Press Releases
Van Hollen, Cardin Laud Enactment of Key Measures for Chesapeake Bay, Including Historic $92 Million Authorization, New Grant Program
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.), members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, today praised the enactment into law of a bipartisan package of wildlife conservation legislation, the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act, that includes several measures to benefit the Chesapeake Bay watershed and Maryland’s fish and wildlife habitats. Foremost among the legislation was a provision authored by Senator Cardin and Senator Shelley Moore Capito … Continue Reading
October 30, 2020
Van Hollen, Colleagues Press Nation’s Utility Companies to Cease Shutoffs For the Duration of the COVID-19 Crisis
Today, U.S Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, joined Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), the Committee’s Ranking Member, and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) in sending letters to the nation’s largest utility companies, including Exelon Corporation, owner of the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, Comcast, AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, urging the companies to suspend all utility shutoffs for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. … Continue Reading
October 30, 2020
Van Hollen, Capito Chesapeake WILD Act Signed Into Law
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) applauded the enactment of the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act, a bipartisan package that includes the Chesapeake WILD Act, legislation introduced by the Senators to boost Chesapeake Bay conservation efforts by creating a new grant program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to support habitat restoration in the Bay region. This program is authorized at $15 million. The ACE Act also increases the … Continue Reading
October 30, 2020
Van Hollen, Shaheen, Baldwin Call for Trump to Make Women’s Inclusion in Afghan Peace Negotiations a Foreign Policy Priority
Ahead of tomorrow’s 20th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Security Resolution (UNSCR) 1325, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and a group of their Senate colleagues sent a letter to President Donald Trump, underscoring the critical importance of ensuring women’s participation in the ongoing Afghan peace negotiations. The UNSCR resolution, which was adopted on October 31, 2000, reaffirms the important role of women … Continue Reading
October 30, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces More Than $140,000 to Protect Maryland’s Shorelines and Invest in Green Infrastructure
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone (all Md.) today announced $142,758 in federal funding for the Maryland Department of the Environment to protect wetlands and shorelines along the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.“Investing in the conservation and restoration of Maryland’s shorelines will help preserve coastal ecosystems, prevent erosion, and build … Continue Reading
October 29, 2020
Van Hollen, Blunt, Klobuchar, Colleagues Urge State Department to Prioritize Policies to Support Intercountry Adoption in Search for New Accrediting Entities
This week, U.S Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), co-chairs of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, in sending a letter urging the State Department to prioritize policies to promote intercountry adoption as the department searches for new accrediting entities for intercountry adoption service providers.“We urge the Department to use this search as an opportunity to recommit to one of the purposes of the Intercountry Adoption … Continue Reading
October 28, 2020
Van Hollen Joins Menendez, Castro, Torres In Bicameral Call For Accountability Following Trump Administration’s Reckless Immigration Operation in Guatemala
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and Congresswoman Norma Torres (D-Calif.) in demanding that the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) take immediate action to prevent U.S. immigration authorities overseas from conducting future unauthorized … Continue Reading
October 28, 2020
Baltimore Congressional Delegation Announces $9.4 Million for Regional Railway Improvements
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) today announced $9.4 million in federal funding for the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) to upgrade railway infrastructure in Martin’s Yard and Baltimore Penn Station. “Reliable rail networks are critical to connecting Maryland commuters with jobs and businesses with opportunities throughout the region,” said the lawmakers. “These federal funds will help MTA … Continue Reading
October 28, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Raskin, Trone Demand Better Protection of African-American Historic Sites in Capital Beltway Widening
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) recently urged federal officials to avoid possible physical impacts to the Morningstar Tabernacle No. 88 Moses Hall and Cemetery, in the historical African-American community of Gibson Grove, which was bisected by the original construction of the Capital Beltway (I-495), as Beltway widening is planned. In a new letter to the heads of the Federal Highway Administration and the Advisory Council … Continue Reading
October 28, 2020
As Domestic Violence Awareness Month Comes to a Close, Maryland Delegation Highlights Over $40 Million in Federal Funding to Support Survivors and Combat Violence Against Women
Today, 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 applauded awards totaling $40,037,526 to support survivors of domestic violence and prevent violence against women. “The uptick in violence against women during the COVID-19 pandemic is both disturbing and unacceptable. With October marking National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we must … Continue Reading
