Press Releases
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
December 02, 2020
House Passes Van Hollen, Kennedy Bill to Protect Americans from Fraudulent Foreign Companies
Today, the House of Representatives passed U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and John Kennedy’s (R-La.) bill to protect American investors and their savings from foreign companies that operate on U.S. stock exchanges while refusing to submit to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) oversight. The Senate passed the bill unanimously in May.“Millions of American families rely on modest investments to retire, send their kids to college, and weather financial emergencies. But many have been … Continue Reading
December 02, 2020
Following Adoption of Van Hollen Amendment, Senate Committee Passes Bipartisan American Nuclear Infrastructure Act
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the Committee on Environment and Public Works’ passage of the American Nuclear Infrastructure Act and the adoption of the Senator’s amendment to the legislation:“Modernizing our nation’s nuclear energy infrastructure and export controls has important benefits at home and abroad. That’s why I’m glad that the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee today came together on a bipartisan basis to improve … Continue Reading
December 01, 2020
Van Hollen Presses Mnuchin, Powell on the Dire Need for More COVID-19 Relief
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) pressed Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on the dire need for more COVID-19 relief, during a hearing in front of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. A full transcript of the Senator’s exchange during the hearing is available below and video is available here.U.S. SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN (D-Md.): Thank you, Chairman Powell, Secretary Mnuchin for your testimony. And listening to both … Continue Reading
December 01, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces More Than $10 Million to Expand Mercy Medical Center’s COVID-19 Treatment Capability
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone today announced more than $10.4 million in emergency federal funding to help Mercy Health Services treat more COVID-19 patients.“We are forever indebted to the devoted healthcare workers who have risked and given their lives - including Mercy Medical Center’s Dr. Joseph Costa - in the fight … Continue Reading
November 25, 2020
Van Hollen, Baldwin, Pocan, Colleagues Call on President of Egypt to Immediately Release Wrongfully Detained Human Rights Advocates
Following the baseless detainment of human rights advocates by security forces in Egypt, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), along with a number of their colleagues, are calling on Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to unconditionally release the detained human rights advocates, immediately cease other arrests and end the smear campaign against civil rights organizations in Egypt. During the week of November 15, … Continue Reading
November 24, 2020
Maryland Delegation Members Announce More Than $140,000 for Housing Assistance for Low-Income Families in Maryland
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny Hoyer and Andy Harris (all Md.) today announced $143,158 in federal housing assistance for low-income residents in Maryland. Funding comes from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. It was authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.“Ensuring Marylanders have access to affordable housing is always essential. But as many continue to deal with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it … Continue Reading
November 24, 2020
Van Hollen, Booker, Senate Democrats Urge Congressional Leaders to Prioritize Funding for State and Local Governments to Distribute COVID-19 Vaccines
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), along with 16 of their Senate colleagues, have sent a letter urging Congressional leaders to provide robust funding for state and local governments to ensure the swift distribution of COVID-19 vaccines as a part of any upcoming legislation to address the pandemic. In light of recent news of the possibility of a COVID-19 vaccine becoming available for distribution in the next few months, this crucial funding would provide local and … Continue Reading
November 24, 2020
Baltimore Delegation Announces More Than $650,000 for Johns Hopkins University Research on COVID-19 Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Maryland
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) today announced $654,592 in federal funding for Johns Hopkins University (JHU) to research COVID-19 testing and health disparities among women suffering from substance use disorders.“The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a harsh light on the racial and ethnic disparities that plague our communities and institutions. These disparities are especially pervasive in our health … Continue Reading
November 20, 2020
Federal Delegation Members Call on Trump to Overturn Denial of Maryland Disaster Funding for Tropical Storm Isaias
The members of the Maryland congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone, today called upon President Donald Trump to overturn the Oct. 14 decision to deny federal disaster funding to Maryland for the impacts of Tropical Storm Isaias.“On August 3 and 4, 2020, Tropical Storm Isaias impacted Maryland with … Continue Reading
November 20, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Harris Applaud Over $1.4 Million for Coastal Infrastructure Improvements in Talbot County
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (all Md.) applauded $1,436,701 in federal funds to support coastal infrastructure projects in Talbot County. The County will provide $1,437,959 in matching funds, bringing the project total to $2,874,660. “With rising sea levels threatening Marylanders’ homes and livelihoods, we must strengthen our shoreline infrastructure to reduce the risk of damage from natural disasters. These funds will help us address … Continue Reading
November 20, 2020
Van Hollen, Manchin, Collins, Colleagues Introduce Resolution to Dedicate November as National Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month
This week, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Susan Collins (R-ME), a long with a number of their colleagues, introduced a bipartisan resolution to recognize November 2020 as National Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month.The Senators’ resolution is also cosponsored by Senators Cantwell (D-WA), Murkowski (R-AK), Hirono (D-HI), Hassan (D-NH), Feinstein (D-CA), Coons (D-DE), Blumenthal (D-CT), Peters (D-MI), Reed (D-RI), Wyden (D-OR), Smith (D-MN), Merkley … Continue Reading
November 20, 2020
Maryland Delegation Members Applaud $500,000 Award to the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Sciences for Sustainable Agriculture Research
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Andy Harris (all Md.) today applauded the announcement of a $500,000 award for the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Sciences (UMCES) to conduct research on sustainable agriculture in order to improve innovation in crop and livestock production.“Sustainable farming is the key to expanding food security, creating jobs and protecting our natural resources for our future,” said the lawmakers. “UMCES scientists and … Continue Reading
November 19, 2020
Van Hollen, Peters, Colleagues Call On GSA Administrator to End Unprecedented Delay & Provide Critical Transition Resources to President-Elect Biden
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, in calling on General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator Emily Murphy to end her unprecedented delay, immediately ascertain Vice President Joe Biden as President-elect and Senator Kamala Harris as Vice President-elect, and make available the transition resources that are provided by law. This delay creates unacceptable risks to national … Continue Reading
November 19, 2020
Van Hollen, Merkley, Blumenthal, Jayapal, Ocasio-Cortez Demand Trump Administration Halt Deportations of Victims of Medical Malpractice by ICE Doctor
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), along with U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-7) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14), demanded in a letter that the Trump administration halt any and all plans to deport the dozens of women who have come forward to report unnecessary and non-consensual medical procedures while detained at Irwin County Detention Center (ICDC) in Ocilla, Georgia.The lawmakers were joined by 27 Senators and … Continue Reading
November 19, 2020
Van Hollen, Senate Democrats Press Pompeo on Conflict in Ethiopia
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen led over fifteen of his Senate colleagues in a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, expressing their alarm at the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia and urging Pompeo to directly engage with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.“We write to express our alarm at the deteriorating political and humanitarian situation in Ethiopia. The conflict in Tigray poses serious risks to Ethiopia and the broader region. We urge you to engage directly with Prime … Continue Reading
November 18, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Block Trump’s Effort to Strip Civil Service Employees of Critical Protections
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-MD) joined Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and nearly 40 of their colleagues in introducing legislation that would block the implementation of an October 21 Executive Order by President Trump, which created a new classification for federal employees, Schedule F. This harmful executive order would make it easier for the Administration to fire non-partisan civil … Continue Reading
November 18, 2020
Baltimore Congressional Delegation Announces $100,000 for Morgan State-Led Initiative to Increase Minority Representation in Engineering
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) announced $100,000 in federal funding to help Morgan State University lead a national initiative to boost minority representation in the engineering sector and improve workforce equity. The project will create new opportunities for Black, Hispanic, and other underrepresented minority students to access Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs … Continue Reading
