Press Releases
Van Hollen, Lankford, Colleagues Pen Letter to Secretary Pompeo on USCIRF Recommendations
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and James Lankford (R-OK) sent a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback to ask the State Department to consider recommendations made by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) when determining designations of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) and placement on the Special Watch List (SWL). CPC and SWL designations by the Secretary of … Continue Reading
September 08, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Warner, Kaine Express Outrage at Report of Ongoing, Toxic Workplace Culture at Metrorail
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) and U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-Va.) issued the following joint response to The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission Safety Audit of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). This was the first audit of the Rail Operations Control Center by the safety commission since it was established in 2017, two years after the death of Carol Glover in a smoke-filled Yellow Line train. “We are appalled and … Continue Reading
September 08, 2020
Van Hollen, Trone Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Posthumously Award Maryland WWII Veteran Cpl. Woodson with Medal of Honor
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and U.S. Representatives David Trone and Anthony Brown (both D-Md.) were joined by Mrs. Joann Woodson, the widow of Maryland WWII Veteran Corporal Waverly Woodson, to announce new bipartisan, bicameral legislation to authorize the President to award Cpl. Woodson the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism during World War II, and specifically his courageous and selfless actions during the D-Day invasion. While Cpl. … Continue Reading
September 08, 2020
Maryland Delegation Members Announce More Than $2.6 Million in Federal Funding to Combat Violence Against Women
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony Brown, and Jamie Raskin (all D-Md.) today announced $2,602,583 in federal funding to combat violence against women. Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to provide legal assistance to victims, raise awareness to reduce dating violence through campus programs, and provide resources for survivors and their families.“This new … Continue Reading
September 08, 2020
Van Hollen, Risch, Cardin, Colleagues Condemn Violence in Anglophone Cameroon
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues, today in introducing a resolution calling on the Government of Cameroon and armed separatist groups from the English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions to end all violence, respect the human … Continue Reading
September 08, 2020
Van Hollen Leads Bipartisan Push for Answers on Administration's Implementation of the Payroll Tax Deferral for Federal Employees, Service Members
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) led over 20 of his Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought urging them to make the payroll tax deferral outlined by President Trump last month optional for federal employees and service members. In their letter the Senators also push for answers on how the Administration plans to implement this deferral.“We urge you to let federal workers and uniformed … Continue Reading
September 08, 2020
Van Hollen, Feinstein, Paul, Collins to Trump: Extend New START
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), and Susan Collins (R-Maine) today sent a letter calling on President Donald Trump to immediately extend the New START arms control agreement with Russia for another five years. The treaty is set to expire in February 2021 if no action is taken to extend or replace it.“Allowing New START to expire in February would have a dangerous and destabilizing effect. Losing New START’s extensive and effective … Continue Reading
September 08, 2020
Van Hollen, Feinstein, Paul, Collins to Trump: Extend New START
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), and Susan Collins (R-Maine) today sent a letter calling on President Donald Trump to immediately extend the New START arms control agreement with Russia for another five years. The treaty is set to expire in February 2021 if no action is taken to extend or replace it.“Allowing New START to expire in February would have a dangerous and destabilizing effect. Losing New START’s extensive and effective … Continue Reading
September 04, 2020
Cardin, Van Hollen, Ruppersberger, Sarbanes Applaud More Than $880,000 in Federal Funding for Tipton Airport Authority
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin along with Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger and John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) today applauded an award of $884,646 in federal funds Tipton Airport Authority in Odenton, Md. The funding is awarded through the Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.“Local airports provide a critical connection between communities and economies throughout … Continue Reading
September 04, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces More Than $50 Million in Federal Funding for Statewide Response to Opioid Crisis
The Maryland Congressional Delegation, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin, Kweisi Mfume and David Trone, announced $50,751,132 in federal funding for the Maryland Department of Health to support statewide efforts to combat the opioid crisis.“For individuals living with opioid addiction and substance use disorders, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it harder … Continue Reading
September 04, 2020
Maryland Delegation Announces More Than $250,000 in Federal Funding for Housing Assistance Programs
