Press Releases
Van Hollen, Cardin, Chesapeake Bay Watershed Senators Urge President Biden to Fully Fund Bay Restoration Programs
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), along with fellow Chesapeake Bay State Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.) - Environment and Public Works Committee Chair - Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) have written to President Joe Biden urging him to provide robust funding for Chesapeake Bay programs in his FY2022 budget proposal. Senator Van Hollen, in his role on the Appropriations Committee, has repeatedly fought to secure … Continue Reading
February 10, 2021
Van Hollen, Klobuchar, Young, Introduce Legislation to Support Mental Health and Addiction Services During Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Todd Young (R-N.C.) have reintroduced bipartisan legislation directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to establish a Coronavirus Mental Health and Addiction Assistance Network. These grants would go to eligible entities offering appropriate mental health and addiction services, including qualified nonprofit organizations, health care providers, and Indian tribes. The Coronavirus Mental Health and … Continue Reading
February 09, 2021
Montgomery County Congressional Delegation Announces More Than $7.7 Million for Mental Health Clinics
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced more than $7.7 million in federal funding to expand services and access to Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) in Montgomery County, Maryland.“The COVID-19 pandemic has put an increased strain on the mental health of countless Americans and further illuminates the need for increased access to mental health care in our communities. This new federal funding … Continue Reading
February 09, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce FEMA Cost Share Reimbursement of $182 Million to Help Maryland Combat COVID-19
Following a recent request from U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.), urging thenPresident-elect Biden to take immediate action upon assuming office to grant pending requests to waive the 25% non-federal costshare requirement for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance related to the COVID-19 pandemic, President Biden signed a memo this week directing FEMA to reimburse state, tribal, and local governments for 100 percent of the eligible COVID-19 related … Continue Reading
February 08, 2021
Van Hollen Statement in Support of Denis McDonough to Serve as Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding his vote to confirm Denis McDonough to serve as the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs:“Today, I enthusiastically cast my vote in support of Denis McDonough’s confirmation to serve as our next Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. McDonough brings to this position a wealth of experience. From his time at the White House as a member of the National Security Council and the Chief … Continue Reading
February 08, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin, Schumer, & Over 20 Senate Democrats Reintroduce the SECURE Act for TPS Recipients
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) was joined by Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients from across the country to announce the reintroduction of the Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and in Emergency (SECURE) Act, legislation to allow qualified TPS recipients to apply for legal permanent residency. During the press conference, the Senators noted the support of over 20 of their Senate colleagues and underscored their commitment to … Continue Reading
February 08, 2021
Van Hollen, Booker, Unveil Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act to Address America's Maternal Health Crisis
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), along with Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Representative Alma Adams (D-NC), and members of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, unveiled the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021 - historic legislation to save moms’ lives, end racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes, and achieve maternal health justice for Black women and all women and birthing people of color. The Momnibus builds on existing … Continue Reading
February 05, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin Seek Protection for the Right to Organize and Make our Economy Work for Everyone
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) joined Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, in introducing the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, comprehensive labor legislation to protect workers’ right to stand together and bargain for fairer wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces.“The right to organize and collectively bargain is fundamentally entrenched in our democratic principles,” said Senator … Continue Reading
February 05, 2021
Van Hollen, Menendez, Peters, Push for DHS to Enforce ‘Lautenberg Amendment’ to Keep Firearms Out of Hands of Domestic Abusers
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and several colleagues in urging the Department of Homeland Security to establish a zero-tolerance stance for domestic violence and take immediate steps to enforce a federal law that keeps firearms out of the hands of those convicted of domestic violence or subject to a restraining law—including those who … Continue Reading
February 05, 2021
Van Hollen, Brown, Booker, Colleagues Urge Amazon to Recognize Workers Seeking Union Representation Ahead of Key NLRB Vote
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) and a group of their colleagues in urging Amazon to do right by its workers and support their efforts to freely exercise their right to organize a union. In a letter sent to current Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, and his successor, Amazon Web Services CEO Andy Jassy, the senators expressed support for Amazon workers seeking to organize a union with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union … Continue Reading
