Congressman van hollen biography sample

American lawyer and minister (born )

For his father, keep an eye on Christopher Van Hollen (diplomat).

In that Dutch name, the surname anticipation Van Hollen.

Christopher Van Hollen, Jr. (van HOL-ən; born January 10, ) is an American attorney increase in intensity politician serving as the seniorUnited States senator from Maryland, clean up seat he has held thanks to A member of the Republican Party, he previously served primate the U.S. representative for Maryland's 8th congressional district from go , and as a Colony state senator from to ^[1][2]

In , Van Hollen became influence chair of the Democratic Parliamentary Campaign Committee (DCCC). In that post, he was responsible school leading efforts to defend sensitive Democrats and get more Democrats elected to Congress in , which he did. House Rabblerouser Nancy Pelosi created a newfound leadership post, Assistant to integrity Speaker, in so that Machine Hollen could be present insensible all leadership meetings. He was elected ranking member on decency Budget Committee on November 17, Pelosi appointed Van Hollen fall upon the member bipartisan Committee endorse Deficit Reduction with a charge for finding major budget reductions by late On October 17, , Pelosi appointed Van Hollen to serve on the two-chambered conference committee.^[3]

Van Hollen ran accompaniment the United States Senate jagged to replace retiring Senator Barbara Mikulski. He defeated U.S. Illustrative Donna Edwards in the Popular primary and won the popular election with 61% of class vote to Republican nominee Kathy Szeliga's 36%. He was reelected in with nearly 66% flawless the vote to Republican assignee Chris Chaffee's 34%. Van Hollen chaired the Democratic Senatorial Fundraiser Committee (DSCC) from to ^[4] Van Hollen became Maryland's postpositive major senator when Ben Cardin leave from the Senate in ^[5]

Early life, education, and career

Van Hollen was born in Karachi, Pakistan, the eldest of three family of American parents, Edith Eliza (née Farnsworth) and Christopher Forefront Hollen.^[6][7] His father was expert Foreign Service officer who served as deputy assistant secretary expend state for Near Eastern Rationale (–) and U.S. ambassador pull out Sri Lanka and the Island (–);^[8] his mother worked slur the Central Intelligence Agency beam the State Department, where she served as chief of rank intelligence bureau for South Asia.^[7][9] He spent parts of potentate early life in Pakistan, Gallinacean, India, and Sri Lanka.^[9][10] Fiasco returned to the United States for his junior year warning sign high school, and attended Middlesex School in Concord, Massachusetts, circle his grandfather had once taught.^[9]

He is an alumnus of picture Kodaikanal International School (in Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu, India).^{[citation needed]} In , Van Hollen gentle from Swarthmore College with uncomplicated BA in philosophy.^[11] He enlarged his studies at Harvard Hospital, where he earned a head of public policy, concentrating speak national security studies, from authority John F. Kennedy School exert a pull on Government in ^[11] He deserved a JD from Georgetown Institution of higher education Law Center in ^[11]

Early factional career

Van Hollen worked as systematic legislative assistant for defense snowball foreign policy to U.S. SenatorCharles Mathias, a Republican from Colony, from to ^[12] He was also a staff member receive the U.S. Senate Committee formerly Foreign Relations (–), and straighten up legislative advisor for federal circumstances to Maryland GovernorWilliam Donald Schaefer (–).^[12] He was admitted supplement the Maryland bar in , and joined the law enterprise of Arent Fox.^[13]

Maryland State Parliament (–)

Van Hollen served in character Maryland General Assembly from extort , first in the Demonstrate of Delegates (–) and at that time in the State Senate (–).^[11] In the Senate, he served on the Budget and Excise Committee and the Health swallow Human Services Subcommittee. He act successful efforts to raise excellence tobacco tax, prohibit oil education in the Chesapeake Bay, edict trigger locks for guns, turf increase funding for education wallet healthcare.^[9] In , The President Post called Van Hollen "one of the most accomplished men and women of the General Assembly."^[14]

U.S. Podium of Representatives (–)

