Press Releases
Van Hollen, Cardin Lead Bipartisan Vote to Confirm O’Malley for Social Security Commissioner
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) praised the confirmation of former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley to serve as the next Social Security Commissioner. The bipartisan vote Monday was 50-11. “Martin O’Malley understands the importance of Social Security to millions of Americans - including our seniors and those with disabilities. That’s why I was proud to support his confirmation today to lead the Social Security Administration. As the former chief executive of our … Continue Reading
December 18, 2023
Maryland Delegation Announces Nearly $13 Million for Coastal Restoration and Resilience Projects
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, John Sarbanes and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) announced $12,901,800 in National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) funding for restoration and resiliency projects to improve coastal communities and their fish and wildlife habitats. The funding was made available through the National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. … Continue Reading
December 18, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin, Warner, Kaine Push to Fund WMATA National Security Needs
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) and Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-Va.) wrote to President Biden requesting that the administration include at least $30 million in their FY25 budget request for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to specifically address the agency’s operational costs related to national security and counterterrorism. This request comes as WMATA faces a $750 million budget shortfall that threatens safety and … Continue Reading
December 18, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce Availability of Over 130,000 H-2B Visas for Fiscal Year 2024 and Bipartisan Legislation to Support Seafood Industry’s Long-Term Workforce Needs
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) welcomed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) release in November of 130,716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for fiscal year 2024 as they announced that they have joined U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Mark Warner, and Tim Kaine (both D-Va.) in introducing bipartisan legislation to improve the H-2B program to help ensure Maryland seafood companies can hire the seasonal workforce they need to operate at … Continue Reading
December 15, 2023
Van Hollen, Schatz, Welch, Kaine, Booker Call on Biden to Urge Israeli, Egyptian Governments to Allow Journalists Into Gaza, Protect Free Press
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) called on President Joe Biden to urge the governments of Israel and Egypt to protect press freedom and allow journalists into Gaza to cover the war. In their letter to the president, the senators underscored the importance of safe access into Gaza for journalists and the need for accurate and independent reporting from inside the warzone. “We ask you to … Continue Reading
December 15, 2023
Van Hollen Joins Padilla, Cortez Masto in Calling on Treasury and IRS to Expand Access to Vehicle Refueling Infrastructure Credits
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and their Senate colleagues in calling on the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to finalize guidance for and maximize inclusive access to the 30C Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) included an extension of this tax credit, which provides billions of dollars for eligible refueling infrastructure … Continue Reading
December 15, 2023
Van Hollen Joins Warren, Baldwin, Democratic Senators in Introducing Resolution Affirming Support for FDA’s Scientific Judgment That Medication Abortion Is Safe and Effective
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and their Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution in support of equitable, science-based policies governing access to medication abortion. Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, reproductive rights have been increasingly under attack, with more than a dozen states banning or restricting access to abortion care, and anti-abortion extremists attempting to ban medication … Continue Reading
December 14, 2023
Van Hollen, Tillis Pass Bipartisan Legislation to Preserve Visa Program for U.S. Government Employees Abroad in Annual Defense Bill
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) announced Senate passage of their bipartisan legislation to ensure foreign U.S. government employees who have provided exceptional service to our nation abroad have a secure and efficient path to immigrate to the United States, along with their families. This legislation, the GRATEFUL Act, will cut the years-long wait time to receive visas that these employees and their family members now face. The Senators included their … Continue Reading
December 14, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin, Sarbanes Secure Provisions to Codify Public Access to Greenbury Point in Senate-Passed Defense Bill
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman John P. Sarbanes (all D-Md.) announced their success in securing Senate passage of their provision to prevent the U.S. Navy from unilaterally blocking public access to the Greenbury Point Conservation Area at Naval Support Activity Annapolis (NSA Annapolis). After securing language in the Senate-drafted Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in July to prevent the Navy from making long-term public access … Continue Reading
December 13, 2023
Van Hollen Secures Key Provisions in Annual Defense Bill Passed by Senate
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) voted to pass the final fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in the Senate, which includes critical investments and legislative priorities the Senator worked to secure. The legislation provides more than $1 billion to Maryland military installations as well as a 5.2 percent pay raise for military and Department of Defense (DoD) civilian employees. “In the face of evolving threats around the world, this year’s defense bill helps … Continue Reading
