Press Releases
Van Hollen, Cardin, Harris Announce Nearly $1.9 Million in Federal Funding to Prevent Youth Substance Use
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (all Md.) today announced nearly $1.9 million in new federal funding to help strengthen local and community partnerships to prevent youth substance use. At least $1.3 million of this funding will be directed to Eastern Shore communities.“Community-wide coalitions are a key pillar of any successful strategy to prevent youth drug use. These federal funds will help community coalitions as they work together … Continue Reading
December 09, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces Nearly $9 Million to Boost Statewide Early Childhood Education
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone (all Md.) today announced $8.94 million in new federal funding to help strengthen and expand early childhood education in Maryland.“Expanding access to early childhood education is one of the best investments we can make in Maryland’s future,” the lawmakers said. “These high-impact programs make a … Continue Reading
December 09, 2020
Van Hollen, Norton, Hoyer, Carper, and Bowser Release Statements Calling for Full Funding for D.C. in Next Coronavirus Bill
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Senator Tom Carper (D-DE), and District Mayor Muriel Bowser released statements today advocating for full and fair funding for the District in the next coronavirus bill. The CARES Act, passed in March, deprived the District of $755 million in fiscal relief that would have gone toward helping D.C. residents and businesses recover from the dual economic and health crises … Continue Reading
December 09, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce More Than $1.2 Million for Water Infrastructure in Crisfield
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced an award of $1,241,526 to Crisfield, Maryland to install critical water infrastructure that will help mitigate flooding.“Crisfield and our other coastal communities on the Eastern Shore rely on effective stormwater management systems to protect their homes and businesses from flooding and other natural disasters. This award will update infrastructure essential to that effort - helping to keep families safe and ensure … Continue Reading
December 09, 2020
Van Hollen, Maryland Delegation Members Urge Congressional Leaders to Include Robust Funding for Transit in Next COVID Relief Bill
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen led members of the Maryland delegation, including Senator Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone (all D-Md.) in sending a letter urging congressional leaders to provide critical funding for transit agencies as a part of any upcoming COVID-19 relief proposal. In light of recent news of the dire financial situation WMATA, MTA, and other transit agencies across … Continue Reading
December 09, 2020
Maryland Delegation Members Announce an Additional $2.6 Million to Support Mercy Health Services’ COVID-19 Response
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) announced an additional $2,655,327 in emergency federal funding to help Mercy Health Services continue to care for COVID-19 patients and effectively fight the virus. “As COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rise at an alarming rate in Maryland and across the country, the healthcare professionals … Continue Reading
December 08, 2020
Van Hollen Congratulates New Baltimore Mayor, Brandon Scott
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement congratulating Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott:“Congratulations to Brandon Scott on his swearing in to serve as the Mayor of Baltimore City. Brandon brings an inspiring new vision of hope and unity to our great city at a difficult time, and I know as Mayor he will fight for the best interests of its residents. As a son of Baltimore, Brandon understands the need to truly invest in the City’s potential and ensure … Continue Reading
December 08, 2020
Van Hollen Urges Army Secretary to Recognize Maryland Veteran with POW Medal
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has sent a letter to U.S. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy urging him to award the Prisoner of War (POW) Medal to Marylander Ronald Dolecki for his military service in Ethiopia in 1965. Mr. Dolecki has been denied the POW Medal recognizing his service for over a decade on the grounds that his captivity did not fit an unduly restrictive definition of “prisoner of war.” While on a mission in Ethiopia, Mr. Dolecki was captured by armed, uniformed members of the … Continue Reading
December 08, 2020
Van Hollen, Bennet, Colleagues Call on EEOC to Clarify Authority to Investigate Bias in AI-Driven Hiring Technologies
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), along with eight of their Senate colleagues, requested clarification from Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Chair Janet Dhillon regarding the Commission’s authority to investigate bias in Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven hiring technologies. As businesses prepare to re-open according to guidelines for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, some companies will turn to hiring technology to manage and … Continue Reading
December 08, 2020
Van Hollen, Klobuchar, Colleagues Encourage National Institute of Mental Health to Prioritize Study of Mental Health of Children and Young Adults During Pandemic
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and 13 of their Senate colleagues urged the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to prioritize efforts to study and understand the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of children and young adults. Recent reports have highlighted a substantial increase in anxiety and depression among children and young adults since the beginning of the pandemic—with one study finding that nearly one-third of high school students … Continue Reading