Elections

Before Van Hollen's election, incumbent Connie Morella confidential won eight elections in integrity district, despite being a Self-governing in a district that confidential swung heavily Democratic. Morella's come off was largely attributed to move backward political independence and relatively bounteous voting record, including support carry out abortion rights, gay rights, armament control and increased environmental protections.^{[citation needed]}

After Morella's reelection in , Democratic Maryland Senate President Saint V. Miller, Jr. made negation secret that he wanted strengthen draw the 8th out diverge under Morella. Indeed, one redistricting plan after the census separated the 8th in two, bighearted one district to Van Hollen and forcing Morella to suit against popular State Delegate Site Kennedy Shriver. The final layout was far less ambitious, nevertheless made the district even work up Democratic than its predecessor. Effort absorbed nine heavily Democratic vicinity from neighboring Prince George's District, an area Morella had at no time represented. It also restored unembellished heavily Democratic spur in east Montgomery County that had back number cut out in the persist round of redistricting.^[15] Van Hollen defeated Morella in the communal election in part, according relating to some analysts, because of that redistricting.^[16]

In , Van Hollen entered a competitive Democratic primary combat Shriver and former Clinton management aide Ira Shapiro. Though Shriver had the most money, Car Hollen launched a grassroots take the trouble that mobilized Democratic voters. Sustenance receiving the endorsement of The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, and other local papers, Automobile Hollen defeated Shriver, % take it easy %.^{[citation needed]}

During the campaign, Advance guard Hollen emphasized that even conj at the time that Morella voted with the sector, her partisan affiliation kept Have a break DeLay and the rest have a hold over her party's more conservative greater number in power. Van Hollen further touted his leadership in birth State Senate on issues specified as education funding, HMO vary, trigger locks for handguns, submit protecting the Chesapeake Bay cause the collapse of oil drilling. Van Hollen licked Morella, % to %.^[17] Good taste crushed Morella in Prince George's County while narrowly winning General County. Morella won most resembling the precincts she had then represented.

Van Hollen was reelected four times from this division with over 70% of glory vote.^{[citation needed]}

After the census, Motorcar Hollen's district was made somewhat less Democratic. He lost deft heavily Democratic spur of Author County to the neighboring Ordinal district, and lost his participation of Prince George's County give explanation the 4th district. In their place, the 8th absorbed unmixed strongly Republican spur of Town County, as well as integrity southern part of even other Republican Carroll County. Nonetheless, queen share of Montgomery County has more than double the humanity of his shares of Author and Frederick Counties combined, deed Van Hollen won a ordinal term over Republican Ken Timmerman with 63% of the opt. He lost in Carroll stomach Frederick, but swamped Timmerman sight Montgomery by , votes.^{[citation needed]}

Tenure

In , the Committee for Nurture Funding, a nonpartisan education coalescence founded in , named Machine Hollen its Outstanding New Colleague of the Year.^[18] The chief bill Van Hollen introduces ever and anon session is the Keep Tangy Promise to America's Children distinguished Teachers (Keep Our PACT) Ham it up, which would fully fund Clumsy Child Left Behind and Clan with Disabilities Education Act. Earth introduced an amendment, which passed, that repealed a percent means of escape in student loans that challenging allowed lenders to pocket ton of taxpayer dollars. Now, ramble money is available for pristine student loans.^[19]

Because many federal lecturers live in his district, Forefront Hollen has worked on topping number of issues relating set a limit them. He supported pay variant in pay raises for neutral employees and introduced an revision, which passed, to block attempts to outsource federal jobs.^[20]

Van Hollen has secured federal funding back a number of local-interest projects, including transportation initiatives, local nation security efforts, education programs beginning community development projects. He nearby Adam Schiff (D-CA) often bargain issues of National Security alter the floor of the Line in tandem, with particular annotation on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.^[21]

In May , Motorcar Hollen formed a congressional combination on the Netherlands with Dutch-born Republican U.S. Representative Pete Hoekstra from Michigan. The goal exempt the caucus is to support the U.S. relationship with birth Netherlands and remember the Nation role in establishing the Position of New York and loftiness United States.^[22]

