Press Releases
Maryland Delegation Urges Administration to Release Nursing Home COVID-19 Response Funds
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin along with Representatives Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin, and David Trone urged Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma to immediately distribute funds included in the CARES Act to support efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in nursing homes.“As you know, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act [P.L. … Continue Reading
April 24, 2020
Van Hollen, Cortez Masto, Colleagues Urge Congress to Provide Housing Support for Domestic Violence Survivors During Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and 21 of their colleagues in sending a letter to Senate leaders, asking that future legislation to address the coronavirus pandemic also include resources to meet domestic and sexual violence survivors’ urgent housing needs, which have been exacerbated by stay-at-home orders, social distancing, and the ongoing economic upheaval caused by COVID-19. “Communities need a surge of resources to meet survivors’ … Continue Reading
April 24, 2020
Van Hollen Calls on HHS, CDC to Build Out System to Track Coronavirus
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Tom Carper (D-DE) have sent a bipartisan letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urging them to build on their existing reportable disease systems to better trace COVID-19 infections. In their letter, the Senators call on CDC and HHS to establish a system to receive data on who has developed antibodies to the virus and track immunity. In addition to … Continue Reading
April 24, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Colleagues Call for Families to Receive Promised COVID-19 Stimulus Payments for Their Children as Quickly as Possible
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) joined colleagues in calling on the U.S. Treasury Department to ensure that families that are not required to file taxes and will automatically receive their COVID-19 stimulus payment do not need to wait until next year to receive the additional $500 payment per dependent child that they were promised. “We write to express our concern that without additional action from your agencies, many families who receive Social Security benefits … Continue Reading
April 23, 2020
Van Hollen, Manchin, Colleagues Call in Bipartisan Letter for Relief for Rural Broadcasters, Local Newspapers During Coronavirus Pandemic
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Steve Daines (R-MT), Gary Peters (D-MI), John Barrasso (R-WY), Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and 73 other Senators in calling for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Acting Director Russell Vought to support radio and television broadcasters and local newspapers during the COVID-19 pandemic.The Senators said in part, “Our radio and television broadcasters and rural newspapers provide local and national news, emergency … Continue Reading
April 23, 2020
Maryland Delegation Calls on Trump Administration to Increase Federal Support for Firefighters
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.), today sent a letter to FEMA Administrator Gaynor urging him to waive all state and local cost-share requirements for federal firefighting assistance through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) and Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG). Local firefighters are on the front lines in every … Continue Reading
April 23, 2020
Van Hollen, Peters, Menendez Push to Waive Cost-Sharing Requirements for States Battling COVID-19 Amid Growing Calls for Administration Action
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), along with a number of their colleagues, called on President Trump to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to waive all cost-share requirements for states responding to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. On March 13, President Trump declared a national emergency related to the outbreak, authorizing federal assistance to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts. Despite continued … Continue Reading
April 23, 2020
Van Hollen Presses GSA for Information on Trump Organization’s Attempt to Seek Loan Relief from Trump Administration
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) sent a letter to Administrator Emily Murphy of the General Services Administration (GSA) pressing for more information on the Trump Organization's efforts to obtain relief from the Trump Administration on required lease payments for the Trump International Hotel. In addition to Administrator Murray, the Senator also copied GSA Inspector General Carol Ochoa on his request. GSA currently leases the Old Post Office Building in Washington, D.C. to the … Continue Reading
April 23, 2020
Maryland Delegation Members Express Concern Over Recent Reports of Veterans’ Mortgage Forbearance Issues and Retaliation During COVID-19 Crisis
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Anthony G. Brown, Steny H. Hoyer, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, David Trone and Jamie Raskin (all D-Md.) wrote to United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie to express concerns that loan servicers are not allowing veterans with VA Home Loans to access forbearance relief during the COVID-19 crisis. The CARES Act included protection for borrowers with federally backed mortgage loans who are experiencing … Continue Reading
April 23, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces More Than $422,000 in COVID-19 Relief Funding for Legal Aid Services
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 $422,690 in federal funding for Maryland Legal Aid (MLA) to provide legal services to low-income Marylanders. Funding comes from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which authorized $50 million nationwide to the … Continue Reading
