The Constitution is crystal clear: the president does not have the authority to go to war with Iran without approval by Congress.
I strongly support bipartisan efforts to prevent Trump from unilaterally dragging us into another war in the Middle East.

Congress Member Profile|U.S. Senator|Democrat|Maryland
Chris Van Hollen
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SoupScoreanalysis-first civic rating · view full breakdown
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Voting Record — 788
Yes26%
No73%
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 · 59 sponsored · 422 cosponsored
Recent ATmosphere posts, sponsorships, and cosponsorships.
Weaponizing law enforcement against political opponents is pure authoritarianism — the sort of thing we expect from the likes of Putin and Xi. To see it from a U.S. president is abhorrent.
Americans must stand united against this assault on our Constitution.
Understand this: Trump’s attacks on the NIH aren’t just hurting NIH workers and its HQ in Maryland — they’re grinding lifesaving medical research to a halt nationwide.
We cannot let them get away with this assault on public health.
Netanyahu has repeatedly outsmarted Trump, and has made America the junior partner and subcontractor for his policies in the Middle East. So much for America First.
Remember when Trump told Big Oil he'd deliver their wish list if they spent $1 billion to elect him president?
Well, he's been doing exactly that — and now Senate Rs want to sweeten the deal with an extra $1 billion handout.
Another windfall for Big Oil, another betrayal of working people.
The Republican tax bill includes the biggest cut to SNAP in history — taking food assistance from people who will go hungry without it, all to pay for tax cuts for billionaires.
We must do all we can to stop this betrayal of American families.
My friend @padilla.senate.gov is exactly right: this isn't about what happened to him — it's about what could happen to anybody in America if we don't call out and stand against Trump's lawlessness and abuses of power.
Trump doesn't get to play dictator in a nation of laws.
Let me be clear: The President does not have the authority to attack Iran. Only the Congress has the constitutional power to declare war.
President Trump must work to end this conflict — not drag us further into it.
On his trip to the UAE, Trump agreed to give valuable U.S. AI technology to a UAE-owned company — just two weeks after ERIC Trump struck a deal with another UAE firm to use $2 billion to boost the Trump family's crypto business.
I broke down this brazen, pay-to-play corruption last week:
Show me an authoritarian state and I'll show you their “Dear Leader” loyalty tests,
Replacing a merit-based system with political cronyism will destroy critical services and undermine our democracy. Do you want our air traffic controllers to take a skills test or a Trump test?
The House version of Trump's so-called "Big, Beautiful Bill" cut $800B from Medicaid—and the Senate version is even worse.
There's nothing "beautiful" about kicking millions off their health care. And to pay for billionaire tax cuts? We must fight this with everything we've got.
"I've sat on this bench now for 40 years. I've never seen government racial discrimination like this."
That's what a Reagan-appointed judge said about Trump cancelling hundreds of NIH grants.
We can't stop fighting Trump's assault on science, the NIH, and our values.
It’s been nauseating to see many leaders of leading democracies rotate through the Oval Office competing to see who can best ingratiate themselves with Trump.
In Alberta, G7 leaders need to stand in solidarity for democratic values and stop sucking up to and appeasing a wannabe dictator.
Wishing a very happy Father’s Day to all the great dads in Maryland and across the country! On this day, I remember the inspiration, example and love of my own father. Today, we need good role models more than ever.
Our country faces grave challenges, but Americans around the country give me hope. Like the thousands I spoke to at a #NoKingsDay protest in Baltimore — patriots making clear we will NOT tolerate Trump’s lawlessness and abuses of power.
We will defend the country we love.
I can’t think of a better place to celebrate #FlagDay than the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House in Baltimore — the site where Mary Pickersgill, her family and Grace Wisher sewed the flag that flew at Ft. McHenry & inspired the National Anthem.
A big piece of MD & U.S. history!🇺🇸
Our first #NoKingsDay stop this morning was in Rockville, where over 1,000 people were gathered to send a clear message to Donald Trump: WE THE PEOPLE say NO KINGS.
We will hold him accountable in court, in Congress, and in communities across the country.
Horrified by the sickening act of political violence in Minnesota. I pray for the family of Melissa Hortman and her husband, who were murdered in cold blood, and for the recovery of John Hoffman and his wife.
The killer must be held accountable. This has no place in America.
We cannot move on from what happened yesterday. A Senator being roughed up and handcuffed for trying to ask a question is what you see in a DICTATORSHIP.
Our country is at a crossroads and we need EVERY American to stand up to defend freedom, democracy and our Constitution.
The Republican tax bill adds a mountain of red tape and bureaucracy for people who are eligible for Medicaid.
That's right: the party that brought you "DOGE" wants to make government LESS efficient so they can take health care from millions of Americans.
