Press Releases
Senate Passes Resolution Backed by Van Hollen, Cardin Condemning Threats Against HBCUs
The United States Senate passed a bipartisan resolution to condemn recent bomb threats towards Historically-Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and to reaffirm the duty of the federal government to protect college students, faculty, and staff against acts of violence. U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) both cosponsored the resolution which responds to the multiple bomb threats throughout Black History Month directed towards HBCUs, including Maryland's own Bowie … Continue Reading
March 08, 2022
Van Hollen, Brown Introduce Bill To Protect Consumers By Banning Forced Arbitration
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Chairman of the Committee have introduced the Arbitration Fairness for Consumers Act, legislation to prohibit banks and other financial institutions from using forced arbitration clauses against consumers who want to seek restitution and justice. Today, during a hearing in the Committee, Senator Van Hollen highlighted the story of an 87-year-old … Continue Reading
March 08, 2022
Maryland Delegation Announces More than $38 Million in Reimbursement Funds for Statewide COVID-19 Economic Recovery
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin, and David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $38,274,762 in federal funds to reimburse state and local governments across Maryland for their COVID-19 response efforts. Funding comes from the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as authorized through Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Act. … Continue Reading
March 07, 2022
Maryland Delegation Announces Over $120 Million in American Rescue Plan Funding to WMATA
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, John Sarbanes, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $120,145,016 in additional American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Funding will help strengthen Metro train operations and rider safety, avoid service cuts and increase workforce retention. "A safe and reliable Metro system is essential for Marylanders and the region," … Continue Reading
March 04, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Mfume Push to Reauthorize Baltimore National Heritage Area
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Kweisi Mfume, Dutch Ruppersberger, and John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) introduced legislation (S. 3744/H.R. 6931) to reauthorize the National Park Service designation of the Baltimore National Heritage Area, allowing for continued federal support of local agencies and non-profits in their efforts to preserve and promote Baltimore's pivotal role in our nation's story. The Baltimore National Heritage Area serves as the coordinating agency … Continue Reading
March 04, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce Resolution Calling For War Crimes Accountability
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.), along with Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and a bipartisan group of senators have introduced a Senate resolution calling for Vladimir Putin and members of his regime to be held accountable for the numerous acts of war, aggression, and human rights abuses that have been conducted under his watch. The resolution: Strongly condemns the ongoing violence, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and systematic human rights abuses … Continue Reading
March 03, 2022
Maryland and Virginia Senators Announce More than $120 Million for WMATA
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) and Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-Va.) announced $120,145,016 in federal funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). This funding, awarded through the Department of Transportation (DOT), was authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) supported by the Senators and signed by President Joe Biden. "One year ago, we voted to pass a historic piece of legislation to help strengthen our nation … Continue Reading
March 03, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Hoyer, Brown and Raskin Announce $1.7 Billion to Advance the Purple Line
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Anthony G. Brown, and Jamie B. Raskin (all D-Md.) announced a $1.7 billion Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) federal loan to advance the construction of the Purple Line, after significant delays since the construction began in 2017. The Purple Line, a 16.2 mile east-west light rail line between Bethesda in Montgomery County and New Carrollton in Prince George's County, will join … Continue Reading
March 03, 2022
Van Hollen, Gillibrand, Murkowski, Moore, Young Urge USDA To Update The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program For Women, Infants, And Children (Wic) Food Packages, Ensure Access To Healthy Food For Low-Income Families
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Ark.) and Representatives Don Young (R-Ark.-At Large) and Gwen Moore (D-Wis.-4) sent a bipartisan, bicameral letter urging U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack to issue the proposed rule, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children: Revisions in the WIC Food Packages. WIC is one of the most successful federally funded nutrition programs in the … Continue Reading
March 02, 2022
Van Hollen, Gillibrand, Brown, Bowman Lead Fight for Community School Funding
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Congressman Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D. (N.Y.-16) sent a letter to the Appropriations Committee leadership urging them to include $443 million for community schools in the FY22 budget. There are 300 community schools serving Maryland students across 16 counties and Baltimore City. "Community Schools use evidence-based, comprehensive leadership practices to treat schools as community hubs and … Continue Reading
