Press Releases
Van Hollen Secures Three Maryland Priorities in Farm Bill
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen announced that he has secured three pieces of legislation within the Senate-proposed Farm Bill. The proposed Senate Farm Bill would adopt Senator Van Hollen's plan to significantly increase the funding available under the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), the successor to Senator Van Hollen’s 2008 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative, and makes important changes proposed by Senator Van Hollen to help the program work better for Bay … Continue Reading
June 08, 2018
Van Hollen, Cardin, 38 Senators to Trump: Uphold Our American and Humanitarian Values and End Your Cruel Policy of Separating Children from Parents at the Border
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) joined 38 of their Democratic Senate colleagues in demanding the Trump administration stop further traumatizing children and end Trump’s inhumane policy of separating innocent boys and girls from families who cross the Southwest border seeking asylum in the United States. Citing the American Academy of Pediatrics, the senators stressed the short- and long-term damage to these children from being unnecessarily separated from their … Continue Reading
June 07, 2018
Van Hollen Announces Bipartisan ZTE Amendment on Defense Bill
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) announced a bipartisan amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would ensure that if the Trump Administration moves forward with their misguided attempted to let ZTE off the hook, the NDAA would stop them in their tracks. Senators Chuck Schumer, (D-N.Y.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) also cosponsored the amendment. The … Continue Reading
June 07, 2018
Following Van Hollen Inquiries, FCC Announces Funding Increase for Rural Health Program
This week, following multiple inquiries by Senator Van Hollen, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced that it will be taking action to significantly increase funding for its Rural Health Care Program. Senator Van Hollen recently pressed FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to do more to support rural health during a Senate hearing and had also sent a letter to the Chairman on this issue. This program helps ensure access to health care for rural communities across the country through … Continue Reading
June 07, 2018
Van Hollen, Duckworth Introduce Bill to Modernize Nation’s Aging Water Infrastructure
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today introduced legislation to bring our water infrastructure into the 21st century by investing in critical research to make our water infrastructure systems safer, more reliable and more efficient. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Plumbing Research Act would re-establish a laboratory within the National Institute of Standards and Technology to promote innovative technologies that improve public safety, … Continue Reading
June 07, 2018
Van Hollen Secures Provisions on Community Concerns Aimed at NextGen Flight Path Noise Issues in Transportation Funding Bill
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen announced the inclusion of a provision in the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations bill directing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to consider community concerns surrounding the development of flight paths. Senator Van Hollen has worked since 2015 to resolve the NextGen flight path noise issues at both Baltimore-Washington International and Ronald Reagan National Airports. “The FAA … Continue Reading
June 07, 2018
Van Hollen Secures Provisions to Help Flooding in Ellicott City, Western Maryland in Transportation Funding Bill
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen announced the inclusion of several provisions to help communities devastated by flooding, including Ellicott City and those in Western Maryland, in the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations bill. As Senator Van Hollen noted during the Committee markup, he is actively working to secure a Federal disaster declaration for Ellicott City that will give the City access to additional mitigation … Continue Reading
June 06, 2018
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce over $180,000 for Affordable Housing in Salisbury
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) have announced $186,667 for the Salisbury Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. through NeighborWorks America. This funding will support efforts to develop and preserve affordable housing, revitalize and sustain neighborhoods, and create jobs in Maryland. This is one of four grants being announced for Maryland, totaling over $1 million dollars in NeighborWorks funding. Senators Cardin and Van Hollen fought and secured significant funding … Continue Reading
June 06, 2018
Van Hollen, Napolitano, Katko Announce the Bus Operator and Pedestrian Protection Act
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), U.S. Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA-32), and U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY-24) announced their Bus Operator and Pedestrian Protection Act which has the support of bus drivers and union leaders from across the country. “Ensuring a safe work environment for transit operators is crucial to improving our transportation system for both passengers and employees,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen. “This legislation makes a long overdue push to improve … Continue Reading
June 05, 2018
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $370,000 for Affordable Housing in Baltimore
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) have announced $227,500 for the Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore, Inc. and $142,500 for the St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center through NeighborWorks America. This funding will support efforts to develop and preserve affordable housing, revitalize and sustain neighborhoods, and create jobs in Maryland. These are two of four grants being announced for Maryland, totaling over $1 million dollars in NeighborWorks funding. Senators … Continue Reading