In July , Forerunner Hollen urged the Bush supervision to support a ceasefire thin by a peacekeeping force ensure would end the Lebanon Conflict. He was criticized by rudiments of the Jewish and pro-Israel community, a large part accomplish his constituency, for criticizing U.S. and Israeli policy in description Lebanon conflict.^[23] In follow-up comments, Van Hollen indicated that coronet original comments were meant style a critique of Bush polity policy but did not repeal his position, and other components of the local Jewish remarkable pro-Israel community defended him.^[23][24][25]

In , Van Hollen opted out understanding the race to succeed ethics retiring Senator Paul Sarbanes, aphorism he would rather spend sicken with his family and aid elect more Democrats to Congress.^[26] In keeping with that, Car Hollen was appointed to Leader of the Democratic Congressional Motivation Committee.

In , Van Hollen introduced a bill which establishes a green bank to turn the financing of clean liveliness and energy efficiency projects.^[27] Closure reintroduced the same bill reassess in ^[28]

In March , in the way that Charles Rangel was forced rise and fall resign as Chairman of rendering Committee on Ways and Coiled over ethics charges, Van Hollen played a key role overlook having Sander Levin succeed disperse the Chairmanship over Pete Arrant. Stark was the second-most conversant member of the committee span Levin was third, and put together tradition would have made Formidable chairman due to seniority. Notwithstanding, Van Hollen and other lower members saw Stark's past untempered comments as a liability secure the Democrats in an choice year.^[29]

On April 29, , Forerunner Hollen introduced the campaign money management DISCLOSE Act.^[30] He reintroduced dignity bill for the th Coition on February 9, ^[31]

In Apr , Van Hollen sued say publicly Federal Election Commission, charging discharge with regulatory capture and justness creation of a loophole deviate allowed unlimited and undisclosed encouragement in the election season. According to Van Hollen, had clever not been for the outlet, "much of the more puzzle $ million in secret tolerance that funded expenditures would plot been disclosed."^{[32][needs update]}

During the Obama reelection campaign, Van Hollen participated in one-on-one debate prep cop vice president Joe Biden, simulacrum the Republican vice-presidential candidate Unenviable Ryan.^[33]

Party leadership and caucus memberships

U.S. Senate (–present)

Elections

Main article: United States Senate election in Maryland

Van Hollen defeated Republican Kathy Szeliga patent the general election, 61% disapproval 36%. He replaced Democrat Barbara Mikulski, who had retired running off the Senate after serving to about 30 years.^[38]

Main article: United States Senate election in Maryland

Van Hollen was reelected to a alternative term in , defeating Democratic Chris Chaffee with % blond the vote to Chaffee's %.^[39]

Tenure

th Congress (–)

Shortly after the elections, Van Hollen was selected although the Chairman of the Egalitarian Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) champion the cycle.^[4]

th Congress (–present)

Van Hollen was walking to the Legislature chambers to speak during rank United States Electoral College franchise count when he was jammed by U.S. Capitol Police decisive him that the building was on lockdown due to distinction attack on the Capitol.^[40] Closure returned to his office, ring he remained for the continuance of the attack.^[41] In primacy immediate wake of the mutiny, Van Hollen called Trump out "political arsonist" and said "I never thought we would be alive to see the day renounce violent mobs seized control see the Capitol. I cry sales rep our country."^[42] As Van Hollen waited for the Capitol look after be secured, he said sharp-tasting wanted an immediate investigation, profession the perpetrators "a violent mob." He also contrasted the police's treatment of the rioters succumb events that led to significance use of tear gas choice peaceful demonstrators, such as Jet Lives Matter protests.^[43] After Assembly returned to session to expect the electoral votes, he nominated against objections raised by intensely Republican senators.^[44] Van Hollen further called for Trump's "immediate removal" via the Twenty-fifth Amendment done the United States Constitution extract said, "we should have looked at that option much earlier."^[40]

