Van Hollen, Hirono Renew Efforts to Award Fred Korematsu the Congressional Gold Medal
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Representative Mark Takano (D-Calif.) in introducing bicameral legislation to award Fred Korematsu the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his legacy of fighting against the illegal incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II and for being a staunch defender of civil rights. Senators Van Hollen and Hirono and Representative Takano first introduced legislation to award Fred Korematsu … Continue Reading
Van Hollen, Cardin Seek Critical LIHEAP Utility Assistance
With temperatures dropping, gas and electricity bills mounting, and COVID-19 infection rates still out of control, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) and 42 of their colleagues are seeking a significant boost for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in the next pandemic relief package. LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps low-income households with their home energy bills by providing payment and/or energy crisis assistance. The program is … Continue Reading
Van Hollen, Cardin, Trone Announce $300,000 in Federal Funding for Water Main Replacement Project in Cumberland
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and U.S. Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $300,000 in federal funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to the City of Cumberland for the Decatur Street 24th Crosstown Water Main Replacement project.The project will replace 4,300 linear feet of water main in the Decatur Heights neighborhood and provide water service to the Baltimore Street and Cumberland Plaza areas of the city, improving water service to 29 … Continue Reading
Van Hollen Joins the Maryland Chamber of Commerce's Virtual Town Hall
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined the Maryland Chamber of Commerce yesterday for a virtual Town Hall to discuss the recently-passed COVID-19 relief package and new efforts in Congress to deliver additional relief for Maryland businesses. Senator Van Hollen provided an update on ongoing discussions with the Biden Administration to provide more support for Maryland local businesses.During the meeting, the Senator heard from members of the Chamber on the top issues they are facing as … Continue Reading
Van Hollen Again Calls on ICE to Immediately Halt Deportation Flights of Asylum-Seekers
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement calling on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to immediately halt the deportation of Cameroonian and other African asylum-seekers. This comes in the wake of a recent court ruling on a Texas lawsuit by a Republican Attorney General to block President Biden's 100-day suspension on deportations. Despite the ongoing violence in Cameroon which directly endangers the lives of those being deported, and a current DHS … Continue Reading
Van Hollen, Cardin, Barragán Introduce Bicameral Effort to Guarantee Medicare Dental Coverage
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md) and Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-Calif.) have introduced legislation (S. 97/H.R. 502) that repeals the statutory exclusion on Medicare coverage of dental care and dental prostheses, while creating a specific dental benefit under Medicare Part B. Oral health also is directly related to COVID-19 risk, as poor oral health puts people at a higher risk of contracting and dying from the virus.Two-thirds of the elderly and … Continue Reading
Van Hollen, Cardin Seek $130B Nationwide Funding Boost for Local School Infrastructure
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-MD) joined Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and 24 of their Senate colleagues in introducing the Reopen and Rebuild America's Schools Act, legislation to invest $130 billion in modernizing classrooms across the country and would help schools upgrade their physical and digital infrastructure. "We can't expect our students to learn when the walls are crumbling around them, the heat won't turn on, and the technology in their classrooms is older … Continue Reading
Van Hollen Joins Shaheen in Bipartisan, Bicameral Push to Permanently Repeal the Global Gag Rule
Yesterday, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the only woman on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA) in a bipartisan, bicameral reintroduction of the Global Health, Empowerment, and Rights (HER) Act in both the Senate and House of Representatives. The legislation would permanently repeal the harmful Global … Continue Reading
Team Maryland Asks President Biden to Award Capital Gazette Shooting Victims the Medal of Freedom for their Sacrifices and Defense of the First Amendment
Members of Maryland's congressional delegation are urging President Joe Biden to award the Medal of Freedom posthumously to the five men and women who were killed on June 28, 2018 at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis in what was the deadliest attack on journalists in the U.S. in our nation's history. At a time when First Amendment rights are under constant duress, Senator Chris Van Hollen along with Senator Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi … Continue Reading
Maryland Congressional Delegation Strongly Urges Governor to Improve COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Across the State, Eliminate Inequities
Members of Maryland's congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.), wrote to Governor Larry Hogan and Acting Maryland Health Secretary Dennis Schrader on Friday urging them to increase outreach and communication surrounding the flawed rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine across the state. "Right now, there is dwindling confidence … Continue Reading
