Senator Chris Van Hollen has been a steadfast and dedicated champion for medical research and global health programs during his two decades in Congress. As a member of both the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Agencies and the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, he has consistently fought to grow funding for biomedical research and global health programs and to enact smart policies to further their impact.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Senator Van Hollen was not only a leading proponent for greater US engagement in the international response—including vaccine development and distribution efforts—but he also used his bully pulpit to shine a spotlight on research equity by pushing for clinical trials to enroll diverse, underrepresented populations and for public health directives to address the unique concerns of pregnant individuals. As the junior senator from a state that houses the National Institutes of Health, several defense health research programs, and a thriving biotechnology and university research community, Senator Van Hollen uniquely understands the importance of maintaining US leadership in health innovation. “Scientific research is crucial to spurring innovation that ultimately creates jobs, drives our economy, and saves lives,” he has said.
Viruses know no borders, and our ability to defeat COVID-19 depends upon our willingness to partner with other nations to stop the spread and mount a successful recovery. USAID serves at the forefront of our efforts to beat this virus – and in doing so, helps maintain America’s longstanding tradition of being a leader in global health – as has been the case in fighting malaria, tuberculosis, and notably, HIV/AIDS through PEPFAR.
Senator Chris Van Hollen
Congressional Champion Honoree
