Press Releases & Statements
Maryland Delegation Delivers Full Federal Funding for Maryland National Guard During COVID-19 Deployment
"During this national emergency, the federal government must bring all its resources to bear to combat COVID-19, and must offer the maximum possible protections and benefits to those putting themselves in harm's way to keep Marylanders safe." WASHINGTON - The full Maryland congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone, an… Continue Reading
March 26, 2020
Maryland Delegation Helps Secure Major Disaster Declaration, Unlocking Additional Federal Resources to Fight COVID-19
WASHINGTON - The full Maryland congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone, announced quick approval by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of a major disaster declaration for the State of Maryland related to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Such approval is necessary to assure Maryland's eligibility… Continue Reading
March 26, 2020
Maryland Delegation Announces $1.2 million in Federal Funding for Maryland Community Health Centers
WASHINGTON - The full Maryland congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone, today announced $1,194,822 in federal funding through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help community health centers (CHCs) throughout Maryland respond to the growing health demands posed by the COVID-19 outbreak. "Every… Continue Reading
March 26, 2020
Cardin Praises Latest COVID-19 Stimulus Package
"We are trying to make sure that we preserve our economy, that we preserve workers and their families and their abilities to pay their bills." "We need to get the information out to the small businesses, to the workers, and to all businesses. We are here to help keep them open, to keep the paychecks flowing, to keep our economy moving." WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee and a senior member of the Senate Fin… Continue Reading
March 25, 2020
Cardin, Bipartisan Senate Task Force Secure $377 Billion for Small Businesses
WASHINGTON -U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee and a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, today issued a statement on the $2 trillion economic stimulus agreed to by Congressional leaders. The stimulus package includes $377 billion in funding to support small businesses secured by Cardin, Small Business Committee Chairman Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Senate Aging Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ranki… Continue Reading
March 25, 2020
Maryland Delegation Asks President Trump to Fast-Track Approval of Statewide Disaster Declaration for COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON - The full Maryland congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone, is urging President Donald Trump to swiftly approve Governor Larry Hogan's request for a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Maryland as a result of the impacts of the novel coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19). Team Maryland has been wor… Continue Reading
March 24, 2020
Cardin Tells Pompeo to Stop Using Term “Wuhan Virus”
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Special Representative on Anti-Semitism, Racism, and Intolerance Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly, is urging Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to stop the official use of the term "Wuhan Virus." The Department of State and the Secretary have repeatedly used the term, which has stoked xenophobic fear in the United States and globally. "The tone… Continue Reading
March 24, 2020
Cardin to Pompeo: Americans Stranded Overseas Feel Abandoned by the U.S. Government; Help Them Now.
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has written to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on behalf of Marylanders who are still stranded overseas during the COVID-19 pandemic and trying to come home. "The United States Congress has appropriated funding to the Department of State with these kinds of crises in mind. Moreover, in addition to arranging charter flights, the Department of State has the authority to partner with the Depart… Continue Reading
March 24, 2020
Maryland Delegation Urges FEMA to Quickly Accept State Request for Field Medical Stations in Baltimore
"While Maryland is quickly moving to stand up additional sites in existing facilities, hospitals and clinics, the gap in available beds will still exist and requires immediate federal assistance." WASHINGTON - The full Maryland congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone, has written to the Federal Emergency Management … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Cardin Says Strengthening the ACA Is More Crucial Than Ever
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) released the following statement in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act enacted on March 23, 2010. "Ten years ago, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law, reinforcing the truth that quality health care is a human right for all. In those 10 years, coverage for preexisting conditions, the Medicaid expansion, and essential health benefits have helped close gaps in health d… Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Cardin, Van Hollen Join Bipartisan Call for FEMA to Help Individuals, States Handle COVID-19 Outbreak
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (Both D-Md.) are urging President Trump to exercise authorities used in the wake of natural disasters to provide direct emergency assistance to individuals and families and waive local cost sharing in order to pump more federal resources into states and communities responding to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. "Now, as the entire nation faces the challenges of a global pandemic, we are asking that your administration unlock the full… Continue Reading
