Press Releases
Van Hollen joins Merkley, Leahy, Durbin and Colleagues in Introducing Legislation to Tackle Corruption, Human Rights Violations in Honduras
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Richard Durbin (D-IL) and colleagues in introducing the Honduras Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Act of 2021 - legislation that lays out a comprehensive framework for combating corruption, impunity, and human rights violations in Honduras.The introduction comes as U.S. federal prosecutors made public that they are investigating Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández for accepting large bribes … Continue Reading
February 24, 2021
Van Hollen, Brown, Gillibrand Reintroduce Bicameral Legislation to Expand Community Schools, Support Students, Families & Communities
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) reintroduced The Full-Service Community School Expansion Act, a comprehensive bill to assist schools and districts in bringing in wraparound supports - including medical, mental, and nutrition health services, mentoring and youth development programs, technical assistance, and continuing education courses - to serve students, families, and communities. This legislation would also provide essential … Continue Reading
February 24, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Announce More Than $4.5 Million for Early Childhood Education in Western Maryland
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced more than $4.5 million in federal funding for Head Start and Early Head Start programs to expand early learning, development, health services, and family well-being in Garrett and Washington counties.“Investing in early childhood education is one of the best ways we can help our children achieve future success. Head Start programs not only expand access to education for our youngest students … Continue Reading
February 24, 2021
Van Hollen, Luján Reintroduce Campaign Finance Reform Bills to Strengthen the FEC, Revitalize Presidential Public Financing
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) reintroduced two campaign finance reform bills to bring dramatic and necessary change to our nation’s current inadequate campaign finance system. The first, theEmpowering Mass Participation to Offset the Wealthy's Electoral Role (EMPOWER) Act, would revitalize presidential campaign public financing and is led by Congressman David Price (D-N.C.) in the House. The second, the Restoring Integrity to America’s Elections Act, … Continue Reading
February 23, 2021
Van Hollen Statement in Support of Thomas Vilsack to Serve as Secretary of Agriculture
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding his vote to confirm Thomas Vilsack to Serve as Secretary of Agriculture:“As the United States is facing its worst hunger crisis since the Great Depression and family farms are struggling, President Biden has nominated Thomas Vilsack to reprise his role as Secretary of Agriculture and capably steward the Department to address these critical needs and support our rural communities. Given that agriculture is … Continue Reading
February 23, 2021
Van Hollen and Wexton Introduce Legislation to Ensure Transparency in Federal Agency Relocations
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) introduced the Conducting Oversight to Secure Transparency (COST) of Relocations Act to require a federal agency undergoing a proposed relocation to conduct and make public a cost-benefit analysis of the move before it is carried out. The COST of Relocations Act would help safeguard against attempts to force federal employees out of their jobs or stifle inconvenient scientific research through the auspices of … Continue Reading
February 23, 2021
Maryland Delegation Members Applaud New FEMA-Supported Mass Vaccination Site in Waldorf
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny Hoyer and Anthony Brown (all D-Md.) applauded the announcement of a new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mass vaccination site in Waldorf, Md. The site will be located at the Regency Furniture Stadium, at 11765 St. Linus Dr., Waldorf, Md., 20602 and is expected to open for operation in early March.“Providing Marylanders access to vaccines and ensuring equitable distribution is our top priority. This new … Continue Reading
February 23, 2021
Van Hollen, Tester, Colleagues Designate Public Schools Week to Recognize Critical Role of Public Education
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and a bipartisan group of colleagues in celebrating the critical role public school teachers, administrators, parents, and students play in their communities by designating February 22 - 26 as Public Schools Week. The lawmakers' resolution encourages state, local, and federal lawmakers to prioritize efforts to strengthen public education and bolster services that provide critical support for students, including … Continue Reading
February 23, 2021
Fed Chair Powell Agrees with Van Hollen: We Need Targeted Help for Long-Term Unemployed Workers
During today’s Senate Banking Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) questioned Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on the urgent need to address the crisis of long-term unemployment and people who have dropped out of the labor force during the pandemic but still want to work. Chairman Powell agreed on the need for policies specifically targeting these workers. Senator Van Hollen has previously introduced legislation to address this issue and has repeatedly discussed the … Continue Reading
February 23, 2021
Van Hollen Statement in Support of Linda Thomas-Greenfield to Serve as United States Ambassador to the United Nations
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding his vote to confirm Linda Thomas-Greenfield to Serve as United States Ambassador to the United Nations:“Today, I was proud to vote in support of Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s confirmation to serve as our United States Ambassador to the United Nations. Our next U.N. Ambassador will inherit the monumental task of restoring our standing and influence at the United Nations after four years of isolation and … Continue Reading
