Press Releases
Van Hollen, Warner Introduce Bill to Promote Federal Worker Safety and Increase Transparency Around Agency Reopening Plans
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Mark R. Warner (D-VA) introduced the Chai Suthammanont Remembrance Act, legislation requiring federal agencies to establish and publish COVID-19 workplace protections. The bill, named after a Virginia federal worker who passed away from COVID-19 complications, would compel each federal agency to create and post concrete reopening plans online, at least 30 days prior to the return of federal employees. This legislation, which passed through the … Continue Reading
September 30, 2020
Bay Senators Applaud USDA Decision to Support Local Oyster, Clam Businesses Facing Economic Hardship Due to COVID-19
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) and Tim Kaine and Mark Warner (both D-Va.) applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to allow oyster and clam businesses to access funds included within the CARES Act Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. The Senators penned a letter in July urging USDA to include these businesses - many of which are small and family owned - given the economic hardship they’re facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Maryland’s small … Continue Reading
September 29, 2020
Senator Van Hollen, NASA Administrator Bridenstine, Maryland Space Leaders Discuss Maryland’s Vital Role in NASA
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), joined by NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and a number of leaders in Maryland’s space initiatives, hosted a virtual event to discuss Maryland’s vital role in NASA’s mission. During the event, the Senator and Administrator highlighted Maryland’s many contributions to NASA’s efforts, including the crucial work being done at NASA Goddard, the Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative, the NASA Wallops Flight Facility, the Johns Hopkins’ Applied Physics … Continue Reading
September 29, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin Introduce Resolution Recognizing Contributions of Federal Workers and the National Federation of Federal Employees
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, who represent the State of Maryland where over 128,000 federal employees work, introduced a Senate resolution celebrating federal workers and the accomplishments of the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE). The 51st NFFE Convention, taking place on October 5, 2020, recognizes 103 years of NFFE members’ vital contributions to the United States through careers in public service. “Federal employees work day in and day out to provide … Continue Reading
September 29, 2020
Baltimore Delegation Announces More Than $1.4 Million for COVID-19 Research at Johns Hopkins University
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes and Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.) announced $1,443,647 in federal funding for Johns Hopkins University to conduct critical research on COVID-19 testing gaps and disparities among transgender Americans. “The COVID-19 pandemic has shined a light on the severe inequalities that exists in our society,” the lawmakers said. “This new round of federal funding will help Johns Hopkins University lead a national … Continue Reading
September 29, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Announce More Than $1.6 Million for Washington County Firefighters
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) announced the award of $1,675,272.73 in federal funds to 11 Washington County fire companies for the purchase of 210 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) units. SCBAs provide firefighters with fresh oxygen and prevent them from breathing harmful carcinogens when responding to fires. “Our firefighters don’t hesitate to put themselves in harm’s way for others, but they need the right equipment to … Continue Reading
September 26, 2020
Van Hollen Statement on Trump Nomination of Amy Coney Barrett
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on President Trump’s nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to succeed Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court: “By nominating Amy Coney Barrett and rushing the Senate to confirm her before November 3rd, President Trump is not only telling the American people that their voices in the upcoming election don’t matter, but also that he wants a justice who will try to dismantle the legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Donald … Continue Reading
September 25, 2020
Van Hollen Applauds House Passage of the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) applauded the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of H.R. 4447, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, sweeping legislation to invest in clean energy and clean energy jobs. “Not only are clean energy technologies better for our environment, they also have enormous potential to boost our economy and create good-paying jobs. I’ve been proud to introduce legislation to promote the growth and development of the clean energy sector, including our … Continue Reading
September 25, 2020
Van Hollen, Murphy Introduce Legislation to Reform Medical Debt and Strengthen Consumer Protections
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) introduced legislation to strengthen consumer protections and reform medical debt practices. The Strengthening Consumer Protections and Medical Debt Transparency Act would put in standard practices to make sure that health care entities communicate with consumers any debt that is owed, and alerts the consumer of any assistance that they qualify for before any debt is sent into collections. The legislation also directs … Continue Reading
September 25, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Announce More Than $3.5 Million in Federal Funds to Improve Water Infrastructure in Allegany County
