Chris Van Hollen in 2022 MD Senate race
On Abortion:
Co-sponsored bill protecting right to travel for abortion
Senator Chris Van Hollen joined Senators Catherine Cortez Masto, Sheldon Whitehouse, Patty Murray, and Kirsten Gillibrand in introducing the Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act of 2022. This legislation would make it crystal clear that it is illegal
for anti-choice states to limit travel for abortion services and would empower the Attorney General and impacted individuals to bring civil action against those who restrict a woman's right to cross state lines to receive legal reproductive care.
Source: 2022 Maryland Senate campaign website VanHollen.Senate.Gov
Jul 12, 2022
On Abortion:
Fierce defender of a woman's right to reproductive choice
From his first days in the Maryland legislature to his current time in the Senate, Chris has been a recognized champion on issues vital for women and families. He is a staunch supporter of the Paycheck Protection Act to ensure equal pay for equal work
and the Equal Rights Amendment. He is also a fierce defender of a woman's right to reproductive choice and an original sponsor of the Women's Health Protection Act.
Source: 2022 Maryland Senate campaign website VanHollen.org
Jul 20, 2022
On Budget & Economy:
Proud to have supported the bipartisan infrastructure bill
Chris was proud to join President Biden at the White House on November 15th for the signing of the bipartisan Infrastructure modernization bill, which contains many provisions that he championed for our state. Those include over $7 billion over the
next five years to modernize Maryland's roads, bridges, tunnels, and transit systems--and funds that will help modernize AMTRAK and make changes that will cut the rail travel time between Washington D.C. and Baltimore to thirty minutes.
Source: 2022 Maryland Senate campaign website VanHollen.org
Jul 20, 2022
On Civil Rights:
Fighting for gender and LGBT equality
Chris's leadership on some of the biggest issues of our time--whether it's advancing civil rights, reforming our criminal justice system, or fighting for gender and LGBT equality--stems from a deeply held belief in the values of equal rights and equal
justice for all Americans. He is an original sponsor of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and believes we need to end the private prison industry and treat drug addiction as a health issue, not a criminal act.
Source: 2022 Maryland Senate campaign website VanHollen.org
Jul 20, 2022
On Corporations:
Not fair that 50 biggest corporations paid zero income tax
Van Hollen responded that the bill's increased taxes are focused on targeting the biggest corporations, who according to Van Hollen are not fairly paying income taxes. "What it does is provide a 15-percent tax for corporations that are making over
$1 billion every year. About 50 of those biggest corporation in the United States paid zero income taxes in recent years. And that's simply not fair. So this bill would make sure they pay their fair share," Sen. Van Hollen explained to FOX 5.
Source: FOX 5 DC on 2022 Maryland Senate race
Aug 7, 2022
On Drugs:
Allow those with drug convictions to get college tax credit
[On federal tax credit]: "The current law banning individuals with felony drug convictions from ever receiving a key tax credit toward enrolling in college violates the principle of giving people a second chance after they have served their time.
That needs to change," Van Hollen said in a Facebook post celebrating the House panel's move. "We must provide students with every opportunity to succeed in achieving a higher education and pursuing a better life--this is one way we can do that."
Source: Marijuana Moment on 2022 Maryland Senate race
Sep 16, 2021
On Education:
For universal pre-K, invest in public schools
Chris Van Hollen has always understood that there's nothing more essential for our future success than providing a quality education for every child and building ladders for career success. For Chris, that's the foundation for expanding economic
opportunities, and it's why he's been a champion for universal pre-k, led the fight to increase our investment in public schools, and pushed to expand apprenticeships, and reduce the costs of both community and four-year colleges.
Source: 2022 Maryland Senate campaign website VanHollen.org
Jul 20, 2022
On Energy & Oil:
Create national green bank to finance clean energy projects
For the past dozen years, Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D) has been introducing legislation in Congress to create a national green bank--a mechanism to provide some level of government support for the private sector to develop clean energy projects as
the climate crisis worsens. Van Hollen likes to describe the concept as "a force multiplier"--an opportunity for the public sector and private companies to work together with urgency at a critical moment for the warming planet.
Source: Maryland Matters on WTOP on 2022 Maryland Senate race
May 27, 2022
On Environment:
Require polluters to pay to clean up their messes
Environmental protection is not just about the future of our planet--it's about clean air, public health and the quality of life for all. It's also about jobs in the outdoors economy and our clean energy future. A longtime champion of the
Chesapeake Bay, Chris has secured record federal funds to protect the Bay. His Polluters Pay Climate Fund Act requires biggest polluters to help pay to cleanup the mess they created.
Source: 2022 Maryland Senate campaign website VanHollen.org
Jul 20, 2022
On Foreign Policy:
Signed letter opposing Israeli annexation of territories
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Pramilla Jayapal sent a Dear Colleague letter to Secretary of State Pompeo, expressing concern that annexation would "lay the groundwork for Israel becoming an apartheid state" and calling for the non-recognition of annexed
land and withholding of some of the $3.8 billion in military funding. Her compelling letter was signed by a dozen other Congresspeople, including influential figures such as Rep. Ayanna Pressley and Sen. Bernie Sanders.