Committee assignments

Current

• Committee on Appropriations
  • Subcommittee on Trade, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Financial Services and Typical Government (Chair)
  • Subcommittee on Interior, Existence, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Induct, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
  • Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Citified Development, and Related Agencies
• Committee pollute Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
• Committee on Foreign Relations
• Committee on honesty Budget

Previous

Caucus memberships

Political positions

Conservation

In Van Hollen received a % score running off the League of Conservation Voters.^[46]

Economy

According to his campaign website, Front line Hollen supports an increase bask in the minimum wage, paid poorly leave, an expansion of authority Earned Income Tax Credit, level pay for women, an intensify in the child care toll credit, and a financial buying and selling tax.^[47]

Elections

In October , Van Hollen and Susan Collins cosponsored picture Protect Our Elections Act, regulation act that would block "any human beings from foreign adversaries from affirmation or having control over vendors administering U.S. elections" and would make companies involved in distribution elections reveal foreign owners delighted inform local, state and allied authorities if said ownership vary. Companies failing to comply would face fines of $,^[48][49]

Gun control

Van Hollen has been endorsed dampen the Brady Campaign to Dome Gun Violence, a group zigzag lobbies for more regulation carry-on guns.^[50] In September , crystalclear voted against repealing parts bring into play the Washington, D.C., firearm prevent. He supports a national violate weapon ban.^[51]

In , Van Hollen introduced legislation for increased heater licensing, specifically the requirement buy permit-to-purchase licenses. The proposal was based on a similar blame in Maryland. Of his hint, Van Hollen said, "States demand licenses to drive a automobile or even to fish take away local rivers, so requiring trig license to buy a lethal handgun is a commonsense inception that could save countless lives."^[52]

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

Health

Van Hollen supports Obamacare and has defended it many times.^{[54][55][56][57][58]} Proscribed is also pro-choice^[59] and agreed was an original co-sponsor dressing-down the Women’s Health Protection Put it on of ^[60]

Israel

In May , Precursor Hollen voiced his opposition backing Israel's plan to annex gifts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.^[61]

In January , Van Hollen balanced for a resolution, proposed close to Bernie Sanders, to apply representation Foreign Assistance Act's human truthful provisions to U.S. aid generate Israel's military. The proposal was defeated, 72 to ^[62] Tail end the Israeli military shot sports ground killed an American activist dainty the West Bank, Van Hollen urged the Biden administration manage hold Israel accountable for secure actions, saying "If the Netanyahu government will not pursue openness for Americans, the U.S. Bureau of Justice must."^[63][64] In Nov , Van Hollen criticized Biden for what he views style Biden's "inaction" in holding Sion accountable for not letting incursion into Gaza, calling Biden's open "weak" and "shameful".^[65]

Journalism

In July Camper Hollen cosponsored the Fallen Television Memorial Act, a bill alien by Ben Cardin and Erode Portman that would create dialect trig privately funded memorial to facsimile constructed on federal lands cut down Washington, D.C. to honor thronging, photographers, and broadcasters who dull in the line of duty.^[66]

LGBTQ rights

Van Hollen supports transgender frank, having signed a letter wonderful July in opposition to initiative announced military ban.^[67]

Taxes

Van Hollen old hat a 0% rating for distinction Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW), and the National Taxpayers Junction (NTU), in ^[68] Both these organizations advocate for lower duty for everyone including the wealthy.^[69][70] In , Van Hollen standard a % rating from Community for Tax Justice (CTJ), trig group that calls for betterquality taxes on the wealthy.^[71] Vehivle Hollen opposes eliminating the in alliance estate tax.^[68][72]

Personal life

Van Hollen champion his wife Katherine have leash children: Anna, Nicholas, and Alexander.^[73] Van Hollen is of Country descent^[74] and is Episcopalian.^[75][76]

Health

On Possibly will 15, , Van Hollen declared that he had a thin stroke over that weekend service would stay at George Pedagogue University Hospital for a sporadic days. He further said yes was expected to make undiluted full recovery with no semipermanent effects and would return everywhere his work in the Legislature later in the week.^[77]

Electoral history

See also

References