Press Releases
Van Hollen, Beyer Introduce Cap and Dividend Legislation
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Congressman Don Beyer (D-Va.) introduced the Healthy Climate and Family Security Act. This ‘cap and dividend’ approach is a simple, fair, and effective plan to address the dangers of climate change. It would put more money in the pockets of hardworking Americans, increasing their spending power and growing our entire economy. “The dangers of climate change are front and center in our everyday lives and only getting worse — we must take real … Continue Reading
June 04, 2019
Van Hollen Statement for the Record on Confirmation of Andrew Saul
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) submitted the following statement for the congressional record on the nomination of Andrew Saul to be Commissioner of Social Security: "I oppose the nomination of Andrew Saul to be Commissioner of Social Security. I am deeply concerned about the treatment of unions who represent workers at the Social Security Administration, and Mr. Saul declined to give meaningful assurances that anything will change under his leadership. Americans everywhere … Continue Reading
June 04, 2019
Van Hollen, Maryland Delegation Members Issue Statement Following Briefing on Baltimore Ransomware Attack
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin along with Congressmen Elijah E. Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes and David Trone, yesterday received a classified briefing from senior employees of the National Security Agency regarding the recent cyberattack on Baltimore. They issued the following statement: "We are all concerned about the reported leak of cyber tools and the potential for serious damage to American cities and companies. When it comes to the ransomware attack in … Continue Reading
June 03, 2019
Baltimore Congressional Delegation Applauds the City’s Selection for the National Public Safety Partnership Program
Federal Program Will Help Baltimore Tackle Violent Crime Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Elijah E. Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger, and John P. Sarbanes (all D-Md.) applauded the selection of Baltimore for the National Public Safety Partnership program. This Federal program provides cities and states with support to address violent crime. Baltimore's congressional delegation has urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to select Baltimore and questioned the … Continue Reading
May 31, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, Hoyer Laud Movement in Designating Mallows Bay as a National Marine Sanctuary
Preserving Mallows Bay for future generations to enjoy and wildlife to thrive U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, with Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (all D-Md.), applauded the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Friday for reaching an agreement with the State of Maryland and publishing in the Federal Register the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Final Management Plan (FMP) for the designation of Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary. It … Continue Reading
May 28, 2019
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Statement on Call with Verso Leadership About Closing of Luke Mill
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and U.S. Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) released the below statement following their call on Friday with Verso Interim CEO Les Lederer. The three have previously held meetings with the Mayor of Luke and the Allegany County Executive just days after the plant announced its closing: "On Friday, we had a candid and pointed discussion with Verso's leadership about the closing of the paper mill in Luke and next steps to support the … Continue Reading
May 26, 2019
Van Hollen Requests NSA Briefing on Baltimore Ransomware Attack
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement asking for a full briefing from National Security Agency (NSA) regarding recent reports that the NSA tool, Eternal Blue, was used for the ransomware attack in Baltimore: "Reports that the Baltimore ransomware attack came as a result of NSA technology are deeply concerning. We must ensure that the tools developed by our agencies do not make their way into the hands of bad actors. Today I contacted Senator Warner, the … Continue Reading
May 24, 2019
Van Hollen Statement on Administration Decision on Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the Trump Administration's decision to move forward with arms sales to Saudi Arabia, bypassing Congress: "This Administration's decision to bypass Congress and sell arms to Saudi Arabia is a misapplication of this provision and an abuse of power. I will work to close this loophole in the appropriations process and use every available tool to prevent President Trump from taking this action." … Continue Reading
May 23, 2019
Van Hollen, Shaheen, Tillis, Lankford, Announce Bipartisan Effort to Prohibit Transfer of F-35 Aircraft to Turkey Included in Committee-Approved Defense Bill
Yesterday, the Senate Armed Services Committee passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The annual legislation authorizes national defense objectives for the fiscal year. The defense bill includes bipartisan legislation authored by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and James Lankford (R-OK) that would prohibit the transfer of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft to Turkey. This provision also applies to equipment, … Continue Reading
May 23, 2019
Van Hollen, Senators Introduce Bill to Bar USDA Research Agencies from Leaving National Capital Region
Today U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) introduced the Agriculture Research Integrity Act, which would bar the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from reorganizing and moving the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Economic Research Service (ERS) out of the National Capital Region. Experts agree that … Continue Reading
May 23, 2019
Maryland & Virginia Senators Introduce New Legislation Reforming WMATA Safety & Renewing Federal Funding Commitment to Metro