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced $2,786,000 in grant funding and a loan of $720,000 to repair and expand several water treatment plants in the Town of Lonaconing, in Allegany County, Md. The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant. Specifically, the funding will go toward rehabilitating and expanding the Gilmore and Koontz water … Continue Reading
September 24, 2020
Van Hollen, Senators Target Russian Officials Involved in Navalny Poisoning
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Mitt Romney (R-Utah) introduced the bipartisan Holding Russia Accountable for Malign Activities Act of 2020, a targeted bill that would impose sanctions on Russian officials complicit in brazen violations of international law including the recent poisoning of opposition leader and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny. The bill directs the administration to determine if the … Continue Reading
September 24, 2020
Mnuchin to Van Hollen: Making Payroll Tax Deferral Optional for Federal Employees and Service Members is “Reasonable”
Today, in response to a question posed by U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin stated that it would be “reasonable” to allow federal employees and members of the military to choose whether or not to participate in President Trump’s payroll tax deferral. The Trump Administration is currently imposing the deferral, which must be repaid next year, on all qualifying federal employees and service members. The exchange, which took place during a hearing in … Continue Reading
September 24, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces $5.6 Million in Federal Funding to Upgrade MARC, Railways Across Maryland
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 $5.6 million in federal funding upgrade MARC commuter trains and improve railroad infrastructure across Maryland. Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant Program.“This new federal investment will … Continue Reading
September 24, 2020
Van Hollen, Carper, Collins, Tester Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Enhance Shift Flexibility for Federal Firefighters
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, along with Fire Services Caucus Chair Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Co-Chairs Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.), introduced a bipartisan bill to allow federal firefighters to engage in trade time, enabling two firefighters to trade shifts without affecting pay or using annual leave. This bill would correct a longstanding disparity between federal firefighters and state, … Continue Reading
September 24, 2020
Baltimore Congressional Delegation Announces Nearly $1 Million in Federal Funding for Lead-Based Paint Hazard Studies at Johns Hopkins University
The Baltimore congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.), today announced $999,871 in federal funding for Johns Hopkins University (JHU) to expand research programs to mitigate the health and safety hazards of lead-based paint. “The dangers associated with lead-based paint exposure threaten the health of far too many children and families throughout our region,” said the … Continue Reading
September 24, 2020
Van Hollen, Merkley Introduce Resolution Recognizing Children’s Fundamental Rights and Climate Recovery Planning
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) in introducing a resolution to protect the fundamental rights of the nation’s children in the face of climate chaos’ increasingly destructive effects—which include recent raging wildfires and catastrophic hurricanes. In September 2019, the Juliana v. United States youth plaintiffs and young American … Continue Reading
September 23, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Warner and Kaine Briefed by WMATA’s Wiedefeld on Recent Safety Audit
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) and Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-Va.) held a virtual meeting Wednesday with Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) General Manager and CEO Paul Wiedefeld to review the recent, scathing audit from the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC). The senators, all of whom are staunch advocates of federal support for Metro, expressed their frustrations and disappointment at the serious problems described in … Continue Reading
September 23, 2020
Van Hollen, Brown, Capito Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Designate Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week
This week, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced a bipartisan resolution to designate the week of September 21 through September 25, 2020, as Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week. Community schools are public schools that provide integrated student supports, well-designed and expanded learning opportunities, and active family and community engagement and that use collaborative leadership and practices. The resolution … Continue Reading
September 23, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Members Announce More Than $240,000 for Chesapeake Bay Trust Environmental Education Initiatives
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, along with Congressman John Sarbanes (all D-Md.), today announced $242,858 in federal funding for the Chesapeake Bay Trust to expand environmental education programs. Funding comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) grant program. It will help local school districts and educators design and maintain environmental education programs for students throughout the … Continue Reading
September 22, 2020
Van Hollen Introduces Legislation to Invest in Transit Workforce Training
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) introduced the National Transit Frontline Workforce Training Act, legislation to establish a national training center to help meet the need for highly skilled workers in the transit industry’s maintenance and operations occupations. This legislation will provide more American workers with the skills to obtain good-paying, in-demand jobs in the transit industry. Closing this skills gap - and growing the pool of qualified applicants - is especially … Continue Reading
