Press Releases & Statements
Cardin, Rubio Call for Foreign Assistance to Stop Threat of COVID-19 Internationally in Next Emergency Supplemental
WASHINGTON - One-third of the U.S. Senate, led by Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), ranking member and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee that oversees democracy and human rights, are urging Senate leadership to prioritize funding for the international response to COVID-19 in the next emergency supplemental package. "The global outbreak of COVID-19 has demonstrated that threats from infectious diseases know no borders and reinforced the harsh reality that … Continue Reading
July 09, 2020
Cardin, Van Hollen Urge Administration to Halt Haphazard Plans to Bring Thousands of Federal Employees into Offices as Nationwide COVID-19 Cases Spike
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.), sent a letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Acting Director Russell T. Vought and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Acting Director Michael J. Rigas, urging them to reverse course on plans by several agencies to bring federal employees back to their worksites prematurely, by issuing clear guidance to extend maximum telework throughout the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The Senators begin, "We write to express our o… Continue Reading
July 07, 2020
Cardin Statement on U.S. Withdrawal from the World Health Organization
BALTIMORE - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement in response to the Trump administration's official notification that the United States would withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO). "With COVID-19 cases surging across the U.S., the President's decision to officially begin withdrawing the United States from the WHO in the midst of a global pandemic is irrational, reckless, and simply the wrong thin… Continue Reading
July 07, 2020
Cardin, Wicker Commend United Kingdom Magnitsky Sanctions on Russian and Saudi Officials
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Helsinki Commision, and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Co-Chairman, released the following statement after the recent designations under the United Kingdom's Magnitsky sanctions framework of Russian and Saudi officials responsible for the deaths of Sergei Magnitsky and Jamal Khashoggi, "We are encouraged to see the United Kingdom applying its first-ever independent Magnitsky sanctions. These sanctions demonstrate that following Brex… Continue Reading
July 07, 2020
Cardin, Wicker Commend United Kingdom Magnitsky Sanctions on Russian and Saudi Officials
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Helsinki Commision, and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Co-Chairman, released the following statement after the recent designations under the United Kingdom's Magnitsky sanctions framework of Russian and Saudi officials responsible for the deaths of Sergei Magnitsky and Jamal Khashoggi, "We are encouraged to see the United Kingdom applying its first-ever independent Magnitsky sanctions. These sanctions demonstrate that following Brex… Continue Reading
July 06, 2020
Cardin, Van Hollen, Howard County Delegation Announce more than $1.5 million for Flooding Recovery and Mitigation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) today announced a new grant award of $1,515,201 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for flood prevention and recovery efforts in Howard County. "Over a period of only two years, Ellicott City and surrounding communities in Howard County experienced back-to-back 1,000-year floods, which devastated local businesses and homes," the lawmakers … Continue Reading
July 06, 2020
Maryland Delegation Members Announce $4.6 Million in CARES Act Funds for Affordable Housing and Community Development in Prince George’s County
WASHINGTON - The Prince George's County Congressional Delegation, including U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer and Anthony G. Brown (all D-Md.), today announced $4.6 million in funding through the CARES Act to address housing and economic impacts of COVID-19 pandemic in Prince George's County, Md. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) has allocated $3,036,958 through the Community Develop… Continue Reading
July 06, 2020
Cardin Statement on Release of PPP Loan Data
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship Ranking Member Ben Cardin (D-Md.) today issued the following statement after the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Department of the Treasury released data on the recipients of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans: "Today's disclosure of PPP data is a welcome step that will help inform Congress as we work to provide additional support to small businesses harmed by COVID-19. I look forward to receiving… Continue Reading
July 03, 2020
Cardin Statement on July 4 – Independence Day 2020
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) issued the following statement to commemorate Independence Day 2020. "July 4 is a day to recognize our nation's Declaration of Independence 244 years ago. On this day, we collectively pause to honor the values that make this nation great. "July 4 also is a day of shared reflection to see how well we have made more tangible the ideals of our founders 'to create a more perfect union.' As we look across the landscape of our country today, these words… Continue Reading
July 02, 2020
Maryland Delegation Urges FEMA to Provide Relief to the State and Local Communities Struggling to Provide Public Assistance during COVID-19
WASHINGTON - Members of Maryland's Congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) wrote to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Peter Gaynor Wednesday, urging the approval of Maryland's request for an increase in the federal cost share for eligible public assistance program expenses to 100 percent… Continue Reading
