Press Releases
Van Hollen, Bennet, Senate Democrats Call on VA to Develop COVID-19 Testing Strategy at Facilities Nationwide
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and 16 Senate colleagues in calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ramp up Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing at VA facilities nationwide and establish a framework for a large-scale strategy for national testing.“In support of a nationwide testing strategy, VA can be a great asset in achieving the kind of testing scale-up necessary to safely open the economy successfully and stave off or address a second … Continue Reading
May 05, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Urges Attorney General Barr to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in Federal Correctional Facilities
The Maryland congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin, and David Trone, wrote to Attorney General Barr urging him to take action to stop the spread of COVID-19 in federal correctional facilities in order to protect incarcerated individuals, federal employees, and the surrounding communities. “We urge you to direct the Bureau of … Continue Reading
May 05, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces More Than $46 Million in Additional Funding for Maryland Colleges, Including $44 Million for Historically Black Colleges and Universities
The Maryland congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone, today announced $46,702,104 for Maryland’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), and colleges serving large populations of low-income students through the U.S. Department of Education Higher Education and … Continue Reading
May 05, 2020
Van Hollen, Collins Lead Bipartisan Call for Hazard Pay, Increased Safety Measures for Federal Employees and Contractors
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) led 17 of their colleagues in a bipartisan letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Acting Director Russell T. Vought and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Acting Director Michael J. Rigas, urging them to take immediate steps to support federal employees and contractors during the COVID-19 crisis. The Senators’ letter emphasizes several actions that the Administration should take now to support these crucial … Continue Reading
May 05, 2020
Van Hollen, Hassan, Colleagues Call for Greater Support for Students With Disabilities
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and 23 of their colleagues in calling for greater support for students who experience disabilities in upcoming COVID-19 response legislation. The funding would give school districts more resources to continue to provide students who experience disabilities with a free and appropriate public education as required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).“As we grapple with the impacts of … Continue Reading
May 05, 2020
Van Hollen, Coons Legislation to Dramatically Expand National Service Amid COVID-19 Garners Support as Senate Returns
Support is building for an effort by U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) and a working group of senators to significantly expand national service programs as the country works to respond and recover from COVID-19. Today, the Pandemic Response and Opportunity Through National Service Act was introduced in the Senate with seven additional cosponsors: Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Debbie Stabenow … Continue Reading
May 04, 2020
Van Hollen, Brown, Colleagues Urge the CFPB to Halt Work on the Payday Rule and Restart the Rulemaking Process
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), both members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, today joined 10 of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Kathy Kraninger urging her to immediately halt work on the Payday Rule. The Senators cited press reports that extensively detail improper interference and manipulation of the rulemaking process for the Payday Rule by political … Continue Reading
May 04, 2020
Senators Van Hollen, Murray, Shaheen, Colleagues Call to Overturn Ideological Trump Administration Policies that Undermine Global Health and COVID-19 Response
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and 18 of their Democratic Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging the Department of State and the Trump Administration to take immediate action to exempt emergency global health funding appropriated by Congress for the COVID-19 response from the dangerous and inefficient global gag rule and to provide a humanitarian exemption to allow the United Nations … Continue Reading
May 04, 2020
Van Hollen, Harris, Durbin Press for Emergency Funding to Combat Hate Crimes During COVID-19 Pandemic
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) on Monday in calling on Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL), and Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) to ensure that communities have the resources necessary to combat hate-motivated violence following a documented increase in hateful incidents and messages targeting Asian-American and … Continue Reading
May 04, 2020
Van Hollen, Markey, Tillis, Senators Call for $26 Billion in Next Coronavirus Relief Package to Support Research Workforce
Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) were joined by 30 of their Senate colleagues today in advocating for protections for the U.S. scientific research community during the coronavirus pandemic. Although coronavirus-related research is a current federal government priority, most other research has slowed or stopped due to closures of campuses and laboratories. The people who comprise the research workforce - graduate students, postdocs, … Continue Reading
May 01, 2020
