Press Releases
Van Hollen, Duckworth, Booker Ask Biden-Harris Health Equity Task Force to Release Guidance on Addressing Disparities in COVID-19 Vaccination Rates
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), along with a number of their colleagues, in sending a letter to Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, chair of the Biden-Harris COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force, requesting guidance and recommendations be provided to states, localities, territories, and tribes on how to address disparities and reduce inequities in COVID-19 vaccination rates. Specifically, the Senators asked the Task Force to engage … Continue Reading
March 16, 2021
Van Hollen, Trone, Maryland Delegation Members Urge Biden Administration to Support Updating and Expanding I-81 Corridor in Western Maryland
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Member of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, Urban Development, and Related Agencies joined U.S. Representative David Trone, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation-Housing and Urban Development, and other Maryland delegation members in urging U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to approve the funding request for the I-81/Halfway Boulevard … Continue Reading
March 16, 2021
Van Hollen, Blumenthal, Himes Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Close Dangerous Loophole to Protect Domestic Abuse Survivors
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Jim Himes (D-CT) introduced strongly-supported bicameral legislation to protect domestic violence survivors from gun violence. The Lori Jackson Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act is narrowly crafted to close loopholes that allow domestic abusers to legally obtain weapons. The bill is named in memory of Lori Jackson, an Oxford, Connecticut mother of two who was tragically shot and killed by her … Continue Reading
March 16, 2021
Van Hollen Statement for the Record on the Confirmation of Isabel Guzman to Serve as Administrator of the Small Business Administration
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) submitted the following statement for the congressional record on his vote to confirm Isabel Guzman to serve as Administrator of the Small Business Administration:“I rise today to support the nomination of Isabel Guzman, a dedicated public servant, and successful small businesswoman, to lead the Small Business Administration.“Small businesses are a cornerstone of Maryland’s economy, creating jobs, driving innovation and anchoring communities. Isabel … Continue Reading
March 16, 2021
Van Hollen, Murphy, Cicilline, Bera Propose International Affairs Budget Increase to Compete With China, Prepare for the Next Pandemic, and Fight Climate Change
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), U.S. Representative David Cicilline (RI-01), and U.S. Representative Ami Bera (CA-07) on Tuesday proposed a significant increase to the international affairs budget for Fiscal Year 2022 to better address America’s national security challenges. Investing in 21st Century Diplomacy calls for a $12 billion increase, directing the funding toward three specific challenges: (1) competing with China; (2) preparing for the next … Continue Reading
March 16, 2021
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
