Press Releases
Van Hollen, Harris Urge FCC Chairman Pai to Accurately Report the State of Broadband in America
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (R-Md.) wrote to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Pai urging the FCC to reconsider their proposal to end the distinction between mobile and fixed broadband in their annual 706 Broadband Progress report, upending decades of FCC precedent. The annual report gathers crucial data on the state of broadband in America in order to ensure that broadband is being deployed to all Americans in a timely … Continue Reading
January 17, 2018
Van Hollen Calls for Immediate Implementation of Wells Fargo Fixes to Strengthen Consumer Protections, Prevent Repeat of Widespread Fraud
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen today urged the agency responsible for supervising our nation's banks to immediately implement a series of recommendations to address serious lapses in government oversight that failed to prevent Wells Fargo's widespread fraudulent account scandal while ignoring numerous red flags. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) last April, following an internal review initiated by the Obama Administration, issued a series of recommendations to strengthen … Continue Reading
January 17, 2018
Van Hollen, 40 Senators Stand Up to Protect Consumer Bureau’s Independence
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, joined a group of 40 Senators in standing up for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) independence and power to obtain justice for consumers who have been wronged by large financial institutions. In a letter to Senate leaders Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer, the Senators urged the leaders to reject any government funding deals that would subject the CFPB's funding to political interference. The independence of the CFPB's structure and funding … Continue Reading
January 16, 2018
Van Hollen Discusses New Bipartisan Legislation to Deter Foreign Interference in U.S. Elections
This morning, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined MSNBC's Stephanie Ruhle to discuss the bipartisan DETER Act, legislation he and Senator Rubio introduced today. This bill aims to prevent future attacks on American elections by proposing severe, tangible consequences on foreign governments or actors if they interfere in U.S. elections. Highlights of his interview are below and video of the full interview is available here. STEPHANIE RUHLE, MSNBC: New this morning, two Senators … Continue Reading
January 16, 2018
Van Hollen, Rubio Introduce Legislation to Deter Foreign Interference in American Elections
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) introduced the Defending Elections from Threats by Establishing Redlines (DETER) Act. It sends a powerful message to any foreign actor seeking to disrupt our elections: if you attack American candidates, campaigns, or voting infrastructure, you will facesevereconsequences. We know Russia manipulated social media channels and hacked political campaign committees and local elections boards to undermine our democratic process … Continue Reading
January 09, 2018
Van Hollen, Democrats Announce Net Neutrality Resolution Reaches 40-Vote Milestone in the Senate
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senate Democrats in announcing that 40 senators have signed on to co-sponsor a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval that overturns the anti-consumer regulations passed in December by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and supported by Donald Trump to end net neutrality. At a press conference in the Capitol attended by Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer-among others-Democrats made clear they will "force a vote" on the resolution to restore … Continue Reading
January 09, 2018
Van Hollen, Cardin Rebuke Trump Administration’s Offshore Drilling Plan
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (both-D-Md.)andBen Cardin have joined three dozen U.S. Senators, including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, in sharply criticizing the Trump administration's decision to reopen offshore drilling leases three years ahead of schedule. This decision puts vast stretches of coastline along Maryland's Atlantic coast at risk. "Allowing drilling off our coasts directly threatens some of Maryland's key economic drivers, such as fishing and tourism, with the risk of an oil … Continue Reading
January 09, 2018
Van Hollen Statement on New Health Care Proposal in Maryland
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement on the new health insurance 'down payment' proposal to help uninsured Maryland residents get health care coverage, which was introduced this morning by State Senator Brian Feldman, State Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk, and the Maryland Health Care for All! Coalition: "President Trump and Congressional Republicans have been relentless in their attacks on our health care system. With their recent repeal of the individual mandate … Continue Reading
January 09, 2018
Van Hollen Announces New Committee Assignment
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen announced that he will be joining the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee as part of a series of committee assignment changes being made with the addition of new Senators Doug Jones (D-AL) and Tina Smith (D-MN). The EPW Committee has jurisdiction over many areas vital to Maryland, including the Environmental Protection Agency and many of the programs to protect the Chesapeake Bay. It also provides oversight over most federal infrastructure … Continue Reading
January 07, 2018
Van Hollen Statement on Trump Administration’s Decision to End TPS for El Salvador
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen spoke out against the Trump Administration's decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 200,000 Salvadorians who have been living legally in the United States since at least 2001. Senator Van Hollen has introduced the SECURE Act, which would allow qualified TPS recipients to apply for legal permanent residency. "This decision is shameful, but sadly it's not surprising," said Senator Van Hollen. "The United States has long been a beacon of hope … Continue Reading
