Press Releases
Van Hollen, Senate Democrats Press Pompeo on Conflict in Ethiopia
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen led over fifteen of his Senate colleagues in a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, expressing their alarm at the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia and urging Pompeo to directly engage with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.“We write to express our alarm at the deteriorating political and humanitarian situation in Ethiopia. The conflict in Tigray poses serious risks to Ethiopia and the broader region. We urge you to engage directly with Prime … Continue Reading
November 18, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Block Trump’s Effort to Strip Civil Service Employees of Critical Protections
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-MD) joined Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and nearly 40 of their colleagues in introducing legislation that would block the implementation of an October 21 Executive Order by President Trump, which created a new classification for federal employees, Schedule F. This harmful executive order would make it easier for the Administration to fire non-partisan civil … Continue Reading
November 18, 2020
Baltimore Congressional Delegation Announces $100,000 for Morgan State-Led Initiative to Increase Minority Representation in Engineering
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) announced $100,000 in federal funding to help Morgan State University lead a national initiative to boost minority representation in the engineering sector and improve workforce equity. The project will create new opportunities for Black, Hispanic, and other underrepresented minority students to access Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs … Continue Reading
November 18, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin Urge Administration to Extend Loan Facilities to Provide Critical Economic Relief to Small Businesses, Local Governments
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Appropriations and Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committees and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), ranking member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, sent a letter to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and Department of Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin urging them to extend the Main Street Lending Program (MSLP) and the Municipal Liquidity Facility (MLF) past the current December 31, 2020 deadline. In … Continue Reading
November 17, 2020
Van Hollen Presses SEC to Require Guardrails on Executive Stock Sales, Pointing to Recent Pfizer and Moderna Cash Out
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) pressed U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Jay Clayton on the need to create stronger guardrails against corporate executives’ potential abuse of insider information to set up stock sales, pointing to recently scheduled sales by pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Moderna. As the Senator noted, while legal, these sales undermine public confidence and allow corporate executives to potentially misuse information unavailable to the public … Continue Reading
November 17, 2020
Van Hollen, Norton Urge Appropriations Leadership to Replenish Funding for D.C. Emergency Planning & Security Fund
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) sent a letter yesterday to the leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Financial Services and General Government in support of the District of Columbia’s request for $118.3 million for the D.C. emergency planning and security fund (EPSF) in the final fiscal year 2021 D.C. Appropriations bill. The federally-funded EPSF pays for the … Continue Reading
November 17, 2020
Van Hollen, Hirono Call for Trump Administration to Support Nationwide Capacity for Shipping, Handling, and Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines Requiring Ultra-Cold Storage
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) wrote to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Robert Redfield, urging the agencies to work with state, Tribal, territorial, and local stakeholders to identify gaps in ultra-cold storage capability, particularly in rural and underserved communities, and use existing authority to prevent supply shortages. This information will be … Continue Reading
November 16, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Announce $100,000 for Health Training Equipment for Western Maryland
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced $100,000 in federal funding to purchase training equipment for the Allegany College of Maryland Allied Health Simulation Workforce Development Program. Funding comes from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and will benefit hundreds of students in the Western Maryland region. Allegany College of Maryland will be matching the $100,000 federal funding award. The new technology will allow … Continue Reading
November 14, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Colleagues Lead Letter to McConnell In Support of TPS Holders
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.), along with Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), led 25 of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in support of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders. The letter requests that an 18 month extension of status for TPS holders be included in the December appropriations package.Established in 1990, TPS is a renewable program that allows foreign nationals … Continue Reading
November 13, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Members Announce Nearly $2.4 Million for Maternal and Child Health Services
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 $2,337,908 in federal funding to improve maternal and child health care services across the state.Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It will help the Maryland Department of Health’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau lower maternal mortality, reduce infant … Continue Reading
