Press Releases
Van Hollen, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Achieve Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the U.S. by No Later Than 2050
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), joined Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) along with 31 other Senators in introducing legislation that would put the United States on a path to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by no later than 2050.This net-zero legislation is supported collectively by major environmental groups, business groups and organized labor.The world’s leading scientists have warned that humanity … Continue Reading
February 10, 2020
Van Hollen, Brown, Sanders, Baldwin Demand Answers from Amazon as Work-Related Injuries Continue to Rise
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) are demanding answers from Amazon as work-related injuries at the company’s facilities continued to rise over the holidays, and recent reports indicate poor and unsafe working conditions. In a letter sent to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, the Senators urged the company to put worker safety ahead of profits, and to do more to prevent and protect workers from work-related injuries.The Senators’ … Continue Reading
February 10, 2020
Van Hollen Statement on President’s Proposed Budget
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committees, released the following statement regarding the Trump Administration’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget proposal:“President Trump’s proposed budget is an assault on hard-working middle-class families, senior citizens, and those struggling to get by. It guts healthcare programs, slashes educational programs and student loans, and shreds the social safety net - all to pay for his tax cuts for … Continue Reading
February 10, 2020
Van Hollen Joins Murray, Feinstein, Senate Democrats in Letter Requesting Answers on ICE Treatment of Transgender Detainees
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), as well as Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tom Udall (D-NM), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) in sending a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Chad Wolf and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Matthew T. Albence, demanding to know whether ICE is taking the necessary steps to accommodate transgender migrants in their … Continue Reading
February 07, 2020
Van Hollen Joins Duckworth, Bustos, Colleagues in Sending a Letter to PJM Advocating for Affordable Clean Energy
This week, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (IL-17) and 18 Democratic colleagues in sending a letter to Manu Asthana, President and CEO of PJM Interconnection, to urge a delay in PJM’s annual capacity auctions so states can mitigate the expansion of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)’s Minimum Offer Price Rule (MOPR) and understand how this decision will impact consumers. FERC’s recent decision directs … Continue Reading
February 06, 2020
Van Hollen, Northeast Senators Demand Railroad Agency Turn the Gears on Critically Needed Updates to Northeast Commuter Network
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), along with a group of fourteen other senators from all eight states along the Northeast Corridor, in urging the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to finalize and approve plans to immediately advance the Hudson Tunnel Project, a critical element of the Gateway Project. The Gateway Project refers to a set of transportation infrastructure improvements on the bustling Northeast Corridor rail network, … Continue Reading
February 06, 2020
Baltimore Delegation Announces $4.8 Million in Federal Funding to Support Affordable Housing for Baltimore Seniors
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger and John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) announced more than $4.8 million in federal funding to support affordable housing options for Baltimore seniors. Comprehensive Housing Assistance, Inc (CHAI) will receive $3,734,840 for the development of Woodland Gardens Elderly Housing project in northwest Baltimore, and CSI Support and Development Services will receive $1,141,097 to build seven new units at the … Continue Reading
February 05, 2020
Van Hollen, Young Release Statements on New START Anniversary
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) released the following statements regarding the ninth anniversary of the implementation of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START). The treaty, which will expire a year from today, preserves crucial caps on Russia’s nuclear capabilities. In August, Senators Van Hollen and Young introduced bipartisan legislation to extend the Treaty until 2026.“It’s crucial that we preserve effective, verifiable limits on Russia’s … Continue Reading
February 05, 2020
Van Hollen Statement on Impeachment Vote
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the Senate vote on the articles of impeachment:“It is the constitutional obligation of each senator to weigh the evidence before us and render a final verdict on the two articles. Today, in line with my constitutional duty, I voted to convict the President on both charges of impeachment and to remove him from office. On the charge of Abuse of Power, the House managers presented overwhelming evidence, as … Continue Reading
February 05, 2020
Maryland Delegation Members Seek Answers on Funding for Maryland Army Installations
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin as well as Congressmen David Trone, Dutch Ruppersberger, Jamie Raskin, and Anthony Brown (all D-Md.) raised concerns in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper regarding funding for the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) at Fort Detrick and the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD) at Aberdeen Proving Ground. On Thursday of last week, the members were … Continue Reading
