Press Releases
Van Hollen, Harris, Durbin Press for Emergency Funding to Combat Hate Crimes During COVID-19 Pandemic
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) on Monday in calling on Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL), and Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) to ensure that communities have the resources necessary to combat hate-motivated violence following a documented increase in hateful incidents and messages targeting Asian-American and … Continue Reading
May 04, 2020
Van Hollen, Markey, Tillis, Senators Call for $26 Billion in Next Coronavirus Relief Package to Support Research Workforce
Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) were joined by 30 of their Senate colleagues today in advocating for protections for the U.S. scientific research community during the coronavirus pandemic. Although coronavirus-related research is a current federal government priority, most other research has slowed or stopped due to closures of campuses and laboratories. The people who comprise the research workforce - graduate students, postdocs, … Continue Reading
May 01, 2020
Van Hollen Urges Trump Administration to Clarify Timeline, Expedite Process for PPP Loan Forgiveness
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) urged U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin and Small Business Administrator Jovita Carranza to issue guidance clarifying the timeline and expedite the process for Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness. In a letter sent today, the Senator conveyed the concerns of Maryland small businesses and non-profits, who have expressed the need for further clarification on PPP forgiveness requirements in order to apply for loans, make informed business … Continue Reading
May 01, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce More Than $750,000 for Food and Agricultural Science Scholarships at University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced that University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) in Princess Anne, Maryland will receive $752,632 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). This funding will provide scholarships to encourage UMES students to pursue baccalaureate degrees in the food and agriculture sciences, providing financial aid, robust supports, and mentoring.“Maryland’s agriculture sector … Continue Reading
May 01, 2020
Van Hollen, Sullivan Recognize U.S. Foreign Service Day
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), co-founders of the Senate Foreign Service Caucus, are introducing a resolution designating May 1, 2020 as “United States Foreign Service Day” in recognition of the men and women who have served, or are presently serving, in the Foreign Service of the United States and honoring the members of the Foreign Service who have given their lives in the line of duty. Foreign Service Day has been celebrated on the first Friday in May … Continue Reading
May 01, 2020
Van Hollen, Brown, Colleagues: Trump Decision to Reopen Meat Processing Facilities Without Clear Safety Standards Puts Workers, Nation’s Food Supply at Risk
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), along with a number of their colleagues, in urging President Trump to take immediate action to amend his Executive Order and mandate that meat processing facilities closed down by State or local health authorities or of their own accord are permitted to reopen only after they have met all of the health and safety guidelines issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Centers for Disease … Continue Reading
May 01, 2020
Van Hollen, Brown, Colleagues Call for Tax Credit Expansion to Help Working Families During Coronavirus Economic Downturn
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) and a group of 38 senators in a letter to Senate Leaders calling for a temporary expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC) in the next coronavirus relief package. As the economic effects of COVID-19 are expected to last into next year, this would put money back in the pockets of working Americans as they continue to … Continue Reading
May 01, 2020
Congressional Delegation Announces Approval of New Federal Funding for Maryland’s Mental Health Services in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
The full Maryland congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone, announced the approval of new federal resources for the state of Maryland through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP). This is one of the forms of federal assistance that Maryland is … Continue Reading
April 30, 2020
Van Hollen Joins Tele-Conference with Members of Eastern Shore Agriculture Community
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) spoke to members of the Eastern Shore agriculture community to discuss issues surrounding the coronavirus, including CDC testing, economic concerns, and future relief packages. The call, organized by the Worcester County Economic Development Office, included participants from the Delmarva Poultry Industry, MidAtlantic Farm Credit, University of Maryland, Maryland Farm Bureau, and Small Business Development Center. “The coronavirus has created … Continue Reading
April 30, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Discusses Status of COVID-19 Testing with State Health and Emergency Management Leaders
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 P. Sarbanes, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone, today discussed with Maryland Secretary of Health Robert Neall, Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services Fran Phillips and Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Director Russell Strickland the status of Maryland’s ability to test for … Continue Reading