November 12, 2020
In Senate Floor Speech, Van Hollen Slams Republican Refusal to Accept Election Results
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) delivered a speech on the Senate Floor strongly admonishing Republicans’ unprecedented and dangerous refusal to accept the presidential election results and the current Administration’s continued attempts to stonewall the Biden-Harris transition. Video of the Senator’s speech is available here and a full transcript is available below.“Yesterday, we came together as a country, not as Republicans, not as Democrats or Independents, but as Americans to … Continue Reading
November 12, 2020
Van Hollen, Markey, Gillibrand, and Warren Push DHS to Investigate Allegations of Abuse of Detained Cameroonians
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) have sent a letter calling on the Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari to immediately open an investigation into the physical abuse of Cameroonian detainees held in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Recent reports have alleged that unlawful coercion tactics are being used to force detainees to agree to deportation … Continue Reading
November 11, 2020
Van Hollen Announces Maryland Priorities in Newly-Released Senate Appropriations Bills
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced funding for significant Maryland priorities within the proposed Appropriations bill texts released by the Committee Republican leadership. In his role on the Committee, Senator Van Hollen was successful in securing a number of Maryland wins, despite the partisan nature of the process. While the Senator was pleased to secure these measures, he also expressed his disappointment in the Committee … Continue Reading
November 11, 2020
Van Hollen, Warren, Democratic Senators Urge Armed Services Leaders to Retain Bipartisan, Bicameral Measure to Rename Military Bases and Other Assets Honoring the Confederacy
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), along with 35 of their Senate colleagues, sent a letter to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees urging that they reconcile and retain the bicameral, bipartisan measure to require military installations and assets that honor the Confederacy and Confederate officers be renamed within the next three years. Senate and House Armed Services leaders begin the final stage of conference … Continue Reading
November 11, 2020
Van Hollen Statement on Veterans Day
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement in recognition of Veterans Day: “On this day, we honor the men and women who valiantly answered the call of duty, dedicating themselves to serving our country and defending our freedom. We owe an enduring debt of gratitude to our veterans and current service members - and to all their families - for their courage and sacrifice. We must rededicate ourselves to ensuring that a grateful nation keeps its promises to them … Continue Reading
November 10, 2020
Maryland Delegation Members Urge Governor Hogan to Implement Coronavirus Workplace Protections for Marylanders
Today, members of the Maryland delegation, including 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.) urged Governor Hogan to implement coronavirus workplace protections for Marylanders during the COVID-19 pandemic.Specifically, the Members called on Governor Hogan to issue an executive order directing the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) agency to … Continue Reading
November 10, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Harris Announce $200,000 to Assist Low-Income Families on Eastern Shore with Home Repairs
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. announced $200,000 in federal funds to repair and rehabilitate the homes of low-income residents on the Eastern Shore. The grant will allow the awardees to offer homeowners grants and/or low-interest loans to fund critical home improvement projects, helping ensure that homes meet property and safety standards.“During this pandemic, many Maryland families have seen their pocketbooks take a big hit, and as … Continue Reading
November 10, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Announce $50,000 to Assist Low-Income Families in Garrett County with Home Repairs
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $50,000 in federal funds to repair and rehabilitate the homes of low-income residents in Garrett County. The grant will allow Garrett County Community Action Committee, Inc. to offer homeowners grants and/or low-interest loans to fund critical home improvement projects, helping ensure that homes meet property and safety standards.“During this pandemic, many Maryland families have seen their … Continue Reading
November 10, 2020
Maryland Delegation Members Announce $100,000 to Assist Low-Income Families in Anne Arundel, Charles Counties with Home Repairs
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, John Sarbanes, and Anthony G. Brown (all D-Md.) announced $100,000 in federal funding to help repair and rehabilitate homes for low-income residents in Anne Arundel County and Charles County.“The economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic has left many Maryland families strapped for cash and unable to afford basic home repairs,” the lawmakers said. “These federal dollars will help improve the safety … Continue Reading
November 09, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin Call on GSA Administrator to Officially Recognize Presidential Transition
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) sent the following letter today to General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator Emily Murphy, urging her to follow the law and authorize the presidential transition. Senator Cardin is Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which has oversight responsibility for the GSA. Senator Van Hollen sits on both the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the … Continue Reading
