Press Releases
In Response to the People’s Republic of China’s Dominance in the Industry, Van Hollen Joins Warner, Rubio, Colleagues in Push to Support Critical Mineral Projects
In response to China’s continued dominance of the critical mineral supply chain, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) alongside a group of bipartisan colleagues in a call for action to secure supply chains and reduce U.S. reliance on the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for minerals that are inputs for critical technologies, including through increased government support to U.S. private sector companies investing and operating in … Continue Reading
November 16, 2023
Van Hollen Joins Hirono, Murkowski, Kaine in Reintroducing Resolution Calling on U.S. Senate to Ratify UN Convention on the Law of the Sea
Today, on the 29th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) entering into force, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) in introducing a resolution calling on the U.S. Senate to ratify UNCLOS. UNCLOS, which has been ratified by 168 nations and the European Union, details the rights and responsibilities of countries regarding the world’s oceans, including guidelines for … Continue Reading
November 15, 2023
Van Hollen Statement on Vote to Avert Shutdown
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on his vote to pass a continuing resolution to keep the government running through early 2024. “Keeping our government open and pursuing national objectives is one of our most basic responsibilities as lawmakers. And while I’m disappointed with yet another short-term continuing resolution, I’m glad to see House Republicans take a step back from the brink in holding our government hostage. This legislation … Continue Reading
November 15, 2023
Van Hollen Statement on President Biden’s Meeting with President Xi
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, & International Cybersecurity Policy, released the following statement in advance of President Biden’s meeting with President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China (PRC): “The rise of a more assertive and aggressive PRC presents strategic challenges that the United States must address. President Biden has taken the right approach on these issues - … Continue Reading
November 15, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin Praise Biden Nominee Nicole Berner for U.S. Court of Appeals for 4th Circuit Maryland Seat
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) today praised President Joe Biden’s nomination of Maryland attorney Nicole Berner to fill a vacant Maryland seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. “Throughout her career, Nicole Berner has provided outstanding legal representation to advance the rights of working families and historically underrepresented communities — demonstrating her commitment to delivering equal justice to all. Her diverse legal experience … Continue Reading
November 15, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce Over $2 Million to Strengthen Infrastructure Resiliency at the City of Havre de Grace
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced $2,505,500 for critical infrastructure improvements to the City of Havre de Grace in Harford County. The federal funding, provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) grant program, will support efforts to strengthen resiliency and reduce flood risk in the community while protecting endangered, threatened, and declining species in the Chesapeake Bay. These … Continue Reading
November 14, 2023
Van Hollen Announces Senate Passage of Appropriations Package with Over $40 Million for Maryland Infrastructure, Rural Development, Military Construction Projects
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced the Senate’s passage of $41,921,000 in direct federal investments for community-led projects throughout Maryland as part of a package of three fiscal year 2024 government funding bills. These funds, included at the Senator’s request, support a wide array of projects to improve public transit, trail networks, roads, affordable housing, and more; boost development in rural communities; and … Continue Reading
November 14, 2023
Van Hollen, Merkley, Huffman, Barragán, McClellan, Colleagues: New Liquified Fossil Gas Licenses Not in the Public’s Interest
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), along with Representatives Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Nanette Barragán (D-CA-44), and Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), in sending a bicameral letter alongside their colleagues to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) urging the agency to update how it determines if new licenses for liquified natural gas (LNG) exports to non-free, U.S. trade countries are in the public interest. The letter highlights concerns that DOE’s … Continue Reading
November 13, 2023
Van Hollen Joins Kaine, Connolly, Colleagues in Urging Protections for Merit-Based Federal Workforce System
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11) and their colleagues in sending a letter to Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Kiran Ahuja in support of a proposed rule that would protect the merit-based federal workforce system and safeguard federal employees from losing due process rights. OPM announced the proposed rule in September and is now accepting public comments on it. The public comment period closes … Continue Reading
November 13, 2023
Van Hollen, USFWS, and NFWF announce $7.4 Million in New Grants to Restore and Protect Habitats in Chesapeake Bay Watershed
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) was joined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), and Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) to announce 25 grants totaling $7.4 million to support wildlife habitat, climate resilience, community conservation partnerships, and equitable access to nature in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. This includes $1,392,200 for nine projects in Maryland. These grants, provided through the Chesapeake Watershed Investments in … Continue Reading