June 04, 2018
Cardin, Van Hollen Announce over $250,000 for Educator Training at UMD College Park
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) have announced $261,442 in funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to fund summer workshops at the University of Maryland (UMD) College Park for early career geoscience educators from across the United States.“Providing training to educators is crucial to the success of both teachers and students,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committees. “I’m glad to see this recognition of UMD’s … Continue Reading
June 04, 2018
Van Hollen Discusses Trade, ZTE with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer
This afternoon, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined CNN’s Wolf Blitzer to discuss trade and the Chinese Telecommunications company ZTE. Senator Van Hollen continues to press the Administration on this national security issue in the aftermath of trade talks with China falling apart. The Senator’s amendment to prohibit the President from modifying penalties on sanctioned Chinese telecommunication companies like ZTE - which passed in the Banking Committee with broad bipartisan … Continue Reading
June 01, 2018
Van Hollen Hosts Consumer Protection Forums on the Eastern Shore
Yesterday, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen spent the day on the Eastern Shore speaking to Marylanders about what consumers can do to better protect themselves from con artists, fraudulent schemes, cyber-hacking, and identity theft. Senator Van Hollen teamed up with Attorney General Brian Frosh to host Town Hall Meetings on Consumer Protection in Salisbury and Easton, as a part of the series of forums they are holding throughout the state to inform consumers about their rights. During the day, … Continue Reading
June 01, 2018
Van Hollen Tours J.M. Clayton Seafood Co., Discusses Visa Issues with Local Crab House Owners
Yesterday, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen visited J.M. Clayton Seafood Co. in Cambridge, Maryland where he met with a group of local crab house owners to discuss the impact of their ongoing labor shortage. Earlier that day, he spoke directly with DHS Secretary Nielson and emphasized the financial harm facing small businesses in Maryland due to the lack of workers. Both Senators Van Hollen and Cardin have urged the Administration to release more H-2B visas this year to meet the needs of … Continue Reading
May 31, 2018
Van Hollen Focuses on Economic Growth in Cecil County
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) spent Wednesday in Cecil County discussing ways to promote good paying jobs and ensure good schools and a high-quality health care system. During the day, he met with the leaders and employees of some of the area’s biggest employers, including Orbital ATK, W.L. Gore & Associates, and an Amazon Fulfillment Center. He also met with leaders of the Upper Bay Counseling and Support Services in Elkton and spoke with many of their clients. … Continue Reading
May 30, 2018
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $550,000 Investment in Cumberland Infrastructure
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) have announced $550,000 in federal funding through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for roadway improvements to Baltimore Street in the City of Cumberland.“Revitalizing our communities is crucial to our success as a state. Projects like these create good-paying jobs and help stimulate economic growth in Western Maryland,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committees. “I will continue working … Continue Reading
May 29, 2018
Bipartisan Bill Helps Families Break Out of Poverty and Relocate to Greater Opportunity Areas
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) today announced they introduced legislation to incentivize greater choice and mobility in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Housing Choice Voucher Program. Evidence shows that Housing Choice Vouchers as currently implemented fail to meet their mobility goals. This legislation authorizes a demonstration to better enable families receiving housing vouchers to move to areas with greater opportunities. Families … Continue Reading
May 29, 2018
Ellicott City Flood Recovery Resources and Updates
This month, I witnessed the amazing fortitude and resilience of the people of Ellicott City as they begin the process of cleaning up and rebuilding after another devastating flood. I spoke with owners of small businesses along Main Street who had been just getting back on their feet after the 2016 flood. Neighbors were helping neighbors clean out the debris from flooded homes. The cleanup effort will be long and hard. Some cars are still stacked up against storefronts and large tree branches … Continue Reading
May 25, 2018
Van Hollen Statement on Reported ZTE Deal
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen released the following statement regarding the Trump Administration’s reported deal with ZTE. Earlier this week, the Senate Banking Committee’s passed the Senator’s amendment to prohibit the President from changing penalties on sanctioned Chinese telecommunication companies - including ZTE, and yesterday it was announced that this amendment is included in the National Defense Authorization Act. Senator Van Hollen also joined Andrea Mitchell to … Continue Reading
May 25, 2018
Van Hollen Fights ICE Effort to Deport New Carrollton Resident
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen is fighting to prevent the deportation of New Carrollton resident Prince Gbohoutou. The Senator has called senior leadership of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and sent an urgent letter to the Secretary of Department of Homeland (DHS) urging that the Department not remove Mr. Gbohoutou. “Prince Gbohoutou was a child when he legally entered the United States. After violence broke out in the Central African Republic, his family began the process … Continue Reading