March 02, 2022
Van Hollen, Warren, Sanders, Padilla, Murphy, Lawson, Hayes, Torres, Colleagues Urge USDA to Issue Clearer Guidance that Informs Students of Their SNAP Benefits
United States Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Representatives Al Lawson (D-Fla.), Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.), and Norma J. Torres (D-Calif.), along with Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Bob … Continue Reading
March 01, 2022
Van Hollen Statement on President Biden’s State of the Union
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding President Biden's first State of the Union address: "Just over one year ago, President Biden was sworn into office as a nation in disarray looked on - left shocked by the attacks on our democracy and battered by the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic harm. Tonight, President Biden reported that America is coming back strong. "We've made big strides over the last year, from the deployment of millions … Continue Reading
March 01, 2022
Van Hollen Meets with Virtual State of the Union Guest Julie Verratti
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) met via Zoom with his State of the Union virtual guest Julie Verratti, co-owner and founder of Denizens Brewing Company. The two discussed her small business which she co-founded with her wife and brother-in-law, how it has been impacted by COVID-19, and how the federal pandemic relief they received has supported them during a challenging time. Denizens applied for and received a $448,000 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, which was fully … Continue Reading
February 28, 2022
Van Hollen, Murphy, Booker Urge Biden Administration To Push World Bank To Address Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis In Afghanistan
Ahead of the World Bank's Board of Governor's meeting this week, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) on Monday urged the Biden administration to push the World Bank to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. In a letter to Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo, Van Hollen, Murphy, and Booker highlighted the importance of repurposing the remaining funds in the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) to pay the … Continue Reading
February 28, 2022
Van Hollen, Markey, Levin, Bowman Urge EPA to Support Funding to Address Harmful Toxins in Schools
Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Congressmen Andy Levin (Mich.-09) and Jamaal Bowman (N.Y.-16) sent a letter urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to include project funding for the testing and remediation of dangerous polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in schools and childcare facilities in its budget request for Fiscal Year 2023. According to the EPA, "PCBs have been demonstrated to cause a variety of adverse health effects," and have been linked … Continue Reading
February 28, 2022
Van Hollen, Menendez, Durbin, Portman Urge Biden Administration to Designate Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) sent a letter to President Biden urging the Administration to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Ukrainians in the United States following the Russian military invasion of Ukraine. "In light of Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, we respectfully request that your Administration promptly take all necessary steps to ensure that Ukrainian nationals present in the United … Continue Reading
February 28, 2022
Van Hollen Spotlights Maryland Small Business Owner Julie Verratti as State of the Union Virtual Guest
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) announced that Marylander Julie Verratti, co-owner and founder of Denizens Brewing Company, will be his virtual guest for President Biden's State of the Union Address tomorrow evening. Denizens Brewing Company is a craft brewery established in 2014 with taprooms in Silver Spring and Riverdale Park, Maryland. As the Senator will highlight, Denizens applied for and received a $448,000 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, which was fully forgiven as … Continue Reading
February 25, 2022
Van Hollen Statement on President Biden’s Nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding President Biden's nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve on the Supreme Court: "Now more than ever, Americans need a Supreme Court that will uphold the promise enshrined above its doors: equal justice under law. Ketanji Brown Jackson's record and experience show she is the right person to help keep that promise. She has always sought to deliver justice equally, fairly, and thoroughly - and her … Continue Reading
February 25, 2022
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Announce $150,000 for Hagerstown Community College Dental Program
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $75,000 in federal funding, along with $75,000 in local matching funds for dental education equipment at Hagerstown Community College. Students enrolled in the Fall 2022 Dental Hygiene and Assisting program will benefit from new dental chairs that are up-to-date with today's dental health and hygiene standards. "Expanding our health care workforce across our state is vital to ensuring … Continue Reading
February 24, 2022
As Putin’s Illegal Invasion of Ukraine Causes Gas Prices to Rise, Van Hollen, Reed, Khanna, Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Tap Strategic Petroleum Reserve
In an effort to combat a sharp rise in oil prices amid Vladimir Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) in sending a letter to President Biden urging the White House to stabilize gas prices and help working families by releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). Drawing down oil from the federal government's stockpile now and then replacing it later with less expensive … Continue Reading
