Senator Chris Van Hollen has announced his challenge to Chuck Schumer for Democratic majority leader, citing the need for new leadership. Van Hollen has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration's policies, particularly their impact on global health and poverty programs. As the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee, Van Hollen could have significant influence over Congress's investigation and legislation on foreign aid.
Van Hollen has expressed concerns about the Trump administration's shakeup of foreign aid programs, including the dissolution of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). He has also condemned the administration's actions, such as tying health aid to mineral deals. According to credible analyses, over 700,000 people around the world died between January 2025 and January 2026 due to cuts to USAID. Van Hollen plans to hold a public hearing to educate people about the consequences of these actions.
As a member of the majority, Van Hollen aims to conduct an analysis of the harm caused by the Trump administration's policies. He plans to use his position to call a public hearing and shine a light on the damage done to global health programs. Van Hollen also intends to investigate the Trump administration's actions, not to restore the previous system but to understand the damage and reform it. He cited a scene at the White House in February 2025, where Elon Musk responded to a reporter's question about cuts to fighting Ebola, saying "Whoops, yeah, we missed that."
Van Hollen believes that being in the majority will give Democrats more tools to address the Trump administration's actions. Specifically, they will have the power of the purse to safeguard funds appropriated by Congress for public health programs. For example, the administration rescinded over $500 million in funds for global health, which Van Hollen claims would not have been approved by Democrats. He also mentioned that the administration is using $1.5 billion in funds for public health to wind down USAID, which Democrats can prevent.
Van Hollen explained that when Congress provides funds for specific purposes, such as vaccinations or clinics, it is typically accompanied by report language that guides how the funds should be spent. However, the Trump administration has ignored this report language, and Republicans in Congress have allowed it. Van Hollen plans to convert report language into real law to prevent the administration from diverting funds. This would provide legally binding safeguards to prevent the Trump administration from taking actions that harm global health programs.
If the administration still tries to hold up funds or ignore Congress's actions, Van Hollen believes that being in the majority will give Democrats more leverage. They can codify safeguards and take the administration to court if necessary. Van Hollen emphasized that Democrats will not simply return to the status quo prior to the Trump administration but will develop a new plan for performing the important role of USAID in foreign policy and health policy.
Van Hollen does not think there is anything the Trump administration has done that is worth preserving or building on. However, he believes that USAID played a helpful role in protecting American health and developing good relations with other countries. Democrats will focus on developing a new plan for global health programs and holding the administration accountable for their actions. Van Hollen's challenge to Chuck Schumer for Democratic majority leader has garnered support among Democrats, who are eager to address the harm caused by the Trump administration's policies.
Key points
- Sen. Chris Van Hollen plans to challenge Chuck Schumer for Democratic majority leader, citing the need to address harm caused by the Trump administration's foreign aid policies.