February 04, 2020
Van Hollen Statement on Promotion of Charles McGee to Brigadier General
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement congratulating Charles McGee on his promotion to Brigadier General: “I salute Brigadier General Charles McGee for his extraordinary service to our country. I am proud to have teamed up with Representative Anthony Brown to pass this legislation and to provide Colonel McGee with this honorary promotion to Brigadier General. Thank you, General, for your sacrifice to our nation, and again, happy 100th birthday!” … Continue Reading
February 04, 2020
Van Hollen Statement on President Trump’s State of the Union Address
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding President Trump’s State of the Union address. “This evening, President Trump had the opportunity to put forward an agenda to unite our country behind a common sense of purpose. Instead, he drove deeper divisions and continued to advance policies that, when stripped of nice-sounding rhetoric, serve the interests of super-wealthy elites at the expense of hard-working Americans. Tonight he proposed to give … Continue Reading
February 04, 2020
EPW Democrats Wear “Warming Stripes” Pin Ahead of President Trump’s State of the Union Address
Today, ahead of President Trump’s third State of the Union Address to Congress, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, joined Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) in sending the message that Americans undoubtedly will not hear from President Trump in his address to Congress. Senators Van Hollen, Carper, and Whitehouse are wearing a pin representing the “Warming Stripes” design developed by climate … Continue Reading
February 03, 2020
Van Hollen Joins Heinrich, Democratic Colleagues in Urging Top U.S. Banks to Not Finance Arctic Drilling
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Committee for the Environment and Public Works, joined U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and 14 other Senate colleagues in sending a letter to 11 of the largest U.S. banks asking them to update their environmental and climate policies to include a prohibition on funding for oil and gas drilling or exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge."As one of the largest banks operating in the United States, we write to ask that … Continue Reading
February 03, 2020
Van Hollen Joins Brown, Whitehouse, Schatz, and Dems in Pressing GSEs on Preparation for Climate Risks
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Brian Schatz (D-HI), along with other Senate Democrats, in pressing Fannie Mae CEO Hugh Frater and Freddie Mac CEO David Brickman for information on the steps that each of the GSEs are taking to assess and prepare for the effects of climate change on their business and on American communities, … Continue Reading
February 03, 2020
Van Hollen Presses Administration to Expedite Honorary Promotion for Col. McGee
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) sent a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett urging the Air Force to quickly process the honorary promotion of Colonel (Ret.) Charles E. McGee. Colonel McGee, a resident of Bethesda, Md., served with the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II, completing 136 combat missions. Col. McGee recently celebrated his 100th birthday and was featured in last night’s coin toss at the Super Bowl. In July, Senator Van Hollen introduced legislation to … Continue Reading
February 03, 2020
Van Hollen Announces Andrea Chamblee as State of the Union Guest
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) announced that his guest to the State of the Union will be Andrea Chamblee, a gun reform activist and the widow of John McNamara, one of the five Capital Gazette journalists killed in Annapolis on June 28, 2018.“On June 28, 2018 Maryland lost five sons and daughters - John McNamara, Rebecca Smith, Rob Hiaasen, Wendi Winters, and Gerald Fischman. Their murders broke the hearts of their friends and loved ones, the Annapolis community, and people … Continue Reading
January 30, 2020
Van Hollen Rebukes Administration’s Proposed Rollback of Protections for Migratory Birds
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement in response to the Department of Interior’s (DOI) proposed rollback of protections for migratory birds. The proposed rule would undermine a longstanding interpretation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) that holds companies responsible for oil spills that kill migratory birds. Under DOI’s new legal opinion, companies responsible for non-intentional oil spills would no longer have to pay penalties for the massive … Continue Reading
January 29, 2020
Van Hollen Statement on EPA’s Response Regarding its Responsibility to Enforce Chesapeake Bay Pollution Reduction
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) response to his January 8, 2020 letter urging the EPA to provide clarity on their commitment to enforcing Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) pollution reduction targets.“I am deeply frustrated and concerned by the EPA’s lack of clarity in their response to my letter regarding their commitment to protecting and preserving the Chesapeake Bay. Their response ducks the … Continue Reading
January 28, 2020
Van Hollen, Democratic Senators Reject Trump Plan, Urge Administration to Commit to a Viable Two-State Solution
Today, in response to the President’s announcement of his "deal of the century," U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) led a letter together with 11 of his colleagues expressing serious concerns with the Trump Middle East plan. In addition to Senator Van Hollen, the letter was signed by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Amy … Continue Reading
