Press Releases
Van Hollen, Raskin Lead Introduction of Permit-to-Purchase Gun Safety Bill
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressman Jamie Raskin (both D-Md.) reintroduced the Handgun Purchaser Licensing Act, along with Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy and Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (all D-Conn.). The bill creates a federal grant program to incentivize state and local governments to enact laws requiring individuals to obtain a license before purchasing a handgun. According to research conducted by the John Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research in 2015, … Continue Reading
March 16, 2021
Van Hollen joins Grijalva, Neguse, Sens. Blumenthal and Luján in Bicameral Letter to Biden Urging Stakeholder-Driven Process to Meet Conservation Goals
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) and Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) in sending a bicameral letter, cosigned by 99 House and 16 Senate Democratic colleagues, to President Biden urging him to adopt a transparent, stakeholder-driven process in deciding how best to preserve American lands and waters as part of the administration’s “30 by 30” initiative. Choosing which areas to preserve, the lawmakers … Continue Reading
March 16, 2021
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces More Than $9.4 Million for HIV/AIDS Research and Prevention
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced more than $9.4 million in federal funding to strengthen HIV/AIDS surveillance and prevention programs across Maryland.“The HIV/AIDS crisis continues to devastate at-risk communities nationwide, many of whom are already suffering disproportionately from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This new … Continue Reading
March 15, 2021
Buttigieg, Van Hollen, Cardin, Brown Tout American Rescue Plan At UPS Facility Delivering Vaccines
Today, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, and Rep. Anthony Brown touted the American Rescue Plan as they toured a UPS facility in Landover, Md. that is delivering vaccines to Maryland and the District of Columbia. On the tour, they met with UPS drivers who are delivering vaccines and saw demonstrations of how the vaccine is packaged and delivered across the area.“It was an honor to meet and thank the workers at UPS who are stepping up every … Continue Reading
March 13, 2021
Van Hollen, Markey, Bennet, and Hassan and Congresswoman Meng Applaud the Inclusion of More Than $7 Billion in E-Rate Distance Learning Funding in American Rescue Plan
Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06) today applauded the inclusion of their legislation, the Emergency Educational Connections Act, and more than $7 billion in funding for the E-Rate program in the coronavirus rescue package that President Biden signed into law Thursday. The lawmakers’ legislation funds elementary and secondary schools and libraries, including tribal schools and … Continue Reading
March 11, 2021
Van Hollen, Menendez, Democratic Colleagues Renew Call to Prohibit NRA Foundation from Receiving Donations from Federal Employees
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and several Democratic colleagues in urging the Biden Administration to remove the National Rifle Association (NRA) Foundation from the list of charities eligible to solicit and receive contributions from federal employees during the yearly Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). This renewed call follows failure last year by the Trump Administration to remove the controversial gun group’s so-called charity … Continue Reading
March 11, 2021
Van Hollen: American Rescue Plan Delivers Bold, Urgent Relief to Maryland
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding President Biden’s signing of the American Rescue Plan into law.“COVID-19 has challenged our nation in historic and unparalleled ways. Today, we answered these challenges with historic and unparalleled action.“The American Rescue Plan delivers bold, urgent relief to Maryland. It provides a lifeline to our families, workers, and small businesses that are struggling to get by, as well as critical funding to … Continue Reading
March 11, 2021
Van Hollen, Sarbanes Announce Working Group to Explore Designation of a Chesapeake National Recreation Area
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressman John Sarbanes (both D-Md.) led a bicameral group of lawmakers and more than 30 regional organizations in forming a Working Group to explore the designation of a Chesapeake National Recreation Area managed by the National Park Service.Despite its ecological importance, iconic landscape, rich culture and history, and vast recreational benefits, the Chesapeake Bay region does not have a unified National Park System designation. Proponents agree … Continue Reading
March 11, 2021
Van Hollen, Merkley, Young, Durbin Lead Senate Resolution Condemning Coup in Burma, Laying Out Coordinated International Response to Rohingya Genocide
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Todd Young (R-IN), Richard Durbin (D-IL), and a group of 12 colleagues in introducing a bipartisan resolution to condemn the military coup in Burma and subsequent violence against citizens calling for democracy, as well as the systematic campaign of persecution and atrocities against the Rohingya and other ethnic minorities. The resolution calls for a genocide determination from the Department of State and lays out a … Continue Reading
March 11, 2021
Van Hollen, Whitehouse, Doggett, Durbin Introduce No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Act
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), joined by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Jack Reed (D-RI) and over 100 House members, introduced the No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Act. The bill would level the playing field for American workers and small businesses by making sure multinational corporations pay the same tax rate on profits earned abroad as … Continue Reading
