Press Releases
Baltimore Congressional Delegation Announces $1 Million for Morgan State to Study Microplastics in the Chesapeake Bay
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) announced $999,999 in federal funding for Morgan State University to study the impact of microplastics on marine ecosystems, using the Chesapeake Bay as a model. The project will create new opportunities for Morgan State students to participate in high-impact Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) research, as well as recruit and support students … Continue Reading
January 27, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on the Passing of Blanca Kling
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the passing of Blanca Kling, dedicated public servant, and leader at the Montgomery County Police Department:“My deepest condolences go to the family of Blanca Kling and to all who knew and loved her. Blanca was a role model, mentor, and champion for people throughout Montgomery County.“In her years at the Montgomery County Police Department, Blanca served as a trusted advocate and thoughtful leader forging … Continue Reading
January 27, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on the Retirement of Will Baker, President of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the retirement of Will Baker, President of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation:"Will Baker has led the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for over three decades, championing the protection and preservation of the Bay and working tirelessly to improve its health. During his tenure, Will has worked to engage all the Bay stakeholders and fought hard to implement the historic Chesapeake Bay Agreement, which will have a … Continue Reading
January 27, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on Biden New Executive Actions to Tackle Climate Crisis
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement in support of President Biden’s new executive actions to address the climate crisis:“We cannot wait to tackle the climate crisis. From the daily toll of flooding and severe weather on homeowners and small businesses to its larger impact on our environment, national security, and economic stability - it threatens our nation’s success across-the-board. This is not only a challenge, but also an opportunity to create new … Continue Reading
January 27, 2021
Van Hollen, Rubio, Merkley, Colleagues Reintroduce Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Senate colleagues in reintroducing the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. This bipartisan bill will ensure that goods made with Uyghur forced labor in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) do not enter the United States. Earlier this year, the State Department issued a determination that the Chinese Communist Party is committing crimes against humanity and genocide against Uyghurs and … Continue Reading
January 27, 2021
Sen. Van Hollen, Rep. Lee to Introduce Bicameral Bill to Fully Fund Title I, Special Education
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and U.S. Representative Susie Lee (D-Nev.) announced the reintroduction of the Keep Our Promise to America’s Children and Teachers (PACT) Act, legislation to put Congress on a fiscally-responsible path to fully fund Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) on a mandatory basis. “Regardless of their zip code, every child deserves a first-rate education. Congress made a historic commitment when it passed Title I and IDEA, but … Continue Reading
January 27, 2021
Van Hollen, Carper Lead Reintroduction of Statehood Bill to Ensure Equal Representation for Over 700,000 D.C. Residents
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) in reintroducing legislation to grant Washington, D.C. statehood. The bill would make Washington, D.C. the 51st state, finally give its citizens full representation in Congress, and also ensure that the citizens and elected leaders of the District of Columbia have full authority over local affairs, including crucial safety and security matters. The Washington, D.C. Admission Act (S.51) would also designate the … Continue Reading
January 27, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on Biden’s New Steps to Boost Vaccine Supply, Distribution
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the new steps announced yesterday by President Biden to boost vaccine supply, distribution, and transparency. “To overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, we must rapidly expand our vaccination efforts across Maryland and the country. Doing so requires an all-hands-on-deck approach, including a coordinated strategy at the federal level to secure more doses of the vaccines and ensure their prompt deployment to the … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on Biden Executive Orders to Improve Racial Equity
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 President Biden’s new executive orders on racial equity, including his effort to ensure fair housing standards. The Senator also released a statement specifically on the President’s Executive Order on DOJ’s use of private prison companies which can be found here. “Access to safe and affordable housing is a human right - and … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on Biden Executive Order Eliminating DOJ Use of Private Prisons
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding President Biden’s executive order eliminating the use of private prisons by the Department of Justice. Senator Van Hollen, alongside Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), pushed for this action, following the Trump Administration’s reinstatement of this practice. “Profiting off of the mass incarceration of Americans is nothing short of shameful, but private prison companies do just that. We know that the use of … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Van Hollen Statement in Support of Antony Blinken to Serve as Secretary of State
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement in support of the confirmation of Antony Blinken to serve as the U.S. Secretary of State:“Today, I was proud to vote in support of Antony Blinken’s confirmation to serve as our next Secretary of State. While he faces an enormous task ahead, given his breadth of knowledge and experience, I am confident he is the right person to meet America’s foreign policy challenges. I have had occasion to work with him over the … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Maryland Congressional Delegation Members Announce More Than $560 Million in Emergency Federal Funding for State COVID-19 Response
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 $560 million in emergency federal funding for the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) to help boost the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and aid its vaccine distribution efforts.This latest funding from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) comes after President … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Maryland Delegation Members Applaud More Than $1 Million for WMATA and Montgomery County Transit to Improve COVID-19 Safety
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, John Sarbanes, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone (all D-Md.) applauded the award of $1,050,000 for Montgomery County’s Ride On transit service and Washington Metro Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to improve rider safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic.“This new infusion of federal funding will help WMATA and Montgomery County reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission on public transportation systems and … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Maryland Delegation Members Urge State to Ramp Up COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Efforts, Ensure Equitable Access
Today, members of the Maryland Congressional Delegation, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone, released the following statement after a conference call on Monday with Maryland Department of Health Acting Secretary Dennis Schrader about the state’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts:“A robust vaccination strategy is critical to our efforts to … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on President Biden’s Buy American Executive Order
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding President Biden’s new executive order to promote American manufacturers, businesses, and workers:“The economic fallout of the pandemic has hit American workers hard - many have lost their jobs and are unable to make ends meet. Now more than ever, we need to invest in our economy and the American workforce - and today’s executive action from President Biden does just that. This new order will help support … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Van Hollen Statement in Support of Janet Yellen to Serve as Treasury Secretary
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding his vote in support of Janet Yellen to serve as the Secretary of the Treasury:“A successful economic recovery requires a Treasury Secretary who is prepared, crisis-tested, and extremely qualified. Not only is Janet Yellen the first woman to lead the Treasury Department - but she's also the first person in history to have served as Treasury Secretary, Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, and Chair of … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Van Hollen Applauds Biden’s Action to Remove Ban on Transgender Individuals Serving in Our Military
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement applauding President Biden’s executive order to overturn the ban preventing transgender individuals from serving in our military: “The ban on transgender individuals serving in our military was a stain on our nation. It harmed our national security, reduced readiness, and defied our values. Any patriot who is qualified and able to maintain the standards expected of our Armed Forces should be able to serve. I’m glad … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin Praise Completion of Poplar Island Construction and “Solid Investments” in FY2021 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Work Plan
U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (Both D-Md.) today announced the inclusion of key priorities for Maryland within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) FY2021 Work Plan that will direct significant federal funding to dredging, beach re-nourishment, oyster restoration and critical environmental remediation throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The senators also applauded the completion of the Paul S. Sarbanes Ecosystem Restoration Project at Poplar Island, which received … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Maryland Delegation Members Announce More Than $1.17 Billion in COVID-19 Relief for Schools and Universities Across the State
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 $1.17 billion in federal funding for K-12 schools and higher education institutions across Maryland. Funding comes from the bipartisan COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress in late December.“This urgently needed relief will help provide students, educators and support … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Van Hollen, Young Release Joint Statement on Biden Administration’s Action on New START Extension
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) released the following statement regarding the Biden Administration’s efforts to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) with Russia. The treaty, which is set to expire on February 5, 2021, imposes limits on the strategic nuclear arsenals of the United States and Russia. In August 2019, Senators Van Hollen and Young introduced bipartisan legislation to extend New START until 2026. More recently, in October … Continue Reading
