Press Releases
Van Hollen Meets with Biden OMB Nominee Neera Tanden
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the U.S. Senate Committees on Budget, Appropriations, and Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs released the following statement regarding his virtual meeting with Neera Tanden, President-elect Biden’s nominee to serve as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.“OMB needs a strong leader who understands the core of its mission - to ensure our government is best able to serve our constituents and to enact a federal budget that … Continue Reading
December 14, 2020
Senators Van Hollen, Smith, Rep. Bass Press Attorney General Barr for Information on Use of Ketamine During Arrests
In an effort to protect the health, safety and civil rights of Americans, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and U.S. Representative Karen Bass (D-Calif.) and colleagues in pressing U.S. Attorney General William Barr for information about the use of ketamine and other sedatives or chemical restraints on individuals during their arrest or detention by law enforcement. Recent incidents highlight the dangers of administering sedatives during an arrest—in … Continue Reading
December 14, 2020
Senators Van Hollen, Markey, Bennet; Rep. Meng Applaud Inclusion of $3 Billion in E-rate Distance Learning Funding in Bipartisan Senate Coronavirus Proposal
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) today applauded inclusion of their legislation, the Emergency Educational Connections Act, and $3 billion in funding for the E-rate program in the bipartisan Senate coronavirus relief proposal. The lawmakers’ legislation funds elementary and secondary schools and libraries, including tribal schools and libraries, to provide Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and … Continue Reading
December 14, 2020
Van Hollen, Schatz, Booker Reintroduce Legislation To Ensure Roads, Bridges Can Withstand Flood Damage
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) reintroduced the Flood Risk Management Act, legislation to ensure that infrastructure projects that receive federal funding are built to withstand flood damage. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, flooding is the most common natural disaster and between 2000 and 2017 flooding cost the United States more than $845 billion.Understanding the dangerous consequences of … Continue Reading
December 14, 2020
Van Hollen, Schatz Introduce Bill to Provide Immediate Housing Assistance to Low-Income Families and Individuals During Natural and Economic Disasters
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) introduced the Crisis Housing Act, legislation that would establish a new housing assistance program. The new program would be automatically triggered and help ensure that families and individuals who have been forced from their home or are at risk of losing their home as a result of a natural or economic disaster have immediate access to adequate housing.“From the COVID-19 pandemic to severe weather events, natural and … Continue Reading
December 14, 2020
Van Hollen Statement on Administration’s Use of Sanctions Against Turkey
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the Administration’s use of sanctions against Turkey, in response to Turkey’s purchase of the S-400 Russian-made missile defense system. The Senator has repeatedly pressed the Administration to put these sanctions into place.“After watching President Trump repeatedly refuse to hold Turkey and President Erdogan accountable, I’m glad to see this Administration finally impose these required sanctions - even if … Continue Reading
December 14, 2020
Van Hollen Meets with Biden Nominee Dr. Cecilia Rouse
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the U.S. Senate Committees on Budget and on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs released the following statement regarding his virtual meeting on Friday with Dr. Cecilia Rouse, President-elect Biden’s nominee to serve as Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA). During the meeting, the Senator and Dr. Rouse discussed economic priorities for the new administration, including the Senator’s efforts to reduce the growing crisis of long-term … Continue Reading
December 11, 2020
Van Hollen, Toomey Issue Statement on Treasury’s Hong Kong Sanctions Report
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) issued the following statement regarding the Treasury Department’s report that did not name any financial institutions under the Hong Kong Autonomy Act:“The most reasonable justification for Treasury not having named any foreign banks in today’s report is if all foreign banks ended their relationships with the Hong Kong and Chinese communist officials responsible for the erosion of Hong Kongers’ basic freedoms. We know this very … Continue Reading
December 11, 2020
Van Hollen Statement on Senate Passage of NDAA
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the Senate passage of the final Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act: “This year’s National Defense Authorization Act makes crucial investments in our security both at home and abroad. I’m proud to have supported this bipartisan legislation and to have fought for priorities within this bill to strengthen our national defenses - including Maryland’s many vital military installations. This … Continue Reading
December 10, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Briefed on Initial COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution, Urges State Officials to Provide a Fair, Transparent, and Equitable Process for Future Allocations
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, along with Congressmen Steny Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony Brown, David Trone and representatives of Jamie Raskin held a virtual Maryland congressional delegation meeting to discuss the latest information on the availability of and plans to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine across Maryland. Briefing the lawmakers on allocation and distribution plans for Marylanders were Dennis Schrader, Maryland … Continue Reading
