Press Releases
With In-Person Visits Suspended, Van Hollen, Klobuchar Push for Access to Free Telephone Calls and Video Conferencing for Incarcerated People in Next Relief Package
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Brian Schatz (D-HI), and 12 colleagues sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) urging Congress to include provisions in the next economic relief package to provide access to free phone and video calls for incarcerated people in state and local facilities during and after the coronavirus … Continue Reading
August 06, 2020
Van Hollen, Markey, Democratic Colleagues Introduce Resolution to Defend New START Treaty, Call on Trump to Maintain Limits on New Russian Strategic Weapons
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) joined 15 colleagues on a Senate resolution calling on President Donald Trump to immediately extend for another five years the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) with Russia as it faces expiration on February 5, 2021, six months from yesterday. The bilateral New START Treaty places mutual, verifiable limits on strategic nuclear warheads and deployed and non-deployed strategic delivery systems of both the United … Continue Reading
August 06, 2020
Van Hollen, Schatz Introduce New Bill to Create CDFI Crisis Fund
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i) have introduced legislation to create a new $2 billion fund for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) that would automatically provide capital during a natural disaster or economic crisis, giving impacted communities the support they need for a faster and fuller recovery. “CDFIs are a key vehicle for funding businesses and projects in economically underserved communities, and the recession caused by the COVID-19 … Continue Reading
August 06, 2020
Van Hollen, Senators Commemorate Anniversary of 1998 Embassy Bombings in Kenya and Tanzania
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), released the following bipartisan joint statement ahead of the 22nd anniversary of the bombings of the U.S. Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania on August 7, 1998. The Senators called on the Trump Administration and … Continue Reading
August 05, 2020
Baltimore Delegation Members Applaud $500,000 in Housing Assistance for Survivors of Human Trafficking
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) applauded the award of $500,000 in federal funds for the Salvation Army’s Next Step Program for Victims of Human Trafficking. Funds come from the Department of Justice (DOJ) Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Human Trafficking Program and will allow the Next Step Program to provide housing and employment assistance to survivors of human trafficking. “The … Continue Reading
August 05, 2020
Van Hollen, Gillibrand Push for Job Creation Plan to Fight COVID-19 and Strengthen our Health and Service Systems in Next Relief Package
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), as part of a working group of Senate Democrats, sent a letter to Senate and House leadership urging the inclusion of the Force to Fight COVID-19 joint proposal in the upcoming COVID-19 relief package. The proposal combines seven health and social service workforce bills - including key elements from the UNITE Act that was previously introduced by Senators Van Hollen and Markey - into one dynamic package that would … Continue Reading
August 05, 2020
Van Hollen, Smith, Warren Fight to Secure Child Care Relief in Next Senate COVID-19 Stimulus Package
This week, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) led a large number of their Senate colleagues in calling on Senate leadership to prioritize the inclusion of their plan for a $50 billion child care bailout in the next coronavirus (COVID-19) relief package. The Child Care is Essential Act would stabilize the child care system, keep providers in business, and ensure parents are able to go back to work when it is safe to return. It was … Continue Reading
August 05, 2020
Van Hollen, Durbin Introduce Joint Resolution to Enshrine Right to Vote in U.S. Constitution
Ahead of the 55th anniversary of the enactment of the Voting Rights Act, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced a joint resolution that would finally enshrine an explicit, individual right to vote in the U.S. Constitution, and protect all Americans who seek to exercise this fundamental right. Specifically, the amendment would: Provide an affirmative right to vote for every American citizen of legal voting age in any public election held in … Continue Reading
August 05, 2020
Van Hollen, Menendez, Colleagues Urge Trump Admin to Address Reports of Retaliation among Workers of Color Who Report COVID-19 Workplace Concerns
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding reports that workers of color face disproportionate acts of retaliation when reporting workplace concerns related to COVID-19. A recent report by the National Employment Law Project (NELP) found one in eight workers has perceived retaliatory actions from employers for raising safety concerns related to the … Continue Reading
August 05, 2020
Van Hollen, Warren, Gillibrand Introduce Legislation Requiring the Fed to Close Racial Employment and Wage Gaps
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) introduced legislation to require the Federal Reserve to use its existing authorities to close racial employment and wage gaps and report on how the gaps change over time. Representative Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.Gaps in economic outcomes for individuals of different races and ethnicities have persisted throughout different … Continue Reading
August 05, 2020