March 22, 2020
Cardin, Senate Democrats Demand Answers from President Trump on Testing and Equipment Shortages
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) joined every member of the Senate Democratic Caucus in a letter to President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence demanding answers about supplies and equipment in the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) critical to addressing the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The senators asked the president and vice president to confirm any relevant supply and equipment shortages in the SNS, to outline their strategy to close any such shortag… Continue Reading
March 20, 2020
Cardin, Wyden Introduce Bill to Rescue Small Businesses
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee and a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today introduced legislation to rescue small businesses from the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the Trump administration's failure to ensure widespread testing. The Save America's Main Street Act would provide immediate cash flow through a tax rebate, help bu… Continue Reading
March 20, 2020
Cardin Response to Proposed COVID-19 Stimulus Package
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee (SBC) and a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, released the following statement on the third COVID-19-related package being considered by the Senate. "Our first priority is to do everything possible to keep Marylanders and everyone in this country safe. This is a public health emergency and addressing the health issues, including but not limited to increasing test… Continue Reading
March 19, 2020
Cardin, Van Hollen and Colleagues Press Coronavirus Task Force on Situation in Nursing Homes and Preparedness for Seniors, People with Disabilities
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (Both D-Md.) announced that they, along with more than 30 Democratic colleagues, pressed the Coronavirus Task Force on their preparedness and response plans for seniors and individuals with disabilities. The Senators sent three letters to the Trump Administration regarding the safety of people living in nursing homes, the ability of seniors living in the community to maintain critical services including delivered meals and home care, and … Continue Reading
March 19, 2020
Maryland Congressional Delegation Urges Swift Approval of Federal Disaster Assistance for Small Businesses Hurt by COVID-19
WASHINGTON - The Maryland congressional delegation sent a joint letter Thursday to Jovita Carranza, head of the Small Business Administration (SBA), urging approval of the state's request for a disaster declaration from the SBA related to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. "Given the various protective measures being put in place by the state, numerous businesses are reporting substantive impacts on their business operations, which is creating an immediate adverse impact on small busine… Continue Reading
March 19, 2020
Senate Small Business Committee Democrats Release Relief Proposal to Help Small Businesses Address Public Health-Related Challenges from Coronavirus Outbreak
WASHINGTIN - U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship Democrats today released a new relief proposal to help small businesses address public health-related challenges from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Committee Ranking Member Ben Cardin (D-Md.) said: "Our nation is facing a grave public health threat that requires us to take unprecedented steps that will have vast consequences for our economy, especially our small businesses. They are already under an unimagi… Continue Reading
March 19, 2020
Small Business Administration Approves Federal Disaster Assistance for Maryland
WASHINGTON - In response to a letter sent earlier today from the Maryland congressional delegation to the Small Business Administration (SBA) urging approval of the state's request for a disaster declaration from the SBA related to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the request was approved. The delegation, including U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Rask… Continue Reading
March 18, 2020
SFRC Dems Raise Alarm in New Letter to Sec. Pompeo amid Surge in Reports of Americans Stranded Abroad by Coronavirus
WASHINGTON - Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) today joined Ranking Member Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Democrats in sending a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo raising serious concerns about Americans struggling to return home after being stranded abroad due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Requesting the Secretary immediately update Congress and step up efforts to assist Americans stuck in pandemic-affected countries, the Senators' letter follows a substantial increase… Continue Reading
March 18, 2020
Cardin, National Capital Region Members of Congress Call on President Trump to Prioritize Testing Locations Locally
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin and lawmakers from across the National Capital Region have written to President Donald Trump urging that that the region be prioritized for early locations of federally-supported COVID-19 testing sites. The joint letter reinforces the regional cooperation shown by Governors Larry Hogan and Ralph Northam and Mayor Muriel Bowser asking for federal testing. In addition to Cardin, the letter to the president was signed by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), M… Continue Reading
