Press Releases
Van Hollen Statement on S.J.RES.65 and U.S. Arms Sales to Bahrain
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding S.J. Res 65, a Joint Resolution Relating to the Disapproval of the Proposed Export to the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain of Certain Defense Articles and Services: "Mr. President, as the late Senator John McCain once wrote, "We are a country with a conscience. We have long believed moral concerns must be an essential part of our foreign policy, not a departure from it." He believed, as I do, that … Continue Reading
November 14, 2018
Van Hollen Statement for the Record on Adoption of S.140, the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2018
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2018:"Today the Senate completed work on a new two year authorization for the U.S. Coast Guard, the Federal Maritime Commission and on regulations related to vessel discharges and other matters. "This bill is intended to give our Coast Guard the certainty it needs to operate in a constantly changing environment, and I appreciate the significant bipartisan work that has gone … Continue Reading
November 13, 2018
Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $150,000 for Hagerstown Community College
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced $150,000 in federal funding through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for the Hagerstown Community College Energy and Trades Training Center. This funding will allow the College to purchase workforce training equipment and technology for the newly-constructed Center, which will in turn provide hands-on experience for students enrolled in the Alternative Energy Technology and Industrial and Engineering … Continue Reading
October 28, 2018
Van Hollen Statement on Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has released the following statement regarding the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.“I am heartbroken and horrified by the brutal mass murders in Pittsburgh. This reprehensible anti-Semitic hate crime against people participating in Shabbat observance is painful beyond words.“We are grateful for the selfless heroism of the first responders who rushed into harm’s way to save lives. And we pray for those who lost their … Continue Reading
October 24, 2018
Van Hollen Statement on Suspicious Packages
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has released the following statement regarding the suspicious packages sent to public officials and the media. The Senator’s office has been in contact with the Sergeant at Arms and the Capitol Police regarding the situation at the Capitol Heights, Maryland facility, and the Senator continues to monitor the situation closely. “Acts of political violence targeted against anybody have no place in our country. We can have disagreements on policy … Continue Reading
October 24, 2018
Maryland, Virginia Senators Urge WMATA to Maintain Riders’ Advisory Council
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), joined by Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) sent a letter to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Board of Directors Chairman Jack Evans, opposing their proposal to terminate the Riders’ Advisory Council. Tomorrow, after previous assurances by the WMATA Board Chairman that the Council would continue to operate, the Board plans to vote on whether to eliminate the Council and instead … Continue Reading
October 23, 2018
Van Hollen Signs Bipartisan Letter to Pompeo Urging Trump Administration to Recommit to Refugee Admissions Program
Bipartisan Push Comes After Fiscal Year 2018 Admissions Hit the Lowest Amount in More than 40 Years Yesterday, Sen. Chris Van Hollen signed a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging him to reconsider the historic low set level in refugee admissions for fiscal year (FY) 2019 and to reaffirm the United States' commitment to a robust refugee admissions program. The Trump administration has set FY 2019 refugee admissions levels at just 30,000. The Senators wrote, "A … Continue Reading
October 18, 2018
Cardin and Van Hollen Join Effort to Give Workers a Greater Voice at Public Companies
U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-MD) are joining 11 of their Senate colleagues in calling on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to use its upcoming Staff Roundtable to consider implementing reforms that will promote worker engagement, drive long-term growth and investment, and give workers a greater voice in public companies by allowing workers to be elected as company board members. In the letter, the Senators note research has shown that company boards … Continue Reading
October 18, 2018
Van Hollen Presses Administration on Decision to End Support for Publicly Accessible Patient Care Guidelines
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen has sent a letter to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Director Gopal Khanna, regarding the Agency’s decision to end support for the National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC). The NGC provides public access to evidence-based clinical practices that promote patient care. In the letter, Senator Van Hollen noted, “The NGC is an important tool for providers, patients, and others to inform health care and treatment decisions.” The Senator … Continue Reading
October 16, 2018
Van Hollen Joins Effort to Halt EPA Methane Standards Roll Back
Ahead of the public comment period that began this week for a proposal to weaken methane standards, Sen. Chris Van Hollen along with 21 Senate colleagues in a letter urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to extend the public comment period for the rule and provide adequate justification for modifying the national standards. In 2016, the EPA adopted the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for methane emissions from oil and gas sources following a 75-day comment period. The … Continue Reading
