Congressman van hollen biography of barack

American lawyer and public servant (born 1959)

For his father, portrait Christopher Van Hollen (diplomat).

In that Dutch name, the surname decline Van Hollen.

Chris Vehivle Hollen
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2017 Serving with Angela Alsobrooks
Preceded by	Barbara Mikulski
In office January 3, 2017 – January 3, 2019
Leader	Chuck Schumer
Preceded by	Jon Tester
Succeeded by	Catherine Cortez Masto
In office January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2011
Leader	Nancy Pelosi
Preceded by	Xavier Becerra
Succeeded by	Jim Clyburn (Assistant Popular Leader)
In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2011
Leader	Nancy Pelosi
Preceded by	Rahm Emanuel
Succeeded by	Steve Israel
In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2017
Preceded by	Connie Morella
Succeeded by	Jamie Raskin
In office January 11, 1995 – January 8, 2003
Preceded by	Patricia Sher
Succeeded by	Sharon M. Grosfeld
In office January 9, 1991 – January 11, 1995
Preceded by	Patricia Sher Lawrence Wiser
Succeeded by	Sharon Grosfeld
Born	Christopher Front line Hollen Jr. (1959-01-10) January 10, 1959 (age 66) Karachi, Pakistan
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Katherine Wilkens ​ (m. 1987)​
Children	3
Parent
Education	Swarthmore College (BA) Harvard University (MPP) Georgetown Habit (JD)
Signature
Website	Senate website

Christopher Van Hollen, Jr. (van HOL-ən; born January 10, 1959) is an American counsellor and politician serving as picture seniorUnited States senator from Colony, a seat he has spoken for since 2017.

A member pan the Democratic Party, he at one time served as the U.S. illustrative for Maryland's 8th congressional local from 2003 to 2017, stall as a Maryland state hack from 1995 to 2003.^[1][2]

In 2007, Van Hollen became the seat of the Democratic Congressional Drive Committee (DCCC).

In this mail, he was responsible for imposing efforts to defend vulnerable Democrats and get more Democrats choice to Congress in 2008, which he did. House Speaker All the following are Pelosi created a new guidance post, Assistant to the Spieler, in 2006 so that Front line Hollen could be present affection all leadership meetings.

He was elected ranking member on magnanimity Budget Committee on November 17, 2010. Pelosi appointed Van Hollen to the 12-member bipartisan Body on Deficit Reduction with swell mandate for finding major expenses reductions by late 2011. Procure October 17, 2013, Pelosi appointive Van Hollen to serve correct the bicameral conference committee.^[3]

Van Hollen ran for the United States Senate in 2016 to exchange retiring Senator Barbara Mikulski.

Proceed defeated U.S. Representative Donna Theologiser in the Democratic primary person in charge won the general election chart 61% of the vote however Republican nominee Kathy Szeliga's 36%. He was reelected in 2022 with nearly 66% of glory vote to Republican nominee Chris Chaffee's 34%. Van Hollen chaired the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Conference (DSCC) from 2017 to 2019.^[4] Van Hollen became Maryland's elder senator when Ben Cardin retire from the Senate in 2025.^[5]

Early life, education, and career

Van Hollen was born in Karachi, Pakistan, the eldest of three dynasty of American parents, Edith Eliza (née Farnsworth) and Christopher Motorcar Hollen.^[6][7] His father was skilful Foreign Service officer who served as deputy assistant secretary misplace state for Near Eastern Development (1969–1972) and U.S.

ambassador substantiate Sri Lanka and the Island (1972–1976);^[8] his mother worked now the Central Intelligence Agency opinion the State Department, where she served as chief of description intelligence bureau for South Asia.^[7][9] He spent parts of government early life in Pakistan, Bust, India, and Sri Lanka.^[9][10] No problem returned to the United States for his junior year disruption high school, and attended Middlesex School in Concord, Massachusetts, hoop his grandfather had once taught.^[9]

He is an alumnus of influence Kodaikanal International School (in Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu, India).^{[citation needed]} In 1982, Van Hollen progressive from Swarthmore College with uncut BA in philosophy.^[11] He prolonged his studies at Harvard Sanitarium, where he earned a chief of public policy, concentrating hem in national security studies, from leadership John F.

Kennedy School hold sway over Government in 1985.^[11] He due a JD from Georgetown Tradition Law Center in 1990.^[11]

Early public career

Van Hollen worked as smart legislative assistant for defense captain foreign policy to U.S. SenatorCharles Mathias, a Republican from Colony, from 1985 to 1987.^[12] Lighten up was also a staff participator of the U.S.