The AOC-Jayapal letter on annexation made headlines and sent the Israel lobby into a tizzy, frantically trying to stop any other lawmakers from signing on. But just a few days later, on July 2, another unexpected action came.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, supported by Senators Sanders, Warren, Leahy, and others, filed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act to prohibit US military aid from being used in any annexation activities.
Source: Counterpunch.org on 2022 Maryland Senate race
Jul 17, 2020
On Foreign Policy:
China manufactured crisis over Pelosi visit to Taiwan
[On House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan]: "We send congressional delegations frequently. A former Speaker of the House has been to Taiwan in the past. And what President Xi decided to do was manufacture a crisis over Pelosi's visit,"
Van Hollen said, adding that the Chinese leader is "seeking an unprecedented third term as leader of China. And this is saber rattling and, you know, chest bumping by President Xi."
Source: The Hill on 2022 Maryland Senate race
Aug 7, 2022
On Free Trade:
Counter illegal trade practices of China and others
American leadership and engagement in the world are vital for our own security and to counter the rising tide of authoritarianism we see around the globe. Chris believes a strong, inclusive American economy is a critical backbone of effective leadership
abroad. He has been working to advance our economic interests at home, counter illegal trade practices of China and others, end foreign influence in our elections, and promote human rights and democracy.
Source: 2022 Maryland Senate campaign website VanHollen.org
Jul 20, 2022
On Government Reform:
Fortify democracy against the "Big Lie," voter suppression
Chris has worked to protect the right to vote and fight back against discriminatory attempts to disenfranchise Americans. An original sponsor of the Freedom to Vote Act and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act, he believes we must urgently fortify
our democracy against the "Big Lie" and GOP voter suppression laws. A leading proponent of campaign finance reform, Chris is the original author of the DISCLOSE Act, which would end the torrents of secret money poisoning our politics.
Source: 2022 Maryland Senate campaign website VanHollen.org
Jul 20, 2022
On Gun Control:
Won't rest until we end epidemic of gun violence
Safe neighborhoods require a combination of strong community organizations, effective and accountable policing, alternative 9-11 emergency responses for mental health situations,
robust after-school programs, and sensible gun laws. Chris has led efforts on all these fronts, including standing up to the NRA and the gun lobby. He will not rest until we end the epidemic of gun violence.
Source: 2022 Maryland Senate campaign website VanHollen.org
Jul 20, 2022
On Health Care:
Ensure universal access to affordable health care
One of the most fundamental responsibilities of government is to ensure universal access to affordable health care. Chris has worked tirelessly to defend the Affordable Care Act against Republican attacks and increase access to mental health and other
services. He has championed measures to reduce prescription drug and health care costs, address the medical debt crisis, and end health disparities that mostly impact women and minorities.
Source: 2022 Maryland Senate campaign website VanHollen.org
Jul 20, 2022
On Health Care:
Let Medicare negotiate prescription drug prices
Chris believes deeply in the promises we make to those who have earned the dignity of a secure retirement after paying into Medicare and Social Security all their working lives. He has been a leader in protecting and strengthening benefits for seniors
and he'll never back down from that fight. He has played a pivotal role in the battle to give Medicare the power to negotiate lower costs for prescription drugs and to close the existing coverage gaps for hearing, dental and vision services.
Source: 2022 Maryland Senate campaign website VanHollen.org
Jul 20, 2022
On Immigration:
Co-sponsor of comprehensive immigration reform initiatives
America is a nation of immigrants, from our founding to today. Chris believes that enabling immigrants to become a strong and vital part of our country is not just consistent with our values, but is a proven path to strengthening our economic future.
Chris is an original co-sponsor of comprehensive immigration reform initiatives, which would combine a path to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS recipients and others with effective border security.
Source: 2022 Maryland Senate campaign website VanHollen.org
Jul 20, 2022
On Tax Reform:
End tax giveaways to the super wealthy, invest in country
Chris believes the challenge of our time is building a stronger, more inclusive economy with more shared prosperity. That's why he has led the charge to increase paychecks and benefits for working families and cut the costs of everything from
prescription drugs to child care. He is the author of Build Back Better measures to end tax giveaways to the super wealthy so we can invest more in the success of every American.
Source: 2022 Maryland Senate campaign website VanHollen.org
Jul 20, 2022
On Foreign Policy:
China doesn't get to dictate which US officials go to Taiwan
We need to be very clear that China doesn't get to dictate which U.S. officials go to Taiwan. We send congressional delegations frequently.
A former speaker of the House has been to Taiwan in the past. What President Xi decided to do was manufacture a crisis over Pelosi's visit. This is saber-rattling and chest-bumping by President Xi.
Source: Meet the Press on 2022 Maryland Senate race
Aug 7, 2022
On Health Care:
Finally got Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices
The centerpiece of this bill was finally giving Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices and that will reduce drug prices for seniors in addition to the fact that we have a cap of $2,000 in out-of-pocket costs.
I just want to stress the fact that since I've been here in the Congress, including my time in the House, we've been trying to get Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices. It looks like we're finally there.
Source: Meet the Press on 2022 Maryland Senate race
Aug 7, 2022
Page last updated: Feb 14, 2023