April 30, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Harris Oppose Proposed Closure of Coast Guard Station-Oxford on Maryland’s Eastern Shore
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Andy Harris are urging the Coast Guard not to shutter the U.S. Coast Guard Station Oxford, which is the only Coast Guard Station on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The lawmakers have written to Coast Guard Rear Admiral Matthew Sibley to oppose the closure as part of a public comment period. Following earlier pressure, the USCG announced that the public comment period on potential action, which was originally to close on April 14, was … Continue Reading
April 30, 2020
Van Hollen, Senators Seek $8 Billion for Efficient, Coordinated Contact Tracing System
As scientists worldwide race for a cure for novel coronavirus (COVID-19), local efforts, including robust contact tracing, are key to stopping the spread of the virus and safely reopening the economy. U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and a group of 12 other leading U.S. Senators in calling for Congress to include $8 billion in new funding for contact tracing initiatives in CARES Act 2 to help states and localities recruit, hire, and train contact tracers … Continue Reading
April 30, 2020
Van Hollen, Markey, Bennet, Hassan, and Colleagues Plan to Introduce Legislation to Direct $4 Billion in E-Rate Funds to Close Growing Learning Gap in Coronavirus Pandemic
Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) today announced that they plan to increase their request in upcoming legislation aimed at ensuring all K-12 students have adequate home internet connectivity and devices during the coronavirus pandemic. The Senators previously announced their intention to introduce the Senate companion to legislation, the Emergency Educational Connections Act, recently introduced by Congresswoman … Continue Reading
April 30, 2020
Van Hollen, Brown, Collins, Stabenow Urge USDA to Target Relief to Local Farmers in Finalized Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and a group of bipartisan senators urged the USDA to target COVID-19 relief provisions to reach local farmers in the new Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). USDA created CFAP to administer relief Congress provided in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. While the CARES Act specifically provides direct assistance to local food producers, USDA has not … Continue Reading
April 30, 2020
Van Hollen, Murray, Colleagues Ask About Political Interference in COVID-19 Response Following Ouster of Vaccine Development Head
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and 18 of their Democratic Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar to express their concern regarding reports of political influence at the Department, demand more information on staffing issues related to the COVID-19 response efforts, and ask whether staff turmoil and turnover is hindering the Department’s work. The Senators specifically asked about the … Continue Reading
April 30, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces More than $9 Million in COVID-19 Housing Relief
The full Maryland Congressional Delegation including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone, today announced $9,043,232 in COVID-19 relief for tenant-based housing voucher recipients in Maryland through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).Funding comes from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act, … Continue Reading
April 30, 2020
Van Hollen, Warren, Colleagues Urge House and Senate Leadership to Prioritize the Needs of People with Disabilities in the Next COVID-19 Package
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) in sending a letter urging House and Senate leadership to prioritize the needs of people with disabilities as House and Senate leadership negotiates a fourth stimulus package to mitigate the health, social and economic impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.An estimated … Continue Reading
April 29, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces New COVID-19 Emergency Nutrition Assistance For Students Missing Free or Reduced-Price Lunches at School Due to COVID-19 Closures
The full Maryland congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone, today announced approval by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) of Maryland’s plan to provide new Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) assistance to all Maryland children who would receive free or reduced-price lunches if not for school closures. The Maryland … Continue Reading
April 29, 2020
Van Hollen, Merkley, Murphy, Colleagues Push to Strengthen Food Assistance Amid Coronavirus Crisis
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Chris Murphy (D-CT), along with a group of 21 lawmakers, sent a letter urging Senate leadership to support and strengthen SNAP—also known as food stamps—to help ensure that families across America can keep food on their tables despite the mounting economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. “SNAP is the nation’s first line of defense against hunger and is proven to help lifts millions of American families and children out … Continue Reading
April 29, 2020
Van Hollen Presses McConnell for Safety Plan to Protect Capitol Staff as Senators Return
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pressing the Majority Leader for details on how he will ensure the safety of Senate employees, contractors, and support staff - many of whom are Maryland residents - as the chamber goes into session next week. As the Senator mentions in his letter, he is prepared to return himself for much-needed work on our country’s COVID-19 response but has yet to hear a plan from Leader McConnell on … Continue Reading