I have a better idea⬇️
SoupScore Breakdown
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Voting History788 total votesExpandCollapse
Voting History
788 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-10-01 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (52-45) |
| 2025-10-01 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (52-47) |
| 2025-10-01 | H.R. 5371 (119th) | End filibuster to begin debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (55-45, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2025-10-01 | S. 2882 (119th) | End filibuster to begin debate | YES | YES | ✓ | Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (47-53, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2025-09-30 | H.R. 5371 (119th) | Final passage | NO | NO | ✓ | Bill Defeated (55-45, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2025-09-30 | S. 2882 (119th) | Final passage | YES | YES | ✓ | Bill Defeated (47-53, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2025-09-29 | S. 2806 (119th) | End filibuster to begin debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (37-61, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2025-09-29 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (54-45) |
| 2025-09-29 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (54-45) |
| 2025-09-19 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (47-43) |
| 2025-09-19 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (47-45) |
| 2025-09-19 | H.R. 5371 (119th) | Final passage | NO | NO | ✓ | Bill Defeated (44-48, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2025-09-19 | S. 2882 (119th) | Final passage | YES | YES | ✓ | Bill Defeated (47-45, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2025-09-18 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (51-47) |
| 2025-09-17 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (52-47) |
| 2025-09-17 | — | Decision of the Chair PN12-19 and PN25-28 and PN12-45 and PN22-1 and PN22-2 and PN22-5 and PN22-27 and PN22-20 and PN22-21 and PN26-8 and PN26-34 and PN26-35 and PN55-41 and PN22-4 and PN22-8 and PN22-19 and PN26-1 and PN22-23 and PN25-40 and PN26-7 and PN26-19 and PN26-31 and PN60-3 and PN26-44 and PN25-2 and PN55-16 and PN60-9 and PN60-10 and PN129-8 and PN26-45 and PN141-37 and PN141-7 and PN141-28 and PN12-22 and PN25-21 and PN22-3 and PN26-22 and PN13-5 and PN22-24 and PN25-33 and PN141-18 and PN150-5 and PN345-16 and PN55-42 and PN54-6 and PN54-7 and PN55-45 and PN55-25 | YES | YES | ✓ | Decision of Chair Not Sustained (47-52) |
| 2025-09-17 | — | Motion to Reconsider PN55-25 and PN55-45 and PN54-7 and PN54-6 and PN55-42 and PN345-16 and PN150-5 and PN141-18 and PN25-33 and PN22-24 and PN13-5 and PN26-22 and PN22-3 and PN25-21 and PN12-22 and PN141-28 and PN141-7 and PN141-37 and PN26-45 and PN129-8 and PN60-10 and PN60-9 and PN55-16 and PN25-2 and PN26-44 and PN60-3 and PN26-31 and PN26-19 and PN26-7 and PN25-40 and PN22-23 and PN26-1 and PN22-19 and PN22-8 and PN22-4 and PN55-41 and PN26-35 and PN26-34 and PN26-8 and PN22-21 and PN22-20 and PN22-27 and PN22-5 and PN22-2 and PN22-1 and PN12-45 and PN12-19 and PN25-28 | NO | NO | ✓ | Motion to Reconsider Agreed to (51-47) |
| 2025-09-17 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Rejected (51-48, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2025-09-16 | S. Con. Res. 22 (119th) | Begin consideration | NO | NO | ✓ | Motion to Proceed Rejected (36-62) |
| 2025-09-16 | S.J. Res. 60 (119th) | Begin consideration | YES | YES | ✓ | Motion to Proceed Rejected (47-51) |
| 2025-09-15 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (48-47) |
| 2025-09-15 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (50-44) |
| 2025-09-15 | S. Res. 377 (119th) | Approve resolution | NO | NO | ✓ | Resolution Agreed to (51-44) |
| 2025-09-11 | S. Res. 377 (119th) | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (53-43) |
| 2025-09-11 | S. Res. 377 (119th) | Decision of the Chair S.Res. 377 | YES | YES | ✓ | Decision of Chair Not Sustained (45-53) |
| 2025-09-11 | S. Res. 377 (119th) | Motion to Reconsider S.Res. 377 | NO | NO | ✓ | Motion to Reconsider Agreed to (52-45) |
| 2025-09-11 | S. Res. 377 (119th) | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Rejected (52-47, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2025-09-10 | S. 2296 (119th) | Kill the motion | NO | NO | ✓ | Motion to Table Agreed to (51-49) |
| 2025-09-09 | S. Res. 377 (119th) | Begin consideration | NOT_VOTING | NO | — | Motion to Proceed Agreed to (53-45) |
| 2025-09-09 | S. Res. 377 (119th) | Kill the motion | NOT_VOTING | NO | — | Motion to Table Agreed to (53-46) |
| 2025-09-09 | — | Confirm nominee | NOT_VOTING | NO | — | Nomination Confirmed (53-45) |
| 2025-09-09 | — | End debate | NOT_VOTING | NO | — | Cloture Motion Agreed to (53-44) |
| 2025-09-09 | — | Confirm nominee | NOT_VOTING | NO | — | Nomination Confirmed (49-46) |
| 2025-09-09 | — | End debate | NOT_VOTING | NO | — | Cloture Motion Agreed to (51-46) |
| 2025-09-09 | — | Confirm nominee | NOT_VOTING | NO | — | Nomination Confirmed (52-45) |
| 2025-09-08 | — | Confirm nominee | NOT_VOTING | NO | — | Nomination Confirmed (50-43) |
| 2025-09-04 | S. 2296 (119th) | Begin consideration | NO | YES | ✕ | Motion to Proceed Agreed to (83-13) |
| 2025-09-04 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (53-46) |
| 2025-09-04 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (53-45) |
| 2025-09-02 | S. 2296 (119th) | End filibuster to begin debate | NO | YES | ✕ | Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Agreed to (84-14, 3/5 majority required) |
| 2025-08-02 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (71-23) |
| 2025-08-02 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | — | — | Nomination Confirmed (72-22) |
| 2025-08-02 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (59-35) |
| 2025-08-02 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (52-42) |
| 2025-08-02 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (50-45) |
| 2025-08-02 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | YES | ✕ | Nomination Confirmed (78-17) |
| 2025-08-02 | — | End debate | NO | YES | ✕ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (76-19) |
| 2025-08-02 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (50-45) |
| 2025-08-02 | — | End debate | NO | NO | ✓ | Cloture Motion Agreed to (51-45) |
| 2025-08-02 | — | Confirm nominee | NO | NO | ✓ | Nomination Confirmed (52-44) |
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.