Press Releases
Van Hollen, Rubio Continue to Push for DETER Act in NDAA Negotiations
Today U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) wrote to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees to continue to push for their bipartisan DETER Act to be included in the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The letter follows a vote last month on the Senate floor on a motion to instruct NDAA conferees to include key elements of the DETER Act, which passed unanimously. "It is imperative that the United States … Continue Reading
November 14, 2019
Van Hollen and Cardin Announce over $11,000 for Hurlock to Purchase New Police Vehicle
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced $11,450 in federal funding for the Town of Hurlock to help purchase a new police vehicle. The funding, awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Community Facilities Direct Loans and Grants program, will be provided to the Hurlock Police Department to help cover the cost of replacing an outdated vehicle. "Providing our local law enforcement officers with the resources they need is … Continue Reading
November 14, 2019
Van Hollen, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Accelerate Development of Quieter Airplanes
U.S. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) along with Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Angus King (I-Maine), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) introduced legislation this week, the Cleaner, Quieter Airplanes Act (S. 2837) that would make it a priority of the U.S. Government, through the National Aeronautics & Space Administration's (NASA), to boost research into electric aircraft technology. Such authority would transform America's aviation industry to … Continue Reading
November 13, 2019
Baltimore Delegation Announces $250,000 for Prevention of Youth Substance Misuse in Baltimore
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Representatives Dutch Ruppersberger and John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) announced $250,000 for two Drug Free Community Coalitions in Baltimore, Md. to establish and strengthen community collaboration in support of local efforts to prevent youth substance misuse. The National African American Drug Policy Coalition, as part of the South East Baltimore Drug-Free Coalition and Morgan State University, as part of the Get SMART West Baltimore Drug … Continue Reading
November 13, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce Nearly $40,000 to Assist Low-Income Families in Kent County with Home Repairs
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced the recent award of nearly $40,000 in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Housing Preservation Grant Program funds to repair and rehabilitate the homes of low-income residents in Kent County. The recipient nonprofit corporation, Rebuilding Together Kent County MD, Inc., will offer low-income homeowners grants and/or low-interest loans to fund critical home improvement projects. This money will also ensure … Continue Reading
November 13, 2019
Van Hollen, Markey, Merkley, Kaine Seek Answers on Saudi Nuclear Cooperation from Secretary of Energy Nominee Brouillette
Lawmakers have repeatedly called for Congressional oversight of any 123 negotiations between the Trump administration and Saudi Arabia Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) along with Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and wrote to Dan Brouillette, President Trump's nominee for Secretary of Energy, to seek answers regarding his position on a potential civil nuclear cooperation or "123" agreement with Saudi Arabia ahead of his confirmation … Continue Reading
November 13, 2019
Van Hollen, Colleagues Request Update on VA and DoD Efforts to Protect Veterans and Servicemembers from Foreign Online Disinformation
Report Finds Veterans, Servicemembers, and Their Families Remain Targets of Malign Influence Operations by Russia, China, and Other Foreign Actors Letter to VA (PDF) | Letter to DoD (PDF) U.S Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) along with Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Bernie Sanders … Continue Reading
November 12, 2019
Van Hollen, Blackburn Lead Resolution Condemning Turkey’s Crackdown on Free Speech
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced a resolution condemning Turkey's crackdown on dissent related to its incursion into northeast Syria and broader freedom of speech violations. "I'm proud to join Senator Blackburn in introducing this resolution condemning President Erdogan's torrent of human rights abuses, including detentions of citizens protesting Turkey's invasion of northern Syria. We must be holding President Erdogan accountable for … Continue Reading
November 12, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, Hoyer Announce Almost $60,000 to Assist Low-Income Families in Anne Arundel with Home Repair
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Representative Steny Hoyer (all D-Md.) announced $59,784 in federal funding for Rebuilding Together Anne Arundel County (RTAAC) - a nonprofit organization that repairs homes for low-income residents in need. The funding, awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Housing Preservation Grants program, will be used by RTAAC to repair and rehabilitate the homes of low- and very-low-income residents in Anne Arundel County, … Continue Reading
November 12, 2019
In Honor of Veterans Day, Van Hollen Introduces Legislation to Extend Critical Financial Protections for Servicemembers to Veterans and Consumers
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Jack Reed (D-RI) introduced legislation to extend the protections of the Military Lending Act (MLA), which caps the interest rate on consumer loans at 36 percent, to cover veterans and other consumers. In 2006, Congress passed the MLA to rein in predatory payday lenders and other loan product providers who used abusive lending practices to target and lure American troops into vortexes of debt. … Continue Reading