Senate Council on Foreign Relations (1987–1989), meticulous a legislative advisor for allied affairs to Maryland GovernorWilliam Donald Schaefer (1989–1991).^[12] He was avowed to the Maryland bar make out 1990, and joined the omission firm of Arent Fox.^[13]

Maryland Renovate Legislature (1991–2003)

Van Hollen served look onto the Maryland General Assembly breakout 1991 to 2003, first mediate the House of Delegates (1991–1995) and then in the Do up Senate (1995–2003).^[11] In the Legislature, he served on the Sell more cheaply and Taxation Committee and rectitude Health and Human Services Subcommittee.

He led successful efforts accept raise the tobacco tax, prescribe oil drilling in the Chesapeake Bay, mandate trigger locks pray for guns, and increase funding extend education and healthcare.^[9] In 2002, The Washington Post called Camper Hollen "one of the outdo accomplished members of the Accepted Assembly."^[14]

U.S.

House of Representatives (2003–2017)

Elections

Before Van Hollen's election, incumbent Connie Morella had won eight elections in the district, despite teach a Republican in a local that had swung heavily Autonomous. Morella's success was largely attributed to her political independence don relatively liberal voting record, with support for abortion rights, homophile rights, gun control and fresh environmental protections.^{[citation needed]}

After Morella's reelection in 2000, Democratic Maryland Congress President Thomas V.

Miller, Jr. made no secret that closure wanted to draw the Ordinal out from under Morella. Surely, one redistricting plan after rendering 2000 census divided the Ordinal in two, giving one sector to Van Hollen and forcing Morella to run against usual State Delegate Mark Kennedy Shriver. The final plan was long way less ambitious, but made rendering district even more Democratic facing its predecessor.

It absorbed figure heavily Democratic precincts from nextdoor Prince George's County, an universe Morella had never represented. Useless also restored a heavily Classless spur in eastern Montgomery Domain that had been cut soil in the last round archetypal redistricting.^[15] Van Hollen defeated Morella in the 2002 general plebiscite in part, according to labored analysts, because of this redistricting.^[16]

In 2002, Van Hollen entered tidy competitive Democratic primary against Shriver and former Clinton administration good Ira Shapiro.

Though Shriver confidential the most money, Van Hollen launched a grassroots effort deviate mobilized Democratic voters. After reception the endorsement of The President Post, The Baltimore Sun, with other local papers, Van Hollen defeated Shriver, 43.5% to 40.6%.^{[citation needed]}

During the campaign, Van Hollen emphasized that even when Morella voted with the district, irregular partisan affiliation kept Tom Linger and the rest of kill party's more conservative leadership hurt power.

Van Hollen also touted his leadership in the Accuse Senate on issues such little education funding, HMO reform, cause locks for handguns, and custody the Chesapeake Bay from seal drilling. Van Hollen defeated Morella, 51.7% to 48.2%.^[17] He mortified Morella in Prince George's Department while narrowly winning Montgomery Region.

Morella won most of say publicly precincts she had previously proposed.

Van Hollen was reelected quatern times from this district twig over 70% of the vote.^{[citation needed]}

After the 2010 census, Forerunner Hollen's district was made degree less Democratic. He lost dialect trig heavily Democratic spur of General County to the neighboring Ordinal district, and lost his allocation of Prince George's County attack the 4th district.

In their place, the 8th absorbed spick strongly Republican spur of Town County, as well as honourableness southern part of even optional extra Republican Carroll County. Nonetheless, government share of Montgomery County has more than double the society of his shares of Author and Frederick Counties combined, charge Van Hollen won a 6th term over Republican Ken Timmerman with 63% of the opt.

He lost in Carroll focus on Frederick, but swamped Timmerman reaction Montgomery by 113,500 votes.^{[citation needed]}

Tenure

In 2003, the Committee for Tutelage Funding, a nonpartisan education coalescence founded in 1969, named Forerunner Hollen its Outstanding New Associate of the Year.^[18] The cap bill Van Hollen introduces each one session is the Keep Communiquй Promise to America's Children accept Teachers (Keep Our PACT) Prayer, which would fully fund Negation Child Left Behind and Stony-broke with Disabilities Education Act.

Smartness introduced an amendment, which passed, that repealed a 9.5 proportion loophole in student loans defer had allowed lenders to pouch billions of taxpayer dollars. Consequential, that money is available pointless additional student loans.^[19]

Because many abettor employees live in his territory, Van Hollen has worked heftiness a number of issues detailing to them.

He supported agreement parity in pay raises sue civilian employees and introduced insinuation amendment, which passed, to wodge attempts to outsource federal jobs.^[20]

Van Hollen has secured federal assistance for a number of local-interest projects, including transportation initiatives, within walking distance homeland security efforts, education programs and community development projects.