December 13, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin Introduce Biden Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Nominee Nicole Berner to Senate Judiciary Committee
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) formally introduced Nicole Berner, President Joe Biden’s nominee for a Maryland seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, to the Senate Judiciary Committee at her confirmation hearing. Ms. Berner has been nominated to fill the vacancy created when Judge Diana Gribbon Motz took senior status in September 2022. “Today, Nicole Berner clearly demonstrated her extensive qualifications and commitment to the rule of … Continue Reading
December 12, 2023
Van Hollen Joins Bennet, Senate Colleagues in Urging Treasury to Ensure Families and Businesses Can Reap the Benefits of Clean Energy Tax Credits for Geothermal Heat Pumps, Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and their Senate colleagues in a letter to U.S. Department of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen calling on the agency to issue guidance to ensure consumers and businesses can take full advantage of the clean energy tax incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act to deploy geothermal heat pumps (GHP). Passed as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, these incentives can greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from home … Continue Reading
December 11, 2023
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce Agreement with White House on Offshore Wind Development in Central Atlantic
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) joined the Biden-Harris Administration in announcing the proposed offshore wind lease sale of two previously announced parcels in the Central Atlantic Ocean to be held in 2024, along with a commitment to identify additional acreage off Maryland’s shores to be designated as Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) for lease in a second sale in 2025. This announcement comes after months of engagement between the Senators and Administration … Continue Reading
December 07, 2023
Van Hollen, Durbin, Kaine, Schatz & Colleagues Announce Amendment Requiring that Use of U.S. Supplemental Aid Comply with U.S., International Law
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Dick Durbin, (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), as well as Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) announced that they are working on an amendment to require that the weapons received by any country under the proposed national security … Continue Reading
December 07, 2023
Van Hollen, Doggett Lead Charge to Curb Foam Container Pollution to Protect Our Environment, Improve Public Health
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) introduced bicameral legislation to phase out single-use plastic foam food service products, “loose fill” such as packing peanuts, and non-medical disposable coolers - materials known to cause adverse health effects and pollute waterways. The Farewell to Foam Act will prohibit the sale and distribution of these items beginning January 2026 while aiming to support the transition to alternatives. … Continue Reading
December 05, 2023
Van Hollen Statement on Tuberville Relenting Hold on Military Promotions
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement after U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) announced he will lift his irresponsible hold on more than 400 military promotions awaiting confirmation by the Senate. “Senator Tuberville’s months-long publicity stunt has finally come to an end. It accomplished nothing but hurt our military families, weakened our armed forces’ readiness, and compromised our national security amid armed conflict and instability around … Continue Reading
December 04, 2023
Team Maryland Joint Statement on Virginia Delegation’s Latest Attempt to Delay FBI Headquarters Project
Members of Maryland’s federal, state, and local governments including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (Md.-05), Governor Wes Moore, Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger (Md.-02), John Sarbanes (Md.-03), Kweisi Mfume (Md.-07), Jamie Raskin (Md.-08), David Trone (Md.-06), and Glenn Ivey (Md.-04), and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks released the following statement regarding the Virginia … Continue Reading
November 30, 2023
Team Maryland Joint Statement on the GSA Inspector General's Notice of an Evaluation of the Site Selection Process
Today, members of Maryland’s federal, state, and local governments including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-MD), Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Governor Wes Moore, Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02), John Sarbanes (MD-03), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), David Trone (MD-06), and Glenn Ivey (MD-04), and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks released the following statement regarding the General … Continue Reading
November 30, 2023
Van Hollen Statement on PCAOB’s Historic Action Sanctioning Foreign Firms to Better Protect American Investors
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s announcement today that the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) has imposed sanctions on three PCAOB-registered public accounting firms in China and Hong Kong. These sanctions represent the first time ever - pursuant to the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, authored by Senators Van Hollen and Kennedy - that foreign companies operating on U.S. … Continue Reading
November 30, 2023
Van Hollen, Brown, Gillibrand, Luján Introduce Legislation to Expand Community Schools to Improve Student Outcomes
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced The Full-Service Community School Expansion Act of 2023, a comprehensive bill to improve student outcomes by helping public schools and districts bring in wraparound support services including medical, mental, and nutrition health services, mentoring and youth development programs, technical assistance, and continuing education courses. Full-service community … Continue Reading
