Case
Do they support the war in Iran?
An issue tracker recording where members of Congress and 2026 midterm candidates stand on the unauthorized Iran war, based on their votes on war-powers resolutions, campaign statements, and public remarks.
Chris Van Hollen
United States Senator (Democratic) from Maryland.
Published cases
Case
Was ICE justified in shooting Tiago Alexandre Sousa-Martins in Glen Burnie, Maryland?
DHS says ICE officers fired defensively when a driver rammed vehicles and drove at them in Glen Burnie, Maryland. County police corrected DHS on where an injured passenger was; the driver said he drove away fearing he would be shot.
Statements by Chris Van Hollen
Chris Van Hollen
Role at the time: U.S. Senator, Maryland
Condemned
Statement summary
Chris Van Hollen voted yea on H.Con.Res. 89, a vote to direct the removal of U.S. forces from unauthorized hostilities with Iran.
“On the Concurrent Resolution H.Con.Res. 89: A concurrent resolution directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.”
Read the official statement (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate Roll Call Vote 244: H.Con.Res. 89, Iran War Powers Resolution (rejected, 49-50)
Why we used this label
Voted to direct the removal of U.S. forces from unauthorized hostilities with Iran, a vote to end U.S. involvement absent congressional authorization.
Chris Van Hollen
Role at the time: U.S. Senator, Maryland
Condemned
Statement summary
Chris Van Hollen voted Yea on H.Con.Res. 86, the Senate resolution directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.
“On the Concurrent Resolution H.Con.Res. 86: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.”
Read the official statement (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate Roll Call Vote 184: H.Con.Res. 86, Iran War Powers Resolution (agreed to, 50-48)
Why we used this label
A yea vote supported directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran, opposing continued U.S. involvement in the war without congressional authorization.
Chris Van Hollen
Role at the time: U.S. Senator from Maryland
Condemned
Statement summary
In Senate floor remarks, Van Hollen said that "In my State of Maryland, DHS lied about the circumstances surrounding a nonfatal shooting" and that DHS was "exposed in their lies because of a local county investigation". CBS News Baltimore reported the remark as concerning the Glen Burnie shooting.
“In my State of Maryland, DHS lied about the circumstances surrounding a nonfatal shooting, and they were exposed in their lies because of a local county investigation that showed that DHS was plain wrong.”
Read the original text (opens in a new tab)Congressional Record, January 28, 2026, page S314: remarks of Senator Van Hollen · United States CongressPage S314, remarks of Mr. Van Hollen during consideration of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026
Why we used this label
The reference point includes DHS's public account of the shooting. Van Hollen says DHS lied about the circumstances and was shown to be wrong by a county investigation, which is an express rejection of that account. Denies loses because the passage does not identify which specific fact he calls false.
Topics in this coverage
- 2026 Midterm Elections
Statement dates: June 23, 2026 to September 24, 2026
- Government Transparency
Statement dates: January 28, 2026
- Immigration Policy
Statement dates: January 28, 2026
- Iran War
Statement dates: June 23, 2026 to September 24, 2026
- Law Enforcement
Statement dates: January 28, 2026
- U.S. Politics
Statement dates: June 23, 2026 to September 24, 2026