October 28, 2020
Van Hollen, Colleagues Call on Trump Administration to Halt Deportation of Cameroonian Asylum-Seekers
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) led Senators Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) in sending a letter to Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, urging the Administration to halt deportations of Cameroonian asylum-seekers. The Senators’ letter follows a recent legal complaint filed by the Southern Poverty Law Center and others calling the Administration’s recent actions against Cameroonians “tantamount to torture.” The Senators … Continue Reading
October 28, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Raskin Announce More Than $2.8 Million to Upgrade Wastewater Infrastructure in Frederick County
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Jamie Raskin (all D-Md.) today announced $2,820,000 in federal funding to replace the expired sewage pumping station in Emmitsburg, Md., to prevent future contamination of Tom’s Creek and the Monocacy River.“Providing access to clean water is essential, and modernizing our wastewater infrastructure is a key part of that effort,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations and Environment and Public Works … Continue Reading
October 28, 2020
Van Hollen, Maryland Delegation Press Governor Hogan on Purple Line Issues
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 expressing their serious concerns to Governor Hogan on the Purple Line Project, as construction delays and legal disputes continue to cause significant disruptions to Maryland businesses and communities. In their letter, the lawmakers pressed … Continue Reading
October 27, 2020
Van Hollen Blasts Trump Administration Decision to Support Predatory Lenders Over Consumers
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, released the following statement regarding the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s (OCC) decision to finalize the proposed “true lender” rule. This rule will serve as a boon to predatory lenders across the nation, harming vulnerable consumers who will face skyrocketing interest rates during an already volatile financial time. Senator Van Hollen recently led a letter … Continue Reading
October 27, 2020
Van Hollen, Klobuchar, Colleagues Urge State Department to Bolster Efforts to Protect Journalists
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and a number of their colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging the Administration to increase its efforts to protect journalists around the world and hold foreign leaders accountable for suppressing freedom of the press. The letter to the State Department marks the recent anniversary of the 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi. It is widely believed that Khashoggi, a Washington Post journalist and … Continue Reading
October 27, 2020
Van Hollen, Brown, Gillibrand Introduce Legislation to Expand Community Schools and Support Students, Families, and Communities
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) have introduced the Full-Service Community School Expansion Act of 2020, legislation to help schools and districts expand services for students, families, and communities. The bill would provide new resources for public schools to be community hubs through integrated student supports, expanded and enriched learning opportunities, collaborative leadership, and family and community engagement - … Continue Reading
October 27, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Announce More Than $90,000 to Upgrade Town Maintenance Vehicles in Western Maryland
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced $93,900 in federal funding to purchase new town maintenance trucks in Garrett and Allegany County. Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development as a part of the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. “When roads are snowed in, Marylanders can’t travel safely to work, grocery stores, or other places in the community. With this new federal funding, Garrett … Continue Reading
October 26, 2020
Van Hollen Statement in Opposition to Senate’s Confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding his vote in opposition to the Senate’s confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to serve on the Supreme Court: “Today is a bleak day for the United States Senate and the country. This day will long be remembered as the moment when Republicans tore up their own rules to ignore the will of the American people and pack the Supreme Court with right-wing ideologues who will compromise Americans’ rights and civil … Continue Reading
October 26, 2020
Maryland Delegation Members Call for USDA to Reverse Devastating Food Aid Cuts Hurting Thousands of Marylanders
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 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue urging him to immediately implement fixes to the Farmers to Families Food Box program, as recent changes to the program are leaving Maryland families and food vendors … Continue Reading
October 26, 2020
Van Hollen Delivers Floor Speech Fighting Against Unprecedented, Rushed Nomination of Amy Coney Barrett
Thank you, Mr. President. I want to start by thanking my friend and colleague, the Senator from Pennsylvania, for talking this evening about what's at stake for so many of his constituents with this Supreme Court nomination and the very real possibility that the Affordable Care Act will be struck down, and what that means to so many of his constituents.And I do think this is a moment where we need to reflect and take stock of where we are as a country on many fronts. We are in the middle of a … Continue Reading