October 15, 2018
Van Hollen Statement on Trump Claims About Khashoggi Murder
Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s comments on the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi: “President Trump’s suggestion that Khashoggi’s elaborately planned murder in the Saudi’s own consulate was orchestrated by ‘rogue killers’ defies reality. Orders must have come from the top. The U.S. must not be complicit in an effort to cover-up this heinous … Continue Reading
October 12, 2018
Sen. Van Hollen, Reps. Carson, Moulton Lead Bicameral Letter Seeking Answers on Trump Travel Ban
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and U.S. Representatives André Carson (D-IN-7) and Seth Moulton (D-MA-6) led a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen pressing the two Departments for more information on the implementation of President Trump’s travel ban. The Members write, “Despite repeated requests from the Congress, the Administration has not been forthcoming with Members of Congress or the American people about … Continue Reading
October 12, 2018
Van Hollen and 22 Senate Colleagues Call for Greater U.S. Efforts to Protect Freedom of Speech and Combat Growing Authoritarianism Globally
Letter Urges the Administration to Reassert U.S. Moral Leadership in Protecting Freedom of Expression U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), signed a letter yesterday with 22 Senate colleagues highlighting concern over growing authoritarian and anti-democratic actions around the world. The senators urged Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to evaluate how best the United States can use its full foreign policy toolkit, voice, and resources to forcefully oppose efforts to silence critics and curtail … Continue Reading
October 11, 2018
Van Hollen, Cardin Praise Judiciary Committee’s Approval of District of Maryland Nominee Stephanie Gallagher
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) today praised the Senate Judiciary Committee’s 20-1 vote to approve Magistrate Judge Stephanie Gallagher to fill the vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. If confirmed, Judge Gallagher will occupy the seat previously held by Judge William D. Quarles, Jr., who announced his retirement effective February 2016. The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts previously declared this Maryland seat as a judicial … Continue Reading
October 11, 2018
Van Hollen, Cardin Vote to Lower Healthcare Costs, Protect Americans with Preexisting Conditions
Yesterday, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) voted in support of Senator Tammy Baldwin’s (D-Wis.) resolution to overturn the Trump Administration’s expansion of junk insurance plans. Unfortunately, every Senate Republican except one opposed the resolution, voting to roll back protections for working families. Under these junk plans, insurers can deny coverage to people with preexisting conditions and refuse to provide essential health services required under the … Continue Reading
October 11, 2018
Van Hollen, Cardin, Klobuchar Introduce Bill to Mandate Transparency for Election Security Systems
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) have introduced legislation to bring greater transparency to America’s election systems in an effort to protect our country from foreign interference, as occurred in the 2016 presidential election. The “Election Systems Integrity Act,” (S. 3572) would require disclosure of foreign ownership of election service providers. This summer, it was revealed that a Russian oligarch close to Vladimir Putin has become the … Continue Reading
October 11, 2018
Van Hollen, Collins, Cardin Introduce Protect Our Elections Act
Today U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) introduced the Protect Our Elections Act, which would prohibit foreign adversaries from owning and controlling the companies supporting American elections. Our intelligence chiefs have made it clear that hostile foreign actors continue to work to disrupt our democratic process by any means possible. In Maryland, for example, the FBI announced in July that a Russian oligarch with close ties … Continue Reading
October 10, 2018
Van Hollen Applauds Passage of Water Infrastructure Bill
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, applauded the bipartisan passage of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act. The legislation will invest in numerous infrastructure projects in Maryland and across the country and includes funding to repair aging drinking water, wastewater, and irrigation systems, protect Americans from dangerous floodwaters, and increase public participation and state funding flexibility in … Continue Reading
October 10, 2018
Floor Speech on Judge Kavanaugh
I’m on the Senate floor to talk about why Judge Kavanaugh is not fit to sit on the Supreme Court and why sexual assault survivors should be heard, not silenced. Tune in:Posted by Chris Van Hollen on Saturday, October 6, 2018Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. President, article II, section 2 of the Constitution gives this body, the Senate, the responsibility to advise and consent on judicial appointments. It is an important check on executive power. We are invested with this special responsibility to ensure … Continue Reading
October 08, 2018
Van Hollen Statement on the Passing of Maryland Senator Joseph Tydings
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on the passing of Maryland Senator Joseph Tydings: “Today, Maryland lost a favorite son, Joe Tydings. Senator Tydings grew up in a well-established Maryland family but was never afraid to take on the establishment. He cut against the grain and had the courage of his convictions to fight for civil rights, equality, and sensible gun laws in the turbulent 1960s. His progressive battles cost him his Senate seat … Continue Reading