December 10, 2020
Van Hollen Introduces Legislation to Reduce Medical Diagnostic Errors
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) introduced the Improving Diagnosis in Medicine Act, legislation to reduce diagnostic errors in our healthcare system. The Senator’s legislation seeks to address the alarming rates of diagnostic error in our country and mitigate the devastating impacts these errors can have. According to a 2015 report published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, diagnostic errors affect more than 12 million Americans each year and … Continue Reading
December 10, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Harris Announce Nearly $1.9 Million in Federal Funding to Prevent Youth Substance Use
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (all Md.) today announced nearly $1.9 million in new federal funding to help strengthen local and community partnerships to prevent youth substance use. At least $1.3 million of this funding will be directed to Eastern Shore communities.“Community-wide coalitions are a key pillar of any successful strategy to prevent youth drug use. These federal funds will help community coalitions as they work together … Continue Reading
December 09, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces Nearly $9 Million to Boost Statewide Early Childhood Education
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 (all Md.) today announced $8.94 million in new federal funding to help strengthen and expand early childhood education in Maryland.“Expanding access to early childhood education is one of the best investments we can make in Maryland’s future,” the lawmakers said. “These high-impact programs make a … Continue Reading
December 09, 2020
Van Hollen, Norton, Hoyer, Carper, and Bowser Release Statements Calling for Full Funding for D.C. in Next Coronavirus Bill
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Senator Tom Carper (D-DE), and District Mayor Muriel Bowser released statements today advocating for full and fair funding for the District in the next coronavirus bill. The CARES Act, passed in March, deprived the District of $755 million in fiscal relief that would have gone toward helping D.C. residents and businesses recover from the dual economic and health crises … Continue Reading
December 09, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce More Than $1.2 Million for Water Infrastructure in Crisfield
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced an award of $1,241,526 to Crisfield, Maryland to install critical water infrastructure that will help mitigate flooding.“Crisfield and our other coastal communities on the Eastern Shore rely on effective stormwater management systems to protect their homes and businesses from flooding and other natural disasters. This award will update infrastructure essential to that effort - helping to keep families safe and ensure … Continue Reading
December 09, 2020
Van Hollen, Maryland Delegation Members Urge Congressional Leaders to Include Robust Funding for Transit in Next COVID Relief Bill
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 urging congressional leaders to provide critical funding for transit agencies as a part of any upcoming COVID-19 relief proposal. In light of recent news of the dire financial situation WMATA, MTA, and other transit agencies across … Continue Reading
December 09, 2020
Maryland Delegation Members Announce an Additional $2.6 Million to Support Mercy Health Services’ COVID-19 Response
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) announced an additional $2,655,327 in emergency federal funding to help Mercy Health Services continue to care for COVID-19 patients and effectively fight the virus. “As COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rise at an alarming rate in Maryland and across the country, the healthcare professionals … Continue Reading
December 08, 2020
Van Hollen Congratulates New Baltimore Mayor, Brandon Scott
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement congratulating Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott:“Congratulations to Brandon Scott on his swearing in to serve as the Mayor of Baltimore City. Brandon brings an inspiring new vision of hope and unity to our great city at a difficult time, and I know as Mayor he will fight for the best interests of its residents. As a son of Baltimore, Brandon understands the need to truly invest in the City’s potential and ensure … Continue Reading
December 08, 2020
Van Hollen Urges Army Secretary to Recognize Maryland Veteran with POW Medal
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has sent a letter to U.S. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy urging him to award the Prisoner of War (POW) Medal to Marylander Ronald Dolecki for his military service in Ethiopia in 1965. Mr. Dolecki has been denied the POW Medal recognizing his service for over a decade on the grounds that his captivity did not fit an unduly restrictive definition of “prisoner of war.” While on a mission in Ethiopia, Mr. Dolecki was captured by armed, uniformed members of the … Continue Reading
December 08, 2020
Van Hollen, Bennet, Colleagues Call on EEOC to Clarify Authority to Investigate Bias in AI-Driven Hiring Technologies
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), along with eight of their Senate colleagues, requested clarification from Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Chair Janet Dhillon regarding the Commission’s authority to investigate bias in Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven hiring technologies. As businesses prepare to re-open according to guidelines for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, some companies will turn to hiring technology to manage and … Continue Reading