February 23, 2021
Van Hollen, Markey, and Senate Colleagues Back President Biden’s Return to Nuclear Diplomacy with Iran
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined 9 of their colleagues in the reintroduction of the Iran Diplomacy Act. The legislation supports President Joseph Biden’s diplomatic effort to return all sides to full-compliance with their commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran Nuclear Deal. Last week, the Biden administration formally accepted an invitation by the … Continue Reading
February 23, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce More Than $200,000 for Affordable Housing in Salisbury
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced $230,000 for Salisbury Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. The funding will help develop and preserve affordable housing, revitalize and sustain neighborhoods, and create local jobs. “Many Marylanders struggled with housing insecurity before the pandemic, but are in even more desperate straits now. These funds will help Salisbury Neighborhood Housing Services provide affordable housing and counseling assistance to … Continue Reading
February 22, 2021
Van Hollen Introduces Merrick Garland at Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) introduced Judge Merrick Garland to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee as the Committee considers Garland’s nomination by President Joe Biden to serve as the Attorney General. During his introduction, Senator Van Hollen underscored Judge Garland’s immense qualifications to be the next Attorney General and highlighted his strength of character that will allow him to serve our nation with distinction at this challenging time. The Senator touched on … Continue Reading
February 22, 2021
Van Hollen Reintroduces Legislation to Prevent Seizure of Patients’ Bank Accounts, Wages During COVID-19 Pandemic
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) reintroduced the COVID-19 Medical Debt Collection Relief Act, legislation to prevent healthcare providers from taking drastic steps to collect medical debts from patients - including seizing bank accounts and garnishing wages. According to research conducted by National Nurses United, between 2009 and 2018 Maryland hospitals filed over 140,000 lawsuits against former patients to collect debt. Recent polling also shows widespread support in Maryland … Continue Reading
February 19, 2021
As WMATA Struggles Amid Covid-19 Crisis, Md. & Va. Senators Announce Bill to Renew Federal Funding for Next Ten Years
Today, Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-MD) and Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced a bill to renew the federal funding commitment to Metro for the next ten years - legislation that comes at a critical time for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), which continues to provide critical service to essential frontline and federal workers despite the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis.“WMATA provides a vital network that keeps our region connected … Continue Reading
February 19, 2021
Baltimore Congressional Delegation Announces More Than $750,000 for Affordable City Housing
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) announced $754,500 to help develop and preserve affordable housing, revitalize and sustain neighborhoods and create local good-paying jobs across the City of Baltimore.This latest round of federal funding includes $495,000 for Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore and $259,500 for St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center.“We must help Maryland families weather the … Continue Reading
February 19, 2021
Van Hollen, Baldwin, Colleagues Call on Biden Administration to Fully Fund Community Development Block Grant Program
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) in calling on the Biden administration to prioritize funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which funds local community development initiatives that support jobs, housing, infrastructure, and economic development for millions of Americans, in his upcoming budget proposal.The Trump administration repeatedly tried to eliminate the CDBG program, but Senator Baldwin worked to reverse Trump’s cuts … Continue Reading
February 18, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the introduction of the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021:“Immigrants are essential to our communities, contributing to our economy as a whole, and often working on the front lines to defeat COVID-19. The U.S. Citizenship Act marks an important step forward to reform the immigration process for our country. I’m pleased to see this sweeping plan to reverse the Trump administration’s backward immigration policies … Continue Reading
February 18, 2021
In Wake of U.S. Capitol Insurrection and Inauguration Security Threats, Maryland Congressional Delegation Urges President Biden to Approve Reimbursement for Emergency Inaugural Security
Members of the Maryland congressional delegation, including 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.), are urging President Joe Biden to approve Maryland’s appeal for an emergency declaration in support of the state’s efforts to improve safety and security across the National Capital Region for the 59th Presidential Inauguration.The state’s … Continue Reading
February 18, 2021
Van Hollen Leads Senate Democrats in Urging Biden Administration to Prioritize ATF Leadership and Gun Violence Prevention
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) led 11 of his Senate colleagues in a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to quickly nominate a permanent Director to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) who iscommitted to increasing public safety and addressing the gun violence epidemic in our country. In their letter, the Senators highlight a number of priorities that the new ATF Director must work to immediately address, including public transparency, … Continue Reading