April 23, 2020
Van Hollen, Durbin, Colleagues Push Treasury to Ensure Americans Without Broadband Can Receive Economic Impact Payments
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with 21 of their Senate colleagues, in urging the Department of Treasury to increase its efforts to make Economic Impact Payments available to the most vulnerable populations-including those without access to the internet who cannot file a tax return electronically. In a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Durbin and the Senators highlighted that at least 21 million Americans are without high-speed internet … Continue Reading
April 23, 2020
Van Hollen, Cardin, Hoyer Announce Nearly $90,000 for COVID-19 Public Health Research at University of Maryland, College Park
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (all D-Md.) announced $89,240 in federal funding for the University of Maryland, College Park to conduct public health research related to the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) through the National Science Foundation (NSF). This project will use data on individuals' mobility and the spread of COVID-19 to help improve our ability to understand and respond to rapidly spreading pandemics. "Gathering real-time … Continue Reading
April 22, 2020
Van Hollen, Markey Continue Efforts to Mobilize Americans in Fight Against Coronavirus
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Ed Markey (D-MA) joined Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) in announcing legislation to mobilize and recruit Americans in the response to COVID-19. The Senators’ legislation would create both a Health Force and a Resilience Force to recruit, train, and employ hundreds of thousands of Americans in order to provide public health capacity for the surge in COVID-19 patients, prepare for future public health care needs, and … Continue Reading
April 22, 2020
Van Hollen, Merkley, Gardner, Colleagues Make Bipartisan Push to Increase Critical Funds for Suicide Prevention Amid Pandemic
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Jerry Moran (R-KS), along with 9 of their colleagues, in a bipartisan push to provide the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) with $80 million to support critical suicide prevention activities amid a public health crisis that is upending the social and financial stability of countless Americans. The letter, which was addressed to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell … Continue Reading
April 22, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Discusses Skyrocketing Demand for Unemployment Assistance with State Labor Secretary
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 Labor Tiffany P. Robinson the unprecedented challenges to the state’s unemployment insurance program. The conversation followed up on a letter the delegation sent last week to Secretary Robinson offering support and … Continue Reading
April 22, 2020
Van Hollen, Warren, Democratic Senators Call for Broad Investigations of the Trump Administration's COVID-19 Response
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) called for investigations into the Trump Administration's coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response, including whether political expediency rather than the country's urgent public health needs has driven the Trump Administration's distribution of life-saving medical supplies and equipment and other key public health and economic decisions. They, along with eight of their Senate colleagues, sent a letter today to the … Continue Reading
April 22, 2020
Van Hollen, Wyden, Colleagues Push for Access to Digital Resources for State and Local Governments Managing COVID-19 Crisis
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), along with 14 of their colleagues, wrote a letter urging Congressional leadership to provide additional digital resources for state and local governments managing the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on local communities.In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), the … Continue Reading
April 22, 2020
Van Hollen, Coons, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Significantly Expand National Service Programs to Respond to COVID-19
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) announced the introduction of legislation to expand national service programs as the country works to respond and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.The Pandemic Response and Opportunity Through National Service Act would fund 750,000 national service … Continue Reading
April 21, 2020
Van Hollen Statement on Bipartisan Interim COVID-19 Relief Package
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement in response to the bipartisan agreement reached on the interim COVID-19 relief package:“As the coronavirus wreaks havoc on public health and our economy, it’s crucial that we act quickly to address challenges as they arise. While this interim measure falls short on many fronts, it is a major improvement over the shortsighted proposal initially offered by Leader Mitch McConnell. It not only replenishes both the … Continue Reading
April 21, 2020
Van Hollen, Menendez, Colleagues Call on Big Pharma to Prioritize Diversity in COVID-19 Clinical Trials
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), along with a group of their colleagues, in urging 15 pharmaceutical companies engaged in COVID-19 related work and their trade organization to prioritize diversity in any coronavirus vaccine or trial. Given the disproportionate impact of the outbreak on communities of color and other minority groups, the senators underscored the critical need for comprehensive demographic and racial data to ensure new treatments work … Continue Reading
