Press Releases
Maryland Federal Delegation Receives $91 Million Commitment from CSX for Howard Street Tunnel Project
As the Port of Baltimore continues to see record growth in international cargo value and volume, upgrading the Howard Street Tunnel, for both safety and capacity, has the potential to transform the economics of freight in the region U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, along with Baltimore Mayor Catherine E. Pugh and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Elijah E. Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger, Andy P. Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown and Jamie B. Raskin, met Thursday at the U.S. Capitol with … Continue Reading
December 13, 2018
Van Hollen Joins Senate Colleagues in Calling on President Trump to Preserve Nuclear Treaties
Senators: "Your Administration's Efforts to Double Down on New, Unnecessary Nuclear Weapons While Scrapping Mutually Beneficial Treaties Risks the United States Sliding Into Another Arms Race with Russia and Erodes U.S. Nonproliferation Efforts Around the World" Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined a group of 26 Senators in urging President Trump to uphold the longstanding bipartisan consensus on nuclear arms control. The Senators' letter follows President Trump's alarming … Continue Reading
December 13, 2018
Van Hollen Secures Provisions to Help Veteran, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers in Farm Bill
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) announced that much of his legislation to improve access to assistance for veteran and socially disadvantaged farmers has been included in the 2018 Farm Bill. The Senator's provisions, originally introduced in his Assist Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2018 would reauthorize, strengthen, and improve the Outreach to Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture … Continue Reading
December 13, 2018
Van Hollen, Warren Ask Senate Banking Committee to Investigate Deutsche Bank
Today U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), both members of the Senate Banking Committee, wrote to Chairman Crapo asking the Banking Committee to launch a detailed, bipartisan investigation into Deutsche Bank. "Over the past several years, Deutsche Bank has been the subject of numerous enforcement actions in the in the United States and abroad, and just weeks ago the bank's head office and other locations in Frankfurt were raided by 170 police officers and tax … Continue Reading
December 12, 2018
Van Hollen, Klobuchar, Duckworth Press GM for Answers on Taxes and Layoffs
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) wrote a letter to General Motors (GM) Chairman and CEO Mary Barra seeking answers on how GM is affected by new incentives for offshoring that were created by the Republican tax law and pressing GM to eliminate future stock buybacks, in light of recently announced layoffs in the United States. In addition to their letter, Senators Van Hollen and Duckworth have cosponsored Senator Klobuchar's … Continue Reading
December 11, 2018
Van Hollen Joins Senators in Urging FAA to Implement and Improve Airport Contract Tower Program
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) signed a bipartisan letter of 35 Senators urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement a provision in this year's FAA spending bill allowing airports that utilize the contract tower program to become eligible for Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants from the small airport fund. This provision, which was introduced and included in the recent FAA Reauthorization law will enhance air traffic safety at small, rural airports such as Boulder … Continue Reading
December 11, 2018
Van Hollen Secures Millions in Mandatory Funding to Help Chesapeake Bay in New Farm Bill
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) announced that the new Farm Bill contains major provisions from his Chesapeake Bay Farm Bill Enhancements Act, including: $300 million in mandatory funding for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), the successor to Senator Van Hollen's 2008 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative that provides funding to conservation partners and agricultural producers to work together to reduce pollution and improve water quality A higher percentage … Continue Reading
December 10, 2018
Van Hollen Joins Senate Resolution Recognizing the Need to Improve Disability Access & Infrastructure in Federally-Funded Buildings
13 Democratic senators join resolution reaffirming support for ensuring people with disabilities have equal access to federal buildings & government services Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined 13 Democratic colleagues to introduce a Senate resolution on the need for improvements in disability access and infrastructure in federally funded buildings. The resolution also reaffirms support for existing laws that work to ensure equal opportunity for individuals with … Continue Reading
December 07, 2018
Van Hollen, Democratic Senators Raise Alarm Over Human Rights in Cameroon
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) led a letter signed by a group of Democratic Senators to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo raising deep concerns about violations of human rights, the breakdown in the rule of law, and elections fraud in Cameroon. In addition to Senator Van Hollen, the letter was signed by Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tim … Continue Reading
December 07, 2018
Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces $6.5 Million in Federal Funding for Port of Baltimore
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, along with Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, Steny H. Hoyer, Elijah E. Cummings, John P. Sarbanes, Andy P. Harris, M.D., John K. Delaney, Anthony G. Brown and Jamie B. Raskin have announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $6,554,575 in federal funding for the Maryland Port Authority. The grant will be used to construct a second berth capable of serving ultra large container ships and cargo, as part of the Port of Baltimore's … Continue Reading
December 07, 2018