Metro Safety, Accountability and Investment Act of 2019 also protects security of Metro system by prohibiting purchase of Chinese rail cars Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-MD), along with Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) introduced new legislation to renew the federal funding commitment to Metro, provide critical safety reforms, and strengthen oversight of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Recognizing that the Metro … Continue Reading
May 23, 2019
Van Hollen, Baltimore Delegation Request FBI Briefing on Baltimore Ransomware Attack
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Representatives Elijah E. Cummings, Dutch Ruppersberger, and John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) wrote to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) thanking them for their work on the City of Baltimore ransomware attack and requesting a briefing on the attack once operations conclude. They went on to highlight questions regarding the attack, including: The identity of the individuals or groups responsible and the methods used in the … Continue Reading
May 22, 2019
Van Hollen, Klobuchar, Duckworth Introduce Legislation to Keep Jobs in the United States
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) along with Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Mn.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Il.) introduced two bills to close a loophole created by the 2017 tax law that encourage U.S. companies to move jobs and operations overseas in order to minimize their tax liability and to ensure the data on tax havens and offshoring is publicly available. The Removing Incentives for Outsourcing Act, led by Senator Klobuchar, would eliminate an unfair incentive that allows U.S. companies to … Continue Reading
May 22, 2019
Van Hollen, Duckworth, Durbin, Feinstein, Shaheen, Smith, And Kelly Reintroduce Legislation To Train Students For High-Skill Jobs
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Tina Smith (D-MN), along with U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), reintroduced legislation to make education more affordable for students pursuing degrees in high-skill industries. The bill will help businesses fill vacant, good-paying positions with qualified candidates. The Community College to Career Fund in Higher Education Act (CC2C) would support … Continue Reading
May 22, 2019
Van Hollen, Colleagues Call for New Rule to Protect Seniors from Unscrupulous Financial Advisors
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) along with Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.)wrote a letter calling on the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to prohibit financial professionals from inheriting money or property from their clients. The senators requested that FINRA establish a new rule or issue guidance to protect Americans, particularly seniors and individuals living with dementia, from being preyed upon by unscrupulous … Continue Reading
May 21, 2019
Maryland and West Virginia Members Push for Meeting with Verso CEO before Luke Mill Operations Shutdown
Last night, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Congressmen David Trone (D-Md.) and David McKinley (R-W.Va) wrote to Verso's Interim CEO Leslie Lederer asking him to meet with the delegation before Luke paper mill operations cease on May 31, 2019. The members expressed their deep concern about the future of the mill, its workers, and the entire community. "Our constituents deserve to know what Verso … Continue Reading
May 21, 2019
Van Hollen, Schatz, Bennet, Whitehouse, Murray Introduce Legislation to Repeal Debt Ceiling
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) along with Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) introduced legislation to repeal the national debt ceiling, an arbitrary limit set by Congress on the amount of funding that the United States Treasury may borrow. "The debt ceiling is an arbitrary mechanism that has no practical impact on government spending or revenues. It has been wielded as a political weapon - but the … Continue Reading
May 21, 2019
Van Hollen Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Transparency of Funding for the Recreational Trails Program
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) cosponsored the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Funding Transparency Act, bipartisan legislation to increase transparency of funding for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) by requiring the Secretary of Transportation to provide a report on the amount of non-highway recreational fuel taxes administered to the RTP to assist Congress in determining an appropriate funding level for the program. Since 1991, the RTP has provided funding to states to develop … Continue Reading
May 20, 2019
Senators to Deutsche Bank: Why Did You Block Filing of Trump and Kushner Suspicious Activity Reports?
Senators Van Hollen and Brown Demand Info From Deutsche Bank on Trump, Kushner Suspicious Activity Reports U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Oh.) are demanding more information from Deutsche Bank following the New York Times story exposing that the bank's anti-money laundering specialists had repeatedly recommended the filing of suspicious activity reports (SARs) on transactions by Trump entities, including the Trump Foundation, and by Kushner companies -- including … Continue Reading
May 20, 2019
Maryland & Virginia Senators Request Answers About White House Proposal to Place Presidential Appointee in Charge of Federal Workforce Policy
In letter to Acting OMB Director, Senators express grave concern about proposed merge that would subject career civil servants to increased political interference U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-MD), along with Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), today wrote to Acting Director Russell T. Vought to express grave concern over a new Trump Administration proposal that would, among other things, effectively end Congress' ability to provide advice and consent over the … Continue Reading
