Groups Hail Van Hollen’s Leadership Standing Up to Big Oil, the Gun Lobby, and Big Pharma
KENSINGTON, MD – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen announced that a range of organizations representing Maryland’s environmental community, gun safety movement, and leaders pushing for lower drug prices have strongly endorsed his re-election to represent Maryland in the United States Senate. The Senator received the endorsements of the Sierra Club’s Maryland Chapter, Chesapeake Climate Action Network’s Action Fund, Giffords PAC, and the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. All spoke about Senator Van Hollen’s proven record as an effective leader standing up for Marylanders on key priorities like working to lower the price of prescription drugs, protecting the Chesapeake Bay and confronting the climate crisis, and working to keep our communities safe.
“I’m grateful to have strong backing from these organizations that fight every day to protect Marylanders against powerful, deep-pocketed special interests who aim to get their way at the expense of everyone else. I will keep fighting alongside them to put the needs of our communities first,” said Senator Van Hollen.
Standing Up to Big Oil to Protect our Bay and the Climate
Senator Van Hollen recognizes that 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. A longtime champion of the Chesapeake Bay, Chris successfully fought back against attempts to drill around the Bay watershed, worked to secure record federal funds to protect the Bay, and authored legislation – the Polluters Pay Climate Fund Act – to require the biggest polluters to help pay to clean up the mess they created.
Rich Norling, Political Chair at Maryland Chapter, Sierra Club:
“The Sierra Club enthusiastically endorses Senator Chris Van Hollen for reelection. Throughout his career, Chris Van Hollen has fought to give everyone clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and a healthier Chesapeake Bay. Senator Van Hollen is also leading efforts in the Congress to address climate change, and we need him in the Senate to continue that fight.”
Mike Tidwell, Founder and Director, Chesapeake Climate Action Network’s Action Fund:
“No leader in Maryland history has done more to fight against climate change and promote clean energy than Chris Van Hollen. From his time in the Annapolis State House to the US House of Representatives to the US Senate, Van Hollen has relentlessly challenged big polluters and worked for climate justice for all Marylanders. He is precisely the sort of bold leader we need in the US Senate to tackle the climate emergency over the next six years and beyond. The Chesapeake Climate Action Network/Action Fund wholeheartedly endorses Senator Chris Van Hollen for re-election.”
Standing Up to the Gun Lobby to Strengthen Public Safety
Senator Van Hollen has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to common-sense gun safety legislation while serving the people of Maryland. He believes that a strategy to keep Maryland families and communities safe must include sensible gun laws and strong community organizations working on violence prevention. In the Maryland Legislature, Chris stood up to the NRA and the gun lobby and won by passing the first law in the country requiring that guns sold have built-in trigger locks — a law that has saved lives. In Congress, Senator Van Hollen has stood out as a champion for legislation requiring universal criminal background checks, federal resources for community violence prevention programs, and bans on high-capacity magazines and assault weapons. He has also authored legislation to help expand Maryland’s permit-to-purchase handgun law nationwide. Chris has made it clear that he will not rest until we end the epidemic of gun violence.
Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of Giffords PAC:
“In his decades of public service, Chris Van Hollen has always been a fierce advocate for Marylanders. I’ve been proud to call him a colleague, a friend, and a partner in the fight to end gun violence. Senator Van Hollen is not afraid to stand up to the gun lobby and push for the commonsense gun safety legislation we desperately need in this country. I know that he will never stop fighting for Marylanders. We need Chris Van Hollen in the US Senate.”
Fighting for Lower Prescription Drug Costs and Strengthening Medicare & Social Security
Senator Van Hollen 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 also believes it’s crucial that we lower everyday costs for Marylanders and has played a leading role in the battle to give Medicare the power to negotiate lower costs for prescription drugs, to to close the existing Medicare coverage gaps for hearing, dental and vision services, and to lower drug costs for every American.
Max Richtman, President & CEO, Chairman, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare:
“The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, on behalf of its millions of members and supporters, including over 41,000 in Maryland, enthusiastically endorses your candidacy for reelection to the United States Senate. We know that you will continue your exemplary record on seniors’ issues in the next Congress and beyond. The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare looks forward to continuing our work with you to address the challenges facing seniors… from lowering prescription drugs costs to expanding Medicare coverage to improving Social Security benefits and solvency. National Committee members know that they can count on you in the future as they have throughout your congressional career.”