Press Releases
Van Hollen, Merkley, Young, Durbin Lead Senate Resolution Condemning Coup in Burma, Laying Out Coordinated International Response to Rohingya Genocide
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Todd Young (R-IN), Richard Durbin (D-IL), and a group of 12 colleagues in introducing a bipartisan resolution to condemn the military coup in Burma and subsequent violence against citizens calling for democracy, as well as the systematic campaign of persecution and atrocities against the Rohingya and other ethnic minorities. The resolution calls for a genocide determination from the Department of State and lays out a … Continue Reading
March 11, 2021
Van Hollen, Whitehouse, Doggett, Durbin Introduce No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Act
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), joined by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Jack Reed (D-RI) and over 100 House members, introduced the No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Act. The bill would level the playing field for American workers and small businesses by making sure multinational corporations pay the same tax rate on profits earned abroad as … Continue Reading
March 11, 2021
Van Hollen, Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce the Keeping Women and Girls Safe from the Start Act of 2021
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced the Keeping Women and Girls Safe from the Start Act of 2021. Introduced on the heels of International Women’s Day, the bipartisan legislation seeks to strengthen current United States’ and international actors’ efforts to address gender-based violence perpetrated during humanitarian … Continue Reading
March 11, 2021
Van Hollen joins Rosen and Portman in Introducing Bipartisan Legislation to Honor Harriet Tubman with Commemorative Coins
Yesterday, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Rob Portman (R-OH) in introducing the Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act, bipartisan legislation honoring the life and legacy of Harriet Tubman with the creation of a series of commemorative coins bearing her image. The bill’s introduction coincided with Harriet Tubman Day, recognized each year on March 10th. BACKGROUND: The Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act (S.697) would … Continue Reading
March 10, 2021
Van Hollen Statement for the Record on the Confirmation of Michael Regan to Serve as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) submitted the following statement for the congressional record on his vote to confirm Michael Regan to serve as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency:“Now is the time to take substantive action to combat climate change, address environmental justice, and help clean up the Chesapeake Bay. To help address these critical issues, President Biden has nominated Michael Regan to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.“Michael Regan … Continue Reading
March 10, 2021
Van Hollen Statement for the Record on the Confirmation of Merrick Garland to Serve as Attorney General
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) submitted the following statement for the congressional record on his vote to confirm Merrick Garland to serve as Attorney General: “I rise today to voice my support for the President’s nominee for Attorney General, Judge Merrick Garland, who’s not only a fellow Marylander, but somebody I have known personally for many years. And I know that President Biden has picked a nominee with impeccable credentials and unimpeachable character. His experience … Continue Reading
March 10, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin, Klobuchar Reintroduce Legislation To Bring Harriet Tubman Statue To U.S. Capitol
In recognition of Harriet Tubman Day, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) are announcing the reintroduction of their legislation to honor Harriet Tubman with a statue in the United States Capitol.“Harriet Tubman is an American hero and Maryland is proud to call her a daughter of our great state. Every American should know her name - and her conviction and courage in fighting the evil of slavery. During the Civil War, she served as a Union … Continue Reading
March 10, 2021
Van Hollen, Murray Re-Introduce Public Health Infrastructure Save Lives Act As New Report Looks At Gaps In Preparedness
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and 18 of their Democratic Senate colleagues in reintroducing the Public Health Infrastructure Saves Lives Act (PHISLA). The legislation would establish a new core public health infrastructure program which ramps up to $4.5 billion in annual funding to bolster the nation’s efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, and strengthen its ability … Continue Reading
March 10, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin Secure Maryland Funding in Senate-Passed American Rescue Plan
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced estimated top-line funding Maryland will receive following the Senate’s passage of the American Rescue Plan. This package will bring significant resources directly to Maryland to help workers, families, small businesses, and the State and local governments combat COVID-19 and recover from the health and economic impacts of the virus. “From direct payments to Marylanders working to make ends meet, to an expansion of … Continue Reading
March 09, 2021
Van Hollen Discusses Merits of Financial Transaction Tax at Banking Committee Hearing
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, questioned witnesses on the merits of implementing a financial transaction tax during a Committee hearing titled, “Who Wins on Wall Street? GameStop, Robinhood, and the State of Retail Investing.” As the Senator notes in his remarks, Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and he are preparing to reintroduce legislation implementing this fee. A full … Continue Reading
March 09, 2021