Van Hollen Urges Trump Administration to Clarify Timeline, Expedite Process for PPP Loan Forgiveness
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) urged U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin and Small Business Administrator Jovita Carranza to issue guidance clarifying the timeline and expedite the process for Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness. In a letter sent today, the Senator conveyed the concerns of Maryland small businesses and non-profits, who have expressed the need for further clarification on PPP forgiveness requirements in order to apply for loans, make informed business … Continue Reading
May 01, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce More Than $750,000 for Food and Agricultural Science Scholarships at University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced that University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) in Princess Anne, Maryland will receive $752,632 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). This funding will provide scholarships to encourage UMES students to pursue baccalaureate degrees in the food and agriculture sciences, providing financial aid, robust supports, and mentoring.“Maryland’s agriculture sector … Continue Reading
May 01, 2020
Van Hollen, Sullivan Recognize U.S. Foreign Service Day
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), co-founders of the Senate Foreign Service Caucus, are introducing a resolution designating May 1, 2020 as “United States Foreign Service Day” in recognition of the men and women who have served, or are presently serving, in the Foreign Service of the United States and honoring the members of the Foreign Service who have given their lives in the line of duty. Foreign Service Day has been celebrated on the first Friday in May … Continue Reading
May 01, 2020
Van Hollen, Brown, Colleagues: Trump Decision to Reopen Meat Processing Facilities Without Clear Safety Standards Puts Workers, Nation’s Food Supply at Risk
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), along with a number of their colleagues, in urging President Trump to take immediate action to amend his Executive Order and mandate that meat processing facilities closed down by State or local health authorities or of their own accord are permitted to reopen only after they have met all of the health and safety guidelines issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Centers for Disease … Continue Reading
May 01, 2020
Van Hollen, Brown, Colleagues Call for Tax Credit Expansion to Help Working Families During Coronavirus Economic Downturn
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) and a group of 38 senators in a letter to Senate Leaders calling for a temporary expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC) in the next coronavirus relief package. As the economic effects of COVID-19 are expected to last into next year, this would put money back in the pockets of working Americans as they continue to … Continue Reading
May 01, 2020
Congressional Delegation Announces Approval of New Federal Funding for Maryland’s Mental Health Services in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
The full Maryland congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone, announced the approval of new federal resources for the state of Maryland through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP). This is one of the forms of federal assistance that Maryland is … Continue Reading
April 30, 2020
Van Hollen Joins Tele-Conference with Members of Eastern Shore Agriculture Community
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) spoke to members of the Eastern Shore agriculture community to discuss issues surrounding the coronavirus, including CDC testing, economic concerns, and future relief packages. The call, organized by the Worcester County Economic Development Office, included participants from the Delmarva Poultry Industry, MidAtlantic Farm Credit, University of Maryland, Maryland Farm Bureau, and Small Business Development Center. “The coronavirus has created … Continue Reading
April 30, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Discusses Status of COVID-19 Testing with State Health and Emergency Management Leaders
Members of the Maryland congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone, today discussed with Maryland Secretary of Health Robert Neall, Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services Fran Phillips and Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Director Russell Strickland the status of Maryland’s ability to test for … Continue Reading
April 30, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Harris Oppose Proposed Closure of Coast Guard Station-Oxford on Maryland’s Eastern Shore
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Andy Harris are urging the Coast Guard not to shutter the U.S. Coast Guard Station Oxford, which is the only Coast Guard Station on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The lawmakers have written to Coast Guard Rear Admiral Matthew Sibley to oppose the closure as part of a public comment period. Following earlier pressure, the USCG announced that the public comment period on potential action, which was originally to close on April 14, was … Continue Reading
April 30, 2020
Van Hollen, Senators Seek $8 Billion for Efficient, Coordinated Contact Tracing System
As scientists worldwide race for a cure for novel coronavirus (COVID-19), local efforts, including robust contact tracing, are key to stopping the spread of the virus and safely reopening the economy. U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and a group of 12 other leading U.S. Senators in calling for Congress to include $8 billion in new funding for contact tracing initiatives in CARES Act 2 to help states and localities recruit, hire, and train contact tracers … Continue Reading
