Press Releases
Van Hollen, Rubio, Merkley, Colleagues Reintroduce Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Senate colleagues in reintroducing the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. This bipartisan bill will ensure that goods made with Uyghur forced labor in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) do not enter the United States. Earlier this year, the State Department issued a determination that the Chinese Communist Party is committing crimes against humanity and genocide against Uyghurs and … Continue Reading
January 27, 2021
Sen. Van Hollen, Rep. Lee to Introduce Bicameral Bill to Fully Fund Title I, Special Education
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and U.S. Representative Susie Lee (D-Nev.) announced the reintroduction of the Keep Our Promise to America’s Children and Teachers (PACT) Act, legislation to put Congress on a fiscally-responsible path to fully fund Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) on a mandatory basis. “Regardless of their zip code, every child deserves a first-rate education. Congress made a historic commitment when it passed Title I and IDEA, but … Continue Reading
January 27, 2021
Van Hollen, Carper Lead Reintroduction of Statehood Bill to Ensure Equal Representation for Over 700,000 D.C. Residents
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) in reintroducing legislation to grant Washington, D.C. statehood. The bill would make Washington, D.C. the 51st state, finally give its citizens full representation in Congress, and also ensure that the citizens and elected leaders of the District of Columbia have full authority over local affairs, including crucial safety and security matters. The Washington, D.C. Admission Act (S.51) would also designate the … Continue Reading
January 27, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on Biden’s New Steps to Boost Vaccine Supply, Distribution
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the new steps announced yesterday by President Biden to boost vaccine supply, distribution, and transparency. “To overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, we must rapidly expand our vaccination efforts across Maryland and the country. Doing so requires an all-hands-on-deck approach, including a coordinated strategy at the federal level to secure more doses of the vaccines and ensure their prompt deployment to the … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on Biden Executive Orders to Improve Racial Equity
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, released the following statement regarding President Biden’s new executive orders on racial equity, including his effort to ensure fair housing standards. The Senator also released a statement specifically on the President’s Executive Order on DOJ’s use of private prison companies which can be found here. “Access to safe and affordable housing is a human right - and … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on Biden Executive Order Eliminating DOJ Use of Private Prisons
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding President Biden’s executive order eliminating the use of private prisons by the Department of Justice. Senator Van Hollen, alongside Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), pushed for this action, following the Trump Administration’s reinstatement of this practice. “Profiting off of the mass incarceration of Americans is nothing short of shameful, but private prison companies do just that. We know that the use of … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Van Hollen Statement in Support of Antony Blinken to Serve as Secretary of State
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement in support of the confirmation of Antony Blinken to serve as the U.S. Secretary of State:“Today, I was proud to vote in support of Antony Blinken’s confirmation to serve as our next Secretary of State. While he faces an enormous task ahead, given his breadth of knowledge and experience, I am confident he is the right person to meet America’s foreign policy challenges. I have had occasion to work with him over the … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Maryland Congressional Delegation Members Announce More Than $560 Million in Emergency Federal Funding for State COVID-19 Response
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 announced more than $560 million in emergency federal funding for the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) to help boost the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and aid its vaccine distribution efforts.This latest funding from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) comes after President … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Maryland Delegation Members Applaud More Than $1 Million for WMATA and Montgomery County Transit to Improve COVID-19 Safety
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, John Sarbanes, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone (all D-Md.) applauded the award of $1,050,000 for Montgomery County’s Ride On transit service and Washington Metro Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to improve rider safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic.“This new infusion of federal funding will help WMATA and Montgomery County reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission on public transportation systems and … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Maryland Delegation Members Urge State to Ramp Up COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Efforts, Ensure Equitable Access
Today, members of the Maryland Congressional Delegation, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone, released the following statement after a conference call on Monday with Maryland Department of Health Acting Secretary Dennis Schrader about the state’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts:“A robust vaccination strategy is critical to our efforts to … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on President Biden’s Buy American Executive Order