Van Hollen, Carper, Norton Reintroduce Bills to Grant D.C. Full Control Over Its National Guard, Police
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) reintroduced their legislation to grant the District of Columbia full control over the D.C. National Guard and the Metropolitan Police Department. These measures have proven all the more necessary after the attack on the Capitol on January 6th, when Mayor Bowser's request for additional support from the D.C. National Guard took nearly three hours to be fully approved by the … Continue Reading
Van Hollen Statement on Biden Executive Actions to Strengthen Americans' Access to Health Care
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding President Biden's executive actions to strengthen Americans' access to health care:"Every American deserves access to quality, affordable health care - period. While we have much work to do on this front, these emergency steps by President Biden will help ensure more Americans are covered as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. I wholly support the President's actions today directing our agencies to … Continue Reading
Baltimore Congressional Delegation Announces $1 Million for Morgan State to Study Microplastics in the Chesapeake Bay
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) announced $999,999 in federal funding for Morgan State University to study the impact of microplastics on marine ecosystems, using the Chesapeake Bay as a model. The project will create new opportunities for Morgan State students to participate in high-impact Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) research, as well as recruit and support students … Continue Reading
Van Hollen Statement on the Passing of Blanca Kling
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the passing of Blanca Kling, dedicated public servant, and leader at the Montgomery County Police Department:"My deepest condolences go to the family of Blanca Kling and to all who knew and loved her. Blanca was a role model, mentor, and champion for people throughout Montgomery County."In her years at the Montgomery County Police Department, Blanca served as a trusted advocate and thoughtful leader forging … Continue Reading
Van Hollen Statement on the Retirement of Will Baker, President of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the retirement of Will Baker, President of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation:"Will Baker has led the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for over three decades, championing the protection and preservation of the Bay and working tirelessly to improve its health. During his tenure, Will has worked to engage all the Bay stakeholders and fought hard to implement the historic Chesapeake Bay Agreement, which will have a … Continue Reading
Van Hollen Statement on Biden New Executive Actions to Tackle Climate Crisis
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement in support of President Biden's new executive actions to address the climate crisis:"We cannot wait to tackle the climate crisis. From the daily toll of flooding and severe weather on homeowners and small businesses to its larger impact on our environment, national security, and economic stability - it threatens our nation's success across-the-board. This is not only a challenge, but also an opportunity to create new … Continue Reading
Van Hollen, Rubio, Merkley, Colleagues Reintroduce Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Senate colleagues in reintroducing the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. This bipartisan bill will ensure that goods made with Uyghur forced labor in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) do not enter the United States. Earlier this year, the State Department issued a determination that the Chinese Communist Party is committing crimes against humanity and genocide against Uyghurs and … Continue Reading
Sen. Van Hollen, Rep. Lee to Introduce Bicameral Bill to Fully Fund Title I, Special Education
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and U.S. Representative Susie Lee (D-Nev.) announced the reintroduction of the Keep Our Promise to America's Children and Teachers (PACT) Act, legislation to put Congress on a fiscally-responsible path to fully fund Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) on a mandatory basis. "Regardless of their zip code, every child deserves a first-rate education. Congress made a historic commitment when it passed Title I and IDEA, but … Continue Reading
Van Hollen, Carper Lead Reintroduction of Statehood Bill to Ensure Equal Representation for Over 700,000 D.C. Residents
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) in reintroducing legislation to grant Washington, D.C. statehood. The bill would make Washington, D.C. the 51st state, finally give its citizens full representation in Congress, and also ensure that the citizens and elected leaders of the District of Columbia have full authority over local affairs, including crucial safety and security matters. The Washington, D.C. Admission Act (S.51) would also designate the … Continue Reading
Van Hollen Statement on Biden's New Steps to Boost Vaccine Supply, Distribution
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the new steps announced yesterday by President Biden to boost vaccine supply, distribution, and transparency. "To overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, we must rapidly expand our vaccination efforts across Maryland and the country. Doing so requires an all-hands-on-deck approach, including a coordinated strategy at the federal level to secure more doses of the vaccines and ensure their prompt deployment to the … Continue Reading