December 07, 2020
Van Hollen Statement on Passing of U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on the passing of U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.): “Today we mourn the loss of the son of Greek immigrants who rose from humble roots on Maryland’s Eastern Shore to make an important and lasting impact on our entire country and help millions of his fellow Americans - Paul Sarbanes. Both during his time serving in the House of Delegates and as our state’s second-longest serving United States Senator, Paul Sarbanes … Continue Reading
December 04, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces More Than $8 Million to Support Community Health Centers
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone (all Md.) today announced nearly $8.2 million in federal funding to bolster Community Health Centers (CHC) across Maryland. “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, community health centers in Maryland and across the country have played a vital role in providing quality and affordable care to American … Continue Reading
December 04, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Hoyer, Brown Announce Provision in NDAA Conference Report for the Family of Lt. Richard W. Collins, III
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer and Anthony G. Brown (all D-Md.) announced that they secured provisions in the NDAA Conference Report to provide the family of Lt. Richard W. Collins, III with the benefits they are due following his death. Lt. Collins was a Bowie State University ROTC Graduate when he was murdered in May 2017. Both the House and Senate are expected to pass the NDAA Conference Report in the coming days.Since his death, the Maryland … Continue Reading
December 04, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin Urge Congress to Invest $6 Billion To Meet Growing Nutrition Needs
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) called on Congress to invest $6 billion in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in next year’s spending bill. Nationwide, 1 in 5 parents do not have enough to feed their children. Millions of Americans, especially women, continue to be affected by widespread business closures and subsequent job loss and more low-income households are relying on social safety nets to feed themselves … Continue Reading
December 03, 2020
Van Hollen Statement on Inclusion of Turkey Sanctions in NDAA
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on the inclusion of mandatory sanctions against Turkey within the NDAA in response to Turkey’s recent use of the S-400 Russian-made missile defense system, which undermines our national security and the security of our NATO allies.“It’s about time. I’m glad to see Congress do what the Administration would not - and show President Erdogan that we will not back down when it comes to protecting our security and that of … Continue Reading
December 03, 2020
Van Hollen Joins Cardin, Portman in Lauding Senate Passage of Legislation to Construct National Memorial to Fallen Journalists
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) in lauding the Senate’s passage of legislation to authorize the development and construction of a national monument to fallen journalists. The privately-funded memorial would be constructed on federal lands within the District of Columbia and would honor journalists, photographers, and broadcasters killed in the line of duty. Senator Chris Van Hollen is an original cosponsor of the Senate … Continue Reading
December 03, 2020
Baltimore Congressional Delegation Applauds $150,000 for Light Rail Technology Enhancement
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) applauded the award of $150,000 for the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) to improve the state’s light rail system with Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology. The federal funding will allow MDOT MTA to monitor light rail infrastructure in real-time by using LiDAR to identify potential rail defects and … Continue Reading
December 03, 2020
Van Hollen Slams Republican Refusal to Make Payroll Tax Deferral Optional
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement after Republicans blocked his attempt to pass his bipartisan, bicameral legislation to let employees - including members of the military and federal workers - choose whether or not to participate in President Trump’s payroll tax deferral. Senator Van Hollen’s legislation, the Preventing Employees from Surprise Taxes Act, was introduced in October and would make the payroll tax deferral outlined by President Trump … Continue Reading
December 03, 2020
Maryland Delegation Members Announce More Than $1.4 Million to Support Baltimore County’s COVID-19 Emergency Response
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) today announced $1,407,882 in federal funding to support Baltimore County’s COVID-19 emergency response efforts at schools. The funding, authorized under Section 403 of the Stafford Act, comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It will help disinfect buses and facilities at 175 schools countywide.“Our delegation remains committed to supporting state and … Continue Reading
December 02, 2020
Van Hollen, Merkley, Clay Propose Constitutional Amendment to Close Slavery Loophole in 13th Amendment
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Representative William Lacy Clay (D-MO-1) introduced the Abolition Amendment, which would strike the ‘Punishment Clause’ of the 13th Amendment in order to finally abolish slavery in the United States.The 13th Amendment abolished most—but not all—slavery, permitting slavery or involuntary servitude “as a punishment for crime.” The Abolition Amendment would finally finish the job started by the Civil War, Emancipation … Continue Reading