Van Hollen, Harris, Menendez, Booker Introduce Legislation to Increase Diversity on CARES Oversight Commission
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced the CARES Congressional Oversight Commission Diversity Act, legislation to ensure that the communities who have been hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic are represented on the Congressional Oversight Commission. The Coronavirus crisis has disproportionally impacted Black, Latinx, Pacific Islander, and Native American individuals; however, the current makeup … Continue Reading
August 04, 2020
Maryland Delegation Members Announce $500,000 in Housing Assistance for Survivors of Human Trafficking in Montgomery, Prince George’s Counties
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.) announced $500,000 in federal funds for the University of Maryland Support, Advocacy, Freedom, and Empowerment Center for Human Trafficking Survivors (SAFE Center). Funds come from the Department of Justice (DOJ) Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Human Trafficking Program and will allow the SAFE Center, in partnership with the … Continue Reading
August 04, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin Press for Vital Education, Child Care Funds in Next Relief Package
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) sent a letter to Senate leadership urging the inclusion of crucial funding for child care, K-12 and higher education within the next COVID-19 relief package. In their letter, the Senators underscored the urgent need for these funds across Maryland and highlighted a number of priorities they are pressing to include. The Senators write, “Parents and educators have made extraordinary efforts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, doing … Continue Reading
August 04, 2020
Van Hollen, Democrats Send Letter to Secretary Perdue Expressing Concern About Increasing Food Insecurity in Maryland and the District of Columbia
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger , John P. Sarbanes, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin, David Trone, and Kweisi Mfume (all D-MD), as well as Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue expressing their serious concern about actions taken by USDA that will increase food insecurity in Maryland and the District of Columbia."At the start of the … Continue Reading
August 04, 2020
Van Hollen, Brown, Colleagues Urge Next Coronavirus Relief Package to Ban Arbitration Clauses Attached to Needed Benefits
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ranking Member of the Banking Committee, and Bob Menendez, a senior member of the both the Banking and Finance Committee, led its Democratic members in urging lead negotiators of the next COVID-19 stimulus package to prohibit the Federal Government from attaching forced arbitration agreements to any form of benefit payments to Americans. Last March, the … Continue Reading
August 04, 2020
Van Hollen, Wyden, Feinstein Take Action to Protect Health Care Freedoms in Court
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) this week filed an amicus brief in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals with 23 Senate Democrats to support litigation that would overturn a Trump administration rule that would threaten access to health care for millions of Americans. “HHS impermissibly sought to override Congress’s policymaking decisions and prioritize the Administration’s policy objectives over those established by Congress,” the … Continue Reading
August 04, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin Urge Increased Federal Resources for Firefighters, First Responders on the Front Lines of the Pandemic
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to increase funding and provide more flexibility for local firefighter departments through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants and Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) programs.“Our communities count on first responders as the first line of defense in protection and emergency response. These frontline workers are operating … Continue Reading
August 03, 2020
Maryland Delegation Members Announce More Than $187,000 to Support Eastern Shore Firefighters
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (all Md.) today announced $184,738.10 in federal funds to The Galena Volunteer Fire Company in Kent County, Md. The grant, awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, will be used to purchase new Self-Contained Automated Breathing Apparatus Units, which provide firefighters with fresh oxygen and protects them from breathing harmful carcinogens … Continue Reading
August 03, 2020
Maryland Delegation Members Announce More Than $600,000 to Support Firefighters in Prince George’s County
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer and Anthony G. Brown (all D-Md.) today announced $603,847.88 in federal funds to support firefighters in Prince George’s County, Md. “As we continue to combat COVID-19, we must provide our firefighters and first responders with the resources they need to keep Marylanders safe,” the lawmakers said. “Team Maryland will continue to fight for federal funding to support our firefighters as they serve our communities on the … Continue Reading
August 03, 2020
Maryland Delegation Members Announce More Than $500,000 to Support Annapolis Fire Department
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) announced $516,418.18 in federal funding for the Annapolis Fire Department. The grant, awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, will be used to purchase new Self-Contained Automated Breathing Apparatus Units, which provide firefighters with fresh oxygen and protects them from breathing harmful carcinogens when responding to fires. “As … Continue Reading