July 02, 2020
Cardin, Portman Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Supporting U.S. Leadership at, and Reform of, the World Trade Organization
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio.) introduced a bipartisan resolution expressing support for U.S. leadership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) while also calling for reform to parts of the institution. The resolution describes the long history of productive American leadership at the WTO, as well as the ways in which the WTO has failed to address new trade barriers and market distortions by countries like China. The resolution also offers specific … Continue Reading
July 02, 2020
Cardin, Cantwell, Schumer, Booker, Cortez Masto & Harris Introduce Legislation to Invest in Minority-Owned Businesses
WASHINGTON -U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship Ranking Member Ben Cardin (D-Md.), U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.), and U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.) today introduced the Minority Business Resiliency Act. The bill would make the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), which was … Continue Reading
July 01, 2020
Senate Democrats Hold Hearing on D.C. Statehood
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Senate Democratic Policy and Communications Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) today hosted a virtual hearing to examine why Washington, D.C. should become the country's 51st state. The hearing, titled, "Statehood and Equality for Washington, D.C.," focused on the statehood process outlined in the Washington, D.C. Admi… Continue Reading
July 01, 2020
Cardin, Van Hollen, Trone Announce More Than $16 Million for Western Maryland Airports
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced $16,002,938 in funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for airport infrastructure improvements in Western Maryland. Hagerstown Regional Airport-Richard A. Henson Field (HGR) will receive $6,304,480 for the rehabilitation of its main runway (more information here); Garrett County Airport (2G4) will receive $5,035,688 for the expansion of its apron (more inform… Continue Reading
July 01, 2020
Cardin, Van Hollen, Sarbanes Applaud the Award of More Than $10.5 Million for BWI Airport
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressman John Sarbanes (all D-Md.) applaud the award of $10,750,084 in funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for infrastructure improvements at Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport. "Improving and upgrading Maryland's public infrastructure is a critical element of our recovery from the economic downturn brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. BWI airport is a major transportation h… Continue Reading
June 30, 2020
Cardin, Van Hollen to Trump Administration: Don’t Rip Away Health Care for Millions During Public Health Crisis
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) joined Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and more than 30 Senate colleagues in condemning the Trump Administration's "reckless" efforts to invalidate the Affordable Care Act. The Senators demanded that the Department of Justice (DOJ) defend existing law in court and halt its efforts to repeal health care protections for millions - including 133 million Americans with pre-existing conditions - in the middle of a public health emer… Continue Reading
June 30, 2020
Cardin, Wyden Lead Senate Finance Democrats Urging Treasury/IRS to Send Missed COVID Relief Payments to Non-filers with Dependents
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, led committee colleagues in a letter Tuesday to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Charles Rettig calling on them to immediately distribute further supplemental economic impact payments to those who are in need rather than make them wait until tax time next year. In addition to Senato… Continue Reading
June 30, 2020
Cardin, Van Hollen Urge Maryland Board of Public Works to Reconsider Severe Budget Cuts
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen sent a letter to the Maryland Board of Public Works members - Governor Larry Hogan, State Treasurer Nancy Kopp, and State Comptroller Peter Franchot - urging their reconsideration of severe budget cuts. The Members begin, "We are writing to express our concern with proposed state budget cuts under consideration by the Maryland Board of Public Works. While we understand the toll that COVID-19 has taken on the budget in Maryland a… Continue Reading
June 30, 2020
Cardin, Schumer, Shaheen, Coons & Rosen Laud Unanimous Senate Passage of Legislation to Extend PPP Loan Application Deadline
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship Ranking Member Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.), and Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) today successfully passed legislation to extend the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA's) authority to approve Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans through August 8, 2020. Without action from Congress, SBA will lose its aut… Continue Reading
June 29, 2020
Cardin Calls for Extension of Nation-wide Moratorium on Evictions
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD.), joined Monday with Senator Warren (D-Mass.), Congressman Jesús G. "Chuy" García (D-Ill.), and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) introduced the Protecting Renters from Evictions and Fees Act of 2020. The bicameral legislation extends the federal eviction moratorium to March 27, 2021, one year after the date of enactment of the CARES Act, and expands the moratorium to cover substantially all renters. The bill also prohibits fees, fines… Continue Reading