March 11, 2021
Van Hollen, Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce the Keeping Women and Girls Safe from the Start Act of 2021
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced the Keeping Women and Girls Safe from the Start Act of 2021. Introduced on the heels of International Women’s Day, the bipartisan legislation seeks to strengthen current United States’ and international actors’ efforts to address gender-based violence perpetrated during humanitarian … Continue Reading
March 11, 2021
Van Hollen joins Rosen and Portman in Introducing Bipartisan Legislation to Honor Harriet Tubman with Commemorative Coins
Yesterday, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Rob Portman (R-OH) in introducing the Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act, bipartisan legislation honoring the life and legacy of Harriet Tubman with the creation of a series of commemorative coins bearing her image. The bill’s introduction coincided with Harriet Tubman Day, recognized each year on March 10th. BACKGROUND: The Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act (S.697) would … Continue Reading
March 10, 2021
Van Hollen Statement for the Record on the Confirmation of Michael Regan to Serve as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) submitted the following statement for the congressional record on his vote to confirm Michael Regan to serve as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency:“Now is the time to take substantive action to combat climate change, address environmental justice, and help clean up the Chesapeake Bay. To help address these critical issues, President Biden has nominated Michael Regan to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.“Michael Regan … Continue Reading
March 10, 2021
Van Hollen Statement for the Record on the Confirmation of Merrick Garland to Serve as Attorney General
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) submitted the following statement for the congressional record on his vote to confirm Merrick Garland to serve as Attorney General: “I rise today to voice my support for the President’s nominee for Attorney General, Judge Merrick Garland, who’s not only a fellow Marylander, but somebody I have known personally for many years. And I know that President Biden has picked a nominee with impeccable credentials and unimpeachable character. His experience … Continue Reading
March 10, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin, Klobuchar Reintroduce Legislation To Bring Harriet Tubman Statue To U.S. Capitol
In recognition of Harriet Tubman Day, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) are announcing the reintroduction of their legislation to honor Harriet Tubman with a statue in the United States Capitol.“Harriet Tubman is an American hero and Maryland is proud to call her a daughter of our great state. Every American should know her name - and her conviction and courage in fighting the evil of slavery. During the Civil War, she served as a Union … Continue Reading
March 10, 2021
Van Hollen, Murray Re-Introduce Public Health Infrastructure Save Lives Act As New Report Looks At Gaps In Preparedness
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and 18 of their Democratic Senate colleagues in reintroducing the Public Health Infrastructure Saves Lives Act (PHISLA). The legislation would establish a new core public health infrastructure program which ramps up to $4.5 billion in annual funding to bolster the nation’s efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, and strengthen its ability … Continue Reading
March 10, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin Secure Maryland Funding in Senate-Passed American Rescue Plan
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced estimated top-line funding Maryland will receive following the Senate’s passage of the American Rescue Plan. This package will bring significant resources directly to Maryland to help workers, families, small businesses, and the State and local governments combat COVID-19 and recover from the health and economic impacts of the virus. “From direct payments to Marylanders working to make ends meet, to an expansion of … Continue Reading
March 09, 2021
Van Hollen Discusses Merits of Financial Transaction Tax at Banking Committee Hearing
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, questioned witnesses on the merits of implementing a financial transaction tax during a Committee hearing titled, “Who Wins on Wall Street? GameStop, Robinhood, and the State of Retail Investing.” As the Senator notes in his remarks, Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and he are preparing to reintroduce legislation implementing this fee. A full … Continue Reading
March 09, 2021
Van Hollen, Blumenthal Introduce Legislation to Support Young Scientists By Preventing the Loss of Research Talent During & Beyond the Pandemic
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and a group of their Senate colleagues in introducing legislation to support early-career researchers whose employment opportunities have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Supporting Early-Career Researchers Act would create a new postdoctoral fellowship program at the National Science Foundation (NSF), prioritizing researchers from underrepresented groups and Minority-Serving Institutions … Continue Reading
March 09, 2021
Van Hollen, Rounds, Lynch Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Provide Financial Security for Federal Infrastructure Projects
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Congressmen Stephen F. Lynch (D-Mass.) and Troy Balderson (R-Ohio) reintroduced the Promoting Infrastructure by Protecting Our Subcontractors and Taxpayers Act of 2021. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would direct the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to ensure public-private partnership (P3) projects using Transportation Infrastructure Finance Innovation Act (TIFIA) financing have appropriate payment and … Continue Reading