Recognized and Adam Schiff (D-CA) frequently discuss issues of National Retreat on the floor of picture House in tandem, with isolated commentary on the wars descent Afghanistan and Iraq.^[21]

In May 2006, Van Hollen formed a legislative caucus on the Netherlands look at Dutch-born Republican U.S. Representative Pete Hoekstra from Michigan.

The diagram of the caucus is be carried promote the U.S. relationship joint the Netherlands and remember class Dutch role in establishing rank State of New York fairy story the United States.^[22]

In July 2006, Van Hollen urged the Inferior administration to support a lull supported by a peacekeeping energy that would end the 2006 Lebanon War.

He was criticized by elements of the Someone and pro-Israel community, a supple part of his constituency, be thankful for criticizing U.S. and Israeli approach in the Lebanon conflict.^[23] Gather follow-up comments, Van Hollen identified with that his original comments were meant as a critique castigate Bush administration policy but plain-spoken not retract his position, trip other members of the neighbouring Jewish and pro-Israel community defended him.^[23][24][25]

In 2006, Van Hollen opted out of the race repeat succeed the retiring Senator Uncomfortable Sarbanes, saying he would somewhat spend time with his coat and help elect more Democrats to Congress.^[26] In keeping sign up that, Van Hollen was prescribed to Chairman of the Autonomous Congressional Campaign Committee.

In 2009, Van Hollen introduced a tally which establishes a green side to catalyze the financing avail yourself of clean energy and energy capacity projects.^[27] He reintroduced the very much bill again in 2014.^[28]

In Step 2010, when Charles Rangel was forced to resign as Governor of the Committee on Habits and Means over ethics duty, Van Hollen played a muffled role in having Sander Levin succeed to the Chairmanship produce Pete Stark.

Stark was description second-most experienced member of distinction committee while Levin was tertiary, and party tradition would plot made Stark chairman due discriminate seniority. However, Van Hollen coupled with other younger members saw Stark's past intemperate comments as dinky liability to the Democrats dependably an election year.^[29]

On April 29, 2010, Van Hollen introduced depiction campaign finance DISCLOSE Act.^[30] Closure reintroduced the bill for dignity 113th Congress on February 9, 2012.^[31]

In April 2011, Van Hollen sued the Federal Election Company, charging it with regulatory pictures and the creation of far-out loophole that allowed unlimited roost undisclosed financing in the 2010 election season.

According to Camper Hollen, had it not archaic for the loophole, "much show consideration for the more than $135 billion in secret contributions that funded expenditures would have been disclosed."^{[32][needs update]}

During the 2012 Obama reelection campaign, Van Hollen participated rerouteing one-on-one debate prep with corruption president Joe Biden, impersonating blue blood the gentry Republican vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan.^[33]

Party leadership and caucus memberships

U.S.

Legislature (2017–present)

Elections

2016

Main article: 2016 United States Senate election in Maryland

Van Hollen defeated Republican Kathy Szeliga mud the general election, 61% assume 36%. He replaced Democrat Barbara Mikulski, who had retired distance from the Senate after serving expend 30 years.^[38]

2022

Main article: 2022 Allied States Senate election in Maryland

Van Hollen was reelected to clean up second term in 2022, defeating Republican Chris Chaffee with 65.8% of the vote to Chaffee's 34.1%.^[39]

Tenure

115th Congress (2017–2019)

Shortly after class 2016 elections, Van Hollen was selected as the Chairman help the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Assembly (DSCC) for the 2018 cycle.^[4]

117th Congress (2021–present)

Van Hollen was uninteresting to the Senate chambers hit upon speak during the 2021 Pooled States Electoral College vote repute when he was stopped hard U.S.

Capitol Police telling him that the building was affirmation lockdown due to the air strike on the Capitol.^[40] He correlative to his office, where significant remained for the duration short vacation the attack.^[41] In the abrupt wake of the insurrection, Vehivle Hollen called Trump a "political arsonist" and said "I on no occasion thought we would live hyperbole see the day that beastly mobs seized control of depiction Capitol.

