After weaponizing the shutdown to block SNAP benefits for hungry people, the Trump Admin is using the oldest trick in the book to do more of the same.
This kind of red tape does nothing to prevent fraud — it just makes it harder for working people to get the benefits they need.

Congress Member Profile|U.S. Senator|Democrat|Maryland
Chris Van Hollen
SoupScoreanalysis-first civic rating · view full breakdown
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Voting Record — 890
Yes28%
No71%
Present0%
Not Voting2%
Party align97%
Cross-party0%
SoupScore
District Map
Senate District (Statewide)
U.S. Census Bureau boundary data.
Social & Web
External Resources

Chris Van Hollen
U.S. SenatorDemocratMaryland
SoupScore
Chris's ATmosphere Activity
20 recent posts · 67 sponsored · 490 cosponsored
Recent ATmosphere posts, sponsorships, and cosponsorships.
This is another example of what has become one of the most dangerous — yet underreported — aspects of the Trump Administration: they fire people who tell the truth.
Friends don’t want friends engaged in extrajudicial killings. Of course the UK doesn’t want to be complicit in Trump and Hegseth illegally blowing up boats and people in the Caribbean.
Trump is shredding our Constitution and international law while alienating our allies. It has to end.
Trump’s all-in for billionaires with special deals and tax cuts — but wants to shut down the agency that protects Americans from grifters and rip-offs.
The CFPB’s returned $21B to cheated Americans.
No wonder Trump wants it gone. He’s with the cheaters.
Only a billionaire who looks out only for himself and his billionaire pals would be so out of touch as to call Americans’ concerns about affordability a “con job.”
He’s telling people not to believe what they see with their own eyes. Spoken like Don the Con.
On Veterans Day and every day, we honor all those who have served in our military — making extraordinary sacrifices to defend our democracy and our freedom.
We must never take for granted the values they’ve served to protect.
I just voted NO on the bill that fails to prevent the looming health care crisis and fails to rein in Trump’s lawless actions, but I won’t give up — and I urge the American people to stay in the fight despite this disappointing outcome.
I’ve voted 7 times to reopen the government in a way that holds Trump accountable for his lawlessness and prevents a health care crisis.
I’m prepared to work toward a compromise, but this “deal” before us does not come close to meeting those terms. Voting NO.
Full statement:
Trump is still using hunger as a political weapon while also refusing to address skyrocketing health care costs — and seems to be enjoying it. It’s the definition of sadism. A truly twisted man.
This capitulation will only embolden Trump to target other universities and institutions. This helps no one and only feeds the beast.
We must continue to stand with those who resist Trump’s lawlessness and call out those who don’t. Shame on Cornell.
Every new report on the consequences of Trump’s dismantling of USAID is more horrifying than the last. One model estimates it's caused 600K deaths — two-thirds of them children.
We can’t give Trump a blank check to keep destroying life-saving programs.
Lies and abuses of power have become the norm at Trump’s DHS — and today a judge restricted use of force from federal agents in Chicago who used lies to “justify” their horrific abuses.
The lawlessness must end and those abusing their power must be held accountable.
🚨A federal judge just ordered Trump to release FULL November SNAP payments. Once again: it should not take a judge's order to compel Trump to feed hungry Americans, but this news is a relief to families in need.
Trump must follow the law and join us to reopen the government NOW.
In light of news that the RSF agreed to a ceasefire, I will put that plan on hold and continue to monitor the situation on the ground. My full statement: (2/2)
Death and destruction have torn apart Sudan, largely fueled by the murderous RSF — who are armed by the UAE. Today, I had planned to seek Senate passage of my bill to block U.S. arms sales to the UAE so long as they supply the RSF.... (1/2)
Speaker Pelosi has dedicated her life to our country. From passing the ACA to defending our democracy & more—her legacy is towering.
She’s never backed down & always knew when to throw a punch. I’m proud to call this daughter of Baltimore a friend & to have served alongside her for so many years.
This is one more example of why we can’t give a lawless president a blank check. Our states should not be held hostage when they stand up against Trump’s lawless mass deportation agenda. The courts keep telling him what everyone else knows: he is not a king.
Yet another way Trump is screwing working families: this was a FREE tool we set up so folks could file taxes directly, without paying an expensive service. So who does cancelling it benefit? The answer is not working Americans, but it sure is big corporations who profit off them.
The Supreme Court must stop this unconstitutional power grab Trump has used to raise taxes on working people through across-the-board tariffs while giving tax cuts to billionaires.
rollcall.com/2025/11/03/t...
This Trump shutdown is now the longest in history — longer than his last. He says it contributed to Republicans’ loss yesterday.
Maybe now he’ll do what he should’ve done all along: stop bailing out other countries and join us to reopen the government & prevent a health care crisis.
