Rep. Van Hollen Pushes Cap-and-Dividend. By Kate Shepard, Grist, April 30, 2009. "Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) thinks he's got the key to passing a climate bill this year: send every American a rebate. It's not a bribe, but a dividend -- and one he thinks will help grow support for legislation to cap carbon. Van Hollen, an up-and-coming Democratic leader and chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, has introduced a cap-and-dividend bill -- a type of cap-and-trade bill that would take all of the proceeds from selling pollution permits to industries and return that money directly to 'every American with a Social Security number' in the form of a monthly check... 'I think by doing this simple, fair thing of returning an equal amount to every consumer, you help generate support for that effort,' said Van Hollen. 'Everyone feels like they're a part of that process, everyone has a stake in the success of the enterprise.' The House Energy and Commerce Committee held a round of hearings on the Waxman-Markey bill last week, and will start serious debate on it next week. In the meantime, Van Hollen is working to convince House leaders to incorporate his approach."