Van Hollen, Blumenthal Introduce Legislation to Support Young Scientists By Preventing the Loss of Research Talent During & Beyond the Pandemic
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and a group of their Senate colleagues in introducing legislation to support early-career researchers whose employment opportunities have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Supporting Early-Career Researchers Act would create a new postdoctoral fellowship program at the National Science Foundation (NSF), prioritizing researchers from underrepresented groups and Minority-Serving Institutions … Continue Reading
March 09, 2021
Van Hollen, Rounds, Lynch Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Provide Financial Security for Federal Infrastructure Projects
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Congressmen Stephen F. Lynch (D-Mass.) and Troy Balderson (R-Ohio) reintroduced the Promoting Infrastructure by Protecting Our Subcontractors and Taxpayers Act of 2021. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would direct the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to ensure public-private partnership (P3) projects using Transportation Infrastructure Finance Innovation Act (TIFIA) financing have appropriate payment and … Continue Reading
March 09, 2021
Van Hollen, Warren, Castro, Booker, and Colleagues Reintroduce Bicameral Legislation to Require COVID-19 Data Collection in Immigration Detention Facilities
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) reintroduced the bicameral COVID-19 in Immigration Detention Data Transparency Act, which would require immigration-detention facilities to collect and publicly report data about COVID-19 cases, vaccine distribution, and the preventative measures in place in these facilities.COVID-19 presents serious risks to individuals in group settings, including in immigration … Continue Reading
March 09, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on Interior Action to Rescind Dangerous Trump-era Migratory Bird Policy Legal Opinion
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement applauding the Biden Administration’s decision to rescind the Trump Administration’s Department of Interior (DOI) legal opinion weakening the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). The legal opinion undermined a longstanding interpretation of the MBTA that holds companies responsible for oil spills that kill migratory birds and had been previously vacated by the courts. The Biden Administration DOI also announced they … Continue Reading
March 09, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Announce $50,000 to Support Safe Housing for Women Recovering from Substance Use Disorder
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $50,000 in federal funding for Archway Station, Inc.’s Allegany Oxford House, which will serve as a safe housing option for women recovering from substance use disorder and their children. The funding will be used to renovate the Allegany Oxford House in Cumberland into apartment-style residences for those receiving treatment.“Safe, stable housing is a critical component of recovery from … Continue Reading
March 08, 2021
Van Hollen, Hassan, Murphy Secure Dedicated Funding to Support Students with Disabilities in COVID-19 Relief Package
Following a push from U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Chris Murphy (D-CT), the American Rescue Plan that the Senate passed Saturday includes specific funding to support students who experience disabilities.As part of the tens of billions of dollars for K-12 education, the package includes more than $2.5 billion in state grants to support K-12 students with disabilities, $200 million to support preschoolers with disabilities, and $250 million for infants and … Continue Reading
March 08, 2021
Van Hollen, Hassan Call for Improved Vaccine Access for Individuals with Disabilities
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), along with a number of their colleagues,have written to the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights urging them to ensure that the COVID-19 vaccine distribution process is accessible for individuals with disabilities.“In order to make sure that everyone in the United States is able to access these vaccines, we must attend to sectors of the population that have … Continue Reading
March 06, 2021
Van Hollen, Colleagues Applaud Senate Passage of More Than $7 Billion in Funding to Help Close the Digital Divide in Coronavirus Relief Package
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06) applauded inclusion of their legislation, the Emergency Educational Connections Act, and more than $7 billion in funding for the E-Rate (Education-Rate) program in the coronavirus rescue package that passed the Senate today. The lawmakers’ legislation funds elementary and secondary schools and libraries, including … Continue Reading
March 06, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on Senate Passage of the American Rescue Plan
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the Senate passage of the American Rescue Plan: “The American Rescue Plan provides an urgent lifeline to Marylanders facing the hardships brought on by COVID-19. This bold package will help us beat this virus by investing in crucial resources to deploy vaccines more quickly and equitably, support those hit hardest by the downturn in our economy, get kids back to school safely, and put us squarely on the … Continue Reading
March 05, 2021
Van Hollen, Colleagues Press CFPB to Prevent Tenant Screening Technologies from Hurting Renters of Color
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) have sent a letter requesting information from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) about its oversight authority and regulatory history with regard to tenant screening technology companies, which approximately 90% of landlords use for reviewing income and employment history, eviction history, and criminal … Continue Reading