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Voting History890 total votesExpandCollapse
Voting History
890 total votes
Recent roll calls with party-majority context so it is easier to scan how this member tends to vote.
| Date | Bill | Question | Position | Party Maj | Align? | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-18 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (48-39) |
| 2026-06-18 | H.R. 6644 (119th) | End debate | YES | YES | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (84-8, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2026-06-17 | S. Res. 616 (119th) | Motion to Discharge S.Res. 616 | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion to Discharge Rejected (44-50) |
| 2026-06-17 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (54-41) |
| 2026-06-17 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (55-39) |
| 2026-06-17 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (54-41) |
| 2026-06-16 | H.R. 6644 (119th) | Begin consideration | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion to Proceed Agreed to (87-8) |
| 2026-06-16 | S.J. Res. 172 (119th) | Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 172 | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion to Discharge Rejected (47-48) |
| 2026-06-16 | S.J. Res. 190 (119th) | Begin consideration | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion to Proceed Rejected (46-48) |
| 2026-06-15 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (48-43) |
| 2026-06-11 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (47-43) |
| 2026-06-11 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (49-44) |
| 2026-06-10 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (51-44) |
| 2026-06-10 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (50-44) |
| 2026-06-10 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (48-45) |
| 2026-06-09 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (51-46) |
| 2026-06-08 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (49-42) |
| 2026-06-05 | — | Motion (Motion to Waive All Budgetary Discipline Re: Lee Amdt. No. 5804) | NO | NO | ✓ | Motion Rejected (50-49, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2026-06-05 | S. 2 (119th) | Motion (Wyden Motion to Commit S. 2 to the Committee on the Judiciary with Instructions) | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion Rejected (48-51) |
| 2026-06-05 | S. 1318 (119th) | Begin consideration | NO | NO | ✓ | Motion to Proceed Rejected (47-52) |
| 2026-06-05 | S. 2 (119th) | Final passage | NO | NO | ✓ | Bill Passed (52-47) |
| 2026-06-05 | — | Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Schiff Amdt. No. 5740) | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion Rejected (51-48, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2026-06-05 | — | Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Van Hollen Amdt. No. 5632) | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion Rejected (53-46, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2026-06-05 | S. 2 (119th) | Vote on amendment | YES | YES | ✓ | Amendment Rejected (45-53) |
| 2026-06-05 | — | Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Cassidy Amdt. No. 5812) | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion Rejected (52-47, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2026-06-05 | — | Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Coons Amdt. No. 5457) | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion Rejected (54-45, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2026-06-05 | S. 2 (119th) | Vote on amendment | YES | YES | ✓ | Amendment Rejected (46-53) |
| 2026-06-05 | S. 2 (119th) | Vote on amendment | YES | YES | ✓ | Amendment Rejected (47-52) |
| 2026-06-05 | S. 2 (119th) | Vote on amendment | YES | YES | ✓ | Amendment Rejected (46-53) |
| 2026-06-05 | S. 2 (119th) | Vote on amendment | YES | YES | ✓ | Amendment Rejected (46-53) |
| 2026-06-05 | — | Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Durbin Amdt. No. 5806) | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion Rejected (48-51, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2026-06-04 | — | Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Booker Amdt. No. 5803) | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion Rejected (46-53, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2026-06-04 | — | Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Baldwin Amdt. No. 5485) | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion Rejected (46-53, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2026-06-04 | — | Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Sanders Amdt. No. 5451) | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion Rejected (45-53, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2026-06-04 | S. 2 (119th) | Motion (Warnock Motion to Commit S. 2 to the Committee on the Judiciary with Instructions) | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion Rejected (46-52) |
| 2026-06-04 | — | Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Kim Amdt. No. 5545) | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion Rejected (46-53, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2026-06-04 | — | Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Hickenlooper Amdt. No. 5501) | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion Rejected (51-47, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2026-06-04 | — | Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Graham Amdt. No. 5779) | NO | NO | ✓ | Motion Rejected (48-50, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2026-06-04 | — | Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Warner Amdt. No. 5556) | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion Rejected (49-49, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2026-06-04 | — | Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Hassan Amdt. No. 5535) | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion Rejected (46-52, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2026-06-04 | S. 2 (119th) | Motion (Ossoff Motion to Commit S. 2 to the Committee on the Judiciary with Instructions) | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion Rejected (47-50) |
| 2026-06-04 | — | Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Reed Amdt. No. 5514) | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion Rejected (46-53, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2026-06-04 | — | Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Merkley Amdt. No. 5512) | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion Rejected (53-46, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2026-06-04 | — | Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Tillis Amdt. No. 5452) | NO | NO | ✓ | Motion Rejected (15-84) |
| 2026-06-04 | S. 2 (119th) | Motion (Schumer motion to commit S.2 to the Committee on the Judiciary with instructions) | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion Rejected (49-50) |
| 2026-06-03 | S. 2 (119th) | Begin consideration | NO | NO | ✓ | Motion to Proceed Agreed to (53-46) |
| 2026-06-03 | S.J. Res. 188 (119th) | Begin consideration | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion to Proceed Rejected (46-53) |
| 2026-06-02 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (52-46) |
| 2026-06-02 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (52-46) |
| 2026-06-02 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (52-46) |
Alignment stats consider only votes where a clear yes/no majority existed for the legislator's party. Cross-party marks divergence where the vote matched the opposite party majority. ↔ indicates cross-party divergence.