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding President Biden’s new executive order to promote American manufacturers, businesses, and workers:“The economic fallout of the pandemic has hit American workers hard - many have lost their jobs and are unable to make ends meet. Now more than ever, we need to invest in our economy and the American workforce - and today’s executive action from President Biden does just that. This new order will help support … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Van Hollen Statement in Support of Janet Yellen to Serve as Treasury Secretary
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding his vote in support of Janet Yellen to serve as the Secretary of the Treasury:“A successful economic recovery requires a Treasury Secretary who is prepared, crisis-tested, and extremely qualified. Not only is Janet Yellen the first woman to lead the Treasury Department - but she's also the first person in history to have served as Treasury Secretary, Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, and Chair of … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Van Hollen Applauds Biden’s Action to Remove Ban on Transgender Individuals Serving in Our Military
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement applauding President Biden’s executive order to overturn the ban preventing transgender individuals from serving in our military: “The ban on transgender individuals serving in our military was a stain on our nation. It harmed our national security, reduced readiness, and defied our values. Any patriot who is qualified and able to maintain the standards expected of our Armed Forces should be able to serve. I’m glad … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Van Hollen, Cardin Praise Completion of Poplar Island Construction and “Solid Investments” in FY2021 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Work Plan
U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (Both D-Md.) today announced the inclusion of key priorities for Maryland within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) FY2021 Work Plan that will direct significant federal funding to dredging, beach re-nourishment, oyster restoration and critical environmental remediation throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The senators also applauded the completion of the Paul S. Sarbanes Ecosystem Restoration Project at Poplar Island, which received … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Maryland Delegation Members Announce More Than $1.17 Billion in COVID-19 Relief for Schools and Universities Across the State
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 announced more than $1.17 billion in federal funding for K-12 schools and higher education institutions across Maryland. Funding comes from the bipartisan COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress in late December.“This urgently needed relief will help provide students, educators and support … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Van Hollen, Young Release Joint Statement on Biden Administration’s Action on New START Extension
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) released the following statement regarding the Biden Administration’s efforts to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) with Russia. The treaty, which is set to expire on February 5, 2021, imposes limits on the strategic nuclear arsenals of the United States and Russia. In August 2019, Senators Van Hollen and Young introduced bipartisan legislation to extend New START until 2026. More recently, in October … Continue Reading
January 22, 2021
Van Hollen, Gillibrand, Bennet, Colleagues Reintroduce Bicameral Health Force, Resilience Force, and Jobs to Fight Covid-19 Act to Combat Public Health and Economic Crises
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) announced the reintroduction of the Health Force, Resilience Force, and Jobs to Fight COVID-19 Act, legislation that would invest billions in the nation’s public health jobs and infrastructure and aid the … Continue Reading
January 22, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on Biden’s Executive Order to Strengthen Civil Service, Reverse Trump Attempts to Undermine Federal Workforce
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding President Biden’s executive order to reverse President Trump’s attempts to undermine our civil service, including his executive order on Schedule F: “Our federal employees work day-in and day-out to provide vital services to the American people. Despite their dedicated efforts, the previous Administration preferred to use our civil service as a political punching bag. Today’s executive order from President … Continue Reading
January 22, 2021
Van Hollen Statement on Biden Executive Actions to Address Economic Impacts of COVID-19
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding President Biden’s executive actions to address the economic impacts of COVID-19:“Not only has COVID-19 had a devastating impact on the health of our communities, neighbors, families, and friends, but it has also brought many Americans to the brink of poverty. The impact the pandemic has on Marylanders’ pocketbooks is all too real - and we must provide real economic support to small businesses and families … Continue Reading
January 22, 2021
Van Hollen, Coons, Tillis, Brown, and Cardin Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Award Officer Eugene Goodman with Congressional Gold Medal
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) introduced legislation to award Officer Eugene Goodman the Congressional Gold Medal to honor his heroic actions on January 6, 2021. Goodman, a Marylander, confronted rioters in the Capitol, delaying their access to the Senate chamber and protecting the lives of those inside.“Officer Goodman is a hero. He protected our democracy by holding off and then … Continue Reading