November 10, 2023
Van Hollen, Raskin Lead Resolution Recognizing Young Adults Who Have Chronic Health Conditions, Highlighting Challenges They Face
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressman Jamie Raskin (both D-Md.) are leading a resolution to raise awareness about the growing population of young adults in the United States who have chronic health conditions and the unique challenges they face. “While many understand that older Americans are susceptible to chronic conditions, it’s often overlooked that millions of young adults also struggle with these challenges - holding them back from reaching their full potential. This resolution … Continue Reading
November 10, 2023
Van Hollen Joins Welch, Colleagues Urge USDA and USAID to Provide Food Aid to Palestinians in Gaza
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Thomas Vilsack and U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator (USAID) Samantha Power to request the immediate release of crucial food aid administered by the agencies, including … Continue Reading
November 10, 2023
Van Hollen, Merkley, Colleagues Urge Inclusion of Full Humanitarian Assistance in Supplemental Funding Package
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) led 21 of their colleagues in sending a letter to Democratic and Republican Senate and Appropriations leadership urging the inclusion of the full $10 billion in humanitarian assistance requested by the President in the national security supplemental. “Beyond the moral significance of continuing our country’s tradition as the world’s leader in delivering … Continue Reading
November 08, 2023
Team Maryland Joint Statement on the Selection of Greenbelt for the FBI's New Headquarters
Members of Maryland’s federal, state, and local governments including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.), Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (Md.-05), Governor Wes Moore, Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger (Md.-02), John Sarbanes (Md.-03), Kweisi Mfume (Md.-07), Jamie Raskin (Md.-08), David Trone (Md.-06), and Glenn Ivey (Md.-04), and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks released the following statement regarding the General … Continue Reading
November 08, 2023
Van Hollen Joins Durbin, Jayapal, Schakowsky, Colleagues in Urging Biden Administration to Designate Palestinian Territories for Temporary Protected Status or Authorize Deferred Enforcement Departure for Palestinians in U.S.
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.-07) and Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.-09) and their colleagues in a letter to President Joe Biden calling on his Administration to designate the Palestinian territories for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and/or authorize Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Palestinians present in the United States. TPS and DED offer temporary relief from removal and work … Continue Reading
November 08, 2023
Ahead of Veterans Day, Van Hollen Joins Brown, Colleagues in Urging Credit Reporting Agencies to Better Protect Servicemembers’ Credit Reports
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) along with Senators Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and John Fetterman (D-Pa.) in sending letters urging TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax to ensure servicemembers receive free credit monitoring services, active-duty alerts, and free access to credit reports, to protect these crucial reports from financial scams, identity theft, and other errors. Credit reports have a substantial impact on many … Continue Reading
November 08, 2023
Van Hollen, Markey, Meng Statement on Expansion of E-Rate Program
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06) issued the following statement today after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed expanding the E-Rate program to allow schools and libraries to loan out Wi-Fi hotspots to students and educators: “The … Continue Reading
November 08, 2023
Van Hollen, Murphy, Schatz, and Reed Lead Majority of Democratic Caucus in Push for More Information around Strategy to Defeat Hamas, Protect Civilians in Gaza
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) led the majority of the Senate Democratic Caucus in a letter to President Biden condemning the brutal terror attacks by Hamas, expressing support for immediate funding to replenish Israel’s defensive systems, and seeking information on two clear U.S. priorities: supporting an Israeli strategy that will effectively degrade and defeat the threat from Hamas and taking all … Continue Reading
November 07, 2023
Maryland Delegation Announces $47 Million for Baltimore County Manufacturing
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume and Jamie Raskin (all D-Md.) announced $47,392,500 from the Port Infrastructure Development Program of the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration to further develop the Baltimore County Offshore Wind Manufacturing Hub at Tradepoint Atlantic. The federal dollars will be used to prepare the former site of the Bethlehem Steel shipyard and the future site of … Continue Reading
November 06, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin Join Colleagues in Bipartisan Vote to Confirm Judge Matthew Maddox for the U.S. District Court of Maryland
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) praised confirmation of U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew Maddox to serve as U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Maryland. The bipartisan vote Tuesday was 55-42. Earlier this month, the Senate confirmed Marylander Brendan Hurson to fill the other opening on the federal district court. “Judge Maddox has a proven commitment to upholding the highest standards of equal justice under the law. With his confirmation to the U.S. … Continue Reading