TROOPS AT SOUTHERN U.S. BORDER: Van Hollen and Colleagues Slam Trump Administration’s Decision to Extend Deployment Through January, Urge Secretary Mattis to Reverse Course Immediately
Senators: Trump administration's lack of transparency on troop deployment "should worry all those who are invested in the readiness of our military, its professional use, and the need to keep a bright-line distinction between military and law enforcement" Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and a group of senators sent a letter to Department of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, urging the Department to reconsider its decision to extend the deployment of active duty servicemembers … Continue Reading
December 06, 2018
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $20 Million for Cecil County I-95/Belvidere Road Interchange Project
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced $20 million in federal funding for the I-95/Belvidere Road Interchange project in Cecil County. This funding, awarded through the Department of Transportation's Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program, will boost economic development by attracting major new businesses to the area and addressing increased traffic volume along I-95. As a result of this project, new and existing businesses are … Continue Reading
December 06, 2018
Van Hollen Statement on Nomination of Bernard McNamee as Member of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen released the following statement regarding the nomination of Bernard McNamee as a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC): MR. PRESIDENT, President Trump has nominated Bernard McNamee to be a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). FERC is an independent agency that regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil. FERC also reviews proposals to build liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and … Continue Reading
December 06, 2018
Maryland Delegation Urges University System of Maryland to Ensure Health, Safety of Every Student
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny Hoyer, Elijah Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger, and John Sarbanes yesterday met with the University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents Chair Linda Gooden and USM Chancellor Bob Caret. The meeting was requested in the aftermath of the Board's investigation into and recommendations regarding the football program at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD). After the meeting, the members released the following joint … Continue Reading
December 06, 2018
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $112,000 in Funding for Chesapeake City Water Storage and Infrastructure
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Chris Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) have announced $112,485 in federal funding to replace Chesapeake City's undersized and antiquated water storage tanks and install 1,200 feet of new water main lines. These upgrades will dramatically improve water quality and water pressure for Chesapeake City residents, as well as expand the town's water storage capacity. "Infrastructure investments drive economic growth in our communities and improve the health of Maryland … Continue Reading
December 05, 2018
In Capitol Hill Meeting, Van Hollen, Maryland Federal Delegation Calls on GM CEO Mary Barra to Reconsider Closing White Marsh Facility
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny Hoyer, Elijah Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger, and John Sarbanes (All D-Md.) met Wednesday evening with General Motors Chair and CEO Mary Barra in an effort to gain clarity and reverse the decision to close the GM facility at White Marsh. The lawmakers released the following joint statement on the meeting: "This evening, we met with General Motors (GM) Chair and CEO Mary Barra and again reiterated our shock and dismay at the … Continue Reading
December 05, 2018
Van Hollen Statement on Huawei CFO Arrest
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement on reports that Huawei's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) has been arrested in Canada at the request of the U.S. government and faces extradition to the United States: "Huawei and ZTE are two sides of the same coin - Chinese telecommunications companies that represent a fundamental risk to American national security. While the Commerce Department focused its attention on ZTE, this news highlights that Huawei is also violating … Continue Reading
December 04, 2018
Van Hollen Introduces Bill to Keep Our Promise to Students and Fully Fund Title I, Special Education
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) introduced the Keep Our Promise to America's Children and Teachers (PACT) Act, which would put Congress on a fiscally-responsible path to fully fund Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) on a mandatory basis. "When our children have access to a first-rate, quality education not only do they succeed, but our economy and our entire country succeed. Congress had the right intentions when it passed Title I and IDEA, but we … Continue Reading
December 03, 2018
Van Hollen Demands Answers from Zinke on Interior’s Oil Spill Regulations
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) Secretary Ryan Zinke pushing for answers surrounding the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). The Senator has repeatedly raised concerns about DOI's new guidance that oil companies responsible for oil spills would no longer have to pay penalties for massive loss of bird life under the MBTA. But Secretary Zinke, when questioned about this issue by Senator Van Hollen at a recent Senate Appropriations … Continue Reading
December 03, 2018
Maryland Lawmakers Call General Motors Closure Announcement “Poor Corporate Citizenship”
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, along with Congressmen Elijah Cummings, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes and Jamie Raskin (all D-MD) have sent a letter to General Motors Chairman and CEO Mary Teresa Barra requesting a meeting to discuss the company's decision to terminate operations at its White Marsh facility, calling it an "example of extremely poor corporate citizenship." The company announced it will cease production at the transmissions plant in Maryland, which … Continue Reading