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.), today announced $250,054 in federal funding for housing assistance programs across the state. “This new federal funding comes during an incredibly important time as Marylanders continue to grapple with the severe economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the lawmakers said. “Every family deserves a … Continue Reading
September 04, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces More Than $3.9 Million to Support Chesapeake Bay Restoration Efforts and Strengthen State Environmental Infrastructure
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone (all Md.) announced $3,941,087.76 in federal funds to support projects throughout Maryland to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay and enhance environmental infrastructure.“The Chesapeake Bay Watershed is a national environmental treasure and the driving force behind Maryland’s economy,” the … Continue Reading
September 04, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Hassan Call for Updated Energy Efficiency Standards
U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.), along with Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and seven Democratic colleagues wrote to Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette today in raising concerns over the Department of Energy’s (DOE) failure to update key national energy efficiency standards for consumer and commercial appliances. The DOE has yet to review 26 of the energy efficiency standards, despite the mandate of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act.“Energy efficient appliances … Continue Reading
September 03, 2020
Van Hollen, Maryland Delegation Members Urge State to Prioritize Helping Marylanders Seeking Answers on Unemployment Benefits
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, joined by Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone (all D-Md.) urged Maryland Department of Labor (MDOL) Secretary Tiffany Robinson to swiftly resolve thousands of pending unemployment insurance claims. In their letter, the members urge MDOL to prioritize helping Marylanders whose applications for unemployment assistance remain unresolved or unanswered. As FEMA has now … Continue Reading
September 03, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Announce Nearly $650,000 for Fire Departments Throughout Allegany County
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) announced the award of $646,666 to the Barton Hose Company No 1, Inc. in Allegany County. Together with last week’s award to Baltimore Pike Volunteer Fire, a total of $1,435,757 will go toward the purchase of 192 sets of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) units for 13 stations across Allegany County. SCBAs provide firefighters with fresh oxygen and prevent them from breathing harmful carcinogens … Continue Reading
September 02, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Applaud More Than $4.1 Million in Federal Funding for Greater Cumberland Regional Airport
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman David Trone (D-Md.) today applaud the award of $4,122,800.00 in federal funding for the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport in Cumberland, Maryland. This award is disbursed by the Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and appropriated through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).This new funding will go towards rehabilitating the airport’s runway, protecting the … Continue Reading
September 02, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Hoyer Applaud More than $5.5 Million in Federal Funding for St. Mary’s County Regional Airport
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Steny Hoyer (all D-Md.) today announced an award of $5,560,023 in federal funds to St. Mary’s County Regional Airport in Leonardtown, Md. for the extension and reconstruction of the airport runway. The funding is awarded through the Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. “The St. Mary’s County Regional Airport is a … Continue Reading
September 02, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Harris Applaud More than $4.4 Million in Federal Funding for Eastern Shore Airports
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Andy Harris M.D. (all Md.) today announced an award of $4,457,609 in federal funds for airport improvement projects in Worcester, Talbot and Queen Anne’s Counties. The funding is awarded through the Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.“The Eastern Shore’s airports provide a hub for local jobs and economic … Continue Reading
September 02, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, and Raskin Applaud More Than $232,000 in Federal Funding for Carroll County Airport
U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) today applaud the award of $232,222.00 in federal funding for Carroll County Regional/Jack B. Poage Field Airport in Westminster, Md. This award is disbursed by the Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and appropriated through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). This new funding will go towards rehabilitating the airport’s runway, protecting … Continue Reading
September 02, 2020
Van Hollen, Senators to Defense Department: Reinstate Funding for Stars & Stripes
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), along with a bipartisan group of senators, today called on the Defense Department to reinstate funding for the Stars and Stripes newspaper. The Defense Department currently plans to stop publishing the newspaper at the end of this month and dissolve the organization by January 31, 2021.“Stars and Stripes is an essential part of our nation’s freedom of the press that serves the very population charged with defending that … Continue Reading