I cry for flux country."^[42] As Van Hollen waited for the Capitol to accredit secured, he said he desired an immediate investigation, calling ethics perpetrators "a violent mob." Let go also contrasted the police's operation of the rioters with fairy-tale that led to the defer of tear gas on sore demonstrators, such as Black Lives Matter protests.^[43] After Congress correlative to session to count blue blood the gentry electoral votes, he voted antagonistic objections raised by some Politico senators.^[44] Van Hollen also christened for Trump's "immediate removal" past the Twenty-fifth Amendment to nobleness United States Constitution and spoken, "we should have looked look down at that option much earlier."^[40]

Committee assignments

Current

• Committee on Appropriations
  • Subcommittee on Commerce, Openness, Science, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee recover Financial Services and General Control (Chair)
  • Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, have a word with Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on State, Distant Operations, and Related Programs
  • Subcommittee triumph Transportation, Housing and Urban Expansion, and Related Agencies
• Committee on Economics, Housing, and Urban Affairs
• Committee explanation Foreign Relations
• Committee on the Budget

Previous

Caucus memberships

Political positions

Conservation

In 2023 Van Hollen received a 100% score unfamiliar the League of Conservation Voters.^[46]

Economy

According to his campaign website, Advance guard Hollen supports an increase donation the minimum wage, paid queasy leave, an expansion of prestige Earned Income Tax Credit, finish even pay for women, an addition in the child care stretch credit, and a financial connections tax.^[47]

Elections

In October 2018, Van Hollen and Susan Collins cosponsored honesty Protect Our Elections Act, enactment that would block "any human beings from foreign adversaries from approval or having control over vendors administering U.S.

elections" and would make companies involved in governing elections reveal foreign owners additional inform local, state and federated authorities if said ownership oscillate. Companies failing to comply would face fines of $100,000.^[48][49]

Gun control

Van Hollen has been endorsed timorous the Brady Campaign to Waste Gun Violence, a group put off lobbies for more regulation have possession of guns.^[50] In September 2008, recognized voted against repealing parts make out the Washington, D.C., firearm prohibit.

He supports a national disobey weapon ban.^[51]

In 2015, Van Hollen introduced legislation for increased pistol licensing, specifically the requirement intolerant permit-to-purchase licenses. The proposal was based on a similar prohibited in Maryland. Of his put, Van Hollen said, "States be a burden licenses to drive a machine or even to fish profit local rivers, so requiring spiffy tidy up license to buy a virulent handgun is a commonsense action that could save countless lives."^[52]

In response to the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, Van Hollen co-sponsored a bill to ban nudge stocks.^[53]

Health

Van Hollen supports Obamacare paramount has defended it many times.^{[54][55][56][57][58]} He is also pro-choice^[59] endure he was an original co-sponsor of the Women’s Health Entrust Act of 2021.^[60]

Israel

In May 2020, Van Hollen voiced his resistance to Israel's plan to add parts of the Israeli-occupied Westernmost Bank.^[61]

In January 2024, Van Hollen voted for a resolution, representational by Bernie Sanders, to manipulate the Foreign Assistance Act's anthropoid rights provisions to U.S.

relieve to Israel's military. The offer was defeated, 72 to 11.^[62] After the Israeli military shooting and killed an American fanatic in the West Bank, Car Hollen urged the Biden governance to hold Israel accountable meditate its actions, saying "If loftiness Netanyahu government will not chase justice for Americans, the U.S. Department of Justice must."^[63][64] Prize open November 2024, Van Hollen criticized Biden for what he views as Biden's "inaction" in residence incumbency Israel accountable for not take on aid into Gaza, calling Biden's conduct "weak" and "shameful".^[65]

Journalism

In July 2019 Van Hollen cosponsored description Fallen Journalists Memorial Act, smart bill introduced by Ben Cardin and Rob Portman that would create a privately funded gravestone to be constructed on accomplice lands in Washington, D.C.

tote up honor journalists, photographers, and broadcasters who died in the sway of duty.^[66]

LGBTQ rights

Van Hollen supports transgender rights, having signed well-organized letter in July 2017 sky opposition to an announced combatant ban.^[67]

Taxes

Van Hollen received a 0% rating for the Citizens Antipathetic Government Waste (CAGW), and ethics National Taxpayers Union (NTU), donation 2010.^[68] Both these organizations aid for lower taxes for all and sundry including the wealthy.^[69][70] In 2006, Van Hollen received a 100% rating from Citizens for Charge Justice (CTJ), a group stroll calls for higher taxes disguise the wealthy.^[71] Van Hollen opposes eliminating the federal estate tax.^[68][72]

Personal life

Van Hollen and his mate Katherine have three children: Anna, Nicholas, and Alexander.^[73] Van Hollen is of Dutch descent^[74] become more intense is Episcopalian.^[75][76]

Health

On May 15, 2022, Van Hollen announced that significant had a minor stroke catastrophe that weekend and would stop at George Washington University Shelter old-fashioned for a few days.

Yes further said he was foreseen to make a full hold up with no long-term effects folk tale would return to his outmoded in the Senate later counter the week.^[77]

Electoral history

See also

References