January 04, 2018
Van Hollen Continues to Push for Resolution to Heating Issue in Baltimore Schools
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh have discussed the emergency actions that the Mayor has been taking to address the Baltimore City schools hearing crisis, and he has commended her on those efforts. The Senator also wrote to Baltimore City Schools CEO Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises today to urge her to take all actions within her power to restore heat to the schools without delay. As Mayor Pugh has noted, the school system and the State have the immediate … Continue Reading
January 01, 2018
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $287,900 in Federal Funding for Maryland Sea Grant
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) have announced $287,900 in federal funding to the University of Maryland for the Maryland Sea Grant (MDSG) program through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The MDSG program works to protect the environmental and economic sustainability of the Chesapeake Bay through educational and restorative projects. "The Maryland Sea Grant Program is an essential partner in efforts to improve the health and quality of the … Continue Reading
December 27, 2017
Statement from Baltimore Congressional Delegation on the FBI Refusal to Lead Investigation of the Murder of BPD Detective Sean Suiter
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Elijah Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger and John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) today released the following joint statement: "We are disappointed by the refusal of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to take the lead in investigating the murder of Baltimore Police Department Detective Sean Suiter. While we appreciate the FBI contention that no evidence exists to suggest that Det. Suiter's homicide was directly connected to the corruption … Continue Reading
December 21, 2017
Van Hollen, Ag Committee Democrats Seek Information on Senior Career Employee Reassignments at USDA
Today, the ten Democratic members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry wrote a letter to Stephen Vaden, the Trump administration's nominee for General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), to seek more information regarding the reassignments of several high-level career employees at USDA. Since January 20, USDA has reassigned at least a dozen Senior Executive Service (SES) employees. Recently, questions were raised to the Senate Agriculture … Continue Reading
December 20, 2017
Van Hollen Statement Opposing Republican Short-Term Funding Patch
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement in opposition of the Republican short-term funding patch: "Republicans are once again forcing a short-term budget patch instead of dealing with the long-term needs of our economy, our national security, and our nation. Just two weeks ago, we passed a similar measure that was meant to give us the time to negotiate a budget for next year. Instead, Republicans spent that time behind closed doors, surrounded by lobbyists, crafting … Continue Reading
December 19, 2017
Van Hollen, Sullivan Lead Discussion with Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan
Yesterday, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), co-chairs of the bipartisan Foreign Service Caucus, hosted Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan for a discussion with their Senate colleagues. The Senators talked about U.S. foreign policy, the State Department's reorganization and management, and challenges confronting our diplomats at home and abroad. Senators Van Hollen and Sullivan were joined by a bipartisan group of 15 Senators. "Across the world and … Continue Reading
December 19, 2017
Van Hollen, Sullivan Lead Discussion with Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), co-chairs of the bipartisan Foreign Service Caucus, hosted Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan for a discussion with their Senate colleagues. The Senators talked about U.S. foreign policy, the State Department's reorganization and management, and challenges confronting our diplomats at home and abroad. Senators Van Hollen and Sullivan were joined by a bipartisan group of 15 Senators. "Across the world and here … Continue Reading
December 18, 2017
Van Hollen Statement For The Record On The Nomination Of Owen West To Be Assistant Secretary Of Defense For Special Operations And Low Intensity Conflict
Mr. President, equality of opportunity is one of our nation's greatest pursuits and greatest struggles. Though the path has not been easy, our society has slowly and steadily become more just, more decent, and more powerful. President Obama's Defense Secretary Carter reaffirmed this principle when he stated that every qualified woman who met the high physical standards required of her would be allowed to serve our country in combat. Owen West soundly rejected this policy, and the ethic … Continue Reading
December 17, 2017
Van Hollen, Bipartisan Group of Senators Urge Appropriators to Strip Environmental Riders from End-of-Year Spending Package
Forty senators, including U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen(D-Md.),areurging appropriatorsnegotiating an end-of-year package to keep the spending bill free of dangerous environmental policy riders too often found in House appropriations. The letter, also supported byDemocratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), brings together more senators than have signed onto a letter of this type in recent history and more than the required number of … Continue Reading
December 17, 2017
Van Hollen State on the Nomination of Don R. Willett To Be A United States Circuit Judge For The Fifth Circuit
Mr. President, I opposed the nomination of Don Willet to serve as a Judge on the Fifth Circuit. Senate Republicans, lacking a robust legislative agenda, despite unilateral control of the government, decided to confirm another highly controversial nominee. Last week, Republicans confirmed three Circuit Court judges. In early November, Senate Republicans confirmed four judges in one week. This accelerated confirmation pace is unconventional and alarming. Republicans on the Judiciary Committee … Continue Reading
