrak's Master Development Agreement with Penn Station Partners to provide $90 million in funding to modernize and improve Baltimore Penn Station: "Commuters throughout Maryland rely on Baltimore Penn Station every day. This funding will make necessary updates to improve the lives of those who live and work in our community. We're glad to see this significant investment in … Continue Reading
April 05, 2019
Van Hollen Releases New State Department Data on Travel Ban
Data Shows Staggering Rate of Denial - Adding Questions to Legality of Ban Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen released new statistics from the U.S. Department of State in response to his October 12, 2018 letter pressing for more information regarding the travel ban and waiver process. Senator Van Hollen has consistently raised concerns about the executive order and pushed for more data on the program, making some of the first statistics publicly available in March of last year. … Continue Reading
April 03, 2019
Van Hollen, Bipartisan Group of Senators Urge Implementation of Farm Bill Dairy Improvements
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has joined a group of his Senate colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, urging him to prioritize the implementation of the dairy provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill. As dairy farmers across the country continue to struggle from market instability, the 2018 Farm Bill dramatically expands support for dairy producers, providing flexible, affordable coverage options through the Dairy Margin Coverage program. Early … Continue Reading
April 03, 2019
Van Hollen Secures EPA’s Commitment to the Chesapeake Bay, Raises Concerns on Trump Budget Cuts to Bay Program
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen questioned Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler about the Chesapeake Bay Program during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior hearing. After the Senator secured the Administrator's ongoing commitment to the Bay, he raised the fact that the Trump Budget contains significant cuts to the Bay - which Senator Van Hollen is committed to blocking. Through his role on the Appropriations Committee, the Senator has … Continue Reading
