Sen. Chris Van Hollen highlights $70 million for Eastern Shore projects, pushes for broadband and seafood relief

U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D‑Md.) told the Eastern Shore delegation on March 6 that Congress’ fresh appropriations bill restored funding for many federal programs and allowed lawmakers to secure targeted investments for the region. "We were able to secure about $70,000,000 for 25 projects on the Eastern Shore," Van Hollen said, citing examples including $1,000,000 for a Barclay community center and funding for wastewater upgrades.

Van Hollen said the new spending bill restored support for agriculture programs and the Chesapeake Bay Protection Program and funded Army Corps dredging projects important to local commerce. He also said about $20,000,000 was included for Ocean City beach replenishment.

Turning to broadband, Van Hollen said Maryland is due roughly $267,000,000 from the federal program created to expand high‑speed Internet. "We are continuing to press [the Commerce Department] to release those funds that are so important," he said, describing his role on the Appropriations subcommittee that oversees the department.

On agricultural and seafood issues, Van Hollen described ongoing efforts to obtain a federal fishery disaster determination for Maryland’s oyster industry and said USDA and APHIS previously provided about $13,000,000 in indemnity during past avian flu outbreaks. He said he and Rep. Harris also secured $6,000,000 to expand processing capacity for invasive blue catfish and noted a separate $2,000,000 USDA allocation to buy blue catfish for school lunch programs and food banks.

Van Hollen urged changes to the H‑2B visa allocation process for seasonal laborers, calling the lottery system ill suited to industries such as seafood. He described bipartisan efforts on a "Save Our Seafood Act" that would carve out exemptions to better serve seafood processors and watermen.

Delegates asked follow‑up questions about whether inspection authority might shift from USDA to FDA for certain seafood oversight and whether Commerce had acted on oyster disaster requests; Van Hollen said some transfers face resistance and that delegation letters supporting disaster relief could help. He encouraged the delegation to coordinate additional written requests to federal agencies.

Van Hollen closed by inviting constituents and local officials to contact his office for federal assistance and said members of his Washington staff were available to help shepherd project requests.

The senator left the call after a round of delegate questions; his office staff later reminded members the portal for congressionally directed spending applications would remain open through March 15.