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Sen. Barbara Mikulski Passes Torch To Sen.-Elect Van Hollen, Calls For Trump To Reach Out

BALTIMORE (WJZ/AP) -- It was a big night for congressman Chris Van Hollen. Who easily won a spot in the U.S. Senate.

Looking forward, he says he's focused on Maryland's priorities.

Senator-elect Van Hollen today called for unity, but says it all starts with the White House. As Senator Barbara Mikulski ends her run in Washington, she passes the torch to congressman Chris Van Hollen.

The hot topic of Wednesday's breakfast meeting with Senator Ben Cardin was new leadership in the White House.

Sen.-elect Chris Van Hollen says President-elect Donald Trump has "a great burden" to reach out to Democrats after running an "incredibly divisive campaign."

"Donald Trump ran an incredibly divisive campaign. And it's going to be essential that he reach out not just in word, but in deed," said Van Hollen.

Going forward the democratic Maryland Senate Delegation says they've got a lot of priorities on their plate, including infrastructure, immigration, the budget and Supreme Court nominees.

"I'm going to take what I believe the values of America to the United States Senate in the next Congress and work to make sure those values are protected," said Senator Ben Cardin.

But that may be a tall order with Republicans dominating both the House and Senate. Still the leaders say it's time for both parties to work together.

"We need to listen to each other. We need to care for each other and about each other," said Senator Barbara Mikulski.

And they vow to fight for Maryland.

"We're going to be focused on issues that are important to our state and the Baltimore area," said Van Hollen.

As they begin a new chapter in the nation's capitol.

Van Hollen says he doesn't know much about Trump's agenda, except that he wants to build a wall on the Mexican border and deport people who are in the country illegally. He says he's willing to work constructively, but after the billionaire's divisive campaign Trump will need to make a major step toward cooperation.

Van Hollen has served in the house of representatives since 2002.

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