November 08, 2019
Van Hollen, Booker Urge Administration to Stop Federal Use of Private Prisons
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General William Barr urging the Department of Justice to end the federal government's use of for-profit private prisons. It follows their efforts to push former-Attorney General Sessions on the same issue, which he refused to address. The Senator underline, "While the United States is home to less than 5 percent of the world's population, we incarcerate close to 25 percent of the world's … Continue Reading
November 07, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, and Brown Announce $125,000 for Prevention of Youth Substance Misuse in Prince George’s County
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Representative Anthony Brown (all D-Md.) announced $125,000 in federal funding for Access to Wholistic and Productive Learning Institute, Inc. in Prince George's County to establish and strengthen community collaboration in support of local efforts to prevent youth substance misuse. The funding was awarded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Drug Free Communities Program (DFC). This funding … Continue Reading
November 07, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, and Trone Announce Nearly $85,000 for Garrett County Low Income Housing Improvements
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) announced the recent award of nearly $85,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Housing Preservation Grant Program funds to repair and rehabilitate the homes of low-income residents in Garrett County. The nonprofit corporation Garrett County Community Action Committee, Inc. will offer low income homeowners grants and/or low interest loans to fund critical home improvement … Continue Reading
November 07, 2019
Van Hollen Statement on the Bipartisan Congressional Budget Reform Act
Following passage of the Bipartisan Congressional Budget Reform Act in the Senate Budget Committee, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen submitted the following statement for inclusion in the committee report accompanying the bill: I supported advancing the Bipartisan Congressional Budget Reform Act in the Senate Budget Committee to move the process forward on the impoundment control measures adopted by the committee on a bipartisan basis, but I have strong reservations about other aspects of this … Continue Reading
November 07, 2019
Van Hollen, Beyer Introduce New Millionaires Surtax to Invest in Working Families
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Congressman Don Beyer (D-Va.) introduced a new tax proposal to help close the gap between the wealthy and everyone else, and raise significant revenue to make new investments that will grow the economy and protect working families. Their "Millionaires Surtax" would apply an additional 10-percentage point tax to incomes above $2 million for married couples or above $1 million for individuals. It would apply equally to wages and salaries as well … Continue Reading
November 07, 2019
Van Hollen Amendment to Reinstate Congressional ‘Power of the Purse’ Passes Budget Committee in Bipartisan Vote
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has announced that yesterday the Senate Budget Committee passed his amendment to ensure that no president can refuse to carry out programs funded by the Congress. The amendment, applied to the Impoundment Control Act (ICA), would prevent any administration from permanently withholding funds for Congressionally-mandated programs, such as foreign aid to Ukraine. "The Constitution makes clear - the Congress holds the power of the purse. However, this … Continue Reading
November 06, 2019
Van Hollen, Graham Lead Bipartisan Letter on Turkey’s Violations of Ceasefire Agreement
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) wrote to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about reports of ongoing attacks against the Syrian Kurds by Turkey and its proxies outside of the designated safe zone. These attacks, if true, would violate the ceasefire agreements and should prompt immediate action from the Administration. The Senators write, "Given the stakes, time is of the … Continue Reading
November 05, 2019
Resolution Congratulating Nationals on World Series Unanimously Passes Senate
Md. & Va. Senators celebrate the Nationals' first-ever World Series championship Today the U.S. Senate unanimously approved a resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-MD) and Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) officially congratulating the Washington Nationals on winning the World Series for the first time in franchise history. "The Washington Nationals worked hard, played with heart and had fun while they were at it. What a great … Continue Reading
November 05, 2019
Van Hollen Joins Senate Colleagues in New Push to Renew Funding for Minority-Serving Institutions of Higher Education
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), joined a group of his Senate colleagues in a new push to pass funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions (MSIs). In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), the Senators called for the immediate passage of Senator Jones' bipartisan FUTURE Act legislation, which would reauthorize $255 million per year in mandatory federal funding - … Continue Reading
November 01, 2019
Van Hollen, Senate Colleagues Urge the Administration to Reverse Decision to Restrict U.S. Commercial Air Travel to Cuba
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined a group of Senators in urging U.S. Department of State Secretary Mike Pompeo and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to reverse the Administration's decision to prohibit U.S. commercial air travel from the United States to Cuban cities other than Havana. Van Hollen was joined on the letter by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Patrick Leahy (I-VT), Tom Udall (D-NM), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Sheldon Whitehouse … Continue Reading