February 05, 2021
Maryland Congressional Delegation Urges Local U.S. Postal Service Leaders to Fix Delivery Problems
The full Maryland congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone, today continued to urge U.S. Postal Service leadership at all levels to resolve persistent and widespread delivery delays. In new correspondence to the district managers of the Capital and Baltimore districts, the federal delegation cites numerous reports … Continue Reading
February 05, 2021
Van Hollen, Coons, Brown, Tillis, Cardin Announce Growing Momentum for Legislation Awarding Congressional Gold Medal to USCP Officer Eugene Goodman
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) announced that their legislation to award Officer Eugene Goodman the Congressional Gold Medal has now garnered 67 cosponsors, meeting a key benchmark in Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee rules that is necessary for consideration on the Senate floor. Given the wide bipartisan support for the bill, the Senators hope to move quickly to final … Continue Reading
February 05, 2021
Baltimore Congressional Delegation Announces $4 million for Mental Health Clinics in Baltimore City and Timonium
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes and Kweisi Mfume (all D-MD) - today announced $4 million in federal funding for Mosaic Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) in Baltimore City and Timonium. The funding will help the Sheppard Pratt-operated clinics expand access to lifesaving mental health services and substance abuse treatment. “Far too many Americans are experiencing mental health and substance abuse challenges, … Continue Reading
February 05, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on the Senate Budget Resolution Passage
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding his vote in support of the Senate budget resolution:“More than 450,000 of our fellow Americans have died of COVID-19. This is an unacceptable toll of suffering. And while we grapple with the human costs of this pandemic, many are facing the economic fallout as well. Main Street is struggling - we’ve seen thousands of small businesses shutter. And across our nation disparities are growing - our students are … Continue Reading
February 04, 2021
Maryland Congressional Delegation Applauds Biden Approval of Maryland Disaster Funding for Tropical Storm Isaias
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 applauded President Joe Biden for granting their request to release federal funds through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help Marylanders recover from Tropical Storm Isaias. This declaration has unlocked funding through both the Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs. … Continue Reading
February 04, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on Biden Action to Delay and Review Trump Migratory Bird Rule
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement in support of the Biden Administration’s decision to delay and further review the Trump Administration’s Department of Interior (DOI) rule weakening the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). The rule would undermine a longstanding interpretation of the MBTA that holds companies responsible for oil spills that kill migratory birds.“The Trump Administration was hell-bent on gutting the historic protections of the Migratory … Continue Reading
February 04, 2021
Van Hollen, Markey, Cantwell, Bennet, Hassan, and Schatz Lead Colleagues in Urging New FCC to Use its Emergency Authority to Connect Students to Online Learning
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Commerce Committee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) led 31 of their colleagues in a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), urging the agency’s new leadership to take long overdue action and utilize the E-Rate Program to help close the “homework gap” during the coronavirus pandemic.As the United States approaches the … Continue Reading
February 04, 2021
Senators Van Hollen, Markey and Rep. Dingell Re-Introduce Legislation to Create a Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator
Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) today re-introduced legislation that would create a national climate bank or “Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator,” which would leverage public and private funds to invest in clean energy technologies and infrastructure. This legislation would provide financing to eligible regional, state and local green banks, make investments directly into projects that reduce carbon emissions, … Continue Reading
February 04, 2021
Van Hollen, Smith, Colleagues Push to Ensure Stimulus Payments Reach Americans Experiencing Homelessness
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and 27 Senate Democratic colleagues in calling on the Department of the Treasury to ensure Americans receive the relief they are entitled to, including those who are experiencing homelessness.The bipartisan COVID-19 relief package enacted into law on December 27 of last year provided a round of direct payments worth up to $600 per adult, and efforts are currently underway to provide additional direct payments in future … Continue Reading
February 04, 2021
Van Hollen Leads Maryland Delegation Members in Pressing DeJoy on USPS Delays
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen led members of the Maryland congressional delegation, including U.S. Senator Ben Cardin and U.S. Representatives Steny Hoyer, C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone (all D-Md.) in writing to United States Postal Service Postmaster General Louis DeJoy about the severe mail delivery delays Marylanders are experiencing. The members refer to specific examples from correspondence they’ve received from … Continue Reading
